walking for weight loss
The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of walking for weight loss is certainly no exception. So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about walking for weight loss. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting. As children, one of the first exercises we learned how to do was walking. While it may seem like an elementary form of exercise, walking can do wonders for the heart, the circulatory system, and our legs. Walking can also be instrumental in helping individuals to lose weight. Medical experts say the important thing to keep in mind when starting a walking program is distance rather than time. In essence, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to complete a mile—the important thing is to do it. If you hope to burn off two pounds a week, you will need to walk enough to burn about 3500 calories. If you weigh 160 pounds and you are walking at a rate of two miles per hour, you can burn as many as 105 calories. A helpful technique when beginning a walking program is to build up your leg muscles so that you are able to burn additional calories. If you can, try to race-walk. Your goal should be to finish a mile in 13 minutes. Another technique you can use is by adding weights to your walking routine. For instance, you can pack eight pound weights into a backpack and wear it as you walk.Ultimately, you might want to work up to the point where you are walking at least six hours a week. In addition to helping you to shed pounds, this will enable you to combat such diseases as diabetes and cancer. You should feel healthier—and perhaps happier—as a result of your walking.At this point, you might be wondering whether to do your walking outdoors or on a treadmill at a gym. The choice is really up to you. It depends largely on what makes you more comfortable. Some people enjoy being out of doors—they like looking at the trees and the flowers as they move along. Others find that the traffic and animals found outdoors can be too distracting. Also, many people find it difficult to walk in the rain or snow. Some individuals like the discipline offered by a treadmill, while others find it boring and confining. One advantage to a treadmill is that it allows you to keep track of the number of miles you logged, as well as your speed. That can be valuable information when you’re attempting to chart your progress.Of course, it’s best if you couple walking with a sound diet plan. You should attempt to consume at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of high-fat foods and sweets. Sensible eating will also enable you to maintain your weight over the long term.When you set out to walk, make sure that you begin with some stretching exercises. These can help prepare your muscles for your workout. In addition, begin your walk with a five or ten-minute warm up period. The rest of your walk should be brisk—you should be walking at a pace similar to what you would use if you were late getting to work. You should continue this pace for approximately 30 minutes, then begin a cool-down period where you walk at a more moderate pace. Following this regimen should ensure that you get the most out of your walking. One of the best aspects of walking is that it is an activity that nearly any able-bodied person can do. It does not require special equipment or special training. It is important, however, that you remain committed to walking. Doing it for just one or two days a week is probably not enough to make an appreciable difference in your weight. Rather, you should aim to do a brisk walk at least six days a week. Once you get into the habit of walking, you should find it relatively easy to continue. It’s something that can quickly become part of your morning routine. In fact, some experts recommend that you do your walking in the morning to ensure that your metabolism is elevated throughout your day. Walking late at night will not have the same effect; it will do little to raise your daily metabolism. I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing–the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others. <p>Author J. Brian Keith is a proud contributing author for
<a href="http://www.1-weight-loss-diet.com">Weight Loss and Dieting</a>,
<a href="http://www.exercise-equipment-directory.com">Exercise Equipment</a> and enjoys writing about
many different topics. Please visit my other web sites
for <a href="http://www.top1k.com/Category/Health-&-Fitness/4/">Free Articles</a> and
<a href="http://www.sharepixx.com">Free Photo Sharing</a>.</p> (more…)

Weight Loss Surgery Risks And Benefits
There is an increasing focus on weight loss in North America in the modern age, and the focus goes beyond mere looks. More and more studies are proving that being overweight not only looks unpleasant, but can also lead to some serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and other factors which can lead to an early death. Many obese people, however, face a serious problem when they begin to consider weight loss; they have become so overweight that their bodies simply cannot handle diets, nor can they summon the ability to partake in regular exercise. In most cases, the weight problem has become so critical that they do not really even have the time it takes to bring their weight down to a healthy level as they are in immediate danger of serious health consequences. Lately, many people in this situation have begun to turn to the option of gastric bypass surgery. Over 150,000 gastric bypass procedures- wherein calorie intake is reduced by causing food to bypass parts of the stomach and the small intestine- were performed in 2005, many on the recommendation by a doctor for people who were considered morbidly obese. One of the benefits of this procedure is that it is 100% effective when successful. Patients frequently state that they do not get hungry as often as they did before the surgery, nor does the hunger last as long. Patients also claim that they do not suffer the same cravings for unhealthy food that they did before the surgery. These effects are due to two factors. The first is the decreased size of the stomach- patients simply cannot hold food in the same capacity as they did previously. In addition, the smaller size means that the stomach is empty less than before the surgery and therefore does not signal the brain that food is needed. The second reason for the decrease in appetite and cravings is the change in the hormonal balance that occurs after the surgery. Gastric bypass is certainly beneficial in both time passed in regards to pounds lost and in the ease of the weight loss itself. However, there are also several risks involved when a patient elects to undergo the surgery. Almost ten percent of patients who undergo the surgery report symptoms that could prove fatal some of the time. The surgery has been highly invasive in the past, with a large incision required form the upper chest to the navel. Any procedure involves risk, and the greater the cut the greater the risk. In addition, this large incision meant that a patient?s recovery time was greater, and also more painful. Many of the risks of gastric bypass surgery are being eliminated with advancing research and procedures, such as the new laparoscopic bypass. Electing for this surgery will also entail a period of ?dumping? time, in which a patient can expect to have recurring nausea, diarrhea, and an intolerance to sweets that may last for the rest of their lives. The greatest risk in undergoing the gastric bypass surgery is the same as any surgery, especially those that are gaining popular attention; the risk of undereducated operators. Some studies have shown that the risk of death after gastric bypass is much higher in patients who go to surgeons with less experience in and knowledge of the procedure. The popularity of the procedure means that there are more doctors trying to make a quick dollar off of a limited knowledge, so any patient considering the surgery needs to be aware of their surgeon?s credentials and background. Robert Moongrave maintains a website about <a href="http://weightlosssurgeries.net">weight loss surgeries</a>. (more…)

Are You Overweight, Is It Too Late ?
When is it too late to start exercising and eating healthy. Some people say never, I disagree with that. I think it would be hard to do that when you are 6 feet under because you never started eating healthy and exercising. But as long as you are still breathing, it is not too late.

If you are overweight it makes life much harder, getting up and down, walking anywhere, much less trying to exercise. Out of the corner of your eye you see people staring and whispering. They might as well go ahead and point, too.

The best time to start an exercise program and eating healthy is when you are young. Unfortunately that is not always the case. As a person gets older, that old saying, “It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks”, is very true, but not impossible. For whatever reason people tend to be less active.

At any age a person should and can improve their way of eating and getting some kind of exercise. You don’t have to quit eating, if you do that, you might dry up like a prune. Learning a new way of eating and enjoying new foods, with a friend or group, is a good way to lose the weight.

Walk with a friend 2 or 3 times a week. Start off walking short distances and increase it a little at a time. You’ll be surprised at how much better you begin to feel each day. Between the eating healthy and exercising you’ll feel like an new person in no time and life will be better and easier.

Soon those same people who were staring and whispering will come up to you and say, “Don’t I know you, you look so familiar, but I just can’t place you?” And you will smile and say, “You must be mistaken, that was another person.”

Start today with your new way of life; you’re going to love the way you feel.Rita Tate is the webmaster and editor for the website
My Pal's Place http://www.mypalsplace.com/ [Re-print is permitted if a clickable link to www.mypalsplace.com/ is included with the article] (more…)

Healthy Trans Fats vs. Unhealthy Trans Fats Revealed
I’m going to talk about something today that most of you have probably never heard…that there is a distinction between good trans fats and bad trans fats. There is some evidence that the good trans can help you with fat loss, muscle building, and even cancer prevention, while the bad trans fats have been shown to cause heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and the general blubbering of your body. (more…)

Diet Pills - What To Watch For When Buying Weight Loss Supplements
When buying diet pills, there are a couple of different ways to go about it. Some pills are only available by prescription, while others can be purchased over the counter (OTC). There are several different types of weight loss supplements, which will be discussed in the following few paragraphs. Some of the more popular prescription drugs are: Bontril, an appetite suppressant; Xenical, a pill which helps the body absorb fat; Meridia, a supplement that encourages your body to shed pounds, and Phentermine which is easily the most popular appetite suppressant in the United States today. Whereas prescription drugs are available only from a licensed physician, over the counter supplements can be purchased by anyone and contain such ingredients as amino acids, vitamins, minerals, botanicals, herbs, etc. They typically come in capsules, powder, and pill form but are not a substitute for proper diet and exercise. When combined with a healthy well balanced diet and exercise, these pills can be effective in helping you lose weight. When purchasing any weight loss supplement, it is important to speak with your doctor beforehand. When buying an OTC supplement, it is especially important that you check the ingredients, and read the labels carefully. Some serious side effects can occur when using drugs with Ephedra in them, such as arrhythmia, heart valve lesions, and high blood pressure. Fortunately, Ephedra is no longer widely available. Even the most popular weight loss supplements can cause problems, with or without Ephedra present! High doses of caffeine (which many weight loss products have) have been known to cause problems with the heart, and still other drugs are under the suspicions of the FDA. The bottom line when taking any supplement designed to expedite weight loss is to check the ingredients list carefully, make sure it will not react with any other medications you are taking, and speak with your doctor before going on any weight loss plan. It should be noted that even weight loss drugs prescribed by a physician carry risks. If a doctor has prescribed a supplement for you, generally they feel that the benefits outweigh the risks but that does not mean it is safe. You must always follow instructions exactly as prescribed, and stop taking them immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms. Even prescription drugs must accompany a healthy diet and exercise to work. Contrary to what diet pill manufactures want you to believe, no one pill is going to make you lose weight. It takes time and effort, and only a willingness to invest in both will ensure success. If you are serious about losing weight and would like to purchase a weight loss supplement to aid you in your goal, make sure to incorporate a well balanced diet and exercise into your plans. Buying diet pills can be beneficial to your weight loss plans, but only if you are smart about your lifestyle choices. Ken Black is the founder of Weight Loss Discovery at <a href="http://www.weight-loss-discovery.com">www.weight-loss-discovery.com</a>, a site that provides helpful information on weight loss. (more…)

Popular Supplement Doesn’t Reduce High Cholesterol (Healthday)
Countering previous research, a new study found that the nutritional supplement policosanol wasn’t any more effective at lowering cholesterol than a placebo. (more…)