Archive for success
Dog Days of Summer
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Whew! It sure is hot outside! These are what I call the ‘dog days of summer’ and they are the hottest part of the year here in Virginia. No one really wants to go outside (especially me) and exercising is harder in the hot weather. At least that’s my excuse. It’s a pretty good one too!
As I enter the second month of the Weight Management University program I find myself dreaming of fall fashions (and cooler weather). My weight continues to drop and I find that some things in my closet fit better than they ever have, prompting me to consider a shopping trip for the upcoming season. It is exciting to see the changes that are happening to me physically and as an added bonus even my mental attitude is improving. This might be because I am not so sedentary and tired anymore. The WMU program has eased me into all new eating habits and now after 7 weeks I automatically reach for the ‘right’ kinds of foods without even thinking about it. It has been a fairly smooth transition into healthier habits although I did have a bump in the road a couple of weeks back.
Although I was following the program parameters I hit a plateau where the scale refused to move for over 2 weeks. I must admit I was a little frustrated. Then came Dawn to the rescue! She helped me understand the causes behind plateaus and the variety of options that can help overcome them. Instead of trying just one, I applied multiple techniques and in just a couple of days the numbers on the scale starting dropping again. Yay!
I think it is absolutely wonderful that a place like the Center for Weight Loss Success exists, because in the past I would have simply thrown in the towel when my weight loss stopped and gone back to my old ways. It means everything that someone is standing by you to answer important questions, to cheer you on, and to simply listen. That is the surely the difference between failure and success.
So on to my next goal, which is to exercise more often. I look forward to walks in the park in the crisp autumn air but for now it’s the air conditioned indoor gym for me, doggone it!
New Year…New you! Join our “Losing it Hampton Roads” Campaign!
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Hampton Roads is “Losing It” – Join and Begin Losing Weight Today!
Get your free weight loss tips for the entire family.
Register at www.LosingItHamptonRoads.com
Here’s what you have to look forward to:
1. Free Report – Why can’t I lose weight?…and what to do about it! (no more procrastination)
2. Free weekly webinars “Weight Loss Success for the Whole Family!” with Dr. Thomas W. Clark – every Tuesday from 6pm-6:30pm beginning Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Look forward to your invitation each week via your e-mail inbox once you sign up.
3. Free weekly body composition analysis at the Center for Weight Loss Success (you will know why your body composition is important rather than just your weight) at 645 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601. When you stop by, you will also receive your free weekly tips for success and easy to follow recipes the whole family will enjoy! Come on in (Mon & Wed 9am-7pm; Tues 9am-6pm & Thurs 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-2pm) – you need your baseline body composition as soon as possible.
4. Special offers exclusively for Losing It Hampton Roads participants – more to look forward to!
5. The first 50 to sign up for Losing It Hampton Roads will receive a free signed copy of Dr. Clark’s Best Selling book – Game Changers
Surviving the Holiday Temptations!
Posted by: | CommentsSmart ways to survive the temptations of the holiday party scene this weekend:
Get SMART: Setting weight loss goals
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photo by Distec International
“Weight-loss goals can mean the difference between success and failure,” according to the Mayo Clinic. Well-planned weight loss goals provide a plan that keeps you focused and motivated. Poorly planned goals, on the other hand, are unrealistic and almost impossible to achieve. If you set unrealistic goals, you will probably end up frustrated and discouraged and decide to quit all your efforts to lose weight. These tips will help you create well-planned weight loss goals that will have you on the path to weight loss success:
1. Begin by breaking down one big goal into a series of smaller ones. Having one big goal can be overwhelming, especially if you have a lot of weight to lose. Take small steps to meet your main goal and you will be more likely to succeed because small goals are more manageable. Consider short-term goals as stepping stones to reaching long-term goals.
2. Be willing to change your goals as you progress. You may find that your smaller goals are not challenging enough and you may need to adjust them as you adapt to your new lifestyle. Review your goals each week, think about what worked and what didn’t and make new goals accordingly.
3. Set goals that take your personal capabilities into consideration. Take your schedule, fitness level and health into consideration, and your goals will be more achievable.
4. Make sure that your weight loss goals are realistic. Don’t expect rapid weight loss. Safe weight loss is usually around 2 pounds each week. This means that you will need to burn about an extra 1,000 calories each day. You can do this by cutting back the calories and adding extra activity into your life everyday.
5. Focus on changing your habits. Changing your habits and making a lifestyle change is the key to successful weight loss. Focus on the process of change and not on the outcome.
6. Identify potential setbacks. By recognizing potential setbacks before hand, you can brainstorm strategies that will help you to overcome them and keep you on track. Setbacks are normal and most of us have experienced them.
7. Write down your goals. You will be more successful if you write down all the details of your goals. It will help to make you more aware of your expectations, give you more accountability and serve as a great reference tool as to what works and what doesn’t.
8. Timing can make the difference between success and failure. Timing is crucial. You may need to look at your life and resolve some issues first. Make sure that other stressors such as work and personal life are as calm as you can make them. Don’t start a weight loss plan and a new job at the same time. Once you have chosen a starting date to lose weight – don’t put it off!
At Dr. Clark’s Center for Weight Loss Success you will learn that goals need to be SMART – meaning that they need to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound. Set your personal goals and get started! You’ll find that realistic and well-planned goals will help you have a more successful weight loss program.
The Importance of Breakfast
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One thing I’ve noticed in all the years that I have worked in both fitness and weight management is the amount of people who skip breakfast. Either people complain that they don’t have time to eat in the morning or they believe that skipping breakfast will cut calories and therefore, help them to lose weight. Research has consistently shown that that the people who successfully lose weight are the ones that wake up and eat breakfast.
Why is breakfast considered to be the most important meal of the day?
- Firstly: Eating a healthy breakfast can reduce hunger throughout the day so that better food choices can be made the rest of the day and portion sizes can be controlled.
- Eating breakfast will give you more energy for the rest of the day and studies have shown that people are better able to focus and function throughout the day.
- For many people, eating breakfast is part of a healthy lifestyle so they are more likely to set a healthy precedent for the rest of the day by making wiser food choices and exercising.
- People who eat breakfast regularly tend to eat fewer calories from fat and have a better vitamin and mineral intake.
So, how can we work breakfast into our busy lives?
- Prepare the night before by planning what you are going to eat the next morning and have it ready to go.
- Place a list of foods on your fridge that are quick and easy but also ones that you enjoy. It will make it easier to choose what to have for breakfast the next morning.
- Decide to drive through a fast food restaurant on your way to work but know ahead of time what healthy choice you will be ordering.
Finally, the following are some foods that you might consider for breakfast:
- Protein shakes. Select already pre-mixed shakes or ones that are easily prepared by adding water.
- Eggs. They are great for satiety and that is partly because they are high in protein. Proteins require more calories to digest. If cholesterol is a concern, egg whites are also high in protein and a great alternative.
- Dairy products such as cottage cheese, yogurts and milk are also high in protein but take the carbohydrate count into consideration for the rest of the day.
- High-fiber complex carbohydrates found in whole grains and cereals will also help to keep you satisfied because fiber increases the sensation of fullness. Low carbohydrate tortillas are great for using as wraps. Cheese, eggs, Canadian bacon and deli meat are just some of the foods that you could place inside the wrap. Just make sure that you are getting adequate protein and keep track of your carbohydrate intake for the rest of the day.
Next time you are tempted to skip breakfast, remember that many studies, in both adults and children, have shown that breakfast eaters tend to weigh less than breakfast skippers.
Water & Weight Loss
Posted by: | CommentsQUESTION:
I’ve heard that water is necessary for weight loss and that I should drink as much as possible to help me in my weight loss efforts. Is this true?
ANSWER:
There is some confusion surrounding the importance of water as it relates to weight loss. Unfortunately, more research is needed to clarify the issue. However, studies have clearly shown the importance of water in many other aspects, including some that are indirectly related to weight loss. Let’s review what we do know:
- To function at its best, the body needs to be well-hydrated. Our bodies are largely composed of water – about 55-60% of body weight. It helps with many tasks including
temperature regulation, cardiovascular function, waste product removal and metabolism. - Although the body is efficient at regulating fluids, regular fluid intake (through food or drink) is required to keep the body hydrated. We lose fluid through respiration (breathing), sweating, and feces & urine. The result is a total body water turnover of approximately 5-10% per day. Luckily, our bodies are very good at compensating for normal fluctuations in fluid intake by either diluting or concentrating urine. However, sooner or later, water losses need to be replaced by fluid intake.
- Exercise is a hydration stressor. Due to water loss through sweat, dehydration can set in quickly during prolonged exercise – especially in hot and humid environments. The effects of dehydration are many and include decreased physical performance, cardiovascular stress, fatigue, depressed mental function, and heat illness. Increased perceptions of fatigue during exercise reduces your tolerance for exercise – and therefore your ability to burn more calories. (See Exercise & Avoiding Dehydration.) In addition, even small amounts of dehydration have been shown to cause general fatigue, which may affect your desire to even start an exercise session.
- The extreme opposite of dehydration can cause problems too. Ingesting large amounts of water without other added content (such as electrolytes, sugar, vitamins, etc.) can result in a medical complication known as hyponatremia. When too much plain water is ingested, large amounts of electrolytes (especially sodium) are transported from the blood and tissues into the small intestine, resulting in a dangerous electrolyte imbalance.
- A small study has indicated that metabolic rate increases following water consumption by as much as 30% and is sustained for over an hour.1 The mechanism of the increased calorie burn is thought to be a combination of the energy needed to heat the ingested water and additional unknown factors. The long-term effect of increased water consumption and weight loss has not been studied.
- Research has shown that cell hydration influences metabolism. However, changes in reactions at the cellular level cannot necessarily be extrapolated to whole body calorie balance. More research needs to be done to reveal whether extreme changes (either dehydration or optimal hydration) can actually influence the whole body’s caloric expenditure and/or fat loss.
- Contrary to popular belief, water intake before or with meals has not been shown to decrease the number of calories consumed during meals.2,3 However, it is interesting to note that when foods with high water content (such as soup) are consumed prior to meal, subsequent caloric intake at the meal is decreased.
In summary, the direct link between water intake and weight loss is not clear and should not be the main reason for your hydration efforts. However, the importance of hydration to your health is very clear and hydration efforts are well worth your time. Maintaining optimal hydration levels enhances your vitality and ability to exercise, thereby increasing caloric expenditure. Although there may be caloric expenditures associated with water intake, the added benefit is small compared to the caloric cost of exercise. Given the rare but potential danger of excessive water intake, keep your water intake within the recommended daily water intake.
Read more at myfooddiary.com
1 Water Induced Thermogenesis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88:6015-6019, 2003.
2 Water Incorporated Into a Food But Not Served With A Food Decreases Energy Intake In Lean Women. Am J Clin Nutr 70:448-455, 1999.
3 Does the Consumption of Caloric and Non-Caloric Beverages With A Meal Affect Energy Density? Appetite 44:187-193, 2005.
The Importance of Hydration and Tips to Get Your Water in Every Day
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Water May Suppress Appetite Naturally
- Try drinking before a meal
- Some studies have shown that a decrease in water intake causes fat deposits to increase
Best Treatment for Water Retention
- The body perceives insufficient water as a threat to survival and holds onto every drop – resulting in swollen feet, legs and hands
- Give your body plenty of water so that stored water will be released
- Sodium – culprit, “wherever salt goes water follows” so, drink more water – water forced through the kidneys takes away excess sodium
Overweight / Larger People Need More Water
- Water is key to fat metabolism, also, metabolized fat must be shed
- Mayo clinic – body weight in pounds divided in half, convert into ounces, divided by 8 to determine cups needed
Weather / Exercise
- Increase in hot weather (especially dry heat)
- Drink before, during and after exercise – 1 cup within ½ hour, 4-8 ounces every 20 minutes, 1 cup following. Weigh before and after exercise Replace every pound lost with 20 ounces
- Cold water absorbed faster than warm
Constipation
Having difficulty drinking the 8 cups of water that is recommended daily for most people? Plan! Plan! Plan!
- Flavor it
- Have it with every meal
- Carry bottled water (drink on your way to work and on your way home) DRINK UP!
Relapse? Time to Reevaluate Your Weight Loss Approach
Posted by: | CommentsWhile working to lose weight, even the most strong-willed of us can fall into the trap of relapsing every once in a while. Falling back into an old routine can be troubling for one’s self image and can make it seem tempting to simply give up. It is important to bear in mind, however, that this is a very common problem which can be overcome. A relapse is absolutely no cause for quitting, yet it may be necessary to reevaluate some of the aspects of your weight loss approach.
Follow these steps to get back on track:
- Evaluate the cause of your relapse. Has a schedule change made it difficult to workout, or has a new source of stress led you to snack more often? You may not be able to prevent the changes in your life, but changing your eating plans and workout routines around them is much easier once the changes have been identified.
- Take body measurements instead of relying on the scale alone. Your weight number can fluctuate due to water weight and added muscle (muscle weighs more than fat). That is why it helps to keep track of body measurements—you may find that you are making progress after all.
- Seek support from those you can trust. Find someone close to you who can provide encouragement and keep you accountable as you return to your weight loss routine. You may also find it helpful to participate in a weight loss support group.
- Don’t forget to acknowledge the smaller goals. If you focus on your long-term goals too much, the time it takes to reach them can seem discouraging. Instead, pay attention to the short-term goals as they happen: workouts getting easier, clothes fitter better, etc.
- Add some variety to your efforts. Try adding some new healthy foods to your diet to motivate more interest in your meal plans. You should also consider trying different exercises, not just to prevent boredom, but also to prevent your body from becoming to accustomed to the same workouts.
It’s a great idea to get in touch with people who understand what you’re going through. Sign up today to attend a support group meeting at the Center for Metabolic Health.
Important Tips to Remember When Walking Alone
Posted by: | CommentsWalking is terrific exercise and can be a significant factor in your weight loss regimen. Walking is relatively low impact, increases your heart rate and burns fat. And while walking with a partner or in a group is the safest choice, it may not always be convenient to fit others into your regular routine. Here are a few things to think about in preparation for your next solo walk:
- The weather. Before heading out, check today’s forecast to ensure that you’re ready for the conditions. Will the chill require you to dress in layers, or will the summer sun call for putting on sunscreen? In extreme weather—whether it’s very hot, very cold or potentially stormy—you may want to opt for an indoor exercise for that day instead.
- The time of day. This can go hand-in-hand with the weather of course; certain conditions could be worse at different times of day. But it also pertains to the danger that exists when it is dark out or when traffic is heavy. If you walk at night or early morning, make sure street lights are present along your path.
- The location. Take the area you walk through into account. Is there a high occurrence of crime? Does it require you to cross busy roads? If you are unfamiliar with an area, it may be preferable to avoid while walking alone.
- The things you carry. Equipping yourself for a stroll doesn’t stop at comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothes. It is also a good idea to carry a water bottle to avoid dehydration and to keep a cell phone on hand in case of emergencies.
Don’t go it alone all the time. If you’d like to find out more about patient support with CMHVA, click here.
Fitness Nutrition Secret: “Meal Frequency”
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Meal frequency/timing is also the most effective nutrition strategy that you can use to speed up your metabolism with minimum investment of your time and effort!
And it is something that you simply must implement in your program if you want to create permanent fat loss, and then maintain it for life!
The reason for this is simple: When you create a meal taking into account your daily maintenance level calorie intake, the optimum nutrient ratio for your body type, and in addition to this you create an average size meal that your body can completely digest, process and utilize, there will be no calorie surplus left to be converted to unwanted body fat!
By eating frequent, average size meals, that have the perfect combination of healthy food sources, you will provide your organism with all of the macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly, and use cardio training to directly burn unwanted body fat from your fat cells, permanent fat loss will follow!
Properly using this fitness nutrition secret of meal frequency/timing means that you should eat four average size meals, approximately every four walking hours! You should also eat your breakfast as soon as possible after waking up. The only exception is if you are using the morning fasted cardio approach, in which case you should eat breakfast after your cardio session!
This meal frequency/timing technique is also one of the best ways to maintain and eventually build additional muscle, which will raise your metabolism, and you will burn even more calories on a daily basis.
Building additional muscle will require weight training of course, but when you consume four average size meals, every four hours with the right amount of nutrients, you will not only have the necessary energy for your workouts, but also will provide your body with the perfect amount of amino acids to build this new muscle.
Full story can be read at weightlosstipsandsecrets.com
