Monday, August 31, 2009
The HCG Dieter Gourmet Cookbook
Lose Weight, Reshape your body, and
Enjoy delicious gourmet meals with
The HCG Dieter Gourmet Cookbook
“My husband loves the tacos and he's not even doing this diet! These recipes make the diet so much easier and more enjoyable. I made the beef tacos tonight and they were SO GOOD!!! I could have eaten a truckload of them, though. That's the only problem :) Thank you for your hard work and for giving us exciting recipes to eat on the protocol. It is very much appreciated.”
• Andrea - Kerrville, TX
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The Alkaline Diet Strategy That Will Work Wonders For You
Health & Energy
The Alkaline Diet Strategy That Will Work Wonders For You
And The Best Part?
You Can Be Buzzing With Health In Just Days
Learn the rules of alkaline dieting:
| Say good-bye to low energy, poor digestion, extra pounds, aches and pains, and disease. | |
| Say hello to renewed vigor, mental clarity, better over-all health, and a lean trim body. The key? Your health depends on the pH balance of the blood. | |
| Which foods explode your energy levels and make you feel incredible as soon as you wake up. | |
| Muscle up your energy levels - 12 perfect foods. | |
| Restore your health by creating a balance in your diet that will give you the energy of a child again. | |
| More Energy! Where to find it for energy all afternoon. | |
| Boost your alkalinity and lose weight fast - 10 easy tricks. | |
| Use no diet until you have tried alkaline foods. I guarantee you results in just 1 week. Get healthy, not old. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE>>> |
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Stop Dieting...Start Eating...and Start Living!
You’re about to gain access to some of the most effective, research proven, non-fad, non-gimmick Weight Loss Facts you must know so you can finally stop wasting time, effort and money on worthless diet plans and products.
Hey, Isabel here and I want to share with you some of the incredible information I have discovered that finally put an end to my own and thousands of other people’s frustrating dieting struggles. There’s no catch, no obligation and no hype. Just real tips and strategies on what’s going to really (and I mean really) help you to achieve the lean, toned and healthy body you’ve been looking for. You'll learn strategies and secrets, like...
* Why calorie counting will never work for long term weight loss and how restricting calories is probably the worst thing you can do to lose weight.
* Why carbs are not your enemy and how to enjoy a healthy fat burning nutrition program that includes all the carbs you need.
* How to use food to control specific fat burning hormones and how critical this is to permanent weight loss.
* Why you must, must, must eat lots of food in order to finally shed the pounds and why many people have been falsely led to believe the complete opposite.
... And much, much more!
I’m just here to give you the real facts. This is truly one of the only, completely FREE online newsletters that delivers real health, diet and nutrition information that you can implement right away.
Join the tens of thousands of other people that enjoy this information weekly.
Just type in your First Name and Primary Email Address where shown below, and then click the "Click Here For FREE Signup>>" button below. Please allow a few minutes to receive your first message.
Do it now! You don't want to miss this powerful information...
Eliminate Internal Waste And Experience Beautiful Health
Discover how you can transform your body in just 10 days...
It's called the Master Cleanse, and for more then 50 years it's been used for rapid weight loss... rejuvenation... and to make health problems vanish
From: Raylen Sterling
Publisher of the Master Cleanse Secrets newsletter
Dear Reader,
If you're thinking about trying the Master Cleanse take a moment to read this important letter and see if the diet is right for you.
It's true the Master Cleanse can help you lose up to 20 pounds, look younger, ease chronic pain, cleanse your body of internal waste, and boost your energy levels in 10 days but...
Most People Don't Last 1 Day On The Master Cleanse
You know the saying - "if it was easy everyone would be doing it". Well dear reader that saying holds true with the Master Cleanse as well. Now don't up and leave this site just yet because I'm going to be showing you how to make the Master Cleanse much more "doable".
I've shared these tips with people who could never come close to finishing the Master Cleanse, and they went on to breeze right through the entire 10 days.
You won't find this information any place else.
But before we get to that lets take a closer look at how the Master Cleanse works and what it can do for you.
readmore »»
Stop Dieting and Start Living!
Exposed...
Discover 5 of the biggest WEIGHT LOSS AND DIET PLAN MYTHS you’re being told that are stopping you from reaching your fat loss goals and that are making your life a living hell along the way.
5 Nutrition Myths that are ruining your fat loss success
Myth #1 – A good weight loss programs needs to be complicated, with calorie cycling and special charts and graphs telling what to eat and when to eat based on your specific metabolic type / blood type / birth stone / horoscope sign.
WEIGHT LOSS FACT: A true weight loss plan does NOT have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler the program the better the results will be. The more restrictive the diet, the more likely it will fail you.
“I have to tell you…I bought Eat Stop Eat and LOVE IT! But it seemed TOO easy. I’ve lost 25 pounds so far and I’m hoping to lose another 25. Here’s the funny part – My husband and I started yet another “fad diet” on Monday and he’s stuck and I’ve already given up – it was way too restrictive. I’m going back to what works. Eat Stop Eat!!!” Sarah Arquette
Myth #2 – You must be in total control of what you eat. After all, weight loss comes from WHAT you eat, not HOW MUCH you eat.
WEIGHT LOSS FACT: This is probably the most pervasive and perverse nutrition fallacy of them all. The bottom line is that to lose weight you MUST create a caloric deficit (Eat less calories than you burn off). As soon as you find a simple way to eat less calories you’ve won the battle, stressing over special ways to eat and special types of food to eat will NOT improve your weight loss beyond a simple calorie deficit.
“I’ve been following the Eat Stop Eat lifestyle since it came out in 2007. I will not go back to my compulsive eating habits again. No more good & bad foods. No more thinking about food more than living life. That is what this Eat Stop Eat thing is about. Thank you for all the research you have done and for standing your ground against Obsessive Compulsive Eating” Denise Nelson
Myth #3 – Intermittent Fasting is only for young people and it’s just another type of diet fad
WEIGHT LOSS FACT: Flexible Intermittent Fasting (the kind used in Eat Stop Eat) is supported by a large amount of research and is effective for many people of all different ages and walks of life. From professional fitness models to 53 year old Doctors, an amazing amount of people are switching to the Eat Stop Eat lifestyle every day.
“Thank you so much for your Eat Stop Eat book. I am a 53 year old physician in the Army and was previously just barely able to pass the physical fitness test. Now I score relative high marks with ease. I am now down to my target weight and eat almost freely on my eating days.” Dr. Patrick Lowry
Combat The Fat
Military Fat Burning Tips Guaranteed To Banish Ugly Belly Fat Once And For All... And Get You In The Best Shape Of Your Life!
If You Ignore ANY Of These 5 Weight Loss Rules,
You'll Stay Fat And Frustrated Forever!
If you want to know how to lose weight, while building lean muscle and getting into the best shape of your life, you can't beat the billions of research dollars behind the U.S. Military's most powerful fat-burning strategies used to keep its soldiers lean, healthy & strong! Here are just a few weight loss tips to burn fat fast:
Military Fat Loss Tip:
Focus On THIS Instead Of "Fat Loss"!
Stop trying to lose weight by eating "low fat" and spending hours on a treadmill!
Your body's muscle is its "fat burning engine" and if trained the RIGHT WAY, it can shoot your metabolism through the roof 24 hours a day - 7 days a week!
Military Fat Loss Tip:
DON'T Give Up The "Guilty" Foods You Love!
Our bodies are actually genetically designed to crave "guilty foods" (like sweets and fats) for a good reason...and if you cut these out, you'll only fail in your fat loss efforts! The secret is learning how to USE these foods as a powerful force to burn more fat!
Military Fat Loss Tip:
To Lose Weight, Master Your Bodyweight!
I don't care if you can't do one single pushup or situp...there's a reason why the military uses bodyweight exercises like these to maintain a lean and healthy body - they activate your central nervous system best to trigger a rapid "fat meltdown". (I'll show you how to make it EASY to burn fat no matter what shape you're in now!)
Military Fat Loss Tip:
NEVER "Go On A Diet"...Diets DON'T WORK!
Did you know that there are over 30,000 hyped up "diets" approved by the FDA... and 99% of them lead to LONG TERM FAILURE! Why? Because they make food the "enemy" when in fact it's HOW you eat that's the key to effortlessly losing the weight!
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/>Simply Nothing Seemed To Work!
Dear Friend,
My name is Cliff Manchaster and I'm going to show you how to lose your man boobs, quickly and painlessly.
It wasn't so long ago that I was desperately trying everything under the sun to get rid of my man boobs. Diets, exercises, drugs, Q&A boards ... Safe or dangerous, you name it. I've most likely got fooled into it.
The condition destroyed my self image whenever I was around people, especially when I had to take my shirt off. Heck, I even gave up on activities like swimming because I felt so ashamed. Summer was obviously my least favorite season.
Friends and family would even laughed and ridicule my feminine chest... I couldn't really blame them though, because I would just laugh it off and they never knew it was really tearing me up inside.
I hated it because it seemed like nobody else I knew was experiencing this. It felt like I was cursed. I could not seem to get rid of that chest mound no matter what I did!
Every weight loss routine just accentuated the problem and made it worse. It was just ridiculous!
"Simply Nothing Seemed To Work!"
It was a very frustrating experience for most of my adult life because my doctor had told me that I'd lose them after puberty. Fast forward 16 years later and nothing had changed.
As a matter of fact, my self esteem only got worse over time...
People would give me that comment-provoking look. I just hated how others can freely go about their lives wearing whatever they felt like. It robbed me of my masculinity. It robbed me of my personal worth.
I couldn't even stand drawing attention to myself. I hunched over as a habit. I wore sweaters even if it was a hot day at times.
As a matter of fact, my self esteem only got worse over time...
People would give me that comment-provoking look. I just hated how others can freely go about their lives wearing whatever they felt like. It robbed me of my masculinity. It robbed me of my personal worth.
I couldn't even stand drawing attention to myself. I hunched over as a habit. I wore sweaters even if it was a hot day at times.
"I was not laughing. It was sadly pathetic..."
Who wants to wear an uncomfortable "compression vest" for weeks of a painful recovery time anyway? Who really wants to risk ugly scars over disproportionate nipples even if the surgery was successful?
I knew these things because I even spoke to some who went through it.
Now this may seem like a slight paranoia, but if you're anything like me, I didn't like thinking about that kind of risk done to my body. This was serious.
readmore »»
Who Else Wants A Button-Popping Chest... Sleeve-Ripping Arms... And Rock-Solid 6 Pack Abs
Dear Future Hardbody,
 | re you happy? I mean really happy with the way you look and feel? |
Are you happy with the amount of attention you get from women?
Are you that guy with all the self-confidence in the world? Are you the one everyone looks at and says... "WOW?"
Do the beautiful women you meet want to be with you? Do the men want to BE YOU?
"Just imagine how much your life would
change if you were a new man..."
And let me tell you something... If you had a new body, it truly would be like having a brand-new you.
A better you.
A "you" with all the greatness you already possess, but with an appearance that screams it to the world.
And once you're the new you...
 | You'll Feel Healthier... Stronger ...You'll wake up in the morning, ready to take on the day with an energy you never had before. |
| You'll Look Better... More Desirable ... The women you desire will suddenly look at you with the same lust... same secret passion you've always had for them. |
| You'll Have A New-Found Confidence ... No matter what anyone tells you, the truth is that the easiest and most fool-proof way to have people feel different about you is for you to feel different about yourself. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE>>> |
Friday, August 28, 2009
How to "Normalize" Your Blood Pressure DRUG FREE in 3 Weeks or Less, Using a Safe, Natural, Home Remedy!
Stop Screwing Around With Your Health
And Your Family's Future
And Your Family's Future
Listen: If you have high blood pressure you have three scenarios in front of you...
1.) Don't do a thing. Keep living the life you are. Keep gambling (like my Dad did) that you'll live another day. Keep banking on false ideas of immortality and luck. Keep lying to yourself that nothing bad is going to happen. Keep ignoring the blunt, horrible truth as your friends, your neighbors and the strangers down the street get picked off by this horrible, silent killer. "Too young" you hum to yourself every time you hear of someone getting cut down by a coronary. "Too young." And what do you think they're going to say about you?
2.) Get yourself pumped up on expensive and side-effect laden pills. Deal with the nausea, the weakness and the feeling of utter dependency. Give up on your health and shuffle along more existing than living knowing that no matter how many medications you choke down you're just treating the symptoms not the cause and that every time you cram another pill down your throat you're spinning the roulette wheel on your life.
3.) (Hint: This is the good one.) Take responsibility, take control and follow my simple steps and honest advice to permanently lower your blood pressure the natural way and keep working and providing and loving and living.
Fat Loss 4 Idiots
Weight Loss Facts:
Low Fat Foods DON'T WORK.
You cannot lose weight using Low Fat Diets. Low fat foods have been popular for more than 15 years, but yet our society is getting more overweight as each year passes. This fact alone should tell you that eating a purely low fat menu is not the answer to losing weight.
Low Calorie Diets DON'T WORK.
You won't lose weight using a Low Calorie Dieting Plan either. In fact, eating low calories is the worst thing that you can do to your body, since that will only slow down your body's fat burning engine and ruin all chances of losing weight (low calorie diets may allow a few pounds of weight loss for the first few days, but then after that all weight loss comes to a halt --- known as a dieting plateau). You can never get slim by starving yourself.
Low Carb Plans DON'T WORK.
You'll probably find it extremely difficult to get slim using a Low Carb Dieting Plan. Low carb diets have recently become popular over the last couple years, but the problem with low carb menus is that they are too strict and TOO HARD TO FOLLOW for average people. Low carb menus tend to rob your body of too much energy (carbohydrates) and make it nearly impossible to remain on the program for very long. This is why so many dieters find it difficult to follow a strict low carbohydrate menu.
What about Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig Dieting Plans?
Weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers (and Jenny Craig) usually involve slower dieting progress over a longer period of time, since such programs generally promise only 2-3 pounds of weight loss per week. Also, programs such as Jenny Craig usually involve buying special meals and/or dietary supplements during the initial phases of the program. While some people may like these types of dietary programs, we prefer a dieting plan which focuses on faster weight loss, such as the Accelerated Fat Burning Program shown below...
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Thursday, August 27, 2009
Truth About Abs
5 Facts You MUST Understand if You Are Ever Going to Lose Your Belly Fat and Get Six Pack Abs
1. Many so-called "health foods" are actually cleverly disguised junk foods that actually stimulate you to gain more belly fat... yet the diet food marketing industry continues to lie to you so they can maximize their profits.
2. Ab exercises like crunches, sit-ups, and ab machines are the LEAST effective method of getting flat six pack abs. We'll explore what types of exercises REALLY work in a minute.
3. Boring repetitive cardio exercise routines are NOT the best way to lose body fat and uncover those six pack abs. I'll show you the exact types of unique workouts that produce 10x better results below.
4. You DON'T need to waste your money on expensive "extreme fat burner" pills (that don't work) or other bogus supplements. A special class of natural foods is much more effective. I'll tell you about these natural foods and their powers below.
5. Ab belts, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, and other infomercial ab-gimmicks... they're all a complete waste of your time and money. Despite the misleading infomercials, the perfectly chiseled fitness models in the commercials did NOT get their perfect body by using that "ab contraption"... they got their perfect body through REAL workouts and REAL nutrition strategies. Again, you'll learn some of their secrets and what really works below.
Here's the REAL TRUTH About Losing Stubborn Belly Fat and Getting a Flat Stomach..
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
How To Lose Weight Fast & Get Lean, Strong & Healthy For Life With The 15 Minute Miracle!
Diets Don't Work...
You WON'T lose fat or look your best by just eating low carb, low fat diets, or low calorie diets. The truth is, fat loss comes down to eating in a way that's right for you. You're going to discover an easy way to trick your body into burning more by eating more with these delicious foods that satisfy your hunger cravings...
Cardio Doesn't Work...
Long cardio or aerobic workouts several days a week are the WORST WAY to burn fat. You're going to almost triple your fat loss and fitness results by exercising in the complete OPPOSITE manner for 45 minutes a WEEK with no cardio at all...
Crunches & Situps Don't Burn Belly Fat...
1000's of crunches, sit ups, or those crappy infomercial abs gizmos WILL NOT burn your belly fat or give you a flatter stomach and certainly not six pack abs. You're going to burn belly fat 5 times faster by using certain full body exercises that don't actually target your abs at all...
Late Night Eating Is A Myth...
Going to bed hungry is actually one of the WORST THINGS YOU CAN DO. You're going to discover you can boost the super powerful fat loss hormones in your body by eating the right type of tasty little dish an hour or so before you go to sleep...
The 'Fat Burning Zone' Is A Mistake...
The "fat burning zone" you see on most cardio machines is actually the LAST THING you want to follow to burn the most body fat. You're going to burn fat and calories for up to 3 days like we do with a VERY DIFFERENT kind of quick and simple workout...
Trying to "tone" your body by using light weights or high repetitions is a BIG WASTE OF TIME. You will experience ZERO results this way. But now you're going to be sculpting a leaner and sexier body that will burn your stored body fat for energy for years to come with this 1 overlooked technique...
readmore »»
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Master Cleanse Secrets 10 Day Diet
Discover how you can transform your body in just 10 days...
It's called the Master Cleanse, and for more then 50 years it's been used for rapid weight loss... rejuvenation... and to make health problems vanish
From: Raylen Sterling
Publisher of the Master Cleanse Secrets newsletter
Dear Reader,
If you're thinking about trying the Master Cleanse take a moment to read this important letter and see if the diet is right for you.
It's true the Master Cleanse can help you lose up to 20 pounds, look younger, ease chronic pain, cleanse your body of internal waste, and boost your energy levels in 10 days but...
Most People Don't Last 1 Day On The Master Cleanse
You know the saying - "if it was easy everyone would be doing it". Well dear reader that saying holds true with the Master Cleanse as well. Now don't up and leave this site just yet because I'm going to be showing you how to make the Master Cleanse much more "doable".
I've shared these tips with people who could never come close to finishing the Master Cleanse, and they went on to breeze right through the entire 10 days.
You won't find this information any place else.
But before we get to that lets take a closer look at how the Master Cleanse works and what it can do for you.
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Fundamental Guide to Using the Mediterranean Diet for Improved Health, Weight Loss, Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease, Blood Pressure & Common Alle
Are you seriously interested in losing weight and gaining a brand new and surprising boost in your health and vitality, then this fun maintenance program & guide, will be one of the most important diets you'll ever learn about! Few people are aware this diet is also well known for longevity, reducing the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancers too. That said, there are more and more people moving to the Mediterranean diet each day. Some argue that's because of the tasty recipes more than wanting to stay healthy. Who cares! If it works and it tastes good you're off to a great start! Read these News Flash articles below...
The Shock Diet of Dr. G
The Fall Of The “Unshakable” Law Of “Healthy” Diet
Are raw fruits and vegetables essential for your health, or its only looks like they are? Let’s scale more factors than biochemistry, e.g. biology. According to biology raw fruits and vegetables are the depot of doom’s factors – harmful bacteria, like salmonella, parasites, fungus, viruses, … and all of them are constantly mutating into more dangerous strains.
Although the list of dangers that are coming from raw fruits and vegetables are not limited by the above-mentioned factors, but let’s summarize what we already have. To make the calculations short, many raw fruits and vegetables, and raw juices are more harmful for the people than beneficial.
For example, they may cause you food poisoning, which often looks like stomach flu, but the infection coming with food can be dormant until it will meet the acceptable criteria for breeding.
Danger from raw fruits and vegetables is increasing if they are genetically engineered or chemically “enhanced”. Among the poisons you can find in raw fruits and vegetables are herbicides, pesticides, …, toxic nitrates and many other unhealthy chemicals.
How great is the risk? In 2007, in Canada - a country, with similar to the US health policies – more than 40 percent of its population suffered from food-borne illnesses. According to medical experts this epidemic costs around $1.3 billion annually in lost productivity and medical expenses (Carly Weeks, The Ottawa Citizen, Monday, May 26, 2007).
Maybe the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s animal products directorate did not check imported food? They claim they did it – the high-risk food, such as meat, leafy greens, like lettuce, faces the most rigorous checks of 100 percent of shipments into Canada by this agency. The result of these Inspections you already read – 40 percent of the Canadians are suffering from food-borne illnesses. Do they really scrutinize the imported food supply or money goes before health – is another question.
Will the situation improve?
"It's getting worse, not better, because of the fact we're importing more and more food from places like China, where food safety is a joke," said Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic Consumers Association. "It's endemic, inherent in an industrialized food production system that you have a lot of filth and disease spread."
Maybe washing or getting hot water splashes on raw fruits and vegetables before eating can protect you from food poisoning? It’s helpful, but not really – many harmful bacteria, viruses and other “ZOO” plus toxic chemicals get INSIDE of fruits and vegetables and NOTHING can wash them out internally. As you can expect – washing is not the right tool that can make genetically engineered fruits and vegetables healthier.
What are the most contaminated fruits and vegetables? They are: sprouts, fresh herbs and lettuce, tomatoes, melons, berries. However, it doesn’t mean that the other fresh fruits and vegetables are much safer – all of them can be contaminated and sometimes eating them can cause even death.
If you need more information, to learn the details of the situation in the US and more important – what is a solution – read e-Book the Shock Diet of Dr. “G”. It was named this way not because it is shocking for the body, but because it offers solutions shocking for the traditional mind.
Note: the Shock Diet of Dr. “G” comes with 6-month support, which is included in the purchase price.
Other reasons of following the Shock Diet of Dr. “G”:
 |  |
| Everything Needs Energy: success, love, weight loss, stress relief, ... | |
|
The Shock Diet System and what is so shocking in it.
In order to live – to be successful, to love or be loved, to be healthy and defeat coming or existing disease, or to lose weight, etc. – all humans need energy.
But how does the majority value energy in their life? What do they do with the energy they possess?
The truth is, the majority is living mostly for the wasting of energy. How could it be?
Look around and you will see – many people have nothing better to do in their life than overspending energy on getting tired and sleepy by accumulating calories (especially after lunch). Those who did not lose all their energy on consuming tasty calories – try to lose leftovers of energy by “burning calories” on a variety of unhealthy “magic” pills, diets, exercise programs and the like until total exhaustion. Why? Just to get a better shaped body and that’s all.
Do you see any contradictions with what we need (extra energy) and what we want (to lose all energy on senseless fun)?
If getting a better shape is the most important task of life – then the mind is not of value anymore, compared to the value of weight loss, isn’t it? If yes – whose life is more attractive – humans or pets?
Why is it so hard to understand that any unresolved conflict drains down energy and lack of energy causes the rest of life problems? Or can somebody be successful in business without energy? Or maybe you love to watch/listen to artists who perform without energy?
So, if you need to add more value to your personality to get in return more respect, appreciation, …, true love, wealth and health – you need to start with The Shock Diet System to get extra energy and pass PERSONAL CONSULTATIONS in office (New York) or by Phone to improve skills of converting energy you obtain into the life you need.
Make your choice – to live with variety of “rainy days” made by “rainy friends” or to move up in your life. If you are ready to move up, start here – The Shock Diet System.
readmore »»
Sunday, August 9, 2009
How the Italian people manage to stay slim in the land of pizza and pasta ?
Italian Diet Secrets
We've all heard about how the French diet and lifestyle help protect Frenchwomen (and men) from the obesity epidemic that plagues the U.S. But what about the other Mediterranean countries -- like Italy, where obesity is rare despite an abundance of pasta and other delectable dishes? Are there Italian diet secrets we could learn from as well?
Studies show that a Mediterranean-style diet has many health benefits, from reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer, to living a longer life. But something must be getting lost in translation. Many of Americans' favorite Italian foods, like cheese-laden pepperoni pizza and fettuccini Alfredo, are anything but healthy.
On a recent trip to Italy, I decided to see for myself what the Italians' diet secrets were. My trip started in northern Italy, in the Tuscan region, and ended 12 days later further south on the Amalfi coast. My mission was rest, relaxation -- and finding out how the Italians manage to enjoy delectable Mediterranean foods, yet maintain healthy weights.
Italian Diet Secret No. 1: Dine Leisurely
It quickly became clear that the Italians, like other Mediterranean cultures, know how to really enjoy the experience of eating. They relax and socialize while dining for hours, over lunch and/or dinner and coffee. Yet sitting at the table for long periods of time does not appear to lead to excessive eating or drinking.
Before and after dinner, many Italians engage in the passagiata, a leisurely stroll through town. Generations walk together, talking and keeping alive a cherished tradition.
It also became obvious that the typical Italian diet is very different from what you see on an American Italian restaurant menu. Italians enjoy a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, poultry, olive oil, tomatoes, whole grains, dairy, red wine -- and they eat very little red meat.
Typically, Italians start the day with a relatively small breakfast of coffee with milk (rather than cream or half and half) along with cereal or a cornetto, a small biscuit. Lunch varies from family to family and all over the country but typically consists of a "first plate" and "second plate," such as a sandwich and salad, or a small plate of pasta followed by a small piece of fish or chicken and vegetables.
When kids want a midday snack, they usually have yogurt or fruit, not cake, cookies, or candy. Adults often opt for coffee or cappuccino made with milk (not specialty coffees topped with whipped cream).
Dinner is a larger meal, but is not served too late (to allow time for proper digestion). It's usually pasta with a tomato or vegetable sauce; a small portion of fish or meat; vegetables; and fruit for dessert. Mineral water is the preferred beverage, along with a glass of red wine. All portions tend to be small when compared to our own supersized quantities.
Italian Diet Secret No. 2: Stop When You're Full
Italians are not concerned with calories because they stop eating when they are full, says one Rome physician.
"We eat by our stomachs, not by our heads, and since we dine leisurely, we get the signal that we are full and can just enjoy a coffee and the company," says Stephano Gumina, MD, PhD.
Gumina also describes a very active lifestyle, with lots of walking or bike riding, especially in urban areas of the country. Then there's the Mediterranean-style diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish a few times a week, lean meats or chicken, whole grains, olive oil, and red wine. All of this helps Italians enjoy long lives, he says.
"Where we differ from Americans: We eat small portions, do not eat after dinner, never in front of the television, computer, or while sitting sedentary reading a book, and no junk food," he says.
In addition, Italians usually satisfy a sweet tooth with fruit instead of higher-calorie desserts. A typical dessert could be fighi e albicocce -- figs and apricots picked from the garden trees. In southern parts of Italy, the enormous and delicate lemons are the basis for desserts such as gelato and lemon ice.
Italian Diet Secret No. 3: Balance Quality and Quantity
On the sunny Amalfi coast up in the village of Ravello, the famous "Mamma" Agata runs a fabulous restaurant overlooking the sea, teaches Italian cooking classes, and plans to publish her first cookbook next year.
She sizes up Italian eating plans quite simply: "We balance the quality and quantity of ingredients -- not too much fat, just enough carbohydrates, lots of fish, chicken, and turkey, and just a little red meat."
"People think Italians eat a lot every day but they are wrong, because while we do eat a big family meal on Sunday, the rest of the week we eat small portions of healthy foods, such as pasta, vegetables, lean meat, fish, and cheese," she says. "But we never drink soda [or eat] chips, junk foods, or mayonnaise."
Olive oil is the preferred oil, used extensively in cooking and on salads. But you won't typically find it on the table for bread dunking as we enjoy in America. Italians enjoy the healthy, monounsaturated fat, but don't overdo it.
"Healthy fats are better than trans or saturated fats, but olive oil is fat, has the same number of calories as other fats, and needs to be eaten in limited quantities," says Gumina.
Italian Diet Secret No. 4: Enjoy Simple, Fresh Food
The Tuscan diet is loaded with beans, which are high in protein and soluble fiber that fill you up for a long time for very few calories. Riboletta soup and pasta e fagioli are two popular hearty dishes that feature beans.
Balsamic vinegar from Modena is another flavorful, yet very low-calorie, product of Italy that is used freely to flavor foods and salads.
Down south, the fresh fish, herbs, artichokes, capers, and gigantic lemons contribute to delicious and healthy cuisine. Pasta is served al dente, with a little olive oil or tomato sauce and vegetables, and always in small portions.
"Our cooking is simple and genuine," says Agata. "We start with fresh ingredients, often from our own gardens. We don't buy precooked foods. [We] eat lots of vegetables, keep it simple, and try to eat like our grandparents."
To make sure the kitchen secrets are passed along from one generation to the next, small children can always be found in the kitchen with their parents -- learning from the masters.
Italian Diet Secret No. 5: Don't 'Diet'
Dieting seems to be a foreign concept to Italians.
"We are not hung up on nutrition labels nor dieting, just eating a healthy, satisfying diet and being active," says Gumina.
Says Agata: "When people go on diets, they get depressed and gain more weight at the end of the diet. So instead, they learn to eat well and only enjoy something sweet on occasion, and this way they are not frustrated."
So the next time you're in the mood for Italian food, serve up a dish inspired by the land of Romeo and Juliet that includes all the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet. Skip fried foods and cream sauces on pasta. Instead, go for a tomato salad, simple vegetable pasta sauce, and use olive oil sparingly. Use herbs, lemon, vinegars, capers, and other intensely flavorful, low-calorie foods for seasoning.
Not only is the Mediterranean way of eating healthy, it's quite pleasurable, says K. Dun Gifford, president and founder of Oldways Preservation and Trust, which developed a Mediterranean diet pyramid in 1993. "Sipping wine, eating fine cheese and succulent seafood is quite luxurious, and an indulgent, lovely eating pattern -- yet it is good for you," he says.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
50 Weight Loss Tips
I lost 30 pounds in three months. If you wanted to know how I did it, and how I intend on maintaining my current weight, then these 50 weight loss tips are for you. I’m not an expert, but I do speak from experience. If it helps you attain your own weight loss goals, then I’m happy to have helped (if only to serve as a reinforcement of knowledge you already possess). Most of this, I learned on my own or through close friends and family members. Feel free to add your own tips to this list, too!
If you want even more help, I now have an PDF eBook series available (with an affiliate program): get my diet weight loss ebook before you scoot away!
Before you read, please check Take Dr. Kushner's Free Diet Personality Test Today!
1. Dietary control and exercise.
It’s true what they say - all you need to do is watch what you eat, and expend more energy than you consume. It’s really that simple. You can quit reading this list now, you now know everything you need to know and didn’t need to fork over $500 for the privilege of me telling you the secret of losing weight. You don’t need to read a 4,000 page book, you don’t have to buy a tape series, you don’t need to stay up late at night to watch infomercials to understand this basic premise. It’s 100% true. Diet.com Advantage: Get your FREE Diet Personality Assessment today!
2. Change your lifestyle.
If you’re calling this a “diet,” then you’re going to gain all the weight back (and more) within a few months of losing it. Diets do not work. Diets are temporary. When you change your dietary lifestyle, however, you’re changing your habits - and you’re putting yourself on track for long-term / continued success and weight maintenance. Don’t ever tell anybody you’re on a diet - ever. I’m speaking from experience, here - a reformed low-carber. Worked out well for a while, but ultimately failed because my entire lifestyle didn’t change (permanently).
3. Join an online support group.
In my case, I created my own - FatBlasters. It’s essential that you not feel alone, and reaching out to friends (new or old) is typically a smart move. I just heard about PeetTrainer, but didn’t know about it when I began down the road to weight loss. You have to know that others are out there for moral support - they know things that you couldn’t possibly know, and they’ve probably been “in your shoes” at some point in the past (or present). Share stories, laughter, tears, successes, and failures - share them. There are thousands of communities out there, so keep looking until you find the one that fits you.
4. Take before and after photos.
I know it sucks to see yourself as a chunky monkey (sorry, that’s what I called myself - if only to get myself motivated to meet my weight loss goal). However, there’s no easier way to illustrate your progress. The “after” photos are far more fun to capture and share, admittedly. Find yourself on Flickr! It’s good to see yourself how others see you. Do you like how you look? In many ways, Flickr helped me lose weight.
5. Hire a substitute teacher.
Don’t reach for the brands you know and love immediately - or without thinking first. Eggs are “good” for you, but consider using egg substitutes instead (in fact, many restaurants will let you order lower calorie foods). There are countless “lower” alternatives for you to try. If something different doesn’t taste good, by all means - find a better substitute, or eat less of the original. In some cases, the substitute may be worse for you than the regular version of the product. The good news is, healthier choices are silently replacing their “normal” counterparts - and they taste just as nice.
6. Start reading labels
. I know it sucks, but you have to do it - and there’s no way to avoid this tip. If you don’t know what you’re putting in your mouth, you’re flying blind. Don’t assume, either - triple-check the ingredients list and serving sizes. You must rely on yourself for this; nobody else is going to be able to lose the weight or do the math for you. It’s not that complicated a task, but it will require effort. If nothing else, just pay attention to the calorie count.
7. What’s so funny about bovines?
If you like cheese, you must buy the Laughing Cow brand, and keep several of the suckers in stock at all times. The individually-wrapped wedges make for excellent snacks, and are wonderful when melted over just about anything edible. I’d be careful about straight-up American cheese, though - it’s oil, but not necessarily as good for you as (say) a slice of cheddar would be. I have yet to find something as calorie-light and filling as Laughing Cow (I don’t know how they do it).
8. Tell your family.
You’re not going to lose the weight alone, even if you ARE alone in losing the weight. If you’ve got a family at home, talk to them about it - initially, not incessantly. Let them know what you’re going to do, and that you want (and need) their support. If you don’t let them know, you’re running the risk of them inadvertently sabotaging your efforts. You want them to help you get to your goal(s). You want them to share in your happiness when you’ve made it past a certain mark. Who knows? Maybe some of your new habits will rub off on them and they’ll become healthier people, too?
9. Go public.
I didn’t want to admit that I had screwed up, but admitting the problem in public was the first step on the path to eventual success. I was now accountable for my actions, and all my friends knew what I was doing. There was no turning back, otherwise I’d be risk damaging my integrity. I didn’t want to disappoint the people who read me on a regular (or semi-regular) basis. Plus, it’s an easy way to find out which of your friends have gone through the process before - and glean tips from their own experiences. Then, other friends might become inspired to do the same thing you’re doing once they see that you’ve taken the first step.
10. Identify your exercise.
No exercise was created equal. You might like running, so run. You might like jogging, so jog. You might like stationary bikes, so bike stationarily. Find the one that works best for you - that isn’t too much of a chore for you to do regularly throughout the week. Don’t pick a routine that you don’t like - or you won’t want to do it, and you certainly won’t stick with it for long. I also wouldn’t recommend buying into that whole “no pain, no gain” mantra. I’ve lost weight without hurting myself, and you probably can, too.
11. Become a Gazelle.
You’ve probably seen Tony Little on TV, selling his Gazelle glider - a low impact exercise machine. I can tell you: it works. It’s easy on my legs, and really gives me a workout when I apply myself on it. Some people say it’s awkward to use, but I love mine - and would consider recommending no other home exercise equipment at this point. Then again, I’m a wimpy geek who only wants to burn calories.
12. Zone out.
There’s a reason why people exercise to their favorite music - listening to external stimulus takes your mind off of the physical activity. That’s the secret to making “exercise time” fly. If you’re concentrating on what your body is doing, the session is going to drag on for what will seem like days. Buy a portable music player, or situate yourself in front of a television.
13. Never count on live programming.
It’s important to stimulate your mind while your body is exerting itself in other ways. However, never rely on “what’s on TV or the radio” at the time. Instead of zoning out, you’ll find yourself flipping between channels - and that’s going to make the time drag as much as it would if you weren’t keeping your mind busy in the first place. “Live” is a very bad idea. Go with pre-recorded programming or go without.
14. Video games helped me lose weight.
I can keep my balance on the Gazelle (which some might find difficult to do). As such, I plugged an Xbox 360 into the TV and started to play it while I was working out. Immediately, I found that I was sweating more than I was when I was only watching TV passively! The reason boils down to a single word: adrenalin. Now, the only way I’m able to work up a sweat is when I play a fast-paced game on the game console. Yes, even game genre is important; avoid any diversions that require long pauses between tasks. Racing games (like Burnout) have worked very well for me. The more mindless the game, the better your burn, the faster the exercise session will go.
15. Set realistic goals.
You can lose 50 pounds in a week if you work out 12 hours a day and eat nothing but celery - but not if you’re human. Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t bite off more than you can chew - literally. Make small goals on your way to the bigger goal(s). In the end, you’ll have achieved more (and more frequently, might I add).
16. Avoid trans fats and high fructose corn syrup.
I offer this suggestion for a few reasons. First, they’re not good for you anyway. Second, you’ll eliminate a lot of the “bad foods” outright - no questions asked. You’ll have to become more selective in what you eat by avoiding these two nasty ingredients - which are in more foods than you probably care to know.
17. Don’t always listen to your mate.
I’ve already suggested that you tell your family - but sometimes members of your family will try to dissuade you from trying to lose weight. It’s simple: they might not want you to succeed where they may have already failed, whether consciously or inadvertently. Your loss is not always their gain. Watch out for statements like: “You’ve lost enough weight.” or “I like you just the way you are.” Fact of the matter is, if YOU don’t like the way that YOU are - then YOU are going to have to do something about it, no matter what anybody says. They still love you, though (in theory).
18. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Every body is different. It stands to reason that everybody will lose weight differently. Even if you do the exact same things that I do, you won’t lose weight at the same rate. The key is in finding your triggers. Keep your goal in sight, and do whatever you have to do to meet that goal. When you start looking at someone else’s habits, you’re only going to become discouraged and quit without even realizing that it’s physically impossible to be anybody but yourself.
19. Women aren’t men.
It’s been proven that men can lose weight more rapidly than women can, which is likely due to our physiological makeup (women are supposed to have more fat than men, because they’re the birthing gender). This isn’t a sexist statement to make - it’s pretty much the truth. As such, females should expect to set separate goals than males - especially if you’re working on losing weight together, side by side.
20. Take a magic pill.
Nonsense! There is no such thing as a magic pill. Don’t fall victim to the hype of the latest fat-burning drug commercial. If you listen or read closely, you’ll see that every single one of these things is effective when combined with proper diet and exercise (which they even state in their advertisements). The side-effects for these drugs are usually worse than your additional weight, anyway.
21. Vitamins are good for you.
If you’re going to take any pills, let them be natural supplements (like Essential Fatty Acids or multivitamins). Be careful about overdoing it, though - especially with herbal remedies. Too much of anything is a bad thing. You can consult a nutritionist, but always buy on your own - and keep these supplements to a minimum. Remember, too, that specific vitamins are no good without specific minerals.
22. Deck your desktop.
In the beginning, some of my friends sent me complicated spreadsheets to help chart progress. Uh, no - not for me; I’m the kind of guy who likes taking the easy route. As such, I scoured the Web for the best desktop tool and remembered CalorieKing. You won’t find anything easier to use. Trust me, this is the one; I can keep track of everything I eat and expend (without hassle). While the statistic-addicts will love CalorieKing for its thoroughness, the utility was truly designed with non-geeks in mind. The CalorieKing Web site and service are fine on their own, but the downloadable client is what you really want to get. Pay the registration fee, man - how much is your health worth to you?
23. Identify your ideal weight.
If you’re 5′5″ with a certain build, there’s an ideal weight that matches your body type. Find it - and make that your goal. And if you don’t know what that might be, try searching the Web for a calculator (though results and calculations will vary by a small margin). Now you have a weight goal to shoot for.
24. Consider the source.
I’m going to make a gross generalization here, but… why would I trust an overweight doctor or nutritionist to give me proper advice on weight loss? “Do as I say and not as I do” is not a maxim I’m willing to accept from anybody who would be qualified to tell me how to do something. Talk to people who are doing it, or who have done it and been successful. You don’t have to mirror their regimen, but at least you’re getting help from someone who’s really been there. Or, as they said in the Christmas episode of “Two and a Half Men,” people who live in fat asses shouldn’t throw waffles.
25. Ignore Ronald McDonald.
You don’t have to eliminate fast food completely, but you should avoid it at all costs. Most of it is nasty, bad stuff anyway - if you’d even go as far as to call it food. If you’re looking for convenience, find a more convenient meal source. Besides, most of what they serve would be considered “food product,” not food. There’s a gigantic difference as far as your body is concerned. Your bloodstream does not have taste buds, need I remind you?
26. Scale up. If your measurement tool sucks, upgrade it. If it’s analog, dump it. I’ve talked to many geeks about their choice in scales, and most of them (myself included) recommend something in the Tanita family. They’re high-quality, rugged, accurate devices. Make sure you set your scale on a hard surface, too (as carpet foundations do not make for accurate weight measurements).
27. Watch your weight.
Some people say that you shouldn’t weigh yourself more than once a week. I’ve been much happier charting my progress every day. No matter what, you need to weigh in at the same time, every time. For me, that’s 10am every morning (or somewhere thereabout). If you decide to weigh yourself every single day, understand that your weight will fluctuate by one or two pounds - and that you should only keep a serious eye on the lengthier trends.
28. One pound a week. If you’re not losing at least one pound a week on your chosen weight loss regimen, you’re (a) stalled, or (b) finished. You might need to push yourself even harder, or (in some cases) let up a little bit while your body plays catch-up. If you lose more than one pound a week, then you’re doing better than average. Expecting to lose five pounds a week just isn’t realistic, though.
29. Maintain your priorities.
Sure, your sandwich would taste amazing with an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise… but do you really need it? Rather, is it more important for you to reach your weight loss goal quicker - or have this sandwich taste marginally better? What’ll happen the next time you’re faced with this decision - will you cave again? It’s a slippery slope; don’t lose sight of what’s most important to you.
30. All weight is not equal.
Muscle weighs more than fat, but the last thing you want to lose is muscle! For this reason alone, it’s important to have a regular exercise routine somewhere in your schedule. Without exercise, your body is going to burn through muscle first - and you’ll wind up more imbalanced than you were to begin with. You want your body to burn fat, not muscle. You want to lose weight, but you want to lose “fat” weight - not muscle mass.
31. Counteract the “Rainy Day” principle.
If you decrease your calorie count without necessarily increasing your physical activity level, your body is going to crash. It’s going to say to itself: “Holy sh*t! I better store these calories as fat, because I’m not getting enough of them - and I don’t want to die.” When you exercise, you set your body’s process to “burn” instead of “save.”
32. Don’t overdo it.
If you change something in your lifestyle, you’re probably going to see results - but there’s a law of diminishing returns at play. You can exercise for an extra hour a day for a week and still lose the same amount as you had when you were only exercising half as much. Give your body time to adjust - don’t push yourself too hard or you’re just going to spend your energy on something that’s not necessarily going to give you immediate and direct benefit. This, of course, only applies to those of you wanting to lose fat - not for those who are training for a triathlon.
33. Patterns are good.
Once you’ve found your workout groove, do your best to stick with it. Exercise no less than three times a week for 40 - 60 minutes each time, but don’t feel the “need” to do it more than five times over a seven day period. Your body will likely appreciate a burn-off in the morning more, but if you need to relieve stress in the evening - don’t be afraid to adjust your workout schedule accordingly. Schedule making and keeping are important for other areas of your life as well.
34. Sleep it off.
To be an efficient fat-burning machine, your body requires at least eight hours of sleep a night. If you think that you’re doing yourself a favor by sleeping less, you’re mistaken. Give your body time to rest itself, both mentally and physically. Sleep is very, very important (if only for mental alertness for the following day). If you feel tired, that’s likely your body’s way of saying: “Shut your eyes, stupid!”
35. Remember that the fork is not a shovel.
I eat fast (I swear I can’t help it). Even if I’m not hungry, I want to shovel everything into my mouth in less than a minute. But my brain doesn’t know that my stomach is full until twenty minutes after it actually is. As such, I could stuff myself silly before realizing I didn’t need to consume as much as I did. Try eating half of what’s on your plate, wait ten minutes, then continue to eat if you’re still hungry. You never want to feel full - ever. That’s when you know you’ve eaten too much. If you want a real hunger-stopper, try an Omega 3 and Omega 6 supplement (EFAs) twenty minutes before a meal.
36. Become your own snack fairy.
It’s okay to snack between meals, really. Small meals throughout the day are enough to keep you satisfied, as (much like the sensation of being full) you never want to feel hungry. Let your body know it’s going to get a regular regimen of calories. Plus, if you starve yourself for the regular meals, you’re probably going to eat more before your brain tells your mouth to stop. Think about it: breakfast, lunch, and dinner are social constructs at their very core.
37. Love the oil companies.
Just like your car needs high-quality oil, so too does your body. Not all oils were created equal, though it’s hotly contested which ones are better for you than others. Personally, I love a good olive oil - it’s 100% natural and is rich with Omega 9 fatty acids. Enova is another one that we’ve found to work quite well in our lifestyle at home. Choose your oil wisely, though - your weight loss goal should be more than simply cosmetic. It’s a good rule of thumb when it comes to food: the more natural something is, the better it is for you.
38. Fat is where it’s at.
If you think you can lose weight and keep it off by avoiding all fats, you’re sadly mistaken. In fact, if you think that low fat eating is the only way to go, you might as well just quit now. Your body (and your brain) needs fat to survive! This is why the scientists call “them” essential fatty acids - Omegas 3, 6, and 9. These fats have been stripped from many supermarket shelf items, and it’s your responsibility to put fat back into your dietary plan. Don’t avoid eating fat, embrace it - equally.
39. Bring balance to the force.
If you eat the same foods over and over again, you’re going to get bored - unless they’re foods you really, really like. Feel free to change it up - keep your tongue happy. Balance carbs with proteins with fats, though. If you have more of one nutrient for one meal, try more of another nutrient for the next. And for heaven’s sake, don’t just shop in the “diet” section of the store. You can still (likely) eat the same things you’ve always eaten, just not so much of them at any one time.
40. Know your daily calorie limit.
When I was in the process of losing weight, it was suggested that I stay under 1700 calories a day. Knowing that number was half the battle. I could eat anything I wanted throughout the day, so long as I would stay at or beneath that number. While I couldn’t track 100% of the items I ate, I was able to make intake estimates - and adjust my schedule and ration my remaining calories accordingly. In this sense, you’re given extreme freedom - so long as you stay at or beneath that suggested calorie level for your plan. If you don’t know how much you’re supposed to take in, how are you supposed to know how much you’re supposed to take in?! Sounds redundant, but it’s a situation that many “dieters” are in (which is why they fail)!
41. Fiber good.
When you start to lose fat, you’re probably going to get constipated. Yeah, it happens more frequently than we care to admit (or share). You should have a good amount of fiber every day, anyway. Fiber is very important to your health (and your weight loss goals). Try the Metamucil snack wafers for a quick fiber infusion. Then, magnesium citrate for those… “stuck” moments, in which you’ll find yourself from time to time. Stick a bottle or two of that in your fridge for safe keeping, and don’t plan on going anywhere for 24 hours after taking a dose (trust me, trust me, trust me).
42. Walk the walk.
You burn calories when you walk, did you know that? Certainly, you don’t expend as much energy as you do when you run, but you burn it nonetheless. Consider picking up a good pedometer, if only to gauge how many steps you take in the average day. According to others, the Omron HJ112 Premium Pedometer is the one to beat. If nothing else, knowing how many steps you take on the average day will give you a better idea as to your regular activity level - around the home and/or the office. Plus, you can count those steps as calorie deficits in certain programs (like CalorieKing).
43. Train wrecks will happen.
One of these nights, you’re going to go out with friends and eat your weight in steak (likely blowing any kind of progress you had made for that day). Instead of repeating the overindulgence, just put yourself back on track the next day. You’re allowed to “mess up” every now and again, so long as you don’t make a habit out of consuming an excessive amount of food. Right the dining injustice immediately. You’ll be okay. You’ll be fine. Just don’t do it again. And again. And again. And again.
44. Satisfy cravings with extreme prejudice.
If you’re hungry for something, eat it. Don’t deny yourself the simple pleasures. If it’s possible, eat only half of what you want. Is your craving satisfied, or are you addicted to the flavor? Losing weight shouldn’t be torture for anybody. You have to ask yourself: Is it more important for me to eat this entire case of fudgesicles, or to look good for my brother’s wedding? Only you have the answer to that question, and if you ignore logic, you’re going to hurt yourself in the long-run. Just take a nibble or two - I won’t tell a soul.
45. Water you waiting for?
If you’re not drinking enough water, your body will let you know. Thirst is an amazing sensation - quench it. If you’re not hydrated, your body won’t be working at peak levels. Most of your body happens to be water, by the way. If you’re worried about “water weight,” remember that you’re likely to retain more water when you’re not giving your body enough of it in the first place. Besides, that’s what those workout sessions are supposed to help with every other morning. I’m not going to dictate how many glasses you should drink, though - as that’s going to vary from person to person.
46. Join the soda club. Like most people,
I love carbonated beverages. However, unlike most people, I love unflavored carbonated beverages - and if your tongue is attune to sugary-sweet drinks, you’re also the kind of person who believes that club soda tastes salty (even when it contains no sodium). Make the move to an unflavored drink sooner rather than later. If you need help along the way, lemons and limes can be your best friends. If you’re going to drink something more than water, at least make sure it’s not going to hinder your progress. If you’re a sugary-soda drinker, dropping it from your daily routine altogether will help you drop ~5 or more pounds in a single week (WITHOUT doing anything else).
47. Sugar is evil that tastes good.
You probably don’t want to hear this, but sugar is a bad thing. The more refined it comes, the more your body is going to react negatively to it. Sugar, sugar, sugar is in everything, everything, everything. If it’s sweet, it’s got sugar in it. There are all sorts of sugars out there, and all of them are ultimately metabolized by the body. It’s a good bet that the sugars in an apple are better for you than the sugars in a candy bar, though. If you’re addicted to sugar, this is going to be a horrible hurdle to overcome.
48. Sugar substitutes are just as evil as sugar itself.
Do you really think your body knows how to handle something that was man-made? Seriously. These chemically-adjusted products do not occur in the wild; there are no Splenda trees in warmer climates, nor are there NutraSweet plants in the Arctic. In some instances, taking in sugar substitutes may actually increase your levels of hunger! Let’s not forget about all the health issues that might arise from these unnatural substances. If you’re given a choice, it’s almost better to go with something your body knows how to deal with (real, unprocessed sugar). No, it’s much safer (and healthier) to stay away from blue, pink, and yellow packets entirely. Do a Web search for “Artificial Sweeteners May Damage Diet Efforts.” Then sit there and tell me they’re okay? No way.
49. White bread can’t jump.
Did you know that white bread isn’t good for you? Oh, it’s true - just ask any diabetic. Research has shown that people who eat more refined products (like white bread) are more likely to have belly fat. Why? It’s simple: your body isn’t getting what it needs. The food industry isn’t the health industry, okay? You can’t trust that they’ve got your best interests at heart (despite all their marketing efforts). If you want the flavor of white bread, please eat the whole grain white bread instead? Sara lee makes a wonderful loaf, as I can personally attest (even though I like rye more than white or wheat). Repeat after me: whole grain white bread, whole grain white bread.
50. Hasta la pasta, baby.
Much like its cousin, white bread, refined pasta can damage your health and pinch your weight loss plans. I’m not saying you should quit pasta altogether, but I will suggest that you change your pasta pusher to Barilla. They have a new wheat pasta that’s a dead ringer for the ol’ crappy white stuff you used to eat. “Barilla PLUS” is absolutely fantastic, as well as a good source of fiber and protein. You’re usually going to be better off with a “wheat” option, although traditional wheat pasta has a texture that you might not like (even though I find it perfectly acceptable to my palate).
Now, once you’ve achieved your weight loss goals, what are you going to do to keep the fat at bay? The worst thing you can do is something I’ve done countless times over: get lazy. I’ve conveniently forgotten about all of the aforementioned rules a few times, and it’s put me back in the same situation I don’t want to be in - ever again. While I don’t have to be as careful as I was during the weight loss period, I’m still measuring myself and recording my daily activities. This may turn into a weekly weigh-in soon enough, as it’s easier to correct yourself at 5lbs than it is at 50lbs. Good luck!
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