Weight Loss Tips

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We have heard it before: To lose weight we need to cut calories and increase activity. Unfortunately losing weight is not that simple. Research shows that when some persons make the effort to reduce calories their bodies work to conserve energy and hold on to body fat as a survival mechanism.

Since weight loss involves more than just counting calories, the following tips based on new research are worth trying. Applying these tips can help coax our bodies into letting go of extra fat:

A high-fiber diet helps us feel full and speeds up weight loss. US News tells us about a diet that recommends 40 grams of fiber a day. The typical American diet contains 10 to 15 grams of fiber. To avoid digestive upset, it is important to slowly increase fiber intake. While our digestive tract can digest fiber, the bacteria in our digestive tract need to become accustomed to the increased fiber.

Gut microbes also affect metabolism, inflammation, and insulin response. PubMed notes that recent research links obesity to changes in digestive tract bacteria. The connection to gut bacteria and obesity is a topic researchers are actively pursuing. Fortunately gut bacteria can be changed and improved. According to a PubMed study, obesity was reduced in rats by feeding them the friendly probiotic, Bifidobacterium.

Low level chemical exposure to synthetic organic and inorganic chemicals may have strong weight-promoting effects.

When you eat is also very important. Researchers found that "late eaters" lost weight at a slower rate, and lost significantly less weight than early eaters. Fat tissue has an active body clock or circadian system. Research shows that sleeping between 8 and 8.5 hours a night was tied to the lowest levels of body fat and a healthier body fat composition.

Consuming omega-3 fatty acids and then exercising helps burn fat and improves metabolism.

Obesity is an inflammatory disease fueled by a high fat and high sugar diet. Reducing harmful inflammation is crucial for not only losing weight but also for improving health.

A high-fat diet also disrupts our body clock. Scientists discovered that eating a high-fat diet contributes not only to obesity, but also diabetes and high blood pressure. Returning to a balanced low-fat diet resets the circadian body clock.

The Melaleuca Wellness Guide recommends a high-fiber, low-fat diet. Lots of fiber cleanses the body by removing toxins. Fiber also lowers cholesterol, stabilizes blood sugar and increases energy.
Helpful Supplements

Consuming FiberWise drink and bars not only increases dietary fiber, but also provides prebiotics that help sustain friendly probiotics.

Florify provides a blend of 5 billion colony units of research recommended Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, along with the prebiotic, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). Prebiotics boost the growth of beneficial probiotics in the GI tract. The goal is that good bacteria will crowd out harmful bacteria.

With inflammation at the root of so many illnesses, always use supplements with Oligo, which protect crucial antioxidants. Provex CV and ProVex-Plus are powerful antioxidants that reduce free radical activity and help reduce sensitivity to allergens. Multi-health benefiting Coldwater Omega-3 or Vitality Creme Delight also reduces inflammation.

Luminex with 5htp helps improve mood and reduce food cravings.

Attain Bars and Attain Shakes with patent-pending, all natural CraveBlocker help with the two sources of hunger cravings - your stomach and your brain.

Patented Access Performance Bars eaten on an empty stomach, or 2 hours after eating and 15 minutes before starting an activity, will help you burn fat as fuel. You'll be able to exercise longer with less fatigue, and lose more fat.

Eat a healthy diet, keep active, and work on adding as many of these tips as possible. Weight loss takes time, but like any achievement, it is worth the effort.

~ Richard M Barry

Weight Loss Success Stories

Weight loss and weight control go hand in hand with Melaleuca products. I started my journey with the Vitality 4 because good health is a good beginning. CellWise and Florify are a crucial part of the equation. FiberWise was next. Used either right before a meal, or as an in between snack, it is a helpful aid to feeling full. I've been pleased to add GC Control as a way to control cravings. No more spikes in glucose levels! Melaleuca produces the healthy products we all need. Thank you Melaleuca and RM Barry. I'll forever be an appreciative shopper.

~ Elizabeth
My favorite weight loss tips: 1) Freeze seedless grapes and blueberries and use them as ice cubes. Ice water is yummier when it's visually appealing.
2) Serve my Attain and/or GC Control shakes in a wine glass. It makes me feel relaxed and I drink it slower, giving me a chance to feel more full.
3) Walk. I can't always go to the gym or the pool, but I can almost always find a reason and place to walk, even if it is from the far end of the parking lot. Walking is easier on the joints than running, you don't need any special clothes, and often you can find a partner to make it more fun, especially if you are "just" walking (compared to jogging or running).

~ Debi
Having gone to a nutritionist for weight loss, their main tip is to not be without healthy food when you get hungry. If you do, the urge to stop for fast food increases dramatically. I always carry the Attain Bars with me to have at those times where I need something NOW. I have also put the shake mix in a shaker to have in my car. The healthy snacks and granola are great to have with you too. Be prepared at all times and you will succeed.

~ Tamara
For years, the way I've maintained a healthy weight is to focus on eating a variety of organic fruits and vegetables every day. I also include in my daily diet healthy fats and animal proteins, like raw, organic nuts and seeds (including flax); raw, organic fatty fruits and vegetables (coconut, avocado); plus a little fish, dairy, and meat that are raised chemical-free or organic and grass-fed. Having blood sugar problems from when I was young, has forced me to avoid all sugars and grains. The GC Control shakes are wonderful for a safe, comforting treat! I stay busy and can't cook a lot, so pledging to only eat what comes out of my kitchen keeps me from the temptation to over-eat! Eating quality, more expensive foods also keeps me from over-eating!

~ Holly