Monday, December 2, 2013

Helping your waistline survive the holidays

Tis, the season – for holiday cookies, office parties and gatherings featuring buffet tables groaning with treats, and, of course, egg nog……. It all adds up, and if you're like most Americans, you'll put on a pound or two by New Year's Day. Or not! Here come those words: moderation, portion control, will power….it’s not that you shouldn’t eat the food that you like – it’s more about the amount you eat. 

Some tips that work for me? I pre-eat! Sounds funny, but I try not to show up to a party ready to eat like farm animal. If I do show up hungry, I drink some water to help fill me up before I fill my plate. 

Also, go easy on the booze for a lot of reasons, one of which is empty calories. And when it comes to dessert, go for the one thing that you simply can’t live without, and even then, take a small portion and savor it. Unless we’re talking chocolate, in which case all bets are off, so…….         

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Water

Water is the second most popular drink behind soft drinks. Well, next time you’re thirsty, push that soda away and grab a glass of water! There are so many great reasons to choose water over other beverages! Did you know that our brain is mostly water? It’s true! So it makes sense that drinking water might help you think more clearly, focus and concentrate better. 

If you get frequent headaches, drinking water may help there too, as headaches can be caused by dehydration. And although constipation isn’t the most glamorous topic, water can help maintain regularity because it helps you digest your food. And if you get muscles cramps, you might want to up your water intake - proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so cramps and joint pain are less likely. Water may also improve your complexion, suppress you appetite, and flush out toxins. Oh and the best part?  Wait for it……IT’S FREE!!!! 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

October 31, 2013

Sleep is good for your waistline!

October 31, 2013
 
On top of feeling fabulous, sleep is super important to lots of aspects of our health. Yep -  one of the things most of us rarely get enough of can have a huge positive effects on everything from memory to weight - seriously!

Sleep helps  your brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later - any college students out there???  Also, it's kind of a no brainer that when you're sleep deprived  there's a greater chance that you'll fall asleep during the daytime which can be dangerous for drivers.

Anybody else get cranky when they don't get enough sleep?  That's because sleep loss can result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness.On a more serious note, sleep deprivation can mess with your immune system and sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.

And check this out  - chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite. Yep - sleeping is good for your waistline - bonus!!!!!!   

Start my shaping up!