Low Carb? Low Fat? ~Which is better?

In yet another weight loss study, researchers from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, found that a carb-restricted diet was superior to a fat-restricted diet in overall health and wellness.

In the study, researchers found that -while each diet produced similar results in overall weight-loss…the low carbohydrate diet had the added benefit of substantially reducing the participants blood pressure and overall blood serum levels!
Many of the low-carb diet participants even eliminated their need for blood pressure medications altogether!

In addition to improved health, lowered blood pressure and improved blood serum levels -the researchers found that even though the two groups lost the same relative amount of weight -the low-carb group actually gained muscle while they burned off their excess fat.

Which approach do you think is more efficient?

Contact me for a FREE, No Risk, No Obligation Assessment.

What do you have to lose?

To your Good Health!

Paul D'Arcy, NSCA, CPT and Poliquin certified BioSignature Practitioner

Paul D'Arcy, NSCA, CPT and Poliquin certified BioSignature Practitioner

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Gene Smart Diet


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Sleep: Too Much or Too Little -it’s Making you Fat!

Multiple studies emerging from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences indicate that disruption of natural sleep cycles in humans causes a significant gain in body fat and overall body mass.

Too much or Too little -might be making you fat!

Too much or Too little -might be making you fat!

The researchers were particularly interested in how unnatural light sources after sundown (computers, televisions, electric light bulbs, etc…), alter our natural circadian rhythms, disrupt our natural melatonin production and affect our sleep cycle.

We have long known that staying up late at night gives us more time and a greater urge to eat.  And that late-night snacking is usually something sweet, salty, crunchy, or creamy while we satisfy our ‘entitled self’ watching TV or working on the computer.

Sweet, salty, crunchy and creamy snacks eaten late at night are the perfect ‘caloric cocktail’ for excess fat!

Researchers were also fascinated to learn that longer than normal sleep cycles (9 hours or more) encouraged fat deposits too.  The reasons were very similar to the fat gained with shortened sleep cycles (7 hours or less).  It seems that any disruption in the natural sleep cycle will alter our natural hormonal profile. This hormonal alteration will encourage overeating  and cravings for the same sweet, salty, crunchy and creamy foods that encourage excess fat storage.

Bottom line?

Do your best to follow your body’s natural, circadian rhythms.

Most professional drivers take to the road while the rest of us are sleeping. It’s safer, much more productive and drivers are able to get more miles with less distraction and danger.

However, we have to understand that night driving is working against us and against our health. So when you’re not in the job -or even if you are -try to follow these simple rules for better sleep and better health.

  • Get your rest when the sun goes down. Phase your activities into ’sleep mode’ as darkness approaches. Use the seasons as your guide.
  • Keep household lighting to a minimum after sunset. Only use what’s necessary. Tone down your wattage to the least possible variable. It will help save money, help you prepare for sleep and even help you get to bed a little earlier too.
  • Avoid internet usage after dark (tough, I know). Stay away from unnecessary, artificial light sources as much as possible.
  • Go to bed earlier! This is the biggie! No need staying up late watching TV or fiddling away on the internet.
  • Keep your sleep space dark. There should be no light & no noise in your sleep space. With practice, you will wake on you own -exactly when you want to and never need an alarm clock again.

Get some rest! ~ And get your Health together!

To your Good Health!

Paul D'Arcy, NSCA, CPT and Poliquin certified BioSignature Practitioner

Paul D'Arcy, NSCA, CPT and Poliquin certified BioSignature Practitioner

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Controlling Type 2 Diabetes with Better Food Choices

According to recent data from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), one in five people suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, a serious and potentially deadly disease.   Type 2 Diabetes can lead to other health complications such as Sleep Apnea -a real concern for professional drivers. The good news however, is that both Type 2 Diabetes and Sleep Apnea are preventable and reversible with the proper diet and lifestyle modifications, so let’s try to understand the root cause of these ailments and how we can correct these conditions.

The identifying factor of Type 2 Diabetes is insulin resistance.  Insulin is the hormone released to handle energy circulating in the bloodstream. When we eat a meal, the food we eat is digested and converted to an energy source that our cells can handle.   This energy source is called glucose.  When glucose enters the bloodstream, insulin is released to assist the cells in glucose uptake. The more glucose we have circulating in our blood, the more insulin that is released to distribute the glucose to our cells.

When large doses of insulin enter the bloodstream on a daily basis, our cells will eventually become less and less sensitive to the hormone.  This desensitizing leads to a surplus of circulating glucose each time we eat.   And, since our cells are no longer responding to insulin properly, the excess glucose is not going to the cells but is being quickly stored as body fat instead.   To compound this problem, any extra body fat we accumulate will contribute to an even greater resistance to insulin, and so the cycle will continue and the condition will continue to worsen.

Chubby Waist
Fighting a Losing Battle?

People with Type 2 Diabetes often complain of hunger and rightly so.   Insulin resistance interferes with normal hunger signaling between the brain and the digestive system.   Most of us believe we get hungry because our stomach is empty, but that’s just not true.   Hunger is not a function of an empty stomach. Hunger is first a chemical response triggered by a lack of glucose in our cells and a lack of vital nutrients circulating through our bloodstream.

When our cells are starved for energy and there is a lack of vital nutrients in the bloodstream, a gland in the brain called the hypothalamus sends a signal to the gastrointestinal system to prepare for food.  This is what causes our stomach to ‘growl’ or ‘rumble.’  Digestive juices are being released as our digestive system prepares to accept food for the purpose of converting it to glucose.  Our stomach will begin to feel uncomfortable and we will begin thinking of food as the hunger signal is triggered within us.

Choosing our foods carefully when we feel hungry can greatly improve our insulin response.  The proper food choices will provide our cells with the energy and nutrition necessary for a healthful life.  Choosing the proper foods will help us manage our circulating glucose levels while preventing and even reversing the weight gain we typically experience with Type 2 Diabetes.

Since glucose is responsible for our insulin response at meal time, we would like to avoid foods that release large doses of insulin.  We should begin choosing foods that digest slowly, convert to glucose less readily and therefore cause less insulin to be released.  The following foods will help us manage our insulin while fortifying our bodies with the essential nutrients we need.   Think of this as an outline for your next trip to the grocery store and use these guidelines to help create your next shopping list.

Look for lean red meats like beef and any wild game. Lean pork is okay too.  You can enjoy any cut of lean meat which contains less than 10 grams of fat per serving.

Enjoy chicken, turkey breast or any other kind of fowl.   Be sure to eat a balance of white meats (breast) and dark meats (leg, thigh and wing) when eating fowl.

Explore all kinds of fish; fresh is best, but all all types of fish and all crustaceans (like shrimp, crab and lobster) are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats.

Fresh meats, poultry and seafood are important staples of a healthy diet.  The protein helps us build and maintain our muscle and the healthy fats they contain help us rebuild our cells, improve our insulin sensitivity and fortify our immune system.  The proteins and healthy Omega-3 fats contained in lean cuts of meat digest slowly, satisfy our hunger much better and prevent us from overeating as well.

Don’t skimp on fresh fruits.  Fruits are important!   Choose fruits that are in season where you live and indulge in a wide variety of fresh fruits, berries and melons when you can. The antioxidants, fiber and water these delicacies provide are crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

Experiment with a wide variety of fresh vegetables in your diet.  Vegetables may be even more important than fruits.  Vegetables contain the B family of vitamins that are necessary for a healthy liver and healthy brain function.

For a special treat, gently steam your vegetables and enjoy them with a spritz your own homemade dressing.   Simply combine equal parts of olive oil and white vinegar together in a spray bottle.   Use this simple, tasty and tangy dressing to top your meats and vegetables for a delicious and healthy alternative to sugary, store-bought dressings.

Use healthy oils in your daily diet.  Oils such as fish oil, flax oil, coconut oil, olive oil and canola oil are all very healthy, good for your heart, will improve your insulin resistance and will improve your cholesterol levels too.  Virgin coconut oil is fantastic for cooking; it has a high flash point (which means it will not burn readily) and adds a light, healthful flavor to meats, poultry, fish and grilled vegetables.

Season your foods with a wide variety of fresh herbs like anise, basil, bay leaf, caraway, chervil, chive, dill weed, fennel seed, fenugreek, marjoram, mustard, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, savory, spearmint, tarragon and thyme. These herbs are healthful, tasty and calorie free additions to your diet.

Spice up your menu with a wide variety of fresh spices like black pepper, cardamom, cayenne,  chili powder, cinnamon, clove, corianders, cumin, curry powder, ginger, mace, nutmeg, paprika, red pepper, saffron and turmeric.   There are so many spices to choose from and the variety that spices can provide will help keep your diet exciting and your hunger satisfied.

If your doctor or health professional allows salt in your diet, choose all natural sea salt instead of ‘table salt.’  All natural sea salt contains many of the natural minerals that your body needs.   Typical table salt contains sodium and is mostly chemical in nature. Table salt raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart attack or stroke so avoid it when you can.   All natural sea salt is a much better alternative to table salt.

Limit your condiments to fresh salsa, horse radish, prepared mustard, Tabasco and vinegar and use them in moderation.   Avoid things like barbeque sauce, catsup and store-bought dressings, sauces and marinades.   They contain far too much sugar, salt and sodium –all of which will sabotage your healthful diet.

Choose from these abundant whole foods as you prepare your daily meals and you will find that you feel more satisfied, less hungry and more energetic.

In our next installment, we will offer meal planning suggestions using these foods in new and exciting ways.

To your good health!

Paul D'Arcy, NCSA, CPT, Poliquin certified BioSignature Practitioner

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Carbohydrates and your Fat Body

“Athletes who want to decrease body fat and improve body composition should pay particular attention to dietary carbohydrate intake.”

Fit and Healthy -Just like an Olympic Athlete

Fit and Healthy -Just like an Olympic Athlete

This is the advice of Dr. Jeff Volek, Dr. Erin E. Quann and Dr. Cassandra Forsythe -all registered dietitians from the University of Connecticut as published in the February 2010 issue of the Strength and Conditioning Journal (Vol 32; No 1).

In their comprehensive study, the researchers were searching for a dietary strategy that allowed athletes to improve their body composition -defined as a greater muscle tissue to body fat ratio -while improving their physical strength and mental performance.

The researchers discovered that the old axiom “A calorie is a calorie” was wildly false. That in fact, the sources of dietary calories had significant impact on both body composition and physical performance -even while maintaining the same caloric intake.

The researchers concluded that “…diets lower in carbohydrate were associated with greater fat loss and diets higher in protein resulted in better preservation of lean body mass (muscle tissue) during weight loss. Furthermore, these effects were independent of energy intake (calories eaten) and participation in exercise (caloric expenditure).”

So what constitutes a “low carbohydrate diet?”

Well, generally speaking consuming only lean meats, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables is close enough.

By eliminating dairy, grains, legumes (beans, peas, peanuts) and anything made with flour -you will have essentially established a very healthy, low carbohydrate diet. There is really not much need to track specifics. The ‘hunter-gatherer’ approach is one of the very best strategies towards a healthy body composition and improved physical performance.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

All the Carbs your Body Needs

For many folks…this seems extreme. But really, once you adapt to this strategy you will find that you have more energy, you sleep better and your clothes will begin to fit better too…

Just take a look at some of our satisfied customer’s testimonials here:

All of these folks have benefited from this exact same dietary strategy. We service professional drivers, powerlifters, bodybuilders, housekeepers, homemakers, construction workers, cab drivers and anyone else who desires better health, improved body composition, a slimmer waistline and improved self-esteem.

Just give us the opportunity to improve your health.

Your Healthy Hoss Weight Loss Assessment is easy to complete and requires No Commitment.

Give us the opportunity to improve your health, wellness and lifestyle.

I look forward to speaking with you soon!

To Your Good Health!

Oh, take the Healthy Hoss Weight Loss Assessment Survey Here!

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Got Fiber?

I  saw a quote the other day that really got my attention:

“When fiber is ingested, it is fermented in the gut and converted into short-chain fatty acids, which can be burned for fuel. The burning of fatty acids from fiber sends a signal to your fat cells telling them to release fat, which your body uses for fuel. The fiber in food also creates a sensation of feeling full, so you feel more satisfied after eating it.”

-Dr. Scott Connelly, BodyRX

I have to give credit to Shelby Starnes for posting this quote from Dr. Connelly in his log over at the EliteFTS site.

Shelby specializes in bodybuilding prep and he is an expert at getting those athletes seriously ‘shredded’ for their bodybuilding shows.

The statement fascinated me because I was really unaware of this neat little fact.

I knew that adequate fiber intake was critical for:

  • cholesterol control
  • insulin sensitivity
  • proper digestive health
  • balanced blood ph
  • balanced body chemistry
  • and maintaining steady elevated energy levels.

But I was unaware of the fact that adequate fiber intake actually created a better “fat burning environment” through simple chemistry.

How cool is that?!?!

So how much fiber should you be getting anyway?

Well from the studies I’ve seen, the national average is WAY below adequate –so you can probably bet you need moreWAY more!

In order to get the best of what fiber has to offer, adults should get a minimum of 30 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber daily –shoot for more to receive more benefits!

Where do you get that kind of fiber?

Fresh fruits and vegetables, that’s where!

Most berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries etc…) have around 4 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

Apples, pears and even banana’s have the same at about 4 grams per serving (med sized fruit)

Smaller fruits like peaches and plums have less at 2 grams per serving –but those are a delicious 2 grams –let me tell you!!

Fresh vegetables are an even better source of fiber!

Broccoli and spinach really rock the fiber at 4 grams per half-cup!

Oddly, when these veggies are gently steamed –even MORE fiber becomes available and the count shoots to 7 grams per half-cup!!

(I am such a fiber nerd)

But let’s not stop there!

Carrots, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and eggplant are all respectable fiber sources yielding 2.5 – 5 grams per simple serving.

In fact, ALL fresh, leafy, crunchy, colorful vegetables yield impressive fiber content –and the fiber is a wonderful blend of soluble and insoluble –just what we need to be healthy…..

….. and as we now know –BURN FAT!!

So there you go…. –some interesting information and a new goal = Increase your daily fiber intake.

At an average of 4 grams per serving….there’s really no reason why you can’t get 30 – 40 grams of fiber in daily.  4 grams x 8-10 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables = 30-40 grams, right?

You can do that, can’t you?

Try it –then let me know.

Try your best to get 8-10 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day and let me know how you look and feel.

Send me an email @ paul@healthyhoss.com and share your success.

I just love your success stories!

To your good health!

~Paul

Paul D’Arcy
(517) 673-5286
www.SportFitNow.com
www.HealthyHoss.com

“Committed to your Success!”

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Lost 2.4 Pounds this week!

“I feel good. Back to following the Hoss plan. I weighed 236.6 which is down 2.4 pounds from the previous week. So I have lost what I gained on vacation -and then some.

How many times have you taken a much deserved break – just went out, relaxed and enjoyed yourself on vacation -only to find you GAINED WEIGHT while you were gone ?

Darn it all!

Well, after going on a much deserved vacation, this Healthy-Hoss participant did just that.

Coming home and jumping on the scale he wasn’t all that surprised to see that he had gained a pound and a half.

He knew he was straying from the Healthy-Hoss plan, but so what?

He was on VACATION!

Well, after only one week back on the plan, he lost that pound and a half of ugly, disease causing bodyfat -PLUS another pound -just for good measure!

How would you like to do that?

How would you like to know that your diet  and exercise plan could get you back on track -losing weight and feeling great -in only One Week?

The Healthy-Hoss Weight Loss and Exercise Plan can do just that.

Sign up for updates and advanced notification for the Healthy-Hoss Weight Loss Plan in the upper right hand panel of this page.

Let us help you take control of your health and your life again.

To your good health!

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8 Pounds and 5 Inches

One of my clients just lost 8 pounds of fat and 5 inches off her waistline!

Well, it didn’t “just happen”

She’s been working on it for a while now….

How long has she been working on it?

How long do you think it should take?

How long should you have to work to lose 8 pounds of fat and 5 inches off your waistline?

8 pounds of fat contains 28,000 calories….whoa!   ~ 28,000!

“How long does it take to burn 28,000 calories anyway? Yeesh! She must have been a marathon runner!”

Nope…

She works in an office environment…she’s a busy lady, no doubt. But I know for a fact that she’s no marathon runner….not even close!

So what did she do to burn off 28,000 calories of fat from her body and drop 5 pant sizes?

Not much really….

She tried to keep up with her grandchildren.

She worked very hard at her job.

She tried to walk and take the stairs as much as possible and just generally move her body as much as she could –whenever she could.

But she didn’t do anything all that strenuous or extreme.

She did greatly improve her nutrition…..she did do that.

But she didn’t starve herself –no way. Not with me she didn’t.

I don’t advocate “hungry” –we don’t do “hungry” –no need for it.

She ate all the lean meat, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables she cared to eat.

She drank at least 8-10 eight ounce glasses of fresh, clean water every day.

She made a point to eat full, protein-based breakfast every day…(no excuses!)

And she stopped eating at least three hours before bed (this was the hard part –but she worked at it and she was successful)

That’s all she did to burn 28,000 calories of fat (8lbs) and drop 5 pant sizes…..

And she did all that in just one month….One Month!

Does losing 8 pounds of fat and dropping 5 pant sizes  in one month sound like slow progress to you?

Not to me it doesn’t!

That’s the kind of progress I like to see!

A person could safely and effectively lose 96 pounds of fat in one year with that kind of slow and steady progress….that’s good stuff!

So….how long does it take to lose the fat you want to lose?

Not as long as you think.

It may seem like it’s taking  f o r e v e r  while it’s happening….but keep working ….it’s happening!

Won’t it feel great to reach your goal?

It does!

And you will!…..keep working

It’s happening!

For help reaching your health and fitness goals, sign up over on the right hand side of the page! >>>>>

Be one of the first to receive a copy of the Healthy-Hoss Weight Loss Manual for Professional Drivers!

To your good health,

~Paul

Paul D’Arcy
(517) 673-5286
www.SportFitNow.com
www.HealthyHoss.com

“Committed to your Success!”

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Stressed? Weight Loss Stalled Out? -Let’s Shift Gears!

Have your weight loss or fitness goals stalled-out and reached a plateau?

Are you feeling stressed lately or unusually overwhelmed?

Having headaches, backaches, stomach aches or difficulty being ‘regular’ and going to the bathroom?

Maybe you just have some weird aches and pains…

“no big deal,” you think.

Perhaps it’s not a ‘big deal’ –but then again….what if it is?  What if it becomes a ‘Big Deal’?

Let’s shift gears, make some changes, try something new and get things moving again.

Not sure what to try?

Try this….

For one week, beginning THIS SUNDAY….

Eat only raw foods!

Okay, not raw meat  –you should still cook your eggs, meat, poultry and seafood….

But I want you to focus on eating more raw fruits and vegetables –and much, much more of them too!

Go raid the produce section of the local grocer, fruit-stand or produce market and stock up the fridge and/or cooler in your rig with all the fresh fruits and vegetables you can carry!

Then, beginning this Sunday….strip down your routine and eat as much and as many raw fruits and vegetables as your appetite will allow.

No Limits!

No sauces, dips or spreads allowed however.

To really make this effective….

Make sure you drink a gallon of fresh, clean water a day too.

Water is a great detoxifier and stress reliever

Have your fill of lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables –but no truck-stop food or eating out**!

**Did you know?

In a recent study by the University of Memphis, researchers found that people who eat out an average of three times a week or more are twice as likely to be obese, develop diabetes, have high blood pressure and are at a greatly increased risk for both heart attack and stroke.

Restaurant diners consume 300+ more calories per day on average –than people who dine out less frequently.

So eat smart!

Eat healthy!

Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables!

The added vitamins, minerals, fiber and stress-fighting antioxidants all those delicious, raw, fresh fruits and vegetables provide, will make you feel better and better as the week progresses. I promise.

Heck, I guarantee it!

If after one week of increasing your fresh, raw fruit and vegetable intake –you do not feel noticeably better, healthier more relieved, stress-free and more ‘regular’ …..

I will refund 150% of your former misery.

That’s 50% more misery for your troubles!

You just can’t beat that offer!!


Okay, the last part was a joke…

But seriously….the stress and fatigue your lifestyles produces….just compounds over time to attack your immune system.

Handling your rig through downtown traffic or driving lane to lane out on the big-road is stressful business and the four-wheelers aren’t cutting you any slack.

You have a stressful job.

The very best way to fight this stress and relieve this fatigue is with improved sleep (another article altogether) and increased antioxidant intake. The best place to get these essential antioxidants is from delicious, raw, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Do yourself a favor and make a change!

Help your body feel better and perform better.  Renew your immune system and renew your health!

How can we help?

Leave us a comment or forward this to a friend.

Remember, we’re in this together and we’re here to serve you.

To your good health!

~The Healthy Hoss crew

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Don’t Diet

Overweight?

Gettin’ a little pudgey – a little soft around the middle?

Pants don’t fit ….shirts gettin snug …belt needin’ another notch?

Well we hear ya…but listen-up

Don’t Diet!

Sure you might eat too much…..too much of the wrong things!

So now that you went and got fat….now what -you’re gonna eat less?

Are you sure?

Are you even satisfied after a meal now? How are you going to be satisfied after eating LESS?

Maybe you don’t need to eat less……maybe you need to eat MORE -more good food, that is. Maybe you need to eat better food than you’re eating now!

Maybe THAT would satisfy your hunger!

We don’t think you eat too much because you WANT to get fat….not at all.

We KNOW you’re hungry -you HAVE to be hungry –otherwise why would you eat so damn much?

All you know is that you’re hungry -or you ‘think’ you’re hungry.

Your body is hungry for something -you just don’t know what that ’something’ is!

What if it’s more protein? What if you need some vitamins or some minerals –do you know where to get ‘em?

Well, we got news…..You ain’t gettin’ healthy from that box -or that wrapper -or that carton or that foil.

Good food doesn’t come in a package, friend

If you were eating good, healthy food you wouldn’t need to eat anything extra and you wouldn’t always feel hungry, antsy, cranky or deprived either.

“SO WHAT DO I DO?”

Eat more lean red meat, more turkey breast, chicken breast and any kind of seafood. Have more fresh veggies, more fruit and limit yourself to just a few nuts and seeds.

Stay away from dairy and grains -no cheese, milk, yogurt, breads or cereals for you, pal.

You don’t need ‘em and they ain’t doin’ you a bit of good -are they pudgey-pants?

Eat some good food and only good food and wave good-bye to those nasty aches and pains -and those hungry feelings too.

Soon enough you’ll be hikin’ up your britches and lookin like a million bucks again
-a brand new you!

So stick around -we’ve got more to share.

Let us know if you have any questions.
Remember what I said…

-We’re here to help!

Be safe

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-18 lbs in 30 days
Click = Awesome!


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