We start this series of weight loss tips with an explanation of why you gain weight and how to lose it – in general terms.
It doesn't matter what method you use: exercise, eat less or a special diet program such as Jenny Craig, South Beach or Atkins.
The same principles apply. We shall try not to get too technical, but it is important that you know why you are taking the actions you take to achieve the level of weight loss you are targeting.
We should stress here that what follows below is a simplification of body chemistry, but it is still accurate and biochemically correct.
By understanding why you put on weight, and the principles of how to take it off again at will, you will find it easier to stick to whatever diet or plan you choose.
That's because you will understand 'why' and 'how' and not just that 'you must!'.
'Simple' carbohydrates are easily absorbed sugars, while the 'Complex' variety are starches available in pasta and pieces of bread which take more time to be broken down into simple sugars.
Ultimately, it makes no difference. The relative times are taken for the carbohydrates to be broken down don't change the ultimate effect.
Once converted to glucose in your liver, it is circulated around your body in your blood and when you have a need for energy it is transferred into your body cells.
A key is needed to allow glucose into your cells, and that key is insulin. Once inside your cells, the glucose is converted into energy which allows you muscle and brain cells to do their job.
Some of the excess glucose is stored as glycogen as an immediately available emergency energy source. Sprinters use it up off the blocks for example.
The vast the majority of excess calories is stored as fat which was the caveman's way of storing energy for the winter when food was scarce after a summer and fall of plenty.
We no longer lack food in winter, so our fat stays with us unless we work it off. That is what this blog is about.
Henceforth we shall equate energy with calories.
Targeted exercise can dictate where in your body you lose the most of this weight. So crunches will help you lose belly fat, and jogging or treadmills will help you lose fat in your thighs and buttocks.
Metabolic Rate: Your metabolic rate is the rate at which you use up calories while at rest or sleeping. This includes the calories you use for the essential functions of your heart and blood circulation, lung function and breathing, digestion, brain function and everything else that works even when you are resting.
These lucky people that never seem to change shape, no matter how much they eat, tend to have high metabolic rates.
This rate is controlled by hormones, particularly thyroxin and other hormones generated in the thyroid, and also by testosterone, insulin and human growth hormone. Each of these tends to increase your metabolic rate and so help you remain a lean mean machine!
We mention this to support those who claim 'hormones' to be their problem. They are likely correct, but even they can still take actions to reduce the amount of free glucose in their blood through diet and exercise.
Atkins increases your metabolic rate (you burn more energy while at rest), diets cut down on your carbohydrate intake and exercise uses up your calories faster. The purpose of each of these is to use up all your blood sugar quickly, and then work on your fat reserves.
We shall be using the above metabolic theory as we expand this blog to offer you weight loss tips that work. People that use our tips have genuinely lost weight, and it stayed lost!
They really do work, because they are based upon science and not on wishful thinking! Judge for yourself, but stay with us if you want to lose weight effectively, and even more importantly – safely.
The same principles apply. We shall try not to get too technical, but it is important that you know why you are taking the actions you take to achieve the level of weight loss you are targeting.
We should stress here that what follows below is a simplification of body chemistry, but it is still accurate and biochemically correct.
By understanding why you put on weight, and the principles of how to take it off again at will, you will find it easier to stick to whatever diet or plan you choose.
That's because you will understand 'why' and 'how' and not just that 'you must!'.
Weight and Carbohydrates
All so-called 'fatty foods' contain carbohydrates. These include fatty meat, oils, bread, pasta, cream, sugar and so on. Carbohydrates are broken down by your digestive system and liver into glucose – some faster than others.'Simple' carbohydrates are easily absorbed sugars, while the 'Complex' variety are starches available in pasta and pieces of bread which take more time to be broken down into simple sugars.
Ultimately, it makes no difference. The relative times are taken for the carbohydrates to be broken down don't change the ultimate effect.
Once converted to glucose in your liver, it is circulated around your body in your blood and when you have a need for energy it is transferred into your body cells.
A key is needed to allow glucose into your cells, and that key is insulin. Once inside your cells, the glucose is converted into energy which allows you muscle and brain cells to do their job.
Some of the excess glucose is stored as glycogen as an immediately available emergency energy source. Sprinters use it up off the blocks for example.
The vast the majority of excess calories is stored as fat which was the caveman's way of storing energy for the winter when food was scarce after a summer and fall of plenty.
We no longer lack food in winter, so our fat stays with us unless we work it off. That is what this blog is about.
Henceforth we shall equate energy with calories.
Weight Loss Tips and the Energy Equation
Fundamentally, you will get fatter if you take more energy (calories) in your diet than you use up. If you use up more calories than you take in, your body will use your fat to make up the deficit and you will lose fat and therefore weight.Targeted exercise can dictate where in your body you lose the most of this weight. So crunches will help you lose belly fat, and jogging or treadmills will help you lose fat in your thighs and buttocks.
Metabolic Rate: Your metabolic rate is the rate at which you use up calories while at rest or sleeping. This includes the calories you use for the essential functions of your heart and blood circulation, lung function and breathing, digestion, brain function and everything else that works even when you are resting.
These lucky people that never seem to change shape, no matter how much they eat, tend to have high metabolic rates.
This rate is controlled by hormones, particularly thyroxin and other hormones generated in the thyroid, and also by testosterone, insulin and human growth hormone. Each of these tends to increase your metabolic rate and so help you remain a lean mean machine!
We mention this to support those who claim 'hormones' to be their problem. They are likely correct, but even they can still take actions to reduce the amount of free glucose in their blood through diet and exercise.
Diets and Weight Loss Plans
No blog about weight loss tips can ignore the various diets and weight loss plans that are visible all over the magazines and the internet. Each of these diets and plans is designed to make you use up calories faster than you eat them!Atkins increases your metabolic rate (you burn more energy while at rest), diets cut down on your carbohydrate intake and exercise uses up your calories faster. The purpose of each of these is to use up all your blood sugar quickly, and then work on your fat reserves.
We shall be using the above metabolic theory as we expand this blog to offer you weight loss tips that work. People that use our tips have genuinely lost weight, and it stayed lost!
They really do work, because they are based upon science and not on wishful thinking! Judge for yourself, but stay with us if you want to lose weight effectively, and even more importantly – safely.
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