Take a curious ex-NASA scientist and a forward-thinking pop culture author, and the result may be a revolutionary (and perhaps a bit uncomfortable) weight loss method.

Using the laws of thermodynamics, Ray Cronise has hypothesised that strategic exposure to cold will accelerate weight loss. He credits this method for his 30lbs weight loss in 6 weeks.

Says Cronise;

Our body temperature remains constant and it takes a lot of energy to keep it that way, no different than heating your house... I treated my body like a thermostat... to see if I could run up the utility bill and get the furnace (my metabolism) running at full blast. Source

Ice Blue. By Matt Reinbold

A seed of curiosity was planted in Cronise upon hearing of Michael Phelp's prolific caloric intake. It dawned on him that it was the cold water forcing Phelps to fight to keep its temperature.

Using swimming and something called thermal loading, where the body is exposed to cold in various ways, Cronise applied some old military research and found that he could lose up to four pounds a week. Techniques include ice baths and chugging ice water.

Therein lies a paradigm shift - while traditionally we think of heating the body up to induce a metabolic boost - Cronise suggests focusing on cooling it down.

The theory will come to fruition in the form of a book by "The 4-Day Work Week" author Tim Ferris, where Cronise is a case-study and contributor. Among Ferris' extensive research, he discovered a technique that uses temperature manipulation to improve fat loss by 300 percent.

Bring on the Skepticism

Dr. David Katz, founder of the Integrative Medicine Center and professor at Yale University, had this to say about the concept;

Being cold is uncomfortable. Frankly, if people are willing to be that miserable to lose weight they might as well try eating well and exercising.

A valid point and one of the best quotes I've heard in a long time. And while the old military research offers some reason to be optimistic, most of it focused on keeping weight on soldiers and not weight loss, per se. I haven't seen a clinical trial with a control group to support the anecdotal experiences of Cronise.

Moreover, I live in Canada - I'm cold here 8 months of the year. The last thing I want to do after coming home from a cold rainy day is soak in a cold tub, or crush glasses of ice water.

So while the theory makes complete sense, I still recommend guarded optimism - sounds like a potentially moderately helpful adjunct strategy, to the standard eating better/less and exercising more. At best I would say this strategy is evolutionary, rather than revolutionary.

Would you try this out as a fat loss method?

Reproduced from Dietblog

I guess we shouldn't be too surprised, but the ageless (except for her hands) superstar has announced the opening of her new line of fitness centers - "Hard Candy Fitness"(Seriously?! - better than Sweet and Sticky I suppose?)

It makes sense that someone who keep as fit as Madonna would have an interest in a fitness venture. At 52, Madonna is FIT - and has always taken her health very seriously.

The new chain will open its first location in Mexico City on November 29th, and there are plans to expand to Brazil, Argentina, Russia and other locations in Europe and Asia.

So besides the fact that it's "Madonna's gym", what does "Hard Candy Fitness"(cringes again) have to offer?

The venture is a partnership with the 24 Hour Fitness people, which means we will likely see a cookie-cutter gym with Madonna's name and a few higher-end frills. (Trying not to be harsh, but the very same thing happened in my city with a high profile Canadian hoops star).

The 30,000-square-foot club will have a children's book center, a fashion line, a spa called La Isla Bonita, and a day care center (Like a Virgin).

Back up a second...

...I'll get over "Hard Candy Fitness" eventually, but I can't even begin to explain how wrong it is to call your daycare center "Like a Virgin". What's next? A children's clothing line called "Material Girl"? Oh wait...

The gym will also include a fruit bar center, a bike studio, cardio equipment with individual viewing screens and various types of dance fitness programs in the form of Zumba, Latin Moves and Cardio Kickboxing. These types of classes are popular at the moment and I suspect they will stay on top of the hottest group exercise trends.

How much will this set you back? "Not as much as you might think" - according to the managing director (source). I guess that's code for, "yup, it's going to be overpriced but not as ridiculously exorbitant as you might have expected".

I should be thankful Madonna doesn't train with Tracy Anderson anymore and isn't going into business with her. I can just imagine touring that gym; "This is the weight room... here are the 1 lb dumbbells, the 2lb dumbbells and over there are the heavy one's - the 3 pounders - careful with those ones!"

The gym will be equipped with some of the more well-known cardio and strength training brands such as; Hammer Strength, PreCor, Nautilus, Hoist, StarTrac, Free Motion, AbCoaster, and TRX suspension training. I'm more interested in how many squat racks, benches and free weights they have, but they are appealing to the higher-end masses presumably - those who like the bells and whistles.

Things I would hope NOT to see in Madonna's Gym

• A woman's only sections called "No "Guy's"
• The fruit bar featuring "Vanilla Ice" smoothies.
• The snack bar selling a terrible version of American Pie
• Trainers that have fathered Madonna's children.
• TV's featuring any of Madonna's movies.

In all seriousness, it will probably be a neat experience and have some "flare", which most clubs don't have. I prefer the bare-bones iron-heavy set-ups, with lots of floor space, but I'm usually in the minority there.

With Madonna's international appeal, it could be a recipe for runaway success. As Mark Mastrov, Madonna's business partner in the venture says; "Madonna's touch will be everywhere".... I'll leave that one alone!

Would you workout at a "Hard Candy" center?

Reproduced from Dietblog

Portia de Rossie. By Pulicciano

Portia de Rossi discussed her eating disorder on Oprah yesterday, admitting that she once restricted herself to as little as 300 calories per day. The interview comes in hand with the release of de Rossi's new book about her struggles with anorexia and bulimia, Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain.

"It wasn't that I was proud of it, but it was certainly a recognition of my self-control," the actress told Oprah. "I definitely had some amazing will-power to get down to 82 pounds."

De Rossi said she felt her eating disorder was necessary to maintain a thin look for the good of her career. "It really, really killed me." She even got to the point where she didn't feel ashamed of her eating disorder. De Rossi said that finding unconditional love with her partner Ellen DeGeneres, and helped her find the self-acceptance to return to a healthy lifestyle. "Love really does heal you."

Reproduced from Dietsinreview

Hilary Duff recently sat down with Health to talk about how she maintains a healthy body despite her super-busy life. She even talks about her once too-thin looks. "I got pretty skinny when I was between 17 and 19," Duff said. "I don't know what exactly made me get on that kick, but at the time I was starting to become aware of what people said about me and how I looked in pictures. I literally ate nothing but steamed vegetables and broiled or grilled chicken, with nothing else." This low-calorie but unbalanced diet made her feel tired and drained.

Today, she does a lot more snacking, but tries to keep it healthy. "I have been eating a lot of vegetables and hummus and fruit - stuff I never really liked before. If I am hungry before bed, I will grab a handful of blueberries. Greek yogurt is one of my favorite things in the whole world." She even lets herself indulge in fatty cheeses. "I would probably eat any kind you put in front of me! And I like healthy things with a high fat content, like dark chocolate and avocado."

Hilary followed the 5-Factor Fitness program as a Pre-Wedding workout and also does Pilates. "I was kind of burned out afterward, so I relaxed a bit," the actress said of the intense circuit-training. She likes to work out with her sister, to make exercising less monotonous. Hilary says exercising has improved her self-confidence. "I really do feel like working out has helped because you're working hard for something. You feel stronger and a little more powerful."

Reproduced from Dietsinreview

Twilight Actress

Kristen Stewart is on a strict diet in preparation for Breaking Dawn, the fourth movie in the Twilight saga. According to the L.A. Times, she's swapping veggie burgers for cheeseburgers, and also cutting out other greasy favorites. "I eat disgustingly normally," she told People. "So, right now, I'm trying to not put so much butter in my food and stuff like that."

"I want a cheeseburger so badly," said Stewart. "But I have to be a vampire in a few weeks." In the Twilight universe, vampires are known for their ethereal looks and willowy figures. Breaking Dawn director Bill Condon suggested that Stewart lose weight as part of her character's transformation from mortal to undead. Production begins in November.

At 5-foot-six and 110 pounds, the actress is far from fat, but she does feel she let herself get out of shape while filming On the Road this summer. Stewart says she indulged in a lot of unhealthy habits, including heavy smoking, staying up all night and eating greasy, unhealthy foods. "She embraced the habitual nature of the character," said One the Road director Jake Scott.

Reproduced from Dietsinreview

Victoria's Secret Model

Supermodel Adriana Lima starts preparing for the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show six weeks in advance. She works out for two hours a day, six days a week. Lima says she prefers boxing, jumping rope and isometric exercises that don't require equipment. "I don't lift weights, I don't like machines. Everything I do is with my body weight," she said. Lima keeps a positive attitude about working out. "Every day's a challenge, every day you're stepping out and learning something new. So it's wonderful, I like it a lot. It's very intense, but I like it." She feels that working out helps her body cleanse itself of toxins.

Lima also shifts her diet, cutting back on carbs and upping the protein for three weeks before the runway show. "I'm doing a combination of different protein shakes - it's called Metagenics," said the model. "Also, I only can eat green vegetables, everything grilled or steamed, or four ounces of any type of protein. And usually that's what I have for lunch and dinner, and every three hours in between I have a protein shake or cereal bar."

Lima's super-low-carb diet is monitored by a nutritionist. "I go there, and he checks my blood, my breathing, everything to make sure what's going to work for your body. For me, for example, if I eat chocolate or have dairy I will feel puffy."

Via Examiner.com.

Reproduced with permission from Dietsinreview

Why is it that human beings derive such pleasure from being scared? As is the case everywhere I've lived, my neighbors can't wait to put up their Halloween decor. It seems before I even realize that the holiday is coming up, there are make-shift ghosts and goblins on people's lawns. We love being spooked and making other people scared!

I'm sure there are very plausible psychological explanations, but every time I hear that three note theme from the classic '70s slasher flick, "Halloween," it gives me the creeps. Part of that stems from seeing glimpses of the film when I was 13, of course, but that's another story...

Skeleton

Just as we can derive pleasure from fear, so too can we feel satisfaction after a grueling workout. With Halloween just around the corner, I figured why not put together a collection of workout songs for the holiday?

This isn't meant to be a mix of the scariest songs. Some are novelty songs from the 50's and 60's. Nor is it meant to be "up to date." I'm sure there are plenty of spooky songs from more current acts that I either overlooked or don't care for.

This is just a collection of songs to get you in the Halloween mood. And you'll probably need to put in an extra long cardio session if you can't resist the leftovers in the candy bowl.

Gym Music Playlist of the Week: Halloween Workout Mix

Click to download!

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

Bobby "Boris" Pickett - Monster Mash

Warren Zevon - Werewolves Of London

Jumpin' Gene Simmons - Haunted House

Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead

Sheb Wooley - The Purple People Eater

Alice Cooper - Welcome To My Nightmare

Classics IV - Spooky

Feel free to leave your scary favorites in the comment section.

Reproduced with permission from Dietsinreview 

Reproduced with permission from Dietsinreview

We talk so much about the obesity epidemic, and the soaring rates of overweight children these days.

But, did you know that your parenting style impacts your child's relationship with food, both now and in the future?

It's not difficult to imagine this to be the case -- think about the sheer amount of feeding interactions you have with your children throughout the course of their lives.

My little girl is now 1-year-old, and sometimes I feel like all we ever do is prepare food, eat food, and clean up said food from the floor! According to Jill Castle, paediatric dietitian: 

Throughout an 18 year childhood, a parent will feed their child over 28,000 times.

That's an amazing statistic!

Feeding Styles

In her article, Jill goes on to discuss the four parenting styles. Here's a short overview:

#1 Authoritative 
This style promotes independent thinking and self-regulation in how much to eat, although the parent determines what is eaten, when and where, etc. It's thought that this style of feeding fosters the ability to self regulate intake, and to feel secure about food and eating. Children also tend to be leaner.

#2 Authoritarian 
Where the parent makes the decisions about what, and how much will be eaten. Think the "clean your plate club". It's thought that both underweight and overweight problems are associated with this style.

#3 Permissive 
This is the type of parent who tries to set limits, but ultimately gives in after some whining from the child. It's thought that this style of feeding may lead to children being overweight.

#4 Neglectful
This is where the parent is irregular in food planning and preparation, failing to stock cupboards, etc. It's thought that this style of feeding may lead children to feel insecure about food, and become overly focused on food.

No doubt this is an extremely sensitive issue. But, do you think it's now important that parents are provided with guidance on how, as well as what, to feed their children? Do you think your parental feeding style is affecting your child?

Image source: Lenscap

For further information see, "Child Feeding Behaviours and Child Weight".

Reproduced from Dietblog

It was recently reported in Parentdish.co.uk that a mother started her daughter on a Calorie restricted diet at the ripe old age of two.

She explained that she didn't want her daughter to grow up and look like her, weighing 238 pounds. This story is sure to create some controversy as it beckons the questions of how young is too young to diet and how much Calorie restriction should be considered child abuse.

Aly Gilardoni started her now 8 year old daughter on a Calorie restricted diet when she was just a toddler. She continues to only allow her daughter to have 700 Calories a day which is well below what is recommended for a growing 8 year old.

The daughter says she doesn't want to be a fat child and grow up to look like her mother. The mother still eats whatever she wants snacking on junk food after the daughter goes to bed. Gilardoni was even quoted saying,

"I feel some guilt about having treats, but Corleigh's not bothered. I'm glad I've trained her. I want her to grow up happy and do things I never did. When I look in the mirror I still see a huge, monstrous woman. Corleigh's not so under weight she's going to die next week. With an eating disorder you can get through it with therapy. But when you're fat, you're fat for life."

Even though the daughter appears to be healthy but slightly underweight, this story raises a lot of red flags.

Reproduced from Dietblog