Archive for August, 2010

If you want to workout at home rather than in a gym, there are hundreds of different workout routines you can buy on DVD or video, which may be easier than working out on your own. With the DVDs, you get the feeling of working out with a group of people, but the freedom to work out in your own home on your own schedule. I will be giving you some buying advice for workout videos below…

Running for weight loss is simply one of the best aerobic activities you can do because it helps you burn a lot of calories and the more calories you burn, the more of a calorie deficit you create. However, running is a pretty intense exercise that isn’t for everyone.

If you are very overweight or out of shape, if you have joint problems, back problems, or respiratory problems, running probably isn’t the best choice for you and you may feel more comfortable with a low-impact exercise like walking, swimming or bicycling.

If you think you are strong enough … read more

There are good and bad times to start a diet or fitness program. The most common times seem to be right after the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year holiday season, and right before Summer – but even beyond considering the time of year, there are other times that starting a new diet may not be the best idea.

- When you are very stressed.

When you’re stressed by a hectic work schedule, your daughter is getting married in a few weeks, or you’re packing up an entire household to move, sticking to a new eating or fitness plan will … read more

Believe it or not, calorie-burning is not limited to your daily workout routine – there are endless ways to burn more calories in a day, and most of them can be quite fun! Try a few of these for starters:

- Join a dance class

Dancing is a great way to burn more calories, have fun and meet new people all at the same time. There are fun hip-hop classes so you can learn the … read more

A daily gratitude practice can be very helpful in creating a positive mindset, but it can also do wonders in helping you achieve your weight loss goals. Here’s why:

- Gratitude is Uplifting

The more grateful you are, the more inspired and uplifted you are going to be each day, and you are going to find it much easier to stick to your healthy eating and fitness plan. Isn’t it easier to make better decisions when you’re feeling positive instead of negative?

- Empowering

The same uplifted, inspired mindset that gratitude … read more

What kind of mindset would you say you hold each day? Strong, weak, empowered, exhausted, positive, negative? There are as many types of mindsets are there are people in the world, and most of us have different mindsets for different aspects of our lives. For example, your work mindset might be empowered, confident and successful, while your weight loss mindset might be pessimistic and weak.

Below are three key … read more

When you’re trying to cut back on sugar, the discomfort that ensues can be incredibly difficult to withstand. One of the more frustrating aspects of sugar withdrawal is the constant, persistent cravings that keep nagging at you. Is there anything you can do to minimize these cravings, or do you just have to deal with them until they go away?

Unfortunately there aren’t any “magic pills” that will make sugar cravings vanish instantly, but there ARE things you can do to help make them easier to bear. Below you’ll find three ways to  reduce sugar … read more

You hear people talking about “sugar addiction” frequently, but is it really possible to be addicted to sugar in the same way that you can become addicted to drugs or alcohol? There is still some debate about whether sugar fits neatly into the category of addictive substance, but if you look closely at the definition of “addiction”, the issue becomes a little clearer:

One definition of addiction is: a compulsive need for and dependence upon a habit-forming substance, accompanied by clearly defined symptoms upon withdrawal.

Anyone who has ever tried to reduce their sugar intake can attest … read more

Whether or not you can really be “addicted” to sugar like you can to drugs and alcohol is still being debated among experts. However, a secondary definition of addiction describes “the persistent, compulsive use of a substance that is known to be harmful”. That would certainly describe the relationship that many people have with refined cane sugar. They know that ingesting large amounts of sugar isn’t good for them, but they can’t seem to stop themselves from eating it anyway.

If you have done this too and you worry that you might have a sugar … read more

We all know “how” to lose weight – but it’s also easy to get confused by all the hype and fads out there. One of my favorite things to do with any goal I set for myself is to create a “blueprint” that I can hang in prominent locations in my home and remind myself of the correct actions to achieve that goal.

A weight loss blueprint can be customized to fit any diet plan you follow, and should contain reminders about food, exercise, water, supplements, and anything else you don’t want to forget. You can format it like … read more

You’ve probably heard of a lot of “fads” that promise easy weight loss, but breathing deeply has got to be one of the biggest shams, right? Not necessarily!

You see, the act of breathing correctly can actually help your body function more efficiently, which can absolutely help in the process of weight loss. Before you grab a paper bag and start hyperventilating, let’s take a closer look at breathing. So here are some … read more

Weight loss goals need to include a few important qualities in order for them to be successful. It would be great to set a goal to “lose 20 pounds,” but that is often not enough to motivate some of us. Instead, follow the three tips below for setting successful weight loss goals for yourself:

- Specific

“Losing 20 pounds” may be your ultimate goal, but obviously you aren’t going to lose it all at once. It may be easier for you to set smaller goals that will be attained before that big goal. … read more

You may have wondered whether an online weight loss program is worthwhile or not, and that will depend on a few factors.

- Convenience

One of the biggest reasons you may be seeking an online weight loss program is for simple convenience. Maybe you have a busy schedule and want to do most of your weight loss activities from home. Being able to log onto a weight loss membership program online any time you like can be very helpful in this respect. It’s there whenever you have time, rather than forcing you to attend meetings or classes … read more

Green tea has become a popular drink in many cultures. Not only does it taste great, it also has amazing health benefits – including being an effective weapon in the “battle of the bulge” – the reduction of body fat. Green tea has been used medicinally in China for thousands of years, but only over the past few decades has it become more popular in the western world. When you learn about the health benefits of green tea it almost seems too good to be true, but most of the claims are verified by scientific studies.

The … read more

When it comes to weight loss you may have wondered how often to exercise. Do you have to work out every single day, or should you allow a day or two of rest in between? And does it differ when you’re doing cardio workouts or weight training workouts?

Most experts say that weight training should not be done every day because resistance exercises that stress your muscles actually create small tears in the muscle fibers, and the muscles then need 24-48 hours to heal and repair themselves.

On the other hand, it’s generally safe to do cardio … read more

Do you remember how much fun it was to ride your bicycle when you were a kid? Would you believe that such a fun activity could also help you lose weight and maintain a healthier weight as an adult?

Bike riding and weight loss are actually a great combination! Riding a bike helps strengthen your leg muscles and buttocks, not to mention providing excellent cardiovascular benefits (provided you’re actually pedaling consistently, not just coasting).

You can burn between 300-500 calories per hour on a bicycle, depending how fast you go and how much you currently weigh. … read more

Walking is such a simple exercise, but it yields great fitness results when done properly. Before we get into how many calories are burned walking, it’s important to point out that “walking” in this context doesn’t mean a relaxed stroll. In order to burn maximum calories and rev up your metabolism, you’ll need to keep a nice, brisk pace for a certain length of time.

If you do not exercise regularly, please check with your doctor to be sure starting a daily walking program would be safe for you. If you are somewhat active already but not quite fit enough … read more

Most people equate eating fewer calories with weight loss, but the more we learn about the body’s fat-burning process, the more we realize how important it is to avoid triggering a starvation response – and one way to do that is by eating more calories, not less.

When you don’t ingest enough calories, your body will not only start burning stored fat for fuel, but will also start metabolizing lean muscle mass. That’s why “starvation diets” ultimately … read more

One of the most popular diet questions is how to reduce cellulite – otherwise known as the cottage-cheese-looking, dimpled, puckered fat deposits that rest close to the skin’s surface on thighs, buttocks and abdomens of many women and even some men.

Over the years there have been a lot of diet plans, creams and pills that claim to reduce cellulite, but few of them actually work – simply because to truly reduce cellulite you need to shrink the … read more

Healthy snacking is a crucial part of any weight loss and fitness program, simply because regular snacks help you avoid feeling deprived – not to mention that snacking on healthy foods helps keep your metabolism running strong, burning more fat and calories.

The trick is to snack in smart ways so you don’t blow your diet and sabotage your goals. Below are 7 smart tips for healthy snacking that can help you stay on track and slip into those skinny jeans in no time!

1 – Plan Ahead

Healthy snacking requires advance planning! If your cupboards are filled with fattening, … read more

So, you’re on a diet (or just trying to eat healthier) and you want some good stuff to eat – but you can’t think of anything beyond the obvious boring vegetables, lean chicken breast, and fruit. Today we’ve got a few great ideas for diet friendly foods that will tantalize your taste buds without breaking the caloric bank.

Diet Friendly Foods Idea #1 – Tasty Wrap

One whole wheat tortilla (100 calories)
1/4 of an avacado, mashed (70 cal)
2 tbsp salsa (mild, medium or hot, 20 cal)

Mash the avacado and spread in the center of the tortilla. … read more