Weight Loss Journal

As technology improves, more and more people are turning to new ways to lose weight. From online weight loss membership sites, to video games, there are now countless ways to get fit. We decided to delve into this market and take a good look at some of the best contenders that are currently available. We had heard some good things about the My Weight Loss Coach, which is compatible with the popular Nintendo DS system, so we decided to take a look at it and see what all the hype is about.

The package includes a free pedometer, and considering that the program is only $25, that’s a good deal. Although the Wii Fit has been largely derided, this was one program that we found was actually quite useful. Once you get it started, you’ll need to create your own profile. The nice thing is, the entire family can get fit together thanks to the ability to create more than one profile and store them all.

After you have your profile set up, you’ll need to work on figuring out some goals. The program walks you through the entire progress and then helps you set up a unique reward system every time you reach a goal. We’ve found that reward systems work well in this situation and were very pleased to see that this was included in this release.

The pedometer can link up with your Nintendo DS and help you keep exact track of the progress you’re making. We loved the fact that this is entirely lifestyle based, focusing on changing eating habits and getting more exercise. There is an element of competition in there as well that may help those who struggle with motivation to keep going on their diet plan.

The program won’t force you to lose weight, that’s entirely up to you, and if there is one downside, it may be that. But, considering that all diets are up the person using them, we really can’t fault the program for that. It was developed by a fitness instructor and a diet coach, and the effort they put in to it is remarkable.

Overall, this was a fun program that should help many people get results. There’s no reason not to take advantage of technology to help you lose weight and out of all of the different programs we reviewed this one was certainly among the best. You may have to rip the Nintendo DS out of your kid’s hands to use it, but it’s worth the effort. For those that are seeking a new way and new hope to lose weight, this may just be the ticket.

The learning curve was slight, making it a good option even for the less technical. We recommend this product, especially since it will give dieters a good foundation in sound nutritional practices and help them with their exercise plans. Add in the included pedometer, and you’ve got a great way to lose weight and get fit.

For years, many people have labored under the impression that middle aged weight gain is inescapable. Middle aged spread as it is commonly called is usually accepted as just hormonal, especially for women, and many people don't take the steps that can actually prevent it. While there are some factors that can make you more likely to keep weight on during this period in your life, there is nothing that says you have to get fat. Here are some easy ways that you can avoid middle aged weight gain.  Can you tell I have been reading too many health, diet, and fitness books?

1. Avoid empty nester weight gain.

When most of us reach middle age, our kids are just going off to college. For parents this means that you'll no longer be running around, doing laundry, going up the stairs five million times a day or cleaning as much. This sudden drop in activity can lead to weight gain if you don't modify your diet. Try this simple technique to help you stay on track. Purchase a pedometer and wear it for one day. If you're not taking 10,000 steps or at least close to it, you're not getting enough exercise. By wearing that pedometer, you'll be able to see just how close you are to that goal and you'll be able to stave off the battle of the bulge.

2. Don't let your hormones get the best of you.

It is true that as women age their hormone levels start to go a little bonkers. Too much or too little estrogen can lead to weight gain that is hard to control. If you're on HRT some of the side effects may include gaining some weight. Don't be a passive victim! If you're finding that you can't eat like you used to, take action before it's too late. Change your eating habits and try to exercise more. While hormones do play a role in where we store weight, the old equation of calories in - calories burned still applies.

3. Address physical issues that may be holding you back.

It's perfectly normal to get a bit stiff and sore as we age. However, if you're finding that your activity levels are taking a hit due to pain, you need to do something about it. Talk to your doctor and see what they prescribe for typical joint pain and stiffness. In most cases, it will be an over the counter pain relief pill or cream that will help you stay active. You may also need to modify your exercise plan a bit or start one that will be more joint friendly. For example, instead of jogging, try water aerobics. You'll be doing a lot less harm to your joints.

Middle aged weight gain does not have to be inevitable and you don't need to sit around hoping for the best. By meeting the problem head on and addressing it properly, you'll be able to stay slim, toned and healthy throughout your middle ages and well into your golden years.

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For many dieters, the biggest problem they face isn’t necessarily their own lifestyle change, but rather the fact that the people around them refuse to go along with the idea. It can be nearly impossible to focus on eating the right way when you eat out or are sitting across from other people that are relishing the food you can’t have. This is a frustrating issue that kills many diets, but it doesn’t have to. Here are some great tips to stay the course even when your own family won’t help you.

First, you may want to consider eating in another room.

It sounds horribly anti social, but if sitting in the living room will keep you from going off your diet, it is worth it. This works in two ways. First, you are giving yourself the help you need to keep eating the food you need to be eating. Second, by depriving your family of your companionship at meals, they’ll start to question their decision to eat the foods you can’t.

This kind of psychological ploy can actually work quite well, but it may take a week or two to have the full effect. When your family sees that you are committed enough to your diet to avoid them, they may start to question their own food choices. As a result, they may even decide to join you in the diet.

Next, you can try running through a list of the nasty diseases and problems that can occur by eating that food and keeping them at the forefront of your mind.

It’s a lot harder to drool over a cheeseburger when you’re thinking about what that cheese can do to your arteries. This technique will be most effective if you are truly committed to losing weight for the sake of your health, not just your appearance.

It may be impossible to get your family to switch their eating habits at first, but with time, if you can stick with it, you’ll be benefiting everyone. They’ll notice your increased energy and how good you look, and they may start to think twice about what they are putting into their own bodies. Again, it takes time, but you should start to see them get a little more interested in healthy food, a little bit at a time.

One word of caution. No one likes a food nazi!

If you are eating right, and your family isn’t there is no need to lord it over them. Simply state your case, stick to your diet and let your actions, your state of mind and your improved health do the talking. Everyone needs to find their own lifestyle changes on their own, and beating them up for food choices may backfire.

It’s not easy when you are trying to go it alone, but there are steps you can take to make sure that you do stick to your diet. Try to find at least one friend that supports you to make your journey easier.

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The Saint Tropez diet has gotten it’s fair share of press, most likely due to the fact that it’s another one of the diets that claims that eating the right food will make your body do all the work so you don’t have to. But is that claim rooted in scientific fact? The author makes that claim and produces some interesting research to back that up.

The main premise of the book is that by combining Omega 3 Fatty Acids with foods rich in Vitamin A you can jumpstart your body and get it to burn fat more efficiently. The only foods that aren’t allowed on the diet are breads and pasta, so if you are a fan of carbs, this one may be a bit difficult for you. It does promote eating more fruits and vegetables, avoiding bad fats like Omega 6 fats, and increasing the amount of healthy fat in your diet. Basically, the book is promoting the Mediterranean Diet in a little different way, which has been proven effective, at least when combined with exercise.

So far, so good, but we would have liked to have seen a few more studies into the benefits of combining Vitamin A with Omega 3’s and some long term results before we would be convinced on the strengths of this diet. The interesting thing is that exercise is not encouraged at all during many of the diet’s phases (it has four) and even after that point, only walking is encouraged. While this is great for some that don’t have much to lose, for most dieters it is going to take more of a concerted effort to lose weight.

The main downside to the diet is that the calories are very few, around 1400, which won’t work for many men or those that just need more calories to get through their day. While the food suggestions are solid, the book could have included more recipes and meal suggestions. There are a few, but certainly not enough to offer variety and a long term plan for changing eating habits.

While the book raises some very interesting principles, we weren’t completely sold on all the benefits. There is a lot of hype about this diet, and although many find it successful, we don’t think that it will work for everyone. There really is no substitute for making healthy food choices and getting enough exercise, no matter how good a diet claims to be. That said, the book is very interesting and the foods that are recommended are pretty healthy.

The Mediterranean diet in general has many benefits, so we really can’t give this one a solid thumb’s down either. It’s somewhere in between, and that’s not a good place to be. If you’re interested in learning more about how Omega 3 Fatty Acids work then it is certainly quite interesting. This isn’t a must read, but you may be able to pick up a few good tips from it.