Jelly Belly Be Gone

You commit yourself to shed weight, and you sweat, and you eat better, and eventually, that excess weight is gone! But, how possible is it to maintain your hard-won success?

A new study is showing that people who shed weight and want to keep it off might benefit from reaching out at least once a month with a fitness/nutrition professional to help them stay on course.

In a test of three routines that might help people manage weight loss, those who had monthly personal counseling were best at keeping off unwanted pounds. Overall, 42 percent of the study members maintained at least a 9-pound weight loss for 30 months. This experiment is the longest and largest to test tactics for long-term weight loss maintenance, and it suggests that long-term weight control is an achievable goal.

The USA is in the heart of an obesity scare, one that indicates serious future health consequences. Obesity is the premier cause of high blood pressure, diabetes and abnormal cholesterol, which are in turn the premier causes of cardiovascular disease and death in this nation.

The 72-month study consisted of 18-25 members; experienced counselors emphasized three key elements to weight loss: consuming fewer calories, boosting moderate physical activity, and digesting a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grain/high fiber foods and fat-free dairy products.

Those conducting the research randomly appointed the participants to one of three groups:

•Personal contact - volunteers talked with an interventionist monthly, (9 times by telephone and 3 times in person each year) who offered personal counseling and motivation.

•Interactive technology - Study members had access to an interactive website on which they could record and track their exercise routine and calorie consumption; set goals and monitor their progress toward them.

•Self-directed - Members were urged to maintain their weight loss and then sent off without further intervention.

Overall, 71 % weighed less than when they began.

The research results also showed that even when volunteers did not necessarily lose a tremendous amount of weight, even smaller amounts had potential health benefits.

Even though it’s so soon in the New Year there is still time for that New Year resolution you made to lose weight. For some of us consuming green products but not break the Bank was part of our plan, so pick which of the suggestions below will be a fit for your household.

Plan ahead: At least, plan your weekly menu or list a few main dishes that you would like to eat all through the week. This will definitely save you cash on your food bill by keeping you from buying groceries you don’t want.

Buy generic: Often store-brand items are just fine, but less costly. Store-brand products are offered for just about every item you can think of, so be on the lookout for them.

Make substitutions: Think about what you eat, and then determine what is a less expensive and just as healthy alternative. Like breakfast cereal? Oatmeal is usually more affordable.

Try Whole Foods: Examine the unprocessed whole food that a product is made from and focus on if you can consume that whole food as is or utilize it to produce your own sauce, cereal or juice.

Consider non-meat sources of protein: Try swapping one meat meal occasionally with a vegetarian meal to conserve cash and benefit your well being. Beans, eggs and tofu all provide high-quality protein for a fraction of the cost of meat.

DIY: Inform those pastries in the bakery case that are screaming your name to clam-up. Then rustle up a batch with whole grains, blueberries and honey at home that would outshine the store bought ones.

Buy seasonally: You might wonder about not having tomatoes in the middle of winter, but the fresh, perfect tomatoes of summer taste better, cost less and are more nutritious anyway.

When considering saving dough on groceries, you often have to sacrifice more of your own time—preparing, cooking, growing and cutting coupons—but a lot of people agree that it’s worth the time spent. All of these tasks will become less stressful and more efficient with time. You may find that shopping, preparing and consuming will become that much more rewarding, and not just for your wallet!

Maybe you do not need an expert to point out to you why you are having a tough time losing belly fat. Generally your metabolism slows with age. But middle age weight increase isn’t really inevitable: there’s a diet plan that will tackle these changes.

This specialized metabolism-boosting regimen will help you shed unwanted belly fat. Most important, you’ll create firm, lean muscle tissue, the key to a strong metabolism. Get going now and you’ll sleep better, have more energy, feel firmer, and notice your clothes are looser in as little as 2 weeks. Here’s how:

EAT ENOUGH: When you consume less than is needed for basic biological functions your body throws the brakes on your metabolism. Consume just enough so you’re not hungry.

REV UP IN THE MORNING: Having breakfast jump-starts metabolism and keeps energy high all day. It’s no coincidence that folks who skip this meal are 4 1/2 times as likely to be obese. If nothing else, pick up a yogurt.

DRINK TEA: A cup of brewed tea can increase your metabolism by over 10%, according to one Japanese study. Experts conclude that the antioxidant, catechins, in tea provide the boost.

BATTLE FAT WITH FIBER: Studies from research find that women who eat the most fiber gain the least weight over time. Aim for around 25 g a day–the quantity in about 3 servings each of fruits and vegetables.

BUY THE BIG BOTTLE: Researchers revealed that drinking about 48 ounces of cold water a day can raise resting metabolism by about 50 calories daily–enough to shed 5 pounds in a year.

THINK ORGANIC: Always choose organic when shopping for peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, and pears; non-organic produce tend to have elevated levels of pesticides.

NEVER OMIT PROTEIN: The Human body needs protein to sustain lean muscle. Add a serving, like 3 ounces of lean meat, two tablespoons of nuts, or eight ounces of low-fat yogurt, to every snack and meal.

EAT FOODS RICH WITH IRON: Until menopause, women lose iron each month as a result of menstruation. Unless you replenish your stores, you run the risk of reduced energy and a flagging metabolism.

DRINK MILK: Research shows that consuming calcium by way of dairy foods such as fat-free milk and low-fat yogurt may cause a decline in fat absorption from other foods.

If the holiday season left you with a jelly-belly, feeling heavy, bloated, and ready to make a change, try this seven-day cleansing diet plan to purify your body, melt away fat, banish bloat, crush cravings and leave you feeling refreshed and energized!

Get ready!

Do Not:-

• Add sugar, other natural sweeteners or artificial sweeteners to anything.
• Add salt to anything. Eating foods with a lot of added salt causes you to retain water, which drives up the number on the scale and makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Eat starches with dinner (including bread, rice, pasta, peas, beans, corn and potatoes
• Drink alcohol. Alcohol adds a lot of empty calories to your diet, plus it lowers your inhibitions so you’re more likely to veer off plan and make unhealthy food choices.

Do:-

• Eat on a schedule. Enjoy three meals and at least one snack each day.
• Drink lots of water throughout the day.
• Enjoy water alternatives in unlimited quantities at any point during the day.
• Begin dinner with a healthy appetizer.
• Eat fruits and veggies at any time throughout the day, particularly when you get hungry between designated meal and snack times.
• Exercise. Engage in 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise everyday (walking is fine).

Anyone who’s tried to lose weight within the past decade has asked themselves one common question: “Can I eat bread?”

Well, guess what? Yes, there’s certainly room for bread in your weight loss plan - there’s a simple rule you can use to help you wisely choose a loaf.

So, what’s the connection? Starches, such as breads and baked goods, usually contain a standard amount of calories by weight, about 80 calories per ounce, whereas heavier breads are going to contain a higher calorie count.

One nutrition expert explained that most slices of regular bread weigh about an ounce, around 80 calories, while a slice of dense, all-natural bread, might weigh 2 or even 3 ounces, between 160 to even 240 calories. Those heavier loaves of bread may look and sound like they’re healthy, but their density signals that they probably contain more calories than most other loaves. Plus, they’re typically made with simple sugars like high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose and maltose that will add even more calories.

You may be wondering about where other baked good weigh in? Well, similarly, treats like banana breads and plain cakes contain roughly 125 calories per ounce. If you pick up a “healthy,” “all-natural” bran muffin and it feels like a brick, consider the caloric consequences: A standard 4-ounce muffin weighs in at around 500 calories, almost the equivalent of 7 slices of standard bread.

So remember to check out whether those breads and starches tip the scales before you buy them - it’s easy, free and could save you a ton (of calories) in the long run!

Of all the possible drinks out there, soda probably has one of the worst reputations, next to alcohol, for those trying to lose weight. Unlike alcohol however, there’s been no attempt to create a constitutional amendment banning it.

But what exactly is so very unhealthy about this favorite beverage? We should start with a basic rundown of the common soda suspects:

A standard soda contains caffeine, phosphoric acid, high-fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate, carbonated water and added colors and flavors.

Caffeine:- Thanks to caffeine, soda acts as a dehydrating diuretic, particularly when combined with sugar and mixed with the carbonation that provides those bubbles.

Phosphoric Acid:- Soda, whether it’s caffeinated or not, is the most acidic beverage you can buy, about equal to vinegar, thanks to phosphoric acid.

Refined Sugar:- Sugar refining is the process of extracting out the sugar (sucrose) from plant materials and then removing other unwanted materials from the extracted raw sugar. Completely refined white sugar contains no nutritional value, meaning no vitamins, no minerals, no proteins and no fiber.

Preservatives:- A new health scare erupted over soft drinks recently amid evidence that sodium benzoate and other common soda preservatives may cause serious cell damage.

We know, soda tastes great. And as a society, we’ve been drinking it for so long that the idea of going without is almost painful. But, know that there are some tasty alternatives out there; including pure water flavored with anything from basil and mint to lemon and orange slices, even with a little honey.

It’s one of the biggest weight loss myths ever: the idea that it’s “not safe” to lose more than two pounds a week.

It all boils down to simple mathematics. There are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. Thus, in order to lose one pound of fat, you must create a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories. This can occur over a week’s time by cutting back 500 calories per day (7 days X 500 = 3,500).

Or, to put it another way, you can increase your physical activity such that you burn 500 more calories per day than what you’ve been burning. This can be accomplished by an inactive person committing to one hour a day of rigorous exercise.

If you’re eating 2,000 calories a day and especially if you’re not exercising, your body has no reason to start feeding off its own muscle. It gets plenty of protein from your broiled chicken and fish, beans and whole grains.

You will lose on average six pounds a week, for a number of weeks. And it will be safe. However…this doesn’t mean that this weight loss will persist until you get down to 130 pounds. In fact, if you don’t exercise, this weight loss will come to a halt at some point, leaving you with still extra fat to lose. You may end up losing only 40 pounds off a 250-pound body if you don’t exercise (or only 20 pounds off a 190-pound body). And you’ll still look flabby. This is why exercise is so important.

So, does weather help control how many calories you burn?

Yes and no. Both warmer and colder climates have positive and negative aspects when it comes to weight loss, particularly when it comes to certain seasonal behaviors that are crucial to maintaining an ideal body weight. Consider the fact that in warmer weather, people tend to be a little more active, and are more conscious of their bodies since they’re wearing less.

But that’s not even the whole story.

Most of the frustration regarding fat loss is caused by the fact that we’re actually battling with our body’s innate ability to protect itself. This is because one of the primary protective functions of our body is to maintain a temperature close to or equal to 98.6. The body has an extraordinarily complex set of procedures to accomplish this goal, particularly by controlling the body’s metabolism.

Fat plays three major roles in regards to the metabolism:

• Fat is the preferred fuel source used for body temperature regulation.

• Fat is an insulator that helps retain heat in cold environments.

• Fat provides the whole body with a long term fuel source, which during extended cold spells, allowed our ancestors to survive and forage for food.

The metabolism slows down when it’s hot. The slower our metabolism gets, the less we use fat as a fuel source. But, as stated before, this is balanced by the idea that we tend to eat less and exercise more in warmer months.

On the flip side, the body’s ability to generate heat during cold times is done by increasing the metabolism. The metabolism requires a tremendous amount of fuel during this time and burns more fat.

So, yes, technically, colder weather does indeed help burn more fat!

Ever heard of super weight loss foods?  Probably not, as most diet plans don’t show you how to use foods to lose weight fast.  They only have you count calories, carbs or fat grams.  Some foods actually cause your body to burn fat and calories.  Let me tell you how eating certain foods can cause weight loss.

Foods like apples, which contain pectin, are extremely effective at raising your metabolism, which in turn burns calories.  Other foods like nuts, avocados, whole grains and dairy foods also burn fat.  Olive oil, cayenne pepper, ginger, and cinnamon are great for seasoning foods, as they are also super weight loss foods.

Another factor that is very important for fast weight loss is how often you eat, and when.  Most people are used to the basic concept of breakfast, lunch and dinner.  However, you will find that it is much more effective to eat smaller portions and eat more often to lose weight.

If this knowledge had existed a decade ago, there wouldn’t be nearly so many obese people in the world as there are now.  This routine is easy, you will never suffer hunger pangs, and you will keep the weight off for good.

No doubt you’ve seen dozens of diets to lose weight that claim to be the best.  Have you tried any of them?  If so, you probably know that on these plans you can’t eat much food, and eventually the weight comes back.  Some of the best diets to lose weight are plans you have more than likely never heard of.

You’ve seen endless commercials for diets to lose weight on television.  Some of these plans are Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, and Slim Fast.  These programs are surely all good, but they also have you eat special meals that are expensive and not very filling.

Healthy, everyday foods are the best way to lose weight quickly.  You don’t need special foods or diet supplements. You just need to learn:-

1. How to use REAL foods in a way that increase metabolism and calorie burn.
2. What you should eat at meals, and how to combine them to burn fat efficiently.
3. Why the number of times per day that you eat makes a huge difference
4. How to exercise WITHOUT spending hours per day in a gym.  You don’t need excessive exercise to lose weight quickly.

By learning the proper way to experience quick weight loss, you will never have to try other diets again.  You also don’t have to worry about the weight coming back!

With some methods like fasting or starvation diets, you lose weight quickly in the first few days.  Why?  It’s water weight.  After that point, your weight loss stops.  This is because you need calories in order for your metabolism to work properly.