Archive for the ‘Weight Loss Programs’ Category

by Alfa - Losing Weight Zone
07-27-2010

Weight Loss Programs

0
Comments

The 5-Factor Diet

The motto of the 5-Factor Diet is: Eat More. Work Out Less. Get into the Best Shape of your Life. Creator and celebrity trainer, Harley Pasternak, created a diet and exercise program that he says he uses on his celebrity clients, including Alicia Keys, Rachel Weisz, Kanye West, Miley Cyrus, Katherine Heigl, Lady Gaga, Robert Pattinson and more. Essentially, Pasternak states that you can do away with measuring your food, skipping carbs and engaging in exhaustive and lengthy exercise routines. How? Well, read on.

The 5-Factor plan is such that you follow these rules: Complete five 25-minute workouts each week and eat five healthy meals per day. The following guidelines were taken off the 5-Factor Plan Website:

Five Week Plan: Designed to give you results in five weeks, it’s so easy and effective that you may naturally turn your five-week plan into a lifestyle (as many of Harley’s personal clients tend to do).

Five Meals a Day: Goodbye hunger and cravings. By eating five 5-Factor meals every day, not only will you start losing weight but you’ll feel less hungry throughout the day!

Five Ingredient Meals: Eating delicious and healthy meals doesn’t have to be hard. Members get hundreds of recipes that use only five ingredients and take only five minutes to prepare.

25-Minute Workouts: Based on Harley’s training experience, the 5-Factor fitness program was created with the belief that working out more often for shorter periods of time is more effective than spending hours at the gym.

Five Cheat Days in Five Weeks: Taking a diet break one day a week can empower you. Plus, Harley believes that controlled cheating can actually help you reach your goals.

There are online tools for dieters to create interactive and customized programs as well.

So, what are the experts saying? Well, they are split on whether this is a good plan to follow. Angela Kurtz, RD, is a nutritionist at NYU Medical Center. She says, “The 5 Factor Diet puts a new spin on what has been the traditional advice of every major nutrition organization for years…It’s a well-balanced eating plan that includes all the food groups, doesn’t leave anything out, and in a very subtle and very clever way also helps us change the eating behaviors that caused us to gain weight in the first place.” However, Abby Aronowitz, PHD, director of SelfHelpDirectives.com says, “I don’t see any real science behind the 5 Factor Diet — no studies to show it works, plus it doesn’t seem to address a major problem linked to obesity, which is emotional overeating.” I think that any diet that promotes healthy eating and a lifestyle that includes exercise is worthy of positive attention. So, I give a big thumbs up to trying the diet plan!

by Alfa - Losing Weight Zone
06-28-2010

0
Comments

Diet Plan Review: The Eat Right For Your Blood Type Diet

So, I was intrigued when I was researching an article on Miranda Kerr’s diet and exercise plan and found that she has followed a plan that has to do with eating certain foods that are considered “right” for your blood type and conversely, avoiding foods that are “dangerous” for you. So, I thought I would research this diet plan and share it with you.

Peter J. D’Adamo, ND (Neuropathic Doctor), is the author of the book, “Eat Right for Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer & Achieving Your Ideal Weight.” He purports that your blood type directly affects your digestive system and therefore, the foods you should eat as well as the foods you should avoid. He also believes that your susceptibility to certain illnesses is determined by your blood type and even suggests that your exercise program (and it’s success) should be determined by your blood type.

So, here is a quick breakdown of the foods each blood type should consume and which to avoid:

Type O: Did you know that type O is humanity’s oldest blood line? Thus, D’Adamo states that type O folks’ digestive tract retains the memory of ancient times. As such, type O’s should eat lean meats, poultry, and fish. However, type O’s should restrict the amount of grains, breads and legumes they consume. As for exercise, Type O’s tend to benefit from a vigorous exercise program.

Type A: D’Adamo calls these folks, “agrarian” and say they do best on vegetarian diets. These blood types retain “the inheritance of their more settled and less warlike farmer ancestors.” As such, type A’s diet should consist of soy proteins, grains, and organic vegetables and encourages gentle exercise.

Type B: AKA, the Nomadic Blood type, has a tolerant digestive system. They should follow a low-fat dairy, meat, and produce diet but avoid wheat, corn, and lentils. Moderate exercise is recommended for Type B’s.

Type AB: Called “the modern” blood type have a sensitive digestive tract. Type AB’s should center their diets around seafood, tofu, dairy and produce. They should avoid chicken, beef, and pork. Calming exercises are recommended for this blood type.

D’Adamo says that the proteins in foods are digested differently by each person – based on their blood type. So, these proteins (called lectins) are either compatible or incompatible, thus they will either be helpful or harmful. If helpful, the foods act like “medicine” for your body. If harmful, they act like “poison” to your body (D’Adamo says some examples of harmful side effects are inflammation, bloating, slower metabolism). For example, Type O’s should avoid whole wheat because according to D’Adamo, “eating gluten is like putting the wrong kind of octane in your car … it clogs the works.”

There is not much compelling scientific evidence to support this book and most doctors, nutritionists, etc do not agree with D’Adamo’s assertions. David W. Grott, RD, LD and spokesman for the ADA said, “Within the diet itself are generally good diet recommendations.” He goes on to say, “D’Adamo doesn’t say avoid vegetables and fruit, for example — but his specific recommendations based on blood type — the science is not there to support it. I’m not aware that anyone has duplicated his research.” From my perspective, it does not touch on the very serious subject of portion control or balancing your food intake. While it may be something to read for pleasure, I don’t know if it is something to seriously consider when trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

by Alfa - Losing Weight Zone
05-18-2010

0
Comments

Review of the Book, “Eat This, Not That”

“Eat This, Not That – The No Diet Weight Loss Solution” was written by Men’s Health Editor-in-Chief David Zinczenko and Men’s Health food and nutrition editor Matt Goulding. The book’s philosophy is if you make smarter food choices, you will lose weight as well as belly fat. The book exposes the fat, calorie and nutritional content of many popular restaurant and fast food menu item’s and then offers alternative items at those same food joints that are “healthier.” The book provides you with calorie, fat, sugar, carbohydrate, and sodium counts on the foods that are typically available at your favorite restaurants and fast food joints. The layout of the book is as follows: The poor food choices are on the left side of the page while the recommended alternative choices are on the left hand side of the page. There are now several spins offs of the original book, including “The Restaurant Survival Guide.” “The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution: New 2010 Edition!,” “The Best & Worst Foods in America,” “The Supermarket Survival Guide” and “Eat This, Not That! for Kids!”

The authors do some things very well, like exposing the sickening number of fat and calories in certain foods and have even been credited for those restaurants removing certain unhealthy menu items. The authors have also shamed certain restaurants and food chains into now posting the nutritional information on the food they are selling. The authors also give ratings to popular fast food chains based on the calorie count of their food. As for dining out at restaurants, there is a “menu decoder” which helps you determine which dishes are good bets and which dishes have high fat and caloric counts and are aptly named “weapons of mass destruction.”

Essentially, this book enables you to make better food choices. However, often times, these proposed alternative food choices are not always the best choices – or even close. That is because, it is geared toward you still deciding to eat higher calorie fast foods. Elisa Zied, MS, RD, and the spokeswoman for the American Diatetic Association commented, “The author is not a credentialed nutrition professional, and throughout the book, he often recommends the lesser of two evils. But the recommended food is not necessarily a healthful choice and sometimes a downright unhealthy choice and this information is confusing to consumers.” Often times, the authors are not recommending foods high in nutritional value. Rather, they are just picking something else off the fast food or restaurant menu that is just less in calories, fat, etc. Furthermore, there seems to be some misleading claims made by the authors of this book. Specifically, they claim that by following their book you will reduce belly fat, reshape your body and build firm, lean muscle while shedding flabby pounds. Nutritional and fitness experts agree that the only way to build muscle is to exercise and do strength training. Diet alone can not build muscle or target specific body parts – even the belly. Also, nutritional experts also recommend you exercise portion control and limit not the amount of fried food you – something the authors seem to ignore.

Again, the book is excellent for those who eat out a lot as it arms them a lot of useful information in order for them to make wiser food choices. It is also very entertaining to read as it packs a lot of surprises on the amount of fat and calories there are in some very popular dishes. However, even though the “Eat This” food recommendation is a better choice than the “Not That” item, it still may not mean it is necessarily a healthy choice.

by Alfa - Losing Weight Zone
05-04-2010

0
Comments

Brazil Butt Lift Exercise Program

Silly name but apparently you get fantastic results. This program was created by Leandro Carvalho, and combines Brazilian dance, cardio and sculpting exercises which are said to lift, firm and shape your butt. Carvalho has worked with supermodels such as Alessandra Ambrosio who also endorse the program. So here are the main components to this program:

Leandro’s created the “TriAngle Training” method which works all three major muscles of the buttocks from multiple angles to reduce your hips and saddlebag area, slim your thighs, and lift your butt without bulking up your thighs. No matter what your “butt type” is, Leandro has a customized workout plan for you. There are 6 “Booty-blasting” workouts (on 3 DVD’s) that come with the Brazil Butt Lift:

1. BUM BUM: Leandro’s signature workout that combines fat-blasting cardio with the best lower-body sculpting moves you’ve ever tried. (35 min.)
2. BUM BUM Rapido: Bonus – This express version of Bum Bum lifts your butt when you’re short on time. (10 minutes)
3. HIGH & TIGHT: Focus on all those stubborn trouble zones: the hips, glutes, and saddlebags. Leandro uses his secret weapons—the Booty Resistance Band and ankle weights—to lift your butt to new heights. (35 min.)
3. SCULPT: In this video, Leandro takes you through a total-body workout with a sexy Brazilian twist, to sculpt your entire body while focusing on your glutes. Look like a sexy supermodel—lean and toned, without the bulk. (50 min.)
4. CARDIO AXE: Feel like you’re dancing in the streets of Brazil with Leandro’s signature axe (pronounced “ah-shay”), a fat-burning, cardio-blasting, dance-based workout that delivers all-over slimming results fast. (30 min.)
5. TUMMY TUCK: Leandro’s surefire way to get flat, sexy abs in just 15 minutes. (15 min.)
****There is also a basic session where you learn all the moves and proper techniques….It is on the first DVD.

Also included are the following tools to get you moving:

1. BOOTY MAKEOVER GUIDE: This booklet includes the Booty Blueprint to help you determine your current shape and the Booty Makeover Calendars customized to your particular shape so you know which workout program to follow to achieve your desired shape.
2. FAT-BURNING FOOD GUIDE: This easy-to-follow meal plan was created by a nutritionist and is filled with mouth-watering, Brazilian-inspired recipes that will help you slim down without sacrificing flavor.
3. TRIANGLE TRAINING WORKOUT CARDS: These cards contain step-by-step instructions on Leandro’s signature moves. Take them with you to create your own workout-on-the-go.
4. MEASUREMENT TRACKER CARD AND TAPE MEASURE: Watch the inches melt away as your entire body transforms.
5. PENCIL: See if you pass the pencil test before you start the program. Test again every 30 days, and watch your butt lift.

You will also get the following bonus material:

1. 6-DAY SUPERMODEL SLIMDOWN PLAN: Jump-start your booty transformation with the same 6-day slimdown plan Leandro’s supermodel clients use before a photo shoot.
Booty Resistance Band
2. BOOTY RESISTANCE BAND: Leandro’s secret weapon gives an extra boost of lower-body resistance to sculpt those hard-to-reach areas. It will bring you even faster results.
3. BUM BUM RAPIDO: This 10-minute booty blaster delivers the tush-tightening results you want when you’re short on time.

You also get online support through BeachBody.com where you can chat with fitness experts or just other folks who are trying to get into shape as well.