Simple Stress Busters

Stress happens. No matter how organized you are, how good your systems are, or how friendly your work and living environments are, stress can find a way to poke its ugly head in from time to time. What can you do? Turn to a convenient Stress Buster – a small, simple activity that clears your head and calms you down. When you feel a stress attack coming on, it’s the perfect time to turn to one of these busters and kick that stress out the door.


1. Take a walk
Want a break from the office? Does your house feel like an insane asylum? Slip out the door and let your feet take you somewhere. Not only will walking give you the opportunity to clear your head and take a break from that hectic situation, but it’s great aerobic exercise, too.

2. Call a friend
We all have someone whose voice alone perks us up. Give them a buzz, even for a few minutes. Whether with a joke or a funny story, or just by listening, they will likely put a smile on your face and calm you down. Besides, what are friends for?




3. Write in a journal
Expressing our feelings could be the best way to deal with stress. Keeping a journal is a way to capture those feelings at any moment. You don’t have to worry about what others think or say, just let your pen do the work. By the time you’re done, those feelings will be on their way out of your system.


4. Play a board game
Remember these? Maybe there are a dozen stashed in your closet, waiting to be dusted off. Monopoly probably should be saved until you have a few hours to spare, but quick kids’ games like Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Connect Four, or even Twister are always good for a smile.

5. Work up a sweat
Have some pent up frustrations? There’s no better way to get rid of them than by exercising. Pop in a workout tape, hop on your bike or grab your jump rope. You’ll be too busy working up a sweat to worry about what’s stressing you out. Picture the stress leaving your bodythrough your pores.

6. Plan something fun
Is there a trip you want to take but never had time to get it together? Or a dinner you’ve always wanted to make? Now’s the time. Not only will you take your mind off things, but you’ll be spending time eagerly anticipating a great getaway or meal later. It’s a win-win situation.

7. Take a hot bath
A hot bath will initially give your body a kick, which in turn will give your mind a kick too – and then it’ll slow both down. Add bubbles and a few candles and you have the ultimate soothing atmosphere. A rubber ducky is optional.
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25 Ways to Get Back on Track Today

When you feel like getting back on track is overwhelming, try one (or more) of these small steps each day.

Try a short workout. Even five minutes is better than nothing.

Try a new recipe. Cooking healthy foods can be fun and it never has to be bland.


Eat a healthy breakfast. Your morning meal sets the stage for the rest of your day, so start if off right!

Drink your water. Try to aim for 8 cups each day and you’ll feel the difference!

Talk to other people and see how others overcome similar struggles and obstacles can be a great source of motivation.

Track your food daily. No matter how it adds up, you’ll learn from it.

Tracking your food helps you succeed. It’s a visual way to track your ups and downs, but also your progress.

Share your goals. Whether you post them on your facebook page or share them with a friend you’ll be more accountable.

Exercise for 10 minutes a day. Jump rope, march in place, or do some crunches. Small amounts do add up to something big!




Find a buddy. Get support from friends, whether you need someone to listen or a mentor to give you ideas and encouragement.

Take a walk. Don’t worry about how long or far you go—just get out there!

Create a motivational collage. Include pictures of your goal and reasons why you want to get there.


Go shopping for some healthy foods.

Check the nutrition facts before you go out to eat. That way, you can make an informed choice.

Ride your bike. Even a leisurely ride has benefits for your body and mind.

Work in the yard. Gardening and yard work is a great way to add activity to your day.

Take the stairs. Even if this is the only thing you do all day, you’ll feel stronger for it.

Listen to an inspirational song. Better yet, make a playlist of them so you can turn to it whenever you need a boost.




Measure your proportions. It’s a simple way to learn how much you’re eating.

Eat a piece of fruit. Even if 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables sounds impossible to you, one is doable.

Slow down during meals. You’ll be less likely to overeat and more likely to enjoy your meal.

Play! What kids call "play," we often call "exercise." Play a sport, a game, or use the playground equipment to bring the fun back into fitness.

Learn something new. Sometimes simply taking a quiz or reading an article about nutrition, fitness, or health can change your mindset and get you back on track.


In tennis, losing one point isn’t the end of the world. It happens to the best of them. In fact, if you can consistently win a few more points that you lose, you may end up in the hall of fame. With healthy eating and exercising, as long as you’re consistently out-stepping your steps back, you’re ahead of the game. If you expect perfection (and many of us do), you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and guilt.

You CAN get back on track today. Even if you’re moving slowly, you’ll be moving in the right direction! www.lamodademiami.com

Exercise Tip of The Day- Tighten Your Toosh!

Bridge-Ups
Starting Position
Lie with arms at sides, feet on floor, knees bent. Press into heels.

Action
EXHALE: Slowly lift hips off of floor toward ceiling, squeezing the glutes. INHALE: Return to starting position.

Special Instructions
Squeeze glutes through entire rep. Try not to let butt touch ground when lowering between reps.

Muscles Worked: Hamstrings, Glutes, Quads

Time Involved: 2-3 minutes

Body Benefit: Look good coming and going
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Dr. Oz's 48-Hour Weekend Cleanse

Are you ready for the ultimate detox solution? Dr. Oz’s 48-Hour Weekend Cleanse will revitalize you from the inside out. Be sure to print the complete shopping list in order to prepare all the recipes that accompany this plan.

Are you ready for the ultimate detox solution? Dr. Oz’s 48-Hour Weekend Cleanse will revitalize you from the inside out. Be sure to print the complete shopping list in order to prepare all the recipes that accompany this plan.


The practice of detoxifying the body to rid it of unhealthy toxins has been around for centuries. Hippocrates recommended fasting to improve health, and many religious groups have historically used fasting as a way of purifying the spirit.
Today the marketplace is cluttered with detox diets that promise to help you lose weight, boost your energy levels and more. However, many popular detox diets, especially those that involve extreme low-calorie fasting, can rob the body of important nutrients and place the body in starvation mode, which actually slows your metabolism. Other downsides of many detox diets include: dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and even colon damage.
The Body’s Detox System
Oftentimes people don’t realize that the body has its own extraordinary internal detoxification system. Here’s a brief look at three critical organs involved:
The Liver: Your first line of defense against toxins is your liver, which acts like a filter in preventing toxic substances contained in foods from passing into your blood stream.
The Colon: This organ has bacteria that produce both healthy and unhealthy chemicals. You want to keep your colon flowing regularly since its main role is to flush out toxic chemicals before they can do you any harm.
The Kidneys: Like clockwork, the kidneys are constantly filtering your blood and getting rid of toxins in the form of urine.
For a detox diet to truly work, you need to maintain these three key organs by nourishing your body with the right nutrients. Dr. Oz’s 48-Hour Weekend Cleanse is based upon eating certain “detoxifying” foods that will keep these systems running smoothly. The plan couldn’t be simpler to follow so you’re not always focused on what to eat next. You'll need to prepare and eat the following meals and snacks two days in a row. To get ready for the weekend cleanse, print out the complete cleanse shopping list and make a trip to the supermarket.
Shopping List:

Recipes:

Reboot your body with Dr. Oz's 48 hour weekend cleanse. This cleanse is designed to give you the key nutrients your body needs while stimulating and detoxing your organs. Prepare and eat these meals two days in a row.



Breakfast: Quinoa With Chopped Prunes



Ingredients

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed

1 cup water

1 pinch nutmeg

1 tsp grated ginger

1 tbsp flax seed oil

1/3 cup chopped prunes

1/4 cup rice milk

Directions

In a small pot, stir 1/2 cup quinoa, a pinch of nutmeg and 1 tsp of grated ginger into a cup of water.

Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the prunes and rice milk. Cover again and cook another 5 minutes.

Before serving, stir in 1 tbsp of flax seed oil.



Snack:

Detox Drinks

Kale, Pineapple and Ginger Detox Drink

Ingredients

1/2 cup pineapple

2 large cucumbers

1 bunch kale without stems (4 cups chopped)

1/2 lemon, squeezed

1 inch of ginger

1 bunch of mint (1/2 cup)

Directions

Combine all ingredients and blend in juicer.

Alternative: Pineapple, Lemon and Pomegranate Blend-Free Detox Drink

Ingredients

3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

1 lemon

1 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice

3 cups water

Directions

Combine all ingredients and mix in a cup. Enjoy!

Alternative Snack: Fresh Veggies

Ingredients

Celery

Radishes

Cucumber

Green beans

Olive oil

Lemon juice

Salt

Pepper

Directions

Cut up celery, radishes, cucumber and green beans.

For dressing, combine olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Lunch: Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients

1/2 cup almond or hemp milk (plain/unsweetened)

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia

1/4 cup frozen blueberries

1/4 banana

1/2 cup ice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Dinner: Vegetable Broth Soup

Ingredients

2 red onions, roughly chopped

2 stalks celery, roughly chopped

1 fennel bulb, fronds and stalks included, roughly chopped

2 tsp caraway seeds

2 tsp sea salt

Freshly ground pepper

1 cup sliced shitake caps

4 large cloves garlic, chopped

1 cabbage, roughly chopped

2 quarts water

2 tbsp paprika

2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped

8 sprigs parsley, chopped stems and leaves

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

Directions

Combine all ingredients, except for the chopped parsley, in a pot. Add 2 quarts of water.

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Simmer covered for about 1 hour. Adjust seasoning.

Remove whole parsley sprigs and serve topped with some freshly chopped parsley.

Serve with a side of traditionally fermented sauerkraut and chopped apples.

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7 Comfort Foods that are Good for You

7 Comfort Foods that are Good for You
Feel Better While Staying Healthy


Comfort – A condition or feeling of pleasurable ease, well-being, and contentment.

Food – A substance you consume to produce energy, stimulate growth, and provide nourishment.

Put these two words together and people dream of fudge sundaes, turn to pot pie for pick-me-ups and fall prey to many other kinds of eating rituals. This is the power comfort foods hold. Unfortunately, it seems that most comfort foods console us with extra fat, calories and other ingredients that lack great nutritional value. But not all comfort foods are made this way. Here are 7 Comfort Foods that are actually good for you. Check ’em out.

Yogurt (with fruit)
The frozen variety tastes pretty similar to its ice cream counterpart, only with less fat. By adding fruit, you’re only adding more minerals and vitamins. Cool and soothing, this comfort food is a perfect snack, yet tastes sweet enough to ease your pain.

Fruit smoothie
This is the perfect cure for anyone with a sweet tooth. Amazingly, even if you don’t normally like fruit, you will probably still enjoy this blend of fruit, juice and yogurt. It only takes a few minutes to whip up in your blender and is a cool and refreshing treat during a hot, summer day

Chicken noodle soup
Would you rather have anything else when you’re sick? This blend of noodles, chicken chunks and veggies in a steaming hot bowl will take you back to your childhood. Remember to buy a brand with low sodium, or make your own at home. Here is our own chicken noodle recipe.

Angel food cake
Sometimes, we all love a slice of cake. Warm and fluffy, every bite is better than the previous one. With angel food cake, you can enjoy a slice without feeling guilty about it later. Pretend it’s your birthday and have a slice, maybe even with some fat-free whipped cream. Why not try our angel food cake tonight?

Oatmeal
Forget caffeine-charged coffee; oatmeal is all you need for a hot breakfast that will leave you energized for hours to come. Packed with complex carbs, oatmeal is easy to make and much healthier than a sugary cereal you might otherwise eat. A steaming bowl of oatmeal will make mornings your favorite part of the day. Toss in some fresh fruit to get that sweetness you crave.

Vegetable juice
Sometimes you need that kick. Vegetable juices, such as V8 and others, have enough kick to play in soccer’s World Cup. A blend of many vegetables, including tomatoes, it’s great when you’re not very hungry or when you're on the go.

Crock pot creations (anything that’s healthy, anyway)
One of the greatest food inventions of the 20th century, a crock pot can seemingly take any combination of ingredients and turn them into a great meal. Slowly cooked, whatever comes out is hot and tastes great. Throw in healthy meats and a bunch of veggies to make this comfort food good for you.

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Exhausted. Drained. Worn out??

Dr. Oz’s 7-Day Energy Surge

Exhausted. Drained. Worn out. More than two-thirds of American woman are using words like these to describe their current energy level. Most turn to caffeine and sugar to cope with daily fatigue, a strategy that may provide a short-term boost, but no long-term benefits. It’s time to get the facts and become strategic about increasing your energy level with Dr. Oz’s 7 Day Energy Surge.

Exhaustion is not simply lack of sleep; it’s related to stress, dehydration, nutrition and lifestyle. Conquering your exhaustion can feel insurmountable, but what if it could be as simple as listening to music, having more sex, or changing the way you breathe? Dr. Oz and Jim Karas, energy expert and author of The 7 Day Energy Surge, have created a 4-step plan containing small changes that add up to big increases in your energy.



Step 1: The Morning Makeover

First, assess your alarm clock. What time is it set for? A time that allows you to repeatedly hit the snooze button? Or do you only allow yourself time to grab a quick shower before rushing out the door and hitting the drive-through? It’s time to reset your alarm. Give yourself 10 minutes to lie in bed before getting up. During that time, perform a breathing exercise called “breathing into blackness.” Place the palms of your hands over your eyes, and with your index, middle and ring fingers, massage the top of your forehead. Inhale 6 counts through your nose and exhale 6 counts through your mouth. Breathing into blackness provides the body with increased oxygen and 10 full minutes of internal meditation.
Then, throw open your curtains and turn on all your lights. This enhances circadian rhythms and tells your body that night, the natural time for sleep, is over.

Finally, eat a power breakfast full of protein and fiber that won’t spike blood sugar levels and will keep you satiated. Click here for a muesli recipe packed with protein, fiber, antioxidants and omega-3s.

Step 2: The Vital Vitamin Cocktail

To feel more energized, you need to fuel your body properly. Magnesium and tyrosine are 2 supplements that specifically target the chemical processes responsible for increased levels of energy. Magnesium activates enzymes that contribute to energy production and helps regulate the levels of important nutrients like calcium, copper, zinc, potassium and vitamin D. While you can get magnesium from foods like whole grains, nuts and leafy green vegetables, most Americans need a supplement to reach the recommended daily value: 400 mg magnesium with 600 mg calcium.

Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid and a building block for the mood-enhancing neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. Chronic stress can deplete your level of tyrosine and contribute to feelings of exhaustion. Tyrosine supplements should be taken in 500 mg doses 3 times a day, at least 30 minutes before meals.

For a super boost, open a 500 mg tyrosine capsule, place the powder under your tongue and let it dissolve. It has a chalk-like consistency that may be hard to swallow, so take water as needed.

Step 3: Pick Up a New Mid-Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

Ditch the soda, candy and energy drinks. Instead, opt for a shot of the phenomenal super food: wheatgrass. It’s full of antioxidants, stimulates metabolism and alkalinizes the body. Get a shot at your local health food store or juice bar for a few dollars or, if that’s not an option, purchase wheatgrass in supplement form or powder.

If you must have coffee, try a combination consisting of half coffee/half low-fat milk. It contains caffeine like a normal cup of coffee and the protein in milk helps keep blood sugar levels stable.


Step 4: Set the Stage for Sleep

Perhaps you’ve already done the basics: removed the TV from your bedroom, set a regular bedtime, and banned cell phones and other electronics from your nightstand. But here are some additional steps to help your body wind down, fall asleep and stay asleep.

Listen to soothing music for 45 minutes before going to bed. Research indicates this helps you fall asleep faster and recall more vivid dreams, an indication of deep, restful sleep.
Turn your alarm clock away from you. Watching the clock keeps the brain stimulated, making it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Use a night light in the bathroom. This prohibits turning lights on during the night which in turn activates the brain, telling it to wake up.

Sweet tooth raging out of control? Learn to Stop the Cravings!

Does that morning Danish leave you craving another treat two hours later? Do you grab a candy bar to cope with your afternoon slump -- and then reach for a cola to get out of your post-slump slump?

If you’ve found that munching sugary snacks just makes you crave more sugary snacks, you’re not alone. Eating lots of simple carbohydrates -- without the backup of proteins or fats -- can quickly satisfy hunger and give your body a short-term energy boost, but they almost as quickly leave you famished again and craving more.

How can you stop sugar cravings once and for all? Why Do We Crave Sugar?

There are many reasons why we go for sweet things.That appetite may be hardwired. Sweet is the first taste humans prefer from birth. Carbohydrates stimulate the release of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. Sugar is a carbohydrate, but carbohydrates come in other forms, too, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.The taste of sugar also releases endorphins that calm and relax us, and offer a natural "high".

Sweets just taste good, too. And that preference gets reinforced by rewarding ourselves with sweet treats, which can make you crave it even more. With all that going for it, why wouldn’t we crave sugar?

The problem comes not when we indulge in a sweet treat now and then, but when we over-consume, something that’s easy to do when sugar is added to many processed foods, including breads, yogurt, juices, and sauces. And Americans do over consume, averaging about 22 teaspoons of added sugars per day, according to the American Heart Association, which recommends limiting added sugars to about 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 for men.

How to Stop Sugar Cravings: 8 Tips to Use Right Now

1. Give in a little. Eat a bit of what you’re craving, maybe a small cookie or a fun-size candy bar. Enjoying a little of what you love can help you steer clear of feeling denied. Try to stick to a 150-calorie threshold.

2. Combine foods. If the idea of stopping at a cookie or a baby candy bar seems impossible, you can still fill yourself up and satisfy a sugar craving, too. Like combining the craving food with a healthful one. I love chocolate, for example, so sometimes I’ll dip a banana in chocolate sauce and that gives me what I’m craving, or I mix some almonds with chocolate chips. As a beneficial bonus, you'll satisfy a craving and get healthy nutrients from those good-for-you foods.

3. Go cold turkey. Cutting out all simple sugars works for some people, although the initial 48 to 72 hours are tough. Some people find that going cold turkey helps their cravings diminish after a few days; others find they may still crave sugar but over time are able to train their taste buds to be satisfied with less.

4. Grab some gum. If you want to avoid giving in to a sugar craving completely, try chewing a stick of gum. Research has shown that chewing gum can reduce food cravings.

5. Reach for fruit. Keep fruit handy for when sugar cravings hit. You'll get fiber and nutrients along with some sweetness. And stock up on foods like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Have them handy so you reach for them instead of reaching for the old [sugary] something.

6. Get up and go. When a sugar craving hits, walk away. Take a walk around the block or do something to change the scenery,to take your mind off the food you’re craving.

7. Choose quality over quantity. If you need a sugar splurge, pick a wonderful, decadent sugary food. But keep it small. For example, choose a perfect dark chocolate truffle instead of a king-sized candy bar, then savor every bite -- slowly. Don’t swear off favorites -you’ll only come back for greater portions. Learn to incorporate small amounts in the diet but concentrate on filling your stomach with less sugary and healthier options.

8. Eat regularly. Waiting too long between meals may set you up to choose sugary, fatty foods that cut your hunger.
Instead, eating every three to five hours can help keep blood sugar stable and help you avoid irrational eating behavior. Your best bets? Choose protein, fiber-rich foods like whole grains and produce.

But won't eating more often mean overeating? Not if you break up your meals. For instance, have part of your breakfast -- a slice of toast with peanut butter, perhaps save some yogurt for a mid-morning snack. Break up lunch the same way to help avoid a mid-afternoon slump.

One of the best ways to manage sugar cravings is to stop them before they start. To help you do that:

1. Skip artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners may sound like a great idea, but they don’t lessen cravings for sugar and haven’t demonstrated a positive effect on our obesity epidemic.

2. Reward yourself for successfully managing sugar cravings. Your reward could be large or small. Remember why you’re working on it and then reward yourself for each successful step.

3. Slow down. For one week, focus on your sugar cravings and think about what you’re eating. Diet mayhem often results from lack of planning. So slow down, plan, and eat what you intend to eat, instead of eating when you’re desperate.

4. Get support. Many people turn to sweet foods when they're stressed, depressed, or angry. But food doesn't solve emotional issues. Consider whether emotions are involved in your sugar cravings and whether you need help to find other solutions to those emotional problems.

5.Mix it up. You may need more than one strategy to thwart sugar cravings. One week you may find success with one tactic, and another week calls for an alternative approach. What’s important is to have a bag of tricks to try. To tame sugar cravings, you really need to figure out what works for you.

Lastly, go easy on yourself. It may take time to get a handle on your sugar cravings.

Eating right, exercising, and still not losing weight? Maybe you're not as on track as you think.

"The latest fad diet followed by the stars-The Mayo Clinic Diet Meal Plan"

Mayo Clinic Diet – Meal Plan

This is a copy of the fad diet.

12 days on – 2 days off
Breakfast
1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened)
2 Eggs (any style)
2 Slices Bacon
Lunch
1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened)
Meat (any style, any amount)
Salad (any kind of dressing)
Dinner
1/2 Grapefruit or 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice (unsweetened)
Meat (any style, any amount) (fish may be substituted for meat)
Vegetables (any green, yellow, or red vegetables cooked in butter or any seasoning)
Bed Time Snack
1 glass tomato juice or 1 glass Skim milk

Vegetables Allowed
Red onions, green onions, bell peppers, radishes, cucumbers, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, peas.

Vegetables to Avoid
White onions, potatoes, celery.

Find other high protein meal ideas here.

Instructions

At any meal you may eat until you are full – until you can’t eat any more.
Don’t eliminate anything from the diet, especially don’t skip bacon at breakfast or omit salads. It is the combination of foods that burn fat.
The grapefruit is important because it acts as a catalyst that starts the burning process.
Cut down on caffeine – it affects the insulin balance that hinders the burning process. Try to limit to 1 cup per meal at mealtime.
Don’t eat between meals. If you eat the combination of food suggested you will not be hungry.
Note that the diet completely eliminates sugar and starches, which are lipids and form fat. Fat doesn’t form fat; it helps burn it. You can fry food in butter and use butter generously on vegetables.
Do not eat desserts, bread, and white vegetables or sweet potatoes. You may double or triple helpings of meat, salad, or vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed. The more you eat of the proper combination of food, the more you lose.

How to stop binge eating

How do I stop if I start binge eating?

It definitely gets tougher once you start to stop. At this point, you have to take more desperate measures. If I can gather any reserve at all, I throw the food in the garbage. I don’t throw it on the top either, I make sure it is crushed and inedible. If I can’t throw the food away, I have asked my husband to either eat something or throw it away for me. I am lucky he is supportive enough to help me with such things. Don’t let that voice tell you that you are wasting food. It’s a trick. You either waste it in the trash or on your body, where you have to work it off in health problems and exercise and dieting later. So either way, it is a waste. When in doubt, toss it out!

Change what you are doing after you remove the food from your immediate area. Go see a friend, call someone, talk it out, go to the gym, put on music and dance it out, just don’t do whatever it was that you were doing when the binge was triggered. In fact, if you couldn’t muster the strength the remove the food from your vicinity, removing yourself from its vicinity is a good option.

Changing what you are eating mid binge may help. For instance, if you started by eating cookies, maybe you can muster the strength to add an apple and nut butter in between cookies. That leaves less room for more cookies. It also changes the taste in your mouth, so it switches things up and takes you out of the frenzy mode a bit. The combination of fiber and protein will also help satisfy true hunger, so that will be one less thing to combat.

Keep thinking while you are eating. Even though you caved in, that doesn’t mean the fight is over. You can still stop. One slice of pizza is always going to have less calories than two. Keep trying to figure out why you are eating and what might resolve the problem or provide the same emotional comfort. If you do manage to figure it out, write it down and keep it with your list of binge busters. Don’t forget to immediately act on it.

The moral of the story is PLAN. Binge eating is a sudden urge and it’s a strong one. You need a strong plan to fight it. Don’t wait until you’re about to dive into a plate of goodies before you have your plan in place. Once a binge is started, it is ten times harder to stop, so avoid the triggers, avoid the first compulsive bite, and avoid the binge.http://www.lamodademiami.com

How to get flatter abs

Like the quest for the Holy Grail, many people are on a mission to improve their abs. What does it take to get there? These 9 simple exercises and lifestyle tips can start you in the right direction.

No. 1: Improve Your Posture

Slouch and your stomach pooches. So straighten up, and you've done your abs a favor without breaking a sweat! For better posture while standing, align your ears over your shoulders, shoulders over hips, hips over knees, and knees over ankles. Keep the fronts of the shoulders open like a shirt on a hanger, instead of a shirt on a peg. Draw your navel to your spine and keep your weight even on the balls of your feet and your heels.

No. 2: Think Whole-Body Exercise

Don't get so into your abs that you overlook your other muscles. Your core muscles also include your glutes and back muscles, for instance. Pilates is one way to work all of the core muscles, plus the arms and legs, for a whole–body workout that does strengthens the abs — and more.

No. 3: Try the Canoe Twist

Stand upright, feet apart. Interlace your fingers to create a solid grip. Exhale, and sweep the interlocked hands, arms, shoulders, and chest to the left, as if "rowing a canoe." Simultaneously lift the left knee up and to the right. Inhale and return to the starting position. Exhale and perform the movement to the right. Alternate for 20 repetitions.

No. 4: Do the Cat Kick

Stand with feet together, arms extended like airplane wings. Exhale, and lift the right leg forward and up. At the same time, sweep the arms forward at shoulder level and round your spine, like a cat. The navel should feel as though it's pressing toward the spine. Inhale, and open back up and return to the starting position. Repeat with the left leg, alternating for 20 repetitions.

No. 5: Practice the Pilates Zip Up

Stand upright with heels together, toes slightly turned out. Bring your arms up, hands joined underneath the chin. Exhale, press your arms down, keeping hands and arms very close to the body. Simultaneously, lift your heels off the ground onto your tiptoes. Hold for two seconds at the "top," inhale and return to the starting position. The abs go "in and up" and the arms go down. Perform 20 repetitions.

No. 6: Examine Your Diet

You can do ab exercises until the cows come home, but if you've got extra belly fat, your strong abs won't show. To budge the belly fat, you have to look at what you eat and how active you are. In other words, eat less and move more, and spend your calorie budget wisely.

No. 7: Props Are Optional

Stability and Bosu balls, straps and bands, and gym memberships can be wonderful, but they aren't necessary for stronger abs. Even in your everyday life — while taking a walk, standing in line at the grocery store, or socializing at a cocktail party — you can engage your abs by standing straight and exhaling to draw the navel to the spine.

No. 8: Set Realistic Goals

Your genes may play a role in your body's shape, but don't make that an excuse to give up and head for the cookie jar. Your goals should be realistic and focused on your body, not on some idealized image. Beyonce's abs may motivate you, but you shouldn't expect to mimic them.

No. 9: Take Things Slow

There are no fast fixes. Even the promised quick fixes end up being temporary. Plan on slow and steady progression, and prepare for setbacks and even frustration. Rewards come with time and consistency.