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The brand spanking new eBook, "Confessions of Elite Personal Trainers" is almost ready and will be delivered tomorrow.
To get this resource completely free, all you have to do is fill in your name and email address at the bottom of the page of "The Mind Over Body Matter Letter" homepage. You'll then get a confirmation notice from Aweber in your email box. Open the email and click the confirm link and you'll have this powerful weight loss resource immediately...
If you are wondering, the subscription is to my "announcement list" that lets you know when I've published another issue of "The Mind Over Body Matter Letter". It's published twice per month and contains some of the most powerful weight loss strategies known to man.
For a free sample, go here:
==> http://www.mindoverbodymatter.com/MOBMletter/beware_the_cookie_cutter
There are so many types of diets out there that it can be quite confusing for people to choose one that's right for them. Just remember that not all people are the same and while a certain type of diet can work for one person, there is a very good chance that it won't provide the same results to another. To know the most appropriate diet plan for you, always consult a professional dietician or nutritionist.
Diets in Review
The Atkins Diet, conceived by Dr. Robert Atkins, is arguably one of the more popular diets in recent years. The Atkins diet considers carbohydrates and trans fats as the culprit for most cases of obesity. The diet rejects the established food pyramid and singles out the high-intake of carbohydrates as the cause of many metabolic disorders. The Atkins diet focuses on a lean protein diet, a careful intake of carbohydrates, and vitamin supplements.
The Beverly Hills Diet is a relatively questionable diet plan which emphasizes the correct combination of foods to aid in natural weight loss. It claims that specific reactions of food chemicals, such as enzymes, aid in burning fat in the body. Central to this plan is the abstinence from protein during the initial eleven days, during which time only fruit is allowed. Carbohydrates can be taken on the eleventh day while protein can be taken on the nineteenth. This diet is not based on any medical evidence though and nutritionists claim that it deprives people of essential nutrients.
The Body for Life Diet is a fitness and weight loss program that emphasizes correct eating habits as well as exercise, aerobics and weight-lifting. Meals are broken into six small meals a day. There is good variety in the meals, so nutrient deficiency is rare. The carbohydrates are usually taken earlier in the day, in order for them to be utilized the rest of the day. Weight-loss is not as dramatic as with other diets, but the plan is more balanced. Moreover, because of the emphasis on exercise, the plan is generally considered well-balanced. It usually lasts for only twelve weeks and so is not really a long-term diet program, although it could be with proper planning.
The Bodybuilding Diet focuses on producing muscle mass. This by itself can eliminate fat over time, but the emphasis is on supplementing a body workout regimen, rather than altering one's dietary habit. This diet focuses on the high intake of protein and complex carbohydrates.
The High Protein Diet is quite similar to the Atkins Diet, but emphasizes on eating almost double the amount of protein intake. It's quite controversial because many experts believe it to be harmful and unbalanced. Its ability to provide immediate weight loss to those who follow it, however, makes it extremely popular.
The Mediterranean Diet is not a strict diet but more of a lifestyle change. It is influenced by the observed healthy lifestyle of those living in the Mediterranean region. The diet consists of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, moderate intake of fish and low intake of meats and cheese. An active lifestyle is also required.
Considered the healthier alternative to the Atkins diet, the South Beach Diet discriminates against bad carbohydrates, but unlike Atkins, also warns against the consumption of saturated animal fats. The diet is made by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist who was not satisfied with the high fat content of the Atkins diet.
The Zone Diet is a diet plan that focuses on the correct proportional intake of carbohydrates, protein and fat to induce the correct balance of hormones which affect hunger and metabolism. Experts perceive it as a well-rounded diet plan although they are doubtful if the diet works in the way that it says it does.
Copyright 2006 Brad Howard
The importance of dieting to healthy living depends on what you mean when you think “diet.” The many “fad” diets over the years can hardly be considered an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Or, perhaps the many weight loss programs come to mind, with their meal-replacement strategies or carefully modified diet plans. Diet means different things to different people, but at some point or another we all have to examine our eating habits and make adjustments.
A healthy diet is ideally one that is well-balanced, with healthy servings from the main food groups, plenty of water, and a limited consumption of junk foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt. However, this is not always easy to maintain, and when excess weight has become a health issue, it can take some serious attention to both diet and exercise in order to take those extra pounds back off.
In most cases, “dieting” does not need to mean cutting out certain foods entirely, or limiting your food choices raw vegetables, for example. A healthy diet is one of moderation, and attention to how many calories you consume compared to how many you burn off each day. Both sides of the equation can be adjusted to suit your lifestyle.
The less active you are likely to be, the more careful you have to be about the fat content in the foods you enjoy. On the other hand, if you are diligently following an exercise routine, you can get away with eating a little more, or choosing slightly richer foods. For instance, that piece of cheesecake is not the threat to your waistline it could be, as long as you know that you will be following up with your commitment to several hours of activity such as walking, jogging, going to the gym, and so on.
Your best approach to healthy living involves both watching your diet and getting adequate exercise, rather than trying to control one at the expense of the other. Our bodies require a certain level of both nutrition and activity in order to keep us functioning at our best. And, once you have figured out a healthy balance for yourself, going on special diets should not be a concern. Learn to make sensible, healthy food choices all the time, with the occasional treat, and you will both feel better now, as well as prevent the development of obesity-related illnesses in the future.
Diet is a personal affair, as every person is different in terms of metabolism, dietary preferences, and optimal activity level. Find the approach to healthy living that works for you – too much deprivation is not a good thing either, and will make it harder to stick to a strict plan. Consult with your doctor or a professional dietician if you are having a hard time getting your weight under control, and you will soon be on your way to more optimal health.
Copyright 2006, Brad Howard
Okay, so I wake up this morning with hundreds of emails wishing me a "Happy Birthday". I didn't know you cared... 
The email that really sparked my interest though was from Brent. Apparently, he's giving me a hard time about the bet that we made concerning "Health Club Secrets". He thinks I'm falling behind (I don't exactly let him in on the numbers, ha, ha).
Little does he know but I am already 15% of the way there... with a whole year to go. This is going to be the easiest 25K I've ever made.
On another note, Julie Havey (of eDiets.com fame) is raising an interesting view on the government's view on fat.
You should take a look at some of the pictures she has in her post...
Basically, she's saying that fat is a "real" killer, yet, the government is doing virtually nothing about it.
Now, you could say that they took out all of the sodas from schools... oh... nevermind, the soda companies did that
It's ALIVE!
Yes, "The Mind Over Body Matter Letter" is now available for viewing.
(Oh, by the way, it's my birthday too, heh, heh)
The first issue is "Beware the Cookie Cutter".
Make sure to check it out, TODAY!
I have an interesting article on it posted in the "weight loss articles" section of MOBM. Just think, according to one person, you can actually be physiologically addicted to food. Not just psychologically addicted.
Here is the article ==> Addicted To Food?
Don't forget that the first issue of the MOBM newsletter is coming out on the 5th of this month. It's going to be very interesting to see the response of some of the topics.
"Mind Over Body Matter" should be out in a couple of weeks as well. Stay tuned