Sleep and Weight Loss

By Gregg Ghelfi

Are you getting enough sleep?  Did you know that sleep and weight loss are linked?

Several studies have linked sleep and weight loss. If you sleep less than six hours a night, you increase your chances of being overweight or obese. The consequences of being obese are significant.  Obesity is strongly related to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even some cancers.

Which comes first? Does the lack of sleep lead to obesity or does obesity lead to a lack of sleep? It turns out they feed off of each other.

• A lack of sleep increases your time awake and therefore increases your chances of eating. Unless you sleep walk, you can't eat while you are sleeping. The midnight snack was invented by people who were awake at midnight.
• Sleeping less may affect hormones that monitor feelings of hunger and fullness. If your body's signaling devices are telling you that you're hungry more often or affecting when you feel full, you will find it more difficult to eat and drink fewer calories.
• A lack of sleep may lower a person's basal metabolic rate so that they burn fewer calories than a similar person who sleeps more. That's right! Your body is slowing down in it's bid to recover from the previous day with inadequate sleep.
• Sleeping deprivation lowers your energy during the day which will lower your desire to exercise. Who wants to exercise when they can barely keep their eyes open or when they would rather take a nap on the couch because they didn't get enough sleep?
• Unfortunately, your weight gain may hinder your sleep. The excess weight can inhibit your breathing and lower the amount of oxygen you get as you sleep. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea are more common in obese people than in normal weight persons. Sleep apnea is a disorder that can lead to heart and lung issues.

You may have created a vicious circle. You gain weight as you get less sleep and you find it more difficult to sleep as you gain weight. What can you do about? Below are five tips that may help you sleep more than seven hours a night.

1. Don't drink caffeine, eat chocolates or eat foods high in sugar after 2:00 in the afternoon. Yes 2:00 PM is arbitrary. Experiment with a cutoff time, but remember, caffeine and sugars will keep you awake.
2. Don't watch television in bed and turn off your computer and cell phone an hour before going to sleep. Sound and visual stimuli bombard us. It is difficult to rest when your brain is still wired to your electronics. Turn them off and either read, talk or meditate.
3. Experiment with when you exercise. Try it in the morning and see if it increases your energy and helps you sleep. Or try it at night after dinner and see if that helps with sleep. Either way, exercise as it will use energy, burn calories and reduce stress.
4. Don't sleep in on weekends. If you can stay consistent with your sleep times on weekends, you will have a better chance of getting to sleep on Sunday night.
5. Turn your brain off. Write down the items you need to tackle and place them in a drawer for the next morning. Meditate or practice deep breathing and let go of the day's problems. They will still be there in the morning. You can either tackle them refreshed or fatigued.

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

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3 Simple and Easy Weight Loss Tips

By Margot Rutigliano

Weight loss doesn't have to be a troubling ordeal. Whether you're looking to drop five pounds or 15 pounds, simple lifestyle changes can increase the rate at which you burn fat and calories. Dieting is highly effective but when you deprive yourself of food or consume foods that you don't like, you're not likely to stick with a diet. Remember, it's all about lifestyle. Weight loss should not be thought of as a quick fix. It's a commitment to better health and wellness forever. If you're having a hard time figuring out where to start, there are simple and easy steps to take that won't require a lot of work or effort. Weight loss or a new healthy lifestyle shouldn't be thought of as a complete change overnight. Take time and gradually work your way into better health and wellness.

If weight loss is your priority, here are three simple and effortless ways to lose the pounds.

1. Find ways to stay active: Activity shouldn't be limited to only exercise. Throughout your day, find different ways to keep your body moving. Take the stairs at work, stand up at your computer instead of sitting, pace the floor as you talk on the phone, go for a walk on your lunch break, park away from stores and buildings or jog in place for one or two minutes at a time. Stop going to drive through eateries where you can remain in the car. Park the car and walk into the restaurant. Get up from your desk and take a walk around the floor or building every 15 - 20 minutes. All of these small ways to burn more calories add up throughout the day.

2. Replace unhealthy snacks with fruits and veggies. Some people significantly decrease their food intake while dieting. While it's good to eat less, your body needs calories and food for energy. Rather than starve yourself, stock up on some of your favorite fruits, such as grapes, apples, kiwi, peaches, carrots, celery and any other veggie sticks. These items contain natural sugar and very few calories. In addition, they contain nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that your body needs instead of empty calories from candy bars, chips and cookies.

3. Discover fun workouts. If you find the gym boring, think of other ways to exercise. There are plenty of weight loss options in the form of exercise that will get your heart pumping and keep the calories burning. You can go swimming, ride your bike, hike, take a Zumba class, kayak, learn to surf and much more. If you learn to love exercise, you're more likely to stick with a routine. It's important to gravitate toward the activities you love to do. Your chances of continuing to be active are much greater if the activities you choose are activities you love to do. You'll lose weight plus maintain a healthy lifestyle.

These three tips are a great way to get on the right track to weight loss. Take small steps in achieving weight loss. No need to change everything overnight. It's important to gradually change your lifestyle so that you can easily adapt to these new changes. Don't forget to reward yourself from time to time for your hard work. Weight loss doesn't have to be all work and no play.

Margot Rutigliano is a freelance writer as well as the owner of Vita Vie Retreat. She has been a fitness trainer, wellness coach and healthy living adviser since 1999. Vita Vie Retreat is a fitness camp offering healthy lifestyle transformation programs for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. For more information or to contact Ms. Rutigliano, please visithttp://www.bvretreat.com.

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

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http://weightloss-consultant.blogspot.com/2012/10/natural-weight-loss-herbal-remedies-to.html

By Edith Gibson

Herbs have been used since ages for a number of medical purposes. Out of a wide number of treatments, weight management has always been the prime concern of the people. This issue continues to persist even in the present day world. Certain herbs have unique beneficial properties that are very useful in losing weight and maintaining an ideal body for the rest of the life. A good number of herbs help in boosting the metabolism, while the others aid the process of detoxification. These herbs also help in improving the functions of thyroid and can also assist in reducing the hunger spasms. All these properties consequently help in reducing a person's body fat.

On a safety note, these herbs should not be used alone in the weight loss plans. Their consumption should be combined with some sort of fat burning exercises in order to burn body fat in a quick and effective manner. Further in this article, I have discussed some main healthy herbs, helpful in burning the surplus body fat and maintaining an ideal body shape.

1. Green Tea
It has been used by Chinese people for over a period of more than 4000 years in order to improve the digestion and metabolism activities. It is one of the best natural antioxidants that helps in burning body fat. It also helps in containing the fat absorption as well as accumulation activities in an easy manner. Polyphenols present in green tea help a lot in dissolving the triglycerides and in turn, burning the body fat easily.

2. Triphala
It is yet another effective natural source of burning surplus body fat and maintaining an ideal body weight. It comes under the head of top ayurvedic herbs to lose fat. It is actually made from the extracts of three different fruits, which is evident from the word TRI in the phrase. It helps in losing weight, improving the digestive system, clearing skin, improving the health of the eye and detoxification.

3. Guggul
This can also be said as one of the most ancient herbs in the history of Ayurveda. It helps in reducing the cholesterol content in the blood and thereby, controlling the body weight. It also helps in improving the functioning of thyroid and the metabolism to lose weight in an easy and effective manner.

So, these are some of the main herbs that augment the weight management process. These herbs do not have any kind of side effects and helps in dealing with a lot of other health related issues as well.

Are you fond of eating? Do you find it difficult to control your urge to eat? If yes, then you can burn your fat while eating. Weight Loss Diet planscan help you in reducing the dimensions of your belly bloat in a healthy manner.

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

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Weight Loss Secrets You Have to Know About

By Mikac R Williams

Why weight loss is so elusive for many people around the world is a mystery in itself. There are many products out in the market that are manufactured specifically for this huge global market that brings a steady stream of demand for diet products and implements to help people keep fit. Despite all these advances in modern medicine and technology, the number of people of unhealthy weights and sizes is still growing. You do not want to be part of the statistics and be among those people who find themselves stuck in a rut and baffled as to what they should do to finally get rid of their unwanted weight. You do not have to look far to find the solution to your weight problems.

The sooner you understand the three weight loss secrets revealed below, the sooner you will be able to start losing weight for good. It is time for you to take a stand and commit to taking the healthy route to a slimmer and leaner new you.

1. There is no miracle solution to excess weight. No matter how many advertisements tell you that there is a miracle cure to excess weight, there is no way that you can lose all the body fat and accumulated waste in an instant. Even surgical procedures that suck all those body wastes out to help people lose weight take hours to complete and days to recover from. Do not look for miracles to help you lose weight and keep fit. What you need is a solid action plan complete with all the factors that have to do not only with your weight issues but with your overall state of health as well.

2. Losing weight does not depend on pills and supplements. You cannot put all your cards on pills and supplements as your ticket to losing weight. These diet pills and supplements are intended to help your body through the necessary processes in order to burn fat and build muscle. Your ability to lose weight does not depend on the product that you choose to buy. What is important to do is to get to know your body and make the necessary adjustments in your lifestyle to help your body function properly to help you get to your desired weight and to keep fit.

3. Your mind is your best ally in losing weight. Your ability to lose weight depends on how much you are willing to do to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Losing weight means resisting all the "sinful" joys that most people cannot seem to live without - that juicy burger topped with fatty bacon and slathered with dressing and all the works, that creamy tub of triple chocolate ice cream, that addictive puff of nicotine, or that intoxicating swig of alcohol. Losing weight starts with training the mind to banish this "sinfulness" and shift towards healthier options that are not necessarily less pleasurable. Opting out of things that provide immediate gratification is necessary in order to enjoy the more lasting reward of successful permanent weight loss.

Mikac R. Williams is USA Author. She is Working in Health Firm. She has applied her knowledge and understanding to a wide variety of weight loss and diet.

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

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The Importance of a Weight Loss Family Circle

By Bernice Templeman

You may have heard of a quote by Jim Rohn: "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."

This can be in any area of life. Including weight loss. If your family circles & friends are overweight, start adding in new friends that are losing weight and/or who have successfully lost weight.

Changing Your Patterns

On the TV show The Biggest Loser, the contestants are separated from their families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. This breaks all their normal routines, patterns, habits & eating cues.

They are surrounded by a new team of people working towards the same goal. They have personal trainers and nutritionists. They have new support systems to help them develop new habits.

You can surround yourself with new groups in several ways. This can include meetings, books, personal development DVDs & CDs, memberships, Facebook groups, etc.

For example:

• I joined Weight Watchers and attend the meetings.
• Weight Watchers is also on Facebook and online, so I am adding these in for some more support.
• I also have some exercise DVDs which feel like a group workout. (Some join a gym.)
• And I read books on weight loss, health and nutrition.

Taking Control of Your Life

"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. " Jim Rohn

Other people in your life may not be working on the same goals as you. They have different plans. So to achieve your goals, you need to find like-minded people.
It is your body and you need to take care of it. It is your responsibility. You need to decide how you will be able to take care of your body when you are in your different family circles.

For example, if you attend a weekly church service that includes a lot of tempting food, decide how will you handle it before you go.

• Some may bring their own food.
• Some may eat before the service
• Some may not attend the social part of the service

We have many "Family Circles" and each circle may have their own way of eating & socializing. It is your responsibility to decide if their way is the "right" way for you to reach your goals

Creating New Family Circles

We can't all be on The Biggest Loser, but we can add in new people in our lives to help us achieve our goals.

"We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment." Jim Rohn

It takes work to lose weight. It takes discipline to lose weight. Not only does it take eating less calories and exercising more, it takes adding in new supportive people with similar goals. And it takes discipline in planning and implementing eating differently than your old family circles. It takes discipline in joining new family circles and sticking with them.

I have been a member of Weight Watchers several times. I haven't stuck with it even though I had success. Maybe it is fear of success. Or maybe it is changing and committing to a new way. A new family circle.

At a recent meeting, there were several people who, like me, had quit & then rejoined. It is hard to do it on your own.
There were also several that were having better success because they joined with another person or a group.

So I think that if you are alone, connecting with the people in your new circle will help you stick with it. That is how you create the new circle. Not just attending the meetings, but connecting with others.

Summary

We all need family circles to support us in our goals. These may be different family circles for different areas of your lives. They may be different family circles at different times in your lives. As we change and grow, our family circles may change and grow also.

I think it is important to have a Weight Loss Family Circle. Different people may have different ways, the key is to find what works for you. And it is important to learn to stay focused on your goals when you are around circles with different goals. It is your responsibility, not theirs.

Bernice Templeman is an author, internet marketer and network marketer.

For more articles, tips and business advice, check out her website at: http://bernice-templeman.com/weightloss

Stay connected and subscribe to her free Ezine on her website today at: http://bernice-templeman.com/weightloss

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

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Psychology for Weight Loss

By K. Wroblewski

Apparently, it all starts in the mind. First the decision to start losing weight, most often when a person begins to feel bad in your body. Then we needed a constant motivation to lose weight is not to give up too easily in situations where the calorie restriction and exercise begin to tire. Many people unfortunately forget the psychological aspect of the weight loss. And it is undoubtedly important, if not decisive.

Reducing diet and psychological

More and more people are not coping with the weight loss, going on a visit to a dietitian's for advice. Is also a good idea to visit a psychological study. The psychologist will provide valuable advice on motivation and help in finding errors (eg. Inappropriate attitude to diet) ruin our resolve to lose weight. Each person is different and requires an individual observation and approach. However, it is worth paying the following advice. Often they are much more efficient than the best preparations for slimming, bought at a pharmacy.

Ways to lose weight - advice psychologist

Step 1
It is important to realise that overweight and obesity is the most common problem is not just with the consumption of excessive amounts of food or lack of physical activity. Perhaps the food is seen as a way to recover from stress and to get rid of fears and sorrows. You eat too big portions? They are too greasy and sweet? Ask yourself why this happens and under what circumstances. Is the food is not the way to boredom or fatigue? How to nourish your immediate family? You can duplicate their unhealthy eating habits? The answers to these questions, you can search and his psychologist.

Step 2
We'll work on self-esteem and self-confidence. It should not be dependent on the number of kilogrammes of weight. Do not be deceived, after dropping 20 kg your life will be different. It may look different, even today, if we can work on attitude to itself. Focus on the parts of the body, of which you are happy. Rather than agonise over what is your legs are thick and pendulous belly, try to imagine how they might look like when you start to eat a healthy diet and exercise.

Step 3
Be compassionate to yourself. Do not place too high expectations, because they will reflect negatively on your health and on the motivation for losing weight. Small steps are most effective. Plan your reward when you reach your first goal, such as loss of 2 kg.

Step 4
Find a support group for weight loss. With the same objective, you will motivate each other.

To successfully lose weight are required not only changes in diet and physical activity, but also in the attitude towards the process of weight loss. Healthy and easily digestible diet and workout are important. However, the right attitude is the key element.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K._Wroblewski

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Qysmia Weight Loss Supplement - A New Entrant In The Market

By Sameer Mal

Qysmia is weight loss supplement that was recently released and is gaining popularity amongst users. One of the reasons for this popularity is that Qysmia is FDA approved. Also, in many clinical trials, Qysmia (formerly called Qnexa) helped many people to lose about 10 percent of their body weight.

Ingredients and Approval

Qysmia is made of two drugs - Topiramate and Phentermine. Topiramate is sold by Johnson-&-Johnson as Topamax and makes you feel full sooner after eating. Phentermine helps in suppressing appetite. The net effect of Qysmia thus, combines both and promises to give you great results. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved Qysmia on July 17, 2012. Orlistat is one of the very few FDA approved supplements that came out 13 years ago. Qysmia is available for sale and can be brought as prescribed drug from various drug stores.

Clinial Testing

There are clinical testing where it was proved that people using Qysmia were able to lose ten percent of their body weight. But some patients experienced increased heart rate. This can lead to cardiovascular problems. Further, Vivus agreed to conduct future testing to show that Qysmia can improve cardiovascular health.

Response in Market

There are two thoughts about how Qysmia will perform in the market. Few experts states that many doctors will prescribe Qsymia as one of the weight loss options for their patient as it is FDA approved and can be considered as one of the methods for safe weight loss. Experts from other school of thought say that significant number of physicians will prescribe the two drugs (Topiramate andPhentermine) individually instead of Qysmia alone. These two generic drugs are considered to be more affordable for patients thanQysmia. Also the availability in initial phases of two drugs are far wider than Qysmia since Qysmia is new to the market and will take time to penetrate as well as to get response from people.

Conclusion

Qysmia can be considered as safe weight loss method as it is approved by FDA, but Qysmia is also linked with increasing blood pressure and related problems. However, it is too early to predict anything about this drug. The market is ever demanding for newer drugs. Also there are group of people who got positive results from using Qysmia. Hence, the only thing that can be said now is that, this new weight loss pill has equal chances of winning as well as losing as weight loss supplement.

I like to review about products related to diet and weight loss supplement like Sensa, Hydroxycut, Qysmia etc.. If you want to read diet pills review related to supplements you can go to sites like Thinreport where detail description is available.

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

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Easy Meal Planning For Weight Loss

By Sacha C Whitehead

Maintaining a healthy body weight can be tough and losing weight a more difficult task. If you have tried to shed pounds before and were unsuccessful, you might think that meal plans do not work for you. There are plenty of simple but effective ways to avoid common meal planning blunders and achieve long-lasting weight loss success.

Here are some helpful tips for meal planning for weight loss.

Plan Your Meal - Planning your meals in advance helps you develop new health behaviors. Without preparation you may always struggle with your diet and yoyo-ing weight. Before rushing to the supermarket for your weekly shop, stop and take some time to plan out the upcoming week. Include healthy lunches and snacks that you can throw in a bag for your busiest days. Make sure you choose fresh and organic food as well as lean cuts of meat for the healthiest choices.

Healthy And Simple - Planning for your daily meals and snacks need not to be complicated. Simple foods like fruits and nuts contains plenty of nutrients yet with less-calories which is best for your diet. Simple yet nutritious. There are plenty of websites that can help you plan nutitious, healty and simple meals.

Plan Healthy Treats - Choose to be healthy by purchasing natural and healthy foods. Foods such as low-fat cheese, yogurt, veggies, and fresh fruit are great choices for a low-calorie diet. Keep these food readily available in your home and in your workplace. As much as possible, avoid junk foods that have no nutritional value and only add calories to your diet.

Start With Breakfast- Starting your day with a healthy breakfast will boost your metabolism and save you from mindless nibbling and bingeing later on. Individuals who consume breakfast regularly tend to consume less-calories throughout the day.

Prepare Your Meals Ahead - Preparing healthy meals ahead of time will help you stay motivated and you will have more control on your meals and snacks. This keeps you from buying unhealthy foods that often lead to overeating.

Drink more water- Replacing soda, alcohol and other drinks with water will help you lose weight more because these drinks contains high amount of calories which can disrupt you from achieving your goal. Water is essential for the body because it hydrates and aids in the fat burning process.

Maintaining weight requires you to practice a healthy and balanced diet. To lose weight, you should consume less calories than you burn but do so with a healthy plan in mind. Meal planning for weight loss involves discipline and vital in order to be successful in your weight loss goal.

Next to learn more about how to lose weight successfully, or how to get rid of mommy tummy click here to receive our free ebook How to Boost Your Metabolism for healthy weight loss.

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

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10 Questions to Ask Before Weight Loss Surgery

By Nino Piombo Jr

1. Do I qualify for a surgical or non-surgical weight loss procedure?

The best candidates for surgical weight loss surgery are individuals who are severely obese with a body mass index over 40, 35 with obesity related conditions, and in some cases, a BMI of 30 with severe co-morbidities.

2. What type of medical tests do I need before surgery?

Many bariatric surgeons require patients to undergo a thorough physical evaluation and undergo psychological testing to ensure that they are in good health for the procedure. Find out what types of tests and exams you will need to undergo prior to surgery

3. What risks are involved with the weight loss surgery?

Different bariatric procedures are accompanied by many risks, so you will need a detailed rundown of all risks and complications before you can pursue treatment. Ask about the specific risks beyond the risk of infection so that you can make the most informed decision.

4. How quickly can I expect to start losing weight after surgery?

Some bariatric procedures make it easy to lose weight within a few weeks after the procedure, but it can take up to a month with others. Find out what type of timeframe you are working with so you have realistic expectations about the outcome.

5. Is bariatric surgery reversible?

Only some bariatric procedures such as laparoscopic gastric band surgery are reversible or adjustable. Make sure you are comfortable with the idea of having a permanent procedure, and ask your weight loss surgeon about different options available.

6. How long is the recovery process after bariatric surgery?

Weight reduction procedures such as gastric banding surgery generally have a shorter recovery process than gastric bypass surgery, and the length of recovery can vary depending on your state of health and how successful the operation was. Ask your weight loss surgeon what the recovery process looks like so you can plan accordingly.

7. Will obesity surgery affect my ability to become pregnant?

Extreme weight loss can have an impact on your hormones and make it difficult to get pregnant. If you plan to have children within the next few years, find out whether you may be at risk for infertility.

8. What are the options for minimally-invasive surgery?

There are several methods and techniques used in bariatric surgery, and some doctors prefer to use minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic surgery to reduce surgery time. With laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon gains access through a small incision in the stomach and inserts a tiny camera into the incision to perform the procedure. This speeds up recovery time and may pose fewer risks than more invasive procedures.

9. What dietary changes will I need to make after surgery?

Restrictive bariatric surgery, malabsorptive bariatric surgery and combination surgery all require making dietary changes before and after the procedure. Your diet may be limited to liquids and pureed foods for several weeks after the procedure. Find out what the recommended diet plan is so that you know what to expect.

10. Will insurance cover bariatric procedures?

Some bariatric surgeons will accept payment from an insurance company, while others will require the patient to pay out of pocket. Find out what your options are for financing so that you can stay within your budget.

More information on Weight Loss Surgery.

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

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How Weight Loss Surgery Works

By Ariel A Ortiz

Weight loss surgery has been shown to produce significant results for those who are unable to lose weight through other methods.

For those who are morbidly obese, the procedures can be life-changing. In addition to helping patients shed pounds, some procedures such as gastric bypass surgery have been shown to eliminate other serious health problems, including diabetes.

But if you are considering a surgical procedure, it's important to do your homework and educate yourself on your options. Every patient is different. An experienced bariatric (weight loss) doctor will help determine if you are a candidate for surgery, and if so, which type of procedure is best for your situation. It is also essential that you take the time to learn how these surgeries are performed and what they do to your body to help you lose weight.

Weight loss surgery explained

While each type of procedure has its own process, the overall concept behind most types of weight loss surgery is the same.

Most procedures involve restricting the stomach in some fashion (this is called "gastric restriction") to create a smaller space for food. This alone doesn't necessarily restrict food intake; however, patients who receive the procedure become full quicker. With less "room" in the stomach, it takes smaller amounts of food for the patient to reach a feeling of fullness. In turn, this causes the patient to feel satisfied faster and for longer periods of time. Less food is consumed as a result.

Studies have shown that some types of procedures typically help patients lose more than 75% of their excess body weight. Additionally, newer, more advanced techniques have made these surgeries safer than ever with reduced risks for complications and failure.

Every procedure has a distinct process for gastric restriction. As a potential candidate for surgery, you should obtain specific information on each procedure available, so that you understand the differences.

Most common types of weight loss surgery

Here are the most common types of procedures available to those seeking a surgical solution to losing weight.

- Gastric band surgery: Also known as the Lap Band, this procedure involves placing a special band around the upper part of the stomach. The tighter the band, the smaller amounts of food it takes before you feel full.

- Gastric sleeve surgery: This procedure involves creating a thin, vertical sleeve within the stomach, while a larger portion of the stomach is stapled off.

- Gastric bypass surgery: Through an alteration of the digestive process, this procedure involves creating a smaller pouch within the stomach and attaching it to a portion of the small intestine so that food bypasses most of the small intestine.

- Gastric plication: This procedure is much like the traditional gastric sleeve; however, instead of stapling off a portion of the stomach, the stomach is sutured - essentially sewn together. This preserves the stomach's natural nutrient absorption capabilities.

- Gastric balloon: This is a non-surgical procedure that involves inflating a balloon-like device inside the stomach to help limit food intake by making patients feel full more quickly.

An experienced bariatric surgeon can help you identify which type of weight loss surgery is right for you.

Schedule your weight loss surgery consultation at the Obesity Control Center today and find out even more!

http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com

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

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Weight Loss Is Not a Spectator Sport

By Grahame P Cossum

If I were only allowed to give you one piece of advice and no more, it would be to keep your weight loss efforts to yourself and just get on with it.

This piece of advice flies in the face of current thinking about weight loss and how you need the support of other people... you don't.

Actually the support of a loved one is priceless and it will undoubtedly help you in your efforts to lose weight and keep it off, as for everyone else I shall now explain why you are doing yourself no favours telling everyone that you are trying to lose weight and the same rule applies to groups of people.

Let's first have a look at why telling everyone you are on a diet or trying to lose weight.is a bad idea.

As soon as everyone knows you will have the same question levelled at you on a daily basis namely "How much weight have you lost" and when you give them the answer it will be met with the reply of either "That's not much" or "That's too much you need to be careful".

Do you really need this sort of pressure, as it can potentially trigger an emotional response which you will try to satisfy with food?

Be very wary of the well-intentioned friend or relative that tells you how tired you are looking since you lost weight, or some other well-intentioned but damaging comment.

What is actually going on with the friend or family member is you are making them feel bad about not losing weight themselves and they are running a little program inside their head that goes "If I can't do it I don't want you doing it".

This is a form of sabotage that you really could do without.

Of course if you are actually looking tired and feel as weak as water, then thank them for their concern and do something about it.

Now let's have a look at losing weight within a group of people.

As our evolution dictates we are a social animal, and within a group like it or not there is a pecking order or rank, it might not be said openly... but it is there all the same.

If you start losing weight faster than other members of your group, then you are potentially at risk of sabotage from the other members of that group until order is restored so to speak, again this is pressure you do not need.

On the other hand if you don't lose weight fast enough, then the only thing that will happen is the group will try to make you feel better about your failure... as if you didn't already feel bad enough.

Unfortunately you can end up feeling sorry for yourself and then use food to fill the void, all because the numbers on a scale didn't meet with someone else's expectations.

My challenge to you is to stop turning your weight loss efforts into a form of competition where you need to seek the approval of others.

Just get on with it quietly in the background chipping away at your weight until you get to wherever it is you want to be, by that time you won't care what anyone thinks or says.

Change the way you have done things in the past, what have you got to lose except weight.

Are You Fed Up Being Overweight? So Was I. 

My name is Grahame Cossum and I am the creator of the Weight Loss Made Easy program. I was 60lbs overweight following a serious accident until I created and implemented my unique weight loss program,I have now helped countless others to do the same. Please visithttp://www.weightloss-made-easy.net to find out how I can help you to lose weight and keep it off without having to diet,pop pills or go to the gym,and it all comes with a money back guarantee.

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

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New Apps Put Weight Loss at Your Fingertips

By Kristen Battista

Creating a daily food journal is one of the most important tasks for weight loss. We all are guilty of making foolish claims, but honesty is the best policy. You aren't overweight in spite of the fact you only eat healthy foods. Your bloating doesn't come from drinking water. And chances are you aren't as skilled at visually measuring portion sizes as you may think.

Keeping a food journal is important because it holds the author accountable, removes the "guess-work," and creates an honest environment that opens the door for change. I know it's difficult to face the cold-hard facts because I have been there.

The basic mathematical equation for weight loss is calories in minus calories out. Therefore, a proper food journal should track the calories you are consuming as well as those you are expending through exercise or an active lifestyle.

Now for the tough part... every morsel counts and should be counted. You may eat just one itty bitty Hershey's Kiss after lunch and dinner to mark the end of your meal. However, two Hershey's Kisses per day equals 52 calories; times 7 days a week equals 364 calories... the equivalent of an extra lunch in your week. Maybe you can afford this, but you don't know until you track it.

A food journal requires research. You will be reading labels, performing internet searches for calorie counts, and measuring your portions (which is a MUST).

Thanks to technology, this process is easier than ever! And maybe even... fun?!?! There are websites and "apps" for your devices like Lose It ( www.loseit.com ) and My Fitness Pal (www.myfitnesspal.com ) that make tracking a breeze. These user-friendly tools put calorie counting and searches at your fingertips and help you create a healthy goal and track your progress.

You can even connect with friends and other users for support. Once you search for a food or exercise, it stays handy for later use so you don't have to look up the same information repeatedly. The apps for devices allow you to scan barcodes and simply enter the number of servings... how's that for convenience?

One of the best features is goal setting. I don't know about you, but I was always confused by the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) on a nutrition label that are based on 2,000 calories per day. Is 2,000 the recommended budget? Is this for a man or a woman? An active or inactive person? What about a short person or tall person?

This then leads one to ponder, "If I track my current calories, how does that help me figure out how many I SHOULD be consuming?"

Guess what! The website and apps mentioned above do the calculations for you. Basic questions about your sex, height, age, daily activity level, and your goals quickly produce a new daily calorie budget (with recommendations on losing weight slowly), and even let you know by what future date you can expect your weight loss result if you stick to the calories.Pretty cool if you ask me.

Improving your quality of life through healthy choices isn't easy - but it's worth it.

Follow me at http://www.TheBalancedBowl.com for healthy food tips, recipes, grocery shopping advice, occasional humor, and motivation.

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

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Weight Loss and Hemorrhoids

By David M Richards

Losing weight definitely can feel impossible at times. The motivation and dedication is always there to begin with, but unfortunately it seems to wane after a little while. What things make it easy for some people to lose weight and keep it off? What do they know about weight loss that you don't?

Get started on your weight loss journey by identifying what you want to achieve. Do you want to lower the likelihood of recurring hemorrhoids? Do you want to fit into your old skinny jeans? Do you want to achieve a target weight? Is it your goal to raise your energy level and get in shape?

Make sure you keep track of your progress. Make sure you check your weight only once a week. If you weigh yourself too often, it can be a detriment to your self-esteem. Always try to write down everything that you consume in a food journal This should include any snacks and beverages. It may turn out that writing down what you are considering putting in your mouth can help you make a more positive and healthy choice.

Keep healthy snacks with you in case you get hungry during the day to prevent yourself from slipping up. If you haven't eaten all day, you can easily find yourself wandering into a fast food restaurant. Planning your meals out and packing a lunch will save you money and help trim your waistline.

Every successful and healthful weight loss plan combines reasonable exercise and a balanced eating plan. You will actually have more energy if you set aside time to exercise regularly every week. If the thought of a structured exercise regimen is a little daunting, think about an activity that you enjoy and go with that. Some fun and entertaining exercises that will help someone lose weight are walking with friends, learning how to salsa, or even just taking a hike.

When you have a kitchen full of tasty but unhealthy foods, it's hard to stop yourself from eating them. The healthier the foods you have available in your kitchen are, the more likely you are to choose them instead of sugar laden junk! Keep your kitchen filled with healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, and low-fat proteins. If you do not have junk food in your cupboards you will be less likely to over-induldge. If you eliminate junk food from your home and replace it with healthy food, you will cease making bad choices.

Enlist the aid of your friends and family members. Having many supportive people around will motivate you to keep going when you feel like quitting. Make sure there are people that you can talk to when you're worn out or having a hard time. Your support system can be a huge help all the way through your weight loss journey.

These tips will not only help with weight loss, but could lower the likelihood of developing hemorrhoids.

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

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Is Cardio Good for Weight Loss?

By Bryan D Holekamp

Which consistent theme do you hear from most health gurus on how to lose weight? The answer - "Do lots of cardio." You will hear from just about every diet coach that you should consume fewer calories and do more cardiovascular exercise. It is the age-old 'Get-on-a-treadmill-and-run' mantra. Of course, this advice stems from the belief that your body is an energy balance and that you must burn more calories than you consume in order to lose weight. So what is the result of cardio training?

Exclusive cardio exercises come at a price. Now, when I say cardio, I am referring to cardiovascular endurance training. Key word: endurance. Cardio is long, drawn-out sessions of physical endurance that raise your heart rate for durations of at least 20 minutes (usually 45+ minutes). Examples of cardio exercises include jogging on a treadmill for 30 minutes, a long bicycle ride, swimming for an extended period of time, running more than a 5K, or an hour-long aerobics class. Please note that I am not including sprints into this category. Remember, the duration must be at least 20 minutes to be considered cardio.

So what is wrong with cardio training? Cardiovascular exercises burn muscle while preserving fat! You read that correctly. After an extended exercise interval, your body will burn muscle for fuel, and will later store more energy in fat tissue. From a physiological perspective, this makes perfect sense! Why should your body sport a lot of muscle when you are just moving from one location to another? Basic locomotion does not require much muscle. Your muscles are actually a hindrance: they weigh you down requiring more effort, and they burn calories just to function. Having more muscle boosts your metabolism, which means you burn more calories with the same amount of activity. Now, this may sound great to you (especially if you are trying to lose weight), but it is terrible news to your energy-hoarding body. To adapt to long cardiovascular sessions, your body wants to be as light as possible, while maintaining an energy repository. And what is the best way to store energy? Fat tissue- of course. There are more calories per gram with fat than with carbohydrates or proteins. So, to maximize energy storage and minimize weight, your body stores more fat and burns muscle. This reason explains why marathon runners are not muscular.

Of course, many people fixate on the weight loss aspect. Yes, it is true that cardio can help you lose weight. After all, I just stated that your body wants to minimize the weight to take the strain off your leg muscles. If your goal is simply weight loss, cardio training can help you get there. But simple weight loss is a terrible goal. You will end up like these marathon runners who are underweight but are clinically obese based on body fat (>30%). High body fat is unhealthy, no matter what your weight is. The takeaway is to focus on more short-term, intense bursts of exercise and NOT fattening, long-duration cardio training.

Are you struggling to lose weight? Download a FREE ebook on weight-loss secrets athttp://www.dietwithoutpain.com.

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

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Coconut Oil For Weight Loss

By Melissa M Fitzpatrick

How is it possible to lose weight by adding organic coconut oil to the diet? It has to do with the "medium" chain fatty acids that make it possible for taking off that excess weight. It's made up of approximately 66% medium chain fatty acids making it easily digested, regulates the thyroid function, increases the body's metabolism, and helps overweight people to lose weight. It's not stored in the body as fat, but is easily converted into energy. The reason I specified the "medium" is because most saturated fats have "long" chain fatty acids and the "medium" is what makes the coconut oil for weight loss possible.

It's important to consume this miracle oil on a daily basis for weight loss success. It may take up to 8 weeks before you see results, so you must be patient. You don't have to make any major lifestyle changes, just simply add it to your diet. An easy way is putting a tablespoon in your coffee It has been proven by research that consuming organic coconut oil will increase your energy, help you to feel full longer and therefore giving you less food cravings for carbohydrates and foods high in calories.

If you have never had it before, you should slowly introduce it to your body. Start out slow, like half a teaspoon in your coffee and each day slowly increase it. As with any food, you can have a food allergy. So, it's important to make sure you don't by slowly introducing it to your body. The total amount taken each day is based on your weight or you can consult your doctor about how much to take. It's easy to include it in the diet simply by replacing it with butter, margarine, and your everyday cooking oils.

Your daily intake is based on your weight, but just start out slowly as mentioned before. If you weigh 100 to 125 pounds, you should take 2 1/2 tablespoons per day. If your between 125 and 150 pounds, then 3 tablespoons per day is good. Then, 150 to 175 pounds, 3 1/2 tablespoons per day is good. Finally, if you weigh 175 pounds and more, then the recommended dose is 4 tablespoons per day. Again, if you're unsure, then consult your physician. These are the recommended doses for coconut oil for weight loss.

There really is a lot to learn about all the benefits of coconut oil. One component of the medium chain fatty acid is lauric acid, which is found in human breast milk. It has anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-viral properties and coconut oil is made up of 50% lauric acid. So, not only is coconut oil for weight loss, but it has many other health benefits such as skin, hair, boosts your immune system keeping you healthy and strong.

If you're interested in learning the many benefits of coconut oil (not only for weight loss), then please visit my Blog: http://coconutoilbenefits4u.com/blog/ You will be surprised to see all the amazing benefits. I use organic coconut oil on a daily basis for energy, healthy skin and hair, and help with digestion. There are so many more benefits.

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

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Fun: Your Key To Successful Weight Loss

By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed

Nobody likes drudgery. So, why are so many weight loss plan so hard to do and full of pain? It doesn't have to be that way. This article will show you how to put together a weight loss plan that will plug in to your natural desire for fun while getting you closer to your ideal weight. Read on for all the details.

First, it is well known that increasing your activity level is a great way to pump up your metabolism and speed up weight loss. The important thing to remember is you must do this by picking activities that you truly enjoy. Getting a new gym membership might seem like the thing to do, but if you don't like working out in public or using exercise machines it won't help you one bit to buy that membership. Instead, pick a sport, dance or even a somewhat active hobby, such as gardening. This will increase your activity level while allowing you to indulge in a fun activity while pushing your physical limits a bit. You will stick to it because you LIKE it, not because you must do it. As you see improvement in your ability over time, you will be motivated to continue.

As for diet, there are so many to choose from it can be difficult. The way to keep this element of weight loss fun is to never deprive yourself of your favorite foods for too long. If you do, you are setting yourself up for failure. Let your personal taste be your guide here also. If you love carbs, go low calorie so that you are allowed to eat your favorite foods, in moderation, of course. If you love meat, try a low carb diet that will be full of meaty goodness. And, when you mess up, cheat or otherwise fall off the wagon, just acknowledge your mistake and get back on tract with your next meal. Do not berate yourself for making a mistake! You are making progress every time you start again because you haven't given up and are still working towards your end goal. Remember that the idea is to consistently lose weight, not torture yourself.

Make your weight loss a social event! Groups like Weight-Watchers use this principle well in their practice of weekly meeting and weigh-ins. A great way to insure continued weight loss is to socialize with others on the same path. Nowadays, there are many online forums and groups where one can discuss goals, methods and problems with other people trying to lose weight. Don't think you need to find people who are on your particular plan in order to benefit from the social interaction. Talking to others who are trying to lose weight will help you build friendships with health-oriented individuals. This means you will build a support system, something we don't always have in our family and friends who are not struggling with weight loss. These people can help you keep your eye on the ball and hold you accountable to some degree. Having weight-loss buddies will make the journey more fun and enjoyable.

So, if you've been thinking your weight loss program will be painful drudgery - think again! Using the tips above you can construct a fun and enjoyable plan that works for your lifestyle and helps you build healthy relationships to keep you on track. Relax, stop beating up on yourself and lighten up. Your journey towards a healthier lifestyle can be pleasurable and successful if you remember to incorporate the fun factor!

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Ashraf_Hanafy_Mahmoud_Mohammed

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