By Lee Ostaszewski/Local Columnist

We have enough things to worry about these days, what with climate change, North Korea and former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci.

The Mooch only lasted 10 days on the job, but you just know he is never going away. Thats how it is with all these reality TV show contestants er I mean members of the Trump administration.

With all this going on in the world we certainly dont need to worry about our brain leaking.

Apparently, however, we do. A growing number of people, as it turns out, have experienced brain fluid leaking out their ears.

Yuck is the appropriate response to this.

Ewwww is also acceptable.

Not surprisingly, this condition is linked to obesity. After all, what isnt? Brian leakage could also be caused by sleep apnea, too.

So basically, we all must be concerned anytime we eat or sleep. These activities are likely killing us.

And if being concerned about sleep apnea causes insomnia, be aware that there is an entire list of health issues caused by not sleeping, too.

By the time we sort it all out, I would rather just worry about North Korea or some nutso White House official.

While no one is sure why brain leakage happens, it seems obesity might be contributing to a condition where the skull bone thins, eventually resulting in a small hole where the cerebrospinal fluid can ooze out.

This hole can also lead to infections in the brain. So the hole needs to be fixed, which requires surgery. These types of surgeries are becoming more and more common.

We dont need this as a problem. Medical research is wonderful when it discovers cures and treatments. But when it digs up new issues we previously didnt worry about, then perhaps its time to stop.

Another example of a problem we previously had no clue about is being overfat. This does not necessarily mean overweight or obese. Instead, overfat can happen even if your weight and BMI appear to be in the good range.

Great.

Overfat occurs when you have too much belly fat. Which effects a large percentage of the population of middle-aged, American adults. And by large percentage, I mean 100 percent of adults who dont play quarterback for the New England Patriots.

Personally, I find this news disturbing.

Whats even more disturbing is that there is no viable solution to this problem. All science can come up with is diet and exercise. That is sciences panacea to every health condition: Diet and exercise.

When will science admit diet and exercise is not working?

Granted, it doesnt work mostly because we stop dieting and exercising approximately three days after starting.

We all want science to provide us with a simple, easy-to-follow solution to the obesity epidemic. One that doesnt require us to do very much nor try too hard.

There are companies out there that claim to have the answers. They say that their natural herbs or vitamin supplements reduce belly fat. But these claims fall into the same category as a politicians promises.

Such as having Mexico pay for a border wall, replace and repeal Obamacare, or acting so presidential well be bored.

The American public could use some boredom about now.

It would give us a chance to focus on other things. Such as how much belly fat is too much and what this stuff dripping out our ears might be.

Lee lives in Medway. Email him at lee.online@verizon.net.

Link:
Ostaszewski: Can medical research be great again? - MetroWest Daily News

Dying to know the secrets behind Beyonces post-baby slim down? The juicy details of her nutritious diet and exercise routine have been revealed to HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY.

No, its not Photoshop. Beyonce, 35, just looks that good after welcoming twins last month. The secrets to having a killer body are pretty obvious (working out, eating right, drinking less, etc.) but how many of us are actually determined enough to follow through? Take a few lessons from Queen Bey if youre looking for extra motivation. Firstly, shes taking her time to lose the baby weight and doing it in a healthy, natural way, a source tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. Breast feeding is really helping to shed the pounds, and running around after daughter Blue helps too!

Its also beneficial if your partner or roommate lives a healthy lifestyle, that way you wont be tempted to buy a bag of Cheetos at midnight. In the Formation singers case, hubby JAY-Z is really pushing a balanced diet packed with protein. Theyve always eaten healthy, although now shes eating a little more meat and less vegan, the source continues. Exercise wise,Beyonce is going to Soul Cycle, which she loves, and shes doing a special high cardio circuit program thathertrainer designed especially forher. Even if the treadmill isnt your thing, you can try Beyonces FAVORITE workout practice yoga!

She does it every single day, our source adds. Sometimes even Blue tries to join in, its so cute!Beyonce loves the effect yoga has onherbody, but she really loves the effect it has onhermind. Its the perfect way to start the morning, and it gets her in the right mind set for the rest of the day. If that still sounds iffy, try exercising with a loved one. All that sweating and blood pumping will do wonders to your sex life! Beyonce and JAY can barely keep their hands off each other at Soul Cycle!

HollywoodLifers, do you think you could keep up with Beyonces workout routine?

Continued here:
Beyonce's Flawless Post-Baby Bod: Her Nutritious Diet & Exercising Secrets Revealed - Hollywood Life

CHRISTINA D'ADAMIO

Last updated13:56, August 4 2017

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Not all movement is good movement when it comes to weight loss.

If you want to maximise your workout and lose weight faster, you might want to rethink your workout routine.

We consulted with DrLuiza Petre, board-certified cardiologist and weight management specialist, to get you the worst exercises for fat loss (and what to do instead).

It's important to remember that not all exercises lead to weight loss.

MURRAY WILSON/STUFF

CrossFit isn't for beginners. If you're not in tip-top shape, it's best to opt for a less intense workout.

"While weight loss is an awesome side effect of working out, exercise can benefit your brain, your mood, and your overall health, too," Petre says.

READ MORE:* 'Dramatic' weight loss possible without counting calories* Why is exercise useless for weight loss?* Expensive meal plans not needed for weight loss* 10 best exercises for weight loss

Extended cardio sessions can lead to muscle loss if they're not balanced with strength training.

"However, not all movement is good movement when it comes to weight loss. While I encourage all types of fitness for more reasons than just weight loss, if your focus is dropping pounds, you should know that not all forms of exercise are as effective for weight loss as others.

"In fact, there may be more bad exercises than good ones when it comes to losing weight and building muscle."

Instead, give strength training a chance. The not-so-simple workout can do wonders for your fat loss plans.

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Yup, they're great abs. Nope, you're not getting them by doing 500 crunches a day and nothing else.

"If you do any kind of strengthening or toning exercises to stay healthy and to remove inches, I encourage all efforts, for more reasons than just weight loss," she adds.

"But if your number one goal is weight loss, you may want to reprioritise your workout schedule. And most importantly, if you are doing an exercise that causes you real pain, your body is trying to tell you 'STOP!' But do not go to the other extreme and completely neglect strength training."

That being said, if you want to slim down, don't put your body through stress just to reach your goals.

ALTER EGO

An average 68kg person will burn only 150 calories in an hour of doing regular yoga.

"The key to all weight loss goals, and health improvement at the same time, without bringing your body to the risk of injury, is balance," Petre says. "Start with a good, healthy balance of strength training and a bit of cardio to build your endurance so you can continue shedding pounds and reach your goals."

WORST: CROSSFIT

"CrossFit-style workouts are exploding in popularity around the world and are often promoted as the best way to get in shape and improve health," Petre says.

MARY FITZGERALD/STUFF

Boot camp: A great way to share the pain and shed the pounds.

"I don't want to be controversial, but if your goal is to lose weight and improve health, CrossFit is the number one exercise you should avoid. It's too intense for many people, and often includes high-risk activities."

"The number one rule about losing weight through exercise is that you can't exercise to lose weight if you're injured," she adds.

"If you're a fit, active, and athletic individual, CrossFit might be the best workout for you, but if your body is not already in top shape, don't unnecessarily risk injury. You're likely to lose more weight if you combine a healthy diet with a moderate exercise program that's more sustainable."

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Lifting weights has been shown to increase resting metabolic rate, which means you continue to burn calories after working out.

WORST: YOGA

"Yoga represents the polar opposite to CrossFit, but this doesn't mean that it will shed those layers of fast food on the body," Petre says. "In fact, a 150-pound [68kg] person will burn only 150 calories in an hour of doing regular yoga, compared to 311 calories for an hour of walking at 3mph [4.8kmh]."

"Increasing your physical activity is a good first step towards losing weight," she says. "It's true that yoga can help you gain strength and tone up, but if you aim to shed pounds, you want to work as much of your body as possible to lose weight and stimulate your metabolism."

WORST: EXTENDED CARDIO SESSIONS

"If you're only doing cardio and not balancing with strength training, it can lead to muscle loss, which is not ideal," Petre says.

"Strength training builds lean muscle mass, which increases both your metabolism and decreases fat. The more muscle you build, the more calories you burn on a day-to-day basis."

"From a cost-benefit angle, extended low-effort exercise, such as steady state cardio, can burn more fat in relative terms, but not in absolute amounts," she adds.

"What counts the most is your overall calorie expenditure, not the fuel source. But before you switch to high-intensity training, remember that this type of exercise is not without a risk of injury. Preserve muscle mass by keeping your cardio workouts to approximately three 30-minute sessions per week."

WORST: PILATES

"Pilates, like yoga, has a lot of health benefits that will help you live better, ranging from improved flexibility and balance to deeper relaxation, but fast fat burn is not one of them," Petre says.

"Because it helps you gradually build and strengthen your muscles, it can be a great way to prevent getting injured while training. However, you need to do heavy compound weightlifting on the big muscle groups along with cardio to maximise fat loss, and Pilates does not incorporate either type of exercise."

WORST: SPOT REDUCTION EXERCISES

"Many people want to lose fat from one specific part of their bodies," Petre says. "But, due to human genetics, we cannot pick and choose areas to burn fat from. This means that if you wish to trim down your midsection, performing only abdominal exercises is not going to give you the results you want.

"The same is true for every other body part and muscle group. Why? Because the only thing exercises target is your muscles, not the fat that is covering the muscles.

"You can lose that fat only by creating caloric deficit through a combination of diet and exercise. In other words, you should consume less calories than you burn, forcing your body to burn your own stored body fat for energy instead."

BEST: TABATA

"Tabata is a dream come true for anyone whose biggest excuse for skipping a workout is lack of time," Petre says.

"It's designed to be just a few minutes of high-intensity interval training that consists of 20 seconds of hard effort, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated eight times.

"The best thing about Tabata is that you can perform these short trainings with your own body weight in the comfort of your own home. Simply pick four exercises, such as jump rope, squats, squat jumps, and mountain climbers, then do each for 20 seconds as hard and fast as you can.

"It will raise your heart rate, pump up your muscles and increase your fitness level."

BEST: BOOT CAMP

"You'll definitely lose extra weight and boost your cardio fitness with this type of training," Petre says.

"Boot camp training takes the military workout out of basic training and into gyms and homes everywhere. Typical boot camp workouts combine intense aerobic exercise with muscle building, resistance exercises, and challenges that boost flexibility and coordination.

"These workout programs are so popular because they work every muscle group, don't require any equipment, and can be done anywhere. Daily boot camp training burns fat and builds muscle, therefore increasing weight loss and supporting maintenance of a healthy weight."

BEST: STRENGTH TRAINING

"If weight loss is a goal, incorporating strength training into your routine is essential," Petre says. "The key to shedding pounds is a strong foundation, and the best way to build muscle is with weights.

"Lifting weights has been shown to increase resting metabolic rate, which means you continue to burn calories after working out. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn throughout the day. By increasing your base metabolic rate [BMR]and burning more calories at rest, you also increase your calorie deficit, which is necessary for weight loss.

"While it's true that cardio-only routines get your heart working harder and help your body burn calories, strength training is what will give your weight-loss goals that extra boost," Petre adds. "This doesn't mean that cardio training should be completely ignored.

"Weight lifting, cardioand your diet combine to make your body burn fat for fuel instead of muscle. Practice these types of training three times a week to burn around 1 to 1.5 pounds of fat per week."

BEST: HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT)

"High-intensity interval training is a form of exercise characterised by periods of hard work followed by brief periods of recovery or rest," Petre says.

"You can perform it using various cardio formats, gym equipment, and weighted or bodyweight exercises. When you do high-intensity interval training, your body and metabolism function at a higher rate of burned calories for hours afterwards. It means you're burning calories while watching your favourite TV show in the comfort of your home.

"According to the American College of Sports Medicine, this type of workout routine tends to burn anywhere from 6-15 per cent more calories compared to other training methods, thanks to the calories you burn after you exercise.

"High-intensity interval training can be performed up to fourtimes per week. The only downside is that it takes your body quite a bit of time to recover, and you can physically only do it for 20-30 minutes at a time before you become too exhausted to continue.

"If you listen to your bodyand pay attention to results, this type of workout will take your training to the next level."

BEST: STRENGTH-BASED CIRCUIT TRAINING

"Compared to traditional strength training, strength-based circuit training will help you lose more fat while still building muscle," Petre says.

"Since you're performing high-intensity movements with short rest periods, you will also get the added benefits of metabolic conditioning. It's slightly less intense than HIIT or Tabata as it's less about short bursts of maximum effort and more about completing quality exercises with good form over a longer duration set.

"Strength-based circuit training is very effective at helping burn fat," adds Petre. "It provides both strength and cardio benefits, it takes less time than a normal strength workout, and focusing on the entire body in a single workout maximises calorie burn and movement function."

- This story original appeared at Rodalewellness.com.

-MCT

Read more:
The five worst exercises for fat loss - and what to do instead - Stuff.co.nz

What is the best way to live a happy and successful life? originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.

Answer by Katherine Killoran, who learned about life and living from medical school and my cancer diagnosis:

Establishing healthy habits is a good start. When you feel well, it's easier to be happy, successful and get the most out of life. Often diet and exercise are the first things that come to mind when thinking of healthy habits. There is an avalanche of opinions on what is a healthy diet. I think it depends on the individual both regarding personal preference as well as metabolism. But whether your diet is vegan, vegetarian, paleo, Mediterranean or labeled something else, it comes down to real food. Cook for yourself with quality ingredients and eat at home. Enjoy your food, and if possible share with others. You will undoubtedly be healthier and happier.

I always thought I had a reasonably healthy diet until I was diagnosed with cancer and considered more carefully what I was eating. I feel better and am happier when I eat real food that I cook at home. Maybe it's age; maybe it's because I am more aware, but my body lets me know when I don't eat well. I do enjoy cooking and strive to eat a wide variety of vegetables every day. I think most of the food we cook at home is delicious, so I am not sacrificing anything to eat well.

Get some exercise. Exercise reduces depression and increases pain tolerance. Do it outside if you can. Being outside makes you happier and also helps reduce depression and anxiety. Make sure it is an activity that you like. The more it feels like work, the less beneficial it is for you and the less likely you are to do it. Sweat. The harder you work the less time you need to put in.

I am an exercise addict. I tend to go overboard. I can count the days during chemotherapy that I did NOT exercise on one hand. It, for sure, helped me feel better during a time when feeling crappy was the norm. I continue to enjoy being active and have added high-intensity intervals to my various activities - swimming, biking, running, and lifting weights. It's hard to know for sure, but I am confident it has improved my speed, strength, and overall level of fitness.

Sleep. While not everybody needs a full eight hours of sleep every night, most people need more than six. No surprise, when you are well rested, you think and perform better, which helps you accomplish more, be happier and more successful.

Stress and lack of sleep were major issues for me. One week after I was diagnosed with cancer, when my priorities were put in place by necessity, I was sleeping better than I had in several years. I think anxiety and lack of sleep contributed to my diagnosis in the first place. But even with a recent cancer diagnosis, better sleep helped me to happier.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, diet, exercise, and sleep, everyone knows that. However, it's your relationships that may the most important. At least that's the conclusion from the Harvard study of adult development. This study started in the 1930s and is still going on today more than 75 years later. It followed 724 men from two very different backgrounds. One group was composed of Harvard students, and the other was poor, underprivileged, boys from Boston's inner-city.

Some of the original participants are still alive today in their 90s, and the study is now following the children from the initial group. This study tracked these men interviewing them, reviewing their medical records, talking to their wives and families to determine what factors resulted in health, happiness, and longevity. It wasn't money, success or a healthy cholesterol level at age 50 that best predicted good health and happiness at age 80. Instead, it was how satisfied the men were with their relationships. Being more socially connected to family, friends, and community led to happier, healthier people who lived longer. Robert Waldinger is the current director of the study; you can listen to his TED talk here.

Another example of the remarkable power of relationships and community on health and longevity is known as the Roseto effect. Roseto is a small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania. In the 1960s, a local doctor realized there was an exceptionally low rate of heart disease in Roseto -- virtually non-existent compared to some of the surrounding towns.

The inhabitants smoked cigars, drank lots of wine, ate meatballs, sausage, and plenty of cheese, while being exposed to potentially toxic gasses and dust in the slate quarries, not exactly the usual recipe for good health.

However, the community was very close knit. The was no crime; people supported each other, meals were a reason to get together and celebrate. There was a strong work ethic with everyone in town working toward a similar goal, a better life for their children. Their children did go on to have more material things and traditional success but not necessarily a better life. As the supportive community began to break down the rates of heart disease and premature death increased, equalling the rates of the surrounding towns.

The people of Roseto were Italian immigrants. Their lifestyle, with an emphasis on close, supportive relationships, appears to have protected them from chronic disease and is similar to the way of life along the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean diet is considered to be one of the healthiest in the world. A British cardiologist, Dr. Aseem Malhotra, is making a film about Pioppi, Italy called the Pioppi protocol. Pioppi is on the Mediterranean, and it's inhabitants are among the world's healthiest, often living into their 90s. In his film, Dr. Malhotra contends that it is the Mediterranean lifestyle, not just the diet that cultivates good health, happiness, and longevity. People eat well, savor and enjoy their food. They are social and connected to their community. They spend time outside, moving, engaged in activities they enjoy.

Take care of yourself. Eat well. Move daily. Get enough sleep. Maintain and nurture your relationships. In doing so, you will inevitably increase your energy and enjoyment from life. When you take care of yourself, not only do you have more energy which will give you more time to focus on success, but you feel well, so you are better equipped to enjoy the time you have.

Read the rest here:
Diet, Exercise And Sleep Are Great, But One Thing Will Improve Your Life Even More - HuffPost UK

Recently, Naveen Jain discovered that he was pre-diabetic. In response, his doctor recommended that he cut down on carbohydrates and starches, such as potatoes, bread, and rice. After several weeks of consuming primarily legumes and lentils, Jain's blood glucose levels were static; as a stool sample analysis later revealed, he actually needed to eat more carbohydrates, not fewer.

Jain received this advice after taking a microbiome test, a service from his new company, Viome, which offers to sequence bacteria in the digestive tract to get a better picture of one's overall health. Based in Bellevue, Washington, Viome combines the results of a simple stool sample with artificial intelligence to make custom suggestions for a user's diet and lifestyle, and potentially flag if the person's at risk for certain illnesses. Indeed, a growing body of research suggests that microorganisms in the human gut may play a critical role in health and disease, and it's a trend that startups are hungrily seizing on.

Earlier this week, Jain's business confirmed that it had raised $15 million in funding, in a round led by the venture capital firm Khosla Ventures, with participation from Bold Capital Partners. In total, Viome has raised $21 million in funding; it generates revenue through the sale of beta tests to thousands of customers, according to Jain. The company operates on a subscription model, charging $595 annually for two tests, or $59 per month. Users send their stool samples to the company's lab, and can also conduct at-home blood and urine tests.

"How we respond to what's happening inside of our gut is the key to understanding aging and health, and the prevention of chronic diseases," Jain tells Inc. in an interview. The company has 45 employees, four of whom are licensed physicians.

Viome is also the first official venture to emerge from BlueDot, the innovation factory that Jain founded back in 2015.

Ambitious though this latest endeavor may seem, it's nothing new for Jain. The billionaire entrepreneur is best known for having launched InfoSpace, the search behemoth that contributed in part to the dot-com bust of 2000. Jain has since gone on to start companies including Intelius, a public-records database, as well as Moon Express. The latter is the first private venture to win government approval to launch a rocket to the moon. He wants to mine the surface for materials such as iron and manganese, as well as gold and other precious metals. The interim goal, Jain explains, is to win the coveted Google Lunar X Prize for missions in 2017; at present, he says, the startup is on track to launch its lunar rocket by December.

The ultimate goal, though, is even loftier: "I'm thinking about what the best thing is I can do to help humanity," Jain says. "Saving humanity from extinction is the goal for Moon Express, and eliminating chronic diseases is the goal for Viome."

Still, the health care business is an expensive one. Jain notes that Viome's profit margins are incredibly slim, so the startup is generating very little money. Over time, it aims to drive down the cost of tests to as low as $10--or free--at which point he said it would generate sales off of the recommendations it makes, instead.

To be sure, many analysts are skeptical of microbiome testing. Viome does not, at present, have FDA approval. Therefore, it's A.I.--however smart--can make recommendations only about diet and exercise, not about medical issues. (Jain insists that the business doesn't need FDA approval for what it's offering at present, thoughhe affirms it will seek this down the line when it begins work to diagnose and cure diseases.) Some scientists doubt that the tests will have the ability to detect illnesses, or make the kinds of recommendations their creators have promised.

"The enthusiasm of their manufacturers simply goes well beyond where the science is right now," noted Rob Knight, the leading microbiome researcher and professor at the University of California, San Diego, in an interview with Technology Review. And Adam Drewnowski, a professor of nutritional sciences in the University of Washington's epidemiology department, says there's little hard science to show that the microbiome in fact influences specific conditions. "It's very new and very controversial," he told Inc. "There are some very interesting links that are currently being established. But to [suggest] at this point that microbiome imbalance causes something like Alzheimer's, I would think, is something of an overstatement."

Meanwhile, Viome faces competition from other microbiome startups, such as San Francisco-based uBiome, which is either fully or partially covered by most health insurance companies. (Viome does not work with any health insurers.) UBiome makes the SmartGut test kit, which costs $89.

What sets Viome apart, Jain says, is the technology it's using to the power the kits. The company pays to license information from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, which analyzes RNA, or ribonucleic acid, to identify species and strains beyond bacteria, including viruses, yeast, mold, and fungi.

Jain is well aware that he's no expert in medicine. "I'm not reinventing the wheel," he explains. "I'm simply making [this technology] available to the consumers that can help and benefit society."

The entrepreneur adds that he spends roughly 60 percent of his time focusing on Viome, and the other 40 percent he splits between operations at Moon Express--preventing human extinction, that is--and at Singularity University, where he is a board member.

Read more here:
When He's Not Charting a Course for the Moon, This Entrepreneur Is Planning Big Things for Your Gut - Inc.com

Image: Supplied.

Is there anyone more annoying than a friend who has just lost weight and feels amazing?

Rhetorical question.

Because while some of us are still safely ensconced in layers of clothing, snug and warm in the comfort of denial about the inevitability of summer while eating carbs with sweet abandon, OTHERS are making their summer bodies, right as we speak, IN WINTER.

I found myself dying midway conversation with a friend who was on week three of the new version of the HCG Diet [an extreme diet involving injections of HCG, the hormone women make when pregnant].

She had just lost five kilos and was now perched high on a soapbox and offering unsolicited diet advice.

Not wanting to rain on her parade at all, because as if I would want to do that, I carefully enquired: hadnt she been on the old HCG roundabout before? And hadnt she, after she returned to eating like a normal person, regained all the hard earned lost kilos with maybe a couple of extras for good measure?

Oh, pardon me, sorry, this is the HCG you get from the doctor. Right. Is it still 500 calories a day? Hello obviously thats why it works. My mistake. And how fabulous that were giving it another go the third time is always the charm.

Look, I dont mean to be negative-Nancy but I was born a Size 14 and I certainly know my way around a calorie-restricted, protein-laden diet and exercise program like the very best of them.

Which is why I was a little surprised when Missy continued in her sermon. Do you know why French women dont get fat?

Um, because they are on drugs and they smoke?

No. Because theyve identified their food culprits. What are your top five food culprits Aleesa? Oooh. The big questions. Champagnefood, which has cheese on it and is like not a protein?

Well that answer opened a can of worms: Champagne sure have that glass but then get on the treadmill for half an hour to burn it off. Because thats how much it takes to work off the calories of just one glass of Champagne.

Firstly, what idiot is going to sit on one glass of Champagne and then excuse herself as she darts upstairs to the home gym filled with washing to do a quick sesh on the treadmill, WITHOUT having another glass of said Champagne on her return as a reward? Spare. Me.

I then get a follow up text message with the suggestion to "Find a PT and do weight resistance training at the gym because it will burn fat and tone". Knock me down with a feather weight training burns fat and tones! I had no idea. And Im kind of pissed that not one of my six trainers over five gyms during this last 15 years told me this. Seriously. And I paid these guys good money.

See, people like myself and my dear friend who have always had that extra 10kg plus to lose, have done it all the fasting, the meal replacements, the tablets instead of food (hello Herbal Life cant believe that wasnt sustainable), the shakes, the drops, the potions and lets not forget exercise (I mean were not idiots).

Weve bounced up and down through the step classes of our youth, done the grapevine right up to Body Pump, intermittent training, Spin and Barre I mean I have had a Fitness First membership for a generation. Indeed we seasoned dieters have been around that block many, many times. Which begs the question: Why, after having made a career of dieting and exercise, are we are still not our taut and trim best?

So, I did my Googles, found an article that really spoke to me, and guess what? I discovered that diets dont work (I bet you didnt know that either. GIVE ME BACK MY LIFE)!

Well, of course the basic science of eating less than your body burns, works you will lose weight.

But keeping the weight off for the rest of your life? I think we all know the answer to that one. However, there are some people who have been very successful long term.

A few of my friends have lost weight and kept it off for many years (I dont speak to those people anymore) but the data reveals that this is the exception, not the rule. Is it lack of motivation, will power, discipline? Why do our bodies kind of spring back to their natural size 16 states in no time at all?

Scientists have found that a weight-reduced body behaves very differently to a similar-size body that has not dieted it is metabolically different (like not good different).

Dieting puts a person who has gone down this slippery road into a state of always wanting to eat while their metabolism is slower than someone at the same weight who has never dieted. I kid you not. Its pure biological sabotage from the get-go.

After youve lost weight, your brain has a greater emotional response to food, Rosenbaum says. You want it more, but the areas of the brain involved in restraint are less active. Combine that with a body that is now burning fewer calories than expected, he says, and youve created the perfect storm for weight regain.

How long this state lasts isnt known, but preliminary research at Columbia suggests that for as many as six years after weight loss, the body continues to defend the old, higher weight by burning off far fewer calories than would be expected.

The problem could persist indefinitely. This doesnt mean its impossible to lose weight and keep it off; it just means its really, really difficult.

Arent we up against it, friends? Our very own bodies literally setting us up to fail. So, do we just abandon that second round of Michelle Bridges? Cease the Ketosis?

Stop donating money to various fitness establishments? Or do we just press on with that dream, and keep chipping away at our lifes work of actually losing weight and keeping it off? Its very tempting to throw in the towel. But Im no quitter. It does make me wonder thoughmaybe ignorance really is bliss after all.

Continue reading here:
'There's nothing more annoying than a friend on a diet' - 9Honey

The sudden passing of radio personality-cum-soca artiste Devon Matthews sent many into a state of disbelief and the misinformed report linking his death to the use or misuse of diet pills further exasperated his family, friends and fans alike.Matthews suffered a heart attack that killed him at the age of 36.The mention of diet pills, however, caused a stir and has left people wanting to know whether or not using diet pills is safe, advised by doctors and even if allowed, should one use them unsupervised by a medical practitioner.The Express sought the views of Dr Varma Deyalsingh on the potential dangers of diet pills and dietary supplements consumers might be unaware of.Deyalsingh has been in the medical field for over 20 years and believes in the power of information and educating others on health matters. He often finds himself encouraging people to do their own research, and talk to their doctor before taking any form of medication or starting a new exercise routine.Deyalsingh admits, unrealistic beauty and physical standards put pressure on people to fit in, this in turn causes them to take unprecedented risks, where they would normally stop and think things through.Body image is a problem in our society. Its not just our society but around the world. This concept of Slim-is-in is a mindset people have to change. The focus should not be on how slim you are but your overall good health. Eat healthy and have a healthy lifestyle, thats what is most important, Deyalsingh said.Easy to get off the shelf

Diet pills and supplements are easy enough to get off the shelf, and doctors also prescribe diet pills and supplements from time to time to their patients. While most people would be more focused on the results, it is important to know exactly what you are putting inside your body, Deyalsingh said.He cautioned about popular diet pills and supplements claim to be herbal. These diet pills and supplements have also been known to cause adverse side effects in people, he said. One case in point Deyalsingh referred to was Hydroxycut.He said, A lot of people were taking this, however, there were instances where people complained of having seizures, and after a thorough investigation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based in the United States, it was then removed from the shelves. The company reformulated the product, and reintroduced it to stores and pharmacies a few years later.Diet pills and supplements with green tea and caffeine are also considered relatively safe, but it can cause the heart to skip a beat in some people. Some diet pills contain amphetamines (uppers), and act as a stimulant to suppress the appetite. It can also increase energy. For some people it could also prove to be very addictive. Phentermine is another drug that can cause heart palpitations in some people, thats why it is so important that these two drugs are prescription only, he said.

Health factors before taking pills

There are many factors doctors take into account before putting someone on diet pills/supplements. If I decided to put someone on diet pills/supplements, the patient would first have to have demonstrated for a couple of months that healthy eating, dieting and exercise have failed. I would check first to see if the person has any heart problems, check and make sure their blood pressure is good, and if there has been any history with addiction such as alcohol or smoking. If any of these is a factor, there is greater chance for the person to be at risk for adverse side effects with this type of treatment. I would not recommend such for a patient with this history. I would prescribe something else, he said.Most consumers are not aware of the dangers posed by some diet pills and supplements. Some have been known to cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks and possible addiction. There have also been instances, where people combine medications, such as diet pills and anti-depressants, which in turn can cause grave harm to the body. There are countless diet pills and supplements on the market, however just because you can get it over-the-counter does not automatically mean it is safe, Deyalsingh said.There are instances, where some of these pills and supplements are banned in other countries, and still manage to find their way into our market. Gym owners and people who go to the gym need to be aware of all the new and existing medical information out there on supplements and diet pills. Not everything is safe for everyone, Deyalsingh said.Deyalsing added that pharmacists also have a greater role in educating consumers about the potential risks. They should be firm with consumers when they advise them to consult their physician before purchasing any medication.It does not take rocket science to get in shape, but there are people who are unwilling to put in the work through exercise to get the results they are looking for. My advice for anyone thinking about taking diet pills and supplements, try it the natural way first. Start with a proper diet and exercise instead of potentially causing your body harm, Deyalsingh added..

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Diet, exercise, doctor first, before the pills - Trinidad & Tobago Express

Only doing cardio at the gym, dedicating your life to HIIT routines and being on a constant diet are just some of the major mistakes people are making in and out of the gym, hindering their weight loss.

Online healthy food retailer MuscleFood.com has revealed eight major mistakes fitness fanatics and slimmers need to stop making.

These include doing the same workout every day, training without a purpose and having the wrong mind-set.

Other mistakes including having a relationship with the gym that is fuelled by hatred and being scared to squat and deadlift.

Darren Beale from MuscleFood.com said: If youre a regular gym-goer, youll often begin to develop a routine that youll do day in day out, which is a huge mistake.

To see consistent results, its important to always switch it up and try something new. Dont be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.

And to avoid settling into the wrong kind of routine, its also important to set yourself small, but achievable goals.

Rome wasnt built in a day, and neither are six packs and biceps. Take time to work on your fitness and muscle definition and slowly but surely, youll get there.

Mistake one - you only do cardio

Pounding the treadmill three days a week and performing an intense ab session twice a week is not going to give you a six-pack, as there is no muscle-building in this.

By regularly lifting weights and incorporating them into your gym routine, youre performing a type of cardio which will help grow your muscles. Then, by doing this, youll eventually start to see some definition.

Mistake two - you dedicate your life to HIIT

High-intensity interval training is great, as it gets your heart pumping and really makes you feel like youve done a good work out. But HIIT can be extremely demanding on the body and should not be done more than three or four times per week. If you find yourself doing more than that, mix it up with some low intensity classes.

Mistake three - youre scared to squat

Dont be afraid to squat and deadlift. These types of exercise are the key to honing your gym body. Theyre the exercises that burn the most calories as they target most muscle groups in one go. They also engage your core and help shape your figure.

Mistake four - youre on a constant diet

Just because youre wanting to get fit and healthy doesnt mean you have to go on a diet. Try the 80/20 approach, where you eat healthy foods most of the time, but allow yourself a treat without feeling guilty.

Mistake five - you do the same workout everyday

Your body is smart, and one thing its good at is finding ways to reserve calories, which is why you plateau. So if youre still lifting the same weights and performing the same exercises week in week out, youre not going to see results.

Mistake six - you train without purpose

If your only desire is to get a six pack then youll get nowhere. Its important to set small, achievable goals alongside your long-term ones, which will help keep you motivated.

These goals dont have to be weight orientated. They could be trying a new class, walking to work each morning or prepping your meals.

Mistake seven - you hate your gym routine

Going to the gym or working out shouldnt be a chore. If you think it is, then youre setting yourself up to fail. Instead, take a few fitness classes you enjoy, or try out new training techniques until you find one you like - this should help keep your fitness spirits nice and high.

Mistake eight- you have the wrong mindset

For long term success you must look at your diet and exercise regime as something you honestly enjoy. Once you begin thinking of it as a lifestyle choice rather than a chose, youll begin to enjoy the journey and progress youre making.

Weight loss plans this summer should include three exercises according to an expert in body transformation.

Link:
Weight loss: Struggling to keep in shape? THIS is the mistake you're making - Express.co.uk

If you're constantly judging your diet, exercise regime and lifestyle by labelling things as 'good' and 'bad', you need to stop. Now.

Photo: Lyndi Cohen/ Supplied

This article initially appeared on lyndicohen.com and has been republished here with permission.

All-or-nothing thinking is also known as black-or-white thinking and it's when things are viewed as 'all good' or 'all bad.'

All-or-nothing thinking often means that anything less than 'perfect' is perceived as a failure.

Having these incredibly unattainable standards sets you up to feel like a failure, and you start to tell yourself things like "nothing I ever do is good enough", "if I just weighed less, then..." or "everyone is prettier and thinner than me".

All-or-nothing thinking keeps you stuck, unhealthy and unbalanced. You become unable to eat anything in moderation and are constantly yo-yo-ing from one extreme to another, flipping from restriction to binge eating or inactivity to over-doing at the gym. From feeling motivated and excited to feeling like it's not even worth trying.

But you are not the problem. All-or-nothing thinking is the problem, and it's holding you back.

Why? Well, first of all, you don't need to change yourself. You are enough just the way you are.

You just need to stop thinking it's 'all-or-nothing'.

The first steps to letting go of the all or nothing approach is to realise when you're doing it. Awareness is key. Take this short test to help you work out if you are a black or white thinker:

Is an 'all or nothing' approach to food holding you back from being healthy?

If you can relate to one or more of the following, you probably have an all-or-nothing approach and can benefit from making a mindset shift.

If any of these sound familiar, you need to let go of this approach, and start thinking of your health in holistic terms. These are some of the strategies that helped me...

1. Notice when you're stuck in this thinking pattern

The first step is to become aware of when you're using an 'all-or-nothing' approach. Often, using words like 'always', 'never' or 'nothing' will give you a clue that you're stuck in the cycle.

Try this instead: Count your success! At the end of each day, take two minutes to note the things you did well that day. Just before turning off the lights to sleep, I tell my partner the things I am grateful for about myself that day. This is important for me as my normal default is to run through all my flaws and faults. I don't talk about the things I didn't do well enough, only the things I am proud of doing or grateful to have learned.

2. Give yourself permission to enjoy food throughout the week

If you spend Monday to Friday being incredibly 'good' (or strict), then when it gets to the weekend, you're going to feel like you deserve a treat for your hard work. When you're feeling deprived, one cheat meal will often turn into a cheat weekend.

Try this instead: Give yourself permission to enjoy treats during the week. I personally like to have a couple of squares of chocolate every day. If I'm at a birthday party and there is cake, I'll have it if I feel like it and often I'll share. Say to yourself: "I am allowed it if I want, but do I really feel like it?"

3. Food is neither good or bad, so adjust your language

I get that you've been taught to think that there are 'good foods' or 'bad foods'. There aren't. Enjoying a piece of cake is not bad and salad is not good. Having cake and feeling guilty about it defeats the purpose. All food can be enjoyed in moderation at some time.

Try this instead: Don't refer to food as 'good' or 'bad'. Become aware of your language. You'll notice just how common, socially acceptable it is to label food as good/bad (black/white). Just because everyone else refers to food as good or bad doesn't mean you have to. Your thinking will change when your language does - and your behaviour will change with it.

4. Find the silver lining and practice being an anti-perfectionist

Good enough really is good enough. Something is better than nothing. Any small effort is worthy of being recognised and applauded.

Try this instead: Add the word 'but' to negative statements. For example, "I didn't get to exercise today BUT I did get to bed an hour earlier tonight and my body needs rest" or "I overate at dinner tonight BUT I understand why that happened" or "I ate chocolate today BUT I really enjoyed it" or "I didn't eat enough vegetables today BUT I did have two pieces of fruit". When I'm feeling less than perfect, I'll repeat to myself "I accept myself and accept others". It helps me let go of my need to be perfect and my expectation that everyone else must be perfect, too.

Dancer Amrita Hepi takes you through a stretching routine you can do in the office

Lyndi Cohen is an accredited practising dietitian and the founder of the Keep It Real healthy eating program. For more from Lyndi, head to http://www.lyndicohen.com and keepitreal.lyndicohen.com.

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This expert says you need to let go of your 'all or nothing approach' - Body and Soul

Your weight is a balancing act, and calories are part of that equation. Fad diets may promise you that counting carbs or eating a mountain of grapefruit will make the pounds drop off. But when it comes to weight loss, it's calories that count. Weight loss comes down to burning more calories than you take in. You can do that by reducing extra calories from food and beverages, and increasing calories burned through physical activity.

Once you understand that equation, you're ready to set your weight-loss goals and make a plan for reaching them. Remember, you don't have to do it alone. Talk to your doctor, family and friends for support. Ask yourself if now is a good time and if you're ready to make some necessary changes. Also, plan smart: Anticipate how you'll handle situations that challenge your resolve and the inevitable minor setbacks.

If you have serious health problems because of your weight, your doctor may suggest weight-loss surgery or medications for you. In this case, you and your doctor will need to thoroughly discuss the potential benefits and the possible risks.

But don't forget the bottom line: The key to successful weight loss is a commitment to making indefinite changes in your diet and exercise habits.

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Weight loss Weight-loss basics - Mayo Clinic