Thursday, November 13, 2008

Examining the components of good weight loss aids

When I was a kid, I would always take old, broken clocks, radios and even toasters, and take them apart, pretending I was fixing these then-useless household items. I guess I was always curious about how things worked, and what parts contributed to the working whole. Lo and behold, that curiosity has stuck with me as an adult.

I often wonder what it is that distinguishes a great weight loss formula from mediocre ones, of which there are many. After years of personal testing, research and discussion, I've realized that it comes down to the basic ingredients used in each formula. This seems very elementary, but the vast majority of supplements on the market fail to impress.

A supplement called MiracleBurn, on the other hand, seems to pull away from the pack on numerous fronts, including the quality of the ingredients. The formula is supposed to contain well-regarded weight loss aids such as the appetite suppressant Hoodia Gordonii, as well as the proven, patented fat burner known as Advantra-Z.

And anyone that knows anything about weight loss supplementation knows these pack quite a punch.

Tasty ways to help out weight loss goals

It can be difficult to try to lose weight on our own steam, without the help of a supplement, a gym membership, a counselor and so on. While the requirements for most diet plans are pretty basic -- eat right, exercise and take a supplement -- it really does matter what kind of products and methods you choose to incorporate into your own regimen. That's why you should look critically at any new product that comes your way; this includes supplements and nutritional formulas.

There are also those diet beverages that claim to contain nutrients as well as weight loss aids such as Caffeine, Green Tea Extract and Guaranine, though these are stimulant-based and may cause adverse reactions for some. Nutritious beverages such as those sold by Monavie may look appealing, because these drinks are supposed to contain 19 different fruits, including Pomegranate, Blueberry, Cranberry and White Grape. However, there is a little problem: Each bottle costs $39!

Mind over matter for weight loss goals

What do you think of the idea that weight loss has more to do with our state of mind than anything we are trying to do physically? It's the old "mind over matter" debate, which has introduced all kinds of books, research and other resources to help us get a better understanding of how we are impeding our own success by being mentally weak.

At ICanMakeYouThin.com, we see the author Paul McKenna marketing a book of the same name that claims that losing weight is a battle of the mind. The author seems to suggest that we need to change the way we think about our weight loss goals, namely by believing that we can accomplish the goals.

While there may be something to this way of thinking, many of us who have tried everything to lose weight with little success will attest to the fact that it really isn't all about the mind. We can try hard to succeed, but if we are not reducing our caloric intake and burning fat, we will get nowhere.

Maybe a potent all-natural supplement is in order.

Nutritional formulas vs. weight-loss-specific supplements

Many Americans take some type of supplement to boost their overall health and wellness, or perhaps to promote weight loss, among other reasons. The typical person might take a multivitamin or another nutrient-rich formula, whether it is because a doctor recommended it or because he or she would like to be more health-conscious.

One of the more popular supplements to come around is Flax Seed Oil, which can be found in many forms but is commonly available in tablet and capsule form. This natural extract comes from the Flax Seed, which is supposed to be native to the Western Canadian prairies, and is rich in numerous nutrients.

It is a good source of B-vitamins as well as Omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered the "good" fats to protect heart health. However, while it certainly couldn't hurt to take a supplement like this, I don't see it doing anything meaningful for weight loss support; it doesn't suppress appetite or help burn fat.

Total lifestyle changes for weight loss

One of the biggest mistakes dieters can do on their journey to lose weight and keep it off is to overlook the importance of balance -- balance in their nutritional habits, in making sure to exercise regularly and taking the right kinds of natural supplements. There are many things you can do to ensure you're on top of this.

For instance, you could check out one of the many books, Web sites and other resources that hope to serve as a guide for the above needs. A book authored by Dr. Mercola, called the "Total Health Program," is advertised as one of the most comprehensive reads out there for weight loss and general health.

While it is great that the author chooses to cover so much ground with this book, many dieters may find that they are getting lost in the sea of information in which they are thrown into. The author makes a connection between obesity and disease, which makes sense, but I wish there was more practical advice.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Nutritional supplements are not weight loss formulas

There are companies that would like us to believe that using their nutritional supplements, diet beverages, etc. are the best ways to support our weight loss goals. While taking a multivitamin and/or a multimineral can help us stay healthy overall, they are not the ideal supplements for those who wish to lose weight over the long run and keep it off. In order to do so, we need to eat right, first and foremost. And then we need to exercise and take a supplement based on proven weight loss aids, such as appetite suppressants and thermogenics.

A supplement called Metabocel is on the market as a multipurpose formula for those who wish to lose weight. The product is supposed to be based on such nutrients as Chromium, Pectin, Iodine and Zinc. While these are certainly important nutrients for ensuring our everyday health, I am not confident that this is the best you can do. While Chromium, for instance, can help regulate blood sugar levels, I would like to see appetite suppressants like Hoodia included in my supplement.

Cholesterol as it relates to weight loss issues

While there is a correlation between high cholesterol levels and obesity, they do not necessarily go hand in hand. For instance, someone that has high cholesterol problems may not necessarily be overweight; on the other hand, someone that is overweight may not really have high cholesterol problems. Both are signs of poor health and wellness, but that does not mean that one supplement or product can address both issues. Still, there are products out there that claim to do so.

A supplement known as Lipoxinol is on the market as a potent, multipurpose formula for those who wish to lower their bad cholesterol levels while promoting weight loss. The formula is supposed to be based on such natural ingredients as Green Tea, Caffeine, Guggulsterones, Bioperine and Kelp. Some of these ingredients can be found in many of the mainstream weight loss formulas on the market today, which may not really be a great sign. You want to see higher-quality ingredients, such as Hoodia and Advantra-Z.