Too Good To Be True

PRODUCT PROMOTION:

Do you want to burn fat?  Then try our Carnitine supplements today!  Carnitine is safe and FDA approved!  Carnitine reduces fat storage and increases muscle mass because it is required by our body to move fatty acids into the mitochondria where the fat is metabolized for energy.  Carnitine is also great for enhancing our memory and recovery from exercise.  If you want to feel great and not “weighed” down, Carnitine is the answer!

THE FACTS:

Well Carnitine is a protein that is made in our body by the liver.  Carnitine carries fatty acids to the mitochondria where it is metabolized and used for energy.  Without Carnitine then the fat we consume would be stored and not burned for energy.  Fortunately our body produces enough Carnitine so supplementation isn’t necessary.   Also some foods contain Carnitine, especially beef, pork, chicken, and milk.  There is no need to take this supplement.  Studies show that extra amounts of Carnitine from supplementation does not increase fat metabolism because the excess is excreted through our urine. 

THE RIGHT PLAN:

Your best bet to lose weight would be to make some simple lifestyle changes.  Little changes make big differences.  Choose one goal below, achieve it and move onto the next goal and you can lose weight safely without supplementation.

Physical Activity-  Take walks, join a gym , yoga or aerobic classes that the community offers, invite friends and family to the park to play volleyball or tennis, ride a bike, rent fitness DVDs to try at home, and find a buddy to work out with.  I recommend starting small and trying to accomplish 30 minutes of physical activity 3 or 4 days per week.  Soon enough it will become a part of your daily routine. 

Portion sizes and food preparation - Are you cooking with butter and margarine?  Have you tried Pam cooking sprays?  Do you eat out often?  If so watch restaurant portion sizes.  They typically are 3-4 times larger than the recommended serving size.  Enjoy half of your meal at the restaurant and save the other half for lunch the next day.  Or better yet, share a plate with one or two companions.  At home, try not to fill your plate and use measuring cups when planning your meals.  Also try to eliminate empty calorie food and drinks such as soda, juice, candy, and chips.  Choose foods that have fiber.  They will keep you fuller longer.  Healthy food choices include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats such as nuts, avocados, and olive oil. 

Journaling and Planning - Keep track of what you are eating, when you are eating, and how you feel at that time.  Are you very hungry or just bored?  Analyzing your journal at the end of each week can help you plan for successful weeks to come.  I have a great book called Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole.  If you like to read I recommend this book.  It focuses on healthy eating habits and mindful eating.  Another great trick is to plan your meals ahead of time.  At the end of each night, write what you plan to eat the next day.  This way you know exactly what you are going to have…no surprises!

Eat every 3 – 5 hours - If you go all day without eating you will be inclined to overeat.  When most people overeat, they are also overeating foods that aren’t necessarily the healthiest.  So try to aim for 3 small meals and 2 – 3 snacks each day to keep your metabolism regulated and eliminate the need to overeat. 

So skip Too-Good-To-Be-True Supplements and choose one of the goals I suggested and then work your way through all of them and you should have no problem losing weight and staying healthy.

By the way, Today is National Cocoa Day!  Add some cocoa powder to your oatmeal this morning for a chocolaty treat or add it to your Mexican mole sauce or chili!  Cocoa powder comes from the cocoa bean.  It is very low in calories and fat.  It also provides you with antioxidants, fiber, iron and magnesium!  By the way, this is not Too Good To Be True!