Yoga, The Benefits and the Different Styles

The question everyone wants the answer to, is "how will Yoga help me?" If you have a weight problem, yoga will help you burn more calories. In general, yoga will help your body work better. Any problems you have, stress, hypertension, excess body fat, sleeping better can all be improved with yoga. It will help your body function better.

Every physical problem you have will be helped by doing Yoga everyday. I wrote the other day about walking and walking is the best for losing weight, but even if walking is your exercise of choose, you need to stay limber and work those other muscles and joints. Doing Yoga will help you feel better and sleep better. You'll be working the other parts of your body that seldom are used. Remember that you have hundreds of muscles and if you don't try and work them you'll lose them. Why do you think the elderly have so many physical problems. Falling is one of seniors biggest worries. If you don't strengthen your muscles, they will lose strength and you become weak and can't maintain your balance. Yoga will help you with that.

 How It Works

Workout fads come and go, but virtually no other exercise program is as enduring as yoga. It's been around for more than 5,000 years.

Yoga does more than burn calories and tone muscles. It's a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation.

There are more than 100 different forms of yoga. Some are fast-paced and intense. Others are gentle and relaxing.

Examples of different yoga forms include:

Hatha. The form most often associated with yoga, it combines a series of basic movements with breathing.

Vinyasa. A series of poses that flow smoothly into one another.
Power. A faster, higher-intensity practice that builds muscle.

Ashtanga. A series of poses, combined with a special breathing technique.

Bikram. Also known as "hot yoga," it's a series of 26 challenging poses performed in a room heated to a high temperature.

Iyengar. A type of yoga that uses props like blocks, straps, and chairs to help you move your body into the proper alignment.

Intensity Level: Varies with Type

The intensity of your yoga workout depends on which form of yoga you choose. Techniques like hatha and iyengar yoga are gentle and slow. Bikram and power yoga are faster and more challenging.

Areas It Targets

Core: Yes. There are yoga poses to target just about every core muscle. Want to tighten those love handles? Then prop yourself up on one arm and do a side plank. To really burn out the middle of your abs, you can do boat pose, in which you balance on your "sit bones" (the bony prominences at the base of your pelvic bones) and hold your legs up in the air.

Arms: Yes. With yoga, you don't build arm strength with free weights or machines, but with the weight of your own body. Some poses, like the plank, spread your weight equally between your arms and legs. Others, like the crane and crow poses, challenge your arms even more by making them support your full body weight.

Legs: Yes. Yoga poses work all sides of the legs, including your quadriceps, hips, and thighs.

Glutes: Yes. Yoga squats, bridges, and warrior poses involve deep knee bends, which give you a more sculpted rear.

Back: Yes. Moves like downward-facing dog, child's pose, and cat/cow give your back muscles a good stretch. It's no wonder that research finds yoga may be good for relieving a sore back.

Type

Flexibility: Yes. Yoga poses stretch your muscles and increase your range of motion. With regular practice, they'll improve your flexibility. Very important for seniors.

Aerobic: No. Yoga isn't considered aerobic exercise, but the more athletic varieties, like power yoga, will make you sweat. And even though yoga is not aerobic, some research finds it can be just as good as aerobic exercise for improving health.

Strength: Yes. It takes a lot of strength to hold your body in a balanced pose. Regular practice will strengthen the muscles of your arms, back, legs, and core.

Low-Impact: Yes. Although yoga will give you a full-body workout, it won't put any impact on your joints. Also good for seniors.

Sport: No. Yoga is not competitive. Focus on your own practice and don't compare yourself to other people in your class. Even though beginner classes are the most popular you will see many people there who are more skilled then you. These people show up not to learn Yoga, they come for the class because it's convenient. It's not easy to find advanced classes. Don't worry about not fitting in, if you do Yoga every day it only takes a few weeks and you'll feel like a pro. Don't think you have to buy those tight fitting Yoga clothes; what works best are every baggy, silky top and pants that give you a lot of room and let you move freely. Some people wear baggy scrubs like the nurses use.

If you really want to lose your body fat than look for my Ebook at the websites listed below. You'll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet.

“How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?”, is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

The Reasons That Apples Are a Good Pick

I found this post on WebMd that emphysizes the importance of a good diet. You can blame all the physical problems you have including "not sleeping enough and excess body fat" on a bad diet.

Can an apple a day really keep the doctor away? For thousands of years, many cultures have valued apples for their medicinal properties. Now, modern-day research has confirmed many health benefits associated with apples. In fact, there are hundreds of published papers showing why apples are a true superfruit.

Here are 5 reasons to enjoy an apple (or two!) today:

1. They’re Nature’s Perfect Snack. A large apple is the perfect portion-controlled portable pick, with 115 calories and 5 grams of filling fiber. It’s a good source of vitamin C and contains no fat, sodium or cholesterol. Though not all apples are nutritional twins, they’re all a natural source of health-promoting phytonutrients, including plant-based antioxidants.

Leave the skin on and you’ll score even more nutrition perks; the skin is where two-thirds of the fiber and beneficial antioxidants are found. What’s more, they’re not just for snacking. They’re ideal for sauces, entrees and desserts. One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in this Apple Pear Crisp.

2. They May Cut Your Cancer Risk. Studies show that apples may provide protection against certain types of cancer. Peer-reviewed research indicates that apples may reduce the risk for oral, esophageal, larynx, lung, colon, breast, ovary and prostate cancers.

3. They Can Help Whittle Your Middle. Enjoy an apple or two a day and you might just avoid an apple shape (where extra weight settles in the abdomen). That’s because apples contain filling soluble fiber and ursolic acid, a natural compound that has been found to boost fat-burning. Researchers from the University of Rio de Janeiro found that women who added three apples per day to their diet lost more than two pounds in 10 weeks – a greater loss than dieters who didn’t add apples.

4. They’ll Boost Your Brain. Apples are natural brain boosters. Researchers from Cornell University found that nutrients in apples may protect brain neurons against oxidative damage, which contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Scientists believe that a particular apple compound called quercetin may be responsible for this protective effect. Another study of people with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease revealed that enjoying 8 ounces of apple juice daily resulted in a 27% improvement in mood and behavioral symptoms.

5. They’ll Help You Breathe Easier. The antioxidants in apples may help protect the lungs against the oxidative damage that’s associated with asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. In one study, women who reported eating apples during pregnancy reduced the risk of asthma and wheezing in their child at age five.

Apples won't solve all your health problems but I want you to realize that fruits and vegetables will solve your health problems. Those pills in a bottle are only going to releave the symptoms.

If you really want to lose your body fat than look for my Ebook at the websites listed below. You'll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet.

“How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?”, is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

How to Make Walking a Real Workout

Walking can be a real workout but it can also do nothing for weight loss. If you use "walking" the right way it can be the weight loss exercise you have been looking for.

How It Works

Walking may be the simplest way to work out. You can do it almost anywhere, and it’s a snap to get started: Just put one foot in front of the other.

There are many great reasons to walk. Your heart will get stronger, you’ll lower your blood pressure, and your bones will get stronger. Walking also eases stress, helps you sleep better, and can boost your outlook on life.

Walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes or more at least 5 days a week is your goal. Do it alone or with a friend. Try a walking club or recruit your family for an after-dinner walk. All you need is a pair of walking shoes. If you can do a brisk walk, twice a day, 5 days a week, that might be all the exercise you need. Combine that with a diet of healthy foods and you will lose body fat over time.  

You can match your pace to your fitness level. For a more intense workout, try walking faster, longer, or uphill. Than for a more advanced workout, I do a walk, run routine. After I warm-up, I'll walk fast for one minute, than run for one minute, than walk fast for one minute, than run for one minute and so on. Do this about eight times and then about 5 minutes of cool-down walking and your done. I usually follow up with some stretching so I avoid cramps.

If you really want to lose your body fat than look for my Ebook at the websites listed below. You'll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet.

“How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?”, is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

Banish Bloating, Fluid Retention, and Puffiness

I'm not one to write much about medical problems but most of overweight problems today are due to medical problems that we either know we have or don't realize that we have. I write about diet and most medical problems can be traced back to a bad diet.

Feeling bloated is a common complaint in both men and women. One out of every 10 Americans say they experience regular bloating, even when they are not overeating. In some cases, if bloating is severe, your abdomen may become visibly swollen and distended.

Women tend to report bloating more than men -- especially during periods of hormonal change, such as premenstrually, when pregnant, and during perimenopause and menopause.

Thyroid patients, in particular, complain regularly about bloating, because of a thyroid dysfunction -- hypothyroidism especially -- is associated with water retention and weight gain from excess water. According to the American Thyroid Association, hypothyroidism can cause as much as five to ten pounds of weight gain just from the excess water alone. Some of that water weight gain can be in the face, causing puffiness in the face and around the eyes, fluid retention and swelling in the hands and feet, and abdomen.

Optimal Thyroid Treatment

If you are hypothyroid, step one to banish bloat is to ensure that your treatment is optimal. It's not enough to be in the "reference range." It's key to have optimal levels of sufficient circulating thyroid hormone -- especially the active thyroid hormone T3.

Lifestyle Changes

Physical activity is important to banishing bloat.

Make an effort to get more physical activity, with a goal of at 30 minutes, 5 days per week. Another recommended lifestyle change is to stop smoking. Smoking can contribute to bloating - so quitting can help -- not to mention the other health benefits associated with stopping smoking.

Other Medical Issues

Avoiding constipation is an important part of dealing with bloating. Ensuring that you drink enough liquids, and incorporate fiber into your diet are essential.
It's important to know that some over the counter pain relievers, iron supplements, and prescription pain medications can cause constipation and bloating.
Check for food allergies or intolerances (lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, fructose malabsorption) as they can contribute to bloating. Make sure you are getting enough calcium and magnesium.

General Diet Tips

A key recommendation is to avoid overeating -- the most common cause of bloating. You may want to eat smaller meals and eat more frequently, and stick to regular meal times. Stop eating before you're full, and leave some food on the plate. It's also important to slow down when you eat -- a good guideline is to give yourself around 30 minutes for a full meal. A few other general dietary tips:

Don't chew gum – especially sugar-free gum
Don't use a straw – sip straight from a cup
Cook vegetables instead of eating them raw
Cut back on evening carbohydrates
Drink a 16-ounce glass of water 30 minutes prior to each meal, and make sure you are getting 6 to 8 ounces of water daily.
Martha, a thyroid patient, shared this advice that worked for her:

One of my problems with hypothyroidism is water retention, despite the 80 ounces of water I drink daily. My doctor suggested I try 16 oz. unflavored Pedialyte mixed with 48 oz. water and drink this mixture two consecutive days weekly. After the first day, I noticed a significant difference! After the second day, I weighed 1.5 pounds less. Water retention isn't a problem for me anymore!!! Maybe this will help others.
Eat Foods That Help Reduce Bloat

A number of foods are known to help reduce bloat. Make sure you incorporate them into your diet. These foods include:

High-fiber foods - aim for 25 grams per day
Vegetables: Lettuce, cucumber, spinach
Fruits: Papaya, apples (with the skin), avocados, watermelon, pineapple, mangoes, bananas, cantaloupes, tomatoes
Yogurt
Grains: whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal
Spices: Ginger, peppermint, black pepper
Coffee
Salmon
Foods to Avoid or Cut Back on to Minimize Bloat

A number of foods and drinks are associated with increasing bloat. Try to cut back on consumption of these foods:

Carbonated drinks
Alcohol
Artificially sweetened foods, drinks, and seltzer
Fried foods
Frozen meals
Salty foods and sodium
Processed meats and hot dogs
Beans
Stretching and Massage

It may be helpful to massage your abdomen, by pressing your fingers by the hip, sliding across the ribs, and then down in a circular motion.

Advice From Fitness and Movement Expert and Exercise Physiologist Teresa Tapp

Fitness and movement expert Teresa Tapp, founder of T-Tapp, has been helping women battle bloat for several decades. According to Tapp:

After working in the fashion industry for over 18 years, as well as with regular women from all over the world for decades, I know that "yes you can" help your body eliminate excess water retention regardless of age, shape or size. Although I have several tips, my primary two are: (1) movement to maximize lymphatic flow and (2) intake of what I consider the perfect plant protein, alfalfa.

From my experience, excess consumption of simple carbohydrates -- for example pasta, bread, sugar, and alcohol) can increase inflammation, as well as increase fluid retention. For every gram of carbohydrate you consume, your body retains approximately 3 grams of fluid. Protein and increasing lymphatic circulation can help your body eliminate that excess fluid.

Although alfalfa looks like grass, it is actually a legume known for containing high concentrations of vitamins and minerals, as well as protein. Just make sure to check the quality of the product and only consume organic alfalfa leaf -- no sprouts, stems or seeds.

In my opinion, regular intake of alfalfa, along with doing a couple minutes of lymphatic pumping movements -- like T-Tapp Hoe Downs or T-Tapp Butterflies can immediately impact your body's ability to eliminate excess fluid and inflammation. Just be prepared for extra trips to the bathroom!

Rebounding works well too, but once you know how to do Hoe Downs and Butterflies, you are free to pump away puffiness and bloat anytime and anywhere. It's my personal secret to enjoying dessert and wine without the worry of bloat.

If you really want to lose your body fat than look for my Ebook at the websites listed below. You'll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet.

“How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?”, is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

How to Avoid Added Sugar

A good read. Added sugar, especially in drinks, account for half the calories in your diet. Like most of us, we know we have to cut calories, but we always begin by cut out foods to make extra calories for drinks. Wrong!!

How to Avoid Added Sugars in Your Diet

By Shereen Lehman, MS 

Marija Mandic/Stocksy United

When diet and nutrition experts talk about sugary foods, we mean foods that contain lots of added sugar, which is any type of calorie sweetener that's added to foods. Regular soft drinks sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup are sugary beverages. Soda, lemonade, sweetened iced tea, fruit drinks, and many sports drinks and energy drinks may also contain added sugars.

Frosted or pre-sweetened breakfast cereals, candies, sweetened yogurt, cookies, cakes, and pies have added sugars.

Ice cream and frozen yogurt are usually sugary, although you can find some made with non-caloric sweeteners. 

Diet soft drinks and snacks are not sugary; they're sweetened with non-caloric sweeteners, such as aspartame or sucralose.

The Problem With Added Sugars 

Sugar provides energy (i.e., calories) but no additional nutritional value. So, a little bit of sugar might be OK, but a lot of sugar leads to weight gain.

Some people believe high fructose corn syrup is worse for your health than regular sugar, but there isn't enough credible scientific evidence to back that claim. They're both made up of a similar combination of glucose and fructose, and both have the same effect on the body. 

The problem with sugary foods is eating or drinking too much of it. When you eat too much sugar, there's a good chance you're going to gain weight because it's high in calories. Plus, sugary foods aren't usually nutritious.

They usually don't have enough vitamins and minerals to make up for all the extra sugar.

Finding Added Sugars

Sugary soft drinks, pastries, cookies, candy bars, syrups, jams, jellies, and pre-sweetened breakfast cereals are all obvious sources of added sugars. But other foods such as salad dressings, flavored yogurts, instant oatmeal, and fruit smoothies can also contain added sugars.

Since there are several forms and types of sugars, it helps to know what you're looking for. Grab your packaged food and look for the ingredients list. If you see any of these, you've got added sugars: 

• sugar
• brown sugar
• high fructose corn syrup
• corn sugar
• syrup
• corn syrup
• fructose
• glucose
• sucrose
• raw sugar
• turbinado sugar
• honey

If any of these words appear on the ingredients list, be sure to look at the Nutrition Facts Label to determine how much of the added sugars are lurking in each serving. It may be just a small amount of sugar, or it might be a lot. 

Reduce Your Added Sugar Intake

Start by reading labels and choosing the products that have the least added sugar. You don't have to give up sweet foods altogether, just make healthier choices.

• Fruits and berries are sweet and contain no added sugars. 
• Buy plain yogurt and add sliced fresh fruits or maybe just a little honey.
• Skip the pre-sweetened breakfast cereals and add a little sprinkling of sugar, or use a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or sucralose. 

What About Natural Sugars?

Fruits and fruit juice are naturally sweet, so they don't need any added sugar in most cases. They may be sweet, but they aren't classified as having added sugar. Well, unless they're turned into a fruit drink like most cranberry juice beverages that are a combination of fruit juices with sugar and water. 

Here's the thing with natural sugars. Fruits and 100-percent fruit juice are not sugary foods, but you may need to watch the calorie count. A glass of fruit juice may have as many calories as the same size glass of sugary soft drink. But that fruit juice also has vitamins and minerals that the soft drink doesn't have. 

Is Honey Any Better?

Honey is a natural sugar because bees make it, whereas regular sugar is made from beets, corn, or sugar cane. But honey is often used as an ingredient, so it's a lot like an added sugar. Nutritionally, honey is about the same as sugar or high fructose corn syrup, so foods made with honey are still considered sugary. Technically, honey does contain some nutrients, but it's just a tiny amount, which is not enough to improve your diet.

But I Love Sugar—What Do I Do?

Eat less of it. If you can't do without your favorite sweets, just be sure to watch your intake. About 100 to 200 calories per day are about all you should consume.

Some foods don't need the extra sugar or they can be sweetened naturally, like yogurt. So you can buy sweetened yogurt that's full of sugar, or you can buy plain yogurt and add fresh fruits or berries. If that's not sweet enough for you, you can add a little honey or sugar. But be careful—a tablespoon of honey has about 60 calories, and a tablespoon of sugar has about 50. 

Same with breakfast cereals. The pre-sweetened varieties usually have lots of sugar. Look for brands that have less than 5 grams sugar per serving, and choose the brands with the most fiber. Or make your own oatmeal or plain unsweetened cereal and add fruits and berries, or just a little sugar on top.

Zero-calorie sweeteners can take the place of sugar in some foods and beverages, but they'll alter the flavor a bit.

If you really want to lose your body fat than look for my Ebook at the websites listed below. You'll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet.

“How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?”, is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Worse For You Than Regular Sugar?

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and regular sugar are about the same, nutritionally. Both are bad for your health when consumed in excessive amounts because eating too much of either one might promote weight gain, and neither sweetener has any nutritive value beyond the calories. Some people believe HFCS is more dangerous to your health than regular sugar, but those claims aren't based on scientific findings.

First, I'll agree with part of this post, but what they don't tell you is the "regular sugar" they're talking about is refined sugar. The big difference in refined sugar and natural sugar is how it enters the blood stream. Refined sugar or the manufactured chemical like "high fructose corn syrup" will give you that sugar rush because it enters the bloodstream like a rocket ship and then it has that drop off effect like you might have with a drug addiction. Natural sugar that you find in fruit and vegetables will enter the bloodstream much slower and doesn't have that drop off effect you might get with a chemical dependence. So natural is better in my mind, but having said that, both have calories and both types of calories are bad for your diet.

First, a Little Sugar Chemistry

Each molecule of regular sugar, chemically known as sucrose, is made up of two single sugar units called glucose and fructose. Glucose is the sugar your body likes best for energy, and it's found in all the sugary and starchy foods you eat. Fructose is the main sugar found in fruits. Your body can use fructose as energy too; it just requires a little extra work.

All sugar, whether white sugar, brown sugar, turbinado sugar or honey is the same -- half fructose and half glucose.High fructose corn syrup is produced from corn starch, and it's also made up of fructose and glucose molecules. Not exactly half and half, like sugar, but close -- formulations range from about 42 percent to 55 percent fructose. The amount of fructose may be "high" in comparison with regular corn syrup (which is actually low in fructose) but actually is about the same as regular sugar. Therefore, both sugar and HFCS have about the same metabolism and the same effect on your health -- that is, if you eat too much, the extra calories get stored as fat.

So Why Is HFCS Demonized?

There are a couple of reasons for that, both having to do with misunderstanding research. One reason involves a little conflation of research studies and the other is about confusing correlation and cause.

First, the fructose conflation. Studies performed with lab animals indicated eating diets high in fructose could lead to excessive weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and high triglycerides -- all bad things.

Since "fructose" sounds a lot like "high fructose corn syrup" and nothing like "regular sugar," some people conflate the two and decide HFCS is dangerous, but that somehow sugar isn't so bad.

It's possible that getting a large percentage of your calories from fructose every day could cause more weight gain than calories consumed from other sugar sources -- at least if you are a lab rat (human studies haven't backed up that claim). But, what if you just eat too much fructose in general -- because you eat too much food? And what if a lot of that fructose comes from HFCS because it happens to be a common ingredient? That brings me to the second reason for demonizing HFCS, confusion between cause and correlation.

High fructose corn syrup is cheaper than regular sugar, so it's used as an ingredient in processed foods and beverages has increased over the past few decades. During that same time, rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes have also gone up in the United States and some people blame that increase on the concurrent rise of HFCS consumption.

Increased caloric intake from HFCS might be part of the problem -- not because HFCS is inherently evil -- but because Americans have increased their calories in general. In that case, HFCS is just a scapegoat, and there's no good reason to believe that sticking to sugar as an ingredient would make any difference.

Food Fight -- Who's the Winner?

There isn't a winner here -- HFCS and regular sugar are both okay in small amounts and both bad if you eat too much -- but about equally; one isn't worse than the other. Too much sugar or HFCS will have a negative effect on the body by increasing the levels of blood lipids like triglycerides and can contribute to weight gain when you consume too much.

How much is too much? That depends on your overall daily calorie needs, but you can probably have about 100 to 200 discretionary calories to spend on a few grams of sugar or HFCS every day.

This is a post that first appeared on VeryWell website and I have my own opinion on this debate. Sugar in it's purest form which is straight from the plant would be my only choice for a sweetener. Having said that, I don't use sugar or sugar substitutes and avoid processed foods totally. And I don't believe that a chemical substitute for a natural product like sugar cane is harmless to the human body.

I believe that over time the human race will find that replacing real food with manufactured food was a big mistake and manufactured food is what causes all our health problems.

If you really want to lose your body fat than look for my Ebook at the websites listed below. You'll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet.

“How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?”, is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

Have You Even Heard Of The Keto Diet?

There’s a lot of recent buzz about the ketogenic diet, aka the “keto diet,” which has received a ton of praise from elite athletes (eh hem, LeBron James) as it is low in carbohydrates and high in good fats, and it provides a lot of energy. The idea is that by eating high-fat, moderate protein, and fewer carbs, the body goes into ketosis or the metabolic state in which ketone bodies (fat-like molecules) become the main fuel source instead of glucose.

How does that break down into a daily diet? When meal planning, you’re aiming to get 70 to 75 percent of your calories from fat, 20 to 25 percent from protein, and 5 to 10 percent from carbohydrates. You’re mostly allowed to eat whole, unprocessed foods—ones that are high in fat and protein, along with a few complex carbs. High-carb foods are completely cut out, though, so say goodbye to grains, potatoes, beans, syrups, pastries, fruit, and even milk. Basically, if it tastes sweet or has an “-ose” on the end, you’re going to have to ditch it. Why? Supporters of the keto diet point to studies that have found endurance athletes who eat low-carb and high-fat burn more fat during their performances compared to their carb-eating peers.

It all sounds pretty good, right? (Well, except for that whole no dairy and pastries part.) Before you drop everything, here are a few more things you should know.

It was not originally intended for weight loss. Although the keto diet is being used for weight loss and to help athletes perform better, it wasn’t initially meant to do any of that. Instead, it was created in the early 20th century to help children with epilepsy control their seizures. According to Paul Salter, M.S., R.D., C.S.C.S., before the keto diet was introduced most epileptic patients were advised to fast, but that proved to be difficult for many. “It was found that by eating high-fat and low-carb, it produced the same metabolic changes as a fasted approach, which meant increased liver production of three molecules (ketone bodies) acetone, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate,” says Salter. It’s still unclear to experts why it helps, but for now, it’s working.

Its popularity is surpassing other diets. The keto diet does require a low percentage of carb intake, but it makes up for it by allowing dieters to eat higher fat content and adequate protein. In fact, the diet is becoming increasingly popular with those who are both active and overweight. Like many diets, though, some that don’t follow it correctly can be discouraged when they don’t see results right away. “Common mistakes include not reducing carbohydrates low enough, consuming too much protein, not sticking with the diet long enough [there’s a 4- to 6-week adoption period], and inappropriately introducing carbs regularly through weekly re-feeds,” explains Salter.

It can increase your energy—but requires a lot of effort. Joshua Shadle, founder and CEO of Fuelary, did the keto diet while training for a triathlon. “I had to really focus for the first few months while my body transitioned into fat burning because I experienced flu-like symptoms. But then I was instructed to add extra sodium [to help with the water loss you experience on the diet], and that helped,” he says. Once the temporary symptoms passed, Shadle says he eventually noticed a big increase in energy, which helped contribute to his losing 10 pounds.

It helps blast fat like woah. “By avoiding carbohydrates and minimizing the amount of protein you consume in a day, you effectively lower both your blood sugar and insulin levels, which promotes weight loss,” says Westin Childs, Ph.D. Matt Sauerhoff, owner and creator of the LIV method, says that unlike carbs and proteins, which contain 4 calories per gram, fats contain 9 calories per gram, giving you more energy per gram overall—making it easier to control hunger pangs and feel motivated to work out. A carb-heavy diet, on the other hand, raises your blood glucose levels and signals insulin secretion, which can lead to fat storage and a more sluggish mood.

It’s not for those who hate planning. Salter warns that while this diet can be effective, it’s not for everyone. “Those focused purely on performance in high-intensity, anaerobic movements may benefit most from following a higher-carbohydrate diet, because high-intensity movements rely heavily on carbohydrates for strength and power,” he says.

It may not be a great idea for those who hate planning ahead, too. Salter points out that, other than the restrictions you have to be sure to keep in mind, hydration gets overlooked when it comes to this diet. That often leads to people giving up too soon (not to mention dehydration can have a negative effect on your health). So preparation is key. “Consistently restricting carbohydrates leads to depletion of muscle glycogen stores. And for every gram of glycogen lost, roughly 3 grams of water are lost,” he says. So be sure to always have a water bottle on hand, and make sure you’re getting in enough throughout the day.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you. Yes, there is a laundry list of health conditions noted that, if you experience any of them, you shouldn’t try the keto diet (including if you’re pregnant or have had gastric bypass surgery). But some personal trainers, like Sauerhoff, think it’s better to avoid the keto diet altogether and strive for a well-balanced diet instead. The golden rule: “Try to be mindful about the quality and quantity of foods you are consuming and staying away from processed foods,” he says. And at the end of the day, consult with your doctor and possibly a nutritionist to find a plan that works best for your lifestyle.

I have to agree with Sauerhoff on this one, This diet is way to complicated and it’s very easy to get into serious health problems. I’m still in favor of low-fat diets. Your body has to burn 30% of daily calories from fat and if you’re not eating that much, the body will take the stored fat and burn that.

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“How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?”, is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.