When school’s out, it may be more important than ever for your kids to get regular physical activity and eat a nutritious diet.
Did you know that a recent survey shows that kids tend to gain three times as much weight during the summer months as they do during the school year? I know I personally thought kids were most active in the summer. One reason they gain weight during the summer is the tend to watch more tv and play video games. The other is that they can eat whenever they want, as opposed to school they eat only at set times. My kids do tend to ask me more often than I think they should about eating when they are home. I actually find myself asking them “Would you be eating right now if you were at school?” Television might also be to blame with commercials for high calorie snack foods, fast food, and fattening sweets.
As parents we need to limit the time that our kids spend in front of a screen whether it be a television or a computer. We need to encourage our kids that being active is important so they too can have a strong and healthy body. They should be out enjoying what summer has to offer. Find new ways to make playing outside fun…be creative!
Over the past 20 years, the Office of the Surgeon General says the number of overweight children has nearly tripled. This national epidemic is causing health problems that were once unimaginable for children. Now, children have to worry about high blood pressure, diabetes and strokes. With obese children turning into obese teens they are looking for adult solutions, but is gastric bypass the right way to go?
I have a problem thinking teens should undergo gastric bypass as a solution for being overweight. Are teens and their parents really ready for the risks involved with this surgery even death? I think teens have a naive mind-set. They are thinking that they want lose weight, be happy and date. Are they ready for the lifestyle change involved with procedure? Taking vitamins everyday and being very careful of what and how they eat. Plus trying to manage the horrific pain that comes with surgery. Not to mention some of the possible side effects and risks of infection.
I realize there is very stringent criteria for children being considered for this, and the bar is much higher than adults. In addition to being overweight, they have to have major problems like losing their sight, diabetes or sleep apnea.
(more…)
Americans are overeating. That’s no surprise to most of us. All you have to do is turn on the tv and the media reminds us that we live in an obese society. To the tune of 500 calories per day. That’s how many more calories we routinely eat today versus 30 years ago. No wonder we’re gaining weight!
Where do the extra calories come from? Fast foods are the first things that come to mind. But what about the expanding portion sizes contributing to our waistlines. I’m sure you have noticed the sweet treats that are often by the checkout to tempt you. Virtually every kind of food is now larger than it used to be: Muffins are 333 percent larger; pasta servings, 450 percent larger; and bagels, 200 percent bigger than they were 30 years ago.
Use these commonsense tips to take back control of the amount of food you eat. By getting back to realistic portions, you can enjoy your favorite foods without guilt and maintain a healthy weight!
1. Measure
If you want to know how much you’re eating, you simply have to break out the measuring cups. Pour a typical bowl of breakfast cereal, then measure the amount in your bowl. Compare that to the serving size listed on the label, and adjust the amount in your bowl accordingly. Do the same for everything you eat, and you’ll see exactly where you can make changes.
(more…)
You follow every diet under the sun and you’re committed to Losing Weight — but you’re not having success. What’s going wrong? Make sure to stay clear of these 5 things.
Fad diets
Everyone’s in search of a diet that is quick & easy (the grapefruit diet, cabbage soup, no carbs, no fat … You name it, it’s out there!). But don’t fall for one of them. Although some of these plans may seem to work initially, the majority of pounds you shed tend to come back quickly. Unfortunately, there’s no short-term fix for long-lasting Weight Loss. Fad diets are not real life eating. Learn the obvious fad-diet red flags, and avoid them:
* Diets that promise drastic Weight Loss: When you start a diet, you can potentially drop a lot of weight during the first two week. However, if you lose more than two pounds consistently per week in the weeks that follow, you’ll run the risk of losing muscle mass and your metabolism will slow down in response. That’s why health experts advocate Losing Weight slowly and gradually; you’ll melt away fat and spare precious muscle.
* Diets that require special supplements: These plans claim to work because of special pills, — no diet and Exercise needed. You know the deal if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
* Diets that are less than 1,000 calories: These diets are difficult to sustain and can often leave you cranky, hungry and lethargic.
* Diets that focus on only a few foods: These are not realistic for the long haul.
(more…)
I have been involved in the Weight Loss industry for quite some time. My husband, love of my life, has watched my weight go up and down through our marriage. My main problem is, like most people, I love to eat. Three years ago I made a decision to really focus on my eating habits and Exercise. Previously I would follow a diet and Exercise plan until I lost the desired weight then I would try to be good, but ultimately the weight would gradually come back on. I realized I had to make a life decision to be fit and healthy.
My husband came home one day and said he heard something on the radio. He said he heard women that seek to improve themselves often leave their husbands for something new. That most husbands tend to let themselves go whereas women are constantly trying to improve themselves. Anyway he decided to put a real effort in his Weight Loss. Normally he would try for a week or two with no real commitment. He never wanted to change his eating habits or Workout. This time was different.
(more…)
Eat enough - You need to cut calories to lose weight, but going too low hurts your metabolism. When you eat less than you need for basic function (about 1200 caloires for most women) then your body slows your metabolism. The key is to eat just enough so you’re not hungry.
Jump start your metabolism - Eat breakfast - It helps to keep energy high all day.
Drink coffee or tea - Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. They can boost your metabolism from 5 - 12%.
Fight fat with fiber - Research shows that some fiber can rev your fat burn as much as 30%. Try to get in about 25g a day - that is the amount in about three servings each of fruits & veggies.
Grab a large bottle - Researchers found that drinking 6 cups of cold water a day can raise resting metabolism by about 50 calories a day.
(more…)
For most people there are several reasons and it’s not just because you want to be healthier. Take the time to think about your reasons for wanting to lose weight and write them down. Then see if that stimulates you to take action in a new and different way. Sometimes I try and try and try to get something going and it just doesn’t happen until someone says something that hits home with me. Then all of a sudden I am inspired and motivated to try something new.
Here’s my example: I have tried on and off for years to limit my sweets. I have wanted to give it up because it seems to have an unhealthy hold on me. There would be times I would want to eat the whole box of cookies, not just one or two like everyone else seems to be able to do, or I would want to eat dessert even though I was already full from dinner. I didn’t like the uncontrollable urge to binge on something sweet.
Sometimes it seems manageable and sometimes it feels like a curse, but when someone said to me recently – stop eating sugar, and you’ll find out what you really need, what you have been denying yourself for so long - well, it hit me. I never really thought of it that way, though I do suspect that by eating so much of it (sugar numbs me), I must be avoiding something.
So try this: state every reason you want to lose weight and see if it stimulates you to do whatever it is you know you need to do, in a new and more powerful way. You never really know what will get the ball rolling.
Obviously, you want to have what you want – don’t you? Then what’s the hold up… why is it so hard to have the body you want?
You are conflicted. Truly, you think you want something, but then you think (consciously or unconsciously) of all the reasons why you can’t have it. You think about what has happened in the past, and that discounts your thoughts of what it is you want.
So, you must believe that you can have it and you are capable of achieving your goal. Here is where the struggle comes. I’m guessing, based on your past experiences, convinced that you cannot improve your fitness, change your diet, lose the weight, and so forth, since every time you have tried in the past, it hasn’t worked, or lasted.
Here’s what you must do to get the body you want:
(more…)
Are you struggling to lose a few pounds? Try some of these helpful hints.
Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies and the other half with equal parts grains and proteins. You will cut up to 30% of calories with this simple change.
Your favorite food pizza? Try adding more veggies , use less cheese and leave the end crust behind and you’ll save 85 calories.
Need sweet tooth help? A bag of gummy candy - instead try 1/2 c unsweetend mixed dried fruit
Slice of apple pie - instead try one diced apple tossed with 2 tsp brown sugar & apple pie spices, microwave and top with toasted nuts
(more…)
When I decided to get serious about Losing Weight I knew it was going to take dedication and persistence. Losing Weight is thought to be one of the most difficult things in life, but if you approach it in the right way it will happen for you too. You are changing your life. This is not temporary until you get to the magic number you’ve been wanting to see for quite some time. Slow and steady wins the race. Aim to lose a pound or two a week. Also remember it is important to change your Workout regularly so you can continue to challenge your body for the best results.
I remember when my trainer first told me to lose weight I would have to walk 3-4 miles a day. I thought to myself everyday? I thought I would start dropping pounds right away, but when it didn’t happen I was disappointed. It took my body a few weeks to kick it into high gear. Then all of a sudden I started to drop some weight. I have now kept it off for three years and have never felt better.
To lose fat you need strength train for 30 – 45 minutes, 2-3 times a week. You also need cardio for 30 minutes, 5-7 times a week. It’s a good idea to get a pedometer and try to walk 10,000 steps a day. Begin with decreasing your calories by 250 calories a day. Limit your consumption of white foods: white bread, white sugar, white potatoes, white pasta and white rice. Also limit your consumption of saturated fats and trans fats. Eat lean proteins, fruits and veggies and remember to drink plenty of water. Cut out the other calorie loaded drinks.
Some of the best strength training Exercises are the most basic - squats and lunges for lower body, push-ups for your chest & triceps, pull-ups/chin-ups for back & biceps and shoulder press for your shoulders & triceps. There of course are plenty of other choices this is just to get you started.
