I noticed this news item in CNN Health and thought it was important to share it with you quickly. If you do an internet search, you will find that most news outlets have picked it up. Basically, a study published on February 27, 2023 in the journal Nature reports that people with the highest bloodContinue reading “In the News: Erythritol Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke, Death”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Basal Metabolic Rate / Resting Energy Expenditure – Calculations and Accuracy
As you may know, I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit the Mayo Clinic Bariatric Center in Jacksonville, Florida. While there, they performed many tests, including my resting energy expenditure (REE) and basal metabolic rate (BMR). These terms are sometimes used interchangeably though there are slight differences. REE includes some lowContinue reading “Basal Metabolic Rate / Resting Energy Expenditure – Calculations and Accuracy”
Food Prep: The Complete Paleo Cookbook for Beginners
I’ve tried many diets, but must admit that paleo was not on my radar. I’m always willing to learn more, so I selected this book to review. The goal of this diet is to reduce health problems by returning to the foods that our Paleolithic ancestors may have eaten. Fast foods, processed foods, refined grains,Continue reading “Food Prep: The Complete Paleo Cookbook for Beginners”
Self Care: Mindfulness
Have you been seeing the term mindfulness more often lately? It’s not always associated with dieting, but it is often discussed in terms of health benefits. As it turns out, it can play a role in maintaining a healthy weight. Sometimes mindfulness is coupled directly with food, as in mindful eating. In that case, it’sContinue reading “Self Care: Mindfulness”
Food Prep: The WW Personal Points Cookbook
This is a beautifully illustrated book with 125 recipes that conform to the Weight Watchers (WW) diet plan. But even if you are using a different program, the recipes can be a valuable addition to your diet. It’s not just about WW, but includes all sorts of cooking and nutritional information, much of it interspersedContinue reading “Food Prep: The WW Personal Points Cookbook”
Weighing In on That
How often should you weigh in to check your maintenance progress? Short answer: it depends on the individual. For the long answer, read below to find out what studies and experts suggest. But in the end, it still comes down to what you feel is best for you! I weigh myself daily, though I’ve beenContinue reading “Weighing In on That”
How to Support Others on Their Weight Maintenance or Weight Loss Journeys
Today let’s talk about ways we can help others as we strive to maintain our healthy weight. So the focus will be on support for friends and family, whether we interact with them in person, or online in various groups and websites. And while we are helping others, we will be learning how to beContinue reading “How to Support Others on Their Weight Maintenance or Weight Loss Journeys”
Body Dysmorphia & Other Related Concerns
Let’s learn about body image issues that can keep us from maintaining a healthy weight. If you feel that the descriptions below sound like the struggles you are dealing with, I hope you’ll talk about it with a medical provider. You don’t need to be alone in this! There are 6 common eating disorders accordingContinue reading “Body Dysmorphia & Other Related Concerns”
Food Prep: The Essential Vegan Keto Cookbook
I haven’t tried the keto diet, but I know that many people find that it’s successful for them. This cookbook keeps the typically high cholesterol level of ketogenic diets down by its heavy use of vegetables and healthy fats. Still, it’s best to speak to your doctor before changing your diet. The Essential Vegan KetoContinue reading “Food Prep: The Essential Vegan Keto Cookbook”
In the News: Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Guidelines
How do you feel about offering prescription diet medications to 12 year olds? Permanent weight loss surgery to a 13 year old? Weight loss counseling to a toddler? Yes, I’ve taken the obesity interventions recommended by the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) to their extreme conclusions, but those really are are part of their guidelines.Continue reading “In the News: Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Guidelines”
Coursework: Hacking Exercise For Health, Unit 1
I’ve decided to take another free class through Coursera. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn from knowledgeable professors at reputable universities at no cost to you, unless you need a certificate. This one is through McMaster University in Ontario, Canada and is called Hacking Exercise For Health: The Surprising New Science of Fitness (1). BeforeContinue reading “Coursework: Hacking Exercise For Health, Unit 1”
BMI, Waist Circumference & Waist-to-Hip Ratios
Many experts agree that weight and body mass index (BMI) are insufficient to assess our health. This is because exercise, which is clearly healthy, builds muscle mass. Muscle is significantly more dense than fat, so it is possible to gain weight and actually be thinner and healthier than you were at a lower weight. BMIContinue reading “BMI, Waist Circumference & Waist-to-Hip Ratios”
Exercise: Tai Chi
I recently took my first Tai chi class after reading about its many benefits. I was looking for improved balance but learned much more. Read about other exercises to improve your balance here: https://lindawbrowning.com/2023/02/10/exercise-keeping-balanced/ Tai chi is a traditional Chinese exercise based on the martial arts (1). Its slow breathing and pacing are reminiscent ofContinue reading “Exercise: Tai Chi”
Sick or Injured…Now What?
This post is not intended as medical advice. It does contain common sense ideas for getting back on track with your diet and exercise. As usual, the suggestions are from reputable sources with footnotes provided. Check in with your medical provider if you are feeling sick or have sustained an injury. How to stay onContinue reading “Sick or Injured…Now What?”
Food Prep: Valentine’s Day with The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook
Valentine’s Day is another holiday that we tend to associate with decadent foods. Are you thinking of chocolates or cheesecakes? Maybe a big steak dinner or lobster tails dipped in lemon and butter? Sorry, but we are not going there! Instead, let’s use this day to try out another cookbook. There are at least threeContinue reading “Food Prep: Valentine’s Day with The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook”
In the News: Maintenance After Stopping Ozempic and Other Anti-Obesity Medications
Preface Note: There is a lot of personal history in this post. If you want to get straight to the facts, skip the following paragraphs in blue and start with The Struggle Is Real. As you may know, when I began my last diet, I went to a Bariatric Center at The Mayo Clinic inContinue reading “In the News: Maintenance After Stopping Ozempic and Other Anti-Obesity Medications”
Food Prep: Super Bowl Snacks from The Mediterranean Diabetes Cookbook
Holidays and celebrations can be challenging times for those of us watching what we eat. What about cheat days? They work for some people, but unfortunately not for me. A cheat day can lead me down the slippery slope of a diet vacation, resulting in further problems. I do make a few exceptions – aContinue reading “Food Prep: Super Bowl Snacks from The Mediterranean Diabetes Cookbook”
Exercise: Keeping Balanced
I recently took a tumble while walking one of our dogs. This brought the subject of balance to mind. Balance is a very important health consideration, especially for those of us trying to exercise extensively to maintain our weight loss. In addition, it becomes a greater concern as we age. I only lost one day’sContinue reading “Exercise: Keeping Balanced”
Tracking
According to the Society of Behavioral Medicine, tracking meals and snacks is one of the most important components of our weight loss programs (1). It’s so easy to leave out those hidden calories that can derail our plans if we’re not being mindful. Just a few added snacks or beverages can really add up ifContinue reading “Tracking”
Conflicts of Interest
Whenever possible, I will include journal articles (or reports based on their studies) as support for what I write in my blog posts. There are several reasons for this: As a person whose background is in economics, it’s that last one that is most meaningful to me. I am always wondering. “What’s in it forContinue reading “Conflicts of Interest”
Maintain Weight Loss 