As fried and fatty foods have increased in our diets, and the demand for physical labor decreased, there has been a 500%-800% increase in obesity in the 20th century. Wow! The answers to weight control aren't simple. Most serious dieters are able to lose about 10% of their body weight on a strict diet.

Yet, typically, two-thirds of that weight is gained back within a year, and 90% is regained within five years. Even drastic diets don't make much of a difference in the long run. Most people who diet and fall, follow a "crash and burn" philosophy... crash dieting to burn calories fast, without any real change in lifestyle or eating habits. Crash diets, especially those that are almost totally fat-free, are impossible to stick with, intolerable for a normal lifestyle, and even dangerous to health because they are so unbalanced. In the end, crash dieters get burned by gaining the weight back.

Weight control is a strategy of prevention lifestyle - an attitude of keeping weight down. People today are more motivated for health reasons to control their weight. Even though Americans are always looking for the "miracle magic bullet" for slimness and body tone, everyone is slowly realizing that a good nutritional diet has to be front and center for permanent results. Weight control is a component of a sound nutritious eating plan, rather then a stab at the latest fad.

For some dieters, initial weight loss is quite rapid but then a plateau is reached and further weight loss becomes difficult because restricted food intake slows down metabolism. Sluggish circulation is also at the root of high blood pressure, varicose veins and blood sugar balance, things we know to be involved in weight control problems. Herbal stimulants, along with exercise, can help to reactivate metabolism, help convert stored fat to energy, and energize circulation to help a dieter get over this plateau. It is recommended that a simple hawthorn berry, leaf and flower extract as needed for circulation activation. Other energy and circulation supplements include: CoQ10 about 60mg daily for antioxidant enzyme activity, the amino acids L-Glutamine and L-Carnitine for energy and body flow, bee pollen and royal jelly for B complex vitamins. Daily exercise and bodywork techniques that include alternating hot and cool showers provide noticeable benefits.

Some dieters drastically lower fats, but then replace the fats with empty carbohydrates, like sugar and starches. Sugar bingeing is a common result of the overeating/non-eating diet pattern. Sugar provides a temporary "insulin rush" but then is followed by a powerful craving for more food, as blood sugar drops. (Sugar bingers routinely eat 60 - 70% more calories the following meal.) Few calories are burned after a sugar binge because raised insulin turns more calories into fat. Sugar dieter may even steadily gain weight, because the foods they do eat often contain more calories than 3 to 4 times that of healthy, whole foods they might normally consume. A low glycemic diet is a good answer for sugar cravers; it keeps insulin levels low so fewer calories are turned into fat and more are burned for energy. Low glycemic foods, exercise and certain herbal supplements can also optimize brain biochemistry, so the dieter feels more comfortable and can diet without bingeing.

The information presented is for informational purposes only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Consult your doctor or health care practitioner for any health problem and before using any supplements.