The Big BLOB Weight Loss Blog

By: Dianne Ronnow

It is a common misconception that aerobic exercise tones and firms muscles. Actually it accomplishes very little toning and firming. Resistance exercise (weight training) is where real toning and firming of muscles occurs.

Doing both aerobics and weight training is the optimal way to lose more fat and gain more muscle. If you are trying to lose weight, studies show that weight loss increases by 56 percent with aerobic and strength exercises combined.

Muscle may weigh more, but when you increase your muscle composition, the body is able to burn more fat, even when you are resting, because your metabolism is higher. A pound of muscle will use 350 to 500 calories per week to survive, while a pound of fat only needs about 14 calories per week. New studies have shown that building muscle helps your body fight disease better, too.

Strength training benefits everyone, no matter what age or sex, and is becoming recognized as an important component of fitness. Research is indicating that the muscle loss found in elderly people doesn’t come from age, but lack of activity. Even a young person who doesn’t get enough exercise can lose muscle mass and strength. Strength training, such as lifting weights or performing weight-resistance exercises, as little as twice a week can help maintain or increase muscle mass.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m not a huge fan of Wendy’s … but have to give them points for becoming an international trend setter in the Trans Fats wars.

The company will be switching from trans fat saturated foods to a healthier alternative they have apparently been researching and testing for the past few years.

The country’s third-largest burger chain said the blend of corn and soy oil has zero grams of artery-clogging trans fat per serving and will cut trans fat in those menu items by 95 percent. Wendy’s will begin using the oil in its 6,300 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada in August.

Read all about it HERE

The Globe and Mail and CTV commissioned a study to find out how bad the trans fat problem is ….

The CTV and Globe and Mail study found that KFC’s deep-fried chicken pieces (known as Popcorn Chicken) and fries meals had the highest levels of trans fats at a whopping 18.6 grams — a level that if eaten daily may boost your risk of heart disease by nearly 100 per cent.

CTV article

There has been a huge amount of press on trans fats in the past few months.

What ARE trans fats and why are they BAD for you? So bad that many countries have outlawed them … and Canada is tightening up regulations. In the US, big companies are being sued … basically for “promoting” heart attacks.

Denmark banned Trans Fats in 2003.

Trans fats are created when liquid fats are converted into a semi solid form. They allow you to take a container of margarine straight out of the refrigerator and spread it on your toast. They are used extensively in the fast food industry and by food manufacturers because they prolong shelf life.

So why are trans fats BAD for you? Because they clog up your arteries … leading to heart attacks. YES even in kids and teenagers. They are basically dangerous and cost the health care system a whole swack of money which is probably why governments are getting into the equation! (Can you tell I’m jaded?)

CBC evening news ran a few news features in the past few weeks. Here is some GREAT information for you to check out.

FAQ’s about trans fats: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fats/transfats.html

Background articles about trans fats: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fats/

I found another Hoodia Resource Site. This website has loads of articles, FAQ’s and general information about how Hoodia works and how to choose a reputable company to get your supplies.

Hoodia Gordoni Plus

Also keep watch in the right hand side panel. I’ll post any free and low-cost or guaranteed trials I come across.

I’ve been noticing even MORE information, articles and news documentaries about Hoodia … and most of them have only positive comments. So I decided to do a bit of research about Hoodia mostly to satisfy my own curiosity. After all, anything that helps me lose weight without any negative effects bears looking at!

What is Hoodia?

It is an African plant that looks very much like a cactus plant, but grows only in certain parts of Africa … specifically the Kalahari desert. The San Bushmen of the Kalahari, one of the world’s oldest and most primitive tribes, have been using Hoodia for thousands of years to stave off hunger during extended hunting trips. Currently the only location in Africa where Hoodia gordonii is being allowed to be exported is the Western Cape. Authentic Hoodia gordonii costs $300/kg USD on the open market as of April 2006.

What does Hoodia Do?

It suppresses the appetite. You simply do not feel hungry or like eating. According to a BBC report it “It has no known side-effects, and contains a molecule that fools your brain into believing you are full.”

HOODIA in the News:

Here are a few newscasts and more information about Hoodia:

BBC
Sampling the Kalahari cactus diet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/correspondent/2947810.stm

CBS News – 60 Minutes
African Plant May Help Fight Fat http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/18/60minutes/main656458.shtml

NBC News
Can a cactus plant be a magic bullet for dieters?
Prickly bush in the Kalahari Desert could be key to weight-loss success
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9802459/

Try Hoodia

HoodiaTherm: You can try the product for 90 days. If you don’t like it you can return it for a full refund. ***Available in USA & Canada. Try Now

Xhobatol Weight-Loss Combo: Get a 7 day free sample and a pile of other goodies. You have to pay for the shipping ($6.00) ***Available in USA & Canada. Try NOW

Hoodia XPF: 7 day free sample. You have to pay the shipping ($7.00) ***Available in USA & Canada. Give it a try.

Also keep watch in the right hand side panel. I’ll post any free and low-cost or guaranteed trials I come across.

Here is a great article for you to enjoy, courtesy of Jon Benson at Fit Over 40. He has a lot of interesting information on diet related to aging and his site is pure inspiration! You’ve GOT to see the bodies to believe it!

Do Diet Sodas Make You Fat?
by Jon Benson
Fit Over 40

I stumbled across this study today and, to be honest, the results did not surprise me. As a “diet sodaholic”, something I still struggle with from time to time, I can testify that diet sodas will make you fat.This study does not cover the metabolic reasons why, so let me give you just a few. First, the body is not easily fooled. Artificial “anything”, especially sweeteners, can trigger the exact hormonal mechanisms as the real deal.

In this case, the hormone insulin is often spiked by aspartame and Splenda. This leads to a greater amount of fat being stored.That’s not all. The resulting biochemical reactions stimulates appetite. Just as any spike in insulin (or in adrenaline from caffeine) can do, these reactions will cause you to desire more food. They also blunt the appetite mechanisms that signal the brain that you are full.

In short, you eat more food than you normally would.I have seen this in myself first-hand and I discuss it in detail in my book. No doubt about it — if you want to get leaner, can the sodas. Diet, non-diet, and anything in-between. Water is your best bet, just as this study concludes.

FROM: San Antonio Express-NewsT

he prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions and many Americans are making efforts to side-step extra calories. They are turning to diet soft drinks — Diet Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper and Sprite — as their beverage of choice. But is this a wise health choice?Perhaps not, for according to a study by researchers at the University of Texas San Antonio, middle-aged adults who drink diet soft drinks may be drastically increasing their risks of gaining weight later on.

Diet Soda Discovery

The study monitored the weight and soda-drinking habits of more than 600 normal-weight patients aged 25-64. When researchers followed up on the patients some eight years later, they discovered:-

- Participants were 65 percent more likely to be overweight if they consumed one diet soda a day compared to if they dank none.

- Two or more low- or no-calorie soft drinks raised the odds of becoming obese or overweight even higher.

- Those who drank diet soda had a greater chance of becoming overweight than participants who drank regular soda.

The solution? Simply drink more water!
– Jon Benson

Find out more about Jon’s weight loss program

Melanie