Search Weight Loss Topics: |
Andrew Moscrop: Deprivation and the failure of Boris Johnson’s covid-19 weight loss plan – The BMJ – The BMJ
If we all do our bit, said Boris Johnson, launching a Government strategy to tackle obesity during the summer of 2020, we can reduce our health risks and protect ourselves against coronavirusas well as taking pressure off the NHS. Following his own coronavirus scare, the prime minister appeared eager to get the nation to lose weight. An online videoshowed him walking his dog around the grounds of Chequers and referring to his personal battles with obesity and coronavirus.
But anew report by a cross-party think-tank suggests that Government messages on weight loss and coronavirus have done little to help people with obesity address their condition. So what was wrong with Boris Johnsons coronavirus weight loss plan?
The evidence is now in: obesity can double your chance of dying from coronavirus, saidNHS Englands chief executive in the run up to Johnsons strategy launch. Obesity may be one of the few modifiable risk factors for covid-19, announced Public Health England. But it had already been shown that obesity was not the only factor to double your risk of death from coronavirus. Nor is it the only modifiable risk factor for covid-19. Living in a deprived area doubles your chance of dying from coronavirus. Social deprivation is another modifiable risk factor for coronavirus mortality. And yet it has attracted little attention from the prime minister and no government initiatives were set up to address it.
Modifying, or eradicating, deprivation demands that the government make progressive changes in policies. Meanwhile, efforts to tackle obesity tend to push the responsibility onto individuals, encouraging them to make different life choices and change their behaviour. This was apparent when thegovernments obesity policy described a call to action for everyone who is overweight to take steps to move towards a healthier weight. The Health Secretary wrote of the policy that at its heart is better information:providing the public with information to help them make healthier choices. The focus on individuals and their personal choices was also apparent when, in anarticle accompanying his dog-walking video, the prime minister summoned a spirit of personal responsibility to tackle the problem of obesity, highlighting how your health depends on your own choices about how you lead your life.
But the emphasis on personal choice did not acknowledge the complex social causation of obesity. In particular, it did not acknowledge the higher incidence of obesity amongmore deprived groups. It ignored the unequal environments in which personal choices are made. Deprived areas have afive times greater density of fast food outletsand fewer shops selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Taking Dilyn the dog for a walk around the lawns of the Chequers estate is unarguably a more appealing option than taking exercise in many urban housing estates. Promoting personal choice also ignored the unequal resources that people have, including the fact that many children grow up in homes that struggle toafford a healthy diet,andfood poverty is a real issue. Having to depend on food banks does not facilitate personal choice. And making choices in order to lose weight relies upon a sense of personal agency and control that many people experiencing deprivation have had eroded over time, as life opportunities have been withheld from them, as state benefits have been cut despite their protestations, and as their efforts to secure employment or housing have resulted only in disappointment. Many of these issues have already been exacerbated by coronavirus, because it is people onlow incomes who have tended to lose their jobs or be furloughed, and the economic fallout will continue to hit hardest those who are already worst off. People who are more deprived may be more likely to be obese, but they are less able to respond to the governments call to action.
Of course, addressing obesity and addressing deprivation do not need to be conflicting priorities. After all, since rates of obesity are higher among more deprived groups, it might make sense to address these issues together. But when obesity is addressed in isolation it shifts attention, effort, and resources away from the issue of deprivation, and from the unfair impact of deprivation on peoples health.
The governments coronavirus-inspired weight loss plan was a failure. It marked a failure to acknowledge deprivation as a risk factor for coronavirus mortality. And it failed even to acknowledge the role of deprivation as a risk factor for obesity. Many observers anticipated this failure, with the PMs strategy branded a missed opportunity at the time, showing little sign of policies that will address the root causes of obesity. Without addressing those root causes, as a nation we will not only fail to lose weight, but we will continue to fail the more vulnerable members of our society.
A whole systems approach to obesity has been advocated; looking at the wide range of factors that may contribute to higher rates of obesity. With that in mind, and with recognition of the role of deprivation in relation to obesity, coronavirus, and many other health problems, we should take note of Michael Marmots recent invocation to Build Back Fairer. In the wake of coronavirus, priorities should include reducing social and economic inequalities, and ensuring that fair health outcomes are at the heart of government policy. The healthcare professions still have a powerful role in holding the government to account.
Andrew Moscrop, primary care physician, Oxford.
Competing interests: None declared.
Read the original post:
Andrew Moscrop: Deprivation and the failure of Boris Johnson's covid-19 weight loss plan - The BMJ - The BMJ
What Are the Pros and Cons of Intermittent Fasting? – AARP
In fact, if anything, intermittent fasting may actually inadvertently sabotage your attempts at weight loss: Weiss study also found that the weight the time-restricted eaters shed was mainly lean mass, including muscle, not body fat. This is more worrisome for people over 50, since maintaining muscle mass as you age gets harder, he explains. Preserving muscle is key in this age group, not only to keep your metabolism percolating (which in turn helps keep weight off) but also because it helps improve balance and reduces risk of falls. Before recommending to my older patients, I would want to see more research on the effects on lean mass, adds Weiss, who had been following time-restricted eating himself since 2014.
One problem his patients run up against with intermittent fasting, says Aronne, is that it's difficult to stick to long term. A 2017 study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine found that almost 40 percent of people fall off the fasting wagon within six months. Some people find themselves so ravenously hungry after 16 hours of not eating, or a day of fasting, that they end up consuming thousands of calories, which defeats the purpose, he explains. If you have diabetes, you should know that the combination of fasting and the medications you may take could cause your blood glucose levels to get dangerously low.
That's not to say this kind of restricted eating can't have value. Intermittent fasting may in fact work for certain people, Aronne adds, especially if they don't want to be bothered with calorie tracking and food records. It's not my first choice for weight loss, he says, but I have found that in a select group of patients struggling to lose weight, having them eat all their food in an eight-hour period works for them, because it's easy and they don't have to think about it: They just do it.
For everyone, it still makes sense more generally to eat to maximize your circadian rhythms your body's inner clock that guides you to wake and sleep as much as possible, advises Michael Roizen, M.D., chief wellness officer of the Cleveland Clinic and author ofWhat to Eat When. Our bodies evolved to be primed for food during the day, so that we have plenty of energy for survival, he says. As a result, your body is most sensitive to insulin, a hormone that moves glucose from your blood into cells for energy and storage, during the day, and most resistant to it at night. Ignoring these rhythms and eating at the wrong times say, late at night can raise blood sugar, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, according to a study led by researchers at Harvard University as well as Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Take an approach instead where you make breakfast (or, if you can't stomach eating a lot that early, lunch) the main meal of the day, and make your last meal a light one after the sun goes down. This carries many of the same benefits of intermittent fasting, since you're generally not eating within a 12-hour window, but it's much easier, explains Roizen.
The rest is here:
What Are the Pros and Cons of Intermittent Fasting? - AARP
The Diet Action Bronson Follows to Lose Weight – menshealth.com
In March, as the world went to hell and New York City went into lockdown, Queens-born chef turned hip-hop-artist Action Bronson (Ariyan Arslani, Baklava) began a 127-pound weight loss grind. Now, nine months later, he said it's almost like he never had that weight to begin with.
At his heaviest, Bronson was pushing 400 pounds, and with the birth of his son last year, he decided enough was enough. Ive been a big boy my whole life and it got out of control, he tells Mens Health. My entire career was based around living a fast, hard life. And I got myself together and here we are in December and Im 249 pounds this morningshredded!
Bronsons gym time was important for his weight loss, but his dietary changes were essential; the former chef had to battle indulgence, starting at sunrise.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Bronson said his days begin now around 4:30 AM, sometimes with a soft-scrambled eggs (no browning!), and always with a protein shake. "I have to make two portions because its an after-the-workout shake also," he said. (Shake recipe: fruit, olive oil, almonds, almond milk, protein.)
After workouts, lunch usually consists of five to 10 egg whites and chickenI wanna look like Eddie Hall, Bronson said, grinningand broccolidefrosted in hot water, thrown with olive oil into a hot pan and sauted with garlic: beautiful.
Bronson avoids unhealthy snacking habits by relying on roasted nuts, hit with honey and spices like cayenne and cinnamon. The rest of the day is varied, healthy chaos for Bronson who might eat sopita or other soupsyoure boiling out all this goodness, all this soul, and youre putting back into your souland then a light, low-carb dinnergrilled chicken and broccoli.
I havent had a good pasta in months, man, he said, sadly. I love pasta. The difference for Bronson these days, however, is willpower. Dessert has to be carefully considered and then avoided.
Men's Health
Its hard to have dessert, Bronson explained. You become unconscious when youre eating that stuff. You cant gage the size and what the impact has. The smallest thing could be the worst thing in the world.
Bronson recently spent his birthday staring down a cake. I looked at it. I know what that cake taste like But I have willpower now. He recommended seeking out natural, unprocessed sweets like raw cacao and almond butter.
Or you could just go with fruit, Bronson said. And maybe baklava, on very special occasions.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Follow this link:
The Diet Action Bronson Follows to Lose Weight - menshealth.com
5 Best Fitness Apps that Can Help You Lose Weight | TechQuila – TechQuila
- Advertisement -
The secret to successful weight loss is to burn more calories than you consume on a day to day basis.The benefits of fitness are numerous but consistency and discipline are crucial if you are serious about your fitness goals and want to reap those benefits. If you are trying to become physically active or burn more calories, fitness apps can help you immensely. Here are a few of the finest fitness apps out there that can help you get to your dream body. Find one that suits your needs, and get started on your fitness journey today!
Fitbit takes your food monitoring to the next level and is a terrific way to supervise your overall fitness and health. It shows a daily breakdown of your carbs, protein, and fat intake aside from the basic info like kilometers covered and calories burned. The app also helps track your heart rates and can easily become your fitness diary. If you are wearing a Fitbit, it will track your non-exercise activity, sleep quality, and much more.
You can keep an eye on your food and water intake, weight fluctuations, menstrual cycle, etc by just logging it all on the companion app. You can look for about 350,000 foods in the Fitbit food database and even enter personalized food items. It helps you better understand how certain food choices impact your overall health. The Fitbit app provides weekly and monthly reports, celebrates milestones, and offers strong community support to keep you motivated through your journey.
- Advertisement -
Download it here.
HealthyOut is a free, user-friendly app that incorporates healthy eating out options in more than 500 cities worldwide. The user can filter according to his/her preference with options like keto, gluten-free, paleo or by calories and also add filters such as nutrition labels, low cholesterol, or categorize by cuisines like Italian, Thai or Mexican.
You can make it highly customized where youll only be shown dishes that dont exceed your chosen calorie count, providing all the necessary information like the protein content, fat, and carbs amount along with additional criteria like low-carb, vegan, or pescatarian. With HealthyOut by your side, say goodbyes to all that stress and anxiety that comes with dining out!
- Advertisement -
Download it here.
MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular calorie counters that track your weight, comprising of a well-designed food diary along with an exercise log. The homepage provides a clear picture of how many calories the user has consumed throughout the day and the app also contains 350 strength and cardio exercises.
- Advertisement -
With the help of this superb app, you can also calculate the nutritional value of a homemade meal. MyFitnessPal offers a free version as well as a premium one. Its premium version costs $49.99 per year and consists of unique features like VIP support, banner-free experience, and lots more.
Download it here.
The app creates a Calorie Budget keeping in mind how fast you would like to achieve your set target. It will then show you the number of calories you must have each day in order to achieve your goal weight. It has an exercise log, a user-specific food diary and can easily be connected to a pedometer or any other fitness device. Lose It! even comes up with a personalized calorie budget based on height, weight, gender, and age.
With a premium membership for $39.99 a year, you can log additional information and go for extra customizations like wellness challenges, private support groups, hydration levels, sleep cycles, and also receive a daily /weekly log of your progress!
Lose It makes it a lot easier totrack your weight goals, which you can alsosharewith your friends if you wish. Lose It! depicts weight changes on a graph and also provides easy access to an active chat community for that extra dose of motivation.
Download it here.
FatSecret is on our list as one of the best keto apps, but it also works wonders as a free calorie counter and food diary for any other diet. It includes a food diary, nutrition database, special workouts,and a personal journal. The homepage of the app shows the breakdown of carbs, protein and fat displayed for each meal and also has some amazing features like image recognition of food, making it easier than to log and track calories.
FatSecret allows you toshare your progresswith professionals like your nutritionist, gym trainer, or doctor so you can get the best out of it. It has a build-in active chat community where users can look up success stories, unique tips, healthy recipes, and lots more!
Download it here.
Note: Kindly consult a healthcare, nutrition or fitness professional before opting for any diet or workout routine.
Further reading:
- Advertisement -
See more here:
5 Best Fitness Apps that Can Help You Lose Weight | TechQuila - TechQuila
Intermittent fasting The facts – SHEmazing
Diet culture is a tricky subject. While it has evolved from the insanity of the late nineties and early noughties, there is still a lot of scepticism around some of the trending diets taking hold today.
In the era of fitness bloggers and nutritionist Instagram pages, there are thousands of different experts telling us a thousand different and conflicting ways to slim down. Some take the more modern, holistic approach, teaching body positivity, moderation and exercise, keeping the entire process simple. Others, however, maintain that there is a complex and specific formula to gaining the body you want.
One of these formulas that has taken over the weight loss world is intermittent fasting. A practice used since ancient times, according to Harvard School of Public Health, there is evidence that this method was in use in the times of the ancient Greeks . Popular belief says that intermittent fasting increases longevity, reduces body weight and promotes healthy ageing.
The idea is based on the fact that humans did not always have access to the large quantities of food that we do today and that three large daily meals as well as snacks in between were not consumed. Intermittent fasting promotes mimicking this idea, going for certain periods of time without consuming food depending on your body weight and weight loss plan and only drinking water, and unsweetened beverages during this time.
Now that Unislim Ireland has adopted a version of this method as part of their Balance Plan, we decided to look a little harder at what this diet thats generating more interest than any other fad before actually entails.
We decided to build on our fantastic Balance plan to help you give your weight-loss a turbo boost by introducing our brand NEW Flexifast plan. Flexifast is a unique and innovative fasting-focused plan developed by some of Irelands leading dieticians to show you how to manage fasting successfully and safely in 2020.
There are a few different ways to go about intermittently fasting. The different types are tailored to the subjects lifestyle and revolve around when and how you eat;
Alternate day fasting requires fasting every other day.
Modified alternate day fasting means allowing a small consumption of calories on fasting day, usually less the 75% of your normal caloric intake.
The 5:2 diet, also known as the fast diet, requires abstaining totally from food for 2 days of the week and then maintaining a normal diet the other 5 days. This method is purported to combat the effects of initial rapid weight loss from caloric deficiency, claiming to prevent the body from clinging to the fat cells as a store of heat and energy, and instead reaping the benefits of a short term fast, including weight loss.
The hours of the day in which food is allowed to be consumed are also a factor in this diet. The rule to live by is 16:8, 18:6, and 20:4. The 16:8 method is the most popular, involving a 16 hour fast and then an 8 hour period within which to consume your meals. Therefore, this window generally excludes either breakfast or dinner. There is a history of nutritionists suggesting that eating within a certain window is beneficial to not only weight loss but our sleep patterns and digestive system. However, that history does not include advising skipping meals.
(Sources)
Some articles about intermittent fasting claim that the primary fuel for most cells and organs in the body are glucose, fatty acids and ketone bodies and that these are used for energy or stored as triglycerides. These articles claim that during periods of fasting, triglycerides are broken down to make fatty acids available and that practising intermittent fasting means the bodys cells will periodically not have access to glucose. Instead, they will use free fatty acids and ketone bodies as their primary fuel. They call this process intermittent metabolic switching or glucose-ketone (G-to-K) switchover
The idea is that when the bodys glycogen stores become depleted, as happens during fasting, the body starts to break down fat. The breakdown of fats increases the availability of fatty acids, which most cells can use for energy.
However, a recent summary of the current scientific evidence indicates that our understanding of the effects of fasting on physical performance is not complete. Although some studies are clearly positive, others have reported decreased performances while others showed no effect
(Sources)
Physiologically, calorie restriction has been shown in animals to increase lifespan and improve tolerance to various metabolic stresses in the body. [4] Although the evidence for caloric restriction in animal studies is strong, there is less convincing evidence in human studies.
Harvard School of Public Health also notes that while many of the studies saw that participants did in fact lose weight roughly 7-11 pounds over a 10-week period it noted that many of these studies were flawed in their methods;
Many different study designs and methods of intermittent fasting were used, and participant characteristics differed (lean vs. obese). Half of the studies were controlled trials comparing the fasting group to a comparison group and/or a control group (either continuous calorie restriction or usual lifestyle), with the other half examining an intermittent fasting group alone.
While these studies are flawed, their results show some interesting findings;
Dropout rates (people giving up on the diet) ranged from 0-65%. When comparing dropout rates between the fasting groups and continuous calorie restriction groups, no significant differences were found. Overall, the review did not find that intermittent fasting had a low dropout rate, and therefore was not necessarily easier to follow than other weight loss approaches.
When examining the 12 clinical trials that compared the fasting group with the continuous calorie restriction group, there was no significant difference in weight loss amounts or body composition changes.
Ten trials that investigated changes in appetite did not show an overall increase in appetite in the intermittent fasting groups despite significant weight loss and decreases in leptin hormone levels (a hormone that suppresses appetite).
This type of dietary pattern would be difficult for someone who eats every few hours (e.g., snacks between meals, grazes). It would also not be appropriate for those with conditions that require food at regular intervals due to metabolic changes caused by their medications, such as with diabetes. Prolonged periods of food deprivation or semi-starvation places one at risk for overeating when food is reintroduced and may foster unhealthy behaviours such as an increased fixation on food.
The Harvard School of Public Health warns that;
Individuals with the following conditions should abstain from intermittent fasting:
Diabetes
Eating disorders that involve unhealthy self-restriction (anorexia or bulimia nervosa)
Use of medications that require food intake
Active growth stage, such as in adolescents
Pregnancy, breastfeeding
Some studies suggest that alternate-day fasting is about as effective as a typical low-calorie diet for weight loss. That seems reasonable because reducing the number of calories you eat should help you lose weight.
Can intermittent fasting improve your health? Losing weight and being physically active help lower your risk of obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, sleep apnea and some types of cancer. For these diseases, intermittent fasting seems to be about as beneficial as any other type of diet that reduces overall calories.
Manpreet Mundi M.D. says that there is some research to suggest that intermittent fasting may be more beneficial than other diets for reducing inflammation and improving conditions associated with inflammation, such as:
Alzheimer's disease
Arthritis
Asthma
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke
However, he notes the side affects that intermittent fasting can have, although they generally go away after a month on the diet. They are;
Hunger
Fatigue
Insomnia
Nausea
Headaches
Mundi is careful also to note that intermittent fasting is safe for many people, but it's not for everyone. Skipping meals may not be the best way to manage your weight if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. If you have kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux, diabetes or other medical problems, talk with your doctor before starting intermittent fasting.
Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Mark Mattson, Ph.D., has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years. One of Mattsons studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed data about a range of health benefits associated with the practice of intermittent fasting. Benefits include a longer life, a leaner body and a sharper mind.
Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related neurodegenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers, he says.
Dietician, Christie Williams also stresses that before you try intermittent fasting (or any diet), you should check in with your primary care practitioner first. Some people who should steer clear of trying intermittent fasting are:
Children and teens under age 18.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
People with diabetes or blood sugar problems.
Those with a history of eating disorders.
But, Johns Hopkins dietician Christie Williams, M.S., R.D.N. says, People not in these categories who can do intermittent fasting safely can continue the regimen indefinitely. It can be a lifestyle change, she says, and one with benefits.
Keep in mind that intermittent fasting may have different effects on different people. Talk to your doctor if you start experiencing unusual anxiety, headaches, nausea or other symptoms after you start intermittent fasting.
While this is a method that seems to be slowly and cautiously being embraced, as seen with the experts here, it is clear that there is little definitive evidence yet about whether or not this method is actually any better or worse than normal caloric regulation.
However, what it does seem to promote is a fixation on the limitation of food for longer periods of time than other diets. It is a slippery slope from a days fasting to an obsession about how long one can go without food. While there does seem to be a safe way to practice this method, it raises red flags for anyone susceptible to obsession with weight and calorie intake. Studies still leave a lot of questions unanswered. What are the long term effects? Is t safe for athletes? Does fasting for a day affect ones ability to do tasks like work and drive?
Practising intermittent fasting is a personal decision and one that must be made between you and your doctor.
See the original post:
Intermittent fasting The facts - SHEmazing
Eating off saucers and other ways to celebrate the holidays after weight-loss surgery – Houston Chronicle
Ruben Cardona plans to spend Christmas in his loft in East Downtown with his partner.
I've been so eager to decorate this year I put up all my holiday stuff up even before Thanksgiving, he said.
Cardonas tree is decorated and covered with lights, and his stockings for humans, as well as his dogs Ramsey and Bug are hanging. Instead of visiting family, Cardona, 28, will schedule Facetime and telephone calls to stay connected.
We decided to do our holidays apart, he said.
In some ways, staying separate will make Cardonas celebration easier this year. A few months ago, he had a gastric sleeve procedure. After weight loss surgery, diets and portion sizes are restricted, making Christmas dinner trickier to navigate.
Its my first holiday season with this surgery, he said.
Since most Christmas parties are canceled this year because of COVID-19, Cardona can stick to his prescribed post-surgery diet. He can control how much he eats and when he sits down for a meals.
Cardona has also committed to making smart choices, like subbing mashed cauliflower for mashed potatoes and forgoing the wine this holiday season.
These decisions are less difficult to make without holiday parties and family meals.
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, 252,000 bariatric procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2018. At Baylor College of Medicine, where Cardona is a patient, about 160 weight loss procedures are performed annually.
A lot of patients get concerned, said Rachel Griehs, a dietician at Baylor College of Medicine, has been working with Cardona. When they get together with friends and family, theres food all over. Its a challenge for them.
Cardonas bariatric surgeon at Baylor Dr. Juliet Holder-Haynes said patients are often worried about managing meals after the procedure - especially for their first holiday.
For patients who have bariatric surgery, there are a lot of concerns about food in general, she said. Holidays and public events can be stressful.
It can be difficult to explain to your mother why you cant try her specialty this year - or why second helpings are out of the question, she said. It can be awkward when they can only have small amounts of food.
Punch and champagne are often off limits, which can be confusing to friends who want to celebrate over a toast.
They cant do it like they used to, and that can cause a lot of stress, Griehs said.
She explained that after a gastric sleeve or bypass surgery, a patients stomach is literally smaller.
They cant always eat certain things, and they wont be able to overeat, Griehs said. Were changing their anatomy and their stomach. You almost have to treat their stomach like its brand new.
Even munching on something dry like turkey or too sweet like a Christmas cookie can make them sick, she added. Not only are certain foods off limits but portion size is crucial. Eating too much of a food even one thats typically safe can lead to vomiting.
Starches can be too heavy for a weight loss patient. They can be heavy, like a lump in the stomach, said Griehs, who recommends patients stick with protein. Keep that food to the smallest portion. Eat everything else first.
That means, after the Christmas ham and a vegetable, a spoonful of mashed potatoes or stuffing can suffice.
Dumping syndrome - diarrhea, nausea, cramping or light-headedness caused by rapid gastric emptying - is common when patients eat sugar or drink during a meal.
Foods that dont sit in the stomach, literally dump, Griehs said. For some people, they can eat barbecue sauce and that happens. For others, its a piece of cake. Theres nothing you can do about it. You just have to go through it, and its almost like food poisoning.
Staying away from dessert, alcohol and carbs can help post-operation individuals feel better. Still, a new dish can pose a problem, simply because patients do not know how they will react to certain ingredients.
Eat the stuff you know you can eat, Griehs said. Be aware of ingredients in dishes. Maybe bring a dish you know that you can eat.
In addition, she tells patients to eat slowly and chew food well. Drinking water and eating also must become separate occasions.
You cannot eat and drink together, she said. It creates a lot of pressure on the stomach. Then you would feel bad for a couple of hours.
She also suggests using a saucer instead of a plate to limit portion size - and to bring baby silverware to force small bites of food.
If they have one bite too many, they will get sick, Griehs said. They dont want to get to that point.
Michelle Stacker, 51, underwent the procedure in May after hypothyroidism caused her to gain weight even though she ate healthy and exercised. Weight loss surgery seemed like the solution. Already, shes lost 60 pounds. Now she enjoys running around with her grandchildren in the park.
Having this surgery changed my life, said Stacker, who lives in The Woodlands. I feel so good. I wake up, and Im not aching. I wake up, and Im not hurting.
Still, adjusting to her diet has its challenges. Her once-typical salads dont sit will in her stomach any more, and she can only take a couple sips of her beloved daiquiris before placing them back in the freezer for later. She often drinks protein shakes instead of meals to help with her nutrition.
During the holidays, she plans to cook stuffing, cake and other favorites for her family.
Stacker will be eating with baby silverware to control her portions. She also has to be careful not to take in too much air, when she drinks water.
Stacker said the extra effort is worth is.
This year, Im feeling joy that I attribute to the surgery, she said. I dont feel sick. Im active, and I get to play with my grandchildren.
Some patients will want to limit their calories to a holiday party - and restrict what they eat the rest of the day or even skip some meals. Thats a bad idea, Griehs said. It can lead to over-eating and chewing too fast.
A lot of people will go all day without eating and then be ravenous, she explained. I tell people to eat light but be sure you eat. You want to stick to your regular schedule of eating.
Still, Griehs said to remember that each holiday get-together lasts only a day. If an individual overeats or has a dessert, its not the end of the world.
Patients often worry about gaining back the weight they lost with surgery, Griehs explained.
Theres a honeymoon phase after the operation when they can lose weight no matter what, she said. That doesnt last forever. Their appetite starts coming back, and if they havent changed the way that they think about food, they will likely go back to old eating habits.
Dr. Holder-Haynes agreed. One bad meal is not going to cause you to have weight gain, she said. Its a pattern of behavior that leads to weight gain. One Christmas meal wont sabotage you.
She advises patients to remember why they had the surgery in the first place, when they get frustrated about their diets during the holiday.
Before surgery, your relationship with food had to change, she said.
Holder-Haynes also suggests that patients have a game plan. Plan what youll eat, and picture what your plate will look like, she said.
Cardona said that both Holder-Haynes and Griehs consider him a patient for life, not simply during the surgery.
If you have any questions, they tell me to feel free to reach out, Cardona said. Ive done that, and I enjoy it.
They have both been clear to him that weight loss is a process.
This is going to be a lifelong thing, he said. This is something I have to work for. I want to keep this going. Ill set new goals, and Ill keep moving forward.
Cardonas surgery was at the end of August. Four months later, he now weighs 206 pounds, down from 287 pounds.
Hes become extremely aware of what he can eat and when. Already, he feels healthier. Before his surgery, even walking his dogs would hurt his feet and back.
But now I feel like I have more energy and can withstand walking longer and farther, he said. My dogs are very appreciative.
Maybe the holidays shouldnt be all about food anyway, he added.
Were so used to holiday get-togethers and food, Cardona said. Its not about the food and gifts. Its about the holidays.
In Christmases past, Cardonas holiday gatherings often centered on the food; after dessert, everyone left. Thats changing, as he and other family members have opted for weight loss surgery.
Food hasnt been the center of our gatherings anymore. Its about bringing ourselves to the table instead, Cardona said.
Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.
See the rest here:
Eating off saucers and other ways to celebrate the holidays after weight-loss surgery - Houston Chronicle
8 of the most unhealthy fast food menu items – Guilty Eats
Use your (arrows) to browse
Smashburger Classic Double Smash. Image courtesy Smashburger
From as early as the 1920s, fast food has been the one-stop-shop for all your greasy, saturated unhealthy favorites.
It goes without saying that McDonalds Big Mac, Wendys Baconator, and Burger Kings world-famous Whopper Sandwichwill never be going on anyones healthiest choicesto lose weightlist.
In all honesty, from the time it was invented, fast food was never intended to be the healthiestoption. Its intentions were more based on its convenience more than anything else, particularly the speed of service.
Still, to this day, fast food fanatics have seen plenty of attempts at what would seem to be healthy options. Some do proveto be healthy; at least compared to something like the aforementionedBig Mac. Others feel more like cheap ploys to get customers to buy items that werent any better than their unhealthieroptions.
Instead of ranting and raving about the items of yesteryear that didnt quite live up to healthy expectations, this one is for the people out there willing to sacrifice their lives, health and well being for the wonders and magic of some of the most unhealthy fast food menu items youll ever eat at a fast food joint.
Use your (arrows) to browse
See the article here:
8 of the most unhealthy fast food menu items - Guilty Eats
These 5 Things Will Help You Lose 10 Pounds A Month – International Business Times
Let's set the scene: You have a party next month, and you needed to have lost 10 pounds by last week because you bought the perfect outfit and you have to fit into today. We've all been there.
Or maybe, you want to feel just a little fitter and those last few pounds just cannot seem to get off. Losing weight has often been a struggle for many. It either involves too much; they don't have enough time, they don't know what to do, etc. But once you drop all the excuses and put your best effort into shedding some pounds to live a healthier, fitter, and happier life, how do you achieve that goal?
Well, as a group of folks who have spent a lot of time on the internet searching "How to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks" we can say that we're essentially uncertified experts. We've tried it all, done it all, reviewed it all and here we are now to share with you the best things we've found.
While there is no magic pill or quick fix to weight loss, some things make that consistent and sometimes tiring road to a healthier you easier and slightly faster.
So if you are ready to change your life completely, here are five of the best things that will help you lose at least 10 pounds a month
One of the most recommended ways to lose weight fast is to eat out less. This is because you will eat healthier, better, less and also learn a few new meals. This is where your measuring cups, spoons, and jugs come in.
All those delicious recipes you will look up that are both nutritious and filling will require you to measure out some ingredients in order to keep track of what is going in. This will eventually help you count calories but, more importantly, learn portion control, which is another key to successful weight loss.
Any measuring utensils will do, so find them at antique stores, garage sales, your local supermarket, or online shops. You can get a good set of measuring jugs, cups, and spoons for below ten dollars. Of course, getting a stainless steel set with engraved markings is more expensive but better in the long run as they last longer, so find what best suits your budget. Check out this twelve set of stainless steel measuring spoons and cups on Amazon to start you off.
Water, water, water. The end-all, be-all of life. Do you want clear skin? Drink water and wash your face. Do you want better hair? Drink water. Even the earth cries out for water, and that is why it rains, and we irrigate and water our plants.
Weight loss also requires water. In fact, if you replace all your other drinks with water, you'll lose weight way quicker. You can make water fun by adding lemons, cucumbers, mint, oranges, and more and get your vitamins together with your hydration. Water helps you stay full, it hydrates your body, and it boosts your metabolism. Incredible, isn't it?
The easiest way to keep up with your water drinking is to have a water bottle that you can fill once, twice or three times a day and carry it around. Ideally, it should be metallic, but you could do a reusable BPA free plastic bottle.
The good thing is that any store will have reusable water bottles and you can find them online too like this insulated stainless steel one on Amazon. So get you a water bottle and drink up.
A little resistance while working out goes a long way. Not only does it help build more muscle (which is more metabolically active than fat, thus burning more fat off your body,) but it helps you get stronger.
Most people think strength training involves heavy weights and the 'gym bros' telling you to 'go till failure', but it can be as simple as bodyweight exercises with a resistance band on. A basic squat or lunge with the added resistance band is a killer! And it burns more calories which as you know equals more pounds lost cumulatively.
Unlike free weights that require more storage and tend to be more expensive, resistance bands can simply be folded up and put in any corner in your home. They come in different colors and materials with different levels of tautness so you can build to that tight resistance that completely destroys you. Check out this 13 piece set with a door anchor that will help you feel that burn.
Whether you are an Android user or an iOS user, there are so many workout apps to choose from. Losing weight comes down to calorie deficit i.e. the calories you consume are less than the calories you burn or your burn more calories than you eat. A workout app is definitely the way to go to ensure that. They give you options for a structured workout for as little as 5 minutes up to slightly over an hour.
There are gym and at-home options, with some plans requiring no equipment while others will take advantage of all the equipment you can use. Some of these apps even come with free recipes, calorie counters, and meal plans.
Some great options are apps like Fitify, Nike Fitness, FitOn, CrossRope, GymMondo, and many more. There are apps for specific workout types like calisthenics, running, or bodybuilding, and others that offer a wide array of different workout types for those who have not found their niche. No more excuses, get out your phone and get that sweat on!
Protein is essential for building muscle, repairing muscle, and fat loss, as it takes longer to break down but keeps you full longer. Superfoods are those great macronutrient containing foods that boost your immunity and overall health.
Get yourself any organic superfood smoothie blend or a protein smoothie blend and begin your journey to a leaner, healthier you. This can be used as a meal replacement and are often low calorie but high in energy. It will help you lose weight and be healthy. You can start with this Orgain Organic Green Superfoods Powder and grow from there.
Try any or all of these things and watch yourself lose those extra pounds this month. Happy health journey!
Go here to read the rest:
These 5 Things Will Help You Lose 10 Pounds A Month - International Business Times
Best Workout Tips To Burn Calories Fast – TheHealthSite
Burning 100 calories is easier and more fun than you think. I mean, you can achieve that and also overall fitness with fun daily activities such as dancing, walking, and even sex. You dont have to go to the gym to burn calories or even sweat to the point of needing a shower afterward! Most 100-calorie burning exercises make weight loss happen with fun and will take just minutes to complete. They will actually fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Also Read - Is your workout killing you? What really happens to your body when you exercise too much
There are many factors that determine how many calories you burn per exercise session to lose weight. The duration of the physical activity, the pace intensity that you use, and the nature of the exercise will all determine the success rate of your workout. Your weight and height are also important factors to consider because the more physically built you are, the more calories any form of physical activity will help you burn. Also Read - Weight loss: This 2-minute Japanese technique might help you get rid of extra kilos
That being said, if your goal is to burn more calories during your workout, here are 7 workout tips for you: Also Read - Lose weight in your sleep with these bedtime drinks
Consider biking to the office if you dont live too far from the workplace. You can split up the route if you live too far, say take public transport to a point reasonably near your workplace, and then bike for the remaining part. You can always get yourself a motorized bicycle kit if you dont want to sweat too much by the time you get to the office. A motorized bike also boosts your pedaling power so you can get to your destination faster than when using ordinary bikes.
According to a study by Harvard University, biking for 30 minutes at a speed of 12-14 miles per hour may help you burn up to 300 calories if you weigh 150-200 pounds. If you bike at 16 miles per hour for 30 minutes, you can burn up to 372 calories.
Take the stairs up to or down from your apartment, office, hotel room, or any other place with stairs. A 10-minutes stairs climb can burn 100 calories, not forgetting that climbing strengthens leg muscles and other muscles in your lower body.
This is a fun yet vigorous cardio workout. On top of strengthening your lower body, high-knee running raises your heart rate and helps you burn calories in a short amount of time.
Warming up vigorously before a main workout (say bodyweight exercises) will help you burn more calories than youd have had you not warmed up. Simple dynamic stretches such as Arm Circles for 5 minutes or 10-minute inchworms will get you fired up and ready to shed off those calories. If you are exercising outdoors, 2-3 60-meter sprints will do.
Jumping rope for 10 continuous minutes is all you need to blow off 100-150 calories. This is the simplest weight loss activity anyone can do in the house. On top of getting rid of those extra pounds, jumping rope improves hands and legs coordination and at the same time strengthens your lower body muscles. Dont worry if your legs are hurting when you jump for a solid 10 minutes or if you run out of breath midway. You can always work your way up to it. You will build stamina in no time and burn a few extra calories while at it.
Swimming aids efficient blood flow, lung and heart capacity, and boosts upper body muscle strength. It is also a great way of burning calories. In fact, swimming has the same calorie-burning ability as jogging, yet it is less stressful on the body. If you cannot jog because of chronic knee pain or limited mobility, try swimming laps or water aerobics.
You will burn 100 calories in just 15 minutes of hiking in the woods. Hiking is primarily a more intense form of walking, so it obviously burns more calories. It also builds your leg and core muscles.
Although the seven tips works perfectly well, running remains to be the most effective way to burn calories. You will burn almost twice the calories you burn when you work out in the gym just by running for the same time you spend in the gym. However, if running isnt your thing for whichever reason, the 7 calorie-burning exercises we have discussed will get you going.
(This article is written by Gabriella Jones, a fitness and wellness coach with 6 years of experience.)
Published : December 8, 2020 10:19 am
Read more:
Best Workout Tips To Burn Calories Fast - TheHealthSite
George Clooney was hospitalised after losing weight too fast for The Midnight Sky – hotpress.com
The 59-year-old actor and director of the new Netflix movie admitted he wasnt taking care of himself when he was losing weight.
Hollywood actor George Clooney has confirmed that he was hospitalised with pancreatitis four days before he was due on set to shoot his Netflix sci-fi drama The Midnight Sky.
The two-time Academy Award winner told The Mirror: I think I was trying too hard to lose the weight quickly and probably wasnt taking care of myself.
It took a few weeks to get better and as a director, its not so easy because you need energy," he added. "We were out on this glacier in Finland, which made it a lot harder work. But it certainly helped with the character.
Clooney both stars in and directs the movie, which centres around his character - Augustine - as a lone scientist in the Arctic who races to stop astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe.
Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo and Kyle Chandler also act alongside the Oceans 11 star.
Clooney's film is based on Lily Brooks-Dalton's widely acclaimed 2016 novel Good Morning, Midnight.
The Midnight Sky will be released in selected cinemas and on Netflix from December 23.
Read the original post:
George Clooney was hospitalised after losing weight too fast for The Midnight Sky - hotpress.com