Tag Archives: Weight loss

How Fast is Too Fast for Weight Loss

17 Monday Feb 2014

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week94When The Biggest Loser contestant Rachel Frederickson won Season 15 of the television reality show, the public and the media went on a frenzy – her weight loss gone too far. During the taping of the show and the three months proceeding, the voice-over artist from Los Angeles dropped from 260 to an unrecognizable 105 pounds to claim the season’s crown and $250,000 cash prize. Her astonishing 155-pound weight lost, equivalent to 59.62% of her starting body weight, was achieved from daily six hours workouts and limiting her diet to 1,600 calories a day.

At 5’4” and 105 pounds, 24-year-old Rachel is now the exact same size of me. So of course, I will disagree with the self-claim body critics who will say she’s too thin and that she is anorexic. I like my size. And I think Rachel looks great! I believe it’s perhaps more about the shock of going from an unhealthy, obese body size to where she is today in the rapid speed of time to complete. In just under eight months. Wow! Now that is motivation and discipline. Or is it insanity and starvation?

To be fair, a swift weight loss can occur when a person of obese size stops eating poorly, frequently, and in overly amounts with little or no exercise in their day-to-day life and instead switches to eating wisely and healthy with the right foods in the right amounts and with an exercise program approved by their physician or personal trainer. The pounds can drop off. Easily 10 or more a week initially, depending on your starting size, and less as time passes. And of course, results are even quicker when you are on a national television show and have the constant support and guidance from a personal trainer and dietician.

So for those who aren’t cast on a weight lose show, what is a good rule of thumb to follow when it comes to losing weight? How much is too much and how much is too little? How much should you lose versus can lose?

There is no perfect answer to these questions since there are several baseline factors to consider. Starting weight. Goal weight. Metabolism. Genetics. Health conditions. Diet restrictions. Discipline. Exercise regimen. Support system. Lifestyle. Environment. And more.

However, if you want to lose weight and keep it off, your goal should be just one to two pounds a week. That’s all. It may not sound like a lot, but remain patient, dedicated, and consistent and you will see your hard work will pay off over time. Plus losing weight at a slow steady pace reduces the risk of unwanted side effects and increases the likelihood that you will be able to keep the weight off long term, like with The Biggest Loser Season 1 winner Ryan Benson, who started at 330, dropped to 208 and is now at 300 and Season 3 winner Erik Chopin, who began at 407, plummeted to 193 and is back up to 368.

Rapid weight loss is unhealthy and ineffective. It can cause dehydration, fatigue, dry skin and nails, hair loss, bloating, constipation, gallstones, iron and nutrient deficiencies, mineral loss, liver damage, heart disease, osteoporosis, and more. And if you are losing more than a couple of pounds a week, your body perceives it’s in starvation and will start burning muscle for needed fuel and energy. With less muscle mass, your metabolism automatically slows down and burns fewer calories.

As with any weight loss plan, consult with your primary physician first and request a complete physical before dieting. He or she can help you select a diet plan that is right for you and the correct amount of calories. Discuss an exercise program that is appropriate for your age, existing, fitness level, and goal. Finally, keep a dairy to help with your own personal weight loss journey. Track your daily food intakes and times along with the triggers that cause you to want to eat outside your meals and snacks. Document your exercise regimen, nightly hours of sleep, and your daily stress levels. Collectively, this will reveal your best recipe for your weight loss.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Book Review: “The Fat Flush Plan” by Ann Louise Gittleman

04 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by in Book Review, Diet, Health and Wellness, Metabolism

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I love to read. Give me a good book and I will be lost in it until I finish reading it. Then for days afterward, I may relish in the storyline if it’s fiction, reflect on what I have gained if it’s non-fiction.

There are different types of books I tend to read. I have well over 200 cookbooks, dozens of fitness and health books, business reads, self-help books, travel guides, pictorial coffee-table books, my children’s storybooks, and a ton of literature. All of Tess Gerritsen’s works. Numerous Danielle Steele, Mary Higgins Clark and John Grisham novels. J. K. Rowling, V. C. Andrews and E. L. James. I can’t leave out Nicholas Sparks, Dan Brown and James Patterson. And one of my very first authors I adored, Agatha Christie. All stored in my floor-to-ceiling bookcase that graces one complete wall in my family room and categorized by genre.

One of my favorite healthy eating books is the international best-seller “The Fat Flush Plan” by Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S. I remember distinctly one I first learned of this author, American nutritionist and detox proponent who is named one of the top 10 nutritionists by Self Magazine and author of over 30 books. I was coming home from skiing in Mont Tremblant, Canada and chatting away with a fellow skier, Sue Simms. She was sharing with the wonderful results she had while on diet of the “The Fat Flush Plan.” Since I am the forever learner who is always tinkering around with my diet to find out what works best with me, I was eager to pick up this book and give it a read.

Eat healthy foods, cleanse your liver and lose weight was the underlining message of Gittleman’s book which has sold millions of copies and is on the The New Times’ bestseller list. Not that I want to lose weight, but I am always interested in learning ways to eat even healthier and was interested in “revolutionary diet” claims that eating a certain way will also reduce and/or eliminate cellulite. Not that I have much, but what little I do have I wish was gone! So I thought I’d put the words of this book into action and try the tips that supposed helps to melt fat from hips, waist, and thighs in only two weeks plus will help to reshape your body while detoxifying.

The book starts out discussing the basics of what are the five hidden weight gain factors that prevent weight loss followed by an overview of actual plan itself which has the goal of increasing your metabolism with nutritional supplements, flushing out bloat and speeding up fat loss while also helping you to kick the caffeine habit if you have one. The diet is based on the belief that essential fats are absolutely necessary for rapid weight loss, longevity and good health. The diet relies on a unique combination of 40% healthy essential fats, 30% balanced proteins, and 30% low-glycemic carbohydrates from fat flushing fruits and vegetables to provide the weight loss results you want. The Plan also heavily relies on its liver cleansers – cranwater, “Long Life Cocktails” to start and end your days, hot cups of water and lemon juice plus an array of fat burning, water regulating, and insulin controlling herbs and spices.

Next, the three phases of The Plan are shared. Phase One includes a two week, “cleaning out,” fat flush strategy, requiring the elimination of wheat, dairy and sugar and a diet of only 1,100 to 1,200 calorie per day. This stage is the jumpstart to your weight loss. And surprising whatever fat you do have starts to melt away and bloating disappears. You can stay on this phase of the program for longer if you have more fat to lose.

Phase Two is for people with more weight to lose and allows the person to have a variety of food choices a more diverse diet which even includes carbs. Daily intake is now 1,200 to 1,500 calories. You can stay on this stage until you hit your desired weight. The book also includes meal plans and recipes and tips for eating out.

The “Lifestyle Eating Plan” is for to sustaining and maintaining your desired weight is discussed in Phase Three. This is the maintenance stage of The Fat Flush Plan and allows you to eat 1,500 or more calories per day. Certain carbs, grains and dairy products are now allowed.

Does this detox diet plan work? For me, yes. I personally dropped 14 pounds following this plan, an amount too much for my body build so I gained back five. And what little cellulite I had diminished. To this day, the “Lifestyle Eating Plan” is the basis of my diet. I still drink the cranwater and have added the Fat Flush Plan smoothies. I eat very little carbs and never any white ones. I incorporate lots of fresh vegetables and fruits plus nuts and daily servings of fish or poultry. And flaxseed is now part of my daily diet.

“The Fat Flush Plan” is as groundbreaking as it claims. By going on The Plan and committing yourself to its guidelines, you will submit yourself to one of the most complete processes of weight loss and detox you’ll ever experience. There are also several subsequent books by Gittleman, including: “Fat Flush for Life,” “The Fast Track Detox Diet,” “The Flat Flush Cookbook” and “The Fat Flush Foods” among others.

Gittleman’s “The Fat Flush Plan” is worth the read. And if you up to the challenge, go for the diet!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Is Your Body Beach Ready? Part II

29 Tuesday May 2012

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From the feedback that I have received, the readers of my blog are at all different fitness levels. So when it comes to defining the 12 week program, I am suggesting a plan of action for those who inspire to weigh less and become more fit and tone but need a little help reaching their goal. The following 12 week “beach body” recipe will consist of diet, weight-training, cardio plus a few tricks of the fitness trade to stir change in your body.

In Part II of this three part series, I will be discussing dieting. The first golden rule is DIET IS EVERYTHING. The 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise is very much true for most people and you truly become what you eat. For me, I basically follow a diet that is one that contains no white or brown carbs, no dairy, no caffeine, no lunchmeat, no salt, minimal fat, and very little alcohol. Yes, I do break it on occasion, but for the most part it’s a diet filled with lots of fresh fruit and veggies, protein, dietary supplements, and lots of fresh water for hydration. I’m fortunate I enjoy all of my food options so it makes eating without straying easy.

Before we get started and to help you stay on course, I suggest keeping a journal so you can keep track of your results and learn what works for you and what doesn’t as we are all individuals with different genetic makeup. What will be key to your long term success is identifying your own individual recipe of diet and exercise. Include your workouts in your journal entries in addition to the food you eat on a daily basis. Your very first entry should be your measurements of today and your goals of where you want to be in 12 weeks. If you have access to a camera, take a snapshot of yourself and adhere it to your journal.

So let’s talk about your diet. I often feel that a combination of the right food selection and the right calorie count with maximum allowed volume is best means to a successful weight loss. To achieve this, you first need to learn what your ideal daily caloric intake should be to achieve your goal. To help determine, click here for a calorie calculator which will ask you a few questions to determine your daily count. Remember not to lose more than two pounds a week. Weight loss should never be fast but at a controlled rate. Next, let’s discuss food intake. In addition to reducing your daily calories, make smart choices. Ideally you should reduce the amount of your refined foods, but I realize this is may be challenging for many, especially at first. So cut back as much as you can, as portion control is key, and fill your three meals a day with a lot of fresh fruits, veggies, protein and whole grain foods within you calorie limit. Snacks can be again fruits and veggies, such as celery and carrot sticks, and nuts as long as you don’t much on too many. If you feel you would better benefit for an actual diet plan, there are many to choose from those I discussed in “Ten Popular Diets to Start off the Year.” Select the one you feel you can maintain.

One trick to help stir change in the body is what I drink during the day. I start and end my days with Dr. Ann Louis Gittleman’s “Long Life Cocktail” – one quarter cup of unsweetened cranberry juice, three quarters cup water, and one teaspoon of powdered psyllium husks – which helps to detox your liver. When your liver is overworked and undernourished, toxins can build up and enter your bloodstream causing weight gain, bloating, cellulite, indigestion, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, fatigue, mood swings, depression, and even skin rashes. So it’s best to consciously take care of your liver which will also aide in your weight loss and weight maintenance.

Drinking a lot of water will also help with your weight loss. Before indulging in breakfast, drink a cup of hot water with a slice of fresh lemon. This helps to jumpstart your digestive system, aiding to regenerate your liver and optimize your fat metabolism. Additionally before each meal, drink one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar straight up or dilute it in a glass of water with one to two teaspoons of raw honey and a lemon slice to sweeten the taste. For best results, purchase apple cider vinegar that is natural, unfiltered and unpasteurized. I use Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. And to eliminate water retention, drink eight glasses of cranberry water a day; the mixture of one quarter unsweetened cranberry juice, three quarters water but without the psyllium husks.

In the final installment of this three-part series, I will discuss an exercise plan to follow to help with your weight loss. But until then, create your journal, determine your daily calorie intake and plan out our diet. One of my favorite quotes is, “people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.”

Be fit. Be strong. Be well.
Adriana

Is Your Body Beach Ready? Part I

31 Saturday Mar 2012

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For most of the country, the winter this year was a very mild one, especially when compared to the past couple years. With little snow on the ground and the temperatures mild for most of the season, many were able to continue cycling and running outdoors while skiers, borders, and ice skaters had to search for places with enough snow and ice to make their sports happen.

With the winter months now behind us and spring in the process of blooming, it’s also time to take a look at our bodies to see if it’s ready to hit the beach in its fineness. Despite the lack of snow, many still had the internal instinct to eat more during the winter months. The shorten days of less daylight also decreased the energy for many, causing some to shorten or skip their workouts all together.

First up, get on the scale! What is your weight compared to the end of last summer? Have you gained a few extra pounds from the holiday treats or were you able to maintain your weight? Next, try on some of your summer outfits. How do they fit? If all is good, they don your favorite swimsuit. Any bulges? How is your middle looking? Arms? Shoulders? Butt? Any jiggle or wiggle? Is there room for improving, perhaps in your overall body tone and muscle definition?

Now, set your goals. Do you want to lose, gain or maintain? Have a favorite outfit you want to fit into again? Perhaps you want your abs defined a little more or your arms more muscular. Whatever it is, get a journal and write down where you are today and where you want to be in three months. Try to make your goals realistic and achievable.

Next, build your plan of action. Make it a winning combination of dieting and workouts. Be sure to include both weight lifting and cardio to help drop the pounds and tone up. Watch the starchy carbs and unnecessary foods with empty calories.

Need some suggestions? The next series of blogs string together a 12-week plan that, if followed properly, should put your body in better form through the combination of dieting and working out. Twelve weeks is a nice span of time to set your short term goals with enough planned time to notice a positive change. Also, check with your physician before starting if you have any injuries or illnesses.

So stay tune!  You may additionally want keep a workout journal to track your progress and keep you on goal.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Ten Popular Diets to Start Off the Year

29 Sunday Jan 2012

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One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight. The battle of the bulge has been an ongoing fight for many with the extra pounds winning, especially with age. And with age, losing weight can become more challenging as lifestyles change and activities begin to slip away.

But getting older shouldn’t also mean getting bigger. As you become less active, adjust your daily caloric intake to match accordingly. To maintain your weight, the American Heart Association recommends women of the ages 40 to 50 to consume 1,800 calories per day for a sedative lifestyle, 1,800 and 2,000 for a moderate, and up to 2,200 daily calories for those who exercise vigorously.

If you actually count the calories you eat for one day, you may be actually surprised to learn that 1,800 calories is not very many. To eat more, you have to become more active. And to lose weight, you need increase your activities PLUS eat less.

In your quest to lose weight, you will need to find one that best matches your lifestyle and taste buds. Below are some of the top diets from the hundreds available today.

Atkins – A low-carbohydrate diet created by Robert Atkins that limits consumption of carbohydrates to switch your body’s metabolism from metabolizing glucose as energy over to converting stored body fat to energy.

Body for Life – Based on principles widely known in bodybuilding, the Body for Life diet was created by EAS owner Bill Phillips and focuses on a low caloric diet to force fat loss while still retaining enough calories and protein to build muscle and cardiovascular endurance.

Jenny Craig – With more than 700 weight management centers in the world, this weight management program combines nutrition and physical activity with counseling to help you change lifestyle and eating habits for life.

Medifast– Originally only available through your physician, the Medifast program a very low-calorie approach to weight loss with zero counting. Instead over 70 meal-replacement options are available, including snacks and popular shakes.

Mediterranean Diet – Considered to be one of the healthiest diets, the Mediterranean Diet is inspired by Spain, Italy, Greece and the Middle East and includes a high consumption fresh, seasonal whole foods, olive oil and fish, a moderate intake of dairy and wine, low consumption of red meats and no processed foods.

Nutrisystem – The ultimate in convenience, NutriSystem provides pre-prepared, portion-controlled meal selections that are delivered to your door in microwave-ready pouches. Just go online and sign up. The meals are low in sodium, saturated and trans fats, and include whole grains and a wide variety of foods.

South Beach – Devised by cardiologist Arthur Agatston and dietician Marie Almon, this low-fat diet replaces bad carbs and bad fats with good ones. There’s no counting calories or strict portion sizes.

Volumetrics – For those who always feel hungry on a diet, then this one may be for you. Created by nutritionist Barbara Rolls, PhD, the diet focuses on feeling full by eating energy densed foods with these foods having very high water content.

Weight Watchers – Created by a homemaker in the 1960’s, this international program helps to lose weight by forming helpful habits such as eating smarter, getting more exercise and providing support. Both products and services are available to participants.

The Zone – A best seller book by the same name, this diet encourages consuming calories from carbohydrates, protein, and fat in a balanced ratio (30% protein, 30% fat, and 40% carbohydrates) to retool your metabolism.

A key to dieting is finding the one plan that works best for you in terms of your preferred food choices, lifestyle, willpower and results. Losing weight is no easy feat, particularly the older one becomes. Just remain strong and think positive. Get a buddy to diet with or keep a food journal to help keep you on track. Remember, all is achievable with focus and determination.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Achieving Amazing Abs at Any Age – Part 2

07 Monday Feb 2011

Posted by in Abdominal Muscles, Diet, Exercising, Health and Wellness, Weight Training

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In Part 1 of this blog, I introduced the theory of a five-part winning combination to achieve amazing abs (cardio + weight training + abdominal exercises + diet + genetics), the dangers of not having a slim waistline, how your genetics play a role and why cardiovascular exercise is so important. In Part 2, I am going to discuss how weight training fits in, some of the best abdominal exercises for flat abs, an overview of what your diet should look like, and some final go get ’em tips!

3) Weight Training. Most men and women tend to lose muscle mass with age due to inactivity, causing a slower metabolism.  But the more muscle mass you have on your body, the more fat you will burn on a daily basis – regardless of your age. So building and maintaining your muscle mass is also very important in achieving and retaining your abs. With an ongoing, regular strength-training program using weights (30-45 minutes, three to four times a week), loss of your muscle tissue can be prevented and carved abs can be achieved. This can be accomplished with circuit training or free weights. If you need to, start with lighter lights and higher repetitions and work your way heavier and stronger.

 

4) Abdominal Exercises. There are three main muscle groups in your abdominals:rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, and the internal and external obliques. These muscles are the only group that can be worked daily, and I highly recommend it. Even if it’s just for 15 minutes a day, do it since working these muscles regularly and consistently is key in achieving great abs. Seven great abdominal exercises are: 1) Sit ups with a dumbbell or medicine ball for that extra push; 2) Leg raises from the floor, bench or in a captain’s chair; 3) Stomach crunches on a mat or on an exercise ball; 4) Vertical leg crunches on the floor; 5) Reverse stomach crunches on a mat or bench; 6) Planks on your elbows with both planted toes or one raised leg; and 7) Bicycle peddle from your back and on a mat. Also, both yoga and Pilates are excellent for your abs as they focus on strengthening your core.

 

5) Diet. Your diet is another clincher in all of this mad methodology. To have great abs, you have to get rid of the extra layers of fat hiding them as excess food tends to accumulate around the middle. Start by cutting out the wrong foods and eating the right ones in small meals throughout the day. Eliminate all of the sugars from your diet and avoid foods containing simple and complex carbohydrates. This includes most whites, such as bread, pasta, chips, fries, and saturated fats. These calories go right to your waistline. Stay away from alcohol and soda, skip all junk food and pass up on foods with a high salt content that cause water retention. Steer clear of gassy foods that can cause bloating, including wheat, bananas, broccoli and many others.

Some of the good foods to eat include those high in protein like tuna, salmon, eggs and foods that are high in fiber like fruits, vegetables, whole grains. While dairy is high in fat and should be limited when going for the six pack, eating a daily serving of a probiotic-rich food like yogurt helps your digestive system to break down your food, preventing potential gastrointestinal issues that can keep you from having a flat stomach. Also, drink plenty of water, which should always be your first beverage of choice. Six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water is ideal. If you are dehydrated, your body retains water in retaliation and you may end up with extra excess pounds around your middle.

Some final tips: Remember, there is no way to target fat loss just in your stomach area, but your exercising and dieting will help do the trick. To get started on your sculpted abs, you will need to do two things – build muscle and lose fat. If you feel you have hit a plateau, change up your exercise and cardio and switch up your diet. When eating, chew each bite at least 10 times before swallowing. If you eat fast, you are more likely to swallowing air, which also can deposit around your middle. Lastly, make sure you get a good night’s rest of 7-8 hours of sleep as lack of sleep increases the likelihood you will gain weight.

There’s no better time than the present. Get going on achieving your amazing abs

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Achieving Amazing Abs at Any Age – Part 1

31 Monday Jan 2011

Posted by in Abdominal Muscles, Cardio, Diet, Exercising, Health and Wellness, Metabolism

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Having beautiful sexy abs is not just for the underwear and swimsuit models, fitness competitors or for the very young.  If you work hard, watch the quality and quantity of your food intake, and are truly dedicated and persistent, your flat abs can be eventually achieved.

Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to whittling your waist or ways to drop pounds just around your middle. Plain and simple, attaining amazing abs is a winning combination of cardio + weight training + abdominal exercises + diet + genetics. Of course, being discipline about your regimen is a given as well as your time, commitment and patience. It can be a lot of work, but the effort is well worth it. When your body looks great, you feel great not to mention that endorphin high that kicks in.

Even if you might not care that you don’t have flat abs, the pitfalls and dangers of not having a lean middle are many. Belly fat (or visceral fat) is very unhealthy as it rests deep in your abdomen, surrounds your organs, and secretes toxic hormones. Study after study shows that extra weight around your middle increases your risk of heart disease, hypertension, cancer and dementia. Those at even higher risk are women with waists larger than 35 inches who are more than twice as likely to die of heart disease as women whose middles measure less than 28 inches. A waistline of 32 inches or more places you at higher risk of Type2 Diabetes.

So what about those nice set of abs? The key in the five-part equation to achieving amazing abs is figuring out the right combination that works best for you since it differsfor each of us. You might have to diet more, run further, lift longer and/or crunch harder to achieve your six-pack if you don’t have the God given genetics. If you do have the good genes, well you are one of the lucky ones and get to work a little less at it.

In Part 1 of this blog, I am going to discuss the first two parts of the winning combination, how your genetics play a role and why cardiovascular exercise is so important.

1) Genetics. When I say genetics play a role in this winning combination, I am referring to your natural body build and own metabolism. These are a factor of how hard you will have to work to achieve your amazing abs. Those with a heavier body frame and weight, by nature, are going to have to work harder than those who are naturally small and lean. But those who are larger, oftentimes have more muscle mass and therefore burn more calories quicker.

We also all know that metabolism is the process that your body burns calories and turns food into energy. The higher your metabolism, the more calories you will burn. If you feel your metabolism is too slow, the best way to increase it is with exercise as metabolism is primarily driven by your muscles. The best way to raise your natural metabolism is by eating small meals throughout the day, ideally six, to keep your body engine running and churning. It causes your metabolism to speed up and lose weight. If you skip meals thinking it will work quicker, your body’s metabolism will actually slow down as it tries to conserve fat and protect you against starvation.

 

2) Cardio. Your cardio workout is an extremely important step in achieving amazing abs. Have you ever seen a professional runner with a bulging belly? Need I say more? You can burn 100 to 500 calories depending on how hard you work, how long you exercise and how much you weigh. Exercises like running, swimming and spinning will help you shed the extra pounds. Since your abdominal muscles are very active during these workouts, it will help tone your abdominal muscles. A 30-45 minute cardio workout, at least 5 days a week, is best as it will make an impact on your abs when combined with a healthy balanced diet, abdominal exercises and strength training.

Be certain to check back next week when I discuss how weight training fits in, some of the best abdominal exercises for flat abs, an overview of what your diet should look like, and some final go get ’em tips!

 

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

The Most Important Meal of Your Day – Breakfast

24 Monday Jan 2011

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In “Setting Your Fitness Goals,” I mention that what you eat is 80 percent of your success rate for achieving and maintaining your fitness goal. So let’s start with the first meal of the day; breakfast. Many of us were raised by our parents to make certain we ate our breakfasts before dashing off to school. Unfortunately, today many of us claim not to have time for the early meal and instead either drink a cup of coffee on the go, snack at our desk while working, or hold off the pangs until lunchtime. Some even do so in the hopes it will ward off weight gain as their true motivator.

Skipping breakfast is actually a more likely way to cause weight gain than weight loss. Studies have shown missing breakfast is strongly linked to the development of obesity as the morning meal skippers tend to eat more food than usual at the next meal or later in the day, and food that is less nutritional. Additionally, the daily prolonged fasting can increase your body’s insulin response, which in turn increases fat storage. So if you are a breakfast skipper, whether trying to save time or cut you calories, you may want to rethink your strategy.

Breakfast is the most important meal of your day. Like starting your car in the morning, a healthy breakfast kick-starts your energy level, refuels your body, and replenishes the glycogen stores that supply blood sugar (glucose). Eating this morning meal within an hour of rising reduces your hunger later in the day, making it easier to avoid overeating, and increases your metabolic burning rate.

What you choose to eat for breakfast also makes a big difference for your health. If you choose healthful, slow-burning foods, like whole grains and fruits, you should be able to control your appetite until midday and overeating is less likely. The more whole the grain is, the slower the digestion. This helps keep blood sugar levels stable, prevents energy crashes, and prevents from feeling hungry later in the morning or day.

Oatmeal is a great source of slow-digesting, complex carbohydrates. It is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, helping to reduce bad cholesterol by literally binding to them and sweeping them out of the body. Oatmeal also contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and is a good source of protein and iron. In essence, oatmeal is a superfood.

Oatmeal is also a powerhouse when it comes to helping prevent certain medical conditions. Numerous studies show that the fiber and other nutrients found in oatmeal may actually reduce the risk for certain cancers. Other studies have shown that eating oatmeal may help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, lessen the risk for type 2 diabetes, and may help lower high blood pressure.

So if you only have a short amount of time in the mornings, I recommend instant or quick-cooking oatmeal or whole grain cold cereal with raisins or fresh fruit and low-fat dairy or soy milk. It’s a great healthy way to start your day. If you have a little more time, below I have included a couple recipes I love that incorporate other superfoods such as yogurts and berries. (I’ll discuss superfoods in a future blog.)

Egg White Oatmeal Pancakes: Grind 1 cup steel-cut oats and 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds and walnuts) in a food processor. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Add scoop vanilla whey protein powder (optional). Stir in 1 cup egg whites and blend. Lightly grease griddle with Pam. Heat griddle to 375 degrees F and until drops of water dance and evaporate immediately. Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture onto hot griddle and let cook until the edges start to look dry and bubbles form on the uncooked surface. Flip over and let the pancakes cook for another minute or two until golden brown. Top with fresh berries. 2 Servings.

Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits: In a small bowl, combine 2 cups low fat vanilla yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Combine 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries and 1/2 cup raspberries in another bowl. In four clear, tall glasses, layer 1/4 cup fruit mixture, 2 tablespoons cooked oatmeal (or granola), and 1/4 cup yogurt mixture. Continue to build the parfaits, repeating the layers until all of the ingredients are used completely. Lightly sprinkle tops with wheat germ and top off with a few berries. 4 Servings.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

The Pros and Cons of a Hiring Personal Training

17 Monday Jan 2011

Posted by in Exercising, Personal Trainer, Setting Goals, Training

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Many individuals go into working out without a plan of action. They may jump on the stationary bike and ride it for a few miles, follow others in the circuit training, or grab some free weights and do random routines. They may watch others, ask others, and envy others.

Then there are those who are self-dedicated, have worked out for years, and know exactly what to do to achieve the results they want. They know which exercise works best and they have fallen into a faithful routine.

The last group is those who hire a trainer for various reasons such as changing up their own made routines, achieve different results or certain new levels of fitness, or need to depend on someone to motivate through a workout.

My reasonings for hiring a personal trainer have always been the same; to change up my own existing routine and give it some fresh light. I’m also on a constant quest to sculpt my muscles more and reach beyond my fitness plateau into perfection, if such a destiny for myself exists. Over the past 10 years, I have had six personal trainers, three men and three women, each with their own unique approach and method to reaching fitness nirvana. Three utilized the weight equipment and machines in the gym to help me get where I wanted to be, and three taught me new methods of using my own body weight to achieve my results. Of the six trainers, only two worked for me in the sense that I felt the benefits and witnessed the results in my body. They have had such an impact on my fitness level, I will always sing their praises and have put them high on a pedestal. The others were not a match and, looking back, it was a disappointing waste of my energy, time and money.

Ironically, the peak of my own self ultimate fitness level was when I trained alone for fitness competitions. Two months out, I decided to start competing and, in that limited lead time, whipped myself into competing form. How? I spent 90 to 120 minutes in the gym every day with a third of that going to cardio. The balance went to weight training and ab work with routines and equipment I had learned over the years work for me. I was religious and diligent with my exercises. So much so, many thought I was a trainer. Working out was the easy part for me since I enjoyed my time in the gym. It’s like playtime for me. I unwind, relax and let go. It’s my sanctuary.

It was the diet part that was initially challenging for me as I had become accustomed to not having to necessary watch what I ate. I read up on eating and watched my food intake. I developed a diet plan that would burn the most amount of fat and incorporated good fats with omega-threes. I was heavy on the proteins, such as egg whites for breakfast, tuna for lunch, and chicken for dinner, and included lots of fresh vegetables. I eliminated sugars and processed starches and drank lots of water to flush my system. No sweet treats. No bacon or bread. Not even pizza. This was definitely the hardest part of my self training.

My hard effort and self discipline proved itself as you can see in the photo above. I kicked myself into outstanding form and proved I could do it alone and without a trainer. At the same time, I have immensely enjoyed working with trainers Thomas Lengyel and Leann Pacinelli who have truly listened to what I expressed my fitness goals to be and who created personalized workout plans that became successful means for me achieving my fitness objectives.

So just like anything else in life, you need to be wise when selecting a personal trainer if this is the route you decide to go. Get a referral from a satisfied friend in your gym and interview the trainer about their method and philosophy. If possible, schedule a trial workout to see if like the trainer’s approach to working out, that the two of you mesh with your personalities, and that the trainer genuinely shows an interest in you and your goals. Or, if you feel you have the willpower, you can go solo just like I have. Either way, it will take a few weeks to a few months to see your results that will be ultimate true measure of your success.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana