A year-long US study that compared the results of four popular diets with overweight pre-menopausal women revealed a clear “winner”, but didn’t really inspire confidence in terms of actual number of pounds lost.

The women involved in the study had a BMI (body mass index) of 27-40, which ranges from overweight to obese. The diets followed and compared were Atkins, the Zone, Ornish, and LEARN. Statistically speaking, the Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets yielded virtually the same results, ranging from approximately 3.5 pounds to 5.7 pounds over the course of the year. The Atkins diet, however, yielded the largest weight loss in numbers–10.36 pounds.

Just over 10 pounds over the course of a year, however, falls short of what most overweight and particularly obese women are striving towards. Nevertheless, considering that of the four diet plans, Atkins has the lowest carbohydrate intake, we might conclude that lowering carbohydrates is the most ideal method for losing weight.

Other studies reveal that a person’s particular insulin response, whether they are high secretors or low secretors, can at least partially determine the type of diet that is most effective. The most impressive findings were for high insulin secretors, who were found to lose a significant amount of weight on a low glycemic diet plan. They didn’t fare as well on a low-fat diet.

A blood test will determine whether you are a high or low secretor, but there is a generalized rule of thumb that involves eyeballing body shape type. Generally, pear-shaped people (people who tend to gain weight first on the bottom and hips before they gain weight on the arms and waist) are low secretors; while high secretors generally sport an “apple” shape–they tend to gain weight first on their waist and upper body.

The Atkins diet, like many popular diet plans, has received a mixed bag of kudos and criticisms. While most studies and experts agree that lowering our intake of simple carbohydrates is beneficial, it’s the high fat and high protein elements of the Atkins diet that invites controversy. Some have recommended that this diet plan shouldn’t be followed for more than six months, for example, and in fact doesn’t have as successful results beyond the six-month point.

While it may be comforting to follow a specific diet plan, such as Atkins or the Zone, it may be worthwhile to read up on a number of different diet plans and pull out some of the better ideas from each. Of course, experimenting with different plans makes sense as well, simply because it is growing increasingly clear that there is no miracle diet that works for everyone, in spite of what many marketers will have you believe!

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At least 90% of women have cellulite in their lives, and it can be a stubborn and persistent problem. Is there a cure?

Is there a cure for cellulite?

Cellulite is generally the result of poor circulation, excess weight in the affected area, and water retention that weakens the connective tissues beneath the outer layer of the skin, producing a dimpling or “orange peel” effect.

There is no set cure for the condition, and although cellulite is certainly connected with excess weight, thin people also deal with the problem. Why do more women appear to have cellulite than men? Only because a woman’s skin is thinner, so the problem is more visible.

From our research, and intuition as well, cellulite should be treated in two ways–directly on the affected skin, and internally. While topical creams and various methods of massaging affected areas can help, the best results, albeit long-term ones, come from combining topical treatments with making simple dietary changes and taking certain vitamins.

The simplest and first step that should be taken is increasing your consumption of water. Recent studies have even shown that drinking a liter of water a day burns calories.

Cut down on caffeine and try to quit smoking if necessary.

Before using a cellulite cream or other treatment, get your hands on a body brush and use it. Massage your skin with the body brush gently and in motions towards your heart.

Common ingredients in anti-cellulite creams are green tea extract, emu oil, seaweed extract, grapefruit oils, and caffeine. With the exception of caffeine, many of these ingredients also work internally as well. Drinking green tea, eating seaweed, and getting plenty of vitamin C from citrus fruits all contribute to reducing cellulite over time.

Coffee is one of the most effective ingredients for temporary firming, as it acts as a diuretic. Visible results can be seen by using a coffee ground wrap a couple times a week. Yes, it needs to be done two or more times a week simply because the effects of all cellulite treatments are temporary. In other words, there is no known permanent cure.

Coffee grounds anti-cellulite wrap instructions:

Combine about 1/4 to 1/2 cup freshly brewed, still warm coffee grounds with a small amount of olive oil, emu oil, or an egg white (this will keep the grounds together) in a bowl. In the bathroom (the process is messy), or even standing in the shower), apply the coffee grounds mixture on the affected areas, and then wrap the area with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap or similar). Keep this wrap on for at least 5-10 minutes, but preferably longer. Then, wash off. Coffee grounds not only help firm skin, they are also an excellent skin exfoliator, so as you are showering the coffee off your body, gently rub the skin.

For an informative selection of skin care recipes, Naturally Skinsational ~ Rejuvenating Skin Care Recipes