I have struggled with weight loss for years, trying just about any thing there is out there without having to consider any plastic surgery procedures.  My friend Jana told me about a weight loss book she had been reading and suggested I read it; so I did.

The book is called “Why Weight Around” by Dr. Alwin C. Lewis. In the book, Dr. Lewis stresses that a portion controlled diet is the most effective strategy to losing weight.  He developed a two part weight loss program called “The Slimming Station.”

The first part is to read the book, which explains what the diet is and how it works.  The second part is to work one-on-one with a Slimming Station Coach; this helps maximize your success and maintain your goals. After both reading the book, Jana and I decided to try it.

Here is a quick overview of what we do (which we dubbed the “Five Bite Diet”):

-    Skip breakfast
-    Eat only twice a day, Lunch and Dinner. NO SNACKING!!
-    Each meal only consists of five bites each. (Bites not bigger than a bite size Snickers)
-    One bite of the day must be a good source of protein, such as chicken or steak
-    Take a multi-vitamin daily.
-    All drinks are to be low to zero calorie.

Even though this explanation seems pretty straight forward, I highly recommend reading the book or going to Dr. Lewis’s website before starting this diet.

Jana and I have had great success with this diet plan; though we haven’t completed step two of the program yet, we would love to in the future. We both lost 30lbs. by our sixth and seventh weeks.  I’ve never seen results this quickly.

Thanks, Jana, for introducing me to it, we’re doing great!

Photo Credit: Jana and Dre

That is until I found out about the latest in energy technology, Enlyten ™ - electrolyte strips that dissolve in your mouth. Enlyten offers four quick dissolving strips – Electrolytes Plus (achieve peak performance), Energy (recharge), Antioxidants (boosts your immune system), and Melatonin (relax and reduce stress).

Enlyten has become popular among athletes due to the strips providing the body electrolytes prior to and during exercise to help prevent cramping and delay fatigue. In fact, it was just announced that Shaquille O’Neal has signed a new endorsement deal with Enlyten, which he publicized on March 26th via Twitter.

“Stay tuned-prepare for SHAQ to ‘enlyten’ you!!!” tweeted Shaq.

I tried out the energy strips, which are fast acting, have zero carbs, zero sugars, zero calories, and refresh, rejuvenate, and reenergize; need I say more? With Enlyten energy strips I am able to get through my entire day without feeling groggy and tired, plus they help me to concentrate better. The strips have a minty taste, which makes my breath smell yummy and taste clean (another added bonus). On top of all of the positive features of these strips, I don’t get the immediate crash that other caffeinated products tend to give me.

Here is what a couple of my fellow BeautyChatters had to say about Enlyten:

Jennifer - “I was excited to try the antioxidant strips since I’ve recently changed my diet and started eating healthier, but I have to say that I wasn’t very fond of the taste. It has a bite to it and didn’t make me want to use them very much longer. However, if you don’t mind the taste, it’s an easy way to get some anti-oxidants in your body.”

Jacquie – “I tried the Melatonin Plus strips and they worked great to calm my mind and body.  They taste great and did not make me feel sleepy or groggy.  I would recommend them to any one who sometimes has a hard time relaxing after a busy day.”

If you are interested in trying out Enlyten – whether you are an athlete, work-out guru, or just want a boost for the day, you can purchase these strips online on their website.

Photo Credit: Allstrips.com and Facebook

Which is exactly the concept behind the products made by One with Nature – by taking the minerals from the Dead Sea, they have created products that help to deliver naturally, silky, beautifully scented skin.

In addition to containing Dead Sea minerals, One with Nature is 100% vegetable based, wrapped in biodegradable packaging, never animal tested, contains no artificial fragrances, and infused with shea butter, aloe, and pure essential oils. If you are looking for skin care products that are all-natural and good for the environment, One with Nature may be the perfect choice for you.

If you want to give your skin an invigorating experience, check out One with Nature’s Web site to see all of the products they offer. Or you may leave a comment below telling us how you keep your skin silky smooth and we will pick a winner at random on April 1st (this isn’t an April Fool’s joke either). The winner will get a chance to try out three of the scents of One with Nature’s Dead Sea Mineral Soap! Good luck!

Photo Credit: Natural Home

Health.com recently posted a recommended list of the healthiest fast food restaurants; surprisingly, among that list was McDonald’s! However, keep in mind that just because McDonald’s is on this list, it doesn’t mean that all of the choices available on the menu are healthy; they just offer healthy selections for their consumers. The key is selective ordering when deciding to go with fast food for your meal of choice.

So, if you are trying to lose weight even when you’re on the go, here are some tips to follow when wanting to choose a healthier option at fast food joints:

*Pay attention to the descriptions on the menu: If it says deep fried, crispy, creamy, pan-fried, etc., it is more than likely high in fat and calories. Instead, look for items that contain leaner meats, such as fish and chicken, and stay away from cream sauces, like Alf redo.

*Skip the dressing: Leaving out cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and other spreads can reduce a lot of fat from your meal. Go light or don’t have it on your food at all.

*Avoid eating on the run: The purpose of fast food is to get something on the go, but when you do have time to eat, take your time – chew your food thoroughly, you’re more likely to get full faster and eat less.

*Don’t add more salt: Most fast food choices are already high in sodium and salt, so do yourself a favor and don’t add more. Try to get the least salty options as possible.

*Find alternatives: If you are getting a meal that comes with fries and they offer other choices, replace the French fries with a healthier alternative. McDonald’s has a wide selection of replacements for fries on their menu, such as apples with low-fat caramel dip. Other restaurant may let you replace the fries with a salad (be sure to avoid creamy dressing).

*Check the nutritional information: Before going out to fast food restaurants it would be smart to look up the nutritional information online for some of the places you eat at most often. You can keep a mental note of the choices that are low in sodium, fat, calories, etc.

In most cases, you know what is fattening and what is not; the key is to think healthy. We all know that if it is dripping in grease, it is very likely to be infused in fat and loaded on calories. Keep in mind that most fast food meals are around 1,000 calories each (that takes up almost your entire caloric intake for the day!), so if the meal is a large portion, you can always eat half and save the rest for another meal, or you can share with a friend.

There are healthy choices available at fast food restaurants, look for them!

Photo Credit: The Book of Threes and Wisebread

On the other hand, some people are taking a lack of concern in their health and refraining from purchasing prescription medications, which is a necessity for many .

According to the Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington, D.C., due to the increase in prescription cost, most of those who have chronic conditions (making it crucial to continue their meds) are not purchasing them because they simply cannot afford to do so.

But what can people still afford? Their vice! Despite the slow economy, Americans are buying more chocolate, alcohol, and cigarettes than they were before. In fact, it is predicted that Americans’ purchases of these small indulgences will go up 28 percent by 2011 and chocolate sales alone with go up four percent every year for the next six years. A projected $77.8 billion has been spent on alcohol purchases in 2008, which is a 32 percent increase from 2003 (According to Mintel, a media and market research company in Chicago).  In retrospect, most alcohol spenders are cutting back by drinking at home instead of going out; however, they are still consuming just as much as before.

These facts don’t surprise me in the least bit, and I must admit I am still spending money on alcohol (don’t tell my mother, it’ll break her heart). I am unwilling to give up certain pleasures in my life, but I have found a way to stop spending in other areas; such as the lack of a haircut in six months, the dollar store has become my best friend, my feet are seriously overdue for a pedicure, and Victoria’s Secret has forgotten who I am. However, I do not have a need for prescription meds. But if they were a necessity, you better believe I would cut down my spending even more than I already have. My life is more important than having cute underwear.

As this phenomenon perplexes me, I have a couple of questions to ask all of you: What are you cutting back on to make up for the poor economy? And what small indulgences are you still splurging on?

Photo Credit: Belaray Dermatology and My Fray, Your Blog

If you’re looking for a little help in figuring out what actually works, take a look at my review on the new book by Daniel Yarosh, Ph.D., The Science of Perfect Skin – Understanding Skin-Care Myths and Miracles for Radiant Skin at Any Age. Now you can learn how to read a product label and the type of skin care regimen that actually works for you!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rpr Marketing Communications

How many times have you had to change what you’re wearing before going out? If you’re like most women, it probably takes about four outfit transformations before you’re good to go. One of the most troublesome areas for women of all ages is the upper arm. Not everyone has beautifully sculpted biceps and triceps like Jessica Biel.

If you’re looking for a way to slim down those “flabby” arms without having to undergo a plastic surgery procedure, such arm lift surgery, we’ve got just what you need. Allow us to introduce FLABuLESS – the first-ever arm shape wear for real women. Say goodbye to the unflattering “bulge” you see when wearing your favorite shirts.

We also want to share the fabulous contest that is currently under way on their Web site. Go to the FLABuLESS home page for more details on how to win a $500 spa package. Plus, you can also enter to win your very own FLABuLESS arm shape wear right here on Beauty Chat!

Leave a comment below telling us what makes you feel fabulous for your chance to win. One lucky winner will be chosen on Friday, November 21st. Good luck and keep looking fabulous!

Photo credits: FLABuLESS

A contact wearer for over 10 years, I have grown accustomed to inserting the lenses each morning so that I can carry out a basic function that many take for granted — seeing! Okay, I can see without contacts, I just can’t see what I’m seeing. Haha, you with me?

For many years now, I have been a faithful ACUVUE customer. It’s the only brand I’ve trusted my eyes to. I love that their contacts have a little “123” inscribed on each lens. This prevents me from inserting my contacts inside out, a potentially painful action if you haven’t experienced it.

During the last month, I have had the pleasure of trying out the 1∙DAY ACUVUE MOIST contacts. I have always had the two week wear type, so I was thrilled to test the daily lenses. There is no fuss with contact cases and solution, and I don’t have to worry if my eyes become irritated, I can simply take out the pair of contacts and throw them away.
 
I have super-sensitive, dry eyes. So sensitive, in fact, that I only recently found a one step solution that I can use. I used to have to go through extensive disinfecting steps each night or my eyes stung too badly when I tried putting in my contacts the next morning.

That being said, I have had some slight difficulties with the 1∙DAY lenses. My eyes become a bit dry and I do require eye drops a few times during wear. However, it is definitely worth the mild trouble. The convenience that these contacts provide is amazing! I really enjoy being able to dispose of them as I please, instead of trying to keep them in good shape for two weeks.

Now, I no longer have to worry about buying solution, lenses that rip, or toughing through a day wearing contacts that sometimes “act up,” because it’s not time to dispose of them — all inevitable with any brand of contacts.

I am without a doubt a fan of 1∙DAY ACUVUE MOIST. I’m sure that if you try them out you’ll be, too.

Photo credits: ACUVUE

Sure, the PlasticSurgery.com community may revolve more around plastic surgeries, such as breast implant surgery and nose jobs, as well as youth-defying procedures like Botox injections and the mini facelift, but doesn’t mean that these topics are stand-alone. One of the reasons why Beauty Chat was created, as you pretty much already know, is to bridge the gap between all that makes us “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak on It!”

A plastic surgery forum is just another one of our stops, where you can relax and kick up your feet. And you’ll notice that some of us Beauty Chatters like to chit-chat from topic to topic in the forums as well…See ya there!

Photo credit: Plastic Sergeant

  (PlasticSurgery.com gathers to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.)

And with various celebrities and public figures voicing their own personal stories with battling breast cancer, including Sheryl Crow, Christina Applegate, and Melissa Etheridge, women are becoming even more inspired to fight their own battle.

So be sure to regularly check your breasts and understand the importance of early detection. You can gather important information from the National Breast Cancer Foundation. If you or a loved one is considering breast reconstruction, now may be a great time to learn about saline and silicone gel breast implants.

So from all of us to you: Think Pink!