14 of the Most Impressive Keto Diet Before-and-After Pictures

“Accountability is the key”

In early 2016, Mary Alexander saw a photo of herself in a bathing suit and decided something had to change. A few weeks later, she started the keto diet, an ultra-low-carb, high-fat diet that’s becoming increasingly popular, partly because of the many keto diet before-and-after pictures. After two years, she’s lost 60 pounds with ten to 15 more to go to reach her goal.

“The hardest part of keto was getting started,” says Mary, a 54-year-old marketer from Rockwell, Texas. “Bread and sweets had been my friends for years, so giving them up was really hard.” She kept herself accountable with her Instagram account, @ketohabits: She’s gained more than 26,000 followers since she started her journey. “I attribute all of my success to my account, as well as weekly weigh-ins.” Before you start your weight loss journey, check out the 15 things you should know before trying the keto diet.

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Different Species of Fish Used in Aquaponics

Aquaponics is a type of farming that grows healthy food sources with the use of soil. It combines the use of fish and water to achieve this goal.

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Can Black Seed Oil Help with Weight Loss?

People seeking a fast solution to weight loss are often willing to try any number of options, from special tea blends to swigging a spoonful of apple cider vinegar every day. However, the newest supplement quickly gaining steam for weight loss is black seed oil. Read on to find out what research says about the weight-loss benefits of black seed oil to decide if it’s something you should add to your daily regimen.

What is black seed oil?

Black seed oil is made from black caraway or black cumin seeds, also known as Nigella seeds. The oil expressed from these seeds is used more commonly than the seeds themselves. However, both have some benefits. The seeds may taste a bit bitter, so the oil, which has a spicy or peppery flavor, is preferred by many people. Cinnamon is another spice that might help with weight loss.

“Nigella seeds have many pharmaceutical uses,” says Allie Gregg, RD, founder of MyEasyVeganDiet.com. “The seeds of the plant have been used in Southeast Asia, and the Middle and Far East as a natural remedy to treat many diseases, and is thought to offer benefits including anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anti-obesity effects as well as being beneficial for respiratory health.”

But it’s black seed oil’s weight loss benefits that have given the supplement the most attention lately.

Can black seed oil help with weight loss?

People who promote black seed oil’s weight loss benefits chalk the supplement’s waist-shrinking abilities up to two main attributes. First, some research suggests black seed oil may help control insulin production and manage insulin levels.

A study in the Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism found that black seed oil “causes gradual partial regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells, increases the lowered serum insulin concentrations, and decreases the elevated serum glucose.” Proper glucose control can reduce cravings and may help you lose weight. If the scale isn’t budging, these reasons might explain why you’re not losing weight.

The second element of black seed oil’s claim to weight loss is a decrease in inflammation. An antioxidant called thymoquinone in black seed oil may help reduce inflammation or swelling in the body, according to a study in Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.

The number of studies that have looked at black seed oil for its weight loss benefits is small, but as it becomes more popular, more research is underway. A few studies already point to some promising results if you’re looking to use black seed oil for weight loss.

A small study of 20 people found that people who took black seed oil and did aerobic exercise showed better weight-loss results than people who did not take the supplement, according to a report in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine.

A 2018 study in Journal of Ethnopharmacology looked at the results of 11 placebo-controlled clinical trials. The findings reveal that black seed oil may reduce body weight. People who used the supplement had a reduction in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.

The Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders conducted a systemic review of medical literature to find plants that have the greatest anti-obesity properties. The researchers discovered and wrote in their published findings that black seed oil was among the most effective natural weight-loss remedies currently known.

How do I take black seed oil for weight loss?

Black seed oil is available as an oil, a soft gel supplement, or a liquid supplement. You can find it at many health food or vitamin stores.

As with most supplements, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the production of black seed oil. It’s left up to the manufacturer to meet all the safety requirements. The FDA can then regulate the product if they find it makes claims that aren’t true or perhaps doesn’t meet the safety standards. In short, you can’t know you’re getting genuine black seed oil unless you’re buying from a reputable brand. Look for third-party testing to verify the oil’s potency.

The FDA also does not have a recommended daily dose or suggested dosing caps. You can take 500mg doses twice a day, and research shows you’re unlikely to experience side effects. It may even be safe to take as much as two grams in a day, but for the best results, start with a small dose and increase as you find you can tolerate it. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking the supplement, however. Some of the active ingredients in black seed oil can interfere with prescription medicines.

Bottom Line: “Even though the sample of studies is small to nonexistent when it comes to using black seed oil for weight loss, I would say there’s no harm in trying it given its other potent properties,” says Nikola Djordjevic, MD. “Surely, it can benefit your overall health, but if you want to lose weight and obtain a healthy lifestyle, think about changing your overall diet first.” Your doctors also wish you knew these 50 things about weight loss.

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This Is the Only Thing You Should Be Eating at Your Hotel’s Continental Breakfast

Vacation is basically a constant countdown to the next meal. Sure, you want to be free to treat yourself during these few precious days of relaxation, but going overboard at every meal could throw your regular diet way off track.

One easy time to focus on your health? Breakfast. Pick nutritious choices at your hotel’s continental spread, and you can indulge later in the day without the guilt. After all, you’re way more likely to miss that hand-churned ice cream on the boardwalk than those Froot Loops at breakfast. Plus, a healthy meal means no sugar crash, so you’ll be able to keep up with your kids’ high energy instead of begging for a nap before lunchtime.

The ideal breakfast should contain fiber, protein, and healthy fats, says dietitian and culinary specialist Sara Haas, RDN, LDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Not only will those three fill you up—and keep you full—but keeping them in mind is an almost effortless way to pack in nutrients. “When you get that trio, you’re likely getting them from a variety of sources, which means you’ll be getting an array of other good-for-you nutrients too,” she says.

Rule of thumb: Aim for a whole grain, a protein source, and some fruit from the continental breakfast. Dietitian Caroline Passerrello, MS, RDN, LDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, recommends oatmeal (sweetened with peanut butter), a hard-boiled egg, and banana, plus grabbing a yogurt to eat later. A cup of oatmeal has four grams of fiber, while the peanut butter, egg, and yogurt all pack in protein. The banana rounds out your meal with nutrients like vitamins B6 and C. “I would not necessarily have this combination at home because it would be a lot of preparation, but I love that the hotel staff has taken the prep work out of it for me,” says Passerrello. Or, try some of these food hacks for a healthy breakfast.

If you aren’t a fan of oatmeal, top a whole grain bagel or toast with peanut butter and fruit, or have it with a hard-boiled egg and fruit on the side, says Haas.

Just be careful while you’re stacking your plate—sweet cereals and pastries aren’t the only big sugar sources from a continental breakfast. A flavored oatmeal packet or fruity yogurt has about 12 to 18 grams of sugar; a doughnut has a mere ten grams. If available, stick with plain yogurt and unsweetened oatmeal instead. “I like to be the one adding the sugar,” says Haas. “That puts me in control of how much (if any) goes in there.” Sweeten it up with fresh fruit instead of brown sugar or honey—and keep in mind these breakfast foods you should be skipping, too.

Skip the OJ and eat a whole orange to get in more nutrients, says Haas. No need to give up your coffee fix, though, says Passerrello. Just keep it simple. “Keep the drinks close to what you do at home,” she says. “Don’t be tempted by items you don’t typically keep around.” Flavored creamers are tempting, but add more than one and the calories can add up fast. Use a coffee hack to make your morning pick-me-up healthier instead.

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12 Healthiest, High-Fat Foods You Should Be Eating

Peanut butter

“If you’re like me, you think peanut butter is important stuff,” says Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, author of The Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook. “It’s a heart-healthy food that seems decadent but is actually healthy and satisfying.” White suggests choosing a nut butter with a minimal ingredient list—so just peanuts and salt, when possible. “Slathered onto a banana, peanut butter is a great pre-workout snack, and it can also be combined with rice vinegar, garlic, and low-sodium soy sauce to make a dipping sauce for grilled chicken or sautéed tofu,” she says. The nut butter is also delicious mixed into a blueberry peanut butter smoothie, peanut butter energy bites, or a peanut butter sweet potato spread.

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Take Ownership of Your Health: Hold Yourself Accountable

Over the years, I've conducted extensive research on health topics such as obesity, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. I have also studied theories of behavior change. What jumps out at me the most is how many of these conditions are preventable.

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Sleep Deprivation-Why Do We Need Eight Hours Sleep?

Why do we need 8 hours sleep at night, or to spend a third of our life in bed? It is now thought extended sleep deprivation, sleeping regularly only 4 or five hours a night can have harmful health effects. Long-term sleep deprivation is now liked to heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, diabetes and even dementia and weight loss. Because of comfort eating it can also cause weight gain.

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Importance of Right Glassware

Eating and drinking may be just another imperative thing to do for humans for their survival, but they are impacted by a lot of things. One of the factors that has a direct effect on the manner in which the food is targeted and absorbed by the body is the psychology with which one consumes their food and drinks and this psychology is majorly affected by the cutlery and the utensils in which we do this repetitive task. Eating proper is not just about eating the right food in the right manner, but it is also about eating it in...

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A Primer on Gut Flora

Driving along a suburban road on the North side of Brisbane (Australia), a kangaroo bounds seemingly out of nowhere and hits the side of my car. Minor vehicle damage but the animal was clearly in pain and could not get up. After phoning 1300 Animal, the Vet arrived and gave us the sad prognosis. He did have some good news though, as he fished out a very-much-alive joey out of the nearly dead kangaroo's pouch. He said: "Be sure to mix these in with his milk" as he handed me some of mum kangaroo's droppings. This article gives overview to how we acquire the all-important gut flora.

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If Your Stomach Is Getting More Than Needed, You Can Have Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a short-term disease caused by infection and swelling of the digestive tract. Other causes include some viruses, bacteria, bacterial poisons, parasites, special chemicals, and some medicines.

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Why Is Medical Coding Essential in Healthcare?

Nowadays, there are a lot of health care professions out there, but medical billing is on the list of top professions. Around 20 years back, there were not many job opportunities in the healthcare industry. Now, there are lots of job opportunities in the healthcare market. And this has increased the demand for medical coding professionals. Let's find out why medical coding is essential in healthcare.

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What Are the Uses of Medical Transcriptions?

Aside from their routine duties, healthcare providers have to maintain notes for the record-keeping process and meet the HIPPA-compliance standards. Typically, small providers have an experienced in-house transcriptionist to take care of the recorded materials. In this article, we are going to take a look at the uses of medical transcription and why it's important to maintain accurate medical transcriptions.

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Here Is Why Everyone Needs Health Insurance

Today, healthcare insurance is one of the hottest political topics. Everyone is asking who should be able to have health insurance, what will be the costs of it, can you survive without insurance and what will be the penalty? In this article, we are going to help you know the reasons why everyone needs health insurance.

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Healthcare Quality Methods

Healthcare organizations can employ different health care methods for quality improvement. Since healthcare is not a simple phenomenon, industries find it hard to adopt the controls and standardization of quality improvement methods. However, general methods that define quality, grow improvement measures and identify variation through PDSA cycles and control charts have been successful in the application of healthcare processes. Let's take a look at some healthcare quality improvement methods.

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THis Is Why Everyone Should Invest in Treating the Water

Water that is clean and suitable for drinking is essential to life. A purification system provides several benefits. It is recommended by the US Center for Disease Control to drink a minimum of 64 oz of H20 daily because of the several benefits to health.

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What Are the Dangers Hidden in Contaminated Water?

It is normal for tap and bottled water, among other types of drinking water, to contain some amount of contaminants. In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA has set strict standards for around 90 various types of contaminants that can be present in drinking water. This page has a compilation of the most common water pollutants, which have been categorized below to give a more detailed information on some particular contaminants and how they affect your health.

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What Are the Most Common Water Pollutants?

Arsenic Arsenic is a heavy metal known to be very toxic. People who drink water that contains arsenic beyond EPA's standard for many years could go through several serious health issues. These could include problems with the bladder, heart, kidney, liver and lungs.

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Water Treatment Explained for Everyone

Different Processes of Water Treatment We need clean, safe water in everyday living. It is very important for the community's well-being, hygiene and productivity. The process of treating water may slightly be different at various places, depending on the technology of the plant that needs processing.

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How Much Water Are You Drinking Every Day?

Some people do not realize the value of water, and how drinking it can have a huge effect on their overall health. Even if it is crucial to drink lots of water, many of these individuals may not be drinking the right amount of water every day. According to the Institute of Medicine, men are advised to consume 3 liters of water a day, while women are supposed to consume 2.

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How a 3D Prostate Treatment Can Prove to Be Highly Efficient

Surgical treatments can be uncomfortable and can also take a lot of time to recover from and that is the reason why many treatments are taking new nonsurgical turns. This has become the case with prostate cancer or enlargements where the 3D treatment has become very well-known in the last few years.

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13 Weight Loss Quotes That Will Keep You Motivated

On repetition

“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” —Billie Jean King, International Hall of Fame tennis player

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How Often Should You Eat to Lose Weight?

How often should you eat? Well, the classic “three square meals a day” rule may not be as antiquated as you think. Studies show that eating six smaller meals has led to obesity; however, what works for one person might not work for the other. 

A survey from the American Heart Association and Aramark found that three in five (60%) “employed Americans who typically eat lunch during work hours are extremely or very interested in improving the healthiness of their typical workday lunch.” If this sounds like you, then read up on how getting to know your body can help you answer the question “how often should you eat?” and shed those pounds. 

Make a realistic plan

These guidelines will help you determine the best weight loss practice for your body type, as noted by Dr. Dara Bushman, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist. “Weight loss happens when a plan is realistic to someone’s lifestyle and needs. If you work 12-hour shifts, it is not realistic to eat every two hours,” she says. Also, be intentional with your plan and write out what you want to happen. “See yourself as if you already lost the weight, how you look and feel. Be as descriptive as possible.”

You are your body’s best spokesperson for determining the answer to “how often should you eat?” Only you can feel that twinge of hunger, or know when your seam is about to bust. The best weight loss option for you is what’s easiest and will last the longest. This tip is included in the 50 things your doctor wishes you knew about losing weight. You’re more likely to follow it if it falls within your everyday habits. 

Not your body, but your habits

Weight loss all boils down to Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). Think about it: If you eat fewer calories than you burn, your body has to attend to the gap in calories. It does this by burning through reservoirs of stored fat, and in turn, you lose weight. Planning ahead is one of the crucial parts of making your diet work, and here are 20 more hidden reasons why your diet isn’t working.

“Once you determine your TDEE and incorporate activity into your lifestyle, you can determine exactly how much you can eat to lose weight—whether that’s six or two meals per day,” says Amber Nash, founder of Fit Healthy Best.

Why is that weight there in the first place?

Whether a major health problem or the desire to be more fit is pushing you to lose weight, it’s important to consider how it got there in the first place. Once you’ve identified the areas of your life that make it easy to gain weight—stress, time, habits, lack of exercise—you can begin to see results. Arlene B. Englander, psychotherapist and author of Let Go of Emotional Overeating and Love Your Food: A Five Point Plan for Success, weighs in on the psychology of eating.  

“Sadly, so many of us, especially those of us who want to lose weight, focus primarily on what we eat rather than how we eat,” Englander says. “Many of us are mindlessly munching on foods we don’t even taste while tuned in to phones and other devices during the day.” These 7 mind tricks help you stop emotional eating and cut the mindless munching. This self-control will help you stop at the point of satisfaction—a skill that’s important for lifelong weight control, Englander says.

The sweltering summer months mean more sweat, and more sweat means dehydration. Englander says studies show that many of us can mislabel thirst as hunger. “Drinking an ounce of fluid for every two ounces of body weight per day is a standard guideline that’s easy to remember. Downing a glass of water or fluid-filled foods at the start of every meal can help us in our efforts to eat mindfully,” Englander says. “[Let] hunger and appetite be our guide, rather than feeling driven by a desperate desire to escape stress.” Read on to find out more weight loss myths you need to stop believing.

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