Boost your metabolism! Day 2. The most popular question of the day!

How did you do today? Take some time to brag about any breakthrough you had today or any questions that may have come up for you today. Staying in communication is a great way to keep yourself committed. A couple of questions came up today. 1. Is maple syrup or honey ok? The challenge is to eliminate all sugar from your diet that includes honey, maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, barley malt, beet sugar, brown rice syrup, glucose, sucrose, polydextrose, corn sweetner, fruit juice concentrate or cane juice organic or not. Sugar is sugar. Yes this is a challenge! What sugar does in your body quoted by Dr. Mark Hyman author or Ultrametabolism and The Ulta mind solution "Sugar uses up your body's store of vitamins and minerals High sugar consumption is tied to many mental disorders including depression, eating disorders, fatigue PMS and aggression." "HIgh levels of sugar in your system trigger insulin release. Maintaining low levels of insulin in your body allows your body to more easily tap into your stored fat for fuel. That is why we want to eliminate sugar, honey, maple syrup or any highly processed foods with high fructose corn syrup or sugar by any other name. Refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice, pasta or junk food will also increase blood sugar dramatically. The goal of this 30 day challenge is to get your body running more efficiently. That is why complex carbohydrates, whole grains and whole foods are the focus. It is also what will help you decrease your appetite". Master you Metabolism So bottom line, eliminate as much of the sugar from your diet as possible. Which leads to the second most popular question of the day...What about alcohol? I am sure if you really think about it you will know the answer. I suggest if you want to have drastic results eliminate it for 30 days. It also acts as a sugar in your body. If you are going to have it stick to one glass of wine no more than twice a week. Now for day 2! Calories do count but when stick to the mantra of Michael Pollan, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants" you will not have to worry about calorie counting. But for some of us who may have been eating regularly large meals and eating until we are stuffed or eating when we are not really hungry we may need a little more guidance and an awareness of calories and portion for a while. Some GENERAL guidelines for calories and portion size As far as vegetables, non starchy, go for it, eat as much as you want, fill up on as much of these in their natural state as you want. Animal protein 3 ounces The size of a deck of cards Whole grains 1/2 cup about the size of a baseball 1 medium fruit a fist 1 cup of vegetables a fist 1 teaspoon of oil the tip of your finger Calories: An average sized woman to lose weight 1200-1400 A larger woman who wants to lose weight 1400-1600 A small to moderate man who wants to lose weight 1600-1900 Every body is different and really if you focus on simply reducing the calories you normally eat by 500 calories a day that will result in 3500 calories in a week. If you don't make any other changes then that you will lose 1lb. You need to reduce your caloric intake 3500 calories to lose 1lb. When you also eat real food instead of processed, food, refined carbohydrates and sugar it also helps your body to work more efficiently so it is not just about the calories but the kind of calories you are eating. Be committed! Be in it to win it! Do your best! Surrender to excellence. This is more than a diet, it is training yourself to live your best life NOW! Why wait! If not now, when? AFter 30 days you will have shifted into some powerful new habits. Embrace the challenge! love, Patricia