Month: August 2018

Most people who are trying to lose weight have one or more obstacles. You could have bad habits that started at a young age. Habits are hard to break, but they are possible. Your doctor can help you make changes, one step at a time.
To develop a well toned muscular body you need to reduce fat not weight. When you exercise, you are enhancing your body’s fat burning process @ http://fitsaurus.com/two-week-nutrition-plan-to-gain-healthy-weight/
Special Thanks: CAPT Bob Schoultz (SEAL, USN Ret.) He has an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Stanford University and an MA in National Security Affairs from the Naval War College where he also served on the faculty as the first chair for Special Operations. Schoultz retired from the Navy in July 2005 as a captain after a 30 year career, nearly all in Naval Special Warfare. Bob Schoultz’s insights can be found on his Blog, “Bob Schoultz’s Corner”: http://bobscorner.wordpress.com
“I reached my goal weight after I stopped routinely buying snacks at the grocery store. If I wanted a bag of chips or a candy bar, I had to walk to the store to get it. That inconvenience usually made me ignore my cravings.” —Heather Del Baso, Worcester, MA
Now, the GI DOES NOT factor in serving size.  For example, watermelon has a GI number of 73, and milk chocolate has a GI number of 43. So should we be eating chocolate all day long and avoiding fruit? Nope, it’s because the GI number is based off of 50g of total carbs of each type of food. You only have to eat 3 oz of chocolate to get to 50 grams of carbs, while you need to eat 1.5 pounds of watermelon to get 50g of carbs.
There is no one magic diet that helps every person lose weight. The idea of “going on a diet” implies that you will “go off the diet” one day. Do not rely on a fad diet to do the work for you. Instead, find a healthy, balanced eating plan that can become a practical lifestyle.
Regardless of whether you are preparing your own raw or are using a prepared raw food, it is best to start with just one protein source, like chicken or turkey. Give that one protein for a good week and, if there are no signs of digestive upset, start your puppy on a second source of protein, and so on.
But chances are you’re not consuming enough. The average person only gets 15–20 grams of fiber each day when they should be getting 30–40 grams daily. Not sure if your favorite foods stack up? Check out my top high-fiber foods.
“Write down your workout and fitness class schedule before the week starts, and treat each workout like an important appointment. This will help you stick to a more consistent workout schedule, which can aid weight loss efforts. — Jim White RD, ACSM HFS, Owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios
If you want to start eating better and you know certain foods are bad for you, build a list that says what you can and can’t eat. If you’re a person that struggles with self control when it comes to unhealthy food (and we all are, to an extent), then “just one” doesn’t work.
There is nobody else like you, so your nutritional requirements are also unique. This is where a nutritional counsellor can help you create healthier habits and tasty alternatives that will fit your lifestyle.
“Certain over-the-counter medications, like antacids or NSAIDs (such as Advil) can disrupt your gut bacteria just the way antibiotics can. That can lead to inflammation and, over time, weight gain.” — Tasneem Bhatia, MD, author of  The 21-Day Belly Fix
Your body DOES obey the laws of thermodynamics (energy in, energy out), and your metabolism isn’t slow! You’re simply eating too much. I promise! Take 3 minutes to watch this if you’re convinced your metabolism doesn’t operate like normal:
On average people will lose 1-2 lbs. a week, but that doesn’t mean the scale will drop consistently. Take measurements as well as tracking your weight via scale, as often there can be changes in size but no change on the scale. If you’re still experiencing problems after 4-5 weeks, start looking into your dietary choices.
Bravo! You have made the commitment to get into shape. The “I don’t want to exercise” phase is over. Something inside of you has “clicked” and you are ready to begin creating healthier habits. So, where do you start? Begin by using the power of vision.
I use GymPact – it automatically transfers $5 for each workout I miss, but If i make all of my workouts for the week, I get some (usually about a dollar) which is from the people who missed working out. Pretty motivational – and i think you can up the cost if $5 isn’t much for you.
Restrict your protein intake. Many people come over to keto from an Atkins diet and don’t limit their protein. Too much protein can lead to lower levels of ketosis. Ideally for weight loss, you want to eat between 0.6g and 0.8g protein per pound lean body mass. To help with this, consider using the keto calculator >
A: The amount of weight you lose is entirely dependent on you. Obviously adding exercise to your regimen will speed up your weight loss. Cutting out things that are common “stall” causes is also a good thing. Artificial sweeteners, dairy, wheat products and by-products (wheat gluten, wheat flours, and anything with an identifiable wheat product in it).
Get a lipase body wrap. Lipase body wraps are another quick-slim beauty treatment that follows a two-step phase. First, an enzyme wrap is applied to rid your body of fat tissue near the surface of the skin. A second mineral wrap is then applied, designed to tighten and smooth your skin.[11]
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Losing weight too quickly is dangerous and can have adverse effects on your health. Despite the title of this article, getting into shape is best done slowly. Prolonged excessive weight loss can cause considerable health problems. The safest and most sustainable way to lose weight is to do so slowly and under the guidance of a health professional.
Identify where you can cut excess or empty calories, perhaps by eating smaller portions or by skipping snacks when you’re not hungry. Swapping sugar-sweetened or alcoholic drinks for low-calorie options is a good way to cut back without feeling hungry. 
Dean Drobot/ShutterstockHIIT stands for high intensity interval training, and it’s a great way to build muscle without spending hours in the gym. The idea is to go all out for a short period of time, followed by a slower pace that allows you to recover. Think of jogging or sprinting all out for 30 seconds, followed by a minute or two of rest, then repeat. Short bursts of high-intensity exercises keep your heart rate up while adding lean muscle. More muscle mass equals calories burned on a daily basis. Also, the more lean muscle you have, the higher your metabolism is.
Making sure vegetables have some fiber in will also usually help. Getting in some good quality fiber from non-starchy vegetables can solve this problem. Though if that’s not enough, usually psyllium husk powder will work or taking a probiotic.
Fat:  Fat is easily the most misunderstood macro-nutrient in your diet; long story short: fat is absolutely critical to your body and should make up a BIG portion of your daily calories.  Things like avocados, almonds, olive oil, walnuts, and almond butter are great sources of healthy fat (polyunsaturatured and monounsaturated).  If you take this stance on saturated fat (personally, I do), then full fat milk, coconut milk, and fatty cuts of meat will provide you with sources of saturated fat.
Choose your favorite recipes and decide what you want to serve for meals a week at a time. Write out the ingredients you’ll need and take that list with you when you shop. You’ll have all the ingredients on hand to make nutritious meals for the week.

If you could find a way of increasing your consequences for not doing some exercise (note how I didn’t say ‘go to the gym’) then you’d find it easier to work out. For me, having low energy, increasing my chances of dying from painful disease and illness, and being over fat are massive motivators, but still smaller than my desire to feel good, both during and after exercise.
Identify your food triggers and plan accordingly. Food triggers are the activities we do that make us want to snack. For some people, it’s sitting down to watch a movie at night; for others, it’s studying late at night. If you know your food triggers, you can plan for them—fill your house with healthy snacks or have them on hand.
When it comes to weight loss, there are 3 important facts you should know in advance. The first is your weight. The second is your body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is based on your weight and height. Doctors consider BMI to be the best measure of your health risk. In fact, the medical terms “overweight” and “obesity” are based on the BMI scale. A BMI of between 25 and 30 is considered overweight. A BMI of more than 30 is considered obese. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of a weight-related illness. This includes type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Your doctor can help get your BMI, or you can use a BMI calculator. The BMI chart is the same for male and female adults. There is a separate chart for girls and boys under 20 years of age. There is also a separate BMI calculator for Asian patients.
When you’re trying to lose weight, the scale can be deceiving. That’s because it doesn’t take into account that you are probably adding muscle. So even though you’re making progress, the number on your scale might not budge (or it could even go up), which can be defeating.
“Before breaking a sweat, take a moment of gratitude for your health. Doing so completely changes the energy of your workouts and can inspire you to push yourself harder.” — Kit Rich, celebrity trainer and co-owner of SHIFT by Dana Perri
Billion Photos/ShutterstockIt seems counterintuitive to drink lots of water when you’re looking to lose weight fast—especially water weight—but staying hydrated is one of the most important steps you can take to lose weight. People often mistake thirst for hunger, so staying hydrated allows you to be more in touch with the times when you are actually hungry, rather than just thirsty. Plus, a lot of good things happen to your body when you drink enough fluids.
Count calories. Knowing how the minimum amount of calories your body needs to function correctly will help you make your own personalized healthy eating plan and lose weight in a way that’s quick but sustainable. Your individual calorie needs will vary based on age, gender, height, and activity level. There are online calculators you can use to determine the amount of calories you should be consuming each day.[6]
Lunch can be another challenging meal for anyone. If you are at school or work all day long, this makes it difficult to make sure you eat a healthy lunch. Don’t worry, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich isn’t the only choice you have.
You can also figure out how much you should be eating by scheduling a consultation with a dietitian or a physician to discuss your weight loss goals, special dietary needs, current eating habits, and potential areas for improvement.
Make it impossible to bail.  Sign up for a class with your friends and make sure they keep you accountable.  Sign up for personal trainer sessions and pay for them in advance.  Even if you have to scam and trick yourself into working out, get your butt off the couch and doing something productive.
A healthy eating plan (like the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic plan) should include foods you enjoy along with plenty of healthy, not-too-processed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats, seafood, beans, and nuts. Thanks to their ability to satisfy, these low-calorie foods will actually help you stick to your diet. The most satisfying foods have lots of fiber (like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts) and/or low-fat protein (found in meat, fish, dairy, and soy).
“Whether it’s an app or paper food logs, tracking what you eat will certainly be eye-opening. Almost everyone consumes more than they think. Write everything down as soon as you’re done eating so you don’t forget anything. The simple act of recording what you eat will make you eat less. When the calories are in your face, it makes you think twice!” — Martha McKittrick, RD, CDE
If adding more fruits and vegetables sounds ominous, look to “finger food” versions that preschool kids love — carrot and celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, grapes, berries, and dried fruits. All are nutritional powerhouses packed with antioxidants.
Ego is a real thing. I will be honest, after being surrounded by the “best of the best” during two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with Special Operations, I was my own worst enemy. When I started Crossfit, I was more concerned with the myth of me then the man. I convinced myself that after a lifetime of military service, I didn’t need to prove anything to anyone. I looked at my Crossfit Community as Them Vs. Me. My dedication flagged, I did not track my performance and every WOD was something to be endured. I didn’t like being paired up. I whined a lot, which is not in character for me and I was just not happy. What I realized one day was I had lost my sense of community, my team, my family. It forced me to pull off my comfort huggie and ask for help. I also researched and read about mental toughness. I laid out some goals and broke them down into sane, achievable blocks and I embraced the CFSA community. It is still a little uncomfortable, but honest and sometimes brutal self evaluation, a positive attitude and asking for “buddy checks” does wonders. I found it is not much different than my military experience in the universal truth is the team is always stronger than the individual. During Crossfit 2RM/ 5RM, I was going for PR way past my goal. Midway through the lift, as my body was about to quit, I heard someone yell “Get it” and I continued till I did. The voice outside my head telling me I could do it was much louder than the one inside my head telling me I couldn’t. You just have to know who to listen to. Eventually, through setting and achieving goals, the voice inside your head will be just as loud. There is nothing like success and achievement to have your inner monologue repeating, “Ah, I CAN do this”. They don’t even have to be huge goals, but you do have to set them. Then go after them. Even failure, when you get back up and try it again helps your achieve that resilience which is the foundation of mental toughness. Face it, there are going to be times of high stress and pressure when that is the only voice you will hear. You can harness it, rely on the muscle memory, stay focused, maintain attention to detail and use it to push you harder and farther than your body thinks possible…or ignore it and push on. But it can be done.
Watch your portion sizes. Incorporate appropriate portion sizes into your meal plan. For instance, a healthy snack of almonds and dried cranberries can turn into a huge calorie source if you don’t pay attention to quantities. Also, preparing pre-apportioned healthy snacks can help you avoid mindless overeating and can make it convenient to grab a healthy snack.[8]
“Do a full-body skin check once a month in a well-lit room,” advises Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. “Grab a hand mirror if you have one. Ask a family member to check out your back if you can’t see it. Look for new moles or old ones that have changed or grown (then have a dermatologist take a look). I also recommend a total-body check with a derm yearly—twice a year if you have a personal or family history of funny moles. Early detection is key in treating skin cancer”—the most common cancer in women.
The healthiest way to lose weight quickly combines a healthy and nutritious diet, proper hydration, and a moderate and varied exercise routine. If you use a fad diet or other rapid weight loss technique to drop a few pounds very quickly, switch after a few days or weeks to a long-term weight loss plan that promotes healthier weight loss to protect your health and promote sustainable weight loss.
So you’ve decided to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Although this decision can seem daunting, practicing healthy habits doesn’t have to be hard. Not sure where to start? Use these tips to achieve your fitness goals and improve your energy levels quickly and easily.
You can control bad food cravings and overeating by consuming protein-rich foods, such as greek yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, milk, chicken, steak, turkey breast, fish, beans, peanut butter, tofu, and the list goes on and on!
“To lose weight you should primarily eat whole foods, but don’t eliminate your favorites. Consistently eating nutrient-dense food on a day-to-day basis will improve the chances of upregulating metabolism and of eliminating nutritional deficiencies. That may mean tracking what you eat in some way at first, but it doesn’t mean ruling out entire food groups or foods you love. Consistent quality nutrition while learning to enjoy treats in moderation will set you up for long-term sustainable success. — Victoria Viola, PN Certified Nutrition Coach, NSCA CPT, Co-Founder, Excelerate Wellness, LLC
I’ll give you the same answer that I give people when they ask me “what’s the best workout plan?”  The one that you’ll actually stick with!  Us members of the Nerd Fitness Rebellion are in this for the long haul, so we pick diets that work for our particular body type and situation because we know that they’re diets that we can stick with.