Club Blog

ARA) – If you’re not planning on adding “lose weight” to your list of New Year’s resolutions, you’re in the minority. In fact, losing weight is one of the most commonly made resolutions, year after year. But it’s definitely not the only health resolution you should consider making for 2012.

While losing weight offers a host of benefits for many people, addressing other health issues, like your hearing health and psychological well-being, can make equally compelling New Year’s resolutions.

Go ahead and add “drop a few pounds” to your resolution list, but consider jotting these ideas down as well:

1. Resolve to take care of your hearing health.

About 10 percent of Americans report having hearing difficulties, and that includes about 1.4 million children, according to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI). You may think you’re too young to worry about your hearing, but the BHI also reports that the majority of people with hearing loss (65 percent) are younger than 65. Our increasingly noisy world exposes people of all ages to potentially damaging sounds, so it’s more important than ever to pay attention to your hearing health.

Have your hearing professionally tested every year. If you’re diagnosed with hearing loss, talk to your health care provider to determine if a hearing aid will help you. Hearing aids are now more discreet, versatile and effective than ever thanks to advances from manufacturers like Starkey. The hearing aid maker’s Wi Series employs wireless technology, enhances TV and radio listening, and eliminates the need for manual adjustments. In addition, all of its hearing aids including Wi Series and X Series can help reduce background noise while preserving speech understanding.

2. Resolve to take care of your emotional health.

Stress seems like a natural part of our busy lives these days, but too much stress can be harmful to your overall well-being. According to WebMD, stress can negatively affect your mental health, your immune system, heart, digestive system, skin, lungs and reproductive organs.

Resolve to take steps to relieve stress. Stress-busting can take on many forms for many people, whether it’s spending time with a pet (interacting with animals can lower blood pressure and heart rate), listening to music, meditating or getting rigorous exercise. Don’t worry over how you relieve stress, just do what feels right for you and fits into your schedule and lifestyle and you’ll reap the benefits.

3. Resolve to take care of your bone health.

Healthy bones are important for everyone, not just post-menopausal women and growing children. Most of your body’s calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. When your body doesn’t get enough calcium from outside sources, it starts drawing what it needs from storage, and osteoporosis occurs.

While anyone can experience osteoporosis, certain groups are more at risk than others, including Caucasian women who have gone through menopause, older adults, people who are small in stature, and those with low-calcium diets or who are physically inactive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ensure your diet includes the recommended amount of calcium per day, and stay active by doing physical activities that help build bone strength, such as walking, running, dancing and weight lifting.

4. Resolve to take care of your feet.

The condition of your feet can clue you in to your overall health, and signs of serious problems like arthritis, diabetes and circulatory issues can all be detected in the feet. More Americans have foot pain than in any other part of their bodies they consider vital to health, such as the skin, teeth or even the heart, according to a survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

To prevent foot problems, make sure you wear shoes that fit well and offer plenty of support, don’t wear the same pair every day, and avoid walking around barefoot, the APMA advises. If you experience foot pain, don’t ignore it; seek a doctor’s help.

5. Resolve to get more rest.

Think you’re OK squeaking by with just five hours of sleep a night? Think again. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) says sleep is essential to your overall health and well-being, yet 60 percent of American adults say they have problems sleeping a few nights a week or more. On average, adults need about eight hours of sleep; some will be alright with an hour or two less, while others will need more.

To help ensure you get the rest you need, maintain a regular sleep schedule, avoid caffeine for at least four hours before bedtime, don’t have a heavy meal or drink alcohol before you sleep, and create a sleep-friendly environment with minimal light and noise.

(ARA) – Everyone reaches for comfort foods and junk food when stressed out. You know you shouldn’t, but you probably feel you need something to help you during that intense period of time when stress is king.

“In moments of stress, people tend to reach for foods they know, sometimes even favorite foods from childhood. It is certainly not a time when we choose to experiment,” says Chef Odette Smith-Ransom, chef instructor at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

If traveling, you may often search for a familiar restaurant or fast food place. It’s easier to reach for food that you know provides a level of comfort to balance out the uncomfortable moments of stress, Smith-Ransom says.

It all comes down to food choices where stress and food are concerned. When stressed, you are more likely to make a quick, bad choice. “The vicious cycle of guilt regarding our eating habits steps in and worsens the current stress situation,” Smith-Ransome says. “Add guilt to the situation, and the stress levels increase – compounding the problem.”

Chef Smith-Ransom warns that when stressed, one should stay away from caffeine and sugar. It’s easy to grab an energy drink or a candy bar because they’re accessible and in every convenience and drug store in America.

Once the rush is gone from sugary, caffeine-packed foods, you’re facing a crash unless you continue to eat and drink to keep your body in the high. Continuing to eat and drink these products will compound the situation even more because you then become sleep-deprived, which raises the levels of anxiety and slows you down.

The best way to attack bad eating choices during a moment of stress is to maintain your body and mind at equilibrium. Before an important interview, presentation or exam, try eating whole foods and complete meals, and forget about the bag of cookies. While these satiate the appetite at the moment, it certainly won’t keep your blood-sugar levels stable, making it difficult to cope with your initial problem: high stress.

“Eat dark, leafy greens, high fiber foods and lean cuts of protein as a complete meal,” says nutritionist and public health expert, Nicole Dowsett, a nutrition instructor at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Charlotte. She recommends staying away from heavily seasoned foods and eating four to six small meals a day. “Take time to eat and avoid grabbing something on the go to just stuff your face.”

It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to communicate with your mind that you are full. Making time to eat is very important. If you can, share meals with friends or loved ones, Dowsett says. Sharing meals helps you to take your time and deters you from making bad choices, or even worse yet, hiding your unhealthy food choices – which can lead to an eating disorder.

“High stress mixed with bad food choices can cause and increase behavioral issues, sleep deprivation, problems focusing, over-thinking tasks without developing a clear focus, inability to prioritize, reduced cognitive skills, heightened sensitivity and heightened emotions,” Dowsett says.

By making informed, careful food choices during times of stress, you can help ensure what you eat doesn’t add extra calories, fat and poor nutrition to your worries.

To learn about The Art Institutes visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than one quarter of all deaths are caused by heart disease alone. However, despite its often-deadly effects, heart disease does not have the high profile of cancer, AIDS and other terminal diseases. This means that many people with heart disease either do not realize they have the condition, or do not seek treatment for early warning signs. While many think that heart disease primarily affects men or the elderly, women are just as likely to suffer from heart disease as men. In fact, approximately 10 percent of women age 45-64 suffer from the disease.

Geeta Maharaj, nursing director at Everest College’s Salt Lake City campus explains that you don’t have to be in nursing school to know there are many things you can do to reduce the likelihood of having heart-related health problems. “One of the most important is simply to learn about how your life choices affect your heart’s health,” adds Maharaj.

The major risk factors for heart disease are inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes. In 2005-2006, the Center for Disease Control reported that 37 percent of Americans had two or more of these risk factors, potentially increasing their chances of contracting heart disease.

However, approximately one half (47 percent) of deaths caused by sudden cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals, which suggests that many people who are suffering from heart disease go undiagnosed, or are not seeking treatment.

Medical research has shown that lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels can reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack, needing heart bypass surgery, and dying from heart disease. Even for those who are currently healthy, lowering cholesterol can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. “It is important to know the risk factors for heart disease and talk to your doctor about how to reduce the likelihood of suffering from a heart attack or cardiac arrest,” says Maharaj.

Even if you are not at risk for heart disease, Darlene Mention, RN, MSN, CCRN, nursing instructor at Everest University’s nursing program in Brandon, Fla., suggests taking the following steps to improve overall heart health. 

First, exercise. Your heart is a muscle, and just like your other muscles, it needs to be worked out regularly. Mention recommends that you get at least a half an hour of cardio at least five times a week.

Second, Mention suggests maintaining a healthy weight, and trying to lose extra pounds if possible. Obesity is one of the primary causes of heart disease, and is often linked to other risk factors such as having high cholesterol or being inactive.

Improving your diet can also help you lower your cholesterol and promote overall health. As a rule of thumb, Mention explains that your diet should include five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Two servings of certain fish, such as salmon, trout or mackerel a week can also promote heart health. These fish are full of fats that replenish needed oils. However, you should limit your consumption of saturated fats, which are found in full-fat dairy products, many red meats, fries and other cooking fats.

Similarly, Mention advises cutting back on salt. She explains that the recommended daily allowance is 2,300 milligrams of salt for adults, and less than 1,500 milligrams for middle-aged and older adults with elevated blood pressure. It is important to check food labels, as many processed foods have high levels of sodium. While some studies have suggested that drinking a glass of red wine at dinner may reduce the likelihood of heart attacks, in general, moderation is the key to alcohol consumption. The recommended daily limit of alcohol is three to four servings for men, and two to three for women.

In addition, Mention explains that if you are serious about your heart health, you should quit smoking. Smoking dramatically increases the likelihood of contracting heart disease. Studies have shown that female smokers are three times as likely to have a heart attack before the age of 40 than are non-smokers.

It is also important to learn the early warning signs of heart disease, which include nausea, indigestion, back pain, dizziness, fatigue, and chest pain, as early action can make a huge difference in treatment. Finally, Mention recommends that you talk to your doctor or a licensed nurse about potential preventive measures you can take, if you are at risk for contracting heart disease.

Small dietary changes can make a big difference

(ARA) – Are you one of the millions of middle-aged Americans who resolved to improve your health this year, through diet, exercise or other lifestyle changes? If so, you know that it’s not easy to change old habits – especially the salty, sugary and fatty ones that taste so good.

Unfortunately, poor diet is a vital problem for a growing majority of the nation’s population, particularly the baby boomer generation. Obesity is the nation’s top health concern and poor diet is a major contributing factor, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as reported in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The report cites data indicating 72 percent of men and 64 percent of women are overweight or obese, with about one-third of adults being obese.

Not only does a diet high in calories and low in nutrient density lead to weight gain, but neglecting the vital nutrients found in whole grains, milk, fruits and vegetables may increase your risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic health problems. But even if you never grew out of your childhood dislike of spinach, you can make healthier choices in the kitchen without sacrificing taste.

The latest Dietary Guidelines highlight several tactics to improve adults’ health and lengthen life expectancy. Recommendations for slight but effective diet adjustments include:

* Increase vegetable and fruit intake
You know fruits and veggies are good for you, but not everyone enjoys the crunch of a celery or carrot stick. The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables are extremely important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The antioxidants in these nutrient-rich whole foods have been shown to decrease risk of chronic health problems, including a number of cancers. The USDA suggests adults should consume five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, but many people don’t reach this goal and instead reach for unhealthy snacks because of time, convenience and availability.

You can get your daily servings in a tasty, on-the-go treat. With the help of a high-powered Vitamix 5200 machine, you can transform less-than-appealing produce into a smooth, sweet, yet nutrient-packed smoothie. For example, the Vitamix Going Green recipe combines pineapple, banana, ice and spinach – yes, spinach – into a delicious smoothie that even kids enjoy. The 5200′s powerful blades pulverize the cell walls of whole fruits and vegetables, releasing the full nutrients found in the seeds and skin. Your favorite fruity flavors will overpower the less appealing, and your tongue won’t even know it’s tasting better health.

* Increase whole grain intake
Nutrition experts agree Americans consume too many refined grains, and the new Dietary Guidelines suggest one half of all grains consumed in a day should be whole grains. Choosing whole wheat bread and pasta rather than the nutrition-lacking white versions is a small change that can make a big difference. Some high-powered blending machines can even grind whole grains for making your own healthy bread, pancake and other dough-based recipes. Just make sure not to combat your positive move toward whole grains with a negative overload of spreads or sauces full of trans fat.

* Individuals 50 and older
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend those aged 50 years and older consume foods fortified with vitamin B12, or take dietary supplements for healthy aging. This nutrient is key to maintaining normal function of the brain and nervous system and affects energy production. Many breakfast cereals and other processed foods are fortified with vitamin B12 and you may also find the vitamin in pill form. Vitamin B12 is vital to red blood cell and DNA production, and increasing intake has additional benefits including higher energy levels. Studies show absorption of vitamin B12 decreases while aging, so adding this nutrient to a healthy daily diet is important for those over 50.

By: Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.

It’s been said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but did you know that the way to your stomach is through your mind? 

The Sporting Club has just embarked on a 12 week “Weight Loss Challenge” complete with 3 workouts each week, weigh-ins, weekly food reviews, nutritional handouts, recipes, prizes and personal reach outs to insure accountability.  Leading the way among similar weight loss programs, there is also going to be a focus on mindset, called a “cognitive component.” 

Judy Beck, in her book, “The Beck Diet Solution,” describes this component in detail, and I recommend her book and workbook to those of you who want to go into this in more detail.

What role does the mind play in creating healthy weight and thus overall wellness? Let’s take a look at how the way you think helps you deal with the 5 key food triggers, including:

• Social (buffet chat)
• Environment (food ads)
• Biological (hunger cravings)
• Emotional (anxiety, depression, boredom and happiness)
• Mental (thinking about food)

First, those who are overweight or obese often think differently than others about food and themselves.  Here are some thoughts to watch for:

•  Do you confuse hunger with a desire to eat?
•  Do you have a low tolerance for hunger and cravings?
•  Do you like/demand the feeling of “being full”?
•  Do you fool yourself about how much you actually eat?
•  Do you comfort yourself/your feelings with food?
•  Do you feel helpless & hopeless when you gain weight?
•  Do you focus on issues of “unfairness”?
•  Do you give up regulating your diet and exercise once you begin to lose weight?

To begin with, properly entering the weight/wellness challenge requires that you understand the advantages of doing so:

• I’ll be healthier
• I’ll look better
• I’ll like myself more
• I’ll feel more in control
• My doctor won’t bug me
• I’ll be more comfortable around other people
• The disadvantages?
• None

Those who will be successful in meeting the weight loss challenge will know how to rationally (accurately) respond to their irrational (inaccurate) thoughts about food, dieting and exercise.  Here are some examples:

• Yes I know I ate a little while ago, but I’M STARVING…but I’m only having a craving, and that doesn’t mean I HAVE to eat
• I can’t stand feeling hungry, it’s awful…but in truth, it’s only uncomfortable and I can tolerate it and I know it’ll go away
• Oh, it’s only one extra cookie, so what’s the big deal? The big deal is if I have that cookie, I only strengthen the habit of giving in.

Weight loss and wellness requires people to combat the thoughts of “having to”:

• Feel deprived…But I’d rather tolerate deprivation and get healthier
• Tolerate hunger…But I can tolerate a bit of hunger in order to lose weight, get fit and be healthier
• Eat differently than others… But what’s the big deal? It’s worth it to get fitter, healthier and lose weight
• Write down a daily eating plan and not be able to be spontaneous…But I can either NOT write down my plans and be spontaneous, or become healthier…not both

Healthy self-talk sounds like this:

• “DO IT ANYWAY”
• “GIVE MYSELF CREDIT”
• “SAY ‘NO’ TO EXTRA UNPLANNED FOOD”
• “PUT MY HEALTH FIRST”
• “TOLERATE IT”
• “EXERCISE NO MATTER WHAT”
•  “I CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS”
• “I’LL CARE LATER”
• “I’D RATHER BE FITTER”
• “CELEBRATE”
• “OH WELL”
• “DON’T COMFORT MYSELF WITH FOOD”
• “I CAN EITHER EAT EVERYTHING AT THE BUFFET OR GET FIT, BUT NOT BOTH”

Ready to make some important commitments?  Here are some that those successful in losing weight and creating wellness make, and stick to:

• I’ll make the following changes at home and work___________
• To make time and energy for staying on track, I’m going to_____________
• The spontaneous & planned exercise I’m going to do___________
• My first weight loss goal is_________
• To learn to figure out when I’m really hungry, I’m going to_________
• When I have a craving, I’m going to__________
• In order to eliminate spontaneous eating, I’m going to________________

It isn’t easy to properly engage your mind to lose weight and become fit. It may mean some or all of the following:

• Consistently make time for exercise and all planned eating
• Plan your eating in writing
• Eat slowly and mindfully
• Monitory everything you eat in writing
• Tolerate hunger
• Avoid or deal with triggers
• Resist cravings
• Recognize normal “fullness”
• Avoid unplanned eating
• Identify and counteract your sabotaging thoughts
• Respond to a sense of unfairness
• Give yourself credit
• Squarely face your mistakes
• Plan to avoid these mistakes in the future
• Get back on track immediately
• Assertively say “no” to food pushers
• Seek out personal support and ask for help whenever and wherever you need it
• Plan for special events and traveling
• Cope with negative and positive emotions without turning to food
• Cope with discouragement

If you do engage your mind, along with diet and exercise, you will no doubt be successful in meeting the weight loss challenge over the next 12 weeks. 

Sandra Blackie and I are going to be focusing on the mind and nutrition in a two-session program coming up in February to assure this success. Be sure to watch for the dates and times and drop in for some key tools for your health.

Remember, “nothing but nothing tastes as good…as being fit feels.”

(ARA) – Eating right is often easier said than done. You like what you like, so breaking old eating habits is never easy. That’s why sometimes it can be easier to slightly modify your diet instead of giving it a complete overhaul.

The good news is subbing in healthier substitutes doesn’t have to make your food taste less flavorful. Here are five healthy substitutions to try on your journey to better health:

1. Make things whole. Consider what type of bread, pasta, flour and rice you are regularly eating. Switching to the whole grain versions of these foods not only helps you cut down on calories, but also add nutrition to your diet. Whole grain foods are also packed with fiber, which helps you feel full and aids digestion.

2. Consider beverages. Did you know the average can of soda contains about 150 calories and no nutrients? On the other hand, try opting for tasteful beverages that have a neutral, or even a positive effect on your health. For example, natural teas can provide added health benefits – oolong tea can help lower your cholesterol and green tea can help boost your metabolism. Like soda, tea can also be quick, easy and refreshing – cold-brewed tea from brands such as Teawan come in packages that can be brewed in minutes.

3. Watch where you start in the kitchen. Cooking more at home is a sure-fire way to reduce the calories you take in, but your cooking methods can be another place to make gains in eating healthier. Instead of using butter, vegetable shortening or lard, consider using olive oil, peanut oil or canola oil, which contain less saturated fat.

4. Creamy substitutes. When a recipe calls for heavy cream, try substituting half and half or milk. Or use yogurt instead of sour cream. These simple substitutions can provide great taste for a fraction of the calories and fat.

5. Modify your meat intake. You don’t have to suddenly become a vegetarian, but try a stir fry using only veggies or substitute ground turkey for ground beef in your favorite recipes. By making a similar substitution once a week or more, you’ll consume less calories and fat – and possibly discover some tasty variations on your go-to dishes.

You may find that some substitutes actually make your diet more interesting and give you more options for healthy eating. As you work toward eating healthier, you ultimately have to find options you enjoy to achieve sustainable and nutritious diet.

by: Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D

In only a few short days the holiday season begins, challenging anything that a fitness psychologist can teach.  Complete with festive meals, parties, and seeming non-stop food and drink, it’s a healthy body’s nightmare.  All of those hours at the gym can go “poof” in practically no time.

Most people don’t ever lose the pound or two of weight they put on during the holidays, according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine. But it sure doesn’t have to be that way.  Not if you know how to “THINk THIN.”  It’s the program I’ve been talking about and teaching for quite some time and simply put, it works. 

Don’t get me wrong, continuous exercise is an essential ingredient in maintaining your fitness and weight goals through this holiday season.  In fact, in a study published in New England Journal of Medicine the lead researcher stated that: “The finding that study volunteers reporting more physical activity had less holiday weight gain suggests that increasing physical activity may be an effective method for preventing weight gain during this high-risk time.” (source: nichd.nih.gov)

But exercise alone won’t insure that you will resist that apple pie with heaps of ice cream on top, or that triple chocolate cake at Extraordinary Desserts, handfuls of chips and rich dips, pizza, French fries, and of course Starbucks.  With “55 million people every year resolving to lose weight” after the holidays according to Prevention Magazine, we need to be armed with more than just exercise.

While reducing saturated fats, drinking less alcohol, eating more protein and less carbs, avoiding buffet chat, eating a healthy breakfast every day, eating the turkey light meat instead of dark meat, not eating turkey skin, skimming the fat off the gravy, and sharing every dessert you have may also help you stick to your holiday weight plan, again, by itself, it won’t do the trick.

The key to successful weight reduction and maintenance is to “THINk THIN.”  Irrational dieters think differently from healthy weight maintainers.  They may believe:

• It’s okay to eat [this food I hadn't planned] because I’m upset, I’m happy, I’m tired/I’m celebrating/everyone else is eating it/it’s free/no one is watching/I’ll make up for it later.
• I cheated! Oh, well, I may as well eat whatever I want for the rest of the day and start again tomorrow.
•  Hunger is bad, abnormal, intolerable and it’s to be avoided.
•  If I’m upset, I deserve to eat. (Or, the only way I can calm down is through eating.)
• If I have a craving, there’s nothing I can do except give in.

If these sound like you or someone you know, you need to learn to “THINk THIN.” Here’s how:

1. Write down all of the reasons you have for maintaining your weight goals through the holiday season, one reason on each 3×5 card.  Be sure to rate each reason with a level of importance, 1-4, with 1 being most important and 4 being least important.
2. Read each card twice every day between Thanksgiving and New Year’s day.
3. Select a diet plan that is reasonable for you to stick with.  Then choose another as a back up.
4. Never eat standing up and when you do eat, be sure you are mindful of what you are eating to increase the satisfaction you derive from the taste, smell, texture sight and feeling of the food.
5. Learn to THINk THIN through hunger.  You may THINk that you will feel horrible if you don’t eat and can’t stand feeling the “awful” feeling of being hungry.  Or you may THINk that it is unfair that you can’t eat what you want and foolishly THINk that life is unfair and it shouldn’t be.  Or you call yourself names for wanting to eat.
6. Counter these erroneous and irrational thoughts with something more accurate.  Ask yourself if this is the worst situation on the planet?  It is worse than 100% bad?  Can no good possibly come from this at all?  Realistically remind yourself that you can, after all, stand feeling hungry, that it’s not really awful but rather “too bad,” or “no big deal,” and hunger tolerance is a good lesson to learn.  Also remind yourself that life certainly is not fair, that you really can’t dictate how life SHOULD be, and finally that you are only human for wanting to eat something that looks tasty, not weak, bad or some other negative label.
7. Understand that the more you wait out your cravings, the less intense they become and once you decide you are going to ride it out, you are already diminish in them. 
8. Avoid unplanned eating by reminding yourself, “I can eat this surprising dessert that I had not expected, or maintain my weight.” 
9. Use a response card for when you do, inevitably, slip.  After all, you are only human. Judy Beck, famed author of the wonderful “Beck Diet Solution,” suggests that this card say, “It’s not the end of the world. I can start following my plan again right now. Just because I made a mistake doesn’t mean I should keep eating. That makes no sense. It’s a million times better to stop now than to allow myself to eat more.”
10. Give yourself a “breather” one day each week.

There you have some idea of how to start to “THINk THIN.”  Along with increased exercise time at The Sporting Club and healthy nutrition choices, these steps will have you looking as good after the holidays as you do going into them. One more benefit — you’ll have one less New Year’s resolution to make this year.

(ARA) – When fingers get pointed in debates over the obesity epidemic in the United States, technology sometimes shoulders some of the blame. Time in front of computer screens or television is often listed as part of the reason why Americans aren’t as healthy as they have been in the past. But the truth is there are also technological advances that have the potential to guide you in your quest for a healthier lifestyle, whether that is eating right, exercising or keeping tabs on vital numbers that are important to your health.

Take smart phone applications for example. Nowadays, you can find applications for just about anything in life that might capture your interest, and healthy living is no exception. So if you’re looking to stay fit and healthy, here are six mobile apps that give you and your family a little extra help:

Lose It!: Counting calories is perhaps the simplest and most effective way to keep track of your health goals, especially if it involves weight loss. But it’s difficult to do all the adding and subtracting in your head, which is where the free app Lose It! comes in. The app allows you to enter what you eat each day and calculates not only calories, but fat, protein, cholesterol and carbohydrates based on portion size. It also allows you to enter different types of workouts, from walking to yoga, to see how many calories you will burn while you are exercising.

Carb Counting with Lenny: This app is designed to help children with diabetes count carbohydrates to help manage their diabetes, but can be of use to anyone. Using their mascot Lenny the Lion, who also uses insulin pump therapy, Medtronic Diabetes introduced this app, which allows children with type 1 diabetes to learn about carbohydrate levels in basic foods. The application also allows users to create a customizable food guide using their own photos or ones they find on the Internet, as well as play games to test their carb-counting knowledge. Periodic contests and giveaways (www.medtronicdiabetes.com/carb-counting-contest) are announced to reward registered users who get highest game scores. Medtronic Diabetes, which makes such products as continuous glucose monitoring devices, designed the app to be useful and educational for both children with diabetes and others who are interested in monitoring carb intake.

Size Me Up: Another application for kids. This one allows children to enter their current height and receive estimates for how tall they might be in the future, at any given age. This can be used to help keep your child motivated to eat right, so they can grow up to be tall and healthy.

BP Buddy: This application allows people who are monitoring their blood pressure to input their blood pressure numbers and heart rate numbers and log them for up to 60 days. An e-mail feature allows users to send their numbers to their doctor for analysis.

The Carrot: As an interactive journal, this application allows you to track multiple items related to health. In addition to entering information on meals, workouts, and even medication, you can also enter your assessment of your moods or the level of job satisfaction you are feeling at the moment to see if you can pinpoint what healthy habits work best for you.

FitReach: This training and diet application allows you to enter information on your meals, as well as workouts. It also encourages you to do regular weigh-ins so you can compare your weight loss with your goals on graphs that are a part of the app.

Applications are available on iTunes and can also be downloaded through your iPhone, smart phone or other compatible mobile device.

(ARA) – Getting fit makes you feel good inside and out. When you exercise, your clothes fit better, your energy levels get a boost and it helps the stresses of your life melt away in a pure endorphin rush. Luckily, no matter where you live, it’s easier than ever to get exercise all year round so that you can maintain your health and fitness.

Whether you’re pounding the pavement or hitting the gym, keep in mind that beauty and working out aren’t mutually exclusive. With a bit of smart preparation, you’ll be feeling good during your fitness routine and gorgeously glowing afterward. Keep these ideas in mind to help you look great, even between workouts.

* High and dry: High temperatures might be what we crave during colder months, but when you’re being active, they can make you feel less than your best. For a new way to stay fresh and dry, The Body Shop offers its DeoDry collection – it gives you 24-hour protection and contains no aluminum salts or parabens. Powered by a volcanic mineral that has powerful absorption abilities, the deodorants will help you stay dry during your hardest workouts.

* In the drink: As you work out, it’s natural that your body will shed water in the form of sweat, and it’s essential that you keep your body’s fluid levels up. Dehydration can cause everything from discomfort to serious sickness, so don’t let your body down. Even when you’re not working out, hot days call for extra hydration. The added benefits are that drinking more water can help to keep your skin clear and your appetite sated.

* Face forward: The exertion of exercising can be a pore-clogging nightmare. That’s why it’s particularly important to have a good skin care regime adapted to your skin’s needs. To keep your skin radiant and in balance, keep products like a refreshing mist spritz and an exfoliating cleanser on hand and in your medicine cabinet. The Body Shop Vitamin C skincare line has those two essential items and more – including a must-have SPF 30 daily moisturizer.

* Hair apparent: Swimming’s a great way to stay active – whether in the pool or the ocean – but it can take a toll on your locks. Whatever your activities, it’s important to use an eco-friendly shampoo – after all, a good choice for the environment can be a good choice for you, too. The Rainforest Hair Care collection from The Body Shop will leave your tresses shiny and manageable and is free of parabens, silicone and colorants. Even better, all the formulations are biodegradable so they are not harmful to organisms living in the water. If your tresses are stressed out, be sure to give them a deep conditioning treatment, too.

Whether your inspiration is getting healthy or a beauty boost, exercise is the best way to do it. Taking advantage of the opportunity to work out, regardless of the season, with these thoughts in mind will help you look your best, throughout the year. For more information, go to www.thebodyshop-usa.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – School, homework, soccer practice, ballet, board meetings – the list goes on and on. The end of summer often means the beginning of a hectic fall, and now is the perfect time to ensure that healthy eating stays on top of your priority list. A healthy lifestyle for the entire family can be easier than it seems – even for the busiest household. With a little planning, both parents and kids will find themselves prepared for those last-minute meals and snack attacks that may otherwise place them in front of the vending machine, or in the drive-thru line.

As parents are heading back to work, and kids back to school, it’s more important than ever to be armed with functional foods that will keep you fueled and feeling satisfied. Planning ahead for snacks and meals that are both nutritious and delicious is the key to success.

Preparing nutritious snacks and meals on a tight schedule is all about being creative, so finding the right go-to foods the whole family will enjoy is important. Follow these tips from Sunsweet Growers to prepare your family for a day of healthy meals and midday snacks:

* Make breakfast count. According to the American Dietetic Association, children who eat breakfast perform better in the classroom and on the playground, with better concentration, problem-solving skills and eye-hand coordination. Keep your kids strong in both body and mind by starting them off on a breakfast full of functional foods high in the important nutrients they need to succeed through both the day and the school year. Try adding “super fruits,” such as prunes (also known as dried plums), to a bowl of yogurt for a tasty breakfast that’s high in antioxidants, potassium and fiber.

* Plan nutritious snacks for between meals. Everyone needs a little something to tide them over between lunch and dinner. Having a healthy snack on hand will help prevent you and your student from turning to the vending machine for some midday fuel. Stock your desk and their backpacks with nutritious snacks that are packaged to stay fresh and hold up en route to any destination. Try mixing dried fruit with almonds for a snack that will fill you both up in a healthful way.

* Stash healthy foods in your car or purse. Having nutrient-rich snacks on hand is essential in ensuring your child stays energized between extracurricular activities, and that you stay fueled when transporting them. Often, afterschool snacks are a last-minute thought and chips and candy bars become the only option.  Instead of handing over that sugar-filled candy bar, keep your car or purse stocked with healthy snacks for those days you find yourselves moving from one activity to the next. Sunsweet Ones, individually wrapped prunes, are a grab-and-go snack perfect for the car when shuttling between school, soccer or ballet practice.

* End the day on a healthy note. After a busy day of work, school and extracurricular activities, it’s important to replenish your family in both body and mind with a healthful dinner. Have fun experimenting with new recipes and putting new spins on old favorites. Dinner is also a great time to squeeze in those extra vitamins and minerals to your family’s diet at the end of the day. Incorporating dried fruit, such as cherries, blueberries or prunes, into salads, side dishes and even entrees will not only add sweetness and texture to meals, but it’s also an easy way to incorporate nutrients that might otherwise be missing from the dinner table.

Visit www.Sunsweet.com for more recipe tips and ideas.

Courtesy of ARAcontent