The Truth You Must Know About Rapid Weight Loss Programs

In this article, I will reveal the truth about rapid weight loss programs. It might not be what you wanted to hear, but it's definitely what you need to know!

If you now find yourself overweight, it is important to realize that you didn't gain all that weight overnight. Therefore, is it reasonable to expect to lose the same amount of weight that you gained over many years to come off in a manner of days? The answer, of course, is no. Crash diets inevitably lead to a rebound back to your original weight, and moreover, are not healthy. Let's therefore examine some of the more popular "rapid weight loss programs" and learn why they should be avoided.

Fasting and Crash Dieting

There is overwhelming scientific evidence that fasting and crash dieting do not work. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that many scientists now believe that short-term fasting actually results in the opposite effect: additional weight gained! How can this be so? Well, when the body is deprived of the nutrients it needs, it quickly reacts by storing its next meals as fat in defense of food deprevation. This is clearly not what we are after!

At best, most rapid weight loss programs offer short-term benefits and temporary shedding of the pounds, but don't expect short-term results from crash dieting to last.

Phentermine and Other Weight Loss Pills

Another quick weight reduction approach is to use a diet pill such as phentermine. While phentermine has been shown to aid in rapid weight loss, you need to be aware of the unpleasant and in some cases dangerous side effects, which include, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, increased blood pressure, dizziness, insomnia, and shortness of breath. Is it worth these risks and side effects just to lose weight quickly? There has to be a better approach!

Colon Cleanses

Other products and programs, such as colon cleanses, also promise rapid weight loss, but recently new studies have shown that not only are colon cleanses not effective in delivering their promised results, but in some cases they can actually have dangerous health consequences.

Hardcore Exercise

Many dieters desparate to lose weight quickly turn to boot camps and other hardcore exercise programs. Now this actually CAN be a very effective approach to weight loss, and it is one that I highly recommend, but with the following caveat: if you aren't used to hardcore exercise, you must start slow and gradually build up your conditioning. If you don't, you may either injure yourself right off the bat, or just as unfortunate, you may find the sudden shock to your body in the form of muscle soreness so intense that you end up associating exercise as something unpleasant, and quit before you even get started.

The Right Way to Lose Weight

In fact, exercise can be a fun, enjoyable activity that will not only leave you looking better, but feeling better as well. The key to any successful weight loss plan is to realistically assess your present condition, start moderately, and set manageable, achievable fitness and weight loss goals.

So there you have it. Now we know that rapid weight loss programs are doomed to failure, or at best only very short-term results.

Are You truly ready to finally commit to losing weight the right way? Discover the best weight loss tips and techniques that will enable you to take off the weight and keep it off once and for all! Visit http://quickwaystolosebellyfat.net/

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6520617

Trying To Lose Weight? Here's 1 HUGE Bad Habit You May Not Even Realize That Can RUIN Your Diet

If you are trying to lose weight at the moment, then you know as well as I do that it is very difficult trying to give up bad habits (such as late-night snacking, having a soda with every meal, etc.). However, there is one bad habit that you may still be doing and don't even realize it. Or perhaps maybe you do realize it and you just can't seem to stop. Whatever the case may be, I hope that this article will enlighten you and give you the power you need to stop this bad habit once and for all!

Okay, I'm going to get straight to the point because if you are reading this article, chances are you are sick and tired of not getting results, and you just want to figure out what could be causing the problem. With that said, one common bad habit that may be ruining your diet is excessive taste testing while cooking meals and excessively snacking throughout the day.

This is a very common problem that some people don't even realize they are doing, and some people are actually in denial that they are doing it. Saying things such as "I'm only eating a small portion", etc. is very common. The problem is that eating that small portion... SEVERAL times throughout the day... will certainly add up... and especially if it's a high calorie, high carb, and/or high fat type of food.

So, what can you do to get rid of this bad habit?

Well, it's not as simple as just stopping it. This is one of those things you have to cleverly eliminate without doing it directly. Otherwise, if you try to eliminate this problem directly, you run the risk of feeling deprived... which will then lead to you losing motivation with your weight loss goals... and then ultimately giving up all together.

What I recommend you do to help stop this problem is to first ensure that the foods that are in your home are nothing but healthier food options. If you have chips, cookies, and other bad foods lying around, chances are, this will cause you to lose control and snack on these foods throughout the day.

Another thing I recommend you do is a type of dieting that will not only help you end this bad habit, but will also boost your metabolism, and cause you to lose pounds of fat lightning fast and consistently. This type of dieting is eating more frequently throughout the day with small meal options. The meals must contain different types of nutrients (especially the one's that will satisfy hunger), and you must rotate the meals around (known as shifting calories).

The program I went on that was based on this method enabled me to not only lose a little over 50 pounds in 8 weeks, I was also able to stop feeling the urge to excessively taste test while cooking foods, mindlessly snacking throughout the day, etc.

The reason why this works so well is because with you eating more often in strategic patterns, you are not just causing your metabolism to go crazy, you are also eliminating the urges to nick pick on foods throughout the day. And of course keeping those bad foods that you just can't resist out of your house is certainly a good step forward to eliminating this damaging habit.

By the way, if you want to Melt Away Fat QUICKLY and permanently drop 9 pounds EVERY 11 DAYS, then the diet program I used and that I highly recommend is the "calorie shifting diet" from Fat Loss 4 Idiots...

I lost an amazing 52 lbs. of fat in 2 months using this popular online fat loss program... and it all has stayed off FOR GOOD! It works because it naturally raises your metabolism by having you eat REAL FOOD...

>> Click http://www.FatLossIn11Days.info, and on the next page, you'll see my official review, other testimonials, and more.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6519625

Poor Sleep and Weight Gain

Ever notice how hungry you feel when you don't get enough sleep? Did you know that when we are sleep-deprived we eat more because we are actually hungrier? Yes, it's true. Chronic sleep loss disrupts the body's endocrine system by triggering increased insulin resistance and a disruption of appetite regulating hormones. Lack of sleep leads to a rise in ghrelin, the hormone that turns on hunger and a restriction in leptin, the hormone that makes you feel full. And since we are awake longer hours and are often sedentary in that extra waking time we consume more calories than we burn. The result-weight gain.

Mounting evidence suggests that lack of sleep has multiple effects that can all result in weight gain. When our internal clock is disrupted, it may throw of many bodily functions including metabolism, hormonal balance, brain chemistry, cognitive function and immunity. Chronic sleep deprivation may lead to irritability, anxiety and depression-all contributors to emotional eating.

According to a 2006 study of over 68,000 women from the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, women who slept less than five hours a night were 32 percent more likely to gain 33 pounds or more over the 16-year study period than women who slept at least seven hours a night. The bottom line: the more you sleep, the better your body can regulate the chemicals that control hunger, fullness and fat storage.

Sleep is often the first thing we give up when we are short on time. With increasing stress, intense deadlines and 24/7 connectivity via cell phones and the internet, it seems there just aren't enough hours in the day. And yet, adequate sleep is one of the most important aspects of weight maintenance and good health.

So, just how much sleep do we need? While there are no hard and fast rules and individual needs may vary, the National Sleep Foundation recommends that most adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. The amount of sleep you need may be more or less;it's the amount you need to feel rested, refreshed and alert.

You can make sleep (and weight loss) a higher priority by improving your sleep habits with the following strategies:

1) Work with your circadian rhythms. While most of us can't go to bed when the sun is setting, we can aim to go to bed as early as possible, set a bed time we can adhere to and begin calming down and dimming lights to aid our bodies sleep-producing hormonal system.

2) Maintain a quiet, dark and comfortable environment for restful sleep. Consider black-out shades if the room has too much light.

3) Reduce your consumption of stimulants such as caffeine, chocolate and nicotine early in the day.

4) Notice if certain foods, vitamins, medications and alcohol affect your getting a restful night's sleep and adjust if need be.

5) Adjust habits such as exercising late in the day or stimulating activity in the evening if you are having difficulty getting quality sleep.

6) Try journaling during the day or early in the evening to reduce overwhelm and anxiety. Put to paper feelings and thoughts that are troubling, even if they are chronic. Remind yourself you can think of them tomorrow and that you have control over you mind.

7) Try natural sleep aids such as Valerian root and herbal teas and

8) Consult your health-care practitioner if you are experiencing chronic insomnia, which can be the result of a medical or psychological illness.

Just like eating, sleep is a natural, life-sustaining process. Try to make sleep a priority and schedule it just like you would any other activity. Otherwise, the sleep you lose may lead to the pounds you gain.

Julie M. Simon, MA, MBA, MFT is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Life Coach with a full-time private practice specializing in the treatment of overeating and associated mood disorders. In addition to her education and twenty years experience as a psychotherapist, she is a Certified Personal Trainer with twenty-five years of experience designing personalized exercise and nutrition programs for various populations. Julie is the creator of The Twelve-Week Emotional Eating Recovery Program, an alternative to dieting that addresses the mind, body and spirit imbalances that underlie overeating. Julie offers individual, couple, family and group psychotherapy as well as classes and seminars. In addition to overeating, Julie offers psychotherapy and coaching for the following issues: relationship challenges, including marriage and couples, career development and transitions, work related stress, self-esteem, childhood dysfunction and trauma, grief and loss, co-dependency, self-care skills, and assertiveness training. Visit her website at http://www.overeatingrecovery.com.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6522740

Free Weight Loss Tips: 4 Positive Ways To Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals

In order to lose weight successfully, you first have to realize that losing weight is a journey with a specific destination. Right now, you’re at the very beginning and about to take the first step towards changing your eating and lifestyle habits, so that you can have the body you really want.

Of course, this isn’t going to be easy – nothing worthwhile ever is. You should pat yourself on the back for making a commitment to yourself that you’re finally ready to do this. So many people can’t even make it this far. So, in a sense, you’re already ahead of the game.

Your goal should be to lose one or two pounds a week, if you lose more than that, great, but don’t push for it. You want to stay mentally focused, healthy and determined. If you push too hard, or try to force your body to lose big numbers, then you’ll eventually stress yourself out and hit a wall that may lead to failure.

Here’s some suggestions that you can use to create a successful weight loss plan:

Set a Reasonable Goal

Your first step should be to decide how much weight you want to lose. Get some 3x5 index cards and write one goal or positive statement down on each one. Start by writing down your ideal weight, this is your ultimate big goal.

Next, you want to set smaller goals for yourself. Write down a goal for losing five pounds, then ten pounds, twenty pounds, etc.

Write down some positive motivational statements about yourself.

“I love myself unconditionally”

“I’m a great person inside and outside”

“I’m going to smile and laugh today”

“I deserve this and I’m worth it”

Keep these cards where you’ll be able to look at them every day.

Eat Smaller Portions More Often

Growing up you were probably taught to eat three meals a day. You were also probably taught to clean your plate. While this schedule of eating meals is well-intentioned, the fact is that you are going to get hungry between breakfast and lunch, and between lunch and dinner.

Not only are you probably having a large portion for each meal, but you are also snacking on junk food in between. Unfortunately, this way of eating leads to a lot of weight gain. It’s been proven that if you eat several small meals during the day, you won’t get hungry between meals and when you do, it’s easier to snack on something that has less calories.

Plan to eat five small meals a day, instead of three, and see if that helps to curb your food cravings.

Keep a Food Journal

Just like a diary is a snippet of events that happen in your life, a food journal helps you to keep track of what you’re really putting into your mouth on a daily basis. You probably have a mental picture of what you normally eat, but when you see it in writing, you may be surprised at all the extra foods you’re eating without even thinking about it.

Write down what you ate, what time you ate it, and how you felt when you ate that particular food. Sometimes when we eat certain “comfort foods” we’re really trying to use food to fill up an emotional hole in our hearts.

Feelings of loneliness, boredom, stress, anger and low-self esteem are often triggers for food binging. Write it down and you can go back and evaluate it later.

Treat Yourself

When you reach one of your weight loss goals, go ahead and treat yourself to something special. The only catch is that your reward cannot be a food item. That’s right, you will not have a bowl of ice cream or a big slice of pizza.

You want to mentally get away from thinking of food as a reward or a security blanket. So, think of some other things that will put a smile on your face. Money is always a good reward. Maybe you can create a reward jar and pay yourself five dollars for every milestone achieved. You could go on a nice shopping spree after you’ve reached your final goal weight.

You could also buy yourself some fresh flowers, a nice pair of earrings, a new video game, a new tie, etc.

Another great idea is to make up your own reward coupon books.

I hope these tips are helpful and that you are successful in creating a healthier and happier new you.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=218612&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet