Blog Posts by LIVESTRONG.COM

You were born with a genetic predisposition to grow into a certain frame, according to Dr. William H. Sheldon, who in the 1940s introduced the concept of Somatotypes. Sheldon said that you either fit into one of three body type categories or you might have characteristics of some or all of them. Whatever your body type, there are exercises and diets that can help you lose pounds.

Step 1

Determine your body type and shape. Dr. Sheldon's Somatotype theory described three basic human body types: the endomorph tends to store a lot of body fat and has trouble burning it off; the mesomorph is generally shorter and more muscular with stocky arms and legs; and the ectomorph doesn't have a lot of fat or muscle. You also fit into a distinct body shape category, based upon the size of your features and the proportions of your body. Men tend to be either rectangular or cone shaped, and women tend to be pear, apple, hourglass or ruler shaped. While weight loss techniques can focus on

By Dale Bird-Cortes

Overview
The ingredients and the fermentation or aging process of wine and beer determine the alcohol and carbohydrate content. The calories in wine and beer are easily estimated if the drinker knows the amount he is consuming and the alcohol percentage of the drink. It is important to remember, though, that beer has a wider range of calories and wine has more alcohol.

Wine Varieties
Wine is grouped into three categories: champagne, red and white. There are four ways to classify wines: the area where the grapes are grown, the kind of grape used, the generic and the brand name given by the bottler. In America, the most common terminology for classifying wine refers to what kind of grape was used, or the varietal.

Beer Varieties
Beer varieties include stouts and porters, lagers, ales, wheat and specialty. Stouts are recognized by their dark brown to almost black color. Porters are lighter and more red in color. Ales and lagers are more amber or golden in color.

Benefits of Swimming for Weight Loss
Losing weight requires you to burn more calories than you consume. The American College of Sports Medicine advises performing at least an hour of moderate-intensity exercise five times per week to encourage weight loss. U.S. Masters Swimming notes that swimming is a fun, healthy and challenging form of exercise appropriate for all fitness and experience levels. In addition to helping strengthen your heart, improve flexibility and enhance your mood, swimming encourages weight loss.

Calorie Burn
A pound of weight is equivalent to 3,500 calories, so to lose pounds you must create a calorie deficit. Physical exercise, particularly cardiovascular work that makes your heart beat faster and that utilizes the large muscles of the body, is recommended to help you create a greater daily calorie burn. An hour of swimming for a 160-lb. person burns about 500 calories, per the Mayo Clinic.

Low-Impact Workout
The American Council on Exercise notes that the

By: Assia M. Mortensen
Overview
Bronzers or self-tanning lotions can offer a deepening of skin color similar to a tan and provide a viable alternative to tanning beds. Turbo tanning beds are not a safe choice for achieving that desirable sunny glow, according to dermatologist Lawrence Gibson of the Mayo Clinic. Both the sun and tanning beds emit ultraviolet rays, known as UV rays, which can contribute to certain kinds of cancers and premature aging.

About Turbo Tanning
Turbo tanning beds offer even more UV light than regular tanning beds, in a shorter period of time. While it's fairly common to think that turbo tanning beds offer a safer way to tan, it is advisable to avoid tanning lamps and beds altogether, and instead opt for a bronzer, spray tan or airbrush tan.

Health Risks of Tanning Beds
The adverse affects of tanning beds appear to increase with the amount of use. The University of Iowa Health Care service reports that people 35 and under who used tanning beds on a regular

A fast metabolism is critical to burning fat and managing body weight. While some dieters use diet pills to speed up their metabolisms, the risks and side effects of these drugs make them risky. You can use some safe and natural methods to speed up your metabolism.

Gain Muscle

The American Council on Exercise recommends resistance training for weight management. Think of your muscles as your body's engine. The bigger your engine, the more energy you can burn. Muscle, unlike fat, is active tissue that raises your metabolism just by being there. Adding a resistance training program is a sure method of naturally raising your metabolism. To make the most out of your time in the gym, train three days per week, training your entire body during each session. Use basic, compound exercises such as the leg press and shoulder press.

Keep Hydrated

Inadequate water intake can slow your metabolism. Water is responsible for several metabolic processes, including digestion, waste

Many Americans struggle to lose weight everyday. Some try to lose weight with diet alone and some people try to lose weight with exercise alone. In your efforts to lose weight you should keep certain things in mind to make sure you are successful and healthy on your weight loss journey.

Know Your Numbers

It is important to know whether you need to lose weight and how much weight is safe for you to lose. Calculate your Body Mass Index and that will give you a general idea of how many pounds you need to lose to get to the top of the healthy weight range for your height. Body Mass Index is not the only number you need to know. Take the time to measure your waist and calculate your body fat percentage (or have it done for you by a personal trainer at your gym). As you lose weight, keep track of these numbers because any lean muscle mass you gain can give you a false reading when calculating your Body Mass Index.

Eat More Frequently

In order to keep your metabolism

Nutrition bars have come a long way. What used to taste like bland cardboard can now easily be confused with a candy bar. In some cases however, there seems to be very little difference between protein bars and candy bars with a little protein added. There is a big difference. Looking at the carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, fats and the kinds of each of these added to a particular bar, you can find the protein or nutritional bar that fits with your diet and weight-loss regimen.

Zero Impact
VPZ Zero Impact bar may be one of the healthiest nutrition bar on the market or so they claim. It contains 30 gm. of high-quality whey protein, fat burning monounsaturated fats like conjugated linoleic acid and low-glycemic carbohydrates from rolled oats and sweet potatoes. The pumpkin flavor contains the lowest sugar, at 6 gm., as well as 5 gm. of fiber. The 20 gm. of fat may scare some away, but remember that not all fats are created equally, and some can actually help you to burn fat. The 35 gm.

The hustle and bustle from day-to-day activities can zap the energy right out of you. Vitamins are the perfect natural remedy for fatigue. Whether you get vitamins from supplements or from natural sources like meats or fruits and vegetables, a healthy dose of the right vitamins a day will be sure to keep you energized and functioning at your best.
B1
Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamin. Thiamin is important for your adrenal gland. It also assists with the metabolizing of food, which results in energy boosts. Sources of thiamin include brown rice, egg yolks and fish.

B2
Vitamin B2 is also called riboflavin. Riboflavin is required for energy production in the body and also oxygen utilization. It supports the production of energy by aiding in the metabolizing of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in the body. Riboflavin can be found in foods like almonds, leafy green vegetables and organ meats.

B3
Vitamin B3, or niacin, dilates your blood vessels and is instrumental in bringing more