Friday, March 30, 2012

Juices That Heal and Burn Fat

Juices that heal?  Yes, I know it sounds too good to be true, but it really works!  The reason why it's so effective is because the nutrients that are squeezed from fruits and vegetables go to work right away in the body, protecting and healing many aliments from the inside.  Juicing helps to fight off illnesses and disease and the best bonus in my opinion is that these juices also work at flushing out fat from the body at the same time.  I think this is quite a delicious way to burn off fat...what do you think?


Check out the different types illness and which juices work best at healing:


Asthma - Watercress & Turnips
Acne - Parsley & Spinach
Arthritis - Apple & Cherry
Anxiety - Fennel
Bad Breath - Pomegranate
Cancer - Apricot & Carrot
Fatigue - Berries & Banana
PMS - Beet Juice
Psoriasis - Celery
Stomach Ache - Pineapple


Remember, you can mix any combination of fruits and vegetables that you like.  So give it a try and let me know what you think.  If you are already juicing and have any great recipes that you would like to share, please do.  


Live Fit Live Strong!!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Flat Abs in 30 Days!

Do you want to know which exercises can help you get flat abs in 30 days?  Check out what you need to do to get there, however, it will take more than exercise; it also takes eating healthy, consistency and determination.


Well, I know some of you may refer to your abs as the "old spare tire", "beer belly", "flabby tummy" or "expanding midsection" are all nice ways of saying you're getting fat. If you have a gut that is bigger than you like, then there is no reason why you should have to put up with it. With a bit of determination, and a commitment to working up a sweat, you can have flat abs in 30 days or less.  If you don't see any major results in 30 days, don't become discouraged, because they are in there you just have to bring them out!


The main thing to keep in mind about an abdominal exercise regimen is that you need to work out all of the ab muscles. You need to aim for doing the exercises that follow at least four times each week, and do that for four weeks. One of the good things about each of the exercises is that they don't require any kind of special equipment, so you will be able to do them virtually anywhere.


Flat Abs in 30 Days Exercise #1: Belly Rolls - Sit straight up on the floor with your knees bent, and feet flat. Then put your arms straight out in front of you. As you exhale, slowly roll back until the lower back reaches the floor. Inhale as you roll up. Try to do 30 of these, switching your breathing pattern after the first 15. This exercise works the vertical abdominal muscles.


Flat Abs in 30 Days Exercise #2: Tummy Curls - Lie down on your back with knees bent. Elevate your feet so they are a bit higher than the knees. Raise your buttocks and roll back until your shoulder blades touch the ground. Then roll back to your tailbone, but don't let your rear end touch the ground. Do this 20 times. This exercise is effective on toning the horizontal ab muscles.


Flat Abs in 30 Days Exercise #3: Cross Crunches - This is a great exercise for shaping your waist. You will need a filled one-liter bottle for this one. Lying on the floor, bend your knees at a right angle to the floor. Put your right hand behind your head, and hold the bottle in your left hand. Lift your head until your shoulders come up off the floor and reach the bottle across to the outside of your right knee. Do this 20 times, then reverse hand positions and do 20 more.


Flat Abs in 30 Days Exercise #4: Inverted Crunches - Lie on the floor on your stomach with your arms outstretched in front of (imagine Superman flying). Lift your left arm and right leg as high as you can while exhaling. Inhale as you lower your limbs. Do 20 of these, then switch sides and do 20 more. This is an excellent ab exercise that targets the lower back.


Don't kid yourself, this is going to be a tough workout. But you still need to do it at least four times per week for 30 days. It may be hard, especially at first, but you'll be glad you stuck with it once you see your flat abs when looking in the mirror.


Live Fit Live Strong!!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Check Out This Review on Lipstick? Yes, Lipstick!

I could not resist writing a review about the most amazing lipstick ever!  I know, I know, I usually write about health and fitness, however, beauty is most certainly a part of this as well.  Anyway, I attended a friends bridal shower on Sunday, and I had just bought a new lipstick...something totally different, because I was getting tired of always throughout many times a day having to refresh or put more and more lipstick on to continue looking my best (ladies you know what I'm talking about).  Well even through drinks and dinner my lipstick never faded, and never smudged once throughout the entire afternoon.  This is all while I watched my girlfriends apply lipstick time after time after time.  Every time a picture was taken, we all had to stop and wait for someone to....guess what?  Yes, put on more lipstick!


Well, you have to check out "L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail LipColour".  It comes in so many different shades....too many to list.  I bought "Nutmeg", which is a very natural shade that I absolutely love!  It's available at Target, WalMart, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens for about $9.99.  It comes in a neat little compact that holds both tubes that you just slide up to use and the compact keeps both tubes together so that they don't get lost in your purse.  You must use both to get the full effect of this long lasting amazing lipstick.  


It last so long that at night when I am removing my makeup, I literally have to scrub my lips to get all of the color off before going to bed.  It's just that long lasting.  Give it a try and let me know what you think....


Live Fit Live Strong!!  Stay Beautiful!

Monday, March 26, 2012

The “Daniel Diet” - More Than Just a Diet


The Daniel Diet is about as far from a fad diet as you can get. While fad diets are, by definition, very new, the Daniel Diet has roots that go back approximately 2,600 years! Most people may try this eating plan as a way to lose weight, but it is specifically designed to help you have a better relationship with God at the same time.

The diet has its origin in the following Bible verse: "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." - Daniel 1:8 (NIV). During this time, Daniel was a Hebrew living in Babylonia, and was saying that he would stick to the dietary guidelines his people received from God. Babylonians were not under the same rules for eating, and they would eat foods that were off limits to the Jews.

Skipping ahead about 2,600 years...

The Daniel Diet was developed by Rev. Elmer Townes. It does not have the exact restrictions as the Jewish dietary laws mentioned in the Bible. However, it serves the same purpose by putting God first, and the weight loss is secondary.

Partial fasting is a big part of the program. Some of the foods you can eat include fruit and vegetable juices, whole grains, water, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. These are all healthy foods. You may have also noticed that they are all foods that are derived directly from nature and not a scientific laboratory.

Foods that are not a part of the Daniel Diet include refined sugar, chemical sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, meat, white bread or rice, caffeine, fried foods, shortening, margarine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, and additives or preservatives. This can be a big change for a lot of people.

As mentioned, this is more than just a diet. In fact, the first step is prayer so you can be spiritually prepared. You will then commit to staying on the diet for a set amount of time, and then letting others know about your promise to follow through.

Spiritual preparation is only the beginning. You will also have to get ready physically. This can take some doing--weaning yourself off the foods that aren't allowed--but you have to be ready once you make the commitment.

How long you're on the Daniel Diet is mostly up to you. Because of the strong spiritual component, a lot of people will tie it in with religious observances; Lent, for example. Others will do it as an entire church, or as part of a church group. That being said, a minimum of seven days is recommended if you want to see any weight loss results. Yet, there are even those who choose to dedicate one day per week to doing the Daniel Diet. As you can see, it's a flexible plan that is more than just a diet and can be done by anybody.

Live Fit Live Strong!!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Laser Face Lift Takes Off The Years


Hey ladies, we all get older, and sometimes we just don't love the way we start looking as we age. For anyone who wants to tighten up their face a little bit, but isn't quite ready for a full fledged face lift, a laser face lift might be just the thing for you.


Most people will start off using some creams and gels to try and smooth out their face a little bit. If you are just beginning to show some signs of aging, this may be all you need. However, you may be starting this regimen too late.


Some people will start using products like Botox or Restylane or chemical peels. All of these products have their pros and cons. Many people find the idea of putting such toxic things like Botox into their body more than a little disturbing. 


The laser face lift will usually give you greater benefits than creams or injections but not quite as much as you would get with a surgical alternative. 


The doctor will use a laser to increase the production of collagen so you get new skin more quickly. There are several benefits to using this method over other forms of face sculpting:


1.The first, and most obvious, is that this procedure is not surgery. Since it is not a surgical procedure you won't need anesthesia (which is often one of the biggest causes of complications) and there are no incisions which can lead to infections. 


Since the laser can help tighten the outer layers of skin there can be a fairly noticeable and significant decrease in the level of wrinkles and sagging skin.  


2. A full face lift is quite painful and takes a long time for recovery. It will usually be a month or more before you will be back to normal. There is often a great deal of swelling and bruising so you will need to take a lot of time off of work (unless you want people to see you like that).


With a laser procedure you will only have a little bit of redness that will fade quickly.  The pain is also much less in most cases. Some irritation and soreness may occur at the site of the procedure but will fade quickly and in most cases the pain is minimal. 


3. Since this is a much less expensive and invasive procedure, many people will actually opt to have this done sooner than they would a traditional face lift. For that reason, many people will actually have the procedure done before a lot of the worst skin damage shows up. 


Even though you may still need or want some other treatments in the future, this laser procedure can really make a difference for most people. No, it isn't the same as a face lift, but it can provide greater results than various creams and injections with far less cost than a surgical procedure... the best of both worlds. 


If you are ready to go for it, or just want to know more about it, start with your own dermatologist. They can tell you all you need to know so you can decide if a laser face lift is the best option for you.


I've always said, don't judge those seeking to hang on to their youth.  I say go for it, by any means necessary!


Live Fit Live Strong!!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan - Six Tips For Success

Working out until your midsection burns but still not seeing enough results? If so, then you are not alone. What may surprise you is that exercise may not be the weak point in your routine. Instead, what you need is a more comprehensive flat abs diet plan. Here are six steps to six pack abs.


Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #1 - Load up on fiber. Your daily goal for dietary fiber should be at least 25 grams. Fiber helps you feel more full so you end up eating less. It also helps digestion, allowing fat to move through your system faster. Good sources of fiber include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.


Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #2 - Go for high-quality carbohydrates. Not all carbs are created equal. Simple carbohydrates are digested too quickly and cause spikes in blood sugar levels. Sugar, refined flour, white bread and white rice are common examples of simple carbs. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, are much better for you. These are found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. You should still try to limit your carbs to no more than 65% of your total caloric intake.


Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #3 - Drink plenty of water. The idea that drinking 8 glasses of water per day will help you lose weight is mostly a myth. However, it's still a good idea to stay well hydrated. Your cells thrive on having enough water, and this includes muscle cells.  


Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #4 - Decrease sodium intake. While having plenty of water in your system is a good thing, water retention is not. Having too much sodium will cause you to feel puffy or bloated. Also, having too much can be a risk factor for developing high blood pressure. The current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend an upper limit of 2400 milligrams of sodium per day, but you can normally go much lower than that without risking your health.


Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #5 - Don't eat too late in the day. You need to give your body enough time to digest its food. Therefore, the sooner before bed you eat, the better. If at all possible, try not to eat anything 3 hours prior to retiring for the evening. If you must have something, then go for a light snack of 100 calories or less and perhaps a cup of tea.


Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #6 - Reduce stress. That's right! Stress releases a hormone known as cortisol. The problem with cortisol is that it sends a signal to the brain to store fat (as a sort of survival mechanism). And guess where the brain tells the body to store that fat after receiving its signal? If you said around your abs, then you're correct.


There you go, six tips to six pack abs. Of course you still need to do your ab exercises, but these tips will give you the edge in your efforts to look your best.


Live Fit Live Strong!!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Why You Really Need A Healthy Eating Plan


Maybe you are already at an ideal weight and feel really good on a regular basis. If so, you may think there is no need to concern yourself with a healthy eating plan.  Are you of those fortunate souls who naturally eats the best foods, and you don't have to spend any time worrying about what you eat?  Perhaps, you may be able to eat anything you want and have nothing but perfect health to show for it.

Or, you may be like the vast majority of us and have to actually give some consideration to the foods you eat. While most of us don't really give all that much thought to a healthy eating plan, we really should. To be fair, you probably do think about the food you eat from time to time. For instance, it's quite common to eat a lot of junk food and then try to compensate by eating healthier for the rest of the day. It's good that you're trying, but this type of behavior doesn't quite qualify as an eating plan. What you need is a diet that looks at the bigger picture.

The majority of us don't really know how much sugar we're taking in, for example. We also tend to eat a lot more fat than we're aware of. Furthermore, we tend to not think of being on a healthy eating plan at all, unless there is a good reason. Needing to lose weight for an upcoming event (wedding, beach season, class reunion, etc.), or health concerns (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure) are common reasons.

We only start to think about eating healthier when stuff like this happens. The problem is that it can be too little, too late. It may be possible to repair ill health through proper diet, but once the damage is done, there is no guarantee that it can be fixed. It will also take more effort to make it work. But had we been eating well from the start, there is a very good chance that these ill effects would never have happened. Therefore, it makes a lot more sense to start a healthy eating plan as soon as possible.

If you are in good health now, you could still be at risk if you don't get your diet in check. There could be environmental factors that contribute to bad health over the long term. A family history of certain diseases could also increase your risk. The funny thing is that some people use these risk factors as an excuse to eat nothing but garbage. They figure they're going to get these diseases anyway, so that gives them a free ticket to eat whatever they want. That's sad. The truth is that there are no guarantees that a healthy eating plan will be enough to overcome these risk factors, but it will decrease your risk substantially. So, it only makes sense to eat well. Plus, it is never too late to start.

Live Fit Live Strong!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

How to Recover from Your Cheat Meal


Are you feeling guilty about that amazing slice of cheesecake you had for dessert yesterday?  Well, don’t beat yourself up too much!  Did you know it takes an awful lot of calories (3,500 to be exact) to put on one pound of body fat?  So, if you think about it, that one slice of cheesecake won’t put on a significant amount of weight gain.  Remember, I said ONE slice…
 
However, now it’s the day after and you need to start working it off for the next few days.  What you need to do is stay on track with your workout.  Now is not the time to start slacking off by not exercising and definitely not starving yourself to death.  Continue to eat healthy on your scheduled meal plan and workout to keep burning those calories. 

As I said before, a cheat meal is fine, not a cheat day!

Live Fit Live Strong!!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Green Tea and Weight Loss

Green Tea is a great natural way to weight loss.  Green Tea provides so many healthy antioxidants that your body needs to help eliminate toxins found in the food that you eat, even the air you breathe.  It also helps to boost your immune system and lower cholesterol.  Check out some other great benefits of drinking 2-3 cups of Green Tea a day:


1. Increases your body's ability to burn fat
2. Increase your metabolism
3. Increased energy
4. Naturally suppresses your appetite


The best benefit of all, is that Green Tea is a natural healthy way to lose or maintain a healthy weight.  I drink 3-cups of Green Tea a day instead of coffee to maintain a healthy weight throughout the year.  I use Stevia in the Raw instead of white sugar, which is a major no, no!  Remember, sugar is the devil!  


Live Fit Live Strong!!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Day Two Review of Using OxyElite Pro

Okay, I've been using OxyElite Pro going on 3-days now and so far so good.  On day two, I really didn't feel too many side effects, but had a lot of energy.  Since it was my cardio day in the gym, it really helped to give me that extra boost.  One thing I did notice, is that my appetite was not as fierce as usual.  I had to make myself eat as scheduled.  I just wasn't really hungry, so I guess that 's a good thing.  Well, I'm on day 3 and not feeling any effects.  Beginning tomorrow I will increase my dosage of OxyElite Pro to 2-per day to see what reaction I'll get.  Until then.....stay tuned!

Live Fit Live Strong!!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Need a Body Boost Today?



If your day isn't going exactly as you would like; or you're just not feeling like the beautiful woman that you are, try repeating these mantras to boost your self-esteem.  No matter what your situation, give it a try!








1. An hour before a date:  "He's one lucky guy!"
2. Attending a gathering with family or friends: "I am perfectly fine just the way I am."
3. Day before your period: "I am a uniquely beautiful woman and I feel great!"
4. In the dressing room: "These jeans are not designed that well at all."
5. Feeling trapped in a JOB: "I am working towards living MY dream one day."
6. At the gym: "I'm getting stronger and sexier with every workout!"


Now, don't you feel better?  Have an amazing day....and smile!


Live Fit Live Strong!!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Day One Review of Using OxyElite Pro


Try the following 5-steps below along with taking a Thermogenic (fat burner) to maintain a healthy and optimal weight.  Today is day one of my trying OxyElite Pro fat burner.  I'm preparing for a photo shoot and since the camera puts on about 10 extra pounds, I want to go in a leaner than usual.  My current body fat is 19% at 118 pounds at 5' 1.  The instructions say to start off taking 1-capsule on an empty stomach 15-20 minutes before breakfast on day one; then another capsule 6-8 hours later if necessary.  


However, it strongly suggest that only 1-capsule is taken for the first 3-days to see what type of reaction your body gets.  I've decided to start with 1-capsule for the next 3-days, due to my body weight and body fat percentage.  At this point, its been 30 minutes since I've taken my first capsule, and I can already feel my adrenaline racing and my energy level has increase, I feel like I need to get to the gym to work off some of this energy...like right now!  I'll check back in with you on tomorrow to let you know how the rest of my day goes.

  1. Eating a healthy diet and increasing your activity level are also necessary if you want to maximize your weight loss.
  2. Try to focus on foods that are high in protein and fiber and limit your intake of fats.
  3. Make a habit of reading nutritional information labels before you throw an item in your cart, and choose lower-calorie options whenever possible.
  4. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help you curb hunger cravings.
  5. Exercising regularly will help you lose weight and look more toned.
Live Fit Live Strong!!

The Most Effective Ab Exercise is.....the Bicycle!


Each morning when I awake, I get on the floor to do my daily 300 ab exercises before I do anything else.  The one I find most effective is the Bicycle.  Yes, I do other exercises as well, however, this is the one that I really feel is the most effective...for me.  Along with doing my regular 100-crunches, 4-sets of planks at 50 seconds each, 100-lying leg raises and saving the best for last, my 100-bicycles.  So  make a point of getting up an extra 15 minutes early and work those abs!  Summer is on the way!

  1. Lie face up on your mat and place your hands behind your head, lightly supporting it with your fingers.
  2. Bring the knees in to the chest and lift the shoulder blades off the floor without pulling on the neck.
  3. Rotate to the left, bringing the right elbow towards the left knee as you straighten the other leg.
  4. Switch sides, bringing the left elbow towards the right knee.
  5. Continue alternating sides in a 'pedaling' motion for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.
Live Fit Live Strong!!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Diets Don't Work..This Does!

It's simple...diets don't work!  If you think they do, think again.  It's a simple process to lose weight.  You have to be mindful of the amount of calories that you consume and staying away from the junk food.  Let's be honest, we all know when we're eating junk food, or something that we know isn't doing us any good.

A great rule of thumb would be to watch the amount of calories that you consume, portion control and work daily at burning off those calories.  If you're taking in massive amounts of calories and not exercising to burn it off, what do you think is going to happen?  Yes, you will get bigger and bigger!

So with that said...watch your caloric intake and the amount of food your eating as well as the type of food.  I know that we all know to stay away from the sugar, white breads, white rice, etc.

So get up and work it out!

Live Fit Live Strong!!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

How to Burn 500-600 Calories in 45 Minutes


Have you ever tried a spin class?  Spinning classes are a great way to get a vigorous workout, burning anywhere between 500-600 calories, while keeping your muscles in tip top shape.  This is especially true for bikers during the off-season, however, spinning is the perfect activity for everyone!

Spinning is an effective workout and provides variety to keep your fitness program fresh!  However, you have to push yourself for maximum results.

Spinning classes are done in a fitness studio or gym, with music and dim lighting to create an atmosphere of energy.  It includes a warm-up, steady up tempo cadence, sprints, climbs and cool-down.  You are in complete control of the resistance on your bike to control how easy or difficult your level during class.
A great instructor will encourage and motivate you to push yourself, and you'll see that spinning is a great workout alternative. It's a great way to stay in shape when you can't get outside on your bike, or just to keep up your stamina and endurance as well as burning off major calories.
Spinning was created by world-class “Johnny G.” Goldberg as a convenient and quick way to train for races.  In 1989 he and John Baudhuin opened the first spinning center in Santa Monica, California and then developed a program to certify other spinning instructors.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Live Fit Live Strong!!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Weight-Loss and Self-Esteem According to Dr. Phil


Have a question about weight? Dr. Phil has the answer. The 10 most commonly asked questions here.

1. Don't genetics affect weight?
Absolutely, but you have to manage your weight within that. Work with the hand you've been dealt; for example, being big-boned is no excuse for being 100 pounds overweight. Accept that you have some extra challenges -- and that you'll probably never be stick-thin -- but don't let that be your excuse.

2. What if medication makes me gain weight?
Some people truly have a medical reason for weight gain. If you have to take medication, or if you have a biological disorder that causes you to gain weight, the best you can do is manage it. Learn to be at peace with it.

3. What about "magic" diets that promise quick results?
Make no mistake -- the billion-dollar diet industry tells you what you want to hear. But losing weight is hard work, every minute of every day. How hard are you willing to work? Do it right once, and you'll reach your goals much quicker than "seven pounds in seven days."

4. My friend lost weight; why didn't her strategy work for me?
Everyone has different challenges, different resources and different gifts. Consequently, people must develop different strategies to accommodate their schedules. Find out what gives you results -- and don't quit if it doesn't seem apparent right away.

5. What if I just really like food?
Just about everybody likes the taste of food, but you have to develop the maturity to balance your intake. Control the quality and the amount of what you eat.

6. How is it that I can like everything about myself except the fat? 
You don't feel 100 percent good about yourself. You can't be completely happy with yourself unless you're happy about everything that makes you who you are. 

7. I can't seem to get my appetite in check. What's wrong?
If you're overweight, then you're out of control. That's not a natural place to be. You're out of control with your impulses, your life or your schedule. Evaluate your behaviors, anticipate your personal challenges and restore balance. 

8. Why do I keep slipping into my old habits? 

You can't break habits without forming new ones. If you take something out of your life, there's a void. And when there's a void, it's easy to drift back to what you used to do. You need to replace the bad habit with new, incompatible behavior that will crowd the bad behavior out.

9. How can I heal poor body image? 
Don't let low self-esteem be an excuse to not live your best life. Get over it! Stand up and use the gifts you have. Require more of yourself than what you have been requiring. Just because you aren't proud of yourself every minute doesn't mean that you don't get to participate in life. Get specific and define what low self-esteem means to you. Then, behave your way to success. 

10. I've always dealt with difficulties using food, but now I've solved my problems. Why am I still fat? 

You're holding on to the response that you associated with your problems. Although the problem has been solved, the behavior -- in this case, overeating -- remains. When you solve a problem in your life, you must also stop "dealing" with it in negative ways.

As Always Live Fit Live Strong!!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

How to Burn Fat All Day Long

A simple way to keep your metabolism revved up all day long is to eat breakfast.
After you workout in the morning, have breakfast and you’ll give your body the perfect 
 combination to jump start your metabolism.
Eating breakfast in the morning is what gets your metabolism started. Don’t
skip breakfast and wait until mid-morning or afternoon to eat, your metabolism
will run slower causing you not to burn any extra fat.

Think about it this way, your metabolism is a fireplace that’ll burn fat all day
long for you if you operate it correctly. When you eat breakfast you are
basically throwing a log into the fireplace to get it started at burning fat.
Eating breakfast will help stop those cravings you will have later on in the day
and along with working out in the morning, eating breakfast will also keep you
energized throughout the day and help maintain lower stress levels.

Instead of eating only 2 meals during the day like lunch & dinner, try eating 4-5 small mini-meals spaced 2-3 hours apart during the day. Remember the fireplace? By eating these mini-meals you'll be throwing just the right amount of "wood" on the fireplace to keep you metabolism burning calories throughout the day. Don't shut down your metabolism by eating big lunches or dinners.  
You can keep your metabolism burning fat all day long following these very simple steps.

Live Fit Live Strong!!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Choose Good Carbs, Not NO Carbs


Carbohydrates provide the body with the fuel it needs for physical activity and for proper organ function.  Carbohydrates are a very important part of a healthy diet; however, some carbohydrates are much better than others.  Always choose the best source of carbs for your diet, such as whole grains, fruits, beans and vegetables, these are the carbs you needs that provide the vitamins, minerals and fiber that your body needs.

Whatever you do in trying to stay on track with your fitness goals, stay away from refined carbs such as, white bread, white rice, soda, pastries, and processed foods.  These refined carbohydrates are guaranteed to put on unwanted weight gain and can also contribute to heart disease and diabetes.

I’ve listed below a few tips on staying on the right “Carb Track”!  Let me know what you think!

  1. Choose whole fresh fruit instead of fruit juices.  Believe it or not, an orange has twice as much fiber and half the amount of sugar than having a glass of orange juice.
  2. Eat whole grains, like whole grain breads, whole grain cereal and steel oats.  If you’re unsure, read your labels and look for whole wheat, whole rye or whole grain as the very first ingredient.  Or, buy 100% whole grain and you'll know for sure that you’re on the right track.
  3. No white potatoes, eat brown rice, whole wheat pasta and sweet potatoes with your dinner.
  4. You know what they say; “beans, beans, good for the heart...”  Beans are an excellent choice of a slowly digested carbohydrate, as well as a great source of protein.
This is how your plate should look....Remember, portion control is key!













Copyright © 2011, Harvard University. 



Live Fit Live Strong!!