Supplemental Insanity

Weight Loss FACTOID – "The Scales you weigh yourself on can lie and deceive you. You can lose inches without losing any pounds. Many people, who exercise whether to stay fit or lose weight, don't realize this and can get easily discouraged. A pound of muscle is denser than a pound of fat taking up 22% less space. As you replace your fat with muscle – you lose inches! Since muscle weighs more than fat, you may still weigh the same, but you will definitely fit in your clothing a lot better!"

The world of supplements to help you lose weight is a literal minefield of overstated claims and notorious infomercials laden with computer generated overlays.

Those models depicted walking down a beach (blonde, tan, beautiful, and lean) as grossly overweight individuals before they tried the supplement and lost "40 pounds" is to me the biggest health scam to hit the American public, since the Cure ALL Tonic waters of the 1800's.

In short, a bogus marketing ploy that generates (steals) billions of dollars a year from honest people just looking for help. Unfortunately, like most people, I have also tried many of them.

Since the ingredients in them are mostly the same due to the FDA not taking enough responsibility in paring down what can be consumed, I am not going to go through them all. I will tell you that we have had many cases where folks we have been able to help had taken Hydroxycut, Stackers 1 and 2, and Xenadrine EFX without much success.

I have tried those and several others, but as I said the ingredients are mostly the same except for their "signature" ingredients such as Hydroxy-tea in the aforementioned Hydroxycut and Thermodyne

Complex in Xenadrine EFX. These are touted as proprietary fat burners and metabolism enhancers.

The primary ingredient responsible for the energy you get is caffeine. Yes – that's right plain old caffeine! The other hodge-podge of herbs and ingredients are supposedly combined for a "synergistic" fat burning process in your body.

So, tell me what's worth to you to get the little pep you need, that extra energy? A $40.00 bottle of pills or a 10-cent cup of coffee? Even the popular Green Tea that is now being used by all sorts of people is simply just caffeine.

The truth is when I first tried the supplements they contained ephedra and folks – it worked. I lost weight. I used the Stacker brand.

Again same basic ingredients and I lost about 3 pounds a week. Ephedra is a very strong stimulant and blood thinner.

Like the amphetamine weight loss supplements of the 1970's it speeds up your metabolism and eases hunger pangs. As ephedra became more popular there were increasing reports of strokes and heart failure incidents.

I never had a problem with it and I expect all the fuss about it is that some people (as usual) abused it and that is the main reason for all the controversy. In any case – it is out of the mix of ingredients in these supplements now.

With the main ingredient that was effective now absent, they are just not as effective. Save your money – opt for the Coffee!

Supplements that Do Work

Vitamins. You have had at your disposal all along some things that will 46

help to aid you weight loss. If you are not on supplemental vitamins you need to start now.

One of the positives to come out of the Atkins Diet study gives results for folks who took 1000+ daily doses of vitamin C as compared to those on his diet that did not take the vitamin C. Those who did lost significantly more weight. Upwards of 10 additional pounds!

Here is a rundown of the main vitamins and what a deficiency does to the body. Many actually contribute to obesity. This is a short list.

Vitamin A – found in fruits such as Apricots, vegetables like Broccoli, and almost ALL red vegetables and fruits. Highest concentrations can be found in Tomatoes and Sweet Potatoes.

Deficiency can lead to gum disease, gastro intestinal issues, and skin problems.

Vitamin B6 – found in leafy greens like lettuce (except iceberg), poultry, sweet potatoes, figs, and red meats.

Deficiency can lead to depression that can contribute to overeating and obesity, migraines, and negative effects of stress.

Vitamin B12 – found in red meat, poultry, seafood, and sea plants such as kelp and sea weed. Studies have indicated a common deficiency of this energy in overweight people.

Deficiency has been linked to mental illness and depression as well as Alzheimer's. Poor memory is also an indication of a deficiency in this important vitamin.

Vitamin C – one of the main antioxidants, this invaluable vitamin is found in Strawberries (has the highest concentration), most other fruits, and citrus. I recommend for you to use Vitamin C supplementation while

on the Weight Loss By The Numbers Plan. Remember, we are trying to reduce sugar for a while. Your immune system cannot function without it and it is integral in the nervous systems ability to communicate messages since you have to have it to build and repair connective tissues.

In other words, without sugar you couldn't even bat an eyelash! The Vitamin C will continue to provide the body with the necessary sugar it needs.

Deficiency – let's put it this way – heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and fatigue. Many different infections also occur, including herpes and yeast. An interesting correlation for vitamin C deficiency and obesity if that most men and women in this category fight yeast infections in one for or another.

Vitamin D – found in milk (fortified) sunlight, some shellfish, and supplements.

Deficiency – rickets, seasonal (winter) depression, skin and liver problems.

Vitamin E – Another main antioxidant, found in asparagus, nuts, cherries, and wheat.

Deficiency – Smokers and overweight people are almost always deficient in vitamin E. Asthma, cancer, heart disease, cataracts, muscle soreness, yeast infections (again). Stress appears to quickly deplete the body's vitamin E.

Now you know vitamins, especially vitamin C will accelerate your weight loss. I am going to recommend a good supplemental vitamin. This is a huge key to permanent weight loss and good health.

They don't have to cost a fortune. MegaWomens and MegaMens available at GNC stores and online are the best for effectiveness, dosage, and price.

Calcium – Most people already understand the role that calcium plays in strong bones and good overall health. You have to have it. Recent studies have also shown that calcium helps you to lose weight, particularly in the abdominal region.

I have to admit that I had already figured this out on my own when going through my personal trail and error with weight loss. Science is now backing it up. Adding calcium rich foods to your diet will help you stay healthy and lose the belly fat.

Here is the best part; almost all calcium rich foods are low in carbohydrates! This makes the dairy isle very attractive to those of us on the Weight Loss By The Numbers Plan.

I know what you are probably thinking. You have heard that sour cream, butter, cream cheese, and even milk are very fattening. While on the plan, you will further understand why eating these foods will help you lose weight.

You will also understand why including them in your diet versus high sugar producing food will make a faster difference in how you look and feel.