Uh-Ohhh! You’ve generated homework for me now, following our discussion on liposuction that ensued last Thursday, during core work. As promised, I put together some info I believe you can use to help you achieve your weight loss & fitness goals. But first, let’s visit that God-awful “L” word for a minute ~ and nope, I’m not talking about “Love.”
Basking beach babe or just rocking that little black dress shouldn’t be too much to ask for ~ right? Still many would envision themselves catching a shooting star a simpler goal. People spend hours at the gym, trying one starvation diet after the other, agonizing over how to get that coveted beach body. Many have even considered liposuction to obtain that shapely figure they so desire. But before you jump on the bandwagon, expecting a quick fix, you should know that suction device is no magic wand. Before going under, here is some information you might want to consider.
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure which is done for the purpose of improving the contour of the body by removing pockets of excess fat from specific areas, such as the thighs, hips, abdomen, buttocks, breasts, waist, upper arms, and neck.
Liposuction is often performed in a physician’s office, surgical suite or outpatient surgery center. First, a solution comprised of salt water, epinephrine and a local anesthetic is injected into the area to be treated.
A device similar to a vacuum or in some cases, a large syringe is inserted into an incision made by the surgeon. Fat deposits are then sucked out of the targeted area.
Liposuction is not even an alternative to weight loss if you are overweight. It is a cosmetic procedure that offers the possibility of a smoother, trimmer body for people who are already close to their normal weight.
Another reason lipo sucks is, apparently, all the weight eventually comes back. I recently found an article on Shine.com that states, “A new study published in the journal Obesity finds that the fat that is suctioned out does come back. And to make matters worse (and possibly more expensive), it comes back in funky places, like the arms and shoulders. . . )”
Dangers of the procedure increase in proportion to the amount of fat that is removed per session. Possible complications and side effects resulting from liposuction include heavy bleeding, allergic reaction, numbness, discomfort, infection, a hole in the bowel during abdominal procedures, hyper-pigmentation, blood clots, skin burn, skin tissue death, bad reaction to the anesthetic, prolonged swelling, fluid in the lungs, lasting nerve damage and shock.
Why take such a risk for the sake of beauty when some conscious nutrition calorie counting and a custom exercise program could be equally, if not more effective and a lot more fun?
Here are some tips that can help you with your fitness goals without going under the knife:
Table of Contents
The Truth About Crunches
Contrary to the belief of many, crunches are not the most effective way to get that tightened tummy you so desire. The best way I know to get there are planks and push-ups. OR, you can just be born that way like some lucky people.
Want a tighter tummy? Try this . . .
Here are two easy plank variations I like that fitness guru and author of “30 Day Method,” Tracy Anderson shared in the April 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine.
“Tracy Anderson is a top fitness guru who helps A-Listers like Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltro sculpt a lean, foxy figure. Check out her book, Tracy Anderson’s “30-Day Method” and her website, tracyandersonmethod.com “ Cosmopolitan?April 2011
Proper Food & Nutrition habits are key to the body beautiful so maintain healthy food consciousness.
Starvation Consequences
Got an engagement but can’t quite squeeze into that sassy dress? Skipping meals is not an advisable method of losing the weight. In fact, skipping meals causes a decrease in your metabolic rate and you will be less energized. Feed your body at regular intervals. Throughout the day, space your meals out between 5-6 small ones per day.
Many people think that cutting carbohydrates out of their diets will help them reach their weight loss goals faster. This is a bad move because not only are you missing out on important nutrients but digestible carbs provide fuel for the muscles and the brain. Your indigestible carbs help aid in your digestion.
Fiber promotes good health by binding to fatty substances in the intestines and carrying them out as a waste, thus minimizing bad cholesterol. Fiber also helps regulate the body’s use of sugars, helping to regulate keep hunger and blood sugar. Insoluble fiber helps prevent constipation and promotes bowel regularity.
So, eat small portions of nutritious foods at regular intervals, and you need 20 – 30 grams of fiber each day, to help you reach your weight loss and fitness goals.
To help you make more healthy, delicious choices, check out “9 Power Foods Women Need” from EverydayHealth.com.
Here’s some info on my favorites ~ the green leafys.
Nectar of Life
Your cells, tissues and organs are made up mostly of water. 60% of your total body weight is water. Water transports nutrients and oxygen into the cells, protect our vital organs, helps rid the body of waste, helps our organs to absorb nutrients, regulates body temperature, detoxifies prevents dehydration which helps to maintain proper muscle tone, protects and moisturizes our joints. These are just a few benefits of water to the human body. Without it, you can only survive a few days.
Drink 2-3 quarts of water per day throughout the day. 2 hours before exercise, drink 3 cups of water and 2 more cups 10 minutes before. During exercise, drink at least 4 ounces every 20 minutes. Immediately after, drink 2 cups of water for each pound lost.
Still Not Satisfied With the Results?
If you feel you’re doing all the right things and still are not losing weight, here are some factors you might want to consider ~ You may not be exercising enough or at the right intensity. Perhaps you’re not getting enough sleep. You could be stressed out or overanxious about something. It’s possible you could be consuming too many calories in the beverages you choose. You might be experiencing side-effects from medication. There may be an underlying medical condition ~ or, you’re just eating too much.
Keep in mind, at the core of our fitness goals, or any goal in life, is our desire to be happy. The key is not to obsess over any issues you might have with your weight, or anything else. Do your best, and then take it beyond your best, to make sure you’re doing everything you can to reach your goals, but still enjoy life.
Any aspiration that you have should not overshadow your happiness. If you want to make it, you will. Liposuction, in my opinion, is a bit extreme, not to mention, expensive.
Note: There are no special exercises that target a particular area of the body to burn fat. If you want to lose weight, you must increase your activity and decrease your calorie intake.
3,500 calories = 1 pound of fat.
Please don’t starve yourself. It doesn’t work. A safe weight loss rate is 1% of body weight per week. BUT
Women should not take in less than 1200 Kcal per day
Men should not take in less than 1500 Kcal per day.
To conclude on a lighter note, (excuse the pun), here’s a great article I found on Yahoo! Health outlining 8 sweets that might be okay to eat.
Cardio activity using large muscle groups burns fat over the entire body.
Be patient. Believe that age-old saying, “Haste makes waste,” and stay away from liposuction.
Eat right, exercise properly and you will reach your fitness goals.
To our excellent health!
See you Thursday at Asser Levy!
Be sure and get regular check ups by your doctor.
Comments are welcome.