Everywhere you look, you see articles that outline five, 10 or 50 tips for healthy weight loss. Weight loss isn't rocket science. It doesn't require countless hours of calorie and carbohydrate counting. And you don't have to exercise until you drop.This article breaks healthy weight loss down into three easy-to-follow tips. Why follow a 50-step weight loss regimen when you can break it down into three simple steps?
1. Willpower. You must have the willpower to maintain a new lifestyle in order to succeed in your weight loss goals. This first, very essential step is where so many fail. If you lack the willpower to say 'no' to that candy bar or soda, how can you expect to reach your weight loss goals?
2. Be smart. Set realistic weight loss goals in a realistic time frame. Healthy weight loss is estimated at three to four pounds per week. Next, read everything. You need to read the labels of foods you eat to ensure you're putting the proper nutrients into your body. Read magazine articles or blogs written by people who have lost weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Join message boards or online support groups.
Don't turn to fad diets. Fad diets or crash diets will not maintain weight loss. Thousands of people every day turn to one fad diet or another in hopes of rapid weight loss. These people will tell you about the weight they lost while strictly following their chosen fad diet, but they will also tell you how much weight they gained back after discontinuing the diet.
Keep moving. Exercise while listening to your favorite music or do sit-ups while watching your favorite TV shows.
3. Maintain your new lifestyle. This goes back to the first step. By the time you've mastered your willpower and learned to change your lifestyle, maintaining a balanced diet will be easy.
The first and most important part of losing weight is having the willpower to make it happen. Second, do it intelligently. Eat healthy foods and exercise. Finally, be prepared to maintain an entirely new lifestyle. There you have it. Weight loss is as simple as 1-2-3.
If you have already followed these steps to healthy weight loss and you still have extra weight in your stomach, here's one more recommendation. Try a colon cleanse. Over the years, the colon collects toxins and fecal matter that just build. In fact, the colon can hold up to 35 pounds of undesirable matter.
Herbal colon cleansing kits can be purchased from most health food or natural remedy stores. Most herbal colon cleansing kits consist of a variety of herbs such as aloe, fennel and garlic, to name a few. Herbal remedies are generally 100 percent natural and harmless, but to be on the safe side follow the second step above- be smart and ask others as well as your physician.
Eating foods high in fiber like long grain rice, whole grains, fruits and vegetables are also a viable colon cleansing source. Not only do you receive the nutritional benefits from the foods themselves, you also gain the benefit of flushing unwanted toxins from your body. Whichever cleansing method you choose, be sure to drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day. Sufficient water intake helps maintain normal bowel movements so you receive the benefits of your new eating habits.
For example, women naturally have a higher percentage of body fat than men, studies proving the statistics as 27% on average for women compared to 15% for a fit male. That number alone is very useful information if one of your weight loss or exercise goals is fat reduction. Any woman trying to reduce her percentage of fat to body ratio should take into account this natural difference, since it can help avoid guilt and provide a realistic goal to strive for.
Hormonal changes experienced by women differ considerably from that of men as they age. Both genders do experience lower rates of metabolism with age, however results again prove this affects the female more so than the male. Even young women can have irregularities in menstrual cycle and other physiological changes as a result.
Let's look at some extreme cases to provide examples.
Women in concentration camps in WWII frequently discontinued having regular menstrual cycles, as a result of the effects of starvation. Highly trained female athletes also often experience similar changes, as a result of ultra-low body fat percentages and other causes.
The negative effects of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) can be reduced by stabilizing blood sugar levels, regulating fat intake and other dietary changes. For example, mood swings can be smoothed out to a degree by higher amounts of soluble fibre, which assists in producing a slower rise in blood sugar. Apples, oats and beans are good sources of these soluble fibres.
Combining fat with protein and carbohydrate intake in a balanced way will help slow the rise in blood sugar from the carbohydrate consumption. Many find ice cream great as a comfort food but the effect is short-lived and doesn't provide the nutrients or balance needed. Instead, we should all increase the consumption of fresh fruit, nuts and vegetables. Bananas and walnuts are terrific choices to include here.
It is a fact that women are more prone to such conditions as arthritis, fibromyalgia and others. Certain previously unsuspected food allergies can worsen the symptoms. Testing is essential for detection, however following a healthy eating plan will not only lessen the symptoms, but certainly maintain the body in a more healthy condition. As examples for those experiencing various food allergies, rice beverages can be substituted for those sensitive to cows milk, and wheat-free breads are readily available that still contain whole grain. Our stores today offer a vast array of substitute foods for many, many symptoms.
As an example, women who suffer from rheumatic symptoms will find they are allergic to wheat. A gluten-free diet will help lessen that problem. This includes finding substitutes for ordinary cereal, standard bread, pasta and other foods made from wheat flour. In years gone by, finding these substitute items may have proved difficult, but thankfully, this is no longer such a problem.
During the midlife years and the time of menopause as cycles become less regular and large hormonal changes are occurring, diet can help reduce the severity and discomfort of the associated symptoms. Lowering sodium intake is helpful. Substitutes include herbs, garlic or lemon juice for flavouring. Each individual is different and their needs will be varied, therefore you should consult a physician or medical practitioner for correct amounts.
Menopausal women are also likely to benefit from reducing saturated fats, beyond that of younger women or males. Since oestrogen levels are declining at this time, HDL cholesterol (the beneficial type) will tend to fall and LDL cholesterol (the potentially harmful type) will rise.
Although in general it is the men who have a higher risk of heart attack as they age, it is now evident that a woman's risk during her menopausal years is about the same as that of men of similar age. Reducing intake of saturated and trans fat can help reduce those risks.
One plus to many is that moderate wine consumption has proved to be beneficial. Wine provides anti-oxidants and other helpful compounds and is generally lower in calories than many alcoholic alternatives. Lowering caffeine has also been found to help reduce calcium loss, which is an important health issue as women age.
Remember that proper or correct diets vary according to gender, age and even individuals, so it is wise to investigate what is right for you.
What constitutes a proper diet varies somewhat by gender and age, so investigate what is right for your particular circumstances. And remember, knowledge is the key to health.
Both Kuke58 & Danette Hibberd 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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Danette Hibberd has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Stress Management and Vitamin and Mineral Supplement. With her passion for helping women create a life of fabulousness beyond forty, Danette Hibberd guides you with a blueprint to manifest the life you desire. Visit