South Beach Diet Book

Many people confuse the South Beach diet with the Atkins diet. In the first 2 weeks all sugar and carbs are cut out but afterwards, certain "good carbs" can be added. So this diet is much healthier than Atkins. The first two weeks are hard but worth it! Once you get through the first two weeks, the rest is much easier. If you eat a donut, you dont have to scrap your entire diet, just continue. The South Beach diet book will start you on your way. I suggest reading the entire book so that you are informed and understand why the diet is working and how it is healthy.

South Beach is not supposed to be a "fad diet". It is a change of your current eating habits to healthier eating for life
South Beach Diet Book

Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer

I have owned a lot of exercise equipment, and the Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer is a very good machine. Unlike some others I have tried, it has a very smooth action, is quiet, and is easy to use. It's also smaller than several other models I've tested, so it fits nicely in most rooms. Further, because it is lightweight and has two front wheels, it's easy to move.

The assembly instructions are not the best, but I've seen much worse. Regardless, it's pretty obvious where most of the parts go. It took me about one hour to assemble by myself, though it would be easier and quicker with two people.

Recently I moved the machine to a different room and one of the front wheel casings cracked. I don't know if this occurred because of a defect or because I went over a bump too quickly. I called the manufacturer (toll-free number) and received prompt and courteous service. When I bought the machine I registered it online, so my information was quickly found by the company representative. I described what happened and the representative was surprised because it was unusual for a wheel casing to break. Nevertheless, without any trouble he promised to ship me a replacement part free of charge (still under warranty). I called on a Friday afternoon and received the part on the next Tuesday. Changing the part (only one screw) was simple and took about two minutes. It's nice to know that there are still some companies that stand behind their products and provide good service to their customers.
Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer

Bowflex TC5000 Treadclimber

We bought this because the Dr told my wife she needed to lose 50 pounds to ensure her diabetes could be controlled. We went with the TC5000 because it has the heart monitor display built in, and we wanted to ensure we did not over do it.

The machine arrived as scheduled; assembly took about 2 hours (1 bolt missing, but I had a one that fit so was no problem). Instructions are not that clear, but if you use the pictures and think a bit before you tighten something anyone should be able to assemble this (does take two people for a couple of steps).

We watched the DVD and read the operating manual before we ever got on it; neither of us are in too fit so the first week we just went about 20 minutes in treadmill mode every other day. We have continued the every other day routine to ensure our bodies have a day of recovery. 2nd week I started with a 3 minutes of treadmill, 18 minutes of tread climber, and finishing with 3 minutes of tread mill. Wife increased her treadmill time to 25 minutes. Week 3 I am doing 3 minutes of the tread mill, 24 minutes of the tread climber, and 3 minutes of tread mill. Wife is doing 3 minutes of tread mill 15 minutes of tread climber, and 3 minutes of tread mill.

We are both very aware of the importance of keeping our heart rate in the target zone (not too low and not too high) while excercising, the speed control and the heart rate display makes this very easy to do.

Each of us has lost several inches and has experienced modest weight loss, 5 pounds for me, and 7 pounds for her in 3 weeks. Both of us feel much better and so far we each look forward to our exercise day. We have put the Tread climber right in the middle of the living room so we can watch TV, or have a conversation with each other as a routine part of our exercise. This was a very conscious decision our part to ensure it did not become out of sight, out of mind.

I would recommend this to anyone who is serious about increasing their fitness and/or losing weight.

Bowflex TC5000 Treadclimber

Alli (60mg)

I've been taking this product for two years now. It was prescribed by my doctor after I stopped smoking and gained quite a bit of weight. I lost 60 pounds but also dieted vigorously and exercised regularly at the gym on the treadmill for 35 minutes. Oily discharge sometimes? you bet, but only when I ate meals with a high fat content. Couple bits of advice: if you feel like you need to fart, don't. You can't be sure of what will come out. Restrain yourself until you get to a toilet, just in case. Also, not only fried chicken and fried food have fat. Any kind of red meat has fat content. Rule of thumb for me is if calories from fat are high, I take a pill with the meal. This product is a lifesaver but it only works with diet and exercise.

Alli (60mg)