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Posts Tagged ‘weight loss’

Exercise for love handles, will it hurt me? Well that all rests on what & how you do it. But it doesn’t have to be.

Those nasty lumps of fat at your sides are what is termed as ‘love handles’. There’s nothing lovely about them so where the name comes from I don’t know.

The correct term for them is ‘obliques’, as they are at an angle to our bodies. The term oblique means slanting, or at an angle.

In the fitness & health industry the standard advice starts with - eat healthily, exercise moderately, balanced diet - and all the other rubbish they spout.

Yes people, we know all that but we want to know how to get rid of love handles without all that hard work. Is it possible?

Yes, you could do it. You could eat as you are now but it will take an almost Herculean effort to manage it.

The problem is while you are hard at it exercising for your love handles, sweating yesterdays burgers off, today’s burgers are making their way slowly to your midriff.

If, and I say this carefully, you could reduce your intake of junk food you could also reduce the amount of exercise it takes to look great.

It’s about compromise. How much do you really want to lose those love handles? Is it enough to make a change to your lifestyle?

Or will you still eat like you do now and decide to do a lot more exercise. It’s your choice.

Example exercises for love handles are side bends. If you eat like you do now you may need to do a couple hundred of these a day to stay as you are. Or make the lifestyle change and only need to do fifty to get rid of the love handles.

You can see from the above example how it’s a trade off. Eating junk means more exercise, eating better means less exercise.

As a lazy person myself I tend to eat as good as I possibly can so I can keep any exercise down to a minimum. I still exercise for my love handles but only to stop them re-appearing.

In conclusion, you will get pain if you have to do loads of exercise for your love handles. If you can change you eating habits you can manage with far less exercise.

Do you have what it takes? You might benefit from the step by step weight loss system that I follow every day. Read a review of that & more on my site. Nothing to lose but love handles!

If you’ve been trying & failing to lose weight, maybe you are beginning to think you can’t lose weight, simple as that.

I can tell you now that’s not physically possible. Everybody can lose weight. You just haven’t found the right system for you just yet.

I used to think I couldn’t lose weight but with mother nature using some shock tactics on me, I realised it was all in my head.

I used to be about fifteen pounds overweight most of the time. Then I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and at twenty seven years old. Shock, dismay, confusion, depression, I had it all.

I haven’t a clue how it all works but getting it made me realise my life now depends on being serious about losing some excess fat.

I’m a systems man at heart. Whatever I do if I can boil it down to a system, I will. Weight loss is no different.

A system breaks something bigger down into little steps that can easily be followed. Eventually you get the same result every time. The result you want here is a that killer body you’ve been trying for.

Systems are used successfully in all walks of life. In fact the modern world is built on systems. So why not borrow these ideas to lose weight?

I’m a bit shy to admit just how much money I’ve wasted on crap diet products and gotten absolutely nowhere with them. Maybe by copying what I do you can save a lot of money and cut right to success.

I unearthed a gem of a system, works great for me. I can easily plan what I need to do and then tick the tasks of as I do them every day.

I can use a computer generated meal planner that I know will allow me to eat decent food and best of all, decent size portions. No hassle and no hunger.

I used to get really stressed out planning a daily diet. Working out what was good or bad was becoming a nightmare. A couple of mouse clicks now and I’m good to go.

If you actually believe that you can’t lose weight maybe it’s time to try a system like mine. It’s a no stress join the dots kinda thing. You’ve got nothing to lose but a bit of fat.

It became known that the San Bushmen have been using Hoodia Gordonii for centuries. They found a number of uses of the plant of which one was that its consumption suppressed hunger. They used to go hunting into the Kalahari Desert lasting several days. Hoodia helped them to suppress hunger during the period. It was the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that successfully isolated P57, the active ingredient that suppresses hunger. P57 was patented by CSIR in 1996. They also recognized the San people as the originators of this knowledge. This makes the San Bushmen eligible for a share in the profit from commercialization of their traditional knowledge.

Obesity is indeed a modern phenomenon. It was unheard of in ancient times. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 400 million are afflicted by obesity. The number is so huge that WHO officially declared it to be a global epidemic. Obesity, it is well recognized, is a preventable ill health condition caused due to wrong food habits and a sedentary lifestyle. In some cases genetic cause and mental illness can also lead to obesity. There are many ways that obesity can be addressed. There are a variety of weight loss programs in the market. There are also drugs and dietary supplement in the market. There is surgical intervention for obesity.

Hoodia Gordonii grows 1 meter high. It is a flowering plant. Khoba, Xhooba and Ghaap are the local names given to it. Hoodia is found to grow naturally in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. Hoodia is available in the form of capsules, tablets, syrup and drinks. There are a number of hoodia shakes such as the Hoodia Gordonii Shake Mix which contains 16 vitamins and minerals besides protein and fat. This is to be taken with milk or water.

The increasing market for Hoodia Gordonii led to its being indiscriminately collected and traded. This led to a situation where the plant might have to be listed as an endangered species if its collection and trade are not strictly regulated and controlled. As required under such a situation, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed the plant in its list. All export of Hoodia Gordonii from Africa requires CITES certification. It also means that all certified exports are genuine Hoodia Gordonii.

You are careful about your diet. You skip the sweet treats, use portion control, and exercise more. But you find it difficult or impossible to lose the excess weight.

Well, you’re not alone. This is a very common problem. Many dieters try, over and over again, to lose weight, but eventually become so discouraged that they simply give up. Don’t let this happen to you. By understanding some of the common causes of diet failures, you can successfully lose weight, and keep it off.

1) Dieters are often discouraged by a lack of support from family or friends. There always seems to be someone you know who remains slender, no matter how much food they eat. People eat junk food in front of you, at work and at home. They don’t understand your struggle. If you talk to them, they may be willing to help by removing those tempting snack.

Your environment works against your diet success. It’s hard to resist fast food and coffee shops, huge restaurant portions, unhealthy snacks and all of the advertisements. As much as possible, you must take charge of your environment. Avoid places where you are tempted. The nutrition labels are important - read them before you eat, to learn the correct food portion sizes. Always carry a healthy snack (an apple or raisins, a few nuts, etc. And try using one of the new portion plates for your meals.

2) Most diets have rigid rules and requirements, and are hard to adapt to your lifestyle, habits and body’s specific needs. It’s a ‘one-size-fits-all’ method, applied to everyone. You can improve your chance of success by using a program personalized specifically for you. A doctor or dietician can help. You can find one locally, or through the Internet. A dietician can act as your coach or trainer, helping you stay on track. They can set up a specific, individualized diet plan.

3) There are hidden calories in many everyday foods. Be sure to check labels, because even foods that appear healthy can contain a lot of calories, for example fruit juices and low fat products. Most people don’t realize that a frappuccino coffee might have up to 600 calories! Look for the hidden sources of calories that make it hard to succeed in your diet.

4) You must be persistent to achieve diet success. If you want to make progress in your diet, limit your ‘cheating’ and try not to become discouraged when you hit a temporary plateau. Don’t look for quick weight loss. It is much healthier to lose weight gradually. And it takes time. Don’t get discouraged and stop your diet too soon.

5) Too many people lose weight and then gain it all back again when they return to their former eating habits. Don’t let that happen to you. Being successful at losing weight and keeping it off requires that you change your lifestyle and attitude. You will have to adjust your attitudes on food and eating. Find a diet and meal plan you can be comfortable with. A portion control plate can not only help you loose weight, but can be used to help keep the weight off.

It is easier to succeed if you find the right diet plan, since everyone’s needs are different. Doctors and nutritionists agree that there are several key elements in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. You CAN be successful, if you pick healthy foods, use portion control to limit consumption, exercise regularly and never give up.

Everyone has their own opinions about the best abdominal exercises. There is, however, one principle that cannot be ignored when it comes to picking great exercises for building six pack abs.

There should be a distinction between abdominal exercises which tighten the muscles and full body exercises which burns fat in the body. A mix of both exercises should be done to get the desired result.

Here is a list of exercises which is left out in most of our schedule.

1. Mountain climbers.

In this exercise you first lay down in the push up position and then basically “run” on the spot. Move both your hands and legs as if you are climbing an incline. But you actually are not moving and you stay in the same place. First bring up one leg to your armpit, then switch to the other.This is a great full body exercise, an excellent fat burner and it really engages the abdominal muscles.

2. Static jumps.

This exercise closely resembles mountain climbing. Come to push up position. Instead of alternating between bringing your legs forward, here you “jump” forward with both legs at once, landing your feet beneath your chest while keeping your hands planted on the ground. Kick back to straighten your legs and repeat. When followed strictly this exercise proves to be very useful. This exercise is a bit tough initially at the same time it is one of the best ever abdominal exercise.

3. Hanging leg lifts.

Mostly this exercise is done on hanging from a pull up bar. Hang with your arms and legs extended. Now raise your knees, bringing them in towards your chest. Do not jerk, use a smooth, controlled motion. The one more tougher variation of the above exercise is- keeping the legs straight and then pulling them up to almost your waist levels.
You can also do pull ups in between the above exercise.

4. Towel slide.

This exercise is best done on smooth surfaces which may a piece of cloth to be dragged freely, just like a tiled surface.

I’ll explain the above exercise like this-Assume you are using a towel. Get into push up position with your feet on the towel. Now, while keeping your legs and arms straight, slide your feet in towards your hands (until they’re more or less in line with your waist), then slide back into the full pushup position and repeat. Try to concentrate on your abdomen while doing this exercise.

The exercises proves doubly beneficial if push ups are done after every 2 or 3 slides.

5. Jack knives.

This is definitely a best abdominal exercise. Lie flat on your back, legs straight and arms stretched out over your head. Now, lift your legs while keeping them straight, and at the same time lift your arms (also keeping them straight) to touch your legs in the air above your waist. Do not jerk while doing this exercise. Maintain a smooth controlled motion. If you find you are jerking again and again, then its time to stop the counts.
The exercises enlisted above are some of the best abdominal exercises. Try to do these along with your routine exercises.

For the most up to date information about best ab exercises, This is the only resource you will ever need best ab workout

High intensity interval training – known as HIIT – is quickly becoming recognized as the most efficient form of cardio workout for those who want to burn fat without losing very much lean muscle tissue. Unlike more traditional cardio workouts such as jogging, which rely on low-intensity exercise performed over a significant period of time, HIIT workouts are short and relatively difficult, but they deliver better results.

When HIIT was developed, coaches and trainers used to instruct their athletes to incorporate HIIT principles into their roadwork. Sprints of twenty to thirty seconds were inserted into medium-speed running workouts, and they boosted the intensity but still allowed the workout to last for a period of time sufficient for cardiovascular adaptation. Usually referred to as “wind sprints”, these traditional workouts were effective and not particularly time-consuming. Coaches knew that these sorts of workouts were effective, but home fitness enthusiasts were slow to catch on to the trend. Popular workouts at the time usually included low-intensity jogging as a cardio component.

Several researchers in the field of exercise physiology have verified that interval training is more efficient than traditional cardio workouts. Their work shows that this style of exercise is ideal for reducing the levels of body fat while also maintaining a significant amount of lean muscle mass. Most studies of this type were conducted with young, healthy test subjects, but recent anecdotal evidence shows that anyone who is prepared for the rigors of high-intensity training will receive similar benefits to those detailed in the studies.In fact it is the most efficient workout to lose belly fat

Lately, HIIT has been re-discovered by diverse groups of athletes who all have one thing in common: the need to perform well at maximum intensity for short periods of time. A current trend is Tabatas: ultra-short high intensity intervals, maxing out at 20 seconds, combined with even shorter rest periods. This style of workout is named for the scientist who discovered it, and it’s used not only by the bicyclists for whom it was developed, but by athletes in many other disciplines.

Now, no matter the sport or activity, it is possible to find a coach who recommends high intensity interval training to those who want to prepare themselves for the rigors of the athletic season or just get in shape. All manner of cardio exercise can be performed according to an HIIT schedule;

High intensity interval training is no longer limited to runners and other track athletes. These days, it is used by athletes in virtually every sport, and by fitness enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Just remember not too go too hard when you first start out, it takes a little while to get used to. You are advised to start out with only doing four to six sprint repetitions with ample rest before moving on to longer workouts. A great place to begin is the Lose Belly Fat Fast workout for beginners.

You may have wanted to start a weight loss diet many times in the past. But maybe you hesitated because you thought it was too complicated or too hard. Judging by all the information about dieting that’s out there, there are a lot of myths making the rounds. Our goal here is to disprove several of them.

1. One of the most common myths is that you can drop pounds quickly just by a severe cutback in food and calorie intake. This is an extremely unhealthy way to go about dieting. Because your system believes there’s a shortage of food, it won’t let go of its fat very easily.

2. In our search for quick weight loss, another myth will instruct us to eat just a certain kind of food. The peppered water, grapefruit and the hot dog diet fads have resulted in many binges over the years. An unbalanced fad diet will result in not enough nutrients that are essential for good health and a strong immune system.

3. You may have also heard that you can never cheat on your diet. And if you do, you must pay the price by doubling up on your workouts. This just isn’t true. It’s okay to have a slice of pizza once in awhile. You only need to adjust your calorie intake for the day. There’s really no need to exercise for hours just to compensate for one little treat.

4. A popular myth is that you should avoid eating before bedtime because your body will just store all the calories as fat. This just isn’t the case, since dieting only involves healthy eating and restricting your daily calorie consumption. If you have a small snack before bedtime, it won’t have any real impact. But not if you’re indulging in a full meal or a vat of cookie dough ice cream.

5. Maybe you’ve heard of the one that tells you not to eat at all between established mealtimes? It’s better that you do eat snacks. Consume several mini meals through your day and your hunger won’t overwhelm you. When you cut out between meal snacks, you become ravenous before it’s time for the next meal. This can cause you to eat a lot more than you really need just to satisfy your hunger.

6. One more myth warns against consuming dairy products, for the reason that they’re highly fattening. But dairy contains nutrients your body needs, so you shouldn’t eliminate it from your diet. In fact, some studies suggest those who consume dairy have better weight loss success. But don’t overindulge, and choose lower fat products.

Avoid being conned by all the myths about weight loss that abound on various websites. By eating healthfully (as a general rule) and exercising regularly, you can achieve healthy weight loss.

It seems that a new weight loss diet program is brought to the market every other day, making consumers’ choices almost mind-boggling. These plans can range from fast detox programs that only last a few weeks to long term lifestyle changes. If you are looking to choose one of these popular new diets, it is best to know just what is involved and how they work before deciding which to use. No matter which you choose, always get advice from your doctor or other medical professional before starting any diet programs.

Detox Diets

Often see on talk shows and in magazines, detox diet plans seem to be all the rage. These short term diet and weight loss plans are extremely strict, but promise quick results. Detox diets help to cleanse the body and rid your digestive system of toxins. One of the extra side effects of a detox plan is quick weight loss due to decreased food consumption. While these plans can be effective for short term, rapid weight loss, you should not continue on these programs longer than recommended.

Low Carb Diets

One of the biggest diet and weight loss trends in recent years is the use of low carb diets for fast results. These diets promote eating lower amounts of carbohydrates, which will cause your body to burn fat instead of relying on carbs for energy. These plans are often recommended by doctors because they are generally effective, however close monitoring by a physician is recommended when following these plans. Rapid weight loss is usually achieved initially, however those who attempt to return to a normal eating plan can gain back as fast as they lost.

Vegetarian Diets

For hundreds of years, different cultures have used vegetarian diets for many reasons. These diet and weight loss plans can be helpful and relatively safe, if those who select a vegetarian lifestyle are careful in their menu planning. Should you choose one of these diet plans, be sure to search for plenty of source of protein to fuel your body properly. This should include both complete and incomplete proteins, such as beans, soy, and nuts in order to stay healthy. Though you can lose fat on these diets, more often they are a social or political lifestyle choice.

Balanced Diets

The safest diet and weight loss programs are those who endorse balanced diets. Balanced diets, paired with a regular exercise program are the doctor recommended way to lose weight safely. These diets should include plenty of vegetable and fruit components, lean protein sources and whole grains and fibers. You can follow the Food Pyramid or get sample menu plans from a dietician or doctor. Losing weight with a balanced diet can be a slow process, but if you follow the program as recommended, it’s the most healthful way to eat long term.

Choosing a weight loss diet plan can be difficult, but with research and education you can find a program that will work for you. Your best bet is to discuss your weight issues with your doctor and get his or her advice. Together you can decide which popular diet plan is the right one for you.

Bosu

One of the best weight loss workouts involves using the Bosu ball. The Bosu ball is the circular blue dome that is inflated which you see in the gym. It has an inflated blue dome on top while the bottom is flat. Weight loss equipment does not get any better than this one.

Bosu ball exercises can workout the whole body. You can utilize the Bosu ball for lower, mid and upper body workouts. Squats are typically the first leg workout exercise to begin with. Place the Bosu ball with the dome up or down depending on how difficult you want to make the exercise. The basic exercise is to stand on the top of the Bosu and perform squats. It will require balance and strength to maneuver through the workout. Difficulty can be added by using hand weights. For a more advanced set of exercises, flip the Bosu ball over so the flat side can be stood on. Strength and balance are each key to the exercise. You could also pick up the Bosu and hold it over your head while you perform the squat.

The leg lunge is another exercise that can be done on the Bosu ball. With the bubble up give yourself a step distance from the Bosu. Start with either leg and perform a lunge onto the top of the Bosu. As you do the exercise, change legs. As you perform this exercise you can hold weights.

Abdominal muscle are worked by middle body exercises. You can perform a simple sit up by sitting on top of the dome with your feet on the floor. You can lift your legs and do crunches, pulling your legs in to your chest then expanding them outward. Any number of abdominal exercises can be done on the Bosu such as the bicycle crunch exercise. The Bosu will require you to tighten your abs through each exercise while you keep your balance.

Upper body workouts with the Bosu include pushups. With your feet on the floor and your hands on the Bosu, perform the typical pushup. You can also place your hands on the floor and put your feet up on the Bosu dome to do pushups. A more advanced exercise is to flip the Bosu over and grab the edges of the flat side and perform pushups. You can poerform shoulder exercises by pushing the Bosu ball overhead. Weight loss exercises do not get much better than this.

As you can see the Bosu is a very versatile piece of exercise equipment. There aren’t many weight loss workouts that are better than using the Bosu. Using it will give you strength and help you lose weight.