How to Find and Select the Best Weight Loss Books / Diet Books

Posted on 29th December 2010 in Weight Loss

Every year new diet books or weight loss books are written. But how do you know which one is right for you? How do you choose the one that will help you meet your weight-loss goals? Before selecting a diet book or even creating a plan, first determine what your weight loss goals are. Some individuals may only be interested in losing a few pounds for a couple of months, while others may need to adjust their lifestyle to reach a healthy weight for the long term. One way to establish your weight loss goals, is to work with your doctor or other health care professional to help you establish realistic goals based on your individual needs. While keeping up to date on all of the latest information is valuable, try to avoid market hype and self proclaimed gurus. Base your decisions on sound established scientific information to avoid fads.

In general, people tend to approach diets in a number of different ways including:

Those willing to try the latest fad or gimmick being touted in the media Those not willing to give up their favorite food(s) entirely or only eat them occasionally Those who have the discipline to follow an established eating plan Those who have the drive to maintain an appropriate exercise routine Those who are in need of a diet change for the purposes of disease management like diabetes

Deciding which diet book is appropriate for you may at first seem like a daunting task. Begin by selecting a book that focuses on what your predetermined and established goals are. No weight loss book or diet book is perfect but a few popular options might include:

For those interested in some rules for eating more wisely:

Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan

For those interested in a cookbook that explains the nutritional value of the foods:

Now Eat This!: 150 of America’s Favorite Comfort Foods, All Under 350 Calories by Rocco DiSpirito

For individuals with diabetes looking to improve their quality of life through diet:

Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes without Drugs by Dr. Neal Barnard

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Treadmill Desks for Weight Loss

Posted on 28th December 2010 in Weight Loss

Do you sit for a living? If so, your job could be making you fat! Most people think simply spending 30 minutes in the gym three or four times per week is enough to reduce body fat, lose weight, and promote health. Unfortunately, 30 minutes at the gym is not always enough to counterbalance nearly 23.5 hours per day of sedentary activity.

The Secret to Long Term Health and Weight Loss is Activity Not Diets

The bad news? More and more people are stuck sitting all day. The average person spends up to two hours per day commuting to and from work, eight hours sitting at a desk, and then an additional three hours watching TV. That’s a lot of sitting! Its no wonder that a 30 minute workout and a moderate diet is not enough to maintain weight let alone promote weight loss.

But What If You Could Turn Your Workstation into a WalkStation?

Walkstaions, or treadmill desks (as they are also known) are simply treadmills with an adjustable height desk that can accommodate a computer or laptop, phone, etc. Treadmill desks allow one to work and type normally while slowly walking one to two miles per hour (burning approximately 100 calories per hour) instead of sitting in a chair and burning very few calories (as few as 15 calories per hour.) An entire eight hour work day spent at a treadmill desk can result in 800 calories burned. A week at a treadmill desk can burn 4000 calories. For most people, if their diet remains the same, this will result in a loss of close to one pound per week – all while working at one’s desk and without ever stepping a foot in the gym.

Getting Started

Treadmill desks can be purchased commercially or made by combining the treadmill of one’s choice with a freestanding or attached work desk. If you are purchasing a treadmill for the first time, it is recommended that you spend some time reading reviews of the most popular brands. Online stores frequently offer user reviews of the products they carry. This can offer useful insight into how well the treadmill works over the long term. Running magazines also frequently publish detailed treadmill reviews.

Buying a Treadmill

When looking to purchase a treadmill for a walking desk look for a model that is as quiet (noisy motors are not ideal for shared workspaces), stable, and durable as your budget allows. Always test to make sure that your treadmill does not shake excessively as you walk, otherwise this could make working very difficult. Since you will be using your treadmill nearly all day long, five days or more per week, be prepared for breakdowns. Most treadmills experience problems with key components like the motor even in the first year. Be sure to buy a model where the motor is under warranty, otherwise repairs could become very expensive very quickly.Lastly, look for a model with straight handles – this makes adding a simple desk much easier.

Adding a Desk to a Treadmill

Many people choose to make their own treadmill desk top. This can be done by installing a wall mounted shelf that the treadmill is then placed in front of, lying a wide board across the handles, or mounting a flat desk above the handles of the treadmill. If one is not reasonably handy with tools or constructions, buying a commercial treadmill desk may be the best option. Commercial desks are usually the best option for anyone needing a prebuilt solution, professional design, larger desk space, adjustable height, and greater weight bearing capabilities. These days a variety of options are available at all price points.

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Rapid Weight Loss

Posted on 27th December 2010 in Weight Loss



There are plenty of magazine articles around that consistently display images of lithe bodies, offering quick fixes that will help us shed a couple of pounds, but why is it never that easy even though we eat less and exercise more, the pounds still do not seem to come off.

Contrary to what many people believe an obese person is not necessarily one who over eats, in fact in many cases the reverse is true. To try to understand why this should be, it is important to look at how the body works. If you imagine that the energy intake for a person who is overweight, is around 2500 calories a day and if you lower that energy (food) input to 2000 calories per day, you are giving the body a deficit of 500 calories a day. The body once accustomed to receiving around 2500 calories then goes on the hunt for more, usually squeezing out the additional calories from the fat reserves it is holding and consequently some weight is lost, exactly how much depends on the metabolism of the individual person. However what is happening on these kind of restrictive diets, is that it soon becomes apparent, that the body stops losing weight, even though it is subject to lower calories. Biologically, the body gradually adjusts its metabolism, to ensure that energy coming in, balances the amount of energy that is going out, basically it adjusts its expectations to a daily intake of 2000 calories, thus the body loses no more weight. The continued use of this type of diet is fruitless, because the body will then start to regain weight. Literally the longer a person starves them self, the fatter they can become, because when the body is threatened with starvation, its natural instinct, is to reduce its energy output, so if you again reduce your calories to 1700, then the body will start to put some calories (around 300) aside as reserves.

Not only does your body find it difficult to lose weight on this type of diet, but the continued restriction of calories, can be very dangerous, depriving the body of essential nutrients it requires, which can have a significant impact on your health in the long term.

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Best Weight Loss Supplements

Posted on 27th December 2010 in Weight Loss

Weight loss supplements come in many forms including powders, tablets, capsules, liquids, and soft gels. These supplements need to worry about side effects. So I would recommend you start out weight loss supplements in naturally. This Natural process of losing weight is a healthy way. It does not involve the use of drugs. This process contains combination of healthy eating habits, regular exercise and a strong commitment.

The best weight loss supplements actually balance the required nutrients in the body. For losing weight you need have lot of fruit and vegetables in your diet. These supplements give you lots of vitamins and minerals which help in natural weight loss. If you eat the proper diet and exercise regularly, you will lose weight. However, you will lose weight much more rapidly if you take weight loss supplements.

A nutritious diet, taken at the proper meal times, is the very important point in natural weight loss techniques. A smart food substitute like this can do wonders for your weight loss and overall health. Anytime in your daily eating routine that you would usually eat pasta or fries or some other large carbohydrates, try eating baked or boiled potatoes instead. Heartily filling, such foods contain a whole lot less calories than most of the ‘junk food’ alternatives.

Aerobics is very helpful to burn your fat at a high rate by speeding up your metabolism, And this way gives you a tremendous boost in energy level as well as helps you lose weight, A regular workout is essential for permanent weight loss.

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Budget Tips For Eating Healthy After Weight Loss Surgery

Posted on 25th December 2010 in Weight Loss



After gastric bypass, gastric banding or gastric sleeve weight loss surgery we know we must follow a healthy high protein diet in order to lose weight and maintain weight loss. In these difficult economic times it is natural to be concerned about the cost of a specialized diet. Follow these helpful tips to sustain your weight loss surgery diet without breaking the bank. By making a special effort when planning, shopping and preparing meals it is painless to save money and follow a nutritional program to benefit our health today and in the future.

Make a weekly menu of dinner meals. Focus on protein dishes that can be repurposed as lunches. Side dishes should be fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits or frozen vegetables requiring minimal preparation. Plan two or three “routine” breakfast selections. Most WLS patients have a lower tolerance for food upon waking and eventually find a few things that consistently settle well on their stomach pouch first thing in the morning. Have these routine selections on hand at all times to avoid starting the day off with a grumpy pouch. Follow the weekly grocery sale adds and take advantage of specials and coupons. Use grocery store loyalty cards for added savings. Avoid sales for processed simple carbohydrates (junk food) because these foods are referred to as “slider foods” and they often cause weight gain in WLS patients. Remember, a slider food on sale is still a slider food. Purchase items that can be used in multiple recipes and for different meals such as canned beans, eggs and flash frozen poultry and fish pieces. Stock up on sale items and repackage bulk purchases for single meals or single serving sizes and freeze to avoid waste. When shopping, follow the “Protein First” rule and make protein selections first. Look for fresh lean meat, pork and lamb in the meat department. Add poultry and fish from the meat department or frozen meat section. Shop for low-fat dairy protein and select low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt as well as eggs. Add vegetable based protein to your diet with canned beans, dried beans and legumes, and tofu products. Take advantage of locally grown produce available seasonally at roadside stands and farmers markets. For an exercise bonus gather your produce at “pick-your-own” farms and orchards to save money and burn calories. Eliminate pricey beverages from your diet in favor of filtered tap water. It is less expensive and better for the environment. Flavor water with a squeeze of fresh lemon or fresh ginger. Add frozen berries for a refreshing treat. Make sun tea with tea bags instead of buying manufactured tea beverages. You will get a purer beverage and save money too. Prepare your meals at home rather than eating out. You can control the ingredients and avoid things that interfere with your healthy dietary goals following weight loss surgery. Build on your experience each week to become a health savvy and budget wise shopper so that you can enjoy your healthy life following surgical weight loss.

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