Daily Diet Blog

May 23, 2008

Body Composition and Weight Control

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 10:17 pm

Body composition is related to your metabolism as science and biology clearly state.  The higher the ratio of muscle to fat, the faster your metabolism will be.  It is a fact that a pound of muscle at rest will burn 60 times the calories than a pound of fat will.
Apply this theory to what type of workout you do when considering diffferent types of exercise for weight control.   Cardiovascular types of programs are great for your heart and lungs but may not have as much benefit for as long of a time as a weight training program would do.
So, the ideal workout would combine a cardiovascular and a weight training routine into your exercise program.   A weight training program will help you to build muscle and therefore fuel your metabolism to burn your calories faster and more efficiently.
As we age, we often lose muscle mass which can result in gaining weight even when we cut calories and constantly diet.  Often, people do a cardio workout alone to attempt to control weight.  With a cardio workout only, you will burn calories during the workout and for a short time afterward.
If you weight train and build muscle mass, you’ll burn more calories 24 hours a day, even at rest.
Weight training should be done at a level appropriate for your personal fitness and age.  It should be started with guidance from a trainer, gradually starting with resistance training.
Combine the weight training with cardio and adjust your diet to include more protein, vegetables and carbohydrates that are unrefined whole grains.  You’ll notice you’ll feel better, look better and have improved weight control.
Weight training is not just for body builders. It is part of a complete exercise routine that should not be overlooked.  Weight training has the added benefit of slowing bone loss that occurs with aging.

May 8, 2008

DexC20 Ads Claim to “Reduce Fat Cell Formation”

Filed under: Herbal Supplements, Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 6:01 am

I had seen a brief news story on this new weight loss and fat loss supplement called DexC20, with what is the latest plant based herbal weight loss ingredient that is likely to cause a sensation if people start to notice results, called Caralluma Fimbriata, and thought it sounded really interesting.  The short news story was about how the company had commissioned a guy to do a special small study involving ten people (yes, a small study indeed), and also lasted around 30 days.

He said that all study subjects ended up losing weight while on the product, and they also had a guy on that looked like a personal trainer and who’s resume included that he was a model as well who said he’s used the DexC20 diet product for around four months and lost roughly ten pounds of what he feels was fat, without changing his diet or excercise regimen at all.  They didn’t say whether this guy was affiliated with this product, but I had to wonder if he was compensated in any way for making those statements - just the skeptic in me I guess.

I then went to the DexC20 website where it showed me that this product could be purchased in several store, including Walgreens, CVS and GNC, and could also be purchased online.  It also held my interest a little because Shelia Kennedy, a player in the Big Brother reality show which I happen to be addicted to, was one of their testimonials, and I can testify that she looked better than she did on the show in a bikini, but I also remember her losing weight throughout the season, but I don’t know if it was because of this or just because of the stress of the game. 

They have some before and afters that look good, however, my one problem with this product is that it claims to help “reduce fat cell formation”, which shouldn’t even be a statement, because you already supposedly have all the fat cells you’re going to have for the rest of your life once you hit adulthood, so to claim to reduce fat cell formation sounds like an incorrect statement that they may need to re-evaluate.  Heck, maybe it helps shrink fat cells, but it should be stated more clearly.  Have to admit though, the product does pique my interest, and the company is supposedly now commissioning an even larger study to test the efficacy of the diet product. 

February 7, 2008

Cut the Fat, Cut the Calories

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 11:25 am

We all know that “fat” is a buzzword for something to avoid in our diets if we are trying to slim down, or cutting down on our caloric intake so that we can get skinnier or maintain a weight that we’ve already achieved through conventional, long term weight loss programs.  However, what a lot of people forget is that, just by simply cutting a lot of heavy fat out of the diet, you are actually cutting a great amount of concentrated calories as well, because calories really stack up in fat-laden foods and drinks. 

Take for instance, cheese.  Most cheeses, unless they are low fat, are loaded with fat - especially orange cheeses.  The sharper they are, usually the more fat content they have, so it would be wise to at least stick to lighter cheeses as a general rule of thumb.  Mozzarella, say, is much better than sharp cheddar because there is not as much salt or fat in the mozzarella.

Another fat heavy food is heavy creams and sauces.  Be careful with soups, because broth based soups are generally fine, but creamy soups, especially those super tasty ones you probably love, are usually off the charts when it comes to calories and fat content.  Especially heavy cream - heavy cream is extremely calories dense. 

One of the biggest faults with the low carb diets, which set your body up to block carbs basically, is that they encourage high fat foods in exchange for not eating breads and pastas.  This fat is definitely stored in unsightly areas still, like areas where you are more prone to cellulite anyways and just general fat deposits. 

Another fatty and calorie dense food is heavy desserts like cheesecake.  Cheesecake is known as one of the most decadent desserts, and for good reason.  It is loaded with not only fat, but also sugar, and may even be up to one thousand calories for a modest sized slice of this little piece of heaven.  Think about it, that’s why you feel stuffed to the gills after you eat it! 

Ice cream, of the non-lowfat variety is one of the worst culprits in high fat content and subsequently high calorie content as well, and should only be consumed as a treat few and far between.  If you’re slightly lactose intolerant, like me, you might be a little more swayed to stay away from the really heavy desserts, which are often based in some sort of dairy food. 

In short, by cutting down on the fats in our foods, we are also setting our bodies up for improved health and fitness, fat loss and weight loss since we are cutting out a ton of calories as well.  Good all around! 

November 24, 2007

Mesotherapy for Fat Loss and Cellulite?

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 11:11 am

Mesotherapy is a fat loss method that is catching on here a little more in the US and has been used in France for quite a while now as a nonsurgical, noninvasive spot fat loss treatment that uses natural ingredients, injected at key points below the skin to target the fat (adipose) below the skin and “melt” it away, making it get swept up in the body’s natural elimination process and eliminate from the body via natural expulsion through the urine, sweat and other natural body secretions. 

Yuck, right, but wouldn’t that be pretty awesome if you saw a a lot of fat loss in local areas becuase of this?  Cellulite reduction creams and treatments today are largely in cream form, and many of them do provide some benefit, but they really only are beneficial if you use them regularly and with somewhat vigorous massage, the real machine behind cellulite reduction since massage helps break apart the fat deposits so the body can then smooth them out, creating a smoother look instead of the pocketed look of cellulite. 

Mesotherapy is a shot that is inserted slightly below the skin, where the fat layer forms, and it supposedly actually breaks the fat cells apart and essentially kills them off, allowing them to die and then be harmlessly evacuated from the body via evacuation through excretions that the body normally emits, such as the urine and sweat. 

Some women have reported excellent effects with mesotherapy, while others aren’t as thrilled.  I’m not sure if this method has officially been accepted to be performed over here in the US, but a similar thing called Lipolysis is available that uses essentially the same principle as mesotherapy, but just uses a different solution to kill the fat cells.  Because it gets rid of fat it may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite by reducing the amount of tissue that can bunch up and pucker, creating the spongy look we all can’t stand. 

 

 

October 26, 2007

Love Your Legs for Cellulite Reduction

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 5:32 pm

I recently purchased a DVD online called “Love Your Legs” that targets exactly what it says it does and more - your legs, oh and your butt too.  But don’t those two go hand in hand?  They sure do, especially since many of the exercises that you do for your legs and thighs, both outer and inner, are also going to help to tone and trim your butt. 

This DVD, called “Love Your Legs” was something I found online because I wanted to try something that would target my saddle bag area, as well as help me to reduce cellulite in my problem areas, which are the backs of my thighs, sides of my thighs (ie saddle bags) and my buttocks.  The DVD is marketed to also be able to help cellulite, so I was happy that the DVD also included segments on how to massage to get rid of cellulite, as well as dietary tips and exercises to help sculpt out those problem areas that so many women have.

There is a segment from renowned dermatologist Howard Murad, who also has several cellulite product out himself and wrote a book that is acclaimed on how to manage and get rid of cellulite called “The Cellulite Solution”.  I’ve only done the workout twice now, but it consists of about twenty minutes or fifteen minutes of lunges and other targeted exercises for these notorious trouble areas. 

October 23, 2007

Drinking Alcohol and Body Fat

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 1:12 pm

Let’s get something clear.  Drinking alcohol frequently will pack the pounds on.  And do you know why?  Not just because of the calorie content of many alcohols, especially the flavored ones like coconut rums and flavored vodkas, but even regular old alcohol, but because our bodies treat alcohol as sugar, and thus our bodies are going to go at the alcohol and burn it first before it burns the fat, which is what we all want it to burn ideally, since this is what we want less of on our  bodies.

I was going to get cellulite reduction treatments for a while, and the woman who was administering the treatments told me that I should really try to avoid alcoholic drinks at all costs if I truly was serious about attacking the excess fat and cellulite on my body.  Not only because alcoholic beverages (except she said a glass of red wine is typically metabolized differently) are burned like sugars, but because they also leaves trace toxins behind in our bodies many times, and this toxin trail often leaves us with excess cellulite and fat, which is very difficult to get rid of. 

The problem with alcohol also happens to be that when we drink alcohol, our sense are dulled, and our inhibitions and judgement are impaired, so what starts off as one drink often ends up as several highly caloric, sugary drinks that can pack in as many as 200 calories per drink.  Make it a really sugary drink like a margarita, and you’ve got almost 400 to 500 calories per drink. 

Add in the fact that you could consume quite a few, and the fact that they are burned like sugar, and you are looking at a potential for an extra 1500 calories added onto your daily calorie total (think, 1500 is many times the recommended daily allowance total for many people), and you’ve got 1500 extra calories that aren’t even going to be burned off properaly, and instead will be stored as extra fat, and yes, extra cellulite on your body.  For tips on cellulite treatment see cellulite reduction. 

July 31, 2007

Lipo Dissolve

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 7:09 pm

There’s a new procedure for cosmetic improvement that states it can remove unsightly fat and cellulite in as little as 2 weeks time.  The procedure is a non-surgical one and is safer and less invasive than the surgical procedures such as liposuction.  Cellulite reduction creams and treatments help to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but this treatment actually says that it destroys fat cells from the inside via series of injections (ouch). 

This new cosmetic procedure is called lipodissolve and it is performed by a physician.  What’s involved in lipodissolve is a series of small injections done directly into the problem areas of localized fatty tissue.  The mechanism of lipodissolve’s effectiveness is the injections cause the fat to be dissolved naturally by the body.
 A consultation is done prior to scheduling for the lipodissolve procedure.  Although results can be seen in as little time as 2 weeks, sometimes the lipodissolve can require from 4 to 12 sessions.
 Areas often targeted by the liipodissolve procedure are the chin area, buttocks, waist, love handles, under the eyes and arms.   If you enter asante medispa and search on your computer, you can read about lipodissolve. They feature before and after photos of clients who have gotten lipodissolve treatments.  The differences in the photos and reduction of cellulite to the buttocks and waist area were dramatic and impressive.
 In order to be eligible for lipodissolve, you must be within 30 pounds of your ideal weight. For each session of the lipodissolve treatments, only one problem area can be treated at a time.
 

May 24, 2007

Lifting Weights Helps with Cellulite?

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 11:17 am

I had heard this theory before, and I for one, really do believe that, when used with good cellulite reduction products, a good weight lifting regimen that helps build sleek muscle mass, which in turn helps to burn more fat and burn calories more efficiently, you can definitley get a stronghold over your cellulite and help to smooth it out dramatically. Not only that, a good tan helps to camouflage cellulite, so I like to use a good self tanner in the summer if I’m getting in my bikini and will be seen by people!

A solid exercise and weight training routine can definitely help to improve the appearance of the nasty, dimply cottage cheese looking cellulite, usually in as little as a few weeks, but also in as much as a few months. Weight training helps to tone muscle, which tones the underlying basis for how your skin appears on the outside.

When you don’t have enough muscle tone, the basis, or the foundation for your fattier areas on your body such as your rear end, thighs and belly, do not have adequate support, and the weakness of the bands that are attaching the fat deposits is compromised even more so (women typically are more prone to this weakness than men, which is why you see infinitely more cellulite on women than on men) you will see a visibly larger amount of what has been dubbed “cellulite” in these areas where muscle tone is lacking.

I for one like to stick to a regimen of weight training for my thighs and buttocks which includes lifting my legs to the side with weights on top of them, which helps to sculpt my thighs more and my hips, and also doing the same thing with my buttocks, which helps to tone the buttocks muscles, and helps me to conquer the cellulite there as well by toning up the “foundation” first and then helping the smoothing out process by making the bonds between the fat deposits, the collagen bands, even out and make it so that the puckered appearance is not nearly as noticeable since the balance is kept in check.

Weight training and strength training, combined with cardio training can significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite in and of itself, but I also recommend a good cellulite reduction product that is rubbed in to the skin and helps to externally smooth out the collagen bands and even out the skin from the outside as well. I also notice that when I do not work out as much, or go easy on the weight training, or only do yoga exclusively for a few weeks, my cellulite does tend to look worse, so I believe cellulite reduction is a combined effort between cardio, weight training, diet and products used.

May 18, 2007

Ally Fat Absorber FDA Approved, Hitting Shelves

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 6:14 am

The diet product that claims to be a supplement for fat loss, called “Ally” is making headlines again, it’s the prescription version of Xenical and it is supposed to actually trap fat and reduce the amount of fat that is absorbed by your body. What it does is cling into the intestines and grabs that fat before it can even be absorbed and stored as fat on your thighs and midsection.

We talked about Ally a while ago, and what it is meant for is people who want to lose twenty or ten pounds, nothing too much, and this drug is targeting that market because it is not for a high amount of weight loss, nor is it a very quick weight loss, but it cuts the fat out of the diet. It does advise you that it can absorb vitamins out of your body too, and it also can cause loose stool, which clients claim is embarrassing and a nuisance, so it is not clear at this point how popular this now OTC drug for weight loss is going to be.

I predict it will come and go, and not make too much of a fuss, just because of the horrible side effect. I’d much rather just cut some dietary fat out of my eating rather than bear with diarrhea and gas all the time personally. Here’s a staggering fact too. Americans spend over $23 billion annually, it is estimated, on diet products and products to help them lose weight.

Wow, and we still have an overwhelming obesity problem, something just doesn’t add up! It may be worth your while to check out hypnotherapy for weight loss if you’re thinking of alternative ways to lose weight and actually change your eating habits. I’ve tried it, and it’s amazingly effective at changing your eating habits on a subconscious level.

April 14, 2007

Spot Treatment Liposuction Fat Reduction?

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 10:39 pm

Yes, something more laser targeted (literally) to get rid of those horrible fatty areas that we all can’t stand about certain parts of our body, is here.  Or at least it seems so.  Many times with these newer cosmetic procedures, it takes a LOT of perfecting before anyone really wants to go out there and get it done, because doctors simply haven’t had the time or patients yet to test it and perfect it.

This is a laser targeted liposuction, where lasers are used to target fat pockets and break them down and make them go away.  It uses lasers, instead of actual suction, or at least uses the lasers to assist, in the “melting” of these fat pockets by targeting them and breaking them down with laser beams.  It’s called SmartLipo laserlipolysis, and it’s gaining a lot of early attention as the next best thing in the ever growing field of plastic surgery and cosmetic correction. 

Also, as with everything that can use lasers instead of traditional operating instruments, the recovery time should be significantly less and there may also be an improvement in the scarring that occurs afterwards, since lasers provide such a nice clean, smooth cut and do not usually result in any significant scarring or trauma to the skin they cut through. 

It will not completely replace liposuction, but it will definitely be an option for those who are looking for more of a targeted area of fat reduction, instead of say their entire buttocks and hip/thigh region, which would be more appropriately done by traditional lipo. 

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