Natural Health Weight Loss

Fight False Fat with Acupressure

Friday, August 20, 2010 by Kimberly Day

One of the many oh-so-pleasant things about having estrogen dominance is the tendency

toward false fat. As you likely know, false fat occurs when you have excess bloating and fluid retention around your abdomen.

In addition to choosing foods that work to reduce inflammation and bloating, you can also use a specific acupressure point. Dr. Lark has found that this particular exercise helps to relieve bloating and fluid retention, and helps minimize weight gain. I use it every day as part of my natural weight loss plan.

Sit with your back against a wall and your legs straight out in front of you.
Place your left hand on your crease of your left groin, where you bend your leg. Place your right hand on your left leg, about two to three inches above the knee. Hold for one to three minutes.
With your left hand still pressing on the crease of the left groin, place your right hand just below the inside of your left knee. The point is on the underside of the curve of the bone just below the knee. Hold for one to three minutes.

For more information on natural weightloss, estrogen domiance, or other women’s health related topics, visit Dr. Lark’s Web site.

Fight Diabetes with Tea

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 by Kimberly Day

According to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, people who drank three to four cups of regular or decaf coffee or tea a day reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 25 percent! Researchers attributed magnesium and antioxidant lignans (among other things) to the potential health benefits of these beverages.

I personally find about half of this news to be good. As I’ve written before, a study from the October 2001 issue of Fertility and Sterility found that caffeine elevates estrogen levels in women. Similarly, a from the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston found that the more coffee a woman consumed, the higher her estrogen levels were likely to be. Researchers went on to caution women against drinking more than two cups of coffee per day.

Conversely, the news about tea (especially green tea) is all good! Not only does tea appear to help protect against cancer, but it also helps promote natural weightloss. Plus, it has been shown to be cardio-protective, while also ease the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

My advice? To help decrease your risk of diabetes, opt for green tea and skip the java. You can lower your blood sugar without raising your estrogen levels, while also promoting natural healthy weight loss. Now that’s something to cheer about!

For more information on female hormones, weight loss, or other women’s health related topics, visit Dr. Lark’s Web site.

Reducing Your Belly Fat

Thursday, August 12, 2010 by Susan Lark

A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine (and reported in the media) reiterates what medical professionals already know--that belly fat is very dangerous and can lead to early mortality. Researchers found that even people with a normal body mass index (BMI) but larger-than-recommended waist circumference were at higher risk of premature death.

Once again, this is all the more reason to start a natural weight loss plan today. I've discussed this many times here on my blog and in my newsletter. You can also learn more about natural appetite control techniques, as well as supplements you can take to help you in your weight loss journey.

Of course, exercise is a critical component to every natural weight loss plan. Start now by taking a walk around the block! Some other excellent exercises include hiking, biking, dancing, tennis, yoga, and even gardening.

To learn more about natural weightloss techniques, visit my Website.

My Natural Natural Weight Loss Plan: Looking Back

Friday, August 6, 2010 by Lauren Kent

Have you ever had one of those moments when you're in the middle of your natural weightloss journey and come across a picture of yourself before the weight started coming off? I had one of those moments last night.

My sister-in-law got married a couple weeks before I started my natural weight loss plan. Yesterday, we received several pictures from the wedding and I just couldn't believe how big I looked. In every picture I was holding one of my kids, so you can't really see my body. I'm sure this was some subconscious way to "hide" from the camera. But my face. That double chin. Yikes!

My first instinct was to hide the pictures, maybe even throw them out or shred them. But, since this was his sister's wedding, I knew my dear husband wouldn't go for that. So now they sit, in the middle of our dining room table. Ugh!

I know in all natural weightloss journeys there's a "before" picture. Just seeing what I looked like six months ago really reinforced why I was doing this in the first place. I said in the beginning that one of my ultimate goals was to have a picture of me with my girls that I wasn't ashamed of. And, hopefully, I'll have such a picture by year's end.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Dangers

Friday, August 6, 2010 by Kimberly Day

Reports on the risks associated with conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have

filled medical journals for more than 20 years. There was clear evidence that conventional HRT use increased a woman’s risk for heart disease and breast cancer. And yet, many physicians were still insisting on prescribing conventional hormone replacement therapy. And many women were still taking it. But the summer of 2002 forever removed the curtain of doubt surrounding the dangers of HRT.

On July 17, 2002, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported on the findings from one part of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), an 8.5 year project funded by the National Institutes of Health. The WHI involved 161,809 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 79, and outlined the benefits and risks of a variety of treatments designed to lower the incidences of several diseases, including heart disease, breast and colon cancer, and fractures in postmenopausal women. Of this group, 16,608 women who were healthy and had an intact uterus participated in one part of the WHI, which tested the effectiveness of estrogen/progestin therapy.

According to the findings, women taking estrogen/progestin for five years or more had an increased risk for blood clots, coronary heart disease (CHD), strokes, and breast cancer. The researchers concluded, "The results indicate that this regimen should not be initiated or continued for primary prevention of CHD."

The data indicated that if 10,000 women took the drugs for a year and 10,000 did not, women in the first group would have eight more cases of invasive breast cancer, seven more heart attacks, eight more strokes, and 18 more instances of blood clots.

In fact, researchers felt so strongly about the negative implications of long-term combined hormone replacement therapy, especially the unacceptably high risk for breast cancer, that they ended the study three years early! Participants were contacted and instructed to stop taking the drug—immediately.

The Research is Clear

The research leaves no room for doubt about conventional hormone replacement therapy and its negative effects on women’s health.

It does not reduce a woman's risk of heart disease. While it can improve HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, these improvements are not associated with fewer heart attacks or other heart problems.
It increases a woman’s risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.
It does not reverse pre-existing heart disease.
It raises levels of C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation that is a strong predictor of a future heart attack.
It increases the risk of invasive breast cancer.
It increases the likelihood of an abnormal mammogram after just one year of use.
It increases risk of gallbladder disease by 40 percent.

Where Do We Go From Here?

While many physicians and researchers are still hoarding the "fool's gold" known as hormone replacement therapy, complementary medicine is busily mining the mother lode of real gold—and women are taking notice.

Large numbers of American women are either abandoning their hormone replacement therapy or deciding to never start taking it. Many are rejecting physicians unfamiliar with or unsympathetic to natural health supports. They are also realizing the power and wisdom of using natural medicines and herbal remedies for easing menopausal discomforts, and are very interested in natural solutions for heart disease and osteoporosis.

Before changing your hormone replacement therapy regimen, be sure to discuss your plans with your physician. Chances are, you will be able to eliminate your conventional hormone replacement therapy or dramatically reduce the dose you require for symptomatic relief. Either way, you win: Recent research indicates that breast cancer risk returns to normal within a few years of stopping HRT, and it's likely that lower-dose HRT has less of an adverse impact on estrogen-positive breast cancer risk.

For more information about hormone replacement therapy and for a variety of natural hormone replacement therapy options, visit Dr. Lark's Web site.

Hot Flash Relief: Lose Weight

Friday, July 30, 2010 by Susan Lark

Research has shown that heavier women tend to suffer from hot flashes more than slimmer women. But the good news is that, according to a study in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, losing weight can help reduce the incidence of menopause hot flashes.

Considering the many dangers of conventional hormone replacement therapy, I am happy that more and more research is showing that something as inexpensive and health-promoting as exercise can provide real and lasting relief from this common effect of menopause.

My recommendation is to find an activity or exercise you love and do it often! Walking, hiking, tennis, cycling, dancing, and swimming are some great options. Ideally, you should exercise up to an hour every day. But realistically, I know this goal can be difficult to achieve if you have a busy schedule. So aim for about 30 (or more if you can) minutes at least five days a week.

My Natural Weight Loss Plan: Dealing with Disappointment

Thursday, July 29, 2010 by Lauren Kent

I've been following my natural weight loss plan for about 6 months now. And, I've been lucky in that I've lost weight each week. Some weeks it was a couple pounds or more. Others, it was just a half pound. But, at least the scale was going down... until this past week. For the first time since I started this journey, I gained weight. It wasn't a lot. A pound exactly. But, I was still disappointed in myself. I know I had overindulged and hadn't picked up my exercise to compensate for the extra calories. All natural weightloss efforts come with highs and lows. I've been riding the highs for months now. And now, I have to deal with a low.

So many weight loss efforts get derailed by disappointment. I'm determined not to let this happen to me. I have to keep my eyes on the prize: a wedding ring that will fit on my finger, a picture with my girls that I'm not ashamed of, (and cellulite free thighs wouldn't be so bad either). I'm motivated to move on and start losing again!

My Natural Weight Loss Plan: Vacation Weight Loss Tips

Friday, July 9, 2010 by Lauren Kent

Walking to the beach - great exercise for natural weightloss

My family and I just enjoyed an amazing week at the beach. Sun, surf, sand... FOOD! I know a vacation can throw a wrench in many natural weightloss efforts. But, by planning ahead, and following a few tips, your vacation doesn't have to be one where you pack on the pounds. Here's a few things I did last week so that I didn't come back heavier than when I left:

1. Limit the dining out. I know for some vacations, this is very difficult. But, if you're renting a house, and have access to a kitchen, cooking at home can really make a big difference. When you cook for yourself, you know what's going in your food. When you eat out, who knows how much butter, oil, etc. they're putting on top of your food.

2. Get active. No, you don't have to go for a run or bike ride everyday, but you can at least get your body moving in fun ways. Chase your kids/grand kids around the beach. Have a beach ball toss. Go for a swim in the pool. Jump the waves in the ocean. All the activity can really make a difference to keeping with your natural weight loss plan.

3. Individual servings of fruits/veggies. If you are able to go food shopping during your vacation, putting fruits and vegetables into individual serving-size bags makes it really easy to just grab a healthy snack. Take a bag of cherries and divide them up into snack bags. Cut up watermelon into slices. That way, it's ready for you when you want it.

4. Splurge a little. You are on vacation after all. I didn't want to keep ice cream in the house, but we did take the kids to get ice cream one afternoon, and I got a small cup. It was delicious. And, I didn't feel like I was overindulging.

For more information on natural weight loss plans or other issues related to natural weightloss, visit Dr. Lark’s Web site. While there, you can also sign up for Dr. Lark’s FREE eLetter or monthly newsletter.

Estrogen Dominance and Triathlons

Thursday, July 8, 2010 by Kimberly Day

I’ve recently started training for a triathlon. It’s an Olympic distance and will be the fourth or fifth time I’ve done one. Every time I begin to train for one of these events, I am struck by how great I feel about three weeks into it. My mood improves, I have more energy, I think more clearly, and my overall self-esteem is higher.

I used to think it was because it was simply due to the inevitable weight loss that occurs with exercising six days a week, but after working with Dr. Lark on Hormone Revolution, I came to realize that intense exercise fits perfectly with my particular hormone profile.

As a woman with estrogen dominance, I need to keep my hormones properly balanced with high-intensity activities such as running and triathlons. In other words, I am more “hare” than “tortoise.” (Okay, not when biking…but that another issue.)

As Dr. Lark has explained, women with estrogen dominance tend to be instinctively drawn to strenuous types of exercise that are more contractive, more acidifying, and more yangizing to counter our natural tendency towards alkalinity and expansiveness. These types of exercises are more likely to deplete both the oxygen content and the natural buffering agents contained within the muscles, as well as to generate lactic acid.

That’s why physical activities such as jogging, weight lifting, competing in triathlons, competitive cycling, and mountain climbing are best for us ladies with estrogen dominance. The key for these women is to generate more yang energy by heating up their bodies, sweating, and ridding themselves of excess yin (as edema, bloating, or excess weight).

So, next time I don’t feel like training or tell myself I have too much to do that day, I’ll stop and remember that this type of exercise comes “naturally,” and benefits my mind and soul, as well as my body.

For more information on estrogen dominance or other issues related to female hormones, visit Dr. Lark’s Web site. While there, you can also sign up for Dr. Lark’s FREE eLetter or monthly newsletter.

Best Natural Skin Care Diets

Thursday, July 1, 2010 by Kimberly Day

There was a great article in the most recent issue of Elle magazine. They looked at several of the top natural weight loss plans on the market and had experts comment on how each individual diet affected the skin.

They looked at the Atkins diet, South Beach Diet, vegan diet, Mediterranean diet, raw diet, and low-fat diet. I immediately guessed that the Mediterranean would be their best natural skin care diet and I was right.

The Mediterranean diet is chock full of great essential fatty acids (keeps skin moist and helps attain a wrinkle free face), antioxidants (fights off free radical damage), and great lean proteins (maintain collagen and skin tone).

The vegan and raw diets are good in that you get lots of essential fatty acids to promote wrinkle free skin, as well as antioxidants to fend off those pesky free radicals. However, both diets run the risk of being dangerously low in protein. If you follow either of these natural weight loss programs, be sure to include lots of plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts and nut butters, and organic tofu once or twice a week.

The South Beach was next. The lack of sugars is great if acne is an issue, plus cutting sugar helps promote collagen production. The author suggests taking essential fatty acids and increasing water intake to prevent dehydrating the skin during the first two weeks of the program, when so many fruits and veggies are off the table (pardon the pun).

Low-fat weight loss plans are inherently bad for the skin by their very name…low fat. Your body needs healthy fats (i.e. essential fatty acids) to retain hydration and suppleness. If you insist on following this type of natural weight loss plan, add lots of fish to your diet and include a fish oil supplement.

Last was the Atkins diet. The author referred to this plan as “disastrous for the complexion,” due to the excess protein (causes calcium to plummet) and the acidity of the diet, which wreaks havoc with the skin. Not to mention the overabundance of saturated fat, which can lead to breakouts. Forgo this natural weight loss plan and opt instead for other, more skin-promoting programs like those listed earlier.

For more great weight loss and skin care tips, visit Dr. Lark's Web site. While there, you can sign up for her free eLetter, subscribe to her newsletter, check out her lastest products, and get more weight loss and beauty information.

Creative Natural Weightloss Techiniques

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by Susan Lark

I am a big proponent of walking for many reasons--it is not only a great workout, but also helps me clear my mind while I enjoy my surroundings. In fact, walking is such a good workout that taking a brisk walk at the same pace as an average jog is a significantly better workout than jogging! It burns more energy, consumes more oxygen, and results in higher heart rates. But if you can’t get outside as often as you'd like to this summer to take a brisk walk, you can still get that great workout in your own house with a program called Walk at Home. I've used this program when I can't get outside and love it!

When you use this interesting natural weightloss program, you can choose the length and intensity of your workout—from a quick pick-me-up energy booster to an all-out power walk of five miles or more. The program starts you out with four simple steps and combines those steps with specific movements that work additional muscles and boost flexibility.

With this program, you can also join an online walk club. As you may already know, exercising with friends is a great source of motivation and really boosts your natural weight loss efforts. So, by using an online walk club, you can walk with friends no matter when and where you are.

Natural Weightloss and Wine?

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by Kimberly Day

According to the July 5, 2010 issue of Time magazine, French researchers have found that resveratrol fed to lemurs for a month helped the animals eat less, boost metabolism, and lose weight.

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound found in grapes and red wine. Dr. Lark has been turned on to resveratrol for years now, documenting its benefits for everything from heart protection to its anticarcinogenic properties.

Research studies have also shown that resveratrol may offer menopause support. The 1997 study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America found that resveratrol binds with estrogen receptors and produces estrogen-like effects within the body. One research study in particular has looked at resveratrol as a treatment for menopause, suggesting that it may be useful in easing menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, and even osteoporosis.

Dr. Lark recommends taking 200 mg of resveratrol, standardized to at least 8 percent total resveratrols, mixed with flavonoids for better bioavailability.

My Natural Weight Loss Plan: Tricks to Make Clothes Fit

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 by Lauren Kent

With many natural weightloss efforts, there comes a point where your clothes no longer fit. But, if you still want to lose more weight, you certainly don't want to spend a lot of money buying new clothes that will eventually not fit either.

I concluded that I was at this point in my own natural weight loss plan when my pants fell down as I was trying to put my 4-year-old in a timeout. As you can imagine, the effectiveness of the timeout was completely lost with my pants at my ankles.

Since I still have a ways to go to reach my goal, I've begun using small binder clips to keep my pants up. They've been working pretty well. I no longer have to pull my pants up every few steps--and they're not falling down an inopportune moments.

What have you done to make those baggy clothes last you a few extra months? Share your tricks with us!

Best Natural Weight Loss Plan

Saturday, June 19, 2010 by Kimberly Day

To get great natural weightloss results that last, eat close to the earth.

To truly lose weight and keep it off, you don’t need to look to the latest fad diet. In fact, you shouldn’t look forward at all. Instead, look to our past for the most effective natural weight loss plan.

You see, your body is designed to eat the way our ancestors ate—close to the earth, consuming lots of whole fresh foods. This includes:

fruits and vegetables;
whole grains;
legumes;
raw seeds and nuts;
cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna;
free-range poultry; and
plenty of water.

Fruits

Consume fresh, in-season fruits whenever possible. Try to eat locally grown fruits in season, as they’ll be fresher and riper, and be sure to wash all fresh fruits before eating them. Eat the fruits whole so you retain the nutrients in the skin. That means no fruit juices…too much sugar.

Vegetables

Try to eat a combination of raw and steamed vegetables. They’re fresh and contain the highest levels of vitamins. Wash your vegetables well, and leave the skin intact because it is loaded with nutrients.

Legumes

Think beans and peas. Legumes are excellent sources of low-fat protein, particularly when combined with whole grains. They’re also great sources of fiber, and their complex carbohydrates are broken down slowly in the body.

Whole Grains

Whole grains contain fiber, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins such as B complex and E, and numerous minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese. They are also excellent sources of lignans, plant chemicals that act like mild estrogens in women, helping balance your estrogen levels, thus contributing to weight loss. Stick to brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa.

Fish/Poultry

Both fish and poultry are excellent sources of high-quality protein. Many types of fish are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for controlling numerous reproductive and inflammatory processes. Because of this, fish such as salmon, tuna, and halibut can be eaten two to three times a week as entrées.

Water

Water is not only a natural weightloss secret, but is also the best natural skin care secret around. Water facilitates toxin elimination, helps you maintain healthy glowing skin, and acts as an appetite suppressant. For optimal hydration, you need at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day,apart from any other liquids you’re drinking.

High-Protein Natural Weight Loss Plans

Thursday, June 17, 2010 by Kimberly Day

When it comes to natural weightloss and muscle building, protein is the key.

There is emerging evidence that diets higher in protein help you achieve natural weightloss, in part, by helping to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. A 2003 study from the Journal of Nutrition found that women who ate less protein had insulin levels that were 40 percent higher than those of subjects who ate a diet higher in protein. Women on the higher protein diet also enjoyed blood sugar levels that were more stable than those who ate less protein.

Also, natural weight loss plans that are higher in protein also offer a few other good health benefits. First, they tend to cut wheat, refined sugar, and sometimes dairy. However, the downside is that they can be high in cholesterol and deficient in key vitamins and minerals, especially if they limit fruit.

To offset these concerns, focus on the healthy options of these diets:

lean proteins (chicken, fish, eggs);
wide variety of vegetables;
great fruits (Zone, South Beach, Sugar Busters);
water; and
green tea.

Choosing a Natural Weight Loss Plan

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by Kimberly Day

A quick look at three popular natural weight loss plans to help you get ready for the summer.

Every year, at right about this time, women everywhere panic at the thought of putting on a bathing suit. It never ceases to amaze me. After months of hiding under long sleeves and long pants, our bodies are now on display for all to see…for better or worse.

In this new-found panic, many women turn to the latest fad diet to drop pounds quickly. Not only is this unsafe, but these fads represent a short-lived quick fix rather than long-term, healthy, natural weightloss.

To help you navigate the maze of weight loss programs, I went back to the basics and looked at a 2000 study from the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, which examined eight of the top diet programs in the country. Specifically, researchers looked at the long-term impact of these diet patterns, using a standard daily caloric intake of 2,000 calories for all diets.

I decided to take the three most popular of these (Atkins, Sugar Busters, and the Zone) and help you decide which of these three natural weight loss plans is best for you.

The Atkins diet is a high protein/high fat diet that is based on the premise that weight gain and obesity are caused by insulin resistance. In an effort to circumvent these conditions, this diet restricts carbohydrate intake to less than 20 grams a day. While Atkins allows women to eat unlimited amounts of meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and cheese, it discourages consumption of fruit, bread, grains, starchy veggies like corn and carrots, refined sugar, and most dairy products.

Like Atkins, the Sugar Busters plan is high in protein; however, unlike Atkins, it recommends a more moderate fat intake. Additionally, Sugar Busters believes that “sugar is toxic” and maintains that insulin insensitivity causes obesity and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it strives to reduce high-glycemic carbohydrates in order to lower insulin levels by encouraging consumption of lean meats, eggs, most fruit, nuts, whole grains, and high-fiber, non-starchy veggies. However, it discourages eating any refined grains (such as regular potatoes, white rice, and white bread), refined sugar, root veggies, and baked goods. It does, however, allow red wine.

The Zone program is also high in protein, focusing on lean protein sources such as fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products. Like Atkins, it discourages most grains and breads, starchy veggies, and some fruit. However, unlike Atkins, the Zone allows moderately restricted carbohydrates, and advocates against eating egg yolks, red meat, most cheeses, and butter.

A quick glance at the nutritional basics (fat, protein, carbs, fiber, sugar, cholesterol) shows the following:

Atkins natural weight loss plan:

59% calories from fat
35% calories from protein
5% calories from carbs
4 grams fiber
8 grams sugar
924 grams cholesterol

Sugar Busters natural weight loss plan:

32% calories from fat
28% calories from protein
40% calories from carbs
24 grams fiber
68 grams sugar
280 grams cholesterol

Zone natural weight loss plan:

32% calories from fat
28% calories from protein
40% calories from carbs
18 grams fiber
67 grams sugar
264 grams cholesterol

As you can see, Sugar Busters and the Zone are fairly similar, while Atkins is off-the-charts in terms of low fiber and high cholesterol. Based on these numbers, I would suggest working with either the Sugar Busters or Zone natural weight loss plans.

Tune in to Natural Appetite Control

Thursday, June 10, 2010 by Kimberly Day

We all know the important role that insulin plays in overall health, and in natural weightloss specifically. But now we are learning that a different hormone—leptin—may play an even greater role in health and weight loss than insulin.

Studies have shown that leptin regulates your brain’s hypothalamic activity, which in turn regulates much of your “autonomic” functions—those functions that regulate body temperature, heart rate, hunger, the stress response, fat burning or storage, and blood sugar levels. Another very recent study also reveals leptin’s importance in directly regulating how much sugar your liver manufactures.

In other words, leptin is directly related to conditions such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, reproductive disorders, etc. It does this by telling other hormones, such as insulin and female hormones, whether or not to turn on maintenance and repair mechanisms, as well as by helping to control areas of your brain that regulate thyroid levels and the sympathetic nervous system.

Are You Tuned In to Leptin?

Dr. Ron Rosedale believes people become leptin-resistant by the same general mechanism that causes people to become insulin-resistant—overexposure to high levels of the hormone.

It’s like the frog in the boiling water. If you toss a frog into boiling water, it will jump right out. But if you place the frog in warm water and gradually increase the heat, he will soon be sitting quite happily (and quite dangerously) in boiling water.

So it is with leptin. As sugar gets metabolized in fat cells, fat releases surges in leptin. Over time, those surges become so frequent and expected, that the leptin is not released…in other words, you become leptin-resistance, since the “danger signal” no longer getting through.

Once you tune back in to leptin, you “jump out of the water” so to speak. In other words, high leptin levels can now scream to your brain that you have too much fat and that you better start burning some off. Your brain can now start burning off the fat you’ve been storing, and using it for energy. Best of all, your will suppress your hunger signals and regain appetite control.

My Natural Weight Loss Plan: Supplement #3 for Weight Loss

Monday, June 7, 2010 by Lauren Kent

The third (and final) supplement I've incorporated into my natural weight loss plan is Metabo-X. Why this formula? For one thing, the Svetol (green coffee extract) has some impressive research behind it to help support natural weightloss. In one study, overweight subjects were given 400 mg of Svetol over a two-month period. On average, lost about 10 pounds and their BMI improved. Metabo-X has the same dosage as the weight loss study.

The other ingredients in Metabo-X: chromium and Sensoril (Ashwagandha), which have been shown to support normal blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. While I do not currently have issues in these areas, there is family history with each, so I feel like I'm helping to ward those issues off as well.

So there you have it. Three natural remedies for weight loss that have, to date, helped me lose over 27 pounds: Daily Answer, Silhouette, and Metabo-X.

Natural Weightloss Step #2: Green Tea

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 by Kimberly Day

One thing you’ll find me sipping all summer long is green tea. If you are looking to lose weight and kick up your metabolism, then be sure to include green tea in your natural weight loss plan.

Green tea contains polyphenols, nutrients block the enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine, a brain chemical that regulates your metabolism. The higher your levels of norepinephrine, the faster your metabolism, which in turn allows you to burn calories even more efficiently.

In fact, researchers have found that green tea extract providing 375 mg of catechins (270 mg as EGCG) and 150 mg of caffeine each day—roughly amounts found in three strong, brewed cups of tea—burned an additional 500 calories per week, with no changes in diet or physical activity. That equates to about eight pounds a year!

For the summer, I personally like Mighty Leaf tea’s Green Tea Tropical, Gypsy Tea’s Mojito Mint, or Ito En’s Teas Tea Green White bottled tea (also available at Target). In a pinch, I’ll grab an unsweetened iced green tea from Starbucks.

Undoing Estrogen Dominance--Step 2

Monday, May 31, 2010 by Susan Lark

If you suffer from estrogen dominance, losing weight is extremely important, as Kimberly has discussed.

Why is weight loss so important in balancing your estrogen levels? Your ovaries are your most prolific source of female hormones--both estrogen and progesterone. However, body fat is a significant secondary source of estrogen alone, so if you are even just a little overweight, your extra body fat can make you estrogen dominant. Losing that excess body fat is vital to rebalancing your female hormones.

Aim to exercise for an hour most days of the week. Some good exercises to try include walking, dancing, hiking, cycling, yoga, and Pilates, to name a few!