Rule #5: Don't avoid milk and yogurt products

Eating plain yogurt is associated with weight loss for some mysterious reason. Researchers speculate that it is Calcium in milk products that helps with weight loss. Whatever reason, milk and yogurt are good for your health and weight loss. They have some carbs, but as I told you, there's absolutely no need to go super low on carbs, if you control your calories.

Here's a little known fact, most low-carb dieters don't know. Plain yogurt has 3 times less carbs than labelled! The reason is simple. Yogurt has billions of healthy bacteria called probiotics, which thrive on glucose. These probiotics eat up carbs in milk, and turn it into lactic acid. Now, when manufacturers measure carbs, they do so by method of "carbs by difference". They measure everything else(protein, fats, water..), and what's left is ASSUMED to be carbs. But what's left is carbs + lactic acid. To know real number of carbs in yogurt, divide number of carbs on label by 3. Do so only for PLAIN yogurt. Avoid all artificially processed and carb loaded yogurts. Eat plain yogurt!

Rule #6: A low-carb diet is a high-fat diet

By definition a low carb diet is a high-fat diet. Some people turn low-carb diet into low-carb and low-fat diet. What a mistake! First, if you eat a high-protein low-carb low-fat diet, you are going to get hungry. Second, eating less fat will slow down adaptation to fat burning and extend your misery. Third, your body needs fat and fat-soluble vitamins to digest proteins you eat. Without fat you are going to get sick, upset your stomach and become severely constipated.

Women should be very careful to eat enough fat. Many women don't like to eat meat or eat only very lean meat. They must find a way to get more fat in diet by ways of high-fat cheeses.

Fat should represent more than 50% of calories you eat.

Rule #7: Don't be fooled by quick initial weight loss

Most of weight that is lost during first two weeks on a restrictive diet is WATER. On a low-carb diet, you are going to lose even more water. The rate of weight loss is going to slow down after first two weeks. Be prepared, it is perfectly natural to happen. Don't expect miracles.

Let's sum it up. Count calories. Hunting for hidden carbs, and neglecting calories is a major reason for plateaus. Restrict carbs gradually. Eat more fat to control your appetite. Don't go super low on carbs. Go as low as you feel comfortable. As long as you control calories you are on your way to success.

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            No professional knows your body as well as you. That is why every person should develop a routine of watching for bumps and moles. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a full-body self-examination every three months. Here is their handy A-B-C-D (Assymetry, Borders, Color and Diameter) checklist to help you monitor all your marks and moles.

            You will need a full length mirror and a hand-held mirror in a room with very good lighting. Spot your marks and moles and become familiar with them. Watch for any changes using following checklist:

Assymetry        Both sides of mole have a uniform shape.

Border            The edges of a mole should be smooth and not blurred or ragged.

Color.              Tan, brown and dark brown are normal colors for moles. A very dark mole or one that has changed color is not normal. Red, white, blue and black are not normal colors for moles.

Diameter          Be suspicious of moles that are larger than ? of an inch in diameter or ones that are increasing in size.

            In short, watch your “spots” and listen to those sometimes annoying voices inside your head. An over active sixth sense has alerted many “would be” cancer victims to trouble which has ultimately prevented serious consequences. If you do spot something that looks suspicious, do not allow denial to stop you. Of course, and thankfully, not every lump and bump will be potentially malignant. But, if your doctor is alerted, he or she along with you, can begin to monitor any changes over time. Finally, make sure that you are confident in your doctor’s diagnostic capacity. You should not discount a professional who can not diagnose something upon first glance. But, you should rejoice if you find that you are in care of one who believes, “When in doubt, check it out!” and promptly sends you off to another professional for a second opinion.

            Today, cancer is a very real and very nasty part of our reality. It will affect you or someone close to you at some point in this life journey. It is vitally important to realize that every person can take steps to facilitate early diagnosis. While this will not always guarantee a cancer free life, it certainly is a great asset in fight against a very real killer.

Valerie Harker graduated from the University of Alberta with a BED. Melanoma is a skin disease that has run in Valerie’s family and has opened her eyes to the need for education and preventive treatment in skin care. For more information you can visit her site at: http://www.dna-repair-solutions.com