The Beauty Denominator

Losing the slightest amount of weight is tough. Losing ten pounds is even tougher. If you are not careful enough, the lost weight will come back to haunt you plus some. Remember that gaining weight is a lot easier than losing weight for almost everybody. Aside from those who are blessed with good genes allowing them not to gain any weight no matter how much they eat, but for the rest of us we find it hard to lose even a single pound without putting forth effort. That is why knowing the reasons why it is hard to lose 10 pounds or less is important.

Physical Problems

Many people don’t realize that they can easily gain weight due to some underlying conditions. There are plenty of medical conditions that can contribute to weight gain. Some of these include pituitary disorders, blood sugar imbalance, and a relatively low thyroid hormone.

Malfunctions in the adrenal gland can also cause some people to gain weight faster. Liver and kidney disease can also become a factor. Even drugs that are used to cure such diseases can also cause some people to gain weight especially if the drugs have a fluid retention side-effect. That is why it’s important to go to a doctor first before even deciding to lose weight in order to properly assess the right course of action.

High Levels of Stress

The popular Yo-Yo dieting, which has been a trend to most celebrities nowadays, is mostly caused by huge levels of stress. Stress can affect the weight of a person; either losing or gaining weight can be caused by stress. The body can also cause stress by producing stress hormones, like epinephrine and cortisol in huge amounts.

These two hormones can cause the abdomen to store more fats than usual. Avoiding the production of these stress-inducing hormones must be dealt with externally through avoiding stressors whether from work or at home. Finding relaxing activities can also help the body eliminate stress.

Body’s Toxicity Levels

If the body absorbs too much toxins, it will need those extra pounds to dilute them. This is why it is important to opt for organic foods. Not only are they healthier but contain fewer toxins from chemicals. Conventional methods of farming require chemicals to fight against pests attracted to produce. Spraying pesticides is a normal ritual when growing crops. However, this practice causes health problem, which can contribute to weight gain or inability to lose weight.

Addictions to Food and Beverage

Let’s face it, all of us love food. However, the excessive love for food and beverage obviously causes weight gain and obesity. Furthermore, addiction to drugs especially narcotics can cause the imbalances to your weight. Some chemicals like those from marijuana can cause the body to crave for more food than usual.

Alcohol addiction can also cause weight gain due to the alcohol’s ability to dehydrate the body. This would result in an increase need to eat and drink. Aside from those, excessive use of sugar on food and drinks can cause the body to gain weight faster. Depending on such unhealthy habits is one of the major reasons why it is hard to lose 10 pounds or even less.

There is so much diet information to be found everywhere we look, but we always repeat the same mistakes over and over. I have been guilty of the all or nothing diet through the years which means throwing everything out that tempts me and my intentions have always been good and I might stick with it for a few weeks then I start feeling deprived and have something that isn’t on my diet.

I then think what the heck, why bother then get back into my old routine and put the weight right back on, but after being a yo-yo dieter for many years I realized I didn’t have to deprive myself, I simply needed to learn to eat smaller portions of whatever I wanted. Then I didn’t have to feel guilty and throw in the towel.

Yo-yo dieters lose weight and then each time they add it back plus some and that’s no fun. I have often over the years tried to starve myself and there has to be a reconditioning of the way you think if your this type of dieter. You have to learn to take baby steps and take it slow and steady and change the way you think to keep that weight off permanently.

You don’t have to deprive your self of anything just smaller portions. I’m sure everyone has watched the diet programs on TV, The Biggest Loser and the celebrity fitness one so we all know by now that you have to set a realistic achievable goal like two pounds a week for several weeks and then maybe a pound a week after that.

Of course some weeks you’ll probably lose more and some you may even gain, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up. All programs suggest that you track your progress on a graph and that way you will see that ups and downs are natural and you can continue on toward your ideal weight goal, but taking it off fast isn’t the answer, the slower you lose it the longer it will stay off and that’s what we want.

Some women find that they gain weight around the menopause years and are advised to eat a healthy, low fat diet with plenty of fiber and avoid sugar. ( I love the cocktail hour so I have a problem with that one) and exercise regularly. As we get older usually the physical activity levels drop also. I have noticed that more so over the past 4 years and I simply can’t do what I use to.

There is no magic way to take off the pounds we manage to put on, but many people are using Alli or orlistat which is a fat blocker and it’s an over-the-counter drug, you can also get it in prescription form known as Xenical, but there are side effects which center around digestive and bowel problems and it should be used with a low fat diet plan under a doctors supervision.

The FDA does back it, but I’d check with my doctor before using it to make sure it would be right for you. He can explain all side effects and what to expect, but there has been some good results reported with this pill. You can read more about this product at their web site just do a search for Alli.

Remember the movie “Honey I Shrank The Kids” well now you have the opportunity to shrink yourself. I’m not talking about down to a miniature height, but by finding out what your hunger switch is, by that I mean what is the emotional turmoil that triggers your over eating.

I just did an interactive session at www.ShrinkYourself.com that was free to do and it was pretty cool. I have always known why I gain weight and it’s not food it’s overindulging from the cocktail hour, but I wanted to check this out and I can see how someone could benefit from a program like this.

We over eat for many different reasons and if you don’t know what is causing all the snacking and comfort foods then maybe it’s time to take a look at your emotional state at the times it occurs and find out how we can recondition the mind to react in a more positive way that will satisfy that hunger that we think we have to fill with food.

I like this approach to controlling our weight by understanding the emotions that are behind the cycle that triggers the need to eat. By understanding what the switch is we can work toward changing how we react and that is a positive step towards helping yourself instead of feeling worse because we feel like we failed for eating something that was forbidden on our diet. I actually hate that four letter word.

Every time we turn around someone is talking about a new diet and how obese Americans are compared to the rest of the world. Well, it’s true and it has become a big health issue for us and the expectancy from the beauty and fashion industry has made us all so desperate to lose those extra pounds that we try any fad diet that comes along. I’ve been looking into Hoodia lately and I’d be interested to know if any of you have tried it.

With all the media and hype in the world how do we know what will really work for us? It can be very frustrating when something works for some, but when you try it you can’t see any benefits for yourself. Of course we didn’t put all that weight on over night, but we expect it to come off that way and when it doesn’t we get discouraged.

I know I feel better when I’m thinner, but if I’m comfortable with myself and my health isn’t suffering then I don’t push the issue. I haven’t watched that new series with Carson Kressley about how to look good naked, but I think it’s a great idea that we learn how to be comfortable in the skin we’re in and go from there. I don’t hate my body, but I have never been comfortable looking at it or having others look at it.

Even when I was young before having my son I was still very modest in that respect. I wouldn’t change clothes in front of anyone, not even in gym class. I’m not saying I didn’t wear revealing clothes because I did, but that was different from actually being nude in front of someone, where’s the mystery in that? I’m not a prude and it doesn’t bother me to see nudity, just not mine.

I have been reading a lot about Hoodia lately because when I decide I want to try something to lose those extra pounds I want to be sure it is going to be safe and apparently the Hoodia diet supplement was introduced to Americans in 2004 and has been featured on BBC, The Today Show, Oprah, and also 60 minutes.

It comes from a plant and Hoodia is a genus consisting of 13 species of plants that is found in Southern Africa. Hoodia Gordinni is used for weight loss and it’s manufactured into diet pills and supplements. It works by naturally suppressing a dieter’s appetite. By eating less there are fewer fats to burn.

It also helps to reduce your calorie intake in a much more comfortable way and you don’t have to follow a strict regimen. It’s suitable for individuals who don’t have time to prepare portions sized meals. Dieter’s don’t have to restrain themselves from eating the food that they want which would later lead to a food binge.

After taking the supplement the dieter would feel full the rest of the day and you wouldn’t be thinking about food at all once the pill takes effect. It helps to control cravings like when we want those midnight snacks which we all know are harder to burn. When your not constantly focusing on food then it’s much easier to loose weight.

Hoodia not only comes in the pill form, but also patches, powder, and liquid and you should make sure that the supplements contain 100% Hoodia. Since it has become famous in the market there are a lot of cheap imitations circulating on the internet. Make sure that the manufacturer has a C.I.T.E.S certificate and an Analytical report. This will guarantee what you are purchasing the original product.

Before starting any diets or detoxification of toxins from your body you should always check with your Dr or a nutritionist. Most people are on some type of diet all the time and have tried many ways to shed those excess pounds and we are told that by learning to eat healthy and exercise a few times a week we will live a longer and happier life which is no doubt true.

Just because something works well for one persons body doesn’t mean it will work for you, but one thing we can do is detox our body on occasion to feel better and you will find most Drs will agree with this. There are many inexpensive detoxifying kits that you can purchase, but should always follow directions that are given.

When I was younger I would fast for a few days and only drank water, but then I started having a problem of not wanting to eat anything because it just seemed disgusting and I would go longer and longer without touching food. I knew I was starting to have a problem so I got help before I got too emotionally caught up in it and destroyed my immune system.

We have so many toxins in our body and even more so now because of water and air pollution, stronger chemicals, nuclear power, and radiation. Many people are ingesting new chemicals, using all kinds of drugs, eating more sugar as well as refined foods, and abusing themselves with various sedatives and stimulants, not to mention drinking and smoking.

What are some of the diseases that can be caused by a weakened immune system due to excess toxins that we don’t eliminate? How about cardiovascular illnesses and cancer also skin problems, allergies, obesity and arthritis. Other things that we encounter are coughs, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and other assorted pains.

Check with a nutritionist or your Dr for the best plan, some of the foods that are allowed are fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, garlic, broccoli, beets, beans or nuts. Only fresh fruit extracts should be used as beverages, but I think grapefruit is okay and of course 6 to 8 glasses of water a day is always recommended. Water is a must when you are in detoxification, and many people swear that ionized water has magical powers, but many chemist disagree.

There are also many herbs that have always been used to help rid your body of toxins, such as Cascara Sagrada is normally used in conjunction with Psyllium seeds and helps to promote healthy bowel movements and is a good natural laxative that will help strengthen the colon. Nettles are used in cleansing the urinary systems as well as any part of the body.

Milk thistle is used to simulate the protein synthesis in the liver and for effective elimination of toxins found in drugs and alcohols that can damage your body. Dandelion roots are detox herbs having strong cleansing properties appropriate for your liver. It is good for removing the gall bladder wastes and also works well for kidneys if used with other compatible detox herbs. Burdock root – for stronger cleansing needs it helps reduce heavy metal build up.

As far as I’m concerned it is good to detox the mind and body and bring balance to your life, but always check with a professional for the best results you will be able to achieve for yourself. Whether you find the right diet or not we should learn to eat healthier and detox occasionally. That is why many people swear by the ph miracle diet, like I mentioned before there are always pros and cons for everything.

Edna left a comment yesterday which was: My ph is 5.0 and I passed out for 10 minutes today. I would like your recommendations re green drinks and an alkaline diet. How can I keep acidity from coming back.This is urgent.

I decided to use it as a post encase other people were concerned with their body’s ph.

You should first go to your Dr. for a checkup and see why you are passing out, maybe you have high blood pressure. Also discuss a more alkaline diet with him. I am not a Dr. or a licensed nutritionist so I would feel very uncomfortable about advising you on starting any type of diet without visiting your Dr. because he could make a better assessment, with that being said I have listed a few things below for you that couldn’t hurt, but check with your physician first.

Pay a visit to your favorite health store and ask the nutritionist or clerk there which green drink powder they sell the most of and which one their customers swear by.They have lots of product knowledge and will be more than happy to help you decide which would be best for you.

Stress can cause acidity and when the body works to combat stress it in turn creates more stress. This vicious cycle is propagated by an increase in acid production. Acid is a detriment to your body. When the body is overly acidic it doesn’t run well.

Strive to have balance in your daily diet of 70% alkaline to 30% acid.Try to avoid canned fruits and vegetables. The canning process has negative effects on the alkaline state of these foods. There is also a lot of sodium in canned fruits and vegetables. If you cannot buy fresh, look for frozen.

The FDA recommends whole-wheat products for better health. Yet according to the pH diet, grains like wheat, millet, oats and rice are acidic and harmful. The alkaline grains of buckwheat, quinoa and spelt are favored for their alkalizing benefits.

Lowering the intake of processed foods and eating more vegetables is good health advice for everyone, whether or not they follow the specifications of this particular diet. In fact, this has been one of the major criticisms of the pH miracle diet.

Generally, all meats and dairy are omitted on the pH Miracle diet. If you’re worried about protein, goat milk is slightly alkaline. There is also protein provided from vegetarian options like beans, tofu and certain nuts and seeds. Most vegetables have alkalizing effects, except for mushrooms. Fruits are limited to coconut, grapefruit, lemon and lime.

Alkaline or ionized water provides your body with the right pH it needs for your cells to function. The human body and all of its cells have a pH of 7.4 that is slightly alkaline. Drinking alkaline water helps support this system. Ionized alkaline water can be created in your very own home with the use of a water ionizer.

Drinking alkaline water each day will help your body become more balanced. If you use green drinks to support your pH miracle diet, mixing them with ionized water will increase their effectiveness. Using ionized water in cooking will also produce better tasting foods. Alkaline water will help vegetables maintain their natural colors when you steam them.

Have you been thinking about taking up tennis as a sport? As you can imagine, tennis is a very strenuous sport that requires a lot of energy as well as a really good physical condition in order to play successfully.  This does not mean that you need to be a professional athlete to play well though.

Of course the professionals have a physical trainer to help them, but you can achieve some of the same benefits by simply ensuring that you are doing exercises that will help you improve your game.  How long you devote to exercise depends entirely on you, but you will be very glad you invested the time.

Running is one of the best things you can do.  Whether you run at a full run or you choose to just jog does not matter as much.  However the fact that you are running is phenomenal.  If you stop and think a lot of tennis involves running back and forth across the court.  If you have the energy to do this and do it without running out of breath then you are well onto the right track to ensure that you are in good physical shape.  Running from one end of the court to the other and losing your breath in between will make it much harder for you to successfully play.

You are also going to need to work on strengthening your abdominal muscles.  Having a good strong core with toned abs will help you achieve a powerful swing.  While you do not need washboard abs you do need to ensure that you can control your abdominal muscles while you are playing.  This means you are going to have to resort to some sit-ups and crunches to ensure that your stomach muscles are toned.

The muscles in your back cannot be ignored either.  Using various workout equipment you can generally tone these in just a few minutes a day or however often you work out.  Taking some small weights and focusing heavily upon repetitions rather than the actual weight amount is quite helpful in order to improve your overall back strength.  Remember, many of the racquets that are used are quite heavy, so having the strength to lift them is important.

The arms and legs need to be toned as well.  To do this some leg curls, arm curls and a bit of lifting weights can help.  Once again you need to focus on repetitions since this is going to help you greatly while you are playing.  The pure muscle mass is not as important as the ability to maintain your energy and strength during a match.  You should strive to work towards higher numbers of reps regardless of which workout method you chose rather than pushing to bench press 300 pounds which I never could do anyhow.

The final thing you need to work at is stretching.  If you are doing proper stretches before any workout and before actually playing you are going to ensure that your muscles are in top shape.  This will allow you to be a little bit looser in your playing without always being injured if you step slightly wrong.

If your muscles are able to bend, flex and stretch without tearing or pulling immediately you will be able to avoid a lot of injuries.  Make sure that you are always stretching as part of any exercise routine that you engage in to make sure your muscles are in top condition. I can no longer play tennis since my back injury, I simply don’t have the flexibility or stamina any more, but many older people are still very active in the sport.