Turn Your Fat Burning Mechanism into High Gear with Interval Training

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I’ve recently experimented with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and have received amazing results. HIIT is, undisputedly, the single most effective factor involved in breaking weight loss plateaus and burning fat. HIIT consists of short bursts of exercise at high intensity levels – near or around your maximum heart rate. This is also referred to as anaerobic exercise and includes exercises such as sprinting. Aerobic training, on the other hand, consists of endurance type exercises at lower intensity levels like jogging, power walking etc.

For the last couple of decades and longer, it was believed that fat burning was best achieved by endurance training - exercise at longer durations (cardio training). The argument was that (according to research) the body begins to burn fat beyond the 20 minute mark of continuous aerobic exercise. Although this still holds true, many recent studies have shown that training at very high intensities burns higher amounts of calories and fat.

HIIT may be responsible for burning up to 50% more body fat than lower intensity exercise. It has been documented that exercising at 65% of maximum heart rate (cardio-endurance) burns more calories from fat than from carbohydrates. HIIT, however will burn more total calories which will amount to more TOTAL fat burned even though it’s at a lower percentage.

When exercising at lower intensities for longer periods (duration), your body goes into a “steady state”. In this state, the body has adjusted to the speed and intensity and attempts to conserve energy (calories). This is one factor that may be responsible for reaching weight loss plateaus when performing cardio exercise. This could be avoided if you added HIIT to your workouts.

While doing steady – rate cardio for longer periods the body burns fat for fuel but also goes into a catabolic state. This means that the body begins to break down muscle to use as fuel. So, as it burns fat it also uses up muscle. And as we know, muscle increases the metabolic rate – and as muscle mass decreases so does the metabolism. Short bouts of training associated with interval training, however, have been shown to prevent the body from entering the catabolic phase.

In fact, interval training increases the body’s resting metabolic rate causing the body to burn more calories well after the exercise session – up to 48 hours after training.

Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training:

- Increases metabolism


- Increases calorie and fat burning capacity


- Helps to overcome weight loss plateaus


- Improves aerobic capacity – increasing the ability to train longer with higher intensity


- Keeps you from getting bored with exercise – By mixing in exercise at higher intensity for shorter durations you’re adding more variety to your workout.


- Special equipment is not required – all you need to do is modify your current training method.


- Improves your body composition.


- Improves eating and sleeping habits as the body adjusts to meet the new demands of exercise.


- The short power bursts of HIIT may often boost your energy level causing you to feel more upbeat and energetic.


- Increases athletic performance for athletes.


- Improves excess post - exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) – oxygen intake is increased for a certain period, following high intensity exercise, which has shown to increase fat burning by up to 9 times during periods of rest.

Are there any risks involved with HIIT?

HIIT is not for everyone. If you have a chronic health condition or not accustomed to regular exercise, you should consult your doctor before trying any type of high intensity exercise.

The other thing is you should start slow. Don’t rush into high intensity training before your body is ready. You may run the risk of hurting yourself, which may include bone, tendon-ligament and muscle damage.

Keep in mind that HIIT workouts need more recovery time than aerobic workouts. They should be performed no more than 3 times a week and should be on non weight-training days.

Here is an HIIT program for beginners:

Total Workout: 12 Minutes in Duration

Warm – Up -First 4 Minutes:

Jog at around 50% effort

1st Interval -5th Minute:

Sprint at maximum effort for 30 seconds – follow with jogging/walking for 30 seconds

2nd Interval – 6th Minute:

Sprint at maximum effort for 30 seconds – follow with jogging/walking for 30 seconds

3rd Interval - 7th Minute:

Sprint at maximum effort for 30 seconds – follow with jogging/walking for 30 seconds

4th Interval - 8th Minute:

Sprint at maximum effort for 30 seconds – follow with jogging/walking for 30 seconds

Cool Down – Minutes 9-12:

Jog at 50% effort

---------------------------

You can gradually increase the number of intervals in the workout as your body adapts to high intensity and frequency. A good pace would be to add an interval after every 2-3 workouts, until you reach 10 intervals per workout session.

HIIT workouts can also be performed on machines such as steppers, elliptical trainers and stationary cycles. Research suggests, however, that the closer one gets to their maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) during training, the more efficiently they burn fat. And sprinting is the most efficient form of exercise for optimizing VO2 max.

I hope not too many of you, who are trying to lose weight (and not very excited about the exercise part), hate me too much for this article.



Refernces:

1. http://www.uoguelph.ca/mediarel/2007/06/post_56.html - University of Guelph, “Interval Training Burns More Fat, Increases Fitness, Study Finds”

2. Tremblay, A., Simoneau, J-A., Bouchard, C., “Impact of Exercise Intensity on Body Fatness and Skeletal Muscle Metabolism, Vol. 43 #7 (July), 1994: pp 814-818.

3. http://www.musclemedia.com/training/hiit.asp

4. http://www.exrx.net/FatLoss/HIITvsET.html

5. http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_100/

135_fitness_tip.html

6. http://www.cs.unm.edu/~wneumann/files/guerilla_cardio.pdf


Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Weight Loss Motivation

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Weight Loss Motivation

Losing weight is not that difficult. I’m sure everyone at some point in there life has lost weight whether it was intentional or not. The problem, however, is keeping it off permanently or at least for a long period of time. One major reason for this is that people choose the wrong weight loss methods (fad dieting, diet pills, weight loss products, etc). Another reason is people lose the motivation required to maintain weight loss.

First of all, you have to want to lose weight badly enough. Secondly, you must participate in a good weight loss program that includes a well balanced diet and adequate physical activity. And finally, you need to have the right motivation that is required to take you to your goal. The other thing is you must want to lose weight for yourself - not for anyone else - in order to be more successful.

Most people that have trouble with motivation often forget why they are trying to lose weight in the first place. It may be a good idea to make a list of various personal benefits associated with weight loss, which will help you stay motivated and focused.

Here are some examples of weight loss benefits that may appeal to you:

- Look better in tight jeans
- Breath easier – instead of getting out of breath quickly
- Accomplish physical chores/activities with ease
- Feel more confident
- Enjoy shopping for clothes
- Look forward to holidays
- Have no fear of wearing a bathing suit in public
- Feel sexier and more attractive
- Feel better about yourself

Weight Loss Support

Getting involved with a good support network will help you stay motivated. You can do that within the Myspace community for example. In Myspace, you can search for like-minded individuals who want to lose weight and ask them to be your friends. You can get to know them better and share your needs, goals, difficulties and frustrations. The advantage here is that you’ll have no trouble finding someone who’s had difficult times with weight loss, has overcome the obstacles and found success. This factor alone may be all you need to help you stay motivated and remain focused on your own weight loss plan.

At the same time you can also request support from family and friends. You could encourage them to join you in choosing healthier foods. Finding a friend that you can exercise with would be very helpful as well. As exercise partners, you can feed of each other – help maintain inspiration and motivation, while improving your physical condition.

Once the extra pounds start coming off, you’ll start to get noticed and people will begin complimenting you on your new and improved appearance. This will also help keep you motivated to stay on track and to maintain weight loss.

So as long as you have a burning desire to lose weight and you surround yourself with a good support system to help you stay motivated through trying times, you will have an excellent chance to achieve weight loss maintenance.

Scientific Research on Weight Loss Motivation

A recent study I found interesting suggested women with diabetes may lose more weight not only by diet and exercise but by discussing why they need to make changes.

The study published in Diabetes Care (journal) reviewed the effects of a technique called “motivational interviewing”. This involves a series of questions put forth by councilors intended to help subjects overcome obstacles that arise when making changes. In this case, the changes involved diet and exercise improvements.

There were 217 women in the study who also had type-2 diabetes. They were split in to 2 groups. After an 18 month period, the women who met with a councilor for motivation interviews lost twice as much weight as those who did not.

The researchers said that motivational interviewing encouraged subjects to come up with their own arguments and reasons for making changes. Councilors also helped clients identify the obstacles that were responsible for their inability to change. They did this by posing open-ended questions and by providing answers without being judgmental.

The findings of this study may also hold true for non diabetics as well. Researchers are planning to hold similar experiments in this area in the near future.


References
Diabetes Care. 2007;30:1081-1087.


Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Low Carb or Slow Carb?

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First I’d like to thank all of you that have participated with your wonderful and insightful blog comments. I would like to invite others who read this blog to participate as well. I’d love to know your thoughts and opinions – and many others would as well. So by all means let us know – Don’t be shy – spill your beans. Oh, by the way, I’d like to encourage those to subscribe to my blog – who haven’t yet. Thanks.

Okay, today I’d like to talk about foods that are nutritious and beneficial to health and weight loss - and foods that are not very good choices at all. In this post I’ll be focusing on carbohydrates. Let me just add that real, natural foods are much more nutritious than processed or prepared food products. I’m sure most of us agree with that.

Before I go any further I would just like to point out a couple of important principles with respect to diet: Variety and Moderation. Too much of any food is not very wise. Similarly, eating the same things day in and day out may exclude many essential nutrients the body needs.

A study at the University of Michigan compared the eating habits of American and French subjects (8,213 people in total). They studied their overall diets based on diversity (foods from 5 major food groups), variety (total number of foods consumed daily) and moderation (according to USDA dietary guidelines).

They found that the French ate more foods that were higher in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than their American counterparts. The study also showed that the French diet complied with very few of the USDA dietary recommendations for eating healthy. In addition, the findings showed that 99% of French women’s diets had saturated fat contents in excess of 10% of total daily calories. What’s shocking is that, on average, the French are thinner and have fewer occurrences of heart disease than Americans.

Research suggested that the possible harmful effects of the high fat content in the French diet were offset by diet diversity and variety. The scientist in charge of the study added, “The low fat approach is very good but not if it comes at the expense of dietary variety.”

In addition, the above study suggested that food diversity and variety may even outweigh the benefits of the moderation principle. Food diversity must consist of healthy carbohydrates as well as lean protein and healthy fat from unsaturated oils.

Let’s look at carbohydrates for now.

Carbohydrates have gotten a bad wrap over the years. But what many don’t realize is that only certain carbohydrates are bad – NOT all carbohydrates.

Good carbs are those that contain fiber like fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Bad carbs are those that have very little or no fiber.

Many health organizations recommend from 2-3 and up to 4-6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Simple Carbohydrates - Sugars

There are 2 different types of sugars. There are natural occurring sugars such as those in fruit (fructose) and milk (lactose). And then there are refined sugars also known as simple carbohydrates such as white granular sugar.

Sugar hides under many different names: table sugar, brown sugar, molasses, beet sugar, cane sugar, powdered sugar, raw sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, sugar cane syrup and table sugar’s chemical name – sucrose. There are also many products on the market sweetened with these sugars.

Sugars are “fast” carbs - when consumed, they are absorbed very quickly by the body. As a result they cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels – a process, which may trigger feelings of hunger. They also have very low nutritional value and are stored as fat, in the body, very efficiently. These should be avoided or reduced.

Starchy Carbohydrates

Other carbohydrates that are also not as high on the nutrition scale are those with high starch contents (potatoes, other refined carbohydrates like white bread, white rice, white pasta, etc). Although these are digested a little slower than simple carbs they are still absorbed by the body fairly quickly. For similar reasons, these should also be avoided or reduced and should be substituted with whole grain equivalents.

High-Fiber Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates high in fiber are “slow” carbs. Their digestive process is longer than the above carbohydrates and they actually stabilize blood sugar levels, reducing hunger pangs. Choosing high-fiber carbs in place of simple or starchy carbs will:

- Stabilize your blood glucose (sugar) levels helping to reduce periods of hunger – and favorably improve insulin resistance
- Increase the nutritional value of your diet
- Strengthen your immune system to fight against chronic diseases (see below)

Research with diabetics has shown that the fiber contained in certain carbohydrates was responsible for decreasing symptoms of diabetes such as insulin resistance.

In other studies fiber has been shown to:

- Relieve constipation and hemorrhoids
- Prevent certain chronic diseases such as certain cancers and cardiovascular disease
- Keep weight under control

Carbohydrates high in fiber are bulkier, more filling than low-fiber carbs and contain almost no calories. As a result, fiber may be a useful aid in reducing calorie consumption. Keep in mind that fiber alone is not the answer to weight loss. The only effective and safe way to lose weight is with:

- A well rounded diet that includes proper caloric intake from all food groups.
- Participation in regular physical activity.

There really is no shortcut or magic bullet for weight loss yet.

Fiber can be categorized as soluble or insoluble. Soluble fiber partially dissolves in water where insoluble does not. They are both, however equally important to health.

Sources of Fiber:

Soluble Fiber:

Oatmeal, oat bran, nuts and seeds, legumes, apples, pears, strawberries and blueberries.

Insoluble Fiber:

Whole grains, whole wheat breads, barley, brown rice, bulgur, whole – grain breakfast cereals, wheat bran, seeds, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, celery and tomatoes.



Refernces:

1. http://www.sciencedaily.com, “Healthy diets need fat, according to new study”, retrieved 22 June 2005 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/04/980424031929.htm

2. Canadian Diabetes Association, “The Benefits of eating Fiber”, retrieved 4 July 2007 from http://www.diabetes.ca/section_about/fibre.asp


Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Does Losing Weight Have To Be So Difficult?

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As I have often said in the past, weight loss and weight gain are directly affected by Input and Output. Many people would like to think that weight reduction occurs with the use of sophisticated theories like thermogenesis (calories burned by digestion), wonder supplements like hoodia or the miraculous properties of certain herbal products such as Wu long tea.

The fact remains, however, there are only 2 ways the human body can reduce weight: By reducing food intake or by increasing energy expenditure (by exercise) – I am excluding other factors such as medical conditions, etc.

One common reason behind the inability to attain weight loss for long time periods is that people are trying to do too much at the same time. Working on one factor at a time, is the key to long - term weight reduction.

The quantity of food intake directly influences weight loss and weight gain. It’s not what you eat but how many calories you consume. In other words, if you are exceeding your daily food requirement by 500 calories per day - it doesn’t matter whether the 500 calories come from bacon or raw celery sticks - you will gain the exact same amount of weight. Your body doesn’t register what type of food you consume, it just registers calories – regardless of the type of diet you are participating in. Whether your diet is low in carbs, high in protein or is based on food combining or whatever - doesn’t make any difference. The bottom line is calorie intake is the only thing that counts.

There is no doubt, however, that certain foods are higher on the nutrient scale than others. The point I’m trying to make is that you should concentrate on reducing your calorie consumption first and worry about food quality later. I’m not saying the latter is not important but should be tackled separately. Trying to do both at the same time is often too hard to handle, let alone worrying about increasing your level of exercise participation.

So, concentrate first on decreasing food quantity – the foods you are eating. Find out how many total daily calories you would be comfortable with and reduce to that level. It’s much easier (for long-term success) to set your target weight loss to 1-1.5 pound per week. One pound of fat roughly equals to 3500 calories. A reduction, therefore, of 500 calories a day equals 1 pound per week. That’s a good start.

Once you have adjusted your food intake, you can begin working on improving food quality in terms of nutrient value. After improving both factors, make an assessment and if you are not happy with your progress you can begin to work on energy expenditure (physical activity).
Taking it one step at a time, allows you to isolate each component with less stress, making it easier to succeed in the long run. Trying to adjust all components at the same time, however, is just too stressful and usually results in short term weight loss.

Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Weight Loss Journey – 45 Pounds in Less Than 2 Months?

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I have a client (Jeff) who is 42 years old and feels he has a weight problem. When he first came to me he complained he had gained extra pounds and found it very difficult to return to his previous weight. First, we looked at his diet. Jeff was consuming about 2000-2300 calories per day. He weighed 220 pounds. His goal was to reach 175 pounds in 3 months – He wanted to lose 45 pounds so he could look good in a bathing suit. Jeff was planning a trip to the Greek Islands in 3 months time. His diet didn’t really look that bad except maybe for his choice in alcoholic beverages. He was drinking 2-3 light beers a day. I advised him to substitute them with 2-3 glasses of dry white or red wine.

Beer can be very fattening especially for people with slow metabolisms. The real problem, however, did not lie with the diet. It was the exercise component that needed work. He wasn’t getting enough physical activity. Jeff had a sedentary office job which confined him to his computer desk all day long. His workouts consisted of 45 minute brisk walks 3-4 times per week.

After talking to him I learned that Jeff was once a jogger but had given it up 5 years ago. I then designed a new exercise program with increases in intensity levels, frequency and duration. Following clearance from his doctor he started the training program. The target intensity level was to train at 75-80% of the maximum heart rate (MHR) – staring first at a lower intensity and gradually increasing it over time, until the target was reached.

I gave him a 5 day training program. Day 1, 3 and 5 involved 40 minutes of weight training immediately followed by 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer (also with an intensity goal of 80% of MHR). Days 2 and 4 consisted of a walking and jogging combination. The goal here was eventually to advance to 30 minutes of continuous jogging.

Five weeks into the program, Jeff has lost 18 pounds and has not yet reached the goal of continuous jogging. Now, however, he can see the light at the end of the tunnel and is confident he will reach his target weight at the 2-month point. I’ll keep you posted on his progress.
By: John Tiniakos

Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Quick Ways To Lose Weight | Tips To Help You Lose 50 Pounds Or More

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Quick Ways To Lose Weight Tips To Help You Lose 50 Pounds Or More


By Susan Helton

Setting Goals When Dieting



As with most things in life, setting goals is very important when dieting. When you look at things truthfully and objectively you should notice that most of the things you've accomplished in life have been accomplished because you not only had a goal but also had a clearly planned and well thought out process for achieving that goal. That being said, why is goal setting so important when it comes to dieting?



First of all, it is difficult to achieve a goal if you do not have a clearly defined goal. There are times in life when it is almost impossible to tell whether you are succeeding or failing because you aren't certain exactly what the desired outcome should be. Identifying your dieting goals before you begin eliminates this particular possibility.



Second, having dieting goals gives you a measuring stick by which you can judge your process. This is important so that you know when your efforts are failing behind and when you're moving along schedule or ahead of schedule. In other words, you will know when to celebrate and when to give yourself a swift kick to the rear.



Now that we know why we set weight loss goals, let's discuss how we should go about setting those goals that are so important for dieting success. You want to set goals that are aggressive without being impossible to achieve. If you set goals that are beyond your reach you will find that frustration will be your dieting partner until you reach the point where you give up all together. In order to avoid this you should take great care to insure that your goals are possible for you to achieve.



When it comes to weight loss be specific when setting your goals. Rather than setting a total goal of 40 or 60 pounds start with a specific goal such as 10 pounds in one month. Then you can extend the goal to the next month until you've reached the overall goal of 40 or 60 pounds. It is much easier to lose 10 pounds four times than it is to lose 40 pounds at once. It's a trick of the mind but it works. Ten pounds sounds simple and achievable. Forty pounds sounds like an insurmountable obstacle.



Another thing about goals is that you want to hold yourself accountable but you shouldn't call the whole thing off if you only lose 9 pounds instead of 10. Instead, find out where you dropped the ball for the final pound and set your 10-pound goal for the next month.



You should also take great care that you are working with your personal goals and not the goals that someone else is pushing on you. The truth is that if it's personal to you, it will be much more rewarding than if you are doing this for someone else. If your heart isn't in it, there are very few goals that are going to motivate you properly.



Finally, you should establish small (non-food) rewards for accomplishing your dieting goals. Perhaps your reward will be a new accessory for your new (or new old) wardrobe or a pedicure for your new look. Make your reward something fun and frivolous and teach yourself that accomplishing your goals can be accomplished by something other than food. This is a key to dieting successfully.



About the Author: http://www.quick-ways-to-lose-weight.com/

how to lose 50 pounds in 50 days



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Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

How To Lose Weight And Enjoy Life

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How To Lose Weight And Enjoy Life

Are you stuck in the mental and physical loop of being overweight whilst wanting to be slim? Do you find you're going round in circles and getting more upset, frustrated and helpless?

You're not alone

More people than ever are overweight. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of the population are overweight or obese. There are more overweight children than ever before stacking up health andself esteem problems for themselves later on in their lives. Inthe UK it is the National Health System's (NHS), priority targetto tackle the growing prevalence of obesity in the population andmillions of pounds are being pumped into the effort.

If the NHS succeeded with its goal then we would all be slimmer and much more active. We wouldn't be putting life on hold whilst we want, wish and try to be slimmer and more active. We'd all been joying our lives feeling confident and happy and achieving much more.

Wishing and hoping doesn't make it come true

In short we need to learn the skill of turning wishing and wanting something to happen in to actively making it happen. Now that may seem an over-simplistic and obvious statement and yet as a principle it makes such a profound difference to whether you succeed or fail at the losing weight game.

When I work with my clients it is one of the first things we tackle. Together we find out what they truly want; what they've done so far to get that and what they can do from now on to get what they want. Once this is mapped out and some simple strategies put in place to achieve their desires my clients find it much easier to lose weight and live the life they want.

Want to know how you can do the same? Follow this Five step plan, developed from working with many clients to help them get unstuck and living the life they love.

1. Get clear about what you do want.

So often we get stuck thinking about what it is we don't want.For example 'I don't want to feel fat and frumpy: or: 'I don't want people to stare at me . etc, etc,. . .' Instead take a moment and use your imagination to dream what it would be like to be that slimmer you, doing what you'd be doing. Use all your senses to record what that would be like. That is, what you'd see, hear, smell and feel. Do this a few times until you get it just how you want it. If you start getting negative thoughts discipline yourself to let them go and get back on track to what you do want. This is important work. Now use a pen a paper and note down what it was like and what you enjoyed about it. Particularly what was so special to you about being that you.

2. Then work out a cunning Plan.

Now use your mind again to imagine what it was that you did toget yourself there. What sort of things would have had to happen for you to be that way? For example a client of mine said that she had felt particularly at ease with herself. So we looked atwhat would have had to have happened for her to feel that way.Her answer was that it meant she'd been taking care of herself and needs in ways that she used to but had stopped doing.

3. Creating a mission statement

Now take a leaf out of the corporate world and create your mission statement. Successful companies and people know what they want and use a mission statement to keep them on track. Using thework you've done above write a sentence or two to answer: Who amI and what do I want? Now keep this handy in your purse or wallet and refer to it regularly to remind you and help you stay on course.

4. Do what you like to get where you want to be

It's easy to think that we have to take care of everyone else and leave ourselves at the bottom of the list. However this is unwise as it can lead to a sense of resentment, frustration and burn out, which means everyone loses out. You need to look after your needs so that you can feel positive and able to cope with everyday demands.

With my clients a simple exercise I ask them to complete is to spontaneously list 50 things that they like having or doing. It has to be done quickly to avoid the temptation of editing or giving reasons why they can't be done. Then we look at a calendar or diary and commit them to real dates in the near future. This means there are positive things to look forward to as well as reinforcing all the things that make life worthwhile and enjoyable.

5. Your support team

This follows neatly in the steps of the above exercise. If you feel that it's you who does everything in your household or that you're overwhelmed at work then you are more than likely to be feeling resentful and frustrated. There's no reward in this scenario and everyone's a loser especially you. Break this cycle by asking for help. If it's your job that's the source of stress get out your job description and identify and agree with your boss what is essential to get done and what can be delegated or relegated. Then at home work with your partner and family on a similar basis and agree who can do what and based on each person's unique strengths and qualities. Doing this breaks the feelings of isolation and creates a healthier more real and useful perspective.

Finally - Now let your mind do the losing weight for you

Having done all that work you are now in the right place to start losing weight. To really accelerate the process it helps to learn the art of self-hypnosis. The hypnotic state of mind is highly focused and more open to suggestion.

Just by turning your attention to your breathing and deciding to relax can bring you to this magical state or mind where you can suggest to yourself how good healthy food is and how cloying and unsatisfying sweet or sugary food is. Doing this several times aday with different suggestions will make losing weight much easier. You will also enjoy a big bonus in that people around you will notice how much happier you are and that you're much more fun to be with!

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Liz Labrum Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming and hypnosis helps people who want to lose weight or break habits such as smoking. She also specialises in problems such as stress, fear and anxiety. Visit http://www.think-rightnow.com/ - use the free assessments and reports to help you start to understand how to solve your problems. ==============================================
Copyright © 2007 Liz Labrum
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Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Can Green Tea And Caffeine Help You Maintain Weight Loss?

Weight loss and maintenance is no laughing matter. Today, 60% ofAmerican adults need to lose weight, and many of them feeldefeated by their struggles. In addition, for many people,keeping weight off after weight loss is even more difficult thanlosing it in the first place.

These difficulties are the reason that sales of diet aids are soconsistently high. People who are trying to lose weight areconstantly looking for any help they can find to increase theirweight loss and maintenance success.

If you need to lose weight, it's critical that you make changesto your diet and your physical activity level. The followingsuggestions can help you to begin shedding pounds withoutresorting to extreme dieting measures:

* Substitute fish and chicken for beef and pork most days of theweek.

* Eliminate white flour from your diet. Eat whole grains, suchas 100% whole wheat bread instead.

* Eliminate refined sugar from your diet. Use artificialsweeteners and natural sweeteners like honey instead.

* Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits andvegetables will provide more anti-oxidants and fiber, along withfewer calories than processed vegetables, particularly those insauce.

* Increase your fiber intake - Extra fiber will help you feelfull longer, helping you to reduce the number of calories you'reeating without feeling deprived.

* Watch the fat- Reduce the saturated fat in your diet. Avoidany food with hydrogenated fats or trans fats. Get your fats fromolive oil, canola oil, fish and nuts.

* Get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week.Walking is a great way to get in your exercise, and it'sconvenient because you can do it anywhere. You should also get instrength training 3 times a week for 30 minutes each session.Strength training will help you build muscle, which will help youburn more calories even when resting.

Making these changes should allow you to lose weight graduallywithout feeling hungry. Only when you make changes that you cansustain for the long term will you be able to take off the weightand keep it off.

However, while it's critical to understand that diet andexercise will always be the keys to maintaining a healthy weight,it's always nice to find little tricks that make losing weightand keeping it off just a bit easier.

One substance that does seem to hold promise in weight loss isgreen tea. Many studies have shown that the consumption of greentea along with a healthy diet can help you lose more weight thandieting alone.

It is believed that green tea's potent anti-oxidants combinedwith the caffeine in the tea help speed up the metabolism andburn fat. In addition, some studies have even shown that greentea can inhibit the absorption of dietary fat, meaning that lessof the fat you eat ends up as body fat.

However, one interesting study suggests that green tea'seffectiveness may be negated if you consume too much othercaffeine in your diet. A study conducted by Maastricht Universityin The Netherlands attempted to show how green tea would affectparticipants attempting to maintain a recent weight loss. Itshowed less promising results regarding the consumption of greentea, particularly when the participants were high consumers ofcaffeine overall.

In this study, 104 overweight and moderately obese men and womenwere put on a low calorie diet for 4 weeks. During the four weekperiod, the participants lost an average of 7.5% of their bodyweight. During the 13 week maintenance period, the participantswere fed either green tea or a placebo. The participants did notshow statistically different results between the group receivinggreen tea and the group receiving the placebo.

However, the study did show that participants who had overallhigh caffeine consumption regained more of the weight they lostthan those who had a lower overall caffeine consumption.* Whenyou consider these results compared with other studies whereadditional caffeine consumption was restricted, and a correlationbetween the use of green tea and weight loss was observed, itsuggests that excess caffeine use may negate green tea'spossible positive effects.

If you look at the entire body of research on green tea'sability to enhance weight loss, it seems very promising, in spiteof the results of this particular study. And, the good news is,that even if green tea doesn't help you lose weight, it's veryhealthy for you and has no side effects.

So, you have nothing to lose by trying green tea as a weight losssupplement. Green tea's anti-oxidants may hold significant powerin helping you avoid diseases like cancer, heart disease andAlzheimer's. In addition, regular consumption of green tea mayreduce the signs of aging and help you live a longer andhealthier life. And, in addition, you may find your weight lossefforts easier and more effective than ever.



---------------------------------------------------

Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea) green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

For Reviews of Today’s Top Diets Visit:Diet Reviews

Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

How Does Green Tea Help Weight Loss?

For many people, finding a weight loss supplement that's safeand effective would be nothing short of a miracle. We all knowthat there are no magic bullets when it comes to weight loss; wehave to consume fewer calories in a day than our body uses inorder to lose weight. However, finding ways to burn fat fasterwould speed up the process and make it easier.

One product that seems to have much promise in helping people tolose weight is green tea. In some studies, green tea has beenshown to help regulate insulin and lower cholesterol andtriglycerides. In addition, it is believed that green tea speedsup the metabolism, so that we burn fat faster, and can even turnoff the receptors that make us want to eat.

In addition, green tea, unlike many other weight loss aids isvery healthy overall. Green tea is a potent source ofanti-oxidants, which help us stay healthy and disease free byfighting free radicals. Free radicals are oxygen containingmolecules that are a by-product of our digestive processes. Leftunchecked, they damage our cells and DNA, eventually leading todisease.

However, green tea and other foods with anti-oxidants keep freeradicals at bay, preventing aging and disease. For example, dietsrich in green tea and other anti-oxidants have been linked to areduction in the risk of heart disease and cancer. So, green teais a weight loss supplement that you can feel good about, becauseit can improve your overall health while it helps you shed thepounds.

Most of us are aware of the problems that many other weight losssupplements can cause. Ephedra, for example, has proven to be aneffective way to speed up the metabolism, but can have verydangerous side effects. In fact, it has even been linked to heartattacks and death in some users.

But, just how does green tea work? There are several componentsin green tea that seem to work together to provide the health andweight loss benefits that green tea's so famous for. Researchers have pinpointed three components in green tea thatseem to have an effect on weight loss.

Caffeine

Green tea has lower caffeine content than coffee or black tea,but it does contain caffeine. Interestingly enough, however,green tea's caffeine does not seem to have the negative sideeffects found in other products containing caffeine. Green teadoesn't cause jitters or speed up the heart rate the way thatother caffeinated beverages can. However, the caffeine in greentea does appear to speed up the metabolism.

Many of us take our caffeine intake for granted, but caffeine hasbeen shown to aid in weight loss. Many studies have shown thatpeople on a low calorie diet who consume caffeine daily lose moreweight overall than those who are on a low calorie diet alone.

Catechins

Catechins are the anti-oxidants in green tea. Catechins arepolyphenolic antioxidant plant metabolites, specificallyflavonoids called flavan-3-ols. They are found in many plants,including the cocoa plant and the coffee plant, but the bestsource of catechins is the Camellia sinensis (tea) plant.

The reason that green tea is considered a better source ofcatechins than black tea is because of the difference inprocessing. Black tea is fermented, which changes the catechins.Green tea, however, is unfermented, leaving the catechins intheir natural state.

Because tea catechins are some of the most powerful anti-oxidantsaround, they are some of the most effective at preventingdisease. This is why diets rich in tea are thought to preventmany diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

In terms of weight loss, catechins are believed to suppress lipid(fat) absorption from the diet. This is important because ithelps reduce cholesterol, but it is also thought to prevent theaccumulation of body fat.

Theanine

Theanine is the main amino acid in green tea. Theanine may beimportant to weight loss because of its ability to inducerelaxation and the release of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemicalproduced by the brain that helps in providing a feeling of wellbeing in the body.

Theanine also seems to minimize the effects of caffeine, which iswhy the caffeine in green tea doesn't seem to cause jitters andan increased heart rate the way that caffeine in other beveragescan. So, while theanine may not actively cause weight loss, itcan be effective in creating a feeling of calm in those whoingest it. This power may help those who overeat as a result ofstress to curb this tendency.

It is certain that more studies are needed on how green tea helpswith weight loss. One interesting study on the subject, by theShizuoka University in Japan, evaluated all three of these greentea components individually, as well as in combination, to tryand determine just what components are most important.

This study concluded that the most important component of greentea for weight loss is caffeine. Caffeine is responsible forspeeding up the metabolism and creating thermogenesis, whichburns fat. However, the study also showed that catechins do seemto have an anti-obesity effect on their own, helping the body toeliminate dietary fat rather than absorbing it.

In short, green tea seems to be the near perfect combination forhelping lose weight and improve health at the same time. Diet andexercise are still critical to taking off excess weight andkeeping it off for good, but it does appear that green tea can bean effective tool in fighting the battle of the bulge.

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Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden MoonTea Company. For more information about tea,(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea) green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

For Reviews of Today’s Top Diets Visit:Diet Reviews

Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Tea's Potential For Weight Loss

Losing weight is a topic on the mind of many. It's no secretthat long term weight loss and maintenance require long term lifechanges. In order to successfully lose weight and keep it off youmust consume fewer calories each day than your body uses. Thisallows your body to use stored fat as energy, rather than food.

So, eating less is just half the equation. Since you can onlyreduce your calorie intake by so much, it's critical to alsoincrease the amount of calories your body uses each day. This iswhy exercise is so important. Exercise burns calories whileyou're exercising, but also increases your metabolic rate forseveral hours after you finish.

Exercising by lifting weights can also help increase yourmetabolic rate in the long term. Because muscle requires morecalories to maintain, even when resting, building muscle is agreat way to help ensure that you burn more calories all thetime.

So, as you're attempting to lose weight, it's important to payattention to increasing your metabolism. Part of this equationincludes not decreasing your caloric intake too drastically. Whenyou significantly reduce the number of calories you'reconsuming, your body begins to go into starvation mode, actuallyconserving calories and fat. This can stall your weight lossprogress.

A better way to lose weight is to reduce your calorie intakesomewhat, but to put the bulk of your effort into increasing thenumber of calories you burn each day. Exercise is the mostimportant way to do this, but there is another way that you canincrease your metabolic rate that many people don't know about.

The secret is tea. Several studies have shown tea to have theability to aid in weight loss by raising your metabolic rate. Inaddition, tea seems to inhibit the absorption of the fat in yourdiet, which may help you lose weight, as well.

This ability to limit fat absorption may also be one of thereasons that tea consumption seems to lower cholesterol. Whentriglycerides (a form of fat) rise, cholesterol rises, too.

However, it is likely that the most important quality that teapossesses for aiding weight loss is its ability to impactmetabolism. It has long been believed by the Chinese that teahelps with weight control, but there has not been a great deal ofresearch on the subject.

However, with all the recent attention that tea has garnered forits ability to reduce aging and prevent disease, more research isbeing done on all of tea's potential.

For example, there have been many studies that suggest that tea,particularly green tea, can prevent heart disease and cancer. Teais a potent source of anti-oxidants, which scientists havediscovered are keys to health.

Anti-oxidants are important because they fight the free radicalscreated as a by-product of the digestive process. Free radicalsare oxygen containing molecules that damage cells and DNA if leftunchecked. However, a regular diet of anti-oxidants can stop thefree radicals from damaging our bodies.

Anti-oxidants are found in many plant sources, including fruitsand vegetables, but none are more potent than those in tea. Forthis reason, tea has gained a great deal of attention for being ahealthy beverage.

One study, conducted by the University of Tokushima in Japan,attempted to verify tea's effect on the body's energyexpenditure, or the number of calories burned. The study wasconducted on men, who did not consume any caffeine or flavonoids(the anti-oxidants in tea) for four days prior to beginning thestudy.

The study lasted for three days, during which the subjectsconsumed a typical American diet. Each subject was evaluatedprior to the study to get a measure of his normal daily energyexpenditure. The subjects were divided into four groups. Thegroups were given one of four regimens:

* Water* Full strength tea* Half strength tea* Water containing 270 mg of caffeine (approximately the sameamount found in the full strength tea)

The study found that, compared to the men who drank water, themen who drank full strength tea showed an energy expenditureincrease of 2.9%, and the men who drank caffeinated water had anincreased energy expenditure of 3.4%.

However, the men who drank full strength tea also had anincreased fat oxidation of 12% over the water drinkers. This fatoxidation increase was not shown in the men who drank caffeinatedwater.

So, this study suggests to us that caffeine does help speed upthe metabolism. However, it also tells us that it is not just thecaffeine alone that makes tea an effective weight loss aid. Othercomponents in tea, likely the anti-oxidants, are responsible fortea's ability to oxidize fat in a way that caffeine alonecannot.Tea is a healthy drink, and, worldwide, is the second mostconsumed beverage, after water. So, using tea as a weight lossaid is a safe way to help increase your chances of losing thoseexcess pounds. If tea isn't already part of your weight lossplan, why not add it today?

* http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/131/11/2848

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Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea)

For Reviews of Today’s Top Diets Visit:Diet Reviews

Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Wu Long Teas And Weight Loss After The Holidays

For most people the holidays like Christmas, Chanukah and NewYears are special occasions that allow families to reunite andspend quality time together. Accompanying the festivities areoften parties and dinners that can result in weight gain. Manypeople often seek ways to reduce weight after the holidays areover.

This is not a time for panic: crash diets and extreme exerciseprograms almost always fail and should be avoided. Weight lossshould always be part of a sensible balanced program of exerciseand diet and most experts agree that moderation and consistencyare better than excess.

Strategies to Prevent Weight Gain

To help prevent weight gain it is important to assess yourbehavior and environment and adopt healthy habits

The amount and types of foods you eat, and your physical activityhabits are important factors in controlling weight. Theenvironment in which you live may also contribute to the adoptionof poor eating or exercise habits. This is especially true intoday's society, which is dominated by speed and convenience.

For example, escalators, elevators and remote-control appliancesmake us less physically active and walking is less frequent thanin prior years. Also, greater availability of foods that arehigh in calories, fat and added sugars, and larger portion sizespromote unhealthy eating behaviors.

In addition, reputable organizations, government agencies andindependent researchers agree on the importance of adoptinghealthy habits to prevent weight gain.

Effective weight management involves behavior modification whichis a lifelong commitment and includes at least two components:

Healthful eating in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines forAmericans, emphasizing a reduction in total calories, a loweredfat consumption, and an increase in vegetables, fruits and wholegrains, is an essential part of weight control.

Increased frequent and regular physical activity of at leastmoderate intensity is also required.

Health professionals also recommend a prescription for health andweight loss that includes:

* Moderate physical activity on most days of the week of atleast 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day forchildren.

* Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, andreasonable portion sizes at home, in schools, at worksites, andin communities.

* Drinking at least eight glasses of pure water.

In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, the use of Wu longtea (also spelled oolong tea or wu long tea) is growing inpopularity as a wholesome and flavorful way to limit weightgain.

Will drinking Wu long tea really help lose weight?

For many, Wu long tea is a helpful addition to a comprehensiveweight loss program. Wu long tea tastes good, contains healthbenefits that lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and a cupof Wu long tea in the morning can serve as a reminder of ahealthy life style.

Wu Long tea has become a premium weight loss tea that many arediscovering for the first time. If you have never enjoyed thegreat taste and slimming health benefits it is known for, you aretruly missing an incredible opportunity. Originating in theFujian Province of China, Wu Long tea has gradually beenintroduced into Western culture. Of all the tea, Wu Longrepresents the Chinese culture best.

Those who enjoy the flavor and rich aroma unique to slimming WuLong tea truly understand the art of drinking it - slowly anddelicately. Using a tiny teapot and small teacup, they areinheriting a rich tradition, started by the Chinese generationsago. The health benefits of Wu long tea are many:

* Rich in Theaflavin, Tea Polysaccharides and Tea Catechin,antioxidants that assist in the reduction of plaque in thearteries, in lowering cholesterol and in producing slimmingeffects.

* Helps regulate blood sugar levels for diabetics.

* Burns 2.5 times more calories than Green Tea, ideal for weightloss.

* Promotes clear, youthful looking skin.

Scientific studies have established that tea is high inhealth-promoting polyphenols that protect us against cancer andother diseases. Wu long tea is particularly high in "polymerizedpolyphenols" which according to recent studies helps to increaseenergy expenditure.

One recent study found that energy expenditure increased by 10%for a period of 2 hours after drinking wu long tea. This wassignificantly higher than the energy expenditure observed afterdrinking other types of tea.

Another study found that wu long tea can suppress lipidmetabolism which has the effect of suppressing fatty accumulationand body weight increases. The study concludes that long-termconsumption of wu long tea is beneficial for the suppression ofdiet induced obesity.

Health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and catechins arepresent in all types of tea, but hand picked wu long tea is thebest source because the pickers are selecting the best leavesfrom the tea plant. Machine harvesting is indiscriminate andshould be avoided - older leaves and twigs are harvested alongwith the newer leaves.

Wu long tea is not a miracle cure for weight problems. Weightloss involves following a sensible, healthy diet, and a change inlifestyle to include an adequate amount of exercise. Wu long teahowever, can give you the extra boost to help in your weight lossplans, but it must be used as part of an overall strategy toimprove your living habits.

Enjoy the holidays and the festivities involved, don't undertakecrash weight loss programs and adopt a healthy lifestyleincluding Wu long tea!



--------------------------------------------------------------
Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden MoonTea Company. For more information about tea,(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea) green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

For Reviews of Today’s Top Diets Visit:Diet Reviews

Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Wu Long Teas And Weight Loss

According to the American Obesity Association, obesity "is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million obese, and 9 million severely obese."



These numbers are disturbing and continue to rise every year. There are more than 30 medical conditions associated with obesity including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, hypertension, liver disease, and stroke.



Obesity is a world wide problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) concludes that more than 1.2 billion people around the world are classified as overweight.



Obesity is a complex disease involving environmental (social and cultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components. It is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.



Carrying excess body weight can increase your risk of developing or worsening an existing medical condition like diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.



Healthy weight, overweight and obese individuals can all benefit from using obesity prevention strategies.



Strategies to Prevent Weight Gain



To help prevent weight gain it is important to assess your behavior and environment and adopt healthy habits



The amount and types of foods you eat, and your physical activity habits are important factors in controlling weight. The environment in which you live may also contribute to the adoption of poor eating or exercise habits. This is especially true in today's society, which is dominated by speed and convenience.



For example, escalators, elevators and remote-control appliances make us less physically active and walking is less frequent than in prior years. Also, greater availability of foods that are high in calories, fat and added sugars, and larger portion sizes promote unhealthy eating behaviors.



In addition, reputable organizations, government agencies and independent researchers agree on the importance of adopting healthy habits to prevent weight gain.



Effective weight management involves behavior modification which is a lifelong commitment and includes at least two components:



Healthful eating in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, emphasizing a reduction in total calories, a lowered fat consumption, and an increase in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, is an essential part of weight control.



Increased frequent and regular physical activity of at least moderate intensity is also required.



Health professionals also recommend a prescription for health and weight loss that includes:

Moderate physical activity on most days of the week of at least 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day for children.

Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and reasonable portion sizes at home, in schools, at worksites, and in communities.

Drinking at least eight glasses of pure water.



In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, the use of Wu long tea (also spelled oolong tea or wu long tea) is growing in popularity as a wholesome and flavorful way to limit weight gain.



Will drinking Wu long tea really help lose weight?



For many, Wu long tea is a helpful addition to a comprehensive weight loss program. Wu long tea tastes good, contains health benefits that lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and a cup of Wu long tea in the morning can serve as a reminder of a healthy life style.

Wu Long tea has become a premium weight loss tea that many are discovering for the first time. If you have never enjoyed the great taste and slimming health benefits it is known for, you are truly missing an incredible opportunity. Originating in the Fujian Province of China, Wu Long tea has gradually been introduced into Western culture. Of all the tea, Wu Long represents the Chinese culture best.



Those who enjoy the flavor and rich aroma unique to slimming Wu Long tea truly understand the art of drinking it – slowly and delicately. Using a tiny teapot and small teacup, they are inheriting a rich tradition, started by the Chinese generations ago. The health benefits of Wu long tea are many:

Rich in Theaflavin, Tea Polysaccharides and Tea Catechin, antioxidants that assist in the reduction of plaque in the arteries, in lowering cholesterol and in producing slimming effects.

Helps regulate blood sugar levels for diabetics.

Burns 2.5 times more calories than Green Tea, ideal for weight loss.

Promotes clear, youthful looking skin.



Scientific studies have established that tea is high in health-promoting polyphenols that protect us against cancer and other diseases. Wu long tea is particularly high in "polymerized polyphenols" which according to recent studies helps to increase energy expenditure.



One recent study found that energy expenditure increased by 10% for a period of 2 hours after drinking wu long tea. This was significantly higher than the energy expenditure observed after drinking other types of tea.



Another study found that wu long tea can suppress lipid metabolism which has the effect of suppressing fatty accumulation and body weight increases. The study concludes that long-term consumption of wu long tea is beneficial for the suppression of diet induced obesity.



Health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and catechins are present in all types of tea, but hand picked wu long tea is the best source because the pickers are selecting the best leaves from the tea plant. Machine harvesting is indiscriminate and should be avoided - older leaves and twigs are harvested along with the newer leaves.



Wu long tea is not a miracle cure for weight problems. Weight loss involves following a sensible, healthy diet, and a change in lifestyle to include an adequate amount of exercise. Wu long tea however, can give you the extra boost to help in your weight loss plans, but it must be used as part of an overall strategy to improve your living habits.



Weight loss should be part of a healthy lifestyle. Don't undertake crash weight loss programs and adopt a healthy lifestyle including Wu long tea!

About The Author:

Copyright © 2007 Marcus Stout

Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

Article Source: thePhantomWriters Article Submission Service

For Reviews of Today’s Top Diets Visit:
Diet Reviews



Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Improve Your Health And Wellbeing With Wu Long Tea: Benefits Of Drinking Wu Long Tea

What is Wu long Tea?

The Wu long (also referred to as oolong) family of teas ischaracterized by a partial oxidation process that is controllableby varying degrees of heat. Wu long tea has the benefits andtaste of both Green Tea and the fully oxidized Black Tea.

Although a number of countries now produce Wu long tea, China isthe largest and best known producer.

Since one of the characteristics of Wu long tea is partialoxidation, Wu long teas offer a wide variety of flavors dependingon the degree of oxidation. Oxidation is the key element in thedefinition of tea since all teas come from the Camellia Sinensisplant.

Wu Long Tea is a semi-oxidized tea, occupying the middle groundbetween Green and Black teas. Combining the best qualities ofGreen tea and Black tea, Wu Long Tea is not only as clear andfragrant as Green Tea, but also as fresh and strong as Black Tea.If you drink Wu Long Tea, the natural aroma may linger in yourmouth and make your throat comfortable.

Wu Long Tea is helpful in anti aging, bringing high bloodpressure down, improving the immune system, and controllingcholesterol. Wu Long Tea can help you digest food, refreshyourself and return to sobriety. It is also helpful in prolongingyour lifespan.

Chinese Wu long Teas also differ somewhat from other teas asregards the Chinese manufacturing process. Whole leaf Wu longsare often partially manufactured in private homes before finalfinishing and blending in larger factories. Althoughconsolidation of the industry has resulted in concentration ofthe business in larger firms a cottage industry still exists inthe Chinese production of Wu long Tea.

In China, high quality Wu long Tea came from three traditionaltea producing areas: Northern Guangdong (The Phoenix line),Southern Fujian (the Teguanyian line) and Western Fujian (theWuyi line). Taiwan and India are also producers of fine Wu longtea.

Fine Wu long teas are very popular with tea drinkers andconnoisseurs all over the world for their broad spectrum of tasteofferings and for their ease of infusion. In the tea producerareas of China and in Hong Kong and Taiwan (all places where teadrinkers take the tea ceremony seriously) Wu long sets thestandard for a quality tea experience.

Benefits of Drinking Wu Long tea

* Benefit Good taste

The bottom line for any tea drinker is the taste of the tea andthe feeling of wellness and serenity drinking the tea provides.Wu long Tea is provides a smooth subtle taste that encourages theserene feeling of wellness that quality tea provides.

Wu long Tea has an additional advantage in that it has a broadspectrum of oxidation and this provides a variety of tastes thatthe tea drinker can enjoy. Some Wu longs fare lighter in flavorbased upon only slight oxidation and some are more robustdepending upon greater amounts of oxidation.

When you combine the quality of Wu long Tea with taste varietythe benefit is a tea that appeals to a large number of teadrinkers.

* Benefit of a Sense of Well Being

Tea provides one benefit to drinkers that no other beverage canproduce.

That feeling is a sense of well being and serenity that isnaturally produced. Compared to coffee or soft drinks thatcontain significant levels of caffeine, sugars and other chemicalsubstances, tea creates a drink that calms and soothes thedrinker. Tea is ideal to start and end a busy day.

It is an interesting fact that most of the best spas in thecountry rely on tea as the chosen beverage.

* Benefit of Weight Loss

Due to a combination of light caffeine , anti-oxidants andpolyphenols, Wu long Tea Increases energy expenditure by 10% andit accelerates metabolism required to loose weight. Wu long Teaalso regulates blood sugar levels for diabetics. The tea burns2.5 times more calories than Green Tea and is ideal for weightloss.

Drinking Wu long Tea reduces plaque in the arteries, lowerscholesterol and produces slimming effects. It also stimulates fatreduction because the polyphenols in Wu-Long tea is effective incontrolling body fat. It activates the enzyme that is responsiblefor dissolving triglyceride.

Wu long tea eliminates the fattening effects of carbohydrates:Eating too many carbohydrates causes weight gain by increasinginsulin levels. Wu long Tea can suppress lipid metabolism whichhas the effect of suppressing fatty accumulation and body weightincreases.

* Benefit of Improved Health

Health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and catechins arepresent in all types of tea, but hand picked Wu long Tea is thebest source. This means that the tea drinker can maintain ahealthy lifestyle with every cup.

Free radicals are damaging substances in your body. Wu Long Teacontains high amounts of anti-oxidants that reduce effect of freeradicals and helps reverse signs of aging.

Wu long Tea also helps strengthen your Immune system. Wu-Long Teadrinkers were found to have a stronger immune system and asignificantly lower risk for infections such as the common cold.

* Benefits of Quality

High quality Wu long Teas generally contain only the highestquality pluckings from such tea growing areas like the highmountain grown tea leaves grown in the famous Wuyi mountain rangein China. The benefits to the tea drinker are good health and thefeeling of well being only quality tea affords.

Loose leaf Wu long Tea is processed by the "orthodox" method – nofannings, dust, broken leaves or twigs often found in bagged teaare ever included in loose leaf Wu long Teas.

Some quality tea suppliers cup every imported shipment. Teadrinkers benefit from these suppliers because they are guaranteedconsistency.

* Benefit of Value

Value is created by high quality at a good price. Understandingthe cost per cup of loose leaf tea is important because looseleaf tea competes favorably in price with bagged tea.

When compared to tea bags the value of loose leaf tea is readilyapparent. Bags use broken tea leaves, fannings and dust becausethey infuse quicker but sacrifice quality. In terms of cost, asignificant portion of the tea bag product is involved in baggingthe tea and providing packaging for the bagged product.

With loose leaf tea one gets the high quality of plucked leaveswithout the costs associated with bagging.

Copyright © 2007 Jon M. Stout
=====================================

Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden MoonTea Company. For more information about tea,(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea)

green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea

go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com/ ========================================

Read More Articles From Jon M. Stout:http://thePhantomWriters.com/free_content/d/index.

shtml#Jon_M._Stout

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Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Hoodia Gordonii And Its Affect on Metabolism

When most people talk about a metabolism increasing drug or supplement they are referring to a substance that stimulates the body to burn more calories. These metabolism stimulating supplements, such as caffeine, give us a boost of energy and a small increase in metabolic activity. On the other end of the weight loss and diet supplement spectrum is the appetite suppressant. Hoodia Gordonii, a cactus like plant from the South African Kalahari Desert, is the latest big thing in appetite suppressants. But the question remains is an appetite suppressant good for the body's metabolism?

Up until recently Hoodia Gordonii was used almost exclusively by African Bushmen to help suppress their appetites during hunting trips that would last for several days. They had two reasons for doing this. One, they did not want to eat outside of the communal dining that is a staple of their culture and two, they wanted to make sure they didn't eat what they hunted before they returned to the village. These tribal Bushmen have been using Hoodia Gordonii for hundreds of centuries with no known side effects. Of course they have been eating it for centuries and may have evolved an immunity to any side effects.

In studies that have been done to back up the anecdotal evidence supplied the Bushmen the appetite suppressing qualities of Hoodia Gordonii seem to be real. In one study obese individuals were given a set amount of Hoodia Gordonii everyday and were asked not to exercise. Over the course of the study the subjects taking the hoodia ate 1000 less calories per day then the control group that was taking placebos. This can be helpful for people who are obese or extremely overweight and have a hard time controlling their eating habits.

A potential problem exists though. Because the body's metabolism requires a certain amount of calories to function per day anything that can result in fewer calories being ingested then are needed can cause the metabolism to actually slow down. For people who are trying to lose a few pounds taking Hoodia Gordonii could have the opposite effect of what they want. A slowing metabolism will actually cause the body to start hoarding its energy supplies and turning any excess calories directly into fat stores. The thing to remember is that cutting to many calories can be just as harmful as consuming to many calories.

The body's metabolism will respond best to healthy nutrient dense foods. If one is taking Hoodia Gordonii it is wise to remember that just because you are not hungry doesn't mean your body doesn't need a steady supply of energy. Where it may work best for many people is to suppress the appetite enough to keep them from snacking all day on high sugar and empty calorie foods. This will require a conscious effort to eat healthy snacks and meals to actually increase the body's metabolism for optimum fat loss.

Everything has its place and incorporating Hoodia Gordonii into a weight loss program can be beneficial if used correctly. The best way to lose weight is to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. This has the benefit of increasing the body's metabolism which in turn burns fat. Using an appetite suppressant to help curb cravings can be a valuable part of a good weight loss regimen. But long-term fasting and severe caloric restriction can cause more harm than good. The body needs high octane energy to function correctly and eating healthy is the first step to increasing your metabolism and losing weight.

Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articles

By: Andrew Bicknell
To find out how to increase your metabolism and for more information about the metabolic process please click here.

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Keep Yourself Honest With a Food Diary

By: Wendy Wood

A great tool for dieting is keeping a personal food diary. Whether you are just starting out on a diet, or struggling to stay on one, incorporating a food diary into your plan is a great way to keep yourself on track. There is something about looking at your food intake in indisputable writing that helps you curb your bad food habits. Keeping a food diary will show you exactly how much you are eating, as well as documenting the types of food that make up the majority of your diet. Some people find it helpful to keep a food diary for a week or so before starting a diet to enable them to more accurately target problem areas. Understanding your weaknesses and preparing yourself to combat diet issues is a great step in maintaining a healthy relationship with food.

Starting a Food DiaryThere are no hard and fast rules about how to keep a food diary. The important thing to remember is to write down everything that you eat. Ostensibly, no one but you is going to see what is written in your food diary, so omitting snacks or other food items will mean that you are only lying to yourself. If you are serious about losing weight, it is critical that you understand exactly how your caloric intake measures up to the amount of calories you burn during exercise. Drinks and water should also be included. Simply knowing that you are committed to writing down every bit of food you eat is a great way to curb cravings and stick to your plan.

Advanced Food Diary OptionsOnce you get into the hang of keeping a food journal, you might want to consider expanding the information that you track. Along with food intake, tracking daily exercise is a great way to compare how much you eat to how many calories you are burning. It is also helpful to note the number of calories and nutritional information for the food you write down. Developing a healthy diet has as much to do with what you eat as how much you consume. Once you have a good understanding of the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates you are eating, it will be easier to plan a more balanced diet that helps you to lose weight and stay in shape.

Online Food DiaryAnother option for keeping a food diary is to keep track of it all online. There are many weight loss sites that offer free registration and many offer food diary options with a free account. This is also a great way to keep track of what your eating throughout the day if you are on your computer frequently.

Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articles

Wendy Wood is a full-time mom in the process of losing extra pounds and loves to show other moms how they can lose weight and be healthier as well. Sign up for your free healthy recipes at http://www.dietmamma.com/

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Why Measuring Body Fat Is More Important Than Weighing Yourself On The Scale

When people start down the road to a healthier lifestyle, their first concern is most often their weight. After all, popular health news is full of warnings for the additional risks overweight people face, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, along with numerous other diseases.

While walking the path to greater health, the dieter will begin making smarter decisions for their overall health and fitness, but their primary concern always circles back to, "How much weight have I lost?" Weight loss is a vital part of ensuring a healthier life style, but it is not the only objective: maintaining a healthy ratio of body fat is just as important.

We've been taught since we were children that people come in all shapes and sizes. A very true statement, and one that is most often forgotten when evaluating our own bodies. When people strive to lose weight, they are actually seeking to lose the extra fat their body is carrying so they can present a more attractive figure. The problem arises when people believe that they can lose that fat simply by limiting the quantity of food eaten on a daily basis. Your body needs that food so that when you work on the other half of your diet regular exercise there are calories available to burn.

A person can be at a "normal" weight and still have excessive fat, or vice versa, they can be overweight without having an excessively high ratio of body fat. When you weigh yourself, you do not take into account what your bone structure may be like or what your muscle composition is compared to your body fat. You may think that you are overweight, but you may just need to work on reducing your body fat and replacing it with healthy muscle mass.

Dieting alone will likely just remove weight through the purging of water from your muscles. Adding in regular exercise will target the fat that you really want to lose. If you lose water weight but not fat, you will not be able to maintain your smaller structure for a long period of time. Lose fat instead, and the pounds will stay off.

Body fat is measured as a percentage of your total weight. For men, 18% and under is considered to be healthy. While for women, who biologically have a far different body structure, your body fat should be maintained at a level of 25% or less. For either gender, a body fat composition over 35% is considered obese.

Athletes commonly have the lowest percentage of body fat, but low body fat can be just as dangerous as high body fat, besides needing some cushion to protect our fragile bones from injury, a body fat percentage of less than 5% for men and 12% for women can be indicative of an eating disorder and can lead to increased instances of illness.

The smart dieter will either buy their own body fat analysis equipment or have a test performed by their trainer at the gym or by their family physician. There are Body Mass Index (BMI) calculators available on the internet that will estimate your body fat percentage based upon weight versus height, but because of differences in bone structure, this is not a reliable test.

More reliable tests of body fat include comparing measurements of different parts of your body with your overall weight, health and age; using calipers to measure skinfold thickness; or using under water weighing techniques. You may use the Bio-electrical impedance test, which calculates body fat by measuring the length of time it takes a signal to pass between your hands or feet, though it tends to be fairly inaccurate.

By combining a healthier diet with regular exercise you can reduce your body fat percentage to a healthier level while presenting a newer, slimmer you. Forget about your scale, it lies. Instead, maintain a chart of your body fat percentage taken at intervals during your diet, and you will find that as you make progress, you will feel better, look better and will enjoy a healthier future!

Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articles

Scott White is Online Fitness Trainer Personal Training. Personal Trainer Certification Online Hypnosis Certification

Categories: Diet Plan, Diet Program

Obesity: A problem Increasing

No one should be surprised by the large percentage of Americansover weight these days. With faster than ever growing food chainsand the way our money and appetites respond to walking pastendless, mouthwatering posters in restaurant windows, there's nowonder why diet has become the talk of the century. As many havelearned, accomplishing "weight loss" as not nearly as easy asit is to say it.

The facts are that 7.1% of children and adolescents 2-19 years ofage are overweight. That is over 12 and a half million children.Of the adult population, 32.2% which is over 66 million areobese; and almost 5% are extremely obese. Significant differencesin obesity between race and ethnic groups have also beenobserved. Mexican-American and Afro-American girls were found tobe more overweight than non-Hispanic white girls. Where boys areconcerned, the prevalence of overweight was considerably higheramong Mexican-Americans than among both non-Hispanic black andNon-Hispanic white boys. Approximately 30% of non-Hispanic whiteadults, 45% of non-Hispanic Afro-American adults, and 36.8% ofMexican-American adults were found to be obese.

A significant difference in age seemed to play a huge part aswell. Younger children are less likely to be overweight thanadolescents, and older adults are more likely to be obese thanyounger adults. The weights of adults 80 and over tend to fallinto the same category of adults 20-39 years of age.

Overweight issues are the result of an imbalance between theamount of food consumed and the amount of physical activity aperson gets. Factors that are considered linked to obesityinclude increased potion sizes, eating out often, largeconsumptions of sugar-sweetened drinks, excessive television,computer and video gaming, a change in careers, stress, and fearof crime; which lessens outdoor activity. Overweight adolescentsusually grow up to become obese adults. People gain weight whenthe body takes in more calories than it burns off. The extracalories are stored as fat. People who are obese are more thanjust a few pounds overweight, which means that their calorieintake has been more than I should have been for years.

A person's gene can play an important role in being obese, forexample, some people burn calories faster or slower than others.It is odd how obesity works in families; members of a family caneat the same foods, share the same bad habits and have a similarmind frame when it comes to weight gain; however, only a few mayhave weight problems. In most cases, weight problems come from acombination of habits and genetic factors. Obesity can seriouslyaffect a person's health in more ways than a little bit. Ofcourse it can make a person feel tired and uncomfortable, as wellas wear down joints and put extra strain on other parts of thebody; but there are more serious consequences that come fromcarrying extra weight.

Obesity in young children can cause illnesses that usually affectthe adult population, such as high blood pressure, highcholesterol, liver disease, and type2 diabetes. As they getolder, they are subjected to even more problems such as the heartdisease, congestive heart failure, bladder problems, strokes,breast or colon cancer, reproductive problems in women, and evendeath.

In addition to these things, small tasks such as walking, keepingup, playing sports, and even breathing can become extremelydifficult. Depression is also very likely among people who areover weight. They may often feel sad or angry and many people eatto make themselves feel better, only to feel worse about eatingagain.

There is some good news, however; it is never too late for aperson to make changes in their eating and exercising habits.Powerful health benefits can come from exercising as little as 30minutes a day, everyday and paying close attention to what we putinto our bodies. Staying away from sugary soft drinks such assodas, and juice, and eating more fruits and vegetables can helpsignificantly. Also, keeping a food diary and developing a betterunderstanding of the nutritional value and fat contents of food,changing grocery shopping habits, timing meals, running, andwalking is proven to do wonders for the body. Pills, and programsthat promise instant weight loss or feature severely restricteddiets are usually not effective and can be very dangerous.

A recent study has found that a key ingredient in over thecounter diet pills can increase the risk of stroke in women. Dietpills are not a permanent solution to losing weight; in fact,studies prove that almost all consumers regain that were shed.Many people are initially discouraged during weight loss,especially if they have put on excessive weight during the years;but the sooner the change is started, the closer a person willget to living a happier, healthier life.

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