5 Weight Loss Drinks That Can Help You Lose Weight

1. Ice cold water

Not only should you drink water to keep hydrated, but it has been proven that drinking ice cold water can burn more calories than drinking room temperature water alone. Drinking ice cold water causes your body to burn up to an extra 100 calories per day. It is estimated that drinking ice cold water could help you lose up to 10 lbs a year.

Drinking water can also make you lose weight in a few other ways. Drinking water before food can fill you up so you eat less food. Water is one of the cheapest weight loss drinks there is, so you should drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

Have you ever been sitting around and you can hear your stomach rumbling? You think you're a little hungry so you go and eat a snack? Well if you drink water you can curb this feeling. As often you are not hungry but dehydrated.

Another great benefit of drinking ice water is that the more water you drink the less water your body will hold, therefor making you look leaner and less bloated.

2. Diet drinks

Now I'm not saying to go out and drink diet sodas if you don't drink full sugared drinks. But if you do tend to drink cola or sugary drinks then switching to diet drinks will save you hundred of calories a day. Of course if you don't drink them then you are probably better off. In my experience when I'm dieting I like to have a glass of diet fizzy pop now and again because it makes me feel like I'm getting something sugary when in fact I'm not.

3. Green tea

People have used green tea for years. Green tea is said to contain anti oxidants that flush out all the bad toxins in your body. From a weight loss perspective green tea is said to speed up the bodies metabolism and drinking a few cups a day could cause your body to burn up to 35% more calories. Now I don't believe this number to be true, 35% seems like a lot, and like many dieting claims I would take this number with a pinch of salt.

However there have been many studies carried out on green tea and many of them have reported that it does in fact boost your metabolism which will help to burn more calories. If you're looking for a weight loss drink that has health benefits and causes you to lose weight then I would recommend trying green tea, myself however I'm not a fan of it. It is not to my taste and I haven't seen any weight loss effects when I have taken it in the past.

4. Whey Protein

Taking whey protein alone will not help you lose weight, it will keep you feeling fuller for longer and it will also aid you in keeping as much muscle as possible when dieting. This should be an aim for everyone when dieting, quite often I find people who diet don't know what they are doing and end up losing fat and muscle. This leads them to not be happy with the end result because they simply end up skinny fat.

If you're tracking your calories, then adding whey protein to your diet is a great way of getting in enough protein without having to break the bank. Whey protein is cheaper than the food equivalent. I do recommend getting a good branded protein so that you are actually getting the protein amounts advertised on the packaging.

5. Coffee

Coffee is a great drink to lose weight as it suppresses your hunger and increases your metabolism. It will also provide you with enough energy to get through your hard workouts. Drinking too much coffee will cause you to be depend on it and will cause some nasty side effects. Personally I hate coffee, have never liked the smell or taste. I also believe it not to be healthy and anything that can speed up the rate in which your heart beats is not worth it to me.

Conclusion

There are some great drinks out there which can help you lose weight, but in my opinion the best way to lose weight is to make some lifestyle changes. If you liked this article and want more fat loss tips then click here to download your free 50 fat loss tips to make you thin book.

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By Michael Smalling

Eating Healthy on the Run Can Be Easy

Eating on the go is a reality for busy families and professionals. This doesn't mean you have to throw caution to the wind and eat junk food. Maintaining a healthy diet is just as important as keeping up with your busy schedule. Stress can really affect the health of your body and mind. By eating a balanced and healthy diet you can reduce your stress levels and improve your health. The following tips are a good starting point to remind you eating healthy on the run doesn't need to be difficult.

 

Restaurants

Be smart. Restaurants can be a big temptation to over eat. Many have large menus and large portions. Splurging from time to time is okay, but don't make it a habit. Many restaurants feature a low calorie section on their menus. This is your best bet to getting a smaller portion and keeping that calorie count low. Additionally, many restaurants are now offering organic and natural options. When possible take advantage of these healthy alternatives.

 

Airports

Airports can be an easy place to stray off the healthy path. Boredom, long wait times, and stress can make even the dedicated health food nut succumb to temptation. Remember, you can always find a healthy snack even in sea of junk food. Great Wraps offers customized sandwiches with many fresh low fat ingredients. If you happen to be at the Atlanta airport, Proof of the Pudding has low fat and sodium "super foods" that are always a great way to stay on track.

 

In your car

Eating on the road can be a challenge, but if you disciplined and make a plan you are sure to stay on track. First, make sure to plan a head when possible. Make sure to pack meals or snacks the day before. A thermos is great for keeping food either hot or cold. Bring plenty of healthy snacks such as carrot sticks, apple slices or nuts. Second, make a schedule and tick to it. If you eat lunch at noon each day, plan to have a meal. Don't just delay eating until you have time. This can get your internal clock all out of whack and can lead to over eating. Also, make sure to stop to eat, if at all possible. This will give you a chance to relax and refresh. In addition, this is also a great time to stretch or walk, which can help you to feel more alert especially for long drives. Third, make informed decisions, if you stop at a drive through. "Eat this, not that" is a great book full of simple food swaps that can help you to make better decisions when eating fast food. In addition there are many apps the you can download to your phone to take out the guess work.

 

Make sure to always be conscious of the foods you choose while on the go. Being healthy is not always easy, but remember you can always bring a healthy meal or snack with you. Once you master making the right choices, eating healthy on the go will become easy.

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By Josh Mantz

7 Ideas On How To Get Help For Depression

Depression affects approximately 120 million of people around the world. It can affect you no matter what gender, age or ethnicity you belong to. So you are not alone.

Have you felt so depressed or even a mild experience has caused you to be moody or sad? Depression has become a world health problem and although really complex there are a lot of solutions. Are you feeling exhausted and lethargic because of depression, then the first thing you have to do is to talk about it? This is the one way that you can get help for yourself. You are not the only person who may be feeling this way because it is a common problem. You may be surprised to know that some of your closet friends are suffering silently from this menace.

We have always used the word 'depression' for a lot of situations from mildly depressed persons to even those people who are contemplating suicide. This has become the reason why a lot of emphasis has been placed in ensuring that sufferers get help quickly.

Overcoming depression may not be easy or quick but it is something that can be achieved. You should realize that you do have power over the feeling of hopelessness, no matter how stubborn or severe those feelings might be. The first thing that you need to understand is that you can start from anywhere.

We know that feeling better may take you some time, but do not be worried because you can win this battle if you make those positive choices every day.

The road to getting out of depression

Action is required when you want to get out of depression. The fact is that it isn't easy to take action in that despondent state. So, what do you do?

 You have to push yourself out of that inactive situation by doing some of those of things that may be difficult for you to do in that instance. It may be going out with friends or taking a walk.

You should stay focused and start small

It is important that you begin with the small goals when getting out of depression. There is no need to rush. You should build slowly and get the result you need from what you are slowly doing. There is no need forcing yourself because if you feel overwhelmed you may slip back into a depressed state of mind. You should learn to take things one at a time and reward yourself for every accomplishment.

You should cultivate good and supportive friendships

Understand that you are not alone. No! You are never an island, which is the reason why you should cultivate supportive friendships. It may be hard tackling this problem alone, which can be the more is why you should gather people around you who would support you. Isolation is the breeding ground of depression and you must run from it. You should stay close to friends and family members who are supportive.

Stay away from negative thoughts

The negative thoughts are the engine house of depression. It has been understood that negative thoughts are what gives this condition the edge. This is the reason why sufferers are always told to remove yourself from the situation and surround yourself with supportive people. Negative thoughts are what would drive down the morale of those who are suffering.

Take good care of yourself

There is a need for you to take care of yourself when you are depressed. Taking care of yourself includes leading a healthy lifestyle, setting your limits, having a bit of fun if possible, managing the stress and doing a lot of the suggestions below;

1) Good sleep

Sleep is very important and it is recommended that you take up to eight hours of sleep. When you have a healthy sleep pattern, it is easier for you to have an excellent lifestyle that would keep depression at bay.

2) Bask In the sun

It is not only during vacation that you can bask in the sun, it has been known that lack of sunlight can make people more depressed. You should move around, take some walks or just sit in the sun in your back yard or a park.

3) Manage your stress level

This is very important and this is the main reason why you should learn to stay away from anything that would make you stressful. If you can identify your stressors, it would be easier not put yourself in a situation that will trigger the symptoms of stress.

4) Practice Relaxation Skills

You should learn how to practice relaxation. Yoga is a great way of getting relief from depression.

5) Get Enough Exercise

Exercise is what can give you power over depression. This is one alternative to antidepressant medication that has become very effective in handling any type of depression.

6) Eat a mood-boosting diet

Food can help you get out of depression. We are not just talking about any food, but some mood boasting diets that would give you the edge you need. You can reduce those meals that can affect your mood like trans-fats or caffeine and also cut down on sugar and even refined carbs.

7) Seek Medical Advice & Expertise

Most importantly, you should always seek medical support and expertise. Your doctor is the best person to help you to take the first step in combating this condition. Your stress may be related to an un-diagnosed medical condition that is creating the imbalance in your life. Your doctor may have to develop an overall care plan and take a holistic approach to your treatment.

These are a few of the things that can help you stand out as a survivor of depression. There are many more tips that can help you and some of these include alternatives to medication. You should however only implement these after consultation with your health care professional.

In conclusion, we have seen a lot of people struggle to control their lives because of this condition and this is why this information is very vital to aid you. It is not going to cost you a lot to stay away from depression and sometimes it just does not cost you a cent to live a healthy and more fulfilling life.

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By Victor N Webb

How To Lose Weight Without Doing All The Cooking

Losing weight is without doubt one of the most challenging things you can choose to do. This is because apart from being committed and dedicated to shedding off the extra pounds, you need to be very careful about your food selection and how you prepare the food to the food portions that you eat. This is a task that can be very daunting, especially if you have a busy working schedule that you just can't alter.

Luckily, regardless of how busy you could be, there are now possibilities of enjoying healthy, balanced and delicious meals that will help you lose weight even without you stepping into the kitchen or the grocery stores for your shopping. Talented dieticians and gourmet chefs are now offering prepared meals delivered right at your doorstep to help you with your weight loss program. These meals are balanced well portioned and healthy to maximize your weight loss. The food programs are usually put together by medical doctors who are specialized in weight management

By signing up for such programs, you can be sure to enjoy weight reduction program meals that are highly nutritious and contain all the right levels of vitamins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, minerals and amino acids. You will enjoy mouthwatering dishes and at the same time lose weight without having to bear all the work of choosing your ingredients and cooking. These kind of weight loss programs are most ideal for those who have started a weight loss program, but have no spare time to cook, those that have no idea of how to prepare healthy meals for their weight diets and those who have no idea what to eat and what not to eat. If you are not sure about the most ideal diet plan for your weight loss, you will also find these programs very helpful.

The Advantages

The weight loss programs offer you the chance to enjoy good food quality and taste considering that your diet is prepared by professionals. You can now eat without worrying about the number of calories you are taking in because everything has been taken care of by the professionals on your behalf.

With such a program in place, you will have a wide selection of meals to choose from to make your weight loss dieting most enjoyable. One of the reasons why most people relapse to bad foods is because they take the same meals over and over that they become boring exposing them to cravings. With the possibilities of playing around with your meals when in a program, you keep unhealthy eating habits suppressed.

The weight loss programs require very minimal lifestyle changes. You can go on with your normal schedule and still manage to eat healthy to aid weight loss.

The meals are nutritionally balanced and come ready in that you will only require heating and eating. They offer the same convenience of fast foods but with the advantage of having your meals well balanced to suit your weight loss objectives.

The bistro MD diet program is one of the most convenient you can choose for your weight loss program. It takes the worry and effort off your shoulder and at the same time keeps the meals delicious and most enjoyable.

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By Jovia D'Souza

Best Weight Loss Diet Review - The Atkins Diet Assessment

The diet that people call the 'fry-up diet', The Atkins diet involves limited consumption of carbohydrates to switch the body's metabolism from metabolizing glucose as energy over to converting stored body fat to energy a process known as ketosis. In the two week introduction, food is very limited but you'll find yourself eating many foods the traditional dieter would die for like meat, eggs and cheese. So if you are a meat lover this is the diet for you. You can even cook with butter, put mayonnaise and on your salads (limited to loose leafy and 2-3 cups per day). You cannot eat any fruit and only quarter of a cup a certain cooked vegetables.

The diet does allow for adding fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods after the two-week induction period. However, even when some carbohydrates are introduced back into your diet you'll find yourself being forbidden from eating foods like pasta, white bread and cakes for life.

Then, over time, the transition from weight loss to weight maintenance is made by gradually increasing carbohydrates so long as gradual weight loss is maintained.

Exercise in all phases as part of a healthy lifestyle is now emphasized more than when the diet was first introduced.

Allowed Foods are as following:-

Meat, Poultry & Shellfish

Any meat including beef, lamb, pork, bacon; a juicy steak is a popular favorite! All poultry including chicken, turkey, goose and duck. If you fancy you can even eat pheasant, quail, ostrich or emu! All fish can be eaten in abundance. Any unprocessed shellfish can be eaten including crab, lobster, squid, oyster, clams, prawn and shrimps.

Vegetables

Many vegetables are allowed on the Atkins Diet. In fact, just about any vegetable you might wish to eat is permitted, with the exception of corn, potatoes, green peas, and other sweet or starchy vegetables. Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution divides allowable vegetables into two groups: salad vegetables and other vegetables.

Fats

The beauty of this diet to me is that most fats are allowed! Yes you read that correctly. Cold-pressed vegetable oils are preferred, and it is important to include some source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as linseed oil or salmon. Butter is allowed but margarine is not. Olive oil, nut oils, seed oils, and vegetable oils are allowed. You may also include in cooking, any fat that is part of your meat. Happy Days!

Dairy

Most dairy products are permitted on the Atkins Diet with the exception of milk and yoghurts. In fact, it is recommended that you actually choose those that are full-fat and as low in carbohydrate as possible! Wow... that mean full fat cheeses are allowed whether hard or soft and diet cheese, spreads not be eaten. However, happily, all cream including cheese and butter may be eaten. Cheese: full-fat cow, goat, or sheep's milk cheeses, as well as soy cheese, are permitted, and it doesn't even matter if they are hard or soft cheeses. No diet cheese, cheese spread, processed cheese food, or whey cheese is allowed. Shame, hey I thought not.

Other permitted dairy: Heavy cream, light cream, sour cream, cream cheese, and butter are allowed. It actually encourages you to avoid fat-free or reduced fat options!

Condiments and Spices

It surprised me to learn that it is important to be careful when choosing condiments whilst on the Atkins plan. Sugar in any form is expressly forbidden, and most people are surprised to learn how many of their favorite condiments, dressings, and spice blends contain some form of sugar. For this reason, most salad dressings are not permissible unless you can find sugar and starch free options.

My take on this is you can easily make your own sauces and dressings that tasty without the use of sugar.

Drinks

You can drink almost any beverage whilst on the Atkins program. However, there are three taboos that must be adhered to and these are sugar in any form, caffeine, and fruit juice. You cannot have milk in your tea and coffee with weirdly, you can have cream!

Sweeteners

Any artificial, non-sugar sweetener is permitted on the Atkins food list. If you prefer a natural sweetener, you may use Stevia-- an intensely sweet herb that is available in most health food and grocery stores. Basically, all natural sugars including honey are prohibited. Now this where I would find the Atkins diet difficult; this would excludes cakes, biscuits, chocolate.

Conclusion

I adore meat, salad and other vegetables but I also love bread and chips. I just cannot imagine living for the rest of my life without eating another sandwich or piece of toast let alone never having another doughnut or cake. It would be possible for me to actually enjoy this diet for a short period whilst I lost weight but as for a life long diet... maybe it's not for me. How about you?

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By Claire Liebig-Denham

Quick Weight-Loss

I LOST 13 POUNDS IN 5 WEEKS, ALMOST BY ACCIDENT!

From 26 January 2013 to 27 Feb 2013, I dropped a dress size and now fit into a brand new bikini, size: SMALL!

Want to know how I did it?! Let me tell you:

There is a plethora of information out there on how to lose weight quickly, dieting and exercise. I've gone through a whole bunch of tips and tricks and ended up picking the following two, which worked wonders:

1. DIETING - What and how to eat for quick weight-loss

The information I came across (in laymen's terms):

a. Your body is most likely programmed to store carbohydrates (starches) as fat, making you pack on the pounds every time you eat.

b. If you cut out starches for 4 weeks, and stick to proteins and most veggies (not the starchy one's: potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, corn), you reset your body's programming.

c. After the 4 weeks, your body will use carbohydrates to build muscle instead, making a lean, mean You!

How I applied it:

a. I had Oats for breakfast (not instant oats, the good old normal oats you need to make on the stove), with honey and cinnamon.

b. For lunch most days I made salad with whatever I could find in the fridge (tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, feta cheese, an apple, tuna, etc).

c. For dinner I had a protein (chicken or fish mostly, just because I've never been too fond of red meat, but you can have any meat) with steamed mixed veggies. I even had the odd carrot, baby corn or peas with the mixed veggies, but as it was moderate I didn't fuss about it too much.

d. During the day I snacked continuously, not too bothered by counting what I'm having, on different kinds of proteins (eggs - boiled or scrambled, nuts, yogurt, cheese, etc).

e. I cut out soda pops, and fruit juices - which are filled with sugars - and cut down on coffee and tea. I mostly stuck to good old H2O - water!

f. One day a week I carbo-loaded. I had pasta, or potatoes, or bread, or aaaaanything else I felt like. This was in order to fool my body into thinking there is ample supply of starches, otherwise it thinks it has to go into storage mode to keep me from dying of hunger.

2. EXERCISE - How to make the MOST of your training time for quick weight-loss

The information I came across (in laymen's terms):

a. Training in the right heart rate zone has a huge effect on your goal for exercising.

b. If you train in the zone of between 60% and 75% of your maximum heart rate, your body goes to stored fat (the one's packed around your thighs and stomach!) and uses this for fuel.

c. If you train a bit harder and work up a proper sweat, your body needs more fuel, faster, and will go get it from what's available in your blood stream (all the carbohydrates you ate in the preceding 48 hours will be readily available there).

d. Thus, what you ate in the past two days will not be stored and won't add to your bulges, but the bulges you already have will mostly likely stay the same.

How I applied it:

a. I cycled (in the gym) at the desired heart rate (60% - 75% of my max) whenever I could. Sometimes once a week, other times I managed 3 times a week.

b. Having to stay in this training zone felt like I was sitting on my sofa having a relaxing time - which feels silly in the gym where people walk around and look at you with strange facial expressions! I'm sure they thought I was wasting my time! I ended up following Facebook or Twitter on my mobile while cycling, just so that I didn't have to see them looking at me!

c. But 5 weeks down the road I'm smiling and they're still sweating and struggling.

How to calculate your heart rate zones

a. Take 220, and subtract your age (in my case 220 - 33 = 187). This is 100%, your maximum heart rate!

b. Now, take this number, and multiply it by 60% and then by 75% (in my case,112 and 140). This is the most optimum training zone for quick weight-loss! Easy peasy!

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By Monica Delport