Diet And Exercising For Weight Loss
Obesity is now being called an epidemic in the health community. In fact, it will soon be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, even ahead of cigarette smoking. Obesity leads to type two diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke and even an increased risk of cancer. With all of these health risks, as well as the general improvement in the quality of life that can occur, losing weight is one of the best things that you can do for yourself.
No matter what we would like to believe, there simply isn’t a magic solution to losing weight. The body will shed excess fat when it needs more calories to function through the demands you place on it in a given day than the amount of calories that you feed it. It’s that simple. So, in order to lose weight, you need to decrease the number of calories that you eat as well as increase the amount that you burn. There is a wide range of options to choose from when looking for a weight loss program. All of them often spend a lot of time explaining what to eat, in what amounts and even at what times or in what combinations. But few of them emphasize the importance of exercise – not just for losing weight, but for your general health and wellbeing. Exercise is vital when trying to lose weight for several reasons:
First, as you start to eat less, your metabolism will slow down somewhat. Exercising helps to elevate your metabolism back to an efficient level.Second, as mentioned, exercise burns more calories so that you can lose weight faster and stay motivated in your efforts.Third, exercise actually releases endorphins, chemicals that keep your mood elevated. Exercise doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym or straining through exhausting workouts. In fact, in order for you to stick with it on the long run, exercising should be something that you enjoy. Start by increasing your activity level in an overall way.
Take the stairs when you can. Park further from the mall door when you go shopping. Go for a walk in the park or through a neighborhood you love and bring a dog or a friend along for company. Take dance or martial arts lessons. Once you become more active in general, you’ll find it easier and more natural to move into regular exercise. Which you’ll need to do eventually in order to get regular, noticeable health benefits. You need to raise your heart rate to a fat burning level and keep it there for at least 20 minutes, 3 times or more a week.
However, if you don’t want to go to a gym, there are other options. Videos and DVDs are now available in all kinds of exercise types. That way you can change your routine whenever you want so that you don’t get bored with what you’re doing. Try a range of aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, or pretty much any activity you want right in the comfort of your own home. If you have physical limitations that would keep you off from exercising, you can still find a way to increase your activity level. Water aerobics is a wonderful option for those who have joint problems or limited mobility because it relieves the pressure on your body that your weight provides. But you still get the resistance to challenge your muscles from the water.
There are even classes and videos available that let you exercise in a seated position. Whatever kind of exercise you choose, it’s important to stay motivated and keep it fun. Try gathering a group together to make it a social event. Or get a pedometer, a device that tracks how far you walk, and see how many miles you can walk a week. Make a competition amongst your friends or family members and treat the winner with something special (not food related!). Make the experience of exercising something that you look forward to, and it will soon become a regular part of your healthier lifestyle.
Obesity is now being called an epidemic in the health community. In fact, it will soon be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, even ahead of cigarette smoking. Obesity leads to type two diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke and even an increased risk of cancer. With all of these health risks, as well as the general improvement in the quality of life that can occur, losing weight is one of the best things that you can do for yourself.
No matter what we would like to believe, there simply isn’t a magic solution to losing weight. The body will shed excess fat when it needs more calories to function through the demands you place on it in a given day than the amount of calories that you feed it. It’s that simple. So, in order to lose weight, you need to decrease the number of calories that you eat as well as increase the amount that you burn. There is a wide range of options to choose from when looking for a weight loss program. All of them often spend a lot of time explaining what to eat, in what amounts and even at what times or in what combinations. But few of them emphasize the importance of exercise – not just for losing weight, but for your general health and wellbeing. Exercise is vital when trying to lose weight for several reasons:
First, as you start to eat less, your metabolism will slow down somewhat. Exercising helps to elevate your metabolism back to an efficient level.Second, as mentioned, exercise burns more calories so that you can lose weight faster and stay motivated in your efforts.Third, exercise actually releases endorphins, chemicals that keep your mood elevated. Exercise doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym or straining through exhausting workouts. In fact, in order for you to stick with it on the long run, exercising should be something that you enjoy. Start by increasing your activity level in an overall way.
Take the stairs when you can. Park further from the mall door when you go shopping. Go for a walk in the park or through a neighborhood you love and bring a dog or a friend along for company. Take dance or martial arts lessons. Once you become more active in general, you’ll find it easier and more natural to move into regular exercise. Which you’ll need to do eventually in order to get regular, noticeable health benefits. You need to raise your heart rate to a fat burning level and keep it there for at least 20 minutes, 3 times or more a week.
However, if you don’t want to go to a gym, there are other options. Videos and DVDs are now available in all kinds of exercise types. That way you can change your routine whenever you want so that you don’t get bored with what you’re doing. Try a range of aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, or pretty much any activity you want right in the comfort of your own home. If you have physical limitations that would keep you off from exercising, you can still find a way to increase your activity level. Water aerobics is a wonderful option for those who have joint problems or limited mobility because it relieves the pressure on your body that your weight provides. But you still get the resistance to challenge your muscles from the water.
There are even classes and videos available that let you exercise in a seated position. Whatever kind of exercise you choose, it’s important to stay motivated and keep it fun. Try gathering a group together to make it a social event. Or get a pedometer, a device that tracks how far you walk, and see how many miles you can walk a week. Make a competition amongst your friends or family members and treat the winner with something special (not food related!). Make the experience of exercising something that you look forward to, and it will soon become a regular part of your healthier lifestyle.
5 Ways To Get The Best Use Out Of Your Home Treadmill
The #1 fear that people have when investing in a home treadmill (or any piece of exercise equipment) is that they won’t use it.
You know the story. It gets delivered, you set it up and enjoy it for a few days…and then it sits…and waits.
A few months down the road, you notice how dusty it has become and how much space it’s taking up. And you remember how much weight you were determined to lose by using it faithfully every day. But now, unfortunately, it doubles as a clothes rack.
Never fear. This article will help you make sure that DOESN’T happen.
A treadmill provides the best overall cardiovascular workout & it’s still the number one exercise machine for those who want to lose weight. So it’s an investment in your health that will pay large dividends…if you are prepared to get the maximum benefit from it!
Here are 5 easy ways to get the BEST use from your home treadmill:
#1) Do your research first
Make sure you look at what each treadmill offers you and compare it to your unique needs.
For example, if you live in a condo and/or like things neat and clean, a folding treadmill might suit you best. If you want a folding treadmill, do you prefer a manual folding treadmill (like most folding treadmills) or do you want a shock-assisted folding treadmill with wheels on the bottom that’s easy to move?
If you like to drink water during your workout, make sure there’s a water bottle holder included in the treadmill console (it might surprise you how many treadmills do not have this feature.)
Do you get bored easily and need a challenge? What about getting a treadmill with lots of user programs or one that is iFit compatible?
These things may seem little and maybe it might cost you a bit more; but if it means you’re actually going to enjoy your workout it will be well worth it!
#2) Place the treadmill in a ‘happy’ spot.
By ‘happy’ I mean well-lit, open and stimulating. Don’t put it so you face the bare wall when you walk or run. I’ve tried this this and the workouts don’t last long! If you get bored easily, put it facing the television or facing a window where you can have an attractive view while working out.
Rooms and spaces have definite ‘feels’ to them and that will affect the success of your workouts. Make sure your treadmill is placed in an area that makes you feel energized, happy and mentally stimulated.
#3) Get your exercise arsenal ready BEFORE the treadmill arrives.
Do you like listening to fast music when you exercise? Do you like watching your favorite movies? What about reading magazines? What inspires you to work out and feel your best?
Get these things ready even before your treadmill arrives and you’ll be three-quarters of the way there. Have several workout or favorite CD’s around. Get your favorite movies or shows on tape. Gather your favorite magazines.
By having an ‘exercise’ stash around your treadmill, you’ll be inspired to workout AND you won’t be stuck running around looking for something to do when you want to start exercising.
Again, this may seem simple, but it works. Why do you think gyms have magazines, televisions and CD players handy?
#4) Make an exercise plan.
Before you start working out, try making a plan, a “roadmap to your rock-hard body” so to speak. By writing down how long and what kind of workout you’ll be doing in week 1, 2, 3, 4 etc, you’ll get yourself psyched up for success.
Remember that every time you workout, you are planting the seeds for the kind of dream body that you want.
By having a plan, you can see just how many seeds you’ve planted (and even how long it will take to start reaping the results!) Have fun with it and you’ll be motivated to achieve your health goals (and get maximum benefits from your treadmill!)
#5) Track your progress
Ok this is related to #4 but it’s more of an ongoing thing. By tracking your progress every day, you get a major sense of accomplishment which snowballs into even greater fat-burning results.
I suggest you have ‘minimum goals’ like “I’ll walk for at least 10 minutes.” or “I’ll do 5-30 second intervals.” These are easy to do and you’ll probably go beyond them – which will encourage you even further and heighten your sense of accomplishment.
And of course, you’re also getting maximum benefit from your treadmill!
Those are 5 ways to get best use from your home treadmill. Just remember that even a little bit of preparation will pay off large dividends in the long run.
The #1 fear that people have when investing in a home treadmill (or any piece of exercise equipment) is that they won’t use it.
You know the story. It gets delivered, you set it up and enjoy it for a few days…and then it sits…and waits.
A few months down the road, you notice how dusty it has become and how much space it’s taking up. And you remember how much weight you were determined to lose by using it faithfully every day. But now, unfortunately, it doubles as a clothes rack.
Never fear. This article will help you make sure that DOESN’T happen.
A treadmill provides the best overall cardiovascular workout & it’s still the number one exercise machine for those who want to lose weight. So it’s an investment in your health that will pay large dividends…if you are prepared to get the maximum benefit from it!
Here are 5 easy ways to get the BEST use from your home treadmill:
#1) Do your research first
Make sure you look at what each treadmill offers you and compare it to your unique needs.
For example, if you live in a condo and/or like things neat and clean, a folding treadmill might suit you best. If you want a folding treadmill, do you prefer a manual folding treadmill (like most folding treadmills) or do you want a shock-assisted folding treadmill with wheels on the bottom that’s easy to move?
If you like to drink water during your workout, make sure there’s a water bottle holder included in the treadmill console (it might surprise you how many treadmills do not have this feature.)
Do you get bored easily and need a challenge? What about getting a treadmill with lots of user programs or one that is iFit compatible?
These things may seem little and maybe it might cost you a bit more; but if it means you’re actually going to enjoy your workout it will be well worth it!
#2) Place the treadmill in a ‘happy’ spot.
By ‘happy’ I mean well-lit, open and stimulating. Don’t put it so you face the bare wall when you walk or run. I’ve tried this this and the workouts don’t last long! If you get bored easily, put it facing the television or facing a window where you can have an attractive view while working out.
Rooms and spaces have definite ‘feels’ to them and that will affect the success of your workouts. Make sure your treadmill is placed in an area that makes you feel energized, happy and mentally stimulated.
#3) Get your exercise arsenal ready BEFORE the treadmill arrives.
Do you like listening to fast music when you exercise? Do you like watching your favorite movies? What about reading magazines? What inspires you to work out and feel your best?
Get these things ready even before your treadmill arrives and you’ll be three-quarters of the way there. Have several workout or favorite CD’s around. Get your favorite movies or shows on tape. Gather your favorite magazines.
By having an ‘exercise’ stash around your treadmill, you’ll be inspired to workout AND you won’t be stuck running around looking for something to do when you want to start exercising.
Again, this may seem simple, but it works. Why do you think gyms have magazines, televisions and CD players handy?
#4) Make an exercise plan.
Before you start working out, try making a plan, a “roadmap to your rock-hard body” so to speak. By writing down how long and what kind of workout you’ll be doing in week 1, 2, 3, 4 etc, you’ll get yourself psyched up for success.
Remember that every time you workout, you are planting the seeds for the kind of dream body that you want.
By having a plan, you can see just how many seeds you’ve planted (and even how long it will take to start reaping the results!) Have fun with it and you’ll be motivated to achieve your health goals (and get maximum benefits from your treadmill!)
#5) Track your progress
Ok this is related to #4 but it’s more of an ongoing thing. By tracking your progress every day, you get a major sense of accomplishment which snowballs into even greater fat-burning results.
I suggest you have ‘minimum goals’ like “I’ll walk for at least 10 minutes.” or “I’ll do 5-30 second intervals.” These are easy to do and you’ll probably go beyond them – which will encourage you even further and heighten your sense of accomplishment.
And of course, you’re also getting maximum benefit from your treadmill!
Those are 5 ways to get best use from your home treadmill. Just remember that even a little bit of preparation will pay off large dividends in the long run.
FOOD Today.... How You Can eat & drink and STay Healthy Tips
Here are my 10 examples of just some of those wonderful health promoting spices.
1. Garlic
From immune system building, helping to fight infection to cancer prevention/reversal, garlic has a wide range of health benefits. Other properties include reducing bad cholesterol, lowering high blood pressure and aids controlling blood sugar.
2. Cloves
Cloves help reduce pain such as toothache and inflammation. It can also serve as a digestion aid.
3. Nutmeg
Nutmeg helps promote healthy blood circulation. It can help you cope with stress and fall asleep more easily. It has also been known to help enhance memory, act as an anti-inflammatory agent and an antibacterial.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is said by some to be the 'world's healthiest spice!' It's the bright yellow spice that's in curry. It can also be used as a supplement. Its powerful bioactive compounds (curcuminoids) have potent medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Ginger
Ginger contains ayurveda giving it medicine cabinet status! Clearing up sinuses, reducing muscle and joint pain, helping with digestion problems such as nausea, promoting absorption and assimilation of nutrients... are just some of the health benefits.
6. Peppercorn
Generally spices contribute to circulation and the body's metabolic function. Peppercorn is no exception. It's also good for applying on small surface cuts and scuffs, acting as a cleansing agent.
7. Red clover
It has been advised that red clover is not to be used during pregnancy and breast feeding, or by those with bleeding disorders. However, it has been used for pain relief, having anti-inflammatory properties. It has been said that the pain relief is due to red clover containing the compounds eugenol, myricetin and salicylic acid found in the flowers.
8. Thyme
Thymol is the main oil ingredient if thyme. This is what gives its health benefits. It helps increase healthy fats such as omega-3 in cell membranes belonging to vital organs like the heart, kidney and brain. This can have the effect of reducing ageing. Thyme also contains flavonoids contributing to its antioxidant properties.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is good source of calcium for maintaining bone health and vitamin B6 for nervous function, mood enhancement and energy production. Rosemary also helps with circulation, memory enhancement and digestion aiding beneficial gut bacteria.
10. Sage
How about making sweet potato and turnip mash then adding sage butter! Sage also mixes well with parsley, rosemary and thyme (remember the Simon and Garfunkel song?!). Sage has been known to serve as a memory aid and soothe sore throats.
It is hoped that this limited list has encouraged the reader to look further into the benefits of spices for optimal health and healing.
1. Garlic
From immune system building, helping to fight infection to cancer prevention/reversal, garlic has a wide range of health benefits. Other properties include reducing bad cholesterol, lowering high blood pressure and aids controlling blood sugar.
2. Cloves
Cloves help reduce pain such as toothache and inflammation. It can also serve as a digestion aid.
3. Nutmeg
Nutmeg helps promote healthy blood circulation. It can help you cope with stress and fall asleep more easily. It has also been known to help enhance memory, act as an anti-inflammatory agent and an antibacterial.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is said by some to be the 'world's healthiest spice!' It's the bright yellow spice that's in curry. It can also be used as a supplement. Its powerful bioactive compounds (curcuminoids) have potent medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Ginger
Ginger contains ayurveda giving it medicine cabinet status! Clearing up sinuses, reducing muscle and joint pain, helping with digestion problems such as nausea, promoting absorption and assimilation of nutrients... are just some of the health benefits.
6. Peppercorn
Generally spices contribute to circulation and the body's metabolic function. Peppercorn is no exception. It's also good for applying on small surface cuts and scuffs, acting as a cleansing agent.
7. Red clover
It has been advised that red clover is not to be used during pregnancy and breast feeding, or by those with bleeding disorders. However, it has been used for pain relief, having anti-inflammatory properties. It has been said that the pain relief is due to red clover containing the compounds eugenol, myricetin and salicylic acid found in the flowers.
8. Thyme
Thymol is the main oil ingredient if thyme. This is what gives its health benefits. It helps increase healthy fats such as omega-3 in cell membranes belonging to vital organs like the heart, kidney and brain. This can have the effect of reducing ageing. Thyme also contains flavonoids contributing to its antioxidant properties.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is good source of calcium for maintaining bone health and vitamin B6 for nervous function, mood enhancement and energy production. Rosemary also helps with circulation, memory enhancement and digestion aiding beneficial gut bacteria.
10. Sage
How about making sweet potato and turnip mash then adding sage butter! Sage also mixes well with parsley, rosemary and thyme (remember the Simon and Garfunkel song?!). Sage has been known to serve as a memory aid and soothe sore throats.
It is hoped that this limited list has encouraged the reader to look further into the benefits of spices for optimal health and healing.
What Are Food Labels And How To Read Them
by David WorganFood labels will give you information about the elements of the food and can help you to decide what to choose as part of an overall healthy eating plan.
Food labels provide information about nutrition facts. They also tell you what's in a packaged food (i.e., the ingredients). Some food labels also state which country the food came from, whether the food is organic, and certain health claims.
Information that are given in a label:
Reading food labels seem to be the most effective way to understand the amount and kinds of nutrients that are provided in the item. It lets you make sensible food selections.
The following information will help you to read a food label.
Serving size: The amount of servings stated in the food label refers to the quantity of food people usually consume. It determines the amount of nutrients that enters the body. This means that if you will follow strictly what the serving size is, you will obtain the same amount of nutrients according to the serving size that was given in the label.
Calories, Calories from Fat and Percent Daily Values: This part of a food label provides the calories serving and the calories that come from fat. If you need to know the total number of calories you eat every day or the number of calories that come from fat, this section provides that information. Remember that this part of the label doesn't tell you whether you are eating saturated or unsaturated fat.
On the right side of a food label, you'll see a column that lists percentages. These percentages refer to the percent daily values (%DV). Percent daily values tell you how much of something, whether it's fat, sugar or vitamin A, one serving will give you compared to how much you need for the entire day. It will help you gauge the percentage of a nutrient requirement met by one serving of the product. One way to use this section of the label is when you comparison shop.
Fat, Sugar, Sodium and Carbohydrate: This section of a food label shows the name of a nutrient and the amount of that nutrient provided by one serving of food. You may need to know this information, especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or are eating a diet that restricts certain nutrients such as sodium or carbohydrates.
Food labels also include information about how much sugar and protein is in the food. If you are following a low-sugar diet or you're monitoring your protein intake, it's easy to spot how much of those nutrients are contained in one serving.
Vitamins, Minerals and Other Information:
The light purple part of the label lists nutrients, vitamins and minerals in the food and their percent daily values. Try to average 100% DV every day for vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and fiber. Do the opposite with fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. Try to eat less than 100% DV of these.
Reading Label Lingo:
In a food label following terms are used to indicate the contents of the food. To read a label you have to know about the phrases. They are-
1. 'Low in calories' means that the food can be eaten frequently without going beyond guidelines for a good diet.
2. No calories or calorie free - Contains less than 5 calories per serving.
3. 'Low in sodium' means less than 140mg. a serving.
4. 'Reduced' means the product has at least 25 percent fewer calories of an ingredient than the regular product.
5. 'Good source' means one serving has 10 to 19 percent of Daily Value for that nutrient.
6. 'Low fat' means the product contains no more than 3 grams of fat per serving.
7. 'Lite' means that the food contains at least 50 percent less fat than the food it's being compared with.
8. 'Fresh' means that the food cannot have been frozen, processed, heated or chemically preserved.
9. 'Organic' means foods that have been prepared to a certain production standard. They have been grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or sewage sludge. They have also not been processed without ionizing radiation or food additives.
10. No preservatives - Contains no preservatives (chemical or natural).
11. Sugar free - Contains less than 1/2 gram of sugar per serving.
12. Reduced sugar - at least 25% less sugar per serving than the reference food.
13. No preservatives added - Contains no added chemicals to preserve the product. Some of these products may contain natural preservatives.
14. No salt or salt free - Contains less than 5 mgs of sodium per serving.
15. High fiber - 5 g or more per serving.
16. Good source of fiber - 2.5 g to 4.9 g. per serving.
17. More or added fiber - Contains at least 2.5 g more per serving than the reference food.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reading a Food Label:
Until you become accustomed to reading food labels, it's easy to become confused. Avoid these common mistakes when reading labels:
A label may say that the food is reduced fat or reduced sodium. That means that the amount of fat or sodium has been reduced by 25% from the original product. It doesn't mean, however, that the food is low in fat or sodium. For example, if a can of soup originally had 1,000 milligrams of sodium, the reduced sodium product would still be a high-sodium food.
Don't confuse the % DV for fat with the percentage of calories from fat. If the 15% that 15% doesn't mean that 15% of the calories come from fat.
Rather, it means that you're using up 15% of all the fat you need for a day with one serving (based on a meal plan of 2,000 calories per day).
Don't make the mistake of assuming that the amount of sugar on a label means that the sugar has been added. For example, milk naturally has sugar, which is called lactose. But that doesn't mean you should stop drinking milk because milk is full of other important nutrients including calcium.
About The Author: David Worgan from Label Planet writes about Coloured Labels. To know more about Coloured Labels, visit http://www.labelplanet.co.uk
Article Source: Afro Articles