Top 10 Weightloss Foods

{Low Carb - High Protein} Of course, I can't tell you what YOU should eat because I don't know your likes and dislikes, not to mention whether you have any intolerances, allergies or foods you don't eat for ethical reasons, etc... but research has shown that there are some definite advantages to a low to moderate carb and higher protein diet for fat loss purposes. These include reduced appetite, higher thermic effect of food and “automatic” calorie control. Keep the green and fibrous veggie intake higher however, along with large amounts of lean protein, small amounts of fruit, and adequate amounts of essential fat.

It’s not so much about the high carb - low carb argument or any other debate as much as it is about calorie control and compliance. The trouble is, restricted diets and staying in a calorie deficit is difficult, so most people can’t stick with any program and they fall off the wagon, whichever wagon that may be. Low carb vs. high carb is getting really old… so like… get over it everyone, its a calorie deficit that makes you lose weight, not the amount of carbs. 

“Bad habits are easy to form and hard to live with and good habits are hard to form but easy to live with.”  -Jim Rohn, motivational speaker

http://www.burnthefat.com/list-of-top-10-weight-loss-foods.html

10 top natural starchy carb and whole grains
1. Oatmeal (old fashioned)
2. Yams
3. Brown rice (a favorite is basmati)
4. Sweet potatoes (almost same as yams)
5. Multi grain hot cereal (mix or barley, oats)
6. White potatoes
7. 100% whole grain bread or sprouted bread
8. 100% whole wheat / whole grain pasta
9. Beans (great for healthy chili recipes)
10. Lentils

Top 10 top vegetables

1. Broccoli
2. Asparagus
3. Spinach
4. Salad greens
5. Tomatoes
6. Peppers (green, red or yellow)
7. Onions
8. Mushrooms
9. Cucumbers
10. Zucchini 

Top 10 lean proteins
1. Egg whites (whole eggs in limited quantities)
2. Whey or Casein protein (protein powder supplements)
3. Chicken Breast
4. Salmon (wild Alaskan)
5. Turkey Breast
6. Top round steak (grass fed beef)
7. Flank Steak (grass fed beef)
8. Lean Ground Turkey
9. Bison/Buffalo (lean game meats)
10. Trout

Top 10 fruits

1. Grapefruit
2. Apples
3. Blueberries
4. Cantaloupe
5. Oranges
6. Bananas
7. Peaches
8. Grapes
9. Strawberries
10. Pineapple 

Note: I DO include healthy fats as well, such as walnuts, almonds, extra virgin olive oil, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil (supplement - not to cook with), avocado and a few others.  

If you'd like to learn more about fat burning nutrition and what to eat for maximum fat loss, then be sure to take a look at the Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle nutrition program. Thousands of men and women call this their "fat loss bible." For all the details, visit: BurnTheFat.com There you can check out Fat Loss Coach Tom Venuto and see how he deals with burning fat!

So after reading this article, it seems I have been kind of on the right track. The first things I buy at the grocery store to use almost every day are: red & green peppers, apples, eggs, lettuce, and spinach. For breakfast I usually start out with a cup of oatmeal, vanilla yogurt, or eggs ( I rotate from scrambled to hard boiled)  For snacks I usually have an apple with peanut butter or nutella, or some fruit. For lunch I eat a salad topped with 2 pieces of turkey & little chunks of cheese, as well as red & green peppers, cucumbers, and sometimes pickles. And for dinner it's always fresh veggies (asparagus, broccoli, zuchini, squash) with chicken. Unless I am extremely worn out, tired, and lazy - Ill make a grill spinach & cheese sandwich (2 pieces of wheat toast, fresh spinach stuck between 2 slices of american cheese, pam spray or very light butter) with some crackers & salsa on the side. I love to cook so I love to experiment! 

What is YOUR to go to diet food? We all have a favorite "help us lose weight & keep us on track" food or meal. Share it with us :) PS - today is a weigh-in day for me, wish me luck!

Fruit Detox

I myself have tried a Detox Diet, and I lost a few pounds but not compared to the girl who lost 12 that I got the idea from. I did it to lose weight fast than to cleanse my body from nasty toxins. So I read this on LiveStrong this morning and thought it had some good information to share! So enjoy...

The notion that you can live whatever lifestyle you choose and then undo any damage by detoxing for a few days is not a new one, though it has never been proved to be either medically necessary or even effective. But, according to research reported by the Linus Pauling Institute, fruit may offer more health benefits than previously known. No fruit blend is a magical detox cure-all, but an occasional fruit blend as part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle can help you feel your best.

 

Detox Facts

Detoxing in the sense that most people misuse the term is not physically possible, according to experts at Harvard medical School. Your body is equipped with it own detoxing system which includes your kidneys, liver and lungs. They scour toxins from your body, process them and eliminate them. No diet or combination of foods can make this process go faster. But, common sense dictates that if you stop putting harmful substances into your body you will give it a chance to clean itself out.

Vitamin C Blend

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. When you breathe or metabolize food, substances called free radicals are released into your system. They are also released when you smoke, or are exposed to environmental toxins like air pollution. Free radicals are thought to cause certain kinds of cancer, and also to contribute to some of the physical difficulties you face as you age. Vitamin C helps your body fight free radicals. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are high in vitamin C, Apples also contain high levels of vitamin C. Blueberries, blackberries and pomegranates also contain powerful antioxidants, so mix and match them for snacks, desserts or blended into smoothies.

Fiber Blend

Fiber helps fill you up and also aids in healthy elimination. Constipation is one symptom of eating fatty foods that don’t move through your system as they should. Apples contain high amounts of fiber, especially if you eat them raw. Watermelon and cantaloupe contain soluble fiber, which helps keep you feeling full. Soluble fiber also helps lower the levels of low-density lipoproteins in your blood. These are associated with increased risk for high blood pressure and heart disease. Soluble fiber helps remove LDLs from your system, so in that sense they can be considered beneficial to detoxing.

Warning

It is not possible to speed up your body’s internal methods of detoxing, nor is it possible to undue weeks or even days of unhealthy eating with a juice fast. But, occasionally drinking nothing but fresh juices and eating whole fruits for one to three days should not harm you and can help you break bad habits. Plan your detox for a quiet time when you don’t have to do much and make sure that you take in enough calories to keep you nourished. Aim for 1,200 calories for men and 1,500 calories for women.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/555216-fruit-blends-for-a-detox/#ixzz1mScGqH9A

7 Day Food Detox

First, I'd like to thank Miss Haneefa for this idea. I came across it just a few minutes ago and it gave me inspiration. She has lost 6 pounds in the last 3 days since starting her seven day food detox! Kudos to her! I will be following her next 4 days to see how she does.

Thinking about doing it myself, I needed more information first. I found what seemed to be a great explanation of the 7 DAY DETOX at The Raw Divas websites, along with a 10 Day Juice Cleanse, but Im pretty sure you have to pay to get "their secret" so.....then I found a website on every DETOX diet known to man, at EveryDiet.org which gave me way too much information that it was hard to look at- so I moved on to other websites! Here is a boy that is already two months into his raw diet, which is similar to a detox diet - Easy Raw Food Detox Diet. He has a great site with ALOT of useful information but Im not going long term with this, unfortunately.

Then finally, because I couldnt find any information quickly to help me with my own 7 day detox, I went to the same site that Miss Haneefa found found her information, over at Toca Reno's Blogspot. Which is great!

Here is a run down of the 7 day detox diet:

Days 1 and 2: Stick to Liquids

Water, lemon squeezed water, herbal teas, juicy leafed greens, or bone broth.

Days 3 to 7:  Brown rice, Fruits, and Veggies

You can add up to 1 cup of brown through out the day. Try to eat organic produce/fruits. And only healthy oils like olive, avocado, or coconut oil. Eat portion sized meals as large as your hand. Do this 6 times a day, which will give you 6 small meals per day.

Tips:  Consider herbs and supplements. And alot of vitamin c. 

Now, Im just trying to decide WHEN I actually want to DO this! Part of me says, start today? Why put it off another day? Isn't that how we all fail? Because we put things off and say, maybe tomorrow? The only problem is - starting on my day off which is Friday, I will have a short 5 day vacation. Do I really wanna go through out the 4th of July weekend and my mini vacation starving and depriving myself of what I love? No. Thats why I think I should start next Wednesday. And then..... starting on July 17th I am participating in a 14 Day Slimdown in my city with an old friend who works for Herbalife that will be our weightloss coach. I am really excited. Although, fourteen days doesnt seem like enough time for me to lose weight. But I suppose if I do the 7 day detox next week - itll give me a great kick off :)

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the hubby and I this year. Taken in April at his father's wedding. Not too often will PJ pose for a picture with me, so I really love these photos. I think I look great, until I look down at my thunder thighs! Uggggh. I just hate my thighs and these pictures will serve as inspiration to lose weight. So I just wanted to share them with y'all :)

This is me - weight 273ish at 5 feet tall and 4 inches

This will be a great time for me to start the 7 day detox (on Wednesday, July 6th. Because then - on Sunday, July 17th)  I am also starting my 14 Day Weightloss Challenge with an old friend, Chanel, an Herbalife constributor and weightloss coach.