6 Simple Steps To LifeLong Weight Loss

by: Dianne Villano

If You are sick of losing the same weight over and over, and feeling like a failure because your last "diet" didn't work, try these tips to not only lose weight, but lose it for good. I have watched hundreds of clients over the years and almost without exception, those that lose their weight once and for all have these six basic habits as a part of their lives.

1. Keep a food diary

For at least five days and up to a week, keep a pen and paper handy and write down everything you eat, how much, where and when you ate it and who you ate with. try to write it down as you eat it. Most people find that when they try to remember everything at the end of the day, they leave something out. I have also had clients tell me that they didn't eat something because they knew they were going to have to write it down. Be completely honest with yourself. You dont need to show anyone the results, but most will be very surprised by them. Particular environments and people can often trigger certain eating behaviors that are redily apparent when you use a food log. free fitness journal/food log.

2. Dont eat too little

Very low calorie diets will, in the short term, help you lose weight but theyre extremely difficult to maintain. Youll gradually become tired and irritable, lack the energy to exercise, and people wont want to eat with you because the long list of taboo foods renders restaurant menus, and even family meals at home, unsuitable for your overly strict diet. For a more detailed description of the effects of low calorie diets click here.

3. Neither feast nor fast - They weren't kidding when they said "breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Studies show that those who skip the first meal, end up eating more total calories throughout the day and tend to make less healthy choices. Try to eat at least 3 meals a day. Optimally you should spread your calories throughout 6 small meals per day. This will keep your metabolism bustling and yuor blood sugar level even to help avoid binging.

4. Freshness Counts - The packaging and processing generally found in "convenience" foods generally reduce the nutrient values of foods and substantially raise the caloric content. The American Dietetic Association recommends at least 3 - 5 servings from the fruit and vegetable group per day. no time to prepare "home made meals? Try preparing in bulk on the week ends to make healthy choices readily available. Cut up a large bowl of fresh fruit, (1c = 1 serving) or pre make a large bowl of salad or cut up veggies. I usually prepare a weeks worth of chicken or pork so i can quickly re heat it and add it to any recipe.

5. Hydrate your way to quicker weight loss

Drink water ahead of coffee, tea, or soft drinks. Including the hidden water we consume in food, we need 64 oz. per day. More is recommended to counteract the dehydration caused by caffeinated beverages and intense exercise or excessive heat.

How much do we need to drink? In general you should be drinking enough water per day so that your urine is nearly clear.

6. Eat less, exercise more

The great thing about food diaries is they show you much where you can cut the number of "extra" (calories). Many people eat out of habit when they are not even hungry. you may also need to make dietary changes if you begin or increase the intensity of a fitness program.

I know, you are going to say, "I don't have time because ...(insert your favorite excuse here) Ask yourself this..."how much more energy will I have when I am not carrying around this extra _____ pounds? How many more things will I enjoy and feel god while doing when I am in a fit healthy body? Is it worth a few minutes a day to incorporate these simple habits into your day?

About The Author

Article by Dianne Villano. Dianne is a personal fitness instructor certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine with over 17 years experience. Dianne specializes in weight loss programs and programs for beginners. For more articles or free fitness tools visit www.custombodiestampabay.com

Weight Loss Tips - Dietrine Weight Loss

How does Dietrine work? During the digestive process, your body converts carbohydrates, found in starchy foods such as potatoes and pasta, into sugar. Your body does this by breaking-down the carbohydrate molecule with alpha amylase, an enzyme that is produced in the pancreas.

These sugar calories are either burned off, through exercise, or stored as fat cells for future use. Unfortunately, inactivity means that these stored fat cells accumulate. The result is weight gain.

Dietrine Carb Blocker with Phase 2?, an exclusive, all-natural nutritional ingredient extracted from white kidney beans, "neutralizes" the digestive enzyme alpha amylase before it can convert starch into glucose and then fat. Essentially, it allows the carbohydrates to pass through the system with less caloric intake.* The Phase 2? starch blocker has been clinically proven to reduce the absorption of starch by 66%-75% resulting in significantly less net caloric intake.

Learn more about Dietrine.

About The Author

J. Ratliff is a health writer for http://www.askwellness.com

When Fast Weight Loss Becomes Unhealthy

You've made the decision to lose weight as quickly as possible. You have your diet in place and you expect to follow it religiously. At this point, you may be wondering how much weight you can lose in a given week and whether fast weight loss can be dangerous for your body.

There are a number of things that can affect your weight loss. For instance, family history, or genetics, can play a significant role. Also, your weight loss may depend upon how much exercise you're engaging in, as well as how much stress you are under. Your metabolism, or how quickly you burn calories, can also have a major effect.

Theoretically, you could lose as much as 20 pounds a week. However, much of that weight could be water weight. That means that, once you go off your diet, you are likely to gain much of that weight back. Also, unless you engage in strength training, you will be losing muscle as well as fat, since about ? of the body's weight consists of muscle. It is interesting to note that, at most, you can probably lose four pounds of fat in a given week.

Nature has a way of protecting the body against excessive weight loss. If, for instance, your calorie count suddenly drops, your body will compensate for the fact by reducing your metabolic rate. As a result, you'll need fewer calories to maintain your weight. This explains why some people lose weight up to a point and then cannot lose any additional weight, no matter how hard they try.

If you lose weight quickly, there's a good chance that your health will be jeopardized. For instance, fast weight loss has been linked to the appearance of gall stones. Also, you may experience loose skin as your weight goes into free fall. Perhaps most distressing of all, if you experience rapid weight loss, there's a good chance that you will gain the weight back again. This is because it is very difficult to maintain a healthy diet regimen. You may find yourself falling back into your bad eating habits after a period of deprivation.

Fast weight loss also places you at greater risk for an eating disorder. You may be tempted to starve yourself, leading to anorexia. Or, because your food cravings are so great, you may want to binge and purge, leading to a case of bulimia. This is why it is so critically important to lose weight under a physician's care. Otherwise, you could be doing more harm to your body than good.

Although the body has the capability of shedding a great deal of weight over a period of time, most medical experts agree that one should not expect to lose more than one or two pounds a week in order to remain healthy. This can be disappointing to a dieter, especially one that needs to lose about 50 pounds. However, doctors believe that the go-slow approach is best for long-term weight loss. Otherwise, you could end up with a number of health problems you weren't anticipating.

There are a number of approaches you can use to lose weight. For instance, you might follow the Atkins plan, the Zone, or the diabetic diet. You might try Sugar Busters or the Carb Addict's prescription for losing weight. However, it is vitally important that you accompany your diet plan with an effective exercise routine. One of the best exercises you can do, in fact, is the easiest--walking. It has been said that you can lose as many as two pounds a week, just by walking alone.

As has been demonstrated here, rapid weight loss should be approached with caution. It is far better to lose a few pounds each week and maintain that weight loss over the long term. In essence, all good things take time, and that is particularly true when it comes to weight loss. Perhaps the best advice is to be patient. Follow a reasonable diet, get plenty of exercise, and drink a good amount of water. That way, you should be able to slowly lose weight--without jeopardizing your health in the process.

About The Author

As a Teacher of Sport and Physical Education, Tony Robinson has a keen interest in Health and Weight Loss issues. For handy hints and tips for weight loss visit http://www.weight-loss-arena.com

Top 10 Weight Loss and Fitness Myths

WARNING: Don't weight train until after you've lost weight!

No, no, please don't believe that headline! That's one of the many myths associated with weight loss and fitness. If you're interested in losing weight and getting fit as quickly as possible, don't let these myths throw you off track:

Myth #1 - Some fancy exercise machine-of-the-month burns more calories than any other exercise.

FACT - One thing that many people seem to be confused about is how many calories are expended during different types of exercise. For example, I receive lots of questions regarding how many calories are burned with fancy exercise machines or certain unusual exercises that are supposed to burn lots of calories.

Don't be fooled by this stuff! Here's the bottom line - caloric expenditure is directly related to the amount of effort an activity requires. In general, the more difficult it feels, the more calories you burn. The easier it feels,
the fewer calories you burn.

That's it! I don't care how fancy or expensive the equipment is, the harder you work the more calories you burn.

Myth #2 - Weight training with free weights is much more effective than with machines.

FACT - For the purposes of general fitness, muscle toning, and weight loss, it doesn't matter. My suggestion is to do whichever you are most comfortable with and are most likely to do on a regular basis.

Myth #3 - Low intensity exercise puts you in the "fat burning zone" and is ideal for weight loss.

FACT - The "fat burning zone" doesn't matter. Here's how it got started. Your body is always "burning" a mixture of carbohydrates and fat for fuel. This mixture tends to contain a little more fat during lower intensity exercise.
Somebody took this to mean that a lower intensity workout was best for losing weight.. not so!

It all comes from the same "pot". It doesn't matter if you're burning a little more fat or a little more carbohydrate at any particular time in your fuel mix. It all comes from the same calorie pool. The bottom line is, how many calories are you burning. With higher intensity exercise you're burning more calories.

Myth #4 - Exercising for 30 minutes two to three times per week is sufficient for weight loss.

FACT - That's better than doing nothing but it's not optimal. I firmly believe our bodies are designed to be active daily. When we exercise daily we are healthier, leaner, more energetic, and the list goes on and on.

Also, daily exercise boosts your metabolism like nothing else can. I recommend working up to 30 to 60 minutes of daily aerobic exercise and three days of weight training per week.

Myth #5 - You can lose fat from a specific part of your body by doing an exercise for that part of your body. For example, abdominal crunches will remove fat from your abdominal area.

FACT - You can't spot reduce! You cannot control where fat is removed from your body.

Myth #6 - You can't lose weight.

FACT - You CAN lose weight but it often happens much slower than you'd like it to. Believing that you CAN lose weight is critical to making it happen. Realize that if you are
consistently doing the right things, it will happen. Don't get side-tracked by every new crazy diet or exercise gizmo.

Myth #7 - You shouldn't start weight training until you've lost most of the weight you want to lose because it will slow down your fat loss, or trap your fat in the muscle, or who knows what else.

FACT - Weight training is VITAL to a weight loss program because it turns up the metabolic fires that burn calories -and it tones your muscles. You should start weight training immediately.

Myth #8 - You burn more fat if you exercise on an empty stomach.

FACT - Exercising on an empty stomach does not affect how you lose weight. In fact, it may hinder it if you don't have the energy to exercise. Eating or not eating before exercise should strictly be a matter of personal preference.

Myth #9 - You should always do your weight training just before your aerobic exercise session because you burn more fat that way. I've even heard that you should weight train, eat two raw carrots, and then do your aerobic exercise.

FACT - The order in which you exercise does not affect how you lose weight. I always recommend weight training just after your aerobic exercise (such as walking) simply because your muscles are warm and supple and much less prone to injuries.

Myth #10 - You'll burn more calories jogging a mile than walking a mile.

FACT - Caloric expenditure is 62 calories per 100 pounds body weight per mile traveled (walked or jogged). For example, if you weight 150 pounds, you expend 93 calories per mile walked or jogged (62 x 1.5). Of course, if you're jogging, you'll cover the distance in less time than if you're walking. Thus, you'll burn more calories in a given period of time if you're jogging.

Get movin'! :)

About the author:
Author and exercise physiologist, Greg Landry, offers free, unique, weight loss and fitness articles and his "Fast and Healthy Weight Loss" Newsletter at his site.. http://www.Landry.com


How to Prevent Tonsil Stones (and Why They Cause Bad Breath)Dr. Harold KatzTonsil stones can create a condition known as Halitosis, which is a stubborn bad breath and taste disorder many people suffer from.

Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, are those nasty whitish/yellow colored, foul-smelling, lumps on your tonsils. These tonsil stones are caused by an accumulation of sulfur-producing bacteria and debris that becomes lodged in the tonsils. This debris, which includes mucous from post nasal drip, putrifies in the back of your throat, and collects in what are called the tonsil crypts. These tonsil crypts are small divots or pockets which appear on the surface of the tonsils, in which the tonsil stones may accumulate.

When this debris combines with volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) which are produced by the anaerobic bacteria beneath the surface of your tongue, along with the tonsil stones, you develop the condition known as Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath!

Now, if you do not have your tonsils, then you will NOT (except for rare exceptions) experience tonsil stones. However, I am NOT saying that you should run out and get your tonsils removed. As we get older, tonsillectomies become increasingly dangerous. Aside from that, even if you have your tonsils removed, you will most likely still have bad breath. Why is that?

The sulfur producing bacteria breeding beneath the surface of your tongue, integral to the creation of those tonsil stones, are the most likely candidates to cause bad breath! So, even if you have your tonsils removed, unless you remove or hinder those anaerobic bad breath causing bacteria, your friends may still exhibit those tell-tale signs that you have bad breath!

Fortunately, getting rid of tonsil stones without surgery, is not that difficult...

There are a few select products that I recommend you use that will effectively eliminate tonsil stones without unnecessary surgery. What you need is something that will neutralize the anaerobic sulfur-producing bacteria on contact. For this I recommend a simple combination of AktivOxigen Tablets, Nasal Sinus Drops, and an occasional use of an Oxygenating Spray (http://www.therabreath.com/docs/tonsilstones.asp).

Keep in mind that following a regimen of using oxygenating oral care products, like toothpastes and mouthwashes, along with a tongue scraper, which effectively neutralizes the anaerobic bad breath causing bacteria from the very back of the tongue, will produce optimal results - stopping tonsil stones from ever forming again! Based on clinical tests conducted at the California Breath Clinics located in San Francisco and Los Angeles, most people following this formula reported a significant reduction or complete elimination of tonsil stones.

About the author:
Dr. Harold Katz is the worldwide expert on the topics of Halitosis and bad breath. Grab your FREE copy of his "Bad Breath Bible" to learn more about Halitosis and preventing bad breath by visiting: http://www.therabreath.com/web/art/l/tnssts.asp

Setting Realistic Goals for Weight Loss

There are many reasons for people who are overweight or obese to lose weight. To live longer. To look better. To have more energy. To feel better. No matter what the reason, successful weight loss and healthy, sustained weight management depend on sensible goals and realistic expectations. If you set achievable goals for yourself, chances are you'll be more likely to meet them and have a better chance of keeping the weight off. You shouldn't strive to lose 50 pounds in a month. In fact, losing even five to 10 percent of your weight, over a matter of time, is the kind of goal that can improve your health.

Most people who are successful at losing weight and keeping it off, have a "oh goodness" moment, when something clicks and they don't want to be this size any longer. Motivations vary. Some people worry about chronic diseases like diabetes or coronary problems. Others are preparing for a special event--a wedding, reunion, or special birthday, such as their 40th or 50th. Some people find in embarrassing to have difficulty fitting into theater seats or behind the steering wheel of their vehicle. Having to buy extra large clothing from special shops is a psychological motivation for others.

Whatever the reason, pick a plan. One diet does not fit all. And for obvious health concerns, overweight people should try to lose weight gradually. Try not to exceed two pounds per week. Fad diets which ignore the principles of the U.S. government Dietary Guidelines may result in short term weight loss, but may do so at the risk of your long-term health. And many of the fad diets--like the infamous Cabbage Soup Diet--can undermine your health and lead to psychological despair and disappointment when you regain the weight shortly after you lose it.

Doctors, dieticians and other health experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories and increase physical activity so you burn more energy. There are no "super foods" that either cause you to gain weight or help you lose it. That's the reason to ignore products or programs that promise quick and easy results, or that promise permanent results without permanent changes in your lifestyle. Any ad that says you can lose weight without lowering calorie intake and/or increasing your physical activity is selling a fantasy dream, the "magic bullet" which simply does not exist.

Unless your health is seriously at risk due to complications from being overweight or obese, gradual weight loss should be your goal. Here's how you do it:

Check with your doctor. Make sure you are healthy enough to lower your caloric intake and increase your physical activity.

Follow a calorie-reduced, but balanced diet that provides for weight loss of one or two pounds per week. Be sure to include at least five servings a day of fruits and veggies, along with whole grains, lean meat and low fat dairy products. This regimen may not sell many books, but it will reduce your waistline.

Make time in your day for some form of physical activity. Start by parking a distance from your work or shopping center a walk! 200 steps is equal to one city block and experts recommend that people aim for 10,000 steps a day. Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Then gradually add some added physical activity you enjoy--walking, cycling, tennis, golf, evening mowing the lawn with a push mower is an excellent exercise.

For many people who are overweight or obese, long-term weight management generally requires sensible goals and a commitment to make realistic changes in their lifestyle (diet/exercise) to improve their health. A lifestyle based on proper, nutritional eating and regular physical activity can be a real lifesaver.

Most people who are successful at losing weight and keeping it off, have a "oh goodness" moment, when something clicks and they don't want to be this size any longer. Motivations vary. Some people worry about chronic diseases like diabetes or coronary problems. Others are preparing for a special event--a wedding, reunion, or special birthday, such as their 40th or 50th. Some people find in embarrassing to have difficulty fitting into theater seats or behind the steering wheel of their vehicle. Having to buy extra large clothing from special shops is a psychological motivation for others.

Whatever the reason, pick a plan. One diet does not fit all. And for obvious health concerns, overweight people should try to lose weight gradually. Try not to exceed two pounds per week. Fad diets which ignore the principles of the U.S. government Dietary Guidelines may result in short term weight loss, but may do so at the risk of your long-term health. And many of the fad diets--like the infamous Cabbage Soup Diet--can undermine your health and lead to psychological despair and disappointment when you regain the weight shortly after you lose it.

Doctors, dieticians and other health experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories and increase physical activity so you burn more energy. There are no "super foods" that either cause you to gain weight or help you lose it. That's the reason to ignore products or programs that promise quick and easy results, or that promise permanent results without permanent changes in your lifestyle. Any ad that says you can lose weight without lowering calorie intake and/or increasing your physical activity is selling a fantasy dream, the "magic bullet" which simply does not exist.

Unless your health is seriously at risk due to complications from being overweight or obese, gradual weight loss should be your goal. Here's how you do it:

Check with your doctor. Make sure you are healthy enough to lower your caloric intake and increase your physical activity.

Follow a calorie-reduced, but balanced diet that provides for weight loss of one or two pounds per week. Be sure to include at least five servings a day of fruits and veggies, along with whole grains, lean meat and low fat dairy products. This regimen may not sell many books, but it will reduce your waistline.

Make time in your day for some form of physical activity. Start by parking a distance from your work or shopping center a walk! 200 steps is equal to one city block and experts recommend that people aim for 10,000 steps a day. Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Then gradually add some added physical activity you enjoy--walking, cycling, tennis, golf, evening mowing the lawn with a push mower is an excellent exercise.

For many people who are overweight or obese, long-term weight management generally requires sensible goals and a commitment to make realistic changes in their lifestyle (diet/exercise) to improve their health. A lifestyle based on proper, nutritional eating and regular physical activity can be a real lifesaver.

About The Author

Larry Denton is a retired history having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, MT. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business providing information and resources on a variety of important topics. For an exercise room full of additional free weight loss information and hundreds or valuable resources visit http://www.weightlosswill.com

The Truth About Counting Calories And Weight Loss

Do calories matter or do you simply need to eat certain foods and that will guarantee youll lose weight? Should you count calories or can you just count portions? Is it necessary to keep a food diary? Is it unrealistic to count calories for the rest of your life or is that just part of the price you pay for a better body?

Youre about to learn the answers to these questions and discover a simple solution for keeping track of your food intake without having to crunch numbers every day or become a fanatic about your food.

In many popular diet books, Calories dont count is a frequently repeated theme. Other popular programs, such as Bill Phillip's "Body For Life," allude to the importance of energy intake versus energy output, but recommend that you count portions rather than calories

Phillips wrote,

"There aren't many people who can keep track of their calorie intake for an extended period of time. As an alternative, I recommend counting 'portions.' A portion of food is roughly equal to the size of your clenched fist or the palm of your hand. Each portion of protein or carbohydrate typically contains between 100 and 150 calories. For example, one chicken breast is approximately one portion of protein, and one medium-sized baked potato is approximately one portion of carbohydrate."

Phillips makes a good point that trying to count every single calorie - in the literal sense - can drive you crazy and is probably not realistic as a lifestyle for the long term. It's one thing to count portions instead of calories that is at least acknowledging the importance of portion control. However, it's another altogether to deny that calories matter.

Yes, calories do count! Any diet program that tells you, "calories don't count" or you can "eat all you want and still lose weight" is a diet you should avoid. The truth is, that line is a bunch of baloney designed to make a diet sound easier to follow. Anything that sounds like work such as counting calories, eating less or exercising, tends to scare away potential customers! But the law of calorie balance is an unbreakable law of physics: Energy in versus energy out dictates whether you will gain, lose or maintain your weight. Period.

I believe that it's very important to develop an understanding of and a respect for portion control and the law of calorie balance I also believe it's an important part of nutrition education to learn how many calories are in the foods you eat on a regular basis including (and perhaps, especially) how many calories are in the foods you eat when you dine at restaurants.

The law of calorie balance says:

To maintain your weight, you must consume the same number of calories you burn. To gain weight, you must consume more calories than you burn. To lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than you burn.

If you only count portions or if you haven't the slightest clue how many calories you're eating, it's a lot more likely that you'll eat more than you realize. (Or you might take in fewer calories than you should, which triggers your bodys "starvation mode" and causes your metabolism to shut down).

So how do you balance practicality and realistic expectations with a nutrition program that gets results? Here's a solution thats a happy medium between strict calorie counting and just guessing:

Create a menu using an EXCEL spreadsheet or your favorite nutrition software. Crunch all the numbers including calories, protein, carbs and fats. Once you have your daily menu, print it, stick it on your refrigerator (and/or in your daily planner) and you now have an eating "goal" for the day, including a caloric target.

That is my definition of "counting calories" -- creating a menu plan you can use as a daily guide, not necessarily writing down every morsel of food you eat for the rest of your life. If youre really ambitious, keeping a nutrition journal for at least 4-12 weeks is a great idea and an incredible learning experience, but all you really need to get started on the road to a better body is one good menu on paper. If you get bored eating the same thing every day, you can create multiple menus, or just exchange foods using your one menu as a template.

Using this method, you really only need to count calories once when you create your menus. After you've got a knack for calories from this initial discipline of menu planning, then you can estimate portions in the future and get a pretty good (and more educated) ballpark figure.

So whats the bottom line? Is it really necessary to count every calorie to lose weight? No. But it IS necessary to eat fewer calories then you burn. Whether you count calories and eat less than you burn, or you dont count calories and eat less than you burn, the end result is the same you lose weight. Which would you rather do: Take a wild guess, or increase your chance for success with some simple menu planning? I think the right choice is obvious.

About the author:

Tom Venuto is a certified personal trainer, natural bodybuilder and author of the ##1 best selling diet e-book, "Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle. You can get info on Tom's e-book at: www.burnthefat.comTo get Tom's free monthly e-zine, visit www.fitren.com

Arizona Doctor Discovers Triathlons as the Ultimate Weight Loss Program - Loses Sixty Pounds.

I never intended to get fat! I am not exactly sure how it happened, but there I was a 62 thirty-four year old pushing close to 270 pounds. My cholesterol was high, my triclecrides were high, and my blood pressure was high. I was on a direct course for developing diabetes, increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of cancer, and a ton of other diseases related to obesity.

It gets worse. I am a doctor, a sports chiropractor to be exact and my office is located inside a health club. Unfortunately, like many other doctors and other health professional out there, I was not practicing what I was preaching.

Living in sunny Arizona, land of the endless summer, sooner or later you have to go to the lake, the water park, or you are invited to a cookout and pool party. That is when all my excuses caught up to me. Despite knowing the health risks associated with being overweight, it was the feeling of low self-esteem and embarrassment that finally drove me to action.

So there I was, a doctor, ready to get the weight off. I hate to admit it; I tried some of those quick fix gimmick supplements. I tried a bunch of the fad diets. I bought a bunch of books from all the weight loss experts. Sure I would lose a little weight, but I could never stick with the diet for any length of time. When I went off the diet I would gain the weight right back. Then tried working my butt off in the gym, running almost every day. That got real boring, and I found that running everyday is not the best thing to do when you weigh close to 270 pounds.

There I was again, still no direction, no focus, no drive, nothing to guide me. Frustrated about not getting any results and what to do, I thought I was just going to have to accept that I was overweight and deal with it. I gave it a real effort and it did not work.

During all of this, the chiropractor that I bought my office from mentioned that he was beginning a weight loss program at his office, which was based on his experience with triathlon training. That got my attention. I really wanted to give the program a try, but I lived too far from his office to come in on a regular basis. So I began researching the sport on the Internet.

The more I read about triathlons and triathlon training, the more sense it made to me as a way to help me lose weight. If you are going to do an event that involves swimming, cycling, and running you obviously are going to have to train that way. The idea about jumping into the pool for an exercise swim was not something I was looking forward to, and the last thing I wanted to do was to put on a swimsuit and workout. Then I remembered how painful my knees were from running around, and swimming would be easier on my joints.

I also began reading about using heart rate monitors and the affects of exercising at different heart rates. Many of the authors of the books on heart zone training were triathletes themselves, and they gave numerous examples on how using heart zone training you can track your progress and maximize your exercise program.

The more I searched the triathlon Internet sites, the more I became interested in the sport. The people who competed in triathlons looked really fit, it was inspiring. That is when I decided to take my commitment to losing weight to the next level. Weighing close to 270 pounds, I signed up for my first triathlon. Five months away, I was going to do a sprint race, which was a 500m swim, a 15-mile bike, then and a 3-mile run. This was a much shorter distance than many triathlon races, however at the time I could not do even one of the events let alone all of them back-to-back.

Using a combination of what I learned about heart zone training and from the triathlon Internet sites, I started my program. I my alternated exercise sessions between swimming, cycling, and running. I also did about an hour of weight training a week. This really added a variety to the exercise program, and it never got boring. One day I would just bike, then next maybe run 10 minutes, do a weight session, then bike for 25 minutes. Then the next day I would just swim. The next day I would swim then follow it up with a run. My knees were holding up very well with little, if any pain. At the same time I started eating better, no real diet, just common sense stuff, avoiding the sugars and white breads.

The use of the heart rate monitor became a very useful tool. It kept me from working too hard or too easy. The monitor I was using, the Polar 610, also came with software. I was able to download all of my exercise sessions into a computer. Then I was able to objectively document my exercise sessions. The software was able to track my calories burned during exercise, my average heart rate, hours spent exercising per week, and much more. After every exercise session actually looked forward to downloading my session to see how I did.

It also allowed me to exercise at different heart rates. One day I would run at 70% of my maximum heart rate for 10 minutes, then bike at 80% of my maximum heart rate for 10 minutes, then go back to running at 70% for another 10 minutes. The next day I would just bike for 40 min. But I would again exercise at different heart rates, 10 min at 70%, and 5 minutes at 80%, and 10 minutes at 75 %, and 5 minutes at 80%, and then 10 minutes at 70%. This was a fun way to exercise and I actually began to look forward to exercising, the whole process was less boring.

I kept up with this type of training for five months. On the day of my first triathlon, I was forty pounds lighter.

Some how, some way, I did it. I finished my first triathlon, and as crazy as it sounds I really enjoyed myself. I was feeling good about my accomplishment, but I still had some serious weight to lose. So I found another triathlon race six months later, signed up for it and continued training. The weight just kept coming off and coming off.

At the time of my second race, eleven months after learning about triathlons, I had lost sixty pounds.

It seemed like every week one of my patients, whom I had not seen for months, would come in for a treatment. The reactions were always the same, doc what the heck happened to you, you look like a totally different person!

I felt like a different person too, I was running without knee pain, I was happier at work, my relationship with my family was better, I was no longer embarrassed to go to a pool party or the water park, in fact I looked forward to them.

My patients and the members of the health club where my office was located were constantly asking me about my weight loss. I remember one of the gym members walking up to my desk and looking at my before and after pictures. He pointed to my fat picture and said, That is me then he pointed to my fit picture and said, That is the way I want to look. Wow, what a great feeling, I could not believe it.

As I am sitting here writing this article, it has been a year since my first triathlon. Just a few weeks ago, I raced in my third race and I actually managed to finish second in my age group.

As a result of getting into triathlons, not only do I have a new body, I have a new life.

Dr. Jeffrey Banas is a Chiropractic Sports Physician practicing in Mesa, AZ. He continues to compete in triathlons and has kept his weight off for over a year now. If you would like to contact Dr. Banas, he can be reached at his office at 480-633-6837, or by visiting his web site at www.personal-weight-loss-help.com
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Arizona Doctor Discovers Triathlons as the Ultimate Weight Loss Program - Loses Sixty Pounds.

I never intended to get fat! I am not exactly sure how it happened, but there I was a 62 thirty-four year old pushing close to 270 pounds. My cholesterol was high, my triclecrides were high, and my blood pressure was high. I was on a direct course for developing diabetes, increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of cancer, and a ton of other diseases related to obesity.

It gets worse. I am a doctor, a sports chiropractor to be exact and my office is located inside a health club. Unfortunately, like many other doctors and other health professional out there, I was not practicing what I was preaching.

Living in sunny Arizona, land of the endless summer, sooner or later you have to go to the lake, the water park, or you are invited to a cookout and pool party. That is when all my excuses caught up to me. Despite knowing the health risks associated with being overweight, it was the feeling of low self-esteem and embarrassment that finally drove me to action.

So there I was, a doctor, ready to get the weight off. I hate to admit it; I tried some of those quick fix gimmick supplements. I tried a bunch of the fad diets. I bought a bunch of books from all the weight loss experts. Sure I would lose a little weight, but I could never stick with the diet for any length of time. When I went off the diet I would gain the weight right back. Then tried working my butt off in the gym, running almost every day. That got real boring, and I found that running everyday is not the best thing to do when you weigh close to 270 pounds.

There I was again, still no direction, no focus, no drive, nothing to guide me. Frustrated about not getting any results and what to do, I thought I was just going to have to accept that I was overweight and deal with it. I gave it a real effort and it did not work.

During all of this, the chiropractor that I bought my office from mentioned that he was beginning a weight loss program at his office, which was based on his experience with triathlon training. That got my attention. I really wanted to give the program a try, but I lived too far from his office to come in on a regular basis. So I began researching the sport on the Internet.

The more I read about triathlons and triathlon training, the more sense it made to me as a way to help me lose weight. If you are going to do an event that involves swimming, cycling, and running you obviously are going to have to train that way. The idea about jumping into the pool for an exercise swim was not something I was looking forward to, and the last thing I wanted to do was to put on a swimsuit and workout. Then I remembered how painful my knees were from running around, and swimming would be easier on my joints.

I also began reading about using heart rate monitors and the affects of exercising at different heart rates. Many of the authors of the books on heart zone training were triathletes themselves, and they gave numerous examples on how using heart zone training you can track your progress and maximize your exercise program.

The more I searched the triathlon Internet sites, the more I became interested in the sport. The people who competed in triathlons looked really fit, it was inspiring. That is when I decided to take my commitment to losing weight to the next level. Weighing close to 270 pounds, I signed up for my first triathlon. Five months away, I was going to do a sprint race, which was a 500m swim, a 15-mile bike, then and a 3-mile run. This was a much shorter distance than many triathlon races, however at the time I could not do even one of the events let alone all of them back-to-back.

Using a combination of what I learned about heart zone training and from the triathlon Internet sites, I started my program. I my alternated exercise sessions between swimming, cycling, and running. I also did about an hour of weight training a week. This really added a variety to the exercise program, and it never got boring. One day I would just bike, then next maybe run 10 minutes, do a weight session, then bike for 25 minutes. Then the next day I would just swim. The next day I would swim then follow it up with a run. My knees were holding up very well with little, if any pain. At the same time I started eating better, no real diet, just common sense stuff, avoiding the sugars and white breads.

The use of the heart rate monitor became a very useful tool. It kept me from working too hard or too easy. The monitor I was using, the Polar 610, also came with software. I was able to download all of my exercise sessions into a computer. Then I was able to objectively document my exercise sessions. The software was able to track my calories burned during exercise, my average heart rate, hours spent exercising per week, and much more. After every exercise session actually looked forward to downloading my session to see how I did.

It also allowed me to exercise at different heart rates. One day I would run at 70% of my maximum heart rate for 10 minutes, then bike at 80% of my maximum heart rate for 10 minutes, then go back to running at 70% for another 10 minutes. The next day I would just bike for 40 min. But I would again exercise at different heart rates, 10 min at 70%, and 5 minutes at 80%, and 10 minutes at 75 %, and 5 minutes at 80%, and then 10 minutes at 70%. This was a fun way to exercise and I actually began to look forward to exercising, the whole process was less boring.

I kept up with this type of training for five months. On the day of my first triathlon, I was forty pounds lighter.

Some how, some way, I did it. I finished my first triathlon, and as crazy as it sounds I really enjoyed myself. I was feeling good about my accomplishment, but I still had some serious weight to lose. So I found another triathlon race six months later, signed up for it and continued training. The weight just kept coming off and coming off.

At the time of my second race, eleven months after learning about triathlons, I had lost sixty pounds.

It seemed like every week one of my patients, whom I had not seen for months, would come in for a treatment. The reactions were always the same, doc what the heck happened to you, you look like a totally different person!

I felt like a different person too, I was running without knee pain, I was happier at work, my relationship with my family was better, I was no longer embarrassed to go to a pool party or the water park, in fact I looked forward to them.

My patients and the members of the health club where my office was located were constantly asking me about my weight loss. I remember one of the gym members walking up to my desk and looking at my before and after pictures. He pointed to my fat picture and said, That is me then he pointed to my fit picture and said, That is the way I want to look. Wow, what a great feeling, I could not believe it.

As I am sitting here writing this article, it has been a year since my first triathlon. Just a few weeks ago, I raced in my third race and I actually managed to finish second in my age group.

As a result of getting into triathlons, not only do I have a new body, I have a new life.

About The Author

Dr. Jeffrey Banas is a Chiropractic Sports Physician practicing in Mesa, AZ. He continues to compete in triathlons and has kept his weight off for over a year now. If you would like to contact Dr. Banas, he can be reached at his office at 480-633-6837, or by visiting his web site at www.personal-weight-loss-help.com

Weight loss pills, is that the only way?

Weight loss pills are one of the most popular nutrition supplements in the world. There are hundreds of different products on the weight loss supplements market. Weight loss pills are everywhere: in drugstores, gyms and common stores.

Is it possible to achieve a result without using weight loss pills? Certainly.

What is needed to loose body fat without weight loss pills?

Proper diet

Diet must contain 4-6 food intakes per day. Total amount of calories should be in the range of 1800 and 2500 calories. Necessarily eat good breakfast and lunch every day. Try to eat low-carb high-protein food. Do not avoid fats completely, since they are very needed for the vitamins assimilation, hormones formation and also for the maintenance of the hair and nails beauty. Frequent eating will increase your metabolism and you will loose weight more easily. Certainly use vitamin and mineral supplements since they also help to improve your metabolism.

Cardio training

Cardio training may contain basically arbitrary exercises. The choice does not play very big role. The main point is to maintain the right pulse. It should be in the range from 60 to 70% of the maximum pulse.

About The Author

Vlad Golodov is a professional gym coach. Weight Loss FAQ

Indentify Your Weaknesses: 21 Common Weight Loss Barriers

A self-help guide to help readers determine what is keeping them from losing weight successfully.People have free will, as we all know, and that means that tough issues like weight loss can become very confusing. Thousands of books and videos on the subject give more advice than we could ever handle, but the real tools you need are inside of you.

The little things that you do throughout the day, the way you feel about things and the way you see yourself all determine your weight. The following questionnaire will help you point out your strengths and weaknesses, possibly shedding some light on your lifestyle. Whether youre trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, behavior modification is vital.

Answer each of the questions to the right true or false honestly. Wherever you answer false, you may have a weakness thats holding you back in your quest for weight management. Remember to be completely honest with yourself.

In general, I have a positive outlook. You will get nowhere if you dont. If youre a the cup is half empty person, you probably dont realize it. Do you like most of the people you encounter? Do you usually go to bed at night with a positive feeling about your day? Do people turn to you when theyre down? If not, you may need to work on your attitude before you can go any further.

I exercise at least three days a week. Your diet isnt the only thing you should work on. Exercise changes your body, to make it more efficient at burning fat. If you dont do this, the weight you lose will primarily be muscle and bone mass things you cant afford to lose. If you exercise, the weight you lose will be fat, and youll look and feel much better.

I set goals that are realistic and attainable. Unfortunately, many companies bank on convincing consumers that losing ten pounds by Saturday can rally happen. You can realistically lose a pound or two per week, on the average. If you want to lose twenty pounds, give yourself three or four months, and monitor it weekly. Remember that the more gradual the weight loss is, the more likely it is to stay off.

I follow a healthy, balanced diet. Dont be fooled by the notion that avoiding one type of food or gorging on another will help you along the path to weight loss. Your diet should contain a bit of everything nutritious. About two thirds of your diet should come from complex carbohydrates (whole grain breads, cereals, rice, fruits and vegetables). You also need two or three servings each of calcium-rich dairy foods and protein items like meat, fish and nuts.

I set mini-goals to avoid being overwhelmed by large ones. To a child in September, the school year will never end, but holidays and birthdays along the way make it much easier to understand how long nine months is. The same way, assign yourself weekly goals and assess your progress that way while working toward the biggie.

I am always aware of how much fat and calories are in the food I eat. Keep in mind that each gram of fat has nine calories. Fat should make up no more than twenty percent of your total calories. This means that something with only 100 calories is fattening if it has eight grams of fat, since 72 of its 100 calories comes from fat. Being mindful of this is a powerful tool.

When I have a craving, I can handle it without eating. We all have our methods. Chewing gum can sometimes ward off cravings, as can drinking a glass of water. Some people even find that keeping their hands busy helps. If you feel compelled to quench that craving, you need a way to handle it.

I reward myself for overcoming obstacles. You are much more advanced than Fido, but isnt it easier to shape his behavior using biscuits as rewards? This works with people, too, and not just children. When youve lost that first five pounds, do something for yourself, even if its just saying, Yeah, Im good!

I dont eat anything unnecessary. When you have pancakes, do you have to slap more butter on them before smothering them in maple syrup? Do you put mayonnaise or oil on your sandwiches? These things arent necessary. Theyre just examples, but many people make simple foods very fattening by adding the extras. Learn to eat things without all the frills and youll avoid a lot of unwanted fat and calories.

I spend less than one hour per day watching television. Its definitely addictive, especially when a great deal is going on in the world and the news is intriguing. Keeping busy is probably the best habit you can adapt, though. If you have three or four hours of television to watch every day, youre depriving your body of activity.

I rarely eat at restaurants or buffets. When I do, Im careful. Its a well-accepted fact that fat makes things taste better. Restaurants want their food to taste good, so they use a lot of fat. Even things that seem low in fat probably have plenty of it. A good example of this is fish served in a lemon-butter sauce. A good salad can be ruined by ranch dressing. It's really better to plan your meals ahead of time and eat at home.

I eat small amounts of food several times a day, instead of two or three big meals. Doing this gives your metabolism a big kick-start. When you eat a large meal, then fast for several hours, your body tends to hold onto the calories from that meal, in case it has to wait a long time for more nourishment. If you get your body accustomed to eating in smaller intervals, you burn calories much faster. This is a pretty neat little phenomenon.

I serve myself reasonable portions. One good way to assure that you do this is by using a smaller plate than usual. The appetite is rather dependent on the mindset of the person eating. If youre used to having huge portions of each item at dinner, youll want huge portions, no matter how hungry you are. Train yourself to be mentally satisfied with average-sized portions.

I drink at least two liters of water every day. Water curbs cravings, decreases bloating and water retention and enhances your livers fat burning capability. You should never allow yourself to get thirsty. Two liters of water isnt that much. Just get into the habit of sipping it all day long, and soon, you won't be able to live without it. Visit www.inch-aweigh.com/water.html for more info on drinking water for weight loss.

I manage my stress productively (without using food). Many people eat when they encounter stress. They tend to look for comfort foods that remind them of a much easier, stress-free childhood, opting for ice cream, meatloaf and cookies. If this is you, find other, less destructive ways to deal with stress. If you begin an exercise program, this will help tremendously.

I eat slowly. Your body doesnt realize that youve had enough to eat until several minutes after youve had it. If you eat too hastily, youll fill yourself up and possibly eat more on top of that. Studies have also indicated that the body is accustomed to an average numbers of chews per mouthful. If you chew your food more than usual, not only will you eat more slowly, but also youll trick your body into thinking its had more to eat.

I recognize my faults and take responsibility for them. Some overeaters are like alcoholics, in that they dont realize that they are abusing food. A woman might get into a fight with her husband, gorge on a half-gallon of ice cream and the blame him for it. This is dangerous behavior. Dont let anyone or anything distract you from your goals. If you do, you must recognize that you are the one at fault.

I only eat at the table. Sitting on the sofa with munchies is a bad idea for those who want to lose weight, because it encourages passive eating. When you confine yourself to the table for meals, you wont be doing anything but eating, and therefore, you wont eat quite as much.

I dont indulge myself at social affairs. This is terribly difficult for a lot of people. Stuffed mushrooms and cocktail wieners seem so small and harmless, but they contain more calories and fat than they should. Birthday cake is great, and a little piece probably wont hurt you, but where do you draw the line? One key to weight management is learning (or forcing yourself) to control yourself in such a situation.

I never eat anything within three hours of my bedtime. Your metabolism slows down at night, so if you go to bed with a full stomach, your body wont deal with the calories as efficiently as it would during the day. If youre used to munching on chips or sweets during prime time, youre putting weight on yourself. After dinner, eat nothing else. Even if you think it will kill you.

I have made a real commitment to achieving or maintaining a healthy weight. If you truly believe that you will lose weight, you will. Unfortunately, its hard for overweight people to do that. They often cannot picture themselves any thinner than they are. Even if you cant picture it, commit yourself to it wholeheartedly. Recognize that your belief in yourself is the number one ingredient to leading a healthy, happy life.

Nobody can lose weight for you. No bars, shakes or exercise gadgets can do it for you, either. Only you can determine what happens to your body. If you want to make an improvement, start today, just by knowing in your heart that you want to make an improvement. Go through this list once a week until you can answer true to everything. Its not impossible.

If youre committed, youre there.

About the Author

Maia Appleby is a certified personal trainer and weight loss consultant at a fitness center in south Florida. For more of her articles, along with weight loss and fitness tips, news and resources, visit her websites: Shape Up Shop - http://www.shapeupshop.com and Inch-Aweigh - http://www.inch-aweigh.com.