You know, I'm a big advocate of regular aerobic activity in any fitness and health regimen. But I'm only human, and sometimes my commitment to regular exercise wanes when I get too busy with some other distraction. Recently I started a new job and have been traveling a lot. My schedule is erratic and if I have to entertain a client in the evening, well, exercise is not on my mind when I come back to my hotel room and collapse into bed.

If I have a breakfast meeting the next day or have to get to the airport to catch an early flight, soon I realize a week has gone by without any exercise. Then two weeks. Then three. It's hard! And the longer it's been since you exercised, the harder it is too get back into an aerobic exercise routine.

I Was In Bad Shape

I used to jog every other day for 3 to 5 miles at a clip. On the off days I'd mix in a little Tai Chi, which I've been doing on and off for years. I never felt better and my cardiovascular functions were perfect. So I was shocked last week when I had my annual check up, and my doctor asked me what I had been doing with myself. I had gained ten pounds, my blood pressure was elevated, my cholesterol was high,and my blood sugar also was higher than before. I was a mess! He suggested I get back to a healthier routine. So I decided to get back in to the groove. A New Leaf! (How many times have I turned those over?)

30 Days To Success

I was procrastinating as usual and just couldn't get motivated. But a friend of mine who is a fitness fanatic was urging me to get started. He said to try the "30 Days To Success" program. How it works is that  you set a target of jogging at least 3 times a week. You think of this as a "temporary activity." You do it for a 30-day trial. After 30 days you can quit and won't have to do it anymore.

I think it is human nature that whenever we need to change our daily habits, it seems very hard for us to make a start. We will feel overwhelmed when we think that we need to continue to do this for the rest of our lives. We get discouraged and never make an attempt to start. But if we think of this as only a temporary change, then it will become easier for us to start. Anyway after 30 days we will be able to go back to our normal daily life.

Staying One A Regimen Easier After You've Started One

So what happen is after 30-days of trial, we'll be getting closer to being in a groove again and it will be easier for us to continue to maintain the habit. This is a powerful way to improve our life. It worked for me!

I  think I'm going to try this out with  15 minutes of simple Tai Chi exercises everyday for a 30-day trial.

Good Luck!

P.S. If any of you have any secret ways to "get back into the groove" of your exercise plan, please feel free to comment here and share your tip with our other readers. Thanks.

Technorati Tags: aerobic exercise, cardiovascular, cholesterol, Diabetes, fitness regimen, High Blood Pressure, tai chi

There are many low carbohydrate diet options available now to anyone who wants to lose weight and learn to improve eating habits and keep the weight off.

The Atkins Diet is one of the most popular low carb diets around, and people who have used it have been very successful in meeting their weight loss goals. Dieting isn’t easy for anyone, and sometimes traditional dieting approaches, such as counting calories just isn’t enough. Of course, every diet should be accompanied by plenty of exercise to make the weight come off faster and stay off. The Atkins Diet teaches dieters how to eat more protein and fat, and limit starches, carbohydrates, and sugars. The Atkins Diet is also a great way to get off that glucose roller coaster, and keep blood sugar levels more constant without crazy fluctuations. For this reason it is a good diet for persons who might be diabetic or borderline diabetic and need to keep their blood sugars low.

Forcing The Body To Burn Fat Instead Of Carbs

The Atkins Diet works by strictly limiting carbohydrate intake and increasing protein and fats in the diet. By taking this approach, the body does not have the carbohydrates to burn first, so it burns fat instead. It may seem crazy to some to eat butter and other fats on a diet, but it is really the carbohydrates that keep people from reaching their weight loss goals. The Atkins Diet isn’t just a fad diet scam. It has been around since the early 1970s and even though it is controversial, Atkins Diet books have been and remain to be phenomenal best sellers. In addition to the multitude of weight loss success stories, the Atkins Diet is great for disease prevention, weight loss maintenance, and good health. Dieters have a number of food options available to them and the amount of food eaten is not restricted, only the types of foods. No refined sugars are allowed, or white potatoes, white rice, or white flour. Meats, cheeses, fats, and proteins are all acceptable food options on the Atkins Diet.

The First Two Weeks Are The Hardest

The first two weeks on the Atkins Diet are the most restricted, in which only twenty grams of carbohydrates are allowed (carbs less grams of fiber). Fruits are not allowed and only a few leafy green vegetables. During this period, the change in biochemical activity is supposed to jump start the weight loss mechanism. Many people see significant results during this time frame, which gives them the added encouragement dieters need to continue with the diet and meet their weight loss goals. Many people have had great results with the Atkins Diet, but it isn’t for everyone. If you have any concerns consult your health care provider before beginning this or any restricted diet.

Complete Diet Program: Try the proven diet that has helped 100,000's lose weight. Free Profile.

Technorati Tags: atkins diet, Diabetes, health medical, High Blood Pressure, low carb diet

When you have to deal with an alcoholic in your life, you're bound to face some pretty difficult decisions. One of the hardest things to do is to confront an alcoholic about his problems.

Usually, an alcoholic will deny up and down that he has a problem until his face turns blue. That is why, before you confront someone you have to know the things to look for. Studying alcoholic behavior is a great way to be prepared for this inevitable, but difficult conversation.

The Alcoholic Tries To Hide His Drinking From Others

There are many behaviors of an alcoholic, and some of them are more obvious than others. One of the most obvious ones is, of course, excessive drinking. Definitions of how much constitutes excess vary, but generally someone who has to get intoxicated every single day is an alcoholic. Yet it isn't just the amount of drinking that shows signs of alcoholism. One of the most telling alcoholic behaviors is hiding your drinking patterns. Alcoholics will often stow away bottles of booze and only drink it when other people are not looking in order to make it look like they drink less than they do.

Dr. Jeckyll And Mr. Hyde

Another one of the most troubling alcoholic behaviors is changing when you are drunk. A lot of people enjoy getting drunk now and then, but most people keep their same personality. With alcoholics, however, you never know. Some relatively peaceful folks will become violent when they drink. Sometimes conservative alcoholics will become excessively promiscuous and take risks when they are drinking. Often this strange alcoholic behavior is accompanied by an inability to remember events from the night before. It is almost a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of phenomenon.

One less obvious sign of alcoholism, or perhaps this behavior falls into the category of a "drinking problem," is the alcoholic who can go weeks at a time without a drink. But when he does drink--Look Out! He's the guy who gets arrested for drunk driving, gets into fights (which he usually brings on himself), passes out at social functions in front of his family and co-workers, beats his wife, etc.--just plainly unacceptable behavior. The next day he is mortified when you tell him what he did (he usually can't remember). In my book that person is an alcoholic because he cannot control alcohol--alcohol controls him.

Stopping Off At Their Favorite Saloon For A Quickie

I've spent a lot of time in bars myself in my life, but fortunately I don't have the genetic pre-disposition toward alcoholism. But I sure have seen a lot of them in my time. Many are my friends. Many also were my friends, but they all died of alcohol-related ailments or in accidents. You go into a neighborhood tavern-type bar at 3:00 in the afternoon on any weekday, and there is a regular group sitting at the bar drinking hard stuff and smoking cigarettes--nearly every single one. Many are single or don't relish going home to the spouse. You know what they watch every sing day on TV? Jeopardy! They shout out the answers if they know them. It's like a club. And most of them are alcoholics. It's depressing. One of the reasons I don't drink much anymore.

Alcoholics develop different friendships when they are drinking. Many of them will leave their usual group of friends to go out with their drinking buddies. These buddies are often alcoholic themselves, and are willing to reinforce each others' addictions. They don't really spot each other's alcoholic behaviors, because they are all in denial. If the alcoholic in your life develops these kinds of friendships, it can be much harder to intervene. After all, he will have a new group of friends telling him that his drinking is okay. The important thing is just to persevere. If you have to, bring in some other mutual friends and do an intervention together. Sometimes it is easier to confront someone as a group and that is as individuals.

Good Luck. It's very difficult on all parties.

Technorati Tags: alcoholism signs, denial, depression, intervention, memory loss, treatment

Besides this type of exercise is enjoyable and you can bring along a friend or two to keep you moving. You’ll be surprised to have this much fun and exercise at the same time.

See Your Physician First If You Have Medical Issues

It is a type of activity that uses your large muscles to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. A word of warning needs to be stated though before you begin any aerobic activity. Make sure if you have any serious medical issues that you check with a doctor first. It’s better to be safe than to damage your health. If you’ve got the green light for aerobic activity then check out the different types of exercise that’s will get your heart going. Keeping it elevated is the main goal when exercising.

Try To Find Something You Enjoy doing

You’ll find it in a lot of forms of exercise that you might have done at one time, but just stopped doing. Bicycling, walking, dance, swimming or even ice skating are popular forms of aerobic activity that many use to get their muscles pumping, and their heart rate up. Don’t forget to use a warm up and lightly stretch. Before you stop use your cool down period to stretch your muscles. Of course any of these can be done by yourself, but the best part is that you can take along a pal when doing your aerobic activity. It’s a good way to make friends too.

My Passion Was Basketball

Try to do something you enjoy. It won't seem like exercise, but rather fun. I'm too old for it now, but I used to love to play basketball. For several years I belonged to a health club that had a gym with two full-court basketball courts. A regular group of us would meet there three times a week and play either 3-on-3 half court games, or on occasion, 5-on-5 full court games. Man, that was tough. You had to be in shape for any basketball game, but the full-court games were for those of us who were in really good shape. I really loved it. I didn't think of it as exercise at all. Yet it was very intense. So you might feel the same way about tennis or soccer or touch football or hiking or aerobic dancing or bike riding. Problem is some of those are group activities and unless you have a group, you can't play it, or at least as well. Hey, even walking is good aerobic exercise if you do it at a brisk pace. So now I do the treadmill and watch TV. It's pretty painless since you can set the speed and incline to your comfort level. And it's great aerobic exercise!

It's Great For Your Body

By participating in this form of exercise to sustain an elevated heart rate, and flexing your large muscles, you’ll not only feel better, but look great too. The health benefits of aerobic activity are numerous. Blood pressure is lowered, and the arteries and vessels all over your body are invigorated with oxygenated blood. Bad cholesterol is lowered, and your body is trimmed and toned through weight loss with aerobic activity. If diabetes runs in your family, then you’ll get an extra benefit with aerobic activity because it lowers your risk of getting it.

Try To Exercise Every Other Day Minimum

It’s most beneficial if it’s done at least 3 times per week, using several different exercises. The use of different exercises ensures that all muscles are worked, and that you don’t get bored. When doing the exercise make sure to set up sets of all your different forms, and repeat them at least 7 times. Monitor your heart rate with an aerobic activity guideline based on your age and goals. You can get one from your doctor, or anywhere on the Internet.

In a couple of months you’ll see and feel the difference that working out makes in your life. Take the time to build up in your exercise program, but just keep aerobic activity a part of your life. You’ll live longer and happier if you do.

Technorati Tags: aerobic exercise, bad cholesterol, basketball, cardiovascular, Fitness, heakth, healthy heart, treadmill

Like the Atkins diet, it is a low-carb approach to losing weight. But there is a lot more to it. It can help heart patients and diabetics become more healthy and manage their conditions to increase the likelihood of living longer, healthier lives.

Primary Goal Was Health Related

To make this point even more clear, the South Beach Diet was developed by a cardiologist, Dr. Arthur Agatson, who wanted to devise a diet so his patients could lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. His primary motive in developing the South Beach Diet was to improve his patients' health, not to sell weight-loss books. Of course, many diabetics and heart patients are overweight, which contributes to their conditions. So changing their eating habits  and getting into a pattern of aerobic exercise is the method he recommends to improve his patients' health, and the weight loss is one of the results of the diet.

I Can Vouch For The South Beach Diet

I personally have gone on the South Beach Diet, as I have Type-2 diabetes and have had high blood pressure for years. It was my cardiologist who told me that if I got my health under control, it would add ten to fifteen years to my life. Since I'm a Baby Boomer, ten or fifteen years was a major portion of my remaining life expectancy. Both my hypertension and blood sugar levels are normal now. I still take medication for each, but a much-reduced dosage. The doctor says if I lost 25 more pounds, I might be able to cut out the medication entirely.

Carbohydrates Convert Into Sugar

The basic approach of the South Beach Diet is get into a regimen of consistent aerobic exercise and to restrict one's sugar and carbohydrate consumption. Sugar has a lot of calories and increases blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates, or starches,  convert into sugar during digestion. Diabetics might not realize it, but it's the carbs that are really keeping their blood sugar levels high. I never realized this until I switched to a new cardiologist. I drank diet soda and used artificial sweeteners, but my borderline Type-2 diabetes became worse. Of course, I wasn't physically active and my weight was at an all-time high. So my cardiologist said a change in my lifestyle and diet was mandatory. No more procrastination. The situation was simple. If I continued the way I was, I might live only another ten years. If I adopted this new direction, I could expect to live twenty-five to thirty more years. It hit me in the face like a ton of bricks. Time for a change! My cardiologist recommended the South Beach Diet. So here I am ready to tell you about it. Which I will do in an upcoming series of posts.

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Technorati Tags: Diabetes, Diet, Exercise, Health, High Blood Pressure, south beach diet

is especially true for diabetics, as persons who have Type 2 diabetes and must lose weight to control it and need to avoid "bad" carbohydrates. These bad carbohydrates convert into sugar during digestion, which, as you know, is the main problem for diabetics. There are several recommended low carb diet programs--the South Beach Diet, the Atkins diet,and the Zone Diet are the most popular.

The South Beach Diet is very popular with people who want to lose weight, but not have to count carbohydrates, fat grams, and every thing else! This diet is a great alternative to these sometimes unhealthy means of losing weight. The South Beach Diet allows you to eat in a healthy way and not completely cut out all your favorite food items, which in the long run makes it almost impossible to stick to, again leaving you frustrated with your attempt to lose weight. The South Beach Diet works by changing the way you eat to include more healthy choices that will make you feel good and increase your energy levels. This diet focuses on good carbohydrates and fats, so you don t crave all those bad carbohydrates and fats, which work against you in attaining your diet goals and leave you hungry all the time.

The South Beach Diet is divided into three phases. The first is designed to help you change your diet to one that is filled with eating healthy lean types of meat, such as beef, lamb, pork, veal, chicken, fish, and seafood. All meat should be broiled or baked, not fried, and should not be coated with breading or crumbs; this adds extra carbohydrates and calories that you are trying to avoid. Plenty of vegetables, nuts, eggs, and low-fat or fat-free cheeses are also allowed so long as they are not coated with anything adding extra calories. Vegetables should be steamed and plain, no sauces or butter yet. phase one of the South Beach Diet is the most limited, and does not allow you to have breads or baked goods of any kind, rice, pastas, potatoes, fruit, candy, ice cream, sugar, or alcohol. You can have sugar-free treats, but they should be limited to seventy-five calories per day. I know what you re thinking, don t get discouraged. This part of the diet only lasts the first two weeks, and is designed to get your body used to only having good carbohydrates to jump start your weight loss and eradicate your cravings.

In phase two, you will slowly add back in sweet potatoes, wild or brown rice, whole grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits, and red or white wines. You should avoid such vegetables as carrots, beets, white potatoes, and corn because of their high sugar content, and also fruits like bananas, pineapples, raisins, and watermelon. Some other foods that will slow down your weight loss efforts include cookies, cakes, sweet rolls, and ice cream. These should be kept to a bare minimum if you have them at all. You need to stick to phase two until you reach your goal weight, then you will begin phase three or the maintenance phase. This is where you continue to practice the good eating habits you have learned and maintain your weight. The South Beach Diet is heart healthy and is designed to teach dieters how to lose weight effectively and keep it off for their lifetime. No more yo-yo dieting!

Published by Natural Health Trip

Technorati Tags: atkins diet, bad carbohydrates, Diabetes, Diet, good carbohydrates, lose weight, low carb diet, south beach diet, weight loss, zone diet

Low carb diet plans are a raging diet trend today.  While forms of low carb diet plans have been around for hundreds of years, they recently exploded in popularity all over the industrialized world, especially the United States of America.

In the last five years especially, it seems like the United States has suddenly realized how overweight it has been getting, and the next natural response to this awakening is of course diets!

Most Low Carb Diets Follow Same Basic Principles

Low carb diet plans vary considerably in what they suggest and offer, but they all basically follow the same general principle.  You can live without carbs, but you can’t live without protein and fats. You may not want to give up carbs entirely, so fortunately there are "good" and "bad" carbs and the good carbs will satisfy your urge for them.  While somewhat counterintuitive, since it is fatty protein based foods, like meats, that are often higher in calories, carbohydrates serve no nutritional function whatsoever and can completely eliminated from your diet with few adverse health effects.  A reasonable diet of meats and vegetables will therefore give you all the nutrition you need without any ‘unnecessary’ calories.

If you are looking for some good diets to try, you may want to consider a low carb diet plan.  If adhered to, any low carb diet plan will probably produce some amount of measurable results in weight loss.  Don’t ever starve yourself, however.  Whatever diet you try, make sure you are eating often, but just smaller portions and healthier foods.  Really, the low carb diet plan concept is something of common sense.  If you stop eating so much refine sugar, pastries, and breads, you’re likely going to be cutting a lot of calories out of your diet.

Atkins and South Beach Diets Most Popular

Which low carb diet plan works best is anyone’s guess. Two of the better known ones are the Atkins diet and the South Beach Diet. We'll have some follow up posts on each. Whatever  works for some people may be less effective for others, and it seems like there’s a new type of low carb diet plan coming out every week.  Tried and tested, I prefer the South Beach Diet, but as with all diet plans, finding one that works for you is usually a process of guessing and checking.  Try something that you think you can do, and see what happens.  Make sure you don’t just rely on diet alone to lose weight, as weight loss is more than just what you’re eating.  Weight loss is really about your metabolism, and so you need to stay active as well.

Low carb diet plans aren’t going to make all your health problems go away in a flash like they sometimes advertise, but combined with other measures like frequent exercise, they may help make for a good overall weight loss plan. They are particularly good for persons with diabetes, as they keep bllod sugare down. More on that later!
Healthy Weight Loss Tips: Get member support, nutritionists' advice, the doctor's tips, results!

Technorati Tags: atkins diet, Diabetes, Health, low card diets, south beach diet, weight loss

Does it seem like there are more health risks these days than there were in the past? Well, the plain and simple truth is, there are. Now, more than ever, people around the globe grapple with various health afflictions.

From cancer, to heart disease, to fatal STDs; it seems like there is no end to the dismal list. One of the greatest health issues these days concerns what we eat.  What are you putting into your body? Depending on your nutritional habits, you could be doing some significant damage. It's no big secret that fats, sugars, and even carbs can bad for us, yet we continue to scarf them down like there's no tomorrow. And it certainly shows in our current society. A large portion of America is overweight. It's time to make some changes. It's definitely time to get informed. The Internet is your ally. Delve into cyberspace now and get information on cholesterol and fat. Find out one of the prime killers of Americans.

Cholesterol Is A Major Contributor To Heart Disease

Did you know that heart disease is one of the major causes of death now days?  People all  across the country are becoming victims as we speak. It's caused to a great degree by their diet. Have you acquired the right information on cholesterol and unsaturated fat? These heart-stoppers should be taken more seriously. Many individuals don't even know how the whole process works. Well, let me give you a quick summary. Your heart is your body's engine. It pumps blood throughout your entire frame. Now, when you consume foods that are high in fat and cholesterol, you're basically infusing this stuff into your bloodstream. Then the blood has to flow back through the heart. However, the fat and cholesterol begins to clog the arteries. You certainly don't want this to happen. Because if your heart can't pump the blood properly, you may not live. Unfortunately this is the reason why there are so many heart related deaths these days. People plainly and simply need more information on cholesterol and fat. It's imperative to understand what it does to the heart.

What Is The Function Of Cholesterol?

A person's liver produces enough cholesterol to perform all its duties within your body. It is an ingredient in cell structure and is required for the creation of certain hormones.  The only other way to get excess cholesterol is by eating animal products, which have produced their own cholesterol that you end up eating. The result? Too much cholesterol in your body, which ends up clogging your arteries and creates problems for your heart.

Two Types Of Cholesterol--"Good" and "Bad"

There are two types of cholesterol--"Good" cholesterol, or HDL, and "Bad" cholesterol, or LDL. There is twice as much of the bad cholesterol in your blood as there is the good type. The bad cholesterol over years clogs your arteries and creates placque build up. This can lead to heart attacks,strokes, arteriorsclerosis, and other life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. You can control the level of LDL through diet and exercise. Plus, there is medication that is prescribed that can help you keep LDL down. Our position at Natural Health Trip, of course, is that the better way to go is by dietary and lifestyle modification rather than by medication. That's our objective. So we'll be advising you on ways to keep yourself healthy through natural methods and to try to keep you from needing medication.

The key to avoiding heart disease and other health afflictions is through knowledge. You have to know and understand what something is and then learn how to prevent it. And we'll help you acquire that information so you can live a longer, higher quality life.

Technorati Tags: arteriosclerosis, cholesterol, clogged arteries, HDL, heart attacks, heart disease, LDL, stroke

have noted that it is referred to as the Silent Killer" and will continue to post in the future on both hypertension and diabetes in our mix of topics. But first I want to provide you with a basic background post on high blood pressure so you know exactly what it is

'Normal' Blood Pressure Values

There has been a lot of talk lately about blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of movement of blood throughout the arterial and vascular circulatory systems. Oxygenated blood sent rushing into the arteries after the left ventricle in the heart contracts. The blood vessels accommodate blood flow to maintain normal blood pressure values. When the vessels become narrow, the amount of blood flow is restricted causing a rise in blood pressure.

Blood pressure readings are measured by two different values, the systolic and diastolic pressures. After the heart contracts, it has forced blood into the arteries at its greatest strength. This is the systolic pressure. As the pressure in the arteries relaxes, the pressure decreases. This is called the resting, or diastolic pressure. When represented in written form, such as 120/80, the top number is the systolic reading, and the lower number is the diastolic. This blood pressure reading, 120/80, is the average measurement of a wide range of readings, representing normal blood pressure values. The value that concerns most is the diastolic, or "resting" reading. When it is consistently higher than 80, hypertension is present. Pressure fluctuates naturally throughout the day with activity, rest, excitement, emotions, stress, etc., this is normal and does not necessarily indicate that anything is wrong.

What's Considered "High" Blood Pressure?

When blood pressure readings are consistently 140/90 or higher, even at periods of rest, hypertension is present. Readings over 160/95 are of concern, because this is considered the danger zone. Hypertension is called the "Silent Killer" because it has no symptoms until the pressure is extremely high. According to the American Heart Association, 68 million Americans have one or more forms of heart or blood vessel disease. There is no cure for hypertension, the medical term for high blood pressure.  It must be medically managed with prescribed antihypertensive agents, combined with diet and exercise.

There are quite a few factors that contribute to altering normal blood pressure values creating hypertension. As we age, the arteries are not as elastic and restrict blood flow, also known as "hardening of the arteries" or arteriosclerosis. Other factors are family history of hypertension and heart disease, use of oral contraceptives, alcohol, illegal substances, weight gain, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, stress-related issues, and a high fat, high sodium diet. This list of course, is not all inclusive.

You Can Get Your Blood Pressure Under Control

Have no fear; it is possible to maintain normal blood pressure values if you have hypertension. Regular visits with your physician are of great importance, as well as complying with prescribed medication regimens, regular aerobic exercise, and maintaining a healthier diet. By engaging in regular physical activity, we feel better, because our bodies are more efficient. Aerobic activities such as walking, running, swimming, dancing, and aerobic exercise machines like treadmills, stairmasers, and rowing machines will not only allow you to be more fit physically, mentally, and spiritually, but your blood pressure will be lower as well. Diets low in sodium and high amounts of fat also work to lower blood pressure. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are very plentiful and have a variety of uses, providing you with a smorgasbord of healthy food choices..

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, you should see your doctor every three or four months until you get it under control. If you cant afford to do do it, you should at least invest in a blood pressure monitor to check it yourself. That way you'll be able to twell if it's getting too high, which if it does, definitely see your doctor. Unless you get your blood pressure under control, it will shorten your life.

Technorati Tags: Add new tag, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular, Diabetes, Diet, Exercise, Health, High Blood Pressure, hypertension

though we only go there once in a blue moon, she still praises its happy meals and soft drinks. However, one thing I did notice the last time we passed through their drive-thru was the after-math. I'm talking about what happened with my daughter's stomach after she ate that chicken nugget happy meal. She basically had a stomach ache. Now that's no fun at all. Certainly not what you see advertised on the commercials. Although at first I thought she ate too much, my family doctor later pointed something out to me. Fast food is horrible! Since we only hit up a fast food joint a few times each year, my daughter's body pretty much rejected it. We plain and simply weren't meant to eat that stuff. It's basically poison for our bodies. It's time for some nutritious, heart healthy diets. Things have got to change.

"Super-Size Me"

I don't know if many of you saw the movie several years ago called "Super Size Me," but if you missed it, I highly recommend renting it. It's a semi-documentary about a healthy thirtiesh man who wants to prove a point about how bad fast food is for your health. So he does an experiment where the only thing he eats for thirty days are McDonald's food. Any combination is ok with one stipulation--no salads nor their newer healthier items (which I think were introduced after this movie came out). He does this with the cooperation of his physician and goes to him for a physical the day before the test begins. He's in peak physical condition. Everything checks out well. Weight,blood pressure, blood sugar levels, heart rate--perfect. The film follows him through the thirty days and slowly but surely you see him morph before your eyes into a physical wreck. He gains 35 pounds, his blood pressure goes through the roof, his blood sugar is in the diabetic range, his cholesterol is so high I'm surprised any blood got through his veins. He feels lethargic and sickly, I mean the transformation is astounding! You really should rent it if you haven't seen it. He sure made his point!

Get your Entire Family On A Heart Healthy Diet

Which leads me to my point. You need to put yourself and your family on a heart-healthy diet. It's sad that McDonald's and other fast-food restaurants promote their food to children so aggressively. And kids love it. I don't blame them. McDonald's tastes good. But it's not good for you or your kids.

Parents Can Lead Their Children By Example

Do you focus on good heart healthy diets each and every day? You know, your life could depend on it. Not to mention the lives of your other family members. Not to be insulting, but I've certainly noticed something about families in the last couple years. Overweight parents have overweight children. It makes me so sad to see a seven year old that's already way overweight. It all goes back to the parents. They're the one responsible for providing heart healthy diets for their kids. Sure we can blame all the fast food chains all we want. But, the fact is we choose what we consume. And I know a lot of people don't realize how unhealthy these places are. But that's why I'm writing this post. It's time to stop being lazy and start eating healthy. Believe me, it's never too soon to begin heart healthy diets. You should actually start your children while they're still young. This way they will have no problem continuing the heart healthy diets as they grow up. Things you want to be sure and avoid in your meals are loads of fat, salt, sugar, and cholesterol. None of these are good for your body. Focus more on protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals. These are the very building blocks for heart healthy diets. Don't you want to live a long and healthy life? Then start eating like it.

And if you think I'm over reacting and am being paranoid, please order "Super Size Me" from Netflix or your other movie club. You'll see for yourself what I'm talking about!
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Technorati Tags: blood pressure, cardiovascular, cholesterol, Diabetes, Diet, fast foods, Health