That is the burning question that most people ask themselves and if you have ever struggled to lose weight you know how difficult it can be when you think you’re doing really well and eating healthy and still the pounds or kilo’s just don’t come off.

The question that most people want to know the answer to is – why is it so hard for people to lose weight?

Well, there are a number of different contributing factors that can make it much more difficult for some people to lose weight than others.  If it’s harder for you to lose weight than it is for other people to lose weight, then one of the following factors may be contributing to your weight loss problem.

Medical conditions – Many people often suffer from undiagnosed medical conditions like diabetes, insulin resistance, thyroid problems, or metabolic disorders that can make it difficult for them to lose weight.  If you have tried dieting and exercise but still can’t seem to lose weight you should make an appointment with your doctor for some tests to rule out a possible medical problem that keeps you from losing weight.

Also, if you are taking medication for any other health problems then you should check out any possible side effects of the medications you are taking.   Sometimes, the medication that you take for one condition may also provide a situation that might make it hard for you to lose weight.

Not exercising – If you think that you don’t need to exercise to lose weight or if you watch your calorie intake, then think again.  Controlling your calorie intake will help you maintain your weight but if you really want to lose weight the only way to burn calories is through exercise.  Adding a few aerobic workouts that last more than 30 minutes per week can make a big difference in how much weight you lose and can also contribute to a healthier and more enjoyable lifestyle.

Submitted by:  Mel Peatey

Honey is one of the most interesting and beneficial products available to mankind.  Honey is one of the oldest folk remedies that can be traced back as far as ancient civilisations.  Numerous healing properties have been found for Honey including the treatment of skin aliments as well as internal infections.  Honey has also been recommended for it ability to enhance general health and energy levels.  There have been reported cases where the use of certain types of Honey has been credited with the successful treatment of aliments such as Duodenal and Stomach Ulcers.  Honey derives much of its digestive benefits from the fact that it is a natural product that has already been digested by the Honey bees before it is harvested from the Honeycomb.

A substantial amount of research about the benefits of Honey has been done by Dr Peter Molan, MBE, who is the Associate Professor in Biochemistry at The University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, who has been researching the ancient healing properties of honey since 1981. Honey can also be used together with other products such as lemons, and also vinegar to provide relief for colds, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach upsets, as well as weight loss and numerous other applications.  In 1996 a New Zealand research Company studied the benefits and concentrations of Manuka Honey needed to inhibit the growth of fungi responsible for tinea and found benefits in its application.

Many clinical studies and reports on the uses of Honey for aliments such as burns, surgical wounds and various types of ulcers, including use of Honey as a source of carbohydrate for oral hydration therapy, have shown positive and beneficial results.  One beneficial property of Honey is known as its low “water activity” which acts as a restriction to the growth of most bacteria, moulds and yeasts.  Therefore when Honey is applied externally to wounds for instance; an osmosis reaction occurs which draws moisture from the wound into the Honey which in turn helps to dry the infected area and reduces the incidence of bacterial growth.   Honey also has a low pH value (between 32. and 4.5) making is slightly acidic which also contributes to inhibiting many pathogenic bacteria.