Tag / waistline

by virginiebreuer57

Weight loss programs don’t work! Read why…

Hi guys,

Ok it’s not big news that weight loss programs don’t work long term but now we have definite proof after a in depth study published in the Annals of internal medicine

The study featured popular programs like Jenny Craig, weight watchers, Nutrasystem, Medifast and Optifast.

At the end of the 12 month study, the best program was Jenny Craig as participants had lost 4.9% more weight than participants in a non control group.

None of the other programs had more than moderately effective results.

Here is why these programs don’t work:

  • One size does not fit all and what works for one individual may not work for another.
  • Dietary and exercise plans have to be based on personal preferences as if you do not like what you are doing, you will not continue! Choose a plan that works for you and that includes as much of things you like as possible, just healthier versions.
  • Contrary to popular belief that you must first reduce calories and lose weight to achieve a balanced metabolism, it is imperative to set goals of achieving balanced metabolism first in order to control hunger and cravings. Once balanced metabolism is achieved, you can start reducing calories and start losing weight.
  • Research shows that you can only focus on one to three changes at a time. Determine habits that when changed will make other habits easier to change. More sleep, less hunger, fewer craving, more energy and motivation for exercise.

Ciao for now!

by virginiebreuer57

Carbs or fats for fuel?

Hi guys,

Let’s talk about carbohydrates and healthy fats, their role in our daily life and how our bodies use them on a daily basis.

I have always been a big fan of fueling my body with carbs (only the good ones of course, nothing processed and high in sugar) and starting the recovery process of post exercise with proteins, I admit it.

I am a fitness instructor so I workout about 2 to 3 hours a day 6 days a week for work and about 1 hour of personal workouts 3-5 days a week.

Exercise, performance, recovery, fuel, energy is a big part of my life and I always want to educate myself on how our bodies work and process the foods that we eat on a regular basis.

I consider myself a very healthy and body conscious individual but  about a year ago, I started feeling like crap-…meaning super bloated with a lot of digestion issues, foggy, very forgetful and tired.

I have been on a super healthy diet for years and years now so I knew it wasn’t because of my food or was it??

I thought I would go gluten free, I have to go gluten free just because gluten is not good for you and after reading on it, my symptoms kind of matched.

I felt like a million bucks the very first day I stopped eating gluten and then within 2 weeks my symptoms came back but on a more manageable note.

But then over time I realized that this was obviously not the issue so I thought hmmmm it must be the fats as I thought that my symptoms were worse after I ate fats.

I also by that time scheduled an appointment to see a gerontologist to figure things out and after several good results tests, he thought it was my gallbladder wrecking havoc on my body (especially with the facts of not digesting fats correctly).

Then I thought to myself, I only the healthiest of fats (olive oil, coconut oil, avocados) when I do eat fats and I very very very rarely eat fried stuff or unhealthy fats so could something else be the cause of my discomfort?

Than I finally realized that my symptoms were the worst after fruit intakes…wait a minute, fruit is so good for you, it can’t be it!

I stopped looking at fruits life yummy healthy treats and snacks and started looking at the fact that they were part of the carbs family and after some research, I found that one can become carb intolerant just like one can become gluten intolerant.

Can this be the key to my issues????? Eating too much oatmeal, brown rice, fruits etc is actually making me sick?

I have been so obsessed with counting calories and thinking that fats are bad for you that I admit I might not eat enough fats and it might be hurting me!

I will let you know soon as I removed all carbs from my diet yesterday and I will keep it this way for the next 2 weeks (yikes)

Read these super interesting articles:

Carbs evil or essential?

Condition your body to burn fat

I am now conditioning my body to burn more fat so I am eating more fats to burn more fats…This is so new to me, I am a little scared but very excited!

Stay tuned for progress updates.

Ciao for now!