Rhonda
This user hasn't shared any biographical information
Posts by Rhonda
Simple Slim
Jul 11th
Simple Slim
Spring is right around the corner and retailers have already begun stocking their floors with warm-weather goods — including swimsuits. Besides looking great on the beach, commonsense tells us that one of the best things you can do for your overall health is to drop a few pounds. Or maybe more than a few pounds.
Being overweight significantly increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer … the list seems almost endless. Plus, if you do get sick or need surgery, being overweight can make any treatments riskier.
You know the drill when it comes to losing weight — take in fewer calories, burn more calories. But you also know that most diets and quick weight-loss plans have about as much substance as a politician’s campaign pledges. You’re better off finding several simple things you can do on a daily basis — along with following the cardinal rules of eating more vegetables and less fat and getting more physical activity. Together, they should send the scale numbers in the right direction: down.
1. Once a week, indulge in a high-calorie-tasting, but low-calorie, treat. This should help keep you from feeling deprived and binging on higher-calorie foods. For instance:
- Lobster. Just 83 calories in 3 ounces.
- Shrimp. Just 60 calories in 12 large.
- Smoked salmon. Just 66 calories in two ounces. Sprinkle with capers for an even more elegant treat.
- Whipped cream. Just 8 calories in one tablespoon. Drop a dollop over a bowl of fresh fruit for dessert.2. Treat high-calorie foods as jewels in the crown. Make a spoonful of ice cream the jewel and a bowl of fruit the crown. Cut down on the chips by pairing each bite with lots of chunky, filling fresh salsa, suggests Jeff Novick, director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Florida. Balance a little cheese with a lot of salad.
- More >
ABC's of Slim
Feb 1st
Ready to ditch some pounds? Start with the right vocabulary
by: Amy Paturel
A is for Alcohol
You booze, you lose: A daily serving of hooch may be better for keeping off weight than abstaining. Alcohol may increase leptin, a hormone that curbs your appetite for sweets. To get the perks with minimal calories, order a glass of sauvignon blanc (119 calories per 5 ounces). See WH’s Top Wine Recommendations.
B is for Buddies
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine compared solo dieters to teams of dieters. After 10 months, the latter were likelier to have maintained their loss (66 percent versus 24 percent). Find a bud 24/7 at weightlossbuddy.com.
C is for Cortisol
Your adrenal glands secrete this stress hormone to help you handle threats, but too much can be bad news. Last year, researchers at the University of Leeds in the U.K. linked high levels of cortisol to increased snacking on junk food. Spend the cash you’d pay for a big dinner on a stress-reducing massage. And take a bite out of WH’s Stress-Reducing Foods.
D is for Density
A yearlong study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found women eating water-rich foods low in calories but high in nutrients (like veggies) as part of a low-fat diet lost more weight than those who only cut back on fat. They were less hungry than the low-fat-only bunch, too, most likely because they ate 25 percent more food by weight. Go for grub with an energy density (calories per serving ÷ weight in grams of serving) of 2 or less. Or snag ideas from Barbara Rolls’ The Volumetrics Eating Plan, which lists the energy densities of dozens of foods. Get mouth-watering, easy vegetable recipes from WH’s Recipes Page.
More >
Quick workout for Moms
Jan 27th
For women with babies or small kids, finding time to exercise can be challenging. With the sleep-deprivation factor, minimal personal time, and the priority changes that babies and small children bring—are there any fitness options for busy moms? The fact is, the more you take of yourself, the better you will feel…and thus the stronger you will be both physically and emotionally to face the day with the “little ones,” as well as deal with all of life’s challenges.
Mini-circuit training routine
This short mini-circuit is the perfect daily routine to help you burn a few extra calories and tighten up some common problem areas (i.e. the hips, thighs, buns, upper body and abdomen). It moves from one exercise to the next without a break in-between each exercise. The goal with this type of routine is to keep your heart rate elevated, which helps burn more calories and tones the whole body.
The busy mom routine consists of 4 exercises
More >
Caffeine and Weight Loss
Jan 13th
Should You Skip the Gym and Head to the Local Coffee Shop?
Caffeine and Weight Loss
Is it really dangerous to rely on caffeine or other stimulants to aid weight loss? For most people, there is probably nothing wrong with having a cup of coffee in the morning, but you shouldn’t be relying on coffee or increasing your caffeine consumption under the misguided impression that it will help you lose weight.
The Truth about Caffeine
Caffeine can speed up your body in many ways. If caffeine keeps you awake and allows you to skip an afternoon nap and you exercise instead, then, of course, you might end up losing weight. Relying on caffeine, however, to help you make it through each day and to lose weight is unhealthy.
You May Not Realize How Much You’re Getting
Many people are surprised when they find out just how much caffeine is in the foods that they consume. Most of us know that dark-colored colas contain caffeine. What many of us don’t know is that some light-colored or orange sodas actually contain caffeine as well.
Even decaffeinated coffee and decaf tea still contain some caffeine. And chocolate is another source of caffeine. That’s right — all those bite-sized chocolate candies you eat contain caffeine.
Too Much Can Hurt You
Too much caffeine is harmful to the human body. There is some evidence to indicate that caffeine fuels the growth of cancerous cells. Caffeine also accelerates heart rate.
Caffeine has been shown to have a minimal effect on weight loss but only in individuals who exercise and also follow a low-fat diet. So if you are a couch potato and haven’t made efforts to improve your diet, you probably won’t receive any of the limited weight loss benefits caffeine may offer.
Many experts feel there is no need to give up your morning cup of coffee if you enjoy it, but don’t go crazy and drink coffee and iced coffee all day long under the mistaken impression you are going to lose weight. Caffeine may be fine in moderation, but it is definitely not a legitimate substitute for proper diet and exercise.
Safe Fat Burners
Jan 5th
Unwanted fat is something that every one of us wants to get rid of. There are several methods to burn calories. But the million-dollar question is how it can be flushed out safely. Proper food selection is the safest way for weight loss.
Following is the list of the foods that are capable of burning calories, fast and quick.
Soybeans:
Soybeans contain lecithin that acts as a fat emulsifier. It also breaks down fat deposits in the body. Consumption of soybeans at least thrice a week prevents collection of fat to a large extent.
Fruits:
-Fruits such as, apple, fig, blackberries, pear, banana are packed with fibers. These fill up stomach quickly making you fill full earlier. So these prevent more eating.
-Fruits such as, lemon, lime, grapefruit, guava are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is capable of diluting fat. Thus intake of these fruits makes it easier to flush out calories from the body.
Chillies:
Red chillies contain capsaicin that helps in speeding up metabolic rate. Thus chillies are considered to be an important weight loss food.
Dairy products:
Calcium present in some diary products such as, milk, yogurt, and cheese is very good for losing weight.
Water:
It is recommended to drink lots of water for the purpose of weight loss, as body can’t work properly without being hydrated.
Green tea:
Green tea is considered as an excellent supplement for weight loss.
There is no need of any fancy methods to lose weight. Just with some simple physical activities like running, swimming, jogging etc. and proper food selection, you can achieve your desired figure.