Many people feel they need professional help losing weight. If youre one of them, youre not alone, and you can find that help if you know where to look. The first and most obvious place is at your doctors office.

Ask him or her about the best and safest way to lose weight. Your physician should give you a healthy diet plan to follow or one for you to use as an example, too start eating better, so you can shed some pounds. Your physician will probably be thrilled to hear that youre ready to take your health in hand and lose some weight.

You might be tempted to ask for help losing weight in the form of diet pills and weight loss medications. This is a valid way that some people lose weight when they cant seem to do it alone. Ask your doctor if this is a good option for you.

Your doctor will know your medical history and your current health and be able to advise you in which medications might be an option, or explain why you shouldnt bother taking the medicine. Dont be discouraged if your doctor is against the idea of prescribing weight loss medicine. Millions of people have lost weight without taking pills or using other aids, and so can you.

Other professional help losing weight that you can find besides your doctor could be a counselor or psychologist. While this isnt an often recommended step in losing weight, for some people it can be an important one. Some people have trouble losing weight because they eat compulsively, and very often this has roots in an emotional or psychological cause.

Its very difficult to eat healthy or even just stop overeating if you have emotional triggers that cause this compulsive behavior. Talking to a counselor or a psychologist can help you get to the root of whats causing your eating problems, and put one step further down the road to healing yourself emotionally while youre getting healthier.

Your local health department or hospital might offer you help losing weight through various programs about nutrition and exercise. Ask about their different programs. Most people who run such programs are happy to talk to you about them and help you get started on the right track.

If you can afford it, a visit to a nutritionist or dietitian can really offer you help losing weight. These experts on food, eating and nutrition can put together an eating plan thats designed to be right for you and the foods you eat.

Never more will you have to worry about finding those exotic ingredients in that popular diet plan. Theyll use your food choices and modify them into a healthy diet that will let you lose weight. Youll know its safe and healthy if it comes directly from an expert, rather than a guru who wants to sell a diet plan. A few visits with a personal trainer can also offer you help losing weight by ensuring youre exercising correctly.

As you have read professional help losing weight is a viable option for everyone who is willing to seek it out. Don’t hesitate! Get the help you need.

Tags: Aids, Compulsive Behavior, Counselor, Current Health, Diet Medications, Diet Pills, Dietitian, Doctors Office, food choices;, food;, Further Down The Road, Healthy Diet Plan, Local Health Department, Losing Weight, Medical History, Medicine, Nutrition, Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, physician, Psychological Cause, Psychologist, Roots, Taking Pills, Weight Loss Medications, Weight Loss Medicine —

Staying Healthy on a Low Carbohydrate Diet
Marjorie Geiser

It is estimated that about 32 million Americans are following some type of low carbohydrate diet. This is the result of fad diet authors claiming that carbohydrates are the cause for Americas rising obesity problems. The backlash against carbohydrates is a result of the low fat craze that started in the 80s.When consumers started cutting down their fat intake, manufacturers figured out that they could create low fat processed food products that the public would buy. Because these products claimed to be fat free, Americans didnt pay attention to the fact that they were not also calorie free, and as a result, the total amount of daily calories has slowly been increasing. In fact, although the total percentage of calories from fat has decreased, the actual amount of fat intake has increased by 10# per year since 1975! The increase of carbohydrate has also increased, at a rate of 20# per year, mostly as a result of highly processed foods.

It is estimated that 3800 calories are now produced for every American man, woman and child. We have evolved from a world of feast or famine, but were in a state of perpetual feast, although our bodies have not changed. We have no defenses against excess calories: Every year, 300,000 to 400,000 deaths in the US are attributed to obesity.

Meanwhile, Asian and Middle Eastern populations consume 50-75% of their calories from rice and have some of the lowest rates of obesity and heart disease in the world. People living in the Mediterranean also have fewer health conditions commonly seen in the US. This diet consists of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts and fruits. Their diets are rich in fish and low in meats and poultry. Although their fat intake is about the same as in America, the type of fat is primarily monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, where Americans eat primarily saturated animal fats.

Regardless of the actual advantage or disadvange to following a low carbohydrate diet, there are three recommendations for maintaining good health while following such a diet. The first is to choose healthy fats over the unhealthy, saturated fats, when considering fat intake. Examples of healthy fats would be plant fats that have not been hydrogenated, which makes the fat more solid at room temperature. It is believed that hydrogenation is actually more harmful to health than saturated fats found naturally in animal products. Plant fats would include nuts, avocados, and olives. Oils such as olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil are better choices than fats that come from animal sources, such as butter, lard or bacon grease. Multiple studies over the years have shown that excess animal fats lead to higher risks of cancer, heart disease and other inflammatory disorders. Saturated fats have been linked to increased cholesterol, LDL (the bad) cholesterol as well as to increased LDL cholesterol oxidation. In fact, in January 2004, an Atkins representative put out a press release advising the public to decrease their amounts of steak, eggs, and saturated fast to less than 20% of their total fat intake.

The next recommendation to ensure good health is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Although fruits and most vegetables are restricted in the initial phase of some low carbohydrate diets, they are then allowed back in limited amounts. The phytonutrients that come from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables have been shown to decrease blood pressure, as well as protect against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Its easy to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, once you get in the habit. Examples are; add some berries to breakfast, eat a tomato at lunch, include broccoli with dinner, drink some vegetable juice with snacks, and have a large salad with your meal.

The final tip to ensure good health is to eat a diet of whole foods, rather than fall back on the easy snack, convenience foods of today. If Americans had just cut down their amount of fat intake in the 80s, without finding new ways to snack, we may not be seeing the epidemic of obesity we see, today. When people started going on the low carbohydrate diets, they eliminated a large number of calories by eliminating snacking, especially at night, where common snacks are chips, crackers, and other high fat, high refined carbohydrate foods, such as ice cream. Today, though, much like in the 80s, manufacturers are now developing low carb and low net carb snack foods. We can now find low net carb chips, crackers, ice cream, popcorn, even low carb pizza! As Americans start to increase their intake of these foods, we will soon see a slowing of the weight loss many had seen initially. In order to call themselves a low net carb food, manufacturers subtract the fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbohydrates in the product, rather than produce products without carbohydrate. There is no actual FDA standard for what a low net carb food is, yet, though, so right now its anything the manufacturer wants to say it is. These foods also are very high in fat and saturated fat, usually through hydrogenation. So, not only will calories be added back into the diet through resuming unhealthy snack habits, but they will be calories consisting of high amounts of the unhealthy fats.

So, while following a low carbohydrate diet, in order to ensure continued good health, follow these three recommendations: 1) Make most fats you eat the healthy, plant fats, rather than eating a diet high in animal or hydrogenated fats, 2) Eat plenty of nutrient rich fruits and vegetables, which are high in disease-fighting antioxidants, and 3) eat mostly whole, fresh foods and very little processed snack foods, even if they say low carb, in order to avoid hidden and unnecessary fat and calories.

Marjorie Geiser has been teaching health, fitness and nutrition since 1982. She is a nutritionist, registered dietitian, certified personal trainer and life coach. As the owner of MEG Fitness, Marjories goal for her clients is to help them incorporate healthy eating and fitness into their busy lives. To order her 30-Day Health & Fitness Challenge e-course and learn more about Marjorie, go to her website at www.megfit.com or email her at [email protected]

Tags: America, American Man, Americas, Animal Fats, Animal Products, Atkins representative, Backlash Against, cancer;, Canola Oil, diabetes;, Dietitian, e-course, Eastern Populations, Excess Calories, Fad Diet, FDA;, Feast Or Famine, Food Products, Health Conditions, heart disease;, inflammatory disorders, Low Carbohydrate Diet, Low Carbohydrate Diets, low net carb chips, low net carb food, Man Woman And Child, Marjorie, Marjorie Geiser, Mediterranean, metabolic syndrome, Monounsaturated Fats, net carb chips, Nutritionist, Obesity And Heart Disease, obesity;, olive oil;, Peanut Oil, Perpetual Feast, personal trainer and life coach, Processed Food Products, produce products, Rising Obesity, United States;, Whole Grains, Woman And Child, www.megfit.com —

Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle
John Gibb

Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle can be a large step in maintaining your body’s physical performance and your mind’s well-being. Proper nutrition is often neglected in this day and age, with most people opting for fast food’s convenience and low price. However, there are plenty of foods you can eat that are simple to prepare and low in cost that can help give your body the materials it needs to be in its best working condition.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a must. They provide the body with nutrients it cannot receive elsewhere, and often feature anti-oxidants, a type of compound which helps the body to fight off free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that attack the cell membranes in your body, resulting in serious damage. Anti oxidants can be found in such foods as wild blueberries and tomatoes.

Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle can also be maintained through regular use of supplements. There are many once-a-day pills out there that help you reach your daily required value of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly.

Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle also requires you to eat a certain amount of proteins and carbohydrates. Proteins give the body a means for creating new tissues, and for helping to repair old tissues. Without a high protein intake, your body will begin to break down.

Carbohydrates, on the other hand, play as the energy source for the body. Without enough carbohydrates, you will begin to feel sluggish and lazy. Too much, however, can also be a problem.

Your best bet is to visit a nutritionist, find a diet that is right for you, and take a supplement to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs. Look for a supplement that contains all the vitamins you need and a level of calcium. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and a lack of it may result in osteoporosis.
About the Author

John Gibb manages http://www.nutritional-suplement-guides.com

The site dedicated to nutrition.

Tags: Abundant Mineral, Anti Oxidants, Atkins, Author, Author John, Best Bet, Cell Membranes, Eating Habits, Energy Source, food;, Free Radicals, Fresh Fruits And Vegetables, Fruits And Vegetables, Healthy Diet, Healthy Lifestyle, High Protein, Nutritionist, osteoporosis;, Physical Performance, Proper Nutrition, Protein Intake, Proteins, Suplement, Vitamins And Minerals, Wild Blueberries —

Healthy Living: Simple steps to a better life
Colin McDougall

When you watch TV or read magazines you get the impression that most people spend their days as lean, mean exercise fanatics who compete in triathlons, eat tofu, and drink a gallon of rain water a day.

If you dont fit this profile, you are not alone. Consider:

Seven out of 10 American adults don’t exercise regularly, despite the proven health benefits, according to a 2002 study based on more than 68,000 interviews for the National Center for Health Statistics.

80 percent of people in the US older than 25 are overweight based on the body mass index (BMI), a national guideline computed through a combination of weight and heightaccording to a Harris Poll released in 2002.

According to the American National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDC), in 2000 the most common actual causes of death in the United States were tobacco (435,000), poor diet and physical inactivity (400,000), alcohol consumption (85,000).

The writing is on the wall poor diet and physical inactivity is about as dangerous as smoking.

So, why dont we exercise and eat right?

For most of us, the answer is: time. Exercise and diet take time away from our work, our families, our lives.

Some of us have tried to fit exercise into our daily routines before and maybe even stuck with a program for a while, but finally saw too little gain for the effort and time it took.

Heres the good news: a healthy lifestyle wont consume you like it might have years ago. The science of healthy living has come a long way in recent years. Consider:

Modest but regular exercise has proven to raise the bodys metabolic rate, so that you burn fat even when at rest.

New strategies of exercise and diet bring results much sooner than ever before, without drugs.

A healthy lifestyle isnt only about working out and cutting out foods you like. Its also about applying a balanced approach to all areas of your life. For example, studies show that you can lose weight by simply watching less television.

Realistic health improvement for real people

We all know we should take better care of ourselves, but modern lifestyles with hectic work schedules, commuting, and family and social responsibilities make it difficult for us to live a healthy life.

But you can begin to live a healthier life. You can start slowly and work in more healthy practices. Interestingly, even small changes can lead to big improvements over time. Begin modestly by making a commitment to starting to do something and to stay with it. As you proceed, remember to be proud of your accomplishmentsyou will be doing more than 70 percent of the population!

The doctor will see you now

Before embarking on a fitness program and making dietary changes, talk with your doctor about your plans. If you have prior health conditions, especially cardiovascular disease, your doctor may want you to avoid certain exercises. If you are on certain medications, your doctor may give you valuable information on avoiding drug interactions with certain foods such as grapefruit and with some herbal supplements.

A special word to smokers

If you smoke, you know you need to quit. Modern research links smoking to a vast array of cancers, as well as heart and cardiovascular disease. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking alone causes one-third of all cancer deaths.

The bottom lineif you are a smoker, stopping represents the single best health action you can take. Talk with your doctorthere are new treatments available.

Some basic health objectives

It can be hard to know where to start when you want to improve your health.

Here are three baseline objectives for a healthier lifestyle:

Lose weight / Eat a more balanced diet

Get more exercise

Reduce stress

Lose weight / Eat a more balanced diet

Qualified health professionals agree the keys to losing weight are to eat less, eat a more balanced diet, and to increase your exercise level. In general, reducing your intake of protein and eating more fruits and vegetables is a good start. Try and reduce your intake of saturated fats common in fried foods. Your heart will thank you.

Here are some tips:

Eat a diet that contains lots of:

Whole grains

Fruit

Vegetables

Ensure you are getting an adequate supply of:

Vitaminsa daily multi-vitamin is good protection

Calciummany men and women do not get enough calcium in their diets, putting them at risk for osteoporosis.

Watermany adults do not consume enough water each day

Reduce your consumption of:

Fat

Sugar

Salt

Processed foods

Fast food meals

Alcohol

Other Tips:

Make your own nutritious lunch and take it to work. Youll save money and feel better too.

Buy veggies for snacks, such as small washed carrots or apple slices, which you can put into re-sealable bags and take to work.

Consider diet supplements for weight loss and health

Despite our best efforts, it is hard to eat a balanced diet everyday. Consider taking one or more of the excellent vitamins and supplements available, but check with your doctor first before taking them.

Today, you can get the latest high quality vitamins and dietary supplements at low prices and without leaving your home by ordering over the Internet. Here is an excellent example of a vitamins site.

Avoid fad diets

Use common sense and follow the advice of government health authorities, university nutritionists and other well-accredited health care experts. Reliable nutrition advice is available free by contacting your local health department and talking with a nutritionist.

Be wary of the latest Fad Diets put forward by authors. Healthy eating is not rocket scienceyou need to eat a balanced diet that includes the four food groups:

Vegetablesthree or more servings per day

Whole grainsfive or more servings per day

Fruitthree of more servings per day

Legumestwo or more servings per day

This is well documented by decades of research. Sure, the fad diets may help you lose weight temporarily but at worst you could seriously damage your health and at best, you will likely gain the weight back if the diet is not sensible and sustainable.

Get more exercise

The second key to losing weight is to add more physical exercise into your lifestyle.

Exercise takes some effort and time, so it is fair to ask why you should bother. The key reasons include the following:

Weight loss

Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke

Increased energy

Increased bone strength

Maintenance of muscle mass

Reduced stress levels

Better appearance

Research continues to show that any exercise is better than none. For example, regular walking or gardening may be beneficial in reducing your risk of heart disease.

Exercise

At a minimum you should strive for at least three 20-minute bouts of continuous aerobic (activity requiring oxygen) rhythmic exercise each week.

Other exercise levels will depend on your physical condition and goals. Consider a session or two with a certified personal trainer to accurately assess your current physical condition and plan an exercise regimen.

Easy ways for non-athletes to add exercise to their daily lives:

Get off the bus a stop or two early and walk to work or home.

If you drive to work, park in a new location and walk a few blocks.

Take the stairs at work. Get off the elevator a few floors down and walk up a few flights.

Ride a bicycleyou dont need a fancy bike, but you should always wear a helmet

Walkits cheap and it works! The average person can walk three to four miles an hour. This makes many short trips to the store within walking distance, saving you money on gasoline and providing a health benefit at the same time.

Try gardeningraking, weeding, and tilling will all give you exercise. If you have a small, level yard, consider a push mower. These mowers are quiet, cut the lawn beautifully, and give you exercise all at the same time.

Enlist a friend to join youhave fun together and stay motivated

Consider creating a home gym

More and more people are purchasing exercise equipment to use at home. The advantages include:

No wasted time traveling back and forth to the gym

Ability to use the equipment more often and at more convenient times

Increased chance of participation by all family members

Here are some tips in selecting equipment:

Determine what goals you want to pursuestrength training, aerobic training or cardiovascular training before you look at equipment.
Buy sturdy, quality equipment from known manufacturers.
Purchase equipment that will meet your needs now and as you improve
Buy from a reputable retailer, who has a large selection, low prices, and stands behind their products. For an excellent example for home gyms (click here) and other fitness equipment.

Reduce Stress

The good news is that by eating a healthier diet and exercising more frequently, you will have already taken two of the most important steps to helping your body fight stress.

Obviously sources of stress are a personal matter. Be alert to chronic stress you have trouble managing. This can sometimes lead to more serious conditions for both men and women, such as depression. If you feel you are having trouble coping, it is best to talk with your doctor.

If on the other hand, you have the everyday level of stress most of us face, you may want to try these stress-reducing tips:

Make time for family and friends

Avoid stressful thoughts by not listening or watching the news first thing in the morning and last thing at night

Try listening to music or practicing meditation

Take vitamins B6 and B12they are excellent for fighting the effects of stress and most adults dont get enough of these important vitamins.

How can I get started on a healthier lifestyle?

If you are not living as healthy a life as you want right now, you may be wondering how you will find the time and the resources to make changes.

The good news is you dont have to make all the changes at once, but do resolve to make some improvements. Time is always an issue, but time taken to improve your health will yield big improvements in many other areas of your life.

There has never been a better time to start, because thanks to the Internet you can purchase quality heath care products and equipment, quickly and efficiently and save money too! Heres a link to get you started with weight loss programs and healthy living.

About the Author

Colin McDougall is a successful freelance writer providing valuable advice for people seeking weight loss programs and vitamins. Visit http://www.weight-loss-and-nutritional-supplements.com and http://www.vitamins-source.com for more articles. He also offers other health and exercise related sites such as http://www.a1-hockey-equipment.com and http://www.paint-ball-gun-reviews.com. His numerous articles offer several healthy living tips.

Tags: Alcohol Consumption, American Adults, American Cancer Society, Author, Balanced Approach, Body Mass Index, Body Mass Index Bmi, cancer;, cancers;, Cardiovascular Disease, Causes Of Death, Center For Chronic Disease Prevention And Health Promotion, certified personal trainer, Chronic Disease Prevention, Chronic Stress, Colin Mcdougall, depression;, Dietary Supplements, especially cardiovascular disease, exercise equipment;, Food Groups, Freelance Writer, Harris Poll, Healthy Lifestyle, heart disease;, Heightaccording, Metabolic Rate, National Center for Health Statistics;, National Guideline, Nutritionist, Paint, Physical Inactivity, Poor Diet, purchase quality heath care products, Rain Water, Simple Steps, Time Exercise —