Natural Foods That Help Burn Belly Fat

For long now people have debated on this topic. While some articles and experts preach that nature (or science) have produced some miracle fat burning foods, others are quick to point out that what actually counts is simply your overall calorie burn to calorie consumption ratio. In fact, there is no dearth of dieticians who quickly dismiss the supposed fat burning properties of natural foods and herbal concoctions as irresponsible myths. The question then is - who do we believe? Are there any natural foods that burn belly fat or not?

The truth is that there are no natural foods that directly burn fat. When physical trainers and diet experts say that what eventually counts is whether you are burning more calories than you are consuming, they are right. However, you have to consider that there are several factors that effect your actual metabolic rate (how many calories you burn). One of these is your diet. There are certain natural food items that promote the production of the right hormones and chemicals to speed up your metabolism and accelerate the rate at which your body burns fat. In other words, there are indirectly.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of nature's most powerful spices when it comes to fat loss, and that is because it directly helps in controlling your body's blood sugar level. In fact, a study published in Diabetes Care, a medical journal, shows that consuming 3-6 grams of cinnamon a day can reduce fasting blood glucose levels by up to 29%. Cinnamon also helps maintain a high level of insulin sensitivity, and together these two factors directly boost your body's ability to fight fat. The best part is that cinnamon is an extremely versatile spice, and can be added to desserts, main course dishes and drinks.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

In modern urban life, you are constantly exposed to harmful chemicals known as xenoestrogens. Studies have shown that these chemicals promote the storage of excess fat in your body. Unfortunately, with the amount of chemical compounds used in food these days and the high levels of environmental pollution, it is almost impossible to escape xenoestrogens. However, by consuming cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, you can fight off the harmful fat storing effects of this chemical. In short, these greens are some of nature's most effective fat burning foods.

Nuts

You may be surprised to see this addition to this list of foods that burn belly fat, considering that nuts are high in calories and contain 75-90% fat content. However, the fat contained in all kinds of nuts is healthy, and nuts are also rich in protein, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Protein-rich foods help fight hunger and maintain your body's muscle mass, both of which are essential for weight loss. Also, with their micronutrients, nuts help your body maintain a high level of fat burning hormones.

So, whatever your preference (walnuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, almonds etc.), a handful a day will do you no harm. You could also try nut butters, such as peanut butter, almond butter, macadamia butter or pecan butter.

Bear in mind that the fat burning effect of these foods is indirect, so do not begin treating them like magic potions. To lose weight, you will still need to make the right choices in terms of diet and exercise. However, if you complement your efforts with these fat burning foods, you will certainly see accelerated results. To learn more go to NEXT PAGE at http://manyweightlosstips.com

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5 Tips: How to Tell Someone They Need to Lose Weight

If you know someone who needs to lose weight, it's important to approach the situation gingerly should you decide to tell them they need to lose weight. Make sure you're coming from a true place of love rather than a place of anger, embarrassment or disgust. Telling someone they need to lose weight can be a very tricky situation so it's important to have a plan before you address the situation. Here are 5 tips on how to tell someone they need to lose weight.

1. Plan out your conversation - How will you approach the subject? No need to write out a script but you'll need to think it through. The last thing you want to do is hurt your dear friend, family member or significant other's feelings.

2. Identify with the person - Identifying with the person is a great way to begin a conversation. What do I mean by identifying? Find a way to connect with them regarding weight loss and/or health. Admit you want or need to lose weight. If you don't need to lose weight, sparking up a conversation about the fact that you want to become healthier might be the perfect lead in to a conversation about weight loss. In addition, by admitting you want to improve yourself may put the other person at ease. You can even offer to embark on this journey with them. Often times, success comes when people can hold each other accountable.

3. Approach it from a medical standpoint - State facts about health and wellness rather than giving your opinion on weight loss. Letting someone know they can drastically improve their health, relieve joint pain, lower blood pressure and cholesterol to name a few sounds much better than you telling them they should simply do it to look better. Make sure you're prepared with facts from reputable institutions that you can rattle off.

4. The happiness factor - Has your friend or relative been unhappy since they gained weight? Point out that you've noticed they aren't as happy as they used to be. Let them know that since they gained weight, that person has become distant, isn't attending friend or family functions and seems reserved. Help them determine why they aren't happy. Is it just the weight gain or something else? If necessary, help your friend or family find help to address underlying issues first followed by weight loss help. You've got one life so it's really important to live it to the fullest. Everyone deserves the chance to really enjoy life.

5. Offer suggestions - Do you research and offer weigh loss suggestions. Make sure to have an array of options including weight loss diet programs, fitness trainers to help them, websites they can reference and even weight loss spa programs they could attend to get a jump start.

The last thing you want to do is hurt someone's feelings or turn them against you. It's important to really think your conversation through and decipher which route is best for you. Weight is usually such a fragile subject so make sure your intentions are for the other person and not yourself.

Margot Rutigliano is a freelance writer as well as the owner of Vita Vie Retreat. She has been a fitness trainer, wellness coach and healthy living adviser since 1999. Vita Vie Retreat is a fitness spa offering healthy lifestyle transformation programs for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. For more information or to contact Ms. Rutigliano, please visit http://www.bvretreat.com.

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Are You Tired of Stubborn Fat Deposits Around Your Thighs, Stomach, 'Love Handles,' or Upper Arms?

Tumescent liposuction is a procedure intended to remove targeted areas of fat in order to sculpt the body. During the procedure, a suction device removes fat deposits from underneath the skin. This popular procedure can leave your body looking smoother and more toned by removing fat cells, though it should not be used as a weight loss procedure.

Ideal candidates for tumescent liposuction procedures are adult men or women who are in good overall health. Patients should be at a stable weight for the past year, and be at or near their goal weight, before considering liposuction. Although popularly known as a way to lose fat, liposuction is not a weight loss surgery; if you are significantly overweight, consider following a weight loss plan before undergoing liposuction. This procedure is intended for those who have specific pockets of fat they wish to remove, rather than those whose excess fat is evenly distributed in many body areas.

Tumescent liposuction differs from other liposuction techniques in the injection of fluid to numb the tissue and break apart the fat deposits for easier removal. A large volume of the tumescent solution is injected before the fat removal process begins. Once it has numbed the skin and broken apart stubborn fat deposits, the surgeon inserts a cannula (a thin metal tube) through incisions in the skin. Tumescent liposuction requires several short incisions, less than two to three millimeters long, enabling the doctor to access the underlying layer of fat.

The liposuction process takes between 30 minutes and 3 hours. Once the tumescent fluid has been delivered, the doctor turns the suction device on and begins moving the cannula back and forth underneath the skin, gently suctioning out the loosened fat cells. This specialized suctioning tool enables the surgeon to remove precisely targeted areas of fat without disturbing the surround tissues and through short incisions, thereby minimizing scarring. There are no stitches or drains to remove.

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, and patients return home on the same day to begin their recovery. You may wish to have a friend or family member stay with you for several days, especially if you have young children to care for, as you may need assistance with daily tasks. Most patients are back to work in about a week, though strenuous exercise and heavy lifting must be avoided for four weeks after surgery.

After tumescent liposuction, patients should wear a compression garment over the treated area for several weeks. This elastic garment supports the tissues in their new contours, reduces swelling, and promotes healing. Common side effects experienced by tumescent liposuction patients include swelling, redness, and bruising. Any discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. These side effects should fade within a month, with the full results of tumescent liposuction becoming visible by the end of the third month post-surgery. The results are long lasting, as long as you maintain your weight through a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Dr. Donald Gilbert invites you to visit http://www.gvacenter.com for more information on the latest treatments for varicose veins, tumescent liposuction, skin care and more.

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