Lose Weight on Fast Food (Really!)

By Mary Kate Frank
From Health magazine

You’d love to drop some pounds, but it’s tough to find time to breathe during the holidays, never mind prepare calorie-conscious meals. That’s why we’ve created a 1,500-calorie-a-day plan that lets you shed 10 pounds in five weeks, eating packaged meals, salad bar offerings—and even fast food.

Our grab-and-go diet is based on research showing that eating convenience foods can actually help you lose weight. The benefit: Built-in calorie and portion control. “Most people are not that good at judging what constitutes a portion,” says LeaAnn Carson, RD, MS. “With frozen entrées, the choice of how much to eat is already made for you.” That’s probably why in an eight-week study that Carson coauthored at the University of Illinois, women who ate two frozen entrees daily lost four pounds more—a total of 12.3 pounds—than women who cooked their own meals.

Download your plan (A week’s worth of convenient meals (PDF)): http://www.health.com/health/static/downloads/fast-food-plan.pdf

Last Updated: February 26, 2009
Filed Under: Dining Out

Low-Calorie Restaurant Meals Busted

From Health magazine

In a scary bit of diet detective work, a group of television stations across the country ordered “healthy” entrées from a number of chain restaurants, sent them to a lab for nutritional testing, and found out that the meals may actually contain more fat and calories than menus indicate—in some cases, two or three times more! Chili’s Guiltless Grill Salmon should have 480 calories and 14 grams of fat, for instance, but the salmon tested had 664 calories and 35 grams of fat. So how can you be sure you’re getting the diet-friendly lunch you ordered? Here, three tips from Phil Lempert, editor of SupermarketGuru.com and a food-industry expert.

Ask about oil. Chinese restaurants may use cooking oil plus sesame oil for flavor—and just one extra teaspoon will add 40 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. Ask the server to tell the chef to ditch the extra oil and substitute an extra sprinkle of herbs.

Go naked. If you order grilled fish, ask for it to be prepared without butter. Be just as specific with steamed veggies and other healthy picks.

Bring the dressing. Love salads? Bring your favorite low-cal dressing from home. Restaurant dressings on the side are OK, but use them sparingly unless you’re sure of their fat content.
(PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO)

Relate Links:(Please search)
America’s Healthiest Restaurants
How to Eat Out Without Gaining a Pound

Last Updated: February 12, 2009
Filed Under: Dining Out

How This Mother of 3 Lost More Than 70 Pounds

By Rachel Crawley
From Health magazine

Hilary Andreas didn’t want to settle for her postpregnancy shape—so she dropped 70-plus pounds.

After having her third baby last October, Hilary Andreas was thrilled about her expanding family—but not about her expanding body. At 198 pounds and wearing a size 18, this Portland, Ore., mom wanted to slim down. “I made a pact with myself that I’d do whatever it took to lose weight,” says Hilary, now 30. She took strategies from plans like the South Beach Diet and the Fat Flush Plan, such as cutting sugar—mostly by keeping her hands off her kids’ snacks. Hilary started walking five times a week and lifting weights; she slowly started running until she could jog more than four miles four to five times a week. In five months, Hilary lost 60 pounds, and she has shed 13 more since then. “When I was heavier, I didn’t feel as full of life,” she says. “I’m a totally different person now.”

Sweet reward
Here’s Hilary’s special treat: A scoop of Breyer’s Fat Free Vanilla Ice Cream topped with a tablespoon of Adam’s Organic Chunky Peanut Butter and 10 to 15 chocolate chips.

How she curbs cravings
Hilary mixes 1 cup of Trader Joe’s 100% Cranberry Juice and 7 cups of water in a pitcher and sips on it throughout the day to control her sweet tooth.

A fit family
Hilary and her husband are training for a marathon, and their kids are taking gym classes so they stay active, too.

Her gift
Hilary wanted a pair of skinny jeans—so we got her a pair from one of her favorite designers, Rock & Republic, to congratulate her on her weight-loss success.

Last Updated: February 19, 2009
Filed Under: Healthier You

Lose the Saddlebags in Just 4 Weeks

From Health magazine

Slim and smooth your outer thighs with the 45-Degree Circle from Star Quality: The Red Carpet Workout for the Celebrity Body of Your Dreams by Rob Parr.

Lie on your left side, prop yourself up on your left elbow, and move your legs forward about 1 1/2 feet, bending the bottom leg slightly and keeping the top leg straight. Rest your right hand on your hip. 

Lift your right leg 5 inches and slowly, with control, make a clockwise circle with that leg, keeping your hips still. (Be sure that your circle is at least 12 inches wide.)

Start with 3 sets of 10–15 circles per leg and work up to 20–25. You should see results in 4 weeks.

Last Updated: February 18, 2009
Filed Under: Healthier You