Healthy Guts, iPhone Apps, Jumpstarting Metabolism and Atkins

I really like the metabolism article, because so many of these tips are easy to incorporate into your life and do make a difference toward your weight loss.  The interview about the new Atkins diet author does emphasize that a low carbohydrate diet is heart healthy and is a good read.

Maintaining a Health Gut http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-barrie-nd/jon-stewarts-poop-has-fri_b_683898.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-barrie-nd/jon-stewarts-poop-has-fri_b_683898.html

Utah Company's lolo burn Lands in Top Ten iPhone Apps http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/utah-companys-new-apple-iphone-fitness-app-lands-in-top-ten-featured-on-apple-store-home-page-100971294.htmlhttp://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/utah-companys-new-apple-iphone-fitness-app-lands-in-top-ten-featured-on-apple-store-home-page-100971294.html

17 Cheap Ways to Jumpstart Your Metabolism http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2010/08/16/17-ways-to-jumpstart-your-metabolismhttp://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2010/08/16/17-ways-to-jumpstart-your-metabolism

Interview with Co-Author of The New Atkins Diet http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/13/an-updated-guide-for-low-carb-dieters/http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/13/an-updated-guide-for-low-carb-dieters/

Nightshades, Cocktails and Gluten Intolerance

I got a question recently about nightshades and whether it was okay to eat them.  I had not heard that there were any problems so I did a little homework and found these articles, that claims some people may react to the alkaloids in some foods. The percentage of people with reactions is quite low, and both articles indicate that if you find you react to them, you should eat them in moderation.  Nightshade plants include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers.

http://tribes.tribe.net/diymedicine/thread/59372cfb-1aab-4763-86cd-95930b8859ff

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/nightshades/

This is a very funny article, written by a man, about what NOT to drink when you hit the bars on the weekend:  Cocktails that are Sabotaging Your Diet http://www.craveonline.com/lifestyle/article/five-drinks-that-are-sabotaging-your-diet-109715

I also got a question about going gluten free, and whether that was a good thing for everyone.  I was told by a doctor once that I had a gluten intolerance, and I will tell you it is very difficult to give up all gluten in your life.  However, if you want to experiement, give it up for a couple weeks and see if you feel better.  Gluten Intolerant and Celiac Disease, How to Know and What to Do http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/articles/ara/2010/08/17/8041050101/index.xml

Finally, the FTC had done something about all these crazy on line ads for Acai Berry products and ordered internet sales to cease.  Federal Trade Commission Orders Acai Berry Marketers to Halt Internet Sales http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/court-orders-internet-marketers-of-acai-berry-weight-loss-pills-and-colon-cleansers-to-stop-deceptive-advertising-and-unfair-billing-practices-100766874.html

Drew Carey, Soy and Express Lane Diet

This week there was a very good article on how Drew Carey lost 80 pounds and was able to give up all his Type 2 Diabetes medications.  It was interesting that while the diet may have been very restrictive, it may be a solution for pre-diabetic and diabetics with Type 2.  I also liked the quick and easy Express Lane Diet article, about items you can pick up on a speed through the grocery store which are heathier food choices.  Finally a doctor's post on soy and which of the urban myths are true or not was, I thought, well done.

Drew Carey Sheds 80 Pounds on No-Carb Diet http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2010/08/05/6796/type-2-comedian-drew-carey-sheds-80-pounds-says-no-carb-diet-did-it/

Soy: Blessing or Curse? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/soy-blessing-or-curse_b_673912.html

Express Lane Diet http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/08/11/express-lane-diet-quick-and-easy-weight-loss-foods/

Top Three Bogus Fad Diets http://fyiliving.com/nutrition/weight-loss-diets/top-3-bogus-fad-diets-the-fads-that-make-you-fat/

Using the Internet for Weight Loss and Dealing with Plateaus

Out of the several good articles I found this week, I would like to point to the one about using on line weight loss tools. Many of you used on line programs in the last WLC to track your food logs and exercise, and it seemed that your diligence paid off with weight loss. I would be interested in hearing from you (by email) if you have continued to use the on line tools and if you have continued to lose weight. Alternatively, if you fell off the wagon from your tools, have you stopped losing weight or gained weight? Please let me know.

The other article I really liked was the one on breaking plateaus. I think all the suggestions, particularly the ones relating to changing your work out or breaking it up into smaller work outs, reminds me of the "muscle confusion" technique of the P90X videos for getting fit faster. Again, if you have feed back on these methods for breaking up plateaus, please let me know with an email or comment.

Do Your Homework and Use Caution When Buying Weight Loss Plans On Line http://newsok.com/safety-paramount-in-weight-loss-plans/article/3479226


Eating Less but Weighing More? The Camel Syndrome http://www.voiceccc.com/blog-1.107/eating-less-but-weighing-more-the-camel-syndrome

Busting the Myth of Plant-Based Protein Deficiency http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-kanner/meatless-monday-enough-al_b_655554.html

Internet May Be a Good Weight Loss Tool As Long as You Log In http://www.latimes.com/news/health/boostershots/la-heb-internet-20100727,0,3504601.story

Five Ways to Get Off A Weight Loss Plateau http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/07/27/5-ways-to-get-off-a-weight-loss-plateau/

Diet and Exercise Articles of Interest

I found a few good articles this week, including an announcement that the FDA did not approve Qnexa, and that it recalled an herbal supplement. If you have any Slim-20 around the house, check the lot number against the recall numbers.

I really liked the article about the best exercises being the ones we hate to do the most...it is so true for me!

Weight Loss Can Help Overweight Women Relieve Hot Flashes http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/womens-health/articles/2010/07/13/hot-flash-relief-weight-loss-works-what-doesnt.html

Five Foods to Sneak Protein into Your Diet http://www.craveonline.com/lifestyle/article/five-foods-to-sneak-protein-into-your-diet-107115

FDA Rules Against Approving Qnexa http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20010891-10391704.html

Slim-20 Herb Supplements Recalled by FDA http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/07/20/slim-20-weight-loss-capsules-recalled-potentially-unhealthy-ing/

Exercises Your Body Loves, You Hate http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jul/21/211058/wicked-workout/life-health/

Diet Tips, Product Bans and High Fructose Corn Syrup

In our weekly rundown of health, fitness and diet articles, the tips in this article are fantastic! This is one of the best I have read in a very long time. I would print this out and stick it on the refrigerator, or somewhere that you are going to see it often.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1294170/How-laugh-slim-The-50-unlikely--medically-proven--diet-tips.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

FDA Bans Que She Weight Loss Capsules because they have banned pharmaceutical products in them, include Ephedrine, a beta-blocker and a prescription diet pill. If you have any of this on your shelf, throw it out. http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2010/07/09/con-herbal-med-warning.html

Finally, although we have talked about just how bad high fructose corn syrup is for you, here is added proof--it increased blood pressure in people with no family history of hypertension. Stay away from sodas and energy drinks, please! http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/2/19/does_high_fructose_corn_syrup_high_blood_pressure_070620101058.html

Post Thanksgiving Action Plan

Alright, I admit it--I splurged over the holidays. I contributed to every one's delinquency by bringing Rotel and Velveeta cheese dip (yes, with pork sausage) to every party I attended. I barely exercised, and I ate like it was the end of the world, only to get up today with the beginnings of a MUFFIN-TOP! Horrors! So I am back on my Herbalife Healthy Meal shake mix for breakfast and lunch with a healthy balanced dinner. I am also making sure to stay hydrated and drink half my weight in ounces of fluid--mostly water and some tea. And I plan on a long walk every day. I know that if I attack this issue now, I can get the few extra pounds off quickly, before the next round of parties for the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays. Let me know what your holiday action plan is to manage your weight.