Holly Rigsby, CPT, MAT America’s #1 Fat Loss Expert for Busy Moms and the author of Fit Yummy Mummy Lifestyle System http://www. fityumymumy. com and expert contributor at http://www. efittoday. com She has helped well over 500 Mom’s lose the stubborn baby fat and get their pre-baby body back. Don’t miss her Free Report: Top 5 Busy Mom Metabolism Boosters.

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Low-Carb Diet, Should I or Shouldn’t I?

It’s no wonder that confusion reigns when it comes to the worth
and reliability of low-carb diets after all the conflicting
studies and confusing interpretation of the information. It
seems like debates are popping up everywhere!
No matter if it’s Atkins, South Beach or some other low-carb
plan, there are approximately 30 million Americans are on a
low-carb diet.
Supporters contend that the large amount of carbohydrates in our
diet has led to increased problems with obesity, diabetes, and
other health situations. On the other hand, some attribute
obesity and related health problems to over eating of calories
and lack of physical activity. They also express concern that
without grains, fruits, and vegetables in low-carbohydrate diets
may lead to deficiencies of some key nutrients, including
vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and many minerals.
It is already known that any diet, whether high or low in
carbohydrates, can produce meaningful weight loss during the
early stages of the diet. Keep in mind, the key to a diet being
successful is in being able to lose the weight on a permanent
basis.
Let’s see if we can expose some of the mystery about low-carb
diets. Following, is a listing of some related points taken from
recent studies and scientific literature.
Point 1 – Some Differences Between Low-Carb Diets
There are many famous diets created to lower carbohydrate
consumption. Lowering total carbohydrates in the diet means that
protein and fat will take up a proportionately greater amount of
the total caloric intake.
Low carbohydrate diet like the Atkins Diet restrict carbohydrate
to a point where the body becomes ketogenic (a high-fat,
low-carbohydrate diet that includes normal amounts of protein).
Other low-carb diets like the Zone and Life Without Bread are
less confined. Some, like Sugar Busters announce only to
eliminate sugars and foods that elevate blood sugar levels
excessively.
Point 2 – What We Know about Low-Carb Diets
+Close to all of the studies to date have been small with a
diversity of research objectives. Carbohydrate, caloric intake,
diet duration and participant characteristics are wide-ranged
greatly. Most of the studies to date have two things in common,
none of the research studies had people in the study with a
average age over 53 and none of the controlled studies lasted
more than 90 days.
+The results on older adults and long-term results are scarce.
Many diet studies fail to keep track of the amount of exercise,
and therefore caloric use, while people in the study are
dieting. This helps to explain the variances between studies.
+If you lose weight on a low-carb diet it is a function of the
calorie intake and length of the diet, and not with reduced
amount of carbohydrates.
+There is very little evidence on the long-range safety of
low-carb diets. Even though the medical community has concerns,
no short-term bad effects have been found with cholesterol,
glucose, insulin and blood-pressure levels among the people in
the study on the diets. Because of the short period of the
studies the adverse effects may not show up. Losing weight
typically leads to improvement in these levels, and this may
offset an increase caused by a high fat diet. The over-all
weight changes for low-carb and other types of diets are
similar.
+Most low-carb diets can cause ketosis. Nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, and confusion are some of the potential
consequences. When first starting a low-carb diet some fatigue
and constipation may be met and these symptoms usually disappear
quickly.
+Some report that you can have more calories when on a low-carb
diet. Remember a calorie is a calorie no matter what you intake.
When the study is not closely supervised variations will result
by people cheating in the study on many factors of the study.
There are three important factors I would like to re-emphasize:
1. – The over-all success rate for low-carb and other types of
diets are similar.
2. – Small amount of information exists on the long-term efficacy
and safety of low-carb diets despite their huge popularity,
3. – Dieters usually experience boredom with a strict version of
the low-carb diet and are not able to stay on diets of low carb
food.
After observing the subject, a more severe and controlled study
are needed on a long-range basis. The ketosis produced is
abnormal and stressful metabolic state. The results may cause
more problems than it solved.
By picking a reliable diet you will benefit over a lifetime of
proper eating and not a weight loss quickie. An excellent rule
of thumb is look at the diet long-range and see if you can see
yourself still on that diet after a couple of weeks. However, by
following a diet with fat, carbohydrates, protein and other
nutrients in moderation may be the best way to go and a little
more exercise won’t hurt either.

Should You Take Menopause Diet Pills?

21. Dezember 2009

As menopause begins women often find many less than ideal images entering their minds. One typical concern is that menopause will make you pile on the pounds like never before.
Indeed, as people age and start to enter their forties and fifties their metabolism does begin to slow down. What is very important to remember is that there is no concrete evidence as yet that menopause its self causes weight gain.
Any weight issues experienced during menopause, e. g. bloatedness, are often be blamed on the menopause it’s self, typically wrongly. Menopause diet pills are not the solution to people’s particular weight gains.
Pills specifically aimed at reducing weight during menopause are misleading. The phrase ‘whilst experiencing hot flashes and mood swings you exercise, you barely eat, and you still pile on the pounds in areas you never had before’ can often be seen on menopause diet pill containers. These are pure marketing trash designed to prey on women’s insecurities in order to make sales. Often someone with the title of doctor will have supposedly helped to create these wonder pills that have been tried and tested for up to more than two decades. Pills such as these are typically the standard dieting pills from one of the many manufacturers, simply with a different name on the front of the packet. In no way are they specific to menopause.
Other pills on the market may have more of an effect with burning fat but should not be taken by menopausal women due to various substances contained therein actually potentially increasing the wide ranging uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.
Any product which contains caffeine or a similar caffeine shaped chemical compound should ideally be avoided. Many additives on pill box labels contain this type of ingredient e. g. kola nut, guarana, green tea extract, yerba mate and bitter orange (citrus aurantium).
Caffeine acts to heighten menopausal difficulties, but also can create another set of irritating side effects. Not uncommon are nervousness, elevated blood pressure, cases of the jitters and palpitations of the heart.
If pills must be taken for anything, unless approved by your doctor, they should be vitamin-specific pills used to increase certain vitamins and minerals in your diet.
If you want to loose weight whilst undergoing menopause then standard fitness advice is what is required. Consume a moderate quantity of healthy and varied food whilst also frequently exercising at the appropriate pace for your level of fitness. A healthy diet lowers your blood cholesterol levels, provides just the right energy required for the day and has been known to improve your positive outlook on life. Regular exercise has been seen to raise your metabolic rate, aiding weight loss, and lower stress and the risk of a multitude of serious diseases, such as osteoporosis, diabetes and cancer.

3 Reasons Why You Should Try the Hoodia Diet Pill

19. Dezember 2009

We all know dieting isn’t easy and there are new fad diets appearing on the market all the time. How do you know that the newest fad is going to help you to lose weight or if it will be a failure like most of the others? The Hoodia diet pill is one method that has gained popularity in recent times and it has done so due to its remarkable record of giving good results. Here are three reasons why you should consider tyring the Hoodia Gordonii diet pill.

1. Hoodia has been used for thousands of years by the people of South Africa to suppress their appetites while going on long hunting trips. Knowing that food would be scarce they didn’t want their hunting skills lessened due to their hunger pains so to stay on top of their game they ate the Hoodia plant and with good results. During these thousands of years there have never been any recorded negative side effects of Hoodia.

2. Hoodia has had significant scientific testing performed on it to guarantee it’s safety. 100% pure Hoodia is completely natural and contains no chemicals and as there have been no side effects recorded in its history of usage it was proven perfectly safe for consumption.

3. There were clinical trials performed on Hoodia pills in the UK with half of the participants given Hoodia and half given a placebo. The result of these trials found that the participants who were given the Hoodia did in fact lose weight. It was found that their appetite was suppressed and since they didn’t feel hungry they ate less and therefore reduced their calorie intake. Hence, the Hoodia pill was found to be very effective with the assistance of weight loss.

In summary, the Hoodia diet pill has had significant testing to prove its safety and to also prove its effectiveness as a weight loss aid. It has also had a significant history during which it has also proven to be safe and effective.

So if you are looking for that weight loss fad that really does work, then the Hoodia diet pill may be just what you are looking for.

What Everyone Should Know About Trislim Diet Pill

16. Dezember 2009

TriSlim weight loss pill is one of the very popular diet pills that are being sold these days. Based on some studies and reviews this pill works efficiently for people who know that the primary reason for their excessive weight is their equally excessive food intake. However, before you grab a bottle full of diet pills, you should first take note of the basic facts about TriSlim: This diet pill is made out of 3 main ingredients, Hoodia Gordonii, Green Tree Extract, and Chitosan.   Basically, the ingredients used for the pill can promote weight loss by suppressing the person’s urge to eat, boosts metabolism and stops the body from absorbing all the fats from the foods we eat. How does TriSlim work? The effectiveness of TriSlim is more than evident in the countless testimonials of the product on the web. Several users have approved of this product and found it to be a great aid in weight loss. Many have found TriSlim as an easy, yet highly effective solution to shed those extra pounds. With most users approving of this drug, the doubts about its efficacy remain minimal. What are the possible side effects of TriSlim Weight Loss? Other than people becoming too comfortable with the diet pill and forgetting to eat, because their hunger has been suppressed, the supplement is extremely safe and because it is all-natural, there are no side effects as there are when using other diet supplements that rely on using artificial chemicals that along with weight loss, also carry symptoms such as raised blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and restlessness. Of course it’s possible while on a diet simply to have willpower that is strong enough to resist all of those wonderful snacks and the second helping at dinner but everyone can use a help when starting any diet plan and TriSlim will work together with your willpower to help curb cravings and stop midnight snacking. What you just learned about TriSlim is just the beginning. To get the full story and everything you ever wanted to know about TriSlim, Here is the absolute best source we uncovered, TriSlim Review.    

Important Reasons Why You Should Avoid Fad Diets for Weight Loss

We live in a diet crazed world. Despite the fact a large number of our population is dieting and focusing on weight loss, the obesity epidemic continues to grow.
The reason the problem is getting worse is because people are falling for diet scams. They switch from one top 10 fad diet to the next while they search for diet plan secrets that cure obesity.
The truth about dieting is something we don’t want to hear. It takes hard work and determination to lose weight and there is no magic fat loss pill.
The Truth about Top 10 Fad Diets
Not all diets are alike. Even the most popular weight loss programs like the South Beach Diet and the Atkins Diet end their similarities at the word diet. In fact, there are few diet plans available to help you achieve fat loss and improve your overall health.
Fad diets are spun off of research tidbits. Often times the top 10 fad diets have not even been tested. Worse yet, some diets have been proven harmful to your health. Most fad diets are simply scams intended to make money off of overweight, unsuspecting individuals. Sadly, many of them succeed.
Ultimately what happens when you follow a fad deit is that you’ll lose a few pounds initially, stall out when you reach a plateau, and start to feel deprived and hungry all the time. Eventually frustration wins out and you return to your old ways of eating what made you overweight in the first place. Because you feel deprived, you are more likely to binge on the foods you crave and gain back the weight you lost along with additional weight.
The bottom line seems to be: fad diets actually make you gain weight over the long haul. Bouncing from one top 10 fad diet to the next worsens the situation as your body adjusts and goes into starvation mode.
Total fasting, or ‘the starvation plan’, as the only weight loss strategy, is not the answer to your problem. Each time you diet in this way, you lose fat, water and muscle and each time you gain, you gain only fat. That’s why it gets harder and harder to shed the unwanted pounds.
The bottom line seems to be: fad diets actually make you gain weight over the long haul. Bouncing from one top 10 fad diet to the next worsens the situation as your body adjusts and goes into starvation mode.
The Reason Overweight People Turn to Top 10 Fad Diets
When people decide that they have had enough of being overweight, it suddenly becomes a top priority to lose weight. They want instant gratification and are drawn in by diet scams that promise fast weight loss.
Most people think that the more money they spend on a product, the better effect it will have on their weight loss program. The problem with these diet fads is that even if their weight loss tips do help you lose a few pounds in the beginning, you will not be able to reach your weight loss goal and maintain it.
Few diets actually focus on the healthy lifestyle changes that it takes to lose fat and keep it off.
The Truth about Common Sense Diets
The truth about common sense dieting is that the only way to lose weight, improve your health and improve your quality of life is to eat healthier foods and exercise.
A common sense diet details what to eat and drink and provides a “simple plan” for success. Knowing what key foods to eat and when, is half the battle for fat loss.
Starvation diets and over-exercising don’t work. They leave you feeling weak and deprived. Eating certain healthy organic and whole foods at the right times during the day, in large enough portions to feel full and satisfied is the key to weight loss and is the focus of healthy weight loss programs.

You Should Know How Your Diet Is Supposed To Work

3. Dezember 2009

The vast majority of people start dieting in order to lose weight. Losing weight can be accomplished in a number of ways. A diet is simply a specific method for accomplishing that task.
When one decides that they need to lose weight, the first thing that must be considered is the reason for wanting to lose weight. Is the weight loss going to be directed at a way to gain better health or is it more of a vanity reason? The reason for dieting is as important as the method used to lose the weight.
If attaining a more healthy lifestyle and striving for better health is the reason, it should not be of any concern how long the dieting takes to achieve the weight loss goal, if in fact there is a goal. If good health is the main objective, length of time should not be an issue because the diet should simply be a part of a life-style change in which the dieting change would be a long-term part of the life-style anyway.
If, on the other hand, vanity is the reason and the dieting person is hell bent on losing a significant amount of weight in a short period of time in order to fit into an object of clothing or simply to look great at the class reunion in a month, the method chosen for dieting will be completely different and, most likely, quite unhealthy.
Long term lifestyle type diets are usually of the type that occur in small increments of weight loss and continue as exercise is slowly increased and more healthy food, in smaller portions is consumed. These are usually quite simple diets that don’t cause a significant amount of suffering as long as the dieting person is committed to the long-term goals.
The vanity type diet is usually a quick but very self-denying diet in which the dieting person eats very little or eats foods that do not tempt the pallet as far as taste or attractiveness go. Often, very large amounts of water are incorporated into these diets and most people do not drink enough water to begin with. When they are confronted with the need to increase their water intake significantly, they hesitate or they are not very compliant. Water, when one is not thirsty, simply does not taste very good.
The vanity diet also usually requires a substantial increase in activity in the form of exercise and most people have a strong aversion to that form of activity.
There are also diets that are not in either the lifestyle change nor the vanity dieting lists but are really a forced lifestyle change that is completely necessary for the dieting person to continue to live. Once such diet is the diabetic diet. If one ignores their diabetes and continues to eat large amounts of carbohydrates, as most Americans do, they will eventually suffer serious health deterioration. So, the necessary-for-life diets are not the ones we are really concerned with in this article.
There are a number of different diets available for each of the non-necessity diets. The basic lifestyle change diet has already been described though some of the latter day fad diets are also appropriate for long-term dieting if the person doing the dieting is indeed dedicated to the lifestyle change. Some specific fad diets that would work for this person are the Atkins or low-carb diet, The Zone diet or the South Beach diet.
The extreme vanity diet person can also use the low carb diet for fast weight loss or they can try starvation or if they really want to lose weight fast and suffer a bit more but at least retain some type of decent health, they can attempt the Lemonade Diet.
The lemonade diet is highly effective but is more a fast than a diet and a special mixture of water, cayenne pepper, lemon juice and syrup are required. One must be highly dedicated to losing weight for this diet to work as no food is allowed for a period of at least ten days and the Lemonade dieter will feel worse before they feel like a million dollars. The diet is extremely effective for losing ten pounds or more in ten days though. The added benefit of this diet is that it does a thorough job of cleaning the colon.
Each one of the above mentioned diets should be highly suspect and not just accepted for it’s reputation or the current fad. One who is considering dieting should, at the very least, buy the book that is written about the diet in order to learn how the diet works with the body and effects the different body systems. Each of the authors has a lot of information included in their book about these concerns.
The main point of this article is to point out to anyone who is considering dieting that they should be very careful and choose a diet that meets their goals and health concerns. Don’t blindly go into any diet without knowing how it’s supposed to effect you, what you’re supposed to eat while on the diet, how much weight you are expected to lose in a specific period of time and what are the benefits and health concerns that attach to that diet.
In fact, it is a very good idea to discuss any diet plans with your health care professional prior to starting or even considering one of the above diets.

What You Should Know About Diet Pills

25. November 2009

There are basically two kinds of diet pills; one is the prescription only diet pills and the over-the-counter diet pills.
Prescription diet pills are medical drugs. As such they are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration agency (FDA). The FDA strictly monitors their side effects, their advertising as well as prescriptions. The most popular of these is Xenical, which is currently the only licensed weight loss drug for long-term use. However, drugs being drugs these diet pills always have side effects. For example diarrhea, oily and unexpected fecal discharge is just some side effects that accompany Xenical. Therefore, users are advised to take it with a low fat diet plan.
On the other hand Over-the-Counter diet pills are categorized as food substitute and are unregulated. However having said this beware that these diet pills are not federal authority tested and may cause serious side effects up to and including death.
According to manufacturers, Over-the-Counter diet pills use natural ingredients capable of prolonging life and containing alcohol used in medication or flavoring. But one thing’s for sure, never take diet pills as substitute for cutting calories without the doctor’s recommendation. There are simple but important steps to be followed when taking diet pills, whether prescription or over-the-counter:
1. Take it whole with a full glass of water. Never crush diet pills, for example to mix in drinks or soups. They may not taste that good but unless you are specifically told to chew them, do not chew them, they are designed to be taken whole. Crushing them might make them more powerful than they should be making them lethal.
2. Diet pills cause a person to urinate more frequently due to its diuretic effect. This could lead to dehydration, thus, causing complications. As a pre-caution, it is best to drink eight glasses of water everyday while on diet pills.
3. Never take more pills than you should. Take only the recommended dosage. Taking more than required will not help you lose weight but will definitely increase the risk of side effects.
4. Monitor your heart rate. Heartbeat should be less than 86 beats per minute. Stop taking the pills if it reaches 90 or higher that is why regular checking of pulse is a must. If your heart rate increases inform your doctor/specialist immediately.
5. Always follow the instructions set by the dietitian and/or doctor and not only rely on what’s enclosed in the box. Also diet pills will only work as expected if diet plan is being followed.
6. After three months, stop taking the diet pills. This will mitigate against some side effects like addiction. Other diet pills like phenylpropanolamine are safe to use only up to sixteen weeks. Some studies show that it can cause health problems if taken under one month.
Aside from a dietitian, your local pharmacists can also help in determining the pills that are safe depending on your circumstances and health condition. Just be extra careful about the so-called “natural” or “organic” ingredients. Not everything that comes from a natural source is safe. One example is Ma Huang, which is a botanical source of ephedrine known as a stimulant and being studied for potential side effects.
Those who have or have a family history of prostate problems, thyroid disease, mental illness, high blood pressure, and heart problems should avoid taking diet supplements without medical supervision. The same applies to those who’ve had seizures or strokes.
And as a general rule, don’t ever try to take diet drugs if pregnancy is suspected. Persons that are allergic to sulfites and tartrazine should also avoid taking diet pills. And those who are under 18 years or over 60 years of age should consult their doctor first prior to taking any dietary drugs, especially if they rely on over-the-counter stimulants used as a replacement for increase exercise.
If someone is taking cold medicines, especially those with decongestants, diet pills should not be taken. These two can end up interacting and causing major problems. Whether it is a prescription or an over-the-counter diet pill, the dangers are unvarying with other similar drugs which control the brain to reduce appetite. Such dangers can be as serious as chest pains, hair falling, fever, depression, and even impotence.