As another New Year approaches it always happens, I start hearing the ‘R’ word more and more. In this case, the ‘R’ stands for resolution, as in New Year’s resolution. You know the routine, people everywhere will promise / swear / guarantee that this year they will finally; lose weight, quit smoking, get a better job, etc. They usually then add something to the effect of “And this year I mean it too. No excuses this time. I’m going to do it !!!”

So can you guess what the top two New Year’s resolutions usually are?

- Lose weight / get in shape

- Quit Smoking

While I commend them on choosing better health, why do so many of these sincere people fail?
It’s not due to a lack of information, resources, or products. After all, how many ads
for diet / smoking cessation products do you see a day? If any of the products worked
half as well as they claim they do it’s amazing anyone is overweight or smokes anymore.
Maybe the answer doesn’t lie in some new diet or wonder drug. Maybe the answer is your
attitude towards losing weight. Unfortunately, marketing gurus have figured out that if
they can blame your problem on someone / something else they can sell you something.

They tell you it’s not your fault you’re overweight:

- It’s your diet so try this NEW diet

- It’s your metabolism so try this NEW pill

- It’s your DNA so blame your parents. AND try this new diet or pill.

I guess their justification is that at a minimum, if you’re going to be unhappy about your weight,
you could at least be happy it’s not your fault. The fact that they’re making money on that isn’t so bad. Is it ?
But wait, I’ve got an idea. How about we take responsibility for being overweight and
actually do something about it.

Here’s a good starting point:

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE INTO A POSITIVE ONE

Instead of thinking negative thoughts like
I’ll never lose weight - or - I gain weight easily

Try these positive thoughts

I can lose as much weight as I want - or - I control my weight easily.
Athletes have used this to improve their performance for decades. Instead of thinking
about missing a foul shot or dropping a touchdown pass, they focus on ‘making’ the foul
shot or ‘catching’ the touchdown pass. You don’t think attitude makes that much of
a difference? Let’s try this scenario:

You are the coach of a basketball team that is losing a game by 1 point. You
have one chance left to win the game so you call a timeout to talk to your 5 players.
Of those 5 players:

- 1 knows he can make the shot

- 2 think they can

- 2 aren’t so sure they can

Who do you want taking the shot?

Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, always wanted to
take the last shot. Did he make all of them? Of course not, but look at where
his attitude took him. The Hall of Fame.

When it comes to losing weight, which type of player are you? Are you sure you can
lose weight, thinking you can, or not so sure? Think about it. Losing weight is
not easy, but if your attitude isn’t right, how far will you get?

If you want to improve your attitude, try this 3 step approach:

Step 1

Starting tomorrow morning, I want you to notice every time you say or think
something negative about yourself and write it down. At the end of the day, read
your notes. If you have nothing written down, congratulations! If you do, look
over what you have written down. As you look over your notes, pretend someone
else wrote them. Now, ask yourself, do you think that person will lose weight?

Step 2

Starting the following morning I want you to notice every time you say or think
something negative about yourself and write it down. This time I want you to
try and write something POSITIVE underneath it. For example, if you have written down:

I have no will-power.

Write I have GREAT will-power.

At the end of the day, review your notes. Now look at your positive notes.
That is what you should be thinking, so start telling yourself that is what you WILL BE thinking.

Step 3

Starting the third morning you will start using your POSITIVE language.
Eliminate the negative. If you catch yourself thinking negatively, stop it,
and change it into a positive thought.

I want you to think of yourself as the Michael Jordan of weight loss.
You want to take the shot. You know you can make it. Remember, that may
not always be true, but in the long run, if you continue to work towards your goal,
think positively, and always believe in yourself, you’ll be in the Hall of fame.
Good Luck !!!

Comments / Questions can be sent to the author at MSalem@qaweightloss.com .
If you would like to join the QA Weight Loss Newsletter please send a blank email to
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To learn more about the unique QA Weight Loss process and services or
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Bill Schuchman, ACH, EFT-ADV

Bill Schuchman is the founder of Personal Mastery Inc specializing in personal growth products. He is a Certified Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, he has earned the EFT Advanced Certificate of Completion and he is a Subconscious Motivational Therapist.

Member:

* National Guild of Hypnotists
* International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association
* International Association of Counselors and Therapists
* National Association of Transpersonal Hypnotherapists
* American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists

* American Board of Hypnotherapy

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Cholesterol is a fatty, viscous substance produced by the liver. This substance has many purposes inside the body and in normal amounts it is benefic for the proper activity of the organism. Cholesterol has a very important role in protecting blood cells from damage, by covering their superficial membrane. The body also uses cholesterol in producing bile acids (which are vital in digestion of fat), vitamin D and hormones (testosterone and estrogen).

The body requires very small quantities of cholesterol to sustain its normal activity. When cholesterol is produced in excess, this substance accumulates in the bloodstream and deposits in different places of the organism. Excess cholesterol adheres to the interior walls of arteries, soft tissues and body organs, obstructing the normal blood flow. Like many other fats, cholesterol can’t be dissolved by the blood and therefore it can easily build up inside the body, causing a lot of harm. If cholesterol blocks the coronary arteries it can cause cardio-vascular diseases and even heart-attack.

Many people have high blood cholesterol levels and therefore they are exposed to heart disease. Age, gender and genetic heritage are all factors of risk in heart disease due to high blood cholesterol levels. Men are more predisposed to having abnormal blood cholesterol levels than women. People with ages over 50 also have cholesterol problems, as their bodies can’t eliminate the surplus substance. Overweight people, people with internal disorders and people with diabetes have high blood cholesterol levels due to overproduction of this substance inside the body.

Apart from internal dysfunctions that cause an overproduction of cholesterol, the excessive accumulation of this substance is also facilitated by other factors like inappropriate diet, lack of physical exercise, smoking and the consumption of alcohol. Inappropriate diet rich in saturated fats and simple carbohydrates greatly contributes to blood cholesterol build up. Foods like fatty meats (pork, poultry), organ meats (heart, liver, kidneys), fat dairy products (milk, cheese, butter), chocolate, peanuts considerably increase blood cholesterol levels. Smoking also causes a lot of harm to arteries and facilitates the accumulation of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Smoking is a major factor of risk in heart disease and many people who have abnormally high blood cholesterol levels are smokers. Alcohol abuse is also a factor of risk in heart disease, as it also raises blood cholesterol levels.

Whether high blood cholesterol is the consequence of internal dysfunctions or the consequence of unhealthy lifestyle and diet, it is important to take steps in normalizing its values. Avoid smoking, the consumption of alcohol and fatty foods if you have high blood cholesterol levels. An appropriate diet rich in unsaturated fat, complex carbohydrates and natural fibers can help eliminate blood cholesterol deposits and can also prevent its excess accumulation inside the body. Regular physical exercise is another good means of improving blood circulation and hence, decongesting the arteries clogged with cholesterol.

If you want to find great information on different cholesterol subjects check out this links. You You can find great content regarding low cholesterol recipe, cholesterol levels and many more.

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For those of us who are looking for quick weight loss, Halloween can be a scary experience! While just one night of indulgence in Halloween candy might not be enough to break your belt, dipping into the leftover stockpile for weeks on end will surely derail your diet or weight loss program.

In 1921, in Anoka, MN, the United States enjoyed our first recorded instance of a Halloween celebration. Annual candy consumption has climbed almost unabated since then. According to the Census Bureau, Americans eat nearly a half-pound of candy each week for an average of 25 pounds of candy a year. Candy is big business, with the United States boasting 1,040 manufacturing establishments producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2001. These establishments employed 45,913 people and shipped $12 billion worth of goods that year. Another 616 U.S. establishments manufactured non-chocolate confectionery products in 2001. These establishments employed 26,400 people and shipped $7 billion worth of goods that year (source: census.gov).

The overwhelming popularity of the South Beach Diet, Zone Diet, and Atkins Diet has prompted low-carb weight watchers to eat less candy. Overall consumption has actually declined over the last few years; as recently as 1997 the average annual candy consumption was a sky-high 27 pounds.

-> The Problem:
Most people on a diet plan or weight control program look at candy as little brightly-colored fat bombs. That assessment isn’t far off the mark, either, with most candy packing little nutritional value and a ton of calories.

Some of the more popular Halloween candy has too many calories to be included in any healthy diet:
* Twizzlers 1 treat size pkg.= 45 calories
* Almond Joy 1 snack size bar = 90 calories
* Milk Duds 1 treat size box = 40 calories
* Butterfinger 1 snack size bar = 100 calories
* Milky Way 1 snack size bar = 90 calories
* SweetTarts 1 treat size pkg. = 50 calories
* 1 Tootsie Pop 1 pop = 60 calories
* 1 Tootsie Roll 1 small roll = 13 calories

Note: Calorie content is based on 1 serving of Halloween ’snack’ or ‘fun’ size packages, not full size servings found in the candy aisle.

While just a few pieces of Halloween candy won’t obliterate your diet program or weight loss plan, it’s the temptation to keep having ‘just one more’ that will pack on the pounds. It only takes nine small fun-size candy bars to put on a quarter-pound of fat. Besides candy, Halloween threatens many other high-calorie treats like Caramel apples (243 calories), 8-oz. apple cider and a cake donut (319 calories), or a slice of pumpkin pie (240 calories).

-> The Solution:
Is it possible to cope with the menace of Halloween candy without taking all the fun out of the holiday? Absolutely! If you’re looking for fast weight loss, and don’t want Halloween to bring your fat loss to a screeching halt, consider these healthy Halloween tips:

1) Walk with your kids while they’re trick-or-treating. A 165-lb. woman strolling along (walking slowly) for one hour will burn approximately 150 calories (source: caloriesperhour.com).

2) Out of sight, out of mind. When the kids have unloaded their stash, store it in an airtight container and put it in the cupboard. A bowl full of candy on the counter is an open invitation to have ‘just one’, but a stockpile you can’t see is less tempting.

3) If you’re going to give out candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween, don’t buy it until October 31st. Having a candy supply in the house before Halloween only entices you to have some early.

4) If you must buy candy before Halloween, buy a kind you don’t like. Again, this will reduce the temptation for you to dig in.

5) Hosting a Halloween party? Supply vegetables, healthy dips, and low fat snacking alternatives instead of candy.

6) Set a Halloween candy deadline by which all Halloween candy must be either consumed (by the kids) or it will be thrown away. Saving that candy for weeks, or even months, only keeps temptation in the house.

7) Put more emphasis on dressing up in a great costume, and less on candy. This is especially true for the kids, who often view Halloween as a candy free-for-all dream come true.

By hosting a party on Halloween night, you can control the menu and have fun with friends at the same time.

9) Focus on Halloween activities other than eating. There are lots of options available, from hayrides to haunted houses to bonfires.

10) Candy has a long shelf life, and there’s no reason why you couldn’t put some of it in airtight bags and store it in the freezer. Allow the kids to take out one bag every two weeks until it’s gone. This tactic will at least space out the temptation and minimize candy binge eating.

Of course, the absolute best way to avoid weight gain, and perhaps even achieve some easy weight loss, during the Halloween season is to bump up the amount of exercise you’re getting. There’s no better way to lose weight fast than a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Make sure the workout you’re doing includes both aerobic and resistance training, as it is critical to get both types of exercise to maximize weight loss. It’s also important to exercise for at least thirty minutes, three times per week, which is the most recent recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (source: cdc.gov).

A fantastic strategy is to find the best weight loss program for you now, before Halloween hits. The reason is that the last three months of the year are packed with holidays, special dinners and seasonal treats. Starting with Halloween candy and ending with Christmas fudge, many people find that they’re packing on more pounds during this period than they do any other time of year.

Joining a gym is an excellent way to combat Halloween and holiday weight gain. Finding a good gym to join now will not only help keep off those holiday pounds, but will even make you slimmer by New Years.

For more free weight loss information and weight loss tips, go to www.letspickupthepace.com and click on the ‘Articles’ link.

* Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. Permission is not required for the distribution of Pick Up The Pace articles as long as they are used in their entirety, are properly credited to Pick Up The Pace, and are accompanied by our website link: www.letspickupthepace.com.

* The information in this article and on this site is for general reference purposes only and not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information in this article or on www.letspickupthepace.com should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.

Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit http://www.letspickupthepace.com for more information.

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