Life has gotten in the way of blogging, so in all fairness, I am going to give my diets a quick restart.
I'm also going to approach this from a different angle.
I found that everytime I try to get healthy or to lose weight I never have an end goal in mind. The mission has always just been to lose weight fast, quickly, and inefficiently.
Not anymore.
Introducing a goal weight! Yay. I'm going to be 150 lbs. I am also going to do more than cut and paste, but do what I originally set out to do, which is be involved in the whole process and share my stories and thoughts and ideas with my supporters. Rock on!
So starting Monday, I am going to be restarting my diet list from the beginning, in a random order. I hope that you will join me through my progress.
Thanks for your patience and your support.
xoxoMWAHxoxo
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Vegan Diet
Vegan Diet
A lifestyle that embraces the organic.The Vegan Diet, or veganism, is a modified form of vegetarianism, in that like a vegetarian, a vegan does not eat meat. However, veganism takes it one step further by eliminating all animal products from one’s diet, as well, one's life, including animal based soaps, leather, honey, and dairy.There are many ethical, environmental and personal reasons why an individual will choose a Vegan lifestyle. Gaining popularity for these reasons, including, but not limited to, weight loss, the vegan diet supports weight loss through the ingestion of whole grains, leafy greens, nuts, legumes and soy/rice milks.In September 2005, the American Journal of Medicine released a study of participants showing that a low-fat, plant-based diet is more effective at helping people lose weight and improve insulin-sensitivity than an omnivorous (both plant and meat) diet.In addition, those countries who consume no meat for religious or cultural reasons report lower incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and high-blood pressure.
PRO
________________________________________
• Vegans generally post lower overall weight rates, or BMIs, than omnivores or carnivores
• As veganism grows in popularity, supportive industries are becoming more prevalent, including restaurants and specialty stores catering to the vegan dieter
• Vegans tend to be better informed than the average consumer as to where their food comes from, and are in a better position to support local sustainability for their community at large
CON
________________________________________
• Vegans must be well-scripted as to how grains and legumes combine to make complete proteins or deficiencies may develop
• A vegan must be diligent in uncovering hidden animal products, such as rennet (a coagulator/emulsifier), honey (a sweetener) or gelatin (an emulsifier and/or transporter of vitamins/herbs)
• Generally speaking, a vegan has better success living with other vegans, rather than having to endure the hazing from meat-eaters who feel, erroneously, that they are being judged for eating meat
DIET and NUTRITION
________________________________________
The growing popularity of the Vegan Diet has parlayed into hundreds of websites, books and support groups, providing information via numerous sources to support compliance and convenience.In a nutshell, the typical vegan diet includes:Oatmea Stir-fried vegetables CerealWhole-grain toast 100% fruit juices Peanut butter, nuts and peanuts Frozen fruit desserts Lentil soup Salad bar items like chickpeas and three bean salad Fruit Pasta Fruit smoothies Popcorn Guacamole Chili Tofu lasagna, chili, turkey, etc. Soy milk and dairy like ice cream and yogurt Hummus Eggless cookies Rice pudding Beans and lentils Oat nut burgers and vegetable burgers
A quick peek at the grocery store will reveal a plethora of products to support the vegan diet, most of which are even tastier than the meat-based counterparts.
EXERCISE
________________________________________
While there is not a link to veganism and activity per se, Vegans generally have a deep respect of their environment, and tend to eschew fossil fuels. This translates to increased walking and/or utilizing public transportation methods, which in turn increases physical activity.
CONCLUSION
________________________________________
The Vegan Diet is not necessarily a diet, but rather, a lifestyle. Making a decision to be a Vegan is one that creates awareness and promotes responsibility. While diets come in a variety of packages, at their core, they are all a method for increasing awareness about one’s food intake, which will in turn, contribute to weight loss.
A lifestyle that embraces the organic.The Vegan Diet, or veganism, is a modified form of vegetarianism, in that like a vegetarian, a vegan does not eat meat. However, veganism takes it one step further by eliminating all animal products from one’s diet, as well, one's life, including animal based soaps, leather, honey, and dairy.There are many ethical, environmental and personal reasons why an individual will choose a Vegan lifestyle. Gaining popularity for these reasons, including, but not limited to, weight loss, the vegan diet supports weight loss through the ingestion of whole grains, leafy greens, nuts, legumes and soy/rice milks.In September 2005, the American Journal of Medicine released a study of participants showing that a low-fat, plant-based diet is more effective at helping people lose weight and improve insulin-sensitivity than an omnivorous (both plant and meat) diet.In addition, those countries who consume no meat for religious or cultural reasons report lower incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and high-blood pressure.
Krystal says: I just looked in the fridge... My options for this week consist of apples, nuts, cuties... Think I'll need to go to the grocery store lest I starve this week too.
PRO
________________________________________
• Vegans generally post lower overall weight rates, or BMIs, than omnivores or carnivores
• As veganism grows in popularity, supportive industries are becoming more prevalent, including restaurants and specialty stores catering to the vegan dieter
• Vegans tend to be better informed than the average consumer as to where their food comes from, and are in a better position to support local sustainability for their community at large
CON
________________________________________
• Vegans must be well-scripted as to how grains and legumes combine to make complete proteins or deficiencies may develop
• A vegan must be diligent in uncovering hidden animal products, such as rennet (a coagulator/emulsifier), honey (a sweetener) or gelatin (an emulsifier and/or transporter of vitamins/herbs)
• Generally speaking, a vegan has better success living with other vegans, rather than having to endure the hazing from meat-eaters who feel, erroneously, that they are being judged for eating meat
DIET and NUTRITION
________________________________________
The growing popularity of the Vegan Diet has parlayed into hundreds of websites, books and support groups, providing information via numerous sources to support compliance and convenience.In a nutshell, the typical vegan diet includes:Oatmea Stir-fried vegetables CerealWhole-grain toast 100% fruit juices Peanut butter, nuts and peanuts Frozen fruit desserts Lentil soup Salad bar items like chickpeas and three bean salad Fruit Pasta Fruit smoothies Popcorn Guacamole Chili Tofu lasagna, chili, turkey, etc. Soy milk and dairy like ice cream and yogurt Hummus Eggless cookies Rice pudding Beans and lentils Oat nut burgers and vegetable burgers
A quick peek at the grocery store will reveal a plethora of products to support the vegan diet, most of which are even tastier than the meat-based counterparts.
EXERCISE
________________________________________
While there is not a link to veganism and activity per se, Vegans generally have a deep respect of their environment, and tend to eschew fossil fuels. This translates to increased walking and/or utilizing public transportation methods, which in turn increases physical activity.
CONCLUSION
________________________________________
The Vegan Diet is not necessarily a diet, but rather, a lifestyle. Making a decision to be a Vegan is one that creates awareness and promotes responsibility. While diets come in a variety of packages, at their core, they are all a method for increasing awareness about one’s food intake, which will in turn, contribute to weight loss.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Asian Slim Secrets
Asian Slim Secrets
Tap into the slimming secrets of the Asian lifestyle.Asian Slim Secrets is a diet ebook that helps you lose 8-10 pounds each month with traditional Asian slimming secrets. Individuals of Asian descent, and those who continue to follow an Asian-based diet, live longer, have lower rates of obesity, cancers, heart disease and have much lower BMIs than we do in the West.Asian Slim Secrets was created by Linda Yo, who after moving to the United States from Indonesia quickly packed on 25 pounds after a few months of eating American food. After trying every American diet possible from Slim-Fast to diet pills, she finally returned to her Asian diet and not only lost the excess weight, but also learned the American diet filled with processed and fast-food is an unforgiving invitation to weight gain.Asian Slim Secrets focuses on incorporating the hallmark features of the Asian diet into your Western eating style like eating rice instead of bread, drinking tea instead of juice and eating fruit instead of dessert. There is also an exercise and recipe section.
PRO
________________________________________
• The Asian diet has been proven to be much healthier than the typical American diet
• Rice, pastas and grains are allowed in the Asian Slim Diet
• Offers a comprehensive guide to eating and living
• Applies scientific information to support eating recommendations
• Available as ebook or printed copy
CON
________________________________________
• Exercise section is very basic and does not promote cardiovascular activity
• Does not provide a clear diet, but rather eating suggestions
• Very little mention of portion control
• Appearance of ebook could be more professional
DIET and NUTRITION
________________________________________
The Asian Slim diet does not put forth a specific daily eating plan with portion control and calorie counts, but rather it is a guidebook filled with tips, information and recipes that suggest how to eat and what to eat. The Asian Slim diet encourages you to eat rice, pasta and noodles at least five times a week. In addition, you'll learn other Asian cooking techniques that keep you healthy such as swapping rice for bread, corn starch for milk or cream in cream-based soups, and using slim slices of meat and poultry that are heavily seasoned rather than larger portion sizes like full steaks or whole chicken breasts. You will learn how to make and store rice, how to prepare and slice meat, how to select and cook fish, how to add tofu to your main dishes and how to incorporate Asian vegetables like bean spouts, bok choy, and shitake mushrooms into your diet.There are also complete sections of the book dedicated to using Asian seasonings like soy and teriyaki sauce in lieu of fattier and more calorically-dense American condiments like mayonnaise, barbeque sauce and ranch dressing, using Asian herbs like ginger and coriander to season food, replacing sodas, wine and juice with green and black tea, and munching on fruit for dessert rather than cakes and pies. The Asian Slim diet also contains recipes for traditional Asian dishes.
EXERCISE
________________________________________
The Asian Slim Secrets diet encourages regular exercise, particularly strength-training as a way to boost your metabolism. The program recommends that you do 10 minutes of strength training exercises each day. It does not promote engaging in cardiovascular activities as they suggest it puts too much stress on the joints and bones. There are a number of simple strength training exercises outlined in the book that you can do in your own home with the assistance of small hand weights.
CONCLUSION
________________________________________
The Asian Slim Secrets ebook is a fairly comprehensive guide to healthy living that focuses on the traditions Asian diet and lifestyle. From food to stress to the balancing of the yin and yang energies, Asian Slim Secrets is more of a guide book rather than a detailed daily plan for how to lose weight. But don't expect to reshape your body with the Asian Slim Secrets exercise program since the exercise section lacks in physical activity requirements and variety of exercises.
If you are curious about how and why Asian people stay slimmer and healthier than Americans then this book might be a good starting point for you.
Tap into the slimming secrets of the Asian lifestyle.Asian Slim Secrets is a diet ebook that helps you lose 8-10 pounds each month with traditional Asian slimming secrets. Individuals of Asian descent, and those who continue to follow an Asian-based diet, live longer, have lower rates of obesity, cancers, heart disease and have much lower BMIs than we do in the West.Asian Slim Secrets was created by Linda Yo, who after moving to the United States from Indonesia quickly packed on 25 pounds after a few months of eating American food. After trying every American diet possible from Slim-Fast to diet pills, she finally returned to her Asian diet and not only lost the excess weight, but also learned the American diet filled with processed and fast-food is an unforgiving invitation to weight gain.Asian Slim Secrets focuses on incorporating the hallmark features of the Asian diet into your Western eating style like eating rice instead of bread, drinking tea instead of juice and eating fruit instead of dessert. There is also an exercise and recipe section.
PRO
________________________________________
• The Asian diet has been proven to be much healthier than the typical American diet
• Rice, pastas and grains are allowed in the Asian Slim Diet
• Offers a comprehensive guide to eating and living
• Applies scientific information to support eating recommendations
• Available as ebook or printed copy
CON
________________________________________
• Exercise section is very basic and does not promote cardiovascular activity
• Does not provide a clear diet, but rather eating suggestions
• Very little mention of portion control
• Appearance of ebook could be more professional
DIET and NUTRITION
________________________________________
The Asian Slim diet does not put forth a specific daily eating plan with portion control and calorie counts, but rather it is a guidebook filled with tips, information and recipes that suggest how to eat and what to eat. The Asian Slim diet encourages you to eat rice, pasta and noodles at least five times a week. In addition, you'll learn other Asian cooking techniques that keep you healthy such as swapping rice for bread, corn starch for milk or cream in cream-based soups, and using slim slices of meat and poultry that are heavily seasoned rather than larger portion sizes like full steaks or whole chicken breasts. You will learn how to make and store rice, how to prepare and slice meat, how to select and cook fish, how to add tofu to your main dishes and how to incorporate Asian vegetables like bean spouts, bok choy, and shitake mushrooms into your diet.There are also complete sections of the book dedicated to using Asian seasonings like soy and teriyaki sauce in lieu of fattier and more calorically-dense American condiments like mayonnaise, barbeque sauce and ranch dressing, using Asian herbs like ginger and coriander to season food, replacing sodas, wine and juice with green and black tea, and munching on fruit for dessert rather than cakes and pies. The Asian Slim diet also contains recipes for traditional Asian dishes.
EXERCISE
________________________________________
The Asian Slim Secrets diet encourages regular exercise, particularly strength-training as a way to boost your metabolism. The program recommends that you do 10 minutes of strength training exercises each day. It does not promote engaging in cardiovascular activities as they suggest it puts too much stress on the joints and bones. There are a number of simple strength training exercises outlined in the book that you can do in your own home with the assistance of small hand weights.
CONCLUSION
________________________________________
The Asian Slim Secrets ebook is a fairly comprehensive guide to healthy living that focuses on the traditions Asian diet and lifestyle. From food to stress to the balancing of the yin and yang energies, Asian Slim Secrets is more of a guide book rather than a detailed daily plan for how to lose weight. But don't expect to reshape your body with the Asian Slim Secrets exercise program since the exercise section lacks in physical activity requirements and variety of exercises.
If you are curious about how and why Asian people stay slimmer and healthier than Americans then this book might be a good starting point for you.
Stress
My apologies for being delinquent in my updating of This Little Diet of Mine. Unfortunately, I was besot with school stress, new job stress, and the likes and could not find an available opportunity to blog.
Well, that and I stopped dieting.
BUT! To go along with my experimenting, we can look at last week through the binoculars of scientific theory.
I go on diets, I lose weight. I get off diets, I gain weight back.
MIRACLE OF SCIENCE IS BEFORE US!
In all seriousness, I enjoyed being under 195 for all of six days. Then it was back up the scale I went. 196 is my current weight. Bummer.
I did, however, participate in a 5k race, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, yesterday.
My time was horrible! 1:08:45
But it gives me a good angle to go on to try and push myself harder for the El Paso Marathon coming up in two weeks! 10k race for me. If I can get in at under 2 hours, I will be more than happy. Come on blubber body, don't fail me now.
I have realized that this apologetic blog post has turned into a bit of a blabbering mess, so I will bring you back to the regularly scheduled blogpost. Rest assured I will do my best this week to take my diet, exercise, and health seriously.
ROCK ON!
Well, that and I stopped dieting.
BUT! To go along with my experimenting, we can look at last week through the binoculars of scientific theory.
I go on diets, I lose weight. I get off diets, I gain weight back.
MIRACLE OF SCIENCE IS BEFORE US!
In all seriousness, I enjoyed being under 195 for all of six days. Then it was back up the scale I went. 196 is my current weight. Bummer.
I did, however, participate in a 5k race, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, yesterday.
My time was horrible! 1:08:45
But it gives me a good angle to go on to try and push myself harder for the El Paso Marathon coming up in two weeks! 10k race for me. If I can get in at under 2 hours, I will be more than happy. Come on blubber body, don't fail me now.
I have realized that this apologetic blog post has turned into a bit of a blabbering mess, so I will bring you back to the regularly scheduled blogpost. Rest assured I will do my best this week to take my diet, exercise, and health seriously.
ROCK ON!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Six Day Body Makeover
Six Day Body Makeover
Can you see results in less than a week?
Just think, six days from now you could be one size smaller. And, the best part is that you can keep off the weight. That's the proposed benefit of the 6-Day Body Makeover. The key to this unique diet is personalization. Developed by Michael Thurmond, 6-Day Body Makeover adapts to meet the needs of your metabolism. You could lose up to one pound each day.
Having been featured on the hit TV program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the country has had a front-row seat to meet the man behind 6-Day Body Makeover.
6-Day Body Makeover is the express-lane version of Michael's 6-Week Body Makeover. You'll be working to ramp up your metabolism and cut calories quickly, so you'll be eating quite a lot more food than usual. And by more than usual, Michael will have you eating about six meals daily.
To begin the 6-Day Body Makeover, you'll learn your individual body type, how your body manages what you're eating, and how your metabolism breaks it all down, with the assistance of Thurmond's Body Type Blueprinting System. Your meals for the 6-Day plan will come from the Blueprint. Also, be prepared to follow your own Body Sculpting Routine, exercise that shouldn't take more than 18 minutes each day.
PRO
________________________________________
• Attainable exercise goals
• Rational eating plan
CON
________________________________________
• People should not be fixated on a quick-fix routine
DIET and NUTRITION
________________________________________
Self-motivation is key to the 6-Day formula. So come prepared and hungry. You'll consume low-cal meals with daily caloric intake not exceeding 1,200 calories, but you'll make up for it with a lot of protein. Your diet will consist of meat, egg whites, fish, fresh veggies and some fruit. With protein servings about four ounces and plenty of leafy greens, persistence will lead you to your smaller size after just six days.
EXERCISE
________________________________________
Daily exercise routine that lasts about 18 minutes.
CONCLUSION
________________________________________
Customization is the key to this plan. Michael Thurmond realizes that one size doesn't fit all. That, with a light daily workout routine and well-balanced nutrition, makes this plan very doable. Just don't get hung up on short-term results.
Can you see results in less than a week?
Just think, six days from now you could be one size smaller. And, the best part is that you can keep off the weight. That's the proposed benefit of the 6-Day Body Makeover. The key to this unique diet is personalization. Developed by Michael Thurmond, 6-Day Body Makeover adapts to meet the needs of your metabolism. You could lose up to one pound each day.
Having been featured on the hit TV program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the country has had a front-row seat to meet the man behind 6-Day Body Makeover.
6-Day Body Makeover is the express-lane version of Michael's 6-Week Body Makeover. You'll be working to ramp up your metabolism and cut calories quickly, so you'll be eating quite a lot more food than usual. And by more than usual, Michael will have you eating about six meals daily.
To begin the 6-Day Body Makeover, you'll learn your individual body type, how your body manages what you're eating, and how your metabolism breaks it all down, with the assistance of Thurmond's Body Type Blueprinting System. Your meals for the 6-Day plan will come from the Blueprint. Also, be prepared to follow your own Body Sculpting Routine, exercise that shouldn't take more than 18 minutes each day.
Krystal Says: This is awesome! I get to eat again! Delicious chicken breast, turkey, leafy greens! I'm loving this! Plus I get to exercise again without feeling as if I'm about to die. How cool is this diet? But seriously, this diet promotes a truly healthy lifestyle. I'm going to have no problems sticking to this diet. BRING IT ON!
PRO
________________________________________
• Attainable exercise goals
• Rational eating plan
CON
________________________________________
• People should not be fixated on a quick-fix routine
DIET and NUTRITION
________________________________________
Self-motivation is key to the 6-Day formula. So come prepared and hungry. You'll consume low-cal meals with daily caloric intake not exceeding 1,200 calories, but you'll make up for it with a lot of protein. Your diet will consist of meat, egg whites, fish, fresh veggies and some fruit. With protein servings about four ounces and plenty of leafy greens, persistence will lead you to your smaller size after just six days.
EXERCISE
________________________________________
Daily exercise routine that lasts about 18 minutes.
CONCLUSION
________________________________________
Customization is the key to this plan. Michael Thurmond realizes that one size doesn't fit all. That, with a light daily workout routine and well-balanced nutrition, makes this plan very doable. Just don't get hung up on short-term results.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Breatharian Diet--Recap
Quite possibly the longest week in the history of weeks.
Started a new internship. Schoolwork really piled on. Received an offer to continue my work with GECU.
To top it all off... no food.
I did really well on this diet. I put my whole heart and mind into it and when I wanted to call it quits, I just kept going. Well, for the most part. I did eat a banana on friday, had a couple cups of coffee and juice... but a whole week without a meal?! I have never gone to such extremes before.
Would I recommend this diet?
Absolutely not.
Would I recommend some one not eating for a day or two?
That one I would have to say yes to. For the simple fact that it rewired my appetite. 24 years of eating when its time to eat, instead of when I'm hungry, I forgot what it means to be truly hungry. To eat for fuel and not just for the act of eating. It put me in touch with my body and after the first three days more in touch with my mind. I think psychologically my brain was running in overdrive for two reasons. 1.) To keep "itself" from thinking about how hungry my body was and 2.) The lack of calories and nutrients might have confused "it".
While I would never recommend something that could possibly harm some one else, I say if you're able to fast for a day or two or even the unseemly 6 days I experimented, go for it.
I rate this diet 4 out of 10, for the sole fact that it encourages you to not drink water or eat anything. The not eating I can handle... not drinking is a whole other story.
Next week... Six Day Body Makeover! BRING IT ON!!!!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Breatharian Diet
Breatharian Diet
A dangerous diet that risks your health and life.
When it comes to dieting, nothing comes close to the extreme nature of the Breatharian Diet. Believers claim that only fresh air, which contains the life force prana, and sunlight are needed for survival and that food and water should be avoided. This esoteric practice, followed by those wanting to heighten their spirituality, has little to do with dieting for the sake of losing weight; although a few believers do attest to the health benefits and lightness of body that ensues after extended periods of fasting. The Breatharian Diet, also referred to as Inedia, has been linked to numerous deaths by devout Breatharians who perished from dehydration or hypothermia. While short periods of fasting has long been done for spiritual, religious, political or health reasons, the Breatharian Diet is an extreme practice that is vehemently rejected by the medical and health communities.
PRO
________________________________________
• Small periods of supervised fasting have shown limited health benefits
CON
________________________________________
• Very dangerous
• Can eventually lead to death
• Goes against not just common sense but basic human physiology as well
DIET and NUTRITION
________________________________________
Breatharian believers consume no food or water for extended periods of time while some may consume small amounts of water, tea or coffee.
EXERCISE
________________________________________
Strenuous exercise is generally avoided by those following the Breatharian Diet.
CONCLUSION
________________________________________
While many diets are criticized for being too extreme, nothing can come close to matching the stringency of The Breatharian Diet - an esoteric practice in which believers abstain from food and water and subsist solely on breath and sunlight. While fasting is often done on a short term basis for a number of different reasons, given the danger and impracticality of the Breatharian Diet, one is very hard pressed to find anything redeeming about it.
When it comes to dieting, nothing comes close to the extreme nature of the Breatharian Diet. Believers claim that only fresh air, which contains the life force prana, and sunlight are needed for survival and that food and water should be avoided. This esoteric practice, followed by those wanting to heighten their spirituality, has little to do with dieting for the sake of losing weight; although a few believers do attest to the health benefits and lightness of body that ensues after extended periods of fasting. The Breatharian Diet, also referred to as Inedia, has been linked to numerous deaths by devout Breatharians who perished from dehydration or hypothermia. While short periods of fasting has long been done for spiritual, religious, political or health reasons, the Breatharian Diet is an extreme practice that is vehemently rejected by the medical and health communities.
Krystal says: Whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. No food for a whole week. You've gotta be kidding me?! I get spoiled on the Chocolate Diet with pasta, popcorn, and chocolate... and now not only am I losing all of those great treats but you're taking away bland salads, grilled chicken, brown rice, and well everything else deemed 'Healthy'!? The Breatharian diet should be renamed the Anorexic Diet from Hell. I'm gonna do my best, even though my co-blogger Panda hates the thought of this one. I'm gonna throw my own esoteric-ism into the mix as well. I think it's called "Fasting", right? You'll have to excuse me if I take a break from riding my bike this week. BRING IT!
PRO
________________________________________
• Small periods of supervised fasting have shown limited health benefits
CON
________________________________________
• Very dangerous
• Can eventually lead to death
• Goes against not just common sense but basic human physiology as well
DIET and NUTRITION
________________________________________
Breatharian believers consume no food or water for extended periods of time while some may consume small amounts of water, tea or coffee.
EXERCISE
________________________________________
Strenuous exercise is generally avoided by those following the Breatharian Diet.
CONCLUSION
________________________________________
While many diets are criticized for being too extreme, nothing can come close to matching the stringency of The Breatharian Diet - an esoteric practice in which believers abstain from food and water and subsist solely on breath and sunlight. While fasting is often done on a short term basis for a number of different reasons, given the danger and impracticality of the Breatharian Diet, one is very hard pressed to find anything redeeming about it.
