What Is The Chocolate Diet?

You've heard of the South Beach Diet, the Hollywood Diet, and of course, the Atkins Diet. Well, I'm starting my own new diet. It's called the Chocolate Diet. The kind of diet where you can lose weight and still eat chocolate every day.

Diets that don't include chocolate don't work. Slip up once with a candy bar and your diet is out the window. Cutting cocoa is not rational. If you give up chocolate, you might as well give up your diet. Depriving yourself of this delight can cause you to leave your diet all together. Why give up chocolate, anyway? It's good for you! Yes, I said it. It's good for you. Research suggests dark chocolate, rich in anti-oxidants, may lower bad cholesterol. And don’t forget about its mood lifting properties-- you can practically call it an anti-depressant.

So how does the Chocolate Diet work? 2 ounces of dark chocolate per day. That's 100 calories, folks. Will that alone cause you to lose weight? I like to tell myself that, but no. But it will add a little sanity to your pain-staking regimen of exercise and calorie counting. It can help you actually keep your diet if your diet consists of chocolate every day, right?

So if you're going on a diet, don't exclude chocolate from it. Go on the Chocolate Diet. Exercise, eat sensibly, and eat chocolate every day.

Cristina Vazquez, http://www.chocojunkie.com

Tags: diet, weightloss, weight loss, cholesterol, exercise, anti oxidants

3 Ways to Get More Energy & More Weight Loss

Last summer I trained a Hollywood starlet who was in Toronto to film a movie. She was a model Turbulence Training client, doing everything I asked in each session including her first-ever chin-up, except for the Sugar-free Red Bull she insisted on having before each workout.

She said she needed the energy.

Everywhere you go people are looking for 'energy'. Have you been seduced by the ads promising "such and such" beverage will "give you wings", or by stores offering sky-high cups of coffee. Where do you go for your fix? And is it really a fix at all? Or just a patch that leads to an inevitable crash and burn?

In reality, the "energy" we're chasing is simply mental alertness.

And it's no secret that coffee and cigarettes contain drugs that stimulate your brain, giving you the mental alertness we mistakenly call 'energy'.

If you are searching a better way of living, a life that doesn't depend on chemicals - literally, drugs! - to keep you awake and motivated, if you are tired of being tired, then being wired, and then being tired again, then set the coffee cup down, step away from the supersized Diet Cokes, and turn to holistic living.

There are better, healthier ways to achieve higher levels of physical and mental energy.

Here are 3 ways to get more energy, naturally.

1) Exercise

It doesn't matter what time you exercise, just be consistent. Fit it in based on your schedule and personality. If you have to do it first thing when you wake up, just do it. Don't even let yourself think about it. Just get started.

A lot of people think too much about their plan. That's why strength and interval training work for so many people...they don't have to think, they just follow the workouts and get done fast.

Focus on intense strength training for 20 minutes followed by a brief interval training session to boost your metabolism all day long.

Exercise is a drug. Like caffeine and nicotine, exercise causes the release of many chemicals into your blood, resulting in mental stimulation and an improved sense of overall well-being. Exercise just makes you feel good.

2) Eat smaller, more frequent meals.

Skip the cycle of starving and feasting characterized by no breakfast, a high-carbohydrate lunch, and a huge dinner. Instead, eat breakfast and then continue to eat every 3 hours for the rest of the day.

Research shows that a high-fiber breakfast helps control appetite and increases mental alertness all morning, and improves your ability to process information.

Do not skip breakfast and rely on a coffee to get you through the day. Got no time? C'mon! You're an adult, you can get up 10 minutes earlier to have a protein shake, some almonds, and an apple. You're not in high school anymore. No excuses!

3) Eat only whole, natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables, organic proteins, raw nuts (not roasted in oil), Green Tea, water.

Trying to run on processed foods is a recipe for an energetic disaster. Stick to whole, natural foods during the day, snacking rather than binging on big meals, and you'll never feel like dozing off.

If a food is from a bag or a box, it doesn't deserve a place in your nutrition plan. Avoid all added sugars. Surely, you're already sweet enough!

Bonus Tip!) Take mini-breaks during the day to work on your mobility.

Work environments zap our 'energy'. From poor posture, to eye-strain from computer screens, your office, cubicle, and car seat will suck the life out of you.

According to Men's Health magazine...

"British researchers recently found that when people exercised during their workday -- regardless of the duration or intensity of the movement -- they were less likely to feel fatigued, and that translated into a 15 percent improvement in job performance."

Daily exercise breaks are essential to not only boost energy, but mobility. Each day, as your computer sucks you into its visual vortex, your upper body becomes rounded forward and tense. You need to reverse that movement. Here's how...

Stickup Stand with your back to the wall and feet about 4 inches from the wall. Place the back of your arms against the wall with upper arms parallel to floor and forearms at 90 degrees. Stick up your arms over head while keeping your arm against the wall at all times. Slowly return to below the starting position tucking your elbows into your sides and bringing shoulder blades together. Repeat for 12 reps. Do this every 60-90 minutes.

In addition, get outside into natural light whenever possible.

So boost your energy naturally. Each day use less caffeine, and more healthy exercise and nutrition tips for energy.

You have permission to publish this article in your web sites, ezines or electronic publication, as long as the piece is used in its entirety including the resource box, all hyperlinks (HTML clickable) and references and copyright info.

Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com

Tags: weight loss, diet, lose weight, metabolism, energy, exercise, health

What Are The Herbs For Weight Loss?

There are a number of herbs for weight loss that can help you safely and effectively lose excess pounds without the need for controversial and often dangerous prescription medications. When used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program, these herbal extracts can give you the extra boost you need to reach your diet goals.

Weight loss herbs come in various forms, including single ingredient and more comprehensive supplements, elixirs and liquid preparations, among others. It's important to research all of the options thoroughly before deciding what's right for you.

Some "dieter’s teas" can actually be harmful, so research is important. Dieter’s teas containing senna, aloe, buckthorn or other laxatives derived from plants have been known to cause diarrhea, vomiting or chronic constipation when used at high levels. Do not exceed recommended doses of any of these products.

Green tea extract has become one of the most popular herbs for weight loss. Researchers have found that those who took the extract increased their expenditure of energy and burned more fat than those who took a placebo or caffeine alone.

In addition to green tea, there are a number of weight loss herbs that have shown promise, although most have not been the subject of as many clinical trials.

Cascara sagrada is a strong stimulant laxative and should not be used for more than a week as a weight loss herb.

Dandelion is a gentle diuretic, laxative and digestive aid and you can take it in tea form or as a fresh dandelion salad.

Ephedra was found in many weight loss preparations, but was banned a few years ago after researchers found an increase risk of heart attacks with excessive dosages.

Garcinia cambogia is a metabolic stimulant and appetite suppressant and licorice root is one of those herbs for weight loss that satisfies cravings for sweets and helps avoid snacking.

Psyllium is a gentle laxative, as is senna. Although studies are inconclusive, St. John’s wort appears to increase seratonin levels in the brain and suppress appetite.

These are the main herbs for weight loss, although you may find research on various others. If you are looking for a supplement, make sure it contains standardized extracts, which are the purest forms. This will ensure that the active ingredient is present in the formula...otherwise, the weight loss herb will likely be ineffective.

Make sure that you consult your physician before starting supplementation. He or she will help you decide which herbal weight loss product is right for you.

David Bloom is a health enthusiast and contributor to many fitness sites. He is the author of Weight Loss Herbs, a section of Herbal Supplements Guide dedicated to natural ways to shed excess pounds in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program.

Tags: weight loss, diet, diet herbs, lose weight, herbs, appetite

A Technique to Get the Most Out of Fat Burning Diets

I don't believe that there is a clear cut ideal fat burning diet that works for everyone. I do believe that there are several fat burning diets that are very effective. What if there was a way to get a head start and drop 15-20 pounds quickly before choosing any of the fat burning diets on the market?

Your Body is Capable of Losing 15-20 Pounds Over a Two Week Period

Crash dieting when done over a short period of time is very effective. It isn't something that is recommended over the long term, but it the fastest way to burn fat over the short term. You can eat very low calories for 14 days or so before your body adapts and your metabolism slows down. Again...this is just something that must be done no longer than 14 days.

Crash Dieting is Even More Effective than Cardio Exercise at Burning Fat

This was a hard one for me to swallow, since I'm an exercise junkie. Let me explain how this works. If you body burns 2,000 calories a day and you only ingest 600 calories, you just created a 1,400 calorie deficit. You would have to jog on a treadmill for 2 1/2 hours to burn the same amount of calories. It is simply easier to create a large calorie deficit from your diet than it is from exercise. Note...I am just talking about the short term here, in the long term cardio is very effective at burning body fat.

A Radical and Simple Crash Diet to Follow Before Your Fat Burning Diet

1) You only allow yourself to ingest 600-800 calories each day for two weeks
2) Make sure and take multivitamins during this time
3) Avoid fat and sugars
4) Eat about 100-150 Grams of Protein
5) Drink as much Green Tea and Coffee as you want
6) Drink plenty of water

Burn More Fat in Two Weeks Than Most People Do All Year

I normally do this every year, right around the middle of May. I keep myself around 8% body fat most of the year, but this allows me to get super-ripped for summer. I usually eat nothing but a skinless chicken breast in the morning and one more for lunch. When I get hungry throughout the day, I'll consume a large amount of Green Tea. For dinner I will chop up a bit of cabbage and chicken and mix with chicken broth to make a soup (chicken broth is very low calorie and tastes great). I also add cilantro, jalapenos, onions, and celery to this soup. This is all I eat for two weeks. It isn't fancy, but I'm telling you...your body will visually get leaner each and every day. It is very rewarding to see such fast results!

This Will Work for Any Of the Fat Burning Diets on the Market

About the Author: Rusty Moore is an avid trainer who gives advice to men and women who want a physique that attracts the opposite sex. While most trainers focus on gaining as much muscle mass as possible, Rusty focuses on the lean "sleek model look". For men who want the build of Brad Pitt -or- Matthew Mcconaughey and women who want the build of Jessica Alba -or- Jessica Beil, he recommends this resource... http://www.StellarWorkout.com

Tags: fat burning, lose weight, green tea, vitamins, calories

Basic Facts About Metabolism Fat Burning

It seems that today every magazine and newspaper article is promoting the latest exercise method and philosophy for burning fat and helping all of us to keep our weight down. It is a known fact that regular exercise has been proven to help people shed their extra pounds, but this case is not quite that simple. A person may have excess weight for a number of reasons. It is essential to target the particular circumstances before assuming that methods of burning fat are going to be the answer.

One of the few things to keep in mind is that water retention or excess carbohydrates and sugars can all cause a person to be heavier than their ideal weight. In those instances, it is obvious that focusing on burning fat rather than reducing the intake of the real offender is not going to be effective in helping to lose weight.

It always seemed strange to me that some lucky people who never seem to have trouble maintaining an ideal weight while others struggle constantly trying to shed their extra pounds. If two people are eating identical foods and taking the same amount of exercise, there has to be a difference in the way that their bodies deal with the fat intake. And surprisingly enough - there is a difference. One person has a higher metabolic rate than the other person does. Specifically, it is their fatty acid metabolism that is the key factor. Quite simply, their body is more effective at breaking down the fat intake from their diet into other products that the body needs and the fat is not retained as excess weight.

Unfortunately there are a few people who may actually be suffering from a fatty acid metabolism disorder that prevents their body from being able to break down the fat effectively. This can only be treated using medical intervention. These disorders are relatively rare and for most people who have a low fatty acid metabolism rate, there are two potential solutions.

The first is to increase your overall metabolic rate that includes the fatty acid metabolism. The most successful method for the majority of people is to increase the amount of regular cardiovascular exercise that you take. This is especially important as you get older because your natural metabolic rate slows down. Any effective cardiovascular exercise raises the heart rate. These include cycling, swimming and fast-paced walking. Just thirty minutes a day taken three times a week can have a huge impact on your body’s metabolism.

Of course, it is not only increasing the metabolic rate that is going to lead to weight loss. In fact, everyone has a base metabolic rate that continues even when he or she is sleeping. There is another factor that needs to be taken into consideration and that is the amount of calories that you consume. The body does need some calories in the form of fats to enable the body to convert them into other products, but as already mentioned, too many can be stored as excess fat and this translates into excess weight. Therefore, to help achieve and maintain your ideal weight, you need to restrict your calorie intake and increase your fatty acid metabolism to ensure that your body is burning fats at its optimum rate.

Metabolism is the driving force behind our fat burning process, to understand metabolism is to know more about weight gain and loss. For better undersdtanding of how you can use metabolism for your own weight loss read Metabolism Burning Fat Explained and other John Furnem’s selected texts about Metabolism at http://metabolism.healthandcosmetics.com/

Natural Weight Loss Tips

We are all probably aware that food-obsessive behavior is common. Because of this a natural weight loss diet can be difficult to maintain. However, it offers a better chance for success than any other diet option.

Men and women who are binge eaters, as well as those who fantasize about, and often almost live for food can be almost as addicted to food as someone who is addicted to alcohol, or narcotics. They desperately need a metabolic approach to their problem.

Life Without Control

When they are children, most people start off eating the so-called balanced diet, but by the time they reach adulthood, their diet has become progressively less balanced.

They begin to notice an expanding waistline, they take a look at their eating habits, and they finally realize they have a problem. They may even notice that their choice of food has gone off in a specific direction.

The majority will find that carbohydrates now form the bulk of what they eat. Breads, cakes, and candies, pasta, and popcorn; the list goes on and on. Surprising and illogical food cravings are typical, as carbohydrate addiction is very real. A safe, natural weight loss program is calling them, but they don't hear it.

Have you ever had a complete dinner including a big dessert, and almost immediately afterward find that you want something else that is sweet? This extra carbohydrate craving is a sure sign, as is fatigue, that your carbohydrate metabolism is probably out of whack. After eating the carbohydrate food that you were craving, your feeling of satisfaction is only a brief one.

Many carbohydrate addicts find that they can't walk past the refrigerator without opening it. Most people don't recognize that they have a problem, with many feeling that their compulsions are harmless.

It is important that they understand their food compulsion is not a character disorder. It is a chemical disorder called hyperinsulinism, as well as an eating behavioral disorder.

If you really want to succeed with a natural weight loss program, the first thing you have to do is to get rid of that compulsive behavior. You can get off to a great start by avoiding harmful carbohydrates such as those in refined sugar.

Sugar itself, has no nutritional value, and can be directly harmful to your overall health. Despite the sugar companies determined attempts to defend it, hundred of studies clearly show how potentially deadly its effects can be.

Sugar activates certain metabolic processes that are harmful to your overall health as well as your waistline. It is a metabolic poison.

You can lose weight naturally simply by starting to count your calorie intake. Discuss a safe diet based on a reasonable daily calorie intake with your doctor. Your doctor is best suited to advise you on just what is safe specifically for you, and your efforts with natural weight loss. You must improve on the quality of your diet, not the quantity.

Next, incorporate a healthy lifestyle into this program of weight loss by engaging in regular daily exercise. Regular exercise will provide you with a great many more health benefits than just assisting with your weight loss program. The best thing about exercise, when used to help natural weight loss, is that it continuously boosts your body’s “metabolic rate” so as to promote the continuous burning of calories.

Continue with your efforts by replacing a few foods in your meal plan. Gradually changing these foods will make it a lot easier to conform to a natural weight loss plan. For example, if you like pork, cut off the fat and eat only the lean meat. Don't fry it, broil it, and it will still be delicious.

Simply by changing your eating habits, avoiding the foods that make you gain weight, and incorporating a regular exercise program into your life will allow you to effectively lose weight with a natural weight loss program.

Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet's most popular topics.

To read more on this topic, please visit Weight Loss Solutions!

You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links are left active and unchanged.

Are You Losing Fat or Water Weight?

When you start a weight loss program - almost any weight loss program - you almost always lose at least 10 pounds fairly quickly. Sometimes you lose it in mere days, while with others it might take you a couple of weeks to do.

Why is it that almost any diet or weight loss program seems to give you this result? Because usually you're not actually losing the ugly fat you really want to get rid of. Instead you're simply losing water weight.

Some diets cause you to lose this water weight quicker than others. Low carb diets for instance, are great at getting you to drop a quick ten pounds. And believe it or not: Some people can actually lose weight by simply drinking more water.

It sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? Drink water and you'll lose water weight! But it's true. You see, your body tends to hold onto things it thinks it may not get more of very soon. If you deprive it of food for instance, it'll work extra hard hanging onto the resources from that food because it assumes there may be a long time before more is given to it.

The same thing happens with water. When you don't give your body enough water, it tends to try holding on to what it has in reserve. This way it's able to supply you with reduced capacity for a longer period of time. You may not operate at full efficiency with this rationed approach - but you'll live. And that's what your body is trying to do... just keep you alive.

If however, you start giving your body all the water it needs... more than it needs in fact... it will realize there's plenty of this, and it'll have no problem shedding the extra. After all, there's more coming in all the time, right?

And that's a secret to many diets that you don't see mentioned often. Almost every diet or weight loss plan on the market today starts out by telling you to drink more water. And yes, it is quite true that most people need to have more water throughout the day. But since so many people don't actually drink enough water to start with... when they do start as part of their new "diet", their body starts releasing the water it's been holding in reserve all this time.

The result? You see five or ten pounds gone when you step on the scale to weigh yourself! Often your clothes start to feel more comfortable too... because when your body retains water it has a bloated-ness to it. So shedding that extra water helps you to not be bloated anymore.

Now, this is an excellent first step to losing weight... but it's not one that creates a long lasting effect. Once you've gotten past that first hurdle of shedding the water weight and losing some of the bloatedness, then you must move on to actually shedding the real problem: Body fat. We'll cover that in more depth with future articles.

© 2006, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Are you ready to finally start losing actual fat from your body instead of water weight? Isn't it time for a long term weight and fat loss solution? Visit http://www.ScaleTippers.com and start losing fat today!