Weight Loss and Dieting Articles


How to cut down on the sweets, and still enjoy food

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Almost everybody loves to eat. It's just something that we like to do. It can make us happy when we feel sad, can soothe a troubled heart and add festivity to a party. Unfortunately, it can also have some negative effects. Eating can makes us gain weight, clog our arteries and cause diabetes. There is a way to get around this, however. You simply need to eat healthy and exercise. It's not really that complicated. But one thing that can be a bit more difficult is cutting down on sweets and still being able to enjoy food. Luckily, there are ways to accomplish such a feat. Here are five tips on how to cut down on sweets and still enjoy your food.

"How to cut down on the sweets, and still enjoy food" »

What to eat for weight loss

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There are so many suggestions for what to eat when you are trying to loose weight that it is often times difficult to know where to start. There are countless diets of varying popularity and new diets are being created every day. There are pills and supplements that make different claims of being able to help you with your weight loss. And the list goes on. So as you look for a diet that you think will work for you or if you are just looking to eat foods that will help you live a healthier life, keep these basics of good nutrition in mind. You may be surprised just how easy it can be to loose weight by making a few simple dietary changes.

Substitutions
First and most important when you want to eat foods that will help you loose weight you must be willing to make substitutions. Substitute french fries with a baked potato and mayonnaise with low-fat yogurt. Be willing to cut down on your meat portion and instead substitute in more greens. Notice that you do not necessarily have to eliminate any of your favorite foods. Simply cutting back and finding healthier substitutions will do wonders to not only satisfy your taste buds but also your hunger.

"What to eat for weight loss" »

What exercises to do for weight loss

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Anyone could pay to go to the gym and have a personal trainer walk you through every exercise that would be best for your body. Most of us do not have the money or the time to be in the gym all day and are just looking for simple exercises that already fit into our routines.

Did you know that weight lifting and other muscle building exercises are some of the best things that you can do to loose weight? And you do not have to spend all day building muscle strength either, just 15 minutes! It's true, lean muscle tissue burns more calories than fat even when you are doing nothing more than sitting and enjoying a meal.

Of course some who want more quick or dramatic results will need to devote more time each day to exercising. But don't worry, even if you have no more than ten minutes a day and no gym membership, you can still do something to work your body and to loose weight.

"What exercises to do for weight loss" »

What are the best diets, and why?

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Choosing a diet that will work for you can be tricky. With so many dieting options available it is hard to find the diet that is best for you. Luckily there are some things that you should be looking for as you find your ideal diet.

Most diets are based in the same three principles: eat less fat, fewer calories, and more fiber. You will see this combination of principles portrayed a thousand different ways in marketing schemes, advertising, cook books and endorsements. In fact, it is said that over 450 diet books are in print at any given time. Apparently those seeking to gain from your purchasing their weight loss materials are doing something right because 8 million Americans enroll in some weight loss program annually.

"What are the best diets, and why?" »

Pros and cons of the most popular weight loss diets

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When you consider a weight loss plan keep there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. A successful weight loss program will include both improving eating practices and daily physical activity. Most of us know how to be physically active but many people look to popular diets in order to improve their eating practices. Many diets are safe and will meet your dietary needs but other diets are unhealthy and should be avoided. As you look for the perfect diet for you make sure that you avoid diets that make any of the following claims:

  • Claims that sound too good to be true
  • Foods defined as "good" and "bad"
  • Less than 1,000 calories daily
  • A required vitamin/mineral supplement or food product
  • Elimination of a major food group (carbohydrates, fats, proteins)
  • Lack of long-term randomized scientific studies proving the diet works and is safe.

"Pros and cons of the most popular weight loss diets" »

How to proportion better and lose weight

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You can definitely have too much of a good thing when it comes to food. We all know that eating too much junk food is bad for our heath, but overeating on even relatively healthy foods is detrimental as well. Determining appropriate portion size is sometimes the most difficult part of dieting because it is different for everyone.


How much is a serving?

The size of a serving of some foods, especially fruit, is easy to work out. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set guidelines to follow for this category of food. For other less obvious food types common sense is the best guide. More specifically, the USDA Food Guide Pyramid outlines standard serving sizes for many foods, based on the American imperial system of cups. For example, one cup of milk counts as one serving, as does half a cup of pasta or a slice of bread.

The food guide pyramid was developed by the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Nutrition experts have recently revised the guide to emphasize controlling portion sizes and making the healthiest choices possible within each of the specific food groups. The USDA's Food Guide Pyramid can be found by going to www.MyPyramid.gov.

"How to proportion better and lose weight" »

How to lose weight without drastically changing your lifestyle

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Some people spend hundreds or even thousands of dollar buying books, instructional tapes and personal training sessions from people who promise to able to help you loose weight. Others spend every spare moment at the gym, sacrificing a personal life for the sake of maintaining a certain image.

The truth of the matter is that loosing weight does not have to mean turning your life completely upside down. In fact, those who begin an overly aggressive weight loss program have unrealistic expectations and typically fail almost as fast as they start a program. Fortunately, you do not have to drastically change your lifestyle in order to loose weight. Start with a few changes and gradually make healthier lifestyle choices.

"How to lose weight without drastically changing your lifestyle" »

How to choose a diet that tastes good and helps you lose weight

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No one diet will work for everyone. And some diets hardly work for anyone! With so many different types of diets and so much publicity and advertising claiming that a certain diet is better than another, it is hard to know where to start. In fact, many people do not start a diet because they have a hard time finding something that they think they can do. Choosing a diet that tastes good and will help you to loose weight is possible. It will just take a little guidance and some work on your part.

The danger of a "goal weight"
Having an unrealistic goal weight in mind can not only cause you to stray from your diet but it can be physically dangerous as well. Remember that you have to take into consideration your age your frame, your health, your height, etc. when you set a goal weight. Do not expect to turn yourself into some model you would find in a teen magazine if you are 45 and have 3 kids. Aim for health, not for a jean size. Doing this will help you first to slowly loose weight, and second to help you to maintain a health weight.

"How to choose a diet that tastes good and helps you lose weight" »

How eliminating stress from your life can mean weight loss

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You may be aware that stress can have serious effects on your physical health. Stress is often blamed for high blood pressure and heart related illnesses. There are also many interesting connections between stress and weight loss.

What is interesting is that the immediate response of the body to stress is to have a temporary loss of appetite. Something some may consider to be a good thing for those who are trying to loose weight. However, this temporary loss of appetite is just that, temporary. Chronic stress or stress that persists and is uncontrolled is related to an increase in appetite and what is referred to as stress-induced weight gain.

"How eliminating stress from your life can mean weight loss" »

Foods to eliminate in order to lose weight

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Loosing weight does not have to be rocket science. Loosing weight and eating healthy is as easy as starting with eliminating foods that aren't good for you. Below is just such a list of foods to eliminate in order to start loosing weight:

Condiments
Mayonnaise, fry sauce, gravy, cheese toppings, anything that you use to spread or pour over something in order to add more flavors is usually going to be something unhealthy that you would be better off without. Use natural juices or fruit juices to add moisture and seasonings to add flavor.

"Foods to eliminate in order to lose weight" »

Best groups and forums to join to get motivated to lose weight

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Loosing weight can be a difficult thing to do by yourself. When there is no one there to see you take that extra piece of chocolate cake or eat those cheesy fries it is easy to cheat on your diet. Many people who have had such self-motivation challenges in the past turn to some sort of group or forum for weight loss support. These weight loss groups are not only designed as a check system to ensure that you stay on track but also as an opportunity to receive personalized help from a group of individuals who are going through the same situation as you. The best groups and forums are led by professionals or dieticians who can provide even more helpful advice to ensure that your dieting experience ends in success.

"Best groups and forums to join to get motivated to lose weight" »

How to lose bottom fat

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If you're carrying excess weight in your bottom, you're not alone, but you can lose bottom fat in a number of ways. First of all, it's important to note that you can't spot reduce, meaning you can't choose an area of the body to lose fat from - it comes off as you work to reduce your overall percentage of body fat.

Diet
A proper diet is crucial when it comes to losing weight from the bottom or anywhere else, for that matter. Your diet should include:

  • Fruits and vegetables. A diet high in fruits and vegetables is important not only for weight loss, but overall health. If you're not a big fan of fruits and vegetables, keep in mind that you can drink fruit juice, and it will still count.

  • Lean proteins. Your diet should also consist of lean proteins, such as chicken and fish. Red meats and other fatty cuts should be eaten sparingly.

  • Little sugar. Do your best to eliminate sugar and other junk food, such as soda, candy, and pastries, from your diet.

"How to lose bottom fat" »

Cleanse diets

It seems like there is always a new diet popping up. These fad diets promise to help you lose weight quickly with little or no lifestyle changes, and for those who want to shed pounds, diets that seem novel or promising can be very enticing. One type of diet that many people have tried is a cleanse diet.

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What is a cleanse diet?
There are many liquid cleansing diets available on the market today. Each one of these diets are designed to detoxify the body of impurities. People who go on detoxification or cleansing diets and finish it successfully often claim to experience a number of health benefits, including

  • Relief from joint pains or bacterial infections
  • Elimination of toxins formed in the body
  • Relieved pressure in the nerves and arteries
  • Flushing of the kidneys

"Cleanse diets" »

Best exercises to lose stubborn thunder thigh fat

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For women in particular, the thighs are one of the most troublesome spots to lose weight from. Fat tends to settle there, giving the appearance of thunder thighs or saddlebags.

While you can't spot reduce without liposuction, you can lose stubborn thunder thigh fat through a combination of a healthy diet and the right exercises. Not only will you lose weight in the thighs, but all over your body as well.

"Best exercises to lose stubborn thunder thigh fat" »

Best exercises to lose belly fat

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With summer right around the corner, the quest for a slim, flat stomach is in full gear. For many people, the belly is a problem area, and extra weight that accumulates there is some of the most difficult to lose.

Losing belly fat is important not only for looks, but for health as well - studies have shown that people who have excess fat around their midsection are at an increased risk for heart disease.

"Best exercises to lose belly fat" »

Best exercises to lose arm fat

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Summertime is coming, and that means trips to the pool, the beach, and hot weather. It also means showing off your arms. For some people, however, the thought of baring their arms brings nothing but dread and embarrassment. The good news is that arm fat can be lost for good with a variety of exercises designed to target specifically the arms.

Except when surgery, like liposuction, is done, you can't spot reduce any one place in your body for fat loss. If you want to lose arm fat, the best exercises are a combination of cardio workouts, which raise the heart rate and burn fat all over the body, and strength training that targets the arms.

Cardio

The following cardio exercises are good for losing arm fat:

"Best exercises to lose arm fat" »

Best exercises to lose weight

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The diet and exercise industry makes millions and millions of dollars a year. With obesity a growing epidemic in the country and throughout the world, many people are looking for ways to slim down, tone up, and lose excess weight, and they're smart to do so - excess weight can result in increased blood pressure and risk of heart disease.

When it comes to losing weight, exercise is crucial. The best exercises for losing weight are cardiovascular exercises. This type of exercise uses major muscle groups in the body to elevate the heart rate to a certain level. When this level is maintained for a prolonged period, the body burns the excess fat that has settled in the body.

In addition to cardiovascular exercises, strength training exercises that build the muscles are equally important. Not only do toned muscles give a sleek, muscular appearance, but muscles in the body burn more calories than fat, so the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn.

"Best exercises to lose weight" »

Best diet pills

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The diet pill industry is thriving, mostly because so many people are looking for a fast and easy way to lose weight without having to bother with diet and exercise. Diet pills come in all shapes and sizes, and each one promises to do something different, whether it be blocking fat, filtering out "bad" carbs, or boosting your metabolism.

Over-the-counter diet pills
You can purchase these diet pills from any local drugstore. However, these pills are not backed by the Food and Drug Administration, which means they are neither a credible or safe way to lose weight. In fact, one of the main ingredients in many over-the-counter diet pills, Ephedra, was recently banned by the FDA for use because it has been proved to lead to heart failure. At best, the most you'll be doing purchasing these pills is taking expensive vitamins. At worst, the combination of "natural herbs" and other ingredients could prove very harmful and even fatal.

"Best diet pills" »

Weight control, how to not let yourself go

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Losing weight is a big challenge, keeping it off is an even bigger one. People work hard every day of their lives to lose those extra pounds they put on during the holiday seasons, or the extra pounds they're left with after they give birth. So if you've worked so hard to lose the extra weight, then why not work that much harder to keep it off?

Despite what many may believe, maintaining your new weight is not impossible. It just means that you have to burn the same calories that you're eating; using smaller portions, and choosing foods that are low in fat and sugars. Here are some tips on weight control, how to not let yourself go.

"Weight control, how to not let yourself go" »

Sample meal plan for Pregnant women

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When you are pregnant it can often be hard to eat right, especially when you are plagued with weird cravings and nausea. However, proper diet is going to be extremely beneficial to a fetus, and to your health and sanity when pregnant. The following is a sample meal plan that will help you get the calories and nutrients you need when pregnant.

Breakfast:

  • 2 slices of whole wheat bread with margarine or 1 cup of cereal

  • 1 egg

  • 8 oz. of low fat milk or calcium fortified orange juice

"Sample meal plan for Pregnant women" »

The lowdown on protein shakes and your diet

waterbottle19140841.jpg Pros and cons of protein shakes

"The lowdown on protein shakes and your diet" »

The best celebrity diets and how you can follow them

weightlifting30336663.jpg Wonder what the celebrities are doing in order to stay so fit? Why does it seem like celebs always have perfect bodies, perfect hair, perfect face, perfect skin, and are always in shape? Well, with some work and some dedication, you can also become fit and in shape like the stars.

"The best celebrity diets and how you can follow them" »

How to find the best diet for yourself and your health needs

stationarybike63329439.jpg If you want to lose weight, one of the most important decisions that you need to make is choosing the right diet for your needs and for your lifestyle. Here are some tips and advice that will help you choose the perfect diet to achieve your weight loss goals, your needs, and your lifestyle.

"How to find the best diet for yourself and your health needs" »

Tips for eating to lose weight.

scale19209358.jpg Have you been looking for tips for eating to help you lose weight? Here are 10 tips that have been proven to help you to lose weight while you are eating real food and not starving yourself.

"Tips for eating to lose weight." »

Diet pills, do they work?

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Diet pills, do they really work as a weight loss option? The answer to this depends on the type you take and the risks involved. There are so many diet pills out there to choose from, it may be hard to know which ones have worked for most people and which ones might work for each individual. Some diet pills may work, but only while taking them.

When deciding if a diet pill will work, please consider that some do not work at all and some have even been banned because of the side effects. Be careful and be informed when taking a diet pill. Do the diet pills out on the market work? Maybe. Use caution when using them and know that the diet pills may work for one person and not the next.

When thinking about using diet pills, remember that T.V. commercials are not always truthful. When there are ads for diet pills that will take off 30 pounds without any exercise or change in eating habits, they are not going to work. These diet pills will most of the time not cause any miraculous weight loss.

"Diet pills, do they work?" »

What is cellulite and how do you burn it

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What is cellulite, how does it affect you and how do you burn it? That is a great question especially when it comes down to learning to be healthier. Cellulite is fatty deposits, which cause a dimpled effect or uneven look in the skin, much of the time it is in the areas of thighs and buttocks.

Depending on the level of seriousness of the cellulite on your body, will greatly determine what you will need to do to burn the cellulite. Here is a brief description of the different stages of cellulite and what you should be looking for.

"What is cellulite and how do you burn it" »

The best diet pills for the busy career woman

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What are the best diet pills for the busy career woman? A good diet pill can help with burning calories and boosting metabolism, however not all diet pills are equal. There are pills that just make you full, however when you do get hungry, you tend to eat more, and then you feel more fatigued and less likely to exercise or be active. The best diet pill will boost your metabolism and energy. This is especially important for the busy career woman.

With the fast passed world we live in, dealing with a career, kids and much more, eating healthy and getting regular exercise is sometimes the last thing on our lists. However in order for your figure to maintain a beautiful shape and for you to be able to stay healthy, it is necessary to have a full well balanced eating and exercising regimen.

"The best diet pills for the busy career woman" »

Losing weight to reduce cholesterol

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Losing weight is a great way to reduce cholesterol. High cholesterol levels take a heavy toll on your body, and can lead to paralysis by stroke and even death. You cannot always tell if you have high cholesterol - the best way to know for sure is to make an appointment with your doctor. But losing weight the healthy way is a surefire method of reducing cholesterol no matter what your current situation. You will look better, feel better, and rest easier knowing that your cholesterol has been reduced.

Many people think of losing weight as a guaranteed miserable process in which they will starve, starve, starve, a do little else. Losing weight, however, doesn't have to be that way! The key to losing weight, and the key to reducing your cholesterol, is to replace the wrong foods with the right ones. Here are some tips on how to start.

"Losing weight to reduce cholesterol" »

5 Suprising Ways To Lose A Pound

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Here's 5 tips to help you lose that last pound.

1. Incorporate 2 (30 minute) daily brisk walks wearing a backpack containing 5# of books.

2. Eliminate 1 serving of alcohol and 1 serving of starchy carbohydrate daily, substituting instead 2 servings of leafy green vegetables.

3. Eliminate 2 servings of oil/fat (as in 1 tbsp. of oil and 1 tbsp. of butter) daily, and add in an extra snack of fresh fruit instead of 1 salty snack (likes chips).

4. Up your eating frequency to 5 times/day, and make sure each meal includes at least one serving of fruit or vegetable.

"5 Suprising Ways To Lose A Pound" »

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