Saturday, August 6, 2011

Biggest Loser Diet

Most of you must have seen the popular program on television; the biggest loser. And each time a contestant shows up thinner than ever, you are left wondering; what do they actually do to lose so much weight? The secret is simple; a low carb diet and a rigorous workout regime.

Now, isn’t it the same thing that you have been doing for a long time and yet you have not been able to win the battle of the bulge. Well the answer lies in their diet chart.

Contestants at the biggest loser contestants were served on a diet, which is popularly termed as 4-3-2-1 pyramid. Let us discuss the concept in detail.

Four
As it is, the contestants were required to have four meals per day, consisting of fruits and vegetables, such that, you have two servings of fruits and two servings of vegetables. One fruit serving here refers to quantity equivalent to one cup, or eight ounces; similar to that of the vegetables.

Three
Three refers to the number of protein servings that the contestants were required to have. The contestants were given a choice to choose between vegetarian, animal protein and low fat dairy protein. As it is, here too, one serving is equal to one cup or eight ounces.

Two
Two refers to the number of servings of whole grain, which you need to have. So is it, in the case of biggest loser; contestants were required to have two servings of whole grain food. It usually include, two slices of bread, with calorie intake of less than forty five per slice. Apart from that, they were required to have one wholegrain bun and one cup of cooked barley, brown rice, oats etc.

One
Now, this might be something to rejoice. One refers to the number of servings that you can have of foods that classify for the tempting category i.e. foods which do not fall in any of the above categories. This category includes foods such as sugar free desserts, saturated fats, low fat butter and sauces. However, you must remember, not to go for an intake, higher than two hundred calories per day.

The biggest loser diet schedule can play a very vital role in helping you lose weight fast and quick. However, it should be mentioned here that, only a diet chart would not do much benefit, as in the case of many contestants, who got eliminated, simply because, they did not follow the exercise regime. It would therefore be in your best interest, to follow your exercise regime with diligence, along with the diet chart.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Diet

The last few decades have been a period of great revelations. A number of old facts, were seen in the light of experimentations and were finally, scientifically proved as well. As you might have heard the famous phrase; an apple a day, keeps the doctor away. An apple cider vinegar diet has always been considered to be good for health. However, recent studies came up with baffling results; as we came to know of the innumerable benefits of an apple cider vinegar diet.

The following are some of the advantages of an apple cider vinegar diet:

1. An apple cider vinegar diet would contain substantial amount of potassium, which would be quite helpful in lowering the blood pressure of the body. Due to the fact, that, potassium helps in making the blood thinner; therefore, an apple cider vinegar diet would be quite effective in lowering the risk of cardiac arrest as well.

2. An apple cider vinegar diet is quite effective in improving the metabolism rate of your body. Due to this very reason, the fat content of your body lowers as well; as a high metabolism rate is quite effective in cutting the flab.

3. Another important factor that makes an apple cider vinegar diet so important is the fact, that it is quite effective a medicine for someone suffering from arthritis. An apple cider vinegar diet is a common form of medication and is usually taken along with water.

4. An apple cider vinegar diet is also quite effective in curing the phlegm and mucous inside the body. This helps in improving the respiratory function of the body. Along with that, an apple cider vinegar diet can do wonders for your kidney and liver; apart from doing considerable benefit to the bladder as well.

5. Perhaps the most important aspect of an apple cider vinegar diet is that; apart from weight loss properties, it is also very rich in cancer prevention properties. Being a rich source of antioxidants, the apple cider vinegar diet can be quite helpful in prevention of cancer. Due to this very reason, it is fast gaining popularity.

6. An apple cider vinegar diet can be very good for your digestion system as well. Due to the fact, it contains ample quantities of Pectin, apart from antioxidant properties; an apple cider vinegar diet is quite good for the digestion system, especially for those people, who have constipation problem.

An apple cider vinegar diet has the additional advantage of being a cheaper and better alternative for many health supplements, which are available in the market. This makes, it an extremely useful form of nutrition for us.

Ayurveda: Preventive Medicine for weight loss

When we talk of the natural way of weight loss; no one can ignore Ayurveda. It is an ancient medicinal therapy, originating in India, some five thousand years ago. A major advantage of Ayurveda is its ability to address a large number of physical and mental ailments. Although, it is an ancient form of medication, yet, it is based on scientific principles of diagnosis and treatment.

What makes Ayurveda so beneficial is the fact that it does not focus on instant relief. Instead it focuses on providing long term benefit. As it is a number of herbs are used in Ayurveda, which are used for curing a number of ailments. However, since we are discussing weight loss, I should discuss only those herbs, which are useful in weight loss.

The following are some of the herbs, used in Ayurveda, which can be very useful in losing weight:

1. Amla
Amla, or India Gooseberry, can prove to be an excellent cure for weight loss. This is because; it contains rich quantities of vitamin C, which acts as an inhibitor in the fat absorption process. Along with that, it has high antioxidant levels, making it a wonderful medicine for increasing the metabolism level of the body.

2. Triphala
Triphala is actually not a single herb, but a composition of three herbs, Terminalia chebula, Emblica officinalis, and Terminalia bellirica. As it is, Triphala is an excellent medicine for weight loss, if used regularly for a long period. As it is, it can prove to be an excellent medicine for improving the metabolism rate of the body as well, apart from being excellent for the gastrointestinal function as well.

3. Bitter Gourd
Bitter Gourd can prove to be an excellent tool for maintaining the blood sugar level; apart from being quite effective in cleansing of the body system. Bitter Gourd can be an excellent for weight loss purpose, as it helps in reducing the insulin level in the body, by maintaining the blood sugar level. This stops the body in gaining more weight.

4. Garlic
Garlic is also an important component, used in Ayurveda. As it is, Garlic helps in reduction of carcinogenic compounds in the body. This helps in improving the metabolism function of the body. An improved metabolism function would mean an increased weight loss, even at a restive state.

5. Bedellium
Bedellium or Commiphora Mukul is also an important cure for weight loss. It is particularly helpful in maintaining the blood pressure, as well as regulating the blood sugar level. It is also of great help in keeping the thyroid in perfect condition. Due to this reason, it becomes very useful in losing weight.

Ayurveda has a number of other weight loss herbs, which you can use. If you are interested in going for Ayurveda, then it would be better, to approach an Ayurveda expert.

Acupuncture and Weight Loss

Of late, there have been a number of therapies, which have entered the market. However, most of these actually aim for a weight loss which is natural. As it is, these therapies do not survive for very long and soon fade out, as their side effects begin to show.

However, one therapy, which has been able to sail through the test of time, is Acupuncture. Acupuncture, is a five thousand year old therapy and is also one of the popular methods of losing weight, especially for those, who wish to lose weight in a natural way.

Although acupuncture, is used for healing a number of diseases, the major advantage of an acupuncture therapy is that of weight loss. As it is in an acupuncture therapy, the acupuncture therapist would ask you a number of questions, which may some times appear to be senseless. However, they may be very important for your therapy to move in the right direction. With this the acupuncture therapy kicks off.

Acupuncture therapy is based on an ancient healing technique, where a number of hair-like pins are pierced into specific points in your body, so as to get the desired effects.

As it is acupuncture helps you in losing weight in the following ways:

1. A major advantage of acupuncture is that, it helps in the secretion of Endorphins, a chemical that helps you in controlling your overeating habits. As it is, endorphins are quite useful in controlling your cravings for food and are quite helpful in decreasing your appetite.

As you are able to control your cravings, you consume lesser calories; as a result of which, you store lesser fat.

2. Another major advantage of acupuncture is that it helps in developing the metabolism rate of the body. As it is a rise in your metabolism rate would mean that you would lose more weight, even at a restive state. This means a rise in calorie loss at a continuous basis.

In recent times, acupuncture has become quite popular, as far as weight loss is concerned. A rising number of people who have been benefitted with this therapy is one of the major reasons for its growing popularity. Also it is a natural way of losing weight, no side effects as such. However, it needs to be mentioned here, that, acupuncture is no magic wand and therefore you should not expect any miracles.

Acupuncture can be an excellent way of losing weight. It is safe, natural and a very relaxing way of losing weight.