Weight

Quick Tips for Permanent Weightloss

2007-10-02T20:33:00.001-07:00

Many think that the battle to lose weight is always an up-hill struggle, but in reality it doesn’t have to be. There are several small yet effective changes you can make in your diet and daily activities that are very easy to incorporate into your lifestyle. By just using a few of the following tips, you can be well on your way to taking it off ad keeping it off.

The first step is to target your eating habits. Here are a few things you can do to jump-start your permanent weight loss.

* Eat 6 smaller meals a day as opposed to 3 larger meals. This keeps your metabolism up and your belly full

* Substitute mayonnaise and mayonnaise-based dressings with condiments like mustard or extra virgin olive oil. EVOO tastes great in tuna fish and has a fraction of the saturated fat.

* Eliminate fried foods/fast food from your diet or eat very sparingly

* Keep junk food out of the house. Substitute fresh fruit and vegetables. If you don’t keep junk in the house, you’re less likely to cheat.

* Pay attention to portion sizes. Dividing your plate into 4 visual quarters and only eating 3 of those quarters is a good way to start. Another helpful tool is an all-natural supplement called Hoodia Gordonii. It’s very easy to find Hoodia in patches and pill form.

The next step is to start incorporating an exercise routine you’ll stick with on a regular basis. It only takes 3 weeks (21 days) to form a habit, so if you can make the commitment to at least 3 weeks, it’s all down hill from there! Losing weight and exercise don’t have to be boring.

* If you can’t do one 30-minute sitting of cardio a day, try doing three 10 minute sessions instead (a short walk, or going up and down stairs would work)

* Get the whole family involved and take family walks after dinner. You’ll be spending quality time with the ones you love and getting the health benefits of walking all at the same time.

* Doing simple chores around the home also burn calories. Washing your car, pulling weeds, and even vacuuming all count as calorie-burning activities

* Participate in physical activities with friends or children. Kicking a ball around, riding a bike, or roller-blading are all good examples. This will also give you a chance to get outside and enjoy fresh air.

Some planning also needs to be done in order for the weight to stay off. There are also some all-natural products you can use to help expedite your weight loss.

* Plan meals for the week in advance. This prevents you from making impulse buys or heading to the drive through, which 9 times out of ten is not good for you

* Hoodia Gordonii is an all-natural weight loss supplement made from a cactus plant that has been shown to help people watch their portion sizes. You should plan on taking this twice a day.

* Drinking green tea can also help. This contains EGCG, an antioxidant which has been proven to increase metabolism. Who knew it could be so easy!

* Plan to REWARD yourself with non-food items. Buying some new clothes or planning an outing with friends are just a couple of ways you can do this.

You can see from the above tips that permanent weight loss is not out of reach. By making and sticking with these small changes for at least 3 weeks, you will start to shed pounds and feel sexier in no time. Whether it’s cutting out fried foods, starting to take daily walks, or starting an all-natural supplement like Hoodia Gordonii to decrease cravings, taking the first steps to losing your excess weight will be a cinch, and it won’t be long before you start to reveal a healthier, sexier, happier new you.

About The Author
Tracy Cohen has been studying health and fitness trends for over 7 years and is a huge advocate of all-natural products and healing techniques. She is dedicated to helping people win the fight against obesity. Read more about hoodia gordonii and how it can help you lose weight at http://www.thehoodiaoutlet.com.

Changing Variables With Controlled Testing With Weight Watchers, 1shoppingcart & Aweber Examples

2007-10-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

My company is just like any other in that we test all sorts of things. We test ad campaigns, sales letter copy, images on web pages and in print copy, headlines, story leads, mini-site pages, buttons and more to see which ones convert the best, which give the best return on investment (ROI). But there’s one thing in common among all tests, and it’s important to note: you need to only change one variable in the test in order to have a controlled test where the results will tell you what you want to know. And here’s a prime example…

My Weight Watchers® program taught me a new lesson in the value of controlled testing this summer. What I learned is that no matter how large a company is – even one as large as Weight Watchers® who is more than 40 years old and boasts having helped millions - there is room for improvement with regards to controlled testing in their programs.

Controlled testing is where you have only one variable that you are changing in order to get an answer to a question you have with regards to your personal life, business life or any part of your life. On the other hand, uncontrolled testing is when you have more than one variable that changes. When this happens, you have unreliable or incorrect information to work with and will not get the correct answer you seek.

For example in Weight Watchers, the basic question put to members each week is whether or not an average of 2 pounds is lost by following a program of logging food amounts and exercise amounts regularly. If you follow their controlled testing program, the food and exercise counts are static; i.e. have set values and don’t change. It’s the amount and kind of food you take in and the amount and type of exercise you do (and the intensity level) that vary.

What this means is that in reality:

- You could eat the same amounts of food, but mess up your program by focusing on the wrong type of exercise.

- You could exercise the same each day, but mess up the program by focusing on the wrong types and / or amounts of food that week.

- You could tentatively do everything right, but go to weigh in at a center where the scales are off (which most are and by nearly 6 pounds, as they’re electronic, moved frequently and often misused with people standing on them to do entire financial, shopping and networking activities at a time).

In short, succeeding is difficult at best and more haphazard or random among participants, depending upon their degree of perseverance and creativity with the program to overcome challenging issues like the ones above.

To combat all the variable differentiations so that only one changes, you’d need to eat the same foods all the time (a recipe for failure long-term), exercise the same all the time (a recipe for boredom, stagnation and / or quitting over the long haul) or plan ahead.

Planning ahead works best, not only in Weight Watchers, but in business testing, too. In Weight Watchers, you can use your own scale and skip weighing in at meetings or get their At-Home kit, and you can plan with the tools you have to measure foods and exercise intensity levels, etc.

In the business world, you can plan ahead, too. Let’s say your question is why your website doesn’t get you the ROI that it supposedly gets other affiliates promoting the same product, maybe a 1Shoppingcart or Aweber subscription. What you can do is back up your mini-site or leads capture page (a must-do for everything!) then set up two nearly identical ones where only one thing is changed like a headline..

After you test your headline and find one that’s best, place the best one on both sites, then change the order button or whatever you want to test next. And continue on in this manner, only changing one variable at a time until your site converts better.

So if you are looking for an answer to a difficult question in your business or personal life, test. When you use controlled testing where you only change one variable, you’ll get an answer to your question.

But don’t think that just because a company or other entity has a big name or history behind it means they have the best answer, though, because they don’t always. They may have pieces to the puzzle that help many. But it’s up to you to test their components to find a solution that works just for you.

About The Author
For more information, contact Diana Barnum, president of Moving Ahead Communications at: http://movingaheadcommunications.com & check out more helpful info at: http://www.ohiohelpgroup.com

Weight Loss Program - Losing Weight Is Not Just About Diets

2007-10-02T20:31:00.002-07:00

Any weight loss program takes time, determination, practice and support and more so a positive mindset. As we all know that losing weight is a big challenge and to some it is very tough.

Once you have made up your mind and have decided to lose weight, you should make a firm commitment and catch up a weight loss program with a positive attitude. In other words you should have an achieving mindset that brings changes to your life time habits.

Losing weight is a process by itself that you must learn continuously in order to succeed. Without this positive weight loss approach you will not be successful and remember you alone are the one who has the power to lose the unwanted pounds from your body.

A simple technique is to strengthen your positive thoughts that are like muscles and the ones you use most grow the strongest. 'Think like a winner'. If you always look at the negative side of things and opting to be pessimistic in your approach, even your weak negative thoughts will have stronger impact on you and last longer than your powerful positive thoughts.

When a negative thought seeds in your mind, immediately replace it by talking to yourself that you're the one having unique strengths and capabilities to turn things possible. Negative thinking doesn’t do anything good; on the contrary, it holds you back from achieving anything in life that you want to.

Day in and day out you must always think what lies ahead of you. Investigate the weight loss programs that appeal to you and that you feel should teach you the skills you need to stay with, the program, throughout the weight loss process.

Never forget that losing weight is not just about diets, it’s about a personality in you and about creating a possibility for a new life for yourself.

In all of the success stories across the globe, people who have lost several of excessive pounds, miraculously, say that their mental attitude, as well as their outlook about existence in life, has witnessed a total change. The changes brought them more optimistic oriented life with full of self-confidence.

If you are willing to take few simple steps for physical fitness as a daily routine, you will quickly begin to feel better, and the improvement will reflect itself in every angle of your daily life. It will certainly raise your confidence limits while your approach to anything in life will exude optimism.

Your weight loss program will, most likely, include some physical exercises. You should look at the exercising aspect of your program as fun and recreation and not as a form of grueling and sweaty work. The fact is that physical fitness draws extra energy and improves personal effectiveness in every walk of your daily life.

Walking is one of the best exercises. It helps the total micro circulation of blood to all parts of the body, and thus has a direct effect on your overall better feeling of health. There are things such as aerobics, jogging, swimming and many other exercises which will benefit a weight loss program.

Diets and weight loss programs are more flexible and there are many prepared foods already portioned out. They are made attractive and can be prepared in a matter of minutes. Low-fat and low-calorie food products are on the shelves everywhere.

You will need to learn wiser eating skills. You will want a weight loss regimen that gives you some control over your eating habits, instead of imposing one rigid system. Look for one wise eating skill that offers a variety of different diet plans, so you can choose the one that's best and compatible for you.

You need to discuss the options with your physician and take his advice in planning your exercise and weight loss program. A periodical guidance from your doctor will definitely put you on the road map of success to weight loss program.

Get the support among your family and friends. It can be of immense help to discuss obstacles and share skills and tactics with others on the same path. You might look for this support from others you know who are in weight loss programs and you can seek guidance from someone you know who has lost weight and kept it off.

The seed of successful weight loss program or losing weight, is sowed in the mind and grows into a tree that will give fruits of the same kind. Life begets life is the fundamental natural principle, based on this the answer for losing weight is in your mindset.

About The Author
A Professional Pharmaceutical And Internet Marketing Consultant. Also A Facilitator of Work At Home Ideas And Opportunities. A Webmaster For http://www.vsahim.com And http://www.vsourceit.com

How to Choose The Best Weight Loss Program

2007-10-02T20:31:00.001-07:00

You have tried losing weight on your own and you have even had some success. But life is hectic and stressful and in time, the pounds always creep back. Now you weigh more than you did a year ago.

This is discouraging and depressing and like many others you might be thinking that you just can't face another diet alone. When you were at the end of your rope did you ever consider the support of a formal weight loss program?

For many, this is a good idea. By having professional guidance and an organization as your "buddy" you have a much better chance of success.

BUT BE CAREFUL! Not all programs are created equal. If you want to choose wisely, here are six questions you should ask.

1. DOES THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZE OVERALL FITNESS AND GOOD HEALTH? If the advertising emphasizes dramatic before and after photos with claims of the ease and speed of pounds lost per week, beware. Average weight loss during an extended program should not exceed two pounds per week. This is equal to fifty pounds in six months or one hundred pounds a year. Is the goal of the program to achieve a normal bodyweight as the natural result of a balanced lifestyle that promotes health and fitness?

2. IS THE MEAL PLAN PALATABLE AND NUTRITIOUS AND AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL GROCERY? Your first consideration is that the meals on a plan include a variety of tasty foods that supply all the nutrients necessary for long-term health. This eliminates menus that prohibit entire categories of food or limit portions to the point that you are always hungry. Some plans "do it for you" by providing prepared meals and snacks to manage what and how much you eat. This is easy and effective (and expensive) but your success is dependent upon the prepared meals. How long do you plan to buy prepackaged food? What happens when you start shopping and cooking for yourself and return to eating out? See number three below.

3. IS THE PROGRAM BASED ON LEARNING HOW TO CHANGE DIETARY AND LIFESTYLE HABITS? Lifestyle behaviors can be "relearned" and this should be the backbone of any good program. This is the only way that you will become permanently lean, fit and healthy. This is the only way that you can walk away, free of the oppressive burden of lifetime, yo-yo dieting.

4. WILL YOU LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS THAT CAUSE YOU TO BACKSLIDE? Will you have live support when the going gets tough? Will you learn strategies to deal with lifestyle saboteurs when they arrive to ruin your plans?

5. IS EXERCISE A PART OF THE PROGRAM? Exercise is an indispensable part of a balanced fitness plan. Exercise provides a big metabolic boost to losing weight and simultaneously reduces stress and elevates your mood. Equally important however, is that exercise prevents the loss of lean muscle mass during periods of reduced caloric intake and is also critical for long-term weight maintenance. See number six below.

6. ARE THERE FOLLOW-UP PLANS TO HELP YOU KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF PERMANENTLY? People experience different learning curves when it comes to changing their lifestyle. No matter how effective a plan is over the short-term, you have wasted your time, effort and money if you have to start from the beginning over and over again. Make sure that the plan you choose emphasizes permanent weight loss and has a system to support your efforts until you are comfortable going it alone.

About The Author
Howard McGarity is a “Human Performance Specialist”, Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach who has studied nutrition and exercise science for most of his fifty-six years. He creates online programs for MyVirtualGym.com to effectively help busy people get permanently lean, strong and healthy. Get the Free e-book, “The Five Fastest Ways to Fitness” at => http://www.MyVirtualGym.com/

Healthy Weight Loss Programs-The Answer To Prolonged Quality Of Life

2007-10-02T20:30:00.002-07:00

For a very significant (and growing) minority of people living in the west today waging a lifelong battle with being overweight is the price to be paid for all the other comforts of living in today’s post-industrial society. This is an issue that society as a whole has only really just got to grips with as the magnitude of the cost to the health and economic welfare of the populace at large, has become realised, with people now being encouraged to embrace healthy weight loss programs.

A lot of people do not realise that being overweight is very much an environmental issue. Today we are all increasingly aware of environmental issues and more conscious of the health implications of being fat, we don’t realise that these subjects are closely interrelated. The plague of obesity in the western world is largely a function of the social environment in which we live nowadays because present day living conditions are substantially at odds with the environment that human beings evolved to survive in, over many millennia. This disparity between the conditions in which we are adapted to thrive naturally and the pampered and overprovided lives most of us live today, is the single most significant reason that so many people suffer from weight related health issues. Anyone with a weight problem can benefit from understanding exactly how these factors impact weight loss efforts, in order to follow a healthier course.

Medical trials have shown that obesity has a strong link with the development of something called the “metabolic syndrome”, a term applied to a cluster of medical problems including elevated insulin levels, high blood pressure, excessive waistline body fat and increased cholesterol, which increase the risk of diabetes stroke and heart disease. Men with three of these factors are twice as likely to suffer heart attack or stroke and three times as likely to develop heart disease. Anyone who thinks they may have any of the components of metabolic syndrome, should urgently consider appropriate lifestyle changes by quitting smoking and getting onto a proven healthy diet & fitness program, to avoid developing one of these life

One of the factors of living in today’s high-pressure world is a tendency for people to want results “yesterday”. It is not surprising therefore that so many people chase after “quick fix” weight loss answers even though the results are invariably not long-lasting and which often end in disappointment and disillusionment. People who travel down this road come to realise that achieving lasting weight loss is more important than gaining just temporary weight loss and that, in fact, rapid weight loss is nearly always just temporary. People in this situation need to look carefully around for the answers to achieving long term sustainable weight loss, which may take longer to achieve but is a much more worthwhile destination.

Whilst some people decry government intervention in matters of health or lifestyle there is a growing awareness by many in positions of public responsibility that the cost to society of an unchecked epidemic of obesity could be very significant and this is driving a move to increase public awareness. The thought that the latest generation of children born in the west today might be the first ever to have a life expectancy LESS than their parents, is a sobering one. This is a result of the way we live today, but we do not have to put our children and ourselves at risk. We have a choice. If you are overweight you owe it to yourself to seek out healthy weight loss programs to join before this becomes a health issue.

About The Author
Graham Kidson, the author, is someone who has carefully studied the perplexing issue of achieving sustainable weight loss in today’s high-pressure environment and who has himself achieved significant and sustained weight loss. His personal insight is available as a free online report entitled “Hidden Weight Loss Secrets” at http://www.WeightLossSuccessories.com/Welcome.html

Healthy Weight Loss

2007-10-02T20:30:00.001-07:00

Healthy weight loss is a major topic of discussion and with good reason. During the past 20 years, the number of people classified as overweight or obese has more than tripled. These frightening statistics show how important it is that people are educated on healthy weight loss.

The media is full of advertisements for crash diets and meal substitutes. However, experts say that the key to healthy weight loss is eating the right foods and taking regular exercise. Moreover, many suggest that crash diets can actually lead to weight gain in the long run. Healthy weight loss is about lifestyle changes. This means making a permanent change to the way you eat and exercise. Many people find rigid diet plans difficult to stick to leading to a yo-yo effect on their weight – constantly losing it and then putting it back on. Healthy weight loss needn’t be like this.

The main principles of healthy weight loss are:

* Eat a balanced diet: Ensure your diet includes all the major food groups and concentrate on eating fewer foods high in fat, sugar and salt. You should also increase your uptake of fruit, vegetables and healthy grains. By filling your plate up with lots of vegetables, you’ll find you still feel full but lose weight!

* Exercise, exercise, exercise! This doesn’t have to mean running or joining a gym. Walking for thirty minutes 3 times a week will help make you fitter and can lead to healthy weight loss. Find something you enjoy and you’ll be more likely to stick to it. Swimming, cycling, horse-riding, walking and keep-fit classes are some examples of great weight loss exercises.

* Drink more water! Many people mistake thirst for hunger, and increasing your uptake of water can help prevent this. Water is great as it helps flush out the toxins in your body and keeps your skin hydrated. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day can help towards achieving healthy weight loss.

* Changing the way you think about food. Many people eat for the wrong reasons, and this is why they gain weight. When you eat, think about your reasons, are you really hungry? Many people find they reach for ‘comfort foods’ when they are stressed, tired or bored. By becoming more aware of these patterns you can help break the cycle, and instead of reaching for chocolate try going for a walk or something else to distract yourself.

* Speak to a professional! If you feel you need to lose a large amount of weight or are unsure about the right plan for you, contact your doctor. Your weight is affected by more than just food, many health conditions can lead to a change in weight. Therefore, it is worth getting checked out and taking their advice on the best eating and exercise plan for you.

* Be patient! Healthy weight loss is not achieved overnight and should be a gradual process. Stick with your new changes and you should notice a gradual but permanent change in the way you look and feel.

About The Author
This article was written by Scott Mogul, editor for http://www.weight-loss-professional.com and http://www.fitmoves.com These websites provide information on dieting, exercise and weight loss exercises.

10 Weight Loss Tips for Permanent Weight Loss

2007-10-02T20:29:00.002-07:00

1. Eat only when you are hungry.

This means stop eating the minute you are full. This means if you go out to dinner and eat all the bread in the breadbasket you don't eat your dinner. This means if it is lunch break at work and you aren't hungry don't eat. This means if you are in the middle of a sandwich and you are no longer hungry, you stop eating.

2. When you aren't hungry and eating for joy only, make sure you are eating something fantastic and tasting every bite.

There will be times when you want to eat just for the joy of it. I say if you only do this 10% of the time you can still lose weight. But the trick is to make sure you enjoy each bite, taste it fully and stop as soon as the joy of eating it fades. If you pay attention, you will be surprised how soon this might be.

3. Be curious about yourself-not judgmental.

When you do something that you think is "off" you plan of what you would like to be doing, be curious and try to find out why you do what you do. Explore the thoughts that lead to the action. Be kind and understanding with yourself. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt.

4. Believe it is possible to be thin without being mean to yourself.

You do not have to beat yourself into submission for thinness. In fact, I have found the opposite is true. Loving yourself and being kind to yourself is a much better path to permanent weight loss.

5. Feel your feelings.

Be anxious. (Don't eat.) Be sad. (Don't eat.) Be afraid. (Don't eat.) Be angry. (Don't eat.) If you use eating as an alternative to feeling you are most likely going to be overweight. The sooner you feel your feelings the sooner they will subside.

6. Stop expecting things "out there" to change so you can feel better.

Don't wait for a better job, a thinner body, a nicer husband or a better tasting diet in order to be happy. You can be the source of your own joy by finding out what you love to do and who you love to be. By living your own truth, you can be happy no matter what is going on "out there."

7. Even when you think you have "blown it" write down every piece of food that goes into your mouth and then read that list with fascination.

It may feel better to write in the food journal when you are eating fuel most of the time, but that is not when it is the most important. When you are fog eating and storm eating and binging and going crazy with food, you have the best opportunity to learn about yourself and why you do what you do. No matter how much you have eaten and no matter how big the binge was, write down every single thing that went into your mouth and look at it with kind curiosity.

8. Realize that eating when you aren't hungry is not satisfying hunger or comforting you-it's just making you heavy.

Notice the terminology you use when discussing food. " I had my chocolate fix." " I needed comfort food." "I wanted to give myself a treat." Food is not a good source of emotional comfort and it cannot fix you.

9. Remember the past does not equal the future

We have all been on many many diets. Many of us have been heavy a long time. This does not mean that you can't lose weight. You have been doing the best you can. And when you know better- you do better- and you look better….

10. Never give up!

Enough said.

About The Author
Brooke Castillo, Certified Weight Loss Coach, Author- "I am So Smart, Why Can't I Lose Weight?"
http://www.coach4weight.com

Need to Lose Weight? Then Increase Your Metabolism…

2007-10-02T20:29:00.001-07:00

If you need to lose weight, one great way to start melting pounds away is to increase your metabolism. By increasing your metabolism, you'll be able to process food faster and therefore will store less fat in the body. In fact, with a better metabolism, you're body will even begin burning away existing fat in order to get the energy it needs to support itself.

How Metabolism Works

Your metabolism can either work for you or against you. The main way we all get energy is from glucose, commonly known as our blood sugar.

When our blood sugar runs low, our metabolism burns the fat in our bodies in order to make more energy. However, when our blood sugar runs high, our metabolism stores fat in our bodies to use later.

So now let's look at how you can get your metabolism to work for you.

Go Ahead and Eat

Many people believe that the key to losing weight is to stop eating. Well, that will actually have a negative effect on your metabolism. Eating less will cause your metabolism to slow down because it will sense that you don't have enough food.

So when you finally eat, your blood sugar will jump through the roof and your metabolism will store the extra glucose as fat.

Instead of starving yourself, eat many smaller, healthy meals that are low in calories and fat. Also, consume plenty of water, fruits, and vegetables.

By eating smaller portions you'll not only curb your appetite, but you'll also trick your body into thinking that it's getting plenty of food. Therefore, your metabolism will kick into a higher gear. Then when it doesn't get the glucose it needs for energy (because you're eating healthy) then it will begin to take that glucose from the stores of fat that are already in your body.

Get Yourself Moving

Exercise is a guaranteed way to increase your metabolism. Always check with your doctor for what is the best exercise regime for you. Most of the time, walking as little as twenty minutes a day, will help increase your metabolism.

Exercise actually helps you lose weight in two ways:

First, exercise builds muscle and muscle burns calories on its own.

Secondly, when you exercise your body is forced to come up with enough energy to support your activity. So, it begins burning fat in order to give the energy you need.

Don't be put off when I say exercise - there is no need to be pounding away furiously on a treadmill for hours a day.

A simple yet effective mini routine is all that is needed to give your metabolism a boost.

Some Final Words about Losing Weight

If you need to lose weight, you're certainly not alone. Millions of people are in the same boat. However, most people don't realize what it takes to first lose the weight and then to keep the weight off.

If you increase your metabolism, you'll see that over time, your fat will melt off your body and your weight will gradually drop. The two best ways to increase your metabolism are to eat smaller meals more often and to exercise regularly.

About The Author
Matt Falconer's latest guide helps you shift pounds, boost metabolism and burn fat without spending hours in the gym sweating away on the treadmill.
=> http://www.12MinuteWorkoutPlan.Com

Mastering Leptin the Key to Weight Loss

2007-10-02T20:28:00.001-07:00

Leptin leapt into the headlines when it was identified in 1995 as a protein that triggers weight loss in mice. Leptin (the Greek term for thin) is a hormone released by your fat cells. When you lose fat, leptin levels drop and when you gain fat, leptin levels rise.

Recent research into leptin has revealed what is likely to be very important in the control of appetite, weight loss and the regulation of body weight. Advances in leptin research and its role in the control of obesity would lead to reductions in diabetes, coronary heart disease and many forms of cancer, all of which are increased in obesity.

American adults are overweight and more than 30 percent are obese. Currently 50 million Americans suffer from metabolic syndrome - a disease associated with obesity and encompassing coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes.

Leptin affects our weight and our appetites. Levels of leptin rise just before a meal and fall when people are full. It is now known that leptin not only can affect the chemical responses that affect how hungry you are but also can affect the wiring of your brain.

Scientists are interested in whether leptin may be manipulated to help people, especially overweight people, to lose weight and not put it back on. They know that leptin is released by fat cells and tells the brain how much fat is on the body. Once leptin has been secreted by your fat cells, it travels to the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that controls eating behavior.

Defects in leptin signaling leads to obesity, overeating, and decreased energy output.

Normally, when leptin levels in the blood go up, the brain signals us to stop eating. But since obesity isn’t the result of a lack of leptin, it is a lack of response to leptin, and obese individuals tend to have more and larger leptin-producing fat cells than thinner people, their leptin levels increase substantially with every pound of additional weight gain. This is illustrated below.

Mice lacking leptin ate voraciously and grew enormously fat; leptin injections made them stop eating and slim down. The discovery led researchers to think that fat people might also lack leptin, and that it could make them lose weight. But it was not so. Scientists found that most fat people had lots of leptin, and giving them more had little effect. (The New York Times 26/11/2002).

Researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Center conducted a study in mice involving two separate groups that were fed high-fat and low-fat diets. The high-fat diet group developed symptoms of diabetes and obesity while the low-fat diet group did not. The researchers tested cells which conduct nerve impulses and found the cells behaved as if there was no leptin present, even though levels were 40-times higher than in normal mice. (Cell Metab. 2007 Mar;5(3):181-94).

This is due to obese people becoming resistant to leptin’s signal. When the brain fails to sense the leptin hormone’s signal correctly it thinks that more fat is required, even though we have enough, and fat begins to accumulate while metabolism slows down. Some scientists think that either leptin is not transported through the blood-brain barrier properly or the brain is not interpreting the signals properly.

With the regular discovery of hormones involved in regulating body weight it is a diverse and rapidly expanding field.

My own research of the literature has revealed to me some dietary factors that block leptin from crossing the blood-brain barrier and interfere with leptin signaling. In addition, there are foods/methods that correct these problems. I will discuss these issues in due course.

If this article is reproduced please ensure the link to my website is kept live. If you can't see the links hover your mouse over the words in the bio box.

References

Enriori PJ, Evans AE, Sinnayah P, Jobst EE, Tonelli-Lemos L, Billes SK, Glavas MM, Grayson BE, Perello M, Nillni EA, Grove KL, Cowley MA. Diet-induced obesity causes severe but reversible leptin resistance in arcuate melanocortin neurons. Cell Metab. 2007 Mar;5(3):181-94.

If this article is reproduced please ensure the link to my website is kept live.

About The Author
Kevin Flatt specialisies in Alternative Medicine. He is the publisher of Leptin and Weight Loss at http://www.leptin-weightloss.com

Natural Weight Loss for Good Health and Well Being

2007-10-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

Weight loss is becoming an unhealthy obsession dealing with body images, but in some cases can improve health and fitness. When weight loss is a result of eating healthy, exercising and/or taking natural weight loss supplements in contrast to synthetic prescription drugs with the risk of harmful side effects, weight loss can be effective, rewarding, and greatly improve overall health.

Extra weight, especially extra fat on a person's body, applies significantly increased stresses on the heart, joints and back. These stresses can be extremely detrimental to one's health. Healthy weight loss can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arthritis and other health problems, as well as generally extending an otherwise average life span. Recently, the scientific root cause or explanation of obesity has been revealed as being part of one's physiology. The internal functions of an obese person are different than those of a healthy person, and cause intense hunger pains and food cravings.

Natural weight loss supplements can help counteract this constant hunger and lead to healthy weight loss. Unbalanced hormones are a common cause of weight gain, therefore taking natural hormone balancers and herbal supplements would help to create a healthy weight loss regimen. Restoring your health allows you to lose weight naturally, without excess frustration and effort. It's all about losing weight from the inside out.

Emotional issues always accompany change, especially changes in our bodies e.g. natural weight loss. Weight loss affects our perception body image, our sense of identity i.e. who am I?, and how we feel about ourselves in general. Weight loss also effects our social relationships in that there may be people in our family or social contacts that are emotionally invested in our remaining the same i.e. overweight with all that it symbolizes e.g. friendliness, non-threatening, protective, jovial, helpful, etc. Beyond our physical health, it can be said that "size matters" cognitively and emotionally to ourselves and others. Eating and food have come to symbolize being accepted, being cared for and comfort. Having the support of others in our efforts to naturally lose weight and regain our health is a huge advantage.

We have been "conditioned" to fear any kind of loss, including weight loss. Especially if what we may lose is something with which we identify i.e. use to tell us who we are.

The emotions of fear, anger, anxiety and depression effect our weight. We often tend to "stuff our feelings" or numb these emotional feelings or stress by overeating. We may even overeat, thinking that will ease the physical discomfort caused by excess weight e.g. physical pain, lack of sleep, and lack of energy caused by moderate depression. To improve our overall health and support us through the process of natural weight loss and the emotional dynamics around it, we can take advantage of natural sleep aids, natural depression relief and natural pain relief health care products.

Our weight and health is greatly dependent upon our having a healthy digestive system or metabolism. Our digestive system converts, on a cellular and muscular level, the foods we eat, eliminates toxins, and uses and stores glucose for energy. Natural enzymes trigger hunger signals and facilitate absorption of nutrition. Good digestion with the help of natural enzymes aids in the conversion of fat to muscle.

Allergy and sensitivity to food, parasites, yeast overgrowth and emotional stress are signals of digestive disruption and inflammation. Natural essential fatty acids work to reduce intestinal inflammation, decrease harmful acids, help the liver process proteins that grow muscle, balance hormones and facilitate the elimination of toxins. Natural essential fatty acids help clear our digestive system of heavy metals, harmful bacteria, pesticides that we are increasingly encountering in our environment. Essential fatty acids along with natural fiber help us clean out the intestinal debris that harm our health and often lead to weight gain. Essential fatty acids also help our brain's neurotransmitters to function properly in order to deal with stress, emotions, and cravings that can lead to overeating and weight gain.

Natural amino acids are the building blocks that make up proteins. Next to water, protein makes up the greatest part of our body weight. Amino acids help increase metabolism, build muscle, ease moderate depression, and help burn fat. Natural antioxidants help carry more oxygen to cells and muscles to help increase energy, burn fat, build muscle and process the foods we eat.

Hormone balance is essential for natural weight loss. Our metabolism slows as we get older because of the decrease or imbalance of hormones. This contributes to weight gain. Hormone balance also helps us deal with stress that leads to weight gain. Proper hormone balance helps to decrease cravings and binge eating. There are many natural hormone balancing products available, e.g. natural progesterone, promensil, soy isoflavones, essential fatty acids and hormone balancing formulas.

Our metabolism's primary task is to nourish our brains. We need healthy neurotransmitters to help us curb craving, ease depression, and deal with stress that lead to weight gain. Balancing our natural brain chemistry has a calming effect and allows us to feel a sens of well being and safety. There are many natural health care products to help balance brain chemistry, e.g. essential fatty acids, natural depression relief products, natural products to increase serotonin, and more. When our brain feels well and safe, it is prone to change our metabolism from calorie saving to calorie burning.

Our bodies were designed to move and be active. Movement requires muscle activity. Muscle activity uses the glycogen supply found in our muscles. When this glycogen supply stored in our muscles is used, our body is forced to use stored fat as an energy source. Using this stored fat through movement and exercise, results in natural weight loss. There is no reason for us to become athletes to accomplish natural weight loss. Low impact exercise like swimming, walking, etc, can be done slowly and without strain. In order to lose real weight rather than "water weight", it is important to drink extra amounts of water when exercising. Drinking more water will also help our digestive system and metabolism to use and eliminate extra weight.

Remember, the first objective, accomplished through natural weight loss, is to improve our physical and emotional health. This involves having a healthy digestive system, a healthy emotional system and a healthy nutritional system. We can build these healthy systems with natural vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, natural digestive aid, pain relief aid, natural sleep aids, natural emotional and mood aids, essential fatty acids and many more helpful natural health care products. We need to concentrate on improving our general health, feeling good, and living well through natural weight loss, rather than constantly comparing ourselves to someone else's idea about appearance from some magazine. Physical and emotional health is primary. Appearance may be important to us, but it is secondary. Through natural weight loss, we can live well and live long.

About The Author
Jennifer Kays has over twenty years experience with all natural health care products.

The provides natural weight loss products through http://sweetmedicineessentials.com/natural-weight-loss-c-3.html