Weight Loss - Cancer prevention

Cancer is the biggest killer in the west. One in three people will get cancer, of which one in four will die. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells uncontrollably divide and multiply. When these cells gather together they form a tumor. Some tumors are not cancerous, but others are malignant, which means they'll grow very quickly and effect near by tissue and organs. If this spread is not prevented then it will result in death.

Reduce the risk of Cancer

Although cancer is a major killer in the west, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting cancer. In order to reduce the risk of cancer you should:

Stop smoking
Smoking is one of the biggest causes of cancer. Smoking is implicated in a third of all cancer deaths, and nine out of ten cases of lung cancer.
Don't binge drink
Research has shown that excessive alcohol consumption is the cause of mouth, throat and liver cancers.
Healthy Diet
Research has shown that a high fiber, low fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetable reduces the chances of you getting cancer. Also, try and avoid any food with artificial additives and sweeteners.
Reduce your weight
Obesity increases the risk of several cancers, including colon, kidney, oesophagus and gall bladder. research has shown that an estimated 12,000 cases can be avoided if people did not exceed a body mass index of 25.

Don't ignore any changes in your body. If you notice any of the following then contact your GP. The sooner the doctors treat the cancer, the better your chances of recovery.

Unusual growth or lumps
Unexplained weigh loss
Loss of appetite
A sore or ulcer that won't heal
Coughing up blood
Nagging cough that last more than three weeks
A mole that bleeds or changes shape
Unexplained changes in bowel or bladder habits
Blood in vomit or stools.

Children & Obesity

In simple terms, obesity is caused when the body stores excessive calories. Obesity in civilized countries is reaching epidemic proportions. What is worrying is that the children too are now more obese than ever before in the history of man kind!

Child Obesity and Weight Loss

Calories and Weight Loss

Weight loss depends on the amount of calorie intake. Calories are used by the body to perform its day-to-day functions. However, when the calories taken in is greater than the energy burnt, then the excess calories are stored as fat. The most common reasons for excessive consumption of calories are:

Psychological
Emotional
Lack of knowledge
Habit

calories and weight loss

Weight loss plans

There are a number of VERY dangerous diet plans used to target weight loss. A dangerous, or misleading, diet is one which provides "rapid" result. Remember, in order for a diet to be effective and safe, your body needs time to adjust to the change in your lifestyle. This is because rapid dieting will almost always have health consequences, and in fact research has also shown that as soon as your body adjusts to the diet, you will start to put on weight at even a higher rate than before.

Weight loss diet

Weight Loss plans to be avoided

For legal reasons we are unable to actually name dangerous or misleading weight loss diets, however, the following is a list which should help you identify these diets for yourself.

Any diet that cuts out any essential food groups (Specially carbohydrates!)
Any diet that promises or guarantees fast result
Any diet that involves you drinking only liquid food.
Any diet that involves you buying processed and ready made "food substitutes".

Weight loss diets

Diet

The food you eat is the single most important factor in your weight loss program. Weight loss is only achieved through a healthy diet.

Weight loss diet and health

Exercise

Exercise is vital not only to a safe weight loss plan, but, is also crucial to the general operation and well being of the human body.

Weight loss exercise

Measuring Body Fat

Measuring the Body Fat is a much more accurate way of measuring how your weight loss program is going than using a bathroom scale. The bathroom scales are highly misleading!

Measure Body Fat

Swimming

Swimming is a VERY effective and safe way of burning calories. Its one of the safest ways of exercising as you do not put any excessive force on the joints.

Swimming

Walking

Walking is one of the safest form of exercise as you burn those calories without excessive wear and tear on the joints.

Walking

Pilates and Yoga

Pilates and Yoga are important to any weight loss program as they both encourage good body posture and alignment.

Pilates