Fat Kills You

Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you to get rid of some food that you love. However, the three macronutrients (Protein, Carbohydrates and Fat) as well as the unofficial fourth, water, are all necessary for good health. Never try to eliminate any of these from your diet. If you’re trying to lose weight, here is the simple truth about the stuff that makes up food.

Protein Power
Protein is the building block of all life. All life on this planet is made up of amino acids that form chains called proteins. Every function of every cell in your body involves proteins. It should come as no surprise, then, that consuming protein in your diet is essential to your good health.

Protein can come from many sources, not just red meat. All animal parts are protein-rich, from fish to chicken to pork to any animal you’d care to cook up. If you are a vegetarian, you probably already know that many beans and nuts are good sources of protein as well.

The highest concentration of protein is in muscle fibers, in humans and other animals. Therefore, if you want to build up your muscles, you must consume more protein than your minimum daily requirements. And if you consume less than your daily dose, your body may cannibalize your own muscles to get it. This is why an adequate intake of amino acids is essential.

Carb Cravings
Carbohydrates is a fancy word for something very simple: organic molecules that contain at least two hydrogen atoms for each carbon atom. All carbodydrates that you can eat are sources of energy. No matter what their composition, your body will break them down into glucose, a simple sugar, which is then used for energy when it is needed. Some carbohydrates are very long chains called “complex carbohydrates”, and some are short chains called “simple sugars”. Complex carbs are better for you because they provide more energy, but it takes the body longer to break them apart, which means the energy lasts longer and keeps you feeling full for a longer time. Simple sugars are broken down very quickly, which causes your blood-sugar to rise rapidly. If you don’t burn it right away, your body will turn it into fat.

Carbohydrates are most abundant in foods that taste sweet. The sweeter the taste, the simpler the carb. So candy of all kinds are made up almost entirely of simple sugars. Carbs are also abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as grains. Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates, while other grains and plants have shorter chain carbs.

Some modern diets suggest trying to eliminate carbohydrates from your diet, because they are a major source of calories that you’re trying to reduce. Reduction of carbs will be necessary for weight loss, but it is vitally important not to get rid of them altogether. As mentioned above, carbohydrate-rich foods include fruits and vegetables that contain many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Losing all those good elements would put your body in a very unhealthy place. On top of that, your body processes carbs to raise blood-sugar, which is important to your feeling of satiety, or feeling full. If you have no carbs, you may easily be overeating fats (see below). Finally, if your body is not using carbs for energy, it will break apart proteins in your food for energy before it breaks down fats. So, you lose the benefits of amino acids you’ve eaten, which we discussed above. A good tactic that many people find easy to identify and follow in their diets is to get rid of “empty carbs”, meaning carbohydrates that don’t provide anything but energy. White bread, potatoes, refined sugar and candy are empty carbs that you should avoid.

Fat is Fine (in small doses)
The third macronutrient is fat, which is most easily thought of as concentrated carbs. One gram of fat has 9 calories, while carbohydrates and protein contain 4 calories per gram. So, if you are reducing the calories in your diet, reducing fat is the easiest way to lower the total calorie count. Not all fats are the same, though. Saturated and trans fats raises LDL cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart disease. Unsaturated fats (monounsaturated or polyunsaturated) do not raise these “bad cholesterol” levels, and are therefore a better choice.

Fats, unfortunately, taste very good. Fats are the major component in toppings and spreads, such as butter, salad dressing, mayonnaise, and cooking oils. Fats are also the ingredient that make desserts and snacks so tempting, like cookies, cakes and chips.

Even though some people try to get rid of all fat, some fat in your diet is important. Do not try to eliminate it. Fat aids in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. Essential Fatty Acids, namely omega-3 and omega-6, can only be found in certain fats, and it is important to consume some of these on a regular basis. These nutrients aid in the regulation of blood pressure, blood clotting and immune response.

To get the good fats without an excess of calories, try eating more fish and seafood instead of other meats. Choose margarine instead of butter. When cooking, choose olive oil to grease your skillet. And the most effective tip: read the labels on the foods you’re buying. They should list the fat content, and break it down into Saturated and Unsaturated. If unsaturated is not listed, simply choose the food with the least Saturated fat count.

Water Weight
Some call water the fourth macronutrient. Technically, it is not a nutrient at all, because pure water does not provide any building blocks for your body. However, it is the element most neglected in the diets of most people. You must drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. More if you’re active.

Water encourages fat loss by keeping the kidneys working at full capacity. If the kidneys don’t get enough water, the liver begins to take over some kidney functions. One of the liver’s main functions is to metabolize fat. So, if the kidneys need the liver’s help, then the liver can’t burn fat as quickly. Drink enough water so that your liver can metabolize fat at its peak ability.

Water contributes to healthy skin by hydrating it from the inside out. Water aids in joint lubrication, reducing your chance of injury in any activity. Water is also the best cure for constipation.

Some people retain water, which is usually caused by a sodium imbalance. The solution is not to avoid drinking water, but to drink more water. When the salt is diluted, it becomes less of a problem. Also, if your body recognizes that water is constantly coming into your system, then it will realize that it doesn’t need to store it. Although there have been a few cases where long distance runners have died from drinking too much water, their situation is highly specialized, and shouldn’t be a concern for a normal person. For people with a normal amount of activity, there is no danger in drinking too much water, so drink as much as you can. The worst thing that will happen is that you’ll visit the washroom more often, so consider it a good chance for a little extra exercise.

Now that you understand how important all the macronutrients are, how do you lose weight? Reduce overall calories, but keep a measure of each macronutrient in your diet. Reducing fats overall is an easy way to reduce overall calories, and switch all of your fats to unsaturated. Most dieticians suggest about 25% fat, 15% protein, and 60% carbs. If you’re trying to put on a little muscle to burn fat faster, try to raise the protein to 20% and reduce the carbohydrates to 55%. A good weight loss plan keeps a balanced diet with reduced calorie intake and increased exercise.

David McCormick is the founder of Weightless Products. His Mr. Weightless site is dedicated to free weight loss articles and advice, primarily targeted to men. There are no banners, no pop-ups, and you will never be asked for your email address. Mr. Weightless: Wait Less for Weight Loss!

http://www.weightlessproducts.com

The pursuit of a healthier me (or you) shouldn’t involve losing everything we enjoy. However, it has been well-established that caffeine consumption confounds weight loss activities and most of us begin our day with a big, hot cup of it.

With that said, the secret to a successful weight loss pursuit is really all about balance. Maybe you’ll read this article and decide to quit caffeine altogether. Maybe you’ll read it and be careful to avoid extra caffeine. Maybe you’ll read it and decide to blame me for all of your troubles!

Whatever you decide, just remember… this weightloss/fatloss journey is a voyage that will take time, committment and slow, steady progress.

Two aspects of caffeine’s relationship to weightloss are cortisol production and dehydration. First of all, let’s talk about cortisol.

According to Caroline MacDougall, founder of Teeccino, cortisol is what’s known as a stress hormone and it’s purpose is to activate many of the body’s defenses. While doing so, corisol is responsible for shutting down other functions (digestion, immune system) in the name of energy conservation.

The hormone’s purpose is to give us a quick boost of energy for a very short period of time, if we are in a dangerous or life-threatening situation. The problem is that caffeine causes the body to release cortisol into the blood stream, even when we are not in danger.

The effects of overexposure to cortisol include elevated blood sugar, higher cholesterol, higher blood pressure, higher appetite, and, with age, loss of cartilage, bone and muscle tissue. It doesn’t take much reflection to realize that we need to seriously evaluate how caffeine is affecting us and our pursuit of a healthier body.

Teeccino makes an herbal coffee substitute that has a lot of body and flavor, and is caffeine free! If you think you can’t break free from the grips of caffeine, get their sample pack and slowly substitute herbal coffee for your caffeinated brew over the course of a week. I’ll bet you can do it!

Another product that tastes better than coffee and has none of it’s “evil” properties is Green Tea Extract. Green Tea Extract is a dark colored liquid that is dispensed from a dropper into the bottom of a glass. Next, hot or cold water is poured into the glass and the beverage is ready to drink. The resulting concontion is slightly sweet and contains no caffeine.

Not only is it a great tasting alternative to coffee, it also contains antioxidants known as chatechins and polyphenols which help to prevent fats from being oxidized. Once fats are oxidized they become more difficult to remove from the body.

The second aspect we want to discuss this week is caffeine’s propensity to dehydrate. Much has been written about the importance of drinking water while trying to lose weight. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it actually causes the body to flush water out of your system.

Water is integral if you are to have proper kidney function. The better your kidneys operate, the less the liver needs to become involved. The less your liver needs to do to help out the kidneys, the more it is available to metabolize stored fat. And that’s what we’re after, right?

Drinking coffee (because of the caffein) ends up creating a water deficit and makes your liver and kidneys work harder. Hopefully you will evaluate the sources and quantities of caffeine that you ingest, and weigh the alternatives. Caffein is simply one bad habit that, once changed, can dramatically improve your health and help you to burn more fat!

References:
University of California Los Angeles

Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter and the Chief Technology Officer for http://www.WellnessPartners.com, an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products.

Overwhelmed by studies, research and the constantly changing diet, nutrition and food recommendations? With so many conflicting opinions and studies it’s a full time job trying to keep up with the do’s and don’ts.

Here are? not just five, but six… of the top basic lifestyle changes that Cynthia Stadd, Director of Nutrition Services at The Berkley Center, recommends to proactively promote and prepare your body for conception and a remarkable family life!

Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and coffee altogether. It is a vasoconstrictor which can impede blood flow.

Establish a whole foods based diet that’s easy to incorporate into your busy lifestyle. Include whole vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and minimal animal protein. Consider scheduling a consultation with a nutritionist to discover which fresh whole foods you should choose for your body type including quantities, shopping tips and food preparation techniques for maximum health and digestion.

Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary liquids. The new high energy, vitamin and natural food drinks on the market may seem like a healthy alternative but they might not be as good for you as you think.

Avoid chemicals, additives and preservatives. Get educated on how to read food labels, recognize the artificial sweeteners to stay away from, and get acquainted with some natural sweeteners you may never even have heard about. Start increasing your fertility quotient with powerful dietary and nutritional counseling.

Limit your dairy intake. Find out the scary correlation between cow’s milk and reproductive health. Get the latest information on hormones, organics and soy? and how they may be affecting your reproductive health.

Curb unhealthy cravings. Here’s a simple solution you can start using tomorrow. Eat breakfast! Skipping breakfast can make cravings worse so start your day right and don’t miss the most important meal of the day. When working with a dietician you’ll learn lots of reasons and cures for unhealthy cravings including other emotional factors that may be keeping your body from conceiving.

Proper nutrition is very important from the perspective of reproductive health. A registered nutritionist will provide you with a list of foods and beverages which you should abstain from and a list of foods and beverages which you should partake of. Following these guidelines are important for your health in general and for your reproductive health in particular. She will walk you step by step through your own personalized nutrition and fitness plan and will also give you quick lifestyle and nutritional tips to break free from cravings that can reduce your chances of conceiving.

Your nutritionist will also guide you in managing any chronic health problems, help you attain your healthy, ideal weight, help you understand how your lifestyle choices impact your ability to conceive, help you create balance in your life as your prepare for parenthood, assist you in developing a manageable, doable exercise routine, reduce and manage stress on a day-to-day basis and support you in your journey to conception.

About The Author

Dr. Mike Berkley has been treating fertility disorders since 1996 with amazing results. He works exclusively in the area of reproductive medicine and enjoys working in conjunction with some of New York’s most prestigious reproductive endocrinologists. Sign up for his free newsletter at www.BerkleyCenter.com.

If you’ve been scouring the news, devouring as much information as possible regarding weight loss, you’ve likely heard all the buzz about the relationship between weight loss and drinking water. It has been well documented that the liver is able to metabolize more fat if you help out your kidneys by drinking plenty of water each day.

What is not often explained is water’s relationship to salt and how to tell when you are drinking enough water. The purpose of this article is to focus on these two issues.

First of all, let’s take a look at how our bodies deal with salt! Salt (sodium, at least) is a necessary ingredient to regulate blood pressure and fluid volumes in our bodies. Additionally, it is a top notch preservative and it tastes good! Salt is — well — the salt of the earth. Sorry … Like everything else, we can have too much of a good thing, though.

If you’ve ever seen an ocean disaster movie where people are adrift in the sea hoping for rescue, you’ve probably heard the warning to not drink salt water. This warning is true and must be heeded if you find yourself adrift at sea, or on a diet. The reason is that the body can only handle a certain concentration of salt.

If you eat a really salty meal, you may notice that your body will experience some swelling. This swelling is retained water which is being kept by the body in order to keep the salt in solution.

So how do you get rid of retained water?? Well, believe it or not, the answer is that you drink water to get rid of water! That’s right. It’s counterintuitive, but true. By drinking extra water, it will allow your body to “flush” the excess salt out and to release the retained water.

Think of it this way, your body grows to “expect” a particular amount of sodium and a particular volume of water. It “reserves” water in your body knowing more salt is to come. When you drink a gallon of water over the course of the day, your body “learns” that you are providing plenty of water. Eventually it begins to “trust” that you’ll continue doing so and it lets go of the surplus. At seven pounds per gallon, it can add up to a lot of weight quickly.

Secondly, we want to discuss how to tell if you are getting enough water. The first step toward turning yourself into a human water meter is to get on a regimen of drinking more water each day.

Try to drink twelve (8 ounce) glasses of water each day when you are dieting, and at least eight when you reach your optimal weight. (These are guidelines that must be adjusted using common sense. There may be circumstances such as weather, type of work, body size, physical activity and many others that will require you to drink much more or less than this.) If you are more than twenty pounds overweight, you should drink an extra glass for every 20 pounds over your optimal weight.

Once you’ve been on this regimen for a few weeks, you should notice some changes (beyond being exhausted by the hundreds of trips to the restroom — just kidding!) Many people report that their skin looks and feels better, that headaches disappear, that they require less sleep and that they simply have more energy.

Biologically though, the best way to tell if you are drinking enough water is the color (rather the lack of color) of your urine. Many people think that color in their urine is due to waste being flushed out of the body, but it is, in fact, simply due to a shortage of water. Clear urine means you are drinking plenty of water.

Another benefit to drinking plenty of water is that your natural water alarm clock (thirst) will return. Your body will begin to signal to you that it is thirsty since it is no longer in the habit of hoarding water. Listen to your body and you’ll continue to lose weight and burn fat.

Here are a few tips to help you drink more water each day (if any of these tips work for you, use post-it note reminders until they become habit):

1. Cut peeled citrus fruits into squares and freeze them. Float them in your drinking water and treat yourself to them at the end of each glass.

2. Always carry a big water bottle with you so that you can drink while you are running errands, driving, or waiting.

3. Stop drinking coffee, tea and soda that contain caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it causes your body to lose, or expel, water. Try drinking water with decaffeinated Green Tea Extract, instead. It’s delicious.

References:
University of Minnesota, Extension Water Quality Program
Weight-Control.Com

Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter and the Chief Technology Officer for Wellness Partners, an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products.

With a few minor adjustments it is possible to get the exercise that is suggested and not go out of your way or spend money at the gym!

When you think about exercising, have you ever wondered how you can fit it into your already busy day? That is what always crosses my mind?where do I work it in? Even a 30 minutes a few times a week sounds like a lot of time to spare when dinner needs to be cooked and the house needs to be cleaned, not to mention the errands to run and the mandatory work functions to attend.

One of my coworkers, due to advice from her doctor, began to work her recommended dose of exercise into her daily routine successfully by making small shifts to her daily life. It makes sense ? especially to some of us that are pressed for time already. Here is how it all began for her.

The first thing that my coworker bought was a pedometer. She wore it everyday and made it her goal to get in 8,000 steps each day. Instead of parking by the front door to the office, she would park at the other end of the parking lot. You’ve got the idea; instead of taking the elevator, she climbed the stairs. When she left for lunch, she would go three or four times as far as what she would have normally walked in a day ? and work was just the start. When she went to the mall, the grocery store or any errand, she made it a point to park further away and get a little walking in.

By making this change, she was starting to lose weight and get into the habit of more physical activity by essentially changing very little of her daily routine. After watching her lead, I began to adopt some of her ideas myself. Working in the yard became less of a chore, and more of a way to get exercise ? just like carrying in the groceries, or running down into the basement for something. Before, I would try to make as few trips as possible (saving my loads to the basement to be efficient), but now I am now trying to make as many as I can?and I can attest that it does make a difference!

If you are not fond of, or have time of physical activity ? know that you don’t have to make a change in the routine of your life to gain a healthy lifestyle; keep your routine with a few small modifications and you are sure to get in your exercise and get on the path to superb health.

Robb Ksiazek is a successful author and web publisher. He believes in simple solutions in the quest for a fulfilled life through mind, body, and soul.

It’s never too late to change your habits, and if you are not in the habit of taking a multivitamin supplement regularly, it’s time you did. Altering your behavior in this one respect will greatly improve your chances of living a long and healthy life. Good nutrition is necessary to maintain optimum health, and a multivitamin supplement will ensure that you receive what your body needs to help prevent and fight disease and improve your state of well being.

What Does Good Nutrition Mean?

We can enjoy good health and heal ourselves of most ills through good health practices, which include giving our bodies the fuel needed from the things we eat. Good nutrition means obtaining the right balance and amounts of water, carbohydrates, proteins and fats, plus vitamins and minerals. Although there are many food-sources of these nutrients, here is a review of what you learned in school as the main sources:

? Complex carbohydrates can be found in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, peas, and beans. Simple carbohydrates are in table sugar, fruit, and processed foods like dessert, candy, and soft drinks.

? Proteins are in abundance in meat and dairy products, as well in as nuts, seeds, beans, wheat, and rice.

? The fats we need are usually picked up from dairy products, meats, fish, and oils extracted from various vegetables.

? Vitamins and minerals are most easily obtained from the vegetables and fruits we eat.

Can Good Nutrition Come From a Well-Balanced Diet?

Medical spokesmen no longer try to reassure us that we can get everything we need by eating well. We can’t. Food itself is no longer the same as it once was. Vegetables and fruits are often grown in soil that has been depleted of nutrients, which means the foods are also. As well, foods lose many nutrients in the process of storing, shipping, refining, and even through cooking. We can’t be sure, therefore, that the food we are eating has the nutritional value it is supposed to have. Not only that, it might not be a healthy choice for other reasons:

? Fruits and vegetables can be contaminated with insecticides that can’t be rinsed or even washed off, and if the skins are removed, many of the nutrients are removed as well.

? Additives can help preserve food and make it tastier and more attractive, but we aren’t sure of the long-term effects of these chemicals on our bodies.

? Some fruit and vegetables are now routinely genetically altered.

? Sugar, salt, and fat are inexpensive commodities that add flavor, and, therefore, are used in large quantities in most commercially prepared foods.

? Animals and fowl are loaded with hormones that are passed on to us when we eat them.

Food production and processing are not the only culprits that worry us and make it difficult to obtain the nutrition we need from the food we eat. We have to share the blame by our own practices of skipping meals, eating on the run, and choosing heavily processed, nutrient-poor food:

? We eat too much fat and too much of the most harmful ? read “saturated” ? kind, such as meat, eggs, and cheese.

? We eat too much sugar and salt, and not enough fruit and vegetables.

? Some of us eat too much food for good health; others are constantly dieting and don’t eat enough.

? We are, for the most part, not active enough to eat the amount of food needed to maintain good health without a substantial weight gain.

(These last two points fall into the category of damned if you do; damned if you don’t.)

Since we can’t rely on our diets to supply us with the necessary building blocks to maintain good health a dietary supplement is the answer. Supplements can be in the form of a tablet, a capsule, a liquid, or in powders that can be mixed in water or juice, or added to bars, creams, or gels. Supplements are sold as individual vitamins or minerals, or in combination multivitamin formulas, which may include mineral additions as well.

Why Choose a Multivitamin?

Vitamins are required to maintain both physical and mental health. For instance, a deficiency of vitamin C will cause scurvy, a deficiency of vitamin D will cause rickets, and a deficiency of vitamin A will cause eye problems. Minerals are needed for healthy bones and teeth, normal cell function, the composition of body fluids, and for the proper utilization of vitamins and other nutrients.

In a multivitamin, the whole range of vitamins will be included, taking into consideration the amounts recommended by the government’s determination, many years ago, of the minimum required daily allowance (RDA) for the prevention of serious deficiencies. Since research conducted in more recent years has shown us that the prevention of disease is also possible, multivitamins are now formulated with this feature in mind.

Unless you have symptoms that show you need a particular vitamin or mineral in larger than normal quantities to correct a specific problem, a multivitamin supplement is usually a better choice than taking several different individual vitamins. Nutrients work together in cooperative action, or synergy, and correcting a deficiency in one vitamin or mineral may be not only ineffective, it may also induce a deficiency in another vitamin or mineral. A multivitamin’s balanced preparation, therefore, is not only effective, it is safe. A one a day multivitamin is also a convenient delivery method for most people. Taking several tablets or capsules a day to meet your needs can be not only expensive but also too much of a burden for most people.

What is the Best Multivitamin for You?

Multivitamins are designed for specific purposes, and you will find formulas that are particularly suited for a child or for an adult. Women have special needs at various stages in their lives and a multivitamin for women will be formulated to optimize prenatal, pre-menopausal, or post-menopausal health. For example, there are different amounts of calcium and iron needed by women at different ages, and pregnant women require folic acid, zinc and manganese to a greater degree than non-pregnant women. A man may be looking for help with hair loss and waning libido.

Good health requires good practices like eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and a maintaining a positive attitude. A multivitamin supplement can help in all three areas. Start taking one today.

Scott Gray is currently a freelance writer and enjoys providing tips to consumers who are in the market for all types of vitamins, multivitamins and wholesale vitamins.

Do you allow pleasure from food? Are your senses throughly engaged as you eat? Do you fuel your aliveness with each meal or eat to deaden and numb out? Do you eat foods that taste good in your mouth and feel good in your physical body - both now and later?

Imagine eating in a manner that is passionate and filled with the pleasure of being alive. What exactly would pleasurable eating look like? It would vary by individual, and perhaps even by meal. But I imagine we can uncover some common themes and prototypes of pleasurable eating. I can think of lots of times pleasure eating would be done standing up: Enjoying an ice cream cone while exploring a new city while on vacation, mingling at a party while eating finger foods, and the pleasure of eating stadium food at sporting events. But let’s narrow down our discussion to your everyday indoor eating experiences. What would “normal” pleasurable eating look like? I’ll write down my vision and then invite yourself to write down yours.

Indoor pleasurable dining would involve sitting down at a table. A table that is attractive, clean of clutter, and arranged for multi-sensory dining experience. Look through any formal dining magazine and you’ll see many examples of elaborate table setting ideas. The tables are set with folded napkins, fancy china, decorative stem ware, and colorful table runners. Imagine treating yourself as an honored guest, deserving of special china, candles, and even some flowers. You sit down for a few minutes to enjoy your food, taking a moment to say grace because you realize how blessed you are to have this abundance in your life. Your eyes widen to accept the visual pleasure of the food. You inhale, bringing the aroma of the food deep into your body. As you eat your food, you chew slowly, swallowing each mouthful before taking the next. The food begins to pleasantly fill you up inside. You stop eating when the sensations become something other than pleasurable.

This is just one idea of how a pleasurable eating experience might look. Take a few minutes and write down your idea of a satisfying eating experience:

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CONSCIOUS RECEPTION OF FOOD
The purpose of this exercise is to learn to be mindful while eating. It is a method to enable us to get back in touch with our bodies. Allow yourself to try this exercise five times in a period of several weeks, and your relationship with food will begin to change.

1. Set aside about 10-20 minutes during which you won’t be interrupted. Make sure to start the experience at a point in your day when you are hungry, but not famished. Utilize this exercise at different meals.

2. Choose a food (or foods) that appeals to you on all levels. A food that is visually appealing. It smells good as you inhale it. It feels good in your mouth. And it feels good in your body. This food may just be something from your forbidden food list. Perhaps it’s bread or ice cream or cake. Then again maybe you’ll choose a wonderfully appetizing casserole or even spinach. What matters is that this is a food you like. Prepare this food and sit down with it in front of you.

3. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Let your body relax. Become aware of your thoughts and feelings. See whether you can tune in to the place in your lower belly where your food will land. Notice how empty that place feels.

4. Become aware of you body and notice where you might be holding tension. Notice if you have shallow breathing, a tight belly, a tense back, tight jaws, or elevated shoulders. Breathe into these areas, tune into what you might be feeling there, and gradually allow yourself to relax, knowing you are safe and supported. Place both of your feet on the ground as you prepare to eat.

5. Allow a moment of gratitude for the energy (life) you are about to receive. We deserve all of the good things life has to offer, without having to perform for any of them. We are deserving individuals by our very existence. Remember your place in the cycle of life. Remember that by eating you are giving yourself life. You have this right to have life, to have what you want, to be supported in your life, to receive pleasure, and to be connected to life. Connect with the life of the food you are eating and allow yourself to have a feeling of being grounded, of being connected to the earth, of being strong, vibrant, and stable.

6. Utilize your senses. Before eating, use your sense of vision and smell to “connect” with the food. Take another moment to feel the life in the food.

7. Allow yourself to accept the food. Take this life force into your own body so that it might grow strong and live and help you to fulfill your destiny. Swallow and notice if you can feel your stomach receiving the food? Notice if you want to rush and eat the next bite before you have even finished with this one. Inhibit this habitual response. Knowing that there is enough food, you may come to realize that you don’t need to hold onto to energy or stored body fat. There is enough. You are worthy of having enough. You can let go and relax. Eat your food in freedom. For those of you eating in secret, allow yourself to be seen eating.

8. Eating is a way to extract life sustaining energy from food. When you eat, you process and absorb the forces of nature stored in your food. For example, plants store light through photosynthesis. Eating food releases the energies and nutrients stored in food for your body to absorb. In assimilating your food, you transfer life into your body.

An important part of exploring conscious eating is seeking balance. When you start connecting with food, without making any special effort to change your eating, a process naturally starts to take place. You’ll start to desire foods that are abundant and alive, foods that give you what you really need on the deepest level. You begin to notice that food is more than just mouth pleasure . . . there is also physical body pleasure. You may recognize foods that drain you and better understand what nourishes, satisfies, and supports you. You learn to honor yourself and support your growth by choosing food, food experiences, thoughts, and behaviors that nourish and heal your body.

Copyright 2005, Dr. Annette Colby, all rights reserved.

Dr. Annette Colby, RD
Nutrition Therapist & Master Energy Healer
“Opening Creative Portals to Success”
972.985.8750
Annette@AnnetteColby.com

For free inspirational newsletter, articles & info visit: http://www.LovingMiracles.com

Search Yahoo for “papaya” and “kirstie” and you’ll find at least a hundred sites that claim papaya is single-handedly responsible for melting literally dozens of pounds off the body of a popular actress.

I can recall, from my own quality-time spent in line at the grocery store, virtually every food known to man being touted as the key ingredient in a new “miracle diet.” Grapefruit, broccoli, cabbage and even chocolate have been “scientifically proven” by a panel of seven-year-olds to “literally melt away the pounds” before your very eyes.

But what about the papaya? Is it the key ingredient, the silver bullet, the big kahuna and the magic potion all wrapped up in a low fat, gluten-free tortilla?

Searching the web for “papaya” and “diet” turns up some interesting results. Clicking from site to site one finds nearly identical copy on each site, as though there is one main “mother lode” of papaya information from which all papaya data flows.

A cursory scan of the available data shows that papaya is a great food that offers a good amount of benefit in a relatively small package. There are two varieties of papaya, one typically comes from Mexico and the other from Hawaii. The Mexican variety can grow to be rather large and the taste is more subtle than it’s Hawaiian cousin, but otherwise they are very similar and available year-around at most grocery stores or produce shops.

Papaya are high in Vitamin C, a good source of fiber, and probably best known for the enzyme papain, which is used commercially as a meat tenderizer. The more educational sites report that the enzyme (papain) helps the body to break down protein, which explains its use as a meat tenderizer.

As you move from the academic to the commercial sites, papain seems to evolve into “Super Enzyme” capable of not only breaking down protein, but also increasing your metabolism, digesting fats, assimilating carbohydrates, and even repainting your house while you sleep. Now that’s SUPER!

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against the papaya. In fact, I’ve been told I resemble one. It’s just that if there were a “magic potion” that solved all of our health problems then there wouldn’t be any overweight people and I wouldn’t be writing this.

With that said, I have come up with a diet that is guaranteed to help ANYONE lose weight, and I’m calling my new diet “The Papaya Diet.” Remember, when you read about this one as you wait your turn in line at the grocery store, you heard it from me first.

Follow the simple steps below and the pounds will begin to (slowly) melt away.

Step 1: Go to the grocery store and buy a nice papaya, about one pound in weight. Make sure that the papaya is not too ripe. When traveling to the store, it is preferable that you walk, as you’ll burn calories and fire up your metabolism. If not possible, park far from the store and walk across the parking lot.

Step 2: Bring your papaya home and keep it with you at all times. The key to this fantastic diet is keeping the papaya healthy and happy. Be sure your papaya gets plenty of sleep. Seven and a half hours each day is recommended. Keep your papaya hydrated. It should drink a gallon of water each day. Since your papaya doesn’t have a mouth, you’ll need to drink the water yourself. You’ll also have to eat for the papaya. When eating your papaya’s meals, keep your portions small and choose only healthy foods with a good mix of fruits and vegetables. It’s okay, the papaya will not be upset by this. Eat your food slowly and stop eating at the first sign of being full. Your papaya will become very agitated if you overeat. Skip desserts, as your papaya is most effective when you do not eat dessert.

Step 3: Be certain your papaya gets plenty of fresh air and exercise. The simplest and easiest way to accomplish this task is to set aside time to walk your papaya each day. Your papaya can be held in your bare hand or kept in a backpack/napsack. Purchase a pedometer and set a goal of carrying your papaya at least 10,000 steps each day. Doing so will almost ensure the success of the Papaya Diet.

Step 4: Eat the papaya and return to Step 1.

Most people think that the beauty of the Papaya Diet is its simplicity. I agree, and would add to that its accessibility. Those who can walk, shop and eat can participate in the Papaya Diet and will soon be the envy of their friends and family.

You don’t like papaya, you say? Well, you might be interested in learning about my new “Watermelon Diet”…

Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter and the Chief Technology Officer for Wellness Partners, an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products.

Packing on Muscle mass involves a lot of dedication and care. At times, trying too hard can have its negative effects too. Right guidance and proper techniques make the perfect recipe to MUSCLE BUILDING. Muscle Building is no joke, but at the same time, very much possible. The bottomline is to workout in the right direction and not to harm your body. Here are some Do’s and Dont’s for Muscle Building.

Muscle Building Tips: Do’s and Dont’s

1) Muscle Building Diet: It occupies a prominent area in MUSCLE BUILDING pie-chart. You should be highly careful related to your muscle building diet. Always ask your trainer to write down a diet schedule for you.

2) Give rest to your body between two sets, say for two minutes.

3) Not work on more than two muscle groups at a time. Train those mucles in a group which work with each other. This technique has proven to be effective. For eg: Chest and Triceps or biceps and backs.

4) The most effective time to do muscle building exercises is in the morning. You have consumed a lot of carbs by evening. So, carbs become the source of energy for you when you do your exercises in evening. But in morning, body depends on its alternative source i.e FAT for energy. Hence fats get burned up more in morning.

5) Last but not the least, Dont be biased to any body part. Proper balance is a necessity. Having big upper body and skinny legs is no good. Work out on entire body.

About the Author:

Jasdeep: for http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

Look out for highly effective and recommended muscle building programs from the best in this field and a chance to go through muscle building articles directory at Muscle Building Tips, Programs, Workouts and Supplements

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Although health and healing are the common goals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and allopathic medicine, their ideas on the etiology of disease, disease itself and the process used to regain health are decidedly different. The allopathic physician learns that disease must be cured by prescribing medicine, which kills bacteria or renders a virus ineffective; at times surgical intervention is a necessity.

There is nothing inherently wrong with this approach. It often works. The question worth exploring is why TCM succeeds where allopathic medicine fails? What is the mechanism of action of acupuncture and herbal medicine, which results in palliation or cure that is not manifest in biomedicine?

Though the goal of TCM is to cure a patient, the doctor of TCM attempts to do this not by treating the disease but rather by treating the whole person, taking into account the various attributes of an individual which, when combined, account for an individual being sick or healthy. A person, according to the tenets of TCM is more than their pathology. While treating the pathology may yield impressive results, they are commonly temporary.

A person is not, according to TCM, represented solely by his or her illness, but by the accumulation of every human interaction engaged in from the moment of birth, including the values of and the culture from which the individual develops. The emotional experiences, eating habits, work habits, work and living environment, personal habits and the social milieu are factors that contribute to disease and are factors which, when modified appropriately may lead to regained health.

Though the Western scientific community has not, to date, arrived at a methodology to use in research of Chinese medicine, the veracity and efficaciousness of this medical modality is nonetheless proved by its long history of continued success. More than a quarter of the world’s population regularly uses TCM as part of their health care regimen. Chinese medicine is the only form of classical medicine, which is regularly and continuously used outside of its country of origin.

THE FOUR EXAMINATIONS

The ‘Four Examinations’ is a method of diagnosis which dates back over three thousand years. Observing, Listening and Smelling (Listening and Smelling are counted as one of the Four Examinations), Questioning and Palpating make up the ‘Four Examinations’. This method of diagnosis is far from simplistic, allowing the practitioner to arrive at a differential diagnosis.

Each of the “Four Examinations” can take years to master, and while these diagnostic tools are not replacements for that which Western medicine can provide in analyzing and treating disease, they have the ability to offer information which, when understood in the context of TCM, provides additional opportunities in mapping out patterns of disease and arriving at greater treatment success.

The doctor of TCM must approach a patient with a clear and calm mind, without a preconceived diagnosis and etiology. This mind-set will enable the practitioner to yield clinical gems which are clues about the individual who sits before us! This is the stuff of TCM.

The subjective, interpretive and objective evidence of an individual obtained via the ‘Four Examinations’ leads to the discovery of the etiology of disease while concomitantly opening a window to the ‘Whole Person”, thus revealing where in the individual’s life the pathogenesis started and what initiated it. The practitioner of TCM must utilize his own interpretive skills, which takes into consideration what is verbalized by the patient and what is observed, while considering what the patient does not verbalize as well. Often, that which is not said can be as clinically enlightening as the information which is freely provided. The tone of the voice, the complexion, the condition of the eyes (in TCM, the Shen or spirt of an individual is said to be revealed through their eyes. Who can deny the clinical efficacy of this? Is there a different expression revealed through the eyes of a clinically depressed individual than from those of a happy, well adjusted one?), the facial expression, the overall demeanor, how one walks, sits, and stands are all observed and utilized by the doctor of Chinese medicine as part of the information required to arrive at a differential diagnosis. The doctor must be able to note and sense inconsistencies in an individual that are expressed by the patient even without the patient being cognizant of the chasms which exist between what they verbally express and what their spiritual presentation divulges. The sensitivity to and awareness of these human idiosyncrasies enables the TCM doctor to develop an understanding of who the patient is even before the ‘main complaint’ is discussed.

Proper treatment in TCM is more than the elimination of pathological processes. In addition to attacking a pathological factor(s), it is the responsibility of the TCM doctor to support the individual in his or her goal of achieving overall health which includes aspects of physical-psycho-emotional and spiritual health. This paradigmatic approach is an inexorable part of the process of healing. Without it, we are merely chasing the sickness and forgetting about the patient. With this approach, the patient is seen as a whole person, representing the sum of a lifetime of experiences if you will, not just an embodiment of pathology.

Pathologies are guests (and we hope temporary ones!) in a home which serves as a gracious host - our physical, emotional and spiritual selves. TCM first is concerned with strengthening the immune function which includes homeostasis of the physical, emotional and spiritual attributes of the patient, so as to be able to assist the patient in his or her endeavor to do battle and destroy the enemy at the gates (or inside them). When people are chronically exhausted from lack of sleep resulting from anxiety or depression, they can become chronically sick as a result of a lowered immune system.

In TCM the point of departure from Western medicine is not to view the acute presentation (called “the branch” in TCM) as primary, but to treat the etiology (called “the root” in TCM) which is the anxiety and depression which causes the insomnia then facilitating exhaustion and lowering the immune function which can lead to chronic illness.

So, rather than prescribing antibiotics repeatedly, we might address the patient’s anxiety/depression syndrome or refer them out to a psychotherapist for appropriate intervention while simultaneously providing treatment.

In Part II we’ll look at the mechanisms of action in infertility.

About The Author

Dr. Mike Berkley has been treating fertility disorders since 1996 with amazing results. He works exclusively in the area of reproductive medicine and enjoys working in conjunction with some of New York’s most prestigious reproductive endocrinologists. Sign up for his free newsletter at www.BerkleyCenter.com.