Every day we get bombarded with bad news about increasing health problems because of obesity. Whether you turn on the TV, listen to the radio in your car, open up a paper or browse the internet – the bad news about fat and the effects it has on our health follows us everywhere.
More and more people are falling victim to fast food, junk foods and sugary soda drinks. Remember the movie “Upsize Me”? It played a parody on how Americans are stuffing themselves silly with fatty and sugary foods. Over sixty percent of American citizens are considered obese and a large number as morbidly obese. Many would like to deny this, but deep down inside, most of them would like to change their eating lifestyle.
The fitness and health industry is a multibillion-dollar-business. Many men and women know the consequences of being fat and would like to change. There is a huge selection of options available, from aerobics, to exercise machines, to instructional videos, food supplement, diet pills and lots more. Although many embark on some fat-loss voyage hoping to conquer their binges no one truly wants to work hard for it. Deep down we all hope for some magical easy pill that is going to make this problem disappear overnight. Many such options provided by the industry keep our hopes alive in looking and feeling better without breaking a sweat.
Almost every day a new pill, herb or supplement gets “discovered” and promoted as the latest secret, with promises like, “melt away pounds easily.” “Look better in no time at all.” “Look and Feel great without exercising,” and many more ridiculous claims. Unfortunately, many of us get excited about these promises and jump into the frenzy. We spend our hard earned cash on questionable results promoted by skinny, toned fitness models and then we wonder why it does not work for us. And so we hop on the next bandwagon that comes, forever hoping for the next magic result.
The questions we never seem to ask before we buy are:
1. Is this new product really that good?
2. Would it really work for us?
3. Does it have any side effects?
4. Can they truly deliver on those promises?
5. What is the actual science behind it?
Recent studies show that although quite a few diet supplements work short-time they come with problems.
Often they come with serious side-effects, like Heart-related problems and even some deaths have been linked to diet pills.
So how do you know which diet pill would be any good for you at all? Only your doctor could really advise you on that. I strongly urge you consult with your Medical Practitioner first before you pay any money for a diet pill, potion or supplement promising rapid, easy results. In fact, any regimen that you undertake that will drastically change your diet or any new physical activity you want to take up it would be best to subject yourself to a thorough physical examination first to check that your doctor approves this as being safe for you.
There is a plethora of diet pills flooding the market right now and these are categorized into three types:
1. OTC’s or Over the Counter, these are diet pills that can be bought in drug store without the need for doctor’s prescriptions. They usually contain only little chemicals that can affect the human system much. They are considered less dangerous but they are also subjected to FDA testing first before sold to the market.
2. Another form of diet pills are Herbal Supplements. They are not usually labelled as drugs and can also be bought without a prescription. They claim to be all-natural but are still subjected to FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) scrutiny.
3. Then there are prescription diet pills. They are only sold with doctors’ prescriptions and are tightly regulated by the FDA. Doctors also conduct close monitoring on their patients who take this form of diet pills for any damage or risk to their health.
With so many forms, varieties and types, these diet pills don’t usually work for everyone since they have different chemical composition as well as patients have different reactions. Diet pills can have inadvertent effect on you. Very common side effects are uncomfortable cramping, gas and diarrhoea. This is because the drug is taking away important vitamin nutrients normally needed for proper digestion in to your body. That is why some people are advised to take vitamin supplements as well. Sometimes you may experience a raise in heart palpitations and blood pressure, with this comes along the possible increase in the risk of a stroke or a heart attack.
When it comes to losing fat, nothing still beats good old hard work and discipline. Even the so called natural diet pills and herbal diet pill products have side-effects on some people, sometimes quite bad ones.
Although we really don’t like hearing this simple truth – working up a sweat and following a natural balanced diet is still the best way to lose fat and get in shape.
Despite what advertises want to make you believe – achieving long term weight loss is not that easy. You need a good strategy, planning and motivation to lose weight. Here are a few basic tips to help you stay healthy as well as to get fit with a perfect body you love:
1. Eating the right way helps you achieving weight loss goals. Eating smaller, high protein meals more frequently helps you being energetic all day and prevents you from eating more.
2. Ordering Takeaway Foods ore eating out is often associated with obesity because when you dine out you often don’t check what and how much you eat. Hence, to achieve weight loss, you are better off if you reduce or simply avoid dining out.
3. Breakfast should not be skipped because it has been found that people who do not skip their breakfast are very successful in losing weight. However, if you skip breakfast your bodily metabolism slows down and when you have your first meal at lunchtime you are likely to each too much, which results in increased insulin levels and in turn weight gain.
4. Stay away from beverages rich in fat and sugar as they will increase your insulin levels in your blood, while caffeine content can lead to dehydration.
5. Increased protein because it helps in burning calories, gives you energy longer and avoids the storage of fat in your body. Protein supplements also help in building and preserving lean muscles.
6. Water plays an important role in weight loss as water hydrates the organs and the body. It suppresses hunger pangs, and can be taken in large amounts to get a filled-up feeling. Aim for at least 8 large glasses of water per day to stay hydrated and boost your metabolism.
7. Keep a weekly log to hold yourself accountable and note down what you eat and the amounts you eat. Weigh yourself once a week to analyze if you are progressing or not. This will help you stay motivated while using these weight loss measures to attain success.
If you stop abusing your body with diet pills and switch to a weight loss plan that is healthy, you can expect to possibly lower your blood pressure, be more energetic in spite of your controlled food intake. You will have a healthy heart and organs, more attractive figure, less stress on your bones, joints and muscles, and most importantly less stress worrying about your looks and health.
Any weight loss program should incorporate a strength training program. The more muscle you carry on your body, the more fat you burn just resting. It makes sense to build up your strength and resilience with an increase in lean muscle.
Find a reliable, simple training system, that allows you to go at your own pace and teaches you safe workouts appropriate for your age and current fitness level. In combination with a controlled healthy diet you will make fast progress. In no time at all you’ll meet the fitter, healthier more confident you.
About the Author:
Michael Bannert is a “Grandmaster” Bodybuilder over 50. The pursuit of Personal Fitness and Well-Being lead him to create his website www.MuscleBuildingForMenOver50.com where he teaches his safe and easy system how to get fit, lose fat, build muscle and achieve that attractive male body for your mature years.
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