August 23, 2010

Shaping Up This Summer

Filed under: weight loss — Tags: calories, exercise, lose weight, nutrition, weight training — Nicole @ 9:25 pm

weight, cycling, bicycle, exerciseIf you’ve found yourself to be overly conscious of your midline this summer, you’re not alone. Close to sixty percent of Canadians are struggling with the same problem. This fat that is stored on your midline has larger implications than making it difficult to fit into your favorite pair of jeans, this excess weight contributes to your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type-2 diabetes, as well as heart disease and stroke. Summer is a great time to start getting in shape – the gorgeous weather outside and warm temperatures make for a comfortable workout environment before fall sets in. By starting a workout routine in the summer, you implement a habit that carries into the fall, and provides a healthy activity for when the skies become gray, as well as an excellent way to manage your weight.

Although the easiest way to lose that spare tire might seem to be a spot workout, say doing one hundred crunches per day; the best workouts incorporates aerobic activity, strength training and healthy eating in order to effectively help you to lose weight.

Aerobic Activity is essentially the calorie-burning component of any great work out, and helps to control weight by using the excess calories that would otherwise be stored as fat. Aerobic activities can include dancing, jogging, bicycling, racket sports, skiing, rowing or using aerobic equipment such as a treadmill or elliptical machine at your local fitness gym. Many other activities may also classify as aerobic activities, so long as they increase your heart rate and cause you to sweat. Many workout plans recommend that aerobic activity lasts for a significant amount of time, in order to burn as many calories as possible. Participating in an aerobic activity for half an hour to an hour each day is a crucial part of any effective workout training, and will help you get back into shape within weeks.

Strength Training helps to shape up your body after aerobic activity. This component of an effective workout may include core exercises and weight training, which builds muscle in the body and additionally raises metabolism, allowing for more calories to be burned during aerobic activities. If you’re just starting a new workout regimen, take strength training slow. You may wish to consider enrolling in a boot camp or engaging a personal trainer to help you start your strength training on the right track.

Healthy Eating is an especially important component of any effective weight loss plan. Without engaging in a healthy diet, all of the work that you put into both strength training and aerobic training essentially goes to waste. A healthy diet means that you eat balanced meals of regular portion size, which include all of the essential food groups. By eating all of your grains, dairy products, vegetable and protein servings, you’ll be able to supply your body with the energy it needs to function properly every day. A healthy diet will not only promote your weight loss, it’ll make you feel good each day too!

Losing weight is an uphill battle that takes perseverance and planning, but with an excellent workout schedule that incorporates aerobic training, strength training and healthy eating, you’ll have no problem shaping up this summer.

May 7, 2010

Will Digestive Cleansing Help You Lose Weight?

Filed under: weight loss — Tags: cleansing diet, dieting, nutrition, weight loss — Nicole @ 7:41 pm

fruits, vegetables, detox diets, diet, digestive cleansing dietMany Hollywood movies will denote losing weight as an easy task. In nearly every “chick-flick”, the female protagonist will make a comment – either stating that she looks the way she does because she’s only been drinking cranberry juice for the last forty-eight hours, or to complement the shape of her side-kick, who in return will usually reply that she’s following a new dietary plan that involves eating a block of cheese once a week. These methods of cleansing and detoxifying seem overdramatized and unrealistic (which they often are), however, nutritionists and family physicians agree that the detoxification of your system isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you plan to change your eating habits and make more healthy dietary choices.

The act of cleansing out your system usually takes from two to ten days and involves eating minimal amounts of foods that are easily digested. Although this may seem extremely difficult, cleansing out your body is the easiest way to change the eating habits that you’ve spent your lifetime developing. The foods that are recommended below are all easy for your body to digest, and will additionally draw out toxins to improve overall weight loss.

Most Cleansing Diets Recommend Eating:

Fresh Vegetables – They aren’t your favorite food, however vegetables are exceptionally good detox foods. Cauliflower, broccoli, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets and any other red or green vegetables are nutrient-packed and will help to remove toxins during your cleanse.

Nuts – You need protein while you cleanse, and nuts are the most beneficial source of protein for you. Any flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews or walnuts are good choices while you partake in any cleansing festivities.

Rice and Alternative Grains – All forms of rice are extremely easy to digest, including rice cakes and products made with rice flour. If you’re not a fan of rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat products are all excellent and easily-digestible alternatives that can be purchased at your local health food store.

Beans – Although the split yellow and green peas are the easiest form of bean to digest, all beans including the kidney, pinto, and chickpea varieties are effective components to a cleansing diet.

Oil – If you must use oil, either to cook your food or as an ingredient in a new recipe, using extra-virgin olive oil is wise, as it is the most beneficial for cleansing purposes.

Only Certain Beverages – The fluids that you ingest will affect the effectiveness of your cleanse. Drinking only herbal teas, green tea, water, lemon water, pure unsweetened fruit juices and rice milk are key components to removing the toxins in your body.

Though cleansing diets will often help you to start your new diet on the right foot, they aren’t for everyone. It’s important to talk to your doctor or nutritionist before starting a cleanse – they may have some helpful tips or advise you to additionally take a medication that encourages weight loss.