Do you know there are almost a hundred million American people going to a weight loss diet every year? Yes, almost a hundred million of them. It works, though. About ninety-five percent of them lose weight AND regain it in the next five years. Basically, they lose it now, and get back to their old body five years later. What makes it worse is that a third of them will gain more weight than before.

How could this happen? That’s the danger of following one diet program to another. Your weight loss will up and down like a yo-yo when you switch your weight loss diet program. Following the conventional weight loss diet program or using any weight loss drugs may cause you to gain more weight than you have before, and not to mention several illness of your health.

Read the newspaper today, and you’ll find out there are approximately sixty-five percent of people in America are overweight. Even if they know they need to stay thin, it seems like their body reject it. They start eating unhealthy or greasy foods, and thinking that they will stop tomorrow because tomorrow they will start their new weight loss diet plan. What they don’t realize is that tomorrow never comes. So, they keep repeating the same pattern all over again, and ended up with adopted several health disease such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and so on.

Also, obesity also donated about nineteen percent heart disease that costs about thirty billion dollars per year, and diabetes cases that costs nine billion dollars per year. Don’t doubt it, because this information came from the researchers at Harvard University.

So, how you could fight this obesity problem?

If you have REPEATEDLY fallen head over heels to many weight loss diet plans and programs that promise you to lose several pounds by tomorrow, it is time for you to stop. They bring you no good, and only cause you physical discomfort and a deep disappointment. It’s true you probably lose some weight, but what will you do if you stop it and your body gain more weight than before? Avoid any weight loss diet plan that forces you to eat just one type of food. It’s not healthy for you. A healthy diet is a balanced one that consists of several types of foods. What you want from your diet is the healthy, safe, and a permanent weight loss.

There are so many fad diet plans that you probably ever done before, such as Atkins diet, South Beach Diet, Cabbage Soup diet, the Grapefruit diet, Beverly Hills diet, Breatharian, the Rotation diet, Ornish Plan, and so on. If you really want to do a weight loss diet plan, pick the one that consists of variety of foods, and stick to it.

Give yourself about 6-12 months to follow the same diet pattern, and let your body recognize it. If, and only if, after that time ranges you’re still not lose weight, you could change the diet plan. But do remember; only choose the weight loss diet plan that keep you healthy.

There are many ways to reduce the weight and lead a happy life:

1. Healthy Eating – Having fruits, fresh vegetables and greens will help us to keep our body healthy. Intake should be normal and on time.

2. Doing Exercises and Yoga – Doing exercise is very good on daily basis to keep your body fit. Yoga is one of the best things which will keep you fit and fresh on the whole day.

3. Master Health checkup – Having master health check up on every six months is good to know your health condition and keep you fit.

4. Going for Walk – Walking is one of the best exercises to keep you fit. You should go for walk at least for half an hour daily.

Exercise for Beginners:

There are some easy healthy living ways for the beginners to keep themselves stay active and healthy

1. Walking – Walking is one of the best exercises. Walking doesn’t require any equipment or any extra skill to practice.

2. Cycling – Cycling is another way which helps your muscle to reduce fat content on hips and thighs.

3. Joining Gym – Going for gym too will help you more to reduce the weight.

Consequences due to over weight:

1. Laziness – When you have too much of weight, it will make you more lazy which will not help to do your regular work properly.

2. Getting Diseases – There are many opportunities to get heart attacks, blood pressures, and even complications during pregnancy etc.

Drawbacks of Some Weight Loss Methods:

1. Weight loss through fasting – Fasting will reduce the weight but at the same time you will not have the stamina in your body. It could drag you down and your health condition doesn’t improve.

2. Taking Pills – Some people are very eager in reducing their weight so opt for pills to get slimmer very soon but they never think of consequences behind this. Taking pills and reducing your weight is not really recommended for health.

3. Weight loss through Equipments – people are fond of using the equipment to reduce their tummy e.g. using the belts to reduce tummy. Doing exercise and walking are the way to reduce weight instead talking shortcuts and sufferings.

Scientists have found that smokers generally weigh less than nonsmokers. Smoking may affect the amount and the types of food that people eat and how their body processes food, causing smokers to have a lower body weight. One of the physical reasons some people gain weight when they quit is because of changes in metabolism. Your metabolic rate is related to how your body burns calories. It regulates the processes by which your body gets its energy from food, which is vital to its overall function.

Smoking speeds up your metabolism. Here’s how it works: Nicotine, just one of the more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes, stimulates the central nervous system and other organs. In doing so, it increases the amount of energy you use up. Smoking increases your metabolic rate, so that you burn more calories. When you quit, your metabolic rate slows down to what it was before you started to smoke.

For the typical smoker trying to quit, changes in metabolism may result in a weight gain of 2 or 3 pounds. However, it is the increase in eating, particularly foods high in fat or sugar, that results in most of the weight gain that people experience. The good news is that we can help you with your physical activity and food choices to avoid or minimize this kind of weight gain.

One of the most effective ways to manage your weight after quitting is to increase your level of physical activity. Exercise increases metabolism, and even moderate levels of activity can help you burn fat and improve your overall health. Exercise also improves mood, so increases in physical activity such as walking, swimming, doing yard work or even taking the stairs instead of the- elevator in your workplace can help you stay positive and assist you in the quitting smoking process.

Often raising your level of activity can make a real difference. For example, one study we conducted showed that participating in a regular physical activity program reduced weight gain after quitting and actually increased the chances of quitting successfully. Another study showed that women who report little recreational physical activity have a greater chance of gaining weight after quitting than more active women do.

This is something you can work on before, during, and after you start to quit. Making small adjustments in your lifestyle will accelerate your progress toward your goal of better health, a longer life, and more energy to enjoy it. This way, physical activity can more easily become a part of your daily life and help keep you healthy and smoke-free.

Changes in Eating Style

Healthy eating habits play a key role in maintaining your weight or minimizing weight gain when you quit smoking. Sometimes people gain weight after quitting because of poor eating choices. That is, they simply eat more food, or eat foods that have a lot of fat or sugar. Without the foul taste of cigarettes in your mouth, food may taste and smell better, which could lead to extra helpings at the dinner table. You may also be prone to eating more between meals.

Snacking can easily become a substitute for smoking or a way of coping with cravings or stress. Current research indicates that while quitting, many smokers develop cravings for sweet foods, which may be high in calories, fat, and sugar. In fact, some scientists dunk that nicotine affects the level of blood sugar in the body so that nicotine withdrawal triggers an increased craving for sweet foods.

This includes learning how to eat in moderation and how to eat a variety of healthy foods that will give your body the fuel it needs. You may find that within two to three weeks after you stop smoking, the sharpest nicotine cravings will fade and you will have already started to develop healthy eating habits that can benefit you for the rest of your life.

You can replace a cigarette with healthy snacks and beverages to battle the urge to smoke. Just like smoking, eating is a habit too; no doubt you’ve become accustomed to eating certain foods. Some foods (chocolate, for example) are high in fat, sugar, and calories. So make sure that you’re well aware of the foods you eat and the beverages you drink so that your calories don’t creep up during the day.

There are no forbidden foods in a healthy eating plan, but some foods you will want to eat often, while others should be saved for special occasions. With this plan, there are no fads, crash diets, or fancy gourmet meals that take hours to prepare. Just sound, nutritional diet to help you quit smoking and manage your weight in the process.

If you determined that you are ready to get going, set a couple of realistic goals for yourself. The important thing is that you don’t rush in too quickly and set yourself up for failure. Staying off cigarettes is a tough thing to do, and for starters, we want you to use physical activity to help you accomplish this goal.

Look at your time study. For some of those moments of inactivity, try to fill in ways to be more active. For example, if you find yourself sitting at your desk during the day, make a point of getting up once in a while and taking a walk across the office. If you find yourself sitting in front of the TV, try to get up during each commercial break and walk around the house. Or you can try some of the quick activities if you feel that you can do more.

Moderate-Intensity Activities

Regular, vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day can positively affect your health, especially your weight. Our research has shown, however, that doing moderate-intensity physical activity in bouts of at least 10 minutes and totaling at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week or more can help with weight management and physical fitness.

If you don’t have a 30-minute block of time to be physically active, you can enjoy some of the same benefits by breaking up your physical activity and doing some at different times during the day. If you are struggling to find the time, try fitting in three or four 10 or 15 minute brisk walks throughout the day.

If you smoke more than a pack a day, you may want to consider using nicotine gum or patches, or discuss other prescription medications with your doctor. If you plan to use a quit aid such as nicotine gum or patches, you can find them in most drug stores or large supermarkets with drug departments.

Be sure to carefully follow the directions on the packaging, and if you plan to use nicotine gum, make sure to avoid eating and drinking for at least 15 minutes before chewing it and an additional 15 minutes while chewing it to prevent reduced absorption of the nicotine. Especially avoid drinking acidic beverages, such as coffee or soft drinks that can interfere with the efficacy of the gum.

Get Rid of Your Cigarettes

Before your Quit Day, throw away all of the cigarettes in your home or anywhere else you may have a stash: in the pocket of your coat, in the car, or in the office. Do the same with lighters, ashtrays and matches. Make it impossible to get a cigarette without going to a lot of trouble.

Stock up on Healthy Snacks

Eating healthy snacks is a great way to get you through your Quit Day and satisfy the craving to smoke. Place a bowl of fruit on the kitchen table and stock your cupboard with some low-calorie, easy-to-grab foods. Having healthy snacks around the house and your workspace can help when you need something to satisfy your urge to smoke. Below are some suggestions for healthy snack foods to stock up on before your Quit Day:

Beverages:

- Low-calorie beverages, such as sugar-free iced tea, sodas, and flavored waters.

Produce

-Your favorite (raw) vegetables. Carrots, celery, cauliflower, and peppers are great snacks; try them with low-fat dressing or cottage cheese.

-Fruits: apples to eat on your way to work or for baking with cinnamon and a teaspoon of sugar. Buy ingredients for fruit salad or delicious smoothies, using peaches, plums, pineapple (fresh or canned), pears, cantaloupe, blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries ( which are rich in vitamin too ) ! Don’t forget to look in the frozen food aisle at the store because you’ll be able to find an assortment of frozen fruits that are great to eat cold.

Non-Perishables:

The snack and cereal aisles can offer some sweet and crunchy alternatives such as low-calorie fruit bars and fig bars, oven-baked chips and pretzels, air-popped or low-fat popcorn. Mso try wheat or graham crackers, rice cakes, ready-to-eat cereal (to munch on, without milk), or shredded wheat. Buy sugarless gum or candy to keep around the office or in your purse, briefcase, or backpack.

Frozen Foods:

Frozen fruit bars, sugar-free popsicles, and low- or non-fat frozen yogurt are great desserts or in-between meal treats.

Dairy:

Buy 1% or skim milk (mix with cocoa for sweetness if you like) and low-fat cheese sticks (string cheese) .

DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF
While eating fruits, carrot sticks, or other healthy foods is an excellent replacement for smoking, sometimes a piece of it just doesn’t satisfy and ifs that piece of chocolate that you really crave. If a piece of chocolate will keep you from reaching for a cigarette, then so be it. Just be sure that if you are going to eat some of the more fattening or high-calorie foods, you do so in moderation.

You don’t have to deny yourself food, but keep in mind that the foods you’re craving may be high in calories. Try eating an apple or a celery stick to satisfy most of your cravings, and reserve a piece of chocolate for the really tough craving. If you tend to snack on chips, replace them with baked chips or pretzels or other low fats yet delicious meal.

Many people tend to smoke at specific times during the day or reach for a cigarette in stressful times or when feeling low. The same goes for eating and physical activity. Some people overeat when they are nervous or don’t go to the gym because they feel too depressed. In fact, smoking, physical activity, and eating style are often part of the same system of habits.

The three tend to work off each other and links between certain behaviors can be very strong and difficult to undo. But it is also for this reason that physical activity and healthy eating practices can help you kick your smoking habit.

Here is an example: Many smokers like to have a cigarette after a meal. Then, when they quit, they use food as a substitute for smoking and often gain weight as a result. But finding healthier food substitutes, such as an apple or frozen yogurt instead of ice cream after dinner can help you get through the cravings and avoid gaining extra weight.

Did you know that smoking can decrease your stamina for physical activity? You may have felt this the last time you tried to go for a jog or climbed a steep set of stairs. But increasing your level of activity in even the simplest ways can build your stamina back up. And believe it or not, being more physically active can also help curb your cigarette cravings.

There are several ways to cope with the stressful effects of quitting smoking and managing your weight. Managing your stress, as well as your down time, can be achieved through relaxation exercises, deep breathing, and of course, physical activity and healthy eating. We will give you many tips on how to substitute more healthy behaviors for smoking. Think of these as your instruments for an exciting new experiment. Routines could get boring, but it is an opportunity to test different ways of making your daily life more dynamic.

People who smoke now have to stand outside to get their fix. In addition, many states have instituted high taxes on cigarettes in an attempt to discourage smoking, thereby increasing the cost of that nicotine. For example, a pack a day in many states costs roughly $2,500 per year, more than enough for a health club membership and maybe even a personal trainer or a great vacation.

The American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control: 2003 is a great resource for finding out about the tobacco control laws in your state. It can be accessed via the American Lung Associations website at www.lungusa.org under “tobacco control.” The site also provides information about new research on state tobacco laws, which has shown that high taxes and bans have indeed been effective in getting people to quit smoking.

Despite the fact that fewer people are smoking, the cost to society is still very high. Smoking costs the nation over $150 billion per year in health care costs and lost productivity from missing days at work. Personally, it could cost you your life, which is why you should quit today.

The good news: there are ways to quit smoking and stay smoke-free. Making healthy food choices and incorporating physical activity in your daily routines are central themes with us because they can help you avoid gaining weight or minimize the amount of weight you gain. They are also a vital part of developing a healthy lifestyle.

Physical activity and healthy eating go hand in hand and are well-known ways to prevent cancer and coronary heart disease, the primary causes of death in the United States. Physical activity and healthy eating reinforce each other, and can also reinforce your decision to quit smoking. Within a year of quitting you will reduce your chances of getting heart disease by as much as half. But the way in which you quit, by using physical activity arid healthy eating to help you in the process, also significantly lowers health risks, including heart disease.

We understand that quitting is a difficult process and that it takes time. If you aren’t quite ready, we will help you get there and we hope you are proud of yourself. This is a huge step forward in the likelihood that you will one day be an ex-smoker.