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Fitness experts say
there is no “magic bullet”
(ARA) - The percentage of overweight Americans
has increased considerably in the past 20 years.
You’ve probably seen the statistics. Moreover,
you may be one of the statistics: More than 50
percent of adults in the United States are
overweight or obese, and more than 33 percent of
adults are trying to lose weight.
As people strive to manage their weight and
health, consumers have been bombarded with the
latest “miracle” weight-loss supplements and
diet programs. Many of these options offer a
quick fix promise, as opposed to a balanced,
healthy approach to long-term well-being. This
leads to unrealistic expectations from diet
supplements and programs. In fact, research
indicates that as many as 95 percent of
weight-loss plans do not work.
Dr. Bill Wheeler, Ph.D. and RD, a former staff
nutritionist to the President of the United
States and the U.S. Olympic Decathlon Team,
suggests that three of the most notable red
flags in weight management are: “effortless,”
“overnight” and “dramatic.”
“If a product or program promises, ‘effortless,’
weight loss, it does not have consumers’
long-term health and wellness in mind,” said
Wheeler. “Likewise, any product or program that
guarantees ‘rapid results’ is designed for
temporary loss of water weight, which can lead
to ‘yo-yo’ dieting and the risk of serious
disease. Furthermore, a weight-loss product or
program should complement your lifestyle, not
require a dramatic change to it. Using
supplements to promote weight loss simply must
accompany a balanced diet and exercise program.”
The fitness and nutrition experts at Life Time
Fitness stress that there is no “magic bullet.”
Individuals who want to lose weight should
employ a balanced approach that includes
exercise, education and nutrition, combined with
safe, effective weight-loss supplementation.
“Our advice is based on research and
recommendations from accredited biochemists,
dieticians, exercise physiologists and the
American College of Sports Medicine guidelines
on weight management,” says Jeff Zweifel, vice
president of Life Time Fitness’ Nutritional
Division. These guidelines state that people
should not lose more than two pounds per week,
which ensures that they lose fat and maintain
lean body mass. “Purported quick-fix programs
may ultimately damage their long-term health,”
Zweifel adds.
Exercise
Regular exercise sends the human body messages
to increase its metabolism, strength and aerobic
capacity. Each time you exercise, your body
responds by upgrading its capabilities
throughout the day and night. Fitness
specialists at Life Time Fitness recommend
engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise four
times a week for 20 to 30 minutes per session
and participating in resistance training four
times per week for 20 to 25 minutes per session.
This balanced approach provides a one-two punch,
incorporating aerobic exercise to burn fat and
deliver more oxygen and resistance training to
increase lean body mass and burn more calories
around the clock.
Education
Education is one of the cornerstones of a
healthy lifestyle. Once you have the baseline
knowledge you need to make intelligent decisions
about your health, fitness and diet, you achieve
the healthy lifestyle you desire. To encourage
ongoing education, Life Time offers free
nutrition and exercise seminars, certified
personal trainers and group fitness staff,
accessible Web site information and corporate
wellness programs.
Nutrition
A common-sense approach to healthful eating and
nutritional supplementation is important to any
weight loss program. The human body has the
natural ability to maintain a healthy weight
automatically until it is forced to store fat
through a lack of physical activity and/or a low
calorie diet. Research has shown that the
consumption of fat calories has dropped more
than 20 percent in the American diet in the past
25 years. However, a calorie-restricted diet
forces the body into a “starvation response” of
storing as much fat as it can for later use. The
easiest way to lose weight is to maintain a
well-balanced diet with a mild decrease in
caloric intake and increased physical activity.
A weight-loss supplement may help to accelerate
weight loss only when combined with nutrition
and exercise. Life Time Fitness recently
introduced LeanSource Thermogenic Supplements,
an ephedra-free, soft-gel weight-loss aid that
utilizes metabolically active ingredients to
accelerate weight loss, decrease body fat and
increase energy and metabolism. Scientifically
designed to promote rapid weight loss without
the use of harmful stimulants, the supplements
are part of a comprehensive weight-loss program,
which also involves 20-30 minutes of
cardiovascular exercise and 20-25 minutes of
resistance training four times per week.
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