Victoria,
I am a bride’s maid in my sisters wedding and I have waited until the last minute to lose weight to fit into my dress. I don’t want to starve or do anything crazy, can you give me some suggestions that will help me lose some fat quick without damaging my metabolism like some fad diets are known to do?
- Ms phuk


Ms Phuk, I feel your frustration. This is probably one of my most frequent calls from starlets. I got a call from Miss A, not her real name, confidentiality agreement, the other day. She had to get ready for a wedding and an album cover due for release in the UK. So she didn’t have to be Holly-weird skinny but she couldn’t look like a polish sausage stuffed in a tube dress either. They aren’t as critical as the American tabloids about weight, wrinkles and dimples.

I went to work on a plan to help her lose fat, keep up her energy and tighten up a bit so that she could feel confident in her strapless bridle gown without back fat spilling out.

You know us ladies, we like to know “why” to do something and then we have to “feel” compelled to take immediate action, other unwise, we will take our time getting to it. Well here's the why of this program.

What is Thermogenesis?
Thermogenesis is the process by which the body generates heat, or energy, by increasing the metabolic rate above normal. This rise in metabolic rate is referred to as the thermogenic effect, thermogenic response, or specific dynamic action (SDA). Thermogenesis is activated by a few different mechanisms, including eating, supplements, exercise, and exposure to cold.

The Thermogenic Effect as it pertains to food is a term used to refer to the way that the foods you eat can increase the amount of heat your body generates as it digests them, resulting in an increased metabolic rate for a certain amount of time.

The Proper Food Increases Metabolism
Not all Calories are created equally.

Protein is at the top of the hierarchy of macronutrients, as far as the Thermogenic Effect goes. A whopping 27% (on average) of the calories you consume from protein are used in the process of digesting the protein.

Protein Sources
Many foods contain protein, but the best sources are lean beef, baked or grilled or roasted poultry, grilled fish and tuna in water, eggs, low-fat and non-fat dairy products, small servings of nuts, seeds, and combining legumes like black beans and lentils with a grain like brown rice.

The Right carbohydrate Foods Increase Metabolism
Low Glycemic Carbohydrates also will have a similar but lessened effect on the calories burnt in the thermic effect of food when compared to protein, but still are important for a balanced nutrition plan. High glycemic foods will add more fat to your belly, hips and thighs.

Fat Burning Carbohydrates Sources
Good cruciferous vegetables that are high in fiber and nutrients are a good source of carbs to combine with your protein. You can also look at my Quick Start Energy Program list of Low-glycemic carbohydrates for more choices.

Eat Smaller Meals More Often
By eating small nutritious combination meals of protein and low glycemic cabohydrates, you will increase your metabolism and keep yourself full throughout the entire day. It will also amp up your energy and keep your insulin levels constant. Ideally, you should eat 5 to 6 times per day, with about 3 hours between each meal. Imagine yourself grazing versus hoarding.

You want to graze on small amounts of foods several times instead of hoarding on large amounts of foods a few times a day.

If you wait too long between meals, you will have the tendency to binge and consume far too many calories since you will be extremely hungry. Plus your metabolism adjusts to lower calories and you lose the thermogenic effect.

So you see that when you skip meals and you are on a path to failure. Eat up, lots of good quality food a key principle way to boost your metabolism and get lean.

Drink Water
We’re all familiar with the dangers of –even minor-dehydration by now.

Drinking enough water is vital to keep your body hydrated which helps beat water retention.

If the body is not sufficiently hydrated, the cells will draw water from the bloodstream, thus pressurizing and burdening the heart. Even mild dehydration prevents the kidneys from effectively purifying the blood.

When this happens, some of the kidney's workload is passed on to the liver and other organs, and may cause them to be severely stressed.

Minor health conditions such as constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nosebleeds, urinary tract infections, coughs, sinus problems and headache may develop as a consequence.

It is no secret that drinking 2 liters of water a day can dramatically improve your health, and the signs will be obvious: Glowing complexion and clear skin, better immunity, better digestion, less aches and pains, weight loss, less cellulite, better concentration and renewed vitality and energy.

Drinking of water helps you flush salts and toxins from your body while staving off hunger craving and reduce the calories you consume.

Move it and Lose it! Burn off body fat!
Another way to drop a few pounds quickly, get off your butt and move it.

Maybe you've tried a few lying down workouts like Pilates a few times but you're still packing unsightly bulges. I have to tell you that those workouts are good for defining your muscles and strengthening your core, but it won’t help you drop those pounds sticking out in your bridesmaids’ gown.

You are going to have lift get into some real cardio and weight lifting to get your metabolic system pumping.

Strenuous exercise induces negative energy balance either directly or by enhancing meal thermogenesis, increasing resting metabolic rate, and/or decreasing food intake because it helps to control your appetite.

Real exercise that increases your body’s workload also helps with carbohydrate metabolism, strengthens your cardiovascular system and gives you more energy.

Thermogenic Exercises
Power Walking, water workouts if you are obese, treadmill, elliptical, step workouts are still one of the best, cardio classes, cardio workout DVD’s. Sculpting classes with lightweights. It’s best to not lift heavy when you are on a quick weight loss program.

Now you have a fast formula for looking smashing in your sisters wedding. Start today so you can lose the fat and feel confident. You want to have positive memories and be able to 100 percent present instead of tugging at your clothes and hiding in the corner someplace.

My Album cover client last 7 pounds and 16 inches on this simple, but effective plan combined with my Quick Start Energy Program on cellulite reduction. She looked stunning in her wedding dress and her husband was totally excited about her new found peace with her body. He told me that it was such a relief to see her laughing and enjoying herself again.

Go out there and make this your best and fittest week ever.


Your Celebrity Personal Trainer!

Click to read more testimonials.