How to Lose Weight and Pass Your PT Test

Lose that Spare Tire Commercial -- Toyota

2013-02-02T08:21:00.000-08:00

Want to lose that spare tire? Here is one creative way:

Lose Weight and Stay Healthy with Kefir

2012-12-29T16:27:00.002-08:00

One of the best ways to stay in shape is to stay healthy. You can’t work-out if you are sick! In addition to trying to eat a healthy diet, I try to include Kefir as much as possible. It is a great snack. It is also a wonderful substitute for sweets -- and incredibly good for you.

Some studies even indicate that it can help you lose weight --- and more importantly for those preparing for their PT test -- it can help you lose belly fat!!! What’s better than that? To me Kefir tastes like a nummy yogurt shake. I encourage you to try it. My favorite way to eat Kefir is to freeze it and eat it like frozen yogurt. We use an ice cream maker like this one:

Below is an article from Leslie Goldman’s blog about the health benefits of Kefir. Let me know if you have any questions. I’d be happy to share my experience with you.

From Leslie Goldman:

Men's Health Editor in Chief David Zincenko recently touted a product called kefir as one of summer's six essential flat belly foods. But unless you hail from Russia or really pay attention when perusing the yogurt aisle at the grocery store, chances are, you've never heard of this 2,000-year-old nutritional rock star.

Kefir is a creamy, yogurt-like smoothie that you can drink straight from the bottle or jazz up with fruit, granola, and other fun add-ins. The taste can be addictive, but it's not necessarily sweet like the foil-lidded yogurts you're used to. It's actually tangier, more reminiscent of Greek yogurt (love Chobani!) or sour cream. Besides containing less sugar and more protein than conventional yogurt, kefir is packed with probiotics (a buzzword meaning "beneficial to life" which you've surely read about), bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of organisms in the intestines. Standard yogurts only have one or a few strains of these live and active cultures -- for instance, I'm looking in my fridge right now at a Berries N' Cream Yoplait Light, and it only lists Lactobacillus acidophilus. Next to the Yoplait is a bottle of Lifeway Lowfat Pomegranate Kefir, which contains a whopping 10 strains (Lactobacillus Lacti, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum, Bifidobacterium Breve, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Saccharomyces florentinus, Streptococcus Diacetylactis, Leuconostoc Cremoris, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Case.) (Interestingly, other very popular yogurts that tout their probiotic activity, like Dannon Activia, only contain one strain of live/active cultures, Bifidus Regularis™ -- a strain which Dannon selected and named.

Some other yogurt versus kefir differences that highlight kefir's nutritional powerhouse status:
Calories: 100 (6 oz. of Yoplait) versus 160 (8 oz. of Lifeway kefir)
Fiber: 0g versus 3 grams
Protein: 5 grams versus 11 grams
Calcium: 20% Daily Value versus 30%

Besides its satiety-inducing protein, Men's Health's EIC Zincenko said he named kefir to his list of flat belly foods because its probiotics may speed weight loss. Research from the University of Tennessee has shown that consuming three to four servings of dairy products a day may help men and women shed more pounds than cutting out dairy (a common, but erroneous, weight loss tactic.) For the real 411 on kefir and weight loss, I weighed in with Jennifer Ventrelle MS, RD, a registered dietitian at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and owner of the private practice Weight No More:

There's been a lot in the media over the past few years about low-fat dairy and weight loss. Is it true? Can adding a few servings to your diet help with weight loss and if so, how?

There have been some studies that have shown to reduce belly fat in people who consumed 3 servings of low-fat dairy products daily. The effect was not found to be as great for those individuals who got calcium from supplemental sources. The thought is that when there is more dietary calcium in the cells, fat is more likely to be burned instead of stored.

Do you recommend products like kefir to your weight loss clients? What do you like about kefir in general or in particular?

Yes -- I do recommend this product. I tell them to get the low-fat versions and talk about the benefits of not only calcium from this product, but the probiotics as well. I do caution my clients, however, since this product is slightly high in sugar, to be sure to limit their intake to 1 cup in a sitting... especially for my diabetic clients. One benefit is that it is also high protein. I tell my clients that it can be a great snack on its own!

Besides helping you into your skinny jeans, kefir can also be used medicinally to treat and soothe a variety of health care issues.

Immune system-boosting: For individuals being treated with medications such as antibiotics, kefir can help by replenishing protective intestinal flora which can be destroyed during treatment. (Antibiotics go after "bad" bacteria in the body but may also kill the "good" bacteria in the large intestine in the process. The result: stomach discomfort and diarrhea.) According to a November 2008 study published inAmerican Family Physician, up to one in five individuals on antibiotics stop taking their medicine before completing the full course of therapy due to diarrhea. But, researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University said, physicians could help patients avoid this problem by prescribing probiotics. A single-month supply of supplemental probiotics can cost between $8 and $22; a 32-oz. bottle of kefir costs about $3.00.

Lactose intolerance: Probiotic cultures "predigest" some of the lactose in dairy products, making kefir a terrific milk product for people suffering from lactose intolerance. A recent study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association examined people struggling with lactose intolerance and found that kefir can actually improve lactose digestion. The reasoning? Kefir's live, active bacteria cultures help break down the sugars in milk. The researchers asked 15 adults to try five test foods: 2% milk; plain kefir; raspberry-flavored kefir; plain yogurt; and raspberry-flavored yogurt, each following a 12-hour fast. Study participants reported having little or no symptoms associated with lactose intolerance after eating both types of yogurt and kefir. In fact, drinking kefir reduced flatulence frequency by more than half when compared with milk.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS is not a disease, per se, but a grouping of symptoms including abdominal pain or discomfort, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Dietary changes are often suggested as a first-line defense against IBS. After all, why take medication if adding or subtracting certain foods could help? Many studies show that adding certain types of yogurt -- specifically, those containing the bacteria lactobacilli and bifidobacteria -- to your diet may alleviate the symptoms of IBS. These "good" bacteria are normally found in the large intestine, but adding them to your diet can help with gas, pain and bloating, while reducing the time it takes for food to move through the intestine, saysMayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco, MD. This, in turn, may be helpful in people with constipation; probiotics may also decrease the frequency of loose stools, improving IBS-related diarrhea. In one recent UK study, IBS sufferers who received a probiotic preparation made up of multiple strains ofLactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Lactis and Bifidobacterium Bifidum reported significantly greater improvement in the severity of their symptoms, fewer days of pain and improved quality of life compared with those who received a placebo.

Probiotic-rich foods like kefir have also been shown to be beneficial in treating yeast infections, infant colic, bad breath, hangovers, and Traveler's Diarrhea.

Drink up!

Cure for Back Pain

2012-10-10T03:10:00.001-07:00

Got back pain? A pinched nerve? I think we may have actually found the solution for you. It is called the teeter. My wife’s brother got one as a gift for her. She was having a bit of pain in her back after trying to run and get back into shape. It was a cinch to put together and amazingly, since she has been using it, her pain is gone.

Here is a description about how it works from a related site:

Teeter Hang Ups are a line of inversion tables designed to make it easy to recline in an inverted position by one's ankles. The user controls the degree of inversion -- from reclining just a few degrees (recommended for new users) to completely upside down. The manufacturer doesn't claim any medical or health benefits beyond temporary relief of back pain and says it's not for everyone.

Reviews say it's important to seek medical advice before using an inversion table. Persons with certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma or bone weakness, should not use inversion tables, experts caution. Professional reviews of inversion tables at the University of California, Berkeley, Wellness Letter and at WebMD.com say pain relief is temporary. Experts consulted say they are not convinced of any long-term benefits to spine health.

However, most of the user-written reviews we found say the Teeter Hang Ups inversion tables work, with owners reporting consistent pain relief plus a pleasant sense of stretching. At Amazon.com, for example, about 90 percent of the users reviewing one of the least expensive Teeter Hang Ups models, the EP-550 (*Est. $300), say they're very satisfied with it. Users do urge reviewing the instructional DVD carefully, and some warn against using the device without someone nearby in case you need help. Please note that some reviews we found are for an older version of the EP-550, the F5000, but they still give a good sense of customers' satisfaction with the table.

We can agree that we don’t know of long term benefits -- yet it is our experience that it works to relieve pain. If you are starting a work out routine and you find that your back has a started to ache -- the teeter will work to assist you. Just make sure you have someone help you when you first try it out. It can be a little scary, but when you get used to it -- it is a great device.

Let us know what you think.

9 Best Supplements For Men

2012-09-28T19:32:00.001-07:00

9 Best Supplements For Men

After reading this article I think I’m going to try Quercetin!

Fish Oil 
Problem: Heart disease
 Loaded with the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, fish oil can reduce triglycerides, boost HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. But your heart isn't the only beneficiary: The healthy fats may also reduce inflammation and improve cognitive performance.
You don't need a prescription to turn around your cholesterol numbers -- just a fork. Make these 12 Food Swaps to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels . 
Dose: At least 500 mg DHA and 500 mg EPA daily
 Our pick: Kirkland Signature; nordicnaturals.com ($10/400 soft gels) 
Natural Sources: Salmon, tuna, or other fatty fish 

Psyllium Husk
Problem: Diabetes 
This fiber is more than a colon clearer. According to an August 2012 review, the addition of psyllium to your diet reduces blood sugar levels and insulin response. It was also shown to suppress ghrelin, a hormone that makes you hungry. Psyllium is one of five soluble fibers approved by the FDA for lowering LDL cholesterol.
 Dose: 20 to 35 g/day, divided and taken with at least 8 ounces of liquid 
Our pick: GNC Natural Brand Psyllium Seed Husk; gnc.com ($15) 
Natural Sources: Some fortified cereal grains

Quercetin
Problem: Low endurance
 Want to extend your cardio session? People who didn't exercise regularly but took 500 mg of this antioxidant twice a day for a week were able to bicycle 13 percent longer than the placebo group, a University of South Carolina study found. Overall, research shows that quercetin can improve your endurance capacity by about 3 percent. Sick of the treadmill? Try one of these 3 New Cardio Workouts You've Never Tried .
Dose: Up to 500 mg, twice a day  
Our pick: Jarrow Formulas Quercetin 500; vitaminexpress.com ($24/100 capsules)
 Natural Sources: Red wine, parsley, grapefruit, onions, apples 

Glucosamine
Problem: Joint pain
 One study found that glucosamine, a building block of cartilage, is more effective than acetaminophen (a.k.a. Tylenol) at relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, often caused in younger men by joint injury. Other research suggests that taking glucosamine may play a small role in slowing the progression of osteoarthritis.
 Dose: 1,500 mg glucosamine/day
 Our pick: Puritan's Pride Glucosamine 1,500 mg; puritan.com ($48/360 caplets) 
Natural sources: Crustacean shells

Vitamin C
Problem: Injury 
One in 10 men don't get enough vitamin C in their diets, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vitamin C helps protect your cells from the tissue-damaging free radicals produced by exercise. It also helps heal wounds, and it's key to production of the collagen found in ligaments and tendons.
 Dose: Up to 1,000 mg/day in spaced doses 
Our pick: Ester-C, 500 mg; cvs.com ($11/90 tablets) 
Natural sources: Citrus fruits, sweet peppers, broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts

Lycopene
Problem: Prostate-cancer risk
 Found in tomatoes, this potent antioxidant may slow the progression of early prostate cancer to a near-halt, according to a paper in Cancer Causes Control reviewing recent research. It may work by altering hormone metabolism and by causing cancer cells to self-destruct.
 Dose: 15 to 20 mg/day
 Our pick: Carlson Labs Lycopene (Tomato-Free), 15 mg; carlsonlabs.com ($50/180 tablets)
 Natural Sources: Fresh or cooked tomatoes, and fruits with red/pink flesh

SAMe
Problem: Depression 
Talk about head-to-toe relief: A synthetic form of a dietary amino acid, SAMe has been found to treat depression as effectively as prescription antidepressants, according to a Harvard Medical School study. It has also been shown to reduce joint pain and inflammation. 
Dose: 600 to 1,600 mg/day depending on the condition 
Our pick: Jarrow Formulas SAM-e 200; gnc.com ($40/60 tablets) 
Natural sources: Made in your body, possibly after eating meats, greens, and oranges

Magnesium
Problem: Anxiety/Stress 
Chalk up your commute stress to a lack of this natural mineral. People with low levels of magnesium are constantly pumping more adrenaline than normal, and having too little of the nutrient in your body can trigger stress, according to a 2012 review in the journal Nutrition Reviews. Low levels of this lightweight mineral are also linked to big problems like depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer, though some of the associations need more research to be understood.
 Dose: 400 mg/day 
Our pick: Now Magnesium Citrate; gnc.com ($26/180 softgels) 
Natural sources: Cooked black beans, almonds, scallops

EGCG
Problem: Extra body fat
 Men who took green-tea extract burned 17 percent more fat after moderate exercise than those taking placebos, according to one study. EGCG, the most active antioxidant in green tea, is also thought to help prevent certain types of cancer and can improve heart health. Trying to shed a few pounds? Recognize the 21 Restaurant Menu Terms You Must Avoid . 
Dose: 890 mg/day green tea extract (containing 340 mg of EGCG)
 Our pick: Green Tea EGCG-200; procapslabs.com ($15/30 capsules) 
Natural sources: Green tea

How to Lose 3 Inches off Your Waist in a Month

2012-09-28T03:20:00.001-07:00

Here is an interesting article by Nicole Hogan found on www.livestrong.com:

I think if you tried this 9 step program you would indeed lose three inches off of your waist in a month!

A flat, trim and toned stomach can complement your physique and add shape to your body. Doing crunches every night will not put you on the path to a tighter midsection. Losing weight in the stomach requires reducing your overall body weight. Adopt healthy eating habits while engaging in resistance training workouts and cardiovascular exercise to lose weight and trim three inches off of your stomach in one month.

Step 1

Record your waist measurements. Use this as a baseline to track your progress over the next month.

Step 2

Engage in 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise five days per week on an empty stomach in the mornings. Performing cardio on an empty stomach burns more stored body fat as fuel because your body's glycogen stores have been depleted during sleep, according to Bodybuilding.com. Walk on the treadmill, step on the stair stepper, ride the recumbent bike or jog outdoors.

Step 3

Perform total body strength training workouts three days per week to develop muscle and increase metabolism. Execute one exercise per muscle group, such as pushups, lunges, bent-over rows, squats, bicep curls, tricep dips and overhead shoulder presses. Perform each exercise for 60 seconds. Rotate through the circuit of exercises for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Work your abdominal muscles twice per week. Perform an exercise for each section of the abs, such as stability ball crunches, leg raises, side bends and hip raises for three sets of 25 repetitions. Execute three sets of plank holds at the end of the workout --- hold your body in a pushup position on your elbows for 30 seconds. You many not be able to spot-reduce fat from your stomach, but you can target stomach muscles for toning through these exercises.

Step 5

Eat healthy. Consume plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats such as seeds and olive oil, low-fat dairy products, fish, lean meats, eggs and poultry. Avoid processed foods, which are high in added sugar, fat and salt.

Step 6

Consume fewer calories each day to promote weight loss. Monitor your calories using an online food journal, such as LIVESTRONG.com's My Plate. Decrease your calorie intake by 500 calories per day to lose 1 lb. per week on average.

Step 7

Cut back on sodium, which can cause bloating and weight gain in the midsection. Season your meals with herbs and spices instead of salt. Flavor your salads with fruits and vegetables. Stay away from high-sodium processed foods such as frozen dinners, bacon and boxed meals.

Step 8

Drink plenty of water to reduce belly bloating caused by water retention. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day to stay hydrated. Aim for at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day.

Step 9

Take your waist measurements after one month to gauge results.

Super Workout for Group PT -- Deck of Cards

2012-09-27T13:55:00.002-07:00

Want an awesome workout for your group PT session? Try this one. All you need is a standard deck of cards. This is how our group utilizes them:

1. Shuffle the cards and then have someone from your group cut the deck.

2. Start flipping over cards one at a time. For each card do the following exercises:

(for cards numbered 2 - 10)

Hearts: If you see a heart do five jumping jacks multiplied by the number on the card. So if a 10 of hearts comes up, do 50 jumping jacks. If a 2 of hearts comes up do 10 jumping jacks.

Diamonds: Burpees. Do one burpee for whatever numbered card you pull.

Spades: Sit-ups. Do one situp for whatever numbered card you pull. Yes doing only 2 sit-ups for a 2 of spades may seem silly, but since you are doing all 52 cards one right after the other, a 2 of spades will be a welcome draw.

Clubs: Push-ups. Do one push-up for whatever numbered card you pull.

Each time you flip over a Jack, do 10 mountain-climbers.

Each time you flip over a Queen do 10 lunges (1 lunge per leg -- so actually 20 lunges total per card)

Each time you flip over a King do 30 seconds of plank.

Each time you flip over an Ace do 30 seconds of flutter kicks.

3. Make sure you have flipped over every card one at a time. By the end of the workout you will have completed all 52 cards and a ton of exercies.

We usually take a break in the middle of the workout (middle of the deck) to rest and make sure we are drinking plenty of water.

If you try this routine-- I guarantee you will sweat and get a nice full-body workout.

How to Lose Weight Fast

2012-09-25T03:14:00.002-07:00

It is sad to say that sometimes we don’t take care of our physical fitness and need to lose inches off of our waist and pounds as fast as possible. I’ve been pretty good over the years because I can’t bear to eat this soup, or follow this diet anymore. The soup I’m about to present to you is really good, but after eating it as much as I have -- every time I think of it my mouth waters and I get that semi-nauseous feeling. But one thing is for sure -- this diet is the best diet in the world for losing weight super fast.

The last time I did it was over 15 years ago. But I lost about 12 pounds in a week -- it works.

The bottom line of the diet is that you can eat as much cabbage soup as you like. But you are limited as to everything else you eat. Here is how the diet goes day by day -- and you can only eat those things listed day by day plus as much soup as you can eat:

First Day - All fruit is fine, except bananas;

soup Day 2 - Any and all vegetables, baked potato with butter for dinner;

soup Day 3 - Combine Day 1 and 2, without potato;

soup Day 4 - Up to six bananas, all the skim milk you want;

soup Day 5 - 10 to 20 ounces of beef, a can of tomatoes, 6 to 8 glasses of water;

soup Day 6 - All the beef and vegetables you want;

soup  Day 7 - Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables;

Note: No bread, alcohol, or carbonated beverages - not even diet soda

If you follow this seven day diet, you will lose a lot of weight. I understand that it was first developed for those about to undergo surgery who needed to lose weight fast. It is really healthy for you and it works, but I warn you. It takes determination. The first two days the soup tastes great...but by day four....you’ll feel like an Israelite begging God for something other than manna.

When I first tried the diet I made it to day four and asked my wife what I could eat for day four. She couldn’t remember -- she had only ever made it to day three! That’s how tough it is. Nevertheless, if you try it, you will succeed. This one is a guarantee.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 6 large green onions (1 bunch)

• 2 green bell peppers

• 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (14.5 ounce size, diced or whole)

• 1 bunch celery, sliced

• 1/2 head cabbage, chopped

• 1 package (Lipton) onion soup mix

• 1 or 2 cubes bouillon (optional)

• 1 48 oz can V8 juice, or 6 cups water or light chicken or vegetable broth

• Season to taste with salt, pepper, parsley, curry, garlic powder, etc.*

Preparation:

Simmer or slow cook all until soup is done. *If slow cooking, add seasonings about an hour before done. Eat all the soup you want, whenever you want.

Insanity by Beachbody

2012-09-19T03:04:00.001-07:00

Does Insanity work? Is it worth it? The simple answer is yes. I did Insanity two years ago and got great results. I lost about 15 pounds and about 3-4 inches off of my waist. I have been thinking about doing it again, but the only thing holding me back is the fact that I know that Insanity is incredibly intense. You sweat like you have never sweat before. It is truly a great workout.

Here are the benefits of Insanity if you are considering purchasing it:

1. It is all plyometrics and aerobic training without any weights. In other words, you do all the exercises with only you own body-weight and no bands, bar-bells, or anything else. This is great if you travel a lot because you can do it anywhere. You just need a space where you can jump.

2. It is a short but extreme workout that will make you sweat like you have never sweat before.

3. You learn how to truly stretch. I still use the stretch routine every time I run or do any other workout. It is amazing how much better I feel after I use what Sean T taught me.

4. It has a lot of variety. Just as you get used to the first 30 days, the second 30 days crank up a notch and you are going harder and doing a different variety of exercise.

5. You will see results. If you do this every day, I guarantee you will lose weight.

6. Beachbody has a terrific support system. If you log on to their website (www.teambeachbody.com) you will be able to interact with others doing the system and get encouragement from all sources.

7. You’ll be motivated to eat better. Heck, I even tried Shakeology and quite frankly -- other than the expensive price -- I really like it.

8. Sean T is exceptionally motivating.

9. It is hard, but fun.

10. Believe it or not, it did help my run by helping my endurance. Ok....I think I’ve convinced myself, time to do another round of Insanity!

What do you think? Have you tried Insanity? Did it work for you?

Increase Your Push-ups and Sit-ups

2012-09-03T10:41:00.001-07:00

Got any ideas on how to increase the number of push-ups and sit-ups you can do? I have a few. One that I recently started doing really works. I have three children. My youngest is a 9 year old son. He is really good most of the time, but as you can imagine anytime I ask him to do his chores he is prone to complain. My solution? He does push-ups every time he complains. The catch -- I have to do them with him. In other words, I won’t make him do anything I myself am not willing to do. He knows now that anytime he even has a negative look on his face -- we will both be doing push-ups.
The other day I was a little upset about something and he caught me complaining. With the wisdom of a 9-year-old, he said, “Dad -- time to do push-ups!” Before I could even muster a defense, he was already on the floor doing his set. I have to admit I’m doing a ton more push-ups now than I ever did. The last time I worked out with my unit, I was able to do about 10 more total than I usually do --- so I know this system is working.
To improve my sit-ups, we now alternate between push-ups and sit-ups every time either of us complain. If you are serious about trying this out -- it will not only improve your attitude and that of your children, it will also improve your PT score. We do the push-ups or sit-ups anywhere we happen to be. So even if we are in the mall and one of us complains, we will drop immediately and start doing push-ups. If you do this, like we do...be sure to have some hand sanitizer on you. There are some pretty nasty floors out there!

The key to improving your sit-ups and push-ups is repetition. You have to do them! So if you don’t have kids, or you don’t want to discipline them in the manner I do, try something that works for you. I used to work in an office that had automatic lights that would go on when they sensed movement and off when a certain period of time passed without movement. If you were at your desk working, they wouldn’t sense your movement and the lights would go out. This was a big pain for my paralegal and I as we might be in the middle of typing out a document when the lights would go out. The only way to turn the lights back on was to move to the middle of the room.

We turned this movement into a game and decided that every time the lights went out -- it was time to do either push-ups or sit-ups. This worked, but I lost my motivation when I moved offices. If you have a similar regular event -- this might be your key. As said before, if you just practice you will get better. I’d be curious to hear from you -- what have you done to increase the number of push-ups on your PT test?

Green Coffee Extract Experiment

2012-08-24T14:57:00.001-07:00

Dr. Oz recently hosted a show about green coffee extract and its ability to stimulate weight loss. We decided to put the extract to the test. My wife has been using it for two days. She takes 2 capsules (800 mg) and reports so far that she does not feel gittery at all. We’ve tried other products with massive caffeine and found that it really did cause us to feel quirky. However, green coffee extract does no such thing.
We’ll be reporting every few days as to our progress. I’m going to start taking them tonight. I’ll let you know how well they work. If you’d like to join in on this blog and track your progress here as well...be my guest. We’d love to hear how it works for you!

UPDATE 26 Aug 12: My wife is still taking the supplement. I decided not to try it. I'm just not a supplement man. I prefer just restricting calories -- and Lose It! has been the best tool for me. According to my wife, it still has not made her gittery...but so far it is not a magic bullet.

UPDATE 10 Sep 12: Wife noticed a slight mood change while taking the supplement. Almost the same as when she was on high caffeine supplements -- made her a little on edge. She decided to stop taking it. We didn't notice any significant impact.

Best thing we've found -- going on regular walks and watching what we eat. Works a lot better -- go figure!

Use It and Lose It! What a Great Ap!

2012-08-24T13:02:00.003-07:00

There is really only one way to lose weight. Ignore the “fad” diets. In the long run they don’t work. So how do you do it? Simple. Eat less calories each day than needed to sustain your current weight and you WILL lose weight.

The best “AP” on the Iphone for this purpose is called “Lose It!” You can also check out their website at www.loseit.com. What the application does is keep track of all the calories you eat each day. You input how much you weigh, followed by how much you want to lose, and then how fast you want to lose the weight. Lose It! calculates how many calories you may consume each day to achieve that result.

The best thing about Lose It! is that it also tracks your exercise. Whenever you input your exercise you earn more calories that you can eat each day. If used regularly the application really encourages you to both eat right and exercise. It is true that Lose It! calories are the same whether you eat a Krispy Kreme or an avocado, but using the application will encourage you to choose the avocado because in the end it contains much fewer calories than does a donut.

Using Lose It! two people in my office have both lost over 15 pounds in 3-4 months. I have lost about five pounds and have been using it for about one month.

Let me know if you would like some tips and suggestions on the best way to use Lose It! I love it.

Good luck!