Skip the Diet Soda

Here’s why:

Recent research has shown that artificial sweeteners in soda may interfere with your body’s ability to estimate how many calories you’ve ingested, so you eat more than you need.
In a new rat study, animals that ate fake sugar consumed more calories overall and gained weight, compared to those that didn’t eat artificially sweetened treats.
This is just one study, but it’s enough to make me want to kick the can habit. Need more convincing? For every diet soda you sip daily, your risk of becoming overweight can rise by 37 percent, according to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. We also know that regular soda is a total sugar bomb — most people I know gave it up long ago. At roughly 225 calories a pop, a 20-ounce bottle of regular soda packs nearly as many calories as a chocolate bar (but is much less satisfying).
Typically, soda also contains zero nutrients — so who needs it? Still have some soda around? Fine, stow it for guests who haven’t decided to quit. Next time you want a fizz hit, try seltzer with lime (or for a caffeine fix, green tea). What are your favorite low-cal soda substitutes?

Easter Diet Survival Guide

As Easter approaches, there's only one thing on our minds...

CHOCOLATE!

But don't go to egg-stremes, a typical Easter egg contains around 1000 calories - that's half your daily allowance.

To help you survive the holiday without becoming a bulging bunny, here's my guide to making this one a guilt-free Easter.

SWAP CHOCOLATE EGGS FOR CHICK EGGS

Eggs are packed with protein, essential vitamins, iron, phosphorus and zinc. They're also low in calories and saturated fats, so won't pile on the pounds.

"The added energy will give you a spring in your step."

GO FOR DARK

If the thought of going without is too much, stick to dark as it's lower in calories and fat.

Choose chocolate that's high in cocoa as it's packed with antioxidants which can combat cancer, arthritis and heart disease.

Dark chocolate is also high in frolic acid which is beneficial during pregnancy and magnesium which is linked to the prevention of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

GET SOME EGGS-ERCISE

The weather's getting warmer so why not get out there and blast those Easter calories?

"To burn off an easter egg containing 1000 calories you'd need to run for an hour and 40 minutes.

"Or you could walk quickly for two hours and 45 minutes."

So get running! Either way Happy Easter

The Right way to Walk and Lose Weight

Walking is one of the easiest ways to increase your physical activity and improve your overall health. Not only does regular walking strengthen your heart, lungs, bones, and muscles, but it also helps your body resist and fight illness. Perhaps the most noticeable benefits of walking are an increase in energy and a positive impact on mood—regular aerobic exercise helps prevent anxiety and depression.

Key points:

* Have a checkup before beginning an exercise program. Follow the special advice that your health professional gives you for getting a smart start.
* Plan to either walk a certain number of minutes or get a pedometer for counting your daily number of steps.
* Start with reachable, short-term goals, such as increasing your walks by 5 minutes each day. Or, increase your number of steps by 100 if you've recently been inactive or by 2,000 if you're relatively fit. It's easiest to stick to something new when you have early, frequent successes.
* Start each walk with a warm-up, speed up your pace in the middle, and finishing with a slower cool down at the end.
* To stay motivated, walk with your family, friends, or coworkers. Daily dog walks are also a great way to keep up your walking routine.
* After you've made walking a regular habit, set a longer-term goal for yourself, such as walking briskly for at least 30 minutes a day or for a daily total of 10,000 steps, 5 days a week or more.