Slim Down Now

Well, I admit.  I tried the magic bullet — Alli (60mg), a weight loss diet pill that claims that you won’t metabolize fat.  I tried 1 pill along with 1/2 a bag of yummy chips — basically 2.5 ounces of Kettle Style Chips.   Not a huge portion, but this was a test.  I ate the chips around 4 in the afternoon.

Well, I went to work.  The next day, I found I had gas.  Embarrassing, but life goes on.  I went to the bathroom often – but how much can you go for gas, right?  You are paid to be working after all.  So towards the end of the day (4pm), well, I farted and found out it wasn’t just gas   Very embarrassing – and not controllable.  Yup.  oil stain on back of pants.

So, 24 hours later I found that – yes, the oil goes through you.  Yes, it may not be how you want it going through you.  So, yes, Alli (60mg) works.  Yet, beware – know how it works in your body before being out in public.

Often people have weight issues due to how they interact with food.  That is they eat for comfort, boredom, or shame.  Rather than having ones body guide you when to eat, you just eat.

Many of us have done (or still do!) this.

Yet, these habits and patterns can be changed!

One simple way to do this is to start a food diary.  This is where you write down everything you eat.  It’s even better if you write it down when you eat.  This way you can begin to change your patterns.  You can the choose to eat half the portions, only eat when at the dinner table, or even skip desserts.

Knowing why and when you eat is a great way to change your life and change how you feel.

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Many people struggle with diets. It is a real challenge. Here are 2 success stories! These 2 methods of dieting have helped friends lose weight. Hopefully, they can help you reach your goal too!

Diet Method 1 – Eating Half

One friend lost about 5 sizes in ~ 6 months by just cutting her original portions in half. She basically eats the same things – just half of it. Now, she was eating *a lot* originally. And she was (and is) going to a doctor to monitor her health. Yet, that is the easiest diet.

If she goes out to eat, expect her to take food home .. because half the meal ends up in a to go container. She doesn’t order desert often – but she still has it. I’ve been really impressed and excited over her progress!

Diet Method 2 – Being Aware of What You Are Eating

One friend lost over 40 pounds in 2 months by simply being aware of how her body reacted to food, only eating when hungry and moderating portions. She says she asks her body about every food before she eats it.

Her method is to use a method chiropractors sometimes use before eating anything.   It’s called muscle testing.  This is how she does it:

Become as neutral as you can be.  Hold a food in your hand.  (It can help if your eyes are closed and a friend hand random foods to you in the beginning.)   See if your body likes it by leaning forward – or doesn’t like it by leaning back.

It sounds kind of funky — but it worked for her — and it is free to try.

I assume part of this technique works just because you need to be aware of what you are eating and how much.  Also, you consciously “know” at least to what extent what foods are good for you.  If you feel bad after eating something, eating it less often seems really reasonable.  She just tries to get her body to tell her that.

So, try these methods at your own risk.  Yet, know they worked for 2 friends who are delighted at their results!

See diets that worked for me for more diet ideas

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The most ideal solution for weight loss programs is doing exercise and eating a controlled diet. Yet sometimes, one goes for the easy weight loss methods like the diet pills. Now the question is, “Will diet pills work in reducing weight?”.

Well, most diet pills are used as a substitute for exercise. When used that way, they are a temporary solution for losing weight. The main purpose of diet pill is one or more of: controlling the appetite, blocking the absorption of fat and increasing the metabolism rate. It is only for people who are having a hectic work styles are overweight and also don’t have the time to do the exercise. Alternately, they are for people who have so much weight to lose that taking a pill in conjunction with diet and exercise will really make a difference.

Diet pills are not an instant solution but one has to keep taking them for a certain period of time. Also should make sure that they do not give any side effects later.  Some pills cause depression in some people which simply compounds the issue. Make sure to consult your doctor before using diet pills as they may recommend which type would  work for you.

Most of the diet pill manufacturers will only print testimonials of people who had success – not stories from people who used their products and failed.  As such,  do not always believe their slogans or ads that frequently come in the television or other print media. Experts have stated that though diet pills have worked for some, they most likely won’t work for every person.  It depends on the weight and the metabolism of the person. Health experts however suggest to do some exercise along with these diet pills.

Diet Pills Available

Fat Blockers: These pills remove some fat from the body by the method of bowel movement.

Prescription pills: These diet pills are prescribed by the doctor himself after monitoring the health condition.

Over the Counter Diet Pills: These are available at all medicine stores and approved by the FDA.They boost the metabolism and increase energy.

Appetite Suppressants: These diet pills control the appetite, preventing overeating. It is done due the chemical serotonin that is present in the brain. The Pills increase this chemical which in turn affects the appetite.

Herbal Diet Pills: It is found in all nutrition and health food stores. The ingredients present in these pills work on reducing the appetite and increasing the body metabolism.

If you decide that diet pills are really what you want and you have talked to your doctor,  research the diet pills available in the market and then decide which the best one for you is. Pills don’t always do what you want and often have side effects.   You may end up getting side effects or disappointing results.

See Which diets work? for a summary of our personal findings.

If you read Which Diets Work? you will note that for us, they seem to only work while you are on the diet. Here are some lifestyle tips that work all the time. They are general ways to improve your health that are common sense.

Drink More Water

If you are drinking water, generally you aren’t drinking high calorie sodas (or sugar-free sodas which seem to help you crave sweet things). Though coffee and tea are low calorie in themselves, the sweeteners and cream have calories. Water is needed by your body. If you need something bubbly, try sparkling mineral water. Try it for a week and see if you feel healthier. Many people have found this to be good, free, simple advice that truly helps them.

Eat Slowly

If you eat your food slower and chew more, you generally eat less. You also enjoy what you are eating more. These two things combined help you manage what you eat and be more conscious of what you eat.

Exercise More

Whether you want better health, lose weight or live longer, exercise gets the blood flowing. They say that just 15 minutes of walking 3 times a week can extend your life and help you be healthier. That is easy. Yet, if you have large goals, you may want to read Exercse Motivation or Find Fun Exercise.

For more lifestyle tips see:

5 Natural Weight Loss Tips and Weightloss Without Diets

Diet Summaries So Far

If you read this blog, you will note that we test out diets and blog about our results. You find out what we weigh before and after the tests and what works and what doesn’t.

Here is a summary of what worked and what didn’t.

Note: so far, NOTHING has lasted more than a month *after* the diet without having conscious effort. That is, we haven’t magically continued to lose weight unless we are on a diet. Many times we gained weight after tests though it may take a few weeks or months. Basically, it takes a lifestyle change. If you can change your lifestyle, the weight will come off and stay off. Otherwise there are many “quick” fixes – but you will either need to stay on that diet or another one to keep the weight off if you aren’t changing your lifestyle.

Now for our diet results:

Cookie Diet: Smart for Life Cookie Diet worked well for us while we were on it. However, I found that due to my milk allergies it wasn’t something I could continue on. We lost 5-7 pounds in 3 weeks. The cookies were more like fiber squares but they did fill us up and got us to eat less once we

understood how to work the program. The help that came with the program was very useful. It also helped us realize what portion sizes were better for our bodies.

Apatite Test: Our Apatite test – oddly enough seemed to work for me as long as I was wearing the necklace. I think if I wore it longer it my have lasted. Need to make sure you clean the necklace. Still seems strange. Maybe I’ll try it again as it was the most effortless diet tool yet.

Low Carb: We practiced low carb diets for years with good results – as long as we stayed on the low carb plan. The problem is if you start eating higher carbs you seem to gain weight fast. Also, if you want to eat vegetarian it is very difficult. That said, it did help us maintain a good weight for a long time when we did it. I really missed the grains after a few years. Still cutting out most sugars helps diet and health – at least the ones you don’t truly enjoy.

Acai test: The Acai Weight loss Test didn’t seem to get us to lose weight all on its own. It may have had health benefits but don’t expect it to get you to shed pounds without any effort on your part.

Low Fat: As shown below. I tried this and ended up with Syndrome X.  Basically as I didn’t eat enough fat, my body started making cholesterol.   This caused many issues.  It looks really good on paper, but for me, it didn’t work.  One needs fat.  On the other hand, limiting sugar does seem to work, so maybe I took it to an extreme that wasn’t expected.

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We all want to exercise but there seems a lack of motivation that prevents us from doing so. Let us learn few tips that will help you do those exercise with interest and maintain a routine.

Timing Is Everything

Often, one cannot go to the gym at the same time every day. Sometimes the schedule may change due to personal and professional commitments. In such cases schedule your timing and appointments in the calendar. Then you may decide in advance the dates and the times in which exercise has to be done.

Why Are You Exercising?

Before going for the gym, one should plan out the purpose for which we go to the gym. Are you looking to increase those muscles and get a 6 pack or are you just looking to reduce the weight. Different Exercises and programs are meant for these two goals. So, based on that your plan of action needs to be taken. Work there with a goal and focus on your goal.

Getting The Most

Take a look at the equipments that are available the gym. Work on those machines on which you are comfortable with and do not take those heavier machines. Have the self motivation that you can do. To keep the pace, one can take an mp3 player & put a pair of head phones; listen to some music while exercising. Alternately, Audio Books are often a welcome distraction that really works.

Friends Help

Make some friends in gym, which will keep you engaged while you are working at the gym. Working alone at the gym may not create the right atmosphere and you may feel bored after doing few minutes of the exercise. A work-out buddy creates the perfect atmosphere at the gym. Picture yourself of the healthy & fit person you want to be like. It may be an actor or a sportsperson. That inspiration will surely motivate you in doing that exercises. Learn from the gym instructor new exercises that may interest you and try them.

Keep Exercising!

Do not loose interest if the results are not shown soon. It will take some time for the body to take shape based on the level and amount of exercises that are being done by you. Maintain a realistic goal of achieving the dream body and success will surely come. Plan a reward for yourself for that achievement. These will motivate you in working harder and more sincere towards the goal. Read some fitness magazine or fitness newsletter that share more tips of exercises. One can create a competition every week between friends on push-ups or some other exercises and the performer getting the prize. Such fun and motivational approaches should be there to lighten up the atmosphere.

See also: Tips for Finding Exercise You LOVE

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