The Many Benefits of Coconut Water, Milk and Oil

What are the benefits of coconut water and other products derived from coconut? Not that long ago, unless you lived in the tropics, you probably seldom thought about coconut. Perhaps you had a coconut flavored drink every so often (more likely than not, one containing alcohol!) - but you never considered coconut to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Now, however, it seems that every other product that's for sale in a natural foods store has coconut in it!

Yes, we're hearing about the benefits of coconut water, coconut milk and coconut oil all the time. Coconut oil is not only good for cooking, but it's used in all kinds of skin care products. Coconut water is now becoming popular as an alternative sports drink. Coconut milk, meanwhile, is starting to become a leading milk substitute, especially as soy based products are becoming suspect in many ways. So let's take a closer look at this coconut craze and see what benefits can be derived from this wonderful fruit from the tropics!

Coconut Water

Coconut water is cool and delicious

Coconut water is the clear liquid you find when you open a young coconut. It's naturally sweet, yet low in calories and it's fat and cholesterol free. For this reason, it makes an excellent sports drink. It's the ideal compromise between people who find plain water too boring but who don't want to load up on sugar and empty calories that are found in commercial sports drinks.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is the thicker, creamier white liquid that's prepared from meat of the coconut. In other words, you can't crack open a coconut and get coconut milk - you only get coconut water this way. Coconut milk has to be made.

Coconut milk is sweeter and richer than coconut water, making it a good substitute for regular milk or soy milk. While coconut milk is considered by many to be very healthy, these claims are sometimes disputed because it's high in saturated fat (the same is true for coconut oil, as we'll shortly see). However, many nutritionists are rethinking the whole "saturated fats are bad" philosophy.

Coconut Oil

Discover the benefits of coconut oil

Coconut oil is enjoying a real renaissance in the health food community, probably even more so than coconut water or milk. Suddenly, we're hearing that this oil, though high in saturated fat, is ideal for cooking as well as for skin care.

It seems that previous research that supposedly proved that coconut oil caused a rise in cholesterol was based on using hydrogenated coconut oil. As many people are now aware, this is a process that produces the "bad fats" or trans fats that are the cause of so many health problems. Trans fats in anything raise the LDL or bad cholesterol to go up. Pure coconut oil, however, has no such effects - just the opposite.

One of the major benefits of coconut oil is that it contains lauric acid, which is a natural enemy of many harmful microorganisms and possibly even cancer cells. Lauric acid helps protect the body against bacteria, fungi and viruses, so it has many healthy qualities.

Coconut Products and Weight Loss

Coconuts can help with weight loss

If you're trying to lose weight, which coconut products should you consume? The short answer is, "all of them!" This doesn't mean, however, that you have to go overboard and drink or eat coconut products from dawn till dusk. Even though coconut milk and oil both contain healthy fats, if you're trying to cut back on calories you obviously don't want to overdo it with any kind of fat.

You can use all of the products in moderation and gain the benefits. This is true for everyone, whether you want to lose weight, gain weight or maintain your current weight. You can drink coconut water as a sports drink, or just when you want a refreshing cold drink. Don't drink it in place of regular water, though. Pure H20 should still be your primary beverage of choice!

Coconut milk is probably the best milk substitute if you're vegan or lactose intolerant. Even if you do eat dairy, there's no reason not to add coconut milk to your diet. You can find many healthy recipes that use coconut milk, or you can just drink it as a refreshing beverage that's a bit more substantial than coconut water.

Coconut oil is ideal for cooking. This is one big edge it has over the other super healthy oil - olive oil. I'd never suggest giving up olive oil, as this is not only delicious but it's one of the healthiest "good fat" foods you can consume. However, olive oil is not good for cooking, as it loses its benefits and actually becomes toxic. So, if you want a simple formula, consume olive oil raw and coconut oil for cooking (though coconut oil is also fine uncooked).

Coconut oil also has many other benefits, and it can be used as a moisturizer and even in your hair. You can find many products on the market that contain coconut oil, but very often it's safer to just use it straight up. Many products, even those sold in health food stores and online from health and nutrition companies contain all kinds of suspect ingredients.

Do your research - the Dr. Mercola website has a lot of good information on the dangers of many supposedly healthy and natural skin care products, shampoos and so forth. With plain coconut oil, you don't have any such worries! You can't really use pure coconut oil as a shampoo, but you can use it in your hair as a conditioner and then wash it out with a gentle and preferably organic shampoo.

In conclusion, more benefits of coconut-derived products are being discovered all the time. Of course, the native peoples of regions where coconuts grow - many tropical regions from Africa to the South Pacific- have long known how healthy, as well as delicious this fruit is. Now, however, modern civilization is finally catching up. So, coconut water, coconut milk, coconut oil - and just plain coconuts of course- are all foods you can eat with pleasure and without guilt!

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Wednesday Video - 5 Common Weight Loss Mistakes - Lose Weight Fast By Avoiding These Mistakes!

The reason many people don't lose weight is because of mistakes they're not aware of. Make sure you do everything you can to avoid these mistakes! If you do, you'll lose weight effectively and fast!

Wednesday Video - The Ketogenic Diet Explained in Under 5 Minutes. Low Carb = Best Weight Loss Diet?

The Ketogenic, aka "Keto" Diet is a widely popular diet that stuck through longer than many of the fad diets that have come and gone. So what's so special about this diet? This video explains it all

Fat Loss Friday - Exercises to Lose Fat Rapidly

Would you like to learn about a handful of workouts to get slimmer easily? 

It is not a secret that high intensity workouts are what will get results. Aerobic exercises such as jogging will help burn up fat, but if you are not careful,

Cardio can help

you can also burn off lean muscle doing these (remember those scrawny cross country runners from high school?). Since muscle tissues help burn up body fat, you want to keep them around even when you are not looking to get buff. High intensity sprints on the other hand are good workout routines to lose weight fast without burning up lean muscle.

Therefore, for the high intensity exercise session, we will be doing basic Cardio exercises. Yet, we are going to be shifting between extremely high intensities and decreased intensities. If you are just getting started, this can be quite strenuous, So it's better to begin with less and then work it up as your stamina increases. you can repeat this with cycling, stair machines, or other exercises, But doing this with sprinting is probably the best physical exercise to burn fat quickly.

To start this, we are going to first warm-up and stretch. This is a very critical thing to do to make sure you do not hurt yourself.

Afterward we start a jog-sprint-jog series. jog for 1 minute, And then burst straight into a full-out sprint for one minute, followed by returning to jogging. Keep changing from one to the next for about 20 to 30 minutes. If this is simply too strenuous for you, start out with two minute jogs with one minute sprints, Just make it a goal to build up to one minute jogs and one minute sprints. After you get comfortable with this, you can test yourself even more by repeating this up slopes, getting started with gentle slopes and working up to more challenging ones. Try this about four to five times weekly and you’ll begin to get some extremely incredible results.

Remember, that while you are doing your intense component of the workout it really does need to be extreme! To do anything else, will merely lead to an ordinary aerobic exercise session that probably won't give you the effects you would like. You need to force yourself to your max and be totally out of breath.

You can vary your workout to keep yourself from getting overly bored to death throughout your high intensity exercises. Try doing totally different workout routines or doing your running at a new place. You might sprint around the community you live in, try out the gym, or a close by park.

During off-days, try to hit the gym.

Muscle burns fat even at rest

Do a handful of weight lifting exercises to build some muscles and tone your body a bit.

This can be a great way to burn off extra fat and shed those pounds. On top of that, you are going to be building your endurance and energy at the same time too. high intensity exercises are excellent workout routines to lose weight easily and they also are more enjoyable and more reliable than normal cardio exercises.

You should make sure to talk with a physician before you do this on your own though, considering that high intensity exercises can be really taxing on your body, to begin with.

Stay with it, though and you are going to have a slimmer body and the energy and endurance you need to feel good each day!

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Fat Loss Friday - Understanding HIIT

Of all the exercises in the world none will improve your fitness as dramatically and lose your fat as quickly as HIIT(High Intensity Interval Training). Its tough to do but incredibly effective

Individuals who are trying to lose fat use this method most often. It has a number of distinct goals and differences which make it unique.

Torch fat using HIIT

The major difference is the amount of time you will spend doing this routine, which should take no longer than twenty minutes, not including warm ups and warm downs. This may appear to be a very short space of time; however, if you do the workout as it is designed you will be very tired at the end of it. Holding an anaerobic state for as long as possible is the main goal of High Intensity Interval Training. Since there are rest intervals in High Intensity Interval Training, you can sprint harder for a longer time. For example, if you were sprinting 100 meters, you would go all out and very fast for about 15 seconds. In the advanced High Intensity Interval Training workout, you might spend seven or eight minutes going full-on for a 15-minute routine. Four to six total workout minutes are perfect for a novice.

High Intensity Interval Training allows for a range of different activities. Using the largest muscle groups in your body safely is important when choosing an activity. The energy source found inside the muscle is tapped by the High Intensity Interval Training. Your benefits increase with an increase in the size of the exercised muscle group.

Sprinting is the ideal choice for High Intensity Interval Training. Pick another activity if you have injuries or problems which may prevent you from sprinting. One excellent option is using a stationery spinning bicycle.

High Intensity Interval Training routines are not designed to be done on consecutive days. The goal of a workout is to operate at quite a high intensity. In order to maintain this level of exertion, put as much effort as possible into your reps. This is when High Intensity Interval Training is at its most productive. After working out, give your muscles time to regain energy. You have a much greater chance of injuring yourself if this doesn't happen, and you will not be able to workout with as much intensity as before. The more rested you are, the more intensity you can put into your workout, getting the benefits in your body during your rest period.

It was believed that doing High Intensity Interval Training on an empty stomach was the optimal method for maximum fat loss.

Easily digested food helps fat loss

However, new studies have shown that this is not the case. Before you exercise, make sure you eat something balanced and easily digestible; also ensure that your meal is not too heavy before you exercise.

One of the goals of High Intensity Interval Training is for continuous improvement, never to hit a wall, or plateau. High Intensity Interval Training capitalizes on your body's natural ability to continuously adapt to increasing levels of demand; because of this innate ability, your body inevitably will adapt to whatever you demand of it. Your goal results will not be as quick if this occurs. Avoid this by keeping your body guessing. After eight weeks on one High Intensity Interval Training program, take a week off and start a different routine. There are many options available.

Source: Greg McKenzie Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Wednesday Video - Weird Ways to Burn 200 Calories

A few weeks ago we looked at what exactly 200 calories look like.

Now in this video we take a look at what you need to do in order to burn 200 calories!

Wednesday Video - Weight loss pills - Fact or Fiction

We all know that weight-loss pills are a con trick right? The only thing you will lose with these "miracle" products are your money. However, as with most things, it is not so simple and that may not always be the case.

Enjoy your bacon sandwich, while we walk you through the facts and fictions of what science can -- and maybe someday, will -- do to help people lose weight safely.

Fat Loss Friday - Visualize Your Weight Loss

Weight loss goals are important. Your dreams of wearing a certain size or see a specific number on the scale are also important. Are these weight loss goals and dreams where you can see them? Do you have a visual reminder of what you want? Take it out of your head and create a weight loss vision board. 

To see it is to believe it. Whether you call it the law of attraction or a visual work in progress, a weight loss vision board works!

Weight loss goals are important. Your dreams of wearing a particular size or seeing a specific number on the scale are also important.

Visualise your weight loss

Are these weight loss goals and dreams someplace that you can see them? Do you have a visual reminder of what you want? Take it out of your head and create a weight loss vision board.

A weight loss vision board is a great tool to consider a work in progress as you lose weight, get closer to your goal, change habits, experience successes along the way, or even photographs. You can put photos of you, pictures from magazines of a body that you'd like to achieve, meaningful words or pictures from magazines that inspire or motivate you. If something is of significant importance or meaning to you, it will keep you focused. It will be a reminder of your weight loss goals and can be included on the board.

Take a photograph of yourself every month. As you lose weight, place the photos reflecting your progress of a smaller body size. Another tip is to wear the same clothes each month for the photo. Again, as you lose weight, you'll see the clothes becoming loose and then baggy. This is another great way to keep motivated by seeing how far you've come.

Include a photograph of you at a smaller body size. Cut out a photo with a body size you'd like as your own goal. Put your face on that body for a motivating visual.

If you want to exercise more,

Use motivational pictures

cut pictures that motivate you such as a toned body, a photo of someone exercising, hiking, walking or running, or other mementos of inspiration to you.

Make a graph of your starting weight and keep track of your progress. Show your goal weight as well so you see yourself moving closer and closer to it on your graph.

A client that I work with has created her own weight loss vision board. She hung it in her kitchen which has been a very effective way to stay on track. At times that she's been tempted or even headed to the kitchen, she sees her weight loss vision board front and center. It has saved her from many extra calories and pounds, and kept her motivation and confidence high that she will achieve her weight loss goal.

Make a visual reminder of motivation and inspiration by creating your own weight loss vision board. Create a visual center that updates and changes often as you lose weight. Have fun with it as you create it and update it to reflect your personal change and weight loss. Be creative; think big, think out of the box in whatever you place on your weight loss vision board. When it comes to any goals and success, see it to believe it. When you see it - you can be it!




Source:Cathy Wilson Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Fat Loss Friday - How to Set Weight Loss Goals – Shaping the Outcome

How to Set Weight Loss Goals: Shaping the Outcome. 

First, Figure Out Your Motivation to Set Weight Loss Goals. Set Weight Loss Goals that Fit into Small Jars and Take Short Moments to Reach. Success in Weight Loss Goals: Keeping the Written Record. Weight loss is going to take time, almost the same time it took to put it on. If you think in that way, then when you are about to set for yourself weight loss goals, with these tips in mind, you will be better able to prepare for the journey ahead.

You can shed pounds without following complicated plans, without eating frozen or liquid meals, without craving your favorite foods, or shelling out hard-earned money. If you want to keep off extra pounds for good, then traveling like lightning isn’t the best way to get there. (After all, it took time to put on the weight.)

Instead climb aboard a slow, steady train. You’ll feel the bumps. You may have some extra stops on the way. You will still reach your destination and enjoy the foods along the way.

First, Figure Out Your Motivation to Set Weight Loss Goals

What's your motivation?

Answer the why, and make it a big why. Why do you want to lose or keep off your weight? If your motivation is to wear that size 8 dress or to fit into those good jeans from last year, then you may setting yourself up not to make the long journey, because you won’t have a strong enough motive to keep the weight off in the future.

On the other hand, if you motivation is to be healthy and feel good about yourself, you will likely make your new eating and exercise habits part of your new lifestyle. It’s lifestyle you are ultimately affecting here. By making this a major reason of your ultimate goal, you will have a stronger motive to achieve it and maintain it.

Set Weight Loss Goals that Fit into Small Jars and Take Short Moments to Reach

Now, as you have begun your journey, it’s time to think about goals. Often people reach for goals that are impossible to achieve, and set themselves up for failure. For example, dropping 35 pounds in two months or swearing not to eat a certain food. Then, when they don’t meet those goals, they easily feel defeated and are apt to give up.

Instead, shoot for goals that are realistic and short term. Then, repeat. I learned this from a friend of mine.

I suggested to her: aim to lose 1 or 2 pounds per week. She retorted in a way that I thought she was joking with me, when she said she was going to lose a half a pound per week. A year later she was 32 pounds less, which represents 23% ahead of her set goal. Though it was over a year mind you, nevertheless, she did an unthinkable task, by breaking it into baby steps. And she kept herself motivated by reaching those doable steps each week and by sometimes exceeding them.

Short term weekly goals. Realistic half pound goals. Amazing. She expected success all along, because she wasn’t over extending herself. A couple less sodas this week. An extra walk or two outside next week.

Success in Weight Loss Goals -- Keeping the Written Record

Keep records of your progress

Another key to her success, I believe, is this: She weighed herself on a consistent day, Saturday morning. This was was to keep herself from worrying about the midweek fluctuations and to never record herself right after a meal.

I think this contributed to her ultimate success. Her goals were measured using a consistent standard. This weekly result she would record in her notebook, along with the few things she did that week to accomplish her result.

To Summarize the Steps on How To Set Weight Loss Goals for Success

First, start with a high-ground motivation. Next, make yourself a simple attainable goal and place it within a doable time-frame. Finally, be consistent in your application of it by recording your results it in a notebook every week.

As the last word, to echo the first thoughts. Weight loss is going to take time, almost the same time it took to put it on. If you think in that way, then when you are about to set for yourself weight loss goals, with these tips in mind, you will be better able to prepare for the journey ahead.

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Fat Loss Friday - Blending 101: The Top 5 Smoothie Recipes for Beginners

More and more people are discovering the amazing health benefits of drinking green smoothies, that's why it's not surprising that a lot of juice and smoothie bars have been popping up around the globe over the last couple of years. If you want to start a healthier lifestyle by drinking green smoothies, here are some of the best smoothie recipes for beginners that you can try:

There are hundreds of smoothie recipes

1. The Tropical Dream

This delicious fruit and vegetable smoothie is designed to refresh and rejuvenate you on a hot day. It makes use of a cucumber and a coconut - two of the most water-rich fruits that will not only nourish you but will hydrate your body as well. Add a banana, some leafy greens, a little bit of pineapple and the twist of ginger and you'll get a flavorful, nutrient-rich smoothie that will keep you wanting more.

What you need:

1 1/2 cups coconut water

1/4 cucumber

1 small ripe banana

1 rib celery

1 small handful parsley

1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple slices

1/2-inch ginger

2. Classic Strawberries and Cream

If you're a fan of the strawberries and cream combination, then this is one of the smoothie recipes for beginners that you can't afford to miss. Aside from being delicious, strawberries are chock full of Vitamin C that will help boost your energy. Bananas on the other hand are known to give any smoothie a delightful creamy texture. Drink this classic smoothie for breakfast to help jump start your energy for the rest of the day!

What you need:

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

1 small ripe banana

1/4 ripe avocado

1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3-4 ice cubes

3. Green is In

If you're looking for low-calorie smoothie recipes, this is a good recipe to start with. Leafy greens aren't considered superfoods for nothing - they are low in calories but extremely rich in essential nutrients. If you're not fond of eating leafy greens, the apple and lemon both help neutralize the taste of this delicious smoothie.

What you need:

1 small head Romaine lettuce, chopped

1 1/2 cups chopped spinach

3 stalks celery

1 red apple, cored and chopped

Juice of 1/2 lemon

4. The Healthy Cooler

By using a variety of vegetables for your smoothie recipes for beginners, you will gain different vitamins and minerals that will help maintain your body's health. Concoct this deliciously nutritious smoothie to ensure both your mind and body's wellness.

What you need:

1 bunch spinach

1 handful parsley

4 stalks celery

2 large lettuce leaves

1 handful mint leaves

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1/2-inch ginger

5 ice cubes

5. Berry Nutritious

Smoothies are a nutritious and delicious

Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, this mix is definitely one of the best smoothie recipes for beginners. With a delicious taste and an appetizing texture, this power smoothie will easily become one of your favorites!

What you need:

1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)

1 cup oat milk

1 cup coconut milk

2 tsp. flaxseed

2 tbsp. organic natural yogurt

5-6 ice cubes

Try any of these delicious low-calorie smoothie recipes to jumpstart your healthy eating. Remember, fruits and vegetables are your keys to a healthier lifestyle!


Healthy dieting and eating is Donna H.'s passion and it has changed her life. With over a decade of experience and advice from nutritional experts, Donna spends her time writing about what she loves most - nutrition. Her newest book, Fat Burning Smoothies can be purchased on Amazon.com. The book is also available in kindle version.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Donna_H./1519703



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Fat Loss Friday - Vitamins to aid in weight loss

Weight loss is a sensitive issue especially in this ‘beauty-glorified’ world we live in today. However, people often associate weight loss with exercise or with loss weight pills, but do you know that vitamins can help you loss those extra kilos too?

When you think about weight loss, you will tend to consider only about an exercise program to burn your fats away or the tasteless and raw foods that you plan to eat. You might also have considered buying the diet drug that you saw at the pharmacy. However, did it ever come across your mind that vitamins might help in weight loss?

Our body requires vitamins and it can be easily obtained from the foods we eat or dietary supplements. Vitamins are very important and there is absolutely no way a person can sustain his life without the presence of necessary vitamins.

Choose the right vitamins

Believe it or not, there are vitamins that aids in weight loss. They are mainly vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, vitamin B complex and vitamin C. These B vitamins help to convert carbs into glucose, after which they are burned to produce energy for the body. With this in mind, you are encouraged to consume foods, which consist of these highly beneficial vitamins. Each of these vitamins has different functions.

Just to name a few:

Vitamin B2 or also known as Riboflavin is highly required for increased metabolism. You are encouraged to consume more hard cheese, milk and almonds for a healthy intake of Vitamin B2. Next is the B3 vitamin. This vitamin is necessary for normal thyroid hormone production. Leafy green vegetables and eggs are a good source of this vitamin.

Natural sources of vitamins

You can also choose to include wheat bran, meat and salmon. Vitamin B5 is necessary for the production of energy. Good sources of B5 include liver, poultry, nuts and whole grain bread.

It is best that you consult the doctor or your dietitian if you are unsure as to what to include in you meal to ensure sufficient intake of these weight loss vitamins.

Other than natural vitamins that can be found in the food we eat, you can choose to have an extra dose of vitamin through the needles. Vitamin B12 injections are a usual sight at weight loss clinics. The B12 works by boosting your metabolism. As such, this would cause you to digest food faster and burn more calories just by sitting there! With more calories burnt, you will store lesser calories as fat.

At the same time, B12 is energy giving and hence it gives you an energy boost. Most people do not exercise because they are just plain tired after a long day at work. So, with the extra energy, you will feel more energetic and you can afford to exercise more!

You can also choose to take vitamin pills, but remember, vitamin pills are not energy pills! They do not carry any energetic value so remember not to substitute the necessary intake of carbs, fats or carbohydrates with just vitamin pills!

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Wednesday Video - 5 Steps To Achieving Your New Year Fitness Resolution

You've made a resolution to get fit and lose weight. Unfortunately studies show that 25% of people give up after just one week and a whopping 50% give up by the six month mark.

Don't fall into those categories! This short video shows how to stick to your resolutions and keep moving towards achieving your goals

Wednesday Video - How To Tighten Skin After Weight Loss

After making a big effort to lose those extra pounds, looking unattractive due to loose skin can be very frustrating. Now that you've lost weight, the hanging pouch around your stomach, together with the extra skin on your back, butt and hips, are all preventing you from achieving the body you dream of.

But don't get discouraged yet; with this video you'll learn the reasons why your skin is loose, plus some great tactics and strategies to make it tighten again around your body as quickly as possible

Fat Loss Friday - What Is the Difference Between Weight Loss and Fat Loss?

What is the different between weight loss and fat loss? Which of these two types of body mass losing processes is healthier? Which of the two can be attained quicker, which of the two works more effectively? And ultimately, which between weight loss and fat loss is an overall better body mass losing process? A great comparative match-up these two make, but in the end, there may only be one which would ultimately be better than the other.

First off, fat loss and weight loss are two totally different processes. The common misconception people often make is thinking and claiming that the loss of fat and weight loss are one and the same. That could not be any more wrong. While losing weight can mean loss of fat, it does not necessarily mean that they are one and the same process of losing body mass. There are specifics ways each hold, and though they may have a few elements which are highly identical, they are separate processes overall.

Fat Loss

Scales alone don't tell the full story

What is fat loss? In its most basic definition, the loss of fat is the process of losing body fat using a variety of means. Those means may differ from exercise, to diet, to even liposuction procedures. However the means may differ, as long as their goals are focused toward losing fat.

Fat is not all bad, but is not all good either. Fat is needed by the body because it is what the body burns when it is put through stress and work. It is unhealthy for either a man or a woman to have 0% body fat; what would his or her body have to burn then? In the absence of fat, the body eats other parts of itself like muscle, which is more on weight loss already. The normal fat percentage men should have is between 12 to about 20 percent; women should have significantly more, around 15 to about 25 percent, since they would need extra fat for when they get pregnant.

This is easily mistaken to be the same as weight loss since a lot of people think all their weight is composed of fat. This is not true. Yes, a person's weight is composed of his or her fat, but overall weight is total accumulation of more than just fat (which will be touched upon later on when weight loss is discussed). Fat is not the only factor which makes a person heavy. Fat is, however, the most dispensable and expendable excess of the body which can be lost to make a person's weight lighter, without his or her body being unhealthy.

Weight Loss

Don't concentrate on weight alone

Weight loss, similar to fat loss, is also the process of the body losing fat, but not only fat. A person's body is composed not only of fat, but also of bones, muscles, tissues, organs, skin, and many more. Fat alone does not make a body heavy, but all the internal and external parts of the body, as long as it is attached to it, is what makes a body weigh the way it does. Weight loss then, is the process in which the body loses fat, or muscle mass, or bone mass, or organ weight, or skin weight, or a combination of all of these.

Weight loss is not entirely a bad process your body can potentially go through, but compared to losing fat, it is not an advisable process for your body to go through. Weight, as an overall category, is highly essential for your body's overall health. Losing muscle mass or bone mass is not something your body should go through. This is why your body needs fat, so it does not eat muscle or bone mass.

When a person loses more than just fat, the body highly decreases in weight. If you are an individual who has no more fat to burn or lose, you should be very, very careful not to go overboard and lose more than just fat. People like anorexics suffering from anorexia often do not have fat left in their bodies to lose or burn, so they become thinner, and more fragile, until they die due to severe weight loss.

In this match-up between these two goals, it may seem that fat loss is the preferred victor over weight loss. It may be the case, but do keep in mind that weight loss is not an option you shouldn't choose to take. Just be wary, however, to only have a goal of losing fat and not any other type of weight, and this match-up might end with a draw.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rob_Humphrey/354989

Monday Muscle - Considerations when Choosing the Best Bodybuilding Gym for you

Having a well toned physique is not an easy task today. It needs lots of efforts, dedication and determination from one’s side especially with an efficient Bodybuilding gym program. However, this is not enough. Once you have decided, and commit yourself to work out to retain a great body, finding a gym that actually complements your needs and requirements is very essential. For this, it is important to remember certain factors that are vital for achieving a great perfect personality.

· Location: Location has a great role to play in achieving the health related goals of any individual. Nobody would ever wish to drive or travel for more than an hour to reach the location of gym therefore you must ascertain that the gym you choose is in close proximity to your living area. Gyms in shorter distances keeps reminding one of the regular exercises that one definitely needs to follow in the daily routine.

· Membership plans: Plans vary greatly in any gym you go therefore, be sure that the one you opt for goes in with your budget limit as well as health and fitness goals.

Membership plans

Many make fake promises and try to trap customers with exciting offers and plans so, make certain to go through the printed notes on rules and regulations about the gym and its several different membership plans. Make sure that it does not include any sought of additional hidden costs that might add up in the latter half of the membership plans.

· Opening hours: This is again another crucial consideration. Since, everyone is quite busy with their daily schedules and work plans; it becomes difficult to manage special time and that too in accordance with the timings for your gym. Therefore, to avoid this collision and imbalance, be sure to go for one that has enough flexibility to adjust your timings, or is open for long hours to accommodate your busy schedule. Therefore, consider this before finalizing the decision.

· Gym type: Choosing the gym type is an important consideration for females. If you are a woman or any female, you must take into account this factor and avoid being stared by a whole lot of people in the gym. Going to ladies-only gym can be the better option for such people.

· Budget: Make certain to choose one that does not burn a hole in your pocket. Search thoroughly over the web world and find one that is within the means and is highly affordable to achieve the fitness goals.

Treadmill

Achieving health related goals in important therefore, you can just trust any of the service provider in your region. You definitely have to seek for professional health and gym trainers that have sufficient training, experience and expertise in fulfilling the targets of the clients.

While choosing the gym trainer, make sure to ask for accreditations, his educational background for better results. If he has sufficient knowledge and experience in this field you can ensure perfect advice from bodybuilding supplement supplies to a balanced diet or to a perfect exercise that is necessary for your type of body. Therefore, be sure to get started with a professional team only.


By Bittu kumar

Fat Loss Friday - Use Breakfast To Lose Weight

Lose Weight With A Nutritious And Filling Breakfast

Taste Appeal vs. Eye Appeal

The downfall of a lot of diets is their menus. Whilst they may not have many calories; taste or eye appeal may not be in them. The very first meal of each day is breakfast. If you are keeping track of your weight; it is not a good idea to gulp down a diet shake especially first thing in the morning. Choosing a breakfast that is filling and full of nutrition will assist you with losing weight. This should not be hard. However; it really ought to be tasty and eye appealing.

All the Nutrition You Need in Living Color

You do not need to search recipe books for different breakfast options. Imagine that your breakfasts are full of color because when you imagine foods full of nutrition with wonderful colors, it will be easier to get them down you. You will soon love consuming tasty breakfasts as a better fastest way to lose weight. Imagine barley, wheat germs and oats with flavor on them. This could range from: almonds to raisins. This also adds sweetness. Tofu can also be mixed in with wheat germs. Tofu is very nutritious. Not to mention healthy. They are very similar to chameleons. Herbs, spices, raw fruits, fruit juices can also be included in vegetarian breakfasts.

Make Believe Tofu Eggs

If you are keeping an eye out for the levels of your cholesterol, you could replace egg with solid tofu. Simply use cooking spray low in fat, and then cut the tofu into "egg-rounds" before you cook it. A round biscuit cutter can be used to design the "yolk". Put the cutter into the middle of the tofu round. Use carrot juice to brush into the middle of the tofu. Then simply spray the fry pan. Then cook away until the tofu is a light brown color around the edge. Tarragon or parsley can be used to sprinkle over the top. If you love eggs, then try this recipe: Partly boil some spinach leaves. This can be used to design a bed. Sprinkle them with some garlic powder. Then drain the spinach before plating it. Use spray that is low in fat to spray the pan. Then lightly saute some mushrooms. Put this on top of the spinach. Then place a couple of eggs that have been poached on top of the mushrooms. Use some lemon pepper-vinaigrette to garnish.

Sweet Tooth Not Withstanding

If you want breakfast recipes that is both filling and nutritious; you should always include raw fruits or juices. This will give you more energy. It will keep you satisfied in the early half of the day. French Tofu Toast can be used to trick your palate. Solid tofu can be used for this. Use low fat cooking spray to lightly brown some tofu slices. Use a well beaten egg white to use as mixture to dip the slices in. A dash of vanilla and cinnamon should also be included. Put this on a heated grill. Continue cooking until both sides are brown. Use some almonds to garnish. Include strawberries, melon and kiwi fruit as a side. This will take you no more than five minutes to make. Another easy treat may be: mixing in plain yogurt with wheat germ, raisins and cinnamon. If you'd rather, replace the whole wheat toast for tofu. These foods are designed for those who do not have much time to make much.

By: Vikram Kumar

http://www.articlesnatch.com/blog/Lose-Weight-With-A-Nutritious-And-Filling-Breakfast/6605205

10 perfect muscle building foods for men and women (6 - 10)

Building muscle is important in a quest for a slimmer, healthier body. Every pound of muscle burns up an extra 50 calories just to maintain itself. Fat requires none! Therefore to maintain that muscle you need quality, nutritious food.

Today we look at the second part of the 10 best foods to build and maintain muscle

6) Lean Beef

For decades beef has remained at the top of the list of best muscles building foods for good reason! Beef contains a muscles building cocktail of protein packed with essential amino acids, B-vitamins, and creatine. Beef also contains a mixture of saturated fat, which can support healthy testosterone levels, and monounsaturated fat, for heart health. As an added benefit research from the University of Melbourne, shows that people who eat more red meat report feeling lower levels of anxiety and stress

7) Rotisserie Chicken

Rotisserie chicken should be your go-to of these muscle food options. Available at almost all supermarkets rotisserie chickens provide you with readily available ready-to-eat high quality protein. Have one or two breast or mix and match light and dark meat whichever fits your diet.

8) Lentils

Lentils should be your secret mass building weapon. One cup of cooked lentils contains 18 grams of protein and 40 grams of slow digesting quality carbohydrates. They are also very inexpensive and have a long shelf-life. They cook up in just 10 minutes and can be added mixed in with brown rice, sprinkled over a salad or eaten as a standalone side dish.

9) Wild Salmon

Salmon contains both high quality protein and the long chain omega-3 fats EPA and DHA. These omega-3 fats are most well known for their ability to improve heart health but they also inhibit muscle breakdown while increasing the anabolic capacity of amino acids. If you don’t like eating fish then make sure to take a fish oil supplement to reap these benefits. And, just because your fish is fatty doesn't mean your body will be, too. Salmon makes our list of the fatty foods that will help you lose weight.

10) Fermented Dairy Products

Fermented dairy products like kefir are a little-known muscle-building magic bullet. Kefir is the perfect addition to any muscle-building blender bomb, providing distinct nutritional advantages over water or regular milk. If you usually use water in your shakes, 1 cup of kefir will add 150 calories to your diet. Compared to regular milk, kefir will allow your meal to be more easily digested due to the presence of probiotics (up to 10 billion good bacteria per cup). These healthy bacteria will help keep your digestive track running at peak condition so it can breakdown and assimilate maximum amount of calories and nutrients from your meals.

Courtesy of Men's Fitness

Interval Training On The Treadmill For Weight Loss

Interval training on a treadmill is a heavy way to toast a good portion of calories and fashion a monumental fat torching situation inside of your body. It's 1 of the desirable ways for you to get rid of stubborn body fat, get ripped and bring about lean muscle tissue, precisely in your lower body.

Also there are a few pros to employing a treadmill over conventional cardio equipment. For example with a treadmill you are supporting your own bodyweight. It's a lot different than hopping on a bicycle or training on the elliptical.

The elliptical is cannot compare to using a treadmill cause you're not utilizing your own body weight. You are more like gliding than actually sprinting. It is exceptional for people with aging knee and hip problems, but if you can get on the treadmill, than do the treadmill. It's really is better.

At this moment if you have not formerly gotten it, interval training on the treadmill uses up a ton of calories by virtue of a little known term called EPOC which stands for excess post oxygen consumption. This is increased when you create an oxygen debt inside of your body. Because of this phenomenon, your body's metabolism increases and the swell part is this can persevere for plenty of hours after you have finished your workout. It needs higher levels of oxygen to return your body back to homeostasis; therefore it burns kcals, categorically from your body fat to repair itself.

It’s colossal stuff that can't be copied with just average, old, boring cardio.

Regular, old, cardio is okay and has its place in a program, but interval training is just so much finer, not only for weight loss, but overall fitness and health.

Also a separate thing that you can get wise to below is a wonderful interval training workout that you can do on the treadmill by yourself. Many treadmills have their own distinct number of programs that are placed into the machine, they are great, they work, but you don't need them.

One of my admired ways to apply interval training on the treadmill is from the movie Rocky IV. Conjure up when the Russian was working out and they kept adding to the slope of the treadmill and then they would focus back to Rocky and film him climbing the steep mountain?

Well that is what you are going to do for your next session.

You're going to take the treadmill from 0 degrees incline and then jack it all the way up to 15 degrees incline or as high as the piece of equipment can and that you can last at a rather accelerated speed. Begin at five and a half mph and see how long you can last as the treadmill keeps going up on the incline.

Once you no longer go any more, hop off the sides and rest, and bring the incline all the way back down to zero. Drop the miles per hour down to a nice leisurely pace of walking and recover. In the beginning, shoot for twenty seconds at least and at the highest incline you can muster and two minutes recovering. Do again this cycle for a total of twenty minutes.

If you can do more or even if you have to do less in intensity or duration that is fine. Remember, everyone is different and this program is not set in stone. Do what you can do and nothing more. I don't want you to hurt yourself. It's just not worth it. But this is a good and different way to utilize interval training on the treadmill.

By Jackson Mendel
in Health (submitted 2011-08-16) on GoArticles.com

Foods That Help Burn Body Fat

The mere mention of the word fat is enough a cause to send shivers down the spine of most women. Fat according to the Oxford advanced learners dictionary refers to a natural oily substance occurring in animal bodies, especially when deposited as a layer under the skin or around certain organs. The body requires fat as a major energy source. If fat is the supplier of the energy required by the body, why are most people obsessed with lowering its content in the body? This is solely because of its high caloric content thus justifying the fact that there is a direct relationship between the amount of fat consumed and the chances of getting obese.

In order to curb the extremities of the effect of fat, most people opt to burn them. Burning them yes, but how? Most people opt for the gym as the first choice in their quest to burn the fat. This however is not a good method because of the inconsistency of our daily schedules and in turn leads to a number of absconded sessions whose effect is more harmful. It is in this aspect that fat burning foods come into play.

Most people tend to forget that diet is an important element of life. A person may miss gym sessions but can he miss food for even two consecutive days? Definitely no! Here is where fat burning foods aid since they are easy to use. These foods are divided into three major categories: fruits, vegetables and spices, and dairy products. Not all foods belonging to these categories are fat burning. However, these foods must have fat burning properties, be readily available, easy to prepare, versatile and enjoyable be incorporated into one’s diet with ease.

Fruits

These fruits are rich in or contain vitamin C to stimulate carnitine amino acids which in turn accelerate the body’s capacity to burn stored fat. Vitamin C dilutes fats thereby rendering them less effective as well as assisting in flushing the fats out of the body. Citrus fruits dominate this category ranging from lemons, grapefruit, guavas, papaya, oranges, limes, tomatoes and tangerines to watermelons, apples and blueberries.

Vegetables and spices

Chilies contain capsaicin, a thermogenic food known for fast-tracking the metabolism process. Others include: cabbages which inhibit the conversion process of sugar and carbohydrates into fat thereby facilitating weight loss; garlic and onions which minimizes cholesterol and unhealthy fats through a sulfur compound with anti-bacterial properties; curry leaves which reduces fat and toxin deposits in the body by flushing them out; cardamom which functions like chilies; broccoli which is a zero fat vegetable high in fiber as well as green tea and asparagus that is high in antioxidants but low on calories. Other vegetables and spices include spinach, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens and spinach.

Dairy products

These products are rich in the mineral calcium which is essential in the burning of body fats. The use of dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt is more result oriented compared to calcium supplements as proved by various case studies. Other dairy based products used include: coconut milk necessary in the breakdown of unwanted body fats; and almond butter and milk.

Other fat burning foods are cereals such as brown rice and whole grain bread among others. Animal meat particularly lean chicken and fish meat (specifically trout, tuna and salmon) are also efficient.

In conclusion, fat burning foods forms the easiest and cheapest method of burning fat with regards to time and energy consumption.

By Geoffrey Moni
Article Source: http://www.streetarticles.com/weight-loss/foods-that-help-burn-body-fat

25 Ways To Cut 250 Calories - parts 11 to 25

11. Bowl With It

Take the girls out bowling tonight! Just 90 minutes will incinerate almost 300 calories, plus it'll do wonders for your arms.

12. Discontinue Your Membership To the Clean Plate Club

Go halfsies with your friend when eating out, and you'll save at least 250 calories, Schapiro says.

13. Skip The Treadmill And Elliptical

Mix up your cardio while working muscles from head to toe by hopping on a rowing machine: Thirty seconds at high intensity alternated with 30 seconds at moderate speed for 30 minutes total will torch 250 calories, Paris says.

14. BYO Popcorn

A small movie theater popcorn can contain 500 calories -- or more. Bring your own bag of light microwave popcorn (pop it at home and put it in your purse, we won't tell!) to eliminate 250 calories, says nutritionist Rania Batayneh, M.P.H., author of the forthcoming The One One One Diet. Better yet, go the air-popped route for 31 calories per cup.

15. Have An Active Dessert

Give your body a post-dinner calorie-burning boost by taking a walk around your neighborhood or in a local park, Wessel recommends. Walking at a moderate pace for an hour burns 277 calories, plus being out in nature helps relieve stress that's built up during the day much better than a sundae can.

16. Pick The Right Party Foods

Turn down three mozzarella sticks with dipping sauce and pick up two 1-inch cubes of cheddar instead. Then forget about mixing a vodka-cranberry (most of us tend to pour generously at parties) and ask for a small (4-ounce) flute of champagne.

17. Cram In Some Cardio 

When you're crunched for time at the gym, give yourself 25 minutes and perform this circuit as many times as you can -- bonus if you don't take breaks, Wessel says. Do each exercise for 1 minute, performing as many reps as possible and running as fast as possible:

· Pushups

· Squat jumps

· Burpees

· Split squats

· 1/4-mile treadmill run

18. Use Your Noodle

You can do better than whole-wheat pasta. Really. Swap 1 1/2 cups cooked whole-wheat spaghetti for the same amount of cooked spaghetti squash. Top with marinara as usual, but pick shrimp as your protein instead of chicken breast to cut 42 calories. And you can still have cheese, just downside your sprinkle of parm from 1 tablespoon to 1/2 tablespoon. Mangia!

19. Lace Up

Tell your boyfriend or husband to meet you at the skating rink for a date. Thirty-five minutes of light ice-skating burns 213 calories. To warm up after, nix the premixed cocoa (and the artificial sugars in diet mixes) and make a light hot chocolate by combining 2 teaspoons of cocoa and 4 teaspoons of sugar in a mug. Warm up 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk and whisk into the cocoa-sugar combo. You can even add 5 mini marshmallows, if you desire.

20. Skinny Your Stir-Fry

Saute vegetables in low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth instead of one tablespoon of oil, and you'll cut 117 calories, Batayneh says. Hit the 250-calorie mark by replacing beef with tofu and serving on top of soba noodles rather than rice.

21. Free-Wheel It

Two wheels are better than four, at least when it comes to running errands or commuting to work. A half-hour bike ride burns 277 calories, Wessel says.

22. Make Over Mexican Night

No reason to skip the tacos and margarita, just tweak your menu: Wrap up your filling in two corn tortillas rather than flour ones, then top off each with a tablespoon of non-fat plain Greek yogurt and salsa, not sour cream and cheddar cheese, for a total savings of 150 calories. Downsize your margarita from five or six ounces to a reasonable three to slash another 100 cals.

23. Tidy Up To Tone Up

If you've been putting off cleaning your house or apartment, perhaps this will motivate you: Eighty minutes of nonstop work -- moving furniture to vacuum, cleaning corners (including ceiling crevices), scrubbing hard, you get the picture -- will negate about 250 calories, Paris says.

24. Break Your Bread Basket Habit

The fresh baguette offered by many Italian restaurants may make your mouth water, but one portion dipped in a tablespoon of olive oil equals 300 calories. Ask your waiter to bring a small bowl of olives instead and nibble on five while you wait for your entree to save 280 calories, says celeb nutritionist Christine Avanti, author of Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food.

25. Hold The Butter

There's nothing wrong with a steakhouse dinner, but restaurants often top your meat, veggies, and potato with butter -- and that's before adding sauce. Schapiro always asks for her food to be prepared sans butter and sauce, and with cooking spray instead -- most places will be happy to accommodate you.

By Jessica Girdwain for Shape.com