Pulkit's before and after photos

As the year comes to a close we wanted to give you the gift of hope by sharing a customer success story.

Pulkit, a 25 year old banking professional, struggled with his weight since middle school. As an adult, he made numerous attempts to shed significant pounds, relying on “common knowledge” – cut out the sweets and exercise – but like millions of people in the same boat, was never able to lose more than a few pounds at a time. “When you only lose 4-6 pounds after dieting and exercising for a month, it’s easy to give up,” he said. The ongoing struggle took a toll on his self-esteem and Pulkit had come to terms that he would be overweight for life.

When Pulkit learned about the Inherent Health Weight Management Genetic Test, he wondered if this could finally be the key to losing the weight and keeping it off. His test results indicated that his body would respond best to a diet low in carbs and high metabolic exercise (a change from the strength training that he previously engaged in). Although Pulkit tried “low carb” diets in the past, the test results educated him on the difference between good carbs and bad carbs and suggested foods that were best suited to his unique genetic makeup.

After one week, Pulkit lost more weight (7 pounds) by dieting and exercising according to his genes then with any of the approaches he had tried in the past.  Eight months later he was down more than 50 pounds; reduced his body fat by nearly one-third; and went from a size 38 waist to a size 32.

Pulkit credits the test with arming with providing the information and confidence that he needed to dramatically alter his life. In his own words, “I never again have to wonder if the latest diet trend would work for me because my genes will never change,” he said. “I have come to understand that losing weight should require work, but it should not be a constant struggle. I‘ve adopted the information from the test into my lifestyle to ensure I will always retain a healthy weight.”

As we head into the New Year, we hope sharing Pulkit’s story provides you with the encouragement you need to begin or stay on your own health journey. We wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season.

Until Next Year,
The Inherent Health Team

You may be familiar with the “Eat This, Not That!” diet craze that has been the focus of numerous books as well as regularly featured on the Today Show and in Men’s Health. The idea is simple: substitute a less healthy option with one that gives you more bang for your caloric buck. For example, instead of ordering a large burger and fries at the drive-thru window, consider ordering a grilled chicken sandwich and some apple slices. Easy concept, right?!

Well, we wanted to put a little spin on this idea and bring you “Eat This, Not That!” diet solutions straight from individuals who have all taken the Weight Management Genetic Test and have implemented new eating habits as a result.

Carb Reducer:

When you are a Carb Reducer, it is important to find low and healthy carb options that are still enjoyable.

Photo Courtesy of Science Photo Library

Love breads, bagels and pastas? Kenny G. from Henderson, NV says eat this, not that: “…recently I changed the type of bread I eat from mass supermarket high carb bread to Julian Bakery bread with total of 1 carb, no preservatives and gluten free.”

Spud lover? Sally N. from Rochester, NY says eat this, not that: “Instead of potatoes, I will eat cauliflower or broccoli, foregoing butter and using a little spice to kick it up a notch.”

Peanut butter connoisseur? Kenny G. says eat this, not that: “I also changed the type of peanut butter I eat from supermarket brand to one that doesn’t contain hydrogenated oils and other preservatives.”

At fast food restaurants: Sally N. says eat this, not that: “When I am out and about and caught in the fast food line, I will choose the veggie burger, minus the roll, and ask for extra lettuce and tomatoes to make it my way. It comes in a nice little dish with a cover.”

Interested in finding more Carb Reducer-friendly recipes? Check out the Low-Carb Dinner Recipes page from BetterRecipes.com

Photo Courtesy of Super Stock Images

Fat Trimmer:

Cut the fat! When you are a Fat Trimmer, it is important to monitor your daily fat intake while still finding delicious and healthy options.

Meat eater? Tracy H. from Summerville, SC says eat this, not that: “Something else I don’t have to give up is having burgers. I can have what is called a Greek garden burger. It is a veggie burger on a whole wheat pita instead of beef on a white bun.”

It is all about the substitution: Sally N. says eat this, not that: “I use ground turkey instead of beef in recipes like meatloaf and stuffed peppers.”

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Instead of cooking with or eating eggs, consider eating egg whites or egg substitutes.

Can’t forget about the potato chips: If you’re having a salty snack craving, consider opting for the baked chips as a healthier option.

Want to find more alternatives to fatty foods? Check out the Healthy Meal Makeovers page from the Food Network.

Better Balancer:

Being a Better Balancer is all about balance and finding low-calorie ways to still enjoy the foods you love! Here are some suggestions from Nicole B. in Boston:

Photo Courtesy of Visual Photos

Got milk? Instead of cooking with, or drinking, whole milk (which is full of calories from fat), try a reduced 1% or skim milk. Not creamy enough? Many dairy alternatives, such as almond or soy milk, provide a more creamy texture and still offer a low-fat alternative to whole milk.

Snack attack: Everyone needs a snack every now and then but it’s what you fuel your body with, is what makes the difference. Eat this, not that: instead of chips or crackers, try opting for  nuts, seeds or legumes.

Sweet tooth! When looking for something sweet, consider picking up fresh or dried fruit instead of a candy bar; it may not have rice crispies in it but fruit has its own natural sugar.

Best,

The Inherent Health Team

Its official, the holiday season is in full swing. This time of year can be the perfect storm of events to set back even the most careful dieter – delicious food, stress, lack of sleep and cold weather, just to name a few. If you ate as many slices of pumpkin pie as I did on Thanksgiving then Santa will definitely be putting you on the “naughty” list.

WebMD -"Top 10 Holiday Diet Tips of All Time"

WebMD has compiled a list to help you stay on track during this hectic time and I have highlighted a few of my favorites below. To view the complete article click here.

Wear tight clothes

While changing into sweatpants before eating a large meal sounds like a great idea, it is a surefire way to overeat. If you are wearing that dress or suit you have spent months trying to fit into, you will likely be more conscious of what you are eating.

Photo Courtesy of Super Stock Images

Do not skip meals

It sounds simple: avoid eating breakfast or lunch so that you can “save” those calories for later. The best way to avoid overeating is to make sure you are eating throughout the day and never arrive hungry to a dinner party. Try eating something small beforehand, like an apple with peanut butter or a cheese stick.

Focus on activities instead of food

Instead of having food as the main attraction, bring high-energy games like charades or ping pong to play indoors. You can even take the party outdoors for ice skating or building snowmen. According to the Compendium of Physical Activities published by the University of South Carolina School of Public Health, ice skating for an hour has a MET value of 6. If you are high MET this is a great way for you to get your weekly allotment of exercise in and have fun at the same time.

Photo Courtesy of Visual Photos

Perhaps the most important tip this holiday season is to practice patience and forgiveness with yourself. Take one day at a time and don’t let one slip up discourage you. Even if you are not following your diet perfectly this season, it does not mean that you cannot implement some of the principles you have learned from the Weight Management Genetic Test. Remember some of these guidelines while snacking at your next event:

Carb Reducer? Avoid the tortilla chips and opt for a handful of nuts or veggies with dip.

Fat Trimmer or Better Balancer? Avoid the high fat dips or nuts and opt for chips and salsa instead.

Best Regards,

Nicole Belanger

Customer Service Supervisor