STAYING ON TRACK

So far, so good with avoiding all candy, cookies, cakes, and any other form of desert or concentrated sweet. I made it through Halloween, now I just have to get through Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, The SuperBowl, and Valentines Day!!

My motivation is that I genuinely feel better when I am not eating sweets; sugar is definitely a trigger for me to throw all of my efforts out the window and to lose my momentum and motivation. A cookie today leads to a small piece of chocolate tomorrow, and then a doughnut or piece of cake a few days later... before I know it I will be totally out of control again. I will lose all motivation and will stop exercising. I will be overeating on the "good" foods again and I will be eating fast food. A few pieces of chocolate is not worth it to me.

If you are a compulsive overeater and have not identified any specific triggers for losing control, I suggest that you take some time, do some soul-searching, and think really hard about the foods that you eat when you are out of control and what seems to trigger you to eat them.

Now is a good time to re-gain your momentum and committment to eating healthy and losing weight. By doing so, you will avoid re-gaining the weight that you have lost. I am looking forward to starting a New Year without knowing that I gained 10 addtional pounds over the Holiday Season. This will be a first for me!

I have been taking my Desert Burn Hoodia faithfully. Although I cannot say that Hoodia takes away all cravings for chocolate and candy, what it does do is make me feel full; it causes me to forget about food so that I don't obsess about things that I "think" I want to eat. I think that this supplement is going to be a lifesaver throughout the Holidays.

USE HOODIA IN CONJUNCTION WITH BEHAVIORAL CHANGES TO LOSE WEIGHT

Opinions among medical professionals, consumers, and the media about the usefulness and effectiveness of Hoodia Gordonii vary from it being an amazing weight loss aide to it being nothing more than a scam. I have seen and read both extremes and everything in between, as I am sure anyone who is reading this has.

The one thing that everyone seems to agree on is this: the only Hoodia diet aids that will help you lose weight are those products that contain only 100% pure, genuine Hoodia Gordonii. Authentic Hoodia products have CITES documents, which are required for exporting Hoodia Gordonii from South Africa. They have chemical analysis reports which support their claims and verify that pure Hoodia Gordonii is in fact present in the supplement. In order to avoid one of the many scams and ensure that you are getting a product that works, look for these things. Read some of my earlier posts about ensuring that the Hoodia you buy is authentic.

It is important to realize that even the Hoodia supplements are nothing more than appetite suppressants. They will not magically melt the fat away. Genuine Hoodia will suppress feelings of hunger, making it easier to stick to a low-calorie food plan, but it will not control your psychological urges to eat. It is up to the you to change your behavior and the thoughts and feelings that you associate with food and overeating. This is a very important concept to understand and to work on if you are to be successful in the weight loss battle. Figure out why you overeat, and then take it to the next level and figure out how to change those associations with food. Hoodia will make it easier, but it is not a "magic bullet".

DESERT BURN HOODIA IS ON SALE!!!!

DESERT BURN HOODIA PRODUCTS ARE NOW ON SALE!!!

Desertburn ZA-750 is now on sale for at a special price of $49.95/bottle of 60 capsules and 3 bottles for $139.95, plus shipping and handling charges. (Normally priced at $59.95 per bottle). Now is the time to stock up!

Desert Burn® ZA-750™ Hoodia is the #1 Hoodia supplement in the World. DesertBurn guarantees that they have secured the top hoodia source material on the planet. Accept no substitutes for Authentic South Africa Hoodia Gordonii. Many people in the industry sell a Chinese 20:1 extract claiming it to be real Hoodia; Many companies are stuffing capsules with Opuntia or Caralluma Fimbriata and falsely calling it Hoodia. BEWARE!!! Don't be fooled! Do not accept any product that does not have C.I.T.E.S credentials and independent lab tests to back up the product. See previous posts in this Blog for help in determining how to ensure that you are buying Authentic Hoodia.

DESERT JUICE liquid Hoodia is also on sale. New Hoodia procucts from Desertburn, Hoodia Syrup and Hoodia Fruit bars, are now in stock and available online. Coming soon: the world's first authentic Hoodia Shake will soon be available.

Combined with a sensible diet low in fat and simple carbohydrates and a regular exercise program, Desert Burn® ZA 750 hoodia is a supplement that may help you to finally take control over destructive eating habits and lose unwanted pounds.

JUST A REMINDER

I wanted to point out that many people who have visited here were not aware that there are a lot of articles posted in the archives of this blog (scroll down on the right hand side to click on the month that you want to check). All of the information about Hoodia supplements and how they work, as well as how to be sure that you are buying a genuine product, how to take it, and the results to expect are in the archives.

All of the information that you will need in order to make a decision about whether or not this supplement is right for you and which brand to purchase is in the archives.

I'VE BEEN OUT OF TOUCH RECENTLY

I am not sure if I have mentioned this in my blog, but I have been out of work for the past 8 months due to a lay-off. Because of financial constraints, I had to temporarily stop taking my Hoodia supplements, as we all know how expensive it is. I regret having to have made this decision, but it was necessary at the time. I did notice the change after several days of not taking it, and I am now more convinced than ever that it was working for me and that it is an effective weight loss aid. I have continued to exercise regularly, and I am doing the best that I can to eat right. I start a new job next week, and the first thing that I'm going to do when I find out when my first payday is will be to re-order a 3 month supply of Desert Burn Hoodia.

When I restart the Hoodia, I will be posting consistently again. I am determined that I am going to succeed at this. If any readers have tried Hoodia and have any comments to share, please feel free to do so. I would be interested in hearing of other people's results.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIETARY FIBER

Dietary fiber (sometimes called "roughage" or "bulk") is the part of a plant that provides and maintains the plant's structure. This fiber cannot be digested by the human body; as it moves through the intestines (colon) undigested, it helps to keep food moving smoothly, helps to correct certain disorders of the colon, keeps the intestines functioning normally, and makes it easier for the body to eliminate waste through the stool. Fiber absorbs many times its weight in water from the colon, resulting in the passing of softer, bulkier stools. The fiber in your diet also helps to make you feel full and aids in the digestion process.

The Importance of Fiber
A diet that is high in fiber results in large, soft, and bulky stools which pass through the bowels easily and are eliminated quickly. This can prevent constipation and hemorrhoids, lessen the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. Fiber has also been shown to play a role in treating and preventing elevated cholesterol, heart disease, strokes, colon polyps, and colon cancer.

Fiber and Weight Loss
Research has proven that increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can help you to lose weight. When you eat foods with a high fiber content, you tend to feel full faster, which helps to cut down on the amount of empty calories consumed with junk foods. Since fiber cannot be broken down by the digestive system, it provides bulk with few or no calories. High fiber foods are generally lower calorie foods to begin with; they take longer to chew, which gives the body more time to "feel full" while you are eating, which helps to stop overeating. These foods stay in the stomach longer, delaying the time that you feel hunger again. Combined with Hoodia supplements, which have a natural appetite suppressant activity with a delay in feeling hungry, this is a great benefit!

Adding Fiber to Your Diet
When you begin to add extra fiber to your diet, do it slowly; if you add too much fiber too rapidly, you will end up with excess gas, abdominal cramping, and bloating. Increase the amount of fiber as your body gets used to it. A healthy goal is to aim for 30-40 grams of fiber each day.
There are many sources on the Internet and in bookstores that list the fiber content of foods; you may want to invest in such a resource.

Suggestions for High Fiber Foods

• Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially with the skin onWhole
• Whole grain breadspastas
  
• Bran flakes
• Legumes
• Oats
• Barley
• Nuts
  
• Consider a fiber supplement such as MetamuciCitrucelrucel if you are unable to consume enough fiber in dietRemember
• Remember to drink plenty of water (8-10 glasses per day)
  

WEIGHT LOSS "101"

Americans alone spend approximately $40 billion on weight loss products and fad diets each year, yet none of these products seem to deliver the "magic" that they promise. The truth of the matter is this: unfortunately, there is no "magic bullet" for weight loss. If one existed, do you really think that any of us would be overweight? Let's face it, we would all be slim and fit if it were that easy.

As a healthcare provider, I can't even count the number of times that a patient has come in asking me for "a pill or a diet to make me lose weight". My answer is this: There is nothing that any healthcare provider can suggest or prescribe that will make you lose weight. Despite all of the fad diets and diet products that are out there (and there are plenty to choose from), nothing will make you lose weight.

You are the only one who can make weight loss happen. What it comes down to is simple; your weight is determined solely by the balance of the calories that you consume in food and fluids and the calories that you burn through activity and exercise. Your body requires a minimal amount of fuel, or calories, on a consistent basis in order to maintain life; calories consumed above and beyond this will either maintain your weight or result in weight gain, depending on your activity level.

We all want to believe in the claims made by the fad diet experts out there. Who amongst us has not tried the famous "Cabbage Soup Diet"? But in the end, it boils down to the fact that if you don't eat enough calories to maintain your weight, you will lose weight. If you eat a mere 750 calories/day on the Cabbage Soup Diet (or any fad diet, for that matter), you will lose weight. But you will also lose weight if all you consume is 750 calories/day worth of cookies. Science has proven that there are no magic foods or combinations of foods that accelerate the burning of fat.

Certain diet plans seem to work better for certain people; we've all tried the low-fat/high carbohydrate diets, and then the low carbohydrate/higher fat diets. Again, science has proven that weight is determined by the amount of calories taken in versus the amount of calories expended, regardless of where those calories come from. If your body requires 1500 calories/day in order to maintain your current weight, you can eat those calories in the form of protein, carbohydrates, or fats; you will maintain your weight if you do not exceed 1500 calories/day. Where the combination of foods does matter is when considering your health and the risks that obesity and certain diets have in the development of serious health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. A large percentage of medical and nutrition professionals will now encourage a diet that includes lean protein and complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads and pastas, vegetables, and certain fruits. The simple carbohydrates such as white bread and flour, sugar, pasta, potatoes should be avoided, as they turn to sugar rapidly and may contribute to insulin resistance and weight gain.

The key is to find the right balance of healthy foods that you can and will eat consistently in order to promote health and weight loss. We're back to you... You have to change your behavior and lifestyle in order to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. This is why the fads and "miracles" have so much appeal. As humans, we are always looking for an easy and painless way to solve our problems. The truth of the matter is that this battle can only be won through hard work and change on your part.

There is a place for diet aids, of course. Many people want or need a crutch or a little extra help when they are beginning to follow a healthy diet and exercise program. But how do you pick out a product that is safe to take and effective? How do you determine if the advertising is truth or hype? I am unable to take most over-the-counter weight loss aids due to side effects and high blood pressure, but have always been interested in herbal or natural products. Recently, Hoodia Gordonii has caught my attention. I have been reading a lot about the product, but it's not as simple as going out and purchasing it. There seems to be a lot of difference in the quality and quantity of the active ingredient. I have done a lot of research, and have ordered and received my first supply of the product, based on my research. I will begin taking it tomorrow, and will journal the experience, along with some of my research regarding what the product is, how it works, and how to purchase it. I will not mention the specific name of the company or product unless or until I feel that it is not hype. This supplement is not cheap, and I certainly don't want to be an advertisement for something unless I believe in it.