The Un-Diet

 

 The diet consists of 4 days and than you repeat. Every 29th day you must have the WATER day. You will have to do this for 90 days without breaking any rules. After 90 days you will still have to do the breakfast rule but the rest you must pause. You might continue this diet again after 90 days of recess. Drinking water is the main keyyou must drink at least 50 oz per day.

 

Breakfast is always 2 pieces of fruit every day for the 90 days and beyond. Alcohol is forbidden in this diet and because we are trying to change our metabolism, if you decide to have it, you must stop this diet 48 hours in advance. The diet must be followed in this order: protein day, starch day, carbohydrates day, fruit day and then water day.

 

Day 1: The protein day

 

BREAKFAST  2 pieces of fruit

 

LUNCH  You can have lean meat, vegetables (steamed or sauteed), salad (as much as you can)
OR
Eggs, vegetables, salad, 1 slice of whole grain bread

 

This day you can also consume dairy products, but you can't mix it with eggs. Meat and dairy can be mixed, but not eggs and dairy.

 

You can have coffee, tea and non sugar drinks (diet) without milk. I use Stevia.  On this day, milk is allowed in your coffee.

 

DINNER  The same as lunch but half of the size.
Please note that you must eat the same type of food for lunch and dinner.
So if you had meat for lunch, that is what you need to have for a dinner. The same goes for eggs and so on.

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Day 2: The starch day

 

Breakfast  2 pieces of fruit

 

Lunch  On this day you can consume beans, peas, green beans, chickpeas, or rice or potatoes, but do not mix them together. You can stew them, boil, steam and try to use less fat as possible,  usually use one table spoon of olive oil and PAM spray is good.
You can also have steamed or sauted vegetables with unlimited salad (use vinegar or apple cider vinegar for your salad dressing) and also slice of whole grain bread.

 

Dinner  The same as lunch but half of the size.

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Day 3: Carbohydrates Day

 

Breakfast  2 pieces of fruit

 

Lunch  Personal size pizza without cheese. I make my own or order one with veggies (tomatoes onions and green papers) and it tastes great.
Pasta with marinara sauce and spices that you like.  Be creative.

 

Dinner  Dessert. 1 piece of nice cake or 3-4 smaller ones.
If you do not like deserts you can have half of the serving of your lunch leftovers.
Note please that on this day,  you might need to be home after the dinner,  as a big bowel movement might be necessary, mostly diarrhea (Changes in the metabolism).

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Day 4: Fruit day

 

  Today you can only eat fruits. You can have snacks but those have to also be fruit. You can have 1/2 of cup of dried fruit. I make my own fruit salads (no sauces) drink lot of water, tea and have 1 glass of diet juice. I also drink coffee and decided not to give it up at all. You can also eat almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts but be careful with how much. Canned fruit is fine but try not to consume so much of the syrup that comes with it.  Get the Lite and not heavy syrup.

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Day 5: Water Day

 

  This day must be done after the fruit day.
You can only have water this day. You can have tea or coffee (black only).
 

NOTE: Please know that the weight might not come off in the first month or it might be coming off fast and than stall. People who followed it said that after the 29th day, the Water day they have lost 10 lbs in 3-4 days. Also, it is known that if you follow this diet that you will probably loose between 35-50 lbs in 90 days. Your metabolism will change but only if you follow the 90 day rule.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST HAVE 3 MEALS A DAY AND TRY TO KEEP THEM AT THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY. ON THE CARB DAY TRY NOT TO HAVE ANY FOOD UNTIL NOON. ON FRUIT DAY YOU CAN HAVE SNACKS BETWEEN MEALS. WEIGH YOURSELF EVERY MORNING OF THE PROTEIN DAY.

Designed for those who have had difficulty losing weight in the past.

All Raw Vegetables and Cooked Green Vegetables can be eaten in unlimited quantities. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables. They have the greatest amount of nutrients per calorie of any food. You may also eat as many nutrient rich non-green vegetables as you want (eggplant, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, carrots, peppers, tomatoes). The more you eat, the more weight you will lose. Try to eat a pound per day of raw and a pound per day of cooked vegetables. If you can't eat this much, don't force yourself, but the idea is to completely rethink what your idea of a portion is: make it huge.

You may also eat as much fruit as you want. You should have at least four fresh fruits daily. Finish lunch or dinner with watermelon, a whole cantaloupe of a box of blueberries or strawberries. On this aggressive weight loss diet, limit dried fruit like dates, raisins or apricots to 2 tablespoons per day.

Starchy vegetables (Butternut or acorn squash, corn, potatoes) and Whole Grains are grouped together because they can be a problem for those who have difficulty losing weight. While wholesome high carbohydrate foods are a valuable addition to a disease prevention diet, they are more calorically dense than the non-starchy vegetables. These foods are limited to one serving (1 cup) per day in these aggressive weight loss menus.

Eat beans every day; they are a dieter's best friend. The goal is to eat an entire cup of beans daily and you may have more then a cup if you chose. Beans reduce cholesterol and blood sugar and help prevent food cravings. They are digested slowly, which gives them a high satiety index. Consume nuts and seeds every day in limited amounts (1 ounce daily). Almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and others may be rich in calories and fat, but scientific studies consistently report that nuts and seeds offer disease protection against heart attacks, stroke and cancer and also help you lower cholesterol. Always eat nuts and seeds raw because the roasting process alters their beneficial fats. Nuts and seeds are ideal in salad dressings because when eaten with greens, they greatly enhance the absorption of nutrients from the vegetables. You may also use an additional 1 tablespoon per day of flax seed.

Refined grains, sugar, oil and added salt are off limits on this meal plan.

Herbal teas with no caffeine are permitted. You may use garlic, flavored vinegar, lemon, and spices or herbs for seasoning.

Hard time losing weight? Try this for 7 days!

Want to lose weight and NO counting calories over the next 7 days:

For the next 7 days, you’ll eat 90% nutrient-dense foods – veggies, fruits, seeds and nuts, beans and whole grains. For the remaining 10%, you can have healthy oils, meat and dairy

Food Combining: Eat the Foods you love and still lose weight

Overview: How It Works

So you want to lose weight.  Do you think you have tried everything?  Well I’m sorry you wasted your time on all those diets…because diets don’t work.
This is a plan, a lifestyle change, and it is based totally on Science, and how our bodies digest our food intake.  It is fairly simple once you get a little background into the foods we eat and how our bodies process them during digestion.
This is not about giving up the foods you love!  On this plan you to eat the foods you want, but in a manner that allows them to pass through your body quickly, without retaining extra calories.  It teaches you the foods you can eat to help removed fat from your body, and cleanse your digestive track of putrefied waste that collects in your intestines, causing you to feel bloated, nauseous, gassy, & sluggish.

Thanksgiving Dinner No No

Would you believe that eating certain foods together cause our bodies to become toxic?  It’s true.  Many foods we eat together during a normal dinner, start shutting down digestion as soon as they are put in our mouth.  This is why after a meal you can feel bloated, tired, and sick to your stomach.
As a whole, Americans have been raised on a “Meat & Potatoes”, “Burgers & Fries” or an “Eggs & Toast” menu, plus, heap on the side dishes and dessert!  While technically you can still eat these foods, you need to learn when to eat them and what foods combine well together so that your meals do not stick around in your body longer than necessary, causing weight gain and illness.

The Science Behind The Theory:

The technical name of this scientific theory of food combining is Trophology, and there are 5 Major food groups on the Trophology Chart:

• Proteins (Meat, Dairy, Eggs, Beans & Nuts)
• Carbohydrates (Starches, Fruits & Sugars)
• Fruits (Acid Fruits & Sweet Fruits)
• Fats (Animal & Vegetable)
• Vegetables (Non-Starchy & Mildly Starchy)

The philosophy behind this eating plan is simple biology, here is a quick explanation of the  food groups, which will map out the basics to learning what foods mix well with others, and which foods should never be eaten together.
Proteins
Proteins are made up of Meats, Dairy, Eggs, Beans & Nuts.  They require Pepsin & Hydrochloric acid to digest effectively, and this atmosphere must be maintained for several hours.  Proteins are a very complex food group, and for the most part only mix well with vegetables.  However, not all proteins are the same, so we have broken this group into smaller sub-groups. Learn more about Proteins.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates on the other hand desire an Alkali or Base atmosphere to be digested effectively, so our bodies secrete ptyalin into our saliva to break them down.   Carbohydrates require the completely opposite chemicals from Proteins to be digested. Learn more about Carbohydrates & Starches.
Fruits 
Fruits are essentially Carbohydrates, however some fruits are acidic and some are sweet.  None of the fruit types mix well with any other food.  Don’t take this the wrong way, fruits are very healthy for you but their chemical make-up does not interact well with any of the other food groups, so they should be eaten alone as a snack, dessert or meal. Learn more about Fruit.
Vegetables
Vegetables are made up of 2 types: Non-Starchy and Mildly Starchy.  Both types mix well with the Proteins and Carbohydrates, although this plan will detail the best veggies for you to eat to boost your metabolism and flush your system as quickly as possible.  Even if you do not like vegetables,  you will barely notice them in recipes that are used on this site, so be sure to try them out! Learn more about Vegetables.
Fats
There are two kinds of fats: Animal & Vegetable.  Fats are fine to ingest in moderation, and you must include some fats in your daily  food consumption to lose weight.  The healthiest type of fats to eat are the vegetable fats, but you can get by with either if used sparingly and by combining them with the correct foods. Learn more about Fats.

The Rules To Live By:

There are a few main rules to follow when adapting to this way of eating.  The First and Most Important rule would be:

Avoid combining Proteins and Carbohydrates!  If an acid and a base are combined together in the stomach, digestion screeches to a halt, foods & chemicals combine and become sludge in your system where now they can sit and ferment for days just like adding sugar to a gas tank.

Acid and Base

Now, this Rule becomes the most important rule to follow! DO NOT mix Proteins & Starches in a single meal.  However, this rule needs to be broken down further, because not all proteins have the same digestive requirements.
Without getting too technical and possibly boring or confusing you, I will explain the differences as Red Meats vs. White Meats, The Red Meats being  mainly Beef, Buffalo, Venison (Deer Meat) & Lamb & the White Meats being Chicken, Turkey, Pork & Fish.
Red Meats (Beef & Lamb) should NEVER be eaten with a carbohydrate or starch.  White Meats, (Chicken Pork and Fish) can be eaten with Carbohydrates or starches but should be reserved to Whole Grain types of carbs.
This rule may be the most important, but it is not the only rule to be aware of, here other rules you need to follow for smooth digestion:
Don’t Eat Fruits with other food groups.  They should be eaten alone on an empty stomach, as a meal or snack.  Learn More About Eating Fruits.

 Don’t Drink Milk! Milk should be given up at all costs. It doesn’t Combine well with anything, and slows or stops the normal digestion process. Learn More about the use of Milk.  Learn more about the issue with Milk.


Don’t Drink Soda or Pop:  Carbonated Sweet drinks are horrible for us and so are their diet counter parts. You should avoid these drinks as much as possible.

 Don’t Eat Desserts right after your meal!  You can have sweets, try to find types that are low in Saturated Fats and Trans Fats, but eat them an hour or two after your meal. Learn More about Desserts & Sweets.

 Don’t Drink Alcohol during the week!  If you need a cocktail in the evening, you can get by with a glass of wine and the best for you is a Red Wine.  If you know you are going to drink, it will be very helpful to drink Green Tea before you drink and after to cleanse yourself of the effects and toxins it puts in your body. Learn more about Green Tea.


Eat Yogurt a couple times a day!  Eating 18 ounces of yogurt a day will boost your energy, give you bone building calcium and flush your body of fat. Learn more about he benefits of Yogurt.

Use Fats & Oils With Foods! Limit the quantities used as they could slow down the process of digestion, but you have to eat fat to lose fat.  Learn more about Fats.

Drink Lots of Water!  Water flushes our bodies, getting rid of impurities, keeping us hydrated, it helps to keep us looking younger.  If you dislike the taste of water, choose a zero calorie flavoring like Crystal Light Lemonade to make it more appealing for you to drink.

Eat High Fiber Vegetables Each Day!  Fibrous veggies help cleanse our system quickly and rid our bodies of  putrefied waist.  Learn more about which Vegetables are he best for weight loss.  Also, Learn about the Superfoods.


Select More Raw Foods Over Prepared Packaged Foods!  When Shopping for ingredients for your meal it is always a better decision to choose Fresh or Raw foods over the canned or packaged foods. Prepared foods tend to be loaded in preservatives, saturated fats and chemicals our bodies have trouble breaking down causing them to ferment and putrefy.

 Use More Whole Grain Carbohydrates!  Whole Grain forms of Carbs have higher levels of fiber in them, and fiber cancels out a portion of the total Carbohydrates of the food. Learn more about Carbohydrate and Fiber Calculation for weight loss.

http://thescienceofeating.com/food-combining-how-it-works/

How Smoothies help you lose weight

Green smoothies help you lose weight for a variety of reasons. First of all, they are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients that you need to lose weight fast, safely and easily without feeling like you are starving or on a liquid diet.

Secondly, they help reduce your craving for sugary junk foods. Your sweet tooth is satisfied by all of the delicious, nutritious fruit you put in there while your calorie intake is kept in check because fruit and vegetables are much lower in calories, fat and sugars than any processed junk food you can splurge on.

Weight Loss Smoothie Tips

1 – Drink A Smoothie For Breakfast. I start my day, every day with a filling green smoothie using fruit, leafy greens, a scoop of protein powder and a tablespoon or two of ground flax and/or sesame seeds. I might add a couple cherry tomatoes or a stalk of celery to the mix and I’m good to go until lunchtime! You will want to make sure you add enough to your green smoothies to reach your calorie-intake goals. This might mean fortifying your shake with higher-calorie fruits like banana and mango or having a second green smoothie mid-morning.

2 – Drink A Smoothie For A Snack. Green smoothies make excellent snacks. Instead of milk and cookies, how about a blueberry-banana or coconut-pineapple shake. You’ll get fewer calories and it will be just as sweet! You’ll also get much more nutrition than milk and cookies could ever provide.

3 – Make Your Smoothie A Meal. Some of our smoothies are lower in calories than others. You can browse our smoothie recipes for healthy shakes that match your target, per-meal calorie intake or increase the calories in your smoothie by adding protein powder, ground nuts, seeds, avocado or additional, high-calorie fruits such as mango, grapes or bananas. With a complete package of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, a rich, creamy green smoothie can make a tasty, satisfying weight loss meal!

4 – Don’t Use Milk or Yogurt In Your Smoothies. Despite what the dairy industry advertises, cows milk is simply not a natural food for adult humans. Studies also suggest that drinking 3 or more glasses of milk each day might actually contribute to obesity, especially among children! Milk and yogurt add unnecessary fat and calories and have other possible negative health consequences that could undermine your health and weight loss goals. If you are concerned about calcium, most of our smoothie recipes contain at least 15% of your daily value of calcium and many contain up to 40%.

5 – Eat More Whole Foods. Eating whole foods means moving away from prepackaged, artificial foods that are loaded with sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, sodium and other preservatives, dyes and artificial flavorings as well as high fat and calorie content. The secret to losing weight and keeping it off is to shift your diet to foods that you buy along the perimeter of the grocery store. Buy the bulk of your foods from the produce section.

6 – Exercise Every Day. It doesn’t take much exercise to lose weight and maintain a lean body. Thirty minutes each day with a mix of light cardio and free weights can go a long way, especially if you add a brisk, 30 minute walk in the evenings or during your lunch break. While green smoothies and a healthy diet can help shed the pounds, exercise helps tone the body and boost your metabolism. I run and do Turbulence Training.

7 – Stop With The Fad Diets, Potions and Pills. There are some crazy fad diets out there and they all simply do not work. What does work is a sensible approach to your diet and lifestyle. Instead of depriving yourself of foods you love, use moderation. Adding green smoothies is a good start. Replace breakfast or lunch with a green smoothie and have a salad with dinner. Over time, you might find yourself gravitating toward healthier food choices like we did. The key to losing weight and keeping it off is to permanently change your lifestyle. That is why temporary fad diets do not work. Once you stop dieting, you put the pounds back on and then some. Green smoothies are not a sacrifice. They are a healthy addition to a meal or even a meal replacement. They are a lifestyle choice that you’ll enjoy every day.

8 – Get A Support System. It is extremely difficult to make a lifestyle change on your own, especially if your spouse or partner isn’t on board with your decision to cut back on fast food, pizza and ice cream. It is important to bring others on board with your weight loss or health goals and hold each other accountable. It can be hard eat a salad when others around you are eating pizza. Try to get your spouse, partner or friend to help you lose weight and make the lifestyle decision together.

9 – Commit To A Change The best way to achieve any goal, such as weight loss or fitness, is to commit yourself to it and have a plan. Our Green Smoothie Health & Weight Loss program and/or our Thriving On Raw Foods program is just such a plan that will show you how to lose weight and take control of your health with green smoothies and whole foods. Both programs provide you with expert knowledge, hundreds of recipes and answers to over 100 questions and so much more.

Read more articles and find recipes for green smoothie weight loss.

http://www.incrediblesmoothies.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/ 

10 Success Steps - How To Lose Fat Permanently

These 10 success steps will allow you to lose fat permanently because you are eating low glycemic foods, increasing your metabolism and forming new healthy habits. You will be successful following these losing weight tips every day because you will be living at your goal weight instead of going on a temporary diet! I cannot stress this enough. It is the key to permanent weight loss.


1. This is the most important secret to losing fat and keeping it off. Eat your biggest meal of the day at lunch time and eat your carbohydrates early in the day. Eat your evening, lighter meal no later than 6:00 p.m. so that you burn off your calories as energy during day.
2. Replace one meal with a nutrient dense protein shake*, preferably the evening meal. Drink the shake with a small handful of nuts (7 raw nuts.) This means NO salt.

3. Eat lots of high fiber foods from the low glycemic food list - eat food in it's natural state. Serve yourself smaller portions and wait 10 minutes after you have finished your portion before you decide if you need more. It will take that long for your brain to know if you are full.
4. Maintain your energy balance - eat low glycemic snacks every 2 - 3 hours to keep your metabolism high and to avoid being so hungry you overeat. A handful of raw nuts and a piece of fruit and a glass of soy or almond milk is a perfect snack. Don't let yourself get too hungry. That's when you over eat.
5. Do moderate exercise every day - use an inexpensive pedometer to motivate you to get moving. You can lose weight walking if you walk briskly every day for 40 minutes.
6. Minimize or better yet eliminate high glycemic foods. Eat 8 - 10 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit a day.
7. Do NOT eat white foods (except cauliflower and cheese.)
8. Drink lots of water. The best weight loss plan includes being hydrated.
9. Understand that living at a healthy goal weight is a skill that takes practice and is not the result of sheer will power or a personality change.
10. Eat for your health but enjoy food! If you follow these 10 success steps then you can indulge once in a while. Eat your dessert occasionally but eat it at lunchtime.


http://www.lifetimefatloss.com/10-success-steps.html

13 Killer Foods for Weight Loss

Looking slender and beautiful is a dream many people strive to achieve. Having normal food habits does not contribute to one’s weight loss. But if you attempt to make wise choices in food consumption then you can achieve your goals.
You can mix any of following foods for fat loss mentioned below along with the regular exercise regime or diet program you are following, and you will be amazed by the results. This is because these 13 killer foods for fat loss will keep you full thereby boosting your metabolism, your energy and simultaneously helping the digestive system as well.

Oats: This is one of the best among the 13 killer foods for fat loss since it contains complex carbohydrates that consume a lot of time to split. This leaves your feeling fuller for a longer time providing you with energy as well. It is also said to reduce cholesterol levels.

Almonds: To suppress the hunger, almond is the ideal choice that contains fiber and protein in high levels.


Avocado: It is a myth that avocado contains high levels of fat. But in truth it has monounsaturated fat that is great for raising the metabolism.

Spinach: This veggie has low calories and is rich in iron, fiber, and beta-carotene.
Asparagus: This killer fat loss food removes unwanted fat and flushes it from the system.

Walnuts: This nut helps you overcome overeating and give you vitamin E, fiber, and the omega-3 fatty acid that lessens bad cholesterol.

Apples: It is the sweetest among these foods and delicious too. They help in keeping you full and give you rich sources of vitamins.

Green Tea: It aids in burning the calories due to the presence of EGCG chemical.

Broccoli: This vegetable contains a lot of fiber so it will keep you feeling full. It also has other essential vitamins.

Pineapple: This is rich in Vitamin C, fiber, and has a protein digesting enzyme called bromelain, which aids in processing the protein quickly thereby giving more energy.

Grapefruit: This fruit consists of galacturonic acid that breaks down fat. The fiber presence in them, keeps you full.

Beans: Beans make you full for a longer time and are packaged with fiber and protein.

Salmon: Fish is extremely nutritious and contains omega-3 fatty acids that reduce the hormone called leptin and burn more calories.

http://www.itrainharder.com/13-killer-foods-for-fat-loss/

Alton Brown’s Food Lists for Weight Loss

Chef Alton Brown is no stranger to food. In fact, as host of The Next Iron Chef and Good Eats, he’s a well-respected authority on all things that go on in the kitchen. That’s why, when he decided it was time to lose some weight, he came up with four food lists that were instrumental in helping him drop a whopping 50 lbs, a weight loss that he’s been able to maintain for over two years.

List 1: Foods to Eat Daily

• Dark leafy greens
• Nuts
• Carrots
• Green tea
• Whole grains
• Fruits

These foods should be a part of your daily diet. Whole grains, like oats, are rich in fiber so they fill you up and keep you satiated for longer. Also, soluble fiber keeps your cholesterol levels in check and lowers your risk of heart disease. And fruits, especially purple ones like blueberries, blackberries and Concord grapes are rich in antioxidants and resveratrol, known to promote longevity. To get these foods in every day, Brown freezes the berries into pre-portioned packets and either uses them in smoothies or just eats them as is. Additionally, nuts are a good source of protein and you can fit them in easily every day by eating a handful about 15 minutes before a big meal to help curb overeating.

List 2: Foods to Eat Three Times a Week

• Yogurt
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Sweet potato
• Avocado
• Oily fish
• Tofu

These foods are healthy for you in moderation. For example, sardines are high in protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are very good for your heart; plus, the tiny bones contain calcium. Additionally, tofu makes a great low-calorie meat substitute that actually has more protein per calorie than ground beef. Brown frequently uses tofu in pasta sauces, tacos and stir-fry dishes. Cauliflower and broccoli are cruciferous vegetables that have been praised for their cancer-fighting properties, like antioxidants that help rid your body of toxins that might damage cells.

List 3: Foods to Eat Once a Week

• Red meat
• White starch
• Desserts
• Alcohol

These are foods you should only indulge in every once in a while. With alcohol, for instance, Brown’s motto is, “If you’re going to have one drink a week, make it count.” So choose a drink or dessert you really enjoy and savor it, rather than going for something that you might drink more of, but not like as much.

List 4: Foods to Never Eat / Foods to Avoid at All Times

• Soda
• Processed meals
• Canned soups
• “Diet” anything

These are foods you should cut out completely. Brown found that when he drank diet soda or ate processed foods, he would crave and eat sweet and processed things more often, contributing to his weight gain. And artificial sweeteners may be to blame. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can be addictive and put taste receptors into overdrive, causing the body to release more insulin – a hormone instrumental in storing body fat. So, instead, he stopped incorporating these foods into his diet altogether.



http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/alton-brown-food-lists-weight-loss

7 Ways to Lose Weight Naturally

Losing weight naturally is something we all want to do, but many of us lack the knowledge and discipline in order to accomplish this task. When someone first thinks of weight loss, they think of diet pills and trying to become a weekend hero at the gym. This is not going to help you accomplish anything except killing yourself fast, possibly injuring some muscles, putting yourself in the bed for the entire weekend, and setting yourself up to gain the weight back after you have possibly lost some weight from diet pills. It’s best to try and lose weight naturally whenever you start to diet.

1. Juice Fasting For Natural Weight Loss

Juice Fasting may be one of the oldest ways and tricks in the book to lose weight, but it still works today. There is really only one downfall to trying juice fasting and that is paying a lot of money for fruit. Juicers are fairly inexpensive today, so no large cost or out-of-pocket expense will be there. A few different ingredients that you can consider using for your juice fasting should be cabbage, asparagus, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, cranberries, carrot’s and some honey.

Use these many different fruit and vegetable combinations to create some excellent and tasty juices for you in order to lose weight. You can get started on this immediately by visiting Wal-Mart and picking up a few different groups you enjoy and a $49 juicer.

2. Drink Water In The Morning First Thing

Your body is dehydrated when it first wakes up in the morning, so make sure you drink water whenever you first wake up. This will immediately start the metabolism of the body to help burn some fat. Since your stomach will be empty, burning fat and increasing your metabolism will basically happen on its own.

In case you want to skip drinking water because you don’t like the taste, you can consider some green tea without any sugar. Green tea is an excellent fat burner and will help you lose weight, which you can drink all throughout the day, but especially in the morning in order to help jump-start your metabolism.

3. Do 15 Minutes Of Cardio First Thing In The Morning

If you do 15 minutes of light to medium cardio workout in the morning when you first wake up, you’re going to jumpstart your metabolism even more whenever you combine it with drinking 16 ounces of water. This is one of the best ways that has proven to help burn belly fat and get weight off quickly. It is also a great way to increase your heart rate and keep your body healthy at the same time while you lose weight. So do yourself a favor and put on your favorite song, grab your favorite workout video or enjoy a morning walk for 15 minutes to get your heart rate going.

4. Use Herbs That Help Burn Fat Naturally

There are many different herbs that you can consider using to help you lose weight quickly. These are all natural herbs that are proven to help reduce belly fat and cellulite. Some herbs to consider our cinnamon, flax seeds, red pepper, turmeric, partially, dandelion root extract and cayenne. Many of these herbs are available at your local grocery store or supermarket for $2-$4, which is one of the cheapest ways that you can make your food tasty and help lose weight naturally at the same time.

5. Eat Healthy Snacks For Weight Loss

A great way to naturally lose weight is to eat foods that are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. This way, the body is getting the exact food at once without all of the fat and sugar. On top of this, your body and stomach will feel the sensation of being full, which means you won’t even feel hungry. Some great snacks to consider are grapes, a little bit of almonds or non-salted cashews, Apples, low-fat yogurt, popcorn and even a few high protein bars.

6. Drink Tea, A lot Of It

Green tea, black tea, to long tea, Ginger tea, and dandelion tea and many other types of tea’s have been proven to help lose weight immediately whenever you drink. The fact is that whenever you drink tea, the fact oxidation process starts within your body. It increases your metabolism and helps the fat to burn naturally. Tea also helps with the digestion process, which aids in weight loss.

7. Eats LOTS of Fiber

Eating a lot of fiber in your diet will help you maintain a healthy and regular bowel movement. This is very important in losing weight since you do not want your colon clogged up with nasty stuff. Going to the bathroom and having regular bowel movements on a regular basis has been proven to help with weight loss. Some great ways to get some extra fiber are eagle out of wheat, whole grains, and fruits such as pears that are very high in dietary fiber.

Losing Weight with Food Combining

Sometimes in order to lose weight all you need to do is rearrange your daily menu and create healthy food combinations for your diet meals.

Balance among foods is the basis of any proper healthy weight loss diet. Along with including a wide range of whole unprocessed foods into your daily diet, it is also wise to emphasize on vegetables and fresh fruits. They are delicious, easy to prepare and full of essential nutrients. But it is also wise to know what to serve together with those fruits and veggies to create a perfect synergy.

It is useless to choose nourishing foods if they are not combined correctly. The wrong combination of foods alters the digestive process, weighting us down and thus ‘poisoning’ our bodies, while the proper food combination prevents these problems.

Healthy Eating Guide Highlights

    Eat regular meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, few snacks in between)

    Avoid eating large meals in between

    Eat slowly

    Do not overdo alcoholic beverages

    Eat in moderation

    Do not into the temptations from your taste buds, and if you do, do not overindulge

    Drink lots of good quality water throughout the day

   Add fiber to your diet

   Do not skip meals

Food Combinations To Avoid

Starchy Foods With Proteins

Digestion of starches that have been cooked (e.g., pasta, rice, bread) starts in the mouth with certain saliva enzyme - ptyalin, which in order to accomplish this, is produced in great quantities. Production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach is inhibited to permit the ptyalin to continue the digestive process. If meat is added, digestion of starches is suspended, since they absorb the gastric juices needed to digest the meat.

Proteins From Different Types Of Sources

It is important to avoid combining milk and meat. In fact, in the stomach milk forms clots which surround the meat, keeping the gastric juices from carrying on the digestive process, which can resume only after the milk has curdled.

Simple Sugars With Proteins And Starches

Simple sugars (candy, fruit, jam, white sugar) if eaten between meals can easily be digested, but if eaten following a big meal consisting mainly of starches and meat, they can begin fermenting.

Fats And Proteins

Fats do not help gastric secretion; therefore it is not appropriate to combine cheese with meat, or butter with cream because the digestion will be retarded.

Correct Food Combinations

There are foods which can be combined without fear of indigestion. Those are:

    Complex carbohydrates (pasta, rice) and vegetables

    Legumes and vegetables

    Meat and vegetables

    Cheese and vegetables

    Fruit and meats

    Bread and olives

    Bread and fleshy fruit

    Milk and acidic fruit

    Yogurt and fruit

    Cheese And Fruit

Having already undergone preliminary digestion as a result of rising, bread – unlike pasta – can be combined with cheese, meat, and protein rich foods in general.

Try to plan your healthy diet following the above healthy eating guide. Always strive for the proper balance between what you eat and what you burn up, without imposing harsh restrictions on yourself. Instead aim to find the best possible healthy diet plan for yourself.

Joy's 3 Day Detox Diet

You were doing so well last week on your “New Year, New You” diet plan… and then the weekend came. You lost track, gave in to temptation, and are back to feeling bloated two weeks in to 2011. Awww, shucks.

Before you give up, try this detox diet designed by Joy Bauer, the TODAY show’s fitness and nutrition expert and author of Your Inner Skinny. It has everything you need to get back on track, and fast.

Just follow Joy’s menu plan strictly (that means no additions or substitutes) for three to five days in a row this week, and you’ll have a second chance to start the year bloat-free, energized, and ready to burn some serious fat.

Here’s your daily menu:

Breakfast

Joy’s Protein Power Smoothie
In a blender, combine ¾ cup skim milk (for vegan plan, substitute soy or almond milk), ½ banana, ½ cup frozen raspberries, ½ cup frozen blueberries, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (for vegan plan, substitute soy, rice, or pea protein powder), ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and 5 ice cubes. Blend until smooth and frothy.

+ Optional black coffee or tea (regular or decaffeinated)

Lunch

Large spinach salad
• Unlimited spinach leaves
• Unlimited antioxidant-rich produce (Best choices include bell peppers, tomatoes, carrots, red onions, broccoli, and sliced beets. You may also add cucumbers, mushrooms, celery, and cauliflower.)
• ½ cup red kidney, pinto, or black beans
• 1 tablespoon toasted, chopped pecans
• Dress with 1 teaspoon olive oil and unlimited balsamic or red wine vinegar

+ 1 pink or red grapefruit

+ 1 cup green tea (regular or decaffeinated)

+ Drink two 8-ounce glasses water (with optional lemon) within 30 minutes of eating. Drink as much additional water as you’d like during the meal.

Snack

½ cup unsalted pistachio nuts (in shell)

+ 1 cup green tea (regular or decaffeinated)

Dinner

Unlimited baked, grilled, broiled, or poached fish
Good choices include cod, halibut, haddock, and wild salmon, seasoned with fresh lemon and black pepper (for vegan plan, substitute Sautéed Tofu**—see recipe below)

+ Unlimited steamed broccoli with optional fresh lemon and black pepper

+ 1 cup green tea or naturally caffeine-free herbal tea

+ Drink two 8-ounce glasses of water (with optional lemon) within 30 minutes of eating. Drink as much additional water as you’d like during your meal.

**Recipe: Sautéed Tofu
• Oil spray (canola or olive oil)
• 1 block extra firm tofu, drained and pressed for at least 30 minutes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar

Liberally coat a large nonstick skillet with oil spray, and preheat the skillet over medium-high heat. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. Add the tofu cubes to the skillet in a single layer and cook, without stirring, for 2 minutes. Toss the cubes and cook for 6 minutes, stirring every few minutes to brown the tofu evenly on all sides. Add additional oil spray as necessary to prevent the tofu from sticking to the skillet. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 more seconds (watch the pan closely to make sure the garlic doesn’t burn). Transfer the tofu to a plate and dress with unlimited fresh-squeezed lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.

7 ways to De-Bloat after too much Indulging

#1: Wake up and immediately drink 1 L of plain water, preferably with freshly squeezed lemon in it, and continue to drink throughout the day. Obviously not only are you dehydrated, but you are retaining water like crazy. This reminds me embarrasingly of the summer I spent living & working on Martha’s Vineyard when I was 21. I lived there with my best friend and I hate to admit that I was either hungover or boozing the entire time, and sometimes doing the latter to avoid the former (hair of the dog, anyone? NOT recommended for fat loss lol!). I remember waking up the morning after partying, looking in the mirror and thinking I may have actually LOST weight, considering I was so sunburned/dehydrated that my stomach was sucked up and skin basically dry and scaley. Not a good look–but note the obvious ridiculousness of a 21 year old naively thinking that perhaps splitting a case of beer with a friend may have actually led to weight loss…lol! Anyway, despite the daily tanned-and-dehydrated morning stomach, by the end of the summer I was the heaviest I had ever been…the only time in my entire life I have ever went more than a week without exercising (how about 2 months!) AND resorted to sporting sun dresses all summer because shorts no longer fit–I mean, because I wanted to be cute! lol The bottom line is this–despite the false sense of leanness that dehydration may give you (anyone who has ever had a stomach bug can relate here), the second you begin drinking water and eating normally, your body becomes a sponge. However, one of the most powerful ways to rehydrate and then begin shedding subcutaneous water (under the skin) is to drink lots of water. Start with 1L upon waking and drink AT LEAST 4 liters total by the end of the day, up to 5-6 liters is ok.

#2: Eat fibrous greens like it is your job. Green veggies like spinach, asparagus, kale, mustard greens, collards, cucumbers, celery, romaine, broccoli, etc all contain a high percentage of water and contain lots of minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium to ease water retention. Celery, dandelion root, asparagus and others pack a powerful diuretic punch too. I recommend eating 5 small meals throughout the day and stuffing yourself with a variety of these veggies at each meal.

#3: Avoid starchy carbs. Good, clean carbs like oats, sweet potatoes, brown rice and pumpkin are all great staples of a fat loss nutrition plan, however, the day after a binge fest, I highly recommend going psuedo-Paleo. Eating “paleo” means doing only lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. Starch breaks down into glucose in the body as part of the digestive and absorptive process and glucose is stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver. With this storage, glucose brings in water particles with it, retention. This is the phenomenon that occurs when people embark on low-carb diets–there is a large initial water weight loss because glycogen stores deplete. Going paleo for a day after indulging will decrease glycogen stores and help shed water. Add clean carbs back in the next day as desired.

#4: Avoid skipping meals, get back on your clean eating plan. As tempting as it may be, do not wake up and fast, it will slow your metabolism even further. Eat 5-6 small meals with protein and veggies and/or fruit at each meal throughout the day–every 2-3 hours. Besides, we know from Metabolic Effect’s Preemptive Eating strategy that putting off eating earlier in the day ultimately leads to cravings and increased hunger at night–the opposite of what you want to do after the previous day’s indulgence, yes? Even if you not hungry, eat something clean and lean, here’s why.

#5: Supplement with a B-vitamin complex. Water-soluble B vitamins, in general, are involved in energy production in the body, and also act as potent diuretics. You will notice your urine is bright yellow after you supplement with a B-vitamin complex from the excretion of riboflavin–this is normal and it is because they are water-soluble. Another reason why eating lots of green veggies helps shed water, they are packed with B vitamins, and ultimately discouraging water retention.

#6: Exercise intensely. After indulging in lots of carbs and booze, your metabolism is most likely in a funk. Similar to eating small meals throughout the day, intense exercise will also rev the metabolism, in addition to getting a good sweat on. Sweating is a good way to detoxify (think intense exercise, sauna, bikram yoga, etc) and considering much of sweat is sodium (with other electrolytes), this will also help de-bloat (remember from your chemistry classes–water follows sodium). Intense interval cardio and/or heavy weight training is best. Here is one of my faves!

#7: Sleep your butt off the next night. Sleeping raises growth hormone and aids in fat loss. It also gives your body the opportunity to recover and metabolize all the crap you have been eating and drinking. It allows your metabolism to get back to its homeostatic normality and begin to burn fat again. It is also a potent stress reducer as well, lowering cortisol over time and decreasing stress-hormone induced water retention. I recommend 8-10 hours…yes, 10 hours

Top Weight Loss Foods

Many believe that if they eat healthfully, they will lose fat. And almost anyone you ask claims they eat healthy. Yet over two-thirds of the US population is overweight or obese, so there is an obvious discrepancy here? The easy explanation for this is that most people overestimate the healthfulness of their diet, which is usually true. However, the more important distinction is that “healthy” eating and fat loss eating is not the same thing. And if you are eating healthy, you are not necessarily going to be burning fat. Metabolic Effect explains “A healthy diet is not always a fat loss diet, but a fat loss diet is almost always a healthy diet”–such a key distinction when learning to eat for real fat loss.

For example, there are several foods and food groups that are healthy—meaning they contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals as well as healthy fiber or good fats—but will do very little to help burn fat. In fact, some of these healthy foods may even stall fat loss for susceptible individuals or if eaten to excess. Fat loss foods, however, are both healthy and fat-loss friendly. For a food to be considered great for fat loss, there are a couple of key items to examine.

Fat loss characteristics

First, the food should be relatively low in calories (and therefore also lower in fat since 1g of fat contains 9 calories, which can add up quickly). This is the major reason why nuts in general are not considered great fat-loss foods, though healthy. The fat content in foods like nuts, avocado, olives, cheese and coconut is simply too much to aid fat loss, though these are all certainly healthy foods that contribute valuable vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and fiber.

Second, it should have more protein and/or fiber relative to sugar (or carbohydrate). Foods containing higher protein slow the absorption of carbohydrate, preventing major dips in energy while also keeping you fuller for longer. Protein also requires more calorie use during the digestion and absorption process (a higher thermic effect).

Foods with a higher fiber content relative to total carbohydrate are key for fat loss also. These are mainly lower glycemic index fruits, all fibrous vegetables and leafy greens. Whole grains have higher absolute amounts of fiber but contain too much total carbohydrate (relative to fiber) to be considered a true fat loss food. Fiber also helps to stabilize blood sugar, decreasing hunger and cravings. Metabolic Effect does a great job of explaining the importance of this.

Finally, fat loss foods are ones that are higher in water relative to sugar. For example, fruits in general have a very high water content, but many contain high amounts of natural sugar. Choose fruits that are lower on the glycemic index, contain higher amounts of fiber as well as water. All fibrous veggies too contain a greater percentage of water than do denser, starchy veggies like potatoes, peas, corn and squash, and thus are great for fat loss.

Here are my top 15 foods that are great for fat loss, but also help optimize health:

Egg whites: High in protein and low in sugar, an 8-egg white omelet has only 240 calories and will keep most full for hours.

Bison or grass-fed beef: Containing less saturated fat than its conventionally raised counterparts, lean cuts of grass-fed beef and bison have a nutrition profile similar to that of fish.

Chicken breasts: Lean protein with very little fat, chicken breasts are the cornerstone of any effective fat loss nutrition plan.

Lean turkey (ground or breasts): Similar to that of chicken, get lean turkey in a 93% or 99% variety.

White fish (halibut, cod, tuna, etc): Some of the leanest protein sources around, fish provide a good volume of food for relatively few calories.

Shrimp: Shrimp (along with other shellfish) contain high amounts of the amino acid taurine, supplementation of which has been implicated in research to potentially facilitate weight loss in obese people.

Pea or rice protein powder: Because of their hypoallergenic properties, these protein powder varieties are preferred for fat loss over dairy-based whey and casein, yet contain the same low sugar content. Likewise, these varieties contain less sodium than egg white powder.

Spinach & all other leafy greens: Some of the most obvious fat-burning foods, packing fiber and water with very little carbohydrate. Containing B-vitamins, important for energy metabolism.

Asparagus: A natural diuretic, this fat-loss staple offers quality fiber with little sugar.

Broccoli: Part of the cruciferous family of vegetables along with cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, bok choy and others, this family of veggies helps to detoxify estogen in the liver, creating a more favorable estrogen to progesterone ratio, conducive to fat loss.

Oat bran: Mostly gluten-free oat bran contains higher fiber and higher protein than its oatmeal counterpart.

Sweet potato: Chock full of important minerals, sweet potatoes are hypoallergenic and have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes.

Berries: Choosing lower glycemic index fruits like berries are important for obtaining vitamins, minerals and fiber without the fast-acting carbohydrate.

Grapefruit: This fat-loss fruit contains over 90% of water by volume, less than 100 calories, with a low glycemic index score. Its naringin flavonoid displays antioxidant properties and may increase the half-life of caffeine.

Apple: An apple a day keeps the inches at bay. Full of satiating fiber, apples are a great fat loss food when paired with protein from nuts or nut butters. Remember to always add a protein source when eating fruit.

Unsweetened cocoa powder: This extra-low calorie treat is all fiber with zero impact carbohydrate. It contains important alkaline minerals like magnesium, and is involved in the dopamine production process, boosting motivation and mood.

http://jillfit.com/2011/05/09/top-15-fat-loss-foods/#.T4cEZ6QOGv8.twitter

6 Lean Belly Tips from Dr. Stork

Get rid of your gut fast!

Bikini season is right around the corner, which means it's time to turn that winter gut into a summer six-pack. Think crunches and crash diets will banish that belly fat? Not a chance! According to Dr. Travis Stork, author of "The Lean Belly Prescription" and the object of affection on ABC's season eight of "The Bachelor," it's all about making simple changes to your diet. Check out his six diet do's to tone up your tummy!

1. Snack Early and Often

If you are going to a party, have a healthy snack beforehand and it will help you dodge the high-calorie hazards of the buffet line. Another tip at the party: make sure you leave space between any foods you put on your plate and you'll eat up to 20 percent fewer calories, yet still experience the variety.

2. Ditch the Soda (Yes, That Means Diet Soda, Too!)

Americans on average 450 extra calories a day from sweetened beverages, and soda is high on that list. Unfortunately, diet soda doesn't seem to help much. More and more evidence suggests that those who drink diet soda are still at higher risk for obesity and it may have something to do with how artificial sweeteners affect our other tendencies. I have an entire section dedicated to helping people "kick the soda habit" in "The Lean Belly Prescription."

3. Pack in the Protein

Include protein in every meal and snack. Your gut has to work overtime to digest protein so your body actually burns calories while you digest. The most important bonus, however, is that you'll feel full longer and avoid the false hunger signals that we so often get after eating simple carbohydrates.

4. Whole Fruit is Your Friend

Replace fruit juices with whole fruit and eat more berries. If you choose whole fruit, you are eating more fiber and fewer calories. Unfortunately, fruit juice tends to act like pure sugar in the body. As for berries, they are loaded with antioxidants and may keep you mentally sharp and help ward off cancer. That means more quality years to enjoy your lean belly!

5. Go Nuts

Assuming you don't have a nut allergy, don't fear peanut butter, almond butter or any kind of nut butter. Yes, nuts are high in calories, but they are nutrient-dense foods and when eaten in moderation, they can actually help fight off hunger. If you choose an all-natural spread like almond butter without added sugar, you get a perfect hunger stopper that is loaded with protein and healthy fats to put on top of that apple slice or to spread on top of a piece of whole grain toast.

6. Go Grain

One of the simplest steps you can take to improve the health and waistline of your family is to replace refined grains with whole grains. I partnered with General Mills to get the word out about this last tip, which can contribute to better weight and diabetes management, and even a possible reduction in the risk of heart disease and some cancers. You should be getting at least three servings, or 48 grams, of whole grains each day. Look for a whole grain as the first ingredient on any packaged foods you may be buying.

Dr. Travis Stork is host of the Emmy-Award winning show, "The Doctors." He is also a faculty physician in the Emergency Department at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. His credentials include graduating Magna Cum Laude from Duke University and earning his M.D. with Honors from the University of Virginia. He completed his residency as an emergency room doctor at Vanderbilt University. He is on the Medical Advisory Board for "Men’s Health" magazine in addition to having a monthly column in the magazine. He is author of The New York Times Bestseller "The Lean Belly Prescription: The Fast and Foolproof Diet & Weigh-Loss Plan from America’s Favorite ER Doctor" and "The Doctor Is In : A 7-Step Prescription for Optimal Wellness."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/imag/Food/6+Lean+Belly+Tips+from+Dr.+Stork#ixzz1oKoTqRSK

Lean Belly Laws

Lean Belly Laws:

• Eat at minimum three servings per day of calcium rich dairy products.
• Eat breakfast every day filled with protein (eggs, milk, yogurt, steel cut oats, whole wheat toast, etc).
• Switch to whole grain versions of the foods you currently eat, such as pasta, bread, rice, crackers, and cookies.
• Add in six 8 ounce glasses of water each day along with the other liquids you love.
• Switch to lean beef (if you like beef).
• Snack three times a day! Snacks should include a 200 calories protein snack and two others in other food groups two hours before a meal.
• Include two protein powder based smoothies every day.
• Try to fit in at least two pieces of fruit and three servings of vegetables every day (veggies should include leafy greens, such as spinach, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts).
• For fiber, substitute beans two to three times a week at dinner in place of meat.
• Include healthy foods that are filling like peanut butter, avocado, olive oil, and butter.

http://www.weightloss-hq.biz/weight-loss-reviews/lean-belly-prescription-diet.html

Metabolism Boosting Drink

Dr. Oz’s Tangerine Weight-Orade Recipe…It contains: green tea, shown to boost metabolism 12% by drinking just one cup; tangerine, with a chemical composition that increases sensitivity to insulin and stimulates genes that help to burn fat; and mint, a calorie-free flavor enhancer.

In a large pitcher, combine: 8 cups of brewed green tea / 1 tangerine, sliced / A handful of mint leaves / Stir this delicious concoction up at night so all the flavors fuse together. Drink 1 pitcher daily for maximum metabolism-boosting results.

Sweet Potatoes: Top Carb for Weight Loss

Some might think the words weight loss and potatoes don't go hand in hand.

But, it is important to remember that we need a moderate amount of healthy carbohydrates to keep weight loss going.

A sweet potato at dinnertime can help to balance the meal, add nutrition, and keep you feeling full and satisfied.

How Many Carbohydrates in a Sweet Potato

1 Medium Size (2" x 5"): 103 calories, 24 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber

1 Cup (about 200 g): 180 calories, 41 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber

What's amazing about sweet potatoes is that they have high fiber content. Technically, you can subtract the grams of fiber from the total amount of carbohydrates to get an idea of the net grams of carbohydrates that we use for energy. We can not process fiber for energy, meaning, we can not turn fiber into calories.

Sound confusing?

41 g - 7 g fiber= 34 g net carbohydrates

When compared to russet white potatoes, sweet potatoes can sometimes contain double the amount of fiber.

Added Nutritional Benefits

• Vitamin A: 1 cup of a cooked sweet potato can get you all the vitamin A you need in the day, times 4!
• Vitamin C and Manganese: An excellent source.
• Glycemic Index of about 50: This means sweet potatoes are a good choice for those trying to maintain more even blood glucose levels. Maintaining balanced blood glucose will help to keep hunger levels calm and energy high.

• Full of antioxidants: Sporamins, anthocyanins, and carotenoids are just some of the names of the main antioxidants.

  Don't forget to eat the skin since more of the fiber and antioxidant benefits are found in and around the skin.

  Purple sweet potatoes contain even more powerful antioxidants.

• Increased adiponectin in the body: Some research has shown that sweet potatoes can help to increase the hormone, adiponectin, which will help to mobilize fat in the body.

It is a better choice to go ahead and eat the nutrient-packed sweet potato then to worry about the carbohydrate content and miss out on all the health benefits.

Quick Cooking Tips

When selecting at the store, sweet potatoes and yams (in America) are the same vegetable at most every grocery store. When they originated, sweet potatoes were different from yams, but now we use the terms interchangeably when referring to the likely orange root vegetable.

• Microwave for 2-5 minutes, and then cook in an oven or toaster oven for about 10 minutes on 350-400 F.
• Slice into large cubes and roast with 2 Tbsp. olive oil for about 35 minutes at 400 F.
• Add to soups or stews.
• Make your own sweet potato fries.

Do you eat sweet potatoes? If so, how do you enjoy them?


http://www.diet-blog.com/12/sweet_potatoes_top_carbohydrate_for_weight_loss.php

Rules to Lose those Love Handles

Rules to Lose the Love Handles

1. Consume nothing white or anything that has white ingredients AFTER 12 PM. You really need to try this. To my amazement this happens to be one of the best tricks to quickly see a change. After 12 PM you want to only consume proteins and fibrous carbs, such as fruits and vegetables that are low on the glycemic index.

2. You want to wait one hour after finishing your cardio before eating anything. You want your body to use the adipose fat tissue for fuel after finishing your session. Try it!

3. Workout in your maximum heart rate zone for a minimum of 20 minutes everyday if you can. Gradually you will increase the time and intensity until you are closer to your upper range and doing 45 minutes MAXIMUM of cardio daily. Remember to stretch and ice any sore joints and muscles!

4. Drink two glasses of water before every major meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner)…at least 20 -30 minutes before you sit down to eat.

5. Always eat your vegetables first. Wait a few minutes then consume your proteins. You do not want to mix the two if you can. It all has to deal with how your stomach’s enzymes digest your food. If your stomach is to acidic, then your carbs will not be dissolved properly. So you want the stomach pretty balanced when introducing your vegetables in. Try this…you can even try eating them separately.

These are tips from my trainer, Ahmad Baari. They worked for me! They will work for you too!

7 days to Skinny Jeans

Let me guess… It’s 4pm and you’re sitting at your desk still recovering from a post-holiday sugar coma. Your favorite “skinny jeans” are tight. And you are trying to convince yourself you didn’t eat that many Sparkly Lemon Cookies. But you finally admit, “Maybe I did get a little boy crazy with the Gingerbread Men…” (Ha! You showed him.) Now the hunger pains set in. But you think (dramatically), “No! I’m not eating ever again!” False. Skimping on meals is not going to get you back in your skinnies any sooner. If anything, it will mess up your metabolism even more than your holiday binging. Rather, focus on eating nutritious, balanced meals and working out. It will help get your metabolism pumping and your body burning calories, which will have you back in your skinnies before you know it!

Here’s my 7 Days to Skinny Jeans Plan:

The Rules

• Commit. Keep your eyes on the prize (a.k.a. those darn skinny jeans) and if possible, enlist a partner in crime. It’s always easier when you have a buddy for support!
• Drink lots of water! At least 8-10 glasses a day.
• Pick one exercise to do every day (save one day for rest).
• Pick one meal from each category for each day.
• Pick one snack for each day. (I like to have a snack between lunch and dinner, but the timing is really up to you.)
• If possible, try to sneak in your exercise before breakfast. Otherwise, just make sure you squeeze it into your schedule. This is the important part!

Breakfast Options

• Greek yogurt topped with walnuts, a handful of berries (or sliced banana) and a light drizzle of agave nectar
• Steel cut oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of dried apricots, 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds and a splash of almond milk
• Veggie omelet with a slice of whole grain toast (Click here for my favorite omelet recipe!)
• Breakfast smoothie
• Half an avocado stuffed with cottage cheese and a side of sliced tomato
• Ezekiel toast topped with 2 sliced up hardboiled eggs served with half of a grapefruit
• Breakfast Quinoa (Make a big batch and eat it for breakfast for a few days. It’s delicious!)

Lunch & Dinner Options

• Whole-grain pita filled with chicken, arugula, sliced tomato a teaspoon of crumbled feta and a drizzle of olive oil; serve with a side of grapes
• Grilled Bruschetta Chicken with a small side salad (use a mixture of lemon, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the dressing)
• Zucchini “Pasta” with a side of quinoa
• Two slices of cauliflower crust pizza with a side of steamed vegetables
• Sesame-Tofu Stir-Fry (Another excellent meal you can make a big batch of to last a few days.)
• Beet, Orange & Fennel Salad with a side of quinoa
• Healthy Chicken Salad served over lettuce or on a slice of whole-grain toast

Snacks

• 1 medium apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• 1 cup of red grapes and a low fat string cheese
• ¼ cup of almonds
• ½ cup of bran cereal (or Grape Nuts) with milk and a few berries
• Raw veggies with 3 generous tablespoons of hummus
• 1 hardboiled egg with a few whole-grain crackers
• Celery with a tablespoon of almond butter and a few raisins

Exercise Options

• 30 minutes of cardio (running, kickboxing, elliptical, swimming, step aerobics etc.)
• 1 hour of yoga or Pilates
• Intervals: run for 60 seconds, walk for 90 seconds (repeat 8 times)
• Circuit: 100 jumping jacks, 20 crunches, 20 squats, 10 push ups, 25 bench dips (you can do this using a chair), 60 second wall sit, 60 second plank (repeat two times)
• 1 hour hike with steady incline
• Quickie: 20 lunges, 50 jumping jacks (or swap out jumping jacks for jumping rope for 2 minutes)
• Semi-Quickie: 15 minute jog, 20 squats, 20 sit-ups

Sadly there’s no way to un-eat what you’ve already eaten over the holidays. But thankfully there is a solution: If you make a conscious effort to have healthier eating and exercise habits, your body will bounce back in no time! Be sure to follow this plan for seven days straight. It will be tough, you will be tempted and you will probably slipup a few times. Once you’re done, try to maintain this healthy lifestyle (but reduce your exercise regime to 3-4 times per week). I’ll be starting the plan tomorrow so we can all do this together.

http://www.laurenconrad.com/post/shape-up-my-7-days-to-skinny-jeans-plan

Metabolism 101

Metabolism 101:

• Eat frequent small meals spaced 2-3 hours apart (5-7 meals a day)
• Drink ice water
• Drink green tea
• Do HIIT cardio
• Get plenty of sleep
• Lift weights

^^ This is all you need to do!