Sunday, March 6, 2011

How Can You Avoid the Fat, When Proven Studies "Say" Obesity is on the Rise? Part 2

So now that we know there are studies out there in the universe saying, “We are obese and it’s going to get worse.” How do we stop the madness?

First we have to identify why we have the problem of obesity. Then we can start to create a game plan to overcome it once and for all. A significant issue many of us have today is the problem of not burning off more calories than we take in. And if you are not interested in going to a gym regularly, you have to eat foods that will help you burn calories. That’s right, I said it – there are foods that will help you lose the fat without you stepping a foot or toe in a gym.

We are living in a time when more than 50% of the nation’s adults are overweight or obese. As a result, weight-related diseases are on the rise, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. While you may not get the maximum results of weight loss, you can lose weight with fat burning foods that are probably in your kitchen already. Here are a few.

Cinnamon will keep your metabolism working to help in weight loss. It will also aid in metabolizing the sugars which help maintain insulin and glucose levels. It will also add flavor without adding sugar to your breakfast like oatmeal or a breakfast protein shake.

Broccoli is a great source of calcium. Studies have found that it contains calcium which aids in weight loss. It is also high in vitamin C which assists the body's ability to absorb calcium. Broccoli is also considered a Super food as it also helps to boost the immune system.

Garlic is also a fat burning vegetable and considered a Super food. Although it is known to be helpful in lowering high blood pressure, garlic is a natural appetite suppressant. It also raises the metabolic rate which aids in burning fat.

Right now, I am drinking a protein shake twice a day, as a meal replacement. So farI love the results, especially since it satisfies my hunger. Another benefit is that it tastes great!



I am a product of the fast food era (Baby Boomer) and my habits over the years have finally caught up with me. As a result of not being as active as I was years ago, (Arthur has got me…arthritis in the knees) and I have been guilty of preparing quick meals to get to some down time after a long day.

My Mom had warned me. She has been eating healthy since I can remember. But who listens to Mom, right? Well I have to say, Mom does know best and we better be prepared for our kids to look at us like we have horns growing from our heads as well. But, if you get to them while they are very young, you can break the cycle of the fast food generation.

As my friend Constance said in the last post “…… our children are bombarded with so much of these unhealthy foods that it seems like we are trying to swim up stream. I have never seen so many $1.00 menus in my life! So I'm trying to make the change of providing quality healthy meals daily for my children”.

The best way to change our inevitable path of obesity is to go to war with what we have been doing and re-educate ourselves with the knowledge of good nutrition and healthy eating. We have to get out of our-own way and conquer this beast. As you do your research, you will find that fighting the battle of the bulge is not only beneficial in helping us learn valuable ways to keep the weight off, but will also provide more guidance in living a healthy life-style.

Wishing You Much Success!

Karen McPherson

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

How Can You Avoid the Fat, When Proven Studies "Say" Obesity is on the Rise?

There was a time when the excuse for me was, "Oh, I'm still trying to lose this baby fat." Never mind I had my child years ago, I was in serious denial.

I have also heard other women refer to their "extra" love handles in the same way. And some can be quite creative on how and why they haven't lost the weight. Let's face it, as we age and gain, the "extra pounds" we will be fighting the battle forever, if we are not constantly aware of it. Oh, and doing something about it.

Now mind you, not all women have that extra "baby" fat problem. Some women actually do go back to their pre-pregnency weight and into their clothes. And let's not forget the husbands that have gained also from the sympathy cravings while their lady is having her taste for a pint of ice cream. As they go out to buy her one, they are buying a pint for themselves as well. We don't say much about it, cause misery loves company. Hey, if I gotta gain weight, I don't mind if he gains weight too!

Whatever the reasons and causes are we are gaining too much weight at alarming rates. Our BMI's (Body Mass Index's) which measures our height and weight are too high. If your BMI is 30 or higher, you are considered to be obese.

According a quote in NaturalNews from Dr. Lawrence J. Cheskin, director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center,"Let's work on changing our food supply and environment, reducing poverty, enhancing education about health promotion, and keep moving."

Look the bottom line is this, We can make all the excuses in the world for why we are not taking care of ourselves as we should, or we can do something about it now. We have a generation of obese children needing our guidance and direction. We have to create a mindset in them that being aware of what you eat can literally be a matter of life and death. As the saying goes, "When you know better, you do better." Let's help ourselves and our kids do better and "Eat to Live!" rather than "Live to Eat."

Wishing You Much Success!

Karen McPherson