Too Much Body Fat Storage - Set Point Theory

Many dieters will tell you that most of their weight was lost at the beginning of their diet. What is particularly frustrating is that the weight loss slows or stops completely after several weeks. This is called the weight loss plateau effect. Worse, approximately 95% of dieters regain the lost weight. Why? Because the body is trying to retain its set point.

Bennett and Gurin developed the set point theory in 1982 as a means of explaining why diets often fail to change body weight and shape. They suggested that the body is biologically and genetically predisposed to maintain a specific weight range and level of body fat. Although the set point varies from person to person, medical evidence suggests that most people have a 65% chance of being in the same weight range as their family members.

Scientists speculate that the number of fat cells the body contains at the end of the first year of life determines the set point. The amount we eat, the fat content of our diet and the level of physical activity determine how large those fat cells will become, and how heavy we will be. This means that no matter how many fat cells we all have it is possible to shrink the amount of fat storage they contain, although, we still need to select the correct exercise and diet suited to our unique needs.

More on the Body Fat Set Point Theory

There are three sides to the set point theory. Some researchers believe that it is psychological. They suggest that it is determined by personal and cultural preferences, such as body image, clothing size ("bikini season," for example), and health reasons. Some researchers believe that the set point is physical. They are, in turn, divided as to its origin. Some say that a hormone secreted by adipose tissue determines the set point. Others have suggested that the hypothalamus, a hormone-secreting gland at the base of the brain, contains a sort of "adipostat", the regulatory mechanism which controls fat stores. The hormone leptin helps the brain determine how much fat is being stored. Recently, much attention has been focused on environmental factors for the 4% annual increase in the obesity rate. Industrialization, central heating, vaccinations, reductions in infectious diseases, increased availability of food, and changing attitudes have altered our set points.

The adipostat monitors and maintains body fat stores by adjusting appetite, physical activity, and the resting metabolic rate to conserve or expend energy. Think of the body as having a thermostat. When you start to go below your natural weight, it reacts by slowing down your metabolism. It reduces your energy expenditures. Your body temperature will drop as less energy is expended on warmth. You may become lethargic as your body continues to conserve calories. You will want to sleep more. Some women will stop having their periods. Your body may start to think you're starving and trigger uncontrollable binges to get you to eat more. If you go above your natural weight, your metabolism will increase. The body will do what it can to burn off the extra calories by raising your temperature. Either way, your body will always try to maintain its set point.

The way off this roller coaster is a healthy diet and regular exercise. The healthy diet will provide the proper nutrition we need. A sustained exercise program will lower the set point and result in a body weight that can be reached and maintained with proper dieting. This has been borne out by international research studies undertaken by the late Dr. Roland L. Weinsier, Director, Clinical Nutrition Research Center of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and many other noted researchers.

While appetite suppressors might seem appropriate tools for losing weight, many have dangerous side effects. Leaving these aside, there is another built in risk to using appetite suppressors. As soon as you stop taking them, your body will attempt to regain its set point and you will put back on the pounds you have shed. We don't need a short term weight loss diet. We need to develop a long term strategy that will allow us to take the weight off and keep it off.

Wayne Mcgregor has a degree in nutrition and dietetics, a diploma in fitness training, and a wealth of experience in helping people to lose weight and build muscle. His website provides hundreds of free weight loss articles, sample diets, tools and charts of calorie content of different foods.

http://www.weightlossforall.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Mcgregor

Four Steps to Help Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity

People may make decisions based on their environment or community. For example, a person may choose not to walk to the store or to work because of a lack of sidewalks. Communities, homes, and workplaces can all influence people's health decisions. Because of this influence, it is important to create environments in these locations that make it easier to engage in physical activity and to eat a healthy diet.

Here are Four Steps to Help Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity:

1) At home, reduce time spent watching television and in other sedentary behaviors. Build physical activity into regular routines or chores.

2) Work with schools to ensure that the school breakfast and lunch programs meet nutrition standards. Provide food options that are low in fat, calories, and added sugars. See that all children, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, have quality, daily physical education

3) At work create more opportunities for physical activity. Take the stairs. Walk to tell someone something rather than call or send an email.

4) Promote healthier choices including at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and reasonable portion sizes. Encourage the food industry to provide reasonable food and beverage portion sizes. Encourage food outlets to increase the availability of low-calorie, nutritious food items. Create opportunities for physical activity in communities.

Science shows that genetics plays a role in obesity. Genes and behavior may both be needed for a person to be overweight. In some cases multiple genes may increase one's susceptibility for obesity and require outside factors; such as abundant food supply or little physical activity. A doctor is the best source to tell you whether illnesses, medications, or psychological factors are contributing to weight gain or making weight loss hard.

Stop Your Weight Loss Frustration! You Can Begin To Lose Weight Now with Instant Downloads from Today's Top Fat Loss Diets! Decide Which Diet Plan or Weight Loss Program Fits You The Best. Start Your New Eating Plan Today So You Can Begin To Lose Weight Tomorrow!
http://www.TopFatLossDiets.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joan_Martin

Top Five Obesity Burners

Obesity burners are accepted as of their popular relieve and quick outcomes. In a humanity where nearly every person is worried about their appearance, sense, figure or fitness, weight slaughter support and diet enhancements are greatly respected.

As fat burners including ephedra were mainly accepted throughout earlier period, in 2006 citizens have been leaving to ordinary diet enhancements with evidence of no injurious possessions. Vit B-12 was sponsored this time as an obesity burner booster, promoting cell renewal also.

On the other hand, worldwide obesity burners were amongst the apex obesity burner of the time. These goods have been circulated like ephedra-free, having more self-confidence of public eager to initiate a mass slaughter plan, complemented with ordinary, healthy goods. Common Diet enhancements are also dominant power enhancing results for improving a strict work out plan.

Stacker metabolizing obesity Burners are as well listed amongst the most accepted goods for weight slaughter, and are representing while you are omitted a quantity of your foodstuff during the day. While, diet enhancements are not planned for food replacement, they give you with the nutrients that your body wants when you miss any serving of food throughout the day for a one-time basis.

There is no such fixation as "weigh slaughter the simple method", a proverb of citizens that skip meal throughout the day in the conviction that more pounds will vanish like magic. follow a sufficient work out plan, eating small parts, but well balanced, and contain diet enhancements in your food is the finest way to combat spare pounds and continue in shape.
Herbal goods circulated throughout 2006 have enhanced formulations and active revitalizing possessions. Actually, they are dominant obesity burners in contrast with other formulas produced in preceding years for increasing energy and reducing your mass, making a thermogenic reaction.

There are top burners for games and further for the standard individual who only desires an efficient method to manage their mass, increase their nutrimental eating, and enhancing their power. Throughout the ephedra period, Xenadrine and Hydroxycut were scheduled as the peak burners offered in the bazaar. Though, ephedra products caused more displeasure than excellent outcomes.

Alternate diet enhancements after ephedra contain obesity burners for example the ECY Stack S.A.N Tight, Man Scorch, Avant Labs Sesathin, Man Scorch, Avant Labs Sesathin and S.A.N Tight, a creation, which is helpful as a power enhancer and mass slaughter enhancement, but including Caffeine, and ephedrine, , and Caffeine, and that is herbal reaction to ephedra.

Read more on ephedrine caffeine stacking Check out for Thermogenesis ephedra strong ephedra pills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Adan_Mills