First of all, Im going to start my 3 day diet reviews with the good points.

The diet is very low in calories. Some versions of the diet include a grapefruit at every meal which means the diet has 900 calories. Others feature it at just one meal which takes the diet down to 750 calories. Obviously, these calorie levels are not sustainable, but remember this is just a 3 day diet. You can fast for that long, so having some food to keep you going wont harm you.

The second positive thing Im going to mention in my 3 day diet reviews is that there is no fancy cooking required to sustain this diet. If you can boil an egg and cook veggies in the microwave, you can go on this diet. The foods required are basic: cottage cheese, saltine crackers, carrots, apples, etc.

The third thing that is nice about this diet is that the food you are asked to eat in no way harms you. Youll be eating fruits, vegetables, lean meats, etc. In many ways, you are better off with this program than you would be eating a couple of meals at a fast food joint. Theres no trick to the 3 day diet, its just very low in calories.

But there are some downsides to the diet. For instance, you may only lose a couple of pounds for all of your starving, not the 10 pounds some proponents claim.

Also, I would be remiss in not mentioning that extended use of this diet program would surely lead to anorexia. The name of the diet is The 3 Day Diet for a reason it should only be used for three days.

Another thing worth mentioning in this 3 day diet reviews is that you are probably going to be hungry on this program. The meals are quite small. Breakfast and lunch are about 200 calories a piece and dinner is about 350 calories. If you are used to 2000 to 3000 calorie diets (what most Americans eat), you are going to be famished. If you can suck it up and say its only 3 days youll survive. But, if you are not mentally prepared for the hunger challenges on the 3 day diet, you are likely to give in to your urge to eat more.

In short, the 3 day diet does work. You will probably lose between 3 to 6 pounds. The 10 pound claims are from very large people who try it. Most of the pounds lost will be from water weight. You cant go on the diet on an extended basis.

My 3 day diet reviews overall picture is that if you want to lose weight for a specific purpose in the very near future (a wedding next weekend, an upcoming high school reunion), its worth doing. As an extended diet plan, it wont work.

That said, the 3 day chemical breakdown diet is useful for losing about 5 pounds in a very short amount of time. It is a modified fast that allows you to have about 750 calories a day. Of course, this isnt sustainable over time, but if you are looking to lose a small amount of weight in a very short period, it can be a godsend.

On most sites promoting the diet, you will find warnings that you must follow the stated rules because the foods work in concert to break down fat. There is absolutely no scientific evidence for this. Instead, as I mentioned before, this diet works because it has very low calories. Any 750 calorie diet will do the same.

Still, the 3 day chemical breakdown diet provides a nutritious balance of foods for the 750 calories that you do get. If you are going to try to go on a modified fast, you can do worse than the 3 day chemical breakdown diet.

Heres the meal plan on the diet:

Day 1:

Breakfast
1/2 Grapefuit or Juice
1 Slice of Toast
1 tbsp. Peanut Butter
Black Coffee or Tea
Lunch
1/2 cup Tuna
1 Slice Toast
Black Coffee or Tea

Dinner
2 Slices (3 oz.) of any Meat
1 cup String Beans
1 cup Carrots or Beets
1 small Apple
1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

Day 2

Breakfast

1 hard-boiled Egg
1 Slice of Toast
1/2 Banana
Black Coffee or Tea

Lunch

1 cup Cottage Cheese
or: 1/2 cup Tuna
5 Saltine Crackers

Dinner

2 Wieners
1 cup Cabbage or Broccoli
1/2 cup Carrots
or Turnip Greens
1/2 Banana
1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

Day 3 on the 3 day Chemical Diet looks like this:

Breakfast:

1 hard-boiled Egg
1 Slice Toast
Black Coffee or Tea

Lunch:

1 Slice Cheddar Cheese
5 Saltine Crackers
1 small Apple
Black Coffee or Tea

Dinner:

1 cup Tuna
1 cup Carrots or Beets
1 cup Green Beans
or Cauliflower
1 cup Cantaloupe
or 1 small Apple
1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

Do you have a big date Saturday night? Go on the 3 day chemical diet on Tuesday and watch the results. Youll finally be able to fit into your skinny jeans. Want to knock them dead at your 10 year high school reunion? Youll make them wish they had voted you prom queen when you go on the 3 day chemical diet.

But, as a lifestyle solution, the program is simply too limited in calories to be sustainable. Women need a minimum of 1200 calories a day over the long haul just to function.

Youll be hungry on the 3 day chemical diet. And, that is manageable for three days. But long term, you should try a more balanced diet plan.

The story is that the 3 Day Cardiac Diet was designed for patients who needed to lose up to 10 lbs weight quickly so they could have surgery.

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet has set menu plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days. Each day is limited to about 800 calories. While some claim that there is a special chemical reaction, much of the weight loss benefit is likely obtained by the restricted calorie intake. Also, there are very few carbs on the diet which leads to water loss.

You should drink six to eight cups of water a day on the program to speed digestion.

Tuna is the featured protein on the 3 day Cardiac diet. 1/2 cup of tuna is prescribed on the first two days, and on the final day, you will increase that to 1 cup. Variety and nutrition is provided with small to medium sized portions of cheese, eggs, crackers, vegetables, grapefruit, banana, and toast. Coffee, tea, or diet soda can accompany meals but water should be the beverage of choice outside of mealtime.

Some nutritionists express concerns about the restricted levels of calories and lack of a full range of nutritional options. However, considering that the diet lasts only 3 days, these are not dispositive.

People following the 3 day cardiac diet will likely feel hunger pangs and have lower energy levels. This is especially true by the third day. But, keep in mind that the diet is of limited duration and you should be fine unless you have endurance based physical feats to perform.

Your body may start to recognize that only a limited food supply is available when you eat only 3 small meals a day. It may begin to compensate by reducing metabolism and energy levels to conserve fat reserves. This can actually make it harder to lose weight and place the body under additional stress.

The 3 Day Cardiac diet is not suitable for long term dieting. After 3 days you should start on a diet that offers more variety and more calories.

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet provides restricted calories and nutrients for its intended duration. Your body can handle a fast for 3 days, so it certainly can handle a restricted calorie diet. However, the diet is not a long term solution to your weight management concerns.

If you need to lose a few pounds in a short period of time, the 3 day cardiac diet can help to get you there. If you are trying to lose those last 5 pounds and nothing else seems to be working, try the 3 day cardiac diet. But follow it up with a sensible eating plan.

Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become brittle due to lack of proper levels of calcium. It can affect men and women but mostly affects women. When the bones lose calcium, they are not stable enough to take the pounding that we give them each day. The bones lose density and can be easily broken.

Instead of breaking completely, the bone usually fractures. The most common fractures occur in the hip, spine and the wrist. The hip and wrist result from falls and trying to break a fall. Spinal fractures can cause you to lose height and bend over as if you have a hump in your back.

The problem with osteoporosis is that everyday mishaps can lead to dangerous fractures. A fall that might normally result in a bruise and nothing else, causes a fracture that is hard to recover from.

Osteoporosis is thought of as a womans condition because women are the primary sufferers. During menopause, the levels of estrogen in the body are greatly reduced. Estrogen seems to play a part in keeping levels of calcium in the bones high. A diet low in calcium doesnt supply the bones with what they need to stay strong. When other body processes need calcium they can rob it from the bones.

Some people are at greater risk for osteoporosis than others:

* Caucasian or Asian race
* Small body frame
* History of osteoporosis in your family
* Poor diet
* Poor health
* Menopause
* Lack of vitamin D
* Thyroid issues
* Amenorrhea

If you have experienced painful bone fractures and have any of these risk factors present, it is time to see your doctor. Osteoporosis could be the reason for your trouble. The doctor may suggest a bone density scan.

This scan is used to test the density of your bones. It is advised for women who are postmenopausal and over 65 and women experiencing bone fractures. The results may dictate the course of treatment for you.

A common treatment is medication. There are many new medications on the market that are designed to halt bone loss and also to improve bone density and strength. One medicine, Boniva, only has to be taken once a month.

There are other changes you can make to help the medicine work more efficiently. Your lifestyle choices could be adding to your bone loss. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D from foods will ensure that you have enough calcium in your bones to keep them strong. Regular exercise helps to build bone also.

Are you at risk for osteoporosis? Get help now so that you dont have to deal with painful fractures.

So how does this diet work? It’s very simple. You eat half a grapefruit before every meal. The enzyme it contains reduces your appetite so you consume fewer calories. It also speeds up the fat burning process helping you to shed pounds. Everyone knows that if you use more energy than you take in from the food you eat, you will lose weight. Some studies suggest that you could lose up to ten pounds in less than two weeks simply by introducing this change. Personally, I believe you would have a better chance of success if you also cut your portion sizes, ate four or five smaller meals rather than three large ones.And took more exercise.

It is completely pointless thinking that one simple change in your lifestyle is going to result in a big weight loss. You need to review all areas of your life. Do you eat food because you are bored? Upset? Do you get enough exercise? Most Americans are not active enough. You don’t suddenly need to become a gym fanatic but a little extra activity every day will help. I am sure you can think of a million ways to add some movement to your sedentary lifestyle. You could take the stairs instead of the lift; get off the metro one stop early, walk to the store etc.

In the same way, you can make progress by implementing simple changes at mealtimes. Instead of frying your food which only adds extra calories, try grilling, baking or steaming. Learn how to cook rather than relying on prepackaged meals that add dollars to your bills as well as pounds to your waistline. Use herbs and spices to flavor your meals rather than salt to help prevent fluid retention.

Eat more fruit and vegetables. They are high in fiber, low in calories and very filling. Your skin will glow from all the extra vitamins and minerals you are consuming. Don’t eat carbohydrates after 5pm in the evening as your body will not have sufficient time to use up all the energy they release. The body converts excess energy into fat.

Eat protein but chose the leaner cuts of meat and forget about sausages and other processed foods for now. Don’t exclude all treats but go for quality rather than quantity. Stop eating when you are full and not when your plate is empty.

Don’t mistake being thirsty for feeling hungry. And stop ingesting hidden calories via flavored waters, fizzy pop and perhaps the biggest culprit of all, alcohol.

You can shrink your waistline by using the 12 day grapefruit diet. but only if you combine it with a healthy eating and exercise program.

Osteoporosis results in brittle bones. The bones have a hard time avoiding fractures because they are weak and lack the proper amount of calcium. These fractures are most likely in the hip, wrist, and spine areas.

After menopause, bone loss can increase. The density of bones is lower and so is the estrogen level in the body once the menstrual cycle has stopped. Women have a hard time maintaining the bone that they have.

Part of the problem is nutrition. Not getting enough calcium or vitamin D in the diet can compromise the levels of calcium available to build strong bone.

Exercise is important throughout your life to maintain proper health in the body. But, it can also do a lot for your bones.

Living a sedentary life is no good for anyone, especially when you get older. Get out and get moving to improve your quality of life and your bone density. Exercising at least three times a week is a good start.

Your bone will respond to exercise. As a result, you can prevent bone from being lost and strengthen what you have left. Here are some of the suggestions for exercise routines.

Include weight-bearing exercises in your weekly routine. The impact of weight-bearing exercises improves the density and strength of bone. This can consist of walking, working in the garden, step aerobics, climbing stairs and any other exercise where you have to bear the brunt of your weight while performing it.

Add in some resistance training for good measure. All resistance training is not to build bulky muscles. Most of the time, you want to maintain great tone and appearance all over your body. Lifting weights also builds bone through the stresses placed on them.

If you are not sure about how to perform different exercises, get a personal trainer. They can work with you to set up a program that works for your needs and your abilities. Weight machines assist you in correct posture and range of motion for the exercise. Resistance bands let you use your own body weight to increase bone density.

Participate in team sports. Playing volleyball, basketball, and other group sports is not only fun but great for your bones. The movements increase balance and flexibility. Dont forget to warm up and cool down just as with other exercises.

How about something more fun? Try dancing or Tai chi. Both are weight bearing and can keep you from losing bone mass.

Bones benefit from exercise. Do your part to strengthen them with weight-bearing and strength-training work. You will feel good and avoid fractures at the same time. Talk to your doctor first before beginning any exercise program.

This method of debt reduction has nothing to do with consolidation loans, home equity loans, etc. This is all about taking control of your finances, about setting a realistic budget and sticking with it. It will require you to be disciplined with your finances and to stop making frivolous purchases on credit for things you can’t afford and don’t really need.

So many people have credit cards for ‘emergencies’ the problem is that buying a new big screen T.V. really isn’t an emergency. Few people have the willpower to say no to these temptations and because of that they find themselves in over their heads with excessive credit card debt.

Here are a few basic steps you need to take in order to re-take control of your finances and be completely debt free. You don’t have to stop once you’ve got your credit cards paid off either, you can continue until your car loans and ever your mortgage are completely paid off. Think of it, how great would it feel to not have any debt at all?

Just follow these steps:

1) Before you can be debt free you need an accurate picture of your current situation. No matter how overwhelming it may seem you need to make a list of every debt you have. Include interest rates, balances, etc. You also need to add any household expenses such as groceries, utilities, phone, etc.

The idea is to know exactly what your monthly expenditures are. Once you have all this listed you will need to make a detailed monthly budget. You can’t leave anything out, make sure you include at least minimum payments to all of your debts along with all of your normal household bills.

2) Pick out one debt, usually the smallest one. Now instead of just paying the minimum payment on this debt you will pay extra every month. How much extra? As much as you can. You already have a complete budget developed where you are making payments to every debt you owe, now you just have to take whatever is left over and apply it to this one debt.

Just making the minimum payments won’t get you out of debt since these are only interest payments and you’re not touching the principle If you can add even a small amount to the principle every month you can dramatically decrease your debt.

3) Once that first debt is paid off completely take the extra money you were paying on that debt and apply it to the next smallest debt you have. Remember you are still making minimum payments on all of your other debt.

If you follow this method you will find yourself debt free. It won’t happen overnight and how long it takes will depend on how much of the principle you pay down each month, how much total debt you have, and how disciplined you are. But this method has worked for thousands and it can work for you too.

This is the best debt reduction planner because you aren’t just ‘rearranging’ your debt like you are with debt consolidation loans or other types of loans, you are actually paying it off completely.

Vitamin D and calcium work hand in hand to keep your bones strong and healthy. Calcium as you know comes from dairy products like milk and cheese and also eggs. Vitamin D is usually gotten from exposure to the sun.

It is much easier to get your vitamin D in this method, but that was before we knew that the suns rays could be harmful. In lieu of baking in the sun and becoming a candidate for skin cancer, you can gain the vitamin D you need from foods. If youve got the calcium end taken care of, dont worry about spending too much time in the sun.

When it comes to snacking, less is more as long as it is nutrient dense. These foods stay on longer, keeping hunger at bay. Here are a few snacks that are rich in vitamin D.

1. Milk contains vitamin D. Isnt this great? You can get both your calcium and vitamin D in the same place. Drinking fortified milk also provides a healthy dose of vitamin A.

2. Salmon is good for you. Snacking on salmon may consist of eating it just like tuna fish. Mix a bit with light or fat-free mayonnaise and spread on a cracker for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. Cold water fish are also high in omega-3 fatty acids which strengthen immunity and protect your heart. Other fish may also contain vitamin D. If you dont like salmon, try tuna steaks.

3. Cereal is fortified with vitamin D. if you dont want to go into sugar shock, choose the cereals that contain whole grains and other nutrients. A cereal with vitamin D added is what is known as a functional food. Eat a small bowl with some milk for your mid-morning break so you wont get hungry before lunch.

4. Eggs are good for your vitamin D needs. At one time they were saying that eggs had too much cholesterol and were not good for you. But, eggs contain vitamin D which you need to help build strong bones. Avoid the extra calories from frying an egg by eating them hard-boiled.

5. Any snack food fortified with vitamin D is good to eat. You may have to look long and hard for these. There are some yogurts that may have vitamin D added, especially if they are made with whole milk. Check the labels to be sure.

Are you getting enough vitamin D? If not, then your body may also be getting robbed of bone protection from sufficient calcium levels. Use your snacks as a way to get the vitamin D that you need from food.

A money market account is similar to regular savings accounts. You deposit money in the bank and you earn a certain interest rate on that money for as long as it’s there. You can withdraw it but you might lose some interest and/or have to pay some fees. It’s not quite as easy to get to as a standard checking account, but it is still liquid.

Having said that, there are some significant differences between a money market account and a ‘regular’ savings account. For one thing most money market accounts will require you to make a significant deposit in order to open the account. It can be as high as $1,000- $2,500. This will ensure you earn a higher interest rate, but for some people this amount is out of the question.

Another difference is the ease of access to your money. Many regular savings accounts will offer you virtually unlimited access to your money, with a money market account you are generally limited to only a few withdrawals per month. Usually between 3 -6 . The good news is that many money market accounts will allow you to write up to 3 checks per month on your account.

Whether you open a money market account with a bank or a credit union they are still protected by either FDIC (for banks) or NCUA (for credit unions).

Before you open your account make sure to carefully go over all the details of your account, such as:

1) How is your interest calculated?

2) How much interest will you earn?

3) What is the minimum balance requirements?

4) How much will you pay to withdraw your money?

5) Are you limited to a certain number of withdrawals each month?

Don’t let this troubled economy sink your financial ship. Use this as an opportunity to get your finances in order; open a money market savings account so the next time the economy capsizes you will have a nice little life boat.

Lunch is a pivotal meal during the day. It relieves the hunger from the mornings activities and also sets you up to have the energy to make it through the afternoon until dinnertime. In some countries, lunch is the biggest meal of the day for this reason.

One of the most important minerals when talking about bones is calcium. The best source of calcium is from the food we eat. There are supplements but they do not all provide the same source of calcium that food does. And, they are not to be taken unless a doctor recommends them and gives a daily dosage.

Most people dont take advantage of the calcium sources available. You may drink a glass of milk at breakfast or eat a bowl of cereal, but you can still get more.

That is where lunch can be so helpful. Here is another chance to get the calcium you need for your bones. How? Read on for three great ideas:

1. Add cheese to your meal. If you are eating a sandwich, include a slice of cheese that contains milk. It is fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Slap a slice on a turkey or ham sandwich. Melt it on top of tuna for a hot sandwich at lunchtime. If you are having a salad, you can also add cheese. Crumble up a tablespoon or two or sharp cheddar, Colby or Monterrey Jack cheese to add calcium to the meal.

2. Drink more milk. In school cafeterias, they serve milk. For kids who arent keen on plain milk, there is also low-fat chocolate and strawberry milk. An ice-cold glass or carton of milk will provide one of three servings of dairy for the day and quench your thirst in the process. Soda provides hundreds of calories and you still feel thirsty because of all the sugar.

3. Eat pizza. Its okay every once in a while. For kids, the key here is the calcium-rich cheese. To lower the fat content, avoid pizza with toppings (unless they are vegetables) and just enjoy the cheese. You can also make your own mini pizzas using whole wheat bagels or English muffins.

What is in your lunch box? If its not a dairy product you could be missing out on easy ways to capture your daily dose of calcium. This mineral is instrumental in keeping your bones healthy and strong for life.