Green tea has become a popular drink in many cultures.  Not only does it taste great, it also has amazing health benefits – including being an effective weapon in the “battle of the bulge” – the reduction of body fat.  Green tea has been used medicinally in China for thousands of years, but only over the past few decades has it become more popular in the western world.  When you learn about the health benefits of green tea it almost seems too good to be true, but most of the claims are verified by scientific studies.

The main benefit of green tea comes from antioxidants called “catechin polyphenols” that are reported to help safeguard the body against cancer, inflammation, and even help in lowering cholesterol and burning stored fat deposits.  Green tea contains a catechin called “epigallocatechin gallate” (otherwise known as EGCG).  EGCG is a powerful antioxidant that has been studied extensively for its cancer-fighting ability, as well as its beneficial effect on other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and immune deficiencies.

These are undoubtedly great health benefits, but how exactly can green tea help with weight loss?

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Do you remember how much fun it was to ride your bicycle when you were a kid?  Would you believe that such a fun activity could also help you lose weight and maintain a healthier weight as an adult?

Bike riding and weight loss are actually a great combination!  Riding a bike helps strengthen your leg muscles and buttocks, not to mention providing excellent cardiovascular benefits (provided you’re actually pedaling consistently, not just coasting).

You can burn between 300-500 calories per hour on a bicycle, depending how fast you go and how much you currently weigh.  If you bike uphill you’ll burn even more calories, and you can also set the resistance on your bike higher so you have to pedal harder even on flat land.

If you don’t have any challenging hills or trails to bike, you can increase the intensity of your workout by doing a few “intervals” of faster and harder speed, followed by slower periods to cool back down.  Experts say that this kind of interval training helps you burn more calories and strengthen your cardiovascular system more than maintaining a constant intensity throughout the entire workout.

Bike riding for weight loss is simple for people who just want to shed a few pounds, but what about heavier folks?

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We all know by now that a proper diet and exercise routine will help with weight loss – but there are also various herbs and supplements that can give the weary dieter an edge, helping them to lose more weight, or lose the same amount in less time.  However, not all supplements are safe.

Below are a few effective herbs and supplements that can help with weight loss safely.

Green Tea

Green tea is well-known for its many health benefits, but it is also widely recognized for its thermogenic properties, which means it can boost your metabolism and help you lose more weight.  The main danger exists when too much green tea is consumed, causing caffeine overload which includes jitters, anxiety, nausea and heart palpitations.  Experts say that you really only need 3-4 cups of green tea a day to enjoy great health and weight loss benefits.  If you can’t withstand any amount of caffeine, green tea does come in decaffeinated versions.

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Healthy Snacking Tips

Healthy snacking is a crucial part of any weight loss and fitness program, simply because regular snacks help you avoid feeling deprived – not to mention that snacking on healthy foods helps keep your metabolism running strong, burning more fat and calories.

The trick is to snack in smart ways so you don’t blow your diet and sabotage your goals.  Below are 7 smart tips for healthy snacking that can help you stay on track and slip into those skinny jeans in no time.

Healthy Snacking Tips #1 – Plan Ahead

Healthy snacking requires advance planning!  If your cupboards are filled with fattening, starchy, high-calorie foods, what do you think you’ll reach for the next time you want a snack?

Plan ahead by peeling, chopping, slicing and preparing healthy foods and keeping them front and center in your cupboards and refrigerators.  Place 1 ounce servings of nuts into mini snack baggies; keep a bowl full of healthy fruits on your kitchen table or counter; place containers of sliced raw vegetables on the top shelf of your refrigerator – keep the healthy foods accessible and you’ll remember to eat them.

If you can clear your kitchen of all unhealthy foods, do it.  But if it would cause a revolt in your family, at least push the fattening foods to the back of the cupboards and keep them out of sight as much as possible.

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Diet Friendly Foods – Taste Good and Make You Thinner

So, you’re on a diet (or just trying to eat healthier) and you want some good stuff to eat – but you can’t think of anything beyond the obvious boring vegetables, lean chicken breast, and fruit.  Today we’ve got a few great ideas for diet friendly foods that will tantalize your taste buds without breaking the caloric bank.

Diet Friendly Foods Idea #1 – Tasty Wrap

One whole wheat tortilla (100 calories)
1/4 of an avacado, mashed (70 cal)
2 tbsp salsa (mild, medium or hot, 20 cal)

Mash the avacado and spread in the center of the tortilla.  Add salsa, roll it up and enjoy cold, or warm it under the broiler for a few minutes to give the tortilla a nice crisp edge.  Great snack for less than 200 calories.

If you want to include some protein, add 3 oz. chicken breast, cooked and cubed (150 cal); or 1/2 cup of pinto beans (120 cal), or 3 oz. of cooked shrimp (90 cal).

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