Calorie Restriction and Extended Lifespan?

Previous studies with worms and forced periodic fasting life expectancy increased several generations (the equivalent of a human living to 150 years old or more).

Read this is summary of recent research with rhesus monkeys. Split into 2 groups, the calorie restriction (CR) monkeys died 3 times faster than the non-CR group:

"A 20-year study on rhesus monkeys suggests that substantially reducing caloric intake slows the aging process and leads to longer life spans in primates.

Previous studies with yeast, worms, flies, and rodents have suggested that this kind of caloric restriction – a reduction of about 30 percent, and very different from malnutrition – can lead to such health benefits in some mammals, but given the many parallels between rhesus monkeys and humans, this study suggests that these benefits might occur in humans as well.

Ricki Colman and colleagues began their study at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center in 1989 by assigning adult rhesus monkeys, each between age 7 and 14, to either a caloric restriction group or a control group.

Once the monkeys were assigned to a group, the researchers determined their baseline food intake and began reducing the diets of those monkeys in the caloric restriction, or CR, group by 10% for 3 months until they reached the desired 30% restriction.

At the end of the study, 37% of the control group had died of age-related causes while only 13% of the CR group had. This finding means that the control monkeys experienced a death rate from age-related conditions such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and brain atrophy three times that of the CR group.

Any monkey that died over the course of the study underwent a complete necropsy by a board-certified pathologist, so that age-related deaths could be distinguished from other unrelated conditions. These results indicate that caloric restriction in adulthood can delay the onset of age-associated pathologies in this species of rhesus monkeys"

Note that life span increase is based on subjects of normal weight. Life expectancy increases when obesity is conquered on a weight control diet, including Kimkins. Increased average life span or health benefits from water fasting, occur with subjects of normal weight.

Why Pick Kimkins for Weight Loss?

A new post this morning from the Kimkins forums:

"I know some of you have seen this posted in another forum, so bear with me!!!! After I wrote it I thought, "If I had seen this when I first joined Kimkins, I may never have left in the first place!"

WHY KIMKINS????????

The best thing about Kimkins, for me, is that it's ALWAYS there. It's just a one-time fee...and you're in it for good!!!

I, too, thought that I would find something better out there. First, I signed-up for Kimkins thinking that I would try because it worked so well for my manager. Then, I cheated....a lot! I blamed the cheats on the diet...because it was so restricting. Then I spent a ton of money on....you guessed it, 4 other diets!!!!! They all had their high points...but the low points out-weighed the high ones! Check it out!!!!

-Nutrisystem $300 a month with prepackaged food (that tastes as good as my socks)

-Weight Watchers $30 a month with uncomfortable meetings. (if you weigh in...if you haven't lost that week, you feel too guilty to go)

-Cabbage Soup Diet $50...(this pays for all the groceries for a two-week supply of soup plus the new pair of panties you're gonna
need to buy after your first two days)...need I say more?

-Diet Pills/Slim-Fast Plan $100 for a month's worth of non-food bars and shakes and jitters, oh my!

-Kimkins $60...for a lifetime?....PRICELESS!

After all of the above???? I was SOOOOOOOOOOO grateful that I had my Kimkins membership. And you know what? if you actually do it, it works. How easy is that?

Only you can make the judgement call: Do you try Kimkins now? or....Do you spend hundreds, if not thousands, of $$$ finding out what DOESN'T work?

I'll see you on the forums!"

... Kimkins member, katie

See Kimkins success story photos here!
Kimkins plans & sample menus here!
Join Kimkins today here!

Kimkins Success Story: Nurse Jen Loses 50 Lbs!

KIMKINS SUCCESS STORY: JEN!

Age: 35
Start Weight: 240 lbs
Current Weight: 190 lbs
Goal Weight: 135 lbs
Total Loss: 50 lbs (45 to go!)
Occupation: Critical Care RN

Hi, my name is Jennifer. I’m a 35-year old nurse from Charleston, West Virginia, and this is my story.

I can remember being on a diet the first time when I was in grade school. My late mother was constantly on some sort of fad diet throughout the years -- a Cabbage Soup Diet, a popcorn diet once, Physician’s Weight Loss Centers -- and more often than not, Weight Watchers.

When I started going through puberty at age 9, hormonal changes brought on weight gain. I made my first trip to a Weight Watchers meeting -- complete with my little ‘weight tracking’ book and miles and miles of food exchange lists. I was excited at first, it was a little like discovering a new challenge and unchartered territory -- but I lost interest very soon, and lots of activity melted the weight off anyway over the next 4 years.

My freshman year in high school, I became obsessed with my weight. I ate nothing but salads and a little meat here and there, and I would do Kathy Smith workout videos every day as soon as I got home from school, then step on the scale to see if I’d lost any weight. At 5’5”, I weighed in at 125 pounds and thought I was still huge.

Then, my boyfriend got sent over to Iraq the next year during Desert Storm and my battle with emotional eating emerged to the forefront. I had long comforted myself with starchy foods -- macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, etcetera during my childhood. By the time he came back to the States, I was devouring family size pizzas in one setting and I clearly remember waiting for my food to settle mid-stride, then going right back at it. The particular emotion wasn’t important -- happy, sad, frustrated, distraught. I turned to food to deal with my problems.

Over the next 15 years I made the diet rounds to end all diet rounds. I tried almost everything. I was getting ready to have gastric bypass surgery in 2002 when I discovered the Atkins diet. Suddenly, the weight started melting off. I lost over 30 pounds eating pork rinds, cheese, deli meats, chicken wings and countless other foods that make me cringe to think of them now. I also discovered low-carb beer, and started working their carbs into my daily intake. Not surprisingly, the weight came crashing right back.

In 2008, I journeyed to California with my best friend on a 4th of July trip. I had ballooned up to over 240 pounds. I could barely fit in the airplane seat. I was down to one pair of jeans that fit, and they were skin-tight, because I absolutely refused to buy anything over a size 20.

I had found the Kimkins Diet 2 years before on a low-carb thread and purchased my membership. I think I started and stopped 4 or 5 times right after I discovered the WOE [way of eating], then filed it under “too hard” in my mind because it [Kimkins] wouldn’t let me have my beer, my cheese, and it discouraged cheating.

While I was in San Diego, my mind kept drifting back to the plan -- and a little voice told me firmly, “Just try it when you get back.” Always afraid of my emotional eating habits sabotaging me, I began making small changes when I got back home. I wasn’t ready for the plan in its entirety, because losing weight would mean change for me, and change (I knew from experience) brought all those old fears to the surface -- and required the comfort of binge eating for compensation.

I read through [forum] posts, prayed, posted, and finally started the plan in earnest late November of 2008. I think at one point I read every post in the ‘newbie’ section, and finally, the light turned on: low carb, low fat, moderate calories = success ...*lasting* success. To this day I have lost over 50 pounds on the [Kimkins] plan. I have made countless friends on the forums, and am currently involved in several challenges. Kimkins works -- and it is continuing to work for me, as I have around 55 pounds left until goal.

I have battled my emotional eating disorder throughout my weight loss thus far, and I am winning -- as a matter of fact I am in the home stretch. In my current challenge, the members have been working through many emotional issues we face from day to day. We’ve uncovered different strategies to help us overcome our saboteurs -- and we’ve made wonderful friendships during the process.

My success at Kimkins has been twofold -- the plan has given me the tools I need to reshape my body and chip away at my damaged metabolism. My hypertension is gone. I have tons of energy and I have discovered a new healthy respect for my body -- it’s an engine, and I own the key as well as operate the controls.

Conversely, I have discovered a new ‘family’ of sorts on the site forums -- and more than once their support has pulled me away from consistently beating myself down -- and taught me ways to build myself up.

I am so grateful for the Kimkins plan. Had I not put it into action, I probably would have been well on my way to weight loss surgery by this time -- and possibly very ill. Kimkins has given me free reign to undo years worth of metabolic damage and the opportunity to reach my goal of 125 pounds again. I can’t imagine ever looking back at 240 again -- and I never will. See Jen's photos here.

Tracy’s size 0 *** Beth’s triglycerides 1367 to 107
Karen lost 82 lbs *** Jan down 180 lbs
Cindy lost 48 lbs *** Derek lost 125 lbs
Deb lost 144 lbs *** Jennifer lost 95 lbs

JOIN KIMKINS

Diet Questions: Potassium, Protein, Sugar Alcohols

HOT DIET QUESTIONS!

Which foods have the most potassium? Surprised? You probably thought it was the banana. Nope, it comes it dead last against low carb Kimkins foods. See more Kimkins friendly high potassium foods here.

a) 1 zucchini (980 mg) **
b) 5 oz tuna (742 mg)
c) 5 oz beef (546 mg)
d) 1 banana (361 mg) surprise!

Which has more protein: steak or chicken? Ounce for ounce chicken is higher in protein because beef is higher in fat:

a) 5 oz chicken breast (cal: 229 pro: 43 grams) **
b) 5 oz porterhouse steak (cal: 275 pro: 38 gram)
c) 5 oz tilapia (cal: 181 pro: 37 grams)
d) 5 oz burger patty, 90% lean (cal: 376 pro: 36 grams)

Do sugar alcohols count as real carbs? Yes. Sugar alcoholics including sorbitol, maltitol and xybitol are eventually processed in the liver as carbs. They’re marketed as more slowly processed than traditional sweeteners. You’ll notice “net carb” nutrition labels on all sugar alcohol products. However some type 2 diabetics report blood sugar spikes soon after eating “net” carb candy or energy bars. In fact, if you check candy products manufactured for diabetics the package clearly states “not for weight loss”.

If you want to lose weight quickly, avoid sugar alcohols. If you’ve decided to eat SAs anyway, count the carbs at full value in your daily carb tracking. That 25 carb “low carb” energy bar really is 25 carbs -- not the “3” net carbs shown on the label (and 200+ calories).

How many calories will I burn for 60 minutes of horseback riding? A 200 lb person will burn 364 calories during 60 minutes of “active” horseback riding (trotting, posting, cantering, jumping). Or 636 calories for 60 minutes of singles tennis. Really blast calories with a martial arts workout for 909 calories! Check dancing, walking, swimming, bowling and more at the Kimkins Exercise Calculator.

Party Stuffed Mushrooms

A perfect first course Kimkins appetizer, Super Bowl munchie or classic cocktail party hors d'oeuvre. These savory tidbits are always popular!

Ingredients (makes 16 appetizers)

• 16 button mushrooms, stems removed & chopped fine
• 8 large black olives, minced fine
  
• 2 tablespoons red bell pepper, minced fine
• 2 oz lean sandwich ham, minced fine
• 2 oz turkey salami, minced fine
• 2 tablespoon dry grated parmesan cheese
• 1 oz shredded skim mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon nonfat plain yogurt or chicken broth
  
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder and black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.

Wipe mushrooms with damp paper towel. Remove stems and chop fine. Spray mushroom caps with cooking spray or Misto oil sprayer on all sides. Mix all ingredients and mushroom stems well and mound into the mushroom caps.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until done and cheese is melted. Serve hot!

Nutrition Info:

• Calories: 25
• Protein: 3 grams
• Carbs: 1 grams
• Fat: 1 grams

Kimkins Essay Contest Winners!

We've got winners! Everyone who entered is a winner in my book. Reading through the entries was an emotional experience. Some of the entrants I "know" and a few are lurkers who quietly went about their weight loss never posting a peep (oops, sorry Beth!)

Here are our winners:

1st Place: heatherb
2nd Place: beth
3rd Place (tie): donetta & vixladyfox

Some entries were sent by regular mail and those are being scanned. I'll post the winning entries with photos today. Awesome job ladies! Thanks so much to everyone who entered and we'll be having another contest for Fall 2009 (ideas anyone?)

1st Place: heatherb

I would love to say Kimkins is an awesome diet but I can’t. The word diet brings up horrific self depriving images and implies only a short term in which you can’t wait to go back to the way you were, trust me, I know!

I’ve tried so many diets that I truly lost count. You name it, I tried it. I wanted to be able to pop a pill and eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and never understood why it didn’t work for me. Truth is, THERE IS NO MAGIC PILL. There, I said it! It took me years for that simple little statement to sink in; simple words, but they say alot when your looking for the weight loss answer.

I’ll never forget the day I was standing in line and saw the Woman’s World magazine displaying a lady who lost so much weight so quickly. I grabbed the magazine and immediately thumbed to the article to find her secret and was amazed at how simple and easy it sounded. “I can do this,” I thought and bought the magazine without hesitation. I couldn’t wait to get home to finish reading, so I sat in my parked car and read the whole article … twice!

When I checked the Kimkins site I became so excited about all the information and success stories that I had no choice but to become a member. The more I read, the more I was sure that this was for me, but doubt once again reared its ugly head and I began questioning myself; that’s exactly what overweight people do. Believe me when I say low self esteem and low self confidence was an everyday occurrence in my life.

Although I was a member and checked the site every day, I never joined a group, convinced I could do it on my own, but somehow that always got put off till another day … there was ALWAYS a birthday or holiday or some special occasion where I just couldn’t diet at the time but promised myself “tomorrow or next week” for sure.

Then one morning I got up, looked at myself in the mirror and decided enough was enough! There would be no more excuses for me, no more putting things off for tomorrow. So I immediately went back to the Kimkins site with a new mind that was set and determined to succeed no matter what. I joined a group and found an awesome group of ladies that have meant the world to me! We stuck together month after month, encouraging, motivating and calling each other out when the time came and it has made all the difference! Knowing that you have to report in and be there for someone else everyday, sharing your struggles and your victories is simply inspiring.

When I cheated I felt more horrible about disappointing my friends than I did to myself, but they were always there to help dust me off after I fell off the wagon and were always, ALWAYS there to cheer me on when I lost, even if it was only a half a pound … off is off!

I have lost a total of 92.5 pounds in a 7 month time and I’m not done yet. I started Kimkins weighing 252.5 with a goal weight of 150 and I now weigh 160 and have reset my goal to 140 simply because I know I can and will make it! I went from a size 20/22 to a size 8!

I remember walking into the kitchen to tell my husband how excited I was, how serious and determined I was to make this work and since he’d already heard me say this a thousand times before. I got the skeptical “of course you are dear” look that we all know and hate. But guess what … the first week alone I lost 13 pounds and in one month's time I had lost 23 pounds!!! To say that I made him eat that look and those words are an understatement!

I am now smaller than when we got married (then a size 14) and now on June 11th we will have our 15th wedding anniversary and I cant think of a better gift for myself than to be able to look and feel the way I finally want to!

It’s amazing how fast the weight seems to melt off; one week you're in a size 18, and the next your clothes are loose and baggy and then your having to reach for a smaller size! There is no greater feeling than when you go shopping and realize you can no longer shop in the plus section because they’re ALL too big!!! It’s an absolutely, positively, overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and you feel ready to break out in a little happy dance right there in the isle … oh wait, I think I actually did!!!

That’s why I can’t call Kimkins a diet because it’s not … it’s a life change! It teaches you how to eat and what to eat so that you look and feel your very best. It completely changes the way you see food.

I feel great and my body feels like it’s running cleaner, smoother and I feel so powerful, like there isn’t anything I can’t do! I have more energy, self confidence and will power than I have had in my entire life!

Kimkins has helped me learn to love myself again and gave me the ability to see the me on the outside match the me on the inside. It has taught me a new self awareness of my strengths. I know that my life will be forever changed because of Kimkins. I am now a much happier and healthier person and there is no way I can ever thank Kimkins enough for helping me change my life around. I feel like a totally new person and I know that none of this would have ever happened without Kimkins!

Kimkins is a way of life … PERIOD!

2nd Place: beth

For several years, I used to lie in bed (after a late-night snack, of course) and wish and pray and imagine that somehow, some way I could lose a lot of weight and look and feel great again. You know, show up at a party not having to be the funny one or be the one who will sing at karaoke (although that is really, really cool). I wished I could walk into a room not being self-conscious of my weight and appearance and have people go, “Wow! Who is that?”

Summer 2007. 5’5” and 228 pounds. Grumpy, grouchy, frumpy and dumpy. I was 38 years old with 3 young boys (7, 5 and 3) and married to a handsome, fit-looking stud. For at least 5 years I had high-cholesterol and high-triglycerides and I had been taking medication. I had blood-sugar “spikes” when I would overeat (you know … wanting to nap and drool 20 minutes after a meal). I was gestational diabetic for my middle pregnancy. My mother was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in early 2007 (I was doomed!) My BMI (Body Mass Index) was 38- defined as OBESE.

I was becoming increasingly anti-social (not wanting to hang-out with old friends and not wanting to make new ones, not going to work-functions with my husband, lying to friends about wanting to stay home). My self-esteem and confidence were at an all-time low. I was depressed and did not really know it!

On top of all that, I had let myself go in regards to my appearance (I didn’t wear jewelry or make-up anymore, wore a bandana over my hair most of the time, and baggy jeans and t-shirts were a majority of my wardrobe). I just did not care.

September 2007. I am not sure what exactly happened, but found myself sitting at my computer desk with my head down and crying. I was frustrated and tired of being out-of-shape, unhealthy, fat and unattractive. I Googled low-fat/low-carb diets and Kimkins was one of the hits. I clicked on it, read some success stories, got my Visa Card out and signed up.

My weight-loss party had started! I had never dieted before, but found Kimkins to be simple and straight-forward. Other than my husband, no one knew that I was dieting. Therefore, the Kimkins website was (and still is) a very important part of my success! I read everything I could! The personal journals, the before and after pictures and the success stories kept me motivated and inspired. The ability to post questions and read other folks’ input was very valuable and I strongly encourage anyone who does Kimkins to utilize the website! I still go to the website daily!

In the first 40 days I lost 38 pounds. My cholesterol and triglycerides dropped to normal levels within the first 12 weeks and the doctor took me off of meds! By April 2008 I had lost 88 pounds on Kimkins and had dropped from a size 20 pant size to a size 4! Today, May 2009, I find myself 95 pounds lighter, much more toned-up and wearing Junior Pant sizes of 3 or 5! (In case you did not know, the major difference between Junior and Misses pants is curves in the hip and rear area ... unfortunately, I have never had a shapely behind, but nonetheless enjoy wearing Junior sizes!)

My doctor said that the October 2008 results are terrific and reflect a stabilization of my diet and I should just keep on doing what I am doing! While my overall cholesterol is up, my HDLs are above average and outweigh the overall increase in cholesterol.

There is far too much to list what has changed for me, but here are a few:

• a new wardrobe
  
• I can run and jump with my boys
  
• I can cross my legs without getting out of breath
  
• I have made a couple of new friends
• my boys can get their arms around me to hug me
  
• I want to go out in public again
  
• I got a (No Peep) tattoo on my new-found hipbone to commemorate 90 pounds gone (dang … I still love those marshmallow creatures)
  
• I ran in a 5K run last July
  
• I volunteer at school
  
• my husband and I went backpacking for the first time in 11 years
  
• I have my own business with a great, new friend
  
• I am off of medication
  
• I have normal cholesterol levels
  
• normal triglyceride levels
  
• normal blood-sugar levels
  
• a BMI of 22.1 (normal!)
  
• I can wear high-heels again without my bunions killing me
  
• I am an assistant coach for soccer
  
• I like to go clothes shopping again
  
• I laugh more; I smile more
  
• I am not grouchy (well, not as much anyways)
  
• I have been called “petite” or “cute”, even “tiny” (what the …?)
  
• I have run into people I have known for years that did not recognize me ... at all (that is way, way fun)
  
• and the list goes on and on ... it is truly fun to be me these days!
  

I recently went to an event where I had to dress rather nicely and did not know a whole lot of people. For the first time in a long time, when we walked into the room I did not feel obligated to be the funny one or the one to sing “I Will Survive” at karaoke. And, (I say this sheepishly), for the record, several people did comment on how great I looked . A wish came true. I have never, ever thought of myself as a beautiful-to-look at kind of gal, but, guess what? For the first time in my life, I feel like I am! Kimkins has truly changed my life. Thank you.

3rd Place (tie): donetta

Actually I do not like Kimkins ... I love Kimkins! This is the one and only diet that has turned my life around. My name is Donetta Workman. With the help of Kimkins I have lost 115 pounds. I am a 53 year old mother/wife/secretary. I have tried numerous diets in my 53 years, and have had little success. I have had a weight problem since I was a child. My entire life has consisted of diet after diet. For years now I had given up on dieting. I had quit caring about myself and the weight kept piling on.

It all began in February of February 2008. I was at my "wits end". I was so large that I could barely walk, due to my bd knees. I was depressed over my weight and was tired all the time. I felt that I didn't enjoy life becasue I was embarrassed to be in public or around people. This may sound silly, but I heard a song on the radio called "Wasted" by Carrie Underwood. It talked about wasting your life. I cried because I felt like I was waiting my life not be able to do the things that I wanted to do because of my weight. I have watched my daughter grow up and have not enjoyed lots of things with her because of my weight.

I know that it was up to me to make a change. No one could do it for me. I began to pay that God would help me. I am a devout Christian and I know that God would help me if I helped myself.

My mother bought a copy of a woman's magazine [Woman's World] and she told me to read the article about Kimkins. I read it and it was like God spoke to me and said that I could do it. I began on the program but I also promised God that I would not eat sweets or carb related snacks, crackers, breads for one year. I believe that you not make a vow and break it. I know myself, I have to make promises because I am an addict when sweets are concerned.

The weight loss has been gradual and actually quite easy. In a year I have lost 115 pounds. I still have quite a lot of weight to lose but I am thankful for my new outlook on life. I feel that God used the Kimkins diet, along with my faith in him to help me. I know if I can do it, anyone can do it! Sometimes at your lowest point is when you find strength.

I went from size 28/30 to an 18/20 in one year. I have so much more energy and I actually feel good about myself. People says that they don't recognize me. I have had people pass me by because they did not know me. My 16 year old daughter says "I'm hot".

I want to encourage anyone that has tried and failed not to give up. With Kimkins, and a change of mind, you can do it. It all comes from the inside. You have to really want to change, take one day at a time, and work towards a goal.

I won't lie and say that I have not messed up. I have had days that I wasn't quite happy with myself and I felt that I ate too much. You have to get back up and try a little harder. Don't expect a miracle in a few days. The change gradually comes. While you are losing, try to think on things that make you happy, like friends, family and every day blessings.

I would love to be able to help others and encourage them to keep pressing on toward their goal. Never give up.

3rd Place (tie): vixladyfox

I started my journey with Kimkins in August of 2008…..that was the beginning of a wonderful new life for me!

I am 33 years old 5’’ tall (ok ok 4’11’’ don’t judge me! Haha!), last year I tipped the scales at 207 pounds!! 200+ pounds on a 5 foot; I mean 4’11’’ frame is nothing pretty! I was truly in denial about how heavy I was. My life has been blessed with a loving partner and a little girl who just couldn’t be any sweeter ... why worry about my weight?

Well one day I was cleaning up the house, listening to my little girl play in her room. My daughter runs into the kitchen asking for a snack. I asked her if she wanted something that was a bit of a treat and she hurried towards me with a smile on her face and threw her arms around me! She said “Mommy you are the best Mommy in the world!” At that moment she said “Hey I can’t touch my fingers together.” WHAT? Honestly my brain didn’t compute what she had just said. She squeezed me as hard as she could and with a strained voice said it AGAIN!!! I told her to stop as I got her snack together and hurried her on her way. She walked out of my kitchen and I burst into tears! I tried to cry quietly into a dishtowel. I leaned over the sink howling like a banshee trying to get a handle on my emotions but I couldn’t stop!! I was doing that trying to catch your breath breathing thing that you do when you start crying really hard. I looked up and saw my reflection in the window!! I stopped crying ... I stood staring at myself looking at my double chin and my rosy red cheeks. I was looking at a person that I didn’t recognize. I guess I must have been standing there for a while because before I knew it my beloved and daughter were standing behind me. “Did you hear me?” my love asked. I said NO and told them I had to go to the bathroom and off I ran!!

That day was one of my lowest days in my life and today right now in this moment as I type this … is one of the BEST days! Today thanks to Kimkins I am 153 pounds and losing!!! I found Kimkins and read the success stories and thought to myself “IF THEY CAN DO IT I CAN TOO”!! Now 7 months later I am 54 pounds lighter and have a whole new outlook on food!! I have tried every diet out there and Kimkins is the only thing that has worked for me. It not only worked it has taught me how to eat sensibly to sustain my loss and live a healthy life. I am no longer “Living to eat” I am now “Eating to LIVE”.

The encouragement and support I have found here with Kimkins saved my life!! The friendships I have made are relationships that I will keep close to my heart for years to come. I went back and forth fighting with myself about staying on plan. My personal journal helped me though that. Posting my feelings and thoughts opened me up to the Kimkins community. They embraced me all 200 + pounds of me with out judgment. I also went into the chat room and was welcomed with open arms! I found a community of people all striving for the same goals. The information, encouragement, and acceptance I found with Kimkins changed my life for the better ... I will never go back to being that girl who was crying in the kitchen ever AGAIN!!

Soon after I found Kimkins something wonderful happened ... my love PROPOSED!! We are getting married October 11th 2009. I am working towards the ultimate “after” picture. The one where I stand confident, happy and beautiful next to the man of my dreams in my wedding dress!!! I post “before and after” pictures often in my journal too keep myself focused ... looking ahead is the only way to go!

Thank you, Kimmer, for helping me through all the “cheats”, and questions. Thank you for giving me back the chance to run and play with my daughter and the ability to feel sexy in my own skin. Thank you for helping me realize how strong I am and opening up a whole new world to my family and I ... and making me understand that I can NEVER FAIL IF I DON’T STOP TRYING!!!

Peace~Love~Light
Vix

For more info on Kimkins see our FAQs & Sample Menus

For free low fat low carb recipes click here and sign up today!

Ready to join Kimkins and be a "loser"? Click here and start today!

Salad Bar Causing a Weight Loss Stall?

The other day I saw a woman (early 30s) with a newborn & toddler. She was with a group of friends and chatting about trying to lose the baby weight. Her weight loss idea was to get a "loaded salad" because it‘s low in calories.

Take a look at what she added. Might you make the same choices?

4 cups mixed salad greens -- cal: 38 carb: 7
3 cucumber slices -- cal: 4 carb: 1
2 bell pepper rings -- cal: 4 carb: 1
3 raw onion rings -- cal: 7 carb: 2
3 cherry tomatoes -- cal: 9 carb: 2
2 boiled egg "quarters" -- cal: 39 carb: 0
2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese -- cal: 49 carb: 1
4 tbsp ranch dressing -- cal: 290 carb: 4 (2 ladles)

Salad: calories: 440 carb: 18 grams protein: 11 grams fat: 38 grams

Might you guess your “low carb” salad at 4-5 carbs -- not the actual 18? Would you probably also guess your “diet” salad at about 200 calories -- not the actual 440? Her husband also made a salad and added more items (man, it was a huge salad!)

For a visual reminder 1/4 cup is half of a tiny jello cup:

1/4 cup cottage cheese -- calories: 54 carb: 1
1/4 cup kidney beans -- calories: 54 carb: 10
1/4 cup potato salad -- calories: 65 carb: 9
1/4 cup shredded beets -- calories: 15 carb: 4
3 broccoli florets -- calories: 11 carbs: 2
1 tablespoon bacon bits -- calories: 33 carbs: 2
6 croutons -- calories: 7 carb: 1

What if they each added 6-piece chicken wings as a “light“ snack:

Wings + Ranch Dressing (typical 2 oz plastic container)
calories: 731 carb: 4 grams protein: 37 grams fat: 31 grams

Salad + Wings + Dressing
calories: 1171 carb: 22 grams protein: 48 grams fat: 69 grams

Salad + Extras + Wings
calories: 1408 carb: 51 grams protein: 72 grams fat: 77 grams

Don’t fall into the Salad Bar Danger Zone! Be smart about dressing calories and plan ahead. Bring packets of your own low calorie low carb brand (Walden Farms 0 calorie honey mustard) or ask the restaurant to offer a type that fits your Kimkins weight loss diet guidelines.

Know what you're choosing or you're setting up for an unintentioned weight loss stall.

Kimkins Member Loses 19 Lbs in 1 Month!

Another Kimkins Success in Progress Testimonial!
"Laminix" lost 19 lbs in less than 1 month

Hi!

I posted this over at the newbie thread for encouragement for them, but I also wanted to share my success here.

I restarted for the umpteenth time on May 8, but this time was different, I can't explain why, I could just feel it. I was at my all time high of 165.4, and I am only 4'11".

After following Kimkins almost to the letter, I am down 19# in less that one month. I feel better than I have in years, and plan to keep going all the way to goal.

This is a great board, and the stories are phenomenal! Thanks for "listening"!

Laminix 4' 11"
Start Weight: 165
Goal Weight: 100

Kimkins members can chat with Laminix in the Kimkins Success in Progress forum!

Beth & Robert Lose 184 Lbs With Kimkins!

Take a look at 2 of Kimkins most popular success stories!

Beth: Triglycerides 1367 to 107!

"September 3, 2007 is when I decided to start my new diet -- Kimkins. I'm currently 39 years old with a great husband and 3 young boys (ages 8, 6 and 4). My family health history (diabetes, high cholesterol and high triglycerides) led me to research lo-carb/lo-fat changes of diet -- which led me to choose Kimkins ... Read More

Robert: Melts an amazing 93 lbs!

Robert’s weight loss success is nothing short of spectacular! How did he do it? Read this excerpt from his Kimkins journal:

"I am more happy today than I have been in YEARS!!! I am blessed with the knowledge I gained on what and how to eat. I gained the knowledge of what kinds of vitamins to take to compensate for foods that I don't eat or like. I research the internet constantly looking for things to make me more ... Read More

Creamy Sour Cream Enchiladas!

Yummy comfort food with a Tex Mex twist! Perfect to serve for a cozy Kimkins family dinner! You can't beat 156 calories & 5 carbs per serving! Low fat, low carb and low calorie make this yummy dish a winner on any weight loss plan. Save yourself time and make a double batch & freeze one for later on! Get the Recipe

*** ARE YOU READY TO BE A "LOSER"? ***

JOIN KIMKINS TODAY

(CLICK ABOVE FOR PAYPAL OR GOOGLE CHECKOUT)

Personal Smoothie Maker Wii Fit
Boil Eggs on the Counter Lisa Rinna Dance DVD

$4 Microwave Omelet Maker Jack La Lanne Juicer
Biggest Loser Cardio Max

Join by Check/Money Order:
Kimkins, 575 Calhoun St, Corona, CA 92879

Questions: webmaster@kimkins.com

Happy Mother's Day! Candy Trivia

Happy Mother's Day!

In honor of the Kimkins moms (and moms everywhere), here's 2 candy secrets I'll bet you didn't know:

At Russel Stover Candies in Kansas City, MO, maraschino cherries are coated with a fondant mixture made of sugar, water and Convertit, an enzyme that makes sugar molecules break down. When the fondant hardens, the cherry is dipped in chocolate. But over the next 6-8 hours, the Convertiti makesthe sugar crystals disintegrate and become liquid again.

Mars makes more than 100,000,000,000 M&Ms every day, but no outsiders are allowed to watch the process. The rocess is similar to offset printing. Just imagine the individual M&Ms coming down in many lanes and running through the offset printing roll. Of course it's a very gentle imprint. The printing roll normally contains only Ms, but on certain holidays it is filled with bunnies, chicks and trees. The challenge is to print it at high speed, but to get 99% accuracy when no one is proofreading it.

Kimkins May Success Story -- Link Update

Read Jennifer's Success Story

The Kimkins May 2009 newsletter just emailed out. A few readers have notified us that the link to Jennifer's success story doesn't work for them (but it's working for the majority). We know how popular the Kimkins success stories are and we apologize for the inconvenience!

Please go here to read Jennifer's story and see see photos chronicling her 53 pound weight loss! We've notified our vendor to resolve the problem.


We've notified the vendor and they're working on it.

Salad Bar - Diet Friend or Foe?

I've written in the Kimkins forum previously about 2 sisters at a salad bar restaurant who loaded up their plates so high I figured it must be their dinner. Except they went back 3 times and then their pizza arrived.

The other day I saw a woman (early 30's) with a newborn & toddler. She was with a group of friends and mentioned she was trying to lose baby weight so she was going to get a "loaded salad". (You read a lot of low carb menus with "loaded salads").

Take a look at what she added. Might you make the same choices? Might you also have figured your salad came to less to 5 carbs instead of the actual 18? Would you probably guess the salad at 200 calories (and not the actual nearly 450?)

This is how she decked out her salad:

• 4 cups mixed greens cal: 38 carb: 7
• 3 cucumber slices cal: 4 carb: 1
• 2 bell pepper rings cal: 4 carb: 1
• 3 raw onion rings cal: 7 carb: 2
• 3 cherry tomatoes cal: 9 carb: 2
• 2 boiled egg "quarters" cal: 39 cal: 0
• 2 tbsp cheddar cheese cal: 49 carb: 1
• 4 tbsp ranch dressing cal: 290 carb: 4 (2 ladles)
  

Salad

• calories: 440
• carb: 18 grams
• protein: 11 grams
• fat: 38 grams
  

Her husband also made a salad and added more items (it was a HUGE salad!)
(For a visual reminder 1/4 cup is half of a tiny jello cup)

• 1/4 cup cottage cheese calories: 54 carb: 1
• 1/4 cup kidney beans calories: 54 carb: 10
• 1/4 cup potato salad calories: 65 carb: 9
• 1/4 cup shredded beets calories: 15 carb: 4
• 3 broccoli florets calories: 11 carbs: 2
• 1 tablespoon bacon bits calories: 33 carbs: 2
• 6 croutons calories: 7 carb: 1

Extras
calories: 237
carb: 29

Salad + Extras calories: 677 carb: 47 grams

• protein: 35 grams
• fat: 46 grams

Imagine making a salad like the woman (or man) above. Since you figured you made a "healthy" salad you might go ahead and get an order of chicken wings since they're 0 carb:

1 order wings (6) calories: 441 carb: 0
1 order ranch dressing calories: 290 carb: 4 (typical 2 oz container)

Wings & Dressing

• calories: 731
• carb: 4 grams
• protein: 37 grams
• fat: 31 grams
  

Wings + 2 Dressing (wow!)

• calories: 1021
  

Salad + Wings

• calories: 1171
• carb: 22 grams
• protein: 48 grams
• fat: 69 grams
  

Salad + Extras + Wings The calories racked up for this guy's "light"lunch:

• calories: 1408
• carb: 51 grams
• protein: 72 grams
• fat: 77 grams
  

Get 10 Reasons to Join Kimkins -- Click Here
or
Join Kimkins Now -- Click Here

Win $300! Kimkins Essay Contest 2009

Kimkins Essay Contest
Win $300! $150! $75!

We're celebrating our 3rd Anniversary with the 2009 Kimkins Essay Contest! The Kimkins diet principles began in 1997. Over the past 12 years many Kimkins diet participants have shared heart warming stories of what losing weight has meant to them. New self esteem, a new social life, improving health conditions or discovering self-confidence are indeed the benefits they reap.

Now is your chance to share how Kimkins has helped improve your quality of life. Tell your personal story and express yourself! The deadline is short to encourage natural and spontaneous writing. Don't over think it. You don’t need to have reached goal weight. Just speak from the heart and have fun!

Not sure what to write about? What diets did you try before Kimkins? How did your life change after (or during) weight loss? Has the Kimkins website helped in your diet journey? Have you experienced health improvements or need less medications? Do you find reading the personal journals, seeing weight loss photos and getting support from Kimkins friends or challenge groups inspiring? Do you feel more confident about career opportunities?

Here's your chance -- tell us!

• TOPIC: Why I Like Kimkins
  
• PRIZES: $50-300
• ENTRY FEE: None
• DEADLINE: May 15, 2009
• WORD COUNT: Minimum: 250 Maximum: 1,000
• WINNERS ANNOUNCED: June 15, 2009

GUIDELINES

• Open to current and former Kimkins members and their families if they also followed the Kimkins diet.
• Entries will be judged on originality, sincerity and how well your message is conveyed.
• Essays may be typed, emailed or handwritten.
• Before/after photos may be included to demonstrate your message.
• Entries will be blind judged. Personal identifying information will be removed before forwarding to the Selection Committee.
• Entries must include first name, last name, Kimkins user name, email address and home address. Please write or type the information on your essay.
• Winners will be announced on June 15, 2009. Certified checks will be mailed to the winners by June 30, 2009.
• Winning essays may be published at Kimkins.com and personal information removed.
• Kimkins staff members, vendors and consultants are ineligible to enter or judge entries. The decision of the Selection Committee is final.
• Submit entries by email to webmaster@kimkins.com or mail at Kimkins, 575 Calhoun St., Corona, CA 92879.
• Entries and photos must be received by email or postmarked by May 15, 2009 12:00 a.m. Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.
  

PRIZES

• 1st Place: $300 cash & free Kimkins gift membership
• 2nd Place: $150 cash & free Kimkins gift membership
• 3rd Place: $50 cash & free Kimkins gift membership
• 5 Honorable Mention: Kimkins gift basket & Kimkins gift membership
  

Questions? Send an email to webmaster@kimkins.com

Faux Kimkins Garlic Mashed "Potatoes", Tex Mex Fritters & More!

Delicious Cauliflower -- Who Knew?

Try these low fat Kimkins friendly comfort foods courtesy of the underrated star of the vegetable world -- cauliflower!

Cauliflower is cruciferous (a cancer fighting pal) along with its distant cousins broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts. Overcooking these nutrient dense morsels not only alters vitamins and minerals, but entirely changes their taste -- not to mention the horrid kitchen odors!

You're sure to find high fat variations of these, but we've adapted these favorites with calories in mind. Even in low carb dieting, calories do count!

Cauli Souffle (serves 4)

2 cups cauliflower
2 eggs, beaten
1 tbsp chives, minced
1/2 tsp each garlic powder, white pepper & salt

Preheat oven to 375. Mash cauliflower. Mix all ingredients until well blended. Divide into 8 ramekins coated with nonstick spray. Place filled ramekins in baking pan, add 1" boiling water. Bake for 30-45 minutes until puffed. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Info: (per serving)

• Calories: 48
• Protein: 4 gm
• Carb: 3 gm
• Fat: 3 gm
  

Parmesan Crisps

Preheat oven to 400 F. Using a tablespoon, placed rounded mounds of shredded (not powdered) parmesan cheese on nonstick baking liner. Bake 2-3 minutes until beginning to brown (check often!) Remove from oven & let cool briefly before serving.

Nutrition Info: (each)

• Calories: 21
  
• Protein: 2 gm
• Carb: 0 gm
• Fat: 1 gm
  

Faux Garlic Mashed "Potatoes" (serves 4)

2 cups cauliflower
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
2 tbsp plain yogurt
1 tbsp green onion
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix together hot mashed cauliflower & butter until well blended, then add other ingredients. Blend well, check for seasonings and serve!

Nutrition Info: (per serving)

• Calories: 59
  
• Protein: 3 gm
• Carb: 4 gm
• Fat: 4 gm
  

Tex Mex Cauli Fritters (serves 4)

2 cups cauliflower
1 egg white, beaten
1/2 cup onion, finely minced
1 tbsp green onion, minced
1 tsp jalapeno pepper, minced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt & pepper

Mash cauliflower. Mix all ingredients & form into 8 patties. Cook in a nonstick pan treated with cooking spray until golden brown on each side. Serve hot & enjoy!

Nutrition Info: (per patty)

• Calories: 27
  
• Protein: 2 gm
• Carb: 5 gm
• Fat: 0 gm
  

Link Between Hypoglycemia & Dementia (Alzheimers)

A recent study of interest to Kimkins members published in JAMA points to a strong connection between hypoglycemia and dementia (Alzheimers) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente and University of California at San Francisco conducted the study with 16,667 participants between 1980 and 2007. The median age was 65.

Participants with no prior history of dementia or general memory complaints as of January 2003 were followed for 4 years. Compared with patients who had no hypoglycemia the researchers found that patients who experienced hypoglycemic episodes increased their risk of dementia for each episode.

Read the study summary here. A strong reminder that careful blood sugar control is important to avoid complications down the road. Hypoglycemia is often caused by excessive insulin doses in diabetics.

Need Potassium? Forget Bananas & OJ!

Kimkins Friendly High Potassium Dinner

Often during initial weight loss a temporary potassium depletion occurs. Why are doctors are so quick to suggest high carb options like bananas or orange juice? Diabetes and obesity are rampant, yet the best doctors can manage for potassium supplementation is ... fruit?

As I've posted before it's rather amazing that doctors don't take a single nutrition class in medical school. Not one! Not in premed either. Check any major medical school 4 year curriculum -- no nutritional training is required.

For anyone following a low carb plan it wouldn't help anyway. Nutritionists and dietitians are trained to the carb heavy USDA food pyramid.

This is why we get the parroted "1200 calories a day" and "8 glasses of water" mantra. They don't know that it's true, but that's what we've always heard and that's what they will repeat to you. It's a little like girls on a school playground repeating the wrong information. When questioned what's their answer? "Well, that's what I heard."

Moral of the story: Don't be afraid to question your doctor. And feel free to pick low carb high potassium foods that pack much more nutrition than high carb bananas or orange juice!

Potassium in fruits & vegetables (highest to lowest)

Summer squash, 1 large (zucchini/courgettes)
Calories 102
Carbs 22 gm
Potassium 980 mg

Spinach cooked, 1 cup
Calories 44
Carbs 7 gm
Potassium 881 mg

Tuna, cooked 5 oz
Calories 216
Carbs 0 gm
Potassium 742 mg

Mushrooms, cooked, 1 cup
Calories 43
Carbs 8 gm
Potassium 552 mg

Beef, 5 oz cooked
Calories 301
Carbs 0 gm
Potassium 546 mg

Broccoli, cooked 1 cup chopped
Calories 64
Carbs 13 gm
Potassium 536 mg

Orange juice, 8 oz
Calories 113
Carbs 27 gm
Potassium 481 mg

Collard greens, 1 cup cooked
Calories 61
Carbs 12 gm
Potassium 424 mg

Banana, 1 small
Calories 91
Carbs 23 gm
Potassium 361 mg

Chicken breast, 5 oz cooked
Calories 213
Carbs 0 gm
Potassium 330mg

Lettuce, romaine, 2 cups shredded
Calories 16
Carbs 3 gm
Potassium 325 mg

Bell peppers, 1 large
Calories 32
Carbs 11 gm
Potassium 287 mg

How's a potassium rich low carb peppers, onion, mushroom, spinach & feta Kimkins omelette sound?

Kimkins Espresso Protein Pudding

One serving of Kimkins Protein Pudding has more protein than an egg! This luscious pudding is perfect as a protein packed refreshing snack-on-the-go or Kimkins dessert! Make up several batches and pipe it for a fancy finish if desired.

Ingredients (6 4-oz servings)

• 12 oz water
• 3 oz light cream
• 1 small eggs
• 1 packet unflavored unsweetened gelatin
• 1 scoop VPX 0 carb chocolate protein powder
• 4 packets sugar substitute
• 1 teaspoons espresso powder or instant coffee
• 1 teaspoon chocolate extract (optional, but gives deeper flavor)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  

Heat 1/2 cup of the water to boiling and pour into a heatproof medium mixing bowl. Add gelatin and espresso powder. Stir well and let sit 5 minutes for gelatin to dissolve completely.

In a different bowl whisk the eggs together the rest of the water, cream, sugar substitute, protein powder, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Pour into 6 4-ounce ramekins treated with cooking spray or use silicone custard cups and you won't need the spray.

Place ramekins in a large flat skillet and fill with hot water to 1/2” from the tops of the ramekins. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover tightly and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the cups from the skillet. Place small pieces of plastic wrap over the pudding surface of each ramekin to prevent skin from forming. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight until well chilled. Garnish with a dab of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Nutrition Info (per serving)
Calories: 81
Protein: 9 grams
Carbs: 1 gram
Fat: 4 grams

Laura Lost 35 Lbs in 6 Weeks With Kimkins!

KIMKINS SUCCESS STORY

Age: 25
Height: 5' 6"
Start Weight: 198
Final Weight: 146
Total Loss: 52 pounds

How Long: 35 lbs in 6 weeks (+15 more!)
Size: size 16 to size 8

My story starts back in November 2007. I went to a family reunion and saw my Aunt who I hadn't seen in a year and she had lost about 50 pounds! I was amazed by how good she looked and asked her what the secret was and she told me all about Kimkins.

I wanted to lose weight so bad and had tried every diet since the birth of my daughter 4 years earlier. I tried Weight Watchers, I tried watching my calories, I tried the starvation diet, I tried no sugar & whole grains -- pretty much every thing you could think of. I spent hundreds of dollars on diet pills and tons of hours killing myself in the gym. Nothing worked.

I felt so discouraged like a failure. I hated being overweight, I felt like people just saw me as a 'fat girl' and not as the kind, loving mother that I was. It felt horrible. I never wanted people to see me eat because I felt like they were judging me and thinking, "She shouldn't be eating that."

I decided that starting on Monday, December 30th 2007 I would start Kimkins. I knew in my head it would work. I thought if it worked for my Aunt it would work for me. After Christmas I went on the Kimkins website and read everything from the diet plans to the grocery lists. That Monday morning was the first day of my diet and I weighed in at 198 pounds. The first week was hard. I did feel hungry without my usual high carb foods and a little sluggish, but I knew it was the transition to ketosis.

That week I spent a lot of time in the Kimkins Chat Room, asking question to all the Kimkins veterans. The following Monday I weighed myself and I weighed 187. I lost 11 pounds in one week! I was so happy! I knew I could stick with this diet. The weighed just kept falling off. By the middle of February (6 weeks after I started) I had lost 35 pounds. I stayed on Kimkins for six more months and lost a total of 50 pounds. I went from a size 16 to a size 8!

Now it's a year later and I am maintaining my weight. I follow the Kimkins diet Monday through Friday and usually take the weekends off from dieting. I feel wonderful. I feel so healthy and in control. This is the first time in my life I feel like I have the secret to weight loss and the power to control my weight. I get tons of compliments and it feels great!

I wish I could tell everyone about this program and how it really works. Just remember don't cheat and really stick to the diet. When I first started Kimkins I had a goal in my head to just make it 2 weeks without cheating and see where my weight was. Of course once I saw I had lost almost 20 pounds I knew I had to keep it up. This diet is so easy to do even when you're cooking for a family. My family's favorite meal is grilled chicken, grilled yellow neck squash and for the 'carb eaters' rice or potatoes. I always keep Crystal Light around the house and work. It kills the urge to cheat plus taste really good!

Coming from an overweight single mother I promise you -- you can do this! Just stick with the diet, don't cheat and get support from the Kimkins website. I'm here if anyone needs to talk out a craving!

or email webmaster@kimkins.com

Kimkins 2 Payment Option is Back!

You asked for it & we did it!
The Kimkins 2 payment option is back!
Go to Kimkins and click JOIN NOW!

Not sure? Sign up for 10 Reasons to Join

Kimkins Chicken Chile Rellenos Casserole

Yummy comfort food with a Tex Mex twist! Make 2 & freeze 1 for later! The perfect dish to serve for a cozy Kimkins family dinner! Low fat, low carb and low calories make this casserole a winner for any weight loss plan.

Ingredients (12 servings)

• 12 oz cooked skinless chicken breasts, diced small
• 3 7-oz cans roasted whole green chiles
  
• 3 cups Southwest flavor Eggbeaters (or 12 eggs)
• 3/4 cup green chile salsa (tomatillo)
• 12 oz queso fresco or mozzarella cheese
• 6 oz shredded low fat sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 oz light cream
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 1 teaspoon each ground cumin, garlic powder & paprika
• 1 teaspoon each salt & pepper to taste
  

Preheat to 375. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or money saving Misto Oil Sprayer. Mix spices together in a small bowl. Shred the chicken or dice into 1/2" cubes. Drain the chiles and rinse with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. Stuff each chili with 1 oz each of chicken and mozzarella or queso fresco cheese and 1 tablespoon of green chile salsa. Lay the stuffed chiles in the pan and sprinkle with the spice mixture.

Whisk the eggs, cream, sour cream, salt and pepper together. Pour over the top of the chiles. Place in the oven and bake uncovered for 35 minutes or until puffy and golden. For the last 5 minutes sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese and olives. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes to firm up. Cut into squares and serve with salsa and a fresh green salad.

Nutritional Info (per serving using queso fresco cheese)

• Calories: 156
• Carbs: 5 grams
  
• Protein: 17 grams
  
• Fat: 7 grams

Kimkins on Facebook & Myspace!

Click below and be our Kimkins friend!

Kimkins Vegas 2009

Kimkins Vegas 2009

Register now and help plan the get together!

Click above and go to the Kimkins Cafe forum and share your ideas about airfare bargains, best hotels, what to do and what's the best bet for brunch?

Kimkins Bankruptcy Update

Our Chapter 13 (business reorganization) bankruptcy petition was dismissed this week.

The Trustee announced at our bankruptcy hearing several weeks ago that she would move for dismissal due to assets not being fully insured. Attorneys Tim Peabody and John Tiedt were present.

According to federal bankruptcy law a new petition cannot be filed for 180 days after a dismissal.

Kimkins Root Beer Float Protein Smoothie

For hectic mornings on the go or a refreshing lunch shake after a workout make a quick protein meal in a glass! Perfect for special evening treat if you're doing the Kimkins Shake It Down diet option. Easy as 1-2-3!

Ingredients (makes 1)

• 1 scoop double vanilla low carb protein powder
• 8 oz diet root beer soda or water
• 1 oz light cream
• 1 teaspoon root beer extract
• 1 packet artificial sweetener
• 6-8 ice cubes or 2 cups crushed ice

In a personal smoothie maker or blender add all ingredients and blend on HIGH until desired consistency. Enjoy a quick high protein breakfast!

Nutrition Info

• Calories: 142
• Protein: 18 grams
• Carbs: 3 grams
• Fat: 6 grams

What Weighs More: Muscle or Fat?

Kimkins Fitness Tip

What weighs more: 5 lbs of muscle or fat?

OK, so that's a trick question. 5 lbs of anything weighs 5 lbs. But 5 lbs of muscle is much smaller than 5 lbs of fat. So a 5'5" woman who weighs 140 lbs and does muscle building workouts may look thinner than a 5'5" woman who weighs 125 lbs and doesn't workout.

7 Day Mini Kimkins Boot Camp Tomorrow!

A mini 7 Day Kimkins Boot Camp is starting tomorrow so sign up & get results!

Barb T Lost 72 Lbs in 22 Weeks With Kimkins!

KIMKINS SUCCESS STORY
Meet Barb T

"Diet pills didn't work -- Kimkins did!"

• Age: 50
• Height: 5' 3"
  
• Start Weight: 207 pounds
• Current Weight: 135 pounds
• Total Loss: 72 pounds
• How Long: 22 weeks
  

Hi everyone! My name is Barb and I have been a dieter for most of my life.

I started dieting in my early teens when I wasn't even fat. But I thought I was. With that kind of unreal self image, I was lucky I didn't end up slipping into bigger problems like bulimia or anorexia. It did, however, set me up for years of unhealthy eating and a love hate relationship with food.

Just for the heck of it I made a list of all the diets I have tried since those early years. The list came to 22 different diets. I'm sure there are more that I don't remember. Of course, none of them worked and some of them were downright dangerous. I even went the diet pill route with Meridia. After I ended up in the Cardiac ICU I found out that it was banned in Europe for causing heart failure. I was lucky again that my dieting efforts hadn't done any lasting damage to my health. But my weight was doing damage.

By then I was 48 and starting menopause. I was 207 lbs and feeling tired and fat. I was withdrawn and moody. I didn't really care about my appearance. The only clothes I had were the ones that were big enough to cover me in the right places. Style or color didn't matter. I was on medicine for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was also having gallbladder attacks and consulting a doctor on future surgery.

Then, like many people, I saw the June 2007 issue of Women's World while I was in line at the grocery store. I bought it and read it as soon as I got home. I went to Kimkins.com and looked around. It sounded sensible and I liked the idea of connecting with people who have been on the diet before me and could help me with support and tips on how it worked for them.

And now I am one of those people! It has certainly worked for me.

In less than 6 months I lost 72 lbs and gained a whole new energy that I haven't had since I was in my 20's. I went from size 18 clothes to a whole closet full of size 10's. And the improvement is not just in my appearance. My health is so much better! I didn't need surgery and I no longer have to take any medicine.

My husband is very proud of me and my oldest son said I was his inspiration to follow the plan and lose 60 lbs.

This website [Kimkins] has everything I needed to be successful. A Way of Eating (WOE) that really works, the recipes and most importantly the support of lots of wonderful people who knew just what I was going through. When I got involved in challenges and forums I found the motivation I needed to keep me going. And I still need them to help me maintain my success. I have no doubt that I will be able to maintain my weight loss for the rest of my life because I have all the support, knowledge and tools I need right here.

I recently turned 50 and am looking forward to many years of good health and fun. Thank you Kimmer, for keeping this site going and making it bigger and better than ever. You have helped, and will help so many people get their lives back!

... Barb T, RN, OB Nurse for 30 years

Alli Pills! Treadmill with LCD TV! Wu-Yi Tea!

From Kimkins By Special Request!

Kimkins Egg Muffins

Make up a batch of delicious low carb muffins and you'll always have a quick breakfast snack to grab on the go! These freeze and reheat beautifully! Warm for 15 second in microwave.

Ingredients (makes 12)

• 12 medium eggs (or 4 eggs & 8 egg whites for less fat)
• 1 cup shredded lowfat cheddar cheese (don't pack it down)
• 1 green onion
• 1 cup bell pepper, zucchini or mushrooms
• 4 oz Canadian bacon, lean ham or cooked turkey sausage
• 1 tsp each salt & pepper
  

Preheat oven to 350 F. Use a 12 cup silicone muffin pan for best results. If using regular muffin pan, put two paper liners into each slot, then spray liner with nonstick spray. Chop veggies very fine. Beat eggs, cheese and spices together in a large mixing bowl with a whisk. Pour into muffin pan until 2/3 full. Mix meat & veggies together and add by small spoonfuls on top of each muffin and gently push down into the egg mixture. Bake 15-20 minutes until muffins have risen and are slightly browned and set.

Nutritional Info (per muffin with Canadian bacon & mushrooms)

• Calories: 92
• Carbs: 1 gram
• Protein: 10 grams
• Fat: 5 grams

How To Determine Body Frame Size

DETERMINE BODY FRAME SIZE
How do I tell if my frame is Small, Medium or Large?

A quick tip for our Kimkins friends. Here's an estimate you can do right now to tell if you're small, medium or large frame. Wrap your thumb & middle finger around your opposite wrist at the smallest point.

• If your middle finger & thumb overlap, you have a SMALL frame
• If your middle finger & thumb meet, you have a MEDIUM frame
• If your middle finger & thumb don't meet, you have a LARGE frame

Want something more concrete? Grab a tape measure and use the following chart to determine whether you're small, medium, or large boned.

Women – Wrist Circumference:

Under 5'2"
small = wrist <>
medium = wrist 5.5” to 5.75"
large = wrist size > 5.75"

5'2" to 5'5"
small = wrist <>
medium = wrist 6" to 6.25"
large = wrist > 6.25"

Over 5'5"
small = wrist <>
medium = wrist 6.25" to 6.5"
large = wrist > 6.5"

Men – Wrist Circumference:

small = wrist 5.5" to 6.5"
medium = wrist 6.5" to 7.5"
large = wrist > 7.5"