A Simple Weight Loss Tip

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Losing weight is sometimes a challenge. So, here is a little tip for you that hopefully will give you what you need to promote your progress. The first thing that many of us do is limit how much we eat. Of course, if you take in more calories than you burn up, your weight loss efforts will be slow to show you results. But be sure you don’t restrict your calories too much. The right amount of calories is essential for you to get the right amount of nutrients everyday and help to stimulate your metabolism for optimal weight maintenance.

So, how many calories should you get each day? The quick answer is it depends. Age, activity level, gender, and general eating patterns are some considerations. Here is a neat tool to help calculate the correct amount of calories you need. This is just a tool, so don’t take it as absolute gospel. Depending on your individual situation, you may want to have more or less than what is suggested for you.

www.realage.com/NutritionCenter/calo
rieCount.aspx

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MYTURN817 5/28/2009 10:07AM

I just checked out the RealAge site and it's quite interesting. Put in the calculations for the calorie count and while it's kind of high (2757), it has given me some thought since SP told me to increase my caloric count based on the amount of exercise I do. I also took the nutrition test and found that helpful as well. My health age is lower than my real age so that was real cool! Guess I'm on the right track!! Thanks for the info. Report Inappropriate Comment

BAREADER 5/20/2009 2:11PM

Okay, I looked again and 2316 is to maintain current weight, but even when I put in my goal weight it says 2100, that still sounds like too much. I usually only eat 1300 to 1400, and I have been losing at a steady rate. Report Inappropriate Comment

BAREADER 5/20/2009 1:57PM

I don't know, it says I should be eating 2300 cals. a day! That seems like a lot, and I don't even burn that many calories total in a day, even when I do my maximum workout. Report Inappropriate Comment

DENNIS43 5/17/2009 12:16PM

Cool tool, Will. Drop me a sparkmail when you get a chance. Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLESSENCE 5/17/2009 11:35AM

Thanks so much, Will! I love RealAge, even though the test told me I was pretty ancient (it's the arthritis, muscle disease, and MS, I guess, plus high blood pressure and triglycerides!). According to their calculations, I can eat up to 2178 and maintain my current weight. That's really wonderful to know for the days I tend to eat more, because I have this terrible tendency not to track on such days and to "blow it." Now, I'll know to keep tracking, using that figure as a ceiling. Great!! - Sara Report Inappropriate Comment

LIVINHEALTHY9 5/16/2009 11:23PM

Thanks for the tool, Will According to it, I should be eating a good 500 plus more calories than I am eating now. Wow! But, I think I will stick with what Spark People recommends. Jackie Report Inappropriate Comment

PEPCEA 5/16/2009 10:58PM

I've always admired people who have the discipline to count calories. I'm not one of them. It makes me feel like I'm on a diet and I don't want to think that I am. It was easier for me to give up the junk and eat vegan. I don't count calories or measure my food and have still been successful. Of course, I do have times when I eat richer stuff, like hoiidays and things but this is something that I can live with forever and that's a big plus for me. I really like the RealAge site. It has lots of information. Thanks for sharing! Alex Report Inappropriate Comment

RENA1965 5/16/2009 10:21PM

Thanks for the tip, I did the test and I am eating around where I should. Great you found this site, pump it so thin people thinking they need to loss weight can see realities to avoid eating disorders.. Report Inappropriate Comment

How Do You Chew?

Monday, May 11, 2009

When I was little, like many kids, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother. She always told me to chew my food slowly and at least 20 times before swallowing, especially when eating things like nuts or meats or when eating vegetable such as broccoli, green leavy vegetables, or asparagus. She said it’s healthier that way. Now, I’m reading all kinds of things about the benefits of chewing your foods more before eating it. One recent report suggested that it help losing weight and maintaining weight loss.

As an adult, I am not usually aware of my chewing. I’m sure that when I’m very hungry, I probably gulp my food down without thinking about it at all.

Do you chew your foods a lot prior to eating? Do you even pay attention at all to your chewing? If you do not, you may want to think about paying attention to that. It apparently is an important weight loss strategy and enhances a healthy lifestyle. Below are some articles on the topic.

www.realage.com/ct/Pages/PrintTip/Pr
inter.aspx?toolId=8671

www.examiner.com/x-1869-New-England-
Fitness-Examiner~y2009m4d27-Chew-your-
food-slowly-and-you-will-lose-weight

www.ehow.com/PrintArticle.html?id=22
39119

Photo courtesy of www.dkimages.com

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUSTYNA7 5/12/2009 8:44AM

If you chew your milk your hair will grow long. Well, that's what my uncle used to tell me, lol and I had very long hair! Good reminder to slow down at meals and enjoy what we are eating! Report Inappropriate Comment

DEEANN8 5/12/2009 7:52AM

I try to eat slowly, but guess I don't really pay attention to the chewing. Thanks for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLESSENCE 5/11/2009 9:33PM

Will, that was some sage advice your grandmother gave you. My late mom used to tell me I "inhaled" my food, and I hate to admit she was - and is! - right. I especially liked the ehow article's recommendation to commit to slowing down for, say, a two-week period. It's an experiment I REALLY need to conduct! It seems natural to me that savoring each mouthful would lead to more eating satisfaction...and more satiety, too! - Sara Report Inappropriate Comment

LIVINHEALTHY9 5/11/2009 9:28PM

I do try to eat slowly. But, if I am especially hungry, I tend to eat fast. I have always heard that it takes 20 minutes for your body to realize it's full. Jackie Report Inappropriate Comment

BEEHAPPY2 5/11/2009 3:03PM

William-Once again you have given us excellent advice! I also spent time with my grandma who was a nurse when I was young. I have always been a slow eater and chewed my food carefully. Sometimes it also helps to prevent choking. When I was a teacher, I ate so slowly I was never able to finish my meal before having to pick up the children from the cafeteria :) Thanks for the blog, Bee Comment edited on: 5/11/2009 3:03:56 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

MISS_VIV 5/11/2009 10:28AM

Mikiio I totally agree with you. I would be so WONDERFUL if dinner time could be a pleasant experience for families. In raising my boys, we had family dinner every night, until they were late high school and too involved in other things. We sat together and had our meal. Discussed the events of the day and it was rewarding. Taking time to eat and be healthy and sharing with each other. Report Inappropriate Comment

MIKIIO 5/11/2009 10:15AM

Great articles! The key to success is to have a proper meal, not on the go but be sitting around the table -without TV-, eating slowly, and talking (besides it's a great time to catch up with everyone's day life). Jo Levy is right, our time around the table is longer in Europe -even if it tends to be less and less true. We put down our forks because we talk a lot between two bites, and it's not polite to talk with a mouthful -not really to eat when someone is talking, so you have to take some bites without anyone else can notice it. Our diner at home can last between 30 min to 1 hour (and more than 1 hour when we have friends over), as we wait between each dish (starter, main dish, salad & cheese, dessert). You fight better the feeling of being hungry when savoring every bite of what you eat. You can only get a satiety feeling with a serving of 10 almonds for a snack if you take your time and chew them properly. Time is HEALTH! Comment edited on: 5/11/2009 10:16:25 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

ASH41749 5/11/2009 9:16AM

I gulp my food down. I'm not sure that I have ever chewed a bite of food 20 times. I've even had people ask me if I take time to taste my food. LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

Don't Overlook A Second Opinion!

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

When it comes to a medical diagnosis and treatment, never underestimate the importance of a second opinion, particularly if the diagnosis is something serious or if the treatment requires surgery. I know of several people who were incorrectly told by their doctor they had one thing, only to find out later they had something else. For one of them, it was too late to do anything about it since the disease was too advanced for treatment. A second opinion could have given her the right diagnosis the first time. When deciding your treatment options, doctors often ask you what you want to do. If he or she doesn’t know – with the many years of training and experience they have had – why do they think their patients would know? Deciding what is best for you may require you to seek a second opinion.

Not to take anything away from doctors, as they have a difficult job to do; however, sometimes you have to take your own health and your own treatment in your own hands. Even if the second opinion differs from the first, the options they recommend for treatment may differ. But different or not, having an additional viewpoint just might save your life.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LIVINHEALTHY9 5/10/2009 10:27PM

Great advice as always, Will Thank you. Jackie Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLESSENCE 5/9/2009 5:05PM

This is some of the most important advice a person will ever read, Will! If I'd listened to the GP who told me I couldn't possibly have MS because I was 39 at the time, I might've gone a lot longer without the meds used to slow down its course. I didn't listen to him, found myself an excellent neurologist, and hired an internist based on recommendations and background qualifications. Whenever we found a questionable doctor, my late dad and I used to say, "Du-u-ump the DOC!" Stay well and be well, Sara Report Inappropriate Comment

MIKIIO 5/9/2009 3:39AM

Great advice! Any surgery act is potentially dangerous because of the anaesthesia, and any stay at the hospital can be dangerous because of drug-resistant staph infections, superbugs or MSRA" (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), checking and asking as many questions as possible can be vital. Report Inappropriate Comment

DEEANN8 5/6/2009 3:11PM

Good advice... not just with medicine/health, but with many things in life. Report Inappropriate Comment

Warning About Eating Alfalfa Sprouts

Monday, April 27, 2009

In case you didn’t hear, the latest warning about tainted food is for raw alfalfa sprouts. The Food & Drug Administration has issued a warning stating that the sprouts are next in a long list of warnings about foods tainted with salmonella. So far, only sprouts distributed in California have been affected. Even though I'm not in California, it would make me nervous eating sprouts no matter where they were from.

A part of me often wonders whether agri-terrorism is to blame, deliberate attempts of company executives sabatoging the products and services of their competitors; I hope that's not the case. Regardles the reasons or cause, it’s scary for everyone.

The FDA warning is below:

www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/calco0
4_09.html

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MIKIIO 5/9/2009 3:43AM

I grow my own, and try to be as careful as possible with hygiene (cleaning carefully my pots where they grow). Most of the time salmonella issues arise because our fridge is not clean enough, and we don't properly pack our food. Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLESSENCE 5/2/2009 7:04PM

That's a real shame, Will. They're so good! I like them in sandwiches but haven't had them for a while due to what I'd heard about their risk of salmonella in the past. They add a pleasant texture I don't get from other veggies. - Sara Report Inappropriate Comment

DEEANN8 4/28/2009 1:38PM

I missed that. No wonder they've been so scarse in the stores. Report Inappropriate Comment

PLATINUM755 4/27/2009 3:40PM

I missed this info, and I do like tossing Alfafa sprouts on my salad from time to time and appreciate you noting it...nothing like being SAFE and healthy... for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

BEATPHREEK 4/27/2009 1:20PM

Yeah I was going to say, if you like sprouts, you can buy a kit to grow them yourself for pretty cheap and I'm sure if you are a DIY type, you could make one even cheaper. Report Inappropriate Comment

MISS_VIV 4/27/2009 12:58PM

I'm in California and I haven't purchased alfalfa sprouts in years. I always do my own. It is cheaper, easy to do and safer than super markets. Given the shelf life of sprouts, which is in most cases a day or two, they usually are smelling moldy by the time they hit the shelves. Thanks a bunch (of sprouts) .... for the warning. Regards Report Inappropriate Comment

It's Allergy Season

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Well it’s the time of year, when people are smiling at the ending of Winter and the beginning of Spring. As much as many people like springtime, lots of people aren’t so happy, as it’s the time of year they suffer from terrible allergies. Most of the things I have read say that about one in every five Americans are stricken by allergies. Many OTC and home remedies work just fine for many. But for many others, their outbreaks are so severe, they take lots of prescription meds and in some cases, allergy shots.

The types of allergies that affect people include things like grass, tree pollen, and cat and dog dander. Some people even have food allergies. A lot of people become gravely ill and may die if they don’t receive treatment quickly, though many just suffer from wheezing, coughing, itchy and watery eyes, and nasal congestion.

If you have allergies, it’s important to let people you spend time with know about them and what to do if you have a reaction. Many people are only mildly affected; but a lot of people lose the ability to breathe or even speak. In a matter of seconds, their airways close up, nearly choking them to death. Doctors recommend you created some laminated index cards with your known allergens, the medications you take (or shots you may need) and where to find them. This is especially important if someone is around you who is not familiar with it. You can also get a Medic-Alert bracelet, anklet, or necklace.

For additional information on allergies for yourself or for a friend or a family member, see the links below. Allergies are frustrating but are also manageable.

www.webmd.com/allergies/guide
/allergies-living-managing

www.emedicinehealth.com/aller
gic_reaction/page3_em.htm

www.webmd.com/allergies/guide
/allergies-overview

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MISS_VIV 4/26/2009 6:41PM

FANTASTIC INFORMATION WILL I didn't think I had any allergies, here in a very pollen prone area. However, this year, it is a little different. Must be the dryness we are experiencing here in California. Thanks for this timely blog. HUGS Vivian Report Inappropriate Comment

BAREADER 4/14/2009 9:40PM

That's good information, I don't have allergies myself but it's a good idea. Where do you get all your information? You seem to know a lot about health realated issues. Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLESSENCE 4/14/2009 5:01PM

Thanks so much for some important information, Will! I carry a card in my wallet with my different antibiotic allergies on it. It would be very bad news if I were to be given penicillin or tetracycline in the ER! My husband's allergies are so bad, we've got some air cleaners in our house. They really help, and every six months, those filters are filthy! - Sara Report Inappropriate Comment

BELIEVINGISEING 4/14/2009 2:36PM

Thanks for the information. My hubby has hay fever but I don't know what else. His throat does close at times when he is eating but I don't know if that is allergies. Mine does it sometimes when I drink water and I can't swallow at first. I almost pass out before I can get it down but I wouldn't think that was allergies, but who knows. Report Inappropriate Comment