Best Self Help

Diet Plan – 5 Factor Diet by Harley Pasternak

5 Factor Diet by Harley Pasternak

Diet Claim: The 5 Factor Diet was first developed as a celebrity diet. They needed a diet plan that was easy to follow with exercise guidelines that could work in a busy schedule. Based on the number 5, even regular people could lose weight and stick to the plan no matter how busy they were.

Diet Guidelines: How long do I follow this diet?
The diet is meant to be followed for five weeks at a time. As you have probably guessed, everything revolves around the number five. Each day there are five meals, five days to work out each week, and five essential criteria for each meal that you eat.

What can I eat?
There are five criteria that each meal is required to follow. Include low fat protein, low glycemic index carbohydrates, no sugar beverage, healthy fat and fiber. But don’t fret. There are hundreds of sample meal plans to help you meet these requirements at each meal. There are three meals and two snacks per day. For the busy person there are several five ingredient recipes that can be prepared in no time.

Diet Pros: What are the benefits?
This diet is designed to fit a busy lifestyle. You can prepare the food in blenders, toaster ovens, microwaves or wherever you need to get it done. The five factors for each meal include each food group and stressed eating carbohydrates that promote steady blood sugar instead of high sugar ones. There is also a cheat day built in to the program so that dieters can enjoy their favorites without repercussions.

The plan is now online as an interactive tool, as well. It provides calorie calculators, food recipes, cooking tips, message boards and a host of other things that can help you prepare food and work out when you can.

How much weight can I lose?
There are no weight loss guidelines. It all depends on how well you follow the plan. But, the assumption is that you lose weight as long as you are satisfied, given a cheat day and you add physical activity.

Does the plan emphasize exercise of any kind?
The diet plan does stress exercise. Along the factor of five lines, you are asked to complete 25 minutes of exercise five days a week. The time can be done all at once if you have the time or broken up into smaller increments. There are fitness recommendations for five minute bursts of activity in the book.

Diet Cons:
Overall, this seems like quite a healthy diet and more of a way of life. The only con may be that for some exercising five days a week may be difficult although by simply putting in short bursts of exercise you can meet your daily exercise quota so this isn’t a con as such.

What does the diet plan cost?
The price of the book is your cost as well as the cost of food. Most ingredients seem fairly straightforward and shouldn’t cost a whole lot for a five week program. You may have to spend a little for the spices on some of the dishes.

Read more about this title:  5 Factor Diet by Harley Pasternak

How the Rich Get Thin

This week, we are continuing our look at a variety of diet plans, so you can choose the one that appeals the most to you. Today, we take a look at How the Rich Get Thin, a book by Park Avenue’s top diet doctor. The book is available for less than $6 at amazon, so you certainly don’t need to be rich to take a peek at Dr. Klauer’s insights.

Diet Plan: How the Rich Get Thin with Dr. Jana Klauer

Diet Claim: If you are extremely rich, you can arrord to have a personal trainer and chef and put your money to good use to get in shape. However, even if you aren’t technically rich you can still have the secrets of the rich and famously thin as long as you follow the “How the Rich Get Thin” diet plan.

Diet Guidelines: Following the diet plan will reveal a slimmer profile in as little as two months. Dieters increase their calcium intake, exercise on a daily basis and eat more whole foods and not processed meals.

How long do I follow this diet? The diet plan lasts at least for two months. During that time you will follow a phased plan that gives you menus and lists of foods you are allowed to eat at each stage. The eating plan starts off strict and then allows you to add in foods that you previously cut out.

What can I eat? Phase 1 is intended to jumpstart your weight loss. To do that, only certain foods are eaten. You drink lots of water, high-quality protein and ban the alcoholic beverages. This goes on for three days.

In Phase 2, you will eat more protein. Protein fights cravings and keeps you feeling full. You are allowed to eat egg whites, fish, poultry, and low or non-fat dairy products. This is the longest phase and lasts until you reach your goal. Also include calcium supplements every day to build bone mass.

Phase 3 is a maintenance phase. You can add more new foods, such as fruits, beans and starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes. To get the benefit of antioxidants for good health, choose fruits that have a healthy portion of fiber like strawberries and blueberries.

What are the benefits?
You learn about portion control. Three ounces of protein at each meal is the size of your palm. The diet teaches you to eat out at fancy restaurants and choose the right meals.

How much weight can I lose?
In the first phase, you will lose water weight and then about a pound or two each week until you reach your goal.

Does the plan emphasize exercise of any kind?
Exercise is important to your all around health. Daily exercise is stressed for at least 30 minutes. Choose an activity that you like and will stick with for the long haul. Ideally you want to exercise in the morning and for an hour.

What does the diet plan cost?
As a diet plan borrowed from the rich and famous, high-quality protein isn’t cheap. To eat rich you have to spend money.

Diet Pros: The “How the Rich get Thin” diet teaches users how to use simple tricks to defeat cravings. One such trick has you time your cravings. When cravings attack, drink a large glass of water and wait to see if the craving passes. If not, choose a protein-packed snack.

Diet Cons: The diet begins with a strict first phase. Whole grains like bread and pasta are not eaten until after you reach your goal weight and are well into the maintenance phase. Alcohol adds needless calories and is frowned upon. Calcium supplements figure heavily in this diet plan.

Learn more about How the Rich Get Thin

Idiot Proof Diet

Today’s Diet Spotlight: The Idiot Proof Diet

The Idiot Proof Diet was created by Neris Thomas and India Knight, two women who wanted to show others how they lost weight.  They created a diet plan that would meet all the needs of a dieter with none of the setbacks.  The claim is that you can lose weight on this diet plan and not feel hungry or be resigned to eating small diet food portions.  The authors lost more than 100 pounds in one year.

Diet Guidelines: The Idiot Proof Diet plan is a low carbohydrate diet.  It sounds similar to the Atkins approach to dieting.  The Idiot Proof Diet plan has three phases.  Phase 1 is a very restrictive phase of eating.  It lasts for two weeks and your carbohydrate intake is limited as is caffeine.  You are purging your body of its love of carbohydrates (especially sweets) and getting it ready to learn to burn fat.  In Phase 1 you can eat a variety of foods.  The carbohydrates come from vegetables and not grains.

Phase 2 of the Idiot Proof Diet allows you to eat a few more carbohydrates.  You are allowed to have up to 100 grams of carbs each day.  In Phase 3, you can add still more carbs to the eating plan.  Because of the addition of carbs, weight loss will possibly slow down and you can see a rise in the numbers on the scale.  Sugary carbs, candy, anything made with enriched white flour, white rice, white potatoes and desserts are prohibited during and after you complete the Idiot Proof Diet.

How long do I follow this diet?
The Idiot Proof Diet was performed by the authors for over a year.  Once you reach your goal weight, you can still follow the plan guidelines to maintain that weight and not let the pounds creep back on.

What can I eat?
The first phase of the Idiot Proof Diet is fairly strict.  You are allowed to eat meat, poultry and seafood.  You can also have eggs, nuts, cream, butter, tea (caffeine free), avocados (high in fat) and green vegetables.  As you complete Phase 1 and go into Phase 2 and 3, you can eat more approved carbs but not anything like was mentioned above in the Diet Guidelines as “prohibited.”

What are the benefits?
You get in touch with the feelings behind weight loss and the psychology of why it is a struggle for these two authors and how they overcame it.

How much weight can I lose?
Your weight loss will amount to one or two pounds a week.

Does the plan emphasize exercise of any kind?
You are encouraged to get regular daily exercise for 20 to 30 minutes.

What does the diet plan cost?
You have the cost of the book and the cookbook.  Your grocery bill may increase by eating more meat and fish.

Diet Pros: You are eating healthier foods and they are regular foods that everyone eats.  You don’t have to count calories.  For dieters, there is an online forum to chat with others and see their progress.

Diet Cons: Not eating carbohydrates eliminates the nutrients that they contain for a healthy diet.

You might be looking for the downloadable Fat Loss 4 Idiots diet, available here.

More information on the Idiot Proof Diet book and cookbook: /em>

Neris and India’s Idiot-Proof Diet
Ever hankered for a diet book by and for real people–people who, you know, actually have a life? Congratulations: you’ve just picked it up.Before we began our diet, Neris and I weighted 434 pounds between us. Our goal was to lose 140 pounds between us in under a year, to go from a size 22 to a size 14. And we did it. If two unusually greedy, cocktail-loving moms can lose this amount of weight without much effort, so can anyone.This book tells you how two friends did it, and how you can do it too. It’s not a diet devised by some bossy string bean who has never been more than 7 pounds overweight, nor by a fat middle-aged doctor, but a real, long-term, workable diet for real people. A modified and therefore bearable low-carb, high-protein way of eating, the diet really works and includes meal plans, recipes, advice on clothes, make-up and hair at every stage from fat to thin. It doesn’t include impossible exercise routines or disgusting things to eat. Above all, it gets to the bottom of why we overeat–and shows you how to stop. There’s never been a diet book like it–for women, by women, with jokes and useful tips, and advice that is truly simple to follow. What other diet book tells you to pour yourself a large drink at the end of the day, because you’ve earned it?

You’ll also enjoy:

Neris and India’s Idiot-Proof Diet Cookbook

How to Think Like a Winner

Your mindset has a direct effect on your success. It also strongly influences your enjoyment. When you think like a winner, nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams. Each day can be a fantastic day when you think like a winner. Here’s how:

#1 Create a pattern of success

One of the best ways to think like a winner is to create a pattern of success. This is accomplished by setting goals and consistently achieving them.

There are many ways to set goals. To achieve them and create a pattern of success, there is a proven method:

Create a realistic but motivating goal. Create a series of smaller goals to help you achieve your big goal. Plan how you’re going to achieve each smaller goal.

For example, if your larger goal is to have $100,000 in sales this year, then one of your smaller goals may be to launch a product each quarter. Plan how you’re going to launch your product successfully. Create measurements to determine your success. As you achieve each smaller goal, you’re creating a pattern of success. As you become accustomed to succeeding you’ll naturally begin to feel, act and think like a winner – because you are one.

#2 Positive affirmations

We all struggle with limiting beliefs and doubts. However, to think like a winner you need to think positively. Turn your fears, limiting beliefs and doubts into positive affirmations. For example, “I am no good with money” can become “I am in control of my financial future. I am capable of success.” Repeat the affirmation each time doubt creeps into your thoughts. Make a habit of repeating the positive affirmation regularly. Make it part of your inner dialogue. Soon you’ll begin to believe and act like it’s true.

#3 Surround yourself with supporters

Make sure your friends, family and associates are of like minds. It’s wholly unhelpful to give your attention to naysayers. Believe you can accomplish anything and surround yourself with people who feel the same. Positive and enthusiastic people are powerful. Their passion is contagious. When you surround yourself with these people you really can accomplish anything.

Finally, accept that some days are going to be more difficult than others. Instead of fighting these days or time periods, experience them with an open mind. Embrace them as learning moments and persevere. Winners aren’t people who never fail or struggle. Winners are people who persevere.

Set goals, maintain a positive mindset and create a strong support network. You are a winner. Always remember that.

For further study:

Think like a Winner, by Dr. Walter Doyle Staples
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Relax Mind and Body – Meditations to Soothe and Center

Relax Mind and Body: Meditations to Soothe and Center
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
Review by: ACHMom

Relax Mind and Body is a guided meditation CD by KRS Edstrom, a speaker, author and advice columnist. The CD is part of the Inner Master Series, which include other meditation CDs, such as Conquer Stress, Sleep Through Insomnia and Defeat Pain.

The CD is a fantastic tool to help you to find your inner balance and strength and stay calm in stressful situations. KRS Edstrom’s voice is gentle and soothing, and I felt an immediate calm come over me. She guides you through a set of meditation and visual guidance exercises you can draw on whenever the going seems to be a bit tough and you are in need of “time out” and inner centering. The background instrumental music gives you an instant feeling of letting go of the weight that you are carrying.

You learn to focus on your breathing, recognize tension in your body (for example your forehead), acknowledge it and learn to let it go. With the help of these exercises, your world will look a lot better and you will feel a heightened sense of wellbeing. Learning to be calm also has a positive effect on your health, i.e. lowers high blood pressure and eases back pain and headaches.

Overall, if you want to treat yourself to some much needed relaxation, this CD by KRS Edstrom would make the world of difference to your life. It will give you a stronger sense of balance, calms your body and mind and increases your awareness and enjoyment of life.

Also available as an mp3 download here.

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Brainfit: 10 Minutes a Day for a Sharper Mind and Memory

Brainfit: 10 Minutes a Day for a Sharper Mind and Memory
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
Review by: ACHMom

Most of us are very busy people trying to juggle too many things at once. You might find yourself forgetting things like names, places, were you put your keys, your glasses etc. Memory loss is part of the aging process, but is also due to too much going on in our lives. So, just as you train your body to be fit, you can also give your brain a workout to become once more focused.

Brainfit: 10 Minutes a Day for a Sharper Mind and Memory is essentially a course on how to get your mind into shape again. You can use the book as a 9 week course with weekly planners incorporating daily mental fitness exercises. Fun mental games and brain teasers focus on different themes and areas who want to improve. Over time your will begin to see a change in your ability to remember things.

Also included in the book are lots of advice and tips on memory skills and how to improve them.

Overall, I think that anybody (no matter what age) can benefit from this book. I would certainly recommend this mental fitness workout to anybody who is trying to keep their brain focused and fit.

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Book Recommendation – Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder

Winter Blues, Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
Review by ACHMom

Winter Blues, Revised Edition is a very informative book by Dr Norman Rosenthal about the effects of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), its symptoms and what you can do about it. If you – or anybody else you know – suffer from this condition, this book gives you a wealth of self-help tips and advice to combat the winter blues. For many people, life can be turned upside down when fall and winter approaches and with it the diminishing daylight. They can’t sleep properly, suffer from a lack of energy and happiness, which can quickly lead to depression. It also affects their eating habits which can turn into weight gain during the cold months.

Dr Rosenthal’s book explains, in great detail, how to take charge of your life again if you suffer from the winter blues and SAD. He talks about treatment options, including light therapy, medication and self-help tools as well as exercise. I like the section on healthy winter eating, which includes simple recipes, to stop comfort food weight gain. Also in the book are tips for family members and close friends to support a SAD sufferer.

Overall, I think that this book is essential to own if you or anybody in your family is affected by this condition. It covers lots of information on SAD/winter blues and also gives easy to implement self-help strategies to improve your overall wellbeing during the winter months.

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Healing Sounds of Nature: Thunderstorm, Rain and Ocean Waves

Healing Sounds of Nature: Thunderstorm, Rain and Ocean Waves
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
Review by: ACHMom

Most of us could do with some relaxing and tension-releasing music once in a while, especially at the end of a stressful and busy day. I love to listen to nature sounds to calm my restless mind. Not only does it remind you of the beauty and tranquillity of our earth, but it also gives you a chance to take time out from the daily hustle and bustle.

Healing Sounds of Nature is a CD that runs for just over an hour. The first 30 minutes offers the listeners the fascinating and clear sounds of an approaching tropical thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are awe-inspiring natural occurrences and I think that listening to this recording will allow you to marvel at nature’s force and focus your mind. Other recordings on this CD are the beautiful and calming sounds of ocean waves, rain and gentle thunder.

Listen to this CD when you need some time away from your stressful lifestyle. Enjoy the instant relaxation and feel-good factor that these natural sound effects will give you.

I would certainly recommend this CD to anybody in need of some tranquillity.

Learn more about Healing Sounds of Nature: Thunderstorm, Rain and Ocean Waves >

Zumba Dancing – Fitness for the Heart

There is a new dance craze sweeping the nation. It is called Zumba and is reshaping bodies and health for people of all ages.

This mix of Latin, salsa, samba, meringue, cumbia and hip hop dancing burst on the scene in the nineties. It began to gain popularity in the last several years as fitness clubs, dance clubs and videos are showing people how to get fit and have fun at the same time.

One benefit of exercise is an improved mood and focus. What if you could get that without feeling that you actually did some work? For those who have never danced before, the steps will come to you in time. Actually you burn more calories learning them.

In a typical Zumba workout, you can burn as many as 600 or more calories in an hour. And, that hour goes by fast when you are really into the session.

So how do you burn so much fat and get in shape? For one, combining different dance moves requires core control. That means squeezing your abs so you stand up straight and are able to move in so many different directions without injury.

There are elements of plyometric exercises like the ones athletes do in training. These short bursts increase your heart rate and also strengthen the muscles in the legs.

Zumba is a full body workout. To increase heart rate, you not only keep your legs moving but your arms raised above your head. The arms are an integral part of the moves so you are always working your cardiovascular system.

There is more than one level of dance with Zumba so it works to increase the heart health of all ages. If you can’t do the jumps at first, then move on the floor but keep your arms going and the energy high so you still burn fat and calories. To keep you motivated, many of today’s hottest tunes are set to routines. Instructors are taught how to break down the moves for you and demonstrate them slowly at first before moving up to tempo.

Zumba is not all fast, though. You may get a mix of belly dancing music and all that hip action to strengthen hip flexors and improve abdominal strength. By alternating between fast and slower sequences, you get to regulate your breathing so you can keep up without being overtired.

And, the more you participate, the better your heart rate and lung function. Now, you can show off your dance moves, get your groove on and burn calories at the same time. If Zumba is too high impact for you, there are also aquatic Zumba options, Zumba toning and Zumba for kids.

Here are the latest savings on Zumba Fitness products from a few of our favorite retailers:

Manifesting Change – It Couldn’t Be Easier, by Mike Dooley

We love Mike Dooley and his inspiring TUT website. Today, after 4 years in the making, Mike Dooley’s Manifesting Change, the book version of Mike’s $79 audio, is being released (for less than $15)!

Mike calls Manifesting Change his most powerful and advanced work to date, “a guide for following your heart and taking action on your dreams.” It’s also the material that introduced his very popular Matrix, a tool for getting clear on what you really want, and for understanding the flow of all manifestations.

Win an African Safari, a Mayan Cruise, and More! Everyone who buys a copy of the book can enter the Manifesting Change Sweepstakes to win these amazing prizes, and more!

So first, get Manifesting Change at AMAZON!

Then enter the SWEEPSTAKES here.