Revolutionaries Needed!

 If you missed the premier of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution on ABC, March 26^th, go to http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution to download and view.  Jamie is taking on American nutrition, and he begins at the most unhealthy place in the nation – Huntington, West Virginia.  Don’t be too quick to point a finger at Huntington, though, or think that their eating habits aren’t typical.  Instead, recognize the show for what it is.  It’s a wake-up call for everyone in this country, that we had better change our ways now, or we will suffer health and financial consequences for generations to come.  Hats off to Jamie for taking on this gorilla of a problem, and if nothing else, illuminating it for all to see.

The title of Jamie’s show is appropriate, for truly a revolution needs to happen.  When kindergarten students can’t identify fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflower, and eggplant, it means parents aren’t serving fresh foods such as these at home.  That’s where good eating habits and food preferences  need to start.  The USDA should then support parents’ effort by scrutinizing, and changing, nutritional qualifications that allow what is essentially rubbish to be served at school breakfasts and lunches.  School administrators, and also taxpayers, must stop looking at only the financial bottom line and start offering real food that is freshly prepared and healthy.  Food manufacturers have an obligation to make products free of harmful processed ingredients and excess calories.  Marketers shouldn’t make children the target of  ads promoting junk food.  The list goes on. 

Suffice it to say that everyone in this country is needed in this revolution, because revolutions don’t take place with people sitting on the sidelines.  This includes you.  Take a look at your personal habits regarding eating and exercise.  Are you the role model you need to be in order to make this revolution happen?  If not, start making changes today.  Eat 5 servings of veggies , 4 servings of fruit, and take a walk around the block every day.  Start slow and simple, then go from there.  The important thing is to at least start.  You owe it to yourself, and this country’s future.

The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

Five Lazy Ways to Lose Weight

Let’s face it.  We’re all lazy, or at least would like to be.  But don’t feel guilty.  It’s human nature to expend as little energy as possible.  We also naturally seek pleasure, and avoid discomfort. If changing behavior to lose weight means giving up things we like to do, causes discomfort, or takes much effort, then it’s very likely we’re just not going to do it.

So let’s minimize the pain.  Here’s a list of 5 ways you can be lazy, enjoy good food, lose weight, and not suffer while doing it:

1.       Make your first meal of the day the biggest, whatever time that may be.  Not only is it nutritionally important for you to fuel up at the beginning of your day, it is also one of the best ways to get your metabolism geared up.  This helps you lose.

2.       Eat low-fat, whole fiber food at the beginning of every meal, then wait 5 or 10 minutes before eating the rest.  Fiber causes certain gut hormones to be released into the blood stream.  These hormones make you feel full and satisfied earlier, so you eat less of the high calorie foods you may otherwise crave.  A cup of beans, a bowl of berries, an apple or a pear, or a green salad will all work.

3.       Go to bed early.  When you lose sleep, hormones influencing hunger will cause you to eat more.  So to lose weight, get more rest.

4.       Get more NEAT.  What is NEAT?  It’s physical activity you do that you probably don’t even think about.  For example, twirling in your office swivel chair will burn 50 calories for every 60 twists.  Chewing gum burns 11 calories per hour.  Other activities like tapping your foot, pacing while you talk on the phone, singing with the radio – they all burn calories and they all add up.  So get NEATer.

5.       Eat nothing but low-fat, whole fiber foods for supper.  You won’t feel deprived or hungry all night long, and you won’t eat many calories.  The best thing is that you will burn fat when you won’t even know it – while you are asleep.

There you have it.  Five easy ways to be lazy, get slim, feel great, and restore your health all at the same time.  Give it a try!

The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.