Hi Andrea,
I recently downloaded an interesting report by Jorge Cruise, who is a fitness guru to the stars. He says that people tend to keep fat around their bellies because of the hidden sugars and excess carbs that we eat. (fructose, lactose, sugar substitutes, etc.) Even though we diet and eat low cal foods, the belly fat is the toughest to loose because of the high sugar content of our food and drinks.
The eating program that he recommends is to limit sugar intake to 15 grams per day and limit carbs to 6 servings per day (5 grams to 20 grams of carbs per serving). I just started this program a week ago and have already lost 7 pounds and an inch around my waist! It has been very easy to do. In fact, I am eating so much more each day than I normally eat, yet I am losing weight- bizarre, but what they say is true- you have to "eat" to "lose".
I read about this program in my Costco circular. The lady they featured actually lost 13 pounds and several inches in a week. (personally, I think that is too fast, but that's what the article said.) The report is called The Belly Fat Cure and you can download it for free at www.thebellyfatcure.com
I have always carried extra weight and tried many diets over the years including Weight Watchers and South Beach. These both helped me lose weight but I found that I was too focused on food all day and once I stopped (got bored!)then I would gain the weight back. I like the 15/6 rule much better because it requires very little to maintain. Every food you buy has a nutrition label, even at fast food restaurants. So all I have to keep track of is two numbers each day, my sugars and my carbs.
Following the 15/6 rule has been very easy for me this week and it doesn't feel like a diet because I can eat anything I want that fits into this formula, even dark chocolate! The low sugar/low carb foods I've enjoyed this week include chicken, fish, shrimp, meat, salad, lite bread, brown rice, mushrooms, brocolli, couscous, guacamole, black olives, carrots, yellow peppers, italian dressing, lite ranch dressing. I've been using www.nutritiondata.com to look up my favorite foods to see their sugars and carbs so that I know how to keep track of my intake each day. Sounds like a lot, but it was actually quick and easy, probably took me a half-hour to look up the foods that usually make up our meals and now I have a chart of everything to pick and choose from at each meal.
With the free report and no membership fees, the belly fat cure report is worth checking out.
Wishing you all the best with whatever program you choose!
Here's to slimmer waists this Spring and Summer!
Best regards,
D.
