The Best Practice for Weight Loss - "Yoga"

Is yoga good for weight loss? The answer to this question is an absolute YES. Out of many exercise forms available to help reduce excess weight, yogic exercises play the most decisive role. Practicing yoga enables all parts of the body to perform various movements and hence, weight loss is guaranteed with yoga postures.
The improper functioning of the internal organs is the reason behind weight gain. Yoga helps the organs function well, thus preventing gain of excess weight. A regular practice of yoga significantly helps in reducing weight. The problems associated with malfunctioning of glands result in either loss or gain of weight. Yoga helps in improving the functioning of glands and hence, by practicing yoga one can be assured of weight-loss.
In yoga, various postures are exercised according to different positions such as standing, sitting, lying straight, lying prone, hand stand, head stand and so on. With those yogic exercises, each part of the body is actively treated and this ensures reduction of excess fat anywhere in the body. While the body can get strained by performing other types of exercises which could trigger cardio vascular problems, yoga introduces more health-friendly exercises.
Breathing techniques and meditation, which are part of yoga, help as well in weight loss. Many asthma patients suffer from weight gain owing to lack of free flow of energy and improper blood circulation. Breathing technique addresses this problem well and ensures cure for asthma and consequently, weight loss. Constipation and gastric troubles also have a role in weight gain. As yoga improves blood flow and energy flow, constipation and gastric problems are cured making way for the possibility of losing weight.
Yoga does not treat the symptom; it treats the root cause of the problem and hence yoga is the perfect solution if one is seeking a way to lose weight.
Benefits of Yoga
1. With continuous practice, good physique is achieved as yoga can help shape the body and keeps you from gaining extra weight.
2. Being a complete exercise, yoga reduces extra fat in abdomen, hip, chest, thighs and upper arms.
3. Yoga helps in relieving constipation and gastric disorders and thus reduces tummy fat.
4. As liver function improves with yoga practice, digestion also improves, appetite is balanced and proper diet habit is formed.
5. With specific yoga practices intended for weight loss, blood circulation and cardiovascular function improves.
6. Kundalini yoga, popularly known as Power yoga, helps greatly in weight loss with its powerful techniques.
7. The functioning of glands is improved thus helping with weight loss and keeping the body in good shape.
8. Yoga creates awareness, which helps a person on track of his intake. This helps in weight loss as one chooses a balanced diet, avoiding junk foods.
9. Yoga relieves stress in individual. It is helpful in dealing with the stress-related over-eating habits.
10. Weight gain due to physiological or psychological reasons is well-addressed by yoga.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arifur_Rahman_Arif

Effective Weight Loss Strategies

We are a nation that is obsessed with dieting. Statistics indicate that 50% of all American women are on a diet at any given time. The percentage of men dieting is 25%. Americans spent over 70 billion dollars in 2011 on weight loss related services and products. Approximately 95% of all dieters regain all the weight they lost within five years. Diets don't work. It is lifestyle changes that will help you to lose the weight in a healthy and permanent way. Chronic dieting in fact, can lead to serious health complications and even slow down your metabolism.
Before beginning any diet it is always a good idea to get a complete physical from your medical provider. Sometimes weight problems can be linked to underlying disease such as diabetes. One of the simplest techniques is to continue eating foods that you enjoy. The deprivation technique of most diets backfires on people. You will eventually give in to the cravings and spiral into overeating. You should think about the foods that you love and simply reduce the amount that you purchase and consume. For example, if you enjoy chocolate chip cookies you should still have a few throughout the week. This can be your "reward" snack. The concept is simple to follow. You will be able to satisfy your cravings and prevent binge eating. Just choose wisely and select a few of your favorite foods.
Mini-Meals: We are a culture that believes in consuming three large meals. But this eating style puts extra stress on our digestive system. It is far better to eat smaller meals that are nutritionally balanced. Your body will be able to metabolize the food more readily and you will also have increased energy throughout the day. You will lessen the likelihood of being hungry and eating things that are bad for you. For example, a breakfast could be a cup of oatmeal with raisins and honey. A mid morning snack could be fruit and yogurt. A small lunch could be a few ounces of turkey with cheese. The idea is to eat small meals that will provide you with the nutrients you need. Stay hydrated: Drinking lots of pure clean water helps you to lose weight. Whenever you feel hungry start by drinking a glass of water. You may simply be dehydrated. If it's hard for you to drink plain water you can add herbal tea. Brew and chill for a delicious calorie free beverage.
Protein is important: Many people avoid protein when trying to lose weight because they think it is too high in calories. This is simply not true. Of course, eating fattening red meats are high in calories. But proteins such as turkey, chicken and white pork are lean and low in calories. A 6 ounce portion of roasted turkey breast is less than 200 calories. There are many success stories of people who follow high protein diets and take off the weight. You have to balance your protein intake with adequate amounts of complex carbohydrates as well. Avoid simple carbohydrates which are sugar and white flour products. An ideal protein rich meal could be chicken with roasted vegetables and wild rice. Protein snacks include nuts, cheese and yogurt. Protein helps to preserve muscle mass. If you avoid protein when dieting you will lose muscle and feel tired and weak. Protein also helps your body to burn fat and improves the effectiveness of your metabolism.
Healthy Fiber: Fiber is effective for weight loss. Women should aim for 25 grams daily and men approximately 40 grams. You can find fiber in foods such as whole grains, oatmeal, fruits and vegetables. Fiber helps the digestive process and lowers your cholesterol. Increase your fiber intake for your health as well as for weight loss. Spices: Hot spices have been shown to speed up the metabolism and help in weight loss. Spices help to flavor foods and reduce the caloric levels of the foods you eat. Instead of adding fattening ingredients like butter and cheese, try adding some delicious spices like garlic, turmeric, cilantro, parsley and cayenne pepper.
Adequate Rest: If your body is stressed or you don't get enough sleep it will be harder for you to lose weight. Your body produces a hormone called leptin when you have enough rest. Leptin helps you to feel full and satisfied after eating. A decrease in this hormone can leave you feeling hungry even after eating. So make sure to get consistent and sufficient sleep. If you are under a great deal of stress you need to find constructive ways to deal with it. Prolonged stress can have devastating effects on your health and well-being.
These are some effective general guidelines for losing weight. When undertaking any dietary or lifestyle changes, always consult with your medical provider especially if you have been diagnosed with any disease or are taking prescription medication.

The Issels Medical Center in Santa Barbara, California is a world renowned alternative cancer treatment center. The Issels Treatment is an Integrative Immunotherapy program with a 50 year history. Founded in 1951 by a pioneer in integrative cancer medicine, Dr. Josef Issels, MD., a German oncologist, The Issels Medical Center in Santa Barbara, California treats patients with all natural non toxic therapies for a variety of health conditions including cancer.
If you would like more information regarding the treatments available at The Issels Medical Center in Santa Barbara, California, please call 805-962-2126 or toll free at 888-374-7735. And please visit the website at: http://www.issels.com/Questionaire/questionnaire_IMC.aspx.
By Tina C. Loren

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_C._Loren

Natural Weight Loss Foods You Should Have In Your Kitchen

If you want to lose weight in a natural way and get fit, you have to make two things a priority and a natural part of your life.

First of all you and your family's diet must be healthy and you need to throw out a lot of old stuff from your pantry and fridge that just isn't good for you to eat. See this as a really good opportunity for you to make a change, not just for yourself but for your entire family. Perhaps your children don't have to count calories but they sure will benefit from a well-balanced diet.

Secondly you need to start exercising and really commit to your routine several times a week.
In this article I will explain why you should look for the following foods the next time you go grocery shopping. You should be more careful about the food you take home, read on the labels to find out what's really in the package. Soon you'll get to know the brands that produce healthier alternatives, stick to them and support them.

Almonds, Walnuts, Cashew and Other Nuts

You've probably been told that nuts, especially peanuts, are full of fat and that this is bad for you. There is some truth in this. Nuts are full of fat, but this is good natural fat that you shouldn't be afraid of at all. Eat all kinds of nuts as a small snack between meals, the high level of fat will help keep you more satisfied, control cravings and keep blood sugar in check.

A word of warning though, stick to all natural nuts without any salt, trans fat or anything else the food industry put in our foods. All natural products exist, so look at the back of the package for details. There are probably 99 kinds of processed nuts for every single natural choice, so look carefully for the right alternative. But beware, nuts do have a high amount of calories in them, don't gobble - eat as a small snack only!
There are all kinds of benefits including nuts in your diet, such as lowering heart attack probability as well as avoiding weight gain and obesity.

Olive Oil

If you include the right type of fats in your diet it will actually help you lose fat. You won't get fat from eating good fat and you won't get green skin if you eat peas either.
Just so you know, removing fat from your diet is a scam fueled by the weight loss industry. Don't be afraid of fat that comes from nature; be afraid of fat that we humans have created in artificial ways.
Olive oil is perhaps one of the most natural sources of good fat you can find. This Greek and Italian specialty can be used in almost any cooking you can think of. Use it on salad or when you fry your scrambled eggs.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is great for weight loss as it has a unique kind of saturated fat that help increase metabolism.
If you don't like the taste from olives on your food you can try coconut oil instead. This oil is excellent for woks or anything fried and will give a bit of coconut taste to the food but it's actually not as much as one might think.

Use it the next time you make an omelet and you'll see that it doesn't at all taste like coconuts. After all if all food's going to taste like a tropical drink then we're better off with butter, but that's not the case so go ahead and try it out.

Green Tea

The health benefits of green tea are almost too many to count but research have shown that drinking green tea have effects such as reduced heart disease, lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol, reduced blood pressure, help preventing brains cells from dying on Alzheimer patients and last but not least - weight loss.

Green tea does not raise the metabolic rate enough to get immediate fat loss but it will, when consuming it frequently, boost the metabolic rate with about 4%. Green tea achieves this without increasing the heart rate.

Green tea will probably not be your kids favorite but you and your better half can replace a few cups of coffee everyday with green tea instead just for the weight loss and health benefits. Green tea does contain caffeine so if you're sensitive I wouldn't zip a large cup before bed time, but that's just me.
Try these foods the next time you go shopping. They will help you lose fat and live a healthier life. Every step counts, so start with something today.

I'm Max J Miller, father of 2 great kids and a health and fitness enthusiast. I'm trying to stay in shape and teach my kids by example how to live a healthy life full of great food and exercise.
Are you a dad wanting to get back into shape and be a role model for your kids? Come over to GetDadFit now and find more information about fitness and natural weight loss for dads.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_J_Miller

Weight Loss Tips - The Top 10

Top 10 Weight Loss Tips

Losing weight and keeping it off isn't difficult - all you need is a few changes and the motivation to get you started. Not sure where to begin? Have a look at these great tips for easy weight loss...

1) Keep a Food and Exercise Diary

This is a great way of keeping track of your foods, drinks and how much you have worked out over a week. Be honest with yourself and write down everything - even if you have a bad day.

2) Exercise to Maintain Weight Loss

Exercise helps you burn fat and calories and also helps boost your metabolic rate, even when you're resting so try to work your way up to doing a 30 minute workout 5 days a week.

3) Measure Food Amounts at Home

Weigh out foods and don't eat too much of the 'wrong' thing. For example if a recipe tells you to use 2tbsp dressing, don't go over this as a few more excess measurements all adds up to excess calories.

4) Still Eat Foods you Like

Have a rare treat so that you don't feel too deprived - just don't let a small treat turn into a big binge of crisps, chocolate, alcohol and fast food - you'll destroy all the hard work you've put in!

5) Think Long Term - Not Short Term

Losing weight fast is what everyone wants, but losing weight slowly actually allows your body to adjust and keep weight off for longer. Set goals for losing weight but think of it as a long term venture.

6) Savour Your Food

When you eat - enjoy it! Chew and enjoy the textures and flavours of your food - this will keep you fuller for longer and will reduce the likelihood of you reaching for the unhealthy snacks later.

7) Increase Workout Intensity

As a beginner you may be able to manage short workouts 2-3 times a week. Find the time to exercise and gradually increase your workout program to help you keep the weight off.

8) Keep Motivated

Buy yourself treats such as new clothes to celebrate your weight loss, work towards your goals such as having energy to play in the garden with your children - anything that keeps you motivated.

9) Weigh Yourself Once a Week

Weighing yourself everyday is a bad idea - weight fluctuates when muscle mass etc is varying. Have a weekly weigh in (i.e. on Monday morning before breakfast) and use it as motivation for the next week's weight loss.

10) Enjoy Your Workout!

Performing the same workout day after day means that your body gets used to it, therefore making it less effective each time you do it. Varying your workout keeps it exciting and if you're enjoying it, you're more likely to put more effort in. Go cycling, swim, do dance classes, play football in the park, go jogging and mix up your workout regime and your body will continue to burn fat.

Try out these 10 simple tips and you'll not only be able to lose weight but also keep it off!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Abernathy