Recent findings from the RAND Corporation found that people who are 100 pounds or more overweight are the fastest growing group of overweight people in the U.S, with the proportion of the "severely obese" 50 percent higher in 2005 than it had been in 2000. With an estimated 34 million Americans now classified as "obese" (weighing 20% more than their ideal weight) there is an urgent need for effective interventions.
Current research published in the International Journal of Obesity (March, 2007) show there is hope. Results from a study of over 1,000 dieters who attended a 12-week educational program offered by Health Management Resources (HMR) showed an average weight loss of 77 pounds. 25% of the group lost 100 pounds or more - for an average weight loss of 137.4 pounds. Moreover, these patients were able to maintain a significant portion of that weight loss while participating in the maintenance phase of the program. (The majority of these patients were medically supervised. For many dieters, weight loss is temporary.)
All of the dieters in the study participated in the HMR Program for Weight Management™, a comprehensive weight-loss program offered in hospitals and medical centers across the country.
Patients lost weight using HMR meal replacements (low-calorie, portion-controlled shakes and entrees) and in some cases, additional fruits and vegetables. They attended weekly classes at HMR clinics where they learned and practiced specific lifestyle skills, including daily physical activity. In addition, patients received individual coaching, support, and follow-up via phone calls with trained health educators.
HMR is the leading provider of weight treatment services to the medical community, with programs in hospitals and medical settings across the country. HMR offers a range of diet options including medically supervised low- and very low-calorie diets, moderately restricted diets, and "at home" dieting options, including new Healthy Solutions Quick Start Diet Kits with home delivery of weight loss foods and support materials. For more information, visit www.hmrprogram.com or call 1-800 - 418-1367.
Yogadownload.com launched a new version of its online yoga studio with many new features designed to enhance the virtual yoga experience. Owner Jamie Kent created Yogadownload.com in 2006 as a way to make yoga's benefits accessible to more people and practicing yoga inexpensive and more convenient. Anyone with an Internet connection can easily download a yoga class of their choice, often for far less than the price of a traditional yoga class.
Kent hopes to add to Yoga Download's high-tech yet yogi-friendly appeal with the launch of the new website. Most notably, each virtual yoga class is now accompanied by a printable companion pose guide which shows the picture, name and sequence for each pose in the class. Additionally a complete pose guide section has been added highlighting many yoga poses complete with pictures, descriptions and benefits for each.
Yoga Download has also added membership options allowing users to pay a monthly fee for access to the entire library of yoga classes and music. Kent notes, "Being the first to download a new class and having the option to choose from a variety of class styles and instructors keeps people inspired in their yoga practice and excited about our product."
Helping the Yoga community to stay connected and inspired is another goal Kent has set for the new Yoga Download. To assist in this task, she created a forum where like-minded yogis can get to know one another, ask questions of experts on yoga philosophy and practice and also get help with technical questions regarding Yogadownload.com. Additionally, users can now submit reviews on classes, which is helpful to those deciding on which class to download.
Yoga Download's guided online yoga classes and other fitness workouts cater to a wide range of styles, experience levels and strengths. Each class is accompanied by professional music and can be played on any iPod or other MP3 player, CD player, computer or compatible cell phone.
The process for purchasing and downloading classes from the website www.yogadownload.com and uploading onto an MP3 player, playing from your computer, or making a CD, is similar to the process for downloading and uploading any other MP3 file. The yoga classes and music range in price from $1.50 to $6.95, and once purchased, can be played by the purchaser without limit.
Kent notes that "with Yogadownload.com people from all over the globe have access to a library of quality, inexpensive yoga classes that they can use over and over again. And the best part is that they can take a class in any room of their house, outdoors, or anywhere they want, anytime they want. It is like having a 24-hour-a-day personal yoga studio!"
For more information, and to try a free yoga download, visit www.yogadownload.com.
A healthy diet is crucial to the detoxification process. It can be achieved by abstaining from animal products, sugar, alcohol and fat, and replacing them by organic fruits, nuts, wheats and vegetables.
An excellent way to kick off the detoxification process every morning, while giving your body all the nutrition it needs, is Dr. Kousmine's breakfast.
Doctor Catherine Kousmine (1904-1992), has devoted her life to medical research in Switzerland with special interest in the effects of food on overall health, and cancer and disease prevention. The diet she recommends is rich in cereals, raw food and essential fatty acids, and has thousands of faithful health-conscious followers around the world.
The highlight of Dr Kousmine's diet is her power breakfast -the infamous Kousmine cream- based on a mixture of ingredients that she developed with the German doctor Johanna Budwig.
Dr Budwig (born in Germany in 1908- 2003) has been referred to as a top European Cancer Research Scientist, Biochemist, German Pharmacologist, and Physicist. She was a seven-time Nobel Prize nominee. She is considered one of the world's leading authorities on fats and oils. Her research has shown the negative effects that commercially processed fats and oils have on destroying cells, and their food-processing function in the body, resulting in chronic or terminal disease.
Her research shows that the commercial processing of fats destroys the field of electrons that allow the cell membranes in our bodies to function properly. Without the proper metabolism of fats, every vital function and every organ is affected. This includes new cell regeneration, and the elimination of waste and toxins, which triggers various chronic diseases.
Not only is Dr Kousmine breakfast recipe delicious and highly nutritious, but it also enables your body to kick start the detoxification process upon rising.
Kousmine-Budwig breakfast recipe
- 4 tablespoons low fat cottage cheese (or yoghurt) - 2 tablespoons organic flaxseed or organic sunflower oil Mix the cottage cheese and the flaxseed oil in a bowl with a fork, until you obtain a rich, white and creamy blend.
Add to this mixture
- 1 small ripe banana (or 2 tsp honey) - 1/2 a lemon juice - 2 tablespoons freshly ground flaxseeds or 6 almonds, 6 hazelnuts, or any other type of nuts, excluding peanuts - 2 tablespoons fresh whole-wheat rice, millet, buckwheat, oats (not oatmeal) - 1 portion of seasonal fresh fruit. (strawberries, raspberries, cherries, grapes, apple etc..) Grind the nuts, or flaxseed and the cereals. Crush the banana with a fork. Add all the ingredients to the cottage cheese and mix well.
Besides being a rich source of calcium, iron & zinc, this breakfast is rich in linolenic acid (healthy fats) and provides substantial levels of vitamins and minerals. The combination of these ingredients is what makes this recipe particularly efficient.
Dr Kousmine diet is based on 5 principles amongst them a healthy diet and a healthy colon. She recommended intestinal cleanses, including enemas and colon cleansing.
France Guillain, who wrote 2 books on the Detox Bath method, particularly recommends combining the Kousmine breakfast with the Detox Bath for a highly effective natural daily detox. The 'good fats', contained in this breakfast act as the vehicle which -aided by the the Detox Bath- transports the 'bad fats' into the intestines for elimination. This breakfast will boost the action of the Detox Bath and increase its effectiveness.
The Detox Bath is based on an ancestral detox and healing technique which has been proven to encourage toxin, waste and fat elimination. It's working principle is to refresh the core area of the body (groin) during 10 minutes daily on average. This process creates a vibration in the fascia (interconnecting tissue covering all internal organs), which sets in motion a roll-back effect transporting waste, fat and deposited toxins back to the intestines, where they are later eliminated. The benefits of this simple technique are numerous and include:
Toxin, fat and cellulite elimination
Improved digestion and natural constipation relief
Improved natural restful sleep,
Mood and energy boost
Clear skin and radiant complexion.
About the Author - Randa Khalil and Lina Baker Co-authors Detox Bath Ebook published by Dream Team Publishing UK. Visit Pure Inside Out: To Learn easy and painless body and mind detox techniques.
Parents and educators concerned about the childhood obesity epidemic now have a new ally that's helping them apply tough love in the school cafeteria: fingerprint biometric readers linked to point-of-sale (POS) systems and home internet connections that help them monitor and restrict kids' unhealthy lunch purchases.
Over twelve million kids the in U.S. are overweight. As obesity has doubled for preschool age kids and teens and tripled for pre-teens since the 1970s, a growing number of obese kids are now at risk of typically adult weight-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and heart disease.
"It's now common to hear experts declare that this is the first generation of kids who won't outlive their parents due to diet and inactivity," says Deanna McDuffie, a school wellness consultant based in Orlando, Florida.
While high fat, high sugar, convenience foods and a sedentary lifestyle are as much a problem for kids outside of school as in it, much of the furor focuses on what kids are scarfing down in school lunch lines, and for good reason.
"Busy parents are realizing that they don't really know what their kids are eating at school," says McDuffie. "Sure, there's a school lunch menu available. But the number one culprit is the a la carte menu, which isn't mandated to be nutritionally balanced. It often contains all the fat and sugar you can stuff into a kid."
To combat this epidemic, fingerprint biometric readers linked to POS systems and home internet connections are being used to help parents monitor and restrict kids' unhealthy lunch purchases.
One biometric school lunch program, created by Food Service Solutions (FSS), a pioneer of biometric technology for school food service, has an online component that allows parents to pre-pay for school lunches as well as monitor their children's food choices. The technology even enables parents to restrict their children's choices to avoid 'special diet' conflicts or to prevent children from purchasing high fat, high sugar a la carte items.
Students place a forefinger on a small fingerscan reader by the school cafeteria register. In seconds, the system translates the electronic print into a mathematical pattern, discards the fingerprint image, and matches the pattern to the student's meal account information.
No fingerprint or image is saved because FSS's biometric software only scans the texture of the finger and plots points on a grid that mathematically correspond with ridges to achieve a unique positive identification.
Using the system, parents can view meal and a la carte purchases at home via the Internet for the last 30 days, day-by-day and item-by-item. Even breakfasts or snacks purchased at the school cafeteria register show up. Via affiliated software, parents can specify prohibited purchases such as "no a la carte items," which an adult school cafeteria lunch worker would see "red-flagged" on the register and enforce at the time of purchase.
"Today, parents and educators have the ability to teach, track, and recognize kids for making better, healthier choices that'll serve them for a lifetime -- because our children should outlive us," concludes McDuffie.
Our order process could not be simpler, just select the medicines you need, fill in our medical questionnaire, and submit your order. Our U.S Licensed Physicians will review your order and issue your prescription. Next, our U.S. Licensed Pharmacies will dispense, and FedEx your order discreetly using Next day delivery.
Annie Appleby, founder and licensor of YogaForce, announced today that YogaForce will be participating in a few eBay Celebrity Auctions to benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation starting May 1, 2007.
"We are happy to be working with Sony Pictures and to benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation at the same time. And obviously, we are very grateful to Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Garner for their support of this great cause. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and it also marks the much anticipated theatrical release of Spider Man 3 and the DVD release of Catch and Release. Skin cancer rates are rising instead of falling. Of the 1.3 million new cases more than 59,000 will be diagnosed as melanoma- the third most common form of cancer in women between the ages of 20 and 39. I am a survivor, and I was lucky that my melanoma was caught in time. I want more people to be aware that a weird freckle can potentially kill, if left untreated."
Appleby has developed a patented YogaForce A-Line Mat that can be found in high end stores worldwide. All proceeds from the signed mats will go to The Skin Cancer Foundation in New York City.
Made from durable, recycled PVC, the patented YogaForce A-line Mat is sturdy and will not end up in landfills like so many non PVC mats that fall apart and need to be replaced. YogaForce is made to last. People only need one yoga mat and this is it. YogaForce has a patented alignment system and a built-in carry strap, so there is no need to fuss with a bag.
"The YogaForce A-Line Mat is designed to be wider at the top where your shoulders are so it allows for more space to maneuver in a crowded class," Appleby said from her home in the San Francisco Bay Area where she currently teaches yoga. She went on to say that "the new YogaForce F2 Line is green and has SPF sun protection. We make our clothing with soy, bamboo, wild silk and organic cotton. We also use recycled polyester so our fabrics will last. After all, YogaForce is a high performance Line. We are pleased that as summer is fast approaching, these auctions will help spark even greater awareness of the need to use sun protection. Maybe we can even turn a few people on to trying yoga." Appleby is now exploring new licensing opportunities for her 12 year old brand.
Video games aren't just for computer geeks and couch potatoes anymore. A new kind of digital activity is captivating the fitness world, attempting to help more people get off the couch and stay active.
The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), a teaching organization that helps fitness enthusiasts become certified personal trainers, has examined the latest phenom of video game technology and how it can play a role in the lives of both active and inactive people. The ISSA interviewed exertainment experts, conducted product reviews, and worked with personal trainers, club managers and gym owners to determine the role of video game technology in fitness and health clubs of the future.
Exertainment, also known as exergaming, is a term used for video games that also provide exercise. Many people, including personal trainers, health clubs and even school districts, are looking to Sportwall, Cateye Game bikes, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), Sony Playstation, Nintendo Wii and other gaming systems to introduce a new group, or generation, of people to the health benefits of regular physical activity. Most inactive and sedentary people are aware of some of the most basic benefits of exercise: from preventing heart disease and type II diabetes to managing weight and reducing stress levels. However, many of those same people find it hard to reconcile the concept of "exercise" with "fun" and thus lack the motivation to make a commitment to physical activity. Now, with the advent of new technologies that combine activity and entertainment, gyms and health professionals have a tool that will attract those that have previously shied away from exercise as too "boring", "difficult" or just plain "unpleasant".
"When I am thinking of video games fighting obesity, I am thinking of interactive games as opposed to sitting on a couch moving your thumbs. Generally sedentary individuals could certainly get more active as a result of this phenomenon of movement based video games," says Josh Trout, Ph.D., exergaming expert and Assistant Professor of kinesiology at the California State University, Chico. "These new systems provide more opportunities for people to be physically active. Some people may not want to put on a heart rate monitor and walk around the block, but they can get their heart rate up in their own living room using the Sony iToy, Dance Dance Revolution or Nintendo's Wii."
"The interesting thing about these kinds of games is, the better you get at a video game, the more energy efficient you become. While playing DDR, as I was getting more efficient at the game, the game would become faster, so I was still getting a good workout," reports Dr. Trout. "Not only was my heart rate staying up, but I was also getting better at the game, moving my feet faster, and staying in control as I progressed."
But, it isn't just professors of kinesiology that are realizing fitness benefits from new video game technology. "The greatest benefit I have seen is that, regardless of a child's physical ability, every child can participate and have fun while doing so," says Kristin L. McEwen, Executive Director, Metro Atlanta YMCA, who installed a Sportwall into their facility to help their members get and stay active using this technology.
"There are over 700 locations worldwide using our Sportwall, including schools, YMCA's, JC's, 24 Hour Fitness, Lifetime Fitness, Gold's Gym and other fitness and tennis facilities," reports Tom West, Vice President of Sportwall International, Inc. Sportwall International Inc. initially manufactured non-electronic backboards for tennis. Now, as the manufacturer of the Sensory Integration Training system, they sell a line of training systems that combine computer games with a cardiovascular workout to get the feet moving and help develop hand-eye coordination.
"Because our systems require active participation, engaging neurological feedback, you have to respond to the equipment, making our Sensory Integration systems interactive. With traditional fitness machines you don't have to be so engaged," reveals Mr. West. "Also, many digital systems qualify for general liability insurance, while standard junior strength training equipment requires a separate insurance policy. This is attractive to health clubs looking to develop fitness programs for the young members of their facilities."
"Health clubs will start to incorporate more interactive gaming tools to attract populations that may not otherwise get involved," discloses Rick Sikorski, CEO and Founder of the Fitness Together Franchise Corporation. "This will help more people get hooked on positive fitness habits, especially kids and those that want a change to their normal routine." Mr. Sikorski has set up over 400 private one-on-one personal training studios worldwide and has plans to establish studios tailored toward the younger population: "Because of the demand, we are in the infancy stages of developing a program for teens -- a fun, high energy, colorful place using the latest interactive technology to help our youth build life long fitness habits."
ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer Clark Bartram agrees that exertainment technologies have a huge potential to be of benefit to our youth. As former owner and operator of International Fitness -- a 7,500 square foot gym located in San Marcos, CA -- he has trained dozens of kids after school and on weekends.
"Kids between 8 and 14 don't want to be thrown into what I call the 'stinky diaper pit', littered with small children, while their parents are working out," says Clark Bartram, international fitness professional and proud father of two. "We invested in lifecycles attached to Sony Playstations for this group to have fun while exercising. The only way they can keep playing is if they keep pedaling."
Despite its role in increasing the amount of physical activity undertaken by more sedentary individuals, especially youth, the grass isn't necessarily much greener for video game technology than it is for traditional fitness equipment. "It all depends upon how it's used," says Dr. Trout. "It really comes down to intensity level, just like being on a cardio machine. If you are on level 3, you will not gain as much health benefit as you would if you were pushing yourself on a higher level, say level 8."
When one enlists a certified personal trainer to design a fitness program, the goal is usually weight management, increased athletic performance, stress reduction or functional training that better enables your body to handle the physical demands of your daily life. A video game console cannot replace the services of a competent fitness trainer, but it can be a great help as far instigating a fun and active lifestyle.
X2 Fit and Fertile Member Catherine Polka with newborn daughter Molly and Infertility Specialist, Laurence A. Jacobs, MD.
"I knew I needed to lose weight to get healthier. Because of the X2 Fit and Fertile Program and my infertility doctor, I'm now a Mom! And, my miracle baby, Molly, was born." So says Catherine Polka, who joined the X2 Fit and Fertile program last March along with 16 other women.
Catherine and the others were fighting being infertile plus overweight and/or obese. Infertile overweight women know that losing weight can improve their chances to get pregnant. Everyone taking part in this special fitness and weight loss program lost weight. Nine of these 17 women become pregnant in the past year. To date, there have been three births.
Top infertility specialist, Laurence A. Jacobs, MD, who began the X2 Fit and Fertile program, says: "After 25 years of practice, I knew that just telling my infertility patients they needed to lose weight, most often didn't produce any weight loss. I wanted to create a fitness program and vehicle to help them realize their dreams. The success of the program has been dramatic."
Last October, another group of five infertile women joined the original group. Of those five women, two are pregnant, the others continue their efforts to lose weight including someone who began at 275 pounds and has lost 40 pounds in continuing her quest to get Fit and Fertile.
Seven core principals make up the X2 Fit and Fertile Program:
1. Find a fitness program that works for you 2. Utilize good nutrition 3. Keep a food diary 4. Find a support group 5. Reduce stress 6. Incorporate holistic methods into the mix 7. Work with a specialist(s) who understands your needs
What makes the X2 Fit and Fertile program work is how it has combined these seven core principals into its program. When the overweight, infertile woman joins the group, she is taught that if she utilizes good nutrition and makes good choices, there is no need to even use the word "diet." She is encouraged to keep a food diary to make her more aware of what she is putting in her body. Additionally, at the heart of the program is a weight vest which the women wear called the X2 Vest, which helps calories burn more efficiently. Andrea Evans, who is pictured to the right, says, "I realized that this group was in fact a new family of support. Having struggled with weight loss most of my life, I found myself very excited over this new opportunity. I look forward to every meeting and every teleconference."
An exclusive chat room just for the members of the X2 Fit and Fertile group has been set up and is used by members on a regular basis. Dr. Jacobs suggests that patients consider doing whatever they can to relieve their stress including massage therapy and acupuncture. Plus, every four to six weeks the group gets together in person or takes part in a teleseminar to keep them motivated. Husbands join their infertile wives in the program too. Husbands are there not only for support, many husbands of infertile overweight women struggle with their own weight issues. If a spouse is heavy, chances increase that his or her mate will also be battling the bulge.
To date, all women who have taken part in the X2 Fertile Program have had a Body Mass Index of 35 or higher. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from an individual's weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fat.
Dr. Jacobs further points out: "In overweight women with excessive adipose tissue, abnormal pituitary hormone secretions are common, leading to a lack of proper ovulation. Obesity is strongly related to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Overweight woman are also particularly susceptible to Diabetes and Insulin resistance. Even with the use of fertility medications or IVF treatments, pregnancy rates are adversely affected by obesity. Many studies have shown that in obese women, especially those with PCOS, a 5-10% weight loss often results in resumption of ovulation and higher pregnancy rates with all fertility treatments."
Dr. Jacobs conducts the X2 Fit and Fertile meetings and teleseminars with fitness guru George Morrison, a former US Olympic strength and conditioning coach who trains professional athletes and works with people who want to be healthy and fit. Morrison suggests that "The same concepts utilized in the X2 Fit and Fertile program will greatly benefit anyone who wants to be fit and healthy. Follow-through and support has been key to this program."
Jenny Craig today announced the 12-month results of a randomized clinical trial, as published in the April 2007 issue of Obesity, the journal of NAASO, The Obesity Society. The study, "Randomized Trial of a Multifaceted Commercial Weight Loss Program," was conducted by lead investigator, Cheryl L. Rock, PhD, RD, Professor of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, in conjunction with colleagues at the university.
The results of the study show that the Jenny Craig intervention group realized an average weight loss of 8% of initial weight (16 lbs), compared to an average of less than 1% (less than 2 lbs) weight loss for those in the control group. According to the authors, the weight loss of the participant group at six months was notably maintained at one year.
"Previous studies have documented that individual factors such as prepackaged meals, a low calorie density menu, physical activity, and individualized counseling can effectively promote weight loss," said Dr. Rock.
"But what makes the program we studied unique is that it combines all of these factors into a comprehensive approach that resulted in both successful weight loss for the participant group at six months and maintenance of that loss at one year. Maintenance of this loss suggests the commencement of lifestyle changes for those individuals participating in the program," said Dr. Rock.
In addition to greater average weight loss outcomes, the Jenny Craig intervention group experienced statistically significant improvements in health parameters. In comparison, the control group did not experience the level of improvements as those in the Jenny Craig arm of the study.
Trial Key Findings
In the 24-month, randomized control trial, participants were studied to determine if the comprehensive Jenny Craig weight loss program is associated with a greater degree of weight loss in comparison to controlled conditions.
12-month results indicate that the Jenny Craig weight loss program successfully promotes weight loss, with an average weight loss of 8% (16 lbs) at both six months and one year.
Conversely, subjects in the control group lost on average less than 1% (less than 1 lb.) of their weight at six months. At twelve months, the control group had only achieved an average weight loss of less than two pounds.
The one-year analysis revealed significantly greater change in weight, percent weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist and hip circumferences in the intervention versus control group. Completers at one year, for the Jenny Craig intervention group, realized a significant increase in HDL and a decrease in serum insulin.
Subjects in the Jenny Craig group experienced an improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness. They also demonstrated increased levels of total carotenoids, suggesting an increased consumption of vegetables and fruits, possibly due to Jenny Craig’s emphasis on these foods.
"The unfortunate reality is that 34% of the females in the U.S. are obese. However, with physicians having a limited amount of time and a large number of overweight patients to treat, it is difficult to successfully address the issue solely in the primary care setting," said Lisa Talamini, RD, Chief Nutritionist and Director of Program Development for Jenny Craig, Inc. "This study helps demonstrate that Jenny Craig’s one-on-one approach to weight management is an efficacious option for clinicians looking for a scientifically proven weight loss program to recommend to their patients."
Randomized Trial Design
Individuals eligible for the study were women aged 18 years or older, who had a BMI greater than 25, a weight of greater than 40kg/m2, (minimum of 15 kg over ideal weight by 1983 Metropolitan Life tables), and who were able to participate in clinic visits and other study activities. Individuals with severe disabilities that prohibit physical activity, those with a co-morbid disease, or those who were pregnant, breastfeeding or currently involved in another study or weight loss program, were excluded from the study. A total of 70 women participated in the study, with 35 in the usual care or control group and 35 in the Jenny Craig or intervention group.
Subjects were stratified by BMI and age and randomly assigned to the Jenny Craig weight loss program or usual care. The Jenny Craig arm subjects received all Jenny Craig weight loss program consultations, material and food as needed, free of charge. The usual care (control) arm subjects received consultation with a research dietitian, free of charge, at randomization and sixteen weeks, supplemented by publicly available print weight management material.
Data collection and measurements were obtained at four time points: baseline, 16 weeks (weight and circumferences only), 6 months and 12 months. Further data collection will occur at 18 and 24 months. Anthropometric measures included height, weight, and waist and hip circumference. Cardiopulmonary fitness was assessed through the use of a step test.
Blood samples were collected to measure plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol plasma carotenoids, and serum insulin and sex-hormone binding globulin concentrations.
Analysis was conducted for both intent-to-treat and completer groups. The primary outcome of interest was change in body weight from baseline to follow-up time points. Blood and step test measures were analyzed using paired t-test comparisons within Jenny Craig and control groups, and independent t-test analysis at baseline and follow-up.
Victoria, I am going on a summer vacation with my husband in two weeks and I need help getting my a** in a swimsuit without wearing one of those old lady ones like my grandmother has. You know the one with the built in skirt. Help Victoria! What can I do? - J. McMurphy
Hello Ms J. You sure know how to challenge me don't you? First... whatever you do, make sure your husband does NOT see you in a "skirt swimsuit". There is only so much Viagra can do girlfriend!
Second... I have some great tips for your "exit muscles" (the last ones people see when you leave the room) to look presentable. If you are really strict, you may look so good, your husband won't want you to exit the room at all on this year's vacation!
A few years ago, I needed to get ready for a swimsuit photo shoot at the exclusive Beverly Hills Celebrity hotel LeMontrose. I was not happy with my "rear view" so I put together this emergency bikini butt regime. It worked beautifully. After working my plan, my legs were more defined, my butt was tighter and, shall I say, high and lifted up. I felt great at the photo shoot. My results were validated when the rapper (name withheld) who was not in need of a tan, kept coming out by the pool and accidentally dropping his D&G sunglasses every other minute. I think I must have looked great to him. He was sneaking a look at my "assets" as he was pretending to recover his D&G's.
Okay Ms. J. get out your highlighter, print this page and highlight the tips you will follow diligently, even while you are on vacation. That's right. The last thing you want to do is look great the first day, then go on a "I'm on vacation" binge fest and bloat up like those cute little gold fish snacks.
1. Get Mentally and Spiritually ready. Center yourself. Prayers, affirmations and meditation are great ways to relax and make the preparation for your vacation and a fun and exciting challenge.
2. Start drinking at least 10 cups of water a day right away. The last 3 - 4 days I will add in a cup of herbal diuretic tea a day. The days when I'm drinking the tea I cut my water in half.
3. Do sixty minutes of cardio each day at a low-moderate intensity. You will want to do this for at least two weeks before your vacation, or as much time as you have before you leave. You can break this up into two sessions if you need to, but one long session is optimal. My Swimsuit Shape Up Collection is a great way to get that cardio in each day. Don't balk, we're getting ready for vacation here!
4. Sculpt and Tone every other day, do a full body workout with light-weights, with special emphasis on plies', lunges, floorwork - leg lifts and donkey kicks. 3 sets of 25 reps per side of each exercise. Do your abdominals every other day as well. Figure out your three favorite abdominal exercises and review last week' s abdominal hollowing tips and apply them.
5. Do not eat after 7:00 PM. That means NOTHING at 7:00PM. Water or tea but no calories. This is a big key!
6. Eat clean staying away from salt, sugar, desserts, ice cream and dairy. My Quick Start Fat Loss Program is perfect way to diet for optimal health and conditioning. If you don't have it already, pick one up today!
7. Increase Low Glycemic Index foods which help with weight release such as cabbage, onions, broccoli, cooked tomatoes, beans, wheat and certain fruit.
8. AVOID ALL HIGH Glycemic Foods. I have an extensive list in my Quick Start Fat Loss Program. Do NOT eat these foods. They could turn to fat faster than butter.
9. Eat 4-5 meals a day slightly smaller than my normal servings. Go easy on the condiments. For the last three days during the diuretic phase, omit any high salt food, condiments and drink distilled water.
10. Finally use a series of Herbal Baths to smooth and tighten the skin around your legs, hips and buns. Take 2 - 3 baths a week for 30 minutes each. You'll need the downtime with all that cardio and sculpting! In addition to working on any remaining cellulite areas, the baths will help detoxify your skin and improve your overall complexion.
Okay girlfriend, you have some great tips for getting you're a** ready for your revealing beach unveiling. You can do it. If you start today, you can possibly lose up to an inch or even more in your hips and thighs for that awesome vacation. Have a great time, and send me some photos!
God Bless and make it the Best Week Ever!,
Victoria
About the Author Victoria is a published author, the star and producer of over 24 dance exercise DVD's and her national television program Victoria's Body Shoppe. You can sign up for her Free weekly e-mail newsletter at victoriajohnson.com
Is just me or are some of the things that folks wear to the gym enough to burn your retina, permanently? You know like a solar eclipse when the experts warn that looking right at it without a filter will cause irreparable damage. Read on for details but be warned, this will not be pretty.
Here the deal: I am not a high fashion gym guy. I'll wear an occasional Nike short and even more occasionally a logo shirt. On the other hand the sights I see at the gym can really hurt your eyes if you look too long or stare too hard. So as not be sexist please know that the conditions and descriptions mentioned herein apply to both men and women.
There are likely categories for the attire people choose to wear to workout and if there are no formal ones then I am here to make them up. The way I see it breaks down like this:
Terminally Fashionable: This god or goddess of workout is adorned head to toe in logo madness. Shirt, pants or shorts (or both), socks, shoes and hat all perfectly aligned. These are the same folks that seem to not sweat and may well send their workout clothes to the dry cleaner for that "just pressed" look. These are some of the same fabulous people that use the cell phone while walking the treadmill.
The Rumpled Ones: Though this can happen any day or time of the week, I find it to be especially prevalent on weekend mornings, say around 7 or 8 a.m. Bed head in place, crusty eyes, the "what the hell am I doing here after the thing I did last night" look; you know the ones. They do have a certain elegance in their wrinkled shirts and long, made for the beach, board shorts. One thing I found to be true though is that they are determined to work hard and I have watched their improvements over time. I applaud these folks for not caring about what's going on superficially outside. They care about results and it shows.
Stuck In The 70's: Tennis shorts, tucked in shirt, ankle high white socks with a portable 8 track player. All right I exaggerate, but not by much. These folks, again hard working, need to get one foot into the current millennium.
TMI (Too Much Information): Let's be clear here, no one I know wants to see that much of you or your parts. Just the other day I was doing a stretch on the floor. The women next to me, all of 7 feet away, was splayed over a ball in a tight thin cotton leotard like garment. She was not wearing any undergarments, this was obvious because in one glance I knew the camel toe had been spotted and refused to look back. Yes I am a healthy hetero male and no I do not need that much information. The male counterpart (perhaps they are related) insists on wearing short running shorts, again without any undergarments. I fondly call him FedEx because his package delivers at the gym. Again TMI!
One thing that all these ladies and gentlemen have in common is a desire to get off their butts and get to the gym. They are light years ahead of the slugs that are sitting on the couch eating Twinkies and chasing them with beer. I am of the mind that those are treats to have after you have done the workout! The reality is that what people wear is meaningless, fun to watch and write about, but meaningless none-the-less. This applies to everyone except FedEx. Please, I implore you for the sake of mankind, wear something under those short shorts or take a cue from the Terminally Fashionable and spend a couple of bucks to get your workout wardrobe an extreme makeover. If you don't cover up others will run the risk of permanent retina damage, just like a solar eclipse.
About the Author R. Adam Shore writes about Physical Fitness from a consumer point of view. To read 2000 other articles about additional Fitness topics from 500 authors visit Physical Fitness Articles.
Men's Health expert fitness trainer Craig Ballantyne believes that men and women can benefit from modified 300-style workouts. While he has demonstrated the entire 300 workout routine on MensHealth.com, he knows that not every man and woman will be able to complete such a rigorous workout.
"By simply modifying the exercises, such as using bodyweight and dumbbell substitutes, men and women can challenge themselves in their home gyms, while at the same time burning fat and building muscle. This type of workout will boost their metabolism and sculpt their body much better than slow, boring cardio workouts," Ballantyne says.
To learn more about strength training for fat loss and the pitfalls of cardio, get your Free Report: The Dark Side of Cardio at http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com
This is the full 300 workout.
a) Pullups - 25 reps b) Deadlifts with 135lbs - 50 reps c) Pushups - 50 reps d) 24-inch Box jumps - 50 reps e) Floor wipers - 50 reps f) Single-arm Clean-and-Press with 36lbs Kettlebell - 50 reps g) Pullups - 25 reps
"All exercises are done without scheduled rest between moves. Obviously this is an advanced workout...you shouldn't do it unless you are already in great shape," Ballantyne advises.
"Fortunately, this can all easily be adapted. Appropriate exercises can be subbed in: Drop down to 150 total reps, or 4-6 exercises of 15-25 reps each. For example, you might try this workout, great for a guy with moderate fitness," Ballantyne suggests.
Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health and Oxygen magazines. To learn more about strength training for fat loss and the pitfalls of cardio, get your Free Report: The Dark Side of Cardio at http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com
His trademarked Turbulence Training for Fat Loss have helped thousands of men and women with weight loss and fat burning in less than 45 minutes three times per week. Turbulence Training for Fat Loss workouts help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment. Craig's bodyweight workouts for fat loss help you lose fat without any equipment at all.
Myth: Nuts are fattening and you should not eat them if you want to lose weight.
Fact: In small amounts, nuts can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. Nuts are high in calories and fat. However, most nuts contain healthy fats that do not clog arteries. Nuts are also good sources of protein, dietary fiber, and minerals including magnesium and copper.
Tip: Enjoy small portions of nuts. One-half ounce of mixed nuts has about 270 calories.
Myth: Eating red meat is bad for your health and makes it harder to lose weight.
Fact: Eating lean meat in small amounts can be part of a healthy weight-loss plan. Red meat, pork, chicken, and fish contain some cholesterol and saturated fat (the least healthy kind of fat). They also contain healthy nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc.
Tip: Choose cuts of meat that are lower in fat and trim all visible fat. Lower fat meats include pork tenderloin and beef round steak, tenderloin, sirloin tip, flank steak, and extra lean ground beef. Also, pay attention to portion size. Three ounces of meat or poultry is the size of a deck of cards.
Myth: Dairy products are fattening and unhealthy.
Fact: Low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese are just as nutritious as whole milk dairy products, but they are lower in fat and calories. Dairy products have many nutrients your body needs. They offer protein to build muscles and help organs work properly, and calcium to strengthen bones. Most milks and some yogurts are fortified with vitamin D to help your body use calcium.
Tip: The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming 3 cups per day of fat-free/low-fat milk or equivalent milk products. For more information on these guidelines, visit www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.
If you cannot digest lactose (the sugar found in dairy products), choose low-lactose or lactose-free dairy products, or other foods and beverages that offer calcium and vitamin D (listed below).
Calcium: soy-based beverage or tofu made with calcium sulfate; canned salmon; dark leafy greens like collards or kale
Vitamin D: soy-based beverage or cereal (getting some sunlight on your skin also gives you a small amount of vitamin D)
Myth: "Going vegetarian" means you are sure to lose weight and be healthier.
Fact: Research shows that people who follow a vegetarian eating plan, on average, eat fewer calories and less fat than nonvegetarians. They also tend to have lower body weights relative to their heights than nonvegetarians. Choosing a vegetarian eating plan with a low fat content may be helpful for weight loss. But vegetarians - like nonvegetarians - can make food choices that contribute to weight gain, like eating large amounts of high-fat, high-calorie foods or foods with little or no nutritional value.
Vegetarian diets should be as carefully planned as nonvegetarian diets to make sure they are balanced. Nutrients that nonvegetarians normally get from animal products, but that are not always found in a vegetarian eating plan, are iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, and protein.
Tip: Choose a vegetarian eating plan that is low in fat and that provides all of the nutrients your body needs. Food and beverage sources of nutrients that may be lacking in a vegetarian diet are listed below.
Iron: cashews, spinach, lentils, garbanzo beans, fortified bread or cereal
Calcium: dairy products, fortified soy-based beverages, tofu made with calcium sulfate, collard greens, kale, broccoli
Vitamin D: fortified foods and beverages including milk, soy-based beverages, or cereal
Vitamin B12: eggs, dairy products, fortified cereal or soy-based beverages, tempeh, miso (tempeh and miso are foods made from soybeans)
Zinc: whole grains (especially the germ and bran of the grain), nuts, tofu, leafy vegetables (spinach, cabbage, lettuce)
NutriSystem, Inc. provides a weight loss program based on quality foods and a nutritionally balanced meal plan; individualized counseling is the core of our commitment that customers always have the privacy, support and knowledge needed to reach and maintain their goal weight.
NutriSystem now stands as a constant pillar of support and information for those looking to lose weight in a busy world. As an Internet force, its wide-ranging web content, combined with its knowledgeable and professional counselors, equals a powerful resource for all dieting consumers. And it's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no waiting for weekly meetings or worry about expensive membership fees.
NutriSystem believes in its clients and is there to help them, every step of the way. Together with its growing online member community, NutriSystem makes weight loss - and the goal of becoming healthy and fit - a reality for millions.
The signs of spring are all around, which means summer and bikini season aren't far off. Don't fret: you still have time to drop a size and start on the road to a healthier and fitter you, says Lifestyle Architect David Berger, founder of the Number One Me lifestyle and personal fitness system.
"Stop finding excuses why you can't exercise or why you can't control your eating and do something about it," Berger says. "You can do it. Convert your negative energy into positive thinking. Commit to a daily exercise program and you will look and feel healthier right from the start. And the greatest benefit is that your self-confidence will grow as your waist line shrinks."
The first step is to get out of the chair, and away from the television, computer and refrigerator. The warmer spring days are perfect for long daily walks, which is a great way to get started on the road to a fitter you, Berger says. You might then graduate to a more formal and disciplined exercise and nutrition program, such as Berger's Number One Me program.
"We can provide the guidance, but people need to make a personal commitment if they want to achieve their fitness goals, particularly with summer looming," Berger says. "But people who make that commitment, eat well and work hard can drop at least one clothing size in the next few months."
Berger is offering a variety of free exercise downloads from his NumberOneMe site for people who want to get started on an exercise routine today. The exercises are geared for various fitness levels.
Berger developed the Number One Me DVD, available through www.numberoneme.com, to help people at all fitness levels improve their health and fitness. The companion guide for the DVD includes goal setting and personal action plan templates, nutrition information and more. Berger has also recently introduced NumberOneMe Video Exercise Coaching on Demand.
About David Berger - At the age of 18, weighing over 250-pounds with a 40-inch waist and smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, David Berger struggled to climb a single flight of stairs. David's journey to better health began when he quit smoking. He also decided that he would immediately begin eating healthier and exercising, climbing a single flight of stairs a day and adding another flight each week. He also started performing callisthenic exercises. Through his commitment to his consistent and progressive approach, he lost over 88-pounds and 6-inches from his waist within one year. David went on to earn a degree in Kinesiology from West Chester University and launch Progressive Fitness Coaching and now the Number One Me. personal coaching DVD.
About NumberOneMe www.numberoneme.com - Increase your core, strength, balance, endurance and flexibility...be fit for life. David Berger's Number One Me- Personal Coaching for Personal Best. Learn to effectively use the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever created... your body. Over 45-calisthenics exercises instructed for you in three levels of progression; Beginner-intermediate-advanced. Exercise at your convenience and in the comfort of your home with peak performance coach David Berger. No more excuses.
I was feeling quite lethargic (not to mention extremely grumpy) today.
It's probably because of the changes I've made on my diet. Since last week, I've opted to follow one of Bob Greene's golden diet rule of not eating after 7:00PM. My body is still getting used to eating a bigger breakfast and a smaller dinner meal.
Ever since then I've been on this state of constant,unexplainable hunger. It's the most weirdest thing.
Lem decided to take me through Mickey D's drivethrough to cheer me up. He's such a sweet man. While we were waiting to get served at the window, I just couldn't get this Subway commercial out of my mind:
I got myself a chicken wrap and was mighty happy that it didn't come with blubber (or a double chin).
Ever since I started taking Xyience, I have been reading up on materials regarding the diet pill's main main ingredient - caffeine.
It seems that leading professionals and journals on weight loss are on a one-sided street when it comes to caffeine carrying big neon signs that say "Caffeine Is Not Good For You". They have vetoed against its use as a weight loss aid because it promotes water loss more than actual fat loss.
As part of my quest to further educated myself on weight loss strategies, I have become more aware of caffeine's adverse effects on diets. I recently published an article on The Bikini Body Diet on Stuff That Makes You Feel Bloated. Here's an excerpt: "Although caffeine plays a role in weight loss by stimulating the body as a whole and enhancing fat metabolism, caffeine's effect on the body sometimes triggers factors that are associated with weight gain. For instance, caffeine intake induces stress and the production of cortisol that leads to the deposition of excess fat in the abdomen."
My question is - if caffeine is really bad for you, why are diet supplement makers and pharmaceuticals use it as a main ingredient in their products?
Not only that, it is undesputable on my end, that this caffeine stuff (Xyience) that I'm taking is really kicking some serious energy during my workout. My stretch and lean on my reps are longer and I really feel that I have worked muscle groups that haven't seen the light of day for some time.
If I feel this good, it can't be all that bad? Can it?
Finally I stumbled on an article from the much reputed Mayo Clinic's Ask A Weight Loss Specialist. "A few studies indicate that large amounts of caffeine - the equivalent of six cups of coffee a day - may slightly enhance weight loss in people who exercise and maintain a low-fat diet."
As a person who actively works out at least five times a week with a very strict meal plan, this "slightly enhance" could definitely translate to "getting an extra edge" in my weight loss battle.
I think if you feel good, talk to your doctor to see if he has any concerns. If not, then take the supplement. I drink caffeine every day and I am not worried about it.
I ran out of my "fat pills" last Thursday and I was already going through my withdrawal pain within an hour.... Okay, so that might be a little bit of an exaggeration, but it did feel like it after my Ebay supplier told me that my latest SlimQuick order is not getting to me until a week later.
Seriously, one week without my hormone stabilizing pills :) is not going to be acceptable.
So off to Walmart I went with my husband (did I say I got married a couple of weeks ago?) to pick up a quick fix. They might be the cheapest store that carries SlimQuick, but online I can get 2 bottles for the price of one.
A walmart trip is never a walmart trip if you don't check out the rack at the end of the weight loss supplements to see what else have been further reduced. That's why instead of getting a total bill of $24, I never get out there with at least a hundred dollars of stuff that I never intended to buy and probably will never ever use either.
Anyway, I noticed these silver tall containers on sale for $15 and I asked Lem if he's ever heard of Xyience before. Lem says "You know those ass shot commercials we see before a UFC Mixed Martial Arts title fight?" Gotcha, I remember now. Xyience is one of the biggest sponsors of UFC.
So off I went to the counter with my SlimQuick and Xyience for a boost of extra bravado. Lem was telling me that Xyience could just be for men, and maybe I should research before I buy. An extra dose of male hormones? What's the worse that could happen - I grow a beard?
We went to the gym right afterwards and I took two Xyience pills. My God, I felt like Pepe Gonzales and the little rat that could. I could have done my workout ten times over and still be ready to have another go on the wheel. That's when I decided to check out what the heck they put on these pills and found out that I should only have taken one pill.
Mental note to myself - always read the instrutions before popping any pills.
Hello Sharon, thank you very much for your message you sent on my blog http://gladiator-fit.blogspot.com I have to figure out for a ready widget,I let you know as soon as possible. Do you know how I can do this? It will be great to be connected to your site and I will do the same. You can reach me at my email: dominique@gladiator-fitness.com Have a great week end
Hello Dominic! Thanks for getting back to me. I love your site. It's a great place to pick up proper techniques in working out. Let me just check around and I'll send you a quick email shortly.
LL Cool J is the latest celebrity to jump on the bandwagon of celebrity workout programs. He's just recently released his new book "Platinum Workout : Sculpt Your Best Body Ever with Hollywood's Fittest Star" promoting the importance of physical health and wellbeing. This extension of his celebrity career into fitness is just a given. Since the beginning of time LL's been a proponent of looking good and being in the best shape you can possibly be.
I'm a big fan of LL and I have bought in to every piece of product that he's been selling, from the his first rap album to the release of his big screen movies to dvd. I've got them all! It's actually kind of silly, but in the 90's I had his picture stuck on my fridge door to remind me of each crazy diet I was on at the moment. I know I should have picked up a female icon perhaps, but they just didn't motivate me to go to the gym and get the six pack abs ready for the summer. Still, there's no reason for me to head over to the closest bookstore to get a quick peek at his new fitness book.
But I will, because if this interview by Maria Menounos from Access Hollywood is anything to go by, this workout program by LL is going to kick some serious ass.
As everyone knows, exercise is good for you. It helps to keep your weight down, helps to keep you toned up, and helps to make you feel good. So then, if getting a little exercise is good for you, then it must be better to get even more and if getting more indeed is better, then it stands to reason that getting a lot would be even better. Sounds logical, doesn't it? However, this is not always the case.
When you exercise with fairly high intensity, and you exercise that way often, there will come a time at some point when your body will begin to slowly start to shut down. People will get to this point at different times, depending on their fitness levels and exercise intensity and frequency. If after exercise you tend to feel more wore out than worked out, you may already be a victim of overtraining.
There are some signs that your body will give you both physically and mentally that will let you know that you are overtraining. It is wise to recognize these signs and act accordingly, before the problem gets to the point of causing you possible serious injury. Some of the major signs to be aware of are:
" Decreased performance " Lack of motivation " Poor coordination " Loss of appetite " Chronic muscle soreness " Chronic stiffness at the joints " Chronic headaches " Longer recovery times " Loss of concentration " Reduced self esteem " Depression
You need to understand that whatever your exercise goals are, your body needs ample time to recover and adjust to the demanding loads you placed on it. Sometimes people who are newcomers to the world of exercise will try to do too much too soon, and may ignore their body when it's trying to tell them to take a break.
In the case of some who have been into exercise for a while, they will often view these signs as an obstacle and feel the best way to deal with it is to "work through it" or "tough it out". For some others, the problems causing them to overtrain may be more psychological. Excessive exercise is now recognized as a legitimate problem, much like anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
For most, the solution to the problem is simply to exercise in moderation or cut back on the intensity from time to time. Use periodization in your routines. When you feel the signs of overtraining coming on, reduce the intensity of your workouts for a while. When you are ready to increase the intensity again (your body will let you know), then gradually start to pick it up again.
Know your limitations, and never try to compare yourself to anyone else as this is asking for problems. There are some times when you should even just take a whole week completely off and do no exercise at all. This is like taking a vacation from work, it gives you body and your mind a chance to relax and rejuvenate so you can start again a week later nice and fresh.
Remember, if you exercise to the point of overtraining it is almost as bad as not exercising at all. Overtraining will only impede your progress, not help it and in the long run, if you let yourself overtrain, you may be headed for some very unwanted side effects.
About the Author Jim O'Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at: http://www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php
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Hey buddy! So you want to lose weight, eh? Its summertime and you want to look all nice and hot for those babes at the beach. Ok, here's what you have to do if you want this to happen quickly; eat lots of cabbage and drink a gallon of prune juice twice daily at noon . . . no wait. Hmm, try this; eat nothing but ice cream and lard for the next three weeks or until the next full moon . . . no that's not it either. Aha! Here we go; eat six hotdogs per day (with syrup), while cutting out all meat products and carbs . . . . . what? Why are you giving me that look?? Ok, so maybe that wasn't quite your cup of tea . . . Did I mention tea? Try this magic herbal-essence tea, with the special fat melting ingredient, Babaganoosh. Of course to ensure its potency, the only additional foods you can eat is two loaves of rye bread with pickles and mayonnaise . . . STOP THE MADNESS ALREADY!!!
You know, one thing that I fail to grasp is why people only worry about looking good during the summer? Sure, looking good in a swimsuit or bikini is nice, but is it not also important to look fit when wearing slacks? And as far fetched as some of these "diets" may sound, the things people are actually trying nowadays are just as perplexing. The problem is 99% of the weight lost on these diets will be water weight, which the body will quickly regain. What's worse is that all of these diets promote starvation, which in turn causes the metabolism to slow down. Once you come off a particular diet, you are apt to gain back all the weight you lost and then some! The human body does not take kindly to severe deprivation, and it will do whatever it takes to store energy i.e. slowing down the metabolism.
To get a better idea of what kind of madness people are willing to subject themselves to, let's take a closer look at some of these diets and their claims to fame.
The 3-Day Hotdog and Egg Diet
Synopsis: Here's one if you just can't seem to get enough hot dogs and eggs! It's easy to remember, and easy to shop for! Day 1) seven hot dogs, no bun, and mustard only. Day 2) eggs any style. Day 3) eggs any style. The Claim: Lose between 8 and 10 pounds in three days. Hey, that's a lot of weight to be losing in three days, where do I sign up?? Ok, reality check people! For starters, there is nothing denoting the amount of eggs you should be eating, nor does it specify adding stuff like ham and cheese to your eggs, etc. Not only that, but just the thought of eating seven hotdogs in one day makes most people want to gag. Heck, a hot dog vendor in Brooklyn who owns stock in egg manufacturing would find this diet hard to swallow!
The Cabbage Soup Diet
Synopsis: Every day you can have as much cabbage soup as you desire. In addition to this, you are allotted the following foods on certain days. Day 1) any fruit, except bananas. Day 2) vegetables, plus baked potato for dinner. Day 3) up to eight bananas plus fat free milk. Day 4) brown rice, fruit juice and vegetables. The Claim: Lose up to 10 pounds in seven days. The trouble with this diet is that it seriously lacks in providing for vitamins and minerals. Plus the sheer volume of cabbage would turn a bunny rabbit into a carnivore within a week! Not to mention the irregular bowel movements, as well as a constant case of cabbage-fueled gas. Very potent! Sleep alone, FYI.
The Bread and Butter Diet
Synopsis: This diet seems to focus on the joys of getting bread and butter with every meal. Like most of the other diets listed, this one also claims that you can lose 10 pounds in a week. Here is a sample from their menu:
Lunch: 1 ounce Muenster cheese 1/2 cup stewed tomatoes 1 cup steamed summer squash 1 slice Italian Bread 1 Teaspoon butter or margarine
Dinner: 4 ounces dark meat turkey 1/2 cup corn green salad 1 slice pumpernickel 1 teaspoon butter or margarine
As much as I like bread, it is not enough of an incentive for me to starve myself. On average, when following this diet you only get approximately 850 calories per day. Sure, you'll lose weight, probably even the 10 pounds promised. However, by following a starvation diet of this nature, one will lose more muscle weight than fat. Once the average person drops bellow 1,000 calories consumed per day, the metabolism shuts down, and the muscles will start to atrophy because the body is burning the muscle tissue for energy. In other words, your body starts consuming itself!
Two-Day Liquid Diet
Synopsis: Buy a bottle of magic diet concentrate, mix with water and consume for two days. Did I mention you are not allowed to consume anything else besides water with this? But hey, it claims that you can lose up to 10 pounds in two days! These also claim to detoxify and energize you! Reality: looks like concentrated juice mix, which is really what it is. Plus, I've never paid $20 for OJ concentrate! And, I've never been "energized" when my tummy was screaming profanities at me for neglecting it. As for detoxification . . . I think a couple of laxatives would do the trick just as well. Bottom line; it is impossible to lose any amount of bodyfat in only two days. Any weight lost will be nothing but water, which will be regained immediately upon completion of the diet. In reality, diets like this are nothing more than fasting. And if fasting is something you actually enjoy doing, there are plenty of religions out there that offer meditation and some pretty cool chants to focus on, that will take the mind off of the hunger pangs.
The so-called "American Heart Association Diet"
Here's a doozy of a diet that fools people into thinking that it is actually endorsed by the American Heart Association. Here's just a sample from one day:
Breakfast: Black Coffee or Tea 1/2 Grapefruit 1 slice toast 2 tbs. peanut butter
Lunch: 1/2 cup of tuna (no mayo) 1 slice toast Coffee or Tea
Dinner: 2 slices of any meat 1 cup of string beans 1 cup of beets 1 apple 1 cup of vanilla ice cream
The Claim: Lose 3 pounds in 3 days, up to 30 pounds in 40 days
Needless to say, this diet is NOT sanctioned by the American Heart Association. The following is an except from the AHA website: A weight-loss diet claimed to be from the American Heart Association has been cited several times across the United States and other countries. Many people believe that the three-day or seven-day, hot dog and cabbage soup diets are from the American Heart Association. However, this is not true.
The true AHA diet gives recommended servings per day of various food categories, not specific foods. Most of the diets that are incorrectly labeled as the AHA diet give specific menus or suggest that the diet should be followed for a specific length of time.
One phony diet describes a three-day or seven-day menu, supposedly prescribed by the AHA or by the "Heart Association." It includes vanilla ice cream, hot dogs, eggs and cheddar cheese. The diet promises a 10-pound weight loss in three days. These bogus diets have been cited as the Spokane Heart Diet, the Cleveland Clinic Diet, Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital Diet and the Miami Heart Institute Diet. The poorly typed and photocopied phony diet has also been offered by mail for $2 per copy. From time to time other fad diets emphasizing other foods will also incorrectly attribute the AHA.
Bottom line; be extremely cautious about anything that is supposedly endorsed by a national institution such as the American Heart Association. When in doubt, go to the organization's official website and verify this information. If it sounds like it came out of left field, it probably did.
The Answer
Every psycho diet out there promises a loss of weight, which is fine, however what they don't tell you is that you'll be losing water weight, and will gain it all back once you complete the diet. And if you are feeling bloated and are actually looking to dump excess water weight, there are a lot less expensive methods for doing this. Try using water pills, for starters. And if you are looking to shed all that excess flab in time for summer . . . well what can I say, except that you're too late for this year. Instead of torturing yourself with psycho diets that will only make you suffer and make you fatter in the long run, get a jump start on next year. Start a long-term eating plan that you can live with every day. Do NOT starve yourself, and be sure that you do not limit yourself to one type of food. Also drink plenty of water, especially when exercising. With proper diet and exercise, the average person can reasonably expect to lose between two and five pounds of actual bodyfat per month. Remember, results cannot be had over night, and nothing worth having comes easy. But the end result is well worth the effort! About the Author: Dane Fletcher is the world's foremost training authority. He writes exclusively for GetAnabolics.com, a leading online provider of Bodybuilding Supplements.
About the Author About the Author: Dane Fletcher is the world's foremost training authority. He writes exclusively for GetAnabolics.com, a leading online provider of Bodybuilding Supplements.
