Resuscitate Your Resolve

What's your position on the low-carb diets like Atkins and the Zone?

If you look at the calorie levels of these diets they are anywhere between 900 and 1,500 calories per day. If you compare this to the average American's caloric intake, which is 2,095, it is little wonder that people end up losing weight. It is all about the calories. If people follow these diets as prescribed they will end up losing weight. Unfortunately the Atkin's diet is also very high in saturated fat, which raises LDL [bad] cholesterol. Any diet that restricts an entire food group is most likely a quick fix rather than a well-balanced, sustainable, healthy eating program.

Do any herbs or fat-burning pills/powders work? Ephedra, Pyruvate?

There is no quick fix to weight loss. Again, weight loss comes down to calories in versus calories out. Be wary of dietary supplements. These are not regulated or standardized by the FDA and therefore not rigorously tested for effectiveness and safety.

Are there benefits to drinking soy milk, and if so, what are they?

Soy products are an excellent replacement for other sources of protein in the diet. Usually protein comes from animal products like red meat, pork, chicken, and fish. Some of these foods are high in saturated fatty acids and dietary cholesterol, which raise the LDL cholesterol in the blood. Soy is a source of protein without the saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. Also, in large amounts soy can lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Are there any ³miracle² veggies and fruits that are loaded with nutrients we should be eating?

All fruits and vegetables are miracle foods. Recent re-search shows that women who eat more than three fruits and vegetables per day can reduce the risk of death regardless of many risk factors, including body weight. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, fiber, and water. Looking for fruits and vegetables with rich colors like orange, red, and deep green will give you a burst of all these nutrients.

Name some foods with ³hidden² calories or fats.

Many foods -- alcohol, fried snack goods, whole milk, nuts (although these can be very good for you as long as they fit within your calorie level), hard candy, some protein supplement bars, syrup flavorings and chocolate in coffee, and "fruit" smoothies, which often have two scoops of frozen yogurt in each item.

What should we know about trans-fat?

Trans-fats are dangerous because they are loaded with calories and bad for cholesterol values. They raise LDL [bad] cholesterol and lower HDL [good] cholesterol. It is best to avoid trans-fatty acids. However, because foods containing these fats are not labeled, it can be difficult. You can avoid trans-fatty acids by limiting intake of fried foods, stick margarine (opt for soft margarines), and snack foods. You can also look for foods that are labeled "trans-free."

Everyone recommends yogurt on diets --why?

Yogurt is good whether you are dieting or not. Yogurt provides a good source of calcium that's not readily available in foods, and it is an excellent source of protein.

What about alcohol? How many calories in a glass of wine? A beer? A cocktail?

Alcohol is a big source of calories. A 6-oz. glass of wine has approximately 120 calories. A 12-oz. bottled beer is 150 calories, but remember most bars serve 16-oz. pints, which can contain 200 calories or more. A cocktail -- normally 1 oz. of 80-proof alcohol and 4 oz. juice -- has approximately 120 calories, but may vary according to serving size and alcohol content. If you can't resist an alcoholic beverage but are trying to diet, try a light beer with less than 100 calories or a cocktail with diet soda.

Any good beverage options while trying to lose weight?

The best option is water. Other choices include any low- or no-calorie drinks such as Crystal Light, unsweetened ice tea, and diet soda. Beware that some of the "designer" waters have added calories that can sabotage your weight-loss efforts. Many people think that drinking juice is a great addition to a weight-loss diet. Unfortunately, juice is a very concentrated source of calories. If you are trying to lose weight, try to limit your intake to 4 oz. of juice daily, or, instead of drinking juice, try to eat the whole piece of fruit, which will provide more fiber. For more information contact Mikelle McCoin at mikellegood@hotmail.com.

ATTAINING YOUR LIFE GOALS

So you want to write a novel, start a business, change your life? Maybe you have a "to do" list that's three pages long, filled with goals, ambitions, ideas, intentions -- all good, of course, but you're having trouble achieving them. You need a little push, a dose of inspiration. You need a Life Coach. Part therapist, part career counselor, part cheerleader, yet none of the above, a coach can help you jump-start your ambition and set you on the road to self-actualization. A Life Coach holds his or her clients accountable for their goals and assists them in visualizing success and mapping out strategies to get there. They provide tools, support, and structure to help you accomplish more both personally and professionally. Like athletic coaches, they work to empower people, improve performance, break old patterns that don't work, and encourage steps toward reaching true potential.