www.dont-click-it.net

If you want to find a way to lose weight faster, and you think there is nothing new under the sun, then what I’m about to tell you will really make you nod off.

According to Dr Kenneth Goodrick at Baylor University, a good night’s sleep is a vital ingredient for weight loss.

He believes that lack of sleep robs people of the energy they need to exercise and sets up a vicious low-energy cycle that sabotages your weight loss programme. Often when energy reserves are low, people turn to high-fat and high-sugar laden foods or caffeinated drinks for energy pick-me-ups…all of which interfere with weight loss efforts. Some may drink 10 to 15 caffeinated beverages a day, which has a adverse effect on sleep quality. It’s a double whammy.

This is not the only fascinating connection between sleep and weight gain. Researchers have found there are two hormones involved. Leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, and grehlin, which increases food intake and is thought to play a role in long-term regulation of body weight. Sleep deprivation lowers the levels of leptin and raises levels of grehlin. This is thought to be the reason why obese people suffering with sleep apnea often put on weight faster than others.

Goodrick says, “Sleep is a time for the brain, the body, and all the hormones to get regulated and restore themselves to the baseline values for the next day. If you have caffeine, or inadequate sleep, you don’t have a chance for all of those restorative processes to get finished. So you’re ending not quite fit, or metabolically where you should be”.

What is a good night’s sleep? Participants in a US study who got less than 4 hours of sleep each night were 73 percent more likely to be obese than those who sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night, the recommended amount. Those who slept only 5 hours each night were 50 percent more likely to be overweight, and those who slept 6 hours a night were 23 percent more likely to be overweight.

It’s official, for good health we all need to wake up and get a good night’s sleep.

If you’re just starting out on a diet for the first time, there are certain things you should know in order to ensure that you not only get the best results from your diet but also that you maintain your health during the process.

One of the first things you should do, ideally before you even start on a diet, is to see your family physician. This is especially true if you have not had a check-up within the last year or if you experience any type of health condition such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure/cholesterol. Taking the time to discuss your diet plans with your physician can help you to ensure that you stay healthy while dieting.

You should also make a point to determine your exact goals when embarking on a weight loss program. Ask yourself how much weight you want to lose and whether the time frame you have set for yourself is realistic. Remember that your diet plans won’t be very beneficial if you find that you are not able to stick with them because your goals are unrealistic. It is far better to plan to lose a smaller amount of weight within a reasonable amount of time.

In order for your diet plans to be effective, you will need to face the reality that some changes will need to be made within your life. Facing these facts upfront can help your diet be more successful and help you to feel better about yourself during the process. Make plans now to engage in a regular fitness routine at least two to three times per week and switch from high calorie foods to healthier, lower calorie low fat foods. Portion control is a great way to knock off a few pounds, but if you want to make changes that will last a lifetime; plan to change the way you eat as well as how much you eat.

Take the time to study the many different types of available and choose one that you will be able to stick with for longer than a week. Ideally, the best weight loss programs involve eating habits that you can stick with for life. Steer away from fad diets or diets that will be impossible to live with, as constant diet changes and yo-yo dieting can do far more damage than good.

Many people find that the success level of their diet directly correlates to the amount of support present within their lives. When you begin your diet, sit down with your friends and family members and explain your plans and goals to them. Explain how they can help you to reach your goals. Consider asking a friend or co-worker to serve as a weight loss buddy who can help you to stick to your goals, even when the going gets tough. This will be especially important when you run into situations in which you might be tempted to give into emotional eating, one of the number one reasons why people binge on their diets.

By taking a sensible approach to your diet plans, you can be sure to reach your weight loss goals safely and successfully.

The best exercise for weight loss? There’s no such thing, but no surprise there, right? Someone with leg problems can’t run to lose weight, and swimming won’t work without access to a pool. There is no one-size-fits-all prescription here. You just have to work out which exercises are best for you.

A Few Of The Best Exercises For Weight Loss

Raising your heart and breathing rate for a time at least three times a week is the general idea, and there are many ways to do that. Any activity will burn calories, though, so don’t feel you have to start heavy workouts to get some benefit. A few possibilities and ideas follow, but talk to your doctor before starting any of the more athletic activities.

- Do things you enjoy doing, which also involve moving your body. You’re more likely to persevere in your efforts if you enjoy yourself.

- Swimming can be a great weight loss exercise, because it is easy on the joints. Swimming in cool water also means your body burns calories heating itself.

- Walking is perhaps a better alternative to running or jogging. It’s easier on the body, and delivers about the same benefits for the same distance traveled. It’s also more enjoyable for many of us. Walking also can be done in large malls when the weather is bad outside.

- Climbing up and down stairs is a very aerobic exercise. It burns almost as many calories as jogging, without the problems of weather. In the right place, it can be more private too.

- Stationary bicycles are tough to use regularly because of the boredom factor. If you only allow yourself to watch your favorite television show while pedaling, however, you may feel more motivated.

- Parking the car far away from every place you visit can mean a lot of extra walking. Once you do it enough, it will become an almost unconscious habit.

- Walking the dog can be great exercise for you and the dog. It’s also a good way to meet new people.

- Getting a job that requires physical activity can be a way to guarantee you’ll get enough exercise. Just be sure it’s something you can handle and enjoy.

- Gardening helps a lot of people burn calories while doing something enjoyable. It also can produce the healthy foods that help with weight loss.

What’s available to you will determine what exercises you can use. You may also have some personal physical limitations. What you enjoy doing may be the most important consideration, however, because the best exercise for weight loss is the one you’ll actually do.