Why Exercises Are Necessary For Good Health?

December 13, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Skinny Body

Nick Mutt asked:


Exercise is necessary for good health. It makes you active and alert in your day to day activities. Exercise promotes digestion, lightness of the body, sturdiness of the body, reduces fat in the body and increases capability to do work. It increases the tone of the muscles, balance of autonomic, voluntary and involuntary muscles, increases the metabolic rate. Exercise makes lungs to function properly and also the decrease of gastrointestinal accumulations.

Exercise makes the body to sweat, and indirectly the function of the kidney is reduced. It helps eliminate toxins out of the body. Daily exercise will increase hemoglobin and alkalinity of blood and total protein is increased and also red blood corpuscles. Exercise promotes the physical and mental strength and will power and self-control and thereby the entire development of body will take place.

Exercise increases resistance of the body. It also increases caloric value in the body. It plays prominent role in the treatment of depression. It increases the hormones of beta, endorphins which promote and regulate the mood. In diseases also some sort of physical exercise is advised. Doctors advocate a sort of mild exercise in arthritis. Even in accident cases and fracture of bones and paralysis of body some types of exercise are used.

Exercise should be done early in the morning on an empty stomach. As soon as you feel tired then it is better to stop it. Exercises must be done only to get refreshed and relaxed. First start exercise lightly and increase it gradually and slowly in stages, so that your body must be adjusted to the changes in the body environment.

Exercise must be regularly and systematically practiced. Yoga, walking, swimming, cycling, horse riding and tennis etc are also a type of exercises. Exercise makes the person to live long in health and happiness.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Get powerful herbal Fat Loss Supplements to lose weight naturally. Learn about Fat Loss Diet – diet plan that help you to get rid of excess weight. Checkout the most comprehensive health guide on Natural Fat Loss and discover the most efficient diet and workout programs to burn fat.



Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

November 23, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Appointment

Nick Mutt asked:


Massage therapy is no doubt an effective natural therapy that has tremendous healing properties. To get maximum benefit from this therapy you should know the principles of massage therapy and do’s and don’t while doing massage. Touch is both healing and comforting and what’s more you can enjoy the pleasure of it – both giving and receiving. Massage improves blood circulation; calms the nervous system; stimulates skin function; improves muscle tone and eases aches and pains in muscles and joints.

The basic principles of massage

Massage is a way of stroking the body, with variations in the length and depth of strokes. However, you should always direct firm strokes towards the heart, as this will be beneficial to the circulation.

Long flowing massage strokes with little pressure on the body are the most soothing and relaxing. This type of movement is called gentle, even pressure and is often used to start and finish a massage.

Patting or tapping the skin with your fingers quickly and slowly is stimulating and helps to increase blood flow. This is called tapotement. It is usually done on small areas such as the forehead, cheeks and neck.

Petrissage involves squeezing and releasing a muscle or part of a muscle group. A good example of this kind of movement is kneading dough. It is mostly done with both hands, particularly on the thighs and buttocks. Petrissage helps strengthen muscle fiber, remove waste products and ease fatigue.

There’s another type of massage movement called friction which creates just that. It involves rubbing the hands backwards and forwards across an area and is very warming and stimulating to the tissues.

Do’s and don’ts

Massage is a gentle healing art suitable for everyone from babies to the very elderly. Note the below points while doing massage -

Do not massage

• Any infected area

• A person who is feverish or has a raised temperature

• Over an area where varicose veins are present

• Over any unusual swelling or inflammation

• Bruised or broken skin

Before massaging do

• Check with the person about to be massaged whether any of the above apply

• Make sure the room is warm enough

• Warm your hands before massaging

Hope this article will help you to know the basic information about massaging in the right way!

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Read more about aromatherapy, ayurveda, yoga and massage therapy at Natural cures website. Read the benefits of herbal brain tonic, Brahmi to increase memory and concentration. Also know the benefits of anti-aging herb Amla.



Great Health Advice for a Chubby Babe

November 18, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Self Improvement

Francis Githinji asked:


A chubby **** is a girl who has a bit of weight on her. Being big is not just caused by overeating and lack of exercise. It is also caused by health problems as well as other complications. If you find yourself chubby, it is not time to **** the person you are. It is time to ask yourself what you can do to make your life better. There are very many things you can do to ensure you get back in shape. There are no new ways or hidden secrets, the road to getting fit will involve hard work, determination and commitment. Being big or overweight can land you in more problems than you can imagine. You are not only at risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes but, you might suffer from a poor image of yourself, it is therefore paramount to ensure that you keep in mind all you have to gain when you decide to loose the weight.

This is not to dismiss all the girls who are chubby; there are many ***** who are fit and healthy. Therefore, judge your case as an individual and, if you are at risk of the things I have mentioned above, it is better to plan for weight lose. A chubby **** can loose the weight and get the figure she has been yearning for with the right weight loss plan. There has been talk about the simplest way to get in shape. Do not be ignorant, keep in mind there are no quick fixes and if there are, they are not worth your sweat because they are not good enough. Therefore, look for a plan that sounds realistic to you. First, you have to consider what you take in. The saying, you are what you eat could not be more true. Do not sleep with chocolate bars and expect to be in shape. Employ moderation and know the right stuff for your body. We have so much information that we do not use. Therefore, the lesson that fruits and vegetables are good for you will not be repeated forever. You either decide to follow what is good or you do not. When you decide to eat more vitamins and whole meal foods, you will not only improve your metabolism but, you will feel better.

Junk food never goes well in your system if you take it exclusively. This is enough to show you what your body needs. Every chubby **** needs to heed to this advice. The following are some of the things that a chubby **** can do to loose the extra weight. Little things like chewing slowly go a very long way. There are many girls who do not savor their food. You need to let it stay longer in the mouth for proper digestion. Have a habit of drinking plenty of water which is clean. This way, your cells will be replenished and cleansed. If you find yourself in a restaurant, order something healthy. Sometimes, the healthy stuff never seems to taste as great but, this is just a poor attitude. Engage in routine exercise so that you can burn the extra fat. Being active will also help you digest the food you have eaten better. With the above pointers, you will no longer be a chubby **** again.



Side Effects Of Spirulina

November 11, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Supplements And Vitamins

Health Advice Online asked:


Spirulina is a totally natural product and will not normally cause any problems to the body. Even if too much is taken, there will be no harm to the body, but doing this is a waste.

Spirulina is known to be relatively safe even in high doses and without side effects. Research is somewhat scarce and some adverse effects could manifest depending on dosage, quality and personal biochemistry. Scientists say up to 50 grams spirulina per day could be safe, but the recommended dosage usually varies between 1 to 8 grams per day depending on quality.

When starting with spirulina supplementation you might experience what is perceived as spirulina side effects due to natural processes spirulina may trigger, like detoxification of the body or the enzymatic and probiotic effect on the digestive system. Results can be experienced as passing “side effects”. These so called spirulina “side effects” are a healthy sign that spirulina is doing your organism good. However, if you are an insulin dependent diabetic or type 2 diabetic you should consider consulting your physician before taking spirulina. The same goes for anyone who might be predisposed to gout (also known as podagra or uric acid arthropathy).

However some people may experience some of the following symptoms after taking Spirulina;

1. Slight fever due to the body’s need to burn the extra protein from Spirulina

2. Slight dizziness. If this occurs, take less of the product. If the symptom does not improve please stop taking Spirulina

3. Thirst and constipation. After taking a high volume of Spirulina we recommend at least an extra 1/2 litre of water per day to help our body absorb the Spirulina

4. Stomach ache

5. Skin itch or slight body rash

This can be normal since the body needs to burn extra protein found in spirulina. When taking spirulina, you should increase your water intake. At least half a liter should be taken for the body to absorb the spirulina herb well.

High-quality spirulina is considered relatively safe and even recommended during pregnancy. Although animal studies are promising, no human research has looked into possible side effects during pregnancy, consulting your physician is always advisable.

Look for well established and trusted brands that provide you with relevant information about production, quality and safety to avoid spirulina side effects. Keep in mind that you might experience some passing “side effects” from spirulina as it takes effect on your organism. A healthy detoxification process could be perceived as a “side effect”, but usually passes within two weeks.



Nutritional Supplements Enhance Health And Wellness

October 27, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Health

James Brown asked:


Since there are so many nutritional supplements on store shelves around the country, many consumers are turning to pharmacy technicians for advice on which nutritional supplements will provide the best benefits for the active lifestyle that most people lead. A store pharmacy has access to all the pertinent data for nutritional supplements and a pharmacy technician can explain the benefits of every ingredient in a pill, powder, or liquid nutritional supplement solution.

This information will be very beneficial to consumers who take nutritional supplements to enhance their quality of life. Some heart patients use nutritional supplements to improve blood circulation, and to clean the circulatory system of all impurities. The health advice of a local pharmacist will prove crucial because the information could keep the heart patient alive because they take these supplements along with heart medications that are designed to sustain life.

Some people want to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients into their bodies while they are dieting. Some nutritional supplements offered in powder form are designed to replace meals. Some dieters will use these nutritional supplement powders to reduce the number of calories in a diet plan and will know from the label on the nutritional supplement container exactly which vitamins and minerals they are getting for the money they spend.

Athletes might find nutritional benefits from a nutrition regimen that uses energy bars and drinks to sustain energy levels during all types of physical activity. A professional athlete must be careful about the nutritional supplements that are consumed because some additives could disqualify the athlete from competing in meets. Again, the product label will serve as a point of reference for every vitamin and mineral that is introduced into the body and the mixing agents that are used.

Bodybuilders use a variety of nutritional supplements during the year to achieve various goals. The health and wellness goals that are maintained through the use of nutritional supplements will be very important to bodybuilding champions. They know that judges will scrutinize every muscle in the body many times during the year and unhealthy eating habits will be very evident under the bright lights on the exhibition stage.

Some bodybuilding competitors might score fewer points than normal because their muscle tone will be under-defined and less impressive as those competitors who ate a diet low in fat and supplemented that diet with vitamins and fiber. The ability to hold a pose might decrease because the energy levels in the body would have been depleted by the abstinence of eating a week before a week. If that same athlete had followed a good nutritional program, then energy levels would not have been affected.

People that lead busy lives can still find time to eat healthy and maintain wellness throughout the year. Nutritional supplements come in many forms and people can store nutritional meals in the form of a candy bar in the glove box of the car and eat when they are hungry and not just because they passed a fast food restaurant on the way to see a client. People that use nutritional supplements each day will find that they accomplish more each day. This is because the therapeutic qualities from the vitamins and minerals in one simple pill have improved the quality of life and have increased the amount of energy they have to draw on each day.



Aromatherapy and Health Benefits – the Natural Healing Power

October 14, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Medical Information

Nick Mutt asked:


Aromatherapy is a complimentary therapy that helps to restore the body and mind to a balanced, healthy state, using healing essences extracted from plants, shrubs and trees.

In aromatherapy these essences are usually applied to the body by way of a gentle massage, although they can be used effectively in many other ways. Apart from their healing powers, these aromatherapy plant essences exude powerful scents which have an effect on the memory and sensory nerves. As a result, aromatherapy treats the whole person, both mind and body. It is a very helpful way of treating the stress-related problems that many of us seem to suffer now that our lives have become so pressured.

Health benefits of aromatherapy –

Aromatherapy helps us to keep healthy by improving the circulation, soothing the nervous system, reducing waste products and lessening the effects of stress. It can to help chronic conditions such as migraine, eczema, rheumatism and sinus problems, offering more relief to some sufferers than others. Obviously, there are acute conditions which you wouldn’t treat with aromatherapy, such as heart attacks and appendicitis.

Aromatherapy oils which are safe to use if used with care are – benzoin, bergamot, black peeper, clary sage, camomile, sweet funnel, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, ginger, marjoram, geranium, eucalyptus, grapefruit, tea tree, lemongrass.

Four common aromatherapy oils –

Lavender – Lavender is one of the most versatile aromatherapy oils of all and is even safe to use neat on the skin. It helps all sorts of problems, from burns to headaches, is great for relieving tension and is naturally antiseptic and soothing.

Eucalyptus – This is very helpful oil for all respiratory problems – coughs, colds, catarrh and flu. If used in a vaporizer or burner it keeps germs at bay, so can protect other members of your family from common viruses.

Camomile – This is calming, soothing oil. It is helpful for itchy rashes and dry skin conditions, and because it is sedative, it is useful for encouraging sleep and relaxation.

Tea tree – This is a fantastic antiseptic and anti-fungal treatment. Use it to clean up cuts and grazes and to treat such irritating problems as thrush and athlete’s foot.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Read more about aromatherapy, ayurveda, yoga and massage therapy at Natural cures website – a health guide to make you and your family live better, fit and healthy. Also read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.



Good Health Habits to Stay Healthy

September 18, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Fitness

medical_staff_clJuliet Cohen asked:

Health Habits is a important parts of growing up. Many god habits icrising your growth. There are an infinite number of positive acts you can take for your well-being. One can get good health by setting basic rules in life. Eating is an essential and important part of life. One can get good health by setting basic rules in life and thereafter following them for a long duration.. After all, food gives us the calories and nutrients we need to survive and it also provides us with the energy we need to go about our daily business. Healthy eating helps to provide your body with all of the essential nutrients that it requires to function. And, though we often forget to think about it, the food we eat has a direct impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health. For these reasons (and many more!) it is important that healthy eating becomes a vital part of our daily lifestyle. But what exactly is healthy eating? Here are some of the basics that can help get you started on the path to healthy eating.Take breakfast every morning enriched with vitamins and minerals and avoid fat and cholesterol rich food. Develop any kind of hobby according to your interest to enjoy and live longer. Protect your skin from damages using protective clothing and avoiding hot sun. Take variety of fruits and vegetables in daily diet. A holiday that gives you more than just happiness, also a legacy of good health. You try to make these simple changes in to a regular habit in order to achieve long term success. It is very important to improve your health in order to be happy and enjoy life.

Good health is of prime importance to all of us. Stay home if you have a respiratory infection when possible.Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Avoid contact with people who are sick. Cover your mouth with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing and encourage others to do so. Wash your hands after disposing of the tissue paper. Positive thinking is very essential in order to be healthy. You need to clear out your mind and fill it with positive thoughts. You will have to remove all the depressing and negative emotions and thoughts from your mind and replace it with healthy and positive thoughts. These positive thoughts can be extremely energizing and always lead to good things in life. You can get involved in practices such as meditation and yoga to get rid of the negativity and force yourself with positive thoughts. Try to avoid refined foodstuffs. The main reason for ill health and diseases is improper food habits. Because of this many people suffer from diseases like diabetes, cancer, obesity ect. Try to avoid smoking and alcoholic drinks. For good health, you need to exercise daily. Exercising in the morning can leave you with a refreshed feeling throughout the day. Exercising can put you in a good mood and it will be easier for you to think positively and eat healthy foods. You can also get involved in activities such as swimming, biking, walking or playing your favorite sport in order to keep you healthy.

Tips of Good Health Habits

1. Start your day with a healthy breakfast- People who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later in the day and are less inclined to pack on the pounds. Children who eat breakfast have the tendency to perform better in school, and adults, better at work.

2. Drink lots of water throughout the day, the more the better. A good amount to aim for is at least four to six 8-ounce glasses per day. In fact drinking a glass of water when you first get out of bed in the morning is an excellent way to get a jumpstart on your day.

3. Variety is the spice of life- Get into a habit of eating a variety of different foods with your meals, just make sure that at least five servings are fruits and vegetables.

4. Eat plenty of lean, high protein foods in your daily diet such as lean meat, fish, chicken and beans. Stay away from salted and processed meats. Also eat grains, whether they be in the form of wholegrain cereal, breads etc. Grains provide the body with fiber, iron and B vitamins and are therefore a necessity.

5. Milk is more than just delicious, it is very good for you.

6. Some foods, such as potatoes and cheese often get a bad rap as being extremely fattening. Perhaps it is a reputation they do not deserve because “everything in moderation” is a good rule of thumb to live by.

7. Beware of excessive intakes of caffeine. Avoid coffee, soft drinks and chocolate. It can cause dehydration.

8. Take vitamins on a regular basis.

9. Adopting the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle-Vegetarians, and vegans even more so, need to supplement their diets with vitamins to replace what they no longer receive from specific kinds of foods.

10. Dieting can be dangerous.

Diabetes Mellitus – Invitation to Several Health Problems

July 3, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Diseases And Conditions

Checking_Blood_Sugar
Nick Mutt asked:

In diabetes mellitus, the glucose level in the urine and blood is high. A high level of blood sugar is due to deficiency of insulin, the hormone that facilitates the entry of glucose in body cells. This occurs when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or due to antibodies that are formed in the blood which interfere with the normal functioning of the insulin. In either case, there is a high level of glucose in the blood.

Diabetes generally appears as polyuria (frequent urination) and polydipsia (increased thirst). It is always essential to check for diabetes if a person is suffering from any ailment and is not recovering fast; particularly those approaching 40 should and must check for diabetes every year.

1. Diabetes may cause itching of ***** in women and inflammation of the glans ***** in men.

2. You may lose weight inspite of normal or increased appetite.

3. You may have a variety of infections like tuberculosis, infection of kidney (pyelonephritis).

4. You may have retinal detachment or even loss of vision, may develop infection in the feet which may turn into gangrene and require amputation if the disease is not checked in early stage.

5. You may have aches or pain in the body, weakness, a boil or carbuncle of skin which does not heal rapidly.

6. There is an increase in still births of pregnant women in a diabetic condition. The child born could be heavy (over 10 lbs. at birth).

7. Diabetes can complicate arthritis.

8. It may cause amenorrhea (stopped periods).

If you have a high glucose level in the urine and blood, the most important thing to do is to control the diet. Cut down sugar completely, this will bring down the sugar level to some extent, increase physical activity, do walking, jogging, exercises and if sugar is still high then probably you will need some medicine for the time being, but if you supplement the effort with controlled diet and increased exercise you can gradually cut down medicine and be able to completely stop it in most cases.

Manage you diabetes for a healthier life!

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Are you looking for some Home remedies for obesity? Know effective Home remedies for migraine. Read useful Home remedies for stretch marks for clear skin.

Top 10 Health Tips For Easy Weight Loss

June 2, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Fitness

fruitsbig1Tracie Johanson asked:

At any given moment, millions of people in this country are on a diet. From Weight Watchers to the South Beach Diet to the newest diet pill, folks are trying anything and everything in an effort to write their own weight loss success story. Unfortunately for those seeking fast weight loss, the vast majority of weight loss programs on the market today simply do not work.

Diet plans and diet products that offer quick weight loss without exercise are especially prone to failure. “In fact, nearly 95 percent of those who go on low calorie diets regain their lost weight, plus some, within five years. Not a resounding endorsement for low calorie dieting” (Source: Performance Press; April 2006).

That’s not to say that all the weight loss tips and diet tips are without merit, however. Tips on losing weight can have a powerful effect when they’re combined with regular exercise. That’s why we’ve created this list of the top 10 health tips for easy weight loss.

Is weight loss easy? Not usually, and the reason is that most people try to make huge changes all at once. Pumped up with commitment and willpower, they jump into the latest weight loss product or diet program with both feet. They make too many changes in too short a time period. Drastic lifestyle modifications are rarely sustainable, and all too often lead to failure. If you’ve been living on junk food for years, trying to switch to a healthy diet overnight will only make you feel frustrated and deprived.

A much better approach is to make small changes that you can stick with for life. So check out the sound advice you’ll find in our top ten list, and you’ll get the weight loss information you need for success.

** 1) Our first bit of health advice is to skip the super size option. In this tip we’ve assumed that you visit McDonald’s once per week. That may a low average for some of you, so keep in mind that if you’re eating fast food more than once per week the results you’ll achieve by following this tip will be even greater than the example shows. We’re not asking you to give up fast food completely (small, sustainable changes, remember?). Instead, we’re asking you to say no to the SuperSize portion. Just by ordering a ‘regular’ McDonald’s meal instead of the SuperSize option, you will lose almost 6 pounds of fat this year! Want even more good news? This example only factors in the french fries. Add in the calorie savings you’ll get by drinking a regular soda vs. a SuperSize soda and the results are truly amazing.

** 2) The second recommendation in this fitness advice guide is to eat 5 – 6 smaller meals per day. “Eating small meals causes a lower blood sugar response than large meals. A high blood sugar response provides you with quick energy, but it is associated with a large insulin release that tends to cause a blood sugar ‘crash’ soon thereafter. Many small meals taken throughout the day will normalize blood sugar and insulin levels, providing a sustained and consistent energy supply to the cells. A meal every three hours or so is recommended.” (source: Fitness, The Complete Guide; 2001; page 8.4)

A note of caution here, however: This health tip does not mean that you eat 6 big meals per day. Instead, you should take the amount of food you’d normally consume and spread it out over six meals instead of the usual three. For someone on a 2,000 calorie per day diet, that would translate into 333 calories per meal x 6 meals.

** 3) The next tidbit of expert advice is to know the numbers. Everyone on a weight loss plan should know, at a minimum, how many calories they should be consuming every day. This number is known as your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), also commonly referred to as the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) or simply the Burn Rate. Although your doctor can help you calculate your BMR most accurately, there are some resources that can assist you in estimating your number.

Your BMR is your ‘calorie target’, assuming that you wish to maintain your current size and weight. For the best fat loss results, cut calorie consumption moderately…..say, 500 below your caloric target.

If you’re seeking fat loss, then it’s important to also understand that body fat percentage is one of the most important measurements of fitness. All the medical advice agrees that reaching your ideal body weight is best achieved through permanent fat loss (as opposed to muscle loss). With this in mind, this health tip for easy weight loss is to know your BMR and your body fat percentage, along with the corresponding goals.

** 4) It’s good advice to know the difference between cheat food and junk food. Cheat foods are those foods that don’t belong in your everyday diet, but still have some redeeming qualities. Junk foods are those foods that don’t belong in your diet at all, ever.

This tip is really a critical one: Understand the difference between ‘cheat’ foods and ‘junk’ foods. Cheat foods have some nutritional value, so although we shouldn’t eat them every day it’s not the end of the world if we enjoy them from time to time. Junk foods, on the other hand, give us absolutely no benefit whatsoever. Again, we want you to make small changes that you can stick with for life. You don’t have to give up the occasional ‘cheat food’ treat – just try to eliminate all the ‘junk food’.

For example, compare a slice of Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza with a Hershey’s chocolate bar. Neither are what you’d consider healthy, and both have roughly the same number of calories. But with the pizza, at least you’re getting some nutritional value because that delicious slice contains 11 grams of protein compared to just 3 grams in the candy bar. Cheat foods are not health foods, but at least they’re not junk foods. Choose wisely.

** 5) When you’re trying to lose weight fast, some sound advice is to chart your progress. What gets measured gets done, so charting your fat loss progress is a simple step that will help you get motivated and stay motivated. Create a chart for each challenge you face, whether it be working out or dietary habits. The important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong way to chart your progress – what works for you may not work for anyone else. So come up with your own system, create a tracking chart, and post it where you will see it several times each day.

** 6) Do not decrease your caloric intake far below what is required of your BMR, or you risk forcing your body into starvation mode. “Do not under-eat by too much. If you consistently eat way too little, your body will start to think it’s in a starvation state and for the initial period, weight loss and fat loss may become harder than anticipated. After a while of severe underfeeding, instead of preferentially burning fat for energy, your hard-earned muscle will be burned for energy” (source: Fitness Rx; February 2004; page 93). So if healthy weight loss is your goal, and you only want to burn fat while you preserve your valuable muscle, then take great care to not starve yourself.

** 7) Don’t shop when you’re hungry. Shopping when you’re hungry is asking for double-trouble, and eliminating this bad habit will help you lose fat by removing temptation from your home. Shopping while full greatly reduces your chances of impulsively buying sweets and treats. This allows you to shop with your brain and not your stomach. Skipping all the extra fattening foods will make one thing fatter, however…..your wallet.

** 8) Take (at least) 20 minutes to eat. Once you start eating, it takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain that you’re full. The problem is, many of us eat so quickly that by the time our stomach has had the chance to send that message we’ve already put down more calories than we needed.

Here are a few ways to solve this problem: a) Drink a large (8 or 12 oz.) glass of water 20 minutes before each meal. b) Physically put your fork down between each bite. c) Enjoy your family. Have a discussion that stretches out the length of the meal. d) Serve the meal in courses, starting with a large salad.

** 9) Have a treat once a week. If you deprive yourself of all treats, then you’re just setting yourself up for failure. “Being too stringent on a diet can beget a downfall. To prevent this, once a week, for one meal, have your favorite foods” (source: Fitness Rx; February 2004; page 96).

One of the major reasons people fail in their fat loss efforts is that they adopt the all-or-none mentality. When the attempts to stay away from all treats fail, it’s easy to think ‘Oh well, I’ve already blown my diet. Might as well eat another slice’. Planning a weekly treat will help curb those cravings, making a binge less likely.

** 10) Be inefficient. Make extra work for yourself. Take two trips to bring in all the groceries from the car, even if you can do it in one. When running errands, park as far away from each business as possible. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, even if you’re carrying something. In short, be inefficient. “Being inefficient in this way can easily double your activity level and you’ll be burning calories without even trying” (source: Fitness Rx; February 2004; page 96).

Remember that walking burns about 108 calories in 30 minutes. Small walks count too. Even if you don’t have time to walk 30 minutes in one session each day, shorter walks that add up to 30 minutes will still burn that same 108 calories.

If you’re looking for the best weight loss program available, give these health tips a try. With a little effort, you may just put that weight issue to rest once and for all.