21 Oct

Women, you can stop the middle age spread

Posted by: HealthyGirl  /  Category: Weight Loss
Women beginning to start menopause often hear about the middle age spread. Around this time in a woman’s life, her body goes through a lot of hormonal changes. These changes usually began to take place during a woman’s early to mid-forties. When menopause starts, the metabolism begins to slow, and people put on pounds. Thus begins the dreaded middle age spread.

The most obvious affect the middle age spread has on women is the signs of an increasing bulge surrounding their stomach and waistline areas. Though this is often uncomfortable and unattractive, this should be the last thing a woman should be worried about. The middle age spread is associated with a plethora of other risks. Because the weight gain is in such close proximity to so many vital organs, it leaves many vulnerable to many health issues. These risks include heart disease and diabetes, but can be avoided if the proper steps are taken to avoid the middle age spread to begin with.

The two best ways to combat the middle age spread is, not surprisingly, through a healthy and light to moderate exercise. The biggest thing to keep in mind as menopause starts is that women will burn anywhere between one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty calories less per day. Cutting out those extra few hundred calories per day will go a long way and help to make sure your body is able burn all the calories you consume on a daily basis.

The next best thing to consider when maintaining a healthy diet to avoid the middle age spread is portion control. Most restaurant meals portions are considerably over the FDA’s recommended sizes. This makes it seem difficult when ordering out as even the healthiest meal can contain double or even triple the recommended portion size.

Many women beginning menopause will also start with a calcium supplement on a daily basis. This not only helps to prevent osteoporosis, but has also been shown to help minimize the weight gain associated with the middle age spread.

Of course with the middle age spread and all diets the biggest key is to eat smart. There are many ways to avoid foods that will cause biggest weight gains. Cutting out all white, processed foods and breads a great way to start. Switch white bread for whole wheat, high fiber breads. Try to prepare foods naturally instead of frying or sautéing, which adds calories. Eating fruits and vegetables, particularly those high and switching the dairy in a diet to low-fat and fat-free versions will really help. Often times the little changes made to a diet will have a more permanent effect and better results than a crash diet.

This article was written by Marc Hill. As always, I am looking for the whole mind/ body approach when it comes to solving life’s problems. My review of weight loss programs can be found at: ksnreview.com

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19 Oct

Kick Start Your Metabolism

Posted by: HealthyGirl  /  Category: Weight Loss

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By Jim Nettleton

You probably heard it many times. “I could lose weight if only my metabolism were faster.” Well, it’s true that a high level of metabolism enables your body to burn fat and lose weight faster. So what can we do to kick our metabolism up a notch?

First of all, your metabolism slows due to several factors:

1- Loss of muscle resulting from not enough physical activity

2- The body actually cannibalizes its tissue because too little food energy being consumed

3- Decrease of physical activity that sets in as we age

So let’s develop a plan to get that metabolism back to a positive level:

1 – First and foremost, eat breakfast. It is absolutely true that it is the most important meal of the day. Research shows that people who eat breakfast are generally thinner than those who don’t. Waiting to eat until midday results in metabolism slowing down.

2 – The amount of muscle mass you possess plays a hand in your body’s ability to lose fat, therefore, exercise is a must. Weight training is excellent and should be done at least three times a week. You should be increasing the extent of your workouts steadily.

3 – Here’s one you may not have thought of; spicy foods. Yep, they can increase your metabolism. I happen to love spicy foods, so that one is right up my alley.

4 – This is a no-brainer. Stay away from sugar. Sugar is a big time enemy. It actually enables the body to store fat.

5 – Get more rest. Try to aim for 7 to 8 hours a night.

6 – Plan to make smaller meals. Take a tip from your cat. He or she never gorges. They eat small portions throughout the day. It’s the way we should eat, too.

7 – Drink more water. Water acts as a ‘natural flusher’ by carrying away toxins produced when your body burns fat. Lack of water slows the body’s functions.

8 – Eat regularly. Many skip meals thinking that it will help lose weight, but what it really does is slow down metabolism.

9 – This may be easier said than done in today’s world, but reduce stress. It can release a steroid in your system called cortisol, and that decreases metabolism. Another point is that people who are stressed tend to overeat.

10 – Get fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains into your diet. They’re great energy foods.

Stabilizing your metabolism will go a long way toward letting you reach your ideal body weight. Eat right, get enough rest and exercise and you’re on your way to a healthy metabolism and a healthy body.

About the author:

Jim Nettleton is a radio & TV professional with over 40 years of major market experience. His wide range of interests include nutrition and working with natural health clinics for many years. He recommends the diet program Fat Loss 4 Idiots – click this link http://tinyurl.com/yog3jr Check his comprehensive diet site at:

http://www.jaynetinc.com/LoseWeight

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