Saturday, August 31, 2013

Cancer-The Final Frontier

We are on the verge of conquering cancer in our lifetime. Years ago, cancer was a death sentence without hope of recovery. Today, thanks to stem-cell research we are aggressively finding ways to fight cancer and expand our lives. Although we have a long way to go, we are beating cancer through diet, exercise and mental attitude and winning the war.

Fighting cancer is a war. Our battles will last a lifetime in the continuing effort to annihilate the deadliest disease known to man. There are so many cancers that affect the human body, but we are surgically  destroying the disease, one cancer at a time. We are finding, researching and building cancer fighting properties within our own bodies.

Years ago we didn't know the specifics of cancers. The causes, the cures, the treatments, etc., were just a prolonging treatment for an incurable disease. In the 60s there was only one cause for cancer-smoking. We never thought of diet and nutrition, or even a sedentary lifestyle as a cause for cancer.

We have come a long way, baby!

Today we  know how to fight the battle but we must heed to the warnings. Some still don't listen. The ways to reduce cancer risks are out there, but many don't listen. I see them all the time. The smokers, those who don't exercise and those who eat the wrong foods are a high risk time bomb.

My personal experience has been that people will smoke while undergoing chemotherapy and blame chemo for their death. Really? Accept for heredity and lifestyle, cancer can be controlled or prevented.

It is sad that what we do in our youth will become a mantra to pay the piper in our life at a later age.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Carbohydrates-The Good and The Bad

When it comes to nutrition, carbohydrates are probably the most misunderstood. Some feel that eliminating all carbs will lead to healthier nutrition. Not true. We require carbs for anything from weight loss to energy to overall nutrition. What we need to do is distinguish between the good carbs that we require and the bad carbs that can have an adverse effect on our overall health.

The good of the carbs is the fiber and the bad of carbohydrates is refined sugar. Not SUGAR, but refined or processed sugar. Learn more about carbohydrates and you'll find their importance to your nutrition.

Fiber is your friend because it tends to 'move' things along in your body. Sugars are great for energy. The bad sugars spike you and drop you while the good sugars give you sustained energy that lasts rather than resulting in a 'crash' where your energy is short-lived.

Of course in today's world you have to take in considerations such as if you are allergic to gluten or are a diabetic, to find the good carbs for you. Diabetics can learn more here.

By learning the good carbs, we can reap the benefits we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The bad carbs can destroy us by making us gain weight and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Bad carbs can be addicting, because bad foods are tasty and make us crave them. That is why we need to educate ourselves on the carbohydrates issue.

I have stated elsewhere that carbs with more fiber than sugars are the best, but then you get into simple vs. complex carbs. Since the more you know the more empowered you will become, here's more.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Killing Fields

In case you missed it, the American Medical Association(AMA) has classified obesity as disease. Although many welcome the news, it still is not without controversy. I believe obesity is more of an epidemic. We all know that smoking will lead to problems in life, but we don't seem to be getting the message when it comes to obesity.

In a new study, loneliness is deadly. Social isolation is deadlier than obesity. Though there are no simple answers, there are things one can do to beat social isolation. Here's more advice.

Basically an unhealthy lifestyle will lead us to our graves. There are too many variables that are the  causes of an unhealthy lifestyle, but it has to do with our nutrition, fitness and vices.

Friday, August 23, 2013

The Island

A failure to any health regiment comes to those who go at it alone. Aside from the fact that one can fail, there is also the danger of getting hurt. It is to your benefit to be safe and involve others in your fitness quest.

Many tend to go at it alone and not see a doctor regularly. I saw a man who didn't believe in doctors and when it came to his overall health, he went at it alone. He took his supplements, ate healthy, and was at the gym everyday for hours. You might say he was a health nut who was obsessed with exercising. He died in the gym, while exercising. Without a doctor, he wasn't aware of any real underlying health issues.

A danger that doesn't seem to hit home judging by the usage is people using pre-workout supplements containing DMAA. I don't doubt that in most workout and sports competitions where someone dies, a pre-workout supplement containing DMAA was involved.

Of course sometimes you have no choice but to go at it alone. But in any case, be safe!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The Unhealthy Lifestyle

Some people have suicidal tendencies and don't realize it because it takes a lifetime, rather than an instant planning, to get there. If you aren't maintaining your health or doing everything you can to optimize your health, then you are slowly committing suicide. I can't count how many times people I've known are diagnosed with cancer and continue to smoke until they die. Sad, but true.

My argument is to do everything you can to change your lifestyle NOW while you are still breathing. When I was told that I had cancer, I quit smoking, cold turkey! I was up to 3 PACKS A DAY. I had wanted to quit, but couldn't. I was sick of the morning coughing outbursts and the fact that my tongue felt like it was a rug. The life and death situation was a game changer. I quit and never went back.

As far as my nutrition, I ate junk with the occasional healthy salad. I lived on cold cuts and put 4 teaspoons of sugar in each of my cups of coffee. I'd eat at least a loaf of Italian bread a day, you know, the one from the Italian bakery that isn't found on the Mediterranean Diet.

In a Seinfeld episode, George ponders the question that if everything he did so far is wrong, then the opposite must be right or true. Perhaps I'm not quoting it, but you get the jest of it. That is where you might see what occurred in my life.

The season of State Fairs are in full swing, and you have been literally WARNED! When it comes to the foods, make no mistake, health is far and in between. I've seen or heard of everything from deep-fried pickles to deep-fried ice cream, but face the facts, the foods at State Fairs are suicidal in nature. Eat at your own risk.

The best way to live an unhealthy lifestyle is to sit and do nothing. Unhealthy lifestyles are on the rise. It is almost as if people take good health for granted. So now it is time to turn an unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy one!

Achieving your health goals is only as hard as you make it. Sure you require a bit of commitment and will power, but it is as easy as you want it to be. Change is in your hands.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

The Price Of Health

I have this preconceived notion that we are in youth.becoming a healthier society than we were 20 years ago. After all, I wasn't in the best of shape back then and feel I've come along way to get where I am today. Now I found out that obesity is on the increase. As many of us know, obesity leads to other ailments and diseases.

This is why people must start embracing a healthy lifestyle and doing what they can to get active. Most know the benefits of physical activity, but we can all learn something. The major obstacles in exercising is getting started and staying with it. Here are some tips.

The American Heart Association makes recommendations for adult activity. The important thing is to get moving. You can also track your progress.

Here are AHA's links to lead a healthy lifestyle. With obesity on the rise, there is cause for concern since healthcare will be on the rise. If you add smoking and inactivity, one will see their health deteriorate fast. And problems aren't starting at middle age, but rather are increasing at a younger age.

Smoking has been talked to death...literally! Smokers rationalize, deceive, lie, and even find ways to smoke where they aren't allowed. Many smokers have tried everything to quit. From cold turkey to hypnosis, and everything in between, and most go back to the cigarettes. I'm going to keep it simple-one can't quit, unless one WANTS to quit.

There is so much that must be changed nutrition wise for a healthy diet. We have to change what we eat and how we eat. Nutrition is another area that one has to find their niche as to what works for them. It would depend on where you are now and what you want to become. If you give your body the right fuel, everything else will eventually fall into place. Perhaps a topic in upcoming entries, but here are some healthy recipes.

The price of health is costly in that it requires commitment and it takes a lifetime. One area will affect the other eventually. It's OK to fall back, just don't stay there because it gets tougher to get back with age. It gets tougher to splurge during holidays and special events and lose the extra weight as you get older.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Coffee Bi-Polar Dilemma

Besides what we hear about wine that is healthy, not healthy, healthy, not healthy, etc., for you, coffee has to be the King of the on again/off again health issues. Coffee has been linked to possibly fighting Alzheimer's, You can Google all the benefits of coffee, but still you do have the negatives about coffee.

The key to the benefits of coffee is moderation. The limit is 2 cups a day, but more than four, may present a problem. Too much coffee might make you blind. That study declares more than three might cause this problem.

Many of us would say that we do keep it at 2 or 3 cups a day. If these cups come from a coffee specialty store, you can double the servings(and the calories!). Your beverages and food might contain caffeine, which may give you a false sense of the bigger picture.

Medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may contain caffeine, especially weight loss and appetite suppressant. When it comes to anything healthy, moderation is the key.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Troubleshooting For Your Health

When it comes to our overall health, if we are not reaching our goals, we are possibly doing something wrong. Sometimes we may think we are doing the right things, when in reality, we ourselves are sabotaging our efforts. If we think we are eating right, taking our medications, exercising, yet our cholesterol is still high, maybe we are doing something wrong. Get to know high cholesterol foods.

When it comes to losing weight, different things work for different people. The word "diet" should be used to mean our nutrition rather than being used to mean weight loss. Then there are things that work universally but you have to find your niche.

If you want to live long and healthy, there may be things beyond your control. There's a Longevity Checklist to see if there is anything you can change.

Trouble with your overall relationship with other folks? Maybe you should sharpen your people skills. If you're feeling down in the dumps, try these natural mood boosters.

Nothing can ruin a healthy lifestyle like losing sleep. If that sleeping pill isn't working, don't eat high fat foods before you take it. Ideally you should go to bed on an empty stomach.





Sunday, August 11, 2013

Easy Fitness Tips

I really can't say enough about exercising, but it's one of those topics that either you got it in you to do it and stick with it, or you don't. Then there are those who talk about starting someday, and you even have those who sign a contract at a gym and never show up. Exercise is essential and an intense workout at least 3 times a week is needed.

One needs to find the motivation to exercise and to not let the flame go out. Some join gyms and some buy home exercising equipment, but without motivation, neither one will give you your moneys worth. One of the biggest problems with beginners that makes them quit is overtraining. This can also keep veterans away from exercising for months, because they overdo it. Overtraining can also be dangerous to your health.


If you want to burn calories, the intensity of the exercise is what matters. Here are 15 ways to burn 150 calories. If I plan on doing nothing else, I will take the stairs to the 15th floor to my apartment. How about a stretch and tone workout?

Keep in mind that you really don't need a gym to workout. The cost for equipment is affordable. Sometimes all it takes is a couple of dumbbells and 15 minutes to build muscle and strength. Although most people exercise for their outer appearance, we must not forget to exercise for our heart.

The ideal lifestyle is to exercise everyday but to lower the intensity. Three days a week should have weight training. Cardio should be done daily with maximum, moderate, and low intensity alternating days. Eventually our routine should be to maintain our muscles and organs. This comes as we age, where our body has peaked, and the main concern becomes to maintain ourselves.



Saturday, August 10, 2013

Health Journal 2

Welcome to Health Journal 2.

If you want to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight, have I got a couple of sites with tools you need. Consider these your texts and workbooks of a healthy lifestyle. I hope you joined My Well-Being and are waiting for, or downloaded, the Well-Being for Dummies book. It is loaded with useful information on My Well-Being's 4 stages of a healthy lifestyle.

Here is a site loaded with information and tools to live healthy. It has a BMI Calculator, a Food Exchange List, a Food and Activity Journal and I haven't even touched the surface. You're probably going to need a BMR Calculator to go with your other toys!

When it comes to the impact of exercise, long, slow workouts are better than short, intense ones. It's better to move all day rather than a couple of times a day.

You should learn to eat seasonal to help your body adjust to the changes. Get to know the seasonal healthy foods. You should find a way to eat healthy.

You can't say enough about boosting your mood. Here are six ways to boost it quick. It's the little things that help you find happiness. Of course there are foods and food preparation that can make you happy.  And don't forget exercise or any activity as a mood booster.

Lets not forget the importance of our brains. Start by giving it the proper nutrition it needs to stay healthy. Saturated Fats, not only clog the arteries, but can also hurt the brain. Time to learn the good and bad when it comes to fats. Sounds repetitive but brain health is important. Your brain's best diet!

In health news, due to a computer glitch smokers will not be forced to pay higher insurance premiums. This means that we can expect insurance rates to skyrocket even higher for the rest, including the healthy.

People are living past 90 and their functions are improving. You can read more here.

The battle of the sexes has men as the winners when it comes to weight loss. Women don't despair and try these solutions.

Here are some strange but true health tips.

How far will you go to train? Are you so advance that you can go until you are exhausted?  If done right, Crossfit may have extreme results as gymnastics meets Olympic weightlifting. But beware of the downfalls!

Finally, Don't be a Biggest Loser. It seems the show is sending a wrong message and can be dangerous.







Friday, August 9, 2013

A Body In Motion

Remaining active and exercising is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. We tend to become obese when we take in fuel(food) and don't convert it to energy(exercise or movement). Sitting around doing nothing will guarantee extra weight.

Exercise gets hard during the hot, humid summer days, because you really don't feel like exercising and don't need the extra sweat. Well there are ways to stay active. The key is do something, even if you have to find air conditioning.

Maybe you want to find out how fit you really are. Take these tests. You will get an idea where your level of fitness is and what needs to be improved.

Many people are using personal trainers that can range from free with a gym membership to over a hundred dollars an hour. If you need one try My Home Personal Trainer. It's online and free. Here's how to become Fab with just 15 minutes a day.

If you are trying to build muscle, here are some tricks to use.

When it comes to exercise you need to find your niche. You do this through trial and error, and change the routine each month to keep challenging your muscles.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

The Forgotten Essential

Although it is the foundation to living a healthy lifestyle, exercise and fitness are often put on the sidelines. The truth is that at least an hour of movement a day is required. At least 20 minutes should be an exercise. We need more verbs to occupy our life or all our health will go downhill quickly.

In our exercise routines, we are not created equal. Women won't get the benefits from men's workouts. Cut it any way you want or can, but movement is essential, especially in exercise. I usually wait until after Christmas to give my opinion on those about to be broken New Year's Resolution. As far as gyms, most are crowded until February!

Would you workout if you got paid? I believe people would dig a tunnel to China if you paid them. Well here's a chance to put your money where your mouth is. Don't workout you pay. Workout and get paid!

Need fitness programs? I have you covered, even without a gym. I also give you foods for your workouts.

The Bottom Line is that exercise is a requirement and procrastination is not an option. I move as much as I can. I try to go to the gym for weight training at least 3 times a week. I take the stairs most of the time. I try to walk at least 10000 steps a day.

Since exercise is a necessity, it will come up from time to time. I may blog about nutrition and even foods that burn calories, but we require exercise. We need muscle to keep us strong and prevent falls and broken bones as we age.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

The Longevity Of Your Long Life

Is it possible to live to be 100? Your odds are better today than they ever were. The stopper is your diet and lifestyle for the most part. If you smoke, drink heavily, use recreational drugs, have unsafe sex, eat unhealthy, and well you get the message that there are lifestyles that shorten your life.

To look for longevity, one must go where people live long and how they get there. Lets go to Okinawa. We may as well give the statistics to Japan to which Okinawa is a part. Still there is proof that the diet and lifestyle really work. The key is the weight and BMI that comes from healthy eating.

I'm not crazy about tofu or soy so it is out. Although I will not drink cow milk, I have 4 oz. of yogurt daily and cheese occasionally. I also from time to time drink goat's milk.

We really can't change our genes and if our parents didn't give us longevity, we must live as healthy as we can until our death. And there are more than one way to beat the odds. Even Dr. Oz gives a prescription to longevity.

Don't confuse the Okinawa diet with a Calorie Restriction Diet which is more harmful than helpful. You want calories coming from the right foods. Case in point. Just be aware that a real longevity diet may not exist.

Keep in mind that genes and environment may play a role. If people live longest in Japan, it is possibly due to parents passing on their genes to their progeny. What they consume is possibly abundant and fresh in their country. What works for them, may or may not work for you, but that doesn't mean that there won't be benefits and it couldn't hurt. It is yet a step up in your healthy lifestyle goals.



Thursday, August 1, 2013

Savy Supermarket Health Shopper

Although we try to buy our fruits and vegetables from a farmers' market, the growing season is limited in some areas. Lets face it, we all buy our foods and produce at the supermarkets. If you've adopted a healthy lifestyle it will  pay to know how to shop and what to avoid.

The first thing to remember is to shop the perimeter, among other things, because that's where the healthier foods are. That's where you have your produce, meats and dairy. The other aisles should be limited to a few items. Play the interactive Supermarket Game, and learn the importance of healthy eating and shopping.

The food label continues to be a mystery to most people. If your still confused then play the Food Label Game. I guess it wouldn't be complete unless you know your food portions.

The best thing to do when you go grocery shopping is to shop with a full stomach to avoid impulse buying. You should always have a shopping list that fits your needs. Try this one or this one or maybe this one and this one.

Now all you need are recipes.