I Can Make You Thin

A very useful book is "I Can Make you Thin" by top UK hypnotist Paul McKenna. This accompanied a four part TV series in which he showed the basic difference between fat and thin people. It all comes down to eating habits and once you learn them, it is easy to control weight.



One reviewer wrote,

"***** If I could, I'd give it more than 5 stars. This book just makes sense. There's no psychobabble, it just frees you from the constrictions that YOU have always placed on yourself."

This excellent book includes a hypnosis CD and has been reduced from £10.00 to £6.59 so order it now: I Can Make You Thin

Give the Gift of a Spa Break

If someone in your life is losing weight and wants to feel good about her body, here is an excellent gift that will be really valued, SpaFinder is the ultimate resource on all things spa. They offer spa treats from one day to full holidays all over the world. In fact, they list over 3,800 spas.

So the best way is to offer gift vouchers from £25 to £1,000 to use at all SpaFinder spas.

Now here is a very tempting offer for Christmas.
Anyone purchasing a gift voucher for more than £50 receives a £5 discount. Just quote code AffXmas) or free postage (code: freepostage)

Anyone purchasing £75 or over receives a gorgeous spa gift worth £18.50.

Anyone purchasing £100 or more receives the spa gift and a one year subscription to Luxury SpaFinder magazine.

Everyone loves the “Gift of Wellbeing”.

Gift voucher denominations start at £25 and go up to any value desired (most common being £100). The vouchers are redeemable in more than 3800 spas worldwide, including 100s of prestigious spas in the UK and Europe. Click here for SpaFinder



Now you have no excuse for buying your presents on Christmas Eve in the petrol station!

6 Life-Threatening Dangers of Being Overweight

Losing Weight Can Save Your Life
While many people don't think twice about all those pounds that keep creeping up on them on the scale, those extra pounds can really be having a negative impact on your health. For many, it can actually be the difference between live and death, because
those who are overweight are far more likely to develop health problems that can literally put their life at risk.

Even if you are a few pounds overweight, it is important that you understand all the dangers that may enter your life when you are over your optimum weight. You have to understand that your health and your very life is at risk. Once you understand the
dangers, then you can start making changes in your life to get rid of the extra weight.

Danger #1 - Hypertension - One of the most common dangers that people who are overweight face is hypertension. People who have too much body fat tend to retain sodium in their body, which can increase the blood pressure. When you have blood pressure that is too high, it can put extra pressure on the heart as well.

Danger #2 - Diabetes - Another danger that you may deal with if you are overweight is diabetes. The top cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity, so the more overweight you are, the more at risk you are for having diabetes. When you have too much fat in your body, it can become resistant to the insulin in your body, which can lead on to diabetes.

Danger #3 - Sleep Apnea - Sleep apnea is another danger that
those who are overweight often encounter. Being overweight is a leading cause of sleep apnea, and the more excess weight you carry, the more severe your sleep apnea may be.

Danger #4 - Arthritis - People who are overweight are also more
likely to develop arthritis as well, especially osteoarthritis. The extra weight that is carried by the body can add extra pressure to the joints in the body, which can wear away at the protective cartilage.

Danger #5 - Heart Attack - Today being overweight is also a
primary risk factor for heart attack as well. Being overweight can raise your bad cholesterol, raise your blood pressure, and bring on diabetes, which are all factors that can cause heart attacks as well.

Danger #6 - Cancer - Believe it or not, there are now links between being overweight and developing cancer as well. Studies have also shown that people that are heavier have lower survival rates when it comes to fighting cancer as well.

As you can see, there are many dangers of being overweight and this is not even a comprehensive list of all the dangers out there. Being overweight can truly be dangerous to your health, which is why it is important that you start working to eliminate the problem today.

Hannes Johnson
A Pound A Day Diet

Free List Of Negative Calorie Foods

You will find a free list of negative calorie foods below, but first let's consider what this means. There is no such thing as a negative calorie - a calorie is a unit of heat and it cannot be negative. So when people talk about negative calorie foods, this just means a food whose calorie level is low enough that it takes more energy to eat and digest it than the food contains.

For example, if you consider water to be a food, then cold water is certainly a negative calorie food. It contains no calories at all and the body has to expend energy to bring it up to blood temperature. So every time we drink a glass of cold water we burn up a couple of calories and lose a little weight. But there are very few foods like this. Most foods that are on the list do not really use more calories than they add, or if they do the effect is negligible ... until you remember that at the same time the body expends energy just to keep alive and breathing. Celery for example does not give us enough calories to cover both the energy that it takes to digest it, plus the energy that we expend even when we are doing nothing. So that is why people call it a negative calorie food.

Negative calorie foods are most attractive to anorexics. A negative calorie diet would obviously result in starvation in the long term and nutritional deficiencies can occur surprisingly quickly. The calories burnt usually come from muscle mass, and the result is debility and wasting.

A more healthy way to use a negative calorie diet is as a form of fasting or detox. It is something you can do for one to three days right after the Christmas season or another time when you have been eating a over-rich diet. Provided you are otherwise healthy it can be a great way to clean out the system. However it is still best to take medical advice before attempting this.

If you decide to use a negative calorie detox, keep the following points in mind:

1. It is never a good idea to eat huge quantities of one type of food, especially fruits. A lot of foods contain substances that can be damaging if consumed to excess. For example, the acid in grapefruit and pineapple can damage your stomach lining. Other foods put an excessive burden on the liver or may cause diarrhea. So try to use all the different foods in small quantities.

2. Do not spend all day eating. You will just become bloated and feel sick. If you are only doing this for a couple days, you should not feel too hungry. Plan four or five salad meals each day, and let your digestion rest at other times.

3. You will feel more satisfied if you eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. You will also use more calories that way. So if the foods can be eaten raw, that will be more effective than cooking them. Foods like carrots and beets will also be more satisfying if you eat them grated.

4. Schedule time when you do not have any important commitments. As with fasting or any kind of detox, you may suffer some uncomfortable symptoms including headaches, tiredness, depression and irritability. If these become severe, stop the diet and see a doctor.

5. When you end the detox, plan a gradual return to normal eating.

If all the above points are checked and passed, let's move on to the list of foods.

* Apples
* Asparagus
* Beets
* Blueberries
* Broccoli
* Cantaloupes
* Carrot
* Cauliflower
* Celery stalk
* Celery root
* Cranberries
* Cucumbers
* Eggplant
* Endives
* Garden cress
* Garlic
* Grapefruit
* Green beans
* Green cabbage
* Lamb's lettuce
* Lemons
* Lettuce
* Onions
* Papayas
* Pineapples
* Prunes
* Radishes
* Raspberries
* Spinach
* Strawberries
* Tangerines
* Tomatoes
* Turnips
* Zucchini

Please use this free list of negative calorie foods wisely.

For more advice on weight loss, visit You Can Lose Weight Now

Weight Loss Mistake #7: People Rely On The Scale

Anybody that is trying to lose weight most definitely has a scale in his or her home. Even though using a scale can be a great way to track your results, you do not want to rely on it day in and day out. If you want to use a scale, you need to know when you should decide to step up. Follow the four steps below so that you do not start worshiping your scale!

1. Make sure that you have a scale that you can rely on. Many people think that just because they have a scale that it is accurate. But if you are using a scale that is out of date and not weighing you accurately, you will be thrown off from the
beginning. This will mess up your goals, as well as your weekly weigh ins. So before you get started on your quest to lose weight, make sure that you have a scale that you can trust.

2. Do not weigh yourself everyday of the week! If you get into the habit of weighing yourself every morning when you get up you are only going to cause yourself more headaches. It is not uncommon to lose a couple of pounds one day just for your scale to show that you gained it back by the next. When you weigh yourself everyday you will just be disappointing yourself more times than not.

3. Set up weekly weigh ins where you will be able to chart your weight. By only weighing yourself once a week you will be able to avoid the problems that come along with daily numbers. Also, by weighing in once a week you can determine if you are on pace to meet the goals that you had set for a particular month.

4. Remember that your weight is going to fluctuate; it is only natural, and there is no way to combat this problem. Your weight will go up and down based on a number of different factors. They include: eating more calories on one day, skipping a work out, or simply by the time of day you weigh yourself. Before you start your weight loss program you should get yourself prepared to deal with fluctuations, this way you
will not be disappointed when they occur.

If you are trying to lose weight you will definitely need a scale. It can be a great tool to have as long as you know when and how to use it. The number one thing to remember about a scale is that you should use it sparingly. There is no point in weighing yourself everyday; it is only going to cause you more problems in the end.

Losing weight is a process... It doesn't just happen overnight. Also, it's not enough to just try a diet out for a few weeks and then stop. If you want to keep the weight off you need to make some changes to your lifestyle – otherwise you'll just gain back that unhealthy weight... and we don't want that, right?

This guide has worked for a lot of people, see if it fits you.

You've now learned the 7 biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight. I hope they have opened your eyes and that they'll help you lose weight and stay healthy.

If you want to print out the 7 mistakes and keep them as a reminder you can download this PDF document. You'll need Adobe Reader to open that file, get it here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Hannes Johnson - A Pound a Day Diet

Weight Loss Mistake #6: People Don't Set Goals

Accomplishing a feat is always made easier if you set goals and losing weight is no exception to this rule. In fact, if you don't set goals while you are trying to lose weight you are only making things harder on yourself. By setting goals you will get to where you are going much more quickly.

The best thing about setting goals is that you have something to work towards. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds and want to lose weight you should set a target goal. Your goal should not be to simply "lose weight," it should be something similar to losing 30 pounds over the next 10 months. This way you will be able to strive towards your goal, and plan on what you have to do to be successful.

In addition to setting an end goal like the one that is detailed above, you should also set smaller goals that you can try to reach along the way. This may not seem important, but it will help to keep you motivated throughout the entire process.

Playing off of the same example from above, you will want to set smaller goals throughout the 10 months that you have set forward to lose weight. You can do this by breaking up each month separately. So if you want to lose 30 pounds in ten months, you should set a goal of losing three pounds a month. Doesn't that
seem much more attainable?

On top of setting goals, you should also make a reward program up so that you have something to work towards. You can have a smaller reward for each monthly goal that you meet, and then have a large reward at the end of the road. By doing this you
will be able to work through the tough times because you know that there is going to be something in it for you at the end.

This reward will be on top of the ultimate reward of actually losing the weight. Many people leave this step out, but it can definitely be help for those times that you don't think that losing weight is worth it any longer.

Setting goals are a very important part of life. Regardless of what you are trying to accomplish, if you set goals you will have a better chance of staying on track along the sometimes lengthy road to success.

If you want to lose weight you need to set goals. Of course it is not an absolute necessity, but if you do not have goals how do you know when you have reached your target weight?

Overall, setting goals will put you on the right track to realizing your potential and being a success!

Do you need help setting goals and achieving them? Then you should check out this free course called "The Simple Science of Getting What You Want"

Hannes Johnson - A Pound a Day Diet

Weight Loss Mistake #5: I Don't Need To Diet

One of the most common mistakes that people make when trying to lose weight is that they do not diet. Even though it is possible to lose a few pounds by simply exercising, you will not be able to get the results that you want unless you combine it with a good diet.

If you overeat every day of the week, there is no chance that exercise is going to be able to overcome this. Even if you are on a very strict regimen that burns hundreds of calories, you will not be able to combat the calories that you are putting on by eating extra food. At best, you may be able to cancel out the extra calories that you are eating.

Many people do not want to diet because they are under the impression that you cannot eat anything that tastes good. Dieting often times gets confused with starving yourself and eating rice cakes morning, noon, and night. This may have been
the case 20 years ago, but there are a lot of diets that are available today that can help you lose weight in no time at all.

The key to finding a diet that you can work with is researching all of them. By looking into every diet that is available you will be able to come up with one that will allow you to eat food that you like, but still keep your caloric intake to a minimum. There are special diets that will accommodate your needs if you like to eat fruit or if you like to eat meat. You just have to find out which diet you can live with, and then work within the guidelines in order to lose weight.

Dieting does not have to be a painful task that hinders your lifestyle. Many people would rather work out because there is not much to it. All you have to do is show up at the gym and work hard for a couple of hours to burn off calories. You do
not have to miss out on anything that you like to do.

But dieting gets a bad rap because people think that they are going to have to give up their favorite food. Sure, you may have to cut back on the gallon of ice cream that you eat every other day, but this does not mean that you cannot enjoy a couple
scoops once or twice a week. Dieting can be done in moderation; there is no reason to turn it into an extreme sport!

If you couple a diet that you like with the proper amount of exercise, you should have no problems losing weight. Just remember to make dieting and exercise work together.

Do you think you have what it takes to lose a pound a day?
See for yourself, get this guide and follow it: http://www.apoundadaydiet.com/
Hannes Johnson

Weight Loss Mistake #4: People Give Up Too Soon

Many people who are trying to lose weight give up after the first week. The reason that they do this is because they feel that they did not see enough results for all of the work that they put in. It is important to remember that you are not going
to see instant results, but after a couple of months working towards your goals you will realize that you are indeed starting to lose weight.

The way that most people try to lose weight is as follows. For the first two weeks they give everything they have to losing weight. This includes eating less and going to the gym more. They think that if they go strong for two weeks that by the time it is up they will be able to see big results. But after two weeks these people jump on the scale just to find out that they only lost a pound or two.

They then take off their shirt and realize that there is no sick pack and that their arms are as flabby as they were before they started. And at this point the same thing always happens. These people end up talking themselves into the fact that
nothing will ever work for them. Some people are a little bit more resilient and change diets or exercise programs. This can be easily avoidable if you know what you are doing.

The first thing that you need to do is get in the right mind set. If you tell yourself from the start that you are not going to lose weight quickly, then you will be more apt to give yourself a longer amount of time to see results. In other
words, if you don't expect instant results, you will not be disappointed when you do not get them. Along the same lines, do not set short term goals that are completely impossible to reach.

Many people set goals such as losing five to ten pounds a week. They do not realize how difficult that can be, not to mention unhealthy. Instead, set goals that are attainable such as losing five or ten pounds over the course of a few months. This
will allow you to feel good about yourself and gain some self confidence when you finally reach what you have been striving for. Being in the right mind set may not seem important, but it can go a long way in helping you stay on track.

If you come to the conclusion early on that you are going to have to put in some time to reach your goals, you will have a much better chance of being successful. If you don't give up early on, you will get what you want in the end.

The a pound a day team will help you keep going.

Hannes Johnson
http://www.APoundADayDiet.com/

Weight Loss Mistake #3: People Go At It Alone

If you have tried losing weight in the past, but ended up getting nowhere there is a solution to this problem; you can seek out help from a number of different places so that you do not feel alone. Listed below are three people that you can talk to, and places to go, that will help you lose weight.

1. If you are overweight and do not know how to get help why not seek out professional advice? Many people think that going to a dietitian is a waste of money, and that they will just be embarrassed. This cannot be any further from the truth. By speaking with a dietitian you will be able to get on the fast track to losing weight. Your dietitian will be able to set you up with a weight loss program that will work for you. They are trained in working with people who are overweight, and have seen every situation imaginable. After your first visit to a dietitian you will be surprised at how much better you feel about your current situation.

2. Seek out the advice of a personal trainer if you want to lose weight. Even though you can probably figure out how to exercise on your own, a personal trainer will work with you to get to your target weight. You will be able to set goals with the help of your trainer, and then work together to reach them. By interviewing a couple of different personal trainers you will be able to choose the one that will be able to best suit your needs. Don't make the same mistake as a lot of other people; call a personal trainer today.

3. By finding somebody else that is also trying to lose weight you will have a shoulder to lean on during the whole process. Losing weight is always easier if you take on the task with the help of somebody else. If you do not know of a close friend that is trying to lose weight there are other places that you can seek out companionship. The first place that you will want to look is online. There are hundreds of online communities that are devoted to people that are trying to lose weight. By visiting these communities you will be able to find other people that are suffering from the same problem. This way you can bounce ideas off of the other members, and also ask questions as they come up.

Overall, by finding somebody else to go through the weight loss experience with you will have a much easier time. Most things in life can be made easier with help, and losing weight is no exception to the rule!

Tell a friend about the How To Lose A Pound A Day report and then you can lose weight together! Get it here: http://www.apoundadaydiet.com/
Hannes Johnson

Weight Loss Mistake #2: People Don't Exercise

There are many different ways to lose weight. But if you want to speed up the process a bit, and ensure that you are successful, you will want to start exercising on a regular basis.

Many people that want to lose weight feel that all they have to do is eat less. Of course this is going to help, but it is not going to get you the results that you want in a short amount of time. If you really want to lose weight, you need to couple your diet with a strict exercise regimen. This will ensure that your body is staying healthy, and at the same time you will be able to burn off a lot of extra calories that may be hindering your progress.

Starting an exercise program is a piece of cake. Many people think that exercising has to be difficult. But actually, the word exercise does not mean that you have to go to the gym and lift weights seven days a week. All you need to do is find a
few exercises that you are comfortable with and perform them on a consistent basis.

One of the best exercises that you can do to help lose weight is walk or run. This may seem simple enough, but it has been proven to be very effective. This does not even entail having to spend any money at the gym. The only thing that you need to do to get started is set a course; something that is easily done. Anybody can find a course to run by simply stepping out their front door. There is no better place to run or walk than around your neighborhood. It is close to home, and it will not cost you a dime.

If you are not interested in running or walking there are other options that are available to you. Many people who are overweight join the gym as a way to get on the right track. This can be particularly useful because you will have access to
every piece of equipment that you will ever need. If you like to lift free weights you can go that route, but at the same time you can work out on machines. Joining a gym will give you the flexibility that you need in order to get started. You will
also be able to diversify your workout so that you don't get tired of doing the same thing day in and day out. Diversifying your workout will help to keep you motivated.

An exercise program is something that you can easily incorporate without much trouble at all. By exercising more often you will be able to lose weight faster than you ever thought possible.

Exercise is an important part of the a pound a day diet...

Mistake #1: People Don't Research

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they decide to lose weight is not doing research. Even though it may seem like there is not much involved when it comes to losing weight, there are more details than you will probably ever know. By doing the proper amount of research into your situation, you will ensure yourself of coming up with the best results possible.

You will want to research your own current situation, which includes many different factors. First off, you will want to weigh yourself in order to determine how much weight you want to lose. Think about it; if you don't know how much weight you
want to lose, how are you ever going to reach your goals?

After you find out how much you weigh, you will want to look into why you are overweight. Do you eat too much? Do you find yourself eating junk food at all times of the day? Did you stop working out on a regular basis? By finding out why you are overweight you will be able to determine how to best combat your problem.

After you are done looking at your own situation, you need to look externally to find ways to better lose weight. This can be the most difficult part of the whole process. There are tons of different weight loss solutions that are available. It is your job to find out which one will work best for you. If you think that you can lose the weight by going on a strict exercise regimen all you will need to do is join a gym. But if you feel that you need more help than that, you may want to try out one of the many diets that are available.

By researching the diets that you can try, you will find out which one you will be able to best follow. Many people think that dieting consists of eating fewer calories. This is definitely true, but there are more ways than one to accomplish
this. If you research each diet, and write down the advantages and disadvantages, you will give yourself the best chance of losing weight in the long run.

Researching your current situation may not be the most fun part of losing weight. But many people that skip this step find out that they are getting nowhere, and then have to start over at the beginning.

By putting in the appropriate hours of research you will ensure yourself of getting off on the right foot. Don't fall prey to one of this common mistake that people make when they are trying to lose weight. This mistake is easily avoidable, and it will save you a lot of time and aggravation in the long run!

That's it... stay tuned for mistake #2: People Don't ________

Hannes Johnson
http://www.APoundADayDiet.com/

The Body You Deserve

Imagine how much happier and more confident you’d be if you could train your body to function more efficiently and to look better in the process. With The Body You Deserve, you’ll get the expert guidance you need to take the struggle out of weight loss and finally create—and maintain—the lean, healthy physique you desire and deserve.

Anthony Robbins has spent the last three decades studying the principles of vibrant physical health and applying them to his own life with extraordinary results. In fact, at the start of his career Tony used the very same strategies you will find in The Body You Deserve to lose 30 pounds and propel himself into a life of sustainable and vital health—and he has made it his life’s mission to help others do the same.

The Body You Deserve will guide you—step by step—through a conditioning process that will help you change your behaviors as you train your body to burn fat. With this 12-day program, Tony will show you how to apply his breakthrough Neuro-Associative Conditioning® technology for permanent and pleasurable weight management that works. See and feel immediate results in your physical and mental well-being as well as in your appearance!

Learn how to:
* Train your body to burn fat without starving yourself.
* Transform your mind and your emotions to support healthy weight loss.
* Condition your body for long-term success.
* Change the behaviors that have prevented you from achieving your health goals.
* Create a proven plan for achieving lasting weight loss.

The Body You Deserve includes:
* 10 CDs
* A video
* A custom workbook
* An activity package

"The Body You Deserve." Lose Weight With Anthony Robbins Today! Click Here!


"In the first six months of using The Body You Deserve, I lost 40 lbs. No diet program I ever used created lasting results. This works."
- Glenna L. Decker

Weight Loss By Hypnosis Can Be The Answer

Weight loss by hypnosis can be the answer to many people's prayers, if done correctly. For those who have struggled with weight loss, jumping from one diet to the next, hypnosis may hold the key that will finally enable them to change their life. There are many misconceptions about hypnosis. This article will explain what hypnosis is and what it isn't and how it can help with weight loss.

Hypnosis is not being put under another person's control. This myth has been made popular by stage shows. You will not cluck like a chicken or crawl around on your hands and knees when hypnotized. In reality, hypnosis is simply a natural state in which the subconscious mind can come forward and be modified to make a change in a person's habits.

Overeating, smoking and other addictions are habits that have gone beyond conscious control. Therefore, tapping into the subconscious will help you gain control of these bad habits and stop them once and for all.

An induction is defined as the act of bringing someone into a hypnotic state. This is usually done by imagery. It can be self-induced or done by a qualified hypnotherapist. You imagine yourself in a peaceful, safe place to help you become totally relaxed. You are then guided into a specific problem area.

A person that is overweight became that way because of unhealthy eating habits. These habits are very difficult to change on your own. Hypnosis can help you break these habits by decreasing your cravings for the unhealthy foods and helping you focus on making the right decisions.

It is important to understand that hypnosis is not like a "magic pill" that will suddenly make the pounds start dropping off. It is a tool to aid you in making a lifestyle change.

The great thing about hypnosis is that it is non-invasive. It is not a one size fits all solution. Since everyone is different, hypnosis sessions can be adapted to fit the individual.

Weight loss by hypnosis often succeeds when all other traditional treatments have failed. It will get to the core of why the person is overweight and help them change their beliefs that make them overindulge.

But be aware that hypnosis is not recommended for people who have post-traumatic stress syndrome, epilepsy or any other personality disorders. It will also require work. Hypnosis can change the way you think about food, but it's up to you to implement these changes through a healthy diet and exercise.

So if you have tried everything and nothing has worked, you may want to try weight loss by hypnosis. You have nothing to lose but a lot of extra weight!

By: Terry Edwards
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
By the way, you can learn more about Weight Loss and much more information on diets and weight loss plans at www.FatLoss4IdiotsReview.net

4 Tips to Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

The holiday party season is fast approaching and I know for many women, this time brings a sense of stress and worry. With events popping up nearly every week, it’s hard not to overindulge and put on a few pounds.

But, take heart. There are simple things you can do to help prevent holiday weight gain, and maybe even take off a few pounds.

1. Be aware of “false fat.” False fat is a term I use to describe the accumulation of excess fluids, which we experience as bloating and swelling. Most often, it comes from allergic reactions to certain foods.

When the body detects an allergen, it releases histamines and other chemicals to the affected areas, which swell up in response. As we age, our production of digestive enzymes diminishes, creating a greater chance of developing allergic reactions to foods. The two most common food allergens are wheat and dairy.

Wheat contains a protein called gluten, which is difficult for the body to break down, absorb, and assimilate. Women with wheat intolerance are prone to fatigue, depression, bloating, intestinal gas, and bowel changes. I recommend eating breads, crackers, and cookies made with alternative grains such as rice, millet, amaranth, quinoa, or soy and oat flours.

Dairy products are a primary source of food allergies. Instead, choose dairy substitutes such as soy, rice, nut, and multiple grain milks, cheeses, and sour cream.

No holiday would be complete without festive cakes, cookies and pies. They're the pièce de résistance of every meal, and always on hand for visitors.

With a little substituting here and there, you can create wheat-free, dairy-free festive baked goods that are so good for you, you can eat them to your heart's content. And unless you tell them, your guests will never know that the treats they're eating are as healthy as they are delicious! Click here for some of my delicious recipes.

2. Get extra support with an appetite suppressant: I’m not talking about those over-the-counter appetite suppressants that are loaded with chemicals. One such product is PGX®, a unique blend of three naturally occurring water-soluble fibers: Konjac-mannan (also known as glucomannan), sodium alginate, and xanthan gum.

Studies performed by the University of Toronto and the Canadian Center for Functional Medicine suggest that 5 grams of PGX daily helps to promote satiety (the feeling of fullness), reduce cravings, and support normal blood sugar levels.

3. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Regular aerobic exercise is a potent defense against stress and cravings and there are a plethora of options to choose from. My favorite is walking, but I also recommend bike riding, swimming, yoga, Pilates, and T’ai Chi.

Consider joining a gym or daily exercise program, or working out with a friend. Having a workout buddy to hold you accountable every day can really provide the motivation you need to stick with it and keep the holiday pounds off.

If you join a gym, explore the various aerobics and weight-training classes available, and find a few that are not only fun, but that really make you sweat!

4. Become more aware of your emotions. For many women, overeating and weight gain starts in the brain. And many of the chemicals that play a role in the regulation of appetite and metabolism also play a role in mood swings.

Anxiety and stress over the holidays, or the occasional blues, are all triggers for overeating—whether because of chemical imbalance or as a way of coping. It becomes an endless cycle. When anxious or feeling blue, many people turn to food, which leads to weight gain. Extra weight, in turn, adds to feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and social alienation.

I encourage you to learn to recognize what emotions make you eat and when you want particular foods. Then try to regulate your mood so that it doesn’t sabotage your weight loss goals. Try yoga, visualizations, or meditation if you need a way to calm down or to help improve your mood at any given moment. These relaxation methods can often help you in more ways than one.

The holiday season is a time for traditions, family, and friends. I hope these simple tips can help you enjoy the beauty of the season without worrying about your weight. You can find even more information on healthy ways to eat and weight loss techniques at my web site, www.drlark.com. I hope you’ll visit me there.

To Your Health,
Susan M. Lark, MD

P.S. For my most thorough advice on weight and other important health issues, I encourage you to subscribe to my newsletter, Women's Wellness Today.

Three Weight Loss Tips

Q: How does protein help someone lose fat-tissue instead of lean tissue?

A: By eating enough protein to maintain your lean tissue while losing fat, you keep your metabolism revved up. Every pound of lean tissue burns 14 calories per day compared to only about three calories burned for each pound of fat per day. So keeping the lean and losing-the-fat helps you burn more calories at rest. This is also called the resting metabolic rate or metabolism for short.

Q: How does metabolism influence weight gain/loss?

A: Whenever you eat more calories than you burn through exercise and through your metabolism at rest, you will store the extra as fat. So having a higher metabolism can help you maintain your weight by balancing calories in and calories out. Exercises that strengthen your muscles improve your ability to burn calories at rest.

Q: What are the benefits of plant-based protein, or soy?

A: Soy protein naturally has a different composition than animal proteins that makes it healthier for your blood vessels, bones and kidneys than animal protein. Soy protein also has isoflavones, which together with soy protein as found in Formula 1, has an FDA-approved heart-health claim. That is why you see a heart on the label.



Source: David Heber, M.D., P.h.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.N., Chairman of the Herbalife Medical and Scientific Advisory Boards

Treating Bulimia with Hypnosis

Like Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder which typically affects teenage girls and young women. From an obsession with weight and body image, they develop a pattern of eating, often binging, then ridding the body of the food by vomiting, taking laxatives, enemas, fasting or excessive exercise. A tell-tale sign is someone who always goes to the lavatory straight after eating, particularly if they have eaten foods high in fats and sugars. They satisfy their taste buds with 'comfort food' but then the emotion that follows pushes the person to purge, guilt and self-loathing. They might run a tap to hide the sound of vomiting and eat mints to hide the smell of vomit.

As in many disorders when affect young people, the question of control is often prevalent. They may feel they have no control in all or some areas of their lives. The parents may be overbearing, pushy or unable to show their love. The person is able to demonstrate control over eating. Coupled with this is society's emphasis on thinness, looking good and constant exposure to food and drink advertising.

The person becomes preoccupied with the control of their body weight so excessive eating seems contradictory. They will often know calorific count of hundreds of foods and spend a large proportion of their time thinking about food. This may include planning the next binge.

A bout of excess eating may be triggered by boredom, depression, unhappiness, anger, anxiety and general low self-esteem. A lack of seratonin has been identified as a possible physical cause but this is generally associated with depression.

Bulimics will often plan their day in terms of when and what to eat followed by how to purge the body of the food. The bingeing removes their self-control so they may not stop eating once they start, thinking that they can always throw up the food later.

Bulimics often report a trance feeling where everything else seems to fade into the background as they forget time passing or outside thoughts and ideas and just binge on particular foods.

Physical Complications of Bulimia:
o Dehydration
o Heart disorders (Arrhythmia, cardiomypathia)
o Acute gastric dilation
o Stomach ulcers
o Erosion of teeth enamel
o Swollen glands in neck and face
o Aspiration pneumonia (vomit in wind pipe)
o Seizure
o Polysistic Ovary syndrome
o Menstrual irregularities
o It can be life-threatening.

If left untreated, bulimia will take its toll on the body and on the mind with sore gums and bad teeth due to the stomach acid brought up during vomiting. Problems that can turn deadly are stomach ulcers and perforations, intestinal perforations, tearing of the aesophagus and an imbalance of the body's natural minerals and electrolytes, leading to heart failure.

Poor Eating Habits
The person fears putting on weight so rather than eat sensibly they will work against their healthy metabolism by eg skipping breakfast. By starting the day with a complex carbohydrate such as cereal, they would actually increase their metabolic rate and burn more calories as well as enjoying sufficient energy.

Choice in Therapy
Bulimia is like many other negative habits that people carry on unconsciously, often controlled by the habit which has become automatic. Bulimics usually have issues with perfectionism and body image or self esteem. Traditional mind therapies usually spend a great deal of time in the past understanding the root cause of bulimia, looking for hidden meanings.

Hypnotherapy in treating bulimia prefers a quicker approach rewriting the behaviour patterns associated with bulimia, allowing the person a choice rather than a label. Hypnosis provides fast access to the subsconscious mind which knows what is at the root of the problem. To the subconscious, any message or image presented is interpreted as real so the therapist can present a new image of control. This may involve regression to a traumatic event which has deeply upset the person and re-writing that event so the movie in her mind turns out in a preferable way. It is not that the traumatic event is wiped out as hypnosis is not brain-washing. Rather the conscious mind still knows what happened but the negative emotional impact is diminished. The person no longer needs to purge.

Instead of feeling bad and out of control, a hypnotherapist will ask the person to find a time when they felt confident, relaxed and in control then lock in that feeling overwriting the negativity caused by the bulimia. Positive post-hypnotic suggestions will be given to free the person from a need to purge and replace previous destructive, negative thoughts with new patterns of positive behaviour.

Usually 3-5 hours of hypnotherapy will produce dramatic results by changing how the person feels about themselves, their body image, their eating habits and eliminating the need to remove food from the body. Boosting and reinforcing self-esteem while the person experiences deep relaxation of body and mind is key.

While private treatment with a hypnotherapist is preferable, some may find this hypnosis MP3 for treating bulimia useful. There is also this audio book on Managing Bulimia with Self-Hypnosis:


© Antonia Stuart-James 2007. The author is an English Hypnotherapist in Belgium helping people to make positive change.

3 Habits That are Making You Fat - Without You Even Knowing

You wouldn't expect these habits to make you fat - but they do.

1. Staying Up Late

The opposite would seem to make sense: If you stay up late, you burn more calories. Burn more calories, burn more fat.

Right?

Unfortunately, staying up late can set off a multi-pronged attack on your body composition.

First, sleep is vital for recovery. If you don't get enough sleep, your body won't build as much muscle mass - no matter how much time you spend in the gym. Less muscle mass = less fat burning power.

Next, if you are sleep-deprived, you increase levels of the stress hormone "cortisol." The connection between stress/cortisol and obesity is well established, but it gets worse.

A recent study (Epel, Yale) shows that cortisol related fat storage tends to be around the vital organs - the worst possible place to store fat in your body.

If that's not enough, lack of sleep is linked with glucose intolerance (diabetes), lower Growth Hormone levels, a weakened immune system, low energy, and more ...

Get a full night's sleep (7 to 9 hours), but make sure your place of rest is peaceful and pitch dark. Your natural sleep hormone, melatonin, is suppressed when there is too much light.

2. Skipping Breakfast

Many people skip breakfast thinking it will help them to lose weight.

"Fewer calories in - more fat burned."

The reality is that skipping breakfast actually lowers your metabolism so that at your next meal you'll tend to overeat.

To make it worse, the food you eat on a lowered metabolism is more likely to be stored as fat.

3. Prescription Drugs

Many of the drugs you are prescribed increase appetite, cause edema, or slow our metabolism. That's a recipe for getting, and looking, fatter.

The most commonly used drugs that have these effects are oral contraceptives, many anti-depressants and estrogen replacements.

Check with your doctor to see about finding suitable alternatives that won't make you fat.

Simpleology 103 owners can find a deluxe version of this article on the "Extras" tab. It includes 4 more habits that are making you fat, a few bonus tips, and the shocking connection between your sex life and body fat.

Go to http://www.simpleology.com

Dr Oz on Weight Loss

On an Oprah Winfrey Show recently, Dr. Oz was talking about weight loss and calorie reduction. He said something really interesting.

He said one of the keys is not to focus on reducing your calories and moving away from say 500 to 100 calories for a food item, but to simply focus each day on moving toward eating foods of only 100 calories. This would over time move you forward to the weight you want to be as opposed to moving away from the weight you presently might be.

Think about the thinking behind this. The first thought is about moving away from something and the other thought is about moving toward.

Instead of looking at what you need to remove, you simply focus on progressive daily steps that will help you reach your end goal.

Atkins Diet

As of now, January 2005, more than half of all north Americans are struggling with obesity. The “quick fix” for “fat” for the last 40+ years, becoming ever more popular, has become the Atkins Diet. The Atkins Diet was first popularized in the U.S. Air Force during the 1960’s.

The Atkins Diet is very simple — restrict your carbohydrate intake. And guess what? It actually works. But Dr. Atkins, after the initial few years of his popularized diet, began to make modifications and refinements to the original basic diet. And several other people have taken the basic Atkins Diet, modified it just a little, and come up with a new and very workable diet.

The first thing you must understand is that, across the entire human spectrum, each of us is very different from one another in the chemical makeup of our body. Thus, each of us, individually, should have our own highly personalized, custom built diet, created by a dietician using a chemical makeup assessment, usually a $200 hair analysis, of our particular body type and individual nutritional needs. So far as I know, this technology and this type dietary assessment is still available only through certain holistic health practitioners and it is becoming more and more expensive. As an example, it typically costs now between $200 and $300, whereas in the mid-1970’s it cost between $100 and $150.

There are three major misconceptions to the Atkins diet. The first common myth is many people believe this means don’t worry about the amount of calories or fat you eat so long as its not carbs. The second common myth is many people believe all carbohydrates are equally bad. The third common myth is that the Atkins “Lo-Carb” diet is actually a “Hi-Protein” diet. All of these, however, are enormous misconceptions.

The first myth: many dieters who use this program believe that calories and fat do not matter when eating low carb food, but in some cases this has proven to be fatal. Depending upon your particular body chemistry, when eating high fat food your cholesterol could climb and climb, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Also, it has now been proven that the older we become the less our body is able to metabolize the “high fat” portion of the Atkins “lo carb” diet, leading to additional dietary and health problems.

The second myth: The Atkins Diet is actually a “Lo-Carb” diet, not a “No-Carb” diet. What should be cut out are breads, rice and potatoes. Fresh fruits and vegetables should not be cut back and many should be somewhat increased. Finally, after the first month you can “safely” add breads and potatos — in limited quantities. One friend of mine eats 1 bite of breads/toasts, etc., served with his meals, such as garlic breads. One bite and not a morsel more.

The third myth: Mention the Atkins Diet and most people’s reaction is “Oh, yes, the ‘high protein’ diet.” Not true at all — it’s a “Low Carb” diet – protein intake remains unchanged. Some carbs only, not all, are restricted (versus eliminated completely); fats, particularly in older people, need to be restricted; protein should be kept to 4-6 ounce portions per meal, the lower values for breakfast and lunch. What you need to increase is your intake of high-fiber foods such as celery, etc.

The reason why the Atkins Diet works is because your body metabolizes its stored fat (carbohydrates) in order to burn — digest — the protein, fiber and fat you are eating. The Atkins Dieters tend to leave out several food groups, including fruit and vegetables, since they are “high carb food”, and then tend to grab a steak instead, which has very low carbohydrates.

This is ridiculous. Why? Because the elimination of carbohydrates and the reduction of the fresh fruits and vegetables actually throws your health into a major imbalance. Overloading your unbalanced diet by an excess of protein intake (adding that steak, above) to “increase the volume” to a satisfying level merely exacerbates this imbalance.

The true danger of the Atkins Diet, however, lies in the fact that, for people who already have health challenges, the Atkins Diet actually worsens some conditions and creates other health challenges that did not exist before the Atkins Diet. The worst of these is Gout. If you have a tendency to suffer gout, no matter how well controlled you have it, a strict Atkins Diet will create a severe gout condition and gout attack for you. If you merely had the tendency for gout with no active gout, the Atkins Diet will precipitate an actual condition of gout in your body. A severe case of gout requires medical intervention to correct as well as long-term dietary control and change. The long-term danger of gout is an increased tendency for heart attack and stroke. See Native’s Gift for one proven help for gout.

If your body type and chemical makeup is suitable for the Atkins Diet then by all means use it. Remember that there are several similar alternatives out there which may be more suitable than a strict Atkins, to include some of Dr. Atkins own later work and recommendations. If you have health challenges, to include a tendency for gout or actually suffer from gout, or have diabetes or any of several other disorders, the Atkins diet is definitely something you need to avoid.

And not just the Atkins Diet. Any and all diets which highly restrict or eliminate one of the essential food groups we all need to maintain optimal health is equally bad. Stop the insanity and use a REAL diet — the only proven diet which will work for virtually everyone.

What is it? Its actually two things: A food diet and exercise – yes, simple exercise, like walking a mile a day. A completely balanced, restricted calorie, diet containing a little bit of everything. Eat three meals a day, get your sweets, carbs, veggies, fruits, juices, protein and keep it to 1200 calories a day. Eat your breakfast and go out and walk the dog – if you don’t have one, take your neighbor’s. Give this diet a year of your life, weigh yourself every Monday and keep track of your weight, see where you are with it…..and make the change for the rest of your life. When you get to your target weight you may increase the diet to 1600 calories a day.

About the Author:
Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer. His latest business endeavor is at
http://www.organicgreens.us

Do You Need to Lose Weight? Signs That You May

Each day millions of people say to themselves “I need to lose weight.” Are you one of those individuals? While many of the individuals who tell themselves that they need to lose weight do need to lose weight, not all do. So, the question that many ask themselves is “do I really need to lose weight?”

One of the many signs that you may need to lose weight is if you are obese. Many individuals do not realize that there is a difference between being overweight and being obese. While different healthcare professionals have different definitions for obese, it is often said that those who are thirty or forty pounds overweight are obese. If you are obese, you should not only be worried about your appearance, but your health as well. Obesity has been linked to multiple health complications, including the early onset of death.

Perhaps someone has told you that you need to do lose weight. Whether your doctor recommended losing weight or if someone that you know on a personal level has, it is advised that you at least take their suggestions into consideration. Unfortunately, many individuals are embarrassed or become upset when they are told that they need to lose weight. What you need to remember is that the individual mentioning your weight to you is probably not as concerned with your appearance as they are with your health.

Maybe your clothes no longer fit you. Of course, it is normal for some individuals to gain weight or to have their weight fluctuate, but you may want to think about joining a weight loss program or developing your own weight loss plan if you find that your clothes no longer fit or are difficult to get into. Unfortunately, many individuals do not just have a small weight gain. Small weight gain often leads to more, which could have a negative impact on your health. It is also important to mention the cost of new clothes, which you may not be able to afford.

If you find many simple physical tasks or activities difficult, like walking up a flight of stairs, you may want to think about losing weight. Of course, becoming out of breath from simple activities may not necessarily just be a weight problem, but there is a good chance that it is. When you lose weight, even just a little bit of it, you will likely find it easier to do many of the activities that you love or even the tasks that you need to do, like take your kids to the park.

The above mentioned signs are just a few of the many signs that you may need to lose weight. Should you wish to lose weight, you are advised to proceed with caution. There are a number of weight loss products on the market, like diet pills or exercise equipment, which do not work. To save yourself money and to protect your health, you may want to consult your doctor before starting any weight loss program, even one that you develop yourself.

Law of Attraction—Perfect Weight Revealed

We are featuring information regarding obtaining and maintaining Perfect Weight using the Law of Attraction.

We as Americans, tend to worry about the problem of overweight that is plaguing our country. For good reason, we should be concerned. Many of us have concerns about our own weight and take actions which are often ineffective or down right dangerous. This situation we’re in is nothing new. We have been battling weight loss as a society for the last 50—60 years.

How did we get here in this situation? What are we doing about it? Why is our society reaching epidemic proportions in obesity? These are some of things covered in this guide that will help you understand how you got in the state you’re in. The primary goal of this guide is to change how you perceive weight and food so you can achieve your perfect weight and keep it for the rest of your life.

How did we get in this situation?
Many of you may already know the obesity problem in this country didn’t start over night. It started developing about 60 years ago. To be truthful, it really took off as a problem around the time Americans were introduced to the “TV” dinner. You may or may not remember the famous Swanson TV Dinner. Millions of dollars in advertising was spent in television and radio campaigns to advertise this new concept. That was just the beginning. From that point, food companies were focused on developing more and more ways to produce and sell, “quick meals”. These quick meals loaded with fat and preservatives were the hottest thing next to just baked bread. It was about the same time, Fast Food was coming on the scene. Mc Donald’s, a fast food empire started in the 1950’s and has grown to become a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Fast Food became another avenue for a quick meal. And the vicious cycle continues. We are a country who eats out more and more every year. Unfortunately, it happens to be fast food most of the time.

Is It Really Convenience?
There was a time no too long ago when we had enough time to go home and cook a healthy meal for our family. We would spend time outdoors playing with our children, working in the yard, or just strolling and enjoying nature. Now, we are rushing here, rushing there, rushing everywhere. We are a culture who seem to have no time to do all the things we have to do in a day, and eating right, well, that’s way on the bottom of the list. You would sooner stop by a fast food restaurant to feed your kids or yourself, then make the time to prepare a healthy meal. It’s not your fault, it’s our society. It’s all the outside influences that affect your life. Fast Food is now served at restaurants and drive-throughs, at stadiums, airports, zoos, high schools, elementary schools, and universities, on cruise ships, trains, and airplanes, at K-Marts, Wal-Marts, gas stations and even hospital cafeterias. In 1970, Americans spent $6 billion on fast food, in 2000, they spent $100 billion. Americans now spend more on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. They spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and recorded music—combined. It is so easy to stop and get a quick bite to eat, then plan our day a little better to make the time to eat more healthy. The fact is, no matter how you look at it, we care more about convenience than our health. Hence, our country is becoming more and more obese.

Couch Potatoes Anyone?
Another growing problem in our country is the lack of exercise. You can see it with our children. They would rather sit in front of a video game then play outside or in sports, etc. We have become couch potatoes. We can’t wait to get home, get off our feet and sit in front of the television. If we’re not sitting in front of the TV, we’re sitting in front of the computer surfing the internet. We don’t seem to have the energy to do anything else so we just sit there, some of us eat our dinner in front of the TV and then go to bed. The reason we don’t have enough energy is because we don’t eat right. Our bodies are filled with all kinds of stuff (chemicals/preservatives) found in the things we eat. Not only does regular exercise help you lose weight, tone muscles, build healthier bones, and boost your mood, it can also help you think clearly. Studies cited by the National Institute on Aging demonstrate a connection between physical exercise and better brain power. "Walking for just 10 minutes a day lowers your risk of Alzheimer's by 40 percent," says Gary Small, MD, director of the UCLA Center on Aging and coauthor of The Healthy Brain Kit. "Physical conditioning reduces stress and anxiety, which wipe out your memory bank."

Stress the Root of all Evil
Stress is one of the factors in the continuing weight problem of this country. Everyone seems to be working more and more. People in general are stressed more than ever. Stress plays a big part in the increasing obesity problem in our country. Studies have shown that stress puts people at high risk for heart attacks, obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. Stress affects your appetite and appetite has an impact on how you maintain your perfect weight. Being overweight and stressed poses significant health risks. Managing your stress is key to a healthy mind and body. Recent studies show stress causes physical changes in the body which can accelerate aging. Surges of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol cause blood pressure to rise and the heart to beat faster. These days, when our stressors seem unrelenting (a steady stream of job pressures, traffic jams, money problems), chronic doses of adrenaline and cortisol take a heavy toll on our physical and emotional health. "Sixty to ninety percent of all doctors' visits each year are related to anxiety, depression, obsessive anger and hostility, insomnia, high blood pressure, heart attacks -- all problems caused by stress," says Herbert Benson, MD.

Making the Right Decisions
We make the choices in our lives and we are well aware of what we are doing at every moment of every day. In order to obtain and maintain Perfect Weight for the rest of your life you will have to reprogram your internal blueprint in regard to your beliefs about food and your body. Then and only then will you be able to start heading down the road of success. After you have reprogrammed your weight blueprint you will need to learn to make the right choices in your life.

Finding and obtaining proven and effective tools will help you accomplish your goal of Perfect Weight. Because we are creatures of habit, we require tools that allow us to learn through practical repetitive application. These essential tools are contained in the Perfect Weight Guide. When you’re ready to live a more healthier, happier life, look and feel good about your body, then use the tools in the Perfect Weight Guide to help you achieve your goal of Perfect Weight.

©Copyright 2007— Success In U LLC - All Rights Reserved

Be Kind To Your Knees

The Weight Issue and Body Weight

There are no “hard and fast” rules about how weight affects osteoarthritis pain in your lower body and in particular with knee pain. However, researchers have found that those who are overweight are more likely to have incurred a torn meniscus which is the primary cushion that serves the knees. For those who have osteoarthritis it is already at risk so this adds another dimension to the problem.

The Studies

There was a study conducted at Wake Forest University that involved women only; 75% were between the ages of 60 and 89 and each was overweight. I really like the numbers here because they tell us a great deal about the overall affect of being obese.

For each pound lost by participants, there was a reduction of load on the knees by four times that amount. That sounds a little confusing but what they are saying is that in their study, a one mile walk and one pound lost equaled 4,800 pounds of “compressive load” from the knees.

They also extended that number out from there. They said that if you lost 10 lbs., you would reduce the load on your knees by 48,000 pounds over that same mile. The numbers can become pretty impressive here.

Think about this. Our lower bodies take a beating as it is. It is the load-bearing part of our body and we need as much “go power” as we can get from our legs, knees, hips and feet. Being overweight simply pushes the body’s limits and for those with osteoarthritis it becomes a doubly difficult problem.

The Reality

We tend to forget about issues like this even when we are suffering. Of course, if we do not get a handle on excessive weight, it creeps up on us. It also becomes more and more difficult to lose.

I cannot tell you what to do. All I can do is give you the facts. There is no escaping the fact that excessive weight is going to do an enormous amount of damage to our very valuable knees. Sometimes, it is more than they can handle.

Do yourself a favour. Give your knees a little relief before it is too late. Now that is much easier than saying, “go lose some weight” don’t you think?

Source: ActiveXAmerica

For More Information and latest News on Arthritis and Glucosamine Visit Arthritis & Glucosamine Resource Center at:www.arthritis-glucosamine.net. Glucosamine is widely considered beneficial in protecting the joints.