Category: FRUITS / VEGETABLES

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Exercising On The Paleo Diet

Exercise and nutrition go hand in hand. If you are going to embrace the Paleo lifestyle, you really should consider an exercise regimen as well. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, like some weight training program from a roided-out pro bodybuilder or the training of a high-level athlete.
In fact, if you all you can muster is a 30-minute walk every day, that’s a big deal. One of the biggest problems with modern life is how sedentary we are nowadays. Many people sit at a desk all day long and then they sit on the couch in the evening, usually with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, engaging in social media sites.

So if you can walk every day for half an hour, good for you! Keep it up!
If you want a little more but you’re one of those people that REALLY struggle with sticking to your workouts, forget complicated, multi-exercise programs. Start by focusing on making exercises a habit so that it becomes part of your life routine. And the easiest way to do this is not just to workout first thing in the morning but to make the workout unbelievably simple!
How do you make it so simple that you never skip a workout? Easy! As soon as you roll out of bed, start exercising! This can be as simple as one exercise.


Here are some examples.

Roll out of bed and do X number of bodyweight squats (such as 50!) If you can’t do 50 straight take rests when you need it and keep track of the time it takes to complete all 50 and try and beat that time the next time you do it. Or, reverse it and do bodyweight squats for 7 minutes, resting when you need to and keep track of how many you do. Next time, try and do more in those 7 minutes.
You could do a different exercise each day for a week and then repeat.
Maybe like this:
Monday Bodyweight Squats
Tuesday Push-Ups
Wednesday Burpees
Thursday Jumping Jacks
Friday Jump Lunges
Saturday Jump Rope

Sunday Rest


Modify the exercises to fit you. If you have knee issues or are severely overweight or out of shape, burpees and jump lunges may not be for you. That’s fine. Do normal squats instead of the burpees. Do regular lunges instead of jump lunges.
Not strong enough for the push-ups? Do them from your knees. Or do them on a wall, with your feet a few feet away so you have to lean into the wall.
If push-ups are too easy, do a more difficult version, such as explosive push-ups, clap push-ups, or spiderman push-ups.
Once you’ve done that for a few weeks and exercise becomes the normal thing you do in the morning, you can start doing multi-exercise routines.
Another option would be to set an appointment with your self. Instead of having a workout scheduled for Tuesday, you should have an appointment with yourself to workout on Tuesday at 6 pm. You’ll be much more likely to keep this commitment

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Paleo Approved Foods

Foods You Can Eat: (we’ll cover this in a bit more detail below)
• Butter
• Eggs
• Fish and Seafood
• Fruit
• Herbs and Spices
• Meat
• Natural oils (avocado, coconut, olive)
• Nuts (Seeds)
• Vegetables

Grains, grains, grains (barley, rye, wheat) – Among other things they contain gluten. Avoiding grains means no bread or pasta.
Sugars (includes high fructose corn syrup) – No soft drinks, fruit drinks, ice cream, pastries, candy, etc. Sugars may promote weight gain, give you diabetes, energy crashes, and blood pressure issues, among other health issues.
Legumes – This means no beans or lentils.
Dairy – Stay away from all low-fat dairy products. If you don’t have problems digesting dairy it may be okay to consume some full-fat dairy products like raw whole milk and certain cheeses but only in small amounts.
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (canola, corn, cottonseed, soybean, sunflower, etc.) – These oils cause unhealthy levels of inflammation. And remember the essential fatty acids mentioned above? One of the major problems today is our unbalanced intake of Omega-6 fatty acids compared to Omega-3. A major factor in this unbalanced intake is the high levels of Omega-6 fatty acids in these oils.
Margarine – Margarine was created as a “healthy” alternative to butter. As it turns out, butter is the much healthier option. Most margarine has high levels of deadly trans-fats in them.


Artificial Sweeteners – things like acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose are to be avoided on the Paleo diet.
Obesity is an epidemic and many, many health problems have been connected to obesity. Obesity has been linked to diets high in processed foods, high in processed carbohydrates, and excess sugar intake. The potential health problems include heart disease, type two diabetes, cancer, and stroke.
Yes, many of you are looking at this list of what you can’t eat and thinking you could never follow a Paleo lifestyle. Well, take another look at the list of things that you can eat! How often do you see some of those on a list of foods you can eat while on a so-called ‘diet?’
Not to mention the fact that a Paleo diet does not ask you to count calories!
Yummy Paleo Approved Foods!
Remember that list above of approved foods?
Grass-fed if you can. After all, meat with a bunch of added chemicals sort of defeats the purpose of the Paleo diet, don’t you think?
Seafood includes fish like salmon, trout, shrimp, a variety of shellfish, haddock, and even more.

You can eat lots of vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, kale, and tomato, as well as onions and peppers.
Sweet potatoes, yams, and baked potatoes are on the approved Paleo eating list. This includes turnips, too.
Yes to eggs as well – hard-boiled, soft boiled, scrambled, omelet (just add some of those vegetables and even some of the meat list, if that’s what you enjoy.
Approved nuts and seeds you can eat are almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hazelnuts, chia seeds, and macadamia nuts as well.
A large variety of fruits can be eaten when you go Paleo. On this list is all kinds of berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc.), apples, oranges, mango, and pears. This also includes avocados which is a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that your body needs.
Oils are an important part of the Paleo diet and include the aforementioned olive, coconut, and avocado.
Finally, we have our herbs and spices. There is something here for everyone to flavor your food – Sea salt, garlic, turmeric, mint, basil, rosemary, and many others can be part of your every day eating.
You will find slightly different approved foods with the Paleo diet or the “Caveman” diet. Some will tell you that it’s okay to consume certain things in limited quantities. This includes red wine (science says there are a variety of health benefits to red wine), hot chocolate using dark chocolate, and certain teas, like green tea, that is packed with powerful antioxidants that have a lot of health benefits.
Hardcore Paleo enthusiasts will tell you to go organic as often as possible, to only eat grass-fed meat and consume wild-caught sustainable fish. If you can do this, great, but if not, don’t let that stop you.

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Is Organic The Way To Go In This Modern World ?

Part of being an informed and conscious consumer is being aware of the foods you buy and their health benefits and drawbacks especially if you’re looking at adopting the Paleo way of eating. Buzz words float around the world of healthy eating so frequently that it’s hard to keep track of what’s what and why- and “organic” is certainly no exception. Walk into your typical, everyday grocery store and chances are you’ll stumble upon a few aisles labeled “health food aisle” or “organic aisle.” Sounds pretty good, right? The shelves are stocked with items labeled “natural,” “raw,” “sprouted,” and “organic.” The prices are a bit high but hey, that’s the price you pay for health, right?

It’s important to understand what these labels mean and if they really even mean much, at all. The term organic refers to the way in which agricultural products are grown, raised, handled, and processed. Using natural fertilizers over chemical ones, and natural insecticides over synthetic ones are both ways in which food can be grown and processed to be considered organic. Meat that is considered organic comes from animals that were given organic feed and no antibiotics, growth hormones, or medications.

Variations of “Organic” Labeling


• 100% Organic- completely organic or made of all organic ingredients
• Organic- at least 95% of organic ingredients
• Made with Organic Ingredients- 70% or higher organic ingredients
It’s important to consider the value of buying a particular item in an organic variety. Just because organic costs more doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth it.
Organic.org has a list of foods they call the “dirty dozen,” which contain those that have the highest level of pesticides and therefore are best bought organic. There is also a list of a dozen foods that you can buy non-organic (“least contaminated”). This guide is a great reference for your trips to the grocery store.

Adding Organic Foods Into A Paleo Diet

Now that you understand what the term organic means, what are some reasons you should start adding organic foods into your grocery purchases if following a Paleo Diet?
• More Nutritious- Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids
• Safer- No pesticides, usually no GMO’s
• Pure- No flavor enhancers, preservatives, contaminants
While many argue that the price of organic food makes it impossible to afford, there are ways you can make it fit your budget.
• Shop at local farmers markets
• Join an organic co-op
• Buy directly from farmers
• Buy in bulk
• Grow your own
• Shop online

Those who are fans of organic foods believe it’s healthier and safer to consume than non-organic foods when following the Paleo Diet. On the other hand, some argue that there is no way to ensure that what you’re buying is truly organic, the major factor being the consumption of these foods over-processed.

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Are All Fats Beneficial in the Paleo Diet?

The first point to note is that not all fats are created equal. The second point worth remembering is that you do not get fat by eating fat. In fact, you must consume the right fats for good health. Fats make you feel happy and provide a host of benefits such as reducing cancer risk, boosting your immune system, and even helping you lose weight. Yup! You need to eat fat to lose fat… but you must eat the right fats. The problem these days is that most people are consuming unhealthy fats that come from hydrogenated oils. Many people are unaware of how unhealthy the vegetable oils they consume are. The oils are marketed as being healthy and made out of natural foods such as soy, corn, etc.

In reality, oils that have been refined or hydrogenated are extremely bad for the human body and cause many health-related problems.
The paleo diet uses oils in their natural state. The oils are not bleached or subjected to chemical processes that make them harmful. The fats used in the paleo diet are not only safe but are extremely beneficial to the body. Since the diet is heavy in meat, you will get a good portion of animal fats in your diet. Paleo dieters are encouraged to get grass-fed meats because even the food the commercial companies feed their livestock is detrimental. Eating grass-fed meats will ensure that no ill-effects are passed down to you. Animal fats are perfectly fine. Our ancestors ate lots of meat and our bodies have evolved over time to eat meat and handle animal fat. Rest assured that your cholesterol level is not going to skyrocket. Studies have proven that dietary cholesterol does not cause high cholesterol in humans.

Do you want to know what causes high cholesterol levels in human beings?


Hydrogenated oils sold on supermarket shelves. Unhealthy fats found in cookies, junk food, fast food, etc. These are what cause unhealthy cholesterol levels. Worry not! Since the paleo diet does not allow the consumption of these awful items, you’re safe. Coconut oil is the most preferred oil in the paleo diet. Just like how olive oil is a staple in the Mediterranean diet, coconut oil is the staple oil in the paleo diet. It contains over 90% saturated fat and every bit is good for you. Coconut oil is stable at room temperature and can be used for cooking. It contains lauric acid which is easily digested and helps boost your immune system. Another healthy fat that is seen in the paleo diet is olive oil. This is a very healthy oil and helps to balance the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the body. This will lubricate your joints and prevent inflammation in the body.

Butter and ghee are other fats that are also used to prepare paleo dishes. Many paleo dieters scramble their eggs in the morning with melted butter. Butter is not a strictly paleo ingredient but it does have many health benefits. So, if you’re willing to be a little lax, you can include butter as part of your diet. It does have many benefits. These are just some of the fats in the paleo diet. There are other fats such as avocado oil, etc. The point you should take away from this article is that the fats in the paleo diet are perfectly healthy. You should be more concerned with the normal food that is being sold commercially. These are the biggest culprits for most of society’s health issues these days. Avoid these unhealthy products and go paleo. It truly is life-changing. The Paleo diet has been referred to as the “Caveman” diet because that is basically how you are asked to eat. The Paleo diet mainly consists of meat, fish, turkey, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Overall, Eating Paleo eliminates the negative aspects of the modern diet, such as sugar, trans fats, and preservatives, while nourishing your body with much-needed vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats such as essential fatty acids. Essential as in your body needs them! Get it? With the Paleo diet, you are basically going back to, well, basics! Well, that’s a basic overview of what the Paleo Diet is, in the next part we will look at going organic and following that we will look at Paleo approved foods.

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What Exactly Is The Paleo Diet?

If you don’t know what the Paleo diet is or you’ve never heard of it before, no worries – within this first chapter, we’re going to explore exactly what this way of eating is all about. At its core, Paleo is a lot more lifestyle than it is a diet. A Paleo lifestyle is about eating real, whole, natural foods, and avoiding all processed foods. You see, the modern diet is exactly that, it’s modern. Humans ate in a Paleo-style since the beginning of time before starting the agricultural revolution where we started to eat grain and sugar-based foods, as well as processed foods. The idea behind Paleo is to eliminate those processed foods, chemicals, vegetable oils, and other new additions to the modern diet that can be detrimental to our lifestyle, from how we move to our energy levels to how we feel on a daily basis.

For all those years that we ate Paleo, humans were hunters and gathers. They ate meat and they ate fruits such as berries when they were in season. Which also meant they moved a lot and were very active. They needed to be strong and fit in order to survive. Their bodies were conditioned to efficiently use fat as fuel and energy, not carbohydrates. Eventually, agriculture came into being and the human diet changed dramatically. The Agricultural Revolution occurred about 10,000 years ago and introduced grains, such as wheat, and bread into our diet. Today’s modern diet contains things like significant quantities of gluten. Gluten was non-existent in Paleolithic times. Things like wheat, rye, many bowls of cereal and barley, contain gluten. Gluten has been recognized to cause inflammation in the gut and has been given widespread attention through celebrities like Kelly Ripa, who have famously gone gluten-free.

It’s also been theorized (not proven) that gluten could play a role in an increased risk of some cancers as well as heart disease. Another ingredient in the modern-day diet that is linked to possible health problems is that of lectins. Lectins are present in grains. They cause wear and tear on our gastrointestinal tract, making it very difficult to heal. Let’s not forget the sugar. Sugar is everywhere and in everything nowadays. Sugar needs to be burned but another aspect of modern times is how sedentary people have become. Everyone sits. They sit at work, sit on the couch watching television, they sit at their computers, they sit checking out social media and texts on their smartphones. People do not move the way they used to and so they don’t burn calories the way they used to. This becomes a big problem when talking about sugar consumption. In the Paleolithic period, humans were lean, strong, and fit. They moved, pretty much all day every day. They didn’t farm or grow crops. As I mentioned above, they hunted and gathered. They followed the food. They didn’t sit around playing on their Tablet. If they did, they’d starve!


So all that sugar being consumed in the modern diet, which is bad enough, isn’t even burned off because of sedentary lifestyles. Which means energy spikes and crashes, and related health problems such as diabetes and blood pressure issues. One of the big myths that the Paleo diet has helped to dispel is the outdated notion of eating fat makes you fat. This was a big deal when the high carbohydrate craze started in the eighties and you had everyone obsessed with the number of fat calories they were eating. Almost every food in existence ended up with a low-fat or no-fat version. But most of that fat got replaced with sugar! Fat is a crucial nutrient when it comes to our health. Dietary fat is needed for an optimal, well-functioning, and healthy body. It’s all the chemicals, preservatives, and added sugar in our diets that lead to weight gain, health issues, energy problems, and more.

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DIET – INTRODUCTION

Whether we like it or not, the health of our society is bad and getting worse. As technology continues to develop, convenience does as well, and ordering food is literally as simple as the clicking of a button. Long gone are the days of having to find your own food, let alone having to drive to a restaurant to get dinner. Cooking dinner looks less and less appealing when compared to the food conveniences and choices amongst diners, catering services, fast food, and takeout.

Diabetes is now the seventh leading cause of death, just in the United States alone. Type 2 diabetes has been on the rise due to poor lifestyle choices, such as too much unhealthy food and not enough exercise. “Globesity,” a term coined by the World Health Organization to describe the worldwide obesity epidemic, is another problem as well. These numbers continue to rise as do the associated health problems and diseases. As governments and local communities start to feel the impact of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc. due to poor lifestyle choices, awareness is increasing. Cheap, processed foods are so readily available and overwhelm the shelves in supermarkets. Toss desk-jobs, long drives or commutes, and electronics into the mix, and we do a lot of sitting around and very little to burn off that processed food.

With media covering the obesity epidemic and health and quality of life plummeting, some people are starting to see the light. Documentaries such as Fed Up are exposing food manufacturers’ concerns that lie only with profits and not health, and how added sugar is in over 80% of supermarket foods. We may be a long way off from getting back to “the good old days” where dinner was made from whatever was in the garden and processed foods were nearly unheard of. But the best we can do is inform ourselves about why healthy choices are the best for long-term health and quality of life.

As technology develops, our choices will only continue to grow. By making wise ones, we can help battle and slow this rising epidemic.
o today I want to give you a quick beginner overview of one of the best choices you can make in regards to overall health & a natural way of eating. The Paleo Diet…dodon’t worry if you don’t know what it is, within the next few moments you will discover why it has been one of the most talked-about diets of recent time Let’s dive in…

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Weight Loss Nutrition Shopping Tips

When you make a conscious effort to lose weight and take back your health, you need to ensure that you’re doing everything in your power to consume the right foods at the right times. This is where it pays dividends to know what you’re doing when you’re out browsing the grocery store for healthy foods and drinks. To help make your shopping trips for healthy food that little bit easier, we’re going to share a series of healthy shopping tips with you right now. Because we’re so generous and helpful, we’re also going to share a sample healthy meal plan for the day with you, so you have a better idea of the types of things you should be eating to lose weight.

Weight loss nutrition shopping tips

To get things started, here’s a look at some useful shopping tips for when you’re looking to stock up on healthy, weight loss-friendly foods and drinks. Never go shopping hungry – If there’s just one piece of advice to take heed of, let it be this: Never go food shopping for healthy products when you’re hungry.
When you’re hungry, you won’t be thinking clearly, you’ll be craving something quick, easy, and tasty, and you’ll be surrounded by unhealthy junk food that you’ll find hard to resist. If you’ve already eaten a healthy meal, however, you’ll be full, and you won’t be interested in the junk food at all. Don’t buy food labelled as ‘low fat’ – Although you’re looking to lose weight, you should still avoid food labelled as
being ‘low fat’ at all costs. This is because low-fat alternatives to everyday food items often contain ingredients that are far worse.

Normally they’ll be packed full of artificial flavorings, chemicals, sweeteners, and preservatives which do the body no good at all. Sure, they may be low in fat and calories, but they’re still very unhealthy.
Read the packaging and ingredients – If you’re unsure about whether or not something is healthy, read the packaging and take a look at the list of ingredients found inside. If there are dozens upon dozens of ingredients, including chemicals that you can’t pronounce, and E-numbers, it’s not healthy and it should be ignored. Look for foods and products containing natural ingredients.

Don’t fear frozen vegetables

There’s a misconception in the world of dieting, that frozen vegetables are unhealthy. In reality, most frozen veggies are simply coated with freshwater and frozen at source, making them very fresh. Some fruit and veg you see on grocery shelves could have been standing for weeks and may not be as fresh as you’d like. The fresher the produce, the higher the nutrient count.

Sample healthy menu

Breakfast


• Slice of wholegrain toast
• Half a smashed avocado
• 1 poached egg
• 1 serving of wilted spinach
Snack
• 1 apple

Lunch


• 1 homemade chicken and Mediterranean vegetable salad with vinaigrette dressing
Snack
• 1 yogurt
• 1 handful of mixed berries
Dinner
• 1 baked cod fillet
• 1 serving of fresh asparagus
• 1 baked sweet potato

Snack


• 1 serving of cottage cheese
• 1 handful of mixed nuts
Now that we’ve learned a few shopping tips while on a weight loss plan, the next thing we will look at is adding exercise into the mix.

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Top 5 Power Foods You Need In Your Diet For Weight Loss

To some people, the thought of eating food to lose weight is preposterous. Surely, when it comes to losing weight the less food you eat, the better? In reality, however, the exact opposite is true.
In order to lose weight, we need to make sure that we’ve eaten enough to provide our metabolisms with the energy needed to function. Some foods, however, are even more beneficial for shedding the pounds than others. Here’s a look at the top 5 power foods for weight loss.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a superfood that is considered one of the healthiest in the world. If you’re looking to lose weight, broccoli is ideal. To begin with, broccoli is naturally low in calories and is virtually fat-free. As well as that, broccoli is also rich in fiber, which is your secret weapon in the battle against the bulge. Fiber helps to promote satiety and helps to keep you feeling full for longer. If you feel full, you’ll be less likely to overeat.

Salmon

Salmon is an oily fish that is renowned for its health benefits. Salmon is a rich source of protein which is very useful for burning fat. Protein is thermogenic, which means that it raises your core body temperature as it is broken down. This in turn means that your body burns off more calories just to digest the food and break it down. The weight loss benefits here are apparent. As an added bonus, salmon is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential minerals.

Chicken breast

If you look at any healthy eating plan containing meat, you’ll find that the primary protein source is usually chicken breast. For losing weight, chicken breast is ideal. Chicken breast is virtually fat-free when skinless, and is naturally low in calories. It’s also a great source of protein, which increases your metabolism as it is digested and broken down. Not only that, but as protein takes longer to digest and be broken down, it also stays in your stomach for longer so you feel full for longer.

Avocados

Avocados are naturally rich in fats and are high in calories. Because of this, people often avoid them when trying to lose weight. This is a mistake. You see, avocados are rich in healthy fats such as oleic acid, which has been found to ramp up the metabolism and fight inflammation.
Inflammation is heavily linked to obesity. Avocados are also a great source of fiber. This, combined with their high-calorie content, makes them perfect for keeping you feeling full for longer.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is roughly 99% saturated fat. The saturated fat found in coconut oil, however, is incredibly good for you. The fats found in coconut oil are MCTs or Medium Chain Triglycerides. Because of their triglyceride chain length, when consumed, these fats are used as a near-instant source of energy.
The body is able to use the fat for fuel quicker, so you don’t store the fats for use at a later date. This increase in energy means that your metabolism increases, and you will, therefore, burn more calories.

Hooray for coconuts.


Well, these are just a few power foods everyone should look at including into a healthy and balanced diet. In the next part, we will look at some of the most popular diets going around and whether they should be implemented or thrown in the bin.

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Nutritional Overview – The Fundamentals of a Healthy Diet

As you know, health is wealth, and if you want to lose weight to get fit and healthy, you need to begin by addressing your diet. When we think of diets, we think of minuscule portions, salad, vegetables, and other bland and tasteless foods that may be good for us, but are hardly inspiring when it comes to taste.
In truth, the entire concept behind a healthy diet is extremely complex as there is a lot to get your head around. While we won’t be going into too much technical detail when looking at diet and nutrition, we will be providing a basic nutritional overview and will be looking at some of the basic fundamentals associated with a healthy diet.

Hydration

First and foremost, it doesn’t matter which diet and nutritional plan you intend on following adequate hydration are absolutely essential. The human body is made up of close to 80% water.
We need water in order for our cells to function properly, we need water to digest our food, we need water to convert calories into energy, we need water for our organs to function properly, and we need water to simply feel healthy and productive. Water helps speed up metabolism and promotes athletic performance, making adequate hydration perfect for people trying to lose weight. As well as that, water is also very beneficial for the brain. Experts recommend that we consume around 8 glasses of water each day. Avoid sugary drinks, as well as sugar-free drinks which are loaded with chemicals, and instead, get your hydration from fresh mineral or filtered water.

Macros

Macros, or macronutrients if we’re being technical, are made up of: fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Basically, these are your three macronutrients.
It is worth noting roughly how many calories the different types of macronutrients contain.
• Carbohydrates – 4 calories per gram
• Proteins – 4 calories per gram
• Fats – 9 calories per gram
We need a healthy balance of all three macros as they perform different functions and processes within the body.

Protein for example, is used to help repair and rebuild damaged muscle tissue. It’s also vital for cellular health and function. Carbohydrates are typically used by the body as a key source of energy, whereas fats are used to regulate your hormones, boost metabolism, promote healthy organs, and much more besides. When trying to lose weight, your macronutrient ratios should be at 50% protein, 35% carbs and 15% fat.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are another group of essential food groups needed by the body in order for it to function at its best. Micronutrients generally consist of vitamins and minerals. These all play incredibly important roles in the body and are vital for optimal health and well-being. We need vitamins for a healthy immune system, for wound healing, for organ function, for energy production, for hormone regulation, and much more besides. Minerals are equally as important as each one offers unique benefits and advantages to the body. Minerals such as calcium, for example, are important for strong and healthy bones. Iron is a mineral essential for the blood as it plays a key role in the production of hemoglobin.

Calories

Calories are basic units of energy. The human body needs energy for a whole variety of different reasons. We get our energy from food and drink. The amount of energy found in each food and drink item is measured in calories. To maintain itself in its current state, the body needs a certain number of calories. This number varies from person to person. If we consume more calories than the body needs for maintenance, we create a caloric surplus. Rather than letting these calories go to waste, the body instead converts them into fat and stores them to be used at a later date. If we don’t consume enough calories needed for maintenance, we create a caloric deficit, and the body taps into its fat reserves to make up the difference. This is a very simple explanation of how a caloric deficit promotes weight loss.

Are You Carb Sensitive?

This is a HUGE problem that is the underlying cause for why fat people keep getting fatter… and the rate of weight gain is accelerated. Some people are highly carb sensitive. When they consume even a little bit of carbs, they gain weight fast. This is due to insulin insensitivity. You’re probably wondering what causes this. The answer is quite simple.Let’s assume you drink a can of sugary soda. The sugar in the soda will spike your blood sugar levels. Your body will release insulin to prevent your blood sugar level from getting too high (hyperglycemia).

Now if you were to drink 3 cans of soda a day, your body will keep releasing insulin to cope with these elevated sugar levels. Over time, your body will get desensitized to the insulin and your pancreas will have to keep releasing more insulin just to cope with the same amount of sugar.
When this happens, the excess insulin will be shuttled off to the body’s fat stores through a chain of processes within the body. This will explain why overweight people often complain that they eat 1 slice of cake and gain 4 pounds. While this is a bit of an exaggeration, you do get the point. A long time of consuming junk food and processed foods has affected their body’s internal system. Another very nasty consequence of insulin insensitivity is that it sets the stage for type 2 diabetes which is the leading cause of kidney failure, blindness, and amputations. This is one of the worst diseases out there… and it all starts with a poor diet.

So what do I do if I’m insulin insensitive?

There are a few ways to reduce insulin insensitivity. Thousands of people will see rapid weight loss if they ‘reset’ their body’s insulin sensitivity. This is one of the biggest weight loss hurdles that most people aren’t even aware of. Fix your insulin insensitivity and it will become much easier to shed the stubborn pounds. Here are a few methods.
• Reduce your intake of all sugary and refined foods until you can eliminate them completely.
• Consume more foods that contain turmeric/ginger/garlic.
• Get enough sleep daily. This is very important. If you get insufficient sleep, consume some cinnamon. This will help attenuate the effects of the insulin resistance that arises from insufficient sleep.
• Lift weights.
• Run thrice a week in a fasted state.
• Drink unsweetened green tea regularly. The gallic acid in the tea will improve your insulin sensitivity.
• Consume leafy greens and food rich in magnesium.
• Reduce or totally stop your intake of refined carbs like white rice, white bread, pasta, etc.

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Getting Physically Active

I’m going to tell you right now if you want to be healthy, you need to get out there and get physical.
Regardless of your age, it’s never too late for you to start exercising, so don’t ever use your age as an excuse – there’s 70 years old’s out there doing extraordinary things with a bit of fitness!
In fact, the older you are, the more you should exercise. No, I’m not joking. Unless your doctor has advised against it, there’s no reason not to. Exercise isn’t going to have a negative impact on your body. Of course, before you get physically active, you should speak with your doctor to get the “go ahead,” this way, you will feel better. You just need to learn how to fight through that laziness for the sake of your own health and get your body to start moving. Trust us, even the smallest of changes in your lifestyle can lead to a huge change in your body, so don’t hesitate to start a good exercise regimen and stick to it.
At first, you’re not going to like exercise, but eventually, as it becomes a part of your lifestyle, you’re going to enjoy it.
Types of Exercises:
• Walking
• Jogging
• Swimming
• Yoga

Those are only for types of exercise you can take part in. Honestly, you can easily create your own exercise routine that is fun for you. Just look on youtube for at-home exercise programs and you will find a multitude of fun and easy to perform programs. Well, we have reached the pinnacle of our beginner’s guide on the TLC Diet and I want to congratulate you on making it this far. In this final part we will be summarizing the main points we have covered so far and hopefully put to ease any questions or doubts you may have.

Tips To Start Today

At first, it’s not going to be easy – no diet is easy, regardless of who you are, above all else, however, the major thing to consider is sources of fat in your diet and monitoring saturated fat levels to lower your cholesterol. While this seems difficult, after about a week or so, you’ll start to pick up on the routine and before you know it, the TLC diet will naturally become a part of your lifestyle. Here’s a little bit of advice for you – put some time and effort into making your meals. You may even want to enroll in a nice yoga class (there may be one going on right now in your area). If you cannot find a yoga class, you can find many yoga videos online, which will allow you to practice yoga in the comfort of your own home.
Also, it may help if you have a nice support system going on. The more friends you have that will take part in this diet with you, the better off you’re going to be. In the end, don’t let anything get in your way and remember the benefits of the TLC diet! You can also reward yourself. Rewarding yourself will give you something to look forward to. Just don’t reward yourself with food – go for a new shirt or something along those lines. Well, that’s it, you’ve reached the end. Wish you all the best in your journey to reduce your cholesterol levels by following the TLC diet.