8 Tips to Take Control of Your Weight

Anyone who is overweight will testify that losing weight is not as easy as it seems. The people that are lean, or have gone from fat to skinny will say it's just a matter of motivation and elbow grease. Although it is not as simple as that. Our environments have waged war on us. Their weapons are sedentary lives and trans fats of mass destruction. All is not lost though, here are some quick simple tips to get ahead!

1. Substitute Water. Our bodies are about 65-70% water. It follows that water would be not only essential, but the best possibly choice of liquids to ingest. In fact, our bodies will sometimes simulate a hunger response, when in reality the body is craving hydration. When hungry, drink a glass or two of water to check if it suppresses your hunger.

2. Chew Your Food. Chewing our food very slowly and deliberately has several benefits that are often overlooked. It gives us the ability to relax, and enjoy our meal. Slow chewing is the first, and highly important, step in a complex system of digestion. Besides, if we eat slowly, we might feel full before finishing the whole meal, and can leave the rest for the next meal.

3. Exercise daily. How silly of me to include something as obvious as exercise. I did a 30 day trial with waking up, and walking for 30 minutes first thing in the morning. My journal records that I was feeling amazing during the period of time that I was following this habit.

4. Publicize your intentions. Start a blog, join a forum, and have other people keep you accountable to help. Tell other people your plan, it would help you get the motivation to go with it!

5. Create a food schedule. Plan your day so that you're eating at approximately the same time each day. This scheduling will incorporate itself into your circadian rhythm, and aid in digestion.

6. Do not over eat. Know your limit and stop eating when you are full. I have often been a victim of wanting to finish a meal so that it doesn't go to waste. This has left me with many a stomach ache. Next time, doggy bag it for later, and don't hurt yourself!

7. Choose your snacks wisely. Put down the Lays and cheese puffs. Pick up the apple and baby carrots. Make the right decision, I know you can do it.

8. Lifestyle. Remember, it's not about special diets, or special exercise programs. The real secret is in turning your health into a lifestyle, and focusing on this healthy lifestyle with every choice you make.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #1:
Sprouts contain oxygen. Because sprouts are a ‘living’ food, they contain hundreds of molecules of oxygen, which is essential for healthy cells. Oxygen-rich foods can ward off viruses and even kill off bacteria. You need a fair amount of oxygen-rich foods in your diet to enjoy the benefits, and sprouts can help you achieve your nutrition balance for the day!

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #2:
Sprouts have an alkalizing affect on the body. Your body needs to be alkaline in order to be healthy, and there are several foods and toxins that can offset this balance. Sprouts are very alkaline, so you’ll be helping your body achieve balance with ease.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #3:
Sprouts contain healthy fats. Sprouts contain EFAs, the essential fatty acids your body needs to perform basic body functions. You need a certain level of fat in your diet in order to ward off infections and strengthen your immune system. Sprouts are rich in EFAs, so they can support a healthy diet and keep your metabolism functioning at its optimal level.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #4:
Sprouts are natural sources of fiber. Fiber helps keep your digestive system healthy, and helps you feel fuller between meals. Eating more fiber can support your healthy diet and reduce the risk of constipation. Loading up your sandwich or a meal with sprouts can give your daily fiber counts a boost, and help you digest your meal easily.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #5:
Sprouts can give you a dose of vitamins B and C. Sprouts contain a number of vitamins and minerals, and the quantities are even greater when you soak the seeds overnight. Soaking the seeds overnight increases the levels of vitamin B, so you will always be doing your body a favor by doing this.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #6:
Eating sprouts increases your protein count. Sprouts contain a significant amount of vegetable proteins, and can support your healthy diet. They can even be a healthy alternative to meat, so if you’re vegetarian, sprouts should be a part of your daily or weekly diet!

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #7:
Sprouts are very low in calories. If you’re watching your weight and cutting back on calories, sprouts will support your lifestyle. Sprouts contain only 9 calories per ounce, and these are a combination of healthy carbs, protein, and healthy fats. You can load up your pocket pita, sandwich and salads with generous amounts of sprouts to enjoy all of the benefits of this amazing vegetable – and do it guilt-free!

Watermelon-Health Benefits

A member of the Cucurbitaceae family, watermelon, is considered one of the world’s healthiest foods. A very good source of Vitamin A & C, watermelon offers a number of health benefits.




Watermelon is one of the best sources of antioxidants – contains Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Red or pink watermelon also contains a powerful carotenoid antioxidant known as lycopene.

Here is a list of the major health benefits of watermelon:

As we know watermelon is a good source of Vitamin A & C, also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene; these powerful antioxidants neutralizes the free radicals of the body. Free radicals cause great damage to body. They can add to severity of asthma attack, by oxidizing the cholesterol they can increase the chance of heart attack, also increase the inflammation in the cases of arthritis. Watermelon contains good amount of Vitamin C, which are very good at getting rid of these free radicals.
Lycopene rich fruits are always very good against developing prostate cancer. Lycopene can be found almost all red colored fruits. As watermelon (red or pink) is an excellent source of lycopene, regular consumption of watermelon lowers the risk of prostate cancer.
Watermelon contains high amount of citrulline (an amino acid), that creates another amino acid known as arginine. Arginine removes ammonia from the body and helps to heal the wound quickly. Arginine plays an important role in immune system modulation. Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both are also very good immunity booster.
Because of watermelon is rich in Vitamin B, it is a good food for energy production. Watermelon is full with Vitamin B1, B6, magnesium, and potassium. These make watermelon a great food for health. Potassium rich foods are helpful to control blood pressure, and also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.
It is said that watermelon works like a natural Viagra. Arginine improves sexual function in men as it boots nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels.