Weight Loss

Fat Farm All The Myths About It

Posted by Jeff Thursday, September 5, 2013 0 comments

The term “fat farm”, as also with the term “fat camp”, carries with it a decidedly pejorative tone, but does that mean the concept behind them is bad? Indisputably not, as it turns out. As long as the participant is attending of their own free will, the idea behind these weight loss resorts and camps is wonderful, and well worth considering for anyone having difficulty shedding those unwanted pounds.

The difference between a weight loss camp (or fat camp) and a weight loss resort (or fat farm) is simple: the former is for children and teens, the latter for adults. Both provide accommodations, fresh and delicious supervised meals, trained health and fitness professionals on staff (usually including a health clinic or at least a nurse on premises), and lots of supervised exercise.

Most weight loss camps for kids and teens include nutrition classes, supervised aerobic activities, and regular weigh-ins, and report an average weekly weight loss ranging from 2 to 6 pounds. Camp Shane one such weight loss camp, one of the more popular ones, and it emphasizes developing improved physical skills that campers can carry back home into their regular lives. Another such camp, Camp Empire Lake, eschews the whole idea of weigh-ins altogether, equating them with the defeatist attitudes like guilt and shame that get in the way of being happy in whatever body campers currently live in.

Weight loss resorts for adults add to this mix of elements more advanced and esoteric methods of weight loss, like yoga, acupuncture, and meditation. Many also employ medical professionals, nutritionists, life coaches, and physical therapists available for participants to consult. Some resorts even hold hands-on workshops in the kitchen, teaching attendees how to cook more healthy and balanced meals for themselves.

What all these short-term homes-away-from-home for young and old alike really provide, however, far more than a little structure and supervision to a person’s day, is the supportive and encouraging environment of a group of people all dedicated to the same goal of losing weight. In a world where overweight people are besieged by outside judgment, these weight loss resorts and camps provide an atmosphere free of judgment, where a person is valued for who they are and encouraged to be all the desire to be.

MTV shed a bright light on this phenomenon with its acclaimed documentary feature Fat Camp: An MTV Docs Movie Presentation. The movie follows 5 teens as they attend Camp Pocono Trails in the Poconos, Pennsylvania. The show received such widespread attention and acclaim that it airs its second season (following 5 new teams and their experiences at the same camp) starting November, 2007.

As all captivating drama should, the MTV Fat Camp doc highlights the thrills of victory and the agonies of defeat. But the real fat camps and fat farms aren’t about victory or defeat. Their about support and encouragement. About loving who you are so much that it finally starts to show in how you look.

Copied with permission from: http://plrplr.com/93483/fat-farm-all-the-myths-about-it/

Eliminate Negative Thoughts And Lose Weight

Posted by Jeff 0 comments

You think thousands of thoughts each day. You talk to yourself more than anyone else. You are your most trusted advisor and confidant. Many of the conversations that you have with yourself you would never share with anyone else because to do so would expose the “real” you. The you that is filled with self doubt, worries, sadness, guilt, hurts and disappointments.

But this is not the “real you” at all. This is the you that your ego and belief systems have constructed. These negative beliefs have been constructed by you, and accepted by you as truth. The sad thing is that nothing can be further from the truth.

Where did these false ideas about you originate? They mostly came from others; parents, teachers, co-workers, and friends. They might have planted the seed by saying something like “she is fat” and you have cultivated those comments to the point that they have become your truth.

You are allowing your entire life to be controlled by some obscure comments made years ago. Nobody has the right or power to dictate who you are. Only you know who you truly are and what’s in your heart.

When you were born you entered this world without the burdens of you current negative belief system. You entered this world as a beautiful bundle of joy filled with unlimited potential and possibilities.

I’m here to tell you that you have not changed. You are still and will always be a beautiful bundle of joy with unlimited potential and possibilities.

The only difference is what you give your attention to. Let me ask you a question. If you stopped all the negative talk that you currently have with yourself such as;

- I’m too fat

- Why would anyone want to love me

- I will never be thin

- I always fail

And the list can go on and on… How would you feel ? Do you think that you would feel emotionally lighter ? Do you think that you would feel happier ? Do you think that you would feel more confident ?

Now how do you think your life would change if you were to go one step further and modify your self talk by only speaking positively about yourself. If you take some time and focus on what you like about yourself and focus on only that your emotional state will become positive to the point that you will be able to accomplish anything.

Once you begin looking for the positive things within you, you will be surprised to realize your magnificence has always been there just below the surface. You have never been anything other then that shining bundle of joy that entered the world years ago. It’s easy to uncover positive aspects of yourself by asking some questions.

- What am I good at?

- Who has benefited by me being in the world?

- Who am I, what is in my heart that only I know?

- What do I like about my body?

Your goal is to feel good now. How do you feel now? If you only observe what you feel is positive about you, you will feel good, you will be happy. Decide right here and right now how you want to feel. Decide that you will always look for the good within you and appreciate that goodness.

So what does all of this have to do with weight loss? Everything!!! Your emotional state is the control valve that determines what you draw into your experience. How you talk to yourself creates your beliefs and programs your subconscious. So you need to ask yourself do you want your beliefs and subconscious programming to be based on false negative thinking. Or do you want your beliefs to be based on the truth, that you are and always have been a perfect being.

Begin today to love and nurture yourself. Allow the joy, playfulness and enthusiasm that you naturally had as a child begin to flow into your everyday experiences. Allow yourself to celebrate each and every success no matter how small. Love and appreciate yourself every opportunity you have. Do this everyday and watch your weight begin to dissolve just as your old negative beliefs about yourself begin to dissolve.

Can I Lose Weight Faster By Going To Saunas?

Posted by Jeff Tuesday, September 3, 2013 0 comments

This article could be completed with just one word. No.

But that wouldn’t be fair since an explanation is necessary. A sauna is basically a room which is heated to high temperatures and meant to warm up your muscles and ‘loosen’ them a little. The temperature in a sauna can go all the way up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. You will be dripping with sweat and feeling light headed after a sauna session.

So, does that mean you lost weight?

Probably yes. Does it matter?

Nope. Why?

Because you only lost water weight. Once you rehydrate, your body will replenish the lost fluids as soon as possible and you will be back to the same weight. Saunas are used by pro athletes to lose weight so they can qualify for a lower weight class during the weigh in. This is their strategy to give them an advantage later on.

For a normal person just trying to shed excess pounds, a sauna should not even be a consideration as a weight loss tool. If you want to relax after a hard workout and ease your tired muscles, then by all means use a sauna. If you are hoping to lose weight just by going to saunas, it’s not happening.

There are some health benefits to using a sauna. Personally, I feel that these health benefits can be achieved with a hard 30 minute run. However, for an easier way to experience similar benefits you may try a sauna. When you use a sauna and sweat copiously, you will be flushing out toxins from your body.
Your heart will beat a little faster so it can be considered a very mild cardio session. The heat in the sauna will stimulate blood flow and help tired muscles to recover faster.

Some research shows that the increased heart rate in a sauna is similar to that as going for a walk. My suggestion is to just go for the walk instead. Use a sauna as a way to mentally de-stress. A tough training regimen and strict diet can take a mental toll on you. Use the sauna to relax. Close your eyes, soak up heat, sweat away and relax. You will be less tempted to binge on junk food if you’re relaxed.

You should also take note that a sauna will dehydrate you. Avoid alcohol before a sauna and do remember to rehydrate once you are done. Do not use a sauna before a cardio or weight training session. Only use it after your workouts.

Many gyms are equipped with saunas and many members use a sauna after a hard session on the treadmill. I wouldn’t recommend it because your body will have lost a lot of water from the workout. It would be a good idea to rehydrate and wait about 20 minutes before heading to the sauna. Try not to sleep off in the sauna. Finally, do not weigh yourself after a sauna and be glad if the scales have dropped. You will just be disappointed later.

Can You Be Fat and Still Fit?

Posted by Jeff Monday, September 2, 2013 0 comments

This is a very interesting question and causes a lot of debate among health care professionals and fitness experts. After all, there are people who are obese and yet engage in sports actively on a daily basis. They are fat because they consume more calories than they burn off.

So, it is possible to be fat and still relatively fit. I use the term relative because we must look at fitness from a broader perspective. It’s not about how fast you run, how much weight you can lift or the amount of stamina that you have.

Fitness encompasses all of the above but it also includes the general state of your health. When you factor this in, even slim people may be considered unfit and unhealthy.

Obesity has been linked to many diseases from hypertension to diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc. However, automatically assuming that becoming obese means you will get these problems is not really correct. There are many other factors to consider.

Age is one. Younger people often tend to escape these problems even if they are obese. It’s older people who are more prone to obesity linked diseases. So, a young obese man could be fitter than a slim but older man.

Then we have genetics which is never fair. Some people are much more prone to health problems due to poorer genetics. There are many obese people with normal blood glucose and blood lipid levels. They just have good genes.

There are many other factors such as smoking, diet habits, stress levels, sleep habits, drinking, drug use, etc. that may cause health problems. So, an obese man who smokes and drinks frequently will be less fit than another obese man who maintains a healthier lifestyle.

In the end, it’s all relative. If you eat right and exercise often, you will be healthy. Eating right in this case means eating healthy. Of course, even if you eat healthy but exceed your daily calorie requirements, you will still gain weight. You will be fit but fat.

The best way to live life happy and healthy is to slowly shed the excess pounds and reach the ideal weight for your height. As you age, your body’s systems will deteriorate and any excess fat that may not pose a problem now will start causing problems later. Prevention is better than cure so it’d be ideal to lose the excess weight now.

If you are involved in exercise actively but still overweight, then the problem lies with your diet and just with a few tweaks, you will attain your desired weight. It will be easier since you already have the habit of exercising daily. Those people who are obese and do not exercise regularly will have a much tougher time since they’ll have to inculcate 2 new habits – exercising regularly and eating properly.

Lose it. You will look better and feel better. You will be lean and fit. Now that is a goal anybody can strive for and feel happy when they accomplish it.

20 Rules to Fat Loss

Posted by Jeff Saturday, August 31, 2013 0 comments

This article will be real simple to read. If you apply the rules stated below, you will be dropping the pounds real fast.

1.Aim for a 500 calorie deficit daily. This equates to a 1 lb. of weight loss per week.

2.Adopt a diet high in proteins and fats but limit the carbs. Avoid high GI carb foods.

3.Consume slow digesting carbs. These are considered as low GI foods and they will keep your blood sugar levels constant.

4.Drink 2 glasses of icy cold water daily. This will boost your metabolic rate due to an increase in norepinephrine.

5.Drink about 3 to 4 cups of tea without sugar daily. It can be green tea, black tea or oolong tea.

6.Eat eggs as a form of protein. It’s an excellent source. Studies have shown that people who consume eggs have less hunger cravings and lose more weight.

7.Consume fish oil supplements. They are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids. They aid with fat loss.

8.Drink a glass of raw milk a day if you can obtain it. It is rich in fat, calcium and protein. Only drink raw milk.

9.Eat an apple a day. They are rich in anti-oxidants and have many health benefits. A compound in apples known as apple polyphenols has been shown to increase muscular strength, boost endurance and promote fat loss. This is definitely a must have in your diet.

10.Eat a handful of nuts daily. Almonds, macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, etc. They are rich in fat and have many health benefits.

11.Drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water daily. Your body needs water and oxygen to metabolize the fat. Not being properly hydrated will mean that your fat loss progress is hindered.

12.Include whey protein in your diet. If your budget allows it, get a tub of whey protein from your health store and make a protein shake for yourself before bed daily. It will help with muscle recovery and growth.

13.Skip the artificial sweeteners. There is a lot of debate about whether they are safe or not. What really matters is that artificial sweeteners tend to affect the brain’s ability to regulate calorie intake. That means you feel hungry more often, experience cravings and end up consuming more calories.

14.Consume CLA supplements. They have been proven to aid fat loss.

15.Have an exercise program that combines both cardio and weight training. This will ensure that you will burn the most fat in the shortest possible time.

16.Do your cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Your body will burn its fat stores directly.

17.Lift heavier weights every now and then Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption will lead to an elevated metabolic rate that lasts for hours. That means you keep burning calories long after you have finished working out.

18.Motivate yourself daily with photos or quotes or even body transformation videos. It is easy to get de-motivated along the way.

19.Weigh yourself only once a week and NOT daily. This will track your progress and keep you focused.

20.Get your body composition measured. Sometimes your weight on the scale may not change but that does not mean you have not lost fat. Your fat loss may have been offset with lean muscle gain. The only way to be sure will be to do a body composition test.

These are the 20 rules to fat loss. Of course, there are many more but if you just follow these 20, you will be way ahead of the pack and will see results quickly and your dream of a toned body will become a reality.

Eat These Foods To Accelerate Your Fat Loss!

Posted by Jeff Thursday, August 29, 2013 0 comments

You are what you eat. Put healthy food in your body and you will be a picture of health. Put junk food inside and sooner or later you will end up in the hospital. To lose weight, you need to eat the right food in the right proportions at the right time.

There are some foods that actually benefit weight loss. Of course, they must be eaten in moderation and must complement an exercise program. However, you can boost your fat loss by eating certain foods in particular.

I’ve given a list of foods below that are very popular for helping people lose weight. Choose the foods that you like and eat them in the correct quantities. I’ve not stated the quantities because they vary with each individual. You will need to find out for yourself how much to eat and what the calorie content is. Just use Google to help you.

Also take note that you will want to limit your carb intake even if it is the healthy kind. You do not need to eliminate carbs, but I wouldn’t recommend more than 30 percent of your daily calorie intake come from carbs.

Now let’s look at the foods.

For protein, these are some of the popular sources. The body burns calories to digest protein. Protein helps to repair your muscles and also boosts your metabolism.

Protein sources –

•Eggs
•Chicken Breast
•Turkey Breast
•Salmon (wild Alaskan)
•Bison/Buffalo Meat
•Whey protein, Casein protein or both(supplement powders)
•Tuna
•Grass Fed Beef

These are some of the best protein sources available. Cook them right and you will have a very healthy meal.

Now we’ll look at the carbs. Carbs have received bad publicity to say the least. There are diets recommending cutting out all carbohydrates from your diet, etc. This is not necessary. A healthy diet does include carbs. It’s the type and quantity that matters. You will want to avoid carbs like white bread, pasta and white rice. All these have a high GI and cause insulin spikes.

Eat the starchy carbs below for best results in your weight loss program.

•Oatmeal (old fashioned)
•100% whole wheat bread
•100% whole wheat pasta
•Yams or sweet potatoes
•Brown rice or basmati rice
•White potatoes
•Beans
•Chick peas (garbanzo beans)
•Quinoa

Vegetables are also an essential part of your diet. You will need the fiber to aid with digestion. The best way to eat vegetables will be to boil them. However, many people find this too bland and unappetizing. So, you may lightly sauté them with olives oil and spices.

Eat any of the vegetables listed below.

•broccoli
•mushrooms
•cucumbers
•asparagus
•salad greens/lettuce
•tomatoes
•bell peppers (green and red)
•onions
•spinach
•Zucchini

There is often debate among fitness pros if fruits should be consumed during a weight loss program. One group believes that the fruit sugars do not help with the weight loss. Another group believes that fruits are good for the body and one should consume them daily.

The best advice would be to consume them in moderation. Fruits have anti-oxidant properties and are very beneficial to the body. Do consume 1 serving a day of the fruits listed below.

•Grapefruit
•Bananas
•Peaches
•Cantaloupe
•Oranges
•Grapes
•Strawberries
•Apples
•Blueberries
•Pineapple

These are the power foods that you should be consuming to enjoy good health and give your body the nutrition it needs. A clean and healthy diet is crucial for fat loss. Make it a habit to eat wholesome and nutritious food.