How Sleep Can Help Weight Loss
Have you been struggling to lose weight?
Have you tried diet, exercise, and even weight loss pills, but nothing seems to be doing the trick?
The trouble may not be with the things you’re doing while you’re awake, but rather the simple fact that you are awake.
Studies have shown that getting more sleep and better quality sleep can help you shed pounds without expensive fad diets. So if you really want to get rid of those excess pounds once and for all, why not spend less time counting calories and more time in bed?
The first reason that sleeping more causes you to lose less weight is probably the most obvious. The more hours you spend sleeping, the fewer hours you have to eat.
We all have cravings for certain foods that aren’t good for us, and the longer we’re awake, the longer we have to fight those cravings. Plus, sleep deprivation reduces deductive reasoning skills, so we have less will power to resist.
Getting a good night’s rest makes you feel energized and awake the next day. If you sleep well the night before, you’re more likely to be able to get up and go work out. Sufficient sleep can give you the energy to work out harder and for longer periods of time, further fueling your weight loss efforts.
We used to believe that you we hungry when your stomach was empty and full when your stomach had no room left, but we know better than that now.
We now know more about hormones and other chemicals in the body and how they affect hunger. One of these chemicals is cortisol.
Excess cortisol not only causes us to feel hungry when we’ve had enough to eat; it can also affect the amount of fat we store. On top of this, cortisol decreases memory retention along with other stress inducing side effects. Getting sufficient sleep helps return the cortisol balance to normal.
Two other chemicals that have recently been shown to be affected by the amount of sleep your get are the hormones leptin, which makes you feel hungry, and ghrelin, which makes you feel full.
Reduced amounts of sleep can reduce ghrelin levels and increase leptin levels, causing you to feel you need to eat more when you’ve actually had enough.
Another side effect of sleep deprivation is a change in the way the body metabolizes carbohydrates. Most individuals have problems fully digesting carbs without sufficient sleep.
This means that instead of being burned for energy; these calories are being stored as fat. Plus, excess carbs in your system can cause a rise in blood sugar levels, along with insulin resistance; these are both symptoms of type II diabetes.
And if all these reasons aren’t good enough for you, lack of sleep also drops the level of human growth hormone in your system. While HGH helps children grow bigger, it affects the percentage of fat in proportion to muscle in adults.
Decreased levels of this hormone send even more of the food you eat to be stored as fat reserves, further hindering your weight loss.
So if you’re really serious about losing weight, make it a goal to get a full night’s sleep every night. You’ll likely start seeing those pounds fly off in no time.
by Guest Writer: Janice Holbrook
Popularity: 7% [?]
Zesty Orange Chicken
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 ounces orange juice
Zest of one orange
4 orange slices (peel on)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tablespoons oil
Preheat the oven to 325F. In a large bowl mix the orange juice, orange zest, parsley, oregano and garlic. Add a little salt and pepper if desired.
Place the chicken breasts in a non-stick baking pan and make 3 to 4 slashes on the top of each breast. Pour the marinade over the top and then top each breast with an orange slice.
Cook approximately 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked through. Discard orange slices and serve with a side of wild rice and French green beans.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Quick On-the-Go Breakfast Ideas
You know you need to eat breakfast. Here’s some healthy quick breakfast ideas to get you started. Be creative, remember you can eat anything for breakfast.
Breakfast is just simply the first meal of the day. There’s no iron-clad rule that says you have to eat so called “Breakfast Foods.”
Some people like fish, tuna, pork chops, soup etc first thing in the morning. The main key to remember is to Eat What You Like.
We’ve listed several breakfast ideas on this page. Be creative and I’m sure you’ll think of several more!
Grab and Go Breakfast Ideas:
* Fresh Fruit
* Breakfast Bar
* Whole Grain Muffin
* Trail Mix of nuts, dried fruits, pretzel, crackers and dry cereal
* Energy bar – with 10 grams of protein and at least 3 grams of fiber
* Granola Bar
* String Cheese and a piece of fruit
* String Cheese with some whole wheat crackers
* Hard boiled eggs
* 2 ounces cubed cheddar cheese, ¼ cup nuts and an apple
* Whole wheat crackers with sliced cheese and ham
Remember to read labels on prepackaged muffins, cereal bars etc. They are not all created equal. Look for items that are low in fat and sugar, high in fiber and protein.
Some popular breakfast items are loaded with sugar and will not give you the nutrition you need.
When you are brainstorming your own breakfast ideas, be sure to keep nutrition in mind. And when you’re shopping – be sure to read labels.
Five Minutes or Less Preparation Breakfast Ideas:
You can find five minutes a morning can’t you?
After it’s prepared you can eat it on the go. The following breakfast ideas just might become your favorites.
* Bagel with light cream cheese
* Toast with Peanut Butter
* Toasted whole grain waffle, spread with peanut butter
* Ham and cheese sandwich
* Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
* Toasted Cheese Sandwich
* Carnation Instant Breakfast
* Celery sticks topped with peanut butter
* Apple Slices with peanut butter
* Pita Pocket filled with cottage cheese and fruit
* Broil a bagel topped with ham and cheese
* Whole wheat crackers topped with peanut butter and a piece of fruit
* Whole wheat crackers topped with cottage cheese and a dab of jam
* Cheese toast – Cover sliced French bread with Monterey Jack cheese. Brown in toaster oven.
* Raisin toast spread with peanut butter, a banana and milk
* Cereal – Fill a baggie with your favorite cereal to munch on while going to work. Bring a long a glass of milk in a to-go cup. (Choose high fiber, low sugar cereals such as Kashi GoLean Crunch, Raisin Bran, Multi-Bran Chex, Spoon Size Wheat “N” Bran, All Bran, Fiber One, etc)
* Quesadilla – Place shredded cheese on a tortilla, fold in half and microwave for 30 to 60 seconds
* Egg Burrito – Scramble eggs or egg whites in microwave. Put on whole grain tortilla. Add some salsa or veggies
* Banana Roll – Crush cold cereal in a baggie. Add whole banana or bite size banana slices. Shake the bag to coat the banana. Take a long some milk in a to go cup
* Smoothies – Try these delicious recipes . .
Make the night before breakfast ideas:
* Fruit Salad – Mix all your favorite fruits together
* Breakfast Burrito – Make ahead burritos with eggs, sausage, ham, and hash browns etc. You can make up a bunch of these over the week-end and freeze. Will last up to 3 months in freezer.
* Bean Burrito – Beans are high in protein and fiber. They make a healthy breakfast. Wrap in a whole wheat tortilla with some shredded cheese.
* Pizza Muffin – Top an English muffin with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, etc In the morning pop in the microwave for a minute for a hot tasty breakfast. * Bake low –fat muffins. These can also be frozen and make a great “on the go” breakfast.
* Overnight Oatmeal – Pour ½ cup of oatmeal into a Tupperware container, cover with low fat milk. Add raisins, nuts and/or fresh fruit. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning grab it and go.
* Breakfast Wrap – Place lean protein such as turkey, cheese, peanut butter and banana in a whole wheat tortilla and roll.
* Breakfast Quiche
* Breakfast Caserole
* Huevos Rancheros Ranidos – Slice up hard boiled eggs and roll it in a whole wheat tortilla. Add Canadian bacon, lean ham, cheese, vegetables, and/or salsa
* Pita Pocket – Fill a pita pocket with leftover meat or chicken, eggs, cheese, etc. Think protein
* Pita Pocket – grill cheese and tomato in whole wheat pita. It tastes as good cold as it does hot. So either grab it cold and go, or place in microwave for 30 – 60 seconds
* Granola – Mix 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup dried fruits and seeds and a little brown sugar. Toast 5 minutes in a warm oven. Store in an airtight container, like Tupperware . By making your own you’re controlling how much sugar and fat you’re eating
* Blob – Mix ½ cup peanut butter, ¼ cup nonfat dry milk, 3 cups crushed flake cereal (high fiber, no sugar), and 2 tablespoons of honey. Form into large balls. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Eat At Your Desk – Breakfast Ideas:
* Cottage cheese mixed with fruit
* Yogurt – add crushed cereal or granola
* Pancake topped with peanut butter
* Instant oatmeal, add nuts, raisins and/or fresh fruit
* Brown rice topped with honey, raisins, and cinnamon. (make the night before)
Fast Food Breakfast Ideas:
If you need to eat breakfast at a fast food restaurant here’s a list of your best bets:
* Arby’s Sausage Biscuit (390 calories)
* Burger King, Croissan’wich, w/Egg and Cheese (300 calories)
* Burger King, Croissan’wich w/Sausage and Cheese (370 calories)
* Burger King, Croissan’wich w/Sausage, Egg and Cheese (470 calories)
* Burger King, Croissanwich w/Ham, Egg and Cheese (340 calories)
* Burger King, Croissanwich w/Bacon, Egg and Cheese (340 calories)
* Carl’s Jr. Breakfast Quesadilla (390 calories)
* Carl’s Jr. Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich (410 calories)
* Del Taco Breakfast burrito
* Jack in the Box Breakfast Jack
* Jack in the Box Breakfast Jack (290 calories)
* McDonalds Egg McMuffin (300 calories)
* McDonalds Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait with granola (380 calories)
* McDonalds Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait with out granola (280 calories)
* McDonalds Fruit and Walnut salad (310 calories)
* Starbucks 12 Grain bran Muffin (360 calories)
* Starbucks Low fat Oat Fruit Sconce (300 calories)
* Subways Vegetable and Egg Wrap (155 calories)
* Wendy’s Yogurt with Granola (250 calories)
Remember, just because the fast food items may not have many calories, most are loaded with fat.
Technorati Tags: Breakfast Ideas, Quick Breakfast Ideas, On The Go Breakfast Ideas, Fast Food Breakfast Ideas
Popularity: 56% [?]
21 Ways to Reward Yourself Without Food
It’s important to reward yourself for your accomplishments during your weight loss journey. Reward yourself for behavioral changes as well as physical. After all the key to maintain your weight loss depends on the behavioral changes you’ve made along the way.
Your rewards need to be non-food rewards. The purpose of rewarding yourself is to strengthen your resolve to lose weight and maintain your weight loss. Rewarding yourself increases your awareness of all that you have accomplished.
1. Begin a “Success Savings” Put $10 in it for every week you’ve achieved your goal. Put $1 or $5 in it for every pound you’ve lost. You decide the amount of money you’ll give for the desired action. Such as for sticking to your exercise plan. Not pigging out when you were depressed. For each pound lost. For each day or week you stick to your meal plan.
2. Buy or make a special piece of jewelry – be it a bracelet, necklace, earrings or rings. Every time you wear it, you’ll be reminded of your successes.
3. Begin a collection – be it stamps, thimbles, spoons, dolls, action figures, sports memorabilia etc. Each time you achieve a goal, allow yourself to buy another item for your collection.
4. Get a massage. It’s relaxing and will reenergize you from the inside out. A little pampering can go a long way.
5. Get your hair done, either a dye, cut or do. Try something daring. Have fun and experiment with your new look.
6. Get a makeover with a professional. And when you’re all made up you may as well get a glamour shot. When you look good on the outside – you feel good on the inside.
7. Pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicure. Try a sparkling new color.
8. Have a night out at the movies with a friend you haven’t seen for a while. Skip the popcorn.
9. Enjoy a leisurely morning at the park. Breathe and take in the fresh air. Feed the ducks. Watch the children play. Get in tune with the simpler things in life.
10. Attend an Art show, a gallery or your local museum. Check your local paper for the exhibitions in your area.
11. Be a kid again! Go to your local amusement park and recapture the “awe” that you felt as a child. Skip the cotton candy, churros and funnel cake.
12. Buy yourself a new outfit to show off your new body.
13. Redecorate a room in your house. Let your creativity flow. Let the room capture the real you. Don’t be afraid to go a little wild.
14. See your favorite sports team play live. Reward yourself with the best seats you can afford.
15. Do something daring … Something you’ve always wanted to try. Go bungee jumping, hang-gliding, parachuting, white river rafting etc.
16. Get a new tattoo (or piercing). Something that’s uniquely you.
17. Have a long relaxing bubble bath in candle light.
18. Buy a new book and schedule uninterrupted time to read it.
19. Sign up for a team sport such as baseball, basketball or hockey. You’ll have fun, meet new friends, boost your metabolism and increase muscle mass all at the same time.
20. Fun in the Sun. Rent a boat and spend the day soaking up some sunshine with family and friends.
21. Go to a concert or theatrical event that you’ve been wanting to see.
Hope these have sparked your imagination. I’m sure you could come up with hundreds of ways you can reward yourself. After-all you know you best.
Your weight loss journey is your personal experience. It’s about you, every challenge you have overcome and every little goal that you have achieved
Technorati Tags: Weight Loss, Reward Yourself, Reward Yourself Without Food
Popularity: 7% [?]
Cardio vs Strength Training
Which Is a Better Fat Burning Method?
By Lynn VanDyke, author of Melt the Fat
I have a confession to make. I am a master fitness trainer and I actually have an opinion about cardio and strength training. If you are looking for a sweet, two-sided article that gives you plenty of fluff and little advice then this article is not for you.
I am going to give you my thoughts and opinions on my preferred method of fat loss. I just want to be truthful and direct about my experiences.A typical day for me includes meeting my clients for their weekly workout sessions and motivational chats.
I also have an opportunity to talk with potential clients. Each day I talk with men and women about one thing: fat loss.I provide the same speech day in and day out. I do not mind this. In fact I wake up each morning thrilled and excited to spread the word- the gospel of fat loss.
Many of my potential clients are surprised by my opinions.I am going to ask you for something. I am going to ask you for the same exact thing I ask potential clients- try my advice for a few weeks and then make a judgment.There’s nothing for you to lose except some unwanted and unhealthy fat.
If I am wrong in my advice then simply stop the recommendations. If my advice helps you then keep going. Learn more about me and why I am one of the few personal trainers that actually has an opinion about the best fat loss method.
Here’s the thought that shocks my potential clients: limit your cardio and increase your strength training.
That’s it. Sounds simple and, if I am to tell the truth, it is simple. This very basic concept causes many people to think I’ve lost my brain. After all isn’t cardio the ultimate fat burning workout? Nothing beats 45 minutes on the treadmill. Right?
Wrong. The reality and cold hard truth is that strength training is the best and surest way to increase your metabolism, burn fat and sustain long term weight loss. Cardio is important, but not nearly as important as many Americans believe it is.
Use the following advice at your own risk. It’s worked for me and my clients. It has been one of the few ways folks lose fat and keep it off. Before I divulge a sample program let me say one more thing to tempt you- a pound of fat burns 5 calories per day. A pound of muscle burns 50 calories per day. Simply adding 5 pounds of beautiful, lean and toned muscle equals an additional 250 calories burned per day. Pretty impressive.
Sample Weekly Routine
(warm up before all exercise sessions)
Monday and Thursday: Participate in an upper body strength training routine. Consider doing 3 sets of 8 reps for all upper body muscle groups. Add 10 minutes of medium intensity cardio when you’re done with the weights. Follow with a cool down.
Tuesday and Friday: Participate in a lower body and abdominal strength training routine. I enjoy doing 3 sets of 8 reps for all lower body muscles and the abs. Add in 10 minutes of medium intensity cardio after the strength training. Follow with a cool down.
Wednesday and Saturday: Toss in a 20-25 minute interval cardio program. Work at a ratio of 2:1 (1 minute easy intervals followed by 30 second higher intensity intervals).
Sunday: Rest day
Before I opened my own business I would train clients in regular gyms. I always saw members, particularly women, doing long cardio sessions. After years of experience and personal transformation I began suggesting these members give up on so much cardio. I asked them to consider weight training.
Most looked at me and laughed. Women were deathly afraid of touching a dumbbell, and if I were lucky enough to get them to consider the outrageous idea … they did not want to lift a 10 pound weight for fear of bulking up. That won’t happen! I have spent years trying to educate the public about strength training.
Take the next few weeks and focus on the above program. Do not fear the weights. Lift heavy and push your muscles. Your muscles should be fatigued by the last few reps of each set. Always maintain perfect form and always have complete control over your workout.
Cardio is wonderful. Nutrition is vital. Strength training is the master of fat loss. Whether you have a few pounds or 70 pounds to lose, strength training is your answer. Go ahead and give it a try. Talk with a personal trainer if you need additional help and always ask your doctor if it’s okay to start a fitness or nutrition program.
Each pound of muscle you have burns 50 calories per day. Imagine adding a few pounds of muscle. You’ll have the perfect body you’ve always dreamed of- lean, toned, cut and always burning fat.
About the Author …
Lynn VanDyke is a master trainer and fitness nutritionist. Her fitness site, is ranked within the top 1% of all websites. She has authored the wildly popular ebook, Melt the Fat. It is yielded as one of the best fitness and nutrition ebooks available.
Technorati Tags: Melt the Fat, Fat Burning, Strength Training, Cardio
Popularity: 7% [?]
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients:
1 corned beef brisket
1 large head cabbage
8 peppercorns
6 cloves garlic, whole peeled
4-5 parsnips
1-2 turnips
2 bay leaves
1 pound carrots, peeled
6 large potatoes
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
3 whole cloves
1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper, ground
Instructions:
Wash brisket
Make small X slits in the meat and insert garlic and cloves pieces
Place the meat into a stockpot (at least 8 quarts)
Cover the meat with water
Add bay leaves, peppercorns, Old Bay, 2 carrots and sliced celery
Bring to a boil
Skim off foam and reduce heat to a simmer
Simmer 2-3 hours, or until meat is nearly tender
Meanwhile, prepare vegetables -
Quarter the cabbage, peel potatoes, carrots, turnips and parsnips
Slice vegetables into 2 inch chunks
During last half hour, add remaining vegetables and cook until tender.
Drain and serve
Season to taste
Technorati Tags: Corned Beef and Cabbage
Popularity: 6% [?]
Bowflex Home Gym
Turn on the TV on any given day and you will find infomercials promoting the Bowflex Home Gym series.
With so many enthusiasts trying to find the best method to exercise during their free time, this home gym serves as an excellent source for a total body workout.
Let’s take a look at what this Bowflex Home Gym has to offer.
Priced at $699.00 and up, the Bowflex Home Gym delivers over 60 gym-quality exercises that allow you to work your chest, arms, back, legs, and more.
This home gym provides 210 lbs. of resistance, is constructed from sturdy steel, incorporates comfortable vinyl cushion seating, and folds to a compact size for storage. Assembly is not included.
Features include: Bowflex Power Rods, upgradeable to 310 or 410 pounds; lat tower with angled lat bar, lower pulley/squat station, leg extension/leg curl attachment, sliding seat for rowing; folds to a compact size of 52 by 38 inches; and a five-year warranty.
The benefits in owning the Bowflex Home gym are immeasurable. It can be set up in two hours since all of the necessary components are well packed. The instructions are very easy to follow.
The Power Rods provide very smooth resistance and wonderful range of motion. The resistance builds as you flex the power rods, and is very easy on the joints at the beginning of the motion; yet still provide enough to break down your muscles toward the end of the motion.
The DVD provides instruction for basic 15 exercises, and the manual covers over 60 different exercises. The weight and type of exercises are easy to change, and will not interfere with your workout.
While the Bowflex is approximately 7 feet tall, it should be noted it takes up a huge amount of space. It has wheels, but you will not be able to fit it through most doors, so think long and hard before you decide which room you will place it. As with any other piece of exercise equipment, if you make good use of it, the price is worth it. With its solid construction, warranty, variety, ease of motion and operation, this is one terrific long term value.
Technorati Tags: Bowflex, Bowflex Home Gym
Popularity: 10% [?]
Dieters Prayer
Lord, my soul is ripped with riot
Incited by my wicked diet.
“We are what we eat,” said a wise old man!
And, Lord, if that’s true, I’m a garbage can!
I want to rise on Judgment Day, that’s plain,
But, at my present weight, I’ll need a crane.
So grant me strength that I may not fall
Into the clutches of cholesterol!
At margarine I’ll never mutter
For the road to hell is paved with butter.
And cream is cursed, and cake is awful,
And Satan lurks in every waffle!
Give me this day my daily slice,
But cut it thin and toast it twice.
I beg upon my dimpled knees,
Deliver me from jujubes please!
And when my days of dieting are done,
And my war with Snickers bars is won,
Let me stand with the heavenly throng,
In a shining robe…size seven, long!
I can do it, Lord, if you’ll show to me,
The virtues of lettuce and celery.
Teach me the evil of mayonnaise…
Of pasta a la Milanaise, potatoes a la Lyonnaise…
And crisp-fried chicken from the south…
Lord, if you love me… shut my mouth
Author Unknown
Technorati Tags: Diet Poems, Dieters Prayer
Popularity: 14% [?]
Transfat Whats the Big Deal?
In the US the news has been buzzing about Trans Fats …
More precisely everyone’s asking should there be laws enforcing restaurants (including fast food) to ban or list foods containing transfats. New York City recently passed a ban on transfat effective July 2008. Other cities are looking to follow.
So what does this have to do with you and your weight loss program? First off let me say there is no scientific proof that Trans fat has anything more or less to do with your weight than other fats.But don’t you want to be healthy???Not just skinny.Your daily fat intake should not exceed 30% of your caloric intake. If you’re eating a 2000 calorie diet then your fat intake should be less than 67 grams.
Trans fat has been linked to heat disease, certain cancers including breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, immune dysfunction and low birth weights in babies.
You’ve more than likely heard about “Good Fats” and “Bad Fats” most of your life.
What are they and where do Trans Fats fit in?
Unsaturated fats are the “Good Fats”. They are derived from plants. Unsaturated fats will help keep your cholesterol in check. These include both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
Monounsaturated fats include olive oil, canola oil, and peanut oil (some studies indicate these are the healthiest of all fats). It’s also found in olives, nuts and avocados.
Polyunsaturated fats include safflower oil, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, sesame, cottonseed and corn oil.
Saturated fats are the “Bad Fats”. They are generally derived from animal products. These fats are associated with heart disease and arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the arteries).
Foods containing saturated fats include meat, poultry and dairy products. Don’t cut these out of your diet. – Just eat them in moderation.
Transfat is a man made substance. It is not essential or beneficial to our health. They should be avoided when possible.
It is created by a hydrogenation process … Simply stated its turning liquid oils into a solid fat. Partial hydrogenation of fats and oils result in a mixture of fatty acids.
Companies began using transfat because it increases the shelf life of products.
It was first commercialized in 1911 as Crisco.
Foods that may contain trans fats include vegetable shortening, some margarines, deep fried foods, fried chicken, French fries, crackers, chips, cookies, doughnuts, pastry, , breads, salad dressings, pancake mixes, hot chocolate, energy and protein bars, commercially baked products and fast foods.
A lot of prepackaged shelf stable diet products also contain transfat.
Small quantities of Trans fat occur naturally in meat and dairy products. These natural Trans fats are believed to be healthier than their man made counterpart. The majority of Trans fats consumed comes from man made Trans fats.
Effective January 1, 2006 all nutrition labels in US must list Trans fats. This means that Trans fat will not be lurking in the shadows of the foods we eat. It’s up to us to read labels and pay attention to what we are eating.
Something to think about …. The FDA estimates the average American eats 4.7 pounds of Trans fats each year. Picture a 5 pound bag of potatoes. Can you imagine eating that much fat? Having it clog your arteries and such. Yuck.
Bottom Line:
You can’t and shouldn’t eliminate fat from your diet. It is essential to your overall health and well-bing. But you can start making smarter choices about what you put into your body.
Choose the good Unsaturated Fats most of the time. These are better for you and helps to lower bad cholesterol.
Learn to read labels. Remember if the label lists hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated it has trans fat in it.
Limit your fat intake to 30% or less of your total daily caloric intake.
Looking for a healthy nutritious weight loss program?
Eat to beat heart disease at eDiets.com
Check out FDAs Information to Consumers regarding transfats.
Technorati Tags: Transfat, Trans Fat, Unsaturated Fats, Monounsaturated Fats, Good Fats, Bad Fats
Popularity: 7% [?]
Slim Fast Diet: Pros and Cons
The Slim Fast diet is one wherein you add powder to a glass of skim milk and drink it in place of two meals each day.Is this a diet for you?
Let’s take a look at the Pros and Cons of Slim Fast:
When Slim Fast first came on the scene, it had three varieties of shakes: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. The diet consisted of substituting these shakes for breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner, while at the same time adding 600 calories to the one meal you would actually consume that day.
Subsequently, the Slim Fast product line has grown to include instant shakes, soups and snack bars, which you can consume up to three times a day. Moreover, it is a requirement that you drink eight glasses of water a day while on this diet.
Having explained the Slim Fast diet thus far, here are the pros and cons.
Firstly, it is definitely an easy diet to follow. The shakes can be taken to work or in a cooler, allowing you to drink them anywhere, anytime.
Secondly, it does not involve counting calories or attending meetings.
Thirdly, one does achieve significant weight loss in combination with an exercise program.
Here are the cons:
Firstly, starting the Slim Fast diet is difficult as you do feel the need to eat real food.
Secondly, the lack of fruits and vegetables affects Slim Fast users, who tend to ignore these vital nutrients and vitamins.
Thirdly, this particular diet is hard to maintain.
Finally, those who achieve their goal often gain back all the weight lost, and then some.
It’s for this reason that Honest Diet Reviews recommends the Slim Fast Optima Diet
at eDiets. You’ll get personal support, and a maintaince program to follow once you’ve reached your goal.
One could conclude that although there is weight loss derived from this diet, it is more reasonable to utilize this diet as a snack alternative. While the product itself is quite good in taste, it lacks the texture one finds enjoyable when eating real food.
I have a friend who lwho lost 60 pounds in one year using Slim Fast in combination with an exercise program three times a week. However, she gained back most of the weight the following year.
The problem with the Slim Fast diet is that unlike conventional diets, there is no maintenance afterwards. Sure, you can drink a shake now and then, but it does not replace the need to have conventional foods.
The Slim Fast diet is more suited to those who are not obese or need to lose large amounts of weight. Experts recommend that losing two pounds per week on a more conventional food diet is preferable.
While there are so many weight loss diets available today, choosing the right one for you is as essential as losing the pounds. The Slim Fast diet and other diet fads may work in the short run. For lasting results you may want to try Healthy Diet Plans that are available today.
By guest write Amy Cravin:
Technorati Tags: Slim Fast Diet, Slim Fast Pros and Cons, Healthy Diets
Popularity: 73% [?]
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