I was just reading a great article on Zen and Fitness about portion control that really laid out to me about the size that meals should be and it got me to thinking about our own eating habits at home.

I eat a good meal in the morning of Oatmeal or a bagel with Nutella and then I just kind of eat all day. I will have a structured lunch but I have fruit and granola bars and stuff that I will eat until I run our of food in the afternoon. Then I do not eat until dinner.

Our family eats dinner at our dinner table every day and we tend to have our best family time at dinner talking about the day and having good protions. I would tend to eat really fast but my kids sometimes need help cutting food and my wife will nag me to slow down if I am eating too quickly. So I really enjoy my food at dinner and a well thought out portion of food at that time as well.

We have always eaten dinner as a family at our kitchen table. This was a decision that my wife and I made when our daughter was born. It was too easy in our teens and twenties to eat on the couch and watch TV but you miss so much about your life as a family and the individuals as we all grow up so we thought this would be a family time, and it is.

It does drive the rest of the family crazy. My mom and sister have not ever gotten used to the fact that we don’t answer the phone during dinner and after dinner cleanup.

Also because we are used to dinner at the kitchen table it also carrys over to weekends for breakfast and lunch if we are at home. My wife also has a strict policy for the kids that they eat breakfast at the table during the week. The real upside to this is that we do not eat haphazardly and have structured portions.

All is not lost on random eating though. We do have a pantry and a fridge that both get opened in the evening for snacks as we are watching TV. I love to eat fruit in the evening and when my wife is not looking I can sneak a few chocolate chips out of the container

Looking to make a change and lose some weight? I have reviewed the top diet on the internet and you can go and read over 200 comments people have made about why this diet has worked well for them, as well as some of the problems.

There has been a diet floating around for many years called the 3 day diet. It is crap and promises a 10 pound weight loss but is in truth a lie. I have thought a bit about this and decided to come up with my own 3 day diet.

Have you ever thought of going on a 3 day diet? I was just surfing around and found that there are people looking for something of a short diet. If you were to do a three day diet I fear that you would not lose a lot of weight but you would have an opportunity to get in better shape by eating better and concentrating on some of those fundamentals of good eating and good metabolism tricks.

So here are some ideas that I have for how to do a 3 day diet.

First as you get up in the morning on the first day remember that you will be trying to do a couple of things. You will be looking to space out your eating and you will be looking to improve your water intake to help fill you up. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: energy, food, starvation, wrestling

Losing weight for good is a big topic. There will also not be much said about some fairly obvious health issues. If you smoke or have a problem with alcohol or drugs, you probably realize that this isn’t good for you. The same with overeating. Some of the methods here can help you with these issues, but I am not going to go into any detail about subjects that are so extensively covered all over the mainstream media and internet. The same with the advice to exercise. I do refer to exercise in the breathing chapter, but I don’t spell out “get x number of hours of exercise per week.” Exercise is important, but it should be tailored to you as an individual. I don’t want to imply that what I haven’t written about in detail is not important. It just isn’t the focus of this report.

What I am doing here is presenting a solid foundation upon which you can build. If you do have specific health challenges, need to lose a lot of weight, get into better shape, everything here will definitely be a good base upon which to add anything else you may need.

One final note about the focus of this report. I try, as much as possible, to give positive rather than negative advice. What I mean by that is, except where it is absolutely necessary (as with the chapter on junk foods!), I try to keep the focus on the positive –what is good for you rather than on what to avoid. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: allergy, animal products, antibiotics, athlete, Autism, Ayurvedic medicine, cancer, dairy products, depression, diabetes, energy, healthier products, healthy products, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, meditation, nutritional product, obesity, Organic products, particular systems, reflexology, relaxation, restaurant food, Sleep deprivation, strenuous sports, sweet products, Swimming, vegetarian diet

There are many forms of low carb diet but probably the most famous of all is the Atkins diet, created by Dr. Robert Atkins and popularized in the last quarter of the 20th century. Fad diets come and go, but the Atkins gained enough celebrity and medical support that it developed its own momentum, and took off in a big way.

Low carb diets vary in what they suggest that you eat. The strictest form, such as the induction phase of the Atkins diet, can suggest that you cut out almost all carbohydrate foods. This includes potatoes, rice and other grains, bread, sugar and anything containing it, and many fruits. Even carrots may be considered a medium carb food and eliminated for this phase, although green vegetables are fine and should be eaten in large quantities. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: atkins diet, energy, ketosis, low carb diet, low carb diets, medium carb food, obesity, Robert Atkins

History has long taken notice of the slim and attractive bodies of men and women from Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Tunisia, Lebanon and Morocco, an area also known as the Mediterranean. Medical professionals have also noted the lesser incidence of heart disease and longer life spans enjoyed by inhabitants of the region.

Mediterranean people have a unique diet, rich in antioxidants and heart healthy oils, which has remained unchanged for more than a millennium. Despite the drastic change in dietary habits in Western countries, Mediterranean men and women continue to consume a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and high in whole grains.

Modern researchers have uncovered the reasons why the classic diet provides such incredible health benefits, and diet programs incorporating the Mediterranean style of eating now flourish. Mediterranean diets focus on the key components of olive oil and fresh, high-quality produce.

Adherents of a Mediterranean diet are encouraged to replace dietary fats and oils with heart-healthy olive oil. Olive oil is rich in vitamins A, B-1, B-2, C, D, E, and K, as well as being high in iron. It has also been shown to lower cholesterol and may protect against ailments like stomach ulcers and constipation.

High consumption of fresh produce is encouraged, with emphasis placed on consuming those fruits and vegetables which are minimally processed and locally and seasonally grown. Whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, also minimally processed, give the Mediterranean diet variety.

Although fresh produce and olive oil (25 to 35 percent of total calories) are the true focus of the Mediterranean diet, lean meats are allowed in moderation, which reflects the eating habits of the Mediterranean peoples. Lean red meat is not off-limits, but followers of the diet should eat read meat sparingly.

Other protein sources like cheese, fish, poultry, and eggs are to be consumed in moderation throughout the week. Yogurt and cheese should be consumed in moderate amounts daily, while fish and poultry are to be eaten in limited servings weekly. Mediterranean dieters are encouraged to eat anywhere from none to 4 servings of eggs each week.

Like Western eaters, the Mediterranean peoples have long enjoyed a little something sweet each day. The Mediterranean diet calls for daily consumption of fresh, unprocessed fruit as a dietary treat. High fat, high sugar, processed sweets should be limited or cut out of the diet entirely.

Another health-affirming component of the Mediterranean diet is the addition of moderate amounts of wine. While over-consumption of alcohol is discouraged, Mediterranean dieters may enjoy one or two glasses of wine per day.

Moderate consumption of wine has been found to produce many health benefits, including reduction in incidences of kidney stones and reduction in risk of heart disease. Researchers have also found a link between moderate wine consumption and longevity.

While the Mediterranean way of eating is now supported by current dietary research, many adherents choose the diet for the simplest reason: it’s an enjoyable way to eat.

Tags: constipation, France, Greece, heart disease, heart-healthy olive oil, Italy, kidney stones, Lebanon, Mediterranean, mediterranean diet, Mediterranean diets, Morocco, olive oil, Spain, Stomach ulcers, Tunisia

Except for perhaps Weight Watchers, the Adkins Diet may be the most popular diet of our time. Even if you haven’t personally tried it yet, you undoubtedly know someone who has used it. Of course, popular doesn’t always mean good.

Is the Adkins Diet the revolutionary way of life that will slash your risk of high cholesterol and have you fitting back into those jeans from high school or is it the dangerous, unbalanced way of eating that some claim it is?

One of the undisputed benefits of the Adkins Diets is simply that it works. It works quite quickly and effectively for pretty much anyone who employs the diet in its entirety. Even while eating enjoyable foods that might have previously been considered “off limits” by dieters, this diet produces results.

The secret is in the science of low carb dieting. The body has two types of fuel. The primary type of fuel the body uses is glucose, which is obtained from carbohydrates. The other type, considered the “back up plan” of the body, is ketones, which are obtained from the body’s own fat store.

When carbs are strictly limited, the body must resort to pulling fuel for energy from the body’s fat store. This built-in self-preservation system works beautifully, but is it healthy to put the body into such an altered state of functioning?

One negative to consider is the possibility of inducing what is known as “toxic overload”. This occurs when the body burns through fat too quickly. Toxins in the body are frequently stored in the fat cells, and as the fat cells are used up to fuel the body, these toxins may be released into the bloodstream.

Despite this concern, the Adkins Diet is often touted as a sound and healthy dietary regimen. While it is true that the body requires nutrients from various sources, particularly the plant sources that may be restricted by the diet, the Adkins Diet is proven to reduce both blood pressure and cholesterol. Diabetes may even be positively impacted by adherence to the Adkins Diet.

Many diets set dieters up for failure with their overly restrictive nature. Diets based on calorie reduction, in particular, cause dieters to suffer through periods of intense and uncomfortable hunger. A benefit of the Adkins Diet is its generous allowance of larger amounts of food as well as foods high in satiation, like meats.

While satisfaction with the foods a dieter is allowed to eat certainly contributes the dieter’s ability to stick with a dietary program, it is certainly not the only aspect of a diet that may impact the dieter’s quality of life. Many adherents to the Adkins Diet complain of extreme fatigue and lethargy due to the dramatic change in metabolic function.

Like most diets, the Adkins Diet provides excellent weight loss results. The real question is whether the dieter finds the results to be worth the lifestyle changes.

Tags: diabetes, energy, fatigue, food, Lethargy

The South Beach diet is the dieting sensation that millions have used to successfully reach their weight loss goals and obtain the slim, toned beach bodies of their dreams. South Beach has a proven record of success and is one of the most convenient diets available.

South Beach is a safe and easy weight loss program that offers recipes, books, and delicious prepared food products to make reaching your weight goals quick and easy. With all the information and support available, you may think you have everything you need to start shedding the pounds.

But you don’t. Not yet.

The last bit of information – the winning edge you need can be condensed into these four hot tips. Memorize them and use them. You’ll thank yourself for it later.

Before you start, visualize yourself at your weight loss goal. If you have photos of yourself at the weight you plan to lose down to, post them somewhere you’ll walk by or see frequently. Seeing yourself the way you want to be can become a powerful and tangible motivator.

For added motivation, be sure to record your goal weight in your weight loss journal. If you want to be bold and guarantee your success, post your weight goal number in a public place that you see often like your fridge or vanity mirror. This is the number you want to remember when you are feeling like cheating or lose motivation.

Next, go through your fridge and pantry and locate each and every food item that won’t help you meet your weight loss goals. Cookies? Toss ‘em. Sugary salad dressing? Give it away. Cans of fruit in syrup? Donate them to a food pantry. How you get rid of these temptations is up to you, but don’t make the mistake of keeping diet derailing foods.

Tip number three involves the most abundant resource in the world, and it’s the one thing you under-consume. What is this magical substance that will aid your health, increase your weight loss success, and is literally a requirement for sustaining life?

It’s water. The most basic, essential substance available.

When you drink plenty of water, you feel fuller and be able to easily banish cravings. All your body processes work more smoothly, including the fat-burning process of ketosis that the South Beach diet is designing to induce. As your body burns through all that unwanted fat, your excellent hydration will keep toxins moving out of your body.

The final tip is critical to obtaining a toned, sexy body. The South Beach diet will demolish fat, but it’s up to you to build the sleek muscles that will give you the body you want. Whether you run, play sports, do Pilates, or lift weights, be sure to move your body daily.

Write it down. Get rid of it. Drink it up. Move it around. These are your tools for making your body the ultimate South Beach body.

Tags: delicious prepared food products, food item, food pantry, ketosis, play sports, south beach, South Beach Diet

With so many fantastic diet claims out there, it can be difficult to determine which diets work and which ones are just a waste of time and money. Which diet is right for you?

Weight Watchers is one of the most popular and well-known weight loss programs. Dieters can expect to be able to choose which items they would like to eat, “budgeting” their consumption. Weight, along with a few other factors, determine the adherent’s food allowance. Foods are assigned a point value based on fat, fiber, and calorie content.

Meat lovers may enjoy the Protein Power Diet, one of many low carb, high protein diets on the market. The Protein Power diet has broad allowances for such indulgences as eggs, steak, and cheese. Carbohydrate consumption is limited to 30 grams or less, spread throughout the day. This diet also encourages high water consumption as well as the addition of healthy fats and 25 daily grams of fiber.

Popularized by celebrities, The Zone diet is a high protein, low carb diet that offers the convenience of pre-packaged, prepared meals. The Zone is encourages the consumption of lean proteins and restricts whole grains. In addition to carefully planned meals and snacks, The Zone diet also encourages consumption of proprietary dietary supplements.

Relatively obscure, the Volumetrics diet is designed to complement the dieter’s natural urge to consume large portions. Shunning typical feelings of diet deprivation, the Volumetrics diet provides meal and snack ideas comprised of low calorie foods that can be consumed in large portions. Emphasis is placed on foods that have high water content.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, is an eating program designed to lower the dieter’s blood pressure by 8 to 14 points. While no food groups are excluded, the DASH diet restricts saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, and sodium. This diet includes large portions of food that may, for some, inhibit weight loss. The goal of this diet is primarily health-related.

Many dieters find using a weight loss product gives them increased results. Slimirex is an all-natural weight loss product that claims to increase metabolism and energy while reducing appetite. Slimirex users are encouraged to employ exercise and dietary changes to receive maximum results. Despite its being a natural product, some users may be uncomfortable with the high level of caffeine present in the product.

The Atkins diet, one of the most popular of the low carb diets, is high protein and low carb. Due to its popularity, many food products and meal ideas catering to this diet are available. While many dieters have experienced great success with this diet, potential Atkins dieters should know that this diet may be high in unhealthy fat and low in fiber.

Choosing a new diet or weight loss product can be overwhelming and expensive. Key considerations when determining which diet to use include the health benefits and how well the diet reflects your personal goals.

Tags: all-natural weight loss product, atkins diet, dietary supplements, energy, food, food allowance, food groups, food products, hypertension, low carb diet, low carb diets, natural product, weight loss product

In recent years, diets with low carbohydrate allowances have found popularity and legitimacy. Low carb diets have a long history that does not begin, as many might suspect, with Dr. Atkins in the 1990s. The low carb diet actually had its humble inception in the 1860s, with a single doctor and a single patient.

The true creator of the low carb diet phenomenon is actually a man named William Harvey, who recommended the diet to a patient suffering from numerous obesity-related ailments. This patient, William Banting, was the first adherent to what would much later become a low carb dieting craze.

Banting was stunned by not only his weight loss, but the increase in his quality of life as his medical conditions improved and disappeared. Banting’s 50 pound weight loss was touted in a series of pamphlets he produced, encouraging others to take advantage of this revolutionary way of eating.

The original low carb diet required an extreme reduction in foods such as bread, milk, sugar, butter, potatoes, as well as beer, as such food items were believed to create fat due to their starch and saccharine content.

Almost 60 years later, in the 1920s, the Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins University began using a similar diet to William Harvey’s low carb diet to treat seizure disorders in children. The diet the children adhered to induced a condition called ketosis, which is the altered metabolic state that gives a low carb diet its weight loss success.

Finally, in the late 1960s, the low carb diet found widespread acclaim when it was introduced to the public by Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman in his book, The Doctor’s Quick Weight Loss Diet. Stillman’s book was a huge success, which paved the way for later incarnations of protein-rich low carbohydrate diets.

Of course, most of us have never heard of Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman or William Harvey. To the modern world, Dr. Robert Adkins is the creator of the low carb diet. While he did not create the idea, he can certainly be credited with raising the diet’s profile and popularity.

Adkins released his first book, Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution in 1972, after reading articles on low carb dieting in the late 60s and experiencing the success of the low carb diet philosophy himself. It was met with dismal success and other doctors produced works encouraging similar diets in the 80s and 90s.

At the time of its release, Atkins’ diet program was shunned by medical professionals and nutritionists as being unhealthy. Fortunately, controversy dissipated as more and more people discovered the incredible health and weight loss benefits a low carb diet could yield.

As the low carb movement began gathering more adherents, Adkins released Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution in the early 1990s and again in 1999. The popularity of low carb dieting continued to increase and many variations of the diet were introduced, including well-known diets like The Zone and South Beach.

Tags: atkins diet, Atkins Diet Revolution, food items, Irwin Maxwell Stillman, John Hopkins University, ketosis, low carb diet, low carb diets, low carbohydrate diets, Mayo Clinic, obesity, Robert Adkins, seizure disorders, south beach, William Banting, William Harvey

I am not too sure how good a 10 day miracle diet is but thought I would post this diet that seems to be making it’s rounds on the internet. What do you think? Has this or anything like it worked for you in the past?

Just a note from me is that I think that this is a very short term diet, very high in veggie type vitamins and high water foods and very low calories. As they say in the end this is more like fasting more often then not and one more thing, I am not sure about so much coffee. Coffee screws with your metabolism.

The 10 Day Miracle Diet

Here, is the swiftest safe slimming program that is scientifically sound-a diet that wages lightning warfare against fat in true blitzkrieg fashion. It is a low-calorie, high-protein diet with sufficient carbohydrate to burn up fat but it contains an absolute minimum of foods furnishing fat calories since your object is to consume these from your ample corporeal reserve. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: acidosis, caloric diet, carbohydrate, coffee, dried brewer, food intake, haliver oil, haliver oil capsule, high protein diet, less food, maximum weight loss, metabolism, Mineral oil, miracle diet, oil dressings, reducing diets, snack, vitamin a