Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Biggest Loser Goes To The Grand Canyon!

The Biggest Loser at The Grand CanyonDid you watch the show tonight? The Biggest Loser started out week 3 at the Grand Canyon.

I love the Grand Canyon. I've been fortunate enough to make three trips - once as a child and twice as an adult. I love the beauty and the mind-blowing awesomeness of it.

The downside of The Biggest Loser Grand Canyon road trip was the teams were left to their own devices (no trainers present) which meant the most strenuous exercise they managed was a bit of walking.

So once they returned to the ranch, the trainers gave them all a good talking to and then proceeded to kick their butts back in the gym.

Jerry and Colleen SkeabeckTo keep this short, the yellow father/daughter team, Jerry and Coleen Skeabeck, lost the least amount of weight: 5 pounds. Coleen lost 7 pounds but Jerry gained 2 pounds.

Out of all the teams, Jerry and Coleen had the lowest percentage of body weight lost, so they had to decide between them who would stay at the ranch and who would return home. Jerry told Coleen he wanted to go home so the decision was made.

My favorite part of the show is at the end where they show the "Where Are They Now?" segment.

They showed a video of Jerry (and yes, I teared up as usual) and he looked fantastic. He left the ranch having lost 20 pounds. Now after four months, he's lost 70 pounds!

Jerry was on high blood pressure medicine when he first came to the ranch. He was so proud to announce that at the time of his leaving the ranch, he was no longer on blood pressure medicine. In the video, Jerry said that he was off four of the five cardiac medicines, that his knees are better, his back is better, and his reflux is better.

As soon as I can get my hands on Jerry's "after" picture and video, I'll be sure to post it for everyone to see. I really got emotional watching the video. It's so darn inspiring.

I just love this show!

Laura




Related Articles

Together, Adam and Stacey Have Lost 116 Pounds!

Biggest Loser is Back for Season 6!




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Mmm Mmm Good?

Let me start off by saying that I haven't tried any of Campbell's new Select Harvest soups. But I plan on it! And here's why:

I'm not much of a commercial watcher but this one I like. Have you seen them? They feature a blindfolded woman as she taste-tests two soups.

When she tastes the competitor's soup, she says she tastes sodium-something-something and MSG. Then she tastes Campbell's Select Harvest soup and says it tastes like 100% natural white meat chicken and spinach grown on a south-facing slope. (In another commercial, she tastes carrots from a particular farm and natural, lower-sodium sea salt from northern waters.) She's a good actress, because she makes it look like that soup is Mmm Mmm Good!

Did you know that most canned soups contain MSG? You can be sure the FDA is not looking out for our health because MSG is bad news. Well, when I saw the commercials about Campbell's Select Harvest and heard there is no MSG or artificial flavors, I got excited.

To be honest, I'm not a fan of canned soups and prefer instead to make my own. But canned soup is convenient and my fifteen year old (bottomless-pit) son is a soup-lover. He has consumed lots of MSG unknowingly and yes, his mom is to blame.

I'm excited to see Campbell's offering healthier soups. Have you tried it yet? If so, let me know your favorites.

Laura




Related Articles (courtesy of PaulsHealthBlog.com):

The USDA says MSG is Safe, But is it Healthy?

Top 10 Reasons To Avoid Processed Foods




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Monday, September 29, 2008

My Baby Turned 18 Months Old Today!




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Sunday, September 28, 2008

5 Foods To Maximize Your Muscle Power

SalmonIt's common knowledge that the more muscle mass you have, the more calories your body can burn. But did you know that active muscles can help cut your risk of developing diabetes or osteoporosis?

An article I read yesterday explains how the right kind of diet can keep your muscles strong and healthy.

There is a strong connection between muscle mass and good health, says Robert Wolfe, director of Translational Research in Aging and Longevity at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. “As we age, we tend to lose muscle, especially if we are not using it,” says Wolfe. “These losses eventually affect quality of life, our balance, strength and ability to recover from an illness or accident.”

The following five foods can help you maximize your muscle mass.

Fish

Especially fish rich in omega-3 fats such as salmon, tuna, halibut, rainbow trout and canned sardines.

Why: Lean fish contains all the essential amino acids the body needs to make muscles and provide the building materials for creating and repairing other tissues.

According to some studies, the omega-3 fats found in fish may help slow the breakdown of muscle mass.

It’s recommended that you eat at least 2-3 meals of fish high in omega-3 fats per week.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoesSweet potatoes are a terrific source of potassium and antioxidants, which are good for building muscles.

Why: “Anyone who is exercising and working their muscles will be creating free radicals,” says Tara Gidus, a sports dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “Antioxidants can help disarm free radicals and help repair muscle tissue as it breaks down and rebuilds.”

Potassium-rich foods such as sweet potatoes can also help counteract the effects of eating too many acid-producing foods, such as meats, some dairy products and highly-processed items, which can speed the loss of muscle mass.

Other foods loaded with potassium and antioxidants include lettuces, peppers, kiwi, melon and oranges. Ideally, you should eat 5-9 servings of vegetables and produce a day with 3 servings of potassium-rich foods.

Low-fat yogurt

YogurtLow-fat yogurt is rich in protein, potassium, calcium and vitamin D, all which work together to keep your muscles functioning properly.

Why: Studies suggest that Vitamin D binds to receptors in muscle which then promote growth and strength. Too little vitamin D is linked with muscle weakness.

Select a yogurt brand fortified with vitamin D, which can give you nearly a quarter of your daily requirement in one serving. A daily serving of 6-8 ounces should help keep your muscles primed.

Quinoa

QuinoaQuinoa (keen-wah), an ancient grain from South America, is full of good carbohydrates -- the body’s preferred source of energy -- as well as high-quality protein, potassium and iron.

Why: Carbs are critical to help you pack on muscle. Too few carbs means the proteins in your body will be used for energy, instead of creating new tissue.

So, while eating protein-rich foods is important for gaining muscle, don’t load up at the expense of wholesome carbohydrates. Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids your body needs for building muscle proteins and other tissues.

Quinoa is also a good source of potassium and contains several minerals including iron, which, as Popeye knows, is needed to help you stay strong.

Enjoy a half-cup of quinoa for breakfast with dried fruits and nuts stirred in, as a side dish mixed with beans and other vegetables, or add the mild, light flavor of quinoa to soups, casseroles or salads. Quinoa can also be found in some ready-to-eat cereals and prepared breads.

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkins seedsPumpkin seeds are loaded with magnesium, manganese, iron and copper.

Why: The minerals in the body are a fairly well-connected group — they play off one another and work together to build tissue, form enzymes for bodily functions and support communication between cells. They also help maximize muscle mass. Magnesium helps build protein for muscle function. It also helps relax muscles after they’ve contracted. Manganese is needed to form protein and is a component of enzymes that act as antioxidants which help repair damaged muscle tissue. Iron is good for building endurance.

One ounce of pumpkin seeds (a small handful) contains nearly half the manganese you need in a day.

Source: here

Related Article:
How Do You Like Your Protein?




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Friday, September 26, 2008

Together, Adam and Stacey Capers Have Lost 116 Pounds!

Adam CapersAdam and Stacey Capers were the first couple eliminated last week on The Biggest Loser. Adam lost 19 pounds his first week on the show and Stacey lost 9 pounds.

You might think losing 28 pounds would be enough to keep them in the competition, but their tireless work ethic in the gym ended up being the reason they were voted off. The other teams viewed Adam and Stacey as the biggest threat.

"I've struggled all of my life trying to lose weight, and to lose nine pounds in one week... I can't tell you how great that feels and I think just in the short amount of time on the show it strengthened our relationship," an emotional Stacey said following the elimination. "I learned how determined Adam is, how strong he is, how much he really loves me. I mean he's really just a great guy."

Stacey CapersSince their elimination, Adam and Stacey have gone on to lose 78 more pounds for a total loss of 116 pounds!

Adam weighed 340 pounds at the beginning of the show and now weighs 277 pounds. He started out wearing size 50 pants and now wears size 38. Adam hopes to reach his goal weight of 220 pounds by the time the finale show airs.
Stacey weighed 221 pounds at the beginning of the show and now weighs 168 pounds. Concerning her goal weight, Stacey said, "I have never been this small in my life. All I can do is continue to push through and see where I can get before I start looking real crazy."

They look absolutely fantastic! They appeared together on The Today Show recently. You can watch the video here. Also, you can watch The Biggest Loser's "Where Are They Now?" video here.

Related Articles:

Tom and LT Desrochers: First Team Eliminated from Season 6's Biggest Loser

The Biggest Loser is Back for Season 6!




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Tom & LT Desrochers: First Team Eliminated from Season 6' s Biggest Loser

Tom Desrochers Sr.
Tom Sr.:

Before I got to The Biggest Loser, I thought about going to work, eating, and sleeping. Since The Biggest Loser, I've learned I actually like going to the gym, it makes me feel good afterwards.

And my high blood pressure, my high cholesterol, my diabetes.. it's all gone. And it feels so good to get up and not have to take nine pills in the morning.

Now when I go to work and I drive my taxi cab, it's a lot easier. My legs don't fall asleep anymore because my stomach is disappearing. And I make more money now because I don't take as long doing what I used to do before. So getting healthy made taxi driving a lot easier.

A 24 Hour Fitness trainer came into my kitchen and pantry and went through the foods with us and showed us healthy changes that we could be making to get the most out what we're eating nutritionally.

My whole family is overweight. I sit here and sometimes I feel guilty because I'm the one that brought all this bad food into the house. Rather than being a dad, I was trying to be their friend giving them ice cream and snacks they shouldn't have had. Instead, I should've been a dad and been like, "You know what, this is not good. This is what you need to be doing and I didn't do that. But now I get a second chance.

It's coming together really nice and everybody's getting healthier and it's a great feeling. Everybody out there can do this. You just change your attitude a little bit. You take the two words "I can't" and just take the 't' off of it and make it "I can". You can do it. It's inside of everybody. You just have to get it out. I was lucky enough to get on The Biggest Loser and they showed me what to do. The rest of you that are watching out there can do the same thing.
Tom Desrochers Jr.
Tom Jr. aka "LT":

It's incredible how the good stuff actually fuels my system alot better than the junk food I used to eat.

I can actually feel the difference. I can feel it. I have more energy. I'm not tired as much - even when I'm out with my kids coaching.

We've learned how to get a full body workout in 30 to 35 minutes. I'm really looking forward to the finale to The Biggest Loser. I'm probably going to win the 'at home' prize - that's my opinion.
You can watch Tom Sr. and Tom Jr.'s "Where Are They Now?" video here.

Related Article:

Biggest Loser is Back for Season 6!


© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Biggest Loser is Back for Season 6!

The Biggest LoserI missed last week's opening show but last night while channel surfing, I stumbled upon The Biggest Loser. I love this show so I'll definitely be tuning in Tuesday nights to watch it.

This time it's a family affair. Bob started out with four husband-and-wife teams and Jillian started out with four parent-and-child teams.

This season's 16 contestants range in age from 22 to 51.

"As we get older, it becomes much harder to lose weight, because the body's process tends to want to slow down," says Bob Harper, a fitness coach on the show. "The people on the show who were 40 or 50 had to work much harder than those 20-year-olds to get the results that they did."

The Biggest LoserBut with a $250,000 prize for the winner at stake, everyone busted their butts. "When you're ready to make a change, there's nothing that will stop you," Harper stresses.

Last week, the Husband/Wife Green team was eliminated. Click here to see the video of where they are now. Since starting The Biggest Loser, Stacey has lost 46 pounds and her husband, Adam, has lost 54 pounds.
The Biggest Loser

Last night, the Father/Son Gray team was eliminated. Click here to see the video of where they are now. Since starting The Biggest Loser, Tom Sr. has lost 65 pounds and his son, Tom Jr., has lost 81 pounds.

Tune in next Tuesday night to see the teams compete at the Grand Canyon.

Source: here

Related Articles:

The Struggle To Stay Slim Doesn't End, Even After The Fat Pants Are Gone

The Calories You Need For Weight Loss




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

How Much Sugar Is Lurking In Your Food?

Spoonful of SugarWomen's Health has a fun little quiz on their website.

I like taking quizzes because it's fun to see if you're as smart as you think you are! Turns out I'm not (big surprise)! I got 6 out of the 10 questions correct which means (according to Women's Health) that I need a little brushing up on my sugar knowledge.

Want to see how well you do? If you want to take the quiz without seeing the answers, read no further and take the quiz here. Otherwise, read on!

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to hear that sugar is lurking in a lot of the foods we eat and drink.

See if you can spot which product has less of the white stuff--sometimes it's just the lesser of two evils!

Frosted Cheerios vs Frosted FlakesWhich cereal has less sugar: Frosted Cheerios or Frosted Flakes?

If you chose Frosted Cheerios (like I did), you're wrong. Frosted Flakes has less sugar. Tony the Tiger has one more reason to say his flakes are great! :)

Frosted Flakes: 11 grams of sugar in 3/4 cup.
Frosted Cheerios: 12 grams of sugar in 3/4 cup.

Yoo-hoo vs Ocean Spray Light Cranberry JuiceWhich beverage has less sugar: Yoo-hoo or Ocean Spray Cranberry Light Juice?

It's Yoo-hoo! Too bad the sugar in the fruit juice isn't screaming 'Yoo-hoo!' Also, don't be fooled by the word light either.

Yoo-hoo: 28 grams of sugar in an 11-oz bottle.
Ocean Spray Cranberry Light Juice: 33 grams of sugar in 8 oz. serving.

Wheat Thins vs Cool Ranch DoritosWhich snack has less sugar: Wheat Thins or Cool Ranch Doritos?

Surely the Wheat Thins right? I mean, they're healthy for pete's sake! Well, that was my guess anyway. But I was wrong. Doritos beats Wheat Thins by a long shot! Did you know that sugar is sometimes added to prolong shelf life? I sure didn't.

Wheat Thins: 4 grams of sugar in 9 crackers.
Doritos: Less than 1 gram of sugar in 11 chips.

Cheerios vs Raisin BranWhich cereal has less sugar: Cheerios or Raisin Bran?

This one I got correct because I knew raisins have a lot of natural sugar in them. Non-sugar coated Cheerios are low in sugar, fat and heart-healthy. Pour them in your bowl and avoid a potential sugar rush before getting to the office.

Cheerios: 0 grams of sugar in 1 cup.
Raisin Bran: 19 grams of sugar in 1 cup.

Pop Tart vs Clif BarWhich has less sugar: Pop Tarts or a Clif bar? I chose the healthy Clif Bar. Survey says? EEEEHHHH! Shockingly, Pop-Tarts takes the 'less sugar' prize.

Pop-Tarts: 16 grams of sugar in 1 pastry.
Clif Bar: 21 grams of sugar in 1 bar.

Fruit by the Foot vs Frozen Strawberries with added sugarWhich has less sugar: Fruit by the Foot or Frozen Strawberries with sugar added?

If you picked Fruit by the Foot, you are correct! Whenever you buy frozen or dried berries make sure to look for an ingredient list that contains one ingredient... strawberries!

Strawberry Fruit by the Foot: 10 grams of sugar in 1 roll.
Campbells Tomato Soup vs Campbell's Cream of Potato SoupFrozen strawberries: 70 grams of sugar in 1 cup.

Which has less sugar: Campbell's Tomato Soup or Campbell's Cream of Potato Soup?

I nailed this one. The answer is Campbell's Cream of Potato Soup. Tomatoes are rich with antioxidants but they also contain sugar. Plus, sugar is often added to enhance its naturally sweet flavor.

Microwavable Tomato Soup: 18 grams of sugar in 1 cup.
Condensed Cream of Potato Soup: 2 grams of sugar in 1 cup.

Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge Brownies vs Smart Ones Brownie a la Mode
Which has less sugar: Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge Brownies or Smart Ones Brownie a la Mode?

Are you like me and thought choosing 'Smart Ones' meant it surely has less sugar? Wrong! Sometimes when fat's removed, sugar's added to give flavor.

Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge Brownies: 16 grams of sugar in 1 desert.
Smart Ones Brownie a la Mode: 21 grams of sugar in 1 desert.

Good Humor Bar vs Sun-Maid RaisinsWhich has less sugar: Good Humor Ice Cream Bar or Sun-Maid Raisins?

The correct answer is the Good Humor Bar. Though the ice cream bar has less sugar, raisins are still the better choice because they have nutrients that help kill the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

Good Humor Bar: 12 grams of sugar in 1 bar.
Raisins: 29 grams of sugar in 1/4 cup.

Marshmallow Fluff vs Grape JellyWhich has less sugar: Marshmallow Fluff or Welch's Grape Jelly?

Can you believe it's Marshmallow Fluff? But I wouldn't want to have a PB and Fluff sandwich, would you? For a better alternative, try real fruit spread that has no added sugar.

Marshmallow Fluff: 6 grams of sugar in 2 tbsp.
Grape Jelly: 13 grams of sugar in 2 tbsp.

So, how'd you do?

Source: here

Related Articles:

6 Healthy-Sounding Foods That Really Aren't

Warning: So-Called 'Health' Drinks May Sabotage Your Diet




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Leah Nichols Lost 115 Pounds!

Leah NicholsThe pictures say it all don't they? Wow! She doesn't even look like the same person!

Leah Nichols, a 25-year-old speech pathologist from Indianapolis, lost 115 pounds through... guess what? That's right! Diet and exercise.

Growing up, Leah was never overweight. From childhood all through her high school years, Leah was active in sports, dancing, and cheerleading.

Her weight problems didn't begin until she moved to Michigan to attend college. She no longer exercised and instead, adopted the college lifestyle of late nights filled with fast food and alcohol. She quickly gained 'The Freshman 15' and each year thereafter, she continued to gain weight until she finally topped out at 260 pounds.

“All my sorority sisters were thin and my siblings were very fit as well,” Leah said. “I could never share clothes with friends and I hated the way I looked when we would go out.”

Once an attractive outgoing girl, Leah had lost her self-confidence and her true personality. "I remember feeling like the fat friend who could never share clothing with friends and was labeled as 'the funny one'. I would laugh off all the rude comments and uncomfortable situations to avoid being upset."

Once while attending a football game, a man passed by and exclaimed, "God, look out for fatty!" Leah’s friends were readily willing to defend her, but Leah preferred to slink away from confrontation – she hated drawing attention to her size.

Leah didn't want to meet new people for fear of rejection so she spent most nights at home. “It was very hard to constantly see my friends dating and being single. I thought ‘Who would want me?’ I did not feel worthy of a serious committed relationship with a good person.”

“All I could see was someone who had a lot going for herself: good career to come, good family, good friends, but I wasn’t happy,” she said. “When I began thinking about why I was unhappy it all came back to my weight. I wasn’t myself anymore because of the weight gain; I was single because I was uncomfortable with myself; I was unhealthy because of my weight.”

"I realized if I ever wanted to reach the hopes and aspirations I'd envisioned for my future, I had to make a change."

For the first time in years, Leah stepped on a scale – and cried when she saw the number: 260 pounds. She knew a difficult challenge lay ahead of her, but for once, she felt motivated to drastically change her lifestyle.

With a strong support system of friends and family members, Leah joined a gym and concentrated on regaining her health. “I felt so lost and so far behind that it was sometimes painful to go to the gym,” she said of the first few months. “It was hard not to compare myself to others but I tried as hard as I could and eventually began focusing on myself and not others... I finally put myself first no matter how hard it was going to be.”

Leah began by chronicling her daily caloric intake on sparkpeople.com, a free food diary website, and attempted to stay within a range of 1,500-1,700 calories and 30 fat grams per day. She also started doing a 30-minute cardio workout three times a week - focusing on the elliptical machine, treadmill or stair stepper. Leah later added light weight training to her workout.

“I always told myself that this wasn’t going to be easy and it was going to take a long time to lose and keep the weight off,” Leah said of her weight-loss philosophy, which left room for mistakes and the occasional slip-up.

“If there were days that I tripped up or didn’t work out I knew I just had to turn it around the next day and keep going, this was a complete lifestyle change, not a diet.”

After losing approximately 50 pounds, Leah opted for a personal trainer two to three times a week to develop new ideas to tone her body. She increased her cardio workouts to 45-60 minutes four times a week, and then joined fitness classes like yoga, Pilates and cycling.

If she hit a plateau, she would make small adjustments in her diet, like lowering the caloric intake (but never less than 1,200 calories) and increasing the amount of protein she consumed. “It was frustrating to hit those plateaus, but I knew that it would eventually break so I couldn’t let myself get distracted or discouraged.”

Leah NicholsNow, after losing 110 pounds, Leah competes in sprint triathlons which consist of 500 meter swims in open water, 10 mile bike races and 5k runs. “I just kept working out and pushed through and this paid off. Looking at old photos and recalling past experiences while being overweight helped motivate me through the rough times.”

Today, at 145 pounds, Leah’s complete outlook has changed. While she still enjoys meals, they no longer consume her thoughts. In fact, whenever Leah does feel like eating, it’s in a healthy way.

As a new nutrition junkie, she has taken up the hobby of finding healthy, clever alternatives for unhealthy recipes. “I now know how many calories are in many foods and have become good at estimating calories in a meal,” she said of her new abilities. “I carry nutritional information concerning food items at chain restaurants in my purse so I am prepared to make smart choices.”

By accomplishing her weight-loss goals, Leah has regained self-respect, self-worth and her personality. “I have gained a confidence in myself I don’t think I've ever had,” she said. “Not only confidence in my appearance but confidence in my beliefs, motivations in life and hopes and aspirations for my future that were hidden because of fear of rejection or judgment.

I feel lucky to have been able to lose the weight and hope that I can help inspire others to do the same. It is possible to do this on your own, without spending tons of money, without hiring a personal trainer, without using a special diet, all of it is possible on your own.”

Check out Leah's reveal on the Today Show here:

Source: here

Related Articles:

Sheri Harkness Lost 127 Pounds!

Bianca Oros Dropped 100 Pounds!




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Saturday, September 20, 2008

The Michael Phelps Diet

You too can eat 12,000 calories a day!

Watch the SNL video here.







© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Thursday, September 18, 2008

9 Keep-It-Off Superfoods

Lady JumpingFollowing are 9 superfoods that can help you lose or maintain weight, either by helping you to eat less or to burn more calories -- or, in some cases, maybe even helping to decrease your body fat.

Experts say there are two basic categories of foods that can be considered "keeping it off superfoods" because they fill your tummy without piling on the calories: fruits and vegetables.

For example, two whole cups of steamed broccoli packs a measly 87 calories. Or how about two cups of strawberry slices? They'll add only 99 calories.

If fruits and vegetables are the "keeping-it-off superfood groups," fiber may well be the "keeping-it-off supernutrient."

Protein is another supernutrient. It's becoming more scientifically accepted that protein may help to curb appetite. But whether we need more than 0.4 grams per pound of body weight is still up for debate among many researchers.

"Eating enough protein-rich foods of low energy density [calories per portion] is a good strategy for increasing satiety, especially if you are trying to lose weight," says Barbara Rolls, PhD, a researcher at Penn State University and author of the book The Volumetrics Eating Plan.

Protein can slightly boost metabolism, Rolls says. But, she explains, eating more calories than your body needs -- even in the form of protein -- will promote weight gain, not loss.

Keeping it real... At the end of the day, weight loss is about burning more calories than you take in. The advantage to these foods is that they may help you do just that -- if you eat them instead of some higher-calorie choices.

9 'Keeping It Off' Superfoods

1. Green Tea

Green TeaGo out of your way to indulge in a tall glass of iced green tea or a mug of hot green tea when you get the chance. Here's why: In a recent study, volunteers who drank a bottle of tea (fortified with green tea extract) every day for three months lost more body fat than another group who drank a bottle of regular oolong tea. Except for the different teas, their overall diets were similar. Researchers suspect that the catechins (helpful phytochemicals) in green tea may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and mildly decrease body fat.

2. Soup (broth or tomato-based)

SoupCalorie-containing liquids generally are less filling than solid foods, but soups are the exception, says researcher Richard Mattes from Purdue University. In Mattes' study, participants were fed 300-calorie servings of various soups before eating their lunches (they could eat as much lunch as they wanted). Mattes found that the study participants tended to take in fewer total daily calories on days when they had the soup, suggesting that eating low-calorie soups (the broth and tomato-based ones) before meals may reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness.

3. Low-Calorie Green Salads

SaladHaving a low-calorie salad (no cheese, croutons, or high-fat dressings) as a first course can help you feel fuller and reduce the calories you eat during that meal, according to a study by Rolls. She found that eating a small low-calorie salad tended to cut calories eaten at the meal by 7%, and a larger salad by 12%.

Just how low-calorie can a green salad be? Consider that two cups of fresh spinach leaves, 10 slices of cucumber, one medium tomato, and 1/4 cup of grated carrot has a grand total of 67 calories (along with a hefty 5.5 grams of fiber).

4. Yogurt

YogurtYogurt is a dairy food, and several studies have found that including dairy products as part of an overall lower-calorie diet may give you a weight-loss advantage. Still, some scientists aren't convinced, pointing to other studies that show no strong effect between dairy and weight loss.

One study looked at a group of obese adults who ate three, 6-ounce servings of fat-free yogurt a day as part of a diet reduced by 500 calories from their normal intake. The study found that this group lost 22% more weight and 61% more body fat than another group of participants who ate the reduced-calorie diet without emphasizing calcium-rich foods. Even more impressive: the yogurt eaters also lost 81% more stomach fat.

More needs to be learned about the mechanism responsible for this increased loss of body fat, but in the meantime, consider giving yogurt a little more respect. At the very least, a light yogurt may help you stave off hunger due to its combination of protein and carbohydrate. Six ounces of plain, low-fat yogurt contains approximately 9 grams of protein, 12 grams of carbohydrates (from milk, not sugar), and 311 milligrams of calcium. It's also a great vehicle for healthy additives like fruit or omega-3-rich flaxseed.

5. Beans

BeansBeans help you feel full longer, which means they may work to curb your between-meal appetite. They also give you a big fiber and protein bang for a minimum of calories. One-half cup of pinto beans or kidney beans has around 8 grams fiber and 7 grams of protein, all for about 110 calories.

6. Water

WaterWater is a keeping-it-off superfood because it's a great alternative to other, calorie-containing beverages. When you drink beverages that have calories (like coffee drinks or sodas) you are not likely to compensate by eating less food. Mattes' research suggests that people who drink liquid carbohydrate (in the form of soda) are more likely to consume more calories than their bodies needs, compared with people who ate the same amount of solid carbohydrate (in the form of jelly beans).

Water is necessary for life, and you should be drinking it throughout the day. You can get your water via unsweetened tea, flavored unsweetened mineral water, regular water with lime or lemon, or cucumber. Even brewed coffee (especially decaf) counts if consumed in moderation.

7. Light Diet Shakes

Diet ShakesWhile diet shakes are not the solution to weight loss or maintenance, research shows that they might help. Women who had lost weight on a reduced-calorie plan that included meal-replacement beverages maintained their losses after a year by drinking at least one diet shake a day in place of a meal, according to a study done by Clinical Research laboratories (and funded by Slim Fast Foods). If you go for a diet shake, choose types that have more fiber and less sugar.

8. High-Fiber, Whole-Grain Cereal

High Fiber CerealWhole grains in general help boost fiber and the nutritional value of your meal, but many studies done on their relationship to weight loss have specifically involved breakfast cereals (many funded by cereal companies).

A Purdue University study suggested that having a portion-controlled serving of ready-to-eat cereal (with 2/3 cup skim milk plus a 100-calorie portion of fruit) as a meal replacement may promote weight loss. Other research that looked at data on over 27,000 men over an eight-year period found that as whole grain consumption went up, weight gain over time went down. Another study followed more than 74,000 women (aged 38-63) for a 12-year period and found that those with the greatest increase in dietary fiber gained an average of 3.3 fewer pounds than those with the smallest increase in fiber.

One of the easiest ways to give your daily diet a whole-grain boost is to have a bowl of higher-fiber whole-grain cereal as breakfast or a snack.

9. Grapefruit

GrapefruitMaybe there was something to the old grapefruit diet after all: A study found that grapefruit may help encourage weight loss and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Study participants who ate a grapefruit at each meal for 12 weeks lost an average of 3.6 pounds (some in the group lost as much as 10 pounds), while a comparison group that didn't eat grapefruit lost 1/2 pound, according to a recent pilot study by Scripps Clinic in San Diego. The researchers noticed that after the meals, the grapefruit eaters also had reduced levels of insulin and blood sugar.

The American Institute for Cancer Research notes that "there's no scientific evidence to support that grapefruit enzymes burn away fat." And according to the American Dietetic Association, "if you lose weight when you add grapefruit to your eating plan, it's probably because you're substituting it for another food that has more calories."

Of course, there's nothing wrong with that. One pink/red grapefruit takes a bit of time and effort to eat, and it adds 3.5 grams of fiber with only 74 calories. Keep in mind that grapefruit can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications, so check with your pharmacist if you're taking medication.

Source: here

Related Articles:

50 Secrets of Naturally Thin People

How to Supercharge Your Metabolism




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Is Your Treadmill A Genius?

Man, I'd love to have one of these treadmills!

I read this article today about how 'smart treadmills' give users a more personalized, effective workout.

I just love high-tech stuff, don't you? According to what I read, having this 'intelligent' fitness machine is like having your own personal trainer.

Most treadmills allow you to test your heart rate or select from a variety of pre-set workouts (hills, intervals, weight loss), but many new models are upping the ante. The Platinum Club Series treadmill from Life Fitness has gotten personal with a virtual trainer, which both motivates and educates users over the duration of their workout. Push a button and a male or female trainer appears on the integrated LCD touch screen and advises the user on every aspect of the workout, from describing workout programs to updates on workout statistics including distance, time and calories burned.

"The virtual trainer takes the intimidation out of beginning a new workout, helps users choose the best workout to meet their goals and provides ongoing encouragement while exercising," says Bob Quast, vice president of brand management for Life Fitness.

Many new machines on the market now offer iPod integration, which allows users to plug in and charge their iPods, control their iPod playlists from the console and watch iPod-delivered video on the equipment’s large LCD screen. Users can also store customized workouts on a USB memory stick they plug directly into the treadmill so they can view and select a workout program on the integrated LCD screen. At the end of the workout, they can save the results on the USB stick and track progress over time online.

Now if only these smart machines could dispense pre-workout smoothies and give you a post-workout massage, they’d be just about perfect.

Source: here

Related Articles:

Runners Age More Slowly, According to Study

The Smart Way to Beat the Heat




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Sheri Harkness Lost 127 Pounds!

Sheri Harkness Before and AfterAnd this 39 year old administrative assistant from Stroudsburg, PA did it in only 18 months!

Sheri started out weighing 282 pounds but after changing her diet and exercising 4 to 6 days per week, she lost 127 pounds and now weighs a svelte 155 pounds!

I think she deserves a hearty round of applause, don't you? She looks great.

“I grew up with the ‘eat everything on your plate or there will be no dessert’ mentality.” Most things seemed to revolve around food in Sheri's home, and it was regarded as a constant source of joy and excitement.

“We would begin weekends with an enormous breakfast that consisted of pancakes, homemade home fries, toast or biscuits, bacon and sausage and fried eggs — all generously topped with butter, syrup or catsup,” Sheri said. “For dinner, we would barbeque steaks with French fries while my mom would be making homemade ice cream for dessert.”

Since Sheri was active in sports and other physical activities, her overeating didn’t severely affect her size. Then, at age 16, when her parents divorced, Sheri’s eating spiraled out of control. Confused and emotionally distraught, she sought solace in food: “Food became more comforting than ever,” Sheri said. “It was always there for me when people weren’t.”

Sheri constantly struggled with her appearance and how strangers viewed her. People seemed to be less considerate, at times even rude. Even her own family members lacked sensitivity. “I remember my grandmother making a comment on one occasion. I was sitting cross-legged on the floor and began to get up and she said, ‘Wow, you get up pretty quick for a fat girl!’ I never really considered myself as fat, so it was surprising to hear that.”

When Sheri got married in 1994, she weighed 220 pounds. After giving birth to two boys, her sedentary lifestyle along with her poor eating habits, led to a gradual weight gain over the years.

For Sheri, the most painful aspect of being heavy was feeling like an embarrassment to her kids. She hated thinking her own children were possibly humiliated by their “fat mom.”

In March of 2007, Sheri went to see her doctor for a routine physical. Her doctor told her that not only did she weigh 282 pounds, but her blood pressure was elevated as well. Sheri was told that if she couldn’t get her blood pressure down, she would be put on medication. Sheri was only 38 years old and this news devastated her.

Sheri slowly but surely made the commitment to change – not only for her self-esteem, but also for her family. “It was more of a subtle dimmer switch that gradually brightened with each passing day,” she said.

“I had always believed that putting the needs of my family before my own was my duty as a loving wife and mother. I then realized that unless I took care of myself, there was no way I could be emotionally or physically available for my family. I had to invest in myself first.”

Sheri’s first step was to join the YMCA. “I walked into the cardio suite to see toned, tight, young bodies running on treadmills and Stairmasters,” Sheri recalled. “I knew they were laughing at me with their eyes, but I also knew if I could get through that first day I would not fail.”

With careful guidance from her sister, a fitness trainer, Sheri began walking on a treadmill for 15 minutes at 3.1 miles per hour, three days a week. Although winded and exhausted during the first three months, Sheri did not give up. Gradually, she worked her way up to 3.6 miles per hour for 20 minutes, then started weight training three days a week.

As for her diet, Sheri continued eating what she normally ate but she cut her portions in half and also eliminated soda from her diet.

After the first six months, Sheri began viewing food as fuel and incorporated fruits and vegetables into her diet along with lean meats and fish.

By sticking to a better diet and going to the gym on a regular basis, Sheri lost 127 pounds. Today, at 155 pounds and a size 4/6, she participates in 5K runs and makes time for an hour of cardio and an hour of weight training four to five days a week.

For Sheri, it was a slow and steady race to reach her goal. “My focus was on overall health and well-being and with that the weight loss naturally followed.”

She found that sticking to a daily mantra helped her stay on track. Whenever she felt she ate too much or cheated on her diet, she repeated one line: “I’m okay with that.” That was and continues to be her philosophy to this day. If she neglects her workout or indulges a weakness, she simply accepts the mistake without beating herself up. “I believe that we need to be kind to ourselves,” Sheri said. “We are human after all and will fail from time to time.”

While she still looks forward to eating, it no longer dominates her thoughts. It took months for Sheri to train herself to think differently about her needs and how to handle her emotional dependence on food.

Today, Sheri feels she has finally found the person she was meant to be. Her sense of self-worth has far surpassed her expectations, and she feels confident in achieving any goal she wishes to pursue.

“The bottom line is that it can be done if you make it a priority,” she said. “But I am also forever mindful that one does not travel a journey of this magnitude alone. I have such a wonderful support system in my friends and family, and this is what has helped me get to where I am today. At this point, I feel there is no goal that is out of my reach.”

You can watch the video of Sheri on The Today Show here.

Source: here

Related Articles:

Bianca Oros Dropped 100 Pounds!

April Wood Lost 105 Pounds!




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Are You A Stress-Eater?

Stressed?Who isn't, right?

Check out the following article from Prevention magazine and let me know if any of these tips sound good to you.

4 New Ways to Stop Stress Eating
--Work-friendly ways to prevent binges--

1.) Email yourself every time you eat. Include circumstances - a tense conversation with your manager, a sudden deadline - and note how you were feeling (sad, stressed, panicked). Review the messages every Friday and look for emotional eating patterns. Create a plan for what you'll do differently next time.

2.) Instead of turning to food, email a buddy and tell him/her how you're feeling. Wait for a response before you head to the kitchen.

3.) Sip green or black tea before you reach for a snack; the drink contains theanine, an amino acid that increases levels of relaxing chemicals in the brain.

4.) Join an internet community for support, such as Prevention's emotional-eating forum.

Lame? Helpful?

Source: here

Related Article: How to Beat Fatigue with the Right Foods




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Metabolism Myths - Busted!

Prevention Oct 2008While thumbing through Prevention's October issue today, I came across this article and thought it was worth passing on.

"There are probably more myths about metabolism than there are about the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot combined. The reality: Your body does burn 2 to 5% fewer calories with each decade after age 40, and women tend to put on about a pound a year as a result, but these changes are not inevitable. Simple tweaks to your daily routine can up your calorie burn and compensate for the deficit, keeping you from succumbing to age related weight gain."

TRUE or FALSE?

1.) Your body burns more calories digesting ice cold beverages and foods.

True. Different studies have suggested that five or six ice cold glasses of water could help you burn about 10 extra calories a day equaling about 1 pound of nearly effortless weight loss each year.

2.) Drinking the right amount of water can help you burn more calories.

True. All of your body's chemical reactions, including your metabolism, depend on water. If you are dehydrated, you may be burning up to 2% fewer calories.

3.) Dieting drops your resting metabolic rate, making it harder to keep weight off.

True. For every pound you lose, your resting metabolism drops by about 2 to 10 calories a day. Lose 10 pounds, and you now have to eat 20 to 100 fewer calories to maintain your trimmer physique, not factoring in exercise. However, you can prevent your metabolic rate from slipping while you get slim. One way is to lose fat but maintain muscle. You can do this by reducing calories and increasing aerobic and resistance exercise. Crash diets (fewer than 1,000 calories a day) may result in a higher percentage of muscle loss.

Tip: Lose weight by cutting 250 calories a day and burning 250 calories per day through exercise. That will help you retain or even gain muscle while you lose a greater percentage of body fat.

4.) Hot foods will fire up metabolism.

True. Capsaicin, the bioactive compound that makes chile peppers exude heat, can turn your metabolism up a notch while also enhancing satiety and reducing hunger. Studies show that eating about 1 tablespoon of chopped red or green chile pepper which is equal to 30 mg of capsaicin resulted in up to a temporary 23% boost in metabolism. In another study, 0.9 g of red pepper was given in capsule form or naturally in tomato juice before each meal. The researchers noted that the individuals reduced their total calorie intake by 10 or 16%, respectively, for 2 days after and still reported being full.

Tip: Sprinkle red pepper flakes onto pasta dishes and into chilis and stews; fresh chile peppers work well in salsas and add a fiery flavor to many other dishes.

5.) Eating more protein will rev up your metabolism.

True. Protein provides a metabolic advantage compared with fat or carbohydrates because your body uses more energy to process it. This is known as the thermic effect of food (TEF). Studies show that you may burn up to twice as many calories digesting protein as carbohydrates. In a typical diet, 14% of calories come from protein. Double that (and reduce carbs to make up for the extra calories), and you can burn an additional 150 to 200 calories a day.

Tip: To reap protein's rewards, strive for 10-20 g at each of your meals. Try an 8 oz cup of low fat plain yogurt with breakfast (about 13 g), a ½ cup serving of hummus with lunch (about 10 g), and a 3 oz salmon fillet for dinner (about 17 g).

6.) Eating a grapefruit before every meal speeds metabolism.

False. Grapefruit won't work miracles for your metabolism, but it can help you lose weight. Half a grapefruit before meals helped individuals lose about 4 pounds in 12 weeks, according to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. The reason: Its fiber and water fill you up on fewer calories, so you eat less at your next meal.

Tip: Instead of soup or salad, try a juicy piece of fresh fruit before your main course.

7.) Lifting weights boosts your metabolism more than a cardio workout.

True. When you strength train enough to add 3 pounds of muscle, you increase your calorie burn by 6-8% meaning that you burn about 100 extra calories every day. Aerobic exercise, on the other hand, doesn't significantly increase your body's lean muscle mass.

8.) Celery is a "negative calorie food" because digesting it uses up more calories than it provides.

False. The thermic effect of food does cause your body to burn up calories as it processes meals, snacks, and beverages. But this process accounts for anywhere from 0-30% of the calories you eat (protein, for example, takes more calories to digest than fat or carbohydrates). A medium size rib of celery has only about 6 calories; its TEF is approximately half a calorie.

9.) Tea revs your natural calorie burn.

True. Catechins found in green and oolong teas can boost the body's fat burning fire. One study of Japanese women compared the effects of drinking green tea, oolong tea, or water on various days. Just one large cup of oolong tea increased calorie burning by up to 10%, a boost that peaked 1½ hours later. Green tea raised metabolism by 4% for 1½ hours. Other studies show that drinking two to four cups of green or oolong daily (about 375 to 675 mg of catechins) may translate into an extra 50 calories burned each day about 5 pounds' worth in a year.

10.) PMS cravings are related to the boost in metabolism before your period.

True. If there is a silver lining to PMS, it's that our resting metabolic rate may increase during the part of the menstrual cycle known as the luteal phase. The metabolic boost we get from being "hormonal" can equal as much as 300 calories a day which is why our appetite increases during this phase.

11.) If you have limited time, exercise at a higher intensity for a metabolic afterburn.

True. People who exercise at very high intensities experience a postexercise boost in resting metabolic rate that is larger and lasts longer compared with those who work out at a low or moderate level. Up the effort of your workout and you can expect to burn at least 10% of the total calories used during the workout in the hour or so after exercising. So, if you do a combo of walking and jogging for 4 miles (about 400 calories) instead of just walking, you may burn an extra 40 calories in the next few hours.

Source: Prevention, October 2008

Related Article: How to Supercharge Your Metabolism




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Bianca Oros Dropped 100 Pounds!

Bianca Orso Before and AfterCheck it out! Bianca Oros dropped a whopping 100 pounds!

At her heaviest, Bianca weighed 282 pounds but after changing her diet with Weight Watchers, she now weighs 182 pounds! Doesn't she look great?

Bianca dropped from a size 22 to a size 12 and is determined to “never gain the weight back.”

“I’ve battled my weight ever since I could remember,” confesses Bianca Oros, a 24-year-old graduate student from La Habra, California.

Although generally a happy child, Bianca used food as an emotional crutch; she ate to calm her anxiety, ease her worries and solve her boredom.

A professed lover of carbs, Bianca would eat “unlimited amounts,” to the point where she would sneak food to her room to avoid her family’s constant protests. Her addiction to unhealthy, high-calorie snacks (specifically muffins, doughnuts and chips) evolved into a late-night secret-snacking habit that left her feeling disgusted and out of control.

From the time she was a little girl, she was always slightly chubbier than her skinny older sister. Although the two sisters were close, their vastly different bodies caused bitter rivalry at times. “I remember at one point during high school when my sister and I had a fight and she brought up my size,” Bianca said. “I hated speaking to anyone about my weight, and when she flippantly told me to get my stomach stapled, I remember feeling such shock and anger. I cried that night for a very long time, hurt that my sister would ever say that, but not understanding that she was honestly thinking of a way to help me.”

In high school, Bianca was 5'10" tall and was considered to be "a big girl." She played sports but by the time she graduated, she weighed just under 200 pounds.

In college, Bianca was always the life of the party and had many friends. “I was the girl who felt the need to be funny in order to be accepted.” Due to a knee injury, Bianca could no longer play sports. The effects of her inactivity combined with overeating eventually took it's toll, and by the time she graduated college she weighed 282 pounds.

Years of suffering from the physical and emotional setbacks of her weight left Bianca utterly exhausted. At 282 pounds, she was tired of waiting for her “life to begin.” She kept believing her eating was uncontrollable, a hurdle she couldn’t overcome.

It was not how she had envisioned her 20's. Although she graduated college proud of her academic and scholastic achievements, Bianca felt her weight held her back from pursuing her career goal: broadcast journalism. In her professional life as well as her dating life, she considered herself too heavy for anyone to take seriously. “I felt like I was going nowhere, that my weight was holding me back... It was a feeling of hopelessness.”

Bianca's eating continued to spiral out of control. Then one day, a friend told her she had joined Weight Watchers. Bianca joined the program shortly after her.

When Bianca first joined Weight Watchers, she focused solely on changing her poor eating habits and learning portion control. She adhered strictly to the program and attended weekly meetings, which paid off quickly. Bianca lost 9 pounds her first week on the program!

“Accountability with family, friends and the weekly meetings was a huge part of my success,” she said. After every weekly weigh-in, they’d call to ask how much she lost and cheer her on for the next meeting.

Eventually, Bianca incorporated light cardio into her daily routine, focusing on long, brisk walks. After a few months, having lost approximately 60 pounds, she joined a gym, where she worked out “hard” for an hour and a half, five times per week. Bianca’s gym routine included cardio for 45 minutes to an hour, then weights and isokinetics to strengthen her core muscles.

Today, Bianca has the tools to approach any new situation, and takes a head-on approach to difficult ones; no longer wallowing in self-pity, she faces each day with the best possible attitude. And though she once shied away from fully pursuing broadcast journalism, she is now enrolled in a master’s degree program in communication studies.

“I always believed that I had the smarts and personality to be involved in media, but now I finally feel that my outside matches what I’ve always felt on the inside.” Bianca doesn’t need to doubt her looks or capabilities anymore; she knows that if she could lose 100 pounds, she can accomplish anything.

Bianca has also returned to her favorite childhood pastimes, enjoying sports and physical activities she shunned for more than a decade. “I now enjoy exercising and see the importance of being active,” she said.”And it feels so good when others now come to me for advice on losing weight.”

Although Bianca still wants to lose a bit more weight, she is realistic about how to do it in a healthy way. To keep on track, she monitors everything she puts in her mouth and makes sure water and fiber are key components of her diet.

“I’m finally living my life and living it abundantly. I am a 24-year-old woman who no longer feels that she is missing out on her life.”

Check out the video of Bianca Orso appearing on The Today Show here.

Source: here

Related Articles:

April Wood Lost 105 Pounds!

Jenn Barton Lost 114 Pounds!




© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content.

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

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