Earlier this week I came across this fabulous Canadian Living article, “Practical Weight-Loss Strategies,” that I just had to share with you. It’s written by Kelly Anne Erdman, a registered dietician who helps people take control over their lives through healthier living. Right up Live Lighter’s alley!

I won’t bother reiterating the article but please take 10 minutes to review it as I believe it’s all very sound advice. There are a few items on the list that are debatable, though, and thought them worthwhile to discuss.

For instance, #4 on the list suggests accompanying meals with water. As you know, I’m currently on an elimination diet. My Naturopathic Doctor suggested that I avoid consuming water ½ an hour before, during and an hour after eating. According to the ND and other sources, water dilutes the enzymes in the stomach, along with stomach acid, needed to properly digest the food. However, this effect may only affect those with digestive problems.

As for #6, Ms. Erdman lists several low glycemic snacks, such as fruit and vegetables. But as far as I know, the ones she listed are simple and complex carbohydrates, which still have relatively high glycemic indexes. She does not mention combining these carbs with a protein source to further lower the glycemic index and I have to wonder why.

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If you’re a regular reader, you know I love my morning protein smoothies. I’m an advocate for them and believe they help you lose weight, despite the critics who say they’re too high in calories. But now I have proof! Within 2 days I ran into 2 different sources that said if you want to lose weight, eat a big meal in the morning (meaning the most calories), a smaller lunch and an even smaller dinner.

The Metro published, “Don’t skip breakfast” this past Tuesday, and cited 3 different research studies all concluding that this eating pattern helps you lose weight. The alternative does the exact opposite, that is, skipping breakfast or gradually increasing your caloric intake during the day and into the night helps you gain weight.

The second source is an article, “4 Simple Breakfast Rules for Shedding Pounds” from Oprah’s favourite docs, Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen, on their Real Age website. Both articles clearly explain the multi-faceted benefits of breakfast, which increases brain power and your mood while helping you control food cravings and lose weight!

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This is the final and most important step in how to get a beach bod in time for summer . Why so crucial? Because it was my arch nemesis during my health journey and I know other people have fought this demon, too.

This was the cycle: I’d be rolling right along, happily balancing on the wagon, eating well and exercising regularly, and then something would happen. I noticed that it occurred around the 3 month mark, sometimes at 6 months. It usually came in a clever guise. I saw it arrive in the form of a lovely tropical, all-inclusive vacation before, and also as a nasty, hard-hitting cold virus.

Whatever its face, whenever it appeared, my routine and my good intentions went spiraling down the toilet. All my progress shriveled up shortly afterwards and I was back to the beginning. It took many attempts and failures before I realized what was happening and how to prevent it. So to help you avoid some anguish, here is my secret to getting over the 3 month hump …

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The feeling of freedom comes in different forms and from various sources. When I got rid of 25lbs in 3 months last year, I felt free. The excess weight that had been weighing me down physically, mentally and emotionally was gone! I was a brand new person. The same happened when I decided to stop smoking (4^th time’s a charm), and this burden lifted as I broke free from nicotine.

The last few weekends I’ve spent some time spring cleaning and decluttering . It’s so refreshing to know that everything in my closet fits me perfectly and will be worn! I refused to keep clothes that were too big…`just in case’. No way! That’s a lurking negative belief ready to pounce. There’s no going back – only forward.

Besides the mental and emotional freedom of decluttering, the financial benefits if you sell the stuff and the efficient living effects from an organized environment, there are very real physical benefits to spring cleaning.

Step #5 to your Beach Bod: Detoxify your Environment

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Two hottie Toronto personal trainers were featured in an article in this past Monday’s Metro. They’ve trained the likes of Miss Universe Canada , actors, Maple Leaf players, supermodels and world boxing champions. You know what they had to say about health and fitness?

“Fix your nutrition. The rest will fix itself,” says one blond, buff brother. The other Adonis says, “Nutrition is paramount. It is almost 80 per cent of the equation for performance and weight loss.”

If you haven’t heard it before, you are what you eat and so this brings us to…

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Earlier this week, I revealed the first step in getting a bikini-ready body was a belief in and a commitment to healthy living . The second step is essentially prepping your body and mind for regular total body workouts by starting with your centre, building core strength and stability.

Now it’s time to pay a little attention to nutrition. No worries, though, no rabbit food for you yet. This is a seemingly small step and might even be your favourite in this weight loss approach!

Step #3 to your Beach Bod: Increase Your Protein

Last month, I published a post, Heavenly, Healthy Snacks that Last , which talked about the difference in how our bodies process different types of foods. Basically, protein has a high glycemic index, which takes longer to digest, and therefore combining carbs with protein allows one to be more satisfied for longer.

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If you’ve been following this series of posts , then you’ve probably already taken the first step towards your bodacious beach bod . That is, you’ve made a commitment to yourself to do something healthy everyday so you can make healthy living a habit.

If you decided to walk for a half an hour instead of watch a TV show you’re not even really interested in anyways, then you and I have something in common. That’s how I began my health journey over a year ago (and lost 43 lbs and 43 inches since then, for those who don’t already know).

Today, I’d like to share with you the second healthy activity I strategically implemented into my regime. Every second day – while I watched TV and after my 30 minute walk – I performed 1 set each of 5 core exercises which took all of 20 minutes.

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“The successful person makes a habit of doing what the failing person doesn’t like to do.” Thomas Edison

Edison had something here, but there’s more to it than this success equation suggests. Like those who fail, most successful people also dislike what they make a habit of…at first. What truly sets them apart is they find a way to enjoy it .

They’ve found the secret to turning difficult into easy . Habits are easy because they are default behaviour. They become second nature only through repetition but it’s against human nature to repeatedly do something that causes you pain, either mentally, emotionally or physically.

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Spring is officially here, which means we have 3 months to prepare for the hot weather…and less clothing. If you’re slightly worried about peeling back the layers and baring skin, then this Bodacious Beach Bod Series is for YOU.

T he next six posts will uncover a 6 step approach to weight loss that can easily fit into any lifestyle. Along with the tips at the end of each post, this series will help you develop tenacious, healthy habits. I know because I did it myself! I discovered this approach last year when I lost 25 pounds in 3 months and to this day continue to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Actually, not only have I managed to keep the weight off, I’ve lost a total of 43 pounds and 43 inches to-date!

This Bodacious Beach Bod Series focuses on nutrition and fitness (leaving out the cleansing for those who don’t believe in it). This 6 step approach will help you shed the gigglies and firm up those flabby muscles so you can take on the world! It will also increase your metabolism for long-lasting effects.

So get yourself geared up to take 6 steps closer to your health goals and make the most out of Spring…the beach bod is just a really cool side-effect.

Step #1
Step #2
Step #3
Step #4
Step #5
Step #6

This is a 5-step health plan I created in February 2007. Shedding much of my extra weight quickly, I felt lighter in body, mind and spirit. My concentration, energy and overall well-being tripled.

After consulting your doctor, I encourage you to try incorporating any or all of the following steps into your individually designed health plan.

STEP #1: THREE IMPORTANT WEIGHT-LOSS FACTS

1) To lose weight you MUST burn more calories than you consume

That means slowing down while you munch. I became more conscious while eating. Eventually, depending on how active I was during the day, my portions were cut almost in half. I was eating almost every two hours: a small, healthy snack (e.g. half a banana) once in the AM and once in the PM. This kept me satisfied throughout the day so I wasn’t binging come dinner time. Some experts say this raises metabolism.

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