The Youth Fountain Blog – Health, Beauty, Wellness, Weight Loss, Weight Gain, Anti Aging
21Nov/090

The Essential Healthy Weight Loss Tips for All Dieters

Every weight loss program has its minor differences here and there so it is easy for people to find one that works the best for them. But with all of these different programs, there are some principles that should be present as the foundation for all of these weight loss programs, especially since the majority, if not all, of the weight loss programs available keep advertising that you can lose weight super quick.
My personal belief is based in natural health so I believe that any changes you make, weight loss or anything else, should be done safely, no matter how fast or slow you go about it. So here are the core fast weight loss principles that I believe every weight loss program out there should believe:
Fast Weight Loss Principle #1: Goals are extremely important. Without goals, you will not know where you're going with your weight loss program. Take the time to plan out on paper (or at least jot down a general idea) the goals you have for losing weight: number of pounds you want to lose, number of inches you want to shed, number of months you feel you can achieve it in.
By doing this and looking at your goals everyday, you will be able to focus so well on your end goal, that your weight loss program will speed by with fantastic results. During any down moments, by focusing daily on your weight loss goal, you will be able to motivate yourself into success!
Fast Weight Loss Principle #2: Monitor your progress. Keep a weight loss journal (or call it what you want) with you everyday. Don't think of it as a tedious task but instead, focus on the improvements you will be able to see yourself making. Think of it as you are currently writing your weight loss success story that you can look back on and say, "Yes, I did it!"
The things you will want to monitor are the types of foods you eat as well as a rough estimate of the daily calorie intake, which is important for weight loss but not in a "You need to count calories" idea. By making yourself familiar with your daily calorie intake as well as the types of foods you eat, weight loss will become easier as you go on because you will learn what you need to do to lose weight (the specifics can change day by day).
Fast Weight Loss Principle #3: Picture your progress. It may seem silly but simple things like taking note of how your pants fit on day 1 versus day 20 or even taking a picture of yourself at regular intervals can really do wonders to motivate you and keep you going with your weight loss.
If you opt for the picture idea, your weight loss will be very clear to you in those pictures each week or month (go with week instead). So to keep yourself going, ham it up for the camera!
Fast Weight Loss Principle #4: Bottom line, cardio plus strength training are key. Beyond that, just find exercises in both cardio and strength training that fit your liking. If you're not much for running, then go for swimming or bicycling.
For strength training, it is best to consult a personal trainer to find out the best exercises as well as a variety of exercises for you to use to achieve your weight loss and sculpting goals. With both cardio and strength training, it is important to consult your physician before beginning the physical portion of your weight loss program.
Fast Weight Loss Principle #5: Eat right. Yes, you've probably heard that phrase everywhere and there's a reason why it's absolutely essential that you make sure you eat right.
Now, each weight loss program will tell you certain things to avoid and certain things to "highlight" but make sure that the weight loss program you choose definitely includes plenty of meats and vegetables. (I can't imagine that any program would advise you against eating meat and vegetables but you never know.)
The quantities and types of each will, as I said, differ depending on the specific weight loss program you choose but make sure the one you choose does include those two food groups.
As there are many people with different likings, there are also very different weight loss programs that will fit each person's individual preferences. But it's wise to make sure that the weight loss program you choose has a balanced foundation with principles that will really help you lose weight quickly and safely.

10Nov/090

Successful Weight Loss Tips And Program

 

It's nothing new, but exercise is probably the most important predictor of whether you will succeed at long term weight loss and weight loss maintenance. In order for exercise to be helpful in weight loss, you should strive for a minimum of five 30 minute sessions per week. The good news is that recent research has shown that three 10 minute sessions in a day are as good as one 30 minute session. This helps many in combating the old "no time for exercise" excuse. Be certain to find something you enjoy. You'll be more apt to stick with it. Try walking with a friend, joining an intramural sports league, participating in outings with a group like The Sierra Club, or trying some classes at your local gym. Once you give exercise a chance, you will begin to enjoy its positive benefits on your psyche as well; you will literally become "hooked."

We chose to list this separately from the "exercise" category because of the significant weight loss benefits attached to weight training in and of itself. The basic equation is this: the more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you will burn. This is why world class weight lifters must eat thousands of calories a day to maintain their weight. Muscle is active tissue, fat is not. Thus, muscle "burns" a significant number of calories each day for its own maintenance. In her book Strong Women Stay Slim, Miriam Nelson, a Tufts University researcher, showed that a group of women who followed a weight loss diet and did weight training exercises lost 44% more fat than those who only followed the diet. While aerobic activity can help burn calories, muscle's where it's at when it comes to giving your metabolism a significant daily boost even at rest.

Keeping a food diary can be a huge asset in successful weight loss. Devote some time each day to record what you have eaten and how much, your hunger level prior to eating, and any feelings or emotions present at the time. A food diary can provide a large amount of self-awareness. It can identify emotions and behaviors that trigger overeating, foster greater awareness of portion sizes, and help you discover your personal food triggers. Study any patterns that emerge from your food diary and identify where you may be able to make more healthful changes. A food diary provides an added benefit of keeping you focused on and committed to your goals. Start keeping a food diary today by printing our food diary.

Many people become more successful at long term weight loss when their motivation changes from wanting to be thinner to wanting to be healthier. Change your mind set to think about selecting foods that will help your body's health rather than worrying about foods that will affect your body's weight. The Food Pyramid offers a basic outline of the types and amounts of food you should eat each day to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal health.

All too often overeating is triggered by stress, boredom, loneliness, anger, depression and other emotions. Learning to deal with emotions without food is a significant skill that will greatly serve long term weight control. The Solution, a book and national program developed by Laurel Mellin, RD, helps participants to identify their eating triggers and respond to them without food. A research study showed that the participants in this program demonstrated a better rate of long term weight loss maintenance than those who simply diet and/or exercise and don't address behavioral and emotional issues. Chronic over-eaters and "emotional eaters" can be significantly helped by learning new behavioral skills such as those Mellin presents. You can also seek help with behavioral and emotional eating issues from a licensed counselor or psychologist in your area.

A big key in long term weight control comes from receiving encouragement and support from others. You can check to see if groups such as Jenny Craig offer programs and resources in your areas. You may also wish to check with your local hospital to see if their registered dietitian conducts group weight loss programs.

With the advent of "super-size" meals and increasingly huge portions at restaurants, our concept of normal serving sizes is a distant memory. Be mindful of the amounts of food you consume at a sitting. When necessary, divide your food in half and ask for a take home bag. It is all too easy to be a "plate cleaner" even when served enormous portions. Learn to pay attention to your hunger level and stop eating when you feel comfortably full, not stuffed.

Try to remember that "losing 15 pounds in two weeks" is nothing to celebrate. It is important to realize that the more quickly weight is lost, the more likely the loss is coming from water and muscle, not fat. Since muscle tissue is critical in keeping our metabolism elevated, losing it actually leads to a decrease in the amount of calories we can each day without gaining weight. Fat loss is best achieved when weight is lost slowly. Strive for a weight loss of no more than 1-2 pounds per week. One pound of weight is equivalent to 3500 calories. By making small changes like eliminating 250 calories a day from food and expending 250 calories a day from exercise, you can lose one pound (of mostly fat) per week. You can calculate how much time you need to exercise to burn 250 calories by clicking here. You can calculate your caloric needs by clicking here, and then subtract 250 from that number.

Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That's because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy and savor every tasty morsel.

We've known for some time that limiting high fat foods in the diet can be helpful with weight loss. That's because fats pack in 9 calories per gram compared to only 4 calories per gram from proteins or carbohydrates. To many, the message to limit fats implied an endorsement to eat unlimited amounts of fat-free products. Just to clarify, fat-free foods have calories too. In some cases fat-free foods have as many calories as their fat laden counterparts. If you eat more calories than your body uses, you will gain weight. Eating less fat will help you to lose weight. Eating less fat and replacing it with excessive amounts of fat-free products will not.

 

1Nov/090

Weight Loss Diet Healthy After Sport Snacks

Exercise is a part of a well-rounded lifestyle. No matter what type of activity you participate in, it is important to nourish your body with the right foods before and after you exercise. If you participate in sports, eating the right snacks after the big game can make all the difference to your body.

During any sporting event, whether intramural, or in your backyard, the muscles take a good beating. You feel good afterwards but that doesn't mean that your body isn't in need of some serious refueling. The body burns a lot of calories with each minute of play.

Perspiration is sticky and stinky at times but it is the body's way of cooling off. You lose vitamins and electrolytes through your sweat. These nutrients need to be put back so that the body can recover sufficiently. Recovery involves building stronger muscle fibers and restoring the chemical balance inside your body.

Healthy snacks are the way to go, for sure. But, you still need to be careful about the portions that your child consumes. Healthy snacks are the key to meeting their nutrient needs each day. Most kids need to eat every 2-3 hours to get in all the nutrients and calories they need to sustain adequate growth. Healthy snacks are (not just can be) an integral part of a healthy way of eating. Experience and science show that to maintain good levels of energy - without sharp peaks and valleys we should eat every three hours.

What you eat after a workout is just as important as what you eat before. Eating before consists of foods that will help you sustain a certain energy level during the game. That is mostly complex carbohydrates. After a game, your body is in repair mode and needs foods that will feed the effort. Here are five great ideas for healthy after-sport snacks:

1.Water doesn't seem like much of a snack but it is essential for the body to function properly. After a game, the body can be dehydrated depending on how much you sweat. Water is the pure way to get the body going and cooled off after so much activity. Adding a sugar-free flavor packet to the water is okay too.

2.High protein foods such as a piece of turkey breast on lettuce as a wrap or on a slice of whole grain bread. Protein is needed to repair the muscle and build it up again.

3.Certain fruits such as a banana. It is not especially sweet and it is full of potassium and carbohydrates. Foods that have a high carb count will supply the right type of energy to sustain you after a game.

4. Trail mix is also a good choice to add energy to your body. You've just had fun and played hard so the body needs good things put back in. Nuts provide protein and healthy fats. Pretzels and legumes provide good carbs to keep you moving and not shaky after a sporting event.

5.Dairy products such as yogurt provide protein and other vitamins the body needs, including calcium. A cup of non-fat or low fat yogurt gives your system a boost.

Healthy party snacks provide energy all day long, while sugary or fatty snacks give you a quick energy rush but ultimately leave you feeling depleted. And if you give yourself a variety of choices, healthy snacking is never boring. Healthy snacking can be very beneficial. Not only will it help you reach your nutrition goals, but it can give you that extra energy to help keep you performing at your best.

24Oct/090

Easy Weight Loss Plan: A Simple Secret To Ensure Weight Loss Sucess

I know what you are thinking "Easy Weight Loss Plan", Ya, Right! As a doctor I am always been given information by patients on this and that diet or strategy and it can be unbelievably confusing. Even as a doctor, I am confused. I have taken all sorts of course on nutrition and health and to be quite honest it is all a little over the top for me.I hear all sorts of great evidence to support eating carbs, not eating carbs, eating lots of protein and not eating any protein especially from animal products.While creating more information for my blog, I can across a program that at first looked like another diet but when I actually read through the material, it absolutely blew me away.The concept that you have to completely resrict what you eat and how much you exercise is completely false, and I sort of already had that feeling.Heres the thing, eating more or eating less is not the key it is timing your eating so that you maximize your metabolic burn.This explains a lot for me as a doctor because there are many times I have patients who say they have lots weight yet spent the last two days at a buffet table.If you want to lose weight you need to cycle through consuming more food with less food. Our bodies work and function like waves they are sometimes up and sometimes down.If you can figure out when to ride the wave and when not too, you have figured out the harmonic balance of the body.A simple test is to spend a couple weeks exercising on a regular basis everyday doning your favorite activity, but go through periods of eating more calories followed by periods of eating less calories.Monitor you weight everyday and make note of when your weight starts to drop is it on days after you eat more calories or on days when you eat less calories.Then it is a matter of mastering the weight loss with your cycle. You can find a more detailed explanation at easy weight loss plan

21Oct/090

Weight Loss Diet How Can Calotren Supplement Give A Healthy Body

Burning Up The Calories

Calotren is mainly made up of collagen hydrolysate, which is a form of protein. This protein is very essential in building lean muscle mass which is found in the muscles, organs and joint tissues. In the process of developing these muscles, collagen is produced. The more the collagen, the more the lean muscle mass. And this lean muscle mass again burns up more calories, leading to weight loss. Calotren serves as a supplier of collagen to the body. Therefore, it aids in the development of lean muscle mass and consequently in losing weight. The lean muscle mass burns up more calories than other parts of the body. As more calories are burnt, more fat is destroyed which leads to a leaner body.

What About The Side-Effects?

Calotren supplement has zero side effects. This has been confirmed by all the people who have taken Calotren. Since Calotren has no stimulants like caffeine and ephedrine, it does not cause a person to feel jittery or have a racing heart. These are the normal side-effects of weight-loss supplements. On the other hand, Calotren has displayed some positive side-effects. It has been noticed that Calotren prevents wrinkling of the skin. This means that there will be no wrinkles on your face and hands which will make you look much younger than your age. Beauty experts are also pleased with the results.

How Much Weight Do You Lose?

Calotren supplement must be able to achieve the very goal that it has been created for. Unless you lose substantial weight after consuming Calotren, there is no use in taking it. But studies state that you should be able to lose 1 pound every week. A calorie deficit of 500 calories should be created per day. Taking Calotren will add about 12 calories every day which is quite negligible. It is expected that you will achieve 86% success with weight loss after taking Calotren constantly for 90 days.

What Are The Other Benefits?

What can be better than if Calotren supplement can provide other benefits besides controlling your weight. The presence of glucosamine and chondroitin in Calotren is a very good sign. These ingredients aid in developing joint tissue. This means that there will be an increase in joint flexibility and also that you will recover better from joint injuries. Looking at all these aspects of Calotren, one can safely conclude that Calotren is an effective means of controlling your weight. There are only advantages to count.

16Oct/090

Weight Loss Diet Program Failure Overcoming Two Leading Problems

A large number of people around the world are overweight. Most of them have been following different programs that would help them to lose weight but they were not successful. If you ask any person for the reasons of their failure, one way or the other they will give you the following two problems:

1. They could not follow the program.

2. They lost some weight but could not maintain it.

9Oct/090

What is the Best Exercise For Weight Loss?




It is a common misconception that aerobic exercise tones and firms muscles. Actually it accomplishes very little toning and firming. Resistance exercise (weight training) is where real toning and firming of muscles occurs.

Doing both aerobics and weight training is the optimal way to lose more fat and gain more muscle. If you are trying to lose weight, studies show that weight loss increases by 56 percent with aerobic and strength exercises combined.

Muscle may weigh more, but when you increase your muscle composition, the body is able to burn more fat, even when you are resting, because your metabolism is higher. A pound of muscle will use 350 to 500 calories per week to survive, while a pound of fat only needs about 14 calories per week. New studies have shown that building muscle helps your body fight disease better, too.

Strength training benefits everyone, no matter what age or sex, and is becoming recognized as an important component of fitness. Research is indicating that the muscle loss found in elderly people doesn't come from age, but lack of activity. Even a young person who doesn't get enough exercise can lose muscle mass and strength. Strength training, such as lifting weights or performing weight-resistance exercises, as little as twice a week can help maintain or increase muscle mass.

Strength training involving several sets of multiple repetitions using moderate weights will not result in huge muscles. Instead it builds bone mass and increases the metabolism, as well as toning and firming the muscles, giving a leaner look.

It is very important to do both aerobics and strength exercises. The aerobic exercises help your heart and lungs get stronger and help your body utilize oxygen more efficiently, which in turn helps with strength training and overall fitness. The strength exercise helps develop muscle, reduce body fat and maintain bone mass.

Aerobic Exercise is a type of exercise that elevates the heart rate and breathing for a continuous sustained period. This overloads the heart and lungs and causes them to work harder than at rest.

There are many options to choose from today. Bicycling, aerobic dance, swimming, walking, and stepping are all examples of aerobic exercise. Which ones to chose depends on your physical condition, your history, your interests and your goals. Many experts believe it is better to alternate between 2 or more types, to get a better workout.

There are two main types of aerobics- high impact and low impact. It is better to alternate between high impact aerobics (which are harder on the body and may cause more damage) and low impact aerobics, such as walking and swimming. This is called cross-training, and helps reduce the chance or injury and overuse of certain muscles.

You will want to perform aerobic exercises at least 20 minutes a day for at least 3 to 4 days a week. If you are trying to lose body fat, or your physical condition is very good, then you may want to work longer at it. Try exercising up to 40 to 60 minutes 5 to 6 days a week.

Remember there is no real need to go overboard. Moderate intensity is almost always better, and is more enjoyable. Low to moderate intensity is an especially good idea when starting out after a layoff or recovery from illness or injury, or if you are significantly overweight.

Warm-up and cool down is important to reduce discomfort and the chance of injury. Warm up by starting slow and gradually build up to your top speed. Then slow down again at the end of your workout.

The whole idea behind aerobic exercise is to get up and get moving! Find something you enjoy doing that keeps your heart rate elevated for a continuous time period and get moving to a healthier life.

2Oct/090

Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries




Research findings by nutritionists from laboratories all round the world agree that there a lot of health benefits can be derived by eating raspberries. Don't go for raspberries which show signs of mold or mushy spots, but those which are ripe, firm, and colorful raspberries. They can be either fresh, canned or frozen. But take note. When frozen raspberries thaw, they may not be as firm as the fresh ones. They however remain sweet and delicious. To get the freshest raspberries, visit markets where farmers have stocked the berry which has just been harvested. This offers the best berries to boost your health. Here are some of the health benefits to be enjoyed by anyone who eat raspberries in its many forms.

Strengthened Immune System
Minerals such as Vitamin C are thought to help the body to develop strong connective tissues and an immune system able to ward off the attack of micro-organisms. Raspberries like other berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries contain a lot of Vitamin C in its structure. Nutritionists have said that one cup of raspberries offer humans beings Vitamin C as well as potassium for 64 calories.

Disease Prevention
Though raspberries themselves are not a cure-all berry , they contain a number of other substances which are thought to prevent many diseases. These substances include, but are not limited to, flavonoids and phytochemicals. Raspberries, along with berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries, also contain a substance thought to prevent bladder infections. The substance does this by preventing bacteria from adhering to the cells which line the walls of the urinary tract.

Healthy Vision
Raspberries are also thought to contain compounds which are important towards having a healthy vision. The substance that appears to be responsible for this is called lutein.

Researchers have identified a lot of compounds in berries such as raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, and strawberries which may help in the reduction of the risk of being affected by several types of cancers and heart diseases. Though a definitive study hasn't been conducted on this, researchers counsel that a diet rich in berries can help to reduce or delay several types of cancers.

Pigment
Raspberries has a pigment, which is thought to be responsible for their blue and red hue. The pigments are also believed to contain compounds which are the key components of the ability of raspberries to prevent the development of many types of diseases in humans.

Conclusion
Always eat a diet rich in raspberries and others with similar nutrition such as loganberries, currants, bilberries, and lingo berries. Serve them just as they are, or top them with a dollop of light-whipped tripping. Add them to a whole grain, cereal, sprinkle them on a salad, stir them into vanilla yogurt, or combine them with banana and low-fat milk. Anyway you eat them, you are certain to enjoy immense health benefits from this wonderful plant which researchers are yet to totally unravel.

29Sep/090

Health Benefits Of Cucumber




When the cucumber became important as a health food in the eighteenth century, it did not take long for people to forget those medical properties which had been well-known first of all to the Greeks and Romans and then later to the Arab physicians.

Today we see the cucumber as a provider of a very healthy juice beneficial for its properties as an increaser of the flow of urine and as a complement to the effects of celery and carrot juice for rheumatic conditions, while at the same time being a soothing skin lotion.

Japanese research in the first half of this century indicated that there was a valuable substance present in the cucumber juice for the treatment of the whole intestinal tract. Sad to say this work has not been pursued and the active factor still retains the secret of its identity.

Other health benefits of cucumber is derived from the fact that it is very low in calories, about 4 per ounce (54KJ per 100g) being an average figure. Very high potassium contents have been claimed for the plant which from the most up-to-date analyses available would seem to be an exaggeration. The vitamin content is also generally to be found between low and average for the edible vegetable.

Nevertheless, cucumber juice is certainly beneficial the treatment of rheumatic conditions. It does not matter too much that the reason for this effect is not clear. What is important is that it helps many sufferers.

Although the whole juice is the best skin lotion it is worth remembering that the peel itself, like lemon peel, should always be retained and used on the hands especially after they have been in a strong detergent or in very hot water. It is not necessary to rub hard - indeed skin care with cucumber should be a gentle, fragrant art.

21Sep/090

The Health Benefits of Cabbage




Sadly, most American households wrinkle their noses at the mere mention of this valuable, all powerful and sorely misunderstood vegetable. The word cabbage is usually enough to send children to their rooms with a myraid of excuses as to why they may not wish to eat their evening meal. While cabbage is a delicious and healthful staple in other countries, it is almost foreign to Americans, with the exception of good old fashioned cole slaw. Do recognize that this American cabbage specific, mayonnaise laden dish full of hydrogenated oils and other unmentionables, absolutely ruins the reason for eating such a healthful food in the first place.

Cabbage is a sturdy, strong and abundant vegetable. Hardy and easy to grow, it is almost universally available in all countries and cultures. Cabbage belongs to the all important family of cruciferous vegetables. The members of this family of vegetables are so named for their cross shaped (crucifer) flower petals. Rich in nutrition and fiber, cabbage is an absolutely phenomenal source of Vitamin C. Even more impressive is that cabbage is famous for a specialized, naturally occurring, nitrogenous compound known as indoles. Current research indicates that indoles can lower the risk of various forms of cancer.

Cabbage was popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans. An early Roman medicinal preperation blended lard with the ashes of burnt cabbage to make an ointment for disinfecting wounds. Throughout history, the Asian diet has been rich and abundant in cabbage and its various varieties. Epidemiological studies have found that men living in China and Japan experience a much lower rate of prostate cancer than their American counterparts. Similar data has been uncovered regarding breast cancer rates among women.

It is no wonder that the lowely, plain, boring cabbage gets rave reviews from the world of nutritionists. Cabbage is relatively cheap yet one of the richest when it comes to protective vitamins. Talk about the original weight loss food! One cup of cabbage contains only around 15 calories.

Cabbage is rich in the following nutrients:

Vitamin A: responsible for the protection of your skin and eyes.

Vitamin C: an all important anti-oxidant and helps the mitochondria to burn fat.

Vitamin E: a fat soluble anti-oxidant which plays a role in skin integrity.

Vitamin B: helps maintain integrity of nerve endings and boosts energy metabolism.

Modern science has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the health benefits and therapeutic value of cabbage, which also plays a role in the inhibition of infections and ulcers. Cabbage extracts have been proven to kill certain viruses and bacteria in the laboratory setting. Cabbage boosts the immune system's ability to produce more antibodies. Cabbage provides high levels of iron and sulphur, minerals that work in part as cleansing agents for the digestive system.

There are many different varieties of cabbage, so please, be brave and innovative. Green cabbage is the most popular, common and of course the one we are most familiar with. Take a walk on the wild side with Savoy cabbage. With yellow crinkled leaves, you can use this variety of cabbage as an alternate in many recipes. Let's not forget Bok Choy, a routine addition to Chinese recipes that has a sweet, light, celery type familiarity. Red Cabbage. It goes without saying in that it simply has to be good for you given all that beautiful plant pigment where the majority of nutrition is stored. Red cabbage is good in salads and is commonly pickled. Napa cabbage has a mild sweet taste and is incredible in stir fry dishes.

Whatever your choice of cabbage may be, enjoy a serving at least once a week along with your other valuable and health promoting cruciferous vegetables. Try to cook your cabbage lightly. Steaming and quick stir fry dishes are considered to be the best methods for preserving the power packed natural nutrition given so freely by Mother Nature. Cabbage soup anyone?

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