There are two basic body types–apple and pear. Apples, like me, accumulate fat in abdomen, back and arms. The pear accumulates fat in the thighs, butt, and legs. These two separate body types need different methods to cut the fat, so you need to do a quick assessment of which type you are before you move any further into this post.

Apples

Not THOSE apples…!!

People with apple shapes are sensitive to sugar spikes that can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. The fat that accumulates on and in the abdomen, visceral fat, literally wraps around the organs and can lead to a host of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, the list goes on. If you have this body type, chances are you need to cut the sugar and junk food. No simple carbohydrates like white rice and pasta for you! The this month’s fitness challenge, cut your sugar consumption to no more than 18 grams a day. Eat low carb foods that have a high fiber content so you will feel full longer. If you’re in a pinch and can’t prepare all your foods, pick up Atkins dinners in the frozen food section. They taste good and aren’t full of perservatives and other garbage. Wal*Mart sells them the cheapest at around $3.50 a dinner. If you have an insatiable sweet tooth like me, go to the diet section of Walmart and pick up the Atkins protein bars and Endulge line of goodies. They are delicious and are sweetened with sugar alcohols that don’t register in the body as real sugar. The sweeteners are also clinically proven safe, unlike Splenda and the other aspartame-y garbage. Finally, pick up a box or jar of Nectresse, which is a natural sweetener made by Splenda, but ISN’T Splenda. It’s made from monk fruit and is a safe and tasty sugar alternative.

If you get crazy cravings and like coffee, try Nuvia Trim Gourmet Weight Loss Coffee.

I met the creators of this brand at the Natural Products Expo and I’ve been using it ever since. Here’s why it’s special:

It contains

Green Coffee Bean , which helps to balance the blood sugar and boost metabolic rate to burn more fat. A powerful antioxidant as well, it is helpful in fighting the free radicals that can damage our cells.

Raspberry Ketone, known for its effectiveness in burning calories to help accelerate weight loss.

African Mango, a popular fruit in West Africa has been found to aid in weight loss and lower cholesterol levels. The seed extract from African Mango is also rich in calcium, iron and the B vitamins.

Green Tea Extract, which helps to suppress your appetite and contributes in burning calories to aid in weight loss.

Note: if you love your coffee with milk, switch to half and half. It has less sugar. You’re better off dumping milk altogether. Milk has quite a bit of sugar, plus it creates mucus throughout the body. Who needs that?!

Other items to fight your cravings for sweets:

Clemmy’s Ice Cream

Barlean’s Omega Swirl

A few squares of dark chocolate with almonds

Zevia carbonated drinks, sweetened with stevia

A Word About Crashing

When I first gave up sugar I was tired all the time. I could sleep all night, wake up, and then go back to sleep all dang day. I had to supplement with B Vitamins and rhodiola just to function while my body adjusted to not having access to such a cheap energy source. It took me about a week to detox and then I slowly added more carbohydrates from fruits and stuff, but ate them BEFORE a work out, so that I’d have the extra energy and the carbs wouldn’t go straight to my belly. If you are pretty sedentary, you need the least amount of sugar. But if you are incorporating low carb/low sugar along with an exercise program, you’ll need more fuel to fed your muscles or you will tire too quickly. Eat a handful of berries or drink a SMALL AMOUNT of fruit juice 30 minutes before working out so you won’t pass out.

Books to reference:

Beat Sugar Addiction Now!

The Belly Fat Cure

The Paleo Solution

Pears

You pears are easy–it’s not the sugar that gets you, it’s the fat. It’s not that I’m not sensitive to your issues, but the post is over 700 words and that’s usually when I start losing people so I’m going to stop. You pears can talk diet stuff amongst yourselves in the Comments.

By the way, have you signed up for our fitness challenge? Money is involved…

Note that this post isn’t a separate challenge, but I’m adding it to help many of you get more noticable results by the end of the month. Fitness, after all, starts in the kitchen. 😉