Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Compare Treadmills & Read All Treadmill Reviews Before Buying One

Compare treadmills and their features before making a decision. The number of features plus the fact that the prices of treadmills can range from about $500 all the way to $10,000 means that you must compare treadmills as much as possible.

Some lower priced treadmills can actually have a better treadmill rating than some that cost thousands of dollars more. There are many things to consider before you buy any treadmill.

Here are just a few different points to take into account when making a treadmill comparison:

Compare treadmills tip #1: Determine how much you are will to spend before you go shopping.

As mentioned above, the cost of a treadmill can vary greatly. This is truly a case of you get what you paid for. You'll find this true with any treadmill reviews you can find.

The cheaper treadmills simply aren't built to last.

On the other hand you don't have to rush out and do a treadmill comparison of only the most expensive treadmills. After all, in a lot of cases you're only paying for the fancy add-ons and other gadgets.

Compare treadmills tip #2: Check around. Don't go to one location and buy right away. Compare treadmills at all of your local treadmill stores.

Possibly the most overlooked place to purchase a treadmill is online. Online exercise equipment stores offer many more advantages over regular stores. Check as many of them out as well.

When searching online try to locate some good exercise equipment reviews that will help you narrow down your search.

Compare treadmills #3: What will you use it for? Before making any treadmill comparison you need to determine exactly what you will use it for. Will you be doing a casual walk now and then? Will you use it for a light jog each day? Or will you use it for intense running?

The more you intend to use it, the more money you will have to pay. Most treadmills under $2000 cannot handle daily running.

Compare treadmills tip #4: How much space do you have set aside in your home for your treadmill?

This is one area that a lot of consumers overlook. Just where will you put that treadmill once you get it? Also, you will have to leave approximately 2 extra feet of space on all sides of it.

If you are using your treadmill to run on or are a tall person, you will need a treadmill with a longer belt (the surface you run on). Running requires a longer stride so keep this in mind.

Compare treadmills tip #5: Test before you buy. Regardless if a treadmill rating is high on certain models and not on others, test for yourself. Even if one model gets good treadmill reviews online, you still have to test it if at all possible.

Most treadmills sold online will also be sold at exercise equipment stores. You have to determine if it will work for your unique situation regardless of what the online treadmill reviews say.

Compare treadmills tip #6: Performance. When you test out any treadmill make sure you take note of how smooth it runs and how quiet it is. Treadmills with cheaper parts (but a high price tag) tend to make a lot of noise and vibrate somewhat.

Compare treadmills tip #7: Warranty concerns. Check out the warranty in great detail. All manufactures are different. Most are quite different when it comes to the motor, the belt (the belt you run on), the frame and various options.

A lot of the cheaper treadmills only offer a year or less on the belt. If the belt breaks after that, you can expect to pay an additional $500 or much more for a replacement.

Compare treadmills tip #8: What safety features should you look for? Probably the biggest one is an emergency stop button. This is very helpful in case you slip and fall off the treadmill. You also have to determine if it will support your body weight.

Some treadmills don't support as much as you think. The last thing you want to have happen is for the treadmill frame to break when you have it on an incline or are running. You could get seriously injured.

Compare treadmills tip #9: What top speed will you need. Most treadmills have different sized motors and therefore will run at different speeds. Make sure it can handle the speed you want to run at.

So there are just a few points to keep in mind when buying a treadmill. It is a big financial decision, so do your homework ahead of time. Read as many treadmill reviews or treadmill ratings as you can find.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Choosing Quality Exercise Equipment

It seems like every time you turn on the TV these days, there is another commercial for exercise equipment. The latest and greatest treadmill or the second to none all in one machine are advertised on a daily basis. And why not? Consumers love them. We’re always looking for ways to shape up faster and without as much work. And, that’s just what this equipment claims to do. Work out for just 20 minutes a day, three days a week and you’ll have the body of a supermodel in just one month. If only that were true. We wouldn’t have to put ourselves through the pain of the gym everyday.

If you are looking for some quality exercise equipment though, it is available. You just need to do some research and talk to enough qualified people to learn what equipment will be best for your work out routine. A treadmill works for a lot of people who like to work out in the privacy of their own home. And there are a lot of benefits that can be gleaned from running on a treadmill everyday. This type of aerobic exercise is good for your heart and your lungs. Just be sure to keep tabs on your heart rate so you don’t over do it and put your heart in danger. A general rule of thumb for running is that you should be able to talk semi-comfortably while you’re running. If you can talk without any trouble at all, you’re probably not running hard enough or fast enough. If you can’t talk because you’re busy huffing and puffing, you’re probably pushing yourself too hard. Slow down a bit and take it one step at a time.

There are several other types of exercise equipment available that can prove beneficial to our health as well. A popular piece of equipment these days is the exercise ball. They come in different sizes, so it’s important to determine which one will work for the goals you have in mind. There are many muscles that you can work using the ball. And the balls usually come with a set of instructions that tell you how to use it for different muscle groups. It’s also a great way to stretch your muscles, which is an important factor in every work out.

Some people prefer yoga or Pilates as their main workout. Each of these activities has their own set of exercise equipment as well. Along with the exercise ball, it’s important to invest in a mat. Not only will it give you the comfort you’re seeking when lying on the floor, but it’ll help keep you from getting dirty as well.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

1 Don’t Skip Breakfast

The morning meal jump starts your metabolism and helps to prevent bingeing later in the day. A cup of coffee does not count – the caffeine and added sugar may give you a bit of energy and suppress your appetite for a little while it is sure to back fire into severe hunger and you will be more likely to overeat later. Breakfast should include complex carbohydrates like whole grain (granola or oatmeal), along with some protein and fat (low-fat yogurt or milk), will keep your energy levels even and hunger in check.

#2 Eat more often

Get into the habit of eating every three to four hours or at least four times a day. Eating frequently stabilizes blood sugar, when blood sugar drops too low you want to eat…a lot. By keeping your blood sugar stable you can control your appetite and keep you metabolic rate high. When you go many hours without eating your body will compensate by slowing down to conserve energy…this effect hurts your weight loss efforts.

#3 Eat protein at every meal

Protein will help to reduce your appetite, it takes more energy and time to digest, in effect you feel full longer than eating carbohydrates alone. Research shows that eating more protein can help you lose weight without cutting calories. Try these protein possibilities: turkey on whole wheat; hummus and pita; vegetarian chili; fruit and nuts; or protein snack bars that contain 12 or more grams of protein.

#4 Hold off on snacking

Many of us grab a snack for quick energy when we are feeling tired. But do not confuse true hunger with fatigue. If you are feeling tired go for a 15-20 minute brisk walk. This will raise your heart rate and give you a boost of energy. Follow it up with a large glass of cool water. If you are truly hungry have a protein and complex carbohydrate rich snack like; whole wheat crackers and peanut butter or cheese.

#5 Consume enough for your body’s needs

Eating too little slows your body’s metabolism the same way eating to infrequently does. If you want to lose weight, do not slash your calories too drastically. Instead, cut out some of the extras in your diet – things like soda, juice, packaged goods or candy. Processed foods tend to be high in fat and calories and low in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

5 Best Ways To Lose Weight

When you are dealing with a phenomenon as diverse as human beings, it is very difficult to create rules which will work equally well for everyone. Nevertheless, there are some characteristics shared by all human beings, and this means that some basic principles can be developed. Here are five proven techniques to help you lose weight.

Best Way 1
The most fundamental strategy of successful weight loss is to burn more calories than you take in. You shouldn't find it difficult to apply this in some aspect of your life. Adjust your diet by cutting down on high fat food, and take some simple exercise for twenty minutes, three times a week. Going for a brisk walk instead of driving everywhere will have the desired effect, as will gentle jogging or swimming.

Best Way 2
Gym membership is becoming increasingly popular, and, as long the exercise you do is well planned, it can be extremely beneficial. Aerobic exercise has to be the focal point of your plan, otherwise you could do more harm than good. Provided you adhere to this basic rule, some anaerobic weight or resistance training can help tone up your body. This will give you more strength and vitality, and should increase your confidence.

Best Way 3
Going to see a professional nutritionist or dietician can pay off handsomely. If you go it alone, you will need to put in some serious research to make sure you are genuinely eating healthily, and many who try this find themselves discouraged by the lack of variety in their diet. It certainly doesn't have to be that way, as there are plenty of different healthy meals which help you lose weight. Getting the advice of a professional can make the task of losing weight seem so much more enjoyable!

Best Way 4
Find a friend to train with. If you and a friend are both regularly free at the same time of day, it can make sense to train together. Having someone to help you through the times when you don't seem to be getting anywhere can keep you in the game until the improvement suddenly appears. Having a social aspect to your exercise will help you look forward to it, and make you more likely to stick to it!

Best Way 5
Eat less food more often. Many medical practitioners now recommend eating more meals a day, with less food at each one. This is a more balanced way to take food into the body, spreading the load on the body over a far wider period of time. The system of eating three meals a day is designed far more to fit in with the working day than it is to fit in with the needs of the human body. When you eat less more often, the body absorbs more of the nutrients in the food, so your body craves fewer calories.

The best and most effective method for weight loss does depend on the individual, but follow these time tested principles and you will see results. Click the links below to discover some effective resources to help you.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Healthy Tips To Weight Loss

The world is fascinated with weight loss, some for health reasons and others for cosmetic. No matter the reason, many people try harsh diets that never work, extreme exercise regimens that result in injuries or other weight loss program that end without success. The reason that none of these weight loss methods seem to work is because in order to stay with a program, you have to enjoy it. Not only that, but it has to be safe as well.

Below are 5 genuine tips to weight loss, which almost anyone can do without tossing out their favorite food or spending every spare minute in the gym. Realistically, any weight loss program will take time. If anyone promises you different, they are either not being completely honest or are simply uninformed. Follow one single weight loss program for 30 days, whatever it may be, and see if you have results. If not, move on to something else. In the meantime, check out several tips to getting started today.

Tip # 1
Walking. If you can set aside 30 minutes every day to enjoy a leisurely stroll, you will be strengthening your legs and your heart while burning some calories in the process.

Tip # 2
Use a mini cycle. These portable little exercise units offer the look of bicycle pedals set up on a metal bar, but without the high price or weight of a standard exercise bike. With a min cycle, you can pedal at your desk, on the couch or anywhere else that you can comfortably set and reach the pedals.

Tip # 3
Walk or take the stairs instead of an elevator. This is a terrific weight loss exercise without even noticing the extra effort. Something as simple as a few extra steps every day can go a long way where weight loss is concerned. The next time you go to the store, park in the middle of the parking lot and walk to the store. Avoid parking in the closest spot to the door, which is tempting, but opt to walk instead.

Tip # 4
You don’t necessarily have to cut out all of your favorite foods, but you should eat them in moderation. There is no single food that will completely hinder your weight loss attempt but, if consumed excessively, it may. For instance, simply limit your intake to one candy bar or, if you are being really careful, a miniature candy. There is no reason to cut out your favorite food when a conservative amount of the things we love can still have a place in our lives, including during the times that we are focusing on weight loss.

Tip # 5
Whatever your exercise routine, set aside a certain time each day to do it. Individuals who set a routine are much more likely to stay with it and find success than those who simply exercise whenever they have time. The goal to successful weight loss is to make time.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a doctor’s recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

3 Choices To Help You Lose Weight

1. The Weight Loss Patch

Perhaps the most appealing benefit of using a patch is that it is so easy to use. No pills to remember to take, no special diets, no required exercise routine. Naturally, sticking to a healthy diet and exercise program is best for your overall health, but if that is difficult for you to adhere to all of the time, the patch may be a solution that works for you.

A weight loss patch that you place on your body will deliver the active ingredients by transdermal delivery, meaning through the skin. The patch ingredients will go directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver. Simply apply the patch to a smooth area of your skin and change it every 3 days. That is all of the maintenance that is required.

A patch can even be used occasionally when you are traveling and know you will be eating out a lot, or for those times you are too busy to cook the proper foods. A patch that suppresses your appetite will help you develop good eating habits that will help you maintain your ideal weight in the future ~ no more yo-yo figures.

2. Appetite Suppressant Pills

Curbing your appetite to stop the influx of calories in the first place seems to be the logical way to lose and maintain your weight. However, we are so bombarded by confusing claims everywhere for appetite suppressant pills ~ in print, on the radio, on television, even on billboards when driving, that it is difficult to know which diet pill will really help take off those pounds ~ and keep them off..

Some diet pills will cause your heart to race, your hands to shake, or an overall "wired" feeling. To avoid these problem, stay away from products that contain Ephedra, Ma Huang, and Ephedrine.

One herbal diet pill that has gotten a lot of publicity lately is Hoodia Gordonii The authentic plant comes from the Kalahari desert in South Aftrica. Respectable television shows like 60 Minutes, the Today Show, BBC, and even Oprah's "O" magazine have given it rave reviews for its fast acting appetite suppressing qualities. While it can take one to two weeks to work fully, many users report a decline in their appetite with the first pill.

In fact, Hoodia has had so many positive reports that there are now a lot of knock-off products being marketed to the uninformed ~ especially on the Internet. The real Hoodia is very rare because it takes up to 7 years for the Hoodia plant to mature to a point where it provides appetite suppressant qualities. In addition, the African government is now limiting the amount of Hoodia it exports, meaning only a few suppliers have the real thing. Because Hoodia is so rare, you can expect it to be a little more expensive than other diet pills.

Another diet pill that helps shed pounds is Herbal Phentermine. This is a non-prescription appetite suppressant that is scientifically designed to produce similar effects of a popular Rx version of phentermine.

The good news is that the Herbal version contains only natural ingredients so you don't have to be worried about side effects. Plus, you can avoid the time, expense, and embarrassment of a doctor's visit.

Herbal Phentermine will not only suppress your appetite, but it will also increase your metabolism so you burn more calories and have more energy.

3). Carbohydrate Blockers

Perhaps you prefer not to have your appetite suppressed, but instead would like to eat all of the pasta, bread, rice, and potatoes you want. If this sounds more like your style, then you might want to try a carbohydrate blocker.

Scientists have discovered, and thoroughly tested a method to allow us to eat the foods we love and not gain weight. We can now stop the normal conversion of starchy foods to sugar before it can pass through our digestive system and store as fat on our hips, thighs, buttocks and stomach. Derived from white kidney beans, the resulting carb blockers, (starch neutralizers), are a completely natural product. They work by neutralizing the Alpha amylase enzyme that digests starch.

By neutralizing this digestive enzyme, the starch from our food does not get digested. Instead, it remains intact and does not convert to sugar. It simply passes through the body undigested and acts as a fiber ~ which is a very good thing. We get more fiber going through our intestines while avoiding the conversion to sugar and the resulting fat storage ~ a definite win-win situation.

Over the past several years, there have been many positive studies to determine the effectiveness of carb blockers and their ability to help lose weight. One study was performed at the Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, over an eight week time period.

It reported that participants saw an average weight loss of 200% more than those taking a placebo, and lost an average of 1.5 inches around their waists. This was 43 % more than those taking the placebo. Plus they reported having 13% more energy, even though it is not a stimulant.

Whether you choose patches or pills, prefer to eat starchy foods, or use carb blockers, some things to look for when buying diet products are that they:

1) Contain all natural ingredients
2) Do not have harmful side effects
3) Offer a 100% money back guarantee

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

1 Pound Of Fat = 3,500 Calories

There are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. Thus, if you cut back or work off just 3,500 calories, you will lose an entire pound of fat. While it is possible to cut back on your calorie intake and increase your exercise regimen in order to lose pounds quickly, it is important to note that doctors recommend that you lose no more than 2 pounds of weight per week in order to ensure that your body properly adjusts to the weight loss.

Here are some tips to help you safely drop 3,500 from your regular routine:

Run

Running for about 1 hour at a slow pace will help you lose approximately 350 calories, depending on your body type, speed and terrain. Thus, if you run for one hour five days a week while maintaining a consistent diet, you will safely lose one pound.

It is important to understand that many people who just begin running will eat pasta and other foods high in carbohydrates in order to compensate for the exertion. They think that because they worked out so hard, they deserve a treat. After all, they justify, the pasta will help to keep their energy levels high.

However, what they may not realize is that while they are justified in thinking that the carbohydrates will infuse their workout routine with energy, they are not actually setting their bodies up to lose weight. When you burn 350 calories but intake 450 over a high-carbohydrate pasta dish, you are adding more calories to your body than you otherwise would have.

Running does, however, help to boost our metabolism and change your muscle tone so that you burn calories more efficiently. Instead of inhaling a pasta dish after a run, select instead to have a large salad and splurge for the carbohydrate-rich croutons.

Eat In

When you eat out at a restaurant, not only are you subjecting your body to an array of high fat, high calorie foods, but you are also tempting yourself to eat a larger portion than you might normally eat. Therefore, what could be a simple 500 calories meal can easily turn into a 1500-calorie fat fest. In order to lose weight by cutting calories, it is essential that you are aware of exactly what you are putting into your body. Especially in the beginning of your new routine, it is important that you prepare your meals and monitor your level of hunger.

When eating out, generally you are in a social situation where food is not a priority – but spending time with your friends is. For this reason, people tend to eat more than they normally would. Non-dessert eaters often even spring for the extra round of calories. If you must eat out, help yourself avoid temptation by selecting a salad rather than a plate of pasta or burger. You will be amazed at the difference in the amount of calories you intake when you make simple choices such as meal option.

By reducing your overall calorie intake and increasing your level of physical activity, you will be able to lose those 3,500 calories without much trouble. Make sure that you stay focused, motivated and on task. You’ll shed unwanted weight in no time!

The Easy Side Of Weight Loss

This article was written to answer many of the most frequently asked questions on this topic. I hope you find this information helpful.

There is the familiar story of your teenage years and how active you were playing sports, going out with friends and having a good time. Because of your high activity level and age your metabolism is also high so your weight has not ever been a problem. As a matter of fact, whoever even thinks about it' Over time you develop a taste for fatty junk food and you sure do love those hamburgers, fries and pop. Your metabolism helps burn off most of the excess calories from the junk food and so any extra weight goes unnoticed.

As you move into adulthood priorities change and somehow sports disappears from your life and the focus now becomes more on work and social activities such as parties and drinks. You notice that you have some extra weight but by now you've programmed your lifestyle habits into your subconscious and weight loss is still not something that is thought of. As you get to your 30's and 40's you have now noticed a considerable amount of body fat and you begin to see the health problems associated with your unhealthy lifestyle. Now you are concerned.

What you have done in your life to date is set the cause and effect of your lifestyle choices in motion, accumulating all the little unhealthy lifestyle habits along the way until the weight issue has become bigger year after year, and so have you. Hang on. There is good news.

The good news is that you can turn around the negative cause and effect in such a way as to achieve health and weight loss by making steady improvements to your lifestyle across multiple areas. This will cause your new weight loss to grow and gather speed and lead you back to health. The most important thing to realize is that while you may not see immediate results from the slight changes to your lifestyle, the combination of little improvements across lots of lifestyle areas over time will achieve the weight loss you're looking for.

Here's how to get started:

1. Get Active - To burn off some of the body fat and strengthen your heart you need to do some form of exercise. A starting point might be walking as it is a low impact, low risk activity. Start out with a short walk at first and and then walk farther and for longer each time. The important thing to remember is to choose an exercise you like to do so you will stay with it.

2. Eat Healthy - Little by little, replace high fat and high sugar foods with healthier alternatives. First start with perhaps one meal a day and progress from there. After a while you will be more accustomed to healthy food and will make better food choices. It is true the healtheir you eat, the less you want the the old eating habits back.

3. Eat Smaller Meals - It is better to have frequent smaller meals than three large meals, so try cutting down your portion sizes and have a piece of fruit between meals for snacks.
Eating healthy keeps you fuller longer.

4. Cut Sugar Drinks - Eliminate soda drinks from your diet as they wreak havoc with your blood sugar, add body fat, and interfere with your hormonal system.

5. Reduce Alcohol - Alcohol has the same effects as soda drinks on your body so try to reduce your consumption.

6. Drink a lot of Water - Water helps eliminate all the body's byproducts and is needed to flush the body of the waste associated with weight loss. It also helps give you that full feeling. There is an easy way to drink enough water each day. Just drink three twelve ounce glasses of water with each meal. I chose the one right sized glass for each meal or start with one glass of water with each meal and work up to the three glasses. There, you're done and it's easy.

7. Get Lots of Sleep - A large proportion of the people who get inadequate sleep are overweight. That's because sleep deprivation has an enormous negative effect on the body's hormonal system among other things.

8. Eat Slower - Most people eat way too fast, which leads to poor digestion and overeating. Eat slower and savor your food and you will feel fuller on less food.

There is no quick fix when it comes to weight loss, but if you make gradual improvements in several areas, the combined effect will put the brakes on obesity your weight issues will be a thing of the past.

Thank you for visiting. Go ahead and look around to find additional helpful tips and information.

Monday, March 15, 2010

The Dangers of Rapid Weight Loss

Are you interested in losing weight? If you are, are you looking for a rapid weight loss? Rapid weight loss, also commonly referred to as quick weight loss or fast weight loss, involves losing weight in a short period of time, often anywhere from two to seven days.

Each year, in the United States, hundreds of thousands of Americans are interested in rapidly losing weight. Many people wish to lose weight before an important event, like an upcoming vacation or a wedding. While it is defiantly possible to understand how you can want to lose weight quickly, namely as fast as possible, you need to proceed with caution. Although it is possible to lose weight, at least a little bit of it, in a relatively quick period of time, you should know that there are dangers associated with doing so.

One of the many dangers of rapid weight loss is some of the many measures that some people take. For instance, it is common to hear of individuals who have decided not to eat, while trying to achieve a rapid weight loss. Going without food, for even a short period of time, can be dangerous to your health. A better alternative is to cut back on the food that you do eat or to just make sure that it is healthy foods in which you are eating. By limiting your calories, you should be able to achieve at least a small weight loss in the time that you were looking to. It is just very important that you do eat.

In addition to eating healthy, another component of weight loss is exercise. Unfortunately, many individuals do not realize that it can take up to one week to notice the signs of exercise. With that in mind, the more weight you need to lose, the sooner it is that you may start seeing results. While exercise is a major component of losing weight, it is important that you do not overdo it, especially if you haven’t had a regular exercise plan. Running on the treadmill for three hours, instead of thirty minutes, may help reduce your calorie intake, but, at the same time, it may also land you in the hospital.

Another problem that is often associated with rapid weight loss is the taking of medications or other weight loss products. The good news is that many of these products do work and some are even safe, but you may not be able to tell what you are getting. If you are interested in using a weight loss product, like a diet pill or a cleanse, to help you lose weight, it is important that you do the proper amount of research first. This research may involve checking product reviews, to see if the product is effective, or speaking with a healthcare professional.

As you can see, it is important that you proceed with caution when trying to achieve rapid weight loss. Although unexpected events or appearances do popup, most individuals have at least a months worth of notice before attending a large event, like a wedding or even a vacation. As soon as you know about your upcoming event, you are advised to start trying to lose weight then, if you are interested in doing so. Rapid weight loss can be dangerous; therefore, you shouldn’t rely on it if possible.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Fear of Sugars -- A Worthy Phobia

It’s vital that the bariatric patient keep an eye on sugar grams in food!

About 97% of all bariatric surgery patients learn to become very familiar with what is known as the “dumping syndrome”, which is a way the body tells you that you ate something that you really shouldn’t have eaten. “Dumping” shows up in many forms from sudden fatigue, to nausea, to vomiting, and even diarrhea. When the “dumping” comes, take note of what you most recently ate, and do your best to avoid it again.

Many things can cause dumping. Foods containing too much grease, fats, carbs, and sugars CAN make you “dump.” But the biggest culprit in this short list (yet so many foods have these elements in them), is SUGAR and SUGAR ALCOHOLS.

What exactly are “Sugar Alcohols”?

Basically, Sugar Alcohols are artificial sweeteners or “anything that serves as a sweetener in food but cannot be labeled as a sugar since it isn’t pure sugar.”

Sugar Alcohols may not add calories (as real sugar does) to your body, BUT they DO ACT like sugar in the sense they will make the bariatric patient DUMP as if they partook of real sugar. On average, the bariatric patient cannot tolerate more than 12 grams of sugar PER MEAL. Beyond 12 grams of sugar will almost always cause some type of dumping, be it mild or severe. This is why it is essential to add up both the sugar AND the sugar alcohols that are being consumed per meal.

Let’s say the food label says the product has 2 grams of sugar and 14 grams of sugar alcohols. Does that mean it’s safe? It is NOT safe because when the sugar alcohols act just like sugars, in essence, you are consuming 16 grams of “sugar-action” because you have to ADD the two together since they react in the body the same way. Some “diet” foods claim to be low in sugar – TRUE – but then they contain 22 grams of sugar alcohols. This is okay for non-bariatric patients, but a sure “dumping in the making” for us!

What exactly is “Sugar”?

Chemically, sugars are carbohydrates. As the body digests food, carbohydrates (except fiber) break down into sugars. We can find sugars in a variety of forms. Sugars just aren’t used to sweeten food: they are also used as natural preservatives and thickeners. Sugars are added to foods during processing and preparation. The body cannot tell the difference between “natural” sugars and artificial sugars because they are the same in regards to chemical breakdowns.


“Incognito” Sugars

Watch out for these sugars in disguise! Some are obvious while others are tricky:
• Brown sugar
• Corn sweetener
• Corn syrup
• Fructose
• Fruit juice concentrate
• Glucose (dextrose)
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Honey
• Invert sugar
• Lactose
• Maltose
• Molasses
• Raw sugar
• Table sugar (Sucrose)
• Syrup
If you find these things listed on food labels, remember this: the product is likely to be high in sugars if one of the above-mentioned shows first or second in the ingredients list. If several of these are listed, then the product most-definitively will be too high in “sugars” for the bariatric patient and will cause dumping.

Also, fruits contain “natural sugars”. And fruits, unlike packaged foods, don’t have convenient wrappers on them revealing any sugar values within them. This is where we have to “know” how much sugars are in the fruits we eat. Pineapple is one of the highest natural-sugar fruits out there, and grapes are pretty high too. Fruits are good for our system, if taken in moderation. But too much of the “natural” sugars can also cause an ill effect.

If you haven’t developed the FEAR OF SUGARS by now, then you might be doing yourself an injustice. It is important o know how sugars effect you personally so you can learn how to eat anywhere with confidence. When you begin to understand how sugars affect your system, you can then attend any social event and know what is okay to eat and how much of that “party” food you can safely eat without causing an embarrassing and inconvenient dumping episode. When you’re dumping, attention is naturally drawn to you because others genuinely care and will inquire about why you’re not feeling well. If you don’t want this kind of attention, then get your Sugar Intake Safety Zone down to a personal science for you so you can always relax and enjoy your food.

Monday, March 8, 2010

The Best Rapid Weight Loss Techniques

Other than physical appearance weight affects a person in many ways. This could be the overall quality of life, self-esteem, depression, health risks, and physical incapabilities. There are a lot of positive changes once a person experience weight loss. It is for this reason why a lot of people are searching for a weight loss technique that will surely trim down those fats and get a super slim head turner body.

The first thing that an over-weight should do is seek a doctor to recommend the best weight loss regimen. This will be done after a full physical examination, which leads to the determination of proper weight loss technique. And to lose weight fast and effectively four aspects of life should be changed: what to eat, how to eat, behavior and activity level.

Here are fast tips that can change an over-weight's life:

First: Fast weight loss composes of a multi-faceted technique that consists mindset, exercise, and in other cases, diet supplements. Begin by learning a diet food plan that can easily be accustomed with. Incorporate an exercise plan that allows even at least fifteen minutes a day like brisk walking, running, swimming, and dancing.

Second: Set realistic approaches. The ability to focus and have proper mindset enables someone on a diet to quickly lose those extra pounds. With discipline and proper mind set, a dieter will never be discouraged and lose focus.

Third: Listen as the body speaks. Each and everyone's body metabolism reacts differently to different fast weight loss programs and plans. Try substituting one program for another to compensate the body's reaction. Exercise program must be suitable to one's body, as others are not able to exercise as rigorously as others can. If walking is all that can be done, then walk for this is proven the best exercise. Muscles burn more calories than fats so it's also best to put on a little muscle and looking good too.

Fourth: Eat more fibers for it makes a person full sooner and stays in the tummy longer, slowing down the rate of digestion. A single serving of whole grain bread moves fat through the digestive system faster. Grains turn into blood sugar that spikes the body's insulin level. Thus, making the body more energized and ready to tell the body when it should stop burning fats or start storing.

Fifth: Keep away from fried foods especially deep-fried as this contains a great amount of fat. Although fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can contain more fat than when a beef is fried. It is recommended for those on strict diet to opt for grilled food as this does not have or contain less amount of fat after the food is cooked.

Sixth: Takes lots of fluid. Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day keeps the body refreshed. Since weight loss depends on how the body eliminates body wastes, the body must stay hydrated.

All in all, discipline and consistency is still the best practice and the key to a rapid weight loss success. Light dieting, workout, and right amount of supplementation applied in a regular way everyday will result in faster weight loss than having a massive action only to be followed a return to old habits as this would only lead to gaining more weight than when the weight loss plan has started.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Bariatric Patient and "Set Point"

New Bariatric patients often ask this basic question: “How do I determine my goal weight?”

The SET POINT: Each person has his/her own “set point” that the body has programmed deep inside which lets the body know the amount of weight it wants to maintain. Basically, this “set point” was established near puberty; so based on if you were a slim or chubby child approaching puberty, this will determine what your set point” is. Think back to when you were in your pre-teen years and then what type of body (slim or overweight) you had as you entered puberty. This will give you an idea of what your body would be comfortable at weighing again…. Of course, you should add a few pounds because the matured adult body is different from the body at puberty. Take in consideration your level of activity as a child, your eating habits, etc. These are factors for why the matured adult body will not appear exactly as your body at puberty. For instance, at puberty, if you weighed 120 pounds, your matured adult body after weight loss may not return to 120 pounds, but rather may return to an adult body of 135 or 140 pounds. This is reasonable since you are not eating these days as you did as a child and you may not be as active as you were as a child… like playing on the playground everyday, walking or riding your bike everywhere, etc.

Some patients are actually able to go past their set point because as a matured adult, they are more active and eat healthier than they did as a child. The task of truly evaluating your young life’s habits and routines will be the first step in understanding the number you want to expect on the scale once you are done losing your weight. Be realistic in this evaluation. There’s no sense or happiness is setting a goal weight that your body just refuses to accept. Take upon a personal assignment this week to fully consider what your goal weight “should” be, then add a few pounds to that number for reality-check.

Go through this list below and write down your answers. This will help you in your evaluation. All of these questions refer to YOU as a pre-teen near puberty:•Did you eat healthy snacks or eat a lot of junk food?
•Did you participate in sports, bike ride, swim, dance, or do other high-energy activities?
•Did you sleep-in a lot on school days off or in the summertime?•Were you happy with life in general?
•Did you worry about weighing yourself often?
•Were you instructed to always finish your plate at mealtimes?

Now look at your answers you wrote down.

Are you surprised at your answers? Have you ever thought of these things being a part of who you are today?

Keep your answers and review them often and do this….
REPEAT the things in your life that brought you success in the past, and DON’T DO the things on your list that you know could make you GAIN weight after you’ve lost your weight.

So, now that you have the image of your young life in your mind, reflect upon your habits and routines you had then, and incorporate the GOOD THINGS back into your life today. Skip the BAD THINGS you used to do because they certainly won’t work for you as an adult.

In short, BE REALISTIC in determining what your goal weight should be in the end. Be kind to yourself and remember that if you end up being 20 pounds shy of your goal weight, YOU SHOULD REJOICE that you were able to achieve so much in the first place! It may take a long time to lose that final 20 pounds, so don’t despair. Just stay focused and keep doing what works best for you.

Friday, March 5, 2010

The Advantages of SmartLipo over Traditional Liposuction

Liposuction in various forms has been in existence for many years. Since 1982, the procedure has been performed millions of times in the United States alone. In recent years, however, advances have been made in the field of plastic surgery that has revolutionized liposuction.

Laserlipolysis, also known as SmartLipo, is an FDA-approved procedure that greatly surpasses what was possible with traditional liposuction. The advantages of SmartLipo are tremendous, and the procedure promises to attract many more patients in the future as the reputation continues to precede itself - especially due to the many advantages of undergoing SmartLipo rather than traditional liposuction.

Tiny cannula results in minimal invasion, no stitches

Traditional liposuction is an invasive procedure that involves utilizing a tube called a cannula, which is connected to a high-powered vacuum. The cannula is inserted into the area where the procedure is to be performed, and the doctor rotates the cannula beneath the skin to remove fat from the body.

SmartLipo is far less invasive than traditional liposuction procedures. The cannula used is extremely small, and at one millimeter, stitches are not necessary at the site of insertion. The laser employed in SmartLipo offers far more precision than simply moving a cannula manually, as in traditional liposuction procedures.

Laser removes excess fat, without leaving excess skin

While the laser is melting fat cells, the heat produced by the beam also acts to seal blood vessels, and this causes the body to produce collagen. The body is sculpted by the procedure and further surgery is generally unnecessary. Often, with traditional liposuction, the patient must undergo additional procedures to remove the excess skin after the fat has been withdrawn.

When fat is removed from the body, it cannot regenerate. Adults have a finite amount of fat cells, and once they are removed from an area, it cannot gain fat once again. With SmartLipo, the fat cells are heated to a bursting point, and the liquefied fat exits the body through the insertion point. Any excess fluid is filtered out of the body via the lymphatic system.

Safer procedures, quicker recovery with SafeLipo

Traditional liposuction is not only an invasive procedure, but one that can cause serious trauma to the skin and connective tissue of the individual undergoing the procedure. Bruising is quite common, as the cannula has to be manually manipulated to achieve symmetrical results. Healing times can vary depending upon the amount of fat being removed, however with traditional liposuction, compression bandages are recommended to be worn for six weeks after completion.

In stark comparison, the advantages of undergoing SmartLipo are plentiful. One of the most advantageous aspects pertaining to SmartLipo is the recovery time. Most patients are back at work within two days. Compression bandages are usually worn for up to two weeks, but are not always necessary.

In addition, the collagen released as a reaction to the heat of the laser continues to develop for up to three months, firming and tightening the treated area long after the procedure has been performed.

If you are considering your options regarding body sculpting and permanently ridding your body of fat, look no further than SmartLipo. The alternative is unthinkable once you know what is available to you.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Take A Look At The New YOU

Obesity and overweight can be a fatal factor for all of us. It leads to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as a number of other serious health conditions which can have drastic implications. So it is always better to keep ourself away from it. But, human beings are prone to it at any age, even they are afraid of it. There are various reasons behind it like improper food habits, improper sleeping habits, etc. But suffering from obesity doesn’t mean that you torture yourself by going on starvation. People must know that they can get freedom from obesity with just a little amount of weight loss slowly and steadily and can live a healthy life.

Countries like US and UK are prone to obesity problems. Even children’s are not spared. It is a common fact that when a person confront obesity he/she either start staying hungry or just stick to a single diet whole through the life with a bit of physical exercise.. This is really a tedious matter. And sometimes the results are also not up to par. So when nothing works, Phentermine works in a more perfect and significant way. Approved by the US FDA as a treatment for obesity, Phentermine can help obese patients lose significant amounts of weight and keep them off.

It is a pill that helps in reducing weight by changing and restraining the urge of food, increases your metabolism, burn your calories as well as increase your energy. This drug is generally taken in empty stomach once daily before breakfast. This medication is generally taken for 9 to 14 weeks to get some confirmative result. It is strictly prescribed only to those people who are at medical risk because of their obesity problems. Besides, FDA recommends that this drug is not for a very long time usage.

Side effects such as diarrhea, impotence, insomnia and dizziness are reported to be experienced by patients. Hence it is advised to consult a doctor before starting or stopping this medicine.

Though Phentermine is receiving positive results in the recent times, but always better to follow a proper routine with balance diet. This gives us the necessary to carry out our daily activities without hampering our body physically or mentally. In fact a balanced diet enables us to have a shapely body with the appropriate amount of fat and muscles.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Successful Weight Loss

Over the years, I have been lucky not to have had to worry too much about my weight. I have played a lot of sport, and kept myself healthy. At the age of 40, I was still actively involved in squash, tennis and golf, although the latter 2 were not as strenuous as squash. At the age of 41, I gave up competitive squash, and over the next 6 months put on over 5 kg’s (11 pounds). By my early 50’s, I was about 84kg (185lb), diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, depressed, and wondering where my life was going. At only 170cm (5’8”), my BMI was much too high. I had to find a way to slim down.

After getting the doctors advice on my diabetes, I started to try to do the right thing and lose weight. I ate a diet of cardboard and grass, or if you will, crackers and salad. I tried to starve, ate just protein, all the usual fads, and lost a bit. Christmas came around and I was back to top weight and again feeling depressed. After trying all sorts of diets, I would always fail. I then began to understand that losing weight was not an easy thing to do. I have subsequently read how many people embark on diets, and how many fail to lose weight, or simply stack the weight back on after the diet is over. I was one of them.

It became apparent that the only way I was going to succeed was to change my mindset. I began to see that there was no miracle diet. I had to reduce my calorie intake or burn more calories through work or exercise. I began to read as much as I could on the subject, and the internet was a fabulous tool. A great resource is http://www.o-weightloss.com where there are over 1400 pages of information. There is also a lot of diet information there. I became a bit of an expert, especially as I began to lose more weight. I found that providing I cut out the saturated fats, and cut down (not out) desserts, and ate smaller meals I continued to lose weight. I cut down beer, and drank mostly wine. In essence, I continued to enjoy all the foods I had previously enjoyed, but with the motto, everything in moderation.

A simple exercise regime was begun; I walked for just 40 minutes a day, 4 days per week. I play golf at least once per week, and during the warmer months, tennis once a week. This is not body breaking stuff. The reality of all this is that with serious diabetes or obesity, you can lie around all day and night in a cemetery if you do not confront your weight problems.

Now at the age of 55, I am down to 75kg (165lbs), the last blood test showed I was no longer diabetic, and I feel better in myself. While I know diabetes cannot be cured, I firmly believe that it can be controlled by controlling your weight, and in particular, your fat percentages.

I also firmly believe that information is king and you can never have too much information. Sites like http://www.o-weightloss.com can be of great use. Obesity is a health hazard, so let’s beat it.