Tag: diet

I’ve done ProLon FMD Nutrition Program multiple times: an HONEST, detailed review about the full experience (is it worth it?) [VIDEO]

The following post is for educational purposes only and not considered as medical advice. Please consult with your primary care physician or health professional before beginning any new nutritional program such as ProLon. This is not A sponsored post. All opinions and experiences are honest and my own as the author.

Weellll it’s been a MINUTE since I put up a blog post, huh?! 😆😵

Hint: I include a REALLY thorough Q&A for ProLon at the end of this blog post – most of which are more detailed, additional tips to what I share in the already detailed day-by-day videos! This post will also be a work in progress as I will update to include relevant content as it is created.


 

I recently posted a six-video series sharing my experience doing the ProLon 5-day fasting mimicking nutrition program (which will likely include a handful of more videos, including the glucose/ketone comparison in my own personal “self-study”, a DIY homemade version, and perhaps future documentation whenever I do it again).

I even reached out to the people at ProLon after planning this video series, and they were kind enough to give me a generous discount coupon code for friends, clients, and viewers who decide to try it, too! All you have to do is go to their website and type in CATLADY in the promo code box at checkout 🤗

When it comes to the video series, I explain a lot in the videos within the series as I do take you through each day of the program in detail, but I figured it was also worthwhile to share some more things I may have forgotten here as a blog post for whoever may be curious about ProLon and common questions I’ve receive from clients, friends, and those who have seen videos from the YouTube channel.

I will likely revisit and update this blog post in the future to add more videos, as well as questions I may get emailed or left as comments. So, if you are trying out ProLon for yourself or want to refresh reminders or info anytime you do the program, feel free to bookmark this and come back in the future!

Check out my ProLon Playlist, starting with the intro video, here:

In my intro video, I speak about how I came to try ProLon for the first time, as well as details explaining the creator of ProLon – Dr. Valter Longo – and his many accolades in the fields of nutrition and longevity. Dr. Valter Longo is not only the man behind the ProLon fasting mimicking nutrition program, but he is also the Director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California (USC) as well as a professor of gerontology and biological science.

Additionally, Dr. Longo is the Director of the Longevity and Cancer Program at the IFOM Institute of Molecular Oncology in Italy. He is the author of the book The Longevity Diet, which I do highly recommend reading, and he has even been nominated for a Nobel Prize based on his work in nutrition and fasting.

 

If that isn’t enough in terms of credentials to why this is a legit, clinically backed nutrition program, there is also the fact that Dr. Longo donates his share of profits from L-Nutra (the company behind ProLon) fully into the Create Cures Foundation to fund further research in illness prevention and longevity.

Those are just a handful of the reasons I decided to give ProLon a chance those couple of years ago. As for the other reasons and why I have done it a few times since… it’s all in the intro video 😘

Here we go, DAY 1 of 5 – let’s kick things off!:

 

DAY 2 OF 5 doing the PROLON FASTING MIMICKING DIET:

 

DAY 3 of 5 – getting over that hump!

 

DAY 4 – pretty much night and day from before 😍💪

 

DAY 5 – The Last day doing ProLon… how do I feel?!

*Stay tuned for my roundup of Day 6 and the week to follow, including how I have done the DIY at-home version of the fasting mimicking nutrition program in the past (and additional tips or tricks)! To get notified first when those videos go up first, you can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and click the notification bell*

 

PROLON COMMON QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

How often do I do the ProLon fasting diet?

Please refer to L-Nutra and ProLon’s website for their official suggestions as, again, I am not a medical professional and none of this is medical advice. Always check with your physician (many of whom recommend this program to their patients, by the way)! That said, according to their clinical studies, it is suggested that those who may lean more “unhealthy” or “overweight” do ProLon three times: once a month for three consecutive months, in order to gain the most long-term benefits.

If you are generally healthy and of average weight, you likely only need ProLon once to twice a year. Perhaps up to three times a year. If you are underweight, you definitely need to consult with a physician or avoid this program. You can check ProLon’s website for more information.

Personally, I don’t go by any set frequency. I will gauge it by how I am feeling and what my body is doing. That said, it has come to more or less about twice a year since I did my first ProLon 5-day nutrition program over two years ago.

 

Who shouldn’t do ProLon?

This isn’t so much a personal answer as something important to note. As suggested by ProLon professionals on their website FAQ and within the instructional pamphlet, those who are pregnant should not attempt this nutrition program – nor should those who have had any bariatric surgery or procedures as such individuals have more specified protein and micronutrient requirements vs the general population.

Regardless, always check with a medical professional before beginning this type of nutrition program if you have any medical issues or concerns to ensure that this is a good choice for you. I especially stress this for those who may struggle with disorders such as BED (Binge Eating Disorder) or similar, as some restrictive-style programs like this 5-Day Fasting Mimicking diet may exacerbate issues in individuals with currently existing disordered eating. Namely, in disorders involving active binge/purge cycles.

 

When do you feel like you need to do ProLon again?

For me, it’s when I’m feeling sluggish, tired, inflamed and constantly bloated for a longer than normal period of time (more than 2-3 weeks). Unsurprisingly, this typically only happens after a few weeks to a couple of months of eating too many foods too often that aren’t a part of my usual routine. 

I do also have a “set comfy weight range” of around 6-8 lbs that I have always stayed within to feel my best, and if I find that I have surpassed that range by a couple of pounds for more than a couple of weeks as opposed to just the up and down, ebb and flow on random days (which is what happens with weight day-to-day!) – then I will consider ordering ProLon do it again.

 

Is your DIY version of ProLon as good as the actual ProLon nutrition program?

Yes and no. 

Pros of the DIY: It saves you money, it’s fairly easy to organize, weight-loss will still happen due to the caloric deficit, it can potentially encourage more stable glucose levels and expedite entering into ketosis to utilize fat as fuel. 

Cons of the DIY: Not as effective when measuring glucose and ketone levels (would have to extend it to 6-7 days vs 5), not clinically studied and created like ProLon, some ingredients will differ, more likely to “give up” or not commit during the DIY because it lacks the financial investment to justify pulling through.

Honestly, I would suggest doing the actual ProLon nutrition program first to have something to gauge from in terms of how it felt, your progress from start to finish (both physically and mentally), and how it helped you maintain the benefits afterwards. Then, you can try the DIY version and have something to accurately compare it to. If it works just as well for you as Prolon did, then there you go! 

Not to mention, purchasing ProLon justifies itself a little more – to me, anyway – seeing as Dr. Longo donates 100% of the profits from his share back into the Create Cures Foundation to further research on illness prevention and longevity. So the expense does go to a good cause.

 

Does ProLon help you lose weight?

Yes, but keep reading.

First of all, I get that it’s touted as a “weight loss” or “cleanse”, “detox”, “diet” (UGH if you watched my videos you know I can’t stand these trendy catchwords!) when you see the ads and marketing everywhere. One of the reasons I wanted to create this series of videos was to give you an accurate, more science based, non-Instagrammy take from someone who isn’t only making a sponsored post for money (I am not sponsored by them!) but who is educated in nutrition, physiology, fitness, fasting, along with years of working with clients.

Note: Weight and carrying extra weight is a symptom of something else going on within your body, due to your lifestyle and habits, emotionally, or all of the above.

That said, will you lose weight on ProLon? YES, it will cause you to lose actual weight on the scale. How much is variable, but I have found in the average person the weight-loss is 5-7 lbs. (if you are heavier, you may even reach around the 10 lb. mark). Personally, my weight will go down about five pounds when I wake up on day 6. And most of the time, I will lose another 1-2 pounds in the following days, before my weight stabilizes back at my initial 4-5 lbs. loss. 

A lot of this is due to the fact that you are eating in a caloric deficit throughout this 5-day nutrition program. If you are eating less than you expend AND are carrying less food in your system, that will result in loss of weight.

I do also believe – in my case and in what the ProLon research has actually shown – the ProLon 5-day fasting nutrition program causes autophagy and cellular rejuvenation within the system, alleviating inflammation from within the body that would contribute to excess weight. THIS is what makes it different than the “fad diets” or *gag* “cleanses” or *double gag* “detoxes” that are out there, which simply cause you to lose water weight or flush out your digestive tract.

In my experience, I believe that ProLon works to help you drop and eliminate inflammation which will also cause a decrease in weight by default. So, for me, I lost about 7 lbs. in total (including the couple of days after it was over) before settling back to a loss of 4-5 lbs. which I managed to maintain until months later after my standard routine took a turn again.

ProLon was created in a way to actually reset you from a metabolic level. That is the difference I felt in doing it, and that is why I am open to promoting it on my own as an individual (again, not sponsored!) and professional in fitness and nutrition. This is in a different category than any fast, fad diet if you recognize what it’s doing and adjust your lifestyle afterwards to honor maintaining the benefits you’ve gained from doing it.

 

What were some benefits (or other weird things!) you noticed after doing ProLon?

I’ll just make a list of bullet points…

    • Cravings were reset. I didn’t need to use as much stevia when sweetening food or drink, for example. Or salt. It really helps to reset and re-sensitize the taste buds as well as cravings, in general.
    • Appetite and portion-size needs were reset. Obviously, this will shrink your stomach a bit. But you learn – especially towards the last couple of days – that you not only feel clear-headed and energized, but light and without any bloating or “full” feeling to weigh you down.
    • Flatter abdominals (namely lower/reproductive area). I am specifying this because people like to say “flatter stomach or belly”, but for me personally, that hasn’t been much of an issue. My bloating tends to happen in the lower abdominal area. Think intestines, reproductive area, between your belly button and your pelvis. By doing ProLon, EACH time it has completely alleviated any bloating. Not only that, but it seemed to have indefinitely reset it. For weeks after, I would not get bloated – even after occasionally eating foods that may have caused it in the past. My weight also seemed to stay in this new default much easier, rather than fluctuating according to what I may have eaten the day or night before.
    • Really seemed to “reset” my body and digestion. Just like I mentioned in the last couple of sentences above, something about ProLon (and honoring how I felt after finishing) really did seem to promote a longstanding feeling of wellness. For me, that meant great energy, less susceptibility to bloating no matter what I ate or where I was in my cycle, an overall feeling of inflammation that I didn’t even recognize before now being gone, and with all of this lasting a while after the nutrition program was over.
  • I just felt rejuvenated from the inside and better. That’s pretty much it. I was surprised at how good I felt afterwards and, most of all, how it actually lasted. If you take what the program has to give and go with it long term – especially following the Longevity Diet protocol from the Blue Zones, which are both great books – then you are sure to feel the same benefits that I did.
  • I slept more deeply and stopped having wild, super-detailed dreams by day three. I noticed I was having what seemed to be nightly, epic movie style crazy dreams for weeks beforehand. As fun as they are – and as often as I have them – I also felt like I was waking up less rested than usual… especially with night-after-night of a pumped, action-packed imagination! I’d already made a correlation a long time ago between more active dreams and even nightmares, with eating something very sweet or sugary close enough to bedtime.  

 

Do you workout while you’re doing ProLon?

I go for a walk daily to get at least 8,000-10,000 steps in, so I did still do that. As for strenuous exercise, I typically avoid that (and it is suggested to avoid it) during the fasting program. At most, I will do some low intensity weightlifting or bodyweight training that is slow paced and not too taxing. But it all depends on the day and how I am feeling.

As you could see in my Day 4 and Day 5 videos, I felt AMAZING and actually had one of the best feeling workouts I could remember in recent history. So, again, it all depends on how you are feeling and honoring that.

 

What tips do you have to get through ProLon for anyone else doing it?

Schedule to do it during a span of time where you either know you will be busy or can make yourself busy (ideally, with things at home). One of the best parts about any fasting is how much open time you have to focus on other tasks or things instead of eating or planning around food!

Also, schedule it in a 5-6 day span outside of holidays or social engagements. Doing so will only make it harder for you, and you’re likely to get slack from people around you who don’t “get it”.

When it comes to days of the week, that doesn’t matter. But in my mind, I prefer to do it Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday, depending on what I have going on.

If you’re easily swayed, avoid grocery shopping the week prior and especially avoid having snacky or favorite foods or treats in the house. There are some who make the commitment and stick to it with no problem (it’s ONLY five days, people!) and there are some who are easier to break. This is also why I suggest investing in ProLon before trying the DIY version. The investment locks in commitment for most, whereas DIY doesn’t necessarily.

Do it with a friend! Especially if you are living with a roommate, spouse, or adult child (I would not recommend this or any “diet program” to a child or even teenager, never mind anyone with a history of disordered eating), having an accountability partner will help support you both mutually.

Drink warm or carbonated water (remember: no additives, flavors, sweeteners, etc.) during the day to help against hunger pangs if they are becoming too distracting for you. The hunger is going to be inevitable, but something else ProLon teaches you is you CAN get through it and you’ll be just fine!

If you drink coffee or any caffeinated drinks, ease off of it in the week (or longer) prior to starting ProLon. Same goes for alcohol. Basically, the more vices or caffeine/alcohol you have as part of your routine right before starting, the harder you are making this for you in terms of experiencing headaches, fogginess, fatigue, along with withdrawal symptoms.

If you can, go to bed early and wake up later – or at least go to bed early! Good, sufficient sleep is vital for your health and it will also help your body work AND leave you with less hours during the day to feel hungry. That said, I find that my body seems to require less sleep time when I’m in a period of caloric restriction (i.e., waking up feeling refreshed and energized after only 6 hours vs. my typical 7+ hours and some grogginess). So, the ability to sleep in later almost seems like a task in my experience.

 

What do I do when I’m finished with ProLon?

Have a plan for when it’s over and honor how your system feels! Don’t just go right back into stuffing yourself if that was your habit before. Or big indulgences, cups of coffee, or alcohol. Follow the transition diet that ProLon recommends in their instruction booklet and do your best to follow principles of The Longevity Diet moving forward. You can also try L-Nutra’s meal plan service, Nutrition for Longevity. The first time I did my ProLon fast was when this meal service was just launching, so I decided to get a week’s worth of meals and they were really convenient and delicious with perfect portion sizes. Plus, the food aligns with the different foods from the Blue Zones. NOTE: If you want to try Nutrition For Longevity, click here to get $10 off your first order! 

*Again, NOT SPONSORED at all! I feel like I need to keep reminding because I feel like I’m beginning to sound like an L-Nutra spokesperson 😆 The link is their “refer a friend” rewards system that anyone can sign up for, giving you a discount and me credits towards my own meals from them. Win, win!

I do suggest trying out some Fast Bars or ordering them to have on hand by the time you are finished with your ProLon fast. They’re helpful in transitioning and VERY tasty – super similar to the L-Bar in the 5-day fasting nutrition program. If you know me and food recommendations, you know I wouldn’t suggest them if they didn’t taste good and prove to be a great option for on-going success. 

As I mention in the Intro video for my ProLon experience, I was a test subject in the Fast Bars clinical study myself! NOTE: I also reached out to L-Nutra and got a coupon code for you guys to use if you want to try a box (or a few boxes!) yourself. They were kind enough to create one for us! Go here and use promo code CATLADY or CATLADYFITNESS at checkout for a discount off Fast Bars! 

 

Still want to learn more about Dr. Valter Longo’s work and the science behind fasting and longevity? Here are two of my favorite informational interviews where he discusses his work in more detail. They are great conversations and are fairly long, but well worth listening to:

Remember to use promo code CATLADY for a discount if you decide to try ProLon for yourself (or if you decide to grab some Fast Bars you can use it on that site, too)!

If you have any questions or want to schedule a private session for online Nutrition Coaching, you can check out your options here. You can also check out my best-selling books such as The Holistic Fitness Starter Guide, The Grocery Store Tour Guide, The Coolest Cat Coloring Book for humans of all ages, and other resources available to you at any time here ❤

Are Fatty Foods Addictive? Do you eat ice cream? Must watch! (VIDEO)

It’s been a while since I’ve posted an update, blog, recipe, other fun-filled reads… BUT, this.

THIS.

Why am I choosing to share this video out of the hundreds of other videos, studies, essays, and research I’ve come across proving the message that is being put across? It’s pretty simple, really.

  1. It’s short enough to get and keep your attention for the whole thing.
  2. It’s JAM-PACKED with legit, clinical studies and information proving the point.
  3. It relates to a common struggle MANY OF YOU have expressed, and are unsure why.
  4. It’s quickly impactful, incredibly relevant, clear & concise…

Basically, it’s just good.

If you watch one 5-minute video this week, or this year… It better be this one. I’ll admit, that may even be including my own videos for you guys! There is a lot explained in this short video that can be a huge eye-opener to many people (which, in turn, will help you MAKE and STICK to your healthy choices):

 

What do you think? Does any of thing ring true to you? If you’ve gotten my Nutritional Cheat Sheet, you will see my notes regarding single foods that are both high in fat and carbohydrates (think ice cream, fried anything – especially sweets, most anything sugary and processed, even peanut butter, to name a few).

Hint: As you know by watching the above video, you want to steer clear of such apparent deliciousness!

Let me know what you think about this beneficial lil’ video of education in the comments below; will this effect your food choices from here on out? Have you experienced any of the side-effects mentioned when it comes to dopamine or satisfaction? Discuss!

P.S. Lots of great updates coming soon including my first exclusive e-book, members-only recipe book, instructional videos, and more! Make sure to sign up to our mailing list for updates and don’t forget to browse around the place! :)

EASY, Go-To Protein Shake Recipes!

Common Question: How do I USE protein powder?

Depending on the type of protein powder (for the sake of simplicity, I will refer to the two more common comparisons: whey and plant-based), there is little difference when it comes to actual preparation and ways to enjoy.

Compared to whey, plant-based protein (like my favorite: RawFusion), tends to act more like a ‘flour’ when mixed or baked into different things. It is a bit thicker, slightly harder to blend, and can even be made into a pudding quite easily (similar to casein protein for anyone familiar with Casein Fluff). Whey, however (especially whey isolate), tends to become more gummy and liquid-like and would not suffice in a pudding-type treat. Due to this, it does blend into liquids or other foods, like yogurt, much faster and easier.

So in the case of consistency, plant-based proteins = thicker like flour; whey proteins = easier to blend into liquid. Regardless, both are great for blended smoothies. And since most clients I have worked with are in need of a convenient way to use protein powder as opposed to becoming the next Master-of-Creative-Culinary-Uses-For-Protein (guilty, as proven by the video at the bottom of this post), I will share a couple of my favorite go-to protein smoothie ideas that are easy, delicious, and nutritionally-sound.

These are great any time of day: breakfast, an hour or so before your workout, after your workout, or literally any time. Sure, there are certain benefits timing-wise if you want to get more detailed with the science of nutrient absorption versus activity and a whole slew of other metabolic factors, but what ultimately matters is simply getting into the routine of having additional protein and feeding your body favorable nutrients in general. Trust me. Do not over-complicate things, especially with new routines. Focus on the grand scheme rather than minute details. Have your shake or smoothie where it fits best for you and your schedule.

Remember: it is best to start with small and simple habits!

Protein Mocha Frappuccino

  • 8-10 oz. unsweetened almond or coconut milk
  • 1 scoop Protein Powder of choice (or 2 for active men) *I use RawFusion
  • 1 Tbsp. Instant Coffee Granules
  • 1 Tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder *omit if you’re using Chocolate-Flavored Protein
  • 1 Handful of Ice
  • 1 Tbsp. Chia Seeds OR 2 Tbsp. Ground Flaxseed
  • Optional: 1 tsp. vanilla extract, or any extract of choice! Coconut, Mint, Orange, Banana.. tons of fun flavors out there! Be creative!

Blend in blender and enjoy!

Fruity Protein Smoothie

  • 8-10 oz. unsweetened almond or coconut milk
  • 1 scoop Protein Powder of choice (or 2 for active men) *I use RawFusion Vanilla
  • A big handful of raw spinach
  • 1 Cup Frozen Berries
  • 1 Tbsp. Nut Butter, Coconut Butter, Chia Seeds OR 2 Tbsp. Ground Flaxseed
  • Optional: 1 tsp. vanilla extract, or any extract of choice! Coconut, Orange, Banana… get creative!

 Blend in blender, sprinkle some cinnamon on top, and enjoy!

*For those seeking a trusty, inexpensive little blender, I always suggest this Hamilton Beach Single Serving Blender with Travel Lid. It is easy to find (sold at Wal-Mart or Amazon.com for $12-14), blends your shake smoothly, lasts FOREVER (I’ve had mine for over 6 years, plus check out these reviews), and is great to keep at work and/or at home.

The great thing about smoothies is that you CAN very easily adjust and get creative according to your taste! Make it a Veggie Smoothie by adding in some cucumbers, celery, spinach… Make it an Apple Pie Smoothie by using vanilla protein, cinnamon, a chopped apple (or even organic apple sauce), and some walnuts… Make a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie by using pumpkin puree, vanilla protein, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and some pecans… Don’t be scared to try new things! You’ll be surprised at some of the deliciousness you come up with.

For those who ARE open to becoming more creative with protein powder, try mixing it into some organic Greek Yogurt, or mixing it into cooked and cooled down oatmeal, or even making it into a pudding like I mentioned and using it as a dip or sweet cream sauce like I did in this recipe.

Want to get really fancy?

Check out this video recipe for Protein Marshmallows!

Coming soon: Recipes for both my easy, homemade chocolate bars and simple, sprouted grain “graham” crackers to use with the Protein Marshmallows for the delicious S’mores-From-Scratch as shown here…

Smores

Like I said, the possibilities really are endless! :)

Macronutrient Cheat Sheet now available!

Whether you are new to fitness and starting off your fat-loss journey, or you are playing with a macro-based form of nutrition and dieting (like IIFYM, or If It Fits Your Macros); or you want to learn more about the “categories” your favorite foods fall into in terms of Protein, Fat, Carbs, or Fiber; or you want to practice a sustainable way of figuring out portion sizes that doesn’t require you to carry a scale or measuring cups around (because, honestly, who wants to do that?!)… I am excited to share this with you!

Here is a little “cheat sheet” that I made specially for my clients, which is now available to all of you in the store!

This affordable, simple-to-follow Cheat Sheet will help you learn:

  • Numerous common different sources of protein, carbohydrates, and fats

  • Which common whole foods are natural combinations of proteins/fats or protein/carbs

  • General suggested serving sizes for men and women (that don’t involve measuring cups!)

  • General food timing suggestions for optimal progress or fat loss

  • Additional tips about fiber, greasy/junk foods, and seasonings

It has proven to be a huge help to many of you guys already, which makes me super happy to hear because I put a lot of thought and time into it for you all! I definitely encourage you to order up (it’s a full-size .PDF download you will gain access to once purchased), print it out, and keep on the fridge!

Shoot, print out a few and keep one at work and one in your wallet or purse, too. Look it over as a guide whenever you need to, and feel free to share it with friends!

THT Macro Cheat Sheet-page-0(1)

An even better idea (and how I provide these wonderful little things to clients in person) is to print your Cheat Sheet in half-page size and then laminate it at a local office supply store… this way you can circle or cross off foods with a dry erase marker, making it a compact re-usable grocery list!

IMAG1097-1

Whether you are just starting out towards your fitness journey with nutritional awareness or well on your way and in need of a handy guide to keep things in check, I hope this acts as a useful tool for you or someone you know! :)

 

Get yours here: Macro-Nutrient Cheat Sheet

 

Discipline and Nutrition

I was going over a piece of reading material in my arsenal, the NFPT Fitness Nutrition Specialist Manual, and came across a great section entitled Discipline and Nutrition. It relays my personal perspective on the subject almost perfectly, as well as my personal practice with clients (and friends) regarding nutrition, diet, training, and reaching their goals. I only hope all fitness, health, and nutrition professionals feel the same! …

“Let us equate your pet’s diet to your own, or to that of one of your clients’. While it is almost certain that pet food is less palatable than let’s say, a steak, or a slice of apple pie, a properly raised and well-disciplined pet, having never tasted steak or apple pie, will want for nothing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have been born into a world where junk food and dietary temptation never even existed? We too then, would want for nothing. We would eat simply for the purpose of sustaining our body’s dietary needs, and never be faced with making that decision between cookies and grapes. We would be eating nothing but natural healthy foods just like our ancestors, and just like our bodies were created to eat.

Imagine the difference junk-free eating would make in all of our lives. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world currently suffering from every possible diet related disorder ranging anywhere from high blood pressure to diabetes; from depression and low self-esteem to the hyperactivity common in our children brought on by hypoglycemia; from cardiovascular diseases to obesity. Just think of how difficult it would be in terms of breaking habits and unlearning eating behavior to go back to totally natural foods. While this may seem somewhat unattainable, as a fitness professional, you need to make the effort. It will take you a long way down the road to client respect and success as a fitness professional to do so.

The toughest part of eating right is in the early stages when the very thought of all your favorite foods affect your taste buds. And, like it or not, the real problem doesn’t exist solely in your mouth, but more so in the back of your mind. No, not the deep subconscious either, rather in certain centers in the brain that are specific to causing physiological responses such as salivation, at the very thought or sight of different foods. You would be amazed to learn how much money actually goes into psychological research in putting together television advertisements for foods. The sole intention of this research is to manipulate regions of our minds in order to sell us a food product.

As you can easily see, you are definitely fighting an uphill battle all the way in declaring war on junk food. Only the strong willed, and the incredibly disciplined even stand a chance for success in establishing and maintaining life-long healthy eating behaviors. Only through effective and continued short-term goal setting, a serious and strong source of motivation, and a crystal clear vision of your ultimate achievement, can you ever hope to survive the arduous drudgery of taste bud denial in the preliminary stages of this dietary transition.

How long do you have to stick to a bland, healthy diet before you lose this taste for junk food? The answer is simple… as long as it takes. As is true with any worthwhile pursuit, if it means enough to you, you will do whatever it takes to get the job done. We all have our breaking point when it comes to healthy eating, too. Many people would prefer to have their skin slowly and quite painfully peeled away, rather than having to go even one night without their half gallon of ice cream. While others may be able to simply put the thought of certain foods out of their minds completely and focus clearly on their goals and visions of the ultimate achievement.

Strict dieting is therefore not for everyone, as we all have different levels of tolerance to the actions of the brain centers that actually control taste. This is obviously reflected in the emotional roller coaster ride many overweight Americans are currently on, seemingly at the mercy of their brain centers’ regulation of taste, and the resulting failure to consume fewer calories, and partake exclusively of healthier foods. If anyone has the motivation to succeed it would be the obese. One must also recognize that our society is not exactly conducive to weight control either, with all the psychological manipulation in the food service industry, outrageous portion sizes, confusing food product labeling, and many food labeling practices bordering on being fraudulent, it is almost as though the cards are stacked against those wishing to make a positive change to their dietary practices.

This chapter was not intended to suggest a willingness to accept a client’s inability to change his or her eating habits on your part, on the contrary, it is intended to encourage an element of patience, and compassion for these people. What may come easy for you may be next to impossible for someone else. These people need to know you’re on their side. No matter how frustrated you feel about a client’s failure to adhere to your dietary recommendations, you should always be supportive, compassionate, and most importantly, a friend!”