1/3 cup cottage cheese

1 scoop vanilla whey protein

2 tbsp flax seeds

1/2 ounce almonds

1/2 ounce walnuts

1 1/2 cup ice

1/4 cup water

Preparation

Combine all ingredients except water and blend on high for 2 minutes. Next, add water and blend on high for 1 minute.

One in three adults age 20-74 is overweight. This equals 58 million Americans based on the studies from 1980 to 1991, with the numbers growing every day. Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, diabetes, some forms of cancer, breathing problems, and arthritis.

Women with more than 25body fat and men with 30of body fat are considered obese. It is hard to really measure body fat based on the fact muscle weighs more than fat and the calculations used to measure body mass index (BMI) does not take into consideration the factor of the amounts of muscle on the person’s body. The most accepted method of calculating body fat is the underwater method, which is limited to laboratories with special equipment and not as widely used.

There are two simpler methods for measuring the body fat. One is the skinfold thickness measurement. This test measures the thickness of the skin on different areas such as the triceps. The measurements vary based on the skill of the person taking the measurements. The other test is bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). BIA sends a small amount of electrical current through the body to estimate the total body water levels. The higher amounts of water levels indicate the amounts of muscle matter. Yet this procedure may not be accurate for people that are severely obese.

The numbers of overweight adults in America in the age range 20 to 74 years old for females are 32 million and men are 26 million. The numbers of overweight youth ages 6 to 17 years old is about 4.7 million or 11of the children in that age group.

Some of the primary reason for people being overweight can be seen in the foods consumed and the exercise levels practiced. The percentage of dietary fat in adults is 34 Saturated fat is 12

Extra calories consumed to gain a pound or to burn a pound is 3,500 calories. The number of women trying to lose weight is 33 to 40 The number of men trying to lose weight is 20 to 24 The average calories burnt while eating is .023 kcal per minute. The annual number of deaths related to poor diet and inactivity is over 300,000.

The costs economically related to overweight and obesity is estimated at $11.3 billion on treatment, diagnosis, and management. This includes treatment for diabetic kentoacidosis, diabetic coma, diabetic eye disease, and diabetic kidney disease all contributed to obesity. The cost related to gallbladder disease is $2.4 billion.

Obesity is $22.2 billion of medical treatment for the heart disease patients.

High blood pressure in obese people costs $1.5 billion with breast and colon cancer costing $1.9 billion. The indirect costs related to obesity in weight reduction products and a service that includes diet foods, products, and programs is $33 billion a year.

These are just a sample of the many facts that are available about being overweight and/or obese.

So how does this diet work? It’s very simple. You eat half a grapefruit before every meal. The enzyme it contains reduces your appetite so you consume fewer calories. It also speeds up the fat burning process helping you to shed pounds. Everyone knows that if you use more energy than you take in from the food you eat, you will lose weight. Some studies suggest that you could lose up to ten pounds in less than two weeks simply by introducing this change. Personally, I believe you would have a better chance of success if you also cut your portion sizes, ate four or five smaller meals rather than three large ones.And took more exercise.

It is completely pointless thinking that one simple change in your lifestyle is going to result in a big weight loss. You need to review all areas of your life. Do you eat food because you are bored? Upset? Do you get enough exercise? Most Americans are not active enough. You don’t suddenly need to become a gym fanatic but a little extra activity every day will help. I am sure you can think of a million ways to add some movement to your sedentary lifestyle. You could take the stairs instead of the lift; get off the metro one stop early, walk to the store etc.

In the same way, you can make progress by implementing simple changes at mealtimes. Instead of frying your food which only adds extra calories, try grilling, baking or steaming. Learn how to cook rather than relying on prepackaged meals that add dollars to your bills as well as pounds to your waistline. Use herbs and spices to flavor your meals rather than salt to help prevent fluid retention.

Eat more fruit and vegetables. They are high in fibre, low in calories and very filling. Your skin will glow from all the extra vitamins and minerals you are consuming. Don’t eat carbohydrates after 5pm in the evening as your body will not have sufficient time to use up all the energy they release. The body converts excess energy into fat.

Eat protein but chose the leaner cuts of meat and forget about sausages and other processed foods for now. Don’t exclude all treats but go for quality rather than quantity. Stop eating when you are full and not when your plate is empty.

Don’t mistake being thirsty for feeling hungry. And stop ingesting hidden calories via flavored waters, fizzy pop and perhaps the biggest culprit of all, alcohol.

You can shrink your waistline by using the 12 day grapefruit diet. but only if you combine it with a healthy eating and exercise program.

On the 3 day diet menu, it is very important to eat your grapefruit or drink your grapefruit juice at every meal. Additionally, you must drink at least 32 ounces of water each day.

Breakfast #1

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

1 piece of dry toast topped with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

Breakfast #2

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

1 egg

1 piece of dry toast

1/2 banana

Breakfast #3

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

5 saltine crackers

1 oz. cheese

1 apple

Lunch on the 3 day diet menu also has about 200 calories a day.

Lunch #1

1/2 cup tuna in spring water

1 piece of dry toast

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

Lunch #2

1 cup cottage cheese

8 saltine crackers

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

Lunch #3

1 boiled egg

1 slice dry toast

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

Dinner on the 3 day diet menu has about 350 calories and bulks up the meal with 2 cups of vegetables. You also get a sweet treat in the form of vanilla ice cream.

Dinner #1

3 ounces of lean meat

1 cup of green beans

1 cup of carrots

1 apple

1 cup of vanilla ice cream

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

Dinner #2

2 franks

1 cup of ?cabbage

1/2 cup of carrots

1/2 banana

1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

Dinner #3

1 cup EACH of:

* tuna in spring water

* carrots

* cauliflower

* melon

* 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream

Coffee or tea (sugar substitute okay)

1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. grapefruit juice

Grapefruit has no scientifically based fat reducing properties and does not magically speed up your metabolism. Eaten whole (rather than juiced), 1/2 of the fruit provides 6 grams of fibre. But then, oranges provide 7 grams of fibre.

The 3 day diet menus do provide a healthy, balanced meal plan, but it has only about 900 calories. So, will you lose weight if you stick to the diet? Yes. You will probably lose between 3 and 6 pounds. Some people claim to have lost 10 pounds.

This can be a real turn on for people who need to lose a dress size in a short amount of time, particularly if a big event is looming. But, the 3 day diet menu does not provide a lasting solution to weight loss.

What You Need to Perform machine Crunches

You will an abdominal crunch machine, time and dedication.

How to Perform Machine Crunches

Look for the abdominal crunch machine at the gym. This machine has a seat that is attached to a weight stack. You will also notice that a padded area is also attached to the weight stack, around the area where your chest should be when you sit down (on the seat). It is not uncommon to mistake this machine for the back extension ? this is because these two machines look very similar. The one and only difference between the abdominal crunch machine and the back extension machine is way the padded bar moves. The padded bar moves backward on the back extension machine and moves forward on the abdominal crunch machine.

Start with a light weight so that you see what you can successfully handle for repetitions. Choose a weight that you can handle for at least 10 repetitions. You should also make sure that you adjust the height of the seat and the placement of the padding according to your height. Some abdominal crunch machines have charts that provide institution for appropriate settings for both the padding and the seating.

When you sit in the machine, place both feet flat on the ground. You should place your chest on the padding and make sure you place your hands where you feel the most comfortable. You can place them on the pad or place them on the handles attached to the seat. Make sure that you keep your back and abdominal muscles tight all through the movement in order to avoid injury and to also get the best out of the exercise. As soon as you are seated in this position with your chest placed on the pad, you are ready to start this exercise ? this will be the starting position.

You should push your chest forward on the pad and ensure that your abdominal muscles do a lot of the work. When you lean face first towards the ground, you should begin to feel a tightness in your abdominal muscles. Do not over do it! Just make sure you lean as far forward as you possibly can until you feel a tightness/contraction. When you feel the tightness in your abdominal muscles, hold the position for up to a couple of seconds.

Go back to the starting position, and repeat the exercise for at least ten (10) repetitions. Stop if you feel that your abdominal muscles are beginning to cramp. It is really a great idea to warm up the abdominal muscles before, during and after the exercise in order to avoid discomfort or injury.

1. It Doesn’t Under-Count Or Over-Count Steps

The most essential characteristic of a good Calories burned counter is accuracy. While no pedometer can have 100accuracy in counting steps, you should not get one that under-counts or over-counts in either extreme. In most cases, a poor quality calories burned counter usually under-counts your steps. Because every step counts, you may end up working harder than you should if you buy a poor quality pedometer.

2. It Comes with a Waistband Clip or Durable Belt

No matter how well the pedometer itself works, it can only work if it is attached to you. That’s why you don’t want to choose a Digital Calories burned counter that comes with a belt or waistband clip that breaks easily. Once the clip or belt is broken the device may not be unusable since it is designed to be clipped firmly on our waist to count steps properly. Always look out for belt or waistband clip that comes with lifetime warranty if available as you can return it for a replacement if it breaks.

3. Comes With Warranty (At Least 1 Year)

A good quality calories burned counter will come with minimum one year warranty or more. A pedometer with no warranty or a limited warranty gives you no assurance that the device will last.

4. Comes With Longer Battery Life

A calories burned counter that comes with only a short battery life will not be accurate and this will negatively affect your wellness and fitness program. Thus, you must find one that has a longer battery life.

5. Comes With “False Step” Sensor To Remove Non-Step Motion

The better calories burned counters come with built-in “false step” sensor. These filter out motions that are not considered as a “normal step”. Such calories burned counters are usually more accurate in results compared to others.

6. Has Separate Step and Aerobic Step Counters

A pedometer that has separate calories burned counters for regular steps and for minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously will give you a better sense of the actual calories you have burned off. These pedometers are more sophisticated and thus better.

7. Has an Automatic Shut Down Feature

Some of the more advanced calories burned counters will automatically reset themselves at midnight. While this isn’t an essential feature, it is nice to know that you get a fresh count of your steps each morning.

Calories burned counters that are used as freebies or are items given away in trade shows, or sold as promotional items are typically considered as “cheap” and “not-so-good-quality” Pedometers.

Instead, invest the $25 to $35 out of your own pocket to get one of the top quality calories burned counters available today.

The first thing you’re going to have to do is to invest in a juicer – and I say invest because that is exactly what it will be for you and your body. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and prices and though some of them can do a variety of other things such as pulping and chopping, a basic juicer will serve you well to try out some juice recipes for weight loss.

Decide on your favorite fruits and vegetables and make sure that the produce you use is as fresh as you can find. The great thing about using juices to help you lose weight is that what you come up with can be as personal as the clothes you wear and how you wear them. No one, is going to be preparing and drinking the same juice recipes as you in the same way as you!

Fancy a carrot and apple juice for breakfast? Then simply wash your carrots, peel and core your apple and throw them into a juicer, in whatever quantities you desire and add a splash of lemon juice and you have yourself a lovely breakfast juice. A juice like this is stuffed full of beta carotene, iron and vitamin C and so if this doesn’t get you going in the morning then simply throw in even more vegetables.

The real key to finding and using juice recipes for weight loss is to make sure that you try a variety of juices. Think about this, the number one reason that many people fail to lose weight is because they get bored with what they are eating. They crave their favorite foods and feel disgruntled that they are not ‘allowed’ to eat and enjoy them. Now, there is virtually no way you should fall into the trap of getting bored with your juices. Just make sure that you are mixing them up regularly and adding or taking away from them.

For instance, that apple and carrot breakfast juice could be so easily changed and refreshed by adding a stick of celery to the mix or even a hand full of strawberries and some crushed ice. Just make sure that you are using all of your favorite fruits and vegetables, in a variety of groups and your juice recipes for weight loss will stay refreshing and keep your interest.