Proactol Blog Archives

Nothing to Give Up!

nothing-to-give-up

Last Wednesday was the start of Lent, and every year, I will normally give up some sort of endulgance like chocolate, sugar or cakes.

But this year, I feel at a loss! I hardly eat chocolate, cakes, crisps, biscuits or other treats like this anymore! It’s made me realise how much I’ve changed my diet, as if I were to give up one of these things for Lent, it would actually be too easy or not really make a difference to my normal life as I’m not addicted to them like before! ;-)

So this year, I have decided to take up something instead. I’m going to make sure I keep myself positive about going to the gym and my fitness, and not complain about being tired. I realised that I do this a lot, and all it really does is make me feel like I don’t want to go to the gym because of how I’m feeling. I need to learn to accept how I feel, and that it’s best to be out there and doing things when feeling unwell ,as for me it’s rare that I don’t feel unwell.

I know it may sound over the top, but I need to be more thankful that I can actually go to the gym. Although I have health issues, I’m still relatively healthy and I’m definitely getting much fitter! Over this Lent period, I’m going to take time to think about how I think and act when I don’t really feel like doing something, and be more positive and motivated.

I have made a huge change to my eating habits and exercise, and thinking back to a year ago makes me realise that I’m much better off now. Having more control over my health and fitness is a wonderful feeling, even though it’s taken a long time to get there!

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Proactol.com is the original source for the article above.

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Making the Effort

making-the-effort

So, if you’ve been reading my previous blog, you’ll know that I’ve been going to the gym 4 times a week with my hubby after work for a few weeks now. I must say, it’s been working really well for us!

I’ve noticed that I have been slimming down much more over the last few weeks and it has to be because I’ve started up this new routine.

I admit, it’s been really hard. When I finish at work, the last thing I want to do is get washed, changed and straight back out to the gym. I feel very tired after work, and my health issues don’t really help either; causing fatigue and disorientation.

But you know what? I’m making the effort because of a few things.

The main thought that gets me out that door is my husband. He works so hard all day every day in a very stressful job, and yet he comes home with no complaints, gets himself sorted and is ready for the gym in no time. He’s a great inspiration and it’s made me think more considerately about my situation. I have been trying much harder over the last week or two to just accept how I’m feeling when I don’t want to go because of feeling tired, and then just get myself ready and get out that door. My husband has shown me that I’m strong enough to do it and that he’ll be there for me if I don’t feel well.

Of course, another reason is because I need to go. Plain and simple. I need to be keeping up a routine that really does make a difference to my weight loss success, and this seems to be doing it. I’m lucky to live right next to a gym and have the money and time to do it. So whilst the goings good, I’m going for it!

I also need to boost my confidence more when feeling disorientated and tired. I get easily panicked and overwhelmed when very fatigued, and I think that after a few more weeks, my body will hopefully start to get used to it a bit more.

The point is, I’ve made a promise to myself and my husband that I will do my best to go on all the days we decided, 4 times a week. Letting myself down is one thing, I would feel guilty and probably just sit at home moping. But to let my husband down is one of the worst feelings, and I know he feels more motivated and inspired when I go with him, and the feeling is definitely mutual.

Keeping up the healthy diet will hopefully give me more of a boost too, to get the strength to keep on going! The results can only be good!

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Proactol.com is the original source for the article above.

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Losing Inches, Not Weight.

losing-inches-not-weight

Well, I’ve been working hard at the gym for a few weeks now, going 3-4 times a week, doing a mixture of weights and cardio each session.

So, I thought I would weigh myself this weekend see how I’ve been doing…

Not the results I hoped for if I’m honest. No weight loss. I was rather surprised and upset as I’d been doing my best with portion control and healthy eating, as well as doing this regular exercise. I know I had a few sessions where I couldn’t do as much because of health reasons, but still, I thought I would have at least shifted a pound!

In my frustration, I spoke to my husband who was also surprised to hear that I had not lost weight, and he commented on how much I have slimmed down. I had not really noticed it much, but my clothes are much looser and I have definately lost inches round my waist, thighs and hips. Also, my arms have slimmed down even more so and I am starting to feel a lot more strength in them.

According to a lot of sources, muscle is heavier than fat. I have certainly be gaining more muscle, so maybe that’s what’s keping me at the same weight at this time?

I’m disheartened to learn that I have not lost weight, but one of my goals is to actually slim down and be able to wear what I want to instead of what I feel I have to wear to cover up!

I’m still going to keep up the gym work and go 3-4 times a week. I know that it can take time for your efforts to show, it just looks like it’s going to take time for me to start losing weight again.

Keeping up the hard work and the routine is the most important thing. Not to get disheartened to the point where you lose sight of what your goal is. I just need to keep on going and I’m sure I’ll see more results soon!

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Proactol.com is the original source for the article above.

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Why You Need to Lose Weight?

why-you-need-to-lose-weight

Why lose weight is a question that first comes to anyone’s mind while searching for the suitable rationale to shed all those extra fatty pounds.  The answer is simple. Losing weight can improve your health in many ways. Just losing ten percent of your present weight can make a difference in the way you feel on a daily basis. Here are some other ways losing weight will benefit your health:

It reduces your health risks

Remember, the more extra body fat you have, especially around your waist, the higher your health risks for certain diseases may be. Simply having a higher than normal BMI (a ratio of weight in relation to height) suggests that you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and cancers of the breast, endometrium, prostate and colon.

Losing weight will help you a lot in prevention of angina, chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart by decreasing your risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke. It also aids in prevention of Type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar levels.

It gives you additional benefits

You need to burn calories to lose weight and exercise is one of the most efficient ways to burn calories and lose weight fast. Incorporating enhanced physical activity or exercise into your day by walking more, running or exercising to a fitness video can strengthen your heart and lungs and the efficiency of your energy metabolism. This will also help lower your blood pressure, improve your HDL, or “good” cholesterol, and reduce your risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Besides, increased physical activity has been thought to be associated with lower anxiety rates and it also brings peace and calm to your mind and body.

It simply makes you feel good

Losing weight, when done responsibly, definitely benefits your physical health and your emotional and spiritual life as well. One of the first things dieters report is how much extra energy they have after they’ve lost even 5 or 10 pounds.

They also sleep better and enjoy enhanced sex lives.

It helps you rediscover yourself!

And finally, you should definitely lose weight because it’s your “natural” right to get rid of that “unnatural” mass and also because…

  • You will be in better health.
  • You will feel better physically.
  • You will have more confidence
  • You deserve to be slim.
  • You should live longer.
  • You will have to take control of your body & life.
  • You will be proud of yourself.
  • You won’t feel so self-conscious.
  • You will do more things like go to the beach.
  • You will be able to dance in public without feeling self-conscious.
  • You will feel better about yourself.
  • You would not feel uncomfortable when people hug you.
  • You would not feel that you are letting yourself down.
  • You would not feel ashamed
  • You will be less self-critical.
  • You will feel more comfortable, especially in summer.
  • You will be happier when you look in the mirror.
  • You will feel more outgoing.
  • You will feel that I have accomplished something important.
  • You will have more energy.
  • You will be able to get down & play with the grandkids with comparative ease.
  • You will enjoy wearing nice clothes.
  • You will be more physically fit.
  • You will feel more in control.

In short, the main reason to lose weight is for health, not appearance as is evident from the following statistics:

  • Nearly 112,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity.
  • The risk of death rises with increasing weight.
  • Even moderate weight excess (10 to 20 pounds for a person of average height) increases the risk of death, particularly among adults ages 30 to 64.
  • People who are obese (defined as having a body mass index [BMI] greater than 30) have a higher risk of excess death (they are more likely to die) from all causes, compared to people at a healthy weight.

Therefore, if questions like “why lose weight” ever come to your mind now you should have enough solid, justifiable reason to do so.

All the best!

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Proactol.com is the original source for the article above.

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Why Diet Causes Weight Loss and How?

why-diet-causes-weight-loss-and-how

If you are searching for an answer to why diet can cause drastic reduction in your weight, you’ve come to the right place. In fact, why lose weight through other “artificial” means when you achieve your fitness goals by “natural” means.  There are different kinds of weight loss diet that help you lose weight in different ways. Let’s find out how:

Protein-rich Diet

It is commonly known that a popular weight loss diet is a high protein meal plan. Numerous dieters have been buying and using high-protein diets all across America and Europe, over the past several years. Protein is an essential component in the development of muscles, and it should be noted that your body has to metabolize calories quicker in order to actively sustain muscles. Therefore, the greater the percentage of your body which is pure muscle, the quicker you will burn that fat off and the harder it is to retain fat.

Best sources of proteins include thin, lean meats (preferably white meat e.g. chicken breast, turkey, fish (Tuna), egg white, skimmed milk etc.)

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to starve yourself to lower your calorie consumption. As mentioned above, just take smaller portions of the foods you currently enjoy.

Fiber rich diet

Just like water, fiber rich foods fill you up for longer. Also, as fiber is indigestible, it is discarded along the way and takes fats from other foods with it. According to a study, an average person could lose up to 10 pounds in one year just by doubling his / her fiber intake.

Fiber is commonly found in plant foods e.g. strawberries, apples, figs, chickpeas, broccoli, beans, and nuts. You can also start with high fiber wheat-based breakfast and should also make sure you have baked potatoes and brown rice as part of your diet.

Calcium-rich diet

Data from credible resources has signified the prominent effect of calcium on weight loss. According to the American Dairy Association, those people who have the lowest amounts of calcium have higher amounts of stored fat. For the same reason, overweight or obese individuals who are interested in working toward better health should consider increased calcium intake along with an overall healthier lifestyle.

Foods that are high in calcium include low fat dairy products e.g. skimmed milk, soy milk, low-fat cheese, yogurt and baked beans, dried figs, broccoli, darkest green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified food like cereals and orange juice. If your diet is not high in calcium, some good calcium supplements e.g. chewable calcium tablets should be considered. Another best source of calcium is coral calcium obtained from fossilized coral reefs above sea level.

Frequent, smaller meal diet

Another way to cut back on calories is to watch your portion sizes. Go for relatively smaller, leaner, pieces of meats, perhaps. Eat as much vegetables as possible as they are low in calories but contain higher quantities of vitamins and nutrients) and avoid deep fried food (cheese burgers, fried chicken, French fries etc.). Doing these easy things will have a dynamic impact on your weight.

Water, water & water

Water is a natural appetite suppressant as it keeps your stomach full and prevents you from dehydration which can lead to false cravings / hunger. Water also helps your body metabolize stored fat by helping the kidneys flush out the waste. When you don’t drink enough water, the liver which works to provide stored fat for energy helps the kidneys eliminate waste and becomes less effective at metabolizing fat.

Natural dietary supplement

Natural dietary supplement like Proactol is an option that offers an extra bonus to get into the diet and fitness routine. Specific herbs and organic, fiber-based extracts present in Proactol have the ability to speed up your metabolism, curb appetite, increase fat burning and boost energy.

Last but not least, the above mentioned diet types should give you an idea of why diet is so important if you want to lose weight. Your diet plan should be an example of a balanced diet, essentially representing the major food groups of whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes. It should also include dairy want to lose, fish, meat and poultry. It is best if you avoid deep-fried foods (fast foods) and reduce the sugar and fat intake.

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Proactol.com is the original source for the article above.

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