What Is Pilates?

Pilates, developed in Germany by Joseph Pilates, is a form of exercise which builds your body’s core strength and posture.  This is achieved through a series of conditioning and stretching exercises, similar to both Tai Chi and Yoga. Pilates aims to build strength and stability both slowly and safely. Each exercise is coached at a base level and participants are encouraged to work with the principle of 'less is more'. Progressions are offered to enable you to work at a level that suits you--from complete beginner to pilates master!

Pilates is enjoying increased popularity due to the focus on preventing lower back problems, including sciatica. However, as an exercise form it does much more than that. Pilates develops core abdominal strength, improves balance, poise, stability and flexibility, reduces stress and fatigue, improves mind/body awareness and works with the deepest muscles of the body to build strength and control without causing tension. 

 Combined with other forms of cardiovascular exercises, Pilates can be a great help in losing those unwanted excess pounds in the shortest time possible. If you are aiming to lose those fat rolls that make your tummy area look awkward, you should strive to do Pilates regularly. Pilates is also considered as a mind and body exercise due to its highly targeted resistance in every movement. So it will help you to lead a less stressful life, and get you into shape as well! Pilates is recommended for everybody, especially athletes, dancers, and obese people.

Weight Loss Options

Dealing with weight and body image issues is often stressful. However, thanks to scientific discoveries, you now have a wide array of choices when it comes to deciding on the best method to achieve your weight or body figure ideals. Here are some weight loss strategies to take into consideration.

Exercise your way to a great body.
Losing unwanted fat deposits can be as easy as one-two-three if you know your body well. And what exercise to treat it with, of course. If you are serious about fat loss, the most recommended types of exercises are a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Jogging, power walking, swimming, and dance are all aerobic exercises that not only help you lose weight but also improve your heart and cardiovascular strength. Anaerobic or weight training exercises are good for strengthening your lean muscles, which will also help you burn more calories.

Eat your way to a sexy body.
If you know that "you are what you eat," but are too lazy to keep that in mind...Realize that you must TAKE ACTION! The weight is not going to lose itself! To lose those pesky pounds, work on trying to maintain a more balanced diet. Ask your nutritionist about what you should and should not eat. Consume more of sources of good fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats). Commonly found in seafood, wheat, fruits and nuts. Avoid bad fats (saturated and trans fats or hydrogenated fats). However, not all foods that help you lose fat will work on you. It could be that you have some underlying metabolic disorders that could prevent you from absorbing certain nutrients or digesting certain foods, so make sure that you consult your doctor before modifying your diet.
Fat burning pills.
There are pills and medications that promise to keep fat at bay, however not all of them can be used safely. For instance, some fat loss pills can endanger your health by interfering with other normal bodily processes, such your normal blood circulation. Pills that suppress hunger can have side effects as well. Better be safe than sorry by always talking to your doctor first about these pills.

Join programs that will help you lose pounds.
There are a variety of weight loss programs that can help to motivate you to lose those unsightly pounds. One of the most effective weight loss programs is Eat Stop Eat.. It's a fairly simple method to lose weight, but is mainly geared towards people who need to lose 30 or more pounds. If you just need to lose a few pounds, something like Easy Veggie Meal Plans might be a better option.

Lose Weight Safely

A growing obsession these days, people who are constantly inundated by images from mass media tend to equate looking good with feeling good. This obsession can quickly become dangerous; causing one to become addicted to weight loss. Although losing body fat is certainly a good way to get your body in shape, you need to do it in a safe manner.
One of the most drastic methods of rapid weight loss is purging, actually forcing yourself to vomit any food recently ingested. The main danger associated with this is dehydration; by purging your body excessively, you can rid it of water much faster, causing great strain on your liver and kidneys. Excessive purging can also prevent your body from absorbing essential nutrients, leaving you malnourished.

Another dangerous weight loss method is dieting. This, of course, depends on the diet that you use. The most common diets will often take out carbohydrates from your regular meals and replace them with high protein foods. This is in the hope that you will start getting more energy from other dietary sources, such as fats and proteins. However, this is highly dangerous, as excessive proteins can damage your kidneys and liver, and can even make you predisposed to gout. This is a disease where uric acid crystals accumulate in your joints and cause pain. This is only one disease that can occur with this kind of diet, and with many more kinds of diets, you can probably expect even more varied dangers.
Another way that you can place yourself in danger is through using medications. This can include steroids, which will force your body to use up excess energy, and then convert your mass into muscle mass. Steroids can be dangerous as they tax on your liver, kidneys, and heart. They can increase your blood pressure and make you more prone to heart disease. Another kind of medication is herbal medicine that promises to make you lose weight. These medications may have undocumented side effects that can spell danger for your body, despite the fact that you are indeed losing weight. Most medications are not approved by government agencies, so always consult with your doctor about taking them before you do anything drastic.