Chart Weight Loss Graphs

What Everyone Should Know About Losing Weight

admin — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:33:19 +0000

Whether you’re a low-carbohydrate consumer, a high-carbohydrate consumer, or a “carrot soup and tuna only” consumer, there is one key to weight loss many of us do not like to face; exercise. Americans in the U.S. are at the heaviest they have ever been. Our sedentary jobs and lack of movement in general have brought our calorie burning to an all time low. The USDA reports that the average daily caloric intake is around 3000 calories per day. If you want to lose weight, the bottom line is calories consumed versus calories burned.

In the days of old where people walked where they needed to go, watched little to no television and their work was physically demanding, it was possible for them to eat plump and calorie laden meals. Have you ever seen anyone on The Little House on the Prairie sit down to a grilled chicken salad? We have to eat this way because WE DON’T MOVE!

Nowadays, when people think about trying to lose weight they automatically area up their daily eating plan of lettuce and 3 chickpeas. Deprivation of nutrition will not help you lose weight and will most definitely attend you binge your way up even higher than you are now.

Have you tried every diet out there and none of them are working? Are you wondering when that secret diet will near along that melts the fat off with little to no effort? Many experts agree that there is absolutely no diet in existence that will support anyone to lose weight and keep it off by abiding by its precepts alone. Fad diets may accomplish temporary weight loss, but it is improbable that someone could abide by such an eating plan for the remainder of their life. Extreme diets can destroy your metabolism, leaving your body in a worse state than when you began. Only a nutritious diet and exercise combined can achieve permanent weight loss.

Your body has an average amount of calories it burns in a day just from being alive. That’s right, even while you are sleeping your body is using calories to perform its necessary functions. What does this mean to you? By doing a search on any internet search engine you will find a Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) calculator. By inputting your individual information, you will receive a number which is said to be the amount of calories you burn in a 24 hour period. Let’s say the calculator gave you a number of 1800. If you only consumed 1800 calories per day and did not exert yourself whatsoever, you would maintain your recent weight. However, if you found a way to move enough to burn 500 calories per day and still only consumed the 1800, in seven days you would be one pound lighter as you must burn 3500 calories to lose one pound of fat.

Up until this year, the USDA recommended a minimum thirty minutes of exercise per day. Now they recommend one fat hour of exercise per day. Even one hour of exercise is really a bare minimum when you consider that the average daily caloric intake is in the 3000’s. Also consider that not only does use burn calories but it also releases feel-good endorphins, gives a sense of well-being and curbs junk food cravings.

Seventy percent of Americans are considered overweight or obese. If you are in this category, don’t stay in it. Find moving! Park you car in the furthest area from the store. Walk to the corner store instead of driving. Plan family activities where the whole family can get some exercise. Procure hobbies that require you to move, such as sports. At work, rep up from your desk and take brief walks to get your heart pumping. Accumulate a workout buddy. Do anything in your power to cease your sedentary lifestyle and get moving!

Related Blogs

Commonsense Weight Loss Tips

admin — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:42:15 +0000

Americans alone consume approximately $40 billion on weight loss products and fad diets each year, yet none of these products seem to deliver the “magic” that they promise. The truth of the matter is this: unfortunately, there is no “magic bullet” for weight loss. If one existed, do you really think that any of us would be overweight? Let’s face it, we would all be slim and fit if it were that easy.

As a healthcare provider, I can’t even count the number of times that a patient has come in asking me for “a pill or a diet to produce me lose weight”. My answer is this: There is nothing that any healthcare provider can suggest or prescribe that will make you lose weight. Despite all of the fad diets and diet products that are out there (and there are plenty to resolve from), nothing will make you lose weight.

You are the only one who can make weight loss happen. What it comes down to is simple; your weight is distinct solely by the balance of the calories that you consume in food and fluids and the calories that you burn through activity and exercise. Your body requires a minimal amount of fuel, or calories, on a consistent basis in order to maintain life; calories consumed above and beyond this will either beget your weight or result in weight gain, depending on your activity level.

We all want to occupy in the claims made by the fad diet experts out there. Who amongst us has not tried the famous “Cabbage Soup Diet”? But in the end, it boils down to the fact that if you don’t eat enough calories to maintain your weight, you will lose weight. If you eat a mere 750 calories/day on the Cabbage Soup Diet (or any fad diet, for that matter), you will lose weight. But you will also lose weight if all you recall is 750 calories/day worth of cookies. Science has proven that there are no magic foods or combinations of foods that accelerate the burning of corpulent.

Positive diet plans seem to work better for certain people; we’ve all tried the low-fat/high carbohydrate diets, and then the low carbohydrate/higher fat diets. Again, science has proven that weight is determined by the amount of calories taken in versus the amount of calories expended, regardless of where those calories come from. If your body requires 1500 calories/day in order to gain your current weight, you can eat those calories in the form of protein, carbohydrates, or fats; you will maintain your weight if you do not exceed 1500 calories/day. Where the combination of foods does matter is when considering your health and the risks that obesity and certain diets have in the development of serious health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. A large percentage of medical and nutrition professionals will now aid a diet that includes lean protein and complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads and pastas, vegetables, and certain fruits. The simple carbohydrates such as white bread and flour, sugar, pasta, potatoes should be avoided, as they turn to sugar rapidly and may contribute to insulin resistance and weight rep.

The key is to find the lawful balance of healthy foods that you can and will eat consistently in order to promote health and weight loss. We’re back to you… You have to change your behavior and lifestyle in order to lose weight and acquire a healthy weight. This is why the fads and “miracles” have so much appeal. As humans, we are always looking for an easy and painless way to solve our problems. The truth of the matter is that this battle can only be won through hard work and change on your part.

There is a dwelling for diet aids, of course. Many people want or need a crutch or a petite extra help when they are beginning to follow a healthy diet and exercise program. But how do you pick out a product that is safe to take and effective? How do you determine if the advertising is truth or hype? I am unable to choose most over-the-counter weight loss aids due to side effects and high blood pressure, but have always been interested in herbal or natural products. Recently, Hoodia Gordonii has caught my attention. I have been reading a lot about the product, but it’s not as simple as going out and purchasing it. There seems to be a lot of difference in the quality and quantity of the active ingredient., and careful research and consideration is recommended before buying it.

Related Blogs

The Black List of Weight Loss Products

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:19:22 +0000

Products that nick your hunger, diuretics, and supplements: in their attempt to loose weight, many women use this kind of weight loss pills without consulting a doctor and without knowing that they expose themselves to some risks, which may be even deathly.

Here is the black list of weight loss products that must be avoided!

1. Products based on Aristolochia Fangchi: hundreds of serious cases!

As they are natural, we tend to believe that plants can’t be perilous. It is a wrong attitude, which can lead to death. As the result of the consumption of Chinese plants, two women dies in France in 2000 and 2001 and 100 cases of renal failure were diagnosed in Belgium. This plant is very toxic for kidneys, being forbidden in many states. The problem is that nobody can cessation the sale on the Internet…

2. Best Life, Sibutral: pills that can kill!

In 2008, a woman died because of Best Life pills. Both brands beget sibutramin, a molecule that cause the weight loss, but also increase the blood pressure, leading to tachycardia, headaches, and palpitations. In Italy, these products are prohibited after 2 deaths in 2002. The substance is also found in the Venom Hyperdrive 3.0.

3. Attention to diuretics!

As they favor the elimination of water from the body, the diuretics are considered effective in the fight with the extra weight. In fact, they have no effect on burning fats and can lead to lacks of nutrients, especially potassium (affecting the heart rhythm). They also affect negatively the renal function and may be responsible for renal failure. Always ask your doctor!

4. Super Slim: amphetamine that reduces the hunger

Anorex, Super Slim, Moderatan, Dinintel, Fenproporex Deglaudel, Incital are all amphetamine products that reduce the hunger, forbidden in many countries. However, the substance is found in weight loss products sold on the Internet, under various names: amfepramona, clobenzorex, fenproporex and mefenorex. Why are they dangerous? They lead to primitive pulmonary hypertension, serious cardiovascular effects and risk of addiction and abuse.

5. Ephedra: totally forbidden!

“Thermal Power”: Doesn’t this name tell you anything? This weight loss product, which is sold illegal on the Internet, contains ephedrine (substance extracted from the ephedrine plant), which produces serious cardiac disorders (increasing blood pressure and blood flow), being sometimes deathly. Ephedra or Ma Huang represents the same plant under different names. Read carefully the labels of the products!

6. Alli and Xenical: side effects

Orlistat: a name that probably does not mutter you anything; and yet, it is about the molecule contained by Alli and Xenical, used against obesity. This substance reduces the absorption of fat into the body, leading to diarrhea, diminishing the absorption of soluble substances such as the vitamin A, D, E, and K and increasing the lack of nutrients.

7. Thyroid extracts: forget about them!

In 2006, 15 persons who have consumed weight loss pills based on thyroid extracts have been hospitalized in Paris. One of them died. Today, thyroid extracts are banned in France. They are for sale on the Internet, but the cardiac risk is high. The thyroid hormones permanently keep the pulse at 110 – 120, and not at 70-80, as it is normal.

8. Food supplements: too little controlled

Food supplements (vitamins, minerals) are not drugs, which means that they are too little controlled by experts. Nobody says you not to steal them, but you must consume them with moderation, buying the expensive ones, because this time the price is even a guarantor of quality.

9. Acomplia: the risk of depression

Acomplia, the anti-obesity drug contains rimonabant as active substance, which causes depression in people with psychiatric history. They also can be bought from the Internet.

10. Do not combine products!

Do you think that by associating several products you will loose weight faster? It is totally forbidden to do it without asking for your doctor’s advice. The combinations can be deathly! Also, if you double the doses of weight loss pills you can be affected seriously.

11. The black list of US weight loss pills

FDA (Food and Drug Administration published in December 2008 the list of weight loss pills that fill undeclared pharmaceutical substances (sibutramina, rimonabant, phenytoin, fenolftaleina) with high risk for health (heart injury). These are: Fatloss Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 3x Slimming Power, Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet, 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming, 3 Day Diet, 7 Day Herbal Slim, 8 Factor Diet, 7 Diet Day/Night Formula, 999 Fitness Essence.

12. Don’t buy weight loss pills from the Internet!

It is totally forbidden to buy any pills from the Internet. They are not checked and nothing guarantees that they contain the same substances as those sold in the pharmacy. There are serious risks that those contain toxic substances for the body, especially for kidney and liver. Conclusion: always choose from a pharmacy, and not without medical advice!

Sources: www.weightlosswand.com/surgery/side-effects-of-weight-loss-pills.html, www.annecollins.com/diet-pills.htm, www.tipsinlife.com/weight-loss-pills-side-effects.htm, www.naturalnews.com/019387.html

Related Blogs

How to Estimate Calories for Weight Loss

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:33:06 +0000

Weight loss in theory is a simple matter. It occurs when the number of calories burned by the body are greater than the number of calories consumed through eating. The number of calories the body uses on a daily basis is known as the Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). TDEE is also known as the “maintenance level”. If a person consumes fewer calories than their maintenance level, then they should lose weight. On the other hand, if a person consumes more calories than their maintenance level, they will gather weight.

About 70% of TDEE is comprised of the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). The Basic Metabolic Rate is the number of calories that the body needs to sustain its essential functions and processes. A person’s BMR depends on a variety of factors. Some of the factors, which affect BMR are;

1)Weight-Higher weight means a higher BMR. This fact contradicts the belief that people with weight problems suffer from a low metabolism. In fact, over weight people often have a higher metabolism than thin people.

2)Height-Obviously, a person’s weight alone cannot be used to determine whether that person is overweight or obese. A person weighing 215 lbs is not likely overweight when they are 6′3″. However, a person who is 5′4″ and weighs 215 lbs is likely overweight or even obese.

3)Gender-Men, in general, have higher percentages of lean body mass than women. Lean body mass burns more calories than does fat. Accordingly, men will usually burn more calories throughout the day than will women.

4)Age-Unfortunately, people’s metabolism tends to slow down when they age, meaning that their bodies will burn less calories throughout the day.

Their are really two ways for people to measure their BMR. One is by direct measurement. Assert measurement is the most accurate method. The direct measurement contrivance is kind of a complicated process. It is usually done through indirect calorimetry. Indirect calorimetry is method of determining energy expenditure through the analysis of gas. Because it is somewhat complicated, direct measurement of BMR is not passe most of the time. The more common method of determining BMR is to calculate it by the employ of a formula. Several different formulas have been established to determine BMR. Each formula has its strengths and weaknesses for predicting BMR.

One of the most commonly used and oldest BMR formulas is the Harris Benedict Formula. The Harris Benedict Formula is given by the following mathematical expressions:

Metric System of Measurement

Women: BMR=655+(9.6 x weight in kilos)+(1.8 x height in cm)-(4.7 x age in years)

Men: BMR=66+(13.7 x weight in kilos)+(5 x height in cm)-(6.8 x age in years)

English System of Measurement

Women:BMR =655+(4.35 x weight in pounds)+(4.7 x height in inches)-(4.7 x age in years)

Men: BMR=66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches)-(6.8 x age in years)

The Harris Benedict Formula does a heavenly good job in predicting BMR. However, it does have a couple of weaknesses that should be understood. For the very muscular, the Harris Benedict Formula will underestimate calories. For the very fat, the formula will over estimate calories. The main reason for the Harris Benedict Formula’s weaknesses is that it does not directly capture percentage of lean body mass into account. As noted previously, lean body mass burns many more calories than fat. The Harris Benedict Formula implicitly assumes a normal range of lean body mass. Accordingly, people with higher and lower than normal lean body mass will not salvage accurate predictions. BMR formulas have been developed that directly take lean body mass into account.

Once BMR is determined, TDEE can be computed. Usually, TDEE is computed by multiplying BMR by an “activity factor”. An activity factor is dependent upon a person’s level of activity. Determining the appropriate activity factor is a matter of judgement. There are no hard and fast rules. Activity factors are shown by the following:

Sedentary 1.2 (little to no daily utilize. Job not physically demanding.)

Lightly Active 1.375 (light exercise 1 to 3 days per week)

Moderately Active 1.55 (moderate exercise 3 to 5 days per week)

Very Active 1.725 (rigorous spend 6 to 7 days per week)

Extremely Active 1.9 (daily rigorous exercise and physical job)

As an example of the foregoing, consider a 6′4 (76 inches) man, 33 years passe, and weighing 220 lbs. Also, seize that the man gets a moderate amount of exercise every week. Putting the relevant information into the Harris Benedict Formula gives:

BMR=66 + (6.23 x 220) + (12.7 x 76)-(6.8 x 33)

BMR=66+1386+965.2-224.4=2192.8

Now TDEE has to be determined. Remember that TDEE is found by multiplying BMR by the appropriate activity level. Because it is assumed that the man in our example gets a moderate amount of employ, his activity level would be 1.55. Accordingly, TDEE is given by the following:

2192.8 x 1.55=3398.8 (rounded to the nearest decimal)

Accordingly, the man in our example will burn approximately 3398.8 calories per day. In order for him to lose weight, he must consume less than 3398.8 calories each day, until he reaches his desired weight. On other hand, he will gain weight if he consumes more than 3398.8 calories per day.

Readers should keep in mind that the foregoing is a very simplified discussion of BMR and TDEE. Their is much more to both of them. However, for many people, the above should permit a reasonable estimation of both BMR and TDEE.

Related Blogs

Easter Weight Loss Tips

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 03:44:22 +0000

Millions of Americans are well into their annual spring diet program, trying to lose weight fast before summer arrives. Unfortunately, Easter can derail our weight loss efforts faster than Peter Cottontail hops down his bunny trail. With mountains of candy eggs and legions of chocolate bunnies, Easter packs enough fat and calories to obliterate even the best weight loss program. Attempting to stick with a healthy diet through Easter may leave the dieter wondering if Easter weight loss is a bigger sage than the Easter bunny.

“Easter is third in candy consumption in the United States with 940 million dollars spent on it in 1998. That’s a lot of chocolate bunnies” (Source: about.com). “In 2000, Americans bought $1.9 billion of Easter candy and consumed 7.1 billion pounds to edge ahead of Christmas sales that year” (Source: Topeka Capital Journal, April, 2004).

So what’s a weight watcher to do, short of filling the Easter eggs with diet pills and weight loss products? By following a few simple guidelines, it is possible to maintain a diet plan through Easter and perhaps even achieve some healthy weight loss.

All Easter Candy Is Not Created Equal:

First and foremost, it’s significant to be aware that all Easter candy is not created equal. While no Easter candy could properly be called a diet product, it is true that some varieties are less fattening than others. On the healthier side of the scale are marshmallow eggs and jellybeans. Palmer Marshmallow Eggs, for example, in a 47 gram serving, boast objective 130 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, and 38 grams carbohydrate (13% Daily Value).

Another Easter candy option that may fit into a weight loss conception is Brach’s Classic Jelly Bird Eggs. The recommended serving of 14 pieces (41 grams) has just 150 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated rotund and 37 grams carbohydrate (12% Daily Value). Marshmallow Peeps, one of the most popular choices in the country, are another low fat option. A 5 peeps (42 gram) serving boasts just 160 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat and 40 grams carbohydrate (13% Daily Value).

Although Easter candy will never be featured as the next big weight loss pill, it is true that some confections are healthier than others. Choose wisely.

Chocolate Is Not A Diet Food:

In spite of the fact that jellybeans will never have a permanent place in a diet and nutrition program, at least they’re healthier than chocolate. Far from being a diet food, chocolate packs in the calories because it’s so high in fat.

For someone seeking fat loss this Easter season, perhaps the worst thing to find in their basket would be the Palmer Whacky Rabbit Chocolate Bunny (2.5 oz.). The recommended serving size is 1 package (71 grams), which will cost an improbable 360 calories, 20 grams fat (31% Daily Value), 12 grams saturated chunky (60% Daily Value) and 46 grams carbohydrate (15% Daily Value).

Other chocolate Easter products likely to annihilate a weight loss diet include Hershey’s Candy Coated Eggs with 210 calories per 9 piece (41 gram) serving, Nestle Butterfinger Nest Eggs with 210 calories per 5 piece (43 gram) serving, and Russell Stover Solid Milk Chocolate Bunny (7 oz.) with 220 calories per 1/5 piece (40 gram) serving.

To maintain some weight control this Easter, slit back on the solid chocolate goodies and opt instead for lower-calorie alternatives like the Cadbury Crème Egg. With a serving size of 1 egg (39 grams), this Easter favorite contains 170 calories, 6 grams fat (9% Daily Value), 3.5 grams saturated fat (18% Daily Value) and 28 grams carbohydrate (9% Daily Value).

Other options may include Snickers Minis, with 170 calories per 4 piece (36 gram) serving, or Nestle Crunch Nest Eggs, with 180 calories per 5 piece (37 gram) serving.

Hide The Easter Basket (Again!)

“Peter Cottontail should be hopping down the Bunny Trail any time now. But you might be surprised at what he’ll be bringing this year. While there’s composed sure to be plenty of colored, hard-boiled eggs on Sunday, candy makers say he also will be toting 90 million chocolate bunnies, 600 million marshmallow chicks and bunnies and 16 billion jellybeans. That’s hefty load for such a slight animal, huh? ” (Source: Topeka Capital Journal, April, 2004).

There’s no doubt that the sheer volume of Easter candy available is enough to hamper even the best weight loss program. An Easter weight loss tip to deal with this deny is to eat just a miniature bit every day. Spreading the candy feast out over several weeks will not only minimize weight gain, but it will also prevent additional candy purchases well into summer. So after all the eggs and treats have been found this year, go ahead and hide them again in a kitchen cupboard. Out of see is out of mind, and hiding that Easter basket (again) may be the weight loss strategy that makes the difference this year.

Join In The Hunt!

While most people answer that they should exercise to lose weight, most lack the motivation to engage in weight loss exercise on a regular basis. The solution this Easter is to join in the Easter egg hunt with the kids. A 170 pound woman will burn approximately 116 calories in 30 minutes of hiding Easter eggs, and another 154 calories in unprejudiced 30 minutes of egg-hunting (source: caloriesperhour.com). Gain out there and have some fun!

Easter may not be the best time to pursue fast weight loss, but it is certainly possible to enjoy the holiday without raising your body fat percentage to new highs. By following the weight management techniques outlined above, you’ll be able to greet the Easter bunny with a smile this year.

Related Blogs

General Motors Diet (GM Diet) for Weight Loss

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:08:02 +0000

Diet is a crucial factor in weight loss but selecting right diet plan is more important. This article emphasize on General Motors Diet plan and how it helps in losing weight.

• General Motors Diet, commonly known as GM diet was originally developed for employees and dependents of General Motors, Inc. and was intended for their unusual use in the 1980’s. The GM diet makers also believed that it would improve attitudes and emotions because of its cleansing effects in the body. The seven day concept is though to burn more calories than the body receives. Theoretically, yes. But the human system is rather is rather complicated. The diet contains no alcohol, compulsorily 10 glasses of water per day.

• All fruits except bananas on day one.

• All vegetables on day two

• A mix of fruits and vegetables on day three

• Bananas and milk on day four

• Beef and tomatoes on day five

• Beef and vegetables on day six

• Brown rice, fruit juices and vegetables on day seven

Beef has been replaced with rice. A repeat is advised for further weight loss. Pulses are disallowed because they are high in calories. Recipes have been made up revolving around the GM diet.

On the positive side, General Motors diet is good for a week if done once in a blue moon to cleanse the system. However, naturopathy medicine does not allow any kind of meat for cleansing the human system. Only those who can withstand the rude energy intake should go for it. On the negative side, when on such a low energy diet the body tends to hold back the fat reserve and burns muscle for energy that is requirement for daily activity. The second and subsequent attempts at weight loss become more and more difficult because the basic rate at which the body burns calories (BMR) slows down. Following this diet repeatedly can deplete the body of energy and some important nutrients when needed. Unfortunately, we can’t supply nutrients in installments on different days for the body because the functioning of all nutrients is interrelated. Many followers of GM diet have steadily gained back their weight.

Slim Fast Diet Aids and Yeast Infections

admin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:52:54 +0000

It seems like I’ve been battling my weight forever. I’ve tried everything from the Cabbage Soup Diet to Atkins and even dabbled in meal delivery systems like Nutrisystem. In all of these endeavors I have indeed lost weight, never as much as I wanted to because sticking with all of these plans seemed nothing short of impossible. And while Weight Watchers seemed to give me the best results, I grew lazy and didn’t always feel like counting up my points every day. Like everything else, I lost and gained it fair back.

Something I hadn’t tried was Slim Fast. Yes, it’s been around for ages but the idea of only being allowed a milkshake for breakfast and lunch wasn’t very appealing. I looked into it a bit more and found out that I wouldn’t be as tiny as I had originally thought. Fruits and vegetables were not only allowed, but encouraged. The more I looked at it the more I thought that this could work. And so when I went grocery shopping that first week I bought enough Slim Fast shakes to derive me through the week and also stocked up on lots of fruits and veggies.

In the first week I lost 3 lbs., which I was told was mainly water weight and not to get too inflamed. It was moral that I was drinking a lot more water but even so I was elated at my progress. But as I headed into the second week I felt the unmistakable twinges of an encroaching yeast infection. Having been yeast infection-free for many years, I belief it was a bit odd but headed off to the drug store to see if there was anything new in the world of over-the-counter yeast treatments. After doing a bit of research I found out that many of the one time only treatments often failed and that perhaps it would be better to find a 3 or 7 day treatment. I chose a 3 day over a 7 day, thinking that would buy care of it. I also grabbed a bottle of something called AZO Yeast tablets and some Acidophilus tablets. I hate yogurt and this seemed the best way to get the honorable intestinal juices flowing.

I was wrong. I suffered through the mess and pain that seemed to intensify for three days and adhering to the instructions on the box to call your doctor if there was no sign of improvement after 3 days, I called my OB/Gyn. It was obvious to my doctor that if I had tried all of this and I was still suffering that I needed something stronger. I was prescribed three rounds of Diflucan – normally you only get one but if I was this far gone then it was likely that one wasn’t going to do it. I continued to drink my Slim Fast shakes for breakfast and lunch every single day.

After finishing three whole rounds of Diflucan I found a bit of relief but it was obvious that it still wasn’t completely gone. Another call to my doctor got me on the fast track straight to her office. A few hours later I had assumed the position and was told that there were indeed some yeast spores remaining, wreaking havoc on me. It seems like at this point I had used up almost everything in the anti-fungal arsenal except one Napalm-like ointment. I was given another three rounds of Diflucan and some pain reliever and sent on my intention.

I spent week three of my Slim Fleet diet imposing Guerilla warfare tactics on my nether regions. By the raze of that week I felt better but STILL not 100%. A call from my doctor confirmed that there was nothing else going on but the Al Qaeda of yeast infections. I was cleared of underlying conditions, such as diabetes. I was given yet another round of Diflucan and instructions to continue with my other yeast supplements. Never in my life have I fought a battle of these proportions. In my entire career as a woman I’ve only needed Diflucan once and a single pill took care of the whole thing.

As I was popping another morning dose of Diflucan in week 4 I grabbed my Slim Fast shake. Before I had a chance to crack it start, my eyes fell on the nutritional contents. EIGHTEEN GRAMS of SUGAR! The RDA recommends no more then 40g per 2000 calorie diet and I was on something more like 1500. In these two shakes alone I had exceeded the amount of sugar I was supposed to consume in one day. The snack bars aren’t much better and I was eating two of those a day, in accordance with the Slim Fast diet plan. I put the shake down immediately and haven’t looked help.

5 weeks after this whole ordeal began, it ended with the death of my Slim Fast diet. Coincidence? Perhaps. But after numerous calls to my doctor, an inordinate supply of anti-fungal drugs, weeks of pain and at least one trip to the stirrups, it all came to an extinguish when the diet did. Maybe I’ll give it another shot in a few months but for now – Slim Fast is my new enemy. Anyone who is getting recurrent or simply unresolvable yeast infections should definitely catch a look at their diet. You never know what’s lurking in there!

Related Blogs

Low Carb Diets Can Make You Sick

admin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 08:08:17 +0000

These come in many guises — The Stillman diet, Atkins diet, calories-don’t-count diet, drinking man’s diet, Air force diet and others. In all the idea is to eat few or no carbohydrates — sugar and starch — which means no grains or fruits and few vegetables, as well as no candy, cake, bread and the like.

The diets are common because there is an immediate, encouraging weight loss. However, this loss is water, not fat, and therefore is illusory. A lot of sodium is lost along with the water, which may disrupt the body’s electrolyte balance.

While the Stillman diet cautions against high-fat foods, the others say you can eat all the fat you want. Моst conventional sources of protein — meat and dairy products – are also high in saturated fats and cholesterol which increase the cholesterol level in the blood and may promote clogging of the arteries and heart disease.

WITHOUT carbohydrates, the body burns fats for fuel and it burns them incompletely, producing a sharp rise in compounds called ketones in the blood and urine. The resulting “ketosis” can cause nausea, vomiting, apathy, fatigue, dizziness and rude blood pressure, and in persons with kidney disease, it can build kidney failure.

Other hazards of the low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet include disturbances in heart rhythm, excess uric acid in the blood and, in pregnant women, impairment of brain development in the unborn child.

An additional hazard comes from the high protein in these diets, forcing the kidneys to excrete large amounts of nitrogen containing compounds such as urea. A person may have marginal kidney disease and not know it; this added stress onthe kidneys could result in uremic poisoning, damage to the brain and nervous system and, ultimately, death.

High protein diets have also been found lo cause a depletion of calcium and loss of bone. Without fruits and vegetables, dieters often develop symptoms of scurvy from a vitamin С deficiency.

■ Reducing drugs

They are all either useless or risky, or both. Amphetamines, sometimes prescribed for a few weeks to get a dieter started, quickly become ineffective at the prescribed dose. Continued use can produce psychological addiction and induce a paranoid psychosis

Thyroid hormones for someone with a normal thyroid can upset the body’s entire hormone balance. It is especially risky for persons with heart disease. And it is ineffective in producing a permanent weight loss.

Diuretics merely rid your body of water, not fat, and thewater is promptly replaced once the drug is stopped Careless use of diuretics can result in serious losses of sodium and potassium ant! cause nausea, weakness and dizziness

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) has been shown to have no effect on weight loss and its safety has not been established

Related Blogs

My Creative Weight Loss Measures

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:36:48 +0000

After packing on 20 pounds in less than 18 months I was pretty bummed out. I couldn’t button my jeans and my already round face was even chubbier. Getting dressed for an evening out was a total nightmare that resulted in tears and self pity on numerous occasions.

I tried several different diets with results that were less than fabulous. I went to a weight loss support group and was the only person under 65 in the group, so that fizzled out after one trip and $50.00. I bought a freezer bulky of diet meals, then couldn’t stand to look at them when I opened the fridge. The cabbage soup diet resulted in a major stomach ache and several pricey diet supplements that claimed to be magic pills, more or less, were a big let down. I was going to have to get creative.

I made my car off limits

Because I don’t work outside the home I have the ability to jump in my car and go places on a whim. Unfortunately, at least ten fast food restaurants are located just minutes from my house. When I am really, really craving a hamburger, I can become obsessive. I realized greasy burgers and loaded nachos were to easily accessible, so I started sending my keys to work with my husband. I do all my errands one day a week and only when I am not hungry. This may not be possible, if you work, but you could have a coworker act as gatekeeper of your keys. If you have to explain where you are going on your lunch break, it could make it harder to pencil in Taco Bell.

I took an unflattering picture

This was a hard one, but I put on some spandex workout shorts and a sports bra and took a picture of myself. I stood in front of the bathroom mirror and took a picture (without the flash) of my reflection. It was not a pretty sight. I planned on taping this picture to my fridge, but I didn’t want to panic my kids and husband. Instead I put it in a safe station and I start every day by looking at it. It’s a big motivator.

I made a deal with my husband

My husband was tired of seeing me try on jeans only to recall them off, throw them down, then stomp on them. He can get ready in 3 minutes flat and dosen’t enjoy waiting. I would try on an outfit, get inflamed at the way it fit, throw it down, pout and inform that process over and over. We were late everywhere we went. So, as a motivator, he agreed to take me shopping for new clothes when I met my weight loss goal. Having something to look forward too really helps.

When former diet tricks don’t work, sometimes getting creative does. I lost 20 pounds and I’m going shopping next week!

Related Blogs

5 Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tips

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 01:25:05 +0000

Considering the vast abundance of available information on diet and weight loss, it’s extremely easy to wind up getting confused and frustrated. Because of this, I’ve compiled a list intent on providing you with five, concrete, yet simple ways that you can both successfully and efficiently meet your diet and weight loss goals from a nutrition perspective. In addition to that, this list really contains strategies ultimately aimed at helping you conclude an overall healthier lifestyle. You may recognize some of the proceeding diet and weight loss tips, while others I’m almost sure you’ve been missing out on. I originally set out to make a list with 10 solid tips, but due to length, I’ll release that one shortly, and it will focus on exercise and other facets of overall well-being. With all of that said, however, in no particular order here are 5 Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tips.

Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tip #1 – A Grapefruit and a Half a Day Burns the Fat Away

I couldn’t stand grapefruit when I was child, and chances are, many of you haven’t eaten a grapefruit or even seriously considered eating one in years. I’m starting out the list with this big red machine, however, because it really is a machine – particularly in regards to burning bodyfat. If the bitter taste has been keeping you away, try the significantly sweeter (my favorite) Red Ruby Grapefruit. Numerous studies have shown that eating half a grapefruit or drinking a serving of freshly squeezed/juiced grapefruit juice with three meals a day has a profound impact on your body’s fat-burning ability. The key here, as with anything, is consistency. As far as the sugar in grapefruit, don’t even grief. Grapefruit is a low-glycemic index fruit, meaning that it digests slowly and is perfect for your diet and weight loss goals. We’ll talk about the glycemic index in a bit.

Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tip #2 – Fruits in the Morning, Vegetables the Rest of the Day

No, this doesn’t mean that you can’t eat your grapefruit with your dinner as I just suggested. However, eating the majority of your fruits before 1 pm and focusing on eating vegetables the remainder of the day is ideal. This diet and weight loss tip is commonly lost or pushed aside on the shelf, but it’s an easy arrangement to maximize your weight loss. When you eat more of your fruits in the morning, you better ensure that the sugar converted to energy actually gets utilized and not stored as beefy. This may seem trivial, but it definitely adds up.

I’m not a fruit extremist who believes the fructose sugar in fruits (not to be confused with high fructose corn syrup) is a expansive contributor to weight gain. The fiber in fruits usually takes care of that. Nonetheless, consuming your fruits before 1 pm is fair a smarter strategy that takes the aforementioned into account. Plus, when you commit to reserving the remainder of the day for your vegetables, it will hopefully serve as a motivation to stick to a diet where vegetables are a crucial element. We don’t need to go into why vegetables are good for you and how they will help with your diet and weight loss goals. Trust me, they will.

Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tip #3 – Green Tea

I don’t even need a catchy title for green tea; the stuff speaks for itself. If you haven’t tapped into the fat-burning powers of green tea, you’re highly depriving yourself. Green tea’s diet and weight loss punch is harnessed by a exiguous compound with a name you probably can’t screech – epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This compound combats the enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine, another fancy name, but more importantly a neurotransmitter that works to regulate metabolism and subsequent fat burning. By fighting in its defense, EGCG let’s norepinephrine do the work you can’t do. Sustained levels of norepinephrine are conducive to a markedly greater environment for fat-burning, especially when caffeine works to free up fat from fat cells. Oh, did I mention that EGCG also speeds up muscle recovery?

Make sure to opt for green tea that is unsweetened. The extra sugar in other available green teas will do you no good, especially because it’s usually quite high. The general recommendation is to drink a serving with your breakfast and another an hour before working out. If unsweetened green tea isn’t your cup of tea, you can buy pure green tea extract standardized for EGCG. Take 500-1,000 mg as prescribed in the guidelines above. Another serving (either fluid or pill) in the evening is also something to believe, so as long as you make sure it isn’t consumed too terminate to your bedtime. We all know caffeine and trying to sleep typically don’t do so well together.

Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tip #3 – Cold Water, Room Temperature Water, Lemon Water; Know Your Water

It’s already an overlooked luxury to have dapper water, but the fact that we can take further advantage of this essential source of life is even greater. This diet and weight loss strategy isn’t stressed nearly as much as it should, so hear me out. Knowing the general temperature (cold and room temperature) of your water and which one you should drink at certain times is actually critical. Because our bodies have to employ energy to convert cold water into our body temperature before it is ancient, try to drink coldwater more often. It may not seem like much, but burning those extra calories while drinking the ever-important water will make a huge difference in the long room.

On the other hand, drink room temperature water when you’re performing strenuous cardio or exercise. It may not seem like the popular choice and you may argue that drinking cold water on top of exercise means even more burned calories, but you’re missing the point. We need water to replenish us quickly when we’re going through a hard workout. Drinking room temperature water is much closer to your body’s temperature and can be utilized much faster. Aim for a gallon of water every day.

Lastly, squeezing some lemon into your water doesn’t just have flavoring benefits. Because lemon juice is a natural laxative, squeezing some into your water may help keep you regular in the bathroom. That’s a sterling thing.

Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tip #4 - 5 to 6 Small Meals a Day

You’ve probably heard this one over and over and over, but are you actually doing it? Eating 5 to 6 meals of moderate portion sizes throughout the day is one of the most effective and recognized methods for naturally speeding up metabolism. Don’t skimp out on this one. There’s a reason so many people talk and write about it. If it means preparing your snacks the night before do it. If it means writing out your meal plan for the next week on Saturday before you go grocery shopping, do it. If it means snacking in the car to and from work (one of my “Fit-Tips” ), do it. Constantly putting smaller, healthy meals/snacks into your body leaves your body with no choice but to do something with it. This eventually translates to a faster metabolism and more fat-burning. Why miss out?

Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tip #5 - Eating Fats and Carbohydrates, Where Shimmering the Incompatibility Makes all the Difference

Not all fats and carbohydrates are the same. So you may have heard, but do you know the difference? Beginning with the latter, carbohydrates either fall high or crude on the glycemic index scale. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates based on their effects on our blood glucose levels, basically, how fast they are absorbed. Choosing low glycemic index carbohydrates, those that generate only small fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels, is associated with prolonged health, reducing the risk of heart disease, and is integral to healthy diet and weight loss. You can visit the official website of the glycemic index to find sizable carbohydrate sources. As far as high glycemic index carbohydrates, they aren’t absolute either. After strenuous cardio or weight/strength training, consuming high glycemic index carbohydrates is actually recommended. Things like a medium baked potato (plain of course), white bread, a cup of white rice, Gatorade, Smucker’s Strawberry Preserves, etc. – all of these are great choice postworkout.

As far as fats, eating certain fats can actually help your body burn fat. You can click here to read another article I wrote more extensively explaining how this works.

Final Thoughts on 5 Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss Tips

It’s my hope that these five diet and weight loss tips/strategies are extremely beneficial to your wander to a healthier, more confident you. If you’ve tried the whole weight loss thing one too many times and have fallen short of your goals, I’d encourage you to read my article about changing and reworking your initial come. You can read that here. As far as these 5 Can’t Miss Diet and Weight Loss tips, I’ll have to come up with a second edition lovely soon. With so great great and valuable information, you can feel empowered and actually succeed at this. No more confusion or frustration. I know these are things you can definitely do. Hope to see you soon.

Sources

www.glycemicindex.com

Brown, Jordana. “The Carbo Rater”. Muscle and Fitness Magazine. May 2009

Brown, Jordana. “The Usual Suspects”. Muscle and Fitness Magazine. April 2009