Showing posts with label how to lose weight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to lose weight. Show all posts

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Cleansing Review: My Experience Losing Weight Through Cleansing

I never would have guessed that I'd lose 31 pounds in one summer from a simple cleansing diet. Before that summer I thought cleansing diets were all about colon cleansing or liver cleansing--I didn't know that people were cleansing for weight loss.

I was 30 pounds overweight and had tried a bunch of things to lose the excess pounds: books, pills, special foods and even... exercise! Everything seemed to have some small effect but nothing came close to helping me lose that 30 pounds.

I started researching online, looking for an effective weight loss plan. In the course of my searching, though, I kept running across something that was hard to believe--I saw story after story of people losing 10, 20, 50, even hundreds of pounds on a specific type of cleansing diet.

Now, I'm a very skeptical guy (ask my wife) and normally I doubt claims that sound anything like hype. But I'm also a very logical guy and I figured if so many people were having success with this type of cleansing diet plan then maybe I should check it out.

What the Heck is Cleansing Anyway?

I knew nothing about cleansing diets before I started my first cleanse. It turns out that there are a lot of different cleansing diets out there but the one thing they all tend to have in common is one or two days where you don't eat anything--instead, you drink a cleansing drink throughout the day. The idea isn't that you lose weight from not eating; it's that you're removing toxins from your body which helps you lose fat.

The cleansing system I used included protein shakes, protein supplements (lots of protein to protect against lean muscle loss during the cleanse) and a specially-formulated cleansing drink. The protein shakes and supplements tasted fine. The cleansing drink, however, tasted like a really sweet tea and I don't like sweet tea (my wife thinks I'm weird) so that took some getting used to.

Having never "cleansed" before, I didn't know what to expect. Let's just say the experience was "different". The days when I was taking only the cleansing drink were challenging at first but I soon learned tricks (like drinking ice water) to keep my mind off the fact that I was temporarily on a purely liquid diet.

The Amazing Shrinking Man: 197, 185, 175, 166...

When I first started cleansing, I weighed 197 pounds. If you had asked me at the time what my target weight was, I would have said 185 pounds. That seemed like a lofty goal for me to shoot for since I recalled that I had once weighed 185 pounds in the distant past.

Well, I hit exactly 185 pounds after that first 11-day cleanse. I was astounded that I could safely lose 12 pounds in 11 days. It's probably not that easy for everyone to lose weight, though--luckily, when it comes to weight, i'm an easy "loser".

I figured if cleansing was that easy and the results were that dramatic, why not try it again? So a little less than a month later I did my second 11-day cleanse and lost another 10 pounds. Doing the cleanse the second time around was a lot less intimidating because I knew what to expect.

At this point I weighed 175 pounds but I still had some pudge around my waist. I figured I could lose another 8 pounds so I revised my target weight to 167 which would put me at an even 30 pounds lost.

I did my third cleanse a few weeks after my second and lost 9 pounds. I weighed 166 pounds which meant I had lost a total of 31 pounds with three cleanses. I thought that was very impressive weight loss over just one summer.

Is Cleansing For You?

Around the time of my third cleanse, people I knew noticed the weight I had lost and started asking me what I was doing. I was happy to share with them the experience I had with my cleansing diet and enjoyed helping them out if they wanted to try cleansing to lose weight.

Overall, my impression of cleansing diets for losing weight is very positive as long as they are done right. There are some cleanses like the lemonade cleanse or Master cleanse which I don't recommend because they don't include any nutrients or protein to keep you from losing lean muscle tissue.

Cleansing diets aren't for everyone. They require some will power to get through the cleansing days. If you have no will power you probably won't succeed with a cleansing diet. And, of course, speak to your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise program.

If you want to give a cleansing diet a try and your doctor says it's okay then I encourage you to do so--I think you'll like the results!

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Sunday, May 20, 2007

How To Lose Weight From A Low Carbohydrate Diet Plan

With the sudden boom of dieting in the country, different diet programs have been introduced in the country. Although many experts believe that proper exercise and not only diet can lose those pounds in a healthy way, many people still believe in the power of diet programs and diet plans. One of the most controversial kinds of diet plans is the low-carbohydrate diet program, which focuses on the reduction of carbohydrate consumption in the body.

According to the theory, when carbohydrates are no longer being taken in, the body will be forced to use fats and water as alternative sources of energy; thereby helping to shed off those unwanted pounds.

Fats, unbeknownst to many, can actually be converted to energy. The body just doesn't use it as the first priority because it is more complex in structure and therefore, harder to break down and convert into energy. Among the popular low carbohydrate diets in the country is the Atkins diet.

Despite arguments from its critics, low carbohydrate diet has proven its effectiveness in terms of losing that extra weight. To date, it counts millions of followers not only in the country but also outside America.

Actually, cutting down on carbohydrates in the diet is a practice that people have been doing for years. When people cut down on their rice or bread or do not eat rice at all, they are reducing their carbohydrate intake. Of course, because it is not an official diet plan they are not really restricting themselves completely. When you are under a diet plan, you are not allowed to eat any kind of carbohydrates.

One of the advantages of low carbohydrate diet is the fact that it can actually increase the levels of good cholesterol in the body. This is really good news to people who have a heart problem. This is perhaps the reason why Atkins diet was used for cardio patients. This diet plan can also reduce the amount of triglycerides in the body. Triglycerides can be dangerous when combined with a high level of LDL or bad cholesterol. Both can increase the risk for heart attack and heart disease.

Low carb diet plans are also found to be good in balancing mood swings. They will not be prone to extreme lows such as depression or extreme high. People who are under the program are found to have fairly stable energy levels unlike those with high carbo levels.

LOW CARB DIET 101

Indeed, a lot has been said about various diets and how these work for some people. There' s the Atkins Diet, the South Beach, the After-Six Diet plan and so on goes on the list of diet crazes that swept the western world and even Asian regions. Among all these, one type of diet has become popular than the others it's called the Low Carb Diet.

Basically, low carb diet actually emphasizes cutting down on from a person's daily food intake. This diet allows the dieter to take in all foods except those that have carbohydrates. Although there are many testimonies that prove that low carb diet really works, you must be very knowledgeable first about its pros and cons before deciding to go with the hype.

People who have tried low carb diets say that its advantages include:

1. Faster and quicker weight loss compared to fasting.

2. The diet may result to higher protein intake and absorption.

3. It stabilizes blood sugar levels and is extremely beneficial to those who suffer from diabetics.

Experts say that the disadvantages of low carb diets may include:

- High cholesterol levels due to the lack of protein-rich and fatty foods that has saturated fats.
- Increased blood pressure due to elimination of whole grains products that help lower blood pressure.
- It can lead to osteoporosis because there will be no enough supply of calcium.
- In some cases, this diet can lead to diarrhea, constipation, and severe headaches.
- Low carb diets increase the possibility of lower mental acuity.
- Instead of losing weight, this diet can lead to weight gain.
If you are planning on taking low carb diet, here are some helpful tips to keep you in track:

1. Make sure to drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and constipation.

2. Consider taking in more fiber and vitamin supplements.

3. Cease from consuming products that has sugar.

4. Cut down on taking in products that contain caffeine.

5. Monitor your daily carbohydrate intake.

6. Don't mind calories, they are allowed in this diet.

7. Acquire a carbohydrate counter to keep you updated.

8. Do regular physical activities and exercise to reach ketosis easily.

9. Brace yourself for diarrhea that may last for a couple of days.

10. If possible, avoid eating foods that have saturated fats.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Hoodia The Safe Weight Loss Solution - Hoodia Diet

Many individuals complain virtual starvation is a necessary evil of dieting, and sticking to a weight loss plan is extremely difficult. Thus, when a product like Hoodia hits the market, someone probably becomes an instant millionaire.
With over 50% of North Americans fighting the battle of the bulge, the advent of a promising weight loss aid becomes an instant success. While the pounds seem to increase simply by looking at food, losing the weight is often an exercise in futility.

Many individuals complain virtual starvation is a necessary evil of dieting, and sticking to a weight loss plan is extremely difficult. Thus, when a product like Hoodia hits the market, someone probably becomes an instant millionaire.

Called Hoodia Gordonii, the plant responsible for the newest weightless craze looks like a desert cactus. However, the plant is actually a succulent found only in the Kalahari Desert: Any of various plants having fleshy leaves or stems that store water. Cacti and the jade plant are succulents.

Succulents are usually adapted to drier environments and display other characteristics that reduce water loss, such as waxy coatings on leaves and stems, fewer stomata than occur on other plants, and stout, rounded stems that minimize surface area (succulent). According to tradition, natives have been using the plant as a natural hunger suppressant for centuries.

Living in the Kalahari Desert is definitely not like living in a populated area. When people in North America get hungry, a fast food restaurant or a quick shop is virtually around the corner. Groceries stores cater to frozen meals ready in 5 minutes, and recipe books are filled with 30-minute meals. Conversely, people in the Kalahari have been in situations where food and water is not readily available, and traveling distances required going without for unbearable lengths of time. Supposedly, the natives learned Hoodia suppressed both appetite and thirst during difficult periods.

Introduced in North America in 2004, Hoodia claims to provide a natural way to curb appetites, so people can stick to weight loss plans.

Not hungry, individuals will be less likely to cheat or fall off the bandwagon altogether. In addition, since the product is totally natural, the supplement is presumed safe for human consumption, with little/no adverse side effects. With some dieting aids being pulled from shelves, after dieters have suffered severe health complications, all-natural aids are gaining popularity.

With little science to back up the claims of a safe weight loss supplement, the product is literally flying off the shelves. Internet sales are making savvy entrepreneurs wealthy, as a month's supply is often $35 or more. Based on word of mouth, individuals are assuming the dietary aid is nothing but a long-awaited miracle.

According to WebMD, "Because it is sold as a dietary supplement, Hoodia escapes the level of scrutiny the FDA gives prescription drugs and medications sold over the counter" (Doheny). So, the question remains: Does Hoodia really produce the desired results safely, or are individuals simply wishfully following the latest diet craze?

In search of an answer, 60 Minutes correspondent, Leslie Stahl, traveled to Africa to see the amazing plant, and find out if the plant's appetite suppressant properties are true. With a local aboriginal guide, Ms. Stahl is introduced to the dieting miracle in its natural habitat. After cutting off a stalk and removing the sharp spines, she is offered a bite of the bitter cucumber-like plant, to see if the plant really works. "Stahl says she had no after effects" no funny taste in her mouth, no queasy stomach, and no racing heart. She also wasn't hungry all day, even when she would normally have a pang around mealtime. And, she also had no desire to eat or drink the entire day.

"I'd have to say it did work," (Stahl). According to one research study, consumers of Hoodia actually consumed an average of 1,000 less calories per day. Combined with a proper diet and exercise, individuals could conceivably lose approximately 2 more pounds per week.

Therefore, regardless of the absent research statistics, proponents will continue to purchase Hoodia as fast as the supplement can be produced.

In summary, Hoodia is the latest craze in dietary supplements meant to help fight the battle over obesity among North Americans. Found in the Kalahari Desert, the spiny succulent plant has been part of the bushman's diet for centuries. In recent years, the appetite suppressant properties have found a home in pills and milk additives.

Supposedly completely natural, Hoodia consumers swear by its ability to reduce calorie intake, and keep dieters from cheating or giving up on a weight loss program altogether. While the jury is still out on Hoodia, people are willing to pay a hefty price to win the battle of the bulge.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Friday, May 18, 2007

Why Herbal Weight Loss Is A Highly Effective And Natural Diet

Before ingesting any herbs as part of a herbal weight loss programme it is important to check they are recognized medically as been safe for human consumption. There are some substances which should not be consumed, as they contain highly toxic properties which are potentially very dangerous for our vital organs.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no magical overnight pill which will shed those stubborn pounds. Having said that, there are a number of organic materials which might be more effective than you would think. Yes, that's right, many dieters across the world have chosen to go with a herbal weight loss programme, to great results. There are certain types of herbs which manage to effectively suppress the appetite and leave the body feeling fuller on less calories. That way, you aren't tempted to eat as much, as so you ultimately lose weight through going about your daily life. Some herbs contain natural stimulants which help keep you active and off that sofa, whilst some suppress the appetite for those who find their sweet tooth so hard to ignore.

Before ingesting any herbs as part of a herbal weight loss programme it is important to check they are recognized medically as been safe for human consumption. There are some substances which should not be consumed, as they contain highly toxic properties which are potentially very dangerous for our vital organs. That aside, herbal weight loss is a proven method of reducing weight quickly, leaving you looking and feeling great, whilst helping rid your body of those unwanted toxins which hinder the immune system.

A good herb for those looking to lose weight is cayenne. If you don't mind the spicy, try cayenne with your meals, which helps speed up the metabolism and increase heart rate safely to get you burning those calories without lifting a finger. Another good herb to try is seaweed, which is great for clearing the toxins in the bloodstream, and is also a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals to help the body remain fit and healthy. Also, why not try green tea as a healthy stimulant with a high vitamin C content to get you up and moving and keep your insides gleaming?

If your looking for particular herbs to avoid, you should pay particular attention to herbal laxatives which can cause serious problems for the bowel and the digestive system if used on a frequent basis. Also avoid ephedra which has been proven to increase blood pressure to a dangerously high level and have a negative impact on the central nervous system.

As long as you take care to avoid dangerous substances, herbal weight loss is a highly effective natural method for slimming down. If you are unsure about what herbs are safe to consume, check online for a brief run down, or consult your physician for more information. He will be capable of explaining the risks and benefits of certain herbs, and will be able to make recommendations based on your general state of health and wellbeing. It is always a good idea to visit your doctor before embarking on any weight loss measures, so this would be a good opportunity to air any concerns you may have, and suppress any anxieties about your weight or the dietary methods you are considering.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Thursday, May 17, 2007

low cholesterol diet

What is the first thing to consider in a low cholesterol diet? You have to know why some foods are safe to eat and why some are not. Here are some tips for you to follow so that you will be able to maintain your cholesterol diet.
Are you gaining weight? Does this make you worry about your cholesterol level? Do you feel like you need to do something about your eating habits particularly your cholesterol diet?

What is the first thing to consider in a low cholesterol diet? Knowing the purpose of a low cholesterol diet will make you adhere to it more sincerely. Then before indulging in any strict diet, low cholesterol diet included, you have to know why some foods are safe to eat and why some are not. However, a lifestyle change that would include a good cholesterol diet as a first step would work best.

The basic of cholesterol lowering diet is the decrease in the total intake of saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol in the body to decrease weight. These types of foods are mainly fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables have very high fiber content; this soaks cholesterol like sponge and disposes it out of the body. Apples, oranges and pears are high fiber foods. This includes oats and carrots. Pasta, whole grains and potatoes are samples of complex carbohydrates.

If you want to go on a cholesterol diet you should minimize your intake of the day’s total saturated fat calorie by 7% and fat by 25-35 percent. Limit your sodium intake by 2400 milligrams daily.

Remember, cholesterol lowering diet and maintaining a daily exercise are major factors in lowering the cholesterol level.

Here are some tips on cholesterol diet approaches:

•Taking fiber-rich foods such as whole grains as your primary source of carbohydrates. This should go hand in hand with an increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables such as berries, oranges, apples, pears, grapes, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, tomatoes, dark leafy greens celery, squash and eggplant among others.

•Staying away from saturated fats which are mostly found in animal foods such as meat, poultry and dairy products is a good cholesterol diet. Opt for unsaturated fats instead, specifically omega-3 fatty. Good sources of these would be the vegetable and fish oils.

•Source out protein from soy protein, poultry, and fish instead of meat.

•Major lifestyle change as a part of cholesterol diet would mean weight control, exercise, and quitting smoking.

If you want to dine out and still stick on your cholesterol diet, here are some tips for you to follow so that you will be able to maintain your cholesterol diet.

•Find out which restaurants have low saturated fat and have a low cholesterol menu.

•Sharing your dish with your companion or taking some home is advisable, better yet, you can also ask for appetizer-size servings or a side dish.

•Ask to separate the gravy, butter, rich sauces and dressings. You can control your cholesterol and saturated fat much easier that way.

•Ask the extras (salad, fries, baked potato) to be left off or substitute them.

•If you are craving for pizza, order the one that has vegetable toppings (green pepper, onions, and mushrooms) instead of meat or extra cheese. Or to make it easier for you, order it with half of the cheese or no cheese at all.

•If your dining on a fast-food restaurant, order salads, grilled skinless chicken sandwiches (fried and breaded are a no no), regular-sized hamburgers or roast beef sandwiches. Avoid large burgers, sandwiches and french-fries.

•Choose the dishes that are cooked on a low cholesterol method (broiled, steamed, au jus, garden fresh, baked, roasted, poached, tomato juice, dry boiled and lightly saturated)

•Be mindful of dishes that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. (butter sauce, fried, crispy, creamed, au gratin, au fromage, escalloped, parmesan, hollandaise, béarnaise, marinated, stewed, basted, sautéed, casserole and pastry crust)

Take note that if you lose weight, your calorie needs will also be lowered. It will decrease the amount of saturated fat and the fat that you will be able to consume on the cholesterol diet.

If you are having a hard time of making changes with cholesterol lowering diet, consult a nutritionist or dietitian so that you can work up some sample diets. Visit Lower Cholesterol Guide

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

A Dieting Tip To Keep The Weight Off

When my father was told he needed to lose 28lb in two months, it was a real challenge. He did it and when anyone asked for his dieting tip, he said it was very simple. He had one dieting tip and this was it, all the food and drink you really like, don't eat, all the food and drink you don't really like, that is what you eat.

Mind you, he loved all the wrong foods for himself or for most people that is. Unfortunately, food cooked in rendered fat has a flavor that cannot be replaced. If you have never had food cooked in fat then you won't know this flavor, you are one of the fortunate ones. For the foods that used to be cooked in fat, like roast dinners, fried foods etc, these were replaced with grills and roasts on racks, this way the fat drained away and no extra fat needed to be added. i was so young when my Dad needed to lose the weight, that my body cannot tolerate foods cooked in fat of any kind.

Adding salt to food will enahnce the flavor also and salt is considered not good for you either. We do need salt in our diet, but not to excess. Another dieting tips of my Dad's was, don't overdo the salt. If you have some added to the food while it is cooking, then don't add salt to the food before you eat it. So his salt dieting tip was, choose which is the better for you, either while your food is cooking or after but not both, whichever you can get used to, which way is the best for your body.

Another dieting tip from my Dad was to stay away from the puddings. Today what, when he was young, were considered desserts, were rich puddings and pastries. Full cream milk, fresh cream, wonderful pastries and tarts were served with most main meals of the day. Ice cream was homemade and made with real cream. He was brought up on that type of cooking and foods, so it was hard for him to change his eating habits.

Yes, that's right, it is our eating habits we need to change. That was really my Dad's big dieting tip. Change your eating habits and you will never have to diet again. Dieting is not just cutting out the fat and salt from your diet. Many of the low fat and low salt foods that are available today have been compensated in the flavor department by the addition of carbohydrates and sugars. This can be as bad for you as the fat that has been taken out.

There are many diets around, all promising you will lose weight. Many of them you will lose the weight promised but unless you have gained good eating habits using the diet, then the weight will not stay off.

Another excellent dieting tip from my Dad was, see your physician first. Be guided by his advice as to what your healthy weight should be. He will be able to provide you with a calorie chart and how many calories you need to eat each day to lose the weight in a timely and safe manner. you will also find that dieting this way, you will not be hungry and there will be foods that you never would have tried and found you enjoyed eating without dieting.

Eat as little processed foods as you can. Fresh is best, fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meats, fish and poultry. Always trim the fat from the meat before you cook it, the same with poultry. Check the carbohydrate content on the labels of everything you buy. Use the low-fat butters, milks and creams if you have a sweet tooth and like desserts.

Above all, get into a healthy eating habit, eat your three meals each day, maybe cut down on the quantity and keep in mind the no-fat, low-fat, check carbs foods rules. If you can eat your main meal in the middle of the day, then that is the best time as your body will burn off any excess during the afternoon activities. You can have your morning and afternoon tea and supper if you wish, just make sure you are sensible about what you eat then.

Well, my Dad's dieting tip became a few dieting tips. He did lose the 28lbs in the two months and through sensible eating, kept it off and felt so much better and I know we had the pleasure of his company for many more years than the medical experts predicted.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Diet Soda; Is It Good Or Bad If You Are On A Diet?

The debate over whether diet soda is a dieter's friend or a dieter's enemy seems to become more heated every day.

One side is saying it is a great beverage for people trying to lose weight and who want something more exciting to drink than water. The other side is saying it won't help you lose weight but can actually make you gain weight.

I wish I could give you a definitive answer and say either, "Yes, diet soda is fine to drink when you are trying to lose weight." Or "No, diet soda will not help you lose weight." But I cannot find enough clear cut evidence to wholeheartedly support either statement.

What I have gleaned from my research is this:

Setting aside the issue of whether or not diet soda will aid or impede your weight loss is the issue of the chemicals it contains and whether or not you want to be ingesting them on a daily basis in significant quantities.

There's also the issue of diet soda that contains caffeine. If you are mainlining Diet Coke, you have most likely formed a dependency to caffeine which will cause a period of headaches, when (or if) you decide to break that dependency. Large amounts of caffeine can also disrupt your sleep, can make you jittery, and can speed up your heart rate.

Some people complain of fluid retention when drinking diet soda and blame the sodium content in the it. Most diet soda/pop is very low in sodium. The culprit in fluid retention might be the artificial sweetener. Some recent research is showing that people react differently to artificial sweeteners, causing fluid retention in some people.

If you don't want to give up diet soda but it is making you retain fluid, try switching to a soda with a different artificial sweetener in it and see if that makes a difference. For example, if you are currently drinking one sweetened with Aspartame, try switching to one sweetened with Splenda or saccharine (NutraSweet). Also try drinking no diet soda for a least a week.

Drinking diet soda does seem to make some people think they can have that candy bar (ever had a Diet Coke and a king size snickers bar?) because they are saving calories with the diet soda/pop so the higher calorie food is okay. Likewise, some people will order a diet soda/pop after super-sizing their fast food meal. Drinking it lulls some people into thinking that switching out regular soda for diet means they can eat more food, but what usually happens instead is weight gain, which is then blamed on the diet soda/pop.

Personally, I get cravings for salty foods when I drink a lot of diet soda. My physician thinks it's the artificial sweetener that's causing those cravings. So instead of drinking a 12 pack of Diet Coke every day like I used to (yes, I'm being serious) I now try to have just one can of regular soda a day. I'm not always successful at doing that and sometimes drive to the store for an "emergency 12 pack of Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, or Diet Mountain Dew, but eliminating most diet beverages from my day-to-day diet has calmed my cravings.

So you'll have to make the judgment call for yourself on whether or not to include diet soda/pop in your weight loss or weight management plan. Some people say it helps them with weight management; others say it's a weight gaining tool. The only way to know for sure what it is for you is to try it and see.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Saturday, May 12, 2007

The Sonoma Diet - The New Mediterranean Diet

The Sonoma Diet was a book written by Connie Gutterson. It is one of the most balanced and moderate diets to appear in a long time. There are no dramatic restrictions on food groups, no calorie counting, and has all of the flair of a gourmet Mediterranean diet.

What is the Sonoma?
The Sonoma diet is a uniquely flavorful weight loss plan that brings together the art and science of food. Sonoma is a region in California, USA that is well regarded for its quality vineyards. The author and registered dietitian Connie Gutterson has been consulting with the Olive industry for a number of years. The nutritional credentials she has have enabled her to write a book that provides some of the most balanced and sensible weight loss advice. The Sonoma diet was not born in a lab much like other weight loss programs; in fact, it was born from two of the most agriculturally abundant and vital regions of the world: The coast of the Mediterranean Sea and of course Sonoma Valley California. These two regions share a festive approach to eating - a heart felt love of great food that turns every meal into a celebration of life. These wonderful foods make these areas into a paradise of healthy living and are the heart and soul of the Sonoma Diet. Members of the Sonoma diet experience this joy of eating. There are wide selections of recipes that are essential to Sonoma Diet member's success.

The 3 Waves
Wave 1: lasts for approximately 10 days, and you'll immediately begin eating delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners prepared with healthful foods. A benefit of this wave is that you will be able to eat all of your favorite foods and your online meal planner and recipe database will provide all the options you will need to be satisfied. One of the positive notes is that unlike other diets, this phase does not restrict carbohydrates but does include whole grain cereals and breads.

Wave 2: This wave is the major part of your diet. This here will be the eating plan that you stick with until you reach your target weight. Wave 2 is about variety with a broad range of foods including wine and fruits.

Wave 3: The third wave of the Sonoma Diet begins the day you finally reach your target weight. Once your ideal weight has been reached, this is the life - long maintenance phase where they teach you how to keep the weight off that you lost as well as teach you how to stick with the healthy eating lifestyle.

Portion Control
The secret is enjoying the right foods in the right amounts. If you think about it, that is really the only healthy way to lose weight. Aren't you tired of counting calories, and dealing with severe food restrictions? The main premise of the Sonoma diet is that food should be enjoyed even when dieting. The problem with most weight loss programs out there is that so many teach and cause the dieter to hate and fear food. Sonoma introduced a concept called 'plate and bowl'. All of the meals are assigned a specific plate size, with detailed instructions on how the plate should be filled. I was amazed while reading the book that it provided a wine guide to help select the best matching wine to accompany the meal.

Top 10 Power Foods
It's important to know what the top 10 power foods are. When you start to eat the Sonoma way, you'll be eating this way for the rest of your life. The Sonoma Diet book contains 300 recipes. The on-line program contains an additional 500 recipes. The top 10 power foods are.

* Almonds
* Bell Peppers
* Blueberries
* Broccoli
* Grapes
* Olive oil
* Spinach
* Strawberries
* Tomatoes
* Whole grains

One of the best features of the Sonoma diet is how interactive it truly is. The online program features on-line dietitians, live support, shopping lists, customized meal plans, and message boards. All subscriptions do come with a required fee, and subscribers must pay for a minimum of 5 weeks; however, if at any time you want to cancel your program there is not a cancellation fee. The Sonoma Diet is very popular and comes highly recommended by us and its users. This diet is now in 2007 considered to be in the top 5 diet programs. We at Flex Your Health consider this diet to be in the top 2 of all weight loss programs offered. If you try this program I am sure you will find a new healthier lifestyle with fantastic gourmet meals that will impress even the most sophisticated pallet.

Ready to try the Sonoma Diet and change your life from the regular to sophistication? If so, click the following link to find out all you need to know about the Sonoma Diet and other popular weight loss programs. http://www.flexyourhealth.com/index.html

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/author.cgi?C=51839

Thursday, May 10, 2007

blood type diet

Several years ago, a very interesting new idea with regard to weight loss became all the rage: eating for your blood type. This concept answered the age-old question of why not all eating plans work for all people. That much seems undeniable – people are very different with regard to the types of food that works for them, as well as the type of exercise program. A weight loss regime that works for one person won’t necessarily work for someone else – that much we know.

Some experts started to link this to blood type. There are four main blood types, and according to this way of thinking, each type represents a body type. If you eat the food that is right for your type, you will lose weight effortlessly. Conversely, most weight problems are the result of eating the food that’s wrong for your type. As well, there are types of exercise that are suitable for some types and not for others.

Though mainstream science ridiculed this idea, thousands of people followed the eating plan for their blood type and many had excellent results. This is the theory: the different blood types evolved at different times in human history, and even nowadays people with those types have traits that are specific to humans at that stage of evolution. This may sound confusing, but it’s clearer with an example: According to this theory, ‘o’ type blood, because it’s the simplest type, evolved first. At that time in human history, people had not yet developed agriculture. They were primarily hunters, and ate meat and greens; they ate no wheat, and no dairy, because those foods developed later on with the advent of farming. Humans at that time in history also exercised vigorously.

So, if you have ‘o’ type blood, your body is similar to this early human physiology. If you eat a lot of carbohydrates and don’t exercise vigorously, you will have weight problems and other health problems, because you are not eating and exercising in the way that is right for your blood type and body type. To lose weight and be healthy, if have ‘o’ type blood, you have to eat plenty of red meat and vegetables, and very little wheat or dairy. You should also have a strenuous physical activity, like running or weight lifting, that you practice several times a week.

But if you are a type ‘a’ or ‘b’, for example, that advice would be all wrong for you. These types developed somewhat later, after agriculture was established, so these individuals can and should eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains. People with ‘ab’ type blood are lucky; their type evolved last, after humans had incorporated all types of food into their diet. So ‘ab’s can basically eat anything – within reason – and not gain weight.

Over the past six or seven years, many people have followed this plan and lost a lot of weight. There are a few problems with it, though. First of all, as mentioned before, there is no hard scientific evidence that shows that people with different blood types are physiologically different. It’s an appealing idea, but it can’t be proven as yet. Also, some of the blood type diets (particularly the diet for type ‘o’) are very restrictive. In fact, the type ‘o’ diet is rather like Atkins at its most restrictive, and some nutritionists feel that this might lead to problems with high cholesterol in the long run. On the other hand, proponents of the diet argue that type ‘o’ people are precisely those who can afford to eat a lot of meat without negatively affecting their cholesterol level. If someone with a different blood type ate in this way, it might be a problem, but not for “o’s”. And it is certainly true that some people develop or don’t develop cholesterol problems seemingly regardless to their dietary intake.

If the theory has no basis, though, how would we explain the weight loss that so many people have experienced? It may be simpler than you think, actually. Any one of the four blood type eating plans, if followed correctly, would have you eating healthier, more natural food. Some, like the ‘o’ diet, are also quite restrictive. It seems likely that these diets make you lose weight in and of themselves, regardless of what blood type you are!

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

It's Time To Get In The Zone Diet

The best advice is to go with something that's safe, and something that is proven to really work, like the In The Zone diet plan. With the In The Zone diet, there are no magic pills, or recipes for success, other than the simple 40:30:30, which ensures a daily balance of all the right foods to keep your body ticking healthily.
The Zone Diet, or the In The Zone diet is a revolutionary new concept in dieting. It holds that you can eat freshly prepared natural foods every day, and snack in balance to lose weight. The concept of balance extends throughout the diet and lifestyle of those following the In the Zone diet, and follows the key ratio of 40:30:30 - that is 40% of every meal or snack is composed of carbohydrates, 30% of proteins and 30% of fats.

This emphasis on protein, which is almost double the average daily of consumption of most, works on similar principles as the Atkin's programme, although is considerably less risky through providing a balance of the other essentials in the diet. The In The Zone diet ratio is backed up by leading institutional research which promotes proteins as the most effective composite in weight loss, and ties in with the idea that a perfect balance between all component parts of a healthy diet is key to losing weight.

It is sometimes hard to know who to believe. There are so many diet plans out there, and so many lifestyle recommendations that are constantly spread across the media and the internet, it's hard to know what actually works. The best advice is to go with something that's safe, and something that is proven to really work, like the In The Zone diet plan. With the In The Zone diet, there are no magic pills, or recipes for success, other than the simple 40:30:30, which ensures a daily balance of all the right foods to keep your body ticking healthily. Not only that, but when combined with exercise, the diet also helps increase muscle mass, and is also very good for the heart and other internal vital organs, so it's advantages all round.

And it doesn't have to be expensive. You can buy the foods in any grocery store, and even shop as normal, so long as every meal is within these proportions. Although there are certain restrictions, and it's not a good idea to continue to load up on chocolate and sugars, as long as you follow the guideline ratio and stick to drinking heaps of water, you'll start to see the effects of safe and healthy weight loss in no time at all.

To see maximum effects, it's good to combine this balanced nutritional programme with balanced exercise. Some light to moderate activity will suffice to melt that fat, and provided you stick to the In The Zone diet, you'll definitely see the results. Why not try walking in the park with friends, or a leisurely cycle to work? There are so many cheap and cost effective lifestyle changes you can make to balance your health and your diet, and you don't have to fork out big bucks for the latest fad or for any exercise equipment. Just live your life in a balance, with proportionate exercise to rest, proportionate carbs to fats to proteins, and soon you'll see the effects of your healthier, body-friendly lifestyle.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/