Hi all!
Can anyone recommend a diet that is easy for 1200 calories for a female (30′s)?
Taking the guesswork out of your diet
If you’re trying to lose weight and get healthy, there are so many programs to choose from it can make your head spin. Should you go to meetings every week? Should you count calories, or points? Enroll in a program on-line? But what if you’re too busy to go to meetings once a week, or [...]
Does Healthy Balancing Health and Weight Have to Suck?
It’s no secret that our nation has become the most obese nation in the world over the past 20 years or so. Childhood obesity is so rampant, that predictions state that this generation of adolescents may not outlive their parents, which would be a first in history.
Convenience Starts The Weight Loss Process
It appears from customer feedback that many do lose weight and get results from the Bistro MD program. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the BistroMD program is an improvement over existing diets and it provides a convenient way to eat in a slightly healthier manner since the foods are delivered directly to [...]
Healthy Meals Delivered to Your Home!
Founded by Dr. Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D. one of the few medical doctors in the country who specializes in weight loss, with the belief that a diet plan should be healthy, delicious and convenient. BistroMD™ delivers on that vision by providing chef prepared, doctor approved meals that help our clients to loose weight safely. It [...]
Can Anyone Recommend a Good Diet? [Forum]
October 5th, 2010 
admin Helpful Resources for Eating Right? [Forum]
October 5th, 2010 admin
Hi,
I recently posted another post regarding weight loss before I get pregnant. My problem is that I work FT and I get home late sometimes and I’m tired and lazy when it goes to meals. So I have been eating Lean cuisines which haven’t seemed to help me lose weight. I eat them cause they are so easy and portioned controlled but I hear loaded with salt. So what is good to eat?? My previous post, people suggested to eat vegs/fruits. I appreciate that so now I need to know what to eat. Can anyone recommend a diet or resources for quick recipes. I can’t eat salad for the next month but honestly if that is what will work great. Once I get pregnant, I don’t want to eat salads also because I want to make sure the baby is going to get nutrition. I do take a mulit-vitatmin daily but is that enough?
I’m a white female, 5’6, 155lbs, 32 years old, and I want to lose about 20 lbs before the end of Oct. I always wanted lean legs as that is where my weight lies:hips, butt, and now I’m seeing cellulite in my arms which I never had(I have it on my thighs). I need help guys. I will also try and drink lots of water-how much though? I’m so clueless. I also try and jog everyday, which i’m not consistent at because I try and go at night and I”m tired. I’m not an early bird but how do I change and wake up at 6am to go jogging! Can anyone help, please!!!! I feel gross. One of the worst parts is that I feel muscle under the fat but cant lose it.
Thanks for reading! I’m frustrated!
My Struggle: Determined to Get Healthy Again [Forum]
October 5th, 2010 admin
Since I was 15 I can remember being self conscious about my weight. I was an athlete and played water polo and swam year round; being in a bathing suit most of the year made me very aware of my body. Being an athlete I felt as though there was no way for me to change the way my body was because I constantly needed to eat to keep my energy levels up. We would have ‘carb-loading’ before swim meets and I was always famished after late practices which would lead to my eating late at night. It was a vicious cycle.
When I moved away to college I inevitably gained weight because I did not know how to control my cravings nor how to eat healthy. After seeing a picture of myself on vacation in L.A I realized how much I had let myself go. I am 5′ 3″ and weighed 143lbs, the heaviest I have ever been in my life. I ate out of frustration and didn’t feel motivated to change myself; it was especially hard because my boyfriend of the time could eat whatever whenever and never gain an ounce. I ate whenever he ate but unfortunately my body had a different outcome.
After a rough breakup I found myself wanting to feel more confident and the first step was to have a healthy body. I became certified in group exercise through AFAA and began teaching classes at Sonoma State University Rec Center; I taught “Core and More” “Track Challenge” “Step and Sculpt” “Indoor Cycling” and “Bootcamp” I began eating healthy balanced meals; eating regularly, smaller more precisely portioned meals. I dropped down to 121 lbs; the smallest i’d been since junior highschool; i had energy and felt confident.
I felt so passionate about fitness that i landed a job at a leading fitness industry gym. I found my own passion for working out slowly hindered. After spending 8+ hours at the gym helping others all day I found myself too exhausted to return after work or to come in early. I gained weight and am now back up to 137lbs. I am currently not working at the gym anymore and am determined to get healthy again!
Please Help: Ex-nurse, Herbalist, Fat and Confused! [Forum]
October 5th, 2010 admin
Please, read this in its entirety. I am not lacking knowledge by any means. I just think I am missing something and would love some advice to maybe jar my memory.
I am 41, 5’7 weigh 210 look like I’m only about 180. But, Im done with the body builder look, I want to lose weight and tone. I have tried everything. I think there is something wrong that I am not getting. I dont drink any soda, i drink water all day, cup of hot tea at bedtime(no sugar). I dont eat any bread,processed foods,candy and I actually dont like salt. I love spicy foods, take a multi vitamin every day. Do pilates 3 times a week, yoga twice a week. And walk the big doggies 3-5 times a week 3-5 miles every time. I am a very busy, active person. Only sleep maybe 6 hours a night and Im ok with that, hardly ever feel drained or tired. Do not drink any alcohol. Ride bicycle to grocery store and eat mainly fruits and vegetables and nuts. I do eat bison instead of hamburger. And I have a small stomache where I have to eat 4-5 small meals a day, large meals hurt me and will bloat me. I do take fiber daily too.
Not sure if Im forgeting something? Oh-Im sure I eat around 1200-1500 calories a day have kept a diary log-so now what?? I will lose 5 lbs, then gain 7 back? I have eaten this way for years-but it seems that Im actually gaining faster? I have to have something medically wrong? I have tested bloodsugar too just in case and Im pretty darn normal. Stay around 80-112. PLEASE SOMEONE-I beg anyone to show me the light. What am I doing wrong? Or what is wrong? I have had thyroid tested 6 times!! They just say normal levels?? I am so lost. Thank you!!
American’s Still Not Eating Enough Veg: Your Solutions?
October 5th, 2010 admin
We all know that vegetables are good for us. So, why is it that the world over, refrigerators contain a sad mess of limp, wilting vegetables week after week?
Are we just to busy to cook these days?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have issued their behavioral study on America’s fruit and vegetable consumption, and the results are pretty bleak.
Only 26 percent of American adults eat vegetables three, or more, times per day.
This is actually less than half of what public health officials had hoped for.
But, according to Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst for the market research company, NPD Group:
There is nothing you can say that will get people to eat more veggies.
I wholeheartedly don’t agree with Harry, but I suppose some of the main issues hindering people, include:
TasteExpenseHassle — i.e. you can grab a banana and go, but veg is less convenientHow to cook themFor some, eating vegetables is always going to be less fun than a bag of potato chips, but how can this issue be solved?
What would you say/do to get the nation eating more vegetables? Have you been successful in encouraging someone in your own family to have a healthier diet? Share your tips below…
Photo source: damil
There’s a Skinny Person Inside of Me…
October 5th, 2010 admin
But I Shut the Bitch Up with a Cookie….. Is a funny book about the week in the life of a yo-yo dieter.
The world of dieting and fitness can often be very serious so it’s refreshing to see how the book’s author, Arleen Mavorah, has found the lighter side of how ridiculous the quest to find the perfect diet can be.
There’s a Skinny Person Inside of Me is written in “Dr. Seuss” style and is an easy, humorous read. I’m not a yo-yo dieter so I couldn’t relate to much of her experience, however, I imagine someone that has walked in Mavorah’s shoes will love this book.
If you’re looking for a little comic relief in your quest to weigh less check out this book.
Bangkok Street Fruit Can Be Downright Dirty
October 5th, 2010 admin
I guess any food you buy outside comes with inherent risks. It’s outside after all.
Eat at any barbecue and you’ll spend half the time swatting flies away from the sun-baked, mayonnaise-based potato salad.
Wait, what? Eww…
And it seems Bangkok has a big problem with food served from street carts, especially fruit and fruit drinks. That stuff can be contaminated with bacteria.
A Thai survey of Bangkok’s fruit carts, selling fruit and exotic treats, found many contain unsafe levels of bacteria and chemicals, masked by Bangkok’s tropical heat, which keeps the fruit looking fresh.
Researchers tested 153 samples of fresh fruit from 38 vendors across Bangkok, and discovered 67% had unsafe amounts of coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria is common in bacteria and not necessarily unsafe, but the report says its presence in poop may indicate other stuff, like E. coli.
So, the Prime Minister’s Office has launched a one-month campaign to encourage fruit vendors to improve hygiene. Oh, and if a vendor fails to clean up their act, they face a fine, and up to two years in the slammer.
Here’s a look at what a Bangkok street-fair is like. I don’t know, the fruit looks pretty good. Hard to believe it might be crawling with nastiness.
If fruit isn’t your thing, but crazy is. You can fly all the way to Bangkok and satisfy your masochistic hunger with fried bugs, ticks, and jiggers.
As an American, or anyone from a Western or “developed” country, street food in foreign countries can look a little scary, especially when that food is crispy beetles, water bugs, and giants ants.
But, I’d still love to go on a trip with Andrew Zimmern, even if it meant a nasty case of dysentery. Just no big bugs, I’m freaking terrified!
Image credit: positiveworldtravel
The Twinkie Diet: Eat Junk Food and Lose Weight?
October 5th, 2010 admin
It’s been dubbed “the Twinkie diet” by the media: Mark Haub, a professor in Kansas State University’s Department of Human Nutrition, has been surviving on junk food for the past month.
And, he’s lost weight.
This might seem to fly in the face of conventional nutritional wisdom. After all, junk food results in weight gain, right?
Haub started the “Twinkie Diet” on 25th August. Since then, he’s been eating mostly swiss cake rolls, blueberry muffins, cinnamon rolls, Peanut Butter Oreos, and hot dogs.
As well as the junk food, Haub has milk (for protein), and vegetables (for vitamins) with dinner.
By sticking to 1,800 calories a day – around 600-800 fewer than he’d need to maintain weight – Haub lost 10lbs in the first three weeks of his “diet”.
It shouldn’t come as such as surprise. After all, you could lose weight eating two candy bars a day: it’s the calories-in verses calories-out which matter.
Haub isn’t doing this because he’s a junk-food addict – he admits missing salads and blue cheese. He’s trying to open up debate about how people on a low income can’t eat healthily (on the diet, his food costs have dropped to around $5/day):
It’s unrealistic in some areas of society to expect that you can find fresh broccoli, tomatoes at a price that is affordable. If somebody can get their nutrients from a supplement and then they get their fuel from whatever is available, does it matter that they’re not getting fruits and vegetables and whole grains? Is that okay?
Of course, there are big nutritional questions to be asked about a diet which relies so heavily on sugary, salty, processed products. Nutrition is about a lot more than calories. Plus, most folks on a junk food diet would find themselves so hungry (due to sugar crashes and lack of fiber) that they’d be hard-pressed to stick to a calorie restriction.
What do you think? Is Haub’s experiment an important one in a world where processed, packaged foods are often much cheaper than fresh ones? Or is this a dangerous way to diet?
Help Me End My Calorie Obsession Without Gaining Weight [Forum]
October 4th, 2010 admin
I am 5’7 almost 5’8 and I weigh 110-112 pounds. I know its thin and considered “underweight” but it is where I am comfortable being, I do not look too thin, I just look very lean and muscular.
However, I am terrified of gaining weight. My family is NO where close to the thin side, and I love them but sometimes it makes me cringe looking at them. I’m afraid that might happen to me.
I work out 3 times a week burning about 700-800 calories in the gym. I usually spend about 2 hours in the gym, and one day of the week I play 7 on 7 soccer. During the week I eat about 1000-1200 calories
I know this isn’t healthy but I don’t want to gain weight…
I did the harris benedict equation thing and it said just by existing I burn about 1367 per day, then with moderate exercise that number increases to 2119 (I don’t know if what I do is considered moderate exercise)
So i guess if i consume 2119 calories a day I won’t gain weight, is this true?
I have a hard time believing it and I doubt I could get myself to consume that many calories, I would feel so fat, and have a huge guilt trip. I count everything I put into my mouth. I often feel guilty consuming 1500 calories.
for instance today I did a cardio kickboxing class, ran 3 miles, did some strength training, and did a little rock climbing I burned about 1000 calories and ate 1133 today, and I’m kind of afraid to eat anymore
I know that if I eat to little my body will actually go into starvation mode and store fat, but for some reason my mind doubts that. I don’t feel that hungry but it could be my guilt just telling my brain that.
On the weekends I try to eat a little more, I might have a treat like a mini blizzard or a burrito, something I will never allow my self during the week, but i feel really guilty afterwards… On the weekends I consume about 1500-2000 calories which might be bad cause I don’t work out as much.
how much should I be eating to not gain ANY weight and how do I get over the guilt of consuming more than 1200 calories? Please help!
Poll: Hugh Jackman May Bulk Up Vegan for Wolverine II
October 4th, 2010 admin 
A few weeks ago our weekly poll focused on how a vegan diet almost killed Angelina Jolie.
Now it’s been reported that Hugh Jackman is considering using a vegan diet to bulk up for his next movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine II. If a vegan diet almost “killed” Angelina will it produce a ripped, fierce, yet vegetarian wolverine?
In a recent interview with VegNews, Brendan Brazier, (a vegan nutritionist, athlete, author, and founder of vegetarian based Vega), said that he has been working with Jackman to prepare for his up coming movie.
Although the Wolverine bulked up eating a lot of chicken for his previous movie, Jackman has since switched to a mostly vegan diet for environmental and health reasons. Brazier isn’t certain if the actor will go completely vegan for his bulk up, but will most likely be primarily vegan.
Will a vegan diet contain enough protein to produce the muscular Wolverine we saw in the first X-Men Origins movie or will we see a punier version in Wolverine II ?
What do you think? Participate in the poll and comments below.
Can a vegan diet be used to produce bulky muscle mass?
I Need to Lose Weight Before I Get Pregnant [Forum]
October 4th, 2010 admin
Hi All! I need some advice. I am 5’6, 155lbs female and I’m 32 years old. I am going to start to try and get pregnant next month and need to drop some weight before I get pregnant (fingers crossed it happens the first try). My weight lies in my hips and butt. I have been watching what I have been eating and trying to jog an hour every day(its about 5 miles outside). I started a “diet”:
Breakfast:
1 cup of coffee, skim milk, splenda
1 lean hot pocket breakfast
snack
1 motts apple sauce cup
Lunch
Lean cuisine meal
snack
1 string cheese
dinner
lean cuisine meal
dessert(sometimes)
I’ll have a Skinny cow ice cream sandwich
I am still not dropping weight and I’m afraid of gaining the baby weight. Any advice will help. I really wanted to drop 20 lbs but I don’t think that can happen. Advice? Thanks for reading!
Bobbing for Buffalo Wings Champion
October 4th, 2010 admin
I guess everyone wants their 15 minutes of shame – err, fame – even if that means shoving your head in a kiddie pool full of blue cheese with other maniacs.
That’s Teresa Guido, who drove 300 miles to bob for chicken at this year’s National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York.
Each year thousands of people descend on Buffalo for a 48-hour celebration of all things chicken wings; eating 45 tons of wings, requiring 11.5 tons of oil to fry it all up.
Competing against wing fans from all 50 states, and believe it or not, five continents, Teresa took the crown, snatching 26 Buffalo wings out of the blue cheese using just her teeth…winning a t-shirt. Whoopee!
Other highlights of the National Buffalo Wing “Festival” included the masochism of eating hot wings so much hotter than jalapeños, that people described it as “fire and pain.”
Quite frankly, people can be mental cases when it comes to Buffalo wings, specifically hot wings. Apparently it’s a badge of honor to go around the country trying to choke down hot wings that would make Lucifer tear up.
Here’s Adam Richman, host of the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food, who I usually think is cool, gagging on “suicide hot wings.” Fail.
In New Jersey, not far from where I live, Cluck-U Chicken sells hot sauce so fiery you need to sign a waiver. And, if you finish eating the wings they immediately throw you in a straight jacket and drive you to Creedmoor.
Image credit: DavidMarionPhotography.com
Would you eat hot wings you have to sign a waiver for?
Do You Lack Motivation to Exercise?
October 4th, 2010 admin
One of the best ways to overcome a lack of motivation to exercise, is to find a healthy role model.
But forget Angelina Jolie, or Hugh Jackman, this is Carol Burns… and she’s the real deal!
So, what’s Carol’s advice to the slackers amongst us?
Hey, get off your duff, and get over here and workout… it works for me!
This was Carol celebrating her 90th birthday at the Curves Gym. Yes, you read that right, she is 90 years old… wow!
I love Carol’s ethos:
I’ll grow old someday, just not today. So, I keep working out, so I don’t have to.
Can you see yourself still working out when you’re 90 years old?
The 8 Secrets to Ultra-Effective Cardio
October 4th, 2010 admin
Imagine losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time. It is very difficult, and not a typical result for most people – but in some situations it can be done.
Respected fitness author Tom Venuto is about to release his new book – The Holy Grail Body Transformation Program which outlays a nutrition and training regime to give clients the best chance at achieving fat loss and muscle gain.
We’ve been given a sneak peek — and permission to reproduce the results of some of his latest research into concurrent cardio and strength training.
CARDIO RECOMMENDATIONS
1. If your primary goal is muscle gain with a secondary goal of fat loss, limit yourself to 3 days per week of cardio.
Research says that moderate amounts of cardio can actually help increase muscle growth. The key is to keep it to 2-3 days per week. Let the weight training and nutritional manipulation do the rest.
2. If your primary goal is fat loss with a secondary goal of concurrent muscle gain, start with 3 days of cardio.
Increase conservatively. When your primary goal is fat loss, longer and more frequent cardio sessions are helpful for increasing the weekly caloric deficit and burning fat faster. However, if your secondary goal is muscle gain, be alert to the impact this may have on strength and muscle retention. Increase cardio conservatively and use mostly nutritional manipulation to get the deficit you need.
3. If your goal is focused fat loss, higher cardio frequencies are helpful and sometimes necessary.
Bodybuilders typically do cardio 4-7 times per week during precontest training in addition to strength training as often as 4- 5 times per week. During any cutting program, gaining strength and muscle mass are no longer priorities, as the goal switches to getting lean while maintaining muscle. As long as you maintain your LBM [Lean Body Mass], the higher cardio frequency is not only acceptable, it is ideal for helping you get leaner faster.
4. Choose a cardio duration between 20 and 50 minutes.
You can start on the low end and increase duration or intensity based on your weekly progress. The duration will be dictated largely by your intensity level. The longer sessions will be low to moderate in intensity. The shorter sessions may be higher in intensity and could be performed as interval training (HIIT).
5. Use running or high impact cardio sparingly or not at all
Choose any type of cardio you want. However, keep in mind that the greatest area for concurrent training interference effects is in the legs. Cardio with high intensity, high impact or a strong eccentric component may place additional stress on the lower body and on your overall recovery capacity. Running has been shown to be particularly taxing on the lower body and is believed to increase risk of muscle loss more than other forms of cardio.
6. Restrict intense cardio to 2 days per week, 3 days max if you have good recovery ability
High intensity interval training (HIIT) has become popular as an effective and time-efficient way to do cardio, but too much intense cardio on top of intense weight training can easily lead to over training. I recommend no more than 2-3 HIIT sessions per week when concurrently doing 3 or more days per week of high intensity strength training. If you do additional cardio, make it lower intensity training or light activity like casual walking, which may even serve as active recovery while burning some calories.
7. Do cardio and weights separated into 2 sessions, if possible
If you do cardio and weight training in the same day, separating them into two sessions, at least 8 hours apart, may help you enhance recovery and avoid some of the residual fatigue where one interferes with the other. Be especially certain that your legs are recovering completely and that fatigue from cardio doesn’t interfere with your weight training workouts, especially on leg day.
8. Do weights first and cardio second
If you do cardio and weights in the same session, always do the weights first and cardio second. Endurance athletes are the exception to this rule, but when strength and muscle increase are primary goals, the strength training should go first.
About the author
Tom Venuto is a natural bodybuilder, nutrition researcher and freelance writer. Tom holds a bachelor of science degree in Adult health/fitness (exercise science) and is a long time member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
NOTE: This post is copyright 2010, and is reproduced with permission.
Photo credit: Christopher Nuzzaco / Photoxpress
I Want to Lose Weight: Where to Begin? [Forum]
October 4th, 2010 admin
Hey there 
I’m nearly 17, and am a pretty unhealthy weight for my age and height , (just over 225 pounds for 5″10 in hieght.) I suppose I’m quite lucky, in that my figure doesn’t make me look so heavy, but I get really down about it, and when I get down , I binge, which doesn’t help.
Over the last 2 years I have yo-yo-ed . When my parents split up, I went from 224 pounds to about 210 in a week or so, as I just couldn’t eat. When I got my appitite back, I gained that all back again rather quickly. Earlier this summer my uncle was diagnosed with terminal cancer during the time I was doing my G.C.S.E’s , which caused a lot of stress ,and I began to eat , and eat ,and eat till I got to 230 pounds. I lost half a stone when I went on holiday for a month during the summer, but have fallen back into my old ways since I came home.
I want to change the way I am. I’d like to be about 160 pounds ( 11st 6 lb) , and am going to give myself a realistic time do to so. I do tend to lose weight very quickly when I do lose some, which is good, but I need motivation to eat healthily and excerise, as I do struggle to be motivational about anything. I want to be able to have a family as well, and I know my weight won’t help when that day does come if I stay the way I am, but even that doesn’t seem to motivate me. I’d really appricate some advice, as I do want to make this change, but I don’t know how and where to begin.
Thank you .
Kindergarten Lunches Get a Failing Grade
October 4th, 2010 admin
A lunch box audit performed by dietician Shannon Crocker in 4 Ontario kindergarten classes, has left much to be desired.
Cold hot dogs, gummy treats, sugary fruit beverages and packaged cookies were par for the course in those Dora and Diego lunch pales (do kids have lunch pales anymore?).
Here are some other undesirable findings from this survey of 82 lunches.
85% of lunches had no vegetables at all.Almost every container had one sugary treat and some up to five.Only five lunches included milk, but most of them had at least one sugary fruit-flavoured drink of little or zero nutritional value.Most children had only one drink to get them through the day, while some had nothing to drink at all.92% did not have a cooler pack – despite some lunches containing spaghetti and meat sauces that would be prone to bacteria, if left to get warm. Many lunches did not provide enough food for the long day the children were at school. Crocker’s has a theory on this one though;If a child doesn’t eat much, parents might pack small amounts of food, or busy mornings allow little time to assemble lunches, money may be a factor, or there may not have been much food in the fridge that day. Source
Obviously this is concerning on several levels. It highlights the need for education and access to healthy foods for children. The socioeconomic status of the schools in question was not mentioned, but it goes without saying that children need access to healthy foods.
This is further complicated by the issue of big food sponsors, and a resulting skewed perception of what is considered “healthy”.
I think parents can take some very simple and inexpensive steps to boosting the nutritional quality of their children’s lunches. It takes only seconds to include some baby carrots or other sliced veggies (with hummus or red pepper dip for example), an apple, whole grain crackers with cheese, and a tuna sandwich on whole grain bread. And, it takes no time at all NOT to include a sugary drink.
If all else fails, get Detective John Kimble to teach your class.
Image Credit: Universal Pictures
Would This Amount of Exercise Be Considered “Moderate”? [Forum]
October 3rd, 2010 admin
today I did a “guts, butts, and thighs” class
It felt like a pretty good workout, but I’m in shape so I wasn’t sure, I did hear others say how much it made them sore but idk if I will be feeling that.
the class was an hour and afterward I talked to the instructor and asked her how many calories she estimated it burned. she said of course it depends on weight, which I know, but she she estimates it around of 600 because it is an anaerobic class which mixes cardio and strength.
after the class I ran 3 miles, 2 were a jog and 1 was a six minute mile
then i did some more ab workouts and a little more leg workouts for about 20 minutes
would you consider this moderate exercise or hard exercise?
this will probably only be 1 day a week cause the class is only one day a week
tomorrow I will probably run about 5 miles and do about 30-45 min of strength training
wed. i have a soccer game for an hour
thursday: will be a cardio kickboxing class for an hour then probably run 2 miles, then a hip-hop class
after i will do strength for 30 min
fri-sat are usually breaks
but i might go to a club where i dance for at least 2 hours nonstop and thats gotta be some exercise
and another day i’ll probably go for a 3-5 mile walk
but overall the weekends are rest days
the main point is would you considerate my exercise moderate or heavy?
Interview With Ben Davis: “My 120 Pound Journey”
October 3rd, 2010 admin
In January of 2009, a young man by the name of Ben Davis had had enough. He was 358lbs, and his weight was taking its toll on his health and his personal life. Then one day he started to run…
If you haven’t seen this incredibly inspiring video, do yourself a favor and watch it. Then watch it again, and share it with others. Ben Davis’ journey is a true testament of the human spirit and what one can accomplish with dedication, hard work (and some nipple band aids!)
Here’s the video:
Determined to get into the head of such a determined and fearless human being, I caught up with Ben Davis, and had the privilege of picking his brain about his amazing journey.
MH: Hello Ben!
First of all, thank you so much for taking the time out to do this.
BD: It’s my pleasure; I’m honored.
MH: I was really struck by the line in the video that says “and then I got inspired”. Was there a moment/event/epiphany that occurred that sparked you into action? Describe if you can what the turning point was.
BD: There was absolutely a moment for me. It was Christmas of ’08. I was spending the break with my grandmother in Massachusetts. She’s always been a big supporter of me, but has always been concerned with my health and obesity. Throughout my life, she had always offered me advice and tips on how to become healthy, but where I appreciated it, I had also always kind of dismissed it. Then, this particular Christmas, in one of our many conversations she just asked me if I was happy. At the time, I just nonchalantly told her I was. Later that night, though, I started to think about it, and realized I wasn’t happy. I also had the luxury of being able to pinpoint my sadness to my obesity.
So the next morning was Christmas and, being the irresponsible grandchild, I hadn’t gotten her a gift. I woke up early and made the website. I wrote the address on a card for her and told her it was my commitment to her, that it was finally time to get my life together. She loved it.
MH: When you decided you were going to start running, did you have a specific goal in mind? Did you ever imagine when you started this journey less than 2 years ago that you would have undergone such a drastic transformation?
BD: There wasn’t really any goals at first other than, “lose weight, get fit.” But I knew running would be a means to that end, so my brother, Jed, and I signed up for a 5K to kind of kickstart us and give us something to work towards. He had about 50 pounds to lose (and has, by the way) so it was a perfect time for us both to be getting our act together.
But finishing the 5K 17 days later lit a fire in me. I loved the race atmosphere and loved seeing my times improve, so I never looked back.
MH: People start these kinds of endeavors all the time with the best of intentions, but very few of them accomplish what you did. What was it that kept you going, Ben?
BD: A few things, actually. First of all, the fear of going back to the dark place of depression. I knew how sad I was back then and never wanted to go back. I actually wrote a letter to my future self on the blog. It basically said, “Dude, if you’re thinking of giving up, just remember, you’ve never been as happy as you are now. Keep going.” And any time I would have a bad run or eat bad for a week, I would remember that letter and keep going.
Second thing was the running scene and the constant races. Having races and goals for those races really keeps the motivation up. I probably wouldn’t have been successful if I had gone in just trying to have random workouts each day. With races, you’re always kind of on a set schedule, training wise, and always wanting to improve your times, so you’re always motivated to keep hitting the track.
MH: You’ve accomplished such an amazing feat to this point. What are some of your personal and athletic goals for the future?
Being bigger, I’m not really built for speed. I’m more into the long distance, endurance stuff like triathlons and long road races, so my goals are more marathonish type things. Of course, it would be fantastic to run a marathon in all 50 states. That’s one of our big goals. More Ironmans, no doubt. And recently we’ve been toying with the idea of a 100-miler, but nothing set on that. The main goal, though, is to keep going. Just keep doing it. If nothing else, just make sure to stay with it.
MH: Lastly, what message do you have for people out there who may find themselves in a situation similar to yours of 2 years ago?
BD: My four commandments!
1. Be public
If you keep this to yourself, it will be easy to quit. The thing about having a health problem/addiction, is that the natural impulse is to hide it and keep it secret that you’re trying to better yourself. But, it’s also easier to quit if it’s just you that knows about it.
And here’s a secret: Unlike some addictions like alcoholism or drug use that are hideable, obesity is different. People know you’re obese. It’s not your little secret; you’re not fooling anyone (no matter how much black or vertical lines you wear). So if you want to change, tell people. It seems embarrassing, I know. And it’s hard, but you’ll find that the people that love and care about you are going to be excited for you.
2. Get involved in something official
The feeling of being a part of something bigger than yourself will keep you motivated to keep going. Join a local fitness movement (running club, cycling group, weight watchers, etc…) If you have a group of people with likeminded goals, you’ll keep coming back. As a bonus, if you join a running club, you’ll have official races (Crazy scary, at first, but really no big deal) that you can work toward to keep you having goals. Get involved. You won’t regret it.
3. Do something that you enjoy
Running isn’t for everyone, so don’t do it if you don’t want to. Do you enjoy rollerblading? Good. Do that, but do it enough for it to work. Love cycling? Perfect. Did you swim in high school and kind of wish you could get back into it? Great.
If you hate what you’re doing, you won’t be doing it for very long. If I had said at the beginning, “I’m going to get really freaking good at doing the elliptical,” BenDoesLife would have lasted two weeks. Find something that works for you and kill it. You can do it.
4. Be a smarter eater
And I don’t mean you have to find a popular name-brand diet thing. If you want to, fine, but they aren’t for everyone. But you have to eat better and, more importantly, smarter. Are you and your friends going out for pizza? Ok. Have two slices instead of seven (which was my number of choice.) Want something easy for breakfast? Toast an English muffin rather than a Pop-Tart.
And, if nothing else, learn portion control. Our portion sizes are completely out of whack these days, and what you think is a small meal is probably still more than you should be eating. It’s going to take a month or two before you’re used to the smaller portions but you’ll get there, and it’s imperative that you do. Give it time.
MH: Well, Ben I’m sure I speak for many when I wish you a very heartfelt congratulations and all the best in your future pursuits.
Be sure to check out Ben’s blog – documenting his continuing journey and sharing thoughts, tips and other musings.
More Teenage Girls Getting Questionable Weight-Loss Surgery
October 3rd, 2010 admin
When you hear weight-loss surgery, you think image obsessed celebrities, and the morbidly obese – not teenage girls.
Aren’t teenage girls only concerned with the latest trends at Hot Topic, and that Justin Beaver character?
No, many teenage girls spend a lot of time worrying about their weight and now more, and more teens are opting for risky lap-band surgery to lose weight.
Even though gastric banding is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, a new study in the journal Pediatrics found the rate of gastric banding between 2005 to 2007 rose five-fold.
Researchers say most of the patients were young white girls, despite adolescent white girls only making up less than half of overweight youth.
Gastric banding places a silicone loop around the top part of the stomach, unlike gastric bypass which divides the stomach into an upper and lower pouch; both procedures facilitate dramatic weight-loss.
Among California teenagers, the rate of gastric banding increased from 0.3 per 100,000 kids to 1.5, whereas bypass surgery, which is considered the “gold standard” of weight-loss surgery, decreased from 3.8 per 100,000 to 2.7.
Gastric banding occupies two-thirds of an estimated $400 million weight-loss surgery market; intense marketing is helping the lap-band industry grow. Not being FDA approved makes this massively unethical.
And, many health experts are alarmed by the raise in gastric banding, finding fundamental and potentially dangerous problems with the surgery; placing a rigid ring around a moving organ could erode the area over time.
To me, this is a no-brainer. Weight-loss surgery is extreme, and should only be used in extreme cases where everything else has failed; i.e. no amount of nutritional intervention or exercise rehabilitation is going to save a severely obese person’s life in time. But teenage girls? No, always no.
Teenagers aren’t lost causes. Well, except for the 17 year old boy who is still eating paste. If you’re younger than 18, your support system is probably stronger than it will ever be. So, between family, friends, school, and your doctor – there has to be a better, safer why to lose weight.
If you start taking the easy way out at 15, 16, 17, you’re not exactly setting a good precedent for the rest of your life – are you?
Image credit: Lap Band Gastric Surgery / band bypass ballon
Poll: Kirstie Alley Loses 50 lbs on Organic Liaison
October 3rd, 2010 admin 
Former Jenny Craig spokeswoman and program failure, Kirstie Alley, recently tweeted that she lost 50 pounds using Organic Liaison.
She helped develop this program and is the face of the diet which uses supplements and a mystical organic formula to help people lose weight.
Our line of organic weight loss products contains formulas and ingredients not commonly found in the marketplace to effectively assist with weight loss and maintenance. These products take the “toxic” out and rejuvenate your body with pure, healthy nutrients to help you lose weight.
What’s a washed up, overweight actress to do in an industry that is obsessed with body image? Well, get out of the acting business and plunge into the multibillion dollar diet and supplement industry. With the help of Oprah, it couldn’t be any easier.
It’s great that Kirstie is getting to a healthy weight, however, she has a lot of motivation to succeed in the form of sales to generate from her success on her own program. Organic Liaison starts at $129 a month for the very basic 1 month plan which includes;
Rescue Me™ Kit including the first USDA certified organic weight loss productProven, expert weight loss system you can do at homeOnline tools with Daily Journal, Success Graph, Menu Planner and more!Organic recipes from Kirstie’s KitchenAccess to certified specialistsOrganic Network Locator with instant access to organic grocery stores, restaurants and farmers markets in your areaIt basically looks like most of the money is paying for the supplements as the other services could be found for free on sites such as SparkPeople.com.
What are your thoughts on Kirstie Alley and her new Organic Liaison program? Participate in the poll and comments below.
Sources: Organic Liaison, GossipJackel.com
Does Kirstie Alley really care about weight loss or is she just out to make a buck?
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