Sure, you can drop weight through dieting alone, but new research shows that if you don’t exercise too, you could be missing out on a bevy of health benefits. In a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, one group of women worked out five days a week and reduced their calorie intake, while the other just slashed calories. “Everyone lost about 10 percent of their body weight over six months,” says Enette Larson-Meyer, Ph.D.,R.D., the study’s lead author and an assistant professor at the University of Wyoming. “But those who exercised also saw improvements in their cholesterol and blood pressure levels.” What’s more, they upped their life expectancy by about 19 percent. To slim down and improve your health, aim to burn 250 calories a day at the gym and cut an equal amount from your daily diet.

By Cynthia sass, R.D.

Do they really work?

Yes, but it’s important to weigh the benefits against the risks. Herb like ginseng, guarana, hoodia, and red clover may help dial down hunger. But taking large doses or combining multiple herbs that contain stimulants can be dangerous, causing high blood pressure and seizures even if you’re young and healthy. Talk to your doctor before taking any appetite suppressants, and keep doing the things that naturally help you eat less, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising. A British study found that an hour of vigorous cardio had a positive effect on hunger-controlling hormones for up to two hours after the session.

Zen to fitness (zentofitness.com)

Do you sometimes think what food should you eat regularly, or base your diet around? The truth is there are no real “Essential” foods but rather foods which will help you in your journey towards heath and fitness. To me an “Essential” food should:

Taste Good

Be Flexible in its uses

Have Unique health benefits

Easy to find and buy

Affordable

This sounds funny as many of the health foods touted these days are weird super fruit or greens products which are expensive, hard to find and probably taste pretty bad. These days people are looking for health quick fixes and the food which will magically transform their body, the truth is this cannot happen. Food is just food. Eat healthy for long enough and good things will come and your ideal body will take shape.

Coconut Oil - All coconut products are great but coconut oil specifically has special benefits mainly due to its concentration of Lauric Acid which is a potent anti-bacterial and can help clean out and detoxify your insides. As well as this it is a potent metabolism booster and this is not due to any stimulating effects like coffee (so don’t worry about sleeping)….. You can try it for yourself, have a TBSP of coconut oil with your next meal (try it mixed into oatmeal or rice) and I guarantee after 30 minutes you will feel noticeably hotter showing your metabolism has had a kick start. Top it off with the fact that coconut oil is the best stuff for cooking thanks to its stability under high temperatures making it a definite essential.

FlaxSeeds - These are cheap and healthy with unique benefits. Be sure to buy unground flax and grind them yourself as this will save you money and keep them fresh, as the main problem with flax is their tendency to go rancid quickly when ground. You can pick up a huge bag of them for around $5 and with a pestle and mortar you can grind them when you like. Flax has a unique anti-oxidant in the form of Lignans which shield against cancer. They are also a great source of fiber and high in Omega-3’s. Plus they are versatile and go nicely on Yoghurt or Salads.

Greek Yoghurt - Like normal yoghurt but better as it is strained to provide more nutrition and better taste. It is higher in protein than normal yoghurt giving it a thicker and more creamy texture. This makes it more filling and more versatile as it can be used as a snack or even as an alternative to cream in dressings or served up with things like sweet potato instead of sour cream as a high protein, lower fat alternative. Try mixing these together and using it as a dressing/dip.

Greek Yoghurt

Lemon Juice

Salt + Pepper

Dried Chilli flakes

Oatmeal - Another cheap and versatile staple. The beauty of oats is how slowly they are digested, provide a good hit of soluble fiber and most importantly work as a nourishing and satisfying breakfast. I like to make mine with coconut milk and a dash of cinnamon then topped with berries. Oats are the best alternative to conventional sugary cereals and something that the whole family can get into the habit of eating daily as there are so many recipes and possibilities when making cooked oats. Plus they are Gluten free.

Roots - I was going to do sweet potatoes but I really think all kind of root vegetables are great and they can all be an essential part of your diet from the humble white potato to the turnip. Roots are by far the best way to get your carbs in, the white potato is the most satiating food around (test devised by Holt et al in 1995). I find when eating potatoes with dinner my appetite or sense of being full comes far quicker than when having rice or foregoing the starch. They are also a great source of minerals and their protein content/bio-availability is the best among non-animal sources far out doing soy.

Enjoy these foods as much as you please, they all seem to have natural appetite control mechanisms and are difficult to overeat. Plus they are all cheap, easily available and easy to use regularly.

Everywhere you go, there seems to be constant supply of food, food, and more food. The constant presence and easy access of food would be enough to break your resolve to stop overeating. Here are some common problems that promote such a behavior at your home or in your office.

Food that is in easy access will always be eaten no matter what time and what instance. If you place 10 candy bars at your desk just about several inches from your mouse, chances are you will be consuming the entire batch within the day. Keeping it in your drawer will decrease your consumption to 10% while keeping it in an area where you have to stand up and walk will give you a decrease of 25%-30%. As long as they are within sight and within reach, you will be constantly eating without you realizing that you have eaten a considerable quantity of food. Try to limit the amount that you eat by not stocking too much on your desk. If you have a locked drawer, store your other supplies inside it so you will have to take extra effort to access them.

Bigger portions in bigger plates mean bigger consumption. If you have a lot of food on your plate, you will definitely be consuming a lot within minutes. Large soda with large fries and a huge burger seem like heaven, but they are actually heavy in calories as well as saturated fat that can lead to weight gain. These portions are often served in fast food restaurants that are just virtually everywhere and can be accessed at your convenience. What’s more, they are also offered cheaply, making you order as much as you want within our budget. Do not put too much time in ordering outside as you do not know what goes into your food.

Eating while working, studying, or watching TV can also distract you from noticing the amount that you eat. You will be consuming that large bag of chips within minutes instead of hours or days because your concentration is elsewhere. Eat a satisfying meal full of fiber and vegetables plus a little protein and little fat before you do your job. Your stomach will be filled with enough food to sustain you for hours without you craving for instant gratification while you do your work.

Skipping meals is also a major culprit of overeating. Eating lunch way beyond your usual lunch hour will make you want more food because you are getting hungrier by the second. You will be too ravenous to enjoy your food and you will also be rushing to eat so you can get back to what you are doing immediately. Always make sure that you eat right and on the hour so you will not be eating too much to satisfy severe hunger pangs.

Article written by Steven Jackson of Ultimate Fitness Gear, your top source for the Insanity Workout routine online.