Pump up your strength workout and you’ll reap the rewards long after you’ve put down the dumbbells. Research has shown that your metabolism can stay revved by 25 percent for up to 15 hours after a high-intensity strength session. Plus, regular resistance training helps keep your metabolic fires ignited daily, notes Michele S. Olson, PhD, an exercise physiologist at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama. This workout focuses on a slower lowering phase for each exercise, which forces the muscles to work harder, says Cindy Whitmarsh, president of Ultrafit Nutrition Systems in San Diego.

For each rep, lift the weight in two counts and lower it in eight. Do two or three sets of each move. Aim for a total of three workouts a week — after six weeks, you’ll have sleeker muscles and a metabolism that roars!

Get trim

Find Your Metabolic Rate

Your resting metabolic rate (RMR) — the amount of calories you burn before adding in any activity — accounts for roughly 70 percent of your daily calorie burn. Knowing this number should help you estimate just how much you need to eat and exercise every day. But until recently, finding your precise RMR could be done only in a laboratory setting. Enter personal RMR monitoring devices such as the BodyGem, a small tool that measures oxygen output from the breath. It is routinely used at high-end health clubs. But at about $50 for a BodyGem test, we wondered if the investment was truly worth it.

“While this data may be helpful to someone on a strict calorie-controlled diet, it has its drawbacks,” says Reed Humphrey, PhD, a professor of physical therapy at Idaho State University. “If you log in a low number, you might be tempted to cut your calories too far, which can harm both health and metabolism,” he says. Instead, concentrate on a balanced diet and regular workouts. “These are the things to invest in, since they have an impact on what you see in the mirror,” he says

Does Water Speed Metabolism?

Q&A: Can drinking water speed up your metabolism?

Yes, says Rachel Brandeis, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, but the effect is tiny and temporary at best. “You might burn a few extra calories, but it won’t translate into any long-term, meaningful changes,” she explains. One study found that subjects who drank half a liter of water a day had a 30 percent increase in metabolism — but the boost lasted just 40 minutes.
Originally published in Fitness magazine, October 2005.

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Here are a few great tips and a plan to get you ready in 2010.

1. Step 1

   Establish goals to help keep you motivated and on your desired track. Start early to make the most of the time you have before bikini season begins. For example, decide how much weight you want to lose in a specific time period. Chart your progress to help create and modify future plans. While it’s impossible to lose 100 pounds in three days, you can make great strides toward bikini-season body you desire over time. Keep your ideal swimsuit in mind as you work your way into a healthier you.

2. Step 2

   Find your motivation point. Whether it’s the gorgeous bikini you passed in the mall last week or the desire to shock your friends, you must know how to keep yourself on the right track. Ask yourself what you want to gain from getting fit for bikini season in 2010. Keep this in mind when times get rough as a reminder of why you should keep moving.

3. Step 3

   Since there’s often strength in numbers, getting with a group of like-minded individuals can be a confidence and will-power booster. Let close friends and co-workers know of your efforts to form helpful alliances. For example, you could eat a healthy lunch with your co-worker instead of heading alone to the buffet. There will be a greater sense of accountability if others are aware of your intentions.

4. Step 4

   Get your body in bikini shape by attending aerobics and conditioning classes. Visit the gym a few times a week to help build and maintain a toned frame. Ask for help from trainers to ensure you’re performing he correct exercises in order to meet your goals. Focus on any problem areas, such as your abdomen or thighs.

5. Step 5

   Modify your diet. Cut back on any unhealthy aspects of your diet. Assess your current eating habits to establish your nutritional intake compared to your actual needs. Reduce caloric intake in problem areas such as fats and sugars. Never starve yourself for the sake of fitting into a bikini. Consult with a doctor or dietitian to determine your specific nutritional needs to ensure your safety.

6. Have fun! (last but not least)

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Sample 5-Day Stay-Full Meal Plan

This plan provides about 1,550 calories a day. (If you need more or fewer calories, simply add or subtract a snack; each one is about 150 calories.) To help you lose weight while staying full, we’re emphasizing water-packed soups, salads, fruits and veggies. The menus also include lean protein and fiber-filled whole grains; these foods are digested super-slowly, so they’ll ward off between-meal hunger pangs that weaken your willpower. Feel free to mix and match breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks as you like.

Day 1

Breakfast

• Bacon, egg & tomato sandwich: Top 2 slices lightly toasted whole-grain bread with 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice turkey bacon and 2 slices tomato.
• 4 oz calcium- and vitamin D-fortified orange juice

Lunch

• Greek shrimp salad: Whisk together 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar, ? tsp dried oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle over 1 cup romaine lettuce, 2 Tbsp feta cheese crumbles, ½ cup sliced grape tomatoes, 5 sliced Kalamata olives, ½ sliced red bell pepper, ¼ sliced cucumber, 2 slices red onion and 10 precooked shrimp; toss.
• 10 whole-wheat pita chips

Dinner

• Risotto with saffron & scallops: Cook ¼ cup Arborio rice in 8 oz chicken stock according to package directions. Stir in 1 pinch saffron. Sauté 1 clove crushed garlic in 2 tsp olive oil over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add 4 oz bay scallops and sauté until opaque (about 3 to 5 minutes). Fold into risotto.
• 2 cups baby spinach sautéed in 1 tsp olive oil

Snacks

• 8 oz minestrone with 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan
• 4 oz all-natural rice pudding topped with 1 Tbsp dried tart cherries

Day 2

Breakfast

• 5.3 oz 2% Greek yogurt with honey, 1 sliced banana, 1 Tbsp chopped walnuts

Lunch

• 2 oz smoked turkey slices, ½ sliced apple, 1 slice Cheddar and 1 Tbsp honey mustard on 2 slices whole-wheat bread
• ½ cup cucumber salad (sliced cucumbers drizzled with white vinegar and seasoned with salt and pepper)

Dinner

• Chinese food takeout: 8 oz ginger chicken with broccoli, 5 oz garlic sugar snap peas, ½ cup brown rice

Snacks

• ½ cup soft-serve chocolate ice cream
• 1 cup cantaloupe chunks and 1 cup pineapple chunks, topped with ¼ tsp chopped mint

Day 3

Breakfast

• Strawberry French toast: Dip 1 slice whole-wheat bread into 1 large beaten egg. Fry in 1 tsp butter over medium heat until golden, 2 to 3 minutes, turning halfway. Top with 1 cup sliced strawberries tossed with 1 tsp sugar.
• 8 oz nonfat or 1% milk

Lunch

• Southwestern veggie burger: Prepare 1 black-bean veggie burger according to package directions. Serve on whole-wheat hamburger bun with ¼ sliced avocado, tomato and onion slices, and 1 Tbsp barbecue sauce.
• 10 blue-corn tortilla chips

Dinner

• Cranberry-chicken couscous: Combine ¼ cup dried cranberries, ¼ tsp curry powder and ½ cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer. Add ¼ cup whole-wheat couscous. Cover, remove from heat and steam for 10 minutes. Add 4 oz cubed grilled chicken breast and 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley; toss.
• 1 cup string beans with 1 tsp olive oil

Snacks

• 16 oz light mango smoothie (Try Jamba Juice Jamba Light Mango Mantra, or make your own smoothie by blending ½ cup frozen mango chunks with ½ cup calcium- and vitamin D-enriched orange juice and ½ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt.)
• 1 oz cinnamon-brown sugar roasted almonds

Day 4

Breakfast

• 1 cup whole-oat cereal (such as Cheerios), 1 cup blueberries, 2 Tbsp almonds, 8 oz nonfat or 1% milk

Lunch

• Small 3-bean chili and ½ roast beef sandwich with wasabi (spread 1 Tbsp wasabi mayonnaise on ½ kaiser roll and top with 2 oz lean roast beef, ½ tsp pickled ginger and romaine lettuce)

Dinner

• 4 oz meat loaf
  1 small baked potato with 1 Tbsp sour cream
  1 cup sliced carrots roasted in 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

Snacks

• 1 mini Babybel cheese and 1 apple
• 10 pretzel twists dipped in 2 tsp Nutella hazelnut spread

Day 5

Breakfast

• ½ cup cooked oatmeal with 1 tsp brown sugar and 1 Tbsp each dried cherries, dried cranberries and dried blueberries (or try Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal)
• 12 oz nonfat cappuccino

Lunch

• Peanut butter and banana pizza: Spread 1 whole wheat pita with 1 Tbsp peanut butter. Top with ½ sliced banana. Drizzle with 1 tsp honey and broil for 2 minutes.
• 8 oz nonfat or 1% milk

Dinner

• Mexican rice bowl: Toss ½ cup cooked brown rice with ½ cup each drained canned black beans and microwaved frozen corn. Top with ½ cup diced tomato, ¼ cup chopped onions, 2 Tbsp shredded Cheddar and ¼ cup chunky salsa.

Snacks

• Two 2¼-in. homemade chocolate chip cookies; 8 oz coffee with 1% milk
• 1 pear, quartered, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and roasted at 400°F for 15 minutes, topped with ½ cup vanilla frozen yogurt

11 Satisfying Foods (Keep this list with you!)

1. Vegetable- and-bean-based soups and chilis
2. Fresh fruits and vegetables
3. Baked potatoes
4. Main-dish salads with vinaigrette
5. Lean broiled or baked meat, fish and skinless white-meat chicken
6. Brown rice, whole-wheat couscous risotto, pasta and polenta au naturel or with a light vegetable or tomato sauce
7. Whole-grain cereals
8. Small servings of olive oil, canola oil and butter
9. Small portions of natural tortilla and regular potato chips (Fat-free ones aren’t satisfying)
10. Mini-servings of cookies, ice cream and brownies
11. Coffee, tea, nonfat cappuccinos and lattes

To help with your weight loss program, include Slim Trim.  Click here to learn more.

You too can discover how to lose Christmas weight healthily and remain in firm control of your weight loss throughout all seasons.

Below we have concocted a range of New Year weight loss tips that can effectively be used for all occasions – even in preparation for your next New Years party!

New Year Weight Loss

1. Eat small meals regularly – forget eating 3 square meals a day and spread your daily calorie intake over 5 small meals. By splitting each meal into 300 calorie segments, not only can you ensure that you stay fuller for longer and don’t snack, but you can ensure that your metabolism remains consistent and doesn’t suffer from sugar drops.

Please Note: make sure to eat a balanced diet of 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins and 30% fats.

2. Mix up your workout – the key to successful weight loss is to ensure that every aspect of your body receives a thorough workout. By incorporating strength training into your weekly exercise regime, for example, this will enable you to burn more fat as you develop more muscles.

The best programme to do is:

- Strength training – 45 minutes, 3 times a week
- Cardio – 30 minutes, 2 times a week or aerobics – 30 minutes, 2 times a week

Make sure to alternate every 2 weeks between cardio and aerobics.

3. Drink plenty of fluids – your body is made up of 70% water so it is essential that you keep yourself hydrated. By simply drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day you can prevent water retention – which can lead to water weight – and ensure your body is functioning properly.

Please Note: coffee, tea, fruit juices… all contain additional calories. For this reason it is important that you include these extra calories in your daily calorie intake.

4. Eat only when you are hungry – this is easier said than done. Often what we mistake as hunger pangs is our body’s way of telling us that we are thirsty. To escape overeating try implementing this test. The next time you feel hungry drink half a glass of water and wait 15 minutes. If after these 15 minutes you still feel hungry, only then eat a small piece of fruit or a cracker. Otherwise, keep sipping water until it is time for your next meal.

5. Halve your meal portions – when we are at home it is much easier to control our meal portions, however when you go to a restaurant this is a completely different story. It is impossible to predict how big your meal will be or even how it has been cooked.

To help you stay in control and still enjoy a meal out with your friends and family, when you place your order ask the waiter to halve your meal portions. This may feel like a waste of money, but by cutting your meals literally in half you can ensure that you are not tempted into eating the entire meal. Similarly by asking them to halve your portions, you can enjoy a dessert without having to feel guilty.

Losing your New Year weight can be easier than you imagine. Simply incorporate any one of the above tips into your weight loss management plan and you can easily lose those excess lbs and even keep using them to lose more!

So take control of your New Year weight loss today and make this New Year one to remember.

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Want to lose weight as you chow down? Your wish is granted! (I promise, this is no fairy tale.) Your supermarket is filled with foods that studies show have lipid-melting powers to help melt fat and keep you slim. Stock up on these fat-fighting super bites, and you’ll be trimmer even as you indulge. Read on to discover the eight foods that deserve a permanent spot in your fridge—and in your diet!

Almonds These yummy nuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid, which can accelerate your metabolism of fats. In fact, dieters who ate 3 ounces of almonds daily slashed their weight and body-mass index by 18 percent, while those who skipped the nuts reduced both numbers less— just 11 percent—a study in the International Journal of Obesity revealed. Chomp almonds à la carte (limit yourself to 12 per serving to keep calories in check). I get a pack at Starbucks and nibble throughout my day. Or sprinkle them into a recipe such as Black Bean–Almond Pesto Chicken. Go nuts!

Berries I tell my daughter, “These are nature’s candy!” Turns out they’re also your body’s best friends. Strawberries, raspberries and other vitamin C–spiked fruit can supercharge your workout, helping you burn up to 30 percent more fat, research from Arizona State University at Mesa has found. If they’re not in season, buy the little gems frozen in a bulk-sized bag so you’ll always have them on hand to whip up a Berry Bliss Smoothie or Strawberry-Sunflower Pops, regardless of whether berries are in season.

Cinnamon Adding 1/4 teaspoon to your plate may prevent an insulin spike—an uptick that tells your body to store fat. Sprinkle it on your morning cereal or coffee or on your yogurt in the A.M., or savor it in Apple-Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal.

Mustard It’s heaven on a soft pretzel, but mustard may also be a weight loss wonder. Turmeric, the spice that gives mustard its color, may slow the growth of fat tissues, a study in the journal Endocrinology finds. Use it on sandwiches instead of mayo, or sprinkle turmeric on cauliflower pre-roasting to give it a kick. Try it on tuna salad—I promise it adds zest.

Oranges This citrus fruit, which contains fat-blasting compounds known as flavones, deserves to be your main squeeze. Women who ate the most flavones had a much lower increase in body fat over a 14-year period, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes. Eat oranges sliced or swig fresh OJ (including pulp!) to get the best benefit from the fruit.

Soybeans Reason to toss a half cup on your salad? Soybeans are rich in choline, a compound that blocks the absorption of fat and breaks down fatty deposits. Oh, and they’re addictively delish! But if breast cancer runs in your family, experts suggest you should talk to your doc before adding soy to your diet.

Sweet potatoes The colorful spuds’ high-fiber content means they keep your insulin steadier than their white sisters, which means less fat packed on your hips, research finds. Top a small baked tater with lowfat cottage cheese for a tempting side dish, or whip up Miso Soup With Sweet Potato Dumplings.

Swiss cheese Calcium-rich foods reduce fat-producing enzymes and increase fat breakdown, and Swiss has more calcium than many of its cheesy peers. Choose the reduced-fat variety, such as Sargento.  Slip it into your sandwich, put it on top of high-fiber crackers or use it for a healthier grilled cheese. Yum!

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From the 15th floor windows of my New York City apartment, I have a clear view of a big and many windowed “health center,” (aka a four-story gym complex). September is one of the gym’s busiest months. Right after Labor Day, active women, who I hope are incorporating daily outdoor activities with a seasonal summer flavor into their daily routines, flock indoors to the gym and an artificial routine of treadmills, exercise bikes and medieval torture devices. I see them sweating early mornings and late at night from my windows. I see them going and coming from my daily walk as I pass the gym.

It is a sign of the times — but also our American culture — that many women seem to have only two modes: sitting or spinning. They’re either avoiding even the slightest heart rate increase (like those women in my apartment building who take the elevator to the second floor) or they’re sentencing themselves to hours at the gym as punishment for their indulgences throughout the day. So often I see the begrudging look on women’s faces and hear the phrase, “I don’t want to go to the gym, but I have to.” Pourquoi? If you are eating mindfully, and eating the correct portion sizes, you don’t have to torture yourself on those metal contraptions or run a marathon to stay trim. French women reject the notion of “no pain, no gain,” opting for a more pleasurable notion of mild, sustained exertion. We prefer all-day movement, what I like to call “the slow burn,” and we practice it as second nature instead of attacking it like boot camp.

Exercise requires the same sense of balance we require in other aspects of our life. We know by now that most dieting has a yo-yo effect and fails; we must recognize that too little and too much exercise meet the same fate. Overexertion at the gym may actually sabotage your weight loss goals. Too many women I know go overboard on the treadmill, and then eat more as either mental or hunger compensation. Eating a protein bar loaded with chemicals and calories just to burn them off seems silly. Or is it just to moi? The overheated workout also often leads to defeatism (I give up!). My window survey confirms those overcrowded gyms in January are half as crowded in February and March. Those New Year’s resolutions may provide us with the motivation, but after a few weeks of killing ourselves on the elliptical, we burn out.

French women see exertion as an integral part of the day. I encourage you to look at everyday movement (what you do in street clothes, not spandex) as essential to your overall wellness, and not to see exertion as something assigned to the gym. Here are a few French tips on how to stay fit without ever setting foot in la gym.

1.) Don’t save your steps, multiply them! Instead of driving your car around in circles to find a close spot, purposefully park far away and walk the couple extra feet. Do you know burning a mere 50 extra calories a day equates to five pounds a year?! Burn those calories creatively; think thrice about using interoffice mail, walk that memo to your coworker’s office. Take an extra few laps around the block at lunchtime, take the long way home when walking your dog at night. The principle is to squeeze as much physical exertion as possible during a few intervals a day into what were once routine tasks tied to avoiding any physical efforts.

2.) Incorporate simple resistance movements into your daily routine. Use your own body weight as resistance wherever possible. Isometric exercises, discreet but effective, are very French. This can be done before you even leave the house in the morning. For example, while waiting in traffic or on the subway, contract your abs for 12 seconds with your back pressed against the seat (it’s better for you than road rage). When reading a magazine at home, try sitting on the floor with your legs stretched and apart in a V and your hands on each side; this is a great stretch for your inner thigh muscles.

3.) Take care of your core. I’m a firm believer that we need to attend to our abdominals as we age. These are the muscles that hold all our vital organs in place; they support good posture and a healthy spine, something we must take care of as we get older. Do a few sit-ups as part of a little stretch/exercise/yoga routine in the morning — it’s never too early or too late to start this ritual.

4.) Acquaint yourself with small to moderate free weights (3-5 lbs.), especially if you’re over 40. A bit of extremely simple resistance training is an antidote to hours spent on gym machines. Short but focused movement with small weights is a good way to preserve upper body tone and bone density and supplement the cardiovascular benefits of an active lifestyle. A little goes a long way, and that only increases the older you get, so don’t let extremism overtake you.

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Myth 1: Potatoes and bread are fattening.
Actually: It’s just the opposite. Starchy vegetables and bread (whole-grain bread, that is) are quality carbs needed to fuel every part of you, from your brain to your muscles. What gets you into trouble is how you eat them: Smear butter on a slice of whole-wheat bread or deep-fry potatoes and you can double, triple, or quadruple the calories.

Myth 2: Drinking a glass of water before a meal curbs appetite.
Actually: Yes and no. Water tames appetite if it’s incorporated into food, such as soup, or a thick drink, like V8 100% Vegetable Juice. Apparently, when water is bound to food, digestion is slower, explains Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman’s Diet.

That’s why women in one study found chicken-rice soup more satisfying than chicken-rice casserole and a glass of water — even though the soup had 27% fewer calories! One exception to this rule: It’s easy to confuse hunger and thirst, so if you find yourself craving something — but what? — drink a big glass of water and wait a few minutes. You may find that’s what your body really wanted.

Myth 3: Shellfish is high in cholesterol.
Actually: On the one hand, it’s true: Just 3 ounces of shrimp delivers more than a third of your daily cholesterol. But there’s a surprising flip side to this story: Shrimp is low in saturated fat — the kind that becomes artery-clogging bad cholesterol — and has a smidgen of heart-healthy omega-3s. In fact, University of Southern California researchers discovered that eating shellfish, such as shrimp, every week reduced heart attack risk by 59 percent!

Myth 4: The occasional burger and fries won’t kill you.
Actually: It depends on your definition of “occasional.” If occasional means every Friday night and then some, well, you may be pushing it. But if it means every few months, and you’re fit, and you’ve got good numbers (i.e., weight, waist size, cholesterol, blood pressure), AND you’re chowing down on vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and other nutritious fare most other days, hey, you’ll live. But few of us are that perfect. If you do occasionally indulge, offset the effects of a fat fiesta with a brisk 90-minute walk afterward.

Myth 5: Women naturally gain weight after menopause.
Actually: While you can blame a lot of things on hormones (everything from acne to PMS), in this case, slowing down physically is far more likely the cause. Study after study has found that older women who exercise regularly and vigorously can maintain their figures.

Myth 6: Diet soda is worse than the real thing.
Actually: We all would be better off switching to water, diluted fruit juice, and green tea rather than drinking soda — diet or regular. Both types increase kidney and heart disease risk, plus they contain acids that erode tooth enamel, inviting cavities.

Final Fact (this one’s no myth): Maintaining your weight, waist, and body mass index at a desirable level can make your RealAge as much as 6 years younger.

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There are three primary areas that you need to focus on if you want to lose bodyfat. They are all equally important and include weight training, cardiovascular exercise and proper nutrition.Without these three things in proper balance you cannot achieve adequate loss of bodyfat. Let’s break these down:

1. Weight training: Weight training will help you build lean muscle mass as well as improve your metabolism so you can alter your body into a fat burning system. Adding weight training to your fat loss regimen pushes your body to continue to burn calories (thus fat) long after your workouts are over. A fitness professional is highly recommended in order to develop a workout program that will meet your needs.
2. Cardiovascular exercise: Cardiovascular exercises are essential in promoting maximal weight loss as well as turning your system into a bodyfat burning machine.Without this you are only cheating yourself. Research has revealed that combining cardiovascular exercise with weight training causes your body to burn calories more quickly and for longer periods of time than if you only complete one form of exercise. You really must strive for 30 to 45 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least 5 days a week. A number of experts recommend that you complete cardio in the morning when you initially wake up. Your body will burn fat since there is no food in your system at that time. If you can’t do cardio in the morning then certainly work it in at an additional time during the day.

3. Nutrition: This aspect is fundamental if you want to know tips to lose bodyfat. You ought to strive to eat a high protein diet (1 gram of protein per 1 pound of bodyweight) per day. A high protein diet has several benefits. It allows you to burn additional fat, reduces water retention, makes you less hungry and raises your metabolism. Foods high in protein include: Beef, chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs. You also need to minimize the amount of “bad” carbs which include foods made with white flour or processed flour). Stick with foods made with wheat or whole grain products but focus more on fibrous carbs such as vegetables for your carb intake. Most importantly, avoid foods high in saturated fat. These include butter, processed foods, junk (fast) foods, cooking oils, etc. These are limited lists.

Practicing these tips to lose body fat are essential if you want to lose weight, bodyfat and gain a lean, muscular appearance. Check your progress weekly by weighing yourself or taking bodyfat measurements. Set a goal to lose 1/2 a pound to a pound per week. As long as you are achieving this keep doing what you’re doing. If you stop losing weight then it’s time to increase your cardio, reduce the amount you are eating or both.

The secret to losing bodyfat in the long term in persistence. You are making lifestyle changes with this strategy. If you stick with it you can attain a healthier lifestyle and improved body image. It may take several weeks or months but the results are worth it. You can decide to do nothing and stay as you are or you can apply these strategies and start your path to a lean, muscular body.

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This year’s biggest star appears to be Hoodia Gordonii. By now you have seen Hoodia on the news, read about Hoodia in popular magazines and more-then-likely have been reading up on Hoodia.

But exactly what is Hoodia and why all the hoopla?

Hoodia, although not actually a cactus, is part of the cactus like family, the succlents. Hoodia in the wild, is found in the arid, southwestern part of Africa and grows from only 2-3 feet tall. It has prickly spikes which must be scraped off to reveal the inner flesh. Hoodia or Xhoba, as it is called by the San people, contains a molecule called P57 that actually tricks the brain into believing that you are full.

Originally used by the San People to help quench thirst and stave off hunger during lean times and food gathering trips, Hoodia now is being used by thousands worldwide to help control their weight by reducing hunger and cravings.

So why is Hoodia so different from previous weight control products?

Other then suppressing hunger, Hoodia currently has no other known side effects. No racing heart, no nausea, no diarrhea, no keeping you up late at night.

Many Hoodia users find that they consume an average of 1,000 calories less per day. That’s an average daily calorie savings of 50%. With a pound of fat being 3,500 calories you can see that it only takes approximately 30 days to lose 10 pounds.

No counting carbs, calories or purchasing special foods. You eat the foods you like, only less of them.

Hoodia, is relatively inexpensive. Unlike previous products, Hoodia is affordable.

Hoodia comes in several forms. There are pills, liquids, Coffee with Hoodia, Tea with Hoodia, chewy candy-like products and the list goes on. There is a Hoodia product to fit everyone’s personality.

Are all Hoodia products alike? Absolutely not! Absolutely not! Absolutely not! I can’t stress that enough.

Here is what you should look for in your Hoodia product.

The Hoodia plant has many cousins, which although can be called Hoodia they do not have the appetite suppressant power of Hoodia Gordonii. Only choose a Hoodia product that is made from Hoodia Gordonii.

Hoodia is now farmed in other areas of the world like China or Mexico. Only South African Hoodia Gordonii is premium Hoodia Gordonii.

Read your product label. Does your Hoodia product contain binders and fillers? If so, you are paying for added ingredients and are getting less Hoodia.

For maximum benefits you should be taking between 1,000 mgs – 3,000 mgs of Hoodia daily (1-3 grams). Check your product label to see how much Hoodia is in your product. If it’s only 300 mgs per capsule you will need approximately 10 capsules per day for its full effect. If you choose a capsule, liquid or tea product that has 1,000 mgs per serving you will only need 3 servings per day. Although this product may appear on the surface to be more expensive it is actually less expensive per day.

Most people will feel Hoodia’s appetite suppressant qualities the first day but it may take 3-5 days to feel the maximum effect, so give your product time to work.

In closing remember to choose a product that is pure South African Hoodia Gordonii, with no binders or fillers and take 1-3 grams per day for maximum effect. And always check first with your physician or health care practitioner before taking Hoodia or any appetite suppressant product as you may have an underlying health condition or prescription medication that would prohibit its use. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Follow the product label instructions and don’t use more then the recommended dosage. Also know that Hoodia products have not been evaluated by the FDA and therefore they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Since Hoodia can drastically curb your appetite be sure to use your calories wisely. Choose fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, drink plenty of water and take a good vitamin-mineral product.

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