Drink Milk if You Want Weight Loss

Milk: the Perfect Post-Workout Drink

 

YOUR DAILY DIET TIP

By Leah Greenbaum, Special to Lifescript

Published September 05, 2012

 

Next time you finish a tough workout, you may want to reach for Nesquik instead of Gatorade. One study shows that muscles recover more quickly when a person drinks low-fat chocolate milk after strenuous exercise, rather than high-carbohydrate recovery beverages.

In a James Madison University study, 13 male college soccer players trained for a week, drinking either chocolate milk or an energy drink branded as a “recovery beverage.” While both groups performed and rated their muscle soreness similarly, the milk-drinkers had far lower levels of cretine kinase, an indicator of muscle damage. Researchers say the chocolate milk has an ideal ratio of carbohydrates to protein and was more effective in repairing muscle damage.

Other studies suggest that when consumed after exercise, milk's blend of high-quality protein and carbohydrates can help refuel exhausted muscles. Milk also rehydrates the body, and is packed with essential minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium that need to be replaced after strenuous activity.

The two-hour window after a workout is a crucial, yet often a neglected part of a fitness routine. A good recovery routine should replace fluids and nutrients lost in sweat, and help muscles recover.

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My Thoughts

 

Okay, I'm letting the cat out of the bag.  Actually, I'm letting 2 cats out:  I've been working out (finally!) and I have not been drinking milk.

 

Well, the workout is far from strenuous.  Still, I'm getting some weight loss success here.  Strenuous or not, the workouts are "working out".  But, I'm sure my muscles are freaking out, too! After years of being sedate, inactive, undisturbed - my muscles are creaking (literally)!  However, I shouldn't let my muscle pains stop me from my weight loss attempts.

Therefore, I'm making sure I get milk later.  Today is groceries day.  I don't buy much but I spend more than an hour doing my groceries - making sure I walk quickly through all the aisles.  Another weight loss strategy of mine.  And that, is the 3rd cat I've let out.  What am I talking about?

Is Exercise More Important Than Diet?

Diet or Exercise - What's More Important?

YOUR DAILY FIT TIP

 

By Jorge Cruise

Published September 03, 2012

 

 

Fitness is important, but remember to pay attention to your diet too. What you eat is 80% percent of your health, so try to eat no more than 15 grams of sugar and 6 servings of carbs a day.

Why? Some researchers now say that diet – not exercise – is the key to losing weight. A Loyola University Health System study compared African American women in Chicago with women in rural Nigeria, and found that the Windy City women weighed an average of 184 pounds – 57 pounds more than their Nigerian counterparts. The researchers had predicted that the thinner Nigerian women burned more calories because they were more physically active, but they were wrong! They found that the two groups actually burn the same amount of calories a day, suggesting that their physical activity levels are equal.

So why are Nigerian women slimmer? Because Nigerian women eat foods high in fiber and carbs and low in fat and animal protein. In contrast, almost 50% of a Chicago woman’s diet is comprised of fat. Deep dish pizza may taste great, but it wreaks havoc on your waistline. So ditch the fatty, processed foods – it’s critical to your weight-loss goals.

Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!

Get the latest celebrity health news! Find out how the stars get those picture-perfect, red-carpet bodies. Tune into Lifescript’s Hollywood Health Minute, every Wednesday. Only on YouTube.

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My Thoughts

 

If you're for weight loss, and not weight gain, how do you feel about this news?  I think it depends on how much you want weight loss instead of weigh gain.

 

Personally, I feel happy about this news that if I want weight loss and not weight gain, I should focus more on my food in take. Obviously, I'm not an exercise buff.  I always find one excuse or another.  I try to squeeze in some dancing and dumbbells.  I would prefer walking but it's too much effort to go out.

But, I've been steadily losing pound and inches the past 3 months.  It seems that my weight loss and not weight gain goal is going to be a success-despite the small amount of time I give for physical activity.   The reason for my weight loss and not weight gain is in the food that I eat.  More fiber, almost no sugar, nothing fried and all.  I think if I can give up my love for bread, I would have lost more weight.

Even with the carbs, though, my weight loss, and not weight gain, goal is well on it's way.  And this is because I load up on fiber.  Veggies and fruits, whole wheat bread and brown rice, things non-fat.  Protein is necessary but I hardly ever eat meat.  Fish and eggs do the trick.

So, for weight loss and not weight gain, exercise is important.  But healthy food choices do the trick.