Showing posts with label obesity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obesity. Show all posts

Random Thoughts II

New York...this one is for you!


My city is one hell of a town. In an effort to clean out one of my mailboxes, I stumbled onto this article. I had to laugh, as I remember one of my friends telling me, the day before yesterday, that they still sell sodas and the like in vendor machines at her son's public school. Gotta love it.

OBESITY AND DIABETES RISING FASTER IN NYC THAN NATIONALLY

New York City Adults Gained More than 10 Million Pounds over a Two-Year Period;
Empty Calories from Soda and Other Sugary Drinks Contribute to City’s Obesity Epidemic


...sorry. I forgot to mention...this article was done in March.

I have a couple of quick remedies to help you curb your sugar cravings. I won't lie...I have a chocolate craving myself. Although I am gaining new insight as to why I have these cravings (I will share with you very soon ), I now substitute my sugar cravings for something more organic...organic chocolate is so good!! hehe

This doesn't mean that I have to cut out chocolate totally. Of course not. All I have to do is cut it down to a level where I will not feel its effects. For me, those effects vary...especially around the time of my menses (PMS or PMDD...whatever it is today, it's the worst ). It's the same for you. If you realize that you drink too much soda or other sugary drinks (including flavored water and fruit juice), then do an elimination diet. For one week, take in 50% less of your average sugar intake. That means cut your candy consumption, snapple consumption, and other sugary foods/drinks (including fruit juice) by half. No soda for one week. Drink water and lemon water (real lemon squeezed in water....people don't realize how bad High Fructose Corn Syrup is!) for this week. Add Stevia instead of regular sugar or sugar substitutes (even worse than regular sugar) if and when you can. Then after that week, go back to your weekly routine. Notice the difference. I guarantee you, you will realize that you felt a lot better after doing that...maybe lost a pound or two.

Don't worry....I will get into this deeper as time permits. I have a lot to cover and I know you're patiently waiting to hear what I have to say in regards to meditation and Tai Chi. I'm getting there. Today is the first day of a long cycle (women should understand what I'm saying wink) but I'm focused and ready to get this out to you. I just need to make sure that what is in my mind/heart/soul can transfer to paper in the manner it needs to. My research is extensive, as there is so much information to cover.

Count on me.
Stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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Random Thoughts I

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooo UK!

I created this blog called "Random Thoughts" to introduce ideas, concepts, and articles that are not on my "schedule" but do seem important and relevant. I will include some "Movements" in the Random Thoughts but overall, I think it's going to be a treat for you.

Before I begin with my random thoughts, I wanted to mention the latest Movement for me:


I GRADUATED FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR INTEGRATIVE NUTRITION!!

I graduated this past Sunday and I am so happy I made it! My mom has my IIN certification but once I get my certification from Columbia University, I'm going on an "Award Tour," showing it off to everyone I can. So now you can call me Drea Downes, CHHC AADP (or if you want to chuckle, SeeLaHSeeSYou, CHHC AADP).

I am so excited and can't wait to "take over the world!" Before finding Pinky (cuz you know I'm The Brain ), I have a lot in the works. As soon as I get it together, you will be the first to know (ok...my mom might be the first to know but you get my drift ).

In other news, my proofreader is going on vacation, to Germany. I don't know how you feel about that but I'm a little bit bummed. Two weeks and no proofreader. It's ok! I have another person in mind and I'm sure she will take care of me while my proofreader is gone. So that's good news for you, since you don't have to wait another 2 weeks (or years...doesn't it seem that long sometimes? ) for a blog. I just sent her my goodbyes and I really hope she enjoys herself while away.

So without further ado, here are some "random thoughts" I was talking about. The first article is what I will call a "bittersweet comfort:"


http://www.theage.com.au/national/nine-million-australians-are-a-ticking-fat-bomb-20080619-2tjv.html

Apparently, Australia is now the "fattest nation in the world." It's nice to know that America is not at the top of the list anymore but since I don't like the word 'fat,' it's really sad to know that so many people in a small amount of space (when compared to the size of the US) are at risk for dis-eases and ailments that can potentially kill them.

As I was passing this around the "camp fire" (aka my workplace), a co-worker then sent me this article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/world/asia/13fat.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=japan+metabo&st=nyt&oref=slogin


The good news is that Japan is actually doing something in the "battle of the bulge" but it's still sad because they are doing it for profit and not for ensuring healthy citizens. Basically, it's a good intention and a good idea but done for all the wrong reasons.

Understand my point of view. There is nothing wrong with being "thick" or "big." Some people are just built that way. Not everyone can look like Olive Oyl and none of us should be. We shouldn't force ourselves to fit a size 0, nor should we feel bad if we are a size 12. It's only when you are so overweight/obese that you run a risk of dis-eases and ailments that can kill you, that it's a problem. If you are a size 12 and you're healthy, then more power to you! Enjoy those curves. Love your bulge...in the right places! Trust me, someone else will!

Me? I am a size 2 or 4. However, two years ago, I was 160lbs. and a size 10 (in the pants). I didn't lose weight because I wasn't healthy. I lost weight because it hurt my heart when I told people I'm not pregnant, I'm just fat! I also lost the weight because it was the biggest I had ever been and I knew it wasn't me. Now don't get me wrong....I loved my boonkey (booty, for those who aren't up on my parable speech) and my newly found hips but the gut, not being able to walk like I used to, and feeling tired after getting out of my seat and then sitting back down bothered me too much.

Now that this is out of the way, I have one more "random thought" to share with you. This was sent to me from a Blogger friend of mine. I thought it had so much good information that I wanted to share it with you:

http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/11/53-surprising-facts-about-your-sexual-health/

Here are some tips that I like the most:


  • Kegel These exercises have long been known to help women during pregnancy and afterward, but they also help men to improve performance and enhance orgasm. Start doing Kegel exercises today.
  • Climax and ejaculation. It might be surprising to learn that for men, climax and ejaculation are not the same thing. Sometimes men can ejaculate without a climax at all or climax before or after ejaculation.
  • Hair. Nipple hair on women’s breasts is normal. If you don’t like these stray hairs, just break out the tweezers and remove them.
  • Rhythm method. Charting and following the cycle of your menstrual period as a form of birth control is remarkably effective. Some estimate it at close to 90% while others guess around 75%. If your cycle is more regular, it is easier to use this form of birth control successfully.
  • Condom care. Keeping a condom in your wallet is not a good idea. The friction and temperature changes can create microscopic tears in the condom that allow sperm to get through.
  • Monogamous STIs. Monogamous couples can suddenly discover they have an STI without either one having been unfaithful. Some infections can lie dormant for years and suddenly surface.
Well, that's it for me today. The day is almost over and I'm ready to go home and get some sleep. I will hold off on Matt Stoke's tips until my next blog comes out...it will be on Meditation. So stay tuned, true believers (yes, I read comic books LOL).

In the meantime,

stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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