Search Weight Loss Topics:

Page 4,406«..1020..4,4054,4064,4074,408..4,4204,430..»

Home » Page 4406

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Despite the brave new workout world of streaming videos and smart phone exercise apps, the old-fangled fitness DVD has never been in better shape.

As people seek to live healthier, it remains the go-to workout aid for many who like their exercise accessible, inexpensive and private, according to a recent report.

"Consumers are getting more and more advice from doctors to exercise," said Agata Kaczanowska, industry analyst for IBIS, which conducted a market research study of the $264 million-dollar fitness DVD industry.

Nearly one-third of Americans who visited a healthcare professional in 2010 were advised to exercise, she explained.

"And a lot of these first-time workout people are uncomfortable going to gym or working out in public."

So while movie DVDs are generally considered to be on life support, IBIS found that fitness DVD production revenue climbed at an 11.2 percent annualized pace in the five years to 2012.

The report, which gathers information from market trends, industry sources and government figures forecasts that the industry will grow 9.8 percent in the next five years.

Kaczanowska said 18 to 34 year-olds account for a healthy 35 percent of fitness DVD sales, followed by 35 to 50 year-olds at 33 percent. People 55 and over account for 20 percent.

The industry is even beginning to target childhood fitness.

"With the focus on childhood obesity, there's a push for parents to convince their children to exercise more, so I really do see that picking up as a trend," she said.

Inexpensive and widely available, fitness DVDs thrived in the recession. Kaczanowska expects them to weather the recovery well, despite increased competition, because the number of people told to exercise will increase.

"There will be growth in the symbiotic relationships between online viewers and DVD exercisers," she said. "A lot of companies are using online videos to promote their DVDs."

Jill Ross, co-owner of Collage Video, has been marketing fitness DVDs to consumers for 25 years. She said even when DVD technology was on its way in, fitness customers were among the last to embrace it.

"Women and men who use fitness DVDs tend to have a large library of them," she explained. "They typically rotate a dozen over the course of a couple of weeks."

Those people, she said, are more likely to stick with the same format. And why change when the exercise offerings are forever expanding?

"Whatever you're interested in, whether it's classical barre or intense cardio, there's a DVD," she said, along with an instructor to suit every taste.

"Jillian Michaels (former trainer on TV's "Biggest Loser) is pretty intense. She shouts at people, but they like her," Ross said. "Leslie Sansone is more of a girl-next-door type. She does walking programs: two, three-mile walks, and people will buy every one of them."

Currently selling well, Ross said, is anything with ballet in it, interval workouts, that combine aerobics and toning, and interval workouts alternating short segments of time.

"Women in particular are looking for more dumbbell exercises for bone strength," she said.

Ross said while major manufacturers maintain high standards, some videos are still produced without sufficient thought to their home market; missteps can range from doing complicated moves with little or no instruction to travelling 40 feet across a gym floor.

"How many people do you know who have a 40-foot (12-meter) living room?" she said. "We try not to carry those."

(Reporting by Dorene Internicola; editing by Patricia Reaney)

See the article here:
Fitness DVDs remain hale and hardly over the hill

Read More..

By Jené Luciani for Shape.com

Mind over matter. We've all heard that, right? Now, new studies are showing that exercise and eating right really is mental. So-called "brain training" is proving effective in helping people make smarter food choices, work out more often and even cut out unhealthy habits like excessive drinking.

We reached out to Lumosity, a company that develops games and programs for brain training, to find out how we can apply the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience to improve cognitive abilities and make healthier lifestyle choices.

Memory Games And Positive Thinking May Help To Control Our Impulses To Eat Unhealthy Foods
Sitting at the computer is not exactly synonymous with exercise. But, according to recent studies, daily "brain training" with online programs such as Lumosity's Memory Matrix, can strengthen willpower and promote healthy lifestyle choices. Researchers in Amsterdam found that problem drinkers who followed challenging cognitive training regimens like memory games drank less alcohol than a control group who did only the easiest level of training. One month after the study was completed, the trained participants still had lower drinking rates.

More from Shape.com:
This is Your Brain on...Exercise
The 11 Best Foods for Your Brain
Are You Truly Healthy or Just Not Sick?

This theory could feasibly be applied to our eating and exercise habits as well. Besides brain-training games, you can also practice positive affirmations.

"Write out your goals and talk to yourself in proactive terms," says Srini Pillay, author of The Science Behind the Law of Attraction and Life Unlocked. "Rather than making sure that you do not miss going to the gym or that you do not eat an unhealthy snack, tell yourself when you plan to go to the gym and what you will eat when you are hungry, instead of what you will not eat."

There Is A Science Behind Portion Control
Studies have shown that people with incredible willpower have different brain activity than those with no control, and that "training" the part of the brain that controls willpower can ramp up brain activity. The prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain responsible for the brain processes involved in planning, impulse control, willpower and abstract thinking. Lumosity reports that brain imaging results of its users have shown increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which can also contribute to self-control when making healthy diet choices.

Researchers at CalTech performed a study that seems to support this. They found that dieters who were making a conscious effort to eat better in an effort to lose weight, had a different brain response in their prefrontal cortex than non-dieters. The dieters showed increased brain response to health and tastiness, while the non-dieters only responded to tastiness.

If you want to train your brain to choose healthy foods over fattening ones, be specific. "Scientific research shows us that there are two kinds of intentions: 'goal' intentions which are broad ('I need to eat better') and 'implementation' intentions that are more specific ('I need to only eat meals that I cook myself')," Dr. Pillay says. "When you are too general, the brain is less likely to change its behavior, however, when you are more specific, it has to do less work on its own to help you achieve your goal. This is especially true of weight-loss strategies," he adds.

Physical Fitness Is Mental
There is also a link between physical exercise and brain fitness. Studies have found that exercise can lead to neurogenesis -- the creation of new brain cells -- and exercising your brain can lead to increased willpower. So, exercising both your body and your brain together can help you push yourself even harder.

"You don't have to train your brain for dieting and weight loss with thinking alone," Dr. Pillar says. "When you exercise regularly and for a duration of at least six months, this actually changes your brain to respond to food cues less often."

Different physical exercises rely on different cognitive aspects, such as attention, speed of processing and even memory. For instance, if you're taking a new dance class at the gym that requires you to remember all the moves, exercising your attention and memory may make those classes easier to follow and more fun. Gives new meaning to mind and body workout!

For more on fitness and exercise, click here.

For more on diet and nutrition, click here.

Flickr photo by Robert Couse-Baker

Related on HuffPost:

See the original post:
Why Healthy Eating And Getting Fit Really Are Mental

Read More..

 

By Francisco J. Colayco

We continue with tips from the Zen Habits in connection with money.

Tip No. 22 is “Eat slowly. If you cram your food down your throat, you are not only missing out on the great taste of the food, you are not eating healthy. Slow down to lose weight, improve digestion, and enjoy life more.”

Everything in our body is interconnected. As I understand it, our brain tells us when we are already full but there is a time lag. When you eat too fast, you could already enough but your brain will not be able to tell until you have eaten too much. In addition, you do not get all the right nutrients because you did not chew your food well to allow all the digestive juices to do their work. Therefore, by eating too fast, you would be spending money for food that your body doesn’t really need. If spending less on food is one of your budgetary issues, this is a good practice to remember

Tip No. 23 is “Drive slowly. Most people rush through traffic, honking and getting angry and frustrated and stressed out. And endangering themselves and others in the meantime. Driving slower is not only safer, but it is better on your fuel bill, and can be incredibly peaceful. Give it a try.”

Actually, what is important is to drive the right speed because driving too fast or even too slowly could use up fuel unnecessarily. What you would save on by driving carefully and not been stressed are medical bills. You would have less headaches and body pains plus you would avoid accidents that might cause your hospitalization as well as payments to the third parties you might harm.

Generally, the advice is to go slow and/or with moderation in moving about your life. Too fast or too hasty in doing things could lead to unnecessary problems

Tip No. 24 is “Be present. These two words can make a huge difference in simplifying your life. Living here and now, in the moment, keeps you aware of life, of what is going on around you and within you. It does wonders for your sanity.

Live your life to the fullest. I ask you to plan for the future for by making your financial goals and your personal financial plan. However, I do not expect you to continuously think and worry about your future. Establish your goals and action plan IN WRITING and check once in a while (maybe monthly or quarterly) if you are on the right track. In the meantime, after you know what you want and how you will get it, just live in the present so that you can enjoy whatever your present life can provide you, no matter how simple.

Tip No. 25 is “Streamline your life. Many times we live with unplanned, complex systems in our lives because we haven’t given them much thought. Instead, focus on one system at a time (your laundry system, your errands system, your paperwork system, your email system, etc.) and try to make it

simplified, efficient, and w ritten. Then stick to it.”

Tip No. 26 is “Create a simple mail & paperwork system. If you don’t have a system, this stuff will pile up. But a simple system will keep everything in order.”

Tip No. 27 is “Create a simple system for house work. Another example of a simple system is clean-as-you-go with a burst.”

Notice how Zen Habits also bring up the need to “write.” This is also the advice I give on making your personal financial plans. Write them down because studies show that written plans are followed better than those that are just memorized. It is a very sound principle not only for your financial life but for any kind of simplification and improvement.
There is an implication even in your saving and spending habits when you put things in their proper place.

My friend recently moved house and he told me his personal frustration. Ordinarily, he is very systematic and keeps his documents in order but this time some bills got misplaced and were not paid on time, particularly credit card bills. When the next bills arrived, there were interest and penalties already charged. Of course my friend was upset even if he was partly to blame for the lack of system. But he learned his lesson to create a better system henceforth to make sure all bills are paid on time whether or not he receives the bill.

Note the “clean-as-you-go” system that the Zen Habits mentions will save you some money without your even realizing it. It is so easy not to fix things first as you are doing the activity. For example, many do not immediately fix their bed when waking up or automatically clean the bathroom after taking a shower. This is especially true if you have someone who will fix or clean for you. When you fix/cover your bed immediately, it will keep whatever inner bedsheets you have cleaner for a longer time. When you clean you shower immediately, it will lessen the build-up of bacteria and mildew, which will cost more money to clean up at a later date.

These may sound so petty but when you are wondering how to save or spend less, all these little opportunities add up.

 

Related posts:

Simplify Life – Part 1 Simplify Life – Part 3 Simplify Life – Part 5 Simplify Life – Part 2 Simple Life – Part 4

 

Continued here:
Simplify Life – Part 6

Read More..

San Marcos — One of the benefits that are always presented to people is that all of that running and exercise helps you lose weight. In a sense that is a true statement.

It’s not a fast weight loss program and it takes a lot of time and energy to be effective.

For many people running, or walking, has made dramatic changes in their lives and weight loss is one of the changes that are most easily demonstrated. The problem with the interpretation of exercise, running, or walking to lose weight is the scale of how much exercise results in how much weight loss.

You may hear a person say, “I walked around the block this morning so that I can have that slice of pie tonight after supper.”

A recent page in the March issue of Nutrition Action Health Letter lists what it takes to burn off some of those small extra desserts you would like to eat for that walk around the block. It was somewhat eye opening to see the amount of exercise it takes for that small helping of extra goodies you might think was earned from your short walk.

The estimates are based on a 150-pound person doing various forms of exercise.

A Starbucks Chocolate Chipper Cookie requires one hour and thirty minutes of brisk walking to burn off the 440 calories.

Eating a Crumbs Bake Shop Red Velvet Cupcake has you lifting weights for two hours and five minutes for the 500 calories it contains.

Even “healthy” food like Pinkberry Original Yogurt requires you to hit that elliptical trainer for an hour and five minutes for those 370 calories.

Heading to the movies, and grabbing a small bag of popcorn with no butter, takes one hour and 15 minutes of low impact aerobics to enjoy the 410 calories in the bag during the show.

Enjoy that early morning cup of coffee before work at Starbucks and ordering a Cinnamon Dolce Latte with whipped cream has you jogging for 50 minutes during your lunch break to burn off those 410 calories from that morning.

Maybe, instead of that cup of coffee, or more likely with that cup of coffee, add a Starbucks Banana Nut Loaf for breakfast for another 490 calories. That allows you to swim laps for one hour and 15 minutes after work to go along with the 50 minutes jogging you did during lunch.

During a weak moment you decide to order a regular order of Five Guys Fries checking in at 620 calories. For that you get to ride your bike to work and back so that you can ride for one hour and 35 minutes for those delicious fries.

You can always go for that healthy Smoothie King Slim-N-Trim Strawberry medium size drink at 560 calories and play doubles tennis with your friends for an hour and 50 minutes that evening to burn those calories off.

When you start to realize the amount of exercise it takes for those “small” things we consume every day it isn't a difficult thing to see why two-thirds of our population is overweight and obese.

Will exercise help a person lose weight? By all means it does.

It just has to go along with some of the food choices you make when you think you can now eat those extra goodies because you walked around the block, maybe even walked around the block twice for a second helping. The two sides of the equation of calories in from eating, and calories out from exercising, just don't equal out.

Just stay away from the thought that exercise allows you to eat more and still lose weight. Exercise, but don't eat more than you normally do, and eventually the weight will begin to disappear.

The one side effect of running, or any vigorous exercise, is that your appetite seems to diminish also. You do not have that urge to eat at the slightest impulse when you see that cupcake or cookie on the plate at home or at work. Instead of the cookie, you see miles and hours of exercise on that plate, and the temptation to eat them is gone.

Dr. Maurice Johnson is a former professor at Texas State University in the Department of Health and Exercise Science. His column appears every Sunday in the Daily Record.

The rest is here:
Exercise does help weight loss, but so does eating right

Read More..

28-07-2011 18:50 tinyurl.com - Here is my friend Ally giving her little review of using the diet solution program, trust me when I say she looks great and more healthy then she did 2 months ago, It's amazing how great this program is.

View post:
The Diet Solution Review | My Personal Review - Video

Read More..

In a recent TV appearance, fitness expert and Fitness Revolution franchisee Clint Howard offered fitness advice for people struggling to keep their New Year’s resolutions.

Tulsa, OK (PRWEB) February 26, 2012

In a recent television appearance, Clint Howard, owner of Tulsa’s Fitness Revolution franchise, provided advice on how to keep fit during the winter months. Promoting his book The Fit Formula, Howard offered tips to people trying to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions.

“Achieving a fit and healthy body requires commitment and action,” Howard said when describing his television appearance. “During the holiday season many people make fitness resolutions, but only as little as 10% of people follow through on them.”

To help people struggling to stick to their resolutions, Howard offered the three main pieces of advice he gives to the clients who come to see him at his Fitness Revolution franchise.

First, exercisers need to write down their goals. Howard says if it is not written down, it becomes simply a “wish or hope.” Seeing a written goal serves as a reminder to take action.

Second, exercisers must make a distinction between outcome-based goals and action-step goals. Outcome goals include general end results, such as losing 20 pounds. Action-step goals are specific steps exercisers can take each day.

Lastly, in order to stick to a New Year’s resolution, people must have other people who can hold them accountable. Howard noted this support group can include “a spouse, friends, family, or even a workout partner.”

In addition to working with clients at his Fitness Revolution franchise in Tulsa, Howard is a published author. He contributed to the book “The Fit Formula,” which has appeared on five different bestseller lists.

The book also features contributions from Pat Rigsby, co-owner of the Fitness Revolution chain of franchises. Rigsby noted, “Clint is one of the best fitness professionals in the business, and one of our many franchisees to make regular TV appearances.”

If you are struggling to keep your New Year’s resolution, you can see Clint Howard’s television appearance here.

About Clint Howard: Clint Howard is the founder/director of Tulsa Fitness Systems, Tulsa’s Fitness Revolution franchise. He has experience as an exercise physiologist and metabolic training expert. He is a featured fitness expert for Tulsa’s FOX 23 News.

Fitness Revolution is a member of the Fitness Consulting Group family of companies. Fitness Revolution franchises focus on providing clients with the best fitness coaching available today, using a training staff made up of nationally certified fitness professionals.

To learn more about acquiring a Fitness Revolution franchise, visit: http://www.fitnessrevolutionfranchise.com/franchise/

###

Matt Sizemore
Press Manager
1-877-814-6302
Email Information

See the original post:
Fitness Revolution Franchise Owner Clint Howard Makes Tulsa TV Appearance

Read More..

Carla Nutter is living her dream while helping others achieve fitness goals.

Nutter recently opened CrossFit Charlie West at 1 Carney Court in Dunbar where clients beam about the results they are getting as well as the personal attention.

Nutter defines CrossFit as a broad and inclusive exercise program that is geared to fit the individual.

"It was started in California by Greg Glassman and has spread around the world," she said. "It is a program that is broad and inclusive. We do a little bit of everything."

Glassman, a former high school gymnast, and his ex-wife, Lauren Jenai, founded the fitness program. The first CrossFit gym opened in Santa Cruz in 1995.

CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that includes a wide range of exercises such as weightlifting, pushups, running, squats and more. Routines are centered around a "workout of the day" called a WOD that incorporates various exercises.

Nutter, 35, is a physician's assistant who works in surgery at Thomas Hospital and also serves as the instructor at her fitness facility.

"I started out in a CrossFit gym and fell in love with it," she said. "A lot of trainers start out as members in a gym."

Nutter, who took training to become a certified instructor, first began leading classes in a small rented space in Charleston in November 2010. In December 2011 she leased the Dunbar building with lots of space for programs and growing membership.

Workouts are individualized and varied.

"We do weights, barbells, gymnastics, cardiovascular and a combination," she said. "Every day is something different. You may see a workout repeated once every three months." 

While a workout may sound strenuous, Nutter emphasizes that the exercises can be adapted to fit anyone.  She offers sessions for men, women, teens and children.

Carla Nutter is living her dream while helping others achieve fitness goals.

Nutter recently opened CrossFit Charlie West at 1 Carney Court in Dunbar where clients beam about the results they are getting as well as the personal attention.

Nutter defines CrossFit as a broad and inclusive exercise program that is geared to fit the individual.

"It was started in California by Greg Glassman and has spread around the world," she said. "It is a program that is broad and inclusive. We do a little bit of everything."

Glassman, a former high school gymnast, and his ex-wife, Lauren Jenai, founded the fitness program. The first CrossFit gym opened in Santa Cruz in 1995.

CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that includes a wide range of exercises such as weightlifting, pushups, running, squats and more. Routines are centered around a "workout of the day" called a WOD that incorporates various exercises.

Nutter, 35, is a physician's assistant who works in surgery at Thomas Hospital and also serves as the instructor at her fitness facility.

"I started out in a CrossFit gym and fell in love with it," she said. "A lot of trainers start out as members in a gym."

Nutter, who took training to become a certified instructor, first began leading classes in a small rented space in Charleston in November 2010. In December 2011 she leased the Dunbar building with lots of space for programs and growing membership.

Workouts are individualized and varied.

"We do weights, barbells, gymnastics, cardiovascular and a combination," she said. "Every day is something different. You may see a workout repeated once every three months." 

While a workout may sound strenuous, Nutter emphasizes that the exercises can be adapted to fit anyone.  She offers sessions for men, women, teens and children.

"I have people from 18 to 70, teens from 12 to 18 and kids from 5 to 11," she said.

A monthly fee of $100 covers all the classes a member wishes to attend. A spouse may be added for $50. If a parent is a member, a child is $25. A free introductory class is offered 11 a.m. each Saturday.

"I just love it," Nutter said. "It's fun to watch people do something they thought they couldn't do. People come from all backgrounds."

As the business continues to grow, she plans to hire additional instructors. She is now doing all the classes herself as she schedules them around her other job.

Those who take her classes rave about them.

Ralone Cool, 31, of Charleston, says the classes have boosted her mental and physical well being.

"I can tell a difference in my regular day," said Cool, a teacher at Ben Franklin Vocational Center. "My body feels better and my mind is more clear. I have more energy and I'm less stressed."

Samantha Femia, 23, of South Charleston, said, "I like it because I can do a quick workout and then go on with the rest of my day. I've lost four pounds in five weeks and two and a half inches over all. I just feel stronger and more toned."

Femia, a registered nurse, believes anyone could benefit from the routines that are tailored to each individual.

Jocob Thomas, 24, of Poca, stops at CrossFit Charlie West five days a week after leaving his job at Bayer CropScience.

"I like the people here," Thomas said. "You get to know everyone. It's like competing against yourself. Everyone wants you to do better."

Email crnut...@yahoo.com for more information.

Read the original:
Exercise program geared for individuals

Read More..

Featured Flashbacks

One of Stan's favorite columns:

Our house plan called for two hallway doors.

But to give the house a more open feel, we decided to leave them out.

The result was an uninterrupted pathway around the main floor -- a circle.

The circle soon became a favorite place of amusement for our then-3-year-old nephew, Mikey. For him, it was a running circle.

Round and round he'd race while grandpa kept track of the laps by drawing hash marks on a piece of wood. Not only was it great fun for Mikey, it was great exercise -- and a great way to wear him out before bedtime. Altogether, he tallied up a holiday season total of 830 laps.

Little did Mikey know that his running in circles would spawn what now has become a ready-made indoor fitness track -- our "walking circle."

If your New Year's resolution is to lose some weight -- or simply maintain it -- you don't necessarily have to join the gym or buy a treadmill or exercise bike. You can create your own indoor fitness track. Simply find a spot to walk -- back and forth, if need be. The basement, a deck or a large room or hallway could suffice. We use our walking circle.

But we don't race like Mikey did or count laps. Instead, we use a technique called intermittent walking. You walk at a brisk pace for 5 minutes (but not so fast you can't talk), then run as fast as you can (without knocking over other family members or knickknacks) for 30 seconds. The daily walk/run cycle is repeated for about 30 minutes. Combined with a few simple strength training exercises, the technique can reap healthy benefits.

In our case, intermittent walking takes a little planning. First, a chair or two must be slid out of the way. Since the circle's path runs through the kitchen, exercising shouldn't be done while others are preparing, eating or cleaning up meals, although it often is. The last thing you want is to collide with someone carrying the dinner entree.

Another potential obstacle is the cat, who might be poised to give chase or unexpectedly pounce in front of you.

Because our floors are hardwood, slippers with soles are highly recommended. You need a grip on those tight corners, especially on the slick ceramic tile near the entrance. Wearing socks could force you to hang on to the banister or grab family members and furniture as you try to avoid sliding into a wall -- or into a fall -- or worse.  

To help the time pass more quickly, we listen to music, a favorite radio program or a book on CD.

So how's it working for me? If you count the holidays, I've gained 6 pounds. Although I walked as briskly as I could through the kitchen during the holidays, I couldn't seem to walk nearly fast enough to avoid grabbing a sour cream Christmas cookie or an extra chunk of ham.

Even so, intermittent walking has helped to keep my holiday weight gain down.

And the pounds are sure to drop, as they did before the holidays, now that nearly all the festive goodies have been securely packed away -- in my stomach.

Connect

To share your home improvement stories, ideas, gardening tips and recipes, click on "Comments."  Or e-mail your tips to Stan. For more home improvement tips, gardening ideas and recipes, go to Stan's blog, Been There, Done That. Follow Stan on Twitter! @homefrontstan

Read the original post:
Stan Harrison: Lose weight with your own indoor fitness track

Read More..

Don't let "lose my spare tire" find its way onto your list of failed resolutions this year. It doesn't have to be a struggle! With just a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can fire up your metabolism and say goodbye to fat forever. Make these strategies a way of life, and you'll find your six-pack in no time.

5 New Ab-Exercise Upgrades

Eat Eggs for Breakfast

A study in Nutrition Research found that people who egg it up consume fewer total calories the rest of the day.

Stand Up

Stand up whenever you read or take a phone call at work. (You can also use a stand-up desk.) Standing burns 1 1/2 times more calories than sitting does.

Don't Eat Meals in Front of the TV

In a University of Massachusetts study, people who did that took in nearly 300 more calories a day.

Weigh Yourself Each Week

Three out of four successful dieters do this, the American College of Sports Medicine Health & Fitness Journal reports.

10 Strategies for Successful Weight Loss

Have an Apple

At lunch, have an apple instead of apple juice. Chewing triggers satiety, so you'll likely consume nearly 15 percent fewer calories, notes the journal Appetite.

Mix a Shake

Consuming 55 grams of whey protein a day for 23 weeks can leave you 4 pounds lighter than if you'd eaten those calories in carbs, USDA scientists say.

Put Produce at Eye Level

You're 2.7 times more likely to eat healthy food if it's in your line of sight, say scientists at Cornell University.

How to Pick the Best Produce

Clean the House

People with the most spic-and-span abodes have the highest levels of physical activity, research from Indiana University reveals.

Add Chickpeas to Soup

Toss a half cup of chickpeas into your next pot of winter soup. You'll tack 6 more grams of flab-fighting fiber onto your bottom line.

Drink Skim Milk

Got milk? Drinking 2 1/2 cups of skim milk in the a.m. instead of the calorie equivalent in juice can lower calorie consumption by 8.5 percent, says an Australian study.

***

More from Men's Health:

Is Milk Really Health for You?

The Truth about Protein

Build Your Own Stand-up Desk

Is Your Environment Making You Fat?

Read the original post:
10 Ways to Lose Weight Without Trying

Read More..

(Reuters) - Anyone looking for more evidence of a strengthening U.S. economic recovery need only consider conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway , where businesses ranging from railroads and electric utilities to furniture and candy stores are racking up record profits.

Even though Berkshire's Warren Buffett says with emphasis that the housing market is still in a depression, he was as upbeat as ever this weekend on the rest of the dozens of businesses he owns.

"Though housing-related businesses remain in the emergency room, most other businesses have left the hospital with their health fully restored," Buffett said on Saturday in his closely watched annual letter to shareholders.

Berkshire's five largest non-insurance businesses, all of them industrial in some way, posted record profits last year and should do the same this year, he said, surpassing $10 billion in combined earnings.

That being the case, Berkshire broke its own records for capital spending in 2011 by a wide margin and expects to do so again in 2012 - almost all of it domestically, even with the company's global footprint.

"About 95 percent of these outlays were made in the U.S., a fact that may surprise those who believe our country lacks investment opportunities. We welcome projects abroad, but expect the overwhelming majority of Berkshire's future capital commitments to be in America."

There are other big investments on tap, too. Buffett said his home-furnishings retailer, Nebraska Furniture Mart, bought a 433-acre (175-hectare) parcel north of Dallas and will construct what it expects to be the highest volume store of its kind anywhere. He also forecast billions of dollars in spending on solar and wind energy projects.

Investors who have been with Buffett over the long term expected his optimism.

"That's not surprising," said Michael Yoshikami, CEO of Destination Wealth Management, in California, noting in particular Buffett's sense that the banking business is back in shape. "He's obviously a believer in the financial sector being a key to the overall economy."

SIGNS WORTH WATCHING

Buffett sounded a similar tone in 2011.

"I don't see how anybody can be other than enthused about this country," Buffett told Berkshire shareholders last year at the company's annual meeting, even as the country was in the middle of a crisis over its debt ceiling and credit ratings.

Nonetheless, at this delicate stage in the U.S. economic recovery, his words carry weight, partly because of his successes over the years and partly from the sheer size and scope of Berkshire, which employees more than 270,000 people in nearly 80 businesses.

That gives him a view into many of the same factors policymakers consider when they try to figure out what to do next with the sluggish economy.

Federal Reserve officials have noted lately that while the economic recovery is tepid, there is sufficient evidence that things are picking up to warrant holding off on further stimulus measures.

Buffett's optimism is not confined to industry. He said that "the banking industry is back on its feet" and singled out two of his favorite investments, Wells Fargo and Bank of America .

He also took a fair bit of space in the letter to call into question the value of bonds and commodities as investments, and to praise his own favorite category, "productive assets" like businesses and real estate.

"Ideally, these assets should have the ability in inflationary times to deliver output that will retain its purchasing-power value while requiring a minimum of new capital investment. Farms, real estate, and many businesses such as Coca-Cola , IBM and our own See's Candy meet that double-barreled test," he said.

If there is one sore spot, it is the housing market. A year ago, Buffett said he expected the housing sector to recover within a year or so. He acknowledged that call turned out "dead wrong."

Berkshire's five housing-related businesses were profitable the past two years, but at a level two-thirds less than they were in 2006. They have shed 26 percent of their staff over that time, more than 15,000 people in total.

As he has in the past, Buffett said the problem was an excess of supply and no one to soak it up. On Saturday, he proposed that lust, of all things, would solve the problem eventually.

"Every day we are creating more households than housing units. People may postpone hitching up during uncertain times, but eventually hormones take over. And while 'doubling-up' may be the initial reaction of some during a recession, living with in-laws can quickly lose its allure."

(Reporting By Ben Berkowitz in Boston; Editing by Ed Tobin and Peter Cooney)

Read the rest here:
Buffett adds to bullish U.S. economic recovery signals

Read More..

Contact Us Today

Page 4,406«..1020..4,4054,4064,4074,408..4,4204,430..»

Home » Page 4406