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Are you doing everything right and STILL not losing weight?

It’s time to rethink your assumptions.

The most dangerous beliefs are those that slip through the radar.

A customer walked in today and wanted to see what options were available for weight loss. In fact, he wanted to lose his gut in 30 days for his upcoming trip to Europe.

We sell the typical fat burning pills, like Hydoxycut Hardcore, as well as healthier alternatives such as Green Tea pills and even better, Fiber pills (for regulating blood sugar).

His assumption was…”I just need to exercise more and I’ll lose the weight.”

But……

Food and Nutrition are 90% of weight loss.

So I asked the guy about what he eats. To me, his response was clear evidence as to why he was overweight in the first place.

Not only did he eat poorly, but he ASSUMED that he was eating well.

Challenge your assumptions

Challenge your assumptions

“I have cereal for breakfeast.” Great, so I educated him on how cereal still raises blood sugar levels — and that Oatmeal is a superior choice. His response, “Oh yea, its oatmeal — I mean the cereal is oat-based.” My friend, oat-based is NOT oatmeal.

For his lunch and dinner, he was reluctant to give me the details. I wanted to help, but I knew that there was little I could do for him today.

If you aren’t at the ideal weight, then you aren’t eating as well as you can.

It’s that simple. You can always eat better. Heck, even I can always eat better.

One day at a time, vegetables, fruits, protein, and when I screw up I don’t lie to myself. A lapse in healthy eating will happen here and there — I accept it and move on.

The lesson is this:

Don’t be your own worst enemy.

Some people utilize my knowledge and totally transform their bodies. But only because they are willing to accept the TRUTH.

And sometimes, the truth is the only way to success.

Weightloss Now
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Corn and Healthcare Crisis go hand-in-hand

Entire food system based off faulty food?

Americans are innovative and dedicated. We often manage to find simple answers to complex problems.

Following World War II and facing BOOMING population growth from returning soldiers, US lawmakers and interest groups combined forces for a noble cause: Produce More Food for the baby boomer generation.

Since a growing population will consume more food, the government prioritized certain crops to be the backbone of a nation. In particular, the yellow, starchy kernels we know and love as Corn. The crop is officially subsidized — with farmer’s being paid BILLIONS per year on government payroll.

With THAT kind of incentive, why wouldn’t they produce corn?

The corn of the issue

The corn of the issue

Since corn can be produced for so “cheap” (actual cost is covered by you, the taxpayer), the abundance of corn has corporations researching every, possible, function of corn. In fact, nearly every processed food in the grocery store will contain “cheap” corn products.

Corn alone is greatly responsible for our obesity

Imagine putting low grade gasoline in your car every week for ten years — what do you think would happen to the engine?

Yet, thats what Americans are doing every single day. Each time we take a sip of Coca-Cola, the low grade fuel degrades us.

What common products contain / are derived from corn?

  • Frozen dinners
  • Soft drinks
  • Shake N’ Bake – Tangy Honey Glaze
  • Capri Sun
  • Kellog’s (nearly all)
  • Heinz Ketchup
  • Yoplait Yogurt
  • Smuckers
  • Some processed lunch meats
  • BBQ sauce
  • Oscar Meyer Lunchables

Take a second to think about which products contain High Fructose Corn Syrup.

For one moment, really think about which items contain HFCS.

This is your body on Capri-Sun

This is your body on Capri-Sun

Of these products, ALL OF THE PROCESSED FOODS above contain corn in the form of High Fructose Corn Syrup.

That is essentially refined, unnatural sugar that your body has no clue what to do with. What is a body to do when bombarded with simple carbs? High Fructose Corn Syrup is almost always stored as body fat.

MERCURY in your snackfood?????

Aside from spiking blood sugar levels so that your body struggles with the calories, there are more risks involved.

Mercury turned up in many foods not previously known to be sources of mercury, including many preferred by children, the group said. It includes Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars, Quaker Oatmeal to go bars, Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup, Yoplait Strawberry yogurt, Market Pantry Grape Jelly and Coca-Cola: All contain mercury.

  • Mercury leaks into corn, and is in many High Fructose Corn Syrup containing products.
WARNING: Contains Mercury (from high fructose corn syrup)

WARNING: Contains Mercury (from high fructose corn syrup)

Poisoning rational adults is one thing, but children are the real victims here. High fructose corn syrup wasn’t around 100 years ago, and it might not be around in 100 more years. Your life is in your hands, do you really want to give that away to corporations who abuse political clout through dangerous subsidies?

Stay natural, stay safe.

A diet high in corn products will result in obesity and diabetes — if not heart disease and cancer. Corn, itself, is not a toxin, but it has overgrown worse than a yeast infection. We need to gain control over the balance — the food source of our country — the core of what it means to be American.

Food Reform is the only sustainable health care system.

  1. End obesity by reducing corn production.
  2. Prevent disease by offering a bounty of healthy foods
  3. Live healthier, smarter, and happier with beautiful vitality.

Friends, I urge you to diligently read product labels — EMPOWER yourselves, Today!

Weightloss Now
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Good Carbs, Bad Carbs: Glycemic Index for Belly Fat Loss

FOOD choices for belly fat loss, reader Q&A #1.

Andre! I have a health question that perhaps you can answer, and can benefit other readers of your blog as well!

Currently, I am at 192 pounds. I feel like I am in the best “physical” shape of my life. My muscles and veins are popping, I can go all day without naps or coffee, and I am drinking lots of water every day.

Right now, my diet is a mix between taco time (mahi mahi burritos are my kryptonite), and cereal. Basically, VERY LITTLE home cooked meals. I am trying to correct this by preparing meals in advance. (I packed my own lunch today).

My question is this: I want to lose weight, without losing too much muscle mass. I know I am naturally a muscular guy, but I also know my BMI could be lowered down a few points. I want to get back to my old 178 and fit into my old tee-shirts again. Any suggestions?

Your faithful reader and friend,

~Drew

Thank you for the question Drew, I too have smelled the seductive scent of Taco Time. Resistance may be difficult, but the end result is so. worth. it.

At work today, I assisted two gentlemen who had similar goals. To be as valuable as possible, I uncovered their eating habits — which included rice every single day!

Most people know that carbs generally make weight loss more difficult, but in reality it’s not about how many carbs as it is the type of carbs. Unfortunately, some of the most delicious carbs — like starches (potato, tortillas) and cereals (even “healthy” ones) — will raise blood sugar levels faster than Usain Bolt’s 100 meter dash. Let’s face it, the most popular carbs from Fast Food Restaurants do the OPPOSITE of weight loss.

All excess energy from high blood sugar will be stored as body FAT

The key is choosing the slow-burning carbs, so that you maintain high energy levels while regulating blood sugar at a healthy level.

Just me hangin on the beach, I had oatmeal for breakfeast.

Just me hangin' on the beach, I had oatmeal for breakfeast.

Therefore, we put a premium on carbs that have LOW effect on blood glucose levels, such as oatmeal, beans, and yogurt. One tool we use is the Glycemic Index.

  • The Glycemic Index (GI) is a system of ranking carbohydrate-containing foods based on their immediate effect on blood sugar levels.
  • The GI ranks the quality of carbohydrates, on a scale from 0 to 100, with pure glucose having the highest GI value of 100.

In terms of cost/benefit, the best carbs will contain some or all of the following:

  1. Dietary Fiber (Green veggies, Lentils, Split peas)
  2. Protein (oatmeal, beans)
  3. Antioxidants (fruits, berries)
  4. Vitamins, Minerals (Yams, Spinach)
  5. Additional Nutrients (Onions, Broccoli: anti-cancer)
  6. Low to Medium Glycemic Index

Ensure that all of your carbs are nutrient dense, and you will already notice benefits in body composition.

Aside from simply reducing calories (which is also VERY important for fat loss), the TYPE of carbs will make or break any six-pack abs diet.

Final Tips for Belly Fat Loss

  • Aim for at least 100 grams protein per day (includes protein from non-meat sources)
  • Use Branched Chain Amino Acids upon waking and/or with foods lacking in protein (e.g. take BCAA’s while eating fruit)
  • Consume less than 2,200 calories per day. (Less than 1,800 calories/day for women)
  • Your last meal of the day should be ~2 hours before bed, and it should be a high-protein / low carb meal.
  • Whey Protein is your Friend.
  • Prepare meals at home. Only go to restaurants ONCE per week OR Special order all of your food to your specifications. They must oblige (feel free to tip more if they do well).
  • Fiber, Fiber, Fiber — it helps regulate blood sugar levels.
  • A little green tea speeds up the metabolism and fat burning process.
  • EAT AS MANY LEAFY, GREEN VEGGIES AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN – you can stuff your face all day long with spinach and broccoli and you’ll see results within DAYS!

Drew, my good friend, I hope this benefits you as it has me.

Be sure that I will write many more articles promoting healthy fat loss in the upcoming episodes.

Best to all who wish to GET LEAN,

André

EllisonFitness

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Weightloss Now
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Daily Food Shopping: Food Be My Ally!

Making good choices starts here: stores and markets.

Walking into Fred Meyer, I realize that 85% of the store is simply irrelevant to my life — because highly processed food is NOT nutrition. But, the other 15% of the store holds many of the answers to health, healing, and weight loss.

The produce section is vibrant, with the colors of fruits and vegetables glistening from the light above. My eye for deals seeks out quality and fair-priced products.

I ask myself….What fruits/vegetables have I NOT had recently? These are the ones that need to be cycled back into my diet.

I pick up some fresh apples, a couple pears, avocados and two English cucumbers (I only have one left now). Next, it’s off to the bulk food section…

Careful to avoid any internal conflict, I simply avert my eyes from any of the chocolate, sugary treats. Instead, I see that oatmeal is on sale for a mere 76 cents per pound. I filled up my bag with six large scoops of oatmeal, which rang up at $1.75. In terms of nutrition, that gives me hundreds of grams of fiber, slow carbs, protein, and weeks of hot breakfeasts.

Next, I had a desire for lentils, but I already ate many lentils last week. Instead, I opt for the green split peas, which brings back happy childhood memories. Maybe I’ll make a soup with this green, slow carb, high fiber, high protein food.

Very low glycemic index

Very low glycemic index

Now it’s on to the refrigerated section of the health aisle. I pick up two bulk Nancy’s low-fat yogurt at about $10 total, which should last me two weeks. Actually, Yogurt is a fantastic addition to smoothies and protein shakes. The amount of sugars listed on the label does not reflect how it works in your body. In fact, since yogurt is a fermented food, much of the sugar has been altered by the living cultures — meaning that there is actually LESS real sugar than what you see on the label. Eat up, my friends.

As I returned home tonight, I ate an entire cucumber — if not for the nutrition, then for the fact that it fills me up due to high water content. Before I go to bed, I will drink more Kefir to get the healthy probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and protein so that when I wake up in the morning, I will be my balanced, optimistic, and handsome self.

Food is my friend

…and I intend to keep it that way. Be a part of the movement, and find yourself in the OUTER aisles of the grocery store — that is where the TRUE nutrition resides.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Weightloss Now
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Dirt Cheap Health Food

Getting fit and healthy doesn’t have to break the bank.

The bulk food aisle in Fred Meyer is loaded with fantastic nutrition for affordable prices.

Multiple Servings for LESS than a dollar

  • Lentils (slow carbs, protein, fiber): One dollar for five servings.
  • Oatmeal (slow carbs, protein, fiber, lower cholesterol): One dollar for five servings
  • Walnuts (healthy fats — omega-3, protein, fiber): One dollar for two servings
  • Nuts/Seeds, unsalted (healthy fats, lower cholesterol, fiber, weight loss): Sunflower seeds on the cheaper end, and Brazil nuts on the more expensive side.
  • Yogurt, unflavored (protein, loaded with healthy probiotics): Research indicates that yogurt not only helps people lose weight, but helps them maintain muscle while losing weight. Less than a dollar a serving.
  • Tuna, canned (HIGH PROTEIN, some healthy omega-3’s): Look out for when its on sale, and then buy a bunch. For consideration of heavy metals, consume no more than 1-2 servings per week.
  • Garlic, bulbs (Delicious herb, also has antiviral properties for healthy immune system): Store in a cool, dry, place.

Does it really make sense to eat at restaurants all the time? From both a money and a weight loss perspective: NO WAY!

Save your money, put it in the rainy day fund or stocks.

Meanwhile, eat healthy for leanness and longevity!

Weightloss Now