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Using Nutritional Supplements via the Isagenix Weight Loss Program

There is a lot of curiosity and also a healthy level of expectations from the recently popular weight loss method known as the ‘isagenix weight loss’ series. The isagenix program accommodates a high fiber, low fat meal per day. In terms of calories, the meal shouldn’t provide more than 500 calories.

Apart from this, the system includes nutritional supplements, exercise and specialty food products. This method comes in 3 categories in terms of duration of programs, starting with the primary 9 day program, then the 30 day program and also the life time maintenance program.
In terms of weight loss, the program provides a weight loss package which consists of the following main aspects:

Cleanse for Life

IsaLean Shake (s)

Isagenix Snacks

The ‘cleanse for life’ supplement consists of many mineral and vitamin based supplements, but the most important ingredient is aloe vera based juice, while the isalean shakes form a meal based supplement. The major ingredients of this shake are flavored protein along with added minerals and vitamins as well.
Lastly, the isagenix snacks part consists of blending of carbohydrates, proteins and some portions of fats. The snacks come mostly in powdered ‘easy to intake’ format. The program also provides a set of (often provided in terms of a bottle) natural accelerator capsules.

Apart from these consumption aspects, the isagenix weight loss program provides certain accessories for the purpose of understanding, execution and a systematic weight loss technique.
The accessories are as follows:

Program guide

Measuring tape

Instructional CD

Due to the popularity of the isagenix weight loss program, there are certain customizations provided by certain agencies that offer assistance during such programs.
The above basic package comes with the 9 day program, while the 30 day program consists of the same package and some additional products like:

A bottle of Ionix Supreme

A bottle of IsaFlush

Four packets of ‘Want More Energy’

The lifelong isagenix weight loss program consists of some more variants. In addition, antioxidants and essentials vitamins are also provided.
Like many other weight loss techniques, the isagenix weight loss program also comes with some side effects which are discussed as follows:

Starting with the most common ‘weight loss techniques’ related side effect that is headaches can be from minor to medium level. Dull to intense pain has also been reported in some cases. Also, a common feedback from users is that the headaches disappear after the body gets used to the method.

As the program has issues of lack of food and people need some time to be accustomed to such a situation (good news – it is more than possible), some people have complained of issues like dizziness, nervousness and even being shaky at times.

Accelerated heart rate is also seen in few cases.

Like many other weight loss techniques, a user needs more effort to maintain the desired results, so self-motivated souls have a better shot at glory. Lastly, one needs to understand that weight loss is a process and not an instant result.

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What is Dukan Diet and its side-effects?

This article gives pertinent information about Dukan Diet and its side-effects

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Pierre Dukan, a French doctor and nutritionist, challenged with the case of obesity started to look for alternative ways in curing the illness. After 20 years of thorough research he published in the year 2000, a book called, “Je ne sais pas maigrir” or translated as, “I don’t know how to get slimmer.” It gained the best-seller in France after a year it has been published.
It was made a hit in UK when Kate Middleton, now the duchess of Cambridge, tried the Dukan Diet before her marriage to the beloved Prince William, she reportedly claimed a loss of two dress sizes. It also allegedly claimed to help five million French. The book is also gaining fame in the US in the year 2011 when actress/singer, Jennifer Lopez, lost pounds after her pregnancy by following this diet.
Dukan Diet: What is it? How does this work?
Dukan Diet is similar to the famous Atkins diet. Atkins and Dukan are much alike in terms of non-intake of carbs initially and do not require portion control or counting calorie consumptions. In Atkins, it requires net carbohydrate intakes and unlike Dukan, it suggests a daily intake of oats, increase water consumption and 20 minutes of everyday brisk walking. Dukan Diet adopts four phases namely: Attack, Cruise, Consolidation and Stabilization.
Four Phases of the Dukan Diet
Attack: In this starter phase, the dieter is only allowed take protein rich foods that are exquisitely low in fat. Dr. Dukan provided 72-item list of foods to be eaten, it excludes pork, lamb, poultry products and cheeses. Food should always be cooked but without adding any fat to it, it best to cook in grilling or roasting. It also requires you to eat 1 ½ tbsp. oat bran & 1.5 liters of water per day. This phase should be followed around 2-7 days or more. Results from this initial phase within 5 days may result in 4-7 lbs. loss. This phase promotes quick loss of weight since it is strictly based on a protein-only diet.
Cruise: Cruise, the second to the fourth phase of the Dukan diet scheme. During this phase dieters who were only allowed to eat protein-only foods can now alternate a 28-items of non-starchy vegetables. They may take attack phase diet for today and take non-starchy veggie diet for tomorrow, and so this phase must go on by alternating these two types of diet each day. This phase may last long enough as much as you want by reaching your desired weight and assuring 2 pounds per week loss.
Consolidation: As one achieves the desired weight, one has to go the next phase called Consolidation, this is the maintenance phase of this diet scheme where you have to prevent putting back excess pounds. The plan in this phase is less strict compared to the first two phases. During this phase you are permitted to eat protein-only and veggie diet along with a piece of low-sugar fruit, 2 slices of whole grain bread and a portion of hard cheese. In this phase you are allowed to have 1-2 serving of starchy foods and one celebration meal per week. The phase of consolidation does not expect to loss off pounds but rather it is steadily the maintenance process.
Stabilization: Stabilization is the final phase and a life-long phase of the diet scheme. In here maintenance of the life-changing diet may be a challenging and tempting. During this portion of the scheme, one is already permitted to allow any food intake that a person wants and by also sticking to the diet rule in the consolidation phase. As Pierre Dukan suggest, that staying on the phase 1 rule once a week and eat whatever you like for the rest of the week lowers the chances of regaining weight.
Pros and Cons of Dukan Diet
Pros: The fast results of this diet scheme is beneficially rewarding and motivating. It allows you to have protein and veggie meal plan diets and does not require you to count off your calorie intakes.
Cons: It is highly restrictive and can exclude healthy foods. Dieters can experience side-effects such as symptoms of headaches, nausea, lethargy, irritable and loss of concentration. Dieters may acquire halitosis (bad breath), metallic tasting mouth and strong smell in their urines. For those people who have problems with their kidneys and liver are not advised to follow this diet plan. It is not also recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Views and Opinions by Health Experts on the Dukan Diet
There are lots of critics in this diet plan. Due to the restrictive type scheme of this diet, some fruits, grains and nuts which are healthy and have high amounts of vitamins and minerals that are vital to the nutrition of the body are eliminated. Keri Gans of American Dietetic Association, said that the lost amount of multivitamins that should be acquired from those restricted foods are not compensated in the Dukan diet. Experts have also criticized that experiencing such side-effects may not be healthy at all.

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Uncovering the Weight & Lifestyle Connection

However, the most common cause of delay in weight loss is actually lifestyle choices.

If you are already dieting and working out and you still aren’t seeing any progress, it’s time to do a lifestyle check to see if you have any “weight loss traps” holding you back.

What are “weight loss traps?”

Weight loss traps are habits, beliefs and general lifestyle factors that can slow down your progress in slimming down. To say that only diet and exercise are needed to slim down is an oversimplification. There are many other factors that affect a person’s weight.

Factor # 1: Daily Routines

How do our daily routines affect weight loss?Daily routines have a definite impact on the weight loss process. If people evaluated their main routines at home or at work, they would immediately see why the weight isn’t coming off.

If you grab cheeseburgers or tacos for lunch and you skip breakfast on most days, your metabolism is probably very low and your body isn’t burning calories at an optimum level.

Poor eating habits often have precedents. For example, if a person doesn’t have time in the morning to prepare breakfast, it is likely that they often sleep late and wake up in the morning with only minutes left to shower and dress for work.

It’s important that you slowly change your daily routines to fit your new lifestyle requirements. Otherwise, your body will not be able to shed fat efficiently.

Factor # 2: Stress Levels

How stressed are you on most days?

If you answered “very stressed” or “extremely stressed”, your level of stress may also be preventing you from losing weight.

In addition to the mental strain that stress creates, physiological stress also affects cardiorespiratory efficiency, nerve health and even your digestive health. In short, when you are mentally stressed, your body (including your vital organs) is stressed too.

In this situation, the only viable option is stress management.

There are many stress management techniques available, from meditation to massage therapy. Some individuals like playing subliminal recordings with ambient sounds to relieve themselves of stress. Explore your options and see which technique will be the most beneficial for you.

Factor # 3: Sleep Quality

Sleep is the only time that the body can start renewing and repairing itself. When you are actively losing extra weight, your body needs even more sleep so that your muscles and organs can repair and reconfigure themselves to function more efficiently.

What happens when you don’t get enough sleep at night?

Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can affect your ability to exercise. Your metabolism is also slower and the digestion and absorption of nutrients also slow down.

Having less than 6 hours of sleep every night can also cause physical stress which further reduces your metabolic efficiency. In short, if you want to melt away those extra inches, you have to give your “fat burning machine” the rest that it needs.

How can you get better sleep at night?

No Gadgets – If you are going to sleep, leave your tablet computer and smartphone on the bedside table or even farther away. Watching TV is also a bad idea as it makes your mind more active, making sleep harder to come.
Aromatherapy – Starting with the ability to relax your mind and body, aromatherapy can vastly improve your sleep habits. Getting to sleep, staying asleep, the quality of sleep you are getting, and the ability to wake up refreshed are all quality sleep habits that aromatherapy can help you with.
Lights Off – Current research shows that having even a small amount of light present during bedtime can affect sleep quality. It appears that we instinctually associate any form of light with sunlight and therefore, wakefulness.

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