Author Archives: Lashell Hoover

Reached a Plateau? Nine Tips For You

Having trouble with those last few pounds? Scale stuck on the same number? Perhaps you’ve hit a plateau. It’s a common occurrence that dieter’s encounter. Here’s a checklist for you. See if one of these suggestions will work for you. 1. Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Lack of sleep may cause cravings. 2. Add more protein to your diet. 3. Limit caffeinated beverages and alcohol. The body burns alcohol for fuel instead of burning fat. 4. Limit salt. This is a good idea if your body retains fluid. 5. Weigh yourself less. There are many reasons … Continue reading →

Sleep Longer to Lose Weight

There are twenty-four hours in a day; seven or eight of those hours should be spent sleeping. Research shows that lack of sleep could result in weight gain. There are two hormones that we need to consider when we deprive ourselves of adequate sleep. These hormones are leptin and ghrelin. The hormone leptin is produced by fat cells. It helps with appetite suppression and burning stored fat. The hormone ghrelin is produced by cells lining the stomach. Ghrelin helps stimulate the appetite. Now that we know the function of these hormones, we can take a look at some research about … Continue reading →

Thinking Away the Pounds: A Study of 84 Housekeepers

According to a study conducted by Harvard University psychologist Ellen Langer and her student Alia Crum, perceiving you’re getting enough exercise may help you to lose weight. The results of the study show that it is possible to think your way to a healthier body while you get those daily chores done. Eighty-four housekeepers from seven Boston hotels participated in Langer’s study. The women were between the ages of 18-55 years old. They were divided into two groups. Women from four of the hotels were told they were getting adequate exercise by performing their daily work. The women in the … Continue reading →

Two Studies About Protein

Dr. Wayne Campbell and his colleagues at Purdue’s University Laboratory for Integrative Research in Nutrition, Fitness, and Aging conducted a weight loss study of 46 overweight or obese women. The women were instructed to follow one of two reduced-calorie diets. Protein was 18% of the caloric intake in one group’s diet; it was 30% of the caloric intake of the second group’s diet. Each group consumed six ounces of lean pork per day for twelve weeks. It was their only meat source. The result was that the women who ate a higher percentage of protein were better at maintaining lean … Continue reading →

DDR: Exergaming to Lose Weight

The next time your child wants to turn on the game system you should join in the fun. Plug in a dance mat for Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution. It’s a music game that will give you an aerobic workout. The dance pad has four or six arrows: up, down, right, and left (sometimes adding left and right diagonals). Arrows on the screen prompt you to follow the rhythm of a song. There are various levels of intensity. You can calculate the amount of calories burned or calculate your total running distance when the game is in workout mode. In addition, … Continue reading →

Increased Serotonin Promotes Weight Loss and Wellness

Does your diet make you moody? Do you feel like you’re missing out on all the foods you like to eat? Doctors Judith Wurtman and Nina Frusztajer Marquis want to show you how to feel full and lose weight without the emotional roller coaster. They claim increasing serotonin will do the trick. In their book, The Serotonin Power Diet, they map out a twelve week plan to help you increase your serotonin levels, lose up to 2 pounds a week, and manage your emotions. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that triggers satiety and affects emotions. The amino acid tryptophan helps the … Continue reading →

Menopause and Weight Loss

Aging is an inevitable factor of life and so is menopause. This passage of life can occur when a woman is between the ages of 35 and 60. The age range is so wide because this natural occurrence is unique to the individual. It is believed that a woman will experience menopause close to the age that her mother went through it. Outside factors like a hysterectomy or radiation treatment can bring about menopause early. This life event can take more than a decade to run its course. There are three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. When a woman has … Continue reading →

CLA: Burns Fat, Increases Lean Muscle, Helps Maintain Weight

Conjugated Linoleic Acid, or CLA, is a naturally occurring fatty acid which can be found in meat and dairy products. It is also sold as a dietary supplement. Three health benefits of CLA are reduction of body fat, increased lean muscle, and weight loss maintenance. A study of CLA was conducted by Jean-Michel Gaullier, PhD and his colleagues at Scandinavian Clinical Research Group in Norway. Participants were divided into three groups. Two were given either a pill or CLA syrup and the third was given an olive oil filled capsule. In twelve months, the pill group lost 9% of body … Continue reading →

A New Study: Will Oligofructose Be the Answer to Weight Loss?

Fifty healthy but overweight residents of Calgary, Canada will have a chance to test oligofructose. It is a natural fiber found in certain plants and vegetables like chicory, onions, leeks, garlic, and tomatoes. Researcher, Dr. Raylene Reimer and her colleagues at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology will require participants in the study to take a dietary supplement containing the fiber for three months. They will not be asked to change any other aspect of their diet or lives. The researchers will be documenting the participants’ body fat ratios over the course of the study. In a related study … Continue reading →

Enviga: An Energy Drink That Burns Calories

Enviga, a sparkling green tea marketed by the Coca-Cola Company and Nestle, combines green tea and caffeine to help your body burn calories. It also contains calcium. The 12 ounce cans come in green tea, peach, and berry flavors. Enviga is touted as a safe and gentle way of increasing your metabolism. Drinking three cans of Enviga a day may burn 60 to 100 calories, but it shouldn’t be used to replace meals. The combination for weight loss is well-balanced meals, regular exercise, and Enviga. In a study conducted by Nestle, participants burned an additional 106 calories from consuming the … Continue reading →