Healthy Her

Skinny stays "in"

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:18:43 -0600

The British Fashion Council stopped short of recommending a ban on ultra-thin models. The report out today says fashion models should be 16-years-old or older and should be screened for eating disorders. Last year, ultra-thin models were banned from fashion week runways in Madrid, Spain and Milan, Italy. Organizers in Paris and London have come under pressure to do the same.
The British report, written by a panel composed of fashion designers, models and an eating disorder specialist, asked agencies to certify that their models had been examined for eating disorders by an accredited list of medical experts.
Up to 40 percent of models may have eating disorders, compared with an estimated 3 percent of the overall population, the report said.
The British Fashion Council hopes to combat eating disorders through medical tests, mentoring programs and workshops.

Details for this entry came from an Associated Press report.

Knowledge is power, right?

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:03:38 -0600

There a new Web site that offers a library of information and tools to help address issues of access to health care, quality, cost disparities, immunizations, prenatal care and other things. The Leading Healthy Communities Web site says its goal is "to provide community health leaders a single source of practical information supporting the creation, financing and execution of community initiatives aimed at improving the health of the community. The site has two key components; dozens of case studies illustrating ‘how to’ be successful and a comprehensive ‘action guide’ than provides templates, surveys and step by step guides to building community support."
Here's more information: Leading Healthy Communities

Fatter than ever

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:05:08 -0600

Here's a little tidbit that's disconcerting, but certainly something to think about before rushing through the drive-thru: Americans are fatter than ever. Obesity rates are up in most states and fewer of us are exercising. The group Trust for America's Health concluded things have gotten so bad - and Americans so big - that it will get under control only if state and federal governments, schools and individuals work together.

Here's the skinny: Obesity report

Meanwhile... Dunkin' Donuts is cutting trans fat from the items on its menu. The company Dunkin' Brands Inc. says by October 15th, there will be ZERO grams of artery clogging trans fats in Dunkin' Donuts foods.

The company also says its Baskin-Robbins chains will eliminate trans fats by January 1, 2008.

Check your guest bathroom

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:51:08 -0600

How many times have you scooped up the freebies from a hotel you've visited? I mean, who hasn't come home with the miniature soap, shampoo... even toothpaste.
Well, you might want to toss the toothpaste. A leading supplier of toiletries for luxury hotels recalled complimentary tubes of Chinese-made toothpaste worldwide. Test showed some could contain a potentially toxic chemical.
The ones to be wary of are 18-millimeter or .065 ounce tubes of Gilchrist & Soames. The toothpaste could have a chemical used in antifreeze in it. The toothpaste is usually found in luxury hotels.

Java Jolt

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:06:53 -0600

There is now a legitimate, scientific reason we must have Starbucks or a Diet Coke every day. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me since I'm addicted and all.
This week, a study by The French National Institute of Medical Research was published in the journal Neurology. (God bless the French!) After following more than 7,000 men and women in three French cities, researchers found that women who drank more than three cups of coffee a day - or its caffeine equivalent in tea - retained more of their verbal and visual memories over a four year period. So there you have it. I'm going to get my latte now.

Sex Study... seriously

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:26:11 -0600

There are now, officially, 237 reasons to have sex. University of Texas researchers actually studied this and you might not believe this, but young men and women tend to get together for pretty much the same reasons. (Leave it to the Longhorns, right?)
The biggest reason: LUST.
Okay, well duh. Did some research group really need to get paid lots of money and spend lots of money and look over the shoulder of peoples' sex lives to figure that out?
The Number One reason people have sex is "I was attracted to the person."
There is some hope, though, for us romantics.
The reason of expressing love and affection did make the Top 10.
Here's the whole story: Reasons to have sex
Here's the whole study (including The List): Why humans have sex
So are we saying break out the slip-n-slide and the bubbly?
Well, only if you want to.
Hey, sexual health is important, too, right?

Hotter 'n Hell 100

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:45:17 -0600

The Hotter 'n Hell 100 is fast- approaching and this crazy girl has decided to try it. I'm only going to try riding 50 miles, but I am excited about even trying that. I have been an off-and-on cyclist for the past 20 years and right now I am on again. I bought a new hybrid Trek since I like the mountain biking configuration but I ride on the roads. This also helps me with my weak and often-hurting lower back. In any case, I can't go as fast on the hybrid as I could on a regular road-bike, but nonetheless I still like it.

I am sure the cycle snobs will snub me for riding a hybrid, but I don't care! I'm doing it!

I have been riding again for a few weeks and rode 21 miles last Friday and 15 miles Saturday. 21 is the most I have ridden, but I coudl have easily gone another 10. I'll keep you updated as I progress and let you know how my first try at 50 works out at the Hotter 'n Hell on August 25th.

Here is the website for the race

Finally! The right lunchbox

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:09:25 -0600

Don't you hate it when you're trying to eat healthy and take your lunch to work, but you can't find a single container and lid to match? Or how about trying to manage a bulky lunch bag with those weird shaped ice things to keep it cool? They melt and get all gushy. Ick. Or maybe the containers you DO have are just way too big or way too small. You're in luck!
I stumbled across something in Bed Bath and Beyond that is just super-duper handy, and I love it! Check it out. It's this box that's Just Right! There's a big space in the bottom for say... your salad. Then the cooler-ice pack is nice and thin (and solid), and it fits right in a spot in the middle of the box. Then, on top of that, you have two handy-dandy small size containers (perfect for crackers or dressing or whatever). THEN... you just put the lid over the whole thing. How perfect huh? And there's a whole line of stuff like this. This particular "Lunch on the go" box costs anywhere from $6.99 to $9.99, depending on where you buy it.
Here's a link to the site, too: Fit&Fresh
A bonus... When you buy the pack, you get a neat little daily nutritional journal and there's also a tiny little booklet containing all sorts of nutritional information, so you can keep up with your calories, fat, carbs or whatever. Neat, huh?

Volunteering: good for your health

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:26:03 -0600

Medical City Hospital of Dallas publishes a quarterly magazine chockfull of helpful information. An article in its spring publication caught my attention and made me re-think my family’s plans for summer vacation. The article is about the health benefits of volunteering- like lower blood pressure, a bolstered immune system and reduced insomnia. What a change from stress-ridden bolts to the airport, long lines at Disney World, whining, over-sugared children and colds after the plane ride home!

Studies show that doing good for others decreases chronic pain and depression. That’s not all. Helping others can also improve interpersonal and communication skills. That’s a bonus for your social and professional life. It makes sense. Ask anyone why they volunteer and they’ll usually describe how good it makes them feel. Personally, I like the idea allowing my children to make a difference in someone’s life; helping them understand that giving back to a community is important and fun.

Ovarian Cancer: A breakthrough

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 22:37:17 -0600

Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is usually a death sentence for women for the simple reason that once it's caught, it's almost always too late to do anything about it.
Until now, we've been told there were really no warning signs.
That's why it's a major breakthrough to learn that there are things our bodies do that may tip us off that something is wrong.
This is huge.
The American Cancer Society and a group of cancer experts recently outlined the following symptoms:
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Feeling full quickly when eating
• Feeling a frequent or urgent need to urinate
Do you have these problems? Please call your doctor if the answer is yes. You may save your life.

Is the new diet pill really your 'Alli'?

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 22:27:53 -0600

Friday, June 15 is D-Day for people fighting the Battle of the Bulge. An over-the-counter pill goes on sale to help people lose weight. It's called Alli, a non-prescription version of the weight-loss drug Xenocal. The FDA gave its okay, but it doesn't mean we'll be able to pop the pill and still eat cheeseburgers. It has some side-effects you might find unpleasant. ABC's Dr. Tim Johnson told "Good Morning America" said they're not serious, but they may be "socially unpleasant." Hmmm. It's supposed to work by blocking 75% of fat we ingest. But don't expect to lose that kind of weight. Studies have found users of the drug typically lose only about 10% of their weight. It's not cheap, either. A month's supply can cost about $60! Oh... and the best way for it to work: Eat a low-fat diet and exercise. Somehow we knew that would be part of the deal.
Here's more from ABC News.

A reason to be 'Sunny Side Up'

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 22:16:35 -0600

It appears your memory will suffer if you tend to mope around.
U.S. researchers said recently that people who get stressed out or depressed a lot are more likely to develop memory problems than people who have a brighter view of life... and may shed light on early predictors of Alzheimer's disease.
The article published by Reuters cited the study which found people who were frequently anxious or depressed were 40 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, a form of memory loss that falls between normal aging and dementia.

Light snacks

Thu, 31 May 2007 15:47:34 -0600

We've all seen them as we stroll down the snacks aisle. While we're drooling over bags of Cheetos and tins of Pirouettes, we know we should be gravitating toward the "healthier" snacks. I'm not talking celery and carrots, here. (Although, they are good options!) I'm talking about those 100 calorie snack bags. Are they any good? Are they worth your money? Check out this story for the real deal: Sizing up the 100-calorie snacks.
It wasn't reviewed, but my personal favorite is the Nabisco 100-calorie Cheese Nips. Yum!

On-going battle with the same 10 lbs.

Thu, 17 May 2007 14:28:40 -0600

If you have read any of my past entries, you will know that I have been battling the same 10 lbs for the last 4 yrs. I have done Weight Watchers three times, ediets.com twice, a disgusting Diet-to-your-Door once and only ate about 3 meals because they were so bad.

I weigh 135. I weighed 127 before and after my first child, but I cannot get the last weight gain post-partum child #2 to go away despite all kinds of efforts. My friend is convinced that I am not eating enough! HAHAHA. I laugh every time I hear that one, but still, she is convinced.

As you know, I did Boot Camp for a month and I dieted that entire time (and yes, I took in enough calories, I didn't starve myself) and I didn't lose weight (didn't gain either). I am now running 4-5 times a week for 2-3 miles or at least 35 minutes and I am doing it with my heart rate in the right zone. I basically keep the heart rate up for an hour. No loss. I am also continuing squats, lunges and other calisthenics types of things. No Loss. No Loss. No Loss.

I would love to hear from anyone else who has this experience and if you overcame it....WHAT DID YOU DO? HELP!

At this point, I'm not even in it for the weight loss.....just great for my heart!

Looking to lose weight? Think about it

Tue, 15 May 2007 15:35:17 -0600

Mindless eating. Are you guilty of such a thing? I know I am. But why? Ok, I can simply blame my sweet tooth for some of my dietary transgressions, but I was glad to learn that my lack of willpower isn’t always to blame.

I read in my recent edition of “Experience Life” magazine that most of the decisions we make about food happen without willpower ever getting involved. And we make an average 200 decisions a day! Dr. Brian Wansink, PhD, from Cornell University conducted numerous studies on food’s connection to human behavior. He claims 90 percent of our decisions are unconscious. Here are some examples from his book “Mindless Eating.”

We "think" we stop eating because we’re full when in fact our plate is empty. We "think" we’re hungry when we’re really tempted by donuts. Dr. Wansink’s advice on feeling satisfied? Eat from a smaller plate (make sure the plate is half covered in salad and vegetables) and sit next to a slow eater. Following these tips will shift your eating pattern; you won’t notice you’re eating fewer calories or try to compensate. Before long you’ve got the “mindless margin” on your side.

I’ll let you know how it works… as soon as I start eating again. I’m still recovering from my day-long Mothers Day munch-fest!
—Macie Jepson