Lose Weight With Acai – How to Take Acai and Get the Best Results From It

October 29, 2010
By

There is so many testimonials and websites on the internet explaining how people lose weight with acai by just simply taking one pill a day and do nothing else. This is absolute over-exaggerated acai BS and you should not believe that it is really that easy. The truth of the matter is that you can lose a small amount of weight this way, but to get maximum results and get yourself in amazing shape in the process, please read this article.

Exercise is crucial

I know many of you don’t really want to change your lifestyles too much and exercise is something you really are not that thrilled about. However, if you want to lose weight with acai, this is a crucial part.

All you have to do is workout a minimum of 4 days a week and for 2 of those days to do an interval routine that incorporates both weight-training and cardio sprints. Do 3 sets of a weight-training exercise on a certain body part and then do a 1 minute cardio-sprint. Change body parts and do this for a minimum of 40 minutes. This routine has scientifically been proven to burn at least 2 times more calories than other conventional exercise by boosting your metabolism which in turn helps you burn calories even while your at rest.

Eat sensibly

You don’t have to go on a heavy calorie-reduction diet, in fact that would be counterproductive because you want to have enough energy in your body to work-out. Eat sensibly and try a diet that consists of 20 % healthy fats, 40% protein, and 40 % carbohydrates. Also, try not to eat to late at night, eat more fruits and vegetables, and try to increase your fiber intake.

Now you can really lose weight with acai

Now, when you take some acai you put your weight-loss into overdrive because your new fat-burning body is now optimized for the effects of the acai. The synergistic effect of all three of these crucial factors is incredibly powerful and you will literally watch the fat melt off your body. Now, the acai cleanses your body and it flushes out all the unhealthy toxins better than just taking the acai alone. This is the best way to lose weight with acai and at the same time reap all the health and medical benefits that acai offers. No other weight-loss supplement on the market has such nutritional value as they are usually filled with stimulants with side-effects and harmful toxins. Acai on the other hand will leave you energized, feeling healthy, and refreshed as you lose weight in the process.

Also it is important to note that now you can actually get the webs best acai supplements or pills for free and only pay $1.99 instead of the having to pay 5 or 6 dollars. This reduced price is a great way to get a bottle of acai for less than 2 dollars. There are only a few acai free trials on the internet now that have this low shipping and handling price but the good thing is that they are some of the most reputable companies that offer potent acai.

Also, If you combine acai with a sensible diet and exercise, you will have a synergistic effect that will put your fat burning in overdrive and you will lose a great deal of weight while getting in good shape doing it. This is by far the healthiest and safest way to lose weight and is the path you want to follow instead of taking diet pills and getting sick in the process.

Using Calories For Weight Loss

October 29, 2010
By
Using Calories For Weight Loss

Ever wondered what a calorie is? The definition of a calorie is “the amount of energy, or heat it takes to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water to1 degree Celsius”.

A calorie is a unit of energy that is associated with food and drink and is a measure of the energy, or heat, that food produces as your body uses it as fuel.

The first step in counting calories for your personal weight loss is to calculate how many calories you burn in a day (your total daily energy expenditure), this is the total number of calories that your body expends in 24 hours, including all activities. This is known as your maintenance level and will be the reference point (number of calories) from which to start your dieting.

The average calorie maintenance level for women in the United States is approx 2000 per day and the average for men is approx 2500 per day. These are only basic averages and are usually much higher for athletes or active individuals.

A quick and easy method to find out how many calories you require per day for weight loss and maintenance is to calculate a calorie value with a multiplier as set out below.

Fat loss = multiply your bodyweight in pounds with 12 calories (12 x lb).

Maintenance = multiply your bodyweight in pounds with 15 calories (15 x lb).

This is a very easy method to estimate your daily caloric requirements, but it has its drawbacks as it doesn’t take into account your particular activity levels or body fat levels. Despite this it will give you a good estimated figure that you can work with.

The maintenance figure that you get is the amount of calories that you need to consume to stay at your current weight. To lose weight your calorie intake must be lower than the calories you burn.

In order to lose one pound of fat per week, you must reduce your weekly calorie intake by 3,500 calories, which works out at five hundred calories per day. This can be done by reducing your calories by 500 or combining a diet with physical activity.

The bottom line is to balance your caloric intake with the amount of calories that you are burning, that’s the secret to successful dieting and weight maintenance.

Becoming more conscious of counting calories in your everyday eating regime is imperative if you are trying to lose weight. Studies have shown that men and women “underestimate” their daily calorie consumption by 500 to almost 1000 calories.

You can get a truer picture by keeping a seven-day eating plan of what you typically eat and drink during the day.

At the end of each days eating, add up the total amount of calories consumed and write them down on to the eating plan. At the end of the seven days, add the total calories for the whole week and then divide by seven, you now have your daily calorie intake.

Using a calorie calculator can make counting calories easier – you can total how many calories you will need for your daily activities to give you more control over how many calories you should include in your daily diet.

Another technique for low calorie eating is to watch your fat intake as this has the most calories.

Moderation is always important when you are counting calories, severely restricting calories, causes the body to lower its metabolic rate, which reduces its ability to burn fat.
At the same time, hunger signals increase and you quickly start to crave high-energy foods loaded with fats and sugar, the same foods you are trying to do without.

This is because when you return to normal eating habits, the drop in metabolic rate caused by the restriction in calories means that your old eating habits actually represent excess in calories.

Not only do you regain the fat stores just lost, but also you may even gain a bit extra.

“Dieting by counting calories means that all foods are allowed, nothing is forbidden as long as the calories consumed don’t go over your daily calorie allowance”

Counting calories can also be flexible enough to accommodate most busy lifestyles.

Some food for thought isn’t it; health professionals agree that healthy eating which includes counting calories and a low fat diet are essential for long-term healthy weight loss. The way to lose body fat and maintain muscle is to have a food program for life. Quality food and more energy output are the basics you’ll need to go for.

Gary Matthews is the author of the popular fitness eBooks Maximum Weight Loss and Maximum Weight Gain. Please visit http://www.maximumfitness.com right now for your ‘free’ weight loss e-course.

Brussels Sprouts Nutrition

October 29, 2010
By

“We kids feared many things in those days – werewolves, dentists, North Koreans, Sunday School – but they all paled in comparison with Brussels sprouts.” ~ Dave Barry.

No, no! Do not make that face at the mention of Brussels sprouts as it is not going to help. Brussels sprouts are storehouses of multiple nutrients and these cruciferous cousins of cabbages are anti-cancerous in nature. Besides, it’s only when they are overcooked (that is more than 5 – 7 minutes) do they start emitting the sulfuric stench of glucosinolate sinigrin. But otherwise, boiled or roasted Brussels sprouts are really quite delectable. If you are still not quite convinced and agree with columnist Barry, then read this article till the end and find out all about Brussels sprouts nutrition and its benefits. I promise not to exaggerate in any way.

Calories in Brussels Sprouts

In the following table, the Brussels sprouts nutrition information corresponds with a serving of 88 gms of the green leafies.

Brussels Sprouts Form
Serving Size
Number of Calories
Calories from Fat
Carbohydrates
(in grams)
Proteins
(in grams)
Raw Brussels sprouts
1 cup
38
2
8
3
Frozen Brussels sprouts
1 cup
46
4
9
4.2
Brussels sprouts with white sauce
1 cup
194
103
18.2
7.1
Cooked Brussels sprouts with margarine
1 cup
88
40
11
4
Boiled Brussels sprouts with salt
1 cup
80
8
14
4

So, there it is in black and white, that one should start to worry about Brussels sprouts calories from fat, only when this petite relative of the cabbage is mingled with fattening cream and margarine. Otherwise this vegetable is a Godsend for those on a low calorie diet. In any case, Brussels sprouts are also perfect for those on a low-carb or low protein diet. So, go on and binge, sans that cringe!

Brussels Sprouts Nutrition Facts

For those who understand that there’s more to a food item than just calories, here are some other Brussels sprouts nutrition information, that will surely drill into your head the reasons why you must heavily indulge in Brussels sprouts, whose nomenclature originated from the fact that they were cultivated in Brussels, a place in Belgium, back in the 16th century and are still very popular there. After all there is more to a diet than the mere gratification of taste buds.
In just a cupful of boiled and drained Brussels sprouts, sprinkled with some salt, the vitamin C content is so high that it provides you with 81% of the daily requirement of this vitamin variety. Vitamin C is essential for cardiovascular health and immunity strength.
It is also a source of vitamin A (11%*) and vitamin B varieties of thiamin (6%), riboflavin (4%), niacin (2%), pantothenic acid (2%) and vitamin B6 (7%).
As for minerals, boiled Brussels sprouts have potassium (7%), iron (5%), phosphorus (4%), magnesium (4%), copper (3%), zinc (2%) and most importantly 200 mg of sodium which caters to about 8% of sodium DV stipulation.
Brussels sprouts are rich in folates (approximately 55 mcg in a cup of raw Brussels sprouts) which keeps the fetus healthy when consumed by pregnant ladies.
88 gms of these vegetables (uncooked) has 396 mcg of beta carotene which tends to eye and skin ailments, as well as 1399 mcg of lutein and zeaxanthin which ensure macular health.
It has a good phytosterols content of 21 mg, that helps to lower cholesterol levels!
[* Percentages in the bracket indicate the DV (Daily Value) of the contents and not their quantity in the vegetable.]

After all this, what more can you ask for? We all keep cribbing about how unhealthy our eating patterns have become and how beneficial food habits have taken a backseat. Well, then stop whining and do something about it and eat up green veggies like Brussels sprouts which are natural health boosters. Also before you eat these nutrient powerhouses, soak them in water for at least 2 hours or hold then under a running tap, to get rid of contaminants or tiny insects that often inhabit the layered leaves. In order to facilitate wholesome steam ventilation, make a few marks at the base of the stem so that no part remains uncooked.

Brussels sprouts are extremely popular in Europe where about 420 million pounds of these veggies are produced per annum. Include these fat free greens in your diet today and reap all the benefits of Brussels sprouts nutrition.

Bad Habits, Bad Health: 3 Steps Toward Spiritual Connection

October 29, 2010
By
Bad Habits, Bad Health: 3 Steps Toward Spiritual Connection

According to the Native American wellness circle, if we are physically healthy we are considered “fit.” Likewise, if we are spiritually well, we are considered to be “connected,” connected both to the Great Spirit (or God) and to the world. We can look at physical fitness as an analogy for spiritual connectedness, and use this as a model to understand, evaluate, and improve the spiritual aspects of our lives.

1) Regular Exercise. In the physical realm, daily exercise or a regular workout is needed to maintain conditioning and fitness. Taking time to pray and meditate each day is the comparable activity in the spiritual realm. If we lack a daily discipline of spending time in quiet reflection and gratitude to the Creator, we remain spiritually underdeveloped.

At a conference I once met a Native American elder who had a presence that radiated inner strength. He sat quietly and with dignity, and when he spoke everyone listened. Others noticed this and someone asked him if he was a medicine man. “No,” he replied, “but each morning I take time to pray. I welcome the new day by being grateful to the Creator for the gift of life and asking for wisdom and guidance.” This man practiced his daily spiritual exercise, and it showed in his wisdom and presence.

For some time now, I have been working on a meditation practice of my own. Each of us needs to develop our own form of prayer and meditation, one that allows us to open ourselves up fully to the Divine. Early in the day I sit near my sliding glass door and begin with a prayer and a song. Then, I meditate, sometimes focusing on a word, like peace or gratitude. Other times I picture myself receiving light from above. Afterwards, I like to read from books dealing with the inner life, and copy a few words from each in a journal that I keep.

Even if I pray and meditate only for a few minutes a day, it brings me an increased sense of well-being and peace. My energy is renewed. For this practice to be effective, it has to become a daily routine. We need a daily prayer or meditation practice to keep us spiritually connected and nourished from within.

2) A Healthy Diet. The second element of being physically fit is eating a healthy diet. There is a story of a Cherokee elder talking to his grandson. He tells the youngster that he has two wolves fighting inside himself. One wolf is goodness, love, kindness, joy, and peace. The other wolf is hatred, anger, envy, pride, and greed. The grandson anxiously asks, “Which wolf wins?” The grandfather answers solemnly, “The one that I feed the most.” Just as we feed ourselves physically by what we put into our stomachs, we feed our spiritual life by what we put into our minds and hearts.

Clearly, some of the music we listen to, TV programs we watch, or the material we read feeds the wrong wolf. This poor spiritual diet keeps us spiritually undernourished.

There are many ways to feed ourselves spiritually, including participating in religious ceremonies, attending church services, reading inspirational or devotional material, listening to uplifting music, spending time in nature, and helping those who are less fortunate.

3) Avoiding Bad Habits. Common lifestyle issues or habits that create obstacles to physical fitness include smoking and substance abuse. Likewise, there are three particularly harmful habits that block spiritual health and prevent connectedness. These are complaining, holding grudges, and worrying.

Complaining. Complaining is often our initial reflex when things don’t go the way we want them to. People who study these things say that 75 percent of most people’s daily conversation is negative.

Being grateful is the opposite of complaining, and with every complaint there is an opportunity to be grateful. The habit of complaining blocks spiritual connectedness, just as the habit of gratitude and trust opens the doorway to spiritual peace. Gratitude turns our so-called ordinary experiences into blessings

Holding a grudge. Refusing to forgive, carrying resentment, and being critical of others; all of these are traps. The bitterness resulting from holding a grudge poisons the spirit and closes the heart. Forgiveness, on the other hand, can be joyful and freeing, while also bringing great peace of mind. Forgiveness isn’t something we do for the one who wronged us; we do it for ourselves. Forgiveness opens the heart and allows new and better experiences to enter in.

It is just as important to learn to forgive ourselves for our perceived failures or inadequacies as it is to forgive others. As we let go of judging others, self-judgment becomes less likely. By forgiving, we open ourselves up to understanding and compassion toward those who have hurt us. And by doing this, we foster trust in the Divine and begin to open ourselves to its sacred work in our lives.

Worry. The third habit that blocks spiritual connectedness is worry. The opposite of worrying, of course, is peace of mind. And to experience peace of mind, we must be aware of our inner life, the life of our spiritual self.

How do we change paths from worry and anxiety to peace of mind? Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen Buddhist monk, teaches a great exercise on mindfulness and peace that goes something like this: While breathing in, think of calmness and tranquility. While breathing out, smile. Think about the present moment on the next inward breath. Then, breathing out, declare to yourself that this is a wonderful moment!

Prayer can also move us from anxiety to peace of mind. In prayer we turn over our fears and worries to a power greater than ourselves: God, or the Divine Presence, or the Peace of the Universe. Prayer reminds us that there is a greater reality beyond our limited viewpoint. Ultimately, prayer brings us into a state of trust. We trust that we are in the hands of the Divine, and that in the end, all will be well.

Transforming Burnout
Find out more about health and spirituality.

Low Cholesterol Diet

October 29, 2010
By

The two major sources of cholesterol in the body includes the body itself and the foods that we consume. All the animals can produce cholesterol in their bodies and therefore, the animal products which are a part of our diet naturally contains cholesterol. The liver produces sufficient blood cholesterol to carry out certain functions in the body. Studies suggest that around 75 percent of the the cholesterol in the body is produced by the liver and the other 25 percent is acquired by the foods that we consume.

The cholesterol that comes from the foods is called dietary cholesterol. While blood cholesterol produced by the liver is an essential component required to carry out many bodily functions, excess of dietary cholesterol can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Dietary cholesterol in itself is not a problem, it is a cause of concern when it is combined with highly saturated fats. The intake of high cholesterol foods rich in saturated fats increases the cholesterol in the body and results in high cholesterol levels. It means that the body contains extra cholesterol which remain in the arteries eventually restricting the normal blood flow, the blocked arteries then lead to a stroke. Hence, it is important to balance dietary cholesterol and saturated fats in the diet to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Balancing the diet is the first step towards achieving a healthy lifestyle and so, this article mainly focuses on low cholesterol diet that can help in maintaining the right cholesterol levels. The second step is to stay physically fit by providing regular exercise to the body. For now though, let us talk about the dietary changes in the diet one should bring about to negate the chances of being affected by any heart disease.

Low Cholesterol Diet Menu

What should be included in a low cholesterol diet plan and what is the best diet to lower cholesterol is what we are going to look at now to understand what should be included and what should be excluded from our daily diet. Given below is the list of food to eat to lower cholesterol levels.

Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are the healthiest of all food kinds for a simple reason that they don’t contain fat and are low in calorie content. Besides the fact that it has less calories as compared to any other food types, it is also a rich source of dietary fiber that aid to regulated metabolism. Fruits and vegetables are also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and thus are one of the best cholesterol lowering foods. A regular and substantial intake of veggies in your daily diet can reduce the risk of heart diseases and high blood pressure.

Lean Meats
Red meat is the major culprit of high cholesterol levels in our body and therefore it is important to avoid it. Instead you could use lean meats such as turkey, chicken and fish to add in your low cholesterol foods list. These meat are a part of this low cholesterol diet because besides being low in cholesterol they are rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins and other micro-nutrients that are required for metabolism and reducing bad cholesterol in the body. If you savor red meat more than lean meat then, have it but ensure that you remove all the extra fat on it and eat it in moderation.

Grains
Avoid white flour products as much as possible and instead include whole grains and cereals in the diet. This is because white flour has high amounts of carbohydrates and consuming high carb foods can increase the cholesterol in the body. Grains are also known to have high energy and dietary fiber content. Besides whole grains, cereals and pulses, brown breads, beans, pasta and potatoes can also be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels. Another great source of dietary fiber and a huge amount of minerals and vitamins that can be included in cholesterol-lowering foods is nuts and seeds.

Dairy Products
Dairy products are a part of low cholesterol diet only if you are using skim or low fat dairy products. The regular ones are fattening and high in cholesterol and thus should be avoided. Many who complain of high cholesterol completely remove dairy products from their diet. However, it is important that you don’t completely remove it from the diet, just shift to low fat ones.

Oils and Fats
Saturated fats should be completely avoided if you are resorting to a low cholesterol diet. Saturated fats such as butter should be avoided. Margarine and oils that contain trans fats can also not be a part of your low cholesterol diet meals as they contain a type of saturated fat called as trans fats. Consuming fish oil 3-4 times a week can help in lowering cholesterol levels.

These were some of the low cholesterol diet foods that one can include in their diet to reduce the high cholesterol levels in the body. Making simple lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and regular exercise can negate the chances of being affected by various illnesses. It’s always better to control the cholesterol levels now rather than waiting for something to strike and then bring about the changes. Take control of your health just as you do your life. Take care… Stay healthy!

Low Cortisol Symptoms

October 29, 2010
By

Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal gland of the endocrine system that binds to the glucocorticoid receptor which is present in the cells of all vertebrates. The glucocorticoids are responsible for regulating the metabolism of glucose, their steroidal structure and their synthesis takes place in the adrenal cortex. The chief functions of cortisol include suppressing the immune system, assisting in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates and increasing blood sugar through gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenesis is the metabolic process by which glucose is generated from non-carbohydrate carbon substrate such as glucogenic amino acids, lactate and glycerol. This is an important function of the cortisol as this keeps the blood glucose level steady by averting hypoglycemia. Low cortisol symptoms, indicating low cortisol levels, are signs of adrenal fatigue or overuse. Prolonged and regular exposure to stressful situations leave our adrenal glands vulnerable to exhaustion and such exhaustion manifests in many adverse symptoms.

Symptoms of Low Cortisol
Cortisols suppress the inflammatory process and healing process by suppressing the immune system. All these reactions put our system on a red alert, prompting our survival instinct to direct us towards rest and medical care. Typical low cortisol symptoms include:

Shaky limbs
Feeling of panic
Unexplained paranoia
Overall weakness
Persistent fatigue
Getting stressed easily
Emotional hypersensitivity
Irritability
Sudden and frequent temperamental outbursts
Defensiveness
Impatience
Mild to severe hypoglycemia
Headache and body pain
Clumsiness
Muscle weakness
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Severe motion sickness
Dark under-eye circles
Difficulty falling asleep and disturbed sleep
IBS symptoms
Worsening allergic conditions
Sudden bouts of extreme hunger
Caffeine inducing drowsiness rather than wakefulness
Frequent urination
Flu like indications
Hypersensitivity of skin
Inability to concentrate
Feeling nauseous when facing even mildly stressful conditions
Diarrhea like symptoms
Bad palps
Low blood pressure
Craving for salt
Depression
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Low Cortisol Causes
Causes of low cortisol include various complex adverse glandular conditions which may be induced by excessive physical stress, trauma or other exhaustion. Some common factors responsible for low cortisol level are:
Adrenal Insufficiency: This condition is brought about when the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient amount of cortisol due to exhaustion or damage to these glands. Adrenal problems can also be hereditary.
Hypothalamic Indifference: When the cortisol level is already low, the hypothalamus stops responding to such low cortisol level, leading to adrenal insufficiency and further lowering of cortisol level. It works as a vicious cycle – less cortisol leads to even lesser cortisol!
Physical Shocks and Traumas: Physical traumas such as hemorrhages, pregnancy and other major physically taxing processes may impact the pituitary gland and inhibit the production of ACTH. This in-turn leads to low blood cortisol levels.
Adrenal Glands Removal: Removal of adrenal glands, which is extremely rare and is resorted to only if cancerous growths are detected on them, cause high production of ACTH, leading to low cortisol production.
Low Cortisol Levels and Weight Gain
Due to the fatigue and overall lethargy induced by low cortisol levels, it becomes difficult to follow fitness and weight loss routines. Recent studies also have revealed that besides high cortisol levels, low cortisol and weight gain are related! Low cortisol levels especially encourage gain around the abdominal region, and we all know, abdominal fat is the most difficult to lose! Low cortisol translates into low metabolism and this leads to weight gain. Lately, cortisol blockers claim to be able to tackle such cortisol related weight issues but before you go around popping them, do consult your doctor! As most cases of cortisol level dip are caused by adrenal fatigue, it is not recommended to lose such weight through aerobic exercise as this would further contribute to such glandular fatigue. Rather, more gradual and calming exercises such as Yoga may be helpful in both, weight loss and stress reduction.

Low Cortisol Diet and Treatment
When suffering from adrenal fatigue, make sure your normal body glucose level is maintained at all times. For this, you must eat nutritious food at regular intervals. Adding salt to your diet would help, unless your adrenal fatigue is accompanied by high blood pressure, which is not very common. Add lots of proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates and bright colored vegetables to your diet but go a little easy on potassium and fructose rich foods such as fruits. Treatment for this condition includes mostly lifestyle modifications which introduce relaxation and extradite stress from one’s life. Avoiding white carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats, caffeine, chocolate and junk food goes a long way in contributing towards recovery. Dietary supplements such as Vitamins C, E, B Complex, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium Citrate and trace minerals such as Zinc, Selenium, Chromium, Molybdenum, Copper and Iodine are included in treating low cortisol levels. Natural adrenal fatigue treatment includes herbal remedies consisting of Licorice, Ashwagandha, Maca Root, Korean and Siberian Ginseng, etc.

Talking to an endocrinologist on noticing any of the aforementioned low cortisol symptoms for a moderate period of time should be the first step, followed by strictly adhering to the dietary and medicinal prescriptions of the specialist. A relaxed lifestyle coupled with de-stressing activities such as Yoga and meditation are highly recommended to speed up the recovery. Take care today to live a healthy tomorrow! Wish you health and vigor throughout life!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Local Events, Concerts, Tickets
Events by Eventful