So...my diet is still going on, but I kinda quit it this past few days because I discovered some new methods. I used to think people who are in desperate about losing weight are crazy because they will try everything that they hear/find/discover just because they are desparate. I still think that's stupid...after receiving a nutrition degree from undergrad, I would be laughed at if I follow those people's steps. My goal is to "healthyly" lose some weight, and not hurting my body. After carefully evaluating some posts from various internet resources (ie: other people's blogs), I am going to try to incorporate these couple methods into my daily diet. I translated from the blogs/websites, pardon my English...
1) Lemon in the water
Adding half of a lemon into 1L of water, the lemon needs to be sliced, set the (lemon) water in the fridge. The cool temperature helps to bring out the lemon flavor. Every day at least drink 3 L of such water, no special diet or restriction on food is required, but sufficient intake of water is a must. Minimum 15 minutes exercise, and they don't even have to be continuous (I don't really know about this part...). But then they explain the purpose of this kind of exercise is to sweat, and sweating will help to excrete toxins.
Need to watch: don't drink lemon water on a empty stomach, those are acidic to your tummy, and drink with a empty stomach will increase acidic production and hurt your stomach.
Reason to believe: because the acidity of lemon, in Chinese medicine, we believe that it will help to produce saliva and good for your pancreases. Lemon is also helps circulating blood and help absorption of Calcium, not mentioning plenty of Vitamin C. It can lower cholesterol, reduce chance of cancer, help to stay young, and beneficial in treating many other diseases.
Other benefits: drinking this water during long hours of flight suppose to help your circulation as well.
2) Menstrual period diet :
Apparently it is a very popular methods in Asia, and lots of people had swear to it.
Method: It is divide into 4 time period. Counting from the first day of your menstrual period
Period 1 (day 1-7): you are in a mood swing, easily tired. Recommend to exercise 3-5 hours/week. You are not going to see a whole lot "weight losing", so focuses of shape your body, do some yoga, Pilates, or increase flexibility of your body. Restrict your diet is not going to help, and may be cause dehydration. Exercise in a low intensity rate. Stay away from exercise that needs quick reflex...it's going to make you mad...
Period 2 (day 8-14): Climax of your exercise plan. Your estrogen level is probably at its highest point during this period (then once ovulation occur, progesterone is going to kick in, and that's next period). with high level of estrogen in your body, it helps to absorb and excrete carbohydrates, fat and proteins. So this is the best time to do aerobic exercises. And you are probably at your best mood during this time. Try to maintain exercise at least 7 hours/week, every day try to keep it up to 2 hours (OMG!!!) or every other day for 2 hours. This is a period that can gain weight really quick, because if you don't use them, they are going to be absorbed! So watch out those high caloric and high fat food. Instead, eat more fibers and they will help you to reduce your intake and help moving food alone the intestinal track. Recommendation is to do a 7 day diet plan ahead of time, 7 days is really not that long and easy to stick to.
Reason to believe: Because the hormone level are alternated during different period of the month, when you are in a good mood, you definitely have a better chance to carry out your diet plan. And with the help from Hormone, your exercise can be more productive.
Period 3 (day 15-21): You are getting close to the next menstrual period. It is not quiet effective as the previous week, but keep up the hard work and exercise 6 hours a week. At this time, aerobic exercise are good,just don't over work yourself. And if you don't have a gym to go, jumping ropes are the best solution. Make sure you jump at least 200 or more in the morning and evenings.
Period 4 (day 22-28): from Day 20-24, you can still exercise like normal, but as days pass by, from day 24-28, your exercise time, load, and rate should graduately decrease. Recommend time is 3 hours / week, can do some strength training. Your mood is getting ready to swing again, so stay away from those competitive games. At this time, you might find that your appetite is increase, as long as you don't eat snacks, or fried food, and no food before bed time, you should be okay.
She is not my goal, that would be too scary...but she lost from 138 lb to 84 lb!!! in a matter of 2 years...She is only 5'2". But this is for me to remind me that people can do this, and it is doable~ I just want this to be up to remind me when I am losing my focus.
(PS: pictures are cut and paste from her blog: http://www.wretch.cc/blog/golttin23/8599790 I don't want to be sued...)
