Fruity Fantasies
Posted on October 17, 2009
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Summer is the time for fresh fruit. And there are very dew things that are as good for your body and for your diet as fresh fruit. Berries, melons, and all the other gorgeous, colorful options out there are just waiting to be made into a fruit salad, put on your breakfast cereal in the morning, or just popped in your mouth when you need a mid-day snack.
Depending on where you live, you can find yummy varieties of melons and berries throughout the duration of the summer months. Do something creative with all of these delicious options. Make a berry smoothie for breakfast in the morning; freeze a few strawberries and then suck on them when you need a sweet snack at night; put melon balls in your yogurt. Buy all the fresh fruit you can, cut it up when you get home, and make a huge fruit salad to eat everyday.
Weight Loss and Pregnancy
Posted on October 10, 2009
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So you've started a weight loss program – terrific! You've changed your eating habits and have started making smarter, healthier food choices – fantastic! You began a scheduled exercise regimen that makes you feel good both physically and mentally – wonderful! And you just took a pregnancy test and… you're pregnant! That's great, too! But what about your weight loss goals?
Well, you have already taken some important steps that will assist you in your pregnancy like eating healthier and exercising. However, you will gain weight because of your pregnancy – it's not only a fact, it's necessary! But keep making the right food choices; fresh fruit, veggies, and whole grains shouldn't be replaced by fast food just because weight gain is inevitable. Eating right now will ensure your ability to loss weight after pregnancy. Ask your doctor how to keep up with your exercise during your pregnancy; that way you will be used to exercising after your pregnancy.
Fizzy Hindrances
Posted on October 3, 2009
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Soda pop is a popular drink among almost every age group. Most soda pop drinks contain more sugar that some candy bars. Not only does the sugar in soda pop cause weight gain, it can also push your body closer to diabetes and other medical problems, especially if you drink a lot of it. Studies on childhood obesity have found that one of the biggest causes for weight gain in children is soda pop.
So how do you remove soda pop from your daily menu? For starters, don't let your child have the 75¢ every day to buy a pop at lunch. Replace soda pop at dinner with milk, or, better yet, water. Avoid the soda pop machine at your office. If you have an irresistible craving, only have one soda pop, or buy the half sized cans and only drink one. If you need the caffeine, switch to black coffee or diet soda pop.
Childhood Obesity: Uncovering the Real Issues
Posted on September 26, 2009
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After you have visited your child's pediatrician and have determined that your child doesn't have any serious medical conditions that could be causing his or her obesity, it may be time to sit down with your child to discuss other issues that may be causing the problem.
Sometimes, obesity can be caused by bad eating habits that develop because of emotional problems. Some people - adults included - tend to look to food to help them deal with emotional distress and depression. For an obese child, this can really be a problem, especially if the child is subject to ridicule from his or her classmates at school. For some people, eating feels like it fills a "hole" inside them; this "hole" is often caused by stressors like teasing and rejection, the very things your child may be facing. Talk to your child about his or her feelings in order to address the root cause of his or her problems.
Safe weight loss Ideas That Work
Posted on September 19, 2009
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Many people would love to shed some unwanted pounds, but doing so can seem like a task that's too daunting. With horror stories about unsafe weight loss medications and supplements that are scams making headlines, it might just seem easier to live with the problem rather than face it alone. The truth is there are some solid, safe weight loss ideas out there that can have very positive results.
Whether it's a pill, shake or other supplement that's being considered to help with the effort, safe weight loss will typically involve a few other components. These supplements alone might help with the shedding of pounds, but they cannot help a person maintain the loss generally.
The best safe weight loss programs bring two other things to the table and they do so in a way that is meant to help participants make gradual lifestyle changes as they lose weight. These components are:
Diet changes
Altering one's diet to include healthy foods from all the major food groups is one way to ensure safe weight loss. By ensuring the body obtains the calories and nutrients it needs, smart programs set the groundwork for weight loss that can be maintained over the long haul. Many literally "teach" people how to eat. This can include food choice, portion control and even adopting the habit of eating many small meals throughout the day to keep the metabolism primed and ready for action. These programs don't advocate starvation diets and many will even allow for occasional "slip ups" or planned indulgences. We're all human, after all! The important factor behind this method is the reality that participants are not being encouraged to starve themselves or take drastic measures to drop pounds. Slow, gradual loss is generally what's recommended.
Exercise
It's a simple fact that safe weight loss programs that have long-term track records will very often tout the importance of exercise, as well. This makes good, common sense when the benefits of even moderate and fun exercise on a regular basis are taken into account. Just 30 minutes of exercise on a regular basis can help the metabolism work better while improving the body's tone and shape. The fat-burning that comes into play, too, can be a real benefit for smart weight loss programs.
Losing weight is something many people need to do. While some opt for crash diets that don't have lasting effects, others prefer to take the safe weight loss route. By bringing common sense to the table, these programs can and do produce results.
Weight Loss After Pregnancy
Posted on September 12, 2009
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Once you have given birth to your bundle of joy, your next concern may be shedding the extra pounds that you gained during pregnancy. There are several things you will need to keep in mind when you set your weight loss goals:
1. Losing the weight can take a year or more.
2. Getting back to pre-baby weight may happen, but getting back to pre-baby size may not. Your body changes for good when you are pregnant, and your hips will probably be wider permanently.
3. If you are breastfeeding, remember that calorie restrictive diets may not be a good idea. You need to have enough nutrients for your baby!
4. Wait for your body to heal. Giving birth is very hard on your body and it takes a long time to heal.
5. Don't forget to exercise!
6. Start out gently. Begin your exercising regimen with something gentle, then gradually build speed, duration, and intensity.
Weight Loss Programs That Work
Posted on September 5, 2009
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There are a whole lot weight loss programs out there that tout fast result, quick weight loss and pounds that seem to melt off over night. What about safe and lasting effectiveness? That's something that isn't advertised very often.
The reality is there aren't a whole lot of programs that bill these things as their main features because people don't want to hear the truth. In this day and age of fast-food restaurants and instant gratification, people want to see results quickly, no matter the price. It stands to reason, however, that since weight didn't come on overnight it won't go off that way either. With this in mind, some of the best weight loss programs actually work by helping people realize this while working with them to alter personal behaviors that lent to the weight gain in the first place.
Smart weight loss programs take a basic three-prong approach. They will address such things as:
Food intake
Many weight loss programs that have documented results will consider food intake as the first big obstacle to overcome. Whether they use point systems or extreme diet and portion control, the idea behind these programs is to limit the calories to less that what is being used by the body. This helps with weight loss. Good programs will ensure the body obtains the necessary calories and nutrients within the diets and might even allow for "splurging" once in a while to appease cravings. Altering food choice and portions and doing so smartly can become a last habit that helps take weight off now and keep it off in the future.
Exercise
It's virtually impossible to lose weight and keep it off without adding some form of exercise into the mix. Good weight loss programs will speak to the virtues of exercise and even make recommendations on simple, fun things people can do to get active. Jumping rope in front of the television for 10 minutes a night is better than doing nothing. Anything that gets the heart pumping and the body moving can be of big benefit, not only for weight loss but overall health, as well.
Attitude
Weight loss that is meant to last will require a bit of an attitude change. Making minor adjustments to diet and exercise and even outlook can be the key factor in bringing it all home. When attitude is changed and self-esteem is boosted, the results of weight loss programs that seek to help people alter their habits can be amazing.
There are all kinds of weight loss programs that offer and even deliver fast results, but those that tackle the three main areas can provide lasting change. With a bit of realism and dedication thrown into the mix, it's possible for many people to see the weight reduction they've been dreaming of.
Childhood Obesity: Learned Behaviors
Posted on August 29, 2009
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As parents, it is hard for us to realize that our children learn virtually every behavior from us. But as hard as it is for us to deal with, it is even harder for our children to deal with, especially when it comes to learned behaviors regarding food. Just as a food-obsessed and diet-strict parent will unintentionally teach her child that eating is bad, a parent who habitually overeats or eats to quell emotional problems will pass that on to his child.
Sometimes, helping your child beat obesity involves dealing with your own inner demons. If your child's pediatrician has determined that your child doesn't have a serious medical condition, have him teach you and your child about healthy eating habits and then practice them together. Doing this with your child not only will help your child learn better eating habits, but it will also help you reinforce the new behaviors. And you might learn something, too!
Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery – What Is It, Really?
Posted on August 22, 2009
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Bariatric weight loss surgery can be a safe and successful option for people who have not been able to reduce weight and restore their health through diet and exercise. At one time, plumpness and being well fed was an indication of economic success in America. However, being overweight is increasingly seen in a different light. Obesity can negatively affect health. The World Health Organization notes that a person is obese if there is accumulation of fatty tissue more than two times the standard. Having these guidelines can help individuals deal with this growing health risk and decide if bariatric weight loss surgery might be appropriate.
The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta report that the term “overweight” can be applied to 60 percent of the American population. Another report shows that a minimum of one person in three across the country has far too much fatty tissue in their body. Bariatrics is a branch of medicine that deals with the control and treatment of obesity and allied diseases. The treatments and surgical procedures have changed and improved in recent years, to the point that diet, exercise and bariatric weight loss surgery can be parts of a comprehensive program.
Severe obesity is a condition that can be difficult to treat with diet and exercise alone. Bariatric weight loss surgery is an option for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by other methods or for those who have serious obesity-related health problems. The operation can work for weight loss by restricting food intake. Some procedures actually interrupt the digestive process. In recent years, the surgery is one part of an overall program that includes learning healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity.
One type of bariatric weight loss surgery is laparoscopic or lap-band surgery. This procedure creates a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach, thus limiting food intake. A band device is put in place through tiny incisions in the abdomen and is placed around the upper part of the stomach.
If a specially designed diet or exercise plan is not successful for an obese individual, help may have to come in a more permanent way. Bariatric weight loss surgery may choices include: restrictive surgery that limits food intake; malabsorptive procedures that isolate the small intestine from the digestive tract; and a combination of the two types. Medical professionals are now advising against malabsorptive operations due to the risk of severe nutrition deficiencies. Candidates for surgery include those who have a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 to 40 and a health risk such as type 2 diabetes or severe sleep apnea. Obesity help comes in many forms. Bariatric weight loss surgery can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle program.
Getting Started With Exercise
Posted on August 15, 2009
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Starting your fitness and exercise regimen is the hardest part of losing weight. No one really likes to exercise until they really get into an activity that they enjoy. Then, exercise can be just as addicting as chocolate! The trick is finding activities that you enjoy.
If you are obese and have movement problems, ask your doctor about special exercises you can do while you are losing weight from your improved eating habits. Once you are at a weight that allows you to move freely, try walking, biking, or low impact aerobics.
For those who are simply overweight, just get out there and find something that you enjoy. Hope on your old bike and find a beautiful bike path. Take a long walk through a city park. Run around your block, then run around two blocks – build from there. Strap on your rollerblades and cruise around your neighborhood.
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