Home Economics and Your Fitness

How many times have you heard “if you don’t have your health…what do you have”?

I personally would rather be fit and broke than fat, unhealthy and broke.  Why not be in shape and have money?

If you are unhealthy and unfit, all the money in the world won’t matter in the grand scheme of things.  Fitness professionals have been pressing this and similar points for years.  In this economic environment many people are “feeling” the money crunch and just praying they are not hit with a sickness.

The worst case scenario is no money and no health.

If you are exercising and taking care of yourself then

The Enabling of Fat People

We Fit Your Life” is the mantra of a website called LivingXL. This business, like many others you can find on the web, caters to “oversized” people. Yes there are plenty of people who are larger than the averaged Joe…or Jane.

Case in point is one of my good friends from college. In his early 20’s he was 6’4” 240 pounds. He was big, fast, strong and in shape. In fact when he tried out for the New England Patriots football team his body fat was 9 – 11 percent. You may know people who are bigger…much bigger AND in shape.

Is this the segment of the population that these companies pursue? I think not.

The market these companies target is our overweight and obese friends and neighbors. That’s why you will see weight ratings next to fold out chairs 500 and even 800 pound capacity.

Not many of the advertisements depict a person who is off the height and weight chart but seems to be, visibly anyway, in shape. This is part of our problem. Part of the culture we have created.

Enabling.

Patronizing.

Giving up.

Would you give an alcoholic a drink? Probably not. If you think that analogy is unfair.

Are your kids making you fat?

I grew up in a generation of “you don’t leave the table until you finish what’s on your plate”.

Some how that has become – if my kid isn’t going to finish that snack than I will because we just can’t waste food.  Cheezits, Doritos, popcorn, Ruffles and even the good snacks like fruit and veggies add up.  A handful here and a handleful there.  It’s more than you think and it will not only sabotage your efforts to lose weight but will make you gain unwanted poundage as well.

Now we haven’t even talked about ‘real meals’. 

How many  of you are finishing off those last bits of dinner for the little one?  Again…it adds up.

Tupperware, Ziplock bags or the trash!

Don’t ruin your efforts to lose weight as certainly don’t set an example for your kids that they can’t put food away for later.

Leftovers are a terrific way to implement eating smaller more frequent meals throughout the day.

Go snack free for two weeks and see what happens!

Be snackless.  Lose weight. Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com

PS.  Visit my site and receive the 100 Calorie Snack Guide for free!  Written by Jayson Hunter, author of the Carb Rotation Diet, the 100 Calorie Snack Guide takes the guess work out of what is allowed…and what isn’t!

Cancer and Obesity on the Rise

We still think “not me”.  The excerpt below is from the Mayo Clinic and you may find the information interesting.  If not.  Please pass it on to someone who needs a kick in the pants to start living an active, meaningful life.

As Americans’ collective waistline has continued to expand, so has the prevalence of obesity-related cancer.

According to the June issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, an estimated 14 percent of cancer deaths in older men and 20 percent in older women can be attributed to excess body fat. It’s not fully understood why excess body fat increases the risk of cancer.

Theories include:

Insulin — Obesity and inactivity generally lead to higher levels of insulin circulating in the blood. Excess insulin is believed to fuel the growth of cancer cells. In addition, it increases circulating levels of other hormones that likely play a role in cancer development and growth, such as estrogen.

Estrogen — Adding to insulin’s influence on estrogen levels, fat tissue also produces this hormone. Estrogen levels are 50 percent to 100 percent higher in postmenopausal women who are overweight versus those who are lean. It’s believed that this alteration increases the risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers such as certain types of breast cancers.

Immune system — Excess fat is thought to release proteins that may suppress the immune system and increase inflammation. Both may play a role in cancer development and progression.

Other risks of obesity — Obesity-related problems such as acid reflux, high blood pressure, gallstones and fatty liver may damage tissues of the esophagus, kidney, gallbladder and liver, respectively. This may set the stage for cancer development.

Although there’s evidence that gaining weight increases the risk of cancer, there has been almost no research that demonstrates whether losing weight will reduce that risk. Two major components of weight loss — a healthy diet and exercise — appear to be excellent ways to reduce cancer risk.

…a healthy diet and exercise…what a novel idea.

To bad prevention isn’t as sexy as beach muscles and a firm butt.

Prevent.  Live.  Win.

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com

Are Wii Fit or are Wii Fat?

Last week Wii Fit was launched by gaming giant Nintendo.

As it gains popularity, especially amongst my clientele, I there is a responsibility a fitness professional I could not deny.  I had to learn as much as I could about Wii Fit and create an informed opinion to pass on to you. 

IF you have already paid $250 plus for the original console and controls with a few games you can purchase Wii Fit as an add on for around $175 depending on where you get it.   Wii Fit is very interactive.  You can choose from all these different features and more:

• Yoga
• Balance Games
• Strength Training
• Aerobics
• Body Test
• Pick a trainer
• 3D demos

I must say as I reviewed the support site for Wii Fit I was pleasantly surprised.  The exercises are depicted in a very easy to understand and anatomically correct way.  There is a way to monitor progress and “how well you do” for each workout. 

Could this be a viable alternative to help people of all ages and ability levels to engage in physical activities on a consistent basis?  Time will tell.  I have already heard the argument “atleast my kids will be moving while they play their video games”.  True but what ever happened to activities like these:

• Riding bikes
• Tag
• Hide and seek
• pick games – soccer, baseball, basketball, etc.
• Play ground activities, swings, slides, etc.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) just released the latest statistics on childhood obesity and the good news is the numbers are not any worse.  NO increase in childhood obesity is a victory and should be celebrated.  However our job as professionals and as parents is NOT done.  The rate of childhood obesity has not decreased so it is still alarmingly high.

Wii Fit is a commentary, poor or otherwise, on where our society is and where it is going.  This may be one of the few times that technology has actually come through and made life easier without a negative side effect.  If the consumers of this product become consistent exercisers then I applaud Nintendo for a job well done.  Until I see some evidence of that…

Too Be Continued…

Dave
www.homeofficeworkouts.com

Bathing Suit Strategy #10

You’ve got a craving.

You’re desperate for something loaded with fat and sugar and
calories.

Sure the stuff tastes good, but you don’t understand why you find
the urge almost irresistible.

Off to the vending machine you go to get a candy bar. Maybe even a
couple of them.

Not good. Not good at all.

That’s why Bathing Suit Season Strategy #10 is BE PREPARED.

You know the times of day you get cravings. So make sure you have
some healthy stuff around to eat.

1. Nuts are good for you again. Almonds contain healthy omega
fats and are a great snack to fill you up. They provide a good
source of protein as well. A handful should satisfy you.

2. Yogurt is another great snack to have on hand. It is low
calorie and also provides a good source of protein.

 

I know you can do it!

Yours in health

Jayson Hunter RD, CSCS
Carb Rotation Diet