Article: The Science of Set Point at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

I recently listened to a TED Talk that focused on how your brain reacts to weight loss, and learned about the concept of a set point. The article below is an interesting idea on how to reset that point for permanent weight loss. It targets 10% weight loss annually. However, I believe my body effectively reset it's set point even losing more than that across a 6 month period in 2006. I have been able to return to the same lower weight even after two babies within two years!

http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/BIDMCInteractive/BreakThroughYourSetPoint/WeekOneTheScienceofSetPoint.aspx

Reducing Inflammation — The Natural Approach | Women to Women — Transforming women's health — naturally

A nice article on controlling inflammation.

http://www.womentowomen.com/inflammation/reducing-inflammation-the-natural-approach-2/

Allergies, Inflammation and Weight Control

Interesting article on the link between stress, weight, and allergies..

http://www.food-allergy.org/inflammation.html

Food Allergy Treatments for Children Show Promise - NBC News.com

Here's to hoping food allergy treatment becomes proven and available for everyone soon!

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/food-allergy-treatments-children-show-promise-n145971

Strength Training and Weight Loss

Great article on why weight loss requires strength training, even in women and seniors:

http://www.naturalnews.com/011285.html

Exercise and the Brain

So, brawn and brains do go together. A great article, via my grandmother, pointed out that exercise (as well as sleep) can be important to overall intelligence. For a fun read, see:

Buff the Brain

Goal!

I finally hit my goal weight this week. It seemed to just melt off this week - fitting with the intensity of the heat outside. Maybe it baked off on my early evening walks!

Next goal - Shape up a bit more!

BAI, The New BMI

Ever thought that the BMI (Body Mass Index) calculation did not accurately reflect whether you are at a healthy weight? I have definitely felt this way. Now, after 200 years of using BMI, enter BAI (Body Adiposity Index) into the picture. What is "adiposity" you say? The root word, adipose, means "of or relating to animal fat," according to Merriam-Webster (https://www.m-w.com/).

BMI uses a ratio of your height and weight, while BAI your height and hip measurements to calculate whether you are in a healthy range or not. BAI requires advanced math, but, of course, there are already online calculators available. A large study of Mexican-Americans and African Americans have confirmed the calculation to date. Now, other races and ethnic groups are being studied to confirm BAI's accuracy.

And, of course, there is already a BAI app for the iPhone available.

Where we are

I did not quite make it down by 3.5 pounds before my vacation, only .5 pounds. Luckily, I managed not to gain pounds on my vacation. This was probably due to a lot of walking around, running after and carrying my little one, and eating much lighter dinners here and there to balance out very heavy breakfasts and lunches that are traditional.


I am still working on the last few pounds and trying to do things to keep up my energy. It is tough taking care of a little one, working full time, and keeping a home organized! Need a lot of energy!

My current plan is to eat a lot of vitamin rich foods (like veggies), get a little bit more structured exercise, and make sure I am getting enough sleep.

The "New" Food Pyramid

USDA just released a new food pyramid... a plate with a cup. The pyramid is out the window. While there has been criticism already in the news on the new image and guidelines due to their simplicity, I think the new image and guidelines are a step in the right direction. The visual is straight forward and easy to follow.

Some critics have said that it doesn't reflect the actual guidance on how much protein, for example, a person should eat. However, I think that if the US ate anything near the image, we would probably be in a much better place!

Progress...Months Later

So, I just have 3.5 pounds left to lose, down from 12, when I first posted. This is about 1 pound per week to lose before I go on vacation.... Want to get beach body ready!

Motivation Is The Key

Motivation is the key to weight loss. At least for me, it is. So starting out again in a journey to re-lose 12 pounds that I picked up in pregnancy, it is time to reassess my key motivators for being a healthy weight. It is also a great time of the year to do this anyway.

MOTIVATORS
- I feel much more outgoing, perhaps because I spend less time being self-conscious about how I look and what I am wearing, and pay more attention to the people around me.

- I have more energy! It is somewhat contradictory to think that less calories can equal more energy, but for me it does. I know this has a positive impact in multiple areas of my life, including my relationships and my work.

- I want to be a good example to others. I have a Little One and people around me to whom I might be an example, and I want to be a good one.

What are your key motivators?

Long Time No Talk...

Okay, so it has been a long time since I last posted! This is due, in part, to the carrying of and eventual arrival of my Wee One in the fall. One handed typing makes me a little batty, so I have avoided it for the most part since the Wee One was born.

I don't really believe in New Years resolutions, but I do think it is a good time of the year to take a step back and think about where I am and where I want to be in the future.

As far as health goals, I am looking to drop my remaining pregnancy pounds, which are somewhere between 12 and 15. I haven't weighed myself since returning late last night from a vacation, so will need to do that soon to know exactly how many I want to lose. This time around, I will be exploring how to do exercises with a Wee One in tow and now also have to avoid milk products.

Extreme Eating

An article came out today on extreme calorie meals... and I have to admit to eating one of these...

Extreme Eating 2010

Eat Organic: Yet another reason, esp if you have children

Another study came out talking about the harmful side-effects of pesticides in food: increased levels of ADHD.

Study: ADHD Linked to Pesticide Exposure

I try to eat organic as often as possible and will have my little ones do the same someday. The husband participates by default much of the time. Examples of which fruits and veggies are more susceptible to pesticides: The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 of Produce

Food Allergies - Overdiagnosed?

Today there was an interesting article about food allergies, and how they are overdiagnosed. The author provides an interest contrast, by providing examples of when they have been underdiagnosed (single incidents). As a person with multiple food allergies, this is interesting to read, but doesn't make me any more inclined to go back to eating things that I know cause a reaction within a few minutes....

Food Allergy Diagnosis "An Inexact Science"

Week 4!

A: -8.2 (Dang!)
J: -4.6 (Awesome)
Mom: -1 (Keep it off!)
Husband: -5 (Don't let the Super Bowl add it back!)
R: Dropped out. Sad
Me: -4.5
Sis (surprise joiner): -3

Final totals should be rolling in!

Teens with High Cholesterol

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love numbers and national studies. Here is the newest...

CDC: 1 in 5 Teens Has High Cholesterol. Now What?

Week 2 of 5

Weight loss totals for week 2 are starting to roll in. Total weight losses so far since the start of the bet:

J: TBD
R: TBD
A: -.8
Mom: -1
Husband: -0.5
Me: -4.5

Tips for Weight Loss in the New Year

The article, "Getting Healthy Is about More Than Diet, Exercise," provides three tips to help lose weight in the new year:

1) Watch out for the blues

2) Get your sleep

3) Eat greenery

Nice, quick read.