10 Things to Avoid When Trying to Lose Weight

by Andrew Gee

The following article is one of a series of articles which focus on Self Improvement, Motivation and Empowerment. It is based on research done over twenty years as a personal and business coach. This self improvement article was written in response to questions which have been asked on losing weight and long term weight loss as well as try to address common challenges that people have with this subject. I sincerely hope that you find the following information of value.

10 Things to avoid when trying to lose weight

Trying to lose weight is not always easy. I know. In fact, it can prove a tough challenge for many people. So here's a little guide to avoiding things that could make you lose control and start eating. Avoid them like the plague if you wish to succeed.

1. Please don't rush into the toughest diet you can find. This is a common mistake. Many people decide in a moment of desperation to follow a super-strict diet and fail. Don't rush into a diet that may be too strict for you. If you don't have any dieting experience and are not 100 percent sure you can stick with the diet, then choose something else.

2. Don't lose touch with reality. You can't realistically expect things to happen over night. When choosing your goal, start small, but be prepared to go the distance. If you hear someone saying that he/she lost a large number of pounds in a short time, don't make it your goal to match their performance. We are all different, our bodies are unique and diet results are going to vary from one person to another.

3. Don't go to the gym too often Another common mistake is to use the enthusiasm of the first days to hit the gym every day. This won't help you at all. Your body needs time to heal and expand the muscle mass after each training session and going to the gym every day interferes with this natural process. Apart from the risk of doing some serious damage, especially if unsupervised, a week of non-stop training could never offset ten or twenty years of an exercise free lifestyle.

4. Don't get hard on calories. We all know that cutting down on calories is one of the building blocks of trying to lose weight, but you have to be careful about it. Cut down on too many calories and your body will start storing anything it possibly can. This is not a good way to lose weight.

5. Don't skip meals. Some people think that skipping one or two meals could help them lose weight faster. They don't understand that dieting is all about eating the right foods and not starving yourself.

========SIDEBAR========
When it comes to the subject of self improvement, I fully understand (through my own experiences) that it is a lot easier said than done. However, you are here, right now, because you have a desire to improve your self or you are at least interested in this subject. Perhaps you are reading this to help a friend or colleague - great. If this article helps you or you help a friend, paying it forward is what lif'e all about so we all win.
======END SIDEBAR======

6. Don't check the bathroom scales everyday. Everybody is eager to see the confirmation of his or her efforts in the shape of lost pounds, but you should not let this drive you to checking your weight everyday. The daily fluctuations of your weight will soon have you depressed and ready to quit dieting. It is vital that we think of it in terms of 'long term weight loss'.

7. Don't let emotions drive you. Apart from the eagerness that drives people to check their weight every day, there are other emotions that influence dieting. If you know you're used to reaching out for ice-cream or snacks when you are bored, frustrated or angry, then you should deal with these issues and not allow them to come between you and your purpose.

8. Don't refuse to seek help. Not everyone was born with an iron will and nerves of steel. If you need advice or help, don't hesitate to ask it from your friends or from professionals. Don't try to solve all problems by yourself. Lots of us are faced with this same challenge. I have found that having a 'buddy' works wonders.

9. Don't deny yourself your favourite foods. Treats are a great way of raising your willpower and determination. Diets are just food control methods, not prisons. So what if you eat something forbidden once in a while, especially if that food is a favourite of yours? If such treats are not frequent, then they will make no difference in the long run. Deny yourself completely and you can seriously affect your determination and resolve.

10. Don't rely on your willpower alone Use your head as well. If you wish to know how much you eat, then write everything down and analyze the list for things that should not be there. Sometimes hunger creeps up on you and makes you eat something you shouldn't. Be honest with yourself and keep a clear head.

NOW is the time!

O.K. you have read the article. Now is the time for action. Without action, this article adds no value whatsoever to your self improvement. But remember, without action, you cannot blame this self improvement article or any article for that matter. So, take action NOW.

Even if only one piece of advice, one piece of information, one tip makes a difference, then the whole article has been worth it for all of us. NOW is the time!

Be the person you want to be, you deserve it!

About the Author:

95% of people fail to realize their long term weight loss goals.
Be part of the successful 5% with our free and dedicated customer support and our online health, fitness and weight loss program.
Be the person you want to be and visit us at Long Term Weight Loss

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=405163

---

http://www.m-money.info
Make Money Online Directory and Resources.

Control weight with diet and nutrition

by Sven Ullmann

Workout is essential to losing and maintaining excess calories that would otherwise be stored as unsightly fat. Your body weight is determined by the amount of calories you consume and burn each day. Regular workout also helps in the prevention of several diseases and actually improves your physical and mental health.

Many studies have shown that even the inactive people can enjoy the major health benefits of physical activity with at least 30 minutes performed each day. This doesn't have to mean hitting the gym everyday. It can be as simple as mowing the year or taking a nightly stroll after dinner with your mate. In fact everything you do burns calories including things you must do such as sleeping, breathing, and even digesting food.

The key to maximizing your weight loss and health benefits is to balance the calories you consume with the amount of calories you burn. It is simple, if you eat more calories then you consume then it will lead to weight gain and visa versa. If you are trying to maintain the current weight you are at then you want to eat the same amount of calories that your body consumes.

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program can do far more than lower your weight. It can also lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and many different kinds of cancer. There are plenty of websites which offer the most recent findings regarding nutrition and disease prevention, and offers expert guidance on the most effective way to live healthier.

There are millions of people who have realized the importance of a healthy diet but aren't willing to change their bad unhealthy habits. In fact recent reports have shown that the Congressional General Accounting Office has found that only 23 percent of Americans get their daily recommended servings of fruit and only 41 percent get their daily recommended servings or vegetables.

Those who change their daily dietary habits can lose significant amounts of weight regardless of age. Online you can find many websites that address the concerns you may encounter when trying out different strategies for achieving true weight loss in a healthy way.

The healthiest way to successfully lose weight is to decrease calorie and fat intake and increase fat burning in the way of physical activity. If you find that diet and exercise aren't enough then you can consult your physician so they can recommend a weight loss supplement that is suitable and safe for you. There are endless amounts weight loss products all of which aren't approved nor disapproved by the FDA so choose wisely.

About the Author:

Article provided by Sven Ullmann, who runs Weight Loss and Diet Plans - a site dedicated to healthy weight loss. You'll find loads of interesting readings there.

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=405118

---

http://www.m-money.info
Make Money Online Directory and Resources.

What Are The Common Myths About Weight Loss?

by Andrew Gee

The following article is one of a series of articles which focus on Self Improvement, Motivation and Empowerment. It is based on research done over twenty years as a personal and business coach. This self improvement article was written in response to questions which have been asked on losing weight and long term weight loss as well as address common challenges that people have with this subject. I sincerely hope that you find the following information of value.

Myth: You'll be OK with a high protein/low carb diet

Fact: This type of diet aims to secure most of the daily required amount of calories from protein foods, such as meat, dairy products and eggs, with a very small part taken from foods containing a lot of carbs (bread, pasta, potatoes and fruits). The biggest problem with this diet is that many common and popular foods are forbidden, which makes it easy for the user to get bored or frustrated. When boredom and frustration set in, quitting time is never far away. Another problem is the lack of nutrients that are usually brought in by carbohydrate foods, while allowing the user to eat bacon and cheese that raise cholesterol levels.

The bottom line is that high protein/low carb diets result in fast weight loss in some users, but it's not just fat that goes away. People also lose some of their lean muscle mass and a lot of water as the kidneys work harder to rid the body of excess waste from protein and fat.

The added stress to your kidneys is not healthy at all and, in the long run, will lead to dehydration, headaches, feelings of nausea and dizziness. Before engaging in a long-term diet, you would do well to discuss it with your physician. And if you are really keen on dieting, try a balanced diet first, because it will help you lose weight without hurting your system.

Myth: Permanent weight loss can be achieved with fad diets.

Fact: This is yet another common myth among the weight loss crowd. Like any other diet that tells you to cut this or that food from your daily meals, fad diets are not healthy for you. The cornerstone of any diet is supplying the body with all the calories, proteins and minerals it needs. Diets that cut out foods without regard for the needs of your body cannot be healthy for you. Fad diets fail to deliver on the promise of permanent weight loss because people will always crave the forbidden foods and will always end up breaking the rules and ditching the diet.

The key to making weight loss permanent is more exercise and to avoid eating food that makes you fat without nourishing your body. Our extensive studies confirmed the importance of exercising and of a well-balanced diet.

Myth: Low-fat or no fat food is always a good choice.

Fact: The only low fat foods that are also low in calories are fruits. The rest of the huge low-fat or non-fat group are not a safe choice if you are dieting. These products may have added sugar, starch or flour to make them taste better, which means extra calories that do not belong into your diet. So make sure you check the list of ingredients on packages whenever you decide to buy low-fat.

========SIDEBAR========
When it comes to the subject of self improvement, I fully understand (through my own experiences) that it is a lot easier said than done. However, you are here, right now, because you have a desire to improve your self or you are at least interested in this subject. Perhaps you are reading this to help a friend or colleague - great. If this article helps you or you help a friend, paying it forward is what lif'e all about so we all win.
======END SIDEBAR======

Myth: Switching to vegetarian food will help you lose weight and stay healthy.

Fact: I know this is a hard pill to swallow, but no food plan will work for you unless you take charge of your eating and make sure that everything that goes past your lips is the right kind of food. The key here is to be absolutely sure that the vegetarian diet will give your body all the nutrients and calories it needs. Eating heaps of foods that do nothing for you from the nutritional point of view, outside maybe of filling your stomach, can bring you a lot of trouble in the future.

Since plants tend to have a lower concentration of nutrients than meat, you will have to eat more food than before to make up for this difference. Not to mention that a strictly vegetarian diet will not get you enough vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, calcium and zinc. These substances are taken mostly from dairy products and eggs in a regular diet, but true vegetarians can't touch those. You'll have to rely on the few and uncommon vegetables that can provide these substances.

Myth: Dairy products cause heart problems and make you fat.

Fact: Well, thanks to modern medicine everybody knows that eating a lot of dairy products is a surefire path to high blood pressure and stroke, although a large group of people from France refuse to die despite the large quantities of cheese and wine they consume.

Dairy products are the main source of calcium that keeps your bones strong and healthy. It is absolutely essential for children and can be in no way overlooked by adults. Dairy products also contain vitamin D, which is crucial to maintaining the normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in your bloodstream.

If you don't want to gain weight from dairy products, then choose low-fat or non-fat brands. There are enough of those around. If you are lactose-intolerant, drink soya or rice milk. It does not taste exactly the same as true milk, but it's still good and nutritious.

Butter and margarine are the only dairy products you should worry about. They do contain big levels of fat. Still, if you can't do without them, at least eat butter. Margarine is an over-processed fat that is not particularly good for you. Butter may be a bit fatter, but it definitely is the healthier of these two.

NOW is the time!

O.K. you have read the article. Now is the time for action. Without action, this article adds no value whatsoever to your self improvement. But remember, without action, you cannot blame this self improvement article or any article for that matter. So, take action NOW.

Even if only one piece of advice, one piece of information, one tip makes a difference, then the whole article has been worth it for all of us. NOW is the time!

Be the person you want to be, you deserve it!

About the Author:

95% of people fail to realize their long term weight loss goals.
Be part of the successful 5% with our free and dedicated customer support and our online health, fitness and weight loss program.
Be the person you want to be and visit us at Long Term Weight Loss

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=405214

---

http://www.m-money.info
Make Money Online Directory and Resources.

Best fat loss diet for women.

by Tina A.

Women love to diet. At any give time, one of three women are on a diet. Yet more women are overweight than ever and a disturbing new study shows that binge eating is the most widespread eating disorder in the United States, surpassing bulimia and anorexia. Surely, there has to be a connection between food deprivation diets and the rate of increase in binge eating.

I can definitely speak for myself. I first began binge eating after following a fad diet that controlled what food groups I could consume. During the two months that I was on the diet, I dreamed about all the foods I could not eat. These "forbidden foods" became an obsession. Needless to say when I went off the diet, I started over-indulging in all the foods I was deprived of during the diet. I told myself that I needed a reward for losing all the weight. In a few short months, the pounds I lost came back and I was stuck with an unhealthy new eating habit to boot.

Maybe there is something wrong in the way we are trying to lose weight? Since most eating disorders affect far more women than men, there is really a cause for concern. Women need to re-examine the way they attempt to lose weight and the ultimate cost on their health and bodies.

Although it sounds unfashionable compared to the latest fad diets out there, the best weight loss diet for women that ensures permanent results is one on which healthy portions from various food groups is allowed. A plan like this will ensure healthy weight loss without causing undue stress on the body. Women also need to keep in mind that fad diets are ageing. This is because fad diets put your body under stress and also deprive you of nutrients you need to keep your skin, nails and hair healthy.

By following a healthy eating plan, you will not only gain an enviable figure, but will also look younger, have less wrinkles, strong nails and healthy hair. Along with healthy eating habits, the right exercise program for women will allow you will feel more relaxed and more confident in yourself. You will also sleep better allowing your body to repair and restore your body and skin. It is not called beauty sleep for nothing.

The next time you come across a new weight loss diet that promises 10 lbs in 10 days ask yourself if it is worth risking your health and complexion to try something that sounds unhealthy anyway. You did not gain all your weight in a week. Why would you expect to lose it all in a week? Also remember that going on a fad diet could cause you to learn unhealthy eating habits and leave you feeling stressed and obsessed.

Stop obsessing over weight loss. Learn about healthy eating and start living better today. Weight loss will happen automatically along with the side effects of better self esteem, peace of mind and healthy skin, hair and nails.

About the Author:

Tina A. is the author of Easy Fat Loss For Women, a sensible approach to fat loss, not muscle or water loss. Her ebook contains valuable information on eating well, exercising the right way for fat loss as well as stress busting techniques to ensure you lose pure fat and look younger and more beautiful at the same time. Find out more at http://www.easyfatlossforwomen.com

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=406153

---

http://www.m-money.info
Make Money Online Directory and Resources.

How Tea and Caffeine Can Help You Control Your Waistline

by Jon M. Stout

Caffeine has often been shown to help speed up metabolism, giving it possibilities as a weight loss supplement. However, the problem with using caffeine as a weight loss supplement is that most of our bodies are accustomed to some caffeine intake, so it may require a significant amount to have any effect. And for some, such a large dosage of caffeine can have side effects.

Some supplement manufacturers attempted to get around this problem by combining caffeine with other supplements purported to enhance weight loss, such as ephedrine. With this particular combination, users did experience weight loss, but the side effects of ephedrine proved very dangerous, sometimes even causing death by heart failure. So, ephedrine has since been banned in the United States.

However, there may still be hope for using caffeine in conjunction with other supplements to achieve weight loss. The most promising is green tea's most potent anti-oxidant, EGCG. Green tea alone has been shown to promote fat loss, speed up metabolism and even inhibit the absorption of dietary fat. However, it appears that when green tea is combined with additional caffeine, it may have even more impact on your ability to lose weight.

Green tea contains caffeine; however, its caffeine content is significantly lower than that of black tea, coffee and colas. So, most of green tea's weight loss effect is contributed to its anti-oxidant level rather than its caffeine level.

Bearing that in mind, researchers decided to evaluate how green tea might affect weight loss and weight maintenance if it was combined with an additional dose of caffeine, similar to that in coffee or cola. In addition, researchers evaluated how the results differed between subjects who were already consuming large amounts of caffeine compared to those who consumed small amounts of caffeine.

The study evaluated 76 overweight and moderately obese people. The participants were placed on a low calorie diet for 4 weeks. Following the diet period, they were observed during a weight maintenance period of 12 weeks. The participants were divided into high caffeine consumers, low caffeine consumers and a control group.

During the weight maintenance period, participants were either given a supplement that contained green tea's anti-oxidant EGCG plus caffeine, or a placebo.

During the study period, high caffeine consumers lost more weight than those who consumed smaller amounts of weight. During the weight maintenance period, the EGCG/caffeine supplement had a significantly greater effect on the people who were low caffeine consumers than on those who consumed larger amounts of caffeine.

The low caffeine consumers who took the EGCG/caffeine supplement during weight maintenance continued to lose weight, lose body fat and show an increased metabolism. However, in the high caffeine consumers, the EGCG/caffeine supplement appeared to have no effect during the weight maintenance period.

So, what does this mean to your diet? Well, it certainly means that people who don't habitually consume large amounts of caffeine could benefit, in terms of weight loss, from increasing their caffeine consumption.

In addition, when you combine this research with results from other studies on green tea's effect on weight loss, it suggests that green tea may be the right way to increase your caffeine intake, particularly if you're caffeine sensitive. Green tea's caffeine does not appear to raise the heart rate and blood pressure the way other caffeinated substances can, so it is better tolerated by those who are sensitive to caffeine.

In addition, it's important to note that the EGCG/caffeine supplement used in this study did not supply an inordinate amount of caffeine. The caffeine supplement was just 150 mg of caffeine, roughly equivalent to the amount you would find in a cup of green tea.

Other studies have shown that green tea has the ability to increase weight loss more than its mere caffeine content would suggest. Some studies have compared the weight loss of those who consumed green tea to those who consumed the same amount of caffeine found in green tea through other beverages.

In these studies, the participants who consumed green tea lost more weight than those who consumed the same amount of caffeine from other beverages, suggesting that it's not just the caffeine in green tea that makes it a good weight loss supplement.

Studies have shown that the EGCG in green tea can promote fat oxidation and inhibit the absorption of fat from the diet. This may be the reason that drinking green tea is more effective for weight loss than drinking other caffeinated beverages.

If you're trying to lose weight, there's still no substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise plan. Eating right and exercising will help you shed excess pounds and keep them off for good. However, when you're trying to lose weight, any help is appreciated -and it appears that increasing your caffeine consumption, particularly through drinking more green tea, may be just the jump start your metabolism needs. Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

About the Author:

Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

Article Source:

---

http://www.m-money.info
Make Money Online Directory and Resources.

Foods For The Negative Calorie Diet

by M.M.R.

By now many peoples have heard about the negative calorie diet and how it can help them lose weight, keep the weight off and generally live a happier and healthier life. In addition to that, recent lab studies have shown the possibility that using a negative calorie diet can also help with slowing the aging process.

With all of the things going for it the one thing it doesn't have is an easy understanding of what exactly a negative calorie diet consists of and what foods are involved that can produce negative calorie results. The very basics of it is that it is a diet that consists of foods are harder to digest, thus, making your body expend more energy in the process of digestion.

To top it off the amount of calories that are burned off during the processing of these foods is far greater than the number of calories the foods themselves contain. Thus, by eating harder to digest foods with low calories one is able to burn more calories than they bring into their body.

Keep in mind that no food actually contains negative calories, it is simply the term referred to a food that burns more calories in the digestion process than it contains. The majority of the foods that work well with this diet are fruits and vegetables. Below you will find some of the more common items that fit into these categories.

Common 'Negative Calorie' Fruits

Apricots, Mandarin oranges, Blackberries, Melon Cantaloupes, Blackcurrant Peaches, Plums, Damsons, Raspberries, Grapefruit, Rhubarb, Guavas, Strawberries, Honeydew Melons, Tangerines, Lemons and Watermelons.

Common 'Negative Calorie' Vegetables

Asparagus, Fennel, Aubergine, Gourds, Broccolis, Leek, Cabbage, Lettuce, Carrots, Marrow, Cauliflowers, Peppers, Celery, Radishes, Chicory, Spinach, Cress, Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Turnips.

It is important that once a person starts himself or herself on a negative calorie diet that they are careful to ensure their body is getting the nutrients it needs. There are certain vitamins and minerals the body needs that aren't always provided by the common foods on would intake for this kind of diet.

To supplement your diet and ensure you are getting what the body needs it is recommended to include foods on your menu that contain at least some amounts of proteins and fats.

Another caveat a person should be aware is that while instituting a negative calorie diet into their lifestyle, they should never forego getting a healthy amount of exercise. The combination of the two will become a powerhouse to helping you lose weight.

About the Author:

Want to learn more about how the negative calorie diet can help you? Visit: Negative Calorie Diet Information

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=407188

---

http://www.m-money.info
Make Money Online Directory and Resources.

How Many Calories Do You Need?

by Andrew Gee

The following article is one of a series of articles which focus on Self Improvement, Motivation and Empowerment. It is based on research done over twenty years as a personal and business coach. This self improvement article was written in response to questions which have been asked on losing weight and long term weight loss as well as address common challenges that people have with this subject. I sincerely hope that you find the following information of value.

How Many Calories Do You Need

How many calories do you need? Well, that depends on a lot of things. Your age, sex, type of work, physical activity, all come into play. There is no one answer for this type of thing. I have to warn you, I don't believe the general ideas on how many calories a person should have. If you have a 2,000 calorie diet, you are starving yourself. I know that some people live and die by this number, but I just throw it to the wind. Wny don't I pay attention to a number such as 2,000? Only because it is stupid.

Yes, you heard me right, stupid.How is a person who is very active going to live off of 2,000 calories? I mean, you would end up looking like those dying skinny kids in the 3rd world countries. I think you get the drift though. I think those numbers are put in place by people who are so focused on health, that they are blinded by it. I mean, if you have 3,000 calories in one day, it won't kill you. Though, they might want to make you believe that it will.

I'm not saying that you should throw all of this stuff to the wind. That would be foolish. What I am saying is, you should take it with a grain of salt. There is no reason why you should get bent out of shape if you go a few hundred or even a thousand over this limit. I mean, if you are going over by 5,000 then you should be worried. Some people do need to be concerned with such a thing. For example, people who are on a diet because of heart problems. You should be very focused on your diet. Also people with sugar problems would fall into this category as well.

========SIDEBAR========
When it comes to the subject of self improvement, I fully understand (through my own experiences) that it is a lot easier said than done. However, you are here, right now, because you have a desire to improve your self or you are at least interested in this subject. Perhaps you are reading this to help a friend or colleague - great. If this article helps you or you help a friend, paying it forward is what lif'e all about so we all win.
======END SIDEBAR======

If you don't have some sort of health problem, I wouldn't get too bent out of shape. Though, if you are eating from the drive through lane every day, then you might have a problem. What am I saying? Use common sense. Understand where your calories are coming from. If you are eating 3,500 calories and they are mostly from things that are good for you, don't go ape shit on yourself. If on the other hand if it is all from candy and deep fried foods, I would be concerned.

You should be more concerned about where the calories are coming from.

If you are eating 1,500 calories alone of fruits and veggies, that is better than eating that in fat. Isn't it all the same? Not really. I would say that it isn't the same. I know that some of you will argue with that. It isn't the same because the calories are coming from a good source. They are coming from things that are good for you. The fruits and veggies will help you out in many ways. They will also help you fight off cancer and heart disease. This isn't true if you are over eating on fats and sweets.

What to do? Well, all I know is what I have stated above. If you are eating over 2,000 calories and you are eating things that are good for you, I wouldn't be too concerned. As always, you should talk to your doctor. That is the best advice I can give you. You should always talk to him before you go and do something new. You might have a health condition that will require you to go on a diet that he tells you to go on.

If you are healthy, base most of your diet on raw fruits and veggies. That is where the action is. That is where you will get the most bang for your calorie. Happy eating.

NOW is the time!

O.K. you have read the article. Now is the time for action. Without action, this article adds no value whatsoever to your self improvement. But remember, without action, you cannot blame this self improvement article or any article for that matter. So, take action NOW.

Even if only one piece of advice, one piece of information, one tip makes a difference, then the whole article has been worth it for all of us. NOW is the time!

Be the person you want to be, you deserve it!

About the Author:

95% of people fail to realize their long term weight loss goals.
Be part of the successful 5% with our free and dedicated customer support and our online health, fitness and weight loss program.
Be the person you want to be and visit us at Long Term Weight Loss

Article Source:

---

http://www.m-money.info
Make Money Online Directory and Resources.