Tips For Running For Weight Loss Safely

Are you interested in learning more about running for weight loss? The concept is actually simple: Running is good for you, and can help you lose weight. But most people are not in ideal shape to simply go out there and begin running. If you want to implement running for weight loss into your weight loss and exercise program, here is an excellent way to get it done:

Begin by creating a walking and running schedule that you are comfortable with. Break it into a six week program, a twelve week program or even an eighteen week program as needed. Once you know how long your walk / run program is going to last, the next step is to design a plan that you will be comfortable with. Here is an example of a walking and running program for weight loss -

Week 1: Walk / Run 3 times a week, such as on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for example.

Trip 1 – Alternate between walking for 1 minute and running for 30 seconds.
Trip 2 – Alternate between walking for 1 minute and running for 30 seconds.
Trip 3 – Alternate between walking for 1 minute and running for 30 seconds.

Week 2: Walk / Run 4 times a week, such as on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for example.

Trip 1 – Alternate between walking for 2 minutes and running for 1 minute.
Trip 2 – Alternate between walking for 3 minutes and running for 2 minutes.
Trip 3 – Alternate between walking for 2 minutes and running for 1 minute.
Trip 4 – Alternate between walking for 3 minutes and running for 2 minutes.


Week 3: Walk / Run 4 times a week, such as on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for example.

Trip 1 – Alternate between walking for 5 minutes and running for 3 minutes.
Trip 2 – Alternate between walking for 8 minutes and running for 4 minutes.
Trip 3 – Alternate between walking for 5 minutes and running for 3 minutes.
Trip 4 – Alternate between walking for 8 minutes and running for 4 minutes.

This process would continue with logical progressions based on how much time you spend walking and how much time you spend running, until you end up at the desired results. An example of your final week of your plan may look something like this -

Week 12: Walk / Run 4 times a week, such as on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for example.

Trip 1 – Alternate between walking for 10 minutes and running for 10 minutes.
Trip 2 – Alternate between walking for 12 minutes and running for 12 minutes.
Trip 3 – Alternate between walking for 10 minutes and running for 12 minutes.
Trip 4 – Alternate between walking for 10 minutes and running for 12 minutes.

By now, you are running or jogging quite a bit, meaning that you are in much better shape than when you began. Because a walked mile is approximately 15 minutes and a mile you run is 10-12 minutes or less, you can expect to be doing several miles per week following this schedule, and losing plenty of weight in the process as you get into better shape!

8 Simple Exercise Routines to Fit into Your Busy Life

Are you thinking that you don’t have time to fit exercise into your busy lifestyle? Well, think again! Here are 8 simple routines that are easy to do and – best of all – they don’t take much time. Just spend 10 minutes or less on these easy activities and a new, healthier lifestyle will be yours!

As always, be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine.

Surely you can fit these fun, healthy activities into your busy life:

1. Jump rope. If you haven’t tried jumping rope lately, now is the time to give this fun and invigorating exercise a try. Purchase a jump rope or fashion your own from any sturdy piece of rope. Start slowly and gradually increase both your speed and intensity. This heart-healthy exercise can be performed a few times a day for maximum exercise benefits.

2. Climb stairs. Did you know that staircase in your home or workplace is actually a mini-gym in disguise? Take advantage of this exercise opportunity whenever you have a few extra minutes to spare. Climbing stairs builds strength and gets your heart pumping.

• Listen to music or an audio book while going up and down the stairs. Before you know it, you’ll be looking forward to your climbing sessions!

3. Dance to the music. Don’t be shy! Turn up your favorite music and dance with abandon! Dancing is not only fun, but it’s also a terrific form of exercise. Professional dancers are more fit than many professional athletes!

4. Bounce on a mini-trampoline. No doubt about it. Trampolines are just plain fun! Mini-trampolines can be purchased at many chain stores, sporting goods stores, or online. Pull out your trampoline and spend just five minutes jumping away. You may enjoy this exercise so much that you’ll increase the amount of time you have available for your exercise routine.

5. Quick calisthenics. Everyone has, at one time or another, practiced calisthenics. Now is the time to remember those lunges, knee bends and jumping jacks of days gone by! Finding just five minutes in your hectic day to practice one or more these calisthenics exercise routines can make a big difference in your health.

6. Lift weights. Many exercise routines neglect that all-important need to increase upper body strength. Lifting weights solves that problem. Depending on your size and fitness level, choose the amount of weight appropriate for you. Start with lighter weights, and as you spend time on a daily routine, gradually increase the amount of weight you can handle.

7. Walk faster. Will you be walking the dog later today? Or perhaps walking from your car into the shopping mall? Picking up your walking speed will also increase your fitness level. Walking of any kind is always a good thing, but walking faster enhances the exercise benefits you receive from it.

8. Practice balance. Part of any healthy lifestyle is having good balance. The more you practice, the easier it is to maintain balance not only in your exercise routine, but also in your daily life. Practicing balance requires only a few minutes a day and best of all, can be practiced anywhere with no special equipment.

• Stand a few feet from a wall or other supporting structure and raise one foot off the ground, placing that foot gently on your other ankle or calf. Maintain balance as long as you can. Repeat with the other foot.

• With daily practice, you’ll notice a gradual increase in the amount of time you can keep your balance.

By following just a few of these simple and quick exercise routines, you’ll be on your way to healthier and happy lifestyle. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Start now!

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet Plan

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet was supposedly developed by the Birmingham Hospital in Alabama, though the hospital does not admit its role in the origin of the plan. The 3 day cardiac diet has also been attributed to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

The story is that the 3 Day Cardiac Diet was designed for patients who needed to lose up to 10 lbs weight quickly so they could have surgery.

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet has set menu plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days. Each day is limited to about 800 calories. While some claim that there is a special “chemical reaction,” much of the weight loss benefit is likely obtained by the restricted calorie intake. Also, there are very few carbs on the diet which leads to water loss.

You should drink six to eight cups of water a day on the program to speed digestion.

Tuna is the featured protein on the 3 day Cardiac diet. 1/2 cup of tuna is prescribed on the first two days, and on the final day, you will increase that to 1 cup. Variety and nutrition is provided with small to medium sized portions of cheese, eggs, crackers, vegetables, grapefruit, banana, and toast. Coffee, tea, or diet soda can accompany meals but water should be the beverage of choice outside of mealtime.

Some nutritionists express concerns about the restricted levels of calories and lack of a full range of nutritional options. However, considering that the diet lasts only 3 days, these are not dispositive.

People following the 3 day cardiac diet will likely feel hunger pangs and have lower energy levels. This is especially true by the third day. But, keep in mind that the diet is of limited duration and you should be fine unless you have endurance based physical feats to perform.

Your body may start to recognize that only a limited food supply is available when you eat only 3 small meals a day. It may begin to compensate by reducing metabolism and energy levels to conserve fat reserves. This can actually make it harder to lose weight and place the body under additional stress.

The 3 Day Cardiac diet is not suitable for long term dieting. After 3 days you should start on a diet that offers more variety and more calories.

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet provides restricted calories and nutrients for its intended duration. Your body can handle a fast for 3 days, so it certainly can handle a restricted calorie diet. However, the diet is not a long term solution to your weight management concerns.

If you need to lose a few pounds in a short period of time, the 3 day cardiac diet can help to get you there. If you are trying to lose those “last 5 pounds” and nothing else seems to be working, try the 3 day cardiac diet. But follow it up with a sensible eating plan.

Food Calorie Counters

Food calorie counters are key to losing weight. Successful dieters will eventually learn that there is only one way to achieve a weight loss. Calorie counting is how a dieter can be sure to lose weight and keep it off. This article will look at the role of food calorie counters in a successful diet.

Weight loss is not found in a pill. The latest diet book won’t offer you a miracle cure. Essentially, you have to burn more calories than you consume. Pills can curb your appetite so that you won’t be hungry when you diet. Diet books can offer you ways to eat fewer calories according to a specific plan. But, essentially, all diets boil down to the same thing: eat less than you burn.

Food calorie counters can help you make smart choices about what foods you consume when you are trying to lose or maintain weight. You must begin counting your calories and capping them at an amount that will allow your body to lose the weight. The use of a food calorie counter can help you to keep track of what you have consumed throughout the day. Don’t guess as to how many calories are in certain foods. A calorie counter will give you the information you need.

You are also advised to use a diet and exercise journal to make sure that you are keeping track of all of your foods eaten. By taking the time to write down everything you consume along with your exercise, you are better able to see where you are having problems and where you are finding success. You may be surprised at the foods that are adding excessive amounts of calories to your diet. The food calorie counter along with a journal will help you find success.

Write down every food item you have for a week. At the end of each day, look up the calories in each food and total the day’s take. At the end of the week, you can analyze where your problem areas are. You may be surprised, for instance, at how many calories you are drinking every day and choose to replace these liquid calories with food. Or, you may find that on days when you eat a hearty breakfast, you eat less food during the rest of the day. Alternatively, you may find that you eat high calorie lunches because nothing else is available. You can plan to pack and bring low calorie lunches to work or school with you.

Between the food calorie counter and the journal, you should be able to find the weight loss success you have been looking for. As I said earlier, there is no magic cure for weight loss. You will have to watch your calories and limit the amount you are eating.

There are a number of free food calorie counters available online. You can also purchase them for your iPhone or PDA so that you will have them on the go. These tools will make your diet much easier.

Green Tea Weight Loss

So the Chinese have had green tea now for around 4,000 years. They’re keen with herbs and stuff, and they stick with green tea’s ability to help you lose weight. Case in point: the Japanese. Their society is literally addicted to green tea, with local demand pushing the local supply of high-grade green tea to the limit. And if you notice, it’s rare to find overweight Japanese. And they attest it all to their insatiable thirst for green tea.

So here’s the question: are green tea weight loss diets plausible?

The quick answer to that question is a resounding yes! Whether through drinking green tea or through dietary supplements, green tea weight loss diets revolve around the time-tested reliability of green tea to help in weight reduction.

Green tea weight loss: The Scientific Studies

The Study:
There is this physiologist, William Rumpler, who’s currently investigating the effects of green tea on the energy expenditure and fat oxidation of the body when exposed to green tea. In English, that means your body’s generation of energy for you to work and the tendency to burn up fat for fuel. Both are ways for you to lose weight.

The only weight-reducing component that they’ve identified in green tea is the caffeine. However, when they had other subjects consume caffeinated water instead of full-strength green tea, they experienced some strange results. Not surprisingly, the subjects who took full-strength green tea had significantly greater energy expenditure and fat oxidation levels in their body.

The Implications:
All they could do is attribute the weight-loss effects of green tea to confounding variables. Simply put, this means that they don’t know what the heck it is in green tea that helps people lose weight. The only thing the scientists are sure about is that it helps you lose weight. More studies in this field will probably isolate what makes you lose weight when you drink green tea.

But no matter what research will yield, they’ve already proven the fact that green tea weight loss diets work. And that’s what really counts.

The Bonuses:
Other related studies about green tea indicate that not only will you lose weight, but you’ll also have a healthier life in the process: antioxidants help clean up the damaging free radicals that float around in your body, your intestinal track is less likely to absorb excess cholesterol, and your risk to get cancer is significantly lowered.

What more could you ask from green tea weight loss diets? You get what you want and even more, all for just drinking a couple of cups a day!

Summer Workout Strategies to Get the Body You Want

Do you want to get in shape this summer? Would you like to look better in a swimsuit? Imagine what it would feel like to walk along the beach with the confidence that comes with a well-toned body!

This summer, try different workout strategies to achieve your fitness goals. A balanced approach that combines strategies can help you to get your body into the best shape ever this summer.

Burn Fat

Losing fat is the goal of many of us as each summer season approaches. How would you like to fit into your favorite jeans again or turn heads at the beach? Fortunately, shedding a few pounds is easier than you might think.

The simplest way to shed pounds quickly is with cardio workouts. A brisk walk, jog, or hike at least 3 to 4 times a week will do the trick. If you have access to a gym, the stationary bikes are an excellent choice as well. With an MP3 player, you can take your favorite music with you to enjoy your workout more and make the time pass quickly.

Build Tone

Cardiovascular fitness is important, but it’s only one component of a summer workout strategy that will deliver the body you want. If you’re overweight, focus on building muscle to ensure that your body burns fat more efficiently. Even if you’re already in shape, building and toning your muscles are vital for maintaining optimum health.

The best way to tone your body is with weight lifting. It’s important to start small to avoid injuries. Start with less weight than you think you can handle. As your muscles grow stronger, you can add heavier weights or more difficult weight lifting routines to challenge your body to new heights of fitness.

Some find a gym intimidating because they think that the gym is only for people who are already in shape. But for the most part, people at the gym mind their own business. They’re too focused on their own bodies and routines to worry about what you look like. So instead of feeling embarrassed, step out of your comfort zone and into the fit body you deserve.

For maximum results in the shortest possible time, use less weight and more repetitions. As you grow stronger, you’ll need to add challenges to your workouts to avoid a plateau. Instead of adding more weight, add more repetitions. This will build endurance and tone your muscles most effectively.

Build Muscle

Once you’re in good physical shape, you may want to add more muscle to bulk up. If you’re able to maintain a healthy weight with great muscle tone, you can take your training to the next level and build the muscular physique you’ve always dreamed about.

To build muscle, change your workout routine. While lower weight and higher repetitions is optimal for toning, muscle building is exactly the opposite. You want to challenge your muscles with lower repetitions at higher weights. As you gain strength, add more weight to challenge your muscles to grow bigger and stronger.

Keep your workout plan simple and easy to follow. Instead of applying a complicated formula, do what feels right to you. Generally, 8 to 12 repetitions at the appropriate weight for your goals is a good rule of thumb. If possible, consult a personal trainer to develop a personalized workout routine that takes into account the goals you have for your body.

Starting a workout plan can be overwhelming. But as long as you continue to visualize what you want your body to look like and keep it simple, you’ll find success with your workout goals. Combine cardiovascular workouts with weight training for a fat burning, muscle-toning plan to attain the body you desire – and deserve!

The Natural Way to Lose Belly Fat

Do you want to know the natural way to lose belly fat? Do you dream of washboard abs or a flat stomach but don’t want to take pills, potions, or shakes? Do you long for an exercise program that doesn’t depend on complicated abdominal crunches that take an athlete to actually pull off?

Well I have a solution for you. There is a natural way to lose belly fat. It’s called a proper diet and exercise.

First of all, you want to have a balanced low calorie diet. One suggestion is to “eat around the outside of the supermarket.” That is, don’t go into the isles where all the processed food is. Instead, eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as a moderate amount of lean meat and low fat dairy products. Bulk up with natural foods like whole grains and legumes.

Be aware that there are food choices that you can make to save calories. For instance, swapping 2 cups of air popped popcorn for 1 cup of potato chips saves you 95 calories. And, instead of eating the prepackaged fruit on the bottom strawberry yogurt, eat ½ cup of sliced strawberries with ½ cup of fat free vanilla yogurt and save 105 calories.

Then, start to ramp up a cardio routine. You should be doing heart healthy exercises at least 5 times a week. One study showed that dieters who also walked for 50 minutes 3 times a week lost nearly twice as much belly fat as those who only reduced their calories.

You should aim for 45 minutes of strenuous exercise as a natural way to lose belly fat. This exercise can include moderate to fast walking, jogging, cycling, or using any cardio machine at your gym.

One popular routine that can burn up to 500 calories in a single session has you warming up for 3 minutes, picking up the intensity for 3 minutes, pushing yourself as hard as you can for two minutes, then slowing down for 3 minutes followed by pushing yourself for another 2 minutes. Repeat this for a total of 45 minutes before doing a 2 minute cool down period.

You should be doing strength training on top of your cardio as well. Working your muscles is key to finding the natural way to lose belly fat.

Buy a belly ball and work out with this large 22 inch stability ball. They cost about $30 in sporting goods stores, and if you are serious about finding a natural way to lose belly fat, you’ll get one. Lie on your back and hold the ball in the air between your legs for one minute. It’s easier to get the hang of than a traditional crunch and will strengthen your muscles just as well. The book that comes with the stability ball will explain more exercises.

Diet and proper exercise including both cardio and strength training routines are key to the natural way to lose belly fat.

5 Ways to Get in Shape This Summer

The warm, long days of summer are a source of encouragement to get outdoors and make changes that can lead to a healthier you!

If you’re excited about pushing your body to a new level of physical fitness, but you’re unsure where to begin, take advantage of the summertime to sculpt the body you’ve been wanting.

Here are five fun and exciting ways to get in shape this summer:

1. Join a gym. Allow the beautiful weather to motivate you to change, but consider a gym membership as a tool to support you in that change. The sunshine may beckon you outdoors, but the heat may stop your momentum dead in its tracks. An air-conditioned gym with state-of-the-art exercise equipment may be just what you need.

• Whether you want to build muscle or simply tone up and shed a few pounds, a gym membership allows you to design a workout program that works best for you.

• If you go with friends, you can all provide moral support and keep each other on track. With others involved, you’re more likely to avoid procrastination and keep working out.

• You can have a successful exercise program without a gym membership. But the gym is one tool in your arsenal. When the weather is too hot or it’s raining outside, you’ll still be able to get a quality workout and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with every step forward.

2. Pick up an old sport. Did you play basketball or baseball in high school? Summer recreational leagues offer opportunities for you to get in shape while rekindling that competitive fire you had in your youth.

• Even if you didn’t play sports, you can begin this summer. You may find that you’re better at it than you thought you would be. Sports are a great way to get excited about getting in shape, and summer leagues may be the ticket to getting you off of the couch and into the game.

3. Go for a bike ride. A bicycle ride through the scenic parts of your town is a fun way to get in shape. Enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings, the warm sunshine, and a terrific cardiovascular workout.

• Riding a bike can be as strenuous or as leisurely as you like. Some days, you may want to push yourself with a fast pace. Other days, you may feel tired and in need of rejuvenation. With a bike ride, you can still get a good workout and recharge your batteries at the same time.

4. Develop a morning or evening routine. If you’re just getting started with a personal fitness plan this summer, keep it simple. Try a set of push-ups and a set of sit-ups every morning.

• Begin with small steps that are easy to fit into your busy morning or evening. That way, you’re more likely to stick with the program until you see the results you deserve.

• If the warm weather and beautiful sunshine are calling your name, start small and plan ahead. A short, slow jog first thing in the morning will begin your day with a sense of accomplishment.

• As you become more comfortable and the workout becomes a habit, you can challenge yourself by adding repetitions, time, or distance to the simple plan you’ve created.

5. Maintain a healthy diet. A healthy eating plan is essential to your success. The heat of summer and the additional stress on your body from your commitment to exercise requires the proper fuel. Most importantly, drink plenty of water.

• If you begin to think of the food you’re putting into your mouth as fuel for the fit body you deserve, you’ll start making better choices that support your new lifestyle.

By following these simple steps this summer, you’ll be well on your way to becoming more fit. You’ll create momentum and establish a lifestyle of active fitness that is sure to lead to the fit body you crave!

How Fast Can You Lose Fat?

By Alwyn Cosgrove

How fast can lose lose fat?

What’s the rate limiting step (i.e. what is the one thing that is slowing the whole system down)?

How can we get around it and speed up the entire weight loss process?

It always bothered me that we’re told – a good weight loss diet could results in 2lbs of fat loss per week.

“Any more than that and you’ll lose muscle”.

Or a good exercise program could result in the same.

But if you had a good weight loss diet AND a good exercise program – your results didn’t double – they canceled each other out! You would still lose “2lbs per week…”.

Diet worked.

Exercise worked.

But diet and exercise didn’t seem to work much better.

We’ve all been told that 2lbs a week is the magic number… yet there are actual scientific studies showing weight loss way higher than that.

What about losing muscle and slowing metabolism? Again it’s another myth. There are studies showing metabolism increases and muscle gains on programs with intakes as low as 800 calories per day.

Is it just about calories? Nope.

There are studies showing that interval training, while burning less calories during the session, results in a significantly greater fat loss than a higher volume of calorie burning exercise…

There are also studies showing the same total calories burned from weight training and cardio results in drastically different amounts of fat loss.

So it’s not just calories…

There are nutrition studies that show changing the source of protein intake doubled the lean mass gains and increased fat lost – without changing total calories or activity levels.

Another one showed the same thing when you changed the source of dietary fat. Again – no change in total calories in, or activity levels (calories out) — but there was a pronounced reduction in body fat.

After bringing together tons of fat loss information – both from studies that I’ve read, and people that I’ve worked with – I came to a conclusion:

The limit for fat loss – if it even exists – is definitely way higher than we first thought. You can lose more than 2lbs per week

And if we did everything right – looking for synergy between the different components as opposed to incompatibility and canceling each other out. – we could ramp all the processes up, and “front-load” the program so that instead of training and dieting for 12 weeks — you’d get great results in 28 days.

Let’s face it — training for fat loss sucks. Dieting sucks. And we all usually leave it until the last minute.

If you’re ready to make fat loss your number one priority for the next 28 days – check it out — Warp Speed Fat Loss.

About the Author/More Info:
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28 day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10,15, or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 day. To start losing weight fast visit WarpSpeedFatLoss.com. Alwyn Cosgrove, M.S., C.S.C.S. is a nationally renown fat loss expert whose work has appeared in magazines such as Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Men’s Journal, Self, Oxygen, and Muscle & Fitness HERS. His Warp Speed Fat Loss system is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat and exactly what to do for exercise to lose weight in record time. Visit WarpSpeedFatLoss.com to get started today.

4 Tips To Lose Belly Fat

Are you looking for a diet to lose belly fat? Here are five tips that can help you. Remember that the key to having a flat stomach is to lose the amount of fat you have overall. The stomach fat is just the last to go, so it’s the toughest. Here’s a diet to lose belly fat.

First of all, you need to eat more fiber. The major reason women are getting fatter these days is that they do not have enough fiber in their diets. As we eat more processed foods and less whole grains and produce, the natural fibers in our diet are becoming scarcer. An average person should try to get at least 25 grams of fiber per day. People who are serious about a diet to lose belly fat should get 35 grams of fiber.

Secondly, realize that carbs aren’t the devil that some diets make them out to be, but too many calories from carbohydrates can increase your middle mass. Carbohydrates should make up no more than 60 percent of your calories when you are on a diet to lose belly fat. But, make sure that they are at least 45 percent of your diet. As you can see, balance is the key here. Most of your carbs should come from fruits and vegetables and you should avoid high carb, empty calorie foods like cupcakes.

Third, drink your water. Many people mistakenly believe that drinking a lot of water will give them puffy abs. But, water actually flushes sodium out of your system which reduces puffiness. Here’s a couple of ways to tell if you have enough water. Are you thirsty? Then you are already dehydrated. Don’t ever lack water so long that you feel it. Another way is to monitor the color of your urine. If you’re drinking enough water, your urine will be close to colorless.

Fourth, limit your sodium intake as it leads to puffiness. A woman only needs 500 mg. of sodium a day for the body’s natural functions to work. But the average American woman gets up to 6,000 grams! A Chinese take out entry can have 3000 grams by itself. You can limit your sodium by choosing fresh, natural foods. That’s one way to be on a diet to lose belly fat.

Fifth, have a small dinner and shut the kitchen down afterwards. Having your calories during the day when you are actually burning them is key to losing weight. Evening eating is often mindless eating. You sit down in front of the television with a brand new bag of chips and before you know it, half the bag is gone. Another benefit of eating light at night is that you’ll wake up hungry for a good breakfast. People who eat good breakfasts are more likely to lose weight.

If you are wondering how to get a flat stomach, monitor what you are eating. When you eat healthy, natural foods, you are going to develop the body you want. And, that’s the guidelines for a diet to lose belly fat.