You Are what You Eat

CREEPY INDIAN

2011-01-26T18:16:00.000-08:00

Lose Weight-Tone Abs With Electronic Muscle Stimulator? Can Body Fat Melt Away?

2011-01-26T04:15:00.000-08:00

You have probably seen plenty of advertisements extolling how Electronic Abdominal Stimulators can melt your belly fat fast and quickly. Most of these advertisements will also claim that their electronic abs stimulators can also flatten your tummy to reveal your six pack abs muscle. They even claim that by using electronic abs stimulators for X minutes is better that 300 sit ups or crunches, so you can say bye bye to diets and exercise forever. Too good to be true?

On the other hand, you may also have come across many articles and messages from the health and fitness industry or from your fitness personal trainers who refute the advertisers claiming that the only way to get a flat tummy with well defined six pack abs muscle is through healthy eating and exercise. Now that is hard work isn’t it? So you will rather take a chance with an electronic abs stimulator won’t you?

So who is telling the truth? Ok, instead of joining in the controversy, this article points out what the authorities such as U.S. Food and Drug Administration has got to say. Below is an excerpt from U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Consumer magazine July-August 2002. You can read the full report at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/402_abs.html :-

“In May, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed complaints against three manufacturers of these devices, alleging that they have made false claims in their advertising, seen in heavily aired infomercials on national cable television, shorter television commercials, and ads in the print media.

The unfounded claims cited by the FTC include the promise of "six pack" or "washboard" abs without exercise, claims that the devices will give users a trimmer waist or cause fat loss, and that use of the device is equivalent to (or better than) regular abdominal exercises, such as sit-ups or crunches. The FTC complaints also allege that the advertising claimed falsely that the stimulators are safe for all to use, and did not disclose adequately the possible health hazards for some people.

Q. Why does the FDA regulate electrical muscle stimulators?

A. Electrical muscle stimulators are considered medical devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Under this law and the agency's regulations, the FDA is responsible for regulating the sale of all electrical muscle stimulators in the United States. Therefore, firms must comply with appropriate FDA premarket regulatory requirements before they can legally sell their stimulators. Most electrical muscle stimulators (EMS devices) that have been reviewed by the FDA are intended for use in physical therapy and rehabilitation under the direction of a health-care professional. If a company wants to sell EMS devices directly to consumers, the company needs to show the FDA that the device can be used safely and effectively in that setting.

Q. These electrical muscle stimulators are advertised not only to tone, firm, and strengthen abdominal muscles, but also to provide weight loss, girth reduction, and "rock hard" abs. Do they really work?

A. While an EMS device may be able to temporarily strengthen, tone or firm a muscle, no EMS devices have been cleared at this time for weight loss, girth reduction, or for obtaining "rock hard" abs.

Q. Is the FDA concerned about the unregulated marketing of these devices?

A. Yes. The FDA has received reports of shocks, burns, bruising, skin irritation, and pain associated with the use of some of these devices. There have been a few recent reports of interference with implanted devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Some injuries required hospital treatment. The FDA is also concerned because many of these devices have cables and leads. If those cables and leads do not comply with electrical safety standards, there is the possibility that users and other household members could be electrocuted. The FDA is currently investigating firms that are illegally marketing EMS devices.

Q. What does FDA regulation accomplish?

A. Before they may legally sell their devices, firms that market EMS devices must be able to demonstrate that these products are as safe and as effective as similar devices that are legally marketed. Devices may be marketed only for uses that are established for the device or for uses that the firm can support with data. At this time, the FDA is not aware of scientific information to support many of the promotional claims being made for numerous devices being widely promoted on television, infomercials, newspapers, and magazines.

Q. Does that mean that it's unsafe to use an electrical muscle stimulator that has not met FDA requirements?

A. Using a product that has not met FDA requirements isn't necessarily unsafe or dangerous. But it could be. Unregulated devices also may have safety problems associated with cables and leads that can lead to accidental shock and electrocution of users and other household members, including children.

Q. If I use an electrical muscle stimulator, will it give me the same kind of effect that lots of sit-ups, stomach crunches and other abdominal exercises will?

A. Using these devices alone will not give you "six-pack" abs. Applying electrical current to muscles may cause them to contract. Stimulating muscles repeatedly with electricity may eventually result in muscles that are strengthened and toned to some extent but will not, based on currently available data, create a major change in your appearance without the addition of weight loss and regular exercise.”

Now, who is telling the truth about electronic muscle stimulator being able to melt tummy fat and reveal your six pack abs? Well, you be the judge and come to your own verdict.

I Lost Weight Once...But It Came Back!

2011-01-25T07:14:00.000-08:00

It seems like most people can lose weight, but they seem to gain it back and sometimes gain more than they lost. I have done it a few times myself. Right now I have lost 9 pounds and I am wondering how am I going to keep those pounds from coming back. I still have 12 more pounds to lose, but it seems like these next few pounds are not coming off as easy.

Have I Discovered Something... Maybe I Have!

I am getting excited now, believe me this idea is developing as I write this article. I may have come up with a way to lose weight right before your eyes as I am constructing this article. We all know that losing weight lies in those few inches between our ears, the brain. Most diets we try help us lose some weight, but keeping it off is controlled by what our mind is telling us. If we allow our mind to tell us having ice cream each night before we go to sleep is ok, then we will have the ice cream.

Controlling That Mind...That's the Object!

I don't watch Oprah very often, but I do watch occasionally to see how she is doing with her weight. I just happened to check in last night and guess what, she has put a few pounds back on. She does this from time to time, but she always manages to drop the few pounds she gains. I think I know her secret. She exercises, and I know she stays away from certain foods, but I think the key to her success is the mind control. I remember when she began she kept the weight off for a long time, then she gained it back. The next time she lost the weight it stayed off except for a few pounds which she usually loses. I don't remember what her exact words were after she lost weight the second time, but I am sure it was something to do with the mind.

Ready Set Go!...Time To Put It All Together, Are You In?

Here we go. If the mind is keeping us from losing weight and keeping it off, we need to change the way we think. The mind is a powerful thing, it can be difficult to change our thoughts. For example, you have heard of people trying to stop smoking, but they just couldn't. Then they have a heart attack and receive a triple bypass, after the surgery they are able to stop. Their mind continued to tell them they wanted to smoke, but they realized if they didn't stop they could die after they had the heart attack. We don't want anything that drastic to happen to us to force us to lose weight, but there may be other ways. You see, we all want something to be easy. If our mind is asking us to eat now, we might be able to wait ten more minutes before we eat, that would be easy, but it would be much harder to wait 24 hours before we ate.

What we are going to do is fool our mind just a little. We are going to drop a few pounds maybe 5 or 10 pounds, that really shouldn't be that hard, the trick is, that will be all the weight we are going to lose. After losing 5 or 10 pounds we will just be keeping the weight off that we had previously lost. It's much harder to lose weight than to stay at our current weight. Will this work? I can't say, I just got this idea as I was writing this article, but what is the worst that could happen? Even If You didn't lose any more weight you would keep the 10 pounds off instead of gaining it back. You won't be as stressed out, always thinking about how much more weight you need to lose. I don't know about you, but I have talked myself into doing it. As of today I have lost all the weight I need to lose, from now own I will just concentrate on not giving back any of the weight I lost and if I lose more Great!

Good Luck!

How Many Pounds Would You Like To Lose?

2011-01-23T14:14:00.000-08:00

How many pounds are you trying to drop for the summer?

What is it about summer anyway? Is it the sun or the sandy beaches that make humans want to run out and buy a skimpy showering litigation? I mean, it ' s like they think they don ' t absence to be in knead during the winter. While I understand that we all wear further concealing dress during the cold months, I don ' t see why it ' s not a factor to stay in knead. We should all work to stay join year - round. With advanced weight loss diets and wonderful fitness regimes we can make this a actuality. Stop working like a lunatic toward the end of every spring to lose those extra pounds. It ' s time to come to your senses and keep them off permanently with legitimate weight loss diets that really do work. What are your current eating habits like?

I can recall back when I was a kid and my parents would try a variety of weight loss diets. I remember one in particular that my father was doing. I sat down at the table with my brother for some lunch and there it was. While we scarfed down our ham and cheese sandwiches, our father had a plate of saltine crackers and tuna before him. It looked rather bizarre to me and my brother. Regardless, he ate it up like he was starving. And he probably was! Okay, enough jokes at my father ' s expense. The truth is that when it comes to weight loss diets, most people will try virtually anything to get those pounds off. From eating tons of meat and no bread, to living on fruits and vegetables, there are certainly a variety of diet plans to pick and choose from. Now, the key here is finding a nutritious diet that ' s right for your condition. This may require consulting a professional. Have you ever spoken with a nutritionist regarding weight loss diets? They know what the scoop is. In fact, a qualified nutritionist can help you plan out a regular weekly eating schedule.

Are you in need of some guidance concerning weight loss diets? Maybe it ' s time you did some serious research. With the World - Wide - Web at your fingertips, the road ahead is rather simple. Get online and attain tips and weight loss diets that truly work. Sort through legitimate testimonials by others who ' ve tried certain diets and swear by them. Stop fretting about those few extra pounds and shed them off with weight loss diets that work.

Four Myths about Diet That You Should Pay No Attention To

2011-01-17T06:12:00.000-08:00

Nowhere are there more fad diets, weight loss schemes and wild, completely unsubstantiated weight loss advice circulating than in the USA. With so much conflicting "information" out there, it's no wonder people don't know where to turn to lose weight properly and in a healthy way. The fact is many people assume they are eating healthy although it's closer to the truth that many of them don't even come close to eating a balanced, nutritious diet.

The reason for this is mostly due to the fact that they are guiding themselves with false information propagated by fad diets put out there by weight loss companies. Most of these diets are leading people to believe that cutting out certain nutrients is what it takes to properly loose weight. Nothing can be further from the truth. Here are four common myths which lead many dieters to take the wrong road to try to find their weight loss salvation.

MYTH # 1) YOU HAVE TO STARVE YOURSELF TO LOOSE WEIGHT
This is probably the most commonly heard and longest running myth about weight loss out there. The fact is, if you don't eat enough, your metabolism will slow down greatly making your body want to store fat thus making most of your initial weight loss come from water and muscle. This makes your body-fat percentage go up, meaning you are losing weight, but you are actually getting fatter!

The average woman should not eat less than 1000 calories per day and the average man should not eat less than 1200 calories per day unless under the direction of a physician. If you eat 5-6 smaller meals a day verses 3 bigger ones within a proper calorie range, you will never feel hungry and you will lose weight while staying healthy.

MYTH # 2) EAT NO FAT WHATSOEVER
This is another myth that has been around for a long time. It probably comes from the fact you do need to limit your fat intake to around 15% to 20% of your overall daily calorie intake. "If eating only a little is good, then eating none must be better", but the fact is, your body does need that 15% to 20% of fat in your diet because fat helps lubricate your joints, keeps your skin smooth and elastic, provides a source of energy, helps your nervous system to function properly and provides insulation from cold weather. Olive, flaxseed and fish oils are good sources of fats. Avoid saturated fats and hydrogenated (trans) fats.

MYTH # 3) YOU SHOULD NOT EAT FROM CERTAIN FOOD GROUPS
A lot of fad diets adhere to cutting out one food group or another. The Atkins diet, which sparked a whole host of copycat diets, placed an emphasis on eliminating carbohydrates for example. The fact is your body needs a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat to function properly and so none of them should be eliminated from your diet. Water, vitamins, minerals and fiber are also needed and should be a part of your regular daily intake. The key is to try to keep the carbs, proteins and fats in the proper range at approximately 60% for carbs, 25% for proteins and 15% for fats.

MYTH # 4) TO GET ENOUGH PROTEIN, YOU HAVE TO EAT MEAT
While it is true that meat is a great source of protein, it is certainly not the only one. Meat can also be high in fat and sodium. Dairy products are usually high in fat, but now there are plenty of low-fat and fat-free dairy products to choose from and they do not compromise the protein value. Egg whites are also a prime source of protein. These are all sources of complete proteins. Various vegetables and legumes also contain proteins but these are all incomplete proteins and must be eaten in the right combinations to become complete. One example is combining beans with rice.

The best way to be sure you are getting a well balanced, nutrient rich diet is to eat more whole foods and less processed, pre-packaged foods and to avoid eating out as much as possible. Make eating out an occasional treat, but try to prepare most of your meals yourself and you will be on your way to living a healthier, leaner lifestyle.

Healthy Way of Losing Weight

2011-01-16T05:13:00.000-08:00

The success of weight loss programs relies on healthy diet and physical exercises done regularly. Eating healthy diet and regular workouts enable to lose weight on a long term basis. Losing weight should be done on a slow and steady pace rather than relying on the diet pills and fad diets, which actually are good only for a shorter period of time and bounce with weight gain after a certain period with lot of side effects. Eating healthy foods is the ideal way to loose weight.

<b>Positive steps towards eating healthy foods and reducing weight at the same time:</b>

Having a breakfast is a very important meal of the day, as it starts the day with some nutritious meal. Breakfast provides the necessary energy for the whole day and keeps the metabolism moving. Having a healthy breakfast will keep you away from unhealthy snacking or binging during lunch time. It is good to have a breakfast which is of a small portion with good amounts of protein and fiber, so that it keeps you filled until lunch time. High fiber foods are very good for the reason that they are not rich in calories and they pass through without being absorbed by the body.

While taking foods, it is good to check the calorie value and fat content of the food. Also, one needs to eat meals regularly, otherwise it might lead to binge eating. Small and frequent meals consumed daily keep people to have control over their diet and to be sure of what they eat. The meal pattern chosen should be ideal for the lifestyle of the person. However, meals have to be eaten at least three times a day without fail.

Fiber intake is the best way to loss weight and they are available in two forms, one is the soluble form found in the beans and oatmeal, the other is the insoluble form found in the vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Both the forms are good, as the soluble form lowers the cholesterol in the body while the insoluble form adds bulk to the diet. Fibers swell in the stomach, giving a feeling of fullness to the person. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to the body and curb the urge to eat more.

Drinking enough amounts of water is very good to the body. It is very much needed to regulate temperature regulation of the body and to add viscosity to the blood. It is also a natural hunger suppressant. Drinking ice cold water helps to heat up the body and aids in burning up to 400 calories a week. Amazing isn’t it?

Fighting Obesity By Using Hoodia Diet Pills

2011-01-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

Hoodia gordonii is a type of succulent plant that resembles a cactus, and is known to have suppress a person’s appetite and thus help with losing weight. It's sold in capsule form, and as a liquid or in tea form.

The hoodia cactus is found in the semi-deserts of Africa and grows in clumps of green stems. It usually takes five years before it can be harvested. From the twenty types of hoodia, only the gordonii variety has the appetite suppressant.

To the world, hoodia is a new discovery – but for the San Bushmen of the Kalahari desert, hoodia has long been part of their food. There really isn’t much published research on hoodia, but one study conducted at Brown University found that the hoodia’s steroidal glycosides fool the brain into thinking that there's an adequate supply of energy in the form of blood sugar, and therefore doesn’t doesn’t signal the body to eat.

Be careful about some hoodia information in the internet
After the buzz on hoodia, drug manufacturers claiming to sell genuine hoodia has congested the Internet. In fact, fake hoodia diet pills have been found found to contain sawdust, combined with roots of some unknown plants. So be very careful. Also, beware of companies who try to sell hoodia by claimimg that other hoodia products are inferior to their own – there have been no published reports indicating that one hoodia diet pill product is more effective than the rest.

Hoodia diet pills are effective, but expensive

Hoodia diet pills are expensive for the reasons mentioned above – it usually takes five years before a hoodia plant can be harvested, and it's only found in Africa. It's also quite difficult to grow; in addition to the required four to five years waiting time, it also requires very high temperatures to grow. This explains why it's so costly.

The proper dose of hoodia

Most companies put a standard recommended dose on the bottle, but there are also cases where people may need more (or less) than the recommended amount to achieve the desired effect. In fact ,some people who are already using hoodia say that they need at least 1,200 milligrams per day to get the result that they want. It would be wise to consult your doctor regarding the correct dosage of hoodia, since factors like weight, diet, lifestyle and metabolism may have an effect on the size dosage that a person needs to take.

A Few Simple Tips To Lose Weight

2011-01-11T02:10:00.000-08:00

Weight loss is a tough result to obtain regardless of weight or level of physical fitness. There are many different ways to lose weight, some more unhealthy than others, but the ones that work are most times the most complicated to pull off.

Some people may recommend eating less to lose weight, and in some cases eating less is a key component of losing weight, but in most cases, eating is a necessity if one wishes to lower their own weight. Without food and the calories they supply, your body has no energy to burn and in turn will turn your existing muscle into fat. In order to lose weight you must make a commitment, a commitment that must not be broken if you desire results.

Do not misconstrue this for the idea that you can never indulge during your diet, but just be sure that you have set reasonable limits for yourself that you are ready to commit to. If you are on a strict diet, a "cheat" meal here and there will go a long way to keeping you happy.

To be successful in achieving your goal of weight loss: set multiple, smaller, more easily attainable goals for yourself. These will keep you self motivated and more likely to obtaining your overall goal of a happier and healthier life.

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