No More Fad Diets or Quick Fixes
August 26th, 2008 by Go Weblog
I have put off writing this article for a long time. I didn’t want to sound like just another person trying to monopolize on the huge weight loss industry with another fad diet or quick fix. But I believe that fad diets don’t work and quick fixes don’t last. So what is one to do at this time of year when people begin to realize how much they have gained during the holidays and that it’s time to get back to losing. How is one supposed to go about doing that?
Most people understand the basic concept of calories in must not be more than calories burned in order to lose weight so I won’t spend time on this concept. However, if you work hard to eat right and work out but still don’t seem to lose weight, there may be an underlying problem.
American’s struggle with weight loss is no different than our increasing struggles with other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. For each problem, there is a root cause. If you can get to the root cause, the problem goes away by itself. This, unfortunately, is a perspective that is often missed by medical doctors.
So what are some of the root causes of weight gain? There are six primary causes which effect how much difficulty you experience when trying to lose weight.
1. Diabesity.
While you may be eating fewer calories than you burn, if those calories primarily consist of simple carbohydrates (sugar, white flour and rice, potato chips, soda, etc) then this will cause an increase in insulin levels. This overproduction of insulin drives the simple carbohydrates into storage as fat. High levels of insulin suppress glucagons, a hormone that pulls sugar out of storage to keep blood sugar stable. This causes a drop in blood sugar that leads to cravings for more sugar and carbohydrates. Eventually this can lead to insulin resistances and diabetes but in the short term it contributes to weight gain.
Possible indicators that this is a problem for you include a waist measurement (at the navel) larger than hip measurement, daily consumption of simple carbohydrates, sugar cravings, mid afternoon fatigue, experience hypoglycemia or Type II diabetes.
Key to successful weight loss: Alter your diet. Cut out all simple carbohydrates. This will be a struggle in the beginning as is the removal of any addictive substance. However, with the knowledge that the cravings will go away in less time than it takes to add 2lbs to your weight, you can get a jumpstart on your weight loss program.
Other factors that will be of benefit include supplementing with chromium GTF, a mineral known to be beneficial for the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels, and cleansing can help to flush the system of simple carbohydrates quicker.
2. Estrogen Dominance.
Whether you are male or female, excess estrogen increases fat storage in our bodies. In our society, we are bombarded with excess estrogens from meats and dairy products as well as xeno-estrogens (man made) from plastic containers, pesticides and household chemicals (to name a few). Our livers, the primary organ responsible for breaking down excess hormones, are also overtaxed with all the prescription drugs, pollution and alcohol we ingest.
Possible indicators that this is a problem for you include prostate problems (men), heavy menstrual bleeding or uterine fibroids (women), regular consumption of commercially raised meats and dairy products, daily consumption of beverages from soft plastic containers (milk, juice, water, etc), enlarged breast area (men), PMS symptoms (women).
Key to successful weight loss: Balance your hormones. Eliminate excess estrogens from your life (hormone laden meats and dairy, plastics, and pesticides/household chemicals. Supplement with weak estrogens such as soy and black cohosh to keep the stronger estrogens from having a negative effect.
3. Metabolism.
Often blamed for the inability to lose weight, metabolism is controlled by the glandular system, particularly the thyroid. When the thyroid and other glands, such as the pituitary are poorly functioning the body will not burn off extra fat even when you have restricted your calorie intake.
Possible indicators that this is a problem for you include cold hands and feet and feeling cold when others are warm, fatigue or low energy levels, dry skin, depression or lack of sexual desire, diagnosis of low thyroid.
Key to successful weight loss: Exercise and glandular support. Exercise is one of the best ways to give your metabolism a jump start. Include weight training for longer metabolism boosts than cardio alone. Get sufficient levels of iodine from sources such as black walnut, dulse, kelp or other sources of seaweed.
4. Stress.
We all know how taxing stress can be on our bodies. Limiting our ability to lose weight is just another way. Stress produces a hormone called cortisol that may contribute to loss of muscle mass and the development of abdominal fat.
Possible indicators that this is a problem for you include feeling like you are under excessive levels of stress, muscle tension, anxiety or nervousness, high blood pressure, weight primarily in the stomach area, and restless sleep patterns.
Key to successful weight loss: Reduce stress levels through various techniques including meditation or spiritualization, massage, biofeedback, etc Supplement with extra levels of B vitamins, used more during times of stress. Support your adrenal glands, responsible for producing excess cortisol.
5. Toxicity.
Fat and cholesterol play a critical role in protecting our bodies from pollution and toxins in our environment by binding with the toxins for the removal from our bodies. Without them, our bodies would be subjected to greater negative effects from these poisons.
Possible indicators include problems (past or present) with high cholesterol (over 275) or cravings for high fat foods, skin problems such as acne, rashes, eczema, etc, working in or around chemicals such as dry cleaners, beauty parlors, laboratories, hospitals, lawn services, etc, and difficulty falling asleep or sluggishness in the morning.
Key to successful weight loss: Cleansing to remove toxins from the body and limiting exposure to new toxins. While cleansing, include plenty of fiber to absorb toxins as they are being released from the fat cells and herbs to cleanse and support the liver and lymphatic system so they do not become burdened in the process of cleansing.
6. Emotional Concerns.
Your mental attitude may contribute as much as or more to your weight loss struggle as potential health concerns. If you are “holding on” to your weight for some reason, no matter what you do will show no long lasting benefits. If you see yourself as “fat”, “ugly”, “unattractive”, etc your body may respond by storing things as protection against the outside world.
Possible indicators include problems with self image, constant worry about weight, eating when you aren’t hungry, cravings for comfort foods, eating due to depression.
Key to successful weight loss: Seek out counseling with someone experienced in helping you let go of old feelings and mind sets. Learn to think about not “losing” weight, but “gaining” health. If you can’t release your emotional baggage, you will always struggle to lose your physical baggage.
Healthy weight management requires a lifetime commitment that is taken one day at a time. Decide for yourself that today is going to be a good day and do not worry about tomorrow. At the end of the day, celebrate your successes in a healthy way, even if they were small and seemingly unimportant.
There are no quick fixes and fad diets are just that, a passing fad. Make the commitment to become aware of your unique needs and learn how you can Gain Health!
Nicole Bandes is a Certified Herb Specialist that has been helping others to regain their health and vitality since 1999. Nicole’s weekly column (http://www.naturemadeez.com) allows her to share her knowledge by answering simple questions regarding the use of natural supplements and to keep her readers educated on the latest news regarding natural supplements.
Tags: diet, dieting, lose weight, weight loss, weight managementCould Unresolved Emotional Issues be the Reason Your Dieting Attempts Always Fail
July 30th, 2008 by Go Weblog
Have you tried to loose weight and failed?
Do you find it impossible to stick to a diet plan?
What if I told you that a recent exciting medical discovery has found the reason some people are overweight is due to unresolved emotional issues?
If we are being honest most people are overweight because they eat too much and do not do enough exercise. It is only for less than 1% of the population that their weight problem is due to a thyroid or glandular problem. For the other 99% of the population their weight problems are simply down to overeating and a lack of exercise.
However it is too simplistic and easy to just tell somebody they are overweight because they eat too much. If people are fat because they overeat then should we not be looking for the reasons as to why people overeat? I make’s perfect sense that if we fix the reasons that cause people to overeat then they would be able to loose weight more easily.
Does any of the following apply to you?
- I eat to comfort myself.
- I sometimes even when I am not hungry.
- I eat when I am depressed or lonely.
- Eating makes me feel better.
- I eat when I am stressed.
- I sometimes reward myself by eating.
- After an argument with my partner I eat to console myself.
- I sometimes eat to punish myself.
- When the children play up I reach for the snacks.
- When I am under stress I crave sweet things
The above are just a few examples of emotional or comfort eating. Unless you resolve these issues then you will struggle to achieve your ideal weight and you will never be able stay slim. Dieting may work for a short while but as soon as your emotional issues re-appear you are going to be back to comfort eating. Your weight loss or gain will be decided by what is happening in your life emotionally.
The problem most people have is that they do not realise that this emotional eating is going on. They don’t realise that every time they feel stressed they reach for some chocolate or every time they fight with their spouse they reach for the biscuit cupboard afterwards.
Emotional eating affects men, woman and children. Some people do realise that they comfort eat but they don’t know how they can deal with it effectively.
So how do we deal with our emotional eating? Naturally we could try good old willpower but for most people this will be too hard. We could also try therapy but that could take months or years to resolve your issues. So what is the answer?
There is a new treatment available that helps in dealing with your emotional issues. This treatment is known as Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT for short. EFT has its basis in psychology and Chinese acupuncture. However instead of using needles you simply tap on certain designated meridian points on your upper body. Whilst you are doing the tapping you tune in/think about the problems you have. You simply tap your problems away. I know for a lot of people the idea of tapping your problems away will seem a ridiculous concept but the results back up the claims. EFT has helped thousands of people loose weight. EFT makes weight loss easy.
EFT is also perfect for addictions. Again you simply tap your addictions away. So if you are addicted to chocolate or cream cakes use EFT and tap your addiction away.
Naturally EFT will not make you loose weight overnight. You did not become overweight overnight. It was gradual process due to your overeating. So when you try to loose weight you have to be patient. It can be very dangerous if you loose the weight too quickly.
One of the great things about EFT is that sessions can be done over the phone or Internet. Your EFT specialist will tell you where to tap and what to say. Being able to do EFT sessions over the telephone and Internet means it is perfect for seriously overweight people who have mobility difficulties or people with agoraphobia.
I know for some for you reading this article all of this must be a little bit hard to take in but what if I told that not only is EFT perfect for weight loss it is perfect for nearly every emotional and physical issue you can name? EFT often works where all else has failed and often works where conventional medicine has no answers. It has been known to work for all sorts of issues such as anorexia, bulimia, self harming, depression, phobias, allergies, anger, panic attacks, stopping smoking, asthma, shingles, OCD, trauma, high blood pressure and so much more.
So if you are struggling to loose weight then what emotional issues do you have?
Wayne Ennis is an EFT specialist and can help with all sorts of medical, physical and emotional issues. You can read all about EFT and what it can help with at http://www.advancedtherapies.co.uk
Tags: dieting, dieting tips, easy weight loss, how to loose weight, weight lossExercise and Atkins - A Great Combo for Success!
July 25th, 2008 by Go Weblog
One of the key ways to succeed at the Atkins diet is to include exercise with your diet.
The Atkins diet folks themselves stress this as a key motivator for following and staying on the Atkins diet. Exercise makes you happy and happy about yourself. It is an important ingredient in the overall format of the Atkins diet and a crucial part of succeeding at the Atkins diet.
When you stay on an exercise regimen you can allow yourself more choices of Atkins food, which in turn keeps you from being bored with the meals and helps you succeed at the Atkins diet.
The key to your Atkins diet and exercise combination is choosing exercise you enjoy. If you are quiet, for example, you may enjoy the peace of a walk early in the morning. Or if you think you need to help yourself succeed at the Atkins diet in a more energized robust way join an exercise or fitness class or club.
If you’ve got a busy schedule and taking the time to go to the club or even the track is more than you can easily accomplish get yourself a home gym or DVD with your favorite form of exercise.
If moral support or companionship is important find a friend to work out or walk with.
Whatever form of exercise you choose to help you succeed at your Atkins diet set a goal and a schedule for yourself and follow it diligently. Don’t let yourself get bogged down in “I should have worked out but I was so busy.” If you do this you are cheating yourself and you’re endangering your chances of succeeding at the Atkins diet.
Keep to your exercise schedule and you will succeed at the Atkins diet.
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Tags: Atkins, atkins diet, dieting, exercise, low carb, low carbohydrate, weight loss