AOL Health-related stories
Give Yourself an Energy Boost
Cutting calories? Make sure you aren't robbing your energy levels at the same time.
13 Tricks for a Skinny 2009
Why wait until your hangover on January 1 to start your New Year's resolution for a healthier, skinny self? Start Holidashing right now and roar into 2009 with less fat, more muscle and oodles of motivation.AOL Health shares 13 proven tricks to a skinny you, and here are a handful of my favorites:
- Have sex -- lots of (safe) sex. The big O delivers calorie-free endorphins. A skinnier you also means better sex. Now that's a circular win-win.
- Make more than a verbal commitment -- sign up for a fundraiser race today and you'll be sure to follow through because it's not about you. So many of us do more for others than we'd ever do for ourselves. Click on Step By Step Fundraising for ideas.
- Fill that MP3 player with the right music mix now. Change up your tunes like you do your workout -- no one improves with the same 'ole, same 'ole. With Jogtunes, you can select your playlist according to your ideal training bpm (beats per minute) heart rate for your age. I have got to do this.
- String that bikini or 34" pair of jeans on the wall tonight -- a visual motivation is effective. I'm putting out a pair of old GAP jeans that will feel comfy when (not if) I lose those last five pounds.
OK, what visual motivator are you posting? Do share, then have sex ... now. Sorry for the sense of urgency in this post, just a by-product of my direct marketing days.
Fast Food Chains Don't Talk About It
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
I never could finish Upton Sinclair's The Jungle about America's 20th Century meatpacking industry -- it was too depressing. But I did drive through Colorado last summer and witnessed loads of cattle standing in mud and excrement off the interstate between Ft. Morgan and Estes Park. The horrid conditions and nauseating, inhumane stench were shocking -- made me wonder where our burgers and steaks really come from. AOL Health's Where Fast Food Comes From summarizes a new study which analyzed the carbon and nitrogen isotopes in meat served at Wendy's, McDonalds and Burger Kings across the nation, to determine the animals' diets and conditions raised.
Study authors claim test results reveal cattle were strictly confined and fed predominately corn. Burger King meat did offer the greatest variability -- some cattle may have grazed on natural vegetation and/or fed other feeds instead. Chicken samples revealed extreme confinement, and the isotope signatures of some meat indicated animals had consumed their own waste. Yuck.
Fast food - under 400-calorie options
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Under-400-calorie fast food choices bring to mind small salads and mini-wraps. But there are more choices out there than you think without lettuce as the star or 'mini' on the marquee.AOL Health has identified 17 under-400-calorie fast food choices. I was pleased to find a handful lower in fat, but beware of the sodium. The majority of selections were packed with over 1,000 mgs.
Here are my top three choices from the list:
- Dunkin' Donuts' Egg White Veggie Flatbread Sandwich: 290 calories, 9 g fat, 680 mg sodium -- which Dunkin' Donut do you think has the least fat and calories?
- Panera Bread's Half Tomato and Mozzarella on Ciabatta Bread: 390 calories, 15 g fat (high), 650 mg sodium
- Chik-Fil-A's Chargrilled Chicken and Fruit Salad with Reduced-Fat Berry Balsamic Vinagrette: 290 calories, 8 g fat, 1010 mg sodium (watch your sodium intake the rest of the day).
Diet Derailers: Boredom and the bulge
Derail. You know the word. Let's face it, most of us working toward good health through diet and exercise have an intimate relationship with the word. Diet derailers are everywhere -- in your house, in the grocery store, at work, at play, in your head even. Here, we'll address the very things that throw us off course. Together, we'll learn how to avoid our diet traps -- and how to get back on track when we can't.
The way I see it, boredom can derail the best of diet endeavors in three ways. One: You're bored and choose to fill your time chowing down on cookies and chipping and dipping yourself into oblivion. Sure, eating helps pass the time. It also helps pack on the pounds. Two: You're bored with dieting, you fall of the wagon, and your bulge gets, well, bulgier. Three: Exercising is taking its toll, wearing you down, and you're bored to tears with it all. Wait, there's another: You fall victim to all three. Now what? One at a time, shall we?
OK, you're just plain bored. You could read, garden, knit, watch TV, play video games, take a walk, ride a bike, play with your kids, call a friend. But you eat. I know. I do it too. I just try not to, most of the time. Here's how you can try too.
OK, you're just plain bored. You could read, garden, knit, watch TV, play video games, take a walk, ride a bike, play with your kids, call a friend. But you eat. I know. I do it too. I just try not to, most of the time. Here's how you can try too.
- Next time you think, "I'm bored, maybe I'll have a cookie," find something else to do. It's hard to eat while you're busy with an activity, like mowing the lawn. Or sit out your craving. Give it 20 minutes -- fold some laundry while you wait -- and let it pass. Or grab a piece of fruit instead. If you must fill our belly, do it with something healthy.
- Keep a food journal and track what and when you eat. Notice when boredom typically hits, and see if you can divert it next time around.
- Find a hobby that consumes more of your time. Just don't make it baking.
Don't keep medicine in the bathroom
Healthy Home, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Medicine cabinet is actually a terribly misleading misnomer. Contrary to popular belief, bathroom "medicine" cabinets are among the worst possible places to keep medications, which seems to call for a name change, if you ask me.Due to the regular warmth and humidity in a bathroom, many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can break down over time. That's why it's best to instead keep medicines in a cool, dry place -- preferably somewhere that is locked up and out of reach of children and pets.
For more examples of some of the worst places for your health, check out this slide show from our sister site, AOL Health.
Are Smoker's Rights Going Up in Smoke?
The government has been cracking down on the tobacco industry for quite some time, and it doesn't look like the full-fledged war against smoking will be letting up any time soon. In many states, it's illegal to light up in any restaurant or bar. No need to ask for a seat in the smoking section, it simply does not exist. States that haven't jumped on the anti-smoking bandwagon are expected to follow suit in the coming years.
Smokers are being hit hard with cigarette taxes to the dismay of those who puff a pack or more per day.
The movie industry has begun to strictly regulate when and where smoking can appear in films, deeming it dangerous and unfit for young audiences.
We all know how the powers that be feel about smoking, but how do you feel about being hit hard in the pocket when you want to pick up a pack and being banned from smoking your pricey cigarettes in public places? We want to know! Take AOL Health's "How is Smoking Affecting You?" Quiz and let your voice be heard!
Sample-6
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Time for another installment of Sample-6, examples of an easy combination of meals and healthy snacks that will help you eat the desired 6 times per day. In case you haven't heard, eating 5 to 6 small, healthy meals per day is the optimal way to increase your metabolism and lose fat using only dietary change.
What happened to 3 squares, you may be wondering? Nothing, really. They've just been split up into smaller meals.
With that, here's a great Sample-6:
BREAKFAST: 2 egg omelette with tomato, 1/2 slice of cheese, and mushrooms
MID-MORNING SNACK: Greek salad with added chicken drizzled with flaxseed oil
LUNCH: Sliced turkey breast on a wholewheat pita, mixed salad
MID-AFTERNOON SNACK: Beef jerky, fruit of your choice
DINNER: Lemon chicken, asparagus, brown rice, mixed salad
EVENING SNACK: 1/2 cup of cottage cheese mixed with 1tsp of sugar-free jam
The Daily Turn On! Need somethin' sweet? Try this ...
Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.We all have our moments when we need sugar! It is okay to give in to the craving, just be smart about it. Check out these diet-friendly desserts ...
100-Calorie Snack Attack
- Brownie Goodness. Yum! I love brownies! Well, really who doesn't? Glenny's Brownies are 75% organic, and at only 100 calories your taste buds and your body will both love you!
- Smoothie Soothing. These 90-calorie treats soothe your sugar craving. Lightfull Satiety Smoothie comes in lots of yummy flavors such as café latte, chocolate or strawberry flavors. Yummy and good for you.
- Scoop of Goodness. Frozen treats are a summer must. Check out Hola Fruta's. Pomegranate & Blueberry Pure Fruit Sherbet is as yummy as it is super low-cal. With only 75 calories per serving, you can even splurge and have two!
- Have your cake ... and eat it too. Never quite understood this saying. I mean, really? Who wants to have cake and not eat it? Fortunately, Hostess now offers three mini carrot cakes (my personal fave) with cream cheese icing (yummy!) in a scrumptious 100-calorie pack.
Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Tips For Curbing Your Appetite
Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!Sometimes just the very thought of wanting to lose weight makes you even hungrier. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, it definitely makes the tummy hungrier! Here are some tips for curbing your appetite from the folks over at AOLHealth.
Battle of the beverages. Apparently folks consume more food when pairing wine than beer. I wonder if that holds true when you drink light beer ... Less feeling tastes great. Worth a try!
Go solo. While it can certainly be the social thing to do, eating socially can wreak havoc on your portion control. Add one person to your dining experience and you are likely to consume 35 percent more calories than when dining alone; add three people to your dining experience and you are likely to eat 75 percent more. Yikes!
Platters matter. According to studies on color and its effect on people, blue is a natural appetite suppressant. Eating on blue china with blue napkins may actually make you more mindful of your appetite.
Colorology. While we are talking color -- avoid eating in rooms that are red, yellow, or orange as these colors stimulate your appetite. Beige is definitely the way to go in the dining room.
Don't follow your nose. The saying is true ... your nose always knows. Just the smell of sweets can actually stimulate insulin secretion to trick the body into thinking it is hungry. Naughty little cupcakes!
See no evil. Ditto on the eyes. Those naughty cupcakes will also stimulate your appetite when you gaze at them.
Want more? Feast your eyes on these 38 tips!
Battle of the beverages. Apparently folks consume more food when pairing wine than beer. I wonder if that holds true when you drink light beer ... Less feeling tastes great. Worth a try!
Go solo. While it can certainly be the social thing to do, eating socially can wreak havoc on your portion control. Add one person to your dining experience and you are likely to consume 35 percent more calories than when dining alone; add three people to your dining experience and you are likely to eat 75 percent more. Yikes!
Platters matter. According to studies on color and its effect on people, blue is a natural appetite suppressant. Eating on blue china with blue napkins may actually make you more mindful of your appetite.
Colorology. While we are talking color -- avoid eating in rooms that are red, yellow, or orange as these colors stimulate your appetite. Beige is definitely the way to go in the dining room.
Don't follow your nose. The saying is true ... your nose always knows. Just the smell of sweets can actually stimulate insulin secretion to trick the body into thinking it is hungry. Naughty little cupcakes!
See no evil. Ditto on the eyes. Those naughty cupcakes will also stimulate your appetite when you gaze at them.
Want more? Feast your eyes on these 38 tips!
Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Body - Brain Fitness
Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!In case you need another motivator to get yourself to exercise more, here ya go ... Recent studies link exercise to slow brain shrinkage in people with early Alzheimer's disease. While the studies are only preliminary, and the results do not indicate that participants who were more physically fit had less brain shrinkage than less-fit participants, it is certainly food for thought when determining whether not to blow off the gym.
Our brains require plenty of blood flow, which can be provided through regular aerobic activity. When our cardiovascular system is healthy, more blood travels to the brain bringing with it plenty of oxygen, vitamins, minerals, and glucose. Feeding the brain cells via increased blood flow from activity along with obtaining a nutrient-rich diet can result in more efficient brain functioning.
Another important aspect of keeping your brain healthy is avoiding as much toxins as possible. Smoking, air pollution, and a diet rich in processed foods all contribute to brain cell or neuron depletion. When toxins or free radicals are introduced to the brain, nerve cells oxidize and die off. A lack of aerobic exercise, stress depression, minimal mental and social stimulation, and a deficiency of certain nutrients might also lessen a person's thinking ability and neurological activity.
So ... keep your body fit to keep your brain fit!
Life Fit with Laura Lewis: Can Anti-Depressants Affect More Than Mood
Being Life Fit is about your total health, including the health of all of your relationships. Life Fit is a journey, not a destination. It is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Check in each Tuesday to Life Fit with Laura Lewis, author of "52 Ways To A Healthy You," as we explore our total life fitness. Then, weigh in with your own thoughts over at Laura's "Life Fit Chat" each Wednesday and Thursday for further discussion on the week's topic. Or check out "Ask Laura" every Friday for answers! For more information visit Laura at www.LauraLewis.com.With an estimated 10% of American men and women on some sort of pharmaceutical anti-depressant the question of whether or not these medications will have long-term negative side affects is certainly warranted. Recent studies suggest that one long-term effect of pharmaceutical anti-depressants is brittle bones and an increased chance of bone fractures. Not good news for the millions of aging Americans battling depression.
Leslie Spangler, a researcher at Group Health, a Seattle-based health plan researcher, found that post-menopausal women taking prescribed anti-depressants experience a significantly greater number of fractures to the spine, as well as to other bone fractures throughout the body. Spangler's research indicates that women are at a 30 percent greater risk of spinal fractures, and 20 percent greater risk of fracturing other bones.
Women taking anti-depressants need to be especially diligent in getting proper levels of calcium. In my book, 52 Ways To A Healthy You, I share with readers natural ways to maintain enough calcium through diet. Dairy products such as yogurt, acidolphilus, regular milk, and low-fat cheeses are excellent sources of calcium. But many people are not able to tolerate these foods. Fortunately, we can get calcium in other foods that few people think of as "high-calcium" foods. Canned salmon and sardines, collard greens, mustard and turnip greens, broccli, kale, soybeans, tofu, almonds, oysters, clams and shrimp are all excellent non-dairy alternatives for obtaining adequate amounts of calcium.
Leslie Spangler, a researcher at Group Health, a Seattle-based health plan researcher, found that post-menopausal women taking prescribed anti-depressants experience a significantly greater number of fractures to the spine, as well as to other bone fractures throughout the body. Spangler's research indicates that women are at a 30 percent greater risk of spinal fractures, and 20 percent greater risk of fracturing other bones.
Women taking anti-depressants need to be especially diligent in getting proper levels of calcium. In my book, 52 Ways To A Healthy You, I share with readers natural ways to maintain enough calcium through diet. Dairy products such as yogurt, acidolphilus, regular milk, and low-fat cheeses are excellent sources of calcium. But many people are not able to tolerate these foods. Fortunately, we can get calcium in other foods that few people think of as "high-calcium" foods. Canned salmon and sardines, collard greens, mustard and turnip greens, broccli, kale, soybeans, tofu, almonds, oysters, clams and shrimp are all excellent non-dairy alternatives for obtaining adequate amounts of calcium.
The Daily Turn On! Age Gracefully
Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.We all know an older man or woman who is just so great looking "for their age," and we long to feel assured that we will be that fabulous in our sixties and seventies. The key to looking great later is taking care of ourselves now.
Age With Grace Tips
Age With Grace Tips
- Get To I Do. According to a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health married people live longer lives than their single counterparts. While longevity increased amongst widowed and divorced people, the study indicated that the longevity of the marriage does have a significant impact on the longevity of life.
- Laughter As The Best Medicine. It has been said over and over, and it is true ... laughter truly is the best medicine. Laughter strengthens the immune system, lowers blood sugar levels in diabetics, increases oxygen in the body, and enhances relaxation and sleep. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, average blood flow can increase by as much as 22 percent while laughing; whereas the body experiences a decrease in blood flow by 35 percent during times of mental stress and anguish.
- Furry Friends. The companionship of an animal provides more than just a constant friend. Caring for a pet can reduce stress, lower cholesterol, and decrease blood pressure. People who own dogs are also more likely to exercise outdoors with their pet.
- Mental Agility. Mental stimulation is essential for maintaining healthy cognitive brain functions. According to Neurology Online, deliberate mental stimulation such as crossword puzzles, playing chess, learning new concepts and theories, etc., reduces the risk of mild cognitive impairment, as well as reduces the risk of Alzheimer's by as much as 2.6 percent as compared to people who are not cognitively active.
Daily Fit Tip: Eat your veggies
Daily Fit Tip, Nutrition & Supplements
Mom knew what she was talking about all those years ago. But are you eating enough vegetables now? Most adults aren't.
Daily Fit Tip: Yoga anytime
Do you love how great you feel after yoga class, but your a bit crunched for time? Try these yoga moves -- no mat required!
