First Presby

Fad Diets for Fast Weight Loss

by Posted in Weight Loss and Fitness .

fasting for weight lossEverybody knows that fad diets can mean fast weight loss, but most people don’t keep off the weight that they lose this way. All the same, most people love a quick fix, and there are a lot of reasons why you might want to follow a restrictive eating plan for a short time to get some fat off fast.

This might be for a wedding or another big event. Lots of people want to lose weight for their high school reunion! It’s motivating to think of people you haven’t seen for ten or twenty years admiring your svelte figure. Or maybe your doctor has said you cannot have an operation until you lose ten pounds.

Most of the best diets are aimed at losing weight slow and keeping it off. A fad diet can have the opposite effect. It’s effective for fast weight loss, but afterward, you will probably gain that weight back… unless you then switch to a longer term diet plan. And that is possible. Don’t rule it out!

In fact that could be the best way to lose weight – kick start your loss with a fast weight loss plan, but then instead of going right back to eating all the fast food you had before, switch into a healthier diet program.

So with all of that understood, let’s look at some of the so-called fad diets that are out there, and consider how effective they might be.

1. Fasting for Fast Weight Loss

Fasting literally means not eating anything. But there are different types of fast. The strictest is like what Muslim people do during Ramadan – they don’t let anything pass their lips from sunup to sundown, not even water. Now this would be very dangerous if you tried to do it 24 hours a day, because a person can die of thirst very quickly. But of course they eat and drink at night time.

In fact, most religions have some form of fasting in their practice, although it may be very different. Christians often fast for Lent. Lent is 40 days, almost six weeks, and of course it doesn’t mean we don’t eat anything for all of that time. For most people, it means giving up meat, following a vegetarian or vegan eating plan, or perhaps temporarily quitting “luxury” foods like things with sugar.

A “water fast” is where you consume nothing but water. Some people do this for 24 hours every month, and they say it helps their bodies to detox. Others do this with the aim of losing weight, maybe for up to 3 days, under medical supervision.

Then people talk about “intermittent fasting”. This has become popular in the last few years. But even this means different things to different people. It can mean, for example, eating nothing for a 12-hour (or more) window between dinner and breakfast – kind of like the Muslim fast, but at night instead of in the day time.

Or it can mean eating less calories on some days and more on others. For example there is the 5:2 diet where you eat your normal diet for 5 days but restrict your intake to 500 or 600 calories on the other two days a week. This restrictive diet on the two days is known as fasting in that system.

A warning: if you are on any type of medication, fasting is a bad idea because it can mess with the effects of your medicine. If you plan to try any kind of fasting, consult with a doctor first. It’s not worth risking your health, even for fast weight loss.

What To Do If You’re Desperate To Lose Weight

by Posted in Weight Loss and Fitness .

Ask yourself this: are you really desperate to lose weight? If yes, then you need to hang on to that thought and motivation, and you might want to follow what we call a low carb diet plan.lose-weight-fitness

Low carb diet plans are well known, followed by many people with plenty of success, especially in situations where you have control over what you eat. If you are in a situation like a boarding school or hospital where every meal is provided for you, it’s more difficult. But if you are in a family home either doing the cooking yourself or with some influence over what is put onto your plate, it will be fine.

Importantly, in several studies the low carbohydrate plan has initially shown more positive weight loss than low fat diets. In fact, many people believe that the government’s emphasis on reducing fat is what has led to so many people becoming overweight and obese since the 1970s and 1980s when the population was much healthier.

This is because all of the low fat products that we see on the shelves often contain a lot of sugar in different forms and also flour. These substances convert to glucose in the body which (if we have more than we need) is stored as fat. On the other hand, fat in the diet, especially forms like fish oils and some other protective fats, is vital for the function of many organs including the brain.

What is a Low Carb Diet Plan?

A low carb diet plan is an eating system where the carbohydrates or starch in the diet is reduced to a level where the body gets most of its energy from protein and fats. Very high carbohydrate foods like rice, potatoes, and pasta are cut out completely. Other foods that contain carbohydrates, including fruit and vegetables, may be limited in quantities, or you may be following a plan that allows lower carb vegetables like broccoli and mushrooms in unlimited quantities, while not eating things like bananas or winter squash which have a higher carbohydrate content.

How does this help if you are desperate to lose weight?

There are normally five ways in which a low carb system aids in the loss of body weight. The first one is that it triggers what we call ketosis. This is a process in which the body commences to burn fats for energy purposes instead of using dietary carbs to manufacture energy. This is actually a scientifically proven and efficient way of burning fats, storing them and importantly losing weight.

When there is limited starch in the body, it longer gets its energy from the normal glucose from carbohydrates but rather fats are burned to produce energy.

Secondly, the system eliminates water weight. Normally, people who have experienced low carb diet experience a drastic body weight loss in their first couple of weeks mainly because of the draining out of the water that is connected to glycogen. Some people consider this not to be “real” weight loss because you have not lost any fat, but it is going to make you slimmer because you have lost that bloating. This a very positive thing in terms of how your body looks.

Thirdly, eating lower carb means that your body will not need the huge amounts of insulin that are required to balance our intake of sugar and refined carbs like white rice and pasta. Insulin spikes are what causes the blood sugar highs and lows that make us feel tired or “mouth-hungry” between meals, giving us cravings for more sugary, floury foods. Constant high insulin levels in the body can also lead to diabetes.

Fourthly, eating low carbohydrate foods usually means you will be eating more natural, healthy foods in their whole state. Instead of buying sauces that come in a jar, with a lot of added sugar and other additives, you will need to make your own or use plain tomatoes. Instead of making up a packet of mac’n’cheese with all its chemical ingredients, you can have steak and vegetables. It’s no harder to cook, but it’s simpler, healthier food.

Lastly, eating low carb helps you to regulate appetite and stick to three meals a day or whatever plan you prefer, because you will be eating more protein which keeps you more satisfied for longer than high glucose carbohydrate-rich foods. Moreover, proteins promote tremendous increase of the lean muscles which assists in burning of fats. All of these factors therefore makes a low carb diet a very effective way of losing weight.

Are Low Carb Diets safe?

This a common question put by millions of people who are desperate to lose weight and considering this way of eating. Of course you should run your eating plans by your doctor or dietician, especially if you have health issues. But a good low carb diet plan that is well researched and commercially produced, such as Atkins, will not have any risks for a person in general good health. So why not try it for yourself?

How Can I Get My Ex Back

by Posted in Articles .

Couple Love

Getting a relationship back together after experiencing a breakup can be a hard thing to do. Are you one of those people who are asking “How can I get my ex back?” It may be possible to get a relationship back but this will depend on the strategies that you have.

There are also questions that you need to answer to come up with the best strategy in getting a relationship back such as what have you done before, during and after the breakup? How long have you been apart? Who left who? And why did you break up?

First of all, you should always keep in mind that no one person is entirely accountable for everything that went wrong in a relationship but that does not mean it’s 50/50 either. In most cases, one person is more accountable for the trouble than the other person. To figure this out, you shouldn’t let pride eat your personality and be honest with yourself to know whose fault really is.  Besides, being humble might be a big help so that your ex would want to bring you back.

Once you have figured out the mistakes that you need, you can now proceed to the next step which is to fix it. To start with, you should know the aspects that you need to change or improve within yourself. By doing this, you will become a better person and your ex will more likely fall in love with you again because you changed for her or for him.

Once you have faced your mistakes and done some changes, you are now prepared to show off the improved person that you are to your ex. It is now time to let him or her see the better you. In doing this step, there are still some factors to consider. If you have no restraining orders or if your ex is ready to see you again, then you could meet together at a certain place. But be very sure that your ex wants to see you.

If your ex is not ready to see you, then you might just want to spend more time with mutual friends so that they will be the ones who will witness how much you have changed. Those people will most likely spread the news and this will eventually reach your ex. Never meet with mutual friends with the purpose of talking them for your ex to take your back. Just be with them and let them know you and how much you have improved. Have a casual meet-up with them and just act natural.

Once they have seen the difference in you, they will be convinced to tell your ex that you are now a better person and you are now a good match for your ex. This will most likely result for your ex to have the interest of meeting with you again and you can now try to fix things between the both of you.

All of the relationship advice suggests that with patience, luck, motivation and love, you may just find the way to get your ex back after experiencing a breakup and you will have a higher chance of getting a strong relationship back with your ex.

21st Century Dating

by Posted in Articles .

Couple whispering in 21st century dating
How we play the game has changed, but the fundamental concept of dating has not evolved much in the past century – strange as it may seem. Like always, there are those who win and those who lose. If you happen to be one who has lost in previous attempts at the dating game, don’t give up; keep playing until you have found the partner of your dreams.

Interested in how you can win the game in the 21st century? Keep reading for more information on the romantic journey that many of your peers are currently undertaking. The following article looks at dating and relationships in different cultures.

The Three Main Ways to Find a Partner

Speaking most broadly, you can find a partner in one of three ways. Some of these practices stem back anywhere from 100-1000 years.

• Arranged marriages- Believe it or not, this custom still occurs, albeit rarely, in some cultures today. This concept may sound ancient, but those who follow this concept do so as a way of keeping their traditions alive.

• Courtship- This is the most accepted way of dating. With this method, the male must always present his best to the female as well as offer gifts. The woman doesn’t take such an active part, but waits to be chosen. This is the general way that many people form relationships in a lot of societies, but it’s becoming more than a little old fashioned in western culture.

• Dating- Out of all the options, this is the most modern and progressive way of finding a partner. With this concept, dating choices are made by the individuals involved rather than by the parents or by the choice of the male partner. This concept applies to homosexual relationships as well.

The Influence of the Internet Dating and Relationships

There are some people who accuse the internet of being a romance killer; when it comes to dating and relationships. They believe that internet dating takes the meaning out of words like fate and destiny. However, this is a very biased perspective and, in fact, those who participate in internet dating are shown a whole new world.

Because of the internet’s worldwide reach, it is now possible for people in different countries to fall in love with each other. It’s also an excellent method for people in the military who have trouble meeting possible partners in real life, because of overseas duties and too brief home leaves.

No matter what proof is given, there will always be some people that are skeptical of the blank of internet dating, but it doesn’t hurt to try it out. Who knows? You may be one of the lucky people that found their true love over the internet.

Tips and Recommendations for Dating in the New Age

• When you decide to date, make sure that you do so because you are ready; not because you are lonely. This is a common mistake made among people who are looking for a new relationship. Many of them are unaware that in order to find someone to love, you must trust and love yourself first. If you are looking for someone to date in order to validate your self-worth, your relationship is doomed from the very start.

• If you are genuinely ready to date, your next step is to find the dating scheme that fits you the best. For example, there are those who prefer dating a lot of people at the same time while others are more comfortable dating exclusively. Decide which way fits your personality the best and make sure that you and your partner are on the same page.

• Don’t talk a lot about previous relationships that went bad, or you will come across as negative at best and as somebody who wants your ex back at worst. However, do think to yourself about what went wrong in those relationships in a constructive way, and perhaps talk it over with friends or a therapist, so you can be sure not to make the same mistakes again.

• When you finally take that first step in your dating journey, always remember to have fun. We all know that dating can be a very competitive game, but it doesn’t make any sense for you to start playing if you don’t know how to have fun and relax.

Is My Relationship Over?

by Posted in Articles .

Couple by a lakeEvery relationship hits a plateau after a while. After all, the excitement and newness of being together can only last so long. While it is natural to fall into a routine and become more comfortable with each other, there is a difference between being content and being in a rut. If you find yourselves not communicating, fighting frequently or looking for ways to spend time apart it may be a sign that your relationship is not going to last. If you’re wondering whether or not your relationship might be over read on to learn the 5 signs that it just might be time to call it quits.

There is no communication

This, believe it or not, is the biggest red flag. If you find your partner not talking to you about the everyday aspects of his life then that is a problem. It is natural to want to discuss daily activities and more with the person you love. They are supposed to be your go-to person, the one who listens and gives you support and advice. If your partner used to do that with you and has stopped it is a sign they are not interested. More importantly, if they are not confiding in you that means they may not trust you and likely they are confiding in someone else, a sure sign that things are not good.

They spend more and more time at work

Yes, everyone has to work and there will be times your significant other will work late. However, if they normally work late once every 3 months and now they are working late every week or even every night, without some obvious reason like tax season, that is a red flag that they are avoiding you. Even worse, they may be seeing someone else or getting together with an ex, which would explain why they are gone so much. Either way, they are spending less time with you, which is not good. Time apart is healthy when it’s natural, not due to avoidance.

There is no affection

It is not natural to constantly be showered with gifts, but if your sweetie goes from hugs and cuddling to pecks on the cheek you should be worried. When you’re in love you want to show affection; it doesn’t have to be all day every day, but you should exchange kisses or hug through the course of a day. Lack of affection usually means a lack of caring, so if your partner is less than sweet you may need to ask why.

They start hiding things

While your significant other doesn’t need to share everything with you, if they suddenly start hiding thongs or avoiding questions, that is definite cause for concern. If they put a lock on their cell phone, change the password to accounts you normally have access to or hang up the phone when you walk in the room that means they are doing something they don’t want you to know, which is a bad sign. People almost always only hide negative things: odds are they are not being secretive to plan a surprise party for you, so you may need to speak up to find out what they are up to.

Sex become less frequent or stops

Intimacy is a healthy part of any relationship. While it is okay, even normal to have periods of less sex, if it happens in combination with one of the other signs that is not a good sign for the future of your relationship. Your partner should desire you – if they stop then there is a chance it is because they are desiring someone else.

Bear in mind that these are just a few signs of relationship trouble. The most important sign is how you feel – if you think something’s wrong, odds are something is.

How To Make Him Trust Me – 7 Ways

by Posted in Articles .

Couple by river - trustThat is the question of the day: how to make him trust me. We all want to be in a relationship built on trust. We want to be able to depend on the word of our mate, and we want to have a spouse we can trust in return. But many of the things we imagine will be effective in building this essential trust are nothing more than smoke and mirrors, and could actually do more harm than good when improperly implemented. It can be so difficult to know how to gain back trust, much less grow it.

Below are featured 7 ways you can gain the trust of your mate that are guaranteed to improve your trust level and strengthen the bond in your relationship. Keep in mind these methods are effective in variation in any relationship you have. The point is to gain trust!

1. Be predictable

While spontaneity is fun now and then (and in certain arenas!), predictability and routine are vital to a relationship. These very aspects form the beginnings of the trust foundation. If you are not sure where the other person is or what they are doing you are left uneasy, and this is a perfect breeding grounds for seeds of mistrust. If you both know the routine of the other and have been able to depend on it, this knowledge will sustain that trust level if the routine kept remains dependable.

2. Watch your body language

Next, you should practice being attentive to how your body language is in relation to the words you are speaking and the way you mean the words to come across. If a facial expression or tone of voice are not in tune with what you are saying, this will plant one of those pesky seeds of mistrust. The smallest discrepancy, such as this one, are easily notice and planted into the subconscious of the person you are communicating with. Pay close attention to this, and practice word/facial expression/body language consistency.

3. Follow through on responsibilities

Another important factor is to believe that your partner is competent to be trusted. Do they believe that you are? Are they able to be trusted to be competent when it comes to the tasks of everyday life and relationships? Do they have the ability to follow through on their responsibilities? Are you exhibiting the ability to do these things? If you cannot be trusted with day to day responsibilities, you simply cannot be trusted. It is a character flaw to be irresponsible, and doesn’t just manifest in one area of life.

4. Don’t have secrets

This point is a vital aspect to healthy trust in a relationship: Do Not Keep Secrets! This can, and will, be the end of the relationship trust level as you may know it, and trust is a terribly difficult thing to gain and keep.

Once it has been broken it must be worked on harder than ever. If your partner has a reason not to trust you because you lied or cheated in the past, it can take a lot of time for that trust to return. If the two of you are breaking up over it, see our post on how to get an ex back for more tips on this difficult situation.

5. Tell him what you need

Your partner must be made familiar with what your needs are, and this must be done by you. They are not mind readers, and it is very simple to begin to have trust issues if you feel your mate is not meeting your needs, but on many occasions they have no idea what those needs are. You need to vocalize them in a manner that is gentle, not aggressive, and you must listen closely to their needs as well. As this is practiced mutually their will be growth in the trust level that your spouse desires to, and does, meet your needs.

6. Be assertive – not aggressive

This is just as important as all the rest: learn that it is okay, and at times necessary, to say no. Without exercising this right when it is healthy for you to do so, your partner will not be able to gain a healthy sense of respect for you as a human being or your needs. There will be no boundary, and without boundaries, there is simply no trust. Using the word “no” responsibly and appropriately will in fact build the relationship greatly.

7. Keep growing

All of the above information is for the edification of your relationships, but it must be clear that personal growth be pursued daily by each of us, in every aspect of our lives. Only through this are we able to be sufficiently good to ourselves and others, and only through this will we learn to trust ourselves. When we have reached that point, trust of others becomes part of the equation, and balances the scales perfectly.