Healthy Weight for Life: The 5 stages of lifestyle change
Michael Hallinan

So youre determined youre going to do something about your weight. But what? Losing weight is not in itself a behavior. Releasing fat pounds is an outcome of many behaviors that add up to consuming more calories than your expending. (Yes, theres a genetic component too, but you cant change that.)

The good thing is that this gives you lots of places to start moving toward your goal of losing weight. The challenge is sorting through them all and finding what will work best for you. So heres the question: What are you most ready to change?

Behavioral researchers have identified five stages in behavior change:

1. Precontemplation: Youre not even considering it. No way youre gonna give up your pizza and beer. Gym-going is not for you. Why walk when you can ride?

2. Contemplation: Well, maybe you could live without pizza and beer *every* week. Gym is out, but you always liked swimming, maybe a pool. The walk in the park with your friend was pleasant last weekend, maybe you could do it again.

3. Preparation: Next week youre going to skip that pizza. You found out the local Y has a pool and their family rates are affordable. You talked to your friend about doing more walks sometime.

4. Action: Two weeks and no pizza. You joined the Y and youve swum laps there a couple times. You and your friend have gone walking the past three Saturday mornings.

5. Maintenance: The weekly pizza has been a thing of the past for six months. Swimming is so much a part of your daily routine that you dont feel right if you skip it. Those Saturday walks are dont-miss tradition.

In fact, this readiness to change model is behavior-specific. That is, you might be in the action stage with the pizza but still in precontemplation on that exercise stuff. Youre not likely to be very successful if you flog yourself for not swimming laps every day, what you want to do is move yourself to the next stage: List the pros and cons of regular exercise and guess what, youre thinking about it and that means contemplation.

So think about the behaviors you can change to lose weight. What stage are you in for each of those behaviors? In each case, what can you do to move yourself to the next stage? What are you most ready to change.

We explore readiness to change in my free teleclass, The Real Skinny on Weight Loss: Dont Diet, Do It. You can get details and register at www.teleclassinternational.com/catalog.phtml?keywords=MH-RS

About the Author

Michael Hallinan overcame a lifelong obesity, and the midlife discovery of health and fitness so changed his life that he established a coaching practice specializing in helping others find their own healthy way to a healthy weight. For more helpful tips, subscribe to the Healthy Weight Newsletter. For past issues and to subscribe see
www.healthyweightcoaching.com/Ezine.htm

Tags: Action Stage, Author, Behavior Change, Behavioral Researchers, Calories, Contemplation, Couple Times, Daily Routine, Exercise, Genetic Component, lifelong obesity, Lifestyle Change, Losing Weight, Maintenance, Michael Hallinan, Pizza, Pool, Saturday Mornings, Six Months, Swimming Laps, Tradition, Walk In The Park, Walks, www.healthyweightcoaching.com/Ezine.htm, www.teleclassinternational.com/catalog.phtml?keywords=MH-RS —

Healthy supplements make diet pills obsolete!
Armand Dupuis

Diet Pills

Taking diet pills is definitely not an effective weight loss strategy, because as soon as you stop taking them, all the weight you lost will return with a vengeance, because…

Most diet pills are nothing more than drugs which act as appetite suppressants, and the side effects can be devastating or even deadly so it’s not a good way to lose fat.

Most of them will usually act as effective appetite suppressants, which means that you won’t be hungry and will stop eating. Of course you are going to lose some weight, but…

When you are not eating, you are on a starvation diet, and your body responds by slowing down your metabolism, because it is being deprived of essential nutrients which it needs to survive.

Eventually, you have to stop taking the pills or you’ll die. When you do stop, your hunger will return with a vengeance, because your body is trying to replace the nutrients it’s been lacking, and just look at the…

Side Effects of Diet Pills

Many of these diet pills are addictive and some of the side effects are high blood pressure, liver irritation, headaches, dizziness, sexual difficulties, increased heart rate, diarrhea, and even death, plus…

Guaranteed, you’ll regain all the weight you lost and then some, because now your metabolism is much slower than before, so in other words…

Diet pills make you gain weight in the long run, and also, just look at the harm to your body from both the starvation and the side effects.

That’s too high a price to pay for temporary weight loss. Instead…

Replace Diet Pills with Supplements
For healthy weight loss!

Healthy supplements are much better than diet pills for healthy weight loss. Also, supplements make a safe appetite suppressant without slowing down your metabolism, and… Make Diet Pills Obsolete!

People take diet pills in order to stop eating, but eating is required for survival. The reality is that you need to stop eating the junk foods, however…

That’s a lot easier said than done, as you are craving food because your body is asking you for nutrients which is not in the food you’re eating. The reality is that…

You can never satisfy your cravings, without giving your body “what it is craving”.

Healthy Supplements Satisfies Your Cravings

When you take the right kind of supplements, your body becomes more nutritionally satisfied, which greatly decreases your cravings, so you’ll lose some fat, without slowing down your metabolism, and you won’t regain all the weight you’ve lost.

But here’s the problem…

Not all Supplements are Created Equal

In order for your supplements to be an effective appetite suppressant, you need to take only “Quality Supplements” that your body can actually absorb, because…

When you take most vitamin and mineral supplements for example, it’s common knowledge that your body will only absorb about 4 to 5% of the nutrients in them.

It doesn’t seem to matter if you buy your supplements from a drugstore, a health food store, or if they are prescribed by a doctor.

What’s the point in spending money for supplements, if your body can’t absorb them, or if the nutrients you body is lacking is not in them to begin with?

Most people take lots of supplements, but they are still craving food all the time, and that means…

The supplements which you are taking are not making you nutritionally satisfied; otherwise you wouldn’t have all those cravings and keep gaining fat.

Breakthrough Super Supplements

In the Slim and America Weight-Loss Project, we only recommend supplements which are absorbed by the body, otherwise what’s the use?

Over the years we’ve come across a variety of different supplements which will affect different body functions, and just recently, we’ve come across a line of super supplements which act as effective appetite suppressants, because…

They are being fully absorbed by the body, and therefore making the body more nutritionally satisfied, otherwise, the cravings would remain.

Not only are our students who are taking these supplements eating a lot less, but they are also reporting a lot more energy, and a lot more stamina to get through the day.

The net result is…

Faster weight loss

Faster and safer weight-loss results are now possible without slowing down your metabolism, so that more effective fat burning takes place 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Weight loss that stays off!

Everybody is different, so the trick is for you to find the supplements which will give you the best results. Today there are many supplement manufacturers who have top quality products, however…

There are many others, who make misleading claims for products that are not only totally useless, but some can also be very dangerous to your health, so how can you know for sure what’s best for you?

The answer is simple: if the products solve your problem, “Great”, if not, they’re a waste of money and you should get your money back.

If you take a good comprehensive general supplement and are eating at least reasonably healthy, you’ll become more nutritionally satisfied and it should take a lot of your food cravings away, otherwise you are not absorbing them and they are a waste of your hard earned money.

Becoming more nutritionally satisfied is the only way to get rid of food cravings in order to lose weight permanently.

Diet pills on the other hand, work exactly the opposite and slows down your metabolism 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so…

Only a natural weight loss system together with healthy and effective diet supplements is the answer to staying permanently slim, fit, and healthy.

Isn’t your health your greatest asset?

Not only is losing weight in a healthy way, “real easy” once you know how, but more importantly…

The weight stays off!!!

What’s the point in losing and regaining the same 20 or 30 lbs. over and over again? That’s what happens when you slow down your metabolism by taking diet pills, instead of losing the fat the right way to begin with,.

Why Not Lose It 4 Life

Only by following a safe and easy system like the Slim America weight-loss program, will you be able to burn the fat much faster, and lose the weight for the rest of your life, so diet pills are just not an option.

About the Author

Armand Dupuis is a Personal Trainer, Lecturer, Teacher, & Permanent Weight Loss Specialist, who has been a Serious Researcher into Human Consciousness for 5 Decades.

Mr. Dupuis has presently specialized his Teachings, into a powerful permanent and “free” Weight Loss System, and Information is available on his Web Site.
http://www.slimamericaweightlossproject.com/ga

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Healthy Supplements: A Healthy Option?
Kay Zetkin

Do you have a pretty demanding and busy lifestyle? Are you part of the general population that has put itself into a health crisis due to poor eating habits and inadequate exercising? The neglect of taking some high demand needs by your body may just be the very cause of many illnesses you are suffering right now. Well, then it might be time for you to consider taking healthy supplements as a regular part of your diet.

Many conditions manifest itself that can be attributed to the lack of certain nutrients in the body. But now, more and more people are taking control of their health by finding the best supplemental support for their body. The campaign with regards to cleaning up the environment and the natural way of doing things made way for alternative medical treatment soaring in the health care market. Natural herbs and supplements play an important ingredient in these alternative medical treatments. Many are also willing themselves to be aware of how their body functions naturally and supply it with the right kind of healthy supplements. These are the situations that make healthy supplements as a household phenomenon.

If you ask mothers nowadays on what their important stocks of home medical supply are, chances are they will give you a list of supplemental drugs, vitamins and minerals and herbal concoctions stored up in their medicine cabinets.

Women with menopause of PMS symptoms have been known to find relief through intake of natural supplements. Irritable bowel syndrome sufferers have found relief by adding supplements in their diets. Are you one of those considering healthy supplements, too? Are you suffering from symptoms that are keeping you from maintaining a good mood? Do you tire easily nowadays and find that your weight and digestive system is unsettled? You might find the effective solution to end your troublesome health problems by adding the proper health supplement to your home medical supply.

Here are some examples of healthy supplements that you may consider taking:
1.d-LENOLATE Olive Leaf Extract for improving of immune system
2.Astragalus antibiotic
3.Dandelion root extract help with kidney function and fluid balance
4.Pregnenolone improve mood and memory

For every deficit the body might have, be sure that there is a supplement formulated to help in relieving it.

Aside from poring over books over herbal remedies and helpful healthy supplements, the internet also about hundreds of supplements available for you to research over and purchase. Making yourself more updated on the natural supplements available that is guaranteed to relieve you of various diseases and illnesses is a sound way of having the finest health. If you are knowledgeable enough about certain trustworthy alternative treatments, you can also be prepared to discuss it with your doctor and request for options. That way, your doctor is also aware of the alternatives you should use and what you might both expect out of it.

Worried about getting the wrong interaction if you combine prescription drugs with natural supplements? Then it is also a must to inform yourself more on the alternative method of treatment youre interested on taking. You might even find that some supplements are just what you need in order to increase the effectiveness of the prescription drugs youre taking.

So, theres nothing to doubt about! Keep yourself well informed on natural alternative remedies and healthy supplements. Try out some if you feel that it would improve your condition. Then, dont forget to keep in contact with your doctor or health care provider. -30-

For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.onlinehomemedicalsupply.com

About the Author

Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out her thoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes of the world.

For her, writing is an effective tool to express your viewpoints… To write is already to choose, thus, writing should be done along with a critical mind and a caring soul. She hopes to become more professional, skilled and mature in her craft.

Tags: Author, Body Functions, Digestive System, Diseases, Eating Habits, Effective Solution, Good Mood, Health Care Market, Health Crisis, Health Supplement, Healthy Option, Herbal Concoctions, herbal remedies, Home Medic, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Kay Zetkin, Medical Supply, Medical Treatments, Medicine Cabinets, Natural Herbs, Natural Supplements, Pms Symptoms, Proper Health, Supplemental Support, Vitamins And Minerals —

Healthy snacks for healthy living
TonyRobinson

Snacking is one of those issues that can wreck the best laid
plan for healthier eating. Everyone wants a snack now and then,
but the key is to make those snacks healthy and nutritious as
well as delicious.

There are many great snacks that can be enjoyed guilt free. For
instance choosing snacks from whole grain products, fruits and
vegetables, milk and dairy products, meat and nuts can be a
great way to satisfy your craving without destroying your diet.

The world of grain and whole grain products contain a great many
healthy snacks, including whole grain breads (wheat bread and
rye bread are great choices), whole what bagels, wholesome
tortilla shells, pita bread and whole grain cereals.

The all important vegetable and fruit food group contains so
many ideas for healthy snacks that it would be impossible to
list them all here. Some of the best, tastiest and easiest fresh
fruit and vegetable snacks include baby carrots or carrot
slices, bit size vegetables such as broccoli florets, radishes
and green peppers, fresh vegetable and fruit juice and fruit
salads.

For a quick and easy fruit salad, try this five minute recipe.
Open a can of mandarin oranges and pour it into a bowl, making
sure to capture all the delicious juice as well. Cut up a
banana, an apple and a nectarine and add them to the bowl. Add
some strawberries, blueberries and raisins for extra taste and
color, and serve.

Of course fresh fruit also makes a great snack on its own.
Snacking on apples, bananas and oranges is a great way to eat
healthy and still enjoy delicious snacks. Keeping a bowl of
delicious fruit on the table or the coffee table is a great way
to encourage the entire family to eat healthier.

The milk and dairy products food group also contains many
healthy snack items, including low fat and nonfat yogurt, skim
milk, low fat puddings, cheeses and even chocolate milk.

Low fat cuts of prepared meats and low fat varieties of lunch
meats make great snacks as well. Sandwiches made with whole
grain bread and low calorie spreads like mustard can be a great
treat any time of day or night.

Canned tuna (packed in water of course), peanut butter, eggs and
egg substitutes, poultry, nuts and beans are also excellent
choices for healthy snacks.

When creating healthy snacks, it is important to limit the
consumption of high fat foods, and foods high in salt and
sodium. Instead of buying snacks in the snack aisle of the
grocery store, try making your own using some of the suggestions
listed above.

For added variety, try combining several different healthy
snacks in unexpected ways. For instance, try spreading peanut
butter on pita bread, or use it as a fun dip for apple slices.
Or top a whole grain English muffin with tuna and cheese. Place
it in the broiler for a few minutes and enjoy a healthy and
delicious snack.

Other good ideas for quick and healthy snacks include pairing
fresh fruit with nonfat plain or vanilla yogurt, adding fresh
fruit slices to cereal, and using fresh fruit and fruit juices
to make delicious smoothies.

To perk up bagels that are getting a little stale, try slicing
them into thin pieces and arranging them on a baking sheet.
Brush them with some low fat salt free butter or margarine, some
garlic powder and bake them for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.
This is a great way to make your own inexpensive and healthy
bagel chips without the preservatives or extra sodium found in
the store bought variety.

There are of course many other types of healthy snacks, and
their variety is only limited by your creativity. It is
important to make a variety of healthy snacks, and keep them
readily at hand. Replacing all those unhealthy snacks with
healthier alternatives is one of the best ways to keep snack
cravings from sidetracking your healthy eating goals.

About the author:

Tony Robinson is a Company CEO, webmaster husband and dad. In
his busy lifestyle he has placed importance on health and
fitness. Visit http://www.eat-healthily.com for good eating tips
and techniques to assist you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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