Losing weight, one diet at a time; one month at a time…
Weight Loss Ramblings
Garcinia Cambogia – What do You Think?
May 5th
Recently I was asked to write about Garcinia Cambogia which, honestly I had never heard of before now. I was told that Dr Oz had recommended this to his viewers – not that I put that much faith in his recommendations but I know that millions of others do.
So, I decided to do a little research before I started writing. As with almost any product, supplement, tool, etc that claims amazing weight loss – usually there are going to be as many websites saying it’s all a scam as there are selling the product. But, in my research I hardly found any websites saying it was a scam. There were a few unhappy reviews that said they didn’t think the product did much of anything.
What I did find in my research was more information on using pure garcinia cambogia. Apparently there are some products that don’t use the pure version or it may be diluted enough that you will not really get the benefits that are reported by those that have used the product in a more pure version.
Garcinia Cambogia (HCA) is a natural extract from a plant that is native to Indonesia. The extract is a supplement that comes from the rind of the fruit which is a small pumpkin-shaped fruit. It’s been around for a long, long time.
It is supposed to help your body burn fat quicker and more efficiently by blocking fat and suppressing the appetite. It has also been found that HCA increases serotonin levels which are a neurotransmitter that makes you feel better. This can help those of us who are emotional eaters. If we feel better, we eat less or at least we don’t run for the fridge in a bad situation!
Is it safe? People who live in regions where the Garcinia Cambogia fruit grows have known about its health-giving benefits and have been safely enjoying them for centuries. I suppose all things are fine in moderation. So, I would only take the recommended amounts and with any new diet or health supplement – ask your doctor before using.
When you are looking for pure garcinia cambogia or “GCE”, make sure it has at least 50% HCA (active ingredient potassium). According to Dr. Oz, “some experts believe that the newly available HCA potassium salts are more effective than the other HCA formulations”.
Looks like it really could be a winner. Most important – make good, healthy food choices and exercise regularly!
Let me know what you think!
I Really Hate Dieting
Apr 17th
Herman, Ditty, Boo & Sugar
You would think losing 10-15 pounds would be easy – it’s really not that much weight to lose.
But, I just can’t seem to do it.
So, I’ll paint instead.
Review – Frozen Breakfasts – Smart Ones
Apr 8th
I think I should review these frozen meals that have become a staple in my life as I try to lose weight for the upcoming summer season (as well as my health).
I’m going to start with breakfast. Lean Cuisine doesn’t really have any breakfast selections so, today I will review the few Weight Watchers or Smart Ones breakfast selections that I have tried.
The three that I have had are –
English Muffin Sandwich with Turkey Sausage
Pancakes with Turkey Sausage
Waffles with Turkey Sausage
Smart Ones English Muffin Sandwich with Turkey Sausage
Smart Ones Waffles with Turkey Sausage
That’s all for now.
Tomorrow – lunch!
What is Best for Sunburn?
Jul 5th
Glad you asked!
I come from a long line of pasty-white people and we burn. It doesn’t help that we don’t properly prepare each time we leave the house.
I spent yesterday, the 4th of July out in the sun and of course, I got a sunburn.
But, I came across a product that is the absolute best thing I’ve found for sunburn – Sunburnt!
I wish I had known of this years ago, but I’m glad I’ve found it.
I don’t think you can get it online but it’s at K-mart, Walgreens and similar stores.
No Flour? No Sugar? no, really???
May 8th
I was recently told that to lose weight permanently I would have to permanently give up flour (white flour that is) and ALL sugar – regardless of the color.
I thought to myself, there’s no way I can do that. For a person who doesn’t particularly like fruit and vegetables, what else could I eat if I gave up flour and sugar???
The thought behind this, I believe is that flour and sugar to the ‘over-eater’ is akin to alcohol to the ‘alcoholic’.
It does make sense when I think about it. Unlike the alcoholic, I can’t NOT ever have ‘another drink’. I have to eat to live (I know, I don’t have to live to eat). But, if I were to permanently stay away from the foods that I absolutely love, which, by the way, ALL contain vast amounts of flour and/or sugar.
But, can I survive only eating foods that don’t have those two ingredients?
That thought took me back to the Mediterranean diet – that was the ‘lifestyle’ I most loved over all these years of trying to lose weight, get healthy and stick with it!
There were a vast assortment of foods that I thoroughly enjoyed back in my Mediterranean days….
Fresh tomatoes
olives
olive oil
salmon, tilapia, tuna
whole wheat breads, bagels
hummus
brown rice cakes
salads
veggie burgers
and so much more…
Fitness Options for Cancer Patients in Special Circumstances
Apr 13th
The benefits of better physical fitness for all cancer patients have been making headlines for over a decade. Researchers are regularly confirming these benefits for different types of cancer, different forms of exercise, and the variety of treatment programs. Studies have consistently shown that aerobic exercises can be safely coupled with strength training for most patients, and the benefits grow just as fast as the fitness level of the individual.
Every patient will bring a different set of precautions and existing fitness level to the program, and this means that every exercise program should be designed with the circumstances in mind. Many studies have focused on endurance aerobics, such as walking and light jogging. These standard forms of exercise are appropriate for most patients, but patients in special circumstances will benefit more from other types. Some conditions that call for specially designed workout programs include post-op recovery, limited function or palliative care, and cancer of the bone or connective tissue.
Exercising for Post-op Recovery
Surgical advances in recent years have reduced the invasiveness and sped up recovery for some forms of cancer surgery. Prostatectomy, for instance, can now be performed with micro-incisions that minimize complications related to bladder and sexual function. Other forms of surgery are by necessity still highly invasive and have a long recovery time. The two most common types are mastectomy and surgery for colorectal cancer.
A review of randomized control trials published in 2010 showed that exercise interventions specifically designed for post-op recovery after breast surgery were highly effective at returning range of motion to the upper limbs. The long-held concern that exercise may contribute to lymphedema was also found to be invalid. Patients in these trials reported no complications. Of course, the key to this is responsible use of the specific exercises. A fitness expert can help in teaching these and ensuring proper form, and there are also DVDs available for those without the benefit of an expert. Similar benefits and programs are available for those undergoing other types of cancer surgery.
High Risk Patients
Elderly patients, those with limited mobility, and mesothelioma patients on palliative care can all gain the benefits of physical activity. However, the type of exercise and intensity will need to be more closely monitored to prevent dangerous injuries. The good news is that fitness experts are routinely employed to help in these cases, and the expense is covered by most insurance plans.
Musculoskeletal Cancers
Cancer of the bone or connective tissue is not a contraindication for exercise. In fact, most patients will still be able to use many types of traditional gym workouts. The special consideration here is that fitness programs should include some form of weight-bearing exercise while avoiding high-impact forms. Weight-bearing exercise prompts the body to build new bone and connective tissue, which may be essential in preventing fractures.
In special cases, it is imperative to seek out expert advice on the safest and most effective forms of exercise. This will ensure benefits and minimize the risk of injury.
Is the Looming, Dreaded Threat of an ‘Empty Nest’ Causing Me to Gain Weight?
Mar 13th
My therapist thinks so!
I’ve been having some much trouble making good food choices for the past many months. It’s sweets – desserts, ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s, DQ Blizzards, Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory and on and on and on….
I have one fabulous child left at home and she’s looking at colleges. Yikes! She’s a junior in High School and definitely college-bound. It looks like I have only 14 months left of her. She’s incredibly social, so she’s not ‘around’ all that much, but at least she comes home to sleep every night and I know she’s never much farther than 10 miles from home.
I have been having the worst time sticking to my exercise program and resisting all the sweets that come my way – and there are many. So, off to the therapist I go, wanting to discover what could be the cause of my struggle.
My therapist knows me fairly well after all these years – at least 10 years! She listened to me ramble on about all that’s going on in my life. All the ups and downs, extreme hardships of raising my boys on my own, back to school, getting a job, many deaths – overall a fairly normal, albeit busy life.
And the diagnosis – once all the kids are gone – AKA Empty Nest Syndrome – I will have to deal with myself and my issues. Not putting all my energy into the kids, the house, the financial issues and on and on and on…. I will be there, alone and have nothing to occupy my time, but me. And that scares the crap out of me.
So, I eat sweets to help cover up all the ‘sour’ that’s coming my way.
What do you think?
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