Lifestyle Activities Slash Alzheimer’s Risk by Half

Would you be willing to make six simple lifestyle changes if you knew you could lower your risk of developing Alzheimer`s disease by 50%? Researchers publishing the result of a study in the journal Lancet Neurology found that the exploding incidence of this horrific form of dementia is due in large part to lifestyle changes involving diet, physical activity and education.

Alzheimer`s disease incidence is expected to triple over the next forty years, meaning that millions of new cases could be prevented by modifying controllable lifestyle risks. Scientists listed the six most important factors that can be modified in an effort to significantly lower Alzheimer`s disease risk.

Six Modifiable Risk Factors Cut Alzheimer’s Disease Risk by 50%

Researchers analyzed dozens of Alzheimer`s studies from around the world that examined hundreds of thousands of participants to determine why this insidious disease is growing at an unprecedented rate. Dr. Deborah Barnes, lead scientist performing the review concluded that there are six significant and modifiable risk factors that contribute to the development and progression of the disease. Her team listed the factors in descending order of magnitude: low education, smoking, physical inactivity, depression, mid-life hypertension, diabetes and mid-life obesity.

As a group these risk factors account for 54% of the diagnosed cases of Alzheimer`s disease in the United States, accounting for 2.9 million individuals. Dr. Barnes commented on the findings, “What`s exciting is that this suggests that some very simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking, could have a tremendous impact on preventing Alzheimer`s and other dementias in the United States and worldwide.” The team will now work to determine if the relationship between each identified risk factor is casual or specifically attributable to disease development.

Daily Physical Activity Significantly Lowers Dementia Risk

Further research into contributing factors that increase risk for developing Alzheimer`s dementia are published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. Scientists compared physical activity duration and intensity with the development of cognitive impairment known to be a precursor to the memory-robbing illness. As participants` energy expenditure increased, the rate of cognitive decline decreased. The amount of exercise equivalent to a brisk, 30-minute walk every day was associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment.

Alzheimer`s disease cases have multiplied exponentially over the past 50 years, leading health-minded practitioners and followers to ask for an explanation. Our lifestyle has changed dramatically during this time period and diet, physical activity and diseases of excess have hindered the forward progress of our cognitive health. Adopting a natural diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates combined with regular and moderate physical activity can slash many risk factors associated with Alzheimer`s dementia.

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Posted in: Alzheimer's Disease,Exercise Benefits,Lifestyle

Vitamin E and Physical Activity Lower Risk of Alzheimer`s Disease

(Article first published as Walking and Diet Dramatically Cut Risk of Alzheimer`s Disease on Technorati.)

Medical researchers continue to demonstrate that the development and progression of one of the most feared conditions of our generation is not an inevitable occurrence. Alzheimer`s disease affects 1 in 10 people by age 65 and nearly half of those aged 85 or older.

The disease develops undetected over the course of decades due to a diet deficient in nutrients and antioxidants and lack of regular physical activity. You can ensure your risk of developing this devastating form of dementia is negated by taking appropriate dietary and lifestyle actions today.

Walking Protects the Brain from Cognitive Decline

Brain volume is directly related to our ability to learn and form new memories. One of the hallmark signs of Alzheimer`s disease is a loss of brain cells due to death of the critical neuronal structures. This effect can be measured using an MRI and is an indicator of cognitive decline and disease progression. The results of a study conducted by the Radiological Society of North America demonstrated that walking the equivalent of five miles per week significantly lowered the decline in brain volume commonly seen in aging adults.

The findings showed that greater amounts of physical activity were associated with greater brain volume. Individuals with demonstrated cognitive decline were able to maintain brain volume and slow cognitive decline. Healthy subjects needed to walk an average of six miles each week to maintain brain volume and significantly lower risk of developing dementia. The study author concluded that “walking can improve your brain's resistance to the disease and reduce memory loss over time."

Poor Blood Sugar Regulation and Insulin Resistance Degrade Brain Health

The effects of blood sugar and insulin resistance are now implicated in the development of Alzheimer`s disease. The results of a Japanese study published in the journal Neurology showed that insulin resistance was particularly damaging to the brain structure and was involved in the formation of amyloid protein plaques. High blood sugar causes dysfunctional particles known as AGE`s (advanced glycation end products) that degrade the normally flexible structure of brain cells. Eliminating sugar and processed carbohydrates that cause AGE formation can improve cognitive function.

Low Vitamin E Levels Trigger Onset of Alzheimer`s Disease

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can be deficient in diet despite our best efforts. The results of research published in the Journal of Alzheimer`s Disease found that damage by free radicals is a primary cause of cognitive decline. Vitamin E has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier to provide protection against oxidative damage and prevent inflammatory damage. The study demonstrated that when vitamin E levels are depleted, free radical damage accelerates and Alzheimer`s disease sets in. Nuts, seeds and leafy greens provide an excellent food source for vitamin E.

Alzheimer`s disease presents after decades of an inactive lifestyle and diet deplete in essential nutrients and antioxidants that our brain requires to maintain optimal function. Those wishing to avoid this devastating affliction will stay physically active, ensure a natural diet that provides healthy antioxidants and avoid processed foods that lead to metabolic dysfunction. You can spare your memory and extend your healthy lifespan with simple lifestyle modifications.

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Posted in: Alzheimer's Disease,Exercise Benefits,Vitamin E

Weight Loss Tips to Jump Start the New Year

(Article first published as Six Tips to Jump Start Your New Year Weight Loss Resolution on Technorati.)

As another year draws to a close, many people begin to think about making New Year Resolutions. As the number of overweight and obese individuals continues to skyrocket in epidemic proportions, many resolutions will evolve around the pursuit of an elusive weight loss goal. Reducing calories and exercising more are well known strategies to pursue. In addition, nutrition experts at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have compiled the top research-based weight loss tips designed to help you jump start your new journey to a slimmer waistline.

Tip 1: Keep Moving Each Day

Research confirms that physical activity is essential to human health and is also an important catalyst in your weight loss efforts. Exercise doesn’t have to be in the form of a grueling 5 mile run or lifting heavy free weights. The key to using exercise to fuel your weight loss efforts is that you need to do something to stay moving each day.

Set 30 to 60 minutes aside each day for some type of aerobic or resistance activity. The best part is that your time can be broken down into convenient 10 or 15 minute segments and you’ll still receive the same health and weight loss benefits.

Tip 2: Keep a Detailed Food and Exercise Journal

This may be one of the most important tips that many people on a weight loss mission fail to undertake. Keep a detailed record of each bite of food and drink, including the time and amount consumed. Don’t cheat. Record every food item including between meals snacks and sneaking a bite of your favorite chocolate bar. Write down your physical activity also, including type of exercise and the duration of each segment during the day. Many people are amazed to find out the number of calories eaten outside of normal meal time.

Tip 3: Set Realistic Goals

Often in our zest to reach an imaginary weight goal, we set an unrealistic target and time frame. When it becomes clear that the goal can’t be met, our best intentions are forgotten and any lost weight returns with a few extra pounds to discourage us from trying again. Permanent weight loss must be accomplished slowly, with a plan to drop no more than 1 to 2 pounds per week. This allows our body time to adjust naturally and make the necessary metabolic changes to maintain our lower weight.

Tip 4: Set Specific Goals

Make a plan to achieve your weight loss goal. Chart your day to include 3 well balanced meals and develop a calorie controlled menu that will allow you to hit your target. Schedule physical activity at a specific time as you would a business appointment. Avoid generalizations about diet and exercise, and be specific with regard to intent and end result.

Tip 5: Allow Yourself Room for an Occasional Slip

Everybody is human and inevitably you will make a small slip in your dietary plan. Fortunately your body is very forgiving and does not assess caloric intake for a single meal or even an entire day. Allow yourself an occasional treat when you really need it to keep yourself moving forward toward your weight loss goal.

Tip 6: Take Up Yoga

There’s more to yoga than just burning calories through physical activity. Researchers from the Hutchinson Cancer Center have “found that regular yoga practice is associated with the prevention of middle-age spread in normal-weight people and the promotion of weight loss in those who are overweight.” Yoga practice leads to mindful eating and healthy weight loss.

The New Year is approaching quickly and health conscious people will be thinking about losing weight gained during the past year. The best way to drop excess pounds is make a structured plan and set appropriate goals that will help you reach your weight target and improve your health and quality of life.

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Posted in: Diet and Nutrition,Exercise Benefits,Weight Goal,weight loss,Weight Tracking

Diet and Exercise Key to Age-Related Weight Gain

(Article first published as Physical Activity Limits Age-Related Weight Gain, Diet and Exercise Key to Weight Loss on Technorati.)

Physical activity level is an important part of a successful weight loss regimen. Physical activity duration has been shown to be predictive of weight gain over the years, and can influence critical health biomarkers that predict risk of disease. Research indicates that while regular exercise is important to weight loss and maintenance goals, it cannot be used as a sole means to avoid age-related weight gain.

Study Finds Physical Activity is Part of the Weight Gain Solution

People naturally tend to gain weight as they age due to lowered metabolic rate without a corresponding reduction in calories. The results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association show that women who attain a high level of physical activity when young are significantly more likely to avoid excess weight gain during mid and later life.

The study followed more than 3,500 women over a period of 20 years. Participants were evaluated for weight, BMI, waist circumference and dietary habits at the beginning of the trial and at six intervals thereafter. Women with the highest levels of physical activity that exercised for at least 150 minutes each week gained 20 pounds over the 20 year period, while those with the lowest levels gained more than 33 pounds.

Television Watching Linked to Excess Weight

Spending too much time in front of your television is not good for your health or your waistline. In addition to weight gain, television watching has been shown to increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. The lack of physical activity means calories are burned at a low base rate and we usually pack on extra calories with processed snack foods.

Information revealed in the Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise journal confirms that television watching causes metabolic changes in the body that cause cardiovascular disease. Further, the amount of time spent watching TV is directly related to weight gain. Time in front of the TV is time you aren’t physically active and burning calories.

Get Moving and Eat Less!

We have all heard the importance of exercising more and eating less for the benefit of our health and waistline. Research studies repeatedly confirm the importance of staying active. Exercise causes important metabolic changes in our body that determine how we burn and store fat. Physical activity naturally releases sugar from the blood into our cells and muscles to be burned as fuel and prevents insulin resistance and the road to diabetes.

While exercise is part of the answer to prevent age-related weight gain, reducing calories is also essential. Women with the highest activity levels still put on an average of one pound per year by mid-life. As those women reach their senior years, they could be carrying an extra 50 to 75 pounds, placing them at greatly increased risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes and dementia.

The answer to the age-related weight problem is a healthy balance between regular physical activity and lower caloric intake. Plan 150 minutes of exercise each week, turn off the TV and limit calories from processed foods, sugary drinks and refined breads, pasta, rice and desserts. With a little discipline you can win the age-related weight loss battle and lower your risk of disease.

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Posted in: Blood Sugar,Exercise Benefits,weight loss

Exercise Helps Prevents Disease and Aging, Assists Weight Loss

(Article first published as Regular Exercise is Key to Life Extension, Weight Loss Goals on Technorati.)

Did you know that regular exercise is the most important lifestyle habit that has been shown to dramatically lower the risk from more than 20 different physical and mental health conditions? It’s likely you do know that exercise is important for health and weight loss goals, yet few people come close to exercising 150 minutes per week, as recommended by health researchers and medical experts.

Exercise plays an essential role in fat metabolism that can safely help with weight loss for many people, and it can be pivotal in preventing many conditions including cancer, heart disease, dementia, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, obesity and high blood pressure. Exercise has been shown to slow down the rate of aging, and provides the closest example of a real life fountain of youth we may ever experience.

Study Finds that Exercise Extends Cell Life

Researchers are beginning to understand that the process of getting older that we call aging is not a normal process. The rate which cells age is much more a function of diet and lifestyle factors, rather than a straight line chronological event. The results of a study published in The International Journal of Clinical Practice demonstrate that accelerated aging is a function of modifiable lifestyle choices including diet, physical activity level, smoking and obesity.

Each of these factors affects our genes and in turn determine metabolic rate and provide protection against many of the modern lifestyle killer diseases. The study focused on exercise and provided evidence how 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day can lower the risk of 25 diseases including heart disease, stroke and cancer in men.

Exercise Improves Insulin Response

Regular exercise has been shown to help normalize insulin response, paving the path toward improved blood sugar control, lower risk from metabolic disease and natural weight loss. Insulin is a powerful hormone that is essential to life, but can wreak havoc throughout your body when excess amounts are allowed to circulate in the blood, or when insulin becomes ineffective in ushering sugar from the blood to the cells and muscles for energy.

Plan Exercise as Part of Your Daily Schedule

The most common excuse people use to avoid exercise is they simply don’t have the time. Plan exercise like you would any other important daily event. Carve out a minimum of 30 minutes each day for moderate physical activity. You don’t need to exercise intensely to reap the health benefits, but it is important to increase your heart rate by at least 25%.

This can be done with aerobic exercises such as walking or jogging or with resistance training techniques including free weights or power band equipment. For maximum results, include both type of exercises to cross-train all major muscle groups.

We are in control of many of the lifestyle habits that affect our risk of disease and longevity. Genetic predisposition plays a small role in our health. Diet and physical activity exert a significant influence over our genes and how we are protected against chronic illness. Plan regular exercise into your healthy lifestyle to fuel weight loss and dramatically lower your risk of an early demise.

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Posted in: Aerobic Training,Exercise Benefits,weight loss

Exercise Lowers Risk of Disease, Halts Aging

(Article first published as Exercise Shown to Lower Disease Risk, Slow Body Aging on Technorati.)

Did you ever think that exercise wasn’t good for your body and health? Most people feel rejuvenated after a good workout and it just makes sense that you’re lowering your risk of illness. While too much exercise (think marathon runners) has detrimental side effects, moderate doses of aerobic and resistance training is shown to lower the risk of developing more than two dozen diseases and can actually slow down the aging process.

Exercise Helps Your Body Fight Disease

Researchers reviewed more than 40 studies over the past four years and found that regular physical activity was repeatedly associated with lowered risk of cancer, heart disease, dementia, stroke, diabetes, depression, obesity and high blood pressure. The review published in the  International Journal of Clinical Practice demonstrated that next to not smoking, exercise is the most important lifestyle choice you can make to improve overall health. The report highlighted obesity, diet, smoking and physical activity as the most important factors that we can control to achieve optimal health.

Aim For 150 Minutes of Exercise Each Week

Most studies reviewed settled on 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. The most cited example is taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Also, mixing aerobic and resistance exercise on alternating days is suggested to work different body zones and receive the benefit of both exercise regimens. It’s important to continue exercise as you age as some research shows that the detrimental effects of aging can be slowed or even reversed with good physical fitness discipline.

Lowering Your Disease Risk Factors

The health benefits associated with exercise can be seen to affect many different conditions. It’s clear that we have evolved to be physically active as exercise impacts a wide range of diseases. Researchers have shown how regular exercise can lower disease risk and slow the aging process for specific conditions.

Coronary Heart Disease: Moderate exercise is associated with lowered risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The Women’s Health Study demonstrated that exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease in women by 27 to 41% by improving cholesterol ratios and strengthening the heart muscle.

Overweight and Obesity: There is a natural correlation between physical activity and weight reduction. Aside from the additional calories burned through exercise, blood sugar and insulin resistance are also improved. This action lowers dangerous triglycerides and helps prevent metabolic syndrome that leads to diabetes and increased risk of heart attack.

Cancer: Walking or cycling for an hour each day has been shown to lower the risk of cancer by 16%. Some studies have shown a sharp reduction risk of colon cancer in both men and women, while men who avoid sitting at a desk all day are at much lower risk of developing prostate cancer.

Lack of physical activity causes a number of biochemical changes within our body that signal the onset of disease. Not only does regular exercise improve muscle tone, but it alters our metabolism toward health. Find a way to include 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week to dramatically lower your risk of disease and slow the damaging effects of aging on your body.

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Posted in: Cancer,Exercise Benefits,Heart Disease,Obesity

Best Exercise Plan for Weight Loss Success

(Article first published as Structured Exercise Program is Key to Weight Loss Success on Technorati.)

As anyone who has tried to lose weight can tell you, you must have a solid plan in place in order to be successful. And even then your chances of actually reaching your weight loss goal and keeping it off permanently are relatively slim. 

How you approach the whole process is much more important than counting each calorie and monitoring each step of the process. Once you’ve made the big decision to lose weight, joining a structured program and finding the right exercise regimen have been shown to help you reach your weight loss target.

Study Finds Structured Exercise is Important to Weight Loss Success

The results of a study published in the journal Obesity shows that participants who were part of a registered group that was provided with a structured fitness plan exercised an average of 42 minutes per day. They were compared to two control groups consisting of participants who had never been overweight who exercised for 26 minutes a day and a third group who were obese that engaged in 19 minutes of physical activity each day. In this study those who were part of a structured group exercised considerable longer than their non-structured peers.

Type of Exercise is Important to Weight Loss

Most people will choose between aerobic and resistance exercise to improve heart health and increase muscle tone. Any exercise that prompts you to get up and move will benefit your weight loss efforts. 

Walking at a fast pace is a great way to burn calories and increase cardiac performance. Walking is fun and most people find it easy to stick with a daily 30 minute walk. It’s important to understand that this type of exercise will burn approximately 125 calories that will result in slow weight loss as long as you don’t compensate with extra food.

Short Burst Resistance Exercise Gets Results

A new type of resistance training is rapidly becoming the exercise of choice for those trying to lose weight. Short burst exercises require you to exert yourself at your maximum potential for 60 to 90 seconds and then rest for 2 minutes. Repeat for 12 to 15 repetitions and be sure to cross train different parts of the body and muscle groups. 

This type of training can burn as many calories in 20 minutes as 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic conditioning. Try alternating aerobic conditioning and fast burst training on different days to obtain the best results.

Exercise provides an important catalyst to a reduced calorie diet, stress management and improved mindset for those people intent on losing weight. As with any significant goal, developing and committing to a plan are the keys to success. 

You can improve the odds that you’ll stick with a weight loss program by joining a structured group and choosing an aerobic or resistance exercise routine to improve your health and achieve your weight loss accomplishment.

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Posted in: Aerobic Training,Exercise Benefits,weight loss

Diet and Exercise Promote Weight Loss

(Article first published as Using Diet and Exercise to Control Body Fat on Technorati.)

The food we eat provides the building blocks required for cellular construction as well as all metabolic and chemical reactions which our body performs to function in good health. In the same fashion, our diet and level of physical activity directly influence our hormones that determine if fat is stored or burned as fuel. Medical researchers now understand that where fat is stored in the body can determine risk of disease and how we can alter our diet to promote natural weight loss.

Fat Placement is a Risk Factor

Until recently, medical science has viewed our white fat cells as nothing more than an inert storage facility for extra calories. Research has debunked that theory by demonstrating that our fat is a viable organ within our body which is metabolically active, secreting and reacting to chemical messengers which influence our health and weight loss abilities.

The results of a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences show that the risk of metabolic disorder is heightened when fat is stored in the abdomen and significantly lowered when fat grows on the thighs or lower parts of the body. Interestingly the study authors found that abdominal fat grows by increasing the size of existing fat cells whereas fat cells multiply in number on the thighs and lower body. Abdominal fat is more dangerous to your health because the cells are stretched beyond their normal capacity, leading to metabolic dysfunction.

Using Food Balance to Control Fat Placement

Fortunately we can control where fat is placed on the body in several ways. The food we eat has a significant impact on fat storage and metabolism as we can choose both the quantity of food eaten as well as the nutritional composition of our diet. A diet high in refined carbohydrates which quickly break down into glucose and raise blood sugar causes excessive triglycerides in the blood. These blood fats must be cleared quickly after each meal and are converted to fat for storage on the belly.

Include Protein and Fat with Each Meal

The first step to controlling how and where fat is stored is to cut back or eliminate carbohydrate foods which trigger a rapid rise in blood sugar. All processed carbohydrates and sugar laden foods will initiate the cycle which results in abdominal fat storage. Substitute protein and fats from healthy nuts, seeds and minimally cooked meats. These foods don’t convert to glucose quickly and are much less likely to spike blood sugar and convert to fat.

Exercise Helps to Burn Fat as Fuel

Exercise is essential to good health, as it provides a catalyst to burn excess calories so they aren’t available to be stored as fat. When you exercise regularly, the body is conditioned to burn calories for fuel so they don’t end up as a source of body fat. Some amount of fat is essential to our health, and exercise encourages the formation of brown fat which is dissimilar to white belly fat because it promotes fat metabolism through a process known as thermogenesis.

The type of foods we eat provide metabolic cues to instruct our body how and where to store body fat. Eliminating junk carbohydrates and replacing them with lean protein and monounsaturated fat sources will blunt blood sugar swings and encourage fat metabolism. Exercise is necessary to provide the catalyst for caloric utilization which encourages ideal health and natural weight loss success.

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Posted in: Belly Fat,Diet and Nutrition,Exercise Benefits,weight loss

Using Diet and Exercise to Fuel Weight Loss

(Article first published as Controlling Diet and Exercise to Drive Weight Loss on Technorati.)

Many people begin a weight loss program with the best intentions. They reduce calories, exercise regularly and slowly begin to drop weight. After losing for a few weeks or months they hit a plateau which can have a psychologically devastating effect on their desire and ability to stay on track. Many people have difficulty making the proper food choices which will help them achieve their weight loss goal, and believe that because they exercise they can eat larger portions to compensate.

Altering Our Food Perception to Lose Weight

There are a variety of factors which influence the way we view food when trying to lose weight. Most people understand that burgers, fries and ice cream are all bad options individually, but when a healthy food item is added, dieters tend to believe that the total calorie count was somehow magically lowered. Adding a side of broccoli to a piece of fried steak makes it appear more acceptable even though the calories have increased.

Understanding ‘The Dieter’s Paradox’

Researchers call this misperception of mixing healthy and unhealthy foods ‘The Dieter’s Paradox’. The results of a study published in The Journal of Consumer Psychology explains the mindset behind combining foods which promote weight loss with calorie laden choices in participants trying to drop weight. People were shown a high calorie food and asked to estimate the calories. They were then shown the same food with a traditional diet food, such as steamed vegetables or a salad and asked to determine the calorie count.

When presented with the second option, they estimated 5 to 10% lower calories, even though there were clearly more total calories with the additional item. This type of research clearly shows there’s a disconnect occurring in our brain when making the correct choices for a healthy meal to promote weight loss. We see less food calories when even the smallest amount of healthy food is added to the meal.

Eating to Lose Weight

You can combat the natural tendency to underestimate food calories by planning your meals in advance, employ nutritional tracking software and maintaining a food diary. Weigh and measure every food item you prepare and keep track of daily calories and physical activity in your journal. You’ll quickly understand which foods contribute to your weight loss plateau. It’s important to understand that everybody will hit a plateau which can last a few days up to a month or more. This is normal, as your body adjusts to each new weight level. Be patient and your good efforts will be rewarded.

Regular Exercise Leads to Excess Calories Consumed

Everyone knows that regular exercise is vitally important to our health and assists in the weight loss process. The problem is we overestimate the number of calories actually burned through exercise and compensate by eating more food than we need. This is one of the most common mistakes people make when pursuing a weight loss lifestyle.

The best way to avoid eating too much when exercising is to fully understand how many calories you’re burning for each type of exercise. Walking is one of the most popular forms of physical activity, and you’ll burn around 125 calories in a moderately paced 30 minute period. While the exercise is great for your heart and muscles, you don’t need to take in any more calories to compensate. The best rule is to monitor your food diary, and avoid extra calories as a result of your physical activity.

When trying to lose weight, we’re faced with difficult decisions about proper food choices at every meal. Psychologically we perceive the addition of a healthy food item to our plate as a way to include fattening foods, as if they’ll calorically offset one another. We overestimate the number of calories burned through exercise and eat to make up the difference. The only way to avoid these mistakes and achieve your weight loss goal involves judicious tracking of all food eaten each day in a journal, being careful not to rely on exercise as an excuse to overeat.

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Posted in: Diet and Nutrition,Exercise Benefits,Lifestyle,Motivation,weight loss

Is Diet or Exercise Best for Weight Loss?

(Article first published as Your Best Weight Loss Strategy: Diet or Exercise? on Technorati.)

We’ve been conditioned over the years to believe that the best way to lose weight is to sweat it off with rigorous exercise at the gym, and be mindful of what we eat. If that were entirely correct, we wouldn’t be tipping the scales of obesity as 45 million people spend more than $19 billion annually on gym memberships, a number that’s doubled over the past 20 years. The problem lies with the fact that human metabolism is highly efficient, and any excess calories are immediately stored as fat.

More Exercise Leads to More Eating

Despite our best intentions, we eat far more calories than we need at any given time to fuel our muscles and cells. Exercise does burn additional calories, but for many people it pales in comparison to the quantity of food they consume. As you exercise, your body sends the signal to eat more so you’ll have enough energy reserved for the next workout. Your next meal or high carb snack will be larger than necessary to compensate, and the excess calories are efficiently stored for future use.

Exercise is Not an Efficient Weight Loss Tool

Research generated by the Mayo Clinic and reported in Time Magazine concludes that exercise is a very inefficient way to drop excess pounds. Researchers found that intense exercise may actually cause weight gain, as test participants consumed more calories after exercise than they burned, resulting in leftover calories which the body typically stores as abdominal fat. It’s important to understand that exercise is still an essential part of human health, but should not be your primary weight loss tool.

Calorie Restricted Diet Delivers Weight Loss Results

The best strategy to drop weight is to eat a calorie restricted diet with 25% fewer calories than you presently consume each day. For many, this type of restriction will seem severe, so you’ll need to slowly work up to that level by eliminating 100 calories each day for a week. The next week, cut out another 100 calories until you hit the 25% reduction level. Most moderately active women should eat 1200 to 1500 calories per day, and men should target 1500 to 1800 calories to see significant weight loss results.

Exercise is Still Important

Regular physical activity is still vitally important, as multiple studies confirm that those who sit for 8 hours a day are most likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, cancer and die early from any cause. Stay active, and if you have a desk job that requires you to sit for long periods, get up and move around at least once every half hour. Establish a set amount of time for exercise into your daily schedule, at least 30 minutes on most days. Walking is a great activity which keeps your heart pumping and your muscles moving, but don’t plan to eat more afterward to compensate.

People begin exercising or sign up for a gym membership as a way to burn off excess fat, and subconsciously believe this will allow them to continue eating more calories than they need. For most individuals, the calories burned through moderate exercise don’t compensate for the super sized appetites experienced after a workout. While regular physical activity and stress reduction are required for optimal health, calorie restriction is by far the most effective weight loss tool.

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Posted in: Calorie Restriction,Diet and Nutrition,Exercise Benefits,weight loss

Exercise Easier and Lose Weight Faster

(Article first published as Tips to Exercise Easier, Lose Weight Faster on Technorati.)

Health conscious individuals understand the importance of regular exercise to assist natural weight loss goals and to improve all critical parameters of health. A well sculpted body is usually a sign of somebody who eats properly, stays healthy and has a long term investment in their own longevity. Many people find following a regular fitness program to be an arduous task, and quickly abandon their efforts and hopes for sustainable weight loss and long term health.

Exercise Drives Fat Loss and Improves Heart Health

The indisputable importance of regular exercise is underscored by a study published in the International Journal of Obesity which monitored the effects of high intensity exercise on a group of women for 15 weeks. Women who exercised the most were found to have significant reduction in total body fat and insulin resistance. 

While the study didn’t factor the powerful effects of a well balanced, reduced calorie diet into the results, it’s important to note that the combined effect of diet and exercise will result in increased fat metabolism and lowered blood sugar and insulin levels. It can be easier than you might imagine to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, and the key is to make it simple and fun with these tips.

Tip 1: Keeping It Easy

You don’t have to choose the most difficult or intense exercise to reap the important fitness and fat loss benefits. Unless you’re training for a triathlon, experts suggest the best form of physical activity is walking. It’s natural, fun and how we’ve evolved to stay active and fit.

Depending on your starting fitness level, slowly work your way up to at least 30 minutes of walking each day or at least on 5 days of the week. Studies show that you’ll get the same health benefits if you break it into multiple 10 minute sessions, and be sure to walk at a moderate pace to stimulate fat metabolism.

Tip 2: Work to Build Muscle

Exercise will appear to be easier when you have more muscle built throughout your body. Muscles provide the mechanics to power your body, so it’s important to build muscle tone to get more benefit from your workout. You don’t have to lift weights to build muscle, although free weights and weight machines are popular choices. Try walking while wearing ankle weights or swinging a pair of hand weights.

Tip 3: Clean the House or Mow the Lawn

Household chores qualify as a form of exercise which will assist in your weight reduction and health improvement efforts. Try mowing the lawn, weeding, mopping a dirty floor or vacuuming. Everyday tasks can work your muscles and burn as many calories as a structured exercise routine.

Tip 4: Use the Buddy System

Soliciting the help of a friend or family member is one of the best ways to keep your exercise fun and exciting, and also provides the critical motivation to keep you moving. Either exercise together, or talk about your accomplishments several times a week.

Regular exercise provides critical health benefits which are essential to your long term health and weight loss goals. Medical researchers regularly report the importance of moderate levels of physical activity on fat metabolism and heart health. Following these tips will help you to stay motivated and active so you can reap the significant health and weight loss rewards afforded by a regular exercise program.

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Posted in: Diet and Nutrition,Exercise Benefits,weight loss

Top Weight Loss Myths

(Article first published as Top Fitness Myths That Prevent Weight Loss on Technorati.)

Fitness myths are as common as old wives tales, and can have a detrimental effect on how well you’re able to reach and maintain your weight loss goal. Once we’ve heard the same mistruths time and again, we tend to accept them as correct, even though they may have a detrimental effect on health and weight reduction efforts. While some of this advice is harmless, it’s always best to defer to relevant information presented by researchers who have studied the effects that physical fitness has on fat metabolism and your health.

25% of Americans Are Now Obese

The fact that one quarter of all Americans are now obese is a staggering number, with dire health consequences for the next decade and beyond. Information published in The New York Times indicates that nearly 2.5 million more people fell into the obese category in the past two years, making this the largest and quickest increase on record.

Lack of Physical Activity to Blame

Two of the most controllable elements which drive weight loss are diet and exercise. With the power of mind and attitude, we’re able to control the amount and type of foods we eat through thoughtful planning, and can limit couch potato time by making the trade off for regular daily exercise. The key to successful weight loss is combining proper diet with the right type of physical activity. You’ll be able to maximize the effectiveness of your workout and weight reduction plan by sorting through the most common fitness myths.

Myth 1: Running is Better Than Walking

The fact is that a runner and a walker covering the same distance will burn about the same number of calories. The important thing to keep in mind is that you get out and move your body. Weight reduction is not a race, and losing weight at a slow pace (no more than 1 to 2 pounds per week) is the best way to allow your body to easily adjust, preventing your metabolism from stalling in an attempt to preserve body mass.

Myth 2: Exercising More Leads to Eating More

Research shows that exercise has no effect on a person’s hunger. Further, exercise has been shown to suppress appetite both during and after a workout. The problem is that many people let their mind take control, compelling them to eat more because they believe they need the extra calories to compensate for the activity. Use mind over matter to avoid taking in too many calories after a workout.

Myth 3: All Calories Are Created Equal

Technically, a calorie is a measurement of energy and all calories require the same amount of energy to burn. Our body is not a machine though, and metabolizes food based on its source, protein, fat or carbohydrate. Proteins are complex structures and take much more time and energy to break down. 

Carbohydrates, and especially refined carbs from sugary junk foods are broken down immediately, used for energy and the balance is converted to fat and stored on the hips and abdomen. Always include healthy protein from nuts, seeds, whey or lean meats after your workout to assist muscle building and avoid excess fat storage.

There appears to be no end in sight to our obesity epidemic, as more Americans join the ranks and threaten their health and longevity. Physical fitness is an essential tool which can assist weight loss and reduce the risk of many diseases. Fitness myths abound which will derail your from the true benefits of exercise, and can help you to reach your weight goal quickly and efficiently.

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Posted in: Diet and Nutrition,Exercise Benefits,Motivation,Obesity,weight loss

Tips to Permanent Weight Loss

(Article first published as Keep Lost Weight and Belly Fat Off for Good on Technorati.)

It’s been a lot of really hard work, but you’ve persevered and managed to lose weight and hit your target goal. You understand the importance of reducing belly fat to ward off heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer, and want your hard work to be for life. And yet the urge to eat a sugary donut or super sized fry makes you wonder how you’re going to be able to keep the weight off permanently.

Only 1 in 6 Can Maintain Weight Loss

Starting a new diet and watching the scale drop each week is exciting, and provides the initial enticement to keep up with your weight loss program. Once you reach your goal, the excitement fades and pressure from friends, family and the constant barrage of junk food marketers is enough to make you stray from a healthy lifestyle.

You’re not alone, as research from the Penn State College of Medicine finds that only 1 in 6 people who have been overweight or obese are able to maintain their weight loss for more than a year. Sustainable weight loss can be a very complicated process. In addition to following a reduced calorie diet with regular physical activity, it’s important to control confounding factors such as stress, mood and lifestyle changes which can cause the pounds to reappear.

Attitude is Key to Permanent Weight Loss

When excess weight is lost too quickly, our innate survival mechanism takes control of our subconscious mind in an attempt to replace stored fat, considered key to perpetuating the species. While we have no control over generations of genetic predisposition to resist lost body fat, we do have the power of mind and attitude which can help us overcome the urge to fall back into old habits. Nutritional experts have compiled important tips to help you keep the weight off for good.

Tip 1: Don’t Skip Meals

Skipping meals is the biggest mistake people make when trying to maintain lost weight. The thought is they’ll avoid the calories and maybe even drop a few more pounds. Our metabolism is quite sophisticated, and will force you to make up the difference and then some through between meal snacking. Plan to eat 3 to 5 small well balanced meals each day to keep your metabolism burning efficiently while reducing the opportunity for a calorie packed junk food splurge.

Tip 2: Weigh Yourself Weekly

Weigh yourself once a week on the same day and time, and keep track of the results in a journal. This creates an important awareness of your current weight and allows for adjustments if you have strayed from your program. Make adjustments accordingly to maintain a constant weight.

Tip 3: Eat a Variety of Foods

Your new diet is a lifestyle which you must be able to maintain permanently. By including healthy choices from all food groups, you provide your body with all the critical nutrients and reduce the likelihood you’ll want to binge between meals.

Tip 4: Physical Activity Every Day

Regular exercise must be a natural part of your new reduced weight lifestyle. If physical activity seems like a chore, you need to find something different. Remaining active throughout the day should be natural for most people after weight loss, and is critical to your permanent success.

Millions of people are on a weight reduction program at any given time, yet the sobering fact is the vast majority will pack the pounds back on in the near future. Genetics exerts a powerful influence over lost weight, ensuring our survival when food was scarce. We can overcome this evolutionary mechanism with a positive attitude and mindful approach to achieve permanent weight loss for life.

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Posted in: Belly Fat,Diet and Nutrition,Exercise Benefits,weight loss