Author: Gail Davis
Are you ready for a change in your life?
Do you go to bed full and wake up feeling sluggish?
Is your face puffy and swollen in the morning?
Do you avoid mirrors?
Do you wear your "sweats" as much as possible?
Do you avoid social functions so that you don´t have to find something that fits or because you´re embarrassed for anyone to see you?
If you have to answer, "Yes" to these or similar questions, then you are probably ready to make some important changes!
Is it going to be easy to make lasting changes in your life? No, it´s rarely easy to change our habits, but it is "doable", and the rewards are completely amazing!
An important first step to making significant changes in your life is to sit down and give some serious thought to what is going well for you in life and what is not. You´re probably used to avoiding this issue but it´s time to face it! Make yourself a list. The act of writing down your thoughts makes them very real. You´ll be much more likely to follow through with your plan if you write it down! You´ll find when you make this list that there are going to be some things that you just can´t control. Don´t let that get you down. Focus on the things you can control! Everything starts with you, so focus on you!
When you make changes in your health and appearance, and like what you see in the mirror, everything else will look differently to you too. The old adage about the "rose-colored glasses" is really true! So don´t worry about those items on your list that you can´t tackle right now¡ªjust tackle you! It doesn´t matter what else is going on in your life; no one controls what you put in your mouth except you. Get rid of the reasons why you can´t make it work and as Nike would say, "Just do it!"
Self-improvement provides almost instant gratification and that is very appealing to most of us! While it may take months for you to make huge changes, you will become aware of smaller changes within the very first week. You will begin to feel thinner inside which improves your self-esteem. You will begin to sleep better almost immediately. You will begin to feel stronger and more in control, because you are tackling the problem.
By the end of the second week, you´ll notice that your face is thinner and your eyes look larger and more alert. You´ll notice that your rings begin to slip around on your fingers. The waistline of your pants will fit better and be more comfortable. You´ll begin to feel strong enough and energetic enough to add exercise to your daily routine. You´ll start feeling the power that comes with sticking to a program. You get the idea¡ the list gets longer and longer with each passing week!
If you need to lose large amounts of weight, don´t despair! Never think in terms of, "I have to diet for a year to look good!" Instead, tell yourself that you are going to "diet today." Each new day you´ll want to focus on that day only. Set small weight loss goals and celebrate each five pounds that you lose. You´ll find that the longer you stick to your plan, the stronger your motivation will become!
One of the most important pieces of weight loss advice I can give you is to take away the time factor. Too many people begin a program and establish a time line. That often sets you up for failure. If you decide you want to lose 30 pounds in three months and you only lose 22, you´ll feel like a failure. But think about that! You lost 22 pounds!! How incredible is that? Why should you feel anything but pure joy and a wonderful sense of accomplishment? Sure, you´re impatient to look great, but remind yourself that "FAST loss" isn´t the same as "FAT loss." If it comes off slowly, there´s a greater chance that you will change your lifestyle and it will stay off!
If you are just too overwhelmed by the task ahead of you, select several small changes that you know you can commit to. Decide that for this one week, you will eat three small meals a day and two snacks. In addition, you will be finished eating before 7pm. Next week, add another goal or two. You will do these same two items but in addition, you will have three ounces of lean protein at each meal and you will only have one diet soda each day. By the third week, you will add 30 minutes of walking or activity each dayand drink eight glasses of water each day.
You get the idea! Discover more easy weight loss tips to help make a lasting change in your health and appearance. There´s no time like NOW for you to create a new YOU!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Lifestyle Changes Achieve Sustained Fat Loss
Author: Fat Loss Centre.com
This is what it is all about, sustained fat loss and healthy living. This can be accomplished by a lifestyle change which requires a commitment to yourself. You can commit to fat loss by exercising, diet and binding fat. You will succeed at fat loss when you make genuine effort to do so and have a plan for success. Our tips for sustained fat loss are:
Make fat loss easy. Build exercise into your daily routine, a good diet into your routine. Failing to plan your life will result in fat for most of us, not fat loss, which is the long term goal across our life.
Embrace feeling good and having a body that is not fat because your quality of life is impacted by the amount of fat we carry everyday.
This is what it is all about, sustained fat loss and healthy living. This can be accomplished by a lifestyle change which requires a commitment to yourself. You can commit to fat loss by exercising, diet and binding fat. You will succeed at fat loss when you make genuine effort to do so and have a plan for success. Our tips for sustained fat loss are:
Make fat loss easy. Build exercise into your daily routine, a good diet into your routine. Failing to plan your life will result in fat for most of us, not fat loss, which is the long term goal across our life.
Embrace feeling good and having a body that is not fat because your quality of life is impacted by the amount of fat we carry everyday.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Rethinking Diets, Weight Loss and Health
Author: Fat Loss Centre.com
Few topics generate more heated discussion than diet and weight loss, and for the past week, readers have posted hundreds of comments reacting to the latest diet research.
The latest study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, compared three diets. Some participants cut fat, others counted carbohydrates in a version of the Atkins diet, while others adopted Mediterranean-style eating habits. Some people declared the research a vindication for Atkins, others criticized my view of the study as more evidence that diets don¡¯t really work.
For some needed perspective, I turned to Gina Kolata, a New York Times reporter and author of the wonderful book, ¡°Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss ¡ª and the Myths and Realities of Dieting.¡± Not only is Gina well versed in the science of weight loss, but she has an unusually compassionate take on the efforts of the dieters in this recent study and all people who struggle with their weight.
¡°Every study that has ever been done, and this one included, shows that it¡¯s absolutely unbelievably difficult,'¡¯ she said. ¡°When people beat themselves up and say, ¡®I should be thin, it¡¯s my own fault,¡¯ maybe it¡¯s not your own fault. How much harder can somebody try than people in this study and look what happened. They didn¡¯t lose much weight.'¡¯
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. ¡°Rethinking Thin¡± shows how difficult it can be for people to lose weight and keep it off. So what advice does Gina have for people who are overweight?
¡°Don¡¯t always blame yourself, and don¡¯t beat up on yourself,'¡¯ she said. ¡°It¡¯s obviously really, really hard. Don¡¯t say, ¡®I¡¯m a weak person and it¡¯s my own fault.¡¯ ¡±
Instead, Gina says some people who have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight may decide to say to themselves, ¡°I can be attractive. I can buy clothes. I can be fit. I can be healthy. I can have a good life, and I may not be skinny, but so what.¡±
Gina offers a powerful and compassionate message to people who are overweight and those who judge them. I hope you will click on the podcast below to listen to the rest of our conversation and post your comments.
Few topics generate more heated discussion than diet and weight loss, and for the past week, readers have posted hundreds of comments reacting to the latest diet research.
The latest study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, compared three diets. Some participants cut fat, others counted carbohydrates in a version of the Atkins diet, while others adopted Mediterranean-style eating habits. Some people declared the research a vindication for Atkins, others criticized my view of the study as more evidence that diets don¡¯t really work.
For some needed perspective, I turned to Gina Kolata, a New York Times reporter and author of the wonderful book, ¡°Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss ¡ª and the Myths and Realities of Dieting.¡± Not only is Gina well versed in the science of weight loss, but she has an unusually compassionate take on the efforts of the dieters in this recent study and all people who struggle with their weight.
¡°Every study that has ever been done, and this one included, shows that it¡¯s absolutely unbelievably difficult,'¡¯ she said. ¡°When people beat themselves up and say, ¡®I should be thin, it¡¯s my own fault,¡¯ maybe it¡¯s not your own fault. How much harder can somebody try than people in this study and look what happened. They didn¡¯t lose much weight.'¡¯
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. ¡°Rethinking Thin¡± shows how difficult it can be for people to lose weight and keep it off. So what advice does Gina have for people who are overweight?
¡°Don¡¯t always blame yourself, and don¡¯t beat up on yourself,'¡¯ she said. ¡°It¡¯s obviously really, really hard. Don¡¯t say, ¡®I¡¯m a weak person and it¡¯s my own fault.¡¯ ¡±
Instead, Gina says some people who have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight may decide to say to themselves, ¡°I can be attractive. I can buy clothes. I can be fit. I can be healthy. I can have a good life, and I may not be skinny, but so what.¡±
Gina offers a powerful and compassionate message to people who are overweight and those who judge them. I hope you will click on the podcast below to listen to the rest of our conversation and post your comments.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
ADHD children have greater risk of being overweight
Author: Fat Loss Centre.com
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for being overweight, regardless of whether or not they are currently receiving medications for the condition.
The results of prior research has suggested that the impulsivity and poor behavioral regulation that is common in children with ADHD may promote certain eating patterns that increase the risk of obesity, co-authors Molly E. Waring and Dr. Kate L. Lapane, from Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island, note.
To investigate further, the researchers analyzed data from 62,887 children and adolescents included in the 2003-2004 National Survey of Children's Health.
Children with ADHD were identified based the response of the parent to the question: "Has a doctor or health professional ever told you that your child has attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, that is, ADD or ADHD?"
The prevalence of ADD or ADHD was 8.8 percent, the authors report in the journal Pediatrics, and approximately half the affected children were taking medication for the condition.
After accounting for demographic factors as well as depression and anxiety, ADHD patients who were not being treated with medication were 1.5-times more likely to be overweight than children without the disorder. The risk for ADHD among those who were currently receiving medications was only about 0.5-times higher than children without ADHD.
"Future work is needed to better understand the longitudinal and pharmacologic factors that influence the relationship between ADD/ADHD and weight status in children and adolescents," the investigators conclude.
SOURCE: Pediatrics, July 2008.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for being overweight, regardless of whether or not they are currently receiving medications for the condition.
The results of prior research has suggested that the impulsivity and poor behavioral regulation that is common in children with ADHD may promote certain eating patterns that increase the risk of obesity, co-authors Molly E. Waring and Dr. Kate L. Lapane, from Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island, note.
To investigate further, the researchers analyzed data from 62,887 children and adolescents included in the 2003-2004 National Survey of Children's Health.
Children with ADHD were identified based the response of the parent to the question: "Has a doctor or health professional ever told you that your child has attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, that is, ADD or ADHD?"
The prevalence of ADD or ADHD was 8.8 percent, the authors report in the journal Pediatrics, and approximately half the affected children were taking medication for the condition.
After accounting for demographic factors as well as depression and anxiety, ADHD patients who were not being treated with medication were 1.5-times more likely to be overweight than children without the disorder. The risk for ADHD among those who were currently receiving medications was only about 0.5-times higher than children without ADHD.
"Future work is needed to better understand the longitudinal and pharmacologic factors that influence the relationship between ADD/ADHD and weight status in children and adolescents," the investigators conclude.
SOURCE: Pediatrics, July 2008.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Putting a weight-loss gizmo to the test
Author: Claire Pryde
FIND it hard enough to get motivated to go to the gym in summer, so in winter - forget it.
And since at this time of year I also tend to over-indulge in naughty food, I was after a quick fix.
Of course weight loss experts are quick to point out there's no such thing.
"We know there's no easy way to lose weight. We¡¯ve seen that from long-term weight loss programs on the television, it requires serious commitment," said Susie Burrell from the Dieticians Association of Australia.
"If it sounds too good to be true it probably is, so don't waste your money. Make sure you've tried your basic lifestyle changes first before you commit large amounts of money to programs."
________________________________________
Have you experimented with weight-loss treatments? Email us at news@news.com.au with reports, tip-offs, and pictures or SMS to 0429 300 245
________________________________________
But being determined to shed a couple of kilos and being rather stubborn, I was undeterred.
I considered body wraps and endermologie - a treatment in which mechanical rollers and suction are applied to your body.
However just lying about and getting long-lasting results did seem too good to be true, and that's why I was drawn to Hypoxi.
Hypoxi - costing around $65-per-session - is basically an exercise bike inside a compression chamber and it "acknowledges that you have to exercise to lose weight," says Ariana Hendry, Managing Director of Hypoxi Australia.
"But at the same time you really have to have good strong blood supply in order to lose weight in the right areas."
Hypoxi couples gentle exercise with vacuum technology to accelerate your body's circulation in those targeted areas where most people find it difficult to lose those stubborn kilos - namely hips, buttocks and thighs.¡±
At my first session, a consultant measured me then fitted me with a heart-rate monitor and a thermometer.
Watch Claire's work-out here
After climbing into the large chamber that resembled a kind of scanning machine, I made sure my pedalling revolutions stayed above 55-per-minute, but you don¡¯t have to be particularly fit to manage that. I hardly broke a sweat.
During the half-hour session the air is sucked out of the chamber every few minutes, which felt a bit odd, but you get used to it.
It's recommended you go three times a week for a month.
"After 12 sessions most clients will see a significant centimetre reduction, and by significant I mean anywhere between 20 to 30cm worth of total circumference loss," said Ariana Hendry.
You're encouraged to eat a balanced diet and avoid carbohydrates and strenuous exercise for 4 to 6 hours after each treatment.
No payin' - no gain
"The thing with a rigid program, particularly when you pay quite a lot of money for it, is that you're much more likely to be compliant," said Susie Burrell
"It's difficult to tell if the effect is actually the treatment or whether it's the actual mix of diet and exercise that's contributing ultimately to weight loss.'
Ariana Hendry saids the reality is you're doing some level of physical activity and you have turned your attention to your diet "but the difference is that hypoxi has the ability to target where your body metabolises the fat" during the treatment.
"Some women when they diet and exercise have no trouble losing weight from their torso, breasts or face. With hypoxi they will lose weight in those areas that are challenging them the most," she said.
To really put Hypoxi to the test I decided I'd still allow myself the odd treat and I wouldn¡¯t turn down the chance to eat out.
One month on ...
In four weeks I¡¯ve lost two kilos and more than 20cm in total.
I¡¯m 5cm smaller around by bottom and my thighs, and I don¡¯t seem to have lost anything off my top half.
Susie Burrell said there's an explanation for that.
"Women will generally be storing fat on the lower half of their body, so if you're quite lean already, particularly in the top half of your body, and then you lose weight, of course you're going to lose it where you've got it," she said.
"So if that's on your legs, your thighs and your bum, then of course they're going to be slightly smaller. It¡¯s how they measure it and the way it redistributes, so it's not as clear cut as may be summarised by people working in such clinics."
Well, I'm happy with the results. But will I be able to keep it off?
"All things being equal if you can maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle after you leave us, there's no reason why the fat would redeposit in the areas targeted by the treatment," says Ariana Hendry.
I'm going to go back to exercising just twice a week and eating the odd treat and hope for the best.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24076060-36398,00.html
FIND it hard enough to get motivated to go to the gym in summer, so in winter - forget it.
And since at this time of year I also tend to over-indulge in naughty food, I was after a quick fix.
Of course weight loss experts are quick to point out there's no such thing.
"We know there's no easy way to lose weight. We¡¯ve seen that from long-term weight loss programs on the television, it requires serious commitment," said Susie Burrell from the Dieticians Association of Australia.
"If it sounds too good to be true it probably is, so don't waste your money. Make sure you've tried your basic lifestyle changes first before you commit large amounts of money to programs."
________________________________________
Have you experimented with weight-loss treatments? Email us at news@news.com.au with reports, tip-offs, and pictures or SMS to 0429 300 245
________________________________________
But being determined to shed a couple of kilos and being rather stubborn, I was undeterred.
I considered body wraps and endermologie - a treatment in which mechanical rollers and suction are applied to your body.
However just lying about and getting long-lasting results did seem too good to be true, and that's why I was drawn to Hypoxi.
Hypoxi - costing around $65-per-session - is basically an exercise bike inside a compression chamber and it "acknowledges that you have to exercise to lose weight," says Ariana Hendry, Managing Director of Hypoxi Australia.
"But at the same time you really have to have good strong blood supply in order to lose weight in the right areas."
Hypoxi couples gentle exercise with vacuum technology to accelerate your body's circulation in those targeted areas where most people find it difficult to lose those stubborn kilos - namely hips, buttocks and thighs.¡±
At my first session, a consultant measured me then fitted me with a heart-rate monitor and a thermometer.
Watch Claire's work-out here
After climbing into the large chamber that resembled a kind of scanning machine, I made sure my pedalling revolutions stayed above 55-per-minute, but you don¡¯t have to be particularly fit to manage that. I hardly broke a sweat.
During the half-hour session the air is sucked out of the chamber every few minutes, which felt a bit odd, but you get used to it.
It's recommended you go three times a week for a month.
"After 12 sessions most clients will see a significant centimetre reduction, and by significant I mean anywhere between 20 to 30cm worth of total circumference loss," said Ariana Hendry.
You're encouraged to eat a balanced diet and avoid carbohydrates and strenuous exercise for 4 to 6 hours after each treatment.
No payin' - no gain
"The thing with a rigid program, particularly when you pay quite a lot of money for it, is that you're much more likely to be compliant," said Susie Burrell
"It's difficult to tell if the effect is actually the treatment or whether it's the actual mix of diet and exercise that's contributing ultimately to weight loss.'
Ariana Hendry saids the reality is you're doing some level of physical activity and you have turned your attention to your diet "but the difference is that hypoxi has the ability to target where your body metabolises the fat" during the treatment.
"Some women when they diet and exercise have no trouble losing weight from their torso, breasts or face. With hypoxi they will lose weight in those areas that are challenging them the most," she said.
To really put Hypoxi to the test I decided I'd still allow myself the odd treat and I wouldn¡¯t turn down the chance to eat out.
One month on ...
In four weeks I¡¯ve lost two kilos and more than 20cm in total.
I¡¯m 5cm smaller around by bottom and my thighs, and I don¡¯t seem to have lost anything off my top half.
Susie Burrell said there's an explanation for that.
"Women will generally be storing fat on the lower half of their body, so if you're quite lean already, particularly in the top half of your body, and then you lose weight, of course you're going to lose it where you've got it," she said.
"So if that's on your legs, your thighs and your bum, then of course they're going to be slightly smaller. It¡¯s how they measure it and the way it redistributes, so it's not as clear cut as may be summarised by people working in such clinics."
Well, I'm happy with the results. But will I be able to keep it off?
"All things being equal if you can maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle after you leave us, there's no reason why the fat would redeposit in the areas targeted by the treatment," says Ariana Hendry.
I'm going to go back to exercising just twice a week and eating the odd treat and hope for the best.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24076060-36398,00.html
Intelligent Weight Loss is as Simple
Author: HSF Vitamins
"Forget the complex diets, weight loss is about intelligent and committed effort."
1. Focus your meals around lean sources of protein such as: white chicken and turkey meat, lean cuts of beef, egg whites, tuna and other fish, etc.
2. Don't be afraid of all fats. We've been brainwashed into thinking that all forms of fat in the diet are unhealthy and can lead to excess bodyfat. This simply isn't true. In fact, your body needs fat in order to burn fat, otherwise it will shift into preservation mode and attempt to maintain existing fat stores. It's true that you should watch your intake of saturated fat, but taking in so-called "good" fats (ie: those found in nuts, olive oil, flax seed, fish oils, etc.) can have a very positive effect on weightloss and overall health.
3. Move your carbohydrate intake away from foods that spike a high insulin response in the body to foods that offer more quality fuel for long-lasting energy. To simplify, try to limit your intake of processed carbs like breads, pastas, refined sugar products, etc.; instead, eat more unprocessed carbs like fruits and vegetables. If it comes in a box (crackers, cereal, pasta, cookies), forget it or at least only eat it in moderation. In fact, if there's one thing you can do that will have a significant, positive, and lasting effect on your health and bodyfat percentages, it's shifting your carbohydrate intake away from processed foods and towards natural fruits and vegetables.
Compare the most popular FAT BURNERS available at www.hsfvitamins.com
"Forget the complex diets, weight loss is about intelligent and committed effort."
1. Focus your meals around lean sources of protein such as: white chicken and turkey meat, lean cuts of beef, egg whites, tuna and other fish, etc.
2. Don't be afraid of all fats. We've been brainwashed into thinking that all forms of fat in the diet are unhealthy and can lead to excess bodyfat. This simply isn't true. In fact, your body needs fat in order to burn fat, otherwise it will shift into preservation mode and attempt to maintain existing fat stores. It's true that you should watch your intake of saturated fat, but taking in so-called "good" fats (ie: those found in nuts, olive oil, flax seed, fish oils, etc.) can have a very positive effect on weightloss and overall health.
3. Move your carbohydrate intake away from foods that spike a high insulin response in the body to foods that offer more quality fuel for long-lasting energy. To simplify, try to limit your intake of processed carbs like breads, pastas, refined sugar products, etc.; instead, eat more unprocessed carbs like fruits and vegetables. If it comes in a box (crackers, cereal, pasta, cookies), forget it or at least only eat it in moderation. In fact, if there's one thing you can do that will have a significant, positive, and lasting effect on your health and bodyfat percentages, it's shifting your carbohydrate intake away from processed foods and towards natural fruits and vegetables.
Compare the most popular FAT BURNERS available at www.hsfvitamins.com
Monday, October 13, 2008
Menopause Weight Gain ¨C Why You Have It And How To Lose It
Author: Susan Megge
You' re mature. You' re confident. You' re fat. Okay, maybe you' re not fat, but weight is starting to accumulate around your mid-section and no matter what you do, it' s not going away. You' ve cut your caloric intake, you' ve started doing stomach crunches, you' re parking further away from the entrance at work and you' ve even started taking walks through your neighborhood to burn some calories and lose this additional weight. Still, the pile of mush that overlaps your waistband remains. It' s ugly and it jiggles, but it loves you and it' s going nowhere. Why? These remedies worked just fine when you were younger, but they' re not quite as effective now that you' re approaching menopause.
There' s a very good reason for the stubborn weight surrounding your abdomen. As a matter of fact, this explanation is quite simple ¨C it' s your hormones. I know they' ve caused numerous problems for you from the day you started menstruating, but your hormones are not quite finished wreaking havoc just yet. You see, as you approach menopause your hormone levels have begun to decline drastically, thus causing the weight gain you' re now experiencing. Many women become complacent and accept this gain in weight as just a normal part of the aging process. While this is certainly an option, it' s not the only avenue that can ¨C or should ¨C be taken.
It' s inevitable ¨C every woman approaching menopause is going to experience symptoms associated with declining hormone levels. As a matter of fact, the decrease in your estrogen level plays a significant role in the weight gain you' re now noticing. You see, estrogen is the hormone which is responsible for causing monthly ovulation. Obviously, as you enter the menopausal years your estrogen level decreases, thus causing your body to eventually cease ovulating. Since your body is producing less estrogen it' s only natural that it will look for other places from where to get needed estrogen. It just so happens that fat cells in your body are capable of producing estrogen, therefore, your body works harder to convert calories into fat to increase estrogen levels.
Unfortunately, you' ll also experience a decrease in your level of testosterone. Why is this unfortunate? Well, testosterone is the hormone that helps your body to create lean muscle mass out of the calories you consume. As you may know, muscle burns more calories than fat cells do, which will contribute to increased metabolism. Obviously, your body burns more calories with a higher metabolic rate.
With the combination of a decrease in estrogen and testosterone levels working against you, you' re now faced with a body determined to be a walking pile of fat. Is it the end of the world? Must you accept this terrible fate bestowed upon you? Absolutely not. Now that you know what' s taking place inside your body, you' re armed and ready with the tools you need to combat these changes, right?
You' re well aware of the significant role muscle plays to burn calories, so if you want to be lean and toned you' ll need to build muscle to help your body burn calories.
You' ll benefit tremendously by committing to a regular exercise regimen, which includes weight training to lose the extra weight you' ve gained. It' s not rocket science; it' s simple common sense ¨C build muscle, burn calories and keep the weight off. By making a few simple lifestyle changes you will reduce many of the menopausal symptoms you' re experiencing and you' ll begin to feel beautiful, youthful and energized once again.
Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. She is a grandmother, who started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery of the significant role that exercise plays in making menopause a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life.
You' re mature. You' re confident. You' re fat. Okay, maybe you' re not fat, but weight is starting to accumulate around your mid-section and no matter what you do, it' s not going away. You' ve cut your caloric intake, you' ve started doing stomach crunches, you' re parking further away from the entrance at work and you' ve even started taking walks through your neighborhood to burn some calories and lose this additional weight. Still, the pile of mush that overlaps your waistband remains. It' s ugly and it jiggles, but it loves you and it' s going nowhere. Why? These remedies worked just fine when you were younger, but they' re not quite as effective now that you' re approaching menopause.
There' s a very good reason for the stubborn weight surrounding your abdomen. As a matter of fact, this explanation is quite simple ¨C it' s your hormones. I know they' ve caused numerous problems for you from the day you started menstruating, but your hormones are not quite finished wreaking havoc just yet. You see, as you approach menopause your hormone levels have begun to decline drastically, thus causing the weight gain you' re now experiencing. Many women become complacent and accept this gain in weight as just a normal part of the aging process. While this is certainly an option, it' s not the only avenue that can ¨C or should ¨C be taken.
It' s inevitable ¨C every woman approaching menopause is going to experience symptoms associated with declining hormone levels. As a matter of fact, the decrease in your estrogen level plays a significant role in the weight gain you' re now noticing. You see, estrogen is the hormone which is responsible for causing monthly ovulation. Obviously, as you enter the menopausal years your estrogen level decreases, thus causing your body to eventually cease ovulating. Since your body is producing less estrogen it' s only natural that it will look for other places from where to get needed estrogen. It just so happens that fat cells in your body are capable of producing estrogen, therefore, your body works harder to convert calories into fat to increase estrogen levels.
Unfortunately, you' ll also experience a decrease in your level of testosterone. Why is this unfortunate? Well, testosterone is the hormone that helps your body to create lean muscle mass out of the calories you consume. As you may know, muscle burns more calories than fat cells do, which will contribute to increased metabolism. Obviously, your body burns more calories with a higher metabolic rate.
With the combination of a decrease in estrogen and testosterone levels working against you, you' re now faced with a body determined to be a walking pile of fat. Is it the end of the world? Must you accept this terrible fate bestowed upon you? Absolutely not. Now that you know what' s taking place inside your body, you' re armed and ready with the tools you need to combat these changes, right?
You' re well aware of the significant role muscle plays to burn calories, so if you want to be lean and toned you' ll need to build muscle to help your body burn calories.
You' ll benefit tremendously by committing to a regular exercise regimen, which includes weight training to lose the extra weight you' ve gained. It' s not rocket science; it' s simple common sense ¨C build muscle, burn calories and keep the weight off. By making a few simple lifestyle changes you will reduce many of the menopausal symptoms you' re experiencing and you' ll begin to feel beautiful, youthful and energized once again.
Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. She is a grandmother, who started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery of the significant role that exercise plays in making menopause a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Menopause Weight Gain ¨C You Can Lost It
Author: Susan Megge
It' s probably safe to assume that the reason you found this article is because you' ve gradually, but progressively gained some unwanted weight, especially around your mid-section. This is somewhat surprising since you' ve not necessarily changed your lifestyle or eating habits. As a matter of fact, there' s a good chance you' ve even cut your caloric intake, but still the weight remains. Could this weight gain be associated with menopause? If you' re a woman in your thirties of forties, the answer is ¡°yes ¨C most definitely." Weight gain, as you approach menopause, is quite common and often one of the first symptoms of menopause that women notice. This is true even if you' re still experiencing regular periods.
You see, as you approach menopause your body' s hormone levels are declining, thus causing many changes to occur. As your estrogen levels decline, your body will naturally look for other places from where to get the needed estrogen. Unfortunately, fat cells are capable of producing estrogen, which results in your body working harder to convert calories to fat.
In addition to the declining levels of estrogen, your body' s testosterone levels are also declining. As you may know, testosterone is the hormone that converts your calories to lean muscle mass. Obviously, with lower testosterone levels you' re now losing muscle mass. Since muscle burns far more calories than does fat, your body is no longer capable of burning calories the way it used to.
As you can see, your declining hormone levels are the main culprit behind all of the weight gain you' re now noticing. Don' t think for one minute that you need to accept or welcome this unwanted enemy because you can easily lose this menopausal weight gain. I recently published some inspirational quotes on my website to assist women in their everyday lives. One of my favorites comes to mind when I think about what makes so many women complacent when they' re faced with symptoms of menopause and weight gain. Jim Rohn once said ¡°Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." If your goal is to lose the weight you' ve gained, the only thing that can possibly stop you from accomplishing this goal is a lack of discipline.
If you' re willing to put your discipline into high gear you will undoubtedly lose the weight you' ve gained due to declining hormone levels associated with menopause. It' s important that you understand what' s taking place inside your body so that you' re well aware that simply cutting calories will not significantly reduce or eliminate the weight around your mid-section. You must build muscle to turn your body into a calorie-burning machine. You needn' t be extreme, but an exercise routine that includes weight training at least three days a week will give you results that will astonish you.
Remember, ¡°Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." Don' t be complacent. You're headed in the right direction because you researched the Internet seeking information regarding weight gain during menopause. Consider this the first step in your walk across the bridge to accomplishment.
Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. She is a grandmother, who started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery of the significant role that exercise plays in making menopause a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life.
It' s probably safe to assume that the reason you found this article is because you' ve gradually, but progressively gained some unwanted weight, especially around your mid-section. This is somewhat surprising since you' ve not necessarily changed your lifestyle or eating habits. As a matter of fact, there' s a good chance you' ve even cut your caloric intake, but still the weight remains. Could this weight gain be associated with menopause? If you' re a woman in your thirties of forties, the answer is ¡°yes ¨C most definitely." Weight gain, as you approach menopause, is quite common and often one of the first symptoms of menopause that women notice. This is true even if you' re still experiencing regular periods.
You see, as you approach menopause your body' s hormone levels are declining, thus causing many changes to occur. As your estrogen levels decline, your body will naturally look for other places from where to get the needed estrogen. Unfortunately, fat cells are capable of producing estrogen, which results in your body working harder to convert calories to fat.
In addition to the declining levels of estrogen, your body' s testosterone levels are also declining. As you may know, testosterone is the hormone that converts your calories to lean muscle mass. Obviously, with lower testosterone levels you' re now losing muscle mass. Since muscle burns far more calories than does fat, your body is no longer capable of burning calories the way it used to.
As you can see, your declining hormone levels are the main culprit behind all of the weight gain you' re now noticing. Don' t think for one minute that you need to accept or welcome this unwanted enemy because you can easily lose this menopausal weight gain. I recently published some inspirational quotes on my website to assist women in their everyday lives. One of my favorites comes to mind when I think about what makes so many women complacent when they' re faced with symptoms of menopause and weight gain. Jim Rohn once said ¡°Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." If your goal is to lose the weight you' ve gained, the only thing that can possibly stop you from accomplishing this goal is a lack of discipline.
If you' re willing to put your discipline into high gear you will undoubtedly lose the weight you' ve gained due to declining hormone levels associated with menopause. It' s important that you understand what' s taking place inside your body so that you' re well aware that simply cutting calories will not significantly reduce or eliminate the weight around your mid-section. You must build muscle to turn your body into a calorie-burning machine. You needn' t be extreme, but an exercise routine that includes weight training at least three days a week will give you results that will astonish you.
Remember, ¡°Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." Don' t be complacent. You're headed in the right direction because you researched the Internet seeking information regarding weight gain during menopause. Consider this the first step in your walk across the bridge to accomplishment.
Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. She is a grandmother, who started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery of the significant role that exercise plays in making menopause a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life.
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