Diet News and Reviews

The herb hoodia gordonii is a very popular ingredient in diet pills used for weight loss. It is being extensively marketed today. It is often hyped as being a product that doesn't have any side effects. But is this really true? Are there any hoodia side effects?

This herb has long been a part of the natural diet of bushmen who live in the deserts of Africa. These people have not been known to suffer from hoodia side effects. But it is possible that people from other cultures may suffer some effects simply because it is not an herb they have eaten regularly in the past.

Information about hoodia side effects mention that there might be a possibility of liver damage. The cause might be due to other active ingredients that was used with hoodia. The other hoodia side effect indicate that there might be a bad reaction with prescription medicines taken by an individual. In Africa, the tribes who take hoodia do not take the prescription medicines that others take.

Hoodia should be taken with care by diabetics. It is believed that hoodia causes the brain to believe that the blood sugar level in the diabetic is acceptable. If the blood sugar drops to a level that is too low while the diabetic is on hoodia, there could be complications.

There are other hoodia side effects. It is thought that hoodia suppresses the appetite and also thirst. There are unsubstantiated reports that Africans have died using hoodia because they became severely dehydrated. This is just one more hoodia side effect that needs to be taken into consideration.

One problem with hoodia is all of the fake hoodia products that are out there. Some hoodia products might be contaminated. It is hard to tell if the product that you purchase is really pure hoodia. You might not even know what you are really ingesting. This can be dangerous.

There is a proposal to include a warning label on hoodia gordonii diet pills. The proponents of this warning want it to say that pregnant women or those who are nursing should not take hoodia. The warning will also say that those who have eating disorders or are underweight should not use it. And they want to warn of possible allergic reactions to hoodia as well. The best advice is to talk with your physician before taking hoodia or any other weight loss supplement.

The key to controlling your cravings is to know when to give in and what to resist. This knowledge helps keep you well, physically and mentally. Ask any fitness guru or fitness expert about diet and they will tell you the same thing - If you give in to your cravings, you will regret your indulgences. It does not make sense to spend hours regretting an indulgence that lasted a few seconds.

1. Take a close look at your diet.

Inconsistencies in your diet can set you up for cravings. For example, if you skip breakfast and lunch, with no snacks, you're looking at a pretty ravenous appetite come mid-afternoon. Then there's dinner - you could overeat. Some people binge and consume thousands of calories.

The solution - Balance your meals and snacks throughout the day to control blood sugar levels and keep your energy up.

2. What do you REALLY want?

Sometimes what you crave is found in PART of a meal. In other words, do you need to eat the WHOLE meal, or is there just ONE thing that will satisfy the craving, like salt, or bread?

3. Don’t rush in.

We are an instant gratification society. "If my craving doesn't go away NOW, forget it. I'm going to have those dozen Dunkin Donuts." Just wait 15 minutes or so before you cave in. In the meantime, drink a 16-ounce glass of cold water to help fill you up. The desire often passes.

4. Find a healthier substitute.

Identify the healthiest substitute that will hit the spot. If you're having a sweet tooth, your craving might be satisfied by grabbing a banana or a handful of grapes (with less calories and more nutritious).

5. If nothing works, go for it.

If your craving is undeniable, just do it. Many times people, in an effort to avoid the thing they're craving, will overeat everything BUT the food they were craving. Then a little later they end up having the food they craved in the first place. It's a triple-whammy: guilt for stuffing your face, guilt for coming back and having the thing you craved in the first place, then feeling really gross for overeating.

6. Don't be too strict with yourself.

Two ways you can do this. First, before you satisfy a craving, set yourself up for a positive outcome. Give yourself permission, keep the portion moderate, and accept that you're satisfying the craving. Second, if you realize you have satisfied a craving without thinking, then just accept it, period. It happened.

Move on! How are you going to do better next time? The point is, if you keep harping on yourself for being such a "bad" person for succumbing to your craving, you're going to keep eating that way. By accepting and moving on, you're not giving yourself a chance to retreat to old habits.

7. Catch yourself before you get out of hand.

A few ways to do this one:

Store food in Ziploc sandwich bags. When you're ready to eat, that's all you get.
Only one helping - put the amount of food you'll eat on your plate (be reasonable), then leave the rest for everybody else, or store in fridge/freezer, or use the Ziploc idea.
Ban too-tempting foods from your home altogether.

8. Have a routine. It's really easy to stand in front of the pantry and gobble a package of cookies. Take a couple, eat slowly, and savor each bite. (Have some water with it, too.) You'll eat less and enjoy the treat more.

9. Sweat.

Regular exercisers report far fewer food cravings than their sedentary counterparts. Part of has to do with the feel-good endorphins released during physical activity. Plus, regular exercisers tend to feel more in control of their bodies, so they're less likely to binge. Think about it: if you're exercising every day, feeling good about yourself with high energy, you wouldn't want to waste that on eating junk all the time, would you?

10. Keep a journal.

In your food journal, keep notes on how often, why, and when you crave certain foods. When you understand what triggers your cravings - boredom, stress, fatigue, etc. - you can manage them better.

"Which is the best exercise to burn fat" is a question that a fitness guru gets asked all the time. As a fitness spokesperson, I must tell the truth - There is no one single exercise that can miraculously stimulate weight loss.

If there was, then everyone would be doing it – no one would be overweight or obese!

Here is a better question - "Which is the best type of exercise to burn fat".

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is a certain type of exercise that is best for burning fat. Rather than searching for the elusive gadget, pill, or cream, we should understand that fat loss lies in the type of training – the most effective being aerobic training, also popularly termed as 'cardio exercise'; an abbreviation for 'cardiovascular exercise'. This type of exercise trains the heart to supply more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and organs.

What is cardio exercise?

'Cardio exercise' is a term commonly used for an exercise in which the body remains under a certain degree of stress, for a certain period of time. In other words, you keep pushing yourself, with little or no rest. For example, if you walk briskly for 1 minute, it does not constitute cardio exercise, but if you walk briskly for 30 minutes, then it does mean that you are engaging in 'cardio training' Generally, cardio training involves exercising for 30 – 45 minutes at a continuous pace, or intensity… Continuity is a key feature of cardio training, and hence this makes cardio training completely different from weight training, which is intermittent in nature, involving stops and starts.

Is cardio training the best way to burn fat? Why?

Definitely! When the body is working continuously, more calories are burnt, which works in favor of fat loss. Also, the muscles use oxygen to burn fat – which is the only way for fat to be blasted out of your body.

Can you give me some examples?

Try something as simple as walking. ! If you cannot walk for some reason, spot marching, using a skipping rope or stair climbing.. (in increasing order of difficulty). In today's times, the advent of modern health clubs provides greater advantages. You now have the choice of exercising in air-conditioned comfort, away from any distractions, using scientifically designed machines that reduce impact on your joints. Also, interactions with other members, and encouragement from fitness trainers can make a big difference. For example, a treadmill is a machine that stimulates walking. A stepper or stair climber stimulates stair climbing. Stationary bicycles can also be used. Specialized devices like elliptical trainers and rowing machines are highlights of advanced health clubs that offer great benefit.

What are the benefits of cardio training?

Fat loss is the primary benefit. Also, improved skin tone, higher energy levels, higher sense of well being and better sleep patterns are noted.

How easy / hard should I train?

As a general guideline, one should exercise at 50 – 70 % of ones capacity for 30 – 45 minutes, 3-5 days a week, for best results. This is generally the pace at which one gets slightly out of breath.

So go out there and find the right intensity for you – it's time to burn those extra fat calories!

Trying to lose weight is tough. It's real tough. There's months of eating right and working out to get back into shape. It seems like anything that might make the process just a little bit easier would be welcome. There are many things out there that could help, but what might really work?

There is no miracle cure to lose weight quickly. There simply is no replacing cutting calories and exercise in order to lose weight. There are products, however, that can help you to feel better, pump up your metabolism, help you curb your appetite and just make the journey that much easier.

There are tons of supplements out there that are available, many of which claim to do amazing things. Are any of them true? Well some are probably more hopes than reality. There are a few that are pretty popular. Here's a list of five weight loss supplements that could help you with your weight loss.

Five Natural Weight Loss Supplements

Hoodia

Hoodia is a very popular natural supplement that decreases your appetite. Your body is used to taking in a certain amount of food after so much eating. When you diet, or adjust your food intake to fit what a normal person eats, your body might go through periods of cravings. Cravings can cause you to think you are hungry and eat more. Hoodia eliminates your appetite, so you do won't feel hungry. Some people have stated that they didn't feel a need to eat so they forgot about food.

Does it work? Those who have tried it seem to have felt a decrease in appetite. While there is no conclusive evidence, hoodia still sells well and seems to be somewhat safe. There have been many people supporting hoodia as a natural supplement in support of weight loss or weight maintenance.

Chromium

Chromium is a supplement that supposedly eliminates fat and improves muscles. Chromium is a supplement that humans require, though in very small amounts. You can get chromium in your food, like in Broccoli, grape juice, or in potatoes. It is believed that taking in the supplement actually enhances your body's ability to improve muscles and get rid of fat.

While no evidence has been gathered about it's effect, it has proven to be relatively safe. The long-term effects of taking chromium are unknown. While the details of if it works is still unknown, there have been many claims.

Oolong tea

Like many other teas, oolong tea is a natural supplement that can help to boost your metabolism. Most research suggests that it can boost your metabolism by about 4%. It can help when you're trying to work on increasing your energy for exercise and lose more weight. One of the reasons why this one is so popular is that it has been recommended by Oprah Winfrey.

Oolong tea is just like any other tea, it is just process differently so you get different levels of antioxidants, though the results seem to be rather promising. Mild side effects seem only to be an increase of urination in the beginning, supposedly as your body is getting rid of toxins. The oolong tea is readily available online.

Chitosan

Chitosan comes from the shells of shrimp. It works as a fat inhibitor. It helps to block the fats you are eating from being digested. So if you are on a diet, and you use something like chitosan, it will help lower the mount of fat your body takes in, and it flushes right out with your excess waste.

While thorough studies have yet to be done, it has been deemed to be relatively safe. Again the long-term effects of using chitosan as a weight loss supplement is unknown. Some side effects include bloating and constipation.

Guar Gum

This is another natural supplement that while not quite as popular, it is growing in popularity along with the other supplements. It helps you to lose weight by blocking the absorption of fat. It can also increase the feeling of fullness, so you eat less when you sit down to a meal. It has been deemed to be safe.

Side effects might include diarrhea or flatulence. You must also take plenty of water when taking guar gum or it might lead to a blockage in your intestines. Not many studies have been conclusive to identify if the effects promised are accurate, though it does seem to be promising.

Talk With Your Doctor Before Taking Supplements

As with all supplements or beginning any weight loss program, talk to your doctor before taking. Make sure you stop taking any supplements if you find yourself having any kind of symptoms that seem out of the ordinary. Call your doctor immediately if any side effects seem to be severe.

So there are supplements that might help you with your weight loss program. Taking one or more of these supplements might be an aide, but again, there is no miracle cure. There's nothing on the market that you can simply swallow and expect results of weight loss over night. It does take effort to be able to lose weight and to be able to keep it off.

All of the supplements are available over the counter at your local herbal or wellness store. They have been deemed safe to use, and since they are all natural, you don't have to worry about chemicals or toxins. Some of the supplements actually help to detoxify your body.

It can be done though. The supplements listed can also help make it easier. You might try going on a diet. Supplements like the hoodia might take your mind off of food until your next meal. Oolong tea can help you find that extra boost of energy to get you off the couch and into your walking shoes.

So if you are going to get into a weight loss program, do it right. Talk to your doctor. Plan ahead. Eat right. Exercise regularly. Take supplements as needed and as directed by your doctor to help support you in your plans. Most of all, be safe in your goal to lose weight and to help keep it off.

Do you want the kind of body that burns fat even in your sleep? There is a simple solution to this - just rev up your metabolism. If you already know that, then it’s okay. But are you following the mandatory things to make sure your internal fat burning furnace stays on for 24 hours?
Nutrition tips to rev up your metabolism:

1. Have three full meals a day and also include 2-3 snacks. Balance is the key. Consume enough proteins, lots of fruits and vegetables and a small amount of fat. If your balance is out of whack, you are going to be out of whack too. With proper practice, you will achieve the right balance.

2. Purchase foods that can remember where they came from. Avoid consuming processed junk or convenience foods.

3. Prepare nutritious meals that can be stored for few days. Keep enough food in your refrigerator or cooler at your work and also at home. Purchase a box of nutrition bars or power bars to eat when you are extra busy. Store them in your gym bag, desk drawer and coat pockets.

4. Have a regular check up of your blood sugar and avoid sugar cravings by making absolutely sure that you are having enough proteins.

5. Always remember that your body is only as good as the things you give it.

6. Read all the labels before you purchase the products. Keep sugar levels low, about 10% of the carbohydrate grams. For instance, if you purchase 20 grams of carbohydrates then there should be only 2 grams of sugar.

7. Consuming enough vitamins and minerals help you use the food you eat more efficiently. They help in the process of digestion and assimilation of your food and you can also get an added nutritional boost that your diet is lacking.

8. Scrap diet sodas and caffeine. In order to fight fatigue, you need to drink enough water. Drinking more and more water helps you lose weight, enhance fat burning, control appetite and clean your system.

9. If you go out to eat, eat only half of what you get. Most of the restaurants offer you twice as much as you need. Instead of a salad choose dressing on the side.

10. Prepare your menu that can help in changing your energy needs depending on the activity level. That means there’s no need to count the calories, instead of this you need to naturally pay attention to what your body needs from day-to-day.

11. Follow step 1 in order to keep your energy and metabolism humming.
Work out tips to rev up your metabolism:
12. Try aerobic training workouts. Switch activities every couple of weeks, so your body has to work at re-learning another activity, which burns some more calories. For instance, swap cycling for the Stairmaster one month.

13. Come out of the “maintain” frame of mind. Finally this causes trouble for most people. If you think that once you’ve reached a certain level of conditioning you can back off, then you’re in for a rude awakening. Your body will love it and will begin to start shutting down. This finally results in a slow gradual loss of muscle and metabolism and a slow gradual increase of body fat.

14. Consuming enough iron is first and foremost important. Iron causes the built of most metabolically active tissues.

15. The quick route for muscular development is testing and pushing your muscles to the max. When you assume that you have finished and you want to do more then you can do it. No wimps are allowed.

16. Muscles are not built at the gym, they can be built only when they are given time to rest and recuperate. But they cannot do that if you are getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night and stressing out on a daily basis. You must follow a sound nutritional plan to help you recover faster between the workouts.