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3 Common Myths About Weight Loss

Monday, March 30th, 2009

The dieting business is full of inaccurate data, some of it propagated by those who care more about their profits than about helping people to lose weight permanently and healthily. Here are some of the most common diet myths.

Weight Loss Myth #1: You Should Avoid Carbohydrates
The anti-carbohydrate message is a frequent one, and is a favourite with those promoting high-protein diets such as South Beach and Atkins. It is true that regimes like these can help you to lose weight very quickly, but this rapid loss usually comes at a price – including lack of energy and possible long term health issues. Most people also find such regimes very difficult to stick to over the long term.

The truth is that you can lose weight at a steady pace and – very importantly – keep it off too, while eating a diet with adequate amounts of healthy carbohydrate foods. Refined carbohydrates such as white flour and sugar are best avoided, but there’s no need to eliminate nutrient-rich, satisfying carbs like as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Weight Loss Myth # 2: Your Genes Play The Largest Role In Determining Your Weight
It’s true that the genes we inherit from our families do have a role to play in determining our build and metabolic rate, but this doesn’t mean that if your parents or grandparents are/were obese, you must be too. Some people are born with slower metabolisms and have a greater tendency to lay down fat, but they will only become overweight if they eat too much relative to their level of physical activity. If you’re one of these people, you may have to be more careful about what you eat than your naturally skinny friends, but so long as you don’t overeat, you won’t become overweight. And remember that you can influence your metabolic rate to some degree, in particular by exercising regularly, and building lean muscle tissue, which is more metabolically active than fat. So having fat relatives is no excuse!

Weight Loss Myth # 3: You Shouldn’t Eat Fat In Your Diet
Fat is more calorie-rich than the equivalent amount of carbohydrate or protein, but it doesn’t follow that cutting out fat is a good way to lose weight. Very low fat diets are bad for your health, and a diet with insufficient fat will leave you feeling hungry and dissatisfied. For healthy weight loss, you should stop eating harmful fats such as trans fats from hydrogenated oils (found in many junk foods and some vegetable oils), and up your intake of healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, olive oil, oily fish and coconut oil (yes, despite being composed of saturated fatty acids, and getting a bad rap as a result of negative propaganda from the vegetable oil companies, virgin coconut oil is very beneficial, and may even help to speed the fat burning process).

To lose weight and keep it off you need to follow a sensible diet and exercise plan from a reputable and knowledgeable author who does not simply parrot these and other dangerous weight loss myths. One such plan that works well for most people is Strip That Fat, which is a very healthy, easy and satisfying way to eat. You can check out my Strip That Fat review and find out more about the Strip That Fat book here.

P.S. Read how to loose weight.

Low Carb Diet Plans – Decide On Suitable Advice on More Products

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

Can you survive without pasta and rice? Bread? Can you pass up a bagel on your way to work? For many people, this is hard to do but is a mandate of their low carb diet plans. If you are considering going on a regimented eating plan and have questions about low carb diets, you probably want to know how fast you can lose weight on a low carb diet, how many carbs do you eat to lose weight, and how to balance proteins, carbs, and fats to lose weight. These are great questions, but here is one more: is a low carbohydrate diet for me? Is it healthy and safe for me to do?

Low carb diet plans and meals were the biggest weight loss movement of a few years ago. Pioneer Dr. Robert Atkins’s plan restricts the amount of carbs you eat and divides the diet into stages. During the first stage, you eat only 20 carbohydrates a day, which is how many carbs you need to lose weight. Gradually, as you lose weight, you can increase the amount of carbs you eat – replacing empty carbs with higher nutrition ones, like trading white bread for whole wheat bread.

The South Beach Diet also touts the benefits of a restricted-carb diet. Soon, more and more began to spring up – the Zone and Suzanne Sommers diets to name just two. While a lot of people were doing low carb diet plans, what does this actually mean and how does it work? When you eat carbohydrates, your blood sugar rises and your body releases insulin. Insulin takes glucose (sugar) out of your bloodstream and puts it into your cells. It targets muscles first, and when they are full, glucose gets pumped into fat cells. Your body burns the glucose in your bloodstream before turning to stored fat for energy. Low carb diets work on the theory that if you keep the sugar level down in your bloodstream, then your body will start burning the fat to get its energy.

Low carb diets are low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fats. Depending on the plan you choose, you are limited to a certain amount of carbs. After a while, you can start slowly introducing healthier carbs. In the first stage of many diets, there is absolutely no bread, pasta, potatoes, fruit, or rice. You can eat meat and a certain amount of vegetables with no carb dressings or sauce. During later stages, although the number of carbs increases, vegetables never make up a huge portion of your diet, usually only five to twenty percent. This has been a criticism of low carb diets. You have to be cautious about any diet that encourages you to eat all the meat and butter you want but cuts way back on your veggies. In fact, the Atkins, South Beach, and other low carb diets completely go against the USDA’s food pyramid guidelines. There is controversy on the health effects of low carb diets. One reason is that you consume more saturated fats and that can raise your cholesterol. If you are considering going on a low carb diet, research the health risks and talk to your doctor. They could be great for some people, but not healthy for others.

Another problem area with low carb diets is that it is hard to monitor the amount of calories you consume. The bottom line about weight loss is that you have to burn more calories than you eat. That simple formula is the only thing that works to lose extra pounds. Low carb diets are often high in calories. For example, a breakfast of a bowl of oatmeal, some 1% milk, and some fruit would be frowned upon in the early stages of a low carb diet. Meanwhile, a breakfast of eggs and bacon fried in butter are perfectly acceptable. Low carb doesn’t necessarily mean low calorie, and since you need to eat fewer calories to lose weight, a low carb diet may not be for you. You may need a more lean diet plan, with plenty of vegetables and whole grains.

When you’re looking for a healthy diet plan, make sure you choose one that is balanced and addresses all your body’s needs. A diet that restricts fruit and vegetable intake doesn’t allow you to get the vitamins and antioxidants they contain. You can find so many online diet plans, low carb recipes, and diet meal plans that it can very hard to know what to eat. Lowering your carbohydrate intake – from foods such as white bread and rice, junk food, and starchy processed foods – is a great idea. You don’t necessarily want to cut the great carbs found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. You can eat a well balanced diet without restricting yourself so much. A lot of low carb diet plans sell their own brand of diet food. If you do the Atkins diet, you can buy low carb chips, low carb snacks, low carb breads, and even low carb pancake mixes. If you eat sensibly, with a wide range of vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains, you have much more freedom, and it’s less expensive than purchasing diet food. You can create your own low cost diet plan that suits you.

Low carb diets are not for everyone. If you are thinking about starting one, check with your doctor and do some research. Low carb diets work well with some people, allowing them to lose weight quickly. A better alternative, though, might be to eat a well balanced, healthy diet and exercise. Dieting doesn’t really work, but having a healthy diet does.

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Always try to find the weight loss products that afford you the suitable balance needed for your body type.

Bodybuilding Supplements – Get Hold Of Great Advice on More Products

Saturday, March 28th, 2009

Do you need a bodybuilding supplement? Answering the following questions can help you determine if you would benefit from a supplement.

Do you work out regularly and vigorously?
Do you eat a balanced and nutritious diet?
Do you want to become more involved in bodybuilding?

If you answered yes to these questions, then it might be time to introduce a supplement into your routine.

If you are hesitant about taking a supplement, good for you! You should be cautious about anything you put into your body, whether it is a supplement, a vitamin, a prescription medication, OTC pain relievers, or even food. To help allay your concerns and help you with your decision on what type of body building supplement will be right for you, here are some common facts and fictions of bodybuilding supplements.

Fiction: Bodybuilding supplements are dangerous.
Fact: Anything that you put into your body has the potential to be dangerous. The best bodybuilding supplements are perfectly healthy when used in the correct dosage. Organic bodybuilding supplements include protein, which is essential for good health. We get this through a lot of foods we eat. Bodybuilders and those who are very active need a higher level of protein in order to build muscle. Creatine is another common ingredient in supplements. This is a naturally occurring amino acid found mainly in muscles. Supplementing your natural supply of creatine can help increase your energy. Again, if you are a serious bodybuilder or athlete, you could benefit from increased creatine. Glutamine, vitamins, and essential fatty acids are also common supplement ingredients. These have health benefits beyond muscle growth.

There have been some side effects reported. With increased use of creatine, it is possible to become slightly dehydrated. On the other hand, you may have diarrhea or upset stomach. These usually pass in a few weeks, but it is something you should consider.

Fiction: Bodybuilding supplements are illegal.
Fact: Certain forms of bodybuilding supplement are banned by organizations like the Olympic Committee. These include steroids, testosterone, and artificial growth hormones. Supplements of protein, creatine, glutamine, and vitamins are perfectly legal. You can buy bodybuilding supplements online, in health food stores, and in drug stores.

Fiction: If you take a bodybuilding supplement, you don’t have to work out.
Fact: Bodybuilding supplements are for people who are going to work out more not less. Vigorous exercise requires more nutrients. There is no purpose of taking bodybuilding supplements if you don’t work out. It will not work, and it may cause you to have unhealthy levels of protein, creatine, or glutamine. This is put into body to be burned through activity.

Fiction: Bodybuilding supplements do not work.
Fact: Nothing works for everyone. Even for headaches, ibuprofen may work well for some people and not for others. Not every supplement is going to be appropriate for every body. A lot of people find, though, that muscle building supplements work well for them. The science behind it makes sense, so if you work out, eat right, and want to take your fitness program to a higher level, supplements may help you do that. Start slowly and see if you get any results.

Bodybuilding supplements are not for everyone. If you are committed to bodybuilding, however, supplements may help you see an improvement in muscle mass, energy, and stamina. Before you make the final decision to use a supplement, talk to you doctor. He/she can advise you and monitor your health. Research products online and check out the ratings and reviews of bodybuilding supplements you are thinking of purchasing. The most important thing in building muscle and becoming more fit is your willingness to work hard. Top bodybuilding supplements can give you a little help, but they can’t do all the work for you. Check them out if you are committed to good health and strong muscles.

Top on the list of things to consider when it comes to fitness and exercise is selecting some exceedingly effective workout strategies.

Alot of the most outstanding workout routines can be reviewed with Audio Books allowing you to listen and learn more about the programs that are out there. Learning about exercise is different than learning about Credit Repair for instance, which is typically done through reading and online research.

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Always try to find workout routines that complement your diet and give you the right balance needed for your body type.

10 Common Diet Mistakes That People Make And How To Fix This Mistake With 10 Minute Workout

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Ever wondered why even after cutting down on your diet and exercising a lot, you’re still unable to shed your extra pounds. This is because you make some very common mistakes while eating which decelerate your pace of losing weight. Here are some mistakes that you should avoid:

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1)Eating too much – Your food might be healthy but eating more than enough will ruin all your efforts to losing weight. Even all those bites that you take between the meals count too. Remember losing weight is about being watchful of how much you eat and how much calories you’re taking in.

2)Skip a meal – Many people skip meals, thinking they’re eating less. People mostly skip their breakfast, and it results in their eating more at the end of the day. After skipping breakfast people eat more during night or take something before going to bed and hence don’t feel hungry the next morning.

3)Inconsistency – You have to follow a diet plan 24/7. Don’t take a day or a weekend off from your diet plan, treating yourself. This can be detrimental.

4)Be careful about what you drink – Dieting is not just about eating but drinking too. See how much calories you take in from your sodas and alcohols. There may be 10-12 spoonfuls of sugar in a can of soft drink. Alcohol decelerates your metabolism and increases your fat storage. So cut down on your soda and alcohol consumption.

5)Junk food – Junk food are full of calories and saturated fats, they hardly contain any nutrition. Instead eat more green vegetables and fruits. These contain more fiber which makes your stomach feel full without adding many calories.

6)Taking less calories – Make sure that in taking in few calories doesn’t result in your deficiency of nutrients. Your metabolism decelerates if you take less than 1000 calories per day. So taking fewer calories might not be effective in your weight loss.

7)You need all the nutrients – You cannot live on carbs only. Carbohydrates alone can not fulfill your body needs. Your food selection must include proteins, fiber, vitamins, minerals and even little amounts of fats.

8)Drinking water – Water is a vital part of your diet. Don’t fulfill the need of water through beverages. Your body contains 70% water: so take 6-8 glasses of water daily.

9)Not keeping a record – You should be aware of how much calorie and food you’re consuming. Make sure your food is healthy and you are not overeating.

10)Dieting only – Remember a good weight loss program includes not just dieting but a workout too. Dieting helps in decreasing muscle mass while exercising retains your muscle mass and burns fats.

Am I lazy or is technology’s fault that I am overweight? – Important Info

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Is the reason that there has been an increase in obesity due to the fact that adults in today’s society are lazy? Are we all just a bunch of lethargic couch potatoes that don’t do anything but sit around and eat all the time? I say no. Instead we are a product of our revolutionary, technological society. I am not saying we can blame technology, rather I am saying that as with our youth, the adults are also a reflection of the society that surrounds them. It isn’t an excuse, but it is a thought I pondered based on my typical day.

I get up in the morning, not to the sound of an aggravating buzz, beep, or the blaring of the radio. These alarms would get my blood racing right from the start, but I would hit snooze to stop the insanity. Then it would happen again, and again, the snooze bar. After a few times of this I am would now be late for work, rush to the shower if I even had time, rush to the car, and speed off to work. Not in today’s world. Instead, I wake to the soothing sound of the ocean on my Homedics radio and slowly wake peacefully. No blood pumping, no increased heart rate. I just have a nice and slow, easy awakening. Next I head to the shower where I put turn on my shower CD player and listen to something that I enjoy while I take my time letting the water almost run cold.

During my toweling off and getting dressed period of the morning, I can hear my coffee being made on the coffee maker that is set to make me a cup every morning with me not having to do a thing. While I sit and drink my coffee pondering the day ahead of me, I notice that it is almost gone, so I gently push a button on my key ring that starts my car and gets it nice and warm for me before I even get to it. I can then take my leisurely stroll to my car, get in, and have a nice peaceful drive to work (barring any unforeseen road rage). Nothing like before when I had to run to my car because I was late most of the time due to the annoyance of my alarm or run because it was cold and then get in and shake and shiver for 10 minutes until it warmed up.

Once at work I find myself taking out my PDA and seeing what is on my agenda for the day. Nope, no more flipping through pages of my pocket calendar or scheduler. My work day is simple and uneventful, but instead of having to run back and forth through the office to get messages to everyone, I can now simply send an interoffice email with the push of a button. When it is time to leave, I again start my car from my office and drive home.

Arriving at home, I put in a microwave dinner that doesn’t have to be chopped up, cut up, stirred, blended, kneaded, poked, or even prodded. Push a few buttons and five minutes later I am sitting in front of the TV watching the shows I recorded on my cable’s digital recorder and eating my five minute, nuked meal. Would I have done this in the past? The answer is no, because I would have had to physically make something to eat, and there wouldn’t be anything on TV worth watching, so I would eat and go do something like yard work, clean the house, play with the kids, whatever, just something else to occupy the time. Oops, while I was eating, I got some crumbs on the floor and then dropped some more on the way back to the kitchen. Oh well, I will just push the button on my robot vacuum cleaner and let it clean the whole floor as it is preprogrammed to do.

Finally, my day is coming to an end and instead of doing something really constructive before I go to bed, I can’t resist the opportunity to surf the Internet for a little while, maybe chat to some friends or relatives, and check my email. Besides, I have to plug in my PDA to the computer anyway. Now my lazy or technologically dysfunctional day is complete. velashape review

This whole story brings me back to my question that started the whole thing. Am I lazy or am I just a product of my environment. It is this author’s opinion that I am both. Years ago, even the simple things like making the dinner would be exercise, but now it is too easy because it is done for you in a box. Everything today is easy and most adults are on the heavy side, because things are easier and don’t take as much energy. That doesn’t mean we in society are lazy, it means we don’t have to exert ourselves as much to accomplish the every day routines that are needed to complete the day. However, I could stop by the gym on my way home, or go for a walk after dinner, so I am also lazy too. The Internet just pulls me in night after night and I can’t seem to make myself do anything else after dinner. Shame on you technology for holding that gun to my head! lose weight

Read how emotional freedom technique can help you to save lots of problems, weight issues including.

Top 10 Dieting Tips for Summer

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

As the air starts losing the cold bite of winter, you are happy in anticipation of the summer. You start planning holidays to sea resorts with friends and family. Until that fateful moment when you realize you have been too lax with your body and you are not in shape for the summer activities and swimming trunks or bathing suits cannot accommodate your body any more!

Still don’t despair! Summer weight loss is still possible. Remember that losing weight is influenced to the extent of 70% to 80% by what and how you eat and the balance by the physical activities and exercises. Cut down intake of excess calories which increase fat in the body and exercise the body which will help in to burn body fat and to lose weight.

The following simple natural weight loss proposal if implemented can help you with summer weight loss and shape up your body to face summer with confidence in a matter of three to four weeks.

Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day.

Water plays very important role in our body functions. Body fat and bones account for 20% of water each, lean muscle tissues are 75% water and over 80% of our blood is water. Water helps kidneys remove toxins allowing liver to metabolize more fat. It works as a natural suppressant of appetite;

Put alcohol on highly restricted list if you are serious on losing weight. Alcohol helps body in storing fat by slowing down metabolism;

Main culprits causing excess weight are saturated fats. Saturated fats and sugar are strictly no-no for weight watchers. Avoid desserts, ice creams, etc;

Include low fat milk products such as yogurt, skimmed milk, cottage cheese in diet; they contain “good proteins” which help suppress cravings for food. They are essential in building muscles;

Vegetables, beans, whole grains and fruits contain “good” carbohydrates which are moderate on calories and fats, they are consumed slowly by the body and thus they help suppress hunger naturally;

Omega 3 fatty acids increase metabolism and energy levels of the body. Eat fish such as Mackerel, Salmon, Sardines and Herrings; they are rich Omega 3 fatty acids which help prevent blood clotting, regulate blood pressure, and lower risk of heart failure. They are helpful in weight loss;.

Eat four or five meals of smaller portions instead of the normal three meals. Smaller meals at shorter intervals help metabolism and burn fat; it helps to lose weight;

Eat adequate fiber food. Fiber food is more filling and it suppresses hunger. It takes longer in digestion and passing through the body it attaches to some fats and proteins in our food and thus keeps them from being digested. Whole grains, brown rice, figs, Apples, broccoli, peas, lentils, beans, fresh vegetables and fruits and nuts are high on fiber content;

Spices such as ginger, mustard, pepper, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, etc decrease sugar cravings and are helpful in weight loss;

Avoid late night meals within the two to three hours before going to bed. Allow time for digestion of the meal before going to bed.

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Read also about emotional freedom technique training, because it has helped many people to get into control of their weight.