08.01.07
Green Tea and Weight Loss
Let me start of by saying that the number one question I am asked regarding green tea has to be whether or not it will help one to lose weight. I mean, I get this daily. So does it? Well, kind of. It has caffeine in it, and caffeine does give your metabolism a slight boost. The effect is known as “thermogenesis.” To quote Wikipedia: Thermogenesis is the process of heat production in organisms. Then again, coffee has a lot more caffeine in it than green tea does, about 125mg versus just 30mg in green tea. Based on that, it would be reasonable to assume that coffee would boost metabolism more than green tea. Recent studies, however, seem to suggest that green tea produces slightly more of a metabolic boost than just the caffeine in it alone can account for. How much? While I don’t have the figures in front of me at the moment, it’s not a lot. The last reliable study I read suggests that if one were to change nothing about their diet or exercise regime and drink green tea 3 times a day, over a period of several months one could expect to lose a few pounds more than they would had they not been drinking green tea. Yeah, a few pounds. For sure, nothing anywhere near what those people pushing “Okinawan Tea” are claiming.
I hate to admit this, but last fall I found myself at 44 years old and about 25-30 pounds overweight, that while running a green tea business and drinking a lot of my own product. This alone is evidence (to me) that green tea in and of itself is not going to make one lose weight - other things must be done. Since December, however, I have lost about 19 pounds of fat and gained about 8 pounds of lean muscle. How did I do it? The first thing I did was to start lifting weights three times a week. Arms and shoulders on Mondays, legs on Wednesdays, chest, back, abs on Fridays. After doing that religiously for 5 months, I gained about 4 pounds of muscle and lost about the same amount of fat. I hadn’t modified my diet in anyway, just did straight weight training. An improvement, for sure, but I was still way too heavy. Then I ran across the most amazing e-book, which mostly focused on nutrition for bodybuilders. By simply modifying my diet, the weight started to come off instantly. It also advises cardio and weight training, but the focus is on proper nutrition. After just 3 months of following the regimen, I have lost 13 pounds of body weight and nearly 95% of that is fat.
Back to green tea - yes, I do love my green tea! I do use it in conjunction with my new nutrition program, and yes, I believe it does gives me an extra boost, I drink iced green tea while I do my cardio exercises.
Here’s where I get to endorse something. First, I want everyone who reads this to know that I have never endorsed any other product outside of our own on my website before, this is a first. In this case, however, I can and do endorse the following product because I have downloaded it, I follow it, I have lost quite a bit of weight safely and consistently, and I can say with all confidence that this program works for weight loss. If you have come across this site looking for information regarding green tea and weight loss - yes, I’ll ask you to purchase our green tea products still! That said, I would highly recommend that you check out…
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Relznuk Zero Relznuk said,
September 11, 2007 at 12:49 pm
This seems interesting. I’ve always heard a bit about how green tea can assist with weight loss, but I hadn’t really understood it much before. This is a great article. Thanks.
Relznuk Zero Relznuk
The Insani-Tea Blog (http://insani-tea.blogspot.com)
Santeyio Krelku said,
September 18, 2007 at 7:32 am
Hey, amen brother. I hate all the articles on the web that say drinking green tea can help you lose tons (or any) weight. It’s certainly healthy, but it won’t melt pounds like a good workout can.
Santeyio Krelku
Dizzy Dee said,
October 3, 2007 at 3:41 pm
As long as it taste good, weight loss is a bonus!
Nat said,
January 10, 2008 at 3:06 am
when is the right time to drink green tea for weight loss purposes?
site admin said,
January 10, 2008 at 10:50 am
I think it works really good right before you do a workout. That said, I haven’t seen any studies which say “when” is the best time. The studies say 4-5 cups per day.
site admin said,
January 10, 2008 at 10:52 am
By the way, I have lost 33 pounds so far by following the “Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle” program since May 1st. If you read it and follow it, it works!
James said,
January 10, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Interesting article. . . What was the name of that ebook?
site admin said,
January 10, 2008 at 2:08 pm
There is a link to the book above, just click on the image of the book.
stephie said,
April 12, 2009 at 2:27 am
This sounds familiar, at swimming training, the coach makes all of us drink a DISGUSTING mixture of caffeinated drinks (i.e. kick) and egg whites, always right after we do weights. I’m sure your green tea is much nicer, but coach is a sadist. Seriously. We all have to use ten kilo weights, and lift them repeatedly with arms turned so as to just use the triceps. The look on the newbie swimmer’s faces the first time they’re introduced to mike’s ’stroke kinasthetics: upper body strength’ workout is brilliant.