There is no dearth of diet programs whether online or offline. Even if you limit your search to the world wide web only, you will still find an avalanche of diet programs. What is harder is finding a diet plan that would be ideal for your health, help you lose weight and not harm your body in any way. Believe me, finding the best weight loss program is like finding a pearl from the bottom of the ocean. But regardless of which diet program you chose, you will still need to follow the basics of dieting, otherwise you will never be able to lose weight. In this article, I will tell you about five basics of effective weight loss.
1. Metabolism is the key weight loss determinant: Always keep in mind that your body’s metabolic rate is what will determine how much weight you will be able to lose at a given point of time. If your metabolic rate is high, you can lose a lot of weight even while at rest; on the other hand, if your metabolic rate is slow, then you should find ways to increases it. One way of speeding up your metabolism is by using weight loss pills and supplements.
2. Regular exercises are a must: Regardless of how strictly you follow your diet, if you lie idle all day sitting on your couch and watching your favorite TV program, how can you expect to shed those obstinate pounds? You should exercise regularly and never skip even a single workout session! If you are afraid of high intensity exercises such as cardio and resistance training, you can start with lighter aerobics. Aerobics will help you burn as much fat as cardio. If you cannot do exercises at all, regular walking alone will help you burn fat.
3. Don’t lose it too quickly: I know that you are in a hurry to lose weight and fit yourself into one of your old jeans or bikinis, but you should never attempt to lose weight too fast. Ideally you should lose no more than 1 or 2 pounds per week. If you lose more than that then it can affect your health negatively. If you think you are losing weight too fast, you should immediately see a doctor.
4. Eat low fat foods only: I know that every weight loss expert has advised you the same thing, but allow me to reiterate that you should eat only those foods that have a low fat content. Eating fatty and junk foods will make your situation worse!
5. Work harder for hereditary obesity: Some people become overweight because of hereditary issues. If your parents were overweight then it is no wonder that you won’t be any different. Also, people who suffer from hereditary obesity need to work harder than others in order to lose weight. This doesn’t mean that you cannot lose weight at all; but you shouldn’t expect yourself to become ultra slim like others.
People have always been known to want to do and achieve things instantly. The same thing can be said in diets and weight loss. Impatience usually leads a dieter to resort to taking supplements or weight loss pills to try to get rid of those fats faster.
But recent controversies on the use of diet and weight loss pills have made several people hesitate at using them. Several weight loss pills are based on certain substances, like ephedra, that may be harmful for the body. This is why researchers are trying to come up with other potential resources to make weight loss pills that are safer to use.
A study conducted at the University of Geneva was recently published and it concerned itself with the weight loss benefits of green tea extract. It said that green tea has certain antioxidants in them like catechin polyphenols and flavonoids that help in increasing metabolic rates of the body. The publication of the study’s results prompted several pharmaceutical companies to incorporate green tea extract into their weight loss pills.
Green Tea, the Plant
Green tea is the common name for the herb Carmellia sinensis. The green tea plant came from China originally where it was cultivated specifically for its various health and medicinal benefits. Today, green tea is known to possess certain substances that can cure several diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and even ulcers. Because of its thermogenic properties, pharmaceutical companies are also using extracts of the green tea plant as one of the main ingredients in weight loss pills.
Green Tea, the Weight Loss Pill
The theory of weight loss pills is based on the fact that losing weight is done in two ways: retard fat intake or expedite its burning. Weight loss pills are known to do both these things.
Ingredients in weight loss pills such as Hoodia Gordonii can suppress hunger and stop food cravings. Another important ingredient in weight loss pills is glucosamine which can delay the effect of insulin, thus directly transforming sugar into energy instead of fat. Other components of a typical weight loss pill include cocoa extract (a diuretic), citrus fiber, vanadium, and glucomannan, all of which have anti-hunger properties.
The addition of green tea extract into weight loss pills has become common practice among pharmaceutical companies. Like cocoa extract, green tea is also an effective natural diuretic. Green tea can help rid the body of extra water that contributes to bloat and puffiness of the body.
But aside from being a diuretic, green tea is also a major contributor to fat-burning. The catechin polyphenols found in green tea effectively increases the metabolic rates of the body and also reduce food intake. Green tea also contains the substance flavanoid that fight free radicals that might be harmful for the body.
Because of these properties, green tea therefore makes for an excellent and healthy component of weight loss pills.
