Ten Diet Tweaks to Lose Weight for Life!

Olive Oil (remedy) Weight Loss (ailment)

I have searched this site and found nothing yet about the Shangri-La Diet created by Seth Roberts in 2005. The bottom line is that foods with a high flavor concentration raise the body's set point and cause rapid weight gain. His idea is to counter this effect by consuming calories with as little flavor as possible to convince your body it's time to shed the pounds.

To this end he recommends taking 2TBSP of olive oil first thing in the morning before consuming ANY calories and then waiting about an hour before eating. You can drink water but no other consumption until the calories have been absorbed.

He says you can repeat this a couple times a day and then only eat when you are hungry which will likely be never since your body no longer tells you to eat.

So here's the story: Two years ago I tried it and had impressive results. I noted a significant reduction in my appetite and lost about 15 pounds in a month. Often I could feel my stomach rumbling but I was in no way actually hungry. Like it had actually turned off my appetite completely. AWESOME.

Here's the rub: After a few weeks I found that the olive oil made me gag. Like my body simply did not want it. After a while I couldn't even think about taking it. Even when I forced it down I would throw it up. Obviously I still wasn't hungry, but I was also unable to continue the program.

Here's my question: Has anyone else A)heard of this diet, b)tried this diet, c)experienced this problem, d)overcome this problem, e)got any advice?

I look forward to other's feedback

Hi Ted, I was born with just one Kidney and half a Uterus and one tube and ovary on just my right side. I am overweight by about 45lbs and just started the ACV/BS and adding Cinnamon to help with the taste. Is adding cinnamon okay with a little apple juice? Also will this be hard on my one kidney? The only time I have a problem is when I was pregnant and losing some protein, no problems since and not on any medications.

Thank you,
Cindy

I also tried taking lecithin with my meals for weight loss, however I had terrible reactions - headaches, feeling sick & tired. It took me awhile to figure out what was causing it. I took about 1T and later reduced to 1tsp 3x a day. Needless to say, I didn't lose any weight!!

I have also had no success using ACV for weight loss. I have tried it off and on for periods of about a month, have tried it with meals, before, in between but unfortunately i've had absolutely no change. (ToT)

In response to Michelle from Houston, TX -- If the drink is bitter, try adding some grade b maple syrup to the mix. Although its adding some calories, your also adding some vital nutrients which will give you energy and good health. I highly recommend it over honey any day! (Goes well in tea too).

Never go on a fat free diet, or low fat. Use healthy cold pressed oils. Your body needs fats to work properly. Stored fat will not work the same way, as it has changed forms, and functions. Stored fat if used will be for energy, and only after muscle, and other tissues.

I would like to know if it is important to ingest fat daily (good fats such as coconut oil, etc.), or if the body can use stored fat to process the fat soluble vitamins. For those who have plenty of stored fat, would it be better to go on a fat free diet for a while, as long as one eats healthy foods and not the toxic processed diet foods? Thank you very much.

I'm a fan of earth clinic and i know many people don't start losing weight immediately. I have been doing the ACV with baking soda sipping it through out the day since beginning of Dec to see if the losing weight really works before my solemnisation in end Jan. It has been 3 and half weeks now but i still don't see any weight loss. I'm using organic ACV with the mother in it. I'm just wondering if i'm doing anything wrong. Should i switch drinking just half an hour before meals? Any advice would be great. Cheers

I have read with interest many of the comments on ACV and weight loss. To the lady in Michigan who wrote about reading a book by a doctor in Vermont, it is The Arthritis Cure by Dr. Jarvis. I had calcium deposits blocking my nerve endings, causing excruciating pain. The doctors could not diagnose it, but suggested it might be skin arthritis, which is supposedly incurable. I followed his protocol of iodine, kelp, Vitamin C, calcium, honey and ACV and lost most of these calcium deposits within a few weeks. To those of you making comments about losing the pain and symptoms of arthritis and RA, it would be worthwhile to read this book if it is still in print. I do not remember the exact dosages that he recommended. I had read many books about arthritis; his is the only one that worked.

For those of you having trouble with increased appetite and weight gain instead of weight loss, I would suggest you read about eating for your blood type. I had a very difficult time losing weight after menopause; when I began to eat for my blood type (Type O, non-secretor), I lost the weight that I could not lose in any other way. However, for me, it meant giving up a lot of foods, including most grains. My blood type cannot consume any kind of vinegar without having negative effects. I used the ACV because the arthritis was worse than the weight problem.

However, I always found that my appetite increased massively whenever I consumed ACV, whether on an empty stomach or with a meal. If you read books about yeast problems (The Yeast Connection, etc., you will find out that yeast when it dies in your body produces a byproduct that stimulates the appestat, the gland that controls hunger. ACV, especially with the mother, contains yeast. So for some people, this might explain why the ACV does not work. I solved the yeast problem by taking acidophilus, which kills the yeast. This is all explained in more detail in these books.

I feel, though, that the problems of weight gain and appetite increase might be solved by taking baking soda with the ACV, something which I had never heard of. So I am trying that right now. Usually when I take ACV, I have almost immediate hunger cravings, even when I am eating. On an empty stomach it is even worse. But I am drinking this ACV/baking soda combination right now on an empty stomach and I have not had any cravings. So to those of you who tried it and found it did not work, I would suggest you try it again with the baking soda.

Acid reflux is usually helped by adding acid, not by using antacids, so drinking ACV would help with this.

To the person who might be breaking up gall stones in the liver and being in a lot of pain passing those stones, it is a good thing to pass those stones. I passed a lot of them at once, and immediately my energy level increased. Now I understand what is meant by a sluggish liver. But I passed all those stones, hundreds of them in one evening, by using a liver cleanse. There are many of them described on the internet. I found one that used lemon juice, olive oil, grapefruit juice and Epsom salt. I took this at night, woke up in the morning and passed all those stones painlessly, and lost about 3" on my waist overnight. I know that because I had to tighten my belt. The Epsom salt (food-grade) apparently relaxes the muscles enough to open the ducts to allow the stones to pass out easily. I was amazed at their size.

Anyway, I am so grateful for this site and for how much I am learning by everything you have all so generously contributed. Thanks to all of you and to the administrators of this site.

History - 244 pounds, 302 on last test, A1C=10
Today - 4 months later - 198 pounds, 95 today's fast measure, A1C=7

How?:
1- Life style not diet. Don't go on diet for cure. Diet means short term measure or solutions. Must change life style meaning FOREVER.

2- Medications - We love easy solutions. Diabetic meds are not to cure you. They are business solutions to keep you stable for a while, at a profit with possible side effects. Nothing wrong with that if you want easy solution and eat what you like, at least for a while before kidney failure and other complications.

3- Smart Eating - How about no starch, no grains, no beans or peas, no corn, no green peas, no sugar, no sweeteners, no coffee, no soda, no potatoes, no fried food, no fast food, no buffets, no red meat, no milk, no oats, no breakfast cereals, no chocolate or candies, no pop corn or chips, no sweet fruits, no fats and oils, or very small portion. Brush your meat or vegetables with oil if you want to use your Foreman style broiler or toaster broiler. Boil you vegetable and meat, or use high heath steam.

Do not eat out of a bag or package. Get a small cup. Fill the cup with what you want to eat. Use that as a measure. You need to see visually the portions that you are eating. The measuring will help you reduce portion and cut on your excess weight.

4- What to eat - Meat can not exceed 20% of your meal. Eat berries, any berries, vegetables, Fish, other sea foods, skinless chicken, and spices. Some not so common items to eat include pomegranate with white meat portions included. Fresh or rehydrated walnuts with the soft dividers between the meat included. Artichokes, green beans, zucchini, avocado, and green tea seems to be very effective. Use Sunflower oil and Fresh Squeezed lemon Juice for salad dressing or meat marinade. Eat garlic, watercress, radish along with its few youngest leaves on.

I can hear voice of opposition wanting to have some fruits, oils and starches. They call it having balanced diet. You are a diabetic, most likely overweight. It was those little sugars, oils, starches and grains that got you here. Your obesity is testimonial that you can not eat just a little of soda and pasta without going back for more. Drastic measures are required until you are in much better shape.

5- Supplements - Vitamin C, Flex Seed, Milk Thistle, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Fenugreek, Garlic, B complex, Magnesium. Don't overkill. Take 1 tablet of 1 supplement a day and change to the next supplement next day, rotate and arrange to your liking.

6- Exercise body and mind - Start easy with 30 minutes walk on your lunch period. After work, do another 15-30 minutes of tread mill or walking. Some warm up an cool down easier exercised as well as few minutes of small weigh, around 5 pounds, exercises.
Use meditation or biofeed back. An alternative way would be when in bed ready to sleep, use the quiet time to tell yourself you want to be cured. Ask your brain to find out what the problem is and to have it corrected. What you believe is what can happen.

7- Education - Try to read one article a day about Diabetic or your digestive system. First, it educates you about your conditions. Second, it reminds you of the risk if you continue. Third, it keeps you on course. As you read, question all suggestions to see if they have commercial implications for the writer.

Here is what happens. No salt, no oil, no starch, no sugar makes you lose water that your kidney storing some in the puffed up ankles. You start to lose weight. Loss of weight equals to more energy and better fasting levels. The extra energy gives you mobility to lose more weight for better control over your diabetes and the healing cycle continues. As a side effect, your other diabetic complications like shrinking kidneys improves.

These suggestions are not for every one. It takes a very determined person to make this work. I am sharing with you what worked for me. For all others, take medications as your doctor suggest. I refused medications because every chemical action oriented drug that goes into your body eventually has reaction(s), some I hope to avoid. Plus, pill gives me the latitude to not drastically change my life until it is too late.

For anyone who is taking fiber supplements or eating food high in fiber be sure to drink lots of water or the added fiber can cause severe constipation. I take a fiber supplement and have unfortunately suffered with the constipation problem. I am also taking Chromium Picolate for minor depression and it has made me feel so much better i've heard that it is good for weight loss too but i havent seen any difference. Magnesium is also good for constipation, depression and other problems that have a tendency to pop up it pretty much can cure what ales you since most people do not receive enough magnesium in their diets.

Hi Kathy, are you drinking plenty of water? At least 8 - 10 glasses a day? Also are you getting any activity, especially walking? If the answer to both of these is yes, then my suggestion is to increase your intake of the dark, leafy green vegetables for a better type of fiber.

I remember one patient who had a fecal impaction, which consisted mostly of popcorn husks (the outer covering of the popcorn kernels). He was somewhat upset because he had been snacking on popcorn quite often to combat his constipation. From the looks of what was removed, he never ate anything but popcorn! Even indigestible fiber can create problems if you don't drink enough water or have a little activity.

I find that when I have a slight problem with constipation, a glass or two of apple juice works like a purgative for me, much quicker and more thorough than prunes or prune juice.

Your dietary changes sound great though. One other thing I just thought of is that many in the medical field say that
magnesium is one of our biggest nutrient deficiencies today, so unless you eat a lot of magnesium rich foods, you might want to consider a magnesium supplement or even an epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) bath a few times a week..

Kathy, the baking soda might be causing your problem. You might want to cut that out first and see what happens.

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have been taking ACV/BS/Water for several months now. Loss of 17 lbs is terrific! I've been tapering off the ACV due to the jitters. I drink only filtered or mountain spring water (at least 1 liter) and tea now, no soft drinks, no diet drinks, no aspartame. Occasionally I take BSM. Also take SuperGreens and Magnesium plus flax seed pill. I use only coconut or grape seed oils for any eating/cooking. Gave up sugar, white bread, white flour, am eating organic mostly or home cooking veggies, rice, some chicken, whole wheat breads. Cut way back on proportion size. I use sea salt. Take B compound 3 times a week. Use Turmeric and Oil of Oregano for sinuses/sore throat/cold. I keep my Ph around 7 and walk 3 or 4 times a week. Still I have insomnia, plus now I am SUFFERING WITH CONSTIPATION. Additional fiber makes it much worse. In my life I can only remember being constipated 2 or 3 times and I am over 60. To combat this, I took 2 TBL mineral oil last night, nothing happened. I took 2 more TBL late this morning, still nothing by 11 pm tonight. I am on blood pressure meds (HCTZ and atenolol) plus cymbalta anti depressant. I was taking Lipitor but gave that up recently. Anyone have any thoughts? I have read all the posts on constipation and suppose tomorrow I will try Lime and BS, or maybe tonight. HELP.

THIS IS THE VERY BEST SITE EVER, EVER, EVER! Thank everyone who contributes.

This bread really does fill you up and keep you from snacking. this is the best tasting recipe for it that i've found. 2 cups nonbromated unbleached white flour--1 cup spelt flour--bought both at the healthfoodstore. 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ grocerystore brand in cereal ailse--1 pkg. rapid rise yeast--1-1/2 cups of warm water--1/4 cup brown sugar--1 tsp honey--1 tsp salt--1/4tsp ground ginger-- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon--2 tbsp canola oil--3/4 cup dried fruits, dark or golden raisins, apricots, or pineapple, or a mixture. also 2 handfuls of raw millet from health food store. i measure out all the different flours wheat germ and millet and dried fruits in separate bowls. i measure the brown sugar,honey, salt, cinnamon, ginger and oil together in another bowl. heat 1-1/2 cups water to 110 degrees, i use a thermometer.in a large bowl empty 1 pkg yeast and add the warm water, next the sugar, salt and oil mixture, add 2 cups of the white flour and beat to make a batter then gradually work the rest of the ingredients in, the dried fruits last. knead on lightly floured board 10 min, then let rise in greased bowl in warm place til double. i warm my oven slightly only few minutes and use a greased 4qt covered kettle, it conducts the heat. takes about 1 hr. punch down , divide in half and roll into loaves and place in greased loaf pans.let rise until double ( i use the oven method) remove from oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees. bake about 40 minutes. makes 2 small loaves. i doubled the recipe today, and made 2 large loaves, just realized i used 2 cups of water instead of 3, so that's why it didn't take so much flour, lol when cool, i slice it up and put it in freezer bags and freeze it. since i found this my desire to eat between meals has dropped to zero. my abdominal/ hip girth is going down. i feel so much better. i have more energy and better mental clarity. my mood is better too. i have a slice with each meal and i'm able to reduce portions without pangs and 1 slice around 8 or 9pm with a cup of green tea and then i don't snack at midnight when i get home from work. you must try for yourself, it's a miracle.

this is for TED, I heard on the news that if you eat half a grapefruit before every meal you loose weight, do you have any info about it, thanks a lot for checking.

If you have eat a heavy, spicy, oily food and feel acidy in stomach, then drink a glass of boiled [not hot] water by sipping.YOU will get immediate relief from acidy.

Cabbage for Weight Loss and Detox

I stopped eating meat, and started eating cabbage everyday, yes gas is part of what is expected, but my bowel movement is now regulated, my system is cleansed, stool is no longer dark and there is no unbearable smell. my weight is going down. And most of all I feel better physically. I juice 8 oz twice a day. And eat 1/4 pound per day. Basil and Fennel and black pepper for flavor.

SADABAHAR
Comman Name: Sadabahar Sadaphul, Sadasuhagan
English Name: Tropical Periwinkle
It is a perennial herb, erect, much branched. 70-80 cm high. Leaves alliptic to obovate, rounded retuse or mucronulate at apex acute at base. Flowers in 1-4 flowered cymes. Calyx segments subulate. Corolla whitish or pinkish. Follicles 2-3 cm long, pubescnt.
Parts used : Leaves and roots

The plant contains very precious alkaloids ' vincristine' and 'vinblastine' which are used in allopathic medicine as anti-cancer injections. The herb leaves are very useful in controlling the diabetes. The herb leaves are mixed with other herbs to get good results.

HOT WATER FOR OBESITY: Boil one glass[200ml.]water. Sip it just like you drink tea after each eating. Rember you should drink it boiled not hot. It control obesitty colostrol and b.p.without any diet control and exercise.

Sadabahar: If we want to cure our obesity take five to seven white flower[not pink] in morning empty stomch for seven days then stop for seven days.again repeat same ways you will loose extra weight in few days and also feel good.

My Mother in law has a book about herbs -- growing them and the different things that they do.

The book is called "The book of herbs" and is by Dorothy Hall. This book was published in the 1970s, so if you are seeking it you may only find it used.

In this book, the author suggests that you can improve your eye sight by "boiling fennel leaves in water until the water is reduced by half" and applying this to the eyes every day when it's cool. She lists no exact qualities because she says these aren't necessary. The body will use what it needs and discard the rest.

She also suggests drinking fennel tea to keep slim. Maybe people are confusing fennel with fenugreek which would explain several recent comments about people gaining weight while taking fenugreek.

My question is, has anyone tried these remedies? I know that fennel is good for digestion, but for weight loss and eye sight too?

WARNING!

Licorice (the herb not the candy) cannot be taken safely for very long. It causes high blood pressure. I have found licorice root in diet teas and women's remedy teas used as a dieretic. Taken any longer than 6 days or so can cause health issues. I made the mistake years ago of drinking a dieter's tea after my evening meal for over a year. I had never had a problem with high blood pressure before but after a year on that tea my blood pressure sky rocketed and I felt horrible. As soon as I stopped the tea my blood pressure went back down to normal.

WARNING!

I have been doing the Master Cleanse for a couple a years, once or twice a year. The longest I have been on it was 21 days.

The MC should NEVER be used as a weight loss program. That is the quickest way to getting an eating disorder.

The MC is a wonderful way to clear up health issues while learing about your body and natural detox processes. You will lose some pounds, but they will most likely come back on. Just make sure you have the right intentions.