How to Diet Down NOW

good question

.

New Brain for the New Year!

Brain Fitness Programs.

It is January 1, 2009, and today is the day you will be doing your New Year’s Resolutions, if you are done with the excesses of New Years’s Eve anyway.

Perhaps you have done resolutions before, generated a great deal of excitement anticipating all the neat changes you were going to manifest, like the new physique, the reduced debt, no more cigarettes, a return to school, and then you were disappointed about the slow drain of excitement, and the continuation of old habits you wanted to change.

How about beginning the change process in the brain, before worrying about the Diet or the new text book?

Yes, change the brain first and the movement of the body will change too.

Perhaps you have been tangentially noticing all the publicity in the media about brain fitness, all the information being revealed by fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) which is giving scientists an opportunity to look at the brain in action in real time.

They are discovering some very interesting information, like our brains continue to grow new cells throughout the life span, which is called neurogenesis, and that the brain is a very plastic organ, constantly reorganizing itself based on how we use it, which is called neuroplasticity.

Those two discoveries alone overthrow decades if not centuries of neuroscientific dogma, much to the benefit of our New Year’s Resolutions.

However, we must maximize the brain’s ability to manifest neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, which means lay the groundwork.

As we do that groundwork, the brain is in a much better position to help us carry through on our resolutions.

(Remember that Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, author of Finding Flow, says that we perceive seven bits of sensory data every 1/18th second, so our brains are fast, and my brain will have me moving down a familiar path rapidly if I am not on top of my brain fitness game).

The researchers are discovering that our brains work best when we take care of our nutrition, stress management, physical exercise, and involve our brains in novel challenges, which is part of what I want to talk about today.

Researchers are finding very intriguing evidence that brain circuits or brain maps can be exercised, and when those circuits are exercised, the neurons in those circuits continue to fire together in close harmony, and dendritic growth continues to happen.

In other words, the neurons stay creative in the sense that they are growing connections to other neurons, and the more connections I have the better I am at making decisions which benefit the entire organism.

I will be able to bring more brain power to the resolutions I make.

There are any number of marketers leaping into the brain fitness marketplace with different brain fitness programs to take advantage of this market, which is being driven by aging Baby Boomers, so it is important to take a look at the product before you purchase or partake.

I think it is important to note that research is indicating that the words “novel challenge’ referred to above do not include “brain games” but do include activities like learning a new instrument, or taking up a new career, or learning a new language.

For brain fitness to occur, one does not need to become an expert at a new, novel challenge. One does need to practice regularly.

There are a number of brain fitness programs available now that offer a novel challenge to our brains which can be part of our routine which mazimizes brain fitness.

I have tried four of them, and found them all, while different in approach, time committment, and expense, very useful.

One in particular has helped me to focus more effectively on a given task, like building a website page, better than at any time in my entire life. (People have been telling me for a long time that I resemble this ADD or that ADD friend).

Another has taught me that I have some improving to do in my auditory processing, which will maximize my ability to find the correct word at the correct time, very important in my counseling business.

Another has given me a way to take a quick break between clients or phone calls to refresh the neurotransmitters in my brain so I have a less cortisol and more DHEA, more vasopressin, and more oxytocin available on demand.

And another has taught me the value of certain musical note sequences in brain speed and processing.

So the basis for my keeping my New Year’s resolutions is taking care of my brain with novel challenge including computerized brain fitness programming, and learning chess to play with my son, taking care of stress reduction using HeartMath, lots of good smoothies for good brain nutrition (that is not all, of course), and lots of physical exercise,which can be as simple as walking more and longer.

Michael Logan
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/brain-fitness-and-your-new-years-resolutions-716697.html

My friend says the worste thing she did when starting to work out was buying junk food, even for her kids. If you buy it you will eat it.

If I could add one it would have to be "not being prepared!" I find when i’m always prepared, I have no excuses to not hit the gym. I always have my things all ready to go with extra workout clothes + work clothes in my car. OR getting into the habbit of eating at night :/

Serious answers only please.

I think the worst thing to do is to fall into "All or nothing" thinking. A lot of people blow it on their weight loss program and rather than just keep going, they give up. Sticking with it, even if you blow it once in awhile is more likely to help you succeed than anything else.

blond bodybuilder -

Duration : 52 sec

Technorati Tags: fitness

Creating that healthy lifestyle that you always wanted does not need to be a nightmare. Making some easy changes in the way you think and the way you look at your life, you can achieve a healthy lifestyle. The following are some great starting points to get you on your path to reach your goal.

* Condition Your Mindset Through Positive Thinking
One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to get in the right mindset. Your mindset is the way you think or perceive certain aspects of your life. To condition your mindset you must have your subconscious trained through positive thinking.

For instance, if you want to lose 20 pounds and you have had trouble with diet programs then it is time to condition your mindset. If you go to a quite place in your home, relax and close your eyes. Now visualize yourself 20 pounds lighter and tell yourself “I am slim and fit”. Do this exercise several times a day. Throughout the day you want to reinforce your mindset by telling yourself constantly “I am slim and fit”. Doing this will eventually condition your mindset to help you achieve your goal.

* Creating The Proper Diet
Without a proper diet, you can’t expect to be fit or help build muscles. You must be particular on what goes in your body in order to support the healthy lifestyle you want. Protein varieties should be considered, such as red meat which is rich in protein although there are other alternatives like fish, cottage cheese, soy, nuts, beans and rice which are all rich in protein. Protein also helps promote muscle growth for body building.

Keep fitness in mind when planning your meals, well balanced meals should include fruits and vegetables. If you feel hungry in between meals then you should try some shredded carrots.

* Managing Proper Rest and Relaxation
Just as having a proper Diet is important, it is also very important to give your body the proper rest it deserves. Allowing your body and mind to get at-least 8 hours of sleep a night, will help you replenish your energy levels so your body and mind can work at optimum levels for maximum efficiency.

* Balancing It All Together
It may take some adjusting and getting used to but you can affectively balance your mindset, dieting, exercising and relaxation. By following a properly planned schedule you can balance everything you need to have that healthy lifestyle that you dream of having.

James Stein
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/nutritious-diet-fitness-body-building-discover-the-healthy-lifestyle-700320.html

ok is this fine to do ill try eat my regular food i eat but don’t eat junk food and drink water and probably jog one time a day will that help me out a little bit to lose weight and clean around the house also i am doing that also just tell me how many calories i should consume until i jogg i will go a slow speed thogh just to get my heart rate up will that help a little if i do that

Go to this website thedailyplate.com i register is free it tells you the calories for everything you eat and the calories you burn even for making a bed we burn calories and you could do calculation with them and tell them how much you want to loose and by the weight and height and how much you want to loose it tells you how many calories to consume i want to loose 2 pounds a week so i could only intake 1199 calories a day and i work out doing cardio 1 hour everyday except sundays try it out and good luck

Wellness is generally used to mean a feeling one gets when one has a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well being. Wellness can also be described as the constant, conscious pursuit of living life to its fullest potential. Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices towards, a more healthy existence. Wellness should be a natural goal for everyone, but this isn’t always the case.

Wellness is largely ninety percent diet and ten percent physical fitness. Let’s take a look at ones diet first. Dietary habits and choices play a significant role in health and mortality, and can also define cultures and play a role in religion for some. Changing ones dietary intake, or going on a diet, can change the energy balance and increase or decrease the amount of fat stored by the body. Sugar cravings are the major cause of diet and weight loss failures.

Sugar cravings for foods such as donuts, cakes, cookies, and highly process foods cause more weight gain than whole foods such as fruits and vegetables and home cooked meals. So instead of getting radical and cutting all sugar out of your diet, focus on reducing your intake of foods that contain high fructose corn syrup and added sugar, such as highly processed and fast food restaurants. It is sugars that are fast releasing that will encourage weight gain, and here’s why:

If your blood sugar levels rise very quickly your body has to secrete or release more insulin in order to control it. This high release of insulin drives all the sugar circulating in the blood to your fat stores. The body must maintain a balanced blood sugar level to prevent disease associated with diabetes in healthy individuals. Eating foods that have less sugar in them can help one reduce weight and prevent diseases such as heart disease.

Overweight people are at higher risk of diseases and need more protective nutrients, such as B vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. If you are overweight, you are more likely to develop health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, gout or joint pain caused by excess uric acid, and gallbladder disease. If you’re overweight, you also shouldn’t let the specter of yo-yo diets keep you from trying to lose weight.

Dieting is the practice of ingesting food in a regulated fashion to achieve and maintain a controlled weight. Dieting can be very difficult because of dessert or sandwich can be very tempting and most overweight people believe they have cravings that can’t be ignored.

Dieting reduces your overall daily caloric intake this is where exercise comes in to help you burn even more calories. Dieting means restricting calories or cutting down on certain food types. When dieting one should, avoid caffeine, lower salt intake, increase fiber intake, Lower saturated fatty food consumption, avoid acidic foods, eat smaller meals, avoid chocolate, and increase calcium in the diet by taking a supplement.

Researchers have found that fat and thin people can eat roughly the same amount of food each setting, but it seems that the type of food they are eating is different. This is due to the quality and kinds of foods eaten. By changing just the foods eaten can make a big difference in the weight of most individuals. Obesity researchers believe that truly overweight people should continue to try to control their weight because studies are inconclusive on whether weight cycling is harmful, according to the National Institute of diabetes, digestive and kidney diseases.

Staying fit does play a part in over all wellness and is not at all tough if one has the right determination and will power to stick to their workout schedule. Exercise can typically reduces stress and enhances body image, both of which is important in sticking to the goal and feeling better about ones self.

A lot of weight gain can happen during the winter months so maintaining physical fitness while the weather is unpleasant is largely a matter of motivation and determination. It is highly recommend, as you age, that you maintain a fitness level that enables you to move around without effort, loosing mobility later in life is depressing and can reduce ones sense of well being.

In conclusion, one should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem such as obesity. Loosing weight and improving wellness is possible for all individuals. Ninety percent of the work is dietary, by changing ones diet gradually; one can loose weight and feel great about them selves which in turn can help one feel healthy and well.

Darrell Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/wellness-is-a-factor-of-both-diet-and-fitness-712023.html

I am a 18 year old girl and currently weigh 173 pound and would like to weigh around 140 in around 3 months. 5′6 height

I am going to the gym everyday and cutting out junk food and alot of sugar.
But it seems that this helps me lose a pound or two. But I want a big change in my weight.
Im currently on the crosstrainer for 45 minutes and do crunches and pushups etc.

What else do you advise health and fitness wise??
Im thinking of going on a high protein diet.

Losing weight could be very simple if you know what you are doing and if you have the right mental attitude and motivation right from the word go. Below are some weight loss tips that will help you.

1) before you start at all you have got to to ask yourself these questions (A) Is weight loss your top priority? B) Is Dieting right for you? C) Do you have the right motivation? D) Are you able to devote 20-30% of your time to your body? E) Would you accept the things you can not change? F) Do your family and friends support you?

If your answer is YES to all the above questions then you are ready.

2: Never ever skip breakfast : Many people who are trying to lose weight skip breakfast which is the biggest mistake any one intending to lose weight can make. Make sure you don’t miss any breafast as it is the major source of energy for the day and missing it will do you no good but harm. You must also not skip your lunch and dinner too as you don’t loss weight skipping meals but instead skipping meals makes you look ugly and it does not help your self esteem.

3. Accept the fact that to loss weight will not be easy and learn to be disciple. You must realise the fact that to loss weight you must do some researches on what works and what does not. You should also learn to keep records of your intake and body weight as often as you can.

4. Make your brain understand the fact that you now have a new lifestyle and that you will not eat just any how again until you have the appetite to do so. You need to know that our mind is subconcious it will believe whatever we make it to believe and will adapt easily with time and that’s why you need to keep remaining your mind about your plans to loss weight and to do it real very fast.

5. Workout smartly
Do you know you can actually lose more weight & keep your metabolism fired up longer by doing 3-to-4 shorter 10-minute workouts instead of 1 big 30-to-40-minute cardio workout?

A research study at the university of Pittsburgh found that women who split up their 40 minute cardio workouts into 4 separate 10 minute cardio workout sessions during the day LOST 20 pounds while… the group of women who did one big 40 minute cardio workout only lost 14 pounds and…

The reason why more shorter workouts are better is because you never give your fat burning metabolism a chance to slow down.

6. Reduce carbs : Yes I know this is the most popular weight loss tip and you have heard it all over again but maybe you have been doing it the wrong way, I would advice you give it a try. It is true that it is almost impossible to loss weight and keep it off forever without substantially reducing our carbohydrate intake most especially those with high amount of glycemic load (GL). It will interest you to know that the consumption of high Glycemic Load (GL) carbohydrates leads to more demand for more carbohydrates which every nuritionist believes is not good for a weight losser.

7 .Get Enough Sleep : I know you probably are now thinking he must be crazy to tell me to get more sleep just because I want to loss weight but Hold on. If you’re thinking "Wait, are you saying I can lose weight just by sleeping? AWESOME!!!!" you’d be slightly mistaken. Sleep alone will not cause weight loss. It will however help. There so many scientific facts that support the reason for this and if you are in the 1% of people reading this who want to know those reasons, email me and I’ll explain. If you’re in the other 99%, just know that sleeping enough will indeed help your weight loss. That’s not all though. You know what it feels like when you’re tired? You become lazy. You don’t feel like doing anything. Well, when you goal is losing weight, you can’t be lazy and you can’t feel like not doing anything. Sleeping enough will eliminate this problem. Yes, you just read "sleep enough" on a list of weight loss tips. This one is really as easy as they get. You have no excuse.

8. Passionately kiss your partner 10 times a day. According to the 1991 Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex, a passionate kiss burns 6.4 calories per minute. Ten minutes a day of kissing equates to about 23,000 calories — or eight pounds — a year!

9. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: You body needs lots of water. When we don’t consume at least 8 glasses of water in a day your body will not burn enough calories as efficiently as it could be. All of your tissues need enough water to function at their very best. Without water your blood flow slows and nutrients and energy cannot travel to your muscles as quickly as they should. Therefore your endurance wanes and you will not exercise for as long as you would have if you had gotten enough water.

10. Eating too much meat isn’t good for us. We all know if we eat too much it will make us feel run down and tired. Not only that, but there are health risks involved too. A diet in high fatty meats can lead to heart disease and cancer. No one wants that. Some people choose not to eat m