Weight Watching

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Non Fat Diet
2008-08-03 18:28:00
Nonfat diets: Getting up your body's defences and playing with your healthThe dangers of nonfat diets are very grave. Please read this article to find out why nonfat dieting locks your body and can create severe health risks.Diet ing without any fat - the life-threatening misconception that you must know aboutNon-fat diets can actually be very dangerousThe fatal misconception of dieting without ANY intake of fat in any form or shape will make weight loss an uphill battle endangering your health.When you try to lose weight by opting to go without any fat intake, the diet you've started won't make you feel good.Fats ? oils ? are an essential part of our nutrition and the body needs some fat every day to manage its vital functions.Body fat is basically just stored energy, lacking any other nutrients. But the body needs SOME oil every day to run its organs... and this oil has to be in a form that does contain nutrients.If you leave out all fat from your diet, the body is not going to ...

Water and Weight
2008-08-03 18:17:00
Water and Weight - the simple insider secret for getting your body to do much of the work in losing weightThe intake of water regulates weight loss in a much greater way than what is commonly known.In dieting, water acts as a kind of "lubricant" for the body's metabolic functions. Water makes the body work the way it should and a sufficient intake of water will help you lose weight faster and feel better while dieting.As a rule, we drink far too little water for a healthy diet.And for losing weight successfully, a sufficient water intake is absolutely essential.Without enough water, you cannot feel GOOD while dieting... and your body cannot do its job anywhere near as effectively as it should.Adequate intake of water is the missing ingredient in dieting.The intake of water regulates weight loss in a much greater way than what is commonly known.In dieting, water acts as a kind of "lubricant" for the body's metabolic functions. Water makes the body work the way it should and a suffi...
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Green Tea and Weight Loss
2008-03-26 00:48:00
Although there are a number of products to help lose weight, it is green tea that is probably one of the most famous; as it has remarkable antioxidant properties, it is found in many health products. Green tea weight loss extracts can be consumed in many ways including as regular tea plus it can be purchased in liquid or tablet form but whichever way it is used it has an excellent record as a calorie burner.In addition to weight loss functions, it can also help slow the signs of aging by helping to speed up the regenerative functions of the cells. With weight loss however, both the laxative effects and anti-oxidant abilities are used to help improve the metabolism. The body's system is stimulated into burning more calories than usual, and will thus avoid useless accumulation of fat tissue.Despite the success of green tea weight loss products, they cannot work on their own so the user must be responsible for what food they eat and any exercise they perform. It is important to rememb...
More About: Weight Loss , Weight , Loss , Green Tea

Weight Loss Mythology
2008-03-19 13:19:00
Losing weight has given rise to a number of myths. These are not only baseless and unscientific but in the long run can pose health consequences. So it is always better to follow a healthy, scientific way of losing weight and learn to separate the facts from the myths.1. You cannot lose weight. Gained weight can be lost but it happens at a very slow pace. You should always remember that if you do something right, then it happens. Lose weight by following a scientifically planned controlled diet and not through crash dieting.2. You should weigh yourself everyday. This is a wrong notion that can demotivate. Your body undergoes a number of changes everyday such as fluid retention, hormonal changes etc. As a result of this you may weigh more and find it very discouraging if you weigh everyday. You should weigh yourself only once a week.3. Exercise makes you feel hungry. The fact is that moderate exercise helps you in decreasing your appetite. Exercise boosts your metabolism as you burn ...
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Lose Weight Permanently
2008-03-16 12:22:00
How to Lose Weight PermanentlyLook into the mirror and you?ll know that you are putting on weight. What the mirror cannot do is diagnose the casues for your increasing weight. In other words, if you are trying to lose weight quickly by crash dieting, you are making no effort to correct the original cause of your excess weight. That is why there are countless people who half-starve themselves both quantitatively and nutritionally to lose weight. And later gain it back, usually with additional kilos. This process of losing and gaining weight repeatedly is known as the Yo-Yo syndrome. Yo-Yo dieting makes it harder to lose weight but easier to regain it. This kind of fluctuation also aggravates physiological changes in your body which play havoc with your metabolism.Three things make it extremely difficult to maintain a long-term loss by severe dieting or crash methods. First, you have no well-balanced dietary guidelines to help you change your eating habits.Without these it is impossib...
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No Shortcuts to Weight Loss
2008-03-16 12:17:00
One of the quickest ways to increase your fitness and feel great is to shed some weight. Drop five kilos and notice the difference. Not only will you look good but will also feel lighter and stronger. But losing weight doesn't mean that you stop eating and starve to death. This is a short cut method and won't work in the long run. The only permanent way to lose weight is to lose it gradually. For that you need to maintain a long-term sensible plan and stick to it religiously. Your new eating plan should minimise your saturated fat intake and thus keep your fat levels down to reasonable levels. Here are some tried and tested fat-reducing tips to help you get in shape: * Don't fry, instead grill, poach, roast, bake or steam * Reduce the use of white flour and butter to thicken sauces; instead use vegetable purees. * Use herbs to season low-fat dishes. This will help overcome the loss of flavour that comes from reducing fat content. * Experiment with whole grains like m...
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Improving Your Posture
2008-03-15 23:17:00
Take two minutes and think about the following questions. Have you noticed that you are constantly cowering down because your boss is too intimidating? Are you weary and tired and as a result frequently hunch your shoulders? Are you trying to reach out to someone and in the process unwittingly, let your chest out too far forward? If you've said yes to any of these then not only are you looking sloppy and unsmart, but are unknowingly encouraging bad posture.What is Posture?Think of a building without the steelwork or a bridge without an edifice and what conjures up in your mind is a weak and unstable construction incapable of withstanding stress or strain. The same could apply to your body. Your posture, a harmonious interplay of the skeletal and muscular systems, forms the structure and base of all your movements. And though it is of your own making, it communicates a whole deal about you to the external world. It signals your position in society, your levels of self-esteem and con...

Getting Fitter with Yoga
2008-03-11 14:47:00
Did you know that yoga can actually enhance the benefits of your fitness plan? Yes, yoga is a good supplement to exercise. And if you thought that yoga was meant only for rishis and sadhus, you need to think again. There are several yoga exercises that act as a supplement to the whole process of exercising and preparation. Preparing yourself for exercise and training is equally important as the actual training. Yoga acts as a facilitator and works wonder for your warm-up and cool-down steps.At the warm-up stage : * Yoga can be used as a means for increasing attention and concentration * It helps warm-up the muscles. * You can simultaneously improve your flexibility, body awareness, and self-control. Although these yoga exercises take only 2-3 minutes, you will find them very useful in reaching a more concentrated state. Through yoga, concentration becomes as much a part of the warm-up routine as your daily stretching. Like physical exercises, practicing concentration becom...

10 Barriers to Weight Training
2007-12-14 01:37:00
It's finally dawned on you that despite working out everyday, you are not getting anywhere. Where is it that you're going wrong? Are you aware of the right principals that go into meeting your specific goal? Stop to think for a moment. Here's a quick checklist you can run through to figure out what you need to rectify.TOO COOLNo warm up, sudden startThe body has to prepare for the routine that is to follow thus a warm-up phase is absolutely essential prior to the workout. Jump-starting this period will only lead to sudden muscle pulls and tendons tears, and terrorise the body. Also if you've had some gaps in your workout, do not presume that you can restart at the same pace. Be sensible and gradually ease into your exercise schedule.TOO MUCHWeight without enough experienceThere is a keen, competitive, eagerness to ape the guy framed on the poster staring right in front of you. He has probably taken ages to get there and is on the wall to inspire you not wrestle with you in direc...
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Meat Myths
2007-12-05 01:29:00
You are an avid meat eater whose meals are incomplete without the addition of meat. You firmly believe that eating meat is necessary for a healthy life as it is the richest source of proteins and good quality amino acid. No other food can provide you with the same quality nutrition. Vegetarians are losing out on vital nutrients because they don't eat meat.If you believe in any of the above, then it's time for you to do a reality check. It's true that meat is an excellent source of protein, but it's not the only food rich in proteins. In fact, vegetarian foods compare very well with meats. Many of us continue to eat meat out of ignorance because we don't know any better. This article aims at dispelling certain myths regarding meats. * You need to eat meat to be healthy. This is totally baseless. You think you need meat because of its proteins but many other non-meat foods like cheese, beans and groundnuts have more proteins per ounce than a burger stuffed with ham. Do you bel...
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Squash For Women
2007-11-30 12:14:00
Very few women make it to professional squash due to the injury factor. Moreover, women are slower in reflexes. However, many clubs now have a growing dossier on women squash players. In the present climate of concern for fitness and health, it seems entirely appropriate for squash to form part of a weekly routine, particularly when some female participants are able to help utilize club facilities to the full by playing during off-peak hours in the day.Women can do better.The prowess of women relative to men is always of interest. There are several aspects to consider in matching the two. First, it is arguable as to whether sheer strength is a deciding factor in its own right because it is the combination of strength and accuracy that culminate in a winning formula, so it has to be said that there is probably not a great deal of difference in this area alone. Second, however, there are what are perhaps the deciding factors of speed off the mark, speed around the court and, most sign...
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How to Lose Weight Permanently
2007-11-23 01:58:00
Look into the mirror and you?ll know that you are putting on weight. What the mirror cannot do is diagnose the casues for your increasing weight. In other words, if you are trying to lose weight quickly by crash dieting, you are making no effort to correct the original cause of your excess weight. That is why there are countless people who half-starve themselves both quantitatively and nutritionally to lose weight. And later gain it back, usually with additional kilos. This process of losing and gaining weight repeatedly is known as the Yo-Yo syndrome. Yo-Yo dieting makes it harder to lose weight but easier to regain it. This kind of fluctuation also aggravates physiological changes in your body which play havoc with your metabolism. Three things make it extremely difficult to maintain a long-term loss by severe dieting or crash methods. First, you have no well-balanced dietary guidelines to help you change your eating habits.Without these it is impossible to maintain a healthy an...
More About: Weight , Lose Weight

Gastric Surgery May Ease Breathing Problems
2007-11-20 00:04:00
The study and results: people who are clinically defined as obese often suffer shortness of breath and chest pains that keep them from the physical activity that could help them lose weight. As part of an ongoing study, Swedish researchers investigated whether gastric surgery to reduce stomach size and induce weight loss could relieve obese people from these symptoms. They compared 1,210 people who had gastric surgery to 1,099 who had received dietary recommendations from health providers. The people who had surgery lost an average of 62 pounds, while the other group stayed at essentially the same weight. In addition, on average, the surgery patients? problems with high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing and chest pain all decreased. They also had increased levels of physical activity in the 2 years following the surgery.
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Benefits of Fitness
2007-11-19 23:56:00
What's so important about being fit and trim? Well, a lot. The secret of feeling healthy and happy lies in leading an active lifestyle. It's the perfect remedy for stress, a solution for ennui and restlessness and more refreshing than an ice-cold lemonade. So get off that couch and take the first step towards staying fit - exercise. Regular exercise will improve your cardiovascular health, help you lose weight and increase your stamina and live life rather than allowing life to just pass by. Weight management, circulatory or aerobic efficiency, proportionate body structure and psychological benefits are the noticeable effects of exercising. Weight management : Exercise decreases fat in the body and can contribute to effective weight maintenance or fat reduction. It increases your lean body mass. Since lean tissue (especially muscles) burns more calories, as it is more oxygenated than fat tissue it helps to keep your body's metabolic processes going higher. This also means tha...
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Swimming Compared with Land Workouts
2007-11-19 11:11:00
Swimming is clearly one of the best forms of exercise besides being an enjoyable and fun-filled activity. However one frequently asked question about swimming is that is it any different from other land workouts and if so what is the difference? Which is better? Find out more. Tones your muscles Swimming is one sport that works all your major muscle groups. Very few sports can do this. Although it may appear that you are using only your shoulders, arms and legs while swimming but in reality almost all large muscle groups play a part. Since most of the power, which you need for swimming, comes from the upper half of your body except during butterfly where it is equal to the lower half, you see changes in your chest, shoulders and arms more quickly. However your lower half also plays an important part. The breaststroke kick is especially good for your inner and outer thigh muscles. Swimming is one sport and workout where your body fat actually helps you as it adds to your buoyancy...
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Demystifying Weight Loss Myths
2007-11-17 22:23:00
The moment you decide to implement your weight loss plan you are flooded with lot of fly-by-night information, most of which is unfortunately incorrect. These false notions or beliefs are myths and can put your plan into disarray. If you are overweight then losing weight is no doubt a great idea but before that you must get rid of the dead weight of myths and beliefs. Here are some popular myths exposed: Myth 1: You can't lose weight.The truth is that you can lose weight. However, the process is slow and time-consuming, probably slower than what you expected. If you strive for it constantly you will surely succeed in the end. Myth 2: Sweat loss equals weight loss.Sweat loss means loss of water, not weight. However, when you sweat heavily and step on the weighing scale it shows a pound or two less. Don't confuse this with loss in weight as it is actually loss of water, which you will regain the moment you are properly hydrated. Always remember that you cannot permanently lose weig...
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Stretch Your Quadriceps
2007-11-17 22:18:00
How often have you experienced a wrench in your thighs after walking briskly for a while or climbing up stairs? Is sitting cross-legged on the floor an ordeal for you? If yes, chances are that your quadriceps-the major muscle group of your upper legs-needs to be suppler! Stiff quadriceps exerts stress on your knees during movements, such as walking, running, swimming climbing up stairs or cycling. If left unattended, there could be inflammation around the kneecap and even immobility in extreme cases. Strong quadriceps also supports the knees making them stronger. How to Have Supple Quadriceps: 1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. 2. Use a counter or chair back for balance.3. Lift your right leg off the ground, holding your ankle to your buttock with your knee pointed toward the floor, hips forward and level (don't let the right hip drop).4. Contract your abdominal muscles to avoid arching your back.5. Feel the stretch in the front of your thigh.6. Hold the p...
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Seven Golden Habits of a Good Posture
2007-11-17 22:16:00
"Stand up straight! Don't slouch! Hold your head up!" Even if you didn't obey your mother when she nagged you, it's never too late to start improving your posture with good practices. What is posture? It is the way you stand, sit, bend or lie down. Do you impact others positively, without resorting to speech, gestures or written words? If yes, chances are that you have good posture. Many people think straightening up is important only for appearance. Although good posture does project confidence, strength and poise, it is also important because it contributes to your health and wellbeing. Poor posture may cause fatigue, muscular strain, compression of blood vessels and pain. In addition, faulty posture can affect the position and function of major organs. Seven good posture habits 1. Do not allow the head to move forward when looking at the computer. Once the head moves forward, posture is thrown off and the body compensates for the shift. The neck moves forward, the should...
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Getting Started With Cycling
2007-11-15 11:43:00
Imagine how you used to cycle as a child enjoying the feeling of freedom, the wind in your hair and the world at your feet. In your childhood, pedaling was merely fun but as you grow older cycling is a terrific way to burn calories and keep your hearts and lungs in shape, besides being an inexpensive and convenient way to exercise. However, if it is the first time you are cycling, then here are some points to remember: Cost The cost of cycling lies in the kind of cycle you use. You can get a simple bike for as much as Rs 1,000 while a hi-fi bike with gears will set you back by a cool Rs 2,000. Other accessories like a helmet etc can also add to the cost of your cycling experience. However, if you are not sure about the kind of bike you want you can first try few by hiring and then choose the best one. Suspension If you are planning to ride on plain city roads you don't need extraordinary suspensions. A front suspension will do. However, if you are going for a spin on the mo...
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Dealing with a Weight Loss Plateau
2007-11-15 11:41:00
Have you reached a weight loss plateau? Your weight loss program has been going according to plan when suddenly you find your weight has reached a plateau. You wonder what could be the reason or what went wrong. However, a plateau is what most weight watchers are confronted with at some point in their weight loss campaign. However, this pause is only momentary and need not be permanent. Look for the cause If you hit a plateau then the first thing to do is determine the cause of this situation. There can be several reasons for this plateau: you may be eating more calories than what you should to lose weight. Research proves that most people under report the number of calories they eat. It's not that they are lying but they just don't know how to make an accurate assessment of what they are eating. It could be that you are eating just enough calories to maintain your present weight and not less than that, which is actually desired to lose weight. Suppose you need 1,800 calories ...
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Despelling Food Myths
2007-11-15 01:12:00
Do you think that sugar is the main cause of diabetes or that it is the only culprit responsible for your fat? The more cake you tuck into or the more chocolate that you bite into, the more prone you are to increase your blood sugar. If you think so, then you are one of those who are reeling under some myths about sugar. This is the perfect place to clear all your myths and be updated about those sweet sugar facts. Myth: Sugar is linked to hyperactivity Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support this. You may see signs of hyperactive behaviour in kids after an intake of sweet snacks but don't blame the food for it. Pay attention to the overall environment of the child. There might be some special occasion or a party or a treat that has triggered off this hyperactive behaviour. So the next your child becomes hyper after consuming a sweet, analyse the environment and the occasion and discover for yourself what is the trigger. Myth: Sugar causes diabetes Fact: Diabetes is a...
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Busting Some Food Myths
2007-11-15 01:08:00
Food is the basis of our existence but all our food habits are prefixed. We follow what we have learnt since childhood, irrespective of whether it is right or wrong. These give rise to a number of food myths. Myths are what you believe are right but in reality they have no truth in them and are insignificant Hence it is better to understand these myths and separate the fact from the myth: Junk food does not have any nutritive value. The fact is that no food is nutrient free. All foods have some nutrients in them. The foods categorized as junk foods have an imbalance of nutrients, which means that they may be a concentrated source of one nutrient and very low in other. So you can have some amount of junk food and still have a healthy balanced diet. Potato chips apart from fat contain vitamin C, vitamin B-6 and copper. Eat potato chips with low fat cheeseburger, salad and glass of juice or a whole fruit and you have a fairly balanced diet. As an athlete you need thrice the amount of ...
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Exercise and Weight Loss
2007-11-14 11:51:00
Have you been meaning to start exercising for a long time? Maybe it was a New Year?s resolution which you still have to implement; or maybe your mirror just emphatically told you to. Either ways, there?s no better time than now to get started. Regular exercise will improve your cardiovascular health, help you lose weight, build up your stamina and increase muscle mass. Here are some tips for making exercise a lifelong habit: Select activities you enjoy: This is important because if you pursue something you don?t like, chances are that you?ll give it up sooner than you began. It is better to select a variety of activities to prevent boredom from setting in. Try new exercises and see what your friends are doing. Write your goals and achievements: Seeing your progress in writing will act as a great motivator and will boost your ...
More About: Weight Loss , Weight , Exercise , Loss

Getting Motivated
2007-11-14 11:49:00
Losing weight is all about setting goals and sticking to them. After all, you wouldn?t start a business or a project without a clear-cut idea of what you want to achieve, and how you plan to do that. Your weight loss plan deserves the same kind of attention. You need to set goals that are realistic, track your progress regularly and stay committed to your plan. Setting goalsSetting goals is easy; setting goals that can be implemented is difficult. When you start a weight loss programme, you need to set both short-term as well as long-term goals. This is necessary as long-term goals may seem initially virtually impossible and may lead you to abandon your diet plan. For instance, trying to lose 20 kgs in four months may seem too distant, and you may get discouraged by the slow pace.To stay motivated, you need to feel a sense of success along the way. So start by choosing small and easily unattainable goals, such as restricting eating out to once a week or trying a new exercise...

Winning the Battle of the Bulge
2007-11-14 11:45:00
Do you go on an eating spree when you are depressed or angry? You stuff yourself till you feel sick and then repent at your overindulgence. Rather than help you combat your moods, bingeing will only increase the inches and add to your weight. You need to kick the "I'm miserable, let me eat habit for good!' Loneliness, depression, anger and boredom are just some of the pressures that can drive you [to] nuts. And to chocolates, burgers and potato chips. Most chronically overweight people indulge in food because of these emotional triggers and not because they are responding to genuine hunger signals. Food is a primitive form of oral gratification and a brief phase of unhappiness can drift you to this "quickie" reward that momentarily calms and soothes edgy nerves. Do you use eating as a quick fix against upsetting problems instead of getting to the emotional roots of your unhappiness? You are not to blame, entirely?Most of these problems stem from incidents in early childhood. Many ...
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Eating for Energy Hints
2007-10-01 11:04:00
Nutrients Your Body Needs EVERYDAY Protein: not stored by the body; responsible for building tissues Carbohydrates: fruits, vegetables, grains Fat: Essential for energy; avoid saturated; stay at or below 30% or calories each day Water Helpful Hints for Energy Eat 1-2 oz. of protein at breakfast and 2-3 oz. at lunch and dinner. 2-3 oz. is about the size of a deck of cards. Try
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Eating for Energy
2007-09-28 14:48:00
Turn on the TV or flip through a magazine and you're bombarded with conflicting messages about what you should eat, when you should eat, how much you should eat, and how you should feel about it. It can all be very confusing -- and discouraging. Despite what supermodels and superstars may say by their actions, skipping meals, smoking cigarettes, and exercising 2-4 hours a day with a personal
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Balance Training Program
2007-09-25 09:54:00
Balance Training Tips Begin each exercise with your standing leg bent. Hold the "START" position for 30 seconds, then gradually straighten the standing leg as much as possible, without losing the feeling of center. Do this routine 2-3 times per week for optimal performance. Try to keep the "lift in your ribcage" throughout each exercise. Don't hold your breath -- breath deeply and
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Exercises to Improve Precision and Strength
2007-09-25 09:49:00
What visual image pops into your head when someone says the word "balance?" Shannon Miller on the balance beam? A tightrope walker suspended above the circus stands? Or maybe even a ballerina en pointe? From now on, when you think "balance," visualize yourself doing whatever YOUR favorite physical activity. We all use and need balance in everything we do. For most of us, having "good balance"
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Circuit Training Program
2007-09-21 22:45:00
This is a great program to get you started on circuit training. Do 1 set of 18-25 reps of each of the exercises in the order prescribed. Be sure to read the tips that follow the exercise chart to ensure proper form, effectiveness, and safety. Circuit Training Tips Move quickly but safely from one activity to the next. The idea is to keep your heart rate up throughout the circuit. Be aware of
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