"After 40, you become less efficient at metabolizing fat.  As a woman's hormones decline, there is also a redistribution of existing body fat, so you'll tend to look like an apple instead of a pear.  It's a battle of the fruits! 

You can fix this with vitamin I:  intensity.  If you already walk, add some hills and some speed.  Crank up the resistance on the bike or the elliptical trainer.  Do not be afraid to sweat.  Wet is where it's at."

A unique salad for the Thanksgiving table or anytime. Refreshing, colorful and aromatic with the zing of fresh ginger. Top with drained tuna or diced chicken for a complete light lunch!  Whole frozen green beans also work well.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 2 cup green beans, cut in 2" lengths
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 8 cups mixed baby salad greens
  

Blanche green beans by immersing in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and run with cold water. Drain again and set aside.

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper. Taste, adjust seasonings. Arrange green beans over salad greens, top with fresh tomatoes and drizzle with dressing.

Toss gently and serve! Top with tuna or diced chicken for a complete light lunch.

Nutrition Info (per serving)
Calories: 45
Carbs: 9 grams
Protein: 3 grams
Fat: 0 grams

Thinking about gastric weight loss surgery or Lapband? Keep these post surgical recommendations in mind and be sure you know what to expect.

There's a universal recommendation that morbidly obese patients who are approved for surgical as an emergency health measure MUST permanently avoid high calorie liquids or foods that melt -- like ice cream or milkshakes. If that's difficult to give up now, you'll still have the struggle after surgery (the same for candy or chocolate).

Other favorite foods that may be problematic with the new 1" stomach opening that food must pass through can include beef, bread, chicken, rice and pasta. The tendency can be to focus on easy to eat foods, but when those are high calorie choices the purpose of surgery is defeated. "Stalls" will occur.

We found the comments of weight loss surgery expert, Dr. Morton (below) quite interesting regarding daily protein requirements. The Kimkins way of eating means our members often greatly reduce their appetite due to ketosis. A common question in our community forums is what's the minimum amount they should eat since they're no longer hungry. Our recommendation has been to strive for 70-90 grams of protein a day. We're pleased to see that our suggestion mirrors Dr. Morton's recommendation of 60-80 grams per day. The USDA recommendation for women is 50-55 grams per days.

Common protein content for a chicken breast (50 grams), 6 oz can tuna (15 grams) and 1 large egg (7 grams).

For some people, one side effect of the surgery is enough to encourage them to choose healthy foods. Their bodies find greasy or fatty foods (like fast food) more difficult to digest which can result in "dumping syndrome" (bouts of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and sweating).

Which foods are most problematic can depend on the type of weight loss surgery you've had. Bariatric expert, Dr. Morton states, "Lapband patients must stay away from soft foods, foods that melt and high calorie liquids. Bypass patients should avoid any concentrated source of sugar such as sweets, whole milk and milk shakes."

Eating lean protein and vegetables before consuming rice or bread can increase satiety and nutrient intake,. "People should have at least 60 to 80 grams of lean protein a day to increase lean body mass and stay healthy and energetic during rapid weight loss," Dr. Morton suggests. [Suggestions in bold mirror the Kimkins weight loss program.]

After Pamela Folle, 49, had Lapband surgery last year she found that she couldn't tolerate steak, hot dogs, hamburgers, or carbonated drinks. She now opts for lean proteins & vegetables, and limits her daily intake to 4 oz of food 3 times a day.

Those who have had weight loss surgery should minimize or eliminate high calorie low nutrient foods like:

• deep fried foods like chicken, french fries
• fast food meals
• high fat foods like pizza, bacon, breakfast sausage
• high sugar foods including cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy
• alcohol
  

Before committing to permanent surgery, why not try a weight loss program that encourages the same eating as the way you'll eat after Lapband?

Kimkins focuses on lean protein, low carb vegetables and healthy fats. This low fat low glycemic approach is what produces our spectacular success stories and can allow very quick weight loss! All without surgery!

Not sure if Kimkins is for you?  Sign up for 10 Reasons to Join Kimkins and get 10 free low carb recipes included!

Check out these warnings from the Lap Band manufacturer, Allegan:

Contraindications: The LAP-BAND^® System is not recommended for non-adult patients, patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results, (e.g., inflammatory or cardiopulmonary diseases, GI conditions, symptoms or family history of autoimmune disease, cirrhosis), who are unwilling or unable to comply with the required dietary restrictions, who have alcohol or drug addictions, or who currently are or may be pregnant. [Patients who become pregnant will need deflation].

Warnings: The LAP-BAND^® System is a long-term implant. Explant and replacement surgery may be required at some time. Patients who become pregnant or severely ill, or who require more extensive nutrition may require deflation of their bands. Patients should not expect to lose weight as fast as gastric bypass patients, and band inflation should proceed in small increments. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as aspirin, should be used with caution and may contribute to an increased risk of band erosion.

Adverse Events: Placement of the LAP-BAND^® System is major surgery and, as with any surgery, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient's ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body.  Band slippage, erosion and deflation, reflux, obstruction of the stomach, dilation of the esophagus, infection, or nausea and vomiting may occur. Reoperation may be required.
 

A research tidbit for Kimkins readers:

The heavier you are the more dangerous fast food becomes according to a recent study. Scientists at University at Buffalo discovered that after overweight participants at 1,800 calories of fast food their inflammation levels were significantly higher than normal weight participants who also ate 1,800 calories.

During high inflammation your body produces less HDL (good) cholesterol and more LDL & triglycerides (bad) which raises your risk of attack.