With the holiday season just around the corner, here’s news which will be welcomed by those who’ve been meaning to lose weight but haven’t got around to it.

Crash dieting is an effective way to slim, scientists have found. Despite health warnings from nutritionists, research showed that dieters who shed the most weight in their first month also lost more in the long run.

And they were just as likely to maintain their new shape as dieters who lost less.

The message, says the study, is that the first few weeks of a diet are critical and may spur dieters on.

University of Florida researchers followed more than 250 obese women who were asked to cut their calorie intake and increase their exercise for 18 months. Those who lost more than 1.5lb a week during the first month lost more than two stone within six months on average.

But those who initially lost less than half a pound a week ended up losing just 11lb overall. The 1.5lb a week figure is well within the safe limits recommended by most dieticians.

Although women in both groups did put some weight back on, those in the speedy group fared no worse than the others.

Writing in the International Journal of Behavioural Medicine, the researchers said: ‘Because weight regain reverses the health benefits achieved with weight loss, considerable efforts have been placed on identifying behavioural factors that may be associated with long-term success. Studies have shown that rate of initial weight loss, even within the first few weeks of treatment, may serve as an important predictor of long-term success.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1274791/Crash-diets-work-best-Rapid-weight-loss-lead-shedding-long-run.html#ixzz0nKM2IGOs

Women can enjoy a tipple and stay slim, according to a study that shows moderate drinkers gain less weight than teetotallers. Women who drank red wine gained the least, but the results held for other wines, beers and spirits.

Although alcohol contains calories, the US researchers believe the women may have substituted it for other food. Their work in the Archives of Internal Medicine followed over 19,000 women over 13 years.

The women recruited into the study were aged 39 or over and of normal weight at the time they joined.

Over the next 13 years, on average, they gained weight progressively.

Those who drank no alcohol gained the most weight, and there was an inverse relationship between weight gain and alcohol consumption.

Even after accounting for lifestyle, dietary factors and things like smoking and exercise, the study found those who drank the least gained the most weight.

READ MORE AT BBC

In recent years, weight-loss surgery has emerged as an incredibly effective tool in helping patients manage obesity and make healthy lifestyle choices. However, weight-loss surgery is not for everyone, so you should understand the key factors used to determine if you are a good candidate for weight-loss surgery, like the LAP-BAND System.

While there are several medical factors that can determine whether or not you are eligible for weight-loss surgery; if you qualify, your commitment to the long-term weight-loss process will greatly impact the results. You may want to consider some of these issues on your own, but meeting with a weight-loss surgeon will help you gain an understanding of both the procedure and the lifestyle changes required afterwards.

Body mass index

The body mass index (BMI) requirements for weight-loss surgery were originally set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and have been in place since the 1990s. As a result, weight-loss surgeons will look for patients with a BMI of at least 40 or a body weight at least 100 pounds over ideal weight. Patients with a BMI between 35 and 39 may also be considered for weight-loss surgery if suffering from at least one health condition related to obesity, including, but not limited to, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, depression and high cholesterol.
BMI is the most commonly used method of determining an individual’s level of obesity. By using theBMI calculator provided by NewHope Bariatrics, you can see where you fall amongst the following BMI classifications:

o Healthy Body Weight - BMI from 18.5 to 24.9

o Overweight - BMI from 25.0 to 29.9

o Obese - BMI from 30 to 34.9

o Severely Obese - BMI from 35 to 39.9

o Morbidly Obese - BMI 40 and above

Failure of traditional weight-loss methods

Before agreeing to operate, weight-loss surgeons also need to determine if their patients have attempted to lose weight on their own. In most cases, surgeons will require that patients have tried traditional diet and exercise regimens prior to considering weight-loss surgery and documented the results. And in some cases weight-loss surgery patients have participated in medically supervised weight-loss programs. Weight-loss surgeons use this information to determine if their patients are committed to weight loss and lifestyle changes.Documentation of weight-loss efforts is also important when approaching the funding of weight-loss surgery. Like weight-loss surgeons, insurance providers typically require prospective patients to provide proof of repeated efforts to lose weight without surgical intervention.

Overall Health and Lifestyle

While there are many health conditions that may increase the urgency of weight-loss surgery, weight-loss surgeons will require all patients to meet certain lifestyle requirements as part of the program. To ensure that patients undergoing weight-loss surgery are able to experience long-term success and improve their overall health, surgeons will look for patients that avoid smoking, drinking and the abuse of drugs. If considering weight-loss surgery, it is important to eliminate these habits prior to beginning the process. After surgery, patients will be expected to avoid smoking and illicit drug use, while alcohol consumption should occur on a limited basis.

Commitment

Lastly, it is very important that all prospective weight-loss surgery patients be committed to permanent lifestyle changes. After ensuring that patients understand both the risks and rewards inherent in weight-loss surgery, some insurance providers will require psychological evaluations. As weight-loss surgery is not a magic bullet to erase obesity, it is important for all patients to understand the role that better eating habits and exercise play in the recovery process. Additionally, most weight-loss surgery procedures will require patients to meet regularly with doctors, attend support groups or meet with medical specialists to help support specific areas of follow-up care. The decision to have weight-loss surgery should not be taken lightly, and hence, doctors and insurance providers will insist that any patient undergoing the procedure is fully committed to each part of the lifelong process.

If you are trying to determine if you are a candidate for weight-loss surgery, you should consider your BMI and your past experiences with traditional weight-loss methods. If you feel you meet the criteria outlined here, you should then carefully consider both the potential benefits and responsibilities of weight-loss surgery. Though you may be unsure if weight-loss surgery is right for you, a consultation with a weight-loss surgeon will provide extensive insight into your condition and information about life after the procedure. In the end, if you are a good candidate for the procedure and feel prepared for the necessary lifestyle changes, weight-loss surgery can be the first important step towards a longer and healthier life.

Carole S. Guinane, a Chief Clinical Officer writes articles about obesity and weight loss for http://www.newhopetoday.com New Hope Today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carole_S._Guinane

Ever tried to avoid carbs in order to lose weight and found they still follow you everywhere you go? At my favorite restaurant, the fettuccine on the menu taunts me; at my friend’s baby shower, the sandwich platter beckons much louder than the mixed greens. And in a business meeting, the cookies distract me. Whether it’s a basket of warm bread, a tasty pasta or tantalizing desserts, carbs can be hard to quit.

Thankfully, you don’t have to. Despite their reputation for helping pack on the pudge (remember Dr. Atkins?), certain carbs can actually help you feel fuller longer and fight fat. The key? Fiber—found in whole grains, oats, certain legumes and even popcorn! When people follow a high-fiber diet—at least 34 grams of fiber a day—they absorb up to 6 percent fewer calories, research shows.

READ MORE at YAHOO HEALTH

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/15578/eat-pasta-drop-pounds/

Linda Ralph was so determine to lose all the fat that was clinging on to her body that she made up her mind last year to take drastic action. She spent a huge sum of money to get gastric band surgery. To keep her motivated, she kept a photographic diary to chart her weight loss.

Today, one year down the road, Linda has lost 140 pounds and gone from a size 24 to a slim size 10. For someone aged 50, this is a remarkable achievement and her story will trully serve as inspiration to many overweight women waiting to take the plunge and lose all that fat.

Click Here to read her diary, complete with all the pictures of the year that changed her life.

Image & Story Source from Daily Mail Online

One fourth of patients thinking about bariatric surgery are usually refused insurance coverage 3 times prior to obtaining approval.

On top of that, 60 percent say their health worsened during this waiting time period. A few insurance policies demand patients to verify they have attempted going on a diet, physical exercise, medication and psychotherapy. However a lot of policies will not cover these prerequisites.

Read More > Click Here

Obese teens who receive gastric banding achieve significant weight loss

A higher percentage of severely obese adolescents who received laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding lost more than 50 percent of excess weight and experienced greater benefits to health and quality of life compared to those in an intensive lifestyle management program, according to a study in the 10 February issue of JAMA.

Adolescent obesity is a serious health challenge globally. In the US, more than 17.4%, or more than 5 million adolescents were obese in 2004, an increase from 14.8% in 2000. Obesity is associated with both immediate and late health effects and reduced life expectancy, according to background information in the article. Lifestyle programs that have included changes in diet, exercise, and behaviour to promote weight loss often have poor results. “Bariatric surgery is now extensively used for adults and is being evaluated for adolescents,” the authors write. “Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (gastric banding) has the potential to provide a safe and effective treatment.”

Read More > Virtual Medical Center

Repeat weight-loss surgery carries a higher risk of complications than the initial surgical procedure, new research has found.

The surgical treatment, known as bariatric surgery, is the only effective method for long-term weight loss in severely obese people. Rates of repeat bariatric surgery are reported to range from 5 percent to 56 percent, according to background information in the new study.

In their report, Greek researchers looked at 56 patients who had repeat bariatric surgery between 1995 and 2008. The patients had an average age of 39.6, and an average body mass index (BMI) of 46.9. (BMI is a measurement that takes into account weight and height, and those with a BMI over 30 are considered obese.)

The three main reasons for the “revisional” bariatric surgery were: unsatisfactory weight loss after the initial procedure; severe nutritional complications such as protein malnutrition; and intolerable side effects such as blocking or narrowing of the digestive tract.

The patients were followed-up for an average of 102 months after their revisional surgery. None of them died, but 19 (33.9 percent) had serious complications within one to three months after surgery, including internal leakage from the surgical site, acute kidney failure and pneumonia.

READ MORE AT BUSINESSWEEK

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/636004.html

U.S. health officials have leveraged the star power of first lady Michelle Obama to roll out a new campaign against obesity, a preventable condition that drains billions of dollars from the economy.

Obama, who plans to take on childhood obesity as a cause, headlined the launch on Thursday of Surgeon General Regina Benjamin’s blueprint for what can be done at home, school and work to reverse the epidemic.

In her first initiative since becoming “America’s doctor,” Benjamin issued a report on the consequences of obesity to start a national dialogue on the subject.

“The number of Americans, like me, who are struggling with their weight and health conditions related to their weight remains much too high,” she said.

Source: Reuters. Read More Here

I must say, this is the one of the most popular fatloss diet programs on the web today. Having been available since 2007, Fat Loss 4 Idiots has sold hundreds of thousands of copies to many happy customers. One of its biggest draw is its claim that you can lose 9lbs every 11 days, plus you get to eat 4 wholesome meals a day.

So is this fat loss system as powerful as it claims?

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that most users seemed happy with the program and did lose some weight. The bad news is many did not lose the 9lbs, BUT most reported they did lose an average of 3-4lbs over the course of every 11 days. The way I look at it, that’s great!

Fat Loss 4 Idiots

So, Why Has Fatloss 4 Idiots Been Rated Tops?

This is a budget diet program that is available for you online. No waiting for a package to be sent to your home or the sort. You go to their official website and place an order, and get instant download of all stuff you require to start your diet immediately. It’s that simple, I suppose its idiot proof.

It comes with a daily diet plan and a list of recommended foods which will help you lose fat, like which lean proteins you should eat, suggested fruits and vegetables. There are also tips on sources of fats from wholesome foods like eggs and cottage cheese plus suggestions of getting your carbs from oats and pasta.
You get a four meals plan for each day which looks quite palatable [see below]. These meals should be consumed two and half hours apart. Now that should sort out the hunger pangs that go with most diets.

Here’s the good part - no calorie counting, and no limit on portion size. All Fatloss 4 Idiots suggest is that you ‘Eat till you are Satisfied - Short of being Full’ Now that can’t be too difficult can it? Now we know why it’s so popular!

Here is just one sample meal plan:

Day 1
Meal #1: Flavored Oatmeal
Meal #2: Tuna Salad
Meal #3: Sandwich (any type)
Meal #4: Scrambled Eggs Meal

Day 2:
Meal #1: Banana Milk Shake
Meal #2: Chicken
Meal #3: Scrambled Eggs [and] Mixed Vegetables
Meal #4: Cottage Cheese

Day 3:
Meal #1: Chicken
Meal #2: Fruit Salad
Meal #3: Fish Filet
Meal #4: Cottage Cheese

Sounds good ya!

This Is The Part I Like.

Once you have gone through their 11 day diet program, you get to treat yourself.  It’s a 3-day ‘time out’! You get to cheat and eat whatever you want for 3 whole days, and then it’s back to a 11 day diet plan.

Keep Reading, It Get’s Better.

This diet program was designed for people who are usually sedentary. So, giving them a schedule of dreadful workouts to perform is not what it prescribes. They suggest that you do get involved with some form of frequent exercise like walking and other low intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. It is a well documented fact that anyone who goes on diet and adds a little exercise daily will get better results.

So, what’s the trick behind Fat Loss 4 Idiots?

What’s involved here are simple, well thought out weight loss principles that work on cyclic macro-nutrient ratios, or some call it calorie shifting. This tricks your metabolism and alters your metabolic rate. All principles behind this diet are common sense theories that are well documented like eating whole foods, drinking lots of water and doing regular simple exercises. The only thing here is that they have come up with a plan of action for you which brings about a change in your metabolism resulting in the burning of your fat. This has been proven to work.

Are You Looking for a Plan Of Action for Fat Loss?
Then Fatloss 4 Idiots might be what you need. Go take a peek at their official website and you will like what you see. I simply love one of their opening statements…’Food Is Not The Enemy’

Visit ‘Fat Loss 4 Idiots Official Website’