Tag Archives: weight loss

This picture from Flickr user tacit requiem *tnx for the pro-account auntie Aday is a close-up on some diet pills currently available on the market today.  Diet pills are commonly used by people looking to drop pant sizes and imrove their health.  However, even the best diet pills available on the market can have a serious detriment on the user’s health while not providing a long lasting effect on one’s waist size.

It sure would be easier to just pop a pill or two to lose weight but unfortunately, it’s just not that easy yet.  Most diet pills use stimulants (caffeine) to shed pounds.  While it is true that caffeine may stimulate more activity in the short term, it does have some serious side effects.  The amount of caffeine in a typical diet pill is equivalent to drinking 2-3 cups of coffee.  When this is added to a obese individual’s dietary uptake which may already be quiet heavy in caffeine, some serious health problems may arise such as anxiety, insomnia, elevated heart rate and increased blood pressure.  An overweight person’s heart is already working extra so increasing the heart rate and blood pressure are bound to cause even more serious problems such as abnormal heart rhythms, headaches, nausea and muscle tremors.

So, how do you lose weight then??  Well, unfortunately, the old stand-bys of diet and exercise are the “old standbys” for a reason.  It’s not easy or fast but it is highly effective, completely natural and will lead to health improving in both the short and long term.  Start slowly by decreasing processed foods and adding more natural alternatives.  Eat out less.  Buy more vegetables.  Instead of having potato chips, grab an apple.  You’ll be surprised what a few easy changes in diet can do over a month.  Add in some exercise slowly.  Walk the dog.  Take the kids to the park.  Actually use the treadmill and exercise bike that are currently collecting dust.  Go slow and stay natural and you’ll see a vast improvement in your health, your family’s health, and you’ll need to go and buy yourself a new smaller wardrobe!

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With the beginning of a new year brings the beginning of many new resolutions.  One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight.  Many people start off on the right track but quickly lose momentum as the weeks wear on.  By the end of January, many people have completely dropped their lofty goals of losing weight.

There are many eco-friendly ways that can help you to lose weight which in turn, will help you to have less of a negative impact on the world around you.  First of all, start of each morning with a healthy breakfast.  Try organic oatmeal or granola to help fill you up and keep you full until lunch.  Set small weight loss goals and once you’ve met them, add another step.  This is the same method that many people use to make their lifestyle greener — each tiny babystep at a time will make the change gradual and less drastic.  Remember that these are lifestyle changes not short term fixes.

Stop drinking pop and carbonated beverages.  They are full of empty calories and uselessly waste plastic bottles.  Instead of pop, drink tap water.  Bottled water only adds to the wasted plastic piles and most tap water in the western world is completely safe to drink.  If you don’t like the taste, get a filter and use that instead!

Eat smaller portions at meal times and safe the leftovers for the next day.  This will reduce calories as well as waste.  At the same time, you’ll cut back drastically on your grocery and eating out bills.  Try eating vegetarian once a week — it’s better for the planet and your waistline.

Don’t run out and buy a ton of weight loss products that will only end up sitting around your house unused.  Many weight loss pills are completely bogus while others are totally unsafe.  Ensure that you talk to your doctor or naturoath before taking any pill.  As for exercise equipment, research what you’re interested in thoroughly before making a purchase that you may come to regret later.  Try buying a second hand treadmill instead of a brand new one.  Buying used products is much more sustainable than constantly buying new and can really help to save you a lot of money as well.

Good luck with your weight loss aspirations and remember that it can be very much a two steps forward, one step back routine.  The point is that you are making progress towards your ideal weight.

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