Weighing the Evidence on Exercise (NY Times)

One of the better articles on exercise I've read in some time.

Click on title to view article.

Some Good News - A Case for Those Extra 10 Pounds (Wall Street Journal)

Click on link to view article.

Lorrie & Mai's posts

Hey Lorrie & Mai - Thanks so much for your terrific posts. It's great to hear from you. Lorrie, I'm doing the same as you - journaling daily, exercising daily, trying to keep my calorie intake around 1400 calories a day (1200 is just too low for me). You have a real challenge because of how much you have to travel for work, so give yourself a huge pat on the back that you've maintained a 20 lb weight loss after all this time - that is fantastic. You've already stopped yourself from gaining further, and that's a big deal in and of itself. Please keep us posted. I miss hearing about everyone's little successes, triumphs, set-backs, etc., so please consider posting so we can encourage each other. I was thrilled for Diana when I saw she completed that half-marathon. That was fabulous!

Mai, how is your knee feeling these days? Are you able to walk without pain now? I agree, that DailyMail article with the images of an obese woman and thin woman - and where fat deposits internally, left me horrified. I knew I was putting my health at risk - I just didn't visually 'get' it.

Dieting really CAN harm your health: Slimmers at higher risk of heart disease and cancer

This was a rather interesting article from the point of view of a link between 'dieting', psychological stress, and cortisol levels (hormonal stress indicator). I think there is something that some of us could take away from the general message of this article. I know that trying to stick to 1200 calories has always been a major source of angst for me and triggered binges. 1400 calories seemed to be more manageable for me - but at the expense of slower weight loss.

Click on title to view article.

Should've joined Waiter Watchers! Slimmers who are served food by a fat person are more likely to over-indulge

Forget the table by the window - pick the slim waitress...

Actually, in hindsight, when I went out with friends with weight problems like me, we ate as if it was our last meal. When I went out with thin friends, I was definitely self-conscious about what/how I was eating. So this was kind of interesting. It never occurred to me that there are other environmental

9 Ingredients to Avoid in Processed Foods

Click on title to view article.

Crushed lungs, strained joints and a swollen heart - the extraordinary scans that reveal what being fat does to you (DailyMail.co.uk)

Excellent article from the Daily Mail! I was horrified when I read this article. If your motivation is waning, this is just the ticket...

Click on title to view article at Dailymail.co.uk

17 stone = 238 pounds
  8 stone = 112 pounds

Junk food junkies

More info on those rats addicted to junk food. Basically argues that the process is similar to cocaine or other drug addiction.
As for me, I'm trying again - my addiction isn't so much to junk food (except for those french fries) as just to FOOD.

Regaining!!

Hi Guys,
So it's been awhile since I've been in touch and I'm sorry about that. Been traveling a lot the last few months for work and also pleasure. Life's been good but since the end of October when I reached my all time low weight in recent memory (20 yrs), I have gained 10 lbs of it back!! I am so mad at myself but it just crept back on over these last 6 months. Now I am trying hard to get back to where I was and stop the bleed as they say. I guess the good news is that I am still 20 lbs lower than where I was a year ago when I joined Vtrim so that's good but this is scary to me because I don't want to get back to that size again. Anyone out there have any suggestions? I am back to journaling, counting calories and trying to exercise daily or at least 4 times a week so I hope that will help. Hope you all are doing well. Write if you have a chance.
Lorrie

Great to hear from you guys

Mai - thank you for the wonderful post the other day. Please keep them up. That was very good of you to summarize the journal article for us. I always appreciate your scientific/clinical input.

Lorrie, Diana & Mai - thank you for the terrific e-mails. I will respond to them properly once I come up for air.

Sue - I miss your Weekly Health Focus! Heck, I'd happily settle for Sue's Monthly Health Focus, if time doesn't permit you to keep up with your blog. Will you start it up again? You're such an inspiration for us (as are each of you). Please continue to post here as well, if you find any time.

I have to honestly say that each of you keeps me going, and Diana has been an invaluable support on SparkPeople. Now that I'm focusing on small, manageable goals each day, I feel like I'm finally tackling bad behaviors. For instance, I have had a minimum of 4 servings of fruit and veggies each day this week! Huge behavior change for me.

Cool Website on Goal Setting w/ Worksheets

Found this terrific website on goal-setting. Click on title to visit website. I've clicked on the "Downloads" tab for you and include links to some rather handy goal-setting worksheets for helping you map current, future, and lifetime goals (hence CFL) one step at a time. I particularly like the 5-year goal section. Enjoy!


http://cflgoalsetting.com/wp-content/uploads/CFL-5-Year-Planning-Worksheet.pdf

http://cflgoalsetting.com/wp-content/uploads/CFL-5-Year-Timeline-Worksheet.pdf

http://cflgoalsetting.com/wp-content/uploads/CFL-Goal-Setting-Worksheet.pdf

http://cflgoalsetting.com/wp-content/uploads/Current-Goals-Worksheet.pdf

http://cflgoalsetting.com/wp-content/uploads/CFL-Liftetime-Goals.pdf

Free Goal-Setting Software

Eleven goal setting software tools you can use for free.

I think goal-setting is one of the best things I learned from our class. I've defined specific, measurable goals that I can track daily, and now don't feel so overwhelmed.

Click on title (http://fitpals.blogspot.com) to go to the site and view the various free software titles.

Awesome Yoga DVD!

I just had to tell you about this wonderful yoga DVD. I own all kinds of yoga DVDs and am generally pleased with all of them, but this one really stands out if you're looking to do some intense, energizing yoga on a tight schedule. This DVD by Shiva Rea (click on the title or image to go to the DVD on Amazon.com) has seven 20-minute practices, as well as 40+ minutes yoga practices. I find these 20-minute sessions to be intense but feel wonderful. Literally works all the kinks, aches, and pains out of my stiff body. If you're looking for a good yoga DVD but are short on time or can't decide what title to choose, give this one a try. Bliss...

What It Takes To Fight Obesity (NY Times)

Click on title to view NY Times Room For Debate blog on the topic.

URL may not work in the e-mail. If not, click on http://fitpals.blogspot.com to go to article.