Category: Weight Loss

Can You Lose Weight Without Exercising and Dieting?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Eat less move more. This has been a long held and assumed belief that the only way to shed pounds is to exercise and eat less – and so an industry worth millions has developed based on these two principles alone.

However, there are many frustrated dieters out there who, despite months and years of trying, aren’t much fitter or thinner than they were when they started.

It’s a cause of great frustration for so many, so maybe it’s time to look at how we’re eating and moving, rather than carrying on with the same old diet tips.

Some things you may not have considered will affect your weight loss journey dramatically and make a big difference:

Get enough sleep and avoid stress

We all want at least eight hours of sleep a night, but unfortunately this isn’t always achievable. If you’re tired and slow, you’re more likely to snack on high fat, sugar and calorie foods. Maintaining a healthy weight in the long run can’t be done when you’re exhausted all the time.

And when we’re stressed, and cortisol is released into our brain and body, it makes us very, very hungry, as it’s telling our body it needs more energy to cope with the situation. Ravenous hunger, the need for a quick meal and a busy working day doesn’t help us make good food choices either.

Pay attention to portions

We’re all guilty of ordering too many sides at a restaurant, or serving a double portion of pasta because it doesn’t look like that much. But studies have been done that demonstrate even the size of a plate can affect how much we spoon onto it, so our eyes are naturally greedier than our belly.

The mantra ‘eat little and often’ is repeated a lot, but there’s a great deal of truth in it. Eating small portions that are easier to digest regularly throughout the day will stop you from bingeing through sheer hunger and reaching for the nearest edible thing. It’ll keep you going for longer, and help you to stay in the gym longer. Five smaller, carefully chosen meals is much more favourable than three big meals that leave you stranded on the sofa because you’re so full.

Don’t equate calories burnt in the gym to calories eaten

It’s good to try and moderate the calories going in and out of our body, but many dieticians and personal trainers recommend seeing the bigger picture rather than looking at it on a case-by-case basis.

“Cardiovascular activity for a sustained period of time, such as a one-hour jog, can be of little benefit when it comes to body fat”, says David Fletcher, a personal trainer at Odyssey. It’s no good equating 30 minutes on a treadmill to a portion of chips, as though one cancels the other out. The more you do the same exercise, the more your body gets used to using calories efficiently when you do it, so repeating the same exercises might not get you were you want to be in terms of burning calories.

Some ‘quick fixes’ can work…

There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding ‘fat dissolving’ products recently. Fat dissolving injections do exactly what they say on the tin – a water solution is injected into the fat area, and this solution binds with the cell walls of the fatty tissue. As you urinate throughout the next few weeks, the fat leaves your body. Premier Laser’s fat dissolving injections are the only fat removal injection on the market and require no recovery time whatsoever.

Ideal for the stomach, thighs, chin and buttocks, this treatment can help you shed fat in areas that the gym hasn’t touched.

Starving yourself is not the way to do it

The word ‘detox’ is thrown around a lot, and it’s possible that at least one of your friends has heralded the success of their juice diet. In all likelihood though, she’s thinking about eating the table right now, because it’s not good to put your body through dramatic fasts, on the assumption that it needs to be ‘cleansed’, or that it’s the quickest way to shed pounds.

Sports dietician Jane Griffin warns that “long-term detox diets…should never be considered. The low intakes of vitamins and minerals can cause anything from reduced immunity to infections and excessive weight loss” which won’t help you reach your physical peak. If you feel faint, stop! Your body needs fuel.

Coolsculpting a proven way to get rid of stubborn fat

Despite your best efforts you may still have stubborn pockets of fat. Those hard to shift areas like love handles or chin fat or bingo wings can now be treated with Coolsculpting. It is proven to remove fat in hard to shift areas by up to 30%. Visit our Coolsculpting page to find out more or call us for a free consultation today.

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Have You Hit A Weight Loss Plateau?

There is nothing worse than when you have been ‘beasting’ it at the gym for the past few weeks, going for your daily 3 mile run only to stand on the scales and see that your weight hasn’t shifted a bit.

Hitting a weight loss plateau can be very demotivating, not seeing the results that you are expecting, even the slightest results can make you revert back to your old lifestyle. Why give up the tasty junk food if eating leaves and fruit doesn’t make a difference? Why go to the gym when you can watch TV with a packet of Haribo and still weigh the same?

Weight Loss Plateaus Are Normal

Weight loss plateaus are perfectly normal and are in fact very important. These plateaus normally after occur after significant weight loss i.e. 10kg. Why is it normal not to lose weight? Well the body tries to maintain homeostatis, keeping many of your bodily functions such as temperature control and fluid balance at a regulated range.

Essentially your body is trying to be too clever and when it detects that your expected intake is too low or too high it will try to stabilize your weight by altering your metabolism and conserving energy.

This is why when you first start off on your weight loss journey it is easier at the start then towards the end when you are trying to drop those last remaining pounds.

So How Can You Outsmart Your Body Into Losing Weight?

Put simply you need to shake things up – keeping the body guessing is the secret here. Change your eating strategy, if you eat 3 meals a a day then switch this to 6 smaller meals whilst also altering your calorie intake.

Introduce interval training to your cardio routine or switch the amount of set/reps that you do of any given exercise.

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If you are looking to lose weight but exercising & diet changes haven’t worked learn more about weight loss injections here, or fat freezing with coolsculpting here

The Evolution Of Beauty Over The Last Century

 

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but there is no point in trying to dismiss society’s concept of the ‘perfect woman’. In the last 100 years the body of the perfect woman has taken on all different body shapes and forms.

The Gibson Girl

For example in 1910 the ‘Gibson Girls’ was the personification of the feminine ideal of beauty which was portrayed by illustrator Charles Dana Gibson. This ideal woman would be tall and slender yet have ample breasts, hips and buttocks. She would also have a over exaggerated ‘S’ curve torso shape which was achieved by wearing a tight corset.

The Flapper

However fast forward just 10 years and we see quite the opposite. The exaggerated curves have all but gone and replaced with a small bust and hips. The sex appeal of this look had migrated from the chest down to legs with many garments of the time having a shorter knee-length hemline.

Find out more about non-invasive body contouring including Coolsculpting

Gained Weight? AVOID These 10 Things!

 

So you have put on some extra weight during the festive period and want to lose it. Don’t worry you are not alone, many people gain weight after Christmas due to eating and drinking in larger than usual quantities.

Some people start to panic and take actions which can actually make the problem worse. Relax, take a breath and stop stressing. There are numerous ways in which to lose weight which mostly consist of a structured exercise plan and a well balanced diet BUT whatever you do, do not do these common mistakes:

Do Not Skip Meals

This may seem like a good idea but studies have shown that it can actually hinder your weight loss success in the long term. Why? When your body isn’t getting what it needs through food it will keep hold of what you do feed it, preparing itself for when you starve it making weight loss very difficult. Also by eating healthily on a regular basis you avoid feeling over hungry which can lead to you making bad choices i.e. them tasty looking biscuits in the fridge.

Do Not Weight Yourself Obsessively. 

Weighing yourself is important if you want to lose weight as your weight is a quantifiable bit of data that tells you if you are heading in the right direction or not. However your should only do this once a week in the morning. Since your body changes throughout the day your weight will fluctuate and will provide you with unreliable readings also by constantly weighing yourself you are adding unnecessary pressure on yourself which can hinder your weight loss attempts

 

15 Things Nobody Tells You About Losing Weight

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Most people know that when you lose weight you are healthier and you can go out and buy a new wardrobe worth of clothes however what nobody does tell you is all these other things that can happen from reducing your weight.

Improved Memory

For example did you know that your memory could improve? A 2013 Swedish study found that women scored better on a memory test after following a six month weight loss plan. After losing the weight brain scans suggested that the brain was better at recalling stored information and worked more effectively.

Change In Taste

Also a Stanford University study revealed that after patients lost weight relatively after  bariatric surgery, 87% of them reported a change in their taste. Around 50% of the people said they found their food sharper while the other half said their food was duller. This study also seems to be backed up from another study by the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Find out about the benefits of Coolsculpting and how it can freeze away your fat in a stubborn areas.

Read More Here:

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Myths About Metabolism

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“It’s my metabolism that’s to blame.” How many times have you heard this sentence or said it yourself? Blaming your metabolism for weight gain is a common habit and the interesting thing about the phenomenon is that many people don’t quite understand what metabolism actually is.

Metabolism can best be understood if thought of a process; basically a set of chemical changes which occur regularly within all living organisms, metabolism is what ensures that we grow, repair and reproduce correctly. It can be split into two categories; catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism breaks down organic matter and ensures cellular respiration and anabolism uses energy to build cells including proteins. Together these processes are always working to ensure we take the good stuff from what we consume and to leave behind the bad stuff…to repair and renew damaged cells and basically to keep us functioning.

The myths surrounding metabolism generally come from lack of understanding.

Myth 1:

Thin people have fast metabolisms: Nope. Thinner people’s metabolisms are actually generally slower because there is less of them to burn off. Larger people’s metabolisms have to work much harder in order to keep things ticking over. Having said that though there is some truth in the myth but it concerns muscle and bulk rather than simply who’s thinnest. Muscular people have faster metabolisms in general whilst those with little muscle tend to have slower metabolisms.

Myth 2:

Missing meals will slow down your metabolism: Not true. Some people can benefit from eating very frequent, small meals as this helps them to stave off cravings and to avoid the empty feeling which can instigate a binge but in general what really matters is the quality of the food which you eat. Even eating 2 spaced out meals a day won’t slow your metabolism down at all…especially if the meals are well balanced and contain all the nutrients you need.

Myth 3:

Eating after 6 is bad for your metabolism: Another misconception. What you eat is what matter and not when you eat it. Our metabolisms don’t shut down at bedtime…far from it. You can eat a healthy and well balanced meal when you want to and relax safe in the knowledge that as long as you eat well and exercise regularly, it won’t suddenly morph into fat overnight!

Myth 4:

Your metabolism is set in stone: This is completely untrue. Metabolism is not something which cannot be changed. If you want to get your metabolism working well, the best move you can make is to build up some muscle. Regular muscle building exercise will assist you in ramping up the speed at which you break food down.

The old advice stays true when it comes to your metabolism and your weight. Eat well…exercise well and be sensible about how much junk food you consume and you will reach or maintain the weight which you’re happiest at.

If you ever need a helping hand why not look into Coolsculpting and discover how it can permanently remove up to 30% of your fat

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Simple Ten Minute Home Exercises To Lose Weight

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Exercise In The Comfort Of Your Own Home

Finding the time to indulge in regular exercise might seem impossible when you take into account travelling time to and from the gym or even the budget necessary to indulge in such a luxurious pastime! However, there are in fact many exercises which can be done at home and with no outlay at all…not to mention in very short spaces of time.

No Special Equipment Needed

You don’t need any special equipment to undertake a regular exercise routine; you only need an empty room, ten minutes free time and some enthusiasm!  Simple at-home exercises can be as beneficial as any undertaken in a gym environment and have the added benefit of being completely free!

Tone Up & Lose Weight!

Exercising on a regular basis will not only tone your muscles and help you to lose weight but will improve your sleeping habits and skin tone as well as boost your metabolism…meaning that when you do eat, you’ll burn it off more efficiently.

Some simple ten minute exercises which can be done at home include the following’

  • Using a skipping rope to burn calories and get your heart rate up
  • Simple stretches to loosen muscles and help you to relax
  • Running up and down stairs or stepping up and down on step to tone the lower half of your body and get your heart pumping
  • Sit ups and crunches

Make it easy by sticking to a routine

Look at your daily routine in order to work out the best time to include an exercise slot in your day. If you tend to wake up a little on the grumpy side or if your mornings are always rushed, then the evening will be the best time to instigate some regular exercise.

Make an appointment with yourself and don’t let anything get in the way! Choose a time and stick to it; go into a quiet room, put on some music if you need encouragement; clear the floor of any debris or mess and get down to it!

If you miss an evening, don’t let that put you off! Go back to your routine the following day and you’ll soon get so accustomed to your home exercise schedule that you might even begin to look forward to it![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Can Too Much Salt Make You Gain Weight?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We all know that experts are constantly calling for us to eat less salt don’t we? It’s all over the media…how we need to cut back on salt, avoid salt and stop adding it to our food; but why? Does salt make you fat? Is salt a contributing factor in the obesity crisis?

does salt make you gain weight?

The simple answer is that no, salt alone does not make people gain weight…salt has no calorific content at all. However, salt…also known as sodium is usually to be found in large quantities in the most heavily processed foods…the very foods which do make us gain weight in addition to causing other health problems.

Have a think for a moment and consider the saltiest snacks and meals which you eat; crisps, fast foods like burgers, hot dogs and kebabs, tinned soups and processed meats such as bacon or sausage. Those are the foods which contain heaps of salt as well as sugar and fats…and it’s these which are responsible for weight gain in many cases.

coolsculpting belly fatwater weight

One of the things which salt does do to make you feel as though you’ve put on weight is to increase “water weight”….it makes us feel bloated because it makes us retain water.

Cutting back on salt in processed foods will help you to immediately feel slimmer. If you’re someone who consumes a lot of processed foods and you want to lose weight, start by ditching those processed meats and packaged meals. You will begin to see results within days as the bloating decreases.

balanced electrolytes

Of course salt is no inherently bad; we all need some salt in our diets as it keeps our electrolytes balanced but the trick is to avoid it when it’s been added to pre-packaged foods. Keep your diet natural with fresh foods and check packets for the exact amounts of salt within the contents. You will be surprised at how much salt is contained within sweet foods like biscuits and cakes.

Drink plenty of water to keep your body in top condition and to aid the flushing of unwanted salts already present and your waistline will visibly improve.

treatments for fat removal

If you have changed your diet and incorporated an exercise schedule into your routine and are finding it hard to lose any stubborn weight then there are professional treatments that can help. An advanced fat injection treatment based on Aqualyx, a water solution injected into the fat areas of the body, can quickly remove fat by essentially dissolving it making it possible for the body to remove naturally through urination.

Coolsculpting is also proven to remove stubborn fat areas by up to 30%. Speak to someone today about get back into shape[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

“Healthy Foods” That Can Make You Fat

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]How can healthy food make you fat? We’re not talking about apples and broccoli here…we’re talking about those foods which are okay  in moderation but which some people
mistake for something they can over-indulge in and treat as a staple under the mistaken assumption that because it’s nutritious it must be good for staying skinny right? Wrong!

The only foods which won’t make you fat are whole foods…foods which are not processed and which are completely in their natural state. So while some fruits for example may contain more sugar than others, they’re still pretty good to rely on…bananas are more sugary than apples for instance but they’re better than cakes! Don’t stint on healthy, whole foods…just look out for the following!

  • eating healthy for your skinMuffins: Even if they’re advertised as “wholegrain” and “all natural” muffins are generally full of sugar. Homemade muffins with honey and fruit as a sugar substitute are the best option but don’t make a habit out of it!
  • Ready made salads: So you think you’re making a good choice when you choose that boxed salad in the sandwich shop? You’re probably not…croutons and fat laden salad dressings will take those calories through the roof!
  • Flavoured yogurt: Like any processed food, flavoured yogurts are packed full of sugar or sweeteners and are actually very fattening. The type marketed at babies and toddlers are among the worst offenders with some containing more sugar than some chocolate chip cookies
  • Cereal bars: Those crunchy, nutty bars that are sold to you as a healthy snack? They’re so packed with sugar that they’re on a par with some chocolate bars. Skip the nut bars and have a handful of real nuts instead…without added sugar!
  • Wholegrain bread: Some wholegrain breads are full of bleached flour and sugar. Check the label on your favourite brand to see if it’s really a healthy choice or just pretending!
  • Shop bought smoothies: They’re ok if they’re made with fruit alone but many have sugar added to the mix and some even include cream!

Whilst the old adage “a little of what you fancy” is definitely true, it’s also very important to limit the amount of processed foods that you consume.

Eating foods which are high in fat, sugar or salt is never a good idea and once you manage to keep away from them on a regular basis, you will find that you desire or crave them less. Get into the habit of reading the labels on the foods which you buy and in terms of processed foods consider this…if your Grandmother wouldn’t recognise it then it’s probably no good for you!

if you have fallen victim of these “healthy foods” and others like them and have put on some extra weight that your finding hard to shift through conventional weight loss methods there are professional treatments that can help.

Fat dissolving injections, based on Aqualyx, a water solution injected directly into the fatty areas, bind with fat tissue and dissolve them. Put simply it liquefies fat which can then be removed from your body safely and naturally as you urinate. Coolsculpting is also a proven option for stubborn fat[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]