Avoid These Unhealthy “Health Foods”

It’s important to make health choices that benefit the long-term well-being of not only our children, but also the beloved seniors in our lives. This is just one of the steps we can take to help each generation lead healthy lives, from childhood through the golden years.

1. Canned Soup and Beans

Okay, so canned soup is probably not a surprise. Most of us know that canned soup typically contains large amounts of processed salt, MSG, additives as well as genetically engineered ingredients. But what some of us may not know is that many companies still use cans with bisphenol-A (BPA) in the lining. And this chemical has been identified as an endocrine disruptor as it can mimic or interfere with you body’s hormones and “disrupt” your endocrine system. This is why canned beans can also be harmful. So why not pull out your crock pot and make homemade stew, soup or beans? Making homemade soup can be easy and ensure you know what you’re putting in your body. And shopping at Whole Foods, PCC or other healthy markets offers many choices for healthy, natural bean choices that offer high-protein.

2. Breakfast Cereal

Most cereals are a combination of high-fructose corn syrup and genetically engineered corn, which does not offer the fiber and grain that many promise. Eating homemade oatmeal or muesli is a much healthier option (and you can also add fresh fruit to make it even more tasty!).

3. Microwave Popcorn

We did a post about dementia causing chemicals in food, including buttered popcorn, back in August. But it gets worse. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is used in the liner of microwave popcorn bags. What we have not been told is that the chemical can leak into the popcorn, when heated. PFOAs have been linked to infertility, among other health problems. Popping popcorn on the stove top is not only a healthy alternative, it can also be fun. And coconut oil, sea salt and other healthy alternatives can be used to season.

4. Bottled Water

Bottled water is supposedly health, right? Well according to Environmental Working Group, chemical pollutants, contaminants and even bacteria were found in 10 popular brands of bottled water. Not only that, he FDA only regulates 30-40% of bottled water, which means there’s only a small percentage tested. Not only that, phthalate, a chemical group used to make the plastic bottles for bottled water, can leech into the water and is a potential cancer-causing agent. The alternative? Installing a high-quality water filter for your tap or home.

5. Fruit Juice

Even though many juice brands claim to contain 100% or even 80% juice, this is not really the case after it is packaged. Not only does the flavor come courtesy of professional flavor, fruit juice is also notoriously high in fructose—whether it’s from added high fructose corn syrup or naturally-occurring fructose in the fruit. If you must drink juice, add filtered water to it. At least that way you’re getting more water.

6. Yogurt

This one surprised me. As a woman, I’ve always been told to eat yogurt for its “active cultures” and healthful bacteria (probiotics). However, pasteurized products will not provide you with these health benefits, as the pasteurization process destroys most of the precious enzymes and other nutrients. Some products at your local healthy food market, such as PCC or Whole Foods, as mentioned above contain the real deal. Fortunately you can also make your own yogurt at home and add fresh fruit and granola to make your taste buds dance.

7. Diet Soda

And last, but not least—diet soda! Yes, we already know soda is bad for us. But it’s actually downright scary how bad. And diet soda is no better. A 2002 UCLA study found that consuming excessive amounts of sugar reduces the production of the brain chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). “Without BDNF, our brains can’t form new memories and we can’t learn (or remember) much of anything,” according to an article in Forbes magazine. Not only that, low BDNF levels are linked to depression, dementia and many other health problems—including a resistance to insulin and the body’s natural mechanism for knowing when to stop eating. And it only gets worse; soda is also linked to dental, heart, kidney, lung, bone and digestive system problems. And diet soda drinks usually include the artificial sweetener and food additive aspartame, which contains excitotoxin, or substances added to certain foods and beverages that can cause nerve, and gradual damage to your brain. This nerve damage can actually lead to forms of dementia. So why not lower your risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia? All you have to do is stop drinking soda and diet soda.

Source: A place for mom

11 Tips Stick To Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions

Every year, on January 1, we vow to make the year ahead our healthiest and fittest yet! But somehow that resolve disintegrates as the days, weeks and months go by, and life starts “getting in the way.”

Start fresh in 2014 and follow these simple tips to help you stay on board your very own fitness bandwagon! You can do it!

1. Get real.

Wellness doesn’t happen overnight, so be patient with yourself! Long-term results are best achieved through small, gradual changes. Want to lose 10 pounds? Aim for ½-1 pound a week. Want to run a 5K? Start by running 1-2 miles every few days. If you go all out and push yourself too hard, too fast, you may find it difficult to maintain new habits and end up giving up altogether.

2. Make a date with yourself.

You’re busy, understood. Assess your schedule and figure out where exercise can fit into it. Even when things get really hectic, there’s always a little time to spare somewhere. Then make dates with yourself and stick to them. When you’re overwhelmed by commitments, routine can help you stay on track.

3. Keep it fresh.

No matter how and when you choose to move your body, it should be enjoyable and for the purpose of celebrating it, not punishing it. Hate the treadmill? Try a Zumba or Bar Method class. If you’re already going to the gym regularly but find it hard to stay motivated, try something new to revive your resolve and boost your fitness level.

4. Pair up to pare down.

Ask a friend or your significant other to go on a hike with you or to join you for a yoga class. Having a “partner in crime” not only makes exercising more fun but it also helps keep you accountable… Even better, research shows that couples who work out together develop a stronger bond.

5. Have a plan B.

Last minute obligations are bound to pop up on occasion, making it difficult for you to stick to your gym routine and other healthy practices. Be prepared for those moments by keeping your running shoes under your desk or in your car, and stash some nutritious bites in your purse.

6. Give yourself a break.

Everyone gets sick once in a while or has a totally crazy-busy day. When going to the gym is the last thing you feel like doing or you couldn’t resist that mid-afternoon brownie, don’t beat yourself up! Tomorrow is another day. And remember: moderation is the key to healthy and long-lasting results.

7. Ditch fad diets.

Fat-free snacks, 100-calorie packs, energy bars… These so called “health foods” are not real foods. They’re addictive, chemical and preservative-laden products that con our brains into thinking we’re full, yet leave us feeling ravenous again in no time.

8. Instead of fake, overly processed “diet” foods, eat real foods.

Make sure they’re made from fresh, whole, minimally processed ingredients. And lastly, never starve yourself. Restrictive eating slows down your metabolism and deprivation only leads to cravings and future binges.

9. Pay tribute to H2O!

For peak performance and energy, and to reduce cravings, drink plenty of water, or other unsweetened beverages like green tea throughout the day. Aim for two big bottles a day.

10. Dream on.

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. Skimping on sleep can work against you and cause weight gain by raising appetite-stimulating hormones, such as cortisol. Besides, the better rested you are, the more likely you are to get up and hit the gym! Aim for a minimum of 6-8 hours of precious slumber a night.

11. Spoil yourself.

Whether it’s dropping a dress size, running an extra mile or trying a new exercise class, celebrate each milestone you reach. Regular post-workout treats, like a latte or a mani can motivate you to exercise longer and more frequently. The key is to remember to keep these small and healthy so you don’t cancel out all your efforts!

Source:

Flu season kicks in, affect younger adults

The new flu season is ramping up across the U.S. with growing reports of illness — particularly in the south — chiefly caused by the H1N1 bug that is more likely to sicken younger adults than the elderly, health officials said Friday.

Flu activity is increasing nationwide and is already high in six states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma and Missouri, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

For the first time since the 2009 influenza pandemic, H1N1 is the dominant circulating flu strain early in the season, CDC officials said. While most flu strains predominantly sicken the elderly and those with existing health problems, that strain mostly sickens younger adults, those ages 18 to 49, and middle-aged folks, ages 49 to 64.

CDC officials warned earlier this week that they have already received “a number” of reports of serious respiratory illness and death in young and middle-aged adults, including many infected with H1N1 flu. In Texas, where flu is widespread in all areas, a 17-year-old with underlying health problems died, health officials said.

“It’s a reminder that flu can be a serious disease,” said Dr. Joseph Bresee, a CDC flu expert.

So far, there have been no significant changes in the H1N1 flu viruses to suggest they’re spreading more easily or have become more virulent, but CDC officials said they’re monitoring for any signs.

It’s still too soon to tell how serious this year’s flu season will be, or how well this year’s vaccine matches the strains that are actually going around, Bresee said. But, he added, a flu shot is still the best way to avoid illness.

CDC recommends that everyone older than 6 months get a flu shot every year. Federal officials reported earlier this month that flu vaccinations kept nearly 80,000 people out of the hospital last year and prevented 6.6 million cases of the flu.

On average, CDC says 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu each season — ranging from 158,000 people hospitalized in 1990-1991 to 431,000 in 1997-1998. Flu vaccine also may prevent other conditions, such as heart disease, studies show. Flu season typically peaks in January and February.

Still, many Americans, particularly young adults, tend not to get vaccinated.

Source: Nbc news

Antioxidant-rich foods may reduce cataract risk

Women who eat foods rich in antioxidants may have a lower risk of cataracts as they age, according to a new Swedish analysis.

“Oxidative damage of the eye lens caused by free radicals has been suggested to be crucial in development of cataract,” said Susanne Rautiainen of the Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet, who led the study.

Her team looked at the diets of more than 30,000 middle aged and older women, and found those with the highest total intake of antioxidants had about a 13 percent lower risk of developing cataracts than women who consumed the least.

“Previous studies have focused on individual antioxidants obtained from the diet or supplements and they have reported inconsistent results,” Rautiainen said. “However, in diet much wider ranges of antioxidants are present than those studied previously.”

Instead of looking at single antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and plant flavonoids such as lycopene, the researchers used a measure of total antioxidant values in foods, which takes into account how the nutrients work together.

For the study, more than 30,000 Swedish women over age 49 were observed for about 7 years for signs of developing cataracts, and were given a dietary questionnaire.

Foods high in antioxidants include coffee, tea, oranges, whole grains and red wine.

Antioxidants in diet may not protect against dementia, stroke after all Green tea, coffee may reduce stroke risk by 20 percent
Apple a day may keep heart attacks, stroke at bay.  Based on total antioxidant consumption, the researchers divided the women into five groups, ranging from the greatest antioxidant intake to the least. Among those who ate the most antioxidants, 745 cases of cataract were recorded, compared to 953 cases among women with the lowest antioxidant consumption.

The results were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Women who ate more antioxidants also tended to be more educated and were less likely to smoke.

More than 20 million Americans aged 40 years and older have cataracts, which cause clouded vision and eventually blindness, in one or both eyes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The results are not that surprising,” William Christen said.

Christen, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, studies eye diseases and vitamins and was not involved in the new study.

The findings are in line with previous research suggesting antioxidants may help protect against cataracts, but the study has limitations, he cautioned.

“The women participants simply reported on a questionnaire the food choices they made over the past year,” Christen said. “As an observational study, there is always concern that women who choose healthier diets may also differ in other important ways, like body weight, smoking habits, aspects of the diet other than antioxidants, that may be more directly related to cataract risk.”

Rautiainen suspects the results would be similar among men and in other countries, but can’t say for sure until those studies have been done.

Colorful fruits and vegetables are the best source of antioxidants for people who want to increase their intake, she said.

“Results of numerous observational studies have suggested a possible beneficial role for high antioxidant intake in a number of age-related disorders,” Christen said. But in most randomized controlled trials, which would better isolate the effects of antioxidants alone, the link has not held up, he said

Source: cbs news

Persistent pain after breast cancer treatment

In a study that included more than 800 women who had undergone surgery for breast cancer, the majority reported some level of pain 12 months after surgery, and factors associated with pain included chronic preoperative pain, chemotherapy, preoperative depression and pain in the area to be operated, according to a study appearing in the January 1 issue of JAMA.

“Persistent pain following breast cancer treatments remains a significant clinical problem despite improved treatment strategies. Data on factors associated with persistent pain are needed to develop prevention and treatment strategies and to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients,” according to background information in the article.
Tuomo J. Meretoja, M.D., Ph.D., of Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, and colleagues examined the prevalence and severity and factors associated with chronic pain after breast cancer surgery and treatments. The study included 860 patients younger than 75 years with nonmetastasized breast cancer treated at the Helsinki University Central Hospital in 2006-2010. A questionnaire was sent to patients 12 months after surgery, with assessments of presence and intensity of pain.

At 12 months after surgery, 34.5 percent of the patients reported no pain, 49.7 percent mild pain, 12.1 percent moderate pain, and 3.7 percent severe pain. The factors associated with pain at 12 months were chronic preoperative pain, preoperative pain in the area to be operated, axillary lymph node dissection, preoperative depression, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“These findings may be useful in developing strategies for preventing persistent pain following breast cancer treatment. To identify patients who would benefit from preventive interventions, a risk assessment tool is needed,” the authors write.

Source; Medical Express

Trebling tobacco tax ‘could prevent 200 million early deaths’

Trebling tobacco tax globally would cut smoking by a third and prevent 200 million premature deaths this century from lung cancer and other diseases, researchers said on Wednesday.

In a review in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists from the charity Cancer Research UK  (CRUK) said hiking taxes by a large amount per cigarette would encourage people to quit smoking altogether rather than switch to cheaper brands, and help stop young people from taking up the habit.

As well as causing lung cancer, which is often fatal, smoking is the largest cause of premature death from chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

Tobacco kills around 6 million people a year now, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and that toll is expected to rise above 8 million a year by 2030 if nothing is done to curb smoking rates.

Richard Peto, an epidemiologist at CRUK who led the study, said aggressively increasing tobacco taxes would be especially effective in poorer and middle-income countries where the cheapest cigarettes are relatively affordable.

Of the 1.3 billion people around the world who smoke, most live in poorer countries where often governments have also not yet introduced smoke-free legislation.

But increasing tobacco tax would also be effective in richer countries, Peto said, citing evidence from France, which he said halved cigarette consumption from 1990 to 2005 by raising taxes well above inflation.

“The two certainties in life are death and taxes. We want higher tobacco taxes and fewer tobacco deaths,” he said in a statement. “It would help children not to start, and it would help many adults to stop while there’s still time.”

While smokers lose at least 10 years of life, quitting before age 40 avoids more than 90 percent of the increased health risk run by people who continue smoking. Stopping before age 30 avoids more than 97 percent of the risk.

Governments around the world have agreed to prioritise reducing premature deaths from cancer and other chronic diseases in the United Nations General Assembly and in the WHO’s World Health Assembly in 2013.

They also agreed to a target of reducing smoking by a third by 2025.

The CRUK analysis found that doubling the price of cigarettes in the next decade through increased taxes would cut worldwide consumption by about a third by that target, and at the same time increase annual government revenues from tobacco by a third from around $300 billion to $400 billion.

This extra income, the researchers suggested, could be spent on boosting health care budgets.

Peto noted that the international tobacco industry makes about $50 billion in profits each year, saying this equated to “approximately $10,000 per death from smoking”.

“Worldwide, around half a billion children and adults under the age of 35 are already – or soon will be – smokers, and many will be hooked on tobacco for life. So there’s an urgent need for governments to find ways to stop people starting and to help smokers give up,” said Harpal Kumar, CRUK’s chief executive.

He said the study, which examined 63 research papers on the causes and consequences of tobacco use in many different countries, showed tobacco taxes are “a hugely powerful lever”.

They are also potentially a triple win, Kumar said, cutting the number of people who smoke and die from their addiction, reducing the health care burden and costs linked to smoking and at the same time increasing government income.

Source: NDTV

14 Ways to Cut Portions Without Feeling Hungry

To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume, which inevitably means one thing: portion control. But you’re not necessarily doomed to a growling stomach until you reach your goal. “Portion control doesn’t mean you have to eat tiny portions of everything,” says Lisa Young, PhD, RD, author of The Portion Teller Plan: The No-Diet Reality Guide to Eating, Cheating, and Losing Weight Permanently. “You don’t want to feel like you’re on a diet, but you have to eat fewer calories.”

Here are 14 easy ways to cut portions, trim calories, and lose fat without counting the minutes until your next meal.

Start with a glass of H2O
Drink 16 ounces (a big glass) of water before you eat, suggests Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, author of The Flexitarian Diet. Filling your belly with water will naturally make you less likely to overeat, she says. Plus, some symptoms of dehydration may actually be what’s causing your rumbling belly, so sipping some water before you eat may eliminate your “hunger” altogether.

Wear form-fitting clothes
We’re not suggesting you squeeze into pants that are too tight. However, wearing an outfit with a waistband or perhaps a jacket with buttons can serve as a tool to prompt you to slow down and assess how you feel during your meal, says Young. As your clothing begins to feel a little snugger, it may keep you from going back for seconds.

Add veggie fillers
Bulking up your meals with veggies is one easy way to cut calories while filling you up fast. Spinach, for example, can be used as a sandwich-topper or can add fiber and nutrients to pasta and stir-fries, says Blatner. Other ideas to eat more veggies: swap in mushrooms for half the ground meat in most recipes, make oatmeal more filling with diced apples, and use a whole-wheat pita in place of bread so you can stuff it with more veggies.

Dine on dinnerware that helps you lose
The color of your plate may influence how much you eat, according to a 2012 Cornell University study. The researchers discovered that when a plate and the food on it had a low color-contrast (like pasta with Alfredo sauce on a white plate), people at a buffet served themselves 22% more than when there was a higher color-contrast (like pasta with red sauce on a white plate or pasta with Alfredo sauce on a red plate). The study conclusions suggest that if you want to eat less, select plates that have a color-contrast to the food you’re eating for dinner. Or if you want to eat more healthy foods, like a bigger salad, eat greens from a large green plate or bowl!

Make carbs the topper instead of the base
Rethink the way you use grains and starches. Take a breakfast parfait, for instance: instead of starting with a granola base, fill your cup with yogurt and then sprinkle just a tiny amount of granola on top for the crunch you crave. Making a stir-fry? Load up your plate with veggies and a serving of lean protein, then add a quarter cup of brown rice.

Set the scene for slower eating
Dim lights and listen to relaxing music to set the tone for a more leisurely meal, suggests Blatner. “Taking your time while eating increases enjoyment and decreases portions,” she says. Remember to chew slowly, put down your fork between bites, and sip water to make your meal last longer.

Work for your food
Here’s another way to slow down your eating: munch on foods that require shelling, peeling, or individual unwrapping, suggests Blatner. Oranges, edamame, and pistachios in their shells are healthy options.

Don’t eat from the bag or box
When you sit down with a bag of chips, do you really know how many you’re eating? Researchers from Cornell University sought to answer this question in a study and found that people ate 50% more chips when they were given no visual cues as to how large a portion should be. So if you buy a bag of pretzels or tin of nuts that contains 10 servings, divide the contents of the container into 10 smaller baggies ahead of time

Slurp your appetizer
Before you dive into your entrée, have some soup. Though it may seem counterintuitive to add more to your meal, research shows that starting a meal with soup may help you reduce your overall calorie intake. In a 2007 study, people who ate soup before their lunch entrée reduced their total calorie intake by 20%. Your best bet: a broth-based soup, preferably with veggies to help you feel full from the natural fiber, says Young. Here are a few healthy soup recipes to get you started.

Take a lap before serving yourself
In a Cornell University study published in PLoS One, researchers observed people at two separate breakfast buffet lines that featured the same seven items: cheesy eggs, potatoes, bacon, cinnamon rolls, low-fat granola, low-fat yogurt, and fruit. One line presented the foods from healthiest to least-healthy, while the other line had the order reversed. Regardless of which line they passed through, more than 75% of diners put the first food they saw on their plates; the first three foods they encountered in the buffet made up two-thirds of all the foods they added to their plate. So take a stroll around the buffet or dinner table before you serve yourself, suggests Young.

Drink from a tall glass
It’s okay to have a cocktail with your meal if that’s what you really want, but keep it to one glass and enjoy it slowly, suggests Young. To trick yourself into believing you’re having more, pour your drink into a tall, thin glass. A 2005 study published in the journal BMJ revealed that practiced bartenders who poured what they thought was a shot of alcohol (1.5 ounces) into a short, wide glass poured 20% more than when the glass was tall and thin. Add extra ice to your drink to make it look like even more!

Limit mealtime distractions
Turn off the TV and put your smartphone away while you eat. A recent review of studies found that people who watched television during meals tended to consume more than those who ate without any distractions. And for you office dwellers? Consider taking your lunch break away from your desk—in an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, people who played computer solitaire while having lunch felt less full at the end, and went on to eat more food later in the day than those who didn’t play the game

Use smaller serveware and dishes
Turns out that even food experts aren’t so savvy about eyeballing portion sizes. In a Cornell University study, 85 nutrition experts gathered for an ice cream social to celebrate the success of a colleague. They were randomly given either a small or large bowl, or a small serving scoop or large serving scoop. Then, the nutritionists were asked to complete a brief survey while the study researchers secretly weighed their bowls. Those given the larger bowls served themselves 31% more without realizing it, while those who used the larger scoop unknowingly served themselves 14.5% more. Moral of the story? Dish up your own food with a small utensil onto a small bowl or plate, and chances are you’ll eat less.

End your meal with a new kind of sweet treat
Many people have trained themselves to expect a sweet treat at the end of a meal, says Blatner. Swap in a new, healthier ritual after meals to signal that you’re done eating. She recommends brewing a flavorful decaf tea like peppermint, cinnamon, chocolate, or one of your favorite fruity varieties for low-or-no-calorie sweet-tooth satisfier.

Source: health

New habits to start with your children in 2014

This year, instead of just resolving to spend more quality time with your children, come up with a list of new habits to start together. Commit to trying some of these things, which will bring your family closer and teach your children valuable life lessons.

Practice daily affirmations
Positive affirmations can help both adults and children develop a healthy self-esteem. Hearing positive words first thing in the morning can help set the tone for a great day and the more often positive words are heard, the more they will be internalized. If your child is old enough, let them help choose which affirmations they would like to say. Create affirmation cards together and let them choose one or two to say together everyday.

Express gratitude together
This can easily be incorporated into a bed-time routine. Take a few minutes to review the day and have a little discussion with your children about what they are grateful for. Encourage your children to look beyond “things” and find gratitude in the non-material. Once a week, write down one thing you are especially grateful for put it in a special “gratitude jar”. At the end of the year, you can review all the amazing things that have happened.

Learn about money
It’s never too early to teach children about how much things cost, the importance of saving – and that money must be earned through hard work. Instead of using credit cards every time you go out, make an effort to pay cash and use each transaction as a teaching moment for your children. Encourage your children to save money in a piggy bank and help them think of something they would like to do with the money they’ve saved.

Explore your city together
It’s easy to get wrapped up with all the things on our “to-do” list and forget the beauty of the place we live. Too many people live somewhere their entire lives and never explore or really get to know their own town or city. Go to your local visitor’s bureau and pick up some pamphlets. Then, make a list of all the things you’d like to experience together.

Start a volunteer project
Volunteering can have an impact not only on your community, but also on your mind and body. Doing good for others provides a sense of pride and accomplishment and can help give children a better outlook on life. Encourage your children to think about which causes are important to them and brainstorm different ways to get involved.

Remember, these new habits can have a lasting effect on your entire family. Letting your children be part of the process of choosing new, healthy habits is just as important as following through with them. If you decide to take on more than one new habit this year start small to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Incorporate a new habit each month and notice the impact each one has on your family.

Source: top news today

How to Create Your Own Home Gym

After acquiring equipment for my home gym in recent months, I realized how easy and inexpensive it can be. Depending on how much space you have and how much money you have to spend, you can create the perfect at-home gym just for you! Here are a few tips on how to make your home gym a reality.

1. Decide how much space you are willing to commit to your home gym.

2. Think about what your favorite pieces are (free weights/bands/balls/etc.).

3. If you are looking for a big ticket item go on Craigslist for your local area. I got my $1200 weight machine for $200! So many people buy big ticket workout items with the high hopes of using them all the time, but they really just end up as an expensive coat rack. Eventually people want to sell these items quickly to make space in their homes. You can often score a great deal! Make sure to barter with them when you get there as well, since most people are willing to negotiate.

4. If you have a friend or family member with an item that they don’t use, ask if they would be willing to sell it to you or let you borrow it for a while. Most people would love to have the space back and would be happy to have someone they love get some good use out of their equipment:) There are a couple of big ticket items flowing throughout various family members’ homes at the moment. Whoever will use them gets them and we can swap when needed.

5. For the smaller items such as weights/balls/bands/workout videos, check out garage sales/used sporting goods stores/thrift stores, or even sports stores that are having blowout type sales. I am not a huge garage sale person, but I know that you can get some screaming deals from people just looking to get rid of stuff. Often these items have never been used. I know I have sold unused items at one of my garage sales just to get rid of them.

6. Swap with your friends. If you have a video or a piece of equipment that you don’t use or haven’t in a while, maybe your friend does too and you can swap for a period of time. You can borrow her pilates video and she can borrow your workout bands. Everyone has some sort of equipment in their house that is being unused. Why not swap it for something new to you?!

7. When people ask for gift ideas for birthday/Christmas etc. ask for that piece of equipment you have had your eye on. Or ask for gift cards for sports stores that carry your coveted items:)

8. Lastly, make your home gym easily accessible. Don’t make it so hard to get to your equipment that you won’t want to bother with it. Don’t throw everything in a corner so that you have to lift 20 things to get to the one item you really want. Create an organized and easy to access space that invites you to come on over and work out:)

So, are you ready to create your own home gym? What is the first thing you are going to look for? Do you have any other tips for someone looking to create a home gym?
Have a great day and happy running!

Source: Livin the sweat life

Girl with rare weight-gain disorder raises money for gastric bypass surgery

A 12-year-old Texas girl with a rare weight-gain disorder has successfully raised more than $55,000 to pay for life-saving gastric bypass surgery.

In 2011, Alexis Shapiro was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and underwent surgery to remove the mass, according to her family’s fundraising page. During the procedure, Shapiro’s hypothalamus and pituitary gland were damaged – causing her to develop a condition called hypothalamic obesity.

As a result, Shapiro constantly feels hungry and is prone to extreme overeating. According to a post by Shapiro’s mother, Jenny, the girl has gained 140 pounds in the past two years and currently weighs about 190 pounds.

“It is a beast, and we have tried so hard to control it. But it has been found that no amount of diet or exercise will stop this obesity,” Jenny Shapiro wrote online.

According to doctors, gastric bypass surgery could save Shapiro’s life, but the family’s health insurance provider refuses to pay, claiming the girl is too young. Desperate for a solution, the Shapiro family started an online fundraising campaign and have successfully raised more than $55,000 to pay for the operation.

“Oh my!!! I can’t believe this! We are so grateful,” Jenny Shapiro wrote on GoFundMe.com. “I am going to contact the hospital on Monday. To find out if this will cover all the costs. Thank you to everyone who cares

Source: head9 health