Tag "getting fit"

  • Essential Nutrients for Weightloss

    Diet pills that really workLosing weight has become one of the most sought after health activity that many people find hard to achieve. Although many dieters have become successful in their quest for weight loss, a greater number still struggle in managing their own weight. A huge problem also arises when people drastically lose weight by depriving themselves of the essential nutrients that our body needs in order to last the day.

    Dieting is a health activity that must be done with discipline. It doesn’t mean that you should starve yourself or deprive yourself from food so you can cut off the extra pounds. Losing weight comes with workout and each and every session, you should replenish in order to fill up the nutrients you might have lost or you possibly lack. There are six important nutrients that our body needs to consume, and this also weighs greater if you are currently in diet program to lose weight.

    Vitamin D

    Studies have shown that a dieter will become more successful if he consumes more Vitamin D. Vitamin D aids in the body’s natural way of controlling the sugar levels found in the blood, by combining it with calcium and sunlight. For people who are trying to lose weight, this Vitamin is responsible for controlling Leptin, a hormone which controls a person’s appetite. Leptin acts as sensor to inform the body that it is already full. Without Leptin, a person’s tendency is to eat more than his body can take resulting to consuming more calories than you need which eventually leads to weight gain. To avoid this, dieting individuals must consume eggs, fish, milk, mushrooms, and fish liver oils.


    Calcium doesn’t only prevent osteoporosis and skeletal diseases, it only helps reduce the production of fat cells in the body. Calcium deficiency will not only weaken the bones, it also allows excessive calcitriol production in the body, the hormone which is responsible for producing fat. To avoid this, one must practice to have regular calcium intake which is found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products.

    Conjugated Linoleic Acid

    CLA is an important nutrient that aids in the reduction of fat and strengthening the muscles of the body. This nutrient is found in eggs, meat, and dairy products. Studies have shown the consuming foods rich in CLA will help the body’s digestive system to work better.


    If you want to satisfy your hunger in a healthy way, consuming foods rich in protein is an eating habit that should be practiced by any dieter. Protein helps in building strong muscles and gives you the energy to last the day especially those who practice active lifestyle.

    Fatty Acids

    Increasing your daily intake of essential fatty acid is important in order to condition the muscles and the heart to work effectively while dieting. This nutrient is important for giving the body enough energy to last the day as well as take care of our heart and prevent certain types of heart disease. Foods rich in fatty acids are tuna, sardines, salmon, trout, and olive oil.

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  • Liposuction – Making Results Last

    FitLiposuction is not cheap and the results of the procedure are far from perfect. So how do you maximize the benefits of liposuction and keep those stubborn bulges away forever?

    There’s no secret to keeping your body swimsuit perfect. Eating a healthy diet and living an active lifestyle remains to be the most effective way to keep your body slim.

    Liposuction and Fat Cells

    Our body has a finite number of fat cells. We gain weight as these fat cells grow or shrink accordingly. The number of fat cells and how it is distributed in the body is set as our body matures. And a person’s trouble areas are determined by how our body distributes these fat cells. This is why some of us have different problem areas. Some might experience having difficulty in keeping their abdomens fat free while others have flabby thighs and arms.

    Liposuction removes fat cells and eliminates them from the body forever. The patient is able to enjoy visible results immediately after treatment. This gives them a shapelier look and trims trouble areas instantly. However, liposuction is not a magic bullet that removes all fat cells. We must also remember that treatment is only limited to the target area and not the entire body. Remaining fat cells would also continue to grow if healthy lifestyle habits are not maintained.

    Fewer fat cells translate to smaller weight gain. Because there are lesser fat cells that would be able to grow, the person is able to maintain his body’s proportion easily. But we should not only focus on the areas treated. Remember that areas that have not been subjected to liposuction are still prone for fat buildup.

    Maintaining Results

    Liposuction is a surgical procedure that could horribly go wrong is not performed by a professional cosmetic surgeon. But even with its risks, it still remains to be popular among overweight people because of its almost dramatic transformation. People are able to enjoy a slimmer body immediately after treatment. Health experts remain skeptic about the real benefits of liposuction. After all it is not designed to replace a healthy lifestyle but could be a good starting point.

    Those who have undergone liposuction are strongly advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Although liposuction is highly efficient in eliminating fat cells from problem areas, it does not prevent weight gain in other areas. If you have undergone liposuction or planning to get one, here are a few tips on how to maintain the results and how to keep hard to remove cellulite deposits from returning.

    Create an exercise program

    Health experts and medical professionals have made several studies regarding how people have managed to keep the results after liposuction. Results have shown that almost half of those who have managed to keep their weight within ideal limits practice an active lifestyle. This was done by enrolling in the gym or just being active. Walking a few block to your office or playing sports are easy ways of burning fats.

    Monitor your eating habits

    The best way to keep track of your eating habits is to create a food journal. Spending time to create and writing down what you eat helps you maintain a high degree of health consciousness. Keep your food cravings at bay by having a list that tells you what you should and should not eat. It also makes it easier for you to identify potential problem foods causing your weight gain.

    A study conducted by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center showed that a great majority of patients that have undergone liposuction were satisfied with the results. However, it also showed that poor eating habits were the culprit of their subsequent weight gain. This coupled with an inactive lifestyle increase their risk ten folds for recurring weight problems.

    Drink more water

    The body is mainly composed of water and is required for the many body processes. It prevents cells from shrinking and eliminates toxins. It also promotes healthy body functioning and improves metabolism. Slower metabolic rates means the body is not able to burn fats efficiently. Slowing metabolic rates can be caused by aging.

    Reduce stress

    Relaxing a few minutes a day helps release pent up stress, a leading cause of binge eating and other eating disorders. This improves your blood circulation and the makes your body more efficient. Stretching for example is a good stress reliever. It helps release stress while helping you burn extra calories. Going to the sauna is another great way to relax. It aids in your body’s detoxification while maintaining a healthy metabolism.

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  • Diet Wars: Men, Women and Food

    256px-Human_body_man_and_woman_with_numbers.svgIf one is to follow the social typecast, one is likely to conclude that men eat like lions and women, like birds. A typical male will favor red meat, pork, sausages, egg and starchy food, while a typical female will shy away from them. Meat, which represents virility is classified as “male food” while fruits and vegetables are considered “feminine.” Men also tend to eat more because society has given them the license to be fat while women should always be slim.  Men are more likely to admit that they eat for pleasure, while women will use food for a physique that will fall within socially accepted norms on beauty and fitness.

    Such an observation is true based on several studies conducted about the eating habits of men and women. Both men and women have specific reason on why they eat certain food items but women put more weight on food as a source of nutrition. Women would also regard food as a source of comfort or a method for maintaining overall health and well-being.

    The Numbers

    A research conducted by the International Food Information Foundation in the US reveals that women are indeed more discriminating than men in terms of the kinds of food they eat. The study shows that women tend to benefit from and contribute to their overall fitness.

    In addition, both men and women believe that specific foods and beverages target their unique gender-specific needs. The following are some of the observations made by the study.

    • 53 percent of women consume specific foods they believe will make them health while 48 percent of men believe the same.
    • 42 percent of women choose certain foods that make them full or satisfied. A lower percentage of men, 27 percent choose food for the same reason. In general, men believe that volume and not the type of food is the key to satisfying their hunger.
    • 41 percent of women pick food items that aid their digestive health and only 33 percent consciously make this choice.
    • 34 percent limit their diet to food that will lessen the effects of whatever disease or medical condition they presently have. 27 percent of men do the same.
    • 34 percent of women include food in their diet that boosts their energy or stamina. Surprisingly, only 27 percent of men who are actively engaged in sports are mindful of this.
    • 34 percent of women put a premium on the food items that increase their mental performance while 27 percent of men do so.
    • 33 percent of women utilize food that will prevent them from acquiring certain diseases. 25 percent of men have this level of awareness (the rest find out too late after consuming too much that they have acquired a life-style related disease).
    • 30 percent of women maximize the benefits of food to improve their overall appearance while 20 percent of men are equally conscious of this benefit.

    Sex and Food Choices

    Based on the study, one can conclude that men are not really that health-conscious when it comes to making decisions about the food they eat. The study also shows that women tend to be more satisfied with their health status but pay more attention to their weight than men. As a result, women are more likely to make more changes in their diet than men in order to improve their health.

    In a survey conducted by the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, Georgia, it was shown that men are more likely to consume meat and poultry products. Aside from being potential sources of bacteria and viruses when poorly prepared, meat increases the risk factors for acquiring lifestyle diseases. These include cardio vascular, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.

    Women on the other hand prefer vegetables like carrots and tomatoes and fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and apples. A common denominator of all these plants is that they are rich in chemicals and anti-oxidants that possess anti-aging properties and prevent certain diseases. Women also prefer dry foods such as almonds and walnuts and consume more eggs and yogurt.

    Freshness Factor

    While women prefer fresh meat over frozen ones, they tend to shy away from undercooked items like burgers and steaks, runny or over-easy eggs, raw oysters and cheese made from unpasteurized milk. In general, men don’t mind if their food is under cooked. This gives an insight into women’s heightened alertness of food items that are potential sources of diseases. Women are also more likely to eat raw vegetables like salads and greens and sprouts.


    When it comes to snacks, men and women’s preferences vary as well. Women consider themselves healthy “snackers.” Women choose fruits, nuts and vegetables over the over the counter kind. When dining out, men would usually go for burgers and pizza. In addition, women are on the lookout for healthier options in fast food or fine-dining restaurants.

    Age Factor

    As men and women age, their eating habits are likely to change or mature as well. A separate study conducted in Japan that focused on the eating habits of older citizens showed more middle-aged men took more nutrients from food rather than women. However, women took the lion’s share in consuming vegetables and fruits. Interestingly, despite the increased risks of acquiring lifestyle-related diseases, men still consumed high amounts of alcohol compared to women who preferred tea. Men were able to consume more nutrients simply because of the sheer volume of food they eat. Women despite eating less were able to show more variety in the food they ate.

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  • A Quick Look into Eating Disorders

    hips - losing weight series

    There’s nothing wrong with the desire of being thinner or at least losing a few pounds, but if you’re doing certain things to lose weight excessively or perhaps the other way around, you might be experiencing a type of eating disorder. This is usually common in teens since high school life is the time when bullying and peer pressure arise, but eating disorders can also be present in younger or older individuals. So what is it anyway? What are the types and what symptoms are there?



    Eating disorder is basically a general term that encompasses every cachexia which has something to do with food consumption. It is a group of serious conditions wherein the patient tends to be extremely caught up mentally with the food she’s consuming and with her weight. If you think that eating disorders can be changed by simply changing your diet, betting think again.
    Aside from difficulty in treatment, it’s also difficult to catch the disorder. Furthermore, having a type of eating disorder and refusing to treat yourself will make you prone to other serious health problems which are usually life-threatening.



    Today, there are more than 8 types of eating disorders that are experienced by people around the globe. Most of it arises in women, but men also have their fair share. Treatment also depends on the type of disorder you have, hence, home remedy without consulting a physician or any other medical expert is not advisable.


    Anorexia Nervosa

    This is the most common type of eating disorder and is characterized by an unwillingness to eat. With this, you tend to feel extreme fear of gaining weight and end up wanting to maintain a weight lower than what is advisable for your age. Anorexia does not only affect your body and nutrition but also your mind and the way you think. In worse cases, it affects the emotion of the patient. Here’s a shortlist of its probable cause.

    • Stressful events in life such as deaths, divorce, or losing good friends
    • Having a job that calls for perfect weight and shape like modeling or ballet
    • Family members also have an eating disorder
    • Attitude of extreme perfectionism


    Bulimia Nervosa

    This is yet another type of eating disorder where binge eating occurs. This is characterized by eating large amounts of food in a short span of time and afterwards, forcing yourself to eliminate all the food from your body. Forced vomiting is said to be the easiest way, but other people with bulimia engage in too much workout and consume laxatives. According to research, binge arises because people feel comfort from food, however, if you feel you have consumed too much, you end up forcing yourself to eliminate all the food. Causes are as follows:

    • One or more family members have a certain type of eating disorder
    • One or more family member is obese
    • Extreme perfectionism
    • Extreme stress whether with life or with work


    Binge Eating Disorder

    BED or Binge Eating Disorder is a recently-acknowledged eating disorder. This is described by chain episodes of binge eating, however, unlike bulimia you don’t force the food you ate to exit from your body via vomiting. BED makes you extra conscious with the calories you consume.

    Most people with this eating disorder appear perfectly normal and has proper weight as well, however, in due time, they may gain excessive weight and become obese. Until today, experts are still blank about the causes of binge eating.



    This is an uncommon eating disorder wherein you don’t gain control over your workouts and food intake. It’s somewhat installed in your mind that, after eating, you will have to have extreme workout until you assume that all fats you consumed are already burned. This is usually common in athletes, and unlike anorexia, hypergymnasia doesn’t fully focus on the physical image. This is also one of the eating disorders that have no exact cause.



    Psychotherapy is one of the most common treatments for eating disorders. It will help you realize that what you’re doing is wrong. It also helps you determine which are the right actions and the wrong ones in terms of eating and staying fit and healthy. This therapy also helps you obtain a better relationship with your mood.

    Family therapy is another treatment done to those who are quite young yet already experiencing an eating disorder. With this treatment, your entire family should cooperate and should make adjustments to make you feel accepted and comfortable. Alongside both of these therapies are chemical-based drugs which may be prescribed depending on how worse your eating disorder is.

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