Plagued by years of unexplained ill health, Margaret Shontz changed the internal diet of her family, only to find new symptoms appearing soon after. Determined to discover the root cause of their recurrent problems, Shontz began researching possible household/environmental causes, and was overwhelmed by her findings. Improper electricity as well as other external stressors were indeed having a powerful ill affect on their bodies.

Now an author, speaker and consultant, Shontz is determined to inform the public about her story and independent research in her book “Is Your House Making You Overweight, Sick or Tired?” (ISBN 978-0972324373, Basic Truths Publishing). Shontz believes the major culprit in homes is improper electricity. “Most people trust that their electricity is wired correctly, but this is not necessarily the case,” she explains. Observations of her body, as well as a $14 voltage detector confirmed what she felt.

My fiancé thinks that I have gone off the rocker.

I was just explaining to him my theory on weight gain – slow eaters vs. fast eaters. And the little crazy experiment I had set out to prove my point.

Sometime in November, I had lunch with an old high school buddy of mine. Let’s call him Dave.

Now, Dave is probably the slowest eater you will ever find on the face of this planet. When we have dinner parties at a restaurant, there’s always that contemplation whether to invite Dave or not because if he was invited, dinner could pretty much last about 2 hours longer.

The problem with many weight loss supplement formulas sold today is that they include diuretics that reduce bloat and pounds through the elimination of water.

The weight you lose is only water weight. The loss is temporary and doesn’t include any fat. Diuretics can promote dangerous dehydration and cardiac problems. As soon as the body is rehydrated, the weight returns. Meaningful weight loss requires loss of body fat not water.

One sure way to tell that you are dealing with a weight loss product that is a diuretic is if it makes outrageous promises, such as “Lose Ten Pounds a Week” or “Lose Ten Pounds in Three Days.”

If you are like me, then you will probably know that using free weights and machines is the fastest and most efficient way there is to improve your metabolism and strength but for many reasons these may not be convenient or readily accessible to you.

You may also have no access to a commercial gym, home gym or are on business trip, but there can be a solution, a strength-training workout without the need of expensive machines.

As with any exercise, whether you are using your own body weight, machines or free weights, if the resistance doesn’t increase, your muscles won’t be worked to their maximum capacity and the stimulus these fibres need to grow will be missing.