Regardless of how committed we are to a particular diet or healthy eating program, we always have to leave room for occasional guilty pleasures. Try to focus on the “pleasure” part a guilty pleasures. If you’re going to over indulge, at least enjoy every moment and savor every bite of your indulgence.
See my tips for avoiding overeating guilt at my Choose You blog post – How To Mix Weight-Loss with Guilty Pleasures
How Much Is Your Life Worth? Even with insurance you may be unable to afford cancer treatment.
There is never a good time to find out you have cancer, but now may prove to be the worst time. With the economy and health care crisis making day to day life more costly for many Americans, a cancer diagnosis can be financially devastating. At the exact time a cancer patient needs to find the strength to fight for their life, they now need to worry just as much about whether or not they can afford treatment. There’s just something fundamentally wrong with that.
From Kalamazoo Gazette – Health care bill helps, but medical costs still sickening…
The American Cancer Society has released the results of a recent survey that indicates nearly half of cancer patients under age 65 have had difficulty paying for health care costs such as health insurance premiums, co-pays and prescription drugs in the past two years, and that one-third of those currently in active cancer treatment have put off some type of health care in the past year.
Other findings:
- One in three cancer patients under age 65 struggles to pay for basic necessities — such as food, heat and housing — and other bills in the past two years.
- One in five has used up all or most of savings.
What I find even more despicable, is how insured patients are being denied the most cutting edge treatments because their insurance carriers think they are too expensive.
Last week, we heard that Gwyneth Paltrow was diagnosed with osteopenia (a precursor to osteoporosis).
Osteopenia is the term used for bone density that falls somewhere between less than normal and osteoporosis. People with osteopenia have a greater chance of developing osteporosis, a bone disease which leads to an increased risk of fractures.
Paltrow was told by her doctors that her vitamin D levels were extremely low. Because vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium into our bones, a vitamin D deficiency is the likely cause of her early diagnosis of osteopenia. Many people are wondering if Paltrow’s strict dieting habits (she is an 11-year follower of the macrobiotic diet) could be partially responsible for her current condition. She has now been put on prescription strength vitamin D to hopefully aid in her calcium absorption and prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
What is even more important than sunscreen and eating healthy in the summer?
Answer: Staying hydrated.
Our bodies are made up of about 65% water, and in the summer we are constantly being depleted of it. On a hot summer day, it doesn’t take long for dehydration to set in, and that can quickly become dangerous (even deadly).
Ironically, the summer is also a time when people are less likely to realize they are becoming dehydrated. We find ourselves frolicking on the beach or enjoying a day at the amusement park, and we totally forget about stopping to hydrate.
The best way to prevent yourself and family from suffering the harmful effects of dehydration is to plan ahead, especially if you will be away from your home.
Here’s what I do when I’m planning a day at the beach with my kids…
Is it possible to get a good workout in your swimming pool? Yes.
Swimming and exercising in a pool is not only beneficial for your body, but it’s fun too. And when it’s too hot for your regular exercise routine, swimming is just the thing to keep you cool while still burning calories. For years I’ve been frustrated because I could never find a workout that didn’t exacerbate one of my many chronic health problems. But doctors have always recommend swimming, and now I am finally going to give it a try.
Here are a few swimming and aqua fitness facts…
Unlike other exercise regimens, swimming is something just about all of us can do. It’s low impact, easy on your back, and great for rehabbing after joint surgeries. Even with asthma and chronic fatigue syndrome, all of my doctors recommend swimming for the cardiac health benefits.
You’ve probably seen flavored waters in your supermarket, and if you don’t like the taste of plain water these are a nice alternative. But even better, try making your own “infused” water. It’s easy, inexpensive, and looks beautiful.
Start by rinsing any fruits or herbs you plan on using thoroughly. Then cut the fruit into large slices or thin wedges. Any small berries or mint leaves can be left whole.
Place your chosen fruits into a pitcher of cold water. Cover and chill for at least two hours.
Here are a few ideas, but basically you can use any fruit you love in any combination.
My favorite is watermelon. I just put a cube of watermelon in a tall glass of ice water, and in less than an hour the water has taken on the flavor of the watermelon. It’s delicious.
Most of the time when we read about diet and weight-loss success stories, we hear how “easy” it was and how “anyone” can do it. But the reality is, for most of us, it’s far from easy. In fact sometimes it’s so not easy that we just give up. Believe me, I get it. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve worked hard at eating healthy or exercising with little to no results.
Of course, I’m still inspired when I hear success stories of women like Valerie Bertinelli and Marie Osmond. But what do we do when we are giving it all we got, and we are still not getting the results we’re looking for?
Should we throw in the towel? Consider ourselves a failure? Give up?
No, absolutely not.
Rather than looking at where we’ve gone wrong and just giving-up, it’s time to look at what we’ve done right. That’s what I’ve been trying to do. Instead of focusing on the fact that I haven’t lost any weight in the last six weeks (even though I’ve been eating healthy), I’m trying to focus on the positive…And you can do it too.
For me, it all started in May, when I decided to get serious about making healthy lifestyle changes. Not just because I want to lose weight, but also because I know it will make a difference in my overall health and wellness. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make all the changes I wanted to over night, but I did want to make the commitment to gradually eliminate the unhealthy foods from my diet, while incorporating more nutritious foods.
And now I find myself in the classic half-full or half-empty mark in my healthy eating plan. I can choose to see my plan as half-empty, because I haven’t even lost one pound yet. Or I can choose to see my plan as half-full, because I have had success in eating healthier foods and avoiding sugar. In other words, I can choose to feel good about myself, or choose to feel like a failure. It’s totally up to me. And I’ve decided to try something new, and “choose” to feel good about myself and take a closer look at all the ways I’ve been successful.
Are there summer foods and drinks that can help you stick to your diet and fitness plan? Yes.
The summer is a great time for eating healthy, you just need to remember two things.
One…Which foods are already healthy?
And two…What foods can you make healthier?
Here are some of my favorite healthy foods that might even help you lose some weight and stick to your diet this summer.
Let’s start with keeping cool and well hydrated.
Water.
It’s so important to always stay hydrated and drink enough water (especially in the summer). Here are five ways to make water more palatable and festive for hot summer days.
When water just isn’t enough.
Here are some of my favorite healthy summer foods and how I like to prepare them.
My name is Catherine Morgan...I'm a writer, nurse, and mother. I'm also a contributing editor for BlogHer Health & Wellness.
Welcome to my blog...I write a little bit of everything with an emphasis on healthy living, inspiration, nutrition, and health news. I hope you'll find topics that interest you here, and I would love to know what you think in comments. Thanks for stopping by.
