Weight Loss Programs & Tips

Love can make you lose weight

2013-04-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

Most people make promises to lose weight but never seem to attain their goals. Perhaps it is because of lack of motivation. Well, one thing can help with increasing the enthusiasm for self-improvement through weight loss. That thing is love.

One of the many reasons why several people gain weight in the first place from excessive eating and lack of exercise may be due to an intense loneliness and the need to compensate for this. “No one wants me anyway”, they’d say or think to themselves in self-pity “so it shouldn’t matter what I look like, so let me enjoy something at least!”

This emotion is quite understandable; however, it is not the right approach to handling the situation. Instead of resorting to unhealthy binges as a resort to compensate for being alone, why not make the efforts to find that special someone who would motivate you to being a better person.

It is a known fact that the first thing people judge others on is quite simply their appearance. If you don’t look as appealing or at least come off as being concerned about your appearance to some degree, this could be an instant turn-off to most people.

So instead of giving up on yourself, it will be a much better and healthier idea to make yourself presentable and appealing just in case that special someone comes around.
In addition, when you make the efforts to be healthier and fitter, you automatically create the foundation for increased self-confidence, happiness and a positive outlook on life.

Now, admittedly, it may seem hard at times to find that person to share our feelings with, however, there are still plenty of options to finding someone and it’s safe to say the energy spent on binging and consequently gaining excess weight could be expended in such endeavors.

The choices are really limitless: places of worship, online options (the ‘myspace’ site seems very popular for meeting people), work, the gym etc. Friends, with all these choices at hand, you really don’t have to be alone and use this as an excuse for not caring about yourself.

Even in the worst case scenario: “How about being in love with you?”

That’s a start. Christ’s wisdom and subtlety comes to mind here when he says : “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” When you love yourself (not being vain or overly superficial now), you will make the efforts to always look and be your best naturally. As a result that motivation could and should serve as the spur to action to lose excess weight if needed.

Now, if you are in a relationship already, this should serve as a motivation to want to look and be your best. To simply let things get out of hand with your health and appearance can make you appear less attractive to your partner, in spite of whatever people say about “it’s not what’s on the outside that matters…”

Moreover, need I mention that excess weight and poor fitness levels can obstruct what may have been a healthy and happy sex life for two people in love? (Oh and on that subject, sex is a great exercise so that’s another way love, at least making it, could come in handy to lose weight…)

Now Al Green once said “Love can make you do wrong, can make you do right”

I say it can make you lose weight!

Here’s to a healthy and happier you.

What's Up With Self-Sabotage?

2013-04-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

Article Body: Does this sound familiar? How many times have we started a new diet with the very best of intentions? We know we picked a good program, we're excited, we've stocked up on the essentials.

We might even manage to do well for a few days. Then the shoe falls. Our resolve wanders. We almost look for an excuse to cheat. You ask yourself, “Why?” You know full well that 14 strong days as free of temptation as possible will garner you the best chance of weight loss success. Good plan! So, what do you instead? You make a date to meet your pals at the local hangout – you know, the one with the free Happy Hour buffet and 25¢ beers. You rationalize you “deserve” it. You convince yourself that your friends will bolster you with “support”. Lastly, you promise yourself to stick to 1, okay 2 max, Michelob Lights. Yeah that was the promise, but it didn't quite turn out that way. Yet again. It's not like we need to someone to hold our hand into temptation! It surely doesn't help that there's a McDonalds, Burger King and/or Pizza Hut on every corner. Calling at us like an epic siren, we turn into the drive thru like Pavlov's dogs. Our low carb brain tells us to order a bunless cheeseburger or grilled chicken salad, meanwhile we splurt out “Big Mac & Diet Coke”.

Of course Diet Coke! Hey, we're on a diet! Why do we do it? Why do we set ourselves up? Seemingly, almost on purpose? Personally, I think it's akin to the emotional reasons we eat, whether we're actually hungry or not. The next time you're standing in front of the fridge, door swung wide open, staring in a blank trance as if some magical 0 cal 0 carb delicious delight will suddenly appear.
Take comfort in knowing that your dieting sisters and brothers are joining you world over. Self examination is the key.

What's going on inside your brain? What are we furiously trying to bury under the wrong foods and poor choices? What on earth are we afraid of? Worried that we can't blame personal failures on our fat anymore? Scared about sudden attention and flirting from the opposite sex? Zillions of books have been written on the subject and I'm far from an expert, but I have spent the better portion of my adult life pondering this puzzle. Therapy is probably the most obvious answer, but we don't have time and I'm certainly unqualified! Behavior modification techniques would be beneficial, as are online support groups, like those at the Kimkins.com site. For my buck, the most bang is journaling.

Yes, men, even you. You've heard confession is good for the soul. Well, it's absolutely true. As luck would have it, your Kimkins membership comes with your very own personal journal – yours to share with other members for accountability or just to jot down your inner most feelings. We'll touch more on self-sabotage in upcoming article. But for now, committing feelings and insecurities, whether to paper or bandwidth, can help. Go ahead, discover yourself.

Supporting Your Weight Loss Goals

2013-04-15T05:35:00.000-07:00

As anyone who has ever been on diet knows, trying to lose weight is hard enough without any added pressures. While having your own personal weight loss coach would certainly help matters, for many people that is simply an unaffordable daydream.

Never the less, success stories around the world have proven that the most issue regarding successful weight loss is not the type of diet that you undertake, but rather the presence of moral support to help you along the way.

Moral support provides a number of useful benefits while attempting to lose weight. One of the most important of these benefits is motivation. The very act of letting others know that you intend to lose weight automatically makes you more accountable to lose the weight. While you may feel its okay to renege on your goals when it’s only you involved; you will be far less likely to break a promise to others. That in itself can be a strong motivator. In addition, a support network can make the time you spend exercising and dieting more enjoyable and feel less like a chore.

There are a number of ways that you can gain the moral support you need to make your weight loss program a success. One of the easiest ways to do this is to find a weight loss buddy. This individual may be someone within your own home or family or even someone in your community or at your job; however they do not necessarily need to be participating in a weight loss program as long as they support your goals in a healthy manner.

This individual can support you by going to the gym with you or even accompanying you during a daily walk. In today’s hectic world it can be difficult to find time to catch up and bond with the important people in your life, but this provides an excellent way to spend time with those close to you as well as gain the needed emotional support to succeed at your weight loss goals.

A support partner can also help motivate you by encouraging you to stick with your commitments. Even someone who does not live within your area can help by picking up the telephone to ask how thing’s are going.

Beyond finding a personal weight loss buddy, you can take advantage of the benefits offered through moral support by joining a weight loss support group. During the last few years, these groups have become quite popular and boast numerous success stories annually. Some of the most well known programs, such as Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers, combine weight loss support with specific diet regimens. For a specified fee members meet on a regular basis to evaluate progress and does what works and what does not.

While many of the most well known weight loss support programs also combine specific diet regimens, not all support programs provide strict dietary guidelines. Some support programs are just about the support. Taking Off Pounds Sensibly, often referred to as TOPS, is one of these groups. With more than 200,000 members in North America; TOPS was founded 50 years ago for the purpose of providing ongoing support to dieters.

Online diet and weight loss forums also provide important moral support for those engaged in weight loss efforts. Numerous websites have sprung up all over the net for the sole purpose of encouraging dieters to meet up in cyber space to discuss matters related to weight loss. The accountability factor related to weight loss forums may not be quite as strong as a weight loss buddy or local weight loss and support program, but it can help dieters to connect with like minded individuals on a host of issues related to diet and weight loss.

Regardless of the type of support system you choose, the important issue at hand is to make sure that you surround yourself with individuals who will motivate and encourage you during an admittedly difficult time. With the right combination of support, nutrition and exercise you can accomplish anything.

6 Week Body Makeover Program To Help You Lose Weight

2013-04-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

For those who need to shed a few pounds, and others who have a long way to go before their diet goals can be achieved, the infomercial titled "6 Week Body Makeover" is a must watch.

The 6 Week Body Makeover is built on the theory that each person has a unique shape that defines his or her body in its natural state as it was meant to be.

The assertion that each individual person has a unique metabolism that is specific to his or her body type is another cardinal principle of the 6 week body makeover.

The program is a highly motivational one and centers on a basic idea of individuality.
And it will help you create a diet that is customized to your body shape or metabolism.

Other advantages of the 6 week body makeover includes the development of a unique metabolic system that will enable you burn more weight than in the case of a normal diet.

No doubt, the people behind the 6 week body makeover seem to have to have found an interesting and innovative concept, because studies show many find the program appealing and exciting, due to its focus on individuals.

Just some few steps are required to kick-start your own personalized program. The first one is to identify the right program that would allow you to lose weight in a short time.

The 6 week body makeover helps you out with its lucid instructions on how to fill out a questionnaire that helps pinpoint your specific metabolism type.

After the initial step, the next hurdle is the matching of your shape and general body size to the sample drawings.

If you can match the drawing that best depicts your body shape and size, then you have determined your specific problem areas.

Both your metabolism type, as defined by the questionnaire, and your problem areas as defined by the shape and size drawing are combined together. And it is from this the 6 week body makeover is developed.

The program includes plans where meals are designed to help you feel energized and healthy and a simple body-sculpting workout program that targets your problem areas.

This exciting 6 Week Body Makeover concept still carries the same basic principle of successful weight loss programs.

Whose basic focus is on proper diet and nutrition as well as regular exercise.

We may not really need a program to figure this out, but a program like the 6 Week Body Makeover may push some of us in the right direction.

The Health and Wealth Connection

2013-04-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

I don't believe that anybody can have a true abundance in ANY area of their life without first feeling immensely confident in themselves. And the main determining factor in any person’s confidence is how they feel about their physical being (or their body); and the shape and health of a person's body is determined, to a large extent, by certain universal laws that absolutely must be followed each and every day.

Here's an example of just one of those laws...I once heard it said that nearly 70% of all the energy a person uses during the course of a single day (70%) is used simply to digest the foods they eat. Therefore, if it takes 100 grams of energy (bear with me for using such basic terminology here) to digest each and every meal you eat during the day, but by improving the efficiency of your metabolism, we can get your body to digest each meal using only 50 grams of energy, then you could have nearly double the energy to put toward all your normal daily activities.

So if one of your main life goals is to make more money, would it beneficial to you if you had more physical energy to do the daily tasks necessary to build your financial streams? What about all the added mental energy that you would have to put towardcreatively designing new ways to handle all the daily challenges that every entrepreneur faces today?

Personally, I never had success in my life until I took control of my body. I remember feeling like a failure in everything I did. I remember not even wanting to go out of the house because I didn't like the way I looked, in fact, I specifically remember not wanting to leave the house even to go to the store to buy food because I hated the way I looked in all of my clothes.

Today, I rarely think about the clothes I'm going to put on each day because I feel confident that, no matter what I wear, my body will make those clothes look good. All clothes just hang better on a body that's in shape. That means that guys who wear their shirts 'untucked' no longer HAVE to do that (unless they truly like that style) - and women who wear black because it's 'slimming' can now wear any color they like - because their BODY will make that color look good on them.

This is the way everyone should feel! When I finally took charge of my physique, everything in my life got better - my social life improved, my health improved, my family life improved, my spiritual life improved, and my financial life skyrocketed. I went from feeling like nobody noticed me to being picked out in a crowd of people (the right people).

Here's a horrible fact that I regularly speak about in my teleseminars and live events; in today’s society, without a nice body, people subconsciously make life a bit harder for you. You see it all the time. People who are in good shape almost always get treated differently by others. Now I’m not saying that’s fair it’s absolutely not - but it’s a fact of life, so why not take advantage of it? You see, you can’t change the fact that most everybody else in the world seems to treat good-looking people better, but you can change the one person who really matters, and that’s you. You can make yourself as strong and healthy-looking as possible, making life easier for you and setting a good example for your family so that they can also live a more successful and healthy life.

Good looking people climb the corporate ladder faster, they portray more authority when they stand in front of their staff, they get more preferential treatment, and they have far more stamina to take on all the work that's necessary in order to build a powerful company or business.

There are eight people in my inner circle of friends, all of which own businesses which gross from $5 million to $700 million annually - the bigger the business, the more focus that owner puts on staying in top shape. These people aren't stupid, they don't want to grow a huge company then not be in good enough health to enjoy the rewards -- and the secret that all of these folks have is that being in good shape didn't start when they became successful - it started way before that - and probably had a lot to do with their success.

Diet and Exercising for Weight Loss

2013-04-03T05:14:00.000-07:00

Obesity is now being called an epidemic in the health community. In fact, it will soon be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, even ahead of cigarette smoking. Obesity leads to type two diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke and even an increased risk of cancer. With all of these health risks, as well as the general improvement in the quality of life that can occur, losing weight is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. No matter what we would like to believe, there simply isn't a magic solution to losing weight. The body will shed excess fat when it needs more calories to function through the demands you place on it in a given day than the amount of calories that you feed it. It's that simple. So, in order to lose weight, you need to decrease the number of calories that you eat as well as increase the amount that you burn. There is a wide range of options to choose from when looking for a weight loss program. All of them often spend a lot of time explaining what to eat, in what amounts and even at what times or in what combinations. But few of them emphasize the importance of exercise – not just for losing weight, but for your general health and wellbeing. Exercise is vital when trying to lose weight for several reasons:

First, as you start to eat less, your metabolism will slow down somewhat. Exercising helps to elevate your metabolism back to an efficient level.
Second, as mentioned, exercise burns more calories so that you can lose weight faster and stay motivated in your efforts.
Third, exercise actually releases endorphins, chemicals that keep your mood elevated.

Exercise doesn't have to mean spending hours at the gym or straining through exhausting workouts. In fact, in order for you to stick with it on the long run, exercising should be something that you enjoy. Start by increasing your activity level in an overall way. Take the stairs when you can. Park further from the mall door when you go shopping. Go for a walk in the park or through a neighborhood you love and bring a dog or a friend along for company. Take dance or martial arts lessons. Once you become more active in general, you'll find it easier and more natural to move into regular exercise. Which you'll need to do eventually in order to get regular, noticeable health benefits. You need to raise your heart rate to a fat burning level and keep it there for at least 20 minutes, 3 times or more a week. However, if you don’t want to go to a gym, there are other options. Videos and DVDs are now available in all kinds of exercise types. That way you can change your routine whenever you want so that you don't get bored with what you're doing. Try a range of aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, or pretty much any activity you want right in the comfort of your own home. If you have physical limitations that would keep you off from exercising, you can still find a way to increase your activity level. Water aerobics is a wonderful option for those who have joint problems or limited mobility because it relieves the pressure on your body that your weight provides. But you still get the resistance to challenge your muscles from the water. There are even classes and videos available that let you exercise in a seated position. Whatever kind of exercise you choose, it's important to stay motivated and keep it fun. Try gathering a group together to make it a social event. Or get a pedometer, a device that tracks how far you walk, and see how many miles you can walk a week. Make a competition amongst your friends or family members and treat the winner with something special (not food related!). Make the experience of exercising something that you look forward to, and it will soon become a regular part of your healthier lifestyle.

Can Energy Drinks Help You Lose Weight?

2013-03-25T05:07:00.000-07:00

Energy drinks are liquid soda-style beverages that are boosted by the inclusion of 'energy boosting' ingredients including sugar, caffeine and other caffeine-like substances like ephedrine, and guarana. Some energy drinks also have vitamins, “acid stabilizers” or other nutritious-sounding ingredients, too. With all of these ingredients one might well ask whether energy drinks can help you achieve your weight loss goals by giving you the boost you need to exercise consistently.

Red Bull, Jolt, Amp and Hype are four of the more commonly known energy drinks. Energy drinks themselves are classified as "functional beverages" which means that they do not form part of the bigger nutraceutical food or dietary supplement industry. So because energy drinks are not classified as either a food or a dietary supplement, they are not regulated nor monitored by the Food and Drug Administration.

The aim of energy drinks is to boost your energy for physical activity and to improve your ability to concentrate on a specific task. Many believe these drinks can provide the energy they need to perform their exercise routine. But whatever you do, you should not confuse energy drinks with sports drinks. Sports drinks are specially formulated to help provide energy to tired muscles and to help the body absorb water and glucose (sugar) – energy drinks are not designed to do this.

While sports drinks are at their most beneficial if your workout is going to exceed an hour or so, plain water is generally a preferred option for quenching your thirst and replenishing your body fluid. Energy drinks, on the other hand, dehydrate rather than hydrate so this is why they are not designed for assistance with sports, but rather just to give you that quick energy-based pick me up.

While many people might claim that energy drinks are good for you if you are playing sports, the truth is that they are good for short bursts of activity and mental alertness only. It is vital that if you are consuming energy drinks that you know what you are drinking. Energy drinks are not necessarily bad for you, but they shouldn't be seen as natural substitutes for health supplements either. Some of the marketing for energy drinks claim that they "improve performance" and can be misleading because essentially all you are doing is over stimulating your body with caffeine.

There is not very much that is currently known about energy drinks and the effects that their consumption can have on a person’s overall health and wellbeing. The creators, manufacturers and marketers of energy drinks will tell you about the numerous health effects of their products. Their messages will tell you that these products can increase your physical endurance, improve your reaction times, boost your mental alertness and concentration, increase your overall wellbeing, stimulate and even speed up your metabolism, improve your stamina and help eliminate waste from your body.

Ideally, energy drinks should not be used by someone exercising for a sustained period of time because the combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic quality of the caffeine can leave the drinker feeling severely dehydrated at a time when their body needs to be replenished with fluids.

So, what is the deal with energy drinks and why are they so popular? Well quite simply, if you manage your consumption at only one or two a day, then energy drinks won’t harm you and in fact can help you improve your day-to-day activities. Their super-concentrated stimulating ingredients will indeed wake you up and help you to improve the way that you conduct and perform simple mental tasks. There is plenty of sugar and caffeine in energy drinks though, so you should be sure that you minimize your consumption to one or two drinks a day at the most. Any more and you could well experience side effects.

Be Safe While You Lose Weight With Weight Loss Drug

2013-03-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

I have faced so much embarrassment in the past due to extra pounds on my body. I couldn’t think of regaining my flexibility. Everyone looked me like a person from other space. I was not able to face my friends and in no time I lost all my friends. Then a day comes when my doctor advices me to take weight loss drug. I haven’t tried that before this is why I was not sure about to take these medicines. But after starting the treatment I found myself in that position where I can live life at the fullest. Thanks to weight loss drug. I had lost weight with weight loss drug,

Weight loss! Just like me, everyone thinks that it is very difficult to lose weight and to regain flexibility. But the evolution of medical science has proved it wrong. We gain weight when the intake calories are greater than calories that burned. A limited about of calories contribute as the source of energy. But the excess calories that reside in the body stay in the form of fat.

Excess weight can cause various adverse effects like as under:-
•Chronic joint pain, lower back pain.
•Heart failure, and
•Diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension
One way to get rid of excess weight is to indulge more of your time in exercises, daily walks. Doctors’ advices low fat food with the intention of preventing the weight to rise.
But only fatless food doesn’t restrict body weight to lower down.

Then medical science discovered weight loss drug for quicker weight loss. This weight loss is like a boon for those who hate to exercise. A number of medicines are available in the market to remove that extra punch of flesh on body as: -
•Phentermine
•Meridian
•Xenical
•Adipex and many more

These weight loss drugs are meant for short term usage, as long term usage of these medicines may create some complications. One can loss his or her weight with weight loss drug with well balanced diet. Lack of balanced diet with the usage of these weight loss drugs may cause weakness in the body.

Consulting doctor is necessary if you want to use weight loss drug. One should not rely on these weight loss drugs for more than 4-6 weeks without doctor’s knowledge. Keep in mind that these weight loss drugs alone may not give required results. A bit of exercise is needed for better results.

Though these weight loss drugs are beneficial in losing weight but one should not forget its side effects. Usage of these weight loss drugs may cause mild headache, effect on sleep, sagging of muscles etc. Before taking these types of weight loss drugs one should thoroughly consult his or her doctor to prevent its adverse effects.

Are You Really Overweight?

2013-03-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

If you are overweight, you know it by how you feel, how your clothes fit or how you look. But, by how much are you really overweight? And how much weight do you need to lose? One measure of how much you should weight is by determining your Body Mass Index , BMI. This index gives you the relationship of your weight to your height. Here is the formula:

Your BMI = [(yourWeight)/(your Height x your Height)] x 705

If you weight 143 lbs and are 64 in tall, then

your BMI = [(143) / (64 x 64)] x 705 = 26.2. Based on the chart below a BMI of 26.2 is overweight.

·    underweight, BMI = 18.5
·    normal weight BMI = 18.5 - 24.9
·    overweight BMI = 25 - 29.9
·    slight obesity BMI = 30 - 34.9
·    obese BMI = 35 - 39.9
·    excess obese = BMI = greater than 40

If we consider the normal BMI number to be 21.5 then you can compute approximately how much weight you should lose using the same BMI formula but by changing things around in the formula,
(your ideal Weight) = [(normal BMI / 705) x (your Height x your Height)]

For the example above if you have a BMI = 26.2 and the normal BMI number = 21.5, then,

(your ideal Weight) = [(21.5/705) x (64 x 64)] = 124.91

you should weight 124.91 lbs. That means you need to lose (143 -124.9) lbs = 18.1 lbs.

Try to get your BMI below 25. Under this number, you can expect to have good heath if you are eating the right kinds of food and exercising regularly. If your BMI is greater than 28, you are more likely to have cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and many other diseases related to a toxic colon.

Keep track of your waistline. Your waistline, if you are a man, should be less than 35 ". For women it should be less than 30". As your waistline get larger you become more susceptible to diseases. Of course, waistlines are going to vary because people have different shapes. But you know if your waistline to big for your shape.

Now you should know how much weight you need to lose. Beside your waistline, you should also measure bust/chest, hips, and thighs.. This gives you an indication how your body is changing. As you lose fat you may not lose weight for a while. Your body will become toned as you exercise. The weight scale does not always tell you that your body is changing and losing weight.

The Weekly Workout: Sunday

2013-03-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday - Power Jumps

We saved this exercise for the last day because it is a great way to wind down your days activities. It is one last explosive body weight exercise to finish your routine out.

You will want to make sure you have room to do this exercise, and are on a firm floor. You
probably don’t want to jump around anything fragile or that could fall off a shelf. The key to this exercise is using your core muscles to explode, you don’t want to hold back on the jumps because you are scared of knocking something over. If it is a nice day this is a great exercise to get out into the yard and do.

It is pretty easy to do, since most of us have been jumping since were kids. If you want to add difficulty the exercise, hold some light dumbbells in each hand (same weight).

How To’s & Tips

• Find somewhere you are comfortable jumping as high as possible.

• Stand up with your knees slightly bent and your feet close together.

• Bend down then jump straight up as high as you can.

• Land with your knees loose to absorb impact.

• As you land go into a squat position and then explode into your next jump as you rise up.

• One jump is one rep.

• Read the squat lesson from Wednesday to figure out what a squat position is

Duration: 3 Sets of 10

Calories Burned: ~125

Add Flavor to Meals Without Adding Carbs

2013-03-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

With all of the low-carbohydrate and no-carbohydrate frenzies lately, you should be aware that adding a dry seasoning blend of quality herbs and spices to your recipes will boost flavor without adding carbohydrates or calories.

I believe in making food exciting - an emotional experience - with bold, but not overpowering, flavors to enhance what you are cooking so the first bite tastes as good as the last.

A dish can come alive with a dusting or sprinkling of one of my Magic Seasonings to replace salt and pepper. Freshness and quality are key - I don't have a freezer or microwave in my restaurant, K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen.

In the early years, patrons of K-Paul's would ask me what type of seasoning I used on my dishes. In response, I would usually tell them I used a mixture of many spices, and I would give them a small bag as a sample. Slowly, people began getting embarrassed to ask for more samples, and they offered to pay for them. So, I started bottling my spice mixtures and selling them at regional stores. Ultimately, K-Paul's was the birthplace of Magic Seasoning Blends. My seasoning blends are all natural with no MSG and no preservatives.

Today, my Magic Seasonings are distributed to supermarkets

nationwide. Through these seasonings, I am happy to spread the joy of great food to people everywhere.

In my native Louisiana, people start talking about what they are having for lunch and dinner at breakfast. Food is simply part of our culture. Food excites us.

In Louisiana, meals aren't just about eating; they are about eating well. And meals are seen as an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. I want you and your family to enjoy the bonding experience of sharing wonderful meals together.

You don't have to sacrifice flavor when you reduce the fat and carbohydrates in your family meals. Simply sprinkle your favorite Magic Seasoning Blend on fish, vegetables or meat before you begin the cooking process. The blends work well with all types of cuisine, from Italian to Mexican to French to Chinese.

Intestinal Weight Loss Surgery Today

2013-03-12T04:30:00.000-07:00

In the past, weight loss surgery was always regarded as an extreme course of action for the morbidly obese. Weight loss surgery was mostly a risky proposition often involving slicing into the intestines and re-routing or stapling. Even nowadays, it is true that several types of weight loss surgery are invasive, difficult to reverse and can cause serious complications. But, as more technology becomes available to surgeons, weight loss surgery is now easier and less risky than ever and thus, more common.

Attempting to lose weight for, many people, can be exceedingly frustrating. No matter how much dieting or exercise they do, nothing seems to help. Whether it is due to a genetic component, a malfunction of the metabolism, or some subtle imbalance in the body, willpower and dedication are not enough.

Weight loss surgery has become a more mainstream option as new procedures and technology make it less invasive and safer. A number of types of weight loss surgery are commonly performed on obese patients. One of the more recent surgery procedures is the Lap-Band. The Lap-Band apparatus, an adjustable rubber ring, is positioned around a patient’s stomach in order to restrict the amount of food and liquids that can enter the stomach. This Restrictive type of weigh loss surgery does not affect the normal digestion of food or nutrients, unlike Malabsorptive surgery types.

Malabsorptive weight loss surgery is more invasive, in other words, it requires more internal surgical work, than other types. Malabsortive surgery shortens the digestive tract and limits the amount of calories that can be absorbed into the body. Amalgamations of restrictive and malabsorptive weigh loss surgery procedures are also typically used. These surgeries restrict the amount of food in the stomach as well as reduce amount of calories that can be absorbed in the body.

Carrying around too much weight can cause myriad health and emotional difficulties. The overweight are more liable to experience heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes and other health problems. People who are morbidly obese often have a shorter lifespan, as well.

You may want to consider weight loss surgery, if traditional weight loss methods have failed. Each one of the three above types of weigh loss surgery has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to speak to a weight loss surgery specialist to find out if one of these surgeries is a good solution for you.

The Weekly Workout: Saturday

2013-03-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

Saturday - Dips

This exercise burns calories as well as builds muscle. This is one of the best body weight work outs for your arms. This is an exercise you will probably feel in your arms a day (or more likely 2) after you have done it.

This exercise can be done a couple different ways, but in general using two a dining room chair is perfect. Like most exercises in this book, this exercise is so convenient you could do it in a hotel room on a business trip. It just takes your own body weight and a chair.

The general idea is that you raise your own body weight with just your arms.

How To’s & Tips

• Stand in front of a chair, facing away from it.

• Sit down on the very edge of the chair.

• Place your hands so they are on the edge of the chair about shoulder width apart.

• Make sure your hands are secured and slide your butt of the edge of the chair, walking out with your feet. Keep your chest and head up.

• Slowly lower your body downward. Don’t bend your elbows past 90 degrees.

• Now push your body back up by extending your arms.

• Lowering down and then raising up constitutes one rep.

• If 3 sets of 8 reps is too much start out with one set and work your way up.

• If you find this exercise too easy, an advanced dip can be performed by resting your feet on edge of another chair.

•

Duration: 3 Sets of 8

Calories Burned: ~75

Take A Look At The New YOU

2013-03-06T05:25:00.000-08:00

Obesity and overweight can be a fatal factor for all of us. It leads to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as a number of other serious health conditions which can have drastic implications. So it is always better to keep ourself away from it. But, human beings are prone to it at any age, even they are afraid of it. There are various reasons behind it like improper food habits, improper sleeping habits, etc. But suffering from obesity doesn’t mean that you torture yourself by going on starvation. People must know that they can get freedom from obesity with just a little amount of weight loss slowly and steadily and can live a healthy life.

Countries like US and UK are prone to obesity problems. Even children’s are not spared. It is a common fact that when a person confront obesity he/she either start staying hungry or just stick to a single diet whole through the life with a bit of physical exercise.. This is really a tedious matter. And sometimes the results are also not up to par. So when nothing works, Phentermine works in a more perfect and significant way. Approved by the US FDA as a treatment for obesity, Phentermine can help obese patients lose significant amounts of weight and keep them off.

It is a pill that helps in reducing weight by changing and restraining the urge of food, increases your metabolism, burn your calories as well as increase your energy. This drug is generally taken in empty stomach once daily before breakfast. This medication is generally taken for 9 to 14 weeks to get some confirmative result. It is strictly prescribed only to those people who are at medical risk because of their obesity problems. Besides, FDA recommends that this drug is not for a very long time usage.

Side effects such as diarrhea, impotence, insomnia and dizziness are reported to be experienced by patients. Hence it is advised to consult a doctor before starting or stopping this medicine.

Though Phentermine is receiving positive results in the recent times, but always better to follow a proper routine with balance diet. This gives us the necessary to carry out our daily activities without hampering our body physically or mentally. In fact a balanced diet enables us to have a shapely body with the appropriate amount of fat and muscles.

Truth about Phentermine diet pills

2013-03-06T04:30:00.000-08:00

Being overweight may put you into many embarrassing situations. And at that time you may choose dieting to lose that extra pound of weight, unaware of the fact that it makes you lose fat as well as muscles. Dieting is dangerous and makes you prone to perilous diseases. So, is there any other effective alternative available that can help you to reduce weight? Yes, definitely.

”Where there is a will, there is a way”

This statement stands true for people who want to accomplish the impossible. What all matters, is your approach towards life. The same applies to overweight people, if you want to lose that extra weight then phentermine diet pills combined with healthy diet and exercise will serve the purpose.

You must have heard about several weight loss drugs then you must be wondering why I suggested you phentermine diet pills only. Advantages attached with phentermine diet pills that make it stand different from others are:-

- Appetite suppressant
- Gives you a better control over what you eat
- Easy and quick way to lose weight
- Works effectively in combination with diet plan and exercise regiments

If you have made up your mind to buy phentermine, then you can either buy it from a nearby pharmacy shop or from the comfort of your home through internet. Online pharmacies are available in large numbers; you can book your order online. In case you are looking for good quality phentermine diet pills that too at cheap rates, then you need to do a little effort. Make sure to go foe only FDA approved phentermine diet pills. Collect catalog offered by online pharmacists and compare them to find the diet pills offer that satisfy your needs as well as pocket to the best.

As far as safety regarding phentermine diet pills is concerned, one may face some side effects if not taken as per the prescription. Some of the side effects that may persist are high blood pressure, severe headache, abnormal behavior, blurred vision, swelling of your lips or dry mouth. Consult your doctor in case these side effects persist for long.

Follow few simple precautions and minimize the intensity of side effects that may occur:-

• In case you are a diabetic patient, you may need a larger dose of insulin while taking phentermine. Contact your doctor for questions or problems related to this.
• Make sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, high blood pressure or a history of drug abuse.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.

Stop being called obese. Set the goals that you want to achieve in terms of weight you want to lose, evaluate a plan and start following it. Your goals will be easier to meet with phentermine diet pills; you will find more energy in your day and can enjoy long healthy life!

After A Diet, Why Does The Weight Come Back?

2013-03-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

Before many Australians recently, a devastating story unfolded on a popular current affairs program. We watched with compassion as the fattest man in Australia told of his most recent, serious attempt to lose weight. Approximately 12 months earlier and weighing close to 300 kilos, he under went life threatening surgery to lose weight.

I doubt there would have been one person watching not moved by this man's depression and plight. Despite undergoing the surgery, today he could barely get through each day, both physically and mentally. He shared with us his sense of hopelessness and wanting to end it all.

It was not only his size that was causing his depression. He had to deal with a heart broken by disappointment.

You see, the surgery had been a success.

He soon lost well over 50 kilos post operation and he and his family rejoiced. But then the unthinkable happened.

The weight came back. Today he weighs well <i>over</i> 300 kilos - more than before the surgery.

This is an extreme case, but nonetheless raises a question that so many people continue to battle with.

After a diet, why does the weight come back so quickly?

To answer this we need to understand how much energy a body requires. For each pound you weigh, each day you need 12 calories to maintain your body weight. If you weigh 120 pounds you will need 120 x 12 calories, that is, 1440 calories per day to maintain that body weight. If you eat or drink more calories than your body requires, the excess energy is stored as fat. It takes 3,600 excess calories to make one pound of fat.

In this example, if your typical daily calorific intake is 2000 calories, in around 30 days you would put on between 4-5 pounds of fat!

Let's say, you then decide to go on a restrictive diet and halve your calorific consumption to 1,000 calories per day. You stay on this diet for around a month and lose 10 pounds and now weigh 110 pounds. You feel fantastic about losing the weight but can't keep up such a restrictive regime because you are irritable and have no energy.

So you go off your diet and go back to your usual routine of 2,000 calories a day. Remember you are lighter now and your body requires less energy to maintain its new weight. You would now require 110 x 12, that is, 1320 calories per day.

In this instance, by consuming 2000 calories daily, because you are lighter than before, you would put the weight back on in just 24-25 days!

If you want to keep the weight off you must develop a consistent change in eating habits to ensure you do not consume more than your body requires. You cannot continue to eat the same quantities and/or combinations of foods that caused you to be overweight in the first place. This will require developing an understanding of the nutritional content of food and raising your body's metabolism through increased muscle mass and exercise.

(c) 2003 Kim Beardsmore

The Weekly Workout: Friday

2013-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Friday - Shadow Boxing

It is estimated that people are 38% more likely to stick with a new exercise if they find it fun or enjoyable. It makes sense that you would find it easier to do a task that you actually find fun This is why shadow boxing is a great exercise.

It is not just for combat sports enthusiasts either. Shadow boxing is a good aerobic workout, easy to do and somewhat therapeutic. This exercise not only works your body, it can help soothe your mind.

It provides a great outlet for your day’s frustrations.

If you want to up the resistance in the exercise and make it more challenging you can add weights to your hands, or use a heavy bag with boxing gloves.

How To’s & Tips

• Great thing about shadow boxing is it isn’t as form dependent as other exercises.

• Stand comfortably. Hold your hands up, making a tight fist with your thumb tight against the outside of your fingers.

• Do not tuck your thumb inside fingers, if you accidentally hit something your thumb could be injured.

• Keep your elbows close to your body and your chin tucked down

• Throw some punches as if you were boxing.

• Start throwing a couple jabs and then work up in speed as the exercise progresses.

• While punching you should be moving around, keep on the balls of your feet.

• Remember to use head movement and lean back and forth as if you were avoiding punches from an opponent.

• Have fun!

Duration: 15 Minutes (one minute break 2x in there)

Calories Burned: ~105

The Weekly Workout: Thursday

2013-02-28T07:56:00.000-08:00

Thursday - The Curl-Up

Another variation on a classic exercise. This exercise is based on the sit-up which is one of the first exercises you will learn along with running and pushups. This exercise burns calories, while working the abdominal and other core muscles.

This exercise is slightly different than a sit-up or crunch. Some studies have shown it causes less impact on the lower back. The exercise is essentially a crunch, but the arms stay at the side of the body. This is to protect the neck and back muscles.

One rep is a curl up and then back down onto the mat.

How To’s & Tips

• Lie down on your back, if you have an exercise or yoga mat, use that.

• Place your hands at your sides, arms straight forward and on the mat or ground.

• Contract your abs, curl up as if you were doing a crunch moving your hands along the ground towards your heels. Keep your head up.

• Return to the starting point and that is one rep.

Duration: 3 Sets of 10

Calories Burned: ~75

The Benefits of Walking

2013-02-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

Walking is one of the most productive forms of exercise, and causes a tremendous increase in our energy levels. The benefit seen from adding just 20 minutes of walking to your daily routine are unbelievable. I can attest to the tremendous increase in energy, as a participant in walking for exercise. I lost a total of 74 lbs. in one year, by simply adding walking to may routine. I had been dieting for almost two months, with very little in the way of results. Walking was suggested by my physician, and I’ve never been so impressed. My energy levels were three times what they were prior to beginning the walking, and I truly enjoyed the peace of mind that I achieved during those daily walks.

The added exertion of physical exercise is often the catalyst our bodies needed to boost weight loss into high gear. For the individual trying to loose weight, the benefits of walking far exceed an infringement on personal time, or detraction from television time that occurs. Not only is it good for your body, when you’re trying to cut back, it gives you something constructive to do with your time. Exercise also decreases our hunger pangs, increases our fluid intake, and helps our blood to circulate much better.

If there are any down-side effects to walking, it is the added pressure we put on our knees, ankles, and feet. If you already have a joint condition, such as arthritis, you might want to start very slowly, and add mileage only as you see that your body can handle what you are presently doing. Taking the time to buy good, supportive shoes, and wear leg bracing if needed can eliminate any further injury or harm. Talk to your doctor is you think you might have any of these conditions, and make sure that you are taking care of your body as you exercise it.

There are some excellent magazines and journals out there that provide a novice walker with all kinds of helpful advice and tips. Tips that offer assistance in what type of walking shoe you need, to what kind of walking sticks are best. There are many opportunities for you to participate in community events, national events, and even marathons, if you choose. From shoes to clothing tips, these magazines were a real inspiration for me, also. There are real life stories that you feel as though you could have written, that sing the praises of walking as a way of life.

The peace of mind that comes from taking a few minutes to stop and enjoy the sunset as you walk cannot be compared. Walking gives you the time we no longer take for private reflection. To ask yourself if you spent your day wisely, did you omit something that needed to be done, did you listen to your spouse when he needed to talk?

Twenty minutes out of your day to walk, contribute to your health, clear your mind, and get a glimpse of the most beautiful sunset, how can you not take advantage of an offer like that?

5 Healthy Tips To Weight Loss

2013-02-25T04:30:00.000-08:00

The world is fascinated with weight loss, some for health reasons and others for cosmetic. No matter the reason, many people try harsh diets that never work, extreme exercise regimens that result in injuries or other weight loss program that end without success. The reason that none of these weight loss methods seem to work is because in order to stay
with a program, you have to enjoy it. Not only that, but it has to be safe as well.

Below are 5 genuine tips to weight loss, which almost anyone can do without tossing out their favorite food or spending every spare minute in the gym. Realistically, any weight loss program will take time. If anyone promises you different, they are either not being completely honest or are simply uninformed. Follow one single weight loss program for 30 days, whatever it may be, and see if you have results. If not, move on to something else. In the meantime, check out several tips to getting started today.

Tip # 1
Walking. If you can set aside 30 minutes every day to enjoy a leisurely stroll, you will be strengthening your legs and your heart while burning some calories in the process.

Tip # 2
Use a mini cycle. These portable little exercise units offer the look of bicycle pedals set up on a metal bar, but without the high price or weight of a standard exercise bike. With a min cycle, you can pedal at your desk, on the couch or anywhere else that you can comfortably set and reach the pedals.

Tip # 3
Walk or take the stairs instead of an elevator. This is a terrific weight loss exercise without even noticing the extra effort. Something as simple as a few extra steps every day can go a long way where weight loss is concerned. The next time you go to the store, park in the middle of the parking lot and walk to the store. Avoid parking in the closest spot to the door, which is tempting, but opt to walk instead.

Tip # 4
You don’t necessarily have to cut out all of your favorite foods, but you should eat them in moderation. There is no single food that will completely hinder your weight loss attempt but, if consumed excessively, it may. For instance, simply limit your intake to one candy bar or, if you are being really careful, a miniature candy. There is no reason to cut out your favorite food when a conservative amount of the things we love can still have a place in our lives, including during the times that we are focusing on weight loss.

Tip # 5
Whatever your exercise routine, set aside a certain time each day to do it. Individuals who set a routine are much more likely to stay with it and find success than those who simply exercise whenever they have time. The goal to successful weight loss is to make time.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a doctor’s recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

How the Brain Affects Our Health

2013-02-20T08:58:00.000-08:00

Almost everyone is aware today, of the importance of protein in our diet. Protein directly affects our muscles, tissues and organs. It also directly effects the development of these organs, our brain included. What happens if we don’t get the necessary protein or any of the other many nutrients our body, not just our brain, needs to function correctly? It is through the use of our mind (or brain, whichever term you prefer) that we are able to absorb the necessary facts and figures and process it into useable pieces of information.

Nutrition refers to the nurturing of our body, in our ability to keep it healthy and functioning as it is supposed to do. Our ability to provide the body with all the necessary food, vitamins, and minerals so that we continue to thrive in our daily life processes.

How do we determine that we are providing the essential nutritional needs? That knowledge comes by educating ourselves about what our individual needs are, the needs of our family, and then taking that knowledge and applying it to the foods we buy, that we prepare, and that our families consume. Once again, through the use of our minds, we are able to take the guidance provided by the USDA, develop a journal and establish what our daily requirements are, so that take care of our necessary nutritional needs.

According to the guides published by the USDA, calorie needs vary from one age group to another, one gender to another. So how do you determine what your individual needs are? You can setup a journal for recording your daily caloric intake for about a month. Make a note of your weight each day. If you don’t gain any weight during the course of that month, you’re eating your recommended calorie level in order to maintain your weight. Now, take that calorie information, check with a nutritionist about the recommended daily allowances of vitamins and minerals that you need. Take both pieces of information, calorie intake and nutritional requirements, use the food pyramid and comprise a combination of foods that will help you achieve these recommended daily intakes, and still be enjoyable food. You now have an individualized healthy eating plan.

Over the course of absorbing the instructions for a healthy, well-balanced eating plan, we have used our mind through the whole process. Our ability to think and reason, our level of education, and the exposure we receive to outside input on a daily basis affects our entire environment, but especially our health. We make choices based on the information we have previously absorbed. Our food, exercise, and recreation choices are no exception. It just so happens that these choices can immediately affect our health.

Maybe now you have a clearer picture of the opportunities we have for our brain to affect our health. It is more than just conscious decisions. It is a result of brain development through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. It is a result information we have previously absorbed, and input we will continue to receive.

The Weekly Workout: Wednesday

2013-02-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

Wednesday - Body Weight Squat

This is one of the most popular exercises for serious weight trainers. While they do theirs with huge weights on their back, this body weight only version is still effective.

A squat works primarily your legs, but the amazing thing is it also works man other muscles in your body. Weight trainers refer to this exercise as a true full body workout.

Learning the body weight squat is usually suggested before you move onto weighted squats.

The squat is basically done from the standing position, and you squat down towards the ground, in a sitting motion. Then you finish the squat by standing back up straight.

If you don’t find the body weight squats challenging enough, then add dumbbells in each of your hands. Make sure to have the same weight on each side.

How To’s & Tips

• Stand up with your feet a little more than shoulder width apart, toes pointed 30 degrees out.

• Squat down into a sitting like position.

• Squat as far as you are comfortable with.

• Some people squat until their thighs are parallel with ground, others like the slightly break that plane.

• Don’t risk your form for speed. Keeping the proper form is more important than finishing quickly.

• Squatting down and then back up is a rep.

• A set is 10 reps.

Duration: 3 Sets of 10

Calories Burned: ~105

Energy Levels for the Fit

2013-02-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

Fitness itself is defined as the ability of the human body to function with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue and with ample energy to engage in leisure activities, and to meet physical stresses.

Fitness refers to the condition of our physical body and mental fitness would of course be addressing our mental state. When our bodies are physically fit, we should have enough energy to address all of the activities that are faced by our peers, and at the end of the day, still have some energy left for our families.

Learning to incorporate fitness into our daily routine is where the biggest obstacle to fitness is placed. Many of us would truly benefit from being more physically fit; we simply do not want to devote the time it would take to condition our bodies. We would rather sit at the table and chat with our friends or tune in to the latest hit television series, than devote thirty minutes each day to our health.

Walking is one of the most productive forms of exercise, and causes a tremendous increase in our energy levels. The benefit seen from adding just 20 minutes of walking to your daily routine are unbelievable.

I can attest to the tremendous increase in energy, as a participant in walking for exercise. I lost a total of 74 lbs. in one year, by simply adding walking to may routine. I had been dieting for almost two months, with very little in the way of results. Walking was suggested by my physician, and I’ve never been so impressed. My energy levels were three times what they were prior to beginning the walking, and I truly enjoyed the peace of mind that I achieved during those daily walks.

I think exercise and being fit does something for a person’s self-esteem, and the mind. Deeper forms of relaxation accompany physical fitness. When meditation is incorporated into the routine, the energy levels continue to soar. When you are able to relax, and truly enjoy the way your body feels, and the accomplishment of a day’s tasks, you can renew physically for the next day, overnight. That’s one of the greatest benefits of exercise and fitness, tremendous energy.

Physically, what is happening to us as we become more fit? It’s a process that has been addressed so many times, but we fail to make the connection most of the time. Our metabolic process is a finely tuned process. When we have it working at maximum capacity, we feel great. We’re eating right, exercising, and our metabolism is making the most of those calories we’re consuming. It fires up and runs, into overdrive if necessary, in order to keep that energy coming. It’s a concept our forefathers really didn’t need to understand, because their living conditions kept them physically fit. Today, however we’ve become quite sedentary, and our livelihood no longer requires us to physically work, we do the mental work all day, and sit while we are on the job. No physical activity interferes with our preprogrammed way of living. Our bodies still function just like our grandfather’s needed. But we’ve changed the process, our bodies haven’t.

That’s why we still need to keep physically fit, If not through our work, we need recreational routines to accomplish that task. It will keep us healthy, running at top speed, and feeling great!

The Weekly Worout: Tuesday

2013-02-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

Tuesday - Triangle Push Up

The triangle push up is a variation of the push up most of us are familiar with. This simple variation will work more muscles in your upper body.

I would do this exercise after the power walk personally. The power walk will have your blood flowing and make you more receptive to this muscle building exercise.

This push up is just like the normal push up except that you bring your hands in so your thumbs and pointer fingers are forming a triangle.

How To’s & Tips

• Kneel face down.

• Place your hands on the floor and position them below your chest with your thumbs and pointer fingers close enough to form a triangle.

• Stretch out into normal push up position, parallel to the ground.

• Lower your self down near ground level and then push yourself up again to complete one push up.

• If you can not complete this motion, then you can keep your knees on the ground until you have built up enough arm strength to do the full version.

• To complete a full set do 10 pushups with no break in between.

• Do three of these sets.

Duration: 3 Sets of 10

Calories Burned: ~75

3 Bad Diet Mistakes To Avoid At All Cost

2013-02-06T08:43:00.000-08:00

Even though there is so much information available about weight loss, the same dietmistakes are being made over and over every day. We are not talking here about little slipups where you ate a slice of pie that was not on the plan, but big mistakes that lead to failure to lose the weight that you want to lose. Understanding these errors can help you develop the attitude that will lead to permanent weight loss for you.

1. The All Or Nothing Attitude
All or nothing dieters will often pick out a complicated diet that is almost impossible for them to maintain. Before beginning, they will search the kitchen for anything that does not fit the plan and throw it in the garbage. They are planning to be the perfect dieter, and so they will be, for one day, three days, seven days or even a couple of weeks. Then, inevitably, something happens that means they cannot keep to the diet one time.

Immediately the whole thing is ruined in their eyes and the diet is over. They go to the store and buy all the things that went into the garbage last week and proceed to gain back all the weight that they lost, as fast as possible.

If you are this kind of dieter you need to ask yourself some tough questions. Do you really want to lose weight permanently, or just lose a few pounds so that you can enjoy putting them back on again? The way forward is to make small changes to what you eat so that you have a slow but steady weight loss.

2. The Attitude of Sacrifice
Another common mistake is to view your diet as a period of sacrifice. You do not allow yourself the foods that you enjoy most while you are on your way to your target weight.

You may have a great diet plan and be very successful in losing weight, but wha happens when you reach your goal? You have not learnt to eat 'bad foods' in moderation so as soon as you start, you are likely to go out of control. It is better to include a little of everything in your diet and learn to enjoy it in small quantities. Yes, even chocolate!

3. Goal Failure
Setting achievable goals is vital in any weight loss plan. Goals should be clear, realistic and set out in writing. While you probably do have an ideal weight in your mind, unless you are only very slightly overweight it is probably too distant to be useful. A more useful goal would be to lose two pounds per week for the first five weeks and then one pound per week after that. Some weeks you will lose more and some less, some weeks you may even gain, but if you track your progress on a graph you will see that ups and downs are natural and do not stop you progressing steadily toward your major goal.

If you have been making these mistakes, do not worry. The most important point in dieting as in so many other things is to move on. Learn from your failures as well as your success and do not use a mistake as an excuse for giving up. The only way to achieve your goal permanently is to make a commitment to become a healthier person.

Remember that eating normally includes eating more some days and less others. Learn to enjoy food in moderation and you have every chance of avoiding these bad diet mistakes.