If you can read or watch TV you already know that it’s not good to be overweight, worse to be obese and just as bad to not be doing any physical activity on a regular basis. A recent report published in the May 26,2010 issue of Science Translational Medicine, describes the results of a research project that measured specific molecules or metabolites in the bloodstreams of people who just exercised. The scientists were able to see the complicated metabolic effects that take place in our bodies during and after exercise.

The gist of the research is that the more active you are the more your body uses fat burning metabolites. In fact, those research projects showed that the better shape you are in, the more fat your body will burn. Even less fit individuals will start burning fat once they start exercising. I think we all knew the importance of exercise to be true but it’s always good when there is a scientific verification for our thinking. The bottom line: keep moving and don’t forget about keeping those muscles in shape. Muscles burn more fat than fat does when you’re exercising.

One of the better programs that I’ve encountered is http://HealthyWeightLossSuccessGuide.com. The author not only discusses how to get your metabolism going but shows you how to include foods that provide you with nutrition. Check it out; I think the author may have a trial version still available. If you purchase the program I do receive a commission but I bought it and I think it’s good and helpful.

The program talks about nutrition, another area that doctors are concerned about because people on diets usually cut out their needed intake of vitamins and minerals. This is not uncommon for doctors to notice because 1 out of 3 Americans is trying to lose weight. To test the nutritional effects of some of the more popular diet plans, Stanford University assigned 300 obese women to one of these diets: Atkins, Zone, LEARN and Ornish.

They learned that by cutting 500 calories a day, the women also reduced their intake of many nutrients. Interestingly, the reduction in dietary vitamin E was the most pronounced with more than 65 percent not getting the Estimated Average Requirement. Women on the Zone diet did better in their intake of vitamins A, E, C and K and didn’t lose any other nutritional areas. The conclusions was that diets which encourage moderate but not extreme carbohydrate reductions and increase the use of veggies and beans work best.

More research on what is your healthy weight in my next post.

To your good health and healthy weight,

Ruthan Brodsky

Business & Health Writer

http://ruthanbrodsky.com

“Loose Weight Like the Stars,” #6 Tips to Fast Weight Loss”, and “The Magic Formula for 12 Pounds in 2 Weeks” were just some of the headlines on the magazines I saw while checking out of the grocery store. These were all magazines targeted to women and each was touting the quickest and easiest way to lose weight.

My question is why do you have to go on a diet to lose weight? Why can’t you just change your life style?

Some will argue that I am just playing with words. I am not. After all, the whole purpose of losing weight is to lose it and keep it off for life. To do that you need to change how you think about food and learn more about those foods that give you value and those that don’t. Rather than struggle and put yourself through a 2 week or a 4 week struggle of some formula that the latest health maven just created, why not make a few changes in your life, enjoy the successful results, and then include a few more healthy changes.

For instance, eat breakfast every day. Eating breakfast is the one habit that is common to people who have lost weight and kept it off. You may think not eating breakfast is a great way to cut calories. The result is by 9 am you are starving, you eat way too much for lunch, and then you just keep on eating all day. Try a bowl of whole grain cereal topped with fruit and low fat milk for a quick but nutritious start to your day.

How about closing the kitchen at night? You choose the time when you will stop eating so you won’t give in to late-night munchies or snacking while you visit friends in Facebook or tweet your neighbors or watch Iron Chef on the Food Channel.  Have a cup of tea, enjoy a small bowl of fruit or light ice cream or yogurt if you want something sweet after dinner. Then brush your teeth and use that as a signal that you finished eating.

Try doing just these two lifestyle changes for the next 2 months. If you’re feeling comfortable with them after a couple of weeks, add another change to your life style. I will list some of those in my next post.

In the meantime, if you have any ideas about lifestyle changes, let me know. Click on comments and type your ideas in the comment box.  This could be a fun exercise to share. We could compile a list and share them with the world on the Internet.

To your success at healthy aging.

Ruthan Brodsky

The headline for the front page of the Personal Journal section of the Wall Street Journal, no less, reads “How the Cookie Diet Crumbles”. This was Tuesday, just 3 days ago.

First you need to know I have nothing against cookies. The fact is I love cookies; I’d rather have a good cookie than a piece of pie or cake. My first thought, however, was how significant this article should be given this is the holiday season and everyone is making cookies. Read the rest of this entry