Five Super Simple Fat Loss Tips

March 12, 2009 By

 

rocket science

Fat loss isn’t rocket science. I know we love to make our problems seem much bigger than they really are, but when you really look at them they’re typically easy to solve. And that’s often the case with fat loss.

To prove it to you here are five super simple fat loss tips you can easily follow:

1) Stop guzzling liquid sugar. Yes, I mean soft drinks and juices and bottles of iced tea loaded with high fructose corn syrup. For the most part, a 12 oz can of cola is 150 calories of pure sugar. Have a couple of those a day…

2) I’ve written it a gazillion times and I will continue to – eat breakfast! If you want to make fat loss easy then make sure you start your metabolism off on the right foot.

3) Eat more fruit. Aim for at least 5 servings a day.

4) Eat more veggies. Again, aim for at least 5 servings a day.

5) Stop eating so many processed foods. If it comes in a box from your grocery store it’s most likely processed. The fresher the foods the better.

* Bonus tip*

You can make tips 3 and 4 a breeze by using a whole foods based multi. Personally, I love Prograde Nutrition’s VGF 25+ because it is made from 25 WHOLE veggies, greens and fruits.

Stay focused,
Sarai D. Jones
PS – You know I take my nutrition seriously. And it’s why I ONLY recommend Prograde Nutrition’s Whole Foods based multi. They have both a men’s and women’s formula.

Filed Under: Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Get Back To The Basics

March 9, 2009 By

 

By now you probably know that one of the best way to stay on track to losing weight is cook your food yourself. Add to that the economy being as it is right now, and it seems like RIGHT NOW more than ever is the perfect time to start cutting back on take-out and restaurant meals, and to eat more dinners at home, pack lunches, reduce expenses and slim down at the same time.

The challenge, though, is that if you’re NOT a confident cook, then the idea of making dinner from scratch, even if it’s cheaper than take-out, seems incredibly stressful.

If you’re the world’s worst cook, or Mom to gaggle of kids barely keeping your head attached, or you never learned to cook properly… maybe you don’t know where to start.

Well I stumbled upon a great 14 -week online cooking class put on by Shelley at One Roast Vegetable and I have been totaly enjoying it. Even though I consider myself a pretty seasoned cook, I’ve been learning lots of stuff about the basics of cooking that frankly, I was never really taught.

I’m in week 5 of the program but registration for another class is starting March 24th and I had to tell you about it. Like I mentioned, it’s an online class that takes place in your own home (no traveling!), and you can work at your own pace, so very low stress 🙂

Each week you receive a new lesson, and you can follow along with her step-by-step instructions and videos. You’ll learn the basics, like how to make a perfect hard boiled egg, how to roast a chicken (and what to do with the leftovers).

If you want to check out a preview of how it all works go here Preview lessons and check them out.

Registration for this class begins Tuesday, March 24th … and the last time she offered this class it sold out in 4.5 hours!

So you should really go right now and sign up to get more information on the Back to Basics Cooking Class Back to Basics Cooking Class.

Happy cooking!

Stay focused,

Sarai D. Jones

P.S. I think you’ll be pretty surprised when you see what this class costs!
14 weeks of video lessons delivered right to your email inbox, all for less than what you’d pay for one take-out dinner … Back to Basics Cooking Class

Filed Under: Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Got Stress? -Quick Tip To Beat It

March 1, 2009 By

 

Exercise is the number one thing that you can do to relieve daily stress. A good workout will get your mind off of your bills, your boss, and your endless responsibilities. It’s been said that if exercise were a drug it would be the most powerful medication on earth!

Stay focused,

Sarai D. Jones

Filed Under: Mental Health Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Healthy Snack Options for Rapid Fat Loss

February 24, 2009 By

 

As a fitness expert people always ask me, "What snacks can I eat that will help me lose ‘this’?" When they say "this" they are pointing to some part of their body that has a bit too much fat for their liking.
Now I think some people are waiting for me to say, "Oh, don’t worry, you can eat cookies, chips and candy all you want. Everyone has been lying to you. They actually make you thinner!"

Seriously, people really do want me to tell them what they WANT to hear.

But, fortunately, some people are serious when they ask that question. They really do want to know some healthy snack options for rapid fat loss.

So here’s what I tell them:

  • Raw almonds, walnuts or pecans (Not the roasted variety. And don’t even think about the ones with sugar sprinkled on them!)
  • Fruit or veggies cut up into sticks (Stay away from dipping them into things you know you shouldn’t)
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Low-fat cottage cheese
  • Hummus

Those are all great options. But if you really want to treat yourself you’ve gotta check out Prograde Cravers. You can find them here www.BootyCampNutrition.com
They’re made with 100% organic dark chocolate. Plus, they’re only 180 calories and they’re out-of-this-world delicious.

Seriously, this isn’t your ordinary "tastes like chemicals or cardboard’ nutritional bar.

Definitely check them out.

Stay focused,
Sarai D. Jones

Filed Under: Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Can You Game Yourself Thin?

February 22, 2009 By

 

There’s nothing worse than getting ripped off.

To invest your hard earned money on a product that promises results that aren’t delivered.

That’s how millions of new Wii Fit owners are feeling right now, and I don’t blame them.

The Wii Fit is marketed as the latest and greatest way to lose weight and be fit. The specialized Nintendo is supposed to do the job of your gym, your treadmill and even your personal trainer.

That’s a lot of pressure for a video game.

With all the buzz surrounding the Wii Fit, I decided that some research was in order. What is this Wii Fit, and how is it qualified to get you into the best shape of your life?

The Wii uses television and a wireless "balance board" that is about two feet wide and half as deep. The board is basically a fancy scale, which measures your weight and detects your equilibrium. To play Wii Fit, you stand on the board and do a series of games that fall into one of four categories: aerobics, balance, strength, and yoga.

My research did turn up some cases of documented weight loss as a result of Wii Fit play time. In each case the person went from a sedentary lifestyle (basically a couch potato) and saw weight loss after doing the Wii Fit for 30-60 minutes per day.

Walking for 30-60 minutes per day will give the same results.

To really understand the purpose of this product I did a search on Shigeru Miyamoto, he’s the creator of the Wii Fit.

What he said may shock you.

"I don’t think Wii Fit’s purpose is to make you fit; what it’s actually aiming to do is make you aware of your body," he said. "That’s why we wanted people to talk with their families about Wii Fit, and become aware of these things together as a group."

The purpose of the Wii Fit is not to make you fit?!

But what about the marketing pieces that are telling you to use the Wii Fit as your one-stop shop for fitness and weight loss?

What about the people who purchased a Wii Fit with the hopes of losing 30 lbs?

It’s time to call the Wii Fit what it really is: a video game…entertainment, and that’s it.

Don’t get me wrong, the Wii Fit is a fun, interactive game that gets you to burn more calories than you would just sitting on the couch. People enjoy playing it with their kids and it sure beats lounging on the couch watching T.V.

But it’s just like the creator of the product said; it’s not intended to make you fit. Sure, it may be marketed that way but that’s not what it’s for and that’s not what it does.

Don’t sell yourself on the idea that a video game will get you into great shape.

Play the Wii Fit. Enjoy the Wii Fit. Burn a few calories with the Wii Fit.

And then contact me for a workout that will truly change your life and get you the body that you want, because all of my programs were created with the purpose of getting YOU fit.

Stay focused,

Sarai D. Jones

Filed Under: Exercise and Fitness Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

4 Quick Tips For Eating More Vegetables

February 21, 2009 By

 

According to WebMD, people who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for maintaining a healthy body. Here are 4 quick tips for eating more vegetables:

  • Buy fresh vegetables in season. They cost less and taste better.
  • Buy vegetables that are quick to prepare. Pick up pre-washed bags of salad greens and add baby carrots and grape tomatoes for a simple salad.
  • Stock up on frozen vegetables for quick and easy cooking in the microwave.
  • Try this recipe for Potato & Carrot Casserole – a delicious way to eat veggies.

Stay focused,

Sarai D. Jones

Filed Under: Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

This Is Getting Out Of Hand!

January 9, 2009 By

 

So did you check out the new season of biggest loser this week?

It is a real wake up call that the obesity epidemic is getting out of hand. If you watched the show you know that they have the biggest man and women ever to be on the show. Nearly 400lbs for him and about 370lbs for her.

Wow! I know it’s a show filled with very large people but this season is really like no other!

I was thinking about how and why this is happening to us Americans and one thing that instantly jumped to mind is portion sizes.

Over the past few decades, portion sizes of everything from muffins to sandwiches have grown considerably. From 1977 to 1997, hamburgers expanded by 23%; a plate of Mexican food got 27%
bigger (see above picture); soft drinks increased by 52%; snacks (potato chips, pretzels, crackers) grew 60%.

It’s no wonder that season after season a major TV network can find plenty of severely overweight people to fill its show and "entertain" us.

Take a look at these examples of how much our portion sizes have changed.

This is getting ridiculous!

Well it all stops here. Did you know that just by reducing your portions of the exact same foods you eat now you could begin to lose massive amounts of weight? It’s true. Now think of what will happen when you start making healthier choices as well.

Here are some tips to get you started in the right direction:

  • Use smaller plates and bowls. There’s a proven link between the perceived
    size of food and appetite.
  • Order an appetizer as your meal or order from the lunch menu at dinner time.
  • Pay attention to what you’re eating. You’ll munch away more calories than you realize when you mindlessly stare at the television.
  • Learn how to read food labels. You need to mindful of not only the grams and calories, but you need to pay attention to exactly how many servings are in a package. A lot of products we often eat as one serving are really 2 or more.

The Reality:
You are going to be eating less so don’t be surprised if you feel a little hungry in the beginning. This will pass. Try drinking more water and loading up on fiber filled veggies to help you feel more full until your body adjust.

Start using these tips today. Let’s keep you off the biggest loser!

Stay focused

Sarai D. Jones

Filed Under: Fat loss, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , ,

Sugar, Sugar, Sugar….. Stop Already!

December 30, 2008 By

 

Ok, so I know that that is way easier said than done.

I personally have dealt with a seriously over active sweet tooth most of my life. So much in fact that I weighed nearly 200lbs not too long ago.

So while you really do need to limit added sugar to a small percentage of your daily caloric intake, I know that for most of us women, eliminating it 100% is not happening.

What worked for me and has worked for many of my boot camp clients is to retrain your sweet tooth. I have some ideas for you, read on………..

  • Eat regularly – When you allow yourself to get so hungry that everything looks like the best -pizza, sandwich, donut – you’ve ever seen, there’s no way you are not going to be able to resist that candy bar or cookie that is right in front of you when you’re starving! Also by eating at regular intervals you will keep your blood sugar in check and also help reduce the chance of binge eating.
  • Limit sweets to after your meal -I know to most of you this is a duh thing, but I grew up in a house where dessert was served with dinner! (sorry to rat you out mama) so I thought this was normal. I am happy to say my family has since changed their ways. The point is however, if your tummy is already filled up with good solid food the chances that you will over indulge in sweets is greatly reduced.
  • Curb your cravings with a mini portion – When you just gotta have that treat, try a reduced size of what you want. Instead of a Hershey bar, have a Hershey kiss. It will most likely knock the edge off of the craving allowing you to get control over it without doing damage to your healthy habits. You can also try sharing your dessert with your dinner companions.
  • Un-train your internal sugar alarm clock – If everyday at 3:30pm you grab a cookie what are the chances that your body will begin to "need" that cookie at 3:30pm everyday. In doubt? How long do you go before you remember you need to drink your coffee or tea each morning. Sugar is addictive. If you train your body to expect it at the same time everyday, guess what? It will. Instead of giving in to your sugar craving see what might really be going on. Are you hungry? Are you stressed? Bored? Identify the real reason for your craving and distract yourself with something else. You’ll probably forget about it in less than 20 minutes.
  • Don’t eliminate sweets all together – Some of you may know my motto is "all or nothing gets you nothing" well in this case it’s the opposite. All or nothing will probably have you shoving every piece of chocolate and sugar filled goody in your mouth before weeks end! Yes, restraining too much can lead to binging. Enjoy your treats in moderation.

One of my favorites is the chocolate/peanut butter craver from Prograde. It’s all natural and organic with under 200 calories so I don’t feel guilty when I have one.

This is a battle, I know it firsthand. Don’t beat yourself up for not getting it perfect right off the bat, or ever. Keep working on it. I’ll be here to support you.

Stay focused

Sarai D. Jones

Filed Under: Fat loss, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Comfort Food…Your Two-Sided Friend

December 22, 2008 By

 

This might offend some of you but it needs to be said………

It’s 3 days before Christmas and you’re gearing up for more celebrations…and piles of seasonal comfort food. If you don’t mind, I’d like to be totally candid with you today.

Sure, I could write you a ‘feel good’ article about cutting back a few calories and exercising a few minutes each day, but I’d rather be perfectly frank (and truly helpful).

Here’s the real deal: You abuse food.

That’s right. You’re overweight because you eat too much, and you eat too much because it brings immediate pleasure.

I am here to point out that this pleasure comes at high price…

The other side of comfort food: You’ve heard dishes being referred to as ‘comfort food’—some restaurants even have an entire section of their menu designated as comfort food. But comfort food is more than just a hearty dish.

  • It’s those extra calories that you eat to feed an emotional need rather than a nutritional need.
  • It’s excessively big portions that leave you stuffed.
  • It’s high calorie snacks.
  • It’s sugary treats.
  • It’s fried, cheese smothered appetizers.
  • It’s whatever you indulge in with mindless munching.

Could you relate to any of the above? Most of us tend to gravitate toward a particular form of comfort food. For many women it’s chocolate or other sugary treats. For men it often takes a saltier form.

Think of the last time you ate for pleasure rather than nourishment. Why’d you do it?

Out of Habit: Your body loves routine. If you always snack while watching television then you’d probably find it hard to relax without going through that munching motion. The good news is that once you break the cycle your body will quickly adapt to a healthier routine.

To Change Your Mood: Does the thought of a cupcake bring a smile to your lips? How about a large pizza to lift your mood? Pay attention to the emotions that trigger you to overeat—you may be surprised how often you use food to feel better.

Because Everyone’s Doing It: Who can resist comfort food when it’s offered among friends? Peer pressure doesn’t just apply to teenagers—it’s another reason to overeat. Remember that true friends will support your decision to refrain.

Can you remember how you felt after you last filled up on comfort food? If you’re honest, you’ll admit that the stuffed and bloated feeling was downright awful. So why do it?

Come on, where have your eating habits gotten you?

  • Into clothes that are a few sizes larger.
  • Drained and with less energy than ever before.
  • Plagued with health concerns and prescriptions.
  • Embarrassed and frustrated with your body.

Most people don’t realize it, but the battle to overcome your eating habits is decided by a single body part—and it’s not your mouth. (Your mouth is simply a puppet.)

It’s your brain. Once you’ve made up your mind, for better or for worse, you can bet that your body will obey your decision to the letter. You’ve proven it time and time again.

So make the decision to give up your unhealthy dependence on comfort food.

There is no better time than now.

Making a change is hard—that’s why I’m committed to being with you every step of the way. Call today to schedule trial of my Elk Grove Boot Camp, or if you’re in the bay, check out my Livermore Boot Camp.

You can end the abuse, once and for all.

I’m here to help

Stay focused

Sarai D. Jones

Booty Boot Camp

Filed Under: Fat loss, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Bucket of Crabs

December 12, 2008 By

 

I published this article in my newsletter a few weeks ago. I got a lot of response from it so I thought I’d share it here. As you read it, think about all the crabs you may have in your own life, however subtle it may be………

Have you ever seen a bucket full of crabs? They pinch and pull as they struggle to climb over one another to reach the top of the bucket – to freedom.

Ask any fisherman and they’ll tell you that a bucket full of crabs doesn’t need a lid – they simply won’t escape.

Why? Well, it’s not impossible for a crab to climb to the top, and really if they worked together it would be quite easy. But crabs don’t work together…

Instinctively crabs pull each other down-literally.

When one crab breaks away from the pack, reaching its pinchers toward the top of the bucket, the others promptly grab onto the escapee’s leg, pulling him back down. That crab is then pushed to the bottom of the pile and his dream of freedom is crushed.

People have a way of acting just like a bucket of crabs. Have you ever decided on a personal goal only to have someone in your life talk you out of it?

Do you have crabs in your life? A crab is…

  • The person who discourages you from going to the gym
  • The person who scoffs when you mention your weight loss goals
  • The person who snickers when you choose salad over pizza

The crab mentality says "If I can’t have it, then neither can you." When you decide to do something different, to reach for a goal and to improve yourself, the crabs in your life will do their best to hold you back.

Keep Crabs at Bay: When crabs come snapping, remember the following:

  1. Ignore them: When someone in your life begins to pull you down with discouraging words, remember that you don’t have to listen. Don’t let them get into your head. Mentally tune them out or politely remove yourself from the situation. Who are they to tell you what you can or can’t achieve?
  2. Understand them: Ouch! Insults and put-downs hurt, especially when they come from people that we care about. So what is the deal? Why do your friends, co-workers and even your spouse turn into crabs when you decide to improve your life? Do they really hope that you don’t succeed? The truth is that crabs are thinking about themselves-not about you. They see you attempting to better yourself and to change your life. Whether they realize it or not, this scares them. If you better yourself will you still like them? Or will you leave them behind?
  3. You hold the power: Even the most persuasive crab doesn’t hold a candle to your iron will. When you are ready to change, and you’ve made up your mind without an inkling of doubt, then 90% of the work is done. Your mind is the most powerful tool at your disposal-don’t let a wimpy crab rob it from you.

Are you ready to make a positive change in your life? Don’t wait any longer. Join the ranks of my successful clients-schedule your first workout today.

And don’t let a single crab talk you out of it!

Stay Focused

Sarai Jones

Booty Boot Camp

Filed Under: Mental Health Tagged With: , ,
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