After reaching out to experts in the field of healthy weight loss, we found a pretty common theme. The secret to lose the weight you want isn’t always a diet. It’s an adjustment whole foods and a step away from processed ones.

Lose Weight With Advice from 9 Industry Experts:

1. Rebecca Lee from RemediesForMe.com

Registered Nurse and founder of RemediesForMe.com

Some of the healthiest foods may already be those you have in your pantry. “Coconut oil also curbs your appetite due to the way MCTs are metabolized in your body [as] “a major component in coconut oil is lauric acid. Lauric acid keeps you safe from harmful and powerful microorganisms that are in the body”.

“Apple cider vinegar is a multipurpose force but for your health it packs “essential vitamins and minerals. Some of the nutrients include potassium, magnesium, fiber, amino acids, and antioxidants (cancer fighting)”. In fact, “a study…showed that subjects who took apple cider vinegar every day for 12 weeks lost weight. After a daily intake of 1 tablespoon and 2 tablespoons, subjects lost 2.6 lbs and 3.7 lbs”.

2. Samantha Salmon of RawFoodMealPlanner.com

Owner of Earth’s Healing Café and health coach for Raw Food Meal Planner

“My favorite weight loss trend this year is the Pegan diet because it encourages the consumption of whole foods and omits harmful grains. Grains create tooth decay, mood imbalances, acid reflux and nutritional deficiencies. They are poisonous to the body after long term consumption…

I also love the new FitBit Charge 2 because of the guided breathing meditations…I wear mine all day every day. It auto tracks my sleep pattern and exercise. I use it to log my water and food intake. It’s like an accountability buddy that’s with you 24/7”.

3.Mike Kneuer of iPersonalTrainOnline.com

Certified Personal trainer, Retired Pro Physique Competitor

“The biggest thing I tell my clients looking to lose body fat is to stop drinking their calories. They are only allowed to drink water or black coffee. If they need some flavor they can add some lemons or other fruit into a diffuser, but they are not to drink fruit juice. I’ve had clients lose 10pounds in a month just by cutting out soda and sugary drinks. A 20oz Coke has 240 calories and a whooping 65g or sugar!”

4. Scott Deuty of Weight-Loss-Over-50.com

Author of Secrets of an Over 50 Former Fat Man

“The Paleo diet does work. Getting rid of preservatives and carbs causes your body to consume its own fat for energy…the trick to [avoiding] hunger is to steer clear of high carbs and sugar. They burn fast and bypass your body’s ability to burn what you consume. Instead, you store the added fat and protein you take in rather than only using that which your body needs.

Increasing muscle definition gives the additional protein “a place to go” and benefits aerobic exercise greatly. Finally, your sluggishness will be reduced, your sleep patterns will become regular as will your bowel movements”.

5. Scott Schmaren of UltimateVisionaryMind.com

NeuroPerformanceologist, author, public speaker

“All of the trends for weight loss are not effective for long term weight loss… Why? The focus is wrong. We focus on diet and exercise as the keys to weight loss; they are not…

The key is how we see ourselves at the core of our subconscious minds. If a person has struggled with their weight for a long time then the perception in their subconscious mind is that they are overweight and that is normal and good and any attempt to lose weight is bad…That is the reason almost everyone puts the weight they lose back on and usually more. If you change the picture and perception of yourself in your subconscious mind then eating correctly and getting good exercise will make sense…That changed my life”.

6. Katrina Love of KatrinaLoveSenn.com

Author of Losing Weight is Healing Journey: A Woman’s Guide to Losing Weight Naturally

“My #1 weight loss tip for 2017 is, ‘Start your Weight Loss Healing Journey.’

On your healing journey, make the decision to change and to do something different. Stop dieting and instead learn about the miraculous nature of your body. Know that your excess weight is there for a good reason, and if you lovingly address and heal it at the root cause, your body can heal naturally…

Your body has an amazing ability to self-heal when you focus on holistically addressing the following 3 areas: healing your body, healing your mind, and healing your emotions”.

7. Mary Caroline Craig of LiveAliveFit.com

Certified Integrative Nutrition Health and Fitness Coach

“[Eat] healthy Fat and Fiber with every meal! When you consume good fats (non-saturated) and fiber, along with protein, you stay full longer, your blood sugar remains balanced, and you don’t crave more carbs!

[Avoid] eating a ‘sugar free’, packaged food diet. These foods usually contain ‘fake’ sugars that negatively react in our brain, making us crave even more carbohydrates – and they generally aren’t vegetable carbs”.

8. Dan DeFigio of BeatingSugarAddiction.com

Fitness and Nutrition Expert and author of bestselling Beating Sugar Addiction for Dummies

“Habits and baby steps…Humans are creatures of habit. Whatever you do most of the time, that’s what you’re like. Your behavior is not designed for drastic, immediate changes. My entire approach to coaching is to gradually replace unhealthy habits with healthier habits…Successful change needs to happen gradually, so that each new habit and lesson becomes a natural part of what you normally do. You can’t change 15 things all at once and expect to be able to maintain all those changes….When your body oxidizes stored fat for fuel, it will take it from wherever it wants to. Specific [zone-targeted] exercises or diet plans cannot target fat loss from a specific area. You can get fatter or you can get leaner, but you cannot decide where”.

9. Jamie Logie of RegainedWellness.com

Personal trainer, nutritionist, author of Regained Wellness: Healthy Eating Starter Kit

“Many people are eating paleo “ish” as they are adding in some things like rice or oatmeal. This isn’t true paleo but still a good whole foods diet. The main benefit to me is not what these ways of eating contain, it’s what they DON’T contain. They avoid processed and refined garbage, sugars, trans fats etc. As long as your diet is whole foods based your body can do its thing and weight loss becomes more attainable.

I think the #1 [weight loss] dud are juice fasts… I think cleansing and detoxification are great but they should happen on a daily basis, not a short term period. This means more high nutrient green based foods such as kale, spinach, Swiss chard etc. Then making sure you’re getting enough water in each day but adding in things like fresh squeezed lemon to help in the cleansing process.”

10. Dorian Johnson of DorianJFitness.com

ACE Certified Personal Trainer

“Abandon the diet altogether! Diets are restrictive and people would much rather be granted the freedom to eat what they want and get results, given they know how to. People don’t like being told what to do but if you give them options, they’re more likely to comply and since your nutrition is 80% of your weight loss success, not only is it more effective at losing weight than exercise, everyone can learn how to eat healthy!”

11. Neil O’Nova of StrongerLeaner.com

Author of Seven Top- Secret Fat Burning Bio-Hacks

“My #1 pick for the top weight-loss trend of 2017 is habit hacking…Habit hacking for weight loss is all about making healthy choices easier and more automatic…
[It works because] most people rely on willpower to resist temptations and make healthy choices. Unfortunately, this strategy almost never works in the long run. Our willpower is a limited resource; just like a muscle, it gets tired the more we use it…This trend helps you focus on a few critical habits that can have a big impact on your weight…without requiring a lot of time or work on your part”.

12. Jessica Cifelli of JessInspireFit.com

“The past few years have seen a solid interest in fitness enthusiasts getting stronger, not just skinny… [we need to focus] our diets on macronutrient intake more than simply caloric intake is not only a great way to mindfully eat, but the ideal way to increase strength while losing fat concurrently…understanding the value that protein, fats and carbohydrates have in leaning out without compromising athletic performance is gaining serious ground in the industry”.

13. Chelsey Amer of CitNutritionally.com

Registered Dietician Nutritionist and blogger for CitNutrition.com

“My favorite weight loss trend for 2017 has got to be gut health! Gut health has become sexy, hot and important for health and weight loss. Studies show that if your gut microbiome (good bacteria you should have in your intestines) is out of whack that you are more likely to suffer from depressed energy levels, hold on to extra pounds, develop chronic diseases and even mental illnesses. The standard American diet is low in fiber and high in saturated fat and added sugar, which contributes not only to weight gain but also gut dysbiosis (or an abnormal population of bacteria in your gut). If you eat high fiber foods like fruits and vegetables and whole grains, as well as fermented foods like miso, tempeh and kombucha tea you can help re-populate your gut with beneficial bacteria and also lose weight!”

14. Gin Stephens of GinStephens.com

Author of Delay, Don’t Deny

“The best weight loss trend for 2017, bar none, is intermittent fasting. Not only is it fantastic for permanent weight loss, but it has health and longevity benefits beyond weight loss. The Nobel Prize in medicine for 2016 was related to a process called autophagy, and intermittent fasting stimulates this process…Intermittent fasting is changing lives.”

15. Rikke Norgaard of AthGene.com

“My number 1 pick for weight loss is based on my OWN body -my genetics -the one thing that will never change. We’re experiencing a trend in personalizing diets, exercise routines as well as lifestyle matters -such as sleep…Eating a higher fat diet is GOOD for me, though not necessarily so for everyone. My waistline in particular benefits from a diet high in monounsaturated fats as my body metabolize fat better vs carbohydrates that is more likely to be stored as fat.”

What’s interesting is that none of the experts really mentioned calories. However, it goes without saying that even when eating a wholesome food based diet, portion control is necessary to lose weight. For some, if calorie counting aids in your efforts to portion control, by all means, it is encouraged. The point is that eventually your “diet” will become a way of life instead of just a means to a weight loss end.

So what are you waiting for? 2017 is your time to get your food and mind right. 2017 is the year for a new you and a new jean size.

The post New Year, New Jean Size: Lose Weight in 2017 first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

On February 28th, all eyes will be on the stars walking down the red carpet on Hollywood Boulevard, outside the Dolby Theater, for the 89th Academy Awards Ceremony. Leading up to the ceremony, how ever, even more eyes are on the $200,000 Oscar Gift Bags all nominees will receive, courtesy of the marketing company Distinctive Assets.

Will La La Land live up to the hype and win an Oscar this year? Or, will Viola Davis steal the show with a Best Supporting Actress win for the movie Fences?

Either way, rumor has it that ALL Oscar nominees (from Nicole Kidman in Lion to Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge) will each be taking home Oscar Gift Bags full of some pretty unorthodox goodies – even for people of Hollywood fame. Compared to the $232,000 price tag of last year’s Oscar goodies, this Oscar Gift Bag is not making the same amount of history (sadly, it also does not include a free Vampire Breastlift either). But it is still raising a few eyebrows and instilling the same amount of envy in our hearts.

What will the 2017 Oscar goodie bags include? According to both The Guardian and Teen Vogue, each honored starlet will be taking “home” the following:

• 6-Day Hawaiian Vacation on Southern Kauai – $3,877 value
• A 3 Night’s Stay at Lost Coast Ranch – $21,860 value
• Personal in-house sommelier services from The Loving Somm approx. $2000-$6000 value
• Chocolatines’ Drunken Fig Cake Bites – $35
• A 10-year’s supply of Oxygenetix Breathable Foundation and Moisturizer- $47,198 value
• 10 training sessions with celebrity trainer Alexis Seletzky – $1,500 value
• 3-Day Visit to Italy’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo – $1,244 value

We are sure Dr. Runels (founder of The Vampire Facelift and The Vampire Breastlift) is a little disappointed to hear that the Hollywood starlets are seeing the value of his signature procedure this year. However, we are also sure that any Hollywood stars or starlets who do not receive their own glitzy, golden award will be thrilled nonetheless with this generous gift package, courtesy of the marketing company Distinctive Assets. Ahh, what a charmed life these celebs do lead! Looking at this year’s laundry list of luxurious goodies, it makes be believe them when they say, “It’s an honor just to be nominated.”

However, it also begs the question, “Why can’t we all get in on the fun?” Well, the good news is we can! This year, we researched ways for you to make an affordable 2017 “Oscar Gift Bag” for yourself, to recreate the experiences the Hollywood starlets will receive – yet, for a fraction of the price! Here’s how you can create an Oscar-winning experience for yourself this year:

1. Trade that 13-Hour Flight to Hawaii for a Stay at Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club.

With 500-feet of private beach access, secluded villas and all-inclusive access to five-star meals, drinks and an on-site spa offering Swedish massages, while you enjoy sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries, Lago Mar offers all the beachside beauty and luxuries of a Hawaiian resort – without the hassle of a long flight and jet lag.  Oscar Gift Bags that require you to buy a trans-Pacific flight? No thanks! We’ll take the 5-hour flight to the gorgeous Atlantic instead.

3 Nights in an Oceanfront Suite – $1,232

2. Trade 10 Years of Oxygenating Makeup Treatments for 1 Session of the Vampire Facelift

While our skin naturally craves more oxygen, and oxygen-deprived skin can look dull, wrinkled and lifeless, the jury is still out on whether oxygenating makeup really works. Sure, it feels great to buy it, and when you’re a celebrity and have someone giving you their products free, why not?

But for those of us who really want to get results, always think before you buy. In fact, Dr. Gary Goldenberg from Goldenberg Dermatology has gone on the record saying he is “not convinced” that anything that comes in a cream form can deliver “gaseous” results, such as infusing oxygen back into the skin. You know what has been proven to get results? The Vampire Facelift. It uses platelet-rich-plasma technology to stimulate new cells, collagen and elastin to restore the plump and smooth natural look of your face.

The best part? It doesn’t take 10 years to see results! Just one session, and you will look and feel younger. Just make sure you see a doctor who is certified by the procedure creator, Dr. Charles Runels.

1 Session of The Vampire Facelift – Less than 1/10 the cost of oxygenatinating makeup! Contact Dr. Newsome for more information

3. Trade a One-Time Sommelier Service for a Year-Round Wine of the Month Membership

What would you rather have? One day of a wine expert serving up a variety of bottles and blends to your friends, family and guests? Or an entire year of customized wine samplings and full control over the blend of reds and whites you receive every month. Develop your own taste profile and become a wine connoisseur whose racks are always fully stacked?

I know which one I would choose! Sure, a sommelier service sounds great. But once the event is over, your $2000 investment is gone and your wine glass is empty! Be a true wine lover, and invest all of your hard-earned cash in more Chardonnay, Savignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or whatever suits your fancy! Read this great post from Forbes to find the Wine of the Month Club that is best for you. (Club W – now renamed Winc– is our personal favorite)

1 Year of a 3/Bottle-a-Month Membership with Winc.com – $576

4. Trade a 3-Day Visit to Italy’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo for the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe

Instead of taking a 13-hour + flight to Italy, enjoy the same level of luxury within the continental U.S. by visiting this 5-star lakeside California resort. Your first stop should be the 17,000 square-foot spa that offers a crushed pinecone exfoliating scrub and a dry-heat lodge and steaming eucalyptus room.

Or, if taking in the sights is what you’re after, the Ritz Carlton concierge will arrange private boat charters, kayaking or hiking events that will take your breath away. Of course, just standing in the lobby of this 170-room stone-and-wood lodge is enough to take our breaths away, and don’t even get us started on the artfully-crafted cuisine at the Manzanita in-house restaurant.

5. Trade 10 Celebrity Training Sessions for the HCG Diet Plan

Celebrity trainers are known for creating unbelievable results for their clients in a record amount of time – after all, that’s why they’re worth the big bucks, right?! But you know what else they are known for? Charging ridiculously high fees and organizing workout routines that are difficult, if not impossible, to maintain on your own. These Oscar Gifts Bags clearly come with a hook – encouraging stars to sign on for years of one-on-one training with no end in sight.

Watch this video of Buzzfeed staff writers working with celebrity trainer Steve Zim. Sure, they look like Captain America and Scarlett Johansen after the weeks of rigorous workouts and eating regiments. But will it last? Without Steve Zim on their side, we think not. Even the writers admitted that their habits will probably change once back in the “real world.”

You know what does last? Retraining your own mind and body to eat healthy, balanced meals and using your own body chemistry to create the lasting effects you want to see. That’s what the HCG Diet Plan does and with the lifelong results it creates, it has massively more value than 10 sessions at the gym. Try getting those results from this year’s Oscar Gift Bags.

HCG Diet – starting at $1,000

Trade 1-Time Oscar Gift Bags for a Full Year of Luxury Living 

Sure, we all want to live like the stars, but we also want that luxury lifestyle to last! (and not to burn a hole in our wallets). So, from our house to yours, here are our recommendations for how you can create your own lifestyle of luxury without the $200K price tag OR the heavy taxes or fees that go with it.

Which item would you pick first on our list?  Let us know in the comments below! Or, contact Solutions Weight Loss for a medically-supervised weight loss or Vampire Facelift consultation today!

The post 5 Ways to Create Your Own $200K Oscar Gift Bags first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

While in the moment it is comical and we both have a laugh, she really doesn’t need one. However, I understand that every time we see a crease on our face that we could have sworn wasn’t there the day before, it is a slight cause of alarm.

Sometimes we get frustrated with our aging. How did these wrinkles get here? Why do kids have nice skin? And so on.

Then we become proud of our aging. Fine line and wrinkles show our journey, our wisdom. There is character in laugh lines for it means we spent most of our life smiling and laughing. I like the little creases in between my eyebrows, it means I was focused on doing or learning something with great content. Aging gives us character, power even.

However, I know what you’re thinking, character is good but too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.

If you’re looking for a natural way to slow the, well, “wisdom” of your skin, we have some secrets to do just that.

7 anti-aging secrets that will help you stay young:

Sometimes lifestyle changes can prove to be as beneficial as surgical inference; in all aspects of health. You may decide to go with a more invasive approach to anti-aging, but to maintain the results, lifestyle shifts are sometimes necessary. Here are some tips:

1. Always eat healthy, whole foods.

Those 100-Calorie packs are just not going to cut it. Your skin needs whole foods; produce, mixed grains, organic proteins. Produce like avocado contain antioxidant carotenoids that aid your skin in fighting off radicals that could cause damage (aging) to your skin cells. Mixed grains provide our bodies with minerals needed to absorb the nutrients of other nutrient dense foods. These minerals often include, iron, magnesium, and even zinc. Organic, grass-fed beef tend to higher percentages of omega-3 present in it. Omega-3 works as an antioxidant against free radicals and work to repair what exposure to the sun damages.

Some of the best whole foods for anti-aging includes blueberries, spinach, salmon, olive and coconut oil, tomatoes, and even dark chocolate helps reduce irritation from UV exposure!

2. Drink a lot of water.

Water is everywhere and there is a reason for that. One of the most effective and natural way to keep your wrinkles in check is to drink plenty of water, at least 8 – 10 glass a day. The skin is made of about 30% water and drinking ample amounts of water helps re-hydrate it which helps maintain elasticity.

Try infused water with lemon or cucumber. Lemon water is full of potassium and Vitamin C which fight off free radicals while also repairing the damage already done by them. Cucumber works as anti-inflammatory. Both are just great ways to cleanse your body of internal, unwanted toxins, too.

3. Get sleep.

We know this one if easier said than done. It’s like telling you to be less stressed (which also helps with anti-aging). You know eight hours of sleep are necessary not only for anti-aging but also for healthy living in general. If this is difficult for you, consider some changes to your nightly routine.

Drinking a glass of unprocessed cherry juice, over-the-counter melatonin, avoiding a screen for 30 minutes before bed, any of these made aid in your ability to sleep. If not, consider seeing a specialist for sleep care.

If sleep isn’t an issue and you’re still concerned with fine lines, discontinue sleeping with your face smashed into your pillow. This can causes creases in your skin from the fabric. Consider either sleeping on your back or changing your pillow cases to silk ones.

4. Avoid exposure to sun.

Wearing sunscreen every day is your number one, guaranteed way to prevent aging.

You know that UV radiation is the culprit to not only skin damage but also skin cancer. You know that you need to wear at least an SPF of 50 every single day. Yes, you can’t just wear sunscreen to the beach or to a baseball game. Even when you are indoors, UV rays are strong enough to penetrate buildings.

By protecting your skin from the most destructive force to your skin will only aid your efforts later in life keeping wrinkles at a minimal. Wear your sunscreen!

5. Add vitamin A to your diet.

Naturally, by adding whole foods to your diet, you will naturally add a variety of nutrients to your diet that you may not already be exposed to. However, Vitamin A specifically helps the production of collagen which repairs damaged skin tissues.

Collagen diminishes the harmful effects of oxidation, reduces wrinkles and fine lines, and helps decrease sun damage. Eggs, carrots, kale, and tuna are all high in Vitamin A.

6. Quit smoking.

If skin cancer, emphysema, and tooth decay aren’t reason enough to quit, perhaps your skin is. Smoking decreases the flow of blood to the skin and lowers the level of oxygen and vitamins to the outer layer of the body. It also destroys elastin and collagen, which are a must for a youthful skin. Hence, quit smoking if you want to look young.

7. Get expert advice on cosmetic procedures and products for skin regeneration.

This perhaps is the most important of them all. See a dedicated skincare doctor who is an expert in aging. They will be able to who can work with you and on your skin type to find out what is right for you, be it cosmetic procedures or products. There are a range of procedures to choose from and similarly an array of cosmetic products to lay your hands on. Sometimes all you need is a bit of guidance.

If you are in and around Central Florida contact Solutions Weight Loss and meet Dr. Eddie Thomas to plan out how to rejuvenate your skin and look young.

Solutions carries the best medical grade skin products, the SkinMedica, to bring back the youth in you. They know the power of the human body to invigorate itself. The line includes a full array of advanced skin care solutions, including creams, lotions, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, lip plumps, sunscreens, and more, all designed with a more youthful-looking, vibrant you in mind. From our Vampire Facelift (or Vampire lift) to the Vampire Breastlift or HCG Diet Plan, we can help you reach your 2017 beauty and health goals!

Come and visit Solutions Weight Loss for a comprehensive review of your health needs.

The post Are Your Wrinkles Showing Too Much Wisdom? 7 Anti-Aging Secrets You Should Follow first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

Apple cider vinegar, much like your first shot of tequila, you need to brace yourself. It’s not going to taste great. You’ll need a shot glass and most likely a chaser. However, unlike tequila, apple cider vinegar with work with your innards for a very rewarding affect…I bet tequila never did that for you.

Yes, the taste is pretty brutal. But we’re all adults here. Take a shot, and reap the benefits.

You will need unfiltered and organic apple cider vinegar. Look for one with a label that reads “Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with the ‘Mother’”. The “mother” indicates that your cider has bits of the fermentation of the apples floating around in the bottle (you’ll be able to see it). Seeing that fermentation is a confirmation that your vinegar hasn’t been drained. Draining the mother from your vinegar is basically draining the impactful nutrients out.

Remember, it is still always important to consult with your physician before adding a regime of anything, including apple cider vinegar to your diet. Everything should be done in moderation, including apple cider vinegar.

However, including apple cider vinegar in your diet at least on a weekly basis is your first step in converting into a whole foods, super foods, and clean-living goddess. Before you know it you’ll be joining me and using coconut oil as your moisturizer (it works, I swear!).

So now that you know what to buy, here are just a few reasons to encourage to actually buy apple cider vinegar:

1. Better Hair and Skin:

After shampooing and conditioning, a quick rinse of apple cider vinegar (ACV) can leave your hair with more shine and fighting off dandruff. You do not need much. It’s suggested you put about ½ tablespoon with a cup’s worth of water in a bottle (preferably a recycled detangler bottle) and spritz the mixture through your strands.

If you already use a toner, try making ACV its replacement. It evens skin tone and clears up acne scars. Make it a part of your nightly or morning ritual before you apply moisturizer. The reason for this is because ACV has a pH much closer to our skin which protects a delicate layer of skin from being destroyed by chemical-based toners. (That layer just happens to be the one fighting against bacteria.)

2. Naturally Heal Your Heart:

Love your heart like apple cider vinegar loves your heart. ACV has acetic acid in it which has been shown to reduce the risk of heart diseases. For people with inherited triglycerides (bad cholesterol), ACV has shown to lower levels as well as blood pressure. In addition to a healthy diet, ACV could be the relief your next bloodwork is waiting for.

3. Strengthen Your Allergy Defenses:

Go ahead, breathe in that pollen. Yes, you might actually get through allergy season with hearing a few less “bless you’s”! Use ACV to combat mucus build up and strengthens your immune system because of its Vitamin A, B6, and C. Those vitamins naturally ward your body from allergens while it also helps lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage is the movement of a bodily fluid that helps your body’s immunity. This also pertains to clogged noses caused by the flu, which luckily, ACV is known to also help relieve you of a high temperature from the flu.

4. Joint Pain Relief:

You should really JOIN apple cider vinegar and your joints. While there isn’t scientific basis for this, testimony from personal use has suggested that ACV relieves arthritis. Will it cure it? No, but for those who suffer from the joint pain may find relief in knowing there won’t be any harmful reactions with prescribed medications. The acetic acid helps reduce the acidity already in our blood (which cause pain and inflammation). This may seem counterproductive since it’s adding acid to acid. Actually, as most health care providers agree, the acid in the ACV will eventually alkalize and ease the pain. You can soak your joints or choose to ingest ACV.

5. Detoxification:

You can be trendy and detoxify. You don’t need to be Gwyneth Paltrow to detoxify your body. ACV is a very cheap fix for detoxifying your body. Granted, working on its own, ACV isn’t going to do all the detoxification for you; you still need a green smoothie from time to time. You can do detoxify from either soaking in a bath with some ACV and Epson salt or ingesting it. The reason for this is because as it travels through your body, it kills bad bacteria. Killing off intrusions from bacteria or even too much mucus allows your body to function at full optimization. For additional ways to detoxify, mix a bit of ACV with a glass of a water before meals.

6. Boost your weight loss efforts:

ACV is safe to consume every day which is good news for those of us wanting to lose a few pounds. A 2005 study showed consumption of ACV either before or during a meal helps lower your appetite for the rest of the day.

In fact some people found that their caloric intake for the rest of the day naturally dropped by “200-275” calories. You can achieve this again by having it diluted in a glass of water, or use it as a dressing for your salad, or add a bit to your soup broths. It will also help relieve bloat!

7. Gain relief for diabetes:

Just like arthritis, ACP cannot cure diabetes but it can help relieve some of its pains. Added to a proper diabetic diet, ACV helps prevent a huge spike of blood sugar after a meal for diabetic patients and reduce insulin levels. Try adding a little cinnamon and hot lemon water to your ACV drink; cinnamon will also help reduce blood sugar and lemon is good for cleansing. Many geriatric medicine providers use this trick for older patients who are presenting as pre-diabetic.

So listen, if I’m being honest, I have a near full bottle of apple cider vinegar still sitting on my kitchen counter from about three months ago. I went about two days and two shots in when I called it quits.

However, I have effectively convinced myself to join back on the detoxification bandwagon…besides, Kombucha is way more expensive than a bottle of apple cider vinegar!

The post An Apple a Day Keeps the Toxins at Bay first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

(I know, I’m having a hard time keeping mine.)

But I also have some good news for you – It’s not too late!

Over 40% of American make New Year’s Resolutions, while only 33% watch the Super Bowl! So, we definitely have the self-improvement game down. We aim high! Setting goals is almost as old of an American past time as putting clothes on dogs or watching fireworks on the 4th of July.

So, why don’t we take it one step further and learn how the 8% make their new year’s goals stick.

Reading this report from Forbes inspired us to dig deep-asking our patients, staff and friends their own secrets to success (We have a pretty high-achieving team here at Solutions Weight Loss).Without further ado, here is what they had to say:

1. Shout your goal from the rooftops.

Sure, it might take a little guts to tell your friends and family about those 10 pounds you want to lose or new workout routine you want to try. But the courage to speak up almost always leads to the courage to act. Once you’ve put it out there, not only do your friends know you’re serious, but you know it too. (And after all, that’s what really matters!) It’s a form of verbal commitment that says “Look at me world, this is who I am. This is who I’m going to be.” So, while we might advise you to avoid telling your hair stylist or postman about your goals, sharing them with people in your inner circle is often your first step to success.

2. Make a schedule.

Remember the adage, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail?” Well, it’s absolutely true. Any time a new patient comes in wanting to try medical weight loss, we always encourage them to write down when they plan to take their appetite suppressants and weight loss supplements, along with a general schedule of the nutritious, real-food meals they plan to eat.

Don’t believe me? A Harvard study shows that people who write down their professional goals earn about 10 times as much as the other 97 percent combined!

After all, that’s why we’re here! To provide the support they need. And while they might not like it at first, they’re always happy with the results.

Not interested in medical weight loss? That’s ok! Just make sure to follow any new diet or exercise plan through in your head first, before you plan to act. Write it on your wall calendar, or save it on your calendar app. Set an alarm. Schedule a notification. Do whatever you have to do today to help yourself reach your goal tomorrow.

3.  Keep it Simple.

With the HCG Diet Plan, the procedure is actually much simpler than the name implies. You just limit your caloric intake while taking the natural hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in prescribed doses every day. The results, however, are not simple in the least! Women lose up to half a pound of body fat per day! Men lose an average of 1-pound per day!

And they keep it off!

Another strategy is to match your eating patterns to the cycle of the seasons, which is something a lot of us are already inclined to do. Read this great post from our friend Dr. Cynthia to learn how to “Spring Clean” your diet!

Studies show that the less you have to think about the process of reaching a goal, the more likely you are to achieve it. Sometimes a set-it and forget-it mentality is best! (Of course, if you are doing a medically-supervised weight loss plan or HCG Diet Plan, you can only “forget it” once you have the proper medical team and strategies in place).

But if you’re doing something as simple as, say, cutting out carbs and sugars. Then, just do it!  It’s as simple (and effective) as that.

4.  Track your Progress

“If you can measure it, you can change it.” This fundamental principal of psychology describes the way our mind is connected to our will. It’s also why elementary school children need golden star stickers to know they’re on the right track.

Once we can see small bits of progress towards our goal, we will be sure to take every step needed to reach the finish line. Another key part of tracking progress is to be exact in what you’re tracking.

For example, it is much easier to follow a plan that says “no chips, fries or cookies for six weeks” than something like “achieving a balanced diet of nutrient rich foods for “however long I can do it.”

So turning your goals into something you can actually measure is key.

5. Be Patient

This is the hardest one for most people (but it’s honestly the most important). As humans, we are creatures of habit, and we hardly ever make progress in a straight line. Some people might see rapid gains at first, only to hit a wall months later. Others take more of a boomerang-like path until they reach their goals.

Still others make progress similar to the way an old car turns on. Initial progress may be slow, and even painful, but suddenly they achieve the breakthrough they were waiting for and are off to the races again!

Setting ambitious goals can be fun and exhilarating. But the obstacles and distractions you might meet along the way can take that excitement away very quickly.

Following these easy steps outlined above should help you stay in the “excited” zone and keep you among the top 8% that are still moving towards their goals this December (albeit, possibly sneaking an ice cream or slice or cake in mid-July).

Solutions Weight Loss is on your side!

The post 5 Secrets of The Top Resolution-Keepers Among Us first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

They were malnourished, but they still gave birth to very healthy babies. It was then that he realized right away that pregnant women had something most people don’t.

It turns out that pregnant women carry a hormone (HCG) that would pull calories and fuel from stored fat INSTEAD of lean muscle mass to feed the baby in their womb.

Of course, Dr. Simeons believed that anyone could use that same hormone to reach their weight and fat loss goals safely – while keeping their lean body mass. And (surprise, surprise) he was right!

HCG is a peptide naturally produced in large amounts by the placenta during early pregnancy. It has many functions in utero and is used medically to treat a variety of conditions. HCG was thought by Dr. Simeons to work on the hypothalamus of the brain where it encourages the body to release “fixed” or “abnormal” fat stores for fuel.

How does the HCG Diet Plan work?

The plan is simple: eat a low (500-calorie/day) diet and take HCG hormone supplements – the same hormone pregnant women produce – and shave off pounds and pounds of fat safely, without harming your body’s natural metabolic rate.

Sounds easy enough, right?

Well, yes and no. The trick is NOT to just eat less calories. If that was all there was to it, you wouldn’t really need to use the hormones would you? (Trust me: I get that question all time time, so I know that’s what you’re thinking).

The trick is actually NOT in the calorie count but in the strict reduction of fat, sugars and carbs from your diet. ONLY when you reduce fat can your body try to use the fat is already has and ONLY when you take HCG injections does your body turn to your stored fat INSTEAD of your lean muscle mass.
Warning: Without the hormones and only the diet, YOU WILL lose lean muscle mass and risk damaging your natural metabolic rate.

Warning: Without the hormones and only the diet, YOU WILL lose lean muscle mass and risk damaging your natural metabolic rate.

Stage 1: The Indulgence

The first step in the HCG Diet Plan is to get your body ready to burn all that fat in the first place. For the first 2-3 days, you should indulge yourself without overdoing it. Take your HCG supplements or injections, but eat as much of your favorite foods as you would like.

Why not just jump right into the diet plan?

It takes about 2-3 days after taking the hormone for your body to access your “abnormal fat stores,” which are key to losing weight long term. You want to keep your normal fat stores well-stocked until that point. After the first 3 days, you should be ready for the 2nd stage.

Stage 2: The Burn

The 2nd stage is the main stage of the HCG diet. Once the 2-3 day indulgence (or “loading”) phase is over, it is time for the real work to begin. The #1 rule is to limit yourself to 500 calories per day of lean meats, vegetables and fruit.

Note: Just following the 500-calorie a day rule and ignoring the rest will NOT get you the results you desire. You can’t eat whatever you want under that limit. Instead, you need to focus on eating lean proteins, fruit and vegetables, while limiting your fat, sugar and carbohydrates. Also, as always, be sure to drink plenty of water.

To learn more about fats, starches and what to avoid, read this guide from Harvard on good fats, bad fats and those confusing “in-between” fats.

Here is what an average Stage 2 Day on the HCG Diet Plan looks like:

According to Dr. Simeon, breakfast should just be liquids, such as coffee or tea.

Lunch and dinner follow this simple formula: one lean protein, one vegetable, one fruit, and one starch.

Proteins (2 servings a day) can include the following:

• chicken breast (no thighs or fatty pieces)
• lean beef
• lobster
• crab
• shrimp
• veal or any white fish
• *Avoid fatty fish, such as eel, herring, salmon or tuna.

Vegetables (2 servings a day) can include the following:

• Beet Greens
• Spinach
• Green Salad
• Chard
• Chicory
• Tomatoes
• Celery
• Red Radishes
• Asparagus
• Onions
• Cucumbers
• Cabbage

Fruits (2 servings a day) can include the following:

• Strawberries (a handful)
• Small-medium sized orange
• One apple
• 1/2 of a grapefruit

Starches (2 servings a day) can include the following:

• One low-fat breadstick
• One Melba Toast
• Two Melba Rounds

Side note: I have had several patients who spread their dinner and lunch menus out during the day to avoid skipping breakfast. This is perfectly fine! As long as you stick to the basic menu items and 500-calorie plan, you will get the results you desire.

Stage 3: Stabilization

In his book, “Pounds and Inches,” Dr. Simeons recommended following a strict protocol for 3 weeks AFTER finishing Stage 2 and stopping your HCG drops or injections.

Here is what he recommends during this stage:

• Weight yourself every day to make sure you remain within 2 pounds of your most recent injection weight
• Avoid ALL sugars and starches (or, realistically, limit your intake greatly)
• Eat AT LEAST 100 grams of cooked, lean protein per day (if you go over your 2 pounds of Stage 2 weight, plan a steak day right away)

Even though you are done with your injections, this stage is 100% crucial to the success of the HCG diet. Why?

From the day you stop your last HCG injection, your body will be very sensitive to high-sugar or high-carbohydrate foods. It is critical that you follow this phase as faithfully as you did Stage 2.

During Stage 3, your hypothalamus will reset, rewiring your metabolism and erasing the effects of yo-yo dieting and poor eating habits. The weight you reach on the morning of your last injection is the weight that you should use as a basis for your maintenance phase. Many call this Last Injection Weight (LIW).

Here are some words from Dr. Simeons himself that illustrates this point:

“It takes about 3 weeks before the weight reached at the end of the treatment becomes stable, i.e. does not show violent fluctuations after an occasional excess. During this period patients must realize that the so-called carbohydrates (that is: sugar, rice, bread, potatoes, pastries), are by far the most dangerous.

If no carbohydrates whatsoever are eaten, fats can be indulged in… But as soon as fats and starch are combined things are very liable to get out of hand. This has to be observed very carefully during the first 3 weeks after the treatment is ended otherwise disappointments are almost sure to occur.”

Ready to try HCG for yourself and melt those extra pounds away? Here are some key reminders and tips to keep in mind:

• Avoid using oil-based cosmetics or skincare products, as added oils can interfere with the hormones and derail your results
• Always plan your meals ahead of time, and set yourself up for success. If you get hungry before lunch, “borrow” a fruit or vegetable from the other meals. As long as you stay under 500 calories, you will still be on target.
• Take the maintenance phase seriously, as outlined above.

Why use medically-supervised weight loss instead of following the HCG plan myself?

After Stages 1 and 2 of the HCG Diet, it is important to make significant dietary and lifestyle changes to support your body and sustain the weight loss. With medical supervision, the HCG Diet also provides a safe and reliable means to treating obesity.

HCG diet programs that provide the best results offer a medically-supervised program that supports the patient before, during, and after weight loss. As with any weight loss program, it is not uncommon for patients to put pounds back on once they go back to eating the standard American diet.

One of our favorite things about the HCG Diet protocol is that our patients lose the majority of their weight from fat mass and not lean mass. However, the HCG Diet is not a “magic wand.” You cannot remove fat stores forever or simply reset the hypothalamus and go back to eating a normal diet. To achieve the best lifelong results and change, consider a medically-supervised plan with a doctor who is experiencing in helping patients gain long-term results.

The post Do you know the “skinny” on the 800 Calorie HCG Diet Plan lifestyle? first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

If it is the last one, read on.

By default, the face is our calling card; by looks, emotions, and simple identification! No matter what, we all want to make it count by looking great, even if we sometimes ugly cry our mascara off.

It seems that as we get older, the spotlight feels to dim on our once luminous face and sun damage, acne, and dark circles take its place. However, if you’re not quite ready to let go of your glow, we have your noninvasive option.

Before her social media hiatus, remember when Kim Kardashian posted a blood-slathered selfie? Well, it wasn’t actually something to fear, it was yet another trend to try; it’s the one known as the Vampire Facelift.

Much like many other of Kim’s actions, this one went viral too, becoming an instant attraction for A-listers. Kim is not alone in vouching for the veracity of its effectiveness. The reason why it has become a hit with celebrities is the fact that there is no down time and minimal side effects. After all, it is highly unlikely that your body would negatively react to your own blood.

What is the Vampire Facelift?

Created by Dr. Charles Runels, the FDA approved Vampire Facelift can rejuvenate your face and make you probably look better than you did at your own prom.
The patient’s blood is drawn from the arm which is later spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet rich plasma or PRP. These are then injected back into the patient’s facial skin. When it is combined in a particular way with fillers like Restylane or Juvederm, the combination becomes what is known and patented as the Vampire Facelift.

When to consider a Vampire Facelift:

How do you know that your face needs a Vampire Facelift? Look out for these three signs on your face:

1. Your skin color has become greyer due to lack of proper blood supply.

2. The shape of your face has collapsed and become droopy due to decrease in muscle and collagen.

3. The texture of your skin has become rough.

Simply put, you have lost your rosy hue as seen in children and young adults and you appear tired, worn and droopy. Let’s be honest, you look tired because you work hard, isn’t it time to treat yourself with some good skin, higher self-esteem, and maybe a new dress for happy hour? It is time for you to give your face a Vampire Facelift.

How does the Vampire Facelift work?

The procedure is completed in two parts. During the first part, a filler like Juvederm is injected in specific parts of the face. This is done to restore the shape of your younger face.

In the second part, two teaspoons or a vile of blood is taken from a patient’s arm and is then put inside a centrifuge for separation. The process separates red blood cells from the platelet rich plasma, referred to as PRP. This platelet rich plasma is injected under the facial skin using a micro needling technique, which stimulates the growth of collagen. Collagen, a protein, is a natural body healer which replaces dead cells of the skin and also provides strength and elasticity to it.

It’s all about allowing the body to heal on its own and in 2017, natural health is more attractive than anything…but an avocado mask just isn’t going to cut it anymore.

Proof that Vampire Facelift works:

The Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery published a study comparing two different procedures using combination treatment. In the first, PRP was paired with micro needling, which is known as Collagen Induction Therapy. In the second, Vitamin C was paired with micro needling. Both pairings were tested on patients who had acne scarring.

The patients’ acne scarring was first rated on the Goodman and Baron Scale and grades were subsequently assigned. Both sides of each patient’s face were digitally photographed before and after the completion of treatment maintaining the same background, lighting and positions.

30 patients in the age bracket of 18- 34 participated in the study. Each one of the patients received four treatments in four-week increments. Patients were treated with the PRP combo on the right side of their face and on the left side they were treated with Vitamin C combo. The acne scars were re-evaluated after the treatment, both by the doctors as well the patients using the Goodman and Baron Scale. Out of the total 30 patients, 23 of them showed improvements of one or two grades with PRP combination.

In another study 23 patients were treated once a month with PRP and a filler injected into specific locations on the face and neck. The study conducted over a three month period was published by the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. A digital camera and a Dermoscope were used to photograph the study participants, both before and after the procedure. The patients were finally evaluated after one month of their treatment and it was found that the technique was effective with satisfactory results. It was also noted that none of the participants experienced any major or persistent side effects.

There are many women who have shared their Vampire Facelift before and after experiences on the RealSelf.com website and majority of them are happily satisfied with the results. RaelSelf.com encourages women to share their experiences on its website who have undergone cosmetic surgery. They can also ask questions which are answered by the doctors.

Logistics of Vampire Facelift:

Vampire Facelift is a simple noninvasive procedure with minimal or no side effects. It improves the quality of your skin.

An out-patient procedure, Vampire Facelift takes only about 30-60 minutes of your time after which you can resume your normal activities. There will of course be some redness on your face due to the micro needling technique, which would subside over time. The difference will be visible to you in a couple of days and will gradually keep on improving for about two to three months after the procedure.

Even months after the procedure your skin will continue glowing as the plasma stimulates the stem cells of the skin to produce more collagen. And as the new cells grow they keep rejuvenating your skin.A treatment of Vampire Facelift is so effective the results last 16 months up to two years.

The average cost of a Vampire Facelift is $1,125 (according to RealSelf.com).

Why Solutions Weight Loss?

At Solutions Weight Loss we know what it takes to have a healthy face. As a family physician and an active member of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, William Newsome, MD has practiced in Orlando for more than 20 years.

Dr. Newsome, personally trained by Dr. Charles Runels, works with each of his patient to decide the best possible treatment. Just being envious of a beautiful woman will not make you more beautiful; but what you can do is visit Solutions Weight Loss and meet Dr. Newsome for your own Vampire Facelift.

The post Is 2017 Your Year to Look Younger? first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

Most New Year’s resolutions are focused on some form of weight loss solution or program. Solutions Weight Loss has an HCG Diet designed to sculpt the ‘new you’ with the help of great meal planning and dietary supplement usage. Goals are set, met and the journey is cultivated based on personalized ramifications and healthcare guidelines. But what about beauty and cosmetic assistance? Your diet is going well or even completed and now you are looking at removing lines or tightening skin. You can stick with the same doctors that helped get your eating habits under control. Transformations come in many forms.

1.

Botox

– As one of the most commonly known and widely accepted injection systems, Botox relieves some of the tension in facial muscles. The purified protein solution reduces many of the lines and wrinkles the face accumulates over time. We all age, Botox helps you do it gracefully.

2.

Juvederm

– Much like the infamous Botox (though significantly different), Juvederm Ultra XC is an ingenious treatment that revitalizes the look and feel of your skin. Using elements already present, yet depleted over time, in your body, it restores structure, definition and ampleness of your features.

3.

Latisse

– Flutter away 2015 with the sweep of your own-grown eyelashes! Add the fuller, longer enriched look and texture of your current eyelashes with this easy to apply treatment. The growth serum is a Do-It-Yourself solution that you apply each night to see the results you won’t believe until you see!

4.

Kybella

– Tired of facing down in pictures to hide a double-chin or turkey-neck? Fat blasting is a reality on a cellular level with this injection solution. Get permanent results by attacking the excess fat cells in the problem area and be in and out of the office in 15 to 20 minutes.

The best aspect of each of these great and revolutionary treatments is the fact that they are all non-surgical. You don’t have to be self-conscious of appearance when there are safe and physician approved options right here in Orlando.

The post New Year, New Me first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

Motivation Stays High
The more you chant “this week will be different” means the more free and vague downtime to account for. Our hormones and eating habits are defined but what they are accustomed to. Years of poor eating and exercise habits do not change overnight just because you say so. With each new day you can swipe the slate clean and focus on the fresh day you have laid out before you. Even if yesterday was a great and productive day, today can be another great and productive first day!

Resolution Suggestion? Try using January 1st as you first Day 1 of many 1 Days!

Focus is Key
One of the hardest aspects of dieting is staying focused on the main goal at hand. No matter your reasoning, you started this journey with a purpose and have to stay on target to achieve it. Sometimes it is helpful to create a reminder checklist of all supplements, food intake requirements, and free time available to work out. Other times staying focused includes a strict regimen or coach to cancel out any and all flexibility to be swayed. Find what works for you in keeping your eyes on the prize.

Resolution Suggestion? Keep reminders in view. Maybe placing helpful Post-Its on mirrors or placing books and pictures with healthy choices in plain view wherever you usually lounge or rest.

Want to know how the top-achieving 8% of resolution keepers stay true to their goals? Read this post!

New Year, New Day

The shorter the time length your mind takes between refreshing the efforts of your weight loss solution, the better the chance you have of keeping the hope alive! For instance, its December 28th and the Christmas weekend was brutal on your dietary inhibitions. Now it is Monday morning and you’re feeling guilty and close to giving up with a binge. Why not CHOOSE to let go the past and treat today like a fresh start? The further you allow your emotions and self-doubt to lead your decision-making, the further away from success you’ll find yourself.

Resolution Suggestion? Decide when you first wake up in the morning, or even the night before a brand new day, to start the day with the belief that ‘today is its own journey’.

One bad meal can easily turn into a “bad day” and then that bad day into a bad last week. Then last week turns into the last few weeks. Next thing you know you’ve wasted a whole month or worse giving in to weakness. So remember to stay motivated, focused and “brand new” by redirecting your mindset toward staying positive!

Happy New Year & Good Luck to my fellow Solutions Weight Loss program winners!

The post New Resolutions, Old Tricks first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.

The answers to these questions should make you want to evaluate your normal eating habits just as much as the “special” days. Real solutions to weight loss trouble can be found right here in the Orlando/Kissimmee area all year round!

We humans are creatures of habit. Traditions are ingrained in us physically and emotionally and not all of them are part of a healthy, smart cycle. So if this holiday season you simply refuse to stick to the orders of your weight loss doctor or you falter from your HCG diet plan, just remember the key is moderation. If it is a must, don’t eat it all and fill up until you bust!

If you are willing to give it your best and focus that awesome will power that had you calling Solutions Weight Loss clinic in the first place, just remember to always be prepared. Strategy is not just for the football players of the Thanksgiving Day showdown!

Here’s some help:

1. Eat before you get to the “big” table. A hearty, healthy breakfast and keeping up the proper eating regime throughout the day will help keep your hormones and cravings under control.

1. Fill up on the healthier appetizers and offerings first. Work your way into the savory or sweet storm by starting off with the delicious light or even health choices of the day.
   a. Drinking water throughout the day and staying hydrated will help clear your mind(and stomach) to make smarter, more thoughtful decisions

1. If you’re out and about doing shopping for friends and loved ones, steer clear of the restaurants and food courts pushing seasonal delicacies and holiday offers. There are plenty of healthy pumpkin treats and recipes that don’t involve a near sugar coma!

1. Help keep focused by reminding yourself of the end results you want to see. At the least, focus on your most recent victory and the next goal you’ve set. It is the small victories that guide us to win the war.

1. Don’t underestimate the power of a yummy snack…multiple times! Healthy snacking throughout the day will limit the desire to gorge yourself later on.
   a. Snacking while cooking the “big” meals is inevitable. Make sure the snacks are what you have planned, not just the samples of everything you make.

You can tell yourself today doesn’t count all you want. However, tomorrow is waiting right around the corner to remind you that it does. Enjoy your holidays and feel just as happy after them. Happy Holidays and Happy Snacking!

The post Today Doesn’t Count first appeared on Solutions Weight Loss.