If you are considered overweight, whether you know it or not, you are in the majority. In America, it has been recently estimated that 65 of the population is overweight with 30 being at least clinically obese. To add to this alarming statistic is the estimate that 15-20 of the nation’s children are overweight. Now, obesity is beginning to spread more and more to countries that have always had a relatively low rate of obesity, like China and Japan. This is one case where being in the majority is not considered a good thing. What really matters is, how being overweight or obese affects your overall health.

According to the body mass index, you are considered overweight if your index is between 25 and 29. If your index is over 30, you are considered obese. The American collage of sports medicine defines obesity as an amount of body fat that increases the risk of disease. As a general rule, more than 25 body fat for men and more than 32 body fat for women is considered obesity.

Let’s look at some of the most likely reasons that so many people are obese.

1 overeating
2 lack of exercise
3 genetic predisposition
4 psychological problems
5 too slow a metabolism

These are some of the things scientists are investigating as to the likely causes for obesity. Most of these can be overcome by lowering the fat in the diet and by exercising.

Regardless of the reasons for overweight and obesity, there is health risks associated with these conditions. According to the U.S.surgeon’s report

A bodyweight of more than 20 over ideal constitutes a definite health hazard.
Obesity is associated with a reduced life expectancy.
Risk factors for heart disease such as high cholesterol increase.
Obesity increases stress on the body joints.
Obesity increases the risk of surgery.
The presence of diabetes is nearly 3 times higher in overweight people.

According to the experts, all of these risk factors can be improved by a reduction in weight. Some have estimated that a weight loss of 10 can improve the risk factors for heart disease by 20. Also, the greatest health benefits are reported to occur with the first 20 pounds of weight loss, which means that even if it seems to be hard to lose weight, it is still worth doing it. If you don’t lose all of the weight you want to lose, you can still improve your risk factors by losing some of the weight.

You can make losing weight a little easier if you just set a small goal at first, then when you reach that goal, set another small goal and aim for that. A good target is to try to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. It is within reason to try to lose 10 of your current bodyweight, or 20 pounds in about six months if you are overweight.

Life has a way of fouling up our the best laid plans. First you decide to keep your car cleaner, “I’ll wash it every Saturday morning.” Great, you have a plan. Saturday comes along and someone calls inviting you to go golfing. You think, “I was going to wash the car, but I’ll do it when I get back,” and off you go. Maybe you do wash the car later that day, but maybe you tell yourself, “I’ll wash it next Saturday. It really wasn’t that dirty.”

Next week Saturday comes along and someone invited you camping so you’re in the woods thinking, “Oh, well, I can’t wash the car from here, can I?”

Another Saturday rolls around and you’ve forgotten all about your car washing plan, so even though you’re not doing anything else you’re thinking, “I don’t really FEEL like washing the car right now. I’ll do it later,” and so it goes.

“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon

It happens to all of us. You join the gym and immediately get the flu. Sign up for a adult education class and you’re car breaks down on the first night. When you need to water the grass there’s no rain in sight, but wash the car and what happens? These examples aren’t meant to give you a pessimistic outlook but instead point out why persistence in the face of obstacles is what separates the haves from the have nots.

It’s not what happens but what you DO with what happens that matters.

The best approach is one-day-at-a-time, or even lesser intervals depending on what you are attempting to do. If you’re trying to quit smoking, you might want to take things half-an-hour at a time. With food or eating it can be one meal at a time, one hunger pang or craving at a time, or whatever interval works for you.

Choose your Time Interval then Make it Happen

If you say you’ll never do something again smoke, overeat, over drink it never lasts you must build in the possibility of occasional lapse, but if you wake up in the morning and decide for that day, and only that day, that you will follow through with your plan, for just that one day, then it can and will happen. There’s a real rush of accomplishment when you wake up and realize that yesterday you did it; you accomplished what you set out to do. Each accomplishment make it just that much easier to decide again to follow-through and it gets easier and easier.

Let the successes build, and let the lapses pass. It takes practice to get proficient no matter what you are learning, so plan to persist. Small lapses aren’t failures, they are only lapses, and you then decided for the next time period. Doing this allows you to pre-plan when you know you’ll not stick to your eating plan, thereby making it okay on occasion to over indulge. Holidays, special occasions. People who maintain a healthy weight do this all the time without thinking. When you give yourself permission to indulge, it’s amazing how much less you’ll feel like indulging. Take away the forbidden fruit and it’s just an apple.

After youve had a gastric bypass surgery, youll lose a lot of weight in a very short period of time. This is a double-edged sword in the sense that you rejoice over the fact that you are losing weight so rapidly, yet in addition, you face challenges of wearing clothing that properly fits your ever-shrinking body. Theres a way you can manage this bittersweet dilemma.

It becomes very frustrating as you rummage though your clothes trying to find items that fit you. In my own personal experience, I was changing clothing sizes every three 3 weeks, and I can attest to this dilemma of trying on clothing that was either too loose or still too snug to wear. The time it took me to actually find the outfit of the day ended up being so time-consuming and frustrating, I had to figure out a way to speed up the process of simply clothing myself, easing the frustrations of scattered clothing everywhere, and eliminating the sour attitude I had about clothes when I should have been thrilled to suffer from such a happy problem of finding smaller-sized clothing to wear.

The SOLUTION was to GET INTO THE CLOSET and dresser drawers and organize my clothing by SIZE.

This was a new concept! There are several ways weve always organized our closets and drawers Perhaps weve done it by color, by season, by fabric, by climate, by event, by holiday, by clothing type, by style, etc. etc. But very FEW people have ever organized their clothing by SIZE.

The advantage of organizing your closet and drawers by size is that you can easily locate them and making them readily handy during those trying-on adventures. Then as you move out of one size and progress to the next smaller size, its an easier transition to find that next smaller size that fits you far better than that slightly larger size that probably drapes on you in an unflattering way.

Be sure when you are organizing your closet that you take into account those clothing labels which may not reflect a true size. Keep in mind that when you buy or borrow used clothing, some articles may have shrunken, or perhaps people had the article altered to better fit their exact body type. When this happens, simply pin a little tag on the clothing that states what size YOU believe it really is according to how it fits your body. For example, a second-hand pair of jeans may have a size 14 tag on them, but because of shrinkage, they will fit you as if they are a size 10. Pin a little tag that says size 10 on them and organize among your other size-10-clothing for easy reference. This eliminates the need to try on the jeans over and over again because you cant remember how they fit your body. And if youre not sure what size the garment represents, then pin a different note on them such as, Maybe in one more month specify month. Figure out what note system works best for you.

Consider arranging a drawer or bin labeled Almost Me. Once you place items in this spot, be sure to try these clothes on every two weeks. Few things are more painful than having clothing in there and you waited too long to try them on and they are now too large to wear! I can recall some clothing I looked forward to wearing but never was able to wear them simply because by the time I checked on them, they were too large for me! Had I checked them out at a set time, such as every-other Thursday or something like that, I wouldnt have missed my window of opportunity to wear them.

As soon as you are out of that larger size, PACK THEM AWAY and give them to someone else, sell them, or donate them to a charitythrift store. There is no need to hang onto those clothes! Really! I had somebody ask me, after I lost 80 pounds, when will you be convinced that youre not going to ever wear those clothes again? After losing 100 pounds? After losing 150 pounds? When? This person made me realize that I needed to act on trust that I was indeed losing weight and I would not be gaining that type of weight back again. What a happy day it was to pack up all of those clothes and part with the memories that went along with them!

Realize and accept the fact that you will go through many changes in your clothing size as you lose your weight after a bariatric surgery. If you started out wearing a size 3X and youve lost 30-50 pounds, you should not be wearing those same size 3X clothes; for if you are, you are, you are not complimenting the fact that you are losing weight and your appearance may look too droopy or saggy.

Plan a time when you can begin this project of getting into the closet and drawers. Its going to be work, but very well-worth it to you in the long run. Think SIZE only. Nothing else. Then each day when you search for something to wear, the right size of the day will be at your fingertips and not all scattered throughout various places to annoy you.

Losing weight so rapidly is changing your life and it should also change the way your closets are organized. You have different needs now not just in how you eat, but how you locate what youre going to wear for the day. Make is easier and a pleasant experience for you. Size matters!

It is a true fact that the people following a low fat diet loose weight drastically. But the recent clinical studies prove that people reducing carbs steadily, loose weight still rapidly. Look at the negative and positive aspects of the diet before committing to it.

There are different kinds of diet introduced by the medical experts such as Atkins diet, South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet, Sugar Busters, and Protein Power diet etc which aim at reducing the consumption of fatty foods. The two main ingredients that increase your weight rapidly are the refined flour and sugar. They increase the glucose levels in the blood, and helps pancreas to produce more excessive insulin. Due to the excessive amount of insulin the carbs are easily converted into fats. When your food comprises of low carbs, the pancreas produces less of insulin. The unnecessary storages of fats are burnt and you swiftly start loosing weight. When you stick to the low carb diet the level of glucose in the body is less and you are less prone to diabetes.

Due to the increased level of insulin production, hormonal changes take place and you develop blocked pores in your skin. These problems later lead to skin diseases like acne, pimples, whiteheads etc.

Some people cannot simply desert the carb rich foods because they are strongly accustomed to the taste. Such people must use substitutes like breads with wholesome grains. You can continuously enjoy with your favorite dishes while reducing your weight.

Apart from abiding to a particular diet pattern, it is also important to plan an exercise routine. As far as possible, keep a track of your weight and gradually increase your exercise duration. Make sure that you are strictly following your diet pattern you have chosen.

Low carb diet is a very good way to lose weight.

1. The Weight Loss Patch

Perhaps the most appealing benefit of using a patch is that it is so easy to use. No pills to remember to take, no special diets, no required exercise routine. Naturally, sticking to a healthy diet and exercise program is best for your overall health, but if that is difficult for you to adhere to all of the time, the patch may be a solution that works for you.

A weight loss patch that you place on your body will deliver the active ingredients by transdermal delivery, meaning through the skin. The patch ingredients will go directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver. Simply apply the patch to a smooth area of your skin and change it every 3 days. That is all of the maintenance that is required.

A patch can even be used occasionally when you are traveling and know you will be eating out a lot, or for those times you are too busy to cook the proper foods. A patch that suppresses your appetite will help you develop good eating habits that will help you maintain your ideal weight in the future no more yo-yo figures.

2. Appetite Suppressant Pills

Curbing your appetite to stop the influx of calories in the first place seems to be the logical way to lose and maintain your weight. However, we are so bombarded by confusing claims everywhere for appetite suppressant pills in print, on the radio, on television, even on billboards when driving, that it is difficult to know which diet pill will really help take off those pounds and keep them off..

Some diet pills will cause your heart to race, your hands to shake, or an overall “wired” feeling. To avoid these problem, stay away from products that contain Ephedra, Ma Huang, and Ephedrine.

One herbal diet pill that has gotten a lot of publicity lately is Hoodia Gordonii The authentic plant comes from the Kalahari desert in South Aftrica. Respectable television shows like 60 Minutes, the Today Show, BBC, and even Oprah’s “O” magazine have given it rave reviews for its fast acting appetite suppressing qualities. While it can take one to two weeks to work fully, many users report a decline in their appetite with the first pill.

In fact, Hoodia has had so many positive reports that there are now a lot of knock-off products being marketed to the uninformed especially on the Internet. The real Hoodia is very rare because it takes up to 7 years for the Hoodia plant to mature to a point where it provides appetite suppressant qualities. In addition, the African government is now limiting the amount of Hoodia it exports, meaning only a few suppliers have the real thing. Because Hoodia is so rare, you can expect it to be a little more expensive than other diet pills.

Another diet pill that helps shed pounds is Herbal Phentermine. This is a non-prescription appetite suppressant that is scientifically designed to produce similar effects of a popular Rx version of phentermine.

The good news is that the Herbal version contains only natural ingredients so you don’t have to be worried about side effects. Plus, you can avoid the time, expense, and embarrassment of a doctor’s visit.

Herbal Phentermine will not only suppress your appetite, but it will also increase your metabolism so you burn more calories and have more energy.

3. Carbohydrate Blockers

Perhaps you prefer not to have your appetite suppressed, but instead would like to eat all of the pasta, bread, rice, and potatoes you want. If this sounds more like your style, then you might want to try a carbohydrate blocker.

Scientists have discovered, and thoroughly tested a method to allow us to eat the foods we love and not gain weight. We can now stop the normal conversion of starchy foods to sugar before it can pass through our digestive system and store as fat on our hips, thighs, buttocks and stomach. Derived from white kidney beans, the resulting carb blockers, starch neutralizers, are a completely natural product. They work by neutralizing the Alpha amylase enzyme that digests starch.

By neutralizing this digestive enzyme, the starch from our food does not get digested. Instead, it remains intact and does not convert to sugar. It simply passes through the body undigested and acts as a fiber which is a very good thing. We get more fiber going through our intestines while avoiding the conversion to sugar and the resulting fat storage a definite win-win situation.

Over the past several years, there have been many positive studies to determine the effectiveness of carb blockers and their ability to help lose weight. One study was performed at the Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, over an eight week time period.

It reported that participants saw an average weight loss of 200 more than those taking a placebo, and lost an average of 1.5 inches around their waists. This was 43 more than those taking the placebo. Plus they reported having 13 more energy, even though it is not a stimulant.

Whether you choose patches or pills, prefer to eat starchy foods, or use carb blockers, some things to look for when buying diet products are that they

1 Contain all natural ingredients
2 Do not have harmful side effects
3 Offer a 100 money back guarantee

We all want to lose a few pounds and look great, especially through those summer months but the average person does not succeed in keeping those pounds off, if they lose the weight at all. The reason for this is that many people follow the latest “celebrity” diets which are good for quick weight loss but are not good for your health or for keeping the weight off.

It is scientifically proven that if you follow a diet where you lose to much weight to quickly then you are starving your body of certain nutrients it needs, when you start moving towards eating a normal diet your body will automatically store these nutrients within the body in case this should happen again.

If you want to lose weight there are some golden rules you need to follow

Eat 3 meals a day
Eat less
Eat healthy
Eat from all the food groups Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat
Exercise

What we want to achieve is to still eat 3 meals a day, just in smaller quantites and with healthier food. Within the 3 meals we still need all the different food groups for our body to function correctly so we still need our protein, carbohydrates and our fats. Another important factor for losing weight is exercise, I don’t mean running a marathon, but if you can spare 20 or 30 minutes a day for a walk or a light jog you will certainly feel the benefits.

If you want to lose the weight quickly then it will only last short term, if you set your goals and take your time losing the weight correctly then you will see the benefits for a long time to come. Losig weight is not just about physical looks, it’s about mental well being and your future health.

Metabolism basically means the count of calories you burn per day. Repeatedly you have might read from the articles about accelerating the rate of metabolism. The most common reasons are consuming highly nutritious food and performing workouts. If your metabolism rate is slower, it shows you are burning less of calories. In order to increase the rate, you must follow the below tips

1 Do not observe fasting because you burn too many calories at once, which is really harmful to your body. In this process your muscles turn weak and you face dehydration rather than minimizing the fat content.

2 Dine about 6-8 times a day by consuming nutritious items such as fruits and vegetables.

3 A heavy breakfast is a key factor in increasing the rate of metabolism. Since you are awake for the whole day, the rate of metabolism is fast.

4 There are many kinds of healthy fats available such as nuts, fish, olive oil, and flax oil. They can be the substitutes for processed carbs.

5 Consume less of sugar so that the insulin production is regulated and you will thus burn calories easily.

6 Eat about 1 gm of protein per pound because the excessive fat content will be drained away.

7 Remember that alcohol is uprightly harmful for the people planning to loose weight. It prevents fat burning and contains almost 100s of calories.

8 Green tea and water are the best forms of beverages that do not affect the metabolism process. So use them instead of tea, coffee and alcohol.

9 Night shifts are normally not advisable, but if you think they are unavoidable then follow the above-mentioned tips carefully.

10 In order to make your metabolism process effective use the Turbulence Training manual that provide you right instruction to perform workouts.

If your metabolism rate is slower, it shows you are burning less of calories. Remember the above points for a healthy life.

Did you know that approximately 70 million Americans may have arthritis in one form or another, and that you may be one of them? Think theres nothing you can do about it? Well, heres some great news! You can act right now to lessen the incidence of arthritis or to reduce the pain and discomfort that typically accompanies the disease. Here are ten simple steps that can improve your health, emotional outlook, and pain level, and generally make it easier to cope with arthritis.

1. Pay attention to symptoms and see your doctor. If you have pain, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint for more than two weeks, it’s time to see your doctor. Only a doctor can tell if it’s arthritis. Write down observations and symptoms as they occur. Put them in your purse or wallet before your next doctors visit. That way, youll have them with you when you see the doctor.

2. Get an accurate diagnosis. You have arthritis” is not a diagnosis. Ask for a specific diagnosis of the type of arthritis you have. There are more than 100 types, and each one requires different treatments. Getting the right treatment requires getting the right diagnosis.

3. Start early. The earlier, the better. Early diagnosis and treatment can often mean less joint damage and less pain.

4. Avoid Excess Stress on Joints. Exercise to reduce pain and fatigue and to increase range of motion. It relieves stress and can help enable you to maintain your daily activities. Use simple stretching techniques to keep joints and muscles flexible. Exercising in the water can build strength and increase range of motion while the waters buoyancy reduces wear and tear on sore joints. Use assistive devices to make tasks easier.

5. Watch your weight. Try to maintain the recommended weight for your age and body type. Every extra pound means added stress to your knees and hips. Excess weight can mean more pain, contribute to and aggravate osteoarthritis, and increase your risk of gout. Follow a healthy diet regimen. Research has shown the importance of antioxidants in reducing the risk of osteoarthritis and its progression.

6. Take your medication just as your doctor prescribes. If youre tempted to stop because you feel its not working or you believe its causing side effects, call your doctor first. It can take weeks, or even months, for the full benefits of a medication to become apparent, and some side effects ease over time. Stopping a medication abruptly may not only cause you to miss out on its benefits, it can be downright dangerous. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications youre taking, both prescription and over the counter.

7. Protect yourself when you go out into the sun. Some forms of arthritis, as well as certain medications, can leave you more vulnerable to the suns harmful rays. At a minimum, use sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat for protection.

8. Talk to Someone About Arthritis. Each week, commit to learning something new about arthritis and sharing it with others. Understanding your disease is an important step in managing it. Talk with family, friends, and co-workers. A support group is important and the more they understand about how arthritis affects your life, the more theyll be able to help you get through the hard times.

9. Relax. Pain can cause both physical and emotional stress. Pain and stress have similar effects on the body, e.g. increased heart rate and blood pressure; fast, shallow breathing; and muscle cramps. Relaxation can help you reverse these effects, give you a sense of well being, and make it easier to manage your pain.

10. Consider taking a nutritional supplement. If your current medication isnt working as well as youd like, or if its causing unacceptable side effects, ask your doctor about other treatment options. There are several all-natural functional health beverages available that have desirable anti-inflammatory properties. Check them out online.

Of course, there are many other ways to lessen the pain and discomfort of arthritis, but these ten are an excellent place to start. Most importantly, while arthritis may limit some of the things you can do, it doesn’t have to control your life. Build your life around wellness, and think of pain as a signal to take positive action to help you manage your condition. Think positively, eat well, and exercise regularly.

Lastly, resolve to enjoy our beautiful world. As the old saying goes, Live like theres no tomorrow; love like youve never been hurt; dance like no-one is watching.

Bruce Bailey, Ph.D.