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New FDA Rules For Restaurants, It's About Time

The FDA announced new rules that require chain restaurants and vending machine operators to post calories for food and drinks on their menus. The rules, which have been in the works since the  Affordable Care Act  was signed into law in 2010, apply to restaurants that have more than 20 locations nationwide. Americans eat and drink about one-third of their calories away from home, and people today expect clear information about the products they consume. Making calorie information available on chain restaurant menus and vending machines is an important step for public health that will help consumers make informed choices for themselves and their families. The rules will also include labeling requirements for restaurant-style food in grocery stores, big-box stores, coffee shops, ice cream stores, movie theaters, and amusement parks. Restaurant-style foods include foods generally eaten on the premises, or while walking away, or soon after arriving at another location. ...

Eat Smart and You'll Lose Weight

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At parties we need to eat smart. Anytime we eat-out, parties or just dinner with friends, we can easily load up on calories without realizing it. Forget the chips and go for the vegetable tray. Try not to drink calories or at least keep it to a minimum. I avoid big meals and I don't eat late. I try to eat something small every 3 hours to prevent getting hungry. There are plenty of famous-name diets for weight loss, but none stands out from the pack when it comes to lasting results, a new review suggests. Looking at a dozen clinical trials, researchers found that three big-name diets -- Atkins, Weight Watchers and the Zone -- were all "modestly" effective over the course of a year. In studies that compared the plans head-to-head, people lost anywhere from 4 to 10 pounds, on average. Meanwhile, a fourth commercial diet -- South Beach -- was no better than traditional advice to eat a low-fat diet, the study authors said. And in the few trials that lasted two years -- a...

Seniors and Exercise

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Get active. It's one of the best things you can do for yourself. "Exercise is an antidote to aging," says Barry A. Franklin, PhD, director of the cardiac rehabilitation and exercise labs at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. A well-rounded routine, as part of a healthy lifestyle, may help you avoid things like falls, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Experts say many of the conditions people think are due to getting older have more to do with not moving enough. At any age, these are the types of exercise you want to get: Aerobic: good for your heart and lungs Strength training: good for your muscles and bones Flexibility and balance: helps prevent falls Don't avoid exercise because you're afraid of getting hurt or think it's too late to start. It's a good idea to talk to your doctor for advice before starting a new exercise program. If you have a condition like heart disease, osteoporosis, or arthritis, you may need to tweak your exercise...

Dread The Gym, Your Not The Only One

This is an article from WEBMD, I made a few comments. I posted this because exercise is a big part of losing weight and it's the part most of us don't want to do. You can diet forever and not lose weight, if you aren't burning more calories then you eat. The gym isn't right for everyone but if you're a beginner exercising a gym membership even for a short time can put you in contact with trainers that can workout a plan tailored for you. Want to hit the gym, but can't quite seem to make it there? Your schedule might not be the only reason. If you're feeling bored or self-conscious, afraid of injury, or just plain uncomfortable, there are solutions for all of those. 1. “I’m too heavy for the gym.” Maybe you think that people who go to the gym are already in shape. Not so! The first time I went it was late morning and I thought it was a hangout for Seniors. If you're afraid that people will judge your appearance, “remember that everyone is t...

This is the Best Way to Lose Weight

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I’ve wrote about The Mediterranean Diet several times and I still think it’s the best way to eat. Yesterday I wrote about saturated fats and that minds are changing and that in moderation saturated fats aren’t harmful. Of course, everyone doesn’t go along with that, but most all research shows that the diet or the way people eat in the Mediterranean region of the world could be the healthiest diet. Inspite of body fat, these people have managed to avoid heart disease and any other types of coronary diseases. When your eating a Mediterranean style diet you won’t be counting calories. You’ll be swapping bad fats for good ones like olive oil instead of butter. Fish and poultry instead of red meat. Fresh fruit instead sweet desserts. You’ll be filling up on veggies and beans. You can snack on nuts instead of candy or chips.  The idea is to eat thinks that are nutritious, thinks that add value to your diet.  Stay away from processed foods. Eat real food and not manufactured...

She lost Half Her Body Weight

If you think you can't lose weight, then read about this women who knew she had to change her life. I think everyone has come to that point were they know they have to do something. Before:  268 After:  135 The Lifestyle Andie Mitchell, 29, doesn't remember a time before she lost weight that she wasn't the biggest girl she knew. Growing up, Andie had a bit of a tumultuous childhood. Her father was an alcoholic, and when she was just 12-years-old, he passed away. In times of stress or just boredom, she turned to sugary packaged snacks. In addition to munching when she needed emotional support or something to do, her family didn't emphasize the importance of portion sizes or eating fruits and veggies—and they didn't discourage eating when you're not hungry. "I pretty much ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted," she says. When it came to exercise, Andie attempted to play soccer and lacrosse before heading to college but never stuck with them...

Looking for a Christmas Gift?

It’s almost Christmas and maybe your thinking about gifts. The best thing that’s going to be big this Christmas is a “fitness tracker”. More companies are making these devices this year. To name a few NIKE, TOMTOM, GARMIN and several companies I never heard of. I saw some for $59 that just track your heart-rate in real-time and are water-proof for swimmers to $229 for a do-everything model. I got the one that just does blood pressure for my neighbor. Getting and staying in shape is never an easy task, and a number of companies are hoping that technology will be the solution to customers looking to increase their fitness. While the device can’t do your exercising for you, it can collect data on your activities which may just provide you with the motivation you need to do more. Most people fail at trying to lose weight because they give up. Most people just want to lose weight, they don’t want to do all the work it takes to keep the weight off. That’s where fitness trackers come in. M...