Diets – Fad or Foe?

Greetings from your favorite Brazilian Bikini maker. I hope you all read the blog last week where I announced our seasonal giveaway contest called Fall In Love with Your Brazilian Booty.  If you haven’t read it yet, here’s your chance to circle back…. check it out down below right now because this post will make a little more sense once you have read that one.  Our last post gives you all the details about how you can enter the contest to win a bunch of Guria Beachwear swag. 

As of now you still have about a week left to enter. 

To date, many of you have sent your before photos and entered the contest.  We know there are more of you out there – please don’t be shy.  Trust me we all have our ups and downs, in life and on the scale, and no one is here to judge you by your shortcomings.  Since my main goal is to support you in your journey on being a better you, I want to reinforce that you aren’t really competing against each other, you are competing against yourself, because the winner is based on who improves the most.

This week, the blog will focus on some popular diet fads and the principals behind them.  I’m going to give you the skinny on these and you can decide if any of them are right for you.  Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how you are doing and if you have tried any of these.  Feel free to share how they worked for you and if you have any tips on how to make it easier or boost results.

Let’s Start FAST…Well, Fasting

By now, most of you have heard of Intermittent Fasting.  My sister was actually the first person who introduced me to this diet trend that she swears by.  It was about three years ago that she got serious about changing her body.  She started doing Orange Theory Fitness (also a HIIT program) and looking for overall ways to improve her health.  If she reads this, she’s going to absolutely kill me, but with my niece going on 6, she could no longer use the “baby” as the excuse for the “baby weight”.  When she first told me about this method of diet used for weight reduction and overall lifestyle change that also helps balance your hormones and keep your body youthful, I thought it was too good to be true.  But over the next few months, I watched the pounds just melt off.  The basic principal is that you limit your calorie intake to a 6-8 hour window per day.  According to her, she was not restricting any food groups and would still consume the occasional glass of wine between the hours of noon and 8PM.  After three years of sticking to fasting, she is in the best shape of her life.  She only does Orange Theory 8 times per month now but still does the fasting.  She occasionally “cheats” on holidays or weekends, or when she has dinner with friends.  She said it’s pretty easy to maintain once you get used to it.  These is so much more in depth information available.  We found this youtube post by Dr. Josh Axe to be very helpful. Take a look if you want to learn more. https://youtu.be/8xv2cWhnkPU

 

 

Keto or Not Keto, That is the Question

Another popular method of rapid weight loss that people have been talking about lately is the Ketogenic Diet.  In a Ketogenic Diet, the dieter severely restricts their carbohydrate intake and increases their fat intake.  The body is forced into a state of ketosis where it depletes stored fat for energy.  In addition to rapid weight loss, when followed properly, the diet results in stabilized insulin levels and decreased inflammation throughout the body.  Counting calories is not necessary.  Instead, you count fat, protein and carbohydrates that you consume.  Your daily intake if carbohydrates should be less that 10 grams per day to get your body into a state of ketosis.  Then, over time, you can increase your carbs to 20 per day, as long as your body remains in that state where it is breaking down the fat reserves for energy.  A state of ketosis can be measured when tested with Keto Strips that can be purchased online or at your local pharmacy.  Increases in lean muscle mass and energy also occur, when your body goes into a state of Ketosis.  If you are interested in learning more about this change-of-lifestyle diet, and additional health benefits, check out this helpful video by Thomas DeLauer. https://youtu.be/sBw2rdwBfZE

 

 

Newest Buzz is the from Across the Atlantic

Mediterranean Diet is the latest type of diet that has been getting attention in the news.  But despite popular belief, it is not really a diet that has weight loss as its main goal.  Cardiology prevention – in other words, heart health, is the aim with this one.  Maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system directly correlates with overall good health and a long life. And who doesn’t want to experience those benefits?  The Mediterranean Diet, it is typically high in colorful veggies, fruits, whole grains, beans, nut and seeds, and olive oil.  You consume fewer processed foods, like soda and fast foods, and less sugar.  Herbs and spices replace salt in many cases.  Poultry and fish can be consumed several times a week, but red meat is recommended less often, usually around once a month.  Although it is a great way to eat, unless you cut out some of the fatty cheeses and pastas that are permitted but can be high in calories, you may not wind up seeing much of a difference on the scale.  Filling fibers and healthy fats, however, can actually help with weight control.  Check out this informative video by Dr. Kim Foster for more in-depth info on losing weight the Mediterranean way.  https://youtu.be/Kfxh7thGqf4

 

 

Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference

If none of those diets seem doable for you, I can understand.  They take a ton of will power and it’s sometimes easy to slip.  In the Keto Diet and Intermittent Fasting, a little slip can take your body out of that state where it’s burning fat for fuel.  When you do that, you can actually gain instead of loose.  But don’t despair!  Below are some tips you can try to incorporate into your current diet and lifestyle that will make a difference:

• Start your morning with Matcha. Substitute your morning coffee for some matcha tea which revs up your metabolism naturally.  You can also avoid high calorie creamers or dairy this way.
• Try to avoid high calorie soft drinks, sweets and fruit juices – instead opt for fruit to satisfy that craving for something sweet.
• Take the stairs whenever possible instead of the elevator.
• Get a good night of rest so you have the energy to give it your all when you work out.
• Try to work out in the morning on an empty stomach, before breakfast. By doing this, your body will break down more calories from fat.
• Meditate – or just breathe – quieting the mind for just ten to fifteen minutes a day or simply closing your eyes and taking ten deep breaths, can reduce your stress level, thereby helping you avoid binging because of stress.
• Take a walk in nature during your lunch break – more time out doing things equals less time close to the fridge.  Being out in the sun also boosts your mood and as the daylight hours grow short, we can all use some extra sunshine in our lives. Walking after a meal also aides in proper digestion.

 

 If you make some changes and follow workouts consistently, you can still look bootylicious in your Brazilian bikini from Guria Bechwear.  Remember, everyone wins this challenge, so don’t forget to get your photos in by October 10^th.

 

Disclaimer:

The information given in this post is not that of a health or medical professional.  If you are pregnant, nursing, under 18 years of age or have a medical condition, please consult your doctor, a health professional or a professional nutritionist before starting on any kind of diet or workout routine.  This information is written from personal experience and solely for the purpose of entertainment.

 

Written by JS.