Monday 18 February 2013

Weight Loss Tips



1.     Automate your eating by planning your meals ahead of time. That way you're less likely to make an unhealthy last-minute food choice.
2.     Oats are your friends! Eating a cup of oatmeal in the morning will prevent you from gorging in the afternoon.
3.     Foods with healthy fats such as olives, salmon and walnuts help you feel satisfied.
4.     Skipping meals can cause your body to go into a fat-storing starvation mode, making it harder to burn calories.
5.     Got nuts with nuts. Eating a handful of nuts will help you stay full. Try soaking them in water for a different texture.
6.     Use meditation to help you cope with chronic stress, which can lead you to crave feel-good carbs.
7.     You may be used to fried foods but there are other, sometimes healthier, ways to cook including: roasting, steaming, poaching, baking, braising and broiling.
8.     Do your grocery shopping with a list and a time limit; that way, you're less likely to stray into the processed foods section.
9.     Don't confuse thirst with hunger. Drink a glass of water when you feel hungry to see if that's what you're really craving.
10.  When out at a restaurant, ask the server to hold the bread, snack mix or chips and salsa that might come before the meal. If you're hungry, you'll be tempted.
11.  Tired of eating your salad on a plate? Fill a whole wheat pita with salad and a splash of lemon for a twist.
12.  You might do better to replace an occasional dinner with a nice roll in the hay. Healthy sex may help control the amount of food you eat and it's great exercise.
13.  Create emergency packs filled with healthy foods such as nuts, fruits or sliced vegetables to help you avoid unhealthy temptations.
14.  Add red pepper flakes to your pantry. When eaten early in the day, red pepper lowers the amount of food you'll eat later.
15.  Odds are you're eating too fast. Try holding a conversation while having a meal so you're not gulping down more than you need to feel full.
16.  Take a brisk walk before lunch or dinner. Not only will you get in some exercise, you're less likely to choose something unhealthy after a little movement.
17.  Looking for the benefits of salmon but you don't feel comfortable cooking fish? Try canned salmon as a simple and affordable alternative.
18.  Are your dishes too big? A healthy dinner should fit on a 9-inch plate. You may find that kid-sized plates are more appropriately sized to feed an adult!
19.  Never eat any snack food out of the box, carton or bag it came in. You're less likely to overeat if you separate snacks into appropriate fist-sized servings.
20.  Boost your metabolism with some green tea or chili peppers.
21.  Get your Zzzzzs. Sleep deprivation alters levels of hormones in the body that regulate hunger, causing an increase in appetite.
22.  Muscle burns at least four times as many calories as fat does, so try twenty minutes of strength straining two to three times a week.
23.  Decaf coffee is a great low-calorie fluid when you're having cravings (and a great source of antioxidants).
24.  Eating liquid-based foods such as natural smoothies and low-sodium soup can help you cut back on calories yet feel full.
25.  A pedometer can help keep track of your steps. If you're not getting 10,000 steps a day, you're not moving enough.
26.  Natural applesauce is an excellent dip for fruits such as bananas and melons.
27.  Take every opportunity to move around, even in small ways. Studies show fidgety people tend to be skinnier.
28.  Identify the emotional triggers that lead you to seek unhealthy comfort food. Picture your goal weight the next time a trigger strikes to help you resist temptation.
29.  Use a vegetable bean dip such as hummus instead of ranch dressing or a fatty cream-based dip.
30.  People who regularly weigh themselves and keep track of their progress in a journal are more likely to lose weight.
31.  Use a dash of cinnamon to give fruits such as bananas and melons a richer dessert feel without the sugar.
32.  Give your protein extra low-calorie flavor by adding a salsa or chutney instead of a gooey cream sauce.
33.  Distracted dining will get you in trouble. Avoid eating in front of a television or in a movie theater, as you're bound to consume more calories.
34.  Pass on pop. You'll be amazed by how much weight you drop by simply switching to water.
35.  Beware of "fat-free" or "zero trans fats" foods as you could be trading fats for huge amounts of sugar or sodium.
36.  Try drinking skim milk at breakfast instead of juice. Overweight people who drank skim milk for breakfast ate fewer calories
37.  Sugarless chewing gum can suppress your appetite in a pinch.
38.  Snack attack! Puree peaches, berries or pears for a sweet spread to go on pita chips.
39.  If you're having trouble getting started, make a small move such as starting an eating log or buying walking shoes. You're three times more likely to follow through if you start with small gestures such as these.
40.  Always have vegetables on hand. Saute a big bag of frozen mixed vegetables in olive oil and garlic. Add some red pepper or turmeric for additional flavor and separate into portion-sized containers for the fridge.
41.  Edamame (soy beans) are a great low-cost snack. Look for them in the frozen foods section.
42.  Soups can be both filling and comforting. Try making a garden or bean soup with low-salt broth and store in portion-sized cups for later.
43.  Save time and money during the week by buying lean protein such as chicken breasts in bulk and cooking a week's worth on Sunday night.
44.  Save the kitchen and the dining room table for cooking and eating. Try not to use it as a place to do work or other activities, or you may be tempted to eat more.
45.  If food was your only source of pleasure, make sure to reconnect with other things you enjoy -- music, sports, volunteer work or movies, for example.
46.  Try to have a little lean protein with each meal, as protein tends to be more satisfying than carbs or fats.
47.  Think ahead to how you'll eat and exercise on the weekends. It's easy to get too relaxed on Saturdays and Sundays, but healthy living is a 7-day-a-week endeavor.
48.  Dump the junk food. If you want to avoid temptation, make sure you clean out the fridge and the pantry
49.  When you eat calorie-friendly fruits and vegetables that are in season, they tend to taste better and you're more likely to enjoy them.
50.  People who eat breakfast have a better shot at losing and maintaining weight loss.
51.  Replace your scale with a tape measure. Aim for 32 1/2 inches or less for women and 35 inches or less for men.
52.  Make sure you check food labels and avoid anything with more than 4 grams of sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup, per serving.
53.  Eat a fiber-filled apple before a meal to help you feel full faster.
54.  Opt for peanut butter or almond butter spreads instead of cream cheese or butter.
55.  Remember these five essential smoothie ingredients: frozen berries, a banana, skim milk, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of psyllium seed husks.
56.  Researchers found that dieters who ate eggs in the morning were less hungry than those who ate carb-heavy meals.
57.  The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon may dial up your body's ability to burn fat, especially if you add some exercise.
58.  A Mediterranean diet not only comes with heart benefits, studies show it leads to more weight loss than low-fat diets.
59.  Replace your regular pasta noodles with whole wheat pasta for a more filling meal.
60.  When eating out, ask your server to point out the healthiest options on the menu.
61.  You don't have to make a three-digit number your weight loss goal. Aim for a certain dress size or waist measurement.
62.  Go lean with bean protein. Beans are an affordable and healthy alternative to meats and are wonderfully filling.
63.  Energize plain-tasting proteins such as eggs or chicken with metabolism-boosting chili pepper sauce.
64.  Try a plain Greek yogurt with frozen berries for a pre-workout boost.
65.  Turn dinner into a healthy lunch the next day by wrapping your lean leftovers in a whole wheat wrap. Add a little Dijon mustard or curry powder for added flavor.
66.  Eat a rainbow of colors. Have at least one brightly colored fruit or vegetable in each meal, and, if appropriate, eat the skins -- that's where you'll find a powerhouse of antioxidants.
67.  Make an office snack box of your own so you're not tempted by your colleague's candy bowl. Fill it with small individually packaged portions of soy chips, almonds and dried fruit.
68.  For a thicker, creamier texture, choose low-fat, unsweetened Greek yogurt. Loaded with protein, calcium and natural probiotics, it makes for a tasty snack any time.
69.  If you're 'cooking' food in the microwave, chances are you're eating unhealthy packaged foods. If you must microwave, consider soy chicken patties, veggie burgers or steamer vegetables and brown rice.
70.  Make your wardrobe match your goals. As you lose weight donate the clothes that no longer fit you as an incentive to stay on track.
71.  Pick up a 5- or 10-pound weight at the gym and visualize that weight coming off. Holding the weight in your hands helps bring home just how heavy even 5 pounds of extra fat can be.
72.  If you find yourself at a weight loss plateau, up the duration of your exercise routine by five minutes.
73.  Pounding out your meat will help healthier portions go a longer way visually, and it's good stress relief.
74.  Silken tofu makes a wonderful replacement for cream in some recipes.
75.  Save 85 calories just by swapping mustard for mayonnaise in a sandwich.
76.  Do your best to ensure you're not eating after 7 o'clock at night. You're more likely to make unhealthy choices and less likely to sleep as well after a late meal.
77.  Try a pasta-less spaghetti by mixing shredded zucchini, veggie meatballs and raw tomato sauce seasoned with a dash of zesty oregano.
78.  Fresh herbs can really zing up a healthy meal. Try growing some in the kitchen using a strawberry pot. Preserve the flavor by adding fresh herbs at the end of the cooking process
79.  Fast food is salty food. If you cut back on the salt, in a few weeks you'll be able to better taste the natural salts in food and may not crave the junk as much as you used to.
80.  The rub on ground turkey is that it's dry. Add some olive oil and finely blended onions to a turkey burger or turkey meatball to enhance its juiciness.
81.  If you're trying to lose weight with your significant other, pack each other's lunches. The lunchbox surprises will keep the both of you motivated.
82.  If you're eating out, make salad the appetizer. Most starters are fried and come with unhealthy dips or sauces.
83.  Savory 'umami' ingredients such as mushrooms, low-sodium soy, asparagus and olives can help you feel full and add an earthy, home-y quality to your healthy-dishes.
84.  Make it a point to use the steps whenever possible. Use the bathroom on a different floor at work, take the stairs at the bus station, the airport or the mall.
85.  Try baking apple slices as a healthy alternative to potato chips.
86.  Eating water-rich foods such as melons, tomatoes and celery can help fill you up without adding too many calories to your day.
87.  Avocados can be your secret weight loss partners. They're high in fiber and healthy fats, giving you a meaty-tasting meat alternative.
88.  A handful of unsalted pumpkin seeds make for a healthy mid-day snack. They're rich in magnesium, which helps lower blood pressure.
89.  Keeping good posture will not only strengthen your core, but will also add a small extra-calorie burn, because you're working slightly harder to maintain the position.
90.  Cravings can sneak up on you when you're tired. Try taking a nap if you feel yourself wanting some junk food.
91.  Share your weight loss goals with your friends and family. Make it a positive life change and ask for their encouragement.
92.  Take a photo of yourself each week so you can see your physical transformation.
93.  Store-bought salad dressings can be packed with calories. Make your own vinaigrette and store it in a small spray bottle to coat your greens without over-dressing them.
94.  Yoga may be relaxing but you can also get a good workout. An hour of yoga can burn up to 350 calories.
95.  Get familiar with quinoa -- a wonderful grain that's easy to cook and goes great with sauteed vegetables or mushrooms.
96.  Ditch the mayo, cheese and top bun if you want to scrape off 250 calories from a restaurant sandwich.
97.  Resistance bands are a comfortable and affordable at-home exercise option for strength straining.
98.  Use the freezer to add some extra oomph to summer foods. Freeze grapes for some bite-sized delights. Or get a popsicle mold and freeze some Greek yogurt with berries.
99.  Wrap up any extra food you've cooked before you sit down to a meal so you're not tempted to get seconds.
100.     Take a 30-second break in the middle of your meal. Evaluate just how hungry you still are before getting back to your food.

source: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-100-weight-loss-tips


Sunday 28 October 2012

Lifestyle Change for Natural Migraine Prevention


Migraine sufferers are turning to non-pharmacological options to reduce the number of headaches they have. Prophylactic drugs aimed at migraine prevention can have many unpleasant side effects and do not work at all for some migraineurs (people who have chronic migraines). 

A migraineur's lifestyle impacts the severity and frequency of the attacks and lifestyle changes, like those mentioned below can prevent migraine recurrence. 

Sleep:

Migraineurs need to learn how much sleep they need and make sure they do not get too little sleep or too much more than they need. Patients who do not get enough sleep during the workweek who try to make up for it over the weekend may trigger a headache.

Exercise: 

Physical exertion in moderation is good for everyone, including migraineurs. Establishing a regular exercise routine, at least 20-40 minutes of physical activity a minimum of three times a week, relieves stress that triggers headaches and exercise-induced endorphins are a natural analgesic.

Stress Management:

Migraineurs are susceptible to attacks during periods of high stress. If stress is unavoidable, they should build time for stress relief into their routine to prevent a headache. Good stress management techniques for migraineurs are massage, exercise, adequate sleep and a healthy diet.



Eating: 

Migraineurs should eat regular meals at roughly the same time daily and not skip a meal unless it is an emergency. A good, healthy breakfast goes a long way in preventing headaches.

The most important thing is to be consistent with any lifestyle change. Migraineurs need regular behavior patterns and they must be applied on weekends and holidays, not just during the week. Getting out of sync two days a week by sleeping in, skipping meals, or staying up late defeats the purpose of lifestyle changes and upsets the balance created by having a pattern the rest of the week.

Living The Waterfront Lifestyle Every Day


Many people are attracted to taking vacations in waterfront locations. Every summer, millions flock to the ocean, lakes, and rivers to enjoy some much-needed respite from the cares of workaday world. So there you are, sitting on the deck of your waterfront property, enjoying the breeze off the water, the smell of the sea, the sound of seagulls searching for their dinner, and the thought occurs-wouldn't it be wonderful if you could live this way every day? Wouldn't it be satisfying to have all the pleasure and ease of a waterfront vacation on a daily basis? Wouldn't it be great to live the waterfront lifestyle?

Many people dream of retiring to a waterfront home, but what if you feel you simply don't want to wait any longer? It is very satisfying and peaceful to live the waterfront lifestyle. However, if you are really interested in exchanging your current living situation for one based on waterfront living, there are several things that you should consider. As with every decision in life, there are trade offs. For people who make the switch to waterfront living, the trade offs are more than worth it, but you need to be aware of them going in.

One thing to think about is that the inconveniences of waterfront property that seem charming when on vacation may quickly lose their luster. You may have to travel greater distances to shop for groceries, for instance. While this may not be an issue when you're vacationing and not so worried about cooking, how will you feel when you actually live fifteen minutes away from the nearest grocery store? Ponder also the events and activities that you currently participate in. Will you miss the proximity of museums, theaters, restaurants and other city life if you move to a waterfront location that might not have these amenities nearby? You may have a more difficult time arranging for basic services you've grown accustomed to, such as cable and internet. And for some people, being farther away from the job may ultimately become a liability. Those in professions who often need to be on call may find permanent waterfront living difficult.

One way to find out is to arrange a trial run. If you currently own a waterfront vacation home and are yearning to move, can you make plans to live in your waterfront home for a limited period of time and see how it works? This is an excellent idea, as it will give you a better picture of how long the commute will take, if you feel isolated living in a community that doesn't always have a lot of year-round residents, or even if you miss the hustle and bustle of the city. 

For many dedicated waterfront dwellers, what they have gained in return is more than worth it. The peace and quiet of a less populated area is one advantage, and the soothing effects of living on the waterfront another. There's a feeling of being able to slow down and enjoy life in waterfront living. A chance to take a step back from the cares of the world. And, of course, it's a guarantee that you'll never lack for visitors!

Think hard about all these considerations, see if you can arrange a trial run for your waterfront living experience, and make your decision. In no time at all you may be enjoying the waterfront lifestyle every day, and not just when you are on vacation.

The Lifestyle of a Vegetarian


One of the biggest injustices that the vegetarian movement has endured is that in popular culture, the image of a vegetarian is that of a fanatic hippy or cult member who is "off the deep end" and cannot think about anything else besides "saving a cow" and pushing vegetarianism on everyone he meets. The truth is that the lifestyle of a vegetarian is not that different than everyone else in the culture. In fact, the odds are that somewhere in your social circle at work, school, church or in your family and friends network, you already know several people who are quietly enjoying the lifestyle of a vegetarian. So to help us get over the negative stereotypes to understand how a vegetarian actually lives, lets examine what is different about a vegetarians life.




The most significant difference in how a vegetarian lives is obvious because it is in how he or she eats. You will not find any meat in a vegetarian's kitchen. Now this doesn't mean that a vegetarian cannot live in a family and be at peace with meat eaters. If the home has one vegetarian but others who are not, you will be able to tell from the presence of soy and perhaps more fruit and fresh vegetables in the refrigerator. But the idea that vegetarians cannot be around meat eaters is false. If anything vegetarians are peace loving and can live their lifestyle around others who are not of their belief system very well.



Grocery shopping with a vegetarian is an eye opening experience and one that is quite different in more ways than you would suspect. Being a vegetarian isn't just about what you don't eat in that you don't eat meat. It is also about a completely different approach to diet and foods. So you will not see a vegetarian buying food in the same way most people do. There will be much more time spent in the fresh produce section of the grocery store. The checkout basket of a vegetarian will give him or her away every time because it will be overflowing with fresh foods.



But shopping for food with a vegetarian means shopping in other places than the local grocery store. It means buying grains and beans in bulk at a warehouse store because that is one way that a vegetarian maintains health by replacing the protein and other nutrients that the rest of the world gets from meat and replacing it with proteins from beans and other natural foods. It also means shopping in farmer's markets and even shopping in a vegetarian specialty store for some high nutrition meat substitutes like tofu.


The vegetarian movement is in harmony with many of the earth first movements such as the organic movement and the green movement. So a vegetarian kitchen will have more organic foods on hand to reduce the presence of harmful pesticides and other substances in the diet. Also vegetarianism affects the lifestyle beyond just the refrigerator and the pantry. You will not find leather clothing in a vegetarian's closet and you wont find fur there either. That is became for the most part vegetarians are sensitive to animal rights and they don't want to see the skin of animals used in their clothing.


The house of a vegetarian will also be a recycling house to do all that is possible to cut down on waste and to be earth friendly. Along with recycling bottles and cans as you might expect, a vegetarian recycles a lot right at home. A recycling home will often have a compost pile in the yard for food waste and it will also support a good sized garden to use that compost to grow at home organic foods to supplement a healthy diet.


For obvious reasons, a vegetarian will have vegetarian friends and belong to social groups and attend functions that support the vegetarian lifestyle. Eating out with a vegetarian will mean going to more ethnic food restaurants and you will see a lot of creativity in how to order foods in a restaurant. But contrary to popular opinion, vegetarian eating is more flavorful and diverse than the normal diet. 


Just spending a day with a vegetarian will reveal to you a more harmonious lifestyle that is sensitive to the environment and at peace with itself. It is a healthy and happy lifestyle and one that should be attractive to all of us.

 
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