Welcome Naperville Yoga Seekers

Naperville, IL. Sky Yoga Studio and more  focuses on the individual and the cultivation of mind, body and spirit. Along these lines we offer a more personal style of yoga and fitness with small class sizes and individualized attention to help you develop and embrace a healthy, fit lifestyle. We will help you to take action, to change unhealthy habits and most of all teach you that the key to life is as Patanjali wrote “to remove the root cause of all suffering” and be happy.

We live our yoga everyday. We teach from a place of authenticity. We hope to impart peace and happiness to all those we meet. Yoga is the joy of spirit that is shared with others.

If you want to strengthen your core Power Yoga is it. Looking to strengthen muscles and cardio endurance Bootcamp is your class. Want to get hot and sweat Zumba Fitness offers several cardio blasting fun fitness formulas with Latin flare. Sky Yoga Studio is dedicated to bringing the newest, most fun and challenging workouts and formats to our Naperville Community.

*Notice: as of 1/20/12 We have update our class admittance costs.  We no longer offer unpaid registrations and instead offer a discount to those who pre-pay and register for a single class. Single Class rate is $12, walk-in unregistered rate for a single class $15. All other class pass updates can be found under CLASS COST page.

January 15th, 2009 | Tags: Class, Fitness, hatha, Hatha Yoga, Naperville, Naperville Yoga, nuad boraan, thai, Thai Bodywork, Thai Massage, thai work, yoga, Yoga Class, Yoga Naperville, Zumba, Zumba Gold | Category: Daily Post, Fitness, yoga therapy, Zumba | Comments Off

Two new books on the market claim success in seven weeks, lucky sevens have it this year possibly. As always there was no compensation for this review and the opinions expressed are freely my own.

I have not yet completed the 7 weeks to Getting Ripped or 7 Weeks to 50 Pull Ups plan and to be honest the pull up plan scares me, its all pull ups! The self evaluation test was a fail, even at 6 weeks postpartum I remember I couldn’t do a pull up to save my life before being pregnant. So where do pull up failures start? Page 101 the prep level program which gladly allows for the lat pull down machine, something I know I can do.  I have enlisted my husband who can do about 10-12 pull ups consecutively to join me in this pullupathon as soon as my abs are healed from their split, so check back to see how the pull ups progress.

On to 7 Weeks to Getting Ripped. I love that the book starts with Q&A just like 7 Weeks to 50 Pull Ups – and hits on hot topics such as women getting ripped and bulky – not going to happen, its even difficult for men to achieve- balanced nutrition, avoiding injury and resting. Shocker of shockers though Level I week 2…Pull-Ups!!

Yes, I think I will have to actually complete these two books in this actual order or fail miserably at getting ripped.  Author Brett Stewart touts this as the ultimate weight free, gym free training program – however there was a medicine ball and I am not sure for either book where you can do chin ups and pull ups in the home without installing a bar.  Yes, technically you could hit a park, but the parks near me do not have chin up bars and I can’t reach the cross section on the swing set – though my 6’6 husband can easily jump up and grab hold to do pull-ups. I remember old school parks had chin up bars, maybe somewhere in my town I can find one….

Back to the book, it definitely hits hard – it is dry and cut, to the point and you most definitely will get ripped. The exercises are simple and effective, but maybe not too fun. If you are like me and get bored easily with repetitions and prefer more movement this might not be a good fit for you.  By more movement I mean group fitness classes. Since these are how I earn a living I have come to prefer them to the hours I used to spend in the gym.  Many of my Power Yoga classes employ the same exercises shown in the 7 Weeks to Getting Ripped book, but in a flowing sequence – which is why I know this book will work, I have seen the results in my students using similar exercises over time.

If you want to avoid the high cost of gym membership, need a book that is simple to read, provides detailed breakdown of exercises and crisp photos – these are your books.

“7 Weeks to 50 Pull-Ups: Strengthen and Sculpt Your Arms, Shoulders, Back and Abs by Training to Do 50 Consecutive Pull-Ups” ($14.95)
The go-to resource for strength-building.
http://amzn.to/uZQapD

“7 Weeks to Getting Ripped: The Ultimate Weight-Free, Gym-Free Training Program” (January 2012, $15.95)
More than 100 exercises and 250 instructional photos that will transform your body – no gym required.
http://amzn.to/va9nNH

January 25th, 2012 | Tags: 7 weeks to 50 pullups, 7 weeks to getting ripped, Exercise, Fitness, Health, pull up, Workout | Category: books, Fitness, Review | Leave a comment

After reading the whole book now I can say that adhering to the plan as a vegan maybe a little trickier than a typical eater, but not unfathomable.  I am going to try to give it a shot, it calls for 5 meal replacements and 5 servings fruits and vegetables a day plus 30 minutes exercise.

Many of the chapters reiterate the same topics, but adherence and memory are best when topics are repeated, and great motivational success stories are also supplied in each chapter. What do the chapters keep hitting home? The foundation and wide range of research carried out by the author regarding meal replacement and low calorie diets, their results and efficacy effect health, especially for those who are obese (30 lbs overweight), to severely obese. In comparison I felt less time was spent on what to actually eat, laying it out meal by meal and more time is spent in convincing the reader why they should use The Simple Diet. The appendices supply lists of meal replacements by brand and also over all guidelines for choosing meal replacements – based on these recommendations I believe I could modify the plan to suit my vegan eating habits. Luna bars are on the approved list so that’s a start!

You can grab my copy of The Simple Diet by heading over to FB and posting a comment under BOOK GIVEAWAY

January 25th, 2012 | Tags: low calorie diet, Simple Diet, weight loss | Category: books, Fitness, Food, Giveaway, Review, TheSimpleDiet | Leave a comment

Yes, that is the claim made by JJ Smith in her new book of the same title.  As with all book reviews I have received no compensation for review and express my own opinions freely.

I was a bit skeptical when I read the title and of course for any diet book I check the credentials of the source. While Smith is listed as a certified nutritionist and weight management specialist these credentials are not the equivalent of a licensed dietician or licensed nutritionist in my state at least,the difference being for $200 I sat for the ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Certification but even when passed can not and should not give out specific meal plans – this would be practicing without a license and for those with medical considerations, practicing medicine without a license – keep this in mind and consult a physician before starting any “program”.

That being said Smith does not provide a daily “eat this” guide, she provides guidelines to healthy eating options that are recognized and endorsed by varying government and health agencies such as “eat more whole grains, less sugar (she advises products with more than 5 grams of sugar to be avoided, up the fiber, etc.)

Much of her book I can whole heartedly agree with, even the fact that exercise is not as crucial to overall weight loss as purported by the billion dollar industry. Here’s why – as I have stated before it takes a loss of 3500 calories to burn a pound of fat. Smith breaks that down to running some 37 miles a week, or getting on a treadmill for seven and a half hours – most of us don’t have that time and furthermore that’s just 1 lb! Eating healthier and using more whole foods will naturally keep you eating less calories, feeling more full and improve overall health.

Many of the studies citied are scientific and credible but I do question some of the sources, especially those surrounding ideas like “toxins” which I personally do not believe are making us fat. I do believe that there are harmful and toxic products in our environment and possibly foods (such as fluoride in toothpaste) but I don’t believe they cause as much as an effect on healthy individuals as “cleansing” products would have us believe.  If the organs are functioning well – and Smith does an excellent job of breaking down what the organs do simply – detoxification shouldn’t be a question as that is their job, if they aren’t functioning such as with the liver – then you are probably suffering liver disease or failure. The liver plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body, including detoxification, if it is no longer doing its job a simple colonic isn’t really going to suffice. Having spent a decent amount of time in the Children’s hospital with my son I can honestly say I have seen children who have not been alive long enough to collect up all of these “toxins” who are gravely ill and have non-functioning organs – I don’t think that is what is happening to us as a whole.  Smith though seems to believe less in these “invisible toxins” that modern age snake oil salesmen decry to sell cayenne water cleanses and untested herbs.  Her detox is not starvation based and actually includes eating raw leafy vegetables – I saw it more as a palate and preference cleanse, readying the system for healthier eating by purging sugar triggers, etc.

But back to the overall message of the book – it is an excellent one and honestly not too hard to follow if you proceed to slowly eliminate the non-nutritive foods from your life. I’m not sure how easy cold turkey would be but some people do well with that method. Much of her book and plan are the way my family already eats and I agree with her quote that a diet is something we go on therefore it must be something we go off of as well – which is why they don’t work long term.  Establishing healthy ways of eating is key, especially at a young age for those with children.  So what do we have to get rid of in my house? Honestly it’s vanilla cake mix from Trader Joe’s – months ago I did away with frosting cupcakes and cakes since my boys aren’t fans anyway – but I still indulge in baking for them as well as take and bake cookies from WFs on occasion. We don’t purchase foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup or Hydrogenated oils, we attempt to stay away from high sugary items, but as Smith points out – its not just candy and sweets we need to guard against, sugar is all around us.

If you want a template and sensible reasons to follow a healthier way of eating take a look at JJ Smith, no really, take a look – the woman looks fabulous in her forties (though I have found 40 isn’t that old, I have ladies in their 60s who kick it in Zumba class all the time!)

Here’s a little more about Smith and her book…

Eat and drink diet foods or not? Yes or no? That is the question!

These days it’s hard to figure out what’s safe to eat or drink diet foods without counting calories, starving yourself, giving up your favorite foods, or eating bland packaged foods.

In her new book Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out, Nutritionist and certified weight loss expert JJ Smith says you have to be really careful when shopping at the grocery store. Why?

Diet foods can make you fat.

“Many products,” she says, “are allowed to use the word ‘diet’, because they have some reduced amount of sugar or fat. But unless you look really carefully at all the ingredients, you won’t be able to identify all the hidden ones that can contribute to weight gain.”

She’s come up with a quick list of the reasons why anyone who is trying to slim down needs to avoid certain diet foods:

Sugar-free baked goods

Read the labels carefully! They can have the same or even more fat than the original recipes! You may also be fooled into eating so many because they were labeled as “diet” that you exceed your daily goals without even realizing it. Try graham crackers instead. They have less sugar than other cookies and very little fat, about 2 grams per serving.

Fat-free dressings

Most fat-free dressings are really higher in sugar, which basically just defeats the whole purpose of eating a fat free food. Read the label carefully. Select a reduced fat dressing that contains olive or canola oil that has 2 to 4 grams of fat per serving.

Diet Sodas

Contain artificial sweeteners that can cause health problems and have no nutritional value. When the body finds nothing recognizable as nutrition, it continues to crave something nutritional, which increases cravings and appetite. They can create food cravings for sweets. Drink water or green tea instead of diet soda.

Fruit Snacks

Don’t be fooled by packaging claims that say it is ‘made with real fruit or fruit juices’! They are packed with added sugars and artificial ingredients that have little or no nutritional value. Read the label and see the grams of sugars and the amount of carbohydrates and fat. Eat real fruit instead, which is rich in fiber, phytonutrients, and cancer fighting anti-oxidants!

High-protein Diet Bars (Power Bars) and Shakes

When the body receives a protein or power bar, it tries to break down the sugar and chemicals in it, but when they cannot be fully digested by the body, the excess ends up being stored in the body as fat. This excess can actually produce a weight gain instead of a weight loss. It’s better to eat a vegetable like avocado, which is healthier and high in protein.

Artificial Sweeteners

Those little yellow, pink and blue packages – the ‘sugar substitutes’ may have zero calories, but don’t be fooled. They increase appetite by sending false signals to the brain that sweet food is on the way, and when it never arrives, the brain never gives the signal that you are satisfied causing cravings for sweets. There’s research that shows that aspartame in particular, stimulates the release of insulin, which tells the body to store fat! Bottom line – they actually contribute to weight gain.

“The best alternative,” JJ says, “is to limit or avoid these foods! Drink more water and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. You’ll feel better, lose more weight, and enjoy what you eat more too.”

 

Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out

JJ Smith

List $19.95

322 pages trade soft cover perfect bound

Adiva Publishing Publication date: 1/1/2012

ISBN-13: 9780982301876

 

Available in bookstores nationwide and online.

For more information visit www.JJSmithOnline.com

JJ Smith’s passion is helping others discover the surprising secrets to losing weight fast and keeping it off. JJ has dedicated her life to the field of healthy eating and living. JJ educates others and shares with them the natural remedies to stay slim, restore health, and look and feel younger. If you have been on a roller-coaster ride of weight loss, you will finally be able to get off, lose weight, and stay slim for life.

 

While researching how to heal her body and solve her own weight problems, she discovered that the key to successful weight loss comes from detoxifying the body, balancing the hormones, and speeding up metabolism. When you feed your body the right foods, you’ll learn to feel better than you’ve ever felt before. She offers great, affordable, do-it-yourself tips on what you can do at home instead of paying for expensive health club memberships, physical trainers, and weight loss programs.

About JJ Smith

 

JJ Smith is a nutritionist and certified weight-management specialist, passionate relationship/life coach, and inspirational speaker. She has been featured on The Montel Williams Show, The Jamie Foxx Show, and The Michael Baisden Show. JJ has made appearances on the NBC, FOX, CBS and CW Network television stations, as well as in the pages of Glamour, Essence, Heart and Soul, and Ladies Home Journal.

JJ received her certification as Nutritionist from the International Institute of Holistic Healing. JJ received her certification as a Weight-Management Specialist from the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA). She is also a member of the American Nutrition Association (ANA).

JJ’s current work, Lose Weight: Without Dieting or Working Out!, is a revolutionary system that teaches proven methods for permanent weight loss that anyone can follow, no matter their size, income level, or educational level. And the end result is a healthy, sexy, slim body. JJ’s breakthrough weight-loss solution can help you shed pounds fast by detoxifying the body, balancing your hormones, and speeding up your metabolism. You’ll also learn which foods help you stay slim and which foods cause you to get fat. If you have been on a roller-coaster ride of weight loss, you will finally be able to get off that ride, lose weight and stay slim for life!

JJ holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Hampton University in Virginia. She continued her education by completing The Wharton Business School Executive Management Certificate program. She currently serves as Vice President and Partner in an IT Consulting firm, Intact Technology, Inc. in Greenbelt, Maryland. JJ was also the youngest African-American to receive a Vice President position at a Fortune 500 company. Her hobbies include reading, writing and deejaying.

January 25th, 2012 | Tags: diet, Exercise, Health, JJ Smith, lose weight, Meal Plan, weight loss | Category: books, Fitness, Food, Giveaway, Review | Leave a comment

I was contacted to review this book and received no compensation, opinions are my own.

I don’t suffer from IBD but have had clients with Crohn’s through my work with yoga therapy, I even have a posted sequence for those suffering with IBD.  Even though I do not have personal experience with these issues I can say that Tessmer, a registered dietician, did a fantastic job writing and organizing this book.  It includes the latest research and recipes, although there are only 15 recipes they all appear easy to make and scrumptious.

Chapters include: Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask, Tips for Flare Ups, Managing Complications, Supplementing Diet and more. The bold titles break up each topic within a chapter and tips are highlighted in boxes. The resource guide and bibliography provide a wealth of information and the index makes accessing questions you may have easy.

Of even more interest to me are some of Tessmer’s other titles including “Tell Me What to Eat If I Am Trying To Conceive”, “TCIG to Mediterranean Diet”, and “The Everything Pregnancy Nutrition Book”. She owns a company specializing in weight management, menu development and more at www.nutrifocus.net.

You could win the review copy by leaving a comment on our Facebook Page

Yes, we know it’s an uncomfortable topic, but Inflammatory Bowel Disease affects millions. People need help, and need it now.
In her new book, Tell Me What To Eat If I Have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (New Page Books, December 2011), Kimberly A. Tessmer begins with an overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, then guides you through diet recommendations that are based on the latest medical information. You will quickly learn what IBD is and what you can do to limit the impact of unwanted symptoms. In addition, you’ll get dozens of mouthwatering recipes from knowledgeable RDs that will make implementing nutritional advice a bit easer. Above all, this book aims to improve the quality of life for those struggling to manage IBD.
TELL ME WHAT TO EAT answers popular questions under the chapter heading, "Everything You Ever Wanted To Ask Your Doctor About IBD" like, what are the symptoms of IBD, how is it diagnosed, and what are the recommended treatments for those with the disease? Tessmer answers each question with an understandable, comprehensive explanation that aims to help individuals come to terms with their disease.
While IBD is a chronic condition that requires routine treatment, one can manage the disease or achieve remission with proper dietary and lifestyle changes. Tessmer suggests:
.       Avoiding high-fat, high-fiber, and spicy foods, as these could further irritate the bowel
.       Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or 1% milk and dairy products
.       Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages
.       Exercising to alleviate stress, symptoms, and decrease the frequency of IBD flare-ups

January 19th, 2012 | Tags: Book, colitis, crohn's, Giveaway, IBD, inflammatory bowel, Review | Category: books, Food, Giveaway, Review | Comments Off

Feeling stuffed after the holidays? Worried your new clothes won’t fit come the New Year? Stop fretting and enjoy the holidays with the Simple Diet, a clinically proven weight loss method that will allow you to lose the weight and keep it off. Designed by Dr. James W. Anderson, a professor of medicine and clinical nutritionist at the University of Kentucky, the Simple Diet is a science based method that doesn’t require rigid rules, strict calorie counting or expensive meal plans. Unlike other popular diets, the Simple Diet has proven results: in clinical trials, individuals on the Simple Diet lost 18.7 pounds; compare that to 4.6 on the Zone diet, 5.3 pounds on the Ornish diet, and 9.5 pounds on the Atkins diet. The answer lies in a balanced diet, physical activity, and one potent weapon: meal replacements.

In THE SIMPLE DIET: A Doctor’s Science Based-Plan (Berkley Trade; December 27, 2011; 978-0425241066), Dr. Anderson lays out his groundbreaking weight loss guide based on meal replacements, supplemented by daily servings of fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and a strategy for positivity, including record keeping and accountability. Complete with sample recipes, a Green Light Calorie Guide, recommendations for frozen entrees (from companies like Lean Cuisine and Banquet), bars, soups and shakes, and patient success stories throughout, THE SIMPLE DIET offers a proven and effective alternative to expensive brand-name diets, with even better results

Simple, inexpensive and effective, THE SIMPLE DIET will change the way readers look at dieting. In fact, everything can be bought at the supermarket for an average cost of $61 per week.

Ok, I received an email to review The Simple Diet, lose up to 50 lbs in 12 weeks and its a science based plan written by a medical professional? Sign me up and count me in. I received no compensation for the review and the opinions are my own.

So here I am 5 weeks post partum today and still with half of my weight gain to lose. Currently on this 5’5 frame sits 192 lbs.  I’m not petite to start with and pre-babe weighed in at 149 lbs teaching 3-4 fitness classes a week most of it was not fat, I can’t say that now.

I have had this book for a week and just finished a mind body weight loss book review prior to cracking this one open.  Mentally I felt prepared to get started on a review that would follow the recommendations of the book for at least 12 weeks to see if I can lose the 40 lbs I want – as of today I have only made it through the introduction. Reading and reviewing are usually easy for me but I’d like to actually complete this plan so I am posting a pre-review blog post and asking others to follow my progress, even pick up a copy of the book and let me know how it goes for you.

My goal: Read up to Chapter 4 by Sunday and post a review on these, evaluate if the plan is viable for me.

If you own a copy of the book let me know and comment!

January 18th, 2012 | Tags: Book, diet, dieting, Meal Plan, Review, The Simple Diet, weight loss | Category: books, Review, TheSimpleDiet | Comments Off

Renée Stephens used to be so emotionally addicted to eating that she would pull food from the trash.  But she searched within and discovered not only what was motivating her food issues but developed specific techniques to combat them.   Soon her successful methods were working for people around the world!  Her Inside Out Weight Loss audio program is the most popular weight-loss podcast on iTunes, with more than 3.5 million downloads!  And now in FULL-FILLED: The 6-Week Plan for Changing Your Relationship with Food—and Your Life—from the Inside Out (Free Press; December 27, 2011; $26.00), Stephens not only helps readers discover the underlying causes of their weight struggles, she offers specific, step-by-step exercises to release the emotional pain tied to their unwanted eating habits so they can create new, healthy behaviors that last a lifetime.

Renée also has additional assets that you can post on your site, including:

• Top 10 Weight-Loss Myths

· The 7 Overeater Personalities—which one are you?

• 5 Subconscious Slimming Strategies
• The Cycle of Overeating
• Are You Ever Too Old to Start Exercising?

Does it work? Interestingly enough many of the ideas in the book are similar to other mind body disciplines such as yoga.  There is a great deal of introspection and some wonderful “Dig In” exercises to help individuals look at their weight loss efforts from a mind-body-spirit perspective.  This book is complimentary to any meal plan and does not include specifics on what to eat or how much to eat, it relies more on the mind/spirit connection to weight loss or as the author coins “weight release”.

Although I believe there can be a strong connection between unresolved emotional(mind/spirit) issues and weight (body) I am not as convinced that simply dealing with these feelings, most of which in the author’s mind are from feelings of unworthiness or low self-esteem, will result in dramatic changes on the scale.

The press release above eludes to helping diverse people but the overall feel of the book and the writing itself suggests that the author is speaking more to over-eaters and compulsive overeaters, the word binge is used frequently and many of the introspective exercises discuss dealing with over-eating instances (binges). The average person is not necessarily a binge eater and more than likely chooses what seems like small amounts of calorie dense foods in combination with a very sedentary lifestyle. Although there can be emotional barriers to deal with the truth is this is where our society has landed. Gone are farming and manufacturing jobs (manual labor jobs requiring movement) now the average worker either sits or stands in one place all day long with little physical caloric expenditure and winds up feeling too tired and depleted to workout when they get home.

If you have identified yourself as an overeater or binge eater which is more appropriate since weight gain is a result of too many calories in versus calories out (making anyone with a weight gain or stalled weight loss issue a technical over-eater of calories) then this book could be pivotal in your weight loss efforts. For someone like myself who is looking to lose weight after a pregnancy (40 more lbs to go) or when not pregnant tries to balance a full schedule of teaching fitness classes and healthy portion sizes I found most of the advice not applicable, even after digging very deep. I simply did not connect to much of the main writing material.  I did like the dig in exercises and after attempting them with weight loss goals looked towards utilizing the techniques for business and life goals. Journaling was also a large part of the book and method, something I already do. There can be great value in truthful, soul searching journaling. 

This book may be the component that many overeaters are missing when they “mindlessly” attend weight loss meetings. If nothing else there are great anecdotes and wonderful techniques that can be applied to life throughout the pages.

January 15th, 2012 | Tags: Book Review, Full-Filled, weight loss | Category: books, Food, Review | Comments (1)

Need to Lose Weight? Skip Calorie Counting & Burn Fat Instead
Weight Loss Expert Offers Slimming Tips to Last a Lifetime

Losing weight has become a matter of life or death and counting calories, Weight Watcher points and fat grams hasn’t lessened the numbers of people affected. In 2010, more than 25 percent of Americans had pre-diabetes and another 1.9 million got a diabetes diagnosis, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The single most effective way for people to avoid the disease? Losing weight.

“The current obesity epidemic proves that the typical low-fat diet recommendations and low-calorie diets have not worked,” says Don Ochs, inventor of Mobanu Integrated Weight Loss Solution (www.Mobanu.com), a physician-recommended system that tailors diet and exercise to an individual’s fat-burning chemistry. “America is eating less fat per capita than we did 30 years ago, yet obesity, diabetes and heart disease are all up.”

To drop the weight and keep it off, people need to get rid of their stored fat by eating fewer processed carbohydrates and the correct amount of protein, and by doing both high and low- intensity exercises, Ochs says.

Here are some of his suggestions for getting started:

• Eat what your ancestors ate – if it wasn’t available 10,000 years ago, you don’t need it now. Our bodies haven’t had time to adapt to the huge increase in processed carbohydrates over the past 100 years. These refined carbs kick up our blood sugar levels, which triggers insulin production, which results in fat storage. Avoid the regular no-no’s such as candy and soft drinks, but also stay away from sneaky, sugary condiments like ketchup; dried fruits, which have more concentrated sugar than their hydrated counterparts, and anything with high fructose corn syrup.

• Eat the right kind of fat – it’s good for you! Bad fats include trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils. Look for these on labels. Trim excess fat from meats and stick with mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. Use olive oil for cooking, as salad dressing or on vegetables. Eat avocados, whole olives, nuts and seeds, and don’t be afraid to jazz up meals with a little butter or cheese.

• Eat the proper amount of lean protein to maintain muscle mass and increase your metabolism. Eggs, beef, chicken, pork, seafood and dairy in the right amounts are good protein sources. Remember, most of these contain fat, so it shouldn’t be necessary to add more. Use the minimum amount needed to satisfy your taste buds. Also, anyone trying to lose weight should limit non-animal proteins, such as legumes, because they contribute to higher blood sugar levels and increased fat storage.

• Vary your workouts to speed up fat loss. Both high-intensity and low-intensity exercises play a role in maximum fat loss. Low-intensity exercise, like walking, is effective for reducing insulin resistance so you store less fat. Alternate walking with high-intensity interval training to build lean muscle mass and increase your metabolism. Interval training can be cardio blasts such as running up stairs on some days and lifting weights on others. This type of exercise forces your body to burn up its glycogen – a readily accessible fuel for your muscles – faster than an equivalent amount of cardio exercise. When you’re done, your body will replenish that fuel by converting stored fat back into glycogen and you’ll lose weight.

“Healthy weight loss isn’t about picking a popular diet and trying to stick to it,” Ochs says. “It’s about discovering the right diet for your unique body. For each person, the optimal amount of carbohydrates, proteins and exercise to burn the most stored body fat will be different. And that’s why one-size-fits-all diets just don’t work.”

About Donald Ochs

Donald Ochs is a Colorado entrepreneur, the president and CEO of Ochs Development Co. and M4 Group, an inventor and sports enthusiast. He developed the Mobanu weight loss system based on research conducted at The Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health. The program is endorsed by physicians, nutritionists and exercise experts.

January 1st, 2012 | Tags: diet, Fitness, weight loss | Category: Fitness, Food, Guest Post | Comments Off