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  *A word of precaution: during the second week of the diet my friend told me she read that much hype has been created around the side effects of Acai Berry, which stirred unnecessary fears and got me searching online for potential negative side effects. What I found was that the question of Acai Berry side effects arises from the very use of preservatives in the processing of these supplements. In order to fuel up the process, some companies add ingredients like caffeine, sugar, tobacco, toxic fillers and so on during making of Acai berry supplements. As long as you consume supplement made from pure 100% acai berry, you are in the safe hands and your health secured. If you have pollen allergies or have a known hypersensitivity to acai or similar berries, you may want to avoid this fruit. When eaten in moderate amounts, though, acai is likely safe.


Weeks 5-6: Green coffee beans diet


Green coffee beans diet became popular for weight loss after it was mentioned on the Dr. Oz show in 2012. The Dr. Oz show referred to it as “The green coffee bean that burns fat fast” and claims that no exercise or diet is needed.


How does Green Coffee Beans work?


Believe it or not, the key is not the caffeine! Green Coffee Beans are fresh coffee beans that have not been roasted (roasting causes their dark color). The roasting process also causes Green Coffee Beans to lose 90% of their primary fat-burning and anti-oxidant component - Chlorogenic Acid.
Chlorogenic Acid works by inhibiting the release of sugar in the body while at the same time boosting the metabolism or the “burning” of fat in the liver.Caffeine does not do this effect because I've drunk massive amounts of coffee all my life.


My weight loss results:


On the Green coffee Beans diet, my weight loss has slown down -only lost 4.5 lbs on this diet, but I'm pretty sure its because this was the last diet on my list and my body started hitting a plateau. As to side effects, they were quite minimal - Felt a bit dizzy and got the jitters similar to those caused by other caffeinated beverages.
The diet is mostly available in pill form, but earlier this summer Starbucks added it as part of a new line of low-calorie drinks, which are being promoted as a “boost of natural energy" (I did not like that taste at all).



My Final Conclusions...

 

  • Are these supplements magic pills? Probably not. Whatever the case, I have lost weight while using them, so take that as you will.
  • If you do choose to buy supplements, choose pure extract supplements that have the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) seal that ensures product quality.
  • Consult your health care provider before taking any supplements. Your health care provider needs a complete record of everything you're taking, in order to watch out for any reactions.
  • Don't expect to take one pill a day and go out and eat a whole pizza on your own and drink 10 pints and still lose weight, you won't. Eat healthy, take you supplements and let them do the job they were designed for and they will show improvements.

Good luck and stay healthy



There are may companies selling these supplements, please make sure you check and look for testimonials before purchasing any supplement as some incorporate ingredients that may not be 100% pure. For the programs I tested and used visit:

African Mango Diet

Acai Berry Diet

Green Coffee Beans diet

Apparently, as I have sadly witnesses over the last few months, losing weight after giving birth is different from losing weight at other times, especially if you are breastfeeding your baby.  Although I've been making more of an effort to be more conscious - following a healthy eating plan, tracking my calories, and working out (spinning, weight training classes, walks with the babe, yoga) 3-4 days a week - the extra pounds just persistently stayed on. I am no stranger to trying to lose weight, and I know what it takes for my body to get there, but I just couldn't seem to do it since the little guy arrived.


Tired and frustrated of looking 6-months pregnant (when I delivered 8 months ago), I decided to try something drastic that will jumpstart my weight loss process and give me the motivation I need to get back into shape.

I went on a mission to try out 3 diet programs, for a period of two weeks each, and survived these 6 weeks to tell you what worked best for me.

Normally, I don’t recommend “weight-loss” supplements, especially weight-loss supplements that claim “easy” weight loss or “fast” weight loss. You should always opt for healthy eating and exercise. However, sometimes moms need a quick fix just to inspire us through the process of reaching the ultimate goal of leading a healthy life. This is why I DO NOT recommend you do these below for a long period of time (just enough time to see some great result and get motivated).


Weeks 1-2: African Mango Diet


The African Mango extract has been reported to help thousands of overweight individuals to shed tens of pounds in just a few weeks. Sounds promising so far, and I'm quite fond of exotic fruits, so this was the first diet I decided to try out. The diet was first introduced on the Oprah winfery show and recommended by dr Oz who described it as a"miracle in your medicine cabinet" and since, it is the latest "superfood" to hit the weight-loss market. If you are a fan of Dr Oz (like myself) then you probably already know that Dr Oz is the best when it comes to getting healthy and losing weight. That's why I decided I'll give the African mango diet a try.  According to dr oz , losing just 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk for a stroke, ward off dementia, lower your risk for uterine and breast cancer, and lower your cholesterol up to 10%. Plus, it is backed up by medical research. To be honest, being a young woman (well, depends who you ask) – I really was just interested in losing that baby fat and getting into my old pair of jeans… But I admit, all these added health benefits can really support chosing this diet.

 

How does African mango work?


The African Mango extract cuts the fat around your waist drastically and has additional benefits such as reducing stress levels and fatigue and increasing energy.


The seeds of the exotic fruit suppresses Leptin production to help you burn fat and lose weight.  Experts claim that The African Mango is also a super potent multivitamin that has benefits for both men and women. African mango is beneficial for lowering cholesterol, improving the waistline and fighting fatigue.


My weight loss results:


After taking African mango pills for two weeks, I lost 11 lbs. Jist to be fair, I was also doing some exercise and restricting calories. The greatest change for me was how unbelievably more energetic it made me! Being a mom of two little toddlers means running after them, feeding, washing, dressing, cleaning etc leaving me extremely tired and wiped out at the end of the day.  Since I feel great and need all the energy I can get, I plan to keep using these pills again in the near future.



Weeks 3-4: Acai Berry diet

​

From Mango to Berry. This diet also promises to lose weight and increase energy.  Plus, it has the added benefit as a powerful antioxidant Known for its rejuvenating and detoxifying properties.


How does Acai Berry work?


The acai berry diet is promoted primarily for its antioxidant effects, which exceed that of other foods that are high in antioxidants such as blueberries and red wine.
Advocates of the acai berry diet claim that these antioxidants will enhance general well-being and vitality which will support weight loss.


My weight loss results:


I must say that after two days of taking these Acai berry pills my overall energy did increase (I didn't even get sleepy around 3pm anymore). Must be due to the detoxifying process my body went through. As to weight loss, I lost a total of 8 lbs (which is less than the African Mango diet, but still quite a lot for a 2 week diet!).  The induced fiber made me regular and kept me flushing undigested food from the system. I also experienced appetite suppression (that's a first!) and hardly felt the crash afterwards.

It's been 8 months (how the heck did that happen?!), so I feel like I should stop telling myself "it's ok, I just had a baby" and start taking matters into my hands – here's how I lost 24 lbs in six weeks. To be Continued....

Gaining weight is essential during pregnancy, but once the baby arrives, most moms can’t wait to lose the extra weight. Of course, I was no different. I gained 50 pounds during pregnancy despite my efforts at moderation (or maybe I was letting my appetite getting the best of me? )…Right after having the baby, I lost a bunch of weight. Within a few months, I stopped losing and actually started gaining!!!

New Moms! Before you Go on a Diet...

Don't start dieting too soon

Give your body time to recover from labor and delivery. Doctors usually recommend waiting 6 weeks before watching your calorie intake and actively trying to slim-down. And if you're breastfeeding, some experts even recommend you wait longer since this might affect your milk supply.  Also, your growing appetite and need for energy may make it challenging to scale down the amount of food you are eating.  In any case, please make sure you're getting enough calories in your diet to meet your baby's needs.

Adjusting to life with a newborn is hard and tiring enough, you need all the energy you can get so starting a diet plan too soon is bad both for you and your baby. I waited until my baby reached 4 months before starting to workout and slightly changing my eating habits.  So be patient, spend time to adjust to all the wonderful changes and give your body a chance to do its work and recover - the weight will fall off much easier.



Be realistic about weight loss

I was sure that the moment I give birth the extra weight will just magically disappear. After about a month I started to realize that this wasn't just going to happen… My mom raved about how the weight just melted off when she breastfed my siblings and I, and I was so looking forward to that added benefit! ; it didn't seem to have that affect on me even though I was breastfeeding for 4 whole months by then. 

Keep in mind that getting back to your pre-pregnancy figure is not easy- pregnancy causes permanent changes such as a softer belly, slightly wider hips, and a larger waistline. You might want to reconsider your weight loss goals or at least be more " lenient " about them.  It took me some time let go of my expectations and realize that, as it took 9 months for my body to get this way it just might take 9 months to get the weight off!



Embrace exercise

I've never been a great fan of exercise. In fact, the thought of going to the gym always depressed me. However, experts are never wrong – combining a healthy diet with regular workouts is the best and fastest way to shed off those extra pounds and get back into shape. Not working out while dieting can result in losing muscle instead of fat.

A big advantage of working out for me was having that little "me time" away from home chores and taking care of my baby (who I truly love but…you understand my point).  Try to make time for exercise -even if you're just taking a quick walk around the block with your baby in the stroller.



Don't compare yourself to other moms

My sister lost all her pregnancy weight in about 4-5 months. It took me eight. We are about the same build and gained almost the exact same amount and started out at very similar weights. Its just different for everyone!

Visit top 7 diets to get the best diet plans review

Nina Winters. MOM

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