Stabilize Your Metabolism to Maintain Your Weight with Hypothyroidism

By the vTeam, Kamau Austin, Publisher

If you are one of the many women suffering from hypothyroidism, you are probably already well aware of how easy it is for you to gain weight and how challenging it can be to shedding pounds. However, if you are fortunate enough to currently be at an ideal weight, despite your hypothyroidism, you are still likely to struggle to maintain your ideal weight. There are many books and articles written on the topic of weight loss with hypothyroidism, but weight maintenance is an equally important topic. This is so relevant because hypothyroid patients tend to have lower basal metabolic rates. This means the amount of calories they require to sustain their current weight is lower than the amount of calories required for those who have a properly functioning thyroid.

If you suspect hypothyroidism, visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis. There are a number of other conditions which can cause unexplained weight gain and the inability to lose weight and self-diagnosis can lead to problems. However, with a simple physical examination and a laboratory blood test, your doctor can confirm or deny hypothyroidism. Even after your doctor diagnoses you with hypothyroidism and prescribes a treatment plan, you should still consult with your doctor about any diet and exercise plans you wish to implement to ensure these plans are viable in your current state of health. You should also consult your doctor regarding the use of supplements to assist you in dealing with hypothyroidism.

The Metabolic Formula for Weight Maintenance

If you are struggling to maintain your weight while dealing with hypothyroidism, you probably already realize you have to pay particular attention to the number of calories you consume on a daily basis. Most hypothyroid patients require fewer calories than individuals who have normal thyroid function and a similar weight, body structure and activity level. Although this fact alone may seem quite frustrating, it is possible for you to maintain your weight despite this problem.

For you to maintain your weight while suffering from hypothyroidism, you must learn to balance the following equation:

Calories Consumed = Calories Burned through Basal Metabolism + Calories Burned by Exercise. To keep this equation balanced, the number of calories you consume each day must be equal to the number of calories you require to fuel your daily activities and for your body to perform life sustaining activities such as breathing and digestion. When this equation is balanced you should be able to maintain your current weight. However, if the equation becomes unbalanced, you will either lose or gain weight. For example, if you increase the number of calories consumed without also increasing the number of calories burned, you will experience a weight gain. Conversely, if you increase the number of calories burned without also increasing the number of calories consumed, you should experience a weight loss.

Tips for Increasing Basal Metabolism

You can control the number of calories you consume simply by adjusting your diet, and you can control the number of calories you burn through exercise by increasing the duration or intensity of your workout sessions. However, many women may not realize they can also help to increase the amount of calories burned through basal metabolism as well. This section will offer a few simple tips for creating small increases in your basal metabolic rate.

Doing strength training exercises to increase muscle mass is one way to increase the basal metabolic rate. Muscle cells require more energy than fat cells. Therefore, by increasing the amount of muscle on your body, you also increase the number of calories your body requires to function.

Cardiovascular activity can also help to boost your metabolism. Cardiovascular exercises increase your metabolism while you are performing the exercise, but there is also a carryover increase in metabolism that continues as your body cools down and works to repair any muscle damage incurred during the exercise period.

Maintaining proper hydration levels can also help to increase basal metabolism. When your body becomes dehydrated, your core temperature drops slightly. When this happens, your brain triggers your body to store more fat to help your body’s temperature return to normal.

Finally, you can also help to increase your basal metabolic rate by making a few simple changes in your diet. One of the easiest changes is to divide your current calorie intake into more frequent, smaller meals. You will still consume the same number of calories but will eat more often. Each time you consume a mini meal or a snack, your body begins the digestive process and the process of digestion requires the use of energy. In other words, you burn calories by digesting your meals. Another simple change you can make to your diet is to replace over processed foods with more natural choices. Substituting whole grain bread for white bread or whole fruits or vegetable for juices can help to raise your basal metabolism. Foods that are high in fiber such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables are more difficult to digest and require additional energy.

Some women also find the use of herbal supplements can be quite helpful. Thyvox is one such supplement that can be very useful when diet and exercise is not helping you achieve your desired results. Combining supplements such as Thyvox with a healthy diet and exercise plan can be much more beneficial than diet and exercise alone. To learn more about Thyvox, visit: www.Thyvox.com.

Using Yoga to Lose Weight

By the vTeam, Kamau Austin, Publisher

When most people think of yoga they consider it to be more of a relaxation exercise than a weight loss exercise. However, if you are struggling to lose weight and have never tried yoga, you might want to give it a try because it can have some weight loss benefits. You may find that yoga is quite relaxing but can also help to promote weight loss. In fact the weight loss which results from practicing yoga may be a result of both the physical activity as well as the relaxation benefits. This article will provide information on the weight loss benefits of yoga and how yoga can help you to lose weight through its cardiovascular benefits as well as its relaxation benefits. Before you begin a yoga routine or taking supplements in an effort to lose weight you should consult your doctor.

Yoga as Cardiovascular Exercise

Some types of yoga known as power yoga or ashtanga yoga are quite rigorous and can be effective as part of an exercise routine designed to lose weight, but most types of yoga are not as beneficial for weight loss. This is because other types of yoga typically do not elevate your heart rate enough to stimulate weight loss. You will likely gain greater muscle tone and some calorie expenditure from yoga, but the results will not be as pronounced as other types of more strenuous exercise such as running or biking.

However, if you have not previously been exercising, the minimal calorie expenditure associated with a moderate yoga routine will result in some weight loss when combined with a healthy diet. This is because although yoga does not cause you to expend a lot of calories, it is still an increase in heart rate for those who have not been exercising regularly. This makes yoga an excellent starting point for those looking to shake a passive lifestyle. You will likely quickly become accustomed to the calorie expenditure though and will have to result to more strenuous forms of yoga or other types of exercise to keep your body challenged.

Yoga as a Relaxation Technique

One of the unique benefits of incorporating yoga into your exercise regime is the relaxation benefits you will gain from this type of exercise. Yoga is a more spiritual type of exercise that focuses on controlling your breathing and helping you to become more in tune with your body. This can help you to feel more relaxed which will have a twofold effect on weight loss.

Stress can result in weight gain or difficulty losing weight for a number of reasons. First of all, many women tend to overeat or make poor nutritional choices when under the influence of stress. This means you are likely to consume more calories and to eat foods with less nutritional value if you are feeling stressed. Yoga can help by offering you the opportunity to feel more relaxed and that relaxation minimizes the desire to consume foods high in calories or fat.

The other negative effect stress can have on your weight is the introduction of elevated levels of the hormone cortisol in your body. Cortisol is released in stressful situations to help your body by providing additional energy to deal with the stress. However, when stress is chronic, the body is continuously being inundated with cortisol, and as a result, the excess energy is stored as fat because your body is not able to use it all. Practicing yoga or meditation to reduce your stress level can help your weight loss efforts by reducing the amount of cortisol in your system. When this level subsides, your body will not be storing as much energy as fat on a regular basis.

Weight Loss Expectations with Yoga

While there are a many benefits that may result from incorporating yoga into your exercise regime, it is important to have realistic expectations about the weight loss you can expect from practicing yoga. Most types of yoga are quite mild when compared with other types of exercise such as running, biking and swimming. As a result, these types of activities are likely to burn more calories than yoga, and those who participate in these activities may lose weight more quickly than those who rely on yoga as their primary form of exercise. While yoga does burn some calories and helps to tone muscles, weight loss from yoga is likely to be slower than weight loss from other more intense activities.

However, yoga participants can increase the amount of weight they can lose through yoga by combining their exercise regime with metabolism boosting supplements. Meltorin is one such product that can help you to increase your metabolism. More information about Meltorin can be found at: www.Meltorin.com.

Can Green Tea Help Hypothyroid Patients Lose Weight?

By the vTeam Kamau Austin Publisher

Increasing metabolism is one of the main goals of many who suffer from hypothyroidism. This is because a slow metabolism is one of the primary symptoms of an under active thyroid and one of the unfortunate side effects of a slow metabolism is a modest weight gain as well as difficulty in losing weight. This article will take a look at the basic formula for weight loss and will also discuss how herbs such as green tea can affect weight loss. While this article will provide basic information on simple weight loss strategies and the use of green tea in a diet program, it is important for you to consult your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise program or using herbal supplements in an effort to lose weight.

The Basic Weight Loss Formula

Despite the number of fad diets followed by many, the simplest and most effective weight loss formula is to burn off more calories than you consume. However, those who suffer from hypothyroidism typically require fewer calories for life sustaining functions such as digestion, breathing and blood circulation than those who are not afflicted with hypothyroidism. Therefore the number of calories those with hypothyroidism must limit themselves to is often much lower and can compound the problem by exacerbating the fatigue which typically accompanies hypothyroidism.

However, reducing the number of calories you ingest each day is not the only way you can lose weight. You can also increase the number of calories you burn each day by increasing your activity level or your basal metabolic rate. Increasing your activity level is simple. You can increase the duration or the intensity of your workouts. For example if you have been walking 1.5 miles per day you can either start walking 2.25 miles or start running 1.5 miles. Both changes should result in an increased calorie expenditure.

Increasing your basal metabolic rate is more difficult. Your basal metabolic rate is essentially the amount of calories your body requires at rest to sustain life. This includes the function of vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, brain and the rest of the nervous system, liver, kidneys, muscles and skin. The ways to increase this amount are not as obvious but there are possibilities. For example muscle cells require more calories than fat cells. Therefore, one way to increase your basal metabolic rate is to perform exercises designed to promote muscle growth. The more muscle your body includes the more calories you will require to sustain life. Additionally, there is some indication that herbal supplements such as green tea extracts can also help to increase your metabolism. The following section will discuss the use of green tea to increase metabolism in greater detail.

Using Green Tea to Increase Your Metabolism

There is quite a bit of speculation that green tea can have an influence on metabolism and weight loss and there have even been studies to back up this speculation. One particular study of interest reported by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition seems to substantiate claims that green tea extracts can increase metabolism and result in increased fat oxidation.

If you wish to incorporate green tea into your daily diet in an attempt to control your weight, you should first consult your doctor to discuss the ramifications of this type of herbal supplementation. Of particular concern should be the high fluoride content in many green teas. This is significant because fluoride can have an adverse effect on the function of the thyroid. The positive effects should be carefully weighed against the adverse effects in helping you to decide whether or not to begin including green tea in your regular diet.

If you plan to start using green tea, you should take a few precautions. First you should invest in a high quality green tea which is likely to provide the greatest benefit. One way to do this is to visit a health food store and seek recommendations for varieties of green tea which are rich in the green tea extract. Additionally, you should start out by introducing green tea gradually. You can do this by starting out with one cup of green tea per day and slowly increasing your intake until you are consuming a cup of green tea with each meal. At this point you can evaluate the effects and determine whether you wish to continue with the green tea regimen or whether your want to incorporate additional amounts of green tea into your diet.

Incorporating Other Herbal Supplements into Your Diet

Green tea is not the only herbal supplement which can help thyroid patients lose weight. If your thyroid is not functioning properly, you might consider the use of Thyvox to assist you in your weight loss efforts. For more information about the promising supplement Thyvox surf over to : www.Thyvox.com.

Staying Motivated to Exercise with Hypothyroidism

By the vTeam, Kamau Austin Publisher

It is no secret that losing weight with hypothyroidism can be difficult but many of the weight loss struggles which affect those with hypothyroidism are actually quite common to all people who attempt to lose weight. While overcoming a sluggish metabolism and finding an ideal calorie consumption versus expenditure equation can be complicated for hypothyroidism patients, the struggle to stay motivated to exercise is quite common for all who attempt to lose weight. This is especially true if the amount of weight loss required is extensive or if, as in the case of hypothyroidism, it take a great deal of time and effort to lose the weight. If you have hypothyroidism and struggle to stay motivated to exercise, it is important to realize you are not alone and this is a quite common problem. This article will provide several useful tips for staying motivated to continue to workout and reach your weight loss goals. You will find this information useful but as with any diet and exercise program, you should consult your doctor before beginning your program or taking any supplements to assist you in your weight loss endeavor.

Set Attainable Goals

If you are suffering from hypothyroidism you are probably already aware of how much weigh you have to lose and are also probably well aware that the weight will most likely not come off easily. You can help yourself to stay motivated by setting attainable goals for both the long term and the short term. Your long term goal may be to lose a particular amount of weight but if you have a long way to go, smaller goals will help you to stay motivated. For example you can set weekly weight loss goals of 0.5-1.5 pounds. This will help you to see you are making progress. You can also set goals such as working out a number of days each week or for a duration of time each session.

Workout with a Friend

Enlisting a friend to workout with you will help to make your daily exercise sessions seem more fun and less like a chore. Additionally, a commitment to another person will make it more difficult for you to skip a workout and sabotage your goals. When selecting a workout partner, you should seek out someone who needs to lose a similar amount of weight. If possible you should also seek out a partner who is also suffering from hypothyroidism. This will help to keep you from becoming frustrated because your partner will likely lose weight at a similar rate. If you were to workout with a friend who does not have hypothyroidism she will likely lose weight more quickly which can be frustrating and demoralizing.

Cross Train to Stay Motivated

Another way to stay motivated is to cross train. Running on a treadmill everyday is excellent cardiovascular exercise but it can also become quite repetitious and boring. If you workout five days per week you may want to run on three days and try other activities such as spin classes, step classes, biking or dancing on the other two days. This will not only help to keep your workouts exciting and your mind stimulated but will also help to keep your muscles challenged.

Exercise Outdoors

If you regularly do your cardiovascular exercise indoors you are likely to get bored. One way to combat the boredom is to take your exercise sessions outdoors. Try running around your neighborhood or even driving to nearby locations do enjoy a run in a new neighborhood. Even if you were to run the same course everyday you are likely to encounter new people and other subtle differences which make the workout seem unique and less monotonous.

Invest in an MP3 Player

If you do not already have an MP3 player or some other type of portable music device, you may find they can really help to keep you motivated to workout. Most MP3 players allow you to set up multiple playlists. You can create playlists for workouts, warm ups and cool downs and for different types of exercise. Changing the music regularly will help to keep you motivated to continue your workouts. Listening to upbeat music can even help you exercise more intensely.

Purchase a Few Different Exercise Videos

Following the same exercise video day after day can become very boring and can lead you to abandon your workouts completely. Additionally, repeating the same workout over and over again is not ideal for hypothyroidism patients because after awhile it will not have the same effect of increasing metabolism. However, if you purchase a number of different workout tapes you can vary your workouts to keep your mind and your body challenged and excited about your daily workouts. Popular types of exercise videos include step aerobics, kick boxing, weight lifting and all types of dance including belly dancing, hip hop and even exotic dancing.

Stay Motivated with Supplements

The use of supplements can also help you to stay motivated by compounding the results of your diet and exercise. Incorporating supplements such as Thyvox into your diet can be more effective than diet and exercise alone. Thyvox is helpful for women suffering from hypothyroidism and can have a positive effect on their weight loss efforts. If you want to learn more about Thyvox and how it can help you, visit the following web address: www.Thyvox.com.

Eat Like an Athlete to Lose Weight

By the vTeam, Kamau Austin Publisher

Exercise is excellent for weight loss, but it is most effective when it is combined with a proper diet. If you are trying to lose weight and are exercising regularly, you may be sabotaging your weight loss efforts by not eating properly. Even the most strenuous exercise regime can be rendered ineffective if you not eating properly. Failure to eat properly hurts you in two ways. First of all, if you are not fueling your body properly, you may not have the energy for long or intense workouts. Secondly, if you are eating too much, you may not be going far enough into calorie deficit to promote weight loss. This article will discuss how carbohydrates, proteins and fats can also be part of a healthy weight loss program. However, before starting any weight loss program, you should consult with your doctor about your fitness and diet plans as well as the use of supplements in your diet.

To lose one pound of body weight, you have to expend 3500 more calories than you consume. This means you can lose one pound of body weight per week by creating a calorie deficit of 500 calories each day of the week. This can be accomplished by cutting 500 calories out of your diet, keeping your diet the same and burning off an additional 500 calories each day through exercise or by a combination of reducing your calorie intake and increasing your exercise to equal a 500 calorie deficit. The combination of reducing your calorie intake and exercising is ideal, especially if you are already consuming too many calories per day. This can help you to return to a healthy eating pattern while the exercises you perform will help to improve your cardiovascular health and tone your muscles.

Carbohydrates Fuel Your Workouts

Despite the popularity of diets high in protein and low in carbohydrates, most athletes do not follow this type of eating pattern. This is because low carbohydrate diets are often not sufficient for athletes who require increased amounts of energy to fuel their daily training sessions. If you want to train like a seasoned athlete, you should be mindful that you also need to eat like an athlete. This means you should be consuming healthy carbohydrates daily so you have enough energy to complete your workouts.

Choosing healthy carbohydrates such as multigrain breads, whole wheat pastas, oatmeal and other whole grains in addition to fruits and vegetables will help your body stay fueled throughout your workouts. However, over processed foods such as white breads and pastas made from white flower may result in weight gain because your body cannot use these nutrients as efficiently. They will help to fuel your workouts effectively, but because they are so highly processed, they do not cause your body to work very hard to digest and utilize these nutrients. As a result, you will not be enjoying the metabolic increase which accompanies the digestion of whole grain foods.

Consume Enough Protein Daily and at the Right Times

Protein consumption is very important for weight loss. You should be consuming enough protein each day to help you feel full, fuel your workouts and help your muscles to grow. Those who are trying to lose weight are wise to incorporate a source of protein in each meal and snack because protein helps them to feel more satiated. This feeling of satiety will keep you from feeling the urge to eat shortly after a meal or a snack. Proper protein consumption is also important if you are exercising to lose weight because the proteins you consume will help you to repair muscles damaged during high intensity workouts. Small muscle tears are an indication of an effective workout, but to enjoy the muscle growth which accompanies these types of workouts, you must consume the protein necessary to repair these muscle tears. The amount of protein you require will vary according to your current weight and lifestyle. If you live a relatively sedentary lifestyle, you should consume 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight. If you live a rather active lifestyle and exercise regularly, you should consume 1.0-1.2 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

Protein consumption is important during a fitness and weight loss routine, but it is not simply important to consume protein, you also need to ensure you are consuming protein at the right times. Protein should be a part of each of your meals and snacks, but it should also be a part of your post workout meal or snack as well. Ideally, you should consume a protein rich meal or snack within the first 90 minutes after your workout to facilitate muscle recovery.

Incorporate Healthy Fats Sparingly

Athletes realize that healthy fats are critical to an ideal diet. You should strive to consume moderate amounts of healthy fats. You can find these fats in items such as olive oil, avocado, salmon and nuts. The unsaturated fats found in these food items are considered healthy, but they are also typically high in calories, so it is important to only use these products sparingly to maintain a healthy diet. This will help you lose weight. It is generally recommended that no more than 20% of your daily calorie intake come from fats.

Consider Adding Supplements to Your Diet

Most seasoned athletes realize a healthy diet sometimes includes chemical supplements. If you are striving to eat more like an athlete to tone up your body, you might want to consider Meltorin. Meltorin is designed to bolster your metabolism. You can learn more about Meltorin at the following web address: www.Meltorin.com.

The Variety in Triathlon Training Can Help You Lose Weight

by the vTeam, Kamau Austin Publisher

Training for and competing in a triathlon is an excellent way to help you lose weight. A triathlon consists of a swim, a bike ride and a run. Participants complete each leg of the event starting with the swim leg and concluding with the run leg. The distance of each leg varies. There are very short events for novice athletes and longer events that are ideal for well conditioned amateur and professional athletes. Typical triathlon events include sprint events, Olympic distance events and Ironman distance events. Sprint events do not have set distances and may vary from one course to the next. The distances for an Olympic distance triathlon are 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run, and the distances for an Ironman distance triathlon are 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run. This article will focus on how tri-athletes enjoy an improved metabolism because of the cross training and speed work that helps them prepare for triathlons. While the information in this article will provide insight into the type of triathlon training that best facilitates weight loss, be sure to consult with your doctor before beginning your training program or taking supplements. This will help ensure you are fit enough to undertake this type of training and that any supplements you are taking will not interfere with prescribed medications.

Cross Training Keeps Your Metabolism High

One of the key reasons training for a triathlon is such an effective way to lose weight is the cross training that is necessary to prepare for competitions. Cyclists often focus solely on biking during the competition, while swimmers or runners likewise focus almost exclusively on their sport of choice. However, since a triathlon involves all three of these sports, tri-athletes have to concentrate on training for all three disciplines during the racing season. If you opt to train for a triathlon, you will find yourself enjoying the benefits of cross training while you prepare yourself for the swim, bike and run portions of the event.

As part of your triathlon training, consider training for an endurance cycling event such as a century ride. A century ride is a 100-mile bike ride, and most participants who are planning to participate in this type of event spend the vast majority, if not all, of their training time cycling to prepare for this event. While this might be good for your weight loss goals initially, as your body becomes accustomed to your workout schedule, you will begin burning fewer calories each time you ride your bike. This is due to improved muscle efficiency. This efficiency is ideal for improving your performance and your cardiovascular health, since as your muscles become more efficient, they require less fuel, but as a result, your weight loss will plateau, and you may become frustrated with your fitness routine.

Now consider training for a triathlon. You will have to prepare yourself to complete the swim leg, bike leg and run leg of the event. As a result, you will likely split your training time among the three disciplines to ensure you are adequately prepared for the event. By cross training and preparing yourself for three different events, you will prevent your muscles from becoming overly efficient. This will cause a significant metabolism boost during and after each training session. This metabolic boost will help you continue to lose weight while you train for your triathlon.

Speed Work Can Also Boost Metabolism

If you are training for your first triathlon, you will likely select a sprint or Olympic distance event. These races are significantly longer than the Ironman distance triathlons that many people associate with the sport. Shorter events such as these are ideal for novice athletes who are hoping to lose weight and enjoy participation in a competitive sport. Danskin even hosts a series of sprint distance triathlons for women entirely to encourage participation in the sport of triathlon. For more information on the Danskin Triathlon series, visit: Danskin.

Since you will likely be training for a shorter event, you will also likely incorporate some interval training into your swim, bike and run training sessions. Interval training essentially involves alternating short sprints with recovery periods where you are swimming, biking or running at a moderate pace that allows your heart rate to return to a more manageable level of approximately 50%-60% of your maximum heart rate. During the sprint intervals, you will be working at closer to 90% of your maximum heart rate. Your maximum heart rate can be roughly calculated by subtracting your age from 220. However, there are more effective ways to determine this number and you may wish to attempt them if you are not satisfied with the number determined from the basic formula. If you own a heart rate monitor with advanced features, it may include a fit test to help you determine this number. While you are training at a higher intensity, your metabolism increases greatly both during and after the training session. This increased metabolism can help you lose weight.

Supplement Your Diet to Keep Your Metabolism High

While triathlon training can help to keep your metabolism high, your diet can also have an impact on your metabolism. Making wise nutritional choices such as choosing fruits, vegetables and whole grains over processed foods, and incorporating supplements into your diet can also improve your metabolism. Visit www.Meltorin.com for more information about Meltorin, a metabolism-boosting supplement that can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Training for 5Ks to Lose Weight

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

If you think long-distance events such as marathons and ultra marathons are the only way to lose weight, you are mistaken. In fact, training for shorter events such as a 5K, equal to 3.1 miles, can actually be quite effective for weight loss. Training for these types of events forces you to focus on high intensity speed work, which can have a tremendously positive effect on your metabolism. This article will discuss how training for 5K races can have an impact on weight loss in a number of ways. We will discuss how speed training can help you not only improve your time but also lose weight, how you can try different types of terrain to promote weight loss and how even planning your competition schedule can have an impact on your weight loss progress. This type of training can help you lose weight but, as with any fitness or weight loss program, you should consult your doctor before embarking on this type of exercise regime. Additionally, you should consult a doctor before you decide to start taking any supplements to aid your weight loss efforts.

Lose Weight While You Improve Your Speed

One of the primary reasons shorter distance events such as 5K races are so effective for weight loss is the amount of speed work often required when training for these events. Marathon training involves starting out with a relatively low amount of mileage and building on that amount each week. However, a race of only 3.1 miles does not require this type of building period. Instead, individuals training for this type of event often focus on interval training to help them improve their overall times. While marathon training promotes weight loss by necessitating increasing amounts of mileage, 5K training focuses on increasing the intensity of workouts and this is an extremely effective way to lose weight. These high intensity workouts are extremely taxing on the muscles and force your body to work harder. When this happens, you enjoy a metabolic boost that can be very beneficial in your weight loss endeavor.

Interval training involves bursts of sprinting interspersed with recovery running at a moderate pace. An example of an effective interval workout may include a five-minute warm up where you are running at a comfortable pace, followed by intervals of sprinting and jogging. If you are new to interval training, you might start out by following your five-minute warm up with one minute of sprinting and two minutes of recovery running. You can repeat this pattern of one-minute sprints, followed by two-minute jogs, several times before cooling down with five minutes of easy running. As you become stronger, you may wish to reverse the pattern by sprinting for two minutes and jogging for one and repeating this pattern several times.

You can also challenge yourself by increasing your speed during the sprints. One way to do this is to do your interval workouts on a track. You can practice by sprinting one quarter mile, which is equal to one lap of the track, then jogging a half of a lap to recover. During this time, you can use a stopwatch to monitor your progress and can strive to improve your quarter mile time during the sprint phases. As your speed improves, you will be working at a higher intensity. This increased intensity will help you lose weight.

Challenge Yourself with Different Terrains

Another way to help yourself lose weight while training for 5K races is to incorporate hill training into your workouts. Many 5K courses have at least a few hills during the course of the race. Training on hills will not only help to ensure you are adequately prepared for the race but will also be very beneficial in your effort to lose weight. Running on hills is significantly more difficult than running on flat ground. Additionally, hill running challenges the muscles in a different way. By challenging your muscles in this way, you will be helping to promote weight loss because your muscles will not become accustomed to a typical routine. When your muscles become accustomed to your workout, they become more efficient and, therefore, burn fewer calories.

Structuring a Competition Schedule to Facilitate Weight Loss

If you are racing in 5K races to lose weight, you may want to carefully consider the number of races you plan to compete in as well as the timing of these races. This is important because if you are competing regularly, you may not be able to enjoy as much weight loss success as you would if you incorporated fewer races into your training schedule and spread these races out by more than a few weeks. For example, if you plan to compete in a 5K race every other weekend during the summer, you may not be giving yourself enough time to improve from one race to the next. Speed work is very taxing, and if you only have a week or two between races, you are not likely to do many speed workouts in between because you do not want your muscles to be overly fatigued for the race day. Additionally, you will also not likely be able to enjoy as much weight loss success, because you will be focusing more on maintaining your fitness level rather than on improving your fitness level. By spreading the races out further and only competing in one race every 4-6 weeks, you will have more time between each event to focus on speed training. This speed training will help you improve your overall time and also lose additional weight because your muscles will be challenged more.

Focus Your Diet on Boosting Your Metabolism

Exercise is not the only way to bolster your metabolism. You can also utilize your diet to increase your metabolism. Eating foods high in fiber and protein can have a positive effect on your metabolism, but you might also consider taking supplements to improve your metabolism. Supplements such as Meltorin are designed to help boost your metabolism. To learn more about Meltorin, visit: www.Meltorin.com.

Suffering from Hypothyroidism…Try Eating More

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid does not function properly. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing the thyroid hormone that circulates through the bloodstream. However, in the case of hypothyroidism, the thyroid is under-active and does not produce enough of the hormone. This is significant because an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream can result in symptoms such as a slow heartbeat, the inability to tolerate cold temperatures, constipation, physical and mental fatigue and small weight gains. This article will discuss the process of being tested for hypothyroidism, explain why drastically cutting calories is not an effective way to lose weight and will describe a plan for eating right when you are suffering from hypothyroidism. If you suspect hypothyroidism is affecting your weight and plan to begin a diet and exercise plan that includes the use of supplements to combat the effects of hypothyroidism, you should first consult with your doctor to obtain his opinion on your condition and on your proposed diet and exercise plan.

Get Tested for Hypothyroidism

If you gain weight easily or seem to have a great deal of difficulty losing weight, you might want to consider having your thyroid function tested. Testing for hypothyroidism is a rather simple process that involves an evaluation of your medical history, a physical examination and a blood test. The physical evaluation will involve an examination of your cardiovascular system, skin, hair, eyes, reflexes and body temperature. Additionally, your doctor will also feel your thyroid gland to determine if the gland feels enlarged.

The physical examination may lead your doctor to believe you are affected by hypothyroidism, but most doctors will require a blood test to confirm the results. The blood test will involve taking a small sample of blood for laboratory testing. If unnaturally low amounts of the thyroid hormone are detected in the blood, it is an indication that the thyroid gland is not functioning properly and is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone. The levels of T4 and T3 hormone are of particular interest to your doctor as well as the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Low levels of T4 and T3 indicate the presence of hypothyroidism while the levels of TSH can provide insight into the cause of the condition. High levels of TSH indicate that hypothyroidism is a result of a malfunction of the thyroid gland. If the TSH level is high but the thyroid is not producing enough hormones, it indicates that the thyroid is not responding properly to the body's requirements. However, if the TSH levels are low, it indicates the pituitary gland is not functioning properly. This is because the pituitary gland is responsible for producing the hormone which stimulates the thyroid to produce T4 and T3.

Why Drastically Cutting Calories Compounds the Problem

If you are like many women, you may believe drastically cutting your caloric intake is the best way to lose weight. Unfortunately, this is not true and cutting calories by too much can result in a great deal of difficulty in losing weight. This is especially true for women who are suffering from hypothyroidism. Eating too few calories per day can result in the metabolism slowing down even further as the body believes it is being starved and makes an effort to store food in the form of fat in case it needs energy in the future. Diets that require you to severely limit your calorie intake to 1200 or fewer calories per day are likely to cause this slowing of the metabolism.

Eat Right to Counteract Hypothyroidism

If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, it is important for you to eat properly in addition to seeking medical attention. If you have hypothyroidism, your doctor will likely prescribe a medication such as a thyroid replacement hormone. This will help to stabilize the hormone levels in your bloodstream and will likely result in a small weight loss. You can compound the weight loss effects by ensuring you are eating enough to keep your metabolism high but are not eating so much that you are gaining weight. How many calories your body requires is a function of your current weight. To determine how many calories your body requires to maintain your weight, convert your weight in pounds to kilograms by dividing your weight by 2.2. Next multiply your weight in kilograms by 30 because your body requires 30 calories per kilogram of weight to function. This will result in the amount of calories you will require to maintain your weight if your thyroid was functioning properly. However, to account for the poor function of the thyroid in those with hypothyroidism, subtract 200 calories from this total. The formula for the number of calories you require looks like this:
Number of Calories Required to Maintain Weight = ((Weight in pounds/2.2) * 30) - 200

If you want to lose weight, you should use a formula similar to the one above. The only difference is you would now multiply your weight in kilograms by 25. This difference allows for only 25 calories per kilogram of weight instead of 30. This is not enough to maintain the weight and will result in a gradual weight loss. The formula for weight loss looks like this:
Number of Calories Required to Lose Weight = ((Weight in pounds/2.2) * 25) - 200

Consider Taking Supplements

A poorly functioning thyroid can be a problem for many women. If you are having a great deal of difficulty losing weight, you might want to consider trying supplements designed to improve your thyroid's function. Thyvox is one such product you may find helpful. You can learn more about Thyvox from the following web address: www.thyvox.com.

Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

You might wonder if your thyroid is to blame for your excess weight. If you are concerned about this possibility, you need to answer a few important questions about thyroid disease:

" Have you been to the doctor yet?
" Will thyroid hormone treatments help you achieve your ideal weight?
" Are there risks associated with thyroid treatments?
" Can herbal supplements help?

This article will examine each of these questions in detail. In answering these questions we hope to enlighten you about the severity of thyroid disease, the potential treatments, and the risks associated with these treatments.

Have You Been to the Doctor Yet?

If you are concerned about thyroid disease, you should visit a doctor. A trip to the doctor to determine whether or not thyroid disease is present is extremely important and should be one of the first steps you take if you suspect thyroid disease. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, dry hair, dry skin, sensitivity to cold, heavy menstrual periods and constipation. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, sensitivity to heat, weight loss and moist palms.

If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, a trip to the doctor to discuss the possibility of thyroid disease is definitely warranted. Your doctor can perform a simple blood test to determine whether or not thyroid disease in the form of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is present. Once the condition is diagnosed, a treatment program can be designed to rectify the hormone levels and help you lose any excess weight caused by the condition.

Will Thyroid Hormone Treatments Help You Achieve Your Ideal Weight?

Whether you are suffering from hyperthyroidism and a loss of weight or hypothyroidism and a weight gain, you might wonder if thyroid hormone treatment can help you achieve your ideal weight. This is a difficult question to answer because the subject of weight and thyroid function is rather complicated.

The American Thyroid Association discusses the subject of using thyroid hormones for the purpose of weight loss in the following statement, "Thyroid hormones have been used as a weight loss tool in the past. Many studies have shown that excess thyroid hormone treatment can help produce more weight loss than can be achieved by dieting alone.
However, once the excess thyroid hormone is stopped, the excess weight lost is usually regained." This statement alludes to the use of thyroid hormone to stimulate weight loss but also implies weight gain is likely to follow when the treatment ends. If you are considering hormone treatments for the purpose of losing weight, you should be aware that the hormone treatments will likely only reduce the amount of weight caused by the hormonal imbalance. Any additional weight loss will require a diet and exercise program.

Are There Risks Associated with Thyroid Treatments

There are risks associated with just about any treatment plans and thyroid treatments are no exception. Overcorrection of the problem is one of the risks of thyroid treatment. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, or a lack of thyroid hormone, your treatment could cause the opposite condition. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism, or excessive thyroid hormone. The American Thyroid Association explains additional risks by stating, "Furthermore, there may be significant negative consequences from the use of thyroid hormone to help with weight loss, such as the loss of muscle protein in addition to any loss of body fat. Pushing the thyroid hormone dose to cause thyroid hormone levels to be elevated is unlikely to significantly change weight and may result in other metabolic problems."

Can Herbal Supplements Help?

You might wonder if there are herbal supplements which can assist you in obtaining your weight loss goals by regulating the amount of thyroid hormone in your system. Herbal supplements such as Thyvox can be used for this purpose. Visiting the following website will help you learn more about Thyvox and how you can use it to achieve your weight loss goals: www.Thyvox.com. It is important to carefully review this website and other sources to learn as much as you can about the supplement before you make the decision to start using it.

Understanding Thyroid Function

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

The thyroid is a small gland located on the windpipe which primarily regulates metabolism. However, many other bodily functions are controlled by the thyroid. Growth, fertility, body temperature, cholesterol levels, appetite, brain function, memory, vision and coordination are all influenced by the thyroid. However, if you are like most women, you are primarily concerned with the connection between thyroid and metabolism. This is because an under-active thyroid has been associated with small weight gains. The American Thyroid Association describes this weight gain, "Since the BMR in the patient with hypothyroidism is decreased, an under-active thyroid is generally associated with some weight gain. The weight gain is often greater in those individuals with more severe hypothyroidism."

If you are concerned about your thyroid level, you should consult your physician to determine if your weight loss program is being deterred by thyroid disease. Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, dry hair, brittle nails, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, heavy menstrual flow and constipation. Your doctor can perform a simple blood test that can determine if your thyroid is functioning properly. If your thyroid is problematic, your doctor can prescribe a treatment plan to rectify the condition. However, if your thyroid is not malfunctioning, your doctor may be able to recommend a weight loss program that will help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Managing Thyroid Function for Weight Loss

Women who are diagnosed with hypothyroidism can manage their weight loss by undergoing treatment to correct the thyroid hormone levels in the blood. The primary reason for treating these conditions is to correct metabolic problems and prevent serious problems such as loss of muscle proteins. However, for many women, there is an added bonus in losing some excess weight. The amount of weight gain associated with hypothyroidism is typically only 5-10 pounds. However, these pounds can be difficult to lose with only ordinary diet and exercise. Once the thyroid hormone level is normalized, you should shed the weight caused by the deficient thyroid hormone levels rather quickly.

Combining Thyroid Treatment with Exercise and Diet

For a truly effective weight loss program in the presence of thyroid disease, it is worthwhile to consider combining thyroid hormone treatment with an exercise program and a healthy diet. According to the American Thyroid Association, "Massive weight gain is rarely associated with hypothyroidism. In general, 5-10 pounds of body weight may be attributable to the thyroid, depending on the severity of the hypothyroidism." For those who are significantly overweight, the amount of weight caused by the deficient thyroid is considered minimal.

Correcting the thyroid hormone levels in the blood will likely result in a weight loss of 5-10 pounds but is unlikely to result in additional weight loss beyond this amount. For this reason, it is very important to be sure you are eating a proper diet and exercising regularly. These additional measures will help you to lose any additional weight once your thyroid hormone levels are corrected.

Using Herbal Supplements to Fight Thyroid Disease

The use of herbal supplements to fight thyroid disease and lose weight can be effective for some women. If you are considering the use of supplements to help regulate your thyroid hormone levels and achieve your weight loss goals, you should investigate Thyvox. The website: www.Thyvox.com provides more information and can help you to determine if this herbal supplement is right for you.

It is not recommended that you diagnose yourself and use over the counter herbal supplements to treat yourself. If you suspect thyroid disease, you should confirm this with your doctor and discuss treatment options with him or her. He or she may recommend the use of supplements in a prescribed manner. Taking these supplements under the direction of a doctor is significantly safer than using them without a doctor's consent because the doctor can make you aware of possible risks and complications of taking supplements in combination with other medications.