The Power of Action to Improve Health

Just about everyone has some aspect of their health that affects their daily life.

What is yours?

Fatigue? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Weight Issues? Diabetes? Back pain? Headaches? Disc bulge? Injuries suffered from an accident?

Whether you have high blood pressure, a back surgery that left you still suffering or Parkinson's disease, you have two options for affecting how it impacts your life.

1. Do nothing and let the natural order of dis-ease (lack of ease) and loss of function take over

2. Take action to have the greatest impact on reducing the dis-ease to improve how you feel and function

The answer you should choose is obviously #2. If this is the case then why do so many people opt for #1?

Why get pushed around by bad habits, unfortunate accidents, genetic disorders, failed surgeries or a computer and keyboard?

Today is your day to take a stand against whatever it is that has, up until today, had your number. Whatever it is that has negatively impacted your health and ability to fully express and enjoy your beautiful life.

Right now is the time you are going to take ACTION...

Not think about changes your need to make - Not write out a plan - Not even to make a promise to yourself.

None of that 'saddling up' gets you anywhere. You've got to take action by getting on the horse and riding before you can get away from point A and actually move towards point B.

Action is what works!

If you have pain in the wrists, do the stretches you know you need to do.

If you have back pain, do the stretches you have neglected or make the call to the chiropractor or physical therapist that you have been putting off.

If you have diabetes, start the diet changes today and if you aren't sure what to change, start the research to find out.

Whether your health issues are self-inflicted by bad choices, poor guidance or occurrence out of your control remember this...

The way you are right now is not the way you will be a year from now. Whether you steer the ship or just let the wind take you is your call.

The body is a dynamic structure that is in a constant state of flux. You are never in a state of homeostasis (not changing) so the reality is that you CAN have an impact on the way your body and health will change over time.

Dr. Daron Stegall is one of the most sought after licensed and board certified Chiropractors in Keller Texas at Express Chiropractic & Wellness.

Express Chiropractic Keller provides those living and working in Keller a safe, effective and affordable chiropractic care option.

Because of the convenient location, the Express Chiropractor Keller also serves as a Wautaga chiropractic, North Fort Worth chiropractic and North Richland Hills chiropractic provider.

For more information about Express Chiropractic, visit the website at http://www.ExpressChiropracticKeller.com.

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Why Do All Diets Fail?

There's a dirty little secret in the diet industry. The sellers of weight loss programs won't admit it, but no weight loss plan works for everyone. In fact, all diets fail MOST OF THE TIME!

Don't we all have a friend who can eat and eat without gaining a pound? Clearly, we're not all the same, so if you try a weight loss plan that "works for everyone," and still can't lose weight, don't get discouraged. Get a new plan - one that works for you.

You are unique, both in your personality and your body.That's why diets fail when they aren't right for you. To lose weight and keep it off, you need to find a weight loss plan that suits your unique personality and body.

Maybe you just can't eat enough meat and fat to stick to a low carb diet. Perhaps you aren't able to exercise much, due to some disability. Will the diet you are looking into give you enough pleasure at mealtime? Look at many weight loss programs, ideas and diets, and when you find one that is suited to you, get motivated.

Motivate Yourself To Lose Weight

Imagine yourself at your ideal weight. Perhaps you'll feel better, or look better. Maybe you don't care about the admiring glances you'll get, and you just want to be healthier.

You know what's important to you. If you like the idea of people looking at your thinner body, then imagine that happening. Use your imagination to motivate yourself, and you'll be more likely to stick with any weight loss plan.

Do you ever feel motivated by a book or article on the latest diet or weight loss theory, only to lose your motivation as time goes by? None of us can stay permanently motivated by a book or article, so sign up for a weight loss newsletter. The advantage of a newsletter, is that it regularly re-motivates you.

Find the right weight loss plan, get motivated, and you will lose weight.

Steve Gillman writes on many self-improvement topics. You can get more weight loss tips, and subscribe to a free weight loss newsletter at: http://www.99WaysToLoseWeight.com

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Amazing Diets to Lose Weight - The Famous Cabbage Soup Diet

Here is the quickest way to lose weight without too much effort - the cabbage soup diet. This diet is going to save you and skyrocket your progress. It is extremely low on fat and unbelievably high on fiber which means you will definitely get fairly fit and slim within a short period of time. The duration of the diet is not more than 7 days. If one would like to go through this program once again 2 weeks should pass first.

Here is the very basic information on this diet to lose weight. The cabbage soup diet emphasizes on eating fat-burning soups which contain negligible calories. And these calories lead to extreme weight loss. You can be sure this is the definitive diet to lose weight extremely fast and easily. The most inspiring part of this diet is that it enables people to eat as much soup as they want and whenever they want therefore giving them the opportunity to make their diet schedule extremely flexible and easy to follow.

I want to outline the plan of this diet to lose weight in this article, so there you go.

Day 1 puts strong emphasis on consuming absolutely any fruits you want. You should by all means eat only your soup and the fruits during the first day to create the basis for your future progress. This is of great significance. Besides, you are allowed to drink cranberry juice or water in large quantities.

On day 2 of this program you are free to eat any raw or cooked vegetables you wish, however you should exclude dry beans, peas and corn from your meals. Once again, this is of great significance, if you want to use this diet to lose weight. At dinner you may to eat a single baked potato with butter, but do not eat any fruits today at all or your weight loss progress might get sabotaged.

The third day presents you the unbelievable opportunity of eating all the soup, fruits and vegetables you want or can. Use your chance!

On the fourth day you must eat eight bananas and drink up to 8 glasses of milk in addition to eating your soup.

Day 5 is not too strict in terms of food, since you are allowed to eat beef and tomatoes. About twenty ounces of beef and up to six fresh tomatoes can be eaten by you on this day which is supposed to nourish you quite much. Be ready to drink quite a lot of water in order to wash the uric acid off your body.

On day 6 you are allowed eat to your heart's content as much beef and vegetables as you can. This is the best day of this diet, the celebration of your patience and progress, so to say. Have I already said that this is the easiest diet to lose weight?

Day 7 includes eating only brown rice and vegetables and some soup at least once this day or more if you would like to.

Are you sick of diets to lose weight [http://acequickestwaytoloseweight.com/]? Learn the quickest way to lose weight [http://acequickestwaytoloseweight.com/] right now!

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Dieting Obstacle When Life Gets in the Way

 Dieting Dilemma No 1: When Life Gets in the Way 

That pesky thing called life has a way of fouling up our the best laid plans. First you decide you're going to start keeping your car cleaner, thinking, "I'll wash it every Saturday morning." Great, you have a plan. Saturday comes along and someone calls inviting you to go golfing. "I was going to wash the car, but I can do it when I get back," and off you go. Maybe you do wash the car later that day, maybe you tell yourself, "I'll wash it next Saturday. It wasn't that dirty anyway."

Next week Saturday comes along and someone invited you camping so you're in the woods thinking, "Oh, well, I can't wash the car from here, can I?"

Another Saturday rolls around and you've forgotten all about your car washing plan, so even though you're not doing anything else you're thinking, "I don't really FEEL like washing the car right now. I'll do it later," and so it goes.

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." -- John Lennon

It happens to all of us. You join the gym and immediately get the flu. Sign up for a adult education class and you're car breaks down on the first night. When you need to water the grass there's no rain in sight, but wash the car and what always happens? These examples aren't meant to give you a pessimistic outlook but instead to point out why persistence in the face of obstacles is what separates the haves from the have nots.

It's not what happens but what you DO with what happens that matters 

The best approach is one-day-at-a-time, or even lesser intervals depending on what you are attempting to do. If you're trying to quit smoking, you might want to take things half-an-hour at a time. With food or eating it can be one meal at a time, one hunger pang or craving at a time, or whatever interval works for you.

Choose your Time Interval then Make it Happen 

If you say you'll never do something again (smoke, overeat, over drink) it never lasts (you must build in the possibility of occasional lapse), but if you wake up in the morning and decide for that day, and only that day, that you will follow through with your plan, for just that one day, then it does happen.

There's a real rush of accomplishment when you wake up and realize that yesterday you did follow-through; you accomplished what you set out to do. And that's when it's easier to decide your intention for that day (or that hour) once again. Each accomplishment builds onto the next, and it gets easier and easier. Learning to follow-through takes practice.

Let Successes Build, Lapses Pass 

It takes practice to get proficient no matter what you are learning, so plan to persist. Small lapses aren't failures, they are only lapses, and you then decided for the next time period. You will find that you are following through more often than not as time goes by. Doing this allows you to pre-plan when you know you'll not stick to your eating plan, thereby making it okay on occasion to over indulge. Holidays, special occasions. People who maintain a healthy body weight do this all the time without thinking about it. When you give yourself permission to indulge, it's amazing how much less you'll feel like overdoing it.

What About Those Obstacles and Unexpected Events? 

What about when you decide and something comes up unexpectedly? For instance, you decided you're going to work out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after work at 6:00 PM. This works great on Monday and Wednesday but Friday someone asks you to join them after work for drinks or dinner. Maybe that cute co-worker you've had your eye on.

What do you do? Do you say, "No, thanks, I have to work out," and risk never getting to know that person, or "No, I already have plans," and sound like a jerk, or "Maybe some other time," and you know there'll never be another time, or "Yes, that sounds great," and then you berate yourself for being a whimp and not following through with your workout plan? Either way you're not going to feel good about your decision and you're setting yourself up to fail.

Set Things Up So You'll Succeed - No Matter What 

Instead, set things up so you will succeed, no matter what. Before you decide what you want to do, think it through completely. This is part of the "Creating a Compelling Outcome" process (included in the Ending Emotional Eating Workshop). When you decide what you'd like to do you must also consider everything else that will be affected and whether your plan is workable in the real world. Maybe Friday night workouts are going to be interrupted often. Better then to choose a different day or time.

If you thought about it before-hand you may have realized that things would often come up Friday evenings, so you decided to work out on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, or some other schedule. Thinking about what might interfere is why many people do their exercise in the early morning hours. Working out in the morning virtually ensures nothing else will interfere. No one invites you out for 6:00 AM except maybe your running partner!

If you want to get up early, think it through. Are you a night person? Early morning hours probably won't work for you, but some other time will. Do you have a spouse who'd complain loudly? Consider them as well, but don't let everyone else's preferences keep you from doing what's best for you. Consider others and any objections they may have, and then decide in advance how to counter those objections. It's basically a way to look at your plans from all the angles, figure out the danger zones, decide in advance on strategies to keep you on track, and then get started.

Secondly, realize that once in awhile you won't be able to keep to your plan. That's okay. Holidays interfere with gym hours. I've been annoyed when the gym was closed on Christmas Day! Sometimes despite your best efforts, things come up. That's okay too. You must be somewhat flexible, but at the same time persist to make sure you have scheduled a plan that can work the majority of the time.

Use This Process on Any Change You'd Like to Make 

If you're making changes in your eating habits, do the same thing. I've done this successfully with many eating habits such as my old "Once a week cheese burgers and fries habit" which is now down to seldom or a couple of times a year. I did this by taking my four times a month cheese burgers and fries habit and cutting it back first to three times a month, then twice a month. Finally it was easy enough to just drop it. The habit was broken once I broke the regular cycle.

Remember too, you're not setting up a perfectionist situation, but a plan you can live with and work with. Choose one small thing to change, one habit, one event. Achieving small wins daily builds to enormous successes, and life goes on. Enjoy every moment of it.

Then, when those special situations arise, you'll know what to do, because you've already planned ahead, and even if you abandon your plan, for a vacation perhaps, you just get right back on track when you return feeling refreshed and excited to get started again. Relaxing like this on a vacation many find they eat a lot, play a lot and any weight they gain is lost within days of their return.

By Kathryn Martyn, Master NLP Practitioner, EFT counselor, author of Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss, and owner of OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com

Get The Daily Bites: Inspirational Mini Lessons Using EFT and NLP for Ending the Struggle with Weight Loss.

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How to Snack Without Getting Fat

Did you know that when you are on a diet, if you eat something and no one sees you - it doesn't contain any calories! Of course that's not true...but it is how many of us think! Learn how to beat the hunger pains between meals.

Are you a secret snacker? Do you eat when you are bored, upset, angry? Does every day mean a chocolate bar for you? Snacking...the secret sins of most people wanting to lose weight.

As a wellness mentor I find that people are often feeling so guilty about snacking they are embarrassed to talk about it openly. Women in particular laugh nervously when I ask them what happens to their food consumption around 4pm. This often is the time of the day when the "Snack Monster" rises up and takes control of them! Often these women berate themselves with ideas about being weak and out of control. They either eventually give up on their diet altogether or develop counter thoughts so they don't feel so bad. "It didn't really matter - it is fat free". Or, "if no one notices, the calories don't count".

Your diet does not have to be like this.

You can lose weight without being hungry. You can learn to take control of the "Snack Monster" and your program can be one to set you up for success, not failure.

An important key is to learn how to recognize what your body requires, the signals it gives you, and learn how to respond to those signals appropriately - diet and guilt are two words that do not belong together.

Hunger is the body's way of telling us we need to replenish depleted nutrients. Unfortunately our body can't say "I need more vitamin D". That would make things so easy! Many of us interpret hunger pains as our body saying "I need more fat", "I need more sugar".

The keys to healthy snacking are:

1. Know what foods to avoid, and

2. Planning - get yourself organized.

What is a healthy snack? One that contains little or no sugar, little or no salt (sodium), no white flour and no saturated fat. Check the food labels to see what is inside. Many foods are now labeled 'fat free' but are laden with sugars and will still cause an influx of calories. Do not assume that 'fat free' means healthy! Western societies are eating more and more fat free foods, and yet obesity levels are rising faster than ever.

Healthy snacks do not live in a vending machine.

Here are some healthy snack ideas.

· Raw vegetables, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green pepper, green beans, cucumbers, mushrooms or zucchini may be served with a lowfat dip.

· Fresh fruit in season.

· Low fat quick breads and muffins, such as pumpkin, zucchini, banana or bran.

· Non-sugared cereals, snack mixes made with popcorn and whole grain cereal.

· Low fat yogurt with fresh, frozen or canned fruit.

· Shakes with low fat milk or yogurt and fruit.

· A few squirts of butter-flavored spray and a sprinkle of garlic or onion powder on popcorn

Organize yourself to stay on track.

. Plan to have a small snack mid morning and mid afternoon. It is much better to curb your hunger than to starve yourself.

. Plan your snacks as part of your overall daily food plan.

. Organize your week - especially if you work outside the home. Write a list of snacks for the entire week and make sure you shop ahead. Buy enough to last the whole week.

. Buy a variety of healthy snacks so you don't get bored.

Studies show that people who have a healthy intake of food in four of five episodes throughout the day are less prone to obesity than those who eat three or less times during the day.

Snacking CAN be good for you!

(c) Copyright Kim Beardsmore

Kim Beardsmore M.B.A., B.Sc. is a writer for the weight loss, health & fitness website Weight Loss Health. For reliable information and resources free from hype, visit Weight Loss & Health Information

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Chasing the Best Weight Loss Programs

A Good Weight Loss Program - a never-ending quest.

Contrary to popular belief, eating less is not the solution when you're looking to lose a few extra pounds. And unfortunately... there are lots of weight loss programs that will emphasise that.

Reducing your food intake will help you lose weight but the human body needs a certain amount of daily dosage. This includes the consumption of sufficient vitamins, proteins and iron etc every day to make sure the body stays healthy and functions properly.

On the other hand, excess of anything can be detrimental to one's health. Therefore, eating too much of a particular food, or none at all can also lead to problems such as a deficiency of say, calcium for example.

It is important to find the right balance in your meals if and when you decide to go on a weight loss regime. A bit of the Yin, a little of the Yang will make certain that your body finds enough nutrition and the resources to function as it should on a daily basis without you having to worry about an expanding waistline or the health concerns that can arise from being overweight or obese.

There are weight loss programs and recipes available for those of us out there who're either too busy, or too lazy, to implement an exercise regime, and would like to lose weight through diet plans only.

Some of them are single-recipe meals or food tricks that you can incorporate into your daily routines without too much hassle, while others are elaborate programs extended over a period of weeks or months to help you lose weight, and then maintain that weight loss.

The Big Breakfast Diet

We have all heard the emphasis our elders place on a nice, hearty breakfast at the beginning of the day. Well, this diet plan, popularly known as The Big Breakfast Diet works on the same principle.

This diet plan will also appeal to you because it has more to do with the timing of the meals as compared to their contents! The source of this plan is a book by the same name penned by Daniela Jakubowicz.

The basic premise of this author is that you consume a sizable amount of calories (anywhere from 610-850) in the morning, preferably before 9 am. Doing this activates the body's metabolism and your body now makes better use of its circadian rhythms, allowing better digestion and fat burning.

What is even more interesting is that you do not have to exclude mouth-watering delicacies like ice cream and donuts from this diet plan! However, these should not be included in your diet at the behest of protein and fiber-rich foods.

If this plan is followed properly, one can lose up to 25 pounds in a month according to Jakubowicz. Let's review the items that you can eat under this plan.

To begin with, most working people literally struggle everyday to first think about what to prepare for breakfast, then actually prepare it, and then finally find the will to actually eat it!

But it is not the "Big"-iness of the breakfast that keeps you full all day; you have to incorporate the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, sugars etc.

Sample Breakfast

The following is a sample breakfast that is prepared according to the aforementioned guidelines.

· Scrambled eggs (country-style) prepared with 3 egg whites, cheese (2 oz.), veggies, and ham (2 oz.)

· English muffin (half) with cream cheese

· Cereal with milk (ideally 8 oz.)

· Smoothie (strawberry)

· 1 Chocolate fudge brownie

So now you probably have an idea of what a "Big" breakfast looks like. Once again, it should maintain a balance between proteins and carbohydrates, and you don't have to give up on sweets!

Lunch

Lunch should comprise of 3 servings of protein, including vegetables, both low-calorie (3 servings), and sweet ones (2 servings). Finally, delight yourself with 1 serving of fruit.

Lunch should be taken by 2 pm.

Dinner

You can have up to 3 servings of protein in dinner, though there is always an option of consuming lesser proteins, followed by 2 servings of sweet vegetables. If you still feel hungry, fill your tummy with unlimited helpings of vegetables with low calories. Finally, give your taste buds a treat with 2 servings of fruit.

You should take dinner a few hours after lunch. Note that these timings can go up by 1 hour (but not more than that) during the winter season.

You may have noticed that the intake of protein is overly emphasized in this plan. This is because protein makes you feel full. On the other hand, carbohydrates convert into energy, fueling up the body's fat burning process. This effect is enhanced when the right amount of carbs are taken in the morning.

Moreover, the sweets are included in all meals simply to prevent cravings. If you do not feel like eating breakfast, go ahead and have it. As you continue with the diet plan, both your body and your taste buds will adjust to the timings.

Now a word about the timings. Many experts who have reviewed this diet plan have noted that there is nothing spectacular about the 9am time period or the 600 calorie quotient.

However, all experts have endorsed the principles behind this plan, namely have a good breakfast in the morning with limited meals in lunch and dinner to avoid overeating as well as hunger cravings.

The Mediterranean Diet 

The Mediterranean Diet is not like your typical diet plan. It rather revolves around food items of places neighboring the Mediterranean, such fish, fruits, and olive oil.

Likewise, items comprising meat and cheese will be avoided or at least their quantity will be lowered.

Along with helping you to eat healthy and losing weight, this plan also helps you to avoid heart problems like heart attack, as well as other medical conditions like type II diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

Planning the Mediterranean Diet

The attractive feature of the Mediterranean diet is that it can be incorporated in one's daily eating routine. Things that you can add to your daily diet under this plan are:

· Fruits and Vegetables- Blueberries, Grapes, Broccoli, Beans, Olive, Spinach, Lentils, and Chickpeas etc.

· Whole-Grain-Pasta, Oats, Brown rice, and Couscous etc.

· "Good"* Fats- Olive oil, Canola, Flaxseed etc.

· Fish- Tuna, Lake Trout, Salmon, and Mackerel etc. Eat at least twice a week.

· Low-fat Dairy Products-Milk and Cheese etc. Have small amounts on a daily basis.

· Poultry and Eggs-Eat every alternate a day or once a week.

*Good fats are unsaturated fats. It is widely held that about 35% to 40% of daily calories come from unsaturated fats found in items like palm oil, coconut oil, and butter. In this diet plan, you should also limit the consumption meat and dairy products made from whole milk.

What else? Oh yes! Reduce consumption of red meat. Only have limited servings (up to 3 oz.) at varying days throughout the month. As far as sweets and desserts are concerned, restrict them to only a few times a week.

This includes your daily soda as well! You should rather opt for red wine in the Mediterranean diet plan. Women can have 1 glass, while men can enjoy up to 2 glasses per day.

How to Add the Mediterranean Diet Plan to your Everyday Diet?

The following suggestions will help you include healthy Mediterranean foods in your otherwise Western diet:

· Instead of using butter, you can have olive oil and fresh herbs with your morning toast

· Take the cheese out of your salad and replace it with seeds and nuts

· Avoid the bacon and instead go for a sandwich made with slices of avocado

· Try herbs and spices instead of salt for taste

· For dessert, try a piece of fruit instead of a piece of cake or chocolate. This can include baked apples or dried fruit as well

· Olive oil can also mean sauce on your pasta, along with pine nuts and a wee bit of Parmesan cheese

· Avoid red meat for lunch and dinner and replace it with broiled or grilled fish with olive oil.

· Stay away from white flour and go for whole-grain products

· Ground flaxseed can serve as a healthy addition to your cereals, soups, and low-fat yogurt

· Drink fat-free or 1% milk and use it for baking purposes as well

· Replace mayo or cream based vegetables and dip them instead in a vinaigrette dressing or hummus

Finally, resort to cooking with canola or olive oil instead of oils immersed in saturated fat. You can consult a dietitian, or even surf the internet to get further tips on incorporating the Mediterranean diet to your daily routine.

Note: You can maximize the benefits of the Mediterranean diet by some physical activity. This doesn't necessarily mean the gym exercises. Just do anything that keeps your heart beating.

Even housework and taking the stairs instead of the elevator qualifies. Yes, we know, the purpose of a diet plan is to help you lose weight with changes to food and drink only, but hey, you are not getting anywhere by being a couch potato!

For your success,

Adrian Obijeski

The Big Breakfast Diet specific recipes, custom-designed weight loss exercises, healthy diet plans from various cultures around the globe, can be found at http://www.naturalremedies-foryou.com

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Does a Gluten Free Diet Work for Weight Loss?

What is gluten?

Gluten is a type of complex protein. Unlike other common proteins, gluten mostly occurs in certain carbohydrates. Wheat, rye etc are rich in gluten. Gluten is an essential component of any bread. It is the reason why bread rises and gains a chewy texture. Gluten makes the bread stretchy.

What foods are rich in gluten?

Though gluten is most commonly found in wheat, there are many other foods which contain significant quantities of gluten. Some examples are as follows:

• Since gluten is one of the main ingredients in wheat, all products containing wheat are rich sources of wheat. These include all breads, cakes, pasta, cookies, doughnuts, flour, spaghetti, biscuits, waffles, bagels and many more.


• Apart from wheat, few other cereals also contain significant quantities of gluten. These include grains like barley and farina.


• In foods which do not naturally contain gluten, it is added for a number of purposes. Gluten is a thickening agent and used widely in sauces, ice creams, puddings and gravy.


• Almost all refined and processed foods contain gluten. Examples include pizza, salami, sausages, soups, chips, hamburger etc.

So, you can see that gluten is a very common component in many common foods. If you are thinking of adopting a gluten free diet, then you should know that you may have to do without some of your favorite foods.

What gluten free foods can you include in your diet?

• The list of foods containing gluten is a long one. So, if you are considering a diet free of gluten, you need to know what foods you can include in your daily diet.


• Though gluten is commonly found in cereals, it is not present in every cereal. Rice, quinoa, amaranth, millets etc are excellent gluten free alternatives.


• Yams, potatoes, arrowroot, sorghum etc are good sources of starch free of gluten.


• Fresh fruits and vegetables do not contain gluten and so can be easily included in your diet.


• Lean animal proteins are also free of gluten. However, they should not be breaded which adds gluten to the preparation.


• Nuts and legumes can be eaten in a no gluten diet.


• Finally, in recent days, gluten free breads, biscuits, cereals and desserts have been introduced in the market. However, in many cases, though they are labeled free of gluten, they do contain a small quantity of gluten.

How can gluten free diet help in weight loss?

Though people from various walks of life say that gluten free diet is ideal for weight loss, it requires some in depth analysis before you switch to such a diet. Here are some points that you should consider:

• According to the American dietetic association, there is no proven gluten free diet for weight loss. Little research has been made in this connection. So, there are no statistical data to prove or disprove no gluten for weight loss.


• Some people suffer from gluten intolerance and gluten allergy. They have to eat a gluten free diet in order to stay fit and in good health. An extreme form of gluten related disorder is the celiac disease. This is a form of immune disorder where the intestine cannot absorb the nutrition which is present in the food that you eat. Celiac disease is aggravated by gluten intake.


• Apart from the people who are suffering from intolerance and other similar disorders, gluten probably plays an indirect role in weight loss. If you examine the list of gluten rich foods, you will see that they are also high in calories and sugar which lead to weight loss. So, if you avoid gluten rich foods, you are actually avoiding processed foods which add a lot of needless calories to your diet. As a result, you will obviously lose weight.


• A few studies have been conducted. They reveal that if you go on a no gluten diet, you are actually opting for healthier food choices. As a result, you may lose an average of 15 to twenty pounds of your body weight at the end of the first month of your gluten free diet.


• According to one research, no matter how tall you are, eating gluten rich foods continuously will make you heavier and bulkier.


• While scientific evidence of no gluten for weight loss is still being collected, there are a number of conclusive studies which show that overweight people who are suffering from celiac disease enjoy definite benefit from a diet free of gluten. A clear trend of weight loss can be seen in them.


• The fact is that gluten itself is not causing any significant increase in your weight. So, eliminating gluten is not likely to have a severe impact on your weight. However, the gluten rich foods also tend to be rich in salt, fats and calories. So, when you avoid them consistently, a noticeable difference is seen in your weight.


• You need to be careful about what foods you choose to replace the gluten rich food that you are eliminating from your diet. These free of gluten substitutes actually may contain higher calories. At the same time, replacing wheat cereals with refined cereals may affect your nutrition because these are often not enriched with added nutrition. In these cases, a diet free of gluten will not be helpful for you in losing weight.


• In fact, except in celiac, gluten free diet exercises little direct influence on weight. But, it does have a lot of indirect influence. So, if you can stick to gluten free healthy alternatives for long time, you are bound to notice a loss in weight.

For more information on the gluten-free life visit Little Soya. If you are interested in purchasing gluten-free products visit us on Amazon.

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Diet Soda Myths Exposed So You Can Lose Weight Effectively

 

Myth #1: Diet Sodas Help with Weight Loss

Many people out there drink diet sodas because they believe it is a healthier option and I respect the fact they are trying to lead a more healthy lifestyle. The fact is that all of these products are detrimental to one's health. With that being said it is not the consumer's fault. Soda companies have been lying for years about the so-called benefits of their product.

It is simply a marketing strategy to get a larger consumer base and ultimately more money out of us, the general public.

If you want to lose weight the best thing to drink is water followed by, and there is a vast margin between the two, fruit or vegetable juice. Drinking diet soda is not even on the map in this discussion, it will not aid in weight loss in fact it has been shown in studies to cause health problems not health solutions.

Myth #2: Diet Sodas are Good for You

Recent studies have shown that diet sodas are more likely to cause type two diabetes in people who consume them on a daily basis. This is an awful result for all of us who are trying to be health conscious.

We all know that type two diabetes can lead to type 1 diabetes over time and then you really have a problem because that is a very serious medical condition that can cause a myriad of health problems including shortening a person's lifespan.

Artificial sweeteners, used as an ingredient of these products, is also a major cause for concern.

Myth #3: The Ingredients Used are Better than What is in Regular Soda

This is the biggest one in my opinion and it is simply not true. One of the ingredients used as a substitute for sugar is aspartame. I don't know if you have ever heard of aspartame but if you drink diet sodas you really should educate yourself about this harmful substance.

Aspartame has been known to cause over 80 different medical conditions, some as minor as diarrhea, and even more serious conditions such as epileptic seizures. Most people have some kind of reaction to aspartame the question is to what degree and what are the long-term consequences.

I really hope this article has opened your eyes and raised your awareness about the dangers of diet soda. My hope is that diet sodas become extinct because people stop buying them. This is a serious problem that detracts from the good health of an individual.

Weight loss expert Sam Payne uses the power of information to benefit people who want to lose weight, get fit, or just live a healthier lifestyle. Now he is giving you a chance to check out some of his many strategies. Just go to http://www.how-to-lose-weight-hq.com/Diet-Sodas.html to learn more of his strategies for healthy living. Also check out http://www.how-to-lose-weight-hq.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samuel_D_Payne

Health Benefits of Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia Cambogia is a pumpkin shaped small fruit found in various places in the world, mainly in Asia. It is an evergreen tree with fruits of yellow color and oval shape. The rind extract of the fruit has medicinal values. It is known as HCA or hydroxycitric acid which has several medicinal uses. The extract is used as weight loss supplement, diet supplements, mood enhancement product, and appetite suppressant. This extract delivers fastest results. The extract is made out of natural ingredients and the effects of the extract are proven clinically. Garcinia Cambogia is used in cooking also as one of the ingredients in various curries. Here are the benefits of this fruit:

Weight Loss

It helps you to lose weight tremendously by cutting down an enzyme production known as citrate lyase. The unused carbohydrates of the body will be changed into fat by citrate lyase.

Garcinia Cambogia will block the enzyme effectively which burns the excessive carbohydrates in the body, so that no fat is formed through the conversion of excessive carbohydrates. By consuming the extract of the fruit, you can reduce your fat without going to the gym. It also increases the metabolism of the body that burns your excessive fat. The product is useful to reduce fat in the thighs, buttocks and belly.

Appetite Suppression

This fruit extract can suppress the appetite. You have to consume the extract half an hour before the meals in an empty stomach. The extract will suppress your cravings for food. Therefore, it suppresses the hunger which results in eating less food than usual. If you are not overeating, then it will naturally lead to weight loss.

Mood Enhancement

By consuming Garcinia Cambogia, your body will produce extra Serotonin which improves your mood as a whole. Some people tend to eat more when they are ruled by emotional feelings such as sad and anger. The product helps not only to eat less, but also provide you with great sleep because of the increased production of Serotonin. A good sleep makes you relaxed and calm.

Gastric Ulcers

Garcinia Cambogia is used for the treatment of gastric ulcers. This natural supplement consists of an ingredient known as garcinol which reduces the stomach acidity and provides protection to the gastric mucosa. This product is an astringent and it was used in treating dysentery and diarrhea.

Immune System

This herb helps you to improve the immune system. It protects you from illness such as swelling, flu and bowel complaints. It reduces blood cholesterol and blood lipid level. This natural supplement protects you from external toxins like alcohol as Garcinia Cambogia prevents the liver cells and stops cell damage occurred by high lipid level in the blood.

Enjoy the various health benefits that Garcinia Cambogia offers. Click here for details: Garcinia Cambogia HCA

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Bossky

 

Health and Fitness Training: The Ultimate Beauty Secret

In today's modern world, beauty does mean a lot. With the prettiest faces to captivate the general public, from magazines to televisions to websites, every girl wants to know one thing. What does it take to become the next "IT" girl? What's the ultimate beauty secret?

Living the life of the rich and famous is quite easy if you grace the covers of the beauty magazines. All it takes for a girl to live in the fab lane is to simply be beautiful. The ultimate secret to achieving beauty is health and fitness training.

Being healthy and fit is your ticket to success. But, it does come with a price! It takes hard work and patience to achieve it. It doesn't happen overnight, thus, you have to brace yourself. Let's get started!

Tip # 1 Pump your Heart 

The heart plays a vital role in your body. It pumps the blood which delivers oxygen and nutrients needed by your body. Thus, your heart always needs to be in great shape. To achieve that, make sure you pump your heart. There are many exercises which facilitate cardiovascular conditioning. The most basic of all exercises is walking or running. If you're just getting started, it's best to start your exercise by walking at least 30 minutes per day. You can schedule your walks at the time of your convenience. You can do it at your subdivision, at the park, or anywhere else you want to. Do the walking regime for about 4 weeks and after that transition to running. You can start running small distances then run longer ones as you go along. Once you've made this a routine, you'll definitely run your way to a better heart!

Tip # 2 Strength is Beauty 

Strength or resistance conditioning is always an important part of training. You have to exercise your muscles in order to keep your body toned. Also, it energizes you. Most women may fear bulking up but, you'll only bulk up if you allow yourself to be! The training is designed to tighten up loose muscles. It also decreases risk for injury and by being physically toned, you'll be more confident!

Tip # 3 Food to Feed your Soul 

Diet is very important in Health and Fitness Training. It's no good to exercise when you're not eating right. You may lose certain calories by burning them out, but, what's the use if you find yourself eating too much fat the next minute?! Thus, watch out after your food intake and make sure you eat healthy. Choose fruits over sweets. Also, replace carbs with high fiber-high calorie diet. Instead of eating a slick of cake, why not eat a whole wheat bread instead?! It would still be a delicious goodness yet a healthier one!

Health and Fitness Training will help you achieve beauty if you embrace it wholeheartedly. Undertake the necessary steps and do everything it takes. Before you know it, you might be the next girl the paparazzo's are stalking after! Start your beauty secret experience today by checking out http://www.trainingfitness.info. We have a free 7-day ecourse designed for you!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_C_Madison

 

13 Weight Loss Secrets For 2013

1. Eat some carbs

Weight Loss is an easier goal to achieve when you know the difference between good and bad carbs. Good carbs are ones full of fiber and are absorbed slowly into our systems so that high glucose levels may be avoided, like beans, fruits, whole grain, and vegetables. Bad carbs are refined and processed foods, like junk food, white rice, and white bread.

2. Don't count calories

A calorie is merely a value of energy obtained from food being translated to your physical activities. Your body's pace of metabolism doesn't depend on calories, but on your fat intake (which must be low), and the chemicals there are in your food.

3. Why an energy bar isn't a friend

Weight loss enthusiasts have always encouraged energy bars as snacks instead of cupcakes, brownies, or chips. The downside is, energy bars contain just as much sugar as chocolate bars like Snickers. Energy bars are called as they are because they're fuel for your workout, but not handy for your diet. Eat a banana instead; it has a healthy mix of potassium, vitamins, antioxidants, and carbohydrates.

4. Why dark chocolate IS a friend

Dark chocolate has antioxidants and helps you feel fuller for a long time, fighting off urges of hunger

5. Drink at least 8 glasses or 1 liter of water a day

This is not a shocker, but this tip definitely aids weight loss.

6. Set specific goals of exercise and increase the intensity moderately

Getting yourself to lose weight is not easy during the early stages. Allow your body to adjust to different paces. Scientific studies show that those who are able to control their workout have more chances to achieve a successful workout, than those who mindlessly exert too much effort but end up at a plateau stage. Always dare to achieve more. Start a month's workout and weight loss plan by having walking briskly for 30 minutes. During the next month, increase the goal by mixing briskwalk exercise and jogging for 40 minutes.

7. Weight loss is achieved more easily when exercising rigorously for short periods of time than when exercising with small-moderate effort for longer periods of time.

8. Spice up your life

Spicy foods are known to be potent fat fighters. Spicy food will also make you consume less portions of food. One example is the turmeric which is widely used in Malaysia.

9. Remember there's an alternative for every unhealthy choice you make.

Don't deprive yourself of cravings, deprive yourself of unhealthy habits instead. When shopping, there are many products with low-fat options. It also makes a difference when you eat smaller portions than the amount you regularly take. When you're about to eat dark meat, remember white meat is healthier. Even when you're craving pizza, there are always pizzas with healthier ingredients aside from the meaty and fatty ones.

10. Fit is greater than fad

Weight loss can only get uglier with fad diets. Once you follow a fad diet, you can expect to lose some weight - and then gain some more. For example, fruit juice cleansing varies the insulin levels in your body - it skyrockets, and then crashes. You will also lose muscle mass, which causes translation to fat from the food you eat once you get back to your regular eating habits. Fad diets are made for lazy people. Weight loss is a lifestyle of fitness, not just some fad.

11. Superfoods that guarantee a super you

Superfoods are foods that when consumed more of will help you successfully achieve weight loss:

Blueberries, eggplant, sweet potatoes, brown rice, wine, broccoli, pears, grapefruit, almonds, kidney beans, green tea, bananas, lentils, eggs, oranges, dark chocolate, pine nuts, potatoes, white beans, cheese (fresh goat cheese and feta), low-fat milk, garbanzo beans, plantains, quinoa, pearl barley, black beans, oats, avocados, salmon

12. Think positively

The way you think greatly affects the way you act. By thinking positively, you will be able to unblock obstacles that distract your way to achieving a perfect body. Celebrities who've had weight loss like Jamie Lee Curtis and Sandra Bullock were known to be optimistic and grateful for the chance to take care of their bodies - and this kept them moving forward.

13. Don't starve yourself

Weight loss is supposed to make you feel good, and starving yourself won't help. It will actually worsen the way you think about dieting. When you starve yourself, your body's metabolism will slow down. Worse, you will end up getting hungrier and eventually overindulge with food until you bloat. To keep yourself from getting hungry with a good diet system, eat frequently, for every 3 to 4 hours a day. This will also keep your metabolism fired up.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abdur_Rajjak

How To Lose Weight While Pregnant - 3 Tips To Help You Lose Weight While Pregnant

Putting on extra weight while pregnant is, as we all know, part and parcel of the whole process. And it has it's plus points too - those bigger boobs make your hubby feel like a kid at Christmas! :)

But what is a normal and appropriate amount of weight to gain while pregnant? Are there any ways that we can safely lose weight while pregnant? What can you do now that will make your labour easier and help you get back to your pre-pregnant weight super fast when your little bundle of joy finally arrives?

Are you really overweight?

These days it's easy to get sucked into the media's image of what a mum-to-be should look like, what with all these celebrity toothpicks, as I like to call them, having no more than a small bump, whilst being on some faddy diet. I must stress that pregnancy is definitely not the time to be going on a strict weight loss diet. What you need is to ascertain what a suitable pregnancy weight is for you, and then take steps to try to maintain it and increase your health and the health of your baby.

Everybody is different, and every woman's body will react differently while pregnant. An average weight gain for a full term pregnancy is anywhere between 25-45 pounds, which includes the increase in the mother's blood volume, the size of the uterus, the placenta, various fluids and the baby. This is an average figure so there will be much variation either side. Check with your doctor for more advice on your optimum weight.

How to lose weight while pregnant Tip no.1 - Control Your Cravings

Cravings are one of the hardest things to deal with during pregnancy, and annoyingly, one of the biggest contributors to excessive weight gain. Waking up in the middle of the night yearning for chocolate, or ice cream with gherkins, is a well-known part of pregnancy. However, these cravings, while healthy and perfectly normal, can be controlled and there are even certain foods that can reduce your cravings. Eating foods with a low Glycemic Index (GI) can help balance your blood sugar levels and reduce the highs and lows that many women suffer throughout the day, due to their slow release of energy. This can help you in reducing the onset of any excess pounds and begin to help you lose weight while pregnant.

By craving foods with high sugar and glucose levels a vicious circle can be created because they will often make the cravings worse, affect your mood and contribute to excess weight gain.

How to lose weight while pregnant Tip no.2 - Eat More Often

"Hang on, didn't you just tell me to control my cravings Now you're telling me that eating more often will help me lose weight while pregnant? Are you out of your mind?"

This kind of sounds counter-intuitive doesn't it? The idea though is that you'll be eating smaller portions more regularly instead of 2-3 large meals a day. By doing this you're not consuming any extra unnecessary calories, but are feeding your body and the baby more regularly. This will help keep your metabolism and blood sugar at consistent levels and keep you energised throughout the day.

And yes, I am out of my mind but not because of this! ;)

How to lose weight while pregnant Tip no.3 - Exercise

Exercising regularly during pregnancy was once frowned upon, but now has seen to be a great way to stay in shape and lose weight while pregnant, avoid the aches and pains common with weight gain, and can increase energy, flexibility and make your labour significantly easier (thank goodness!).

Walking and swimming are excellent low-impact ways to keep you fit and healthy and maintaining a balanced weight while pregnant. The buoyancy you'll find in the pool will often come as a relief and an aid to your daily routine and let's you get some fantastic exercise without putting stress on your body or the baby's.

Stationary cycling is also a great way to get some low-impact exercise and build stamina.

Yoga and Pilates can be beneficial and effective ways to lose weight while pregnant but make sure you find a suitably experienced instructor who has specialised in dealing with pregnant women.

Again it's always best to check with your doctor on the intensity of your workouts, for instance, if you exercised regularly before you were pregnant then your workouts will be notably different to someone who didn't.

There's no need to go through your pregnancy feeling overweight, unattractive and lacking energy. There are many more simple steps you can take to help you lose weight safely while pregnant, and have an easier labour.

Discover more secrets and tips on How To Lose Weight While Pregnant at my website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_Strachan

Eat More, Weigh Less? Yes, You Can!

Is it really possible to eat whatever you want and still lose weight? Hearing a supermodel say that she never exercises, and eats whatever and whenever she wants is enough to make anyone scoff in disbelief. But then why do we hear famed medical doctors and nutritionists say that eating more can actually help you lose weight?

Because you can! It just depends onhow you do it.

Unfortunately, eating a diet that consists of hamburgers, French fries, and milkshakes is not going to take you to that healthy weight you've been obsessing over for the past couple months (or possibly even years). Even if you do cut down on your portions, your insides are still not going to be very happy.

So what is the secret? Here it is, in 5 simple steps that even the most skeptical dieter can appreciate:

1. Eat More Often: Yes, you read that correctly. Eating more frequently throughout the day (4-6 times) will help keep your metabolism working at its full potential. Think of your metabolism as a bike that is being pedaled. If you stroke the petals on a pretty continuous basis, the bike will be able to cruise for a short distance with no extra push. However, to keep up that speed the bike will then need another couple strokes, allowing you to cruise for a couple more moments without pedaling. Conversely, if you do a couple really fast strokes and then completely stop pedaling, the bike will speed up for a short amount of time, but will eventually slow down until it comes to a standstill.

Your metabolism is the same way. It needs that constant stream of energy to keep it running smoothly. If you don't eat for more than 4 or 5 hours it will begin to slow down, just like the bike, burning fewer calories per hour (aka, causing you to gain weight over time).

2. Turn Snacks into Mini-meals: Since you are now going to be eating more often, it is reasonable to think that your meals should be turned into snack-sized, right? Wrong! It is actually more beneficial to think of everything you eat as a mini-meal. By doing this, you are not only making a conscious effort to slow-down for a moment and eat your food, but your choice will [most likely] be a healthier one since meals, by definition, contain a variety of foods, not just one item (ie, a piece of cake).

3. Eat Larger Quantities: ...of vegetables that is. Sorry to disappoint, but I am not going to lie to you and say that you can eat whatever you want and still have the supermodel physique that you have been dreaming of. However, I will say that when it comes to eating veggies, there really is no limit. Eat until you heart is content!*

Vegetables are full of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, all of which will help you feel and look better on the inside and out. Furthermore, they help to fill you up without leaving you sluggish and lethargic as often is the case after a big meal.

*As a side note, loading your veggies with butter, bottled marinades, etc. does not count in this no limit rule. I prefer to roast my veggies, with absolutely nothing on them at all, and will then add a little bit of coconut or olive oil (plus a pinch of salt and some fresh herbs) on them when they are finished. This will give them a good flavor while allowing you to use a much smaller quantity.

4. Eat More Fats: And by fats I mean the healthy kinds, including those found in olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed, avocadoes, nuts, seeds, fish, and Organic-lean meats. Our bodies need fats. In fact, our brains are made up of roughly two-thirds of the stuff. Fats keep our intestines running smoothly and our minds working normally. They also help our metabolisms work as they are meant to.

Getting around 20-30% of your calories from healthy fats is a good range to shoot for when trying to figure out how much you should be eating every day. But please, try your best to only get them from foods contained in the list above. There are tons of very unhealthy fats for you out there as well (trans-fats and saturated fats are the worst).

5. Eat Before Bed: How many times have you heard how bad it is to eat before bed, and that you really shouldn't eat after 8pm at all. Well, let me tell you this is not the case at all! In fact, you really should eat something before you go to bed. This all comes back to the slower metabolism idea that I covered in #1. Not eating for 10-12 hours will slow down your metabolism, forcing it to burn fewer calories than it otherwise would. Plus, at least for me, I have a horrible time trying to sleep when my stomach is eating itself because I am so hungry!

Do yourself a favor and stop going to bed starving. This doesn't mean eat a gourmet meal, but have something small (maybe 100 calories or so). Choose something that has some fiber in it and some healthy fats as well. This could mean anything from an apple dipped in Almond Butter to Organic Yogurt with blueberries and pecans sprinkled on top [just a couple ideas].

See, you can eat more and weigh less! Now if only we could sleep less (while still feeling well rested) and add a couple extra hours to our day...

As a Nutritional Chef, I not only focus on healthy eating, but I take pride in creating food that taste just as good, and often a great deal better, than it's unhealthy counterparts. Health is a lifestyle and I believe that the road to getting there needs to be enjoyed!

Furthermore, I am a Certified Fitness Trainer and so I know how exercise, combined with healthy eating, can make a world of difference in how someone feels on both the inside and out.

With my Master's in Nutrition and my Culinary experience, my knowledge of health and nutrition, coupled with my passion for cooking, put me into a league all of my own.

Learn more at http://www.theguiltlessgourmet.com, and visit OCFoodandFitness.org for even more great health advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Boscarini