Following is an excerpt from my upcoming book, the Budget Gourmet Diet. I invite you to preview Chapter 5 and give me your feedback at wellness-unlimited@hotmail.com. Any and all comments would be much appreciated.
It's Spring, finally. Aren't you ready to shed those heavy clothes and start thinking about lighter fabrics, warm breezes, and BBQs on the patio? I sure am!
Unfortunately, along with these thoughts often come less pleasant thoughts about the bulges around the waistline. If you're like most people, you gain winter weight, the kind that comes from too many comfort dinners and too few active days burning off those extra calories. Who can get excited about going to the gym on a dark morning, with the ice and snow?!
The Budget Gourmet Diet is designed to help you lose weight and feel great, without breaking the bank! Enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think!
Step 5: Water & Vitamins
Secrets to Flushing-Out Body Fat
Water: As incredible as it may seem, water is the single, most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take it for granted, pure, clean water may be the only true magic potion for permanent weight loss.
Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase. Why does an increase in water intake actually reduce fat deposits? The kidneys cannot function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped on the liver.
One of the primary functions of the liver is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body, so when the liver is doing some of the kidney's work, it can't do its own. As a result, it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body, and fat loss slows down.
Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone, aiding proper muscle contraction and preventing dehydration.
Water helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss. Shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.
Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has more waste to get rid of, and all of that metabolized fat must be shed. Water flushes out this waste.
When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The result? Constipation. When a person drinks enough water, normal bowel movement returns, supporting the colon.
On average, you should drink 8 – 8oz. glasses of water per day. For every extra 10 lbs. of excess weight that you are trying to lose, have one additional glass. Once you are exercising regularly, increase that amount again.
When the body gets all the water it needs to function optimally, all body system fluids will be in balance. Reference: colonhealth.net/free_reports/h2oartcl.htm
Vitamins: In 2002, Harvard researchers Robert Fletcher and Kathleen Fairfield convinced the conservative Journal of the American Medical Association to rewrite its policy guidelines on the use of vitamin supplements, based on a landmark review of 38 years of scientific evidence.
In two reports, the authors concluded that the current North American diet -- while sufficient to prevent vitamin deficiency diseases, such as scurvy -- is inadequate to support optimal health. They concluded that given today's diet, daily supplementation with a multiple vitamin “is a prudent preventive measure against chronic disease.”
The case is very strong for taking the necessary nutritional supplementation; the body requires 17 vitamins and vitamin-like substances, a diverse group of plant-based antioxidants, and at least 14 trace elements and minerals.
Like the four basic nutrients (water, carbohydrates, protein, and fats), vitamins and minerals are essential to life. They are often referred to as micronutrients simply because they are needed in relatively small amounts compared with the four basic nutrients.
In Step 6, we will be incorporating vitamin and mineral supplements as a component of the Body Transformation plan. By then, you will have received your nutritional supplementation kit, which contains the following items:
Ø A 30-day supply of Right Choice AM Vitamin Supplement
Ø A 30-day supply of Right Choice PM Mineral Supplement
Ø Meal Replacement Protein Powder (Va Va Vanilla or Oh So Chocolate)
Even if you were taking some other vitamins prior to coming to the Budget Gourmet Diet, I recommend that you put them aside for the next 12 weeks, while you work with me. The supplements you've now received are designed to be used together and are synergistically compatible.
Let's discuss each of these supplements individually, so that you have an idea as to why I recommend this exact system to support you in your Body Transformation.
Right Choice AMs
This formula is rich in B vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients that promote efficient energy utilization, healthy blood sugar levels, metabolism, and overall health. In all, there are 31 different components in AMs, which represents a major savings of your hard-earned cash. The recommended use is 3 tablets per day, in the morning.
Right Choice PMs
This formula is designed to include a full spectrum of nutrients to support optimal health, energy, and metabolic balance. It is formulated with calcium, vitamin D3, chromium, and antioxidants – a powerful nighttime formula. In all, there are 23 different components in PMs, another cash savings. The recommended use is 3 tablets per day, in the evening.
BW365 Meal Replacement Shakes
When starting on a weight management program, it's important to get the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats, along with essential nutrients the body needs for optimum functioning. Many of the popular meal replacement products on the market are designed for quick weight loss, without long-term maintenance and good health in mind.
BW365 Shakes provide quality essential vitamins, superior forms of trace minerals, and anti-oxidants. They promote efficient energy utilization and healthy blood sugar levels, and are easily absorbed by the body. The protein complex is a proprietary core of seven different proteins in a specific combination to help your body assimilate protein and build lean tissue. Also included are seven forms of calcium, five forms of chromium, zinc, and a proprietary blend of four forms of Magnesium.
Some people find it a challenge to remember to take their vitamins. Like incorporating any new habit, it can take a little while to remember your vitamins every day but it is essential to the success of your program. I recommend that you purchase a vitamin sorter of some type, preferably with the days of the week on it. On Sunday night, fill your sorter with supplements for the week. As a double check, each ‘day of the week’ compartment should have 6 supplements in it, ie. 3 AM, and 3 PM (plus any additional ones).
Put your vitamin sorter where you are sure to see it when you eat your breakfast and your dinner.
During Boot Camp (Step 9), two of your meals should be protein shakes but, for now, we have four new behaviours to adopt, so one shake per day will be sufficient: Remember:
Consume 8-10 cups of water each day.
Take 3 AMs with your morning meal (opt: with a shake).
Take 3 PMs with your evening meal (opt: with a shake).
Here's a simple recipe for a delicious shake:
Place 1/4 of a banana and 1/4 cup of frozen berries (your choice) in a blender. Fill to 1 1/2 cups with filtered water. Buzz these ingredients for about one minute (longer, if frozen). Add 2 scoops of Vanilla or Chocolate protein powder (you can add one scoop of each, if you prefer) and blend for another 30-45 seconds. Absolutely delicious!
As you can see, water and vitamins are secret weapons for flushing out body fat. I believe you will be so impressed with Body Wise nutritional supplements, you will want to take them for life, as so many people around North America have been doing for almost 20 years.
As for water, I recommend you find a source as close to home as possible to get natural spring water.
If you live in British Columbia, you are very fortunate to have access to the best spring water I've ever tasted. It comes from the Okanagan Valley and I recommend you give them a call, as they deliver to most of the larger centres in the province for about a dollar a day. Check them out on the web at www.okanaganspringwater.com.
Water's interaction with its environment determines its physical and chemical properties. Okanagan Natural Spring Water is sourced from a natural underground hi-flow spring nestled in the Monashee Foothills on the Northern Edge of the Okanagan. Mother Nature has created a perfectly balanced natural spring water source with no impurities, chemicals, artificial additives, or preservatives.
All of their products are bottled at the source. The water is preserved and maintained since no tanker trucks or other intermediate transfer mediums are used. You get pure, natural, delicious spring water every time.
Remember, water and vitamins are your secret weapons to flushing out body fat!
