Think Thin with Dr. Fred From MotherHoodLater.com

I think we can all remember back when it was "so easy" to lose weight - if not so easy then at least easier than it is now. Time is definitely not our friend when it comes to weight loss, especially for women. The reason for this is mainly the hormonal changes that start to occur at this stage of life. That's right, peri-menopausal changes. These changes start anywhere from 35 to 40 and will last until you start to experience the more common menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, memory loss, and vaginal dryness - to name a few.

I have designed a program with stubborn weight loss issues in mind. These issues are interesting because many women complain of the inability to lose weight after having children (but that has never stopped Angelina Jolie) or some women find that for the first time in their lives, without changing the way they eat, they are finding that the pounds just keep piling on. It's all about hormones! The diet program I recommend is geared toward regulating those hormones and allowing you to lose weight and, most importantly, to stay healthy while setting a good example for your children.

In my first diet book for adults, Thin For Good, there are specific chapters designed for both men and women at different times in their lives. My more recent book, The Hamptons Diet, applies more to everyone and includes all of the insight I've gained since the first book was written. Each book has over 200 recipes. The Hamptons Diet Cookbook is also available if you truly get hooked on this way of eating.

In case you don't want to buy the books, allow me to share the top ten tips for losing weight (at any age!)

Cut out Sugar!
Seems simple enough, right? Yet sugar can be found in most foods. In fact, there are 300 foods that the government says do not have to include the sugar content in the ingredients label although the food does contain sugar (such as iodized salt - most iodized salts add sugar to keep the grains from sticking together). Did you know that ketchup contains more sugar than ice cream? How can you find the hidden sugars? Look at the ingredients list for words that end in "-ose" or "-ol" - these are sugars. Fruit juice should be avoided - studies show that those who consume more fruit juice are more prone to obesity and diabetes. Soda is also loaded with sugar. You may be hearing a lot about high fructose corn syrup these day too - what you may not know is that this product is even more deadly than regular sugar. Be wary of labels that say "no sugar added" - check the ingredients list. You will be surprised at what you find!
Note: Stevia (a non-caloric herb) is a good and healthy sugar substitute that can easily be found in a health food store.

Eradicate Simple Carbohydrates from your Diet:
That means bye-bye to all the "white" foods such as bread, pasta, pretzels, etc. They are metabolized in the body just like sugar. I should also mention that honey, succanat, and agave are still just sugars albeit in a "healthier" form; yet for the purposes of losing weight, they are metabolized in the body identically to sugar so get rid of them.

Cut out "Diet" Products:
Most of these will contain an artificial sweetener of some kind. Not only are these toxic chemicals which will kill you at some point, but they set up blood sugar reactions in the body and will have you craving sweets just as if you were eating sugar.

Choose Lean Proteins:
Don't be afraid of meat or eggs. They fire up the metabolism and it is okay to eat eggs every morning. 80% of the cholesterol in your blood stream is produced by the liver and not by what you eat - a very common medical myth. I would advise eating organic animal products whenever possible.

Choose Healthier Snacks:
Cheese, nuts, nut butters, seeds are all significantly heart healthy snacks. The fatty acids found in these products not only satisfy hunger, and boost your metabolism but will also aid in decreasing cholesterol and raising the healthy HDL cholesterol.

Vegetables are you Friends:
So many of us forget that vegetables are a wonderful source of carbohydrates and fiber. They are filling and most of them are filled with lots of water hence giving them the ability to satiate you.

Drink Plenty of Water:
You should be drinking about ½ your body weight in ounces of water each day. I know that sounds like a lot, but once you start doing it you will start to feel the thirst. This helps to flush out toxins and keep your bowels moving regularly.

Eat at Home More Often:
Not only will this save you money but you will know exactly what is in your food; no guess work and no added growth hormones or antibiotic residue from non-organic or non-natural food.

Exercise:
This not only decreases stress levels which decrease cortisol levels (the hormone that increases fatty deposition around the mid section) but also helps in the weight loss process. Even if you only exercise for a few minutes a day - it's better than nothing.

Get a Buddy:
If all else fails, get support from those around you. Encourage your husband, a girlfriend or anyone to join in with you. It is easier as a team. And if your family doesn't go along willingly, if you do the shopping and the cooking, then they will be forced to eat what you are eating - don't buy foods just for them. If they want something different, they can go to the store themselves.

Good Luck and Happy New Year!

Think Thin in 2009
Tips for Healthy Weight Loss
Dr. Fred Pescatore, MD, MPH, CCN
from www.motherhoodlater.com

Dr. Fred Pescatore, MD, MPH, CCN is a regular contributor to the MLTS Newsletter. He is the author of The New York Times best-selling book, The Hampton's Diet, and The Hampton's Diet Cookbook, which combine the Mediterranean lifestyle with the palates of Americans emphasizing a whole foods approach to health and weight management. He lectures around the world and has been seen on such televisions shows as, NBC's Today Show and ABC's The View. He is a correspondent for Women's World, First for Women, In Touch, US Weekly and Life & Style magazines.