Archive for February, 2007
Cardio workouts that are intensity-driven require some level of focus during the exercise bout. If an individual can comfortably read a book or a magazine while on a treadmill or elliptical, I would challenge the level of intensity they are achieving verses the level they could achieve.
If you’ve made the effort to put the TIME in to your workout, then make the effort to put the INTENSITY in as well, which will yield more desirable and faster results. Read your magazine while you’re eating your Fiber One – that’s right, when you’ve got your cardio done!
February 23rd, 2007
While the life expectancy and overall health of Americans has improved in recent years, the burden of illness and death in African American communities remains disproportionately high. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, overweight and obesity are higher among racial and ethnic minority populations and contribute to the myriad health challenges faced by these community members. Among minority groups, African American women have the highest prevalence of overweight (78 percent) and obesity (51 percent). These women are disproportionately affected by some of the most devastating health problems including heart disease, depression, hypertension, and various cancers. Obesity-related health conditions place a significant burden on the individual, the family, the community and society at large.
That being said, we at Hilton Head Health Institute are proud to join the BET Foundation, General Mills, and Honey Nut Cheerios to sponsor the “A Healthy BET Fitness Challenge.” We hope to give the Challenge participants a healthy start to the rest of their lives. There are small changes we can all make in our daily lives to reduce risk factors for deadly diseases. Not only do we need to live healthy for ourselves, we need to be examples for generations to come.
What can you do today to improve your life tomorrow?
February 11th, 2007
Berkeley Wellness Newsletter has just posted a useful article about high density lipoprotein (HDL–the good cholesterol). We’ve known it was a good thing for a long time; recent research suggests its role is even more extensive in beneficial ways than we thought.
It seems that HDL has an anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting action, and helps blood vessels stay young and flexible. It is also an anti-oxidant. The article suggests this health helper may be even more important than lowering total cholesterol. So drug companies are moving away from a focus on lowering LDL (statins) and researching drugs that can boost HDL.
Also, look for a surge of claims about raising HDL in over the counter medications and be skeptical. The newsletter’s prescription is the H3I Healthy Lifestyle: exercise, good nutrition, non-smoking, moderation in alcohol intake–you know the drill.
February 6th, 2007
MSN online recently published an article about binge eating. It pointed out that 2% to 3.5% of the population suffers from binge eating, more than anorexia or bulimia. And it noted that binge eating is one of the main causes of obesity.
H3I weight loss spa has been dealing with binge eating for the past 15 years. It is an issue that nearly half of our guest population suffers from. Hallmark signs include: eating large amounts of food quickly, feeling “out of control” during the eating episode, eating in secret away from others, and experiencing guilt or depression after the episode. Although it is unclear what causes the disorder is it believed to be most prevalent in individuals who suffer from depression or anxiety and those that have difficulty in handling their emotions.
Deprivation dieting will not help those that binge lose weight. Deprivation may exacerbate the issue.
If you think you might have binge eating disorder, please understand you are not alone. Our experience at H3I shows that many people share this problem.
It is important to seek help from a trained health professional. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches people how to keep track of their eating and change their unhealthy eating habits. It teaches them how to change the way they act in tough situations. It also helps them feel better about their body shape and weight.
Binge eating is something you can deal with. A place to start is talking with someone about it.
February 5th, 2007
