Everyone really knows how to loose weight: eat right and exercise. If it were really that simple, though, no one would be overweight, because each time a person decided to lose weight, it would happen with no problems. Diet books and programs all seem to shout that their way is the best and only way to lose weight and keep it off. Were told that low-fat is healthy and a great way to lose weight, only to then be told that low-carb is the only way to go. Its no wonder people are confused, and heavier than ever!

Figuring out how to loose weight by dieting is tricky. Do you start eating only X amount of calories per day without worrying about what kind of foods youre eating, or you do stick to a very detailed eating plan that allows only certain kinds of things? Do you want to go low-fat, low-carb, vegetarian, or just eat a variety of foods in moderation? Youll find an expert that says every one of these ways is the correct and healthy way to do it and that you should avoid the others. Getting a straight answer is difficult.

The problem with all these people trying to tell you how to loose weight is that people read their books and follow their plans and either stay fat or lose weight and then gain more back. Its hard to pick the right plan when it seems that every plan fails at least some people. The important thing is to choose a healthy way of eating. Moderately low-carb diets can be healthy, as can low-fat diets.

When youre figuring out how to loose weight, try a diet that seems reasonable to you. Expect any type of diet to require a little bit of adjustment time in the beginning. But after a few days, you should get used to it. You should choose an eating plan that youll feel good on. If youre physically ill, very edgy, or feel too full or even starving all the time, that diet isnt right for you. You dont have to suffer to lose weight, no matter what some of the experts will tell you.

Of course, if you feel great on a diet but arent losing weight, its probably not the right eating plan for you either. When youre learning how to loose weight, and it is a learning process for each person, you might have to experiment with your diet quite a bit at first to find a happy medium that lets you feel satisfied with the food you eat but lets you lose weight, too.

While the main reason youll lose weight is because youre eating fewer calories, some types of food have different effects on different people. This is why some diets might work great for some people, but not for you, regardless of the calories. The trick is learning how to loose weight in a way that works best for you, whether or not it works for anyone else.

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Eat Healthy for Life
J Bowler

Lets not talk about diets. Diets are punishment like being
sent to bed without dinner. Diets take some of the fun out of
living. Many diets or supplements are harmful to your health
or even dangerous, if you have certain risk factors.

Forget any past diet failures and push aside any guilt or shame
you harbor about your weight. Its time to look forward; not
back. You have the whole future in front of you to get better
every day. It’s time to eat healthy.

This is not a short term fix. Isnt your health more important
than your weight? Lets be sensible and talk about eating healthy
for life.

Dont get me wrong diets do help many people lose weight for
a time. Almost any restrictive diet can give one a jump start
on weight loss; and many people are so encouraged by the rapid
weight loss that they are motivated to stay on the diet.

Studies have shown that the only diets that work are the ones
you stick to. That why the majority of people who successfully
lose weight on a restrictive diet run into trouble when they
move to the maintenance phase. So again I say, you need a plan
to eat healthy for life.

As with most things in life, theres no ONE solution that
suits everyone. When choosing to eat healthy, a plan for the
rest of your life, you want to find one that YOU can live
with.

If your choice of plan starts with an initial (less than
nutritious) restrictive phase, consider what supplements you ought
to take during that phase. Also be sure that the maintenance part
of the program meets generally accepted nutritional guidelines or
that you can make it do so with minor adjustments or
supplementation. You definitely need to think long term when
choosing to eat healthy.

What Weve Known All Along

With all the diet programs, books, ads and fads these days, its
easy to lose sight of some really basic facts of some very
convincing long term health studies that can guide us to healthier
eating.

1.Calories In vs. Calories Expended

The human body is a marvelous machine. It can be pushed to great
lengths, like pre-exam all-nighters, or to perform amazing feats,
like running marathons or scaling mountains. But it is a machine.
It needs to be cared for and properly maintained.

The more it is abused or pushed to the max, the greater the chance
that parts will break down prematurely or beyond natures ability to
repair them. Like any machine, it needs fuel to operate. Give it
improper or insufficient fuel and it wont run as well, if at all.
Give it too much fuel and that will gum up the works. Now heres
where the analogy breaks down.

With a man made machine, excess fuel simply overflows and makes a
big mess. Unfortunately, the human machine has the amazing capacity
to create unlimited new storage tanks for excess fuel even to the
point of death. Further, once that excess fuel is stored, it is
difficult to dislodge but not impossible. Thats the
Calories In part of the equation.

The fuel you take in is burned by every single movement you make:
breathing smiling, kissing, walking, dancing, chewing and even
digesting your food. The more you move, the more fuel (calories) you
burn.

The part of your body that has the ability to move other parts is
muscle. Ergo the more muscles you have and the more you use them, the
more calories you burn. In fact, every ounce of muscle you add
increases your basal metabolism the rate at which your body burns
fuel.

One pound of fat contains 3500 calories. If you cut 250 calories from
your daily diet and burn another 250 calories with exercise, you
can lose one pound in a week!

The most efficient way to eat healthy operates on both sides of the
equation. Monitor your fuel intake of course; but just as importantly,
get moving to burn that fuel. And better yet, build new muscle to boost
your metabolism the rate at which YOUR body burns fuel. This
way youll burn more calories every hour of every day for the rest of
your life.

2.Secrets of the Worlds Healthiest Populations

Global epidemiological studies have identified some unusually healthy
populations and linked their health to diets that differ in significant
ways from the typical Western diet.

Japan, which has some of the world’s lowest rates of obesity, heart
disease, cancer and diabetes has a diet which is very rich in
carbohydrates. The Japanese enjoy rice, vegetables, beans, and fruits
at most meals.

They have a diet that is very low in saturated fat and red meats, but
high in fish which contain protective omega-3 fatty acids.

Other recent and very interesting studies lead to more healthful eating
tips. The Mediterranean food pyramid is based on research showing low
rates of heart and other chronic disease in certain countries bordering
the Mediterranean Sea compared to the West.

Research has isolated key dietary habits that are believed to account for
the difference. (Monounsaturated) olive oil is the preferred fat and
fat consumption (at 40% of total calories) exceeds the American Heart
Associations recommended max of 30%.

Whole grains and pastas form the base of the pyramid, so this is not a
low carb eating style.

The choice of proteins in order of preference is cheese and yogurt, fish,
poultry, eggs and (last and least) red meat. Further, proteins are grouped
at the top of the pyramid so they account for only about 15% of daily
caloric intake.

Its also important to note that the Mediterranean lifestyle incorporates
more natural physical activity as distinct from the Western variety of
mandatory exercise. You know, the I just gotta get to the gym today
or I have to miss my weekly tennis game Saturday. Now what can I do?!
variety.

If youre interested in following any low carb plan, limit the time you
follow the restrictive phase and take the information above into account
when you plan your maintenance program.

3.Health Risks of Long Term Restrictive Diets

In choosing to eat healthy for life, be sure to consider well-founded
dietary advice such as recommended by the American Cancer Society for
optimal cancer prevention:

Eat five or more (optimally nine) servings of fruits and vegetables
daily; include fruits and vegetables at every meal and for snacks.
Aside from the fact that many fruits and vegetables are good diet food
because they have low calorie density (high water and fiber content),
these foods are loaded with phytochemicals which work to prevent illness,
cancer, and other diseases.

Choose whole grains in preference to processed grains and sugars. Choose
bran, whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats, and whole grain cereals as
well as beans and legumes.

Limit consumption of red meats, especially processed meats and those high
in fat.

Current estimates are that nearly 33-50% of cancers can be prevented
through a eat healthy diet. The recommendations above come from hundreds
of research studies which show a link between cancer prevention and a high
intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Hundreds of studies
also support the link between a high fat diet, high intake of red meats and
increased incidence of cancer

4.Magic Pills

Dont be taken in by some of the full page ads you see with before and after
pictures that promise weight loss just by taking some magic pill. In some of
them you can even tell that the same head has been pasted onto the fatter
body or the faces look dissimilar enough that you think, Thats NOT the
same person.

If youve read this far you know about the calories in, calories out
equation. Sorry, but its simple math and simple physics. A pill alone will
never do it.

However, that doesnt mean that there are no little magic pills that can
help you lose weight in the context of a healthy eating and
exercise plan. There is a lot of exciting research showing that certain
supplements can boost and sustain your metabolic rate as you age, increase
muscle tone and even help the body develop more muscle, such as Green
Tea Extraxt or DHEA.

Weight loss often results when people switch their focus from dieting in order
to get thin to choosing foods for health. This is especially true if they
also pay heed to the other side of the calories in, calories out
equation and get moving.

Common sense strategies, yes, but these are the only ones proven to work
long-term. Now, are you ready to Eat Healthy for Life?

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer
medical advice.

About the Author

Jean Bowler is a life long fitness freak. She was a ballet dancer and teacher, a private fitness trainer and more. Visit her site, http://www.ageless-beauty.com for advice on diet and nutrition, skin care and more.

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Weight loss camps, yes, they really do exist. If you’ve heard of training camps, band camps and all sorts of other summers camps then chances are you have an idea already why such summer weight loss camps exists. Various weight loss summer camps have distinct programs. You’ll find camps that offer programs from traditional dieting and exercising to the newest fad in weight loss programs.

A summer weight loss camp in New York, for example, supplements traditional diet and weight loss programs with alternative means of loosing weight. The camp set their priorities to keep their programs enjoyable and entertaining.

The want the teens and kids that enroll in their summer camp to have fun more than anything else. Their programs are spread out to a diversity of extraordinary activities which increases, hastens and maintains the calorie burning process.

And before the summer camp ends, parents and the teens themselves are very happy on the results of their weight loss program. The good thing from these summer camps is that most of their weight loss programs are geared towards continuity. If they decide to stick with their program, they will surely loose weight even after they return to their homes.

It has been observed that traditional diet camps are not producing the desired results. It is therefore important that you choose well which camp you will send your kid to. Look for camps that have great programs and impressive backings from the academe as well as the scientific community.

It is comforting to know that the diet programs your kids or teens will undertake are based on scientific research and meticulous studies. You don’t want to send your kids to a camp which will make them guinea pigs for a new exercise program. You want well established weight loss programs that deliver results.

Aside from diets and exercises, other camps offer skills trainings that will help kids and teens maintain a healthy body all through their life. Some still offers various behavioral therapies that will strengthen their mental and emotional state through whatever kind of issues that might arise from weight gain.

Also, there are summer camps that are specialized for the needs of teens with other issues aside from overweight like such as Autism, ADHD, Asperger’s, obesity, different learning disabilities or behavioral problems. There are camps that will handle the needs of these special kids all the while addressing their problems in weight.

For parents, these camps are God send. It might prove to very difficult for the parents to encourage their teens and kids that are hounded by psychological disorders to loose weight. They sometimes need the experts’ assistance on things.

One other thing the parents should look for in a weight loss camp is the ratio of instructors or counselors to students. The ratio of instructors and counselors to students should be high. By having more than enough instructors, camps will be able to focus on the kids and teens’ programs.

They will make sure that the teens will be following the program correctly and will guide them to the right techniques in order to maximize the results. Expert instructors will make sure that kids and teens as well as their parents and sponsors will leave camp satisfied and have greater self esteem.

Weight loss summer camps are scattered all over the country. There are also winter camps for weight loss. You won’t run out of options when it comes to health camps such as these.

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Teen weight loss: Taking it slowly is still the best

According to recent studies more kids nowadays are mild to severely overweight. The 1999-2000 National health survey indicates that 15 % of children and teens are overweight.

The figure is nearly double that what was recorded a decade or so ago. Some blame their present lifestyle while others blame the lack of discipline in teens nowadays. Regardless of the reasons, teen weight problems are real.

But unlike weight loss programs for adults, teen weight loss programs are a little tricky since such programs when left uncheck can be potentially dangerous for their health. Because of the potential danger, dietitian and nutrition experts approach the subject with caution.

The basic problem with teen weight loss is that their bodies are still growing and developing and cutting down food intake will greatly influence their growth. It is therefore important that diet programs for teens should cover all their nutritional needs.

For teenagers, they generally need to grasp some basic concepts about eating right. If they eat too little, their health will be put at risk. But similarly, if they eat more that they should, the extra food turns into body fat causing weight issues. Teenagers should learn to eat food less with saturated fats.

These foods include those fried in fat and oil like fried chicken, burgers, potato chips, french fries, potato chips and other fatty meat. Meanwhile, they also should avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar contents like cakes, chocolates, butter, cream, peanut butter, pies, cookies, and generally any sweets and sweet based desserts.

A lot of diet programs claim to be the best solutions for over weight teens. These claims generally revolve around two basic concepts: the right diet and regular exercise. In reality, the quickest and easiest way for teens to loose weight is still the having the right diet and right exercise. Teens should always avoid diet pills.

Most of the kids or teens today eat fast foods, get exceedingly large food portions and are really extremely lazy lacking the necessary activities to build a healthy body. Simple outdoor activities for teens can help them loose some of their excess body weight. When you cut grass use a push mower, for example. Engage in activities like playing Frisbee which would help you exercise without even realizing it.

There’s really no quick way to loose weight. You need to work the excess fat off your body. It is the right combination of diet and exercise which will help you loose weight. But the problem with dieting and exercising is keeping motivated and goal oriented. Kids find dieting intimidating and regular exercise boring.

This is why full family support is necessary if you want your kids to loose some weight. You need to keep your kids and teens motivated. Encourage them and help them overcome their cravings by cooking, serving and eating the same food diets that they eat. Get them to be more active. If they find regular exercises boring, join them in other activities such as sports.

Teach them what to look for when they eat outdoors. Tell them the benefits of foods and teach them how to read food labels. You may be able to control their diet while they stay home but when they go outside and eat with friends, then you might have a problem. It is therefore important in any diet to implant a sense of self discipline and pride in what they do.

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