Entries Tagged 'detox' ↓
July 29th, 2008 — calories, detox, diet, exercise, fad diets, goals, healthy eating
When it comes to losing weight, chances are if you're trying fad diets and special detox programs, you're pretty fed up that the results never seem to last. Why is this? Well, most of us can only keep up with an extreme diet for so long. Once we've reached our goal weight, we can't wait to start eating "normally" again. The problem is, that "normal" eating is what caused all that weight gain in the first place. As soon as you go back to eating the same way you used to, those pounds come marching back on.
In order to successfully lose weight and keep it off, you're going to have to address your entire lifestyle. This means looking at what you eat, why you eat it and how much you exercise. Let's look at what you eat first. While there is nothing wrong with the occasional treat or cheat, most of us get into the habit of overindulging in the food we like, and making bad choices when it comes to picking foods.
We're naturally wired towards wanting foods that taste good and too often this means fast food, pizza and things that can be really bad for our health and our waist lines. In order to start making lifestyle changes, you've got to identity what you're eating and how you could be eating differently. The best way to do this is to keep a food diary for an entire week. Add up all of your calories when you're done and you'll probably be amazed at just how bad your diet really is.
Next, you'll need to address why you eat these things. Is it simply because they taste good? Healthy food can taste good too, but you'll need to find the recipes that appeal to you. Is it because you need comfort? It's best to find comfort in things that don't cause your weight to go up. For example, instead of indulging in an entire pizza because you've had a bad day, go do an activity that you get a lot of enjoyment out of, go shopping or go get a massage. By targeting the reasons behind your eating problem, you can start to make changes that will redirect all of that energy into a more healthy direction.
Lastly, you need to address how much exercise you actually get. Most of us really don't get enough and let's face it, few find exercise to be truly enjoyable. You need to rewire your thinking process and find exercises that you actually do enjoy. If you hate aerobics, don't torture yourself! Find exercises like walking or swimming that actually appeal to you. Set aside time every day and really apply yourself.
The results that you get will get you hooked and once you get past that initial stage of the agony and the inconvenience, chances are you're going to find that exercise really isn't that bad. With these kinds of changes, you can make a new life for yourself that you can enjoy for years to come.
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July 22nd, 2008 — alternative ideas, detox, diet, proteins
After Oprah tried her vegan detox, suddenly, this became a very popular way to lose weight and start feeling better. However, it is definitely not for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this detox can be very beneficial and why it may not be the best avenue you need to try to reach your weight loss goals.
1. Detoxing is not an easy process, but it’s worth it.
If you are going to commit to a vegan detox diet, self control is the name of the game. It is not easy to stick to a diet plan that is this extreme. If you commonly find yourself lasting about three days on a diet before calling it quits, this most likely is not the right plan for you. However, if you can hang in there, you will find that about two to three weeks in it becomes a lot easier. You will definitely start to see some changes in your appearance and how you feel. As you become less reliant on processed foods and chemicals, you’ll also be forced to eat healthier meals, whether you want to or not.
2. Vegan foods can be hard to find.
If you are going to go all vegan but you don’t live in an area where there are a lot of health food or alternative food stores, you may have a problem getting enough variety into your diet. The good news is, there are many online stores that stock vegan products. It can be a bit hard to find your favorites, but there are some great alternatives out there that actually do taste pretty good. A true vegan diet removes all forms of animal fats and proteins, so you’ll need to be diligent about reading labels.
If you’ve got a farmer’s market in your area, your vegan detox is the perfect reason to stop by and see what your local growers have to offer. If you’re open to trying new things, you’ll be able to avoid the problem of not having enough variety in your diet.
If you are not in good health, or you have an underlying health condition, you should absolutely discuss your plans with your doctor before trying this detox. It can be quite hard on your system and it may take a while to find the foods that work for you and that you enjoy. During this time, you may not be getting the right nutrients for your body. Make sure that you are healthy enough to undertake this diet and get the supplements you’ll need to stay healthy while you are going through it.
4. Vegan diets may lack in protein.
We all need protein and commonly, when you first start a vegan diet, this is the first thing that flies out the window. You’ll need to find alternative sources of protein, such as nuts and soy, that can help you stay balanced during your detox.
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June 4th, 2008 — blood sugar, detox, trigger food
One of the most talked about concepts in the diet world right now is the process of detoxing your body from certain foods. There is a lot of hype surrounding this technique, so let's take a hard look at it to help you determine whether or not it's right for you. Like any diet, there are some that simply aren't suited for your personality, and there are those that are the perfect fit. Let's see what detoxing really stacks up to.
First and foremost, the detox process is not an easy one. Some foods are very addicting and can be very much like a drug. You'll also need to look at why you eat these "danger" foods. This will help you detox not only your body, but your mind as well. If you're not addressing both problems, you're doomed to fail. It's just like battling a drug addiction. First, you have to acknowledge the problem, then you have to take the steps to overcome it.
If you're not ready to take that step, then a diet detox most likely won't work. You need to have your head in the right place so that you will be able to get through the first few days. It ‘s not easy to completely cut out your favorite foods from your life, especially if you've become dependent on them. If you're not mentally ready, it will be all too easy to throw in the towel.
There are some cases where a diet detox can actually be harmful, or at the very least, very painful. If you eat a lot of sugar every day, your body is used to these levels. Suddenly remove all of that sugar and your system is going to go into meltdown. Your blood sugar levels will drop, you'll feel cranky and you may even experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, or blood sugar that is too low. The same is true if you're trying to detox from soda or even ice cream.
The whole point of a diet detox is to break the cycle of cravings. It is definitely not an easy way, but it can be effective. The best bet is to start with a secondary "danger" food. This gives you a chance to get a taste of success and will prepare you for handling the bigger craving. For example, if you are addicted to potato chips as well as ice cream, start with the potato chips. They're a lot easier to give up and you'll gain some confidence once you kick the habit. You can then move onto ice cream with a better outlook.
If you don't have a lot of willpower, or you are not someone that does well on a deprivation diet, then a diet detox is probably not the answer. It can be very effective, but only if you want it to be. If cold turkey quitting is a problem for you, there are other methods of losing weight that are just as effective.
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