So many people look around for solutions and jump from one diet plan to another. Are you really interested in losing weight or only saying you are Procrastination is the biggest enemy or friend in today’s busy lifestyle. Are you committed to yourself How important is your health What is losing weight going to change in your life Food for thought!

If your are really interested in losing weight here are some food for thought ideas you need to look at:

• Are you serious about losing weight
• Are you ready to commit to yourself and not give excuses
• Are you able to look yourself in the mirror and accept responsibility for your mistakes
• Are you ready to call a spade a spade

There is a lot of research out there as to why so many people are obese and or overweight that your mind would not believe. Are your part of all those studies or are you determined to be part of the few that win their battle

I struggled many years with all those questions and compared notes with others only to find out how ordinary my thinking was about how important my weight is to “me”. I had to realize and accept that I needed to be important to “me” and no one else. How important are you to you

Have a good serious look at yourself and see my shadow in the mirror. If you are reading this it is because you are fed up or sick and tired of being sick and tired. Which one is it Maybe both

- Their is never a right time.

- Their is never a good time.

- Their is always “A” time. Is this going to be your time You can choose.

Food for thought…

From my own experience I recognize that life as a teenager is not easy.

It is a time when you have the stresses of studies, peer pressure, and often discord at home with your parents. You have to be an achiever at school or college, you have to keep up with the latest gadgets and gizmos, and endure the rules and restrictions of your parents who you believe treat you as if you are still a child and not a developing adult. If you are an overweight teenager, then you may also face other challenges.

People can be cruel and may not only taunt you about your size behind your back, but often insult and taunt you openly. This in turn lowers your self-esteem and makes you irritable and depressed. If you are a teenager suffering from weight gain problems, this article is for you.

If your weight is an issue the responsibility has to be shared equally by you and your parents. Your parents are probably too busy to cook healthy meals for you, and even if they are not busy, they perhaps do not like to cook. Left without the choice of healthy, natural food, you resort to eating fast foods and takeaways. Parents must take on board their part in any weight gain of their teenage offspring if they failed to offer you healthy food choices.

If you choose to eat junk foods when you do not need to, for example, at a friend’s party, or with your classmates at a school canteen, etc., then you also need to take responsibility for the results of those choices. A diet which consists mainly of highly processed, fast and convenient junk foods without regular exercise will result in weight gain. The cycle of comfort eating to assuage low self esteem which in turn results in further weight gain is soon established and seems unbreakable.

However it is not unbreakable. You are an intelligent person. You know that some of the effects of junk food consumption would have worn off if you had taken the time to workout a little instead of being a couch potato or a slave to computers and video games. Unhealthy food habits, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, result in poor health, lack of energy and weight gain.

So now that your weight is an issue, you need to lose it. Consider the following options:

a) Visit a doctor to make sure that you are really overweight. If you are overweight, then ask about your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), for it would determine how much you need to workout and by what percentage you need to reduce your food intake on a daily basis.

b) Try to convince your parents to start cooking healthy meals. Tell them how the additional weight makes you feel, how it can burden a person with diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary disease, etc. If you fail to convince them, then learn to cook yourself. Once you start eating healthy meals, half of your extra weight would be gone even before you know it.

You may need to bid goodbye to your junk food buddies and team up with other like minded teenagers who do not wish to remain on the course of bad diet/no exercise regime resulting in weight gain and poor health but instead want to maintain a trim and healthy body.

c) Stop being a couch potato. Get rid of your addiction to PSPs, TVs and PCs. Instead, do some exercises everyday; it can be in the form of walking, running, jogging, swimming or working out in the gym, whatever you feel most comfortable with.

Just pick up a suitable exercise for yourself and DO it daily. If you lead an active lifestyle, the other half of your extra weight would be gone too and you would become the slim and sexy teen you know is within you and trying to get out.

Life is not a dress rehearsal. It is in your teens that you should be building the foundation of a lifelong commitment to eating healthily and exercising regularly. That does not mean that you cannot also have some fun the 80/20 rule should serve you well i.e. 80% commitment to your new regime with a 20% allowance to ensure you lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.

There is actually no easy solution for obesity and definitely it is not a gastric bypass surgery. A gastric bypass surgery costs a lot of money and it is considered as a drastic solution for people who are overweight.

People who are considering gastric bypass surgery should actually explore alternatives and then make a decision. Many doctors also need a preoperative consultation in order to determine alternatives to surgery. One needs to acknowledge that gastric surgery does not allow you to skip the hard work of exercise and stringent diets. You are required to eat less and exercise more in order to lose and maintain weight when you choose surgery.

One of the main disadvantages of weight loss using a gastric bypass surgery is the post operative diet pressure. Nevertheless, it does have its benefits and disadvantages. A gastric surgery makes a large portion of the large intestine useless and deprives the body of the nutrients. It can also lead to future complications like gallstones, kidney stones, problems like osteoporosis and also weakened organs and systems.

There are benefits too from the surgery. A person does lose weight and the fact that his food consumption decreases helps him to maintain that weight through eating healthily and doing regular exercise. This, in turn, helps the person become fit on the whole.

If you have any emotional problems, then address them with therapy as it may be the right solution rather than going through a gastric surgery because even after the surgery you may still be obsessed with food. Sometimes even support groups help to fight overeating habits.

Be aware of what you eat and also keep a record of what you eat. People do not realize of how much weight they can gain just by adding calories on a daily basis.

A gastric bypass surgery can actually help to speed weight loss but it makes it difficult for a person to eat too much at one time. Apparently the surgery helps a person feel satisfied in spite of eating extremely small meals.

Gastric bypass surgery is a surgical procedure, and it has its complications, some of which can be fatal. There is les than 1 percent chance of fatalities through complication but the risk is there. Several of the complications that result from a gastric bypass operation are usually correctable. However, the surgery has other dangers and health risks. On the other hand, a bariatric surgeon or a weight loss expert would tell you that there are known risks and dangers of extreme obesity which are more dangerous than a weight loss surgery.

It is very important for patients to carefully follow the dietary specifications and exercise regimen after the surgery in order to avoid complications. After the surgery, the patients are monitored closely for weeks and they are required to consume special foods and medications for the rest of their lives.

Two of the most common problems faced by people after a gastric bypass are nausea and vomiting and they both occur at the very beginning, immediately after the surgery. However, the feeling nauseous and bringing up is not a pleasant experience. Nausea and vomiting can also be a result of eating too fast, drinking liquids when eating, not chewing the food enough, and/or eating more than the stomach can actually hold.

Dumping syndrome is caused when the food passes too quickly into the stomach and then into the small intestine. Some of the symptoms of this syndrome include nausea, cramping, weakness, diarrhea, and a fast heart rate. Nutritional deficiencies also occur. And dumping syndrome is quite common among people who have undergone gastric bypass surgery.

This world is full of tasty delicacies that we love to eat, but most of them contain a high content of carbs. However, just like all fingers of a hand are not the same, all carbs are not same. There are reasons why some of them lead to weight gain. For the human body to function properly, it needs a combination of carbs, fats, and proteins. The ideal ratio should be 30% proteins, 10% fats, and 60% carbs. Every food element has its use and function. Body uses proteins for muscle repair and growth. Fat is essential for the brain and nervous system whereas carbs give energy to the body and improve the immune system.

Carbohydrates lead to an increase in weight and so this article will focus on the same. There are two types of carbs, simple and complex carbs.

Simple Carbs:

Simple carbohydrates are generally termed as ‘bad’ carbs. The problem with bad carbs is that they have to be broken down and then consolidate again which produces a sweet product just like chocolate. White bread, table sugar, pasta, flour, cakes, boiled sweets, table sugar, liquorices, fudge, honey, soft drinks, plain biscuits, tinned fruits etc. are some of the food items that have simple sugars.

All these foods are very high in calories and sugar. When you consume these products, the sugar level in the blood rises very quickly and then again, suddenly comes down crashing. This sudden change in the sugar level causes to exhaustion and hunger one after the other which makes you eat more than you need.

Complex Carbs:

Wholegrain breads, muesli, brown rice and oats contain complex carbs. The process of breaking down of complex carbs into glucose is a slower one than the simple carbs and thus, the body derives steady energy for its functioning throughout the whole day. Almost all good diet plans stress on eating more vegetables like spinach, greens, broccoli, carrots etc., since these contain complex carbs.

When these complex carbs are broken down, they raise the blood sugar level, like simple sugar, but the process is much slower. This has two benefits. The first is that you won’t feel hungry for a longer period of time and also, that you derive constant energy and thus, feel active throughout the day which, in turn, leads to weight loss in the long run.

Thus, you can see why and how some carbs contribute in the process of gaining weight while some don’t. To be precise and speak in a plain and simple language, the simple carbs are those that make you fat and the best way to lose weight is trying to have less of them.

Fighting with yourself daily against the consumption of bad carbs is difficult and so you must try to give them up permanently. And the easiest way to dump bad carb is not to buy them of course! When you will be looking for a quick snack, and getting an impulse to reach to that fried chip’s packet, then it will be very easy to avoid it if it is not there anyway. Try having a good diet plan which will plan your meals properly. Then you will no longer have to think about whether the carb is bad or good.

Yes, it’s true! The year is almost over. This means one thing to you, time for a REAL New Year’s resolution! You can do this. This can be YOUR year. Let me be the first to tell you, a healthy lifestyle is a possibility and won’t take as much change as you think.

While regular exercise and healthier eating habits can assure a healthy lifestyle, goal setting and motivation are the key elements that lead us towards a life filled with health and wellness. It has been said, it takes only 7 days to create a new habit. This means, TODAY IS YOUR DAY! If you have the desire to start the New Year off the right way, leading you and your family to a happier, healthier 2009, get started right now. Take just a few moments to set REAL goals. Think about your family, your loved ones. Think about your desire to provide and set examples for those around you. Now set your health and wellness goals for January 1st.

Achieving your weight management goals is really not that difficult, no more so than making your way to work every day or preparing breakfast for your children each morning. It is a matter of priority. Is your health a priority or are you one of those individuals that will wait until you endure a serious health scare to make a change. Please don’t be! This is NOT the example you want to set.

So many of us resolve each year to start exercising and eating healthier only to lose determination and motivation days or weeks into it. This happens for ONE reason. A lack of goal setting! Without detailed goals, there is no finish line. Without a finish line, there is no plan. No plan equals failure! It really is that simple.

Did you know obesity affects 2/3 of all Americans? While this is a sad state of affairs, even worse is that every one of us knows we can change that. In tough economic times, people need something to focus on that they can in fact control. Why not let that be your health this year. Save money on food, doctor’s bills, medications, etc. all by creating just a few new healthy habits.

How about our children? Are you a parent of an overweight child? If so, you CANNOT overlook this. It is your responsibility to set a good example and motivate them, from childhood, to lose their excess weight and live a long, healthy lifestyle. You can be an exceptional role model for your children. You can make this change a family affair, increasing time spent together, communication and activities. If you are willing to put forth efforts to stay in shape, you can and will provide that same example for your kids.

In today’s society of fast food and technology it is essential to emphasize the importance of leading a life of exercise and good nutrition to your children. Get your family involved in your goal-setting. Every family needs more family time today. Every family has someone that needs to eat better or add exercise to their daily regime. Do it TOGETHER! Set realistic goals for each family member and support each other each and every day.

And for those of you reading this without the family setting of your own, choose a friend or two. Create your own fitness challenge right now. Pick your start date together, set your goals together, and support each other throughout. There really are no more excuses!

For those of you new to exercise or needing help with proper nutrition, allow us to help you! Sign up for our Lean in 13 Program today and all of the cost directly towards your nutrition. Your eFitness for Life coaching during your program is FREE!

We will work with you for 1 month! No extra charges! You pay only for your nutritional supplements and we coach along the way. You will have an amazing January and a heighten motivation for what you can accomplish!

Please friends, don’t wait any longer! This really is an easy decision and one so many of us NEED to make this year!

For those that need a little extra direction or motivation, visit eFitness for Life now and see how our online fitness and nutrition coaching programs can help you make the most of your investment, in the shortest possible time, with the greatest return. All done online! All done with certified coaches! Truly, the Future of Fitness! Stop by today and we will be happy to build your starter programs to ensure you learn to live longer, healthier lives.

There is no doubt that child obesity is one of the greatest health concerns of today. However, like most other things there has been a lot of hype about this issue in the media with voices raised for government intervention and need for some kind of large-scale social reforms. In spite of all these overrated responses there are a few fundamental facts that one needs to be aware of.

In developed countries, availability of food in abundance at lower costs ensures that no one, with the exception of the poorest, is in danger of starving. While this is something to be appreciated, the quality of the food consumed by today’s generation is not. Fast food chains, convenience foods and countless varieties of lip smacking snacks are omnipresent, which means people are tempted to consume more calories than they need.

In addition, internet, TV and computer games have made this generation to lead a more sedentary life when compared to past decades. Their time spend in physical activity has been greatly reduced, making children of today to be heavier in general. Also they are more inclined to consume foods that are rich in fat and complex sugars instead of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fibre rich foods. All this put together invariably leads to obesity for some.

Unlike adults, because of their rapid growth and fast changing metabolism, obesity is measured slightly different for children. In addition to BMI children’s age and gender is taken into consideration for a more accurate calculation.

While a BMI of 30 and more is considered to indicate obesity in adults, a child is pronounced obese at the 95th percentile by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC). Another important measure is the body fat percentage and this too differs with gender. For instance, a body fat percentage of 25 or more of the total body weight is taken as an indication for obesity in boys but for girls the indication is set at 32%.

This difference is mainly due to the fact that the percentage of body fat is naturally higher for females throughout their lives. While the percentage of body fat for a healthy male is about 15%, it is about 27% for females.

Irrespective of age and gender the only way to reduce weight is to follow a balanced and nutritious diet along with sensible and regular exercise. For this one has to make some lifestyle changes which fortunately can be brought about easily in case of children. Once good habits are established at a young age it becomes very easy to carry them over to their teen years and to maintain throughout their adulthood.

Weight Loss Supplements is not something I normally suggest to overweight people since a long term aimed healthy diet typically is the best answer. However, if you are obese and need something to complement your diet program in order to achieve fast weight loss, you can use helps from weight loss supplements.

There are various types of weight loss supplements, including fat blockers and appetite suppressants. These two are popular type of weight loss supplements that largely used by many overweight people.

How does it work?

For fat blockers, let’s take an example: Xenical; it is a fat blocker supplement that highly recommended by the medical community. Xenical works by interfering lipases enzymes, an enzyme that broke down dietary fats. This interference causes the enzymes no longer available to hydrolyze dietary fat into an absorbable state. As a result, up to 33% dietary fats will pass through unchanged.

For appetite suppressants instance, Reductil is one of the most commonly used; it is works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, prevents noradrenaline and serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells. This cause you to feel full even when you eat less than usual, it also control appetite between meals.

Side Effects

If you using weight loss supplements of any kind, there are always side effects to deal with. Flatulence, headache, and dizziness are some of the inconvenience but not dangerous side effects; the others such as allergic reaction and irregular heartbeat can be very disturbing. Remember that while some people can deal with these kinds of side effects, others who have special circumstances such as pregnant, nursing, have high blood pressure, have heart problem, or depression may receive greater impact, so prior consultation is a must.

The proper way to use weight loss supplements

1. Remember that some of these supplements are doctor recommended and must only be used by an obese person (there is minimal BMI for this, for example >30kg/m²), so if you want to take one as a complement to your regular diet, read the instruction carefully so you don’t pick the wrong supplements.
2. Stick to the recommended dose; this will keep the side effects occurrence to minimal.
3. Make sure you pay attention to the contraindications information; you may have hypersensitivity to some components in it or taking other drugs that contraindicated with the product. If the second problem is the case, the solution is making a gap of minimal 2 hours between taking each drug; consult your doctor for this matter.
4. Using the supplements only WILL NOT SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM INSTANTLY; you still need to complement it with a good diet. For example: Reductil is best used in conjunction with low calorie diet.
5. Some drug will cause blood pressure increasing in certain people, so blood pressure monitoring is required in some case. If it happen, the solution are reduce the dose or discontinuing the medication.
6. Most of the available weight loss supplements that approved by Food and Drug Administration are short term use, just a few weeks or months; if you plan to use it on the long term period, consult your doctor before. There are cases reported that at some point, some people develop tolerance for the medication. Usually, this happen after 6 months usage.
7. Except Xenical, all prescription medications to treat obesity are “controlled substances” which means you need to have doctor’s supervision while taking it to avoid addiction, so pick your choice wisely and use it with caution.

Conclusion

Using weight loss supplements to treat obesity must be done with caution and complement a good diet. Depending of what kind of supplement you will take, you need to do a little research on it and collect information about the right way to use it.

Being obese can be lonely. No one understands you. You are a unique Human being and your situation is very special. Rules and regulations apply to all in the same fashion except for the exceptions. We are all different and all have our own special “exceptions”. Each human being has exceptions, therefore the rules apply to no one. Being obese is complicated, right?

Obesity - how to lose weight and maintain your new lifestyle

1. Accept your uniqueness.
2. Share your experience of being fat.
3. Make a commitment to you.

• Accepting your uniqueness is to recognize that you are special. Each person on earth is special and you are no exception. Do not compare yourself to others, instead, try and find what others have that is similar to you.
• Sharing your experience of being fat is very rewarding. You went through something that is unique on earth. Your reasons for being obese need to be shared to help others and serve as a constant reminder of your plight. Talking about your story will never let you forget it.
• Commit to yourself and no one else. You are responsible to “you” first, others second. Yes, you need to believe in you. You are more important than your spouse, your children, your friends, your Church, your job your mother, father… You are the most important best friend you have, “You”.

Winning the war on weight is a great personal challenge and telling your own unique story is very important. Never forget it. Learn to be a positive example for others. Believe in yourself. Be your own best friend.New

Food for thought.

Making changes in your eating habits that optimize you’re your fitness and health goals is about making small changes over the course of time. And, although the Rejuvenation Lifestyle isn’t doesn’t require a complete overhaul of how you eat, I know many of you are accustomed to eating diets very high in carbs and relatively low in protein. So, when you implement this change you may feel hungry even though dinner is hours away.

Snacking is a HUGE problem, mostly because we decide to snack after catching a glimpse of the candy bar in the vending machine, or seeing rice cakes in the kitchen. Here are some tips to keep you from snagging the nearest Ho-Ho or bag of chips throughout the day.

1.) Drink More Water - When you feel hungry, 80% of the time it is simply your body telling you to drink more fluids. Fill a cup of water or water bottle and keep it handy.

2.) Quick Exercise - If you get an urge to eat do a quick set of bodyweight exercises or a quick 5 minute walk around the block.

3.) Chew a piece of gum - Often hunger is an emotional trigger and chewing on gum or a mint can refocus our mind and help break the conditioning.

If you do break down and can’t resist snacking, make sure you pick up a healthy snack that will provide nutrients your body needs, like carrots or nuts. Other than cashews all nuts are rated zero on the glycemic, and cashews are rated very low at 22. Nuts also have the right kinds of fat which will help you feel full, and the right amounts of protein. Just a small amount of nuts almonds can whip out your snacking urge or sweet craving in minutes.

Stay away from higher carb snacks like tortilla chips, doughnuts, cookies, and rice cakes. These will not only spike blood sugar and insulin causing you to store more fat, but they do not have the hunger satisfying properties you need to ward off feeling hungry before your next meal, and often increase it.