Hardcore copycats

It is mind-boggling to see how many diet supplements are on the market right now. I realize that self image and vanity are a top dollar market, but can they really be that different from one another? I would bet that the same active ingredients can be found in most of the top diet pills on the market, and the variety comes only in the other "filler" ingredients. Hydroxycut hardcore is currently America's #1 diet pill, but at $60 per bottle, there are many copycats out there offering the same formula for much less.

People pay so much money for "miracle solutions", when what they really should be spending their money on is better food and a good pair of walking shoes. More home cooked meals, smaller portions at each meal, more fresh fruits and vegetables, and much more exercise could benefit nearly everyone.

Weight woes

I've been struggling lately with how to deal with recent weight gain. I know it is mostly due to stress, and I will probably be able to work much of it off when we are working our land and buiding our house. In the meantime, I have gone shopping to get clothes that actually fit, not worrying about the size on the tag. It looks and feels better to wear one size too big than two sizes too small. I don't like it when clothes cling on all the wrong places.

Sure, part of me wants to look at a list of best diet pills, and just buy a "quick fix," but that's not me. I'm not one to take medications unless they are absolutely necessary because I have terrible reactions to certain drugs. I prefer the natural approach of either accepting my body the way it is, or realize that I have to change some habits and make life changes for better health all around.

The shape of things

Summer is just around the corner and although they are not for me, some people may be inclined to use diet supplements along with their exercise routine to get in shape for the season. I found a review of cheap diet pills online that has a list of the most popular brands and a link to find the cheapest current price on Ebay for each item.

I got a great workout today by raking all the leaves out of our flowerbeds in the front yard. It amazes me just how many leaves can build up in one season! I also did some weed pulling, which is a great exercise for hamstring muscles and I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow.

Miracle cures?

I get annoyed with unwanted weight gain as much as the next person, but I think it is silly when consumers fall for fast weight loss gimmicks and end up spending their hard earned money on crap. If it took two years to put on that extra weight, you can't expect to pop a few hoodia pills and instantly be thin without changing your everyday habits. Miracle cures just don't exist.

Time and time again I have learned (through research and personal experience) that the only lasting positive changes come from changing many factors of your life for the better. Diet, exercise, and overall health all play a huge part in weight fluctuations. If you gain weight, take a look at where you have been slacking and make changes before it gets out of control.

Convenience patch

I now have proof that mankind is too busy and over scheduled. More and more medications are becoming available in "patch" form, indicating that we can't even remember to take pills since our day is so jam packed with our jobs, meetings, phone calls, errands, and after-school activities.

Everything from the birth control patch, to the nicotine patch, and now even a diet patch is available. Before too long, our bodies will be covered with patches for all the various vitamins, minerals, and medicines we must take daily. I see this as a very profound comment on our society and what we rely on for "convenience" nowadays.

Why I eat every three hours

I am currently reading a book called "The 3-Hour Diet" by Jorge Cruise and it really makes sense. This isn't really a diet, but a way of eating that is like a breath of fresh air in the world of restrictive fad diets. There are no off-limit foods at all, and the major point he makes is that unless you eat every three hours, your body goes into "starvation" mode and basically starts breaking down your existing muscle mass for energy. For every pound of muscle you lose, you burn 50 less calories even at rest.

What this means is, even if you don't exercise you can at least keep the calorie-burning muscles you already have if you nourish your body with food every three hours. Then you will burn more calories even while you are sleeping. Now, of course if you exercise you can lose even more, but he believes anyone can lose an average of 2 pounds per week just changing their eating schedule.

There are a couple of rules, but they are easy and become second nature when you incorporate them into your daily life. The first rule is that you must eat your first meal within one hour of waking. Otherwise, you will have no fuel and your body will start using your muscles for energy. Then you have a snack three hours later, lunch three hours after your snack, another snack three hours after lunch, dinner after another three hours, followed by a small treat. He advises not eating within a couple of hours of your bedtime so your body will be ready for rest and not trying to digest a meal, which could keep you awake.

Overall, I have felt really good since starting to eat every three hours and some of my pants are already looser at the waist. I tend to get mood swings and headaches if I don't eat regularly anyway, so this is a way to help keep my blood sugar levels steady throughout the day without feeling deprived.