"40 Lies the Weight Loss Industry Tells You" Review

When I first meet with a personal training client in Chicago, I'm usually battling the misconceptions and lies promoted by the weight loss industry. Here is a list of what I typically hear and why the claims are false (from the article 40 Lies the Weight Loss Industry Tells You)!

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS WILL SLIM YOU DOWN

We’ve all heard time and time again about people who give up regular soda in exchange for diet drinks and drop 10, 50, or 100 pounds, seemingly overnight. What those stories don’t tell you is just how many unpleasant side effects can come with the switch, like GI issues, bloating, and even weight gain. Research indicates that artificial sweeteners can alter our gut bacteria and fuel food cravings; a study published in Obesity even indicates that artificial sweeteners can cause long-term weight gain.

EATING RIGHT WORKS EVEN WITHOUT EXERCISE

Peanut butter and jelly; bed and breakfast; diet and exercise — some things are simply better together. You may have a cousin’s cousin’s step-sister’s dog walker’s niece who insists that they lost weight and kept it off through diet or exercise alone, but in reality, the two work together to provide long-term weight loss. A study conducted at the Stanford University School of Medicine confirms that, like any great duo, diet and exercise work a whole lot better together.

FASTING WILL HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

We’ve all heard stories about how fasting can help you achieve mental clarity and drop significant weight at the same time, but in reality, all fasting really does is mess up your metabolism (and cause a nutritional deficit). While we can’t speak to those claims of sudden enlightenment from fasting, it’s pretty clear that it’s no magic bullet for a slimmer you.

EXERCISE AND DIET ARE EQUAL FOR WEIGHT LOSS

When it comes to diet and exercise, I like to think of food as your car and exercise as the tires. Without the car itself, you won’t get anywhere, but you’re unlikely to get to your destination quickly (if at all) with four flat tires. Exercise is an essential part of losing weight and keeping it off in the long term, but changing your diet — and your lifestyle overall — is the number one factor to tackle when you’re trying to slim down.

FRUITS ARE FATTENING

When did we all decide that fruit was the enemy? I feel like every other day, I hear from a friend who has cut fruit out of their diet entirely, telling me that whatever diet plan they’re on says that sugar from fruit is basically the same thing as adding a cheeseburger to every meal. Unsurprisingly, this is far from the truth. Fruit is a healthy way to get plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, while satisfying your sweet tooth in a way that artificial sweeteners simply can’t.

FAT-FREE FOOD IS DIET FRIENDLY

Repeat after me: fat doesn’t make you fat. Jot it down. Tattoo it on your hand. Record that phrase and make it your ringtone. While the diet industry has led many people to believe that fat-free or low-fat food is inherently healthy, what they don’t always realize is that the at their food is missing has been replaced with even less healthy substitutes, like preservatives and artificial sweeteners.

SUPPLEMENTS WILL SLIM YOU DOWN

If there’s one thing that I can’t stress enough, it’s that taking diet pills or other weight loss supplements will backfire in the end. The supplement industry is nowhere near as rigorously regulated as prescription medication, with many products escaping FDA approval before hitting the market.

ORGANIC FOOD IS ALWAYS HEALTHY

If you walk down the aisles of any organic supermarket, you’ll find nearly as many junk foods as you will in a traditional store. You’ll find cheese puffs, cookies, cake mix, and fried tortilla chips, all bearing the word “organic” on their labels like a badge of honor. While this designation may mean that they’re less likely to contain potentially obesogenic pesticides, take one look at their nutrition info and you’ll see that the calories, sugar, saturated fat, and salt you’ve come to expect from unhealthy snacks are all there.

HUNGER IS A GOOD SIGN YOU'RE LOSING WEIGHT

Your growling stomach is no surefire sign that weight loss is on its way. Many weight loss plans suggest that you go to bed hungry, or that feeling famished is a normal part of weight loss, but the opposite may be true. Staying satisfied can help keep your cravings to a minimum, meaning you’re less likely to tear into the nearest bag of cookies when that growling in your stomach turns into an angry bark.

PROTEIN BARS ARE GOOD MEAL REPLACEMENTS

Protein bars aren’t meals — there, I said it. While many companies will try to sell you on the idea of replacing meals with compressed nutrition bricks they promise taste just like your favorite dessert, these preservative-packed meal replacements won’t keep you full for long and may even sabotage your weight loss with their artificial sweeteners. Filling meals come from nature, they contain fat and fiber, and, generally speaking, they can’t fit in your back pocket.

EXERCISE CAN TARGET SPECIFIC AREAS

If you’re hoping that cardio boot camp class you’re waking up early for will give you a booty like J. Lo, arms like Michelle Obama, and Kylie Jenner’s legs, prepare to be disappointed. Despite what many workout gurus may tell you, a cardio workout alone won’t target specific sections of your body enough to make a discernible difference — when you lose weight, fat vanishes from everywhere, from your head to your toes. What you can do is add resistance training to your routine to specifically tone certain muscle groups, boost your metabolism, and add definition (and maybe even a bit of extra booty) to your body.

ALL SUGAR IS BAD

Low carb devotees may claim that any sugar in your diet is a recipe for weight gain, but let me be the first to tell you that not all sugar is created equal. Fruit sugars can be a healthy part of your weight loss plan, whether you’re enjoying them in a , making a resveratrol-rich, belly fat-blasting red fruit salad, or just grabbing a healthy snack on the go.

SKIPPING BREAKFAST CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

Don’t start your day off on the wrong foot by skipping breakfast. Despite what many self-proclaimed fitness gurus may say, breakfast is a healthy — nay, essential — part of your weight loss plan, even if you’re a morning exerciser. A high-protein, high-fiber breakfast not only helps you stay focused and combats cravings, it can also help you lose weight in the long run; research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that eating breakfast can reduce your reliance on unhealthy snacks and lower your intake of fatty food.

ORGANIC AND TRADITIONAL FOOD ARE THE SAME

While an organic cheese puff and a traditional one probably don’t differ much in terms of fat or calories, there are still some pretty major differences between organic foods and non-organic ones. Non-organic foods are far more likely to be contaminated with additives, potentially obesogenic preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, and even hormones.

FAT MAKES YOU FAT

High-fat foods are delicious. High-fat foods are satisfying. What high-fat foods aren’t, however, is inherently fattening. Research has shown time and time again that, if you’re not significantly increasing your caloric intake, adding some avocado or olive oil to your diet doesn’t actually add pounds to your waistline — in fact, it may have the opposite effect.

LOW CARB DIETS ARE THE KEY TO SLIMMING DOWN

If you think that eating piles of bacon and cheeseburgers is going to yield long-lasting weight loss, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. While it’s true that cutting down on refined carbohydrates is a healthy way to influence some weight loss, when you cut out all (or virtually all) carbohydrates from your diet, you’re seriously limiting your intake of vitamins, fiber, and setting yourself up for a cycle of deprivation and binging that can be hard to break.

LOW CALORIES MEANS FASTER WEIGHT LOSS

Just because cutting calories can help you shed pounds doesn’t mean it’s impossible to overdo it — those 800 calorie a day weight loss cleanses simply won’t yield the long-term results you want. Every person has an individual caloric threshold that needs to be met to keep their body functioning optimally, depending on their activity level, personal metabolic rate, and other factors, and falling far beneath it can have seriously harmful effects.

STAYING CAFFEINATED IMPROVES WEIGHT LOSS

Caffeine may give you that boost you need first thing in the morning, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. While many diet supplements are packed with caffeine, ingesting too much could be the reason you’re not losing weight. Research published in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior suggests that caffeine can increase the body’s production of cortisol, which can lead to weight gain.

NUTS ARE FATTENING

Virtually every diet book published between the 1970s and 1990s will tell you the same thing: to lose weight, you need to cut fat, and one of the easiest ways to do that is removing nut products, like peanut butter, from your diet. I’m here to tell you the exact opposite may be true — research published in the Journal of Nutrition suggests that both ground and tree nuts can be healthy additions to a well-balanced diet without making you gain weight.

VEGETARIAN DIETS ARE ALWAYS SLIMMING

When many of us think of going vegetarian, we imagine beautiful salads loaded with vegetables, tons of fresh fruits, and healthy stir-fries for dinner every night. Unfortunately, for many busy vegetarians, good intentions fly out the window in favor of convenience foods like French fries, grilled cheese sandwiches, and surprisingly vegan Oreos. Incorporating the right type of healthy, plant-based proteins can help you slim down for good.

LIQUID DIETS HELP YOU SHED POUNDS

If you think that replacing all of your food with liquid is the key to long-term weight loss, you’re buying another weight loss industry lie. Most of the liquid diets and cleanses out there simply replace nutritious food with low-calorie drinks, slimming you down in the short term as you lose water weight. When you start eating regular food again, the pounds come back, but the dollars in your wallet definitely don’t.

FROZEN YOGURT IS BETTER THAN ICE CREAM

We’ve all heard about the connection between the bacteria in yogurt and our gut health, but if you’re hoping the same is true for frozen yogurt, prepare to be disappointed. The freezing process that yogurt undergoes to become an ice cream-like kills off much of the good bacteria. If you’re just hoping yogurt could be a lower-calorie alternative to your favorite frozen treat, you’re out of luck, as well — many types of frozen yogurt have nearly as many calories as their full-fat counterparts and just as much sugar.

What other lies from the weight loss industry have you identified?

Pictures Credit:
MSN.com-Should you skip breakfast to lose weight?

More to Read:
While many foods are still healthy with proper portion control, you may want to avoid the following list: "50 Foods You Should Never Eat" Review.

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Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " 40 Lies the Weight Loss Industry Tells You " on MSN.com.

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About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.

Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!

"20 Ways to Ensure Workouts Happen Every Day" Review

With winter quickly approaching in Chicago (yikes), you'll probably look for every excuse to not exercise. I don't blame you!!! You need to trick your brain into getting in shape! With or without a Chicago personal trainer, try the top 10 ways to ensure that your workouts will still happen (from the article 20 Ways to Ensure Workouts Happen Every Day)!

1. On Sunday, map out your weekly workout plan so you know exactly what you're doing each day. This saves time trying to decide, "Hmm, should I go for a run or ride my bike?" Mix up your workout routine to keep you excited, and have alternate plans for outdoor workouts in case it rains.

2. Sign up and pay for classes ahead of time - it's much harder to skip out when you know you've already shelled out $20 or more (or even better: A personal training session :))

3. Get your workout done first thing in the morning so your busy schedule doesn't get in the way of your workout.

4. If you're not a morning exerciser, wake up early to get 30 minutes of work done so you can steal away later during the day.

5. To save time and motivate morning workouts, wear part of your gear to bed, including wicking socks and workout pants. If you're already wearing it, you'll be less likely to skip out.

6. Be OK with less intense workouts. Even a relaxing stretch session counts as moving.

7. Instead of taking a lunch break, hit the gym or take a class, then eat your lunch afterward while working (make sure it's already made so you don't have to waste time going to pick up lunch).

8. Set an alarm on your phone with a meaningful message such as "Busier people are already at the gym," "You know you'll feel better afterward," or "Today's choices are tomorrow's body (I use the phone app "Simple Routine").

9. Follow the five-minute rule. Even on days when you're not feeling 100 percent, set your timer and go for five minutes - chances are that once you get moving, you'll be inspired to keep going.

10. Don't beat yourself up if you miss one day or maybe even half the week. Tomorrow is a new day, a chance to make a fresh start. So get right back on that exercise-every-day wagon.

What other ways do you use to ensure your workouts happen every day? Do you agree with these suggestions? Which points would you remove?

Picture Credit:
ActivelyNorthwest.com-What steps will you need to take to lose weight in Chicago during the winter?

More to Read:
If you're ready for a change, why wait for New Year's Day? Start your resolutions today....and here's the reason why. Read "Want To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain? Start Now" Review.

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Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " 20 Ways to Ensure Workouts Happen Every Day " on MSN.com.

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About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.

Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!

"21 Worthless Foods a Nutritionist Will Immediately Cut From Your Diet" Review

Whether losing weight or striving for optimal health, the foods on this list should be the first that you consider removing from your diet...whether you like it or not (from the article 21 Worthless Foods a Nutritionist Will Immediately Cut From Your Diet )!

Soda

The first on our list is perhaps the most obvious culprit, but despite numerous studies backing up the negative effects both diet and regular soda have on your body, our pros say it's shocking how much of it people drink. "This is not a benign food!" says Carissa Bealert, RD and co-owner of Evolution Fitness Orlando. "Artificial sweeteners and aspartame in diet soda in particular can mess with our body's regulatory system. Plus, soda doesn't nourish you. It doesn't give your body anything at all." In addition to excess calories, studies have linked soda to tooth decay, headaches, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and decreased bone health. And despite its name, diet soda is no better: researchers at the University of Texas found that in the course of a decade, diet soda drinkers had a 70% greater waist circumference than non-drinkers. To quit a soda habit, Bealert suggests overloading your glass with ice. The soda will be diluted, and you can steadily wean yourself off. If you still need a little extra something, Bealert suggests zero-calorie sparkling water with natural flavors. Read "4 Ways to Beat Your Diet Soda Addiction in One Week" for more suggestions.

Juice

You hit the local juice bar before work and think you're making a healthy choice by drinking your breakfast. But Keren Gilbert, RD and founder of Decision Nutrition, says it's not that simple. Even though you're consuming fruits and veggies, a lot of the good stuff is left behind in the juicing process. "When you juice something, you're taking all the vitamins and sugars and leaving out all of the fiber," she says. Fiber slows down sugar absorption in the body, so without it, sugar is absorbed too quickly. This means that your tummy could be grumbling in an hour—which totally defeats the purpose of a diet, says Gilbert.

Fried food

Duh! Even though we all know fried foods are a healthy diet's arch-nemesis, fries (sweet potato or not—sorry!), chicken fingers, and onion rings are the default side dish to meals everywhere. Elisa Zied, RD, and founder of Zied Health Communications, says portion sizes of these artery-clogging items at restaurants and sports venues can be twice or three times the amount, equaling a diet disaster. "If you're going to have fried food, share it," she says. "Or order the smallest size possible, and keep it to once in a while at best." Even better, Zied says, is making healthier versions of familiar foods at home, such as baked fresh-cut fries with a drizzle of olive oil. Just for fun, check out "50 Unhealthiest Foods On the Planet" Review for other foods to avoid.

Fat-free dressing

Bealert says going fat-free (dressings are just one example) is one of the biggest misconceptions she sees in clients who want to lose weight. In fact, not all fats are bad for you. "Good" fats keep you full and help you absorb more nutrients from food. They're also beneficial for your heart: monounsaturated fatty acids (found in nuts, avocados, olive oil, and canola oil) can lower cholesterol levels and your risk of getting heart disease, while polyunsaturated fatty acids (found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, as well as corn and soybean oils) are a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Another downside to low-fat diets: When you take out fat, you replace it with artificial sugars and other additives to pump up the flavor, Bealert says. When it comes to salad dressing, she recommends making homemade vinaigrette with honey mustard, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar instead of purchasing a low fat bottled variety.

Alcohol

Serious about losing weight and getting healthy? Then you'll have to ditch that daily glass of wine. Bealert suggest having no more than two drinks a week, or even fewer if you can. In addition to the added liquid calories, drinking can easily pull you off track from your diet goals. "The more you drink, the more likely you're going to have an unhealthy snack," she says. "And you probably won't want to start the next morning with egg whites and oatmeal." A Texas Tech University study found that alcohol makes women's brains more sensitive to the smell of food, which explains why it's so difficult to turn down that late-night pizza after you've had a few drinks. Sometimes this is all it takes to lose focus, and before you know it, you've completely ditched a new healthy eating plan. Still need help incorporating alcohol while focused on weight loss? Skim "How to Fit Alcohol in Your diet Without Ruining Your Weight Loss Goals".

Cheese

Yes, cheese contains bone-building calcium—and there are low-fat versions—but our pros say the bad can easily outweigh the good when portions get out of hand, which is very easily done. "Almost universally, everyone over-portions cheese," says Gilbert. "It's not that you can't have it every once in a while, but people put it in eggs, on salads, sandwiches, everywhere." Cheese is typically high in saturated fat, and for many people dairy can be difficult to digest, causing bloating. Gilbert suggests cutting out dairy completely for one week, testing the waters to see how your stomach reacts, then choosing one dish to add back an appropriate amount of cheese.

Red meat

New research from the World Health Organization found red meat to be a potential carcinogen linked to colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. That's probably more than enough to kick a cheeseburger habit, but the immediate risk to your heart health solidifies this as a red-flag food. Gilbert says it only takes one or two servings of red meat a week to take you over the limit on saturated fat. The better choices are fish and lean meats like turkey or chicken. Boost flavor and keep turkey burgers juicy by choosing a 93% lean ground meat and adding onions, peppers, and spinach to the patties.

Processed meats

The same WHO report also found a link between cancer and processed meats like bacon, hot dogs, and sausages. Processed meats that have been cured, salted, smoked, or preserved are known carcinogens and can increase your risk for colon cancer in particular. If you struggle with the idea of giving up bacon completely, Health contributing nutrition editor Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, recommends saving it for an occasional treat. "Have a few strips of bacon at Sunday brunch or a few slices of pepperoni pizza on Friday night—but not both, and none during the week," she told Health in an earlier interview.

Flavored coffee drinks

Pumpkin spice lattes may only be available for a limited time, but that doesn't negate the excess liquid calories you consume if you drink these indulgent lattes on a regular basis. Whether it's the limited availability or a 4-oclock slump, Bealert says people rationalize decadent drinks like this, and those calories can really add up. Instead of ordering a calorie-rich flavored drink, opt for black coffee or coffee with a splash of milk. Or combat your afternoon fatigue with a brisk 10-minute walk. Not ready to make this change? At least cut out these coffee drinks: "20 Coffee Drinks with More Sugar Than a Can of Coke" Review

Gluten-free foods

Adhering to a gluten-free diet is vital for people suffering from a gluten-intolerance or Celiac disease, but going gluten-free isn't necessarily a way to lose weight or eat healthier. Lynch says many gluten-free foods and recipes use tapioca flour as a binder substitute, but this ingredient provides little or no nutrition—not to mention that gluten-free cookies, muffins, pretzels, and the like are still junk food. Instead of focusing on gluten-free labels, aim for well-rounded diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, beans, lentils, nuts, lean proteins, and—yes—whole grains. A great source of fiber, whole grains can help regulate blood sugar, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, reduce colon cancer risk, and aid digestion, so there are plenty of reasons to continue to enjoy them as part of a healthy diet.

Ice cream and frozen yogurt

As delicious as that pint of Ben & Jerry's in your freezer is, it's loaded with sugar and calories. Indulge in your craving too often and you're looking at increased blood sugar levels, weight gain over time, inflammation throughout the body, and a rise in LDL (bad) cholesterol, says Lynch.

Flavored instant oatmeal

While convenient, those individual packets of oatmeal are filled with 15 to 20 grams of unnecessary sugar, says Gilbert. These artificial sweeteners trigger cravings, because once blood sugar levels plummet after an hour, you'll be hungry again. Gilbert says you're better off with rolled oats (which cook very quickly, too) with real fruit, or overnight oats.

Granola

Granola is easily mistaken for a health food, but if you've ever used it to top your yogurt, you know how difficult it can be to stick to an appropriate portion of this crunchy snack (most experts recommend no more than 2/3 a cup per serving). Therein lies the problem, says Zied: "Granola is high in fat and calories and often provides a good dose of added sugar." For a healthier alternative that doesn't wreck your waistline, she suggests cutting back on the amount of granola, going low-fat, and mixing it with one to two tablespoons of chopped nuts to add protein.

Soy sauce

Douse your sushi in soy sauce, and the next thing you know you're feeling stuffed, bloated and uncomfortable. That's all thanks to its astronomically high levels of sodium. "Sodium holds on to water, which can translate to water retention and weight gain," says Gilbert. "Plus, it's really bad for blood pressure." Ask for low-sodium soy sauce instead, and use just a dash. As for other high-sodium sauces—we're looking at you, sweet and sour—Gilbert says to ask for it on the side in order to better control the amount you consume.

Dried fruit

Consider this: a fresh apricot is roughly the size of a golf ball, so you likely wouldn't eat five in one sitting. On the other hand, it's not difficult to imagine mindlessly snacking on five or more (much smaller) dried apricots. That serving-size misperception adds up to lots of sugar and calories, no matter what kind of dried fruit you choose. "Two spoonfuls of dried fruit have health benefits," says Bealert. "It's when you don't control portions—that's the problem."

Protein bars

There's a time and place for a generous helping of protein—after a sweaty, strenuous workout, for example. However, many people simply don't need the massive amounts of protein in many of the bars that line supermarket checkout aisles. "Thirty grams of protein is too much for most people at one time for a snack," says Bealert. Where all that protein comes from is another cause for concern. Bealert says that many of the ingredients in these bars are unrecognizable, may not come from whole foods, and often contain lots of sugar. Check out this list for more protein options: 36 Ways to Fulfill Your Protein Needs While Losing Weight

What other foods should you immediately cut from your diet?

Picture Credit:
Westend61 and health.com-Is your favorite food on this list?

More to Read:
Even with the right foods you should still be careful. The number one reason: Portion control. Check out this list to see which foods you should eat with a leash: 10 Trendy Health Foods That Can Threaten Your Waistline

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Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " 21 Worthless Foods a Nutritionist Will Immediately Cut From Your Diet " on Health.com.

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About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.

Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!

"10 Trendy Health Foods That Can Threaten Your Waistline" Review

Even with the right foods you should still be careful. The number one reason: Portion control. Check out this list to see which foods you should eat with a leash (from the article 10 Trendy Health Foods That Can Threaten Your Waistline)!

ACAI

Google “acai berry” and a slew of purported benefits like weight loss and antiaging results will return, but can this trendy health food hailing from Brazil really live up to the hype? While the fiber-rich fruit does tout more antioxidant properties than pomegranates and blueberries, many health claims don’t mention that it logs in 247 calories per 100 grams, 26 grams of which are carbohydrates. The kicker: Unless you are using acai at home and controlling your portions, an acai bowl -- the healthy breakfast du jour -- could cost you almost 600 calories per serving. Need a complete overhaul of your breakfast? Read "30 Best Breakfast Habits to Drop 5 Pounds".

DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate is typically comprised of at least 35 percent cocoa powder and is full of flavonols -- chemicals loaded with antioxidant benefits that help reduce free radical damage. But before you hit the candy jar too hard, this supposed health food also has a remarkable amount of fat and sugar. Depending on the brands, just one ounce can contain up to 170 calories, 12 grams of fat and 24 grams of sugar (four grams over the amount that the American Heart Associate recommends in an entire day for an adult woman). If you still want to indulge, keep the portions small.

Moody Wisdom: The stats depend on the brand. Either way, a decent amount of sugar is usually added to offset the bitterness of the dark chocolate.

CHIA SEEDS

A great source of omega-3 fats, fiber and antioxidants, this superfood is taking the food world by storm. But before you stir this add-on into your meals and smoothies, know that two tablespoons totals 120 calories, 80 of which are from fat. And while it may be considered a source of healthy fat, those calories can add up, especially when added to an already-high-calorie smoothie.

FLAX SEEDS

A nutritional powerhouse, this seed delivers protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids among a host of other vitamins. Two tablespoons of whole seeds will also deliver 100 extra calories to your meal, with 78 of those coming from fat. But when eaten whole, the body doesn't absorb all of the great omega-3s and antioxidants. Instead, grind your flax seeds; otherwise your healthy gesture will be for naught. And two tablespoons of ground flax, on the other hand, contain about 60 calories.

AVOCADOS

n 2015, The Washington Post declared Americans were having a “love affair” with avocados, and there are no sign it's slowing down. With today’s trendy avocado toast, everyone seems to have gotten on the bandwagon. It’s even been touted as the world’s most perfect food, containing all the nutrients one would need to survive. Sounds like a dream, right? Except that one medium avocado weighs in at 232 calories, with 188 of them coming from fat. Instead of piling a mound of mashed avo onto your sprouted grain toast, think of it this way: According to the Hass Avocado Board, one medium avocado provides five one-ounce servings that are 50 calories each.

ALMONDS

Here’s some trivia from the Encyclopaedia Britannica: The almond is actually a seed because it’s enclosed in a hard fruit! It’s also a handy snack and a great source of protein. Whether eaten raw, pressed into a butter or showing up in a carton as milk, almonds are everywhere and (dare we say) more popular than peanuts at the moment. Just remember that a handful of almonds (i.e., an ounce or about 23 seeds) is around 164 calories. And we can all admit that these yummy seeds are so addictive that one handful is never enough.

WALNUTS

Possibly the most underestimated nut around, the walnut is purported to contain powerful antioxidants as well as heart-healthy amino acids. Plus it supports brain health and reduces insulin levels, which is great news for diabetics. Makes you want to eat them by the handful, right? Unfortunately, one cup of shelled walnut halves has about 654 calories and 65 grams of fat. You can still get the aforementioned benefits by limiting your portion to one ounce (about 14 halves), which puts you around 185 calories.

QUINOA

This gluten-free superfood is technically a seed, but it acts like a grain. It is also (shockingly) a complete protein, unlike rice and beans that need to be eaten together to gain that benefit. Plus, being a good source of fiber and minerals have caused people to be prepping quinoa for dinner as well as breakfast. It all sounds fabulous -- except if you’re trying to lose weight. One cup of cooked quinoa can contain 222 calories, slightly more than one cup of brown rice. With all the marketing surrounding this food’s benefits, it’s hard to remember that you can’t eat as much of the stuff as you may want. Keep your portion around the size of your cupped hand to stay on the safe side of this grain.

What other foods do you think will affect your weight loss with a Chicago personal trainer if you're not careful?

Picture Credit:
Livestrong.com-Will dark chocolate undermine your weight loss efforts?

More to Read:
While these foods are still healthy with proper portion control, you may want to avoid the following list: "50 Foods You Should Never Eat".

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Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " 10 Trendy Health Foods That Can Threaten Your Waistline " on Livestrong.com.

Learn how to lose weight from a personal trainer in Chicago.

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About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.

Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!

"The Most Unhealthy Drink Orders at the Bar" Review

I think you'll find one of your favorite drinks on this list. Mine: An Old Fashioned :( (from the article The Most Unhealthy Drink Orders at the Bar)!

CRAFT BEER

We all know the beer belly is aptly named. And while you know to stay away from the heavy Guinness’, you may not be much safer turning to those light craft beers. Why? “The trend in stronger beer means more calories,” Brissette points out. Remember: The higher the alcohol content, the higher the calorie count. “Have a pint and you'll easily take in 270 calories or more. That's like eating a chocolate bar (or several)!” she adds. Not to mention the bloat factor from all those carbs. Dogfish Head IPA clocks in at 450 calories while Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is a whopping 330 calories.

HARD CIDER

Cider may seem healthy—it’s an alternative to beer and it’s gluten-free, after all. But while brewskies packs in the empty calories and unnecessary carbs, cider is rich in another black-listed nutrient. “A pint of cider can have 10 teaspoons of sugar. That's more than your daily limit for sugar in the one cider,” Brisette says.

IRISH CAR BOMB

Car bomb or carb bomb? “The dark Irish stout in this drink plus the cream and liquor pack in the extra calories (and carbs!),” Holthaus says. Sixteen ounces delivers a whopping 310 calories!

BLOODY MARY

Your hangover may be better off without the hair of the dog. “A morning after drink like a Bloody Mary only delays the metabolism of congeners—a substance contributing to hangover symptoms—and extends the amount of time it will take for your blood alcohol content to come back to normal,” Holthaus explains. Plus, while vodka is usually a great low-cal option, once you add the tomato juice, vegetables, and spices, most Bloodys make their way up to around 300 calories.

MEXICAN BULLDOG

Beer is a tasty addition to your regular ole margarita, but the combo of both beer and tequila in this drink, plus the limeade, pack a punch—both in terms of the amount of calories and also the alcohol you’re getting, Holthaus explains. A 12-ounce drink will cost you around 230 calories.

WHITE RUSSIAN

The Dude may approve, but nutritionists aren’t a fan. “The coffee liquor and the fresh cream make this small drink very mighty in terms of how many calories it brings,” Holthaus says. Just 4 ounces is 210 calories—and it’s a good bet you’re knocking back a bigger cup than that.

OLD FASHIONED

There are few drinks manlier than an Old Fashioned. But the simple syrup in this staple (as well as cocktails like a Whiskey Sour) isn’t so simple, nutritionally speaking. “Just 1-ounce packs in over 5 teaspoons of added sugar,” Holthaus says. “And a 6-ounce Old Fashioned will cost you around 260 calories.”

Moody Wisdom: The best alternative: The traditional way! Only drink an Old Fashioned with 1 muddled cube of sugar (2.5 g). Your great, great grandfather will be proud.

How will you change the way you order drinks? Do you think your drink choices are affecting your ability to lose weight or body fat?

Are you having trouble losing weight? You may need to change your morning routine. Read 30 Best Breakfast Habits to Drop 5 Pounds.

Article Credit:
Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " The Most Unhealthy Drink Orders at the Bar " on MSN.com.
Learn how to lose weight from a personal trainer in Chicago.

---

About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.

Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!