Why Does the Weight Come Back?

Before many Australians recently, a devastating story unfolded on a popular current affairs program.

We watched with compassion as the fattest man in Australia told of his most recent, serious attempt to lose weight. Approximately 12 months earlier and weighing close to 300 kilos, he under went surgery and had his stomach stapled.

I doubt there would have been one person watching not moved by this man's depression and plight. Despite undergoing the surgery, today he could barely get through each day, both physically and mentally. He shared with us his sense of hopelessness and wanting to end it all.

It was not only his size that was causing his depression. He had to deal with a heart broken by disappointment.

You see, the stomach stapling had been a success.

He soon lost well over 50 kilos post operation and he and his family rejoiced. But then the unthinkable happened.

The weight came back. Today he weighs well over 300 kilos - more than before the stomach stapling.

This is an extreme case, but nonetheless raises a question that so many people continue to battle with.

After a diet, why does the weight come back so quickly?

To answer this we need to understand how much energy a body requires. For each pound you weigh, each day you need 12 calories to maintain your body weight. If you weigh 120 pounds you will need 120 x 12 calories, that is, 1440 calories per day to maintain that body weight. If you eat or drink more calories than your body requires, the excess energy is stored as fat. It takes 3,600 excess calories to make one pound of fat.

In this example, if your typical daily calorific intake is 2000 calories, in around 30 days you would put on between 4-5 pounds of fat!

Let's say, you then decide to go on a restrictive diet and halve your calorific consumption to 1,000 calories per day. You stay on this diet for around a month and lose 10 pounds and now weigh 110 pounds. You feel fantastic about losing the weight but can't keep up such a restrictive regime because you are irritable and have no energy.

So you go off your diet and go back to your usual routine of 2,000 calories a day. Remember you are lighter now and your body requires less energy to maintain its new weight. You would now require 110 x 12, that is, 1320 calories per day.

In this instance, by consuming 2000 calories daily, because you are lighter than before, you would put the weight back on in just 24-25 days!

If you want to keep the weight off you must develop a consistent change in eating habits to ensure you do not consume more than your body requires. You cannot continue to eat the same quantities and/or combinations of foods that caused you to be overweight in the first place. This will require developing an understanding of the nutritional content of food and raising your body's metabolism through increased muscle mass and exercise.

About The Author
Kim Beardsmore, B.Sc, (Biochemistry) is a busy wellness consultant and assists people achieve great health through excellence in nutrition. Everyone can change their life forever and lose weight. For further information and a free weight management consultation, visit her website at http://leanmachine.org/

CRP And Your Heart

Monitoring your CRP level is vitally important because it is one of the best indicators of heart disease. C-Reactive Protein has proven to be one of the best indicators of looming Heart disease.

Find out why high cholesterol alone is NOT responsible for heart disease. And you will find out how to keep your CRP Level in the normal range.

Because your body produces C-Reactive Protein as part of your body's defense – like when you are injured, it signals your immune system for help. Your immune system sends out white blood cells and inflammatory molecules (including C-Reactive Protein) to the injured area.

This defensive system causes inflammation which is damaging to blood vessels and leads to heart disease. Because this is an continuous process, not like an ankle injury which heals and then inflammation goes away.

Elevated C-Reactive Protein levels are an early indication of inflammation in the body. When there is inflammation in the body, there is usually a problem. Realize this is why C-Reactive Protein is a great indicator.

Naturally you can easily understand that C-Reactive Protein is a better indicator of heart disease than cholesterol. A huge study on CRP backs this up.

The New England Journal of Medicine published A report where nearly 28,000 people participated in a study of CRP. Researchers in the study used LDL cholesterol and CRP to predict heart attacks and stroke.

What the researchers found was that CRP was a better predictor of cardiac events than LDL cholesterol -1

So – what can you do to keep your C-Reactive Protein level low? In a word, exercise. Activity is the best way to keep CRP levels low. Just taking a walk is a good way to get your activity level up.

There are also important nutrients to help limit the damage from the inflammation.

Here are several nutrients you have heard of:

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

And Folic Acid – protects the blood vessels.

Two others you may not have heard as much about:

Taurine - is an amino acid-like compound and a component of bile acids, which are used to help absorb fats and fat- soluble vitamins. It is found in meat and fish.

L-arginine - A naturally occurring amino acid found in food proteins that the body uses to make Nitric Oxide.

You can easily get plenty of these nutrients through food and supplements combined.

Talk to your doctor about a simple test for CRP levels, it is like a blood test. It is best to keep your levels under 5 mg per liter, preferably 3 mg per liter.

1 - Ridker P., et al. Comparison of C-reactive protein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the prediction of first cardiovascular events. NEJM 2002 Nov 14; 347(20): 1557-1565

Please feel free to use this article in your newsletter or on your website(with resource box included and use an active link).

This article may not be used in any e-mail promotions that do not conform with federal law.

If you use this article, please send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:leeman@lc-nutrition.com

About The Author
Lee Cummings has been helping people solve problems and feel better with proven nutrition for over 4 years. Lee publishes the montly LC Nutrition newsletter. For a Free Report - mailto:report@lc-nutrition.com Discover proven nutrition information visit: http://www.LC-Nutrition.com
leeman@jadetech.com

Ten Of The Best Supplements That Men Need For Optimum Nutrition

There are many nutrition supplements at your local health food store. So many to choose from so confusing which ones are the right ones. How many should you take? Here you will learn what you need to take for the best health benefits. A word of warning here although these products are convenient getting some of your nutrition in liquid form or capsules is only recommended when you can't eat properly or you feel you are not getting your proper daily nutrients. The companies that make the products themselves mostly fund the studies of meal replacements, and the manufactures usually test their supplements against similar supplements not the benefits of whole foods.

BORON WILL AID IN THE DEFENSE OF PROSTATE CANCER

A high level of this mineral will help reduce the chances of getting prostate cancer by 65%. US males have a one of the lowest boron levels compared to other countries.

Only 3 milligrams daily help fight cancer and studies show also improve memory and concentration.

Boron is not in stock at all health food stores. It is also naturally found in raisins and almonds.

CALCIUM FOR STRONG BONES AND WEIGHT LOSS

Many men are not getting the daily allowance of 1,000 mg. A cup of milk has only 300 mg. It has been found that men with high calcium levels weigh less than men with low levels of calcium.

A dosage of 1,200 mg is preferred. Make sure you have calcium citrate it is the purist form. Take half dose in the morning and half at night. Avoid coral calcium it has some impurities.

If you get your 3 servings of calcium daily you won't need any more. You could exceed your maximum daily intake 2,500 mg.

CHROMIUM HELPS FIGHT THE CAUSES OF DIABETES

It is used to assist in muscle-building, but now research has revealed that chromium can help overweight people control insulin levels. Chromium helps the body's response to insulin, this makes it better to keep the levels of blood-sugar in check.

The most effective form of this supplement is chromium picolinate. A 35-microgram dose daily is sufficient. Check with your doctor to see if you need to increase the dosage to 200 mcg, if you have a diabetic condition.

COENZYME Q10 FOR A SURE ENERGY SPIKE

Coenzyme Q10 is produced in the body it assists the cells by directing your body's energy supply. As men get older the production levels diminishes. One way to revitalize these levels is by taking this supplement. Current research proves coenzyme Q10 can possibly aid in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and could help prevent heart disease by thinning the blood. Q10 also can be used as an antioxidant that helps slow the aging process by fighting free radicals.

A dose of 100mg daily is suggested. If you are taking statin drug for cholesterol or high blood pressure you can increase the dosage to 200mg.

CREATINE FOR THAT MUSCLE AND MEMORY SPIKE

Studies from the University of Wisconsin have shown a boost in men's bench press on the average of 15 lbs and also increase in the squat exercise weight by 21 lbs just by taking over a 2-3 month period. Aussie studies have also suggested that tests with memory and intelligence scores increased after 6 weeks of creatine use.

A recommended dosage of 5 mg daily mixed with a whey protein supplement to get highest possible advantage.

It is possible you won't respond to creatine alone. You can mix in a sugar substitute a see if this will help get a response.

FOLIC ACID TO SLASH ALZHEIMER'S DANGERS

This supplement will increase blood flow to the brain by preventing clotting of arteries. Folic acid will also lower the levels of an amino acid called (homocysteine) that can cause blood clots. A warning sign of Alzheimer's is high homocysteine levels. Sweden studies have shown low levels of folic acid were found in Alzheimer's patients.

A 500 mg dose if preferred daily. This dose should decrease homocysteine by almost 18% or more. You can get folic acid from these foods citrus fruit, beans, and breads and cereals that are fortified.

GLOUCOSAMINE WILL LUBRACATE THOSE JOINTS

As men grow older the cartilage in the joints decreases. You can turn back the hands of time by using gloucosamine to repair and rebuild any harm to the cartilage you may have received over time. Crab and lobster shells are the main ingredients in gloucosamine. Lancet published a 3-year research study that showed 200 people that had joint conditions had reduced stiffness and pain by 25% by using gloucosamine. A12 week treatment program by The British Journal of Sports Medicine reported an 88% reduction of joint related problems by using gloucosamine on patients. A 1,500 dose daily is sufficient for a good response. A combination of gloucosamine with chondroitin will bring that cartilage right back to those early days. A study from Australia showed that spreading a gloucosamine cream of painful joints could relieve some pain.

OMEGA-3S YOUR HEART HEALER

This supplement will aid in keeping high blood pressure and low triglycerides in check. Omega-3 fatty acids make the blood flow better, thus lower the chances of blood clots that could block the arteries. A high omega-3 count has shown to lower the some conditions related to heart disease.

If you in good health a dose of 1,000 mg is fine. For those in the high-risk heart disease group you may need 2,000-4,000 mg. A doctor will know what dosage is best. A side effect of to much omega-3 is a greater chance of catching a cold.

A 500 mg gelcap twice daily with meals will keep that ticker beating too the right tune.

SELENIUM YOUR ALL OUT CANCER DEFENDER

This could be the your best choice for the fight against cancer. This nutrient has caused most cancer cells to tear down by them selves. Some studies have shown that selenium has lower some risk of cancers related to the colon, lungs, and prostate.

A dose of 200 mg daily is recommended. If you're sick taking more possibly will reduce the length of your sickness. Some research has shown that deceased levels of selenium have made some virus change, making symptoms worse for the flu and for colds.

In nature certain nuts like The Brazil nut, contain as much as 100 mcg per nut.

VITAMIN E TO BRING THE EFFECT OF AGING TO A CRAWL

Said to be the best antioxidant around today. This vitamin has been linked to lower cases of heart disease, some eye conditions, and some cancers. Some research has lead nutrition specialists to recommend Vitamin E after exercise because of its ability to lower muscle problems related to exercising. A dose of at least 400 IU is preferred daily. Most people only receive a portion of this dose about 45 IU by way of a multivitamin. To get more Vitamin E in your diet increase your intake of nuts and oils.

Try to get natural Vitamin E called (d-alpha tocopherol) this is easier for the body to absorb.

If you are confused about which type of multivitamin to buy here are some pointers. A multivitamin helps lower heart disease, possible stroke, and reduces risks of diabetes. There are several on the market. Look for multivitamin that has 100% of daily allowances of the 16 core nutrients. With extra dose of illness busters -like lutein, lycopene, and selenium. Try and avoid extra iron this could lead a higher risk of heart conditions.

About The Author
Robert is an Author for a Man Health information website.
You can find up to date information on men's health,fitness,and other helpful tips on men's issues Goto his website at http://todays-man-health-advocate.com.
info@todays-man-health-advocate.com

Buying Fitness Equipment On eBay: Deals or Duds?

With tens of millions of registered members and more than 12,000 items listed, eBay is, without a doubt, the world's largest Internet marketplace. And you can buy just about anything there--from CDs, movies and vitamins to first edition books, new businesses and even someone's last breath of air. But--what you want to know--is it the place to shop for fitness equipment?

The answer is yes, but that's if you don't mind sifting and, in most cases, bidding.

On a given day in June 2003, there were 1,026,771 items listed under the "Sports" category; and there were 344,705 items in the "Sporting Goods" subcategory, which is broken down into more than three-dozen subcategories. Under "Exercise & Fitness," a "Sporting Goods" subcategory, there were 7,146 items. And that subcategory is divided up into six subcategories. Hope you're not too confused.

On that given June day, I took a look at several fitness products sold on eBay. I wanted to find out how low prices on new (never been used) popular or quality products go on this mega auction site. The good news: They can go pretty low.

One product I examined was Total Trainer, and there are several models listed on eBay. I zeroed in on the 3000 model, which is supposed to be comparable to the Brinkley- and Norris- endorsed Total Gym 3000. On eBay, Total Trainer is offered in two pricing formats: Name your own or Buy It Now (skip the auction process) for $277. Off eBay, Total Gym retails for, on average, $500.

I also compared a few other infomercial-marketed products. One, a knock-off of the Fast Abs bodybuilding belt, an electronic muscle stimulation device, runs for about $10 to $15 on eBay (with free shipping). Off eBay, the real product will cost you around $30, plus shipping/handling. Another, Smart ABS, is priced at $50 on eBay; off, it ranges between $70 and $80. A third product is a Fitness Quest glider similar to the Tony Little Gazelle Freestyle Elite. Buy it on eBay and you'll pay roughly $220, almost half of what you would spend at Little's official site.

The last product I checked out was Jolie Weights, one-pound attachable fitness shoe weights introduced this spring by Jolie World. At JolieWeights.com, these weights cost $19.99. An independent eBay seller was auctioning them for $14.99. That's a 25 percent savings. Plus, shipping/handling charges are exactly the same.

The bottom line is: You will find some good deals on eBay. But there are a good number of duds there too. The best advice? Do your research before buying. Compare prices; read the fine print; ask the seller whether it's a discontinued or irregular product; and be vigilant of bloated shipping/handling charges (a common practice among eBay sellers). A final tip: before buying anything, read the seller's reviews, where buyers post their positive or negative shopping experiences. If the eBay seller has too many negatives, then you may want to pass on the deal. If the seller seems legitimate, and you've confirmed it's a steal, jump on it. The price--the product-- may be gone tomorrow.

About The Author
Jane Simms is a Florida-based health and fitness freelance writer. E-mail Jane at: fitsimms@aol.com

Truth about the infamous "Holiday 7" weight gain

The "Holiday 7," the title given for the average amount of weight gain experienced during the winter holidays, keeps popping up in articles.

Is this statement true? Do people gain 7 pounds during the holiday season? Well, this isn't true for everyone, but "Holiday 7" is very close to reality for many adults.

The Holiday 7

Most people gain less than one pound during the 6-week period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, report researchers. And this is much less than the suggested 7 pounds that's being tossed around in fitness magazines. However, the research does show that overweight individuals typically gain 5 pounds during the holidays, (Holiday weight gain: fact or fiction?" 2000, Roberts).

This study should be a real concern for those who are overweight. While it's not quite as bad as the "Holiday 7," gaining 5 pounds every year during the holidays means 50 additional pounds over the next ten years unless a fitness improvement action plan is implemented.

The real culprit in holiday weight gain "Metabolic Syndrome X"

Researchers report that 40 million US adults suffer with "Metabolic Syndrome X." This is the worst nightmare for someone overweight or obese, especially during the holiday season, (A major health hazard: the metabolic syndrome, 2003, Isomaa).

While the "Holiday 7" is not quite as bad for most people, small gains in bodyfat over time can contribute to the condition "Metabolic Syndrome."

Metabolic Syndrome has to do with how the body acts as it puts on extra bodyfat. After-the-holidays starvation diets may temporarily pull off a few pounds; but these diets without exercise can make matters worse.

Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome are extra bodyfat around the waist, higher cholesterol, and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that someone with a lot of bodyfat can eat bread for example, and their body processes it like pecan pie. This is why someone lean and in shape can eat some traditional holiday meals without too much concern, and someone overweight will gain 5 pounds during the holidays.

The Best part ... there may be a free cure for Metabolic Syndrome

The cure for Metabolic Syndrome is not a fad starvation diet, but rather a consistent, balanced diet in moderation, and a real commitment to exercise regularly.

Extra bodyfat is at the center of this disease, and this means that you should add exercise to build and tone muscle. Adding muscle will raise your resting metabolic rate so the muscle, in essence, eats away the bodyfat for you while you're resting.

Men and women clearly need to exercise to add and tone muscle. Walking and increasing activity levels will not do what you need to get accomplished without adding some type of strength training to your fitness plan.

Personally, I'm partial to weight training at least three times a week along with an anaerobic exercise program (sprinting types of exercise) to make the body produce exercise-induced growth hormone, (Impact of acute exercise intensity on pulsatile growth hormone release in men, 1999, Pritzlaff). Growth hormone released from exercise will facilitate the bodyfat burning and muscle building and toning process.

The take home

Make the commitment today to add strength training and an anaerobic sprinting type program to your fitness plan and enjoy meals this holiday season ... in moderation, of course.

Phil Campbell. M.S., M.A., FACHE is the author of Ready, Set, Go! Synergy Fitness www.ReadySetGoFitness.com

"Everyone has a fitness plan. Whether the plan is to exercise regularly or not at all, everyone has a fitness plan. Youth alone takes care of many health issues, but there comes a time when every individual must make a lifestyle decision to exercise or not to exercise." Phil Campbell

National Institutes of Health studies summaries cited:

Holiday weight gain http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11206847&dopt=Abstract

Freshman 15 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11910950&dopt=Abstract

Myth http://nutrition.tufts.edu/consumer/feature/freshman15.html

University Women http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4003134&dopt=Abstract

Metabolic Syndrome http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12954449&dopt=Abstract

Levitsky http://www.hon.ch/News/HSN/514699.html

Exercise-induced growth hormone release http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10444604&dopt=Abstract

About The Author
Phil Campbll is the author of Ready Set Go! Synergy Fitness - www.ReadySetGoFitness.com

Finding The Right Exercise Intensity

We've all heard the exercise guidelines that recommend we participate in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity 3-5 times per week. That seems easy enough to implement. Or, does it? The duration and frequency guidelines are very straight-forward and easily defined. But, "moderate" intensity is often left to interpretation. So, how do we define "moderate"?

First we need to understand that the definition of moderate intensity can be completely different from one individual to another. For example, a well-trained athlete may be in the moderate zone when running 5 miles in 30 minutes. Yet, for a novice exerciser who is very overweight, moderate means walking one mile in 30 minutes.

Don't let this confuse you. While the intensity level is very critical in the overall guideline, fortunately it's also fairly easily identified. The ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) defines moderate as an intensity of 40 percent to 60 percent VO2 maximum. But, since most of us don't know how to determine our VO2 maximum, there are easier definitions to utilize.

You can base VO2 loosely on your maximum target heart rate zone. A VO2 maximum of 40-60% equates to about 50 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate (MHR). And determining your MHR and the corresponding percent zones is relatively simple. Below is an easy calculation for determining your specific MHR and what 50-70 percent of equates to.

Target Heart Rate Zone

Take 220 and subtract your age. This equals your MHR. (Example: For a 30 year old your MHR is 190)

Next to determine your low range of 50 percent, simply take 190 and multiply it times 50 percent. (Example: For a 30 year old this would equal 95).

Finally, to determine your high range of 70 percent, simply take 190 and multiply it times 70 percent. (Example: For a 30 year old this would equal 133).'

So, in this example the 30 year-old would want to exercise in a heart rate range of somewhere between 95 - 133 BPM. Keep in mind that this calculation is age-related. It does not take into consideration your fitness level. So, it is not completely accurate, but still a good guideline. For an even more accurate (and more complicated) method for determining your training intensity range, visit this link: http://www.workoutsforyou.com/intensity.htm

Also, some medications can raise or lower your heart rate and change the heart's response to exercise. Beta-blockers are among those that alter the heart rate. This means that people taking these types of prescriptions should probably use another option for monitoring their intensity.

There are some other very good ways to measure intensity for both people taking medications or those just looking for a more convenient method. Two good options are the Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) method and the Talk Test.

RPE

This takes into account what the exerciser is perceiving in terms of exercise fatigue and it correlates well with cardiorespiratory and metabolic factors like heart rate and overall fatigue. The RPE scale starts with 0 and ends with 10. A rating of 0 equates to doing nothing, being at rest. A rating of 10 is equal to maximum effort, working very, very hard. For moderate intensity, an exerciser should strive for reaching somewhere between a 4-6, which the scale defines as a somewhat hard to a hard effort.

A great way to measure intensity (where appropriate), is utilizing both the RPE and Target Heart Rate Zone. The exerciser should identify where they fall on the RPE scale when their heart rate is between 50 – 70% maximum. This will allow them to accurately use only the RPE scale for measuring intensity when it is not feasible to determine their THR.

Talk Test

The final method for measuring exercise intensity is the Talk Test. Like the RPE, the talk test is subjective. The exerciser simply ensures that he works out at a level where he can carry on a comfortable conversation. He should be able to breathe comfortably during exercise. In simple terms, the exerciser would be working out too hard if he has to take a breath between every word he says. On the flip side, he would be exercising at too easy of an intensity if he could sing several phrases of a song without breathing hard.

Now you know how to define "moderate" and that means you don't have any more excuses. It's time to get moving. Keep in mind that the ACSM guidelines are minimum recommendations. For more significant health improvements and/or weight loss or for more advanced exercises, consider increasing any part of the three recommendations found in their guideline.

About The Author
Lynn Bode, certified personal trainer, offers her services online through WorkoutsForYou.com. Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com for a free sample workout and to sign-up for their monthly fitness newsletter. Workouts For You provides affordable online exercise programs custom designed for each individual. You'll receive weekly customized workouts designed just for YOU, plus much more!
info@workoutsforyou.com