Sam,

Finally I have a chance to get back to you and tell you my story of how I found you and how I was able to take control of my life.

It all started in late July, 2008 when I took a look at the pictures of my son’s wedding a year earlier.

I couldn’t believe that I was, and looked, that heavy. I was not a novice at working out, as I belonged to another local gym and worked out on a fairly regular basis.

As I gained weight, I thought that if I ate less frequently, I would lose weight. The problem was, I limited the times I ate, but what I ate, and how much, was a major problem.

Being single and not wanting to cook that often, I ended up at Carl’s Jr., In N Out, Jack in the Box, etc. for my one or two meals a day.

I also drank plenty of regular soda and ate other “junk” food. No matter how much I worked out, I continued to gain weight. I weighed 250 pounds, had high blood pressure and was on three medications.

Finally, I saw your ad in West Coast magazine and decided to make a commitment.

I came in, met with you and you gave me a realistic plan to get in shape and lose weight.

First, it was a nutrition program that called for a change in the way that I ate.

Instead of one or two meals a day, I was to eat four or five smaller meals.

Also, I met with a Fitness Concepts personal trainer three days per week.

First Jacob and now Nicole tailored a fitness program for me and provided motivation.

Armando kept me honest. You said to not expect miracles, but that I should expect to lose one pound per week.

I didn’t have to starve myself and could eat most of my favorite foods including, chicken, turkey, steak, salad and vegetables.

I just followed your plan. To my amazement, the pounds started melting away.

The eating plan became second nature and by the end of the year, I had reached my original goal of losing 50 pounds and 17% body fat. In December, I had my annual physical and my doctor couldn’t believe the positive change in my lab results.

Look The Rx List Is Shrinking!

I have now incorporated fruit, brown rice. potatoes and whole wheat pasta into my diet. Since the first of the year, I have lost an additional 15 pounds and am currently at a healthy 185 pounds.

Sam, I can’t thank you enough for your dedication and support in helping me meet and exceed my weight loss goals.

Richard Ward Before

Richard Ward After

Rich Ward
Chino Hills Resident

Yikes….. Sugar Cube Visual

Sometimes pictures are way better than words.

WHAT A UNIQUE WAY TO PRESENT THIS…

Someone ought to get an award for this.

We know the facts, but this brings perspective quickly, doesn’t it?

Each cube is a teaspoonful.

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Can you Lose Belly Fat if you Eat THIS?

There are over 30 names for sugar…

…turbinado sugar, raw sugar, agave syrup, fruit paste, raw honey, malt syrup and many more.

I always get asked what’s the best type of sugar?

Is there such a thing?  A “healthy” sugar?

Remember, sugar is readily used for “immediate short term energy” which means that if you are trying to burn fat for energy then eating any kind of sugar will “delay” the fat burning process.

Sugars also release a hormone called “insulin”. Insulin is a lipogenic hormone which means that it encourages body fat storage. That’s why people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. There body releases too much insulin due to their cells insensitivity to insulin. The only way to increase one’s insulin sensitivity is by losing weight and exercising.

Clearly, when burning belly fat is a goal, sugar (all forms) need to take a back seat.  But let’s put a few of these under the microscope to see if there’s a best of the worst.

After all, with teens eating nearly 100 lbs of sugar per person, per year, we have some headway to make.  It should be no surprise that research shows belly fat has skyrocketed in this age group.

But adults aren’t much behind.  And the obesity epidemic we’re facing around the world is a tell tale sign that we’re overfed, yet undernourished.

Let’s get to the good stuff.

First, just because something is organic, doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

Organic sugar isn’t a magical health food like it’s often considered.

It increases belly fat just like plain old table sugar.

Let’s cover a few of the most commonly questioned poisons in the fight against belly fat.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

This one was invented in the 1970′s.  It’s in nearly every food and beverage in the super market – from breads to ketchup, fruit juice to cereals.  Some have claimed it’s caused obesity saying, this one sweetener is preventing us from losing belly fat permanently.  Interestingly, its use has skyrocketed the same way the obesity epidemic has over the last few decades.  And research has suggested there is a correlation.

This caused a negative spiral of media ads pointing the finger at this one ingredient.

And the Corn Refiners Association fought back.  They created commercials saying that HFCS is no worse than sugar.  What they didn’t say is both are junk, why eat them at all?

My first “problem’ with HFCS is that it was “invented.”  I don’t want to eat anything that was “invented.” I want to eat foods as close to the ground as possible.  You can avoid HFCS, just like you can avoid other sugars.  Sure, it is metabolized a bit differently than sugar, but you know what, the foods that are loaded with HFCS are junk – regardless of the form of sugar.  Soda = junk.  Fruit juice cocktails = junk. Popsicles = junk.

If you buy organic options of these same foods, they’re all junk and will prevent you from losing belly fat, put a halt to losing fat from your hips and thighs, or getting into your skinny jeans.

Agave Syrup

This natural sweetener recently became popular.  Agave nectar is produced from a plant and is popular in organic markets and with vegans.  It is touted for its low glycemic index, meaning it won’t cause much of a spike in blood sugar.  But no studies are available showing how it compares to other sugars in terms of blood sugar control.

It is primarily made up of fructose, which is in fact lower on the glycemic index.  One important note – if you try this, look for USDA-certified organic products. Most agave comes from Mexico and there have been issues with recalls because of excessive pesticides in the products.

Raw Honey

Often sold at Farmer’s Markets, supporters of this sweetener love that it’s not processed.  Me too.  And because it’s not processed, it IS higher in a few nutrients (mainly B vitamins).  With that said, honey wouldn’t be my first choice for getting in any vitamins and minerals. I DO like that you can use less of it than table sugar because teaspoon for teaspoon, it’s sweeter.

There’s also some very interesting data showing eating local honey may reduce allergies, it can be used as an antiseptic, and much more.  (NOTE: I don’t recommend pouring it on an open wound).

But in the end, will too much honey prevent you from getting the body of your dreams and slashing belly fat?  Sure, it’s still empty calories when you compare it side by side with fruit, for example (which also is high in a form of sugar, but nothing I’d worry about).

Where does that leave us?

All sugars have relatively the same number of calories per gram.

Organic sugars will still prevent you from losing belly fat.

Non organic sugars will prevent you from losing belly fat.

If you are going to use a sweetener, opt for local honey and use it sparingly.  Still, the best way to eat foods is in their natural state – fruit is sweet, enjoy that as dessert.  Grill it to bring out the sweetness.  Add balsamic vinegar to a pan and heat it up to create a calorie free “syrup” that’s great with fruit.

Avoid foods with ingredients that have been “invented” – the closer to the ground they are, the better off you will be.

In the end, burn belly fat by limiting your sugar intake and training right.

Dr. Saman Bakhtiar Phillips Ranch personal trainer and Gym owner always taking a personal interest in each client!

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Our 2^nd Annual Chino’s Biggest Loser Event was AMAZING and a huge success because of you all of you!!  Over 140 people entered our event….and it inched down to TEN finalist.

1^st Place John Hayen     LOST 79.4 POUNDS

1st Place Winner John Hayen

2^nd Place       Rosemarie Roman     LOST 54 POUNDS

3rd Place Winner Rosemarie Roman

3^rd Place       Roquel Alameyer     LOST 38.5 POUNDS

3rd Place Winner Roquel Alameyer

4^th Place Adrian Rodriguez       LOST 41 POUNDS

4th Place Winner Adrian Rodriguez

5^th Place     Tammy Jones      LOST 30.5 POUNDS

9th Place Winner Tammy Jones

6^th Place          Bill Wuertz    LOST 45 POUNDS

6th Place Winner Bill Wuertz

7^th Place       Ronny Zavosky       LOST 29.5 POUNDS

7th Place Winner Ronny Zavosky

8^th Place       Alex Flores   LOST 24.5 POUNDS

8th Place Winner Alex Flores

9^th Place        Mark Coday       LOST 31.5 POUNDS

9th Place Winner Mark Coday

10^{th Place} Judy Gonzalez    LOST 16.5 POUNDS

1oth Place Winner Judy Gonzalez

Our 2nd Annual Biggest Loser Event was yet another huge success!!

We are so thankful to have so many awesome people in our Community!!!

It is only because of all of you that made our event a success!!