Obesity, No

Obesity still remains one of the commonest avoidable causes of several disease conditions. Most often than not, it is a result of the wrong habits or lifestyles.

Obesity is a case that cut across race, color and gender. Obesity has several facets, it is closely associated with several ailments, the most alarming being hypertension, diabetes and most fatal is the psychological effects it could have on its victims. Teenagers commit suicide today because of obesity.

DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION
A close relationship exists between hypertension and obesity. In fact it is believed that most hypertensive are more than 10% overweight. Fat accumulation in the trunk or abdomen is not only related to hypertension but also to diabetes and excess fat in the body. Obesity can contribute to hypertension in several ways. For one thing, obesity leads to a greater output of blood, because the heart has to pump more blood to supply the excess tissues. The increased cardiac output then can raise the blood pressure. For another thing, obese hypertensive individuals have a greater stiffness (resistance) in the peripheral arteries throughout the body. Finally, obesity may be associated with a tendency for the kidneys to retain salt in the body. Weight loss may help reverse problems related to obesity while also lowering blood pressure.

OBESITY AND DIABETES
It is estimated that three quarter (¾) of all Type II diabetes patient are obese. Indolent and affluent lifestyles tend to contribute to this. It is believed that a 10kg loss of weight can reduce fasting blood sugar level by almost 50md/dl. An active lifestyle with frequent exercise is also known to increase Insulin sensitivity.

WATCH YOUR WEIGHT
The International standard for measuring overweight and obesity is based on a value called BODY MASS INDEX (BMI). This value is derived by dividing the body weight (in Kilograms) by the square of height (in Meters).
I.e. BMI = Body weight (Kg)/Height2 (Meters). 
Note: 1ft = 0.305metres.
For adults, a BMI less than 25kg/m2 is preferred
25 – 29kg/m2 is considered overweight and above 30kg/m2 is Obesity.

BE CAREFUL
Sedentary normal individuals have a higher tendency of becoming obese when compared to very active individuals. Exercise burn out unnecessary body fat, lowers blood pressure and increases the body’s use of glucose, example dynamic exercises such as brisk walking or jogging, swimming or bicycle ridding for 30 – 45mins daily or 3-5times a week may lower blood pressure by as much as 5 – 15mmHg. Normally, particularly type of exercise is started, and gradually built up to a satisfactory level over time. Regular exercise reduces blood pressure, burn out unnecessarily fat and also makes the body healthier.

Apart from the sedentary lifestyles developed by so many today, that has caused this tremendous rise in the obese population, and another problem we face today is the food we eat. There are so many fast food joints out there, that it is almost impossible to ignore them. Not even with the busy schedules you and I run nowadays. We want the fastest things we can get around. See where that has lead us.

It is quite imperative to be careful and watchful of what we eat. It’s quite easier to avoid eating the wrong set of food than to stop eating when the consequences arise.

Although, there is some bit of hereditary attached to obesity in some instances, eat the right food, live an active life and you will glad you did.

Know Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating Tips For Losing Weight

Making small changes in the way you eat can help you shed unwanted pounds and lead to long term success in managing your weight. Try to incorporate the following healthy eating tips into your day and you will be amazed at what a difference these small changes can make in helping you achieve your weight loss goals.

1. Portion control is a highly effective way for you to control the calories you consume while still being able to enjoy the foods you love. Enjoying the foods you love in healthy portions and in moderation prevents feelings of deprivations. When you do not feel deprived, you can stick to your healthy eating plans for the long term.

2. Do not skip meals to try to lose weight. All this does is slow your metabolism and could lead to you consuming more calories at your next meal because you are so hungry by then. Instead focus on eating smaller meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism going all day long.

3. Do not consume too few calories. Your body becomes more efficient at surviving at the lower calorie intake making it even harder for you to lose weight.

4. Do not be afraid of having some fat in your diet. Your body needs some fat daily and it will help you feel fuller longer. Instead, switch to reduced fat products such as reduced fat dairy products and use healthy fats in cooking such as olive oil. Also check the nutrition label of fat free foods. Sometimes you find they have increased the sugar content to make up for the fat.

5. Do not be afraid of carbohydrates. You need a balanced diet for proper nutrition. If you eliminate an entire food group you also remove essential nutrients from your diet. You give yourself the highest chances of success when you do not cut out total food groups. Instead switch to healthier carbohydrate options such as whole grains and high fiber choices.

6. Do not restrict yourself to only eating at certain times of the day. Eating a healthy snack at 10:00 p.m. if you really need one is better than mindlessly snacking on empty calories at 4:00 p.m. The quality and quantity of the food you are eating in addition to how active you are throughout the day are much more important.

7. Track the food you are eating each day in a journal. Research has shown that the people who write down everything they eat have more success at weight loss than people who do not. The act of monitoring your food intake helps you to become more aware of the food choices you are making.

Your beliefs prevent you

Do Your Beliefs Prevent You From Losing Weight ?

Making healthy choices and becoming more active are important when starting a weight loss program and trying to improve your health and fitness. However, your beliefs are just as important because this is what actually determines what actions you are going to take. If you are trying to lose weight, it will be helpful for you to examine the beliefs that may have made it difficult for you lose weight. The following four factors are commonly held beliefs that many people have. Take a moment to think about what you feel has contributed to your current weight and fitness challenges.

Genetics– Do you feel you have inherited your weight problems from your genes? Do you have overweight family members and feel you might be doomed to the same fate? Has this belief caused you to give up or have feelings of helplessness when it comes to your weight?

Environment – Do you feel your challenges are caused by your lifestyle or environment such as working hours, family priorities or frequent exposure to unhealthy food choices? Do you feel that your hectic lifestyle prevents you from making healthy food choices or finding time to exercise? Has this belief caused you to feel like you have no control over your environment and the challenges it presents?

Knowledge – Do you feel you just don’t have the right information and are unsure of what you should be doing to lose weight? The magazines say one thing, the television tells you another and you just don't know what to do? Do you feel so confused about what a healthy diet is and how to achieve an active lifestyle that you it prevents you from reaching your goals?

Motivation – Do you have trouble getting motivated to reach your weight loss goals? Have certain past actions and experiences affected your motivation? For example, feeling pessimistic about your ability to lose weight because of past failed attempts? Do you have defeated thoughts that your situation will never change and you will always struggle with your weight?

The good news is that besides your genes, you have total control over changing your beliefs and taking action to achieve your weight loss goals. Changing your beliefs allows you to change your behavior to address your weight and fitness and challenges. You cannot control what natural traits you were born with but you can control what you eat and the activity you do. If you can start to believe in your ability to change the things that are clearly within your control, you can succeed in managing your weight and improving your fitness level. Make a commitment today, believe in yourself and you will get there !

Scientific Facts - Fat Loss

The Scientific Facts About Fat Loss

# The fat loss workout exercises you read about in muscle mags from the 80's and 90's are based on out-of-date exercise science and nutrition information.

# Exercise science has advanced by leaps and bounds just in the last two decades. The latest fat loss research, which Turbulence Training is based on, allows you to lose more fat while keeping your hard-earned muscle, and doing so with less time working out than ever before.

# Fat loss programs that require you to do endless hours of long, slow, boring cardio exercises will rarely help you achieve your fat loss goals and may lead to over use injuries.

# You need to use more advanced, modern training methods, such as Turbulence Training Intervals, to help you burn more calories in and out of the gym. With Turbulence Training cardio exercise, you will skyrocket your post-workout metabolism allowing you to burn almost twice as many calories as you would with traditional cardio workouts.

# Traditional fat burning exercise programs typically don't even mention strength training muscle exercise in their instructions, because most trainers and clients don't understand how resistance training will help fat loss. Even if your fat loss program does recommend strength training, it's likely that you've been told to use the ineffective and outdated method of high reps and low weight (which does NOT burn fat!).

# If you want to maximize your metabolism, and get defined arms, abs, and legs, then you must include strength training in your fat loss workout exercises. High intensity strength training muscle exercise with the Turbulence Training system helps protect your lean muscle mass, which you are almost certain to lose on traditional diet and exercise programs

These are the facts. The research simply does not lie. The way you are currently training is probably not only getting you less than satisfactory results, but may actually be causing overuse injuries, or even catabolic muscle loss.