Search Weight Loss Topics:

Page 1,300«..1020..1,2991,3001,3011,302..1,3101,320..»

Home » Page 1300

If you think back far enough, you'll recall the days when Target was just another discount retail store. But with some clever strategy, the store has become common ground for social media influencers, cosmopolitan change-makers and at-home moms, alike. That's the power of rebranding.

The CICO diet gets a few things wrong when it comes to healthy and sustainable weight loss.

Credit: KucherAV/iStock/GettyImages

Much like today's Target, the CICO diet is a new-and-improved version of an old concept: If you burn more calories than you take in, you'll lose weight. This principle isn't necessarily incorrect, but it's only one small piece of the weight-loss puzzle.

Before you start equating steps and calories, consider how you can tweak CICO which stands for "calories in, calories out" for a more wholistic and ultimately effective diet plan.

Before we dive into the CICO diet, let's review some weight-loss basics. You need to burn about 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound, according to the Mayo Clinic. Trimming calories from your diet and increasing your exercise will help you create a calorie deficit (which is when you burn more calories than you consume).

This concept of calories in, calories out is the principle behind the CICO diet. If you burn more calories than you eat each day, you'll lose weight and fast. Generally speaking, this is accurate, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It: Taking You from Label to Table. But CICO is grossly oversimplified.

In order to follow the diet, all you need to do is create a calorie deficit. By tracking your food using an app or food diary, you can find how many calories it takes to maintain your current weight. From there, you can trim anywhere between 500 to 1,000 calories per day to create a calorie deficit, according to the Mayo Clinic. That's all there is to CICO.

But losing weight isn't all about the math, Taub-Dix explains. The way we burn calories depends on the macronutrients (carbs, protein and fat) we eat. Different macros require different amounts of energy for your body to burn and process, also known as the thermic effect of food, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Protein and carbohydrates have a higher thermic affect than fat. So, foods higher in protein, for example, take more calories to digest than fat.

The CICO diet also sets up unsustainable expectations where calorie burn is concerned. "It's unrealistic to think that if you want an extra piece of bread, then you have to go run on a treadmill," Taub-Dix says. "I applaud this diet for encouraging physical activity, but this plan is not a healthy way to live."

Unlike low-carb or low-fat diet regimens, there are no restricted foods on CICO, as long as you stay in a calorie deficit, according to Shena Jaramillo, RD. On the CICO diet, 100 calories is 100 calories, whether it comes from an apple or a cookie.

But calories and nutrition aren't the same thing. This is another inherent flaw in the diet plan, Jaramillo says. The calories from an apple come with beneficial vitamins and nutrients, while we can't say the same for cookies.

"One could choose chips and hot dogs to achieve their CICO diet goal," Jaramillo says. "While this, in theory, could work to produce weight loss, these foods often do not leave us satiated and make it difficult to achieve our restricted calorie goal."

The idea with CICO is to burn more calories than you consume, but the diet doesn't set specific calorie limits. You may be tempted to slash your daily calories very low to achieve faster weight loss, but beware: Severe calorie deficits can cause your metabolism to slow, Jaramillo says. So, over time, your body will burn less and less calories to perform the same activities. This will also make it more difficult to keep the weight off. Instead, aim to cut about 500 calories per day, and make sure you're not dipping below 1,200 total calories for women or 1,500 for men.

CICO gives users a general understanding of calories and energy expenditure. It can also help build awareness around mindless eating or portion control, Jaramillo says.

The diet also encourages exercise, which is a plus. However, working out solely as a method of burning more calories probably isn't the best way to establish a healthy relationship with exercise and your body.

Despite these benefits, which are bare-minimum, the diet fails to give a proper window into nutrition and healthy eating. Losing weight by calorie-cutting alone won't necessarily improve your dietary choices and lifestyle, which is why people typically regain the weight they lose. So, while technically you can lose weight on the CICO diet, the results are likely to be short-lived.

Exercise for the overall health benefits, not to burn off calories.

Credit: gradyreese/E+/GettyImages

While CICO alone isn't a healthy, sustainable weight-loss method, it can be one part of a healthy plan. As CICO suggests, you will need to eat in a deficit in order to lose weight. But calories aren't the only factor to consider when you're building a meal plan. Consider these other factors to make CICO sustainable:

1. Eat Foods for Quality, Not Quantity

You can eat plenty of ultra-processed foods and stay in a caloric deficit. But they're probably not the best choice if you want long-term, sustainable weight-loss. Ultra-processed foods think: chips, soft drinks, energy bars, flavored yogurt are low in vitamins and nutrients. If your diet consists of little else, you can become nutrient deficient.

These foods are also high in saturated fats, added sugars and sodium, which can play a part in conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Instead, choose a varied diet with some flexibility, Taub-Dix recommends. At each meal, prioritize nutrient-dense foods, like fruits and veggies. Plants are high in fiber, a nutrient that will boost your satiety and promote healthy digestion, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Although you can make bread or pasta fit your CICO diet calories, whole grains are a more nutritious choice. Foods like brown rice or quinoa are higher in fiber, magnesium, iron and B vitamins, according to the Whole Grains Council.

Be picky with your protein, too. As Jaramillo mentions above, hot dogs can be low in calories but they're high in preservatives. Instead, choose lean protein sources like chicken, fish or low-fat dairy.

2. Focus on Your Body, Not Your Calorie Count

Being more aware of mindless eating and portion control is another benefit of the CICO diet, which can work in your favor. Snacking while watching TV or scrolling social media can cause you to consume a lot of low-quality calories without even realizing you're doing it, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

But while the CICO diet restricts any kind of non-measured eating, like mindless snacking, try to focus on your hunger cues and food quality, instead of your calorie count, recommends Taub-Dix.

"Focus on the quality of the foods you're eating instead of just relying on calorie counts to learn the difference between being hungry or full," she says. "Those habits could create a diet that could last a lifetime, instead of one that is temporary."

3. Exercise for Your Health, Not Your Calorie Deficit

Exercise burns calories, which is why it plays a part in the CICO diet. But calorie expenditure isn't the only benefit of consistent exercise.

Regular exercise can help reduce your risk of heart disease and help manage your blood sugar levels, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Not to mention, exercise can be a great tool for coping with stress and may even improve your sleep.

"Try to move your body because you like the way it makes you look and feel not because you have to try to undo the damage you may think a french fry created," Taub-Dix says.

The CICO diet can be part of an effective weight-loss plan. Understanding how calories work in a diet is crucial but definitely not the only important piece of information. Don't knock CICO completely, but work to incorporate it into a healthier weight-loss strategy.

Go here to see the original:
The CICO Diet: What Is It, Benefits and Drawbacks for Weight Loss - LIVESTRONG.COM

Read More..

The very low carb, high fat ketogenic diet may provide various health benefits, including increased energy, weight loss, improved mental function, and blood sugar control (1).

The goal of this diet is to achieve ketosis, a state in which your body and brain burn fat as their main source of energy (1).

Fat adapted is one of many terms associated with this diet, but you may wonder what it means.

This article explores fat adaptation, how it differs from ketosis, its signs and symptoms, and whether its healthy.

The keto diet is based on the principle that your body can burn fat instead of carbs (glucose) for energy.

After a few days, a diet very low in carbs and high in fat puts your body in ketosis, a state in which it breaks down fatty acids to form ketone bodies for energy (1).

Fat adapted means that your body has reached a state in which it more effectively burns fat for energy. Keep in mind that this effect needs more research.

To enter ketosis, you normally eat no more than 50 and as few as 20 grams of carbs per day for several days. Ketosis may also occur during periods of starvation, pregnancy, infancy, or fasting (2, 3, 4).

Fat adaptation may start any time between 4 and 12 weeks after you enter ketosis, depending on the individual and how strictly you adhere to the keto diet. Notably, endurance athletes may adapt even sooner (5, 6, 7, 8, 9).

Fat adaptation is thought to be a long-term metabolic transition to burning fat instead of carbs. Among keto adherents, burning carbs for energy is known as carb adapted.

Most people following non-keto diets could be considered carb-adapted, although their bodies use a mixture of carbs and fats. The ketogenic diet shifts this balance to favor fat burning.

Fat adaptation has been seen in endurance athletes who follow the keto diet for up to 2 weeks, then immediately restore carb intake before a competition (5, 6).

However, fat adaptation in non-athletes has not yet been studied.

Most people burn a combination of fat and carbs, but those on the keto diet primarily burn fat. Fat adaptation is a long-term metabolic adaptation to ketosis, a state in which your body more efficiently metabolizes fat as its main energy source.

As you enter ketosis, your body begins to draw from its fat stores and dietary fat to convert fatty acids into ketone bodies for energy (1, 3).

At first, this process is often inefficient. When youre still in the initial stages of the keto diet, a sudden carb increase can easily throw you out of ketosis, as your body prefers burning carbs (1, 3).

In comparison, fat adaptation is a longer-term state of ketosis in which you consistently derive most of your energy from fat given your changes in diet. This state is believed to be more stable, as your body has transitioned to using fat as its main energy source.

However, this effect is mostly limited to anecdotal evidence and has not been studied readily in humans. Therefore, fat adaptation as an efficient and stable metabolic state is not currently supported by scientific evidence.

Theoretically, once you reach a fat-adapted state, you can introduce carbs into your diet for short periods of 714 days which allows your body to easily burn fat for energy once you return to a ketogenic diet.

However, most of this effect is limited to speculation or anecdotal reports.

People who might want to pause the keto diet for short periods include endurance athletes who may need the quick fuel that carbs supply, or those simply wanting a short break to accommodate events like the holidays.

Fat adaptation may be particularly appealing for these individuals, as you can reap ketos benefits shortly after you transition back to the diet.

However, while keto cycling may provide flexibility, its benefits for athletic performance are disputed. Some reports find that it impairs your bodys ability to metabolize carbs in the short term (10).

Thus, more research is needed on the short- and long-term health effects of this eating pattern.

Fat adaptation is a long-term metabolic state in which your body uses fat as its main source of energy. Its considered more stable and efficient than the initial state of ketosis you enter upon adopting the keto diet.

Although the signs and symptoms of fat adaptation are primarily based on anecdotal accounts, many people report experiencing fewer cravings and feeling more energized and focused.

The onset of fat adaptation is not well described in scientific literature, though there is some evidence of it in endurance athletes (5, 6).

While a few studies have shown these effects, theyre limited to a timespan of 412 months. Thus, comprehensive, long-term studies on fat adaptation are needed (7, 8, 9).

Keto enthusiasts claim that decreased appetite and cravings are one of the signs of being fat adapted.

While the hunger-reducing effects of ketosis are well documented, the duration of this state varies from study to study. As such, theres insufficient scientific evidence to support the notion that fat adaptation definitively reduces cravings (11, 12).

One study commonly cited by keto enthusiasts involves 20 middle-aged adults with obesity who were placed on a controlled, phased diet for 4 months. Its worth noting that ketosis in the study resulted from keto combined with a very low calorie diet (13, 14).

This initial keto phase, which allowed only 600800 calories per day, continued until each participant lost a target amount of weight. Peak ketosis lasted 6090 days, after which the participants were placed on diets that incorporated balanced macronutrient ratios (13, 14).

Food cravings dropped significantly over the course of the study. Whats more, during the 6090-day ketogenic phase, the participants didnt report the typical symptoms of severe calorie restriction, which include sadness, bad mood, and increased hunger (13, 14).

The reason for this is unknown, but researchers believe it could be linked to ketosis. These findings are compelling and warrant further study in larger groups of people (11).

However, you should keep in mind that extreme calorie restriction can damage your health.

The ketogenic diet was initially devised to treat children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Interestingly, children have a greater capacity to effectively use ketone bodies for energy than adults (15).

Ketone bodies, particularly one molecule called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), have been shown to protect your brain. While not entirely clear, the effects of BHB on the brain could help explain the increased focus that long-term ketogenic dieters report (15).

All the same, more research is needed into this effect and its relationship to fat adaptation.

Some people also claim that fat adaptation improves your sleep.

However, studies suggest that these effects are limited to specific populations like children and teens with morbid obesity or those with sleep disorders (16, 17, 18, 19).

One study in 14 healthy men found that those on a ketogenic diet experienced increased deeper sleep but reduced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is important because it activates brain regions associated with learning (20).

As such, overall sleep may not have improved.

A different study in 20 adults found no significant correlation between ketosis and improved sleep quality or duration (13, 14).

Thus, further research is necessary.

Though advocates claim that fat adaptation improves sleep, increases focus, and decreases cravings, research is mixed. Its also worth noting that fat adaptation isnt well defined in scientific literature. Therefore, more studies are needed.

Due to a lack of comprehensive research, the long-term health implications of the keto diet arent well understood.

One 12-month study in 377 people in Italy found some benefits, but fat adaptation was not described. Furthermore, the participants didnt experience significant changes in weight or fat mass (21).

Whats more, a study in over 13,000 adults linked long-term carb restriction to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to serious complications like stroke, heart attack, and death (22).

Yet, those who developed the condition reported a much higher carb intake than what keto allows (22).

On the other hand, a 24-week study in 83 people with obesity revealed that the keto diet improved cholesterol levels (23).

Overall, more comprehensive long-term research is necessary.

The keto diet can be difficult to maintain. Short-term effects include a cluster of symptoms known as the keto flu, which includes fatigue, brain fog, and bad breath (15).

Plus, some reports indicate the diet could be associated with liver and bone damage (15).

Over the long term, its restrictions may trigger vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It may also impair the gut microbiome the collection of healthy bacteria living in your gut and cause unpleasant side effects like constipation (24, 25).

Additionally, given that very low carb diets are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, those with heart conditions should consult their physician before implementing keto (22).

Whats more, one case study in a 60-year-old man cautioned against the keto diet for those with type 2 diabetes, as he developed a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis though the man also incorporated periods of fasting after a year on the diet (26).

Finally, people with gallbladder disease should not adopt this diet unless directed to do so by a healthcare provider, as increased fat intake can exacerbate symptoms like gallbladder stones. Prolonged intake of high fat foods can also increase your risk of developing this illness (27).

Although more research is needed on the effects of fat adaptation, long-term keto dieting may be unsafe for those with heart conditions, type 2 diabetes, or gallbladder disease.

Fat adaptation is a long-term metabolic adjustment to ketosis, a state in which your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbs. Its commonly claimed as one of the benefits of the keto diet.

Fat adaptation is said to result in decreased cravings, increased energy levels, and improved sleep. It may also be more stable and efficient than initial ketosis.

Nonetheless, more research is needed to not only determine the long-term effects of the keto diet but also how fat adaptation works.

Go here to read the rest:
Fat Adapted: What Does It Mean? - Healthline

Read More..

Statistically speaking, long term investing is a profitable endeavour. But that doesnt mean long term investors can avoid big losses. For example the Perrigo Company plc (NYSE:PRGO) share price dropped 67% over five years. Thats not a lot of fun for true believers. On the other hand the share price has bounced 8.7% over the last week.

Check out our latest analysis for Perrigo

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a companys share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Perrigo became profitable within the last five years. Most would consider that to be a good thing, so its counter-intuitive to see the share price declining. Other metrics may better explain the share price move.

The modest 1.6% dividend yield is unlikely to be guiding the market view of the stock. Revenue is actually up 0.5% over the time period. So it seems one might have to take closer look at the fundamentals to understand why the share price languishes. After all, there may be an opportunity.

The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. This free report showing analyst forecasts should help you form a view on Perrigo

Weve already covered Perrigos share price action, but we should also mention its total shareholder return (TSR). Arguably the TSR is a more complete return calculation because it accounts for the value of dividends (as if they were reinvested), along with the hypothetical value of any discounted capital that have been offered to shareholders. Dividends have been really beneficial for Perrigo shareholders, and that cash payout explains why its total shareholder loss of 65%, over the last 5 years, isnt as bad as the share price return.

Its good to see that Perrigo has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 21% in the last twelve months. Thats including the dividend. Theres no doubt those recent returns are much better than the TSR loss of 19% per year over five years. We generally put more weight on the long term performance over the short term, but the recent improvement could hint at a (positive) inflection point within the business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and weve spotted 2 warning signs for Perrigo (of which 1 doesnt sit too well with us!) you should know about.

Perrigo is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned.

We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading.

Read the original here:
If You Had Bought Perrigo (NYSE:PRGO) Stock Five Years Ago, Youd Be Sitting On A 67% Loss, Today - Simply Wall St

Read More..

From fancy vacations to days spent trying to soak up as much sun as possible, Spring Break is a time for college students to relax and take a break from the stress that comes with being in school. But along with this sense of relaxation, Spring Break brings a heavy, easily overlooked stigma.

When it comes to prepping for Spring Break, young college students often find themselves with an unhealthy habit of finding new ways to perfect their body image. Whether its through weight-loss trends on the social media app TikTok, or slimming down through small diets and excessive exercise, its possible for young people to find themselves in a dangerous state of mind and health.

Student Health services physician and eating disorder team member Dr. Gayle Ponder said although an instant Spring Break body may be desired, it takes months to actually achieve anything similar.

There is no quick way, Ponder said. Students may find some quick success in a very restrictive diet, but it is not going to be healthy or sustainable in the long run. Students need to be thinking of this goal months in advance to achieve it in a healthy way.

The amount of temptations that come with being in college often cause weight loss and toning up to be pushed back until Spring Break is just within reach. Ponder said this need to get into shape quickly has several negative effects.

If a person is really restricting calories it may result in fast weight loss, but it also can result in fatigue, irritability, low blood sugar or even muscle breakdown, Ponder said.

With younger generations, it has been found that social media plays a major role in body image. Ponder said social media allows for instant comparison that is often a false reality.

Photos can be altered and only the exciting parts of life are shared, Ponder said. People start depending on likes and follows to define self-worth, the perfect body image or the perfect life for that matter. We humans tend to feel that if we cannot look like or be like the images before us then we are not worthy.

In order to maintain both a healthy mind and body when trying to achieve ones physical goals, Bethany Smith, assistant director of Counseling and Psychological Services, said students must set realistic expectations for their individual body types.

Poor body image can lead to low self-worth, depression, anxiety, poor eating and exercise habits, shame and even thoughts of suicide, Smith said. Focusing on health and the way someone feels instead of a number on the scale is important along with recognizing their worth as separate from appearance.

Although Spring Break is known to bring up unhealthy habits, if gone about correctly, it can prevent long-term negative outcomes and practices.

Spring Break is a short time period, but the preparation of unhealthy habits that can occur prior to that time can have negative effects, Smith said. Working to understand that healthy habits and building self-worth separate from appearance or just one thing can help students feel good about themselves and be successful in their personal and academic endeavors.

In order to stay happy and healthy even after Spring Break has come and gone, Ponder said studying, sleep and exercise could be key to making college students more aware of exactly how they are treating their bodies.

If students could come to college thinking that they need to find things they enjoy to stay active, yes, you can splurge and have fun, but you have to balance it with your lean proteins and vegetables as well, Ponder said. Sleep is important if you set priorities, meaning you may have to cut out activities that are not at the top of the list.

More here:
Consequences of getting that Spring Break body | Life & Arts - Texas A&M The Battalion

Read More..

NEW YORK (AP) As more Americans turn to surgery to lose weight, more of them are also returning for a second operation because the first isnt working.

Last year, an estimated 15% of the 252,000 obesity surgeries in the U.S. came after a previous surgery. That compares to 6% of the 158,000 surgeries in 2011, according to a surgeons group.

Weight loss surgery has proven to be an effective way to treat obesity and related conditions like diabetes. Methods vary, but the operations generally shrink the stomach to limit how much people can eat without feeling sick.

Many people achieve significant weight loss but results arent assured: Its still possible to overeat, restrictive devices can slip and stomachs can stretch back out and patients can regain weight over time.

That was the case for Kerrie Dutton, who had her first surgery four years ago.

At first, Dutton said she couldnt eat much without feeling sick, as expected. She quickly dropped about 100 of her 320 pounds. Then gradually, her stomach started stretching, and she was able to eat more again.

Going into the second year, I noticed that my weight was creeping up pretty quick, said the 29-year-old Dutton, who lives on New Yorks Long Island.

Duttons first operation was a newer procedure that cuts away part of the stomach and leaves a narrow sleevelike pouch. In October, she ended up converting to a more established surgery that reduces the stomach substantially more.

In the U.S., guidelines generally reserve weight loss surgery for the severely obese people with a body mass index of 40 or higher or those with a BMI of 35 and over who have a related health problem like diabetes or high blood pressure.

And the obesity problem in the U.S. isnt getting better. About 4 in 10 American adults are obese and nearly 1 in 10 are severely obese, according to the latest survey by government researchers.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery doesnt provide a breakdown on which procedures are leading to subsequent operations. Dr. John Morton, a past president of the group and surgeon at the Yale School of Medicine, said its primarily patients who got an adjustable and removable band that restricts the size of the stomach. The bands popularity in the U.S. has waned significantly over the years.

ReShape Lifesciences, a medical device company that bought the Lap-Band system in 2018, said it doesnt believe removal of its bands has been fueling second surgeries. Dr. Mark Watson, who does banding at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said another surgery could be avoided with proper care of the band, which may need adjustment to work.

Contributing to the growing number of returning patients is the sleeve, which now accounts for 61% of U.S. procedures. Surgeons say many patients opt for the sleeve because it seems less complicated and less drastic than the bypass, which staples the stomach into a small pouch and shortens the intestinal tract.

Some surgeons are beginning to acknowledge the sleeve may not be the best option for some, such as those who are severely obese.

Its been too broadly applied, said Dr. Stacy Brethauer, a Columbus, Ohio, surgeon and former president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, which tracks trends in procedures.

Since the sleeve is relatively new, there isnt strong data on how patients might fare over the long term, but Brethauer said surgeons have seen sleeve patients starting to return for a revision.

Prospective patients need to understand the options, surgeons say, since additional surgeries can increase the risk of complications. Dr. David Arterburn, a researcher who studies weight loss procedures at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, suggests people consult surgeons who are comfortable performing different procedures.

Dr. Neil Floch, a surgeon in Norwalk, Connecticut, said the right procedure will depend on the persons situation: Its an individualized decision as to which surgery a particular person should have to get the best result.

After the sleeve, the most common procedure is the traditional gastric bypass. Its considered more effective partly because it also limits how much food is digested. Generally, both are considered safe and performed laparoscopically, or through small incisions.

The need for another surgery doesnt necessarily mean patients regret their decisions. Some say they got what they believed was the best option for them at the time.

Others like Anita Saah, a 45-year-old Rockville, Maryland, resident, may have taken a different route in hindsight.

In 2018, Saah opted for the sleeve because it seemed less risky than the bypass. She lost weight immediately but suffered severe dehydration afterward and was vomiting bile, likely because of her previous acid reflux issues.

In September, she had another surgery, this time a bypass. She hasnt had further complications and only wishes she understood how serious the acid reflux could become.

I wouldnt have had to go through two surgeries, Saah said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Continued here:
After obesity surgery, more patients returning for another - The Associated Press

Read More..

Cant seem to keep that weight off? Youre not alone, say University of Alberta health experts who suggest weight loss shouldnt be the primary motivation behind healthy lifestyle changes.

Obesity expert Arya Sharma said there is a growing body of research showing that upwards of 95 per cent of those who achieve any sort of meaningful weight loss will pack it back on, and then some, within a couple of years.

Why does maintaining weight loss have such a grim outlook? Sharma said its because you cant fight biology.

In fact, biology will fight you, and fight you very effectively.

He explained that as we gain weight, our bodys biology changes and will actually start defending that higher body weight as the new normal, regardless of how you put it on.

Sharma said the brain has a whole bag of tricks at its disposal, with the sole purpose of trying to get you to eatbeginning with increasing appetite and heightening taste and smell.

As you start eating less, your body senses there's not enough calories coming in, and you start having cravings, he said. In fact, you might even find food that you normally don't likehigh-caloric foodwill actually seem much more attractive to you.

The next strategy your body employs to combat any substantial weight loss is to reduce the amount of calories it burns.

If there's not enough calories coming in, the body turns down the thermostat, he said. Thats why people who lose weight often complain of feeling cold.

And if that werent enough, Sharma said that in the face of reduced calories, the body gets more fuel-efficient, able to cut calorie consumption during physical activity.

That's the big difference between biology and physics. If you look at your car, you can't teach your car to run on less fuel, but you can train your body to run on less fuel and you can become more fuel-efficientit's an adaptive system.

When those three things are taken togetherincreasing appetite and burning fewer calories at rest and at playalong with genetics and the fact that most of us have a finite amount of willpower, Sharma said it doesnt matter what exercise program you follow or which diet you implementyour body's going to want those calories back.

I liken it to pulling on a rubber band. You lose the weight and now you're pulling on this rubber band, and you have to keep pulling. The minute you let go, it's just going to snap back. Thats what makes long-term weight loss so difficult.

Sharma said because weight loss and weight maintenance carry on basically forever, obesity needs to be treated as a chronic disease.

When you have diabetes, and you need to follow a diet and take your insulin, you need to follow your diet and take insulin forever. Its the same thing.

He added the treatments that work best in the long term are the ones that fight this biology, such as bariatric surgery and medications that can block the adaptive responses of the body.

The body can still fight it, which is why there are some people who have bariatric surgery or who take the medication and then go off, who still end up putting the weight back on, said Sharma.

That just tells you how powerful those mechanisms can be.

According to Kim Raine, an obesity researcher in the School of Public Health, we are unwittingly helping our nature to gain weight with a seismic shift in the last 40 or so years in our environment.

We may be eating more than we used to and we may be less physically active than before, but it's not generally our choice to do thatit's that our environment has changed significantly, she said.

For instance, the ability to have food at our beck and call has increased exponentially in the last number of years. About a decade ago, Raines lab did an assessment of the relative amount of fast food and convenience stores compared with grocery stores in the city of Edmonton. They used fast food and convenience stores as a proxy for unhealthy high-calorie food, and grocery stores as a proxy for where you at least have the option of getting something healthier.

They counted 61 grocery stores and 761 fast food and convenience stores.

We've got this exposure to food like we've never had beforethat's the physical environment.

Perhaps even more invasive than the availability of food is the constant bombardment of messages promoting unhealthy food. Raine noted that marketers of unhealthy foods and beverages spend more money in three days than governments trying to promote healthy eating spend in a year.

And then we expect the nutrition education campaign that says eat your vegetables to counteract that. It doesn't make a lot of sense.

The uptick in motorized transportation means we don't walk anywhere anymore, and even well-meaning policies aimed at giving people greater access and increased choice to schools might be having a deleterious effect on physical activity.

Raine suggested open boundary policies that allow students to attend the school of their choice no matter where they live might be helping to drive the obesity epidemic too, as many kids are no longer walking to their neighbourhood school.

Because even if we work out an hour a day, it doesn't necessarily make up for what you would have walking back and forth to school or work four times, she said.

It's not a single one of those pieces that causes the problem, its when you add them all up.

While schools themselves do their best to teach kids about nutrition, Raine said students can walk out into the hallway to find a vending machine filled with high-calorie junk food.

We're fighting against an environment that is really pushing us to consume more and to be less active, she said. We need to move beyond trying to teach people to cope with the environment, and change the environment.

Raine said it can start in school. The U of A-led APPLE Schools program promotes the value of healthy eating and physical activity, but these programs need to be mandatory and need to be better funded.

Restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children would also help, Raine said. Such restrictions have been in place in Quebec since 1980, and research shows those children consume significantly less fast food and have lower obesity rates.

She said subsidizing healthier foods and taxing high-sodium, high-sugar foods would also help, but added no one thing is going to solve the problem.

We can learn from successes in tobacco control. Raising taxes, restricting access to minors or eliminating advertisingeach one of those things individually did not make major changes to tobacco use, but collectively they changed the culture and denormalized tobacco use.

As for what we can do, health law and policy researcher Timothy Caulfield recommends steering clear of fad diets.

These diets gain traction because people do lose weight. But theyre losing weight because they pay attention to what they're eating for a little while, he said.

One thing I often say to people is, Can you name a single diet that worked long-term? If that existed, we would know.

He said what frustrates him most is that almost all of the marketing and pop-culture references to diet and exercise are tied to weight loss and aesthetics.

The best diet is the diet that works for you, is sustainable, is healthy and is enjoyable. If it's not enjoyable, it's not going to be sustainable.

U of A nutrition expert Sabina Valentine said one of the problems with fad diets is they often target foods we need, like protein, fat and carbohydrates.

I don't want people going out and eating loads and loads of fat, which happens in the keto diet. In moderate amountsperhaps 30 per cent of your dietfat contributes to a healthy diet.

Same with carbohydrates, which Valentine said have got a bad rap in the last decade, largely because of sugar.

Here are all these people avoiding carbohydrates, but they contain fibre, which plays an important role not only for decreasing health riskslike cancer and heart diseasebut also for making you feel full.

Rather than restrictive fad diets, Valentine said healthy eating should focus on making common-sense decisions and not being too hard on yourself after enjoying dessert at a party, for instance.

Learning how to include some of those yummy things in your diet kind of gives you that stick-to-itiveness, she said.

Go here to read the rest:
Why losing weight isn't the right reason to adopt a healthier lifestyle - Folio - University of Alberta

Read More..

While those purple lines are medically no cause for worry, they can be effectively reduced with extra care.

Stretch marks are common among pregnant women, adolescents during a growth spurt and among those who quickly put on or lose weight.

These long purple stripes or lines on the skin occur on areas such as breasts, buttocks, hips, stomach, thighs and upper arms when the middle layer of the skin becomes overstretched to the point of tearing.

If you wish to prevent or reduce their appearance, here are some body oils and butters to your rescue.

While these wont completely rid you of the stretch marks, they will make a marked difference as far as preventing or reducing them to an extent is concerned.

This belly toning oil from Prakrta is made of natural ingredients like cold-pressed virgin coconut, rosehip, tamanu, and hempseed oil with coffee extracts, keeping in mind the safety of expecting moms and new moms.

We spoke to Anupam Singh, co-founder of Prakrta, as to why its an excellent buy:

An important consideration for us when we were developing an oil for stretch marks was that it had to be safe during pregnancy and nursing. Therefore we chose to avoid all essential oils and used only cold-pressed oils and extracts (most of these ingredients are edible grade). The virgin coconut oil nourishes and improves collagen production in skin, hempseed works as a powerful antioxidant and soothes itchy skin, tamanu oil has been used in Asian and African cultures over centuries now for its skin regenerative properties, rosehip oil decreases the appearance of scars and marks, Vitamin E is again a powerful antioxidant and helps heal the stretched skin whereas the coffee extract has astringent properties that help tone up the skin.

This oil from RAW Home Essentials works to lighten old and new stretch marks caused by pregnancy and weight changes. Made of helichrysum oil, sage oil, rosehip oil, neroli oil, cypress oil, grapefruit oil, patchouli oil and myrrh oil, it also prevents new stretch marks from forming by hydrating and nourishing the skin thereby improving elasticity.

This body butter is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. While hemp oil helps to nourish dry, tired and dehydrated skin, natural aloe vera helps with sunburns, reduce stretch marks and tan marks. It is free from any harmful chemicals and is 100 per cent natural.

As the candle melts, its wax doubles up as a warm and moisturising massage butter, giving off an enchanting aroma. It is deeply moisturising and is therefore recommended for dehydrated skin. The body butter helps remove scars, cellulite and considerably reduce stretch marks.

This handmade cold-pressed argan oil is enriched with antioxidants, strengthening proteins and shine-boosting Vitamins A & E. Non-greasy and light-weight, it helps restore skin elasticity and leaves it feeling plumper and softer. It works wonders in removing post-pregnancy stretch marks.

Also Read: 5 All-Natural Skincare Products to Keep You Free From Acne, Pimple & Blemishes

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

Read the rest here:
5 Body Oils & Butters That Will Reduce And Smoothen Stretch Marks Naturally - The Better India

Read More..

LOOKING at a photo of her 20 stone figure, Yvonne Tompkin knew she desperately needed to lose weight.

The former aerobics instructor, 54, had ballooned to a dress size 22 after giving up exercise and developing an unhealthy addiction to snacking.

8

And it was seeing the image of herself at her heaviest that drove Yvonne, from Radcliffe-on-Trent, Notts, to lose half her body weight.

Yvonne, who lives with commodities trader husband Dominic, 45, and children Azaria, 13, Elyas, 12, and ten-year-old Querida, signed up to Slimming World and has since shed nearly 11 stone.

Yvonne now feels happier and more confident than ever in her trim size ten, 9st 11lb figure.

She said: "I've never looked back and now I'm 10st lighter and a whole new woman - with a new job, new figure and new confidence as a wife and a mum."

8

8

Before putting on weight, Yvonne had been a trim size ten when she got married.But after having her first child she quickly developed unhealthy habits and stopped being active.

She said: "I married my husband when I was 38 and super-fit. I was a qualified aerobics instructor, always running about, and a size 10.

"I fell pregnant at 39 and naturally, towards the end, I wasn't able to be as active.

I started eating whole packets of chocolate biscuits

"When Azaria was born in 2006, I was about a stone heavier.

"Being a first-time-mum was hard work and I was often really tired, and this is when my bad snacking habits started.

"I started eating whole packets of chocolate biscuits, convincing myself I needed the energy.

"My meals were the same as before, but because I wasn't doing my usual exercise classes, I wasn't burning off the calories like I used to.

8

"My bad habits continued after Elyas and Querida were born and, with each pregnancy, the weight piled on.

"I often moaned to my husband about my insecurities but I'd lie about the amount of junk I was eating when he wasn't around.

"I hid the sweet and biscuit wrappers before he got home, ashamed of how many I'd eaten."

Yvonne went from 12st and a dress size ten before her first child, to 17st and a size 22 at age 50.

However, Yvonne's wake-up call came when she started applying for new jobs in 2017 - and she lost all confidence.

8

"Querida was starting at school and I felt ready to go back to work so I started to apply for jobs," she said.

"I went for interview after interview and kept not getting the job, and my self-esteem plummeted.

"I hated the way I looked and it got so bad I barely left the house.

"If I did, I'd watch Dominic play with the kids in the park or in the local pool, as I was too shy to get involved with them."

I hated the way I looked and it got so bad I barely left the house

At the end of that year, Yvonne was out for coffee with friends when they started chatting about Slimming World - which spurred her into joining the group.

"They'd each lost weight on the plan and something just told me I had to try this to be happy again," Yvonne said.

"I asked if they could pick me up on their way to Slimming World the following week and, although I was terrified, I knew that if I'd told them I was going, I couldn't pull out."

8

Despite her initial fears, Yvonne says she found her first session "amazing".

And she decided to keep motivated by taking a photo of herself at her heaviest as a reminder to keep going.

"When I got home I asked my daughters to take a photo of me because I knew I'd never be that weight again," Yvonne said.

"I printed the photo and stuck it in the front of my Slimming World book as a reminder to keep going.

"And I did. I cooked healthy dinners every night from scratch, stating with Cajun chicken and wedges.

8

Yvonne's diet before and after

BEFORE (20st)

Breakfast: Four slices of toast with butter and marmalade

Lunch: Ham sandwich with white bread, crisps and chocolate bar

Dinner: Curry with ready-made sauce, rice, naan bread, bhajis and chips

Snacks: Packet of chocolate biscuits, coffee with two sugars

AFTER (9st 11lb)

Breakfast: Fruit with quinoa and Quark yoghurt

Lunch: Jacket potato with low-fat natural cottage cheese, ham and salad

Dinner: Chicken tagliatelle

Snacks: Fresh fruit and fat-free natural yoghurt

"We ate together as a family and I made sure there were lots of leftovers I could enjoy the next day if I got a craving to reach for biscuits.

"I also snacked on fresh fruit and fat-free natural yoghurt."

Within six months, Yvonne had lost four stone and finally had some confidence back.

Yvonne then began working for a friend three afternoons a week and the weight continued to drop off.

She has since lost over ten stone and is now helping other women to follow in her footsteps.

8

MAMMA MIA!Mum-of-3 reveals 5st weight loss - after eating diet of pizzas, burgers & kebabs

ROLE MODELI lost 8st so I could support son after he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy

WEIGH TO GOI lost 3st after my daughter pointed at my tummy and asked if I was pregnant

WEIGH HEYFormer air hostess says weight loss 'cured' asthma as she reveals transformation

WEIGH TO GORevenge body mum shamed for dealbreaker legs by ex now loves 'thunder thighs'

TOP PRIZEWoman, 26, crowned Miss Great Britain after shedding HALF her body weight

massive no murOlly Murs shows off his incredible weight loss in just ONE month

Exclusive

WEIGH-HEYI was a size 24 but I've finally got my sex drive back after losing 8st in a year

TAKES THE CAKEWoman loses 10st after dream job at a food company made her balloon to 23st

"After I'd lost 5st, I knew I wanted to help others the way I'd been helped, and in May 2018 I became a Slimming World Consultant," Yvonne said.

And Yvonne realised just how far she'd come when,17 years after her wedding day, she could again fit into her white size 10 gown.

She said: "Last year I dug out my wedding dress and when I fastened the zip to the top, I cried with happiness to be back to the woman I was all those years ago."

Read more here:
Weight loss: 20st mum shed HALF her body weight after taking before photo for motivation - The Scottish Sun

Read More..

Since time immemorial, human beings have been practising water therapy to lose weight. Water makes up about three-quarters of the bodys composition and plays a pivotal role in many bodily functions. Drinking lots of water not only aids to hydrate the body but also shed unwanted fat. That happens because water is the solvent that helps to bolster metabolism and absorption of minerals and vitamins. So, what is water therapy? Does it aid in weight loss?

Image: unsplash.comSource: UGC

Water also aids to flush out toxins that collect in the blood. That is crucial because it can help to ward off diseases among other benefits. But what is water therapy? How does it work? Can it help people lose weight? Here are the answers.

Water therapy involves drinking at least one litre of water every morning you wake up. That means consuming the liquid prior to brushing teeth and taking breakfast. It also includes drinking water two hours after eating a meal. By practising Japanese water therapy, it can help to promote weight loss by cleansing the digestive system and helping in treating other health problems.

Water therapy can assist you in your bid to lose weight because of the following reasons.

Drinking cold water in the morning helps the body to burn more calories throughout the day. You are likely to burn up to seven calories per glass of water you drink in the morning. That is because cold water stimulates a small thermogenic response. In other words, your body will work harder to try and warm back to its original state prior to drinking the cold water.

Thus, the body will need more energy to regain its normal temperature. In that process, it will burn some calories, hence making you lose weight. Although seven calories are not significant, it can add up over a prolonged period.

So, how much weight can you lose by drinking water for 3 days? You will not lose much weight in three days by drinking water alone. It will depend on how many glasses you consume throughout that period.

READ ALSO: What are the benefits and side effects of drinking hot water?

Assuming you are drinking ten glasses of water every day for three days, that equates to about 210 calories burned. If you do that in a year, you will lose about three kilograms or seven pounds of weight from drinking cold water in the morning daily.

It is the food you eat that contributes to weight gain. The more food you eat, the more calories you add and the more weight you gain. Drinking water in the morning prior to having a meal aids to reduce your appetite for food. When the belly is full, it will send a signal to the brain that you do not need to eat more. The water preload will increase fullness and satisfaction and decrease hunger.

A study by Loughborough University points out that a person that drinks at least two glasses of water before a meal consumes 22% less food than a person who does not drink any water. If you eat three meals a day, you should drink six glasses of water. The advantage is that the six glasses fall within the universal recommendations of water intake in healthy individuals per day.

Image: unsplash.comSource: UGC

Since people are different, your needs will vary depending on your diet plan, activities, medication use, and general health. Also, water can empty your stomach quickly. So, for this to work, studies recommend that you drink water in the morning at least ten minutes before ingesting a meal.

Food is not the only thing that will make you add weight. You can gain weight by accumulating liquid calories. That includes drinking sweetened tea or coffee, soda, and juice. Sports drinks and alcoholic beverages also have lots of calories that contribute to adding weight.

READ ALSO: Is it good to eat a cucumber every day?

One of the many water therapy benefits is that it aids you to replace high-calorie drinks every day. Rather than drinking juices and soda, you will consume more water and lose weight in the process.

A previous study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the replacement of caloric beverages, such as sodas and juices, with non-alcoholic beverages, such as water, may offer a simple strategy of promoting modest weight reduction.

The body needs enough water to metabolise stored carbohydrates or fat properly. It does that through a process called lipolysis. Lipolysis is the breakdown of lipids and fats through hydrolysis to release fatty acids. Hydrolysis occurs when the bodys water molecules interact with fats (triglycerides) to form fatty acids and glycerol.

Technically, the idea of drinking water to lose weight fast is possible because the body needs water to burn off fat from foods and drinks, including stored fat. By increasing your water intake and staying hydrated, it will lead to increased lipolysis. Fat loss can occur as a result.

While drinking water alone can help you to lose weight, the number of pounds you are likely to shed may not be much in the short term. If you are thinking of drinking water to lose weight in a week, you should also consider working out. Many weight loss plans also include exercises. But how does water therapy help?

READ ALSO: What causes cholera and how is it transmitted?

Water aids the connective tissues, joints, and muscles to move well throughout a workout. It also aids the heart, lungs, and other body organs to function more effectively as they increase the level or amount of activity during a workout.

By staying hydrated, you will reduce the risks of obstacles that can get in the way of a proper exercise. These may include things like fatigue and muscle cramps. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after a workout to prevent dehydration.

The following steps will show you how to do water therapy for weight loss.

Understand that cold water therapy for weight loss may not be for everybody. That is because the body responds differently to specific changes. If you are an aged person seeking to shed off some pounds, do not drink one litre of water every morning. Instead, start with one to two glasses of water daily and increase the number gradually. The same case applies to those suffering from medical conditions.

Image: pixabay.comSource: UGC

Also, if you cannot drink one litre of water at a go, give yourself time between each glass. To get the best results, you should practice the Chinese water diet daily or incorporate it into your day-to-day routine. Otherwise, the question of how much water to drink to lose weight in 3 days will not apply to you.

As pointed out above, several studies suggest that drinking water early in the morning before taking breakfast can help you lose weight. But there is also a chance that over-consuming water can lead to specific problems. Here are some of the drinking water therapy disadvantages.

Over-consumption of water can lead to low sodium count in the body. It will overwhelm the ability of the kidneys to excrete water. Since humans lose sodium by sweating, excessive intake of water during an exercise can dilute the concentration of sodium content in the blood.

A headache can be a sign of either dehydration or over-hydration. Too much intake of water reduces the salt consumption in the blood. That can result in cells in body organs beginning to swell.

READ ALSO: Jennifer Lawrence's weight loss routine and diet

When you are practising hot water weight loss therapy, but you drink too much, electrolyte levels in your body drop. It will also compromise their balance. Low electrolyte levels may cause symptoms like muscle cramping and spasms.

Too much water in the body can bring about tiredness and fatigue. The work of the kidneys is to filter the water it receives and ensure the proper balancing of fluid levels in the bloodstream. But when you drink too much, the kidneys work harder. That creates a stressful reaction from the hormones, thus leaving the body and yourself tired and stressed.

The rule of thumb when practising water therapy is to drink in moderation. Do not drink more than one litre at a go. If you are an aged person or ailing from a medical condition, limit your intake to only one glass each morning and increase the number gradually.

Water therapy involves drinking 4-5 glasses of water each morning the moment you rise up. By doing so, it can help to promote weight loss because the water will suppress appetite and burn calories. By exercising water therapy daily, you can lose up to seven calories per glass you drink. Although the quota is small, it can add up in the long term and result in significant weight loss.

READ ALSO: Does apple cider vinegar really aid you to lose weight?

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

READ ALSO: Is dehydration the main cause for smelly urine?

Read the original post:
What is water therapy and does it work for weight loss? - Breaking NEWS in KENYA for Today Right Now & Kenyan News | TUKO

Read More..

What were you weight loss goals at the beginning of the year? Have you met your weight loss goals? Are you moving in the right direction? Is it hard to stay on track?

Losing "stubborn" fat is hard and as you get older - it just gets harder and harder. You might go to the gym five days a week, sweat on the treadmill for an hour, and see maybe a pound or two drop in a month. Is that really worth your time? Or... imagine going to a medical facility, laying down, spending 25 minutes relaxing, then getting up and finding out you've lost two inches around your waist. Which do you prefer? What if you could keep doing that and losing more and more fat until you looked like you did years ago? If you have any interest in this and how it works when it comes to inch loss, you should stop what you're doing and call the office for an appointment immediately. This new treatment technology - now available in Tucson - uses a special light therapy to trick your mitochondria (in your fat cells) to release their fat content. ULTRASLIM is now cleared for prescription use in the United States as the only noninvasive treatment for immediate fat removal without dieting, exercise, or pills.This treatment is safe and painless!

If you eat better, drink plenty of water, stay away from sugars, and carbohydrates, this can lead to permanent fat loss without surgery. Here's a heads up. If you have tried liposuction in the past - you know that when you"regain the weight" it goes to different places-making your body look distorted and then unfortunately, you're back to where you started, only worse. With this technology we don't destroy your fat cells. What we do is we simply drain the contents of the fat cells so you lose the inches and look good again. Click here for more information.

See the original post:
Tucson Morning Blend Want to get swimsuit ready fast? Heather Rowe 1:14 PM, Mar 05 - KGUN

Read More..

Contact Us Today

Page 1,300«..1020..1,2991,3001,3011,302..1,3101,320..»

Home » Page 1300