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Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN

As an HCG Diet Specialist in New York, NY Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN, at Furnari Health specializes in helping men and women lose weight with the HCG diet. Offering customized HCG Diet plans, Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN, takes each patients individual weight loss goals, current health conditions, and medical history into consideration when designing a personalized HCG weight loss plan.

Her HCG Diet plans may combine different nutritional choices and caloric intakes for patients based on individual needs. With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, Corrine Furnari has helped vast numbers of men and women to overcome obesity.

As an HCG Diet Specialist in New York, NY, Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN, can help men and women to reach the weight loss goals.

The HCG Diet uses a hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin to help the hypothalamus reset the bodys metabolism. The HCG hormone is produced naturally in a womans body during pregnancy stimulating the metabolizing of stored fat to nourish an unborn child if the mother is not able to take in enough daily nutrients on her own. When the hormone is used with a low-calorie diet as part of a medically supervised HCG diet plan on a patient that is not pregnant, it works in a similar way to stimulate the metabolism into burning fat stores to sustain the body. An HCG diet plan administered by New York, NY HCG Diet Specialist, Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN, can cause rapid fat loss in men and women suffering from obesity and other weight related medical conditions. Both men and women can benefit from the HCG diet.

A woman wishing to undergo a medically supervised HCG diet plan should consult with New York City HCG Diet Specialist, Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN, to learn more about how HCG hormones coupled with a low-calorie diet plan can result in dramatic weight loss. As the HCG diet plan involves hormone supplementation, women must align the start date of the diet with their menstrual cycles to avoid any adverse hormonal imbalances that can occur. Women should also avoid cosmetic creams that may contain fatty oils or anti-inflammatory ingredients when following an HCG diet plan as they can be absorbed into the skin and affect the bodys ability to regulate fat intake and storage.

Women diagnosed as clinically obese, or women with a BMI over 20% are usually excellent candidates for the dramatic weight loss results of an HCG diet plan. Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN, a New York City HCG Diet Specialist has seen countless women achieve their weight loss goals with the HCG diet, and firmly believes that an HCG diet plan can help many conditions that a more traditional diet cannot.

Irregular menstrual cycles can be caused by excess body fat carrying estrogen, and excessive estrogen levels can interfere with regular menstrual cycles. An overall improvement of the bodys health and wellness can also improve hormonal balance, which has a direct connection with menstrual cycles and regularity in women.

PMS Symptoms

Reducing the amount of estrogen retaining body fat can help balance the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a womans body, which has been shown to help alleviate symptoms related to PMS including bloating, fatigue, and mood swings.

Improved Self Esteem and Body Image

Higher self-esteem can be a result of achieving a weight loss goal and feeling healthier. An improved body image and healthier lifestyle can often result in greatly increased self-esteem and self-confidence.

Although the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone is produced in a womans body during pregnancy, the function of HCG is more metabolic, and thus the HCG diet plan has been successfully and safely used to treat men suffering from obesity without any sexual side effects feared when ingesting a female hormone. The HCG diet allows men to lose weight without losing lean muscle mass by supplying the body with fuel it needs from fat stores while observing a low-calorie diet. Men diagnosed as being obese, overweight, or men with a body mass index of 20% or higher may benefit from an HCG diet plan administered and supervised by Corinne Furnari, RPA, an HCG Diet Specialist in New York, NY.

The diet can supply enough nutrients by metabolizing fat stored in the body to keep patients from experiencing muscle atrophy. Corinne Furnari, RPA is an HCG Diet Specialist in New York, NY that can implement an HCG diet program designed specifically for each patient to help men lose weight and experience improvements in conditions associated with obesity.

Poor Workout Performance

Losing weight with an HCG diet eliminates estrogen-storing fat deposits and can increase the production of testosterone in men, which can result in more energy, stamina, and increased muscle growth. Therefore, men can achieve longer and more productive workouts, burning more calories while building more muscle than ever before.

Low Sexual Function & Libido

Increased testosterone levels and the loss of excess body fat can have both physical and mental effects on men. Improved self-confidence, more energy, and a new body image can help many men regain interest in sexual activity, as well as improve sexual performance and energy. Higher testosterone levels and decreased body fat has also been connected to alleviating sexual conditions such as erectile dysfunction in men.

Reduced Muscle Integrity

Another benefit of losing weight with a New York, NY HCG diet plan for men is the preservation of muscle integrity while observing such a low-calorie diet. Most men are able to lose fat without the fear of losing muscle mass and strength, commonly associated with more traditional diet plans that do not include HCG supplementation.

Poor Metabolic Performance

Changing eating habits is a big part of a successful diet, and most patients on an HCG diet plan are able to implement better food choices even after the diet is over in an effort to preserve the weight loss results achieved. This new, clean diet, coupled with the lasting effects HCG can have on the metabolism often result in a totally reset metabolism improving energy levels, digestion, and many other bodily functions.

Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN, at Furnari Health has helped countless men and women improve their overall health and quality of life through weight loss with an HCG diet plan. Her specialized programs are the culmination of several years of experience in nutrition and medical weight loss. She has helped numerous patients to achieve their weight loss goals and improve health conditions with the HCG Diet. Her weight loss patients have been able to enjoy feeling and looking their best after finishing the HCG Diet.

To learn more about obtaining a specialized HCG Diet program, contact New York, NY HCG Diet Specialist, Corinne Furnari, RPA, CCN, at Furnari Health today to schedule a consultation!

Dear Ms. Furnari,

Every day I am truly grateful to you for all the things you have done for me. I am grateful for the weight loss, which I have maintained within 2-3 lbs.I am also thankful for the most detailed and extensive lab tests you requested. They were the most detailed lab tests I have ever had. I am still working on losing at least another 25-35 lbs. When I met you, I was going through a very stressful period. Fortunately, my energy and my concentration levels are improving enabling me to take computer classes and piano lessons.

Thank you!!!!!!!!

Ms. D. B., 75 years young

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HCG New York NY - Corinne Furnari, RPA - HCG Diet New York ...

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Kings Point In Tamarac offers an alluring lifestyle suitable for Kings and Queens. This luxurious, active senior community is complete with 13 beautiful neighborhoods, 4,869 units of spacious Condominiums, Villas and Coach Homes with tranquil lake views and numerous amenities.

Centrally located North of Mc Nab Road; West of Pine Island Road and east of the Sawgrass Expressway; we are convenient to Ft. Lauderdale Beaches, Shopping, and Major Highways.

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Michael Comstock is Fitness Director for Kings Point in Tamarac, Florida. He received his B.S. degree in Recreation Management from Arizona State University and completed his internship at the Palm Aire Spa in Pompano Beach, Florida where he began teaching Group Fitness. This led him to Freelance Instructing and Personal Training, and then to his current 14 year career as Fitness Director. Michael is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), as well as an instructor for the American Heart Association, certifying fellow Kings Point associates in CPR/AED. Michael has put together a Fitness Schedule of over 75 classes weekly that reach all levels of students on both land and in the water. He strives to keep seniors active, achieve fitness/health goals, and have fun at the same time. Michael currently resides in Pompano Beach, Florida with his two dogs Prezley & Jaxon. Michael can be contacted at mcomstock@kingspoint.com.

Gina Rippel is a professional fitness instructor and her area of expertise is in senior fitness. She finds much delight in exercising and is skilled at motivating clients. Gina has been working full time at Kings Point in Tamarac since 2002. She is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America as well as a certified personal trainer. Ginas Favorite Class at Kings Point is the aerobics class, where she has a great time with residents. Coming to the classes is a joy for Gina every day because of the energy the homeowners bring. Gina Rippel resides in Tamarac, FL.

Eduardo Chueco has been involved in fitness and exercises his entire life. From grade school to high school, Eduardo was involved in sports, weight training, and track and field. He is an AFAA certified in fitness instruction, Spinning, Pilates, Cross Fit (level 1), and personal training. Fitness became more than an activity for Eduardo; it is indeed, a lifestyle now. He moved here from Argentina more than 11 years ago and has been doing this ever since. He brings his passion for teaching and exercise to every class.

Eduardo believes that any participants at every level should feel welcomed to join group fitness classes. My goal is to show by Example, how to find the strength within and set goals you never thought possible.

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Summer is filled with weddings, graduations, vacations, and lots of other reasons to feel fierce in a swimsuit. But if youve got an event coming up, and kind of wish you had already lost 5 pounds, its never too late. Everyone wants to lose weight fast, sighs Tracy Morris, nutrition curriculum designer at Fitbit. Of course, I want to help you see quick results! But if weight loss is too drastic, your body will fight backand theres no point starving yourself, if youre just going to end up binging and feeling discouraged. She definitely coaches a more moderate approach. But that said, if you lose weight quickly at the outset, you are more likely to continue losing weight. It can be incredibly motivating, to see that initial drop.

So dont call it a crash diet. Lets say its a strong start. Heres a healthy eating plan thats nutritionist approved, so you can slim down and feel awesome for that upcoming eventand then keep the momentum going.

Clinically trained dietitians and accredited nutrition experts agree, you dont want to lose more than 2 pounds in a week. Any more aggressive than that, and you start compromising your metabolism, Morris confirms. So take a look at the calendar, and set a realistic goal for the time you have. If you have 2 to 3 weeks before the big day, awesome! Aim to lose 5 pounds and feel better in your clothes. Just a week before the date? Dont despair. You can still de-bloat a bit and drop a couple of pounds.

Next, crunch the numbers. Figure outhow many calories you really need, and reduce that number by 500 to 750 calories per day, in order to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. The food logging feature in the Fitbit appmakes it extra easy. Just dont dip below the bare minimum your body needs1200 calories per day for women, or 1500 for men.

But of course, where those calories come from makes a big difference. Morris recommends a natural detoxno pills, no shakes, just fresh, whole foods. Heres how to do it the healthy way:

Okay, so you knew youd have to cut back on wine and brownies. But what can you eat? Morris has a meal plan for the first week that makes hitting those calorie counts super simple. Even though shehearts whole grains, for the first 2 days, she recommends dropping grains, and focusing on lots of fruits and veggies, with small servings of protein. By days 3 and 4, you can start reintroducing grains, but keep portions small, and time them early in the day.

Morning & afternoon snacks: 2 pieces of fruit, veggies, and a small handful of nuts.

Morris recommends starting on a Saturday, just in case your energy is a little low, so you dont have to struggle through the office. But wait, what about working out? Dont sweat it, first steps first. During the first week, get 30 to 60 minutes of walking in every day. By the second week, once youre enjoying small portions of whole grains, thats when you can pick up a couple of strength workouts.

People love the 7-day plan, says Morris. Theyre super excited at the beginning, and they love that big drop that comes with cutting out carbs, alcohol, and sugar. But I care even more about what youre eating the day after the event, not to mention the following weeks and months. So right away, reset your weight goal. And check in with your mindset and motivation. Because looking great at a pool party is great, but its not the end goal! Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is really about your long-term health and happiness.

This article is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.

Becky Duffett is a contributing nutrition editor for Fitbit and a lifestyle writer with a passion for eating well. A former Williams-Sonoma cookbook editor and graduate of San Francisco Cooking School, shes edited dozens of cookbooks and countless recipes. City living has turned her into a spin addictbut shed still rather be riding a horse. She lives in the cutest neighborhood in San Francisco, spending weekends at the farmers market, trying to read at the bakery, and roasting big dinners for friends.

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That might be a lot to lose, but you have to change your eating habits.

Foods such as popcorn and yogurt both get your digestive system working faster, and you can get packets of popcorn with only 100 calories and no butter at the store. Light yogurt has between 60-100 calories and that works great.

Drink green tea, it's personally not my favorite, but it really gets your metabolism speeding up which burns fat.

Drink a lot of COLD WATER, if it's cold your body burns calories trying to warm it up. If you drink water 15 minutes before a meal, you will for more full and eat less.

Lettuce and celery both have few calories, and they help your digestive system. If you eat salad, just add lowfat dressing. A big salad would make you feel full, a big bowl with lowfat dressing probably only has 100-200 calories.

Eat 5-6 small meals a day. If you want to cut out calories, eat only 1200 a day if you're a girl and 1500 if you're a guy.

1 pound = 3,500 calories.

Start working out, cardio is the best, it burns fat fast and makes you sweat out water weight. You should work out between 30-90 minutes, but no longer because then you'll feel exhausted and lazy, and plus it's just not good for you.

I recommend you split your exercising into increments, because if you worked out for 90 minutes straight your metabolism is only sped up for a few hours, but if you worked out in 3 segments of 30 minutes, then your metabolism will be sped up for 7-9 hours rather than just three.

The more muscle you build, the more calories you burn just laying around the house, watching TV, etc.

Good luck, I hope I helped.

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Congratulations on your pregnancy! It is a blessing to be expecting and supporting a brand new life, whether its your first or your fourth.

Pregnancy naturally results in weight gain as your body adjusts to sustain the child growing inside of you.

However, if you are overweight, you may wonder how much weight you should lose, or IF you should plan to gain any lose at all.

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There are many different opinions directed at pregnant women. And a plus-sized pregnancy only compounds the confusion, especially when it comes to weight gain.

As a mom of five children and a Certified Prenatal Trainer, I would never tell a pregnant woman to focus on weight loss.

I believe our bodies are smart. If our body was ready to get pregnant, we must do our part to give themour body and our unborn childwhat it needs to achieve a healthy, full-term pregnancy.

However, entering pregnancy in an overweight condition does bring with it increased risks.

Your job is to be aware of these risks and know what the best things to do are in order to have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Every day, overweight women give birth to healthy children.

Lets look at how you can plan to do the same!

It is never safe to restrict calories during pregnancy. In fact, calorie restriction is another risk factor for obesity later on in your childs life.

Studies have shown that dieting in pregnancy changes your unborn child at the cellular level. If you want to give your baby a chance at a healthy life, be aware that their health begins when they are growing in your belly. Dont cut your calories.

Under a doctors or registered dietitians supervision, eat a healthy diet full of whole foods and fibre.

Your doctor will likely suggest weight-loss guidelines take it with a grain of salt. If your doctor suggests weight loss in a plus-sized pregnancy, I would advise you to find a new doctor who will work with you to make your pregnancy healthy and happy.

Before you begin any kind of exercise during pregnancy, it is always important to check with your doctor or midwife.

Know your body. If you have any medical conditions that are not under control, exercise may increase the chance of worsening your own or your unborn childs health. Know what you can and cant do.

If your primary care provider gives you the green light, find an experienced Prenatal Fitness Trainer. You can safely begin a light to moderate exercise program that can include walking or swimming.

You can also add a light resistance training program at the beginning of your second trimester. Find out what exercises you can do to reduce your pregnancy discomforts and prepare your body for birth.

It is dangerous to exercise at a high intensity during pregnancy. An elevated heart rate or gasping for breath puts your fetus at risk. A lack of oxygen and blood is dangerous for your unborn child and can result in a miscarriage or preterm birth.

When you exercise, monitor your exertion throughout your session. The simplest way to do this is by using the talk test. If you can talk in full sentences, you are probably working safely within your limits.

As Ive already said, you can be overweight and have a healthy pregnancy.

Know your risks. Make a healthy pregnancy plan with your doctor that includes moderate exercise, a sensible diet of mostly whole foods, and perform specific exercises to ease pregnancy discomforts and prepare your body for labor.

You should also consider taking childbirth classes and hiring a birth coach, both of which will give you valuable information and help.

Above all, have confidence in your body. Enjoy your pregnancy and take this opportunity to establish lifelong healthy habits that will benefit you and your unborn child, from pregnancy until forever.

The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that an overweight, pregnant woman has nearly the same risks as someone who has uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, a regular smoker or drinker.

Before you panic, it is important again to note that overweight women give birth to healthy babies every day.

If you are already pregnant, the best thing you can do is talk with your doctor or midwife to assess your risks and make a plan for the healthiest pregnancy you can.

A lot of women begin to take better care of themselves during pregnancy, no matter what their initial weight is. We have another human being growing in us and they are dependent on our body.

Pregnancy is a great time to make permanent lifestyle changes that lead to a healthier life for you and your child.

It is important to speak with your doctor about your personal risks and then do what you can to have a healthy pregnancy and labor.

If you enter pregnancy as an overweight woman, your doctor will assess your risks. If he or she feels that your risks are significant, you will likely have more frequent prenatal visits to monitor you and your babys health.

Be prepared that you may have frequent testing for gestational diabetes and other conditions for both you and your unborn baby.

Angela Bergmann, BA, PTS, PFS, RKC, CFC, Mom of 5

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Ever wonder what to do about your overweight cat? Overweight and actually obese cats outnumber cats of normal weight and are being seen more and more commonly by veterinarians for various disorders. In fact, obesity in cats can predispose the cat to diabetes, hepatic lipidosis and arthritis.

However, putting a cat on a diet or weight loss plan needs to be approached very carefully. Here we will try and assist you with your overweight cats so that your kitty won't have to be encumbered by obesity.

A 2011 study by APOP (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention) found that over 50 percent of cats were either obese or overweight. So what is happening that predisposes our domestic felines to a life of sedentary obesity?

The answer is multifactorial but to simplify, just remember this: any individual mammal (dog, cat, horse, human, etc.) will gain body weight if it consumes more calories than it burns as fuel for energy. Thats pretty simple, but true.

In nature, food acquisition has never been a sure thing for any creature -- not for canines, felines or humans. So food acquisition has always been accompanied by physical exertion to capture (or cultivate) and consume the food.

It is only in recent times that the unnatural situation of food excess, readily acquired and consumed with little accompanying physical exertion, has become a way of life. We humans have figured how not to have to do all that work of capturing and cultivating to build up stores of food.

Through agricultural expertise we have learned how to grow food and raise livestock and to have those food sources readily available and in abundance just in case we get hungry! We learned how to refrigerate, dry, preserve and store foods in large quantities that assured us we would not have to endure long and unsuccessful hunting forays nor suffer through famines.

We have also created the very same food acquisition assurances for our domestic dogs and cats. They, as we, no longer have to hunt to survive. Indeed, we no longer even have to live outdoors.

Its interesting that our pets have mirrored our own tendency to have trouble with weight control. The major difference, though, is that we humans have complete control over what our pets eat and how much they eat. Unless your cat is sneaking into the fridge and making ham and cheese sandwiches late at night when no one is around, the only way they get to eat is when YOU place the cat food in front of them.

Every veterinarian has repeatedly heard a serious-minded cat (or dog) owner state "I know you think shes overweight, Doctor, but it isnt from the food! She hardly eats a thing."

Well, is the pet overweight from high calorie air? Maybe its the water or from laying on that couch all the time. Thats it! The couch is making the kitty fat, not the food.

Seriously, far too many pet owners truly believe that food intake has nothing at all to do with their pets weight and no amount of counseling will convince them otherwise. If that describes your position, read no further because the rest of this article is all about how to feed the proper food and in the correct quantity so that the cat will lose weight safely or maintain an optimum weight. There will be nothing in this article about the effect of high calorie air, water or comfortable furniture on the cats weight problem.

Any cat that is overweight should have a physical exam performed, exact weight measured and blood and urine tests run. It is vital that normal thyroid hormone levels are present and that the cat has no physical or metabolic dysfunction.

If the cat is physically normal -- other than the abnormal body weight from fat deposition -- then a gradual and careful weight loss program can be instituted.

First, lets look at what the causes of obesity are and what we can do to correct OUR mistakes

The term for domesticated farm animals that are raised for work, wool, milk, and other products and uses. May include pigs, cows, horses, and poultry.

Anything that produces an action or reaction

A hormone created by the pancreas that helps to regulate the flow of glucose

A gland that aids in both digestive and insulin functions

A substance that causes chemical change to another

A medical condition in which the joints become inflamed and causes a great deal of pain.

The whole system involved in digestion from mouth to anus

The amount of matter in a certain type of feed without the moisture

Term used to refer to a certain enzyme that the pancreas creates to help in the digestion of certain starches.

Referring to the liver

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Spring has sprung! And with it, whispers of getting that beach-bod ready for summer. Whether you are aiming for a summer trim down, or seeking a more permanent weight loss, it is important to do so safely. Safe weight loss includes a reasonable diet, properly prescribed exercise, and smart supplementation. It also ties in nicely with smart weight loss, which includes balanced macronutrients, individualized exercise prescription, and behavioral changes/discipline. I will touch on both as we move along.

**Note: the advice given in this article is recommended for healthy adults. If you have any sort of health condition (including high blood pressure and diabetes) please consult your doctor and/or a dietician before making changes to your diet and exercise**

One of the worst habit changes you can make for weight loss is to stop eating. Most people are overweight not because they eat too much, but because they eat too little and/or too much of the wrong foods. Lets start with some basics of metabolism:

Metabolism is the sum of all of the chemical reactions that happen in your body. Some reactions breakdown substances, like digestion breaking down your food into energy; others use substances to build or repair, like muscle repair after a workout, or skin closing over a scratch. When you exercise, more of the breakdown reactions occur; and when you rest, more of the build/repair reactions occur. Anything that is not used for activity is stored either as glycogen (a derivative of sugar) in the liver and muscles, or as fat beneath the skin and around the organs.

Why is this important?

This is a VERY DELICATE balance. If you are considering cutting calories for weight loss, the safe way is cutting 400 from what you normally eat everyday, and not going below 1600 calories per day.

Smart Weight Loss: Diet

Use your diet to train your metabolism to break down fat more readily! Eat your recommended calorie intake (try this calculator, and pay attention to the maintain column http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html.), with a 40% carbs-30% healthy fats-30% protein macronutrient distribution (I suggest using an app to track, like Livestrong MyPlate or MyFitnessPal).

Do this for about a month and track your bodys changes. Combined with exercise, you are sure to see decreases in sluggishness, and greater weight loss benefit.

As far as choosing which foods you eat, I always suggest that clients use a 40-30-30 macronutrient distribution (40% carbohydrates, 30% healthy fats, 30% protein). This blog post has a pretty decent list of foods under each category if you require more guidance on what foods fall under different macronutrients. I use the 40-30-30 to span the day, and I know some people like to do it per meal; either works just fine. Balanced nutrition will help with all of your bodys major functions; the more efficient you are, the more effective you will be at burning calories. Depending on your activity level, your body may or may not be able to readily take advantage of the energy sources available. There is a simple way to use your diet to rebalance your metabolism (see Smart Weight Loss: Diet box to the left).

Dietary changes will have a huge impact on your weight loss. Remember, food is not an enemy, it is a fuel source for activity, and an agent in recovery. Use it to your advantage!

Lets look at the other half of the equations above: calories out. In order to lose weight, you have to get moving! Choose your style based on your goals and your preferences. Believe it or not, cardio is not the only way to lose weightanything that gets your heartrate up and triggers the appropriate energy pathways works! Lets take another look at the metabolics:

We just went over how your body can get energy by breaking down three macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and protein.

Heres the thing: if you have been sedentary for a long period of time, chances are, your metabolism running on whatever foods you primarily eat and the energy types required for spurts of activity (i.e. carbs). Basically, you will not be primed for fat burning (see Smart Weight Loss: Exercise box to the right). If you want to lose a lot of weight, the type of caloric burn is almost irrelevant: any activity will show results. Safety-wise, if you are cleared by your doctor for moderate to intense exercise, get your heart rate up to 75-85% of your max heart rate to see increased caloric burn. At the beginning stages of weight loss, getting high caloric burn is important before getting specifically fat burn.

Smart Weight Loss: Exercise

Use your cardio to train your metabolism to break down fat more readily! For weight loss, it is important to ensure that all energy systems in your body are working when they should be. Vary your cardio by doing low, moderate, and high intensity interval days. This training technique will allow you to both burn a high number of calories and reorient your metabolism. Reorienting your metabolism will enable you to burn more calories during exercise, and more fat calories at rest.

Another safety note, ease into your training. If you have been sedentary, it does not make sense to suddenly hit the gym every day for high intensity workouts. Starting off too intense can lead to overtraining or injury, keeping you out of the gym for an extended period of time. If you are more active, do not give up your rest day(s)! the same concerns around overtraining and injury apply. As always, ensure with your doctor that it is safe for you to exercise, and use all equipment properly and safely.

There are a lot of supplements out there that tout aiding in weight loss, and a lot of supplements that most gym-regulars use. Which ones are right for weight loss? I am a whole-foods kind of person, meaning that I try to get all of my nutrients from whole foods rather than powders or goos. However, it is difficult for me to get enough protein throughout the day, so I usually consume a protein shake after my workouts. That being said, for the average joe, it is more than likely not worth going out and getting a bunch of powdered supplements. Most of them are focus on performance and muscle growth. If you want to lose weight, eat at least 30 minutes before you work out and at least 30 minutes after.

Aside from a protein supplement being handy on the go, super-starches are great pre- or post- workout mixes, especially if you are cutting calories and feel hungry often. UCAN is an example of a powdered super-starch supplement that breaks down slowly over time, giving you lasting energy for your workout and/or curbing hunger afterward. Be sure to read all instructions and consult a doctor or dietician if you have any health concerns regarding a product.

The ultimate question. And the inevitable answer: it depends. Age, sex, level of activity, comorbidities, genetics, diet, medications, stress all play a role in how your body processes energy and changes shape. If your BMI is over 30, it is safe to lose 2 lbs per week. If it is lower than 30, it is safe to lose 1 lb per week. This is not a rule for how your body will work, but it is a jumping off point to make realistic goals for yourself. The Smart Weigh Loss boxes are smart because they work on your metabolism to you can be more efficient all the time, not just when you are exercising.

The components of smart weight loss: balanced macronutrients, individualized exercise programs, and discipline are integral in lasting weight loss. I have covered the first two briefly, and the discipline component is the one that will make your weight loss occur quickly. I would like to separate discipline from its association with punishment. Being healthy is not a punishment. Exercising may be strenuous, but not a punishment. Eating should be a positive experience, not a punishment or a reward. The discipline involved in your weight loss is more akin to integrity and accountability. Set your goals, make your plan, work your plan. And if (when) something happens that interrupts your plan, you honor your commitment to your goals, and then continue to work your plan. Reaching your goals is a journey and keeping them in sight will make it all worth it.

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Africa has been held in reserve by the Lord, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in an October 2010 visit to Burundi. Africa will someday be seen as a bright land full of gospel hope and happiness.

Africa is one of the fastest growing areas of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with some 320,000 members, the majority of whom have joined the Church over the past 30 years. They have found that hope and happiness spoken of by Elder Holland by embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ.

To accommodate such rapid growth, many are needed in lay leadership roles to maintain more than 900 congregations across the continent. As a native of Nairobi, Kenya, Elder Joseph W. Sitati served in many lay leadership positions and now is serving in the Quorum of the Seventy, a senior leadership body of the Church where members are given the title of Elder.

His first knowledge of the Church came through a 1985 business conversation. The meeting agenda turned from engineering to religion, and Elder Sitati discovered an entirely new approach to life in the message his colleague shared.

I understood who I am as a child of God, a new concept for me. I knew why I was here on earth, where I was going and why. I saw a new perspective on the family that it was the central doctrine of the Church. That information helped me reorder my priorities. I had thought that success in the world would apply in my family, but its really the other way around.

Elder Adesina J. Olukanni, serving in a leadership position over West Africa added,

The Church makes our members better fathers, mothers, sons and daughters with the knowledge of who they are and their potential the great potential to do good.

Early converts such as Elders Sitati and Olukanni possess a unique perspective on the growth of the Church in Africa. Theyve observed small congregations in a handful of countries increase until today the Church has a presence in 32 countries.

Now is a time of great transition across Africa, Elder Sitati said. Cultural traditions are breaking down; people are migrating to the cities. In a new and unfamiliar environment with very little to hold on to, they become more responsive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are, overall, a religious people, very receptive to the Spirit, and they find a sure hope in the teachings of the Church. They join the gospel culture.

Elder Sitati described positive changes in the lives of a pair of fellow Africans who also became members of the Church:

Isaac worked as a gardener but was unable to support his wife, who, of economic necessity, lived 2 hours from Nairobi. After his baptism and following Church teachings, Isaac broadened his understanding of his personal potential. He worked hard, volunteered for additional training and found a new job. The new Church member eventually upgraded from an embassy drivers job to his own business.

Shem lost his job shortly after he joined the Church in 1989. His wifes experiences in Relief Society, the womens organization of the Church, helped them start a food business. They now have a thriving catering business based on the skills they learned in Relief Society, Elder Sitati explained.

The Churchs presence in Africa began with missionaries in South Africa in the early 1850s. It was not until the late 1970s that membership noticeably increased across the continent of Africa.

Nigeria, for example, had an entire congregation join the Church in 1978, many of whom had learned about the Church years before and were patiently waiting for an approved organization. In less than 10 years, there were nearly 10,000 members and the first stake (a geographic division) was organized. By 1999, membership increased to nearly 43,000 and stands at approximately 100,000 today.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. Thousands of new members have joined the Church with more than 4,000 becoming members in 2010 alone. Mozambique had 40 members in 1999 and has increased to more than 5,000 today. Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Ivory Coast also have sizeable congregations. There are a total of 102 stakes and districts, 18 missions and nearly 320,000 members across the continent. The Church presently owns or leases 725 meetinghouses in 34 African countries.

While these numbers are significant, they dont tell the complete story of the Churchs impact in Africa through such efforts as humanitarian aid, education, spiritual edification and teaching self-reliance to improve the quality of life.

A pipeline installed under the supervision of the Churchs humanitarian aid outreach transports clean snowmelt from Mount Kenya to villages miles away. Water is a precious commodity here and many people dont have access to clean water, Elder Sitati said. One woman covered five miles each day for 40 years to collect water. The new pipeline to her village now dramatically reduces her journey. The first time she got water from the pipeline was the first time she had ever tasted clean water ( see video on clean water projects ).

This clean water initiative is only one of several African humanitarian efforts implemented individually or in partnership with other relief organizations. The Church is also helping to eradicate measles. According to the Red Cross, millions of African children have been immunized against measles, leading to a 92 percent decrease in measles-related deaths across the continent between 2000 and 2008. More than 50 thousand medical personnel have been taught and equipped to perform neonatal resuscitation, which translates into thousands of infant lives saved. Wheelchairs have also been provided for tens of thousands of African residents ( see video on wheelchair initiative ).

Another outreach, the Perpetual Education Fund, is a Church loan system that facilitates university and technical education. The program is funded through contributions of Church members and others throughout the world that support its mission to help families become more self-sufficient. It is a revolving resource in which money is loaned to an individual to help pay for training or advanced education. With better skills, the student then pays back the loan to the fund at a low interest rate. Since 2001, around 3,000 people have benefited from the program in Africa.

Educational opportunities come to African communities in a variety of ways.

A cooperative food initiative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, trained local farmers to produce a successful crop of cassava, an important nutritional element in the diet of the residents. Local Church leaders supervised the project that began in 2006.

The people had to learn new agricultural practices: better preparation of their fields, appropriate irrigation and even plant spacing, explained Wade Sperry, field operations manager for the LDS Charities Food Initiative. In the first year, the newly developed plants and the new farming techniques produced 900 tons of the much-needed food supply, a 50 percent increase over other methods.

This project offers local self-reliance at its best, said Ferron Squires, director of the program. These subsistence farmers have increased their production, improved processing and marketing. They have given back to those in need with their surplus. Its a great success story.

Success and change comes in small steps for Church members in Africa, but the steps continue despite enormous challenges in physical, political and cultural environments.

The African people are a kind and patient people, said Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve after a recent visit with members of the Church in Mozambique and Nigeria. They dont have a lot of income or resources that allow them financially to do things, so they just do them out of sheer effort. They will walk miles and miles and miles to accomplish something that they are prompted to do by the Holy Ghost to further the work.

It is that will coupled with hope, Elder Sitati maintains, that makes transformation possible. The teachings of the Church give them hope. People can climb from adverse circumstances; they embrace those teachings and their lives are blessed. The Church arrived in Africa at the right time. Its not a quick fix to all the problems faced by people in these lands, but it is a sure fix.

For more on the Church in Africa, see these additional stories and resources :

Mormons in Africa: Church Humanitarian Initiatives Give LifeAfrica Clean Water Initiative InfographicMormons in Africa: Ugandan Latter-day Saints Moving the Church ForwardMormons in Africa: The Perpetual Education FundMormons in Africa: Church Helps Preserve Family HistoriesMormons in Africa: Stories of Hope and FaithMormons in Africa: Africa Fact SheetAdditional Stories on the Church in Africa(Video) Clean Water is Happiness(Video) From the Darkness to the Light: Church Wheelchair Initiative in Africa(Video) We Did Not Stand Alone: Church Aid During Sierra Leone War

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Mormons in Africa: A Bright Land of Hope

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Filming wrapped near Springville, Utah, for the second season of the Book of Mormon live-action video series. The multi-year project is being produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to bring the stories of ancient-American civilization to life and share the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Downloadable video: B-roll | SOTs

Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. of the Seventy, who heads up the projects steering committee, says, What we are producing through the videos and the still images that are being captured are tools that can be used in helping to introduce people to the Book of Mormon.

This allows us to put a face to the names and the stories and allow you to see these people who really lived, adds Bill Elliott, media director of the project. They breathed, they walked the land and these stories are real.

The second season production focused on select chapters in the early pages of the Book of Mormon and highlighted ancient prophets Nephi, Jacob and Enos.

What is happening with the videos is very meaningful to me because of my Lamanite heritage, said Elder Larry J. Echo Hawk of the Seventy, who is on the projects steering committee. When I see what is happening with the Book of Mormon being made into videos, I think about those powerful Book of Mormon prophets that thought and prayed about the days that we live in today.

The new location for the second season shoot took place in Hobble Creek Canyon near Springville, with new sets depicting settlements out of the Book of Mormon, including an ancient temple.

I have been in small towns in Latin America, and I just feel like I'm in one of them, said Sister Reyna I. Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. So many details reminded me of family members like my grandma, my aunts, my mom. And I think they did a great job in setting the tone here for the filming of the videos.

Much of the cast from season one, made up of a diverse group of men, women and children, returned this season.

[It was]great to have everyone back together, said senior producer Aaron Merrell. Kind of like a family reunion of sorts.

Portions of the project are being filmed in various locations in North America. The Church began filming the project in June 2017 near the Churchs Jerusalem movie set in the central Utah community of Goshen.

The biggest difference between this season and last season is last season's story is one long story. It was the story of Nephi's journey. This season we have several different eras and characters, Merrell explained.

Hes my hero, said Jackson VanDerwerken, an 18-year-old young man who plays Nephi, a prominent figure in the Book of Mormon.

To play Nephi in his 30s, VanDerwerken spent two and a half hours with the makeup crew every day to glue his beard on.

Its important to know that the Lord uses young people for his purposes, said the actor, who is preparing to serve a two-year full-time mission in Brazil when the filming for his role is over. This is just a part of my life that is preparing me for the future, for my mission.

VanDerwerken bulked up for the role. When I auditioned I weighed about 165 [pounds]. And I weigh about 180-ish now, and that's kind of been steady. I gained that weight in less than two months on a really strict regimen, one that I kept up, but also the weight gain was not purely the diet nor the working out, but [I] certainly had heaven's help in it because there's no way that I would've been able to gain that weight. So I give all that credit to God.

Actor Mace Sorensen considers it an honor to play Laman, who is often regarded as a villain in the Book of Mormon. Im hoping that people see him differently and sympathize a lot more. He was complicated and had his virtues as well.

Sorenson said the stories are being shared in a way that theyve never been shared before. The work that were doing here, you know, will be seen for a long time after and so its no small thing what were doing.

Kymberly Mellon, who portrays Lehis wife, Sariah, said Lehi and Nephis family had a strong family unit, but they faced some of the same issues contemporary families are experiencing today.

I think showing women as powerful coleaders in the home has been a huge focus of this unit of production," said Mellen who highlights her character's strength as a women through non-verbal storytelling because of Sariah's limited diologue in the Book of Mormon.

Women always have a very strong influence in their spouse, their family, their communities, said Sister Aburto. It is beautiful to see the work that the actors and the scriptwriters and directors and everybody have done in really showing how important women are and the important role that they have played in this history.

Church leaders hope that those who watch the Book of Mormon videos will also want to read the scriptures contained in the book.

What we're trying to do are take key doctrinal scenes that will help to bring these characters to life and to illustrate the stories and the doctrines of Christ that the Book of Mormon teaches us, said Elliott. It's another testament of Jesus Christ.

Elliott continued, Everybody has, in their own imagination, an idea of what these characters look like. But really, it doesn't matter what our Nephi looks like or what our Laman looks like or what any of these characters look like; it really matters what they're saying and the spirit that you'll feel when you hear the words.

If we can help people just really get engaged with these people, with the stories, then they're going to be able to understand the teachings that much better and be able to personalize it and apply it into their lives that much better, said Merrell.

This will be something that adds to the written words of the Book of Mormon to help people feel the power of the teachings of the Book of Mormon, said Elder Echo Hawk. This is a priority effort for [the Church] to bring this message to the entire world.

The new videos will be similar to The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos that were completed in 2016. The series is being filmed in English but will eventually be distributed in additional languages.

The videos will be available on a new Book of Mormon Videos YouTube channel, LDS.org, Mormon Channel platforms and existing Book of Mormon and Gospel Library apps. In addition, casting needs are being posted online.

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Book of Mormon Videos Wrap Second Season of Filming

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strives to be a good steward of the environment, to conserve and manage energy appropriately, to utilize water resources for the benefit of food production and beautification, to minimize or reduce pollution and waste, to be a good neighbor and to maintain its properties in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

Green Building Initiatives

The Church owns and operates a significant number of buildings worldwide. The Church also constructs many new buildings each year, including temples, meetinghouses, welfare facilities, Church Educational System (CES) facilities, family history centers and other structures. As a property owner, the Church recognizes that constructing, operating and maintaining facilities can impose a significant impact on the earths resources and on the environment. For this reason, the Church has implemented a green building initiative in which sustainable design and construction principles and practices have been researched and, where possible, incorporated to increase energy efficiency, lower operating costs and make the facilities easier to maintain.

The application of this initiative can be seen in many of the Churchs recent projects, including the Conference Center, the Family History Library, City Creek Development, a number of newly constructed meetinghouses and several urban meetinghouses that have incorporated green roof technologies. Many of the facilities have received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in various categories from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Also, the Church utilizes the expertise of its staff including architects, engineers and other professionals who are LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) in an effort to be more sustainable. These professionals have been trained and accredited under the direction of the USGBC and Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) as qualified green building experts. The Church also has organized the Church Environmental Coordinating Committee, Green Building Committee and other related groups made up of employees from various departments.

The Church recognizes the importance of conserving energy and natural resources; not polluting the environment; preserving the health, safety and welfare of the occupants of its facilities; and complying with the local laws and ordinances as outlined in current green building codes and rating systems. Green building strategies vary from location to location and require site-specific application.

Energy and Water Conservation

Recent efforts have been made by the Church to reduce its energy footprint and conserve water and other natural resources.

Projects have been undertaken to manage heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and install more energy efficient lighting. At Church headquarters, 11 lighting projects, many involving LED lighting, were completed between October 2012 and June 2014. The total annual energy savings is more than $282,000. Additional projects are planned for 2014.

The Church seeks to follow environmentally friendly practices in landscaping and water conservation. Best management practices are utilized for all new landscape designs and remodel projects of meetinghouses, welfare facilities and seminary and institute buildings. They include the conservation of water and natural resources, reduction of maintenance, long-term cost savings, neighborhood beautification and natural enhancement of Church buildings.

At Church headquarters, the irrigation system has been upgraded, using more efficient smart controller technology to reduce water usage. Thirty-two controllers have been installed at the properties maintained by grounds crews. A water savings of at least 30% is anticipated as the new controllers are brought up to their full capacity. The Church is also investigating applying for a rebate from the Central Utah Water Conservancy District for installing these controllers.

The Churchs guideline for soil is to utilize existing material as much as possible and amend it as needed. The importing of soil occurs but is discouraged. Using soils in place helps landscape projects more easily integrate with native soil and plant conditions and thus conserves natural resources.

The Church has embraced the adaptation of eco-regions from the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation and then created suitable prototypical landscape plans for its facilities. These landscape and irrigation plans were created to consider regional and natural limitations. Hotter, drier areas, for instance, have significantly reduced water-consuming lawn areas. Irrigation conservation efforts include use of smart controllers, hydrometers, rain sensors, drip irrigation, head-to-head coverage, high distribution uniformity and secondary or reclaimed water.

The Church has assembled an extensive database of plant materials that are found to thrive in certain soil types, which allows suitable plant selection based on appropriateness of the region, aesthetics, resistance to cold temperatures and the amount of sun exposure and water needed.

Church orchards are utilizing mating disruption pheromones to reduce pesticide sprays and reduce the amount of diesel fuel that would have been required to apply the pesticides. Crops are rotated on Church farms generally on a four-year rotation to prevent disease, which reduces the need for pesticides.

Recycling and Land Management

Recycling is another example of the Churchs overall conservation effort. In 2013, the Church headquarters campus recycled about 180 tons of cardboard, 65 tons of paper, 26 tons of plastic and 2 tons of aluminum. That same year, the LDS Printing Division recycled about 4,400 tons of paper, 180 tons of plastic, 130 tons of cardboard, 56 tons of metal, 30 tons of leather and 250 gallons of used oil from machinery. Similarly, in 2013, Beehive Clothing recycled about 24 tons of rags, 24 tons of cardboard, 25,000 plastic pallets and 2,000 wooden pallets. In 2013, Salt Lake Distribution Services recycled about 1,000 tons of paper, 150 tons of cardboard and 1,000 pounds of metal.

In 2013, Deseret Industries recycled about 13,000 tons of clothing, 870 tons of shoes, 3,100 tons of household goods, 3,400 tons of books, 5,500 tons of metal and 4,000 tons of electronics. Humanitarian aid donations included about 3,800 tons of clothing and 350 tons of shoes.

Additional examples of conservation efforts by the Church include no-till dry farming and the use of new tillage equipment that is more efficient in reducing erosion and retaining moisture, as well as good range management practices to avoid overgrazing. Public lands are also used for grazing.

Community gardens in the western United States are sponsored to give people an opportunity to grow nutritious foods and reduce costs. In Utah, there are volunteer farms that produce crops for the bishops storehouses and local community food kitchens.

In addition to offering aid, the Church works to promote self-reliance for those it helps. The LDS Charities organization targets families living in urban and rural areas and teaches them sustainable techniques for food production, nutrition, diet and home food storage. Through demonstration gardens and hands-on workshops, families learn to grow vegetables and fruits or raise small animals appropriate to their circumstances. In 2013, 43 projects were initiated to improve food production in local community settings in 20 countries around the world.

In conclusion, the Church actively seeks to remain informed and engaged about matters of environmental conservation, and steps have been taken to make its facilities more sustainable.

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Environmental Conservation and Stewardship Efforts

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