Health Center | About Weight Loss

Archive for May, 2010

Have you ever heard of an online weight loss program before? Online weight loss programs are designed to assist individuals, possibly just like you, who want to lose weight. What it nice about online weight loss programs is that they are operated online, which is nice for those who have busy schedules; schedules that may not allow them to join locally operated weight loss programs.

If you have never joined an online weight loss program before, you may be wondering if one is right for you. Better yet, you may be wondering if an online weight loss program is worth the cost. In all honestly, you will typically find that online weight loss programs are well worth their costs, but it all depends. To ensure that your money is wisely spent, you will want to make sure that you choose the online weight loss program that is perfect for you and your needs.

When finding an online weight loss program that is more than worth the costs, you will want to examine the features that you have access to. Features are also commonly referred to as membership benefits or membership perks. The program features that you have access to plays a large part in determining whether or not the online weight loss program that you want to join is worth the money. A few of the many online weight loss features or member perks that you will want access to are outlined below.

One of the many features or membership benefits that would make an online weight loss program well worth the cost is that of healthy eating tips. As you likely already know, healthy eating is an important part of any weight loss plan. Many online weight loss programs have healthy eating sections that include easy to make recipes for foods and drinks, as well as shopping tips and much more. As previously stated, healthy eating is an important part of losing weight; therefore, you should look for an online weight loss program that does have a healthy eating or a healthy foods section.

Another feature that would make an online weight loss program more than worth the costs is that of an exercise program. It has been said that exercise and healthy eating are the two most important components of losing weight. You should be able to find an online weight loss program that has an exercise section for you to access. This section may outline workouts that you should try, which may be accompanied by pictures, videos, or at least detailed directions. You may also find charts that outline how many calories are burned with common exercises, and much more.

One feature that you may not necessarily think of, but one that is important, is that of an online message boards or a community section. Community sections are often comprised of online message boards. These sections often allow you to communicate with other online weight loss program members or group leaders. This communication is nice as it may help to give you motivation. You may even find an online weight loss buddy or partner to help you on your journey.

Guaranteed results or free trial periods are another sign that an online weight loss program may be worth the money. Often times, many individuals are unsure as to whether or not they should pay to join an online weight loss program, as they do not know for sure that they will lose weight. A large number of online weight loss programs give you the ability to test out their programs free of charge and then there are others that give you guaranteed results. With guarantees like these, online weight loss programs are more then worth their costs.

The above mentioned points are just a few of the many that may be able to help you decide whether or not joining an online weight loss program is worth the cost. If you are able to find an online weight loss program with a free trial period or even just one with affordable membership rates, you may want to think about giving it a shot.

 

I want to share with you just how I have been successful in achieving outstanding results with fitness and fat loss with my clients for many years without any fad exercise gadgets or crazy diets. If you really want to find out the only true way to ‘Get Fit Fast’ then read on and I will tell you precisely how to do it, here and now.

First things first, the most important thing you must do to ensure you get fit as fast as you can is to be clear about exactly what you want to get fit for. You must a have a visibly clear goal as to where you want to be. You must remain focused and determined to succeed. How can you expect to get fit if you have no idea where you are heading?

If I ask you this question, it might help you to realize that getting fit fast really does depend on what your own interpretation of fitness is. Do you think you would get fit faster if your goal was to be able to climb 10 flights of stairs without stopping compared with climbing K2, the worldâ??s second highest mountain? Of course you would. The task of climbing 10 flights of stairs is much less of a challenge than climbing K2; therefore if you where training to climb mount K2, you would reach and overtake the desired fitness level to climb the stairs well before you are ready to tackle one of the highest and arguably the most dangerous mountain in the world. Hopefully this has made you realize that â??fitnessâ?? is an extremely broad term and people must understand that in order to â??Get Fit Fastâ?? they must be very specific about what it is they want to achieve.

So back to the original question, How to Get Fit Fast depends greatly up on your current level of base fitness and the desired goal ahead. The next thing to think about is the relevancy of your training. The example above gives two similar goals, in respect that they both involve climbing of sorts. One much more technical and challenging than the other, but the training would be some what similar to start with.

Let’s look at another example; if you compare a Power Lifter with a long distance runner, initially you would say that both are fit. This is correct to say that both are fit for their respective sporting disciplines, however if both were to swap roles, you could say that both would struggle to perform well at each others sports.

These are classic examples of people who are fit for what they do. The training path to reach the desired level of fitness for each sport is completely different. So you need to make sure that the training you do to improve your fitness is relevant to your final goal, otherwise you will never get there.

Take it from me you have to have a very good level of base fitness to succeed at either of these sports. Most people’s idea of a base level of fitness is to enable them to cope with the stresses and strains of their daily lifestyle. This might include, tending the garden, leisure walking, running for the bus and playing with the kids.

To get fit as fast as you can follow these 7 simple steps;

1. Assess where you’re at;
Ask you’re self why you want to get fit. Most people decide to get fit for one of 3 reasons;
a) Improve physical appearance
b) Health reasons or quality of life
c) For a particular sport, challenge or task

Which category do you fall into?

2. Set yourself a goal;
Make sure there is light at the end of the tunnel.
When will you know you have reached your goal? What do you need to do to get there?
If your goal is weight loss, then what is your ideal weight? If you are training for a
specific event, such as a running race, what time or distance do you need to achieve.
If it’s for health reasons, you may wish to reduce your blood pressure or cholesterol.

3. Eat healthy;
Your diet must be specific to your goal and your exercise plan. Make sure you are eating
the right food and at the right times to get the most out of your exercise program.
A poor diet equals low energy and poor performance, ask any successful sports person.
My advice is don’t go on a diet. You’ll just end up hungry, de-motivated and give up.

If weight loss is your goal, then start by making one small but significant change to your
diet every week. For example if you were to cut out 1 tsp of sugar from your 2 cups of tea
or coffee per day, then that’s a saving of 14,500 calories in one year. That amounts to a
loss of over 4lbs of body fat. Do you see where I’m coming from? Small changes can make a big difference when you add them all together.

4. Exercise;
If you are new to exercise and think you don’t have the time, and then make a commitment to start exercising for 5 minutes per day. Do you think you can handle that? Next week, increase it to 10 minutes and so on until you are doing 30 minutes per day. You’ll be amazed how much fitter you are just in that short time.

Choose an exercise activity appropriate to your goal, but make sure it’s a balanced program that covers all the major components of fitness. A balanced exercise program should include; CV training, for aerobic & anaerobic fitness. Resistance training, for muscular endurance, strength and power. Flexibility for range of movement and posture. Balance and coordination.

If you are not sure where to start then consider these;
1. Enjoy what you do
2. Balance your exercise to include CV, Resistance and Flexibility
3. Make your exercise specific to your goal
4. Make it a lifestyle change not a chore
5. Make it challenging, but not impossible

For the best results and to get fitter faster, then consult an exercise professional to
design a program specifically for you.

5. Monitor;
Monitor your progress; it will help to motivate you to stop you losing interest. Once you
see that you are making steady progress towards your goal it will keep you focused.

6. Motivate;
One of the hardest things about starting a new fitness campaign is keeping on track. Try training with a friend or join a club to help keep you interested. Reward yourself every now and then with your favorite meal or treat.

7. Fitness for life;
Don’t just make a commitment to get fit for new year or holiday, make it a lifestyle change. Decide that you are going to make changes for life.

Last but not least if you can get to the point where fitness and healthy living becomes second nature and a natural routine then it’s the unhealthy things that start to become a chore! Remember if you practice anything enough you will do it without thinking about it and this is the state you need to aim for. One day you will come to realize, ‘this fitness stuff isn’t so bad after all’.

Are you interested in losing weight? If you are, how much weight would you like to lose? If you are looking to lose eighty pounds or more in weight, did you know that you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery?

Although it is nice to hear that you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery, you may be wondering if weight loss surgery is right for you. More importantly, you may be wondering if weight loss surgery is worth the money. If that is a question that you would like answered, you will want to continue reading on.

In short, the question as to whether or not weight loss surgery is worth the money has a simple answer; it all depends. While that may not have necessarily been the answer that you were looking for, it is the truth. For many individuals, weight loss surgery is well worth it; however, there are others who don’t end up benefiting from weight loss surgery. To determine if weight loss surgery is worth the cost to you, personally, you will want to take a number of factors into consideration.

One of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, when determining if weight loss surgery is worth the cost for you, is your weight. You will find that many weight loss surgeons require that you are at least eighty pounds overweight to undergo weight loss surgery. With that in mind, you may be able to find a surgeon who will make an exception, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should opt for surgery. If you are able to try to lose the weight on your own, through the use of exercise, eating healthy, or diet pills, you may find it more affordable to do so.

Your health is another factor that you should take into consideration, when trying to determine if weight loss surgery is right for you. Weight loss surgery is commonly referred to as a lifesaving medical procedure. Those who are severely obese put their health at risk and may experience an early death. If you are severely obese, your physician may recommend weight loss surgery. If that is the case, weight loss surgery is more than worth the costs, as you cannot put a price tag on your health and wellbeing.

Your ability to set goals and stay with them is another factor to consider, when determining if weight loss surgery is worth the cost to you. Weight loss surgery may help you lose weight right away, but the surgery alone will not help you lose weight. With a reduced stomach pouch, which is how most weight loss surgeries work, you must limit the amount of food that you eat. If you do not do so, you may gain your weight back and possibly endanger your health. If you do not think that you can follow all of the instructions given to you, following a weight loss surgery, surgery may not be the best option for you.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many that can help you decide if weight loss surgery is right for you or if it is worth the cost. As a reminder, it is important that you take the time to first consult with your doctor. Not all individuals are candidates for weight loss surgery.

You are moments away from discovering a battle proven home health and fitness training program that is guaranteed to get you in top physical condition in only 20 minutes per day or you donâ??t pay anything, yes itâ??s true, you will get a no questions asked refund. Just try it for 60 days and if itâ??s not for you then just send it back and you wonâ??t have to pay a cent. This program really works and comes with bonuses worth hundreds of dollars including a bonus book, a â??Triple your flexibility Ultimate Fighting Fit Flexibility Techniquesâ? DVD and a Special Forces 5 week battle fit program and 3 reports on health, fitness and muscular strength. Just check out this groundbreaking book called Secrets of Fighting Fit Exposed, Battle Proven Exercises for Strength, Fitness and Flexibility by Martin Day. This unique fitness and exercise is an international best seller and unlike other programs is guaranteed to get you strong and fit whilst making sure that you are burning calories to help you lose weight, tone up your muscles so that you will get in the best shape of your life.

As I said earlier, Martin Dayâ??s Fighting Fit home health and physical fitness training program is guaranteed to ensure you build amazing strength, flexibility and fitness. You will learn military sourced secrets such as how to build a strong hard, powerful chest, lower back, thighs, & calves; itâ??s so impressive that I am mentioning the benefits to you again and againâ?¦ these unique training exercises will build strength, stamina and endurance; rock hard abs; explosive power, conditioned core strength, endless energy, unstoppable speed, and much more from these 60 battle proven exercises that are all detailed with step by step photos and explanations on how to achieve conditioned fitness.

Martin has spent over 30 years teaching these fitness training secrets based on his time in the British Army and during his martial arts career.

Now, if you are worried that you are too old, too young, over weight or out of condition (even if you feel like a bit of a couch potato) well, I have exciting news for you; all of the exercises that are taught are designed for everyone young and old alike. This means that your whole family will enjoy getting in great shape using these proven methods to become fit and of course spend quality time together as a family whilst training. Unfortunately, some people that want to get fit and healthy have trouble finding the motivation to start exercising, well, and hereâ??s the thing; as soon as you get this groundbreaking training and exercise program you will be â??inspiredâ?? as many avid supporters of Fighting Fit have said again and again. Thousands of people all over the world have achieved great things through implementing Martinâ??s Fighting Fit and Army Physical Training workouts and they have and continue to rave about the success they have achieved. Many people from all walks of life and from far corners of the world have provided Martin with video and text success stories and testimonial. Most of them are along the lines of â??You have designed a brilliant exercise program, I have lost so much excess bodyweight and my fitness, health and strength levels have rocketed. I donâ??t huff and puff any more carrying the shopping to my car. I recommend your Fighting Fit system to anyone that wants to change their life for the better.â?

Itâ??s true what you hear; health is the most important thing that we possess, not money (although it helps!). A lifetime of health and fitness training with Martinâ??s exercise and training routines takes just 20 minutes per day. So get toned and blow torch that belly fat off, get in shape, stay in shape and enjoy a lifetime of fitness, health and happiness.

Home health and physical fitness training is important for all that wish to live a long and healthy lifestyle. These proven exercises provide noticeable changes in just seven short days of 20 minutes of exercise per day.

As part of your pack, not only will get the book containing the photos and explanations of how to carry out each exercise but also information on how to breathe correctly for maximum health and how you can generate martial arts chi energy and much more. Added to this you will get a set of training videos or a three DVD set with Martin showing you exactly how to perform each exercise and the precise method to use along with extra exercise tips that arenâ??t shown in his book. The Fighting Fit DVDâ??s include an upper body workout, mid section workout, legs and core strength workout.

You can use these exercises to turn your body into a rock hard Adonis by setting aside about 20 minutes each day or longer for even faster results. You donâ??t need to pay gym fees or travel expenses so you not only save time but save money as well. Fighting Fit exercises need no equipment so they can be done any time day or night at any place; thatâ??s right, anywhere, you choose. You do not have to take time to schedule a workout, just do it. You will not only be toning your body and becoming supremely fit, you will also reap the benefits of having more energy and endurance and you will feel more alive and confident. I bet you have already pulled your shoulders back and are standing taller just by visualizing the new look you will achieve.

All of the Fighting Fit home health and Army physical fitness training books and videos are based on Martin Dayâ??s 20 years of experience serving in British Army Special Forces as well as his success in martial arts which resulted in him winning a World International All Styles Championships. He also teaches and provides flexibility training videos on â??How to Triple Your Flexibility in One Eveningâ? and how to protect yourself, your family and friends with his â??Uncensored Elite Unarmed Combatâ? training video and DVD set with over 106 techniques that will save your life; this is real street situation self-defense.

These battle proven training and exercise methods have been used for many years by the British Army to produce strong, fit, muscular fighting men and women to protect their country. Now, at last, these unique little-known shortcut-training secrets that boosts strength, fitness, and flexibility within 7 days guaranteed or you donâ??t pay anything, not even one red cent is available for men, women, and children who want to get in the best shape of their lives no matter where you are living around the world.

So instead of being miserable and sitting around doing nothing about your overall health and wellness, learn the secrets of the military and get physically fit today. Donâ??t delay. Remember, you will see a change in only one short week just working out for about 20 minutes per day or less. That is just over 2 hours in 7 days spent to supercharge you to an improved physical condition. Why wait? The longer you wait, the more you are missing out on when it comes to energy and stamina. Show the kids you can still out run them, make your friends and neighbours envious and delight in the knowledge that they will all want to be looking like you.

Get your body in shape â?? lean, toned and rock hard with endless energy and leap out of bed to start your day as a new person. It all starts hereâ?¦

So donâ??t be a couch potato, log on now and recharge your life by getting his training programs.

If you are not able to access the internet then just phone 1300 851 401.

If you are interested in losing weight, you may have thought about joining a weight loss center. Weight loss centers are often used to describe weight loss programs that are locally operated.

If this is your first time looking to join a weight loss center, you may be unsure as to what you should look for in one. An important part of joining a weight loss center is finding the weight loss center that is perfect for you and your own personal needs. For that reason, there are a number of factors, which are outlined below, that you will want to take into consideration.

One of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, when looking for a weight loss center to join, is the location. With gas prices high, many individuals find it difficult to travel long distances. You will have to pay money to become a member at a weight loss center; therefore, you should be careful about adding on extra costs, like the cost of gasoline, to your membership. If, at all possible, you should look for weight loss centers that are conveniently located either close to your home or your place of business.

Speaking of costs, as previously mentioned, you will have to pay to become a member of a weight loss center. This cost will vary depending on the weight loss center in question. On average, most weight loss center memberships are around twenty or thirty dollars a month. With that in mind, it is possible to find weight loss centers that cost more money. If you are on a budget, a weight loss center membership fee may have an impact on the weight loss center that you chose to become a member at.

Although it is important to find a weight loss center that you can afford, you don’t want to have your decision be based solely on costs. You will want to take the time to examine each weight loss center that you come across. For instance, you should be able to find some weight loss centers that only have weekly or monthly meetings or weigh-ins for members to attend. On the other hand, there are weight loss centers that may have exercise classes or a fitness gym, which you should gain access to as a member. If you are able to find a quality weight loss center or one that comes highly rated and recommend, higher membership fees may be worth it.

When looking to find the perfect weight loss center for you and your needs, it may be a good idea to do a little bit of research. With the internet, it is easy to review a company or a program, like a weight loss program. With a standard internet search, preferably with the name of the weight loss center in question, you should be able to come across program reviews or online discussions. Research is not only a great way to find weight loss centers that have great reviews, but it is also a great way to learn of any weight loss centers that you should avoid or ones that are known for not being worth the costs.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many that you will want to take into consideration, when looking to find a weight loss center to join. Although many weight loss centers come highly rated and recommended, it is important to find the weight loss center that can best fit you and your needs.

You’ve heard so much about Wii Fit, and many of you might have the question on your mind “Does Wii Fit Work?” I bought my Nintendo Wii Fit Starter Bundle online three months ago. During the past three months, I’ve been playing the Wii Fit Starter Bundle on regular basis. So I’d be glad to share my Wii Fit workout experience with you.

What’s  in the Nintendo Wii Fit Starter Bundle?
I placed an order online and received my Wii Fit Starter Bundle in the mail three days later. I couldn’t contain my excitement while opening the package. The package included my long-awaited Wii Fit game and Balance Board. I already got my Wii game console earlier this year along with all the necessary accessories such as the Wii remotes and nunchuck, so I was ready to start playing Wii Fit right away.

Exercises included in the Wii Fit Starter Bundle
There are over 40 different types of training activities offered by Wii Fit, including traditional exercises such as step aerobics, jogging, as well as modern stress busters such as Yoga and meditation. You can also choose  other fund exercises such as Hula Hoops, Snowboarding and rhythm boxing. The exercises offered by Wii Fit are so diverse that every member of your family will find their favorite ones no matter how old or physically active they are.

The pressure-sensitive balance board that comes with the Wii Fit Starter Bundle can hold up to a maximum of 300 pounds. Since quite a few of the Wii Fit games are based on player’s balance of her body, this is where the balance board comes in. Similar to a step aerobics board in appearance, the Wii Fit Balance Board can also measure player’s performance as well as weight, which alongside the height, age and gender determine the player’s Body Mass Index (BMI).

My Workout experience with Wii Fit Starter Bundle
I set up my Wii Fit system as soon as I got the bundle. Firstly, I entered basic personal data such as height, age and gender as instructed by Wii console. The machine calculated my BMI and my fitness level shortly. After my profile creation was complete, I was ready to start getting a taste of Wii Fit.

I am always a fan of Strength Training. So I started with muscle-toning exercises such as Leg lift, Squat, Lunge and more. Wii Fit offered Push-up challenge and it was quite fun. I also played Yoga with the Wii balance board. I have been practicing Yoga for quite a while, so I had no problem in catching up with Yoga poses included in the Wii Fit, such as Cobra, Bridge, Spinal Twist, Shoulder Stand, Warrior and more. It was actually quite interesting to play Yoga with Wii Fit.

My favorite exercise so far is Hula Hoop. It was quite challenging to keep the hoops in the air in the beginning. After a couple of days’ training, I learned how to balance myself. After that, keeping all the hoops in the air while catching some more was really enjoyable. And it was a great workout too.

Does Wii Fit Work for me?
I have been playing with Wii Fit for 40 minutes a day, 3 days per week, during the past three months. Here is the result I’d like to share with you: I lost 4 pounds so far and dropped from size 8 to size 6. I eat like usual during these three months. So I think Wii Fit does work for me, and I will keep exercising and shaping up with Wii Fit.

Will Wii Fit work for you?
Many of you might be on the fence asking “Will Wii Fit work for me?” My answer is “Yes, it will. As long as you do it right and do it regularly.” Don’t get me wrong, Wii Fit  is not going to make you lose weight if you eat excessively and doing 10 minutes a day on Wii Fit. You have to watch your lifestyle and diet too. If you exercise with Wii Fit regularly with a healthy diet, you will be happy to see the result 3 months later just as I did.

Wii Fit is like a home gym membership to some extent. However it is much more fun, and provides more motivations to get people started, especially for those who don’t have time hitting the gym every other day, or just simply don’t like go to the gym. Wii Fit turns the exercises into a fun experience. And there are so many activities included in the Wii Fit game that you wouldn’t feel bored at all.

To sum up, Wii Fit works for me, and it will work for you as long as you manage your expectation and keep a long-time commitment. WiiConsoleDeals.com is a specialized Wii for sale site that lists up to the minute deals on the Wii consoles, Wii Fit and other popular Wii games and accessories. Be sure to try this website when shopping for Wii Fit bundle.

For most people, following a weight loss program can be very hard and very discouraging if they don’t see results right away. People who are overweight may harbor feelings of guilt for letting themselves go. The obese suffer may suffer from ridicule and feelings of inadequacy. The only way a lot of those who are overweight will be able to make a change is to find a program for fast weight loss.

Fast weight loss is not the best or safe way to lose weight, however when someone who is overweight starts to see results right away they are more likely to stick to a program. Weight loss is not only physical but a psychological process also. For those people that do not struggle with their weight this is very hard to understand.

So if you decide that you want to follow a fast weight loss diet plan there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Following a fad diet may help you to lose weight fast but if it doesn’t show you how to keep the weight off then you are really getting nowhere. It is likely that you can gain the weight back.

The most popular fast weight loss diets have you eating a lot of one particular foods such as cabbage soup or grapefruits or all protein. But where are you when you lose the weight? Are you actually going to be able to keep the weight off? Do you know what to eat to maintain the weight loss. Obviously you can’t eat cabbage and nothing but protein the rest of your life.

But don’t give up, I have some great advice for fast weight loss. There are weight loss programs out there that will give you the weight loss that you need and show you how to maintain it. You need to find a program that will allow you to eat a variety of healthy foods that you can continue to eat with no problems.

The key to fast weight loss is to increase the ability for your body to burn fat and calories. This can be done by calorie shifting. Shifting the types of healthy foods that you eat each day can turn up your metabolism for maximum weight loss.

Switching between proteins and carbs, fruits and vegetables will put your body into fat burning mode. It is also key that you eat a lot of small meals throughout the day to increase the effect. Taking a great multi- vitamin and drinking plenty of water can help the process also.

Another important element in fast weight loss is exercise. To lose weight and get healthy it is critical that you start a solid exercise program that you can stick to. Forget about the high impact exercise programs when you are just starting out. Like a weight loss program, if your exercise program is too hard to stick to you won’t be able to be successful.

It is possible to follow a program for fast weight loss and be successful. Just make sure that you do so under the supervision of your doctor. Be healthy and be safe.

If you want to have and keep a healthy well-toned body, a good gym or health club can offer you a variety of equipment and services to help you meet your goals. But remember that not all fitness clubs are equal.

You want a fitness club that’s in it for more than your cash. It should be fully committed to health and quality service so that you see positive results as quickly as possible. It should offer an informed professional staff that can guide you through your workouts and show you how to use new equipment. And it should offer a variety of programs that focus on different aspects of fitness and health. Having a professional nutritionist on staff is another important feature you should look for.

One health and fitness club you can count on is 24 Hour Fitness, with have five types of clubs to meet your unique needs. The Ultra Sport club offers all the amenities and is set up for every type of workout you can imagine, from basketball and volleyball to saunas and spas. You can even sharpen your rock climbing skills. There’s a kids’ club, so you won’t have to hire a baby-sitter and a complete juice bar for dietary health. After your workout, you can get a wonderful massage or visit a tanning booth. 24 Hour Fitness’ Super Sport Clubs include many of the same amenities, without the massage or rock climbing. Similar to the Super Sport, the Sport Club doesn’t offer tanning. The Active club type focuses on the basic – weight training, cardio workouts, sauna, steam room, and a kids’ club. Finally, the Fitlite club offers a complete cardio workout and some group classes.

Operating since 1983, 24 Hour Fitness is the biggest privately owned and operated fitness center chain in the world with over 385 clubs. For years, they’ve maintained a expert staff to help their clients get the most out of their exercise program, and they use qualified nutritionists to complement working out with great advice on the foods you should – and should not – eat.

Signing up to a new club only to find that they have incomplete facilities and gaps in their equipment offering is a real disappointment and a waste of time and money. You won’t be disappointed at 24 Hour Fitness. They maintain state-of-the-art fitness equipment for every workout need. You’ll never have to stop your workout because the equipment broke down, and you won’t have to wait until a machine becomes available to get the exercise you need.

They offer team sports facilities and group classes to help you learn new skills and enjoy your friends at the same time. 24 Hour Fitness classes cover a wide range of exercise interests, such as pilates, strength training, aerobic workouts, yoga, and water workouts. Their worldwide instructor team includes over 7000 professionals, and 24 Hour Fitness keeps them up on the latest techniques by offering in-house training for Group Trainers.

You can choose from a range of membership types to meet your schedule and your budget at 24 Hour Fitness. Four types of all-club memberships give you privileges at facilities everywhere, and three different one-club options allow for savings, great workouts, and short-term fitness programs.

Since they have facilities all over the world, travelers will want to take advantage of the Passport Program, where you can workout at other private fitness centers as part of your membership in 24 Hour Fitness. All you need is your 24 Hour Fitness Passport Program ID and a reasonable fee to get a great workout at any Passport Program member’s facility.

In 2000, 24 Hour Fitness made a bold move when they entered into partnerships with five world-famous athletes to advocate fitness and make fitness a way of life for all of us. Representing the qualities 24 Hour Fitness values (determination, hard work, persistence, and a positive attitude), these sports super stars are role models and living proof of the benefits of exercise and good health. Lance Armstrong, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Andre Agassi, and Jackie Chan signed on to represent 24 Hour Fitness and bring good health to the people.

In 2004, 24 Hour Fitness became the first official fitness center sponsor for U.S. Olympic Teams, offering grants to help Olympic hopefuls follow their dreams and upgrading Olympic Training Centers across the country. Their commitment to good health is clear.

Your workout at 24 Hour Fitness will be fun, easy, and personally rewarding. You’ll find a wide range of exercise options and equipment, complete modern facilities and amenities, and a professional staff to help you achieve your goals in record time.

If you’re shopping for a health club, you owe it to yourself to check out 24 Hour Fitness.

The phrase “weight loss diet” is loaded with meaning for most of us. We associate it with words like “yo yo dieting”, “fad diets”, and “failure”. What many of us overlook is the fact that sensible, natural eating habits can also constitute a weight loss diet. One that’s a lot easier to stick to and bears results that last longer.

So let’s explore an eating plan that is doable and can result in significant weight loss – a diet that isn’t really a diet so much as a natural way to eat sensibly.

Here are the food categories you need to get familiar with as part of this healthy weight loss diet that we’re going to call “The Un-Diet”: It consists of a smart balance of carbs, proteins, fruits and veggies, dairy, and fats.

The Weight Loss Diet Un-Diet

Complex Carbohydrates

As you know, carbs are an important source of nutrients and energy. They are also a valuable part of any weight loss diet… in moderation.

When trying to lose weight, keep your carb intake under strict control. Why? Because your body loves to burn carbs, not fat. So if you keep it supplied with carbs, it will only burn carbs instead of drawing on your body’s stored fat for energy. And you will lose weight more slowly.

Research shows that it takes up to four times longer to lose one pound on a high carb diet than it does on a restricted carb diet.

It’s also better to eat carbs earlier in the day because that’s when your metabolism is at its most active, burning up more calories. Do you enjoy a big evening meal? Then scrimp on carbs during the day and save them for that one big meal. But don’t do it every day as that will slow down your weight loss progress overall.

Proteins

Ever notice all the contradictions about protein’s roll in a weight loss diet? Some diet plans promote a high protein intake while others ignore it. What’s the real story?

Protein is vital to your health and cannot be eliminated without serious consequences. Too little protein means your body starts using up muscle tissue for fuel, which slows down your metabolism and a sluggish metabolism makes weight loss even more difficult.

But too much protein can also impede your efforts to lose weight because your body will convert it into fat. And excess protein can cause health problems like kidney damage and decreased absorption of calcium.

This is why a balanced intake of protein is necessary for a health weight loss diet. How much and how often you eat it are also important factors. Your body can’t store protein, so it needs a constant supply throughout the day. So eating a protein-rich food every three or four hours will keep you in balance.

Eating Protein The Right Way

Saving up your daily protein allotment so you can indulge in a 16 ounce steak for dinner doesn’t work because it forces the body to go a long time without any protein and then suddenly it gets much more than it needs. That causes it to burn muscle during the lean times, and later convert all that extra meat protein into fat… two unwanted side effects that will derail even the best weight loss diet.

Here are some tips:

* Eat small protein portions every 3 to 4 hours each day.

* Eat only one protein serving four times a day, don’t double them up in one meal.

* Don’t skip a protein meal; and don’t eat a large protein meal.

* Choose proteins from a low fat or no fat food source.

Fruits and Veggies

Fruit may be sweet and loaded with fruit sugar, but it’s the good kind of sugar that can take the place of other sweets in your weight loss diet. The fiber and water content make it a healthy snack that appeases your sugar cravings. And it has been shown to help reduce obesity, high blood pressure, and cancer. So bring on the fructose!

With the exception of starchy vegetables, you really can’t overdose on veggies – low in calories, lots of fiber and nutrients, they should be part of every lunch, dinner and snack.

Beware restaurant vegetables drowning in butter or rich salad dressings. Instead, try them steamed or raw with herbs and spices for flavoring. Treat yourself to veggies with low cal dips and sauces (such as plain yogurt, soya sauce, hummus etc).

Dairy

One of the reasons that dairy products like whole milk, cheese, sour cream and whipped cream taste so good is their high fat content. They contain carbohydrates, protein and lots of fat.

So for this weight loss diet, we recommend skim milk or low fat milk and dairy products. Cut down on the amount of cheese and cream products you consume or substitute with soy alternatives and yogurts.

Fats

We love fatty foods because the fat in them tends to stay in the mouth longer, prolonging the happy sensation of eating even when the food has been swallowed. For this reason, we gravitate towards fatty foods and they are largely responsible for today’s high rates of obesity.

How much fat is acceptable? If you’re on a weight loss diet, you should aim for about 20 grams of fat a day. That’s about the equivalent of 4 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Not very much, right? Here are some tips on how to restrict your fat intake.

Six Ways to Reduce Your Fat Calories:

* Eliminate the highest fat foods that you feel you could live without (eg: the breakfast donut).

* Substitute low fat or non fat versions of foods you can’t live without (the mayo on your sandwich).

* Eat only in moderation the remaining fats that you can’t do without (the cream in your coffee).

* Eat fruits, veggies and low fat protein snacks instead of fatty snacks.

* Instead of frying food, trying grilling, steaming or baking.

* Actively shop for low fat or fat free products in the supermarket.

The good news: Once you start eating less fat, your brain will start ratcheting down your fat cravings. And you will find your desire for greasy, fattening foods will diminish greatly.

Achieving a rapid weight loss goal will be easier if your surroundings aren’t constantly tempting you to cheat on your diet. There are four danger zones that most of us encounter on a regular basis:

* Home

* Work

* Restaurants

* Social Situations

Fortunately, there are ways you can reduce the temptations in those zones and stay on the path towards your goal, whether you aim for a slow, steady weight loss or more rapid weight loss.

Home

You likely spend most of your time divided between work and home. So having a well organized home with a healthy kitchen is a crucial factor in any steady or rapid weight loss plan.

The Kitchen

Don’t sabotage your diet before it even starts by keeping the wrong foods in the house. Because remember, when we’re hungry, we want to eat NOW,so we gravitate towards the packaged and prepared foods. And those are usually things like salty carbs, sweets, and other snacks that we know aren’t good for us and don’t support our rapid weight loss plans.

Tips for a Healthy Kitchen

* Remove all processed/refined foods from the house.

* Put healthy snacks where they’ll be easy to spot. Things like:

1. raw nuts (almonds/walnuts/pumpkin seeds).

2. chopped vegetables (e.g. carrots, celery,cucumbers, broccoli, peppers).

3. nut butters (e.g. almond, cashew, macadamia) to spread on apples, celery or toast.

* Try a new veggie. Pick one that you have never eaten before to keep things interesting.

* Choose whole grains (e.g. oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa).

* Choose meats that are low in fat (chicken, turkey or wild game).

* Choose fish as a protein source.

* Try making extra for dinner so you can bring leftovers to work the next day.

* Cook large amounts of healthy meals and freeze portions for the week ahead.

Making changes to your home eating habits and surroundings will put you way ahead in the pursuit of your rapid weight loss goals.

How to Grocery Shop For Rapid Weight Loss:

* Never shop when you’re hungry.

* Avoid the grocery store when you are upset or unhappy; you may make unwise purchases.

* Always make and take a list.

* Do most of your shopping around the outside edges of the store; that’s where the healthier foods are usually found.

* If there is a health food store near you, shop there instead. They tend to have more variety in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Rapid Weight Loss and The Workplace

Work can be full of food traps just lying in wait to ruin your diet: a coworker with a candy dish on her desk, vending machines full of fatty snacks and sugary drinks, Friday afternoon pizza parties, bagel and cream cheese morning meetings. Destined to destroy your rapid weight loss dreams? Not so.

New routines and planning ahead can save you from many of the most common office pitfalls.

* Eat a healthy breakfast that includes protein and fiber to keep you full until lunch (e.g. poached eggs on whole grain toast or oatmeal cereal with milk, nuts and raisins).

* Instead of fattening lattes, cappuccinos, and coffee with full cream, try herbal or green tea instead.

* Bring healthy munchies (nuts, fruit, protein bar) to satisfy the mid-afternoon munchies.

* Bring your lunch to work… maybe some leftovers from last night or a raw veggie pita sandwich.

* Keep water on hand. If you feel hungry, have a full glass of water first. You may just be thirsty.

* If you are stuck in a meeting and can’t avoid eating what is served, choose the least processed foods. Or bring your own lunch/snacks into the meeting if possible.

Restaurants Versus Rapid Weight Loss

Dilemma: To stay in business, restaurants need you to like the taste of their food. An easy way of doing this is to add fatty dressings, butters and sauces that add hundreds of calories. So even if you order a salad or poached fish, the calories have a way of finding you! How to keep your rapid weight loss plan on track and still enjoy eating out once in a while?

Tips for Eating Out and Maintaining a Rapid Weight Loss Goal:

(You may want to print off this list and keep it in your purse or wallet)

* Always ask for dressing on the side when you order a salad so you can control the serving. Oil and vinegar dressings are best.

* Avoid croutons and other high carb add-ons for salads.

* Avoid the bread and butter; ask the waiter not to even bring it to the table.

* Resist the appetizers; they are excess calories you don’t need.

* Order baked entrées versus fried or sautéed.

* Ask for your steamed veggies without butter or sauces.

* Choose meal items with little or no sauce, or ask for the sauce on the side.

* Substitute a baked potato (without toppings) instead of fries.

* Most entrées are very large so ask if a smaller portion is available.

* If there are extras included in your meal that you don’t want, ask for them not to be put on your plate. You can’t be tempted by what isn’t there.

* Just say no to dessert when dining out. Or share one with a friend. You’ll find that your sweet tooth is usually satisfied after a bite or two.

Social Situations

Are your friendly gatherings centered on eating and drinking? Or are they more about going places and being active? Instead of making a dinner date, make a gym date. If you want to catch up with a friend, do it over a walk instead of over a cocktail.

Unfortunately, when you change your eating habits, you may have to change your friends unless they can stick with the program. Convince them it’s in their best interest to join you. Having a healthy lifestyle “buddy” could create a support system that leads to rapid weight loss for both of you.