Exercising Control Over the Holidays
11/24/2008
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The annual routine is always the same. Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, stuff yourself full of turkey and gravy, indulge in a slice of fresh-baked pie, and then lounge on the couch for a full-stomach induced slumber. Round out the day with a couple of football games (viewing, not playing), and your Thanksgiving is complete.
For the health-conscious among us it may seem impossible to maintain a weight-controlled holiday without putting a damper on the festive occasion. After all, who wants to eat brussel sprouts in place of mashed potatoes and gravy?
The problem is that most of us gain approximately one pound every holiday season, according to the National Institute of Health. And while one pound may not ring ominous at first glance, that pound stays with us, and is accompanied by another pound of weight gain every subsequent year. Add up dozens of holiday weight-gaining seasons over the years, and it's a recipe for an expanding waistline.
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FIBER - The Food That FIGHTS FAT!
11/17/2008
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We all know our bodies need calcium for bones, vitamin C to fend off colds, and chocolate to save relationships. But when it comes to losing weight, the nutritional information is a little more confusing. The mighty trilogy of nutrients — protein, carbohydrates, and fat — garners most of the diet industry's attention, but it's becoming much more clear that fiber needs to be the fourth leg of the dietary table. Study after study shows that not only does fiber help lower your risk of cancer, heart attack, and high blood pressure, but it also keeps you full and helps you decrease the total amount of calories you consume every day. Trouble is, most of us think that getting the recommended 30 grams of fiber a day means eating cereal that tastes like the box it comes in. But that's not the case; you can sneak fiber into your diet anywhere. Use these 28 fiber-friendly tactics to eat more — and weigh less.
At Breakfast
Spice up your eggs. One-third of a cup of chopped... read more
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fat, fiber
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Holidays - Feast or Fitness? WHY NOT BOTH?!!
11/17/2008
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Next Thursday is Thanksgiving in the U.S. For most people, Thanksgiving conjures up visions of pumpkin pie, turkey and high school football. But for runners, Thanksgiving morning usually begins with a race. It's a great way to burn calories BEFORE the big Thanksgiving feast.
Thanksgiving rivals the Fourth of July as the busiest race day of the year. In Massachusetts, there are dozens of races planned across the state. Ironically Plymouth, Massachusetts, the home of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving, does not host a Thanksgiving Day race.
The variety of races held on Thanksgiving is unmatched by any other race day of the year. There are cross-country style races, traditional road races, beach runs, events that award pies to all finishers and events that offer a post-race party with music and libations. Whatever your race tastes, chances are you will find an event that suits you.
Most Thanksgiving Day races are relatively sh... read more
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fitness, diet, holidays, fun run
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C is for Controversy
11/12/2008
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Vitamin C is a celebrity among vitamins. It is necessary for human life, and many people endow it with almost magical powers. The most casual search of the Internet or your local library will tell you that claims and controversy about vitamin C are never ending.
Some facts are not in dispute: Vitamin C prevents and cures scurvy, a disease that, because of improvements in diet worldwide, is hardly seen anymore. It is a powerful antioxidant, meaning that it neutralizes potentially harmful free radicals in our bodies. (However, it may also, under some conditions, become a pro-oxidant, meaning it can promote the production of free radicals.)
It is essential for healthy skin and connective tissue, and for the absorption of iron, as well as other functions. It is water-soluble, and the body can store only small amounts; excess C is eliminated by the kidneys. Thus, humans must consume vitamin C on a regular basis. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in it, especial... read more
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antioxidant, vitamin c, supplementation, natural sources
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Mood Foods: Snacks That Kick Your Mind Into Gear
11/11/2008
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I'm sure you've heard the saying "You are what you eat." Maybe that sounds ridiculous, but have you ever been in a really bad mood and wondered if maybe it was something you ate? Chances are it really WAS! Foods really do play a role in how we're feeling, mentally as well as physically. Here are some mood-enhancing foods you may wish to consider.
Your Mood: Anxious
You need to stay sharp through a grueling job interview.
Your Meal: Half a grilled-chicken wrap at lunch, hold the mayo
Here's Why: Eating between 4 and 5 ounces of protein helps your brain create dopamine and norepinephrine, neurochemicals that keep you alert, says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., author of The Serotonin Power Diet.
Your Mood: Stressed
You have to meet a deadline without being overwhelmed.
Your Meal: A handful of sesame seeds while you're working
Here's Why: Stress hormones can deplete your body's supply of magnes... read more
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