Dieting Magazine

Dieting Magazine Blog Has Moved

2006-06-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

We've moved to a new location with a more user friendly approach, a better visual spread and more information, articles, links, products reviews and tips on weight loss, dieting, fitness, fitness equipment reviews, perspectives on weight and maintenance of a physically suiting weight, commentary on the state of obesity in this country, restaurant articles and reviews on foods that cause weight gain and foods which help weight loss and more. Here it is, drumroll..... DailyDietBlog.com : Weight Loss Blog About Dieting, Fitness, Foods, Products and Supplements, Appetite Suppression, and More

Government Fights Obesity With New Bill

2006-04-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

Washington -- House and Senate lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill Thursday to reduce junk food in schools by requiring that any food and drinks sold on campuses, including in vending machines, meet the same federal nutritional standards as food served in the cafeteria. The measure would also force the Agriculture Department to rewrite its 30-year-old nutritional guidelines for schools to limit the amount of sugar, fat and sodium, as well as portion sizes, in response to a growing obesity epidemic among children. "There are many reasons for this public health crisis, but one big reason is that our nation's schools have become inundated with junk food and sugary drinks," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, a chief sponsor of the bill. A Government Accountability Office study last year found that 99 percent of high schools, 97 percent of middle schools and 83 percent of elementary schools have vending machines, school stores or snack bars that sell mostly unhealthy snacks and drinks. "What this does is it undercuts almost $10 billion in annual taxpayer investments in nutrition and sound school meals," Harkin said, referring to federal spending on free and reduced-price meals in public schools. The bill is the first major federal effort to address junk food in schools, although public health groups and parent associations already have convinced many state lawmakers and local schools to restrict unhealthy snack foods. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill in September that would raise nutritional standards -- limiting the amount of calories and sugar -- and ban the sale of soda in all California schools by 2009. The state had earlier banned soda and many other sugary drinks from elementary and middle schools, but the new law extends the ban to high schools. Now only milk, water, fruit juice and sports drinks can be sold. The new federal proposal is backed by the Parent Teacher Association, the School Nutrition Association, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the California Center for Public Health Advocacy and other health-related groups. But the measure is opposed by the major food and beverage companies, including soda giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi, which generate significant profits from their vending- machine contracts at schools. The companies are lobbying for voluntary action by schools rather than new federal rules to improve nutritional offerings. Under current law, the federal government can set nutritional standards only for meals served in the school cafeteria. The new bill would empower the agriculture secretary to set rules that also apply to food sold in vending machines and elsewhere on school grounds. Vending machines have proliferated on campuses, in part because a portion of the proceeds from every sale is returned to the schools. But studies have shown that vending machines can also drive down food sales in cafeterias, which costs schools revenue. Beverage makers that oppose the new bill insist that demand for sugary soft drinks is already in decline among students. A study paid for by the American Beverage Association, an industry group, found that sales of full-calorie carbonated soft drinks by students during school hours have fallen by 24 percent since 2002 while sales of water increased by 23 percent, diet soft drinks grew by 21 percent and juice rose by 15 percent. But sales of sports drinks, which tend to be high in sugar and sodium, jumped by 70 percent. The industry announced a voluntary policy in August to sell only milk and 100 percent fruit juice at elementary schools, but to offer a variety of drinks at high schools that could include up to 50 percent soda. "We believe it's fine for high school students to have regular soft drinks and also to teach them how to balance that within their diet," said Kevin Keane, a spokesman for the American Beverage Association. But health studies have implicated sugary drinks in the rise in obesity in children, along with other factors, such as a lack of physical activity. A study by researchers at Children's Hospital in Boston, published in March by the journal Pediatrics, found that teens ages 13 to 18 who drank one 12-ounce sweetened drink each day -- such as a soda, sports drink or lemonade -- in addition to their regular diet gained an average of 1 pound every 3 to 4 weeks. Nutritionists also note that most sugary drinks lack calcium, vitamins and other nutrients. Public health advocates also complain that the current federal school meals program is flawed because it reimburses schools for serving certain snack foods -- such as Oreo cookies, Cheetos and Snickers bars -- but not for some healthier items. "It will reimburse schools for ice cream, but not for popsicles. It will reimburse for candy bars, but not for seltzer water," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, a sponsor of the new bill. "Schools can also be reimbursed for potato chips, snack cakes and doughnuts served in the cafeteria. ... It just doesn't make sense." The measure is sponsored in the House by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, and Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn. The sponsors predicted the bill would be approved, although it may not get a vote in Congress during this busy election year. Woolsey noted: "A bill that has bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate is rare, indeed, these days, but that's what we have here." E-mail Zachary Coile at zcoile@sfchronicle.com. URL: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/04/07/MNGS9I4T4F1.DTL

Cell phones might Cause Tumors

2006-04-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

Kind of a scary story. Since we all use cell phones it really hits home. It makes sense though when you read the article. Check it out below According to a Swedish study, if you spend many years using your cell phone for at least an hour a day your risk of developing a brain tumor is 240% higher than a person who never uses one. The results of this study go against another recent one carried out in the UK and published in January, 2006, which indicated that cell phone use is safe for humans. The researchers found that even the location of the tumor, for extensive cell phone users over many years, tends to be on the side of the head where the phone is used. You can read about this study in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. The scientists examined cell phone use among 905 people who had a malignant brain tumor and compared them to a control group of 905 healthy people. All the volunteers were aged 20-80. 85 of the 905 people who had a malignant tumor were high users of cell phones (mobile phones) - they started using mobile phones a long time ago, and have used them a great deal, on average for about an hour a day. According to Kjell Mild, study leader, in an interview with the Reuters news agency, the best way to reduce the risk is to use hands-free. The team's definition of a extensive use means over 2,000 hours of cell phone use, spread over many years. Cell Phone = Mobile Phone. In the UK people tend to say Mobile Phone). Written by: Christian NordqvistEditor: Medical News Today

New study shows that Moderate Drinking could be harmful

2006-03-30T18:57:00.000-08:00

With all the contradictory claims made these days about the health benefits of low-fat diets, the harm of hormone replacements and the dangers of pain relievers, at least we still know that a drink or two a day is good for the heart. Well, maybe not. Researchers at UCSF pored through more than 30 years of studies that seem to show health benefits from moderate alcohol consumption, and concluded in a report released today that nearly all contained a fundamental error that skewed the results. That error may have led to an erroneous conclusion that moderate drinkers were healthier than lifelong abstainers. Typically, studies suggest that abstainers run a 25 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease. Without the error, the analyses shows, the health outcomes for moderate drinkers and non-drinkers were about the same. "This reopens the debate about the validity of the findings of a protective effect for moderate drinkers, and it suggests that studies in the future be better designed to take this potential error into account,'' said Kaye Fillmore, a sociologist at the UCSF School of Nursing and lead author of the study. The common error was to lump into the group of "abstainers" people who were once drinkers but had quit. Many former drinkers are people who stopped consuming alcohol because of advancing age or poor health. Including them in the "abstainer" group made the entire category of non-drinkers seem less healthy in comparison. This type of error in alcohol studies was first spotted by British researcher Dr. Gerry Shaper in 1988, but the new analysis appears to show that the problem has persisted. Fillmore and colleagues from the University of Victoria, British Columbia; and Curtin University, in Perth, Australia, analyzed 54 different studies examining the relationship between light to moderate drinking and health. Of these, only seven did not inappropriately mingle former drinkers and abstainers. All seven of those studies found no significant differences in the health of those who drank -- or previously drank -- and those who never touched the stuff. The remaining 47 studies represent the body of research that has led to a general scientific consensus that moderate drinking has a health benefit. Fillmore's team of researchers took their initial finding one step further, and introduced the error into the data compiled in the seven studies and, voila, the results changed to show drinkers had better health than abstainers. "We are not proving anything,'' Fillmore insisted. "But the results are certainly suggestive.'' The UCSF study appears today in an online edition of the journal Addiction Research and Theory. Kaiser Permanente cardiologist Dr. Arthur Klatsky, who led some of the largest studies showing a protective effect for moderate alcohol consumption, said his first study in 1981 contained the flaw, but subsequent studies took it into consideration. "Without question, it is a serious flaw, which we have readily admitted,'' he said. He contends, however, that Fillmore's analysis mistakenly attributes the same mistake to later research. "The evidence is still pretty compelling that there are likely to be benefits'' from moderate drinking, he said. In addition, he said, studies show that alcohol raises the level of HDL -- the so-called good cholesterol -- and also has anti-clotting effects, which can reduce the risk of heart attack. Klatsky said that there are inherent weaknesses in all the epidemiological studies of alcohol and heart health. What is needed, he said, is a randomized trial in which a group is assigned to consume one or two drinks a day and another abstains, and their comparative health is assessed over a period of years. Dr. Tim Naimi, a physician who works for the National Center for Chronic Disease at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said "the whole field of 'moderate drinking' studies is deeply flawed,'' because of the lack of randomized trials. In a study published in May 2005 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Naimi and other CDC colleagues found that the comparatively higher risk of heart disease in abstainers could be explained by socioeconomic factors rather than lack of protection from alcohol consumption. Non-drinkers, for example, tended to be poorer than drinkers, had less access to health care, and had less healthy diets. "Anyone who suggests that people should begin drinking, or drink more frequently, to reduce the risk of heart disease is misguided,'' he said

Fat goes to Congress

2006-03-20T18:32:00.000-08:00

Seems like everyone is looking for a reason on why they are fat. See the article below. I was astonished by how many obesity bills were submitted this year. This was found on cnn.com The Politics of Fat By KAREN TUMULTY These are fat times in politics. Literally. Nearly 400 obesity-related bills were introduced in state legislatures across the country last year--more than double the number in 2003. A quarter of them were passed into law, up from only 12 percent two years before. In Washington the word obesity appears in 56 bills introduced during the current Congress; this, the Wall Street Journal points out, is fast catching up with the number containing the word gun. Surgeon General Richard Carmona says obesity is a greater threat than terrorism. Some public-health advocates have begun urging the government to put a warning label on soft drinks; others are calling for a "fat tax" on fast food. When voters and the possibility of big public spending are involved, you can be sure the politicians will discover a problem. The stats are depressingly familiar: more than 60 percent of us are overweight, and the percentage of us who are considered obese has nearly doubled since 1980. Health-care spending attributable to obesity reached $75 billion in 2003, by some estimates, with taxpayers shelling out more than half of that through Medicare and Medicaid programs. Last month Medicare increased its financial obligation to the problem by announcing it would cover bariatric surgery, a procedure aimed at weight loss that generally costs $25,000 for a simple case. Government researchers estimate that obesity is associated with anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 deaths a year. Most alarming of all, the rates of obesity among children and teens have tripled in the past 25 years. Health-care providers say they are seeing something of an epidemic of potentially lethal Type 2 diabetes, once known as the adult-onset version of the disease, among children as young as 10 and 11. "Without some intervention, this is the first generation of young Americans, being born today, who are expected to have a shorter life span than their parents or grandparents," says Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a Republican, who wrote a book about his 110-lb. weight loss and made a healthy America his top priority as chairman of the National Governors Association. That prediction of diminishing life expectancy was published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine by a group of university researchers; other experts have disputed it as overly dire. Huckabee, who is a possible 2008 presidential contender, has given state employees in Arkansas exercise breaks instead of smoking breaks. The state's public school children are screened for their body mass index, an indirect measure of body fat, and confidential reports are mailed to their parents. Huckabee wants to experiment with a system in which food stamps would be worth more if they were spent on healthy purchases like fruits and vegetables. Nearly every state has taken some steps on obesity, mostly centered on children. In the past year, Arizona set nutritional standards for all food and beverages sold on school grounds. California banned the sale of junk food as snacks in schools starting next year. Kentucky requires students to engage in vigorous physical activity for 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes a week and next year will prohibit its schools from serving that staple of Southern cuisine, deep-fried foods. Maryland plans to put timing devices on school vending machines to limit access during school hours. Many states plan to make nutrition instruction part of their curriculums. There are certain to be more new rules. For the Governors' winter meeting in Washington a few weeks ago, Huckabee, who opened the conference by leading some of his fellow Governors and their staffs on a 5K run, invited a former fat kid who is also a quadruple-bypass patient to speak. Bill Clinton related to the problem of weight in typical feel-your-pain fashion. The two Arkansas pols, longtime adversaries, have joined together to work toward halting the rise in childhood obesity by 2010 and reversing it by 2015. "Look at Huckabee," Clinton told the Governors. "You've got to consume less and burn more. There is no other alternative. And to do that, you've got to change the culture." But how? Embarrass Americans into saying no to that second helping of cheesecake? Taxing calories? Hauling the corporate chiefs of Frito-Lay and Coca-Cola before a congressional committee, as happened in 1994 with the heads of seven tobacco companies, and suing them? There have been many instances in which government has either rallied a majority to rescue a group of suffering Americans, as in the War on Poverty, or tried to push Americans out of unhealthy and expensive bad habits, including smoking, littering, drunk driving and failing to wear seat belts. All involved some combination of education, cultural change, legal penalties and old-fashioned shame. But obesity does not evoke deprivation, and it's more complicated than a bad habit: it involves food. The old messages won't work, says veteran Democratic operative Michael Berman, whose new memoir, Living Large, chronicles his struggles to come to terms with being fat. "This is different from second-hand smoke, where you can have a program of abstinence. You can give up smoking. You can't give up eating." Berman warns that even the best anti-obesity programs won't produce the gratification that politicians like best: quick results. That's because our growing waistlines are a product of so much else that is happening in the U.S. Researchers say it's not a coincidence that the obesity epidemic has coincided with a growth in the number of working parents who have less time to prepare meals from fresh foods; technologies that make it possible to mass-produce packaged and fast foods in cheap, enormous portions; financially strapped schools getting rid of their physical-education programs and playgrounds even as they allow vending machines and food advertising in their buildings; and computer and television programs that ensnare kids who might otherwise be playing outside. Even larger economic forces may play a role. "It seems to be inextricably bound up to ... stagnant wages in the global economy," Clinton told the Governors. "The price of everything has gone up except food. Food is still a good deal in America." Rates of childhood obesity are worst among the poor and are a particular challenge in immigrant communities--in part because there's no cheaper dose of assimilation than a trip to Burger King. The New York Times Magazine reported that a couple of years ago, after administrators trimmed fat and sugar from menus at schools in Rio Grande City, Texas, along the Mexican border, students staged lunchroom protests, hanging signs that read NO MORE DIET and WE WANT TO EAT COOL STUFF--PIZZA, NACHOS, BURRITOS. Where government fits into finding a solution is a matter of no small dispute. After all, it's not like Americans don't have an inkling why they are getting fat. "People who are overweight know it," says Huckabee. "The denial is different from a lot of denials. We don't deny that it's there. We deny that it affects us." That's why there are plenty who argue that the blame--and the answer--must lie squarely with fat people themselves. When Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, a Democrat, attacked junk food in schools two years ago, then Democratic Senator Zell Miller, whose home state of Georgia is the location of Coca-Cola headquarters, scoffed, "Our kids are not obese because of what they are eating in our lunchrooms at school. They are obese, frankly, because they sit around on their duffs watching MTV and playing video games, and to do something about that requires the role of the parents, not the role of the Federal Government." His Georgia colleague, Republican Saxby Chambliss, was equally dismissive of Harkin's plan to set federal nutrition guidelines for schools: "We would be a lot better off to spend that $6 million to educate children about what they ought to eat, both in school and out of school, and if we think that by cutting them off at school they are not going to go to the 7-Eleven as soon as school is out and pick up these items, then we are kidding ourselves." There was a none-too-subtle message in the title of Republican-sponsored legislation aimed at protecting the food industry from obesity-related lawsuits: the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act of 2005. Nicknamed the Cheeseburger Bill, it passed last October, with yeas outnumbering nays 2 to 1. Mindful of anything that may look like the heavy hand of a nanny state at work, George W. Bush's Administration has focused its anti-obesity efforts primarily on public education. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson wore a pedometer to tout his department's Small Step initiative. But pressure for bigger strides is building. Says Harkin: "This is not just a personal problem. It's a public-health problem." He wants the Agriculture Department to regulate all food--not just meals--being served in schools. The rules now are set at the state and local levels, with widely varying standards, although the torrent of state legislation suggests that everyone is looking to go healthier. Harkin and others want to give the Federal Trade Commission more say over the $10 billion a year that the food industry spends advertising to children. Some in Congress are pushing to require nutritional labeling on restaurant menus, as was done for packaged foods. There are restaurants that print the information voluntarily, but the restaurant lobby opposes requiring it. Meanwhile, food companies are trying to get out in front of the issue. McDonald's did away with supersizing. Coca-Cola no longer advertises on television programs aimed at viewers younger than age 12. In its ads on children's television, Kraft pitches white-meat chicken Lunchables rather than Oreos. Food packaging, from mac-and-cheese to soup and pancake mix, offers tips for more healthful preparation. Big Food is eager not to repeat the mistakes of Big Tobacco, and it knows that self-regulation is one way to keep the government from stepping in. What worries the food industry most are the lawsuits that have begun to move through the courts, often going where politicians fear to tread. One key question is whether public-health advocates will succeed in sticking the food industry with one of the charges that damned the tobacco business: that its executives knowingly harmed the health of the public--especially children--with their marketing tactics. Of course, Big Tobacco had the additional problem that its products are clearly addictive. Plaintiffs against food companies have had some initial setbacks--in courts of law and in the court of public opinion. People snickered when two New York teenagers--one whose regular diet consisted of two Big Mac or Chicken McNugget meals a day and another who usually ate a Happy Meal or a Big Mac three or four times a week--sued McDonald's, claiming it had made them morbidly fat. A federal judge tossed out their case in 2003. But last year an appeals court revived it and allowed discovery, an unsettling development for food companies because it could open up their marketing strategies to public scrutiny. Around the country, state attorneys general, encouraged by their success in wringing billions from the tobacco companies, have the food industry in their sights, says Rogan Kersh, a Syracuse University political-science professor who argues that the political forces arrayed against the two industries show striking similarities. The food fight seems certain to get bitter, whether it is ultimately fought in the courts or the legislatures or on the floors of Congress. But there is one thing on which all sides can agree: nothing will work until Americans are persuaded to change the choices they are making for themselves and their children. While some will say the government shouldn't have to pick up the tab for what people are doing to themselves, Huckabee insists that everyone should recognize that it already is. "It's not just about coddling people," he says. "It's truly about making good business decisions. The return on investment is significant when you put the focus on health and wellness as opposed to putting the focus on treating disease." newslink

Final Note on the Low Fat Diet

2006-03-14T19:19:00.000-08:00

The results of the low fat study mentioned before were not the most compelling proof that one should watch their fat intake, most research still points to the fact that HIGH fat diets are very bad for your health, as well as for your weight. Eating a lot of fat in one's diet has been proven to add to cancer incidence as well as increase the risk of heart disease. As far as I'm concerned, since we are in fact, focusing on the diet and weight loss aspect here, a balanced diet that is low in fat or at least fat conscious AND cuts down on calorie intake is the best diet that anyone can be on. I also recommend some products to help you reach that goal and get off to a good start on the road to dieting and slimming and trimming that butt, midsection and thighs!

More on the Low Fat Diet Study

2006-03-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

Results of the low fat study admittedly were not earth shattering, however there are some significant points to be made that may have influenced the outcome of the studies - which to me, only further proves that not only fat needs to be reduced, but overall caloric intake for not only health and mental acuity but for weight loss and health weight maintenance. First, due to the women's older age they were basically trying to reverse years of bad habits and those habit's effect on the women's bodies. The years of mediocre of terrible eating habits may have already produced irreparable damage to their bodies at this later stage of life, which would have been out of the control of a low fat diet. A second fact, and this is the real kicker that I think drives my point home about the importance of calorie reduction in a weight loss and maintenance plan, if that while these women's diets were significantly reduced in fat content, the caloric content remained unchanged. These women may have lost a little weight at first, but for the most part they stayed overweight through the majority of the study due to caloric intake remaining the same. Since excess weight is, in itself, a high risk factor for cancer and heart disease, the low fat diet did not help with these risk factors due to the extra weight not coming off.

Denise Austin Recumbent Bike From Spartan Sports Review

2006-03-06T19:35:00.000-08:00

Denise Austin Recumbent Bike From Spartan Sports Features: Leveraged position for less stress on your body and back. Smooth resistance for a quiet workout Manually chosen course mean versatility and personalization Display console features speed, distance, time, estimated calories and a scan function LED Console is an easy to read display Price at time of print: $139.00 Consumer Review: Good Bike for the PriceMy bike arrived with all pieces intact but no assembly directions. Assembly seemed very straight foward so I went ahead and put it together. All the pieces were there and it took me no more than 30 minutes by myself. So although there were no printed directions included (which I'm sure was a fluke) the bike was quite easy to put together. I'm not sure why some of the other reviewers had problems with assembly. Maybe the printed assembly instructions make it more confusing than not having any instructions?I really like this bike so far. It's quiet and comfortable. Good design, it's not a monstrosity and I love the low profile of the moniter. I can exercise while watching tv, which was my plan. I think it's a great buy for a basic exercise bike.Love my bikeI love this bike. It was hard to put together. It says you need all these pieces, but you really don't. After 4 hours and a lot of frustration I got it together. It definitely needs a better manual for putting it together. I love the bike now that it's together. And you do need two people to assemble it. Getting the seat on is very hard by yourself. I had to prop it up on a pillow.

Schwinn 203 Recumbent Exercise Bike Review

2006-03-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

Features: 300 pound weight capacity16 levels of magnetic eddy current resistance 17 programs to choose from (12 preset, 4 heart rate control and 1 users choice) Adjustable handlebars for comfortContact grip heart rate sensors which monitor your fitness level Price at time of print: $349.00 Consumer Review:The differences between this and the 213 (Schwinn) model are minimal, but worth considering. The water bottle holder here is right in front of you, less sightly and unnecessarily, whereas the 213 has two of them, both within easy reach right under the seat. Also, the magazine/book holder is more substantial on the 213. The seat and programming are comparable. But the 213 has also been less expensive when on sale, so is on balance a better option.

Enjoy Fat Tuesday!

2006-02-28T19:46:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has enoyed or is still enjoying Fat Tuesday. Were back tomorrow.

Proven: French Fries will kill you

2006-02-26T17:52:00.000-08:00

Potatoes raise blood sugar considerably and possibly damage cells (Reuters) Holding that side of fries might help thwart type 2 diabetes, new research suggests. In a long-term study of nearly 85,000 U.S. women, researchers at Harvard University found that those with the highest potato intake had a modestly elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The link was strongest among obese women, who are already at increased risk of the disease, suggesting that heavy potato consumption may pose a particular problem for them, the researchers point out. The findings are published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Though potatoes have healthful attributes, they also have a high glycemic index (GI) -- meaning they cause a rapid, strong rise in blood sugar. Over time, these surges may damage the pancreatic cells that produce the hormone insulin, which is needed to metabolize blood sugar. for more info visit msnbc.c0m

Campbells cuts the Salt

2006-02-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

(AP)CAMDEN, N.J. - Executives at the Campbell Soup Co. have heard the same thing almost since Andy Warhol was making art out of their cans in the 1960s: Lower the sodium in soup without sacrificing taste and people will eat even more of it. Now, after years of gradually reducing the sodium in its soups, the Camden-based company says it has made a breakthrough: natural, low-sodium sea salt. It will be used in about 30 soups, both new and reformulated recipes, scheduled to be on supermarket shelves in August, Campbell announced Wednesday. "We've been everywhere on the globe trying to find a sea salt with all the characteristics of this one," Chief Executive Douglas R. Conant told The Associated Press in an interview. The company is hoping the lower-sodium salt will help soup sales, which have stabilized recently after losing ground to other convenience foods in the 90's. Regular table salt is 99.7 percent sodium chloride. The federal Food and Drug Administration says that adults should eat no more than 2,300 milligrams a day or just under a teaspoon. A few years ago, the average serving of a Campbell's soup contained almost half the daily limit. By using less salt, the company got its average down to 850 milligrams. The sea salt in the new soups has 40 percent less sodium than the regular stuff, said George Dowdie, Campbell's vice president for research and development. The salt change will give the company room to tout other health benefits of its soups, like it did back in the 1980s with its "Soup is good food" ads. The company agreed to halt that campaign after the government complained in 1989 that it was misleading because of the high sodium levels. Under FDA rules, foods must meet several criteria — such as containing certain nutrients and having low cholesterol levels — before its label and advertisements can bill it as "healthy." Many of Campbell's soups meet all the requirements except for one: They have more than 480 milligrams of sodium per serving. Some of the soups including four to six varieties of the hearty Chunky soups will get below that threshold thanks to the sea salt. The company then will market them as healthy and advertise how they are low-calorie, low-fat, vegetable-rich foods. "We look at it as the enabler to talk about the other health benefits of soup," said Denise Morrison, president of Campbell USA. The company is ramping up promotions, such as its Soup for Life Plan, a wellness and weight-loss campaign that revolves around soup. The sea salt also is being used in Campbell's 12 child-oriented soups, such as Chicken Alphabet and Kids Shapes, and versions of the soups the company calls its icons like chicken noodle, tomato and cream of mushroom. The sodium reduction is the latest phase of efforts to revive a once-mighty company that fell into hard times in the late 1990s. When Conant took over in 2001, he promised to revive the condensed soup business, which had been slipping for years as more convenient quick-meal options emerged. Campbell's reported Feb. 17 that sales rose two percent in the first half of fiscal year 2006 over the year-ago period, to $4.4 billion, and soup sales rose at the same rate, to $2 billion. Net earnings rose to $556 million for the first half ended Jan. 29, up 20 percent from a year ago, or 11 percent, once adjusted for accounting changes. The company has made strides in quality, using a new process to mix its soups that allows for bigger chunks of vegetables and a fresher taste, and introducing a higher-priced line of gourmet soups. It has also worked on convenience, adding microwavable soup bowls, drinkable soups, putting pop-top lids on cans and coming up with a new system to organize the soups in supermarkets. Wall Street was mildly encouraged by the changes. "In terms of the actual soup business, they're doing as much as they can do," said Thomas C. Morabito, an analyst who follows the company for Susquehanna Financial. He said there's just not much room for growth in the soup business, which Campbell already dominates. news link

The Bottom Line on the "Mayo Clinic" Diet

2006-02-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

If you try it, just be mindful of the pitfalls. Do not attempt to use this diet as a fallback whenever you gain a few pounds - this surely will lead to yo-yo dieting and unhealthy weight gain and weight loss frequency. There are lots of other good diets out there now that focus more on balance and moderation, which are way more realistic as lifetime eating habits. Those diets are the ones that are the keepers.If you must try a diet like this, you may want to think about a good appetite suppressant and energy enhancer such as an herbal phentermine alternative to help you through the rough spots of adjustment to a restricted calorie and restricted food group diet.

The Problem with the Mayo Clinic Diet Menu

2006-02-16T19:14:00.000-08:00

Most variations of this eating plan, while they can result in very fast and relatively dramatic weight loss, are not based on nutritionally sound principles. However, that does not mean you can't try it - just don't rely on it as a lifestyle eating plan, and do plan on gaining the weight back fast if you go off of it and start eating normally again. It usually takes water weight off for the first few pounds (as with many other diets), and water weight as we all know is usually temporary weight loss unless we stick to a diet plan for at least a month or more. The method also is based in deprivation of certain food groups, and focuses entirely too much on high fat and high cholesterol food, which can elevate your triglycerides and wreak havoc on your cholesterol count if you are on it for any prolonged period of time. This diet has also generally been reported to make some people feel sluggish, lethargic and even to induce a depressed mood. This may be due to the high concentration of protein, low concentration of fiber, and the ensuing imbalance of blood sugar levels which leads to all of the previously mentioned symptoms of lethargy and depressed mood

FDA Issues New Guidance on Whole Grains

2006-02-15T18:47:00.000-08:00

Interesting article on whole grains by Libby Quaid, AP Food and Farm Writer WASHINGTON - Multigrain, oat bran, cracked wheat, or seven-grain. Which has the heart-healthy whole grains recommended by the government? To answer that question, the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday came out with a new definition of whole grains. The agency wants to make it easier for people to choose foods made from whole grains. The choice is not easy, given the bewildering array of slogans and logos in the supermarket. For example, Cheerios and other General Mills cereals have their own "whole grain" emblem. Companies from Bruegger's Bagels to Snyder's of Hanover pretzels use black-and-gold labels shaped like a postage stamp saying a product is a "good source," an "excellent source" or a "100 percent source" of whole grains. Quaker Instant Oatmeal has a small green banner saying, "Made With Whole Grain Oats." "It's very important that consumers are able to have a consistent and uniform terminology of what constitutes a whole grain," said Barbara Schneeman, director of the FDA's office of nutritional products, labeling and dietary supplements. Whole grains are vital to a healthy diet, according to federal guidelines. They say three servings each day of whole grains will cut the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. A serving is about an ounce — a half-cup of oatmeal, a slice of bread, a cup of cold cereal flakes. While the FDA is trying to make things clearer for consumers, the agency seems to be causing confusion in the food industry. The definition is just a draft, but if the FDA makes it permanent, many companies may have to change their food labels. The FDA says a company can make factual statements, such as saying a product has 100 percent whole grains or 10 grams of whole grains. But the agency says a product should not claim to be an "excellent" or "good" source of whole grains. The FDA did not say whether companies should start changing their labels. "We would have to look at a particular product to understand whether something is being used appropriately," Schneeman said. The agency recently refused a request from General Mills to define an "excellent" or "good" source of whole grains, saying those terms apply to specific nutrients but not to whole grains. The industry reacted cautiously. People are bewildered by the clutter of claims in ads and on packages, said K. Dun Gifford, president of Boston-based Oldways Preservation Trust, a think tank. Gifford helped create the black-and-gold Whole Grains Council stamps, which he said offer simple descriptions, not scientific health claims, to help consumers. Robert Earl, senior director of nutrition policy at the Food Products Association, said the FDA's move is "something we're going to need to digest and discuss among our members." "The agency has certainly been clear in this document about what is a whole grain and what is not a whole grain," Earl said. It is not clear whether the definition will last. The FDA opened a two-month comment period on it, but officials said they did not know when, or if, the change would go into effect. The definition says a whole grain must retain its basic structure. It applies to corn, rice, oats and wheat and lesser-known cereal grains, such as bulgur, millet and sorghum. It does not include soybeans, chickpeas, sunflower seeds and other legumes or oilseeds. The tricky part is what's done to the grain during processing. If it's intact, ground, cracked or flaked, it still is a whole grain. Rolled or "quick" oats are still whole grains. Popcorn is a whole grain. Pearled barley is not a whole grain; too much of its bran layer has been removed. In addition, pizza or bagels labeled as "whole grain" or "whole wheat" ought to have dough made entirely from whole wheat or whole grain flour, the FDA said. ___ On the Net: Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov Whole Grains Council: http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org Food Products Association: http://www.fpa-food.org

The Basic Foundation of the Many Variations of the "Mayo Clinic" Diet Menu

2006-02-14T03:04:00.000-08:00

The most popular version of the diet menu consists of 2 eggs any style, 2 strips of bacon, and grapefruit juice for breakfast. You may also drink coffe or tea black. Then for lunch you get more grapefruit juice, meat and a salad with light dressing. For dinner, it's more grapefruit juice, meat, a vegetable and coffee or tea black. Although it doesn't seem too bad, I tried this one and had a tough time with it. I found that I was very hungry most of the time, and grew tired of the menu after just a few days. I did lose weight though. You are supposed to go on the diet and stick to it for twelve days, then off for two, then back on for twelve. I lasted four days and lost about 5 pounds.

Fighting Childhood Obesity with Snowshoes?

2006-02-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

Connecticut schools are concerned about the surge in childhood obesity, and in a bid to get school age kids moving, is issuing snow shoes in hopes of getting kids to be physically active in the winter - and LIKE it. Here is the full story. Kids and Snowshoes - Fighting Childhood Obesity

More Info on the Mayo Clinic

2006-02-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

The Mayo Clinic is a famous medical facility and practice that is owned by the not for profit Mayo Foundation organization which is located in Rochester, Minnesota. Although its home base is in Minnesota, the Mayo Foundation also operates medical facilities such as clinics and hospitals in several other major metropolitan areas. Exactly how the idea of an exclusive diet endorsed by this organization came about, no one seems to be able to pinpoint.

The Mayo Clinic Diet for Fast Weight Loss - The Origins of the Myth

2006-02-10T18:53:00.000-08:00

Although you may have heard through the years of this famous diet, you've probably just heard the latest fads spread through rumor and urban legend as being endorsed by the renowned Clinic. It was spread as a rumor through faxes, emails, and other forms of communication years ago as the Mayo Clinics famous diet for weight loss for patients who needed to lose weight quickly for surgery or for health reasons. We will examine some of these diets, and talk about their safety, effectiveness, and more importantly the speed at which you can expect to lose weight on them - since this is the major draw of these diets. The Mayo Clinic is a famous medical facility and practice that is owned by the not for profit Mayo Foundation organization which is located in Rochester, Minnesota. Although its home base is in Minnesota, the Mayo Foundation also operates medical facilities such as clinics and hospitals in several other major metropolitan areas. Exactly how the idea of an exclusive diet endorsed by this organization came about, no one seems to be able to pinpoint. Although they may not be an officially endorsed diet, some of the rumored eating plans were in fact very effective at taking excess weight off exceedingly fast and relatively safely. Of course, there were also some that were so restrictive that they were nearly impossible to complete every phase, or they were so calorie restrictive that their undertaking could become a huge health risk since the drastic calorie reduction would be a huge shock to anyones system who was not utilizing the best appetite suppressant supplements.

The Mayo Clinic Diet

2006-02-09T19:41:00.000-08:00

Millions of People Turn to the Mayo Clinic Diet Menu for Weight Loss Each Year, So What Exactly is on the Menu? What is "the" Mayo Clinic Diet"? Is it cabbage soup? Bacon, eggs and grapefruit juice? Jello and cottage cheese? Chances are, you've heard of one of these menu variations at some point as the latest and greatest way to lose excess weight fast. Well, you may not know this, but this now famous diet takes many forms, and there is no one diet menu that is endorsed and recommended by the Mayo Clinic, save for the new book published and endorsed by doctors of the Mayo Clinic entitled Healthy Weight for Everybody which is actually more of a lifestyle than a temporary weight loss fix.

Enjoy the Super Bowl

2006-02-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

Remember don't eat too bad. In case you do were going to focus on Hoodia the next few days. Enjoy the Game!

More Info on the Schwinn 418

2006-02-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

Customer Testiomonials Reviewer: Maia Hightower "Tiago's Mom" (San Diego, CA USA) I bought this elliptical to work off the baby weight I gained after the birth of my son. I tried a gym membership first, but who wants to waste time at a gym when I've got my new pride and joy at home? Consumer Reports recommended the elliptical as a best buy, so I decided to give it a try. First, it comes unassebled. The directions are a bit scanty, but easy to figure out. I was able to put 95% of it together by myself while my son slept in about 2.5 hours. I did need a bit of hubby brawn for the last couple of steps. All in all, it looked fantastic put together. Advice: don't rush putting the parts together. The brawn part involved the sheet metal screws and the glider covers. As for the ride...Fantastic! It is sooooo quiet. I can excercise at night when the little one is sleeping without a sound heard in the room next door... and I can hear his baby monitor without difficulty. Sometimes I exercise with the baby looking on in his intelletrainer. We exercise together, grooving to ABC's. All in all, a great purchase!

Schwinn Ellipticals - The Schwinn 418 and Schwinn 438 Review

2006-01-30T18:03:00.000-08:00

The Schwinn 418 and Schwinn 438 Grip heart rate monitoring High-inertia drive system uses an oversized flywheel and Poly V-belt Quiet magnetic resistance Eddy Current Brake provides a smooth ride Twelve workout programs include: rolling, valley, fat burn, ramp, random, plateau, intervals, mountain, two heart rate program, one fitness test, and manual mode LCD display shows time, speed, distance, revolutions per minute, resistance level, calories, calories per hour, load, heart rate, and course profile Eight levels of resistance Power requirements: 4-C Batteries or 110 volt AC Adapter Product dimensions: 66 inches long by 25 inches wide by 66 inches tall (168 by 63.5 by 168 centimeters) Maximum user weight is 275 pounds (125 kilograms) Price: $899.00 and Up, Depending on the Model ***All Schwinn Elliptical Stepper Models Received Extremely Good Feedback from Consumers

2006-01-29T18:04:00.000-08:00

Horizon EX22 Dual Action Elliptical Review Features resistance to increase and vary the intentsity of your workout. Ergonomic design puts less stres on the knees, hips and lower back so you can enjoy a longer, more comfortable workout. Instep access features a lower step on height for added safety SUPERconductor drive system's magnetic brake offers smooth, more consistent resiatance Blue backlit screen makes monitoring your progress easy Price: $599.99 Product Description: The Horizon® EX 22 elliptical stepping machine utilizes high tech magnetic resistance which translates into smooth and quiet operation with a longer stride length to accommodate a wider range of workouts and training programs. The unique frame design features a low step-on height and allows for a smaller overall footprint while still offering a full 18-in stride length for a correct ellipse motion. This is a very high quality, quiet and easily maintained machine. Excellent value.

2006-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Next up is: Proform RL 725 Elliptical Trainer Review Two LED display windows Console displays speed, time, distance, calories burned and pulse 7 x 10 workout profile matrix CoolAire workout fan EKG Grip Pulse Chest pulse sensor Price as of 1/7/06: $699.00 New - There May Be Some Used Ones Available as Well Product Description: The Proform RL 725 Elliptical Trainer has two LED display windows that provide feedback in five workouts speed, time, distance, calories burned, and pulse. It also provides a 7 x 10 workout profile matrix to constantly monitor your progression throughout your workout. EKG Sensors help improve aerobic and cardiovascular performance. Simply grip the EKG pulse sensors for immediate heart rate readouts on your heart rate. Proform also offers this chest pulse sensor that delivers digital readouts to keep your hands free. Contoured arms are padded for an improved grip, natural angle design offers a more comfortable workout. Energy you produce while you work out is harnessed by a generator to power the electronics display screen. The natural elliptical motion of the RL 725 greatly reduces the harmful impact of hard surface walking or running. Smooth, frictionless resistance system allows you to adjust workout intensity without interrupting your workout. Variable intensity lets you target specific workout and conditioning goals. 14 workout options provide motivation and challenge by making automatic adjustments to the resistance of your Elliptical Trainer.

2006-01-23T19:19:00.000-08:00

Elliptical Reviews So here is the plan for the next couple days. Im going to post some reviews for several elipitical. I personally love using them. I have shin splints so road and treadmill running can take its toll. I can not express how much easier an eliptical makes running pain free. I hope you enjoy the reviewsl. ProForm 900 SpaceSaver Stride Select Elliptical Reverse Motion--Allows you to work different muscle groups with the same exercise. Action: Dual Action--Gives you an upper and lower body workout simultaneously. H eart Rate Monitor: EKG Grip Pulse Sensor--Allows you to stay in your target workout zone more effectively. Courses: 8 Pacer Programs & 2 Heart Rate Programs-- Gluteal Course--This program is designed to target the gluteal area. Price as of 1/7/06: $599.99 New - (There were some used ones available at time of print too) Product Description: The ProForm 900 SpaceSaver StrideSelect elliptical stepper features a dual-action design with motorized resistance and 10 workout programs. The blue backlit display offers readouts for time, calories, heart rate and more. 10 resistance levels allow you to change the tension according to your fitness level and goals, while the adjustable stride length lets you choose the stride distance that is most comfortable for you. The tension control is really great on this machine, and the price is a genuine bargain considering that many of the best ellipticals can be upwards of $2,000.

2006-01-13T19:37:00.000-08:00

Sign of our Unhealthy, Out of Control, "Supersize Me" Times?

Mayor Bloomberg recently blasted the health and eating habits of New Yorkers, citing lack of good, wholesome natural foods, overeating, and portions that have grown out of control. He blamed out of control portions at restaurants and quick stops, high fat and low nutritional value foods, and the advocation of junk foods such as coffee and sodas in our hustle bustle lifestyle as the culprit behind obesity and associated health risks.

Get the full article here on yahoo newsgroup: Attacks from Mayor Bloomberg: NYC's Unhealthy Eating Habits

2006-01-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

Found this interesting story on proof positive that low calorie diets keep hearts and bodies young and healthy. Quick fact: Did you know that people who eat lower calorie diets CONSISTENTLY live longer and are much healthier than those that consume high calorie diets (ie in the 2,000 plus range). Interesting huh? Here is the article on the Yahoo News Group: Study: Low Calorie Diets Keep Hearts Young

2006-01-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

Baltimore is named "America's Fittest City" - Ousting Last Years fittest city Seattle..... Baltimore has been named America's newest fittest city for 2006, while Chicago took Houstos position as the fattest city in America (ouch). Last year's fittest city, Seattle, dropped two spots to number 8 in the new list. The results were released today from Mens Fitness Magazine. Who decides this stuff, I have no clue. I'm just glad Cleveland isn't in the top spot any more!

2006-01-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

Interesting Story on Yahoo: Pets Gain Weight Just Like Their Owners During the Holiday Season: Who Knew?

There was a story on Yahoo News that pets, just like their owners, are becoming obese and face chronic illnesses such as heart complaint, diabetes and arthritis, according to research released on Friday. A survey of British veterinarians and owners showed that one in three pets, or 33 percent, were considered overweight and 38 percent of pet owners said their animals put on weight during the Christmas and holiday season. Despite this, very few pet owners planned to put their pets on a diet. "Pets, like their owners, tend to expand a little over the Christmas period," said Frances Wright at Halifax Pet Insurance, who conducted the survey. The survey said signs of obesity included a sagging stomach, bulging sides and a reluctance to take part in physical activity. About 30,000 human deaths a year in Britain are directly attributable to diseases and disorders associated with obesity, the health experts say. So maybe this means our pets are more of a reflection of ourselves than we think?

2005-12-31T14:03:00.000-08:00

From the Dieting Magazine Online Weight Loss Resource Blog

Have a safe New Years Eve!

Let's start the new year with a bang

Here's to achieving all of your goals - weightloss or not,

and making 2006 the best year yet!

2005-12-28T19:08:00.000-08:00

Hoodia Gordonii - The Latest Fad in Weight Loss and Hunger Control Some supplements such as the much touted natural hunger suppressor Hoodia Gordonii, are said to contain an actual molecule named P57 that actually copies the effects of glucose in the brain and helps to prolong feelings of fullness and prevent hunger from even beginning in the first place. Results with Hoodia have been mixed, but the general consensus is that it is a pretty good natural appetite suppressant and has worked to help people reduce their caloric intake and therefore lose weight with less effort and hunger than if they did not take the supplement

2005-12-27T18:50:00.000-08:00

What do appetite supressants really do? Appetite suppressants are usually designed to help suppress certain hormones or even parts of the brain associated with appetite. They actually help suppress the receptors that carry "hunger signals" to the hypothalamus, the center of your brain which controls appetite. How do they do this? Well, it depends on the type of supplement you choose.

2005-12-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

Appetite Suppressant Supplements - Self Control in a Bottle? Appetite suppressant supplements are one of the most popular diet pills marketed and purchased today. Why is that you ask? Well, they actually help a lot of people to "get back in line" after periods of binging such as the holidays, by helping to decrease appetite and get back into a normal, healthy eating routine in order to lose weight or even just to prevent over eating. Find out the different types of hunger blocking supplements and decide for yourself which one fits your lifestyle and weight loss goals.

2005-12-24T10:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Holiday From the Dieting Magazine Blog!

This is just to wish you and yours the best of holiday cheer and the safest and happiest of holidays. So, Merry Christmas from the Dieting Magazine Weightloss and Dieting Blog

2005-12-23T20:04:00.000-08:00

The Bottom Line on Carb Blockers If you want to successfully block carbs in your dieting and weight control routine, a good carb blocker can be of great benefit, especially for those times when you are inevitably going to over-do it on the carbohydrate intake. Just be sure you choose one that has been proven through clinical studies, not just double blind placebo studies, which are often not as accurate nor as thorough and documented as clinical studies.

2005-12-22T21:19:00.000-08:00

So, What Is Good About Carb Blockers Not Containing Any Stimulants? First of all, diet products loaded with stimulants only stave off hunger for as long as you use them, then when you taper off, you gain your appetite back - many times twofold - and many times you also gain your weight back twofold. Second, stimulants in diet supplements many times can make you feel edgy, nervous and irritable. Sure, the over-stimulation may make you temporarily forget about your appetite, but who cares if you gain more weight back when you discontinue the product? Third, the effects of many dietary stimulants still have not been thoroughly studied and documented. They could have serious health implications if taken for extended periods of time. This is precisely the reason that one common diet stimulant, ephedra was taken off the market.

2005-12-20T19:06:00.000-08:00

Carb Blockers and a Little Carb Counting - A Winning Combination in the Battle of the Bulge Have you heard of these almost-too-good-to-be-true supplementscalled "carb blockers" that supposedly block carbohydrates fromturning into refined sugars and entering the blood stream asfacilitators of higher blood sugar (which results in subsequentweight gain)? I'm sure you wondered, could they work? Or are they justanother diet rip off, preying on the hopes and dreams ofpeople who want to lose weight so desperately they'll try anything? The reason there is so much skepticism about diet products such as this, is that they usually are advertised as the "easy way to lose weight". This, to me, says I will not have to try as hard. I can eat whatever I want and a magic pill will miraculously melt the pounds off effortlessly. The diet products that claim you won't have to exercise are the ones that really irk me. This is a dangerous message to send. Exercise is essential to anyone's overall health and well being. Products that prey on people's hopes of achieving weightloss while eating anything they want should simply be avoided. Claims such as this simply are not true. There will always be a level of effort required by the person trying to lose the weight. That's not to say that carb blockers don't work. On the contrary, there is actually one on themarket that has a patented ingredient calledPhase 2 called Dietrine Carb Blocker that hasbeen proven to reduce the effects of excessive carb intake, and this supplement has definitelyproven to be an asset to many who are trying tolose weight and happen to over indulge oncein a while. While carb blockers should not be used as an excuse to constantly pig out on unhealthy refined carbs like white breads, pastas, and sweets, they certainly have been demonstrated (at least one carb blocker has, in clinical studies) to help to "absorb" the shock caused by excessive carb intake.

2005-12-19T19:18:00.000-08:00

The Bottom Line on Transdermal Diet Patches What is the bottom Line on Transdermal Diet Patches? They are an excellent diet aid, primarly because they are affixed to the skin and continuously deliver the necessary ingredients to keep hunger at bay, burn excess calories, and boost mood and energy levels, all of which help you forget about eating. What does this all mean? Weight loss, of course

2005-12-18T19:40:00.000-08:00

How Diet Patches Work to Help You Lose Excess Weight, and What the Advantage is Over Pills

Continuous hunger control
Natural iodine delivery to promote a healthy thyroid, it increases the body's metabolic rate, which in turn elevates energy levels and speeds up the body's ability to burn excess calories and prevent subsequent fat storage
Guarana is a high energy source that increases mental alertness, fights fatigue, slows the pulse, decreases the appetite, and is an excellent mood elevator. Guarana also has tonifying properties that can help the intestines and problems with diarrhea
Menthol is used as an effective topical aniseptic to enhance the delivery system of Premium Diet Patch. It prepares the skin to accept the potency formula
HCA (from the Garcinia Cambogia) inhibits lipogenesis, lowers the production of cholesterol and fatty acids, increases the production of glycogen in the liver, and suppresses appetite.

2005-12-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

Ways to Avoid Over Eating for the Holidays We all know how hard this can be. You've got to have extreme willpower to avoid the copious amounts of mouth watering food that tends to be shoved in your face 24/7 around this time of year. Well, the obvious solution is to not eat it (YEAH RIGHT), but that is nearly impossible unless you are a size 0 supermodel whose life and livelihood literally hangs in the balance if you overeat. We'd all love to have intense willpower, which seems to come so easily for some (especially those damn supermodels), but most of us mere mortals give in to our sweets and fat urges. And that's perfectly normal. You just have to know where to draw the line. And you have to know that you're going to "get back on track" after the holidays. I myself have a plan to shed the inevitable 5 lbs I know I've gained in this short month. I definitely know I'll be needing the help of some really good natural appetite suppressors, since I've now gotten so used to just eating what I'd like, when I like (within reason of course). On top of that - I plan on getting to the gym every day - not every other day or every third day, but every other day, until I've dropped that weight. What's your new years plan?

2005-12-16T18:17:00.000-08:00

Here are some testimonials from individuals who have used this diet patch (It's the Premium Diet Patch) I think its great! It works by curtailing my appetite yet with no adverse side effects. I’m an experienced dieter and have used many other products, but this is at the top of the list. –Carmen I like it because it’s simple, natural and effective! It’s a perfect small adhesive square which suppresses my appetite and gives me a little extra “zap” of energy—and I only need to change it every 3 days—perfect for losing a few pounds or keeping off extra weight by easily avoiding tempting treats. –Jamie I love this Premium Diet Patch! I got the package and immediately put on a patch. By the end of the week I couldn't believe I was losing weight from a patch! Thank you Online Future! –Maria Plain and simple this was well worth the money! I was looking to lose some weight I had gained around the Holidays and this did the trick. I have trouble with swallowing pills and think this patch is a great idea. Thank you so much, Aloha! –Robert

2005-12-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

Transdermal Diet Patches The purpose of a transdermal patch is for continuous release of a substance or medication into the blood stream for utilization by the human body for its intended purpose. In the case of the transdermal diet patch, it is the continuous, timed release of weightloss promoting ingredients which help to minimize appetite, maximize energy, and help the body burn more fat on a constant basis - it works day and night to suppress hunger and burn fat. So, what does transdermal mean? It actually means "delivered through the skin". In other words, a product that is absorbed through the skin into the blood stream. There is a safe herbal patch that has ingredients specifically designed to be transdermally delivered in the Premium Diet Patch It actually helps to decrease hunger and other symptoms generally associated with weight reduction, and serves to jump-start your metabolism, which helps in increasing your body's ability to burn fat. The "Premium Diet Patch" is a safe and effective way to control your appetite and lose unwanted pounds.Application of the weightloss patch is simple and convenient. You place a Premium Diet Patch on the back of your arm just like a band-aid. The special formula is absorbed into the skin (transdermal delivery) and goes right into the bloodstream. As these ingredients enter the bloodstream they help to decrease your appetite resulting in less food intake and natural weight loss. The patch also acts as a daily reminder to assist you in achieving your health and weight loss goals. More on the benefits of transdermal diet patches when we see you next....

2005-12-14T18:56:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to follow up yesterday's post with some more info. Go ahead and get informed. CardioStrength Motorized Treadmill Features, Review and Rating HP Continuous/Peak: 1.25 to 2.5 HP Speed: 1 to 6 MPH Maximum User Weight: 230 lbs. Warranty: Lifetime Frame, 6 Months Parts, 90 Days Labor SHIPPING INCLUDED Price at time of print: $399.95 Consumer Review: The walking surface is 13" inches - try running, jogging or walking on that! However if you'd like a compact treadmill that'll fit anywhere and is motorized, this is definitely a great buy. Leisure Works 539 Foldable Treadmill Features, Review and Rating Made for the avid walker with a whisper quiet 1.25 Continuous Duty Motor (2.5 HP Peak) Takes up only 21" x 24" of floor space when folded Operates at speeds from 1.0 to 6.0 mph Spacious 37" x 13" walking surface Electronics show time, speed, distance, calories, and has a scan function Price at time of print: $359.00 Consumer Review: Nice, quiet operation. Love that it's foldable. Love the price too. Seems very durable for the reasonable price. Horizon T4 Club Quality Treadmill Features, Review and Rating Incline goes up to 10% and speed up to 12 miles per hour 2.25 continous horse power; commercial-grade motor for a smooth workout Eight preset program options including two user-defined programs One touch quick keys for easy change on both speed and incline Lifetime warranty on frame, 15-year warranty on motor, 1-year warranty on parts and labor Price at time of print: $869.00 Product Description: This club-quality treadmill by Horizon is designed for comfort and functionality. The T4 features a smooth and quiet motor with 2.25 continuous-duty horsepower. Constructed of a sturdy steel frame, the T4 also offers six pre-set programs including two user-specific programs, which will allow you to get the most out of your workouts. To keep track of your workout, a blue backlit LCD screen displays the time, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and speed. Consumer Review: One of the best from the best in fitness equipment Horizon. You won't be disappointed in the unbelievable ease and comfort of this machine. Gym quality, nicely made. Very well worth the higher price tag. You'll love this machine for years to come. Walkmill WALK1 Compact and Totally Portable Walking Treadmill Features, Reviews and Rating Includes Kathy Kaehlers Exclusive Walkmill Programs, Water bottle bracket Folds together for storage or portability Variable speed control Variable powered elevation Electronic display gives time, speed, calories burned and distance readouts Price at time of print: $599.00 Savings of $100 Consumer Review: It is easy to assemble, and easy to use. Does not take a lot of space.

2005-12-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

BUYING A TREADMILL - HOW TO FIND THE BEST TREADMILL FOR YOUR MONEY So, you have some of Christmas bonus money leftover. Instead of indulging yourself, purchase something that can make a difference in your home life. Buy a Treadmill! Most people think that once they buy a treadmill that the law of diminishing returns applies. You have to have the right mind set. What is a common excuse not to work out? I don't have the time. Well, if you have the means to buy a treadmill, this excuse doesn't apply. Think about the time you can save from driving to the gym and even the time wasted waiting for a turn on the treadmill. Another benefit from owning your own treadmill could be your work-out attire. If you want to run in your sports-bra and shorts and your modest or just don't want your male counterparts gawking at you, there is no stopping you from doing that at home. Time management comes into play also if you own a treadmill. Think about it. You can actually watch your newscasts and TV shows while working out. You're not stuck watching CNN's "Mad Money"! You can watch your TiVo shows and save time in the evening for more constructive things. There are several factors you should consider when shopping online or in-store for a treadmill. Several brand manufacturers make treadmills. Reebok, ProForm, Horizon, New Balance and others are some of the top brands on the market today, and they usually can be counted on for quality and durability. So, if you think you're ready for owning your own treadmill, here are some things to look for in your search. The following are some features that you should look for: 1.) Motor - Preferably a 2.5 horsepower or more. Any less than this quite frankly will be a disappointment as far as performance and lasting power. 2.) Space Saving Option- In other words, does it fold up for easy storage if this is what you want? 3.) Console Display Features. 4.) Speed Control- Can you go up in speed in increments, or little by little. If it's the latter, this can be frustrating. 5.) Magazine or Book Holder- for easy reading while you're walking or running. 6.) Non-Slip Belt- Who wants to break their neck while burning calories? 7.) Belt Padding- Otherwise known as shock absorption. This is very important, as it will protect your joints and help to avoid soreness and muscle fatigue. It reduces the risk of injury in runners as well. 8.) Incline Position Control- running uphill and downhill 9.) Noise Control- No one wants a noisy machine. You don't want to have to blast your favorite episode of Beverly Hill: 90210. 10.) Additional Statistical Data- such as heart rate, calories burned and special interactive fitness programs. 11.) Good Warranty- Don't forget to protect your investment from breaking down. 12.) Spacious Walking Surface- Benefits when running at maximum speed 13.) Helpful Hint: Don't be cheap! If you spend $200 or less, chances are you may be disappointed in the product's performance and sturdiness. Most reviews of the cheaper treadmills are very negative, and most consumers state they wish they'd invested a little more to get a higher quality product. The phrase "you get what you pay for" is definitely applicable in the purchase of a treadmill. As you can see, there are quite a few considerations in purchasing a treadmill. If you cannot find exactly what you want in the stores, try shopping online for a treadmill - you'll be surprised at the bargains you can get and the cheap shipping available. There are lot of business fighting for your purchase online, so there's a lot of price competition. There are usually some great prices and selections on the internet that you may not be able to find in stores. Take advantage of any customer reviews on these products as well. It's an excellent way to see how well you will like the product if you choose to purchase it. A quality treadmill will be built to last and made of extremely durable material and quality parts - especially the motor, which is a key component to a treadmill's lifespan. This is truly a product that you will want to invest some time and extra cash on to get what you really want, and make it last. Here's a link to a site that offers almost every brand and price range, and a wide variety of shipping options: Treadmills - All Brands, All Price Ranges

2005-12-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

The Zone Diet, South Beach Diet and Other Good, Lifelong Diets Get Rid of Belly Fat, Trim and Tone Muscles and Get the Same Look as Many Movie Stars You See that Just Look "Cut" These diets have a precise combination of good carbs, proteins and good fats that make the most out of your muscle and completely zap fat at its source. One of the hands-down best diets today is the Zone Diet, by the famed Dr. Barry Sears. The now famous diet book and lifestyle came into the spotlight after it was well publicized that one of our favorite "Friends" Jennifer Anniston, and some of her castmates and other high profile Hollywood celebs, followed this diet lifestyle and achieved great success in both weight loss and maintenance. The Zone way of life preaches smart carb and fat consumption, a moderation of refined carbs, a low calorie menu, and moderate exercise. The South Beach Diet is very similar to this, but featured a little more diverse and easily prepared menu with items that are readily available at the grocery store. The South Beach Diet even spawned it's own line of snack bars by Kraft that can be meal replacements, pre-made South Beach meals, and some other food products that are in line with the calorie and nutrient ratios recommended in their books. This diet plan is one of the most highly reviewed and talked about diets on the market today. Body For Life is also another excellently reviewed, high quality and successful lifetime diet. I actually have friends that have seen great success with this system. They say they are not hungry and do not feel deprived. The other "pro" of this diet is that it gives you one well deserved day off per week. On this day off, you may eat what you like, but not gorge yourself. The day off tends to really take the edge off of a diet and make it feel less restrictive. Let's face it - we all love food, and we like to celebrate the taste and abundance of food once in a while! Realistically, you could probably take a day off once every week to two weeks on any diet plan - you just need to choose your day wisely, and make sure the "days off" don't become too often of an occurrence. The bottom line is that moderation is key, and that is what the three diets discussed promote, in one way or another. Moderation, common sense and smart food and dietary supplement selection will clear the path for a lifetime of physical fitness and health. If you want to buy any of these diet books, Try Amazon Books for a Discounted Price

2005-12-11T20:38:00.001-08:00

More on the Best Diets of the Year Interestingly, advocation of a low calorie diet has been around quite a while, it's only recently gained more media exposure since some modern popular diets such as the Zone diet and perhaps the more slyly marketed South Beach Diet have put forth a low calorie menu with about 1200 calories per day in the typical meal plan. What's even more interesting is that it is a scientifically proven fact that people who consume a low calorie diet consistently have much longer life spans, less disease and general illness, and tend to experience less psychological issues such as depression and anxiety. Although the benefits of low calorie diets are known, the American philosophy of portion overload and "bang for your buck" still seems to be sticking around. Take for example, McDonalds Super Size options. Or the new Burger King Super Sized Giant Breakfast Sandwich. Hardly an exercise in moderation. And yet people still continue to buy these products because of the perception of value. What many people forget when buying these types of products is the health sacrifices they are making for the sake of a perceived value. Problem is, it doesn't feel so good after it's all been eaten. Indisgestion, sluggishness, mental fog and other unsavory side effects are sure to come when we overeat. Not to say it's not okay to do it once in a while - we all do! These types of eating habits as a lifestyle are sure to lead to excessive weight gain, heart problems, other diseases, and feelings of despair and food reliance. Sometimes the most difficult period of adjustment in dieting and losing weight is dwindling down your calorie intake fairly quickly. This is where a good appetite suppressing herb or supplement can really help. As long as you can get over that initial "hump", you can usually do the rest fairly painlessly, since your body would have been adjusted to the lower calorie regimen for a few weeks. What to Do When You've Over Indulged If you really feel the need to over do it, you may want to try a good carb blocking supplement or fat burner that helps to burn off excessive caloric intake during these times. This trick may be especially helpful around the holidays when there seem to be carbs and fats lurking around every corner and the temptation to indulge is overwhelming. Another good trick to making the most out of your meals, and assuring your brain registers fullness with less food is to eat slowly, and chew your food 35-50 times before swallowing. This is a surefire way, even on its own, to reduce calorie intake and induces feelings of fullness faster.

2005-12-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

2005-12-07T18:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the DietingMagazine blog. At the Dieting Magazine website, our mission is to continuously provide our readers with the latest information, studies, products and methods in dieting and weight loss technology. There are constantly new offerings and new breakthroughs in the field of dietary supplementation that can really help you to achieve the weightloss and weight maintenance goals you have set for yourself with less effort and greaterrewards. It can be confusing when deciding what type of diet plan to follow, how to lose pounds without sacrificing your health, and where or how to get the right type of supplements that will help you through the toughest spots of your weightloss journey.