Happy New Year
Just a short post to wish you a all Happy New Year. The year just gone past has been a milestone for me, and doubtless many others, so the New Year ahead can only be good. We can all look ahead with vigour on how we are going to shed the pounds. It’ll be easy, of course. It always is. Until we realise we haven’t actually lost any weight. In fact, we might have put some extra on.
Well, let’s make this year the exception. Let’s make this year the year we lose the weight that we want to lose. And keep it off. And that would mean you wouldn’t have to keep coming back here for advice. Oh don’t get me wrong. I love having you here, and you are welcome anytime you want. But your aim, like all of us on here, is to lose some weight and get fit and healthy.
I only hope that I can help a little along the way.
A Happy New Year To All!
The 4 Day Diet by Dr. Ian Smith
December 30, 2009 by admin
Filed under Product Reviews
It would be difficult to know what you had to do on this diet, if you went on the title alone. Are you going to lose weight in four days. Does the diet just last for four days, then you stop. Keep reading and I will try to explain the thinking behind this book by Dr. Ian Smith.
In fact, you may have heard of Dr. Smith before. He was the man behind the 50 Million Pound Challenge. He tasked the people of America with the challenge of losing weight and fighting the obesity epidemic. To date, many people have altered their lifestyle due to this challenge.
The 4 Day Diet plan is an attempt to reprogram your body into better eating. There are seven modules in the plan, each lasting for four days. Giving you food choices is supposed to stop you becoming bored, when many diet plans have you eating the same foods.
The first module is the strictest. This is the induction phase and is reminiscent of the South Beach Diet. You eat food that is designed to detoxify the body. The theory is that before you can start again, you have to get rid of the bad stuff that’s in there already. The food and meals that you are allowed are detailed in the book.
Module number two is when eating habits begin their transition. New foods, like vegetables and grains are added. The reasoning is that although you know you are on a diet there is no point in depriving yourself, but to teach yourself to be satisfied by eating healthier.
The third module adds in the protein. The guidelines for good health plan for eating lean meat, fish which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, and dairy produce like eggs and milk. Protein will help with muscle fiber.
The next module allows you to eat what you want. You are asked to try and keep this part of the plan in moderation. It would be so easy, after four days of eating burgers, fries, pizza and sodas to carry on beyond the four days. Also, because you only have four days, it can be easy to eat too much, which would nullify any weight you had lost up till now.
Number five sees you returning to a much stricter eating plan. Whether it is a reminder of how you should be eating, or just to counteract the effects of module four, it does seem to work for many.
Modules six and seven also have restriction which are detailed in the book. The plan takes you through 28 days and the modules can be repeated over again until you have lost as much weight as you would like.
The upside to this plan is that you won’t get bored with the food, and anything that you buy for meals should eventually get used. The downside is for anyone who is not used to cooking, there is quite a bit to do here. And the constant switching may be a problem for some people. But for the most part, this weight loss program is designed to meet your nutritional needs.
The 4 Day Diet by Dr. Ian Smith is available to buy through Amazon.com
Water: Your Most Vital Nutrient (Video)
Most of us don’t drink nearly enough water, but it is so freely available that there is really no excuse for not doing so. Presently, the recommendation is to drink eight glasses of water a day – and more, if you live in a hot country. If you drink only when you are thirsty, then the chances are that your body will already be dehydrated. Not drinking enough water can bring symptoms like headaches and a lessening of your mental ability. It can make you feel tired and listless and dries out your skin and your joints. It can also be a major cause of constipation.
Hunger often gets confused with thirst, so if you are hungry have a glass of water instead of having something to eat. Your body also retains more water if you drink often and in small measures. It retains less if you drink it with tea or coffee, or sugary drinks.
Here are some ideas to help you increase your water intake:
- Start each morning with a glass of fresh water when you get up.
- During exercise, drink some water at 10 to15 minute intervals.
- Always drink water when you are drinking alcohol.
- If you are still drinking tea and coffee in cafés, ask for a glass of water to go with it.
- Have a glass of water with each meal.
- Whenever you leave the house, always carry a bottle filled with filtered water.
These are just a few ways to take some more water in your diet. I am sure that you will have your own ideas, so if it can help us with our water intake, please let us know.
Below is a short video on the benefits of your water intake.
The Food Pyramid: The Basics
If you are looking to start a healthy eating plan for you and your family, consider using the food pyramid. It has recently been revised and is easy to understand., and if you follow the food pyramid you will have a good basic foundation of proper nutrition.
The Food Guide Pyramid was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the new updated version can be found at MyPyramid.gov. It uses color coding to determine the different types of food that are recommended for you to eat. The new pyramid can also be customized to your own dietary needs. As no two people are alike, one size doesn’t necessarily fit all.
Now let’s have a look at the different pyramid sections.
1.Grains: Try to eat about three servings of whole grain every day, which should amount to about three ounces. Whole grains include all three parts of the grain – bran, endosperm and the seed. Also, make sure that “whole” comes before grain on the label.
2.Vegetables: You might have to get creative, but do try to eat six servings of vegetables a day. There are a whole host of different vegetables you can try for variety and flavour. Green, leafy vegetables will provide you with more minerals and vitamins like A, B and E.
3.Fruits: Try and have three servings of fruit each day. Fruit can be eaten fresh or in juice form, but just remember that juice won’t keep you full or stop you getting hungry. Eating fresh fruit will also provide you with more fiber and vitamin C, as well as tasting better.
4.Milk and Dairy: Milk is fortified with vitamin D as well as providing calcium, which helps to make your bones strong and also keeps osteoporosis at bay. Low fat or fat free is best with milk, cheese and yogurt products. For those of you who are lactose intolerant, substitutes like Lact-aid are available for you to get your calcium.
5.Meat: Protein is important for building muscle tissue and repairing organs at the cellular level. Try and limit the amount of red meat that you eat and choose lean cuts of chicken and pork.
6.Oils: Try to consume as little as possible, but when you do, stick with unsaturated fats like vegetable or olive oil.
If you know what you are eating, and what you need to eat, it is the start of a better life. If you mix in some exercise with your new diet you will have a plan for a long life.
The Truth About Fats
What’s the first thing that you do when you go on a diet? You cut out as much fat so that you can eliminate some on your body. Before you get rid of all the fat in your diet, here are a few facts that you need to know.
All fats are not bad. In fact, a certain portion of your diet needs to consist of fat. Fatty acids are used by the body to repair and protect nerves, organs, the brain, cells and other parts of the body. These fatty acids are obtained from the foods that we eat and the oils that we choose.
It is not just the fats in foods that cause obesity. It is a combination of other diet components and getting physical activity. Restricting fats to an unhealthy level will help you hold on to more fat on your body. Yes, it has the opposite of the desired effect.
The next time that you look at the nutritional information on food boxes and bags in the grocery store, go armed with an idea of what types of fats you need and what types you can leave behind.
1. Unsaturated fats – Types of unsaturated fats that you might see mentioned are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are in a liquid state at room temperature. Consider then your olive oil, canola oil and oils made from nuts and seeds like safflower, almond and sesame. Omega-3 fatty acids fall into this category. Eating salmon three times a week will give you a sufficient dose of healthy oils for cardiovascular health.
2. Saturated fats – Most of these fats come from animal sources. Eating fatty cuts of meat especially red meat increase your intake of saturated fat. These fats are solid at room temperature. Think of lard, vegetable oil and tropical oils in this category. Saturated fats increase bad cholesterol levels.
3. Trans fats – Everyone knows about these. They are partially hydrogenated fats manufactured for increased shelf life. By heating liquid oils in the presence of hydrogen, the oils become solid like margarines.
Know your fats to make healthy informed choices for yourself and your family.
And please remember to pick up your FREE copy of the special report. It is full of hints and ideas on how to lose weight in the New Year. And keep it off.
