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…

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.

By: David Haas of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance

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?

Parents are often surprised when they are told that their children are overweight. Health experts believe that child obesity has become the norm, therefore they are unable to tell if their child is overweight or not. And with 1 in 3 primary school children classed as overweight, it is not surprising that they find it hard to notice the problem.
Experts insist more exercise needs to be integrated into childrens’ daily lives as well as a healthy balanced diet. Child obesity levels could significantly decrease if their lifestyle changed. So why not start now? As parents/guardians, it is your responsibility to give your child the best start in life and as spring is just on the horizon, it is the perfect time to get your children active and enjoying the outdoors.

Below are some exercise ideas that are fun and great for fitness:

Swimming

Swimming has been tipped as one of the best exercises. The sport benefits the whole body and develops general strength and endurance. Especially on a hot summers day, swimming encourages children to be active and improve their social integration. This cardiovascular exercise promotes heart and lung health and improves stamina and flexibility.

Research has shown that that early swimmers perform better on tests measuring social, academic, motor and personality developments.
The activity can have a positive effect on emotional health and can improve your child’s mood.
Swimming can be enjoyed by all the family; therefore encouraging family time that involves exercise will benefit the whole family physically and emotionally.

Trampolining

Trampolines are enjoyed by anyone, any age! Believe it or not, bouncing on a trampoline has the same amount of health benefits as doing a few laps in the pool. Similar to swimming, trampolining is a cardiovascular exercise working the core muscles, helping your child keep trim and toned. Jumping repeatedly on a trampoline can be a strenuous exercise, however because your child is jumping on a bouncy trampoline pad, it reduces the impact, protecting your child’s joints and bones.
Research has shown that trampolining has positive effects for children who suffer with autism. As a child bounces, it can help integrate a child’s sensory and physical systems. Trampolining involves a lot of concentration and awareness, often without your child even realising. The activity develops coordination skills and improves balance and rhythm, essential skills for children to learn in early life.

Trampolining is such a convenient sport. Retailers sell trampolines in a huge range of sizes and shapes to suit any garden size.
Note that children who are less than 6 years old should use junior trampolines with handles.

Hula Hooping

A real favourite amongst children, hula hooping is the perfect tool to encourage gentle exercise into your child’s routine. People are often shocked at how many wellbeing and health benefits are achieved from hula hooping. Below is a list of what hula hooping can do for your child:

• Improve coordination skills
• Improve flexibility of the spine
• Enhance your child’s mood
• Increase your child’s fitness levels
• Help burn fat

Balance Bikes
Balance bikes are ideal for toddlers as young as three. A balance bike does not have pedals or stabilisers, so children learn to balance and steer very quickly. Soon they’ll be balancing, learning and playing all at once. All the time, they are developing their motor skills and coordination, while having terrific fun.
Balance bikes improve:

• Balance and coordination skills
• Communication skills
• Growth and security
• Independence
• Confidence
• Fitness and stamina

Find the perfect sized trampoline and the best looking balance bike and start encouraging your child to get fit this summer.

Via: Canada Drug Center

But to help in the process I’ve decided to start working out at our local YMCA. I don’t care for exercise – never did, but I’ve found that I’m more inclined to eat better when I’m actively exercising. I think it’s because I hate it so much. If I over indulge, I feel that all that terrible exercising was for naught.

So my routine is doing a bunch of aerobic exercise first – like the treadmill or elliptical machine. Then I use the Nautilus-type machines for bodybuilding exercises. I assume all of this must do some good, because I feel so bad doing it.

Via: Bye Bye Excessive Armpit Sweat

See!!! Isn’t that amazing. And you thought I was kidding about getting rid of excess armpit sweat.

What does that mean? What do whey protein and casein have to do with weight loss? Well that’s why you have to keep reading! See! I had a strategy after all.

When I was in college, I was in great shape. Weight loss – according to my know-it-all self of the time – was for people who just didn’t care about themselves. After all, if I could eat whatever I wanted (in enormous portions, no doubt), cook it all in butter, and exercise only when I felt like it, and yet still look fit, then it must mean that anyone who was overweight just wasn’t trying to lose weight. Right?

Then I graduated. It was after graduation that I actually learned something useful. I had been living in a lucky bubble experienced by only a small part of the population for a tiny fraction of their lives, and that bubble had just burst. Every time I stepped on the scale, I saw a higher number. It was time to diet. No problem! I used to drop 5 pounds in a week without breaking a sweat. The thing was, it didn’t seem to be working anymore.

I tried everything from the cabbage soup fad diet to cutting (my favorite!) carbs. Nothing worked. I could drop a pound or two, but then it would come rushing back; and it brought friends! I was miserable. I felt ugly and my health suffered. The only thing that was shrinking was my wallet, since I had to replace my entire wardrobe every time I gained more weight.

Ten years passed and I decided to put my education to good use. I started some research. Lots of it. The latest science showed me that everything I’d been doing was wrong. It was slowing down my metabolism!

The solution was to pay attention to my macronutrients. Specifically, to boost lean protein while eating healthy fats and eating fewer carbs. I started including whey protein shakes into my routine and taking casein supplements.

The protein in the whey shakes let me get through the day without feeling hungry, and the casein protein boost gave me the long-lasting energy I needed to get through my exercise routine without suffering from fatigue.

With hunger and fatigue under control, and my metabolism running at its best, I finally lost the weight. I have my youthful college figure back again but without the youthful ignorance that kept me from maintaining in the first place. Talk to your doctor about protein from whey and casein to try it for yourself.

My friends over at DrugNatural have a great selection of diet supplements and many natural health supplements. I’ve been using DrugNatural for years and I can’t say enough good things about their product selection, customer service and especially their shipping – great rates and very quick!