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"Losing Weight the Healthy Way"

Almost 108 million Americans were overweight or obese in 1999. Until now, obesity continues to be a serious problem and is predicted to reach epidemic levels by the year 2020.

One way to prevent this scenario is to make people aware of the risks of being overweight or obese.

Here are some diseases that you are putting yourself in risk of if you are carrying a lot of extra pounds:

1. heart disease
2. stroke
3. diabetes
4. cancer
5. arthritis
6. hypertension

Losing weight helps to prevent and control these diseases.

The quick weight loss methods which have spread like fire these days do not provide lasting results. More often than not, dieting methods which involve dietary drinks, foods and supplement or pills do not work. If they do, the results are just temporary.

It is better to rely on a healthy weight loss option which will provide lifetime results. You have to set realistic goals and not expect to lose a lot of pounds in a short span of time.

Here are some tips on how you can lose those unwanted pounds the healthy way:

1. Do not starve your self.

The key to a healthier way of losing weight is: Do not diet.

You may seem happy and feel that you are losing those unwanted flabs on your belly and thighs by skipping meals. But remember that this would not last long. Your body cannot tolerate having insufficient food to fuel the energy that you use up everyday.

If you get used to skipping one or two meals a day, your stored calories will be used up instead of the energy that should have been provided by your meals. So if you just eat one huge sandwich in one day, it will end up straight to your problem area (i.e. highs, buttocks, hips).

2. Start your day right.

Mothers always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Have a healthy meal in the morning to jump-start your metabolism.

Your food intake after you wake up will be used to burn fat all day long.

3. Eat small, healthy meals frequently.

Five small-serving snacks per day is better than three hearty meals. Eating more frequently, and in small servings, can prevent over-eating. This will also increase your metabolism and make calories burn faster.

4. Decide on how much weight you want to lose.

Keep your goals realistic. In the long run, it is virtually impossible for you to lose 40 pounds in 2 weeks. Have a mindset that you want to eat healthy to stay healthy for the rest of your life.

Once you have decided on a weight loss plan or program, stick to it and make sure that you follow your own set of dieting rules.

5. Drink lots of water.

Your body needs sufficient water to burn fat and keep your cells hydrated and healthy.

6. Avoid too much sugar.

Plan your meals around lots of fruits and vegetables, some bread, rice or pasta for that carbo fix that you need, plus lean meat and protein rich-foods. Sweets, sodas and pastries should be once-in-a-while indulgences only.

7. Watch your fat intake.

Fat is not the culprit to being overweight. You need this to keep your weight at the proper level.

There is such a thing as healthy fats. Olive, peanuts and canola oil have them. Tuna, salmon and mackerel have omega-3 fats which is good for the heart.

8. Exercise.

Leave your car if you are only going a few blocks from home, take the stairs instead of the elevator, jog, cycle or skate. Use these activites and other home chores if you are too lazy to go to the gym and take exercise classes. Make sure that you do this regularly and you will not even notice that you are already shedding pounds with these mundane activities.

It does not matter how much weight you plan or need to lose. What is important is that you set realistic goals for yourself.

Go slow. If you have already lost 5 or 6 pounds, give yourself a break then try to lose the next 5 pounds.

Eat healthy, drink lots of water, have enough sleep and exercise. This will give you a higher chance of losing weight and improving your health, which would result to a new, healthier you.

Fitness And Beauty - 6 Points To Show How They Are Inter-Connected

For many people, health and wealth are synonymous and physical fitness ensures that a person not only looks healthy on the outside, but is also healthy within.

Running out of options?

There are any number of activities that an individual can engage in in order to increase their fitness, ranging from jogging to early morning walking, or playing team sports with friends, such as basketball. However, in order to develop muscle tone and create a lean physique; joining a gym is likely to be your best option. Bear in mind, though, that it is extremely important for any person who is about to embark on a fitness regime to consult their doctor before commencing.

And the winner is.... YOU

The benefits of physical exercise are limitless. The improvement and maintenance of health associated with regular exercise has been show to reduce the likelihood of contracting a number of diseases and accordingly, prevent premature death. In addition, the emotional benefits include mood enhancement, stress reduction and increased self-esteem, all of which are a strong barrier to psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Strong links between an active lifestyle and longevity have also been proven.

A balancing act

An effective exercise plan should incorporate both cardiovascular activities, as well as a weight training regime. By incorporating both activities, you will burn calories and reduce your body fat percentage as you develop your muscles. In turn, this will ensure that your metabolic rate increases resulting in the desired result of an increase or decrease in your weight.

Focus on results

By focusing your gym activity on particular parts of your body, you can isolate those parts that you wish to improve. For example, your focus could be on improving your abdominal area. Regular sessions focusing only on your abdominals should guarantee you a six-pack.

Finding the beautiful you, within

Nowadays, far too much attention is placed on our outward appearance. Beauty is more than just a perfectly toned body - it also encompasses the inner you and there are ways in which you can develop and enhance the beauty within you.

* Just as the body needs exercise to remain fit and healthy, so too does the brain. By taking time to read books or other material of interest to you, you will exercise your mind and keep it sharp and focused.

* We all encounter stress in our working lives, no matter how much we may love our jobs. By creating special time just for you, you can relieve some of the stress you are experiencing. Whether you take a long, hot bath, watch a movie or just engage in some retail therapy, taking time out to treat yourself is an important step to maintaining your health, and consequently, your beauty.

* Given the innumerable pollutants we encounter every day, it is advisable to protect your skin as much as possible. One method is to use beauty products containing antioxidants which protect the skin from damage-causing pollutants. A dermatologist or skincare specialist will be able to advise you on the best product for your skin.

* Lifestyle choices can also play havoc with both our inner and outer beauty. Not only does smoking have a detrimental effect on our skin and the cells in our body, but it has also been proven to cause a number of diseases and is the leading cause of lung cancer. In addition, the negative impact of smoking on pregnant women and their babies has been well documented. Much the same can be said for the side-effects of excessive alcohol intake.

* People who are non-smokers, should try to avoid being around those who do, as studies have indicated that passive smoking, or secondary smoke inhalation, places non-smokers at risk of developing various illnesses, including cancer.

* Finally, there is much to be said for happiness being a state of mind. By choosing to have a positive and happy disposition, you will automatically radiate beauty from within. Smiling feels good and is contagious. A smile can brighten, not only yours, but someone else's day, too.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal

Dieting Tips During Pregnancy

Living in this age of information where we can learn about anything our minds desire at just the click of a mouse, people still don't know how to plan their diet properly. This is especially true for women during pregnancy. Sure, everyone knows the basics, no drinking alcohol and no caffeine, but what about the rest of it? What foods are safe to eat that won't harm the baby? There are many foods that we eat every single day without giving them a second thought that are off limits for a woman who is pregnant. Read the list we have prepared to learn more.
- Avoid raw or undercooked meats and dairy products, this includes eggs also. Whenever we eat raw or undercooked animal products we risk ingesting harmful bacteria that could easily make us sick. For most of us, staying healthy prevents that from happening, but for a pregnant woman, the risk is much higher and could lead to pregnancy complications including miscarriage. Some things to avoid include feta and Roquefort cheeses, over-easy eggs, sushi and under-cooked meats. Also avoid deli meats as much as possible.
- Cut high mercury content fish out of your diet. Many women will cut out all fish from their diet during pregnancy but you don't need to go that far. As a result of our heavily polluted waters, many fish contain levels of mercury that are much too high. These fish include albacore tuna, swordfish, mackerel and shark to name a few. You can still eat small amounts of these fish but why take the risk? The mercury content in small amount is not harmful for most healthy adults but babies cannot tolerate the mercury and a pregnant woman should avoid it altogether.
- Eat more whole grains. Studies have shown that pregnant women with the first trimester nausea should eat more whole grains to help them feel better. This includes whole grain cereals, barley, whole-wheat bread, pasta and sweet potatoes. You will often see many pregnant women munching on crackers and this helps to soothe their stomachs. Another benefit of whole-grains is that they contain folic acid which is essential during pregnancy. Strive for around ten servings of whole-grains every day to keep your energy levels up, stave of nausea and the fiber will keep your digestive system healthy.
- Proper nutrition is important. Getting enough vitamins, minerals and calcium will keep both mom and baby healthy. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as they contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals and, most importantly, antioxidants. Eat at least six servings every day to stay healthy and strong. A quick tip: increase your intake of B vitamins these will help with blood and protein production and reduce the risk of many neural defects. To get the most benefit from calcium, consume dairy products at least four times a day. This will help build strong bones and fight osteoporosis in later years.
- During pregnancy, you need to increase your protein intake to much higher levels. Pregnant women need around 70 grams of protein daily and that might seem like a lot, but your baby needs it as much as you do. This is especially true during the second and third trimesters when the baby is really growing. Eat lean meats, fish, poultry, peanut butter, dairy and eggs for starters. Any healthy protein will do as long as the fat content isn't too high.
- Drink lots of water. This is probably the single most important thing you can do for your body, pregnant or not. Your body needs water to live and thrive. Without water, all of the nutrients that you take in on a daily basis will never reach your cells and get absorbed into your body. As a fact, dehydration can and will cause early labor which could be harmful for both the mother and the baby. Drink at the very least 64 ounces of water every day. More is better, but this is a good start.
- It's understandable that when you are pregnant you have much more on your mind than just your diet. Taking a good prenatal vitamin will help ensure that you are getting the vitamins you need to have a healthy and happy baby.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Francois

Water With Lemon For

Most people do not understand why we need water with lemon for weight loss. Most people work out trying to lose weight but do not drink the desired amount therefore do not lose much weight in the process.
So how much lemon should we take each day to see weight loss?
Experts say you need 8 ounces of water with lemon per day - that's just for the average person. If you're overweight you will need more. As a rule of thumb you should be having 8-10 half pint glasses a day or 4 pint glasses for good weight loss.
So why do experts say water with lemon for weigh loss is so important?
Well for a start, your bodily organs need water. If they do not get enough they will not function properly at there optimal point. For instance you kidney stores fat if it does not get enough fluid so it is very important you drink lots of water with lemon for weight loss.
Your body and brain tells your kidney that you don't have enough fluid so your kidney will store all the water it can because it does not know when it will next get some. The water will get stored all over your body and mainly places you don't want it like your belly.
You also need fluid in your body to flush out toxins buy sweating through the skin and through urine. This allows that stored fat to be turned into fuel. You will then be able to easily burn that fat off with exercise.
Here is the good news when you start to drink water with lemon for weight loss on a regular basis. Your body will realize this and will not store as much fluid giving you every chance to lose weight fat. This might take a few weeks to happen but just keep drinking lots of water and you will see a massive improvement.
What to drink, cold water or hot water?
I get asked this question a lot and to be honest with you it really does not matter. Some experts say you can drink more water if it's hot but others say it's healthier if you drink cold. Both hot and cold are good for you but the choice is yours.
The main thing is drinking the water weather it is hot or cold. Don't get too concerned about the temperature. Go with what you feel is best for you if you like drinking water cold then do that and like wise with hot water. But what I will say is don't drink to much at once experts say drinking a lot at one go can be bad for you. Just stick to a pint at a time drinking 4 pints a day and spread then out and you will be fine.
Drinking water with lemon for weight loss is grate because it adds a nice taste to your water. It's much better than drinking plain water and it adds other benefits too. Lemon is a good source of vitamin C which is good for the body and skin. Lemon also helps you lose weight but there is a secret to it. The water must be warm!
We all know water with lemon for weight loss is good for us but you need to be careful when drinking pints of water before you go to bed it can interrupt your sleep by going to the bathroom all night.

Lee McKenna is a weight loss expert and focuses on helping people lose massive amounts of weight. Lee McKenna has helped 1000's of people lose over 18 pound in just 4 days for a free course on weight loss click the link: [http://www.18in4.co.uk]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Mckenna

A Look on Diet Fitness

Many people nowadays are very much conscious about their own health and fitness. In addition to that, these people, and many others as well, are now having that desire to sculpt their bodies to ahieve that magazine-cover look. As a result, gyms, health spas and other fitness centers have proliferated all over to cater to the needs of the fitness buffs and afficionados.

Even on television exercise machines, weight loss products, and other paraphernalia to improve fitness have more or less gained control over the airwaves and made their way into the households. But exerise is not the only way to build that body beautiful. It also entails certain amount of responsibility on the foods one chooses to eat. Being healthy and fit requires one to observe diet fitness.

Diet fitness is as essential as exercise itself. Diet for fitness provides the essential nutrition one needs to restore worn-out muscles and for healthy growth. Diet fitness should never be taken for granted. With the popularity of keeping fit, many different views, methods, programs and dieting strategies have been formulated by many professionals. Among these are high carb diets and high fat diets. Whih one is more effective and which one should one choose to follow?

First thing to know would be the fundamental differences between these two diet approaches. As the name implies, high carb diets concentrates on taking in carbohydrate-rich foods while high fat diets endorses fat-rich foods. High carb diets are utilized to glycogen stored in the liver and muscles. Glycogen is a glucose complex that provides large amounts of energy ready for use in anaerobic exercises.

Fats, on the other hand, is well-nown for being the richest source of calories. It actually contains 2.5 times more calories than carbohydrates and proteins alike. Studies also show that it takes the body 24 calories to metabolize carbohydrates while it only takes 3 to burn down fat. So which one to follow? A person can follow a high carb and low fat fitness diet or the other way around. It is absolutely not recommended to follow both at the same time; unless of course if you want to gain body fat.

But then diet fitness is not all about losing fat, one must also consider his diet in order to keep fat away. Research shows that sustainable loss of weight can only be achieved on a diet which suits the individual food preferences, lifestyle, medical profile and satiety signals.

Diet programs all over can help you shed off excess pounds, but only one diet can help you stay sexy, and it is the one that satisfies you most. Other important aspects of having a fit diet are moderation, balance and variation. One must be careful not to leave out important nutrients and other substances necessary for healthy body functioning. health organizations are clear about the amounts of nutrients an individual should have in the body.

Low fat high carbs, high carbs low fat; the question is not which diet program will work out but which is it that will work for you. Striving for a sexy and healthy body does not have to burden an individual, diet fitness does not have to mean sticking to the same kind of food for life. One may even try to be adventurous and try out new foods out there. Who knows? one may even discover spinach interesting.

Beauty and Fitness

Beauty and Fitness

Health is wealth. By being physically fit, it can make a person look lean both inside and out.

There is a lot a person can do such jogging or walking in the morning, playing basketball or any other sport with friends but if a person wants to have muscles and look lean, the best thing to do will be to sign up and workout in a gym.

Just like taking any medicine, one should first consult the doctor before undergoing any form of exercise.

Physical exercise is beneficial because it helps maintain and improve ones health from a variety of diseases and premature death. It also makes a person feel happier and increases ones self esteem preventing one from falling into depression or anxiety. It has also shown to make a person with an active lifestyle live longer than a person who doesn’t.

The best exercise plan should have cardiovascular and weight training exercises. This helps burn calories and increase the muscle to fat ratio that will increase ones metabolism and make one either gain or lose weight.

A person who has never worked out before should do it gradually. Doing it too much for the first time can make one pull a muscle or have an injury making it worse. Endurance will never be built in a day and doing it repeatedly will surely be good to the person.

Focusing on certain portion in the body can help make it improve. A good example is going to the gym and doing a workout more often in a specific area such as the abs can give one a chest pack.

But beauty is not only about having muscles which is what people can see. It is also about enhancing the beauty within.

Here are some things one can do everyday to stay beautiful and healthy;

·    Reading books and other reading material more often keeps the mind sharp just like working out keeps the body in shape.

·    Work no matter what kind it is produces stress. One can reduce this by taking the time out to do something special like lying in a hot tub, shopping or watching a movie. Studies have shown it is reliever and helps one from looking haggardly.

·    Pollution is something people cannot control given the size of the problem. When one goes out, it is best to put some form of protection such as beauty products that contain antioxidants that protect the skin from damage. There are also other beauty products available and choosing the right one with the help of a dermatologist can help the person.

·    Another way to stay healthy is to give up some vices. Most people smoke and drink. Smoking has been proven to cause lung cancer and other diseases as well complications for women giving birth. Excessive drinking has also shown to do the same.

·    For people who don’t smoke, it is best to stay away from people who do since studies have shown that nonsmokers are also at risk of developing cancer due to secondary smoke inhalation.

·    Lastly, it is best to always start the day with a positive outlook. Just as studies have shown that exercise makes a person feel happier, smiling produces the same effect. A smile can do a lot and it is contagious in a positive sense. It brightens the day of not only one but others as well.

The 24 Hour Fitness Path


Fitness Path	Fitness Path

The Twenty Four Hour fitness center is like your one stop shop to everything about fitness and your well-being. Imagine it as the Walmart of the fitness industry. Twenty Four Hour fitness centers are located in a number of areas in the state. All of them have equipments which cater to weight training as well as cardio vascular equipments. A variety of fitness gear is also available. Twenty Four Hourfitness centers all have locker rooms and – believe it or not – baby sitting accommodations. Over all, the Twenty Four Hour fitness center is a complete, clean and extremely well maintained facility that especially caters to all your fitness wants, needs and preferences.

Join Us

It is very easy to get started on your path to fitness. Twenty Four Hour fitness centers have over three hundred clubs located in the whole nation and is open for twenty four hours. There is no long term contract to sign up in. You have the option to pay monthly, but you are offered a complete personal training package that suits your body type, body weight and built so you are ensured with a service that is truly personalized.

Which club do you belong in?

Twenty Four Hour fitness center gives you the option to choose the specific type of club that you desire. The active club involves a group exercise as well as free weights and cardio machines to work off that fat. The sport club also includes everything in the active club but with additions such as basketball, heated pools and whirlpool. The super-sport club also includes the amenities found those in the active club and the sport club but with more additions such as massages, a sauna as well as a steam room. The ultra sport club is the works. It includes most of the amenities found in the active, sport and super sport club, plus a day spa, courts for racquetball as well as an executive locker room.

The Path to Performance

It all depends on what you want to achieve. In Twenty Four Hour fitness centers, a uniquely specialized fitness program is available to anyone who simply wants to improve their performance in a specific sport or is seriously training for competition. The program is designed by athletes.

The Performance program includes a menu plan specifically customized for those intense workouts. A resistance training is also available as well as a full cardio workout. After your exercise, a metabolic rate test is conducted.

This program is designed for those who wants to get started as soon as possible but has no clear and specific idea how. This is clearly the best option for them because all the information on nutrition, resistance training is learned through this program. This is the foundation one needs in order to have results that would last your body a lifetime.
The Components of Fitness

A regular exercise, an intense workout is just part and parcel of your path to health, fitness and well-being. There are other factors that should just as well play a part and which Twenty Four Hour fitness center teaches you.

Food intake is one of them. A menu is provided to those who follow the performance path. This details what you should or should not eat, or at least eat less of, if not completely avoid. Cardio is also one as this enhances your endurance to stress and exercise. Vitamins and supplements are a necessity unless you are sure that you are able to receive the proper amounts of iron, calcium, vitamin C or D or E in a day. If not, it is best to take them in. Resistance training is a feather in your fitness cap and is a necessary tool for being healthy, wealthy and wise.