Six tips for a healthy lifestyle...

1) Learn what to eat from each food group.
2) Focus on how much you eat. Watch your portion sizes!
3) Choose “nutrient-dense” forms of foods. These foods are packed with nutrients,
but low in “extras” that just add calories.
4) Get moving! Physical activity can help you reach and keep a healthier weight.
5) Follow your progress by tracking your food intake and physical activity. Check
your weight weekly.
6) Visit health sites for advice.

Doctor Prescribed Program

My boss just started a weight loss program that is prescribed by a local doctor. It is called Fat Busters or something like that. She got a shot and is taking pills that is supposed to increase her metabolism and curb her appetite. You guys know me. I usually promote natural weight loss through burning more calories than you take in, but I know that is not for everyone. I'll try to get more information about the program and keep you informed of her results.

Interesting tips...

I'm all of the time reading tips on how to be healthier, how to improve my workout, etc. This morning I was reading some health tips I thought were interesting. I just thought I'd share a few. Check out the one about how to reduce stress. I thought those was interesting.

To Improve Nutrition:

1. Buy whole foods -- whether canned, frozen, or fresh from the farm -- and use them
in place of processed foods whenever possible.
2. Reject foods and drinks made with corn syrup, a calorie-dense, nutritionally
empty sweetener that many believe is worse for the body than sugar, says Katz.
3. Start each dinner with a mixed green salad. Not only will it help reduce your
appetite for more caloric foods, but it also will automatically add veggies to
your meal.

To Improve Physical Fitness:

1. Do a squat every time you pick something up. Instead of bending over in the usual
way, which stresses the lower back, bend your knees and squat. This forces you to
use your leg muscles and will build strength.
2. Every time you stop at a traffic light (or the bus does), tighten your thighs and
butt muscles and release as many times as you can. (Don't worry, no one will see
it!) This will firm leg and buttock muscles, improve blood flow.
3. Whenever you're standing on a line, lift one foot a half-inch off the ground. The
extra stress on your opposite foot, ankle, calf and thigh, plus your buttocks,
will help firm and tone muscles. Switch feet every few minutes.

To Improve Stress Control:

1. Give your partner a hug every day before work.
2. Have a good cry. It can boost your immune system, reduce levels of stress
hormones, eliminate depression, and help you think more clearly.
3. Twice a day, breathe deeply for three to five minutes

To Improve Sleep:

1. Sprinkle just-washed sheets and pillowcases with lavender water. The scent has
been shown in studies to promote relaxation, which can lead to better sleep.
2. Buy a new pillow.
3. Eat a handful of walnuts before bed. You'll be giving yourself a boost of fiber
and essential fatty acids along with the amino acid tryptophan -- a natural sleep-
inducer.

Ate Too Much

Today, we had a going away party for one of our employees who is changing jobs. We ordered out for pizza, and I ate entirely too much. I probably had twice my daily caloric intake in one meal. It will be ok though. I'll hit the gym this weekend, and I've got plenty of yard work to do. I'll have to eat healthy over the weekend to make up for it.