Healthy Holidays -7 Simple Weight Control Tips to Keep You As Jolly, Not Plump, As Santa This Season

It all starts with Halloween and ends at the New Year--the dreaded holiday weight gain! First, there's Halloween candy--you buy it for the trick-or-treaters, but a lot of it ends up in your stomach long before October 31st arrives. Then, for the next 2 weeks, you see it on sale for 50% off and just CAN'T pass that up. You might even sneak some from your kids' goody bag (though you'd never admit to it).

Three weeks later is Thanksgiving and the inevitable "feast." But the turkey isn't the only thing that loses its head and gets stuffed that day, is it? Then, the football games on TV after the meal virtually guarantee your body and digestion won't be moving much for the next few hours.

By mid-December, the string of holiday parties, family gatherings, and social/cultural events rolls into full force and doesn't end until the clock strikes midnight on December 31st and you make your guilt-ridden, button-popping resolutions for the coming year (which are less likely to be achieved than Britney Spears winning Mother of the Year).

Does this sound all too familiar? Are holidays your hardest time to stay focused on healthy eating? Are you convinced that "that's just the way it is" and it will always be that way? Well, here's a shocking revelation....

Holiday weight gain is NOT inevitable! Here are 7 simple secrets you can employ that really can help you maintain--or even lose--weight through the holidays.

1. Plan ahead.

Don't pretend like you don't know what your challenges are--you've been through enough holidays in your life to remember where you've made poor choices. Before you go into each of those situations this time (e.g., a party), think ahead and what you'd like to do differently this time. Strategize new options and actions; make a commitment with yourself to follow through on the plan. Even if you don't do it perfectly, at least do it a little bit better; congratulate yourself on what you accomplished and build upon that success to do it even better the next time. Success breeds success.

2. Don't eat like it's the Last Supper.

You've had plenty of food on past holidays to remember for a lifetime, and you'll have plenty more holidays in the future, so don't eat your meal like it's the last you'll ever have. Although you may eat a little more volume or variety on that day, keep it reasonable so you don't roll yourself away from the table and have to pop some Tums or chug Mylanta. (Note: Chewing slowly helps extend the taste sensation while eating less than you would have because one bite will last you as long as 2 or 3 would have).

3. Keep up exercise.

Don't let the "excuse" of busy-ness prevent you from staying on your exercise routine--even if it is a modified routine. Twenty minutes is better than nothing, and YOU KNOW you can spare 20 minutes for yourself. Schedule your exercise time in your calendar as you do everything else. Increase your intensity if you have to decrease your time, so you'll burn more calories in that time. Do it in the morning, so you increase your energy for the day and don't have to worry about it later (plus, you'll burn as much fat in 20 minutes in the AM as 60 minutes later in the day). And remember, things like dancing count as exercise, as long as you are moving your body and getting your heart rate up, so get on that floor at every opportunity!

4. Eat a healthy, balanced meal at home before you go to a holiday party.

This is especially helpful for late-night events or if you don't know what's going to be served. This strategy will keep you from eating a meal that may not be an optimal choice. If the party is at someone's house, I would suggest you bring at least one item you feel you can enjoy without guilt and that others would enjoy as well. My momma always told me, "Don't be an empty-handed guest." Hmm....Now I can see other benefits to that as well. If it's a buffet-style dinner, go through the line to see what's available first, then decide what you're going to take to make your balanced plate and go through the line putting the appropriate amount on your plate. Remember--one starch only (pasta, bread, potatoes, corn, rice). Or skip the starch if you plan to have the dessert.

5. Limit alcohol.

This is liquid calories and sugar that people often don't "count" but can really add up. Remember that alcohol is a depressant and makes you less inhibited to say "no" to things like food, makes you forget about eating, or convinces you that you haven't eaten much. And even though you don't chew it, it's still a carb that turns to sugar, raises your blood sugar and, in turn, releases insulin, which increases fat-storage in the body and inhibits fat-burning.

6. Drink more water.

Winter can be dehydrating due to the heating of homes/buildings. I know MY skin and lips always get drier in winter. Drinking water also helps fill you up before your meal and can rehydrate you after a glass of beer or a cocktail. If you don't like drinking cold water when it's cold outside, drink it at room temperature or heat it up. Herbal tea (non-caffeinated and non-sweetened) counts as plain water, so bring some bags with you when you go out, drink at the office in place of coffee, and have at home to take the chill off.

7. Remember, it's a holiDAY, not a holiMONTH.

Most holidays are just celebrated on one day. Keep that in mind and focus on enjoying the "exceptions" of the one day (instead of a week or a month), then get back to your regular eating routine the next day (and send the leftovers home with guests--especially desserts).

Use these simple tips to take the "gobble gobble" out of the season so you'll have less weight to lose once the new year comes around and you can focus on achieveing your weight loss goals more quickly.

For more information, free tools, and hypnosis CD's for Weight Loss (including my holiday special on "Healthy Holidays & Vacations"), visit http://www.hypnocoachlisa.com

Lisa Smith is a Certified Wellness Coach and Master Hypnotherapist, author, speaker, and workshop presenter with a private practice, Life by Design, LLC, in Virginia Beach. Along with general hypnosis, she specializes in helping women in business achieve their personal and professional goals by optimizing their personal energy. In-person and distance services are available.

HealthDay - TUESDAY, March 3 (HealthDay News) -- The more obese a man, the greater his hormonal changes and the worse his sex life, a new study finds.

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Weight Loss Surgery in Alabama

Obesity -- the condition of being significantly above one's healthy weight -- is a health crisis in Alabama. Across our state, the number of overweight and obese individuals is rapidly increasing. In fact, almost 65% of the population of Alabama is overweight or obese. It is the second most common cause of preventable death in the United States, and may lead to life-threatening illnesses, called co-morbidities, such Type II diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, and hypertension.

Unsurprisingly, Alabama also leads the nation in adults suffering from high blood pressure, with 31% of Alabamians diagnosed with the condition compared to 24.9% nationally according to a 2002 study by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC),. And Alabama's adult diabetes rate of 10.5% was the highest in America, more than double the 5% rate in 50th-ranked Minnesota.

Getting Fit
Something has to be done to stop the epidemic of obesity in our state. Unfortunately, obesity can be one of the most difficult diseases to treat. Weight loss itself is a simple matter: once a person's daily caloric intake falls below the number of calories needed, the body begins to burn fat to stay alive, resulting in weight loss. The difficulty comes in restricting caloric intake - the primal urge to eat when hungry is almost irresistible.

Many people who suffer from obesity also have disordered relationships with food, consuming food to quell uncomfortable emotions rather than for nutrition or the pleasure of eating. In fact, many among the obese in our state are food addicts, plagued by a constant desire to eat even when they are not hungry.

Obesity is not a character flaw. It is a medical condition requiring medical treatment. Sadly, the pain and emotional trauma of obesity often leads those with the disease to attempt self-treatment. Many obese persons try to lose their excess weight by means of gimmicks, fad diets, exercise programs, or so-called weight-loss pills. These efforts lead some to lose significant weight, but most quickly regain it after they discontinue their weight loss program. Many people suffer damage to their health as a result of such quickie "cures".

No miracle cure for obesity exists. The only way to successfully treat the disease of obesity is through medical care, based upon a complete change in the patient's lifestyle and eating habits. To beat obesity we must change the way Alabamans think about and relate to food, enabling us to eat better food and less of it.

For most of us, education, counseling, support, and willpower are enough to accomplish this. For the rest, another option exists: weight loss surgery.

About Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Most procedures are performed laparoscopically, though some may need to be performed through open surgery. The three main types of weight loss surgery are malabsorptive, restrictive, and combination, each with different risks and benefits. In each, however, the principle is the same: to surgically alter the patient's stomach and/or digestive tract in order to physically limit the amount of food the patient can eat at a given time. If successful, the surgical alterations will cause the patient to take in fewer calories each day than he or she burns, resulting in steady, safe weight loss.

Weight loss surgery can be a true lifesaver. However, it is not a magic cure for obesity; only a complete change in the patient's lifestyle and relationship to food can cure the disease. Patients who fail to follow postoperative instructions may regain any weight lost or reach a weight-loss plateau over time. The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is also irrevocable; currently, only the Lap-band procedure is reversible.

Those considering bariatric surgery as an option for the management of obesity should carefully weigh the risks and possible outcomes of these procedures in consultation with their physician prior to making a decision.

Alabama can win the war on obesity, but it will take time, money, and the will to win. By educating ourselves, supporting one another, and using weight loss surgery as a weapon of last resort, we can make our state healthier, happier, and a better place in which to live.

Weight loss surgery in Alabama is a growing trend, since nearly 65% of the state population is overweight or obese. Visit online website for Weight Loss Surgery.

HealthDay - FRIDAY, March 6 (HealthDay News) -- When black and Hispanic Medicare recipients suffer severe heart failure, they are less likely than their white counterparts to be treated with the most cutting-edge treatment available, a new analysis suggests.

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Diet Lunch Meals For Weight Loss

Here are a couple diet lunch meals for weight loss that will help you out if you're having trouble thinking up healthy things to eat. Look, if you're reading this now, then you want to do something about your weight. That's a great 1st step. Take the next 2 minutes to read this article and I think I'll help you to expand your ability to lose weight. Go ahead, read this now.

Diet Lunch Meals

1. Black bean and chicken soup... from scratch

Come on, I know you know how to make soups. They're not hard. This is all I want you to do. Cut up 4 ounces of chicken, add 1/2 can of black beans, add some vegetables, some broth, water, voila... a good healthy lunch. Don't worry if you can't eat it all. Save the leftovers and eat them BEFORE your dinner.

2. Protein shake

This is by far the quickest thing you can eat for lunch that is healthy. This is perfect for "light" eaters. Use some water and maybe a little milk if you like. Add 1.5 scoops of protein powder, mash up a banana in there, blend it up. If that's not enough for you, eat an apple while drinking the protein shake.

3. Tuna and black bean salad

Get a can of tuna, 1/2 can of black beans, mix them up with perhaps a little Miracle Whip, throw in some mustard or a tinge of bbq sauce... boom. A quick protein-rich lunch.

I'm just trying to give you some diet lunch meals for weight loss... use these as is or use them as a guide to making your own meals.

If you're SICK and TIRED of getting the same old boring weight loss advice... you know, like "Eat more fruits and vegetables, drink 8 glasses of water, jog, and Blah Blah Blah", then...

Click http://www.weightlossguide4women.com to get your FREE EBOOK "How SPINNING Around Like a Child TRIPLES your Weight Loss". A strange, but true, way to LOSE 10 Pounds in 2 Weeks. I'm giving away this ebook today and tomorrow ONLY to anyone who visits my website! So get it before tomorrow night.

If you're truly serious about losing weight, then go to the link below to get your free ebook now. If you don't Lose 10 Pounds... I'd be QUITE surprised! http://www.weightlossguide4women.com

Jennifer Jolan

HealthDay - TUESDAY, March 3 (HealthDay News) -- The more obese a man, the greater his hormonal changes and the worse his sex life, a new study finds.

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Weight Loss Secrets and Orovo Detox - My Story

I have struggled all my time with being big or heavy. In my early life I was most of the time the "chubby" girl at the corner in my group of friends. I fought with my weight years after years and it seemed that I could not shed my "extra pounds" regardless of what I did.

But a "miracle" sometimes happens. On March 2, after two months following the instructions in a book, I finally reached my weight goal! That day in my blog I wrote:

"Today I can proudly announce that, finally I reached my goal!

I did it! Actually I am 32 pounds lighter than I was 2 months ago! I am sooooo happy!"

Here is my story:

Last year near New Years Eve, I made a New Year's resolution (don't laugh at me, you know what that means sometimes) to try to get rid of some pounds one more time. I even started a new blog to let all my friends and my family know to keep myself accountable. All I wanted is to lose 30 pounds. This time I am using a lady doctor's book with meaningful tips to get lighter and healthier, which was recommended by a neighbor who dropped by my home and told me how this book changed her life.

I found the book is really helpful in guiding you through the weight loss process.

While most of us keep our outside clean, we tend not to pay much attention on the inside. Dr Suzanne, the lady doctor and the author of the e-book, discovered that toxins from food preservatives, additives, pesticides plus simply decayed food can build up in our color and skin, resulting in a hard, toxic, plaque that further prevents efficient elimination and absorption. When this layer of plaque is naturally got rid of, it allows for better absorption of nutrients and the body self-regulates to desire less food because you got more nutrients with those plaques removed.

In addition to that, many of us may not be aware that we are actually infested with intestinal parasites. They get the nutrients from your bodies and cause further issues as they continue to grow and multiply. Removal of these parasites can have an amazing effect on your body health.

I know these aren't pleasant things to think about, but they're true. After some skepticism I started on the book titled "Top Secret Fat Loss Secret" 10 months ago and am really satisfied with the results. I dropped over 6 dress sizes and shed 32 lbs in under 60 days.

I started following the tips in the book. At the same time, I also took some natural foods that help detoxing my body and reducing my body toxins. The latter is not absolutely necessary but it helps. This worked pretty well. I started losing pounds much quicker than I thought. I am much lighter than I was 10 months ago! I love this product because:

* It eliminates Harmful Waste, Toxins and Buildup

* It helps me lose weight fast by getting rid of toxins in your body as mentioned above and as a result boosting your metabolism, all naturally.

* It increases your energy levels

* It reduces your Constipation, Gas, Fatigue, etc..

After a week my family, friends, and colleagues started to take notice. I'd love to hear compliments about my figure, for the first time! I can't wait for Thanksgiving when my whole family will see the even newer version of mine!

If you are trying to lose weight I suggest you give Top Secret Fat Loss Secret a try. If money is not a big issue, you may also try some "super foods" I mentioned above, such as Orovo Detox. Let me know how they actually work for you by leaving a comment to this article. I do love to hear from you soon on your progress.

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- When the fertilized egg doesn't make it to the uterus and begins to grow elsewhere in the reproductive system -- in the fallopian tube, abdomen, ovary or cervix -- it's called an ectopic pregnancy.

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Weight Loss - It's in Your Head

When you truly consider the weight-loss process, the battle waged is mostly in your mind. Should I eat the corn muffin with butter or would it be better for me to have margarine or better yet, have jelly? What am I doing eating this muffin anyway? Its so caloric and filled with saturated fat. Im such a pig. I have absolutely zero willpower. Its no wonder youll eat that muffin with the butter and slather jelly on top to quiet that negative self-talk.

What you need more than a diet is a way to shift those negative self-defeating thoughts to more adaptive, positive self-statements. As with most things worth doing, this requires a bit of practice. First, become aware when youre using a negative statement, then determine what about that thought is faulty and finally, replace it with a self-defense response or coping thought.
In the corn muffin example, instead of listening to Im such a pig which clearly mislabels who you are, respond with Pigs are animals and I am human. I dont have to be perfect.

Many people cannot change their eating habits until they change their thoughts about food, eating and drinking. By shedding distorted thoughts and replacing them with productive ones, eating habits can be changed. It is possible to rid yourself from many self-critical thoughts, but like any ingrained habit, it takes vigor and vigilance to change. Here are some other thinking distortions to challenge:

Shoulds. Should statements are more about other peoples values, not ones chosen by the person who wants to lose weight. Additionally, should statements reflect an attempt by the dieter to motivate herself without really believing in the value. Better to determine what works for you. I will eat up to two Hershey kisses daily and thoroughly enjoy them.

All-or-Nothing. This kind of reasoning is the foundation for perfectionism. An all-or-nothing individual views the world as black or white. Since there is no allowance for gray areas, the behavior is either perfect or a failure. Ive ruined my diet by eating all that pizza. I cant stay on a diet and Ill just always be fat. Maybe the problem does not arise from the behavior maybe the problem is with the diet that does not allow for pizza. I do not want to give pizza up for the rest of my life, so what I need is a way to include pizza in my diet without feeling like a failure. Let me try having a salad (dressing on the side) before the pizza to take the edge off my hunger.

Good Foods/ Bad Foods. If the truth be told, foods do not misbehave. Foods are not good or bad. While it is true that some foods have more nutrients or are more fiber-dense than others, all foods can be enjoyed. How we think about food colors what we eat and how much we eat. If a food is labeled as bad (such as fries), then for many individuals that food is taboo. When one eventually succumbs to eating the forbidden, French fries, bingeing may result. Rather than continue with dichotomous thinking of good food/bad food, shift to allow space for all foods you like without judgement. Instead of I ate those fries which are so bad for me to I really enjoyed that small portion of fries. They really satisfied me.

Body Distortions. Rather than dwelling on how fat or thin you think your body is, it is extremely helpful to view your body in terms of what it can do for you. For example, when you look in the mirror, instead of zooming in on your stomach which looks five months pregnant, although your last baby was nine years ago tell yourself my body has given life or my body enables me to go where I want to and allows me to have fun.

The conversations that are going on inside your head cannot be stopped. However, what you can do is to be aware of negative self-talk and understand that it has little to do with actual reality. When you believe this, you can respond to the critical voice with a more objective, coping thought. Although negative thoughts may not be stopped entirely, they can be quieted by listening to your compassionate, caring voice. In much the same way you would sympathize and listen to a close friend, listen to yourself. Be your own best friend and chances are youll have greater weight loss success.

Helene Haber

Holistic Nutrition Coach

Helene Haber, HHC is a board certified health counselor. She designs personalized wellness solutions for women of all ages looking to enhance their lives, get their bodies back in shape and their health back on track. Email: TopCatHelene@aol.com.

http://www.integrativenutrition.com/graduates/HHaber.aspx

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Take Time to Eat Lunch and Lose Weight

Losing weight is hard work, and a lack of focus can keep us from getting the results we want. While breakfast is the most commonly skipped meal of the day, some of us blaze through lunch carelessly without paying attention to what we put into our bodies. It's essential to give this midday meal just as much attention as we do any other meal we eat. Many times our lunchtime habits sabotage our success.

Most of us work, meaning that we can only have lunch at certain times throughout the day. What's even worse, some people are so busy that they grab a quick bite and eat at their desk, never allowing the body to rest, relax and enjoy a nutritious meal. The best thing you can do for yourself is to take a lunch break at the same time every day. Get out of the office if possible. Go for a walk afterwards if you have enough time, to kick start quick weight loss. But stop working long enough to concentrate on your meal.

Another bad habit we get into is eating out every day. While it may be convenient to slip down to the cafeteria or vending machine to grab a bite, this can wreak havoc on our waistline. Or sometimes, in an effort to be social, we go out with friends during lunch. Try to keep your lunchtime outings to once a week, and pick healthier foods when you do eat out. Always know where your local grocery store is, and if you have to go out, hit the salad bar or deli instead. This option is much healthier and many times less expensive than a sit-down meal.

Lastly, try not to bring leftovers from last night's dinner to work for lunch. For many of us, dinner is the largest meal of the day, and consuming the same food for lunch and dinner can pack on the pounds. When grocery shopping, choose light nutritious foods like yogurt, fruit and nuts. Many create healthy wraps instead of using bread, and some opt to bring only salad. Keep from overeating with a natural appetite suppressant like hoodia, and keep portions down to reasonable levels.

Susan Patterson has been studying alternative medicine and health for over 10 years. She loves to write to help others, especially in the area of quick weight loss, which can be accomplished safely. She has found several herbal remedies to be effective in her journey to better health without the side effects that medications cause. She is particularly passionate about hoodia for weight loss.

AP - Scientists might have found a way to deal drug-resistant tuberculosis a one-two punch using two old, safe antibiotics - and studies in ill patients could begin later this year.

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There Are Diets That Work

Weight loss is a huge industry, unfortunately what comes with that is thousands of hyped up weight loss products that don't do what they are advertised to do.

It is definitely a "buyer beware" market when it comes to weight loss products, that is why consumers are advised to steer clear of the fly by night sites making outrageous claims, and stick with reputable and well established companies instead.

There are many reputable websites that offer various types of weight loss products. Sites such as eDiets.com are well known in the industry, are well established and have many happy customers.
Their site offers most of the better known plans such as the Atkins Diet, Mediterranean Diet, Glycemic Impact Diet, Slim Fast Optima Diet and more.

They also offer pre-packaged meal plans which offer the ultimate convenience for the consumer, all you have to do is eat the food that is delivered to you. These prepared diet meals also are available in low sodium, wheat free, lactose free, vegetarian and diabetic varieties. Most of these companies also have a vast network of support groups, including buddy systems, forums as well as staff nutritionists to help you achieve you weight loss goals. It is in their interest to see you succeed.

There are other well established companies that offer the same type of fare. Remember, it pays to do your research before embarking on any diet plan in order to find the right weight loss plan that fits your particular needs.

For your convenience 5diets.info offers comparisons of diet plans featured by well established and reputable companies which offer the name diets, as well as pre-packaged meals.

Reuters - China on Sunday launched a national sex education campaign aimed at breaking traditional taboos and getting more people to seek treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and infertility.

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