SORRY FOR THE MALFUNCTION

OUR DATA WAS LOST. We are working fast to restore the blog and all of its posts!

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HOT, HOT, HOT...

Not much else you can say about the weather this summer! It has reaked havoc on my fitness schedule as the hot and humid evenings haven't been very comfortable for running. I am maintaining my diet pretty well. Sticking to the cereal, granola bar, fruit and almond snacks while at work, which was my biggest area of concern. Healthy eating for a healthy heart is my main area of concentration right now. Hopefully, a little cooler weather is in line for us!

Stay cool!

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ATKINS, OTHER FAD DIETS LOSING

The low-carb fad seems to be slowing to a crawl and the news yesterday that the Atkins based food company has filed for bankruptcy as Americans are catching on to the unhealthy side effects of the fad diets and going back to more research tested methods is proof in the pudding. Yahoo news has the story on the slowing of the Atkins craze (Atkins) avilable on-line and it is a good read on why to stay clear of these fad diets.

I just never found them very practical, sure, you could find a quick weight loss result and for that reason, they could be beneficial, but knowing that Dr Atkins dies with heart problems, probably was an inkling of the downsides of such a diet. Seeing that the new fads had very little research data, the unknowns were too much of a risk if your goal is to be healthy!

MSNBC also had stories going back nearly a year now on the side effects and proof that the weight lose will not last: MSNBC Studies. A healthy lifestyle, to me, will include well balanced diet and good exercise habits. That will be a more well-rounded impact on my health.

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A HEALTHY FAMILY

As a parent with young children, this is more on more on my mind. Discovery Health Channel will be touring the country promoting this very topic (Press Release) the rest of this summer. Right now our 2-year old is starting to be more consistent with his likes and dislikes at the table. Trying to promote healthy eating and taste is very important to us and I will definitely be trying to see what I can learn from the Discovery Healthy Channel on your healthy family ideas for a heatlhy diet for all of us in our house.

My weight held steady for the past week. I really need to get into the exercise regime, but I did get out and about with the kids this weekend and a trip to the zoo was a lot of walking...however, getting the nutritional value of these trips out with a family is very challenging and we will need to think of better meal options away from home!

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A HEALTHY HEART

Heart disease...do I really need to be concerned? You betcha! Everyone seems to be jumping on the fad diet craze with Atkins, Mayo Clinic, South Beach, etc. But, how practical is that when you have children? Children need a well balanced diet, as does your heart. Cutting out carbs and eating high levels of protein and fat, well, not exactly promoting a healthy heart and I will look at more and more articles promoting well-rounded diets that are more sensible for a 33 year old with kids!

I came across a new site that I will link up that promotes a heart healthy diet and it calculates the daily allowances that you would need. It also includes som great virtual tools to help you eat healthy for your heart (Healthy Heart). Heart disease for some reason is being overlooked these days as it seems to be pushed to the back burner, but it is still the leading cause of death in the United States and not just for those that age (Link on Heart Disease from NY Dept of Health).

A healthy heart...one of th ebiggest steps I can take to make sure I can enjoy my children and see my grandchildren is making sure I have a healthy heart and I am out to change my lifestyle through diet and exercise to make that happen!!

Yesterday's diet was the best day yet! Raisin bran, cheese stick, apple, banana, 1/2 plain bagel and trail mix while at work with a good amount of water! No soda for 4 days now! I am finding the days to be ok, the weekend is going to be the challenge. Dinner last night was taco's with the kids, limited to 3 and some other pickings, but I am doing better than anticipated. As I begin to track exercise and daily intake more with the tools I am finding and linking, I feel good about my chances of finding a successful course of action.

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A HEALTHY START

Breakfast? Who has time for breakfast? The first meal of the day has to be the one that is easily the most neglected. How many of us crave that extra 15-20 minutes of sleep each morning before racing through preparations to make it out of th ehouse and to work on time? I know I am one of those...add kids to the mix and trying to get them ready for their day and breakfast is pushed aside.

I have been making it a point to bring some sensible morning foods with me to work and eat one at 8 AM and another at 10 AM. This morning I had 1/2 a plain bagel and cheese stick around 8:30 and a nice serving of trial mix at 10 AM. I still have an apple and banana for additional snacks at noon and 3 PM.

For lunch this week I have substituted the high carb left over pastas that seem to have been a never ending stable of my life with approximately 3 cups of raisin bran. I have noticed the difference the last couple days as I have been less hungry and have had a little more energy throughout.

I also came across this article as one breakfast maker battles the nutritional police and promotes the importance of a healthy start to your morning, especially for children: A Good Start.

Hopefully others will share their ideas on how they get through a day at work without following the herd to McDonald's or Wendy's at noon time or the trip to Krispy Kreme in the morning...would love to hear your solutions to a healthy start to your day!

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Best Laid Plans...

Well, I had every intention to start a new running program last night, but Mother Nature nixed that idea with some STRONG thunderstorms. A sign? Not really...it is supposed to be a perfect night for a jog tonight, so I am going to hold myself to that plan!

My biggest challenge I think will be during the day, being stuck at a desk all day, sometimes you give in to the temptations of the vending machine or the person bringing donuts. Yesterday was a good day...1 Apple, 1 Banana, 1 cheese stick and raisin bran cereal and some trail mix. The evening was OK...sensible dinner, but high in carbs (ravioli), but we did top it off with some ice cream...kids!! But, once I start running, I always notice myself easing on the evening snacks. Trying to cut out soda will be tough, too...but, if I limit my access, I will not go out of my way...limiting access is going to be a key.

Came upon an interesting site that should help in calculating calorie intake, as I would like to use a calorie counter, and nutritional information...looks a little overwhelming right now, but I think it will have all the info I need is the Nutrition Data Web site: NutritionData.com. Also has some free nutrition and health tools. I am going to add this site as a link and will explore it more.

Until next time...

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