Attention Weight Loss Enthusiast - Eat, Drink, But Be Wary

If only we could lose weight by not doing anything differently. Unfortunately, if we want to be slimmer and healthier, changes must be made, and one of those changes on a weight loss program is saying goodbye to the booze.

But is alcohol really that bad for weight loss? Put simply: yes, but the good news is you don't have to completely eliminate alcohol from your life.

Alcohol is high in calories, it stimulates the appetite, inhibits quality sleep and the body's ability to burn fat efficiently. It also lowers testosterone levels for up to 24 hours after your last drink. An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found when eight men were given two vodkas mixed with low calorie lemonade 30 minutes apart, their body lipid oxidation (ability to burn fat) dropped by a massive 73%.

The main problem with alcohol is that most of it is converted into a substance called acetate, which the body burns instead of burning fat as an energy source.

Alcohol also stimulates the appetite, not something that is conducive to weight loss. Researchers from Denmark's Royal Veterinary & Agricultural University found a group of men who ate a meal with alcohol, consumed many more calories of food, than the group who did not have alcohol.

Alcohol also reduced testosterone levels. One heavy drinking session will raise the level of the muscle wasting hormone, cortisol, which increases the breakdown of testosterone.

One gram of alcohol is seven calories, almost as high as fat, which is nine calories a gram. When you consider a gram of protein is only four calories, it is easy to see alcohol is not very good value if you're trying to control your appetite.

If you like a tipple, it's not all bad news though.

A 2004 study in the International Journal of Obesity compared two groups of dieters over three months

Both groups were limited to 1500 calories a day. One group had 150 calories of white wine a day, the other had 150 calories of grape juice a day.

The weight loss of the two groups was 4.7kg, and 3.7kg respectively.

Another US survey found that dieters who abstained from alcohol don't necessarily lose any more weight than those who take a moderate amount.

A small amount of alcohol, particularly red wine, is excellent for lowering stress levels and preventing heart disease.

It seems the role alcohol plays in your life, whether good or bad, boils down to the amount. While a glass is good for the heart, more than two and you'll be doing yourself damage.

If you are trying to lose weight, and would like to have the odd glass of alcohol, limit your intake to one or two glasses a week.

You will also benefit by changing to a lower calorie drink, like wine, or using diet mixers rather than high sugar ones.

Mix your wine with soda water and drink a glass of water in between glasses of alcohol. If you drink to unwind, as most people do, try something else like an easy walk, some meditation, a scented bath or phone a friend if you've had a difficult day.

Confused yet? The short of it is, if you are trying to lose weight don't drink alcohol. If this is too much to bear, limit yourself to one or two drinks a week.

Instead of dwelling on something you can't have, think about your new svelte body when all your hard work has paid off, and remember - it will be worth it!

Yours in health,

Leisa St Ledger

http://www.leisassecret.com

Weight Loss Consequences, Physical or Emotional?

Have you ever considered following a weight loss process, if you have then chances are that most people tell you about how simple, easy, and utterly accessible it is; however you will hardly hear about the negative consequences that it may provoke in your physical and mental self, which is why this article is meant to be a source of information for all of those people who are not quite sure of their decision yet, and have to learn about the various weight loss consequences that they can expect.

First of all let me tell you that weight loss is truly simple, it is just a matter of willpower and dedication, that is it. Just lay back on the amount of calories you take, practice some exercise, and dedicate yourself to your body a little more than you used to. However the weight loss consequences for following these advices are not always so easy to handle, they mean cutting off your favorite drinks, meals and deserts. It also means that you will have less time to do the things that you enjoy the most, and here is exactly where these weight loss consequences come into play.

You will probably feel depressed for a while when following a weight loss method, especially if you do not start seeing results fast. What happens is that you start thinking if all that sacrifice is really worth it, seeing that you have only lost a few pounds, what's the point of all these weight loss efforts anyway? But you need to be consistent, if you drop your efforts by the moment you start thinking about that, then you will lose all progress, which means that your weight loss motivation will be as good as gone.

Weight loss consequences are not physical at all; some people suffer from different minor problems at first, but only those who follow a starving diet or an overwhelming weight loss exercise routine. If you take your time and pace yourself, there is no possible danger that you may suffer, but the weight loss consequences may present themselves in the form of mental problems.

In order to avoid these weight loss consequences, just remember that you are following the process in order to become a healthier person, remember the very reasons why you decided to follow the methods in the first place, and have a lot of faith in the upcoming results, I can guarantee that they will be worth your time.

This article can be freely published on a website as long as it's not modified in any way including the author bylines, plus the hyperlink must be made active just like below.

Want to lose weight and gain lean muscle mass? Check out Body Building Resource for articles about muscle building, fat loss, diet and fitness. Also available are a muscle building eBook, DVDs, gym equipment and supplements. Go to http://www.body-building-resource.com

5 Healthy Tips To Weight Loss

The world is fascinated with weight loss, some for health reasons and others for cosmetic. No matter the reason, many people try harsh diets that never work, extreme exercise regimens that result in injuries or other weight loss program that end without success. The reason that none of these weight loss methods seem to work is because in order to stay with a program, you have to enjoy it. Not only that, but it has to be safe as well.

Below are 5 genuine tips to weight loss, which almost anyone can do without tossing out their favorite food or spending every spare minute in the gym. Realistically, any weight loss program will take time. If anyone promises you different, they are either not being completely honest or are simply uninformed. Follow one single weight loss program for 30 days, whatever it may be, and see if you have results. If not, move on to something else. In the meantime, check out several tips to getting started today.

Tip # 1
Walking. If you can set aside 30 minutes every day to enjoy a leisurely stroll, you will be strengthening your legs and your heart while burning some calories in the process.

Tip # 2
Use a mini cycle. These portable little exercise units offer the look of bicycle pedals set up on a metal bar, but without the high price or weight of a standard exercise bike. With a min cycle, you can pedal at your desk, on the couch or anywhere else that you can comfortably set and reach the pedals.

Tip # 3
Walk or take the stairs instead of an elevator. This is a terrific weight loss exercise without even noticing the extra effort. Something as simple as a few extra steps every day can go a long way where weight loss is concerned. The next time you go to the store, park in the middle of the parking lot and walk to the store. Avoid parking in the closest spot to the door, which is tempting, but opt to walk instead.

Tip # 4
You dont necessarily have to cut out all of your favorite foods, but you should eat them in moderation. There is no single food that will completely hinder your weight loss attempt but, if consumed excessively, it may. For instance, simply limit your intake to one candy bar or, if you are being really careful, a miniature candy. There is no reason to cut out your favorite food when a conservative amount of the things we love can still have a place in our lives, including during the times that we are focusing on weight loss.

Tip # 5
Whatever your exercise routine, set aside a certain time each day to do it. Individuals who set a routine are much more likely to stay with it and find success than those who simply exercise whenever they have time. The goal to successful weight loss is to make time.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

To find out more about weight loss, please visit our website at http://www.freeweightlossguide.info. It contains tons of free weight loss articles, resources and tips.

Weight Loss Tips For 2008

The first thing that we have to know before we precede to the topic weight loss tips is that there are no short cut methods for you to shed excess weight over night. It requires will power and patience. Another thing to be remembered before you start acting upon the weight loss tips that you are getting is that shedding weight is some thing that is to be dealt with according to the physique and body nature of individuals. Make sure that the life style that you are going to adopt is suitable for you or not.

Like any other work, a programme to shed weight or the weight loss tip you are to follow should also have a target. You should be definite about how much pounds that you want to reduce and the time period within which you want to achieve that target. Make a fixed time schedule without attempting to drag it to an indefinite period. That will make you find excuses for not following the diet rules and routine exercise that you have to do every day.

Try to collect all available materials on the subject especially when you prepare a diet chart to know the impact of reducing food intake. Avoid vitamin deficiency by taking vitamin and mineral supplement to avoid problems arising out of malnutrition.

The first step to be taken by you is to observe quantity of food that you consume a day. Just observe what all food stuff, including the snacks that you consume while you are watching TV or a movie that you consume to know the exact amount of food that you take a day. It is essential to know what all things you have to quit to get rid of the over weight problem.

Never attempt to skip break fast. A good break fast is some thing that is essential for your body to remain healthy and strong. Avoiding break fast may make you eat more at lunch time.

Add a lot pulses and vegetables into your regular diet. Pulses are good to increase the metabolism of your body. Make it a habit to drink plenty of plain water a day. It will help you to lose weight faster than you think

Shift to four to five small meals instead of taking heavy meals three times a day. If you want to avoid excessive intake of food learn to eat slowly by chewing every bit of your food. Avoid all junk foods and fried items from your regular diet. Avoid occasions that tempts you to take too much food. Follow a regular exercise routine to make the weight shedding programme more effective and quick.

For your free course teaching you exactly how to succeed with your weight loss goals using simple and effective weight loss diets simply go to http://weightlossrevolution.net

Why a Program of Moderate and Healthy Weight Loss Can Extend Your Life

All medical studies that I am aware of show that being extremely overweight or obese causes a host of medical problems and greatly reduces your life span. When it comes to the medical benefits of moderate healthy weight loss, however, there appears to be many different opinions. Some claim that being mildly overweight does tax the body and therefore does affect life span. Others claim that that there are no medical issues with being moderately overweight, and that there may actually be benefits to having a little bit of extra fat around your middle. Which to believe?

Although it would be nice to believe that being a little overweight does not have any serious medical consequences, the reality is something different. At least, that is what JoAnn Manson, an MD at the Harvard School of Public Health concluded. She reviewed 25 major studies dealing with the effects of obesity on health, and concluded that being mildly overweight does indeed tax the body. She found that those studies that purported to demonstrate that there was nothing detrimental about being a little overweight were guilty of 3 biases. Here is what she found.

Some studies found that the risk of death was the highest among the thinnest members of the population. The problem with this is that many of these studies didn't take into account that most of this thin people who were dying were smokers. The fact of the matter is that smoking does boost your metabolic rate and it does interfere with your calorie storage. However, these mild benefits are more than offset by the fact that smoking kills you. So, being skinny didn't cause the high mortality rate in these studies, smoking was the cause.

There was another problem with the studies that found that thin people had a higher mortality rate than those who were mildly overweight. This was the fact that when people get sick with a serious illness, they typically lose a lot of weight. For example, someone with cancer might be undergoing chemotherapy and therefore can't eat. In this case, being thin was a harbinger of an early death, not the cause.

The third bias that some of these studies showed was in being too zealous in weeding out factors in an attempt to fairly compare the lean and overweight groups. For example, individuals who had high blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood fat levels would not be included in the analyzed sample groups. The problem with this is that being overweight is often a leading cause of these health issues. Not including them in the samples significantly reduced the risks of premature death from being overweight.

So, once JoAnn had gone through the numbers again taking into account the above 3 factors, what did she find? What she learned was that being mildly or moderately overweight DOES tax your body and DOES SIGNIFICANTLY reduce your life expectancy. She found that the risk of death within 26 years increases by 2 percent for each extra pound between the ages of 50 and 62. It increases by 1 percent for those who are between 30 and 49. Put another way, if you are 50 pounds overweight, you are 50 to 100 percent more likely to die in the next 26 years. You are at twice the risk of dying as someone who is at their ideal weight, and you will lose between 5 and 10 years of your life. From this, we can safely conclude that there are serious benefits to maintaining a healthy weight, or embarking on a healthy weight loss plan if needed.

David Nordmark has long had an interest in natural fitness and health techniques. He runs the website http://www.easyweightloss.breathingweightloss.com/

Weight Loss Options While Travelling

Many people have a tendency to throw their diets into the waste bin when they travel because they develop the idea that travelling and weight loss are incompatible mates. The truth is you can travel and still follow your weight loss program if you really wish to do so. Food should not be a part of your entertainment but rather the means for survival.

Plan Your Meals Carefully

Travelling should not be an excuse to forget your weight loss program and eat whatever you want. If you plan your meals instead of eating spontaneously, you will be able to enjoy some foods that are native to the culture of the area where you are visiting. The key is having a little bit of several foods instead of piling your plate full of foods with empty calories. Whether you are travelling domestically or internationally, it's important to enjoy yourself in ways that do not include overindulging on food. Select foods that are native to the area where you are travelling and ones that are healthy.

Planning your meals during your holidays does not mean you cannot enjoy some of the delicate and savoury dishes of the culture, but you need to choose carefully and limit your portion sizes. Sometimes that is difficult when you eat in restaurants, but you have to develop the habit of eating until you are satisfied rather than trying to finish everything that is served because you paid for it.

Plan Meal Times Around Strenuous Activities

It may not always be possible, but try to eat your meals while you are indulging in calorie-burning activities. It is especially important to eat your last meal of the day early enough to digest before you retire for the night. If you make it a point to eat before you engage in some calorie-burning activity even just walking it will be much easier to enjoy your meals without worrying about gaining your weight back. Even if you only return home and haven't gained any of your weight back, you will accomplish more than many people do.

Limit Your Intake of Alcohol

Many people do not drink any other time except when they go on holidays. They feel they have to try some of the native and cultural wine and drinks, but you have to remember that alcoholic beverages are very high in calories, so you have to make sure to limit the amount you consume. In some places alcohol is almost a staple food, so you have to be extremely careful.

Get Plenty of Exercise

If possible, avoid driving and use public transportation instead. If you do not have access to public transportation, get into the habit or parking as far away from the place you want to go as possible. Engage in sightseeing events and tours that require you to walk rather than ride-shopping districts and amusement parks are great for these kinds of activities. Avoid the temptation to drive or ride public transit to every place you want to visit. Walk around the city some before you drive or take another bus or train.

Linda Farington writes weight loss, diet plan, health, beauty and general well-being articles for the Lose Weight Reviews website at http://www.loseweightreviews.com

Gastric Bypass Causes Hair Loss: Can It Be Avoided?

Surprisingly, hair loss is one of the reasons female pre-operative patients sit on the fence before deciding to have gastric bypass surgery. Obese people, particularly obese women, often have lush gorgeous hair. Of course they do its well fed and nourished! How many of us have been described as the woman with beautiful hair and a pretty face? What person in their right mind would give up one of their beautiful features?

Hair loss usually occurs in the fourth of fifth month following weight loss surgery. During the phase of rapid weight loss, caloric intake is marginal. This puts the body in a state of panic called starvation. Think about the pictures of prisoners of war. Most victims of this atrocity are without hair because they are literally starving to death. A healthy body normally sheds ten percent of hair follicles at any given time. When a body is starving roughly thirty to forty percent of hair follicles are sacrificed as the body channels nutrition to more vital areas. During this phase hair loss is dramatic, often patients find clumps of hair on the shower floor. Remaining hair becomes drab and lifeless.

I knew hair loss was a potential result of weight loss surgery, but because Im a cup-half-full person, I didnt believe that hair loss would happen to me! That just happens to other people, I told myself! Imagine my surprise when my blonde locks were littering the bathroom floor like hair saloon. I shed some tears over that.

The hair loss is a transient effect of your gastric bypass surgery and will be resolved when nutrition and weight stabilize. When my hair began falling out, my husband, who has been a proponent of vitamin supplements all his life, found a vitamin specifically formulated for building strong healthy hair. The vitamin I take for healthy hair and nails is Silica Complex by Puritans Pride. It contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, betaine and horsetail extract. Consumption of this supplement almost immediately retarded my hair loss and renewed my dull lifeless hair. I will continue taking this supplement throughout my life. Three years after surgery my hair is long, full and lustrous one would never know I had suffered significant hair loss. In hindsight, I would certainly begin taking this supplement prior to my surgery. In the very least I would begin taking it soon after surgery before the signs of hair loss were apparent.

Copyright 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com - Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.

How To Reach Weight Loss Goal

The very first thing is to adopt a healthier diet. Notice that I did not say dieting. If you are to succeed in your weight loss efforts it is important to make lifestyle changes. Decide what you are going to eat. Plan ahead and stick with it.

Whatever you do, don't give up. You fail only when you quit. Most of us do no succeed the first time. Persistence alone is omnipotent. Nothing else comes close including talent and intelligence.

Keep in mind that diet and exercise a two halves of one coin. If either one is missing from the equation you lessen your chances for success. You can exercise until the cows come home, but if you are consuming the wrong foods it is likely that you will not experience any dramatic changes. Likewise, without exercise you will burn muscle instead of fat. Keep in mind that aerobic exercise burns fat. If you starve yourself you will be burning muscle.

The most important factor for healthy weight loss is consistency. Skipping your meals or missing your physical activity will slow down your progress. You have to ask yourself how much do you want this? Create a good, solid program and stick with it. Keep in mind that you will get out of it only what you put into it.

The most important thing that we can do is to eat a health diet. Almost no one comes close to eating a healthy diet. When you concentrate on eating healthy, natural foods and have a regular physical activity routine, weight loss will be effortless.

Before you begin you should know that there are certain diet myths that should be dispelled.

Many fad diets suggest that certain food groups should be eliminated. The truth is that you need a balance diet that supplies you with all the nutrients that keeps you healthy. The core of your diet should be built around whole grains, vegetables, beans, fruit, nuts and seeds. This type of diet will strengthen your body, create health and vitality.

Another myth is that you have to eat meat to get your protein. Grains, nuts, oil, legumes and fermented soy products contain complete proteins. The protein in meat is actually incomplete. Both meat and dairy products are high in sodium and fat. This makes weight loss difficult.

If you have any doubts, consider for example the cow. A cow weighs anywhere from 1,100 to 1,600 pounds. It is made up of protein and fat. Yet a cow eats only grass, which is a complex carbohydrate. Somehow it is able to manufacture everything that it needs from this simple food.

Another popular myth is that you have to eliminate fat from your diet in order to lose weight. The truth is that you need good quality fat in your diet. It is perfectly okay to cook with good quality oil, but avoid deep fried foods.

Finally the biggest misconception of all, you have to starve yourself to lose weight. The truth is that if you eat natural foods there is no need to go hungry. There is a transition period in the beginning and it will take a little while for your body to adjust. You will discover that natural foods taste better and are more fulfilling than commercial, processed foods.

So there you have it, some very practical pointer on how to reach your weight goal. Just focus and take action. Before you know it you will be healthier, feel better and of course, you will have lost weight.

Kathryn Soloff is the mother of 8 children and a natural foods cook for over 30 years. She is co-publisher of http://www.natural-remedy-dot-com.com/fatburnerreviews/natural_food_fat_burners.html where she provides additional advice, tips and hard to find information on Weight Loss

Sign up for our free ecourse: 10 Steps To Lose Weight Without Dieting