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.

Supplements that are affordable may be questionable

You might be tempted to save a few extra bucks by buying the weight loss supplements marketed in the bargain aisle of online and local retailers, but before you do so consider the pros and cons of doing so. The pro obviously is that you get to save some money while being able to use a dietary supplement. The con, however, is that you run the risk of using a low-quality formula -- one that may contain allergens and questionable ingredients.

An ingredient called Laminaria Extract can be found in supplements that are advertised as bargain buys. The formula is supposed to help address women's health and wellness issues, and it does not appear to be geared towards both sexes, let alone weight loss needs. The product is apparently priced at around $30 for one month, which is affordable compared to most supplements out there. However, you get what you pay for, and in this case that might not be the highest-quality product.

Testing dietary formulas before buying them

It used to be a luxury to be able to try a dietary supplement before buying it, but today there seem to be more companies making such offers. That's not to say, however, that there is an abundance of products backed by free sample offers out there, but you can find some high-quality weight loss supplements from reputable companies if you know where to look -- and what to look for.

A good supplement should contain an appetite suppressant such as Hoodia as well as a potent fat burner like Advantra-Z. A supplement called Hot Rox Extreme is on the market as capable of doing both -- suppressing appetite and burning fat -- but I'm not sure the formula is equipped to do this. The most prominent ingredient appears to be Caffeine, which is not a great sign. Also, the lack of a free sample offer is concerning, especially for those who are risk-adverse.

How to reduce your caloric intake with ease

Okay, so nothing as far as weight loss is concerned comes easy; that much is certain. Even though there are companies out there marketing dietary supplements, fitness plans, topical products and other items to try to get us to bite, we should all know that successful weight loss will take some effort on our part. We need to eat right, exercise somewhat regularly and take some type of natural supplement to improve our chances of succeeding.

But what about for those of us who have a particularly hard time curbing our appetite? We might do well for a few days, but sooner or later we are bound to break loose and eat to our heart's delight. Well, you can be stuck in the same cycle forever, or you can take a natural supplement based on a proven appetite suppressant called Hoodia Gordonii. Hoodia can help reduce your caloric intake by sending signals to the brain that your body feels full, even when nothing has actually been eaten.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Help: My hunger is out of control!

It is nothing to be ashamed of to have an uncontrollable appetite, especially these days where restaurants and others in the food industry are promoting all kinds of tasty food options. It really is hard to resist eating that burger or slice of pizza you're craving at lunchtime, though you would do better by opting for healthier alternatives. That is the problem many dieters are facing: They know they should be reducing their caloric intake, and they want to, but they can't seem to suppress their hunger.

That's why a supplement based on proven appetite suppressants such as Hoodia Gordonii Extract are so useful. A supplement like Hoodia P57 is said to be even greater because it contains 20 times the potency of the Hoodia typically seen in comparable products. Hoodia, of course, is a nice choice because it contains a molecule called P57, which signals to the brain that the body feels full -- even when little or nothing has actually been eaten. Hoodia has long been used by tribesmen in southern Africa to keep hunger in check, so you know it is not a gimmick.

Can I really eat whatever I want and still lose weight?

I am pretty certain that most weight loss experts are inundated with questions about whether they can reach their weight loss goals while maintaining poor eating habits. This is said, but it's true that most of us are always looking for the easy way out. This is no way to approach long-term weight loss plans, especially if you are serious about slimming down and getting healthier. You may be able to achieve quick weight loss with some of the fad products out there, but all that weight is likely to come back sooner than later. Weight loss is a lifestyle change, not an overnight formula.

A product called the Alli Diet Pill seems to be marketed towards dieters who wish to lose weight by blocking the absorption of dietary fats from their food. The company says that the formula can prevent the absorption of up to 25 percent of all consumed fats, which sounds great. After all, this theoretically means we could skip the salad at lunchtime and go for the greasy burger we're really craving -- all without feeling guilty. However, this type of mentality is dangerous, because you might be tempted to eat whatever you want, whenever you want. Besides, this type of supplement has not been proven in studies to work in the long run.

To go with the muscles or the fat-burning properties?

It's a tough decision to make: whether to pursue a program to simply burn off body fat and slim down, or to go for the comprehensive, total-body approach to also increase muscle mass and strength. I suppose the latter is more desirable, considering we all want fast results, but this may not be the best move. That's because weight loss and muscle development are, to a certain extent, mutually exclusive. That is, you need to focus on one approach to lose the fat, and then switch gears to promote the retention and development of lean muscle mass.

But a product called Calotren is advertised as a potent formula for increasing muscle development quickly, as if this is all you needed to reach your weight loss goals. The formula actually seems to be more suited for anti-aging support, with ingredients such as Collagen and Aloe Vera, two of the more common skin care agents on the market (Collagen is believed to be superior for that purpose). I would much rather go with a weight loss formula that helps suppress my appetite and increases my metabolism, two things that can help me directly with my weight loss goals.

Scare tactics to promote weight loss

Millions of Americans go on diets every year, but the problem is that millions more come off the diets sooner than they would like to. This is typically because of a lack of structure, focus and dedication, but it is also because many dieters are in the dark about what it is they need to do to reach their goals. For instance, not many dieters are doing the three essential things necessary for long-term weight loss: proper nutrition, exercise and natural supplementation to help reinforce the effects of the dieting and fitness components.

Dr. Mercola has a diet program out that claims to offer comprehensive support for dieters who wish to not only shed the pounds, but keep them off. The program is supposed to include tips on how to make your weight loss goals a lifestyle change, as opposed to fad diets that most dieters are dabbling with. The book says that there is a strong relationship between obesity and disease, which indicates to me that the author is using scare tactics. This might not be a horrible approach, but I would appreciate some more practical advice to point me in the right direction.

Buckle up to achieve the abs you've always wanted

A good fitness regimen will include both strength training and cardiovascular exercise, especially if you want to build muscle mass and strength while burning off body fat. I feel that many dieters and fitness buffs may be under the misconception that they can achieve rock-hard abs (the six-pack) just by doing crunches, sit-ups and other abdominal exercises; this is not true. You need to burn off the layer of fat on top of the muscles by running, cycling, swimming or a similar type of workout that gets your heart pumping. Of course, there are things you could do on the side as well.

For instance, reports indicate that many male and female dieters were able to reach their fitness goals faster by using products such as the FlexBelt. This is an ab-toning belt that targets hard-to-reach muscles such as the lower abs and the obliques, with the Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology. It has apparently been approved by the FDA to be sold directly to consumers, even though it is considered a high-tech fitness product. While you shouldn't depend on it exclusively to meet your exercise needs, it could certainly be a viable complementary option.