Top Five Diets Explained

There are many diet plans proposed and/or promoted by different people. There is the 5-Factor Diet, South Beach Diet, Bob Greene\'s Best Life Diet, Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Detox Diet, Anne Collin’s diet, Carbohydrate Addict\'s Diet, and now you have Size Zero Diet, DASH diet and Fat Smash Diet and …. it goes on! We shall try to explain the top five diets that are very much in news.

Cabbage soup diet

This diet caught the fancy of many when it was proposed due to its utter simplicity. Proponents of Cabbage soup diet claim that by consuming low-calorie cabbage soup for a period of seven days you can lose 10 lbs of weight. It is only a short term program for weight loss.

In the opinion of nutritional experts it is not possible for body to lose 10 lbs of fat in a week; what you will lose by following this plan is body water, and it will be highly detrimental to health. This diet is considered a fad diet. However, there are many who believe in it and there are many variants of this plan still in circulation.

Fat Smash Diet 

The Fat Smash Diet of Dr. Smith is an approach to weight loss not as a quick fix solution but as a lifestyle approach. It gained prominence because of the Celebrity Fit Club TV program on which people could see it being put in practice. It focuses on healthful diet, filling foods, and lot of exercise as a necessary accompaniment. This plan focuses on low calorie content of the diet which is easy to follow. This plan does not make tempting claims of fast weight loss; it can be followed whether you are looking for a small or a heavy weight loss. 

This is a 4 phase plan; first three phases extending to about 8 weeks and the fourth phase being a lifetime phase. This plan lays as much stress on regular exercises as on proper diet control.

Atkins   Diet

Dr. Atkins diet is based on the premise that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates, particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups; and secondly, that the fats from hydrogenated oils and not the saturated fats are a problem. Atkins diet plans were based on very low carbohydrates.

Medical opinion however has been vehemently critical of this approach condemning it as “the most dangerous to the public if followed for any length of time.\" Atkins diet now is looked at more as a fad diet.           

South Beach Diet

South Beach diet plan was initially evolved by Dr. Agatston for his heart patients and its launch for weight loss was only as a spin-off. This plan emphasizes the consumption of \"good carbohydrates\" and \"good fats\". \"Good carbohydrates\" are high in fiber and they are digested and absorbed slowly. \"Good fats\" are polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, especially those with omega-3 fatty acids. Saturated and trans fats are bad fats.

This diet has generally been perceived as a successful weight loss diet.

DASH Diet

This diet is primarily proposed for patients suffering from high blood pressure. It consists in following a diet which is low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, and is rich in low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables.  The plan is rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium, as well as protein and fiber. Since it uses the same concepts in choice of diet as are used in case of weight loss diets, it is successful for weight loss also. This diet is supported by many health organisations such as NHLBI, etc.

Does your waist size pose any direct danger to your health?

A fact-based revelation…

Introduction

Waist size has been linked in the past with heart disease and diabetes. But few studies have looked at the link between waist circumference and risk of death from any cause across different categories of BMI or for the huge waistlines that are becoming increasingly common. It appears a big waist nearly doubles a person's risk of an early death from many causes, such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness and the risk is increased even among people who aren't overweight. In other words, by packing on only a few extra pounds, you could significantly increase your risk of premature death.

In fact, for women, the association between a plus-size waist and greater risk of early death was strongest in those with a normal body mass index, or BMI, according to a study involving more than 100,000 people.

It should be noted that waist circumference is strongly related to the amount of fat tissue deep in the abdomen which is a particularly bad place to have fat. This deep layer of fat, called visceral fat, wraps around internal organs in the abdomen. It's considered far more "pathogenic," or more likely to cause disease than subcutaneous fat (fat just beneath the skin that a person can pinch). Some researchers say visceral fat is so metabolically active, it should be considered an organ unto itself. Visceral fat is linked with higher circulating levels of cholesterol, insulin and substances that cause inflammation.

This pattern of increasing risk with increasing waist size seems to be true in every category of weight, including normal weight, overweight and obese. Even if your weight is considered normal for your height, and you haven't noticed a big weight gain, if your waist size is starting to increase; if you're having to move into a bigger pant size;  that's an important sign that it's time to start eating better and exercising more.

The waist-to-hip measurement

According to researchers, the best way to predict heart attack risk and other obesity-related diseases is a measurement that divides the circumference of your waist by your hips. If you’re a woman, the waist-to-hip ratio should come out as no more than 0.8. Men have a little more wiggle room: a healthy waist-to-hip ratio for them is 0.95.

This means, if your belly has bulged out enough to catch up to the size of your hips, you should start worrying about your heart, experts say. In other words, fat on a woman’s hips doesn’t seem to increase risk, whereas a beer belly does. This fat stored in the belly is the most dangerous type of fat in our bodies.

The waist-to-hip measurement is likely to catch people at risk for fat-related diseases who might otherwise think they were at a healthy weight, based on their BMI scores. It’s quite possible to have an acceptable BMI and still have some belly paunch.

Therefore, you can be thin and still have too much fat!

Act now before it’s too late!

Stress Your Life

How to lose weight fast

We've long known that middle-aged men are much more likely than women to have high blood pressure--about 36 percent of men versus 23 percent of women between the ages of 45 and 54. And, since high blood pressure can lead to stroke, it's not surprising that many more men die over from these "brain attacks”. The explanation for this difference between the sexes has been lifestyle. Men are more likely to smoke, be overweight, drink alcohol, and avoid exercise--all risk factors for high blood pressure. Undoubtedly, poor health habits account for much of the difference.
Traffic Jam Anxiety
In this day and age, the average person spends a significantly large amount of time in his car. And with the ever-increasing number of cars on the road, we spend an even larger amount of time stuck in traffic jams. However, you can follow these tips to spend less time stressing out while stranded in the middle of a highway. By getting up 15 minutes earlier in the morning every day, you can reduce the pressure by avoiding the morning rush hour. Another tip is to stick to the right lane on the freeway. The minute or two gained by aggressive driving isn't worth the stress.
Work Place Worries
Now that you have arrived at work early and in a relaxed mood, take the time to review long-term plans because stress lies in the moment-by-moment pressures. If you feel the stress piling up during your workday, breathe in and out four times very slowly to clear your mind. During lunchtime, it is important to get away from the office and exercise. Make it a goal to walk around during your break or even follow a simple and short workout routine. Exercise release endorphins into your blood stream, which are pleasure inducing chemicals that are also discharged during sex.
Be Positive
Stress is also related to the past. Keep in mind that mistakes happen, and the only thing that you can change about the past is your attitude towards it. Another thing that can keep your stress level low is to keep smiling. Even a superficial smile is a great start towards a happy day according to research. Having regular sex is also helpful in keeping happy.
It is also important to set some time aside to indulge yourself. Whether it be taking a nap, or allowing yourself an occasional piece of cake, spending time on yourself can make you feel great and happy.
However, it is crucial not to eat for relief all the time. Eating is a relief for stress, and stress can be a result of over-eating. So, be very careful not to start this vicious cycle. While taking the time out for yourself can be beneficial, doing things for others can also improve your life. Volunteering for others pushes your own troubles away, and can give you a greater perspective on life. Finally, and most importantly, setting time aside for your friends and family can be a great way to feel great. There is no better thing than being with loved ones and enjoying activities with them. Also, keep all the things in your life in perspective.

Try to follow all these tips for better mental and physical health. This is a great guide for a happier, healthier, and longer life.

How to lose weight fast