Burn That Weight Off After The Festive Season

Burn That Weight Off After The Festive Season

Losing weight can be very difficult for many people, while for others, the problem is how to put weight on, even when lifestyle and eating habits are balanced. The difference between these types of people is that their individual metabolic rate (the rate at which you burn up kilojoules) varies.

There are foods that can actually increase your metabolism and help improve weight loss, while other foods can slow down the rate of weight loss and the metabolism by acting on the thyroid gland's production of hormones which are involved in our body's metabolic process.

 Hot spices including chilli, mustard or peppers can help you lose weight! Yes, the latest studies using chilli, mustard seeds and spices showed that weight loss can be increased by as much as 25% when these spices are added to a calorie controlled diet. Chillies, or cayenne pepper as it is more commonly known, have been used for hundreds of years as a remedy for intestinal wind, poor digestion and to improve circulation. Today it is still included in many people's diet in order to obtain these benefits.

Scientists now believe that two of the chemicals found in cayenne could increase weight loss by their action upon the thyroid hormone. A study carried out at the University of Tasmania found that the metabolic rate of four out of six people was increased after one meal which contained one tablespoon of tabasco.

The thyroid gland also requires iodine to function properly. Increasing your intake of seafoods, or take a kelp or an iodine supplement. Iodine deficiency causes a decrease in the production of thyroid hor­mones, especially thyroxine (T4). This caus­es an under-active thyroid gland that results in weight gain, poor memory, reduced intellectual development in children and reduces energy levels.

To speed up weight loss add a little of the "HOT STUFF " to your meals either by sprinkling it on or adding it when cooking. Cayenne pepper can be bought from your health food store in bulk and it is not expensive; however it is hot, so only use a little at first and build up to a quarter of a teaspoon at each meal. This should do the trick. If you can't stand the heat, then take an empty capsule and half fill it with cayenne pepper. You should then take one with each meal. It is important to include any hot spices with food as this will help prevent irritation the lining of the stomach. If you experience an upset stomach then reduce the amount, or discontinue their use.

 If you are serious about weight loss then don't eat junk foods. Foods that are high in fat and or sugar as part of the daily diet will still put on weight, even if you do add chilli. Increase the amount of vegetables other than cabbage, as this vegetable can have an adverse affect on the metabolism, increasing weight gain. Eat fruit whole, not dried or juiced as these are usually high in sugar. Include whole grains, lean meat and low fat dairy products in your diet. Water is a must, drink between 6 to 8 glasses daily. This is not only needed for good health but also reduces the desire to pick between meals.

Always have breakfast and reduce the size of the night's meal. This will also help keep you away from the junk foods during the day.

Include extra protein in the diet to help control hunger; in all animals including humans we will continue to eat until our optimum dietary protein has been reached. Evidence suggests that protein-rich foods and diets may have a greater effect than high fat foods on our feelings of being satisfied and full after a meal. Increasing protein intake will help reduce cravings while supporting muscle and bone health.

Weight loss can be achieved without difficult or FAD diets. Just a change to healthier foods, a little chilli, a protein meal replacement and regular exercise can really make a difference.

If craving for sweet foods is a problem taking a chromium supplement may help. Studies have found that a lack of the mineral chromium can cause sugar cravings. Chromium and the mineral zinc are co-enzymes, and one of their roles is to help regulate blood sugar levels.

The Ayurvedic herb Coleus forskohlii, has been used traditionally as a digestive tonic and help support normal thyroid function and metabolism

Another clinically tested weight management product is Amorphaphallus rivieri contained in the product Weight-Less™. Amorphaphallus rivieri is a soluble fibre that interacts with liquid in the stomach and mixes with the meal this increases the thickness and overall bulk in the stomach and resultants in a feeling of fullness. After eating there is a prolonged feeling of fullness and reduced sensations of hunger.

Exercise

Exercise regularly each day, twenty minutes each morning before breakfast after taking your L-Carnitine, is the best, as this will increase your metabolism, not only during the exercise, but throughout the day.

You should aim at reaching 80 per cent of you maximum heart rate for age each time you exercise. However, start slowly and see your practitioner first before starting your exercise program to ensure that you don't have any medical conditions that would preclude exercise.

Your maximum heart rate (MHR) for age is 220 less your age. ie if you are 40 years old, then your MHR would be 220 - 40 = 180. Eighty per cent of 180 is 144, and this the maximum heart rate you should aim for during exercise. The best exercises are brisk walking, swimming and light weight lifting. Weight bearing exercise also strengthens the bones while at the same time burns off the excess weight.

SUPPLEMENTS

For Increased metabolic rate;

Iodine  150ug                                                                                   1 tablet daily

Chilli powder added to food or in a capsule                              2.5 g  three times daily with meals.

For sugar cravings and carbohydrate metabolism;

A Sugar Balance formula containing;

Chromium picolinate (Chromium 16.6 µg) 133.5 µg

Chromic chloride (Chromium 50 µg)       256 µg

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine nitrate)                                    7 mg

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)                             8 mg

Nicotinamide                                          35 mg

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid from calcium pantothenate 7 mg) 6.4 mg                } 1 three times daily

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride)      8 mg

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)               17 µg

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)                        30 mg

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol 3.4 µg)        134 IU

Folic acid 70 µg

Magnesium oxide-heavy (Magnesium 100 mg)  172.7 mg

Manganese amino acid chelate (Manganese 700 µg) 7 mg

Zinc amino acid chelate (Zinc 4 mg) 20 mg

Protein meal replacement

Super Fruit Smoothie

With 250ml of skim milk Contains 27g (54 per cent)            use to replace one or two meals daily

of daily protein needs

To increase feeling of fullness

Weight-Less™              2 capsules with a large glass of water, three times a day, half an hour before meals.

contains; Amorphaphallus rivieri conc. extract equiv. dry tuber 1.3 g (Luralean™)