Beginning Basics: Forward Lunge
Lunges are an effective way to get your butt in gear. They are a compound exercise — meaning they work several muscles groups and joints — so they burn big calories. Lunges get high marks in my book for versatility too. You can do them anywhere, and there are many forms to choose from so you can keep challenging yourself.
But first things first — let's learn how to do the basic lunge movement and get those glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves working.
Forward Lunge
Stand with your feet hip-width apart, with your weight on your heels. Pull your abdominals in and keep your shoulders squared over your hips.
Lift your left leg, and leading with your heel, step forward in an elongated stride. As your foot touches the floor, bend both knees and lower yourself until your left thigh is parallel to the floor and your right thigh is perpendicular to it. Your right heel will be off the floor. Exhale and press off the ball of your foot, stepping back into the starting position. Repeat, alternating legs.
Make sure that your forward knee never travels past your toes. Keep your eyes focused forward; if you look down, you might lose your balance. Keep your spine straight through the entire movement, with your shoulders always positioned squarely over your hips. And don't forget to keep those abs sucked in the entire time!
Nice Form?
Performing lunges can be tricky. They require more coordination, balance, and strength than many other resistance exercises. Here is a common error I see: People take a step forward and end up with both feet in a line, almost as if they were walking a tightrope. This can make it tougher to keep your balance. Quick fix? Think to yourself: "Start with feet hip-distance apart; end with feet hip-distance apart." It may feel awkward to step this wide at first, but hang in there. It will become second nature.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Fats
Good and Bad Fats
Think back on all those past dieting failures. Did you try to completely eliminate fat in one of those diets? Didn't last long on that one, did you? If being ravenous within an hour of eating a plate of steamed veggies didn't do you in, then surely the lack of energy and the fuzzy thinking did.
Let's talk about why you need fat in your diet. Animal and vegetable fats provide valuable, concentrated energy; they also provide the building blocks for cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormonelike substances. Fats slow the absorption of nutrients into your system, so you can go longer without feeling hungry, and they aid in the metabolism of sugar and insulin, which helps you lose weight. In addition, they act as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins, aid in the absorption of vital minerals, and help facilitate a host of other important functions in the body.
Convinced? Good! I know your next question is, How do I know if a food that contains fat is good to eat or not? It all boils down to what kind of fat the food contains. The fats considered to be healthiest come from plants. They are called unsaturated fats, and they raise HDL cholesterol (the "good" kind). The saturated fats found in animal products, coconut oil, and other sources are good in moderation; they raise HDL cholesterol but also elevate LDL cholesterol (the "bad" kind). You always want to avoid trans fats, which are found in processed baked goods, processed snack foods, and stick margarines — among other bad effects, they lower HDL cholesterol and raise LDL cholesterol, a double whammy that can increase your risk for heart disease.
Reward Yourself
The healthiest fats of all are the omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat that can both raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. Omega-3s may also reduce inflammation and have shown promise in helpin g relieve symptoms of a host of other conditions, including diabetes and bipolar disorder. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish like salmon, fish-oil supplements, and flaxseeds.
Think back on all those past dieting failures. Did you try to completely eliminate fat in one of those diets? Didn't last long on that one, did you? If being ravenous within an hour of eating a plate of steamed veggies didn't do you in, then surely the lack of energy and the fuzzy thinking did.
Let's talk about why you need fat in your diet. Animal and vegetable fats provide valuable, concentrated energy; they also provide the building blocks for cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormonelike substances. Fats slow the absorption of nutrients into your system, so you can go longer without feeling hungry, and they aid in the metabolism of sugar and insulin, which helps you lose weight. In addition, they act as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins, aid in the absorption of vital minerals, and help facilitate a host of other important functions in the body.
Convinced? Good! I know your next question is, How do I know if a food that contains fat is good to eat or not? It all boils down to what kind of fat the food contains. The fats considered to be healthiest come from plants. They are called unsaturated fats, and they raise HDL cholesterol (the "good" kind). The saturated fats found in animal products, coconut oil, and other sources are good in moderation; they raise HDL cholesterol but also elevate LDL cholesterol (the "bad" kind). You always want to avoid trans fats, which are found in processed baked goods, processed snack foods, and stick margarines — among other bad effects, they lower HDL cholesterol and raise LDL cholesterol, a double whammy that can increase your risk for heart disease.
Reward Yourself
The healthiest fats of all are the omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat that can both raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. Omega-3s may also reduce inflammation and have shown promise in helpin g relieve symptoms of a host of other conditions, including diabetes and bipolar disorder. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish like salmon, fish-oil supplements, and flaxseeds.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What?
I can hold my tounge no longer! Yesterday, I had a patient that said she wanted to lose weight for the purpose of lowering her cholesterol and blood pressure - she was on medication for both. However, she did not want to do our program because "I just won't count calories." What does this say about your commitment? If you refuse to spend 30 seconds looking at a food label to determine the number of calories you are consuming, you probably really don't care that much about your weight.
Breaking News Flash - People who count calories and keep good diet journals are very sucessful at weight loss. Contrary to popular belief, it is easy to do. Your mental ability is never the issue - your commitment to yourself is always the issue.
Breaking News Flash - People who count calories and keep good diet journals are very sucessful at weight loss. Contrary to popular belief, it is easy to do. Your mental ability is never the issue - your commitment to yourself is always the issue.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Labels
Decoding Label Lingo
You've seen the fine print at the bottom of contracts and applications, but have you ever actually read it? While it might seem insignificant, it can contain all sorts of loopholes. The same goes for food labels, and you should think of them as the "fine print" on your dinner.
It's a crummy fact of life, but many things don't come as advertised. Packaged foods are no exception. Don't be fooled by the glaring orange "Healthy" sticker on the front of a package of food. Turn the item over and look for these common food-label traps:
"Sugar-free" — Many people assume this means "carb-free," but it does not. Compare the total carbohydrate content of a sugar-free food with that of the standard product. If there is a big difference, the sugar-free version might be worth buying IF it is made with a nontoxic sweetener like stevia or xylitol — steer clear of artificial sweeteners like aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) and sucralose (Splenda). If there is little or no difference in the carb content, choose the option with the most natural ingredients.
"No sugar added" — This simply means that sugar wasn't added during processing or packaging. That doesn't mean the food is sugar-free. Check the label carefully because the food may still be high in sugar and carbs.
"Fat-free" — Fat-free foods can be higher in carbs than the full-fat versions and can contain almost as many calories. Fat-free cookies are a perfect example. Repeat after me: Fat-free foods are not necessarily a better choice.
Read your labels carefully, and remember this rule of thumb: The shorter the list of ingredients, the more natural the food is likely to be.
Keep an Eye on It
When you change your eating habits, you'll spend a lot of time reading labels at first. Once you become accustomed to the fine print on your favorite foods, however, it gets a lot easier. That said, don't assume that the products you buy every week will remain good choices. Companies can change their product formulas and serving sizes at any time without alerting the media — or you. If the packaging on your favorite tortillas or string cheese suddenly has a new look, read the back extra carefully.
You've seen the fine print at the bottom of contracts and applications, but have you ever actually read it? While it might seem insignificant, it can contain all sorts of loopholes. The same goes for food labels, and you should think of them as the "fine print" on your dinner.
It's a crummy fact of life, but many things don't come as advertised. Packaged foods are no exception. Don't be fooled by the glaring orange "Healthy" sticker on the front of a package of food. Turn the item over and look for these common food-label traps:
"Sugar-free" — Many people assume this means "carb-free," but it does not. Compare the total carbohydrate content of a sugar-free food with that of the standard product. If there is a big difference, the sugar-free version might be worth buying IF it is made with a nontoxic sweetener like stevia or xylitol — steer clear of artificial sweeteners like aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) and sucralose (Splenda). If there is little or no difference in the carb content, choose the option with the most natural ingredients.
"No sugar added" — This simply means that sugar wasn't added during processing or packaging. That doesn't mean the food is sugar-free. Check the label carefully because the food may still be high in sugar and carbs.
"Fat-free" — Fat-free foods can be higher in carbs than the full-fat versions and can contain almost as many calories. Fat-free cookies are a perfect example. Repeat after me: Fat-free foods are not necessarily a better choice.
Read your labels carefully, and remember this rule of thumb: The shorter the list of ingredients, the more natural the food is likely to be.
Keep an Eye on It
When you change your eating habits, you'll spend a lot of time reading labels at first. Once you become accustomed to the fine print on your favorite foods, however, it gets a lot easier. That said, don't assume that the products you buy every week will remain good choices. Companies can change their product formulas and serving sizes at any time without alerting the media — or you. If the packaging on your favorite tortillas or string cheese suddenly has a new look, read the back extra carefully.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Carbs
Confused About Carbs
Q: I went on the Atkins diet once and lost weight fairly easily and quickly. (Later, I gained it all back.) On your plan, I'm a slow oxidizer, and I'm afraid that I will lose weight very slowly — or worse, gain weight! — with the amount of carbs I'm eating. Am I off base?
A: Yup. WAY off base, killer. When you cut all the carbs out of your diet, you lose a lot of water weight right off the bat, but that isn't necessarily a good thing. The real question is, why didn't the weight stay off? And how did you feel on Atkins? As a slow oxidizer, you require foods with a higher percentage of carbohydrates to best serve your metabolism and energize you both physically and mentally — so I'm betting you must have felt pretty crappy on Atkins.
Weight loss is about calories — it's that simple. You can eat carbs and lose weight as long as you stick to your calorie allowance. Because you are a slow oxidizer, eating HEALTHY CARBS will improve your energy level, thus helping you to work out longer and harder to burn more calories.
What I don't want you eating are unhealthy, processed carbs like white bread, white rice, and packaged junk food. Such foods will ultimately make you overeat because they mess up your blood sugar balance and your metabolic hormones. I am sure you've heard the terms "sugar crash" and "craving carbs." These conditions result from eating crap, so stick to your calorie allowance and make healthier carb choices — whole-grain bread instead of white bread, air-popped popcorn instead of Doritos, brown rice instead of white rice — and you will be A-OK, I promise!
Pair Carbs With Protein
One reason whole grains are so much better for you than refined grains is that they still have their fiber, and that fiber helps slow the rate at which the body breaks down the grains' carbohydrates. The overall effects of that slowdown are that your blood glucose levels don't spike severely and you feel satisfied longer. Pairing carbs with protein has a similar effect. Because protein is metabolized more slowly than carbohydrates, it helps stabilize blood sugar and keeps you feeling full longer. Always look for high-fiber carbs, and pair them with a protein source like lean meat or low-fat Greek yogurt.
Q: I went on the Atkins diet once and lost weight fairly easily and quickly. (Later, I gained it all back.) On your plan, I'm a slow oxidizer, and I'm afraid that I will lose weight very slowly — or worse, gain weight! — with the amount of carbs I'm eating. Am I off base?
A: Yup. WAY off base, killer. When you cut all the carbs out of your diet, you lose a lot of water weight right off the bat, but that isn't necessarily a good thing. The real question is, why didn't the weight stay off? And how did you feel on Atkins? As a slow oxidizer, you require foods with a higher percentage of carbohydrates to best serve your metabolism and energize you both physically and mentally — so I'm betting you must have felt pretty crappy on Atkins.
Weight loss is about calories — it's that simple. You can eat carbs and lose weight as long as you stick to your calorie allowance. Because you are a slow oxidizer, eating HEALTHY CARBS will improve your energy level, thus helping you to work out longer and harder to burn more calories.
What I don't want you eating are unhealthy, processed carbs like white bread, white rice, and packaged junk food. Such foods will ultimately make you overeat because they mess up your blood sugar balance and your metabolic hormones. I am sure you've heard the terms "sugar crash" and "craving carbs." These conditions result from eating crap, so stick to your calorie allowance and make healthier carb choices — whole-grain bread instead of white bread, air-popped popcorn instead of Doritos, brown rice instead of white rice — and you will be A-OK, I promise!
Pair Carbs With Protein
One reason whole grains are so much better for you than refined grains is that they still have their fiber, and that fiber helps slow the rate at which the body breaks down the grains' carbohydrates. The overall effects of that slowdown are that your blood glucose levels don't spike severely and you feel satisfied longer. Pairing carbs with protein has a similar effect. Because protein is metabolized more slowly than carbohydrates, it helps stabilize blood sugar and keeps you feeling full longer. Always look for high-fiber carbs, and pair them with a protein source like lean meat or low-fat Greek yogurt.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Activity
Strong and consistent evidence in both children and adults shows that screen time is directly associated with increased overweight and obesity. The strongest association is with television screen time.
Increased electronics and internet usage also has everyone sitting more instead of moving more. Screen and sitting time should be limited each day. Ten minutes of activity here and there adds up!
Children and adults should avoid inactivity. Some physical activity is better than none, and more is better. Achieving energy balance and a healthy weight depends on both energy intake and expenditure.
Adults should self monitor their body weight, food intake and physical activity plan. If you have a worthwhile plan as an objective, you will reach your goal for optimal weight and better health.
Increased electronics and internet usage also has everyone sitting more instead of moving more. Screen and sitting time should be limited each day. Ten minutes of activity here and there adds up!
Children and adults should avoid inactivity. Some physical activity is better than none, and more is better. Achieving energy balance and a healthy weight depends on both energy intake and expenditure.
Adults should self monitor their body weight, food intake and physical activity plan. If you have a worthwhile plan as an objective, you will reach your goal for optimal weight and better health.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Weight Gain When You Quit Smoking
How Not to Gain Weight
Many people keep smoking because they're afraid they will gain weight if they stop. Here's a news flash: It's not the quitting that makes people gain weight — it's the extra snacking they do to replace the habit and ritual of smoking. To prevent this extra eating, have a plan in place for when you have cravings — instead of eating to cope with them, do something productive. Call a friend, take a walk, or hop on the Message Boards and find someone to vent to. You can beat your smoking habit, and you should.
Many people keep smoking because they're afraid they will gain weight if they stop. Here's a news flash: It's not the quitting that makes people gain weight — it's the extra snacking they do to replace the habit and ritual of smoking. To prevent this extra eating, have a plan in place for when you have cravings — instead of eating to cope with them, do something productive. Call a friend, take a walk, or hop on the Message Boards and find someone to vent to. You can beat your smoking habit, and you should.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Working Out
Try Different Modes of Exercise
Need to take your workout to the next level? Try a different modality. What's a "modality"? It's really just a fancy word for your particular form of exercise. In addition to intensity, weight load, and number of sets and reps you do, you can alternate between different exercises that work the same muscles, thereby changing your "mode" of exercise.
For example, if your routine includes the seated row machine, which works the midback, biceps, and forearms, you can alternate it with another machine or activity that works the same muscles — try to choose one that provides a change of position from the seated row, as well as a different pace. In addition to spicing up your routine, alternating your exercises trains your muscles through different ranges of motion, allowing you to target them with greater accuracy.
There are plenty of options to choose from to keep your program challenging, fun, and as effective as possible. You are learning this stuff so you can take the reins, so be honest with yourself about what your body is getting out of your workouts. You won't make progress unless you constantly challenge yourself. That's right — it's never going to get easier, just better. Keep demanding new things from your muscles, and you'll continue to see the results every time you look in the mirror.
Taking It Up a Notch
No matter what type of resistance you're using, even if it's your own body weight, there are many ways to increase or decrease the resistance level of your exercise. For example, if your routine includes 1 set of lunges for 20 reps using just your body weight as resistance, change it up by doing 2 sets of 10 reps each, with a 15-pound dumbbell in each hand for added difficulty.
Need to take your workout to the next level? Try a different modality. What's a "modality"? It's really just a fancy word for your particular form of exercise. In addition to intensity, weight load, and number of sets and reps you do, you can alternate between different exercises that work the same muscles, thereby changing your "mode" of exercise.
For example, if your routine includes the seated row machine, which works the midback, biceps, and forearms, you can alternate it with another machine or activity that works the same muscles — try to choose one that provides a change of position from the seated row, as well as a different pace. In addition to spicing up your routine, alternating your exercises trains your muscles through different ranges of motion, allowing you to target them with greater accuracy.
There are plenty of options to choose from to keep your program challenging, fun, and as effective as possible. You are learning this stuff so you can take the reins, so be honest with yourself about what your body is getting out of your workouts. You won't make progress unless you constantly challenge yourself. That's right — it's never going to get easier, just better. Keep demanding new things from your muscles, and you'll continue to see the results every time you look in the mirror.
Taking It Up a Notch
No matter what type of resistance you're using, even if it's your own body weight, there are many ways to increase or decrease the resistance level of your exercise. For example, if your routine includes 1 set of lunges for 20 reps using just your body weight as resistance, change it up by doing 2 sets of 10 reps each, with a 15-pound dumbbell in each hand for added difficulty.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Missing Nutrients
Restoring Missing Nutrients With Power Foods
When you consider what we Americans typically put into our bodies each day — all the junk food, refined and enriched grains, and other sources of empty calories — it's not surprising that more than 80 percent of us don't meet the daily recommendations for key nutrients. Many vitamins and other micronutrients are necessary for hormone production, which means that to maintain a healthy metabolism, we need to pay attention to our nutrient intake.
Here are just a few key nutrients you probably need to restore to your diet. The daily nutrient intakes listed are recommendations of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, a world-renowned research center on the science of micronutrients.
Pantothenic acid (5 milligrams a day): All steroid hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, can be produced only when you have enough pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5.
Food sources: 8 ounces yogurt (1.35 mg); ½ cup sweet potato (0.88 mg)
Potassium (4.7 grams a day): Potassium is both a mineral and an electrolyte that regulates as much as 40 percent of our resting metabolic rate.
Food sources: 1 medium baked potato (926 mg); 6 ounces tomato juice (417 mg)
Vitamin B6 (2 milligrams a day): This vitamin helps the body release glucose from stored glycogen. It also binds to the receptors for steroid hormones, preventing the uptake of excessive hormones and thus possibly helping to reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer.
Food sources: 3 ounces chicken (0.51 mg); 1 medium banana (0.43 mg)
Zinc (15 milligrams a day): Zinc levels are linked to levels of leptin, the hormone that helps us feel satisfied after eating. Food sources: 6 medium oysters (76 mg); 3 ounces dark-meat turkey (3.8 mg); 1/2 cup baked beans (1.8 mg)
Cover Your Bases With a Multivitamin
Ideally, all of our nutrients would come from the foods we eat. But given changes in farming methods, the sad state of our soil, and the lack of biodiversity in this country, even our whole foods are not nearly as nutritious as they once were. Taking a high-quality multivitamin can help ensure that you're getting the nutrients you need. Look for a multi with all the ingredients listed above plus biotin, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, copper, magnesium, selenium, chromium, calcium, and vitamins A, B12, C, D, E, and K. Premenopausal women should choose a multivitamin that also contains iron.
When you consider what we Americans typically put into our bodies each day — all the junk food, refined and enriched grains, and other sources of empty calories — it's not surprising that more than 80 percent of us don't meet the daily recommendations for key nutrients. Many vitamins and other micronutrients are necessary for hormone production, which means that to maintain a healthy metabolism, we need to pay attention to our nutrient intake.
Here are just a few key nutrients you probably need to restore to your diet. The daily nutrient intakes listed are recommendations of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, a world-renowned research center on the science of micronutrients.
Pantothenic acid (5 milligrams a day): All steroid hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, can be produced only when you have enough pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5.
Food sources: 8 ounces yogurt (1.35 mg); ½ cup sweet potato (0.88 mg)
Potassium (4.7 grams a day): Potassium is both a mineral and an electrolyte that regulates as much as 40 percent of our resting metabolic rate.
Food sources: 1 medium baked potato (926 mg); 6 ounces tomato juice (417 mg)
Vitamin B6 (2 milligrams a day): This vitamin helps the body release glucose from stored glycogen. It also binds to the receptors for steroid hormones, preventing the uptake of excessive hormones and thus possibly helping to reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer.
Food sources: 3 ounces chicken (0.51 mg); 1 medium banana (0.43 mg)
Zinc (15 milligrams a day): Zinc levels are linked to levels of leptin, the hormone that helps us feel satisfied after eating. Food sources: 6 medium oysters (76 mg); 3 ounces dark-meat turkey (3.8 mg); 1/2 cup baked beans (1.8 mg)
Cover Your Bases With a Multivitamin
Ideally, all of our nutrients would come from the foods we eat. But given changes in farming methods, the sad state of our soil, and the lack of biodiversity in this country, even our whole foods are not nearly as nutritious as they once were. Taking a high-quality multivitamin can help ensure that you're getting the nutrients you need. Look for a multi with all the ingredients listed above plus biotin, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, copper, magnesium, selenium, chromium, calcium, and vitamins A, B12, C, D, E, and K. Premenopausal women should choose a multivitamin that also contains iron.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Dietary Guidelines for Sodium
Sodium consumption is going to have to go lower for optimum health. Why? There have been more studies since 2005 which show that most individuals in the US need to be at 1500 mg of sodium or less and that lowering intake to this amount will make a greater impact on health for all Americans.
This is quite a drop for most people who consume well over twice that amount. 1500 mg of sodium comes from a mere 2/3 teaspoon of salt her day. Most of this is found in processed foods and meals eaten in foodservice establishments.
The major sources of sodium intake from food in the US population are
yeast breads;
chicken and chicken mixed dishes;
pizza;
pasta and pasta dishes;
cold cuts;
condiments;
Mexican mixed dishes;
sausage,
franks,
bacon, and
ribs;
regular cheese;
grain-based desserts;
soups; and beef and beef mixed dishes
(Source: NCI, 2010).
Collectively, this group of foods contributes about 56 percent of the dietary sodium, or nearly 2000 mg per person per day.
The Dietary Guidelines will also emphasize the need for more potassium-rich foods in addition to lowering sodium in the diet for better blood pressure control.
This is quite a drop for most people who consume well over twice that amount. 1500 mg of sodium comes from a mere 2/3 teaspoon of salt her day. Most of this is found in processed foods and meals eaten in foodservice establishments.
The major sources of sodium intake from food in the US population are
yeast breads;
chicken and chicken mixed dishes;
pizza;
pasta and pasta dishes;
cold cuts;
condiments;
Mexican mixed dishes;
sausage,
franks,
bacon, and
ribs;
regular cheese;
grain-based desserts;
soups; and beef and beef mixed dishes
(Source: NCI, 2010).
Collectively, this group of foods contributes about 56 percent of the dietary sodium, or nearly 2000 mg per person per day.
The Dietary Guidelines will also emphasize the need for more potassium-rich foods in addition to lowering sodium in the diet for better blood pressure control.
Friday, September 10, 2010
About Cheating
Enjoy Foods You Love Without Cheating
Here's a big mistake people make when they set out to lose weight: They say to themselves, "Okay, I'm on a diet, so I'm never eating [insert tempting high-calorie food here] again." And then, inevitably, they slip up and binge on that food. They beat themselves up about it, write off their entire healthy-living experiment as a failure, and give up.
Sound familiar?
Living a healthy life is all about balance. You have to learn how to walk a line between self-denial and self-indulgence. It's the middle ground between the two that offers the best foundation on which to build your new life. Denying yourself little pleasures such as the occasional glass of wine or chocolate truffle will only make you feel deprived, frustrated, and ultimately hopeless about maintaining your discipline. A temptation is a lot less powerful if it isn't totally forbidden. This is where moderation comes in.
I will never be able to give up all the edible goodies life has to offer, but by practicing moderation I've found a solution to my weaknesses that I can live with every day. There's room for all foods, no matter how "bad" they are; it's just a matter of being conscious and careful of how often you eat them and how much. It's fine to have a piece of cake now and then — just not every day, and not the whole cake.
I can already hear what you're thinking: "If I eat a little bit, I'll want it all." We all have at least one food that we truly can't eat a little of without going overboard. Mine is ice cream. If you know that a particular food has that kind of trigger effect on you, try choosing an alternative. I will often have a few bites of organic dark chocolate instead of ice cream so that my sweet tooth will be satisfied but I won't end up with an empty ice cream carton in my hands. If your weakness is potato chips, try having some air-popped popcorn as a snack instead. Trust me — in time you can adapt so that small amounts of "cheat" foods will not set you off on a binge.
Stay Out of Danger Zones
If you're troubled by temptations at the office, see if you can really make an effort to avoid the high-voltage areas. If there's a vending machine in the office kitchen that gets you every time, or if the cafeteria offers a lot of high-fat or processed foods, stay away from those places. Bring in your own healthy meals, and keep good-for-you snacks at your desk. Try to steer clear of anything that might throw you off course!
Here's a big mistake people make when they set out to lose weight: They say to themselves, "Okay, I'm on a diet, so I'm never eating [insert tempting high-calorie food here] again." And then, inevitably, they slip up and binge on that food. They beat themselves up about it, write off their entire healthy-living experiment as a failure, and give up.
Sound familiar?
Living a healthy life is all about balance. You have to learn how to walk a line between self-denial and self-indulgence. It's the middle ground between the two that offers the best foundation on which to build your new life. Denying yourself little pleasures such as the occasional glass of wine or chocolate truffle will only make you feel deprived, frustrated, and ultimately hopeless about maintaining your discipline. A temptation is a lot less powerful if it isn't totally forbidden. This is where moderation comes in.
I will never be able to give up all the edible goodies life has to offer, but by practicing moderation I've found a solution to my weaknesses that I can live with every day. There's room for all foods, no matter how "bad" they are; it's just a matter of being conscious and careful of how often you eat them and how much. It's fine to have a piece of cake now and then — just not every day, and not the whole cake.
I can already hear what you're thinking: "If I eat a little bit, I'll want it all." We all have at least one food that we truly can't eat a little of without going overboard. Mine is ice cream. If you know that a particular food has that kind of trigger effect on you, try choosing an alternative. I will often have a few bites of organic dark chocolate instead of ice cream so that my sweet tooth will be satisfied but I won't end up with an empty ice cream carton in my hands. If your weakness is potato chips, try having some air-popped popcorn as a snack instead. Trust me — in time you can adapt so that small amounts of "cheat" foods will not set you off on a binge.
Stay Out of Danger Zones
If you're troubled by temptations at the office, see if you can really make an effort to avoid the high-voltage areas. If there's a vending machine in the office kitchen that gets you every time, or if the cafeteria offers a lot of high-fat or processed foods, stay away from those places. Bring in your own healthy meals, and keep good-for-you snacks at your desk. Try to steer clear of anything that might throw you off course!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Breaking Habits
How to Break Bad Habits
Old habits die hard, but the good news is that they do die. Don't lose hope or beat yourself up over it if you're having trouble breaking bad habits. It's not that easy to change your ways. Just keep plugging away.
Start by replacing old habits with new ones. The key is to learn how to take care of yourself and pamper yourself in ways that are life affirming rather than self-destructive. Learn how to deal with sabotaging emotions by establishing some healthy patterns of behavior and investing in your physical and emotional well-being.
If you judge yourself every time you're in front of a mirror, try focusing on the things you love about yourself. When was the last time you looked in the mirror and told yourself how great your features are and how beautiful you look?
If you're constantly looking to the media for stories about celebrity diets and weight loss, try finding more realistic role models — everyday people who've lost weight or achieved other goals similar to yours. They will be the most inspiring. Start paying attention to people you know.
If you tend to blow off your workouts until your vacation rolls around — or there's some other event, like a wedding, lighting a fire under you — ease yourself back into your daily workouts. Without commitment, you won't be able to achieve the goals you truly desire. Put your life in perspective. Everything is a choice — from how you feel when you wake up in the morning to whether or not you floss your teeth at night. To make the right choices, you need to ask the right questions: What is my true goal, and how are the choices I'm making going to help me achieve that goal?
Be Proud Now
Don't wait until you reach your ultimate goal to pat yourself on the back — be proud now! Just taking the first step — signing up for this program and reaching out for help — is something to be proud of. And every achievement along the way should be rewarded. You deserve it!
Old habits die hard, but the good news is that they do die. Don't lose hope or beat yourself up over it if you're having trouble breaking bad habits. It's not that easy to change your ways. Just keep plugging away.
Start by replacing old habits with new ones. The key is to learn how to take care of yourself and pamper yourself in ways that are life affirming rather than self-destructive. Learn how to deal with sabotaging emotions by establishing some healthy patterns of behavior and investing in your physical and emotional well-being.
If you judge yourself every time you're in front of a mirror, try focusing on the things you love about yourself. When was the last time you looked in the mirror and told yourself how great your features are and how beautiful you look?
If you're constantly looking to the media for stories about celebrity diets and weight loss, try finding more realistic role models — everyday people who've lost weight or achieved other goals similar to yours. They will be the most inspiring. Start paying attention to people you know.
If you tend to blow off your workouts until your vacation rolls around — or there's some other event, like a wedding, lighting a fire under you — ease yourself back into your daily workouts. Without commitment, you won't be able to achieve the goals you truly desire. Put your life in perspective. Everything is a choice — from how you feel when you wake up in the morning to whether or not you floss your teeth at night. To make the right choices, you need to ask the right questions: What is my true goal, and how are the choices I'm making going to help me achieve that goal?
Be Proud Now
Don't wait until you reach your ultimate goal to pat yourself on the back — be proud now! Just taking the first step — signing up for this program and reaching out for help — is something to be proud of. And every achievement along the way should be rewarded. You deserve it!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Some Tips
Fiber, whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables are the most important types of foods to include in your diet each day and like everyone else you probably don't get enough because you eat processed foods on the go.
-Fiber is under-consumed and the best sources are whole grains, cooked dry beans and peas, vegetables, fruits and nuts.
-Most people eat too many grain foods but not enough whole grains.
-Fruits and vegetables can help you lower the risk for many chronic diseases but only if you eat enough and base your diet on them.
-A more vegetarian diet will help lower the incidence of cancer, BMI and blood pressure.
-Fiber is under-consumed and the best sources are whole grains, cooked dry beans and peas, vegetables, fruits and nuts.
-Most people eat too many grain foods but not enough whole grains.
-Fruits and vegetables can help you lower the risk for many chronic diseases but only if you eat enough and base your diet on them.
-A more vegetarian diet will help lower the incidence of cancer, BMI and blood pressure.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Metabolic Syndrome
The Syndrome That Affects One in Four Americans
Nearly one-quarter of Americans have a syndrome that dramatically raises their risk of developing other serious health conditions. It's called metabolic syndrome, and you have it if you meet three or more of the qualifying criteria:
A waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men, and greater than 35 inches in women
High triglycerides: 150 mg/dl or higher
Low HDL cholesterol (the "good" kind): less than 40 mg/dl in men; less than 50 mg/dl in women
High blood pressure, defined as a reading of 130 mm Hg or higher for systolic pressure (the top number), or 85 mm Hg or higher for diastolic pressure (the bottom number)
High blood sugar: a reading of 100 mg/dl or higher for a fasting blood glucose test
Why does metabolic syndrome matter? If you have it, your risk of developing heart disease doubles, and you're five times more likely to develop diabetes. You also have a higher chance of developing fatty liver disease or polycystic ovary syndrome.
The good news is that there are ways to fight metabolic syndrome and lower your risk for its related conditions. Metabolic syndrome is linked to insulin resistance, and many of the strategies for combating insulin resistance are helpful for people with metabolic syndrome. For example, if you're overweight, losing 10 percent of your body weight can cut your risk of diabetes and heart disease and raise your life expectancy. Eating four small meals a day, without going longer than four hours between meals, can help you stabilize your blood sugar and insulin levels. And one of the most important changes you can make is to get more exercise, which can increase your cells' ability to use insulin.
If you think you might have metabolic syndrome, talk to your doctor. While it's a dangerous condition, the consequences are not a foregone conclusion — with diet and exercise you can take control of your metabolism and get healthier!
Managing Stress Is Key
Stress can actually contribute to your risk of metabolic syndrome by increasing your body fat. When you're under stress, your body produces the hormone cortisol, which encourages the body to pack on fat, particularly around the abdomen. Manage your stress levels by cutting back on your responsibilities where you can, learning relaxation techniques and healthy ways to blow off steam, and making time for yourself to unwind. Getting at least seven hours of sleep a night will also go a long way toward relieving stress.
Nearly one-quarter of Americans have a syndrome that dramatically raises their risk of developing other serious health conditions. It's called metabolic syndrome, and you have it if you meet three or more of the qualifying criteria:
A waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men, and greater than 35 inches in women
High triglycerides: 150 mg/dl or higher
Low HDL cholesterol (the "good" kind): less than 40 mg/dl in men; less than 50 mg/dl in women
High blood pressure, defined as a reading of 130 mm Hg or higher for systolic pressure (the top number), or 85 mm Hg or higher for diastolic pressure (the bottom number)
High blood sugar: a reading of 100 mg/dl or higher for a fasting blood glucose test
Why does metabolic syndrome matter? If you have it, your risk of developing heart disease doubles, and you're five times more likely to develop diabetes. You also have a higher chance of developing fatty liver disease or polycystic ovary syndrome.
The good news is that there are ways to fight metabolic syndrome and lower your risk for its related conditions. Metabolic syndrome is linked to insulin resistance, and many of the strategies for combating insulin resistance are helpful for people with metabolic syndrome. For example, if you're overweight, losing 10 percent of your body weight can cut your risk of diabetes and heart disease and raise your life expectancy. Eating four small meals a day, without going longer than four hours between meals, can help you stabilize your blood sugar and insulin levels. And one of the most important changes you can make is to get more exercise, which can increase your cells' ability to use insulin.
If you think you might have metabolic syndrome, talk to your doctor. While it's a dangerous condition, the consequences are not a foregone conclusion — with diet and exercise you can take control of your metabolism and get healthier!
Managing Stress Is Key
Stress can actually contribute to your risk of metabolic syndrome by increasing your body fat. When you're under stress, your body produces the hormone cortisol, which encourages the body to pack on fat, particularly around the abdomen. Manage your stress levels by cutting back on your responsibilities where you can, learning relaxation techniques and healthy ways to blow off steam, and making time for yourself to unwind. Getting at least seven hours of sleep a night will also go a long way toward relieving stress.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Calming Hunger
5 Ways to Calm Hunger Pangs
Do you start getting hunger pangs at 11:50 a.m. in anticipation of lunch? We've all been there. The cause is the hormone ghrelin; released when the stomach is empty, it sets off a chain reaction in the body to make you hungry. In general, you want to keep levels of ghrelin low during the day so you can keep hunger in check. Apart from an empty stomach, there are several factors that can raise ghrelin levels, including drinking alcohol, eating too few calories, and eating greasy, fatty foods. Here are some strategies that will help you manage these triggers and keep your ghrelin levels from rising:
Have a substantial breakfast. One study showed that people who ate a higher-calorie breakfast produced 33 percent less ghrelin throughout the day and felt satisfied for a longer period of time. Try a whole-wheat English muffin with organic peanut butter, a cup of strawberries, and some low-fat yogurt.
Choose complex carbs and get more fiber. Insulin and ghrelin go hand in hand. When insulin goes up after you eat, ghrelin goes down. If you eat the wrong kind of carbohydrates — refined carbs such as white bread and pasta — your blood sugar rises dramatically. In response, your body releases a surge of insulin to clear that sugar from the bloodstream. The insulin does its job very efficiently, and the resulting low blood sugar causes hunger sooner. These constant blood sugar ups and downs can wreak havoc on your metabolism, so it's best to eat complex carbs and fiber, which delay the release of sugar into the bloodstream so that insulin levels are kept stable and you feel full longer.
Eat on a schedule. Research has found that ghrelin levels rise and fall at your usual mealtimes, so eating on a schedule prevents spikes in ghrelin. If you're running errands and are away from the kitchen at one of your typical mealtimes, carry a small bag of almonds or other nuts with you — you can eat a little something to keep your stomach satisfied until you can get home and have a real meal.
Emphasize high-volume, low-calorie foods. Levels of ghrelin remain high until food stretches the walls of your stomach, making you feel full. High-volume, low-calorie foods, such as salads and soups, reduce ghrelin levels long before you've overeaten. All green veggies and any foods with a high water content count as high-volume, low-calorie foods.
Eat protein. Protein-rich foods can also suppress ghrelin levels — they help create a long-lasting feeling of fullness. Try adding whey protein to a low-calorie smoothie. (If you're sensitive to gluten, just be sure to check the ingredients list; some whey protein products contain gluten.) One study found that whey brought about a prolonged suppression of ghrelin.
Do you start getting hunger pangs at 11:50 a.m. in anticipation of lunch? We've all been there. The cause is the hormone ghrelin; released when the stomach is empty, it sets off a chain reaction in the body to make you hungry. In general, you want to keep levels of ghrelin low during the day so you can keep hunger in check. Apart from an empty stomach, there are several factors that can raise ghrelin levels, including drinking alcohol, eating too few calories, and eating greasy, fatty foods. Here are some strategies that will help you manage these triggers and keep your ghrelin levels from rising:
Have a substantial breakfast. One study showed that people who ate a higher-calorie breakfast produced 33 percent less ghrelin throughout the day and felt satisfied for a longer period of time. Try a whole-wheat English muffin with organic peanut butter, a cup of strawberries, and some low-fat yogurt.
Choose complex carbs and get more fiber. Insulin and ghrelin go hand in hand. When insulin goes up after you eat, ghrelin goes down. If you eat the wrong kind of carbohydrates — refined carbs such as white bread and pasta — your blood sugar rises dramatically. In response, your body releases a surge of insulin to clear that sugar from the bloodstream. The insulin does its job very efficiently, and the resulting low blood sugar causes hunger sooner. These constant blood sugar ups and downs can wreak havoc on your metabolism, so it's best to eat complex carbs and fiber, which delay the release of sugar into the bloodstream so that insulin levels are kept stable and you feel full longer.
Eat on a schedule. Research has found that ghrelin levels rise and fall at your usual mealtimes, so eating on a schedule prevents spikes in ghrelin. If you're running errands and are away from the kitchen at one of your typical mealtimes, carry a small bag of almonds or other nuts with you — you can eat a little something to keep your stomach satisfied until you can get home and have a real meal.
Emphasize high-volume, low-calorie foods. Levels of ghrelin remain high until food stretches the walls of your stomach, making you feel full. High-volume, low-calorie foods, such as salads and soups, reduce ghrelin levels long before you've overeaten. All green veggies and any foods with a high water content count as high-volume, low-calorie foods.
Eat protein. Protein-rich foods can also suppress ghrelin levels — they help create a long-lasting feeling of fullness. Try adding whey protein to a low-calorie smoothie. (If you're sensitive to gluten, just be sure to check the ingredients list; some whey protein products contain gluten.) One study found that whey brought about a prolonged suppression of ghrelin.
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