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Top 10 Diets
 WEIGHT
WATCHERS | MORE DIETS |
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 Weight
Watchers is the world's most popular weight loss program.
The program has been around for over 40 years and the company
was originally founded by Jean Nidetch. Lately, the emergence
of the Internet has helped the company reach new customers,
in new ways, around the world.
Weight
Watchers has never been a "quick-fix" solution to
weight related problems, rather, the program stresses long-term
weight management.
In
other words, the program is about developing healthy lifestyle,
which to the company includes mental, emotional, and physical
health.
Although
the program has been around for so long, the company strives
to keep up with the latest scientific discoveries and thinking.
As
an example of this, the Weight Watchers weight loss plan is,
according the company, developed by scientists with profiency
in weight management. They also use a Scientific Advisory
Board that helps them keep up with science.
Weight Watchers Weight Loss Plan
The company's program relies much on group support and allows
a very broad range of food to the diet. Each food has a point
value, and you will find from the program just how many points
you can use each day.
The
point allotment is given on the company's first meeting, and
from then on you will record your daily use of the points
on a food diary, which will aid you in tracking your daily
progress and helps plan your food consumption.
The
emphasis of the program is very much on the points, not on
what foods you eat. The general idea is to plan the meals
from the points view. The program allows also some flexibility
with the points if you have a special occasion coming up.
Weight Watchers - Resources
Starting the program is easy, you just go to a meeting, sign
up, and you'll be supplied with the necessary information
and tools to get you started. You can ask questions if you
feel there's anything that's left out of the information provided.
Because
the program allows so broad range of foods to be eaten (they're
all given points), this is probably an easier program to follow
than the ones that restrict severely what types of foods you
can eat.
Also,
many feel comforted by the group support given at the meetings.
If you're not one of them, you can now attend the online meetings,
which are an easy way to start and follow the program, especially
if you're too busy to attend the off-line meetings. |
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| SOUTH
BEACH DIET | MORE
DIETS |
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 South
Beach diet was developed by cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston.
The diet first became popular in Miami and was then developed
into book form, which has become a best-seller throughout
the country.
The diet is not about low-carbs or low-fat. Instead, the diet
teaches you to rely on the right kind of carbs and the right
kind of fats.
Agatston
has created a modified carbohydrate plan, with plenty of high-fiber
foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while cutting bread,
rice, pastas, and fruits.
The
diet is a based on three phases that in total last for the
rest of
your life. Therefore, this is not a quick-fix diet, but instead
a diet plan for a changed dietary lifestyle.
In
fact, most of the more popular diet plans today take that
complete approach to changing your lifestyle and habits.
Some
also stress the mental side of motivation and keeping on track,
as well as the physical side, exercising to keep fit. Here,
there is less focus on those last-mentioned issues.
South Beach Diet Phases
The first phase of the diet is about banishing your cravings.
Possibly the worst undermining factor on a weight-loss plan
is the distressing sensation that you need more food.
On
the first phase, according to Agora Media, the company behind
the South Beach diet success online, you'll eat normal-size
helpings of meat, chicken, turkey, fish, and shellfish.
Also,
you will eat vegetables, eggs, cheese, and nuts. You'll have
salads with olive oil in the dressing.
At
this stage of the South Beach diet there will be three balanced
meals a day plus snacks.
However,
for the first 14 days, you won't be having any bread, rice,
potatoes, pasta, or baked goods. This is to help you get rid
of the cravings (they'll be back in the diet after the two
weeks).
The
phase two is about reintroducing carbs again. However, the
weight loss that started at phase one will continue because
you'll be eating fewer of the foods that used to create those
urges. The phase 2 continues and you continue lose weight
as long as you reach your goal.
When
the goal is reached, the South Beach diet plan transforms
into more liberal form, which will help you maintain your
ideal weight.
The
third phase lasts the rest of your life. When you get to this
point, the plan is less like a diet and more like a way of
life.
You'll
be eating normal foods in normal-size portions. The continuing
thing to do is to remember to live by the few basic rules
of the South Beach diet.
South Beach Diet - Resources
To
start on the diet plan, you can buy the available book that
has all the rules in it. The book is titled "The South
Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan
for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss". The book is also available
in audio cassette and audio CD formats.
There
are also companion books to the basic book, such as the "South
Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide: The Complete and Easy
Reference for All Your Favorite Foods".
In
addition, the official South Beach diet web site is full of
helpful tools and advice.
To
mention few of these things, there are message boards to get
support, the ability to keep an online journal, plus a weight
tracker to type in your weight, plot your progress, and learn
how to stay on course. |
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| ZONE
DIET | MORE
DIETS |
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 The
Zone Diet, as developed by Dr. Barry Sears, got it's name
from the diet's main aim: keeping the hormone insulin in a
tight zone: not too high, not too low.
Thought of as such, The Zone Diet is a life-long hormonal
control strategy. In fact, Dr. Sears is commonly described
as a leading authority on the dietary control of hormonal
response.
Dr.
Sears originally developed the diet to fight his unfortunate
family genetic inheritance for early heart attacks.
He's
a former research scientist at the Boston University School
of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
who dedicated his research efforts over the past 30 years
to the study of lipids.
In
addition, he holds 13 U.S. Patents in the areas of intravenous
drug delivery systems and hormonal regulation for the treatment
of cardiovascular disease.
The
Zone Diet got nationwide attention upon the successful publication
of the landmark book, The Zone, in 1995. The book was quickly
followed up by such books as "Mastering the Zone"
and "Anti-Aging Zone", both giving additional insights
into the Zone method.
Zone Diet Principles
The approach the Zone Diet takes is that food should consist
of personally targeted portions (factors that affect meal
sizes include fat percentage, level of activity, and gender),
of which 40% of the calories should come from carbohydrates,
30% from protein and 30% from fat.
The
meals are generated through "blocks" and each food
has its own block value (amount of food per block). You then
generate meals by getting enough of blocks from protein, carbohydrates,
and fat.
According
to the Zone, this balance maintains a balance of insulin within
the body, reducing your hunger cravings, and getting you into
the correct "zone".
Resources for the Zone Diet
Starting on the diet is simple, you just purchase a book with
the rules and instructions of the diet, such as "The
Zone : Revolutionary Life Plan to Put Your Body in Total Balance
for Permanent Weight Loss", and your next meal could
be based on the Zone principles.
There
are now many books on the Zone Diet, including the following
- The
Zone by Barry Sears
- A
Week in the Zone by Barry Sears, Deborah Kotz
- Top
100 Zone Foods: The Zone Food Science Ranking System
by Barry Sears
- What
to Eat in the Zone: The Quick and Easy, Mix and
Match Counter for Staying in the Zone by Barry Sears
- The
Omega Rx Zone: The Miracle of the New High-Dose
Fish Oil by Barry Sears
- Zone
Food Blocks: The Quick and Easy, Mix-and-Match
Counter for Staying in the Zone by Barry Sears
- The
Age-Free Zone by Barry Sears
- Zone-Perfect
Meals in Minutes: 150 Fast and Simple Healthy Recipes
by Barry Sears
- Soy
Zone: 101 Delicious and Easy-to-Prepare by Barry
Sears
- Mastering
the Zone: The Next Step in Achieving SuperHealth and Permanent Fat
Loss by Barry Sears
In addition to the books, you may find value in the online
web sites dedicated to the Zone Diet. |
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| ATKINS
DIET | MORE
DIETS |
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 Atkins
Diet was developed by the late Robert C. Atkins, M.D. The
original rules were published in the book "Dr. Atkins'
Diet Revolution", back in 1972, which introduced the
Atkins Nutritional Approach to the world.
Dr.
Atkins was known to champion the natural healing arts as a
safe and effective alternative to pharmaceutical drugs and
surgery for many debilitating illnesses.
He
stressed the importance of proper diet in concert with nutritional
support to prevent and combat heart disease, diabetes and
obesity.
In
its basics, the program targets insulin, the hormone that
regulates blood sugar levels.
To
do this, the Atkins theory goes, the Atkins diet is extremely
low in carbohydrates.
According
to the Atkins Diet book, carbohydrates help to regulate insulin
production and decrease circulating insulin. Less insulin
results in less fat storage and fewer food cravings.
The
Atkins Diet Controversy
There has been a lot of publicized bad press for the Atkins
diet. For a short list of available critical reviews of the
Atkins diet, the following should give you a rounded view
to continue your search for Atkins Diet information from all
angles:
The
Atkins Diet - Resources
Starting on the diet program is easy as there are books and
online resources for quick and deeper information on the topic.
Also,
because the diet program is one of the most followed diet
programs out there, there are a lot of books on the subject.
In
addition to the core Atkins books with all the rules, there
are cookbooks with recipes, as well as tools on book format
(such as an Atkins Diet journal).
Available
info on the Atkins program from books by Robert C. Atkins
include:
- Dr.
Atkins' New Diet Revolution
- Dr.
Atkins' Quick & Easy New Diet Cookbook: Companion
to Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution
- Dr.
Atkins' New Carbohydrate Gram Counter
- Dr.
Atkins' Age-Defying Diet
- Atkins
for Life
You
can get a lot of information from the non-official online
resources that include information sites and people on the
diet program.
To
get reviews of the Atkins Diet, one of the best places for
them are online booksellers.
People
who have read the book and been on the diet share their experiences
(at least their reading experience of the book) with others
online.
This
type of diet book reviews are available from the biggest online
booksellers, such as Amazon.com. You can even leave your own
mark by voting whether the review was helpful or not (those
that receive "helpful" votes raise to the top of
the review page).
Other
online resources include online forums, chat rooms, and groups.
For example, the last time I checked, search for "Atkins
Diet" (without the quotations) returned 192 results on
groups.yahoo.com. |
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| DR.
PHIL DIET | MORE
DIETS |
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 The
Dr Phil diet, from Phil McGraw, whose nationally syndicated
show has made him a household name all over America, is laid
out in the book "The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7
Keys to Weight Loss Freedom".
Philip
McGraw is something of a self-improvement guru, but promises
no quick solutions to weight problems.
The
approach to weight loss by Philip McGraw is more comprehensive
than just about food. The approach also takes into account
the mental point-of-view that you have about eating and your
weight.
Dr Phil Diet for Weight Loss
In addition to controlling what foods you eat, the change
towards slimmer self is also done through the elimination
of counter-productive thoughs that may hold you back.
The
process guides you to change your environment, master impulse
eating, choose foods, adopt an exercise habit, and assemble
a support circle. All in all, the plan is about changing your
lifestyle.
Each
step is explained with case studies, fill-in charts, and self-tests.
As
for the food part of the equation, the Dr Phil diet plan emphasizes
foods with high nutritional yields for few calories.
Also,
the stress is on foods that cannot be eaten quickly due to
high fiber content or otherwise, making it less likely for
you to overeat.
Dr Phil Diet - Resources
Starting on Philip McGraw's diet is as easy as purchasing
the book where the principles are laid out. The book is available
in paper format, as audio cassette, as audio CD, and as a
digital download.
You
may also find value from the companion book "The Ultimate
Weight Solution Food Guide".
The
companion book delivers more weight loss strategies, more
specific food lists, and more of the Dr Phil diet information.
Also
helpful in the process is the drphil.com web site that has
supporting material, such as the possibility to keep an online
journal of your journey to weight loss.
Then
there's the Weight Loss Challenge, where you can join others
starting on the diet, for support and motivation. The challenge
participants can communicate and find each other (from nearby
areas for example) through Dr Phil's web site. |
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