Everything Weight

After 3 years I have finally managed to lose my weight. I am 33 years old, but the problem is I have sagging skin on my abdomen which is very unattractive. Is there anything i can do?

2011-03-08T17:39:00.001-08:00

Well, the only good option is surgery; there is no toner or skin reduction cream you can buy. All the stuff they sell on the internet about reducing skin sagging are crap. Go speak to a plastic surgeon; they can make you look gorgeous. The only downside is that it will cost you some money. Since you are paying for it, make sure you pick a decent plastic surgeon.-there are too many bad ones out there.

How can I get rid of my belly fat?

2011-01-18T11:57:00.001-08:00

Everyone wants an immediate answer to getting rid of belly fat. Over the years, there have been thousands of books written on weight loss and there are just as many diet recipes to reduce weight. Further, the medical establishment has developed fancy drugs and recommends surgery for weight loss. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet for weight loss and getting rid of belly fat requires hard work. If you are not prepared to make some sacrifices, you can forget about losing weight

Belly fat generally is buried deep in the abdomen and is difficult to target. The best and cheapest way to get rid of belly fat is to exercise regularly, eating healthy and changing one’s lifestyle. Exercises recommended to help trim belly fat include those that firm up the abdominal muscles and help flatten the abdomen.

I recently had weight loss surgery and now have lost 22 pounds. However, the urge to eat is still present. What should I do?

2011-01-05T13:45:00.001-08:00

You face the same dilemma that thousands of other people who also undergo weight loss surgery. Most people do not seem to understand that the problem with weight gain is not in the stomach but in the head. When you undergo weight loss surgery, it does nothing to your appetite center in the brain. The majority of people who undergo these surgical procedures do gain some weight back with time.

The only way to prevent this is to change your lifestyle. Start an exercise program- even walking will do. Speak to a dietician about dietary changes that you can make. After having spent thousands of dollars for this type of surgery, you must make an effort to prevent weight gain and this means exercise. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet for this problem

How many calories can I lose by walking for an hour?

2011-01-01T14:10:00.000-08:00

Roughly about 3,500 calories equals about 1 pound. When you walk an hour, you may lose about 250-300 calories. Thus, you need to walk two hours to lose about 500 calories. Therefore, if you walk for 7 days, you will lose 3500 calories or about a pound. To lose more weight, you can cut down 100 calories a day from your diet and this can have a big impact on weight loss. The important thing to understand is that the more you work out, the greater the weight loss.

To lose weight, start some type of aerobic activity like walking or swimming for about an hour. Cut down on the cookies, chocolates and cola beverages and if you remain motivated, you can definitely lose weight.

Is Contrave the best “WEIGHT LOSS” drug?

2010-12-10T11:36:00.001-08:00

It looks like the ideal drug for weight loss is just around the corner. Contrave has received approval from the FDA for use in the USA in the near future. Contrave is a combination of the anti depressant, bupropion and the anti addiction drug, naltrexone.

Unlike all previous drugs, contrave has no affect on the belly, waist or hips. It works where it matters- in the brain. It has been shown in experimental studies that the drug suppresses the appetite center and helps burn of excess energy.

Bupropion has been around for many years and it is well known that people who use this drug often complain of initial weight loss. However, with bupropion, this initial weight loss is only transient and is soon regained. This is where the addition of naltrexone may help. It is now believed that naltrexone continues to suppress the appetite center and food intake is reduced. While all this sounds great in medical journals and in rats, does the darn combination work in humans?

The drug has been extensively tested in obese people. A large study in obese people compared contrave to exercise and diet counseling. At the end of 1 year, only 60 percent of people remained in the study. Those people who only undertook exercise and diet control lost anywhere from 6-16 pounds in weight over 12 months. In comparison, people who took contrave did excellent. The average weight loss was more than 15% of the body weight, which averaged close to 20-25 pounds in 12 months.

The side effects of contrave included headaches, constipation and nausea. These side effects were common early and easily managed with time. Very few of the patients on contrave suffered emotional side effects like depression or anxiety. In fact most reported feeling good about themselves.

Definitely, this drug works and there was no mucking around with different diet plans because the people just did not feel hungry.

Now the FDA is re-looking at all the side effects, especially on the heart, to make sure that the drug manufacturer is not hiding any negative data. If all things are clear, contrave should be in your corner pharmacy on Jan 31, 2011.

The recommended dose of contrave is two 8 mg naltrexone/90 mg bupropion tablets taken twice a day. When first starting, the dose will be one tablet per week and gradually increased. The only negative about contrave- the pill is not going to come cheap and you have to take it for a whole year. So save up on your vacation to Disney this year and next year when you are slim, trim and gorgeous- you can go to the Bahamas and flaunt the body you have always wanted.

Lorcaserin is banned by the FDA

2010-10-23T16:05:00.001-07:00

Lorcaserin is a weight loss drug developed by Arena pharmaceuticals. The drug is claimed to be an effective weight loss drug but the FDA just rejected its approval for use in USA.

Lorcaserin was tested in the laboratory and shown to be an effective appetite suppression agent in animals. Clinical trials conducted by Arena pharmaceuticals revealed that the medication could help individuals lose an average of 4-8 pounds over 12 weeks. However, upon discontinuation of the medication, the lost weight was quickly regained. Subsequent studies confirmed that the drug could help obese patients rapidly lose weight but concern for its safety were raised during the trials.

The most common side effects were a headache, upper respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, depression, suicidal thoughts and anxiety. Moreover, other studies revealed that the drug was associated with cancer in rats.

There is also question that the drug may harm the heart.

When studies conducted by Arena were carefully reviewed by the FDA, it appeared that the weight loss was only marginal. The reason for the discrepancy is that Arena Pharmaceuticals had sponsored most of the previous investigations and thus, the drug was made to appear great. While experts from Arena continue to argue that the Lorcaserin is safe, the FDA has made it clear that the drug will not be available in the USA.

For the time being, eating less and more exercise is still the safest and most effective way to lose weight.

Can pole dancing help me lose weight?

2010-02-14T16:04:00.000-08:00

First the facts- any type of exercise is better than no exercise. Secondly, have you ever seen a pole dancing female who is heavy? We have become a society where everyone seems to think that joining a gym is the only way you lose weight. This is a myth of gigantic proportions which has gotten bigger because of the so called fitness experts who know a lot about machines but have very little about common sense.

Even simple walking for 30 minutes twice a day can lead to weight loss. If you dance on a pole or even belly dance, it is considered to be an exercise, moreover if you enjoy doing it, go for it. The majority of exercises recommended by fitness experts are monotonous, dull and most people quickly drop out. So do an exercise that you like and this way you will remain motivated.

Pole dancing is a great way to lose weight which is evident by all the trim sexy girls who perform this tantalizing art form. One can lose the same number of calories during pole dancing as one would if one was to ride a bike or go jogging. However the important question is how often you perform the dancing. To get the best results, one should perform the pole dancing at least 3-4 times a week. And the more you do it, the greater the weight loss.

To improve your stamina, add some type of aerobic exercise to your routine and eat healthy. And if you are a great pole dancer, you will also end up making a lot of money- so go shake up the world

Can I lose weight with walking?

2010-02-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

For some unknown reason, many people seem to think that walking is a poor form of exercise. Hardly anyone ever recommends this exercise. Go to any fitness expert, health professional or sports expert and the first thing they always insist is that you buy expensive exercise equipment, join a gym or eat special diets- walking is the last word in their mouth.

The crazy thing is that many people believe these “soothsayers” and buy expensive machines for exercise and or join costly gyms which they rarely visit. The majority of people who buy home exercise equipment get bored within one week and then hide the equipment underneath the bed or store it in the garage.

What should be understood is that intense exercises are not for everyone. There are many people who just can’t get on an exercise machine or start jogging. For everyone who wants to lose weight , there is absolutely nothing wrong with walking. In fact over the long run, walking is better than any other form of exercise. Granted the results are not rapid, but over time, more people remain motivated to this simple form of exercise.

It is estimated that if you lose 3500 calories you will lose one pound in weight. Walking for 1 hr every day will help you burn about 300-400 calories day. This means that in 10 days, you can lose a pound. Further, if you combine this to dietary restrictions, the weight loss can be augmented. If you cut down 100- 200 calories a day and combine it with walking for an hour- the weight loss can be significant. The more you walk, the greater the weight loss. And of course if you walk faster, the more calories you burn.

Walking is the cheapest, safest and most cost effective way to lose weight. Plus, you get to enjoy the environment and appreciate nature. So start walking today and stop listening to the fitness experts who want you to spend your hard earned money on junk exercise machines.

Can Calcium supplements help decrease one lose weight?

2009-09-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

Besides diet plans, surgery and drugs, consumers have been indulging in a variety of dietary supplements to help lose weight. Over the years, many nutrients, herbs, and supplements have been advocated as aids for weight loss. Of course, none has ever worked. One other dietary supplement that has been hyped up as a weight loss agent is calcium. It is known that calcium does prevent fat accumulation in the laboratory and thus some clinical researchers have been advocating calcium supplements to prevent additional weight and fat.

There are many anecdotal reports about calcium and its ability to induce weight loss. Further, many health firms and vendors of calcium also make exaggerated claims about calcium as a weight loss agent. Up to now, no controlled or randomized studies had been undertaken to look at the effects of calcium on weight loss.

Finally, now there is a randomized study that has investigated the role of dietary calcium in obese individuals. Individuals took close to 1500mg/day of calcium for 2 years and the results were compared to a placebo. The results of this randomized study have just been published in the June issue of Annals of Internal Medicine (Ann Intern Med. 2009; 150:821-829).

At a single clinical center, 340 overweight adults were randomly assigned to receive calcium carbonate or placebo for 2 years. Overweight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to less than 30 kg/m2 and obese as a BMI of 30 kg/m2or more.

More than ¾ of participants completed the study. The results showed that there was zero difference between calcium and placebo in decreasing fat or inducing weight loss. In fact, calcium did not induce any weight loss.

The researchers concluded that "Dietary supplementation with elemental calcium, 1500 mg/d, for 2 years had no statistically or clinically significant effects on weight in overweight and obese adults," Further it was stated that "Calcium supplementation is unlikely to have clinically significant efficacy as a preventive measure against weight gain in such patients."

Even though the study has a few limitations, the data are clear-cut- Calcium may help prevent osteoporosis but does diddly squat for weight loss.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704615

Drugs for weight loss: Part 5

2009-06-27T23:51:00.000-07:00

Follow-up therapy

The idea about treating obesity should be understood in the overall context of medical health. Treating obesity means one treats numerous potential risk factors and preventable disease at one time. Obesity is the genesis of a whole lot of other potential problems.

One of the major complaints most individuals have after using drugs to lose weight is that they re-gain the weight once they stop taking the medications. This suggests that further therapy with nutritional and behavioral therapy is essential to help maintain the initial weight loss. The drugs do provide a boost but they are not enough to cure the problem.

After 30 years of trying drug treatment therapy for weight loss, most experts believe that drug therapy alone is not adequate to control the obesity mania. It is unlikely that a perfect magical drug for losing weight will ever be developed and even if the drug is developed, it will not be the magic pill. Diet and exercise will always be the corner store therapy for weight control.

Drugs probably will end up being most beneficial to people who have a genetic propensity to being overweight. The majority of people who are obese today are as a direct consequence of their lifestyle and nothing to do with their genetics. These people better start walking and eating more vegetables.

The history of drugs for weight loss has taught us something- that these drugs have potent side effects and their long term complications are unpredictable. So far, drugs have not had a bigger success and have always come out on the shorter end in comparison to the food industry campaigns of “supersize”.

The last 30 years has seen a major erosion of our life style. We have abundance of food, which is cheap, readily available and the concept of supersize is now ingrained in us. We are always looking at how to make our lives easier with energy saving methods. A sedentary lifestyle is now a major preoccupation of more than 70% of North Americans. Even simple walking around the block has now become a burden for majority of individuals. New drugs may be another treatment for obesity but they will never be a replacement for a drastic change in our life style. Drugs will help lose a few pounds but beyond that, it is going to take a lot of hard work and exercise.

Drugs for weight loss: Part 4

2009-06-27T23:49:00.000-07:00

Using other off label drugs

Other unorthodox weight loss experts claim that other not recommended drugs may also help in the weight loss program. These drugs are not approved for use in obesity. These drugs include thyroxin, diuretics and the anti diabetic agent, metformin.

The anti diabetic drug, metformin is an effective weight loss reducing agent and has been used by non diabetic individuals. However, in non diabetic individuals, the drug can cause profound drop in blood sugar and lead to coma. Thus daily blood glucose monitoring is mandatory.

The antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin) has also been associated with weight loss. When the drug is prescribed to patients with depression, weight loss has been a noticeable side effect.

Temporary weight loss can also occur with diuretics and thyroid hormone. However, these drugs have potent side effects but still are frequently abused by athletes and boxers.

Results

There is no doubt that no matter what weight loss drug is prescribed, most patients will initially lose 5-10% of their starting body weight. This is significantly more than any conventional behavior modifying treatments. The most important rule for success is that individuals have to have realistic goals. Setting sights at losing 10-15% of body weight in a year is reasonable but the majority of individuals are unrealistic and loose hope after a few months. For the physicians, it is essential to educate patient on a reasonable amount of weight loss. Physicians who promote 25-50% weight loss in a year are setting up all patients for failure.

Most weight loss experts now feel that it is essential to help patients lose 3-10% of body weight. Results indicate that medications plus aggressive life style changes can produce dramatic results. An important part of that strategy includes educating patients to stay on low-calorie, low-fat maintenance diets and continue to exercise. While losing 3-5% of the body weight may not sound too impressive and may not be the patient’s goal, these results combined with life style changes have shown a significant reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Drugs for weight loss: Part 3

2009-06-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

Amphetamines like drug

Some weight loss physicians are returning back to using the amphetamine-like agents which were used in the 1980s. These drugs fell out of favor decades ago because of their potential for abuse and causing physical dependence. Some physicians have been using dextromethorphan in relatively small doses in longer acting forms, closely monitoring patients and having them take the medication consistently every day to reduce the possibility of dependence. The individuals taking these types of drugs require frequent monitoring by the doctor.

Fat-busters

There are many individuals who are obese because they just can’t stop eating. The food craving and the binges are strong and preoccupy the mind. In such cases, another type of drug class may help. These drugs help by preventing the food from getting absorbed in the body and may even bust the fatty food which does manage to get absorbed.

Orlistat (Xenical) is the only medication besides sibutramine that has been approved for long-term weight loss use. This drug acts by preventing the body from absorbing a moderate amount of dietary fat. Weight loss from these drugs usually amounts to about 5% to 10% in four to six months. Both drugs have side effects. Xenical often causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps and loose stools. Some individuals may not tolerate these side effects for too long. The drug can also inhibit the absorption of important vitamins and so additional vitamins are recommended.

To ensure that these drugs work, the individual must adhere strictly to a low fat diet. Eating fatty food and taking these drugs defeats the purpose of these drugs.

Drugs for weight loss: part 3

2009-06-27T23:38:00.000-07:00

Appetite suppressants

Drugs which suppress appetite are the best choice for individual who have strong food cravings and have voracious appetites

The first appetite suppressant was Phentermine which has been available for about 50 years. It acts on the brain feeding enter. Over the years, a number of related drugs have been developed and include Ionamin, adieux and fasten. These drugs are only recommended for short term usage. The major problems with these drugs is that they can cause physical dependence after prolonged use. Other side effects may include an increase in blood pressure, palpitations, dizziness and insomnia. The major problem with these drugs is that they are often prescribed for longer periods without any medical follow up.

Even though the FDA recommends that these drugs not be used for more than 3 months, most weight loss physicians claim that with proper follow-up Phentermine is safe and effective for more prolonged use. To be on the safe side, most physicians get patients to sign a consent form acknowledging that they need to take the drug for longer than 3 months.

Recent anecdotal data suggest that combination of SSRI class of antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft may be more effective in producing weight loss. However, none of these data have any scientific basis. Other less popular appetite suppressing agents include diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, sibutramine and mazindol.

Acomplia is the first of a new class of drugs that affect signals in the brain that influence appetite. This drug inhibits the appetite center in the brain. As an obesity treatment, Acomplia may be best suited for people who are not only overweight but also have metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of symptoms, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, large waist circumference, obesity and insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes and heart disease without treatment.

Even though controlled clinical studies do show it to be an effective weight loss drug, the drug does have major side effects of concern. Severe depression nausea and vomiting are common. The drug has not been approved by the FDA for use in humans.

Drugs for weight loss: part 2

2009-06-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

Brief History

The control of obesity with drugs has been a major struggle for more than 3 decades. All types of drugs have been used in the past to treat obesity.
In the past, thyroid hormone and diuretics were often used inappropriately. Dangerous drugs such as dinitrophenol and amphetamines were prescribed, with serious side effects. With better understanding of obesity in the 1980s, different types of weight loss drugs were manufactured. Drugs like fen-fenn helped individuals continue to maintain their weight loss. However, the drug was associated with serious cardiac side effects and its use has been banned universally.

Since then, two new drugs with different mechanisms of action have been approved for use by the FDA. Sibutramine (Meridia) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor acts on the appetite center in the brain, and orlistat (Xenical) is a pancreatic lipase inhibitor and inhibits the absorption of fat from the abdomen. However, these drugs do have side effects and their long term complications remain unknown. At present we have a huge gap in our armamentarium to treat obesity.

When does treatment start?

There are various guidelines and most recommend that drug therapy for weight loss should start when an individual has a body mass index (BMI) of > 27 or those who have obesity-related risk factors or co-morbidities, and in obese patients whose life style is severely affected. Under certain circumstances, weight loss drugs may also be effective for other patients. Some physicians also consider using obesity medications to patients with a BMI above 25 who have not responded to a rigorous program combining behavior modification, dietary changes and exercise.

Anti-obesity medications fall into two broad categories based on how they help patients fight fat. One group helps reduce food intake, while the other prevents fat absorption.

Drugs for weight loss part 1

2009-06-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

Over the last 2 decades, obesity has become endemic in North America and is a major public health issue. It is estimated that more than half of American adults and 10-15% of children are obese. At least a quarter million Americans die each year from obesity related complications. The obesity epidemic is rising exponentially and it is predicted that obesity-related health problems will soon take over tobacco as the nation’s number one leading cause of preventable deaths. It has finally been realized that drastic changes are required to control the obesity epidemic. A newer breed of doctors, known as weight loss experts, has now been brought into the arena of obesity management. And of course when doctors get involved, drugs follow.

One thing that has been acknowledged is that drugs may not be the answer in controlling the obesity epidemic and a change in life style is mandatory. Therefore, along with these weight loss physicians, there has been an explosion of nutritionists, exercise gyms, herbal therapists, psychologists, spiritualists, yogis and a whole host of other experts- all who have been burdened with solving Americas number one health problem. The majority of these so called experts are in the business to make money and Quack therapy is very prevalent in the obesity business.

As Americans continue to increase their waist lines, there has been a resurgence by the pharmaceutical companies to search for the ideal weight loss drug. Many new medications are currently being investigated and a few may be available in the next decade for use. However, there are some problems with drug use in the control of obesity. For the past decade, physicians have been reluctant to use weight loss drugs. This has mostly been due to the side effects and the legal hassles which follow when prescribing these drugs. Today, physicians have only a few drugs to choose from in the battle against the bulge. The FDA has approved two weight loss medications for long-term use—typically a year or more. A few other newer agents have been approved for short term use but this may not be enough to produce the weight loss required.

Despite these concerns, the new breed of weight loss physicians are taking a second look at these drugs in combating the obesity epidemic. It is believed that more that 25% of Americans are now eligible for short term drug treatment for weight loss.

Weight loss surgery: part 3

2009-06-08T04:19:00.001-07:00

There are hundreds of bariatric surgery centers located all over America. Since the surgery is expensive, many surgeons have joined the bandwagon to make money. While there are trained bariatric surgeons around, there are a lot of other surgeons who have very little training in bariatric surgery. The majority are in the field simply to make money. The cost of bariatric surgery is not cheap. On average it can cost anywhere from $14,000-$30,000. In addition, the results are not guaranteed.

Today, there are certain criteria for eligibility to undergo bariatric surgery. Some insurance companies will only pay if you meet these criteria. In general, complications are highest with surgeons who are not trained in bariatric surgery and those who do fewer than 25 cases a year. Do not be fooled by pre and post photos that surgeons show you. Go on cyberspace and get to know the procedure, the surgeon and talk to people who have had the surgery. Bariatric surgery can help make a big difference in your life when things go well, but when things go awry, life will suck big time.

So before you rush to get your surgery, check out your surgeon, ask for his/her credentials, talk to people and get referrals. If ever in doubt, go get a second opinion.

Weight loss surgery Part 2

2009-06-08T03:38:00.000-07:00

Currently bariatric surgery is being hyped up as a panacea for treatment of obesity. Surgery is not new for obesity. It first started in the 60s and has slowly evolved. Bariatric Surgery lost impetus in the 80s and 90s because it was associated with severe complications. Unlike the past, current surgical procedures are more refined, anesthesia is safe and ICU care is outstanding. Still, the benefits of surgery are limited to a few percentage of individuals. What should not be forgotten is that bariatric surgery is also associated with serious complications, many of which can be life threatening.

Almost on a weekly basis, complications of bariatric surgery make the news. Some complications are inevitable, but many are caused by bad surgeons. This is not to say that surgery is not useful, it means that surgery has limitations also.

Many obese patients nevertheless are turning to safer surgical options for weight loss. Most individuals feel that this is the last chance. In some cases surgery has done wonders, but there just as many cases where the initial weight loss after surgery is rapidly gained in a few years.

Surgery for weight loss 101

2009-06-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

By now, everyone knows that we have an epidemic of obesity in north America. Obese people are no longer in the minority; they are everywhere and very visible. Obesity is no longer a hidden disorder seen only in rural America. It is everywhere. One can walk down any street in America and there are fat people everywhere. Americans should take heart- obesity is now a global problem. This truly has been one of the most successful exports of North American society. Except for a few countries in Africa, almost every nation is beset with the problem of obesity.

Data from the communicable disease center indicates that about 50 percent of adults and more than 20 percent of children and teenagers are overweight. The real numbers indicate that at least 10% of these adults are morbidly obese. Morbid obesity is currently defined as having at least 100 pounds or more over the recommended body weight.

One should not trivialize obesity, it is not harmless. While it may appear to be physically distressing, obesity is associated with a number of serious medical problems. The majority of obese individuals go on to develop high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, and urinary incontinence.
Obesity today is on par with smoking as public enemy number one. The condition is preventable in the early stages but once started, it is extremely difficult to control. Despite years of intense research, no one can really explain the onset of obesity. Not only are the complications of obesity hard to manage, but we have run out of options on how to prevent/treat it.

Countless therapies have evolved over the past 30 years. There are herbs, potions, lotions, potions, drugs, surgery and even alternative care therapies- they all have one thing in common- high failure rates when it comes to control of obesity.

Fast Food Diet: Part 2

2009-06-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

The book written by Dr Sinatra also contains a few simple healthy recipes. These foods are for the busy mum and can be prepared in less than 15 minutes. Dr Sinatra’s fast food recipes generally average about 1500 calories per day.

And of course being a doctor he does recommend walking, at least a mile a day.
His philosophy is simple, cut down a few calories each day and in a few weeks one can loose weight. Stop eating candies or chocolate- if you feel hungry eat a vegetable or a fruit and then go for walk. Substitute exercise for food. Moreover, if you do this every single day, one can lose 50 pounds in 12 months. Sounds great so far

Moreover, what to the experts say about Dr Sinatra and his fast food diet?

It does not work. How does one not order the yummy fast foods when one walks into a McDonalds? There are not many individuals who goes to a fast food store to eat green salads and a fruit bowl! The menus are very attractive at all fast food stores and everyone adds on at least an apple pie at the end. This is the problem with fast food diet. We all know how great fast food tastes. Therefore when we walk into such a restaurant, we normally cannot control our impulses and always order and eat more than what we had decided upon.

Dr Sinatra’s fast food diet plan makes a lot of sense but is not practical. There is no way one is going to keep off the burgers, ice cream, fries, and milk shakes the moment you are at McDonalds. There are very few testimonials by people who have lost weight using the fast food diet.

Plus, I am not sure when Dr Sinatra last went to a fast food store. Eating one small meal at McDonald’s today costs anywhere from $8-$10. There are no more cheap fast foods. Eating at a fast food restaurant on a regular basis is expensive. In addition, if you have a family to feed, eating out everyday is not practical. With today’s economy, it is considered a luxury.

So the search for the ideal weight loss diet continues.

What is the Fast Food diet?

2009-06-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

There have been hundreds of diets developed for people wanting to lose weight. While the majority of these diets are restrictive and only allow you to eat breadcrumbs, vegetable and nothing exciting, we now have a diet that allows you to eat your favorite fast food and lose weight.

The fast food diet was written by a doctor who had the common sense to understand that no matter what people say about fast foods, they do taste great. Fast foods are available everywhere, are relatively cheap, fries are crispy and crunchy and the milkshakes beat any home made beverage. It is hard to find any individual who does not like fast foods. Therefore, Dr S Sinatra (no relation to Frank or Nancy) decided to develop his fast food diet that can help people lose weight.

The great thing about Dr Sinatra is that he does appreciate the difficulty with all other weight loss diets and understands what people want to eat. In his book, he does mention that he would prefer everyone eat wholesome healthy grains, vegetables and fruits, but this is unrealistic. So why not adopt a different philosophical approach to weight loss- I agree 100 percent.

So how does the Fast Food Diet work?

When you go to a fast food store, you can order a grilled chicken sandwich, baked potato, fruit salad and a junior burger. You are not allowed to order French fries, no soda beverages and no super sizing. DR Sinatra claims that the fast food diet is healthy because most stores have changed their ingredients and have low fat.

When you order a green salad, order vinaigrette instead of ranch. This will save you calories. Use minimal salad dressing or better still do not order any dressing. Instead of a coke or a Pepsi, get a lemon drink or green tea.

Body for life Diet- part 2

2009-06-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

The Body for life diet is an enigma. It has less to do with weight loss and more to do with bodybuilding. The book and diet plan place more emphasis on bodybuilding. For most of us- we just want to get rid of a few pounds here and there and could not really care about pumping iron. We have all seen and heard enough about Mr. Schwarzenegger.

The body for life diet plan is all about eating healthy foods and drinking gallons of water. The author even encourages eating mega doses of nutritional supplements from a firm, which is partly owed by the author (this should be a warning to all consumers- recommending a diet plan and then encouraging consumers to buy supplements from his or her store always means one thing-selling junk). All consumers should wonder why there is a need to take supplements when one is eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and nutritious diet.

The body for life diet plan recommends eating non-processed foods. You can eat chicken, turkey, fish (every type) lobster, beef, egg, cheese, every type of carbohydrate and so on.

The bottom line is eating fewer calories and burning more with exercise. At the end of 12 weeks, you have weight loss.

There is not much to criticize about the diet plan. It is sure to appeal to the younger crowd, hyperactive, energetic individuals, and those who want to pursue a body with perfect abs. The one major flaw of body for life diet plan is the amount of exercises required. One cannot spend all day in the gym and no normal person has the time or the inclination to do 1000 push-ups or exercise with a dumbbell 500 times a week. Most overweight people do not even get up to change the TV program if they can’t find the remote-what makes Mr. Phillips think they will lift 300 pounds for 45 minutes 3 times a week?- not a chance.

So what to the experts say about the body for life diet plan? Do not believe everything that Mr. Phillip sells or says. The diet is more geared towards eating a lot and then burning off the calories with intense exercises. There is nothing magical about the diet plan, book, or Mr. Phillips.

For the average person who simply wants to get rid of a few pounds, Mr Phillips body for life isn’t gonna cut it. The diet is simply too good to be true. The diet does not insist on changing behavior on how to eat less. The problem with obesity is within the brain and we all want to know how to suppress the appetite center. Perhaps, Mr. Phillips can maintain a pumped up body with ripping muscles for the rest of life- for me there is only thing that I know is permanent- herpes, if you get it, is for life.

Body for life Diet

2009-06-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants a nice looking body that will last forever. Unfortunately, for the majority of people, having a slim trim body past the age of 30 is a real struggle. However, never fear- another diet plan has been devised to help you maintain your youthful sexy body.

Body for life Diet was developed by Bill Phillips. This diet plan is quite rigorous, involves intense exercise and a healthy approach to diet. The aim of the diet plan is to help you like dieting and exercise. If you adopt the body for life diet plan for just 12 weeks, you are set for life. Sounds unreal but read on.

The body for life diet plan is not for everyone. It involves intense exercise with weight training, aerobics and a varied exercise 6 days a week. Some days you lift weights and other days you do aerobics.

The diet involves eating six small meals for 6 days. All the foods you eat are nutritious, healthy and include the typical vegetables, seafood, and rice. On the 7th day, you take off and can go on a eating and/or drinking binge.

The body for life diet book is all glamour and pumping iron. There are tons of photos of people who all look like Mr and Ms Universe contestants. Everyone has the perfect abs, well-chiseled bodies, glistening skin, pumped up muscles and nice tans.

Dr Phil's diet- part 2

2009-05-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

So what can one eat?

As far as diet is concerned- buy foods that are bulky, difficult to cook and even more difficult to eat- lots of Yams, plantains or cassava- lots of fiber, carbohydrates, and minerals. Do not eat processed food, avoid sugars and drink lots of herbal tea. Moreover, if you are broke and still overweight, drink lots of water.

He recommends eating small portions and avoiding ready-made snacks, as you will definitely over eat. He says foods must be difficult to access and thus, one will not indulge. This will develop a habit of eating less by taking the desire away.

If you love beer, then you are out of luck, because Dr Phil says you cannot touch a drop. Go to the gym instead. Substitute your coca cola with a diet soda or try sex for exercise (now I know why everyone loves Dr Phil!).

Dr Phil has a lot of other positive things to say but above all, he says one should be the master of food. The brain and stomach should be in control of the dieter.

What about the experts- they all say it is great advice, encourages balanced diet, exercise, positive attitude and changing life styles. Dr Phil’s diet approach is gradual so you definitely won’t be on his show at least for a year or two.
As to how many people have used Dr Phil’s diet and lost weight is not known- but I am sure there must be a few. Negative testimonials on Dr Phil’s diet are few- perhaps the diet plan works.

Well, Dr Phil, just one simple question for you!

Rumor has it that Oprah (yes Oprah Winfrey) set you up for success some years ago. You have been on her show and vice versa, you socialize regularly with this million-dollar woman. But please Dr Phil, look at Oprah right now- she is fat (sorry I meant a ted bit chubby)- now if your diet plan is that great, do you not think she would have called you first to help her think positive? I mean you are her buddy and an expert in weight loss and everything else, so why did Oprah ignore you? Instead, she now has a personal trainer and nowhere does it say that Dr Phil was called upon for advice- just something for the weight loss diet affiandos to think about.

Like everything in life, garbage in one ear, out the other.

Dr Phil’s Weight loss diet- a lot of bull but no action

2009-05-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

Everyone who goes on TV to become a talk show host wants to write a book on diet. Oprah wrote a book, Dr Oz has a book, Suzanne Sommers has many books, and now it is the loud mouth, Mr. know it all, Dr Phil who has written a book on diet.

This self-proclaimed psychologist who creeps into peoples homes (remember Brittney) to know if they are crazy, has authored a book on diet. His philosophy is simple- teach your brain to feel and look at life in a positive way; and by changing the inside, the outside can be changed- what a revelation Dr Phil!

The entire diet book by Dr Phil is based on a psychological and behavior approach on how to stop eating. You must take control of your impulses, relieve stress, balance your emotions, leave in peace, and reach out and touch someone (or yourself). Taking care of emotions is the first step to weight loss. Dr Phil also mentions that one should alter their lifestyle, throw out junk food, stop buying pop beverages and sugary foods- flood the kitchen with whole wheat and high fiber foods- few calories but a lot of POOP.

Not all is bad about Dr Phil’s diet plan. He does recommend exercise. This is a must if someone wants to lose weight. He recommends exercise at all costs, join a support group, start walking, jumping -do something.

The diet book is boring. Dr Phil has his usual dull anecdotes and charts. He also encourages all dieters to keep a log of the foods they eat.

Detox diets" part 3

2009-05-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

So what happens if you start the detox diet?

Dramatic weight loss- at least that is what dealers claim. As far as real facts are concerned- individuals who have tried this detox diet have ended up in emergency rooms with dehydration, headaches, irritability (no kidding), and feeling like crap- but they all lost nearly 10 pounds in weight.

So what do the food experts say about the detox diet? Well, they definitely agree that everyone losses weight- but it is only water and you regain it back on the first day after admission to the hospital. The diets are dangerous, unsafe and a prescription for disaster.

These quick weight loss diets are fads and unsustainable. Junk is what most dieticians call. In certain individuals with diabetes, heart problems, hypertension etc, detox diets can cause serious complications.

The heavy marketing of detox diets gives people false promises- sure people lose weight but it is not the fat- just some water. Unfortunately, there are a lot of gullible people in this world who easily fall prey to such gimmicks.
So far, there is zero evidence that detox diets can help people lose weight. In fact, there is not a single scientific study published to prove what the manufacturers of these diets claim.

Sure people get relief of their headaches and feel energized but this is more from a reaction to starvation rather than the detox diet. If anyone is serious about weight loss, the 10 day detox diets are not the way to go by- unless you have good medical insurance that will cover your recovery in hospital after the diet. By the way that simple blend of water, lemon juice and herbal laxatives can cost anywhere from $30-$60- definitely worth a try just for the experience.