July 2007 Archive

18Jul
8

Diet Coke Plus A Health Risk?

Is it just me, or is the number of “nutrition-enhanced” foods and beverages starting to scare anyone? Look, I understand the importance of getting my vitamins and minerals, particularly if you’re taking Alli like I am. And, while I try to eat a varied diet since it remains the best source of good nutrition, I do take a multi-vitamin with minerals every day.

Which is why I’d never consider also drinking something like new Diet Coke Plus which, according to Medill Reports, includes vitamin supplements selected by consumers. In addition to the usual calorie-free soda, the drink also contains niacin, B6, B12, zinc and magnesium.

Look, I’ve heard of people hooked on Diet Coke, some of whom even drink 12 cans daily. No doubt, many of these folks will be tempted to make the switch to Diet Coke Plus thinking that it’s more h

But they couldn’t be more wrong.

  • Too much B6, for instance, can lead to numbness in hands and/or feet, suicidal tendencies, heart palpitations, spinal and nerve degeneration… you get the point.
  • Too much B12 is associated with anemia, some types of leukemia, liver and kidney diseases and more.
  • Too much magnesium can cause cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, low blood pressure, depression and more spinal/nerve degeneration.
  • Too much niacin triggers flushing, tingling skin, gout, diabetes-like symptoms and more.

These “enhanced” drinks tout their vitamin and mineral content which, as far as Coke’s manufacturer is concerned, make them “health and wellness” products. Unfortunately, folks who drink diet soda like it was water are most likely to fall for this dangerous marketing gimmick. But, really, when was the last time water gave you spinal and nerve degeneration, heart palpitations and suicidal tendencies?

Technorati Tags: Diet Coke Plus
Posted by Chubby Mommy in Health News
18Jul
Off

Cardio Cleaning Wednesday

I burned over 300 calories and had a clean bedroom by 8 a.m. today. How about you?

Posted by Chubby Mommy in Exercise
18Jul
Off

Now That’s More Like It

That 3-lb. gain I worried about yesterday? Gone this morning.

Amazing how something like that can get your day off to a great start.

Posted by Chubby Mommy in Weight Loss Matters
18Jul
3

The Link Between Grapefruit and Cancer

Younger women seem to know all of the latest dieting tricks to pare off pounds quicky, whether it’s for an important date or Spring Break. Back when I was younger, I was no exception: faced with my upcoming wedding I jumped on board the Grapefruit Diet for two weeks and watched as ten pounds vanished almost instantly.

It’s tempting, sometimes, to go back to that kind of weight loss approach. Not that I could do it any more, mind you: I’m psychologically accustomed to eating three meals a day. (Those meal replacement shakes don’t work for me, either.)

Turns out, my inability to subsist on grapefruit — or even swallow one single bite of the bitter stuff — may be good for my health according to a new report.

The report, from the Universities of Southern California and Hawaii, published in the British Journal of Cancer, states that eating it can increase the risk of breast cancer by nearly a third. The fruit is believed to boost blood levels of oestrogen, the hormone associated with increased risk of the illness.

The researchers claim that post-menopausal women who eat as little as one quarter of a grapefruit per day (or juice equivalent) could see their chances increase by 30 per cent. Most dieters would have been eating at least six times that amount.

It’s pretty common knowledge these days that eating grapefruit can counteract many medications, including immuno-suppressants and anti-depressants. But until now I wasn’t aware that grapefruit also affects the metabolism of estrogen.

At risk most: those with low estrogen levels, like post-menopausal women or those with naturally low levels. The concern is that the increased estrogen brought on by grapefruit consumption may trigger estrogen-receptive cancer cells, causing them to become active and produce tumors.

Hm. I always did consider that fruit rather nasty.

Technorati Tags: grapefruit diet, breast cancer
Posted by Chubby Mommy in Diets
17Jul
6

Out Of The Mouth Of My Baby

Today while working out to a new exercise DVD (which I’ve already come to despise), my little boy joined me for the first round of squats and lunges. Then he just stopped and stared at the TV screen with what was decidedly an angry scowl.

“What’s wrong, sug?” I asked when I finally had a chance to snatch my breath.

“Mommy, are you going to keep exercising until you look like one these stringy orange ladies who look like men with boobs?”

“Why no, son. I promise you that is not going to happen.”

After he left the room I glanced at the exercise leader on the television set. You know what? My son has a wonderful knack for description.

Posted by Chubby Mommy in Exercise
17Jul
2

A Stamp of Approval

Last night on ElectricVenom.com I wrote about Miss Narfeld, the librarian at my elementary school whose rubber date stamp sounded much like a starting signal to my young ears. Whenever I checked a book out, the ca-chunk of her stamp marked the beginning of the all-too-short period I had to race through the stack of books I’d selected. Eventually, I came to associate that sound with something exciting, something that would bring me great pleasure.

It dawned on me that I still have plenty of scrapbooking stamps and, of course, the always-handy address stamp. But also my big, red “PAID IN FULL” stamp. I love that one, but I never get to use it often enough.

Then it dawned on me: why not use it to mark my calendar with the days that I’ve exercised? I’ve been using a little tick mark on each date, but that’s not nearly as rewarding as seeing a whole week filled with big, fat rubber stamps announcing that I’ve “PAID IN FULL” my calorie deficit for the day.

Because that’s what it is, really, when you’re trying to lose weight: you’ve got a calorie surplus all over your hips, thighs and tummy, and you owe both calorie restriction and exercise on a daily basis to be rid of that flab. Stick with it for a day and mark your day as “PAID IN FULL.” Skip it a day and, well, the bare space on that date is as guilt-inducing as any persistent bill collector.

Posted by Chubby Mommy in Diet Motivation
17Jul
Off

Cardio Cleaning Tuesday!

Did you know that cleaning house is an excellent way to burn calories? Now, I’m not talking about the slow swish-and-swipe method. I’m talking serious, hard-core cleaning hustle and bustle. It’s almost better than taking a bike ride with the kiddies and as good as dancing around your house for an hour when it comes to burning calories:

Bicycling, leisure, <10 mph — 236-345
Dancing, general — 266-388
Cleaning, vigorous — 266-388

Unlike other forms of exercise, which require weeks if not months before you see results, Cardio Cleaning gives you immediate gratification: your house will start looking better that very day!

So, if you’re up for it, join me for Cardio Cleaning Tuesday and find out how you can get your blog listed on the Cardio Cleaning Crew blogroll.

Posted by Chubby Mommy in Exercise
17Jul
1

Banished to the Bathroom

On Friday I mentioned that I’d been keeping my scale right in the kitchen, right in front of the refrigerator, where it was to serve as a constant reminder that every calorie counts. Several of you left comments explaining that you keep yours in the bathroom mostly to prevent your kids from jumping on the dang things and ruining them.

Well, mine’s back in the bathroom now, too. Why?

Because when I stood on the darned thing this morning it relected a gain of 3 pounds. Three! I can only assume my son’s been jumping up and down on it when I wasn’t looking.

I mean, it couldn’t have been the double cheeseburger and fries I ate yesterday, right???

Posted by Chubby Mommy in Weight Loss Matters
16Jul
2

Fly Fishing Fitness

In keeping with the thought of making exercise fun, I’ll be taking my son fishing at the lake on Ft. Leavenworth this evening. It’s an activity that I’ve always enjoyed, largely in part due to some fond memories from my own childhood. It’s one that he loves, too, which means — if yesterday’s double exercise session is any indication — I’ll be doing more than merely dropping a line in the water and sitting around ’til the fish bite.

Turns out, fishing is actually a pretty good way to burn calories over the span of an hour:

Fishing from boat, sitting: 148-216 calories
Fishing from river bank, standing: 207-302 calories
Fishing in stream, in waders: 354-518 calories

Obviously, the more one weighs the more calories one burns. Whenever I recall that fact it’s one of the few times I’m glad I’ve got 40 pounds to lose, instead of a mere 10 or 15.

I doubt the calorie-burning stays quite as high if I use one of those Bionic Fish Finder gadgets: a device that displays not only the depth of the water but also detects the presence of fish. It blinks and sounds an alarm when fish are detected so anglers don’t have to keep re-casting in search of their prey.

Of course, as far as my son’s concerned, half the fun of fishing is watching his Chubby Mommy try casting her line without getting the hook caught in her hair. Thank goodness, then, that a 10-minute giggle fit (mine, as well as his) burns anywhere from 10 to 40 more calories!

Posted by Chubby Mommy in Exercise
16Jul
Off

Six Tips To Diet By

According to Brian Wansink, author of “MIndless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think” ($16.50 from Amazon), people make around 250 food choices per day. They can be as obvious as skim milk or non-fat, or as inconspicuous as whether to drink juice from a short, wide glass (more) or tall, narrow glass (less).

A summary of Brian’s best tips can help save hundreds of calories per day:

1. Stock up smart. Buying bulk packaging at discount stores leads to eating 48% more. Forty-eight percent!

2. Keep it short and pace yourself. The more people you eat with, the longer you’re at the table and, most likely, still eating. To lose weight, eat with the smallest group possible and keep pace with the pickiest eater. You’ll save calories AND time.

3. Out of sight, out of mind. Put your food on your plate in the kitchen. You’ll eat around 14% less than if the food’s sitting on the table in front of you.

4. Beat the buffet. Limit your plate to two items at a time. Even with multiple trips, you’ll still wind up eating less.

5. Turn it off and tune in. Don’t watch TV while eating. Entertainment “mutes” the signal that’s supposed to tell you when you’ve had enough, and besides, your brain won’t really register that you’ve actually had a meal.

6. Know the why and wherefore. Watch out for emotional eating: don’t have a Ho-Ho when what you really want is a hug.

Posted by Chubby Mommy in Diet Books
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