SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Year is here and after indulging in all the holiday temptations, it's time to start shedding those pounds. The best way to do it? With a diet that includes key power foods and exercise. Studies show milk can help dieters get leaner. And to get motivated, the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of got milk?, has teamed up with fitness blogger and expert Carmen Melgoza, a popular trainer and social media guru, to provide free online fitness and nutrition tips to help Californians meet their New Year's health resolutions.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140106/LA40911)

"It's about lifestyle change that begins with the right foods and exercises," says Melgoza, Founder of LatinoFitClub.com, an online publication and community focused on health and fitness. "Milk is a key part of my day! It helps me stay full longer when controlling my portion sizes and it gives me all the protein I need for a good workout."

A recent study in the International Journal of Obesity showed that people who were dieting and consumed more dairy, like nonfat milk, lost more weight as compared to dieters who didn't. Increased milk and dairy consumption in dieters also led to increased lean muscle, reduced body fat and more inches lost around their waistline.(1) At just 90 calories per glass, nonfat milk contains nine essential nutrients, protein, calcium and vitamin D, making it Melgoza's favorite drink after her daily workout.

"Melgoza is a great partner in getting our message across the social media-sphere," says Steve James, executive director of the CMPB. "She knows first-hand that milk is essential in maintaining lean muscle and strong bones."

Along with incorporating milk as part of a healthy diet, Melgoza outlines five principles to live by for a healthy New Year:


    1. Start small. Kick-off your day with a well-balanced breakfast. Skipping
       meals slows down your metabolism while a 15 minute workout three times a
       week can boost your results. Little steps; take the stairs at work or
       park your car further away at the mall.
    2. Include...Not Exclude! The more variety you include on your plate, the
       more likely you are to get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.
       Try incorporating more fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk and dairy
       products, lean proteins such as salmon and chicken breast and whole
       grains like brown rice in your meals as much as possible.
    3. Break it up! Eat smaller portions three times a day and incorporate
       snacks to curb hunger. Add a glass of low or nonfat milk to keep you
       feeling full longer when cutting back on portion sizes.
    4. Buddy up. Whether exercising or dieting, a support system will ensure you
       pass on the dessert and keep from canceling your exercise plans. Keep a
       journal and have your buddy check it.
    5. Take your Gym outdoors. You can exercise anywhere, like the park.  It's
       an ideal place for a run, a bike ride or a brisk walk.  For those who
       prefer exercising at home, try an online yoga class.

For more info on nutrition and fitness or to access FREE recipes and Melgoza's healthy lifestyle tips visit www.gotmilk.com or www.facebook.com/gotmilk. Tweet about your experience using hashtag #gotmilkfitclub and follow us on Twitter @GotMilk.

About the CMPB
The California Milk Processor Board was established in 1993 to make milk more competitive and increase milk consumption in California. Awareness of got milk? is over 90% nationally and it is considered one of the most important and successful campaigns in history. Got milk? is a federally registered trademark that has been licensed by the national dairy boards since 1995. The CMPB's Spanish-language campaign began in 1994 using the tagline "Familia, Amor y Leche" (Family, Love and Milk). The TOMA LECHE (Drink Milk) campaign replaced it in 2006, following a growing trend in Hispanic food advertising that uses wit and humor to reach audiences. Got milk? gifts and recipes can be viewed at www.gotmilk.com and www.tomaleche.com. The CMPB is funded by all California milk processors and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

About Carmen Melgoza
Melgoza, the founder and publisher of LatinoFitClub.com, is a social media and web marketing professional as well as a fitness coach and blogger. Launched in 2010, Latino Fit Club's main goal is to encourage people to start living a healthier lifestyle in a fun and enjoyable way. Melgoza uses her fitness blog as a platform to motivate others and shares tools for successful changes.

(1) http://www.euromilk.org/upload/docs/attachments/EDA/Abargouei%20et%20al_2012_%20Dairy%20intake,%20weight%20and%20body%20composition.pdf

SOURCE California Milk Processor Board (CMPB)