How much weight to lose?

December 31, 2008 | 1 Comment

Here’s a quick way to find out your own ideal weight besides using BMI as a reference. I came across this simple method from a fat loss guide booklet endorsed by the Weight Management Information Centre of Malaysia.

Calculate following the steps below:

1. Your lowest weight (kg) for at least one year in your adult years => X
2. How many years ago was that? => Y
3. Your realistic and achievable weight will be=> X + (Y x 0.5)

Example:
I weighed 45 kg 12 years ago, so my achievable weight will be: 45 + (12 x 0.5) = 51 kg.

You can now use this to quickly find out how much weight you need to lose, and make it your weight loss goal in 2009, which is just few hours from now. :)

In my next post, I will share some information on calorie counting. For now, I just want to wish all of you Happy New Year 2009! May you all look good and stay healthy for years to come! :)

P.S. If you have not downloaded the Top 10 Weight Loss Myths report, go get it now!

Posted by Valen | Filed Under Weight loss plan 

New free weight loss report available

December 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Just a quick note to let you all know that the report “2 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Before Christmas” has been taken down. But no worries, I have replaced it with another report - FREE as well - called “Top 10 Weight Loss Myths“.

Find out from this report to see if what you are doing to lose weight is on the right path or merely based on some weight loss myths that were told by everyone.

Go grab it now! :) => “Top 10 Weight Loss Myths“

Posted by Valen | Filed Under Freebies 

Should you blow your diet this Christmas…

December 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Sometimes following a diet does not mean that you do what the diet says every moment, every day. What is more important is how you deal with occasions when you eat too much or feast on foods that are not part of your diet plan. Especially when Christmas is tomorrow! :D

So, if you failed to resist the temptations of cookies and brownies, and ended up bloated and feeling defeated this Christmas season, here are some personal ‘damage control tips’ from Isabel De Los Rios, the author of The Diet Solution Program, to help you get right back on a healthy track as soon as possible.

Here’s what Isabel says:

1. Eliminate wheat and dairy for 2-3 days after the “incident”

Wheat and diary are the 2 most inflammatory foods that cause bloating in most people. Not to mention when people overeat, it is usually on wheat and dairy foods: cookies, cakes, ice-cream, pasta, bread. Ever heard of anyone overdosing on brown rice? Or poultry? Doesn’t really happen. If it has wheat or dairy, just eliminate it from your meal plan until you are back on track with your healthy eating and rid of the “after party bloat”.

2. Drink tons of water!

This rule is applicable all the time, but after a “binge” water is even more important. I also like to add a few squeezes of fresh lemon in my water for the “detoxifying” effects. Fresh lemon helps to cleanse the liver and a squeaky clean liver will assist in your weight loss efforts.

3. Add in some extra walking

If I’ve packed in one too many calories, I get my body moving even more. Just adding in an extra 20 minutes of walking for the next few days gets me feeling back on track. I have even taken a trip to the mall just to do laps around the place. I get to people watch, see what’s on sale, and burn calories all at the same time.

What do you think? Not difficult at all, right? By following these tips from Isabel, I’m sure anyone is able to effortlessly keep weight in control this holiday. :) Merry Christmas!!

Posted by Valen | Filed Under Healthy weight loss tips 

Low-carb dieting for weight loss?

December 23, 2008 | 3 Comments

I have briefly mentioned about the relationship between carbohydrates and quick weight loss previously. Let me share some information about low-carbohydrate diet, or low-carb diet, in this post.

Losing weight is a goal for so many people - be it for health and medical reasons, or merely vanity at play ;) - that everybody is searching for quick and easy ways to lose weight. Low-carb dieting has become a weight loss trend in the recent years since the creation of the Atkins Diet by Dr Robert Atkins

Besides low-carb diets, there are also many different diets out there. The truth is - most of them will achieve weight loss if they are followed correctly. It is also important to find a diet that you can easily follow.

Low-carb diets seem to suit many people because the principles are quite easy to follow. As the name suggests, the diet consists of avoiding or limiting foods that are high in carbohydrates. These include bread, pasta, potatoes, rice and other grains. Sugar is also a carbohydrate. Once you understand what these foods are, it is a simply choosing dishes to avoid them.

However, low-carbohydrate dieting also receives a lot of criticism. Since dieters will get most of their daily calories from meat, dairy and other protein-rich and high fat products with this type of diet, it can lead to high cholesterol and other problems related to a high intake of saturated fats. It is therefore wise to ask for medical advice before starting this type of diet.

One of the problems that many people experience with low-carb dieting is the elimination of bread and pasta. You can forget about toast, spaghetti or pizza! You should know by now that many of the foods that are quickest to prepare are based around carbohydrates - burgers in their buns, fries, sandwiches, pasta and sauce.

Beer and other alcoholic drinks are high in carbohydrates, too. That is why alcohol is generally restricted on any diet - especially in low-carb diets - due to its high calorie content and very low nutritional value.

Nevertheless, there are many foods that can be enjoyed on a low-carb diet. If you are fond of meat you will relish the opportunity to consume beef, chicken and other animal products.

So, a lot of times people cannot handle this kind of diet restrictions in the longer term, despite seeing good weight loss results. Eventually, they start to deviate from the diet.

While low-carb dieting works for many people, it really is a matter of finding a diet plan that suits you in order to achieve your weight loss goal without hurting your health.

Note: You may want to find out whether your are a carbohydrate-, protein- or mixed-type person before even considering using a low-carb diet plan. Take the metabolic typing test in The Diet Solution Program. You can also read my review of the Diet Solution Program.

Posted by Valen | Filed Under Weight loss diet 

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