Health news blog » Weight Loss

WEIGHT-LOSS PRODUCTS: PROMISES, PROMISES

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:09:46 +0000

Every once in a while a new diet plan surfaces, promising that you will lose all the weight you desire if you simply make a promise to yourself that sounds something like this: “Self, if you don’t lose X pounds in Y days, you’ll have to do Z.” The thing you have to do (Z) is very unpleasant. In the Blackmail Diet,¹³ author John Bear promised himself that if he didn’t lose 75 pounds in one year, he would donate $5,000 to the Nazis. The authors of the Blackmail Diet and similar plans assert that with powerful motivation you can’t help but toe the line and drop the

pounds.

If the threat of having to do something repugnant helps to motivate you, fine. I find that motivation works much more effectively when it’s positive, rather than negative.

Eating healthfully shouldn’t be something that we do only when the threat of something horrible hangs over our heads. It should be something we do naturally and enjoy. But even if negative motivation works fine for you, it still must be coupled with a safe, effective, lifelong program of proper eating and exercise. And that must involve goals you can live with easily. Perhaps you can manage, by placing yourself under a sufficient threat, to stick to a super-aggressive diet for a while—even a year. But once the threat is lifted, you’ll assuredly start eating again, and probably more than ever. Cutting back by eating somewhat less and using Chitosan works; trying to cut back massively just won’t work.

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DIETERS BEWARE: EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR TYPE4

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:07:03 +0000

According to the authors of this book and eating plan, your blood type determines what you should be eating and how you should exercise, among other things. For example, people with Type O blood should consume a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, cutting out wheat and most other grains, while exercising vigorously. Those with Type A blood, however, do better as

vegetarians, and should adopt golf, yoga, or other gentle exercises. Having Type B blood means that you should consume a varied diet, including the dairy products that seem to trouble Type O and Type A. Moderate exercise such as swimming or walking is best for the Bs. If you have Type AB blood you have the combined pluses and minuses of A and B types, and should use relaxation techniques and calming exercises.

This is another program that is based on only the weakest of evidence. Following a certain diet simply because you have one type of blood or another, without regard for the diet’s effects or its risk of promoting heart disease, cancer, or other diseases, makes no sense. As a physician I can tell you that this approach is not for you, regardless of your blood type.

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THE MOST COMMON DIETING MISTAKES: EATING PORTIONS THAT ARE TOO LARGE AND FAILING TO PLAN FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:04:36 +0000

Dieters commonly make small mistakes in judging portion sizes. But small errors like eating an extra ounce or two of meat, a large fruit (instead of a medium one) or an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise can slow or stop weight loss in its tracks. To avoid many of these small excesses as possible, I recommend the traditional techniques that work most of the time: Use a dieter’s scale to weigh meat, fish, or poultry (weighing them cooked and boneless) and use measuring cups and spoons for other food groups. But, of course, we all know that these sensible approaches only go so far. Try as we may, small discrepancies will always tend to creep into our eating habits. Fortunately, that is where Chitosan steps in. It compensates for small, unintended amounts of excess fat. By combining care and Chitosan, we can avoid this all-too-common dieting error.

Failing to plan for special occasions-As I’ve often said, we live in the real world. Sometimes we can’t (or don’t want to) follow a strict diet. Birthday celebrations, anniversary parties, and holidays should be enjoyed. If we feel too deprived by our diets, we may just give up. By acknowledging your need for the occasional treat and using some extra Chitosan, you won’t feel deprived; you won’t feel guilty; and you will be able (and happy) to get back to your plan the next day (without having done it much harm in the meantime) and stick with it.

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THE FAT BLOCKER EXERCISE PROGRAM: CYCLING

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:01:46 +0000

Riding a bicycle is a great aerobic exercise that gives your calves, thighs, gluteus maximus, and cardiovascular system a good workout without putting undue stress or strain on your hip, knee, or ankle joints. It can also provide you with lots of fresh air and interesting scenery (unless you’re on a stationary bike). The drawbacks are that it does very little for upper-body strength, and like swimming it is not a weight-bearing exercise so it doesn’t help stimulate bone strength and density.

As with all exercises, you should start slowly. Cycle at a moderate pace on relatively flat ground. Gradually increase your speed over time, until you’re averaging 70-90 pedal revolutions per minute (i.e., 70 downstrokes of your right foot per minute).

Stationary cycling is a good way to get a quick aerobic workout. But no matter what kind of cycling you do, consider these tips:

♦ Warm up for 5-10 minutes before adding resistance to your stationary bike workout or climbing hills in your cycling route.

♦ Make sure the seat is at the proper height so that your knee is still somewhat bent when

your foot is at the bottom of the pedal revolution.

♦ Make sure that you’re cycling in the proper gear. A gear that’s too high will strain your

knees.

♦ When cycling outdoors, always wear a helmet and never wear headphones. (You need to be

able to hear an approaching car.)

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