ThinkSlim

Weight Loss Resolutions

What does a weight loss coach make for New Year's Resolutions?

Actually I don't believe in resolutions in the traditional sense (like "I'll never eat chocolate or junk food again") as they sound like they expect perfection from January 1 and failure is inevitable.  Goals ... now they are fine especially the kind that give you a healthy target to aim for without expecting perfect performance to arrive there.

If I've anything in mind it's about getting back into drinking more water. When I do, my skin and energy improve and everything feels brighter and clearer than when I drink too much coffee (even though it's decaffeinated weak coffee I drink). I've never quite managed to make 8 glasses of day a habit though.

I'd also like to do more hill walking this year - Edinburgh is built on 7 hills and is not far from quite a few beautiful walks. That one will have to wait for the spring though - I am definitely a fair-weather hill walker.

How about you? What resolutions have you made this year? 

DNA Diets

Don't get sucked in to buying an expensive diet plan based on DNA profiling because there is little or no evidence that they can help you like they say according to this BBC report. A research study is currently taking place at Exeter University in the UK to investigate these nutrigenomic plans which may cost $1000 or more.

The theory is that food interacts with certain genes to increase/lower your risk of certain diseases, help you lose weight or make you (or your child) more intelligent and you should alter your eating habits based on your genetic make-up.

Of course, eating more healthily according to the latest scientific advice is advisable - it's just that these plans are not based on proven science.  Diet can make you more vulnerable to disease it's true (and there are sensible guidelines for making everyone less vulnerable) and your genes may show that you are particularly vulnerable but it has not been proven that eating a particular diet "tailored to your genes" will protect you if you have the wrong genes.

Many of us have problems enough cutting down on unhealthy sugar, saturated fat and junk foods. We can beat a huge proportion of diseases simply by cutting down on these and replacing them by eating real foods : lean protein, fruit, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, nuts and seeds.

Do all you can to be eating a general super healthy diet and investigate any expensive plan you're thinking about thoroughly before you spend your hard-earned cash.

BBC NEWS | Health | Experts investigate 'DNA diets'

technorati tags:DNA+diets, nutrigenomic+diets, nutrition, food

Eat For Real

Noticed this post on Chris Gribble's blog about the ingredients in Kraft Guacamole.  How far can you get from the original recipe and still call a substance Guacamole? And how far do you want to?

If you're going to feed yourself with any number of calories, give yourself a gift and feed yourself calories consisting of real food not a little food mixed with chemicals and fillers.

In my experience real food is much more satisfying to your appetite as well as making you feel good and giving you better health for the long term no matter what the calorie count.

Kraft Product Info

technorati tags:real+food, guacamole, calories

Love the Body You're In

This is a great account from a woman who has accepted her size (UK 18/20) and loves her body. She is fit and fat from a combination of eating whatever and as much as she likes along with doing a whole heap of exercise each week.

We could all do with loving ourselves more whatever our shape and size, so this is well worth a read.

Can't help thinking though (with my weight loss coach's hat on) that a few small changes in habit and she could be even happier with herself - fit, healthy AND slim (without turning into a  stick-insect)

Me, on a diet? Fat chance - Health - Times Online

technorati tags:love+yourself, fat+acceptance, diet, weight+loss

CoffeeSlender

CoffeeSlender is a coffee drink which contains a substance called svetol. This is supposed to prevent some of the carbohydrates in your food from being converted into sugar and then fat.

Provided you drink it after each meal, the producers claim you lose up to 11lbs in two months.

Why am  I  feeling  hugely skeptical about this?

a) it's the first I've heard of it and I have my ear to the ground about all things weight loss

b) the scientific community have not carried out an investigation of the product

c) sounds like another too good to be true miracle weight loss gimmick

Don't rely on pointless props. The only way to lose weight healthily is by sensible eating and getting your body moving.

cbs2chicago.com - Norway's Latest Weight Loss Trick

technorati tags:CoffeeSlender, weight+loss, lose+weight, carbohydrates

The Before, During and After Diet

New diets are forever appearing each one crazier than the last just to have a different gimmick for publicity purposes.

The before, during and after diet doesn't seem that crazy compared to some. You simply drink a glass of water before your meal, during the meal and after the meal.

Water has long been used as a diet aid. It helps fill you up. It helps if you are really feeling thirsty rather than hungry (feelings which we often mix surprisingly enough). And it helps in the metabolic process of burning fat.

But where I do think the Before, During and after Diet is a little crazy is that it seems to say that you just continue eating as usual - usual foods, usual amounts. 

Now, if you continue to take in the same calories as you usually eat and do the same amount of exercise, there is no way a few extra glasses of water are going to change anything.  There's no scientific evidence for that at all.

But  if you replace sugary drinks with water that's a different ball game....

cbs4boston.com - Water Diet Promies To Help Shed Pounds

technorati tags:Before+during+and+after+diet, water, weight+loss, slimming

Side Effects of Weight Loss

When you first set a goal to lose weight you generally only measure the pounds or inches lost. And of course you feel great when you steadily lose a pound or two every week and move closer to your goal.

But really those measurements are pretty meaningless. What does a figure on a scale really mean?

Keep weighing and measuring anyway because they help you see concrete proof of your efforts but CELEBRATE the fantastic side effects of losing weight too such as

• looking better in your clothes
• looking better without your clothes
• feeling healthier
• raising your self esteem
• improving your energy levels
• feeling proud of your efforts and achievement

What side effects are you looking for from weight loss? Get to know them because they are the best motivation for you.

Which Way to Lose Weight?

Weight loss doesn't need a superhuman effort of endurance. It doesn't need an amazing display of strength and willpower. No gritting of teeth required - unless you want to lose weight the hardest way with a tough regime at the gym and an eating plan that makes you lose your appetite except for all the junk foods you're missing.

But it's true, losing weight is not really easy any way you do it.

Even the easiest way to lose weight takes quiet perseverance and  more than anything the desire and willingness to change your lifestyle to include healthier habits. That's all about practice and routine and making it the norm that you make better choices each and every day.

But the fact is, the tough weight loss regime never becomes any easier. And most of us slump back into our old ways and gain the weight  back  (plus a  few extra pounds for good measure.)

With the less dramatic way of losing weight, you might lose weight less quickly. But after a while for the person changing their lifestyle habits it becomes second nature to make those choices, not every time but most of the time. And it's less likely that  the weight  will return.

So why then do we always go for the big "lose it now" weight loss program?

Desire for fast weight loss over a fair assessment of what you will be able to stick with? 

Steady Weight Loss

I just read the story of Matilda, a 25 year old woman  who died of heart failure after losing 10 stone (140lbs) in a crash diet of 500 calories a day. They are still not 100% certain how the heart failure occurred although some experts at the enquiry about her death are convinced that the crash dieting rather than her obesity killed her.

In any case, take note,  living on 500 calories a day, even if it is a balanced super powder shake containing all the nutrients under the sun, is not a sensible thing to do.

Nor is it good to lose140lbs in 6 months no matter how much you have to lose. Change your lifestyle bit by bit and ease yourself into a healthier way of eating and that way you will actually be getting healthier rather than just looking slimmer.

SundayMirror.co.uk - News - DEAD: 33ST MATILDA WHO LOST 10ST IN 6 MONTHS ON CRASH DIET OF 500 CALORIES A DAY

technorati tags:diet, weight+loss, crash+diet, Matilda

Feast or Fast?

I just read this article which advises losing a few pounds before you pig out in the festive season.

Aaargh! It's exactly that kind of mentality I'd like us all to get away from. Whatever the occasion there's no need to go mad - one overindulgent meal is not going to set you back even a pound.

It's just when people believe that they've lost a couple of pounds so that they can eat anything they like for a month or more that they put on 5 or 6 and live to regret it.

Enjoy your food in modest amounts ALL the time - there's never any reason to stuff your face until you're uncomfortable or to eat foods in such quantity and of such calorific richness day after day that you need to diet in advance. That's planning to be greedy!

Lifestyle/Scene - With the holidays fast approaching, it's time to diet now, feast later - sacbee.com

technorati tags:diet, food