There has been a big controversy regarding whether consuming dairy products is beneficial for  weight loss. Some say yes and others say no.

There has been new research from Purdue University showing a correlation between consumption of dairy products and accelerated weight loss.  Basically, those in the study that had more calcium in their diets through the consumption of dairy products lost more fat than those that did not.

Keep in mind that by adding dairy to your diet doesn’t necessarily mean your on your way to losing rapid amounts of weight.  The study only shows that those who were already on a calorie restricted diet and replaced some of their calorie requirements with dairy lost the weight faster than those who were not eating any dairy at all.

As this recent article points out, there are a few theory’s for why researches believe dairy helps aid in fat loss.  Not only is there some evidence that shows dairy can be good for fat loss, but it is also beneficial in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Are you a woman that has some serious food cravings when you’re PMS’ing?  If so, then you’re not alone.

There may be a very simple explanation for why it is you have cravings at certain times of the month which can cause you to over eat and gain weight.

We produce a natural biochemical which controls messages to our brain called Serotonin. This neurotransmitter is responsible for our moods, feeding behavior and sleep.  A lack of it can cause depression, impulsive behavior, inability to concentrate and cravings for carbohydrates.

So, if you find yourself having lots of cravings throughout the day you might be suffering from a hormonal imbalance.  If you frequently  binge eat on carbs and feelmore balanced afterward you might be deficient in Serotonin.  Deficiency can be induced by frequent binge eating, stress or hormonal changes due to PMS.

So women, it’s important to get Serotonin levels in check before hormonal changes occur.  Naturally, we will increase our Serotonin by consuming high glycemic carbohydrates, but the effects of that are only temporary before we crash and need even more carbohydrates to satisfy us.  This effect is due to the fact that Serotonin  is also responsible for sending messages to our brain that tells us when we feel full.

To prevent intense food cravings it’s imperative that we decrease the amount of refined carbohydrates we eat and opt for whole grain carbs that have more of a sustained release.  Increasing the amount of protien you eat as well as spreading out your meals into smaller portions more times a day will also give you a sustained release which will help keep Seretonin levels balanced.

If it’s not one thing it’s another.  Just one more reason to steer clear of eating lots of refined carbohydrates.  Removing them from your diet will help stabalize hormones, balance serotonin levels and keep food cravings at a minimum.

Here’s a link to the book A Maveric of Medicince Speaks to Women that can give you more details about the link between Insulin and Estrogen and food cravings.

I’m sure it’s easy to say “just follow this program” or “that program” and you will lose weight and be fit.  But, what most people suffer with is a lack of motivation.  Why is it that so many of us buy exercise equipment only for it to get dusty in the garage or buy treadmills that we use as clothes hangers.

I saw a report from a man who lost a lot of weight and was selling a book about changing your mind to think like a “fit” person versus a “fat” person.

This made a lot of sense to me. I grew up as a dancer and being active constantly.  I started going to the gym at 16yrs old and it’s always been a part of my life.  In fact, when I don’t work out I feel my day is incomplete.  It’s more about how I feel than how I look and when I have taken breaks from working out I feel lousy.

So, when I saw that in order for someone to follow a diet plan or workout plan you must change your mindset. This is so important for being able to stick with weight loss goals and most importantly to keep the right attitude for life in order to maintain good optimal health.

It’s easier to buy the newest gadget and the magic weight loss pill in hopes of quenching our thirst for a quick fix instead of being active everyday and eating healthy.

It really does take a mental change in attitude.  I realized that as I got older I switched to whole grain foods instead of white flour products and at first it was difficult.  But, you know what? over time I learned to enjoy them just as much and when I eat something like white bread I don’t see it as good anymore.  What I’m trying to say is, my attitude about sweets and white flour changed….it wasn’t instant but it happened.

Furthermore, the attitude I have now about health and fitness helps me maintain my weight without starving myself or getting sick off of crazy diet supplements.

I found an excellent resource for people who are struggling with their mindset toward fitness and dieting in general. It’s called Think Right .

They offer 100′s of  different programs for accelerated behavioral modification.  These are cd’s you buy and listen to daily.  They are designed in a way that will help reprogram your brain to have a new mindset and therefore, change your behavior.

So if you are struggling with losing weight and sticking with a fitness routine check out Think Right…..it might be the missing piece to the puzzle you are looking for.

News of another reality weight loss show has been released starring Harley Pasternak.

The idea behind the show is a competition (what’s new?) between people who need to lose weight and are willing to travel the world and adapt to a new lifestyle and diet.

It’s based on Pasternak’s book “The Wold Diet” which reports on the diets and lifestyles of the world’s healthiest countries.

First of all,  I’ve been a fan of the “Biggest Loser” and other reality shows such as “Amazing Race” for a long time, but it seems a little chaotic to combine the ideas behind these two shows into one.

It might sound like an interesting concept for producers, but what is the outcome?  “The Biggest Loser” is transformational and inspirational given that the lessons and techniques they learn to manage their weight are given with the idea of changing a lifestyle.

A show where you travel to a new country and adopt the diet of that country sounds a bit unrealistic. How do you maintain the weight loss long-term when you return to the U.S. ? Hmmm… Sounds like another fad diet and lots of publicity for Pasternak’s book if you ask me.