Archive for the ‘weight loss’ Category

Lose Weight USA

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Many people struggle to lose weight despite following a diet and exercising, one reason may be due to not sleeping well as researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that lack of sleep can reduce all the hard work put in by dieting and exercise by up to 55%. So if you are getting less that five and half hours sleep a night not only are you putting your diet at risk but you will also increase the level of ghrelin a hormone that stimulates the appetite which will make matters worse.

If you are seeking to improve you sleeping habits, I know from experience that taking Nopalea a juice from the nopal cactus on a regular basis not only improves sleep but also acts as an appetite suppressant.

Lose Weight USA

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Energy Bars

One word describes what Americans want from their diet these days: CONVENIENCE. I wish it were “Healthy,” but these days it seems convenient wins. As a new mom and a gal always on the go, trust me, I’m all about convenience, but it has to be healthy too! When it comes to the $700 million dollar industry of energy bars, I’m not on board! Those bars claim to fight fatigue, fuel muscle growth, or help you lose weight when in fact they may be doing just the opposite.

Today I’m going to help you cut through the hype and flashy packaging so you can choose the right bars. Believe me, it takes some work to find the good ones! Many bars are nothing more than protein-containing candy bars in disguise.

First the bad:

The first thing you want to be aware of is the sugar content. Many bars contain high fructose corn syrup, which quickly raises blood sugar and cancels out any of the potential benefits you might otherwise get from healthy ingredients like oats. Take Health Valley Low Fat Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, for example. The main ingredient is brown rice syrup—DON’T be fooled by the word brown rice. Brown rice syrup is sugar.

On the flip side, making it even more confusing, you also must be aware of the reduced sugar and sugar-free bars. They do have little impact on blood sugar, which is good—but not without a price.

Sugar alcohol like maltitol and sorbitol can cause uncomfortable side effects such as gas, bloating, and…well…you get the point. You also want to keep in mind that, “reduced sugar” does not necessarily mean reduced calorie—at least, not reduced enough to matter. Maltitol, for example, has 75 percent the calories of sugar, and since it’s not as sweet as the real sugar, more is added to make it sweet so the calorie count is the same.

You also really need to be aware of the sneaky wording for some pretty gross ingredients. You won’t find pig’s feet or cattle hide listed in the fine print, but that’s because they’re hidden behind names like gelatin, hydrolyzed collagen, or hydrolyzed gelatin. This can add grams to the protein count, but both collagen and gelatin lack an essential amino acid required to make them a complete protein.

Now for the good news!

There are a few good bars in there and I don’t want to scare you away from bars all together, but I do want to scare you into really looking hard at the labels, so let’s talk about what to look for.

You want to look for a bar that lists whey or casein protein—or a blend of both—as the first or second ingredient. These milk proteins contain all the essential amino acids your muscles need.

First look for labels with no more than five ingredients. The longer the list and the more unpronounceable the words are, the farther it is from real food and I’m pretty sure it’s nothing that’s going to help you get to your fat loss goals.

Look for bars that have quality protein, natural carbs from grains and fruit which will also add to the fiber content, and be sure that they are low in saturated fats. If they are high in fat be sure that it’s healthy fats from nuts or seeds. You’ll also want to be aware of the size and calorie content. A ton of calories can be packed into those bars, and that’s why it’s important to know the serving size and know you can always eat a half a bar or nibble on it throughout the day.

Here are a few of my favourite brands that made the cut!

Another option is to make your own bars. That way you know exactly what’s in them. Here’s one of my many recipes for homemade bars:

Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

1 cup oat flour

1 ½ cups whey protein powder

¼ cup raw organic cocoa powder

½ cup nonfat dry milk powder

¼ cup stevia blend

½ teaspoon salt

2 egg whites

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

¼ – 1/3 cup water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9”x9” baking pan with wax paper.

Combine all dry ingredients in blender — Process on high speed 2 minutes. In a bowl, beat eggs, and peanut butter. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture. With an electric mixer, slowly add the water until dough becomes a “gooey play-dough” consistency. Pour batter in lined pan, spreading, or pressing dough to an even thickness.

Bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool slightly. Remove wax paper and allow to cool completely. Cut into 8 bars
Calories: 250 Protein: 24g Carbs: 24 Fats: 7 g

Enjoy!

David Ogden

Lose Weight Today

Ph 386 308 1956 after 6PM EST

Resveratrol Weight loss

Monday, December 27th, 2010

Resveratrol Weight Loss

There continues to be lot of focus on resveratrol and its apparent health benefits and given some well watched television coverage, an increased demand for it but do we understand what the substance really is and why there is such a fuss?

Resveratrol is a substance produced by some plants when they are threatened by infection from a fungus or bacteria. It is anti-microbial, which helps to fight infection by acting as a toxin to the attacking bacterial or fungal cells. Resveratrol exists in two forms, the cis type and the trans type, the trans type being the one which shows great promise as a health supplement.

There are many different sources of resveratrol, it is present in the red wine grapes and the wine made from them, it is present also in peanuts, blueberries, chocolate, Japanese Knotweed and a variety of other foods. Its presence in red wine varies a lot with the grape variety and where it was grown. It is thought by some to be the reason for the ‘French Paradox ’, the seeming ability of Mediterranean people to consume diets high in fat without suffering the ill effects.

Experiments on laboratory animals have shown several health benefits. In a famous experiment, mice given a high fat diet and resveratrol supplements had a much lower risk of death than those given the high fat diet without the resveratrol. The mice were found to have approximately normal levels of insulin and blood glucose though their cholesterol levels were high. Interestingly the anti-aging effects seen in mice appear to have been mainly in older mice rather than in mice given resveratrol supplements from an earlier age.

Life extending properties were also shown when an Italian team of scientists conducting experiments on fish found that resveratrol could extend their life span considerably. This was the first demonstration in such a vertebrate, other tests to that point having been on fruit flies and worms.

Resveratrol shows anti-cancer properties too for some forms of cancer. Experiments on lab mice show success with skin cancers and test tube experiments show resveratrol fights other cancers such as colon and breast cancer.

A challenge for scientists is working out a reliable method of getting the right dose of resveratrol actively fighting cancer effectively. This challenge arises because resveratrol needs to be preserved for long enough in the body to reach the bloodstream without being broken down. One promising looking delivery method is taking resveratrol in a form which allows it to be absorbed from the mouth directly into the bloodstream. Various methods of delivery are now under investigation from mouthwashes to lozenges and even gum..

More Resveratrol information

Resveratrol

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Resveratrol Assists Weight Loss

Resveratrol is a protective bioactive nutrient found most commonly in the skin of red grapes, peanuts, Japanese knot weed and cacao. Resveratrol provides a protective barrier against disease and fungus in plants which is also beneficial to human health. A wealth of information exists to support the function of resveratrol for brain rejuvenation, cardiovascular repair as well as influencing the metabolism of fat leading to natural weight loss.

Resveratrol Can Help Prevent Heart Disease

Proanthocyanadins from the grape family have long been associated with heart health, the so called French Paradox. now resveratrol is being placed at the top of the cardiovascular friendly nutrients list. The lining of the cells within the artery are known as the endothelium, and are very sensitive to dietary abuse caused by hydrogenated fats, excess sugar, cortisol and insulin. Damage to the endothelium leads to high blood pressure as well as micro cracks which are filled with foamy plaque, increasing the risk of heart attack.

The results of a peer reviewed study published in the online journal PLoS One, resveratrol was found to be a natural anti-aging agent and exhibited many of the same characteristics as calories restriction. This natural defense nutrient is able to act at the genetic level to influence genes which promote cardiac dysfunction and glucose metabolism. In addition to assisting weight loss goals, resveratrol can help to prevent heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Resveratrol Can Inhibit Brain Deterioration

One of the most important functions attributed to resveratrol is the activation of the anti-aging gene known as SIRT1. Previously, calorie restriction was the only known mechanism thought to positively influence this critical gene, but recent research demonstrates that resveratrol is also able to accomplish this longevity function. Since resveratrol is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, it is able to improve brain plasticity by generating new neural networks.

Resveratrol has been shown to reduce the normal rate of neurodegeneration while preventing memory impairment. Further, resveratrol has been shown to increase brain oxygenation which relates to increased memory capacity and improved cognition. Researchers are exploring the possibility that this amazing nutrient may play a role in the prevention of certain dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Resveratrol Inhibits the Formation of Fat Cells

Resveratrol has been shown to halt the formation of baby fat cells, thus providing an effective tool for the millions of people looking for a natural weight loss aide. Researchers demonstrated that fat cells make SIRT1 in direct proportion to the amount of resveratrol they are exposed to. SIRT1 halts the formation of immature fat cells which as they grow, contribute to the accumulation of dangerous abdominal fat.

Resveratrol also lowers levels of systemic inflammation which is implicated in many afflictions including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s, and inhibits the release of body fat from storage. Studies underscore the importance of resveratrol as an important tool in the fight against obesity, and show that it can provide favorable metabolic stability to assist weight loss.

It’s rare when one specific nutritional compound is attributed with the potential to lower the risk of multiple disease processes and assist weight loss. Resveratrol continues to fill the promise of cardiovascular and neurologic health as it directly influences the anti-aging SIRT1 gene, and provides support in the battle against obesity. Health conscious individuals will use this critical nutrient in a never ending battle to provide an edge against time, aging and cellular deterioration.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol and weight loss

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

Resveratrol could be the new wonder drug and came to prominence during tests on mice as with any new drug it take time for sufficient proof to be made available with regards to human consumption.

Resveratrol And weight loss – Real Facts or just Hype

After much research on the subject, I am able to certainly say that the results of clinical studies performed all around the globe are definitely looking good. While it is true that many clinical studies including those performed at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology in Illkirch, France have shown this substance can indeed help speed up metabolism. Other benefits include lowering of blood sugar in diabetics, anti-cancer applications and increased heart functions – all ascribed, through clinical studies – to resveratrol!

Resveratrol is a natural substance, that contains phytoalexin produced naturally by certain plants when under attack by pathogens like bacteria or fungi – basically a kind of fermentation. It’s also found in the skin of grapes and in red wine. This implies researchers haven’t had time to learn all the great health benefits, and how they can apply to you and your particular needs. However how precisely can resveratrol help you lose weight?

Resveratrol Boosts Metabolism

The speed of your metabolism to a large extent determines if you are naturally fat or thin and how quickly you will lose or gain weight. If you’ve a naturally slower metabolism, then your body can’t burn off the calories as quickly as somebody with a higher metabolism.

Resveratrol has been shown to help increase the rate of metabolism due to its unique biological make up. With a raised level of metabolism, your body can now use more calories per hour – even when you’re not expending much energy yourself.

While this is an admittedly subjective measurement in human terms, clinical studies have shown that mice fed this substance had’better treadmill endurance’ than those not that weren’t given resveratrol.

What are you able to do with this increase in your energy level? Burn more fat! The concept is very simple. If you don’t have the energy to move around – you probably will not get up and move around.

Resveratrol Boost Levels Of Antioxidants

Clinical studies have shown that resveratrol can fight the devastating aftermath of diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Diabetes is a specific concern among people who are tolerably to severely overweight, as their blood sugar and insulin levels are difficult to control.

As you can see, this natural health supplement could be a great overall addition for your health generally. And, combined with a reasonable diet and moderate levels of exercise, resveratrol could be a great partner to help shed weight and burn that fat.plus improve your lifestyle.

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Health and Wellness - Weight Loss

Monday, October 11th, 2010

 

There are currently a lot of pills, powders, and shakes out there that are promising to be the one true way for you to finally win the weight loss challenge. But the fact is that most of these products do not work and if they do, most people realize that they may not work for everyone. What may work for the guy down the street may not really work for you so it is about finding what will be the right solution for you. For a lot of people, what works is a cardio exercise weight loss program.

While there are different types of cardio exercise weight loss programs out there, they are all basically the same. Cardio is cardio when it comes down to it and if your cardio exercise weight loss program is something that you like and something that works well for you, then keep up the good work, as it will all pay off in the end. Any fat loss workout plan that follows the basic health guidelines is a workout plan that can work. But you do want to make sure to speak with your doctor first if you are suffering from any health problems in case a particular cardio exercise weight loss program is not right for you.

Finding The Right Weight Loss Plan

As mentioned before, not every plan is right for every person because we are all made differently. Every body is different therefore every workout plan will not work for each person out there in the world. Sadly, there is no way to determine up front which one will be the one that is right for you and will provide you with the results that you desire. So you simply have to pick a cardio exercise weight loss program that looks good to you and start with that and work on it for a while.

If you do not start to see results within a few weeks, you may want to think about switching over to a different cardio exercise weight loss program. Remember though, you must be expecting realistic results because just because you do not drop twenty pounds in two weeks, it does not mean the program is not working. The average healthy amount to drop in pounds each week is two on average and this is a result of healthy eating and an exercise routine. Do what is right and you will get results that can last you a lifetime.

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David Ogden- Helping People Help Themselves
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TriVita Health and Wellness
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Health and Wellness - Weight Loss supplements

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

 

Supplement is a word defined by Webster as such: Something added to complete a thing or to make up for a deficiency. Even so; some weight loss supplement companies market their products as magic pills and some consumers think of them as such.

I believe weight loss supplements can be beneficial if we learn to look past the hype and use them in addition to improved eating habits as well as increased physical activity.

Know what you want out of your weight loss supplement:

Are you looking for decreased appetite, carb blocking ability or increased metabolism? What is the manufacturer promising? What are the active ingredients and what studies and dosages were done on them?

Look for reviews and testimonials:

This is something I almost did not want to mention because reviews and testimonials can be very conflicting. Reading weight loss supplement reviews and testimonials is going to require you to think for yourself and determine if the review or testimonial makes a valid point or not. I recently read a review for a weight loss product that said something to this effect: “I did not like this product; I continued to eat the way I always do and actually gained weight on this product.” My interpretation of this is that the person probably did not carefully monitor what they were eating. They were gaining weight before “eating what they normally eat” and were expecting this pill to magically cause them to lose weight. On the other hand, a weight loss testimonial that says “I eat anything I want and am still losing weight!” is equally suspicious to me. Weight loss product testimonials and reviews can be helpful in your decision if you weed through the hype and incomplete information. Look for clues such as: Did this product decrease the customers’ appetite? Did the customer experience more energy? Was the reviewer jittery?

Is it too good to be true?

We have a tendency to believe what we want to believe. But when it comes to weight loss supplements we have to be honest with our self. Are the claims exaggerated? Is the company telling us we do not need to change our lifestyle? Does it appear the company wants us to lead a healthy lifestyle or does the company want to sell millions of pills? Remember weight loss supplements are going to help you reach your goals, not carry you to the completion of your weight loss goals.

Best seller does not always mean the best product.

I was a distributor for a branch of a very reputable supplement company and attended a convention they sponsored. The speaker was talking about making claims when trying to sell product and how they did not want us making any claims that have not been backed by science. Someone asked the question about other companies and why they could make outlandish weight loss claims and experience such great sales while we could only state scientific fact. The speaker acknowledge the fact that these companies would sell millions of dollars worth of product but they would not earn repeat customers and more than likely would not even exist in the long run. Ask yourself if the product you are interested in is a best seller because of hype or because the company is reputable and has a quality weight loss product.

Has the company been around for a while?

While the fact that a company is new does not mean it is low quality, a company that has been around for years usually has happy customers.

Read the directions and warnings very carefully.

I knew a lady that was taking a Chitosan product and getting sick. She asked me about it and I quickly asked her if she was allergic to shellfish-She was. Fortunately for her it was only a mild allergen and she did not suffer seriously. It was clearly stated on the label; “Do not take if you are allergic to shellfish.” Also don’t have the mentality that if one pill is good then two must be better. Natural weight loss products can be very powerful and should be treated with respect.

Take a break from time to time.

Occasionally take a break from your weight loss supplement regimen especially if you are using a weight loss product that contains a stimulant such as caffeine or other powerful herbs. I even do this with my multi-vitamin. I just believe it is a good idea to give your body a break from time to time.

Conclusion:

I believe weight loss supplements can help you reach your weight loss goals, I also believe you can reach your weight loss goals without weight loss supplements, however I have always been the type of person that wanted every edge I can get. So if you are like me, and you decide to use weight loss supplements, think of your weight loss goal as a three legged table. One leg represents healthy eating, one leg represents activity, and the other leg represents your weight loss supplementation. Remove any one leg and the table will fall. Rely on only one leg and you will not reach your weight loss goal. Shop carefully, have realistic expectations, follow safety guidelines and reach your weight loss goal!

Click Here for Free Ebook to build perfect Abs

David Ogden- Helping People Help Themselves
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TriVita Health and Wellness
Sonoran Bloom Click Here for FREE sample - New ant-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxifying drink providing natural pain relief for inflammation and can help you lose weight
phone 1-386-308-1956 After 6PM EST
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Health and Wellness - Weight Loss Pills

Monday, August 16th, 2010

 

When looking for the best weight loss pill available in the market nowadays, you can consult your doctor or drop by a drugstore and ask a pharmacist. Whatever type you choose, remember that the best weight loss pill should be able to help you lose those unwanted pounds with very little or no side effects.

The best weight loss pill groups can be divided into the following categories: prescribed or over-the-counter.

1. Prescribed weight loss pills are clinically tried and tested to produce results that they claim to provide to users. These are also approved by medical organizations to ensure that the drug really works according claims. Their side effects are known and studied. Furthermore, they are usually given to those who are suffering from severe weight problems like obesity.

2. Over-the-counter weight loss pills are those you can buy directly from the drugstore or your local pharmacy. Some of them are generic, which you should be careful in taking because some have excessive amounts of toxins that can be harmful to the body. OTC weight loss pills do not support their claims. It is highly recommended to purchase OTC weight loss drugs that are popular or have known success rates among those who have used it.

Natural ingredients

Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions in weight loss is that natural and herbal ingredients are entirely safe. Keep this in mind when buying the best weight loss pill. Ephedra is an example of a popular “natural” fat burning ingredient until the FDA found them to be dangerous to the heart and the nervous system.

The action

Judge a weight loss pill based on what it can do to hasten weight loss. There are several types of weight loss pills like fat blockers, fat burners, and appetite suppressants. All of these can be in the form of prescription drugs, OTC drugs, or even from natural ingredients.

1. Fat burners – these types of weight loss pills effectively help the body in breaking down fats coming from food intake. Once the fat cells release the fat, it enters the bloodstream in the form of free acids that will go to muscle cells where they are going to be burned.

2. Appetite suppressants – these are very popular because they take away your desire to eat to prevent you from unnecessary bingeing and overeating. Examples of prescribed appetite suppressants are Phentermine, Acomplia, and Meridia.

3. Fat blockers – these gained popularity among users because they are safer and have healthier effects compared to other weight loss drugs. Popular examples of this type are Alli, Chitosan, Proactol, and Xenical. Fat blockers prevent fat from affecting lipase enzymes that are responsible for absorbing fats from food intake. However, side effects include diarrhea, oily stool, and abdominal discomfort.

Click Here for Free Ebook to build perfect Abs

David Ogden- Helping People Help Themselves
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TriVita Health and Wellness
Sonoran Bloom Click Here for FREE sample - New ant-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxifying drink providing natural pain relief for inflammation and can help you lose weight
phone 1-386-308-1956 After 6PM EST
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Health and Wellness - Weight Management Tips

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

 

Odds are you already know everything you need to know about weight loss. Still, you could work up a serious appetite just thinking about all the weight loss advice available to consumers. The answer is not necessarily to learn every new concept about losing weight, but to find one that motivates you.

Here are 10 of the simplest tips to help you lose weight:

  1. The best weight loss advice helps you eat fewer calories than you burn so you store less fat.
  2. Be skeptical of fitness ads promising rapid weight loss or fat loss from specific body parts.
  3. Use food labels to your advantage.
  4. Losing weight requires eating slightly less than you body needs every day. For most of us, that means eating a lot less than you want.
  5. Don’t wing it. Create a personalized meal plan that you can actually stick to.
  6. Assess your unhealthy eating habits and commit to change one at a time. Slowly but surely.
  7. Don’t try to be perfect. Be consistent. Be smart. Be flexible.
  8. When creating a weight loss plan don’t forget about setbacks and maintenance.
  9. Get professional help if you need it. (From a Nutritionist, Weight Loss Coach or Psychologist.)
  10. The biggest weight loss secret is that there are no secrets. :-)

Click Here for Free Ebook to build perfect Abs

David Ogden- Helping People Help Themselves
Click Here to Contact Us
TriVita Health and Wellness
Sonoran Bloom Click Here for FREE sample - New ant-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxifying drink providing natural pain relief for inflammation and can help you lose weight
phone 1-386-308-1956 After 6PM EST
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Health and Wellness - Weight Management Fact and Fiction

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

 

Knowing the truth about losing weight can help you separate what works from what doesn’t. Don’t be taken in by expensive wieght-loss fads like pills, herbs, and special foods. There’s no magic way to lose weight. If you have questions about weight loss, ask your health care provider.

Fiction: “The faster I lose weight, the better.”

Fact: Rapid weight loss is usually due to loss of water or muscle mass. What you are trying to get rid of it extra fat. Aim to lose one-half to 2 pounds a week. Then you’re more likely to lose fat rather than water or muscle.

Fiction: “Skipping meals will help me lose weight.”

Fact: When you skip meals, you don’t give your body the energy it needs to work. Hunger makes you more likely to overeat later on. It’s best to spread your meals throughout the day. Eat at least 3 meals a day.

Sorry to say there are no magic bullets.

There is one tried and true strategy however.

The internet is filled these days with promotions for diets, quick weight loss items, Hoodia, ephedra etc. etc. etc. The list goes on and on.

Some of these products may even work for you. But what I know is the secret to dieting and weight loss is to watch what you put in your mouth.

If you consume 2000 calories and expend only 600 you have an excess. It isn’t rocket science. That extra portion of supper, that donut at mid morning, that soft drink and candy bar in the afternoon. They all add to the caloric intake.

While it isn’t rocket science it is very hard. You have to be in the right frame of mind, you have to have support, you have to be ready and want to watch what you eat.

Without that you are wasting time, effort and money. So the first thing you need is a plan and the commitment to lose weight. Once you have that your success is not far behind.

Click Here for Free Ebook to build perfect Abs

David Ogden- Helping People Help Themselves
Click Here to Contact Us
TriVita Health and Wellness
Sonoran Bloom Click Here for FREE sample - New ant-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxifying drink providing natural pain relief for inflammation and can help you lose weight
phone 1-386-308-1956 After 6PM EST
Skype seadogs11