Weight loss plan, Diet plan - Vice Busting Diet Program: Medifast diet plan

Showing posts with label Medifast diet plan. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Health Spending Exceeded Record $2 Trillion in 2006

WASHINGTON — National health spending soared above $2 trillion for the first time in 2006 and has nearly doubled in the last decade, amounting to an average of $7,000 a person, the government reported on Monday. With the advent of a prescription drug benefit in 2006, Medicare spending grew at its fastest pace since 1981, the report said. Private health insurance spending grew at the slowest rate since 1997, and spending on Medicaid, which covers low-income people, declined for the first time since creation of the program in 1965. Over all, the report said, health spending increased 6.7 percent in 2006, slightly faster than in 2005, and now accounts for 16 percent of the total output of good and services, a slightly larger share than in 2005. Introducing the Medicare drug benefit for older Americans and people with disabilities caused changes that rippled through the entire health care sector. Health spending by businesses grew 5.7 percent in 2006, to $496.8 billion, the slowest rate of increase since 1997.

Aaron C. Catlin, an economist at the Health and Human Services Department, said the “deceleration in employer payments for private health insurance” resulted, in part, from the fact that Medicare now subsidized drug costs for many retirees. Employers lobbied for such subsidies when Congress created the benefit. Retail spending on prescription drugs shot up 8.5 percent in 2006, to $216.7 billion, in part because more prescriptions were filled by Medicare beneficiaries, especially those lacking drug coverage in the past. The increase was much greater than the 5.8 percent increase in 2005, but well below the average increase of 13.4 percent a year from 1995 to 2004. Other factors that drove up drug spending included the use of existing drugs for new purposes and the increased use of high-cost biotechnology products, the report said. National health spending first exceeded $1 trillion in 1995. Since then, even when adjusted for inflation, health spending has grown at a rapid clip, increasing 64 percent in 11 years. The data, published in the journal Health Affairs, showed that spending on hospitals, doctors and nursing homes grew more slowly in 2006 than in 2005. But administrative costs increased more than twice as fast. read on...

Get medifast for weight loss, health, a healthy diet, and a diet plan. Medifast is a product that helps you lose weight. There are benefits to using Medifast in your diet, and can be used for weight loss. Phase 1 - 5 & 1 Program for Weight Loss 5 Medifast Meals per Day Over 50 meals to choose from - shakes, bars, drinks, oatmeals, chili, soups, pudding and more. 1 "Lean and Green" Meal per Day Lean Meat: 7 ounces of chicken, turkey of fish, or 5 ounces of lean beef, pork or lamb. Grill, bake or poach meats using non-stick spray. Salt, pepper, herbs and spices may be added if desired. You may also use 1 - 2 teaspoons of condiments such as ketchup, mustard or barbecue sauce. Salad or Vegetables: Either 2 cups of salad greens (any kind) and up to ½ cups raw vegetables, or up to 1 ½ cups cooked vegetables. You may also use 1 - 2 tablespoons of Media low-fat or non-fat dressing.Phase 2 - BeSlim™ Philosophy of Lifelong Weight Control Once you have reached your healthy weight, your Health Advisor will help transition you to the BeSlim™ philosophy of lifelong weight control. The BeSlim™ philosophy is a part of the Take Shape for Life program that incorporates key behaviors mastered by those who lost significant amounts of weight and kept their weight off for years. These key behaviors include: Breakfast (eating Breakfast every day) - High quality fuel, such as our delicious Medifast oatmeal, cappuccino, or chai latte, is essential to start your day the right way. Exercise - Continued exercise increases metabolism, provides strength, flexibility, and mental clarity. Support - Your Health Advisor is here to help you reach and maintain your goals, providing the coaching, tools, education, and caring support you will need along the way. Low-fat meals 5-6 times a day - Eating frequently, controlling portion and total calories, especially those from fat, are critical for success. Individual Plan - Create an individual plan to help you achieve an optimal healthy lifestyle and build the skills and strategies you need to cope with modern life. Monitor your weight - Weigh yourself on a regular basis to maintain optimal weight. Catch it before it becomes a challenge! Join the BeSlim™ Club today and set your life in motion! Introducing the New BeSlim Club & Rewards Program! Optimal Health is its own reward, but how about earning a bonus or two along the way? You’re on a journey to Optimal Health. You’ve made a commitment to lose weight and keep it off! You’ve earned the right to celebrate your success! The new Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is your ticket there. The BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is Take Shape For Life's progressive savings program, offering clients and Health Coaches an easy way to obtain their Medifast Meals at a savings, with exciting rewards you can earn along the way! The longer you are member of the BeSlim™ Club, the more significant your savings are and the more rewards points you’ll earn. When you join the Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program, you: Enjoy your favorite Medifast Meals all month long, with orders conveniently shipped right to your door Save on your meal purchases and enjoy increased savings the longer you’re on the program Earn points towards exclusive rewards that promote healthy living Receive coupons for special savings. Enrich your life as you achieve Optimal Health Available to all, the BeSlim™ Club is a great way for individuals learning and practicing the BeSlim™ philosophy. Every time you order, you earn points towards healthful rewards. Here’s how: There’s no minimum purchase required. Redeem your reward points* for exclusive Take Shape For Life merchandise, including: Apparel, Exercise Equipment, Spa Trips, And more! Join the BeSlim Club today! Simplify Your Life -- — Receive automatic monthly shipments of your favorite Medifast Meals; Save Your Money — Enjoy savings that increase the longer you are a club member; Earn Just Rewards— Select from an array of rewards that promote healthy living and a healthy lifestyle

Comments: It wasn't that long ago that health care costs were around the 1 Trillion mark - in 1995. To double in 10 years means that, yes in fact, health care costs are ballooning out of control. This should be more of a reflection of the poor health that Americans are experiencing, and while that is true, it is not all that is going on. The advancement of equipment, drugs, and procedures that keep a patient alive longer has to be the brunt of the rise in costs. The unfortunate thing about our health care is that it is not health care at all, but sick care. If we can start with the upcoming generation and start teaching life's lessons at an early age, and instill the habits of healthy living in the early years, then we have a chance of reducing costs in the decades to come, on a per capita basis. In other words, assuming the population continues to grow at the current rate, costs will continue to rise, but can be reduced as a percentage of the total. Start with your own weight loss and diet plan and live healthy. Teach those in your family the importance of a healthy lifestyle for the survival of the generations to come.

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC

The #3 Diet Vice TV Should be Off During Family Meals

If you've been reading the last few blogs, you will see that the theme has been family, and the importance of a close family to the bringing up of a secure, healthy, happy, productive individual. One of the 3 biggest diet vices that have contributed to the overweight and obesity problem in this country and around the world is the television. A diet vice is broadly defined as anything that gets in the way of living at a healthy weight. Specifically, a diet vice can be a food or drink that is consumed on a regular basis that contributes the most calories to a diet and keeps the "dieter" from living at a healthy weight. The three biggest diet vices are soft drinks, fast food, and television - all based on statistics. The amount of soft drinks and fast food consumed per capita supports the conclusion that they are the 2 top diet vices. And, according to statistics, television is the third diet vice that contributes to the number of overweight and obese individuals. In this day, we can add anything that the TV can be used for - all computer games, specifically, not just television shows. The recommendation that The Health & Wellness Institute gives to those who seek to lose weight, is that no TV may be watched (or used for games; hey, even 40 year olds use PlayStation!) until at least 30 minutes of exercise is done. OR, exercise may be done while watching TV - like a treadmill or piece of cardio that may be in front of the TV, or an exercise video. This puts healthy actions ahead of those that are sedentary, or let's face it, unhealthy considering the quality of so much of the programming these days (I'm not referring to the History Channel here!). Here's some information given about the importance of turning the TV off during family meals. Without reading the article, you can ascertain that the TV will distract family members from the time that should be used for productive communication, the foundation for healthy relationship among all individuals. And the lessons learned during family meals far exceed any entertainment or history lesson that can be learned from TV. This article comes from Science Daily --

ScienceDaily — September and October mark the start of television’s new fall season as the premieres of new shows and old favorites hit the airwaves. But, University of Minnesota researchers found that watching television while eating family meals may have a negative impact on children’s diets.

School of Public Health Project EAT researchers found that children in families who watched TV while eating meals together had a lower-quality diet than the children of families who ate together, but turned the TV off. Boys watching TV while eating family meals consumed fewer vegetables and grains, and more soft drinks, than those who did not watch TV; girls watching TV ate significantly fewer dark vegetables and more fried food.

Dianne Neumark Sztainer, Ph.D., principal investigator of the Project EAT study, suggests more than one reason for why this occurred. “The television may be influencing the types of foods that adolescents choose to eat because of the advertisements they see. Alternatively, meal situations and foods served within homes where the television is on during meals may be different. Further research is needed to explore our findings,” she said. read on...

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC

Regular Family Meals Promote Healthy Eating Habits

It's time to get back to family values - a family that eats together, shares the day's struggles, successes, and questions; a time for family to discuss together what is important in life - what's needed to be healthy physically, mentally, spiritually; a time to emphasize the importance of education, goals, and character. And all is done while eating a well balanced meal. The effects of regular meals as this puts the focus on goals that are bigger than any one individual, while instilling the habit of healthy actions to support the efforts of such goals. We have gotten away from the importance of health in all areas of life, and the discipline it takes to build that character, and it all starts at home, and the best time for life's lesson start at the breakfast and dinner table (assuming everyone's at school or work during lunch!). Not only do family meals promote healthy eating, but the ripple effect carries over into every other aspect of life. Here is an article that reveals one aspect of the importance of family meals from Science Daily --

ScienceDaily — MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL -- It's not only the routine of sitting down to dinner as a family, but the importance, structure, and atmosphere of family meals that may help steer adolescent girls from eating disorders. University of Minnesota researchers found that girls who ate regular family meals in a structured and positive environment were less likely to exhibit extreme weight control behaviors such as diet pill use, vomiting, and chronic dieting. Their research was published in the November issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

The meal itself provides an opportunity to model healthy eating habits to children, and it also gives parents the chance to check in with their children, said Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., professor of epidemiology and primary author of the article. She recommended parents keep the conversation positive and non-confrontational, especially if their children have issues surrounding food. "Since society has so much influence on adolescents because of the high prevalence of obesity and the pressure to be skinny, many girls are read on...

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC

Weight loss and diet plan starts with family meals

On a previous blog it was mentioned that a healthy lifestyle should be a family affair, with all members of the family participating in activities, exercise, and healthy eating - the latter of which is best done together in order to instill the habit of a healthy diet. And now it seems that disordered eating is less common among teens when they are having meals with their family. Looking back at my own family life, I can weight loss plan, diet plan, weight loss coach, Dr. Patrick Havey attest to this fact, having grown up in a home where dinner together was expected and prior approval for missing better have been cleared with the cook. In other words, I didn't know anything else. And the six of us sat together and had dinnder more nights than not - meals with lean meats or fish, a vegetable, a carb, maybe some gravy to go with it, and milk or water, and sometimes (not that often that I can remember - maybe it was somebody's birthday only) a dessert. The psychological, emotional, habitual, familial, social benefits that ultimately resulted from years of eating together as a family far outweighed (by miles!) any other benefit that us kids as teens back then could ever have received from any of our own activities outside the home. Read this report from Science Daily about some of the eating behaviors of teens who eat meals with their families vs. those that don't --

Science Daily — Adolescent girls who frequently eat meals with their families appear less likely to use diet pills, laxatives or other extreme measures to control their weight five years later, according to a new report.

As youth progress from adolescence into adulthood, disordered eating behaviors--including binge eating and self-induced vomiting--become more common, according to background information in the article. "Disordered eating behaviors are associated with a number of harmful behavioral, physical and psychological consequences, including poorer dietary quality, weight gain and obesity onset, depressive symptoms and the onset of eating disorders," the authors write. "Thus, it is important to identify strategies for the prevention of disordered eating behaviors."

Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, studied 2,516 adolescents at 31 Minnesota schools. Participants completed two surveys--an in-class survey in 1999 and a mailed survey in 2004--regarding how often they ate with their families as well as their body mass index, feelings of family connectedness and eating behaviors.

Among teen girls, those who ate five or more meals with their families each week in 1999 were significantly less likely to report using extreme measures (such as self-induced vomiting and diuretics) to control their weight in 2004, regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index or family connectedness. However, among adolescent boys, regular family meals did not predict lower levels of disordered eating behaviors five years later. Read on...

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC

Girls Who Feel Unpopular May Gain Weight

From Associated Press --

CHICAGO (AP) — Where a teenage girl sees herself on her school's social ladder may sway her future weight, a study of more than 4,000 girls finds. Those who believed they were unpopular gained more weight over a two-year period than girls who viewed themselves as more popular. Researchers said the study showed how a girl's view of her social status has broader health consequences.

The girls in the study were still growing — their average age was 15 — and all of them gained some weight. However, those who rated themselves low in popularity were 69 percent more likely than other girls to increase their body mass index by two units, the equivalent of gaining about 11 excess pounds. (The body mass index, or BMI, is a calculation based on height and weight.)

Girls who put themselves on the higher rungs of popularity also gained some excess weight, but less — about 6 1/2 pounds.

Both groups, on average, fell within ranges considered normal. But a gain of two BMI units over two years is more than the typical weight gain for adolescent girls, the researchers said. Read on...

Comments: This is one of the most common occurences in young women - social unacceptance leading to poor dietary habits, or food being used as comfort. This is a very important stage in the development of any person - male or female. The habits that they are exposed to on a daily basis set the stage for what they will expect of themselves in their own life when out on their own. Then once they have really grown up and get wise, an understanding of the importance of health has a higher chance of setting in, to some degree. Otherwise, life will continue without much concern about weight, health, fitness...until the middle age years start exposing the body's weaknesses through regular sickness, other health problems with higher concern, or even disease. This is not meant to be sound cynical. The opportunity for a healthy and fit lifestyle is there, and may afford so many more opportunities for happiness, productivity, adventure, and creativity. The body functions much better and so does the mind, when the right nutrition, discipline, and exercise are adhered to on a daily basis. A good diet plan can make the difference in the early years. And certainly some parental recognition of such a potential problem, so to head off unhealthy decisions before they happen, will help in the long run. Make health a family affair so you can pass it on to the next generations.

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC

How Expensive Is Your Diet?

From ABC News --

There are fewer things more dreaded than the New Year's resolution.

For millions of Americans each year, that means deciding to drop a few--or tens --of pounds. It also means picking a diet from a number of confusing programs: low-fat, low-carb, high-protein, pre-made, points-counting, and so on. The options can be exhausting and once committed, it is hard to start over if the diet is less than compatible with your habits--and your bank account. That's why we evaluated the first-week costs of seven popular weight-loss programs. After all, the initial week often requires the greatest personal and financial investment.

We found that consumers on such diet programs as NutriSystem, the Zone, The Abs Diet, The 5-Factor Diet, South Beach, Weight Watchers and the Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox can expect to spend as little as $100 and as much as $385 during the first week.

Surprisingly, the diet with the fewest menu choices--the Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox--costs as much as Weight Watchers: Both totaled about $385. The 5-Factor Diet, engineered by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, came in a close third at $380. The price of supplements and a juicer were included for the detox diet, while the cost of membership added to the bottom line of joining Weight Watchers. At $98, NutriSystem was the cheapest option, but included only pre-packaged foods and no fresh fruits or vegetables.

Food Facts

The average American household spends $5,781 a year on food, not including alcohol and fast food items, according to the Census' latest Statistical Abstract, which surveyed 5,000 households of varying sizes. Assuming that purchasing habits remain relatively steady, a weekly household grocery bill likely averages about $111, though this may be significantly higher or lower given income and family size.

At any given time, millions of Americans are on a diet--and their dollars are in demand. The weight-loss market is fiercely competitive and reportedly exceeds $40 billion a year in revenue. As high-profile brands move away from identifying their plans as diets and instead as a lifestyle, companies will increasingly offer more options for personalization and taste preferences. In our roundup, there's room for everything from quesadillas to Canadian bacon to chocolate shakes. Read on...

Comments: There is no doubt that

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Low Carb vs Low fat; what diet will end Obesity?

Like Republicans and Democrats, the respective advocates of low carb and low fat diets actually have a lot more in common than appears on the surface. It can be helpful to those of us looking for the "right" diet to examine what those similarities may be. http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/riskfactors/a/lofatlocarb_3.htm

We can compare two dietary approaches right away by stating a truth that neither party can deny: if a person takes in more calories - whether in the form of fats or carbohydrates - than he or she burns up, that person becomes obese. Thus, on one hand, eating lots of low fat food will absolutely make you fat; on the other hand, eating lots of low carb food will also do the same. Dr. Atkins' claim that a person on his diet does not need to count calories (only grams of carbohydrates) is not strictly correct.

(That his statement often appears to be true is probably because eating fat quenches the appetite while carbohydrates - as we have seen - can stimulate the appetite, so a diet high in fat can result in fewer calories consumed overall. But the fact remains - if you eat more calories than you burn up, you gain weight.)

Second, in recent years most proponents of low carbohydrate diets have recognized the health benefits of eating certain foods that are relatively high in carbohydrates - especially vegetables and certain fruits. Such foods not only supply necessary vitamins that one misses on a strict no-carb diet, but also supply the "roughage" that aids digestion (constipation, sometimes severe, is an admitted problem with low carb diets) and may help prevent some types of cancer.

Third, also in recent years, even the strictest fat-limiting advocates have had to admit that evidence is now strong that not all fats are alike. Some - the saturated fats and transfatty acids - are bad for you, but other fats - the omega-3 fats and other varieties found in fish, nuts, olives and avocados - are actually healthy, help prevent heart disease, and ought to be included in the diet. Indeed, most low-fat diets - when you look at the small print - now advocate up to 30% of calories from fats, the right kind of fats, of course.

Fourth, the most radical low-fat diets (such as the Pritikin and Ornish diets) strictly limit the same kind of "rapid" carbohydrates (i.e., the rapidly absorbed carbohydrates that stimulate rapid rises and rapid falls in insulin levels) most abhored by the low-carb advocates. Thus, under Pritikin and Ornish, you'll be staying away from the same bread, potatoes, rice and pasta as with the Atkins diet.

Four rules everyone can agree to?

At the end of the day, we can state four general rules that all parties - both low fat and low carb - would agree to:

1) Avoid the simple carbohydrates that cause rapid rises and falls in insulin levels - pasta, potatoes, rice, and products made from refined flour.
2) Eat the more complex carbohydrates - vegetables and fruits - that supply necessary vitamins and roughage, without stimulating rapid rises and falls in insulin levels.
3) Eat foods that supply the "good" fats - fish, nuts, olives, avocados .
4) Avoid processed foods of any type that contain transfatty acids - possibly the worst kind of fat you can ingest.

Unfortunately, the low carb and low fat people will always have a few fundamental disagreements. This group adores saturated fats - meats and dairy products - that are the kiss of death to that group. And that group loves the fruits and grains that cause this group to run away screaming.

Commentary:

I am not so sure about rule #1, Avoid the simple carbohydrates that cause rapid rises and falls in insulin levels - pasta, potatoes, rice, and products made from refined flour. Personally, I think that people are NEVER going to go without these traditional and "comfort" foods, moderation is more likely to succeed when it comes to these foods and if you want a more moderate diet that includes these, than you must take Phase 2! www.Phase2info.com

Over 71% of New Year's Resolutions for dieting and weight loss broken by January 7th!

A New Year traditionally rings in a new list of diet and weight loss resolutions. However, more than 60 percent of Americans feel frustration when dieting, according to a new survey(1). Additionally, 77 percent say that they make sacrifices in their life in an effort to stick to their diet, such as spending less time with friends and family.

Conversely, losing weight and dropping pounds quickly is not the most desired outcome. The survey found that seven out of 10 Americans would feel better about themselves if they learned how to eat healthful foods as a way of life.

Commentary:

Learning how to eat healthfully "As a way of life" that is what 70% of respondents said would make them feel better about themselves! They are 100% right!

Not only would it make them feel better about themselves, it would help them live longer, weigh less and be more productive!

A survey to 14 million www.eDiets.com readers showed the 33% broke their diets on the first day and another 38% broke their diets by the end of the first week. What that shows, besides that fact that eDiets.com's "diets" don't work, is that 71% of people are "cheating" at their diets to consume their "vice" foods. Doesn't it make sense that to change you must break the control that these vices have over your life?

Dieting only leads to frustration and "cheating" on your diet, learning to change your current habits and to live healthfully lasts and delivers results, The Vice Busting Diet is the way to learn how to change your lifestyle and life more healthfully; for the rest of and BEST of your life!

www.ViceBustingDiet.com

Exercise just as good as Knee Surgery

From Dr. Mercola dot com --

An exercise regime is as effective as surgery for people with a chronic pain in the front part of their knee, known as chronic patellofemoral syndrome (PFPS).

PFPS is often treated with arthroscopic surgery, in which equipment is inserted through small incisions in your knee to diagnose and fix the problem. However, there is little evidence that this treatment is the best option. The study, conducted by researchers at The ORTON Research Institute in Helsinki, Finland, compared arthroscopy with exercise in 56 patients with PFPS.

One group of participants was treated with knee arthroscopy and an eight-week home exercise program, while a second group received only the exercise program.
After nine months, patients in both groups experienced similar reductions in pain and improvements in knee mobility. A follow-up conducted two years later still found no differences in outcomes between the two groups.

The only difference discovered was in cost: those who had received the surgery had to pay over $1,300 more than the exercise-only group. Read on...

Comments: It's interesting how this study supports exercise over surgery, certainly not a study that would be published by any medical group? The surgical procedures that have been developed for the knee have come a long way in the last 20 years - more than any other joint in the body. But if you have any problems where you are getting surgery recommended, be sure to exhaust all of types of treatment before surgery. Once something is taken out of the body, it can' t be put back. Plan on living at a healthy weight. Plan on living with a healthy diet. Plan on living a healthy lifestyle and you'll avoid such problems.

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC

Ad bans and commercial cuts

Regulations preventing junk food ads aimed at children in the United Kingdom went into effect in July, and while some say the ban doesn’t go far enough (since a lot of kids watch television programs that aren’t meant for children), there’s evidence that kids are now seeing about 20 percent fewer ads than they would have seen in 2005.

Meanwhile, it was reported that 80 percent of the commercials on kids’ network Nickelodeon as well as in its magazine were for junk food, and the company said it would only promote healthy food and special-occasion junk with its characters, beginning in 2009. Characters on Discovery Kids will no longer sell junk food, and an experimental ad-free station for kids is planned in Australia.

Banning junk food and sneaking it in

Many different schools, districts, states and nations around the world talked about or implemented some kind of junk food ban in the schools this year, and plenty of people have found creative ways to get around it. But our favorite was the kids in Winnipeg who started a black-market trade in junk food and sodas, and boasted about it on Facebook.

Kids in Britain who are faced with healthier options at school largely aren't eating them. The Centers for Disease Control in the United States says school lunches are getting healthier and soft drink makers agreed to rule changes that would take their products out of schools by 2009, while 12 food companies in Europe have agreed to stop marketing unhealthy choices in schools by 2009. Read more...

Comments: The past year brought about many changes - some good, some not so good. The only thing we can focus on here is trying to make a difference in the obesity epidemic and helping you improve your health and live healthy.

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

As You Try To Find A Weight Loss Plan For 2008, Here's What You Need To Know

From Medical News Today ---

Recommendations, issued today.
The revised Recommendations, which help health care providers treat people with diabetes or at risk for diabetes using the most current evidence available, include a revision in the nutrition section indicating that diet plans and weight loss plans restricting carbohydrates or fat calorie intake are equally effective for weight loss in the short term (up to one year).

But far more important than which diet you choose is whether you can stick to it! The ADA also cites scientific evidence showing that how well a person adheres to a diet is one of the biggest determinants in whether they'll succeed in losing weight.

Set Your Goals
Set a realistic weight loss goal. Think about losing 5, 10 or 15 pounds. One of your goals should be to lose a few pounds and be able to keep it off for a long time. Here are some tips to help you make goals.

-- Identify a support system, family, friends or co-workers, who will support your weight loss efforts.

-- Do a self-check on what and when you eat. Keep honest food records for about a week. Write down everything you eat or drink. Use these records to set a few food goals.

-- Be ready to gradually change your food habits (and perhaps your family's food habits) for good. Say good bye to your unhealthy weight loss plan and unhealthy food choices.

-- Do a physical activity self-check. How much exercise do you get? How can you work more of it into your day?

"The risks of overweight and obesity are well known. We recognize that people are looking for realistic ways to lose weight," said Ann Albright, PhD, RD, President, Health Care and Education, American Diabetes Association. "The evidence is clear that both low-carbohydrate and low-fat calorie restricted diets result in similar weight loss at one year. Short-term weight loss is beneficial, but what is most important for health is keeping the weight off long-term," said Albright. "We also want to continue to emphasize the importance of regular physical activity, both to aid in maintenance of weight loss, and also for the positive health gains associated with exercise that are independent of weight loss." Read more...

Comments: We recommend that if you are struggling to have a healthy meal plan, try using Medifast diet plan to get you going in the right direction. The meals come to you and are healthy and easy.

10 Tips for Weight Loss

Sponsored by Medifast, and the Vice Busting Diet weight loss plan. ---

Tip 1: Find out how many calories you need

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
BMR [kcal] Body Weight [lb] x 15 + (moderate activity [mins/day] x 3.5)
Since you wish to lose weight, your target = BMR - 500 kcal

For instance, you weigh 140 lb and you perform 20 mins of moderate activity every day. BMR of this example = (140 x 15) + (20 x 3.5) = 2100 + 70 = 2170 kcal. BMR minus 500kcal; it would be 2170 - 500 = 1670 kcal. Therefore 1670 kcal is the target in this example to losing 1 lb per week.

Tip 2: Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day

Fruits and vegetables are packed with beneficial fibers, vitamins and antioxidants. They fill up your stomach fast so you feel full earlier. They are also low in calories and helps to keep your calorie count low.

Tip 3: Watch for Portion Size

One serving of pasta means 1/2 cup of cooked pasta. However, most restaurants serve a pasta dish with 4 servings of pasta!!! You do not need to finish and clean off the plate every time. You can simply ask to take home the leftover.

Tip 4: Do not skip meals

Eating small frequent meals help to balance your calorie intake throughout the day and also keeps your blood sugar level balanced. Instead of eating 3 big meals, try to eat 5 - 6 smaller meals throughout the day.

Tip 5: Go for wholesome fresh foods

If possible, purchase fresh foods and avoid package (processed) and convenient foods such as fast food. Packaged and convenient foods are often higher in sodium and fat content. Many people we spoke to are amazed that they can easily lose weight by packing a home-cooked lunch to work instead of eating out.

Tip 6: Don't be overly-restrictive

Everyone has his or her favorite treats. Simply allow yourself a little indulgence, but watch out for the frequency and the quantity. Having a small treat once in a while can be rewarding to your weight loss experience. Cutting too much of your favorite treats usually lead to an early relapse.

Tip 7: Understand Food Claims and Labels

A product labelled with a fat-free claim does not mean that it is low in calories. Similarly a product labelled as low-sugar or low-carb does not mean it is low in fat or calories. Always read the nutrition label on the packaging. Read more: Understanding Food Labelings

Tip 8: Get rid of the sugary drinks

Juices, pop, cream & sugar in your coffee or tea all add up. Opt for drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. In addition to providing hydration to your body, it will also help you feel full. Read more: 5 Myths about Drinks

Tip 9: Keep a food journal (although not recommended for long-term)

Keeping a food journal helps you pin point your eating pattern and will enable you to easily modify it. If possible, have your Registered Dietitian review your journal.

Tip 10: Exercise, period

Most authorities recommend 30 - 60 minutes of physical activity a day to stay healthy. Also try adding weight-bearing exercises at least 2 times a week. This will help burn some of the unwanted calories.

Comments: The bottom line is that if you try to simplify your life, you'll have a much better chance of being balanced - with work, family, health, fitness, etc. And managing our own life is a big enough task alone, so you've got to simplify.

Five of the Healthiest Foods

Sponsored by Medifast and Weight loss plan ---

Salmon

Hands down! Salmon is one of my favorite food to substitute meats. It is a good source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids - which has been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. In 2002, the American Heart Association recommended eating at least 2 servings of fish a week, particularly fatty fish such as salmon. With increasing public concerns over farmed salmon, choose wild salmon. Most canned salmon are wild.

Soy

Soy products are great substitutes for animal products. I love cooking tofu with various tasty Asian sauces and also enjoy drinking soy milk. Soy beans contain high amounts of protein which comprise of all essential amino acids (the only such vegetable source to do so). Soy beans are also a rich source of calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. Numerous scientific studies demonstrated that a diet containing significant soy protein may benefit heart health. In addition, more and more studies are being published suggesting other health benefits of soy such as the prevention of prostate & breast cancer as well as osteoporosis.

Greens

Green vegetables such as kale, chard, collard greens, bok choy, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc... are packed with vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and phytonutrients. They are very filling, high in fiber and low in calories. Personally, I like eating them cooked so I usually stir fry them in a non-stick pan, but it is absolutely fine to eat them raw as well so go ahead and toss them into your salad and reap the nutritional benefits!

Berries

Berries by far are my favorite fruits! They are loaded with Vitamin C, folate, fiber and phytonutrients. Indeed, fresh berries are some of the most powerful disease-fighting foods available as they top the ORAC score chart (a method of measuring antioxidant activity). Berries are easy to prepare - just wash and rinse - no need to peel at all! In addition, you may serve berries (fresh or baked) as part of a dessert dish.

Whole Grains

Whole grains have some valuable antioxidants not found in fruits and vegetables. They also contain B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and fiber. The new 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that all adults eat half their grains as whole grains - that's 3 to 5 servings of whole grains a day. To include more servings of whole grains in your diet, use whole-wheat flour in your recipes instead of white flour. Look for the word "whole" when purchasing packaged foods such as cereals, biscuits, pasta and breads. In addition, try adding wild rice, brown rice, quinoa or barley in your soup to increase whole grain intake.

Recommended diet plan with healthy meals: Medifast
Recommended weight loss plan: Vice Busting Diet

Weight loss plan, Diet plan - Vice Busting Diet Program

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Health Spending Exceeded Record $2 Trillion in 2006

The #3 Diet Vice TV Should be Off During Family Meals

Regular Family Meals Promote Healthy Eating Habits

Weight loss and diet plan starts with family meals

Girls Who Feel Unpopular May Gain Weight

How Expensive Is Your Diet?

Food Facts

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Low Carb vs Low fat; what diet will end Obesity?

Four rules everyone can agree to?

Over 71% of New Year's Resolutions for dieting and weight loss broken by January 7th!

Exercise just as good as Knee Surgery

Top diet and health stories of 2007

Ad bans and commercial cuts

Banning junk food and sneaking it in

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

As You Try To Find A Weight Loss Plan For 2008, Here's What You Need To Know

10 Tips for Weight Loss

Five of the Healthiest Foods

Current Time:

Resources

Google search:

Blog Archive

Info and Books

Thank You for visiting!