TheFATladyBlog

Intellectual Health Rx:Turn Off The Boob Tube!

I disconnected and turned off the cable on our television a couple of months ago. I've always been a "news junkie," and I found it too easy to do the couch potato thing while mindless chatter and commercial nonsense shattered the silence of my home and got in the way of constructive thinking. I thought it might be a difficult transition, but I am reading LOTS more and accomplishing more in the quietude. Good riddance, noisy box!

No More Snoring!

I recently started to use Goji Juice as an ingredient in my personal health journey, with no expectations for immediate results. However, my sleep pattern has improved remarkably in just a little over a week; I am no longer waking several times a night. And to top it off, I have ceased snoring altogether! THAT'S EXCITING! Go, Goji!

Goji Clinical Studies

The more that I hear and read about Goji juice the more excited I become. Check out these clinical studies on enhanced immune response, weight loss,  anti fatigue effects, and free radical prevention. I think I'm a four-ounce-a-day candidate. Cheers!

Wellness Is About Mental Health, Too

There's a baby blog just launched by Gailann Bruen, LCSW, called Reinvent Yourself NOW! Gailann is a self-described "career change maven" who loves her job. Her first post, Tips to Survive Downsizing contains "Do's" and "Don'ts" that we should all consider regardless of where we stand in the employment picture. Gailann has an extensive background in mental health, stress management, trauma, as well as vast financial expertise. (Gailann taught graduate level financial courses at New York University some years ago.) I'm looking forward to more posts in the days ahead. This is one blog to watch!

Tips For The Gym Scene Newbie

Tip #1  Before packing your gym bag, be sure that your shampoo and conditioner bottles are tightly capped and in the "closed" position.

Tip #2  Purchase a tote or duffel bag that is lined with plastic (not just canvas) for those occasions when shampoo leaks.

Weight Loss, Bone Health, Memory;I Get Lots Of Nutritional Support

No talk about scratchy feet, sore shoulders, or tipping scales at awful numbers today. Here is a list of the supplements that I am taking, with links to ingredients and additional information. Now we're getting scientific and technical!

MSM This product may be the one that is responsible for the improved skin tone that I referred to yesterday. This is described as a pharmaceutical-grade form of Methylsulfonylmethane. The MSM formulas are enhanced with an exclusive blend of vitamin C and antioxidants. Research demonstrates potential to offer nutritional support for the immune system, help promote a healthy digestive system, make skin appear softer and feel smoother, provide nutritional support for healthy skin, hair and nails, and assist in supporting healthy connective tissues underlying the skin.

Bone health is a major concern for women. I'm 53 and approaching menopause (they tell me, but no clear sign of that yet). This product also contains also contains special standardized extracts of some of the world's foremost traditional female herbs: chaste berry, licorice and dong-quai. These rare botanicals contain natural compounds (phytoestrogens) which can help to promote a woman's optimum hormonal balance. It is the first women's bone-support supplement to provide isoflavones from the miracle soybean and the Chinese kudzu vine. One daily dose contains the equivalent of 6 oz. of tofu, which is twice the average intake of Asian women and is 60 times the average American daily soy quota! Makes sense to me!

Weight loss formulary helps cut carbs, boost metabolism, and control appetite.

Antioxidants and nutrients supplied in handy packets is the foundation of the system. This product contains 157 vitamins, minerals, and anti-aging phytonutrients imported from 28 countries,

Ginkgo biloba extract formula that contains the added power of three unique herbs, vinpocetine, bacopa monniera, and huperzine A, all of which will help brain function at its peak, and enhance alertness, mental agility, and recall.

Digestive enzyme supplement provides research-recommended enzymes from 100% pure plant sources. It contains all of the enzymes your body needs to digest every type of complex carbohydrate, protein, tough vegetable fiber and fat you eat.  It increases the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients,  helping gain the most benefit from food and nutritional supplements. The pure plant enzymes naturally and safely ease the digestive process. I will testify to that personally. I could post a long, descriptive blurb about regularity, but how much do you really need to know about this blogger?

CoQ10 for cardiovascular health. This product also contains natural vitamin E, aged garlic, and capsicum extract, all of which help to regulate cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol health nutrients from this company win kudos that I have personally heard, so I'm taking this one as well. Scientific studies show that a combination of the other key nutrients in this product (niacin, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12) helps to maintain normal blood levels of homocysteine. (Homocysteine is a known risk factor in the health of the cardiovascular system.)

Week One: Health Journey Milestones

Weight: I confess that I was a little deflated when I saw that I lost only three pounds in the last week, but then I thought a little bit. If I continue to lose three pounds a week I'll weigh less than that dastardly 200 number by summer's end. Besides, I'm not hungry. I am eating real food, good food, loosely following The South Beach Diet Plan. I plan to update myself a little more on that plan in the days ahead and pick up the corresponding cookbook with those recipes for a little more structure to guide my gastronomic adventures.

Exercise: I've been doing 10 laps in the pool at the local YMCA each day. That may not sound like much to some of you, but it is a major undertaking for a plus-size couch potato. I had a little shoulder strain over the weekend but that  passed and I had my first little endorphin rush today after my workout. It's been a looong time since I had an endorphin rush after exercise, my friends, and it was good!

Interesting Benefits: There are two little surprises that greet me this week. Honestly, I was not expecting improvement so early in this junket, but changes like these are important.

1. I have had a skin condition for many years that affects primarily my forearms. The skin in this area has had an "alligator skin" quality for many years--scaly, red, almost impervious to liquid. I do not use creams or lotions or anything of that sort to treat this area. However, the skin on my arms has returned to normal since I have embarked upon this health journey. It is smooth and has returned to a completely normal state. I am anxious to show this to my sister, a nurse in Texas, who has followed my condition for years.
2. The heels of my feet have been responsible for umpteen pantyhose snares, tears, and rips over many years. The heel surface has ranged from emery board roughness on good days to a bed of little razors on severe days. For the past few days the heels of my feet are totally normal! Smooth!

I'm sure that supplements are helping in ways that I did not anticipate. I'll assemble a list of the products that I am taking and offer that in a future post in the next couple of days.

Himalayan Goji Health Secret No More!Clinical Studies Document Results

I've added a new ingredient to my regimen, Himalayan Goji berry juice. There is additional information at The Goji Book. Here are some of the medical facts about Goji:

* Allergies - Drink 2-4 oz. daily
In a study of Goji Berry reported in the Journal of the Beijing Medical University (1992), it was noted that Goji reduced antibodies associated with allergy-type reactions, by promoting CD8(+) T-cells and regulating cytokines. Goji Berry has also been reported to be a useful treatment for psoriasis.

* Anti-Aging - Drink 2-4 oz. daily
Goji's unique LBP polysaccharide complex has been found to be powerful secretagogue (a substance that stimulates the secretion of rejuvenative human growth hormone by the pituitary gland). Zhang (1993) studied the role of Goji's unique LBP polysaccharides in fighting peroxidation, a primary cause of premature cell death. Dr. Zhang and his team measured the changes in the electrical parameters of cell membranes after incubating living cells in a solution containing dangerous free radicals for six hours. They observed that the deadly effects of free radicals on the cells can be prevented and reversed by incubation with LBP polysaccharides.

* Arthritis and Inflammatory Conditions - Drink 4 oz. daily
The inflammatory free radical most often implicated in arthritis is known as the superoxide anion. One study in China found that the ingestion of Goji resulted in a remarkable 40 percent increase of this extremely important anti-inflammatory enzyme.

* Cardiovascular Health - Drink 4 oz. daily
The accumulation of lipid peroxides in the blood can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, atherosclerosis and stroke. Our blood contains the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) to fight against lipid peroxidation, but levels of SOD decrease as we age. In a clinical study, Goji Berry consumption was accompanied by a remarkable 40 percent increase in SOD levels, and a decrease in lipid peroxides of an impressive 65 percent.

* Diabetes (adult-onset) - Drink 2 oz. twice daily
Goji has been used in China for the treatment of adult-onset diabetes for many years, as it is said to balance blood sugar and insulin response.

* Hypertension (high blood pressure) - Drink 3 oz. daily
The effects of Goji polysaccharides (LBP) on endothelial function were observed by Jia YX et al (1998) in China. Their results showed that the increase of blood pressure in the hypertensive rats could be prevented significantly by the treatment with Goji LBP.

* Obesity - Drink 2 oz. in the morning, 2 oz. in the afternoon
The Goji Berry has also been tested as an anti-obesity drug. Patients were given a tea made of the berries each morning and each afternoon. Results were excellent with most patients losing significant weight. In an animal study, it was shown that Goji polysaccharides enhanced the conversion of food into energy, and reduced body weight.

Ouch! No Pain, No GainThis Must Be Working

I started an exercise program of sorts at the Bethlehem YMCA last week. I enjoy lap swimming, back and forth, alternating between breaststroke and backstroke, then heading to the steam room and whirlpool comfort. It is a good low-impact exercise without all that wear on tear on sensitive hip and knee areas. I'm a little sore around the shoulders, but that's par for the course when those lazy muscles are put to work after such a long sabbatical.

I'm already seeing some interesting benefits to this weight loss program in areas that are probably related to the supplements but I want to do a little research about that before I start to talk about it. I already see significant improvement in GI health and skin and nails.  It's wonderful to have GOOD surprises now and then, isn't it?

Cro-Magnon Brain Waves DetectedOn National Real Estate List Serv

The thoughts contained in the previous post were addressed on a national real estate list serv today by Pennsylvania REALTOR^®  Art Houston, who made no attempt to conceal a contemptuous view of the matter of legislative weight discrimination remedies :

"The Lear cockpit...Most heavy people could not step over the control pedestal, much less fit into the seat...It takes twice the fuel to move their mass...if an [acting] part calls for a slim girl, must you substitute a fat man?...can SI be sued to have a fat model on the cover?...the road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions...most weight is the direct result of choices made by the individual...If I stain my own skin, can I call myself black?..if I eat too much (and I do) can I ask, in good conscience, for special accommodation for my overeating?"

I think that legislative outreach in behalf of overweight persons in some areas is an appropriate response to a terrible lack of sensitivity and utter ignorance that exists in some quarters. The preceding post is evidence of that type of sectarianism.