In the early 1960’s Jean Nidetch, an overweight housewife from New York, invited friends to her home to discuss how they could lose weight.  Her dietician recommended a diet plan which Jean and her friends followed, and began meeting frequently to discuss their progress.  With the group expanding rapidly, Jean teamed up with businessman Al Lippert and Weight Watchers was born.

More than 40 years later, Weight Watchers International claims to have helped millions of people around the world to lose the pounds. Just last year, 6,500 meetings were held in the UK each week – around 25 percent more than a decade ago.

But ironically, as the Weight Watchers empire continues to grow, so too, do our waistlines. The question is, can Weight Watchers really help us lose weight and more importantly, keep it off?

How does Weight Watchers work?

Effectively, Weight Watchers promotes a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet, to encourage weight loss. There are two different diets in the Weight Watchers programme, which is called Switch:

With the Points Plan you can eat and drink anything you like as long as you stick to a daily Points allowance.

Or

The Core Plan allows you to eat from a set list of healthy or ‘Core’ foods. There’s no limit on quantity – you simply eat until you feel comfortable. You also have a weekly Points allowance for treats.

‘Switching’ between the two programmes is allowed at any time.

Tell me more about the Weight Watchers Point System

Every item of food and drink has a Points value, which is calculated according to the calorie and saturated fat content of foods and the portion size.  The exact formula used is kept a closely guarded secret by Weight Watchers.  As a guideline though, the more calories a product contains, the higher its Points value. With the Points system, you simply add up the Points values of the foods you consume in a day and make sure you don’t go over your daily Points allowance.

So how do I know how many Points I’m allowed?

Your group leader will advise you on this when you attend your first meeting. Alternatively, if you become an online member of Weight Watchers, you’ll be advised on your daily Points allowance once you have entered your personal details.  Your daily Points allowance is based on your weight, height, gender, age and level of activity during the day.

Generally, the more weight you have to lose, the more Points you are allowed on a daily basis. For example, a 37-year-old female who weighs 12 stone and has a desk job would have an allowance of 19 Points a day. If that same person weighed 16 stone, she’d be allowed 24 Points a day. On average, most people have 20 Points a day.

What if I don’t know how many Points there are in a food?

Members who attend weekly meetings receive free Points finders to help them calculate the Points from food using calories and saturated fat details.  Basic food lists are handed out at meetings when you first join.

Members can also buy Points calculators and/or Shopping Guides with the Points values for branded and supermarket foods.  Weight Watchers on line members and members who attend weekly meetings but are also signed up for internet support (eSource) have online access to a database that includes the Point values for almost 30,000 foods as well as a Points calculator.

What if I’m really active?

Taking part in more exercise earns you extra Points. For example, 20 minutes of aerobics will add an extra 1 Point to your weekly total, whereas 20 minutes of jogging will add an extra 4 Points. You can earn as many activity Points in a week as you wish. However, you are only allowed to spend 12 of the extra Points each week on food. The general idea is to earn more than you eat.

Tell me more about Weight Watchers Core Plan?

Simply put, you eat as much as you want from a list of ‘healthy’ foods such as fruit, vegetables, wholegrain cereals, lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs, brown rice, potatoes, skimmed milk and low-fat dairy products.

You should aim to eat three meals a day and only eat until you are comfortably full (not stuffed!). You are also allocated a weekly allowance of 21 Points, which you can use for treats or snacks.

Weight Watchers Core Plan is based on foods that a have a low calorie value relative to their actual weight, foods with a low energy density. According to Weight Watchers, research shows that people tend to eat the same weight of food each day, regardless of the calories it contains. So by eating mostly foods with a low energy density you’ll feel satisfied on fewer calories.  At the same time you’re encouraged to use a scale to help you identify feelings of hunger and fullness.

How does Weight Watchers online membership compare to Weight Loss Resources?

There are many differences. For example, Weight Watchers doesn’t’t allow you to opt to lose weight more slowly, for example, 1lb or 1.5lb a week, by giving you a slightly higher Points allowance. There is also no indication given about how long it will take you to reach your goal.

Unlike Weight Loss Resources, when you complete the Weight Watchers food diary no information is provided about the daily number of servings of fruit and vegetables you’ve had, the amount of water you’ve consumed or the amount of calories and grams of fat and fibre you’ve had – all things that help to highlight whether or not you’re eating a balanced and healthy, diet.

The essential difference however, is the lack of information about calories, even for recipes.  The entire focus is on Points. This means you need to calculate the Points values of pretty much everything you eat and drink – and of course, if you have to log on to do this or search for your Points calculator, it takes more time than simply reading the calorie information on the back of food packets.

What are the pros?

No foods are banned! If you follow the Points plan, you can eat or drink whatever you like, if you stick to your daily Points allowance. There are more restrictions for the Core Plan, but you’re still allowed treats. Weight Watchers could be a good choice if you don’t like the bother of counting calories – although you need to be aware that you’ll still have to work out the Points values of many foods!

Ultimately, both the Points Plan and Core Plan encourage you to eat more healthily The Core Plan only lets you chose from healthier foods with a few treats each week.  However, while on the Points Plan, if you want to stick to your daily allowance, you need to opt for lower-calorie, lower-fat foods such as fruit, vegetables, chicken, lean meat and wholegrain cereals.  Weight Watchers weekly meetings can be a good choice if you find it hard to diet on your own and benefit from the support of others on a personal level. They also provide opportunities for making new friends.

And the cons?

Whether you opt for weekly meetings or Weight Watchers online, it is quite expensive, and if either of the diets don’t suit you, you’ll end up losing pounds from your purse rather than your waistline.  It can also be just as time consuming – if not more so – to work out the Points values of foods than it would be to simply count calories.

Many of the Points values included in the Weight Watchers database are based on portions rather than actual weights.  Whilst there’s a portion size chart to help you identify what counts as, for example, a ‘medium’ portion, this is still far less accurate than including the actual weight to give an accurate calorie or Point value.  With the Core Plan it’s still possible to consume large amounts of ‘healthy’ foods from the ‘free’ list resulting in weight gain rather than loss of weight.

What options are available for joining Weight Watchers?

The classic membership involves joining a Weight Watchers meeting near to where you live or work. Alternatively, you can become an online member. Members who attend weekly meetings also have the option of receiving online support at any time of night or day with eSource, although extra payment is required for this service. Finally, there is a Weight Watchers At Home service that gives you monthly material by post. Here’s some more information on each…

Weight Watchers Meetings

You simply find a meeting at a convenient location for you, join the class and then attend weekly. At your first meeting, you’ll agree your weight loss goals with your leader and find out more about the two eating plans. If you decide to try the Points Plan your group leader will calculate your daily Points allowance.  Each week you’ll have a confidential weigh-in and your group leader will lead a 30-minute discussion on different aspects of weight loss.  The added bonus is the support of other members to help you stay motivated.

There’s an one-off joining fee of £9, then each weekly class costs £4.95 or £4.25 if you are 60 or over. However, at certain times of the year sometimes there are offers available.  Finding your nearest class is easy too.  Simply log on to the Weight Watchers website and enter your postcode or call the hotline. You don’t need to make an appointment – just turn up.

Weight Watchers Online

There is a Weight Watchers online alternative for people who don’t or want to or can’t attend weekly meetings.  Becoming an online member gives you access to the Core Plan and Points Plan, a Points Calculator, a Weight Tracker, progress charts, recipes, weekly emails and message boards. Once signed up, you enter details of your age, gender, activity levels, weight and height and you’ll learn how many Points you’re allowed each day.

Online membership costs an initial subscription fee of £29.95 plus the £9.95 monthly membership fee (£39.90 in total for the first month), then £9.95 a month after that.

Weight Watchers eSource

Weight Watchers also offers an ‘Internet companion’ service for members who attend weekly meetings but require additional support during the week to help them stay on track. This effectively provides weekly members with all the same information they’d receive if they were online members.

As well as the fee for the weekly meetings, eSource costs £15 for the first three months then £6.95 for each month thereafter.

Weight Watchers at Home

Weight Watchers at Home allows you to follow one of the Weight Watchers plans from home. All the information is sent to you via post. This option costs £44.85 for three-months or £69.70 for a six-month subscription.

Are group leaders trained?

Group leaders aren’t’t medically qualified but they are trained to help people change their eating and activity habits and also their thinking. Leaders go through an interview process with the area manager and if successful, attend weekend workshops for intensive training. They then shadow existing leaders before running their own meetings.  All leaders have eight training sessions a year with their regional trainers and area manager, plus annual training with the national training team. Group leaders have all lost weight with Weight Watchers, so have had first hand experience of the diets and the highs and lows linked with trying to lose weight.

How much weight can I expect to lose?

Weight Watchers encourages a regular weight loss of 2lb a week.

Can anyone join?

Weight Watchers isn’t right for everyone. It’s not suitable for pregnant women or those with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.  If you discover you are pregnant when you’re already a member, it’s only permitted for you to follow the programme for the first 12 weeks. Children under the age of 10 aren’t’t allowed to join and under 18s aren’t’t allowed to become online members.

People with medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or gallstones, are also advised to see their GP before starting the plan. Women who are breast-feeding can join Weight Watchers after their baby is six weeks old providing they’ve had their post-natal examination and with their doctor’s approval.

Finally, you need to be at least 5lb heavier than your minimum weight to join.  These minimum weights are based on a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 20.

How is my goal weight set?

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is used for setting goal weights. To be at your goal, members need to have a BMI within the range of 20-25.  Each person sets their own goal weight within this range.  In terms of it’s health benefits, Weight Watchers recognise the importance of losing 10 percent of body weight, so includes this as one of the target weight.

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Around 20 years ago, researchers were examining the dietary recommendations for diabetics, and the Glycemic Index (GI) was devised.  Diabetics need to eat more complex carbohydrates because they take longer to process and digest than simple carbohydrates (sugar).

The researchers discovered that the effect of a carbohydrate on blood-glucose levels was not determined by the sugar or starch. For example, we now know that chocolate actually affects blood-glucose less than potatoes. That doesn’t mean chocolate is healthy — but I’ll get to that later.

Joanna McMillan-Price, a Sydney nutrition scientist and co-author of The Low GI Diet book explains;  “GI is a ranking (from 1 to 100) which measures the effect of a food on your blood-glucose level over the two hours after the food is eaten.”

“You get a bell-shaped curve when you eat food containing carbohydrates; the blood-glucose rises and as your body produces insulin it pushes the glucose out of the blood and into tissues, and then you see the blood-glucose level falling.” McMillan-Price explains that when eating high GI foods, you get a very high bell curve response followed by a dramatic drop. With low-GI food, there is a slower and steadier rise in the blood-glucose level.

How does low-GI promote better health?

“Research has shown that very high glucose spikes, which are glucose levels after meals, are damaging to our arteries and various blood vessels, and they promote far too much insulin to be around,” explains McMillan-Price.

Eating low-GI foods means you avoid those spikes and dramatic falls in blood-glucose so you get a much steadier stream of energy. Therefore you reduce your risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases that are implicated by those blood-glucose fluctuations.

How low-GI contributes to weight control

There are two reasons why high GI foods are bad for weight control, says McMillan-Price. Firstly, the glucose spikes stimulate hunger because you are getting that dramatic drop in glucose, 90 minutes to two hours after eating. By eating low GI foods you feel fuller for longer and are therefore, not as likely to go searching for snacks every two hours.

Secondly, insulin is a storage hormone that stockpiles nutrients for later use by the body. A high-GI diet causes a lot of insulin to be produced and when you have too much insulin in your body for too much of the time, it makes it easier to store fat and harder to burn it.

Applying the low-GI concept to your diet

McMillan-Price says the recommendation is that at least two of your daily meals should be accompanied by a low-GI food. “It doesn’t mean you should never eat high-GI foods, but preferably put most meals together with a low GI food,” she says.

However, don’t be so concerned that you think you need to know the GI value of every food.  Healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, except potatoes, should be eaten daily regardless of their GI.  Simple knowledge of the low, medium and high varieties of the major carbohydrate foods in your diet — breakfast cereals, breads, rice, pasta — and choosing the low-GI ones is sufficient to produce healthy benefits.

If you simply can’t go without certain high GI favourites occasionally, such as jasmine rice, serve just a small portion and add a low GI alternative, like a lentil dhal.  It is also worth considering what’s on your plate. Half your plate should be vegetables, and the other half split into two quarters containing protein and low GI carbohydrate.

Now, to return to the low GI of chocolate, just because something has a low GI doesn’t mean you should indulge, says McMillan-Price. “Low-GI has been misunderstood by some people who think it is the be all and end all,” she says. “Don’t use the GI as the first step in choosing what foods you should be eating. The GI should come after you’ve looked at whether something is a good food that has low levels of saturated fat and is nutrient-rich … and then the GI becomes a tool to choose which is the best carbohydrate from these sources.”

So, it’s unnecessary to know the GI of a chocolate bar because it’s clearly an energy-dense food without many nutrients which is not going to assist with weight loss.

What is the GI symbol?

Foods that carry the GI symbol must meet specific nutritional criteria and have their GI measured using the approved method.  The non-profit company Glycemic Index Ltd, runs the program, designed to help consumers choose low-GI foods.  Members are the University of Sydney, Diabetes Australia and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Glycemic Index Ltd explains that when you see the GI Symbol on a food label, you will find the GI value near the nutrition information panel along with the words ‘high’, ‘medium’ or ‘low’. You will also know that the food meets the program’s nutritional criteria.  Generally this means it is a good nutritional choice for that food group.

The GI table

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Mesotherapy is an alternative medicine treatment of injecting chemicals just under the skin to stimulate or break down tissues in the mesoderm.

For over half a century, Mesotherapy treatments have been performed in Europe, South America, and more recently, the United States. However, certain physicians have expressed concern over the effectiveness of mesotherapy, contending that the treatment hasn’t been studied enough to make a decision.

The main concern is that mesotherapy for the treatment of cosmetic conditions hasn’t been the subject of gold standard clinical trials; however the procedure has been considerably studied for the treatment of other conditions, such as tendonitis, tendon calcification, dental procedures, cancer, cervicobrachialgia, arthritis, lymphedema, and venous stasis.

Furthermore, there have been case series and numerous medical papers on mesotherapy as a cosmetic treatment, as well as studies that employ the ingredients used in mesotherapy.  The other side of the argument is expressed by Rod Rohrich, M.D., Chairman, Dept. of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas: “There is simply no data, science or information, to my knowledge, that mesotherapy works,” states Rod Rohrich, M.D., Chairman, Dept. of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons issued a position statement that does not endorse mesotherapy, but this non-endorsement is the subject of some controversy.  Since mesotherapy isn’t a surgical treatment but, to some degree, a non-invasive alternative to plastic surgery, the treatment competes with plastic surgery for the same patients.

The FDA is unable to control the use of practitioners injecting various mixtures into patient’s bodies because this practice falls under the jurisdiction of state medical boards. This is because mesotherapy is considered a “procedure” by state medical boards.

The FDA, on the other hand, is assigned to approve foods, dietary supplements, drugs, vaccines, biological medical products, blood products, medical devices, radiation-emitting devices, veterinary products and cosmetics.

Dr. Robin Ashinoff, speaking for the American Academy of Dermatology, states “A simple injection is giving people false hope. Everybody’s looking for a quick fix, but there is no quick fix for fat or fat deposits or for cellulite.” The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery informed its members in February 2005 that “further study is warranted before this technique can be endorsed.”

A growing number of dermatologists and plastic surgeons are concerned about the growing profile of mesotherapy. “No one says exactly what they put into the (syringe),” asserts Naomi Lawrence, a derma-surgeon at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. “One drug they often use, phosphatidylcholine, is unpredictable and causes extreme inflammation and swelling where injected. It is not a benign drug.”  USAToday 8/4/2004.

At present, it is banned in a number of South American countries. Even Brazil, which is less strict than the USA in drug approvals, has banned the drug for these purposes. USAToday 8/4/2004.

An alternative therapy salon is being investigated In Australia by the Health Department, following several clients had developed skin abscesses on the calves, buttocks, thighs, abdomen, shoulders, face and neck, after receiving treatment, and one patient also developed a mycobacterial infection.

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Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure whereby fat is  suctioned out of the body from specific areas of localized fat deposits.  This type of procedure can also be known by the terms suction-assisted lipectomy or lipoplasty.  Liposuction is not considered “weight loss” surgery as its aim is to reshape and redefine the contours of the areas in the body that are resistant to reduction using more traditional diet and exercise.

Who Is a Good Candidate:

Liposuction is of most beneficial to individuals who are at or near their ideal weight (within 30%) but still have disproportionate localized deposits of fat that do not appear to benefit from the effects of exercise and dieting. The best candidates for liposuction are healthy non-smokers, who have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcome.

An ideal liposuction candidate will have good skin elasticity and muscle tone. In fact, if a patient has lost a significant amount of weight and has an amount of loose hanging skin, liposuction may only exacerbate those problems.

What Liposuction Cannot Do:

Liposuction can’t take off that extra 50 pounds you’ve gained over the last 10 years. Generally, the amount of fat removed during a typical liposuction surgery ranges from 1 to 10 pounds. While more fat can be removed, large volume liposuction is associated with increased safety risks, skin rippling, and contour irregularities.

Liposuction will not generally reduce cellulite. However, there are some newer treatments that show promise in this regard, such as SmartLipo, acoustic wave therapy, and the Rejuveskin procedure, any of which may be able to be performed as a complementary procedure in addition to traditional liposuction.

Pre-Operative Considerations:

You will be examined by your surgeon, and pre-op lab tests will be ordered, to confirm your health status. This examination will include a full health history and most likely a detailed weight history. He or she may also require that you adjust, cease, or begin taking certain medications — including avoiding aspirin, many anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements — for 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Recovery & Downtime :

Most patients can return to sedentary work (desk jobs) after just 2 to 3 days. Strenuous work or exercise should not be resumed until at least 2 to 3 weeks later, depending on the extent of your procedure and which areas have been treated. As with all surgery, it is important to understand that these guidelines can vary widely based on a patient’s health, the techniques used, and other variables surrounding the surgery.  It is important to take care not to subject the incision sites to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the healing stage. Any severe pain should be reported to your physician.

Risks & Complications :

Risks and possible complications include:

• excessive bleeding or hematoma
• necrosis (tissue death)
• fat clots
• anesthesia risks
• persistent swelling or pain
• asymmetry
• changes in skin sensation
• deep vein thrombosis
• cardiac and pulmonary complications
• damage to nerves, blood vessels, muscles and organs
• unfavorable scarring, skin discoloration, contour irregularities, sagging of the skin, or other unsatisfactory aesthetic results
• need for additional surgery

Call your surgeon immediately if chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual heartbeats or excessive bleeding occur after the surgery.

Costs:

The total cost of liposuction varies widely depending on the size and number of areas being treated, as well as the specific techniques used.  The range per treated area is usually between $2,000 and $4,000, but it can be as wide as $1,500 to 7,500. The differences in cost have to do with the complexity of the procedure, your geographical area, and your surgeon’s skills, qualifications, and reputation. Some surgeons may even offer substantial discounts for multiple areas carried out in the same surgery. Total costs include surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, facility and lab fees, medications, and compression garments.

Complementary Procedures:

As many women look to liposuction as a means of balancing out the proportions of the body, it is often done alongside a breast augmentation or breast lift.  Furthermore, for patients who also have loose skin in addition to excess fat in some areas, a tummy tuck or body lift procedure may be performed to enhance the patient’s overall result.  For some, a breast reduction (via traditional techniques or via liposuction) may be chosen as well.

Seeing Your Results :

Swelling and bruising can be significant with liposuction, post-op, so results can not be fully judged for a period of at least 1 to 3 months after surgery. While most bruising will fade within 2 to 4 weeks, some residual swelling may take as long as six months to resolve fully. Modern liposuction usually involves the use of very small incisions, which generally fade over time to be virtually undetectable. The intended result of liposuction surgery is a more refined contour and better-balanced body proportions. For more information, please see “How Long Will the Results of My Liposuction Last?”

How Liposuction is Done:

1. Pre-Op Preparations

Pre-op photos are taken by the surgeon and he will also mark targeted areas on the body while the patient is in a standing position.  IV fluid lines will often be put in place to help regulate fluid levels during surgery. The patient maybe placed on monitors as well, to keep track of heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels during the procedure.

2. Anesthesia Is Administered

Medications are used for the comfort of the patient, during the procedure. Sometimes, a general anesthetic is used so that they will be asleep for the procedure. However, liposuction may also be performed using a combination of local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. The surgeon will recommend the best choice for the patient.

3. Incisions Are Made

Liposuction incisions are usually very small (about 1/8- to 1/2-inch each) and your surgeon will take care to place the incisions where they will be well hidden in natural body creases whenever possible. Often, when treating larger areas, multiple incisions are made for each treated area.

4. The Fat is Prepared for Suctioning

There are a variety of techniques available to today’s plastic surgery patients, which I’ve detailed for you in the following article: Today’s Options in Liposuction Techniques

5. The Fat is Suctioned

Cannulas (small hollow metal tubes) are inserted through the incisions. The cannulas are moved in a controlled back and forth motion to loosen and suction the fat, which is drained through the tubes into waiting containers.

6. Incisions Are Closed

The incisions are closed with surgical sutures. Sometimes, small tubes will be placed at incision sites to help drain excess fluid.

7. Post-Op Care and Instructions

Post surgery, the patient is taken to a recovery area where they will likely be given a compression garment to wear to control swelling in the treated areas and help the skin conform to it’s new body shape. The patient will probably go home after a few hours, unless the surgeon determines that they need an overnight stay in the facility.  When the patient does return home, arrangements should be made for someone to drive them to and from surgery and stay with them for at least 24 hours.

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There is a weight loss pill called Lipovox, which we have recently received a number of questions about.  It would seem that this is a very popular blend of 10 “Super Foods” prescribed by Dr. Perricone, the highly respected anti-aging guru. Dr. Perricone has his own PBS series on aging and weight loss and was recently featured on Oprah’s “How to Look 10 Years Younger in 10 Days.”

Join My Program contains a range of delicious eating plans, advice on exercise and diet nutrition, plus “brilliant” diet motivation tips.  The Join My Program is for people who take weight loss pills or diet supplements and you are looking for a healthy diet.

You may know that we are very skeptical of pills, potions, and powders that promise quick weight loss. Most of these products are nothing more than hype and charlatanism, where you lose nothing but your money.

We are however, very impressed with Dr. Perricone’s approach to lasting weight loss and in particular, his recommendation for the appropriate blend of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Lipovox contains these blood sugar-lowering and fat burning nutrients and when these are combined with the principles of “The Neuropsychology of Weight Control” can dramatically accelerate weight loss.

According to the research, the ingredients in Lipovox also have dramatic anti-aging properties (free radical scavengers) that replenish the skin, eradicates wrinkles (even acne) and increase libido. The downside is its $69 per bottle price.

Lipovox Negatives

You wont find any of the best weight loss pills located in grocery stores and Lipovox is no exception.  However, I have found Lipovox for sale at Lipovox.com and eBay. This seems to be a concern for a lot of consumers – but greatly adding to the credibility of this diet pill, Lipovox is also carried by one of the largest online supplement retailers – Fitfuel.com.

I wish the Lipovox company would provide supplement facts, but no supplement company really does (somebody could try to replicate their patented formula). Not a huge deal, but it could be helpful.

Lipovox Positives

Green Tea is an effective ingredient for weight loss and it is in there. Green Tea is one of the best weight loss supplements available and is used in the best selling diet pills available. The other ingredients are certainly beneficial and, based upon the Lipovox testimonials and clinical studies, have been show to greatly improve skincare.

Lipovox offers a 100% moneyback and satisfaction guarantee, which is a massive benefit. Unlike a huge majority of supplements out there, Lipovox.com does not try and rope you into an ‘autoship program’.

Lipovox Conclusion

Generally speaking, Lipovox is a great weight loss pill/nutritional well being supplement that could assist you to lose weight and support healthy skin. There are a lot of negative and positive customer testimonials available, but even the negative ones speak highly of the money back and satisfaction guarantee. The positives speak of amazing weight loss results and a reduction of wrinkles and acne. Lipovox has been available for over five years and is carried by major online supplement retailers.

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Sanford Siegal is a weight loss physician and author from South Florida.  In 1975, he developed a proprietary mixture of certain amino acids, whilst carrying out research for a book on the effect of natural food ingredients on appetite, which he then made into a cookie.  The intention was to control his patients’ hunger.

His patients were instructed to consume six cookies (approximately 500 calories) throughout the day to control hunger, followed by a reasonable dinner (300 calories) in the evening. The “cookie diet” was an immediate success, growing his practice within a few years, to 14 clinics in Florida and 10 in Latin America.  By the mid-1980s, more that 200 other physicians were using Dr. Siegal’s approach and products in their own practices. Soon, Dr. Siegal introduced shake mixes and soup purported to have the same hunger-controlling properties.

Between 2002 and mid-2006, Dr. Siegal licensed U.S. Medical Care Holdings, LLC, to open franchised weight loss centers that used Dr. Siegal’s name, weight loss system, and hunger-controlling cookies, shakes and soup.  Dozens of centres were opened in the United States and Canada under various names including Siegal Smart for Life Weight Management Centers. The relationship between Dr. Siegal and his former franchisee ended in August 2006. Dr. Siegal no longer supplies his products or licenses his name and weight loss system to USMCH. On September 25, 2008, USMCH filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to Forbes .

In 2007, Dr. Siegal and his son, Matthew Siegal, formed a new company to take the cookies and other products directly to the public. Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet is distributed through a Website CookieDiet.com; three Siegal Medical Group clinics in South Florida; as well as through physicians, drug stores and other retailers in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. There are also eight company-owned retail locations in California, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, and Arizona.  Siegal is also opening a new cookie-diet retail location in Beverly Hills. In January 2009, Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet was featured in a People magazine cover story.

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Modern, innovative bariatric surgery procedures allow a surgeon to ‘shrink’ the stomach so that food can be consumed in smaller amounts and absorbed at any given time.  Currently, some of the most popular bariatric surgery procedures include gastric bypass surgery, gastric banding and lapband surgery.

Bariatric Surgery – What Are the Options?

The American Society for Bariatric Surgery two main definitions for the types of weight loss surgery:  restrictive and malabsorptive.  Restrictive procedures are designed to create a feeling of repletion immediately after meals, naturally decreasing food intake or the desire for food.  Malabsorptive procedures reduce the amount of food the body can naturally absorb; these types of procedures involve intercepting the natural digestion and absorption process so that it’s impossible for the body to take in more calories.

Lapband surgery or gastric banding – gastric banding, or gastric lap band surgery involves restricting the amount of food that is allowed into the stomach. This procedure involves inserting a tube around the stomach and filling it up with a saline solution; this tightening process shrinks the stomach size, making it difficult to consume a large amount of food at any given time. The lapband is adjustable, which means the bariatric surgeon can tighten and control the tube to achieve the desired weight loss results.

Gastric bypass surgery – this weight loss procedure involves altering the digestive tract so that food cannot be naturally assimilated into the body in the usual way. This is the most popular type of bariatric surgery today, and continues to deliver outstanding results.  The procedure involves making small incisions in the abdomen – either with a surgical instrument or a laser – and then creating a small ‘pouch’ from the stomach tissue. The small intestine is then attached to the stomach pouch so that food (calories) is digested and absorbed only in this area. Variations of these bariatric surgeries include:

• Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery
• Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
• Robotic gastric bypass surgery
• Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass surgery

Are You a Good Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

A thorough psychological analysis is usually required for anyone interested in pursuing bariatric surgery or extreme weight loss surgery.  This ensures that you will be treated for any underlying psychological conditions that may have caused excessive weight gain in the first place.

What to Expect After Weight Loss Surgery

Every kind of weight loss surgery procedure needs various levels post-operative care, and most patients will need nutritional counseling and support after the treatment is over. Behavioral therapy and nutritional counseling play a critical role in maintaining results after weight loss surgery and maintaining healthy lifestyle for the future. Counseling can also help patients to adjust to their new body and make sure they receive the care and support they need for their new lifestyle. Fitness therapy or consulting with a personal trainer may help with the adaptation process.

Additionally, as well as following a strict diet plan, the patient may be required to maintain a food diary, take nutritional supplements, drink 8-10 glasses of water per day, and remain physically active. Joining a support group can help relieve the stress and pressure associated with the dramatic changes, and the bariatric surgeon and weight loss counselor can refer them to the appropriate support groups in their area.

Bariatric Surgery Costs

Gastric bypass surgery continues to be the most effective and enduring solution for weight loss, and moreover, some insurance companies do pay for the procedure if they deem it medically necessary for health. According to ObeseHelp.net, over 75% of patients are expected to lose 75 – 80% of their excess body weight after gastric bypass, and many patients are able to reduce their dependency on drugs and medication for health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis.

Costs for bariatric surgery vary widely, and depends on the location of the treatment center, the kind of surgery involved, bariatric surgeon fees, and outpatient treatment required to maintain results.  The average cost of Lap-Band surgery in the United States is $17,000 – $30,000; and for gastric bypass surgery is $20,000 – $35,000

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The Zerona laser is the newest treatment that claims to help people lose significant inches and fat without surgery, downtime, or serious side effects

The Zerona laser looks like a creature from a sci-fi movie with four move-able pod “arms” that can be directed at various parts of the body.” It’s a cold, (not hot), low level laser that emits light at a wavelength and frequency that communicates directly with your fat cells. The laser stimulates natural bodily processes. In this case, it stimulates the fat cells to form a temporary pore and through which the fatty material can “leak” and be picked up by the lymphatic system and processed for removal by the body. The fat cells continue to extrude fat into your body for up to 24 hours after the treatment (so you definitely need to have a healthy lifestyle and exercise, and you have to drink a LOT of water during the treatments. The typical treatment program consists of six forty-five minute sessions performed over the course of two weeks. Some patients will need more than the two weeks of treatment to reach their fat-reduction/inch-loss goal. Some patients will need to repeat the treatment sometime later on if they do not follow a healthy lifestyle.Who Is A Candidate?

Everyone can benefit, except for women who are pregnant or breast feeding, or those with serious liver problems. Women, especially those who have had a life transition (e.g. had a baby, newly divorced) seem to seek this out the quickest, but Zerona patients are generally anyone who doesn’t want an invasive procedure like liposuction or who has had liposuction in the past but want a non-invasive ‘touch-up” or who just want something generally less expensive than liposuction. You still need to be in reasonably good health. I frankly think this treatment would appeal most to men. At least when it comes to beauty treatments and products, guys always want the easiest, fastest route to their goal, without fuss or bother. Women seem to be a bit more patient.

Consult Your Doctor & Keep Expectations, Reasonable:

This is not a treatment for obesity, or a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise. I’d caution that while some people have gotten amazing results, not everyone does. The average inches lost based on submitted data in US, is 4.6 inches. That is incredibly impressive, but perhaps a positive attitude and diet and exercise changes really account for some of the success (not just the laser). As a way to jump start a healthier lifestyle, if you can afford it, perhaps it is a good place to begin. In addition, since chiropractors are not medical doctors, I would highly recommend that you consult with your own MD before embarking on the treatment, just to be on the safe side.

Furthermore, sticking to a low fat diet, drinking lots of water, ensuring good nutrition, and doing a moderate amount of exercise, are all free (and you can get results from just that).

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Genetics does play a role in obesity, of course, but not as big a role as you do. Most health experts say that the concept of genes compelling you to be heavy is a myth.

For the vast majority of us, genes may set the lower limits of our weight, but we set the upper limits by our food choices.

Nonetheless, we all know that most of us tend to put on weight as we age. In addition, if there is one thing we cannot prevent, it is the aging process. But we can prevent eating more and exercising less as we get older. And first of all, you have to have surgeries for food control in your life, strategies that work.

One of the known strategies is to take some weight loss medications. This does not necessarily mean those that are being advertised as diet pills but also those that fall under the category of herbal medicines. One of the fast-growing herbal medicines especially formulated to help you lose weight is the so-called herbalife weight loss product.

Herbalife weight loss product is one of the major breakthroughs as far as herbal medication is concerned. Herbalife weight loss products contain the necessary herbs in order to facilitate losing weight.

Some of the well-known herbalife weight loss products are herbalife formula 1 strawberry weight control powder, herbalife diet formula 1 tropical fruit, herbalife formula 1 vanilla diet slim lose weight, etc.

One of the best things about herbalife weight loss products is that they are great tasting products, easy-to-use, and is definitely effective in losing weight. Best of all, the prices are relatively affordable when compared to other weight loss products.

To know more of the benefits that herbalife weight loss products can do for you, here is a list of the advantages.

1. One of the best things about herbalife weight loss products is that you do not only lose pounds but also inches. This means that herbalife weight loss products do not just get rid of excess fats but also tone and shape the body built, curbing the imminent re-accumulation of fats.

2. Herbalife weight loss products do not only make you lose weight but also supply you with the nutrients that are needed by the body’s cells on a daily basis.

3. Herbalife weight loss products are known to have excellent taste that is why more and more people who have tried it are satisfied with its yummy flavors.

4. Best of all, herbalife weight loss products lets you eat more of the foods you like without having to worry about accumulating more weight in the end.

5. Herbalife weight loss products are also known to help you lessen the extra calorie ingestion. Hence, losing weight will be more effective.

What’s more, herbalife weight loss products give you the pleasing feeling that curbs your hunger while you lose weight.

The bottom line is that your mission for preventing weight gain, should you decide to accept it, is to eat fewer calories when you are not involved in activities that burn up those calories. Then, try to incorporate these herbalife weight loss products in your diet.

In the end, you will achieve the ideal weight you have long wanted to obtain.

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A high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate plan, the Atkins diet is probably one of the most recognised fad diets.  It has been known for many years and has been through many changes.  Formerly, the plan included unrestricted amounts of meat, cheese and eggs, but placed severe restrictions on carbohydrates, including sugar, bread, pasta, milk, fruits and vegetables.

Their website states that the current Atkins diet plan “is about eating delicious and healthy foods, which makes it so much better than any of those fad diets out there.  You eat a variety of your best loved foods; lean protein, leafy greens, vegetables, nuts, fruits and whole grains.  You also get delicious Atkins bars and shakes from the first day and every step of the way.

The Atkins plan is based on the concept that eating carbohydrates increases production of insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, leading to increased weight gain and hunger.  The plan holds that dieters, when converting to this plan, will experience reduced appetite, and their bodies will use stored fat for energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion.  Burning fat for energy will allegedly lead to weight loss.

Advantages

The most recent version of the Atkins diet is easily the most nutritionally balanced.  As never before, the Atkins diet has placed an emphasis on the kinds of fat being consumed instead of allowing all dietary fats.  The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are now emphasized over saturated and trans fats. The diet has also changed to allow “good carbs” instead of placing severe restrictions on all carbohydrates. These foods provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals that were once lacking in this diet. The high amount of protein will be valuable in keeping you full. Research is clear that protein has a positive impact on increasing satiety, meaning that you will feel full between meals.

Disadvantages

Although there was never any acknowledgement of any flaws in any of the diet plans, the Atkins diet has gone through many revisions over the years.  Until recently, there have never been any studies regarding the safety or efficacy of the plan.  Short-term studies have shown improvements in blood cholesterol and blood sugar, with an increased weight loss over the first three to six months when compared to control diets.  The weight loss is not sustained at one year unfortunately, and improvements seen were due to weight loss and not the actual diet.  The long-term safety of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets is unknown at this time.  In a 2007 rating of diet books carried out by Consumer Reports, the Atkins diet was ranked at the bottom.
The first of four phases to the plan, is severely restricting carbohydrates.  This induction phase last two weeks, and the claim is that you can lose up to 15 pounds in this time.  During this phase you consume no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates daily.  For example, one slice of bread has 15 grams of carbohydrates, a serving of fruit has 15 grams of carbohydrates, one serving of dairy has 12 grams of carbohydrates, and a serving of vegetables can vary between 5 and 15 grams of carbohydrates.  Clearly that 20 grams is extremely limited, potentially unhealthy, and would be difficult to follow for the long-term.

The Atkins web site states that “depending on how much weight you have to lose, you can safely continue with the induction phase as long as the following three conditions are met:

• Your blood chemistries, lipid values, blood pressure or blood sugar levels continue to improve or remain stable and within normal limits. (You will have to visit your doctor to have these levels tested.)
• You feel well and are experiencing a high energy level, normal sleep patterns, and stable moods.
• You are not bored. Boredom could lead to cheating and undermine your efforts.”

The majority of people who follow this diet do so without medical supervision, and this can become a very dangerous situation for them.
The induction phase only seems to be beneficial for getting people familiarizing people with losing weight at a fast rate, which is unhealthy, and unsustainable.  Rapid weight loss does not mean healthy weight loss. Diets that promotes fast, easy weight loss is one to approach with extreme caution.  It is clearly stated in the guidelines that a safe, healthy rate of weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week, following the first couple of weeks.  The Atkins diet affirms that you will lose “only body fat” by eating regular meals, taking in adequate calories, and keeping your insulin levels down.  It is impossible to lose only body fat when losing weight.  Every pounds gained from consuming more calories than you need is 75% fat and 25% muscle, and every pound you lose from curtailing 3,500 calories is the same ratio of fat and muscle.  Although the Atkins diet claims to be scientifically based, assertions that you will lose only fat are not derived from scientific fact.

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