Ideal Curve

By Otto Wynn

 Overview:

The phrase “weight loss center” returns over 3 million search results in Google. The exponential growth in the number of obese persons or obesity has created a huge demand for weight loss programs, slimming pills, and of course weight-loss centers. Each year people spend over $35 billion for these weight-loss techniques. And as usual, U.S. leads from the front. It will be prime news on CNN if any American city is without its weight loss center. In pure dictionary terms, a weight loss center is meant to provide weight-loss treatment to obese or overweight people. The problem of being overweight is bad for health but excellent for business. Dieting has become a uniquely American “sport,” for which Americans pay billions annually to commercial weight loss centers. This multi-billion dollar industry thrives on our inability to control our weight.

Obesity carries enormous health risks and economic costs. It is recognized as a major catalyst for developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other debilitating conditions. Estimates of the number of deaths attributable to obesity in the United States alone reach up to 350,000 per year. Weight loss surgery may be an alternative if the body mass index (BMI) is 40 or more. Weight loss surgery may also be considered if the BMI is 35, combined with other health problems such as diabetes or arthritis. A surgical weight loss center provides surgical treatment for obesity. Bariatric surgery is increasingly being used to combat obesity. For very severe obesity, or BMI greater than 50 intestinal-bypass weight loss surgery is indicated. In these cases, weight loss surgeries prove to be effective, as the extreme obesity poses many problems.

Bariatric surgery, as weight loss surgery is referred, has a controversial history dating back hundreds of years. But the first modern procedure on record was in 1889, performed by Howard A. Kelly. Other type of surgery also known as “cosmetic plastic surgery” is liposuction. In it, layers of fat are removed by performing an operation on those body parts where the fat has accumulated. Though the fat gets reduced for the time being, the factors and the causes remain untouched and therefore liposuction is only a temporary solution, and at best can be called a symptomatic treatment.

Weight loss centers help to adopt healthy lifestyle changes to keep the body fit and healthy. A weight loss center offers a relaxing, serene ambience. The experience at the spa equips the individual to follow a balanced eating regimen, increase physical activities and maintain a healthy lifestyle. These centers also offer the company of like-minded people, thereby making the transformation to healthier lifestyle, a pleasant affair. A professional center should offer guidelines for healthy eating habits and exercises. They should also provide counseling, when needed. Whichever weight loss center you pick to resolve your pressing problem of obesity, make sure the people at the center are well-aware of the body system and are sensitive to your needs. They should be able to prescribe a balanced diet, medications if necessary, and ultimately lead you towards a healthy weight loss.

Summary:

You cannot just walk in a weight loss center expecting to return home shedding all that extra flab. You need to visit the center often to get necessary tips and healthy diets. It is important to select a center with supportive people, who follow you up on your weight loss progress. The precious time you spend at the center should be productive. It makes no sense, if the weight you lose in a month, reappears in a week. It is important to preserve sustainable weight loss. Remember, a weight loss center cannot provide permanent weight loss. However, if you strictly follow their instructions, you can stay slim and keep the lost weight, well lost forever.

To read about does herpes itch and herpes in children, visit the Stages Of Herpes site.

A Balanced Look at the South Beach Diet

By Darrin Lowe

 What is the South Beach Diet and what are its benefits and its drawbacks? The South Beach Diet is the creation of cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Cardiac Prevention Center in Miami Beach, Fla. And like the Atkins Diet, Dr. Agatston’s South Beach Diet also limits the intake of carbohydrates as well as including a severely restrictive two week induction phase that is followed by a long term diet. So this means that potatoes, fruit, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, beets, carrots, and corn are no longer allowed, especially during the induction phase. So, with the aforementioned similarities, you may be wondering where Atkins and South Beach actually differ.

First of all, while Atkins promotes the obscene consumption of saturated animal fats, South Beach bans all unhealthy fats while, on the other hand, promoting the consumption of healthier unsaturated fats. The other difference can be found in their opposing views of carbohydrates. The South Beach diet doesn’t count grams of carbohydrates and low-sugar carbs are actually recommended. Therefore, South Beach is unable to be pegged as simply as “low-carb” unlike the Atkins diet, and it’s stance on fats disqualifies it from being labeled a “low-fat” diet as well. One of the more beneficial points that the South Beach Diet makes is for people to snack throughout the day so that hunger pangs are offset and their metabolism remains elevated. Actual meal portions will be just large enough to satisfy one’s hunger but no larger. Another point that many diets such as South Beach are stressing is insulin control by eating less refined carbs and more complex, fiber-rich carbs that will keep your energy levels high and your risk for diabetes low.

But what about this harsh induction phase? As mentioned above, one must begin the South Beach Diet with what they call an induction phase that lasts for 14 days. During these 14 days, one’s choices for food are limited greatly. Foods to avoid include bread, cereal, fruit, pasta, rice, potatoes, and alcohol. While one can have dairy products, only two servings of low-fat or non fat dairy are permitted during induction. Once the induction phase is over, and your carb cravings have waned, you can now begin to reincorporate some carbs back into the diet. However, most foods are still banned, but things like pasta can be had occasionally. This diet is maintained until you reach your target weight.

Now, South Beach is not as wonderful as Dr. Agatston would like for you to believe. In my opinion, any diet that includes a highly restrictive period that leaves people nutritionally unbalanced is not a good idea. Furthermore, most of the weight lost during induction turns out to be water weight, therefore disrupting the electrolyte balance and leaving you dehydrated. Lastly, the induction phase is a necessary stage, yet it is a nearly impossible challenge for many to go without grains, pasta, and fruit for two weeks. And for the uninitiated, this induction phase simply asks for too much too soon. So, Dr. Agatston’s heart appears to be in the right place, but one-size-fits-all diets like the South Beach Diet appear to be more trouble than they are worth.

To learn about taipei attractions and taiwan attractions, visit the Historical Attractions website.

Get The Curves That You Want With Your Body

Use Your Mind to Help You Lose Weight

By Otto Wynn

 Katie, a 33-year-old mother of two, has been on her share of diets over the years. From Weight Watchers to the Zone to Sugar Busters, she feels as if she has tried them all. While she has had moderate success in losing weight from time to time, she has never found a long-term weight loss solution. Her weight is a point of contention in her marriage; her husband-who also happens to be obese-wishes she were thin, but says he loves her anyway. The two have been separated a number of times, and even filed for divorce once. The stress has caused Katie to begin binge eating again.

There is hope for Katie and others like her who feel as if they’re trapped on the diet carousel. The key to long-term weight loss success may not be the body, but the mind. Research indicates that those who have a positive outlook on life are more likely to lose weight-and stay thin. But how can you have a positive outlook when you’ve been burned so many times before? Is it possible to “will your way” to losing weight?

One technique that has been proven effective in sports training is something called visualization. For instance, a baseball player might visualize his bat connecting with a ball, leading to a homerun. A soccer player might visualize kicking the winning goal in a soccer match. And a golfer might visualize sinking the winning putt in the Masters Tournament.

The same technique can be used by dieters. Visualize yourself as thin. Picture yourself in that dress that is now two sizes too small. Imagine stepping onto the scale and being pleased with the result. Visualize yourself saying “no” to that piece of chocolate cake or that plate of Fettucini Alfredo. These mind exercises can help to spur you onto weight loss.

When people learn they are suffering from cancer, they are encouraged to imagine their cancer cells being destroyed by healthy cells. You can follow the same technique in order to lose weight. That means imagining your fat cells being destroyed by thin cells. Through such a method, you can “think your way” to a healthy weight.

In addition, it is critically important that you maintain a positive attitude. Be forgiving of yourself. If you veer off your diet plan, simply get back on course with your next meal. Don’t spend precious time “beating yourself up” over your failures. Instead, celebrate your successes-in a non-fattening way. For instance, when you reach a milestone-say you’ve lost ten pounds-reward yourself with a trip to an art museum or to your favorite coffee shop (but skip the cream and sugar). Marking milestones will give you a sense of accomplishment, a sense that you are triumphing over food.

Another helpful technique can be prayer or meditation. Some support groups even offer Bible-based weight loss programs that use scripture verses to help inspire. Taking stock of your life and handing your weight loss problems over to a higher power can be cathartic and may give you a sense of peace about your weight difficulties. It has been said that a clear head leads to a healthy body. Try praying or meditating ten minutes at the start of your day. Chances are you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the weight challenges that come your way.

Yet another technique you might consider is role-playing. Grab your spouse or a friend and ask him or her to act out a situation in which you might be tempted to overeat. You’ll be forced to come up with strategies to fight temptation. This rehearsal could prove to be quite helpful when a real life diet dilemma comes your way. If role-playing works for job interviews, it should be beneficial for your weight as well.

Mind over matter is not just a clever saying. It can actually be the solution to your weight loss problems. By using your brain power, you can develop the techniques needed to make healthy food choices. When your mind and your body are both healthy, you have the best of both worlds.

To read about tongue herpes and does herpes itch, visit the Stages Of Herpes site.

fitness center

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.