Sunshine Is Good For You is the argument of today’s guest article writer I think he may be onto something. Too many have been intimindated right out of the sunshine they need by a costant harangue about melanoma. I think in the end the right naswer as in so much of life is moderation. Here is what our guest article writer has to say.

I need my dose of sunshine every year as it is a good supply of vitamin D necessary for the absorption of calcium in the body. The sun is a natural element that is very much part of our life.

I cringe at the sight of people who apply masses of sun cream to their skin frequently. Sun cream (apart from making pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturers wealthy) is a strong chemicals that prevent your skin from absorbing beneficial sun rays. Some of the ingredients in these sun creams have been demonstrated to be carcinogenic (encourages the development of cancer cells).

The sun is natural. The cream is not.

We have been told that our planet is being depleted from Ozone (O3). Scientists have told us that our Ozone layer currently is 5% depleted and when it is 17% depleted then it’s goodbye from me and goodbye from .. all of us.

The hole in the Ozone layer is getting worse in the North and South poles we are told. This has been partly triggered by Chlorofluorocarbons gas (CFC) release in the air from our aerosols, fridges etc..

We must understand that Ozone is a gas that forms when the sunlight meets earth’s atmosphere. There is very little direct sunlight in the North and South poles as the sun strikes at an angle without producing Ozone. This is why there has always been less Ozone in the 2 poles. Not because you spray some deodorant (hopefully without aluminium in it) or anti-perspirant (deadly by the way) under your arms.

Rule by fear!

Listen to this one: The American government has spent $19,000,000 to find out if the farting and belching of cows was damaging the Ozone layer!!!

Having said all this, let me answer the question: Is sunlight good for you?

Sunlight can Actually Prevent Cancer. Insufficient exposure to the sun and its ultraviolet radiation can according to a new study published in a prominent cancer journal be an important risk factor for some cancers in Western Europe and United States. This directly contradicts official advice about sunlight.

The research examined cancer mortality in the United States. Deaths from a range of cancers of the reproductive and digestive systems were approximately twice as high in New England as in the southwest, despite a diet that varies little between regions. An examination of 506 regions found a close inverse correlation between cancer mortality and levels of ultraviolet B light.

The likeliest mechanism for a protective effect of sunlight is vitamin D, which is synthesized by the body in the presence of ultraviolet B. The study’s author, Dr William Grant, says northern parts of the United States may be dark enough in winter that vitamin D synthesis shuts down completely. While the study focused on white Americans, the same geographical trend affects black Americans, whose overall cancer rates are significantly higher. Darker skinned people require more sunlight to synthesize vitamin D.

There are 13 malignancies that show this inverse correlation, mostly reproductive and digestive cancers. The strongest inverse correlation is with breast, colon, and ovarian cancer.

Other cancers apparently affected by sunlight include tumours of the bladder, uterus, esophagus, rectum, and stomach. Cancer March 2002; 94:1867-75

As Dr Mercola points out on his web site: Many people believe that sunshine is one of the main cause of cancer. Nothing could be further from the truth. As this study published in the prestigious Cancer journal indicates, exposure to sun actually decreases cancer rates.

Does this mean that one’s sun exposure does not contribute to skin cancer? Absolutely not. However, skin cancers are more likely related to the large distortion most people have in their omega-6 to omega-3 fat ratio. The high excess of omega-6 fats (from meat and cheese) in most people’s diet puts them at a much higher risk of developing skin cancer when exposed to excess sun.

So the solution is not to slather sun block on. Sun block can be quite toxic and should be avoided by most people. The sensible approach would be to limit sun exposure so you never get sun burned. It is sunburn in conjunction with excess omega-6 fats that increases your risk of skin cancer. But even with the potential increase in skin cancer, most skin cancers are relatively benign when compared with breast, colon, and prostate cancers that lack of sun exposure is associated with.

So you can’t have it both ways. Avoid the sun and don’t change your diet and you will lower your risk of skin cancer, but increase your risk of far more common and deadlier cancers. So why not change the fat content of your diet and use sensible sun exposure guidelines and reap the benefits of sunlight?

It is also important to note that many researchers are currently evaluating vitamin D and its analogs in the treatment of cancer (van den Bemd GJ, Chang GT. Vitamin D and vitamin D analogs in cancer treatment. Curr Drug Targets. 2002 Feb;3(1):85-94.) Vitamin D can no longer properly be considered a vitamin. Nevertheless, vitamin D resembles true vitamins inasmuch as humans — who are cut off from the critical solar ultraviolet wavelengths by reason of latitude, clothing, or shelter — depend on an external source of the substance, just as they do for the true essential nutrients.

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. It promotes bone mineralization in concert with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones. However, it is quite clear that vitamin D does far more than promote optimized bone health.

In addition to the strong evidence provided in this article about prevention of cancer vitamin D has also been associated with improvement in the following conditions:
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Arthritis
Infertility and PMS
Fatigue, Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder
Autoimmune Disorders
Obesity and overall weight management
Syndrome X

Some key points to remember.

The vitamin D in milk, and that put in most vitamins is vitamin D2 and is synthetic. Vitamin D2 is also called ergocalciferol. It is not the vitamin D that you want to supplement with. It is not nearly as good as the vitamin D obtained from sunlight or natural food sources like cod liver oil which is called vitamin D3 or calciferol. The best place to get vitamin D is from UV-B from sunlight.

However, darker skinned people require 10 to 20 times the sun exposure length than lighter skinned people do to build up the same amount of vitamin D.

That is one of the major reasons why African Americans have a much higher rate of cancer in North America than other ethnic groups. Most people, who have skin that is deeply pigmented, should take extra precautions when living in North America for health reasons. The only work around for them to maintain their health would be to optimize their vitamin D levels.

It is also very important to realize that the RDA of vitamin D of 400 units is absolutely inadequate for most people who do not have exposure to regular sunshine. Most people may need up to 10,000 units per day for a short time to build their vitamin D levels up to healthy ranges. One must be very clear however that this should only be done under supervision with a health care professional who can monitor vitamin D levels. Vitamin D in excessive doses can be quite dangerous as it can cause calcium to deposit in your soft tissues and kidney and this is not easy to turn around.

So, to resume:

* Sun creams contain strong chemicals that may be carcinogenic

* The sun is natural and needed as an essential source of Vitamin D * Sunshine can actually lower your risk of cancer

Do not expose yourself for long period of time to the sun. Never allow yourself to burn. Expose yourself gradually.

By: Patrick Hamouy

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Technorati Tags: weight management

Here is a psycologist’s view of "Obesity And Discrimination"

‘Hey, look! The fat lady is trying to lose weight!’

This remark changed my life.

As I crunched along the gravel path that loops around the park near my downtown apartment I took in the scenery, couples picnicking on the lush grass, goofy Labradors bounding after sticks thrown by their owners, proud young parents pushing baby strollers. It was a perfect spring day! Until I rounded the first corner of the park: ‘Hey, look! The fat lady is trying to lose weight!’ Jarred by the loud remark, I came to stop and spotted the source, about fifty feet away was a group of young boys carrying skateboards. Dozens of retorts raced through my mind.

‘They’re just kids,’ I finally told myself, and kept walking. Once my anger wore off, a flood of forgotten feelings came rushing back to me, the persistent taunts from schoolmates and the ongoing loneliness I felt as an overweight child. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. Once I hit puberty I ballooned to 275 pounds. At 5′4′, I was considered what I now know is morbidly obese. During my adult years I managed to keep my weight just under 200 pounds, but only with extreme measures like diet pills, and weeks of nothing but protein shakes. I exercised regularly, though it was often difficult because of persistent fatigue. It was at this point in my life the cruel remark affected me so deeply.

Heading home, I vowed to learn more about obesity discrimination. What is being done to educate the public? What are the consequences of being obese in today’s society? I also vowed to become healthy, to stop focusing on society’s approval or disapproval of my weight and start focusing on my well-being.

During my research I uncovered shocking statistics. Studies in the International Journal of Obesity report that weight discrimination, especially against women, is increasing in U.S. society and in some cases is even more prevalent than rates of discrimination based on gender and race. Reported discrimination based on weight has increased 66 percent in the past decade, up from about to 12 percent of U.S. adults. (About 17 percent of men and 9 percent of women reported race discrimination.)

Among severely obese people, about 28 percent of men and 45 percent of women said they have experienced discrimination because of their weight.

There are two types of weight discrimination: institutional and interpersonal. Institutional discrimination involves healthcare, education, and workplace situations. I personally experienced this when I was denied individual health insurance by a well-known provider because of my ‘height/weight variation.’ The web site cswd.org reports that workers who are heavier than average are paid $1.25 less an hour. Over a 40-year career, they will earn up to $100,000 less before taxes than their thinner counterparts (Baum, 2004).

Interpersonal discrimination is what I experienced that day in the park.

‘Weight discrimination is a very serious social problem that we need to pay attention to,’ says Rebecca Puhl of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. Puhl believes weight discrimination will not decrease until attitudes change and laws begin addressing it.

No federal laws against weight discrimination exist. Michigan is currently the only state with an anti-size discrimination law on its books, though the Massachusetts Legislature held hearings last month on a proposed law. San Francisco joined Washington, D.C., and Santa Cruz, Cal., as the only cities with bans on weight discrimination.

Like so many suffering from obesity, I had an undiagnosed health condition. I now know I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a metabolic disorder that affects women. PCOS causes weight gain and a myriad of other symptoms: unwanted facial hair, irregular periods, depression, and even infertility. I’ve learned to eat in a way that stabilizes my blood sugar (imbalances in insulin are the root cause of the disorder), take the right combination of vitamins and supplements, and have joined numerous online support groups for PCOS sufferers. I am now a healthy 145 pounds.

I urge anyone who is obese to diligently research common underlying causes: pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome/syndrome X, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, and subclinical hypothyroidism.

There are many advocacy groups fighting to end weight discrimination like The Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, and the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.

By: Dr. Andrea Lee

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Technorati Tags: weight discrimination

By Jeanette Raymond, Ph.D.

© Jeanette Raymond, Ph.D.

Ah, emotional eating can be the downfall of many a well intentioned soul.

Technorati Tags: causes of weight gain, emotional eating, lose weight, Weight Loss

Stevia which has been around as substitute for sugar for quite some time it is just coming to the attention of greater numbers of people as more and more is appearing on market shelves as branded sugar substitutes.

I believe that stevia is one of the best natural sweeteners available. It is natural, calorie-free, and can be used as is or in baking and cooking. I like it so much more than all of the artificial sweeteners out there I thought i would talk about it here today.

Stevia is a a natural deciduous shrub plant which that grows  in the southwestern United States ,originally native to South America. The sweetening level of stevia depends upon the species involved; there are hundreds of different species of this plant and perhaps a dozen of which  have the sweetness characteristics desired. While it is possible to buy fresh leaves or dried leaves from the plant itself, when you purchase stevia in the store, you are most likely going to be purchasing a powdered extract from the plant or a liquid concentrate.

If you buy the liquid concentrate, the composition of the stevia depends on the method of production. Sometimes these liquid concentrates are produced by boiling the leaves directly in water and sometimes the leaves are steeped in water or a water-plus-alcohol mixture. Although it’s unclear from the research that has been done exactly which form of stevia is the most health supportive, there is no question that stevia extracts in any form come out far ahead of white table sugar or high fructose corn syrup in terms of their potential health benefits and has none of the health negatives associated with sugar and weight gain and insulin issues. Among the possible benefits here are therefore the potential hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effects and potential blood pressure lowering effects. These qualities are what first brought me to stevia as a family member is diabetic and I was seeking the best sugar substitute for our family.

Stevia which has been used by many especially in South and Central America as both a sweetener and a medicinal agent. In the United States, stevia is approved by the Food and Drug Administration a federal agency of the U.S.for sale as a dietary supplement, but it cannot be promoted as a sweetening agent or a food additive because the FDA has not felt comfortable with the research evidence documenting its safety. I don’t have any research-based reasons to share the concern of the FDA, however, and so I do like this sweetener as an alternative for those persons and they number in the tens of millions who are seeking a table sugar replacement.

Something you’ll be sure tonotice about stevia is that it is very very sweet and so it is wise to be carefuland  get used to how much sweetening bang you get for your teaspoonful. In its refined, white powdery as opposed to the granular quality of sugar. It is usually in the extract form in which there is a very high concentration of steviosides, It may be several hundred times sweeter than the normally used  table sugar. It should therefore be used sparingly when substituted for sugar, whether it is for sweetening beverages, to be used in baked goods recipes, or for any of the many other ways that you may choose to use it.

 I use and have used stevia for some time now. For me the reason is that while I think stevia can be a great natural substitute for sugar, notably for those who have blood sugar concerns. Stevia is not usually purchased as a whole food (in the fresh or dried leaf form), but rather as a powdered extract or liquid concentrate.

FDA Approved Stevia - Zero-Calorie Natural Sweetner

In December 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Stevia product rebaudioside A (rebiana) as a general purpose sweetener. Rebiana is an ingredient derived from the leaf of t… 

Lose Weight: Try Stevia Instead of Sugar (Day 17) - Dr. Norris …

If you’re into health food, and alternative and holistic foods you’ve probably heard of Stevia extract, Stevia rebaudiana, a sweetener that comes from South America and used by t… 

Does the body treat stevia as a sugar?

Stevia stimulates the sweet-taste receptors on the tongue, but it is not biologically related to sugar. Stevia has been used for centuries as a non-calorie sweetener in South and Central… 

Technorati Tags: best sugar substitute, stevia

Hi everyone. I don’t like to go with duplicate content but the material here is too important not share with you. It comes straight from the Food and Drug Administartion. You must resist the untested and possibilby harmful supplements touted as weight loss miracles. they may in fact be effective but far too often at considerable risk to the people who use them. Remember Phen Phen. So Please stay away from these. you can and will lose weight the right way this year. You eat a little less and move a little more. Start that now with taking an invigorating calorie burning  brisk walk as far away from these products as you possibly can no matter how tempting what they promise is. It is definitely not worth the risks to your health.

FDA Expands it’s deadly  Serious Warning to weight loss product consumers concerning a large number of Tainted Weight Loss Pills

FDA Warns Consumers: Tainted Weight Loss Pills
 Increases list of products; Agency seeks recalls

The FDA is expanding its nationwide alert to us about tainted weight loss pills that contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients. In December 2008, FDA warned consumers not to purchase or consume twenty eight  products marketed for weight loss. Since that time, FDA analysis has identified forty one more weight loss products that may put consumers’ health at risk. The FDA is not an agency that takes this kind of warning lightly. They issue this sort of advisory only when they are convinced that the danger posed by the products are without doubt  not worth the benefits they claim to offer in other words extremely dangerous to you.

The  list of products that are considered dangerous enough to issue a warning to you:

An  analysis found undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients in these products include sibutramine ,a controlled substance,  rimonabant ,a drug not approved for marketing in the USA, phenytoin ,an anti-seizure medication, phenolphthalein, a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer causing agent and bumetanide ,a diuretic. Some of the amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients far exceeded the FDA-recommended levels, puttingthe public’s health at serious risk.

Technorati Tags: Tainted Weight Loss Pills

Acai Berry Diet - Lose Weight And Live Healthy With The Acai Berry Diet

The acai berry diet has been gaining a lot of popularity these days after being featured by Dr. Perricone and Dr. Oz on the Oprah winfrey show. But what makes the acai berry diet so good? How could a berry that was relatively uknown just a few years ago, gain such high recognition?

The acai berry itself is nothing new to the world. It grows on the Acai palm in the Brazilian rainforest. The natives have used the berry for ages to help fight off hunger and boost their energy. Just recently, the health benefits of the acai berry are being discovered by the rest of the world.

What are the health benefits of acai? The acai berry is naturally rich in many nutrients. It has more healthy omega fats for its size than any other food. It contains electrolytes to improve your bodies natural ability with regards to physical activity. It his high in both protein and fiber, both which help build muscle and increase your metabolism. It also contains a large amount of vitamins A, B1, B2, E, and C. But, what the acai berry is most known for is it’s antioxidants. It has over 10x more antioxidants than grapes! These antioxidants help to eliminate the harmful effect of the free radicals which are all too common in todays society.

If you are wanting to try the acai berry diet but have not seen acai berry extract or acai berry pills in any stores around your home, don’t worry, they will be there soon enough. The berry is still too new to have made its way into the mainstream market yet. You can find plenty of acai berry diet pills online though. Many are offering free trials to help spread the word about this beneficial diet supplement.

Whether or not you choose to lose weight with the acai berry diet, or any other diet supplement or system, it’s important to remember a few simple things. There is no magic solution to weight loss. You should always strive to eat healthy and get take part in a few hours of physical activity each week. The acai berry diet has helped millions of people lose more weight than they could without it. But even the benefits of the acai berry aren’t enough to make you lose weight if you eat ice cream all day while sitting in front of the television.

Eat healthy, be active, and take advantage of diet supplements. Follow those 3 simple rules and you are sure to meet any weight loss goal that you set for yourself.

By: Sean Anderson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Visit the Acai Berry Diet homepage at www.AcaiBerryDiet.us to learn more about the health benefits of the Acai Berry, or to find places online to purchase Acai Berry supplements, as well as find free trial offers for several Acai Berry Diet products.

Technorati Tags: acai berry, acai berry diet, lose weight with acai berry

Mediterranean Diet - Pros And Cons Of The Mediterranean Lifestyle

What is the Mediterranean Diet all about and what are its benefits and drawbacks? The Mediterranean Diet can basically be attributed to the recent recognition that of those living in Europe, those in the Mediterranean live longest on average. Why might this be, you ask? Well, researchers believe that the secret lies in their diet. While the Mediterranean Diet is not a concrete diet plan like South Beach or Atkins, and the diets of those countries within the region differ by certain degrees, there are still certain traits that have been found to be universal.

First off, in the Mediterranean, there is a large consumption of fruits, vegetables, potatoes, cereals, beans, seeds, nuts, and bread. Secondly, olive oil is commonly used for cooking and dressings. Thirdly, there is a moderate consumption of fish but little red meat. Fourth, there is a low to moderate amount of full fat cheeses and yogurt that is consumed. And contrary to popular belief, there is only a moderate consumption of wine that is usually only had during meals. Also, there is a strong reliance on seasonal produce. And lastly, those living in the Mediterranean live an active lifestyle which is vital for complete state of fitness.

So, what are some of the benefits to this Mediterranean lifestyle? In a recent 4 year study, the diets of over 22,000 Greeks were studied and the closer they adhered to a traditional Greek diet, the less likely they were to die from either heart disease or cancer. Overall, the traditionalists found themselves 25% less likely to die during the 4 year study period, which suggests that adherents of traditional diet die later rather then sooner. In comparison to Americans, Greeks are 20% less likely to die from coronary artery disease and are 33% less likely to develop cancer. Is there a solid reasoning behind this increased protection from heart disease and cancer? Yes, and the reason lies in their consumption of olive oil and oily fish such as sardines, which contain, in the case of olive oil, monounsaturated fats while the fish contains polyunsaturated fats called omega-3 fatty acids. Both can help protect your heart. Furthermore, the large consumption of fruits and vegetables like tomatoes will further reinforce your body against cancer and heart disease by providing plenty of valuable antioxidants.

So, are there any downsides to this Mediterranean diet? All in all, no, but if you find yourself active, eat a good bit more protein throughout the day. They recommend eating fish, eggs and poultry a few times a week. I’d have some good protein with every meal just to make sure all of the bases are covered. One of the only issues that people will be confronted with is it requires frequent cooking, and if you are too busy or lazy to do that then you will only be gleaning some of its benefits. Also, this ‘diet’ is hard to criticize since it is not as restrictive and regimented as Atkins and others are. To me, that only creates shortcomings which translates into nutritional imbalances. So, apply the protein-enhanced Mediterranean principle to the concept of eating 5 small meals a day and you’ll truly be living a life fit for a Greek.

By: Robert Palmer

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Technorati Tags: atkins diet, mediterranean diet fast weight loss, south beach diet

Guest writer here today  Liz is traveling

Losing weight somehow never seems to be a fast process as compared to the quick manner of gaining pounds! If only there were miraculous ways to lose weight fast! Well, we all do expect a miracle for many such issues. But then natural weight loss is something that is recommended by experts everywhere! A healthy diet and regular exercise are just the basics of weight control. But there are many other ideas you can include in your daily life to lose weight fast. Healthy habits will surely put you on the right path. But then, Rome was not built in a day! Let’s take a quick look at some basic ways to lose weight quickly!

Ways to lose weight fast: Weight loss is a weighty issue and needs to be dealt with care. You need to consult your doctor before you opt for weight loss programs. If you aim for quick weight loss, you need not starve yourself. Rather, include these various ways (and be consistent) in your everyday routine to lose weight fast.

Skip the desserts
We all love celebrating birthdays and occasions with scrumptious desserts. In that case, stick only to the occasion. Avoid binging on desserts for the sheer temptation! This will help you indulge in an occasional dessert without really feeling guilty!

Include soups and salads
A healthy diet will help you to maintain your weight. However, you must have faced many occasions where you may have gone dining with friends or family. Here’s a little secret to avoid adding to the bulge. Begin with a soup as a starter. This curbs the hunger and also the urge to stuff yourself with food. A broth and salad can help you to keep your stomach full yet eat other food items present and avoid overindulgence!

Eat 4-5 small meals
Forget the heavy luncheons and dinners. Have small meals around 4-5 times in a day. Breakfast is the most important meal. A balanced lunch and dinner in measured proportions with healthy snacks in between will help curb the craving for food. It will also keep you feeling active during the day.

Carry fruits for those hunger pangs
There are times when we may feel stressed at work and crave for that bar of chocolate or packet of chips. Having a stock of fresh fruits in your bag can help you tackle those odd moments. Including fruits in your diet will benefit you in many ways. You can even opt for fresh fruit juice to refresh yourself during the day.

Exercise daily
Exercise is the obvious solution for all weight-related issues. There are many people who crib about not being able to join gyms. Well, did you know about the various ways of burning fat even at home? A home exercise routine that includes a fat-burning workout on an everyday basis will help you to lose weight quickly.

Eat home-cooked meals
We all love to eat out in style. But did you know you tend to put on more calories by eating meals at restaurants? Well, not only do we tend to choose foods rich in calories but also tend to eat larger portions. Keep your entire fine dining plans for the weekend. This will help you to maintain a routine and subsequently, lose weight faster.

Treat yourself occasionally
If you want to lose weight fast, it does not mean you have to punish yourself. Treating yourself regularly with friends will maintain a healthy balance in life. It will also curb your craving for desserts and sweets. An occasional treat will keep your mind happy and you won’t have that sinking feeling every time you pass the sweetshop!

These are some of the best ways to lose weight and this can be possible if you stick to this routine on an everyday basis. With consistency and discipline, you will surely achieve your target and resolve these weighty issues!

Technorati Tags: fast weight lose, lose ten pounds fast, lose weight fast, lose weight quickly

Technorati Tags: energy metabolism, low carb diet, low carbohydrate diet

Low carbohydrate diets are all the rage these days. They promise quick weight loss while “eating all the food you want”. But is a low carb vegetarian diet possible?What is a low carb diet?
A low carb diet is a style of eating where carbohydrate intake is severely restricted. Proteins and, to some extent, fats are unlimited. Experts say that when  your body is deprived of carbohydrates, it will begin to burn fat for its energy, putting your body into ketosis.

The Atkins Diet is probably the most famous low carb diet, but there are others as well–Protein Power, The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet, and Stillman’s Diet, among others.

Usually, the first two weeks of a low carb diet have a very restricted level of carbs. On Atkins, this is called the “induction phase”. Even many vegetables are forbidden. After the induction phase, healthy carbs, such as fruits and whole grains, can be reintroduced slowly.

Because you don’t want to eat carbohydrates on a low carb diet, the primary source of food is meat.

What are vegetarian low carb food sources?
Low carb vegetarian foods include eggs, tofu, cheeses (including soft cheeses like cream cheese and cottage cheese), protein powder/shakes, and nuts. Some fake-meat products may also be low carb, but check the label to be sure, as they often have high carb ingredients.

Unfortunately, almost all of these food sources, unlike meat, do contain some carbs. In fact, many of the foods on the vegetarian list are thought to stall the weight loss progress of a traditional low carb dieter if eaten in excess. 

Is a low carb vegetarian diet possible?
It’s possible to follow a low carb vegetarian diet, but your food options are extremely limited and because they do contain carbs, you will still have to restrict your food during the first phase of a low carb diet. In my opinion, this can get very boring, very quickly. It’s just not practical.

Vegetarians can find success following the less-restrictive phases of popular low carb diets. However, for vegetarians, a low carb diet is never going to have the “all you can eat” aspect which is what makes the diet so appealing to dieters. Vegetarians will still have to watch the amount of food that they are eating, which kind of defeats the purpose.

If you are a vegetarian, and you are looking for a diet that allows you to eat as much as you want, you may want to look into a low fat vegan diet, such as the McDougall program. These types of diets are shown to be very effective for losing weight while still allowing you to feel satisfied.

by: Shannon Tani

Shannon Tani is a former fattie, who weighed over 220lbs. She has currently lost over 70lbs. One day she realized that people would rather hear dieting advice from someone who’s “been there, done that” than a boring old doctor who’s never been fat a day in his life. So she started the website Better Off Fat to share her experiences and ideas.

Technorati Tags: atkins diet, Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet, protein power, stillman's diet

Don’t Set Weight Loss Goals Casually

That is unless they don’t really matter to you.  It’s hard to talk in original terms when it comes to weight loss and goal setting or on either subject on it’s own. There is much wisdom out there on each of these individually and as they relate to one another. So this entry to my  Finally, A Thinner You blog and website is a brief reminder on how to put the nebulous science of goal setting to good use in the very important part of your life of proper weight loss and weight management for good health.

Here are the elements necessary to the setting of a goal you really want to achieve :

• Practicality. Make your goal real. By now you are likely to know you will not succeed at losing 20 pounds this month. However, it’s entirely possible to lose 10 not easy but doable. So you can go to or avoid the Fat Loss 4 Idiots click see what they have to say it’s so popular and so impractical promising 11 pounds lost in 9 days. It isn’t going to happen.
• Specificity.  You really have someplace to get to in your weight loss effort. So set your heart’s and mind’s GPS for that place. 30 lbs fine put it in there. Write it down.
• Emotionality. You are overweight then you don’t need to be told how emotional this is for you. There are plenty to of emotional issues to hang your weight loss goals on. Think back on the times that would have been better for you at a weight you were happy with. Use the emotions of those moments to drive you.
• Measurable and Reviewable. These work in tandem and your goals have to have both revisited often. Not every day but several times a day. Distraction and excuses are only a short distance away if you aren’t willing to hold your own feet to the fire.
• Accountability. This is the written record of your effort. Don’t use it to abuse yourself instead use it to keep yourself on track above all be honest here. I had a client who stop recording in her food diary when she went off course. No you must record all of it. the good the bad and the ugly. The accountable part is where you record your assessment and recommitment in the event a of a slip.
• Time Sensitivity. You don’t want to lose weight this year. You want to lose 10, 20, 30  lbs by a date specific. Then break it down to do that. I will have to lose 2 lbs a week or 3 lbs a week whatever it is reduce it to that kind of chunk. Now do the things that must be done each day one day at a time to achieve these smaller very time specific weight losses.

The small manageable weight loss week to week adds up to success or I guess you could do what you have always done. You can swear to lose at a rate of 5 lbs a week until your down that 30 lbs. In that case. I’ll see you next year same time same place only you’ll be no thinner and probably you’ll be heavier.

 If you set your goals according to the formula above you will lose weight fast enough and still in a healthy manner.

Again remember to be realistic,accountable,measurable,emotional in setting any goals you might have.

Weight Loss Motivation - 4 Effective Ways To Encourage Yourself To …

Filed under goal setting activities |. A lot of people quit in the middle of a weight …   Read more…

Goal Setting - The WHY behind the WHAT - Stepcase Lifehack

For example, the person who has a goal to lose weight in the belief that weight lo…   Read more…

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These goals have NOTHING to do with weight loss. I’m not connecting them with my weight<…   Read more…

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I received the message below in an e mail from Dr. Al Sears. I have thought for a long time that dr sears was on to something with his PACE exercise program. I think it is effective for those who have reached their middle years and are finding it very hard to take off weight doing the  things they used to do.

-From Royal Palm Beach Florida Dr. Sears writes-

 " Losing weight is probably at the forefront of your mind this time of year. So here’s a “doctor-recommended” resolution for you to take into the New Year: work out less and eat more.

I’m not kidding. One of the discoveries I’ve made in my years of working with people on fitness and weight loss is what I believe to be the nature of “true” exercise—short bursts of high-intensity workouts.

The reason’s simple: your body wasn’t designed for long, repetitive exercise. What your physiology really evolved to handle is short, intense periods of exertion, followed by rest.

Think about it: is there any circumstance you can picture that would have led our ancestors—early caveman—to run seven miles three days a week or isolate their biceps and work them until they couldn’t lift a one-pound rock?

I can’t think of one.

Same goes for diet. There’s a right way and a wrong way. The bulk of the calories in the pre-agricultural diet came from lean, wild-caught meats, fat from the kill, and above-ground edibles, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

This is what you were meant to survive on. Millions of years of evolution created a digestive system optimally suited to processing protein and fat.

What’s more, if you over-consume protein, your native physiology interprets it as “the hunting is good” and starts to shed excess fat stores, since they’re then seen as inefficient drags on speed and energy levels by the body.

Modern medicine is finally waking up to the health benefits of this approach. Diabetes experts just this year found that high-protein dieting really does lead to lower fat stores and more lean muscle. They’re looking at it as a way to prevent or even reverse the effects of diabetes.1

Another study published late last year found the same thing: the authors concluded that low-carb dieting promotes weight loss, brings soluble fat levels in the blood into balance, and “can be simply incorporated into a person’s lifestyle.”2

The most up-to-date research on high-intensity, low-duration workouts also supports my point about exercise.3

Scientists at McMaster University in Canada took 20 healthy men and women with an average age of 23 and put them on a weekly workout schedule using stationary bikes. Some exercised five days a week, doing 40 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity cycling. Others did four to six sets of 30-second sprints on the cycle, allowing 4.5 minutes of recovery time between sets; their total exercise time was about 15 to 25 minutes—for only three days a week.

After six weeks, the researchers found that the intense sprint interval training improved the structure and function of arteries just as much as traditional, longer endurance exercise—without all the wear and tear.

Some of my favorite workouts are done on stationary bikes. Whether you chose a standard bike or a recumbent bike, they’re both great for working the larger muscles groups like the gluteus, quadriceps, and the muscles of the lower back.

This kind of workout puts less pressure on your joints and improves your posture. Below is an example of a workout on a stationary bike for people who feel out of shape:

Warm-up Set 1 Set 2
 

Exertion Recovery Exertion Recovery
2min.’s 2 min.’s 2 min.’s 2 min.’s 2 min.’s
 
Set 3 Set 4 Set 5
Exertion Recovery Exertion Recovery Exertion Recovery
90sec. 2min.’s 60sec. 2min.’s 60sec. 2min.’s

Your total workout time is under 10 minutes, with the whole workout taking only 20 minutes. Remember to slightly increase the intensity of each set as you progress through the routine. You can do this by ramping up the resistance on the bike you’re using.

So start eating more protein—ideally from grass-fed, organic, or wild caught meats—and go for shorter, high-intensity workouts.

I guarantee you’ll find yourself enjoying your meals and looking and feeling better for a happier and healthier 2009.

Best wishes for the New Year from all of us here at the Center for Health and Wellness.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD"

I think that those of you who are frustrated by doing what you think you should be doing and still not losing weight should think hard about giving this approach a chance but since it involves considerably harder exertion than you may be used to think about a consult with your M.D.

A note here I have provided banner and button  links on this page to take you to  products I am getting some positive feedback on . They are:

Bodylastics a great inexpensive portable band workout sysytem. It gives you all you need to achieve afull body workout.

Dr Siegal’s Cookie Diet for weight loss. The Doctor’s propritary formula seems to have just the right ingredients for several of my clients to have restarted their weight loss.

Finally there is a link to Protandim,

prominently featured on ABC’s PrimeTime Live, NBC’s Today Show, PBS’s Healing Quest, as well as several books by renowned authors like Sanjay Gupta and Dr. Don Colbert.

More importantly, Protandim is patented and you have direct access to the manufacturer. Protandim is often compared to conventional antioxidants, but Protandim is thousands of times more effective than antioxidant supplements. What makes Protandim different is its unique patented formula of phytonutrients that signal the body’s genes to produce its own antioxidant enzymes.

Here is a link to carbTrack a great tool for low carb dieters. I use carbtrack myself.

1. Brehm BJ, D’Alessio DA. “Benefits of high-protein weight loss diets: enough evidence for practice?” Current Opinions in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity. 2008. 15(5):416-21.
2. Thomas DE, Elliott EJ. “Low glycaemic index or low glycaemic load diets for overweight and obesity.” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007. (3):CD005105.
3. Rakobowchuk M et al. “Sprint interval and traditional endurance training induce similar improvements in peripheral arterial stiffness and flow-mediated dilation in healthy humans.” American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology. 2008.295(1):R236-42.

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