Blood Type Diet

This one's for you Terry K. xoxo


My good friend and life long body builder has been following this diet for years now, I remember when he first started it, seemed like a fad at the time, and I am a born skeptic..who also is learning to research things and keep an open mind at the same time.


I am going to do a trial test of this diet, which actually doesn't interfere with my fat loss plan at all as it so happens, coincidence? Maybe, but I don't believe in coincidences, we will see!


I am going to post the list of foods I should eat and those I should avoid based on my blood type, which is Type A. This info was copied from Dr.Lam's website - http://www.drlam.com/blood_type_diet/blood_a_chart.asp.

Have any of you tried this diet? Do you think it's a valid plan to follow? Anyone had good results? Bad ones? Share your experience with me!

Characteristics of Type A - Best on Vegetarian Diet
	Comments	Most Beneficial	Food allowed	Food not allowed
Meats and Poultry	Type As should eliminate all meats from their diet.		Chicken, Cornish hens, Turkey	Beef, Pork, Lamb, Veal, Venison, Duck, Goose
Seafood		Carp, Cod, Grouper, Mackerel, Monkfish, Pickerel, Red snapper, Rainbow trout, Salmon, Sardine, Sea trout, Silver perch, Snail, Whitefish, Yellow Perch	All kinds except those listed not allowed	Anchovy, Barracuda, Beluga, Bluefish, Bluegill bass, Catfish, Caviar, Clam, Conch, Crab, Crayfish, Eel, Flounder, Frog, Gray sole, Haddock, Hake, Halibut, Herring, Lobster, Lox, Mussels, Octopus, Oysters, Scallop, Shad, Shrimp, Sold, Squid, Striped bass, Tilefish, Turtle
Dairy	Most dairy products are not digestible for Type As		Yogurt, Mozzarella, Feta, Goat cheese, Goat milk, Kefir, Ricotta, String cheese	All other cheeses and milk
Fats		Flaxseed oil, Olive oil	Canola Oil, Cod liver oil	Oil of corn, cottonseed, peanut, safflower and sesame
Nuts		Peanuts, Pumpkin Seeds	All kinds except those listed not allowed	Brazil nuts, cashews, Pistachios
Beans	These beans can cause a decrease in insulin production for Type As.			Beans - copper, garbanzo, kidney, lima, navy, red, tamarind
	Type As thrive on the vegetable proteins found in beans and legumes	Beans (Aduke, Azuki, Black, Green, Pinto, Red soy), Lentils and Black-eyed peas	All kinds except those listed not allowed
Grains	Type As generally do well on cereals and grains. Select the more concentrated whole grains instead of instant and processed cereals.	Amaranth, Buckwheat		Cream of wheat, Familia, Farina, Granola, Grape nuts, Wheat germ, Seven grain, Shredded wheat, Wheat bran, Durum wheat
Bread & Noodles	Type As have a wonderful selection and choices in grains and pastas	Bread (Essene, Ezekiel, Soya flour, Sprouted wheat), Rice cakes, Flour (Oat, Rice, Rye), Soba Noodles, Pasta (Artichoke)	All kinds except those listed not allowed	English muffins, Bread (High-protein whole wheat, Multi-grain), Matzos, pumpernickel, Wheat bran muffins, Flour (white, whole wheat), Pasta (Semolina, spinach)
Vegetables	Type As are very sensitive to these vegetables. They have a strong deleterious effect on the Type A digestive tract.			Peppers, olives, Potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Yams, All kinds of cabbage, Tomatoes, Lima beans, Eggplant, Mushroom
	These vegetables enhance the immune system of Type As	Garlic, Onions, Broccoli, carrots, collard greens, kale, pumpkin, spinach
	Vegetables are vital to the Type A diet, providing minerals, enzymes and Antioxidants. Eat vegetables in as natural a state as possible (raw or steamed) to preserve their full benefits	Artichoke, Chicory, Greens (Dandelion, Swiss Chard), Horseradish, Leek, Romaine, Okra, Parsley, Alfalfa Sprouts, Tempeh, Tofu, Turnip	All kinds except those listed not allowed
Fruits	Most fruits are allowed for Type As, although try to emphasize more alkaline fruits can help to balance the grains that are acid forming in Type As muscle tissues	Berries (blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries), plums, Prunes, Figs	All kinds except those listed not allowed
	High mold counts of these fruits make it hard for Type As to digest			Melons, cantaloupe, honeydew
	Type As don't do well on these fruits			Mangoes, papaya, Bananas, Coconuts
	These fruits are stomach irritant for Type As, and they also interfere with the absorption of minerals.			Orange, Rhubarb, Tangerines
	The digestive enzyme in this fruit is an excellent digestive aid for Type As	Pineapples, Cherries, Apricots
	These fruits exhibit alkaline tendencies after digestion which has a positive effects on the Type A stomach	Grapefruit, Lemon
Spices	The right combination of spices can be powerful immune-system boosters for Type As	Tamari, miso, soysauce, garlic, ginger
	Good source of iron, a mineral that is lacking in the Type A Diet	Blackstrap molasses
	Avoid these because the acids tend to cause stomach lining irritation			Vinegar, Pepper (black, cayenne, white), Capers, Plain Gelatin, Wintergreen
Condiments	These products should be avoided because Type As have low levels of stomach acid			Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Pickles, Relish, Worcestershire sauce
Beverages	These beverages help to improve the immune systems for Type As	Hawthorn, Aloe, Alfalfa, Burdock, Echinacea, Green tea, Red wine (1 glass / day)
	These beverages help Type As to increase their stomach-acid secretions	Ginger, Slippery elm, Coffee (1 cup / day)
	These don't suit the digestive system of Type As, nor do they support the immune system			Beer, Distilled liquor, Seltzer water, Soda, Black Tea

So, I have highlighted many of the foods I typically eat, some of which I don't eat on the fat burning plan, but none the less favourites. As you can see a lot are on the "food allowed" or "most beneficial" lists, but also have some that are on the "food not allowed" list. 
I will try to eliminate two items a week off my "food not allowed" list and see how well I do..if I notice any effects, etc.


Week 1: Will be black tea, alcohol(because of BP and fat loss plan), and potatoes. My fat loss plan has already eliminated banana, mango, coconut, mayo from my "foods not allowed" list, so that helps.


Keep checking on my weekly updates.
Black Tea, can't believe I am giving up my black tea...I have drank this everyday, sometimes several cups for 22 yrs..oh my! 

Alcohol and Blood Pressure...

Seeing as I was suppose to cut out alcohol LAST week in an attempt to cut some fat...I guess this week's revelation isn't such a bad thing....drinking seems to be dropping my BP to intolerable levels..I am still on a very low dosage of meds for HIGH blood pressure, due to a freak spike in BP in early Jan, although the Dr. has no idea what caused/causing it or has no intention of trying to figure it out, he would rather just keep me on the meds forever. I have convinced him to lower my dose, and am currently at the lowest dose possible. I am aware that alcohol can sometimes increase the affects of BP meds, and I suspect this is what is happening here. I hate being on medication, I don't believe in it, in fact most cases for which Dr.'s put ppl on meds I strongly believe can be solved thru diet and exercise. For now...I will eliminate alcohol from my diet completely and hoping get the BP under control and have the added side effect of keeping my diet clean.
Wish me Luck! :D

CELLULITE!!!!!!!!! ..on my arms.......GROSS!

I have always been proud of my arms, they were always the first thing to get lean, the first to show muscle definition and always pretty strong....and since being so close to my goal I thought they were looking pretty damn good these days.....I even went out and purchased 7 halter/tank tops for the summer...it was a mini treat for doing as well as I did over the spring.....THEN...........

Whilst doing my arm workout yesterday I watched my form in the mirror and to my surprise there it was CELLULITE!...on the back of my arms........GROSS! I had no idea it was there, I guess I don't spend enough time posing and flexing in the mirror.........I mean I have ALWAYS had cellulite on my upper back thigh and buttocks, even when fit and lean, it was the last place to hang on, but it was minimal, this triceps area, isn't even minimal...it's horrible....I was HORRIFIED.......however it makes me even more determined to stick to my diet........Hopefully it works this time......finger, toes and cellulite crossed!

Later!

Tara

First week of the new meal plan

It's Day 5 and well, I can't say it was a complete fail, but it wasn't a success either......with three free meals this week thru work, I can tell you they weren't the chicken breast, green veggies and protein powder allowed on my plan, I also had one can of pop and yes ALCOHOL......dummy....no wonder I am stuck at 25% BF!!!
I am beginning to feel defeated.......thought I was stronger than this.......I also missed two workouts this week due to kids doctor appts and work.......NEXT week will be better! I am WILLING it to be so!

New Meal Plan...

So here is the meal plan I am trying for the next 4-8 weeks, depending on results....toughest thing..NO ALCOHOL! Keep in mind I live in a house that brews it's own beer and wine....

Day 1/2/3


1. oatmeal, egg whites and flax seed
2. chicken breast, green veggies, almonds
3. whey protein, flax seed, green veggies
4. chicken breast, green veggies, almonds
5. chicken breast, green veggies, almonds
6. oatmeal, whey protein powder, flax seed


Day 4


1. oatmeal, egg whites, olive oil
2. oatmeal, whey protein powder, flax seed
3. chicken breast, green veggies, almonds
4. oatmeal, whey protein powder, flax seed
5. chicken breast, green veggies, almonds
6. oatmeal, whey protein powder, flax seed


Day 5


start day one all over again.

It's Monday and I am starting all over again...yes again..

So here it goes, yet another day 1....
With the last 4-6 weeks with no change, I am determined to change it up to see what works for me....needless to say..this past weekend was probably a good indicator that it was time to get serious again, with back to back hubby's bday and a bachlorette party....I will admit I had too much yummy food and too many coolers...so here we go again. 

I am still wanting to reduce my BF% by 7%...doesn't sound like much,  but it so is..and it's going to be damn hard, especially with summer here...with BBQ's, beer, and going away parties to come...how will I ever make it through?


I do wish I had someone else to do this with, someone else to be accountable to other than myself, someone to compete against, but I cannot for the life of me convince anyone else to get on board...why is that? HAHA


One thing I can look forward to is my first personal training course starting this weekend, the first of 3 master trainer courses I plan to take, at the end of my fitness/nutrition training journey I am required to have someone to use as a guinea pig, so maybe, just maybe this might give me the competitiveness I am searching for?


Logging off for now...hope everyone had a wonderful father's day weekend!

Live clean!

Happy Father's Day!

#1

Happy Father's Day to an amazing husband and devoted Dad....you are the best and we are ALL grateful you are apart of our lives....we love you xox

5 Perfect Protein-Packed Gym Snacks- Excerpt from Men's Health Magazine

The muscle-building ideal is 20 grams of protein, half before and half after your workout. Bring these convenient snacks to the gym to fuel growth.



1) Chicken or Tuna (3oz)
14-22 grams protein
66-100 calories

Wrap one of these standbys in a piece of bread. Four slices of chicken or turkey provide 14 grams of protein, while half a can of tuna has nearly 22 grams.

2) Eggs (3)
19 grams protein
232 calories

They're still incredible after all these years. Hard-boiled eggs are most convenient, but it's also easy to scramble a few in the a.m. and scoop them into a microwavable container. Don't sweat the fat: It's healthy and filling.
3) Chocolate Milk (2%) 16 oz.
About 17 grams protein
333 calories

Refresh and rebuild at the same time. A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition shows that chocolate milk may be the ideal post workout beverage for building muscle.

4) Whey Powder (30g)
24 grams protein
110 calories

This milk-derived product continues to rule the gym. Mix it with milk instead of water if you want a bit more protein. Try Nitrean; it has whey isolate for quick absorption, and casein, which is digested slowly.

5) Greek Yogurt (5.3 oz Container)

15 grams protein
80 calories

Greek-style yogurt is a lifter's dream: It's easy to carry and packed with protein. Skip yogurts with fruit and sugar; to add flavour, drop in a few berries or nuts.

Fibre - The facts - Excerpt from Men's Health Magazine

All Fiber is Created Equal

FALSE: There are two basic types of fiber, with different functions. Insoluble fiber is found in wheat bran, nuts, and many vegetables. Its structure is thick and rough, and it won't dissolve in water, so it zips through your digestive tract and increases stool bulk. Soluble fiber is found in oats, beans, barley, and some fruits. It 

dissolves in water- to form a gel-like material in your digestive tract. This allows it to slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream. What's more, soluble fiber, when eaten regularly, has been shown to slightly lower LDL cholesterol levels

Article on Calories(excerpt from Men's health)...The Truth About Calories

You can't go anywhere without being confronted by calories. Restaurants now print calorie counts on menus. You go to the supermarket and there they are, stamped on every box and bottle. You hop on the treadmill and watch your "calories burned" click upward.

But just what are calories? The more calories we take in, the more flab we add—and if we cut back on them, then flab starts to recede too, right? After all, at face value, calories seem to be the factor by which all foods should be judged. But if that were true, 500 calories of parsnips would equal 500 calories of Double Stuf Oreos.

Not quite. There's nothing simple about calories. Learn the distinctions and lose the lard.

Myth #1: Calories Fuel Our Bodies

Actually, they don't

A calorie is simply a unit of measurement for heat; in the early 19th century, it was used to explain the theory of heat conservation and steam engines. The term entered the food world around 1890, when the USDA appropriated it for a report onnutrition. Specifically, a calorie was defined as the unit of heat required to raise 1 gram of water 1 degree Celsius.

To apply this concept to foods like sandwiches, scientists used to set food on fire (really!) and then gauge how well the flaming sample warmed a water bath. The warmer the water, the more calories the food contained. (Today, a food's calorie count is estimated from its carbohydrate, protein, and fat content.) In the calorie's leap to nutrition, its definition evolved. The calorie we now see cited on nutrition labels is the amount of heat required to raise 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius.

Here's the problem: Your body isn't a steam engine. Instead of heat, it runs on chemical energy, fueled by the oxidation of carbohydrates, fat, and protein that occurs in your cells' mitochondria. "You could say mitochondria are like small power plants," says Maciej Buchowski, Ph.D., a research professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University medical center. "Instead of one central plant, you have several billion, so it's more efficient."

Your move:

Track carbohydrates, fats, and protein—not just calories—when you're evaluating foods.

Myth #2: All Calories Are Created Equal

Not exactly

Our fuel comes from three sources: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. "They're handled by the body differently," says Alan Aragon, M.S., a Men's Health nutrition advisor. So that old "calories in, calories out" formula can be misleading, he says. "Carbohydrates, protein, and fat have different effects on the equation."

Example: For every 100 carbohydrate calories you consume, your body expends 5 to 10 in digestion. With fats, you expend slightly less (although thin people seem to break down more fat than heavy people do). The calorie-burn champion is protein: For every 100 protein calories you consume, your body needs 20 to 30 for digestion, Buchowski says. Carbohydrates and fat give up their calories easily: They're built to supply quick energy. In effect, carbs and fat yield more usable energy than protein does.

Your move:

If you want to lose weight, make protein a priority at every meal. Adding them to snacks—especially before you exercise—can help too.

Myth #3: A Calorie Ingested is a Calorie Digested

It's not that simple

Just because the food is swallowed doesn't mean it will be digested. It passes through your stomach and then reaches your small intestine, which slurps up all the nutrients it can through its spongy walls. But 5 to 10 percent of calories slide through unabsorbed. Fat digestion is relatively efficient—fat easily enters your intestinal walls. As for protein, animal sources are more digestible than plant sources, so a top sirloin's protein will be better absorbed than tofu's.

Different carbs are processed at different rates, too: Glucose and starch are rapidly absorbed, while fiber dawdles in the digestive tract. In fact, the insoluble fiber in some complex carbs, such as that in vegetables and whole grains, tends to block the absorption of other calories. "With a very high-fiber diet, say 60 grams a day, you might lose as much as 20 percent of the calories you consume," says Wanda Howell, Ph.D., a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Arizona.

So a useful measure of calories is difficult. A lab technician might find that a piece of rock candy and a piece of broccoli have the same number of calories. But in action, the broccoli's fiber ensures that the vegetable contributes less energy. A study in theJournal of Nutrition found that a high-fiber diet leaves roughly twice as many calories undigested as a low-fiber diet does. And fewer calories means less flab.

Your move:

Aim to consume at least 35 to 40 grams of fiber every day. That being said, not all fiber is created equal.

Myth #4: Exercise Burns Most of Our Calories

Not even close

Even the most fanatical fitness nuts burn no more than 30 percent of their daily calories at the gym. Most of your calories burn at a constant simmer, fueling the automated processes that keep you alive—that is, your basal metabolism, says Warren Willey, D.O., author of Better Than Steroids. If you want to burn fuel, hit the gas in your everyday activities.

"Some 60 to 70 percent of our total caloric expenditure goes toward normal bodily functions," says Howell. This includes replacing old tissue, transporting oxygen, mending minor shaving wounds, and so on. For men, these processes require about 11 calories per pound of body weight a day, so a 200-pound man will incinerate 2,200 calories a day—even if he sat in front of the TV all day.

And then there are the calories you lose to N.E.A.T., or nonexercise activity thermo-genesis. N.E.A.T. consists of the countless daily motions you make outside the gym—the calories you burn while making breakfast, playing Nerf football in the office, or chasing the bus. Brandon Alderman, Ph.D., director of the exercisepsychophysiology lab at Rutgers University, says emerging evidence suggests that "a conscious effort to spend more time on your feet might net a greater calorie burn than 30 minutes of daily exercise."

Your move:

Take frequent breaks from your desk (and couch) to move your body and burn bonus calories.

Myth #5: Low-Calories Foods Help You Lose Weight

Not always

Processed low-calorie foods can be weak allies in the weight-loss war. Take sugar-free foods. Omitting sugar is perhaps the easiest way to cut calories. But food manufacturers generally replace those sugars with calorie-free sweeteners, such as sucralose or aspartame. And artificial sweeteners can backfire. One University of Texas study found that consuming as few as three diet sodas a week increases a person's risk of obesity by more than 40 percent. And in a 2008 Purdue study, rats that ate artificially sweetened yogurt took in more calories at subsequent meals, resulting in more flab. The theory is that the promise of sugar—without the caloric payoff—may actually lead to overeating.

"Too many people are counting calories instead of focusing on the content of food," says Alderman. "This just misses the boat."

Your move:

Avoid artificial sweeteners and load up your plate with the bona fide low-calorie saviors: fruits and vegetables.

Workout today...

Arms

Superset Exercise One

Bicep Curls (machine)

3 sets of 10

Tricep pushdown (machine)

3 sets of 10

Superset Exercise Two

Bicep Curls 21's w/ Bar

3 sets.. 

Tricep pulldowns Machine

3 set sof 10

Superset Exercise Three

Bicep Curls Single Dumbbell

3 sets of 10

Tricep Extensions Dumbbell

3 sets of 10

Cardio

HIIT training on elliptical 35 mins

Dealing with negativity and saboteurs..

Before I start, I have to warn you this may turn into a rant! LOL


One of the most annoying things I have found over the years is people's inability to support and encourage one another....and most of the time it's those closest to you..
Ever find that when you start something new, you have one of two reactions from ppl, either they are with you or against you? How often are they with you when you have chosen something that will improve your daily life? Not very often, at least not in my experience..
I have always strived to eat well...even as a teen, always researching nutrition, learning what things I should eat to fight cancer, live healthy etc..and always I have been ridiculed, insulted, teased and down right told that I was not allowed. I learned over the years to eliminate those negative ppl from my life, yes I said it, eliminate ppl, why? Because they were not contributing to my overall well being. I have made a choice to do what I can to eat healthy, stay fit and strong for as long as possible not only to enhance my life, give me a chance to have a good quality of life now and in the future but because it makes ME feel good, inside and out. The side effects are only that all of this will rub off on my loved ones and give them an opportunity to enjoy life a little longer and/or a litte more comfortable. I make these choices for me, and heck they are healthy choices, so why day after day to people insist on giving me a hard time? I know the answer , but I don't understand why ppl do it. 
Now, before you think I am on some high horse, I have to make it clear that I DO eat chips, drink beer, wine and yes eat CHOCOLATE! I also consume sugar on a weekly basis, BUT I make a conscious effort on a daily basis to watch my limits, workout regularly and do what I can to enhance and increase my knowledge on my body and what makes it work to the best of it's ability. My guess is it's working, why? Because ppl notice, I notice...I feel good, I look better everyday...and I get stronger and healthy as each week passes...and its all for me...and my kids...I as a parent feel it is my responsibility not only to be there for them for as long as possible, but also to be less of a burden by staying healthy and teaching them the tools so they too can have a quality of life for as long as they are on this Earth.
It's hard enough for someone to make the decision to turn their life around, to actually make better choices and stick to a healthy lifestyle without ppl constantly at them for eating well and being active. Yes, they maybe jealous, they may wish they could have that kind of dedication...but it's no excuse and it isn't fair....why would you want someone you care about to FAIL? I sure as hell don't want to see any of my friends fail at anything they decide to do!
That being said, I do have ppl who support and encourage me, I am extremely grateful to have them in my life..THANK YOU! 

Comments for the day:
1) to those trying to make a better life: Keep Up the amazing work, ignore the fools, keep you head high and smile!
2) to those trying to encourage their loved ones: Awesome, very proud of those of you who can support and encourage..it's not easy
3) to those who sabotage: Screw OFF! and Get a life!!!...


Well, that's it for today..
Train smart, eat well....stay fit!

Sugar Causes FAT!

4 Cereals That Cause Fat

BY COACH JOSHUNDER 7-DAY BELLY BLAST DIET

It’s simple… sugar causes body fat, and there’s a ton of it hiding in most breakfast cereals these days.

These 4 “bad choices” are just an example. Be sure to check the labels and choose brands of cereals that are lower than 5 grams per servings. (And hide the table sugar from the family.) Is #3 a surprise to you?

Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters contains 13 g of sugar per serving and it contains high fructose corn syrup.

Raisin Bran Crunch contains a whopping 20 g of sugar per serving (and by the way, that’s only one cup and many people put in at least two cups for their cereal amount) and it also contains high fructose corn syrup listed three different times on the label within other ingredients!

Quaker’s Instant Oatmeal Maple and Brown Sugar Flavor contains 12 g of sugar per packet.

Crunch N Munch’s Buttery Toffee Popcorn with Peanuts contains 13 g of sugar per serving, with its first ingredient being sugar, and its second ingredient being corn syrup, with partially hydrogenated oils close behind.