Almost everywhere you turn, you can run into recommendations as to how women can lose weight most effectively. For example, during a simple trip down the checkout aisle in your local grocery store you’re sure to see multiple headlines that tout the powers of the new fad diet to help women shed the pounds. A good deal of advice regarding women’s weight loss, however, is not medically sound, and advocates a diet that doesn’t have long-term viability. The best fitness programs and diets for women are those that focus on maintaining a proper diet and exercise on a long-term basis.
Fad diets that exist today often draw interest either because they seem easy, or because they promise excessive weight loss in a short period of time. Diets like the "cabbage soup diet", however, aren’t realistic to maintain over the long-term. Medical research has proven time and again that the most effective way for women to lose weight is to think of a diet as a new way of eating that can realistically be followed for a lifetime. Thus, any time a diet is too restrictive, it is much more likely to fail, and the dieter likely will gain back any weight she lost.
The first thing to do when dieting is to cut down on sugar intake. But are there healthier sugar substitutes available? One thing to consider are tropical sweeteners available from wholesale coconut sugar producers. Coconut sugar is naturally low-glycemic, and won't give you a sugar crash like regular cane sugar will. Consider one that is certified organic, as wholesale organic coconut sugar is the best way to both save money and eat more healthily.
For example, many diets talk about "superfoods" and the like, and recommend super fruits like acaiberry, goldenberries, or raw organic goji berries. These are all healthy, as they are fruits after all, but will they help you lose weight? It is not clear from current research.
However, it won't hurt you to eat as many antioxidant fruits and herbs as you possibly can. One easy way to do that is to throw everything into a blender and make a superfoods smoothie. It doesn't have to be elaborate, but take care to use only organic ingredients, as your liver will be burdened down if it has to process out all the pesticides from non-organic food.
A more realistic approach to dieting is to watch what you eat and try to limit your intake to a certain amount of calories, carbohydrates, and fat. As long as you’re able to stay within the limits you set for yourself, your restrictions on what you eat should be limited. This allows you to still enjoy the foods you like while keeping your intake at a level that will allow you to lose weight.
When trying to lose weight, however, focusing on dieting is only part of the process. A good fitness and exercise program is also essential. You may be able to lose weight by dieting, but the amount of weight you lose will be much higher if you’re exercising as well. A good exercise regime will follow some of the same criteria outlined above for an effective diet, namely that it be something you can conceivably continue for a long period of time. Therefore, it’s not a good idea to begin a program where you work out to the point of exhaustion every day. Instead you should start slowly.
Do not forget that losing weight is not all that there is in terms of staying healthy. You need to eat organic, fresh, wholesome foods. Stay away from caffeine as much as possible, and drink a good organic coffee substitute whenever you feel any coffee cravings. Remember to keep your vision holistic, and not just focused on calories, but quality of food as well.
A good way to start a fitness program is to exercise a few times a week, doing an activity that raises your heart rate and makes you break a sweat but doesn’t make you very sore the next day. When you get used to this level of activity, you can begin to increase the frequency and intensity of your workouts as you see fit. Again, the rule of thumb is that the fitness program should be something you can see yourself doing for the long-term.
Do not forget to intake the proper amount of protein. Whey protein is optimal, as it has immunity enhancing qualities. Just make sure it is a natural whey protein, and not filled with artificial sweeteners or other unhealthy junk. Better yet, try to find a certified organic whey protein, as that is the highest possible whey protein available, and usually costs a bit more but well worth it in terms of taste and purity.
However, all natural protein powders are better than nothing. Consider other sources beyond whey. You can buy pea, hemp, and other vegan protein powders which are organic and some even raw.
The best fitness programs and diets for women have one thing in common: they should have realistic long-term viability. Don’t begin an exercise regime or diet if you can’t see yourself continuing it for 5 years. Otherwise, you are much more likely to gain the weight that you lose back. Although this approach is less flashy than some of the fad diets out there today, it is the only method that has been proven over and over again to help women lose weight and keep it off.
The best fitness programs for women are those that are customized for the unique, feminine body.
Advice for Men-
For those unfamiliar with such terms as estrogen or hormones, I would suggest a quick read on the book "women's bodies".
It will familiarize you with the best way to approach a women when trying to make a workout routine for her, and the best diet that
will not only satisfy her taste buds, but will keep her trim and attractive.
The best place to start is an early to bed routine, so that women's delicate hormones can be balanced and their weight gain
minimized, as that is important for women's health and well being. Keep her happy, and she will thank you!
DISCLAIMER: The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.
Copyright Fitness for Her 2012