Thank You For Visiting Our Blog, FEEL BETTER AND LIVE LONGER!

The purpose of our blog is to share what we have learned about nutrition, weight loss, fitness, and health, in order to help you find ways to feel better and live longer. It is amazing how much our diet and lifestyle affect our health and well-being.

Did you know that you can reduce your risk and even prevent many diseases and health conditions simply by making some changes to your diet? Check back often for valuable tips and information.

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT & KEEP IT OFF:

For the first time in my life I have found weight loss success. During my adult life I have tried dozens and dozens of so-called "diets" and none of them worked over the long-haul. Oh, I was able to lose weight with some of them, but once I went off of the "diet" I quickly gained back all of my weight (plus some).

I have finally learned that losing weight has to be a lifestyle change, not a temporary fix. Crash diets and all the other crazy diets will not only cause you to fail, they are harmful to your health. To lose weight and keep it off you must NOT go on a "diet." What? Why? Because we all consider a "diet" a temporary thing. For example, how many times have you said, "Oh, I will go on this low-fat diet until I lose 20 pounds." Okay, what happens after you lose the 20 pounds? Or you simply give up? You go back to your old habits and gain that 20 pounds back.

The only way you will ever be successful at losing weight, with the added benefit of improving your health, is to make healthy changes that you can live with for the rest of your life. Period. Not for a week, a month or 3 months, but for life. For me, my initial goal was to lower my cholesterol level. I had to have a blood test for my insurance coverage and my cholesterol level had to be lower than the previous year's levels or I would have to pay a much higher premium. Well, that was a pretty good incentive for me make some positive changes.

I sat down and figured out what I needed to do. I knew I had to change the way I ate and I knew I had to exercise in some form or other every day. So, I made a list and I stuck to it. It was difficult at first. To make matters worse, I am a compulsive eater. However, as the days went by, it became much easier because my body stopped craving sweets and processed foods. For the first time in my life, I was never tempted to binge because I never felt deprived.

Use the list below and make whatever changes you need to make in order for it to work for you. FYI, my cholesterol level dropped 65 points after 7 weeks, and my triglycerides dropped 70 points! Another benefit that I hadn't planned on was that after being an insomniac since my teen-age years, I now sleep like a baby every night!

MY LIST FOR WEIGHT LOSS SUCESS:

1. Avoid "white" Foods & Processed Foods. These foods have no nutritional value and are "empty" calories. Sweets, anything made with white flour,and anything that comes in a package with a long list of ingredients. Always read the food labels. Stay away from those long lists of ingredients. The longer the list, the more chemicals and additives are present. These are extremely toxic to your body.

2. Drink Lots of Water. Water keeps your body's organs hydrated and flushes out unhealthy toxins. It helps to fill you up and reduces your urge to over-eat.

3. Eat a Healthy Breakfast. Instead of coffee and donuts, try fruit, yogurt, grains like oatmeal or whole grain toast, and lean protein. NEVER skip breakfast. By eating a large, healthy meal when you get up in the morning, your metabolism will "rev up" and you will not be hungry by mid-morning. If you skip breakfast, your body will go into starvation mode and store calories in your body as FAT, yes FAT! So do yourself a big favor and eat breakfast.

4. Reduce Your Stress Level. So many of us live with too much stress. Stress lowers your immune system, making it easier to get sick. It also makes us lethargic, tired, and depressed. There are a lot of simple things you can do and a lot of ways to feel better about yourself and your life. Take a long, hot bath, read a book, listen to music, get a massage. Do something nice for yourself. Giving yourself something to look forward to is a tremendous mental incentive.

5. Move! Oh my gosh! There are so many ways to incorporate movement into your day, even at work. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get up every hour and walk around your floor, your hallway or your desk. Park your car in the farthest space from where you need to be. Walk or bike to work. Skate, dance, golf, jump rope, clean house, play tag. The best exercise you can do is to walk. Try to take a walk every day! The more you move, the more your metabolism will be your friend. (I walk 3 miles every day whether it is raining, snowing or freezing.)

Reduce Your Risk for Alzheimer's

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Some memory loss is a normal part of aging, but when it becomes difficult to function due to accelerated and permanent memory loss, it can be a sign of encroaching Alzheimer’s. There is no known way to prevent the disease but you can reduce your risks with diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

DIET and NUTRITION

*HEART HEALTHY DIET - One way to reduce your risk is to implement a heart healthy diet that's low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 

*FRESH FOODS - Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is better for your overall health as well as reduces the amount of chemicals that are found in processed foods that may put you at risk for Alzheimer’s.

*AVOID HEAVY METALS - Salmon is rich with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, but avoid shrimp and shellfish as they may contain mercury. A safe alternative is to take fish oil supplements. Watch out for aluminum. Don't use aluminum foil, cookware or deodorant with aluminum as an ingredient. 

*VITAMIN D - A lack of vitamin D is linked to such conditions as heart disease, diabetes, depression, osteoporosis and periodontal disease, often precursors to Alzheimer's disease. Adequate vitamin D reduces the risk for heart disease due to its ability to reduce inflammation and assist in brain function and development.

EXERCISE

Exercise brings more oxygen to your brain and is good for blood flow. Move your body several times a week for at least for thirty minutes by doing some kind of aerobic activity like walking. Walking is easy to do, requires no special preparation, and can be done anywhere. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes!

LIFESTYLE

*KEEP YOUR MIND ACTIVE - Task your brain with activities like crossword puzzles, play chess, card games, board games, or participate in any other activities that keep your mind sharpened.

*STAY SOCIALLY ACTIVE - Whether you engage in community activities, attend religious services, or volunteer at your local hospital or nursing home, remaining interactive is extremely beneficial for your mental health. Being connected with others and avoiding isolation has shown to improve your chances for preventing Alzheimer’s.

*ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS - Studies have shown that the pain relievers naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can reduce Alzheimer's risk. The medications block enzymes that promote inflammation, reduce the nerve cell damage that occurs in those who develop Alzheimer’s, and retain brain function that may have been lost. Check with your doctor before taking any pain reliever on a regular basis.

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