WaterFilter.com

Set Your Fat Thermostat at a Healthy Level

Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy eating a piece of chocolate cake and wondered how they stay thin? Part of the reason is that they have a set-point in their brain that keeps their body fat and weight from varying~ that is, until they do something that causes the brain to change its settings for weight control.

That's what happened to me when I quit smoking. I'd been slender all my life until I stopped smoking and gained nearly 25 pounds! Quitting nicotine had triggered a chemical process that altered a weight control function in my brain. My body began to create fat out of what I ate, where it used to eliminate any excess calories. (To quit smoking is only one of many events that can trigger a change in the weight controls of a person's brain.)

Let's call the weight regulator in your brain a *set- point,* and a good image for the set-point is the temperature you set on the thermostat for the heating and cooling system of your house. If it is set at 71 degrees, then the temperature doesn't vary by more than a degree or two before the thermostat tells the furnace to heat up (or the air conditioner to cool down).

Your brain's set-point functions similarly, maintaining a consistent weight and fat level through interactions of hormones, etc. Exploring the body's chemistry is beyond this article's scope. It's sufficient to understand that if your weight has increased (or decreased), it's because the set-point in your brain changed. And so, if you prefer to lose (or re-gain) that weight, specific habits are necessary to adjust the set-point to your desired level.

One. Eat the right things. This is not difficult, if you follow these clear guidelines: a) Keep refined carbohydrates to a minimum. That is, avoid foods made with sugar or flour. b) Eat less fat, but that doesn't mean to use products labeled 'low-fat' such as low-fat mayonnaise. Producers have to use so many chemicals to make low-fat, processed foods taste OK that you're better off just eating the real thing - only less of it. Also, eat less animal fat, like cheese, butter and marbled meat. c) Eat complex carbohydrates: whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Your body recognizes these as normal foods, so it will process them to give you energy now, instead of giving you stored energy (fat).

Two: Drink water. It is necessary to your metabolism and helps your body eliminate toxins and other excesses. Sweetened juice, coffee, tea, diet or regular soda, and alcohol don't contribute to good metabolism or health. Keep use of them minimal, if at all.

Third, do the right kind of rhythmic large muscle exercise daily, and sustain it for 30 to 60 minutes. If this sounds like a lot of time, ask yourself, how important is it to you to be healthy and/or lose weight? You're not going to re-set your brain's weight regulator (the set-point) without exercise - it's that simple. But the exercise can be a pleasure once you understand which types to do. Fortunately, your not faced here with push-ups or lifting weights.

For exercise that will adjust the set-point, 'large muscle' means in particular to use your legs. Walking is the ideal exercise to begin with; you don't need special gear or equipment. You could also swim, bike, or jog. Do something you can enjoy. 'Rhythmic' refers to exercise you do steadily, repetitively. 'Sustained' means continuous - no stopping. The minimum is 30 minutes a day. For quickest results, an hour daily is better. Your heart rate should be at a level where you exert yourself, but can still have a conversation. Go much higher than that level, and you're no longer doing set-point changing exercise. In this case, 'no pain-no gain' is undesirable.

If you make these three things a daily habit, (proper eating, drinking, and exercise) your set-point will change, and you'll lose weight. I lost the 25 pounds I'd gained when I stopped smoking, and in the process I learned some pleasant habits that have improved the quality of my life as well as my health. Habitually, I eat delicious whole foods, enjoy a daily walk, and drink mainly water. I feel good now, and looking good is just a bonus. You'll feel good, too, and your body will thank you, blessing you with good health.

Please note: This article is for information purposes only. Always consult your doctor or health-care professional.

Serena Harstad has written extensively on nutrition, fitness and health topics for All About Nutrition, the best on-line nutrition information resource. Visit: http://aanutrition.com for additional articles by Serena Harstad

MORE ARTICLES:

ACI Named Psychologically Healthy Award Finalist for Second Consecutive Year
Faced with skyrocketing healthcare costs, global competition and economic uncertainty, employers are concerned about attracting and retaining high-quality employees and keeping up morale. Minimizing workplace stress plays a significant role in the employee retention equation as organizations look to optimize their human capital.

IPA SBRB Study: Transportation Companies In Gear for Healthy 2007 Start; Owners, Operators "Most" Optimistic About Business Prospects
Forecast for higher revenues to be challenged by concerns about energy and fuel costs as well as health care expenses, taxes and costs for materials.

Gourmet Coffee ? When Only The Best Will Do!
Do you remember not so long ago when there were only two choices of coffee available, either regular or decaf? Coffee drinking was pretty simple in those days. When you invited guests to your house the most you could offer them was a cup of black or white coffee.

Mega Liposuction with New Water-Jet Assisted Liposuction
Water-Jet Assisted liposuction was developed from the tumescent technique, allowing this new procedure to bring about better results.

If You Must Fry - Do It The Healthy Way
We all know that fried food is not particularly good for us, but that doesn?t stop us craving the occasional crispy, crunchy golden brown something or other. Because frying means food comes into contact with hot fat all the flavour and nutrients are sealed in which makes it tasty. In moderation it isn?t the worst thing in the world, especially if you follow a few simple healthy eating guidelines to make sure that it doesn?t carry too much fat into your system.

Granite Countertop Colors
Granite, like marble and other stones, is as old as the earth. Granite is the second hardest stone (diamond being the first) and is created from molten rock.

How To Stay Healthy While Traveling
There is little worse than planning a long-awaited vacation only to find yourself getting sick during that intended fun time. It takes months to plan a lengthy trip, and when you become ill somewhere along the way it can ruin your time and memories.

Ultra Violet Products For Treating Water
It is more common today for people to stay out of the heat of the sun to avoid being exposed to the ultra violet rays. Sun block was created for Americans to get a good tan and have a good time playing in the sun. There is a very good point to all those people staying out of the sun. If you are around the ultra violet rays for too long, you can possibly develop skin cancer. Americans can not only have problems with the ultra violet rays but, they can also use these rays for their benefit.

Business Savvy: CHENG Concrete Exchange Announces New Concrete Countertop Fabricator Training
The Leader in Concrete Countertops Launches New Seminar Designed to Help Professionals Grow Their Concrete Business

10 Reasons Why We Need To Clean Water
If your clean water dilemma is how to clean water marks from glass vases, you?re just touching the tip of this iceberg. If your water is clean, should it leave water marks on glass vases?

Private Label Bottled Water Improves Advertising Effectiveness
Private label bottled water is a powerful, effective advertising tool and private label bottled water is a cost effective way to promote a consumer brand. It is an important element of any effective consumer advertising effort.

Simple Ways to Eat Healthy While On Vacation
If you're like most people, going on vacation isn't something you get to do very often. As such, you may feel the urge to "treat" yourself to foods you wouldn't normally indulge in at home. Although an occasional dessert or fried temptation will not harm you, frequently making those food choices during your vacation will only lead to regret.

Clean Your Face With Ultra Botanicals Facial Cleanser
Women are chasing down ultra botanicals facial cleanser in droves. Women are pretty darn savvy when it comes to their skin and cosmetics, so they immediately recognized ultra botanicals as the healthiest facial cleanser on the market, with the papaya facial cleanser being their all time favorite.

Adult Stem Cells Winning on Pure Science (Not on Political, Religious or Ethical Grounds)
New book on adult stem cell progress gains major support as world stem cell leader Ian Wilmut stuns the scientific world in turning from embryonic research to adult stem cells. Miracle Stem Cell Heart Repair documents how hearts of "no option" patients in the FDA trial are repaired in a one time procedure using their own stem cells. Herein lies hope for 22M dying WW of CHF, 5M in the US.