July is a big month!

Here we are in the heat of the summer and what does that mean? Cook-outs, parties, social events, etc with lots of great food that I love! Of course I'm here fighting the battle of the bulge. My goal this month is drop at least 20. Follow me and see how I do.

Diet Soda Linked To Weight Gain

Diet soda might not help you stay trim after all, new research suggests.

A study presented at a American Diabetes Association meeting this week shows that drinking diet soda is associated with a wider waist in humans. And a second study shows that aspartame -- an artificial sweetener in diet soda -- actually raises blood sugar in mice prone to diabetes.

"Data from this and other prospective studies suggest that the promotion of diet sodas and artificial sweeteners as healthy alternatives may be ill-advised," study researcher Helen P. Hazuda, Ph.D., a professor and chief of clinical epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio's School of Medicine, said in a statement. "They may be free of calories but not of consequences."

In the first study, researchers collected height, weight, waist circumference and diet soda intake data from 474 elderly people who participated in the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging. They were followed up an average of 9.5 years later, according to the research.

Researchers found that the diet soda drinkers hadwaist circumferences 70 percent greater than those who non-diet soda drinkers. And people who drank diet soda the most frequently -- at least two diet sodas a day -- had waist circumferences that were 500 percent greater than people who didn't drink any diet soda, the study said.

Artificial sugar didn't produce any better results in the second study in mice. Researchers for this study found that diabetes-prone mice that were fed a diet that included aspartame for three months, had higher blood glucose levels than mice not given aspartame.

This isn't the first news illuminating diet soda's health risks. A study published earlier this year found people who drink the beverage every day have a higher stroke and heart attack risks. And UK researchers found earlier this month that sugary drinks can dull taste buds, leading consumers to crave the sweet stuff even more.

I'm still OBESE!

According to the BMI calculator, I'm now in the category Obese 1 and not Obese 2 anymore! I still have 30 ibs just to reach Overweight category. Do you know your BMI? Here is a link to check Check your BMI.

Fast Food Fat Burning – Is it Possible Or Does it Lead Straight to Obesity?

One of the biggest issues that we face today is obesity. The percentage of obese people is getting higher and higher every year. The main reason for obesity is the unhealthy lifestyle and an unbalanced diet. This can be caused by fast-food. Fast-food has become a part for our every day lives.

So, why do people like it so much? Fast food is cheaper than going into a restaurant, it’s convenient, because you don’t have to cook your own food and you never have to wait when you’ve only got a twenty minute lunch break before work starts up again.

On another note, fast food is now a major part of our society. Parents who have to work all day don’t have time to cook for their kids, so they just send them off to get fast food trying to save time.

One thing to always remember: You should never cheat on your health. It should always come first. Does saving your budget really matter if you can’t maintain your health? Sooner or later, fast food will cause health problems. It’s what you can do about it today that really matters.

Did you ever wander why fast food is so cheap? Well for starters, they use the lowest quality ingredients to prepare the food which means that it will have a greater effect on your health.

Bad quality fatty meat, and a lot of processed food containing loads of sugar and salt is normal.

One of the biggest factors that make fast food a terrible food choice is the amount of trans fats in it. Trans fat leads to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and many heart problems.

If you are forced to eat at a fast food joint, try to avoid anything that is fried such as french fries or nuggets.

These are absolutely the worst. Foods fried in hydrogenated oils are practically poison for you body, especially if they use the oil again and again, which… they do. It’s still better to choose a burger or grilled chicken. Many fast-foods offer salads and fruits, so take advantage of that!

Another thing you should keep in mind is to drink water instead of soda. Soda has a a lot of acid and sugar or artificial sweeteners, which are often times even worse than the sugar itself.

Eating your food fast is bad for your body as well. Definitely try to sit down and relax when you eat. Give your body a chance to recuperate.

Your body deserves it and needs time to recharge it’s batteries.

Always remember that your health is the most important thing. Weight loss should always take a back seat. Often times, they will go hand in hand. Eat for your health, and you will automatically lose inches off of your waist, butt, and thighs.