An excellent way to start is to measure the amount of calories that you are eating in a single day. Begin when you wake up in the morning and just live out your day without making any special considerations. I want you to make a real effort to eat exactly the same as you would normally eat on any other ordinary day without changing anything, and take down a record of precisely what you put in your mouth plus the quantities that you consume. You’ll agree that this assignment requires a lot of seriousness on the part of the dieter. It is extremely important that you remind yourself of your decision to improve your health while losing weight, and to follow a level-headed weight loss system.

This type of system will end up being a lot more beneficial as time goes by than some new instant-gratification diet program or weight loss supplement. The fact is, the entire exercise will take no longer than 10-15 minutes out of your day, even for the many long-lasting benefits that it will extend. When it is time to hit the hay, take a moment to count up the total amount of calories, carbohydrate, protein, and fat that you consumed as the day went on. It is necessary to as precise as it is possible for you to be so that you will have a reliable picture of where you are starting out from and which characteristics of your present eating habits will end up being the most useful targets to work on.

Next, there are a few natural, easy actions that you need to follow if you are to diminish the number of calories that you are putting into yourself in an average day in order to initiate weight loss.

The tactic you can employ will be to actually raise the number of grams of protein that you consume in an average day. Scientific studies have demonstrated that increasing your daily protein levels in your diet without changing anything else frequently results in significant weight loss, due to the fact that proteins are a lot more filling than other foods. As you increase the amount of protein you are eating, try slowly lessening the amount of other carbohydrates that you are eating. Clinical studies have demonstrated that sugar can actually increase your appetite. It is a common experience that you usually eat a larger serving of food if you have a glass of soda pop along with your lunch.

In addition to making these changes in your diet, you will also want to increase your body’s ability to burn fat by gaining new lean muscle mass. This is done through weight training. Weight training can be extremely enjoyable due to the fact that you don’t have to do it every day and the benefits can be seen and felt pretty quickly. The best weight training technique is to do nice, slow exercises just a few times until your muscles are unable to continue. Load up on protein, and especially glutamine immediately after you finish working out to get the best recovery times.

Cardiovascular exercises have not been shown to be effective in promoting weight loss. The reason for this is that you are not actually burning as many calories as you would expect to burn doing these exercises. Additionally, cardio tends to reduce your blood sugar levels, quickly increasing your appetite and making you likely to eat more food than you otherwise would have. Because of this, doing cardio is not recommended unless you just really happen to enjoy it.

after just 7 days of following this plan, you will typically have lost a couple of pounds! This is a nice easy pace to lose weight at, and it is good to keep this in mind so you will not get caught in the trap of crash dieting. Of course you can lose weight more quickly using less sound methods, but you would likely damage your health and most likely stop losing weight very quickly. As you continue to steadily lose just one to two pounds per week by following this plan, you will soon find that a year has gone by and you have lost more than fifty pounds with very little effort!

The first step I’d like to see you take is to calculate the number of calories that you are eating right now. Start out with you breakfast in the morning and just go about your day the same as you would any other day. I want you to make a real effort to eat exactly the same as you would normally be eating on any other normal day without making any changes, and keep a record of precisely what you are putting in your mouth and the exact quantities that you consume. I’m sure you’ll find that this activity requires a high degree of dedication on your end. You will have to remind yourself that you have made a commitment to follow a healthy weight loss program, and to adhere to an empirically validated weight loss strategy.

A method like this will be a whole lot better for you over the long term than some new crash diet system or diet pill. To tell the truth, carrying out this exercise will only take five or ten minutes out of your whole day, regardless of the powerful lingering benefits that it will bestow. While you are getting ready to go to bed for the night, dedicate a little time to add up the actual quantity of fat, carbohydrate, protein, and calories that you put into yourself during the day. Remember to be as accurate as you can so that you will know exactly what your starting point is and which details of your previous diet will probably be the most beneficial things to change.

You only need to take same basic, simple, small tactics that you will follow to lessen the amount of food that you are consuming that will enable you to initiate weight loss.

The thing to do should actually be to bump up the number of grams of protein that you are eating every day. Medical research has demonstrated that increasing your total protein intake without any other change typically brings about significant weight loss, for the simple reason that protein-rich foods are quite a bit more satisfying than any other type of food. The more protein you add into your diet, you should work on easily turning down the amount of total carbohydrates that you are eating. Scientific research has shown that sugar amplifies your hunger. This is why you will tend to eat more food for lunch if you have a glass of soda pop to go along with your meal.

On top of changing your diet in these ways, you can also boost your fat-burning potential by increasing your total muscle mass. The way to do this is simple: weight training. Weight training can be extremely enjoyable because it allows you some time in between workouts and because the physical benefits are readily evident. The best weight training technique is to do nice, slow exercises just a few times until your muscles are unable to continue. Drink a strong protein shake immediately after you finish working out to speed up the rate at which your body builds muscle.

Cardio exercise is not an effective weight loss tool. This is because you typically burn a smaller number of calories than you would probably like to believe. Additionally, cardio tends to reduce your blood sugar levels, quickly increasing your appetite and thus causing you to consume more calories after your workout. For this reason, cardiovascular exercise is not advised in this case unless it is something you enjoy doing.

By the time you’ve followed this plan for a week, you will find yourself a pound or two lighter. This is just about the pace that you want to keep losing weight at, you will do well to remember this and stay realistic in your expectations. You could lose weight more quickly with a crash diet, but you would be risking your health and most likely stop losing weight very quickly. If you continue to lose weight at this rate of just a pound or two per week, by the time you reach the one-year mark you will have lost more than fifty pounds by barely even trying.

So the high demand for weight loss has resulted in hundreds of different products available in the market today for those who are troubled by their weight. The problem however is that these products can cost a lot, plus you cannot be 100% sure that what you choose will work. Exercise is still the cheapest and most effective method for weight loss. It may not be a popular choice for the new age but it is a time tested method. The problem now is how. Here are a few tips on losing that flab without having to buy any product.

First thing you would want to have is a system that you could use to track the progress of your new venture. May it be a before photo or a journal, whatever the case may be it is important to have one as this can be the source of inspiration. Next, learn how to read nutrition facts. This can be a very valuable skill in your effort because you can track the number of calories in your meals and you would be able to log this down in your journal. Then, remember to tell all the people around you and close to you that you are trying to lose weight so they can support you instead of accidentally being a hindrance in your weight loss program. Remember to choose carefully what you eat and consulting a professional dietician can also help in this.

Next is the exercise you would take on. It can be jogging, cycling, brisk walking or even going to the gym. What is important is that the exercise you choose is easily accessible to you and that you like to do it. Because if you do not like your exercise, chances are you would stop. You need to spend at least around an hour of exercise every day for it to be effective. Also, it is good to remember that you do not have to push yourself to the limit every day, just enjoy what you do. If there is no outdoor exercise for you, you can try to get a tread mill and use that while playing a video game to distract you from exercising. This is an effective way to use the tread mill so you don’t get bored.

The process of weight loss may take some time; it would last the rest of your life. Because losing weight and becoming healthy is not just for today, it is a change of life and eliminating habits that got you fat in the first place. Follow your weight loss program properly and you will see the difference both in terms of your health and in your confidence.

An excellent way to start out is to assess the quantity of food that you are eating right now. Just start out when you wake up one day and just continue on with your day like any other. Really try to eat exactly the same as you would ordinarily be eating on any other day, and keep a detailed log of every little thing that you put in your mouth plus the exact quantities that you have. Most people find out that this project can take a good deal of seriousness and dedication from the dieter. It is of pivotal importance that you remind yourself that you have decided to follow a program of healthy weight loss, and to adhere to a level-headed weight loss program.

This will be a whole lot better for your health over the long term than any kind of crash diet program or weight loss pill. Really, actually completing this process is not going to take you more than 5 or 10 minutes out of your day, regardless of the many lingering rewards that it will extend. Before you hit the hay that evening, go ahead and tally up the total amount of calories, carbohydrate, protein, and fat that you managed to eat over the course of the day. Be as precise as possible so that you will know exactly what your starting point is and which pieces of your present diet will probably be the most useful things to change.

Next, there are a few simple, natural actions that you have to follow when you aspire to lessen the number of calories that you are consuming in the average day that will enable you to bring about weight loss.

The thing you’ll do can be to actually crank up the amount of protein that you eat at each meal. Medical research has proven that escalating your protein consumption with no other change typically causes significant fat loss, for the simple reason that foods that are high in protein are a lot more filling than other foods. The more protein you add into your diet, try slowly turning down the amount of total carbohydrates you are eating. Scientific studies have proven that sugar amplifies your hunger. This is why you will almost always eat a larger serving of food for lunch if you drink a soda pop with your meal.

Along with these dietary changes, you will also want to increase your body’s ability to burn fat by building up new muscle mass. The way to do this is simple: weight training. Most people are surprised by how much they enjoy weight training due to the fact that you don’t have to do it every day and because you get to keep on losing weight between workouts. The best weight training technique is to focus on slow, perfectly formed movements without any need to perform a large number of repetitions. Have a nice protein shake after your workout for maximum muscle-building.

Cardio exercise is not an effective weight loss tool. Your body does not burn nearly as many calories as you would expect to burn doing these exercises. Also, this type of exercise tends to reduce your blood sugar levels, quickly increasing your appetite and thus causing you to consume more calories after your workout. Because of this, cardio workouts are not advisable unless it is something you enjoy doing.

After one week of following this simple plan, you will likely be pleased to find that you have lost a pound or two. This is a perfectly healthy and natural pace for weight loss, you will do well to remember this and stay realistic in your expectations. The latest fad diet would probably take the pounds off more quickly, but you could compromise your health this way and find that this type of weight loss is not sustainable. As you continue to steadily lose just one to two pounds per week by following this plan, you will find at the end of one year that you have become more than 50 pounds lighter and feel healthier than ever.

Detox diets for weight loss like the lemonade diet recipe have become very popular in recent times. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Detoxifying can be an important factor in losing weight.

Loosing weight does not get any easier than this. Are you tired of all the weight loss options that just don’t work?

Click here now to see what worked for me >> Natural weight loss that is proven to work >>

Every weight loss study shows that eating breakfast daily or almost daily is a key factor among people who lose 40-60 lbs. and keep it off year after year. In a study in the Journal of Obesity Research an ongoing look at successful maintainers of significant weight loss nearly 80 per cent ate breakfast everyday as part of their routine to stay thin. Cereal was their favorite choice but other high protein foods worked just as well.

Here is a nice weight loss meal plan for those on the go who can’t plan a meal or anyone that has to leave home for a day or two at a time but still needs to eat healthy. I am in outside sales so it is sometimes hard to plan my meals when I am going to be away from home for a day or two.

It’s time to buckle down and follow the top 5 tips to healthy weight loss during and after menopause. Enough wishing it would just all go away. Did you know that two out of three women experience weight gain during and after menopause. There are ways to stay healthy in menopause.

People are continually coming up with ways to combat obesity. Visiting weight loss clinics such as a Dallas weight loss center is one of the options.

The weight loss industry is a $55 billion industry and there are tons of choices that you could make. The ACAI Berry is one of the most popular on the market today…

Losing those excess pounds and burning the body fat is basic to an effective weight loss regime. But the big question remains on how one can actually make the body work to that effect? If that is exactly what your problem is and you are looking for ways to burn that fat quickly to become fit here is how you can achieve that:

College can be an easy place to end up gaining unwanted weight. Learn some useful tips to help you learn how to stay fit while going through college.

Loosing weight does not get any easier than this. Are you tired of all the weight loss options that just don’t work?

Click here now to see what worked for me >> Natural weight loss that is proven to work >>

Exercise and eating right are the ideal methods to lose weight. However many people have attempted those methods for years and still can’t properly lose excess weight – weight that can root serious health problems.

If you’ve ever struggled with weight loss but are dying to get skinny quickly you’re in luck. The secret to losing weight quickly and easily is to add a cheat day to your strict regimen! Here’s how it works…

Loosing is not as easy an overnight success. ‘Natural weight loss and get fit in the safe way’ is 100 times harder than any other methods. Building a fit and lean body is a very demanding task.

Sadly the majority of dieters try to lose weight for the wrong reason: that elusive thing we call admiration; and so escalate the importance of appearance far beyond reason. If we instead granted health the importance it should have not only will we lead happier lives we’ll diet for the right reason which tend to make things a little easier.

This diet was repeatedly and successfully used by graceful and attractive Victoria Principal who was acting in American soap opera ‘Dallas’. It is a low-calorie diet which will help you to lose weight quickly; 5-8 pounds within one week with little effort.

Weight loss spells mantras chants and the like are all good self motivators for you to achieve your goal. They in themselves may not magically make you thinner overnight but they may enable you to eat one less spoon of that pound cake that your mom made.

Are you worried that weight loss after pregnancy would be really tough or maybe impossible? In reality weight loss after pregnancy is not that tough if you know of the correct ways to tackle it. I can say that with full confidence because I have been at the receiving end and have successfully rediscovered my fit and healthy self even after pregnancy. It did take a little concentrated effort but with the 3 sure-fire secrets I am about to share with you you would not doubt the infinite possibilities of achieving a fit health and a svelte physique even post pregnancy:

Loosing weight does not get any easier than this. Are you tired of all the weight loss options that just don’t work?

Click here now to see what worked for me >> Natural weight loss that is proven to work >>

Everyone that is working out is trying to do the best that they can and looking for the best weight lifting exercises. I have a list here but also a way to figure out what the best weight lifting exercises are.

In most cases losing weight quickly (and safely) comes down to following proven strategies. These techniques work without having to take dangerous diet pills or having to subject yourself to a risky diet. As a bonus you are also much more likely to keep that weight off. Follow these 10 tips for healthy rapid weight loss.

Many individuals in Dallas Houston and elsewhere in Texas most probably need to lose a few pounds. The solution for many is to go on a diet. What kind of diet they choose may be a problem. According to a recent Consumer Report Survey approximately 41% of American adults are trying to lose weight. These individuals are hoping to loose an average of 37 pounds. Unfortunately many individuals are confused or are just in denial about how to go about losing the weight. Just take a look at these goofy fad diets:

Spring is in the air and it is time to start thinking about getting rid of that spare tire so you don’t embarrass yourself on the beach this year. You have probably read a million things about losing weight but what are some good weight loss tips that will actually work.

To be able to achieve your weight loss goal it is necessary to follow a quick natural weight loss program. Whatever kind of diet program you have you need to be committed to the plan. Being overweight can cause a lot of health problems as well as psychological troubles. Aside from the fact that losing weight can reduce health risks quick natural weight loss can help bring back an individual’s self-esteem.

Weight loss is something that cannot be achieved overnight. Weight loss can be achieved through the most ideal weight loss diets and also the most effective exercise regimes as well. Weight loss diets are available that can be followed to make sure that your weight loss plan or target is achieved.

How does the Realize band work?

The Realize band gives one the feel of a fuller stomach very soon, which results in less food consumption at any given point of time. This contributes towards restricted eating and faster weight loss. The Realize band divides the stomach into two sections, the upper part and the lower part. The upper part resembles a small pouch which can hold just about half a cup of food. For the Realize band to work effectively one must ensure, that he has multiple, small servings of food, with balanced nutrients throughout the day. Food should be high in protein to give the sense of fullness quickly. It should contain fewer amounts of fat, sugar and cholesterol. Also intake of food should be balanced with plenty of fluid consumption.

How is the realize band inserted into the body?

A Realize band surgery is performed laparoscopically, whereby small incisions are made on the abdomen. A small laparoscopic camera is inserted into the abdomen through these incisions for the surgeon to be able to watch the interiors of the stomach on a monitor. A small roundish tunnel is created just against the stomach and the Realize band is inserted through the tunnel. Then the surgeon locks the band around the abdomen. The Realize gastric band tube is connected to the Realize port which is also implanted during this surgical procedure. The location of this port is generally just below the rib cage.

Advantages and post operative care:

Since this surgery is done through the laparoscopic procedure, recovery of the patient is quick which means less stay in the hospital. The Realize band surgery is a reversible procedure and the band can be removed whenever desired. Certain side effects associated with the Realize gastric band surgery are band erosion, band leakage, infection in the site where the port is inserted, vomiting and nausea. Through proper care and attention these problems can be prevented and eliminated altogether. The chance of these risks is very low. The benefits far outweigh the risks involved in this form of surgery. You can get the necessary information about the Realize band surgery from a specialized website of a bariatric surgeon or clinic.

Lap-Band candidates who live near Arlington, Texas, don’t have to travel to Dallas to find a skilled bariatric surgeon in their area. Based at the Medical Center of Arlington, Dr. Jason Harrison specializes in weight loss surgery, including the Lap-Band and gastric sleeve procedures.

Dr. Harrison is best known as the Arlington Lap-Band specialist. The Lap-band procedure, also known as gastric banding, is a safe and effective weight loss surgery treatment option that generally poses fewer risks of complications compared to gastric bypass surgery and the vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) procedure. Dr. Harrison is a board-certified surgeon with several years of experience in bariatric surgery and performs Lap-Band surgery for Arlington area patients.

Weight loss surgery procedures, such as Lap-Band surgery, are suitable for patients who suffer from severe or morbid obesity. Obesity occurs when body fat accumulates quicker than a person’s metabolism can process. This results in too much being stored fat inside of the body. Because of excess fat, the person may not live a healthy or full life. Obesity can lead to other serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes, arthritis, and sleep apnea.

Individuals who are obese and considering weight loss surgery should first try to reduce their weight through exercise and a controlled diet. Many insurance carriers will require weight loss surgery candidates to follow a doctor-prescribed diet and exercise plan prior to being approved for Lap-Band surgery. However, when these programs fail to reduce a person’s weight, weight loss surgery may be the best solution for overcoming obesity.

The Lap-Band procedure is done laparoscopically and involves fastening a special silicone band around the upper part of a patient’s stomach. The band is filled with saline solution to create a tight fit and must be refilled every few months. Dr. Harrison performs Lap-Band surgery in Arlington for patients from the surrounding area and throughout north Texas.  

Dr. Harrison has regular informational sessions at his Arlington, Texas, office for people considering weight loss surgery. The seminar provides prospective patients with an opportunity to learn the benefits and possible risks associated with the Lap-Band and gastric sleeve procedures, so they can decide whether to undergo weight loss surgery. Individuals who live outside the Arlington area or who are unable to attend an informational meeting can learn more about the services offered by Dr. Harrison and the process of qualifying for weight loss surgery by visiting HarrisonBariatrics.com.  

Patients who choose to pursue weight loss surgery after attending a seminar or visiting the website for Harrison Bariatrics can schedule an appointment for a consultation and examination by Dr. Jason Harrison. The examination will determine a patient’s level of obesity, their general health, and the possibility of any complications from weight loss surgery. A member of Dr. Harrison’s staff will also provide information about the cost of surgery and assist in getting insurance approval.  

Dr. Jason Harrison performs all weight loss surgery procedures for his practice. Lap-Band patients will be required to visit his Arlington, Texas, office every two to three months for a Lap-Band adjustment. Harrison Bariatrics also offers regular support group meetings for post-operative patients, to ehlp ensure their long-term success.

Hoodia Gordonii pronounced HOO-dee-ah) also goes by the name  Xhooba, Khoba, Ghaap, Hoodia Cactus, and South African Desert Cactus. The makers of this cactus plant claim the reason why it is such a powerful dietary aid is due to the fact that it suppresses appetite and promotes weight loss. There are 20 types of Hoodia, only the Hoodia Gordonii variety is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant.

Although Hoodia has been promoted just recently, the San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert has been hailing its claim for over 100 years. They use it to ward off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips where food is scarce. 

An American pharmaceutical company purchased the rights for the active ingredient named p57 for $20 million dollars. The company has since given back the rights and walked away from Hoodia. Red flag people… a natural ingredient from a plant in nature that suppresses hunger and at the same time can give you energy and a drug company turns it down? This would be the biggest find in the history of the diet industry!!!! 

When researchers at a major University studied Hoodia they found that the steroidal glycosides, affect nerve cells in the hypothalamus (located above the brain stem, it controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue and anger) tricking the brain into thinking there is enough blood sugar. The hunger mechanisms are then subdued and guess what? You’re not hungry anymore. I’m not a medical doctor but I’m going to suggest a radical idea. Maybe, just maybe, YOU REALLY SHOULD KNOW WHEN YOU’RE BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS DROP FROM LACK OF FOOD!!!!! Don’t you think you might want to know when your brain needs glucose to perform properly? After all, the brain needs a certain amount of glucose (minimal of about 80g) daily to keep working at optimal levels.

Telling it other wise, will only cause your body to make glucose from non carbohydrate sources, including amino acids from your own muscle tissue. Stronger, bigger muscles burn calories. Making them weaker by drawing on their own amino acids (building blocks of protein-which is the only substrate that helps rebuild tissue in the body) will defeat the purpose of anybody trying to get more fit. Again there are no valid studies to date that can validate Hoodia as a safe and effective aid in a weight loss program. Don’t waste your time or money and don’t believe the hype. Just believe in yourself! You can change and will change.                                     

L Carnitine: When L-Carnitine is synthesized in the body from lysine and methionine it is used for the transport of fats into the mitochondria (power house of cell) for energy production. It is postulated in theory that if you supplement your diet with L-Carnitine then you will be able to burn more fat and spare glycogen for later use during exercise. There are a couple of problems with this theory. The intestine has trouble digesting anything above a 2-g dose, which in clinical studies has been shown to only increase muscle levels by 1-2% (Hultman and Harper: Carnitine Administration as a Tool to Modify Energy Metabolism During Exercise. Eur. J Applied Physiology .62:450 1991).

Most companies’ average 3x that dose, the rest simply goes down the toilet. I guess the most salient problem I have with this theory is: don’t you think the human body knows already how much fat it actually needs to burn at one time? If the mitochondrion is already swapped with substrates additional mobilization of fats may not be needed. 

There have been countless studies on L-Carnitine all producing results suggesting that there are no benefits from supplementing the diet with it. Your best bet is to follow a balanced diet rich in clean, complete proteins which will contain Lysine and Methionine which can then produce L-Carnitine naturally. 

Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT):  As the name implies because they are medium chain MCT’s in theory are quickly digested. Hence they can be used for immediate energy opposed to long chain triglycerides which take longer to digest. Sports supplement companies make the claim that MCT’s can be used to promote fat loss when on a low carb diet by burning the ingested MCT’s and sparing glycogen.

I have reviewed several studies regarding the use of MCT’s and have found no research  that demonstrated enhancement in performance and no research that significantly displayed altered fat oxidation during exercise. In a nut shell good in theory, bad in results, it simply doesn’t work, don’t take it. Coconuts are rich in MCT’s, if you still think they might work, save some money and buy some coconut oil and use it in cooking. Studies show small amounts will not raise cholesterol.                                       

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA): Is a very popular substance that is found in wanna be weight loss products.  It is a compound found in the plant Garcinia Cambogia. The organic acid found in HCA is similar to citric acid found in lemons and oranges. HCA is believed to be able to suppress appetite, increase energy levels and inhibit fat production.  There have been promising animal studies that demonstrate fat inhibition, improved glucose function and increased serotonin levels when supplementing with HCA.

In a study conducted at Columbia University when testing 135 overweight human subjects with HCA no reported significant weight loss was reported when compared to the placebo group (November 11, 1998 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.)  In case you haven’t noticed, we are not furry, with little tails …  untill human studies can replicate similar results, don’t bother once again!    

Fucoxanthin:  A compound found in several different types of seaweed, what will they think of next? Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid much like lutein and lycopene which are powerful antioxidants. The companies that sell fucoxanthin claim that it creates a powerful thermogenic effect (fat burning) in the body. It does this by boosting the metabolism without causing jitters due to the fact it contains no stimulants. Actually something else does this too… it’s called exercise!  The only published studies that had any significant findings were found in only rat and mice studies. No human studies in real scientific journals have been published. My guess is none ever will.   

Ephedra: A plant extract from the Ma hung plant. Ephedra works by increasing the neurotransmitters nor epinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals are picked up by beta receptors (receptors that aid in activation of fat burning) which then cause a thermo effect in the body by raising your metabolism causing you to burn more fat.(Sports Supplements Encyclopedia by Dr. Antonio and Dr. Stout).

Once again, there is no reason to artificially drive your metabolism up. You can naturally and safely raise your metabolism by staying active (exercise) and portion control your food (eat 5-6 smaller meals through out the day). I mentioned safely because there are known side effects of taking products that contain ephedra including: dizziness, headache, tremor, depressed mood, euphoria, insomnia, dry mouth, increased blood pressure, palpations, racing heart rate and constipation. Wow! Sounds like you might need a trip to doctor’s office instead of your normal workout at the gym.

Caffeine: The most popular legal drug in the world. People seem to have a hard time understanding that caffeine is in fact a drug and a very addicting drug for that matter. Here is a very broad simplistic view of how Caffeine works in the body: Caffeine structurally is very similar to adenine (a component of ATP, DNA and most importantly cyclic AMP).

Caffeine in very simple terms can fool the body and slip into the adenosine receptors, which intern can keep cAMP(referred to as a second messenger in the stimulation of target cells) active rather than being broken down by the enzyme phodiesterase. When cAMP breaks down, the body’s energy supply also decreases due to the fact that cAMP activates protein Kinase A which phosphorylates(making something active) hormone-sensitive lipase. When HSL is active it initiates the breakdown of adipose tissue.

In a nutshell caffeine makes available more fat to be burned.  The problem is Caffeine like I mentioned earlier can be very addicting and does have side effects including: increase in blood pressure, heart rate, increase urination, and withdrawal symptoms including vomiting, headache and the shakes.  If you do decide to use caffeine, use it sparingly for a little pep in your step and not for weight loss. 

My take home message is simply this…..artificially ingesting a substance to aid in weight loss is completely unnecessary.  One of my favorite quotes is “As a man thinketh he is” by James Allen. If you are a novice, prescribing to an exercise and eating strategy for the first time may seem like hard work. Guess what? You’re probably right. All great rewards are preceded by hard, hard work! Portion control and well designed exercise programs are the only time tested methods that truly help people lose weight.

The question is do you really want it!