Lose Weight Tips

The percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese is increasing very rapidly. “Overweight” is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) from 25.0 to 29.9 whereas a BMI of 30 or above is defined as “obese.” According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 56% of the population was overweight during the reporting period from 1988 through 1994, and 23% was obese. During the period from 1999 through 2002, these percentages had increased to 65% and 30%, respectively.

So obesity has clearly reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., and the healthcare costs associated with it now rival those attributable to smoking. These costs were estimated to be $92.6 billion in 2002–9.1% of all health care costs–and they continue to escalate rapidly. Comparable costs associated with smoking were estimated to be between 6.5% and 14.4% in 2002. The Centers for Disease Control have announced that obesity could become the nation’s leading cause of preventable deaths by 2005. According to a recent estimate, obesity accounts for approximately 280,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

This epidemic is not confined to adults but tragically is afflicting children as well. Childhood obesity increased from 5 percent in 1964 to 13 percent in 1994. Today, it is estimated to be about 20 percent–and rising.

Diseases for which obesity is a significant risk factor include: Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, cancer, gallstones, gout, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, pulmonary problems, reproductive problems in women, and depression. (more…)

Lose weight cycling is a fun and enjoyable way to improve your health and to make you feel better. Pedaling down a rural road or through a city park rouses your spirit and awakens your senses.

A regular routine to lose weight cycling can reduce the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity.

One of the most powerful arguments for encouraging more people to cycle is that it leads to considerable improvements in public health.

Cycling is also a good way to improve your balance and co-ordination. It enhances your general well-being and promotes mental health. Beyond the health benefits, it’s an enjoyable way to get around.

Getting on your cycling bike regularly can also be an effective form of aerobic exercise. Cycling can have positive effects on how we feel too.

Moderate exercise has been found to reduce levels of stress and depression, improve mood and raise self esteem. It has also been found, in some instances, to relieve symptoms of PMS. (more…)

Have you ever dreaded the idea of pulling weeds, planting a tree, or pushing a lawn mower around the yard? Does just thinking about it make you sweat? I am sure the majority of are nodding your heads in agreement.

What I am about to suggest only takes a slight change in your thinking and a bit of planning and you can learn how to lose weight and get in better shape while gardening this year. For those of you that are already gardeners, you know that gardening is one of the best ways to get exercise because it involves all of the muscle groups in your body.

Like I mentioned earlier, we only need to change the way you think about outside chores. See I am falling into the trap too, I just called them chores. Instead, you should think of them as outdoor exercises that are designed to enhance the condition of your body and help you lose weight.

As with any exercise program, check with your doctor before starting. Make sure you are dressed properly and that you stretch before beginning. If you aren’t used to exercising in the garden or have been relatively inactive all winter, start slowly. (more…)

Swimming is a terrific way to tone the body and get in shape with very little stress on the joints. This makes it the perfect exercise for any age; all you need is a swimsuit and to find a suitable time at the pool, many have designated adult swim times or family sessions. However, sometimes the prospect of getting in the pool, especially if you consider yourself less than accomplished, can be daunting. The following is my response to a question on how to start on a major weight loss target, and highlights my main mantra which is, “keep on showing up”.

“Let me take your points one by one. The first one about not swimming too well. That means you do swim a bit, and a bit is all you need to get this thing rolling. When I came back to swimming after 30 years off, I started easy, I did what I could because I knew that as time passed I’d get a little bit better and a little bit better until I was really getting somewhere. Now when I say easy, I mean easy, like 25 meters and then a rest, then another 25 meters and so on. Never push it past where it’s fun, and don’t put pressure on yourself, just wait, keep showing up at that pool and doing what you can, and soon what you can will be quite a bit. It’s the keeping on that’s the trick. Forget the “burn”, who needs to be in discomfort all the time, just keep on “doing what you can” and the consistency will win the day. It’s like water on stone, the outcome is never in doubt, and the little drip will go right through that stone. (more…)