Posts Tagged ‘day’

Healthy Eating Plan Tips

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Start the planning your daily healthy eating plan, consider where you already. You might want to keep a food diary for one week, one day or more. Writing down everything you eat and drink then compare with what the food pyramid suggests you should be eat, This will offer a better idea of what you need to add to your diet -probably fruits, vegetables and whole grains- and what you could cut back on -for example: fat, meat, salt, -.

Here are some TIPS to get you eating better:

Swap soda with water, Water is calorie-free and makes you feel full, which is important if you’re trying to lose weight. Water is also vital if you’re exercising more than you used to. Don’t think that just switching to diet soda is good enough; getting rid of all carbonated beverages is better for you.

Get whole grains at breakfast. Try oatmeal, toast on whole-grain bread, a whole-wheat English muffin, even leftover brown rice in an omelet. Starting your day with whole grains makes you feel full longer, and we all can use more fiber.

fruit for snacks. Most people don’t get anywhere near the recommended number of servings of fruit daily. Get closer by packing whole fruit, natural applesauce or single servings of mixed fruit in light syrup for snacks throughout the day.

Eat more often. Conventional diet wisdom lately is that eating more often during the day prevents blood sugar spikes and makes you feel full, even if you’re consuming fewer calories. Go for five or six eating sessions a day rather than the usual three.

Plan ahead. Take time on the weekend to plan your menu—breakfasts, lunches and dinners—and do as much of your shopping and prep work in advance as you can. Being prepared makes it easy to stick to your healthy diet plan.

Try more beans. Americans eat almost 200 pounds of meat, poultry and fish a year, way more than anyone else in the world. Cut your meat intake (and therefore your fat intake) by using beans instead of meat at least one meal a week. Beans are rich in fiber and can help lower cholesterol.

Look for ways to add veggies. It’s easy to add vegetables to salads, pasta sauces and rice dishes in addition to just eating them as sides. Each meal, think about ways to add a vegetable, and if you can, do it.
Eating healthy becomes second nature after a while. Once you’ve lived with your healthy eating plan for a few weeks you won’t even miss the unhealthy junk you were eating before.

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Health at Work

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Isn’t always easy to staying healthy at work , With all your coworkers sneezing and sniffing around you, it may seem impossible. Find how to stay healthy at work with these health tips:

1. Wash Your Hands. Often.
This means every time you use the restroom, before you eat, after you sneeze or cough and any other time your hands feel dirty. Also, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at your desk, for when you can’t get to a sink.


2. Keep your workspace clean.
Clean your phone, computer keyboard and anything else that you use frequently. Even if you are the only user, germs can live on these objects and you can reinfect yourself.
3. Eat balanced meals every day – including breakfast!
Many people are tempted to skip breakfast because it takes too long to eat in the morning or in an (misguided) effort to lose weight. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast are healthier and more likely to remain at a healthy weight.
4. Avoid coworkers who are sick.
You would hope that coworkers who are contagious would stay home from work. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. If they do show up, try to avoid direct contact with them (without being rude, of course).
5. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water a day.
Sodas and coffee may help you stay awake, but they will also contribute to dehydration. So you need to be sure to drink water also. Just keep a water bottle with you all the time, drink throughout the day and you will probably get what you need.
6. Take frequent breaks throughout the day.
When you are feeling tired or sore, get up and walk around for a few minutes. Or try some of these tips for stretching at your desk. Taking breaks and keeping your body in shape will help you feel better and make you more productive.
7. Use your vacation days.
It may feel like there is never a good time to be away from the office, but people who do not take vacations are more likely to be sick. Vacations are a good way to relieve stress, which has been proven to contribute to illness. So even if it is just a few long weekends, use your vacation days and don’t take your work with you.
8. Quit smoking.
It is pretty common knowledge these days that smoking is bad for your health. Smokers get sick much more frequently than non-smokers. You are also getting less work done if you have to take frequent smoke breaks throughout the day. And no, smoke breaks do not promote productivity like exercise breaks do. Nicotine is a stimulant and actually increases your body’s stress level.
Share Your Thoughts
If you take these tips into consideration and implement them into your daily work routine, you should notice that you feel better and will remain healthier. With so many illnesses going around this time of year, you should do everything you can do avoid getting sick. If you have any more tips on staying healthy in the workplace, don’t keep them to yourself, share them in the Prevention Forum!

 

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Stretches at Your Desk

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Sit at a desk for long periods of time can cause muscular tension. You can prevent the buildup of stress in your muscles by taking a few minutes to stretch. Try these easy exercises when you need to re-energize, or throughout the day to keep your muscles relaxed:

Head Tilt. Put your right hand on your left shoulder. Tilt your ear right toward your right shoulder, but don’t turn your head. Hold five seconds. Switch sides.
 

Neck Roll. Roll your head to the right, down to the front, then left. Do this slowly and smoothly, both directions.
 

Shoulder Circles. Make circles with your shouldersup, back, and down. Switch directions. Do at least five.

Side Stretch. Stretch your arms to the side, then clasp your hands overhead. Keep your head straight forward, but lean your upper body to the right side. You should feel this down your left side. Hold five seconds. Switch sides.
Back Release. Sit at the edge of your chair as tall as you can (be careful if it has wheels). Open your legs apart so your arms drop between them. Straighten your legs, so your heels are on the floor, but not your toes. Knees are relaxed and never locked. Bring chin to chest, and then roll down toward your feet, one vertebra at a time. You should feel this first in your neck, then upper back, middle back, and lower back. This should be done slowly, relaxing into each part of the back. Roll up just as slowly. This

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Weight Loss Plateau

Friday, December 19th, 2008

A Weight Loss Plateau is a period that occurs while dieting when the body exhibits zero to minimal results in regards to weight loss. A Weight Loss Plateau may last for a few days, or several weeks.
Weight Loss Plateaus are often confused with stagnated weight loss which occurs when the weight loss plan is too restricted in calories and the body struggles to maintain life itself. On that note, be certain that your weight loss plan is wise in the area of daily calories, taking great care to make healthy selections from those oh-so-important Food Groups housed within the Great Food Pyramid.

Our tips for getting over the Weight Loss Plateau include:Support groups can assist in keeping you motivated to lose weight during this rough spot.

- Ensure that you are experiencing a true Weight Loss Plateau rather than Diet Stagnation.

- Keep in mind that weight loss takes time. The body must slowly adjust to all the good things you’re doing for it!

- Strengthen your Willpower. Without Willpower and determination, it will be almost impossible to conquer the Great Weight Loss Plateau.

- As the body drops pounds, calorie needs decrease. Make sure that you’re not consuming too many calories to support your goal weight.

- If you’re eating the same foods day in and day out, change-up your weight loss plan which in turn can help boost the metabolism.

- Exercise can help you over the Weight Loss Plateau. Boost up your current routine another 15 minutes per day.

If you have a lot of pounds to lose, you may experience several Weight Loss Plateaus amid your Weight Loss Journey. In my personal experience, every ten pounds lost made a new Weight Loss Plateau surface.

Finally, keep in mind that good things come to those who patiently wait.

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Daily Activity Health

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Tips for being active
Give time every day for moderate aerobic physical activity like walking, swimming or biking. You should always stay within your physician’s recommendations and your own comfort zone.

  DO…

Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers.
Start slowly. Gradually build up to at least 150 minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity per week (or whatever your doctor recommends). That’s 30 minutes of activity, five or more times per week  If you can’t manage 30 minutes at a time, try two 15-minute sessions or three 10-minute sessions to meet your goal.
Exercise at the same time of day so it becomes a habit. For example, you might walk Monday through Friday before lunch or dinner.
If you aren’t on fluid restrictions, drink a cup of water before, during and after activity.
Ask family or friends to join you. You’ll be more likely to keep exercising with company.
Track your activity on a printable log or online.
If you miss a day, plan a make-up day or add 10–15 minutes to your next session.
Vary your activity to keep your interest up. Walk one day, swim the next time, then go for a bike ride.
Join an exercise group, health club or community fitness facility. Many churches and senior centers offer exercise programs, too. (Get your doctor’s permission first.)
Look for opportunities to be more active during the day. Park farther from your destination, walk the mall before shopping, choose a flight of stairs over an escalator, or take 10–15 minute walking breaks while watching TV or working.
Add strength and stretching moves to your routine, if your doctor allows them.
DON’T…

Get discouraged if you stop for awhile. Get started again gradually and work up to your old pace.
Perform isometric exercises that require holding your breath, bearing down or sudden bursts of energy. If you’re taking part in a class or structured rehab program, ask the leader or therapist what isometric exercises are.
Get involved in competitive or contact sports such as football or soccer.
Engage in any activity that causes chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness. If you have any of these symptoms, stop what you’re doing right away and call your healthcare provider.
Exercise right after meals, when it’s very hot or humid, or when you just don’t feel up to it.

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