The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret

Hi Everyone

Thought I’d let you in on my shopping list this week either for ideas or inspiration.

I’m really focusing at the moment on transforming my lifestyle and my body.

After reading alot of different material (including Valerie’s book) I’ve decided to make a choice to look at eating healthy and exercising not as a "diet" but a lifestyle choice that will benefit me in all areas.

I really hope that some of this is getting across to our readers and encouraging you all to make some changes in your life.

Anywayyyy. . .

This is what I bought on my Sunday supermarket visit

Chicken breast - I baked/grill these with veges for dinner.

Turkey - I grab this from the deli and use it in wraps for lunch or a snack.

Cottage Cheese - This is great with veges or some people even mix it with berries.

Low Fat Cheese - I try not to eat this too much but it’s nice to have a sprinkle on salad or a wrap.

Low Fat 100% Natural Yoghurt - I mix this with a scoop of frozen berries for a yummy snack.

Frozen Veges - I find this easier than having to peel and chop veges for each meal, particularly during the day.

Frozen Spinach - This was a new addition this week because spinach is SUPER high in vitamins, iron and fibre.

Wholemeal Pasta - Again I try not to eat this too much but if I’m craving pasta wholemeal is the best choice.

Pomegranate Juice - Pomegranates are higher in antioxidants than most other juices (even green tea).

Rice Wraps - These are just like tortilla wraps but they have only 70 cals each, low GI, cholesterol and preservative free.

Multivitamin - I decided to grab a multivitamin this week after watching Oprah and writing this post.

98% Fat Free Tzatziki - I looooooooooove Tzatziki. I have it with raw veges or on wraps and it’s YUM!

Australian Women’s Health magazine - I love reading health mags, I think they’re great for inspiration.

And that’s a wrap . . .

I already had some fresh fruit, fresh veges, eggs, skim milk and protein powder at home otherwise those would have been added to the list too

Fibre is a crucial element to any healthy diet and unfortunately it is too often overlooked! Fibre is useful in a weight loss diet for many reasons including:

** It keeps your digestive system functioning effectively which gives you a healthier body

** A diet rich in fibre can help prevent digestion related conditions such as haemorrhoids (definitely don’t want those) and constipation (again no thanks).

** Eating a fibre-rich/low fat diet has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer

** High fibre foods fill you up quickly which is great when you are wanting to cut down your food intake and lose weight

** Many foods that are high in fibre are also low in fat and calories

** Fibre can help stabilize blood sugar levels

** High fibre is linked to low cholesterol levels

Read on for your HIGH FIBRE SHOPPING LIST

High Fibre Foods

Wholemeal/Whole grain breads
Wholemeal pasta
Wholemeal flour
Oats
Bran Flakes
Flaxseed
Brown Rice

Kidney Beans
Lentils
Almonds
Sunflower Seeds
Chickpeas

Bananas
Apples
Orange
Berries
Pear

Corn
Spinach
Peas
Potato (with skin)
Sweet Potato
Cauliflower
Broccoli

So there you go. . . Regardless of whether you are on a weight loss diet or simply trying to lead a healthy lifestyle incorporating these foods is a great idea!

Weight loss recipes make your weight loss journey a whole lot easier. Delicious weight loss food ideas can make your diet much easier to follow because you won’t get bored and fall back to your old eating habits.

If you are anything like me you will loooooveee a good Caesar Salad… However when it comes to weight loss that oily bread and fatty dressing is a NO-GO ZONE!

I found this great healthy Caesar Salad recipe and changed a few things around so that it suits those on a weight loss diet. Give it a go and let me know if it is a hit

Caesar Salad with a Healthy Twist

Recipe Serves 2

Lettuce
4 Cherry Tomatoes sliced in half
½ a sliced Cucumber
2 Soft Boiled Eggs
4 Slices Low Fat Cheese
2 Rashers Bacon Sliced Thinly
A small portion of Turkish bread cut into small pieces

Team members here at The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret have found Proactol to be a very effective and safe supplement to lose some serious pounds. Click HERE to read about what the UWLS team has to say about Proactol.

Caesar Dressing:

1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
½ mashed Avocado
2 tablespoons unsweetened yoghurt (low fat)
1 tablespoon of lime juice

Divide salad ingredients into two bowls placing the lettuce on the bottom and layering the rest on top. Grill the Turkish bread and bacon in the oven and spread over the salad. Slice the soft boiled eggs in half, thinly slice the low fat cheese and place it in on top. Mix the salad dressing (use a blender if necessary) and pour sparingly over the salad.

The gluten free weight loss diet originated as an diet for those suffering from Celiac disease but it caught on for people all over the world. A lot of people are making the decision to convert to a gluten free diet.

You should remember that a lack of understanding when it comes to diets can be dangerous. Before jumping on the bandwagon of the gluten free weight loss diet, make sure that you are properly informed on what it can do for you.

What is Celiac Disease?

Gluten is a protein found in barley, oats, grains and triticale. People suffering from Celiac Disease have a small intestine that is particularly sensitive to gluten. There are no known causes for the disease but it is believed that there are environmental and genetic factors involved.

There is still no cure but it can be managed effectively with a gluten free diet. If it is left untreated it can lead to a variety of different health conditions like infertility, malnutrition and even osteoporosis.

What the diet can do?

The gluten free weight loss diet can help the small intestine recover as well as aid the absorption of important nutrients into your system.

With a gluten free diet you learn to avoid all foods that contain rye, wheat, grains and barley. Example of foods we love that contain often high levels of gluten are pizza, bagels, crackers, pasta, breads etc.

Oats are also avoided and you have the option whether to avoid or limit your intake of milk. Beer products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are also avoided.

What you can eat?

With a gluten free weight loss diet, you can still eat any of the following food products since they generally do not have gluten:

1. Fresh, dried, canned, or frozen fruits and vegetables as long as they do not have thickening ingredients and additives that have gluten.

2. Starches and flours made from rice, soybeans, tapioca, corn, and buckwheat.

3. Dairy products like cheese. However, avoid these products at the beginning of your treatment for celiac disease.

4. Eggs

5. Alcoholic beverages like wine and liquor like brandy, whiskey, ciders, and liquers.

6. Unprocessed meat products

7. Frozen or canned meat products, provided that they do not have any sauce.

8. Cereal products made from corn, lentil flour, rice bran, amaranth, lentil flour, psyllium, and polenta.

9. Rice crackers, rice crispies, corn tortillas, taco shells made from corn.

10. Gluten-free pasta, bean or rice vermicelli, buckwheat noodles, and rice noodles.

11. Condiments like tomato paste, jam, honey, cocoa, vinegar, honey, tahini, and some salad dressings and sauces.

12. Snacks like plain corn chips, plain chocolate, and popcorn.

13. Drinks like coffee, tea, mineral water, and spirits.

A few precautions

Be careful when buying foods that are labelled as -wheat-free- because it does not necessarily mean that they are gluten-free. When buying food, read the ingredients on the labels and be aware of the kinds of hidden gluten like those that can be found in different food additives and medications. Also, be aware that there are products that have -modified food starch- written on their labels because they may contain gluten.

Stuff to remember

The gluten free diet may seem a little overwhelming at first. However, with enough knowledge, information and support, you can incorporate the diet into your lifestyle without any problems. Having Celiac Disease does not mean you have to stop eating majority of your favorite foods because despite several restrictions, you can still enjoy a variety of foods included in the diet. Furthermore, if you need more information on celiac disease and gluten free diets, you can consult a gastroenterologist, your doctor, or a credited/licensed dietician or nutritionist.

Vegetarianism has not only grown in popularity as a lifestyle but also as a weight loss method. And those who have adopted this eating plan are not wrong in thinking they can lose weight through this diet. Typically vegetarian diets include less fat, more nutrients, less processed goods and fewer calories.

Celeb vegetarians including Alicia Silverstone, Sir Paul McCartney, Carrie Underwood, Naomi Watts and more all have said goodbye to meat and feel better because of it.

But as with any weight loss plan, a vegetarian weight loss diet has its risks and benefits. Without meat providing certain nutrients you will need to stock up through other means including vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Weight loss benefits

Several scientific studies have shown that vegetarians are less likely to become obese than other meat eaters. In most Western nations vegetarians have lower blood cholesterol and body mass index.

People maintaining a vegetarian weight loss diet also enjoy a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis and even cancer.

How it works

So why does vegetarianism produce weight loss results?

Primarily because meat and animal products contain fewer preservatives, calories and saturated fats. Also fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants which help to eliminate free radicals that cause cells to die and cause disease.

A vegetarian weight loss diet doesn-t require you to starve yourself-you can eat normal servings and still get fewer calories than you would from a meat-based meal.

Some risks

Of course, vegetables can-t provide you with everything you need. One of the main concerns about the vegetarian weight loss diet is that there aren-t enough sources of protein. Most vegetarians get their protein from beans, tofu and legumes.

If you-re combining your vegetarian weight loss diet with an exercise regimen (which you should), consider taking protein supplements or consuming more vegetable proteins.

Types of vegetarianism

If the thought of cutting out meat altogether seems like a horrendous idea there are different ways to enjoy the benefits of vegetarian diets.

In fact, if you have certain health problems, your doctor may recommend some modifications. Vegetarianism is divided into several subtypes depending on which foods are restricted. Some of the most common are the following:

Semi-vegetarian: A semi-vegetarian weight loss diet rules out all red meat such as beef, pork, and lamb, but allows fish and poultry. Dairy products are also included.

Pesco-vegetarian: This diet prohibits all animal products, except fish and seafood. Some also allow eggs and dairy, although it-s more often a personal choice.

Lacto-vegetarian: Meat, poultry and eggs are prohibited; the only animal products allowed are milk and dairy.

Lacto-ovo vegetarian: This is the most common type of vegetarian weight loss diet. It only prohibits animal meats, but allows by-products such as animal oils, milk, eggs, and dairy.

Vegan: Described as -pure- vegetarianism, vegan diets prohibit all animal products. Vegans are not so much health buffs as they are animal rights advocates. As such, they also stay away from non-food products such as leather and fur.

Read labels

Just because you-re a vegetarian doesn-t mean you-re consuming less fat. The way you prepare your vegetables greatly affects their nutritional value. What good is a low-fat vegetable salad if you slather it with a creamy dressing? To get the most out of your vegetarian diet, you still need to read the labels and watch your fat and sugar intake.

Watch your iron

Plant-based iron is different from animal iron. The former is less easily absorbed by the body, so vegetarians can be prone to anemia. To increase iron absorption, combine iron-rich foods such as nuts, beans and legumes with vitamin C-rich ones like oranges, strawberries and tomatoes. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron is 12 to 15 mg daily.

The same goes for calcium: you can compensate for the lack of dairy-based calcium by eating fortified cereals, eggs, milk, and cheese.

Going ‘vego’ can be a great way to try out a new, healthy lifestyle. Regardless of weight loss its a great way to flush out your system and feed yourself with the best nutrients around.

Hi everyone this is it…

The New Years Resolution Diet

It is does not involve starving yourself, it does not involve bucket loads of cabbage and it does not involve eating the same thing day in day out.

I am not a qualified doctor, nutritionist, scientist or obesity specialist. I am however someone who like you faces my weight everyday. I (and those around me) have successfully lost weight in the past and I have used knowledge gathered both by research and my own experiences in the New Years Resolution Diet plan.

Everybody is different and it would be impossible for me to know whats right for each individual. You should consult your doctor if you have any doubts, medical conditions or have had problems in the past.

The New Years Resolution Diet involves mindset, healthy eating and light exercise. The UWLS team has put together some specific weight loss info, motivation tips, an eating plan and an exercise plan.

This post will list some fantastic weight loss information you should read before you kick off the New Years Resolution Diet.

After that move onto the goal setting post (that is an INVALUABLE part of any weight loss plan). Next the eating plan post and finally the exercise post.

Then you’ll be set - LET THE GAMES BEGIN

UWLS Team’s Weight Loss Tips

1. This diet hasn’t been designed to cater to your specific health needs, if you have a pre-existing medical condition consult your doctor before commencing the plan.

2. Never skip breakfast -” no its not an old wives tale it really does help kick start your metabolism

3. Remember to eat small meals once every 3 hours. You should set an alarm or jot down what time you last ate to keep on schedule. This simple tip will keep your metabolism working at its best.

4. Stock your plates with green veges such as brocolli, beans, silverbeet, spinach, lettuce etc. Ideally your plate should be ¾ veges and ¼ lean meat such as chicken, lean beef or a vegetarian alternative.

5. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day. Not only is this great for detoxing your system, it will keep your metabolism ticking too.

6. If you crave something on top of your water intake try green tea or sugar free soft drink alternatives such as Coke Zero, Sprite Zero.

7. Limit your fruit intake to a maximum of 3 pieces per day. While fruit is great for you in moderation, not to mention yummy they do contain a high level of sugar. Stock up on great crunchy, raw veges instead.

8. If you’re a mayo on your salad person opt for a low-calorie dressing, you can find this in your supermarket/health food shop.

9. Always sit down to eat, if you eat standing or in a rush you will feel far less full and be more inclined to eat more.

10. Sleep approximately 8 hours a day, a lack of sleep will lead you to be more hungry and inclined to binge on the wrong foods.

11. Before you start the New Years Resolution Diet clear out ALL the junk food from your kitchen. If its not there, there is NO chance you will cave in a moment of weakness or sneak out for a midnight snack.

12. To avoid the temptations of naughty/non-diet foods take your snack with you when you go out. You’ll find this saves you extra calories and even money.