Wednesday, December 29, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: Going Under the Knife
My Life's Biggest Project: Going Under the Knife: "Now I know what you're thinking and you are wrong. No I'm not having another surgery and I am not surgery obsessed either, but I did come ac..."
Going Under the Knife
Now I know what you're thinking and you are wrong. No I'm not having another surgery and I am not surgery obsessed either, but I did come across a few very intersting articles regarding weight loss surgery today. One of which talks about how the FDA is going to lower its standards for who is approved to undergo the lap band surgery. In the past this particular surgery was only available to those who were considered morbidly obese, but if the FDA passes the proposal then the procedure would then be available to those were were considered less obese.
This surgery was considered a less evasive way to lose weight than gastric bypass. In fact it was created as a non permanent alternative to do the exact same thing. In detail it is a ring is placed over the top of the stomach and inflated with saline to tighten it and restrict how much food can enter and pass through the stomach. This procedure has been available in the U.S. since 2001, but has been available in Europe and Australia much longer and is also more dominant in those countries.
To be a canidate for the Lap Band procedure under current standards one must have body mass index of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher if the person suffers from a weight-related medical problem such as diabetes or high blood pressure according to the article posted on aol.com. Approximentley 15 million Americans currently meet this criteria. However if the proposal is adopted then it would lower the requirements for eligibility to a BMI of 35 or higher, or as low as 30 with one of the related health problems. By cutting it down this much it would increase the number of those eligible to have the procedure to 27 million, according to federal health data.
The problem then falls into cost. Most insurance companies will not pay for this procedure, and even the ones that do still require a co-pay that is often times several thousand dollars still. With the economy in its current situation plastic surgery has certainly gone down in the last year and it is thought that if the standards lower for those who are eligible to undergo this procedure less insurers will cover it. This is essentially one of those cases where you win some and lose some. the procedure can range from $14,000 to $20,000. The device itself costs $3,000.
This procedure is created to assist in weight loss, but will not take it all away. If I've said it once I'll say it a million more times there also (even after surgery) needs to be a lifestyle change. Having this procedure done would certainly speed up the process, but maintaining it would be completely up to the individual. I see the pros and cons to this for sure. One pro though is that it would speed up the process.
Often times people fail at diets because they are not seeing results quicly enough. With this procedure you would. One of the obvious cons to this procedure is that it is a surgery which means a healing period, which also means that something foreign is being placed in the body. Another downside to this is that if you don't change your ways you may be out thousands of dollars and for nothing.
What do you think about weight loss surgery? Do you feel like it is a good option? Me myself I am kind of sitting on the fence when it comes to this topic. Please let me know what you think or if you know of anyone who has undergone a procedure. I would love to hear their stories.
This surgery was considered a less evasive way to lose weight than gastric bypass. In fact it was created as a non permanent alternative to do the exact same thing. In detail it is a ring is placed over the top of the stomach and inflated with saline to tighten it and restrict how much food can enter and pass through the stomach. This procedure has been available in the U.S. since 2001, but has been available in Europe and Australia much longer and is also more dominant in those countries.
To be a canidate for the Lap Band procedure under current standards one must have body mass index of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher if the person suffers from a weight-related medical problem such as diabetes or high blood pressure according to the article posted on aol.com. Approximentley 15 million Americans currently meet this criteria. However if the proposal is adopted then it would lower the requirements for eligibility to a BMI of 35 or higher, or as low as 30 with one of the related health problems. By cutting it down this much it would increase the number of those eligible to have the procedure to 27 million, according to federal health data.
The problem then falls into cost. Most insurance companies will not pay for this procedure, and even the ones that do still require a co-pay that is often times several thousand dollars still. With the economy in its current situation plastic surgery has certainly gone down in the last year and it is thought that if the standards lower for those who are eligible to undergo this procedure less insurers will cover it. This is essentially one of those cases where you win some and lose some. the procedure can range from $14,000 to $20,000. The device itself costs $3,000.
This procedure is created to assist in weight loss, but will not take it all away. If I've said it once I'll say it a million more times there also (even after surgery) needs to be a lifestyle change. Having this procedure done would certainly speed up the process, but maintaining it would be completely up to the individual. I see the pros and cons to this for sure. One pro though is that it would speed up the process.
Often times people fail at diets because they are not seeing results quicly enough. With this procedure you would. One of the obvious cons to this procedure is that it is a surgery which means a healing period, which also means that something foreign is being placed in the body. Another downside to this is that if you don't change your ways you may be out thousands of dollars and for nothing.
What do you think about weight loss surgery? Do you feel like it is a good option? Me myself I am kind of sitting on the fence when it comes to this topic. Please let me know what you think or if you know of anyone who has undergone a procedure. I would love to hear their stories.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: Merry Christmas to All
My Life's Biggest Project: Merry Christmas to All: "I hope that everyone is able to spend today with family friends and loved ones of all kinds. My family celebrated Christmas Eve last night. ..."
My Life's Biggest Project: Total Recall
My Life's Biggest Project: Total Recall: "It seems like often times in the news we hear about recalls and certain foods from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). We try and try to..."
Total Recall
It seems like often times in the news we hear about recalls and certain foods from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). We try and try to eat things that are good for us then we find out that there is some kind of salmonella or something contamination on the what we thought was healthy food that we are trying to consume. Guess what there is a new recall and it is on parsley and cilantro this time.
Let's recap shall we on the recalls that have occured in the last few years. Now I don't necessarily remember the exact order in which the food was recalled, but I do remember it happening. The first thing that I remember was the peanut butter recall. This one wasn't such a big deal in terms of health for people trying to be fit because peanut butter is jam packed with calories, but how many children consume peanut butter and jelly sandwiches daily? Big scare for people with children. Not to mention that I'm sure that this would be torture on one of my friends who is on OU's rowing team because that girl trains so hard all the time that peanut butter is definitely part of her diet for protein purposes.
After the peanut butter I remember tomatoes being recalled which was horrible to think of for me because I love me some tomatoes. I can eat those things like an apple. I simply slice them up, throw on some salt and pepper and I have a wonderful mid day snack. Then it was spinach. This was horrible to hear about. I for one love spinach. When I go to Subway for example I always have them put spinach on my sandwich instead of lettuce if they offer it. Also if I go to a salad bar and I see that they have romain lettuce or spinach I use that instead of iceberg too. Not just because they contain vitamins, but because they just taste better. Another reason I think is more of an aesthetic, but to me a salad should be bright green, not white.
Now we come to today's headlines and I see that parsley and cilantro is big in the news for a recall. According to the Associated Press (AP) a produce company out of Edinburg, Texas called J&D produce has confirmed a positive test for salmonella on curly parsley in Quebec and on cilantro in Detroit. The voluntary recall is on items packed on Nov. 30 and Dec. 6 (scary because that means they've probably been on shelves for a while now). There is more produce that runs on the same packaging lines and those items include the following: arugula, leek, collards, curly mustard, gold beet, kale, green swiss chard, plain mustard, plain parsley, kohlarbi, rainbow swiss chard, mint, methileaf, beets, daikon, red swiss chard, turnip greens and dill.
All of these products were packaged by the Little Bear brand and if you are a consumer with questions regarding this please feel free to call 1-956-380-0353. That company is open and available to take calls from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
It's scary that things like this happen all the time, but the news speaks for it self. One way to avoid this is to purchase your produce from organically grown farmers markets for example. It may be a little less convenient or a little more pricey, but face it all fresh produce is a littel on the expensive side. Plus you and your families health may be on the line and of course this is one of the things that should be on the top of your priority list to protect.
If you have any comments or questions regarding today's post, please let me know. Also if I missed any of the recall's from the past that you know of or that affected you please feel free to share your story with me. I always love to hear what you have to say. I hope that you all have a safe and wonderful day and that you are prepairing for an amazing new years! It will be here sooner than you know!
Let's recap shall we on the recalls that have occured in the last few years. Now I don't necessarily remember the exact order in which the food was recalled, but I do remember it happening. The first thing that I remember was the peanut butter recall. This one wasn't such a big deal in terms of health for people trying to be fit because peanut butter is jam packed with calories, but how many children consume peanut butter and jelly sandwiches daily? Big scare for people with children. Not to mention that I'm sure that this would be torture on one of my friends who is on OU's rowing team because that girl trains so hard all the time that peanut butter is definitely part of her diet for protein purposes.
After the peanut butter I remember tomatoes being recalled which was horrible to think of for me because I love me some tomatoes. I can eat those things like an apple. I simply slice them up, throw on some salt and pepper and I have a wonderful mid day snack. Then it was spinach. This was horrible to hear about. I for one love spinach. When I go to Subway for example I always have them put spinach on my sandwich instead of lettuce if they offer it. Also if I go to a salad bar and I see that they have romain lettuce or spinach I use that instead of iceberg too. Not just because they contain vitamins, but because they just taste better. Another reason I think is more of an aesthetic, but to me a salad should be bright green, not white.
Now we come to today's headlines and I see that parsley and cilantro is big in the news for a recall. According to the Associated Press (AP) a produce company out of Edinburg, Texas called J&D produce has confirmed a positive test for salmonella on curly parsley in Quebec and on cilantro in Detroit. The voluntary recall is on items packed on Nov. 30 and Dec. 6 (scary because that means they've probably been on shelves for a while now). There is more produce that runs on the same packaging lines and those items include the following: arugula, leek, collards, curly mustard, gold beet, kale, green swiss chard, plain mustard, plain parsley, kohlarbi, rainbow swiss chard, mint, methileaf, beets, daikon, red swiss chard, turnip greens and dill.
All of these products were packaged by the Little Bear brand and if you are a consumer with questions regarding this please feel free to call 1-956-380-0353. That company is open and available to take calls from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
It's scary that things like this happen all the time, but the news speaks for it self. One way to avoid this is to purchase your produce from organically grown farmers markets for example. It may be a little less convenient or a little more pricey, but face it all fresh produce is a littel on the expensive side. Plus you and your families health may be on the line and of course this is one of the things that should be on the top of your priority list to protect.
If you have any comments or questions regarding today's post, please let me know. Also if I missed any of the recall's from the past that you know of or that affected you please feel free to share your story with me. I always love to hear what you have to say. I hope that you all have a safe and wonderful day and that you are prepairing for an amazing new years! It will be here sooner than you know!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
My Life's Biggest Project: Fit People Have Secrets
My Life's Biggest Project: Fit People Have Secrets: "As promised earlier I am posting my second blog of the day since I will not be able to post one tomorrow! I hope that this little list helps..."
Fit People Have Secrets
As promised earlier I am posting my second blog of the day since I will not be able to post one tomorrow! I hope that this little list helps encourage you to make the right choices too! I've been doing my best to try to have this mindset!
In my handy dandy P90X Newsletter I got one of the articles is entitled 20 Secrets of Very Fit People, written by Chalean Johnson (creator of Turbo Jam, another Beachbody creation, Beachbody is who endorses P90X). Anyway I thought it was very interesting so I figured I would share it with you. So here goes Johnson’s list:
1. High Quality H2O- “Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink from it often,” said Johnson. “Water is the drink of choice, but if you don't enjoy plain water, than liven it up! Try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to your water bottle. You can also drink Propel Fit Water®, VitaminWater®, or some other form of healthy enhanced beverage with zero or very few calories, but remember: pure water is best.”
2. Be Pumped About Your Workout- The Jersey Shore kids are crazy obsessed with GTL (Gym, Tan, Laundry), but notice the first thing is GYM…be crazy excited that you can do it ( I promise this is one of the only positive things I will say about that show, other than I now have a love for fist pumping…hahaha). Johnson says, “Look at exercise as a pleasure and privilege, not a burden or chore. Think positively about the changes regular exercise will bring about in your body and your life. Rather than obsessing about your next meal, get excited about your next workout!”
3. Watch what you put in your mouth. Eat well balanced healthy foods that work for you and not against you. Extra calories mean extra weight. Keep track of your caloric intake.
4. Be sure to watch out how much caffeine you are consuming (working against you) and how much smoke you are around (this includes second-hand).
5. Live in the now! “Focus on short-term fitness goals with an emphasis on completing daily exercise,” said Johnson.
6. Keep a log of what you eat. This will help you keep track of your calories. Be sure you keep track of every little snack. In the end you aren’t cheating anyone but yourself and there is no need for self sabotage.
7. Once a week give yourself an unhealthy treat, but only once a week!
8. Have an accountability buddy (this totally works). Be a positive influence and by making it a team thing you will be more likely to keep with it.
9. Change it up. Johnson says, “Avoid monotony by introducing new forms of exercise to your routine—in addition to your regular workout, try biking, hiking, swimming, or rollerblading to keep you motivated and inspired.”
10. Read. Johnson suggests subscribing to a fitness magazine (or you can read my blog ;). She believes this will keep you focused on health and see it as a way of life.
11. “Invest in the right tools,” said Johnson. Be sure you have great workout shoes, awesome tunes to keep you pumped on your iPod, proper fitness equipment, etc...
12. Working out needs to be a part of your lifestyle. “Make it your goal to do some form of exercise 6 or 7 days a week,” said Johnson. “If some days you exercise once in the morning and once in the evening, even better! If you're eating right, exercise will fuel your energy level!”
13. We can’t all look like a Victoria Secret model. Be sure you are not comparing yourself to someone else. Try to be the best that you can be.
14. Balance your diet, if it’s off, fix it. Also be sure to “take vitamins and mineral supplements” to obtain “total health”.
15. Keep bringing it, even if you think it has already been broughten (not a word I know, but oh so funny if you get my reference…lol). Your goal should always be to keep intensity levels of your workouts up.
16. Don’t make excuses about time, make time. Everyone has time to workout. To ensure that you will create a schedule the day before that way you aren’t just chancing that it will all work out.
17. “Move beyond the boundaries of weight loss and into total fitness. Measure success by the way your clothes fit and not some number on a scale,” said Johnson.
18. Here is that lifestyle change thing I keep pounding away at. Johnson insists that you make eating plans that you can maintain the rest of your life. Too many calories means that you will never ever see the muscles that lie behind the fatty tissue in your body. You want to see results of course.
19. Make sure you’re sleeping enough. Johnson reminds us in this article that those who regularly exercise not only fall asleep faster, but they also sleep more soundly than those who don’t.
20. Finally Johnson suggest only boozing it up for special occasions (that does not mean waking up every morning being a special occasion, if that’s the case someone may have a problem beyond weight gain).
OK so here are the fun things I wanted to share with you. I hope it has been insightful. Johnson gives us lots of things to think about and my commentary hopefully made you laugh a time or two, which made you burn calories if you did. If that were the case I’m happy to have helped ;)
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