Gymnasts, wrestlers and boxers often feel pressure to lose weight to boost performance, but the drastic methods they sometimes use — including strictly limiting calories and intentional dehydration — can be dangerous to their health, experts warn.

To offer guidance to athletes, coaches and parents, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association has issued a new set of guidelines for safe weight loss by athletes.

They include: using body composition assessments to measure lean body mass versus fat; gradually shedding no more than 1.5% of body weight a week; eating a balanced diet that includes all food groups; and losing weight under the supervision of nutrition, health and weight management experts.

“In the performance sports — gymnastics, dance, ballet — they have this huge responsibility to not only do a performance but to look good while they are doing it.

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The term Mediterranean Diet refers to foods that have been traditionally associated with people that live near the Mediterranean Sea.

Although there are several different countries located around the Mediterranean, research has shown that the traditional diet contains many foods that may lead to a healthier lifestyle.

The Mediterranean diet incorporates the fundamental concepts to healthy eating.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the Mediterranean diet is a heart healthy option that can improve the quality of life for many people.

Food consumed in this part of the world are made up of vegetables, grains, seafood, nuts and olive oil; people in this region also typically eat less red meat, dairy, sugar and refined flour.

Benefits

A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and seafood can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, by reducing LDL cholesterol.

The Mediterranean diet is high in antioxidants, which naturally combat LDL cholesterol, which can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease.

Scientific Research

The Mayo Clinic conducted a study that analyzed over 1.5 million people that were following the Mediterranean diet meal plan.

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I have noticed that through the years, my bodys shape has changed. Im not just talking about weight gain and weight loss. Im talking about the basic shape, curvature, and proportions of my body.

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Do Alternative Slimming Therapies Work?

Everyday we hear about a new slimming therapy. We are bombarded with countless slimming aids and quick fixes, from slimming pills to slimming belts and even weight loss slippers. Do they work? If they did, would there be a need for so many alternatives?

Creative marketing and imaginative reasoning make it difficult for one to judge if the remedies are genuine. The best way to answer the question is to ask a very basic question:

Does the therapy or slimming tablets create an energy deficit?

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