The thyroid gland, located in the anterior portion of your neck, produces hormones that determine your metabolic rate or the speed at which your body functions.

Gastric bypass surgery has become an increasingly common option for people looking for permanent weight loss. However, gastric bypass surgery requires lifelong behavior modifications, including to the foods you eat. Changing your diet also encompasses avoiding carbonated beverages.

Indian food is known for its use of herbs and aromatic rice and curry dishes. Though Indian dietary habits vary, depending upon the region of the country, most traditional dishes are prepared with simple ingredients, such as meats, vegetables and spices. According to Mridula Baljekar, chef and author of "

Alesse is a brand of hormonal birth control that allows women to have control over their fertility and avoid unwanted pregnancies. However, many women experience side effects along with these benefits, and one of the most common side effects is weight gain. According to MayoClinic.

Including weight training and aerobic activities in your training schedule is an effective method of losing weight through exercise. There's one exercise that fulfills both activities -- the squat.

Compared to other alcoholic beverages, red wine doesn’t suffer much of an image problem – recent headlines have credited the drink with helping the French stay svelte without sacrificing high-fat foods, while other news stories have touted its cardiovascular benefits.

When you need to lose a lot of weight, you want to lose it fast. Don't fall victim to fad diets that make big promises and don't pay off in the long run.

Dietary changes can be responsible for changes in digestion. Some people may observe a change in the frequency or consistency of their bowel movements when they adopt a new diet.

The term junk food refers to foods high in calories, unhealthy fats, sugar and salt but low in valuable nutrients like complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals.

The Hollywood 48-Hour Miracle Diet is a fad diet that claims you can lose up to 10 lbs. in just two days by drinking 4 oz. of the special "juice" mixture combined with 4 oz. of water every four hours, four times a day. The only "miracle" about this diet is that you don't go crazy with hunger.

If your doctor has suggested that you stick to a 1,200-calorie diet in order to lose weight, it's not automatically set in stone how quickly you'll shed 50 pounds. Weight loss isn't solely related to how many calories you consume; the calories you burn during exercise and everyday activities also play a role.

Carving out a lean and chiseled physique takes discipline and dedication. Getting the skinny, ripped look requires decreasing your body fat percentage while maintaining lean muscle mass. An intense strength-training program is key when it comes to fat loss, because muscle increases metabolism.