Diets + Weight Loss Plans

How many diets have you been on?

2011-12-14T12:48:00.002-05:00

It seems like everyone is always on some sort of diet, doesn't it? How many diets have you been on, say, in the last year or so? Which plan works best for you?

While I have not been on any formal diet plant, I have done several things that have helped with shedding some unwanted pounds.

1. Drink more water. In the winter, it is harder for me to drink more water because it makes me colder than I already am. But I realize the importance of staying hydrated keeps my hunger at bay and also helps to keep me more alert. When I don't have the normal water intake, I immediately notice a certain sluggishness and increased appetite.

2. Drinking green tea. This helps with keeping me warmer - like I said above drinking cold water all day starts making me feel cold. Green tea has great anti-oxidant properties and it is great for curbing your appetite.

3. Exercise. Sometimes there just isn't time to get in a regular exercise every day. I opt for combining exercise with relaxation - perhaps a 3 mile fast walk several times a week. I find not stressing out about exercising is best for weight loss goals. I try to fit it in every week several times and if not, well then I get in what I can.

4. Portion control. Go ahead- eat that piece of cake. Ok, maybe only eat half of that cake. Cutting down on your portions is a great way to reduce calories while not totally depriving yourself of food. The real question is do you have the willpower that it takes to do this- only have half a piece of cake or pie? It might take some work. See more weight loss and diet tips to get you through the winter months.

Reality check for stomach

2011-11-01T10:45:00.001-04:00

As I sit here typing, I glance down at my stomach. Wow it really does spill over my pants. It's time to do a reality check for my stomach.

(That photo, see left, isn't me- Her stomach looks pretty flat)

Stomach fat and excess weight is some of the hardest to get rid of. It seems like as you diet and exercise the weight falls off other places before it ever hits your stomach.

Some key factors in getting rid of the pouch are:
*Cardio - heavy cardio several times a week are essential to eliminate weight in the middle. Time to pull out those exercise DVD's, pick up running, lift weights, etc.
*Diet - okay, so cookies, chips, boxes of processed junk, halloween candy and more are not the recommended formula for losing fat.
*Fluids- Plenty of water is very important to keep the body flowing. Time to tap into that water and make it happen
*Stomach exercises- These exercises, i.e. crunches, sit-ups are helpful in toning the muscles of the stomach. In the end you will see a tighter stomach if you do these.

In short, I am now on a mission to get rid of those extra inches around my stomach. Not only are they unattractive, but also are unhealthy.

What's Your Biggest Obstacle for Weight Loss

2011-10-06T14:54:00.001-04:00

Most people struggle with weight loss at some point in their lives. Some people may take years to find a method or system that they can stick with and make work. Thousands of dollars are spent every year in search for a weight loss diet, plan or regimen to help with getting rid of unwanted weight.

So, what is your biggest obstacle? Leave your comments below about what you find to be the most challenging part of losing weight.

Is it:
Finding the time to exercise?

Finding the desire to exercise?

Planning meals?

Sticking to a certain amount of calories every day?

Eating healthy?

Finding the time to cook decent, low calorie meals?

Having to cook for a family that is NOT on a diet?

Motivating yourself to keep going?

Following a strict meal plan? i.e. limited carbs, protein, etc.

Post your biggest obstacle!

What is most important for maintaining weight loss?

2011-08-08T11:37:00.001-04:00

You finally did it! You got rid of 20, 30, 40 extra pounds and you couldn't be happier with your new look. Now comes the really hard part---keeping that weight away.

Losing weight is really hard to do. It takes time, effort and a lot of discipline to meet goals. But the reality is that the stumbling block that a lot of people face is keeping off the weight.

If you were on a restricted calorie diet, it can sometimes be tempting to indulge once and awhile with higher calorie foods and sweets. This is a natural tendency after denying these foods for a long time.

Because of this, it is very important to start a regular exercise program 4 to 5 times a week to maintain your weight loss. It has been said that exercise is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of maintaining your weight loss. Exercise helps to keep your metabolism boosted, giving you more energy and making you less hungry in the long run.

Selecting an exercise or activity that you enjoy will help you to stick with it and maintain your new lifestyle. Also important is to have alternate activities planned for changes in weather and seasons. For example if you regularly walk every day, you will want to have an indoor exercise planned for days when it is raining or cold outside.

When you exercise 4 to 5 days every week, the exercise becomes part of your everyday routine. It is just something that you do- you don't even think about it.

See more about Fastest ways to Lose Weight

2011-07-25T15:01:00.001-04:00

You might have heard of a popular fitness program called P90X. This is a rigorous program that helps to develop and define muscles and transform your body from flab to amazing in just 90 days.

The program definitely has its merits and I have tried to do the program-although I didn't last the full 90 days. I did see significant results for my efforts.

One of the problems that I have with exercising is time. Typically I do not have one and 1/2 hours every day to work out - the P90X workouts are this long.

So I have decided to reduce the amount of time spent exercising and target just one body section to see if I can achieve results. I will trying what I am calling the AbRipperX 30 day challenge. The AbripperX video is part of the P90x program and only lasts for 15 minutes. I will try to do the 15 minutes a minimum of 3 times per week, up to 5 maximum. I will be taking before/after photos in an attempt to show visible results from my efforts.

Join me in taking the 30 day AbRipperX Challenge. It's only 15 minutes. You can do anything for 15 minutes right?

Liquid Diet - Will it work for you?

2011-06-14T09:59:00.000-04:00

I have known several women that have tried the liquid diet over the years. While sticking to a liquid diet might result in lost weight, the biggest obstacle seems to be when you start eating food again. Many have gained back all the weight they lost in a matter of weeks. Now that can be mighty disapointing.

There are several things that can be a very big deterrent to the liquid diet:

1. If you do all the cooking for your family, being on a liquid diet can be very difficult for you. Not only do you still have to cook food for your family, but also you cannot eat anything.
2. Eating out becomes a large problem. Either you have great discipline to go out and not eat anything or you simply don't go out at all.
3. Social gatherings such as family picnics, outings, office functions can become awkward since you can't eat.

In the end the liquid diet can be a very fast way to lose weight, but you must consider the other effects on your lifestyle while you are on the diet.

After you go off the diet, it is very important to follow guidelines for easing back into solid food. After all you wouldn't want all that work and effort to go to waste. See more info on the liquid diet

Lose Weight Using One Simple Rule

2011-03-22T08:32:00.000-04:00

There are so many different diets and weight loss programs out there that it can make your head spin when you want to lose weight. Should you cut carbs or protein? Go vegetarian? Cut high fat foods? The questions can be endless.

But there is one thing among all weight loss programs that is very consistent---drink plenty of water. Water helps keep the body flowing. It can help to fill you up so you won't eat as much. See more benefits below, from our guest author.

Benefits of Drinking Water for Weight Loss
By Rob Dover

Did you know that by increasing your water consumption you can help yourself lose weight? Drinking water for weight loss is an easy start to help you on the road to lose pounds. Simply making sure you are sufficiently hydrated keeps your body working to the maximum which equals burning calories, which equals losing weight.

There are times when your body carves for food, or is it? It may be craving for water as it fights to break down the food in your body. So people often feel tired and they tuck in to a high calorie snack to give them a boost, but really their body was just needing a dose of water. For this reason drinking water for weight loss can be a highly successful. But there are more reasons to drink water.

When your body is lacking in water the body has trouble operating. That means absorption of food and flushing out the waste. That means even if you are eating a healthy diet, then your body due to lack of water cannot take full advantage of all those good food stuffs you put in your mouth. Also when it comes to flushing out the waste, it is less efficient and that can mean higher cholesterol and bad skin complexion. Drinking water for weight loss is healthy.

With enough water in your system your body operates so much better. Your metabolic rate goes up, your energy levels increase and that equates to your burning more calories. Drinking water for weight loss is ideal if you are on a dieting program as it will get you to your goals quicker and healthier. Not only will your body be able to take full advantage of the better diet, but you will also feel so much better about yourself in general.

The experts say you should drink 8 glasses of water per day. This depends on where you live and what you do. I highly recommend that on getting up in the morning you drink at least two glasses of water. Make this part of your routine as much as going for a shower. Your organs have been working all night whilst you were asleep, this has used water and you need to replace it. That early morning top up of water can reduce the rush feeling of "must have breakfast".

Drink water throughout the day. Stay away from sodas and fruit juices as they contain many ingredients that your body will then want to flush from its system using more water. If where you live the water doesn't taste so great then squeeze in a few drops of lime or lemon juice. If you drink coffee, try to moderate the intake and at least match your intake with an equal amount of water.

If you are serious about drinking water for weight loss it is important to note that you can drink too much water as well and this is can give you problems. Be aware of your body and "listen" to it.

Drinking water for weight loss is great for a cheap and healthy start to a weight loss program. Help your body today by increasing your water intake, you will have more energy, better complexion and feel great.

Discover how to lose weight safely over at my blog where I have a review of the best diet plan and related dieting info. Visit Fast and Healthy Weight Loss Program to get get started with your healthier lifestyle today.

Article Source: Benefits of Drinking Water for Weight Loss

Eating Less Food is the Best Way

2010-08-17T12:09:00.000-04:00

If you are trying to lose weight, you find yourself reading about all different sorts of diet plans and programs available today. There are low fat, no fat, low carb, low calorie diets - just to name a few. There are studies all the time about how one particular diet works better than another.

So, what do you make of all this information? Where do you turn? Which program should you join?

There is one simple fact that is universal---if you eat less food, you will lose weight. Reducing your calorie intake is the fastest way to weight loss.

Before you sign up for some diet plan or weight loss program that will cost you hundreds of dollars every month, just try to eat less every day. In the end you will lose weight, save money and be healthier.

Look Young Fast

2010-07-21T10:51:00.000-04:00

Besides losing weight, a primary objective for many people is to look young. Nobody wants to be seen as old or dated in any way.

A great benefit of losing weight and starting an exercise program is how fast these two combined will make you look younger. Your face, your attitude and the way you look will quickly become younger looking. It really is an amazing process. And an added benefit as you lose more weight and get in great shape, you will become very happy with the results which in turn leads to a more healthy lifestyle.

So stop with all the reasons you have lined up as to why you can't exercise or why you don't have time to diet and get going with the attitude that losing weight and exercising will make you look young.

Be careful with your weight loss plan or diets

2010-07-20T08:40:00.000-04:00

Just about everyone needs to lose weight at some point in their life. The weight loss industry is making billions of dollars every year because of this. With every weight loss plan, however, there can be side effects and even long term effects.

Many of the weight loss plans that include pills, shakes and more are not FDA approved. It seems like you hear every day about how someone started taking some diet pills and ended up dying for some reason.

As a precaution, it is always advisable to consult with your family doctor before undergoing any new plan or diet that you want. Of course, losing weight can be safe if you just start by reducing your daily intake of calories and adding calories. With this approach, you are not taking any drug or drinking anything that might interfere with your body or other medical conditions.

Don't forget this rule about walking!

2010-07-19T16:06:00.000-04:00

Walking is a great form of exercise that helps to burn calories and boost your metabolism. Walking may not burn a lot of calories, especially when compared to high intensity aerobic exercises like running or spinning. But it does offer one added benefit that you might not have thought about.

In addition to the calories that you burn walking, you are also building muscles. And, a well-known fact is that muscles burn more calories, leading to more weight loss.

I try to make an effort to do some form of exercise every day, which includes walking outside weather permitting. I recently noticed the muscles on my legs have become more tone as I walk more frequently. So eventually, if you walk every day and increase the distance that you walk and the speed at which you walk, you will develop muscles which in turn will help you to burn more calories in the long run.

Will drinking milk help you lose weight?

2010-07-16T16:41:00.002-04:00

Dairy products are sometimes linked to many issues, including bloating and weight gain.

But many weight loss research projects have shown that drinking three to four servings of dairy every day will actually help you lose weight. Many dieters who had eliminated dairy actually added it back in and started losing weight.

Milk has many other benefits. For example, milk is a great source of calcium which is great for bone health. Also, when you drink milk, you will fill up faster, leaving you eating much less.

So unless you have allergies or other issues with having dairy, you should try drinking several servings every day so that you can boost your weight loss.

Watermelon DIet - Should you start it?

2010-07-12T14:45:00.003-04:00

Watermelon is healthy, satisfying
and will help you lose weight.

When it comes to summertime, my favorite fruit to eat is watermelon. There are many reasons why you should eat a lot of watermelon, especially if you are dieting.

First, watermelon is composed of mostly water. This makes it a great low-calorie snack that won't mess us your calorie intake for the day. It is very hard to find low calorie snacks that offer as much as watermelon does.

Second, watermelon has lycopene, which is a cancer-fighting ingredient that you'll want to munch on all the time. In fact, many people start a watermelon diet that consists of eating watermelon for breakfast and lunch in place of a meal.

Third, watermelon satisfies you - especially if you are struggling with the munchies. I find it helpful to cut up an entire watermelon and just leave it on the counter in the kitchen. When you walk by the kitchen for a quick snack you can just grab a few pieces instead of higher calorie options.

Fourth, watermelon is cheap. In the summer months you can usually find a large watermelon from about $2 to $4. You can still buy watermelon in the winter, it just isn't as good and it does cost more since it is out of season.

See more info on the watermelon diet and make sure it becomes a part of your everyday calorie intake.

Lifestyle Change Needed to Lose Weight

2010-07-06T18:22:00.000-04:00

Many efforts to lose weight are unsuccessful because of unrealistic goals. Many lifestyle changes may be necessary to effectively lose weight. Not only is diet and nutrition very important to weight loss, but also exercise and healthy choices.

Daily exercise is a very important part of any weight loss program. You must work at increasing your metabolism so that your body can begin to burn extra calories every day. The best way to get started is to start walking. Start out very slow,maybe just walk around the block one time a day. Gradually increase the amount and distance that you walk and you will notice a difference in the way you feel. Many men and women lose weight by walking only.

Nutrition is also a very important component of any weight loss program. You can lose weight quickly by just cutting calories out every day. One pound is 3500 calories, so if you want to lose a pound a week, you will need to create a calorie deficit of 500 calories every day. It isn't as hard as it may seem --If you burn maybe 300 calories exercising and then cut out 200 calories of food.

The key to weight loss and fitness is that you must consistently do it every day. If you have a bad day, just forget about it and start over the next day.

Don't eat that second serving

2010-07-03T09:21:00.000-04:00

A big factor in weight loss is serving size. I recently went to a fancy restaurant that served what is probably a normal serving size of food for lunch. When I first looked at the plate, it looked really empty. As I finished the meal, I was left unsatisfied. The reason is that most of the serving sizes at restaurants today are probably double or triple what we should be eating.

If you are planning to eat out at a restaurant, you should budget your calories during the day to compensate for the extra calories you will be eating. Stick to small serving sizes when you eat at home. And refrain from getting a second serving of anything. Those calories really do add up.

Remember, losing weight is a numbers game. The number of calories you intake subtract from the number of calories you burn for a net calorie gain or loss. A pound is 3500 calories. Cutting back on calorie intake every day will help you to lose weight in the long run.

Weight Loss and the Food Journal

2010-07-01T10:10:00.000-04:00

Write down everything you eat in a food journal
to help keep your calorie intake in check.

You've probably read about how it is important to keep a food journal when you are trying to lose weight. It may seem like an unnecessary and cumbersome step. But if you are trying to stick to a certain amount of calories every day, the importance of keeping that food journal seems legitimate.

Little things can add up to a lot over the course of one day. Do you regularly snack on foods brought into your office? Maybe having a bite of this or that throughout the day. Guess what? Those calories do count.

So, to make your weight loss efforts count, make sure you are counting everything that you put into your mouth. Why go to all that trouble and not lose weight in the long run? If you are not sure how many calories a small bite of something really is, maybe estimate based on the total calories for a serving size. There are many websites online that can help you with estimating your calorie intake.

So you really want to have a flat belly?

2010-06-21T19:57:00.000-04:00

Flat Belly Secrets - Top 3 Secrets For Getting a Flat Belly
By Taylor Landon

If you are looking for killer flat belly secrets then this article will enlighten you. I'll reveal 3 of the proven strategies for getting a flat belly and maintaining a super physique. I won't ramble any longer so let's get right into it...

Secret Number 1: Your Diet Will Determine Success

I would be failing you if I revealed any flat belly secrets without talking about the number one secret to getting a flat belly and that is your diet. Make no mistake about it, if you eat burgers all day and drinks lots of sodas, then you are not going to get a flat belly anytime soon. Junk food is your enemy and the moment you take this position, your belly and other fatty parts of your body will thank you for it.

Secret Number 2 - Exercise Regularly

Many people try to get a flat stomach without understanding the fundamental to losing weight, which is taking regular exercise. Losing weight not only involves eating the right foods but also getting out and being active. It can be a simple 20 minute jog everyday or just a quick cycle down to your local park. Whatever you do make sure there is regularity to it. There is no point in going for a run today and not doing one again for the next 4 weeks. I hate to say it but that is being lazy and dare I say 'naughty'.

Secret Number 3 - Reduce Stress And The Pounds Will Go

This isn't a mind body spirit article but time and time again people do the above mentioned two things and still can't shed the pounds. The most common reason for this is that stress is very present in their lives. And I am not talking about the stresses inherent in modern living. I am talking about hardcore stresses like unhealthy relationships, Debt and sometimes even grief through losing loved ones. Having these heavy levels of stress will affect your physiology and in turn prevent you from losing weight.

The 3 secrets I have revealed above are gold - seriously. Sure they may not come in a fancy wrapper in an infomercial format, but they work. And I hope that you take them on board. Incorporate them into a sound plan for reducing belly fat and you'll see results. So, take the belly flat secrets outlined and go and shed those pounds. And remember, "You only fail when you give up".

Final Note: There are many programs and products to get a flat belly, however few of them have actually been proven to work. When searching online for a solution, make sure others have experienced success with the program you are considering.

Want More Tips? CLICK HERE for my FREE special report, 6 Lies Experts Don't Want You to Know About Losing Stomach Fat, as well my #1 program recommendation that doesn't involve useless gadgets, crunches, situps, pills or scams. For more info, visit [http://www.iwantaflatstomach.com/]www.IWantaFlatStomach.com.

To your success, Taylor Landon

Article Source: Flat Belly Secrets - Top 3 Secrets For Getting a Flat Belly

Cut out the little stuff

2010-06-15T10:14:00.000-04:00

If you have every kept a log of the calories that you intake, you have quickly learned that there may be a large intake of calories that you didn't realize. Little things, such as the coffee creamer, the small bites and tastes you take throughout the day add up to some serious calories.

Cutting out some of the little things can go a long way to help you lose weight. If you want to lose one pound per week, you will need to cut out 500 calories per day. Start a food journal and find out where you can cut out calories. It really works

Three steps to flat abls

2010-06-08T09:22:00.000-04:00

Magazine covers everywhere talk about getting flat abs. There are also a whole bunch of flat ab diets out there. Everyone is focusing on getting flat abs. All of these programs have three things in common.
1. Diet. In order to reduce your stomach, you need to eat healthy food. Avoid sugars, high fat foods. Eat more healthy foods like vegetables, fruit and low carbs. To get a flat belly, you must have a healthy diet.

2.Cardio. You must do cardio to lose belly flat. Ideally, you should do 30-60 minutes of intensive cardio 3-4 times a week, followed by two days of weight training.

3. Work you abs. Crunches, situps and exercises that target your abs will help tone up the area

Added Benefit to Working Out

2010-06-04T10:45:00.000-04:00

Every weight loss magazine talks about the importance of exercising or working out every day or most days of the week. Exercise will help burn extra calories, which can result in weight loss if done consistently over time.

An added benefit that many people overlook is how much better you will feel when exercise every day. The boost in metabolism will give you extra energy over time and make you feel more alert. And the better you feel, the more enabled you will be to stick to any weight loss or diet plan. It is a win-win situation.

So put your tennis shoes on and get outside for a quick walk around the block. Your body will thank you later!

Banish Bloating

2010-05-27T17:22:00.000-04:00

Coffee , tea and other caffenated drinks can cause bloating

Bloating is a major problem for many men and women. There are certain foods that can cause bloating. These include dairy, salt and drinks with caffeine. In the flat belly diet, the first few days of the diet actually focus on reducing bloating thru diet.

Of course one of the ways to banish bloating is to completely avoid food and drinks that cause the bloating. Some people have different results with various food and drink products. The only way to know if a food causes bloating is to eliminate it completely and then gradually add it back in to see if there is a change.

Lose Weight Without Dieting

2010-05-26T08:35:00.000-04:00

If you want to lose weight, you don't necessarily need to go on a diet. Of course the only way to do this is to exercise everyday. The exercise that you do every day needs to create a calorie deficit that results in a net negative calorie intake everyday.

There are many different types of exercise that you can do that will result in weight loss without dieting. Popular choices include running, walking and lifting weights. Weights are one of the most efficient ways to exercise since that boost metabolism faster and help you burn fat by creating muscles.

Check out many other options for weight loss exercises

Losing Weight is Hard Work

2010-05-25T12:50:00.000-04:00

Whether you want to lose 5 pounds or 50 pounds, there is one very true fact: Losing weight is hard work. It may seem like the weight just fell on you, without much effort on your part. You have a few extra snacks every day and sooner or later the calories add up to extra pounds.

Losing weight is all about the calories. The more calories you put in your body, the more calories that must be burned off to lose weight. One pound is approximately 3500 calories--wow right? So if you really want to lose a pound a week, you will need to create a 500 calorie deficit every day. You can do this by cutting out food, exercising or doing both. The trick is to have the discipline to stick with the program. Every one has trouble staying on a diet at some point. If you do slip once in awhile, it is important to get right back to the plan and forget about messing up.

If only it were much harder to gain weight and easy to lose weight- we would all save so much time and money.

Top of blogs listing

2010-03-12T10:42:00.001-05:00

Weight Loss Tips

2010-03-12T10:08:00.003-05:00

How to Lose Weight by Using Weight Loss Tips

If you are trying to lose weight, you don't necessarily need to buy a 'diet plan' and eat packaged food. Sometimes all you need is to follow a few weight loss tips and you will be jump-started on your way to some weight loss.

Every day there are so many websites that publish weight loss tips and advice. Some of the advice can be contradictory while much of the advice is the same thing you have heard all day.

Below are some weight loss tips that have worked for me. Try them out for yourself and see if you get results.

1. Drink lots of water. Some days I drink more than others. On days that I drink a lot of water, I definitely feel more alert and seem to eat less. The extra water tends to fill you up and make you less hungry. If it doesn't, at least you will be getting a little exercise by having to go to the bathroom all the time.

2. Drink green tea and coffee. Supposedly tea and coffee can boost your metabolism and help you to burn more calories. I have found that drinking green tea in the afternoon after lunch tends to fill me up and make me less likely to snack on empty calories.

3. Do 20 jumping jacks 3 times a day to get your blood flowing and circulation going.

4. Park far away when you go to any store. The extra walk will help you burn more calories.

See more great weight loss tips and start doing things that will help you with weight loss.