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There has been a discussion in the forums lately about diet pills. And I was wondering, are diet pills ever really a good idea? We look for the magic solution to our weight problems and no price is too high if we can find it in a bottle. But what are we really paying? Is the price of our health worth the risk that it just may help a little bit?

Want to shake up your weight loss routine?  How about spending more time with friends in the same predicament?  Friends can be inspiring.  To achieve your weight loss goals by forming a local network of fellow dieters, you create an affordable way to get support if you don’t have money for weekly meetings in a weight loss program.  Here are a few ideas for spending quality time wisely while supporting each other.

• Set aside some time each week for a group diet meeting with friends trying to lose weight. 

One of the biggest complaints from dieters is when they learn that they must increase their water intake in order to lose weight. It is perhaps one of the biggest challenges that they face while dieting. So how do you get all of that great water in each and every day?

There are many people that wonder how quickly they can lose the weight they want or need to lose. It is understandable that when we have come to the point that we are ready to lose the weight, we want it gone. Yesterday isn’t soon enough to have it gone. So we look at crash diets and any method to take the weight off as fast as we can.

It seems the older women get the more protein they need. Recent studies from researchers in the US and UK have found that women lose more muscle mass than men do as they age because their bodies can’t process protein like they used to. We already tend to have more fat and less muscle, even as early as middle-age.

This study compared women and men between the ages of 60-80.  Recommendations from the study include resistance training (weight training), and more protein in the diet. The goal is not to eat more food, but maximize your protein through better food selection. Select lean meat, eggs, legumes, and vegetables high in protein.

As promised, I am addressing the issue of water weight. Many of you have asked what it is exactly and why is it the first thing I lose on a diet? I thought these were some great questions, and so I’ve done a little homework for you. While there were several references to water weight, there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of information about why we lose it first. I hope that what I have found will help you to understand it just a little better.

Easter dinner was great.  In keeping it simple this year there was a ham, mac-n-cheese (for the kiddos), and asparagus.  When I got the ham I said let’s not forget the asparagus.  Why?  Because it is spring I suppose, I mean all I thought of in the produce section was lettuce for my much needed salads, strawberries of course for their vitamin C…and they were on sale, and asparagus. 

Literally folks, strawberries are trying to survive in NC. I hope they survive in FL. I just bought up a bunch of strawberries over the weekend on sale. I’m so glad. The kids love them. Strawberries are their favorite for sure. It is the number one requested fruit in our household.

The deep red color of the strawberry indicates its antioxidant properties. Containing more vitamin C than most berries, it also contains folate, vitamin B and a kick of fiber. At 55 calories per cup the strawberry is a versatile berry that should be in your fridge and freezer at all times.

While visiting the forums today, I came across a couple of interesting conversations that I thought I would comment on. The first was on the different diets that are out there. With so many options it can indeed feel overwhelming when making your choices for a diet. The important thing is that you do a little homework and find out about the diets before you decide on one. Then when you have decided on a diet, study, study, study. It takes time to learn all of the ins and outs of the program you decide to follow. Be patient and willing to learn.

Did you know that we have a weight loss forum here at Weight Reduction Coach? There have been a few posts on the boards lately and I thought it might be more fun if we all got involved. It is a great place to share your dieting triumphs and frustrations. You will find support with your peers as you finds ways to fight the battle of the bulge.