Being at your ideal weight has much greater benefits than just looking good. Keeping fit reduces your chances of having diabetes (1 out of 2 children born after 1980, and 1 out of 3 adults will suffer with type II diabetes in the U.S.), cardiovascular ailments, and other chronic diseases.

Say the word “diet” and women in particular will say, “Not again, I’ve tried everything. Just give me a pill.” I wish it were that simple. The key to losing weight is to make a lifestyle and attitude change about food, weight, and pleasure. Food is about fuel to give you energy, not to pacify your fears, sorrows, anger, and anxiety. Sure there are those times that your mood dictates nothing less than eating your favorite dessert. But that doesn’t mean to make it a habit.

One reason why people who are already overweight and continue to crave more junk food and larger quantities is because the body is desperately malnourished, desiring healthy foods to help it run properly, not junk food that depletes and disrupts the body.

Eating is also a time of bonding and enjoying social situations, but that doesn’t mean eating healthy foods can’t be pleasurable and satisfying. We all want quality aging and one of the main ways to accomplish this is to eat  healthy, organic, antibiotic-hormone free foods. You are what you eat.
Trash in = trash out over time.

Tips on How to Lose Weight and Stay fit:

• Eat a healthy diet - lean proteins (fish, turkey, chicken),
  vegetables (particularly dark leafy greens), small amounts of raw nuts/seeds (no peanuts or cashews), small amounts of gluten-free whole grains. Stay off alcohol, sugars, dairy products, hydrogenated fats, and refined carbohydrates.

• Even reduce or eliminate whole grains and beans/legumes until you achieve the weight you desire. If you do incorporate some grains stick with wild rice and quinoa and have them at breakfast and/or lunch.
  
• Finish your dinner by 6 p.m. and make sure there are no carbohydrates, just protein and vegetables.
• Cut down on portions - smaller meals and snacking in between will keep your metabolism running optimally.
  
• Eat a few slices of turkey later at night if you get a sugar/carbohydrate cravings.
• Eat grapefruit daily to help speed up metabolism.
  
• Do the candida program for 3 months as this is truly the key for those that can’t lose weight even if they are eating correctly and exercising. The Candida Cure book will walk you through the program.
  
• Exercise - cardiovascular exercise for 30 minutes four to five times a week.
  
• Get 6 to 8 hours of quality sleep.
• Make sure your thyroid levels are in normal range on your blood work. A sluggish thyroid is indicated by weight gain, trouble losing weight, fatigue, depression, outer third of eyebrows missing, constipation, hair loss, memory loss, low libido, and skin issues.
  
• Think of food as fuel not an emotional pacifier. Find other outlets to nurture yourself - journal, massage, scream in your pillow, exercise, weekly healing therapy of some sort, engage in your favorite hobby.
• Think of your eating program as reward and removing infection and inflammation from the body vs. deprivation.
• Keep a 80-20% eating plan once you are at your desired weight. 80% of your meals and snacks are to be healthy each week. 20% or once to twice a week is the margin to indulge in your “no-no” foods such as ice cream, alcohol, pizza, etc.