Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

The motivation to lose weight and build a ripped body can come from anyone and anywhere movies - its sun-kissed actors, bodybuilders, athletes and even your peers or family members. 26-year-old Mradul Singh Rajpoot, who at his heaviest weighed 92 kgs with a fat accumulation of 38 per cent, cites his younger brother Hitendra Singh Rajput as his biggest fitness inspiration and motivator. He helped Mradul trim from 92 kgs to 66-67 kgs with only 16-17 per cent fat accumulation.

Says Mradul,growing up, my brother used to be very skinny. He was sent to a boarding school to complete his education. And, when he returned home, post his high school graduation, he had completely transformed his physique from slim and lanky to super fit. He had also developed a great personality. Everyone was a fan of his new personality, including me he says.

During this same period, my body weight kept tipping towards the heavier end of the weighing scale, he adds.

The thing is, Id always been a foodie and to top that, in 2016, I'd started working the graveyard shift for a private company. So, Id only be back home by 7 am. Consequently, my eating habits went from bad to worse, he says. Id stay up all night, and when Id finally come home, Id gorge on poha, samosas, sandwiches, namkeen and chips."

"At that time, I used to sleep early in the morning, after eating 2-3 samosas, 1-2 plates of poha, sandwiches and 1-2 packets of chips in one go. Then, Id wake up around noon, and eat a heavy lunch, followed by evening snacks and a very heavy dinner. It was almost like my whole life was dependent on junk, fast and processed food. A culmination of these bad eating habits and a hectic lifestyle led my body to gain a lot of weight. 92 kgs to be precise.

But before things could take a turn from bad to worse, Mradul decided to lose weight with his brother by his side as his motivator and guiding force. Since he knew a lot about healthy living, considering he'd transformed himself so nicely, he started giving me fitness tips. Slowly, I also started collecting information on the various reasons that lead to weight gain, weight loss as well as sustainable weight loss approaches. Through the information I collated, I was able to devise the below weight loss plan,

The first thing Mradul did was control his calorie intake by not dieting but by substituting the junk food from his meals with macros (macronutrients - fat, protein, and carbohydrates) from solid food. Think oats, nuts, green veggies and meat. This is what he ate on a daily basis:

First Meal: Breakfast (9-10 am) - 1 banana + eggs (2 whole eggs + 1 egg white) + 60-70 grams oatmeal

Second Meal: Snacks (11-12 am) - 150 grams mixed fruits + dry fruits (almonds, raisins: 5-10 pieces)

Third Meal: Lunch (2-3 pm) - 120 grams brown rice + 3 cups of green vegetables

Fourth Meal: Snacks (5-6 pm) (Pre Workout) - 1 teaspoon peanut butter + 1 slice brown bread

Post-workout - 1 scoop of Whey protein

Fifth Meal: Dinner (8-9 pm) - 100 grams of sweet potato/chicken + 1 teaspoon of olive oil (in any form) + 3-4 cups of green vegetables

I lost my 6 kgs in about 45 days itself. I went from 92 kgs to 86 kgs. And, as I kept learning more about nutrition and healthy eating, through research, I kept changing or rather updating my diet every 45 days, which aided further weight loss he explains. Mraduls healthy eating weight loss plan was also supplemented with the help of the below exercise regime.

"I used to hit the gym for an hour and a half daily for a strength/weight training session followed by a 30-minute of cardio routine. Every day, Id indulge in 5-6 exercises dedicated for each body part with 15,12,12 reps. This is what my workout plan looked like":

Monday: Chest Workout

Tuesday: Shoulder Workout

Wednesday: Back Workout

Thursday: Arms Workout

Friday: Chest and Shoulder Workout

Saturday: Legs Workout

Sunday: Rest Day (No Workout)

ALSO READ: How to workout 12 times a week and still lead a semi-normal life

By following the above routine, my metabolism has become very fast now. So, now, I indulge in heavy and high-intensity workouts to maintain my weight as well as eat protein-rich food. I also drink a lot of water and try to get 7-8 hours of sleep.

ALSO READ: Here's how drinking water at regular intervals can help you lose weight and increase your metabolism

Maintain courage, passion and stubbornness. These three attributes will lead you to your final goal.

Disclaimer: The diet and workout routines shared by the respondents may or may not be approved by diet and fitness experts. GQ India doesn't encourage or endorse the weight loss tips & tricks shared by the person in the article. Please consult an authorised medical professional before following any specific diet or workout routine mentioned above.

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How to lose weight like this guy who lost 26 kgs by tweaking his food intake instead of crash dieting - GQ India - What a man's got to do

Metabolism is the process by which your body converts your food into energy. Whatever you eat or drink, during this process gets converted into the energy that the body later uses for the day to day activities. During this complex biochemical process, the calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy that your body needs in order to function. Mostly, people blame the slow metabolism for their weight gain. It is often said that fast metabolism is the key to weight loss. So the main question is that how can one improve their metabolism and fasten the weight loss process.

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Protein-rich foods are considered as one of the best options for boosting metabolism. Eggs are rich in protein and mostly, hard-boiled eggs contain 6.29 grams which makes it an ideal choice for people who want to speed up their metabolism. The best time to consume an egg is during breakfast. That way, the metabolism is improved for the entire day.

Flaxseeds are the seeds that are rich in protein, vitamins and also other key nutrients. Some people also consider flaxseeds as functional food which is why many people will eat it for their health benefits. Flaxseeds are usuallyconsumed at night before sleeping. The best way to have flaxseeds is by adding them to the water. It can also be consumed for breakfast with your favourite cereal.

According to a report by a medical news website, studies have proventhat coffee can stimulate metabolism due to its caffeine content. It is concluded that caffeine intake has a stimulating effect on energy expenditure and can lead to increased metabolism. Also, one thing to be noted is that adding cream or sugar to the coffee will not only increase its calorie content but will also work against the caffeine's beneficial effect on metabolism.

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Healthy food items that will boost your metabolism and enhance weight loss - Republic World - Republic World

WEIGHING in at a staggering 40 stone, Teresa Marie's life was at an all-time low.

The 41-year-old had turned to comfort eating, and would gorge on 10,000 calories a day, in a bid to cope with both her brother and mother's suicides.

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And doctors warned that Teresa could be heading for an early grave - after her size triggered a mild heart attack in 2016.

Determined to turn her life around, Teresa, from Long Beach, California, had gastric surgery and has since lost an incredible 25 stone.

Now weighing 15 stone, Teresa feels happier and healthier than ever.

She said: "I now see a life full of love, happiness, good health, and most importantly I see a bright future ahead. It's never too late to turn it all around."

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Teresa's weight first spiralled out of control after her brother took his own life in 2001, after he was bullied for being gay.

Three days prior to his suicide he had been beaten up in an unprovoked homophobic attack.

"When he died I completed checked out," said Teresa.

"It was the very first traumatic loss I experienced and I blamed myself for not being able to help my brother.

"I stopped taking care of myself. My mother killed herself a couple of years later and their deaths played a role in lack of self love and self care."

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Teresa soon began emotional eating to deal with her depression and self-hate.

She said: "I was consuming about 10,000 calories per day I was eating a large pizza almost daily and stopping at fast food drive thru restaurants and hiding in my car while I ate.

"Then I would go home and eat triple decker peanut butter sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, and tons of chips, cookies, and junk food on a daily basis."

I was consuming about 10,000 calories per day I was eating a large pizza almost daily

By 2016 Teresa, then 38, was so morbidly obese that she suffered a mild heart attack, which motivated her to seek medical advice.

It was then that doctors warned her she could be dead in five years if she didn't lose weight.

Teresa said:

"My doctor said 'you need to have weight loss surgery - you're not going to live longer than five to 10 years if you don't'.

"He said 'people your size usually have the greatest success with gastric bypasses, so that is the best option for you'."

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Before she could undergo surgery Teresa put herself on a strict diet, restricting her calorie intake dramatically and walking as much as she could.

Between 2017 and 2018 she lost ten stone from diet and exercise alone and in 2018 she had gastric bypass surgery to reduce the size of her stomach.

"My stomach is about the size of a medium egg," said Teresa, who now only consumes around 1,500 calories per day.

Teresa also went keto and cut down on her calorie intake in a bid to maximise her weight loss after the surgery.

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She lost 25 stone in total and now weighs a healthier 15 stone, which has transformed her outlook on life.

"I started walking more and went on a ketogenic based diet that involved eating foods with a low carbohydrate and low sugar content," she said.

"On the day of surgery I was 390 pounds and as a teacher, I could not stand for longer than two minutes without feeling like I was going to die. Little by little I worked out."

Reflecting on her life prior to her weight loss, Teresa said: "Life was very hard and at times I felt it wasn't worth living.

"Today, at 220 pounds I feel much different about myself and my life."

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And those around her have also noticed her amazing transformation.

She added: "I have students and staff tell me 'you're so inspiring' and that's a really cool thing.

"I've spent most of my adult life trying to be invincible and now I want to inspire people."

Read more from the original source:
Weight loss: Woman who gorged on 10,000 calories a DAY sheds 25st after docs warned junk food addiction was - The Sun

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Naturally Slim, a digital behavioral health company focused on metabolic syndrome (MetS) reversal, diabetes prevention and weight management within the employer-sponsored space, today announced compelling study results which were recently published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The study, entitled, The Efficacy of Repeated Corporate Sponsored Commercial Weight Loss Programming, found that employers can help employees lose weight and keep it off long-term when they offer repeat or on-going access to employer-sponsored weight loss programs.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force reports that behavioral weight loss interventions are effective and can lead to clinically significant health improvements, based on programs that include ongoing behavioral support for participants year after year. However, weight loss interventions offered by employers are typically limited to one and done programs, restricting employees to one-time participation in a short-term program during their tenure with a company.

This study tracked the weight loss and health improvements of 11,825 employees from two different companies as they participated in the Naturally Slim weight loss program multiple times. The employees lost weight the first time they completed Naturally Slim but on-average experienced some weight regain after completing the program. After choosing to participate in the program again and brush up on the skills they learned, participants lost more weight, leading to an average long-term weight loss of approximately 4.5% of their initial body weight. And as reported by the National Institutes of Health, by losing as little as three percent of their body weight, they likely decreased their chances of developing costly diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer.

While the holidays shine a spotlight on employee health and well-being, the truth of the matter is our program must be a year-round, ongoing approach to clinical weight loss and emotional well-being to enhance participants quality of life while also saving employers money, said Rob Butler, CEO of Naturally Slim. Thats why the entire Naturally Slim experience, including the digital curriculum, online dashboard, mobile app, social community, coaching support and more, is focused on helping participants change behavior and build new skills to develop a healthier relationship with food, physical activity and mental health. We plan to continue to expand our vision of a holistic well-being ecosystem for individuals in 2020.

Naturally Slim also shared weight management and emotional well-being tips to help employers and plan sponsors better support their employees during the busy holiday season as well as throughout the year. The company, which manages over two million eligible participant lives and is the largest weight management company in the employer-sponsored space, offers an online program that teaches participants simple, repeatable skills to lose weight, move more, sleep better and stress less. It has helped hundreds of thousands of people learn the skills they need to lose weight, maintain that weight loss long term, and improve their overall quality of life.

The holidays can be a wonderful time to connect with family and friends and enjoy the fun and festivities, but they can also bring on unintended consequences for some, such as weight gain and feelings of sadness, grief, loss and loneliness. Planning out a strategy to better navigate an enticing buffet table, indulge in that special holiday cocktail, have a difficult conversation with a family member, or manage holiday stress can help employees overall well-being during the season. Naturally Slim highlights several tips compiled by its team of health professionals, including:

For more information, tips and best practices about employee weight management and well-being during the holidays and year round, visit the Naturally Slim blog at http://www.naturallyslim.com/the-skinny or to read Naturally Slims recently published article in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine click here.

For 15 years, Naturally Slim has helped hundreds of employers and plan sponsorsincluding American Airlines, The University of Texas System, Brinker International, The Hartford, Michaels, Baylor University, Genesis Health System, Oklahoma State University and many otherscombat obesity and reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk factors that can lead to serious health conditions.

About Naturally SlimNaturally Slim is the leading digital behavioral counseling program focused on metabolic syndrome (MetS) reversal, diabetes prevention and weight management in employee and health plan populations. The program has helped hundreds of thousands of people learn the skills they need to lose weight and maintain that weight loss long term. The online program teaches participants simple, repeatable skills to lose weight, move more, sleep better and stress less. Naturally Slim unites the common goals of companies and individualslowering healthcare spend and improving health outcomes. Without the hefty price tag associated with traditional behavioral coaching, Naturally Slim is the single most cost-effective way to reduce obesity-related disease in populations, helping employers and health plans do the most good for the most people. Designed and administered by experienced medical professionals and based on the most effective clinical weight loss programs, more than 50 percent of participants with metabolic syndrome reverse their condition, and 55 percent of participants reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. To learn more, visit http://www.naturallyslim.com.

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New Study from Naturally Slim Demonstrates Effectiveness of Ongoing Employer-Sponsored Weight Loss Programs - Business Wire

A new study finds that time-restricted eating helped overweight people who were at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes lose about 3% of their body weight, reduce belly fat and feel more energetic.erhui1979/Getty Images Image credit: erhui1979

Theres a lot of enthusiasm for intermittent fasting a term that can encompass everything from skipping a meal each day to fasting a few days a week.

Or, how about this approach: Simply limit your daily eating window to 10 hours. This means that if you take your first bite of food at 8 a.m., youd need to consume your last calorie of the day by 6 p.m.

A new study published in Cell Metabolism offers some evidence that the approach can be beneficial.

Researchers tracked a group of overweight participants who followed this approach for about three months. Typically, people would go for an 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. eating window, explains Dr. Pam Taub, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Diegos School of Medicine, and an author of the study.

During the fasting period, participants were encouraged to stay hydrated with water. Each day, they logged the timing of their meals and their sleep in an app.

We saw a 3% reduction in their weight and a 4% reduction in abdominal visceral fat, says Taub.

We didnt ask them to change what they eat, she explains, though participants consumed about 8.6% fewer calories likely as a result of the limited eating window.

In addition to the weight loss, we saw that cholesterol levels improved and blood pressure [levels] also improved, Taub explains. There was also some reported improvement in sleep quality, and many of the participants reported more energy.

We are surprised that this small change in eating time would give them such a huge benefit, says Satchidananda Panda, a professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and a co-author of the study. Panda and Taub have some theories that may help explain the reduction in belly fat and weight loss.

When you go into a fasting state, you start to deplete the glucose stores in your body and you start to use fat as your energy source, Taub explains. You can enter a low-grade state of ketosis.

And once stored fat is fueling your body, that can lead to a good amount of weight loss, Panda says.

There are still lots of unanswered questions when it comes to fasting, such as: Are shorter windows of fasting effective? There is recent data to show that time-restricting [eating to] even 12 hours has beneficial effects, says Dr. Phyllis Zee, the director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. She was not involved in the new study, but we asked her to take a look at it. What is interesting is the result on weight loss within 12 weeks, Zee says.

The study was small, just 19 people. All the participants were overweight and had a cluster of risk factors (elevated blood sugar, elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure) that put them at higher risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. A larger study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is underway to examine daily fasting in people with metabolic syndrome.

For now, the new findings offer some preliminary evidence of the benefits of daily fasting. Taub says you can think of a few extra hours of daily fasting as a way to give your metabolic organs a rest.

When youre constantly giving the body calories, youre constantly making your cells work, she says. Just as your body and brain feel refreshed after a good nights sleep, the researchers say fasting can help restore and rejuvenate your organs.

This is not the first research to show that the timing of meals can make a difference to our waistlines. As weve reported, a study several years back found that dieters who ate their main meal of the day before 3 p.m. lost about 5 pounds more than people who ate a dinner meal late in the evening.

And as scientists learn more, its clear that our bodies are timekeeping machines. Not only do we have a master clock in our brains, but there are also clocks in all the organs of our body from the pancreas to the stomach and liver.

Daylight is a main cue to reset our master clock each day, but its the first bite of food we take in the morning that may be an important cue to reset other clocks in our organs.

When the timing of meals does not match with the sleep-wake cycle well, theres a disconnect between the different clocks that we have in basically all the cells of our body, Frank Scheer, director of the Medical Chronobiology Program at Brigham and Womens Hospital, told us several years back.

When the clocks in our body are out of sync, our bodies dont work as efficiently, and this may lead us to store more fat, explains Panda. And over a long period of time, that can lead to Type 2 diabetes, obesity and increased risk for heart diseases, Panda says.

Read more:
Eat For 10 Hours. Fast For 14. This Daily Habit Prompts Weight Loss, Study Finds - WMFE

First of all, the water content of the fruit is very high. Almost 87 percent of this fruit is water. So, it will keep you hydrated in the winter season, when we generally drink less amount of water.

Oranges are loaded with fiber, which helps in easy bowel movement and keeps you full between the meals. Regular bowel movement is necessary when trying to shed kilos.

Vitamin C is the most abundant nutrients in oranges, which enhances skin health. The fruit helps the body to repairs damaged tissue and heal itself.

As per a 2014 study, the water-soluble vitamin found in oranges may help in obesity prevention and management. Moreover, the nutrient may reduce soreness and promote glycemic control while increasing the fat burning process in the body.

Last but not least, fruits are naturally sweet. So when you crave for something sweet, eat oranges.

Originally posted here:
Weight Loss: Here is why you should have oranges to lose weight - Times of India

People often try different things on their quest to lose weight. However, 16-year-old Uday Gupta decided to keep things simple during his weight loss journey. From not taking any 'cheat day' to walking 1000 steps every single day, his weight loss is an inspiration and a lesson that you do not need fad diets and a gym membership to lose weight. Read on to know how he lost a massive 20 kilos!Name: Uday GuptaOccupation: StudentAge: 16 years

Height: 5 feet 10 inch

City: Baghapurana

Highest weight recorded: 100 kgs

Weight lost: 20 kgs

Duration it took me to lose weight: 5 months

The turning point: My t-shirt size went from XL to XXXL and my waistline touched a whopping 46 inches. If that wasnt enough, I was chased in my school for being fat and it was a complete nightmare. As a result, I had started wearing very loose clothes to hide the fat.

One day, a guy I considered my friend said that I was the most obese person in the class. That statement pinched me like anything and I realised that I needed to get back in shape. That was the day I started my weight loss journey with dedication.

My breakfast: 2 boiled eggs and 1 glass of milk or 2 slices of bread with paneer.My lunch: 2 chapatis and 1 bowl of sabzi or dal and 1 egg or 1 chapati with two eggs. I have a cup of green tea after lunch or after heavy meals.My dinner: 1 bowl of soup or a portion of fruits like guava, apple, pineapple or papaya.Pre-workout meal: 1 cup of black coffee

Post-workout meal: 1 bananaI indulge in: I never reserved any special day as my cheat day. During my weight loss journey, my only cheat days were birthday parties, marriages and the times when I went on a vacation. I sometimes eat Maggi or fried chicken on Sundays.My workout: I never went to the gym to lose weight. Here is the schedule that I followed:Walking for 100 minutes or 1000 steps15 minutes of jumping jacks, plank, squats and dumbbell

Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Poha, boiled eggs and mushroom salad

Fitness secrets I unveiled: I strictly followed a low-carbohydrate and low-fat diet to lose a massive 20 kilos.

How do I stay motivated? I stay motivated by measuring my weight every single day.

How do you ensure you dont lose focus? Whenever I feel even a little bit demotivated, I used to see my old photographs to stay inspired. Also, the constant progress from XXXL to L felt like a huge achievement.

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Weight loss story: I lost 20 kilos after being called out as the most obese person in the class! - Times of India

When you train, without the right nutrition and healthier foods to assist recovery and fuel performance, you will simply not perform and developaccording to your full potential.

The whole new year, new me concept is often counter-productive if people try to make too many unsustainable changes too quickly. It must be done in a way that allows new habits to genuinely form. A new year is, on the other hand, a tremendously motivating time, so use that motivation to help stay committed to making the right choices for the foods that you choose to eat. As we approach Christmas, many of us (myself included) will be eating a lot. So this articles proposes additions, rather than negations, in your nutrition in order to support positive habits.

Try adding the following healthier foods into your nutrition.

Not just are they absolutely delicious, but they can help you take care of your aching muscles as well. They also help in the production of sleep hormones that help you rest better.

Who doesnt love a big bowl of colourful berries?!? Berries are regularly touted as a superfood and for good reason. They are full on anthocyanins, fibre, polyphenols and vitamins which help supercharge your recovery. Berries can be eaten anytime but may be of particular use when you are in an intense training cycle and need all the support you can get.

How to use

Vitamin C is critical for your skin, scar tissues, and blood vessels to heal themselves. Since the body cant make vitamin C on its own, consuming citrus fruits will ensure that you are pumping in enough of it for your body to fix itself.Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system, assist the rate at which we can absorb iron and is an important antioxidant that regenerates other antioxidants within the body. The reduction of stress is a side function, but this helps you to stay relaxed and recover from high intensity training.

Train hard and recover properly

You can easily cover your vitamin C demand with foods like:

Supplements are not necessarily required. The daily demand of vitamin C amounts 100 mg (equal to one kiwi). The human body can neither store vitamin C nor produce it, so it is absolutely essential as a part of your diet. Symptoms of a deficiency are easy bruising and bleeding, joint and muscle pain and a weakened immune system.

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Healthier Foods to Eat for Weight Loss and Better CrossFit Training in 2020 - BOXROX

SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY - Getty Images Some people think probiotic foods and supplements will help you shed pounds like magic. But what do the experts say?

Over the years, people have attempted to lose weight via a wide range of unproven methods: injecting pregnancy hormones, taking ephedrine supplements, or chugging lemon juice and maple syrup as part of a "Master Cleanse." Now, some people are claiming that probiotics can help you lose weight and belly fat. But is this legit, or is the probiotics craze bound to go the way of other diet fads?

Probiotics are simply bacteria that are beneficial to our bodies, particularly our digestive systems. You can find them in supplements, but they're also present in foods like yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut. Our guts contain a mix of good and bad bacteria, and a healthy supply of probiotics can make the good grow while keeping the bad at bay.

Researchers already know that our guts are important to our overall health, but scientists are now trying to figure out whether our digestive health affects our weight, too.

"Research is exploding right now with how our gut microbiome impacts obesity," gastroenterology clinical researcher Bethany Doerfler of Northwestern's School of Medicine tells MensHealth.com.

Some early findings have linked Lactobacillus probiotic strains (which are present in miso, yogurt and kefir) to weight loss. But it's important to keep one thing in mind.

"Were still very early in our understanding of our gut biome and how it affects weight," Dr. Scott Kahan, director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness, explains to MensHealth.com.

Kahan says that many studies have found a correlation between good gut bacteria and healthy weight. "In general, heavier patients tend to have more of the unhealthier bacteria, and less of the good, healthier bacteria," he says. People who are thinner also have a wider range of gut bacteria, possibly indicating the importance of gut diversity to maintaining a healthy weight.

However, Abby Langer, R.D., says experts don't know whether changes in weight cause differences in gut bacteria or whether it's the bacteria itself that impacts weight.

"We cannot determine cause and effect," Langer says to Men's Health. "We dont know the whole story."

But there's still not enough evidence to suggest that taking probiotics can lead to weight loss, in part because there's a complicating factor at play: we can't tell whether people with good gut bacteria have it organically, or if it's a result of their diets.

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"When you consider bacteria, you have to consider two sides of the equation: One side is the bacteria in your gut, and the other is the bacteria in your food sources," Doerfler says. Additionally, Kahan says that most studies looking at the link between gut bacteria and weight loss have assessed animals, not human subjects.

Some health and nutrition experts suggest that our focus should be less on probiotics, but on prebiotics, the fiber compounds healthy gut bacteria feed on. Sources of prebiotics include fruits, vegetables, and oatmeal basically, everything mom made you eat. They're low in calories, meaning they're beneficial to our waistlines as well as our overall gut health.

"People who weigh less typically have diets with more plant-based foods, which are good for weight loss and have the benefit of growing good bacteria," saysDoerfler.

Additionally, Doerfler says researchers believe these fiber-rich foods produce fatty acids in our bodies, which are thought to increase levels of GLP 1, a hormone found in the intestines. The more GLP 1 we have, explains Kahan, the less hungry we feel, thus leading to weight loss.

It probably won't hurt to take probiotic supplements, but they're unlikely to help you achieve a miraculous weight loss transformation either, according to Doerfler and Kahan.

"I dont think a probiotic is by any means a magic pill," says Kahan.

Probiotic supplements also aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, meaning there's little quality control on the market. Instead, both experts agree that fixing your diet is the best way to both lose weight and make your gut healthy.

That said, there's nothing wrong with taking probioticsjust beware of foods claiming to contain them, says Langer. These items aren't regulated by the FDA, so there's no telling exactly what probiotic is included and in what quantities. And some picks, like kombucha and yogurt, don't always contain probiotics and can be high in sugar, she warns.

Doerfler recommends the following plan for people who want to drop a few pounds while improving their digestive health.

1) Eat at least one serving of oats and barley a day. She explains these carbs are more beneficial than other types of whole grains because they are loaded with soluble fiber, which helps you poop.

2) Incorporate three to four servings of fruit and three to six servings of vegetables into your meals. You can easily achieve this by eating one serving of fruit at every meal. Veggie intake can be split up between lunch and dinner.

3) Eat one serving of yogurt each day for a healthy dose of probiotics.

Slideshow: 25 bad habits that are actually good for you (Courtesy: The Active Times)

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What You Should Know Before Taking Probiotics to Lose Weight - msnNOW

VANESSA Feltz showed off her 3.5 stone weight loss in a ruffled mini dress at the panto last night.

The 57-year-old looked incredible as she posed in a gorgeous frock and showed off her slimmer legs.

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The radio presenter grinned as she wrapped an arm around her grandson, who looked adorable in a very jazzy grey suit.

Vanessa is now down to a size 12 after undergoing surgery for a gastric band after years of struggling with yo-yo dieting.

Despite her dramatic transformation, and her three-and-a-half-stone weight loss,Vanessa has said she won't stop there and aims to lose another seven pounds by the end of the year.

Talking about the impact her weight loss has had on her relationship with her 47-year-old partner Ben Ofoedu, Vanessa admitted to Woman Magazine: "He doesn't seem to have become any less keen on a bit of how's your father, put it that way.

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"He likes a bigger woman with a big fat bum.

"Mine has almost dwindled away, so I don't think he'd have cared if I hadn't lost an ounce, but he likes the confidence."

She added: "I've been able to get sexier underwear. I love a negligee - I've got some fabulous satin ones which I think are absolutely irresistible to Ben.

Size-12 Vanessa was able to wear a bikini for the first time on holiday in 35 years earlier this summer - and felt fantastic.

5

Losing weight has also helped her worry less about having a heart attack or suffering from diabetes.

And she claims it's helped with her menopause symptoms as she feels "less hot and bothered, less bad tempered and less stressed".

Its her second gastric band after the first one, fitted in 2010, almost killed her when it went wrong.

Vanessa has been engaged to lead singer of Phats & Small since 2006. They were due to wed in 2007 and again in 2011 but have yet to get married.

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Original post:
Vanessa Feltz shows off her 3.5 stone weight loss in a ruffled mini dress at the panto - The Sun