Robert Ferguson, M.S., C.N., is a lecturer, author, nutritionist, celebrity trainer and weight loss expert. He has worked with elite professional boxers such as Fernando Vargas, Sergio Mora, Samuel Peter, Lucia Rijker, Stevie Forbes, and Maureen Shea. He created the Food Lovers Fat Loss System and guides his website DietFreeLife. Mr. Ferguson is also the author of Conquering The Munchie Monster.

Robert Ferguson--

Can you lose weight and improve your health simultaneously?

Most people aren’t thinking about their health when they begin losing weight. Case in point: High protein/low carbohydrate diets have many health risks; however, for many people weight loss is often more important.

With this said, let’s take a brief look at the two of most popular diets today: Atkins and South Beach. Without going into detail, consider this fact: Neither the late Dr. Atkins nor the author of The South Beach Diet is acknowledged for their physiques.

I am not a big fan of the “do as I say, not as I do” philosophy. Many of today’s diets and fads are encouraged by people who don’t even look the part. To the contrary however, one of my teachers and role modelsis America’s father of fitness and health, Jack LaLanne. At a youthful 93 years of age, Jack is still able to perform more pushups than most 20 year olds.

I know not everyone can be like Jack. However, there is a society of people who we can all learn from when it comes to being fit, lean and healthy. By taking a few minutes and learning more about the people who have the longest disability-free life expectancy in the world and the highest percentage of centenarians (people over 100 years old) anywhere - you will have a significant part of the blueprint to reducing your waistlineand improving your health! The people I am referring to are the Okinawans.

The site of one of World War II’s bloodiest battles is one of the Ryukyu Islands located south of Japan. As of 1976 the Japanese Ministry of Healthy has been studying older Okinawans in hopes of unlocking the secrets to their amazing good health. This study for which I am very familiar with, called the Okinawa Centenarian Study, has focused on the genetics, diets, exercise habits and psycho-spiritual beliefs and practices of over 600 centenarians to uncover clues to their incredible health and longevity.

What’s interesting about these Okinawa natives? They are all lean, energetic, youthful-looking people with very low rates of heart disease and cancer. Obesity is almost unheard of. They are truly amazing people – role models for all of us

So, the answer to the openingquestion is largely based on the concept that if you want to successfully reduce your waistlineand improve your health, find out what unhealthy people do and do the opposite. Or, as I share with you, consider what the Okinawans are doing and jump on board. By taking on their lifestyle, you can expect to wake up in a more fit, leaner and healthier body daily.

They eat at least seven servings of vegetables daily and the same number of grains – mostly whole grains, not processed. In addition, they eat two to four servings of fruit, plus tofu and other forms of soy, green tea, seaweed and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids (i.e., wild salmon, sardines). Sweet potatoes, bean sprouts, onions and green peppers make up a large part of their nutrition habits as well. In all, 72 percent of their daily intake of food by weight consists of vegetables, grains and fruit. Soy and seaweed provide another 14 percent. Meat, poultry and eggs account for only 3 percent. Fish is about 11 percent. They emphasize dark green vegetables rich in calcium.

Summary: If you want to successfully reduce your waistlineand improve your health simultaneously, simply look to someone who has done it already - the Okinawans. Doing so, you can expect to become more energetic, youthful looking, fit, firm and lower your likelihood of heart disease and cancer.

Chicken and Tofu

Update on Dec 8, 2008 by At Basil & Spice

Reuters!