Tips to Achieve your Weight Loss New Years Resolution Goal

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Do You Crave for Sweets? Read This to Know Why and How to Overcome

Craving for sweets is a problem that many people suffer from. The problem is not when you consume sweets, but it is when you over-consume them. It can be very bothersome for people who are trying to reduce weight or maintain it. People who have diabetes can do themselves a huge harm by giving in to sugar cravings. It is very important for you to differentiate the cravings that your body absolutely needs from those that your body wants as an addiction. The following sections will explain why you crave sweets and how you can overcome your cravings.
Emotional eating
Most people turn to sugar and sweets when they are stressed or unhappy. More specifically called 'emotional eating'; people reach out to sweets in order to comfort themselves. Severe stress, overwork or lack of sleep can make a person crave for energy dense sweets to get the sudden rush of energy. The instant sugary treat makes the brain release natural chemicals called opioids which give the body a feeling of pleasure and happiness. This explains the 'high' you get after eating a chocolate cake or a donut.

Deficiency of Vitamin B Complex
If a person is deficient in Vitamin B, he tends to be low on energy. To make up for this, his body starts giving out craving signs which make him want sugary or fatty foods that can give him instant energy. It is very important for a person to understand what his body exactly wants for. The only way to fight cravings is to ensure that the body gets its share of nutrition and healthy foods.
Low adrenal function
Adrenal glands secrete hormones like epinephrine (adrenalin), cortisone, oestrogen and progesterone. Low adrenal function can lead to reduction in the secretion of such hormones due to which one tends to feels low on energy, becomes lethargic and craves for instant energy boosting foods.
Dieting
If a person has been on a strict low fat, low carbohydrate diet for a long time, the body becomes insulin resistant. Due to this, even though there is ample amount of glucose in the blood, the body starts sending out signals to the brain because of which the person tends to want for more sweets and fatty foods.
How to reduce or overcome sweet cravings?
• Ensure that your body gets the required amounts of nutrients essential for proper functioning.

• Do not starve yourself.
• Drink lots of water whenever you crave for sweets. There are chances that a person has mistaken thirst or dehydration as hunger.
• Reduce the intake of packaged or canned foods. Your body needs natural sugars and -not synthetic or processed sugars.
• Whenever you crave for a cake or a bar of chocolate, try to divert your mind by going for a long walk or listening to good, soothing music. If the craving persists, try eating nuts or fruits to subside your hunger.
• You can also start mild exercising under the guidance of a personal trainer.
• If you still get cravings, consult a doctor or dietitian. Get your diet plan analysed by a professional.



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Healthy Lifestyle: Three Important Steps to Follow

Everyone cares about having a healthy lifestyle, but with our crazy busy lives it gets so hard to stick with it sometimes.
We typically grab a hamburger and a bunch of fries on the go, just to fill up our growling stomachs and rush to run a bunch of errands and take care of kids and household and...
The list never ends...
Who has the time for planning healthy meals and walks and yoga lessons?
If only we had that personal chef to prepare fresh organic meals for us, and a trainer to tone our abs, and someone to help us get more than 6 hours of sleep every night?
Would not that be fantastic?
Would not be nice to have unlimited funds to help us have a healthy lifestyle we deserve?
However, we simply need to know what little changes to make that can add up to big health rewards.

These three easy tricks can help you get healthier right now.
1. Do not Skip Breakfast
Many people do not realize the fact that having breakfast every morning is the secret to staying healthy.
Breakfast is called the most important meal of the day, because it helps to balance our energy levels and curb our midday hunger pangs - thus preventing weight gain.
It is not just a great source of fiber, but also folic acid and vitamin B12.
One cup of fortified whole-grain breakfast cereal has about 400 mcg of folate and 100 mcg of B12 per day, the amount recommended to fight off cold sores.
2. Steam Your Vegetables
Steaming crunchy vegetables, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower etc. instead of boiling or roasting them - optimizes the amount of cancer-fighting protective chemicals.
The scientists also say that fresh veggies are better than frozen ones, and they may be helpful in reducing breast cancer as well as liver, colon, stomach and other kinds of cancers.
For the most protection we should eat at least half a cup of steamed or fresh greens a day.
3. Get a Little Sun
Every time we think of people with a healthy lifestyle, we imagine fit and tanned people walking on the beach.
Is not that right?
In fact, it is very beneficial to take a 15 minute brisk walk outside without a sunscreen three times a week.
That is because the sunlight helps our body to produce vitamin D which helps to cut your chances of:

1) developing inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive illnesses
2) Crohn's desease
3) osteoporosis
4) and helps to keep your blood pressure in check
Take advantage of the sun benefits early in the morning or after 3 pm in the afternoon when you are less likely to burn.
Just remember that taking vitamins or dietary supplements is not the same as producing vitamins naturally from exposure to sunlight and eating healthy foods.
I really like this quotation of Adelle Davis: "We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than we are."
Just by following these three simple rules, you will see the changes in your overall health and healthy lifestyle will become your second nature.

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Healthy Low Calorie Foods

'Calorie' is unit of measurement for energy. 1 calorie is the amount of heat needed to raise 1 kilogram of water 1 degree of centigrade. Which means, the higher the calorie contained in food, the more energy it will release when burned. Low calorie food is the main key to lower body weight.
The fact is, high calories are caused by high amount of fat in foods. The order of macronutrients of food is separated into 3 types (protein, carbohydrates, and fat). Out of these 3, for every gram of fat, 9 calories are produced while for every gram of carbohydrates and protein only 4 calories are produced. Fat itself are separated into 3 different types: saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated.

Fish is one example of low calorie foods. Many types of fish contain less than 1 gram of fat per 100g of meat. Chicken is another good low calorie food. Depending on how you cook it and part of chicken, 100grams of meat may contain as little as 1 to 2 grams of fat.
Did you know that for every time you dine in restaurant, you are eating easily 1000 - 2000 calories! Furthermore, this meal may contain up to 100 grams of fat.
Below is a list of foods that are low in calorie and fat.
Food#1: Nuts and seeds. For a protein boost, eat small unsalted serving. This food however, is nutritional dense.
Food#2: Dairy product. Parmesan cheese, low-fat milk, and yogurt are healthy option to get protein. However it is high in fat and should be consumed moderately.
Food#3: vegetables. Vegetables contain high protein and low in fat. Vegetables are healthy choice for low calorie diets.
Food #4: Tofu. Tofu contains little fat and up to 10 grams of protein per serving. It is also high in nutritional value.

Furthermore, here are some tips that will lower your food calories.
Tips #1: Replace butter, margarine, and hard fats with low fat spreads or polyunsaturated margarine.
Tips #2: Place meat on rack when grilling or roasting meat. This allows the fat to drain.
Tips #3: Use tofu or beans as alternate protein source. They are low in calorie and cheaper.
Tips #4: When cooking meats, always trim away visible fats and skins.
Tips #5: Eats out less often and eat more home cooked meals. Home cooked meals are healthier.

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What You Need to Know About GMOs

What do soda, fast food French fries, margarine, salad dressing, corn chips, and corn flakes all have in common? They all contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms) also know as genetically modified or engineered foods. Read on for answers to the most commonly asked questions about GMOs.
What are GMOs?
Genetically modified organisms are plants or animals created through the process of genetic engineering. Genetically engineered foods have a piece of DNA from a totally different species, such as bacteria or viruses, spliced into their DNA. Genetically engineered soybeans, for example, have DNA from bacteria and viruses forced into their DNA to help them withstand the onslaught of weed killers such as Roundup. Genetically engineered corn has DNA added so that it has a pesticide built right into it. This process creates a whole new unstable species of plant that would have never occurred in nature. None of the current GMO crops offer increased yield, drought tolerance, or enhanced nutrition.
Hybrid foods are completely different. Hybrids are created when cross pollination occurs between plants. This process can be facilitated by man or it can occur spontaneously in nature.
Which foods are genetically modified?
As of 2012, most corn, soy beans, canola, cotton, and sugar beets are GMO. From these crops, products such as corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, high fructose corn syrup, and many more are created and added to processed foods. This is why nearly 80% of processed and most fast foods contain GMOs.

Other crops that are genetically engineered include Hawaiian papaya, a small amount of zucchini and yellow squash, and alfalfa. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also considering approving a GMO salmon, which would grow much larger and faster than regular salmon.
Are they safe?
Despite what the agricultural industry might say, there is little research on the long-term effects of GMOs on human health and the environment. The FDA has allowed GMOs into our food supply with only the research and assurances of safety from the biotech companies that create them. Interestingly, the person at the FDA responsible for this decision was Michael Taylor, former vice president of public policy at Monsanto (the largest producer of genetically engineered seeds).
Independent research has found that several varieties of GMO corn caused organ damage in rats. Other studies have found that animals were losing their ability to reproduce. There are also concerns that GMOs can increase allergies or cause immune system problems.
Environmental issues are also a cause for concern. GMOs allow farmers to use more weed killers, exposing both us and the environment to more toxins. Super weeds and super bugs that are resistant to the weed killers and the pesticides built into GMOs are now showing up. In addition, GMO crops can cross pollinate with non-GMO crops, irreversibly changing the face of plant life with unknown consequences.
Are they labeled?
The U.S. is one of the only developed nations that does not require labeling of GMOs. Fifty countries including all of Europe and even China require labeling of genetically modified foods. Many European countries have banned GMOs.
Even though they have been in our food supply since 1996, most people in the U.S. know little about GMOs. Actually, the 2006 Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology poll found that only 26% of American consumers believe that they have ever eaten a food that was genetically engineered. The truth is most people, including babies and children, eat them every single day.
Will labeling genetically modified foods increase the cost of food?
The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act will not increase the cost of food for you or food producers. It simply adds a label to genetically engineered food. Companies change their labels all the time. Remember, when companies were required by law to add trans fats to labels, the cost of food did not go up.
What can I do to eat fewer genetically engineered foods?

• Vote "yes" on the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act, which will require that genetically engineered foods are labeled. It will be on the November 2012 ballot. Once GMOs are labeled, we can make an informed choice. We have a right to know what's in the food we are eating and feeding to our families. Visit http://www.carighttoknow.org for more information.


• Buy Organic. All USDA certified organic foods are free of GMOs.


• Avoid nonorganic products that contain GMO foods including soy, corn, canola, cottonseed, and sugar beets. Read labels. If the food contains high fructose corn syrup, corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, it probably contains GMOs.


• Look for the "Non-GMO Project Verified" label. Some companies have voluntarily labeled their foods.


• Shop at Trader Joe's. All of their produce and all Trader Joe's brand foods are free of GMOs. So look for "Trader Joe's" on the label.


• Use the free iPhone app Shop No GMO.


• Go to http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com and download their shopping guide.

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Is It Really Worth Trying To Lose Weight In November?

November can be quite a strange month if you are currently thinking about losing some weight. On the one hand you do of course want to be a little bit thinner, but on the other hand you know that you are likely to gain weight over Christmas, so it's probably a waste of time.

So should you even try to lose weight in November?

Well my best advice would be to take a common sense approach during this particular month. It may not be wise to sign up to a weight loss club or pay money for some new diet pills, but you should still be leading a healthy lifestyle.

I'm not a big dieter myself because I have always stayed extremely fit and work out several times a week, and I often find myself losing weight unintentionally.

So the key is to keep exercising during November and forget about trying to lose weight because it may come naturally if you are constantly burning lots of calories.

It is always advantageous to be a few pounds lighter heading into Christmas and New Year because then you can afford to indulge yourself over this party season and have some fun. Trudging around the shops doing your Christmas shopping is one way you can burn a few extra calories.

However I think it is sometimes a better strategy to forget about starting a new diet in November or December, and start again from scratch in January. You can still eat sensibly and get some exercise during these months, but you shouldn't concern yourself too much if you don't lose any weight.

Once the holiday season is over in January, you will probably be several pounds heavier and so you can then make a real effort to get in shape. At this time, lots of fitness DVDs come out, and you will see adverts for weight loss products everywhere you look.

This is a time to ramp up your exercise regime, either by purchasing one or two fitness DVDs or by joining a gym, and reducing your daily calorie intake. If you work hard, you should find that you can lose as much as 3-5 pounds per week in the new year, and will hopefully burn off all the extra fat you accumulated over the holiday season.

Weight loss companies often report that November is one of the quietest months in terms of sales, and this is largely because many people are not interested in losing weight until after Christmas.

I think on the whole this is a pretty good idea, but you should of course be trying to lead a healthy lifestyle during every month of the year if you want to avoid getting fat in the first place.

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How to Lower Your Triglycerides

A part of being healthy is taking an all round approach to your lifestyle change. If you lead a healthy life style in general you are not going to have to worry about this, your body naturally sorts itself out. However, high triglycerides are a problem that many people suffer from, and it is important that you understand they why and how. The main form of fat in foods is called triglycerides. Our blood contains certain levels of triglycerides. However, if you consume more bad calories than we need, our body will transform the excess calories into triglycerides and be stored as body fat. It is more common to see high triglycerides in overweight people. High triglycerides are associated with increased risk of heart disease.

Your body has endless storage space for this fat. Some of these triglycerides are not stored as fat, but remain in your blood stream. Excess levels of triglycerides thicken your blood, which increases the possibility of clotting and blockage which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. This is why it is doubly important to know how to lower your triglycerides.

High triglycerides are usually caused by other conditions, like:

Obesity

Poorly controlled diabetes

An underactive thyroid.

Kidney disease.

Regularly eating more calories than you burn.

Drinking a lot of alcohol.

Healthy lifestyle choices are the key to naturally lowering triglycerides

Exercise regularly: aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least five or more times a week

Choose healthier fats: avoid trans fats, limit saturated fat found in meats for healthier monounsaturated fat found in plants, such as olive, peanut and canola oils. Substitute fish high in omega-3 fatty acids - such as sardines and salmon - for red meat. Food labels should tell you what kind of fat you are eating. Choose nonfat or low-fat dairy products.

Include high fibre foods such as wholegrains, oats, fruits and vegetables.

Limit sugar intake such as soda, cordial and other sweetened beverages

Limit alcohol: Alcohol is high in calories and sugar. If you choose to drink, try mixing it with low calorie beverages such as tonic water, or diet soda. Alcohol consumption can raise triglyceride blood levels by causing the liver to produce more fatty acids.

Cut back on calories. Remember that extra calories are converted to triglycerides and stored as fat. Watch your portion sizes.

Keep a healthy weight. Often losing as little as a 5-10 pounds can help lower your triglyceride level

Quit smoking

A healthy lifestyle takes an all round approach. If you lead a healthy lifestyle in general, eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, exercise regularly, and make the right choices, then it is likely that you won't have to worry about excess triglycerides. Stay healthy and make changes for life, and you will see the benefits.

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Healthy Lifestyle - Four Not-So-Obvious Signs You May Be Suffering From Dehydration

As you go about your quest to live a healthier lifestyle, it is not only essential you consider the foods you are putting into your body, but also the beverages you are taking in as well. The fact of the matter is even slight dehydration can have a profound influence on how you feel and function on a daily basis.

Learning to recognize these signs before they get too serious may just help you prevent unwanted issues before they start. Most people know thirst as the main sign, but there is more to be on the lookout for.

Below are four key signs of dehydration not so recognisable that you will want to keep your eyes open to...

1. Headaches.

You know the pounding throbbing headache you sometimes have? Perhaps the problem could be attributed to dehydration. Most people are fast to write their headache off as just a normal occurrence, but it may not be. If you are chronically dehydrated, you may be experiencing headaches far more frequently than someone who isn't.

Take in a glass or two of water and see if that doesn't give you relief.

2. Sleepiness.

Chalking your mid-day sleepiness off to only getting seven hours of sleep the previous night instead of your usual eight? Sleepiness can also be a sign of dehydration. Ideally, you will want to start your day off with a large glass of cold water and then keep the water coming in beyond that point.

By doing so, you can ensure you are putting your best foot forward regarding combating drowsiness during the day.

3. Muscle Cramps. 

Feeling those muscle cramp more often? Or perhaps you are getting those annoying muscle twitches as of late. Both can be attributed to lack of sleep. When you are not well hydrated, your muscle cells are not functioning normally, and you may be more prone to experiencing irregularities with contractions.

Muscle contractions are especially common during exercise, so if you have to take a stop during your run because of a bad leg cramp, it may be time to drink up.

4. Lightheadedness.

The last sign you could be suffering from dehydration is feeling lightheaded. Lightheadedness comes on because your blood pressure is low, which is also a sign of not enough fluids entering into your body.

When dehydration occurs, less total blood volume will be circulating throughout your system, which then causes overall blood pressure levels to lower.

Take in a glass of water, and that should fix things almost immediately.

There you have a few of the not-so-obvious signs you may be suffering from dehydration. Are any of these impacting you?

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

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Tips for Using a Sauna

The First Sauna

If you are about to embark on your first sauna experience you are in for a real treat. There are many things about taking a sauna which can easily be absorbed and understood. It is in no way a mystery. It is a very old thing that has come down through the years. However it is only recently that it has become more popular and used by a lot of people from all sorts of countries and cultures.

So if you are going to take a sauna get ready for a great and rewarding time. A few tips about how you approach it may help you receive maximum benefit.

Sauna With Close Friends Or Family

Until you become a sauna veteran you will find the comfort of being with close friends and/or family will make some adjustments much easier. In the first place you can talk freely and discuss how you feel and what you are thinking about doing next.

If you are with friends you will likely be with someone who is a regular sauna taker. This will furnish you with immediate answers to your questions. Also one of the most important things about taking a sauna is to relax and free yourself of as much stress as possible. Being with friends or family will make this a very fun and easy thing.

What To Wear In The Sauna

Often people are shy about taking a sauna because they feel they will have to disrobe and throw their modesty out the window. This just is not true. There are places where a bathing suit is required. Usually this is at a gym where the sauna is coed or sometimes in a hotel where the sauna is mixed and strangers will possibly arrive.

Personally I don't like wearing a bathing suit because I find that sweating in clothes is uncomfortable. My personal preference is the naturist sauna. However, if I am in a sauna which requires being covered up I always just use a towel. Most saunas accept you wrapped in a towel as sufficient clothing.

Duration

The accepted time to say in a sauna is no more than 15 minutes at a time. If the sauna is heated to the right temperature 15 minutes is quite sufficient. If, however, you feel uncomfortable before you reach 15 minutes by all means leave. As you become more accustomed to having a sauna you will find that you can stay longer than in the beginning.

Personally I let my heart tell me what to do. If I feel my heart change tempo then I get out and take my plunge in the cold water, cool down before going back in. Your heart will beat faster as you get hotter, but this is natural and nothing to be concerned about. It is good exercise for your heart because it is a muscle and speeding it up and letting it return to rest is good for it. This is what happens when you work out in the gym and the same thing can happen in a sauna.

Frequency

There is no right and wrong or hard and fast rule about how often you should take a sauna. Some do it every day and others once a week. You will find what suits you best quite quickly.

Conclusion

Just enjoy your sauna experience and know there is no such thing as right and wrong. Make your trip to the sauna exactly what pleases you, relaxes you and makes you feel clean, happy and ready to take on the world. I look forward to seeing you in the sauna soon.

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