The Best Time to Workout for Weight Loss

Of course we know that committing to a well designed exercise routine plays a huge role in how effective our weight loss program is. The best weight loss programs generally recommend a combination of cardiovascular (see cardio exercises) and resistance training (see weight lifting exercises) at a minimum of 3 to 4 sessions a week.

I am often asked what time of the day is the best time to workout. That entirely depends upon the individual. In order to reap optimal benefits from your weight loss exercise routine, you’ll need to schedule your workout for a particular time of the day when you know you will be feeling wide awake, energized and ready to focus entirely on the workout without interruption.

Sleep Plays an Important Role in a Successful Weight Loss Program

Don't you wish you could sleep this soundly?

An effective weight loss routine relies on a number of factors. An overall reduction in calories and a commitment to regular exercise are often the two main priorities of most weight loss plans. While obviously these are crucial factors, there are other somewhat surprising components that contribute to the success of a healthy weight loss program.

Perhaps just as helpful in fat reduction is the quality and quantity of the sleep we allow ourselves. Even the best of the best weight loss programs will stall or perhaps fail if we don’t get adequate, restful sleep.

Are Anti Cellulite Creams and Lotions Worth the Hefty Pricetag?

What is cellulite? Of course most members of the fairer sex know that cellulite is the cause of the orange peel looking skin covering our bums, the cottage cheese appearance of our thighs and the lumps and bumps adorning our ripply hips.

The term cellulite was graciously introduced to us by the cosmetics industry during the 1970s, after which countless products were marketed as anti cellulite remedies. Women all over the world wanted to know how to get rid of cellulite and that remains the same today. In the last 40 years women have spent billions of dollars on useless cellulite creams, lotions and treatments. There are countless products popping up all the time, including everything from special loofah sponges and anti cellulite vitamins to body wraps, spa treatments and cellulite massage.

A Successful Weight Loss Story to Inspire you

Successful weight loss stories can offer us the inspiration we desperately need during those times when we’re lacking the necessary discipline and motivation  required to follow our program.

Anytime we come across an amazing weight loss success story, it tends to give us a little nudge in the right direction. When you experience those “I give up” or “I just can’t do it” days (and we all do) you need a little something to light a fire under your butt and get you off the couch.

I’m going to share one of those successful weight loss stories with you about one of my clients that most of you will no doubt relate to.

One year ago, almost to the day, Wade came to see me for a consultation. He was 37, married with 3 children and had a very busy, very stressful, time consuming career as the owner of a real estate company. Even though Wade is one of the most positive, upbeat men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing I could tell he was frustrated with his weight and level of fitness. The scale was working its way up to 300 pounds, causing him to feel  physically drained and less than thrilled with his physique. After all, he was a young man with a beautiful wife and 3 very energetic kids, so of course he wanted and needed, more energy.  He required enough energy to get him through long work days and frequent business trips, yet still be able to come home and enjoy time with his family.

Ephedra is not part of Natural Weight Loss

Ephedrine. Although it may be a naturally occurring substance, it really has no place as part of a natural weight loss program.

Ephedra is usually thought of as a weight loss or diet pill but for more than 5,000 years it has been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for a plethora of conditions including asthma, headaches, edema and nasal congestion.

In recent years, since the early 1980s, ephedra (aka ephedrine or Ma Huang) has been commonly used for increased weight loss, athletic performance and as an appetite suppressant.

Choosing the Best Weight Loss Program that suits you!

With all of the weight loss programs and work out routines and plans out there, choosing the one that’s right for you can be difficult, not to mention confusing! If you’re looking for a safe yet effective weight loss program or fat loss workout, there are some qualities to look for and some red flags to avoid.

A weight loss program should teach healthy behaviors that not only promote a reduction in weight, but also the ability to maintain the weight loss over time.

Three Tips to Support Weight Loss Motivation

Motivation is as important to your weight loss success as the diet plan itself. Our motivation to lose weight tends to wane from time to time and needs a kick-start every once in awhile in order to keep us on track.

I’ve put together three relatively simple steps to make the dieting experience a little more positive and and help increase your weight loss motivation.

Join an online weight loss support group

It’s very beneficial and therapeutic to have the support of others and to know that so many of your peers share your frustrations, along with the ups and downs that a fat loss workout program entails. There are numerous online weight loss support groups and forums that  can be exceptionally helpful and as anonymous as you’d like. You’ll enjoy a supportive platform to ask questions, discuss problems and weight loss plateaus, vent frustrations, share recipes and even make a few new friends in the process.

Tips on How to Lose Belly Fat

Without a doubt the number one physique related concern I am asked about is how to lose belly fat. I’m going to share some fitness and diet tips with you on how to get rid of stomach fat, but it really is not complicated stuff.

Belly fat is also known as a spare tire, love handles, a paunch or beer gut and of course my personal favorite, the muffin top. It can be stubborn, annoying and definitely frustrating. In some cases belly fat can also be a serious health risk as studies have shown that it increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain types of cancers.

Low Carb Diet Plans-The Best Way to Lose Weight Quickly?

A few years back, low carb diet plans were all the rage. Books like Atkins and South Beach were flying off shelves and claiming to be the best way to lose weight quickly. These days the novelty of low carb diets has somewhat worn off, but there seems to remain a confusion surrounding the role and importance that carbohydrates play in our overall well being.

I should preface this by stating that I am not a proponent of extreme low carb diet plans, and you shouldn’t be either.

Barring any specific specific condition or dietary intolerance such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s, Colitis, PKU or somehing of that nature, I always encourage balance, incorporating foods from all the food groups in a percentage that is optimal for health and physical performance.

Having stated that, I’ll explain the role that carbohydrates play in the proper functioning of our systems as well as highlighting the pros and cons of following a low carb diet plan.

Fire things up! How to Increase Metabolism.

The dictionary defines metabolism as the sum of the physical and chemical processes that occur in the cells, all of which work to produce energy. Simply put, metabolism is the rate at which the body uses energy, or burns calories.

In addition to a number of factors which are out of our control such as genetics, age and gender, our metabolic rate is determined by our level of activity and body composition. Your metabolic rate is based in part on how much your body expects you to have to work. If you are a lean, athletic, very active person you’ll likely have a high metabolism. If on the other hand, you’re a couch potato, well….not so much.