Though it is pretty tempting to go for quick fix/crash diets, we all know that going on one is not the right way to go about losing weight. First of all, crash diets are not not good for your health. And second, they’re not an effective way to keep those pounds off. Sure you might lose a few pounds when you go on a crash diet, but since this kind of dieting is but reactionary, you’ll find that those pounds will come creeping back snagging you into an endless crash diet roller coaster.

If you want to shed the extra pounds you got from eating way too much during the holidays (and even before that), the best way to go about it is still a lifestyle change. I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, but it is still true nonetheless. No diet nor exercise regimen will last for long if you don’t make it a part of your lifestyle. You need to make a decision to make some key changes in your life that will allow you to slowly imbibe healthy behaviors until they become habits. Doing this may mean that the holiday pounds you put on won’t go away in a snap, but it does mean that come the end of next year, you’ll be more likely to stick to your healthy habits so that you won’t be in the situation you are right now.

Image via Crash Diets

To help you have a more healthy holiday so that you can enjoy a longer fun-filled life, here are some tips you can follow:

• Commit to a healthy holiday – It all starts with a decision. If you decide early on that you’ll go all out to enjoy the holidays and binge, then there’s no way you’ll resist all the temptation. Commit to a healthier lifestyle this holiday, so that as the temptations come, you’ll have more resolve to overcome them.
• Eat before going to a party – You cannot control the kind of food served in parties you attend, so make it easier to resist the urge to pig out on unhealthy party food by eating before you leave the house. This way you’ll be full when you get to the party and will feel more like mingling with people than hovering over the table.
• Stay away from the table – Find a comfy spot in the farthest corner from the food and drinks station. The more inconvenient it is for you to get food, the less likely you’ll come back for seconds.
• Wash everything down with water – The free-flowing drinks may be tempting, but decide to wash down your food with water. Before you know it, you’ll feel too full to eat and drink too much.
• Serve healthy alternatives – If you’re hosting your own party, or will be cooking the Christmas dinner, make sure that you serve lots of healthy alternatives. You can do this by substituting healthy ingredients whenever you can, and using cooking healthier cooking techniques (i.e. roasting instead of deep frying).

Image via Burn the Fat Challenge

Buy Own-Label

These days the majority of supermarkets have their own lines of food that they sell alongside well known brands. The own-label brands are usually a lot cheaper than main name brands and are often just as tasty. Products that are made by supermarket brands include medicines, bath product, laundry detergents and foodstuffs so you can save money on a range of items, sometimes as much as 20 per cent.

Join Loyalty Schemes

In order to generate your repeat business, most supermarkets have some sort of customer loyalty initiative that rewards you for shopping there on a frequent basis. Signing up to these schemes will mean that you get ‘points’ for every new item you purchase, and these points can be exchanged over time for discounts on food. If you visit one supermarket regularly, this can be a great way to save money.

Shop Around

Having said that, it may not be the best idea to religiously shop at only one supermarket. Stores may often run discounts at different periods in order to capitalize on as many customers as possible. Visiting a variety of stores at different times could lead to substantial savings. Check out their various websites to find out exactly when the supermarkets are running special offers.

Reuse Grocery Bags

Using the same grocery bags each time you shop is not only good for the environment, but can also save you money. Many supermarkets now reward customers for bringing their same bags back as it means they go through less bags themselves and have a smaller carbon footprint on the environment. You can usually recoup the cost of a reusable bag within six months of shopping.

Purchase In Bulk

Although buying directly from warehouses is usually better for wholesalers, there’s nothing to stop individual consumers doing the same thing. Buying items in bulk can be a great way to save money over time – just make sure you have the space to store the products when you get them!

Use Coupons

Signing up for discount coupon can also help you save money on your weekly food shop. Make sure you keep the coupons in a holder in your car, rather than leaving them somewhere in the house – the coupons are only useful if you remember to take them shopping with you! It is also a good idea to ask your friends if they want to use the coupons they get in the mail. Most people just throw them away without using them, so if you can get hold of them the more money you will save!

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects about 1 in 15,000 people. It is both incurable and unpreventable, but is definitely manageable. However, it does mean that my son has to go to endless therapy sessions with his physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, and countless doctors, all of whom we have to pay out of our own pockets since such diseases are unfortunately not covered by our health insurance policy. So you see why I am now a firm believer of the above saying.

My point today though is not to whine about how expensive it is to raise a kid with medical issues, but to encourage (or rather warn) everyone to really take their health seriously. Unlike my son’s condition, most medical problems that people have today are actually preventable. Why tempt fate and continue with a lifestyle that you know is harming your health? If you do not value your health, at least think of your pocket. Good health might not make you wealthy, but poor health will surely drain your resources in no time at all.

Image credit: Dave Wavey Fitness

So what is the Slow Food Movement? Their philosophy is:

Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.

Their mission is:

Slow Food works to defend biodiversity in our food supply, spread taste education and connect producers of excellent foods with co-producers through events and initiatives.

As you may surmise, this movement involves organic produce a lot. And I do not need to tell you that eating organic translates to healthy eating. I have to be honest, however, and state outright that being part of this movement is not that appealing to me. Call me callous and insensitive, but I do not think that it is possible for me to consume purely organic food. I believe that I can eat healthily without going to this extreme. I do respect and even admire the people behind this movement.

What about you? What do you think of slow food?

Oatmeal. Tomorrow morning, load up on some oatmeal. If you do not normally eat breakfast, then it’s about time that you did. Your grandmother told you so. Your mom told you so. And now we’re telling you the same thing. Breakfast can give you a jumpstart and keep you going all day! By the way, stick with plain old oatmeal. Forget the instant or flavored ones for maximum benefit.

Bananas. Oatmeal and fruit, why not? I suggest getting a couple of bananas to last you through Monday as well. If you feel the munchies coming on, just grab one of the bananas and munch away. Not only will you be eating healthy, you will also be packing on some energy boosters.

Dark chocolate. Now you’ve been looking out for this on my list, haven’t you? Who doesn’t like a bit of chocolate every now and then? Just make sure it’s dark chocolate so you won’t be eating all those extra calories. Dark chocolate has been known to lift your mood and give you a burst of energy as well. You can’t really beat that combination, can you?

Here’s to a good week for all of us!

In the Health section of the New York Times, they featured this topic a while ago and presented some questions that can help you analyze the cause of your pain. Here are some of them.

Are you diabetic?
I didn’t realize this but poor blood circulation can cause feet pain due to the distance between the lower limbs and the heart. Alternatively, this can cause loss of feeling. For diabetics, this is dangerous because you might get wounds in your feet without realizing it. This can, in turn, lead to more complications such as infection or amputation.

Do you have flat feet or high arches?
Both conditions have adverse effects on the muscles on the feet. Either way, you need to wear the right kind of shoes that will help you deal with the condition and avoid pain.

Are your shoes the right size?
Some people may not realize it but their shoes may be contributing to the pain and discomfort they feet. The best way to go would be to have your feet actually measured and get the right size and type of shoes.

Needless to say, you have to see a podiatrist if you experience consistent pain in your feet.

The Telegraph reports about the findings:

Researchers asked over 40,000 people if they would prefer £45 in three days or £70 in three months. Those who wanted the smaller amount were also impulsive in other areas of their life.

They were more likely to want the immediate pleasure of a cake, an affair or a puff on a cigarette than consider the long-term effect on their health or relationship.

The study by University College London found people who are young, poorly educated and on a low income were the most financially impulsive.

It’s not all that bad, though. According to Dr. Stian Reimers, those who are impulsive can learn how to control their impulsive urges:

“Simple techniques can help reduce impulsivity, like imagining how you’d feel about your decision in a year’s time or trying to avoid making decisions in the heat of the moment.”

The next time I feel like indulging in more chocolate cake that I should eat, I will try this trick.

The gym should be near where you live or work. If its location is too inconvenient for you, you might not be motivated to workout regularly. Try to look for a Southampton gym that is at most 15 minutes commuting distance.

Next, check out the gym’s equipment. There should be plenty of variation to accommodate different weights, sizes and needs of people. A gym with only benches and dumbells is not a good place to workout. It doesn’t matter if they offer attractive pricing. Your health is more important. Check out the cardio machines. They should have enough because these are the frequently used equipment.

Going to the gym should be fun. Look for gyms in Southampton that offers free classes such as Dance, Yoga or Spinning. These healthy yet fun activities can break the monotony of working out with the machines. If you like group workout and interaction, then you definitely have to find a gym that offers a variety of class. Make sure that these classes are included in the membership fee.

The LA Fitness gym in Southampton provides free classes to all its members. The free classes include Dance Fusion, BodyPump, Step, Yoga, Spin, and so much more. But the best part is that they also have Crew Classes where you can learn how to properly use the equipment to suit your fitness regimen.