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Weight Cycling: How Does It Affect You?

Friday, November 23rd, 2007

The repeated loss of body weight followed by weight re-gain is called weight cycle. A small weight cycle is the loss and regain of up to ten lbs. Large weight cycles imply the loss and regain of fifty lbs or more.

Although specialists can`t say for sure how weight cycling is related to health problems, some studies showed a connection to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and gallbladder disease. In time, women affected by weight cycle gain more weight compared to women who don`t, according to studies.

Binge eating was also associated to weight cycling for women. Some people who deal with weight cycling tend to feel depressed, although gaining weight is not a failure and may disappear when eating habits change.

Researchers did not prove that fat tissues increase or muscle mass decrease after a weight cycle. However, studies showed that weight cycling has nothing to do with the metabolic rate, or how fast food energy is burned. This rate can be slowed down as people get older.

Specialists recommend lifelong changes for people who try to maintain a healthy weight but face weight cycling. A healthy diet that includes more high-fiber food such as fruit or vegetables should be a start for them.

Some people think that they put more fat around the stomach because of weight cycling but studies proved this to be a myth. However, some researchers noticed that women with a history of weight cycling present thicker layers of fat in the stomach area than women who didn`t faced weigh cycling.

Many issues regarding weight cycling are still unclear, and researchers need to conduct further studies in order to establish what influence this process has on people. One research goal is to establish weight cycling is a cause, or effect, of insufficient physical and mental health.

Meanwhile, if you`re dealing with a weight cycle, remember to change your eating habits and bring more physical activity to your life.

The Grapefruit Diet

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

The grapefruit is rich in vitamin C and this diet may help you lose fifty-two pounds in two and half months.

For this diet you should drink sixty-four ounces of water per day and eat until you are full. The diet shows you the minimum you should eat so don`t eliminate any food from this diet.
The grapefruit juice is important because it starts the burning process. Don`t modify the amount of grapefruit from the diet.

If you drink coffee, try to cut it down to one cup at meal time. The suggested foods will make feel fuller. However, don`t eat between meals.

Deserts, bread, sweet potatoes, or vegetables are not allowed during the grapefruit diet but you may use butter for vegetables or frying food. Follow the diet for twelve days, stop for two or three days and repeat it.

What you may eat: broccoli, red onions, leaf spinach, corn, fruits, jelly or jam, pretzels, peanut butter, starchy vegetables, bell peppers, cereal, pasta, corn chips, sweet pickles, fat free salad dressings, and radishes.

What you shouldn`t eat: white onions, cucumbers, celery, green onions, peas, potato chips, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, hot dogs, mayonnaise, cheese, chili, green beans, cole slaws, regular salad dressing, dried nuts, and green vegetables.

Diet plan:

Breakfast: Eat half of grapefruit or drink eight ounces of unsweetened juice. You may also eat two eggs with two slices of bacon.
Lunch: Eat half of grapefruit or drink eight ounces of unsweetened juice. Try a salad. You may add any kind of dressing. You may also eat any amount and style of meat.
Dinner: Eat half of grapefruit or drink eight ounces of unsweetened juice. You may have a salad with dressing or a red vegetable with butter or cooked in spices. Eat meat or fish cooked in any way. A cup of coffee or tea is also allowed.
As a bedtime snack you may have eight ounces of tomato juice or a cup of skim milk. Remember to ask a dietitian`s advice before starting a diet.The Grapefruit Diet