Well, ladies, I’ve been working on getting my body beach-ready. I realized that it doesn’t take much work to get me in shape (thank God for my genes), but simply that I eat too much! I’m completely drunk on lifestyle and dine out more times a week than anyone should.
I decided to finally try out the Sensa Weight-Loss system that I’ve heard so much about. I actually had the pleasure of hearing Sensa founder Dr. Alan Hirsch speak in LA a couple years ago, and he has some pretty interesting philosophy about smell/taste relationships along with studies to back it up. I’m on the bandwagon!

Do you like my title? If you love Johnny Depp I’m sure you do
This post, aptly titled, is about probably the biggest beauty dilemma I’ve faced during my vacation: bloating! It’s been awful. Foods that I could normally get away with — including anything dairy or higher in sodium — now cause me to bloat something terrible for the entire day. I think it has something to do with the lack of humidity out here, and my body feeling the lack of moisture. So what does it do? Retain water (pretty much clinging to it for dear life).
Fortunately I’ve found some ways to counteract bloating, and I wanted to share them with you.
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So, I have this bad habit of weighing myself about three times a week. I say that it’s a bad habit because it can be a real buzzkill if you’re attempting to shed a few pounds yet the number on the scale doesn’t budge. I’m currently trying to lose about 5-7 pounds and my current regimen consists of protein, tea, diet soda, and B-complex. I eat once or twice a day because I maintain a very sedentary lifestyle and can survive on just that. Consequently, my weight stays a steady 132lbs (I’m not ashamed to share!) throughout the week.
My best bud James, who happens to be a fitness buff, once advised me that you can actually lose weight by eating a deliciously greasy, carb-y meal every once in a while. I put it to the test over the weekend when we met up at Steak & Shake for a late night breakfast. The Sourdough Breakfast combo was the greasiest thing I’d eaten in a while — so much so that I was still feeling it the next day. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling! Nonetheless, midday the day after our carbfest I stepped on the scale and had actually lost 1.5 pounds. Whether or not that was conclusive of James’ theory, it worked! I couldn’t believe it. (more…)
Last year I made a resolution to shed all the weight I had gained in previous years. After having successfully done so in 2008, my resolution this year is to keep the weight off.
There are things that war against that number on the scale, including unforeseen water weight gained after, say, a few large dinners or a night out drinking. When it comes to water weight, it can actually account for 5-15 extra pounds on your body! This is especially true if you eat a diet rich in simple carbs – chips, fast food, full-sugar sodas, and so much more. Besides cutting back on the junk, drinking lots of CLEAN fluids like water and tea can help you keep excess water weight off.
Not all teas are created equal. On of my favorites right now is “Get Lost” weight control red tea – a caffeine-free herbal tea containing rooibos and cinnamon as well as carob and gymnema. Rooibos is a naturally detoxifying and energizing herb that also alleviates anxiety, allergies, *and* zits! Carob and gymnema are natural appetite suppressants.
The natural cinnamon/orange peel flavor is delicious. I pour just a bit of Splenda or stevia in it and I’m good to go. I drink about four cups of this tea a day and – I will say – I’m relieving myself throughout the day much more frequently! If you don’t mind having to explain yourself in the office or on the job, you’re golden
In the past week I’ve lost 5 pounds and eat less at each sitting. Detoxification is a glorious thing.
“Get Lost” weight control tea by The Republic of Tea is available for $11 (36 tea pods) via Amazon.com.
How does Heroes star Hayden Panettiere stay fit, you ask?
No, she doesn’t take diet pills. Hayden works out with her personal trainer, Jonathan Bernan, at Crunch Gym in West Hollywood. She uses the Stairmaster, resistance training, circuit training, and lifts weights to stay “feeling good.” (source: USAToday)
“I’m a picker,” Hayden says, “I will eat a quarter of my meal, and then I’ll get full, so I’ll sit there, and then 20 minutes later I’ll eat the other quarter…”
It’s all about portion control.
Watch the video to hear Hayden Panettiere talk about her workout and diet tips:
Do you have any recurring food cravings? My main cravings include nuts (especially almonds and cashews, mmm) and chocolate, usually once every month. According to nutritionists, our food cravings actually allude to vitamin and mineral deficiencies (among others), and can be easily and healthfully satisfied by opting for healthier food choices that contain the nutrients our bodies are after.
| If you crave: | Your body needs: |
| Chocolate | Magnesium (raw nuts, fresh fruits) |
| Bread or toast | Nitrogen (high protein foods including fish, chicken, steak, and beans) |
| Salty foods | Chloride (fish, sea salt (healthier than table salt) |
| Greasy foods | Calcium (broccoli, cheese, calcium-fortified milk) |
| Ice (to chew) | Iron (seaweed, black cherries, fish) |
For more healthy alternatives to your food cravings, check out 2nd Wind Body Science’s list.
While we’re on the topic of food, check out some of these Thanksgiving recipes.