Weight Loss Archives - Page 3 of 4

June 12, 2018October 15, 2020

Surmounting a Weight Loss Plateau

If you’re on a journey to lose weight, you may be facing, soon will face, or have faced the following scenario: You lose weight and inches steadily for several weeks, and then the numbers start decreasing more slowly–or not at all. Your diet and exercise habits haven’t changed–you’re doing exactly what you did when you started you losing so much weight in the first place–but, for some reason, it doesn’t seem to be working anymore. You’ve hit the infamous “weight loss plateau.” This is a frustrating and discouraging phenomenon, but you shouldn’t let it bump you off-course. Experts have discerned the reasons we hit plateaus and the methods to push past them.

Causes

Understanding why we plateau out like this is essential in strategizing how to overcome said plateau. The basic rule of weight loss is that calories in needs to be less than calories burned. We stall when that number balances out. The major reason we stop burning so many calories is that lighter bodies have slower metabolisms and require fewer calories in order to function. So congrats! This means you’ve already lost a lot of weight. Additionally, if you’ve been exercising regularly, then your body has adapted to the workout. The more you do a particular routine, and the stronger you become, the more the body does it efficiently, which means it expends fewer calories.

Diet

It may be time to readjust your diet. Assess the past month or so, and be honest with yourself. Have you gotten a little lax with your portions? Have you been portioning at all, or have you just been eyeballing your food? Maybe you switched from cheeseburgers to smoothies and salads, and that led to a dramatic shift in the beginning. However, it may be the time to go a step further and analyze what exactly is in those salads and smoothies and see where you can cut even more calories. Cutting as few as 100 or 200 calories a day will make a big difference. (That’s 700 to 1400 calories over the whole week.) Mayo Clinic recommends never going below 1200 calories a day, though. If you eat too little, you get hungry, which can contribute to overeating and binging.

Certain foods are especially useful in weight loss. First of all, make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need so that you don’t get exhausted. Exhaustion can lead to slacking on your workout or overeating. Incorporate foods shown to help with weight loss. Some foods, like celery, actually have a negative-calorie intake! Fiber-rich foods will make you feel fuller. Almonds are one of the best foods for weight loss, since they’re high in important amino acids. The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that eating almonds before a workout helps you burn more fats and carbohydrates.

If you’re still needing an extra boost, consider adding supplements to your diet. Take that multivitamin! If you use an effective supplement like Ephedra Diet Pills, which incorporate natural ingredients that give you energy and reduce sugar cravings, along with your diet and exercise routine, then you may get just the jump to help you back on your way.

Exercise

Outside of the gym, how active are you during a day? Americans spend, on average, 12 hours a day sitting! See what you can do to spend more time moving around. Studies show that standing doubles your calorie burn per minute. Why not switch to a standing desk? Park your car as far away from the office as you can. On your lunch break, take a walk around the block or climb a few flights of stairs.

Your workout may need finessing, as well. First of all, how consistently are you getting to the gym? While three days a week may have led to big results early on, it may be time to switch to five or six workouts a week. The recommendation is 30 minutes every day. And make sure your workout is balanced. Cardio burns a lot of calories while you’re doing it, but muscle mass increases your resting calorie burn. Also, bump it up a little–add more reps or weight, or do your aerobics for longer. Switch it up every now and then. As our bodies get used to a workout, they get more efficient with it. Consequently, putting your body through a new routine every once in a while will boost your calorie burn. Consistency is the most important thing, however, so ultimately you should stick to your plan.

Mindset

The good news is, keeping up your current habits will probably maintain your current weight, so keep going like you’re going, and you don’t have to worry too much about putting pounds back on.

And it may not be as dire as you think. For instance, remember that muscle weighs more than fat does. If you’ve been working out and getting stronger, you probably have more muscle mass than you originally did. If the number on the scale isn’t going down, try measuring your waist, buns, and thighs. Are they getting smaller?

Whatever you do, don’t let a stall make you fall. Think about all the work you’ve done already. You’re a healthier you as it is. You’re stronger, more nourished, and probably have more energy. If you’re really feeling discouraged, talk to your doctor or to a dietician, who will be able to give you personalized guidance. Whatever you do, don’t give up!

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May 19, 2018

Tips To Tone Your Belly And Flaunt Those Killer Abs In Style

Don’t we all wish to have washboard abs like our favorite tinseltown stars to rock the bikini as we stroll down the beach and make heads turn on the way? But availing the same requires considerable hard work as you combine smart exercising, eating the right foods and ensuring proper digestion, which in turn removes bloating. You can follow the tips mentioned below if you wish to have a flat stomach by toning up in the right manner.

Tummy Toning

For getting the desired flat midsection, you need to match the right nutrients apart from sweating it out in the gym. Doing just 100 crunches every day won’t be of much help unless you combine the same with different exercises which come in unison to melt body fat. Lifting of weight aids in the building of body muscle which in turn enhances the rate of metabolism coupled with faster fat burning. This is why you should add some weight to all of your workout programs without having to worry about your torso bulking up on doing the same. A High Intensity Interval Training has evolved in to one of the most effective means of shredding fat which in turn can lead to a flat tummy. Following the HIIT circuit is very easy as you can carry on with your existing exercises by simply increasing its level of intensity. Try to indulge in minimal rest between two sets of exercises. The best attribute of HIIT is that you can target any particular body part with this exercise. By creating HIIT circuits involving cardiovascular, core and resistance training in a single workout, you can speed up your metabolism which ultimately paves the way for effective burning of body fat.

Eating It Right

For reaping the benefits out of all the hard work that you are engaging in the gym, it is imperative to get proper nutrients into your system. Feeling of lethargy and tiredness has also been associated with a poor diet which damages metabolism in the process. Thus, a well-balanced diet is mandatory for getting nutrients into your system. If you feel that deprivation and starvation can roll the balls in your favor, then you are absolutely mistaken. Refined carbs are the first thing you need to stay away from as they spike up your levels of insulin which is infamous for hindering the fat burning process of our body. Refined carbs are found in food such as crackers, pasta, white bread, white rice and sugar which need to be replaced with healthy complex carbs such as sweet potatoes, vegetables, quinoa and brown rice. You can make use of nature way mct oil extracted from coconut oil to help your body in producing energy which can be of great help as you take up regular physical activity.

Getting Rid Of Bloating

Nothing can be more uncomfortable than a swollen tummy which is usually associated with making poor food choices and improper digestion. Other reasons might be drinking carbonated drinks, eating too quickly or overeating. You can get rid of the same by having herbal teas, taking probiotics and drinking apple cider vinegar.

So, follow these tips to get the dream figure which can surely turn up the envy meter of your friends and families alike.

More good reading about healthy tips on weight loss:
5 Important Qualities of a Good Weight Loss Plan
5 Diet Tips On Weight Loss Women Should Know
Its Never To Late To Learn About the Ketogenic Diet

May 19, 2018September 11, 2020

5 Important Qualities of a Good Weight Loss Plan

An excellent weight loss plan will strike a good balance between an active lifestyle and a healthy diet. This may sound simple theoretically. However, many people fail to adhere to it in their weight loss journey. When you commit yourself to losing weight, you must ensure that you choose the right program. Here are five characteristics that every healthy weight loss program must have.

Created by professionals

A good program should encourage you to consult your healthcare provider or physician before starting. This is especially important for individuals who suffer from chronic illnesses. The program should also be offered by professionals such as an exercise specialist, registered dietitian, or qualified expert in behavior change. This is a guarantee that the exercise adheres to all set rules and regulations and is safe. You do not want a program that misrepresents sales individuals as counselors.

Proper nutrition

Healthy eating has no shortcuts. Therefore, you should go for weight loss programs that urge you to eat healthy meals instead of advocating for single food items. Most people believe that they are okay if they consume foods that increase protein or fiber intake only. However, healthy weight loss involves a well-balanced diet from all food groups. Avoid programs that encourage food deprivation or starving as they will crush your body system in the end.

A program that suits your lifestyle

Losing weight healthily will not affect your lifestyle in a significant way. For you to pick a healthy weight loss program, you should assess your current lifestyle first. A good program will allow you to live the way you want without compromising your life or health. If you are a busy individual who is always on the go, then you need a program that will not require 24/7 of your time. Check out DadQuarters.com for reviews of the best weight loss programs.

Workout program

A great weight loss program will include a regular exercise regimen. Being active is a necessary requirement if you want to lose weight in a healthy manner. It is important that you engage in a gradual exercise program and increase its intensity over time. This is especially important if you were not an active person initially. A workout program is an excellent way of enhancing your self-esteem and mood in the long run.

Personalized and long-term

In your weight loss journey, you need to shed off extra kilos and keep them off for good. This is why a good weight loss program will help you evaluate whether you are ready to make long-term changes that are necessary to maintain permanent weight loss. Great programs will enable you to choose activities and foods that suit your lifestyle. It should be one that you can comfortably live with for the rest of your life.

Choosing a good diet program is crucial for individuals who want permanent solutions for their weight loss. Physical activity and a moderate balanced diet may take time to give desired results; however, it will keep you healthier and trimmer in the long run. You should always keep in mind that a good weight loss program will do more than just help you lose weight. It should be the foundation for starting a healthy lifestyle that will keep you fit, healthy and feeling great for many years.

May 19, 2018September 11, 2020

7 Signs That The Ketogenic Diet is NOT Right For You

The keto diet might just be the most popular idea in the unconventional health and fitness world right now. More than ever before, a wider audience is considering low-carb diets, especially the keto diet. Why? Because it has proven to be very effective in losing weight and improving overall health.

The keto diet is a low-carb, moderate protein and high-fat type of eating. Keto works by changing the way your body turns food into energy. The goal of the ketogenic diet is to put your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. This is achieved, when you cut out carbs from your daily menu, forcing to deplete all the glucose sources in your body.

Whenever your body doesn’t have enough glucose, it naturally starts looking for other sources of energy. For that, your body starts producing ketone bodies by breaking down fats. This is how your body adapts to lack of carbs. Going keto basically means, that you switch your body from burning glucose to burning fat.

The keto diet was developed during the 1920s by Dr. Russel Wilder, to be used as a treatment for childhood epilepsy. It was effective and widely used.

Once you are in ketosis, you can enjoy all the benefits keto diet offers: effective weight management, stable energy levels, less cravings, increased mental performance and much more.

The ketogenic diet has been shown to be very effective for weight management and as a natural health booster, but the ketogenic lifestyle is not for everyone. There are some potential health-based drawbacks. This affects especially women because it can disrupt hormonal production and nutritional deficiencies. Before considering the ketogenic lifestyle , verify your health status with your doctor.

If you find yourself in one of the following situations, then the ketogenic lifestyle may not be the right one for you.

If you have serious blood sugar issues

Many people will experience low blood sugar during the keto diet, at least initially. This can be dangerous if you are on diabetes medication or just struggling with unstable blood sugar. Yes, there are lots of research done on a topic how can be managed through low-carb diets, but to be safe, people with a history of diabetes or hypoglycemia should consider ketogenic diet only when being monitored closely by their doctor . This is especially true because often diabetes medication dosages need to be adjusted as the diet is very restrictive.

If you have a history of an eating disorder

If you have a history of eating disorder, then you might want to pass the ketogenic diet. This is because the ketogenic diet, at its core, is pretty restrictive. Scientific research has shown, that low carb diets seem to be particularly effective up to 6 months, that is because after that people tend to give up and start eating same old things. This is why the keto diet is more as a lifestyle choice, not a crash diet.

If you have adrenal fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is often developed thanks to various stress factors. Research also shows that adrenal fatigued combined with the ketogenic diet tends to make the condition worse. Mainly because of the spike in cortisol levels. Some symptoms can be insomnia, muscle soreness, irregular heartbeat, depression and much more. Adrenal fatigue takes place when the body is under chronic stressors and the adrenal glands can no longer keep up with the demands . The ketogenic diet is just additional stressor for your body and mind (in the beginning) that you don’t need.

If you have a hypothyroidism

The thyroid helps to regulate your metabolism and energy levels. Insulin is needed to convert the inactive thyroid hormone into active (T4 to T3). When following the ketogenic diet, you will restrict carbohydrates intake to the point, where there is not enough insulin available. A recent study has shown, that people with hypothyroidism who are on a ketogenic diet, have reported their symptoms to get worse when following the ketogenic type of eating style.

If you have a history of gut dysbiosis

The ketogenic diet can alter gut flora. If you have a history of gut dysbiosis, then you need to be extremely careful when considering the ketogenic diet, because it can reduce the diversity of the gut microbiota. You need prebiotic fiber for a healthy gut and many beneficial prebiotic fibers come from carbohydrate sources. As with the keto diet, you will cut out most carb sources, your microbiota can shift to other direction which can, in turn, contribute to digestive problems, skin issues and more. One way to cope with that is to manage your fiber intake during the diet.

If you are nutrient deficient

Although to diet is high-fat diet, it’s not uncommon, that the weight loss can occur very rapidly, if the diet is followed properly. If you are already underweight or deficient in nutrients, the keto diet is not recommended. If you lose weight easily, a moderate diet that includes complex carbs and healthy fats and proteins may be a better fit. Although the variety of ketogenic foods is pretty big, it lacks many fiber-rich foods, as you need to eliminate all the grains and starchy vegetables from the daily menu.

You have a history of kidney disease

Following the keto diet, increases the risk of kidney stones. This is an unfortunate side-effect. If you are prone to kidney problems, then it might be smart to keep away from keto. Now, we all might have experienced kidney stones in some time during our lives, does this mean I should never do anything anymore? Definitely no. If you are still interested managing weight using keto diet, we suggest to consult with your doctor and let them check your urine calcium-creatinine ratio. In this way, you can be sure you are not putting pressure on your kidneys.

It’s important to understand, that keto diet causes disruption to your everyday life. It requires you to change your behavior, your habits, and foods you eat. Keto is not just any other Western diet, where one day you can do a cheat day and start over whenever if feels like it. Listen to your body and know what you can and cannot handle. Just because everyone else seems to be adapting to the keto diet, does not mean that you have to do it in that way.

If you have any medical conditions, then definitely consult with your doctor, before you will consider starting the ketogenic diet.

Author bio: Alex Reed is a health enthusiast, whose mission is to help to change lives, using the ketogenic lifestyle. So everyone can benefit from ketosis and the magical effects it has on the human body.

Website: Website: Body Ketosis

7 Signs That The Ketogenic Diet is NOT Right For You
Weight Loss Tips – Straight from the Top Nutritionists