Soda

Everyone has their own opinion about soda, whether diet or regular. but when it comes down to it everyone knows that soda can be bad for you, especially if you are tryng to lose weight!

I recently did an experiment with my dad. He came up to me asking me to help him lose some weight. So we talked about his diet and I noticed he consumed a lot of soda! i told him first thing to do is cut the soda and replace it with water. Within two weekes he dropped 10 lbs!!!

Dropping soda is a very good start to any diet that will give u results quickly, bossting your confidence to help you succeed!

Stress Related Eating

More than two-thirds of overweight people report that they eat when they are stressed (source: http://www.lifeclinic.com/)

Exercise!

A new study by the University of Florida has found that exercise can help improve your self-image!

kind of obvious right? Well the study does mild exercise versus general fitness and its point is that even minimal exercise a day triggers something in the mind that improves self-image, making the person more confident and overall healthier!

Water!

its a proven science that 8 glasses of water a day will not only help you lose those unwanted water weight but improve your skin quality and clean out yourt system! so drink up!!

P.S.! not a water drinker? crystal light drink mixes are a great O-calorie drink alternative that will help you get in those 8 glasses of water with a little bit of flavor! Theyre my personal favorite!!

dailyplate.com

hey guys just wanted to do a quick link to one of my favorite diet sites called dailyplate.com...you setup an account and include information about your weight, height, body size, weight loss goals and it tells you how many calories to eat to reach your goal! It also lets you track calories using a large database that also includes carbs, protein, sodium count, etc! They have almost every food in this database, its great! and you can even trak your exercise and water intake...its a great tool to get started tracking calories and a great foundation for new dieters! so check it out!

Atkins Update!

So I was doing some research to find some information on current issues with Atkins diet to update with and it looks like Atkins critics have taken some initiative and actually improved on the old version of the famous diet. Here's the link to the full story:
Atkins Bites Back

My opinion: This article has definitely changed my views slightly on the diet because of the many more options it gives the dieter, including ways to eat out and still keep to the diet! However, I am happy with my current diet plan and will probably not be changing sides anytime soon!

The Atkins Diet

Many of us have probably heard of the Atkins craze that swept the nation in the 90's, meaning you also heard all the criticism it received by health officials. Atkin's is a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet invented by Dr. Atkins involving several stages in which the dieter would severely limit their intake of carbohydrates such as sugar and starch, including many fruits and vegetables, then slowly increase this intake to a point where the dieter eats just enough carbohydrates to be satisfied while losing weight at the same time. Only problem was that with such a heavy intake of proteins such as steak and hamburger meat, many health officials started to question the health benefits of the diet because of other risks such as high cholesterol and heart problems associated with heavy fat consumption!

My opinion:
I tried this diet when i was in high school and to be honest it worked for me! I lost 60 lbs and was the skinniest I have ever been in my life! Only problem was that i was groggy most of the day because carbs provide energy for the body, and I was not getting enough. I also eventually put back on a good 30 lbs and quickly gave up the diet in lieu of something a little healthier and long term! That however, is a story for another post! So my advice, give atkins a shot if you want, but it'll probably be a choice you'lll quickly want to change.

Just a Cool Pic That Goes Along with the Apple IDea

WebMD Take on Green Tea

Ok Lets Get Started!

So i figure ill start off at the beginning of the day, when most of us pop out of bed already running a little late for class! Some of us will skip breakfast altogether, others will turn to the coffee, and others will grab something quick to munch on, such as a Pop-Tart! All not good options people because you will be left tired and unfocused! Trust me though i definitely understand, I have done it too! We just do not have the time! Well here are a few tips that will definitely start your day off right.

First: EAT SOMETHING!! food is energy for your brain, if you skip breakfast your body has nothing to turn to energy to help you focus and stay awake!
Second: NO COFFEE!! I am a coffee-lover myself but we usually add lots of creamer and sugar, adding extra calories to our day before it has even started! Not good!

So what should you eat?
An Apple: research has been done and the results show that an apple in the morning gives you more energy then an 8oz cup of coffee! Just google it! And we all remember the kid's saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away!" Just eat an apple instead, you'll be glad you did! Another alternative if you do not like apples is the Nature's Valley Granola Bars..loaded with vitamins, oats, and honey, it is a great way to start your day off and give you a kick of enrgy!
Green Tea: Coffee has caffeine that'll def keep you awake, but so does Green Tea! Green Tea is healthier for your body, has antioxidants that help burn fat, and with a little bit of honey is a great alternative to coffee! Not only will u reduce calories by eliminating creamer, you will also kick start your metabolism and cleanse your body! Go with the Green Tea instead!

My First Post!

Just want to take this chance to point out somethings about my blog and get my readers started! First of all there is a news feed below the Welcome all about Weight Loss! So check it out! I also have links to my two favorite sites that i use to track my calories everyday! There is also a cartoon i will be updating every week for ur enjoyment! =) Finally please take the poll! I want you readers to have some basic questions answered by ur peers, and it only works if you take the poll! Finally if you have any specific questions just email me! I will happily answer any and all questions!