WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESSFUL

12/12 Yahoo! News: Health News

2009-12-11T23:31:00.003-06:00

Novel drug combo improves breast cancer survival (AP)
December 11, 2009 at 8:36 pm

AP - Some women with very advanced breast cancer may have a new treatment option. A combination of two drugs that more precisely target tumors significantly extended the lives of women who had stopped responding to other medicines, doctors reported Friday.

Senate Democrats seek compromise on drug imports (Reuters)
December 11, 2009 at 7:56 pm

Reuters - Democrats scrambled on Friday to resolve a stalemate over whether to permit imports of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and elsewhere as part of a larger effort to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system.

Women Aren't Waiting to Seek Infertility Help (HealthDay)
December 11, 2009 at 7:04 pm

HealthDay - FRIDAY, Dec. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Most American women know that age is an important factor in the success of fertility treatments, finds a new survey of 763 women, aged 18 and older, including 125 women who've had fertility treatment.

Spice Compounds May Stem Tumor Growth (HealthDay)
December 11, 2009 at 7:04 pm

HealthDay - FRIDAY, Dec. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Compounds derived from two spices -- pepper and turmeric -- could help prevent breast cancer by limiting the growth of stem cells that promote tumor growth, a new study shows.

Clinical Trials Update: Dec. 11, 2009 (HealthDay)
December 11, 2009 at 5:03 pm

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Women Aren't Waiting to Seek Infertility Help (HealthDay)
December 11, 2009 at 5:03 pm

New Drugs, New Combinations Fight Breast Cancer (HealthDay)
December 11, 2009 at 5:03 pm

HealthDay - FRIDAY, Dec. 11 (HealthDay News) -- New therapies and new spins on existing treatments are offering hope for patients with breast cancer, especially those with metastatic disease, according to research being presented this week at the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.

Novel drug combo improves breast cancer survival (AP)
December 11, 2009 at 3:53 pm

Soldiers get mass swine flu shots before holidays (AP)
December 11, 2009 at 3:12 pm

AP - Thousands of Army recruits in training must line up at least once more before heading home for the holidays, this time for mass inoculations by the hundreds against swine flu.

Uganda parliament outlaws female genital mutilation (AFP)
December 11, 2009 at 12:15 pm

AFP - Uganda's parliament has unanimously voted to outlaw female genital mutilation, imposing a 10-year penalty on anyone who conducts the procedure and life in prison for those who physically force a woman to submit to the act, one of the bill's main sponsors told AFP Friday.

CDC: Fewer states seeing widespread swine flu (AP)
December 11, 2009 at 12:05 pm

AP - Health officials say winter flu is just starting to show up in the U.S. while swine flu infections continue to wane.

FDA confirms benefits of Crestor in more patients (AP)
December 11, 2009 at 11:28 am

AP - Federal scientists say AstraZeneca's cholesterol pill Crestor lowers the risk of heart attack, death and stroke in patients without a history of heart disease, though some safety concerns remain.

FDA to weigh safety of AstraZeneca's Crestor (Reuters)
December 11, 2009 at 11:13 am

Reuters - U.S. regulators will ask an advisory panel to consider findings of diabetes and other safety issues as they weigh wider use of AstraZeneca Plc's AZN.L cholesterol-lowering pill Crestor, documents released on Friday said.

Chemotherapy boosts breast cancer survival: study (Reuters)
December 11, 2009 at 10:35 am

Reuters - Chemotherapy helps improve breast cancer survival in post-menopausal women, adding to a long-standing debate about how best to treat these women, U.S. researchers said Thursday.

Spice Compounds May Stem Tumor Growth (HealthDay)
December 11, 2009 at 9:03 am

Uganda government outlaws female circumcision (AP)
December 11, 2009 at 8:22 am

AP - Uganda's parliament has approved a bill banning female genital mutilation.

Chinese health officials step up flu prevention (AP)
December 11, 2009 at 4:25 am

AP - China's Health Ministry warned Friday that the swine flu outbreak in the country could peak over the next several months, especially as hundreds of millions of people return home for the traditional Chinese New Year.

Health care loophole would allow coverage limits (AP)
December 11, 2009 at 3:33 am

AP - A loophole in the Senate health care bill would let insurers place annual dollar limits on medical care for people struggling with costly illnesses such as cancer, prompting a rebuke from patient advocates.

Too Much Drinking, Eating Tied to Breast Cancer Recurrence (HealthDay)
December 10, 2009 at 11:49 pm

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Overeating and drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol may be bad news for women with breast cancer, new research suggests.

11/17 Yahoo! News: Health News

2009-11-16T23:30:00.004-06:00

New advice: Skip mammograms in 40s, start at 50 (AP)
November 16, 2009 at 9:32 pm

AP - Most women don't need a mammogram in their 40s and should get one every two years starting at 50, a government task force said Monday. It's a major reversal that conflicts with the American Cancer Society's long-standing position.

As US health care reform looms, cost of medications climbs (AFP)
November 16, 2009 at 7:48 pm

AFP - With US health care reform at a critical stage, non-generic prescription drug prices have risen sharply in the past year even as other consumer prices generally eased.

Study Touts Success With 'Female Viagra' Drug (HealthDay)
November 16, 2009 at 7:04 pm

HealthDay - MONDAY, Nov. 16 (HealthDay News) -- New industry-funded research suggests that the antidepressant flibanserin, which has been touted as a female version of Viagra, can enhance libido in women with low sex drives.

Child Food Allergies on the Rise in U.S. (HealthDay)
November 16, 2009 at 7:04 pm

HealthDay - MONDAY, Nov. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Pediatric food allergies, which can sometimes be life-threatening, are increasing at a dramatic rate in the United States, new research shows.

Research Sheds Light on Causes of Parkinson's (HealthDay)
November 16, 2009 at 7:04 pm

HealthDay - SUNDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Gene mutations linked to inherited Parkinson's disease also appear to be connected to the more common form of the disease that strikes people whose relatives don't have it, researchers now say.

Gene Linked to Breast Cancer Might Boost Heart Health (HealthDay)
November 16, 2009 at 7:04 pm

HealthDay - SUNDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- The over-activity of a gene known to boost a woman's risk for breast cancer may have a good side, making arteries healthier, a new study suggests.

New advice: Skip mammograms in 40s, start at 50 (AP)
November 16, 2009 at 5:22 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Nov. 16, 2009 (HealthDay)
November 16, 2009 at 5:04 pm

HealthDay - (HealthDayNews) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Study: Injured uninsured more likely to die in ER (AP)
November 16, 2009 at 4:00 pm

AP - Uninsured patients with traumatic injuries, such as car crashes, falls and gunshot wounds, were almost twice as likely to die in the hospital as similarly injured patients with health insurance, according to a troubling new study.

Going high-tech to track Alzheimer's patients (AP)
November 16, 2009 at 3:16 pm

AP - Tom Dougherty jokes that he takes "get-lost walks." To his wife, Cleo, it's a constant fear: When will his Alzheimer's get bad enough that she has to end his 4-mile daily strolls?

FDA reviews update to Pfizer vaccine for kids (AP)
November 16, 2009 at 3:03 pm

AP - Federal health officials on Monday questioned whether to approve an updated version of Pfizer's best-selling anti-infection vaccine for children, despite company studies that failed to meet certain goals.

Potential for criminal behavior evident at age 3 (Reuters)
November 16, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Reuters - Children who don't show normal fear responses to loud, unpleasant sounds at the age of 3 may be more likely to commit crimes as adults, according to a new study.

Study Touts Success With 'Female Viagra' Drug (HealthDay)
November 16, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Child Food Allergies on the Rise in U.S. (HealthDay)
November 16, 2009 at 12:04 pm

HealthDay - MONDAY, Nov. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Pediatric food allergies, which can sometimes be life-threatening, are increasing at a dramatic rate in the United States, new research shows.

Sexually spread diseases up, better testing cited (AP)
November 16, 2009 at 10:23 am

AP - Sexually spread diseases continue to rise, with reported chlamydia cases setting yet another record in 2008, government health officials said Monday.

Australian doctors operate on conjoined twins (AP)
November 16, 2009 at 3:22 am

AP - A team of Australian surgeons were working Monday on a delicate and complicated surgery to separate twin sisters who are joined at the top of the head.

Sex infections still growing in U.S., says CDC (Reuters)
November 16, 2009 at 1:38 am

Reuters - American squeamishness about talking about sex has helped keep common sexually transmitted infections far too common, especially among vulnerable teens, U.S. researchers reported Monday.

Prepackaged Food Programs Help Lose Weight

2009-02-22T16:22:00.000-06:00

You've probably heard of most of them like Jenny Craig, promoted by
Valerie Bertinelli or Nutrisystem with Marie Osmond. The major
difference between the two programs is that Jenny Craig requires a
contract for a membership as well as payment for the food.
Counseling is provided by Jenny Craig. There is no contract with
Nutrisystem and no counseling. Here's how to lose weight with
prepackaged food programs.

You will receive prepackaged foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Some programs also include snacks. You add fresh diary and
produce. The meals are balanced to provide all the nutrients you
need and are low fat and low calorie so you lose weight as long as
you stay on the program and don't cheat.

A variation of the prepackaged food program are the meal
replacement programs. You consume a prepared drink or snack bar to
replace breakfast and lunch and consume a normal low fat dinner.

The advantages of the prepackaged food programs is that you don't
have to think. You know what you can have. There are no decisions
to be made. No carb counting. No calorie counting. The products
have simplified diet programs. If you live a busy life and don't
particularly like to cook these programs may be for you.

The disadvantages include the expense of the program. The
prepackaged meals are not cheap. Another disadvantage, at least
in the beginning, is the shock of the small portions. Some
participants recommend adding additional steamed veggies and salads
to bulk up the menu. That's somewhat counter productive as one of
the program's benefits is to train yourself to recognize what a
portion is.

If you prepare the meals for your family you might find it
tempting to make dinner for them and then you have only your
prepackaged dinner. The reality is that you will most likely eat
your packaged dinner and a portion of your family's dinner. Of
course if your significant other needs to lose weight as well and
is willing to join you on your weight loss program, you could both
have the prepackaged foods.

A final disadvantage is that once you go off the program you may
quickly return to your old eating habits because you aren't used to
making healthy eating choices. All the choices were made for you.

You can learn how to lose weight when you jump start your weight
loss program with prepackaged foods.

******************************************************************
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program
******************************************************************

Low Calorie Program To Lose Weight

2009-02-22T16:20:00.000-06:00

The average person needs to eat about 2000 calories per day to
maintain their weight. Of course this varies based on how much the
person weighs, their metabolism and activity levels, but it is a
bench mark. Lose weight in two weeks. There are three ways to
lose weight on a low calorie program: Cut back the number of
calories consumed, increase activity levels to burn off more
calories, or just a combination of both.

A pound of fat requires that 3500 calories either be burned or not
consumed. A calorie is the amount of energy in food. 500 calories
would have to be cut from the average person's daily diet to lose
one pound of fat per week. A restricted low calorie program is
usually between 1200 to 1500 calories per day. A medium apple has
70 calories, an 8 oz. steak about 425. One tablespoon of fat, oil,
or butter has 120 calories. As a general rule fat and oil has more
calories than any other type of food. Vegetables and fruits have
the least amount of calories.

Increasing the amount of exercise per day can result in weight
loss. If you walk for 30 minutes daily you'll burn off 250
calories. The good news is that exercising at a brisk pace, say
walking, for 20 minutes will increase your metabolism from 10 to
15% for two to four hours afterward. A brisk pace means that you
can still talk while walking. If you can whistle or sing, you're
going too slow and if you can't catch your breath enough to hold up
your end of the conversation, you're going too fast.

Combining a low calorie program with an exercise program will allow
you to burn off the fat faster.

The advantages of a low calorie program is that you can eat a wide
variety of food. There are no restrictions on what you can eat,
just how much you can eat. If you absolutely have to have a piece
of cheesecake you can eat it as long as you include it in your
daily calorie consumption.

The disadvantages include sometimes being hungry but you can lose
weight in two weeks on a low calorie program.

Severely cutting back calories doesn't accelerate weight loss, in
fact it has the opposite effect. Your body is conditioned to react
to starvation, which is what you're doing when you decrease
calories below 1000 per day, by lowering your metabolism. So you
can cut back and your body will just compensate. The bad news is
if you go back to a normal diet it takes your body a while to
realize you're not starving and increase your metabolism back to
normal levels.

******************************************************************
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program
******************************************************************

What to Look for When Looking for a Fitness Center

2009-02-22T16:18:00.000-06:00

So you've decided to join a fitness center to get the exercise you
need for your weight loss programs, it's one of the best tips to
lose weight. There are basics every and any fitness center should
have.

1. Safe equipment and safe instruction

The equipment should be well maintained and stowed properly. Free
weights, jump ropes, fitness balls and such, should all be secured
and not just lying about. Instructors should be close at hand to
demonstrate and monitor correct usage. First time users should be
guided through the proper use of any equipment. If there are
safety features, safety belts, or required harnesses to use certain
equipment, they should work and their usage should be enforced by
the staff. Sloppiness leads to an unsafe workout environment.

2. Cleanliness is a high priority

Locker rooms shouldn't smell like, well, locker rooms. The shower
area should be disinfected regularly. Used towels should be in
laundry containers or out of sight. Jacuzzis and swimming pools
should be at the proper temperatures and tested on a regular basis.
Equipment should be wiped down after usage. The staff should
encourage clients to use sanitary towelettes to wipe hand rails,
bars and seats on equipment after usage. All areas should be
properly ventilated, heated and cooled. Neatness counts and shows a
respect for the members.

3. Qualified staff

Make sure the staff, trainers and instructors are qualified. Do
they make the members feel comfortable during their work outs?
Does the staff push members beyond their limits by encouraging them
to do more sets, lift heavier weights, or go faster than is safe.
Do they know the correct methods of using the equipment? Is the
staff paying attention to the members using the equipment or just
standing around? Is the ratio of staff to members appropriate?
The lack of adequate staffing and a lax attitude can lead to
accidents.

4. Crowd control

There is nothing worse than getting psyched up for a workout and
then having to wait for the crowds ahead to finish. It's not good
for the member's outlook and it's not good for a body to have to
stop and start because equipment isn't available. A member
shouldn't have to rush through a set of exercises because there's a
line forming behind them. If group classes are offered there
should be room for each member of the class to move freely without
worrying about being kicked in the head.

5. Child Care

If the center offers child care services is it licensed by the
state or city if required? Is the area monitored by adults? Does
it maintain a satisfactory ratio of adults to children. Is the
area clean? Is it well lighted and have appropriate toys?

6. Safety outside the building

The exterior of the building should be well lighted and so should
the parking lot. Many facilities get the most usage in the early
morning, when it can be dark and after work when it's dark. If
possible the reception area should have clear visibility of the
parking lot in case of problems. The staff should keep an eye on
the exterior spaces for signs of loitering and unwelcome visitors.

******************************************************************
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program
******************************************************************

Join a fitness center for fast weight loss

2009-02-22T16:15:00.000-06:00

Joining a fitness center can motivate you to stick with your weight
loss program and is one of the secrets to fast weight loss. But
there are so many centers to choose from, how can you narrow down
the field?

1. Determine what your goals are for your fitness program

Do you want to lose weight, get in shape for an athletic event,
improve your chosen sport or establish a life long fitness routine?
Knowing what you want from a center will help you choose the right
center. Take a few minutes and think about your goals.

2. Friendly or firm -- philosophy counts

Do you want a congenial atmosphere where the trainers are your
friends and gently motivate you towards a fitter and firmer body?
Or do you need the no nonsense 'let's get going' approach? Or
perhaps you prefer the camaraderie of your peer group pushing you
to greater fitness. The atmosphere of the center will influence
your enjoyment of the program and if you enjoy the program you'll
be consistent in your attendance.

Visiting the center's website will give you some insight into the
center's philosophy. Better yet visit the center itself. While
you're there take a moment and look at the members and the
interaction between the members and the instructors.

3. Location, location, location

It's important in real estate and it's important for your fitness
center. Choose a center that offers what you want and what you
need, but also consider its location. If you have to travel out of
your way, the odds are you won't do it when you need it the most.
Pick a center that is either close to home or close to work. That
way you can work in your work out without spending as much time
traveling to it as you spend using it.

4. You gotta have it

If racquet ball is your favorite sport, then your fitness center
has got to have racquet ball courts. If your heart is set on
circuit training then the right equipment and instructors have got
to be available. If swimming is your preferred method of getting
fit, make sure your center has a lap pool. You might think it
doesn't matter, but in the long run, it will. You will be more
likely to make excuses not to go, if the center doesn't offer what
you need.

5. Amenities

Spa, massage, swimming pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi are all wonderful
amenities but will you use them? And will they be available when
you want to use them? While the appeal of having the day's
tensions and stress massaged away sounds wonderful, will you
actually the service? Or would onsite day care be more useful to
you? Most centers have busy time periods before the work day and
after work, will the amenities you want to use be too busy? If
your idea of the ideal workout includes a steam and sauna followed
by a quick refreshing dip in the pool, make sure your center has
them.

6. Show me the money

Memberships fees can range from a few dollars a visit to thousands
per year. Make sure the center you choose fits within your budget.

One of the secrets to fast weight loss is joining a fitness center.

******************************************************************
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program
******************************************************************

2009-02-12T21:53:00.002-06:00

The South Beach Diet is similar to the Atkins Diet in that it has
an initial two week phase I period that drastically reduces carbs.
The difference between Atkins and South Beach is that there are
good carbs and bad carbs. The glycemic index of a food is what
counts. The glycemic index is how much a food increases blood
sugar compared to the amount that same quantity of white bread
would increase blood sugar. It is possible to lose 10 pounds fast
with the South Beach Diet.

A spike in the blood sugar or glucose, signals the pancreas to make
more insulin. The insulin's job is to get the sugar out of the
blood stream into the organs for energy or into storage. The body
stores glucose as fat. Keeping the blood sugar from spiking means
less insulin is produced which means the sugars are absorbed slowly
resulting in a steady level of decreasing sugar levels rather than
a rush. Low blood sugar leads to cravings for sugary foods and
over eating. And the cycle starts again.

Bad carbs spike the blood sugar. Good carbs don't. Good carbs are
those from foods which contain a lot of fiber, such as whole grains
or contain fiber and water such as fruit. The body takes longer to
digest the good carbs so they enter the blood stream more slowly.

The longer food takes to digest the better. For example a piece of
raw broccoli is better than cooked because your body has to work
harder to digest the raw broccoli. The faster carbohydrates are
digested, the more quickly they're turned into sugar - glucose, and
the more likely they will be turned to stored fat.

Fiber, protein and fats slow down the digestive system which means
the blood sugar rises slowly and falls slowly. The tendency to
over eat is diminished and the onset of hunger delayed.

The South Beach Diet limits fats and oils and encourages the
consumption of lean cuts of meat and low fat cheeses. Vegetables
and fruits are allowed after the initial phase I - two week period.
Whole grains can be added back including whole grain bread.
White breads, cookies, cakes, rice, potatoes, and sugar are off
limits except for special occasions.

The South Beach Diet is a change in eating patterns for life, but
other than the forbidden processed foods, white flour, and sugar,
the diet is reasonably manageable. After the initial stage where
you can lose 10 pounds fast, it allows a broader selection of foods
than the Atkins diet.

******************************************************************
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program
******************************************************************

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Plan to help you Lose Weight Fast

2009-02-12T21:53:00.001-06:00

Plan to help you Lose Weight Fast

The old saying goes "fail to plan and you plan to fail" and that
goes for your weight loss program as well. Take a day or so to get
ready to start your program and you'll lose weight fast.

Make sure your scale works properly. If you're not sure take it to
your doctor's and compare what you weigh on your home scale with
what you weigh at your doctor's. A digital read scale is nice
because there's no flexibility is deciding whether the needle is on
126 or 128, the digital tells you exactly.

Clean out the cupboards and fridge of foods that are too tempting.
A lot of what people keep isn't that healthy for them. If the
packages, cans, bottles, etc, are unopened donate them to your
local food bank. Many churches accept donations of food for the
homeless as well.

Schedule your menu for the week, or at least for several days in
advance. Include healthy snacks as part of your menu. Post the
menu on the fridge so you know, and the rest of the families knows
exactly what the meals will be. Stock up on bottled flavored waters
that are low or no sodium and no calories. Make a list based on
your menus, of what you'll need at the grocery store and shop right
after you've eaten. Hungry shoppers buy more than satisfied
shoppers. Start at the produce department and load up on veggies
and fruits. Stick with your list. Don't go back to the grocery
store until your next set of menus are ready to go.

Set a goal for your weight loss and interim targets. Be realistic
if you want to lose ten pounds it will probably take you two
months. Plan to lose two pounds every week. If you're a little
short one week, you can add more exercise or cut back on calories a
bit the next week. Don't try to make up an entire week's weight
loss the next week, that just doesn't work. If you are
consistently losing less week than your plan you might need to
adjust your plan a bit. As long as the weight comes off, does it
really matter if it took you 4 months instead of 3 months?

Stock up on fruits and veggies and prepare them in advance. Clean,
peel and chop and stash in zip lock bags so you can just grab and
go. If you have to eat out, plan in advance what you will order.
No bread or butter on the table. Stick with steamed vegetables,
salad with dressing on the side, and broiled chicken or fish. If
you just have to have that yummy sauce, ask for it on the side.
You'll eat less.

Plan your weight loss and you'll lose weight fast.

******************************************************************
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program
******************************************************************

Akins Diet - Is it A Quick Weight Loss Diet?

2009-02-12T21:50:00.000-06:00

The Atkins Diet is the grand daddy of the quick weight loss diets.
It's based on severely limiting carbohydrates. Carbs are
processed by the body to become sugar or glucose. Glucose is used
by the body for energy. If the carbs consumed for the day aren't
enough, the body transforms the fat it has stored back into glucose
for energy. Carbs also cause the blood sugar to spike which
signals the body to produce insulin to remove the sugar from the
bloodstream. This causes the blood sugar to drop which results in
a craving for more carbs to raise it back up. That's the basis of
the Atkin's Diet. Severely limit carbohydrates in the daily diet
and the body has to fall back on its fat storage for energy.

The initial two week kick start program only allows 20 grams of
carbs per day. The carbs from fiber are netted - subtracted from
the total carb count. So for example, while ¼ cup of blueberries
has a total carb count of 5.1 grams, only 4.1 grams are counted
because 1 gram is from fiber.

Protein such as fish, chicken, beef, and pork contains 0 grams.
The diet allows cheese and eggs. Seafood is tricky, some, like
shrimp, have 0 grams and others like oysters, pack a walloping
12.5 grams per 6 oz. You can have limited amounts of green
vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, asparagus, and cabbage.
Fruit is not allowed. To give you examples of carb counts, an
apple has a net 16 grams of carbs, a slice of wheat bread has 12
carbs. Alcohol in any form is not allowed during the kickoff
stage. An exercise period of 30 minutes per day is mandatory.

After the initial two weeks, carbs are gradually and slowly added
back to the diet, fruits and vegetables first. Some vegetables
like sweet potatoes (19) and corn (14 per 1/3 cup) contain too many
carbs to ever become a regular part of the diet. The maximum level
of carbs at this stage should be between 30 to 35. The objective is
to continue losing weight but at a lesser rate than the initial two
week period. If the weight loss stops the number of carbs being
consumed has to decrease again.

The maintenance diet is at a level of carbs where you've stopped
losing weight and don't gain weight. It maxes out at about 40
grams of carbs per day. A turkey sandwich with mayo and sliced
tomatoes is about 30 grams of carbs. A medium pear has 21 and one
cup of 2% milk has 11.

Sugar, processed foods, flour and starches, such as potatoes and
rice are pretty much off limits forever on the Atkins Diet. Most
fruits have to be eaten in moderation if at all and certain
vegetables as well.

Atkins is used as a quick weight loss diet for many people.

******************************************************************
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program
******************************************************************

Fast Weight Loss: walk away the Weight

2009-02-07T20:20:00.000-06:00

Exercise combined with a couple of changes in your diet can reduce the
pounds in no time. But if you think exercise means hours sweating
in the gym, or running for 45 minutes, think again. As with any new exercise program check
with your doctor before proceeding. Walking is a simple and easy way to weight loss.

Studies have shown that walking at a brisk pace has the same
benefits to your heart as jogging, with less stress to your joints.
Walkers are less prone to injuries than joggers. A brisk pace
means that you can talk while you're walking without gasping for
air. If you can sing a tune you're going too slow. You should be
able to keep up the pace for 30 to 60 minutes without a lot of
stress.

If your goal is to lose a pound a week you have to either increase
your exercise to burn up 3500 calories or decrease your food intake
by 3500 calories. On a daily basis that means a change of 500
calories. Walking a mile takes the average person 15 minutes and
burns up 100 calories. So you'd have to walk about five miles a
day, or spend an hour and fifteen minutes walking to lose a pound a
week.

You don't need a lot of expensive equipment to start walking. A
good pair of walking shoes is essential, but other than you don't
need much of anything else. Wear loose clothing of natural fibers
so if you sweat, the moisture will be wicked away from your body
and evaporate. Wear sun block and a hat.

You can walk at any time of day (or night for that matter). Some
people prefer the morning because it gives them a boost of energy
for the day. Others prefer at the end of the day so they can
unwind.

Start your walking program with a 15 minute walk for a few days in
a row. Then gradually increase the time by five minutes. By the
end of two weeks you should be up to 30 to 45 minutes a day.
You're burning 200 to 350 calories without any changes in your
diet. After six months you'll have lost from 12 - 20 pounds. If
you want to accelerate the weight loss, walk faster, cover more
ground in the same amount of time.

There you have it: an easy way to lose weight, increase your
fitness level and strengthen your cardiovascular system and all you
did was take a walk.

******************************************************************

Disclaimer:

This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program

******************************************************************

Here are 3 Simple Weight Loss Tips

2009-02-03T05:49:00.000-06:00

Here are a few helpful weight loss tips to get you on the fast
track for weight loss.

1- Have breakfast

Skipping breakfast leads to low blood sugar mid morning which
results in cravings for sugary foods to pump the blood sugar back
up. A vicious cycle results and continues throughout the day.
Your breakfast should consist of whole grains, a protein source and
fruit. It doesn't have to be fancy. A slice of whole wheat toast
spread with a tablespoon of low fat peanut butter and an apple will
do just fine. Or you could mix ½ cup of nonfat cottage cheese with
chopped fresh peaches and a couple of whole wheat crackers.
Another possibility is a scrambled egg served on an English muffin
with a glass of orange juice.

2- If you work outside the home, brown bag your lunch.

It's tempting to run out to the nearest fast food joint for a high
fat, high carb lunch. If you pack your lunch you have control of
what you eat and won't be tempted by a burger and fries. If you
have a fridge and microwave at your office, and who doesn't these
days, you can serve up a delicious salad and soup lunch. As an
added benefit you will save money. The average fast food lunch
these days costs around $7.00. And you can use the time you save
to run errands, relax or take a walk around the block.

3- Plan for your snacks

Plan ahead so you won't be hitting the vending machines or the
cookie jar. There are lots of prepackaged alternatives at the
grocery store that offer low fat, low calorie, but tasty snacks.
Prepackaged costs more than the big bags but you get portion
control in return. You can also package up your own snacks. Keep
the calorie count to about 100. Fresh fruit and veggies are a
given, but you can also have popcorn without the butter, saltine
crackers with low fat cheese, a cup of soup, a handful of nuts, or
pretzel sticks. Put your selected snacks in a zip lock bag and
place in the fridge, when you feel the urge, they'll be ready and
waiting.

Use these weight loss tips and lose weight quickly.

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Disclaimer:

This is not intended to be medical advice.
See your doctor before starting any weight loss program

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Using Your Mind To Lose Weight Quickly

2009-01-30T22:17:00.000-06:00

You can use your mind to control your eating habits. If you're
tempted to eat, just delay gratification for 15 minutes. In most
cases when the time has passed, so has the craving. Distract
yourself by going to a different location, getting involved in
reading, starting a new project at work. What you don't want to do
is spend the entire 15 minutes thinking about the food you want.
Your mind can help you lose weight quickly.

Visualization can be used as a substitute for eating. Think of a
place where you feel safe and happy. Perhaps it's the beach with
the waves rhythmically pounding the shore, the sand underfoot, and
the sun glistening off the water. Smell the salt air and feel the
cool breeze ruffling your hair. When you feel an eating binge
coming on, close your eyes and picture your safe place. You are
turning your attention away from the momentary satisfaction of
eating to the longer term satisfaction of losing weight by focusing
on a pleasant memory.

Remind yourself you are in control of your food, not the other way
around. Give yourself permission to have whatever you want.
Deprivation as a diet doesn't work. It's like when someone says
DON'T think of a pink elephant, the first thing you think of is --
the pink elephant. If you tell yourself: I can't have pizza, I
can't have pizza, I can't have pizza, the more you'll want the
pizza. Give yourself permission to have the pizza, but just a
small taste. Thank about what you like best about the pizza.
Savor the crispy crust, the tang of the tomato sauce and the flavor
of the cheese, then stop eating. You've had the taste of pizza,
you don't have to eat the entire portion.

If a certain place, person, or event provokes the desire to eat,
change your routine to avoid the place, person, or event. For
example: If every afternoon you share a latte with a work buddy
ask her or him to go for a walk with you instead of the latte. If
you always stop at McDonald's after picking up your kids, bring a
snack for them with you in the car and go to the park instead.

Your mind can be your best friend when you want to lose weight
quickly.

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Disclaimer:

This is not intended to be medical advice. See your doctor before starting any weight loss program

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Change your plate size for easier weight loss

2009-01-26T17:50:00.000-06:00

We tend to to fill our plates full of foods, so trick yourself and use
a smaller plate. Studies have shown that people estimate how much food
they've eaten by the size of the plate and how full it is. They
feel satisfied on less food piled on a smaller plate, than the same
amount of food on a big plate. Changing your plate size can lead
to easier weight loss.

Try using your salad plate for your dinner plate and you'll automatically
eat less. Use a small bowl instead of a soup bowl and you'll cut
calories.

The same trick works with beverages. A squat short glass may hold
more liquid than a tall skinny one but most people will think
they've drunk more when drinking out of the taller glass.

The more slowly you eat the less food you'll consume.
Try to chew about 20 times before you swallow. It takes
time for your brain to recognize you're satisfied. Use a teaspoon
instead of a soup spoon and it takes longer to eat. A salad fork
holds less food than a dinner fork so use a salad fork most of the
time.

Try using utensils even if you're eating a sandwich. It takes time to
cut the meal into bite sizes. The tendency is to chew more as well
which is better for your digestive system.

Another tip to lose weight is to reverse your salad and dinner
plates. Use the dinner plate and fill it full of salad greens -
just be careful with the salad dressing. To cut down on the amount
of dressing consumed, place the dressing in a small bowl. Dip
your fork in the dressing before you spear your salad. Or use just
lemon juice as the dressing.

An easy and tasty salad dressing that won't add tons of calories to
your menu is to mix equal amounts of vinegar or lemon juice and
olive oil. Most recipes call for twice as much oil as vinegar.
Add dried or fresh basil, garlic, oregano and you have an Italian
dressing. Use tarragon, parsley and garlic and it's French. Add
cumin, cilantro, and a few shakes of red pepper flakes and you've
made a yummy southwest dressing.

Just these few changes can help lead you to easier weight loss.

********************************
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice. See your doctor before
starting any weight loss program
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Consider Engaging Your Family in Your Weight Loss Program

2009-01-25T10:01:00.000-06:00

Do you believe that you are a bit overweight?. If you need to lose a few pounds the odds are pretty good that your significant other does too. Loosing weight together can be more successful than dieting alone, but don't turn it into a competition. Men naturally lose weight faster than women because their body composition has a higher proportion of muscle to fat than women's. Muscle burns more calories than fat which means they lose weight faster. Instead of looking at your weight loss goals as pounds consider it as a percentage of your body weight loss. Or establish your weight goal and mark each target as a percentage of your total weight loss goal.

If others in your family are at their perfect weight or just don't see the need to slim down, they may not understand the need for less food, less fat, or streamlined meals. Prepare your meal and add an extra dish or two for them, that you don't particularly like for. Another alternative is to prepare a regular meal and you eat one-half of what you usually would eat. It's very conceivable that if you don't tell your family they're eating low fat low calorie they won't notice. You can always say you're preparing healthier food for them which is true.

Snacks and junk food can be a dieter's downfall. Buy your family their favorite can't-live-without-snacks. Keep those snacks hidden in their rooms, laundry room, or their closets. Out of your sight is usually mean out of your mouth. Make it clear when those snacks are gone there won't be anymore until the next shopping trip.

Children can be the dieter's best friend or worse enemy. Tell your children you want to slim down and you need their help. No more fast food, no more unhealthy snacks. Most children will co-operate, some a little too well, when they tell you you to stop eating that ice cream and stay on your diet in front of the other parents.

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Disclaimer:

This is not intended to be medical advice. See your doctor before starting any weight loss program

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Stay Focus and You Can Lose Weight Fast

2009-01-25T09:45:00.000-06:00

Your mind is your best weight loss tool. Just don't try to lose weight, think you can lose weight. Picture yourself thin with the weight loss. Every time you weigh yourself see your ideal weight display on the scale. If you have photos of yourself at your ideal weight keep them where you are able to glance at them often. Focus on that photo and see yourself now as you were then. Think about how comfortable your clothes will fit. How much more energy you'll have. If it helps, think about how much more attractive your significant other will find you at your ideal weight. When you reach for a snack, tell yourself you're satisfied with what you've already eaten. Focus on the thin you inside and you can lose weight fast.

Keep a diary of the food you eat for the few days before you start a new eating regime. Most of us don't realize just how much food we eat in a meal or for the day. We have a tendency to 'forget' the extra cream cheese with the bagel, bag of chips with lunch, mid afternoon frozen yogurt break and bedtime snack of chocolate cookies. Being aware of how much and what you eat means you can make healthful changes. If you hit a diet plateau, get out your food diary again and start keeping track. The knowledge that you will be writing down every mouthful will motivate you to stick with your routine.

You may not realize that every mid morning you hit the vending machine, there are no healthy food coming out of a vending machine, for a granola bar. Substituting a piece of fruit from home for more healthy snack and it also save you a few bucks too.

A food diary also serves another purpose as well. If you take note of what you're doing and how you're feeling when you're eating, or want to eat, you may realize there are certain situations that are triggers. When you know what triggers eating you can gear up for it, either by avoiding the situation, or if that's not possible, having a healthy snack ready to munch. Sometimes just knowing the fact you realize that a situation has the potential for diet sabotage can help you avoid the eating response.

You can lose weight fast when you focus your efforts.

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Disclaimer:

This is not intended to be medical advice. See your doctor before starting any weight loss program

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3 Quick Tips To Help With Your Weight Loss

2009-01-25T07:20:00.000-06:00

Everyone on a weight loss program could use a few tips that may help attain their goal.
So, here are 3 simple tips for a quick weight loss.

1. What you drink counts in your calories intakes for the day

Sometime it's easy to forget that juice, pops, coffee with sugar, all add up to a lot more calories then you think. Water is always your best bet as a refreshing drink, be sure to drink at least 6 cups of 8 ounces a day. You can add a drop of lemon or lime for flavor. You can also crushed strawberry, a few raspberries or a peach slice if you like more fruity flavor. You can keep a pitcher of ice water on your desk, or kitchen counter, where it will make it easy for you to get it and it will remind you to drink more. Keep single serving bottles in the refrigerator to grab on your way out. Put the bottled water in front of the juice, milk, and pops and you'll be tempted to drink the water instead of the other liquids. Just cutting out pops from your day can significantly drop your calorie count.

2. Always put your food on a plate

Put your food on a real plate, not a paper plate, and eat at the table. You'll be amazed at how much food you consume away from dinner table or on the run. It's easy to eat a bag of potato chips in front of the TV. Or you're hungry so you grab a leftover chicken leg and eat it over the sink. You're late for work so you reach for a donut to have with your latte as you drive.

Make yourself a promise not to eat unless you're sitting down at the table with a plate in front of you. You'll feel silly putting chips and dip on a lunch plate, so silly you probably won't do it. Putting all the food on plates and eating at the table makes you aware of how much you're eating and when. Seeing all the dirty plates in the sink can motivate you not to eat.

3. Sugar free and low fat doesn't necessarily mean low calorie

Be careful with the so called sugar free food. Many of the sugar free snacks contain as many, if not more, calories than their counterparts. Low fat might mean sugar and starches have been added to make up for the lost flavor and creaminess from the fat. Read the labels to make sure you're getting what you think you're getting. Sometimes it's better to use a lesser amount of the original food than the usual amount of the low fat or sugar free substitute.

For sure, you can lose weight with a little effort. Hopefully these 3 tips for quick weight loss come in handy.

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Disclaimer:
This is not intended to be medical advice. See your doctor before starting any weight loss program
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Lose Weight Quickly And Safely: Think Your Way To Thin

2009-01-24T05:00:00.000-06:00

Lose Weight Quickly And Safely: Think Your Way To Thin

Lose weight quickly just by thinking. Is that possible? Studies of athletes have shown they can improve their game through the technique of visualizing the correct sequence of muscle movements. During the process of visualization it seems that even though the muscles don't move, the brain sends electrical impulses that mimic the impulses sent when the action is physically carried through.

People who want to lose weight are often their own worst enemy. Looking in the mirror they chide themselves for their flabby thighs or stomach over hanging the belt. They don't see that they've lost weight, they just see how much more weight they should lose. This mind set just re-enforces their poor self image. Then when a cookie beckons, they figure why not, they're fat and flabby anyway.

Want to know a better thought process? Think of your body the way you want it to be. If you have a picture of your former thinner self, use it as a guideline. If you've always been on the heavy side go through magazines and rip out pictures of how you'd you'reyour body to look. That's the real you. Whenever you're tempted by a double chocolate brownie think of the thin you.

Associate food that makes you fat with something you hate to eat. Perhaps you don't like avocados because of the texture. When youthink of a food that isn't good for you, replace it with thinking about avocados instead.

One stop smoking method requires the smoker to smoke as many cigarettes as possible within a very short amount of time to the point they get sick. From that point on thinking about a cigarette triggers the feelings of getting sick. Use a similar method to loseweight quickly. Go to your butcher and ask for 5 pounds of beef fat left over from the trimmings of steaks and roasts. That's what fat looks like. What it feels like. Pretty disgusting. When a craving hits think of the food you want as fat. Imagine biting into that chocolate brownie and having to chew the gristle as the grease slides down your throat.

When you sit down to a healthy lunch or dinner picture your body full of energy. With every mouthful think about how thin and vibrant your body will be and how happy and satisfied you are. Associate foods that are good for you with feeling good. It won'tbe long before you'll start to lose weight quickly.

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Disclaimer:

This is not intended to be medical advice. See your doctor before starting any weight loss program

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