| Homepage | Web Directory | Article Directory | Bid Directory |
Articles. News. Information. | |
Category of Information, News & Articles |
|
|
|
Set Your Fat Thermostat at a Healthy Level
Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy eating a piece of chocolate cake and wondered how they stay thin? Part of the reason is that they have a set-point in their brain that keeps their body fat and weight from varying~ that is, until they do something that causes the brain to change its settings for weight control. That's what happened to me when I quit smoking. I'd been slender all my life until I stopped smoking and gained nearly 25 pounds! Quitting nicotine had triggered a chemical process that altered a weight control function in my brain. My body began to create fat out of what I ate, where it used to eliminate any excess calories. (To quit smoking is only one of many events that can trigger a change in the weight controls of a person's brain.) Let's call the weight regulator in your brain a *set- point,* and a good image for the set-point is the temperature you set on the thermostat for the heating and cooling system of your house. If it is set at 71 degrees, then the temperature doesn't vary by more than a degree or two before the thermostat tells the furnace to heat up (or the air conditioner to cool down). Your brain's set-point functions similarly, maintaining a consistent weight and fat level through interactions of hormones, etc. Exploring the body's chemistry is beyond this article's scope. It's sufficient to understand that if your weight has increased (or decreased), it's because the set-point in your brain changed. And so, if you prefer to lose (or re-gain) that weight, specific habits are necessary to adjust the set-point to your desired level. One. Eat the right things. This is not difficult, if you follow these clear guidelines: a) Keep refined carbohydrates to a minimum. That is, avoid foods made with sugar or flour. b) Eat less fat, but that doesn't mean to use products labeled 'low-fat' such as low-fat mayonnaise. Producers have to use so many chemicals to make low-fat, processed foods taste OK that you're better off just eating the real thing - only less of it. Also, eat less animal fat, like cheese, butter and marbled meat. c) Eat complex carbohydrates: whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Your body recognizes these as normal foods, so it will process them to give you energy now, instead of giving you stored energy (fat). Two: Drink water. It is necessary to your metabolism and helps your body eliminate toxins and other excesses. Sweetened juice, coffee, tea, diet or regular soda, and alcohol don't contribute to good metabolism or health. Keep use of them minimal, if at all. Third, do the right kind of rhythmic large muscle exercise daily, and sustain it for 30 to 60 minutes. If this sounds like a lot of time, ask yourself, how important is it to you to be healthy and/or lose weight? You're not going to re-set your brain's weight regulator (the set-point) without exercise - it's that simple. But the exercise can be a pleasure once you understand which types to do. Fortunately, your not faced here with push-ups or lifting weights. For exercise that will adjust the set-point, 'large muscle' means in particular to use your legs. Walking is the ideal exercise to begin with; you don't need special gear or equipment. You could also swim, bike, or jog. Do something you can enjoy. 'Rhythmic' refers to exercise you do steadily, repetitively. 'Sustained' means continuous - no stopping. The minimum is 30 minutes a day. For quickest results, an hour daily is better. Your heart rate should be at a level where you exert yourself, but can still have a conversation. Go much higher than that level, and you're no longer doing set-point changing exercise. In this case, 'no pain-no gain' is undesirable. If you make these three things a daily habit, (proper eating, drinking, and exercise) your set-point will change, and you'll lose weight. I lost the 25 pounds I'd gained when I stopped smoking, and in the process I learned some pleasant habits that have improved the quality of my life as well as my health. Habitually, I eat delicious whole foods, enjoy a daily walk, and drink mainly water. I feel good now, and looking good is just a bonus. You'll feel good, too, and your body will thank you, blessing you with good health. Please note: This article is for information purposes only. Always consult your doctor or health-care professional. Serena Harstad has written extensively on nutrition, fitness and health topics for All About Nutrition, the best on-line nutrition information resource. Visit: http://aanutrition.com for additional articles by Serena Harstad
MORE RESOURCES:
Nutrition - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Helping Your Immune System Win The War Against Disease Just as our country is currently engaged in a war against covert terrorism, your immune system is similarly waging a constant war against the hidden enemies within your body.This war started before you were born and it will continue until you die. Being Proactive With Your Health Decisions In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive in protecting our health. But that assumes there's something you CAN do to protect it. Building Better Bones "It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my beloved," counsels Grandmother Growth. "You must open to your very marrow for this transformation. Using Calcium and Magnesium for Constipation Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right quantities can prevent or relieve constipation. They can support the health of your colon and keep you regular. Nutrient Requirements of Women in Sport Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly comparable way. As volume and intensity of training increases, so does aerobic capacity and hence performance. Alkalize Your Way to Better Health Today we're shifting our focus from wealth to health. First of all, I am not an expert. Focus On Fiber: How Much Is Enough? Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality and improve your overall well-being? Try eating more fiber! The average American only gets about half the amount of fiber they need everyday for their body to function optimally. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), fiber helps lower cholesterol and is important for the health of our digestive system. What on Earth is an Enzyme? Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything function, by enabling chemical reactions. All living cells contain enzymes. How to Help Your Picky Eater One of the most common questions I am asked is how to help a picky eater. If you're worried that your child won't get enough nutrients from a limited selection of foods, the good news is that because the American food supply is super-fortified, nutrient deficiencies are rare. Water And Good Hydration The key to good hydration is drinking a lot of water before, during and after any workout or activity. Water is essential for proper bodily function. Feeling Tired? No Pep & Zing? Tap Into Breakfast Smoothies! I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has been a pain. Some of my earliest memories are getting ready for school with my mother insisting I eat a bowl of cereal. Relieve PMS with the Food Diet Changes Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time or another. The symptoms are familiar: mood swings, cramping and bloating, trouble sleeping. How to Substitute Fat in Your Everyday Diet Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the increasing problem of obesity in the world today. It's stored in the fat cells of the body. Protein Wont Make You Fat: Myth #1 How many magazines have you read where they tell you to take in X grams of protein? How many times have you see .75g of protein per lb of bodyweight or 1g maybe 1. Alternative Therapies for Acid Reflux Disease Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common disease which affects approximately 5-7% of the population. It occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus, a long, thin, muscular tube, which connects the mouth and the stomach. Introduction To Cocaine Addiction Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant which instantly affects the brain after introducing it to the body. The effects of this drug are extremely pleasurable and give a false sense of euphria. Protein and Endurance Sports Endurance Sports are like music concerts. They start at a low key, setting a steady rhythm and culminate into a crescendo that enthralls the spectator and the athlete. Is Vitamin E Beneficial Or Harmful? Cutting Through The Clutter Of Different Scientific Opinions Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and medical press questioning the value of vitamin E supplementation and suggesting that there are risks associated with its use even at doses previously thought to have been "safe". What do we do with the hundreds of studies and extensive clinical research that has been published in the medical literature suggesting benefit in cardiovascular disease, alzheimers, diabetes and other degenerative diseases? A search of the National Library of Medicine yields over 25,000 citations, many funded or sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other prestigious medical and scientific organizations. An Apple a Day, Does Keep the Doctor Away Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to: reduce your cholesterol, reduce your hunger, lower your fat absorption, reduce surges in insulin levels, help with weight loss, lower the risk of colon cancer, and lower your risk of heart disease. WOW! Sounds like a miracle cure - where can I get this stuff? The answer: At your grocery store. The Benefits Of Drinking Herbal Teas Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal benefits as well as being tasty to drink! Some of my favorite teas are chamomile tea, jasmine tea and ginger tea. Each of these has a distinctive taste as well as health benefit.
|
| Home | Sitemap | |
| © 2006 eInfoJunction.com | Homepage | Web Directory | Article Directory| Bid Directory |
