Proper weight management is about much more than simply
focusing on a single number, your weight. There are other, very
important, objective measurements to add to your intellectual
toolkit - BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage,
muscle-to-fat ratio and others - in order to achieve a physical
result.
That physical result, too, should be more than just reducing a
number. Your fundamental goals are to look attractive and
optimize your health. Everything else is a means to those ends.
The first step to achieving those interlocking twin goals is to
recognize that there are no short cuts, no easy and safe
'miracle cures'. There are aids that modern nutritional and
exercise science can supply. By all means, take advantage of
them.
But along with proper nutritional supplements, appetite
suppressants and the like, it's still essential to have a
proper diet and adequate daily exercise.
Some appetite suppressants, when used under a reputable
doctor's guidance, can be a helpful short-term addition to the
overall program.
But when you stop taking them, in the overwhelming majority of
cases, the weight will quickly return unless they are only part
of an overall strategy. That strategy has to include good
nutrition and proper exercise.
There are hundreds of fad diets around. The 'low carb, high
protein' diet is one of the latest. People following them often
experience rapid weight loss, initially. But the long term
benefits are few and the costs are high.
Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the body.
When the body has a shortage of available carbohydrates
(chiefly glucose) to use to produce energy, it turns to other
sources.
One result of that, though, is often muscle loss and not just
fat consumption.
Low carbohydrate diets reduce the amount of glucose available
in the muscles and liver. That leads to muscle fatigue and less
tone. At the same time, that fatigue also makes exercise more
difficult and less pleasant.
It also leads to a lower basal metabolic rate, which means
fewer calories will be consumed per hour than would otherwise
be the case.
That's an unhealthy trade off for a rapid, short-term weight
loss.
What's needed instead is a disciplined, long-term commitment to
lifestyle change. That, admittedly, is much more difficult than
simply changing a few things on the menu. It requires learning
more about nutrition, and more care in the selection of things
to eat.
It may mean substituting whole grain brown rice for potatoes.
It means substituting fruits for ice cream and candy as
dessert.
At the same time a person is struggling to change eating
habits, something very difficult to do when the body is urging
a return to the old items, another hurdle needs to be overcome:
beginning a regular exercise program.
Regular exercise is the second factor essential to proper
weight management.
It isn't necessary to become a fitness fanatic, but a regular
series of vigorous running or weight lifting or other form of
age-appropriate exercise is critical. That requires great
willpower, to be sure.
Most people give up too soon, because they try too hard at
first. That results in injury and abandoning the program.
Think long term, make changes slowly but permanently, and
you'll find that weight is the last thing you have to think
about. Your general appearance and health will improve. Those
are the ends to keep in mind.
About The Author: http://Ydiets.
find weight loss and diet resource, links and articles. For
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Saturday, March 10, 2007
Learn The Fundamentals Of Weight Management
The Power Of Detox -- How To Achieve Your Ideal Weight And Increase Your Energy With A Detox Diet
Unless you live in the middle of the jungle, you breathe only
pure air, eat only organic foods when you're hungry; and that
those foods provide the exact nutritional needs of your body;
that you never experience any stress, worry or anxiety and you
exercise every single day... chances are that you need to
detox.
Just like the dust and crud that accumulates in your house
calls for a yearly house-cleaning - "toxins", extra weight and
God knows what accumulate in your body.
We all need to do a regular house-cleaning - and that means
allowing your body a chance to heal itself, release the extra
weight, release its toxins, and get a fresh new start.
Your body has an amazing self-healing mechanism built right in
it, but in order to let it work, you have to give it the rest
it needs.
That's why fasting has been a tradition part of many world's
religions, and almost every alternative health practice
recommends some kind of fasting or "detox diet".
What Is a Detox Diet?
A "detox diet" has nothing to do with going to a rehab clinic
for drug abuse. The word "detox" has been used in naturopathic
circles in the sense of "removing toxins." A detox diet allows
your body to clean itself of accumulated toxins, stress, and
helps it release extra fat and weight.
A detox diet is a restricted diet that you follow, often
combined with an exercise program, for a few days or a few
weeks (or even longer). It's sort of like fasting, but it's
easier to do and you can do it at home when you need it.
Signs You Need to Detox
You should be able to know yourself when you need to go on a
detox diet. If you're looking at yourself in the mirror and
don't like what you see, you don't like the extra weight you've
been carrying around... then a detox diet can help you get back
on track with a healthy diet and release the extra fat..
If you feel you don't have the energy you once had, or you're
starting to feel a little depressed... a detox diet can help
you regain that energy and bring a new level of joy to your
life.
If you experience aches and pains, or headaches, and can't keep
up with the stress of modern life, then it's very likely that a
detox diet can help you feel young again, and give you the
feeling that "nothing can stop you".
From having helped thousands of people go through all sorts of
detox diets, I know that the rejuvenation it brings and the
sense of accomplishment, on top of all the health results, is
well worth the discipline it requires to do it.
Example of a Detox Diet
There's all sorts of detox diets you can choose from. One of my
all-time favorites is the Apple Diet. This involves eating only
apples for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for one or several
days.
The good thing about apples is that they are easy to eat, they
are low in sugar, and they contain a fiber that literally acts
as a "broom" in your intestines.
When you go on an Apple Diet, all you have to do is purchase
the best organic apples you can find, and eat as many as you'd
like 3 or 4 times a day.
Here's a few tips to make this work:
- If you've never done this before, only plan to go for the
Apple Diet for a maximum of 3-4 days.
- Peel your apples beforehand. Even though the peel contains
essential nutrients, it's also impossible to digest in most
cases. Since you're going to be eating lots of apple, you don't
want to stress your digestion with too much fiber.
- Don't drink apple juice - even if it's freshly-pressed. That
would be too much sugar, even if it's natural. You want the
natural sugar along with all of the vitamins, minerals and
fiber in the *whole* apple.
- Also drink water, about one liter a day, to help eliminate
the toxins.
- Instead of eating apples all day long, have 3-4 meals a day
with 1-2 pounds of apples.
I recommend the Apple Diet over any other type of
"mono-cleanse"
Other popular cleanses that I don't recommend include the
Orange Juice Fast, the Lemon Cleanse, or the Grapefruit Diet.
The problem with those detox diets is that the level of acidity
from these citrus fruits is too high. It can cause many problems
with your gums and overall health, and many unnecessary
discomforts.
That's why low-acidity apples are a good choice to do a raw
food detox diet.
Get Support and Motivation
Although the concept of a detox diet is simple, most people
have a hard time implementing it because of lack of motivation.
It's not complicated to eat only apples for 3 days, but it's
not easy either. On the first day, you'll be craving your
normal fare. By the second day, you'll be dreaming about food.
But if you stick around, after a few days, you'll be
experiencing the incredible "high", energy and lightness of
beings that fasters experience - and the results will show.
You'll start to release weight, your hunger for natural foods
will come back, you'll have energy to start an exercise
program, you'll feel better than ever... and when you're ready
to introduce other foods into your diet, you'll be more likely
to make the right choices.
But to get to that point, make sure you get enough support and
motivation. Find someone who can help you do a detox diet with
you, and get as much information and support as you can to
succeed on your cleanse.
Learn to use the power of DETOX in your life... and you'll
start to regain the health and energy that is your birthright.
About The Author: Frederic Patenaude is the author of the "21
Best Detox Diets -- For Releasing Weight, Increasing Energy and
Rejuvenating the Body." His book describes the best detox diets
that you can do at home, and the complete method for following
them. To get information and coaching, go to:
http://www.BestDeto