Thanks Jamie I'm determined and I'm going to keep trying. At worst I've stayed the same this week - or I may have lost half a pound

Stay strong!!

 

Struggling again - a pound on this week, and seriously off track foodwise. I either feel hungry or my stomach is upset, nothing inbetween

 

Diet is very important ... eat three times a day with their respective daily exercise...

 

Weight-loss "pills" often are looked at with skepticism and for good reason. Many are ineffective and some even dangerous. But a few nutritional and herbal supplements do work. Some offer bonus health benefits as well. These natural substances have been scientifically shown to aid weight loss by helping the body burn more calories and fat; decreasing appetite; improving how the body handles blood sugar; and blocking absorption of fat and carbohydrates.

Laboratory, toxicological, and clinical studies; not to fail mentioning everyday use by millions of people, has shown that these supplements are safe. However, it is prudent to take any supplement under guidance of a qualified health professional. Most, if not all of the following are available in health-food stores.

Green Tea Extract: contain catechins, a class of powerful antioxidant. Epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea.

In a study published in The British Journal of Nutrition in 2005, researchers gave one group of men a supplement that contained EGCG and caffeine and a second group a placebo. Those who took the supplement burned 180 more calories a day - a level that could help a person shed 22lbs in a year. For those already at their normal weight, studies show an EGCG/caffeine supplement can help maintain weight. EGCG/caffeine supplement works better than either used alone.

Dose: 575 mg of green tea catechins and 100 mg of caffeine a day. Supplements with this mixture include Schiff Natural Green Tea Diet and Universal Nutrition Thermo Green Tea Caps.

Bonus: EGCG may be neuroprotective in humans. It has reduced the severity of Alzheimer's disease in various laboratory animals genetically programmed to develop the disease.

CLA, conjugated linoleic acid, is one type of fatty acid, a building block of fat. It is found in small quantities in meat and milk. CLA can help the body lose fat and build muscle.

In a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 149 women and 31 men received either the CLA or placebo each day. Within three months the CLA group lost an average of 5 pounds of body fat while adding two pounds of firming muscle to their bodies; without diet or exercise. The placebo group had no change in body composition.

A study published in The International Journal of Obesity in 2006 shows people who took CLA for six months(Aug.-Feb.), experienced no weight gain throughout the November to December holiday period. Those who didn't take CLA gained an average of 15 pounds during the holiday period.

Dose: 3.4 grams a day.

Bonus: In one study conducted at the University of British Columbia, people with mild-to-moderate asthma experienced normalization of their airways when they took CLA, which decreases inflammation.

Medium-Chain Triglycerides, MCT's: are a type of fat. Triglyceride molecules are typically arranged in chains, with carbon atoms as the links. Most triglycerides you eat are long-chain type, with up to 24 carbon links. MCT's contain only 6 to 12 links. During digestion, long-chain triglycerides combine with transport molecules and travel through the circulatory system where they're deposited in fat cells. Because of their length, MCT's don't require transport molecules and move directly from stomach to liver, where most are instantly metabolized to use as fuel for the body, never to be stored as fat. This unusual digestive process enhances calorie burning. Twenty four men who took MCT's were compared to twenty four who didn't; they burned on average an additional 100 calories per day.

Dose: The supplement, Slim Smart, is available for sale through health professionals.

Chromium: Trace mineral that increases the number of insulin receptors on muscle and fat cells, helping those cells utilize blood sugar more effectively. The body will use more blood sugar to build muscle as opposed to storing it as fat.

In a study of overweight women, those who took a chromium supplement while on a diet and exercise program lost weight in a healthy way; 84% as fat, 16% as muscle. Those that didn't take chromium, lost weight, but at a ratio of 8% fat to 92% muscle tissue.

Losing muscle as opposed to losing fat is a sad reality for many who diet. Evolutionarily, your body is programmed to lose muscle to preserve fat stores in case of famine. Muscle burns far more calories a day than fat does, so you end up with a body that burns fewer calories a day. Post-diet you return to a normal level of eating only to gain weight. Chromium can help prevent this common metabolic problem.

Dose: 600 micrograms (mcg) daily until you reach your weight goal. The maintenance dose is 200 mcg daily.

Caution: Too much chromium can lead to side effects such as anemia, kidney failure, and liver damage. Ask your doctor, as with all supplements, if chromium is right for you.

Bonus: Because chromium helps regulate blood sugar, it can prevent or normalize type 2 diabetes.

Starch Blocker: An extract of white kidney beans, a starch blocker limits the action of alpha-amylase, the digestive enzyme that breaks down starches in the intestines. In a study conducted in Italy, 60 overweight but healthy people received either a starch-blocker or a placebo for 30 days while on a diet of 2000 to 2200 calories a day that included lots of starch, such as bread and pasta. Those taking the starch-blocker lost an average of seven pounds. Those on the placebos didn't lose weight.

Dose: A dose of 300 mg, taken right before each meal with eight ounces of water. Look for a product with Phase 2 as the starch-blocker as it is the most widely studied.

How to Choose: With a health professional's guidance, choose one or two supplements that fit your weight-loss goals and lifestyle.

Example: A person eating a lot of carbs might take a starch-blocker to reduce absorption and chromium to balance blood sugar. If after two months or so the selection doesn't seem to be working, stop taking those and try another one or two supplements.

 

For what it's worth. for the first time in a long long time I actually thought I looked good today. If I were a chick I'd fuck me.
I'm finally under 200 lbs I think for good; despite my English vacation where I had 3 square meals and 2 square desserts a day and many a pint. More weight training and less cardio and good ab exercises are helping a lot. I may not get too much lighter but I'm getting fitter.

 

Well done Redlust. It's a huge boost when you can feel happy with the way you look

 

Thats excellent Red! I am so happy for you!

As for me...I might be slow like a snail, but I have faith :lol:

 

okay i really do like this thread

keep it up ppl

 

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Just stay away from those baby back ribs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nixR6wVa4HY

 

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What!!!!...no bacon, what's the matter with you Jamie

 

Yesterday I had no breakfast, soup and a roll for lunch, a large bar of chocolate when I got home, and takeaway curry for dinner with two glasses of wine. I feel great :excited:

 

:lol: bacon goes without mentioning, I thought you knew that

Life´s not worth living if you can´t indulge! Sounds great Cija!

 

Thanks Jamie. I'm not off the wagon, just needed to splurge out.

 

You know you're in a fit of depression when:

13 days turns into losing 22 pounds.