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Is A Low-Carb, High Protein Diet really Effective for Weight Loss?

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:34:00 +0000

You may have heard that to increase muscle and to lose weight you need to increase your protein intake. When I first heard that I thought…wait a minute the same thing that is going to make you bigger is supposed to make you ’smaller’…I asked the trainer this question and he looked at me dumbfounded but it left me to thinking…”besides sounding absurd, will this method actually be safe?” Although we all know we require a certain quantity of protein every day to be healthy and because of propaganda to this effect, a lot of people view the daily consumption of high-protein foods such as meat and dairy as highly beneficial. However, judging from the failure of most if not all the people I have personally known attempting to lose weight on a high-protein, low carb diet, it may be time to revise our ideas about protein. From what I have seen (upwards of six cases I have been able to observe among friends, family and co-workers) it will be safe to answer the question heading this article with a simple No! Not only is a diet high in protein NOT the best at all for weight loss, according to many naturopaths, such a diet may even be detrimental to ones overall health. Because of its complexity, excessive protein along with fatty foods are the most difficult foods to digest and tend to leave one tired all the time. Moreover the common putrefaction of protein while being digested creates many acids in the body and has been known to lay the foundation for cancer. This is not to say that proteins and fats must be avoided, quite the contrary, what should be the goal in consuming these foods should be taking in exactly what the body needs and no more. The Max Planck institute has proven that, considering that the body recycles most of its protein for its own needs, 25g of protein a day is more than enough. According to T.C. Fry, a well known Naturopath and pioneer in drugless healing, there are several cultures such as the Caribbeans, who subsist on a Manioc-based (root-vegetable) diet and get about 12 g of protein a day. Quite similarly, an aboriginal tribe living in the Mountains of Hagen was discovered to live on about 80-90% of their diet being Sweet Potatoes, the rest mostly leafy veggies, bananas and the like. While I lived in Nigeria for 17 plus years, most people hardly ever even consumed milk or cheese (they were too expensive) and families strictly rationed the consumption of animal flesh to about the size of medium size lemon per person every other day. All these groups of people, with their root vegetable diets are obviously in great health, accomplishing great physical work. Moreover, Mother’s milk, which for a time is a baby’s perfect food, has about 1-2 % protein content. (Only fruits and veggies resemble it in their composition) Any reasonable person will be able to deduce that a growing baby needs more protein than a full-grown adult, yet human babies, just like with our distant cousins: the Apes in the wild, do just fine on breast milk and on the subject of apes who share about 98% of our DNA, do you know the Gorilla, the strongest primate, has been known to bench press upwards of about 4000 pounds! What does this creature live on? According to Dr. George Schaller and Dian Fossey, two great primatologists, this powerful relative lives on mostly fruits and leaves. Now, considering all the factors above, when it comes to the right diet for weight loss, I would recommend a Mucus-less or Mucus-poor (raw and cooked fruits and veggies) over any other mere fad in the quest of attaining fitness and health. Of course, if the consumption of animal flesh must be continued, I would also advise that it be done at a minimal quantity and only one kind of animal flesh every so often. In my opinion, consumption of fresh home-made salads, mono-meals of fruits, snacks on dried fruits such as dates, a few nuts and maybe even a short juice fast, as a choice for a diet (along with some form of exercise) will be the best path to attaining safe and healthy weight loss.

Countdown To Summer Fitness Challenge! How To Get Fit And Lose Weight In 6 Weeks.

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:39:00 +0000

How about those fabulous bike rides in the park! What about grilling barbeque on the deck? Are you down for a little surfing and tanning on the beach? Summer will be upon us in less than six weeks. Not only do we want to enjoy the warm months that are rapidly approaching, we want to look like we are enjoying them. It doesn’t matter if it is ten, twenty, forty, or seventy pounds, just get started! Weight loss should be slow and steady, while focusing on cutting calories and increasing exercise. It is important to refrain from overexerting yourself. Weight loss takes time. I have never been one to acknowledge or accept the idea of dieting. The true meaning of dieting is counting and managing your calories for a specific amount of time in order to reach a target weight goal. This concerns me because it is temporary. What happens when you resume your normal eating habits? You gain weight! I believe in making a complete paradigm in the way we think about food. You can do this by establishing good eating habits. Why not establish a habit of consuming 500-600 calories for breakfast instead of 1,500? If you replace muffins, bagels, pancakes, sausage, grits and bacon with fruit, turkey bacon, cottage cheese, grain cereal, or yogurt, you will probably find yourself 10 pounds lighter on breakfast alone. Do the same for lunch and dinner and lose an additional 10-20 pounds. Wait until you add exercise into the equation. Exercise for thirty minutes per day, four to five times a week and watch additional pounds drop. Of course, this takes determination and discipline. Yet, habits are habits. Once you get used to a routine of eating certain foods, it becomes second nature. Weight management not only helps you look better, but helps you feel better. You will begin to notice an increase in energy and an improvement in health. It is important to monitor the amount of cholesterol you consume. Diets high in cholesterol can lead to heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Be sure to get a cholesterol screening on a regular basis. Eat fish at least twice a week, preferably those with darker flesh, such as, salmon, herring mackerel, and lake trout. They are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which lower blood cholesterol. It is also important to eat foods that will not contribute to high blood pressure. Limit your alcohol intake to less than two drinks per day, limit your salt intake, and reduce the saturated fat in your diet. Saturated fat can be found in animal products like milk, cheese, and meat. Let go of the cigarettes or tobacco products! Smoking increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Try nonfat yogurt, salsa, or nonfat sour cream instead of sour cream or butter on baked potatoes. Try substituting fresh vegetables and tomatoes sauce for creamy sauces, when eating pasta. Substitute basic breads and cereal grains for bagels, muffins, and croissants. A diet high in fruits and vegetables will help you ward off cancer and other diseases because of the cancer-fighting agents contained in them. They contain a lot of fiber and a diet high in fiber decreases your risk of developing colon cancer and other types of cancer. Fruits and vegetables also contain Vitamin A (beta carotene) and C, both of which contain cartenoids and antioxidants. Cartenoids can also be found in dark leafy vegetables, carrots, cantaloupe, papaya, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. Additional sources of Vitamin C are strawberries, oranges, broccoli, peppers, and tomatoes. It is always best to lightly steam your vegetables. The closer they are to being raw, the higher their nutritional value. People have asked me how exercise can give you energy. It seems as though it takes your energy away because you utilize so much energy when you exercise. This is the farthest thing from the truth. The more you exercise and lose weight, the more energy you get and keep because you are carrying less weight, which takes less energy. The more you exercise, the more you are able to exercise. After you get your weight to a manageable level, monitor or keep a close eye on it. Weigh yourself everyday. That way, you can take measures or do things to nip sudden weight gain. If you find yourself five or ten pounds heavier than your target weight, you should cut back immediately. It becomes a problem when we wait until we are 30, 60, or 100 pounds overweight. It can feel like you’re fighting a losing battle when your weight gain has become too extreme. It is a good idea to make a list of different ways to incorporate walking into your daily life. If you live near a metro transit station, drive there, park your car and ride the train and walk to work. If you are a new mother, get a stroller that will enable you to burn calories while you are walking your baby. Why not take the stairs, instead of the elevator? You would be surprised at how many calories you can burn by gardening, swimming, skating, hiking, and dancing. Believe it or not, you can have fun while losing weight. Exercise, along with a positive attitude, and a healthy diet will help you to manage your weight and improve your health. Exercise does not have to be rigorous to be valuable. You will probably do yourself a disservice by exercising too hard. Take it easy. Just gradually build up your resistance to a manageable level. Always remember that if you can not talk and walk at the same time, then you are walking too fast. If you have any of the following health problems, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise program. • Heart trouble • Dizziness or faintness • Chest pains • Diabetes • High blood pressure • Arthritis How to prepare food for a good diet and low calories: • Eat Fish at least twice a week, preferable baked, broiled, or grilled. Reduce serving size to 2-3 ounces. • To reduce fat, use lean poultry and fish, as well as, lean cuts of meat such as top and bottom round and tenderloin. Avoid second servings. Feel free to replace some meats with beans or grains. • Eat at least three to five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Fruit like kiwi, figs, apples, raspberries, and blueberries are high in fiber and nutrition. Vegetables such as, broccoli, brussel sprouts, beets, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, chili peppers, red bell peppers, squash, sweet potatoes and tomatoes have high nutritional value and are great anti-oxidants (contain cancer-fighting agents). • Eat whole-grain, whole-wheat bread, pasta, tortillas, and cereals daily • Eat cooked dry beans, peas, and lentils regularly • Eat popcorn with no added oil, salt, or butter. • Drink skim milk or 1% milk • You should drink at least 24 ounces of water per day, especially since you will be exercising. • Limit the oil you use for cooking • Steam your vegetables or sautй using wine or a half teaspoon of oil • Use herbs and spices for seasoning, instead of sauces and butter • Salads should be eaten with fat-free dressing or a combination of red wine vinegar and oil • Drink a glass of water in the morning when you wake • Limit your consumption of lean, red meat to no more than four times per month Copyright © 2006 by Pamela Jewell, M.Ed., Ed.S.

Intestinal Parasites And Weight-Loss

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:04:00 +0000

Many individuals struggle to achieve their ideal body weight. Many people spend enormous amounts of money on gym memberships, personal trainers, and weight loss pills but achieve minimal results. More than a problem of metabolism and food intake, recent studies show that intestinal parasites can also be responsible for unwanted weight gain. These intestinal parasites enter the human body through different channels like food and water. These parasites may be one among the causes of weight gain and the reason why certain people have trouble losing weight. These parasites hamper the digestive process, which may then cause unwanted weight gain. The presence of intestinal parasites in the human body is usually detected by looking for the following symptoms: · Diarrhea · Nausea or vomiting · Gas or bloating · Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus) · Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva · Stomach pain or tenderness · Feeling tired · Weight loss · Passing a worm in your stool Intestinal parasites present in the body causes the lining of the intestines to become inflamed. Inflammation of the intestinal linings inhibit the consumption necessary vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that aid in the regulation of hormones, metabolism, and blood sugar levels. Parasites consume the food meant for the body and deprive the body of the nutrients and leave it with empty calories. This impels individuals to crave more food — which only leads to more weight gain. In addition to inflammation, parasites in the body produce toxins and acids that destroy body tissues, corrupt the organs, and slowdown the function of the central nervous system. To remove these toxins and waste products, filtration organs like the kidney and liver work harder causing it to slowdown. Delay in these areas may cause individuals to feel tired and sluggish and gain additional weight because of tampered metabolism. The development of intestinal parasites can be avoided by having a healthy diet and proper hygiene. Frequent washing of hands, regular trimming of fingernails, and cleaning bathrooms and the kitchen thoroughly are some of the simple things that can be done to maintain a parasite-free body. Thorough cleaning and complete cooking of food— especially beef and pork, may help prevent the proliferation of parasitic worms. Medical studies show that parasitic infections in the body occur when there is pH imbalance in the body or too much alkaline. Keeping the intestines slightly acidic by consuming two tablespoons of apple cider diluted in eight ounces of water may help prevent and treat this kind of contamination. Parasite cleansing in the body can lead to normal metabolism easier weight loss. In addition, to its cleansing effect, daily doses of this vinegar in water has been proven to control high blood pressure after weeks of use. Medical specialists advice individuals to try natural remedies before taking over the counter medicines. Preventing the development of intestinal parasites should be the goal every individuals. Complete cleansing of intestinal parasites in ones body may lead to normal metabolism and easier weight loss. Food cravings may decrease because more nutrients, minerals, and other necessary ingredients are absorbed by the body. In return, the important internal organs function properly. These factors are healthy to achieve one’s ideal weight. A parasite-free body can make health and fitness goals more attainable.

Information And Advice To Help People To Lose Weight

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:02:00 +0000

If you are looking into ways of how you can become fitter or how you can lose weight, this article may be of interest to you. It gives information and advice to help people to successfully lose weight and more importantly to keep this weight off in the long term. I have had many issues with my own weight and have tried many different weight loss programs and diets. I have lost weight but then after only a short period of time, I would put all of the weight back on again. A few years ago, I decided to try to reduce the amount I weighed yet again, but was determined that this time the fat would stay off. I had read many books on the subject of fitness and dieting and decided to follow some of the advice which I had learnt. I wrote down all of the reasons I was trying to lose the excess fat. This is very important as it would be a constant reminder of what I am attempting to achieve and also about why I am attempting to achieve it. It would give me a huge motivation to stick to my weight loss plan. I would advise anybody who is also looking to lose weight to write a similar list as it proved to be very beneficial to me. On my list I wrote about how I wanted to look and feel stronger and fitter. This I believed would help my self-confidence and self-esteem which were always fairly low. I had had enough of feeling ashamed of my weight and fat belly. I wanted to walk down the street feeling proud and assured. I wanted to lose weight to avoid all the health problems that being obese can cause, as people become older. I am not sure about you but I rarely see a fat person who is in their seventies or eighties. I am hoping to live until a ripe old age and enjoy my retirement. Next on my list was about the clothes I wear. Basically I am not able to buy the clothes I really want to as they do not really suit a person of my build. I often look at other people and am impressed with their clothes but then realise that they are a lot of thinner than I am. The clothes may look impressive on them but would not look the same if I wore them. I also wanted to lose weight in order for me to look more attractive to members of the opposite sex. Being overweight I am sure has a bearing as to why I have not exactly been a stud in my life, well it is my excuse anyway. The last reason on my list was about my general level of fitness. I love playing football and was a regular in the school football team. That was years ago, when ever I had played recently before writing this list, I had been out of breath after only about fifteen minutes. This was quite a shock for me and made playing the game far less fun and enjoyable. I wrote about how I would love to regain my fitness so that I could participate in this and other sports. Once I had written my list, I would then read it on regular occasions and it would help me to keep motivated. I am not saying it was an easy road, however I eventually managed to obtain a weight that I was happy with. I am pleased to let you know that I have also been successful in keeping the weight off this time around. In conclusion, if you are thinking about or hoping to lose some weight, I would recommend you to write a list of reasons why you are doing it. Keep these ideas in mind and if you start to be tempted by that fatty food, quickly read your list to remind you why you should ignore your temptations. Good luck.

Is Barbecuing Really Healthier?

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:18:00 +0000

People used to question the nutritional effects of barbecuing because they were concerned about the fat content of traditional barbecue fare like hot dogs and hamburgers. That concern is valid, but it’s easily avoided by substituting skinless chicken and fish. Unfortunately, researchers say there is still another concern about the health impact of barbecuing any animal meats; when they are cooked in the intense heat of the barbecue, substances are formed that have been clearly shown to be carcinogens (substances that can start the development of cancer). And these substances develop regardless of whether low-fat or high-fat, red meat or white meat is on the grill. In a landmark report on diet and cancer risk, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) notes that as meat – red or white – is cooked, natural substances that it contains react under intense heat to form compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) that have been linked with increased cancer risk in some animal studies. The longer the cooking time and higher the temperature, the more these carcinogenic substances formed. Studies in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute have shown that people who frequently eat heavily browned or very well done meat are three to five times more likely to develop breast, colon and stomach cancer than those who eat it less often. Studies of rodents demonstrated that these HCAs are distributed to mammary (breast) tissue and cause changes in a cell’s genetic material. However, we don’t have proof that this process occurs in people. Does this mean that if you care about your health you must banish the grill? Not necessarily. Researchers note that how people barbecue affects the risks. For example, marinating meat or poultry even briefly before cooking reduces the amount of HCAs formed by about 96 percent. Partially pre-cooking meat for two minutes in the microwave just before grilling prevents 90 percent of the HCAs normally formed. Avoid the black char that often forms during grilling, since it is particularly concentrated in cancer-causing substances. Other carcinogens of concern come from the smoke. You can limit the meat’s contact with smoke and decrease this risk if you raise the grill a little higher from the heat and choose leaner meats and trim all visible fat so it can’t drip and cause smoking. Placing food in a foil packet also prevents smoking. The rest of your meal can reduce the risks of grilling as well. Antioxidant vitamins and phytochemicals in fruits, vegetables and soy foods seem to block some of the damage HCAs do to cells. Studies from Oregon State University demonstrate that substances in tea increase the body’s ability to detoxify and excrete HCA before they do their damage. Look at the overall balance of your meal. AICR recommends that at any meal, animal protein like meat, poultry and seafood should occupy no more than a third of your plate. And that’s especially true when it’s grilled. By limiting your meat portion, you limit your exposure to HCAs and other carcinogens. And by enjoying a healthy portion of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you get loads of cancer-fighting, health-promoting nutrients and phytochemicals. If you want to grill some of these veggies, that’s no problem, since the HCA reaction occurs only in foods with animal protein.

Stoke Your Fat-Burning Furnace

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:53:00 +0000

Yo-yo dieting, skipping meals, eating fat-free foods, no exercise and low thyroid all have one thing in common – they promote a low metabolism. Your basal metabolism rate (BMR) is the rate at which your body burns food when you are at rest. When you hear people refer to their slow metabolism, they are really saying that they have a low BMR. Metabolism is the reactions that take place inside our cells to create energy. All the food we eat is broken down to produce the energy needed to maintain body temperature, to breathe, to move our muscles and keep our weight in check. A peak operating metabolism can burn up a lot of fuel (food) and create plenty of energy. Conversely, a slow metabolism will store fuel as fat. We can rev up our fat burning furnace quickly with clinically researched metabolism boosting foods and nutrients. Breakfast Eating a protein rich breakfast can increase your body’s ability to burn fat by 25 per cent, and that fat-burning action will last for up to eight hours. When you skip meals, your metabolic rate slows to conserve energy because you are starving your body. When you do eat, the body stores the food as fat because the body thinks you are in a famine. The answer: eat a protein based breakfast every day, such as eggs, a chicken breast, a protein shake or protein powder mixed into plain organic yogurt. Protein enhances your metabolism and stops hunger pangs. Fat for Fat Loss Yes, eating fat can help you lose fat, but the fat you eat must be good fat. Fatty acids from fish or flaxseed oil (omega-3 fats) and conjugated-linoleic (CLA) acid help burn fat. Recent research shows that the hormone leptin is low in those who do not get enough good fats. Leptin is a hormone that regulates appetite, the size of our fat cells and how quickly those cells burn fat. Fatty acids enhance Leptin, decrease our appetite and burn fat faster. Make sure you eat fish a couple of times per week, use extra virgin olive oil, put ground flaxseed on your food, and, if you dislike fish, take fish oil capsules daily. More than 500 studies support CLA’s unique abilities. In 2000, it was reported that even without a change in diet or lifestyle overweight participants had a 20 per cent decrease in body fat and an increase in lean muscle mass. Minimum dosages of 4000 mg per day are necessary to obtain fat loss. Metabolism Boosting Herbs If you are one of those people who have reduced your calories, are dedicated to exercise and still can’t lose weight you will want to add the clinically-researched herbs that kick-start your metabolism. Thermogenic herbs rev up and reset your rate of metabolism making fat loss more effective. Green Tea Sipping a cup of green tea or swallowing green tea capsules can help aid fat loss. In one study overweight participants took three capsules per day containing 200 mg of green tea extract. Participants experienced increased fat loss without accelerating heart rate. Switch from coffee to green tea to achieve a faster metabolism. Drinking three cups of green tea provides about the same caffeine as one cup of drip coffee. The secret to weight loss also lies in your kitchen cupboards. Hot, spicy foods also jump start your metabolism. Have you noticed how curried foods make you sweat? This is one of the symptoms of an increased metabolism. Switch from black pepper to cayenne pepper for faster weight loss. Add ginger to foods and eat hot salsa to enhance your fat-burning furnace. Fat-burning foods and supplements support a healthy diet and exercise program to quickly reset your metabolic rate safely.

Over-training and Weakened Immune Systems

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:46:00 +0000

A lot of people are including exercise programs in their daily lives to gain muscle mass and reduce fat. Many however, make the mistake of training for extended hours to achieve their goals. Too much training may not give the results that these people are looking for. This practice may lead to fatigue and over-training. Over-training can cause physical and mental illness because of excessive intensity of training and not having sufficient time to rest and recover. This incident is common in weight-lifters, runners, and other athletes. Studies show that about 10-20% of athletes over-train. Athletes—professional or amateur carry a higher risk of getting sick. Over the past years, doctors caring for athletes have reported a rise of respiratory infections because of over-training. Health experts say that as individuals increase their total training load, the risk of illness also rises. This phenomenon can be attributed to the rise cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a vital hormone that is often referred to as the “stress hormone”. Intense or prolonged exercise may cause large increases in cortisol levels and a decrease in the production of “T-cells,” a group of white blood cells that play a key role in the immune system. The mental stress that are encountered by athletes may also impair the body’s immune function. Expectations of coaches, family members, and other people can contribute to a drop in performance and the increase of acquiring infections. Injuries, the actual stress of competition may all aggravate psychological stress. Diminished immune systems encountered by athletes are resembles those that are experienced by people who undergo hypertension and sleep deprivation. In recent studies, highly stressed individuals had high incidences of respiratory ailments over a period of six months compared to unstressed individuals. Aside impaired immune system, men who over-train may also also experience a temporary reduction in sperm count and quality. This happens because the body literally kills itself during training and needs time to recuperate to build muscles and improve the body. Too much or too intense physical activity may reduce the level of hormones in the bloodstream and therefore affect sperm production. Sperm quality and production may return to normal after three days. Health specialists add that drinking a cup of coffee a couple of hours after training may help improve sperm quality and quantity because of the anti-oxidants it contain. People who over-train may also experience the following: .lack of energy .insomnia .headaches .dehydration .depression .decreased appetite .increased risk of injury .respiratory infection .muscle pains .high blood pressure Individuals who decide to make adjustments on their exercise routines are encouraged to consult doctors and other health professionals for workout advice. This is important because a lot of individuals tend to workout too much, improperly, and use the inappropriate equipments. Health professionals may device an appropriate workout program to complement one’s health needs. Understanding proper workout and including a healthy diet in one’s lifestyle may lead to improved health and overall well-being.

Count Colors Not Calores to Lose Weight!

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:39:00 +0000

If you need to drop and few kilos and don’t know where to get started, stop counting calories and start counting colours. When it comes to losing weight, make sure your plate is piled high with a range of colourful fruit and vegetables. You’ll naturally create more balance and health-filled menus. Why? Colour not only brightens your mood – but also your diet. Load your plate with fruit and veges like a box of crayons in colours such as red, yellow, orange, blue, purple, white and green and you’ll also be filling up on power packed phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are naturally occurring chemicals which combat disease, including cancer. Go easy on the beige and brown foods such as pasta and startchy carbs. When there are too many of these drab colours on your plate, weight gain is almost certain. That’s because these beige foods often are high in calories and can leave you feeling hungry later. A cup of beige or brown beans can be over 200 calories….but a cup of red or green vegetables is under a hundred! Add fresh greens, deep purple-reds and bright yellow-orange to a meal, and water the nutrient content go up, while calories go down! Plus, you’ll get more enjoyment from eating when there’s a variety of colours and flavours on your plate. According to Dr David Heber, M.D., Ph.D. and author of “What Color Is Your Diet” the key to designing your colourful diet is to choose from a range of different colour groups: Blue/purple fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of health-promoting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics. Choose from a range including blueberries, blackberries, eggplant, plums, raisins. These assist in memory function. Green group includes broccoli; Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and bok choi. These foods stimulate the genes in your liver to turn on the production of enzymes that break down the cancer-causing chemicals in the body. The yellow/green group includes green peas, avocado and honeydew melon. These promote eye health. The yellow/orange group includes carrots, mangoes, apricots, rock melon and pumpkin. These contain carotenoids (beta carotene is one), fierce antioxidants that help prevent cancer and assist to lower heart-attack risk. The white group includes bananas, white peaches, cauliflower, garlic, ginger, mushrooms and are helpful to maintain heart health. The red group includes tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon all of which contain lycopene. Lycopene is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. The red/purple group includes grapes, grape juice, prunes, cranberries, strawberries and red apples. These foods contain anthocyanins which have a beneficial effect on heart disease by inhibiting blood clot formation.

Get Thee to a Gym? Perhaps Not!

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:15:00 +0000

Copyright 2006 Howard McGarity So, you have decided that it’s finally time to lose some weight and get in shape. Congratulations on your determination. Changing your habits can be a real challenge and it is reasonable to seek some support. One of the options that many people choose is to sign up at the gym. This sounds like a good idea but is one that requires some careful thought. Although hard to measure, health club industry statistics predict that fifty percent of people joining a gym will become erratic users or drop-outs within a couple of months. If you are a beginner, or not already in the habit of regular exercise, you are quite likely to be headed for disappointment. There are several reasons why the gym experience may not be your best choice: 1. Inflated Promises. Despite the sales pitch, the majority of glitzy, chrome and glass establishments are not really committed to help you get fit. They are set up to sell memberships because that is where the money is. Profitability actually depends on no-shows because if every member who enrolled tried to use the facilities, you wouldn’t be able to squeeze them into the building. Once you sign a contract and they have your credit card number, you are probably on your own. 2. Will you actually be able to get to the gym regularly? I’ve seen it all too often; you work late, traffic is bad, you have to get home… and shoot, you’ll just have to work out later! Worse still, when you get home, you don’t even take a ten minute walk because…. you’re going to the gym tomorrow. Having a gym membership actually becomes the perfect excuse to do nothing. 3. Beware aerobics classes. This is especially true if you are older, in poor shape or seriously overweight. Most aerobics classes specialize in loud music and fancy footwork. If you are a beginner, forget it. If you can’t keep up, the pep rally mentality and one-size-fits-all instruction will leave you feeling fat and foolish. 4. What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Many gyms do not have a thorough orientation program to get you started; nor can you get help when you have questions. During peak hours, early and late in the day, the staff is usually overwhelmed. You will be encouraged to get a personal trainer (probably the best idea… if you can get one with sufficient experience). But this comes with a hefty price tag and pressure to sign up for a long-term package deal. Try this plan instead: Weight loss is achieved primarily by learning what and how much to eat (note I didn’t use the word “starvation”). Exercise assists weight loss, improves general health and fosters a positive attitude that is motivating. Improvements in both nutrition and physical activity must be sustained and consistent but can be quite moderate. Now do five things: 1. Spend your money on a meeting with a registered dietitian who can show you how to eat and will give you guidance on your eating habits. This knowledge will last you for a lifetime and puts you miles ahead of all the other “dieters” out there. 2. Buy a good pair of walking shoes and an inexpensive pedometer. Go to the Shape-Up America website at www.shapeup.org/shape/steps . Also check out www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps and click on “beginner”. Read the information carefully. There is more here than meets the eye. Even if you are in decent shape, don’t underestimate the value of walking. Pick up the pace, include some steep hills; you can get a really good workout. 3. Use your day planner or calendar to schedule your workouts for the week in advance and keep a log of everything you do. Figure on losing an average of no more than one pound per week and chart out short and long term goals. Weigh yourself no more than once a week. 4. Get a partner to join you for a regular walk each week. Better yet, get them to join you on the program and hold each other accountable. 5. When your energy and enthusiasm increases, keep your mind open to the idea of strength training. This will speed fat loss and do more to improve your body shape than any other activity. You can do this at home with almost no equipment. Go out now and get the book “Getting in Shape” by Anderson, Pearl and Burke. Shelter Publications 2002. This is a real gem; easy to read with good basic programs and enough information so you understand what you are doing. If you noticed, all of the steps above are pro-active. You are the one ultimately responsible for taking control of your life and your health. Even if the guys at the gym could do it for you, any improvement will be temporary until you accept the challenge as your own. Good luck and good health. Howard McGarity ”Coach Mac”

Get mentally fit for weight loss!

Sat, 08 May 2010 17:23:00 +0000

There are literally thousands of diets and weight loss systems throughout the world; pills, shakes, soups, fads, carbohydrates, calories, fats, sugars, you name it. They are all available to you in the interest of helping you lose weight, change your body shape or size or changing the way your body feels. What most people don’t realise that they all pretty much have one thing in common. You need to change your mental state before you can make any of them work! Yes, you may find it a surprise but pretty much 99% of people looking to lose weight have actually subconsciously “chosen” the state their body is in. At the end of the day, YOU alone are responsible for putting the fried chicken in your mouth, YOU are responsible for NOT going for a walk this morning and, most importantly, YOU are responsible and have control of your thoughts, emotions and motivation. Changing your mental state will help you change your physical state, as the old saying goes “you have to change what is on the inside to change what is on the outside”. Many people don’t actually give a lot of thought to what is going on inside, about how they are stopping themselves from doing things and how they can make changes (small or large) that will create a positive difference in their lifestyle. Find out what pain you have to break through to create more pleasure within your body and your mind. Not physical pain, but mental pain. What is it you have to deal with in order to remove the excess baggage (weight) you carry around with you? When you find out what is holding you back from making changes in your life, body and diet, you will find that dieting no longer becomes about food and exercise, it becomes a lifestyle. With the right mental changes you will find that you CAN drink wine, go out for dinner and eat cheese, ice-cream and chocolate, however you must also use balance and thought and consume only in the right moderation. Everyone has the ability, motivation and power to make almost any change positive and successful. Tapping into your mental state, deciding to make a few changes and acting out these changes is what will make all the difference!