Reach a Healthy Weight by Eliminating Your Challenges One by One

ByHarriet Hodgson

I am a grandmother and my weight loss challenges are age-related--arthritis, Minnesota weather, a wobbly walk, shifting calcium deposit in my ear, and blood pressure medication. Though I cannot remove all of these challenges, I can face them, prepare for them, and evaluate them. You may be at a similar point in your life.

My goals are simple. I want to get back to a healthy weight and stay there. To do this, I identified my weight loss challenges and worked to eliminate them.

First, I have made an appointment for a physical exam. During the exam my physician will evaluate my overall health, check my medications, and order necessary tests. Test results will determine the treatment.

At this age and stage of life I have arthritic joints. Fortunately, the pain is mild and my solution is to take over-the-counter medication. I also have a wobbly walk and have started strength training to counter it. According to a Mayo Clinic website article, "Fitness Training: Elements of a Well-Rounded Routine," this training increases bone strength and muscular fitness.

"Older adults in particular should include in their routine exercises to maintain or improve balance," Mayo Clinic notes. I found a series of balance exercises on the Mayo Clinic website. I started with balancing on one leg, holding the other leg up and forwards. With practice, I hope to be able to hold this position for 30 seconds, to start with, and gradually increase the time. I will try other exercises as well.

The inner ear controls balance. When the calcium deposit in my ear shifts, I cannot balance or walk very well. However, I have learned how to do a repositioning maneuver. After I have done the maneuver, I must sit up for at least eight hours. Sleeping in a sitting position isn't fun, but I am willing to do it because the maneuver works.

Blood pressure medication is my final challenge and I will probably take it for the rest of my life. The medicine slows my heart rate, which is good, and causes leg cramps, which is bad. I have learned how to stretch to remove cramps and learned how to take my own blood pressure. Most important, I refill my prescription well before I would run out of pills.

As you can see, I have faced every challenge and taken action on it. I am taking other proactive steps as well--cutting back on sugar, eating more whole grains, and striving for six to seven servings of fruits/vegetables a day. If you are trying to reach a healthy weight, think about your personal challenges and take action on them. Keeping a food diary may also be helpful.

Reaching a healthy weight takes gumption, time and patience. "Are you ready to start?" Mayo Clinic asks in its book. "Mayo Clinic: Healthy Weight for Everybody." According to Mayo, you need to identify your personal barriers and learn to cope with them. You have the power to lose weight, Mayo continues, and should "cheer yourself on!"

Copyright 2012 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for 35+ years and is the author of 30 books. She is the author of six grief resources--"Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," Lois Krahn, MD, co-author, "Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life," "Writing to Recover Journal," "The Spiritual Woman: Quotes to Refresh and Sustain Your Soul," "101 Affirmations to Ease Your Grief Journey" and "Happy Again! Your New and Meaningful Life After Loss." Visit her website and learn more about this busy author.

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Health and Fitness: Weight-Loss
Harriet Hodgson

Email Address:SubscribeWeight Loss Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchSimilar ArticlesA Healthy Approach to Weight Loss - Interview With Dr Lavinia RodriguezWeight Loss Excuses - How Excuses Will Make You FatHealthy Lifestyle Habits Of Mind To Help Create The Healthy Life You DeservePersonal Ethics and LifeI Can, I Can'tFinding Love in Your Life- 5 Immediate Steps You Can Take Today to Find the Love You Most DesireHow To Achieve Your Fitness GoalsDieting Will Never Be the Same! A Review of "How to Make Your Diet Work"Chapter 1 - The Dimensional Leader: The Line of ResistanceNo Pain No Gain - True Or False?Recent ArticlesThe Best Weight Loss Plan - Eliminating Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates From Your DietThe Ultimate Nutritional Diet Plan to Lose WeightHow to Lose Weight in a Healthy and All-Natural WayLifestyle Fitness Coaching - How to Get Past the Hurdle and Jump Start Your Weight Loss3 Reasons Lifting Weights Works Better Than Cardio for Fat Loss - Especially For Women!Burn Belly Fat and Other Tricks to Look More AttractiveGet Your Figure Back With These Weight Loss TipsLose Weight Quickly With These 5 Great IdeasYour Weight Increases Your Blood PressureThink Your Way ThinSubmitted On January 26, 2012. Viewed 2 times. Word count: 509.

Important Disclaimer: Articles provided are for general information purposes only and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychological, tax, accounting, legal, investment, or any other professional advice. EzineArticles.com expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed by any of our members or anywhere else within the site. Lastly, EzineArticles.com does not endorse any article. Use at your own risk.

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Hodgson, Harriet".".26 Jan. 2012EzineArticles.com.26 Jan. 2012 .APA Style Citation:
Hodgson, H. (2012, January 26). . Retrieved January 26, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Reach-­a-­Healthy-­Weight-­by-­Eliminating-­Your-­Challenges-­One-­by-­One&id=6842356Chicago Style Citation:
Hodgson, Harriet "." EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Reach-­a-­Healthy-­Weight-­by-­Eliminating-­Your-­Challenges-­One-­by-­One&id=6842356EzineArticles.com© 2012 EzineArticles.com
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The Best Weight Loss Plan - Eliminating Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates From Your Diet

ByRobert F McCarthy

The best weight loss plan is also synonymous with one of the fast ways to lose weight. It involves eliminating refined carbohydrates and sugar from your daily diet. Refined carbohydrates are whole plant foods that have been processed in a way that removes everything but the highly digestible starch and sugar components of the plant. The commercial reason for doing this is to improve the texture of the food and to prolong shelf life. When the starch and sugar components of plant foods are concentrated, the body processes this type of material very quickly. In the refining process however, vital nutrients such as vitamins, fiber, minerals, and phytochemicals are removed. Examples of refined carbohydrates are: sugar (any type of sugar including high fructose corn syrup) white rice, certain cereals, pastas and anything made from refined white flour such as crackers, cakes, cookies, donuts and many other food items.

Glycemic Index

Refined carbohydrates are bad and they run counter to the best weight loss plan because they have a high glycemic index. High glycemic index foods cause a sudden and sharp increase in blood sugar levels because they are rapidly converted into glucose which is the body's primary fuel for producing energy. In response to this sharp increase in blood glucose, corresponding amounts of insulin are released by the pancreas to quickly clear the glucose from the blood given its toxic impact on internal organs such as the kidneys. Insulin escorts the glucose into the cells of the body where it is used to produce the energy that all cells need in order to carry out their specific function. What is not used by the cells is immediately converted into fat that is stored as a ready energy reserve for the body. When high amounts of insulin are released by the pancreas it takes a longer period of time for the insulin to dissipate from the bloodstream. As long as insulin is present, the body's natural ability and desire to burn fat is inhibited. This mechanism leads to gaining weight and increasing the ratio of body fat to lean body mass (BMI). There are more serious issues that are related to sudden and sharp increases in insulin that if occurring over a long period of time can lead to chronic and potentially life threatening health issues.

Processed foods by definition contain high amounts of refined carbohydrates. Eliminating these types of foods from your daily diet is the best weight loss plan. It is also one of the fast ways to lose weight.

Good Carbohydrates

The good carbohydrates are the plant foods that deliver high amounts of fiber, vitamins,minerals, and phytochemicals along with carbohydrate. Fiber is the component in plant foods that humans cannot digest. Even though fiber is not absorbed by the body, it helps to slow down the release of sugar into the blood. This results in foods having a lower glycemic index. Whole grains, fresh vegetables, dry beans, and fresh fruits all contain carbohydrates but they also contain high amounts of fiber therefore making them low glycemic index foods. Fiber by virtue of its ability to slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream indirectly suppresses the release of high amounts of insulin which in turn allows the body to release fat burning hormones.

Foods that are high in fiber promote natural fat burning. Eliminating sugar and refined carbohydrates from your daily diet is one of the fast ways to lose weight.

Sources of Fiber

Fiber content is the yardstick by which all carbohydrates are measured as being either good or bad. High glycemic index carbohydrates because they are refined are low in fiber. These types of carbohydrates are responsible for making and keeping you fat. Low glycemic index carbohydrates are loaded with fiber and other vital nutrients. Eating these types of carbohydrates is one of the fast ways to lose weight and to keep it off.

The best weight loss plan has fiber as its central theme. Fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, and dry beans are quality carbohydrates that are loaded with fiber and other vital nutrients. There is sound evidence that fiber promotes weight control in addition to preventing colon cancer, heart disease, and a host of other chronic health conditions.

Nutritionist recommend that men aged 50 or younger should consume a minimum of 38 grams of fiber a day while women aged 50 or younger should consume a minimum of 25 grams of fiber a day. Because we need fewer calories and food as we get older, men aged 50+ should consume 30 grams or more of fiber a day while women over aged 50 should consume 21 grams or more of fiber a day.

The best weight loss plan can be easily implemented by those who are interested in finding fast ways to lose weight. Eating the right foods will cause your body to naturally burn fat. Learning how to eat your way to being and staying slim is indeed the best weight loss plan!

Hi, my name is R. F. McCarthy the best weight loss plan involves learning to eat the right foods. Successful long term weight management is dependent upon your daily eating habits. Avoiding the foods that make you fat while focusing on eating foods that burn fat is one of the most effective, healthy, and fast ways to lose weight.

A total knee replacement and a diagnosis of being a borderline diabetic caused me to make a more serious commitment related to long-term personal weight management. If you have been struggling with a weight issue and you are not happy with the results that you have thus far achieved click here to learn more about how to lose weight naturally and how to keep it off forever.

Wishing you All the Best in Health, Happiness, and your Weight Loss endeavors.

YOUR DREAMS ARE AS REAL AS YOU MAKE THEM... BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

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Health and Fitness: Weight-Loss
Robert F McCarthy

Email Address:SubscribeWeight Loss Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchSimilar ArticlesWeight Loss Tips That Will Work For YouBest Weight Loss Lifestyle DietWeight Watchers Vs Strip That FatSimple Nutrition For Health & Weight ManagementSeven Very Simple and Common Sense Ways to Get The Weight Off and Stay HealthyNatural Weight Loss Made Easy - How to Lose Weight NaturallyDo You Have a Sensible Fat Loss Strategy?Beginner Weightlifting Workout Plan Plus Healthy Nutrition and Cardiovascular ExerciseWhat to Look For in a Quick Fat Loss Diet Quick Overview On Fat LossRecent ArticlesThe Ultimate Nutritional Diet Plan to Lose WeightHow to Lose Weight in a Healthy and All-Natural WayLifestyle Fitness Coaching - How to Get Past the Hurdle and Jump Start Your Weight Loss3 Reasons Lifting Weights Works Better Than Cardio for Fat Loss - Especially For Women!Burn Belly Fat and Other Tricks to Look More AttractiveGet Your Figure Back With These Weight Loss TipsReach a Healthy Weight by Eliminating Your Challenges One by OneLose Weight Quickly With These 5 Great IdeasYour Weight Increases Your Blood PressureThink Your Way ThinSubmitted On January 24, 2012. Viewed 1 time. Word count: 832.

Important Disclaimer: Articles provided are for general information purposes only and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychological, tax, accounting, legal, investment, or any other professional advice. EzineArticles.com expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed by any of our members or anywhere else within the site. Lastly, EzineArticles.com does not endorse any article. Use at your own risk.

MLA Style Citation:
McCarthy, Robert F.".".24 Jan. 2012EzineArticles.com.26 Jan. 2012 .APA Style Citation:
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McCarthy, Robert F. "." EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?The-­Best-­Weight-­Loss-­Plan-­-­-­Eliminating-­Sugar-­and-­Refined-­Carbohydrates-­From-­Your-­Diet&id=6838054EzineArticles.com© 2012 EzineArticles.com
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