There has been a lot of controversy and debate regarding whether or not ephedrine is safe for use as a weight loss solution. In the United States Ephedrine is legal, however it is carefully regulated. A prescription needs to be obtained before it can be used and it can not be used for weight loss. Instead, it needs to be used for other ailments such as bronchitis or asthma. Ephedra is also found in diet supplements and is often used as an alternative to the prescription for ephedrine. There is no doubt, however, of the effects ephedrine may have on diet. As an appetite suppressant, the drug is highly effective. It also has properties of enhancing energy which can encourage more frequent exercise.
The proven effects of ephedrine and ephedra are the reason they are so frequently sought out by those who are looking to lose weight, enhance performance or increase energy. The question, though, remains as to whether or not the drug is safe for use. The FDA has had many reports of adverse effects of the drug when continually used. This is the reason for the drastic regulation of it. Not only is the prescription dose closely monitored but diet supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids are no longer legal. There are, however, other derivatives of ephedra readily available in dietary supplements. There is no proof that ephedrine, when taken in correct doses and on a temporary basis, causes any severe long standing effects.
Some of the reported effects that do occur are fairly severe. However, it has not been substantially proven that these effects occur in small doses. Some of the effects include dependence on the drug, heart problems, circulation issues, skin break outs, urinary problems, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, confusion and headache. In small doses, ephedrine can cause nervousness, jitters, dizziness and loss of appetite. While these can be irritating, they are not life threatening. In comparison to the positive weight loss effects, most people are willing to deal with the possibility of some minor discomfort.
Abuse of ephedrine is where the highest concentration of harmful effects occurs. People want to see even more dramatic weight loss in a shorter time so increase the suggested dose and use it for a prolonged time period and when this occurs, the odds of adverse effects increase. However, when used in recommended doses there is no proof that there are negative physical results. In fact, it can be beneficial when used as directed in order help maintain health and lose weight.
Affirmations are a mainstay of New Age philosophy. In fact, Louse Hay's book ?You can Heal your Life?, which has many affirmations that purportedly have allowed people to transform their lives through affirmations and visualization, gives us a powerful tool in the quest for weight loss. Affirmations, whether you believe in them or not, really seem to work.
What are affirmations? They are simple statements that you repeat to yourself, out loud, looking in a mirror if possible. They are present tense statements starting with ?I? ? for example, ?I lose weight quickly and effortlessly?. Over time, they tend to ?come true? with amazing frequency.
Be prepared to feel a bit silly at first ? even a bit ?fake?, if you like. The trick is to keep on saying them, regardless of how it feels. Fortunately, you don't have to believe in affirmations in order for them to help you lose weight, or change anything else that you need to change about your life. As such, they are very valuable tools. Often, affirmations can help you get over a mental block, and accelerate or jump start your weight loss.
The mystery, of course, is why they work. Our best guess is that they are similar to hypnosis ? except, of course, that you ?hypnotize? yourself, and you stay in control of the entire process. Affirmations probably bypass the conscious mind and speak directly to the subconscious, which is much more effective at ?getting things done? than the everyday conscious mind. After all, many of our barriers to weight loss also originate in the subconscious mind. The subconscious, therefore, is the only place in which they can be changed and improved.
Beyond that, why affirmations work is anybody's guess. There are many philosophical explanations, to be sure. For example, many people assert that thoughts and beliefs are the most powerful thing in the world, in terms of human motivations, abilities, and actions. There is a famous quote that speaks to that; it is attributed to Henry Ford. The quote is as follows: ?Whether you think that you can or that you can't, you're probably right?. That is, if you think that you are capable of doing something, you are most likely correct, and you will succeed. If you think you can't, however, you're right again. That belief will stop your from succeeding.
The fact is that most of the reasons for people's weight problems are mental or psychological. They fall into one of two categories, however. Some of us have psychological issues that make it seem safer to carry extra weight. For example, women who have been abused in the past might feel safe, and invisible, if they are overweight. Men don't look at them the same way. The women feel physically bigger, and more able to look after themselves. All that is fine, in a way, but it comes at the expense of one's physical health. If your psychological need to keep weight on is at odds with your need to be physically healthy, something has to change. Something has to ?give?, in short. Affirmations can help you over that hump.
The second psychological reason for people's weight problems is less deep, but no less problematic. This cause is the development of bad habits, which are, of course, all too easy to develop given the preponderance of fast food and packaged foods, and the mega-portions of high fat food that most restaurants seem bent on serving us, whether we want them or not. Affirmations are very effective in helping people bread destructive eating habits. For example, you could affirm ?I resist unhealthy foods? or ?I choose mainly fresh, healthy foods?. Chances are, you will soon see results. These may be subtle at first ? you may hesitate before picking up that chocolate bar ? but quite quickly, new habits will be formed and you will be able to resist unhealthy foods more strongly.
A word of caution, though ? affirmations should always be phrased in the positive. Don't say ?I don't eat junk food?, for example. Phrase them positively ? ?I eat? or ?I choose? ? and phrase them in the present tense. That's the best way of making sure that your affirmations will speak to your subconscious mind quickly and effectively, and that you can begin establishing healthier eating habits.
Both Morgan & Michael Bens are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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