Walking for Heath and Weight Loss

It is well known that taking a walk is the easiest, most accessible and body friendly way to boost your metabolism, lose weight and exercise. But new research from San Diego State University shows that you can dramatically improve your results simply by measuring your pace to ensure that you are taking at least 100 steps per minute.

Walking at a pace of at least 100 steps per minute gives your heart and lungs a workout, increasing your weight loss and overall fitness. Take a watch with a second hand on your walk and count how many steps you take in a minute. You are probably already walking faster than 100 steps a minute, but it’s helpful to know what it feels like, so if you find yourself spending too much time gazing at nature, you can remember to pick up the pace.

Remember that for optimum health, you need to walk 10,000 steps every day. This is easy to track, you just need a pedometer - they cost about $20 at Target - to track the steps you take.You will be surprised at how much walking you already do. Getting dressed, running errands, work and trips to the grocery store all count towards your daily goal of 10,000 steps. Add in a brisk walk at lunchtime or before dinner and you will be on the fast track to health and fitness.

Lose Weight With This Superfood

Are you looking for a healthy snack that is low in calories, can raise your metabolism, is full of healthy fiber and can work to lower your cholesterol? Pick up a pint of Strawberries.

Strawberries are a nutritional powerhouse. Every cup of strawberries is packed with 3 grams of fiber, more vitamin C than an orange and are rich in antioxidants that protect you from cancer, heart disease and diabetes. All of this goodness comes in a sweet, juicy and delicious berry that only contains about 6 calories each.

As a bonus, recent studies published in the medical journal, Metabolism show that people who ate 3 cups of strawberries daily lowered their LDL or bad cholesterol more than people who ate oat bran bread, improving the effectiveness and taste of cholesterol-lowering diets.

So by indulging in strawberries, you are getting a great tasting, high fiber, low calorie snack that can help you lose weight while protecting your heart. Eat up!

The Link Between Sleep and Metabolism

Are you getting enough sleep?

Amid economic concerns, job stress and family pressures, it’s no wonder that so many of us are among the sleep deprived. Studies have shown that we function best with nine hours of sleep, yet the average amount of sleep we actually get is around seven hours. Lack of sleep effects mental clarity, job performance and unfortunately, it causes us to gain weight by slowing our metabolism.

When you are sleep deprived, your body’s cortisol levels become elevated. Cortisol, the stress hormone, tends to increase your appetite. Because your body isn’t functioning at peak levels due to sleep deprivation, it doesn’t metabolize all of the extra food you eat, signaling your body to store the excess energy as fat. This results in increased chances of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and memory loss as your body ages.

So skip the bedtime snack and turn off the TV. You need to get some sleep!

Want A Metabolism Boost? Just Laugh!

Did you know that babies laugh about 300 times a day, but adults only laugh about  17 times a day?  Want a great reason to smile more? Laughing can help you lose weight!

It’s true, laughter not only boosts our mood and improves our outlook, it also gives our metabolism a lift. In fact, numerous studies have shown the healthy benefits of a good chuckle.

• “Laughter is like internal jogging. It increases your breathing, your body temperature, your metabolism, your heart rate, and your pulse” says Steven Sultanoff, Phd.
• According to the University of Maryland’s Michael Miller, “laughter is great aerobics: it provides a good workout for your midsection and your diaphragm, boosts your blood flow, and increases your body’s ability to use oxygen to burn off more calories”.
• Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D confirms, “laughter is an all over body workout; it massages your abdominal organs, improves intestinal functioning, and strengthens and tones your facial, respiratory, leg, and back muscles”.
• And finally, according to a study at Vanderbilt University, laughing boosts your metabolism by 20% and the effects are so profound that ten minutes of hearty laughter daily would burn an average of five pounds a year.

So go ahead and laugh! It does your body good!

Lose More Weight Fast

Got Milk?

If you are trying to lose weight, adding some dairy to your diet could help you get slimmer, faster.

Studies have shown that people who eat three to four servings of dairy a day lose 70% more fat than people who avoid dairy. Yogurt, cheese and milk are high in quality protein and the healthy fat that breaks down body fat and gives your metabolism a boost, enhancing it’s calorie burning power.

What’s more, dairy products are high in calcium. Researchers have found that diets high in calcium help people maintain a healthy weight. Don’t skip the yogurt and head for the supplements, though. The natural calcium found in foods is far more effective than calcium supplements for weight maintenance.

Exercise and Metabolism - What Time is Best?

Which is better for your metabolism -  to exercise in the morning or later in the afternoon?

Mornings are a good time to get up and get going. Exercising in the morning gives your metabolism a boost that lasts throughout the day, helping you to feel energized and healthy. So morning is a great time to exercise if you like running, walking or long bike rides.

The afternoon has its benefits, too. Your body is warmer, so your muscles are more flexible and ready to work hard. Building muscle mass increases your everyday metabolism for better overall results.  Plus, a stop at the gym on the way home from work helps you  leave the stresses of the day behind, so you arrive home happy and relaxed. Try yoga, toning and weight lifting in the afternoon and early evening.

But regardless of your workout, the best time to exercise is the time you can stick with. No exercise plan is a good one if you don’t have time for it!

Drink Up to Lose Weight

Drink More Water

We’ve all heard that we should drink plenty of water. The benefits are well known. Water removes toxins from your system by flushing out all the bad stuff, it keeps our muscles hydrated and supple and improves skin tone and elasticity. But did you know that water helps your body burn calories?  Even at low levels of dehydration, your metabolism slows down and uses fewer calories. Studies have shown that people who drink eight or more glasses of water every day burn far more calories than those who drank four or less glasses per day.

Water also helps you lose weight by controlling your hunger and filling you up. Try drinking a glass of water or iced tea 10 minutes before every meal or snack. You’ll eat less and consume fewer calories, both which will help your weight loss efforts.

Drink To Your Health!

Give Your Metabolism a Protein Boost

Eat More Protein

Are you looking for an easy way to boost your weight loss program? Did you know that eating protein raises  your metabolism and helps your body to burn twice as many calories as when you eat fat or carbohydrates?

To get the most metabolism boosting benefits, replace some of the starchy carbs on your plate - like rice, potatoes and bread with lean protein-rich foods like lean beef and pork, fish, chicken, soy and beans. Don’t forget about eggs and dairy products, particularly for breakfast and for a fast, healthy snack, try a handful of nuts. And don’t skip on the fruit and vegetables. The fiber and good carbs they contain will add fuel to your calorie burning machine!

Just by changing what’s on your pla

Lose Weight Fast with This Morning Ritual

If you’re a fan of the dark, rich stuff, you probably love the the boost of energy you feel after indulging in your favorite morning ritual. But did you know that the hot cup of Joe you wake up to does more than just get your motor running?

Coffee’s caffeine improves your concentration and helps you think more clearly. Coffee is also full of anti-oxidants that work hard to keep you healthy. But coffee’s best benefit may be for your waist line. Studies have shown that the caffeine in just two cups of coffee can boost your metabolism enough to burn an extra 50 calories every four hours. For the most calorie burning benefits, drink your coffee black. Cream, sugar and chocolate syrup all work against your weight loss goals.

Another cup, anyone?

Try Toning to Firm Up and Lose Weight

Are you a cardio junkie? Many women are - spending all their time at the gym on the Stairmaster or elliptical machines. While cardio is a great way to burn calories and stay fit, don’t skip the toning.

Adding a day of toning to your exercise routine is a great way to slim down, increase lean muscle mass and sculpt your body. What’s more, toning burns calories, increasing the effectiveness of your regular cardio workouts.

Toning helps you slim down because it increases your metabolism. When you add lean muscle, you’re adding more calorie burning power, making it easier to keep weight off. Toning also helps to rebuild bone mass, preventing osteoporosis and weakening bones as you age. Add in a boost to your immunity, more energy, lowered risk of injury and a great body image and the benefits of toning are hard to top.

So add a day or two of toning to your workouts. You’ll love your firm, sculpted body and the health benefits go far beyond skin deep.

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