Archive for July, 2008


Top 10 Ways to Jump Start your Weight Loss (No Comments)

1. Eat protein at every meal, including breakfast.

2. Eliminate wheat- and flour-based products for the time being. And yes, that definitely includes bread and pasta.

3. Eat unprocessed foods. Ninety percent of what you eat should be a combination of (in this order of importance) raw vegetables, steamed vegetables, whole grain, lean protein, and maybe a few fruits if necessary.

4. Reduce starch to one portion a day, and don’t eat that portion during your evening meal. Best choices are beans, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal.

5. Don’t overdo fruit: one a day maximum, and only the low-sugar, high-fiber variety. Apples, pears, plums and berries all are good choices. For now, fruit should be eaten alone or with something light, like low fat nuts. Lose the fruit juice completely.

6. Reduce or eliminate dairy for the time being, especially cow’s milk. Exceptions: reasonable amounts of low sugar, fat free yogurt.

7. Lose the booze. Despite what the “studies” say, you lose no health benefits by giving up alcohol (including wine). There is nothing essential in alcohol that you can’t get in fruits and vegetables without all the bad side effects that go along with it.

8. Stop using vegetable oils such as sunflower, safflower and corn. The supermarket kind is highly refined, and it oxidizes easily when heated, contributing to arterial plaque. Use olive oil instead, and apply it to food after the food is cooked when possible.

9. Watch which types of fat you’re eating. The amount of fat you eat is probably less important than the kind of fat you eat. The worst are fried foods, margarine and foods that contain hydrogenized or partially hydrogenized oils. The best is omega-3, found in fish and flaxseed oil.

10. Obsessively drink water: At least 8 ounces for every 20 pounds of bodyweight you’re now carrying around, each day. Every day. No excuses.

For a ton of f.ree, valuable tips, tricks, and secrets visit: http://www.MaximizeYourMetabolism.com

© 2002-2005 Wisdom Books, LLC & Christopher Guerriero WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Christopher Guerriero, is the founder of the National Metabolic & Longevity Research Center and a best-selling author, speaker, and coach to millions. He is creator of the award-winning ‘Maximize Your Metabolism’ system. To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up for FR*EE how-to articles and F.REE teleseminars, visit http://www.MaximizeYourMetabolism.com

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Diverticulitis and Diet (No Comments)

What Is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is another one of those conditions that has followed from industrialisation, and a fundamental change in eating habits to a diet of processed food. The condition emerged after milling became commonplace in Western countries, starting in the US. Milling grains strips out valuable fibre, and since the early 20th century a shortage of fibre in diets has been commonplace amongst the American, and other Western, population.

Diverticulitis actually follows on from a condition called diverticulosis, which tends to come with age, particularly over 60. Diverticulosis is quite common, and past the age of 60 about half the population have this condition. With diverticulosis people experience the formation of small pouches in the intestinal tracts. These pouches are called diverticula. They are, in themselves, harmless, and most people never know they have them.

If diverticula become inflamed or infected, however, then the patient will experience pain in the abdominal region. Only a relatively small percentage of people with diverticulosis develop diverticulitis, and many of these are mild cases which can be treated with rest and diet change. More serious cases may require surgery.

What Should A Diverticulitis Diet Include?

If diverticulitis has been diagnosed by your doctor, and is confirmed as a mild case, then your doctor will probably recommend some dietary changes. Although a shortage of fibre in the diet over a number of years may have caused the condition, once you have it, your doctor may ask you to cut down on fibre even more for a few days, as it may aggravate the pain.

Your treatment is likely to include antibiotics to kill the infection, and it is vital you finish your course and take your doctor’s advice. In about half of cases of diverticulitis, the patient will be hospitalised; the other half will be treated at home. So it is wise while you are home to stick to the diverticulitis diet recommended by your doctor.

When the infection is cleared and the diverticulitis is no longer a problem, then you will be able to concentrate on prevention, but again you should take your doctor’s advice.

Diverticulitis Prevention Diet

The cause of diverticulosis is a diet too low in fibre. The prevention of the condition should therefore attempt to redress that balance. The diverticulitis diet should be well balanced, but include high fibre foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. I am sure you have heard that before when a healthy diet is mentioned. Such a diet can help prevent a number of chronic diseases.

A fibre supplement may be helpful. I have used psyllium for more than a decade, and find it an excellent source of soft fibre, and for cleansing the digestive system it is ideal, as the psyllium forms a gel like texture when mixed with water.

The water itself plays an important role in producing a soft stool, and especially when mixed with fibre. So, you should have plenty of water in your diverticulitis diet. Throw in half an hour exercise a day, and your bowel and digestive system should keep in good shape.

This diverticulitis diet article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website.

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Live Longer By Exercising - Part 2 (No Comments)

In our last article we examined the top ten ways that regular exercise can protect you from disease and add years to your life. In this article we’re going to examine even MORE ways that you can benefit from exercise!

Even though many of us exercise so we can look better, we shouldn’t forget the many health benefits of training. So without further ado, here are some MORE reasons to exercise:

11) FIGHT OSTEOPEROSIS - It is estimated that bone mass in women is lost at a rate of 0.75% to 1% per year from age 35 onwards, and this rate increases to 2% to 3% per year at menopause. Exercise also has been shown to prevent bone loss, even in older women.

12) PREVENT THE COMMON COLD - A new study (University of South Carolina in Columbia) suggests that being active may actually reduce the number of colds people get each year.

13) EMOTIONAL BOOST - Experts also agree that even minimal weight loss provides an emotional boost and may give you the self-confidence to change jobs, go back to school, move ahead in life, improve relationships and decrease your overall stress level.

14) BETTER PREGNANCY - There are new reasons to control your weight both before and after you conceive — particularly if you’re heavy before you even try to have a baby. Obesity promotes not only severe pregnancy complications in the mother, it also places the baby at high risk of health problems.

15) PREVENT DISABILITY IN SENIORS - It is reasonably safe to say most seniors wish to remain independent and active. To do so, exercise must be a part of their daily lives. Exercise can prevent disability and retain good health for independent living among older people. Experts have just recently become aware of exercise as a prevention of disability among older citizens.

There you have it…..five MORE reasons why regular exercise will help you ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE…..and you thought that exercise just helped you look good in a swimsuit!!

* Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. Permission is not required for the distribution of Pick Up The Pace articles as long as they are used in their entirety, are properly credited to Pick Up The Pace, and are accompanied by our website link: www.letspickupthepace.com.

* The information in this article and on this site is for general reference purposes only and not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information in this article or on www.letspickupthepace.com should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.

Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit http://www.letspickupthepace.com for more information.

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