10 Easy to follow Tips to help YOU Lose Weight

Dieting is not easy. If it were, we would probably all be thin. Since we are not, here are some tips that successful people use to lose weight so that others can benefit, too.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 1: DRINK 8-10 GLASSES OF WATER EACH DAY

Okay, for many people this is a big problem. Water doesn't taste all that great generally because water doesn't really "taste" like anything. Drinking water 8 to 10 times each day gets easier the more you actually do it. It is simply a matter of conditioning your taste buds, and yourself, so that it becomes easier to do. Once you get started, you will begin to crave water.

To begin with, you should drink a glass of water in the morning first thing, before you eat. This is probably the easiest glass you will drink all day and it will help you remember to drink water all day long. Better yet, why not drink two glasses?

If you really cannot bear the taste of water, try using a water purifying pitcher or filter. You can also add a few drops of lemon or lime to your water - but no sugar or sweetener! Ice also helps.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 2: EAT BREAKFAST

Do not skip breakfast. If you need to go to bed a little earlier so that you can get up 20 minutes earlier each morning - do it! Breakfast is so important to your good health and to weight control. According to Dr. Barbara Rolls a professor of nutrition at Penn State University, "Your metabolism slows while you sleep, and it doesn't rev back up until you eat again."

Eating breakfast is not only good for overall weight loss, it will help you stay on track with your diet the rest of the day. You are more likely to binge on something sweet and in the "bread" group if you skip breakfast.

You can always keep a couple of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge or some high-fiber, low starch fruit around. If you plan to eat fruit at all during the day, breakfast is the perfect time to do it.
 

SUCCESS TIP NO. 3: EAT AT LEAST 3 MEALS AND 2 SNACKS EACH DAY

This can be one of the hardest adjustments to make. After all, you are busy! You already have a "full-plate". When do you have time to worry about filling your plate with more frequent meals?

Just like eating breakfast will increase your metabolism, so will eating more often. This will also help you curb your bad-carb intake by making sure that your snacks are planned and occur regularly throughout the day.

Really, it will just take a minimal investment of planning time at the grocery store and at home each morning before you head out for the day to make some healthy food choices and prepare a few healthy snacks and meals. For suggestions, just see the handy list of snacks and appetizers listed later.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 4: AVOID WHITE FOODS

This is one easy way to remember what not to eat. If it is made from sugar, flour, potatoes, rice or corn - just say no. Remembering this rule of thumb will make it easier to recognize those rice cakes as an unhealthy high-carb snack.

Always look for colorful fruits and veggies to substitute for the white ones. Buy broccoli, lettuce, bell peppers, green beans and peas, brown rice in moderation, leafy greens like kale and spinach, apples, melons, oranges and grapes.

These foods are not only colorful they are also high in fiber, nutrients and important antioxidants. Eating colorful fruits and vegetables will give your diet variety as well as give you added health benefits.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 5: EAT YOUR VEGGIES

It is so easy to use a low-carb diet as an excuse for poor nutrition. Resist this temptation. If the only vegetable you have eaten in the last 5 years has been the potato, now is a good time to begin experimenting with other vegetables. This is important for your overall health and to avoid some nasty side effects of not getting enough fiber in your diet.

If you try hard enough, you will find vegetables that you enjoy eating. Experiment with grilling veggies and cooking with real butter to add flavor. You can also search for new recipes on the Internet or in cookbooks.

Remember, if you are only eating 40 grams of carb a day or less, two cups of plain salad greens contain only about 5 grams of carbohydrate. You have no excuse not to eat your veggies.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 6: PREPARE YOUR OWN FOOD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

While more and more restaurants are offering low-carb friendly menu items, many of them are still not ideal low-carb fare. There are many recipes for quick and easy meals that you can prepare yourself at home. Try to do this as often as possible.

If you cook your own foods, you know exactly what the contents are and you will be able to better control for hidden sugar and otherwise processed foods.

Another benefit is the cost savings over the long run. Even if you must go to the grocery store more often, you will save a significant amount per meal as opposed to eating at restaurants and fast food establishments.

It will also be easier to maintain your diet with your own favorite fresh food selections on hand.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 7: INVEST IN A GOOD SET OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS

Having food storage containers of various sizes on hand will make it so much easier for you to plan your meals and snacks. When you buy nuts, fruits and vegetables in bulk you can simply prepare, separate and store them for easy use later.

For instance, you can pre-slice your apples and snack on them over several days. Simply cut them, rinse them in pineapple or lemon juice and store. This will make a quick and easy snack for later.

Fix your lunch and take it with you to work. Better yet, fix your lunch and 2 snacks for work.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 8: EAT SOME PROTIEN AT EACH MEAL & AS A SNACK

In addition to everything that's been discussed before, eating protein helps you burn more calories. Jeff Hample, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association says that, "Protein is made up mainly of amino acids, which are harder for your body to breakdown, so you burn more calories getting rid of them."

Just think - eating a protein rich snack can help you lose weight. How about a few slices of turkey or ham or some string cheese?

Eating protein will also help you feel full so that you are less likely to crave unhealthy snacks.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 9: DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AFTER EACH SNACK

This will help you get in your 8 to 10 glasses of water each day but it can also have other benefits. Ever feel hungry after eating a handful or standard serving of nuts? Try drinking water afterwards. The water will help you feel full and prevent overindulgence.

Drinking water after a snack will also help remove the aftertaste from your mouth and can help curb your desire for more.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 10: EAT SLOWLY & ENJOY YOUR FOOD

You will feel full and more satisfied if you take the time to savor your food and chew it slower. Don't get in the habit of eating while standing or eating quickly. Sit down and chew.

Eating slower will help you enjoy your food more, pay attention to what it is you are actually eating and get a better sense of when you are actually full.

Author - Steve Li

Also Check Ayurvedic Weight Loss Herbs in Weight Reduction Kit

 

Top 5 Herbal Teas for Psoriasis

Herbal teas can work wonders for psoriasis sufferers and provide a great alternative for those looking for more natural remedies. These special brews may not cure psoriasis but they will certainly bring some relief. Below is a list of herbal teas reputed for helping psoriasis.

Ginseng Tea

A 7000 year old medicinal brew - with age comes wisdom! Made from the root of the Ginseng plant, this ancient remedy has been concocted especially for its healing properties. Containing plenty of healthy ginsenosides and antioxidants, Ginseng Tea has also been found to help psoriasis. There are several types of Ginseng teas - Siberian, American, Chinese and Korean - try them all to find a favourite! One word of warning though - it is not recommended for those with high blood pressure or children.

Slippery Elm Tea

It tastes as good as it sounds (not good, that is) but has been found to be good for psoriasis. Also termed the 'Medical Tree,' Native Americans recognized Slippery Elm's special healing properties, using the mucilage of the inner bark in many of their skin ointments. In 2004 'Alternative Medicine Review,' reported on a study where participants found that their skin improved after drinking this slippery tea! Why not have a go too.

Alfalfa Tea
Packed with plenty of vitamins, minerals and protein; how can Alfalfa Tea not be good for your psoriasis? A little Alfalfa plant contains over 300 nutrients! It was traditionally used as animal feed for livestock (the cows must have been damn healthy!), but now more and more people are discovering its benefits for humans too! It has been found to purify the blood, which is why it is so great for the skin.

Milk Thistle Tea

Another ancient remedial brew for treating your psoriasis! For about 2000 years, Milk Thistle has been turned to for its therapeutic properties. Not only does it help detoxify the liver, which in turn helps to keep the skin healthy, but it helps to reduce inflammation - meaning that it can help reduce the angry redness of those psoriasis patches.

Ginger Tea

Ginger is best known for its culinary role in the kitchen but many don't realize just how special this fibrous spice is. Ginger possesses amazing anti-inflammatory powers and is wholeheartedly recommended to psoriasis sufferers. Don't just add it to your cooking; add it to your tea! If you find it too strong then add a squeeze of lemon or a teaspoon of honey. -Author :Paul Plucker

Also Read 16 Indian ayurvedic Home remedies for Psoriasis  and
Prepare Psoriasis Scrub at Home

Weight Loss Promoting Foods

Some foods help burn fat and hence promote weight loss. However as with anything else moderation is the key. For example cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar consumed in excess can damage the upper gastrointestinal tract and the stomach lining. Virgin coconut oil is a saturated fat and there is some controversy surrounding its benefits. However the latest research confirmed the benefits of this oil.

Cayenne pepper can help speed up the weight loss process especially when used in conjunction with healthy diet. It stimulates digestion and increases the metabolism. If you like spicy food, sprinkle it on your soups and salads. Do not overuse so you will not develop gastro-intestinal problems.

Apple cider vinegar was used for weight loss purpose for thousands of years. As it was demonstrated by a research, ACV added to food can help you to feel fuller. For the weight loss purposes add it to your salads or drink it mixed with water before the meals -add 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to a glass of water for this purpose.

Virgin coconut oil can increase the body's metabolism and help burn fat. It can satisfy hunger and at the same time provides fewer calories than other fats do. Coconut oil has a different structure and is digested differently. As anything else, consume in moderation.

Cinnamon helps to regulate the blood sugar and this is the property that is beneficial for weight loss. Sprinkle cinnamon on your morning coffee, shakes or smoothies. Drink a cinnamon tea with a pinch of stevia to taste. If you bake at home, add cinnamon to cookies and cakes. This will help reduce the detrimental effect of sugar on the body.

Treat these foods as weight loss aids and not "miracle" weight loss products. Used in addition to healthy diet and exercise they can help lose weight.

Successful Weight Loss Tips

For most people, losing weight seemed like more of image conscious than healthy living for them. Anorexia (loss of appetite and inability to eat) is the most common problem people ended up with by skipping meals or eating too little, which are obviously unhealthy and not worthwhile.

In a recent news, teens as young as the age of 8 are already suffering from anorexia due to wrong influence. It's partly due to their ignorance or innocence, whom think weight loss can be achieved as long as you eat lesser.

Well, I am not here to report news or rub salt onto their wounds, but to increase awareness of why some diets are unsuccessful (and may even cost your health) in the long run because they fail to address the multi-faceted nature of what successful, permanent weight loss entails. Below are some tips which you may consider to lose weight and stay healthy at the same time:

1. Exercise is essential for weight loss

Well, this is nothing new, but exercise is still the most important catalyst of whether you will succeed at long term weight loss and weight loss maintenance, that's why I put it the first point. When exercises are concerned, adopt interval training, instead of cardio training. Interval training refers to the form of exercise that involves repetition of high intensity movements followed by periods of low to moderate activity. It can be applied to many different types of workouts, whether is it outdoor or indoor.

Interval training increases your cardiovascular fitness and gives you an after-burn effect which boost your metabolism for several hours after you complete the workout, so you can burn calories all day long. The best thing is, you only need to schedule 17-20 minutes for this training.

2. Focus on being healthy, not being thin

Yes, weight loss is still the ultimate goal. For your information, a lot of people become more successful at long term weight loss when their motivation changes from being thin to being healthy. Nevermind if you did not lose a single pound in the first few weeks, select foods that will help your body's health rather than worrying about foods that will affect your body's weight. It may be due to following the wrong diet plan. Check out the link to calorie shift diet below, where you'll get to enjoy the foods you like and don't need to starve, selective eating or cut calories to lose weight. It sounds too good to be true...

3. Eat slowly can lead to weight loss

You may notice that most thin people take a slower time to finish their food. Yes, eating slowly is one of the methods that can help lose pounds. The brain takes around 20 minutes before it signals the feeling of fullness. Fast eaters usually take the time below that. Hence, before you start to feel full, the amount of calories you take in within this time is quite significant.

4. Have enough sleep

Sleep loss equal weight gain". This is the conclusion that was made by researchers. People who are sleep-deprived tend to be overweight. This is due to stimulation of hunger hormone and decrease the level of hormone which makes you full. Even if you endure the hunger, the hormones will use muscles as substitution to replenish themselves. This will lead to muscle loss. Hence, you need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night for your body to run smoothly. Having enough sleep helps to achieve your weight loss target by preventing those fats from coming back.

Understanding the correct weight loss methods will help you to win half of the battle. But, knowledge without application is useless. Apply what you have learned into your weight loss endeavor and remember that it takes motivation and efforts to lose weight fast. To your slimming success!

Author Ron Lin,


Also read : Ayurvedic weight loss tips for a busy schedule

Spreading Genital Herpes

Herpes is a virus that once you have an outbreak it stays in your body whether you have any other outbreaks again. There are two types of herpes simplex HSV-1 and HSV-2 and either of them can cause genial herpes.

HSV-1 is mostly associated with those nasty cold sores and HSV-2 is associated with genital herpes. More women are affected by genital herpes than men. Some people don't even know they have it as they have no symptoms or very mild symptoms but herpes can still be transmitted to a partner.

Genital herpes usually appears as blisters, sores, or mild rashes on the thighs, back of fingers, groin area or genitals. There is no known cure for HSV-1 or HSV-2 but there are daily treatments that can help decrease chances of an outbreak and spreading genital herpes to your partner. This condition is not something to be ashamed of as it can happen to anyone but does need to be understood and treated.

Signs, Symptoms and Common Location of Genital Herpes:

    Before actual outbreak itching, tingling or aching may occur.
    Outbreaks can appear as recurring tiny blisters, painful ulcers, cracks in the skin, chaffing in the genital area, rash in the genital area or redness in the genital area.
    Outbreaks can show up anywhere on the genitals, thighs, groin area, behind knees, backs of fingers, low back, buttocks or even the anus.

Your body uses the first outbreak to develop an immunity to further outbreaks and can appear as the flu and may produce aches, pains, stuffy nose and other flu-like symptoms along with a minor genital outbreak or painful genital ulcers generally lasting no longer than 10 days. These outbreaks can range from very mild to severe and may or may not recur later.

Genital herpes can be transmitted through any sexual act with an infected person where there is any direct skin contact whether there is an outbreak or not. The risk of getting genital herpes is much higher if you perform unprotected sex. The use of condoms and abstaining when you are about to have an outbreak are ways to prevent transferring it to your partner.

You can spread genital herpes anytime but when there is an outbreak or just about to be an outbreak the chances are higher. Daily antiviral therapy has been shown to help keep from passing the virus to your partner. Even though these preventative methods can reduce the spreading of it there is still some risk involved in spreading genital herpes to your partner.

By Kari Banks
Read  Genital Herpes - Transmission and Outbreak

Herbal Remedies For Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is most common among obese and older people. This chronic metabolic disorder prevents the body from using glucose either partially and/or completely. Most often, it is characterized by elevated glucose concentration in the blood. Since the pancreas produces insulin and controls the amount of glucose in the blood, without the necessary insulin, blood sugar increases in the blood because the body simply cannot use or store the glucose.

Several home remedies for Diabetes Mellitus have proven beneficial in controlling diabetes. The most common used is bitter gourd. Bitter gourd contains a hypoglycemic or insulin like compound which has been very valuable in lowering both urine and blood sugar levels.

Indian Gooseberry has been an all natural remedy for treating diabetes mellitus and is high in vitamin C. Just a tablespoon of this juice, mixed in with a cup of bitter gourd juice, as described above, taken daily for about two months will reduce blood sugar levels.

Jambul Fruit is a black berry and another excellent source of home remedies and/or herbal remedy treatments for diabetes mellitus. The Jambul Fruit has a specific effect on the pancreas which regulates the amount of insulin being produced and has the capabilities of turning starch into sugar when an increase production of glucose is found. One teaspoon of powder should be mixed with one cup of milk and taken twice daily.

Grapefruit. If it were eaten more frequently, some believe, the diagnosis of diabetes would be less. Grapefruit eaten three times a day has been known to regulate and treat diabetes mellitus naturally.

Mango Leaves. Leaves of the mango tree are considered an effective treatment in diabetes. By soaking 15 grams of leaves in 250 ml of water overnight, squeezing them in the morning and consuming, this method has been known to control early diabetes.

Other foods like string beans, onions, garlic and cucumbers are valuable foods and treatments when trying to control diabetes mellitus naturally.

By not missing meals, consuming a well-rounded diabetic diet and daily exercise are also great ways to naturally treat diabetes mellitus. You can naturally treat your diabetes with any of the preferred methods listed above and staying active. At each meal be sure to consume some sources of protein but do not over indulge in high protein foods as it can lead to renal problems. Be sure to watch your fat intake as many foods have some invisible amounts of fasts. Avoid these invisible fats by eliminating egg yolk, whole milk and red meats. Rather, eat egg whites, drink skim milk and skin-less chicken. When using butters, limit the quantity of the spread, as these also contain damaging invisible fats.

As with any new regimen always consult your physician prior to starting anything new, discuss any medications you are taking and any possible drug interactions. This article is not meant to cure and/or diagnose disease. It is simply to give you the knowledge of natural home remedies for diabetes mellitus so you can make an informed decision.

Also read  -  Ayurvedic Diet, Foods And Spices for Diabetes

 

By Charles Mallard