Achieve Diet
Andy's Writings on Diet and Fitness
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[Simple](http://www.achievediet.com/simple/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Diet](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/), [Meal Timing](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/meal-timing/), [Planning](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/planning/), [Personal](http://www.achievediet.com/category/personal/), [Snacks](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/snacks/)
I love the acronym KIS.
Keep it simple
Its a beautiful string of words that fits every one of our lives, in so many different capacities. It can relate to work, to leisure, to relationships, to communication, and yes, even to your diet.
All you need to do is read a fitness or lifestyle or fashion magazine to be bombarded by useless information that the writers make seem very useful. It’s too bad that those articles are written for the masses, to sell magazines to the masses. I mean, if I had a title on my blog that reads “SEX” you’d be interested to read it too right? Probably regardless of the content.
I guess what I really want to relate KIS to is with regards to the flavor of the food you eat. Have you ever tasted a tomato so ripe from the garden that it tastes like it was actually kissed by the sun? How about a slice of full grain bread fresh from the oven so flavorful from the grains in it that you don’t need butter or jam to make it flavorful? Thats what I am talking about.
Here is my suggestion. The next time you go to the grocery store, start something new. Search out products that aren’t mass produced and packaged with preservatives. Buy something that will spoil if you don’t eat it in the next few days. Instead of nutritionally and flavor-empty bread from a market, try a small bakery. Go to a farmer’s market for your produce. Try eating foods that simply on their own they give your taste-buds a wow experience.
When you eat this way, you don’t need the extra calories from jams, spreads, salts, sauces, gravies and dips.
So don’t be a dip…and throw it out while you’re at it. Enjoy your life. And seeing as how this is Friday, I’m sure you’ll find a farmer’s market open in your area this Saturday morning. Check it out.
[](http://www.achievediet.com/simple/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/simple/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/simple/) September 14th, 2007
[Bottom Suckers!](http://www.achievediet.com/bottom-suckers/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Allergies](http://www.achievediet.com/category/allergies/), [Shellfish](http://www.achievediet.com/category/allergies/shellfish/), [Diet](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/)
I’m talking about shellfish and other great ocean delicacies like halibut!
So, for years shellfish (primarily shrimp) has received a bad rap. So lets clear the air (or the water) and set some facts straight about shellfish as a whole.
The only real thing you need to concern yourself when eating fish or shellfish (crab, lobster, shrimp, clams, oysters, mussels) is how it is cooked. What did you cook it in? Was it battered and fried? Baked? Steamed?
This is the only real important thing because that is the only place where unwanted fat will show up. Those are the calories that you need to count, not the calories in the fish, because every calorie in the fish is fantastic. It’s the butter dipping sauce for crab and lobster, and the tarter sauce and deep-frying oil for fish that you need to concern yourself with.
What about cholesterol?
Oh yeah, I’ve heard that shrimp is super high in cholesterol, and therefore fat. Hmm, not true. Shrimp is ultra low in fat content, and the cholesterol contained in the shrimp is very difficult for your body to turn into its own cholesterol.
So I say, make friends with the bottom suckers, you’re not too good for them!
[](http://www.achievediet.com/bottom-suckers/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/bottom-suckers/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/bottom-suckers/) September 13th, 2007
[Retirement planning 101](http://www.achievediet.com/retirement-planning-101/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Planning](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/planning/), [Personal](http://www.achievediet.com/category/personal/)
Okay, Everywhere you look, someone is selling life insurance, mutual funds, blue chip stock, time shares, investment property, etc. Great forward thinking, those people are going to go far in life right?
I don’t know, are they?
Well, that’s a great question. Have you ever heard the saying;
“When your young you spend your health building your wealth, and then you end up spending your wealth on your health.”
It’s a common occurrence. And we are all guilty of sacrificing our health and our bodies, and you never know just how much you appreciate a healthy body, until that health is taken away from you.
So stop smoking, drink less, eat less sugar and fat, eat more fiber, vegetables and lean meat. Drink more water, less coffee. Treat leisure as serious as you treat work…
…and most of all, start enjoying your life!
[](http://www.achievediet.com/retirement-planning-101/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/retirement-planning-101/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/retirement-planning-101/) September 7th, 2007
[The problem with diets, and the ever-active you…](http://www.achievediet.com/the-problem-with-diets-and-the-ever-active-you/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Diet](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/), [Planning](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/planning/), [Exercise](http://www.achievediet.com/category/exercise/), [Personal](http://www.achievediet.com/category/personal/)
…is that almost every diet available consists of scrimping on calories. I mean, sure, if you stop eating altogether, eventually you will lose fat, whither away to nothing, and die. Pleasant.
And there are more side effects. For all you people out there who are active and enjoy an active lifestyle, if you follow a calorie-reduced diet to lose weight because you just aren’t happy with your amount of weight lost, you may experience some harsh side-effects.
Nausea
Head-aches
Dizziness
Light-headed
Light to severe muscle cramping
Dry skin and brittle hair
Increased susceptibility to colds, flu, (and worse)
The thing is, you can lose weight and still maintain a healthy state of being. Losing weight and improving your health is supposed to help the above conditions, but only if it is done properly. Every single one of my clients DOESN’T experience these conditions, because they follow the diet plan that I set them up on. Once your diet is optimized, your body’s health will follow. But don’t take it from me, take it from my clients.
[](http://www.achievediet.com/the-problem-with-diets-and-the-ever-active-you/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/the-problem-with-diets-and-the-ever-active-you/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/the-problem-with-diets-and-the-ever-active-you/) September 6th, 2007
[Help is everywhere…](http://www.achievediet.com/help-is-everywhere/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Diet](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/), [Meal Timing](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/meal-timing/), [Planning](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/planning/), [Snacks](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/snacks/)
…if you’re ready to look for it.
Point 1
Are you ready to look for help? Do you want to feel better? My guess is that you are, because if you are reading my blog right now, you’re looking for weight loss help. But my point is that managing your weight in a food and body image obsessed society (such as ours) takes work. And like my mom always told me, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. So, if your answer to Point 1 is YES, keep reading. If not… oh come on, you’re going to read-on anyways!
Point 2
Help is really everywhere. You’re looking on the internet right now for advice and knowledge from professionals like myself. But where else can you find help? Well, sometimes it’s as simple as strolling down your supermarket isle. Did you know that you can find foods so healthy and so easy to eat (at home and on the go) that it would tongue-tie you? I recently found cans of tuna that come with various vegetables mixed right in to the can so as to create a Spanish Salad right out of a tin? I tried it, it was fantastic. I learned yet another incredibly fast and easy lunch idea that is easily portable (did I mention that it comes with a spoon and napkin right in the little box?).
Try to open your eyes everywhere you go, and be open to the suggestions for a healthy lifestyle that are right in front of you.
[](http://www.achievediet.com/help-is-everywhere/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/help-is-everywhere/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/help-is-everywhere/) September 5th, 2007
[Why is it so easy?](http://www.achievediet.com/why-is-it-so-easy/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Diet](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/), [Personal](http://www.achievediet.com/category/personal/)
Well, in actuality, it isn’t. Behavior scientists will say that it takes anywhere from 1 month to 6 months to permanently change a behavior.
Guess what? Eating is a behavior
And we certainly don’t want to stop eating, but we definitely want to make some changes to our eating behavior patterns.
So, is it easy?
Well, it isn’t hard. Like anything that is worthwhile accomplishing in life, it demands a little mental focus and work. But your goals are ACHIEVABLE. So, if you choose to, you will succeed as well.
Once we’ve replaced some of your old habits with positive new eating habits, the weight comes off on its own, and you don’t even realize its happening until you try on a particular pair of pants, and you need a smaller belt, it just happens.
The hardest thing you’ll have to accomplish is understanding that you need to eat when I tell you to, whether you are hungry or not. It sounds bizarre, but it is what your body needs to regulate its caloric requirements.
If you follow the diet, your body will do the work, so I guess it is that easy
[](http://www.achievediet.com/why-is-it-so-easy/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/why-is-it-so-easy/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/why-is-it-so-easy/) August 29th, 2007
[It’s not magic…but it works!](http://www.achievediet.com/its-not-magicbut-it-works/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Diet](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/), [Meal Timing](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/meal-timing/), [Planning](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/planning/), [Exercise](http://www.achievediet.com/category/exercise/), [Personal](http://www.achievediet.com/category/personal/), [Snacks](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/snacks/)
I’ve had a number of clients recently who have accomplished some amazing things. One person broke the 300lb barrier, one client saw his figure in photos from his summer vacation and was quite pleased, and another lady lost the final 10lbs that she has been struggling with after having her 3rd baby.
What do they have in common?
Aside from truly enjoying their training, each one of these remarkable people also used the diet plan.
The biggest question, how does it work?
Well, like I said earlier, it isn’t magic. But it is amazing. Your body self regulates itself. You don’t over eat, you don’t starve either. When you’ve eaten enough, your brain recognizes the satiety, and you feel satisfied. If you are just using the diet to lose weight, your body will only eat what it needs. If you are trying to gain muscle, your body will naturally want more of the menu items to repair and grow muscle tissue.
Eat smart, and ACHIEVE!
[](http://www.achievediet.com/its-not-magicbut-it-works/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/its-not-magicbut-it-works/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/its-not-magicbut-it-works/) August 28th, 2007
[More information of Vitamin D- Soak up the sun!](http://www.achievediet.com/more-information-of-vitamin-d-soak-up-the-sun/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Vitamins](http://www.achievediet.com/category/vitamins/), [Personal](http://www.achievediet.com/category/personal/)
Now, I know a person can over-do anything, and staying in the sun for prolonged periods without protection is just a dumb move. But it can be just as harmful to stay out of the sun as well. I’ve left a link to in interesting study regarding vitamin D levels (the sun vitamin!) and breast and colon cancers.
To sum it up, it was found that a strong link exists between a higher prevalence in breast and colon cancer, and low amounts of vitamin D.
Now obviously, I want you to be wise with this information. And just like every other topic I write to you about, I am going to preach BALANCE. Enjoy the sun. Enjoy the energy the sun gives you, it is (after all) the single source of energy for our planet. So soak up the sun, know that you are doing your body good, just don’t come home with a sun burn!
Check out the study, its interesting.
http://www.futurepundit.com/archives/004510.html
[](http://www.achievediet.com/more-information-of-vitamin-d-soak-up-the-sun/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/more-information-of-vitamin-d-soak-up-the-sun/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/more-information-of-vitamin-d-soak-up-the-sun/) August 27th, 2007
[2 Snacks, 2 comparisons](http://www.achievediet.com/2-snacks-2-comparisons/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Diet](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/), [Meal Timing](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/meal-timing/), [Planning](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/planning/), [Snacks](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/snacks/)
Let’s evaluate 2 snacks for coffee break.
I’m going to follow the Achieve Diet and have a yogurt cup and a fresh apple, and you can follow your old and boring diet of 2 chocolate chip cookies and a coffee with 2 cream and sugar.
My Achieve Diet
1 apple 80 calories and 0g of fat
1 low fat yogurt cup 35 calories and 0.3g of fat
My total 105 calories and 0.3g o fat
Your Regular Diet
2 chocolate chip cookies 269calories and 13g of fat
1 cup coffee with 2 cream and sugar 106 calories and 4g of fat
Your total 375 calories and 17g of fat
I don’t mean to be the head of the Department of Redundancy Department, but I think you understand my point. Achieve Diet is the easier choice. Simply.
[](http://www.achievediet.com/2-snacks-2-comparisons/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/2-snacks-2-comparisons/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/2-snacks-2-comparisons/) August 24th, 2007
[How about Creatine?](http://www.achievediet.com/how-about-creatine/)
Published by Andy Tachuk on Tagged [Advice](http://www.achievediet.com/category/advice/), [Allergies](http://www.achievediet.com/category/allergies/), [Diet](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/), [Vitamins](http://www.achievediet.com/category/vitamins/), [Planning](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/planning/), [Exercise](http://www.achievediet.com/category/exercise/), [Personal](http://www.achievediet.com/category/personal/), [Snacks](http://www.achievediet.com/category/diet/snacks/)
Sounds great right? I hear lots of kids in the gym talking about how much muscle they are gaining by taking creatine. Well, lets debunk some myths.
Most weight gain is water
It true, it is impossible for your body to synthesize a huge amount of muscle in a short period of time, so weight gain is due strictly to water retention.
Creatine naturally occurs in the body, and its role is to allow your muscle to replenish its instant energy stores quickly and efficiently. The theory here is that if you take in more creatine, you will be able to replenish more energy in between sets of exercises while weight training.
Great Idea
In theory, yes. But here is the problem with the great theory. Creatine is a relatively new product on the market (under 20 years old) and so therefore there have been no LONG TERM studies on creatine and it’s potentially harmful effects on the body.
So take caution. Quit looking for a quick fix. Look for a life long fix. Follow the Achieve Diet lifestyle.
[](http://www.achievediet.com/how-about-creatine/)[Comment now »](http://www.achievediet.com/how-about-creatine/#respond) [Read more](http://www.achievediet.com/how-about-creatine/) August 23rd, 2007
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About
Andy has spent 10 years evaluating what works and what doesn’t, making him the most effective professional fitness trainer in the health and fitness industry.
Recent Posts
[Simple](http://www.achievediet.com/simple/) posted on Sep.14 [Bottom Suckers!](http://www.achievediet.com/bottom-suckers/) posted on Sep.13 [Retirement planning 101](http://www.achievediet.com/retirement-planning-101/) posted on Sep.07 [The problem with diets, and the ever-active you…](http://www.achievediet.com/the-problem-with-diets-and-the-ever-active-you/) posted on Sep.06 [Help is everywhere…](http://www.achievediet.com/help-is-everywhere/) posted on Sep.05 [Why is it so easy?](http://www.achievediet.com/why-is-it-so-easy/) posted on Aug.29 [It’s not magic…but it works!](http://www.achievediet.com/its-not-magicbut-it-works/) posted on Aug.28 [More information of Vitamin D- Soak up the sun!](http://www.achievediet.com/more-information-of-vitamin-d-soak-up-the-sun/) posted on Aug.27 [2 Snacks, 2 comparisons](http://www.achievediet.com/2-snacks-2-comparisons/) posted on Aug.24 [How about Creatine?](http://www.achievediet.com/how-about-creatine/) posted on Aug.23
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