How often do you see or how often do you grab that salt shaker and start pouring salt all over your food as soon as the plate is set in front of you? Sodium intake in our nation is extremely too high. Did you know that the recommended amount of sodium intake per day is less then 2,300 milligrams, which only equals 1 teaspoon? (*Note. Daily Value used on food labels is based off 2,400 milligrams).
Sodium plays a vital role in our bodies by helping maintain acid-base balance and it is essential to nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. However, too much sodium makes our bodies hold on to fluid and to pump the added fluid, the heart has to work harder which over years of doing this puts an extreme strain on our heart. Also, too much salt can worsen symptoms like swelling and shortness of breath and cause weight gain. A diet high in salt has been linked to very serious health conditions including high blood pressure, hypertension, and heart disease.
The Today Show posted an article with the 20 Saltiest Foods in America. They compiled a top 20 list of foods (or dishes) found in restaurants across our nation. Their list is posted below.
20. Saltiest Side Dish
Denny’s Honey Smoked Ham, grilled slice. 1,700 mg sodium, 85 calories
19. Saltiest Dessert
Atlanta Bread Company Raspberry Scone. 1,750 mg sodium, 360 calories
There’s a slight discrepancy in estimates of how much food and beverage marketers spend targeting kids. A mere $8.4 billion.
An FTC report says food and beverage companies spent $1.6 billion marketing to children under 17 in 2006. But $10 billion is the estimate cited in a government study from the National Academies of Science Institute of Medicine.
It seems that the lower number has more validity. According to a consumer group, the higher number includes some money that was intended for marketing to parents.
“The obesity problem is a complex problem. It’s not only about advertising,” Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
True, but billions of dollars can be a pretty powerful persuader.
Most people don’t want to consider the idea of a nanny state. But one can make the argument that junk food is as dangerous as elicit drugs in the long run. And most activists don’t want to treat junk food exactly like drugs. That is, it should always be perfectly legal to eat, just that we need to understand the consequences of massive junk food marketing.
Congressmen Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is a strong critic of junk food marketing to kids:
“Food companies are spending millions of dollars to target children so they can become lifelong consumers of their unhealthy products… While many food and beverage companies have pledged to market healthier options to kids through self-regulatory programs, I want to see real results and changes in the types of products marketed towards children. If these programs do not produce significant changes — government will have to act,” he said.
When I was growing up my mother would often say; “you are who you hangout with.” It was her way of making sure that I was surrounding myself with people who wouldn’t get me into trouble. It was sound advice that did in fact keep me out of trouble and helped me to succeed both personally and academically. Recently, I have been giving much thought to my mother’s advice and finding that it still holds true today, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
While on the Biggest Loser I was paired with a complete stranger (Brittany) she ended up being an extraordinary young woman whose friendship and support enabled me to change my life. Later on the show, the initial couples were split and remaining contestants were placed into one of two teams- either the black or the blue team. I was placed on the black team led by Jillian Michaels. Although the team consisted of five other members besides myself (Kelly, Paul, Jen, Maggie, and Brittany), there were three of us that ended up being inseparable. Through much reflection I have come to realize that with out their help my weight loss journey would have been much more difficult and far less gratifying.
Together we faced many personal issues that we masked behind the pounds we carried. We also supported and motivated one another to continue on when our weight loss goals seemed out of reach. I can’t thank Brittany and Maggie enough for their love, support, and encouragement. Knowing that my mother’s advice couldn’t be truer I am honored to be associated with such incredible and strong individuals.
As you embark on your own weight loss journey, please keep my mother’s advice in mind, “you are who you hangout with,” and be sure to surround yourself with individuals who share similar goals and ambitions. Don’t be afraid to seek out people who you can depend on for support, both in and out of the gym. With loyal companions by your side you’ll soon find that the journey you once thought unachievable is merely a shared adventure between friends!
This doesn’t seem to be a real shocking discovery, but a new study suggests that the very low rates of coronary heart disease among the Japanese may be due to their lifelong high consumption of fish. We’ve known for a while now that omega 3 fatty acids in fish have many health benefits, among them being improved cardiovascular health. This study just further cements the notion. As for me, I’ll happily eat fish – raw or cooked!
Here’s a good overview of the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids:
Isometric training (static strength training) consist of constant muscle contraction without joint movement. This type of exercise is good for general strength training and rehabilitation. Isometric training is also an excellent way to strengthen muscles without putting too much stress on the joints. This is a another great way to incorporate different exercises into your everyday routine.
Top 5 Isometric Core Exercises
1. Elbow Plank- Hold for 30 seconds to a minute: 2 sets
2. Bent Arm Side Bridge- Hold for 30 seconds to a minute on each side: 2 sets
3. V Sit- Hold for as long as you can: 2 sets
4. Straight Arm Plank- Hold as long as you can: 2 sets
5. Straight Arm Plank On Bosu Ball- Hold as long as you can: 2 sets
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Isometric training (static strength training) consist of constant muscle contraction without joint movement. This type of exercise is good for general strength training and rehabilitation. Isometric training is also an excellent way to strengthen muscles without putting too much stress on the joints. This is a another great way to incorporate different exercises into your everyday routine.
