We all have heard by now the new federal government report, that used actual body measurements, stating that one in three Americans are obese. A 2000 survey that relied on people’s own assessments put the figure at one in five.

On every continent, even in regions of malnutrition, the number of people who are overweight or obese is rising.

The major culprit worldwide is a combination of high-calorie diets and lifestyle changes, the same as in the U.S.

In the U.S. obesity in children is soaring.

What can we do about? First and foremost, we can start with ourselves and our family. We alone cannot change the whole world, but we can start making a difference in our own families and communities.

We have also heard the many claims about this program or that-eat all the carbs or protein you want and still lose weight. However, it is important to understand about nutrition and that every body has
different needs. We are not “one size fits all” when it comes to our nutrition and fitness/weight loss requirements. We still have to count calories though. There are numerous factors built into our genetic makeup that need to be taken into consideration. For example, how active are you? Do you have any food intolerances? How much sleep do you get? Do you take time to relax? Are you stressed at work or home? Did you know that your favorite food may actually be making you fat? How many times do you eat out?

These are just a few things that need to be considered when we start are journey to getting healthier and fit. Of course, your very first step is getting a complete physical to be sure that you are healthy enough to start a wellness/fitness program.

As you may or may not know, protein is the corner stone to a healthy body. Protein is an important part in the production of blood hemoglobin, antibodies, new muscle tissue and virtually every metabolic process in the human body! Hair and nails are mostly made of protein.

Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

Unlike fat and carbohydrates, the body does not store protein, and therefore, has no reservoir to draw on when it needs a new supply.

Without enough protein in your diet, the body cannot repair itself and new muscle cannot be formed if essential amino acids are not present.

In addition, without the required essential amino acids found in protein, the body will attempt to glean what it needs from incomplete dietary protein and release it back into the blood stream. If the
essential amino acid is not delivered soon enough, the incomplete protein is transported to the liver where it is separate from its nitrogen base. The amino acids remaining are then converted to glucose
(blood sugar) and used as energy or stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle tissue. These leftover amino acids can also be stored as fat-yuk!

How do you know how much protein you need? Here is a chart to help you compute how much protein, a day, you should be consuming. Just find your activity level and multiple your weight by the number next to
that level to determine your daily protein requirements.

Are you eating enough?

Example, if you are an adult, recreational adult exerciser, you would multiple your weight by 0.5-0.75.

For example, you weigh 250 lbs. and consider yourself a recreational athlete:

0.5-0.75 X 250 lbs. = 125-188 grams

So, you would need to consume approximately 152-188 grams of protein a day.

Are YOU eating enough protein?

Current RDA for Inactive Adult 0.4
Recreational Adult Exerciser 0.5

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Valerie Slaughter, a veteran marathoner herself, runs a beginner marathon website and is the author of “You Want to Do What!?” For articles, tips and more information about how to stay fit and lose weight, visit: healthandfitnessnut.wordpress.com

Here’s a great way to lose weight and keep it off:

Instead of eating “3 square” meals, try breaking up your food intake in 6 smaller meals. This is the best way to lose FAT and maintain your lean tissue without feeling hungry…

One of the better illustrations of this concept comes from the animal kingdom:

Bears have a lot of fat because they need it in order to survive long starvation periods (like a hybernation).

Deers are “lean and mean” as they tend to chew all day and have small,frequent meals.

Yes, I know that animals and humans have different DNAs but the point is still a valid one.

When many people try to lose weight, they tend to say “I will skip dinner” – and they will also skip breakfast since “they don’t have the time” to prepare it.

This could mean that they go for up to 12 hours without eating anything. This is the exact type of situation that would make their body say something like: “Hey, where has all the food gone? This must be an emergency. I had better stick to my fat reserves and slow down my metabolism so that I don’t waste away. My fat reserves contain more calories than my muscle tissue – so, I will sacrifice the muscle and keep on my beloved fat.”

It’s very interesting to observe how the human body reacts in time of emergency – but believe it or not, muscle tuissue is considered “expendable” and fat is considered “vital”. This is the exact OPPOSITE of what we want…

Now, let’s see the right way to do it: Let’s say that you need 2000 calories a day in order to maintain your weight. If you want to lose weight, you can start consuming SLIGHTLY less calories than that – say 1800 – but you will break them up in 6 meals of 300 calories (for simplicity’s shake).

Because your body will be receiving calories and nutrients every few hours, it will say: “Hey, I’m getting food all the time. It seems that nutrients are readily available. There’s no reason to do away with the lean muscle tissue. But I can definitelly start coming back to my ‘normal’ weight.”

As an overweight person, you are above your ideal weight. Your body WILL try to come back to its normal, healthy weight IF you give it a chance and do things properly…

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

“Why Almost Everyone Is Dead Wrong About Weight Loss – Including How To Lose Up To 28 Pounds in 4 Weeks And Keep it off – Without Diet Pills or Aerobics and Without Feeling Hungry. Lose weight with this simple weight loss program

People tend to get confused with all the different choices they have…

There are practically thousands of “allowed” foods they can eat in order to lose weight – and this can be ovewhelming…

If you want to know which foods to focus on in order to avoid confusion and information overload, then keep reading this article.

Here are the types of foods you can focus on in order to lose weight (fat) and keep it off:

1) Water. I’m not sure if this can be classified as “food”, but it’s undoubtedly the most neglected part of most people’s diets. Our bodies are about 75% water. Yet, in America almost NOBODY drinks enough water (pretty much the same goes for the rest of the world). Drinking a glass of water 30 minutes before eating, will help you feel “fuller” – and you won’t feel the urge to eat as much when the time comes. How do you know that you drink enough? Ideally, you should go to the toilet several times a day and what “comes out” should be crystal clear as water. Not a very subtle way to make sure that you are on track – but it’s extremely accurate.

2) Vegetables: They may not be the “sexiest” type of food, but let me tell you why focusing on them can help you lose weight. First of all, they contain very few calories. Vegetables are mainly “made” of water. For their volume (the space they take up), they have ridiculously low calories. For example, eating 3 carrots can help satisfy your hunger without adding all that many calories to your daily intake.

As if that weren’t enough, vegetables have a very interesting effect on the human body as far as the “Thermic effect of food” goes. For example, they may contain 100 calories but they actually require 130 calories from your body in order to be digested and assimilated. So, in essence you just lost 30 calories just by eating them.

Mind you, a diet comprised exclusively from vegetables is unhealthy. You still need protein – and vegetables don’t contain any. But consuming several pieces of vegetables a day will help you stay on track and lose weight faster. And speaking of protein…

3) Protein. This is the nutrient with the highest thermic value. It requires the most calories to digest and is the nutrient that is the most difficult for your body to turn into fat. Eat several meals containing protein throughout the day. Chicken, turkey, tuna and egg whites are all fair game…

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

“Why Almost Everyone Is Dead Wrong About Weight Loss – Including How To Lose Up To 28 Pounds in 4 Weeks And Keep it off – Without Diet Pills or Aerobics and Without Feeling Hungry. Lose weight with this simple weight loss program

Most people say that they want to lose “weight“. They feel that this will make them look their best and help them avoid certain health problems.

But, is this really the case?

First of all, the human body is not just “weight”. It has both fatty tissue and lean tissue (muscles, internal organs, bones etc). What you really want to do, is NOT to lose weight. It’s to lose FAT.

Otherwise, if you currently look like a “pear” and end up losing “weight”, you will just end up looking like a smaller pear. But, if you lose fat and preserve or even increase your muscle tissue, you will look (and be) healthier, stronger and sexier…

What if I told you that I will cut your right leg? Hey, this would certainly help you lose “weight”.

What if I told you that I will take a knife and cut a piece of your thighs? That would help you lose “weight”.

What if I told you that I would make your vital organs like heart and lungs smaller? What if I cut a piece here and there? That would help you lose weight as well.

What if I told you that I will make your bones thinner? This will cause you to lose “weight” as well.

Is that what you want? What’s that? You said “no”? Then why do people do this exact same thing to themselves every day?

When you want to learn how to do something, you need do nothing more than observe the people that have done what you want to do. Then, “emulate success” and copy their methods.

Who are the people who have taken what you want to do to the extreme? Answer: Bodybuilders. Don’t let the word freak you out. It doesn’t matter if you want to take your physique to that extreme or not. Competitive bodybuilders have their stuff down and you know it. They have very little fat (5% or less for example – while an overweight person may have 30% or more) – and they also have the maximum amount of muscle mass.

You don’t need to be so meticulous in your approach – but “borrowing” some ideas from the methods they use will help you lose weight (fat) and keep it off for good.

I find it really surprising that many people who want to lose weight just take advice from friends who are also overweight. Or, they read about the “super weekend diet” in their newspaper or their favorite lifestyle magazine. Chances are that the writer of the article is several pounds overweight of course.

Very few people will read a “bodybuilding” book or at least a fitness magazine. This is very interesting, because even smart people fall in this trap. They can be very successful in their careers and very “witty” in conversations with their friends – but when they try to lose weight, common sense and smarts go out of the window…

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

“Why Almost Everyone Is Dead Wrong About Weight Loss – Including How To Lose Up To 28 Pounds in 4 Weeks And Keep it off – Without Diet Pills or Aerobics and Without Feeling Hungry. Lose weight with this simple weight loss program

If you’re looking for an easy fast detox, the lemon detox diet is definitely one of the best. It’s a popular diet which revolves around a wholly natural drink which comes from the syrup of organic trees and is blended with the juice from fresh lemons, water and some pepper. The syrup is made up of a mixture of palm and maple syrups, and is though to offer a beneficial balance of minerals and vitamins to the concoction.

This diet is a great way to get rid of those nasty toxins from your body, and will even help you lose weight at the same time. The diet consists of little else other than this mixture to help detoxify and leave the body healed and healthy

This diet is a great way to get rid of those nasty toxins from your body, and will even help you lose weight at the same time. The diet consists of little else other than this mixture to help detoxify and leave the body healed and healthy.

The syrup element of the drink is high in natural sugars to provide the body with the energy it needs to curb hunger during the programme. The calorie content of one glass is around 70 calories, and it is rich in zinc and calcium in almost exact proportions for the needs of the human body.

The lemon detox diet itself works on the basis of seven days fasting in which only the lemon drink and water are consumed along with any medication which may also be prescribed for ingestion during the duration. Patients can expect to remain active, drawing energy from the calories contained within the drink, and should expect symptoms such as dizziness or light-headedness in the first few days as toxins begin their course through the bloodstream. It is also advisable to maintain a course of light exercise during the diet as well as some general breathing activities to increase the blood flow and speed up the release of toxins from the body.

After the fast it is crucial not to recommence normal eating habits as this can cause serious damage to the body. It is best to start with fruit juices and lighter foods to allow for a gradual build up back onto a healthy diet. The process of fasting for dieting and detox is dangerous, even with the lemon detox diet, so it’s important to consult your physician before deciding to embark on such an endeavour.

The lemon detox diet provides the body with balanced and nutritional support, although as of yet there is no evidence to suggest adverse longer term effects on the body, although research is beginning into the pros and cons of this type of regime. Although the diet can be carried out by anyone for short periods of time, it is advisable to speak to your medical practitioner before undergoing any fasting plan for a general analysis of your health. This will also provide an opportunity to consult your doctor about alternative plans to the lemon detox diet which may be more beneficial given your physical condition.

Fasting can be dangerous for the inexperienced or naive, so it’s important to do your research and only fast in accordance with your doctor’s guidelines for your own safety and wellbeing.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Clive Jenkins recommends the Detox Diet Plan website which will provide you with comprehensive information on all aspects of the detox diet. To find articles, tips and free diet plans check out the site here:
www.detox-diet-plan.com/

Weight loss may seem like a difficult, if not impossible, battle. Many dieters find it hard to stick to a diet, rebounding or switching diets and creating an unhealthy yo-yo effect on their weight. Most people know that frequent vacillations in weight can have a detrimental effect on the human body, but what they don’t know is how to prevent it from happening.

The reason that many dieters are unable to stick to their diets is that their diets don’t stick to them. In other words, in order for a diet program to work it must be geared to the dieter’s individual needs and unique personality. What works for one dieter, another may find lacking in motivation. Just as the reason for your need to diet might differ from another person’s, so should the weight loss program you choose to help you achieve your goals.

For example, you may not know how or where to start in order to achieve your weight loss goal. Those who need help getting started should look for a weight loss program that teaches the basics of healthy nutrition and calorie counting. A diet program such as Fat Loss ’4′ Idiots helps clueless dieters achieve their goals by helping them to understand why certain diet techniques don’t work, and teaching the techniques that do work. If this type of weight loss program appeals to you, be sure that the program you choose explains the “how” and “why” thoroughly and concisely, so that you know how to implement them in your everyday life.

Other dieters have a problem sticking to their diets because they don’t do well on “starvation” or “denial” diets, but then again, who does? Completely cutting your favorite foods out of your diet is a surefire way to create cravings, and the more you deny a craving, the stronger it gets, until it is impossible to ignore. However, there are a number of weight loss programs available that help dieters lose weight without depriving themselves of the foods they love. Diet programs such as the Sonoma Diet, the South Beach Diet, and the Mediterranean Diet provide scrumptious recipes that satisfy your cravings while helping you with your weight loss goals.

Or perhaps you are the type of person who wants your weight loss program to involve more than just a diet: you want advice on nutrition, exercise, and a comprehensive lifestyle geared toward your unique needs. Weight loss programs such as eDiets.com and Diet.com may provide just what this type of dieter needs: everything from a customized program and diet personality test, to meal suggestions and personalized weight loss strategies.

There are obviously many diets to choose from; the only problem is finding the one that is best for you. To improve your chances, make sure you thoroughly research the available weight loss programs before committing to a specific program. An Internet search for diet programs will inundate you with possible selections, but remember that many of the websites that you find in this manner will be advertisement driven. A much better way to find out about available diets is through the people who are satisfied with them: for example, online communities such as Review Place can give you a good idea of how effective other dieters have found a specific weight loss program by offering reviews on the dieting programs they have tried.

Remember that the success of your diet program is entirely dependent on how well the program suits you individual needs. This doesn’t mean that weight loss is a lost cause for you. Regardless of your personality and lifestyle, there is a weight loss program that is best for you, all you need to do is find it.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Andy West is a freelance writer and communications specialist. For more information and reviews of the different diet programs mentioned, please visit ReviewPlace .