Daily Red Meat Consumption

A new study came out that indicates that daily red meat consumption increases a person's chance of death. The study also indicates that eating white meat (chicken, fish) has lower chances of death. Some of the articles on the same study suggest eating lentils or other legumes, which appear to the have the opposite affect, instead of meat.

Want to Live Longer? Cut Back on Red Meat

Mom Won the Bet!

In Summary:

Mom lost a whopping 11.5 pounds since we started the bet and increased the duration and consistency of her workouts each week. Go mom!

I lost a respectable 4 pounds total, but ... did not nearly reach my goal, so I will have to pony up the dough. The bet definitely made me be better about exercising when I travel and was fun. Would recommend it, even to those who lose.

My mom is now urging other members of the family to get healthy, too, and she is setting a great example! She is going to continue losing weight over the next few months, so I will keep track of her on my blog.

Men vs. Women in Weight Loss

There is a nice summary of differences between men and women in dieting, and what they can learn from each other in Newsweek.

Why Guys Diet Differently

The summary includes that men tend to lose weight better through competitions and can say "no" to trouble foods more easily. Women are smarter about nutrition.

It Is The Calories, Stupid!

A new study came out on the effectiveness of various weight loss regimens. The conclusion is that multiple types of diets can work, so long as the dieter watches their calories. I didn't find this study particularly profound, but it does go to show that there are different diets that can work for individuals and their personal preferences.

In 4-Diet Study, All Lost Weight if They Watched Their Calories

Shooting for the Stars

My mom is definitely ignoring the moon and is shooting for the stars. She hit 10 pounds of weight loss today! Congrats, mom! You rock! She has even kicked her exercise up another notch. Wow!

My mom has decided now to keep on going and to try to match me on losing 1 pound per week for the 5 weeks of March. I have 5 pounds left, having dropped a pound last week. I won't have a weigh-in for another two weeks or so, because I am traveling (even through the weekends) for the next week and a half.

Some Catching Up to Do

There are 5 weeks left in our bet, and I have 6 pounds go to. My mom has only 3.5 pounds left. I have some catching up to do.

Overall, my mom and I have been stymied in our weight loss for the last two weeks. She, however, has been kicking up the exercise a notch and may come in with a super drop surprise at some point soon.

A cold got me down last week, but I am feeling better this week and walked for over an hour yesterday and today, and did some strength training. My mother reported that she has started to even throw a little bit of running into her exercise. Go, Mom!

Not the Best Week

Last week mom stayed steady. She had the flu, unfortunately.

I went up 1.5 pounds. Yikes. I did get in my exercise.

I am starting this week off on a much better foot and am rapidly hoping to turn things around. :)