FEATURED ARTICLES

• smoking
• bad habit
• make a plan
• too much tv
• too much alcohol
• overeating
• not flossing
• nail biting

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

From overeating to watching too much TV, there's really only one way to break a bad habit : make a plan!

Unfortunately what may work for one person, may not work for another.  So here are some ways to break some of the most popular bad habits.  Hopefully it works for you!

Watching too much TV. : Studies show that ptoeople watch an average of 4 hours of television each day and these studies also show that excessive TV. watching can be linked to developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  Here are some ways to avoid watching too much TV: only watch when there is something specific you want to see, do chores during commercials, make a list of things you need to accomplish before sitting down to watch TV, and create a TV-watching plan and stick to it.

Drinking too much alcohol. : Tired of being hung over and sluggish? Then you should do everything you can to cut back on drinking too much alcohol.  To cut back try these tips: drink one glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have, drink only when you are having a meal, or try drinking something that looks like an alcoholic drink, like rootbeer or a drink with a slice of fruit in it.

Smoking. : While this may be one of the hardest habits to break, it's still possible as many, many people do it every year. The best plan is to talk things over with your doctor because they can offer the best cessation treatment for you.  But some other approaches that you may consider include: hypnotherapy, exercise or electronic cigarettes.

Nail biting. : Because most nail biting habits are linked to anxiety, stress, or nervousness, your plan should start with creating a relaxation plan.  Think about what makes you bite your nails before you start.  When you get the urge to bite your nails or catch yourself in the act, do something with your hands : garden, cook, play with your kids or pets, clean or do the dishes.  Do something that takes your mind off of biting your nails.

Overeating. : No matter how hard you try to cut calories, it still seems like sometimes the cravings are still there.  Experts say that sometimes it is best to give into those cravings.  When people do give into their cravings every once in awhile they have a better chance of losing weight and keeping it off, than those who ignore their cravings and avoid certain foods.  Experts also advise that if you can avoid nighttime eating that you will be well on your way to prevent overeating as well.

Not flossing. : Not flossing your teeth increases your risk of gum disease, as well as contributing to heart disease, still only half of Americans floss their teeth every day.  To make sure that you are flossing every day try these tips: keep your floss in your shower so that you are already in “cleaning” mode when you see it, keep your floss on your nightstand to remind yourself to floss before you go to bed, or keep your floss in clear view of some place where you will see it each and every day.

• Spring
• walking workout
• heart rate
• right shoes
• have a goal

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Springtime is here and this is the perfect time to get outdoors and get in some great walking workouts. But in order to boost your workout, consider some of these points as you lace up your sneakers.

Remember to Breathe : Just like preparing to take a yoga class or meditating, you need to learn to control your breathing for the best walking workout possible.  Breathe in a pattern that relates to the steps that you are taking.  By creating a better breathing pattern while you are walking, you are taking your workout to a new, stress-relieving level.

Find the Right Shoes : There are so many options when it comes to tennis shoes, but if you want to get the most out of your walking workout then you need to find the correct shoes.  Experts suggest trying on a variety of different shoes while wearing extra thick socks that will simulate how your feet could feel when they swell due to walking long distances.  They also suggest choosing your shoes for comfort and not style, color or fashion.

Have a Goal in Mind : Whether it be finishing a 5K or 10K, or just walking to the end of your street and back, by setting a goal you are more apt to stick to it and boost your workout without even trying.

Take a Barefoot Walk : Sometimes it's ok to ditch your shoes and take a barefoot walk.  Choose a grassy or sandy area and go barefoot which can burn more calories, improve balance and strengthen your foot and ankle muscles.

Add Intervals to Your Typical Walking Workout : Just by adding some short “bursts” of fast walking or running to your traditional walking workout you can easily double your calorie burn.  You can either time your intervals, like every five minutes you fast walk/run for a minute, or you can choose landmarks to mark the start and finish of your interval session.  You will be able to tell whether or not you are exerting the correct amount of energy during these interval sessions depending upon how much your breathing changes between intervals.

Track Your Heart Rate : The best way to feel like you are working out with a personal trainer is to wear a heart rate monitor while you are walking.  It is the best way to know when you need to work harder and when to slow down.  You will need to know what your maximum heart rate should be : Subtract your age from 220 and aim to work between 60 percent and 80 percent of that number.

Hit the Hills : Choose a walking route that includes plenty of hills and inclines and not just straight-aways.  Hills and inclines are a great way to keep your routine consistently intense.

• healthy diet
• diet
• diet and exercise
• essential vitamins
• calories
• healthy
• vitamins and minerals
• detoxify your food
• avoid canned food

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

So you have decided to burn those extra pounds.  There is no best way to address this problem but to working on it consciously.  You can go to the gym and relentlessly jog your way to a fitter you.  Exercising is a proven and effective method to burn fats.  However, this activity will compete for your time.  You have everyday tasks that require the same amount of attention.  A suggested way to burn fat is through being conscious of what you eat.  Yes, what you take into your body often dictates your weight.  In this article, you will learn of various fat burning foods that you have to incorporate to lose those fats in a zap.

A helpful ally

The key to eliminating fats is to help your body in breaking these fats down.  In this task, you will be needing the help of another nutrient : protein.  Protein will aid you in weight loss in several ways.  First, it takes a lot more energy to break down protein compared to other foods, and according to experts, proteins does a better job in reducing hunger compared to carbs.  Also, protein builds up muscle mass you need to have a more efficient workout.  Get the protein you need from eggs.  The albumin or egg white is rich in protein and contains little to no fat.

Fats to burn fats

Yes, you heard it right!  It might sound crazy, but omega-3 fatty acids from fats of fish such as salmon will supply you of your needs.  The exact mechanism is unknown but researchers observed this consistent pattern in their studies.  Other studies suggest that omega -3 fatty acids can satisfy your cravings up to two hours after eating a fish meal.  Also, include other omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods such as canned tuna and herring to your diet.

Something from your kitchen

Vinegar is a kitchen staple.  But did you know that vinegar can help you burn fats?  It can stimulate a certain gene in your body responsible for breaking down fat. If you up for it, slurp about one tablespoon of vinegar a day.  To eliminate its acidic taste, dilute it with soda or milk.

Fruitful choices

If you are looking for fruits to add in your fat burning diet, pick pears and apple.  What do these fruits have?  These two fruits contain flavonoids.  It is natural substance that fights off fats.  It is observed in studies that women who consumed lots of flavonoids had significantly lower rise in body mass index in a period of 14 years compared to women who ate the least.

Another fruit you should consider is grapefruit.  Its fleshy white membranes are said to lower insulin and regulate your blood sugar and metabolism.

Avocados are often mistaken as a fatty fruit.  What people do not know is that this fruit is actually a powerful fat burner.  It has monosaturated fat loosen up cell membranes, allowing fat-burning hormones to act more on the cells.  It also contains substances that disable hormones that promote fat storage.  Also, it pumps up metabolism by providing defenses to the energy-producing components of the cells against free radical damage.  Yummy meal ideas:  Eat this fruit with tomatoes and salt as a morning power up.  Or you can add avocado to green bean salad and spinach.

Burners in a cup

Most of us love sipping coffee as part of our morning rituals.  But coffee can actually get your body in right shape.  Coffee is a powerful adrenaline stimulant.  Once adrenaline is released into your system, it signals your body to burn fat.  A cup of coffee several minutes before a workout will boost your performance in exercises.  You will burn more fats as a result.

• diet
• Weight Loss
• lose weight
• essential vitamins
• organic food

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

People often make excuses after gaining a few pounds. And one of their mostly likely excuses would be a slowing metabolism. This is based on medical fact. Our body's metabolic rate decreases with age. This makes it harder for us to burn fats from food which usually posed no problems in the past.

However, one can actually go wrong when health experts say otherwise. As far as certified nutritionists are concerned, the common understanding of metabolism is just but a surface to the whole truth. In defining metabolism, one must understand two biochemical mechanisms that comprised it : anabolism and catabolism.

• Anabolism is pretty much the construction process of metabolism. It is because of anabolism that tissues and cells repair themselves after suffering an injury or illness. Anabolism is responsible for growth and healing.
•  Catabolism, however, is the most commonly perceived idea of metabolism. This is the part wherein the body breaks down nutrients beginning in digestion. They also break down stored nutrients inside the body such as fats.

In a nutshell, the construction and chemical breakdown processes works in unison so that the human body can attain ideal metabolism. In order to find out whether the body has a healthy metabolism, one should know his or her metabolic rate. Metabolic rate is the overall percentage of energy used to fuel bodily functions, the calories your body normally takes and the amount of calories usually burned. These three ideas factor into the whole crude measure of metabolism. The ideal metabolism one needs to achieve, therefore, means that all these three aspects equally “digest” the right amount.

This general gauge of metabolism consequently follows the idea of proper diet and exercise. Contrary to what most people think, proper diet and exercise is pretty much the husband and wife in the nutrition analogy : they are both inseparable and equally necessary.

When it comes to diet, there are three major building blocks of the food categorization. The whole idea of knowing the types of foods boils down to knowing a “balanced diet”.

• Carbohydrates are energy-producing foods that are comprised of sugar and starch. Foods like bread, pasta, cakes, muffins, chocolates and rice are examples of carbohydrate-rich menu. When eaten in excess, they become fats.
• Proteins are the chemical compounds that promote growth and repair of cells and tissues. Proteins are essential to the whole idea of metabolism and these foods are often represented by lean meat, poultry, calcium-rich dairy products, fish and vegetables.
• Fats are not always unhealthy as common perception represents them. Contrary to popular belief, there are healthy fats necessary for the body. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and vegetable oils make a good auxiliary to nutrition development. Saturated fats ought to be avoided on frequent occasions because they add up more weight in the body.

Exercise is a way to promote better metabolism actively. By doing a lot of aerobic exercises, the body not only burns fat but also circulates blood faster and distributes nutrients more efficiently. Cardiovascular exercise promotes overall development in the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and excretory systems. Weight training may not necessarily burn fats but it helps lessen the storage of fats after every food intake, as the excess mass goes to the process of building of more lean muscle fibers. An athletic body feels a lot better because it has attained a great measure of ideal metabolism people are yearning for.

• Exercise
• diet
• healthy foods
• food good for appetite
• appetite suppressing

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

There's no shortage of miracle pills that promises to instantly cure your food cravings. But isn't there an easier and safer way to free you from this gastronomical condition? Health experts still believe that the best way to curb your food cravings is sticking to natural treatments. It does not involve using drugs or medications that sometimes have serious side effects.

Though it may not grab the same attention and airtime as most of the commercial treatments available, a lot of people have tried natural food suppressing methods. It has proven itself to be effective and could definitely help you fight your personal battle of the bulge.

Tea

One of the best natural appetite suppressants is tea. A lot of diets want you to stop eating at least three hours before you go to bed. Generally, some people try not to eat any food after dinner. But sometimes, you'll feel hungry though. Just make a large cup of Earl Grey Tea and sweeten it with a few packets of healthy sugar. You will feel full after drinking this and your appetite is under control without spending money on expensive diet pills.

You also don't have to worry about any unusual side effects. Hot tea works well with almost every diet out there, that's the best thing about it. A mug of hot tea is allowed whether you are going the low calories route or the latest low carbohydrate diet. Compared to coffee, tea has lower caffeine. It will not keep you awake at night because you can also find it in herbal varieties that have no caffeine.

Exercise

Your body also releases natural endorphins that suppress your appetite when you exercise although it is meant to make you lose weight. You can walk for about thirty minutes at a brisk pace on the treadmill in the evening after dinner to curb your appetite. You will always sleep better after a little extra exercise and find that your appetite is more under control.

You don't need to break out in a rolling sweat with an aerobics or heavy weight lifting. All you need to naturally suppress your appetite until the morning is a simple brisk walk for about twenty to thirty minutes.

Water

It is a fabulous natural appetite suppressant. You can drink an entire glass of water before each meal to help lose weight. You can also drink this when you're preparing lunch or dinner. Your stomach is filled naturally with water and it suppresses your appetite and increases your metabolism at the same time.

To metabolize your body, it needs water. You are getting double duty with this natural appetite suppressant. During winter sometimes, try squeezing a little lemon into some hot water and stir a packet of Splenda. It really does wonders.

Coffee

This is a natural appetite suppressant as well as a diuretic. A hot or cold coffee is a great way to curb your appetite in the morning or afternoon. You can also replace your snack with coffee.

Salad

If you eat a salad with low fat dressing at the start of every meal, you will become full faster although salad may not be naturally appetite suppressing. It can help in keeping you from eating as many calories at a meal as you normally would. It is high in fiber, low in fat and it takes quite a bit of chewing. Your brain is tricked into feeling full with the simple motion of chewing.

Protein

This is a fabulous way to suppress appetite naturally. It takes longer to digest and it does not affect blood sugar in the way that carbohydrates do. A stable blood sugar will help speed weight loss. It will also help you feel full longer.

Image credit: freedigitalphotos.net/sattva