Category Archives: Health and Fitness

Kickstart Your Weight Loss

How often is it that everyone agrees on one thing? Dieticians and scientists and health gurus will bicker endlessly about the merits of this plan or that, but there’s one thing they all recommend. Every diet plan I have ever encountered has had one key element in common: WATER! Yet, it seems that this one simple component is the most often neglected. Go figure.

Maybe it’s because it is so simple. People are conditioned to expect difficult tasks to be complicated, and changing behaviors with regard to food is extremely difficult. We eat for so many reasons that in order to get a grip on what and when , we must analyze how and why . Eating triggers, as mentioned in an earlier post, the release of opiate-like neurotransmitters that treat a wide variety of symptoms. Boredom. Comfort. Physical hunger. Emotional hunger. Stress.

I often advise those planning to begin a weight loss journey to “pre-diet” for 3-4 days (or more). This pre-diet entails one and only one rule: 3 liters of plain water daily. Not coffee, tea, juice, or soft drinks. Just plain water. Develop the habit before implementing a bunch of other lifestyle changes. It will, I promise, make the other changes less difficult. What Is Leptitox ? It will kick start the weight loss procedure in the patients. The information about the true supplements should be shared with the professional and doctors to get effective results. The changes are there along with the lifestyle change with the consumption of the supplements. 

Get three 1-liter bottles. Either buy nice ones if you want to cement the ritual or reuse empties from bottled water. Fill them each evening before you go to bed so they’re ready for the next day. Refrigerate them if you prefer. Personally, I like my water room temperature. I put my bottles next to the bathroom sink, and after each trip to the bathroom during the day, I chug about half a liter. (That’s approximately 16 ounces or 2 glasses .) By the end of the day, I’ve drained all three liters.

It doesn’t have to be a chore. You’ll find that once your body gets used to having adequate amounts of free water, you’ll experience lots of fringe benefits.

Water suppresses appetite. Did you know that your brain does not differentiate between hunger and thirst? A few ounces of water might just do the trick. Give it a try. If you’re still hungry 15-20 minutes later, eat something. If not, you gave your body what it really wanted: WATER.

Water flushes toxins from the body. As we burn fat, the toxins it once stored are also released into our bloodstreams. Have you ever noticed how some dieters look almost sickly as their weight drops? They’re being lightly poisoned by the toxins that were stored in their fat. Ample hydration helps our kidneys function efficiently. We feel healthier and less sluggish, and it shows.

Healthy skin is primarily moisturized from within. The need for lotions and oils diminishes greatly when the skin gets all the moisture it needs from the water you drink. And, similarly to the kidneys, water helps the bloodstream whisk impurities from the skin, leaving it positively glowing with happiness.

Water also contributes to the relief of fatigue, headaches, and constipation. If any are an issue for you, consider water before other forms of treatment. It’s cheaper and safer than any pill.

I firmly believe that, regardless of which diet plan you choose, pre-dieting with water lays the groundwork for success. That 6-8 glasses (or, for me, 3 liters) of water every day without fail is the single most important component to any diet. We all make poor food choices from time to time, especially when rushed or stressed. (And who is not rushed or stressed these days?) Adequate water helps us recover from those falls and get back on the path.

What Most People Want and Should Demand in a Weight Loss Program

The numerous amount of weight loss programs from which to chose can sometimes make the choice an overwhelming one. There are literally thousands of choices. Many medical clinics and hospitals now offer their own weight loss programs. Also among the choices are national programs available like Weight Watchers, and TOPS (both of which offer a group approach) and Jenny Craig, and Nutri System (both of which offer individualized programs and one on one counseling.) Additionally, many communities today now offer their own weight loss programs, while many individual specialists have hung their shingle as well.

Although most weight programs are developed with input from professionals, the actual implementation of the core program will vary greatly from one program to another. Regardless of which weight loss program you are leaning toward, it might be comforting to know that research indicates that most people really want the same three things in a weight loss program. Most people look for the following in their “optimal” weight loss program. Accept nothing less:

1. A Great Weight Loss Leader: Most people say they want a weight loss leader who understands the difficulties and challenges of losing weight. The weight loss leader should ideally be sympathetic, understanding, fun, energetic and able to listen. Most people would prefer a leader who has overcome being overweight and is willing to share that journey. You should absolutely ask to meet and spend time with the weight loss leader with whom you’d be working if you signed up. Just meeting the leader on staff at the time of your visit is not sufficient. Imagine your disappointment if click with the leader you meet only to later learn that your assigned leader rubs you the wrong way. You’re going to spend a great deal of time with your weight loss leader. It’s very important that you genuinely respect and can bring out the best in one another. The demand for the resurge pills is rising in the economy because of availability of plenty of advantages. The intake process will be simple and easy for the interested person. The person should have complete knowledge about the intake of the pills to get a healthy and fit body for long duration. 

2. A Supportive, Educational Weight Loss Environment: Most people on a weight loss program quest look for a supportive and accepting environment where one can learn about the latest in food, exercise and nutrition. The environment should be empowering, energizing and make you feel more confident and hopeful, not less so. Some people actually like the “tough love” approach to weight loss, but most do not. Most people appreciate a weight loss environment where they are free to learn about and discuss additional personal or social issues which may be related to weight loss. It’s vitally important that the environment is a place where you feel safe enough to fully participate in all the program has to offer. Ask to sit in on several meetings or gatherings before you commit to any program. Sitting in on one session is often not enough time to absorb the information that you need to make a decision.

3. Fun And Innovative Implementation Of The Weight Loss Program’s Teachings: Most weight loss program participants do not want to sit in a classroom listening to a dull lecture. They want hands-on, fun activities like dancing, biking, and learning to shop for and prepare their own healthy meals. They want to actually do and participate in these activities rather than merely learning about them. However, the definition of a good time is different for everyone. Ask for a list of the last few months’ activities and honestly ask yourself if you could eventually participate with your whole heart. The key word here is eventually because it’s very common to feel uneasy and unsure in the beginning of a weight loss program. You’re going to be out of your comfort level some of the time on any weight loss program. But, if most of the activities are ones that you could potentially enjoy, that’s enough.

Even if every item on this wish list seems to be a go but your gut is sending off warning signals, listen. Ultimately, you should feel welcomed, comfortable and somewhat at ease when you’re evaluating a weight loss program. If you feel uneasy, pressured, or alarmed, keep searching. Most importantly, don’t give up the search. There is an appropriate weight loss program match for everyone. You just can’t give up until you find it. Once you find your weight loss program, jump in and participate with your whole heart. Chances are your long term weight loss success will follow and in turn you can help someone else succeed in their weight loss quest.

Common Questions About Alcohol And Drug Detox

Rehab: What is it?

One of the main and common questions that people ask about alcohol and drug detox is ‘what is rehab?’ Basically, a rehab is a place where people who want to beat alcohol or drug addiction undergo a process to get rid of substance addiction. There are several misconceptions about rehab. Some people think that rehab is like a prison where addicts are being punished. But the reality is, rehabs are actually a safe haven for those people who want to fight addiction and change their lives for the better. Rehab always takes good care of their patients the best way possible.

What is Detoxification?

Another common question that people ask about alcohol and drug detox is the subject matter itself – detoxification. Simply explained, detoxification or also known as detox for short is the process of removing all the toxins and drugs from an individual’s body. The main goal of detox is to safely manage the symptoms of withdrawal when an individual stops taking alcohol or drug. Detoxification is different from every individual as not all who suffer from addiction have the same cases. The doctor or medical expert will determine the kind of detox that is suitable for a particular patient.

Should I do detox first before residential treatment?

As advised and suggested by medical experts, it is really important to have detox first before residential treatment. As mentioned earlier, detox helps your body to remove all the toxins and drugs in it. When this happens, withdrawal symptoms will start showing in the picture. The medical team who will take good care of you knows exactly the necessary actions and medications needed to support you in dealing with the symptoms of withdrawal. Consequently, since all the toxins have been removed in your body, you can now easily deal with the process of residential treatment. This is why it is very crucial to do detox first before residential treatment.

What is the process of detox?

There are certain steps that need to be done in the process of detoxification. First is evaluation. This is the stage where your medical team will screen and examine you for mental and physical health issues. There will also be a comprehensive review of medical, drug and psychiatric histories. You can check this article to help you how to prepare with the evaluation: http://www.srsmiami.com/best-synthetic-urine/.  This information will be helpful for the medical team to determine the right kind of treatment that you need. Second step is stabilization. This is the step where you will undergo psychological and medical therapy. The main goal of this step is to prevent any kind of harm that may occur. The last step of detoxification is the preparation for the entry into the treatment. This is the stage where the doctors need to familiarize you with the process of treatment and things that you need to expect.

What are the side effects of detoxification?

Commonly, some of the side effects of detox include insomnia, nausea, nervousness, body discomfort, poor sleep, mood swing, difficulty concentrating and others. 

My Weight Loss Journey: Milestone Hit

I did it! Last night I went to my weigh in and I lost another 1 3/4 pounds! That took me to exactly 20 pounds lost! In my entire life, every time I’ve dieted, I’ve never been able to hit that 20 pound mark. For some reason, I give up before I hit it. Well, now I’ve done it and I feel like this is something that I can do! I can lose my weight and I can be someone that I love and care about.

How did I do it? Well, diet and exercise, of course. The problem that most of us people have that have food addictions, is that we need support and accountability. I joined a weight loss group called T.O.P.S. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly). I love it because it’s incredibly cheap to join and I feel genuine connections with the people there. You go and weigh in, then you pay $.50 for the meeting $.50 if you don’t fill out a calorie sheet, and then there are fines for things like eating that week’s no-no or if you gain weight! That’s a big incentive for me. The thing that helps me the most to keep losing is that when they do roll call, you have to say how much you lost or gained. It feels great to say your weight loss. When you do, they all clap and cheer for you! Then, this is my total dread…when you gain, you have to say how much out loud, but then they say “We’re glad you’re here!”. I hate having to say it out loud if I’ve gained, and thankfully, I have only had to do it once in the three months I have been attending. Then when you hit milestones and have accomplishments like 6 weeks in a row of losses, you get money! There are all kinds of games where you can win cash for losing! I’m a person that needs incentive. I used to do weight watchers and that was nice because you weighed in each week, but I didn’t have to say my results out loud. This has been a great incentive for me!

When you hit your weight loss goal (you goal is determined by a physician), you become a K.O.P.S. (Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly). That’s the status where you have support to maintain your weight. To be a K.O.P.S. is very prestigious.

Exercise is also extremely important. You can diet until you’re blue in the face, but without exercise you’re gonna find that you’re gonna be flabbier than if you exercise. It will help you tone up and shed the pounds faster. It also strengthens your heart to help prevent heart disease and overall keeps you healthier and stronger!

No matter how much you hate diet and exercise, you just have to remember that it is a change of life that you have to accept. I went out to dinner last night and realized that I just wasn’t blessed with the ability to eat junk and be thin. You can have those days when you have not much choice but to have a bad day, the importance is to just jump right back on it again! Sometimes a bad day will be the boost your metabolism needs to jump start again. Don’t use this as an excuse to be bad all the time! The good news is, there are other things that can help you boost your energy and motivate you to do regular exercise and maintain your diet. Resurge supplement is also an ideal addition to your system.

Good luck to all of you that are on this journey with me! It’s a fun road, no matter how much work it is! Nothing is better than going shopping and having to get a smaller size!

How to Get Back into Your Exercise Routine

To those of you who made your New Years’ resolutions to get fit, this article may seem a little behind the calendar. But as I see spring approaching, I’m getting motivated to get back into my exercise routine. Soon I will not have the excuse of cold weather (anything below 50 degrees here in LA) to stay inside and do “research “on the computer instead of getting myself out the door and taking a walk. Of course, I could pull out those workout DVD’s collecting dust on the shelf. But, it seems rude to interrupt the cat’s nap with that pulsing music and bossy workout guy yelling out moves. Maybe it is time to get disciplined and remember the reasons to stay fit.

It helps the brain.

The more efficiently your body moves, the less strain you put on your brain to perform its everyday functions. Is there scientific proof for this? I don’t know-but I do know that when I am not gasping for air after my extensive search through the house, I can sometimes remember where I put my glasses.

It keeps you young.

I know I have read this somewhere. I question this one because the wrinkles seem to show up whether I exercise or not. So, I’ll just aim for young-at-heart, rather than young-looking. It does bring on a sense of accomplishment to be able to keep up with the kids as they leisurely stroll through the mall.

It keeps your clothes from shrinking.

For years I blamed my washer for the shrinkage of all my clothes. It never occurred to me that my expanding torso was to blame for my ill-fitting wardrobe. It’s amazing how I see myself in the mirror on a daily basis, and the extra pounds are not obvious. But a candid Facebook picture taken by one of my so-called friends reveals my situation not only to me, but to the entire web world. With this crazy recession going on, I can’t afford to go buy a whole new wardrobe, so I must take the second option: exercise.

Now that the reasons have been brought back into focus, how do I work exercise into my daily routine?

(1) Walk instead of sit.

I love my computer time. I love my sewing moments. I teach piano for 5-6 hours a day. In other words, I spend a lot of time with my bottom on a seat. My new resolution is to spend more teaching time on my feet. The fun part of this activity is when the kids ask me why I’m pacing around the room while they play their music! After a long walk, you might feel some pain and you might feel sore. This is now here hip flexors come into the picture. Make sure that you know how to stretch hip flexors properly so you wont impose any further pain or damage into your muscles.

(2) Park far away.

My husband has already mastered this technique. Even if there is a parking space directly In front of the store, he can spot a better one ┬╝ mile away. I hope that when I am late for future appointments, they will appreciate the fact that I was taking a 10-minute hike across the parking lot to get to my appointed destination.+

(3) Write it down.

I am not normally a list-maker, but it makes me feel more accountable when I see my to-dos printed out on paper. I am resolving to write down and make time for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day. (I think I will use a pencil.)

It has been said that it only takes 27 days to form a habit…26 to go…