Many of us like to indulge in comfort foods when we feel stressed. But the relationship between stress and weight gain includes many other factors beyond consuming a few extra calories. “Researchers have long known that rises in the stress hormone cortisol lead to weight gain. Every time you’re stressed, your adrenal glands release adrenalineContinue reading “In the News: Stress & Weight”
Category Archives: Health
In the News: BMI Is Not the Measurement We Need!
Not really a new idea for many of us, but the American Medical Association (AMA) has finally acknowledged that the Body Mass Index (BMI) in itself is an insufficient and inaccurate screening tool to assess health. While it’s useful for large scale studies of various populations, it has serious limitations when used to evaluate andContinue reading “In the News: BMI Is Not the Measurement We Need!”
Self-Care: Support Groups
Perhaps the most important tools that have helped me maintain my healthy weight are my support groups. Sure, I have family and friends who care for and encourage me. But there’s something special about sharing your journey with others who are on a similar path. There are many types of groups you can join. OneContinue reading “Self-Care: Support Groups”
Exercise: Pilates Ring Magic
I’ve been wanting to write about Pilates for several months, but a shoulder injury has kept me away from trying a structured class. Still, it’s important to consider that many forms of exercise can be modified so that you can participate regardless of your abilities or disabilities. Upon realizing this, I read up on theContinue reading “Exercise: Pilates Ring Magic”
Probiotics, Prebiotics, & Weight Loss
I am always looking for any help in maintaining my weight. There have been several studies in the past few years that have found that probiotics and prebiotics can be beneficial for weight loss. Including probiotics and prebiotics in your diet can provide that extra boost we need. Caution: some people with immune disorders orContinue reading “Probiotics, Prebiotics, & Weight Loss”
High-Fructose Corn Syrup & Other Sugars
Most of us are quite aware that sugar – other than what occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables – is not healthy for us. And this is true whether or not you have an issue with your weight. Let’s dig into the reasons for this, looking especially deep into that sweet culprit, high fructose cornContinue reading “High-Fructose Corn Syrup & Other Sugars”
Avoiding Diet Burnout
I’ve been on my current eating plan for over a year straight. In the past, I don’t think I’ve lasted more than a few months before giving up in disgust. Why do we sometimes lose our motivation? How can we avoid diet burnout? First of all, what exactly is diet burnout? According to a MyFitnessPalContinue reading “Avoiding Diet Burnout”
Set Point & Settling Point Theories
Imagine our prehistoric ancestors – captives of seasonal food availability, no security net to provide food during times of famine, no advanced medical care to set a broken bone. Something like stumbling down a ravine and breaking your ankle could be fatal if your body couldn’t sustain itself when food was scarce. Luckily, our bodiesContinue reading “Set Point & Settling Point Theories”
In the News: Low Fat vs. Low Carb Diets’ Effects on Mortality
In a (very) long term study of nearly 400,000 participants aged 50-71, it was found that those eating low fat diets had significantly reduced overall mortality “by 18%, cardiovascular mortality by 16%, and cancer mortality by 18%” (1). The study differentiated between healthy and unhealthy diets for both low carb and low fat versions. ForContinue reading “In the News: Low Fat vs. Low Carb Diets’ Effects on Mortality”
My Life Is a Mess – I Deserve a Brownie!
The title of this post is the same as scholarly paper by Ali Tezer and Kamila Sobol. I love the honesty of it – who hasn’t had a similar experience? Having a bad day can result in justifying behavior that’s…less than optimal. And companies use this insight to influence your decisions when you’re at yourContinue reading “My Life Is a Mess – I Deserve a Brownie!”
What Do You Do When the Refrigerator Calls? Solutions for Cravings
Lately I’ve been reading a lot of Facebook posts about cravings and snacking. It’s very easy to succumb to the siren call of the refrigerator. Sure, you can avoid keeping treats in the house, but if you have a car or public transportation, you can easily get the snack or delicious drink you’re craving. WhatContinue reading “What Do You Do When the Refrigerator Calls? Solutions for Cravings”
Non-Scale Victories
We need to keep our motivation up throughout our journey to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Often it seems like the scale just isn’t cooperating, especially during the holiday season. Even healthy changes, like increasing our strength training, can result in a plateau. At times like these, we should celebrate the non-scale victories inContinue reading “Non-Scale Victories”
Setting Goal Weights
Whether you are currently in the maintenance or the weight loss phase, establishing goals can be motivational. This is an important step we may take many times during our journey. Let’s learn more about setting goal weights that can help us to move forward even when it feels like progress is slow. For more onContinue reading “Setting Goal Weights”
Women’s Clothing Sizes: The Marketing of Vanity
If you have ever used a commercial sewing pattern, you were probably shocked to discover that your ready made clothing size was not your pattern size. For example, currently I’d take size 20 shirt in Butterick patterns, as compared to a size 14 in Target’s Knox Rose brand (1, 2). This is because most women’sContinue reading “Women’s Clothing Sizes: The Marketing of Vanity”
Dealing With Cravings
A craving is a strong eating motivation for a specific type of food. At times we can feel a compulsion to eat these particular foods even when we are not hungry (1). Let’s look at why we have cravings, and what we can do to help decrease their influence over our eating choices. Cravings “actuallyContinue reading “Dealing With Cravings”
Fat Shaming, Weight Stigma & Bias
This can be a painful topic, and it was hard to even know where to start. But it’s important to address the unfair treatment that many of us have experienced. I chose this image of a strong person breaking through a barrier of bricks to represent today’s topic. It symbolizes what I’d like for usContinue reading “Fat Shaming, Weight Stigma & Bias”
The Weighty Effects of Time Change & Jet Lag
You’ve likely heard that our bodies run on a 24 hour cycle called a circadian rhythm. Disruption of this rhythm can cause many health issues, including diabetes, obesity, and mental health conditions (1). In case you need convincing, take a look at this data! “During the week after the shift to DST, research shows anContinue reading “The Weighty Effects of Time Change & Jet Lag”
Exercise: Aqua Fitness / Water Aerobics
Aqua Fit is the name for the water aerobics classes at my local gym. I thought it would be fun to give it a try as I’ve lately been injured (followed by an allergic reaction to the meds for my injury) and was looking for exercise that would be a little less intense. Can waterContinue reading “Exercise: Aqua Fitness / Water Aerobics”
Water Essentials
You’ve likely heard that the human body is largely made up of water – the exact percentage varies considerably based upon age and sex (1). And, it’s common diet knowledge that many of us don’t drink enough water, which can actually slow weight loss or even lead to weight gain. How can water help us?Continue reading “Water Essentials”
Dealing With Detractors
You have just reached a health milestone! Whether it’s a smaller pants size, a weight loss goal, or your fastest 5 mile walk, you’re excited and anxious to tell your friend or relative. But rather than sharing in your happy success, your loved one minimizes your achievement, or worse yet, cuts you down. Has thisContinue reading “Dealing With Detractors”
Maintain Weight Loss 