Hello Summer Body; Nature’s Best Kept Secret…

January 06

So, I’ve battled a fluctuating weight for the past few years. All my situations changed when I moved to Florida. In NY, I was constantly on the move. Even though we had cars to drive, everything was so nearby and convenient - we’d walk everywhere. I played soccer, so I was always working out after school and on the weekends. At my peak, I was 125, flat stomach - firm booty, toned everything. Fast forward to Florida, where there’s no such thing as a “corner store,” and most shops are driving distance away. I got a car after my first year here, and my weight skyrocketed. Over the course of four years, I gained about forty pounds. I still worked out, so everything was firm - but jeeze it’s hard to find clothes in your closet when nothing fits.

October 2007 & April 2008:

I spent the years trying different things. At one point, I even had a personal trainer - but as fine as he was, he cost too much money! I had to find alternatives that were less expensive and more effective. Finally, I asked one of my co-workers in our supplement department what he’d recommend, and he put me on to Acetyl L-Carnitine. According to him, it would metabolize my fat and along with Chromium Picolinate, would boost my energy during workouts. I tried it for a month so the effects had time, and sure enough - I began to slim down. First month out, I lost an inch in my butt and waist, although my boobs decided to stick around. Two months later, and I’ve lost six pounds - but the fat in my problem area (my stomach) has whittled down significantly. 


I didn’t take the Carnitine to lose weight, I wanted it to shave down my stomach - and it did. Now, I pass it on to my mother to aid her in her weight loss goals. Why not enlighten everyone else, as well?


Let me give you some info on the mineral. 


    Carnitine is a major player in energy production in the body, and it’s used to propel all functions in the body that require high energy. We can find carnitine in foods that we eat daily, like meats, veggies and grains. 


{{Tangent:}} It’s found more in red meats and less in white, which is why dark turkey meat is a great addition to any diet for fat burning. One of my favorite customers is a body builder AND owns a gym, he buys nothing but turkey meat every other day. He recommends turkey burgers from dark meat turkey to help before or after a workout. 
Vegetarians benefit from Carnitine supplements, because vegetables have significantly lower levels of it naturally. For example, beef has about 145mg for every 100grams, while mushroom has only 2.6mg for every 100g. 


Of course, it has possible side effects - none of which I have experienced in my use of the supplement. These include:


- Increase in blood pressure
- Faster heartbeats
- Fever
- Diarrhea (when taken in large amounts)


The benefits seem to outweigh the possible negatives, though:


- Produces energy
- Aide in weight loss and fat burn
- Transport of long0chain fatty acids (metabolizes fat to energy)
- Enhances cellular energy in the brain
- Improved mental performance
- Helps slow the effects of aging
- Prevention of cataracts




As far as dosages go, about two grams should be taken, and Carnitine usually comes in 250mg and 500mg tablets. I recommend talking with a nutritionist/certified specialist before taking the supplements, as there may be reasons why you should not take them, or there may be an alternative supplement that you should be taking.


I feel like these are one of the things that aren’t getting as much recognition as it should. People rush to the QuickTrims and the other fat-burning pills, but forget all the side effects they can and will have on your body. I’m in favor of natural alternatives whenever possible. If you’re just looking to lose a few pounds. Dr. Oz had a segment on his show about fat burners, and Carnitine was one of them, also found in grapefruit juice. I accidentally figured this out when I moved here, I was eating junk food daily at my job, but walking everywhere - and the grapefruit juice kept my belly fat down to a minimum. 


So, give it a try! If you can’t get a hold of the supplement itself, add some of the meat, fruit and veggies to your shopping list. It’s an easy jumping point for a successful diet plan, coupled with 30minutes exercise every other day - you’ll be down to your dream body in no time. What better day to start than this one?