Celebrity weight loss secrets

Celebrities set the standards of what’s hot and what’s not; they’ll define what’s the difference of “slender” and “anorexic” as well as the “fat” and a “sexy plus size”. Popular men’s magazine, FHM releases a yearly edition of 100 sexiest women in the world which tells the readers who has flaunted the best body every year. Let’s take a peak on who made it on the top 5 this year and learn their different celebrity weight loss secrets.

#1 Cheryl Cole

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole was voted as the sexiest woman in the world for 2009 and 2010 because of her gorgeous body, brown eyes, long legs, well defined cheekbones, and her hair which underexposes her cleavage. But there is more to those refined features why she got the top spot, she also managed to shed off 150 pounds of useless flab.

How she did it? Well, aside from the fact that she had a little help when she was stricken by malaria July of this year, all the singing plus dancing during her on and off stage performances surely burned her lots of calories.

#2 Megan Fox

Transformer bombshell Megan Fox shares she’s under Vinegar diet. It is a popular diet in Europe where you drink raw apple cider vinegar. This diet is said to work as it suppresses the appetite as well as clean the digestive organs and speeds up one’s metabolism.

Fox needed to go really slender to fit in her Jonah Hex costume where she played as the gun-toting prostitute. However, she might have gone overboard that the producers of Transformer 3 need to let her go because she’s too thin to play the role of Mikaela Banes.

#3 Marisa Miller

Supermodel Marisa Miller who wore the “Fantasy Bra” on the latest Victoria Secret Show landed on the third spot in the list. Thanks to her genes, she has a natural slender physique but Miller’s body is also a product of her active lifestyle. She enjoys surfing, horseback riding, dancing and doing domestic stuff like laundry, grocery shopping, and cooking.

#4 Frankie Sandford

21 year old and member of the girl group The Saturdays, Frankie Sandford has the most amazing flat belly with tight muscles in the midsection. How she got it? Let’s take into account that The Saturdays perform at such intensity where they move, dance, and sing at the same time. Although she claims that she is not obsessed with exercise and enjoys every food that she can grab, dancing burns a lot of fat and tones the core naturally.

#5 Keeley Hazel

She is one bombshell with a cause. She posed nude for PETA in 2009 where she was quoted “I believe that killing animals for vanity is wrong.” Aside from her good heart, Keeley Hazel has a really gorgeous body. Her Secret? Living an active lifestyle. She did modeling, filming movies, album recording and a lot more. With her hectic schedule, she did not fail to make sure that she eats the right food and drink plenty of water.

Getting on FHM’s 100 sexiest women in the world list may be quite hard for most of us. But then again, it may be hard but it’s not impossible. Who knows, your face might be on the Year 20something’s sexiest women in the world.

How to get rid of the extra weight quickly

You probably often follow a weight loss program to lose a few pounds just to drop your belly. The fact that you do not fit in your pants and that your shoes gets tight may not be due to an increase in fat or weight, but due to swelling or fluid retention caused by the consumption of certain foods that cause those symptoms. If, therefore, the scale shows you a few pounds over your normal weight, without eating more, you can easily get rid of the extra weight without having to cut calories and fat by following the simple weight loss tips below.

Avoid foods that ‘inflate’ you

Some foods may make your tummy appear twice as big than it is in reality within a few hours after consumption. Therefore, if you plan to go to the beach, make sure at least one day prior to avoid the consumption of foods that usually cause severe inflation to most people.

These foods  are:

Lentils, beans, chickpeas.
Asparagus,  broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, leeks, peppers, onions, peas, potatoes
Bananas, melon, oranges, pears, plums.
Carbonated drinks, beer, fruit juices
Products from wheat bran and whole milling
Many sugar substitutes, eg fructose, aspartame, etc.
Milk, soft cheese, ice cream.

Remember: Some of the foods such as legumes, fruits, vegetables and milk, are highly nutritious and are necessary for the proper functioning of the body, so it should not be missing from your diet. We only recommend avoiding them for some days so that you avoid the inflation they may cause you.

Eat every 4 hours

The stomach should not be left empty for several hours. The omission of meals leads to extreme hunger, and thus to greater food consumption, resulting in sudden stomach inflation. According to specialists, even the aroma of food causes a secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, so if it is empty, this inflames and exacerbates the inflation. You do not need to consume large quantities of food. Two toasted bread or a fruit between meals is enough.

Do not swallow air along with food

When you eat too quickly, you often swallow air, leading to various stomach disorders such as heartburn, bloating and constipation. Stop, then to eat quickly and stressful so as not to hinder the normal functioning of the intestines.

Immediate solutions to ‘deflate’ the stomach

If you wake up with swollen belly and want to get rid of this immediately, a hot drink before anything else can help you. One drink, even from aloe Vera is ideal for your situation, and has slightly laxative properties.

During the day, a good drink to soothe the stomach is chamomile, and furthermore, has a slightly diuretic effect.

Abstaining from carbohydrates, the day you are inflated and 2-3 days after it is good to calm your digestive system.

Separate carbohydrates from protein. This combination makes it more difficult to digest, thus worsening the situation when you are already inflated. Do not eat, therefore, macaroni with minced meat or chicken with potatoes or rice with meat (this, of course, applies only when you are inflated)

Use in your salad apple cider vinegar instead of regular vinegar. It directly helps the blow-out.

Chew your food well and slowly

Do not swallow your food without chewing it first. The food enters the stomach first, where it continues to decay, and then it goes to the intestine. But when the mouthful to swallow is large, it is hard for the breakdown by the stomach. And when larger pieces pass through the intestine, the more food they find the «good micro organisms» gut, resulting in the production of methane, i.e. gases and stomach inflation.

Tip: It is very important to go to the toilet at least once a day. Therefore, do not forget to eat salad at every meal and snack nuts for intermediates.

Reduce the consumption of salt

The consumption of large quantities of salt, because it contains sodium, is causing fluid retention and swelling particularly in the abdomen and legs. Therefore, reduce the salt in cooking and replace it with more lemon juice, oregano and other spices to relish the food. Avoid also the large consumption of food rich in sodium, such as sausages, dry cheeses, salted or smoked fish, sauces, preserves, biscuits, salt, etc. Especially women who have problems with their cycle should reduce the salt in their diet, at least one week before their period.

Drink more water

Many people believe that drinking water inflates you more. But it is wrong. Water may make the stomach inflate for a while, but very quickly is deflated. The body is a large water saver. Therefore, if it is given little water it tends to hold more than it already has, so you end up with fluid retention. Even if this sounds strange, drinking more water can fight fluid retention. The water increases diuresis and helps to balance body fluids and the elimination of extra sodium from the kidneys.

Eat foods with diuretic action

If you increase diuresis this will significantly reduce the fluid retention and will help you get rid of the «inflation». To do this, eat cherries, pineapple, watermelon (98% water), strawberry, loquat, and aromatic vegetables (rocket, lettuce, parsley, celery).

Prefer proteins

Proteins help combat the swelling and bending. Foods rich in protein are fish, chicken, egg, meat etc.

Use cinnamon, dill or rosemary in your food

The aromatic oils of cinnamon can help you relax in the blow-out, while the dill and rosemary improves digestion and reduces bloating.

Exercise on a daily basis

If the problem of inflation focuses more on the legs, then this may indicate poor blood circulation, which means that you do not walk enough. Exercise in this case and especially walking is a very good solution to fight inflation in the legs.

Less stress, less inflation

The experts agree that stress hits the stomach. In times of intense stress you may experience gastrointestinal disturbances or worsen existing ones. It is highly likely therefore that you do not swell due to dietary habits, but due to severe stress. In this case, the solution lies in proper stress management.

The weight loss help provided above can assist you lose the extra weight fast and healthy.

Why Weight loss diets fail? Tips for proper weight loss

It is a fact that most weight loss diets fail. This is because there is no easy and miracle way to lose weight fast and healthy. In order to lose weight you need to be patient and follow a diet that is custom to your needs and special characteristics. This article outlines the 10 best reasons of why weight loss diets fail and also provides you with weight loss tips on how to follow a diet successfully.

Why weight loss diets fail? 10 reasons why you should not follow a weight loss diet

1. No diet has long-term weight loss results. Even with a long-term plan, we may lose weight, which then retake the same-or more. Studies have shown that people who follow weight loss diets regularly are more likely to become overweight than those who eat normally.

2. The diet can cause serious and sometimes fatal problems to our health. Deaths due to cardiac arrhythmia or other problems associated with weight loss diets are recorded every year in the United States. Studies even show that the phenomenon of weight-gain and weight loss is associated with high fatality rates.

3. The diet «cuts» the physiological functions of the body. The sudden loss of weight puts our organism in defence, which reduces the metabolism, the pulses of the heart, body temperature and libido, affecting therefore negatively, the mental, emotional and social activities.

4. Those who do follow weight loss diets often feel weak and tired, suffering from dizziness and experience concentration difficulties. These symptoms may be due to lack of significant elements such as iron, protein and, of course, the calories.

5. Since the weight loss diets interfere with normal eating habits, they often lead to undesirable effects such as hyperphagia, bulimia or anorexia. Those who are on a diet they ignore the normal signals of hunger and satiety, and as a result their organism is lead to the habit of eating much more or much less than normal. All eating disorders are mainly due to chronic diets, and due to psychological factors created by them.

6. The excessive preoccupation with our weight, both with ourselves and with others, leads us into the trap of giving greater importance to appearance than in the character of people. Remember that old saying that says “Do not judge a book by its cover”.

7. As though it may seem paradoxical, the weight loss diet leads to preoccupation with food. It has been shown that those who are on a diet, they spend more time thinking and eating food, which is considered part of the body defence against malnutrition.

8. The excessive preoccupation with weight tortures not only women but more and more men and children, often leads to low self-esteem as the person is concentrated more on the external appearance, rather than the personality, character, the talents and abilities.

9. Mothers who are on a weight loss diet-are-bad example for their children, because they are dealing excessively with their weight from a very early age.

10. Making a weight loss diet, often makes you fall into the trap and put your life in standby mode, waiting to be slimmer to do the things you want or things you believe will make you happy, which of course translates into losing valuable time and years from your life that will not come back regardless if you lose weight or if you decide to give up diets forever.

Weight loss tips for a successfully weight loss

The diet and weight loss are matters, which concern us particularly, because it directly affects our health and also the image of our body.

Certainly, many people use the wrong methods to lose weight, usually because they do not have the knowledge, the financial capacity to support a right choice or the patience to wait until they reach the weight they want. Some of the most common errors made in relation to weight loss will be analyzed below and they should be avoided because they may have devastating effects on your metabolism.

1. Do not follow a weight loss diet given for someone else

Following a diet that was give for someone else may lead to weight loss failures. This is a natural consequence. We must make absolutely clear that everyone has different metabolic needs, different lifestyles and eating habits that must be explored before following a diet. Therefore, a diet to be successful should be adapted to these and only these needs.

It is not possible that a person weighing 110 kilos to follow the same diet with a person who weighs 70 kilos for the simple reason that they have different energy needs and may have a different medical history, as well as different blood tests. The role of the dietician is to collect all information necessary to compose the best diet for each person separately.

2. Do not follow and trust rapid weight loss diets

Probably you’ve seen this before: “For a week I followed the diet of cabbage soup and saw spectacular results: I lost 8 pounds, but unfortunately regain them within 2 weeks and also got another 2.”

Do not trust miracle diets that promise super spectacular results, such as loss of fat from certain parts of the body or loss of 10 kg of both fat and weight in a week etc. If there were really good diets that someone could easily apply and lose weight fast without healthy risks and without destroying the metabolism and most importantly without getting the weight back, then the nutritionists who advocate a balanced diet and a gradual weight loss would have disappeared as a species simply because everyone would apply the super spectacular diets.

However, it seems that the dieticians will survive and the lost weight comes back to double and triple after a spectacular super diet (such as cabbage soup, with the 5 fruit and the 2 yoghurts, the zone diet, Atkins diet, the Beverly Hills Diet and others) so it is certain and for sure there are no magic and painless ways to lose weight.

Do not believe everything the marketers are trying to sell you. Let us speak the language of truth. If you follow a diet that is chemical or extremely low calorie, you will only succeed in losing fluids and muscle mass and then regain the lost weight in the form of fat. In addition, an improper diet shake your nerves, decreasing the concentration, cause sleep disorders, depression, and hypotension and can also cause anaemia.

3. Be patient is your weight loss efforts

‘My friend and me have the same weight, same height and same age. We follow the same diet, yet she has lost 5 pounds so far and I only 3. Is something wrong with my body?

As stated above, each person’s organism is different, thus responding to a weight loss program in a different manner than another person with the same weight at the same age and same height. There is no problem with your organism. Continue to consistently follow the diet and your body will respond in time. Do not hurry and do not compete with others. It is not a race; it is an effort to improve your self.

4. Eat foods from all food groups

‘You must not eat any pasta and make detoxification diet once a week with 5 fruit and 3 light yogurts in order to lose weight fast.  My metabolism helps gain weight even if I eat a few pasta”.

Who assessed your situation and concluded that you should not eat pasta because it will help you gain more weight? Is there a proven test, which shows that detoxification is necessary for weight loss, are there any real scientific studies? Probably not.

To lose weight properly with less chance of losing liquids and to maximize fat loss, it is necessary to eat balanced from all food groups, in an amount less than that required for maintaining your weight. If you reduce too much the intake of calories, then it affects your metabolism, and this will reduce the burning of fat and you will begin to lose weight more difficult.

The detoxification diets, only contribute to reduced energy intake, dehydration and can cause depletion due to low energy. The result is that you lose weight temporarily, but you will regain the weight immediately when you start to eat normally.

Conclusion

If you want to lose weight sensibly, then you should follow weight loss tips that are proven and get weight loss help custom to your own needs from specialists.

When getting the assistance of a specialist you should look very carefully at the experience and training of the person. You should see if he/she is a graduate, has licensed to practice and is a member of the Dieticians Association. There are many nutritionists that do not have the necessary qualifications and experience so you need to be very careful from whom you will get advice about your weight loss efforts.

Our health is not ‘cheap product’, so there are no cheap ways to manage it. Each of us has the right to proper and professional information on weight loss diets and it is your right to request it.

How to burn fat with food

Weight loss tips that can help you burn fat with food and healthy habits

The weight and fat loss processes are not easy to follow. The products that promise miracles have failed and all roads point that the best way for weight loss is intense physical exercise and a balanced and careful diet. Rather than spend your money on dozens of fat burner supplements marketed in pharmacies and promise quick fat burn, you can get a taste (literally and figuratively) on how to burn fat using food. There are some types of food that can help you lose weight free of charge, healthy and without any side effects.

Burn fat with Pears

Why we need to eat pears: According to a study by the University of Rio de Janeiro, the addition of fresh fruit in our diet cuts the appetite, reducing the total number of calories consumed daily. In a survey made to women who consumed 3 pears a day, showed that they were getting in overall less calories every day, and thus losing more pounds than those who did not consume pears. Pears are also rich in dietary fiber (15% of SIP); they «fill» the stomach and prevent us from eating more than we should.

How to Eat: Eat a pear before each meal to reduce hunger. You have to remember that the greatest amount of fiber is found in the bark.

Burn Fat with Grapefruit

Why we need to eat grapefruit: According to recent surveys in the Scripps clinic in California, eating half a grapefruit before each meal can help you lose up to a pound a week. This «traditional weight loss” fruit really helps to reduce fat and cholesterol, mainly thanks to a special fiber pectin associated with fat burning. It is also rich in vitamin C and potassium and contains no fat or sodium. Finally, it contains natural Emulsifiers fighting fat and cholesterol.

How to eat: You can try it with cinnamon, which reduces the bitter taste without adding sugar.

Burn Fat with Beans

Why do you need to eat beans: The beans are full of a special starch, called resistant starch (about 10gr per cup), which has strong fat burning action. If you add to your diet one meal a day it will help you “burn” up to 25% more fat than usual. These finding were the results of research by the University of Colorado.

Burn Fat with Almonds

Why do you need to include almonds in your weight loss diet: eating a handful of almonds a day can help you lose fat in a healthy diet, according to recent research. People, who ate on daily basis almonds for six months, lost 18% of their body fat. Those who followed a diet with the same amount of calories and protein, but replaced the almonds with carbohydrates of the same caloric value, lost only 11%.

How to eat: You can easily eat them to the office or on the street as a snack or even to combine with yogurt or honey.

Burn Fat with Chocolate

Surprisingly as it sounds, chocolate can prevent the accumulation of fat cells in our body. Do not hurry to be delighted and run in a kiosk and buy all sorts of chocolates. We refer to black chocolates, as this only chocolate type has beneficial properties for the loss of fat, according to research from the University of Taiwan. Add sparingly in your diet (without exaggerations) and benefit from the action of antioxidant substances.

Serving suggestion: Melt 30gr. of black chocolate in microwave for 30 seconds and then spread on a total milling cracker (approximately 98 calories).

Burn Fat with Green Tea

Why you need green tea in your weight loss diet: The green tea contains ingredients that benefit health and fight obesity. Modern research has shown that tea has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, which are mainly due to high rates of flavonoids it contains. It is ideal for a weight loss diet since it helps in reducing hunger when consumed regularly. Systematic tea consumption increases the energy expenditure of the organism, «burns» stored fat by enabling combustion within the metabolism. Changes also the distribution of fat and reduces fat located in the abdomen.

Other fat burning tips with food:

Among the top fat burning foods is also vinegar and lemon. The combination of vinegar and lemon is the best “possible” fat burner. If you combine it with a fresh green salad rich in antioxidants and add one-tablespoon of olive oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) then you have a full meal, which boosts the fat burning process.

Caffeine has diuretic and thermo genetic properties, greater than green tea, helping to burn fat faster. But it must be consumed in moderation and special attention should be taken because in large dose may have several side effects (tachycardia, increased pressure, headaches, etc.)

Peanut butter and weight loss: Peanut butter is also good for weight loss! Why? It is full of protein and fiber, which keeps your stomach full longer and reduces the need for fatty sweets!

Finally, the magic liquid that dissipates the fat without any effort and is free and for now – inexhaustible is Water. Water is the most important catalyst in weight loss and maintenance. The body does not function properly without enough water and cannot metabolise fat efficiently. Drinking plenty of water during the day avoids fluid retention in the body and helps the functioning of the kidneys and liver. On average, a person should drink 8 glasses of water a day. This amount varies depending on the weight of the person, levels of exercise and other environmental factors (heat, humidity, etc.)

Weight loss tips for a fast weight loss

Drink fluids

The first thing to do when you wake up in the morning is to drink plenty of water. Many times half the weight you gain in times that your weight is increasing is due to fluid retention in the body. The water will help your body to remove the extra liquids. Set a target to double the consumption of fluids. Remember that the extra fluid need not be derived from clean water. Fruit juices, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, soups are doing the same job. Finally, pay attention to how much salt is contained in the food you consume as this affects the levels of fluid retention.

Do not follow drastic measures

The first solution that comes to your mind after a period where you eat more food than expected is to follow a diet very low in calories. Wrong. This would confuse your metabolism, leading to other problems. The best approach is to decrease gradually the amount of food you eat, focusing more on increasing protein intake. These will give a boost to your metabolism, «burning» more calories.

Exercise with weights

The training with weights at the gym is suggested in periods where you eat more than expected. Sometimes it is more effective than to spend hours on the treadmill or running. This is because it is based solely on the storage of glycogen in the muscles. If the food you eat were rich in carbohydrates such training will help you use them. If you choose on the other hand, the cardiovascular exercise (running) your organism will not burn as many calories as in training with weights, or continue to burn calories after the end of the exercise. You can read more information at 28 weight loss tips with exercise.

Avoid alcohol

Since alcohol contains not only «empty» calories, but it may also affect the proper decision making regarding food, try to avoid it for at least two days to recover fully. If you want a drink at all costs, drink only one.

How to prepare your self for a period that you may eat more than expected

Now if you intend to eat more than the usual, either because of a holiday or party, then there are some things you can do to prepare properly and to reduce the chances to get extra pounds. First, if is possible try to go to the gym prior to that, and make a fairly intense workout with weights. This will reduce glycogen in the muscles resulting in the absorption of as many calories as possible by the muscles.

This article outlines ways on how to burn fat with food and also explained what you need to do to protect your self from gaining extra weight during the holiday periods or periods that you usually eat more than expected.

Weight loss help – How to lose weight fast and easy

This article explains in simple terms how to lose weight fast and easy. The weight loss help provided in this post, gives you an answer to 40 common questions regarding weight loss. In order to lose weight fast and easy you need to understand the weight loss process so as to avoid the marketing traps of many weight loss programs. It is very important to know what are the truths and myths about weight loss diets in order to create in your mind a clear plan on how to correctly approach your weight loss efforts.

1. The reasons we gain weight is due to our metabolism, genes, water, our thyroid, etc

Nobody can say with absolute certainty what is causing our weight to increase beyond the «normal». But whatever the cause of weight gain (increased caloric intake, inadequate nutritional care, poor quality food, food intolerance, decreased tolerance, obesity genes, increased fat consumption, physical inactivity, carbohydrate consumption, repetitive weight loss diets, hormonal problems or psychological reasons), there is one true fact: We wouldn’t gain weight, or at least we would gain less weight if we choose our food carefully, eating less and sleeping more.

2. Some people weight more because they have a heavier body frame.

The difference between a heavier and a lighter body frame is a few hundred grams, not kilograms, like some people imagine. Simply, those who have heavier body frames have the margin to weight more than those with a lighter body frame.

3. All diets can help in your weight loss efforts if you follow them strictly

There are diets that do not work, even when you follow them strictly, because they are not personalized, or because we are following them when we are in a bad psychological situation, or because they create exaggerated expectations and are causing us frustration because they do not take into account our personal preferences and do not fit easily into our way of life.

4. Following the same diet with my wife, we can both lose the same weight

A woman’s weight loss process is slower than of men, while men can lose more weight than women in the same period. Someone living in cold climates can help you lose weight faster and more easily than someone living in warm climates, while young people can lose weight easier than older people. Those who have excess weight and those who have not followed a weight loss diet before lose the first pounds faster than those with less unnecessary weight or those who regularly follow a weight loss diet.

5. The criterion of a good diet is weight loss

Good diet is one that without being unilateral or extreme, suits our needs, helps us to loose weight by reducing the losses from the necessary (muscles) and increasing losses from the unnecessary (fat) and more importantly that when you end the diet you are taught how to eat properly, so that in future you will not once again gain the weight you lost.

6. A diet lasts for a specific period of time

A weight loss diet may last hours, days, weeks, months or years. Diets with timetables nearly always fail and if they are successful, their effects on weight loss are only temporary. That is why the adoption of a healthy weight loss diet and proper nutrition is the only permanent way to have a normal weight and not the «diet». Healthy eating habits are forever while a diet is only for the period you can withstand it.

7. It is not important how to reduce calories, but it is enough to reduce them

The reduction in calories should be done by limiting foods that contain less useful nutrients, especially those containing sugar and those that have a lot of calories and fat. If you reduce calories from anywhere, your organism would deprive the necessary for its healthy functioning nutrients and among these the nutrients that will help the weight loss process.

8. The calories do not play a role in weight loss.

You lose weight when the energy (calories) your body receives is less than the energy (calories) it burns. When you eat fewer calories than the quantity you need, you lose weight, because the body covers the energy difference between what it needs and what we give it, from the stocks. This is the only reason that the caloric intake plays a major role in an attempt to lose weight, but this does not mean that weight loss depends solely on the calories.

9. If you do not reduce the calories significantly you cannot lose weight

The low-calorie diets (less than 1200 a day) are dangerous because the body begins to burn more muscle tissue than fat. When the daily deficit overcomes 1.200-1.500 calories then you can loose up to half a kilogram of body protein (muscle) and more than one to two pounds of water (risk of dehydration).

10. There is a weight loss diet in which you can lose half a kilo of fat per day

If you calculate that the average person to maintain its weight needs 2.000-2.500 calories a day, you can understand that it is impossible under normal circumstances, to create a calorie deficit that will lead to a daily loss of a half kilo of fat. Even with increased physical activity, losing weight from fat does not exceed a certain threshold, and usually, depending on calorie intake and physical activity, is 1% per week.

11. To lose weight you have to ‘shut down’ your mouth

If you suddenly start to eat less than what you need or abstain completely from eating, the brain realizes the reduction of energy and reacts with a mandate to use the reserves. If the situation continues and it feels that it is threatened, it will create conditions for survival with fewer calories: Will force us to limit our physical activities, creating «artificial obstacles» such as dizziness, fatigue and drowsiness, will increase the feelings of hunger, will decrease metabolism and will increase its resistance to reduce the weight, i.e. with the same calorie deficit will not lose any weight, while with the largest deficit of calories will lose fewer weight.

12. Our body handles all food in the same way.

In order for food to be digested it needs a greater or lesser amount of energy, which depends on the nutrients each food contains. The foods that contain many proteins require enormous amounts of energy to be digested while the foods containing fats and carbohydrates do not need large amounts of energy for their digestion. In some cases the increase of the metabolism for the 2-4 hours of digestion exceeds 30%. Conversely, if the meal contains only carbohydrates or fatty foods, then either there is no change in the metabolism or only a minimal increase. That is why most weight loss diets are based on protein foods. Moreover, the method of eating the food plays an important role. The same amount of food can be digested with a higher energy costs (burning calories) when it is solid, than if it is in liquid form. For example, the same orange can make you less «fat» when eaten than when consumed as juice.

13. Diet means deprivation.

This is absolutely not true. The most acceptable weight loss diet today is based on normal daily consumption, based on our personal preferences, improving quality and reducing the quantity of food we eat and increasing physical activity whenever possible. A successful weight loss process does not prohibit any foods but control the quantities to be consumed. In this sense, diet does not mean deprivation, but keeping the food enjoyment in lower doses and less guilt.

14. Weight loss diets that help you lose weight slowly are effective?

The slow diets are safer from the fast diets but difficult to follow for long periods. But because you lose weight slowly, the chances of abandoning the effort are greater. But this does not make them ineffective, but more «difficult», because they require more patience and effort.

15. Individuals suffering from thyroid cannot lose weight.

The reduced thyroid hormone secretion has the effect of reducing the speed of metabolism and this causes an increase in the body weight, in most cases, an increase of 2-3 kg – no more. With the help of an endocrinologist the problem is treated, the organic effects are reduced and thus a weight loss process can be initiated.

16. Diets can give you weight loss help up to a certain point and then they stop

You can lose weight easier at the beginning of a diet because you are loosing mostly water. The real weight loss begins when the body starts to use the fat reserves. Then it takes more days, maybe weeks, to lose even 1 kilo. If you abandon the effort at this point, you will once again gain the weight you lost.

17. Protein diets are the best for weight lost

Any diet that promotes the greater intake of some nutrients at the expense of others is dangerous because it disrupts the biochemical balance of the body and does not supply all the ingredients needed.

18. There are weight loss diets that can help you lose fat locally.

No diet, exercise, creams, medicine, nutritional supplement or machine is able to cause local fat reduction, without first having a general reduction of fat: The release of fat is not affected (or it is affected slightly) from local infinitesimal stimuli. Any observed reduction in the size of a region may be due to other reasons such as a reduction in the overall fat, in «muscle tightening» and reduction in fluid retention.

19. The weight loss process should target the ideal body weight

The ideal body weight statistics refer to averages and have significant differences and it only concerns us if we are an average or a statistical sample! In essence we should target a body weight that will allow us to feel and look good.

20. I can lose weight from specific parts of the body.

The way we lose weight is mainly dependent on our genetic characteristics. Nobody knows, and cannot know in advance from where it will lose weight and cannot expect that the weight will be lost from the same part as the previous diet. Often due to weight loss the problematic areas seem fatter, the weaken areas seem more weaken and almost always we keep the same body shape, but with smaller dimensions.

21. The time spend on chewing food is irrelevant.

The brain needs at least ten to fifteen minutes to realize the message that the stomach is full. If you eat quickly, you eat more than you need.

22. There are special diets that help you lose only fat.

No diet can make us lose only fat, a «good» diet can, in conjunction with proper exercise and psychological support, to maximize fat loss and minimize loss of muscle mass.

23. Fruits make you lose weight

No. If we eat too much, we get many calories from simple carbohydrates. The excess carbohydrates not consumed with physical activity is stored as fat.

24. Smoking can prevent you from gaining extra weight

Some people may smoke to «control» their desire for food. In the long term this creates a reduction in metabolism, since smoking reduces oxygenation of the body and weakens the cardiovascular system.

25. If you eat only one meal a day, you will lose weight faster

No, because with only one meal we usually eat too much because of hunger. Even if we eat less, the body will adapt by storing more calories and increasing fat reserves.

26. The diets with many vegetable fibers have more advantages.

The consumption of foods high in fiber ingredients (cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables) allows us to eat more quantities of food than in other diets; they reduce the uric acid and cholesterol and remedy existing constipation. The high fiber diet is not suitable for all people and it should be well structured to avoid shortages of basic amino acids and iron, decreased absorption of calcium, vitamin B12 and avoid gastrointestinal disorders.

27. The large intake of water helps weight loss

The water reduces hunger and helps the body to break the fat more easily, but in no case it does not help in getting rid of fat. But consuming less water, below the level of daily needs, it is forcing the body to reduce combustion, enables the use of fat and increases fluid retention.

28. If the scale is «stuck», we should further reduce the intake of calories.

By reducing the perceived calories, the body, believing that it is in a state of starvation, will react by reducing the metabolism, attempting to save energy. This will reduce the rate of weight loss and lead to a ‘stuck’. To overcome this problem, you do not need to reduce the calories, but a slight increase (approximately 10%), more physical activity and higher-quality selection of food.

29. To lose weight we must cut fatty foods completely.

The complete abstention from foods containing fat leads to a lack of vitamins and fatty acids that cannot be composed by the body. In the long-term the stocks of vitamins are reduced seriously and this increases nervousness, reduces concentration, is causing skin problems, rachides, problems in the bones and joints, increased inflammation, immune system problems, affects the female periodic cycle, affects fertility and the production of hormones such as testosterone and estrogens.

30. Can I lose weight by eating every day only one kind of food in unlimited quantities?

Such diets are inadequate and dangerous! The unbalanced consumption of foods, the lack of vitamins and minerals and the unilateral consumption of food quickly leads to physical and psychological collapse and you quickly regain of all the weight lost, leaving the body with problems that require a long time to restore, if they can be restored.

31. The carbohydrates are more fattening than fat.

The fats have twice as many calories per gram than carbohydrates (9 calories versus 4). Furthermore they need no energy to assimilate, so your body by taking fat stores more calories.

32. The diet with few carbohydrates helps the body to avoid looking for sweets

Quite the opposite: The few carbohydrates reduce serotonin and cause melancholy, with an intense desire to «enjoy» by some sweet, especially chocolate.

33. It does not matter if we eat more at night than in the morning.

It does matter a lot. As the day progresses, we need less food, because the energy needs of the organization are reduced by limiting our activities. Food that is not «spent» on energy accumulates as fat.

34. All foods should be eaten unsalted.

When we are on a weight loss diet, we must reduce the salt, but not to cut it completely, because the sodium is one of the regulators of the water balance in our bodies. There are diets that provide for rapid weight loss tips where you can lose, 2-3 pounds the first few days because of the increase diourisis. Soon the great expulsion of water is perceived as a threat to the balance of water, and the body reacts with fluid retention.

35. Products for diabetics have fewer calories.

The macaroni for «diabetic» contains more protein and fiber and less carbohydrate, but they have almost the same calorie value as the «common» macaroni. The jam for «diabetic» has, instead of sugar, the same amount of fructose and eventually the same calories as the normal jam, which contains sugar.

36. We can eat steak and salad constantly until we lose the weight we want.

No. First the weight loss comes mostly from water loss and the excessive intake of animal protein and fat increases the risk of dehydration, reduces the intake of vitamins and minerals, causing nervousness, constipation and increases in dangerous levels of uric acid, “poisoning” the organism.

37. When you lose the first pounds you look slimmer

It depends. In unorthodox diets 75% of the weight lost is from muscle tissue, glycogen and water and only 25% from fat, so the percentage of fat will not be significantly reduced. And while we have lost weight, the large loss of muscle tissue and water would make us look wider and perhaps fatter than before.

38. The liposuction is a weight loss method

No. It is local surgical method of removing fat and no general method of reducing body weight.

39. There are special diets that increase the speed of metabolism.

No diet can significantly increase the speed of metabolism. The deprivation diets reduce metabolic rate, because the body reacts automatically to a large reduction of perceived food, reducing the number of calories needed to maintain weight.

40. Certain foods have the capacity to help weight loss dramatically

There is no food we can eat in unlimited quantities, and instead of getting weight to lose weight. When talking about foods that help in weight loss, we mean foods, which contain relatively few calories, are rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals and we can benefit from them when we eat them in moderation.

Fast and Easy Weight loss Tips

If you want to lose weight, you should choose a way that gives you stability in solving the problem.

Follow a diet that can become a way of life.

Do not get stressed because of your weight

Check your passion for food.

Exercise daily (Weight Loss Exercise Tips) and find new interests in your life (the one that you live now not in another life), which will occur when you achieve your weight loss efforts.

How to lose weight fast and easy is a process that needs special care and attention. To succeed in your weight loss efforts you need to avoid the traps of many weight loss diets and weight loss programs. Remember two things, First anything that sounds too good to be true is fake and second the difference from theory to practice is only one thing: Action!

How to lose weight with out a diet

Is it possible to lose weight with out a diet? Many people thing that the only way on how to lose weight fast is through diet. This is partly true as there is certain weight loss tips you can follow that can help you to lose weight with out a diet. When you are stuck in your efforts to lose weight there is a hidden secret that you might ignore: We do not need to count calories or grams but you need to discover the pitfalls that lie in the «where» and «how» you eat and get rid of the unnecessary weight easily and permanently. Of course the combination of balanced diet and exercise can bring the best weight loss results, but still you can follow the tips below to start your weight loss process with out having to follow a diet.

1. Lose weight by eating!

What is the real «secret» for weight loss? But to eat of course! If, indeed, this sounds like a bad joke, do not outrun. To lose weight you do not have to be hungry, simply you should not eat more than you really need. Thus, your body will eventually obtain the ideal weight. Avoiding the trap of food portions when you are at home or not, you can lose weight in a safe and healthy way, without hardship, and with variety in your diet. This sounds too good to be true but it is a fact that successful weight loss is based on these principles.

2. Watch what you buy from supermarkets

Many food packages are now sold in the so-called ‘economy’ sizes and they demonstrate the delicious foods they contain and there are also advantageous for your wallet. However, the more food your buy the more «temptations» you will have at home later. This means that eating a bit of this and a bit of that and trips to the refrigerator and cupboards is not limited rather it happens more frequently. To prevent unnecessary weight gain and lose confidence, make sure that the necessary food supplies at home cover up to three days and if you are going to buy ready-made food, the portion to be single and not double. Check the entries on the labels of food for fats, sugar and calories. In addition, give priority to healthy diet, avoiding sweets, ice cream and salted snacks. Prefer fresh fruits and vegetables. Finally, do not forget that you must never go to the supermarket hungry. It has been shown that when we are hungry, we shop more and more foods rich in calories than when we are on a full stomach.

3. Avoid the traps of the homemade food

Many people got used to think that the food at home should be well cooked and the portions big. A big portion of well-cooked and tasty homemade food can satisfy your desire, but every time you get on the scale you will notice the adverse effects of this habit. And this is because people tend to eat the whole portion of their home made food and because usually it was not served in moderation (large portions), it is almost expected to eat more than what we really need.

A clever trick that will help you reduce the portions of homemade food without being hungry is a serving the food in small dishes. You can use large plates in special circumstances such as holidays or parties. This way you will still fill the same but with fewer calories. Remember that in large plates food always seems a little, so the more you fill your plate with food. Also, you can split your portion in the plate in two areas, for example in one are to have the vegetables and in the other area the proteins. In any case you should not go for a second portion.

4. Avoid the ‘delicious risks’ of the restaurants

When dining out, certainly the food menu is fascinating and delicious. To prevent escaping from your weight loss efforts and not feeling deprivation you can choose a main course, whatever-this includes, but with no (or very little) pasta or potatoes. Start your meal with salad. Avoid bread and do not order more than two starters. Limit your self to one or two glasses of red wine. Then, instead for a sweet order a fresh fruit or a cup of espresso. Also try to consume sugar free soft drinks, if you want to have a soft drink. The baasic rule is to focus on your plate and not care for what the other people are eating. Focus on your weight loss goals. To achieve this you can focus your attention in watching the beautiful environment or chatting with your company.

5. Resist the buffets

First of all, do not hurry. Relax and try to see what’s available in the buffet and not what’s in the dish of the person next to you. Moreover, as with all meals, do not go to eat in a buffet when you are very hungry! You begin with a salad or cooked vegetables. You can choose a variety of appetizers, but not simultaneously with the main dish that can include meat, chicken or fish. The challenge of the buffet is above all visual and then gastronomic. So many times we put in our dish more than the necessary amount of food, leading to destroy our weight loss efforts.

6. Make sure to eat the right food at work

The best solution is based on the preparation of your food from the previous evening to avoid the delivery of full fat food rich in calories (junk food). If this is not feasible, it is much better for your health and weight to preference a normal meal or if there is enough time, a salad with chicken, tuna or salmon or a whole grain toast with cheese and turkey and a fruit. Avoid juices and prefer water.

7. Realize the importance of a good breakfast

You need to believein the value of breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it is scientifically proven that it helps in losing unnecessary weight. It is observed that those who fail or do not take a full breakfast in a period of one year it is easier for them to add more weight.

This is because a good breakfast offers you energy and will prevent the uncontrolled consumption of snacks during the day. At the same time is the most hygienic solution for all gastrointestinal problems. Breakfast is a very important meal. May include low-fat milk, fruit, black bread or toasted bread, lean cheese, boiled eggs (in a limited frequency), and fat free yogurt. Also it is highly recommended to have whole grain cereals because they regulate the functioning of the gut.

8. Eat frequently

If you eat your lunch late in the afternoon or evening and you want to re-enforce your weight loss efforts it is best not to leave your stomach empty for a lot of hours. In this case, your body starts to fear the hunger and it acquires the tendency to save the smallest quantity of food. This also slows the process of metabolism resulting in eating less and gaining more weight. It is therefore important to eat something frequently, even a fruit, low fat yogurt or toasted bread so as to protect your metabolism and, also, when the time comes for your regular meal, not to increase the quantity of food you will eat because of the all-day hunger. In any case it is recommended to split your meals to four or five small meals per day, instead of one – two large meals, to better assimilate the food-and also you should avoid the intermediate snacks, crisps and biscuits.

9. Learn to eat anything

Lack of dietary diversity because you like certain foods is the worst you can do for your health and your weight loss efforts. You should include in your diet all groups of foods such as milk, vegetables, fruits, cereals, meat, fish, pulses, vegetable fat (oil), etc. For the basis of a balanced diet that facilitates weight loss, this is very important, because there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ food but only good and bad eating habits. The protein, carbohydrate and fat are necessary for the proper functioning of the body (in balanced proportions).

Following the 9 weight loss tips above will help you to lose weight with out a diet. For faster results though you may need to combine these tips with a balanced diet and regular physical exercise.

Weight loss for teens

Weight loss for teens is about helping teenagers loose the extra weight and protect their psychological and physical health from the harmful effects of obesity. In most cases those who are responsible for a teenagers weight are not the teens themselves but their parents. The parents need to be aware on what causes obesity and also how to protect their children from gaining extra weight and in the case their children are already obese what to do to help them and guide them in the weight loss process.

What causes obesity in teens and why weight loss is important?

During childhood the need for nutrients is increased, as the body of the children is growing very rapidly. The sharp growth in teens causes a natural but intense mood for greater food consumption. This strong disposition to food should not be treated as an opportunity for the teenager to eat what they want and as much as they want, using the excuse that they are in the ‘development phase’. Instead, they should offer the teenager all the nutrients they need, avoiding to give too much food.

It is true that by eating the particularly rich sauces and fatty meals, will result in an obese teenager. Obesity is a medical condition associated with diseases of the heart, vascular, kidney, arthritis, diabetes etc. Moreover, it influences the mental world of teens: increasing the number of teens affected by syndromes of isolation, since their mental state and appearance restricts their contact with the environment. Such cases require, apart from nutritional care, also psychological. As a parent there are a number of ways to help your children. This article outlines tips for weight loss for teens.

Weight loss for teens – The importance of each meal

It is important to provide psychological help to teens who consider their body silhouette a very important element in evaluating themselves. They worry constantly that they will gain weight, although they weight less that the ‘ideal’ weight, and as a result they take only a few calories per day and have anorexia.

Each meal its important for teens

Apart from taking the appropriate amount of food an important role in the proper nutrition of a teenager plays the careful organization of normal and intermediate meals at school or at home.

Breakfast

The breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In the early morning hours, the body of the teenager, having regrouped its forces from the night sleep, it is back to normal activity levels, and as a result there is an increase demand for energy.

Therefore, if it takes the appropriate quantity of food, the teenager can have an increased perception and ability to assimilate the knowledge provided during the school day.

Otherwise, his body will meet his needs by using organic stock, and as a result the teenager will not be able to concentrate and will have a bad mood through out the day.

Of course, we must not get to the other extreme, namely to create a teenager with a ‘full stomach’ feeling sleepiness during the day. The quantity of breakfast depends mainly on the body characteristics and activity of the teenager. For breakfast we recommend natural fruit juice, egg, honey and bread in any form.

As an intermediate breakfast meal the teenager may consume a fresh fruit. You should avoid the consumption of sweets and generally high fat foods.

Lunch

The lunch, which is the largest meal of the day, should be controlled, as there are no large margins for good digestion and absorption by the teenager before to start other activities (schools, reading). It is recommended to have a time interval, even a half-hour period, so as to give time to the organism to physically calm. Foods that make up teen lunch should contain all the essential nutrients. If the lunch is not carefully controlled then the teenager may consume far more calories than the body needs and soon enough we need help for weight loss.

Afternoon Snack

The mid afternoon snack may be milk, fruit or yogurt or even a cake or ice cream (not on a daily basis), so that the body of the teenager can retain safe quantities of glucose in the blood until the time of dinner. To better control the weight loss process for your child you must make sure that you follow the above rules. If you manage to control lunch but you let your child consume any food in the afternoon then it is very likely that it will gain unnecessary weight.

Dinner

The evening meal can be large and complex. But it should be composed of simple and easy to digest food and should not be taken just before sleep, in order to allow time for digestion. During sleep the digestive, muscular and the nervous system of the teenager should be relaxed and redefined to be ready for the demands of the next day.

Make sure your child eats enough fruits and vegetables. The completeness in vitamins and nutrients will contribute to a healthy body and a healthy teenager.

Weight loss for teens – Teenage Obesity

One of the most difficult problems facing the pediatricians is the teenage obesity. Unfortunately, the frequency seems to be increasing and this increases the risk in adulthood. Obesity today has taken enormous dimensions and for the advanced countries it is a serious public health problem. But where is the root of evil. The English poet William Wordworth said, “The child is the father of man.” Perhaps then the explanation for obesity is found in childhood. In the U.S. it is estimated that one in four teenagers is overweight! First of all, we must give a correct definition of teenage obesity. An adult has a fixed height and with time the only thing that can change is its weight. Depending on the height of a person it corresponds an ideal weight. If the weight is greater than the value of the highest deviation then the person is considered overweight.

The child from birth until the age of 19 to 20 years shows an increase in weight and height. If these two levels increase in harmony, the body has the right proportions. If weight gain is faster than the increase in height, the child is overweight. Several studies carried out in thousands of children have set what is the normal weight and height value for each age group.

Unfortunately, obesity is inherited. In other words, it is observed that when both parents are obese, in 80% of the cases, the children will also be obese. When only one parent is obese, the child is obese and this is around 40% of cases. In contrast, when both parents have normal weight, the fat kid is only 7% of cases. Despite extensive investigations it is not yet known what proportion is attributable to heredity and lifestyle. This is because the parents give their children not only their genes, but also raise them by their own habits.

Weight loss for teens – Obese teenagers

Obese teenagers are, compared with other teens, less active; they spend much more time watching television and play with computers more often. Also, they eat more fat and fewer carbohydrates, less or no breakfast, and instead enjoy a more rich dinner. Food is a decisive factor in shaping the body. The fat cells are the body’s cells that are specialized to store fat. Their size increased until the age of six and especially in the first year of life while-from seven to twenty years they are increasing in number. If children suffer from obesity in the first years of their life, this is called hypertrophy and may be transient, and if they suffer after the age of six, is called ‘super plastic’ and it can be permanent, if no actions are taken for weight loss. Some studies have shown that the two critical periods of increased fat are the first six years and adolescence. The third question that is emerging is whether or not there is correlation of childhood obesity to obesity in adults. It is observed that about half of the children who are overweight at the age of one they continue to be overweight and after the age of 21. Rather, children who do not have a problem with their weight, only 20% will be obese in their 21. But more studies are needed to monitor this relation and to clarify if childhood obesity continues in adulthood.

In contrast, the direct effects of obesity in teens are known:

1. Obese children are usually higher than the rest.
2. In obese girls the menstruation starts earlier.
3. Boys and girls have enormous social and family problems because of their weight, which creates feelings of inferiority and psychological instability.

As with most diseases, it is better to act before they happen and provide ways to prevent them. Currently the only weapon against teen obesity is weight loss through diet and regular exercise.

Weight loss for teens – How to prevent obesity

According to measurements by the World Health Organization (WHO), the last 15 years the number of teens classified as obese has doubled!

The teenagers should be sensitized on the issue and have the necessary motivation and willingness to address the problem.

The role of parents is of paramount importance. The parents should educate their children properly in the areas of weight loss, proper diet and exercise. Must evaluate the other positive aspects of the character and competence of their children and not to concentrate only on the problem of obesity. They should give them credit for other achievements, giving them the necessary supplies to build their own self-confidence and self esteem to strengthen their personality and help them to succeed in their weight loss efforts.

Some tips to help teenagers and children stay at their normal weight levels are:

1. Regularly monitoring the weight and taking actions for weight loss immediately.
2. Meals should be carefully selected, avoiding foods with fats and especially junk or fast food.
3. Doing more physical exercise, especially more walking.
4. Children should not eat in front of the TV or the computer and when possible, the whole family to eat together
5. Reduce the number and type of snacks between meals
6. Do not use food as a reward for something
7. Children should learn to eat slowly and not to accompany their meal with refreshments

There is no doubt that obesity is a serious problem that tends to take epidemic proportions worldwide. Children and especially teens are particularly vulnerable to this problem and the effects may last throughout their lives. The reasons are complex and the treatment is not easy. Recognizing the problem of obesity in teens should be made early and treatment should be continued on a long-term basis. Weight loss for teens is a responsibility of the parents. The parents should help their children bypass the problem of excessive weight. Remember: The benefits of a successful weight loss will accompany your children throughout their lifes.

20 rapid weight loss tips

There are a lot of tips to follow for rapid weight loss. It is of great importance to make sure that anything you do to loose weight fast is healthy and you need to take all the necessary measures to ensure that you will not gain the weight back once you stop the diet or weight loss program. This article outlines 20 tips that can help you in your weight loss efforts in a healthy and secure way.

If you want to achieve rapid weight loss for those extra pounds, you should be careful on what you eat and how active you are. Identify what needs to change and include in your lifestyle the following weight loss tips.

Tip1. Reduce the calories you consume

One gram of fat contains twice the calories of a gram of protein or carbohydrate. Limit foods high in fat, choose products with reduced fat and calories, limit the starters and remove fat from meat. You should include in your diet products with fewer calories, like fruits and vegetables. Good selections are also foods rich in fiber. Try to turn from white to black bread and choose whole grain cereal for breakfast.

Tip 2. Watch the size of your food portions

The sizes of food portions have increased as the year’s pass, especially when it comes to ready meals and snacks. This means that we consume more calories, and adapt quickly to eating bigger portions and do not feel congested. Restrict potatoes, pasta, rice, fatty foods and sweets and select fruits and vegetables.

Tip 3. Watch what you drink

Stop the consumption of drinks containing sugar and alcohol, and replace them with water, tea, coffee or drinks with artificial sweeteners. Drinks with sugar add more calories in the diet and do not lead to the feeling of satiety or satisfaction.

Tip 4. Keep a balanced diet

Remember the principles of a balanced diet, to include in your diet fruits and vegetables (at least 5 portions a day), non-processed foods with more fiber, lean meats and dairy products low in fat.

Tip 5. Be more active

To become more active in your daily life does not necessarily mean to sweat in the gym. Instead of the gym you can utilize the following tips that can indirectly help your weight loss efforts:

Choose physical activities that you like and try to spend more time each week in these activities
Incorporate more activity in your daily life
Buy a step counter and count the steps you do everyday

Another good way to become more active is to reduce the time you are sitting. At home limit the time watching television or sitting in front of the computer. At work, you can make regular breaks and if you want to talk with a colleague you can walk to his office instead of sending e-mail.

Tip 6. Avoid the ‘rapid weight loss diets’

These diets that promise rapid weight loss should be avoided. Initially they give you tips for rapid weight loss but in the long run they are very difficult to follow. Often these diets are very demanding and they are not providing the necessary nutrients to the body. Diets that promise rapid weight loss, are suggesting that some foods ‘can burn fat quickly’, they usually promote one or two foods, have many rules on how to eat and they overall seem too good to be true.

Tip 7. The Yo-Yo dieting

Many people that experience a weight loss have the tendency to regain their weight later. You can restrict this possibility by making permanent changes to your lifestyle and eating habits. The best tip to enhance your weight loss efforts is physical exercise. Regular physical activity and exercise plays an important role in maintaining body weight.

The following factors are important for permanent weight loss: changes in eating habits, regular exercise, realistic objectives and support from friends and family.

Although nobody would suggest that the Yo-Yo diets are good, there is little evidence that they are harmful to your health. However, the results are disappointing and may lead to reduced confidence and mobility.

You have to realise that in the period immediately after a weight loss you are at increased risk of gaining some weight and that you will need to take concrete steps to prevent it.

Remember to weigh regularly. If you notice your weight increasing, act immediately. Do not let a little failure to become a major problem.

Tip 8. Drink green tea

A recent study showed that green tea polyphenols and specifically katechines contribute to the increase of basic metabolism, helping the ‘combustion’ of fat.

Tip 9. Eat regular meals!

A daily portion of 2,000 calories for example, can be spread into 3 or 5-6 meals. But when there is division into 5-6 smaller meals each day (e.g. breakfast, snack, lunch, afternoon, evening) then there are small (not big) changes to the levels of sugar in our body and especially of insulin, which is important for our metabolism and good ‘fat combustion’.

Tip 10. Caffeine does not help your weight loss efforts

Caffeine has a leading role in many studies on weight loss with other substances (e.g., ephedrine), but the effect on the metabolism is small and someone should not wait to loose weight by drinking coffee. Its diuretic action (which exists only in large quantities of coffee) can in no case be counted as major weight loss help.

Tip 11. For rapid weight loss do not follow deprivation diets

If you were determined to lose 5 kilos quickly, then you would probably follow a deprivation diet. Perhaps you are not eating anything, only grapefruit or cabbage soup every day. You reduce your daily calories to less than 1,000 and of course you see the pounds to go. But when you eat so few calories, in essence you train your metabolism rate to slow down. Once you stop the diet, your body burns calories more slowly and you will gain weight faster-than ever before.

Tip 12. Do not forget breakfast

Not eating breakfast seems a simple way to reduce some calories, but the result may be insatiable hunger for the rest of the day. This can lead to a non-planned snack in the office, in huge portions for lunch and this as a result will increase the calories you consume. But a breakfast, which is rich in protein and fiber, can reduce hunger throughout the day. In fact, research shows that people who eat breakfast every morning are more likely to maintain normal weight.

Tip 13. Do not underestimate calories of snacks

Possibly you are carefully measuring the calories you take in each meal and you forget about the snacks. There are some cookies in your office, a piece of cake brought by a colleague, the ice cream of your children etc. All this added together can sabotage your otherwise well-designed weight loss diet. If you take seriously the issue of calculating the amount of calories you consume then you better use a notepad to write down every thing that you eat throughout the day.

If the constant consumption of snacks can destroy your silhouette, to eat snacks wisely can do the opposite. People who eat several small meals and snacks a day are more likely to control their hunger and enable rapid weight loss. Snacks can help you keep your metabolism high, especially those snacks rich in protein. Nuts are a good choice and they are high in protein. Research suggests that people who eat nuts as a snack they tend to weight less than those who do not consume nuts.

Tip 14. Be careful of ‘light’ products

Light products with low fat may play an important role in your diet. Just remember that low fat is not the same as low calorie and this does not give you the right to consume a lot of such products. If you fill your plate with sweets that have little fat, you can eat more calories than if you had a smaller piece of ‘normal’ sweets. The best way to find out how much fat, sugar and calories they have is to check the product label.

Light food does not mean food with out nutritional value. Many light products contain large amounts of simple sugars in order to gain their lost taste. This immediately gives them calories, but is often less than fully fat products. The best thing you can do therefore is to carefully read the food labels that state, often in detail, the content in calories, but also the vitamins and minerals they contain.

Tip 15. Do not forget that drinks also have calories

When counting calories, most of us tend to overlook those in our drink. It is a big mistake, when you consider that some coffees and alcoholic drinks are more than 500 calories. Even the calories in juice and soft drink can be added quickly. The worst is that the calories in liquids are not limiting hunger. We will not eat less after we get many calories with a drink.

Tip 16. Water does not help in weight loss but…

Through the water, our body regulates temperature, eliminates unnecessary metabolic products, and carries nutrients and oxygen to cells. Not to drink water is one of the most common errors people do in a weight loss diet. Water is necessary for the burning of calories. If you let yourself be dehydrated your metabolism malfunctions-and that means slower weight loss. Research indicates that adults who drink 8 or more glasses of water per day burn more calories than those who drink less. So, try to add a glass of water at each meal or snack.

Tip 17. Drink low fat milk

Milk, cheese and ice cream are taboo for many people who are on a diet, but the abandonment of milk can be “counterproductive”. Some surveys suggest that the body burns more fat when you take enough calcium and produces more fat when it lacks calcium. The calcium supplements do not have the same benefits, so the milk might have other ingredients that act as well. Most specialists recommend that you remain in milk with low or no fat.

Tip 18. Do not get on the scale daily

The daily weighing is a recipe that causes confusion and gives you no useful information. More important is the tendency to look in the long run and be weighed every week. If your goal is to lose half a kilo a week, you will be satisfied to see that you lost them when you get on the scale. The result gives you a greater reward than to see the variations in scale and get confused when you weight daily.

Tip 19. Do not set unrealistic goals

To tell yourself that you will lose 9 pounds the first week, you are doomed for failure. If you know that you will not succeed you may even not start a diet. If you diet and lose 2.5 kilos a week, rather than being happy and celebrate it, you will feel unsatisfied that you did not reach your target. The realistic goal is important for the success of a weight loss diet. If you are not sure what should be your goal, talk with a specialist to help you set your goals. Remember that fast weight loss diets are too good to be true, so you need to be patient and set realistic goals.

Tip 20. You need to exercise regularly

Exercising intensively for two hours once every fifteen days has no value for weight loss. Conversely, someone who exercises daily, even 30 minutes, can greatly gain from the various benefits of exercise to health, while simultaneously laying the foundation for maintaining a desired weight and enabling rapid weight loss.

If you do not exercise, you put the whole burden of weight loss to the diet. If you become more active, you can eat more of the foods you like and still lose weight. The tip is to find an exercise that you like. If you do not like the treadmill, try swimming, ballet, cycling or tennis, which burn more calories than walking. Spend time doing different activities to choose what you like and which you can spend more days.

When you are engaging into a rapid weigh loss diet you should also be aware of the following tips:

1. Most ‘diets’ are ineffective and have short-term results.

2. You cannot lose ‘five pounds in ten days’, as advertised by the various diets and institutions that are published in women’s magazines every May and June. Our organism can lose 2-4 pounds in a month. Most unfortunately are muscle and water. From how many muscles we have in our body dependents how much weight we will lose. Two people of the same age, same height and same weight can lose weight differently.

3. The only ‘diet’ that has rapid weigh loss results is one personalized for the person and balanced in the standards of the Mediterranean diet, without hysteria and denial, always combined with physical activity and exercise.

4. Chemical’ diets are one-sided diets. If you consume few calories, you will have better and faster results. With chemical diets you lose muscle and water, something criminal, because after all what you need is to loose fat. But there are also adverse effects on blood lipids, kidney and other body organs.

5.Obesity is a multi disease and has different aspects: organic, psychological, aesthetic and should be treated with care and long term.

6. For medical purposes there is no ‘ideal’ weight for a person. There is the so-called body mass index. It is our weight (in kg) divide by our height (in meters) squared. The desire value for everyone is between 18 to 25 kg/m2. Over weight people are those who have the body mass index above 30kg/m2.

People who want to loose weight fast do a lot of mistakes in the process. Some of the common mistakes were outlined in this article. What are the most important rapid weight loss tips is to follow a diet that is healthy and personalized for your own needs and to combine the diet with physical activity and regular exercise.