Diet Principles

1. Calories
Calories are everything. 7 calories per pound to lose weight safely. Burn the calories or restrict the calories both work. But burn/restrict together is a powerful diet weapon.

2. Water
Number one way to speed metabolism, curb appetite & flush fats & toxins out of your system. Also helps in muscle recovery.

3. Nutrition
If you don't get what your body needs you will crave & hunger. So multivitamins or one of the three cereals I recommend. (total, smart start, multigrain cherioos) these provide the total RDA. RDA is the approved research most programs follow. It's the standard.Vegetables raw, steamed or pickled in unlimited amounts. They have very low calories, fiber to keep you full, & good for snacks. (beware of dips & sauces) *careful w/potatoes, too much starch.
Now we can get to the diet.

CUP & SAUCER DIET
Men/ Women-250/200 or less calories

breakfast
-500 or less calories lunch-250/200 or less for dinner
5 days for moderate diet. 6 days for faster results. The idea for breakfast is to fit inside a tea cup and dinner inside a saucer. (remember veggies are unlimited) Americans portions are too large.

Choices
-eggs are better than cereal. Eggs are real. Cereal is still a good choice for vitamins & fiber.-protein is said to be harder to digest so it takes energy (metabolism increase) to break it down. Protein also makes you feel full faster than carbohydrates.

-1st water then eat.
This helps you get the water you need. Start an hour before you eat if necessary.-B.A.S.S.P. Beware of Breads*, Alcohol, Sweets, Second servings, Pastas. Save these for you day off.*all breads aren't equal, small amounts of whole wheat are fine.

-Artificial Sweetners
simply put, recents studies suggest they make you gain more or hold on to more weight than sugar. (real food is digested in your stomach, artificial is processed in your liver. Next your liver stimulates fat production*)*see my blog also 2/09 issue of OnFitness Magazine-Supplements work... but I won't suggest any.

-Partner
don't diet alone. A timeless bit of wisdom written by an ancient middle eastern king and historian still proved true. "two are better than one"(some say that about chocolate)

Lastly the big secret!
Eat less, Move more.