Obese and Healthy? Not Really!

Finally I have read a decent response to the "fat can be healthy" camp. While many overweight and obese people do have low risk of diabetes and heart disease (since much of the cause here is genetic), there is always an elevated risk of cancer and arthritis, among other negative effects, that accompany extra fat.

Exercise seems to be the deciding factor in health. Even larger people who exercise regularly are healthier, with less liver fat and fat around other organs. But in general, since extra body fat messes with our hormones, puts pressure on our blood vessels, fattens our livers, and strains our joints it is always best to focus on getting to and maintaining a healthy BMI and body weight.

The Incredible Edible Egg

Eggs have really taken a beating (ha-ha) in the nutrition department. First they were considered healthy, then banned due to high fat and cholesterol, then back to a healthy high protein snack, and then the high fat/cholesterol police came back in. But the egg is back in the news as a healthy daily breakfast food that helps people lose weight!

A new study in the International Journal of Obesity shows that eating two eggs for breakfast helps overweight dieting adults lose more weight and feel more energetic than eating a bagel breakfast of equal calories. This study supports previous research, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, which showed that people who ate eggs for breakfast felt more satisfied and ate fewer calories at the following meal.

And we are taking major differences in just 2 short months. The egg eaters lost 65% more weight, had a 61% greater reduction in the all important BMI (Body Mass Index), and reported more energy all around. Oh, and about their cholesterol and lipids?

There was no impact on blood lipids and no impact on HDL and LDL cholesterol or triglycerides in either group. These findings add to more than 30 years of research that conclude that healthy adults can enjoy eggs without significantly impacting their risk of heart disease.

Tags: weight loss, News, egg, eggs, cholesterol, breakfast, diet, lynda lippin

Xenadrine RFA-X

Is it me or are the names of diet pills becoming longer and more complex? Is this a marketing ploy whereby the complicated names sound more "scientific"? Regardless, I find it more and more difficult to wade through the masses of information regarding the different pills and their effectiveness.

Pricesexposed.net offers a short but to the point Xenadrine RFA-X review that I found somewhat interesting. For instance, I didn't realize that Xenedrine-RFA-X was purchased my MuscleTech, makers of the infamous Hydroxycut, who planned to aggressively market the new pill. This marketing will of course drive up the price, so even though the product may be effective consumers can look for a major price increase in the coming months.

In addition to this news, the site also points to the lowest priced internet sites to purchase Xenadrine RFA-X and offers reviews with prices of other competitive and equally effective weight loss supplements.

Tags: Reviews, weight loss, Xenadrine-RFA-X, muscletech, hydroxycut, lynda lippin

Six Simple Weight Loss Steps

Losing weight is hard; I'll be the first to admit it. But a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that maintaining weight loss is not as difficult as the media makes it out to be. In fact, a full 20% of overweight people who lose at least 10% of their initial body weight are able to maintain the loss for at least a year.

After reviewing the weight loss strategies of over 4,000 members of the National Weight Control Registry in the United States, who lost an average of 70 pounds and maintained the loss for more than five years, there were six common approaches to weight loss maintenance:

* engaging in high levels of physical activity
* eating a low-calorie, low-fat diet
* eating breakfast regularly
* monitoring their own weight
* maintaining a consistent eating pattern
* not "falling off the wagon"

Basically, if you go back to the old habits you will gain back the weight. This is why slow and steady weight loss is best, as it gives the person time to form new habitual patterns that will allow for maintenance.

Tags: weight loss, News, lynda lippin

If You Like To Cook...

Even though my husband was a professional chef for 25 years, I do most of the cooking now. He works longer and tougher hours than I do, and I actually enjoy spending time putting meals together. But since I cook 7 days a week I often need to find a new recipe just to change things up a little, and my favorite source is MyRecipes.com, featuring recipes from Cooking Light and Health magazines. Try the chicken, orzo, and goat cheese salad and you'll see what I mean.

Tags: weight loss, cooking, recipes, lynda lippin

Still More Diet Pill Reviews

There is such a huge market in Diet Pills that many niche sites have sprung up to offer reviews and links for the pills available. Again, I discount the need for over the counter pills and prefer that people learn to eat well and exercise, but I am aware that many people want a pill.

Consumerpricewatch.net is another weight loss pill review site, claiming to use a 12 point criteria in their rankings: Value, Ingredient Quality, Customer Feedback, Safety, Company Reputation, Reorder Rates, Customer Service, Product Sensation, Packaging, Long-Term Benefits, Product Convenience, and Weight-Loss Potential. However, most of the reviews I looked at did not actually address all of these points, and many seemed to simply be blanket endorsements.

For example, of Hydroxycut they say, "However, Team Muscletech researchers are always on the cutting edge and now they're ready to introduce a new Hydroxycut formula that has blown the old formulation out of the water and is quickly gaining popularity in the mainstream now. Hydroxycut Hardcore on the other hand was formulated by a leading medical doctor and supplement guru, and contains ingredients that in one groundbreaking clinical study, subjects reduced their total fat area (measured in square centimeters) by an astounding 7.9 percent taking the key ingredients found in Hydroxycut Hardcore over those in the control group.", which is right off the company's website and has nothing to do with a user review.

My take - you won't find much on this site that is not already on the pill manufacturer's websites.

Tags: weight loss, weight loss pills, diet pills, lynda lippin

More Weight Loss Pill Reviews

Weightlosspills.net has impartial reviews of just about every weight loss pill on the market. While I am a proponent of natural weight loss methods (learn how to eat properly and exercise), I am also aware that many people feel compelled to take a pill or pills to at least assist the process.

If you are going to take them and want more information about
weight loss pills, this site has a team of people who rate each product in terms of five factors: Effectiveness, Ingredients, Speed, Safety, and Value leading to an overall score between 0 and 10 (10 being the best).

Among the reviews I found one for Alli, the heavily marketed fat blocker, in which they truthfully say, "customer satisfaction is low due to some uncontrollable side effects, such as loose, frequent stool and stains on clothing." Of Hydroxycut, "Unfortunately, much of the hype on the website is just that.. Hype. Due to the ban on ephedrine, Hydroxycut's reformulated products rely heavily on hydroxycitric acid, a carbohydrate blocking ingredient with disputable results."

The reviews seem honest and do not push the products. If you are looking for more information on diet pills check this site in your research.

Tags: weight loss, diet pills, diet pill reviews, lynda lippin

Reverse Aging at PATH Medical

Dr. Eric Braverman, author of The Edge Effect and Younger You, is one of the world's leading experts in anti-aging medicine and is a true believer that we can in fact turn back the clock on aging. Dr. Braverman is the director of the Place for Achieving Total Health (PATH) Medical Centers in New York and Philadelphia. I had several 80 year old clients in my Philadelphia Main Line studio who were patients of Dr. Braverman's PATH Medical Center, and from what I could tell they all blossomed under his team's care.

The stated goal of PATH medical is to find your body's oldest and weakest parts and repair them (kind of like good auto maintenance). They begin with state of the art scanning, including brain maps; computerized tests of attention memory type, temperament, and personality; head to toe ultrasound backed with DEXA scans of body fat and bone density; and in some cases, CT IE angiograms, MRIs, and PET scans. You will learn things about your body you may not want to know!

Once the weak links have been identified, the PATH team will work with you, using cutting edge techniques to repair and reverse the hidden silent diseases that can kill us and destroy what could be perfectly productive and happy years. These techniques may include a delicate balance of creative new uses of conventional medicines, bioidentical hormones, Total Health Nutrients, changes in diet, lifestyle, relationships, and then thorough retesting to verify the fix. According to their website, "Many of our patients are able to reduce the amount of their side-effect-inducing medications through our clinically proven, gentle modalities combining alternative and traditional medicines."

The website includes a wealth of information, including Case Studies, what to expect on a first visit to PATH, an interactive age quiz, media links, and a free email newsletter to keep you informed of the very latest and greatest in anti-aging technology and research. Dr. Braverman knows what he is doing and has helped many people lead better quality lives for longer periods of time. Check out his websites and book; it couldn't hurt.

Tags: Reviews, Opinion, weight loss, PATH medical, anti-aging, dr. eric braverman, lynda lippin

Keep A Food Diary and Lose More Weight

Food Diaries Double Weight Loss was the headline that caught my eye. I mean, we always read that writing down what we eat is a useful weight loss tool and is embedded in such programs as Weight Watchers, but DOUBLE the weight loss? Damn!

Researchers writing in a recent American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that, "Dieters who kept their food diary six or more days a week lost an average of about 18 pounds in six months, compared with about 9 pounds for those who didn't keep food diaries." So let's get out that pen and paper and write down what we eat!

A free food diary from my-calorie-counter.com.

Tags: weight loss, News, food diary, lynda lippin

Carnie Wilson Loses Weight Again

I think we all remember when Carnie Wilson (daughter of Beach Boy Brian Wilson) lost half her body weight (150 pounds) after gastric bypass surgery in 1999. She looked great, felt great, and I am sure was convinced that she would never gain the weight back now that her stomach was teeny.

Fast forward to 2005 when Carnie had her baby girl. She managed to gain back about 60-70 pounds during her pregnancy and ended up around 208 pounds, a weight she has maintained up until a few months ago. Now, according to OK Magazine, Carnie is down to 176 pounds and is finally learning how to eat healthily to maintain her weight loss.

Lots of veggies, lots of tofu, and taking the time to cook her own meals and care what goes into her body are the secrets to Wilson's success this time around. She feels so good she may even have another baby!

Tags: Celebrities, weight loss, News, carnie wilson, lynda lippin

Has Anyone Tried the BodyBugg?

We left the states in 2005 and since then are not always completely tuned in to new electronic gear. In my Google alert this morning was an article from a Las Vegas network news site about something called the BodyBugg. This is a gadget which you where strapped to your arm that measures how many calories you burn in your day based on steps taken, motion, sweat, skin temperature, and the amount of heat leaving your body. Research shows it to be 92% accurate and it comes along with a subscription web-based computer program that tracks your progress and lets you know more exactly how much you should be eating and exercising to lose weight.

You can find more information as well as links to validity studies on the BodyBugg FAQ page.

This is something I would love to try. It costs about $250-$350 (for me with shipping and duty it's a $400-$600 investment), so I don't want to order it and have it not work as well as I would like. If you've tried one please leave a comment and let me know!

Tags: weight loss, News, bodybugg, lynda lippin

Employers Help Staff Lose Weight

A new study shows that participants in employer sponsored weight loss programs lose more weight. This makes sense if you think about it. Love our jobs or not we spend most of our time at work and it stands to reason that what happens there will affect our entire life.

"Since most employed adults spend nearly one-half of their waking hours at work, such programs could have enormous potential in making a dent in the obesity epidemic, according to Benedict, a researcher at the Institute for the Study of Health, Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine."

Employees who participate in monthly face to face programs at work lose close to 70% more weight than those doing it on their own.

Pilates for the Morbidly Obese

Saw a great post on one of my very favorite blogs today, Princess Does Pilates. This is a weight loss journal blog by a woman who is still morbidly obese but has lost a lot of weight and is still losing. The posts are often funny, informative, and inspiring.

A resident of Miami, FL, the princess first "called ahead to ask if they had experience with the morbidly obese and could accommodate such a body type. And, Liza did."

Now many moves in Pilates, especially mat, are uncomfortable for the obese. But a good teacher can modify and the equipment can make things much more do-able.

"As you gals with huge bellies know, doing some moves are amazingly tough, because the belly is an obstacle. So, bending legs up toward chest is, well, not possible. Bending over is impeded. Any good trainer, though, knows how to adjust, modify, and work around limitations.

And, upbeat as she is, Liza just kept saying about the big belly o' mine: It can be eliminated. It will be gone.

I need to hear optimism, since by nature, I tend to be broodily cynical about such things."

I highly recommend Pilates to anyone who needs some good core strength and flexibility.

Tags: Pilates, Blog, Exercises, weight loss, lynda lippin

Magic Fiber Weight Loss Supplement?

Researchers at Wayne State University have developed a new fiber-based weight loss supplement, Alpha-Fibe FBCx, which appears to lower cholesterol and blood pressure as it assists weight loss.

"Alpha-Fibe FBCx is formulated with an active ingredient, a fiber called alpha-dextrin that has the ability to bind nine times its own weight in dietary fat." And this is the only product on the market with published statistical data put together over 20 years of research. All results are positive, with people taking the supplement losing weight and getting healthier.

This one I would try!

Tags: weight loss, News, lynda lippin

The Weigh-A Scale By A Different Name

What is this? Is it a scale? But where are the numbers? It is the latest weight loss gadget and is called Mary Lou's Weigh Platform.

Here's the idea - stepping on the scale can just be painful. You can bloat one day, lose weight the next... Hell, my weight can vary up to 2 pounds in one day depending on the time of day and what I've eaten. And then you can become obsessive about the number on the scale, weighing yourself several times a day.

So instead of giving you the number the Weigh Platform records your weight into its memory the first time you step on it and then let's you know how many pounds you are over or under that weight. It apparently also gives you "audio feedback each day that motivates and guides you through an achievable 10-pound weight loss with helpful health tips, positive reinforcement and smart, simple daily goals to focus on. Once you reach your 10-pound goal, the Platform resets automatically so you can either maintain your weight, or go for another 10 pounds."

Hmmm...
Still sounds like a scale, albeit with audio feedback and giving out slightly different information. I could definitely still obsess with this device. Oh, and of course it is packaged with Mary Lou's suggested eating and exercise plan.

Basically, it sounds to me like you're paying for a slightly changed scale with a diet plan. Is that worth $80 when you can buy a decent scale for a quarter of the price?

What Do Women Want?

In a recent survey reported by the NY Daily News, researchers tried to answer the age old wuestion, "What Do Women Want?" The answers are somewhat shocking, but not really surprising to yours truly. In a survey of over 3000 women in the US, researchers discovered that what women want is TO BE THIN.

Not world peace, not happiness, not wealth or prosperity...TO BE THIN. In fact, more women (56%) are worried about weight loss than are worried about getting cancer (23%) or heart disease (20%). Only 40% of women say they are even just satisfied with their physical appearance.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, with cancer running second, and yet women are more concerned about losing weight (even though weight loss will typically help reduce the risks of cancer and heart disease). Hmmm....

Any opinions?

Tags: News, weight loss, lynda lippin

Queen Latifah Reaches Weight Loss Goal

Photo by: April L. Brown/AP According to People Magazine Queen Latifah, who took over as spokesperson for Jenny Craig a few months ago, has reached her goal weight. She looks fabulous and is still not overly skinny.

'"My intention was to lose five to 10 percent of my body weight because it makes a difference with health related issues, and I achieved that goal in a couple of months," she told PEOPLE at the first annual National Awards & Recognition Luncheon for The League recently. "I'm excited about this weight loss."'

Her clothing fits better, she feels better, and is very excited to be in a healthier place. In addition to dieting the Queen also exercises, alternating the treadmill and elliptical for 60 minutes 5-7 days a week.

You go girl!

Tags: Celebrities, weight loss, News, jenny craig, queen latifah, lynda lippin

Like Mom Said, "Eat Your Breakfast!"

According to the latest endocrinology research, "Starting your day with a large meal packed with both carbohydrates and lean protein, and even a small piece of chocolate, can help lessen cravings and hunger the rest of the day, which can lead to significant weight loss...." This is now being touted as The *NEW* Big Breakfast Diet.

But is this really news? I mean, the one area where all weight loss diets seem to agree (unless you are fasting or cleansing) is that you must eat breakfast. Whether it's all fruit, all raw, all fiber, all protein, vegan or full of bacon, I can't think of one popular diet that has not told its adherents to eat breakfast.

Look at the name of the meal, after all - Break Fast. You are fasting from the last time you eat before going to bed until the time you wake up. Your metabolism goes into conservation mode to handle no food or beverage intake for up to 12 hours. It stands to reason that this is a good time to eat. It gets your metabolism going, helps you wake up, and helps curb food cravings later on in the day.

And it turns out that eating food you crave first thing is best. Get it out of the way early so you can possibly burn off the calories and so you don't binge later. That's right, the Big Breakfast diet calls for "your breakfast [to account] for roughly half of your daily calories, and breakfast includes milk, 3 ounces of lean meat, two slices of cheese, two whole grain servings, one fat serving and one ounce of milk chocolate or candy."

In a recent study, the Big Breakfast eaters lost 4 times more weight over 8 months than low carb low calorie dieters even though the BBs where eating more calories. We're talking 40 pounds versus 9 pounds, so this significant. Mom was right!

Tags: weight loss, News, big breakfast diet, breakfast diet, lynda lippin

Book Review - A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life

For 20 years now, heart disease has killed more women each year than men. Statistically, 40 percent of women will have a cardiovascular problem in her lifetime, and heart disease kills more women than every type of cancer combined. Women have different heart symptoms than men, and yet most of us, including physicians, do not know this.

"It's shocking!" is the first sentence of Mellanie True Hills' A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life. Hills learned the hard way, undergoing a heart attack and a stroke very close together. As she had none of the obvious risk factors (she was young, didn't smoke, had low cholesterol and blood pressure, and was not diabetic), she thought she was safe. What she was, however, was overweight and overstressed, and that in itself is enough.

It also didn't help that it was hard to recognize her heart attack symptoms - shortness of breath, fatigue, mild nausea and heartburn, and a bit of left shoulder and jaw pain. The acronym to remember here is LIFE: Left side pain in shoulder, neck, or jaw, Indigestion, nausea, Fatigue often accompanied by sleeplessness, and Exertion that seems more severe than normal. As it turns out, most women do not experience the crushing chest pains that most male heart attack victims experience. Women have subtle symptoms, but the same deadly outcome.

The HEART plan has five components: Healthy Eating, Exercise Daily, Attitude Toward Stress, Rest, Relaxation, and Rejuvenation, and Take Proactive Control of Your Health. Hills presents checklists, quizzes, and easy to follow and understand programs to help women move forward in all five areas.

Hills' book is very clear, easy to follow, and to the point. It is a quick read, but encourages readers to take the time to really look at their own lives and make positive healthy lifestyle changes. There is good advice on diet, exercise, stress reduction, hormones, and how to recognize a heart attack or stroke when it's happening. Even if you think you are healthy, you should read this book.

Originally written by me for BlogCritics Magazine.

Tags: Reviews, weight loss, book review, mellanie true hills, a woman's guide to saving her own life, heart disease, women's health, health, lynda lippin

Music Review: Skinny Songs

Several weeks ago I was directly contacted by the producers of Skinny Songs, the first CD of motivational music for weight loss. I agreed to listen, they actually sent the CD to Parrot Cay, and I listened.

Skinny Songs was created by Heidi Roizen at 190 pounds and on the cusp of her 50th birthday. "Seems like there is always a great song to empower me or get me through any situation. But where were the songs to help me get through what is probably the most daunting, long-term, personal challenge that I face? Where is the song that helps me get back into my skinny jeans? Where is the song to remind me how great it is going to feel when I reach my goal?

I figured, there are great songs for pretty much everything else, so there must be some for this. But after a long search didn’t turn anything up, I decided it needed to be done. I started penning lyrics that would inspire me to stick to my plan -- songs about my relationship with food and my need to become 'the boss' of that relationship, a love song to my skinny jeans, a fantasy song about fitting into designer clothes, a song reminding me to get up and move. Then, I spent many months tracking down some of the best producers in the music business and some of the most talented emerging artists, and convincing them to work with me. You can read about all of them on the artists page. I think they did a fabulous job! I truly believe in this music and know it helped me — and everyone who worked on this project also lost weight and started taking better care of themselves! How could they not, with all this reinforcement and positive energy?"

The music is all upbeat and high energy, mostly dance-pop with a bit of hip hop and R & B, and the track names themselves are great. Who doesn't own a pair of "Skinny Jeans" and who doesn't want to think "I'm a Hottie Now"? And who hasn't wanted to tell the obnoxious man who thought he was too good for her at size 16 that you are "Blowin You Off at 8" (size 8, that is)?

The tunes are catchy and they will help you dance away some of the unwanted pounds and stress. I for one just didn't love the music. As a fan of old rock & roll, blues, and Motown I found the tracks just a bit too contemporary dance music for my taste.

You can listen to samples of every song and read the lyrics on the website to see if the CD is right for you. I do encourage you to at least take a look and listen.

Tags: Reviews, weight loss, skinny songs, music, lynda lippin