Vegas Baby!
Two and half days in Vegas. Never considered myself the Las Vegas conventioneer type, but here I am, name tag and all. SWH generously said ‘yes’ when I asked to attend the Blog World Expo. It’s all in an effort to learn how to reach more women with our edu-taining health information. Continue Reading »
The conveniently compact word “stress” seems to be all encompassing in my life these days - meeting deadlines at work, being forced to show my not-so-brut-strength in the gym, keeping the house clean, making sure my husband and I get time together, and trying to keep up with all of the birthday and dinner parties with friends and family.
Did I forget to mention that I have two children, a 4-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy? For anyone who cares for this age regularly, have sympathy on me. As much as I love them, they are the most constant stress in my life these days. I mean, do the terrible twos ever go away? Continue Reading »
Food.
I love the colors, textures, flavors, cultures and aromas that permeate from my plate. If I was in 2nd grade, my class mates would shout, “Why don’t you marry it?!” The whole thing is that if I caved into my love for food I would gain weight and feel miserable. I don’t know about you, but tight pants really ruin my day! So with the help of www.speakingofwomenshealth.com and its experts I have concocted a plan to help me make smarter choices with food.
Instead of using an “ugly” word like diet, I’ve decided to replace the term with “flex your food.” Now, I’m not suggesting that you bench-press your sandwich or curl your carrots. I’m merely spinning off of the idea that you can have anything you want as long as it’s in moderation. Here is the break down:
For instance, my boyfriend can order half the menu and still be hungry. I’d be a fool in trying to keep up with his appetite! Did I mention I can pinch the skin of his bones?! Jealous! His meal always seems so appetizing, but I must adjust. Here is an example of how I “replace” and “save” when I order a meal:
| What he orders | How I “flex” my food |
| 25 oz. Porterhouse | Replace with the smallest and leanest portion of protein on the menu. |
| Loaded baked potato | Replace with steamed vegetables. Hold the butter. |
| 5 pieces of bread with butter | Keep the bread. I’m saving room for the good stuff! |
| Salad with extra croutons and ranch | Replace the dressing with lemon or an olive oil based dressing full of good fats. |
| Dessert | Keep my dessert and give me a fork… I’ll take a couple bites of his! |
The reality is that we need to be able to “flex food” because as women we are busy, stressed and we worry immensely about our bodies. So take the time to feel confident and satisfied about your decisions with food. I did!
Cheers!
Megan
1. Eat together. Kids eat better when they participate in preparation.
2. Limit eating out to twice weekly.
3. Keep healthy snacks available, packaged and on the most accessible shelf of the refrigerator.
4. Eat a healthy breakfast. Skipping breakfast decreases calorie burning and increases intake later in the day.
5. Make eating health a family project.
6. Get 30 minutes of vigorous exercise three times per week.
7. Get at least an hour of light activity per day.
8. Limit ‘screen time’ including computer and video games, television, etc. to two hours per day or less.
9. Get no calories from drinks other than skim milk and make sure you drink plenty of water.
10. Eat five fruit or vegetables servings per day.
1. Make healthy nutrition a priority.
2. Nutrition habits start at a young age.
3. Nutritional choices your child makes today will affect their health as an adult.
4. Your child is always watching. Please set a good example!
5. Even though you may not like a vegetable, your child still may!
6. Plan out a weekly or monthly menu.
7. Have a food bag or cooler and stash in the vehicle for the week. That way you always have healthy snacks available.
8. Even though your child may not like a food the first time it does not mean they won’t like it the tenth time.
9. Put foods on different plates, colors and shapes if you have a picky eater.
10. NEVER give up on trying to provide healthy foods and developing good habits. You truly are affecting their future.
Stress-induced over-eating is a major cause of weight gain and obesity.
THE FACTS
FACT #1.
Habitually using food to cope with emotional pain and stress leads to a vicious cycle. Excess calories are consumed when medicating with “comfort foods” such as cake, cookies, candy or ice cream. It is a nutritional science fact that food affects the brain’s synthesis of certain natural chemicals and these chemicals have a stabilizing effect on mood. Continue Reading »
So what can I say about stress that has not already been said? Everyone experiences it. Even if you don’t manage a career, spouse, children, dogs, cats and a pet rodent or two – let alone just try to have some periodic fun – if you’re human, you’ll feel stressed once in a while.
So I guess I’ll speak to the single women out there who feel stress even without the above mentioned load.
Oh yes, single women can feel stressed. And here’s the kicker – we feel guilty about it. How’s that for a double whammy of self-inflicted emotional discomfort? I’m sure others look at me and think, “Why should she feel stressed? She has nothing to think about.” Well that’s true to a short extent. My list of stressful activities pales in comparison to my counterparts with families. Off the top of my head I have: Continue Reading »
Most common greeting: “How are you doing?”
Most common response:
“I’m stressed out.”
In April I purchased my first home. While still moving and renovating I started dating a wonderful man. In the middle of my relationship and home repair bliss, my career takes off and I go back to school. Since summer is in full swing, all my friends are having babies, picnics, birthdays, weddings and parties, and I can’t miss not one! The point is, I’m 26 and almost every minute of my life reflects responsibility.
So, how am I doing? Continue Reading »
By Michael F. Roizen
Co-Author of: YOU Staying Young. The Owner’s Manual For Extending Your Warranty (Free Press) and YOU: The Owners Manual, Updated and Expanded (Harper Collins, released May 2008).
Our basic premise is that your body is amazing: You get a do over: it doesn’t take that long, and isn’t that hard if you know what to do. In these blogs we hope to give you a short course in what to do so it becomes easy for you to do it and then to teach others. We want you to know how much control you have over your quality and length of life. But many women make excuses for not making healthy choices. I’m too busy, the kid’s need more attention; yes we know you are busy, but taking time for yourself is showing love for those you love and who love you. Continue Reading »
