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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 5

Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 5 of our 7-part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.
In our last video we looked at reason #4 which was,

You may not be sleeping well.

In this video we will be looking at reason #5
And that is…

You May Be Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Unfortunately, unlike macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, alcohol supplies what nutritionists often refer to as empty calories: calories without nutrition.

To make matters worse, it is the first fuel to be used when combined with carbohydrates, fats and proteins, postponing the fat-burning process and contributing to greater fat storage.

In addition to that, the calories found in the average alcoholic drink are quite concentrated compared to many foods, and this actually causes you to inadvertently take in many more calories than you would normally otherwise consume.

My friend, Alcohol is quite deceptive in that it passes through your system very rapidly, often before you’re aware of the number of drinks you’ve even had.

And at 7 calories per gram, alcohol supplies almost twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates.

In addition to that, Alcohol tends to have an appetite stimulating effect as it provides little in the way of nutrition, leaving a craving for other foods at the time of consumption. Add this to the fact that fatty and salty foods tend to accompany most occasions featuring alcohol and the general loosening of inhibitions that goes with an inebriated mindset, and you have a recipe for excess fat gain.

Alcohol has also been shown to affect motivation, making a healthy diet harder to stay on while you’re using it.

Alcoholic drinks also contain calories from other sources, which add to your overall caloric intake. Certain cocktails, for example, contain fats. While Wine and beer both have high carbohydrate content.

Although the effects of these various calorie types have on the body are different—carbohydrates release insulin, which can hasten fat storage, while fats will be stored directly in the fat cells—the overall result is added body fat.

My friend, if this is you don’t lose hope, I’ve helped many patients overcome alcohol issues with great success.

So, if you need some help with the affects of alcohol in your wellness and weight loss journey, then speak to your doctor or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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5 Benefits Of Aloe Vera Juice

There are many anecdotal benefits to aloe vera and aloe vera juice. As with most foods, it should be used in moderation, and you should consult your health care provider before starting a new diet plan.

Additionally, at New Life Wellness & Weight Loss urge not to make your own – you may put your health at risk instead of improving it, so if you do choose to drink aloe vera juice, choose ready-made juice, which is also fortified with vitamin C.

CHECK OUT THESE FIVE BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA JUICE.
Blood Sugar
There are many claims stating that eating aloe vera may reduce your blood sugar levels or cholesterol. Although the results are promising, they are still too inconsistent. For example, people with diabetes who participated in one study did experience lower blood sugar levels, but scientists cannot confirm yet whether there were other factors involved or the good outcomes were the result of a placebo effect.
Antioxidants
You’ve probably already used aloe vera gel to soothe a particularly bad sunburn at one point in your life and this magical ingredient has also been used to help heal wounds and burns for centuries. Science conclusively backs up the benefits of aloe vera gel for your skin and people in Latin America, Asia, and Africa have also used it topically for its antimicrobial properties.
Anti-Inflammatory
Similarly, to the way it soothes wounds and burns, aloe gvera may work to produce the same effects inside the body. Drinking aloe vera juice may help reduce your inflammatory cascade; many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or frequent heartburn have seen relief by drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, and a 2004 study of patients with ulcerative colitis also saw improvement in their symptoms.
Skin Care
Many people have experienced the hydrating properties of aloe vera and have noticed an improvement in the appearance of acne and the frequency of breakouts. It may also help reduce skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis. In the same way that it neutralizes the damage of a sunburn, it has also helped prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
Nutrients
Aloe vera juice is packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B, C, E, folic acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. It’s also rich in water, so it can help prevent or treat dehydration. However, don’t eat or drink more than eight ounces of aloe vera per day.
Downsides
Though aloe vera juice has been lauded as a constipation cure, it has also been associated with diarrhea, cramping, and low potassium. Aloe vera juices that are labeled as purified, decolorized, organic, and safety-tested are less likely to produce these results. If aloe vera juice is right for you and your needs, you can safely drink up to eight ounces a day by pouring it over ice or mixing it with a smoothie or fruit juice.

For more info contact New Life Wellness & Weight Loss call us at (908) 279-7740.

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 4

Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 4 of our 7-part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.
In our last video we looked at reason #3 which was,

You may not be drinking enough water.

Today we will look at reason #4 and that is You may not be sleeping well.
My friend, Good sleep is one of the most important things to consider for your physical and mental health, as well as your weight.

Studies have shown that poor sleep is one of the single biggest risk factors for obesity. Adults and children with poor sleep have a 55% and a whopping 89% greater risk of becoming obese, respectively.

So, here are some things to consider concerning poor sleep and sleep deprivation.

Poor Sleep Changes Your Fat Cells

With just four days of sleep deprivation, your body’s ability to properly use insulin (which is the master storage hormone) becomes completely disrupted. In fact, the University of Chicago researchers found that insulin sensitivity dropped by more than 30 percent.

And Here’s why that’s bad: When your insulin is functioning well, your fat cells remove fatty acids and lipids from your blood stream and prevent storage. When you become more insulin resistant, fats circulate in your blood and pump out more insulin.

Eventually this excess insulin ends up storing fat in all the wrong places, such as tissues like your liver. And this is exactly how you become fat and suffer from diseases like diabetes.

Another thing to consider is a Lack of Rest Makes You Crave Food

Many people believe that hunger is related to willpower and learning to control the call of your stomach, but that’s incorrect. Hunger is controlled by two hormones: leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is a hormone that is produced in your fat cells. The less leptin you produce, the more your stomach feels empty. The more ghrelin you produce, the more you stimulate hunger while also reducing the amount of calories you burn and increasing the amount fat you store.

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinoloy and Metabolism found that sleeping less than six hours triggers the area of your brain that increases your need for food while also depressing leptin and stimulating ghrelin.

If that’s not enough, the scientists discovered exactly how sleep loss creates an internal battle that makes it nearly impossible to lose weight. When you don’t sleep enough, your cortisol levels rise. This is the stress hormone that is frequently associated with fat gain. Cortisol also activates reward centers in your brain that make you want food.

At the same time, the loss of sleep causes your body to produce more ghrelin. A combination of high ghrelin and cortisol shut down the areas of your brain that leave you feeling satisfied after a meal, meaning you feel hungry all the time—even if you just ate a big meal.

If this is you don’t lose hope, I have helped hundreds of patients overcome sleep disorders with great success.

So, if you think poor sleep is an issue for you, then speak to your doctor or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 3

Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 3 of our 7-part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.

In our last video we looked at reason #2 which was, You May Be Addicted to Junk Food.

Today we will look at reason #3 and that is You may not be drinking enough water.

You see, drinking water can have great benefits for weight loss.

In fact, in one 12-week weight loss study, people who drank half a liter (which is just 17 oz) of water 30 minutes before meals lost 44% more weight than their counterparts. Now I’m not saying that that is going to work for everyone but it sure can’t hurt! Right?

Drinking water has also been shown to boost the number of calories your body burns by 24-30% over a period of just an hour and a half.

If that’s not enough to convince you to drink more water Here’s Some Additional Benefits of Drinking Water that you might find interesting:

1. It Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue

2. It Flushes Out Toxins from your body

3. It Improves Skin Complexion

4. It Maintains Bowel Regularity

5. It Boosts Your Immune System

6. It’s Natural Headache Remedy

7. It Prevents Cramps & Sprains

But let me say this to you as well, you also need to be very careful that you are not drinking too much water. We’ve seen this with a lot of our patients.

A real good indicator that you may be drinking too much water is to monitor your urine color. If your urine is very clear and not slightly yellowish you may be drinking too much water which will lead to mineral depletion and muscle cramping.

If this is you don’t lose hope, I have helped hundreds of patients overcome water issues and increase cellular hydration with great success.

So, if you need some help with hydration, then speak to your doctor or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 2

Going to the grocery store is a routine part of so many lives, but these regular visits can really break the bank over time. A recent decade-long investigation of grocery stores has led to revelations that may forever change the way you approach buying food. With our help we hope you are going to uncover the best ways to save money and be healthier when you shop. Check out these 5 secrets to learn something new and spread the word to your loved ones from New Life Wellness & Weight Loss.

  • THEY AREN’T TRYING TO TRICK YOU
    man grabbing a carton of milk

While we’ve all heard rumors that the supermarket uses tricks to fool you into spending more money, I’m not so sure that is always true. One myth states that stores keep milk in the back area to force us to walk through all the aisles and pick up items we normally wouldn’t buy. The truth is, milk is near the back because that’s the logical place to put the giant coolers that they are stored in. If you do feel like you pick up a lot of non-essentials on your quest for basics like milk and bread, you can try making a list ahead of time to stay on track. Also, try looking up, down, left, and right when browsing the shelves, instead of focusing only on the items that are right in the center. You may find a more affordable product that is just as tasty but is simply in a less desirable spot because the company can’t afford the stocking fee to be center stage.

  • Investigate the Labels

A lot of the choices consumers make at the grocery store can be driven by habit or a lack of information. For example, the term “whole grains” has become a huge buzzword in the supermarket industry and snacking companies are happily adopting it in their packaging content. The problem is that whole grains are often ground up into a flour and added to crackers or chips, creating the illusion of healthiness when that isn’t always the case. When the grains are ground up the healthy aspects fall to the wayside. Before you go to the store, research the ingredients and nutrients in the snacks you want to buy so you can come prepared and avoid wasting money on health halo foods.

  • Don’t Buy the Wrong Produce

Tomatoes

Since consumers have come to expect all kinds of produce all year round, it can lead to less than stellar products for sale. Supermarket tomatoes, for example, are picked when they are still green and hard as a rock, far from the ripening stage. These not-quite-ready tomatoes can often travel long distances and they are then gassed with ethylene which turns them bright red so that they look ripened even if they actually aren’t. To buy the freshest tomatoes, go for the ones that don’t have a uniform color and have cracks or imperfections. The uglier the tomato, the tastier it will be.

  • Avoid Pre-Washed Food

Head of lettuce

When you buy pre-washed lettuce, it may come from several different heads of lettuce versus just one when you buy it in its natural state. If just one head of lettuce is contaminated, all the lettuce in the bag can be contaminated too. When you buy lettuce that isn’t washed, it reduces the likelihood of it having E.coli or other harmful bacteria. To stay safe, take the extra time to wash your own fruits and vegetables instead.

  • Ask Employees Questions

Supermarket employees actually have a wealth of knowledge that they are ready to share with you if you only ask. For example, they recommend avoiding tenderloin, because it’s the most expensive cut, pound for pound, but it lacks flavor. Instead, opt for chuck, Delmonico, or sirloin steaks. They take a little longer to cook at a lower temperature, but they will be more affordable and have more flavor. Also, instead of buying pre-cut chicken, you can buy it whole and ask for the butchers to cut it up for you for free. When buying deli meat, look for whole-cooked meats, aka “chubs”. Once you buy those, bring them to the deli section and they can slice it for you. Doing so will save you more than 50% compared to the brand name or store name meats. You can do the same with cheese, which will save you around $2 each time.

Hope these tips help. Happy grocery shopping!

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 2

Hey everyone, it’s Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 2 of our 7 part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.

We all know how frustrating it is when you just can’t lose weight? You’re trying to eat right and exercise, but the numbers on the scale just won’t move. Well, as I said in my first video, “it may not be your fault.”

In our last video we looked at our first reason which was, You May Have a Medical Condition That Is Making It Harder to Lose Weight.

Today we will look at reason 2 and many of you are not going to like this one. But if you are honest with yourself you may find this reason to be very true.

Reason Number 2, You Are Addicted to Junk Food.

My friend, the dark side of junk foods is not an unknown fact. Several research studies have significantly shown that fast foods and processed foods are a primary cause of childhood obesity, heart disease as well as diabetes and other chronic degenerative diseases.

And the more junk food you consume, the less likely you are to consume the essential nutrients that your body relies on and the more difficult it becomes to lose weight.

In fact, excess consumption of things like trans fats found in many fried and processed foods can send mixed signals to the brain which makes it very difficult for the brain to process what you have eaten and how really hungry you are. This is probably why you end up overeating.

And don’t forget this, fast foods are specially designed to be addictive in nature with high levels of salts, sugars and fats that make you crave them even more.

This addictive nature of fast food can make your brain crave them even when you are not hungry.

If this is you don’t lose hope, I have helped hundreds of patients overcome junk food addictions with great success. So, if you think junk food addiction applies to you, then speak to your doctor or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why? Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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6 Ways To Break Your Sugar Addiction

Recent research on rats found that they get the same neurochemical kick from sugar as they do from morphine, cocaine, and nicotine. We think that this surge of pleasure is behind sugar addiction in humans, too. (We also think the companies that are selling you added sugar know it and are trying to keep you addicted. But they won’t miss you if you quit.)

The good part: The principles taught to smokers to help them quit will help you kick your sugar habit.

Here are 6 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success:

Make a Pact With Yourself to Cut Sugar Out of Your Life. Studies show that making a serious commitment to doing whatever it takes to break an addiction is one of the most important steps toward beating it.
Set a Quit Date at Least a Month from Today. Give yourself time to mentally prepare for the quitting journey and clear your pantry, car, desk, and gym locker of sugar in all its forms, including food and drinks containing honey or rice syrup and high-fructose corn syrup (that includes most ketchups, many sports drinks, and even coffee creamer).
Start Walking 30 Minutes a Day. Like sugar, exercise releases mood-enhancing hormones. Later, when sugar abstinence causes a dip in feel-good hormones, you can add a tension-relieving 5-minute walk to this regimen.
Cut Back Gradually. Begin by reducing the sugar you add to tea and coffee. Then, substitute something healthy, like yogurt (without added sugar) and berries or unsweetened applesauce for two or three of the sweet foods you usually have.
Visualize a slimmer, healthier you going for a walk, sipping on water, or practicing deep breathing when you’re stressed. A little role-playing helps you practice alternatives to eating under pressure.
Think of the 3 biggest reasons why you want to live a sugar-free life, write them on a card, and read them several times a day.
With a month of practice behind you, you’ll be ready to weather the cravings that come when you first abstain from sugar. In time, your brain chemistry will readjust, and those cravings will stop. You will beat the addiction the food companies taunt you with. BRAVO!

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 1

Hey everyone, if you don’t know me, my name is Dr. Frank Donaruma and I am the owner and lead doctor of NewLife Wellness and Weight Loss in New Jersey.

So, let me ask you a question. How frustrating is it when you just can’t lose weight? Pretty frustrating, right? You’re trying to eat right and exercise, but the numbers on the scale just won’t move. Well it may not be your fault.

In this 7 part Video Health Tip Series, I will identify 7 reasons why you may not be losing weight.
Each video will focus on just 1 of the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.

The videos will be very short, so you should be able watch them in just a couple of minutes and obtain valuable information that can help you in your wellness and weight loss journey.

So, let’s begin.
The first reason you may not be able to lose weight is…

  1. You Have a Medical Condition That is Making Things Harder

There are actually some medical conditions that can drive weight gain and make it much harder to lose weight. Some of these conditions include hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Chronic Stress, Cushing’s Syndrome, Addison’s Disease, Depression, Hormonal Changes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and even sleep apnea.

The biggest culprit that I have seen when working with hundreds of patients trying to lose weight are thyroid disorders. This includes both men and women but mostly women.

When your immune system messes with your thyroid, it can cause unexplained weight changes. You see Your thyroid helps control your metabolism, so if it’s underactive (which is called “hypothyroidism”), everything slows down.
That’s why common symptoms with thyroid disorders include weight gain, fatigue, constipation, hair loss, and even depression.
In addition to thyroid disorders, certain medications can also make weight loss harder, or even cause weight gain. The more medications you’re taking the harder it is to lose weight.

But don’t lose hope, I have helped hundreds of patients overcome many of these issues with great success.

So, If you think any of these conditions applies to you, then speak to your doctor about your options or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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How Do I Control My Food Cravings

We all experience food cravings – whether we’re dieting or not. However, you may experience an increase in cravings when trying to control your weight.

Here are some practical tips for managing food cravings:

Expect Food Cravings. If you are prepared, managing them will be easier. Try to stock your kitchen or office with healthy substitutions. Craving chocolate? Try a fat free pudding cup or individual portion of low-fat chocolate ice cream. Craving salt? Try a 100-calorie pack of salty snack mix. Small treats can easily fit into a healthy diet!
Where is the “Hunger” Coming From? Try to distinguish if it’s your stomach sending the message or your mind. Many of us eat in response to emotions such as stress, sadness or boredom. First, rate your hunger on a scale of 1-5 (1 being starving and 5 being stuffed). If you are not a 1 or 2, ask yourself how you are feeling and what you can do instead. For example, take a brisk walk, call a friend or take a bubble bath. This process will help you become an intuitive eater and connect with your feelings of hunger and fullness.


Reflect on Your Progress. Think about how far you have come and all the positive changes you have accomplished. Accentuating the positive (on a daily basis) keeps you motivated and keeps the momentum going. Try writing down 3 things you feel good about at the end of each day (no matter how small you think they might be).
Cut Calories Elsewhere During the Day. If you find that late night snacks are finding their way into your diet, find a way to cut calories from other meals and snacks. Focus on cutting “extra” calories vs. healthy calories. For example, use less mayo or cheese on your sandwich, less creamer in your coffee, or cut back on portions of meat.
Evaluate Your Eating Habits. Your cravings could very well be validated. Are you skipping meals, eating well below your calorie needs for weight loss or denying certain foods or food groups? If so, cravings can be your body’s natural defense mechanism. Remember, all foods can fit in moderation, and skipping meals or eating too few calories will only work against weight loss in the end.

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9 Top Benefits of Walking

What’s not to love about the single best thing you can do for your health? The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other makes you healthier, gives you more energy, and makes you younger. Plus, doing it lets you talk with friends, think through problems, and see what’s new in the neighborhood. And if you happen to have some new walking gear, walking lets you show it off.

That’s just the beginning. Check out a few other great things walking does for you:

  1. Fends Off the #1 Killer: Regular walkers have fewer heart attacks and strokes, have lower blood pressure, and have higher levels of healthy HDL cholesterol than couch sitters do. In one study of women, a regular walking program did just as much in the heart-protection department as more vigorous exercise did.
  2. Dims Your Chances of Diabetes: Thirty minutes of walking a day makes your muscles more sensitive to insulin. That allows glucose to do its duty inside your cells rather than pile up in your bloodstream (that’s what happens when you have diabetes) and cause other havoc.
  3. Helps You Kick the Habit: Taking a daily 30-minute walk is one of the keys to the success of the “YOU Can Quit” plan. Even just a 5-minute walk cuts down on cigarette cravings — it engages your brain’s emotion centers, unleashing mood-enhancing hormones that decrease cravings and take your mind off that cigarette. And establishing a walking habit proves to you that you have the discipline to stick with your stop-smoking plan.
  4. Slims You Down: Burn more calories than you eat, and — voila! You’re wearing one-size-smaller clothes. Plus, walking can help squelch chocolate cravings and nix the stress and anxiety that often lead to overeating.
  5. Keeps You Sharp: Physical activity nourishes brain tissue and stimulates its production of neurons, synapses, and blood vessels. Some studies have found that walking can counter faltering memories in people over age 50.
  6. Reduces Stress: Anyone who has come back from a walk in a different frame of mind than they went out with can attest to this. Studies back up that walking benefits your mood — and may even ward off depression and anxiety.
  7. Revs Up Your Energy: Not only can a walk perk you up when you need it, but also it helps improve the quality of your sleep, so you’re more energetic all-day long.
  8. Boosts Your Immune System: Walking regularly can lower your risk of arthritis, macular degeneration, and even cancer by an astonishing 50% compared with people who don’t exercise.
  9. Keeps You Going: Walking has the highest compliance rate of any exercise. Make your routine bulletproof: Get a buddy.