Do You Need to Shed Some Few Pounds Of Weight?

Do You Need to Shed Some Few Pounds Of Weight? 

Here Are The Signs That You May!!!!

Each day in the United States, million of Americans say to themselves “I need to lose weight.” Are you one of those individuals? While many of the individuals who tell themselves that they need to lose weight do need to lose weight, not all do.  So, the question that many ask themselves is “do I really need to lose weight?” If that is a question that you have asked yourself before, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the many signs that you may need to lose weight is if you are obese.  Many individuals do not realize that there is a difference between being overweight and being obese. While different healthcare professionals have different definitions for obese, it is often said that those who are thirty or forty pounds overweight are obese. If you are obese, you shouldn’t only be worried about your appearance, but your health as well. Obesity has been linked to multiple health complications, including the early onset of death.

 

Another one of the many signs that you should lose weight is if you have been told that you need to do so. Whether your physician recommended losing weight or if someone that you know on a personal level has, it is advised that you at least take their suggestions into consideration. Unfortunately, many individuals are embarrassed or become upset when they are told that they need to lose weight. What you need to remember is that the individual mentioning your weight to you likely isn’t as concerned with your appearance as they are with your health. 

Another sign that you may want to think about losing weight is if you are finding that your clothes no longer fit you.  Of course, it is normal for some individuals to gain weight or to have their weight fluctuate, but you may want to think about joining a weight loss program or developing your own weight loss plan if you find that your clothes no longer fit or are difficult to get into.  Unfortunately, many individuals do not just have a small weight gain. Small weight gain often leads to more, which could have a negative impact on your health.  It is also important to mention the cost of new clothes, which you may not be able to afford.

If you find many simple tasks or activities, like walking up a flight of stairs, difficult, you may want to think about losing weight.  Of course, becoming out of breath from simple activities may not necessarily just be a weight problem, but there is a good chance that it is. When you lose weight, even just a little bit of it, you will likely find it easier to do many of the activities that you love or even the tasks that you need to do, like take your kids to the park. 

The above mentioned signs are just a few of the many signs that you may need to lose weight. Should you wish to lose weight, you are advised to proceed with caution.

There are a number of weight loss products on the market, like diet pills or exercise equipment, which do not work. To save yourself money and to protect your health, you may want to consider consulting with your physician before starting any weight loss program, even one that you develop yourself.

Does Alli Work?

Does Alli Work?

Does alli work as a weight loss pill? The quick answer seems to be yes, but there is a downside, so read on.

Alli is the over-the-counter name for orlistat which is also available in prescription form as Xenical. If you are going to ask for it you may like to know that it is pronounced like ally, not alley. It is essentially a fat blocker. It works by preventing the body from absorbing the fat from the foods that we eat, and it is the one freely available drug that has FDA backing for its claims to aid weight loss. You might think you could eat all the fatty foods you liked and then take alli to negate the effect but sadly that is not true. It should always be used in conjunction with a low fat diet plan under the supervision of a doctor. 

The amount of weight loss achieved with alli is variable. In one study involving one-year clinical trials, between 35.5% and 54.8% of subjects attained a 5% or greater decrease in body mass, although we do not know how much of this mass was fat. Between 16.4% and 24.8% of the subjects achieved a 10% or more decrease in body mass. In combination with a calorie controlled diet, the effects could be expected to be greater. It was also shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The participants regained an average of one third of the weight that they had lost after stopping alli, but this is typical of most dieters.

The main disadvantage of alli is the side effects which center around digestive and bowel problems. The higher the fat content in the diet, the greater these side effects are likely to be, as the undigested fat is expelled from the body. Flatulence, loose stools and bowel incontinence can result, especially in the early stages before the body is accustomed to the drug. The manufacturer's website warns, "You may feel an urgent need to go to the bathroom. Until you have a sense of any treatment effects, it's probably a smart idea to wear dark pants, and bring a change of clothes with you to work." You really need to want to lose weight to take alli!

However these side effects are reduced if you stick to the recommended low fat diet and as the manufacturers hint, the potentially embarrassing side effects can even be helpful in encouraging you to keep to your diet. Always remember that alli does not claim to work without consistent efforts toward weight loss from you. What they do claim is that it can improve your weight loss by up to 50%. That would mean a person who lost 10 pounds without taking alli would lose 15 pounds taking it. It boosts your weight loss and rewards your efforts with better results than you could get by yourself. Note though that individual results will vary and are not guaranteed.

Sadly there is no magic diet pill that will melt away your excess pounds while you sleep, but alli is a pill that has documented results. If you are determined to lose weight and have been struggling with diets without much effect, it may be a good time to discuss it with your doctor and find out does alli work for you.

Does Conjugated Linoleic Acid Work?

Does Conjugated Linoleic Acid Work?

Conjugated linoleic acid is a natural substance found in many of our foods that according to many studies can reduce fat and improve muscle mass in the body. Taken as a supplement with no change in eating or exercise habits, it would not make you lose weight but it could help you lose fat. It is often taken by men looking to lose weight and bodybuild at the same time, but it can also be useful for anyone who is overweight and under-exercising, as any increase in muscle will increase the metabolism, burning more calories.  

Like many natural weight loss products, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) combined with a flexible healthy eating plan can lead to gradual long term weight loss and help you get out of the yo-yo dieting cycle where you are constantly losing and gaining the same 10, 20 or 50 pounds. Yo-yo dieting is very bad for the health. It is better to remain overweight than to keep on losing and gaining, losing and gaining.

Most experts (unless they are trying to sell you something) agree that the diet that works best in the long term is the non-diet, where instead of eating special foods and banning others, you eat slightly smaller quantities of a normal healthy diet. If you are currently living entirely on pizza, fries and chocolate, then okay, some changes may be overdue. But you can still have small portions of all of those foods from time to time. If this is the kind of diet that you want, then CLA can help reinforce your plan by boosting your fat loss. Dr Michael Pariza of University of Wisconsin-Madison, reported to the American Chemical Society that CLA "doesn't make a big fat cell get little. What it rather does is keep a little fat cell from getting big."

Many studies have been done on CLA. One study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that people taking CLA lost on average six pounds of body fat more than a group that took a placebo. The researchers discovered that you need around 3.4 grams of CLA per day for it to be effective. CLA is found in food, especially meat and dairy products, but supplementation is necessary for most people to reach that level. 

Another study at Purdue University, Indiana, found that CLA improved insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetics, and slightly decreased their blood glucose level and triglyceride levels, suggesting that it may help to maintain normal insulin levels. But see your doctor before taking any supplements if you have diabetes.

There are no magic pills for weight loss but if you are willing to commit to reducing your body fat permanently, CLA may help you. Keep in mind that its main effect is to convert fat to muscle, which by itself will not weigh any less. But your body will look slimmer and feel healthier if you do this, and combined with a good weight control eating plan conjugated linoleic acid can help you move toward your ideal weight too. 

Fad Diets: Why Are They Bad?

Fad Diets: Why Are They Bad?

It is not surprising that many people wonder why fad diets are bad when they seem to get results. You will find many sites on the internet claiming significant weight loss in just a few days. That type of weight loss is always temporary. It is usually 90% water which will be put straight back on as soon as your body rehydrates, which it must do if you are not going to suffer severe health problems or die.

Other fad diets are not so obviously crash diets with outrageous claims but they are over hyped diet plans that tend to be fashionable for a while and usually make a lot of money for the inventor in associated product sales. In the best cases these are good nutrition plans which will help you lose weight, but which you could probably have gotten for free from your doctor. In the worst cases they will prove so difficult to follow that you will give up after a week.

The adverse effects of fad diets:

1. Diets that promise quick and easy weight loss are usually based on eating more of one food type and none of another. These do not give the benefits that you would get from a balanced diet. They may suggest you take supplements but many supplements are not absorbed by the body unless they are taken along with the foods that the diet has banned. After a few weeks, if you stick to it that long, you may begin to develop nutritional deficiencies.

2. Fad diets are often boring and over restrictive. After the novelty of the first day or two, you will not enjoy your meals. You will then start to crave food constantly and will break the diet. You may even feel guilty, thinking it is your fault that you did not lose weight.

3. Most fad diets do not follow recommendations of the American Heart Association and similar bodies for fat levels in the diet. Often the diet will recommend high fat foods and low carbs which if taken long term, could result in heart disease. The promoters may tell you that the diet is only intended to be followed for a short time. But you probably will not reach your goal weight in that time, and then what? You either continue with a plan that is not good for your health, or stop and probably gain back what you lost.

4. Many fad diets do not help you to incorporate enough servings of fruits and vegetables in your weight loss program, or give you the variety of foods that your body needs.

5. Quick weight loss diets are just a temporary solution and do not help you to make permanent changes to your eating habits. Permanent changes are the only way to remain at your target weight once you reach it. Fad diets encourage yo-yo diet-binge cycles of fast weight loss and equally fast weight gain. This is worse for your health and your self esteem than if you had stayed overweight all the time.

Whatever the publicity materials may say, these diets will not help you in the long term. The best way to sustain weight loss is to eat a varied and healthy diet, do not overeat, exercise regularly and avoid fad diets.

3 Bad Diet Mistakes To Avoid At All Cost

3 Bad Diet Mistakes To Avoid At All Cost

Even though there is so much information available about weight loss, the same diet mistakes are being made over and over every day. We are not talking here about little slip ups where you ate a slice of pie that was not on the plan, but big mistakes that lead to failure to lose the weight that you want to lose. Understanding these errors can help you develop the attitude that will lead to permanent weight loss for you.

1. The All Or Nothing Attitude

All or nothing dieters will often pick out a complicated diet that is almost impossible for them to maintain. Before beginning, they will search the kitchen for anything that does not fit the plan and throw it in the garbage. They are planning to be the perfect dieter, and so they will be, for one day, three days, seven days or even a couple of weeks. Then, inevitably, something happens that means they cannot keep to the diet one time. Immediately the whole thing is ruined in their eyes and the diet is over. They go to the store and buy all the things that went into the garbage last week and proceed to gain back all the weight that they lost, as fast as possible.

If you are this kind of dieter you need to ask yourself some tough questions. Do you really want to lose weight permanently, or just lose a few pounds so that you can enjoy putting them back on again? The way forward is to make small changes to what you eat so that you have a slow but steady weight loss.

2. The Attitude of Sacrifice

Another common mistake is to view your diet as a period of sacrifice. You do not allow yourself the foods that you enjoy most while you are on your way to your target weight. You may have a great diet plan and be very successful in losing weight, but what happens when you reach your goal? You have not learnt to eat 'bad foods' in moderation so as soon as you start, you are likely to go out of control. It is better to include a little of everything in your diet and learn to enjoy it in small quantities. Yes, even chocolate!

3. Goal Failure 

Setting achievable goals is vital in any weight loss plan. Goals should be clear, realistic and set out in writing. While you probably do have an ideal weight in your mind, unless you are only very slightly overweight it is probably too distant to be useful. A more useful goal would be to lose two pounds per week for the first five weeks and then one pound per week after that. Some weeks you will lose more and some less, some weeks you may even gain, but if you track your progress on a graph you will see that ups and downs are natural and do not stop you progressing steadily toward your major goal.

If you have been making these mistakes, do not worry. The most important point in dieting as in so many other things is to move on. Learn from your failures as well as your success and do not use a mistake as an excuse for giving up. The only way to achieve your goal permanently is to make a commitment to become a healthier person. Remember that eating normally includes eating more some days and less others. Learn to enjoy food in moderation and you have every chance of avoiding these bad diet mistakes.

Hate Exercising? Some Workout Tips for You!!

Do  You Hate Exercising? 

Some people downright hate exercising. However, exercising is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, and without it you definitely will not be able to lose weight. 

There are certain tips, however, for learning to love exercising, even if you truly hate it. 

First, try finding some exercises that you like to do. Of course, you should work out all of your body, but if you absolutely hate doing one kind of exercise, then look for another to take its place. You don’t have to do crunches to strengthen your core muscles. You don’t have to do lunges to work out your lower body. You don’t even have to run—you can replace it with cycling or swimming. 

Find the exercise you like to do and your workout will seem more enjoyable right away.

You can also find other activities you like to do and make them work for your body. 

For example, if you like working on your garden, try doing some exercising surrounding raking or mow your yard by hand. If you enjoy the winter weather, you can try ice skating or sledding with friends. No matter what you like to do, you can find ways to get some exercise. 

Thanks to the introduction of the Wii and game like Dance Dance Revolution, you can even combine video games and exercise. 

Another great tip to liking exercise is to find a training partner. 

When you work out together, you can help one another stay motivated, even if you don’t absolutely love exercising. With a partner, you can have fun as well, trying things like tennis or challenging one another to meet certain goals. Trainers can also provide this for you, as well as show you new and fun exercises to help you avoid getting bored or feeling overwhelmed at the gym.

Lastly, try taking some classes. Exercising classes are a great way to meet new people, learn new exercises, stay motivated, and above all, have fun. Most gyms offer low-cost or free exercise classes with membership or you can check out options at your local community center. 

Staying motivated if you hate exercising can be hard, but set goals and don’t quit. You need to exercise as well as diet if you really want to lose weight. 

Make exercise fun and it won’t seem like such a chore. 

  

Garcinia Cambogia Extract - A Natural Weight Loss Supplement

Garcinia Cambogia Extract - A Natural Weight Loss Supplement

Garcinia cambogia extract is hitting headlines throughout the western world as a natural weight loss supplement. Several studies have shown that it does help people to lose weight and although as always there are other studies that are less conclusive, it can be an effective weight loss supplement for many people.

Garcinia cambogia is the name of a small tropical fruit that grows in India and Africa. It is one of the citrus family like oranges and lemons. It is too sour to eat but the rind is used as a spice in Indian cooking. The correct name for the substance that is extracted from the fruit as a weight loss supplement is hydroxycitric acid.

Hydroxycitric acid is not a stimulant (like caffeine) or an appetite suppressant, both of which work directly on the nerve centers of the brain and can have undesired side effects, including causing food binges any time you stop taking them.  Instead, HCA satisfies the body's need for energy and improves the signaling system that the body uses to tell the brain when it has eaten enough. This response is often delayed in overweight people, causing them to continue to eat more than they need.

Garcinia cambogia extract (HCA) seems to work best in combination with chromium, which helps to regulate the body's blood sugar levels. Chromium is a mineral that is often lacking in our diets as we get older and a chromium deficit can contribute to weight gain and possibly diabetes. However if you have diabetes already, you should see your doctor before taking any products containing chromium.

As with most supplements, it is best to be cautious and do not take HCA if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Consult a doctor before giving it to children. You may also want to avoid HCA if you suffer from migraine or arthritis which can be worsened by citrus fruits. 

HCA seems to work best for people who overeat when they are anxious or stressed, as it will give the same calming effect that they get from food. Generally you do not need to eat any special foods when you are taking HCA, and there are no 'forbidden foods'. Choose healthy foods and you should find that you lose weight and fat slowly but steadily without really trying. You can take slightly smaller portions if you wish and choose fruit instead of sugary snacks but you should not need to go hungry. This is a very natural way to lose weight. 

Unlike many other weight loss products, HCA has been extensively tested in research laboratories on both human and animal subjects and no side effects have been found. This natural weight loss supplement is available from many sources online and may be labeled either hydroxycitric acid or garcinia cambogia extract.

TOM PLATZ "The Quadfather" LEG WORKOUT

TOM PLATZ "The Quadfather" LEG WORKOUT

"THE MAN WHO BECAME RENOWN FOR HIS ASTOUNDING LEGS DEVELOPMENT"

He had one of the best looking as well as freakiest quads ever in the history of BodyBuilding. Tom Platz was at his greatest practically a quarter of a century in the past he finished 3rd in the 1981 MR.O, but no one since has matched Tom Platz’s combination of acutely aware-altering measurement and cross-striated definition.

Tom Platz workout was known for its intense nature.

He reports that while weighing much less then 230 pounds, he squatted eight reps with 635 pounds and fifty two reps with 350 pounds. On quite a few occasions, he squatted for 10 minutes straight for more than a hundred reps with 225 pounds.This would possibly seem like hyperbole, if not the truth that Platz is seen in a video shot in 1992 squatting 495 kilos for 23 reps with his thighs going below parallel.

One can't deny his genetic predisposition to develop massive muscular thighs. Nevertheless it was Tom Platz’s barn-burning intensity and sheer bravery to train past the bounds of his potential that made his thighs legendary.

Platz’s training principle was very simple: the tougher-the better.

Platz enjoyed squatting with 225 pounds for ten minutes straight. That was his fashion and the rationale he created such massive and striated quads. Excessive volume training was a predominant stay for Platz. Leg curls and leg extensions were carried out at 60 rep increments…yes sets of 60, talk about blood flow.

Take a stroll on the wild facet with this style of Platz and see in case you can even walk in the morning.

Platz Rules Of Squat:

• Go slowly below parallel.
• Stretch nicely before beginning.
• Put all the things you will have into every set.

Tom Platz Ultimate Leg Routine:

Say "NO" to Skinny Legs. Follow this ultimate Legs Workout and watch your wheels explode in size.

Barbell Squats: 8-12 Sets 5-20 Reps 

Hack Squats: 5 

Sets 

10-15 

Reps

Quad Extensions: 5-8 Sets

 10-15 

Reps

Lying Hamstring Curls: 6-10 Sets

 10-15 

Reps

Standing Calf Raises: 3-4 Sets

 10-15 

Reps

Seated Calf Raises: 3-4 Sets 

10-15 

Reps

Hack Machine Calf Raises: 3-4 Sets 10-15 Reps

'The King' JAY CUTLER'S Diet Plan!!!

Jay Cutler's Diet Plan

Come On Guys! Who doesn't want a humongous physique with T-Shirt popping muscles like JAY CUTLER has (or had during his Supreme Reign in Bodybuilding!)

If your dream is to live a life like king size as Jay Cutler does, then you have to Lift Big, Supplement smart & no doubt Eat Big to growwwwww!

So here is a diet plan of none other than 4X Mr. Olympia "THE KING"- JAY CUTLER!!

• Meal 1: 2 whole eggs, 1 scoop of whey protein powder, 2 cups of egg whites, 2 slices of Ezekiel bread, 2 packs of oatmeal, 1 testosterone capsule.

• Meal 2: 12 ounces chicken, 2 cups brown rice.

• Pre-workout: 1 scoop of pre-training muscle building powder, 1 scoop of amino acid powder.

• Intra-workout: 1 scoop of muscle enhancing powder.

• Post-workout: 1 scoop of post-workout muscle building powder, 2 scoops of BCAA for post-workout recovery.

• Meal 3: 3 scoops of whey protein powder, 60 ounces of Gatorade.

• Meal 4: 14 ounces chicken, 12 ounces sweet potato.

• Meal 5: 12 ounces chicken, 2 cups brown rice.

• Meal 6: 6 ounces beef filet, 2 cups broccoli.

L-Arginine- The Secret Bodybuilding Gem

L-Arginine The lesser known Benefits Of L-Arginine in Fitness & Bodybuilding

L-arginine is a semi-essential or conditionally non-essential amino acid, meaning that it is not required in a healthy diet plan. While it qualifies as a non-essential amino acid because it is produced in human beings, supplementation is sometimes helpful, especially for athletes and bodybuilders. Dietary sources of L-arginine include whole wheat, nuts, seeds, dairy food, poultry, red meat and fish. It is significant for cellular functions, muscle mass growth and in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.

1- Muscle Development:

L-arginine contributes to muscle growth because it is needed for the synthesis of most proteins in our body. While the muscle mass increases, L-arginine also signals muscle cells, encourages the release of HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and promotes fat metabolism. The overall result is the well-toned, sculpted lean muscle mass sought by bodybuilders. By reducing the fat accumulation under the skin and promoting muscle growth, L-arginine can increase your strength needed for bodybuilding.

2- Boosting the Immune System:

L-arginine helps maintain general fitness by boosting the immune system. It cleans up free radicals and increases the effectiveness of the cells of the immune system. Since bodybuilding takes you through repeated physical stress and increases the chances of infections and muscle breakdown, it is important to ensure that the immune system is always up to the mark.

3- Vasodilation and Stamina:

Increased strength through building muscle mass is not the only benefit of L-arginine for bodybuilding. By serving as a precursor for the vasodilator- Nitric Oxide, L-arginine promotes endurance and muscle conditioning. When NO is released, it widens the blood vessels by relaxing the muscles of their walls. This lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow to the muscles during workouts. The increased blood flow means that oxygen and nutrients are adequately supplied to your muscles and for longer amounts of time. It serves as Pump Maximiser while you hit that iron in the gym. This can help reduce muscle damage, promote healing and provide peak performance. 

4- Use as Supplements:

There is no typical L-arginine dosage in bodybuilding, but a range of 2-30 g daily is accepted. However, to reduce the frequency of side effects such as sickness, diarrhea and weakness, you should start with a low dose of 3-5 g daily, taken pre and post-workout. After the first week, you may increase the dosage to a point where the benefits are maximized and the side effects are fairly low. L-arginine supplements should also be taken in cycles by discontinuing the routine after every 2  months and resuming it after another 2 months.

TOP 15 FAT-BURNING FOODS

TOP 15 FAT-BURNING FOODS

These are foods that start trimming your waistline the moment they leave your plate and enter your mouth. They build lean muscle, promote fat burning or burn calories just to digest them! 

Almonds and other nuts
Build muscle, reduce cravings

Green Tea

Fires up fat burning

Chili pPeppers
Spikes metabolism

Spinach and green vegetables
Fight free radicals and improve recovery for better muscle building

Whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, whole grain cereal)
Small doses prevent body from storing fat

Beans and legumes
Build muscle, help burn fat, regulate digestion

Whey
Builds muscle, burns fat

Dairy products (fat-free/low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese)
Build strong bones, fire up weight loss.

Eggs
Build muscle & burn fat.

Turkey and other lean meats
Build muscle, strengthens immune system.

Berries
Improve satiety, prevent cravings

Enova oil (soy and canola oil)
Promotes fullness, not easily stored as fat.

Peanut butter 
Boosts testosterone (a good thing even in women), builds muscle & burns fat

Fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, mackerel)
Trigger fullness, fire up fat burning

Grapefruit
Lowers insulin, regulates blood sugar and metabolism; be sure to eat the fleshy white membranes.