Cycling is the Best Sport For Weight Loss

Why is cycling so good for weight loss?
If you take a quick look on any cycling websites or tv shows you will soon notice that cyclists always tend to be very lean, slim figures. Why is this? Well with most sports or workouts the intensity is high and the body tends to source most of it's energy from stores of the bodies carbohydrates or glycogen.
Cycling is generally known as a low intensity sport. When cycling at a low intensity (not sprinting) the body tends to burn more fat that carbohydrates. The more you cycle the more efficient your body becomes at burning fats and the more they will be used as the primary source of energy.

Why is Cycling Better Than Other Sports For Weight Loss?

The great thing about cycling is that it is virtually impact free. Think about it, when you go out for a jog every time your foot hits the floor there is an impact. Over the course of say half an hour of continuous impacts damage will occur to your muscles in the form of tiny tears.

When you are cycling there is not impact as such, just constant resistance against your pedalling motion. It is for this reason that cyclists encounter far less injuries than runners. In addition you are able to cycle more for longer as the muscle damage caused by impact sports often leave you with very stiff or sore legs for a few days after a workout meaning you are unable to exercise more. Your body is able to recover much quicker form a cycling workout meaning you can workout more regularly and lose more weight.

How To Lose Weight Through Cycling

Another common misconception is that the harder you pedal the more weight you will shift. This probably explains the popularity of spinning classes in gyms. However the opposite is true, spinning tends to increase your muscle mass and burn carbohydrates not fat.

If your aim is to lose weight through cycling you are better of going for longer less intense rides as these will maximize the amount of fat your body burns.

Follow this link to learn more about how I lost loads of weight by optimizing my cycle training.

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Weight Loss Recipes - 7 Proven Fat Melting Foods

In this article you will discover the 7 natural, tasty fat burners that anyone can include in their healthy weight loss recipes. These are all rich in nutrients and possess Fat-melting talents for you to shed some unwanted pounds off your body.

You can include these foods in any sensible weight loss recipe to give your body that extra metabolic kick, which is vital to shave off weight quickly. All the foods listed below are very rich in nutrients and possess special fat-burning talents which in turn will satisfy your hunger.

1. Grapefruit -- Grapefruit is a must when it comes to healthy recipes for weight loss. According to Dr.John Cerd of the University of California it dissolves fat and cholesterol and has an average of 74 calories, which in turn delivers a whopping 15 grams of pectin. This is a special fibre which helps to lower fat and cholesterol. It is also rich in vitamin c and is fat and sodium free.

2. Coffee -- coffee is considered one of the best metabolic enhancers according to Dr. Mary Adams of the University of Florida. Studies also show it can burn more calories than normal. We've all heard though about the potential dangers of caffeine which can increase anxiety and insomnia. So moderation is the key here. (To follow a low calorie weight loss recipe add some skimmed milk and try doing it without sugar)

3. Soups -- a study was affected way back in 2004 by a very talented nutritionist Dr Andrew Foreyt of Baylor College of medicine in Texas. He found that dieters who ate soup before lunch and dinner as part of their low fat weight loss recipes, tend to keep the weight off longer than those who didn't and in fact the more soup they ate the more weight they lost.

4. Apples -- the most practical effect of these marvels of nature is to leave you feeling satisfied longer, says researchers. In fact A research done by Dr Peter Webber of the medical University Of Kentucky shows that apples are very rich in soluble fibre which prevents hunger pangs by guarding against dangerous swings or drops in your blood sugar level. A must in every weight loss diet recipe.

5. Spinach -- Rich in iron, beta caoten and vitamins c and e spinach has the ability to lower cholesterol, burn away fat and rev up your metabolism. It supplies all the weight watchers recipes with most of the daily nutrients needed.

6. Mustard -- a study by Dr Garreth of Oxford Polytechnic in England found that one teaspoon of mustard normally called for in Mexican, Indian and Asian recipes speeds up the metabolism just as caffeine. "Mustard is natural and totally safe" Jane says. "it can be used in everyday weight loss recipes and it really works" "I was shocked to discover it can speed up the metabolism by as much as 25 to 30%" Dr Jane says.

7. Tofu -- You must include tofu in your weight loss plans. It's a health food from Asia also called soybean curd. Tofu contains iron and calcium, almost no sodium and no saturated fats at all. Experts suggest 40 grams per day. It increase metabolism a lot and even lowers cholesterol. Tofu is ideal for your weight loss recipes when adding it to soups, salads and sauces.

These are just 7 fat burning foods which all contain fat melting talents. There are more proven and popular fat fighting foods to include in your weight loss recipes. You can also learn how to use a technique called calorie shifting - you can confuse your body to burn fat faster.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Curmi

Can Lemon Juice Substitute Lime Juice For Weight Loss?

Some people are wondering if lime juice can be substituted for lemon juice for weight loss and vice versa. The answer would be yes. Any fruit which consist of citrus acid in it can be substituted with each other such as lemon, grapefruit, lime and others. Both lemon and lime juice can provide acidic elements and some zest to your recipes when baking and cooking. If you don't have one of them then it is alright to substitute with the other.

Why Use Lemon Juice for Weight Loss
There are already several claims about the success of this diet. In order to effectively lose weight, you can squeeze a lemon in the warm water every morning. Some people are wondering whether these claims are actually real. Well, it seems that it is a fact due to the evidence gathered on the effectiveness of lemons in regulating the absorption of sugar in the body as well as in improving your digestion. Aside from this, it has also vitamin C which is a very important element for those who are serious about their weight loss. This is because the body will absorb more calcium into the fat cells which can help in losing weight.

How Does Lemon Juice for Weight Loss Works
Actually, it is quite surprising how juice of the lemon can be very effective in sugar absorption as well as in regulating metabolism and as a result helps you in losing your extra weight. The secret is hidden behind the acidity content of the lemon. Lemon juice is full of citric acid. That is why, if you take a glass of lemon juice with warm water at the start of the morning, you can achieve a healthy natural digestion in your stomach. The citric acid in the lemon will interact with enzymes and the other acids in your digestive system so that you can have a worry free and healthy digestion.

Lemon juice for weight loss can lower your absorption of sugar. According to studies, it just takes a little lemon and you can already lower your absorption of sugar. This is due to the high content to acid in lemon. Aside from the lemon juice, you can also eat the lemon peels. The peels contain pectin which can help in losing weight because it will form a gel substance in your stomach and helps in the sugar absorption of the food that you eat.

According to the research done at Arizona State University, those people who are eating foods which are full of vitamins such as lemon, lime, oranges, kiwi fruit and grapes are less likely to gain more weight compared to those who have low intake of vitamin C. Aside from having a healthy digestive system, it can also help in absorbing more calcium from the foods that you eat and the calcium will be stored in the fat cells. The more calcium you have in your fat cells, the more you will burn fat. So, this is another benefit from lemon juice for weight loss.

For info on juicing for weight loss ideas, visit http://juicingforweightlossideas.com

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Discover the Best Sports for Fast Weight Loss

Burning 3,500 calories to lose one pound may sound pretty tough. However, it is not difficult to see fast weight loss when you participate in sports, like basketball, cycling, hockey and speed skating. You can actually burn 1,000 calories every hour that you spend playing these games. According to recent studies, swimming, running, kickboxing and soccer are among the best activities to help you lose belly fat. They can also be plenty of fun.

Swimming is a fabulous exercise for fast weight loss. It makes no difference in you are in a pool, a lake, a river or the ocean. You can burn more calories in the water than any other exercise. After all, you are using every muscle in your body when you swim. The cardio workout is fantastic. Blood pressure is reduced, and cholesterol is lowered. Even stress can be fought off in the water. The exercise can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. When swimming, it is best to mix up your exercise by varying your technique every 5 minutes or so. For example, you can start with a breaststroke, following by the sidestroke. Then go into the backstroke, and finish off with the butterfly stroke. Just remember to start out slow and gradually increase your time and speed. Of course, don't dive in for 90 minutes after you've eaten to prevent painful cramping. But you already knew that.

Both long and short-distance races can be a blast. Running and jogging are ideal options for quick weight loss. Not unlike swimming, you should start out slowly, and gradually increase your time and your speed. You will exercise your heart and your lungs, while building lean muscle in your legs with running and jogging routines. At the same time, the time alone is wonderful for dealing with stress. Running is also marvelous time to listen to the good stuff on headphones. In time, you can start running fast enough to burn well hundreds of calories every hour. You may even win the first place ribbon in an exciting race.

Kickboxing is always an exciting way to slim down. You get to kick and punch bags, if not opponents to burn calories. The more you practice, the more your body will gain speed, power, balance and agility. Your heart and lungs will get great workouts as well. You will also fight off stress, and build up your body's endurance. You can eliminate between 300 and 700 calories with every hour your spend with the sport. Regardless of your age, weight or experience, you can trim down in no time with kickboxing.

Whether you are indoors or out, playing soccer is an excellent exercise to help you lose weight. Unless you a goalie, you will probably be chasing the ball nonstop. Your body will continuously have to speed up, slow down, suddenly stop and change direction. You'll kneel down and jump as high as you can to reach the ball. Meanwhile, your body will burn a few hundred calories every hour you spend playing soccer. Like many other games, playing soccer can get so intense, you'll forget you are playing to see fast weight loss.

When I was a kid, I loved playing sports. However, I grew old and out of shape. I asked my doctor how to lose weight fast, and he told me to start playing sports again. Ever since, I've been having fun with my friends, as well as my kids, playing water polo and racing in the swimming pool. Best of all, I am seeing quick weight loss. Thanks Doc!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_D_Barkley

Cardio Does Not Help Busy People Lose Fat

Research proves it.
In fact, in a head-to-head study, at University of Glamorgan, sports scientists found that short intense workouts helped subjects burn more belly fat - while cardio didn't work at all.

I am an elite personal trainer and sports scientist and have something very exciting that you need to know, I have been working in with normal people (like you) for over 15 years, and I must say you may be missing a trick....or even two.

By fixing these two parts of your programme you could start seeing results again. In this article I will share the two effective and important changes I have made to many of my clients programmes over the last 15 years. I use these strategies to help get real results for real people like you.

"We do more of the stuff we like and less of the stuff we don't like as life goes on." Wouldn't you agree? It's our prerogative! Isn't it?
There are two thing lots of you have in common. Firstly, you are avoiding the tough stuff and doing too much of the easy cardio and secondly you are not doing any intense strength training.

What do I mean?...
If you are like some of my clients were when we met, you may not be working at a high enough intensity and are doing too many hours of SLOW boring cardio. STOP. PLEASE.

Combine this slow boring cardio with the fact you probably don't do intensive strength training. This will lead to increasing body fat stores and decreasing muscle stores - the opposite of what you want.

I heard slow cardio is better for being in the fat burning zone?
This is technically correct but very misleading. You will burn more fat while exercising but you will expend less energy overall, compared to high intensity intervals. Overall energy expenditure is key.
Your ultimate aim is obviously improvement. That's not complicated, that's why you train your ass off. So how come you have not seen any real results in years?

There are two common things in my opinion:

1. Too Much SLOW BORING CARDIO!
2. No Intense Strength Training

Improving Your Fitness - The easy way!
The measure of how fit you are is called your aerobic capacity or VO2Max. If you have trainer for a long time, your Vo2 Max will now only improve with high intensity training.

Training at intensities above 90% VO2max is one of the most potent routes to fitness improvements.
If you are already doing interval running, cycling or swimming, well done - join the club, what you need to do now is High Intensity Strength Training aka - circuit training.
Good circuit training combines the aerobic interval work (you may be already doing) and the muscle strength endurance work. This is commonly the most overlooked component of the amateur programme. It's meant to be in there but it often left out in favour of slow cardio.

A typical circuit training workout will include exercises that improve your running and strength endurance, foot speed, core stability, lactate acid tolerance, VO2 max, all in one highly efficient workout.

DIY Circuit Training- make up your own circuit and do it at home or integrate some muscle endurance exercises to your next interval session on the bike, road or pool - press ups, squats, vertical jumps and lunges to name just a few.

Remember your system needs to be fuelled well when you are expecting your body to perform. If you do not fuel your system well you will struggle training in the "red zone", just feeling ill if you are lucky, picking up injuries if you are unlucky.

*Please note* this type of training is not for people who want to be in their comfort zone, it hurts, it makes you feel a bit sick (that's the lactic acid... gotta learn to love it!). It is higher risk too. You need to be in good physical condition - mobility, flexibility and core stability to lessen the risk of injury.

*NOT FOR BEGINNERS*
It will however boost your overall fitness like crazy (VO2 Max) and ultimately your performance. Once or twice a week for 12 weeks would be enough to notice a difference; two and three times per week will change your body shape.

If you follow these two simple steps and cut out the slow boring cardio and fuel your system for the training. You will take a huge step towards improving your performance and seeing results. Trust me I'm a sports scientist!

Now you know some vital information which will hopefully help your exercise program and increase your chances of achieving your goals. For more information from our team of sports scientists on personal training, boot camps, diet and nutrition, psychology, injuries and treatments, and rest, recovery and conditioning and many more why not visit: http://advancedsportsperformance.co.uk/
There are many easy to read helpful articles which can inspire you to reach your fitness and exercise goals FASTER!

Thanks for reading.

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