Archives for Weight Loss category
Jun 20, 2009 | Weight Loss
We have to begin this discussion … with some myths about weight loss. Many of these weight loss myths actually produce weight gain. Here again, I will be relating to information from Dr. Mark Hyman’s “UltraMetabolism” and “The Ultra Simple 7-Day Diet”.
The First Myth: The Starvation Myth
This myth says that if you eat less, exercise more … you will lose weight. While it is partially true, it really depends on WHAT you eat. I had a friend that liked to just have a piece of apple pie for lunch when she was ‘dieting’. Apples are good for you she would say. And there can’t be many calories in just one little piece of pie!!
If you have a diet high in trans fats or high-fructose corn syrup, yet keep your calories down, you’re weight loss will be minimal. You will feel hungry and tired and get discouraged. You’ve got to watch out for the ‘empty calories’ (refined carbohydrates and toxic fats with little nutritional value. They send all the wrong messages to your genes, turning on the messages that promote weight gain, changes in hormones, increases to molecules that trigger more hunger, inflammation, and more.
Instead, throw away your calorie counter and begin choosing whole foods that contain no toxic or hydrogenated fats or high-fructose corn syrup. And above all, stay away from convenience foods.
I thought I was being so good to eat just one small Yoplait yogurt for lunch. Till I realized it had high-fructose corn syrup – and it was contributing to my ‘starvation’. You’ll understand what I mean when you read below.
What are ‘whole foods’?
* High-fiber foods: beans, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds.
* Quality Proteins: beans, nuts and seeds, eggs, fish, lean poultry, lamb, pork or beef
* Healthy Fats: fish oil, extra virgin olive oil, cold-expeller-pressed plant oils, such as grapeseed, walnut and sesame, avocado, olives, coconut, nuts, seeds.
* Healthy Carbohydrates:
Vegetables, whole grains, beans, fruit, nuts, seeds.
So you see, not all calories are created equal. The food you eat contains information for your genes that controls your metabolism. The information changes your metabolism and can increase OR decrease your weight. A whole-food diet is the best way to help food communicate to your genes in a language it understands.
And for heavens sakes – don’t skip meals. Have several smaller meals. Ideal is breakfast, morning snack, light lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. Then NOTHING until morning. Pounds can drop if you don’t eat 3 hours prior to going to bed.
The main problem with skipping meals and starving yourself is it sets of chemical response inside your body – that actually encourages you to eat more!! So by not eating – you go on binges when you do have the opportunity.
And to add insult to injury. When your body feels it is deprived of food – it starts storing your fat (so you can’t lose weight). I think of it as the little squirrels that stuff all the acorns in the trees during the summer, so they have food for the winter. So by eating many smaller meals – your body is content and doesn’t have to go the extra measure of storing your fat – it can actually help you get rid of the fat.
Next Myth: The Calorie Myth.
Jun 03, 2009 | My Recipe Favorites, Weight Loss
Since I have Hyper-Thyroid, I try not to eat gluten. It’s hard because I love cookies – and I’m not too fond of most gluten free varieties. But I find that if I start my day without gluten, not only do I feel better with more energy, but I believe I am on the road to losing some ounces that day. It’s a good way to start the morning.
There are two key ingredients to my smoothies or shakes. The first is ground flax seeds. Flax seeds are one way to get some omega-3 fat in your system. If you’re like me, the fishy tasting capsules are not acceptable. So I get some of my omega-3 and fiber from a daily dose of flax seeds. Do not use flax in more than 2 shakes a day!
The other key ingredient for someone with hyper-thyroid is rice protein powder. When I first went to the health food store, I couldn’t find it. There are so many other types of protein powders – mostly soy. But I don’t do soy. I also have Rosacea and my doctor tells me that soy is a no no for Rosacea. My favorite rice protein powder is NutriBiotic Vegan 80% Rice Protein. It comes in Chocolate and Vanilla. I prefer Chocolate. You only need one heaping tablespoon of it – and you get 12 grams of protein!! One Tablespoon is just 1 point for Weight Watchers.
You’ll also notice a combination flax and borage oil. I only add this during the two weeks or so I am on a detox. It is expensive, and it is an optional ingredient for every day.
SMOOTHIE WITH RICE PROTEIN AND FLAX
6-8 ounces of filtered water
½ to 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit*
2 scoops of rice protein powder (check directions on product for serving size)
1 TB organic combination flax and borage oil (optional)
2 TB ground flax seeds
Ice (optional)
(NOTE: For Weight Watchers, count one smoothie as 2 points.)
*I try to always have some fresh strawberries on hand. I have found that Dole frozen cherries seem to be especially sweet – so I always include about 5 cherries. And, of course, blueberries do you so much good that I include about 10 in each of my shakes.
Some tips on fresh fruit. When I purchase my blueberries fresh, I wash them, pat dry, place in plastic bag, and freeze immediately. For Weight Watchers, you can measure the exact quantity for counting your points. They never spoil on my, and are very refreshing during the day.
Being a Weight Watcher, I seldom use bananas because they just do add weight (but at least it’s not permanent). But frozen bananas really add to the smoothie, especially when it’s hot. Peal the banana, break it in two, place it on a “Press n Seal” was paper and cover it taking out as much air as possible. Place in a baggie and freeze. Now you can cut or tear the portion of the banana you want to use.
In the summer, fresh fruit is a real treat – and makes a definite difference. Freeaing fruit is a terrific way to help your “fresh fruit” stay fresh. Because our systems and our diets are so full of acid, it’s a good idea to avoid citrus for your morning shakes.
SOME VARIATIONS
* Change out some ½ cup water for ½ cup plain, unsweetened, gluten-free almond or hazelnut milk
* Add for flavor (and calories, of course) 1-2 TB nutbutter (almond, macadamia, pecan)
* Add yogurt or tofu.
Hope you enjoy your smoothies.
First Published: http://www.Squidoo.com/glutenfreesmoothie
May 24, 2009 | Weight Loss
Congratulations Helen Phillips!! This 48 year old beat out contestants half her age on NBC’s weight-loss competition, “America’s Biggest Loser” for couples. Helen is living proof that even when your metabolism slows down, you can lose weight.
Helen said “No matter how old you are, you CAN make the change IF you have the dedication and the drive. Helen lost 140 pounds since the competition began in September, 2008 – to win $250,000 grand prize. She overcame a sluggish metabolism by proper diet and exercise.
She praised her husband, Russell, a Chrysler auto worker, for his support. And credited celebrity fitness coach Jillian Michaels for helping her lose the weight during the 18 weeks of the show. Wow!! That’s darn near 10 pounds a week!
I assume NBC provides doctor supervision. For I wouldn’t recommend you try to lose 10 pounds a week – unless you are extremely obese.
I’d also like to praise Helen Phillips for continuing to lose weight after she got home. An additional 32 pounds. She did have a personal trainer in Sterling Heights, Michigan named Shauhen Tahrebandi. Helen said “I couldn’t have done it without him at home.”
Phillips went from 257 pounds to 117 pounds!!
The reason she could lose so much weight – and most of us can’t. Dedication. Total dedication. She worked out six hours a day!! That was two hours in the morning, two hours in the afternoon and two hours in the evening. (I don’t think any of our sport jocks work out that much). Helen is showing us that exercise AND diet are important. Of course, the $250,000 incentive was a huge factor also.
Some weight loss tips for the all of us from Helen Phillips:
Be prepared. Pack your food so you don’t fall into bad habits like stopping for fast food.
Never make Excuses. “It’s a priority now to go to the gym or do some kind of physical exercise every day,” she said.
Believe you CAN do it. “I was tired of doubting myself, she said. “Stop saying you can’t and start saying you can.”
First Published: http://www.squidoo.com/weightlossHelenPhillips
Apr 10, 2009 | Weight Loss
Who is Dr. Hyman?
(From the back cover of “UltraMetabolism”)
“Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D., is the author of the New York Times best seller “UltraMetabolism” and coauthor of the New York Times best seller “UltraPrevention”. He is the editor in chief of Alternative Thereapies in Health and Medicine, the most prestigious journal in the field of integrative medicine. After spending the last ten years conducting pioneering, hands-on research with over two thousand patients as co-medical director at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, one of the world’s leading health resorts, Dr. Hyman has discovered the seven fundamental causes of obesity. He is now in private practice in Lenox, Massachusetts. Visit his websites: www.drhyman.com and www.ultrawellness.com.
Dr. Hyman calls himself a “whole-listic” doctor because he takes care of people with a “whole list” of problems. And the patients with the biggest lists are those whose thyroid systems are not functioning well. Many of you may suffer from some or all of the symptoms we will speak of, and they are all clues to a low-functioning thyroid.”
Dr. Hyman practices ‘functional medicine’. Instead of finding a medication to cover up the symptoms of a patient, he looks inside the patient to determine why the symptoms are appearing. By learning more about a patient, a doctor can erase unwanted symptoms by simply changing what goes into the patient. Dr. Hyman has a method of determining what foods are triggering your symptoms. From migraines to weight gain, to heartburn, high cholesterol. I’ll tell you more about that in a future blog.
