By Jon Rose
Just after Christmas day in 2009 three separate avalanches in Italy killed seven people. Among those swept to their deaths were experienced instructors and alpine guides who were searching at night and under difficult conditions for members of an earlier party that had also been buried under snow. The tragic deaths right at the start of the snow sport season highlighted once again the dangers posed by avalanches to outdoor sports enthusiasts and is a reminder of the need to take basic precautions to minimise the risk of death or injury.
Avalanche awareness has increased among skiers and snowboarders in recent years and many are now skilled in assessing risk. Training and hazard avoidance has to be the first line of protection for all those venturing out. Yet assessing the risk of a snow slide is an imperfect science, despite much research into the field in recent years, and highly experienced guides still fall victim to avalanches. This highlights the need for additional protection. In recent years there has been a clear trend in the adoption of basic avalanche rescue gear by skiers and snowboarders. This is backed by law in some jurisdictions such as in Italy where skiers are required to carry a minimum of a snow shovel, avalanche beacon (sometimes known as a rescue transceiver) and snow probe before venturing off piste.
Wider adoption of basic rescue equipment appears to have contributed to a reduction in the proportion of fatalities among victims of avalanche slides. The number of people killed by Avalanches in Switzerland, for instance, had fallen in recent years from around 30 a year in the early 2000s to the low teens by the late 2000s. Tragically this number increased sharply in the 2008/2009 skiing season. Research by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research has found that at least part of the reason for the reduction in deaths may be attributed to skiers and snowboarders carrying rescue beacons.
The chances of a successful rescue of people buried in an avalanche slide depend largely on how long they are under the snow. Those that are only shallowly buried with clothing or parts of their bodies visible on the surface can usually be found quickly and dug up within about 10 minutes. They have an 85% chance of surviving. It found that the overall chance of surviving if located using a transceiver was about 50%. That figure had, however, improved dramatically by the late 1990s when the chances of being rescued alive when located by snow beacon had increased to about 75% from about 35% in the 1980s, according to the research. This indicated greater training in the use of transceivers as the ones being used at the time in Switzerland were largely analogue beacons. The impact of the widespread introduction of digital avalanche transceivers over the past decade was not measured in that study. But it would probably have led to further reductions in burial time and improved survival rates because digital snow beacons are easier to use and require less training than analogue ones.
You can read other articles about the Avalung and Avalanche Airbag and snow beacons and shovels.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Avalanche-Safety-Equipment-is-a-Proven-Lifesaver&id=3491636
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Investing in Gold ETFs May Not Make a Portfolio More Robust
By Jon Rose
In late 2009 the price of gold zoomed past $1,200 an ounce. This was a new record for the yellow metal as investors across the world sought protection from turmoil in financial markets and solace against worries about the inflation. For some investors, this was an expected outcome. Jim Rogers, a legendary fund manager, has made huge bets on gold in recent years based on his belief that the US dollar is overvalued and that the dollar and gold will show an inverse correlation to one another. In other words, he believe that as the dollar weakens, gold must inevitably rise.
Yet that inverse correlation may not be as predictive as Mr Rogers and others investing in gold hope. For gold is often viewed as simply another currency. Since gold is traded and priced in dollars, it must inevitably rise if the dollar weakens. Yet the same effect could be obtained by holding another currency such as the euro or Japanese yen.
And the difficulty with holding gold as an investment is that the price of the metal has a strong influence on jewellery demand, which accounts for some two-thirds of gold demand. Last year some $61 billion was spent on gold jewellery, according to the World Gold Council. In contrast investment accounted for just $32 billion of demand for gold. For investors who are holding gold as a hedge against inflation, the worry is that a rising price is unsustainable if it halts gold jewellery buying and leads to an oversupply of the metal. For now gold has served investors well, but at current high prices they should think carefully before investing in gold or buying gold ETFs.
Jon Rose is the pen name of a financial journalist who has covered business and financial markets for 15 years and has an interest in personalfinance. You can read other articles he has written about buying gold ETFs and investing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Investing-in-Gold-ETFs-May-Not-Make-a-Portfolio-More-Robust&id=3517988
In late 2009 the price of gold zoomed past $1,200 an ounce. This was a new record for the yellow metal as investors across the world sought protection from turmoil in financial markets and solace against worries about the inflation. For some investors, this was an expected outcome. Jim Rogers, a legendary fund manager, has made huge bets on gold in recent years based on his belief that the US dollar is overvalued and that the dollar and gold will show an inverse correlation to one another. In other words, he believe that as the dollar weakens, gold must inevitably rise.
Yet that inverse correlation may not be as predictive as Mr Rogers and others investing in gold hope. For gold is often viewed as simply another currency. Since gold is traded and priced in dollars, it must inevitably rise if the dollar weakens. Yet the same effect could be obtained by holding another currency such as the euro or Japanese yen.
And the difficulty with holding gold as an investment is that the price of the metal has a strong influence on jewellery demand, which accounts for some two-thirds of gold demand. Last year some $61 billion was spent on gold jewellery, according to the World Gold Council. In contrast investment accounted for just $32 billion of demand for gold. For investors who are holding gold as a hedge against inflation, the worry is that a rising price is unsustainable if it halts gold jewellery buying and leads to an oversupply of the metal. For now gold has served investors well, but at current high prices they should think carefully before investing in gold or buying gold ETFs.
Jon Rose is the pen name of a financial journalist who has covered business and financial markets for 15 years and has an interest in personalfinance. You can read other articles he has written about buying gold ETFs and investing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Investing-in-Gold-ETFs-May-Not-Make-a-Portfolio-More-Robust&id=3517988
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Importance of Assessing Fuel Efficiency in a Backpacking Stove
By Jon Rose
When selecting a backpacking stove, or one to be used for mountaineering, most people look at the features that the stove offers and the weight of the cooker itself. In many cases they will pay more to buy a model made from exotic materials such as titanium because it will be a few grams lighter than a rival model. Yet few people take time to look at how fuel efficient the stove is, a factor that plays a far greater role in how much weight they will have to carry when hiking a long trail.
This is because backpacking and camping stoves vary considerably in their use of fuel with some using close to twice as much fuel to boil a given quantity of water compared with more efficient models. The choice of fuel is also important as some are far richer in energy than others. Choose wisely on both and you may end up having the weight you have to carry on the trail that is dedicated to cooking your food and preparing your coffee.
A study by university researchers in South Africa into the efficiency of four popular backpacking stoves found, for instance, that two models by the same manufacturer (in this case MSR) varied considerably. The MSR Expedition model managed to extract little more than 50% of the potential energy from the fuel it burned while DragonFly stove made by the same company extracted 70%. A rival model made by Primus meanwhile managed to achieve almost 90% efficiency. The impact this may have on the final weight carried on a trail is considerable since one would usually expect to carry some 600ml (weighing fairly close to 600 grams excluding the fuel bottle) for about two hours of cooking. A difference of efficiency of the order revealed by the research would lead to a difference of 200grams for a short hiking trip of just a day or two for a small group.
You can read more about backpacking stoves and particular models such as the MSR DragonFly.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Assessing-Fuel-Efficiency-in-a-Backpacking-Stove&id=3560927
When selecting a backpacking stove, or one to be used for mountaineering, most people look at the features that the stove offers and the weight of the cooker itself. In many cases they will pay more to buy a model made from exotic materials such as titanium because it will be a few grams lighter than a rival model. Yet few people take time to look at how fuel efficient the stove is, a factor that plays a far greater role in how much weight they will have to carry when hiking a long trail.
This is because backpacking and camping stoves vary considerably in their use of fuel with some using close to twice as much fuel to boil a given quantity of water compared with more efficient models. The choice of fuel is also important as some are far richer in energy than others. Choose wisely on both and you may end up having the weight you have to carry on the trail that is dedicated to cooking your food and preparing your coffee.
A study by university researchers in South Africa into the efficiency of four popular backpacking stoves found, for instance, that two models by the same manufacturer (in this case MSR) varied considerably. The MSR Expedition model managed to extract little more than 50% of the potential energy from the fuel it burned while DragonFly stove made by the same company extracted 70%. A rival model made by Primus meanwhile managed to achieve almost 90% efficiency. The impact this may have on the final weight carried on a trail is considerable since one would usually expect to carry some 600ml (weighing fairly close to 600 grams excluding the fuel bottle) for about two hours of cooking. A difference of efficiency of the order revealed by the research would lead to a difference of 200grams for a short hiking trip of just a day or two for a small group.
You can read more about backpacking stoves and particular models such as the MSR DragonFly.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Assessing-Fuel-Efficiency-in-a-Backpacking-Stove&id=3560927
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hiking Boots and Why They Need Proper Care
By Jon Rose
One of the most important pieces of equipment you have when out hiking and backpacking is your footwear. If your boots or hiking shoes fit poorly you can quickly ruin a hiking trip with sore feet, blisters or even worse injuries.
The first rule is to pay attention to the fit of your boots and get a reliable brand. Get help from the shop assistant to be sure that your toes do not slip down and bash against the front of the boots when going down hills. Also be sure that the boot does not compress your calf or Achilles tendon too much as this is a common source of injury.
Getting boots with a good fit is, however, only the start of keeping your feet healthy on the trail. You also need to ensure that your boots are properly maintained. With leather hiking boots this used to be quite a chore and involved not just cleaning the boots with saddle soap and then waterproofing them but also running a wax candle over the stitched seams for added protection. It was a job that took hours and involved sitting the boots in the hot sun to heat the leather to make it absorb the protective coatings. Adding too much, as I once did over some years to a favorite pair of boots, could rot the stitching.
These days the job is far quicker and easier, even with leather boots. Modern leather hiking boots are generally impregnated with silicone or some other form of waterproofing so there is less need for waxy protective layers. But check the instructions. Some modern boots still have soft leather inner layers that need a little rub with saddle soap now and then to protect them from the moisture and salts produced by sweaty feet. Soaps and protective layers have also advanced and are now often water-based. This makes them quick and easy to apply from a sponge-tipped applicator.
Fabric boots are even easier. Generally they need little more than a good cleaning and the application of some water repellent on the outside. But remember to check for grit or stones on the inside. One tiny little stone may be enough to damage the waterproof breathable lining on a good pair of hiking boots.
Jon Rose is the pen name of a journalist. You can read other articles he has written about Karrimor's KSB boots and boots for mountaineering.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hiking-Boots-and-Why-They-Need-Proper-Care&id=3639049
One of the most important pieces of equipment you have when out hiking and backpacking is your footwear. If your boots or hiking shoes fit poorly you can quickly ruin a hiking trip with sore feet, blisters or even worse injuries.
The first rule is to pay attention to the fit of your boots and get a reliable brand. Get help from the shop assistant to be sure that your toes do not slip down and bash against the front of the boots when going down hills. Also be sure that the boot does not compress your calf or Achilles tendon too much as this is a common source of injury.
Getting boots with a good fit is, however, only the start of keeping your feet healthy on the trail. You also need to ensure that your boots are properly maintained. With leather hiking boots this used to be quite a chore and involved not just cleaning the boots with saddle soap and then waterproofing them but also running a wax candle over the stitched seams for added protection. It was a job that took hours and involved sitting the boots in the hot sun to heat the leather to make it absorb the protective coatings. Adding too much, as I once did over some years to a favorite pair of boots, could rot the stitching.
These days the job is far quicker and easier, even with leather boots. Modern leather hiking boots are generally impregnated with silicone or some other form of waterproofing so there is less need for waxy protective layers. But check the instructions. Some modern boots still have soft leather inner layers that need a little rub with saddle soap now and then to protect them from the moisture and salts produced by sweaty feet. Soaps and protective layers have also advanced and are now often water-based. This makes them quick and easy to apply from a sponge-tipped applicator.
Fabric boots are even easier. Generally they need little more than a good cleaning and the application of some water repellent on the outside. But remember to check for grit or stones on the inside. One tiny little stone may be enough to damage the waterproof breathable lining on a good pair of hiking boots.
Jon Rose is the pen name of a journalist. You can read other articles he has written about Karrimor's KSB boots and boots for mountaineering.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hiking-Boots-and-Why-They-Need-Proper-Care&id=3639049
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mountain Climbing Gear - Invest in Quality, Not Quantity
By Jon Rose
Compared with many other sports, mountaineering does not require huge spending on gear and equipment. When it comes to scuba diving, for instance, you are no-where without an aqualung, weight belt, buoyancy compensator, air tank and mask. Yet for basic hill walking you can get away with little more than a good pair of shoes or boots and a decent outer layer to protect you from the weather.
Obviously as you start to undertake more demanding expeditions or climbs you have to start spending a bit more. But because this is a sport in which you carry everything you use, less if often better than more. Now it is quite easy to end up spending a small fortune on gear, especially since the stores are so full of enticing offerings. But if you have a modest budget you can still get out quite easily. The important thing is to focus on the quality of your gear, not the quantity, and get equipment that can serve many purposes. The first thing to think about is whether to buy new or second hand. Quite a few bits of gear can safely be bought second hand. Clothing and jackets can often be found at a reasonable price when bought used. Also look for army surplus gear. It may not be the coolest-looking or the latest fashion but it will often be perfectly good and functional.
There are, however, some items of gear that you do not want to buy second hand unless you are really expert or know exactly what their history is and you are buying them from someone you trust. By this I mean things such as climbing ropes and harnesses. It is difficult when examining them to know what damage they may have incurred. A big fall on a rope or harness can weaken it internally while leaving few visible signs on the surface. Yet it may fail at a crucial moment. Just remember that these are the items that you are trusting with your life. Consider buying an investment in your own safety and in the many years of enjoyment you hope to have.
You can read more about mountaineering rope and other gear at http://mountaineering-gear.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mountain-Climbing-Gear---Invest-in-Quality,-Not-Quantity&id=3735529
Compared with many other sports, mountaineering does not require huge spending on gear and equipment. When it comes to scuba diving, for instance, you are no-where without an aqualung, weight belt, buoyancy compensator, air tank and mask. Yet for basic hill walking you can get away with little more than a good pair of shoes or boots and a decent outer layer to protect you from the weather.
Obviously as you start to undertake more demanding expeditions or climbs you have to start spending a bit more. But because this is a sport in which you carry everything you use, less if often better than more. Now it is quite easy to end up spending a small fortune on gear, especially since the stores are so full of enticing offerings. But if you have a modest budget you can still get out quite easily. The important thing is to focus on the quality of your gear, not the quantity, and get equipment that can serve many purposes. The first thing to think about is whether to buy new or second hand. Quite a few bits of gear can safely be bought second hand. Clothing and jackets can often be found at a reasonable price when bought used. Also look for army surplus gear. It may not be the coolest-looking or the latest fashion but it will often be perfectly good and functional.
There are, however, some items of gear that you do not want to buy second hand unless you are really expert or know exactly what their history is and you are buying them from someone you trust. By this I mean things such as climbing ropes and harnesses. It is difficult when examining them to know what damage they may have incurred. A big fall on a rope or harness can weaken it internally while leaving few visible signs on the surface. Yet it may fail at a crucial moment. Just remember that these are the items that you are trusting with your life. Consider buying an investment in your own safety and in the many years of enjoyment you hope to have.
You can read more about mountaineering rope and other gear at http://mountaineering-gear.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mountain-Climbing-Gear---Invest-in-Quality,-Not-Quantity&id=3735529
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Annuities Gain in Popularity But Questions Remain For Many Who Have Bought Them
By Jon Rose
After two years of turmoil in stock markets many savers and retirees have lost their nerve and turned to life insurance firms to help reduce the risk of investing. Among the top products that they have bought in recent years are annuities. These come in various forms yet all are based on a similar idea, that for a premium (either one lump sum or investments over many years) a life insurance company promises to make payments to the client for a set period of time or for the rest of their lives. The most basic of these is what is known as an immediate annuity, in which a client pays a sum and buys a lifetime worth of payments. In recent years annuities have become ever more sophisticated and clients are now offered other varieties such as variable annuities. These make payments depending on the performance of underlying stock markets. They also generally have an element of insurance that protects against huge falls in stock prices and promise minimum payments for life to help reduce the risk of being invested in markets.
Yet annuities have been criticized for some time now for being products that pay large commissions to financial advisers, lock clients in for long periods and limit the potential gains that clients may make if stock markets do well. Commissions are often set at about 7% of the value of the sum invested, which creates a huge incentive for financial advisers to sell these investments even when they are not the best fit for their customers. In some cases elderly retirees have been locked into investments that can not be cashed in without penalties for 20 years or more. The high commission also creates a huge hurdle that needs to be overcome in terms of returns as clients are effectively giving away almost a year's growth before they have even started.
The commission structure also leads to high surrender charges since insurers wish to recover the sums they have paid to sales agents if policies are cashed in. Surrender charges may often be more than 10% of the value of the policy in early years, and although they diminish over time, they may still persist for many years. And although variable annuities offer some potential for investment gains, these are usually capped in exchange for the security of having a minimum payment guaranteed. Annual fees on these products are, unfortunately, also high at about 3.5% to 4% a year, which further reduce the investment return.
Among organisations that have highlighted some of the dangers is the consumer panel of Britain's Financial Services Authority, a financial regulator, which warned in 2009 that many consumers were not aware of the costs or risks or annuities linked to stock market indexes. In 2007 too several insurance regulators in the United States spoke out against some insurance firms which had been selling variable annuities to elderly clients who did not realize they were buying long-term investments.
Clients already holding annuities that are not suited to their circumstances face a dilemma. If they surrender them they may face steep surrender charges but holding them may also not be an appealing prospect. In recent years a nascent market in annuity securitization has begun to emerge. Companies buy annuities from their owners at a discount (though often for more than the insurance firm that sold it would be prepared to return) and then bundle them into packages. These are then turned into securities that can be sold on capital markets. This offers the potential for relief to some holders of annuities, although sound advice from a skilled adviser and quotes from several buyers should be sought before the decision is made to sell.
Jon Rose is the pen name of a financial journalist who has covered business and financial markets for 15 years and has an interest in personal finance. You can read other articles he has written about annuity selling and investing sensibly.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Annuities-Gain-in-Popularity-But-Questions-Remain-For-Many-Who-Have-Bought-Them&id=3487287
After two years of turmoil in stock markets many savers and retirees have lost their nerve and turned to life insurance firms to help reduce the risk of investing. Among the top products that they have bought in recent years are annuities. These come in various forms yet all are based on a similar idea, that for a premium (either one lump sum or investments over many years) a life insurance company promises to make payments to the client for a set period of time or for the rest of their lives. The most basic of these is what is known as an immediate annuity, in which a client pays a sum and buys a lifetime worth of payments. In recent years annuities have become ever more sophisticated and clients are now offered other varieties such as variable annuities. These make payments depending on the performance of underlying stock markets. They also generally have an element of insurance that protects against huge falls in stock prices and promise minimum payments for life to help reduce the risk of being invested in markets.
Yet annuities have been criticized for some time now for being products that pay large commissions to financial advisers, lock clients in for long periods and limit the potential gains that clients may make if stock markets do well. Commissions are often set at about 7% of the value of the sum invested, which creates a huge incentive for financial advisers to sell these investments even when they are not the best fit for their customers. In some cases elderly retirees have been locked into investments that can not be cashed in without penalties for 20 years or more. The high commission also creates a huge hurdle that needs to be overcome in terms of returns as clients are effectively giving away almost a year's growth before they have even started.
The commission structure also leads to high surrender charges since insurers wish to recover the sums they have paid to sales agents if policies are cashed in. Surrender charges may often be more than 10% of the value of the policy in early years, and although they diminish over time, they may still persist for many years. And although variable annuities offer some potential for investment gains, these are usually capped in exchange for the security of having a minimum payment guaranteed. Annual fees on these products are, unfortunately, also high at about 3.5% to 4% a year, which further reduce the investment return.
Among organisations that have highlighted some of the dangers is the consumer panel of Britain's Financial Services Authority, a financial regulator, which warned in 2009 that many consumers were not aware of the costs or risks or annuities linked to stock market indexes. In 2007 too several insurance regulators in the United States spoke out against some insurance firms which had been selling variable annuities to elderly clients who did not realize they were buying long-term investments.
Clients already holding annuities that are not suited to their circumstances face a dilemma. If they surrender them they may face steep surrender charges but holding them may also not be an appealing prospect. In recent years a nascent market in annuity securitization has begun to emerge. Companies buy annuities from their owners at a discount (though often for more than the insurance firm that sold it would be prepared to return) and then bundle them into packages. These are then turned into securities that can be sold on capital markets. This offers the potential for relief to some holders of annuities, although sound advice from a skilled adviser and quotes from several buyers should be sought before the decision is made to sell.
Jon Rose is the pen name of a financial journalist who has covered business and financial markets for 15 years and has an interest in personal finance. You can read other articles he has written about annuity selling and investing sensibly.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Annuities-Gain-in-Popularity-But-Questions-Remain-For-Many-Who-Have-Bought-Them&id=3487287
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Wild and Primal Weight - Loss Tips That Shed Pounds Without Tears
By Jon Rose
Are you on the weight-loss yo-yo. You try a new diet and shed a few pounds but the moment your willpower slips you find that the pounds just sneak back on. Sometimes you even end up heavier than you were before. Many of us find ourselves in the same situation. That is because dieting is a shock to the system. When we cut our calorie intake our bodies go into starvation mode and start trying to conserve as much energy as possible. The moment we come off the diet our bodies quickly pack away as much fat as they can in preparation for the next cycle of starvation.
Do not despair. It is possible to break this cycle and keep the weight off. But to break it you have to change your whole mindset and attitude. You cannot think about this as depriving yourself or as starving yourself. In fact, this is best thought of as not going on diet at all because you are not trying to conquer hunger. Instead, what you are trying to do is eat the same way our ancestors did thousands of years ago. In going back to a more primal way of eating and living we are in fact getting our bodies back in tune with millions of years of evolution. Many of the foods we find in stores today such as bread and pasta are relatively recent innovations that have only been with us for a few thousand years so little wonder then that our metabolisms have yet to learn to cope with them properly.
So here are some tips to help you eat a primal diet that can help you shift weight and keep it shifted.
1. Eat the way your ancestors ate. That means dropping all refined and processed products from your meal plans and go for simple things. Instead of refined starch eat salad. For a snack choose a carrot or some nuts over a baked muffin. Instead of processed meats such as sausage and salami go for the more natural form. Try a good steak or some homemade meatballs.
2. Avoid grains wherever possible and only consumer them in moderation. Grains such as wheat, rice and corn have become staples over the past few thousand years. Yet this carbohydrate-packed foods may be one of the biggest causes of our obesity epidemic because our bodies still struggle to cope with the jolt of sugar they provide. That causes our insulin levels to shoot up, grabbing all that sugar in the blood and turning it to fat. Soon our blood sugar levels will have slumped again causing hunger and sugar cravings.
3. Keep stoking the fires by having many little meals rather than just one or two big ones. Think of your body as a fire. Instead of sticking on one big log that causes flames to flare up and die down, you want to keep adding little logs at regular intervals. That will keep your metabolism ticking over and burning calories.
4. Choose foods that satisfy. A lot of research has shown that some foods, especially those that are high in carbohydrates, leave us only temporarily satiated before leaving us with a raging appetite. Others, such as nuts, often leave us feeling satisfied for hours. A big bowl of salad for breakfast will help you through the morning far better than a bowl of high-fibre cereal. And a handful of nuts eaten half an hour before a meal will help stave off food cravings and leave you eating less when you actually sit down to lunch or supper.
5. Do not cut to much fat from your diet. Many people assume that if they are trying to reduce the fat in the bellies that they should also reduce the amount they eat. In fact that is one of the great weight-loss myths. Dietary fat is both satisfying, meaning we want to eat less if we have some fat in our meal, and it helps encourage the body to burn fat. In contrast many of the low-fat dietary products in stores replace fat with sugar, which may be more harmful over the longer run.
Shedding the extra padding that we may have around our middles is never easy. No matter what people promise you, know that doing it successfully requires some effort and willpower on your part. But by adopting a wild or primal strategy of eating the way our ancestors did will improve your chances of success and will help you keep the pounds off without tears.
Jon Rose is the pen name of a journalist based in Europe who has covered business and financial markets for 15 years and has an interest in personal finance and the outdoors, travel and health. Click on the following links to read other articles he has written about mountaineering and travel.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wild-and-Primal-Weight---Loss-Tips-That-Shed-Pounds-Without-Tears&id=4390875
Are you on the weight-loss yo-yo. You try a new diet and shed a few pounds but the moment your willpower slips you find that the pounds just sneak back on. Sometimes you even end up heavier than you were before. Many of us find ourselves in the same situation. That is because dieting is a shock to the system. When we cut our calorie intake our bodies go into starvation mode and start trying to conserve as much energy as possible. The moment we come off the diet our bodies quickly pack away as much fat as they can in preparation for the next cycle of starvation.
Do not despair. It is possible to break this cycle and keep the weight off. But to break it you have to change your whole mindset and attitude. You cannot think about this as depriving yourself or as starving yourself. In fact, this is best thought of as not going on diet at all because you are not trying to conquer hunger. Instead, what you are trying to do is eat the same way our ancestors did thousands of years ago. In going back to a more primal way of eating and living we are in fact getting our bodies back in tune with millions of years of evolution. Many of the foods we find in stores today such as bread and pasta are relatively recent innovations that have only been with us for a few thousand years so little wonder then that our metabolisms have yet to learn to cope with them properly.
So here are some tips to help you eat a primal diet that can help you shift weight and keep it shifted.
1. Eat the way your ancestors ate. That means dropping all refined and processed products from your meal plans and go for simple things. Instead of refined starch eat salad. For a snack choose a carrot or some nuts over a baked muffin. Instead of processed meats such as sausage and salami go for the more natural form. Try a good steak or some homemade meatballs.
2. Avoid grains wherever possible and only consumer them in moderation. Grains such as wheat, rice and corn have become staples over the past few thousand years. Yet this carbohydrate-packed foods may be one of the biggest causes of our obesity epidemic because our bodies still struggle to cope with the jolt of sugar they provide. That causes our insulin levels to shoot up, grabbing all that sugar in the blood and turning it to fat. Soon our blood sugar levels will have slumped again causing hunger and sugar cravings.
3. Keep stoking the fires by having many little meals rather than just one or two big ones. Think of your body as a fire. Instead of sticking on one big log that causes flames to flare up and die down, you want to keep adding little logs at regular intervals. That will keep your metabolism ticking over and burning calories.
4. Choose foods that satisfy. A lot of research has shown that some foods, especially those that are high in carbohydrates, leave us only temporarily satiated before leaving us with a raging appetite. Others, such as nuts, often leave us feeling satisfied for hours. A big bowl of salad for breakfast will help you through the morning far better than a bowl of high-fibre cereal. And a handful of nuts eaten half an hour before a meal will help stave off food cravings and leave you eating less when you actually sit down to lunch or supper.
5. Do not cut to much fat from your diet. Many people assume that if they are trying to reduce the fat in the bellies that they should also reduce the amount they eat. In fact that is one of the great weight-loss myths. Dietary fat is both satisfying, meaning we want to eat less if we have some fat in our meal, and it helps encourage the body to burn fat. In contrast many of the low-fat dietary products in stores replace fat with sugar, which may be more harmful over the longer run.
Shedding the extra padding that we may have around our middles is never easy. No matter what people promise you, know that doing it successfully requires some effort and willpower on your part. But by adopting a wild or primal strategy of eating the way our ancestors did will improve your chances of success and will help you keep the pounds off without tears.
Jon Rose is the pen name of a journalist based in Europe who has covered business and financial markets for 15 years and has an interest in personal finance and the outdoors, travel and health. Click on the following links to read other articles he has written about mountaineering and travel.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wild-and-Primal-Weight---Loss-Tips-That-Shed-Pounds-Without-Tears&id=4390875
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)