Tuesday, February 8, 2011

How to Lose 30 Pounds in 2 Months

If you are somewhat on the heavier side, I am sure you must have from time to time given it a thought as to why are you overweight? There are two major reasons why a person gains weight. Firstly, due to excess eating or eating wrong kinds of food. Secondly, due to lack of physical activity or exercise. So, if you want to identify how to lose 30 pounds in 2 months, you have to bring about some changes in your dietary habits as well as include some sort of physical movement in your daily schedule. Here are some of the best ways to lose weight.

A Strong Will
If you ask me, "Is it possible to lose 30 pounds in 2 months?", yes certainly it is. However, you need to be really determined and focused to achieve this target. If you make up your mind for once and follow the diet and exercising tips mentioned below, there are no two ways that you can get the body that you desire.

Healthy Weight Loss
When trying to lose weight, do not ever go in for any of the fad diets. The reason being that most of them suggest you to follow an unbalanced diet, which would deprive you of the essential nutrients that your body need and this is very unhealthy for you in the long run! So, even if they promise that they will teach you how to lose 30 pounds in 2 months without exercise, do not follow them. Instead aim for a healthy weight loss.

A Balanced Diet
Now since most of us gain weight due to eating the wrong kinds of food, it is time that we reverse that i.e. follow a healthy, balanced diet. So, here are some effective tips for you on quick weight loss by taking a balanced diet:

* Give up foods such as processed foods, fatty foods, fried foods, sodas, carbonated drinks and alcohol. They do nothing for your body health-wise, except for adding calories!
* Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and all essential nutrients. On top of that, most of them contain very less calories. So, to lose weight, make sure that majority of your diet is made up of them.
* Your diet should have the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins, calcium, fiber and fats. Mono-saturated fats such as those found in olive oil and fish are essential to be included in a weight loss diet as they help in burning fats. Fiber and protein rich foods keep hunger at bay for a longer time, thus reducing the overall food intake of a person. This makes them another must have in a weight loss diet.
* Include negative calorie foods in your diet such as tomatoes, eggs, apples, cucumber and low-fat milk. Our bodies need more calories to burn them than these foods actually contain. So, eat them to lose weight.

Small Meals, Small Food Portions
Most of us are used to eating three big meals in a day. However, instead of that, inculcate a habit of eating five small meals. So, the best way to lose 30 pounds in 2 months is by eating small meals, five to six times in a day and keep the food portions small. In case you are taking five meals, preferably three of these should be made up of fruits and vegetables. Also, take your dinner at least two hours before going to bed. This will give your body enough time to digest it.

Exercise
Exercises are a must in any weight loss program. So, for your query, "how to lose 30 pounds in 2 months with exercise?", your exercise routine should comprise of certain warm-up exercises, followed by cardiovascular exercises and then exercises aimed at stretching and toning particular body parts. You can choose any of the cardiovascular exercises of your choice from swimming, aerobics, jogging, walking, running, dancing, etc. Include weight training too, irrespective of the fact whether you are a man or a woman, as it aids in conversion of fats into muscles. Preferably, join a gym so that you have a trainer to guide you on the exercise program to follow, depending upon your own individual body needs.

A Gallon of Water
Drink a gallon of water everyday. Water keeps the digestion strong. It helps in eliminating wastes from the body. Plus, drinking water can sometimes suppress our urge to eat food! So, enjoy all these benefits by drinking lots of water everyday! You may further refer to how to lose 30 pounds in 30 days.

Stress Management
Stress is a major contributor to weight gain. So, along with a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine, undertake stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation. They will calm your mind and relax your body, making you feel good from within!

Here's hoping that now you know how to lose 30 pounds in 2 months. So, if you are ready to take a healthy diet and maintain a regular exercise routine, very soon you will see those extra pounds melting away! All the best!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Tips For Controling Health Insurance Costs

One of the insurance companies I am appointed with has recently sent an email newsletter with some valuable tips for maximizing your health insurance and taking care of your health.

In my opinion, the tips they shared are good advice.
Health care is a sizable budget item for many of us. Here are some ways you can help control your health care costs.

  1. Take control of your health. Sleep and exercise more. Eat better. Stop smoking.
  2. Don’t ignore symptoms. Catch problems before they’re serious.
  3. Wash your hands to help stop the spread of viruses.
  4. Manage your weight. Many healthful vegetables cost less than processed foods. Smaller portion sizes can help you lose weight and cut grocery costs.
  5. Before you visit a doctor, call to verify she or he is still in the provider network.
  6. Let your doctor know you want to save money. Ask for generic prescriptions when needed. Ask for prescription samples. Check drug company websites for coupons or special offers.
  7. Don’t use the emergency room as a substitute for an office visit.
  8. Read your medical bills closely. If you find an error, send us a letter detailing the error.
  9. Health Savings Account customers can save more by maximizing the tax advantages of their HSAs. If you have an HSA, deposit the most you can afford each year up to the legal limit. Remember, funds can be used tax free for many out-of-pocket medical expenses, like dental and vision care.