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Weighing yourself on a regular basis is not the only way to keep track of your progress. Sometimes the scales do lie you may lose fat and build some muscle at the same time resulting in a weight gain or plateau. Before we begin, Id just like to let you all in on a little secret… weigh yourself once a week. Anything more than that and the difference in the scale could be something as simple as water weight lost or gained. Weighing yourself everyday also plays havoc on your self esteem setting you up for a good or bad day. The number on the scale is just a guide.
Weigh yourself once a week or fortnight to help keep you on the right track, anything more than this is just asking for trouble.

The best way to see what is really happening with your body when the scales arent moving is to try the Clothing Test. To do this, all you need is a pair of jeans or dress that was tight or too small when you started your weight loss program. How do they fit? Do they fit nicely? Are they loose-fitting? You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.

The second way to track your weight loss progress is to record your measurements, taking new recordings every four weeks. By taking your measurements every four weeks you can clearly see changes that are transforming your body. With these measurements you can also calculate your Lean Body Mass [LBM] and Body Fat Percentage [BF%], which can further help you track your progress.

The following shows you how to take the measurements needed. All you will need is a tape measure, pen and paper and a full length mirror [or friend to help]. Measurements you take are only estimated, visit you local fitness center or doctor for more accurate results.

Please Note: With all measurements, you will need to check in the mirror [or get your friend] to make sure youve got a straight line; otherwise your measurements will not be accurate. Also, for accuracy purposes, make note of where you measure and use this point for each recording [ie if you have a mole, birthmark, etc near where you are measuring make note of this so you can measure in the same place]. Measurements for the thigh/arm should be taken from the same side [right OR left] for each recording.

Neck measure below the larynx with the tape sloping slightly downward to the front
Waist (Men) measure horizontally, at the level of the navel (Women) measure horizontally, at the level of minimal abdominal widthWhen measuring your waist, make sure not to do the following: hold your breath, suck in your gut or pull the tape too tight.

Hips (Women only) measure from the largest horizontal circumference around the hips [ladies, this will include some of your booty, ensure the measuring tape is in a straight line]
Chest/Bust put the tape measure around your back, and line the tape measure up with your nipples.

Thigh measure from the top of your leg to the point of your knee, find the halfway mark. This is where you will need to measure your thigh from.

Arm as with the thigh, find the halfway point [using point of shoulder to the elbow]. You may measure the bicep flexed or un-flexed, as long as you remember which you used for future recordings.
If you would like a little more detail in your monthly recordings you can also include your Lean Body Mass [LBM] and Body Fat Percentage [BF%]. By finding your LBM and BF% you can ensure that you are losing unwanted fat, not the precious muscle. To find these values you will need to do so rather complex calculations, however, due to the wonders of the World Wide Web, there are several calculators available to avoid the headache. A Google search will bring up several different calculators, a reliable one can be found here Diet Calculator. It allows for either metric or imperial units, so there is no need to convert your measurements.

When you want to lose weight, you need to carefully think about what snacks you are eating. It’s important to be prepared so that when you feel hungry you can have the best healthy snacks handy and ready to eat. Doing this will help you to manage your diet and achieve your weight loss goals. Here are 7 healthy snacks that won’t mess up your diet plans.

1. Fresh Fruit.

It goes without saying that fruit is one of the best healthy snacks. It provides natural sugars, fibre and many of the nutrients your body needs. An apple, peach, pear, banana will always make a healthy and tasty snack. Also consider grapes, berries, or melon. A tasty way to enjoy fruit as an alternative to ice cream, is to chop them up and mix them into a low fat sugar-free yogurt.

2. Yogurt.

Greek yogurt is high in protein and low in fat and calories. It comes in small packages which make it perfect for snacking. Add a tablespoon of granola and some fresh berries for a well-rounded and delicious snack.

3. Nuts.

Nuts are full of protein and fiber and make a great snack. Almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and even walnuts are all make an excellent and delicious snack. Nuts also contain the kind of healthy fat your body needs. Also, low-fat, low-calorie granola bars are one of the best healthy snack bars.

4. Vegetables and Hummus.

Hummus is a dip made from chick peas and sesame seed paste. It’s very healthy and delicious. Add celery sticks, carrots and other sliced vegetables you have a super tasty snack.

5. Sardines And Tuna.

Fish is one of the best whole foods to lose weight. It’s full of omega fatty acids and it’s high in protein. Tuna and sardines with crackers makes a great healthy snack. Tuna and sardines also come in handy snack packs, which makes them an easy snack to take on the go.

6. Fig Rolls.

Sugar free fig rolls are another healthy snack. They don’t have as much fat as the pastries and they can satisfy your sweet craving that you may be feeling when you feel like reaching for a donut, sweet pastry or cake.

7. Chips and Guacamole.

This may not sound like something that you would have on a list of healthy snacks but baked tortilla chips and homemade guacamole are not the diet busters you might think they are. Avocados, like nuts, are rich in healthy fats. A dollop of guacamole and five or six low-fat, baked, tortilla chips is a perfectly healthy snack.

Understanding the Psychological Dimensions of Weight Loss
Weight loss is often viewed through the lens of physical activity and dietary changes. However, the psychological and emotional factors play a crucial role in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Research indicates that our thoughts and emotions can significantly influence our eating habits and body weight.

The Role of Mindset in Weight Management
The connection between the mind and body is pivotal in understanding weight management. A study by the American Psychological Association highlights that stress can lead to unhealthy eating habits, which contribute to weight gain. The same study suggests that managing stress and fostering a positive mindset can aid in weight loss and prevent obesity.

Energy and the Law of Attraction
Everything around us, including our bodies, is composed of energy. This concept is crucial in understanding how our thoughts and emotions can affect our physical state. The Law of Attraction, a principle suggesting that we attract what we focus on, plays a significant role in weight management. Negative thoughts and emotions can manifest physically, leading to weight gain. Conversely, positive thoughts can help in achieving weight loss goals.

Emotional Drivers of Weight Gain

Emotional factors are often the underlying cause of weight gain. According to Louise Hay in her book “You Can Heal Your Life,” unresolved emotions such as anger or sadness can lead to physical symptoms, including excess weight. Identifying and addressing these emotional issues is essential for effective weight loss.

Practical Steps to Harness Your Thoughts for Weight Loss
Transforming your mindset can be a powerful tool in your weight loss journey. Here are some practical steps to align your thoughts with your weight loss goals:

Identify Negative Thoughts: Recognize and write down any negative thoughts that may be contributing to your weight issues.
Replace with Positive Affirmations: For each negative thought, create a positive affirmation to counteract it.
Visualization: Regularly visualize yourself achieving your weight loss goals. This can enhance motivation and reinforce your positive mindset.
Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can help manage stress and reduce emotional eating.
Homework for Self-Discovery

Engage in self-reflection to uncover emotional triggers for your weight gain. Identify whom you might be harboring negative feelings towards and articulate why. This exercise can be revealing and therapeutic, paving the way for emotional healing and weight loss.

Conclusion
Weight loss is not solely about diet and exercise; it’s equally about understanding and managing your thoughts and emotions. By recognizing the psychological factors at play, you can adopt a more holistic approach to weight loss that leads to lasting change.

For further reading on the psychological aspects of weight management, visit the American Psychological Association and explore Louise Hay’s insights on emotional healing in You Can Heal Your Life.

Embrace this comprehensive approach to weight loss, and you’ll find that managing your weight is not only about changing your diet but also about transforming your life.

We all need motivation to make changes in our lives. But some motivations can have short-term effects whilst other motivations can have long-lasting, life changing effects. This article takes a very quick look at how we can cut to the core of making the long-lasting, life changing decisions easier.

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Why do you want to lose weight? Do you want to make someone else happy? Your kids, your husband? The only way to lose weight in the long-term is to lose weight for you.

While some or most of this article might sound like pointless new-age psycho-babble, at its core are valid, solid ways of changing your life. Do not give in, it may well be a life changing experience.

Whilst these are all valid reasons for losing weight they may actually be the reasons why so many people fail to lose weight or lose weight but then put it all back on with a little extra just for desert. In order to understand long term weight loss we need to look at the nitty-gritty at how the mind works and how we become, and remain motivated, to do something.

When we want to change something about ourselves we need to look deep. Not just “Because the doc said I need to lose a few pounds” deep or “I want to look nice when I lie by the pool” deep. We need to look at where we are now, where we want to be and the difference between the two. That is where the deepness lies.

Ok, let’s take any weight measurements out of the equation and look at body size and shape. We might imagine ourselves to look a long way from the way we want to look. But how does that make us feel? Pretty miserable right. But that’s where your change begins – connect with the feelings caused by the difference between the two you’s. The discrepancy between the you now and the person you want to be is the reality and sometimes the reality hurts! The difference between where we are and where we need to get to needs to be bridged.

You need to imagine what it would feel like to be the person you want to be. Stop for a second and think about it. Close your eyes. Really think about it. Think about the person you want to change for. Because this is only a short article I will give you the answer you need to come up with.

The only person you want to change for is you. There are just so many reasons you could have come up with for changing. Kids, husbands, wives, parents, friends, pets, teams – the list is endless.

The only person you need to change for is you. If this sounds too selfish and self-centred for you then I’m sorry. However, the chance of you changing long-term for anybody other than yourself are minimal. If you think about it another way, what would make the person you are changing for happy? Would they be happier to see YOU happy or would they be happier watching you trying to make THEM happy? So if we want to change we have to look at ourselves and see ourselves as we really are. We need to look to the person we want to be. From then on the person you want to be is going to be the person you are.

If you want to lose weight you need to do it for yourself, no-one else. Not only do you get to be the person you want to be but everybody else gets the benefit of basking in the glow of your happiness and success.

Are you interested in formulating an exercise plan that will assist you to remain trim and help you to get thin? Studies regularly show that there are two basic types of exercise that are both extremely efficient and successful. Of course, it stands to reason that you must be motivated in the first place, and that is why therapeutic hypnosis can help solve your problems.

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If you’re like most people, you are interested in creating an exercise system that will assist you to remain healthy and slim. It may shock you to find out that research studies usually demonstrate that only two core kinds of exercise are useful — which suggests that you can’t just choose any type of exercise to become trim.

Due to the fact that so many people have trouble with the motivation to exercise, performing the most efficient kinds of exercise is imperative, since the less time you spend exercising – and the less time you waste on low efficiency exercise – the more likely it is that you will persist in your exercise routine and therefore achieve your personal weight and strength target.

Our first type of exercise which has been regularly proven to aid people to lose weight and get trim is progressive resistance. In brief, progressive resistance is one type of strength training. It functions by progressively ramping up the pounds lifted, the number of sets, and number of repetitions performed. As a result, your muscles are never strained or subjected to damage – instead, they slowly and steadily strengthen without any setbacks.

Our second type of exercise that has been scientifically studied is cardiovascular training. This is any type of exercise that gets the heart rate up to 60 – 85 percent of its maximum rate. Some kinds of cardio training may involve jogging, jumping rope, aerobics, or treadmill, among other types of exercise, but it is your choice.

Although progressive resistance and cardio training by themselves have been found to be very efficient forms of exercise, scientists now know that performing both of these types of exercise is the best bet for success. If you combine both progressive resistance and cardio training, you will increase the strength of your muscle groups and increase overall endurance. According to a recent scientific study, exercisers who used both cardio and progressive resistance during a two month time period lost 45 percent more weight than exercisers who did cardio training or progressive resistance alone.

Just as important as the type of exercise you perform is, the way in which you exercise is also important. It probably will be unsurprising that being consistent is the name of the game. Exercising inconsistently may strain your muscles and will probably not aid you to build strength and endurance. In addition, it is unlikely to improve your whole-body health. According to most scientists, the best regime is to exercise for forty minutes to an hour three to five times per week.

Unfortunately, it turns out that for a significantly sized subset of the population, getting sufficient exercise is not as easy as attending the health club a few times every week or listening to what scientists claim. For this group of people, the motivation to exercise is the primary issue – this group of people simply doesn’t have the motivation to go to the gym. Actually, they might resist any and all exercise, to the point of severe anxiety.

Nobody knows what percentage of the population suffers from problems with the motivation to exercise, but scientists say that up to 20 to 40 percent of people claim that they “hate” or “dread” exercise. An even larger percentage of people might have more mild problems with the motivation to exercise, finding that even though it is simple enough to commit themselves to an exercise regime for a week or two, motivation eventually degrades, leaving them where they were initially – unhealthy and heavy.

If you are one of these people who struggles with the motivation to exercise, the good news is that there are some easy strategies to deal with the struggle. In a recent research study, volunteers who needed to start an exercise program were provided with a brief learning program that aided them to decide on the right kinds of exercise, were provided with a therapist who specialized in exercise motivation, and were given a brief course in hypnosis. After six months, they were asked to evaluate their progress. It turns out that over 85 percent of the participants had adhered to an exercise program throughout the whole six months. Even better, they generally lost an average of fifteen more pounds than the control group.

If you have an interest in this study, it might make sense to look into locating a motivational therapist, habit control therapist, or therapist who deals with hypnotherapy. These therapists are provided with special training in helping people to transcend anxieties, build the motivation to exercise, and reinforce the creation of good habits. One more choice for exercise motivation is self-hypnosis – which is a simple and inexpensive process that often helps people take control of their own inborn abilities to be motivated.

Hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis are risk-free ways of increasing motivation that have been proven to provide success in the case of exercise motivation. Hypnosis works by using hypnotic relaxation to enhance the powers of the unconscious mind to influence the modification of behavior and habit development. Hypnotherapy is a good choice for the exercise adverse because it can help increase the drive to get trim and lose weight easily and effectively.

Are you tired of the yo yo effect? These simple 5 steps can help you KEEP the weight off once you do lose it

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Why do some dieters suffer the endless frustration of losing and then gaining weight again and again, while others lose weight and keep it off forever?

And we know you don’t want to be the latter group?

Here are 5 very simple tips successful dieters implement – and you can easily adapt these good habits yourself.

1.) You know that old conventional wisdom that goes “The scale doesn’t matter when you’re dieting”? For a long time experts scorned the idea of frequent weigh ins, pointing out that the scale can be inaccurate because of fluctuations caused by water weight. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat. So if you’re exercising you may be gaining muscle and that will throw the scale off.

However, it turns out that weighing yourself every day is actually an excellent motivator for dieters. A study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that dieters who weighed themselves every day lost the most weight, and kept it off more successfully, compared to a group of dieters who did not weigh themselves regularly.

2.) Keep a log of everything you eat. When you log everything you eat you will feel MUCH more guilty when you cheat because you have to see it and read it.

3.) Do at least 1 15 minute activity everyday. ANYTHING. Walk your dog, go jogging, do tae bo. Most of us work at desks and sit at home all day – then do it at least three times a week. You will lose weight quicker and this is one of the big contributors of keeping the weight off.

4.) Plan ahead. If you are going out to dinner with friends or to a holiday office party or even to the movies, what are you going to do when hunger pangs hit? Eat something before you go and decide BEFORE you get to the party or movies.

5.) Schedule the occasional indulgence. Most weight loss experts suggest and encourage a cheating day. When you get to eat some pizza, brownie or some ice cream at some time in the week your chances of ditching your plan is much less likely. This can also be a day when you throw in some more activity.

For those of you out there who believe that you can only lose weight through fasting, you cannot be more wrong! Facts have shown that it is not how much you eat but actually what you eat that results in weight gain in most people. If you decide to eat correctly, you will surely be eating your way to weight loss naturally.

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In the developed world today, a whole lot of people seem to be struggling with a particular challenge common to them all and that is the issue of how to lose weight so as to live a healthier life. In the same vein, a good number of the people concerned tend to believe that the only way to lose that excess fat is by starving themselves or fasting. Nothing can be further than the truth in this case. It has been proven by the experts that one can achieve weight loss naturally through correct dieting.

In order to lose weight naturally, the main thing one has to keep in mind and practice is to eat wisely, take enough water and do some regular exercise. This combination of actions will surely help you get rid of that unwanted fat as well as give you a fitter and sexier physique.

It is pertinent at this stage to note that when I talk of losing weight naturally through correct dieting, I am not talking about some very strict diet but simple ones that can be found in some cook books such as the Metabolic Cooking. I am also not talking about a particular diet for the whole day but an intelligent mix of recommended diets that will end up giving you a healthier body through weight loss.

I suppose that at this stage some of you out will want to know exactly how to eat wise and reap the benefits of losing weight naturally in the shortest possible time. It is not rocket science but simply doing what is right as already suggested. For an example, the diet experts claim that our ability to shed fats is eighty percent correct dieting and twenty percent how much exercise we give to our body. This also means that you need to steer clear of that attractive and sweet junk foodstuff you have been destroying your system with only to go back to the gym to try to burn the fat you got from wrong dieting practice.

Another important aspect of correct dieting is the issue of the water intake level. It is a fact that taking a good amount of water on a daily basis helps in ensuring a clean body system. As a matter of fact, the experts have made it abundantly clear that in order to keep our body system in a clean condition we need to take as much as sixty ounces of water daily. This is much better than the sugary drinks that many people use to replace water in their diet. It is recommended by medical experts that every adult should drink at least eight glasses of water in order to enjoy a healthier life devoid of obesity.

In summary therefore, anyone who wishes to enjoy the benefits weight loss simply needs to combine a correct diet with a good water intake and do some exercise. That also means such a person needs to as well avoid taking junk food and replace that with the consumption of lots of fruit and vegetables. When fruits are added to your meals, it is easier for you to ward off the cravings for sweet since you are ingesting natural sugar instead of the artificial one. You are advised to take fruits such as oranges and or apples in between your meals as a means of eating your way to weight loss and good health.

You can begin to lose weight by reducing your stress level. Here’s how!

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There may be many reasons why you engage in the behavior of overeating. Overeating helps some people gain a sense of control over their lives. Other people overeat when they are stressed or upset. Think about the times that you have had a binge eating session? What was the motivation behind it? Do you turn to food when you are upset or have a stressful day? Do you find a sense of comfort in the food that you eat? If stress is a major factor in your eating habits, finding ways to help reduce stress can help you lose weight.

1. Find a Support System

Having people that you can rely on is a great way to start reducing stress. Call on your friends or family when you are in a stressful situation. They can be a great source of advice or just a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes going out with work friends after a long stressful day can work wonders to melt the stress that you feel. We all need to rely on our friends and family at some point. Being able to talk about your stress is a health alternative to overeating.

2. Post Positive Mantras

Think about the negative comments you make about yourself when you are feeling stressed. Most people struggle with negative self-talk at sometime in their lives. Begin to challenge your old ways of thinking. Replace those old thoughts with positive thoughts that will help you push through stressful times. If a long stressful day at work leaves you thinking that you are “no good at my job”, change your thoughts. Think about how hard you worked today. You put in your all and achieved a goal you had set. Whatever your new thoughts are going to be, post them around your house. This will help you stay focused on them even when you are headed for a stress out moment. Thinking positively can help curb overeating.

3. Find Time to Relax

It is important that you take a few minutes everyday for relaxtion. There are many different things you can do in order to relax. If you had a busy day at work and spent the evening running errands, take a long soak in a tub. If you find yourself working late one night, close your office door and read a chapter in a book. On the weekends, go for a walk around a nature trail. The activity can last five minutes or five hours; the important thing is to take some time to relax.

4. Meditate or Journal

Another great way to reduce stress is to be alone with your thoughts. This can help you sort out what is going on in your life in a healthy way. One way to do this is to meditate. Another way is to write in a journal. Writing in a journal is a great way to begin organizing your thoughts about the stresses in your life. Dealing with your stress in this productive way makes it less likely that you will overeat.

5. Listen to Your Body

Stop beating yourself up for overeating. Move forward into a new way of thinking about eating and food. By listening to your body, you will learn when your body is telling you it is full or hungry. Know the signals that your body gives off in order to begin recognizing the difference between hunger and emotional eating. You can pull through this struggle and be on your way towards a natural weight loss.