To lose weight we're encouraged to eat less. But what about when this is taken to the extreme? "Starvation," or severe food restriction with very low calorie levels, actually impedes weight loss. Although it seems contradictory, starving the body of food can make weight goals harder to achieve.

If you have reached a plateau in your weight loss or are simply not able to make the scale budge, it is important to take a closer look at your diet and lifestyle.

Weight gain as women age seems inevitable. After menopause, estrogen levels tend to decrease. As a result, muscle growth decreases which allows fat to take over the body and causes a drop in your metabolism. This change makes weight loss more difficult.

Running is an efficient way to burn calories because it engages the body's aerobic energy system. Running helps burn calories from fat and glycogen -- where your body stores carbohydrates. Depending on how many calories you eat each day, you can start to take off pounds with running within a week.

There could be several reasons you might feel a burning sensation in your nose after exercising, but outside influences are ultimately the cause for most of them. In that case, controlling your environment while exercising is the best way to prevent the symptom. Contact your doctor if the burning persists or is severe.

Meal plans can help you find success in weight loss because you know ahead of time what foods you should eat each day. Following a meal plan will allow you to know how many calories you are consuming on a daily basis, bringing you closer to your weight loss goal.

Paxil, a prescription drug, treats depression and anxiety disorders. When used as directed, Paxil has side effects that include changes in weight and other more dangerous adverse reactions. Consult your doctor about your medical condition, the benefits of Paxil and risks of side effects from the drug.

Having excess body weight is more than just a cosmetic issue — it also contributes to serious medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes. Excess weight can also interfere with daily activities and movement, causing your muscles to weaken from disuse.

Walking fast twice a day in 15-minute spurts fulfills two of the recommendations supplied by the Centers for Disease Control in its physical activity guidelines. Brisk walking is an aerobic exercise that will help burn fat, not just from your belly, but overall.

The amount of calories you burn while exercising is formulated based on the intensity of the exercise and your weight. According to Calorie Lab, a 135-pound person doing squats for 15 minutes can burn 108 calories.

If you struggle to lose every ounce -- and seem to gain it all back by simply looking at a cheeseburger -- you know the power of a slow metabolism. Your metabolic rate depends on a few factors within your control, such as your activity level, but factors outside your control can play a role, too.

Fad diets are notorious for destroying a person’s self esteem, as well as their healthy well-being. Tea is nothing new on the market in terms of health and as a satisfying drink. Laxative teas can be found in just about every super market or online store.