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Fat Loss For Idiots – The New Approach to Dieting Mar 05, 2010, 9:34 pm.

In the modern world of diet and exercise, new approaches are constantly coming forth, claiming to have all of the answers. It seems that the only thing that all of these new approaches have in common is that they all contradict each other at some point or another.  While many people may benefit from learning all of these new approaches to weight loss, most of us simply become more and more confused as we are confronted with more and more contradicting theories. Often times you are left wondering what to try first. While there are many approaches and methods to loosing weight, relatively, there are only a few universal truths, even though unfortunately they are not recognized as such.

One of the most debated on subjects is whether or not to eat things that you like while on a diet. Some say that eating things that you like in moderation will help you to lose weight while making it easy to stick to your diet. Others say, if you eat what you want then you will tend to eat more, because you will be enjoying eating too much. The truth is, as it is with many other debates, the correct answer lies somewhere in between both opinions. It is true that it is best to eat things in moderation, but only if the things that you are eating in moderation are good for you. In other words it is not good to eat junk food in moderation, no matter how you look at it. On the other hand it is also true that eating things you like will cause you to eat more, but if you apply the rule from the other method and eat the things you like only in moderation then you won’t have to worry about that part.

Another important fact that is not so debated, but rather has been established as universal fact over the past 50 years. Is the fact that eating many small meals throughout the day, is better than eating 3 large meals. Eating small meals helps your bodies metabolism to do it’s job more efficiently by not putting to much of a load  on your digestive system. It is easier for your body to digest small meals then it is for it to digest very large meals. This fact can’t be argued. Another fact that can’t be argued is that exercising will help you lose weight.

If you are looking for a program that will help you lose weight, it would be wise for you to pick one that uses the three concepts that I just talked about. One such program is the FatLoss4Idiots program. It truly is one of the most comprehensive dieting systems on the internet today. Check it out at www.fatloss4idiots.co  and I’m sure you’ll find the tons of information extremely useful.m

Enjoy Eating with Dave Grotto’s 101 Optimal Life Foods Mar 04, 2010, 1:05 am.

Want to live long and prosper? Of course you do! So don’t miss this amazing interview with dietitian and author of not one, but two books that can help save your life and give you an optimal life!

In this interview, Dave Grotto, author of 101 Optimal Life Foods, and I discuss common mistakes dieters make – like having the “good foods, bad foods” list. Dave gives his perspective on where consumers are getting it right (like buying healthy foods) and where they are getting it wrong (forgetting to cook it or overcooking). Finally, you don’t want to miss his three favorite foods he would bring if he was stranded on a desert island and trying to survive (and stay happy) while waiting for help to come.

Listen now, then read on to learn how to get a copy for yourself!

Get Your Optimal Life

After listening to the interview, post a comment below giving me your three favorite foods for a “desert island” and we will choose one winner to receive a copy of 101 Optimal Life Foods. Giveaway ends March 31. (Winner will be contacted via email provided in comment form.)

About Dave

David W. Grotto, RD, LDN is the author of 101 Optimal Life Foods (Bantam Books 2010) and 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life! (Bantam Books, 2008)

www.davidgrotto.com

http://twitter.com/davidgrotto

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Enjoy Eating with Dave Grotto’s 101 Optimal Life Foods

Shame on You for Being Fat? Feb 25, 2010, 1:00 pm.

Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss

And yet, the show leads to life changes and people losing significant weight and keeping it off better than the national average. Does humiliation and shame have to be part of a successful weight loss strategy though?

Research would tell us no. One study by Emory University found that female monkeys who were continually harassed by dominant monkeys ate more high-fat foods and more frequently than their dominant female counterparts, telling us that psychological stress can lead to overeating. In another study, researchers from the University of Alberta found that humiliation in physical education class as a child can turn people off of fitness for good.

Scientists at Yale University found that those who were more successful in losing weight and keeping it off had higher levels of self-esteem and self-confidence — the antithesis of shame. But where is the line drawn between inviting public scrutiny as a check on your own behaviors and using that exposure to be shamed into weight loss? More importantly, is it sustainable?

The New York Times Freakonomics blogger writes about a co-worker who stashes his chocolate-covered popcorn in another coworker’s office so when he wants to “pig out” on his treats, he will have to suffer the embarrassment of someone else watching him. It also means the popcorn-lover has to get up and walk over to get to his treat. However, the coworker noted it was the shame of stuffing his face with salty, chocolaty popcorn in front of someone else — and not the moments of reflection on the walk over — that deterred him from pigging out more often.

While self-induced shaming may seem counter-intuitive to confidence building and healthy weight loss, involving others with your food issues is not always a bad thing. Many bloggers start writing about their quest to lose weight because they are looking to hold themselves accountable.

Others prefer to use Twitter’s Tweet What You Eat online food journal where the whole world will know if you gorged on half a pizza. This could be seen as a similar mindset to the person who stashes food in a neighboring cubicle. If you don’t trust yourself enough to stay honest, you may turn to friends (or strangers on the Internet) to help you overcome mindless eating or even bigger slip-ups. From Biggest Loser contestants to successful weight loss bloggers, many would argue that the transparency builds confidence rather than destroys it.

What do you think? What lengths would you go to in order to lose weight? Do you think that taking your food issues into the public sphere just invites public shame and humiliation? Or do you think that being open about your issues garners positive support?

For one woman, joining Sparkpeople allowed her to get control of her eating and find community support.

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Can One Vitamin Help You Lose Weight? Feb 22, 2010, 12:00 pm.

Filed under: Jonny’s Take, Diet & Weight Loss

If you’ve listened to the news in the past year, you probably already know that vitamin D is the new star in the supplement world. Studies are piling up touting the importance of this previously underrated vitamin for everything from mood to cancer prevention to physical performance.

It also turns out that your vitamin D levels are a good predictor of how successful you may be in trying to lose weight.

A recent presentation at the Endocrine Society’s 91st annual meeting showed that men and women with higher vitamin D levels experienced a greater amount of weight loss when dieting compared to those with lower levels.

Researchers measured blood levels of vitamin D in 38 obese patients prior to and following an 11-week diet that contained about 750 less calories per day than the participants needed to maintain their weight. That alone should have caused weight loss. But what the researchers found is that for each 1 nanogram per milliliter increase in blood levels of vitamin D, participants lost an additional half pound of weight.

“(Blood level) of vitamin D predicts subsequent weight loss, suggesting a potential role for vitamin D in promotion of weight loss,” the researchers said in the study abstract, suggesting that vitamin D might have an effect on fat metabolism.

This is not the first time vitamin D has been linked to weight-related issues. Diabetes, for example, has long been shown to be significantly more prevalent in people with low blood levels of vitamin D. And one study from “Emergency Medical News” showed that supplementing with vitamin D improved insulin sensitivity, a measure of how well your body metabolizes carbohydrates. (Insulin insensitive people are much more likely to have problems with blood sugar and weight.)

The best way to get any nutrient is in its natural form. In this case, your body needs sunlight to produce vitamin D. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes a day of exposure for your body to produce necessary levels. If you live in a cold, cloudy climate, or if you can’t always make it outside for a brisk walk in the sunshine, there are also supplements.

There are no documented serious side effects to supplementing with vitamin D, and studies are pretty clear that many Americans have less than optimal levels of this nutrient in their blood. (You can get a simple vitamin D blood test by asking your doctor for a 25-OH Vitamin D test.)

The supplements are demonstrably safe at 2,000 IUs a day (and probably more). (Your body makes 10,000 IUs when you spend just 15 -20 minutes in the sun!)

With low levels clearly impacting weight loss success, what’s the downside of trying vitamin D supplements? In my opinion the answer is clear: None.

For more info, sign up for Jonny’s free audio course, “7 Supplements You Need Now” and visit his Web site.

Jonny Bowden, author, nutritionist and weight loss coach cuts through all the misconceptions about diet and fitness to help you transform your body, your health and your life.

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