Tag: Losing Weight

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Weight Loss Exercise

Weight Loss Fast Also Has Health Benefits




Many religions use fasting as part of their faith and as an opportunity to slow down and meditate about spiritual issues. Fasting is also a method to begin a weight loss program on a positive note by removing toxins and pollutants from your body. A weight loss fast might be drinking only water, juices or tea for a day or more, or it can mean that you drastically cut your calories for a length of time.

When you cut calories, your body is forced to rely on the stores of fat it’s accumulated for energy. It’s normal to feel lethargic and experience headaches and dizziness during a strict weight loss fast, but that usually lasts for a short amount of time. You may want to fast one day or alternate days while you’re going through a weight loss plan if you have a busy schedule and don’t have time to rest during the day.

Another good weight loss fast plan is to skip meals. Skipping a dinner, for example can drastically cut calories and give your digestive system a rest while you’re sleeping. It’s been scientifically proven that when we restrict the calories in animals, they’re healthier, keep off unwanted weight and also enjoy longer lives.

Heart disease is a major problem among overweight or obese people, so we’re beginning to study and find ways to restrict calories and lose weight for health as well as to feel better about our bodies and look better in our clothes. A scientific study in Utah revealed that heart disease among people of the Mormon religion is significantly lower than the rest of the population. Mormons usually fast on the first Sunday of the month and also maintain healthy diets, avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.

Longevity is another reason to periodically engage in a weight loss fast. By cutting calories, losing weight, eating a healthy diet and avoiding processed, chemical- and pesticide-laden foods and other things you ingest that plug up our systems, your body performs better and your immune system is better prepared to ward off diseases. As you age, changes occur in your insulin level and body temperature. Periodic fasting and restricting calories on an every day basis can slow those changes and help you to age more gracefully.

Begin a weight loss fast carefully by researching which type of fasting plan is best for the lifestyle you live. One thing to beware of when fasting is that your metabolism will slow down during the fast and when you resume your normal diet, you’re likely to put the pounds back on unless you ease into it.


Along with the weight loss fast, choose an exercise plan that you can stick to. It doesn’t have to be rigorous ? a walk around the block with your pet can do wonders in keeping your metabolism up and your weight down. Good luck!



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General Weight Loss Tips

Hello Blue Skies

First week of eating better plan is down. Last week I ate really well, loosely tracked my calories, lost seven pounds, was incredibly productive, two days of Zumba and one day of strength training. I couldn’t have asked for a better week.

Here is a sampling of what I ate:

honey apples with raw almond butter and raw honey

sweet potato with sea salt, olive oil, cayenne pepper and garlic

peppers and steak with cauliflower “rice”

lots of local fruit

eggs with mushrooms and chevre

feta and local beef meatballs with homemade tomato and basil sauce over local zucchini

I also had ribs, chicken, kale, salads and some un-paleo rice and peanut butter. I only had a craving once for sugary/floury comfort food which was quickly put out of my mind when I knew how physically horrible I would feel. I feel good eating this way- clear, less moody, less depressed. Not up or down, just like a (relatively) normal person. I had one episode of feeling depressed and that was after eating way too much peanut butter  before realizing that it was made with sugar. I remember thinking “why do I feel so bad?”  It’s taken me a very long time to realize that my issues with depression are directly related to food and activity.

I don’t feel deprived, bloated or unsatisfied. I eat when I’m hungry. I’m not overly concerned about calories. I just feel a little more sane. And I’m losing weight.

I have three sessions of Zumba planned, the new Insanity workout DVD to try and another session of strength training.

Here’s to another successful week!

 

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Ya’Mon

I’m here today a little more tan and relaxed than I was a week ago. We spent the week at the Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos (in the Caribbean) where I ate, read, and swam in that rotation for about six days. We were totally cut off from cell phone service and internet for almost a week and it was fabulous. I thought I’d start twitching without the internet, but no offense to my beloved Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Google Reader, My Fitness Pal and blog, but I didn’t miss it at all. Being totally unplugged is oh so nice and is making me think that I should do it at least once a week.

Vacation taught me to spend more time outside, to unplug, to sit and read and to embrace doing nothing. I also need to make jerk chicken very soon. I thought my trip would be spent eating sushi, but the jerk chicken won my heart. I love you jerk chicken. Let’s be friends.

And finally, can I just say that it feels good to have this year’s big looming dates done and over with? I’m horrible at losing weight for an event. I thought getting on a plane and stripping down to a bathing suit in front of people would inspire more weight loss, but it only stressed me out and made me panic. Stress+ panic does nothing for my weight loss. Combine that with a trip to the doctor who basically said in no uncertain terms “if you don’t lose weight, you will get diabetes”. I’m on it doctor. For reals.

I joined Zumba the week before I left and loved it. Our local gym offers it three days a week (monday, tuesday and wednesday) and I plan to be there for each one. Combine that with calorie counting, and strength training and I feel good about my direction.

Breakfast this morning is one of my favorites: 3/4 C whole, plain organic yogurt, all fruit blackberry jam, fresh blueberries and a little Ezekiel granola.