All experts agree that motivation is the single greatest factor to lose weight. If there is strong enough commitment, then the individual will find ways to lose fat, whether it is to join a group exercise for weight loss, or change diet to include nutrition for weight loss.

Understanding weight loss metabolism

To understand the weight loss metabolism, one must track the calorie intake and find out how the food is being used by the body, if it is stored as fat, or being burnt up. Further, if the food is being used up, how much is being used effectively. Increasing physical activity is a great way to boost the weight loss metabolism, as one gets to keep the muscular tissues instead of the fat deposits. Visiting the gym regularly, or joining a sports club, or even simple walking can tone the body and keep up the weight loss motivation. The main thing is to stay on the program, or every try out additional programs with the single aim of losing fat and sustaining the lost weight. Yo-yo dieters who lose weight and then put it back on equally fast are prone to health problems compared to those who stick to a weight loss exercise program like yoga or aerobics, or a weight loss nutrition plan like a vegan diet.

Unintentional weight loss

All these are ways to keep the weight in check, but sometimes, unintentional weight loss happens when one is not tying to lose weight voluntarily, and could be a medical condition. Unexplained, unintentional weight loss often heralds serious illness and should be reported to a healthcare professional. Illness, depression, alcoholism, or medication could also result in unintentional weight loss. The loss of weight and lack of nutrition associated with a chronic illness is referred to as cachexia.

Be yourself

Weight loss should be for the betterment of ones well being and health not because one wants to be like someone else. Non-achievement of goals can result in loss of self-esteem, so it is a good idea to set realistic goals with reasonable time limits. While having that hot beach body can be alluring, remember it takes much self-discipline to get the kind of physique and weight possessed by models. Maintaining the ideal body weight with weight loss nutrition, healthy eating, including weight loss exercises in the daily routine can go a long way in a long, vigorous and disease free life!!

A recent interesting report from the Alliance for Aging Research encourages all of us to keep our brains healthy.

It’s important as you age, but also important at any age.

At this time of the year, when people make all kind of resolutions, one of the most frequent is to improve our state of health in one way or another.

This can also include keeping our brain’s healthy.

Here is a list of actions you can take, and make part of your life to assure your brain stays in the best of shape.

Step 1 – Eat a Brain-Healthy Diet.

What is a brain-healthy diet?

It is one that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (commonly found in fish, specially fed chicken (via their eggs) some fruits and vegetables), essential amounts of proteins only, plentiful antioxidants (found in a host of natural foods) lots of fruits and vegetables, foods rich in vitamin B (such as lentils); minimum amounts or no trans fats; and fiber-rich non-processed carbohydrates.

Step 2 – Stay Mentally Active

Every year resolve to learn something new. Let it be a language, a skill, some dance, something new each year. Keep your mind active.

Stay away from TV as much as you can, and replace it with the computer.

Take classes in something, and read as much as you can. The brain needs this stimuli to maintain its cognitive levels.

Step 3 – Exercise Regularly

Nothing is as important for the body and brain as regular exercise.

Regular exercise always increases circulation, improves one coordination, and helps prevent conditions that increase the risk of dementia such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Step 4 – Remain Socially Active

Do not remain a recluse. Be with your friends, become a volunteer and work with people, take regular outings to new places, and new countries. Let your eyes see new sights, your ears new sounds, taste new foods.

Step 5 – Sleep Well

The healthy brain needs for your body to sleep and rest. When you are deprived of enough sleep, the brain suffers.

Step 6 – Stress Management

Simple stress is often healthful, but long protracted stress puts the brain (and body via the immune system) at increased risk.

There are wonderful ways to manage your stress, such as yoga, enjoyable hobbies, regular journeys to spas, healthful massage, and a host of other options. Use them, and let the stress pass away from you.

Step 7 – Safety

Don’t take chances.

The damage an injury to the head cannot be under-estimated, especially triggering the onset of dementia.

Step 8 – Watch Your General Health

Keep a healthy weight, control high-blood pressure, hypertension, and guard against diabetes.

Each of these can negatively affect your cognitive state.

Step 9 – Avoid Unhealthful Habits

If you smoke, stop now.

If you over drink stop, and limit yourself of moderate amounts of wine, and an occasional drink.

Illegal drugs of any kind will negatively affect your cognitive state, and surely hasten the onset of dementia.

Step 10 – Genetic Disposition

If there is any history of dementia, or other cognitive diseases in your family, you can take steps before it become too late.

The previous 9 steps are a good start, and consultation with your doctor can be the start of protecting your brain’s health

Just Say No: Healthy Eating and Peer Pressure

Are you living a healthy lifestyle, or would you like to? Either way you are well aware of peer pressure to eat foods that are not part of this healthy lifestyle. If you have been consistently worried about the foods you have been eating under peer pressure – then you have found your solution! All takes is a little know-how to get people off your back!

You will probably find parties and other social gatherings play a major role in the peer pressure effecting your healthy lifestyle, especially if alcohol is involved. You need to remember though that alcohol carries hundreds of empty calories in just one drink, but under the pressure of your friends and family to have just one drink and relax may be very difficult. One way to overcome this is to offer to drive them to a bar instead. Suggest “going out” and since you will be the designated driver, they will not want you to drink. And they will probably even buy you waters or juice at the bar and help pay for the gas – it’s a win-win situation!

Another situation where you may feel pressured to eat is at work in a meeting where the boss has ordered lunch for everyone, or even when you may go see a client where they have supplied lunch. The only solution to this is to politely decline. It may even be easier to inform your boss or client in advance that you will not be eating. You can even pack a healthy lunch for yourself and take it along.

Even if you are good at resisting temptation; Birthday parties, baby showers, weddings and other special occasions can be hard on your healthy lifestyle. What do you do when someone hands you a piece of cake and will not take no for an answer? Little white lies may be appropriate in these kinds of situations. You may for example explain to them that your stomach has been upset earlier and that you do not want to risk having a piece of cake, this will convince them to keep the food away from you! You may even go as far as to say that you have bit of a chocolate/nut/dairy allergy depending on the food been offered to you.

Remember that it is fine to say no to bad foods because of peer pressure, but you must take careful note of the foods that you refuse – You must continue eating healthy foods. If you start saying no to food in general then dangerous eating disorders can develop which will give all you friends, family AND doctor a good reason to worry!