Go Wear Fit Armband Monitors Calories for Weight Loss

Many people who want to forgo weight loss surgery in hopes of losing weight the natural way work with personal trainers, nutritionists and fitness professionals to stay motivated  and maintain steady weight loss with a weight loss program.

People who are watching their weight and committing to a healthy lifestyle often turn to calorie counters and weight loss journals to keep track of their process. The Go Wear Fit armband has recently been released to the consumer market by Ki Performance and US partner BodyMedia, Incorporated as a way to help people stay motivated and stick with their weight loss goals. The sensory armband is strapped onto the triceps to measure motion, skin temperature, changes in body temperature, and the galvanic skin response.

The reading on the monitoring device tells the person how strenuous a particular activity is, and how many calories they have burned from the activity. Individuals can upload the data collected in the armband into an online account and pay a monthly subscription fee to maintain it. In addition to monitoring calories burned, the Go Wear Fit armband can help individuals log their meals, make sure they are getting enough sleep, and also track the relationship between energy from food and energy that is burned throughout the day.

According to the Go Wear Fit website, the armband lets people decide what’s best for their lifestyle, and set their own personal goals. They can then monitor everything online and see how much progress they’ve made over the course of a week, month or several months at a time. The armband continues to collect data throughout the day, and provides accurate information 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

The retail price for the Go Wear fit Armband plus the 12-month subscription commitment is $249.90.  More information about the Go Wear Fit armband can be found here.

Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery Unveils ‘First Year of Your Diet in a Day’ Program

Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery, a world-renown plastic surgery center in Beverly Hills, has announced its new transformative body sculpting procedure called the First Year of Your Diet in a Day ™.

This program is designed to help individuals lose a significant amount of body weight by jumpstarting their diet process with liposuction. The procedure involves removing only some of the body fat that the person desires to lose, and then focus on making dietary and lifestyle changes so that the patient can lose the remainder of the weight on their own.

According to Medical Director Dr. Lloyd Krieger, “At Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery, we believe there is a middle ground…We offer select patients liposuction designed to jump-start their dieting process…[this]  provides enough change that people are in the position to have greatly improved body image and continue the process of dieting – from a position of physical and emotional strength.”.

Dr. Krieger further points out that those who think they need additional help may be more suitable candidates for a tummy tuck procedure or a complete liposuction procedure.

The emphasis of the First Year of Your Diet in a  Day ™ program is to shift the focus away from instant results with liposuction, and focus more on maintaining a healthy lifestyle after the fat has been removed. Many patients who undergo liposuction struggle with keeping the weight off for months and years following the procedure because they do not maintain a healthy diet or undertake any type of exercise regimen. The First Year of Your Diet in a  Day ™ gives patients the opportunity to learn how to eat sensibly and start introducing exercise into their daily lifestyle so that it become easy to lose the weight and keep it off for the long-term.

Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery has relationships with nutritionists and other health professionals in the area so that the transition can be more successful for all patients.

Probiotics Help Gastric-Bypass Patients Lose Weight More Quickly

Gastric-bypass patients are often required to commit to nutritional counseling sessions and a regular exercise regimen in order to lose weight and keep it off for the long-term. Researchers now say that many patients can benefit from taking probiotic supplements because these supplements help with the complete digestion of food, and can help prevent any major nutritional deficiencies.

A study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery in July indicates that gastric-bypass patients that took probiotics immediately after their procedure, along with their nutrition program, were able to lose weight much more quickly than those that did not. The research was conducted at Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Hospital and Clinics, and was led by John Morton, MD, associate professor of surgery t the medical school.

Dr. Morton has performed over 1,000 gastric-bypass surgeries at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, and states that he was surprised at the results achieved with probiotic supplementation when comparing the results of those in the control group. The probiotics group achieved approximately 48 percent weight loss, while the control group achieved approximately 39 percent.

Those who took probiotics also had higher levels of B-12 in the body, which is often depleted in patients who have had gastric bypass surgery. Many patients do struggle with nutritional deficiencies after gastric-bypass surgery because the digestive system may not work the same as it did before the surgery. Probiotic supplements may be effective in improving the digestive process and helping the patient absorb all of the nutrients they need from every meal.

The nutritionist or dietician that partners up with the gastric bypass patient can provide recommendations on brands and types of supplements that will be most beneficial for the patient. Probiotics are available over the counter at most drugstores and health food stores, but it is important for the patient to select a quality brand, and ensure that the caplets are easily digestible. For now, Dr. Morton and his research team suggest that all gastric bypass patients add probiotics to their nutritional regime.

(Source: MedicalNewsToday.com)

Sensa for Weight Loss – Does it Really Work?

While millions of Americans continue to jump into the latest diet fad in hopes of losing weight, most end up stuck on a yo-yo cycle of weight loss and weight gain and miss out on eating foods they truly enjoy.

Sensa, one of the latest weight loss aids to enter the market, offers a radically different approach to dieting and weight loss.

Sensa works by curbing appetite so that eating smaller portions becomes a natural habit.  Instead of forgoing certain foods, counting calories and following restrictive diet plans, sprinkling Sensa crystals on food allows the dieter to continue to eat regular foods but pay attention to their body’s fullness response.  Sensa Tastants are designed to trigger the feeling of satiety early in the meal so that eating more simply feels uncomfortable.

Sensa is not a drug, and does not contain ingredients found in many diet pills on the market.  The product is made with maltodextrin, tricalcium phosphate, silica and natural and artificial flavors. It’s also calorie-free, and can be used as a topping or seasoning on almost any food. The product works by sending satiety signals to the brain and hypothalamus to naturally suppress the appetite.

But does this weight loss program really work?

The Sensa weight loss system is backed by several clinical studies and has been tested by Dr. Alan Hirsch, Neurological Director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.  He developed the flavorless crystals that can be sprinkled easily on food to make it easier to manage portions, regardless of the type of meal.  Since the Sensa weight loss system encourages people to pay attention to their feelings of satiety, it may help some people lose weight naturally because they are only eating when they are truly hungry.

A one-month starter kit costs $79 online, and larger quantities are available. Sensa crystals are designed to be sprinkled on meals and snacks to evenly coat the foods, and come in both Sweet Tastant and Salty Tastant varieties.

Researchers Report Detox Diets Just a Myth

If you’ve been thinking about jumping into the latest detox diet trend to ‘jumpstart weight loss’ or lose a few pounds over the weekend, you may be putting your health at risk.

Detox diets continue to be one of the most popular fads of the diet industry, and ‘detoxers’ claim that you can get rid of cellulite, reduce bloating, and flush your system in a few days by eating certain foods.  However, health experts in England are saying that the effects of the detox diet are based more on marketing hype than solid research.

Martin Wiseman, a visiting professor of human nutrition at the University of Southampton explains that, “The detox fad – or fads, as there are many methods – is an example of the capacity of people to believe in and pay for magic despite the lack of any sound evidence.” (Source: bbc.co.uk)

Researchers in the United States also report that many detox books and quick-fix solutions that promise to get rid of toxins do not speed up the natural detoxification process, and most people experience a significant amount of discomfort from most detox programs that require a drastic reduction in calories and a cold-turkey approach for eliminating caffeine, sugar and alcohol from the diet.  Some foods may even cause more discomfort; vegetables such as cabbage (i.e. the Cabbage Soup Detox Diet) can contribute to bloating and excess gas, and  are generally a naturally toxic food.

The latest detox diets continue to grace the covers of popular women’s magazines and appear in different forms as the latest diet book or trend.  However, most people who jump into a reduced-calorie program in attempts to ‘flush’ away pounds may be doing more harm than good.

Dieticians and nutritional therapy experts encourage avid dieters to simply stick with a healthy eating plan that contains a significant amount of leafy green vegetables, is low in sugar, and contains enough fiber for the individual to get rid of toxins naturally and on a regular basis.

WSJ Reports Cellulite Treatments Offer Limited Results

For thousands of women batting cellulite with the latest innovative treatment, procedures including SmoothShapes, VelaShape and LipoDissolve continue to be an attractive choice for many.  Instead of turning to surgery to get rid of fatty pockets, these cellulite reduction treatments work through the skin’s surface to deliver a deep, heated massage (VelaShape) or break down fat cells with compounds delivered via injection (LipoDissolve).  As popular as these non-surgical options are, some people don’t always achieve the dramatic results they are looking for.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the issue, indicating that the market for these treatments is expected to grown to $200 million a year by 2012, but studies and research on the effectiveness of these treatments are showing limited promise.

“We do not have any data or information about how long the effect lasts,” says Karen Riley, a spokeswoman for the FDA, which has cleared more than a dozen devices for cellulite treatment. (Source:  Wall Street Journal)

Most of the anti-cellulite procedures require a series of treatments in order to see any major results; a set of 6 – 10 treatments is the typical treatment plan, and patients are advised to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle during the process.

Critics of these programs suggest that most treatments only provide temporary results, and that most are just ‘glorified’ massage treatments that only reduce dipmles and the appearance of cellulite for the short term.

Still, supporters of celluite treatments claim that these non-surgical methods are a valuable way to lose a few inches, tighten up the skin and enjoy results within a few short months.

Keeping a Food Diary Key to Weight Loss Success

Weight Loss is Easier with a Food Diary

When you’re trying to stick with a low-calorie diet but the pounds just won’t come off, keeping track of your daily meals may be the key to success.

Maintaining a food log – in either written or electronic form – is a simple strategy for losing weight because it makes you more mindful about every bite.

Bodybuilders, athletes and successful dieters have long used this method during their calorie-cutting phase, and researchers from the Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research in Portland, Oregon suggest; “It seems that the simple act of writing down what you eat encourages people to consumer fewer calories” (Source: LifeScript.com).

A food journal can also help you track when and where you ate each meal; identify ‘trigger foods – those that make you want to overeat; and help you make progress by slowly cutting back on tempting treats or indulgences over a course of a few weeks.

Researchers at the Portland center found that those who kept a food journal lost an average of 13 pounds over the course of the study, and the amount lost was significantly higher than those who did not keep track of their daily or weekly intake.

Other benefits of using a food diary include:

• Holding yourself accountable
• Finding out what is working for you – and what isn’t
• Increasing awareness of your eating habits (mindful eating)
• Bringing your self-defeating habits to light
• Practicing a healthy level of self-monitoring

Maintaining a food diary is often an element of nutritional therapy and weight loss programs that help you maintain a healthy weight for the long-term.

LipoZap Leaves Consumers in Uproar – Investigation Underway

While thousands of patients turn to ‘fat dissolving’ injections and vacuum massage to get rid of cellulite and shave off a few pounds, experts are warning against falling for today’s fat-melting promises.

LipoZap is just one of several laser lipo treatments that have left patients with undesirable results, and these patients are turning to sites such as RealSelf.com, and RipOffReport.com to post their negative experiences – and warn others of the consequences of procedures that are not well-documented.

The original LipoZap website (the LipoZap website is now ‘under construction’ ) provided very few details of what the procedure even entailed, but a basic description indicates it is a minimally-invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia and requires a rapid recovery time (Source: LipoZap).

LipoZap does offer a satisfaction guarantee, but unsatisfied patients are finding it difficult to get their money back – even after several attempts to contact LipoZap or Medical Aesthetica, the makers of LipoZap (Source: RipOffReport.com). This has sparked controversy over whether LipoZap is just another ’scam’, and angry patients are sharing their thoughts across the web.

Reports of negative results with LipoZap began circulating as early as Spring 2007, where clients such as ‘Lady2Soothe’ reported her results on the Plasmetic message boards. She describes the following experience:

Body by Thermage Helps You Tone Up Without the Gym

Wouldn’t it be great to skip the grueling workouts or (daily?) exercise regiment and still have a tightened and toned look?

While building muscle or losing weight can help you achieve your ideal weight or streamline your figure, cosmetic surgeons present another option. Body by Thermage is becoming a popular procedure for anyone who wants to tighten up loose skin after weight loss or pregnancy, or simply slim down a few inches – without turning to ab crunches or giving that cardio routine a boost.

Shows like Nip Tuck and Extreme Makeover have already highlighted the benefits of Body by Thermage, an innovative skin tightening treatment that can get rid of loose skin and make your skin look much firmer, tighter and toned.

Here’s a quick look at how Body by Thermage works: