All of us, at one time another, have wanted to lose weight. You can hook up with Jenny Craig, leave behind the carbs with Dr. Atkins, spend your time in the Zone and hang out in South Beach. You can pop pills that suppress your appetite and pills that stop you from absorbing fats - the same FDA approved pills that have side effects like high blood pressure and cancer. You can even get your stomach stapled, to help you cut down on your food intake.
The first things to do, if you want to lose weight, are to make smart food choices and to increase your physical exercise.
Smart food choices should include lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and whole grains. There is also a place for fish and poultry. Try to use meat as a seasoning - only in small amounts - rather than as the main focus of a meal. Don't skip meals, but try to eat anything heavier earlier in the day and aim for 4-5 smaller "meals" rather than the standard breakfast, lunch and dinner. This makes it easier for your body to metabolize the food you've put into it which, in turn, helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
Exercise can be more of a challenge. But, as I've told at least one friend before, start with baby steps. Take the stairs, not the elevator. Park farther away and walk. Walk. Walk. Walk. You don't have to walk fast, to begin with. Before you know it, you'll be running.
Drink water. Drink it whenever you can. Drink at least 64 ounces a day (8 glasses).
Natural Weight Loss Herbal Aids
There are loads of herbs that help you reach your weight loss goals, whether you need to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds:
Alfalfa, corn silk, dandelion, horsetail, hyssop, parsley, thyme and white ash can be used in tea-form to help release and relieve extra water retention.
Aloe vera juice not only improves your digestion, it also helps to cleanse your digestive tract. Amla is a herb used in Ayurvedic treatments that helps to increase lean body mass and reduce fat. Astragalus can increase energy and improve the body's absorption of nutrients. Note: Don't use astragalus when you have a fever.
Borage seed, hawthorn berry, and sarsaparilla can improve the functioning of your thyroid and stimulate your adrenal glands.
Cayenne, cinnamon, ginger, and green tea are all thermogenic herbs that can improve your digestion and help in the metabolism of fat. Note: Avoid cinnamon as anything more than a flavoring if you are pregnant, or suffer from anxiety, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, or insomnia or if you are taking an MAO inhibitor.
Fennel is a natural appetite suppressant and removes fat and mucus from the intestinal tract. Fenugreek helps to dissolve fat from within the liver.
Gotu kola helps to reduce body mass, increases energy and assists in carbohydrate metabolism.
Guggul, an Ayurvedic herbal remedy, works to normalize cholesterol and triglycerides. It can also give the thyroid a mild boost.
Trifala is another herbal remedy used in Ayurveda that stimulates your glands and thyroid hormones, over the long-term.
Turmeric is excellent when used for digestion, as a detoxifier for blood and to increase energy. I''m looking forward to writing more about natural weight loss over the coming weeks. Losing weight can be a real challenge, but one you can accomplish.
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