Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Tea: The Best White Persian Melon Tea Pluckings

Copyright 2007 Jon M. StoutIf you haven't experienced White Persian Melon tea, you'vemissed a real treat. White Persian Melon tea is a flavorful blendof white tea combined with sweet melon nectar. It's one ofhealthiest and most refreshing beverages you can drink.But, like other teas, some White Persian Melon teas are betterthan others. Making great White Persian Melon tea, of course,requires the best white tea with the best melon flavoring.One of the features that people typically evaluate in determininggood tea is when the tea is plucked. However, this is not thebest way to judge the White Persian Melon Tea you're buying.White tea can only be harvested for about two weeks during Marchand April of each year. White tea, by definition, is a springtea, harvested only from the very first buds the tea plantproduces each year. Harvesting white tea requires particulartemperatures and other environmental conditions.It must be picked when the weather is dry and there has been nofrost the night before. Therefore, all white tea is a "firstplucking" unlike other tea plants, which are plucked multipletimes during the growing season.So, when it comes to choosing the best White Persian Melon Tea,it's more important to understand the best varieties of whitetea, so that you know that your White Persian Melon tea is highquality. These varieties are used by many different companies andcan be found in several different brands of white tea.Bai Hao Yinzhen Tea A Chinese white tea, this is considered thevery finest grade of white tea. It is usually referred to asSilver Needle tea and can only be plucked for a little more thantwo weeks of during March and April. There must be no rain or dewon the ground when it is plucked and there can be no frost. Onlyunopened and undamaged buds are used to produce this white tea.Bai Mu Dan Tea This tea is also grown in China, and isgenerally considered the second highest grade of Yinzhen tea.This tea is also picked during a short timeframe in March andApril and requires correct environmental conditions, too.However, compared to Bai Hao Yinzhen tea, it contains more leavesand fewer buds. The very best tea of this grade uses only the toptwo leaves on the tea plant, along with the unopened bud.Darjeeling White Tea Darjeeling tea is grown in the Darjeelingregion of India, the part of the world famous for Darjeelingblack teas. Darjeeling white tea is a wonderful combination ofthe delicacy of white tea with the muscatel flavor that is uniqueto Darjeeling teas. You'll find several grades of Darjeeling. Tochoose the best, be certain that the tea is 100% Darjeeling.Ceylon White Tea Ceylon tea is produced in Sri Lanka and is oneof the most famous of the black teas. Ceylon white is rare andhighly prized. It has a pale color and a hint of honey in itssweetness.In addition to choosing a White Persian Melon tea that featuresone of the best white tea varieties, it's also important tochoose a tea that gets its melon flavoring from the highestquality sources. The best White Persian Melon tea is flavoredwith melon nectar that has a flavor that is a cross between thetastes of honeydew and cantaloupe.High quality nectar is important to imparting the sweetness andlightness of the melon flavor and to ensuring that the melon'santi-oxidants are protected.Choosing high quality White Persian Melon Tea ensures not onlythat the taste will be as delicious as you expect, but also thatyou'll get all the health benefits you've come to expect fromwhite tea. And, with good White Persian Melon tea, you get evengreater health benefits than with many other white teas.Because white tea is not fermented during processing, it retainsmore anti-oxidants in their most natural state. In addition,melon is a potent source of anti-oxidants, as well. Anti-oxidantsare important to our health because they fight free radicals inour bodies. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules thatare created as our bodies turn the food we eat into energy.Though they are naturally generated, they cause cell and DNAdamage, which, over time, leads to aging and disease.Anti-oxidants neutralize these free radicals before they candamage our cells and DNA. For this reason, a diet full ofanti-oxidant rich foods like fruits, vegetables and tea, areimportant to keeping us healthy and ensuring that we live a longlife.White tea contains, among others, the anti-oxidant EGCG(epigallocatechin gallate), which is one of the most powerful ofany anti-oxidant. Much research has shown that life longconsumption of the anti-oxidants in white and green tea canprevent cancer, heart disease and many other maladies of aging.Melon contains the anti-oxidant GliSODin, which is another of themost powerful anti-oxidants. GliSODin has been shown toneutralize some of the most powerful free radicals in our bodiesand stimulates our bodies to make its own anti-oxidants. This isespecially important because scientists believe that our ownbody's anti-oxidants are more effective at destroying freeradicals than those we ingest from our diets.So, as you can see, White Persian Melon tea is one of thehealthiest beverages you can add to your diet. Purchase your teafrom the most reputable tea companies to ensure you're buyingonly the best white tea mixed with only the best melon nectar.The delicious and refreshing flavor will be certain to pleaseyour palate while it protects your body.============================================================Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden MoonTea Company. For more information about tea,(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea) green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com ============================================================Read More Articles From Jon M. Stout:http://thePhantomWriters.com/free_content/d/index.shtml#Jon_M._Stout

Friday, June 29, 2007

Do Elevated Homocysteine Levels Increase Risk For Alzheimer'sDisease?

Like many people, you may be asking "what is homocysteine" and wondering how itcould increase your risk of having Alzheimer's Disease. Homocysteine is anamino acid produced naturally by the body, but too much homocysteine in theblood is toxic and can lead to damage and blockage of the arteries and bloodvessels.This makes elevated homocysteine levels a risk factor for vascular disease likeheart disease and stroke. During the last ten years research has revealed apossible connection between vascular disease and the Alzheimer's Disease andother kinds of dementia. "The New England Journal of Medicine" recentlypublished a study that indicates that elevated levels of homocysteine may itselfmay increase older people's risk of Alzheimer's Disease and other forms ofdementia.About the study:A group of researchers at Boston University and Tufts University in Boston beganstudying a subgroup of participants of the Framingham Study during the periodbetween 1986 and 1990.The Framingham Study participants had been having complete physical exams andanswering lifestyle questionnaires every two years since 1948. The subgroup wascomprised of 1,092 men and women with an average age of 76. Participants in thesubgroup were all free of any dementia at their 20th biennial exam. Theseoccurred between the years 1986 and 1990. Blood homocysteine levels were checkedat both the 20th and 16th biennial exams,Participants of the subgroup underwent additional tests beyond those required bythe Framingham Study protocol. Each participant of the subgroup had tests fordementia during the biennial exam from 1986 to December 2000. The results wereevaluated by two neurologists and a neuropsychologist. Each participant was alsotested for an apolipoprotein E gene - a known risk factor for Alzheimer'sDisease.The participant's medical records were reviewed by researchers form their 20thbiennial exam through December 2000 along with their homocysteine measurementsrecorded from their 16th biennial exam. They were specifically looking at howhomocysteine blood levels correlated with Alzheimer's Disease or other dementia.Research findings:It was found that an increase of 5 micromoles of homocysteine per liter of bloodincreased the risk of Alzheimer's Disease by 40%. People with the highest levelsof blood homocysteine had almost double the risk of Alzheimer's and otherdementia as compared to people with lower blood homocysteine. This determinationwas made after accounting for other risk factors.It is important to note that the statistics held true for homocysteine levelsfrom both the 16th and 20th biennial exams. Since Alzheimer's Disease developsslowly, it may be the disease process had begun in some study participants atthe 20th biennial exam but was not yet measurable. It would be very unlikely theparticipants were really free of disease at the 16th biennial exam, eight yearsprior.What does this mean to you?We do know that elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk of heartdisease and stroke. The study finding now suggest that elevated homocysteinelevels may also increase our risk of Alzheimer's Disease and other conditions ofdementia as we age. However, they didn't go as far as proving elevatedhomocysteine levels an indicator of future Alzheimer's Disease. The participantsage ranged from 68 years to 97 years which makes it unclear whether youngeradults might be at increased risk of Alzheimer's later in life if they haveelevated homocysteine levels.Having said that, several other studies do suggest that keeping homocysteinelevels in check may help prevent blood vessel damage and prevent atherosclerosis(hardening of the arteries). The good news is that it is easy to keep yourhomocysteine levels in the safe range.Vitamin B-12, folic acid and vitamin B-6 when taken in food or supplements hasbeen shown to reduce homocysteine levels in the blood. Although we don't yetknow if this will also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease, the knownbenefits make it worthwhile to make sure you obtain adequate supplies of thesenutrients through diet and supplementation.Foods containing folic acid include:* Fruits and orange juice from concentrate* Green, leafy vegetables* Dried beans and legumes* Liver* Grain products that have been fortified with folic acid, such as cereal,pasta, rice, and breadFoods containing Vitamin B-12 include:* Liver and other meats such as pork and beef* Eggs* Milk and other milk productsVegetarians should note: they must supplement to get their vitamin B-12 asfruits and vegetables contain no vitamin B-12.REFERENCES:Seshadri S, et al. "Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for dementia andAlzheimer's Disease", "New England Journal of Medicine", February 14,2002;346(7):476-483.Loscalzo J., "Homocysteine and dementias", "New England Journal of Medicine",February 14, 2002;346(7):466-468.Tom Nuckels owns LpVitamins.com. Customers range from children to the elderly,from carpenters to doctors. Learn what liquid vitamins and phytonutrients can dofor you, visit http://www.lpvitamins.comRead articles at http://www.lpvitamins.com/anti-aging-natural-supplements.htm

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Wu Long Teas And Weight Loss After The Holidays

For most people the holidays like Christmas, Chanukah and NewYears are special occasions that allow families to reunite andspend quality time together. Accompanying the festivities areoften parties and dinners that can result in weight gain. Manypeople often seek ways to reduce weight after the holidays areover.This is not a time for panic: crash diets and extreme exerciseprograms almost always fail and should be avoided. Weight lossshould always be part of a sensible balanced program of exerciseand diet and most experts agree that moderation and consistencyare better than excess.Strategies to Prevent Weight GainTo help prevent weight gain it is important to assess yourbehavior and environment and adopt healthy habitsThe amount and types of foods you eat, and your physical activityhabits are important factors in controlling weight. Theenvironment in which you live may also contribute to the adoptionof poor eating or exercise habits. This is especially true intoday's society, which is dominated by speed and convenience.For example, escalators, elevators and remote-control appliancesmake us less physically active and walking is less frequent thanin prior years. Also, greater availability of foods that arehigh in calories, fat and added sugars, and larger portion sizespromote unhealthy eating behaviors.In addition, reputable organizations, government agencies andindependent researchers agree on the importance of adoptinghealthy habits to prevent weight gain.Effective weight management involves behavior modification whichis a lifelong commitment and includes at least two components:Healthful eating in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines forAmericans, emphasizing a reduction in total calories, a loweredfat consumption, and an increase in vegetables, fruits and wholegrains, is an essential part of weight control.Increased frequent and regular physical activity of at leastmoderate intensity is also required.Health professionals also recommend a prescription for health andweight loss that includes: * Moderate physical activity on most days of the week of atleast 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day forchildren. * Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, andreasonable portion sizes at home, in schools, at worksites, andin communities. * Drinking at least eight glasses of pure water.In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, the use of Wu longtea (also spelled oolong tea or wu long tea) is growing inpopularity as a wholesome and flavorful way to limit weightgain.Will drinking Wu long tea really help lose weight?For many, Wu long tea is a helpful addition to a comprehensiveweight loss program. Wu long tea tastes good, contains healthbenefits that lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and a cupof Wu long tea in the morning can serve as a reminder of ahealthy life style.Wu Long tea has become a premium weight loss tea that many arediscovering for the first time. If you have never enjoyed thegreat taste and slimming health benefits it is known for, you aretruly missing an incredible opportunity. Originating in theFujian Province of China, Wu Long tea has gradually beenintroduced into Western culture. Of all the tea, Wu Longrepresents the Chinese culture best.Those who enjoy the flavor and rich aroma unique to slimming WuLong tea truly understand the art of drinking it - slowly anddelicately. Using a tiny teapot and small teacup, they areinheriting a rich tradition, started by the Chinese generationsago. The health benefits of Wu long tea are many: * Rich in Theaflavin, Tea Polysaccharides and Tea Catechin,antioxidants that assist in the reduction of plaque in thearteries, in lowering cholesterol and in producing slimmingeffects. * Helps regulate blood sugar levels for diabetics. * Burns 2.5 times more calories than Green Tea, ideal for weightloss. * Promotes clear, youthful looking skin.Scientific studies have established that tea is high inhealth-promoting polyphenols that protect us against cancer andother diseases. Wu long tea is particularly high in "polymerizedpolyphenols" which according to recent studies helps to increaseenergy expenditure.One recent study found that energy expenditure increased by 10%for a period of 2 hours after drinking wu long tea. This wassignificantly higher than the energy expenditure observed afterdrinking other types of tea.Another study found that wu long tea can suppress lipidmetabolism which has the effect of suppressing fatty accumulationand body weight increases. The study concludes that long-termconsumption of wu long tea is beneficial for the suppression ofdiet induced obesity.Health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and catechins arepresent in all types of tea, but hand picked wu long tea is thebest source because the pickers are selecting the best leavesfrom the tea plant. Machine harvesting is indiscriminate andshould be avoided - older leaves and twigs are harvested alongwith the newer leaves.Wu long tea is not a miracle cure for weight problems. Weightloss involves following a sensible, healthy diet, and a change inlifestyle to include an adequate amount of exercise. Wu long teahowever, can give you the extra boost to help in your weight lossplans, but it must be used as part of an overall strategy toimprove your living habits.Enjoy the holidays and the festivities involved, don't undertakecrash weight loss programs and adopt a healthy lifestyleincluding Wu long tea!-------------------------------------------------------Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden MoonTea Company. For more information about tea,(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea) green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

Friday, May 11, 2007

Weight Loss Little Changes That Bring In Big Results

You probably are feeling overwhelmed by how to get back to yourdesired weight if you are struggling with weight loss. You mayachieve results much faster than you think by taking littlesteps towards your goal. Most people give up and continue theirsedentary lifestyles and eating the wrong types of foods becausethey feel it is impossible to get back in shape. But by staringwith little or baby steps and you might surprise yourself atwhat a difference it can make in losing weight. The body needs to speed up its metabolism in order to loseweight. You can achieve this in many ways without thosestrenuous exercises. Getting oxygen to the brain and gettingyour circulation flowing is one thing that speeds up themetabolism. Take five to ten minutes in the morning and dosimple stretches. Breathe out all of the air you have insideyou and hold your breath for 3-5 seconds, if you can. While youare doing this, stretch one arm. Then let the air out. Do thesame with your other arm, your back, and legs and any otherarea of your body you feel like. You will feel great that youwill be stretching your muscles that you didn't even know youhave. Drinking lots of water is also important if you are planning onlosing weight. Start with 4 glasses a day if you are not used todrinking water. It is recommended that we drink 64 oz of water aday. But this might take some time to work up to that. If youstart small you can work yourself up to more as you see fit. What is vital to weight loss is eating the right kind of foods.Eating these foods ate certain intervals during the day; yourfood will become fuel that burns instead of becoming stored upfat. You may see a remarkable improvement of weight loss whenyou alternate certain foods during the day. The results aretruly amazing and it is so easy. Little weight loss tricks that can bring incredible results arevery simple. The important thing is to do something each day nomatter how insignificant it may seem. You will have so muchmore energy and notice a tremendous change in your overallhealth and well being in following these steps.About The Author: If you like this article, you might also likemy other must-read weight loss articles athttp://www.MyWeightLossNewsletter.com - See You There!

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Healthy Diets - Is this the World's Healthiest Diet?

By: Stephen Todd The Japanese enjoy one of the healthiest diets on earth. Japan's population has the lowest level of obesity in the developed world and people tend to live longer than any other country.The Japanese diet is an easy and fun diet to follow.Healthy Diets should be EffortlessThere are major concerns over low or no carb diets, such as the Atkins diet. These diets are not natural, and aside from health concerns, many people find them difficult to follow.The Japanese diet is natural and a sensible way to eat (similar to the Mediterranean diet) and like most healthy diets it is not difficult to follow.The Perfect Healthy Diet for EveryoneThe traditional Japanese diet is very low in cholesterol, fat, and calories and high in fiber and here are the eight secrets of its success:1. Eat RiceHow many times in a week do you eat rice? For the Japanese it is normally daily.Rice is rich in carbohydrates and proteins it is the basis of the Japanese diet.2. Eat More FishThe Japanese eat about 70kg of fish per person per year, that's four times as much as the average for the rest of the world.Eating fish (particularly oily fish) lowers the risk of disease and increases vitality.3. Eat SoyaThe Japanese eat 10 times more Soya produce than any other nation. Low in calories and fat and high in protein Soya is also packed with plant oestrogen.4. VarietyA recent study showed that Japanese people eat an average of 100 different foods a week, compared to just 30 in other western countries. This well balanced diet provides all the nutrients the body needs.A premium is also placed upon freshness and natural flavor; people like to eat ingredients at their "shun" or "now-in-season" in Japanese.Eating the ingredients in season provides variety and a better way to get all the nutrients you need naturally; also a lot of raw foods are eaten that have a higher nutritional value than heavily cooked foods.5. Portion ControlPortions tend to be smaller and are savored, and it is this portion control that stops binging and over eating.Each portion is eaten slowly, so the stomach has more time to register when it is full. Eating slowly also aids digestion and absorption of the nutrients in the food.6. BreakfastBreakfast is the most important meal of the day, giving a boost of energy and preventing hunger pangs later.A typical breakfast might include green tea, steamed rice, miso soup with tofu, spring onions and maybe omelette and grilled salmon. Sounds better than Muesli to me!7. Cook LightIn the Japanese diet, food is usually steamed, pan-fried, simmered or stir fried over intense heat. This method of cooking helps the food retain more of the nutrients and particularly anti ageing antioxidants.8. Enjoy SweetsThe Japanese diet has room for these treats.They love chocolate, pastries, ice cream and cookies.The difference is they view them as a regular treat and do not overdo the portions.One of the Best Diets on EarthWhen looking at healthy diets it is clear that the Japanese have one of the best diets on earth: Low in cholesterol and fat Well balancedA huge variety of foods to enjoy so you will never get bored.Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articlesMore dieting and general health information and FREE exclusive diet and health magazines, are available on our web site: www.net-planet.org

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Celebrity Weight Loss - How You Can Use The Diet And Weight Loss Programs Of The Stars

By: Tracie Johanson Why is it that celebrities always seem to be thinner, sexier and more beautiful that us? What weight loss secrets do they use to get that way? Is it a diet, a diet pill, Weight Watchers, or what? It seems that if we could only get the inside information on the new celebrity weight loss program or weight loss pill, then we'd be almost guaranteed to experience fast weight loss of our own.Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff, Denise Richards, Janet Jackson, Daryl Hannah, Whitney Houston, Kirstie Alley and many other celebrities have all been in the news lately because of their own personal weight issues. This article looks at what weight loss strategies have worked for these and other celebrities, and how we can apply these same tactics to our own situation. Most Celebrities Are Thinner Than Us:Despite the few celebrity weight loss failures, there's no denying that most celebrities look better than we do. Models, for example, are 23 percent leaner than the average (source: annecollins.com). Perhaps their trim appearance is part of the reason why we, as a nation, have such a fascination with the celebrity lifestyle.Indeed, we typically reward and idolize the more slender celebrities. Just a quick look at People Magazine's list of the '50 Most Beautiful People 2005' reveals that only the lean made the list. People's 'Most Beautiful Women of 2005' list reveals the same thing - celebrities (at least the popular ones) are more thin than we are.Even when we do find a celebrity that doesn't look like a stick figure, invariably we find that they have recently lost some weight. "No longer a crash dieter, Oprah Winfrey.....who at her heaviest was 237 lbs., has been eating right, sticking to lean protein and hitting the gym as she aims for her "safe zone" in the 150-lb. range. "Maybe for the first time, she's doing it for all the right reasons," says trainer Bob Greene of the talk-show queen's workouts (source: people.aol.com). How Do They Do It?Even though celebrities do make diet and nutrition mistakes, the majority of them are still thinner than us. So how do the stars achieve quick weight loss when we battle and fight just to lose a few pounds? Is there some secret weight loss product or weight loss plan they're keeping hidden from us?The secret is that there is no secret. Celebrities try the same diets we have, including the South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet, the Atkins Diet and countless others. There is no mysterious diet plan or diet product that works for every celebrity all the time, just as there is no such plan that will work for every one of us.Celebrities that are successful in achieving a healthy weight loss generally do so with a nutritious weight loss diet and regular exercise. Take a look at these examples:"I think Oprah Winfrey wins the weight battle of 2004 -- she looks fabulous.....Look at her, she's never looked better. She's been skinnier -- that's true -- but she's never looked better." "Oprah should set the standard for Hollywood weight loss," Paula says. "She's been very open about it. She's been up, she's been down, she's been wide, she's been skinny." She continues: "She didn't do the surgery and she doesn't really do the fad diets. She eats healthy, she has a personal trainer and she works really hard at it" (source: et.tv.yahoo.com).Denise Richards put on 30 lbs. while carrying Lola (born June 1), but Richards had a secret weight-loss weapon: "It's called the Stress Diet," she says, half-joking, - and alluding to having filed for divorce (from Charlie Sheen) in her sixth month of pregnancy. But mostly she can thank her work with trainer Garrett Warren: She's been kickboxing and doing abdominal exercises four to six times weekly - and adhering to a portion-controlled diet (source: celebrity.aol.com)."All eyes were on the miraculous weight loss of Hollywood in 2004," Paula says. "But there's no real miracle about it, it's exercise, it's eating right and sometimes -- it's surgery!" (Source: et.tv.yahoo.com). Why Does It Work For Them And Not For Us?It's no surprise that eating the right foods and exercising regularly will help us achieve our ideal weight. So why is it that celebrities seem to have so much more success than we do? There are three reasons why the stars lose weight faster than the average American:1) Celebrities have more time than we do.2) Celebrities have more money than we do.3) Celebrities have a bigger incentive to stay fit and trim.Although they do work long hours while touring or filming, there's no denying that the stars have more disposable time than we do. When you're rich enough to hire a nanny, a driver, a personal chef and many other assistants to take over the time-consuming tasks of life for you, it's easy to find more time to exercise. "Singer Jessica Simpson started a new exercise routine to get in shape for her role as Daisy Duke in the upcoming Dukes of Hazard movie. Her workout includes two HOURS a day of squats and lunges and has motivated her to create a new workout video. "I have a white-girl bootie, so I'm doing all my squats to lift it a little bit and get some junk in my trunk," says Jessica (source: kidzworld.com)."Usher's been workin' on his abs since he was 16, but claims that it's all because of good genes.....hard work and being disciplined - oh yeah, and 1,000 CRUNCHES a day. Usher also has a daily routine he calls "forty minutes of funk" which includes stretchin', skippin' and jumping jacks. Then he moves onto push-ups, leg raises and tricep dips.....can you say fitness freak!" (source: kidzworld.com).Not only do celebrities have the time to exercise for hours on end, but they typically have the money to hire the absolute best weight loss support team. Julia Roberts, for example, earns an estimated $25,000,000 each year. Cameron Diaz earns $20,000,000 annually. Angelina Jolie pulls down about $12,000,000 each year and Reese Witherspoon gets a $15,000,000 yearly paycheck (source: bankrate.com). With that much cash on hand, the stars can easily afford to hire the best personal trainers, the best nutritionists, the best dietitians and the best personal chefs."Celebrities also have the luxury of personal trainers and nutritionists to help them with rigorous diet regimes" (source: abcnews.go.com).With a personal chef to prepare every meal, celebrities find it easier to follow a low fat diet. A registered dietitian in the house makes it easy for stars to get a unique diet recipe or any other weight loss information they want. Simply put, having the salary of a celebrity makes it easier to lose weight.Indeed, it's that same high salary that gives celebrities their incredible incentive to stay slender. The blunt truth of the matter is that Hollywood and the entertainment industry is not kind to overweight stars, often shunning them in favor of 'thin beauty'. Celebrities see a very real connection between their weight and their earnings power, which gives them the motivation they need to keep trying when many others would give up.Statistics show that approximately two-thirds of Americans are overweight. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 80 percent of overweight individuals and almost 87 percent of obese individuals are trying to lose or maintain their weight. As a nation, we're trying to win the battle of the bulge, but we often lack the motivation to consistently exercise and eat right. How much easier would that struggle be if there were a $25,000,000 prize waiting for us when we reached our goal weight? How We Can Use The Diet And Weight Loss Programs Of The Stars:Although most Americans can't afford the same support staff hired by the celebrities, we can learn from their success and use that information to achieve our own health and fitness goals. Here's what we can do to copy the weight control tactics of celebrities:1) Find an exercise program that takes less time.2) Search for free diet information and free weight loss information.3) Earn and keep more money by losing weight.First of all, it's time to face reality that most of us will never have hours each day to dedicate to exercise like the celebrities do. That's not an excuse to quit! Instead, find an exercise routine that will get results in a shorter period of time. A great example is circuit training, where you get aerobic and resistance exercise at the same time. By combining these two types of workout into one, it's entirely possible to get real fat loss results in only thirty minutes each day.Some time-strapped celebrities use circuit training to achieve their fitness goals. Matthew McConaughey, for example, ".....was circuit training - combining cardiovascular exercise with muscle-strengthening moves....." (source: STAR Magazine 11-14-05).Circuit training works, especially for those of us short on time. As an example, consider Pick Up The Pace 30-Minute Workout For Women. This is a health club that offers hydraulic circuit training and has seen gym members accomplish incredible results. As reported on their website, member Minnie lost 10.5 inches during the month of February 2005. Vymell C. lost 9.5 inches the same month. The site also reports that Betty K. joined Pick Up The Pace in January, 2003. By September, 2004 she had lost 50 inches, and dropped from a size 18 to an 8. Stacie Y. lost 68 pounds, 54 1/4 inches, and dropped 6 sizes.The next thing we can do to mimic celebrity weight loss success is find free diet information and free weight loss information. The truth about health and fitness is out there, and much of it is free.Finally, we can copy celebrity weight loss by giving ourselves a real cash incentive to lose weight. While we probably won't ever hit that $25,000,000 payday, we can earn and keep more money by losing weight. It's true! Losing weight will help us earn and save more money. "Studies have consistently shown that obese employees are paid less than normal-weight employees doing similar jobs" (source: HealthNewsDigest.com).A comprehensive study of wages in 1998 found that obese workers earn significantly less than than non-obese employees. How much less? About $3.41 per hour! This discrepancy was found only in those workers who had employer-sponsored health insurance, perhaps suggesting that the higher costs of insuring obese individuals was being passed on to the employees themselves. (Source: Bundorf and co-author Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the Center for Health Policy/Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research).So it's possible that losing weight could eventually add substantially to our paycheck! But did you know that losing weight may also lower the amount of money we personally pay out in medical costs? According to a study published in Health Affairs recently, obese Americans pay $732 more for health care each year than do normal-weight adults. Is that as much as a celebrity earns each year? Of course not - but it is a cash incentive for us to lose weight!Celebrities will always have the advantage when it comes to weight loss. But with some extra effort we can achieve the same results!Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articles 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 www.letspickupthepace.com/ for more information.