Weightloss-Resolutions.com

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Weight loss is on the top ten list for New Year’s resolutions every year. In fact most top resolutions are there every year.

Ever wonder why that is?

How do you take your “resolution” and turn it in to lasting change in your life? I found these videos very helpful. Grab a healthy beverage and pen and paper. Then let me know what you think in the comments area.

I’ve put together a special gift for you in honor of your taking action to set some goals to change your health.  It’s a set set of three Personal Reflections worksheets with affirmations.  it’s totally free and you can download them here.  No opt-in required.

Weight Loss Resolutions

Dieting to achieve weight loss is difficult enough. Doing it right is another matter. Of course, what is ‘right’ for one may not work well for another. Creating a natural weight loss from a balanced, healthy diet takes a little research.

You could just stop eating for a while, at least. But the cravings could drive you crazy and the health consequences are grim. Not a good approach. You might try diet pills, and some do work to a degree at least for a while. But the side effects are something to look out for. They can outweigh the benefits for some.

Others will naturally gravitate toward one of the popular ‘name’ diets, such as the Zone Diet or South Beach Diet. Certainly, they have their positives and the approach they take may work well for some, less well for others. One could say the same about many low fat or low carb diets. There’s a bit of truth in all of them.

Some prefer a traditional approach, guided by the USDA Food Pyramid, old or refurbished. It does contain a lot of sound advice about the types and amounts of different foods to eat or avoid. It can be confusing, but those who persist will find a lot of useful information there.

Those and other guidelines contain information on fiber, fat, carbohydrates and other foods to consume. They give good advice on which are the essential vitamins and minerals. They make it easy to understand why cholesterol and fat isn’t always bad, and how to keep the bad type down and the good type up.

Traditionalists and those on the leading edge alike will pay similar close attention to fluid intake. Dehydration can do more than just reduce maximum workout performance. It can cause health problems long before you feel thirsty.

Many will, naturally, be excited about the potential benefits of organic foods. From a good supplier, they can offer nutritional value that is less often contained in the average major grocery store product.

Those who do will also be interested in the promise of phytonutrients. These compounds, found in highly colored fruits and vegetables, promise to optimize nutrition and lower the odds of disease. Such people also have a natural interest in finding out all about omega-3 fatty acids available in fish or supplements.

Cutting across all these different groups of individuals are those who just plain find it difficult to diet. Diet programs and weight loss clinics like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers can help. Their programs encapsulate a simple to follow set of recommended diets or prepackaged meals and support for sticking to one’s diet goals. They’ll help adjust the dieter’s attitude in a way that can prop up the commitment to long-term lifestyle change.

There are definite health advantages (and a few precautions) to dieting. But whatever type of dieter you are there is ample information available to assist you in getting the pros and avoiding the cons. After all, dieting is hard enough. Knowing how to diet doesn’t have to be.

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Wouldn’t everyone love to stop worrying about dieting? Just take a pill once a day and forget about it. The pounds just melt off. Well, nutritional science isn’t quite there, yet. But it is making strides. However, anyone considering their use should be aware of both the risks and the potential benefits.

Pharmaceutical companies have taken two basic approaches to weight loss pills: those that stimulate and those that block. Stimulate what? Block what?

Appetite Suppression

In the first category are diet pills that work on the centers of the brain to stimulate the central nervous system. Several years ago these were variants of amphetamine, popularly known as ‘speed’. The basic idea was to stimulate the dieter, which had the ‘side effect’ of suppressing appetite.

The idea is sound. Eat less and your odds of losing weight are higher. The basic equation of dieting, no matter what method is chosen, remains the same: more calories consumed than used leads to weight gain. Consume fewer calories than you burn and the body will naturally shed pounds.

But, as with any drug, there are real side effects. Speed can produce heart palpitations, insomnia, diarrhea and lowered sexual function. In extreme cases, it may produce psychotic episodes. Over time, even the ability to depress appetite generally fades. Once the effects of amphetamine became more widely recognized, its use was discontinued.

A more contemporary prescription diet pill in this category is phentermine. It works by stimulating the hypothalamus, a gland that controls certain neurotransmitters associated with appetite. But it also plays a role in the sleep cycle, so sleeplessness can result. Still it is generally safe for short term use and the side effects are much less severe. Over a few weeks time, the desired appetite suppression is likely to fade.

Fat Blockage

The second category of weight loss pill uses an entirely different approach to eating and digestion. Here, there’s no attempt to regulate how much food is consumed, only how many calories are retained. Since every digested fat gram yields 9 calories, it is ‘energy dense’. So, removing fat from the system can help reduce the number of available calories.

Orlistat (marketed under the brand name Xenical) is a prescription diet pill that does just that. It operates by altering the body’s efficiency for absorbing fat, causing more of it to be eliminated in feces. The popular non-prescription drug, Alli, is the same drug at a lower dosage.

But, these too have side effects. Stools tend to be oily (a result of the added fat) and defecation is more likely to be spontaneous. That means it’s possible to lose control of the bowels and eliminate at undesired moments.

Summary

For many, the side effects of diet pills are well worth the benefits they give. Many users have tried a number of diet plans and find they don’t work well enough or require too much willpower. Others simply prefer to spend less time thinking about meal plans, carb to fat ratios or total calories consumed. A pill helps them diet with greater ease.

As with any approach to dieting, it’s wise to consult with your physician first before selecting a weight loss pill.

Obesity and its associated problems are discussed in every major newspaper. You can?t turn on the news or the television without hearing about it. However, many people don?t truly understand what obesity is. They may think they?re obese when they?re really not.

Likewise, they may believe they?re just a bit overweight when they?re clinically obese. The difference is significant.

The Basics of Obesity.

Let?s start with a working definition of obesity. Doctors and medical professionals define obesity as a person who is 20% or more over their normal body weight.

Most physicians use BMI or body mass index to evaluate obesity. It?s a slightly more accurate assessment than simply looking at normal weight. This is because normal weight can range for a person by ten or more pounds. Normal weight varies depending on muscle mass, bone mass and water retention.

BMI is calculated based on a person?s weight and height. It?s a basic ratio of your weight multiplied by 703 over your height multiplied by itself. So if you weigh 150 and you?re five feet four inches your ratio would be 150×703/64×64 (inches). Or 105450/4096. Or 25.74.

The result is then evaluated based on the following scale:

* Underweight = <18.5
* Normal weight = 18.5?24.9
* Overweight = 25?29.9
* Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

A person is considered to be morbidly obese if their BMI is greater than 40. A morbidly obese person weighs 50-100% more than their normal weight.

Causes of Obesity

There are many causes for obesity. Many people gradually gain weight over time. By the time they reach their 30?s, 40?s, or 50?s they?ve inched up into the obese category. A pound a month or ten pounds a year can really add on over time.

Inactivity and a poor diet are also paths to obesity. Some medications and health conditions also lend themselves to weight gain. Finally, genetics and environmental factors can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Treatments for Obesity

The treatments for obesity are varied. They depend on the person, the cause for the obesity and the seriousness of the person?s health. Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes ? diet and exercise to surgery. If a person is obese it is important to lose weight. Obesity brings with it a whole host of health risks. Many of these risks are life threatening.

To treat and manage obesity meet with your doctor to create a treatment plan. Obesity isn?t a life sentence. you can lose weight and regain your health and vitality. The first step is understanding what obesity is. The second step is getting a diagnosis. Finally, create a treatment plan and begin the path to your healthier future.

You or someone you know may be struggling with obesity. It affects one in three adults in the United States. Globally obesity is increasing in every country. Many consider the rise in obesity an epidemic.
Along with weight gain, obesity brings with it a whole host of health problems. These problems range from depression and poor sleep to heart problems and death. Obesity has even been linked to many forms of cancer. Before a person can begin to manage obesity, they must understand it. Specifically, what is causing the obesity?
What Causes Obesity?
There are actually many causes for obesity. Sometimes just one factor can be enough to cause weight gain. Other times causes combine to cause weight gain. Here are some of the more common causes for obesity.
Genetics
Scientists and medical professionals have identified a group of genes that control hunger. More specifically, they control the hormone Leptin. When you have healthy Leptin levels you feel hungry only when your body needs food. When levels are imbalanced you might feel hungry all of the time.
Environment
The environment you live in, your friends, and the habits you grew up with make a difference. People with obese parents are more likely to be obese themselves. People with obese friends are also more likely to be obese. People who live in the Southern United States or the Midwest are also more likely to be obese.
Diet
Diet is the primary cause of obesity. Overeating and poor eating habits are the single biggest contributor to obesity. Processed foods, fast foods and restaurant foods are all high in fat, salt and sugar. One take out burger can have more calories and fat than the average person should consume in a day.
Sugary drinks like juice and soda are also contributors. Many people drink their day?s calories without realizing it. Diet is so important to preventing and controlling obesity. Doctors and scientists say that a good diet can overcome genetics.
Activity
When an inactive lifestyle is combined with poor eating habits obesity is a result. The math is simple. A person must burn more calories than they consume. Simple things like walking make a huge difference.
Lifestyle
You might be surprised to know that some basic lifestyle habits can cause obesity. For example, poor sleep or a high stress life can lead to obesity.
Medical Requirements
Finally, many medications and medical conditions can lead to obesity. For example, a thyroid imbalance can lead to weight gain. If it?s not discovered early it can lead to obesity.
If you or someone you love is struggling with obesity, find out what?s causing it. Then, and only then, can you take proper steps to regain your health. Consult your physician and assess your lifestyle and habits. What can you do to lose weight and get healthy?

Obesity shortens lives. It decreases the quality of life. The reason? Obesity causes a number of health problems. Obesity is said to be one of the highest causes of death in the United States. Here are the ten Most Common Complications of Obesity.

#1 High Blood Pressure, aka hypertension. Obesity causes both inflammation and hormone changes. These two each cause elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure makes your heart work harder around the clock. This often results in heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.

#2 Diabetes. Obesity is the leading cause of diabetes. And diabetes kills. It can cause kidney disease. Diabetes causes blindness, high blood pressure and stroke. It can also cause heart disease, amputation and death.

#3 High Cholesterol. This in turn causes hardening of the arteries, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.

#4 Brain Disease. It?s theorized that obesity is a direct cause for neurological disorders like Alzheimer?s and Dementia.

#5 Chronic illness. It reduces your immune system. Obese people are often battling infections and illness. In addition to colds and flu viruses, you may experience skin infections, bladder infections and chronic sinus infections.

#6 Cancer. Obesity is linked to increased cancer rates including, uterine, cervical, ovarian, breast, colon and prostate.

#7 Gynecological problems. Your fat cells are directly connected to your hormone levels. When you?re obese your chances of dealing with infertility, ovarian cysts and irregular periods is much higher.

#8 Sleep apnea. This sleeping condition reduces your oxygen intake. This affects your immune system. It also affects your energy levels, your mood, and your memory and ability to concentrate.

#9 Osteoarthritis. This painful disease is worsened by obesity to be sure. However, it can also be caused by obesity. The chronic wearing down of the joints by carrying excess weight causes osteoarthritis.

#10. Depression. Depression is caused by a number of obesity related factors. In addition to poor sleep which often causes depression, obesity can cause hormone changes that alter brain chemistry. Additionally, many people who struggle with obesity may have a low self image. This is particularly true in children who may be teased by their peers for their weight.

Obesity also causes fatty liver disease, Gallstones, heart attacks and strokes, insomnia and sleep disorders, and metabolic syndrome. If you?re struggling with obesity or if someone you love is struggling with obesity, it?s important to support them to take care of their health. This is particularly important for children who may be shortening their life expectancy by a decade or more.

Obesity kills. It reduces quality of life.

Obesity can be reversed. You don?t have to live with these health complications hanging over your head. Consult your physician and get on a program today to start living a healthier life.

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With most weight loss plans, there is a real danger of getting bored with the food choices. Somehow unhealthy food is so much more exciting, isn’t it?   Hmm… a fresh green salad, or a big plate of fried chicken with all the fixings?  No question as to which makes your mouth water more!  Obviously, if you want to stick to a healthy eating plan for the rest of your life, you’ve got to find ways to make your meals and snacks as exciting and tantalizing as your former guilty pleasures.  But how? Read more about avoiding boredom in your diet

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Working out can often become tiresome. This is because many of us tend to fall into a workout rut by doing the same things over and over. One good way to make your workouts interesting keep boredom at bay is to come up with ways to challenge and inspire yourself.  Below are 3 good ways to do that:

Increase the Intensity

Your brisk walk around the park each morning has become like a sleep walking journey because you are getting so fit that it no longer challenges you like it once did. This is a great time to start challenging yourself with more intensity. There are a few ways to do it. Extend the distance you walk, increase the speed at which you walk, or even start including a few short sprints to get Continue reading “How to Keep Your Workouts Interesting” »

One question you may have in common with other dieters is how often to weigh yourself. Should you weigh daily, weekly, monthly, or not at all? You will find that there are many differing opinions on this subject, but below we’ll share a few good ideas to help you decide what’s best for you.

Weighing yourself daily may sound like a good idea; after all, you’d notice immediately if you gained weight, so you can take steps to lose it again. Or, if your goal is to lose weight, you’d be able to see clearly if you’ve lost weight each day so you know if you’re on track or not.

Unfortunately, weighing yourself every day can wreak havoc on your mind because it’s natural for your weight to fluctuate each day, even by a few pounds up or down.

Weighing yourself weekly makes more sense because even if there were a few daily fluctuations, for the most part your Continue reading “How Often to Weigh Yourself” »

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If you are like me, you may not think of breathing as having anything to do with weight loss.  In fact I was skeptical when I first became aware of this during a late night infomercial.   Weight loss breathing techniques, however, can be extremely helpful in a number of ways. First of all, dieting and losing weight can be stressful, and deep breathing is a well-known method of relaxation. Breathing deeply can also help neutralize emotional cravings for food, especially when they are triggered by fear, anxiety, sadness, or boredom. Finally, breathing deeply helps strengthen and expand your lung capacity, which Continue reading “3 Good Weight Loss Breathing Techniques” »

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When it comes to weight loss, there are endless little strategies you can use daily to help you stay on track. Eating slowly is a key strategy to lose weight. In fact, throughout history meals were eaten slowly, over many courses.  People lingered at the table, savoring their food and enjoying conversation.  Contrast this with today’s fast-paced lifestyle.  Many people have a strong habit of “wolfing down” their meals, practically inhaling them. If you have this habit too, there are two very good reasons why Continue reading “Why Eating Slower Helps You Lose Weight” »