They come in two basic forms, simple and complex. Simple carbs are easily identified by their taste and are sweet. Complex carbs, such as potatoes are pleasant to taste buds, but are not sweet.

They are then divided into two groups, high fibre and low fibre.

High-fibre foods are healthiest choices for nutrition and intake of these foods is associated with a lower incidence of cancer and diabetes. Carbohydrates supply sort of calories easily burned during cardiovascular exercise.

They are often wrongly feared and considered fattening, but most important factor in weight control is balancing energy (calories) consumed. Please remember:

Energy In is more than Energy Out = Weight gain Energy In is equal to Energy Out = Weight maintenance Energy In is less than Energy Out = Weight loss Different foods affect ability to exercise at different levels. High levels of exercise (cardio and strength training) require carbohydrate as a fuel source; at lower levels it is fat.

A lack of carbohydrate in diet will lead to fatigue, inability to exercise effectively, and excess fat consumption. When our food is digested, carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars.

These sugars are absorbed by body and used by muscles or stored as glycogen in muscles and liver. As our glycogen storage capacity is limited, carbohydrate needs to be continually topped up by foods we eat.

But Body has an Unlimited Storage Capacity for Fat!

The average person is extremely vulnerable to fad diets and extreme dieting behaviours. The low carbohydrate diet is one of latest eating plans to hit streets. This current diet craze is very popular but there are safer and more effective methods based on scientific research, to reduce body fat levels.

Low Carbohydrate Dieting is Simply Wrong

Why is this? Just as a car runs better on a certain fuel, so does human body. Unfortunately latest low-carbohydrate fad diets are not fuel mix human body was designed to run on.

Carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram, whereas fats contain 9 calories per gram. For weight loss, priority is to decrease total calorie intake. Reducing amount of fat in diet will make biggest difference in reducing total daily calorie intake and hence weight loss.

Carbohydrate intake is not fattening. Excess calorie intake is fattening.

If you aren't having enough carbohydrates in your diet you will experience:

·Fatigue due to low blood sugar levels inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals ·Low fibre intake, which may affect bowel movements ·'Bad’ breath due to breakdown products of fats (called ketones)

The bottom line for carbohydrates and weight loss is to:

·Try to balance carbohydrate intake with activity levels ·Maintain energy levels by eating carbohydrate rich foods on a regular basis ·Carbohydrate rich foods are normally low in fat and nutrient-rich

A real weight loss program includes all food groups, strength training, and low-level aerobics, a slight decrease in your daily calorie levels and a program that can be followed for life.

Above all try to achieve a balanced diet, eating a balanced variety of foods will help you to feel great every day, ensure better long-term health and improve weight control.

Gary is the author of several ebooks, including "Maximum Weight Loss in Ten Weeks" - the complete ebook and time-saving solution for burning away unwanted fat, and "Maximum Weight Gain in Ten Weeks" - easy-to-use and follow techniques that serve as a guide to muscle growth without having to "live in the gym".

Visit Gary’s website at http://www.maximumfitness.com/

The days of strength training three to five days a weeks in gym, an hour at a time are long gone. That just doesn't work. One short strength-training workout a week done at home or in gym will melt away more fat than you would have ever thought possible.

Fats, Figures and Cardio Work

We've already found out that by increasing functional muscle on your body, you increase your resting metabolic rate. Due to HIGHER metabolic rate you can now eat MORE calories, which means that you won't need to starve anymore to lose weight.

In a sense, fewer calories have to be cut back from our daily intake of food and successful dieting (provided that you eat right foods) will become more likely.

As far as Fats are concerned, they're burned from body when cells oxidize to release energy in form of exercise. When exercise is done slowly to moderately for 20 to 30 minutes, then majority of energy is TAKEN from fat stores.

It's important to understand that loss of fat comes from fat cells ALL OVER body, NOT just from one or more specific areas. Therefore, fat reduction of a certain area is not generally possible.

Mix up your cardio activities in gym. Use treadmill, bike, climber or any other training gear available to you.

The best exercise for purpose of fat loss is fast walking either indoors on treadmill or outdoors. Walk until you are mildly puffing and hold that rate for allotted time.

If your cardio activities leave you panting or breathless ~ You are going too hard. Your energy will be then coming from your carbohydrate reserves and not from your fat stores.

Weight loss is not big complicated mystery that some people or magazines and books will have you believe. It's really very simple and it can be all done in as little as ten weeks by following easy to follow, non-disruptive principles.

Nutrition For Weight Loss

The way to lose body fat and maintain muscle is to have a food program for life. Quality food and more energy output are basics you'll need to go for. Bulk foods that fill you up and don't fill you out, foods that are low in fat and sugar which aren't refined should be ideal.

Small frequent meals should be consumed during day each containing a little protein to maintain muscle and energy levels. Foods with vital vitamin and mineral supplements should also be taken on a daily basis.

How can you determine how many calories you require?

A quick and easy method to find out how many calories you require per day for weight loss and maintenance is to calculate a calorie value with a multiplier as set out below.

Weight loss = Multiply your bodyweight in pounds with 12 calories (12 x lb).

Maintenance = Multiply your bodyweight in pounds with 15 calories (15 x lb).

By decreasing amount of calories you eat per day to weight loss amount, you should start losing weight. Don't go any lower and check mirror regularly to judge your progress.

If you don't have an accurate idea of how many calories your consuming a day, how will you know whether you’re overeating or not?

Another word about diets... They'll send body into starvation mode; a survival mechanism from long ago when humans faced periods of famine. Cutting back on your calories too low will cause body to lower its metabolic rate, which reduces its ability to burn fat.

At same time, hunger signals increase and we quickly start to crave high-energy foods loaded with fats and sugar. The same foods we are trying to do without.

Here are some great eating tips for you to consider:

·Reduce both obvious and hidden fats.

·Record food intake to identify problem areas.

·Be aware of times when you over eat.

·Avoid severe food restriction.

·Monitor body fat levels, not weight.

·Aim for moderate fat loss (one pound per week)

Gary is the author of several ebooks, including "Maximum Weight Loss in Ten Weeks" - the complete ebook and time-saving solution for burning away unwanted fat, and "Maximum Weight Gain in Ten Weeks" - easy-to-use and follow techniques that serve as a guide to muscle growth without having to "live in the gym".