A Healthier Us : Best Way To Lose Weight Fast - Weight Loss

Did you hear about the man that used McDonald’s for a diet? Chris Coleson went from a 50 inch waist to a 36. He lost 86 amazing pounds! It took him 6 months to lose 80 pounds. He had battled his weight for years, but when he had trouble getting into a restaurant booth he decided it was time to do something serious about his weight.

Instead of trying one of the million diets out there which had failed him he opted for his own solution: he’d only eat at McDonald’s. When I think of losing a few pounds McDonald’s is the last place that comes to mind.

Coleson said his eating was out of control. He was taking in about 5,000 calories a day. He was starting to worry that when he went to bed he might not get up. His family also had a history of heart disease which was weighing heavy on him. When he decided to get in shape he relied on a simple idea: “calories in and calories out”.

Coleson lost his weight by regulating his caloric intake to only 1,400 calories a day. For a man his size 1,400 calories is considered starving. Coleson said he was able to lose weight by avoiding the French fries. He said he never had them once. What he did eat were the salads, wraps and on occasion he would integrate a hamburger patty on one. Coleson also would skip breakfast on his meal plan and kept daily journal.

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I don’t know about you, but I love Chocolate. So when I found this recipe I had to try it, and then share it with all fellow Chocolate lovers. Did you know that dark Chocolate is actually good for you? Eaten in moderation, Chocolate, especially dark Chocolate, can be very beneficial. It is a good provider of antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. So go ahead and give in to your cravings.

Here is a really simple yet light and delicious Chocolate ganache cake.

2 ounces 53% cacao dark baking Chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup boiling water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Ganache:
1/4 cup half and half cream
3 ounces 53% cacao dark baking Chocolate, coarsely chopped

Place Chocolate and butter in a large mixing bowl; add boiling water and stir until smooth. Stir in the sugar, buttermilk, egg and extracts. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; beat into Chocolate mixture just until blended.

Transfer to a 9 inch round baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

In a small heavy saucepan, combine, the ganache ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl; cool 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Place cake on a serving plate. Slowly pour ganache over cake, allowing some ganache to drape over the sides. Refrigerate until serving.

Yields: 12 servings

Nutrition Facts: 1 slice equals 179 calories, 7g fat (4 saturated fat), 26 mg choletersol, 236 mg sodium,28 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein

My husband & I participate in a Walking challenge for his work. It began in May and concludes in August. We both wear our pedometers every day. My husband has been through approximately 6 and I’m still on my first one. lol

It has been interesting tracking our mileage. What amazes me is that by just doing my normal chores of cooking, cleaning and laundry I average a couple of miles a day. Then add my Workout which is about 4 miles. You would think I would be feeling pretty good. Instead it makes me a little nutty to strive for more miles. Now I feel if I only got 6 miles in a day I wasn’t putting forth the full effort. The pedometer challenges me to do more. Plus I don’t want my previous week to be lower then the current week.

My husband on the other hand struggles to remember to wear it and often has problems with his pedometer. When he gets one that is working properly he too is often surprised to see the number at the end of the day. Today when he got home from work he was at 10 miles and none of it was part of a Workout. Just simply working.

His work has never done anything like this before. I love that they are encouraging people to be more active. With more and more people in the US becoming obese we need all the help we can get. Plus we need to set a better example for our kids or they too will be fighting the same problem. The fact is Walking delivers great results. A fit body comes with putting one foot in front of the other, not by fad diets or the latest machine.

The best hint I can share about Walking or working out is do it first thing in the morning everyday because the rest of the day is just too unpredictable. I feel so much better knowing that my Workout is done and it makes me feel like I have more energy for the rest of the day.

You follow every diet under the sun and you’re committed to Losing Weight — but you’re not having success. What’s going wrong? Make sure to stay clear of these 5 things.

Fad diets

Everyone’s in search of a diet that is quick & easy (the grapefruit diet, cabbage soup, no carbs, no fat … You name it, it’s out there!). But don’t fall for one of them. Although some of these plans may seem to work initially, the majority of pounds you shed tend to come back quickly. Unfortunately, there’s no short-term fix for long-lasting Weight Loss. Fad diets are not real life eating. Learn the obvious fad-diet red flags, and avoid them:

* Diets that promise drastic Weight Loss: When you start a diet, you can potentially drop a lot of weight during the first two week. However, if you lose more than two pounds consistently per week in the weeks that follow, you’ll run the risk of losing muscle mass and your metabolism will slow down in response. That’s why health experts advocate Losing Weight slowly and gradually; you’ll melt away fat and spare precious muscle.

* Diets that require special supplements: These plans claim to work because of special pills, — no diet and Exercise needed. You know the deal if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

* Diets that are less than 1,000 calories: These diets are difficult to sustain and can often leave you cranky, hungry and lethargic.

* Diets that focus on only a few foods: These are not realistic for the long haul.

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I have been involved in the Weight Loss industry for quite some time. My husband, love of my life, has watched my weight go up and down through our marriage. My main problem is, like most people, I love to eat. Three years ago I made a decision to really focus on my eating habits and Exercise. Previously I would follow a diet and Exercise plan until I lost the desired weight then I would try to be good, but ultimately the weight would gradually come back on. I realized I had to make a life decision to be fit and healthy.

My husband came home one day and said he heard something on the radio. He said he heard women that seek to improve themselves often leave their husbands for something new. That most husbands tend to let themselves go whereas women are constantly trying to improve themselves. Anyway he decided to put a real effort in his Weight Loss. Normally he would try for a week or two with no real commitment. He never wanted to change his eating habits or Workout. This time was different.

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Eat enough - You need to cut calories to lose weight, but going too low hurts your metabolism. When you eat less than you need for basic function (about 1200 caloires for most women) then your body slows your metabolism. The key is to eat just enough so you’re not hungry.

Jump start your metabolism - Eat breakfast - It helps to keep energy high all day.

Drink coffee or tea - Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. They can boost your metabolism from 5 - 12%.

Fight fat with fiber - Research shows that some fiber can rev your fat burn as much as 30%. Try to get in about 25g a day - that is the amount in about three servings each of fruits & veggies.

Grab a large bottle - Researchers found that drinking 6 cups of cold water a day can raise resting metabolism by about 50 calories a day.

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For most people there are several reasons and it’s not just because you want to be healthier. Take the time to think about your reasons for wanting to lose weight and write them down. Then see if that stimulates you to take action in a new and different way. Sometimes I try and try and try to get something going and it just doesn’t happen until someone says something that hits home with me. Then all of a sudden I am inspired and motivated to try something new.

Here’s my example: I have tried on and off for years to limit my sweets. I have wanted to give it up because it seems to have an unhealthy hold on me. There would be times I would want to eat the whole box of cookies, not just one or two like everyone else seems to be able to do, or I would want to eat dessert even though I was already full from dinner. I didn’t like the uncontrollable urge to binge on something sweet.

Sometimes it seems manageable and sometimes it feels like a curse, but when someone said to me recently – stop eating sugar, and you’ll find out what you really need, what you have been denying yourself for so long - well, it hit me. I never really thought of it that way, though I do suspect that by eating so much of it (sugar numbs me), I must be avoiding something.

So try this: state every reason you want to lose weight and see if it stimulates you to do whatever it is you know you need to do, in a new and more powerful way. You never really know what will get the ball rolling.

Obviously, you want to have what you want – don’t you? Then what’s the hold up… why is it so hard to have the body you want?

You are conflicted. Truly, you think you want something, but then you think (consciously or unconsciously) of all the reasons why you can’t have it. You think about what has happened in the past, and that discounts your thoughts of what it is you want.

So, you must believe that you can have it and you are capable of achieving your goal. Here is where the struggle comes. I’m guessing, based on your past experiences, convinced that you cannot improve your fitness, change your diet, lose the weight, and so forth, since every time you have tried in the past, it hasn’t worked, or lasted.

Here’s what you must do to get the body you want:

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Are you struggling to lose a few pounds? Try some of these helpful hints.

Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies and the other half with equal parts grains and proteins. You will cut up to 30% of calories with this simple change.

Your favorite food pizza? Try adding more veggies , use less cheese and leave the end crust behind and you’ll save 85 calories.

Need sweet tooth help? A bag of gummy candy - instead try 1/2 c unsweetend mixed dried fruit

Slice of apple pie - instead try one diced apple tossed with 2 tsp brown sugar & apple pie spices, microwave and top with toasted nuts

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When I decided to get serious about Losing Weight I knew it was going to take dedication and persistence. Losing Weight is thought to be one of the most difficult things in life, but if you approach it in the right way it will happen for you too. You are changing your life. This is not temporary until you get to the magic number you’ve been wanting to see for quite some time. Slow and steady wins the race. Aim to lose a pound or two a week.  Also remember it is important to change your Workout regularly so you can continue to challenge your body for the best results.

I remember when my trainer first told me to lose weight I would have to walk 3-4 miles a day. I thought to myself everyday? I thought I would start dropping pounds right away, but when it didn’t happen I was disappointed. It took my body a few weeks to kick it into high gear. Then all of a sudden I started to drop some weight. I have now kept it off for three years and have never felt better.

To lose fat you need strength train for 30 – 45 minutes, 2-3 times a week. You also need cardio for 30 minutes, 5-7 times a week. It’s a good idea to get a pedometer and try to walk 10,000 steps a day. Begin with decreasing your calories by 250 calories a day. Limit your consumption of white foods: white bread, white sugar, white potatoes, white pasta and white rice. Also limit your consumption of saturated fats and trans fats. Eat lean proteins, fruits and veggies and remember to drink plenty of water. Cut out the other calorie loaded drinks.

Some of the best strength training Exercises are the most basic - squats and lunges for lower body, push-ups for your chest & triceps, pull-ups/chin-ups for back & biceps and shoulder press for your shoulders & triceps. There of course are plenty of other choices this is just to get you started.