Archive for May, 2009
If you seem to have been dieting forever and have tried out various weight loss programs over the years without any positive results, it may be time to find a better alternative. Research shows that there are benefits to be had in undergoing acupuncture for weight loss. According to the Journal of Medical Acupuncture, participants that received acupuncture lost 3x more weight than those in a control group.
Results showed that the group given acupuncture treatment was more likely to experience a reduced appetite and to lose weight than the other group. This is due to the fact that acupuncture stimulates the body to release endorphins, the “feel good” pain-relieving chemicals. Thus, when endorphins are released, the body combats cravings for carbohydrates, reduces appetite and also prevents withdrawal symptoms if weight loss is related to drug abuse.
Athletes need to gain muscle weight to keep up with their rigorous physical activities. They need to consume more calories than they use up. This weight gain has to include fat, muscle and water. To minimize the amount of fat gain and focus more to increase muscle gain, an athlete will need to follow a good training program in line with a sound nutrition program.
Here are some healthy weight gain tips:~Know that it takes time to increase muscle weight and it cannot be done overnight. Be patient and set realistic goals. ~Choose higher calorie foods from all groups in the Food Guide Pyramid. ~Increase the amount of food you consume. Eat larger portions. ~Eat plenty of high calorie snacks throughout the day. ~Drink lots of fluids that will supply you with calories.
Are you one of those people who seem to always be on a diet? Like me do you feel that you are losing the battle of the bulge? Then it’s time to try a new fitness workout. I have grown tired of the gym and other indoor exercises. One craze that I’m dying to try is adult exercise hoop or also known as hula hoping for adults.
An adult exercise hoop is not like the hula hoops we used to have back when we were kids. Hoops come in different sizes and different weights. Obviously, the bigger you are, the larger the hoop. These hoops also come in colorful designs. Dance hoop can help you burn calories, increase flexibility and strengthen your core abdominal muscles.
Getting back into the gym after a long break is never easy. It is much more difficult if you haven’t done any exercise while you were away from the gym. When I was pregnant, I was not allowed to exercise nor lift weights due to my delicate condition. A year after giving birth, I am now slowly trying to reacquaint myself with the all the machines in our local gym. When I first started working out, I could not yet use the ab workout machine since my cesarean scar needed more time to heal.
Now that I have run out of excuses, I drudgingly waddled my way to the various machines in my gym. I often begin with a half hour warm up on the treadmill, followed by a few machine workouts. I do my leg lifts, triceps and biceps all on machines. A few more minutes on the ab workout machine follows before I cool down on stationary bike. It is neither easy nor enjoyable, it’s a lot of work and takes a lot of effort but I am determined to get back in shape hopefully before I get pregnant again.
Cardio or aerobic exercises are greatly beneficial for the body. It strengthens the heart and expands lung capacity. These exercises regulate metabolism while relieving stress. Enthusiasts of cardio exercises swear that it promotes restful sleep and a relaxed attitude. Most beneficial of all is that it burns body fat.
Burn bodyfat by trying out a few of these cardio exercises. They are supposed to burn the most calories in a 30 minute exercise session. ~Step Aerobics – one of the most favorite cardio exercises by women. It can burn up to 400 calories in 30 minutes.~Bicycling – stationary or outdoors is a great cardio exercise. Depending on resistance and speed bicycling can burn 250 to 500 calories in 30 minutes.~Swimming – this is a full body exercises. Swimming is a great cross-training for other cardio activities. Doing the breast stroke can burn approx. 400 calories in 30minutes.~Running – Running is an excellent cardio exercise because all you need is a pair of quality running shoes. Running burns serious calories. A 145 LB person can easily burn 300 calories in 30 minutes.~Rowing – is a cardio exercise that gives your arms an incredible workout. A145 LB person can burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes.~Walking – Brisk walking is a less strenuous form of exercise but it can burn up to 180 calories in 30 minutes. Sprinting, adding hills or an incline can increase amount of calories burned.
Rather than concentrating on the abdominals as most people do, fitness experts now suggest to exercise the core. Most people concentrate on the abs and ignore the back muscles. This is to be corrected by an exercise program that will strengthen the core muscles. In general, the muscles of the core run the length of the trunk and torso; and when they contract they stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle and create a solid base of support.
Here is a simple band exercise that will help your core:
~Stand on your left leg and bend your knee slightly.
~Hold the exercise band with your right hand so that your elbow is fully extended.
~With a quick but controlled motion pull the band toward you and down and across your body in a throwing motion.
~Repeat the movement 15 – 20 times and switch sides.
~Perform 2 sets on each leg.
Many people find it funny to say spare tires, love handles and pot belly when referring to a person’s big tummy. Unfortunately, for the person who does have the protruding belly, this situation is not so comical at all. Many people hate having that extra flab around the midsection but most don’t do anything about it after several failed attempts to do so.
There are lots of misconceptions and conflicting advice on losing belly fat. But if you’re determined to lose yours, you have to continuously discover what regimen will best work for you. Research on new exercises, nutritional supplements and other various diet programs then decide which of these you can do diligently to achieve results.
A lot of people want to lose weight and have tried many diets and exercise to get them along. But some are really not losing the weight as fast as they want. Some a need a little help and take L-carnitine to speed up the process of losing weight.
L-carnitine is produced by the body in the liver and the kidneys. It is a nutrient that helps the body turn fat into energy. That’s’ why it’s an important component in losing weight. When the body doesn’t produce enough of it, fat doesn’t go anywhere. That is when L-carnitine is taken in as a supplement. Just make sure that you consult your doctor first before taking any supplements.
Having grown up with diabetes in my family, I witnessed firsthand how dangerous it can be. I have seen mostly male family members inject themselves with insulin regularly. I have also witnessed how difficult it was to be vigilant about wounds as they may not heal as fast. I have also read about the proliferation of IGF drugs. IGF stands for Insulin-like Growth Factor, these drugs are sometimes prescribed by a physician for children with diabetes.
Lately however, there have been reports that IGF drugs have been found to increase one’s metabolism. It has also been reported that in some cases, IGF drugs have led to boost the immune system and enhance physical performance. It is no surprise therefore that IGF drugs have been used by athletes to improve their speed and strengthen their endurance. This may be the miracle drug for die hard athletes. With the proliferation and publicity surrounding the use of anabolic steroids, Igf could be a better alternative.
If you always feel hungry, you will find it hard to pass up on foods you should not eat. Find the solution to this problem by taking appetite suppressants. These, along with plenty of water, an exercise program and good food choices will help you recapture your slender body more easily. Choose natural appetite suppressants that don’t have any side effects.
Other great benefits of this type of supplement:~Maintains healthy blood sugar, cholesterol and lipid levels ~Improves energy, mental concentration and focus ~Balances mood ~Enhances will power on food choices