Move Just A Lil' Bit

Do you like to exercise? Many will say yes, but my response is no. I have avoided the gym like the plague; however I have placed activities in my schedule that keeps me active but out of the gym.

Staying Active and  Out of the Gym

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator. This is a great cardiovascular activity and is cheaper than buying an elliptical or stair climbing machine and you can still burn those calories.

• Walk everywhere. I tend to walk a lot. I live in a big city where public transportation can get expensive. Walking is free and can give you a workout. If my destination is in a two mile radius, then I am walking.
• Bike everywhere. My bike has been a great investment. In the city, in most cases, biking is faster than public transportation. I can travel anywhere in the city, free of cost, and also exercise. 
• Clean up the yard. Raking leaves, planting, and mowing the lawn are a few activities I grew up doing. Spending hours outside lifting and moving can be a great way to workout and burn those unwanted calories.
• Exercise while watching television. This is a great idea for people who always find themselves in front of the television. Moving just a little bit from arm circles to lunges is a great way to exercise. Or even challenge yourself during commercials to see how much exercise you can get done before your program resumes.

Exercise can be fun if you make it fun. Experiment with different everyday activities to see what works best for you.

Picture from: http://images.inmagine.com/img/photoalto/paa066/paa066000021.jpg

Blame It On the Food!!

Okay, I admit it. I like to eat. Being a college student, who is constantly busy, I never really have time to prepare food so I tend to eat out quite often; but,there are ways to eat out and still be healthy.

Tips On Eating Out:

• Many menus these days have a lower calorie section on their Menus. For example, Applebees' has a menu specifically for meals under 550 calories.
• Plan your meal beforehand. Many restaurants have their menus online.
• Look at portion sizes. You do not have to finish everything that is on your plate. Or you could always substitute your main dish for an appetizer.
• AVOID THE BUFFET!!

• Source: http://wikiality.wikia.com/All-You-Can-Eat_Buffet
• Also, when choosing your dish avoid meals that are fried or breaded. It is okay to choose the burger over the friend chicken nuggets.
• Do not suffocate your food in condiments such as mayonnaise and heavy dressings. Opt for oil or a vinaigrette dressing.
• As I mentioned in a previous post, water is your friend! Water is the best choice of beverage to have when eating out. Sugary sodas are wasted calories.

• Source: http://przman.com/eat/best-of/more-and-more-reasons-to-cut-back-on-soda/

Facts on Overweight and Obesity

I battled with the bulge starting in junior high school. I never knew that college would push me over the edge into obesity. I gained the freshmen 15 plus 15. Now with campaigns such as Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign, nutrition and exercise can be implemented at an early age.

Obesity Among Young Adults

At my biggest, I weighed 167 pounds. That is a lot for my small 5'2 petite frame. About two thirds of adults, ages and 20 and older, are obese or overweight. Over one third of adults ages 20 and older are obese, according to survey by  the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What Does It Mean to be Overweight or Obese?
According to the National Institutes of Health, "overweight specifically refers to an excessive amount of body weight that may come from muscles, bone, adipose (fat) tissue, and water," and obesity "refers to an excessive amount of adipose tissue."

Overweight and Obesity by Age


Source:http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/



Are Diet Pills Safe?

Personally, I have never tried diet pills, but from what I have read they can be effective in a short-term kind of way. Diet pills were made as a supplement to diet and exercise.

How Do Diet Pills Work?

There are several different types of diet pills. These different types include prescription, over the counter, and herbal pills.

•  Prescription pills are prescribed by doctors and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Over the counter pills are made more readily available by being placed in drug stores and supermarkets. They are also regulated by the FDA. In the past most of these pills have contained  phenylpropanolamine, which they are now seeking to remove.
• Herbal pills can be food in the health food or  nutrition section of a store. The ingredients will read "all natural" on the bottle. They are not considered drugs but as health food products and are regulated differently by the FDA. They are regulated by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

What are the Dangers of Diet Pills?
So like any other pill there are side effects.Side effects can include constipation, cramping, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth. In more serious cases for people who have high blood pressure and heart related diseases, diet pills can increase the rate of a heart attack or cardiac arrest. As with any drug, there is also a risk of dependency.

Friendly Reminder About Taking Pills
As a reminder, there are risks in taking any type of pill. It is recommended to talk to your doctor before taking any type of diet pill. Diet pills are drugs and like any other drugs there can be serious consequences if not taken properly.

Try This Intense P90X Workout

Through a co-worker I recently discovered this intense new workout called the P90X. In only 90 days, there is a guarantee that it will transform your body. They even have a nutrition plan in addition to the work out.

What the P90X Consists Of:

• Twelve Different Types of Workouts
• Chest and Back
• Stretch
• Plyometrics
• Core Synergistics
• Shoulders and Arms
• Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps
• Yoga X
• Back and Biceps
• Legs and Back
• Cardio X
• Kenpo X
• Ab Ripper X
• Three Phase Nutrition Plan
• Fitness Guide
• Calendar
• Tracking Sheets
• Online Support

I will blog about this new intense workout and my experience as I start on the P90X.

Jennifer Hudson Did it the Healthy Way!!

http://weheartit.com/entry/8640481

Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers is a very effective program. Even though I did the program before Jennifer Hudson I like to say that I did the J Hud to get healthy.

How Weight Watchers Works

Weight Watchers is a plan based smaller portions and becoming more active. Their mission is to help individuals lose weight in a healthy way and maintain a healthier lifestyle. The plan is simple. Track what you eat, exercise, and weigh in once a month.

How the Points Work

Weight Watchers has a scientific formula that is computed via a points plus calculator. The points plus formula for food is based off of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and fat. Your points for the day is based off of your weight and age.

Maintaining

Weight Watchers is very effective because it encourages short-term, realistic goals that pushes you to reach your long term goal. The guidelines that you learn through Weight Watchers does not end after weight loss. Weight Watchers has a maintenance program for life time members after they lose weight to reinforce the new lifestyle changes that were taught during weight loss.

http://www.weightwatchers.com/

Welcome

This is my first blog post. I am focusing on healthy weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. From healthy ways of eating to new forms of exercise, individuals can look and feel healthy. Being "healthy" varies from person to person. So look out for new posts on testimonials, weight losss tips, and pictures of people who have successfully lost weight and have maintained healthier lifestyles.