Archive for August, 2009

The 2 immediate steps you must take if you want to lose the belly fat 

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

 

Forget about the bogus pills and weight loss gizmos you see on late night TV. They are NOT the genuine article, and you should avoid them. You’ve probably been told that you can “spot reduce”, right? 

 

Well, it’s a myth. A 10 person study of 5 weeks publicised in the prestigious European Journal of Applied Psychology and Occupational Physiology concluded targeted exercises (such as ab crunches) cannot be used for fat burn in a targeted area (such as the belly).  

 

First, and foremost, your best option is to work on your overall body fat content and THEN your abdominal muscles will show themselves! There’s no use in doing crunches – or any other ab exercises – if you have a layer of fat beneath your skin covering them up.  

Seems obvious doesn’t it? 

 

So what is the best way to burn fat quickly and simultaneously work on your core – your abdominals? Do functional exercises. These are exercises that work your big muscle groups. We’re talking squats, dead lifts, pull ups etc.

 

Why? Because your big muscles use more energy and will continue to burn more energy after your workout. This equates to fat loss!  Lose Fat and Gain Muscle that’s the name of the game.

You don’t have to do hundreds of crunches to get a flat stomach. A much smarter and time efficient way is to work on your big muscle groups.  

 

 

 

How To Burn Even More Fat And Gain Muscle 

 

 

If you really want to burn it up, do your exercises at a higher intensity. The goal being is to expand your oxygen capacity  

 

You do this by exerting yourself at short, but intense bouts for up to 20-25 minutes. Exercises include hill sprinting, speed skipping, sprint bike riding etc., this will stimulate a higher metabolic response than other types of exercise.

 

Have a look at these studies: 

 

In a study published in Journal of Applied Sport Science Research, metabolic rate was measured for nine subjects after 40 minutes of bike riding, 40 minutes of circuit training, 40 minutes of resistance lifting and a control interval. All exercises increased metabolic rate immediately after workout. For the circuit and heavy resistance lifting, the increase was significant a fully half an hour afterwards.

 

My Second Most Important Tip 

 

I recommend you take a close look at your eating. Do NOT diet as diets don’t work. Rather I recommend you make manage your eating with small, easy changes.

Some of my recommendations are: 

 

Eat plentiful amounts of leafy green vegetables. And fruits such as apples, pears and grapefruit. Mix the fruits with a low fat yoghurt for a nutritious snack.  

Be sure to get most of your carbs from vegetables, and less on grains. In other words, cut back on the breads, potatoes and pasta.  

 

Get your protein – but only HIGH quality protein. I like wild salmon, tuna, free range chicken and free range eggs. Unsweetened whey protein is good too.  

 

Eat healthy fats such as olive oil, organic coconut oil, avocado, and wild salmon.  

And finally, eat smaller meals less often. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found participants who grazed 17 times per day -  after two weeks – had 15% lower blood cholestorol, 28% lower insulin and cortisol levels lowered 17% (cortisol is an indicator of stress. So less cortisol implies less stress. And all this after just two weeks.

 

So, the way to make it practical is be sure to have healthy snack foods near you all day – and keep nibbling every hour or so.

 

Make sure you have a light lunch and light dinner, but keep on nibbling. These two tips should help you on your way to burn fat and gain muscle.  Start with these 2 simple steps.

 

 

 

 

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66% of Dieters Gaining Back More Than They Lose On Diets.

Monday, August 17th, 2009

66% of Dieters Gaining Back More Than They Lose On Diets.

 

The most common step taken by people who want to lose weight & lose the belly fat is to begin a diet. With so many to choose from, plastered on the television, magazines, and online, we assume it must be the most effective way to lose unwanted weight. There’s celebrity diets, detox diets, low carb diets, high protein diets, low fat diets… an endless list of diets consumers hear others ‘swear’ they lost weight when following. Do any of these diets work? Is it just a matter of finally finding the one that works for you?

Think again! Diets don’t work, in fact most ‘dieters’ gain back more weight than they lost on the diet and regain fat back on the belly.

In the most significant study ever conducted on the effectiveness of dieting, researchers from prestigious organizations such as University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) concluded that diets do NOT work. Not only do they fail, they virtually guarantee future weight gain.

 

The UCLA study reviewed 31 independent studies in which participants were placed on diets and monitored for a minimum of two years afterwards. The results of the study were startling:

 

Up to 66% of Dieters Gained Back More Weight Than They Lost On Their Diets And Did Not Lose the Belly Fat.

 

The conclusion of the study clearly indicates the ineffectiveness of diets.

But there’s more…

According to Mann, there is also deliberate altering of factors so it appears diets work. She found the weight of participants is self reported by phone call or by mail. In a true scientific study the weight is measured by an impartial source on a proper scale (such as the Platinum Standard “double blind placebo controlled”).

The studies also have low follow-up rates. Eight of the studies had a follow-up rate below 50%. It’s logical to assume those that did NOT follow up were the people that couldn’t keep the weight off and lose the belly fat!

The findings were also confirmed by Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, founder and director of the Weight Management Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and the diet and nutrition editor for NBC’s Today show.

Janet Tomiyama, a PhD student of Dr. Mann who was the lead researcher of the UCLA study urged people NOT to diet in the first place. Why? Because of the health risks associated with “yo-yo” dieting. That is taking weight off, then putting it on, then back off again repeatedly. Tomiyama believes that dieting can be considered as a reliable predictor of future weight gain.

As a social psychologist, Mann noted that during the past two decades, Americans suffering from obesity more than doubled from a mere 15% to a staggering 31%. As the entire group studied the recorded data collected over the span of four years, they failed to find any evidence that supported the positive impact of dieting. What evolved from the study is a total opposite belief that diets just don’t work.

Recent studies are beginning to show an even bleaker picture about the impact of diets on health.   There are very few people with advice that I trust and when I go looking for products I like to know how they base their information. Scientific studies and tried and proven methods are on the top of my list. I also like to look for products developed by people such as Jeff Anderson a former U.S Military Fitness Trainer who has a method which has helped military troops in top physical condition.  Jeff has figured out a way to bring to the heavily guarded military weight control secrets to you without giving up “government secrets”.

The reason I trust  and endorse Jeff’s fat loss program is based on scientific research conducted by the Weight Management State of the Science and Opportunities for Military Programs (2004) confirms that The U.S. Military’s method actually burn fat as much as 288% faster than other weight loss strategies. That type of proof is worth it’s weigh confirming  Jeff Andersons methods for burning fat and losing belly fat work. A winning formula that was followed by the U.S. Military  allows you to burn fat 24/7. Jeff educates you on many areas of weight lose and burning fat. Give yourself the gift of burning fat 24/7 click here for more information.    

 

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Discover Facts about Fat & Belly Fat

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Discover Facts about Fat & Belly Fat

Not all fats are created equal and how to lose the belly fat.

The term ‘fat’ is used to describe any excess weight. While this is accurate to a degree there are different kinds of ‘fat.’ Throughout this book I’ll refer to different types of fat in your body. Let’s look at the terms often used to describe the fats in your body and gain a basic understanding of each.

1.      Adipose tissues sometimes called fat cells.

Adipose tissue or fat, are loose connective tissues that store fat primarily for energy. The fat stored in these tissues is usually triglycerides. This tissue is found under the skin and around organs.

2.      Belly fat.

Common in ‘apple shaped obesity’ this is visceral fat accumulated around the midsection that increases the waist line.

3.      Fatty acids.

Not a type of fat, fatty acids can accumulate in the liver causing a fatty liver which leads to liver dysfunction. Over consumption of energy producing foods and lack of energy exertion can lead to this serious problem.

4.      Subcutaneous fat.

This fat is adipose fat that is located directly under the skin.

5.      Visceral fat.

A dangerous type of fat also called organ fat or intra-abdominal fat lies close to the internal organs of the body. This fat is harder to lose. This can also be referred to as belly fat.  We all want to lose the belly fat.  In this article you will discover how dangerous belly fat actually is.

Dangerous Belly Fat: What You Must Know

Belly fat and visceral fat are the most dangerous of the fats. Obesity and its associated increased risk for diseases and health problems are a result of visceral fat. Since visceral fat lies close to your vital internal organs it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream transporting fat throughout the body, compromising essential metabolic functions, eventually clogging the arteries, and leading to hypertension. This also leads to diabetes.

A recent study published in Circulation by lead scientist Dr. Frank Hu (a leading expert on obesity research) sought to establish whether there is any connection between belly fat and premature death. The data obtained gave a clear indication an excess of adipose tissues in the abdominal area was directly related to a string of health problems such as cancer and cardiovascular problems.

Belly fat in women increases the risk of early death either due to heart disease or cancer. A waist measurement of more than 35 inches leads to a doubling of premature death caused by cancer or heart problems. In men, waist size over 40 inches is a serious cause of worry. 

A Washington University School of Medicine study showed that belly fat is associated with hypertension, heart ailments, and diabetes. One of the reasons for this is that belly fat is responsible for increasing inflammation in the body. In short, abdominal belly fat secretes certain molecules that exaggerate your body’s inflammation response.  Belly fat even promotes insulin resistance and explains severe diabetic symptoms.

Accumulation of belly fat increases the body’s visceral fat which is responsible for an increase in hyperglycemia (or high blood sugar), high cholesterol and triglyceride levels and, high blood pressure.

When all the three happen in unison (high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and high blood pressure) the condition is known as Metabolic Syndrome also sometimes referred to as Syndrome X. Numerous researches have revealed that belly fat is the principle factor behind this metabolic syndrome.  Metabolic Syndrome increases a person’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other diseases and health problems.

The major threat of belly fat is due to its proximity to your liver and internal organs. The stage is set for Type 2 diabetes as fat increases within the liver and the body becomes insulin resistant.

Science and Research Supports Weight Training as a Method to Lose Weight and lose the belly fat

·         Researchers led by Richard Kreider Ph.D. and Professor and Chair of the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation at Baylor University presented findings from 11 research abstracts on 2 clinical studies in regards to strength training and increasing resting metabolism. In a replicated study by Kreider, participants increased their metabolic rate by 265 calories a day. In phase II of the study researchers followed 120 sedentary and overweight women. It was found that when these women followed a plan of cardio and strength training they showed a 21% improvement in strength and 7% improvement in aerobic capacity. They also lost an average of 2 inches from their hips and 3 inches from their waists. Their resting blood cholesterol and blood pressure also improved.

·         In another study at The Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers followed a group of 15 post-menopausal women for a 16 week exercise program. During the study participants used resistance training exercises. Following the 16 week period, obese women experienced significant loss in body weight, fat mass, and percentage body fat. Additionally fat-free mass, and resting metabolism increased in both obese and non-obese women in the study.

 

Adding strength training to your exercise program is easy, economical, and effective in losing weight, belly fat, gaining strength, and of course toning your body.

 

 

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Strength Training And How To Lose The Belly

Friday, August 14th, 2009

It’s no secret that strength training enhances the figure and is said to increase resting metabolism furthering weight loss. Strength training is sometimes met with apprehension as one thinks of bulky body builders with huge muscles. Strength training doesn’t have to build large bulky muscles but can be used to effectively tone and tighten the body as well as promote weight loss and helping you lose the belly fat.

Strength training can involve using free weights, weight training machines, resistance bands, or even your own body weight. If you want to keep weight off, be more energetic, stronger, and improve your overall physique and health you must consider strength training.

Options for Getting Started in Strength Training

To add strength training to your daily routine and help assist you lose the belly fat, there are several methods to choose. You can join a gym and ask a personal trainer to help you begin a program, select a DVD, book, or audio program to get you started, tap into your own knowledge, or follow television guided programs on strength training. A program of strength training can be a simple, effective way to burn excess calories, increase metabolism for the long term, and see a satisfying change in your figure.

I recommend starting slowly on any weight training program and gradually building up. You can simply purchase two hand held free weights at the local athletic store for a few dollars. Depending on your body size, fitness level, and strength you can opt for anywhere between 2 pound to 10 pound weights. Begin by doing 2 or 3 sets of 8 -12 repetitions. To further explain repetitions, if you’re doing bicep curls, curl up and down to equal one repetition. Repeat 8 to 12 times. This is a set. Focus on keeping good form throughout the repetition. When you feel your form is shaky end that set.

Generally speaking you can incorporate the arm muscles including biceps, triceps, and shoulders. The chest and back muscles and legs into a weight training routine. You will notice by continuing to concentrate on strength training, soon you will reap the benefits of losing the belly fat. Belly fat is generally the first place weight falls off.

If you are unsure it makes good sense to purchase a simple beginners DVD or book to understand what exercises focus on which specific muscles, proper form, and analyzing your own fitness level so you have a good place to begin. Consider renting one from the local library in order to determine your personal preference before you buy. If you can afford it hire a personal trainer to help you begin. Once you have a routine in place you can follow it without their assistance.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just dedicate yourself to making this part of your life and get started. Not only do the results one gets from weight train prove its effectiveness, scientific studies do as well.

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