Shocking Statistics - Why Fast Ways to Lose Weight Are Needed Now

There is not a week that goes by without a story in the media about increasing levels of obesity. For every warning there are new products with new ways to lose weight fast hitting the market. For example Weightwatchers, Jenny Craig and Nutrisysem are just a few of the larger ones but there are all sorts of pills, potions and programs all designed to help people lose weight faster.

But is this all really necessary? Are we all turning into a big fat bunch of lazy slobs or are we being bullied and pressured into purchasing these products by the media and the idea that we should look like the airbrushed celebs on the front covers of glossy magazines?

Data from a 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention have found that all but one of the U.S. States (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity greater than 20%. The situation does not seem to be any better in the United Kingdom where a government report, 'The Health Survey for England' predicts that more than 12m adults and one million children will be obese by 2010 if nothing is done.

With a population of just over 60 million this means that approximately 20% of the UK population will be obese. With all the known and associated health problems associated with obesity fast ways to lose weight are needed now before this time bomb explodes.

Individuals that are motivated to lose weight can do so be reducing their calorific intake and increasing their energy expenditure. This will put them in a state of calorie deficit in which the body uses the fat stores for energy and body fat levels are reduced.

How governments and local health councils can enforce this on a large scale is a difficult question. While they can try and provide more opportunity for physical activity through sport, cycle networks and safer streets for people to walk on quite how they can control what people eat is another matter.

If obesity or being overweight is something you are worried about or trying to deal with you can get some excellent tips and advice here on how to lose weight fast.

Losing Weight - The Sensible Way

There is no shortage of fad diets on the market today, in fact there are more than ever right now and they are not all as good as they promise. Some claim to help you lose up to 3 stone per month which isn't the healthiest amount to lose in such a short period of time.

Fad diets are simply a controlled way for you to eat less calories than you actually need. There is only ever one formula which will result in weight loss and that is eating less calories than you need, forcing your body to use fat stores. If you were to create a 500 calorie deficit per day, you would see an average weight loss of around 1llb per week (roughly 3500 calories = 1llb). It really isn't that difficult to do and if you incorporate some daily exercise into your routine, you will shift even more. By maintaining balance, the weight you lose will stay off for much longer should you stray from the routine (with fad diets, you often limit carbohydrates, when you begin eating them again, people tend to balloon up again in no time).

The most important piece of advice I can give anyone wishing to lose some weight is to keep a weight loss diary. It takes about 10 minutes per day and you can clearly see where you are going and if any changes need to be made. For people struggling, you can look back over it and see exactly where you are going wrong. You need to include exactly what you have eaten every day (including portion sizes IMPORTANT) and how much exercise you have done. My clients often show me their diaries after a week or two and the most common problem is portion size. They eat very well, all the right foods but they aren't watching their portion sizes, which can sometimes double caloric intake.

Weight Loss - The Enduring Myths

There is no doubt that obesity poses a huge risk to the health of our species, at this point in history for perhaps the first time there is such an over abundance of cheap, available food that we are literally eating ourselves to early graves.

Gym memberships are at an all-time high with people from all walks of life desperate to improve their, health and appearance, and, of course chase what has become the holy grail of fitness for some, the ever elusive six pack.

In the last 20 years I have seen many fads come and go in the so called "fitness industry" but one, above all stands out in its tenacity and sheer bloody mindedness in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence. The myth of cardio for fat loss.

I have simply lost count of the number of times I have seen new members arrive at the gym having resolved to make the effort to approve their health and appearance only to see minimal results, lose interest and leave.

Quite simply put what they are doing doesn't work, hasn't worked and will never work.

Take a look around your local gym at the blank faces grinding away on the treadmills, elipitical trainers and stationary bikes, the boredom only relieved by the rows of wall mounted TV's, have you noticed any dramatic changes in body shape, I highly doubt it!

The fitness industry clings to this outdated dogma for convenience, it is simpler and more efficient for the gym to have you plodding away, performing a few crunches and then going, home. This is cost effective as no real further coaching or monitoring or input is needed.

There is another way!

Some of the information may well contradict your current beliefs but all has been tried, tested and proved both in the lab and "in the trenches."

The bulk of the calories we burn are due to our RMR or resting metabolic rate other factors such as exercise make a smaller contribution to our daily expenditure of calories.

The number one training priority when attempting to lose body fat is to raise the bodies metabolic rate so that you body continues to burn calories at a higher rate for hours after leaving the gym, some studies suggest that this is possible for up to 36 hours.

The first and foremost tool in our exercise toolbox when training for fat loss is resistance training. This may fly in the face of what you understand to be true. but the fact of the matter is that a correctly structured high intensity resistance program utilising large multi-joint movements will raise the metabolism and preserve muscle mass thus speeding up the loss of body fat.

When I talk about weight training and in particular with regard to fat loss I'm talking about exercises such as the squat, deadlift, lunges and complex moves, that is blending two or more exercises into a single motion such as the squat and press or "thruster" as it has become known. I'm afraid a few reps on the pec dec or a few sets of lateral raises just won't cut the mustard. Our goal is to burn energy and quite simply put the larger the engine (the more of your body you use) the more energy burned.

Many women are afraid that training with weights will bulk them up and make them look over muscular and masculine, this is a myth! Women can greatly improve their strength, health and appearance through sensible weight training without bulking up because they don't have the same hormones as men. An added benefit is the link between weight training and an increase in bone density providing some protection against osteoporosis.

Female bodybuilders who actually want to bulk up have to resort to drugs in order to achieve the effect as it doesn't happen naturally.

If you watch what you eat and train with weights, you will drop couple of dress sizes rather than get any bigger. The image of the female bodybuilder is a fairly recent phenomenon, did you know that Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Munroe used to train regularly with free weights

Assuming that you have made some simple dietry adjustments, two to three 45 minute sessions per week combined with some high intensity Interval training will result in rapid, effective weight loss in a fraction of time you may currently be spending in the gym.

How to Lose Water Weight Naturally in a Safe Manner

Wondering about how to lose water weight? Do you retain a lot of excess water in your body? Retaining excessive water can be caused by a poor diet, improper nutrition, excessive sodium consumption or even a medical condition involving the lymphatic system and other organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart.

Many complain of feeling swollen or bloated or feeling that their clothes are too tight. It can be extremely frustrating especially for those who are trying to lose weight and while medication can help, they do have side effects. Here are a couple of tips to help you lose that water weight safely in a natural manner.

1) Reduce your salt intake until you lose all your water weight. Eat more fresh food, avoid processed foods (desserts and certain foods like peanut butter contain a lot of salt )and don't add salt when you are cooking your meal. It's important to lose the excess salt in your body since it absorbs water and which gets trapped in your tissues.

2) Cut down on your sugar intake too. For a while, avoid cookies, syrup, cakes, ice cream and sweetened cereals. Reducing your sugar intake will cause a drop in your body's insulin levels causing it to get rid of any excess sodium. You don't have to worry about how to lose water weight when you keep your salt intake low and reduce your sugar consumption too.

3) Eat more diuretic herbs, fruits and vegetables. Eating foods with high water content is a great way to eliminate excessive water retention. Some natural diuretic drinks are green tea, pure lemon juice, unsweetened pure cranberry juice, dandelion leaf tea etc. Fruits like melons, bananas, citrus fruits are rich in potassium which balances sodium while foods like celery, peppers, tomatoes, asparagus, brussel sprouts are good diuretics vegetables.

4) Get a good exercise program in place. This will increase your respiration and transpiration rates and will help your body expel excess water, salt and other impurities. Sweating is nature's way of helping your body cleanse itself. Some experts recommend swimming as a good exercise to lose water weight since the water's pressure will help in pushing excess water out of the body's tissues which is then lost through urination.

5) Keep your body well-hydrated. Drink around 8-10 glasses of water per day. Don't deny your body water since dehydration will tip your body into the survival mode causing it to retain more water.

These are just a few actions you can put into place to get rid of this problem. You don't have to wonder about how to lose water weight anymore. There are more strategies that you can use - Remember that water weight is easier to lose than fat so you'll see results a lot quicker.

Foods to Lose Weight - 6 Super Foods to Lose Weight Fast

Struggling to lose weight? It's no easy proposition these days with fast lifestyles being the norm. You might be struggling to follow your fitness plan in spite of the best of intentions because of your stressful lifestyle and the ever constant 'lack of time.' It's no secret that the easiest way to lose weight and stay fit is to have a healthy diet and lifestyle - Have you ever considered foods to lose weight that you can incorporate in your diet?

These super foods are excellent for any person who aspires to lose weight because they fire up the metabolism and have many excellent attributes too such as being good for your heart or improving your memory. You can eat a lot of these foods without counting calories and they'll not only help you lose weight but will also clear out the bad toxins in your body. Here are 6 of some of the best foods that will help you lose weight.

1) Grapefruit

This extremely beneficial fruit is high in potassium, vitamin C and provides a great deal of fiber. The pink variety contains 'lycopene' which is an antioxidant that's extremely good for your heart.

The fruit reduces insulin levels in your body, reducing the amount of food that gets stored away as fat and the high water content also hydrates your body quite well. Add it to your breakfast or make it a mid-morning snack.

2) Beans

Chick pea, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, navy beans etc. are really great sources of cholesterol lowering fiber. Black beans especially with their high fiber content prevent blood sugar levels from spiking very rapidly after you've eaten. This makes it a great food for those suffering from diabetes and is also an excellent source of protein.

3) Kale

Kale is a green leafy vegetable that for some reason only features prominently as a garnish when it should instead feature as one of the top foods to lose weight. However this is one green vegetable that you want to eat lots of since it has lots of iron, calcium and fiber. A cup of raw chopped kale only contains about 34 calories. Add it to your salads or use it generously in soups.

4) Lentils

Lentils enjoy a great reputation as 'bonafide belly-flatteners.' Full of protein and soluble fiber, they help prevent insulin spikes. This is good news because this prevents your body from creating and storing excess fat in the abdominal area.

5) Quinoa

A healthy whole grain, quinoa is a great food to help you lose weight since it contains both fiber and protein and helps you feel full for longer. Eat it instead of rice.

6) Green Tea

While green tea isn't technically a food, it has many excellent health benefits that make it a must-have in your diet. It contains powerful anti-oxidants and is an excellent weight-loss stimulant that helps in digestion, improves your metabolic rate and increases fat oxidation. Quite a few people swear that five cups a day have helped them lose weight fast.

Eating foods to lose weight fast should shorten the time it takes for you to achieve your ideal weight or lose that persistent belly fat. Try to incorporate more such foods into your diet.

A Walking Program May Be the Perfect Choice For Losing Weight

Losing weight may be easy for one individual while another may find it a constant struggle. A lot of it has to do with genetics, our metabolism, eating habits or amount of exercise we get. A big part of people being overweight is from have a decreased fitness level. This is very common with individuals that have a sedentary job where they're sitting most of the day and then they go home to the same thing.

Strenuous Exercise Programs Won't Help

Over time, your muscles and energy system begins to lose efficiency from not be used enough. Because your entire being is so out of shape, you often find that an intense exercise program is more than you can handle. While exercises like jogging and running are great for burning calories, they're also a little too much for those that aren't used to regular exercise. Instead of helping you to lose weight quickly, they force your body to burn carbohydrates, which is going to make you tired much quicker. Many strenuous exercises will not allow your body to exercise at the low level that's required to burn fat. Walking, however, allows you body to do just that.

Walking Provides the Perfect Pace

Walking allows you to workout at a pace that's consistent, steady and works well for almost everyone. These are characteristics that are required to effectively burn fat. Unlike exercises like hockey, baseball or tennis, which all slow periods sometimes followed by great bursts of energy requirements, walking is consistent and constantly in fat-burning mode from the time you start until your walk is finished. A walking program may be your best choice for losing weight and keeping it off.

Exercise that's Fun

Walking will easily become your favorite exercise program, especially if you begin to drop the fat and look really great. However, other things make walking a great choice. It's not only fun but it's something you can do with your family, friends or even your dog. In fact, your dog will love going for a walk with you regularly and they make great walking companions. It's also a great way to socialize with friends. Whether you're walking through the mall, in the park, down the beach or around the block in your neighborhood, walking can easily be the easiest and most effective exercise program you've ever used. You'll find the more you walk, the more you'll want to walk.

Fast Weight Loss For The Obese - An Action Plan

A fast weight loss for obese people is possible just like any other weight loss objective. I received an email about a weight loss success story about a 650 pound guy in his late 20's. Apart from the years he spent stuck in his home, he knew it was worse to actually be a prisoner entrapped in his own body. He made a choice to reach out for help but he definitely believed that to change his life would mean a commitment unlike any other. If you want to be amongst those who made it out of the obesity lock-down and into a free and healthy existence, here's how you can accomplish it.

Overweight and obesity problems are emotional more than it is physical. Self pity and depression are big hurdles that you need to come into terms with as you lose weight. Be grounded on the fact that each day poses an opportunity to shed off a pound. One pound or more off today gets you closer to having your life back.

A fast weight loss for obese and overweight people includes assessing daily meals. You were most likely concentrating on one food group in excessive amounts. It couldn't be stressed enough how vegetables and fruits are important for our over all vitality. They can be prepared to taste even better than their processed counterparts. You have to retrain your palate since it has been corrupted with all the junk foods you've been consuming.

Plan your day ahead and make it a habit to eat 5 to 6 reasonably proportioned meals through out the day. Use the size of your fist to measure the food that corresponds to each of the essential components of a diet. Also set a time when you will no longer take in even a morsel of food. An ideal time would be 6 or 7 pm, so you should have eaten your last meal at these times. A rule of thumb is to have had your last meal 3 hours before going to sleep.

You shouldn't strain your body to strenuous workouts right away. Walking is your best option for exercise. Gradually increase your movement as you go along. Breathe fully and deeply with your every movement. Becoming dizzy is an indication that your body needs more air. Also a fast weight loss for obese workout is swimming. It is a low impact exercise that gives the same benefits as running but with less stress on your joints.

Your weight loss journey is made even easier if you have a solid support group. It can only take 1 person to be your source of encouragement. It is also wise to consult a doctor or any health professional before you undertake any weight loss program.