Losing Weight and Feeling Great

Does Alli work for losing weight? I don’t know about you, but recently I’ve seen a lot of commercials for Alli, the weight loss diet aid. Alli works by reducing the amount of fat (and fat calories) that’s can be absorbed by the intestines. Fewer calories = weight loss.

But does Alli really work — does it really help people lose 50% more weight than a person would normally lose on a weight loss diet? It’s a valid question, given Alli’s side effects, which can be quite embarrassing.

Today, I have Ann Huz, who has put together some information about the question, “Does Alli work for losing weight?”. It’s information you need to know beforehand, if you are considering using Alli.

Does Alli Work for Losing Weight?

Alli is the OTC (over-the-counter) generic name for Orlistat which can also be obtained as a prescription in the form of Xenical.  You may remember some years ago it was the weight loss rage.  It works by means of a fat blocker that prevents your body from absorbing all or most of the fat contained in the foods you eat.  Alli claims in aiding weight loss has FDA backing, the only OTC diet pill approved by the FDA.

But one thing that the advertisements don’t point out well is that you can’t continue to eat fatty foods, or otherwise suffer some very unpleasant side effects.  Alli needs to be used with a low fat diet.

How Much Weight Can You Lose With Alli?

The actual amount of weight lost by using Alli really does vary.  For example, one study revealed that between 36% and 55% of participants experienced a 5% or more decrease in their body mass.  However, it wasn’t clear if that loss was fat (good) or muscle (bad).  Between 16% and 25%  of the participants achieved a 10% or greater decrease in body mass.  Well, so far so good, right?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

When the participants stopped using Alli, they regained an average of almost 1/3 of the weight that they lost.  However, that isn’t exactly news; far too many of us gain back some weight after going off a diet.

Alli Side Effects

The Alli side effects are very much worth noting.  And here’s the basic rule:  if you eat food with high fat content, undigested fat is going to be expelled from your body.  This can lead to loose stools and smelly flatulence.  Not to mention uncontrollable bowel movements!

It’s worth mentioning that these side effects are especially true in the earlier stages, when the body is not yet accustomed to Alli’s effects.  Even the manufacturer asks you to consider wearing dark pants, as well as bring extra clothes to work.  I’m also thinking that Depends wouldn’t be a bad idea in the beginning.  The good news is that the side effects can be minimized by eating meals that are low fat.

Sure, Alli does help to accelerate weight loss.  Still, there are no diet pills that will magically make you lose fat without any effort on your part.  You have to follow a sensible diet in order to lose weight.

Alli diet pills have been documented to work.  But only you can decide if it’s the right supplement for you.

About the Author:
For data on Weight Watchers Point Calculator, Free Weight Watchers Point Calculator, and tons more, see AmazingWeightLossDiet.com

Alli, Weight Loss and You

OK, the FDA even agrees that Alli works.  But as Ann points out, it’s not a magic bullet.  And it’s not for everyone.  If you can’t control your fat intake (and I think the manufacturer says no more than 15 grams at any one meal), you will suffer the consequences.

You folks know that I don’t advocate using diet pills, but not because they don’t work (many in fact do).  I’m just leary of using diet supplements as a crutch for weight loss.  Now if you want to use a supplement that helps you when you are already following a sensible diet, that’s one thing.  That’s the way supplements are supposed to work.

What diet pills don’t do is let you continue to eat the way you normally do and still lose weight.  I don’t care what the commercials say.  As Ann pointed out, there are no magic bullets.  Just supplements that help when you already follow a sensible diet.

So, is Alli right for you?  It’s possible, especially if you already follow a low-fat diet.  Alli will help you lose extra in that case.  But it’s not for someone who doesn’t want to control the amount of fat they eat.

Can you lose weight while you sleep?  Well, yes in the respect that weight loss happens all the time — not just while you’re awake.  However, there’s something you really need to know about sleeping and losing weight.

There is a connection.  If you don’t get enough sleep, it may prevent you from losing weight (or at least slow down your weight loss).  But why?

Today I have guest author Gail Davis, who has put together some great information on how sleep deprivation can slow down or even prevent weight loss.  Especially in today’s culture of trying to get as much done as possible, sleep may be losing out to chores, activities, work, etc.  And really, we sleep in order to be healthy.  So let’s see what Gail has written on sleep and weight loss.

Lose Weight While You Sleep;  Sleep Deprivation and Weight Loss

Let me ask a question — are you plagued by sleep deprivation?  Do you get your 8 hours of sleep in a night?  No?  Then let’s look at some facts.

In the past 40 years, American obesity has risen from one in nine adults to one in three.  And here’s something to consider.  During the same time frame, there has been a decrease in the amount of sleep by up to two hours each night!

Unfortunately, this isn’t just an American issue.  A study recently conducted at the University of British Columbia on adults between the ages of 32 and 49 determined that participants who slept less than seven hours a night were significantly more likely to be obese!

Why is this?  Well, there are 2 hormones, leptin and ghrelin that may be responsible for these alarming statistics. Let’s take a closer look.

Your energy intake and expenditure are both regulated by leptin, whose primary purpose is to tell the brain when you’ve eaten enough.

Now for the flip side:  ghrelin’s main function is to trigger hunger. Your ghrelin levels are naturally higher prior to a meal and naturally lower following a meal.

Leptin, Ghrelin and Sleep

How is sleep affected by these hormones?  It’s because when your body is deprived of adequate sleep, it produces more ghrelin, which is the appetite stimulator.  And again the flip side, it also produces less leptin, which is the appetite depressant!  Do you see where this is going?

A study conducted at The University of Chicago in 2004 demonstrated alarming results. Participants, who slept only four hours a night for two nights in a row, had an increase in their ghrelin levels by 28% and a decrease in their leptin levels by 18%!

Appetites on Overdrive

Would you agree that these number show that sleep deprivation appears to cause people to have appetites that are on overdrive?  As if that weren’t alarming enough, the same lack of sleep hinders the body’s ability to recognize that it’s had enough food.  It’s quite a vicious circle.

About the Author:
Gail M. Davis offers more facts about the alarming relationship between sleep deprivation and weight-related. Peruse her website, Easy Weight Loss Tips where you’ll find many weight-related topics such as this in addition to healthy recipes.

Sleep and Your Diet

Thanks, Gail, for this information.  You’ve given us quite a bit to think about.  We’ve always know that we really do need to get the proper amount of rest.  I know for me, it’s at least 7 hours a night, with 8 even better.  I’ve never thought about if getting less than 7 hours regularly would hinder my weight loss.

But I do remember a time in my life where 7 hours of sleep a night was actually a luxury; I usually got 6 or less.  And despite the fact I hadn’t changed anything else (same amount of exercise, no change in the foods I normally ate), I do remember being hungrier.

So, you really can lose weight while you sleep — just not in the way you might expect.  What about you?  Do you get the sleep you need on a regular basis?  Do you notice a difference to your appetite on days where you didn’t get enough sleep the night before?

When it comes to losing weight, we need all the help we can get.  Now consider that sleep is another tool in your fight against weight!

Wouldn’t you agree that cooking light is healthier for us?  Now, would you care to define what light cooking is?  I didn’t think so.  It’s hard, because to some people, it’s using fewer fats and oils.  To others, it’s about cutting calories.  And I guess they kind of do go hand-in-hand.

But don’t you also think that cooking light is also about more natural foods?  More fresh veggies, fewer canned foods?  At least, that’s kind of how I see it.

Today I have Gregory Spence as the guest author.  Greg will tell us something we’d probably all like to know; easy ways to start cooking healthier meals, without tummy rumbles in protest!

Three Easy Ways to Start Cooking Light

Healthier cooking is all about how cooking light can improve your health without producing boring or unattractive food. Today, more emphasis is being put on reducing our calorie intake and eating foods that are better for us. In order to achieve this we need to look at ways to do this that aren’t difficult.

Suggestion 1:  Oils and Fats

To start cooking lighter, why not substitute your regular high calorie or fatty ingredients with their lighter alternatives? There are many alternatives, and you’ll want to try reading labels (it can be an eye-opener). Choose those ingredients that have no trans fats and are lower in calories.

Dressings are particularly high in all the wrong things!  How about try a low fat mayonnaise or fat free ranch dressing in your sandwiches. Avoid using foods coated in oil;p anyone remember how all tuna used to be packed in oil?  it’s not just tuna that’s come a long way — many types of tinned fish are now packed in water rather than oils, and this significantly reduces your calorie intake.

The oil you use for cooking is also an important part of your lighter cooking style. Extra virgin olive oil is ideal but can be expensive.  A cheaper alternative is canola, which has lots of health benefits when compared to vegetable oils.  Still, if you can afford the extra-virgin olive oil for your cooking light, it’s worth it.

Tip 2:  What’s Your Fiber Like?

If you eat a lot of refined white bread then you will not be getting the fiber you need and your fat intake will be high. When choosing bread go for the oat-based alternative or the 100% whole grain variety.

Just because bread is brown does not mean it is healthier for you. Carmel colorings can do that without a drop of whole wheat.  By taking a true whole grain alternative your body will get an increased intake of fiber and lower amounts of fat. 

Idea 3:  Time to Bake

If you are into baking, try using Splenda instead of regular table sugar.  Splenda is a no calorie sweetener; you might also try stevia, which is all-natural.  If you’ve never tried it, unsweetened apple sauce instead of vegetable oil really does taste pretty good in most recipes.

Line your baking pans with no fat cooking spray instead of butter or shortening; better yet, use baker’s parchment paper for your oil-free baking.  That’s really cooking light!

Use semi-sweet or preferably dark chocolate in place of milk chocolate or (even worse) white chocolate.  Dark chocolate has antioxidants good for your body; just don’t over-indulge.

About the Author:
Get more information about cooking light . Learn more about healthy-cooking

Thanks, Greg, for those tips on cooking light.  It’s not always easy these days to get out the fresh veggies and chopping board.  I’ll agree, there are many days where fast food is tempting because I’l so tired.  But fast food is fat food (as I’ve mentioned in several recent posts like this one) so it’s a meal of last resort.

So, guess it’s time to clean out the cabinets again, of some of non-cooking-light foods.  So what will you do?  Are your going to make a more cencerted effort towards cooking light?

Have you heard of caralluma fimbriata?  No, neither had I before today.  But when I just did hear about it, I was intrigued.  Could this be another hoodia gordonii, but better?

Now if you follow me here at this blog and on my website, you know that I’m not usually overly impressed with weight loss supplements.  Not because they don’t work, but because they prey upon people’s wish for a “magic bullet”.  A way to lose weight without eating less or exercising.

I do believe, however, that supplements and diet aids can be part of a sensible, healthy diet.  Hey, we can all use a little extra help now and again.  Just so long as the help doesn’t become a crutch, if you know what I mean.

OK, back to caralluma fimbriata.  I got some information from Barry Crewse, who had compiled some information about this fascinating new supplement.  Without any further ado, here’s Barry’s report.

Caralluma Fibriata and Weight Loss

Caralluma Fimbriata.  Almost no one has even heard of it and those who have may be asking just what the heck it is.  The first thought for most people is just another fad diet gimmick.  But is it?  Instead, could it be pure gold in the world of weight loss? Let’s find out.

Caralluma belongs to the cactus family and is known as a succulent. It grows wild in much of India and even as far north as Afghanistan and the surrounding areas.

For literally hundreds of years it has been eaten by the locals of the region as a vegetable and can be eaten both raw and cooked (no reports as to the taste, though).  The green follicles of the plant are usually boiled, salted and eaten.  It’s also very popular for making a variety of different kinds of chuntney and pickles.

Here’s Where Caralluma Gets Interesting

For generations, the local people found this vegetable seemed to contain certain properties when eaten. Not only did it act like an appetite suppressant but also seemed to quench thirst while boosting their energy levels.

Because of this it became wildly popular as both a “hunting and famine food” sustaining the people when food stuffs became scarce.

Of course, modern science has now caught up with all the benefits of caralluma fimbriata.  The arrival of this “new” succulent is just now becoming very popular for not only being able to suppress your appetite and boost your endurance but it also appears to lower blood sugar.

Clinical Studies, Starting Up

Clinical researchers are discovering that the extracts of Caralluma actually act on the hunger centers within the brain reducing the feeling of being hungry. Further more, these studies have found that appetite suppression takes place without any known disturbances in the natural function of the neurotransmitters within the brain itself. This is surprisingly different than most appetite suppressants on the market today.

Clinical studies are also finding that one main extract of Caralluma, pregnane glycoside, is not only very effective in controlling appetite, obesity and weight gain but also is appearing as a major player in lowering your BMI, body fat, blood glucose levels and blood pressure as well. Reductions in hip and waste circumferences were noted as well.

Benefits do not appear to stop there as an increase in lean body mass, capillary health improvement, memory function and hearing improvement and the lowering of joint inflammation are also some noted as major benefits. Further studies are also concluding that there appears to be enhancement in HDL/LDL ratio’s in the blood.

Caralluma fimbriata is completely natural and contains no artificial ingredients. This supplement doesn’t contain any type of chemicals or preservative which are widely known to possibly interfere with your own body’s weight loss / dieting processes.

As of this writing, there haven’t been any recorded instance of an reaction or toxicity in the extensive safety studies. The fact that it’s been eaten for centuries should be proof of it’s benefits and long term positive effects on the human body.

Caralluma is just now coming onto center stage of the dieting world and I am sure you will be hearing much more about this future giant. Not only do I expect it to overtake Hoodia, which appears to be less effective and more expensive but also most other weight supplements which seems to be only minimally effective.

Finding Caralluma

I wanted to check a little more on it, but caralluma is kind of scarce at this point; I went looking and I found quite a bit of the cactus/succulent itself, but not a whole lot in the way of supplements.

Anyway, I did finally locate Caralluma Burn as a source for the caralluma fimbriata diet supplement.  So, if you’re curious, pop on over and take a look at the Caralluma Burn product.  You never know; maybe it would help you with the cravings.  But remember — supplements are just that — supplemental aids.  Not even Caralluma Burn is a miracle in a box!

The older we get, the more we need an anti-aging skin care guide.  Today’s world is full of pollutants that damage the skin from without.  And yet, we also damage our skin from within — the food we feed our bodies.

We have a guest today, Giselda Marcua.  She’s graciously written the post so that we can find out more about why some skin care treatments work and some don’t.  She’ll be focusing on the “without” aspect — what we put on our skins.  Giselda — you’re on!

Cosmetic Companies and Anti-Aging Skin

The anti-aging skin care guide in general comes from a cosmetic company. People are inclined to think that they are honest and they are likely to believe in their anti aging skin care treatment, but the companies are mainly interested in selling their product.

One of the best anti-aging skin care guides that I came across was created by a dermatologist. The original was not easy to understand, so I’ll give you an abbreviated version and cover the highlights.

From a Dermatologist’s Point of View

It’s not easy for the novice in the field to grasp some of the terms in the dermatologist’s guide, but the antiaging skin care treatment that he recommended actually made absolute sense. It does not contain recommendations like the ones you are likely to see on TV or at the cosmetic counter, but it stresses the importance of taking care of the skin’s health, and the end result would be the prevention of skin related problem and an improved look.

It seems logical that a dermatologist would write an anti aging skin care guide, but in reality that is unusual. They don’t regularly believe that a topically applied anti aging skin care treatment can have a positive result. Like most doctors, they usually believe in injections, drugs and other more mainstream medical solutions.

But One Doctor Didn’t

A doctor named Albert Kligman believed that if you take care of the outermost of the skin’s layers, then the health of the inner layers will be protected. He recommended different treatments for different conditions.

But, for each ingredient, he believed that the manufacturing process should be very specific, or the product would be ineffective. That’s why you often find anti aging skin care treatment that is ineffective. The ingredients may be right, but the manufacturing process is wrong.

Active Ingredients in Anti-Aging Skin

One of the ingredients that Dr.Kligman recommended in his anti aging skin care guide was peptides. They are tiny fragments of amino acid proteins found in the skin. One is hyaluronic acid. Another important one is keratin.

Some companies have pursued the use of keratin, but the peptide chains were surrendered inactive by the manufacturer’s incapacity to perform the process. Exclusively “Functional Keratin”, contains active peptide chains and stimulates production of collagen. Functional Keratin, which is created using a patented process, has the ability to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and performs the task from the outside layers towards the inside layers of the skin.

Hyaluronic acid has the ability to increase firmness of the skin, but it is rapidly destroyed during an enzymatic process that occurs in the skin’s layers. The best anti-aging skin care treatment contains an extract from Japanese kelp that blocks the enzymatic process, and consequently evens of hyaluronic acid normal rise.

Another ingredient recommended was grape seed extract, because they are free radical scavengers. Grape seed oil is also an effective moisturizer and creates an invisible layer that keeps in moisture. Moist skin has less of a tendency to crack and wrinkle.

For an anti aging skin care treatment, the use of special composites that change the reflection of the light, lets the consumer to see instant results. That suggestion was mainly oriented to affect the disposition of the consumer, because many people become unhappy with their appearance.

Functional Keratin has demonstrated to have the ability to reflect the light, but there are two main reasons why it is a better choice. First, it improves the skin’s health and second it is not just a cosmetic like other compounds. A complete anti aging skin care guide would be extensive and include a lot more information, yet this can be sufficient information to lead you in the right direction.

About the Author:
Giselda Marcua is passionate about natural anti aging skin care products. For more skin care tips and trends on effective anti aging skin care treatments and how to defy wrinkles, visit her web site Natural Beautiful Skin. You have full permission to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged.

Thank you so very  much, Giselda, for this fascinating information on the skin we’re in!  And you know, what she said makes sense.  Think about what she said about the ingredient being right but the manufaturing wrong? 

I’m thinking of bread yeast here; if it’s inactive (bad manufacturing that killed the yeast), the bread won’t rise.  Doesn’t matter how much your pour in, it won’t do any good.

Of course, I also believe that any anti-aging skin care has a lot to do with what we put into our bodies; we can’t expect sugar, chemical additives and who knows what to be good for our skin!  So think about that when you yearn for a sweet; don’t you want to love the skin you’re in?

A lot of people ask, “What is binge eating?” wondering if they may possibly be a victim of this not-often-discussed eating disorder.

Well, according to WikiPedia, you can have a binge eating episode, without actually suffering from the disorder, as seen on this page.

So technically, binge eating is uncontrolled overeating.  It can be small, like when you decide to eat half a candy bar, but eat it all instead.  Or it can be large like eating several fast-food value meals, one right after the other.  It’s the inability to stop eating, no matter if the amount is large or small.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

I mentioned that you can have a binge eating episode without actually suffering from the full disorder.  And really, who hasn’t had it happen before?  Thanksgiving dinner is an excellent example; the vast majority of us eat far too much, then shuffle off to the couch, groaning in discomfort.

The disorder itself (which I think deserves a post of its own) is characterized more by how compelled you are to overeat.  In other words, is it something that periodically happens and you feel you have no control when it does?

The disorder is also characterized by frequency.  Once or twice a year at holidays is one thing.  One or more times a month could be something else.

In my next post, I’ll cover common signs of the disorder, as well as some binge eating facts.  Meanwhile you now know the answer to, “what is binge eating?”.  It’s when you just don’t have control.

Wouldn’t you like 12 diet tips from people who are losing weight?  You know what it’s like; it’s hard to lose weight with all the advertisement, all the fast food drive-though lanes that call to us.  Sure, sticking to your eating plan can be challenging, but here are 12 diet tips to help you out.

I’ve gleaned these from forum postings of people who are in the process of losing weight, so these are up-to-the-minute ideas from people who are kind enough to share what works for them.

12 Diet Tips

Life comes at you fast, but you can always make a U-turn.  Maybe you start a binge or eat something you know you shouldn’t have.  Instead of blowing your diet completely, recognize that one mistake won’t ruin your diet if you do a U-turn and get back on it.

Chew your food slowly and savor each bite.  Don’t just gulp it down and not taste a thing.  Make your meal last longer and you’ll feel full sooner.

Figure out your trigger foods, then stay away from them.  Don’t keep them in the house.  If you have to keep them around because of others in the household, distract yourself when they call to you.  Take a walk, give yourself a manicure, try new makeup or hairstyles — anything to keep you from the food!

Losing weight doesn’t happen in a day, and losing all the weight you need to won’t happen in a week — or maybe month or year.  The key is to be persistent and consistent.

Don’t talk about exercising — just do it!

Portion control tip:  go out an buy a baby food try — the kind that has three dividers.  Put your veggies in the biggest divider, then add protein and a grain.  The size of the plate (plus the dividers) helps keep your portions and proportions without measuring.

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Use a food tracker to really see what kinds of foods and what times you eat.  Do it for at least a couple of weeks to discover not only what you really eat, but what effect different foods have on you.  And review your tracker before you eat dinner, to help make better choices.

Get used to reading labels, especially for foods labeled as low fat, fat-free, low carb or diet.  You’d be surprised what they put in those foods that aren’t exactly healthy!

Quit drinking sodas and diet sodas.  Drink water instead.

Get your sleep!  If you aren’t rested you may fall into the habit of using food and caffeine as a pick me up.

Eat small meals throughout the day instead of skipping breakfast and then eating a large lunch and huge dinner.

Learn to throw away leftovers.  You know, don’t be a member of the clean-your-plate-club.  If you’re full, don’t keep eating just because it’s on your plate.  If it’s big enough, wrap it up for another meal.  If it’s a few bites, throw it away.

There we go, ideas to help you lose weight.  They are pretty good, aren’t they?  I think I’ll put a few of these to use myself!

What about you — which ones do you think will help you the most?

Oh my, I seem to be covering a lot of fast food information these days.  Here’s something interesting I came across.  I’m not sure it will help, but maybe it’s a baby step in the right direction?  Read on and decide for yourself.

South Los Angeles has decided to ban any new fast food restaurants from opening for at least one year, to give the restaurants with healthier foods a chance to gain a foothold and following.

As reported by the Associated Press, City Councilman Bernard Parks said that ”Our communities have an extreme shortage of quality foods”.

No surprise there, especially after my previous post on what restaurants, fast-food or traditional, feed us. 

Fast Food’s Reply:  No, Don’t Ban Us!

How about this:  72% of the places to eat in South and SE LA are fast food restaurants.  Ouch!  No wonder why the restaurants are trying to challenge the ban.  And no wonder why healthier alternatives are having a hard time.

And another statistic:  30% of children in south Los Angeles are obese.

Now here’s a quote I loved from Don Bailey, who has owned/operated a McDonalds for 22 years.  He told the LA Times that “McDonald’s believes in healthy choices”.

Sure.  Right.  And the Easter Bunny delivers colored eggs.  OK, maybe I am being too hard on the franchise; here’s some information so you can decide.

McDonald’s and Nutrition

I went to the official McDonald’s website and they do make it hard to locate the nutritional information!  I did find it, and so here it is for you to peruse:  McDonald’s Nutritional Charts

Now at first glance, the hamburger doesn’t look too bad — just 250 calories and 9 grams of fat.  Ah, but look farther, at the trans-fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.  Hmm, healthy isn’t what I’d call it.

So, let’s move to one of the “healthier” alternatives, the grilled honey mustard snack wrap.  At 260 calories, that doesn’t seem too bad.  And no trans-fat.  Still, read on and get a load of the sodium!  And the saturated fat isn’t anything to write home about either.  And just 1 gram of dietary fiber?

Raise your hand if you don’t usually order fries with your McDonald’s meal?  If you’re like most people and do get the fries, you don’t want to look.  Or, maybe you should so you know how much fat — of all kinds — you are feeding your body.

Mr. Bailey, I challenge you on your statement.  Or maybe I shouldn’t, because just because the franchise believes in healthier foods obviously doesn’t mean they offer them.

And in case you think I’m leaving out all their salad offerings, I’m not.  After looking over the chart, the salads aren’t anything to write home about.  And if you are counting calories, bring your own salad dressing because their low-fat dressings are not low calorie.

It seems like I’m picking on McDonald’s, but I’m just using them as an example.  Burger King, Jack in the Box, Wendy’s — they are all purveyors of fat, er, fast food. 

Ok, here’s the original article I plucked the information from, and you already have the McDonald’s nutritional chart from earlier in this post.  

Is the ban on new fast food restaurants justified?  Or should it be all restaurant franchises, seeing as some of the regular places (Applebee’s, Red Robin, Outback, etc.) aren’t where they should be nutrition-wise either?

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