Diets

Trying to shift those last few extra pounds of weight can be a struggle; there’s no denying it. No matter what you do, they just don’t seem to budge. You’ve tried everything from starvation to sit ups and nothing seems to work. Everywhere you look there are countless so called solutions and you’ve tried them all, but the pounds still persist. Perhaps it’s time to take a look at our Stone Age ancestors for an answer; after all, they didn’t have to fight the battle of the bulge the way we do today!

Back then they lived entirely on an indigenous diet of meat and fish, fruit and vegetables. They were the hunter-gatherers. Hunting down their next meal and foraging for fruits and berries on those wild and untamed lands. They lived a natural life without supermarkets, ready-made meals or processed foods, and they had never heard of diets.

Their meals were simple. No complicated formulas to consider, no weighing and no counting calories. There were other health benefits connected with their diet too. Evidence suggests that some of the modern day ailments like arthritis and immune disorders that plague us today were non-existent back then. We know too that their diet was high in polyunsaturated fats - particularly the Omega 3 fatty acids, as well as containing all the vitamins and minerals required for a healthy diet. So where did we go wrong?

The main difference between what our ancestors did way back then and what we do now is that they ate a diet that consisted of only unprocessed, natural whole foods. They didn’t have stabilisers, sugars, thickeners, preservatives, artificial flavourings and colourings that are so commonplace in our foods today.

In modern times, The Stone Age type of diet is often used to identify food allergies. The idea is to restrict sufferers to a natural diet of whole foods and then slowly introduce other foods little by little, in order to determine what foods are causing problems. This was how I stumbled across the unexpected weight losing benefit of this diet. I was suffering from food allergies and tried this method but very quickly it became apparent to me that not only can you eat as much as you want, those extra pounds slip quietly and quickly away without a fuss.

With just a little modification of the Palaeolithic, or Stone Age Diet, as it is often referred to, you can kick start your body into kicking into touch that unwelcome extra weight. You will naturally and quickly eliminate those extra few pounds, but not only that, it will help to detoxify your body from some of those toxins that modern day living generously bestows upon us all. You see, genetically we are not really that different from our ancient ancestors and so our bodies are more able to efficiently process foods that were naturally and readily available at that time.

Our aim is to shift those last few stubborn pounds, and as most of us are not cavemen anymore, and we are not trying to identify allergies, we will allow ourselves some ‘modern’ luxuries such as tea and coffee.

So what can you eat? Basically, anything in the list below and in any combination you like, avoiding all foods in the forbidden list. What you can eat

Meat, (no bacon) chicken,turkey, fish, seafood,eggs, fruit, nuts (apart from peanuts which are really a type of bean), berries, all vegetables (particularly root vegetables) including potatoes ( no chips or fries)

What you can drink

Water, bottled mineral water, black tea (no sugar), black coffee (no sugar), natural Fruit juices (unsweetened), fruit smoothies, vegetable juices, herbal teas

Absolutely forbidden

Grains, pasta, bread, noodles, beans, lentils, pulses, peas, dairy produce, sugar, salt, alcohol, processed foods, tinned food, dressings, sauces

Included here are some sample menus to help inspire your own ideas and to get you started.

Breakfast

Day 1 - Boiled or scrambled eggs Day 2 - Smoked mackerel Day 3 - Bowl of chopped fruits, nuts and berries Day 4 – Fruit smoothie Water, fruit juice, herbal tea, black tea or coffee

Lunch

Day 1 - Selection of fruit Day 2 - Mixed Salad Day 3 - Tuna chunks mixed with chopped vegetables Day 4 - Soup made with chicken or beef stock, and vegetables Water, fruit juice, herbal tea, black tea or coffee

Dinner

Day 1 - Steak with a selection of vegetables Day 2 - Lamb, beef or chicken casserole with selection of vegetables Day 3 - Omelette, no cream or milk made with vegetables Day 4 - Grilled fish - any kind, with salad or vegetables Water, fruit juice, herbal tea, black tea or coffee

Be as creative as you like. For variety, select a different combination of meats and vegetables, fruits and salads each day. If you follow this programme and remember not to touch any of the forbidden foods, you will lose around 2- 3 pounds per week, the natural way.

Copyright 2006 David McEvoy

Gastric bypass weight loss surgery patients should be concerned about fat intake and fat absorption. Both affect the health and diet of the weight loss surgery patient who underwent either gastric bypass and gastric banding. WLS patients who report the greatest success eat a diet low in fat.

Fat Absorption:

In a gastric bypass the stomach size is reduced to about a cup and most of the small intestine is bypassed. The stomach outlet is attached to the jejunum (middle section) of the small intestine. Most food absorption occurs in this section. The specialized cells of the jejunum contain digestive enzymes, carrier proteins and other secretions. However, because the digestive tract has been significantly reduced in the bypass there is less time for foods to be absorbed. In the case of gastric bypass the body will absorb fats in limited amounts.

Incidentally, most gastric bypass patients do not tolerate fats in the form of fried food. Eating fried foods can cause vomiting, diarrhea and weight gain. Monounsaturated good fats found in olives, nuts, avocados, olive oil and canola oil should be consumed sparingly. Polyunsaturated fats, the Omega-6 fats found in nuts, seeds, grains, leafy vegetables, soybeans, dairy products, corn oil, safflower oil and soybean oil, should also be consumed in limited quantity. Saturated (animal and dairy fat) and trans fats (hydrogenated oils) should be avoided.

In a lap-banding procedure the small intestine is not shortened or disrupted so the opportunity for full-fat absorption exists as it did before the lap-band was installed. Most lap-band patients do not report the nausea associated with fat intake that a gastric bypass patient reports.

Sorry, guys, I hope you don’t mind terribly, but this article is for us girls only. No peeking now—nope, you won’t be interested, so scat—just click yourselves away!

Okay, girlfriends, now that it’s just us girls, I’ve got a question for you.

Have you ever noticed that we love to please people?

Ya’ think???

We grew up trying hard to please our mothers and our fathers and our teachers and our friends and then, of course, our husbands (okay, occasionally we get a wee bit contrary with husbands, but the REAL us has to squeak out sometimes) and our children.

As kids, we didn’t like getting yelled at (to this day, I STILL hate getting yelled at—it gives me a bad feeling in my stomach), or even growled or scowled at for that matter.

We tried our hardest to be good little girls.

As adults, we don’t like to cause trouble or step on any toes. We really feel badly when we hurt someone’s feelings, don’t we?

Most of us can’t get through the day without saying “sorry,” even when we have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. It’s quite automatic.

Just for grins, listen to yourself sometime. How many times in a day do you say, “Sorry”? (Hey, look! I JUST realized that “sorry” is even my very first word in this article!)

It’s simple. We women don’t like to get in the way. We like to make other people happy, and we like to be liked.

And that, girlfriends, are some of our greatest gifts; and some of our greatest challenges, especially when it comes to making changes in our lives.

And, yes, I’m talking about changes of all kinds, but you know what kind of changes I’m leading up to. (Darn, I hate being so predictable); changes that can literally add life to our years and years to our lives.

One of the most common questions that women ask me when they are ready to make that bold leap of courage into the world of permanent weight loss and healthy eating is, “What do I do when I go to someone’s house to eat?” or “What do I serve when someone comes to my house?” or “What shall I tell my family and friends about the changes I am making?”

Many times we are so concerned about what other people think of us that we choose (it is a choice) to stay stuck in our old eating habits, which are literally killing us, rather than make any waves. (Sometimes we really don’t want to make changes, and we use other people as convenient excuses.)

Even if we say to ourselves, “It’s none of my business what other people think of me (thanks Claire for the reminder!),” we can’t deny the fact that, for us women, making waves doesn’t feel good, does it?

Well how good does it feel to get a breast cut off or to get insulin shots every day for the rest of our lives?

How good does it feel to look in the mirror, morning after morning, and not like the way we look? And what about not being able to fit into our clothes or enjoy shopping? How good does that feel?

We all know that whenever we make changes it always makes other people uncomfortable, and that makes us uncomfortable. That’s just the way it is.

The only constant in life is change.

We are all old enough to know just how quickly life can and does change. So why not choose our changes when we can instead of waiting for change to happen to us?

Do you think it would be easier for your husband, kids, and friends to adjust to simple, common sense changes in your eating habits, or to adjust to the changes forced on them, and you, if you get lightening-bolted by that dreaded diagnosis—cancer; or perhaps even worse?

If you don’t know which changes your loved ones would prefer, just ask them.

And the next time you wonder what to say to a family member or friend about what you’re choosing to feed your body to get your weight down and your self-esteem and energy up, BE HONEST. Whoa!

Now that’s a novel idea! Honesty with your loved ones—exactly what you taught your own children, as taught to you by your own mother.

Tell the simple truth about what you’re doing for you. And don’t preach, judge, or try to convince them that you know what’s right for them.

You don’t know what’s right for them. But you do know in your heart what’s right for YOU. Make conscious choices that reflect who YOU are.

Who knows? Perhaps being a model for others will change someone’s life. In fact, perhaps being a model will SAVE someone’s life—and that life may just be your husband’s, your friend’s, or your child’s.

Now, just between us girls, wouldn’t that make you the happiest woman on the planet?

As my daughter, Erin, reminds me in my low moments, “Mom, you have to be different to make a difference.”

So, girlfriend, be your perfectly different and beautiful self and shine your light on the world.

Your life does make a difference! Know it. Feel it.

Hey, what do you say we let those guys back in now? Shhhhh, mum’s the word!

“Hello, guys, we missed you!”

Cellulite happens to us for many reasons. Some reasons– like

genetics or hormones — you can do very little about. But

cellulite is also related to a number of other factors that you

CAN work with and improve.

Cellulite affects 90% of women and a much smaller percentage of

men. The condition is such a complex one that no real cure is

considered to be available. Some products, therapies and

procedures do claim to be cures but the jury is still very much

out on the subject of getting rid of cellulite.

The unsightly symptoms are found on the soft, fleshy parts of

women’s thighs, buttocks, stomachs and upper arms. Though it is

often associated with sedentary people, who are also overweight,

the condition can make itself at home on the fit thighs and

buttocks of marathon runners.

Opinions vary as to the exact causes of cellulite but most agree

that something happens in the tissues to slow down and handicap

the ordinary processes of lymph and blood circulation in the

capillaries of the subcutaneous tissue. Some experts believe

that excess fat will make the fat cells in the mesoderm swell,

placing a strain on the surrounding connective tissue and

resulting in a compromised microcirculation. Others believe that

the situation is created by a genetic disposition coupled with

hormonal imbalances.

The tissue responds to its embattled circumstances by forming

extended tissue strands called septae that restrict the fat

cells and cause the rippled, lumpy skin surface indicative of

cellulite. The resulting sluggish and damaged microcirculation

allows lymph fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue while

hampering the transport of nutrients.

With this deeper understanding of exactly what is happening

beneath the skin of the affected areas we can make informed

decisions on what to do to alleviate the symptoms and revive the

skin.

Here are some important aspects of a comprehensive cellulite

reduction program:

Losing the Excess

Any plan to alleviate the symptoms of cellulite must include a

healthy weight loss program for those carrying more than their

healthy body weight. Excess weight causes fat cells to swell

contributing to the tissue strain that results in the orange

peel effect.

A diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as a good

eight glasses of water a day to flush toxins, will begin the

restorative process of proper nutrition at the point of origin.

Making sure that your diet includes plenty of all the necessary

vitamins especially B for stress, as well as C, bioflavonoids

and minerals is a good way to begin the recovery process.

Eating Right

Vigorous exercise is an absolute necessity. It will help to

stimulate sluggish circulation throughout the body as well as

targeting the troubled areas. Regular exercise, at least three

times a week for 40 minutes or more, will have far reaching

effects on many of the body’s systems, firing up metabolism and

getting the lymph and blood flowing.

Laying on Hands and Lotion

Milder cases of cellulite can be ministered to by means of a

good massage regime using one or other of the reputable creams

and lotions on the market. Many creams contain natural botanical

ingredients that are tissue decongestants as well as stimulants

for the microcirculation.

Consider having a few deep tissue massages from experts and

learn some tips. Go home and practice on yourself. The more

attention the problem areas receive the more dynamic and alive

the tissues will become. Circulation will improve and toxins can

be convinced to evacuate.

Consulting the Real Experts

Serious cases of cellulite may benefit from the advice of real

experts. You will have to employ serious discernment when

figuring out whom to turn to. The Internet offers you

unprecedented opportunities to check and recheck claims.

Procedures can be thoroughly researched before deciding which

program to go for. Be skeptical. In this day and age it is the

reasonable response to the plethora of false promises that

threaten to take advantage of the vulnerable.

Losing weight is the first part of the battle. The second part is keeping it off permanently.

Many people can knock weight off short term then put it right back on. This article will give you 8 tips to keep the weight off permanently.

Many peoples diets are to strict and they restrict food groups that can be eaten and this lack of choice causes them to give up.

Also, many diets simply don’t make you feel healthy and people give up due to lack of energy, nausea etc

Keeping on track for long term weight loss

Lets say you have lost weight and are waning on a diet, here are 8 tips to help you keep the weight off longer term, which can be incorporated into ANY sensible diet.

1. Eat breakfast.

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.

Your body has been deprived of nourishment for up to 8 hours; at breakfast you re fuel your body giving you energy that sets you up for the day and curbs hunger pangs later on.

More than 80% of dieters who achieve long term weight loss eat breakfast, so this is very good advice.

2. Eat greens.

Fruits and vegetables are low in calories high in water and fiber, both of which make you feel full for longer.

Aim for five servings a day, this is not as difficult as it sounds, as there are plenty of foods to choose from.

If you are in a hurry, buy green foods supplement and dilute with fruit juice for a quick nourishing snack.

3. Eat naturally

It really is common sense which foods are good and bad for you.

If you eat as naturally as you can and avoid foods with lots of additives and processing you are on the right track for long term weight loss.

4. Don’t be too hard on yourself

People who keep weight off have learned to treat themselves and not be too hard on themselves.

Eating a Pizza or burger every now and again, is not going to make you suddenly jump hugely in weight.

A treat such as this 2 or 3 times a week will not harm you at all, so long as you are sensible with the rest of your diet.

The reason many people give up dieting is simply it is to demanding in terms of what they can eat, but the reality is it does not have to be in the first place.

Proper long term weight loss and maintance is exactly that, a long term process.

The occasional treat is essential, so forget about all the foods you can never eat again, you can!

5. Have healthy convenience food

It is to easy with our hectic lifestyles to simply grab burgers, fast food, microwave meals when were in a hurry.

Make sure you have quick healthy foods in the cupboard instead.

For example, tinned fish such as salmon, sardines or Tuna are ideal.

Simply add over a baked potato with some vegetables and you have a quick meal in a matter of minutes.

6. Eat 5 times a day

Eat regular and often, five times a day to prevent insulin spikes and hunger cravings. This way you will always feel full and more energetic.

7. Eat protein and carbohydrate together

Always try and eat carbohydrate and protein together at every meal.

Protein stabilizes insulin levels, which leads to steady energy throughout the day. One more benefit, eating protein has been shown to reduce your appetite.

Protein and carbohydrate work together so should be eaten together for long term health.

8. Drink water

Yes, you have heard it numerous times before:

Drink 2 liters of water per day to help with long term weight loss

Many of our hunger pangs are really thirst pangs so reach for the water first. Also water is essential in the fat buring process so make sure you get plenty each day.

Long term weight loss be realistic and sensible

The above is really common sense and allows you flexibility and choice in your eating habits.

To achieve long term weight loss incorporate the above in your diet and you will find it easier to stick with a diet as well as feeling healthy and more energetic.

When you’re looking for a way to lose weight, the last thing that you might want to do is get up in front of a bunch of strangers and share your weight loss trials and tribulations.

It works for some people, but for others, they’d just like to know what they need to do and when they need to do it – in the privacy of their own homes. And that’s exactly what online counseling for weight loss provides.

Weight loss counseling is an effective resource for anyone that needs more guidance than prepackaged meals or fancy calorie counting systems. If you’re looking to lose weight and lose it for good, you’ll need to have someone who’s trained in nutrition as well as creating plans that will work to reap the weight loss rewards that you crave – no pun intended. The online counselor or weight loss system can work for you, but only if you’re the right fit.

The trick with these kinds of programs is that while they might appear to put all of the responsibility on the weight loss system, the brunt of the responsibility is actually laid upon the dieter.

You will need to answer questions and track your progress honestly in order to keep the system working for you. You’re not going to be weighing yourself in front of anyone… so only you can type in the correct weight or that extra cookie that you snuck in. In short, if you aren’t using the system honestly, you won’t be able to lose weight.

Online counseling for weight loss does offer you resources of support so that you can stay on track. With things like weight loss message boards and helpful charts, you’ll be able to learn to make better choices for your weight loss plans, rather than having to ‘go it on your own.’

Many online weight loss systems are also helpful in tracking things like exercise and activity so that you can see what else affects your weight besides what food you eat.

With helpful charts, you can see the progress that you’ve made and create new goals that are healthy and realistic. And while you might not have anyone cheering you on, you get the self-satisfaction of knowing that you have all the tools that you need.

Sometimes that’s all that you need to succeed. Sometimes being able to say that you made changes on your own is all the reward you need.

If you’re looking for your very own cheerleader, consider an online counseling for weight loss plan that includes a personal trainer. Having access to your very own trainer is priceless, and more often than not the results are astounding.

Being overweight can incur serious health consequences. This is a fact that most people knew about. Many of these include risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones, and some forms of cancer. Weight loss can help you reduce some of these risks.

Here are some general pointers to keep in mind when confronted with weight loss products. Many weight loss programs that claim that you can lose weight with ease are false. To lose weight, it is either to reduce the number of calories you eat or to increase the number of calories you burn through exercise. It has been agreed by many experts to recommend a combination of both.

Many low calorie diets are not without risk. They should be pursued only under medical supervision. A very low calorie diets can deprive you of important nutrients and can be potentially dangerous.

Many fad diets effects are only temporary and you may gain back your weight just as quickly. Sudden and drastic changes in your eating patterns are difficult to maintain over time. Many of these crash diets often send a dieter into a cycle of quick weight loss and then followed by a return to weight gain once normal diet habits resume. They may experience more difficulties to reduce weight when attempting the next dieting plan.

To lose weight permanently over a long term and safely requires you to adjust your daily eating and exercising habits. Many health professionals would recommend a goal of losing about a pound a week. A total reduction of 3,500 calories is required to lose a pound of fat. A reduction of 500 calories per day can help achieve this goal. A way to lower your calorie intake is to put into practice healthy eating habits.

Avoid the use of phony devices and gadgets. They can range from those that are simply ineffective to those that are truly dangerous to your health. Save your money. Some of the deceitful gadgets that have been marketed to dieters over the years.

These include electrical muscle stimulators that are used in physical therapy treatment. The FDA has taken a number of them off the market because they were promoted to lose weight and body toning. If used improperly, muscle stimulators can be dangerous and cause electrical shocks and burns.

Avoid appetite suppressing eyeglasses. These are common eyeglasses with colored lenses that claim to project an image to the retina that suppress the desire to eat. There is no such evidence that these work.

Avoid magic weight loss earrings and devices custom fitted to the person’s ear that purport to stimulate acupuncture points controlling hunger have not been proven effective.

Losing weight is simple but it is not easy as some claim to be. Stick to the basics of exercising and eating moderately and you will be on the way to losing weight effectively.

There are certain specific foods which are never allowed when you are on a low-carbohydrate diet. There are those food items which contain white flour and/or sugar (including honey). Grains and breads are restricted, though people who are on a weight-maintenance diet, non-obese diabetics, or those who can tolerate a few additional carbohydrates and still lose weight may eat a limited amount of grain products.

Starch or sugar is highest in carbohydrates. Other food items include anything made with flour, grains, foods with added sugar, and starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn. Most processed foods are also high in carbohydrates. A low-carb diet allows you to eat your favorite meat, fish, poultry, cheese, cream, butter and eggs, with some instructions as given by your dietician. You can eat green leafy vegetables which are low in starch, like spinach, mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, green beans, broccoli, lettuce, and so on. You can also take a limited quantity of soy products.

Similarly, most fruits are restricted, but some fruits (other than watermelons and bananas) are allowed as long as they do not produce weight gain. Some preferred fruits include avocado, strawberries and grapefruit. It is advisable to cut out some foods, such as sugar and cereals, but include small amounts in your menus and take a controlled diet.

Fibers are an important part of our diet, and supplements of dietary fiber in the form of psyllium husks are advisable. When you are on a low-carb diet it is important to have a high-fat diet. Saturated fats and fats like olive oil, coconut oil, butter, lard, fish oil, tallow, palm kernel oil, peanut oil, and flaxseed oil are advisable.

There are varieties of diet foods available which you can select depending upon the kind of weight loss you want. These diet foods help you maintain a strict diet without banning food of your choice, but provide options to you to eat want you want in a healthier way.

Medical statistics says that around 45% of teenage boys and girls are overweight or suffering from obesity problems. This is an alarming situation as it may lead to an unhealthy society. Many of them do undergo some weight loss programs, but due to the rigorousness of those programs, it is not suitable for everyone. Dieting or sweating in the gym proves no results at times and sometimes proves to produce much serious health related problems.

So if your teen is over weight, he or she probably concerned bout the excess body weight. Apart from lifelong health hazards such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the social and emotional fallout of being overweight can be overwhelming for a teenager. It’s wise to offer support and gentle understanding to your teen and asked them to control the situation by taking proper medications like Phentermine.

Phentermine diet pills are one of the oldest FDA approved anti obesity diet pills. It is basically used for short term treatment and management of obesity. It helps in burning excess fats in a healthy way if used properly with a daily diet and exercise regime.

The truth about Phentermine diet pills is that they actually act as food suppressant that makes our body feels that the stomach is not empty. Its main constituent Hydrochloride is in the sympathomimetic family of appetite suppressant.

Phentermine works by stimulating the hypothalamus gland and affecting certain neurotransmitters that decreases appetite considerably. The hypothalamus is the region of the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc

Being a drug side affects are inevitable. But these affects are normal and fades away as the body gets used to this drug. Most common side affects are dizziness, dry mouth and stomach upset.

But it is advisable to speak with your doctor if Phentermine is not working properly after it’s usage within 2- 3 weeks.

Obesity can disturb a teenage psychologically. So it’s the duty of parents to guide their kids to healthy weight loss techniques and help them to tackle it in a normal way.

What is going on with our health in America today? Why are 68% of us fat? The diet industry is making billions off of us each year, and we are getting nowhere!

We have seen it all: Low Fat, Low Carb, Atkins, South Beach, Hollywood Diet, Blah,blah,blah. Not to mention the thousands of pills on the market. I received an advertisement just yesterday that proclaimed no diet change or exercise needed, just take this magic pill for weight loss. What the…..do people actually fall for this? Obviously they do. I used to be one of them.

First of all, America is the fattest country because of what we eat. Dieting is a temporary solution. Unless you are willing to change your diet completely for good, you are setting yourself up for failure. Unfortunately, there is no “magic pill”, like these money-hungry companies want you to believe. Sure, they may speed up the weight loss process, but at what cost to your health? Do you even know what you are putting into your body? Do you care? I will tell you right now 99% of diet pills are harmful to your health. I don’t know why, but we are so easily sold on a fancy advertisement promising us the world, when in reality, we get ripped off , and possibly even killing ourselves. Well I got fed up. I decided to devote years into getting to the bottom of weight loss and dieting.

My findings may not be what you want to hear, but I’m not going to sugar coat it or lie to make money. I used to be fat,depressed,sick,and unmotivated. My father died from cancer, and that was the last straw for me. I decided this one chance at life we are given is too short to be miserable. These 10 guidelines will help keep it simple:

1. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION. Remember, restaurant meals are 3-4 times the portion amount you should be eating.

2. BEST CHOICES are fruits, vegetables and lean meat .

3. BAD CHOICES for sure is if it comes in a package. Anything processed, i.e. cookies,crackers,chips,ice cream,etc. Not good. All of this crap is loaded with sugars,preservatives, and empty calories.

4. FAST FOOD. We are in a world of convenience, and drive-thrus are on every corner. Avoid when you can. You are teaching your children nothing but bad habits when you give them a happy meal for lunch.

5. SOFT DRINKS. There is nothing positive at all in these. Empty calories, one of our worst enemies.

6. HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. Yikes! This stuff should never be consumed. When you see it, run!

7. SUGAR. A person should be consuming NO MORE THAN a half a cup per day. In reality, the average american has 2-4 cups per day. (If you were properly educated on what this does to your body, you would be shocked!

8. SAUCES. Be careful…know the ingredients. Heavy creams,cheese,butter and oils should be used sparingly.

9. WATER. Love it.Your body is crying out for 8 or more glasses a day.

10. EXERCISE. The no. 1 cause of depression is lack of physical activity. There are a lot of ways to get in daily physical activity. I am not going to tell you to get a gym membership and work out 3 hours a day. Find whatever exercise regime you enjoy, and get moving! You most likely will not feel like exercising, however, you will benefit from it in more ways than you realize, so MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Thats it. Those are the basic guidelines. If you are extremely heavy and would benefit from a diet program to get you started, just make sure you do your homework and choose a healthy one. But remember, if you are not willing to make a lifetime commitment to a healthier lifestyle, the second your diet is over and you pick up your old habits, you will pick up all those pounds (and most likely more) you work so hard getting rid of.

I highly suggest getting your life going today, right now! Don’t wait another second. Be the person that you want to be, do the things you want to do. Remember, misery is an option. Don’t just lay around and let your precious life flutter away before your eyes.

Angela S.

www.womenshealthlife.com