Weight Loss Articles

Fast and Easy Fat Busters

Fitness for All

Sure there are lots of people out there that want to lose weight and everyone knows that diet and exercise are the key components to achieve this goal.  But while the dieting can be done at any hour of the day, many people find that it is the exercise part that they have a hard time finding time to accomplish.

But what if you could burn fat, burn calories, and lose weight with easy, fast exercises?  Sounds like a no-brainer, right?

The next time you are short on time and need to get a quick exercise or two in, consult this list of easy fat burners to kick start your regimen and get you on your way to achieving your goal as soon as possible.

Some fast and easy fat busters to try include:

Jump rope as fast as you can : burns 68 calories.

Do walking lunges down a hallway : burns 45 calories.

Run around the block : burns 62 calories.

Do some Wii Zumba : burns 45 calories.

Vacuum the biggest room of your house : burns 20 calories.

Walk up and down the stairs : burns 36 calories.

Bounce on a stability ball during the commercials of your favorite show : burns 58 calories.

Shedding Pounds after Pregnancy

Post pregnancy period in a woman's life is the time when a woman has that highest weight gain tendency and these tendencies amount only to three high risk periods in a woman's life. This is according to the research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Once a post pregnancy weight gain isn't shed in a period of six months after birth, the pounds she gained she will likely keep. And once you are already obese before your pregnancy, chances are you will be facing more problem there is.

Health concerns regarding post pregnancy weight gain includes:

• Diabetes (type 2)
• Higher risk of heart diseases
• Complications in later pregnancies.

The Truth About Losing Post Pregnancy Pounds

Most women who have given birth is likely to lose it with the right process. 61% of new moms expect that they will lose the extra pounds they accumulated at the time their babies turn one. It some cases, it can't happen. But mostly, with the well planned program, it can be possible.

Some women though may go back to their old weight but would wear larger clothes. 87% of women say that their stomach or tummy has not return to its normal shape.

Many new moms who have the difficulty in getting their weight down may opt for some attractive alternative such as tummy tuck procedures for slimming down. And given that many women now have been exposed to media and the wonders of medicine, they tried seeking some alternative solutions to their problems in the cosmetic world.

Exercise can be a Jumpstart

Weight loss can't happen in a day or two especially with post pregnancy gains. A series of exercise after giving birth can get you on track. Always give a time for it. Exercising is essential in losing weight, activity can burn fat. A simple exercise you may incorporate in your walk with your baby's stroller or in your other free time.

Exercise and other activities can help you lose fat and not muscles. Women who returns to work after a reasonable time, according to research, may lose weight more than those who stays at home.

Don't Diet too Soon; Watch your Calorie Intake at the Right Time

You should give yourself some time before you start dieting. It is essential especially if you are breastfeeding. Incorporate your diet with a good and regular exercise.

A diet plan that has been well planned (not done abruptly) may help you avoid the delay for your recovery and won't cause fatigue in you. And when on your diet regimen, keep everything healthy. No fasting, no over the edge solutions. Why not bank on some super foods?

Consult Doctor for Safety Purposes

Some exercises and diet plans may not suit you. Your diet program should also be approved by your doctor to be able to keep you safe and help you be on the right track. Remember, when you are still nursing, even though you are trying to lose weight, you should still give your motherly duties some consideration.

Some women though who seemed to have difficulty in slimming down and losing weight results to other cosmetic procedures. Liposuction is popular among many women hoping to loss flabs after giving birth. Some would even result to a make-over that wouldn't address tummy flabs alone but problems with saggy breasts and buttocks as well. Mummy makeover has been a long time popular in many countries all over the world.

Most women would want pre-baby bodies because they need to be assured that they are getting it back. Getting it safely though should be the priority of these Mums. And it isn't a race, it isn't about who get it back the fastest, but it's how it will stay. Once you have it back, maintain it.

How to Curb your Appetite Naturally

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.

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Thanksgiving Calorie Counter: A Handy Calculator for Your Holiday Meal

Avoid packing on the pounds this holiday season by figuring out how many calories are in your favorite meals using this handy, holiday calorie list.

Salads and Appetizers:

3 cups salad (with light dressing): 100 calories ½ cup jello with fruit: 120 calories ½ cup Waldorf salad: 110 calories 1 cracker with cheese: 70 calories ½ cup mixed raw vegetables: 25 calories ½ cup mixed nuts: 440 calories 1 oz. tortilla or potato chips: 150 calories (75 extra calories per tablespoon of dip)

Main Course:

6 oz. cured ham: 300 calories 6 oz. white and dark turkey: 340 calories ½ cup stuffing: 180 calories ½ cup cranberry sauce: 190 calories ½ cup mashed potatoes: 150 calories ½ cup gravy: 150 calories ½ cup green bean casserole: 225 calories ½ cup candied sweet potatoes: 150 calories 1 dinner roll: 110 calories (45 extra calories with one pat of butter)

Drinks:

1 mixed drink: 250 calories 1 glass of wine: 120 calories 1 glass of cider: 120 calories 1 cup eggnog: 343 calories

Desserts:

2 small chocolate chip cookies: 150 calories 1 piece apple pie: 410 calories 1 piece pecan pie: 480 calories 1 piece pumpkin pie: 180 calories ½ cup whipped cream: 75 calories ½ cup ice cream: 145 calories

Leftovers:

1 turkey sandwich with mayo and cranberry sauce: 450 calories 1 open-face turkey sandwich with stuffing and gravy: 290 calories

Discover the Secret to Avoiding Winter Weight Gain by Passing Up Comfort Foods

Studies have shown that during the months of December and January, many people gain at least one pound , every year. Why? One main reason is that besides being less active during the winter months, we also turn to comfort foods to get us through those dark, dreary winter days.

According to WebMD there are many culprits for winter weight gain including less outdoor exercise, endless weeks of holiday celebrations, ultra fattening comfort foods, and more layers of clothing to hide our expanding waistlines. It's ok to splurge on occasional small portions of decadent foods and holiday delights but if you want to prevent packing on those unwanted pounds you may want to steer clear of the following foods or eat them in moderation:

Macaroni and cheese- An all-time favorite comfort food for children and adults alike, a healthier modification to this classic fat bomb is to use low-fat cheese, low-fat milk and add additional veggies.

Cream based soups and bisques- Anything loaded with cream is also loaded with calories, so instead you may want to choose warm winter soups that are broth based like vegetable or minestrone.

• Cream and cheese based casseroles- One serving of a traditional hash brown casserole topped with cheese, bacon, or fried onions has nearly 600 calories, 40 grams of fat and 21 grams of saturated fat. To shave calories off of this seasonal favorite by substituting low-calorie mix-ins such as fat-free sour cream, low-fat cheese or reduced-fat soups or try over-roasted veggies for a healthy side dish.

Cheesecake- Try to stick to small amounts of cheesecake or try satisfying your sweet tooth with a 150 calorie sugar free ice cream dessert or suck on a peppermint stick.

Chili and stews loaded with ground beef, sausage and cheese- If making this dish yourself stick to small portions of lean meat, lots of vegetables and beans, sprinkle with low-fat cheese and skip the crumbled crackers on top.

Cookies- Nothing says the holidays like Christmas cookies and enjoying one small cookie isn't a problem. At around 200-250 calories make sure you only eat one or split one half and eat the other half later.

Creamy pot pies (with pastry top and bottom)-When you have pastry on the top and bottom, you get a double dose of high-fat crust plus the fatty filling. Forget the creamy pie and enjoy a roasted chicken breast and a whole-wheat roll for a fraction of the calories.

A few bites of even the most fattening foods can fit into your diet, but it's important to consume these types of food in moderation. Keep in mind that most adults need fewer than 2,000 calories, 65 grams of total fat and 20 grams of saturated fat each day.

Just by making some slight alterations and by avoiding these fattening foods you will see that you will not only feel better but you can prevent packing on those unwanted pounds, too.