#1 Killer of Americans

America The Great...where heart disease runs ramped. We take so much pride in our beloved country but where is that pride when it comes to ourselves?

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans today, claiming the lives of more Americans than all cancers combined. Approximately 15 million Americans suffer from some type of heart disease (stroke, high blood pressure, heart attacks) and 700,000 of those suffering die each year. How you may ask does one go about getting such a heart breaking disease? Well, they are on just about every block of every major city selling food to order, you can buy them for about $7 a pack, and you could enjoy hours on end watching television. I'm speaking about some of the risk factors involved in heart disease. These risk factors include, but are not limited to:

- A family history of heart disease
- Cigarette smoking
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle

Fast food, processed food and smoking all cause a build up of plaque in the arteries blocking the flow of blood to the heart. Once the blood flow to the heart is slowed or stopped the heart begins to suffer and for some people it is fatal. If a primary relative such as a parent, aunt or uncle has died of heart disease before the age of 55 in males and 65 in females your risk is increased.

The signs of a heart attack include:
- Pain in the jaw or arms
- Burning sensation in the chest
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual sweating
- Heart palpitations

Lifestyle changes can be made in order to reverse or prevent the effects of heart disease. These changes can come by way of diet modification; eating more fish and lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, adding whole grains and becoming more physically active. Studies show that breaking up aerobic activity such as a brisk walk into 10 minute bouts for a total of 30 minutes per day can be very effective in promoting a healthy heart. Studies also show that if you begin an exercise regimen at any age you can begin to see the health benefits, so it is never to late to begin.

Our children are supposed to get 60 minutes a day of physical activity, so someone tell me why they are the first generation in modern times whose life expectancy is 5 years less than their parents! Instead of passing on to our children what makes America great we are passing on bad habits that are prematurely ending their lives. So where does that leave our children in the future?

America The Great...we have to do better! My plan is to attack each health issue one client at a time. I will leave you with this:

"Any idea, plan or purpose may be planted in the subconscious mind by repetition of thought empowered by faith and expectancy" - Bob Proctor: You were born rich

America The Great...we will do better!

God Bless. See you next Sunday

Tausha
Health and Activity

Whats Your Game Plan

This past week was my daughters 4th birthday and during the celebration, it made me think of the many clients I have had who felt they had lost control at a family or friends get together or some type of party.

My first suggestion for you is to have maybe a salad or some type of high fiber food before hand. This way you are not entering the door ravenous, ready to eat anything you see.

2 - prior to getting to your destination you can think of exactly what you will have i.e., a piece of dessert, one glass of wine, or stick with a few of the hors d'oeuvres.

3 - try not to mingle around the food. Most people will lose to temptation. Especially if the food is something you are already weak for.

4 - If you are going to eat your meal at the party, try eating from a smaller plate, concentrate on the fact that you are eating (instead of having long conversations while eating) and eat slowly. Let your body recognize that you are eating before adding more food to the plate.

5 - Water can be your best ally. It will let you feel satisfied because some people feel they are hungry when they may actually be feeling slight dehydration.

Balancing what you may overeat with exercise is the best way to ensure that you do not tack on extra pounds. Reducing your food intake by about 250 calories a day (not having seconds, that piece of bread, or the chocolate bar) and exercising at least 45 minutes will add up to a 500 calorie deficit per day. If you do this most days of the week you are sure to lose at least one pound per week.

We all know the saying "If you fail to plan, then plan to fail". So responsibly enjoy your next get together.


God Bless. See you next Sunday

Tausha
Health and Activity

1 Pound Down

Some of you may not be personally familiar with the piercing societal issue of the battle of the weight, but we have all had to some degree a relatable problem. So I want you to think of the most arduous task you have ever completed and how you got through it. And although it is not the same, you can use that memory to try to empathize because it is not easy to change the behavioral patterns that you have been used to for so long.

Now to the folks who have battled their weight I say; So you've done it! You have lost a pound! To all of you who have been in this weight loss struggle it may seem that it is happening entirely too slow. But I urge you to keep up the fight, you will win this. Battling your weight may very well be the toughest thing you have ever done but it starts with one pound. I applaud you for your diligent efforts and want to say that I'm proud of you all. It takes self discipline and a desire to succeed. Now, there will be days when you feel you have failed but get up, and as Walt Disney would say, "keep moving forward"!

Today it is a pound, but you are heading in the right direction. Stay on this path and remain focused. And remember that 'Whats Your Fitness' can always be your support system.

And lastly, with your steadfast efforts in this up hill battle, I am 100% inspired by you...rock on!

God Bless
"Keep moving forward"
-Walt Disney

Tausha Allen

Any Questions

Hi,

So it was brought to my attention that my blog on "The Foreigners" was a little harsh. It left people feeling like you could not eat anything. In the example of the hotdogs and bacon there are brands that make these foods without the nitrates and nitrites; one brand is Applegate Farms. Attached is a site that you can join that will email you healthy brands of food and how to shop healthier at your grocery store. If there are any questions please feel free to post a comment. Thanks, I appreciate your reading.

http://www.ebrandaid.com/

The Foreigners

Ever wonder why processed food is considered not "good" for us? Have you ever tried unlocking your house door with your car key? I'm sure you haven't because you know you would not get the results you were looking for. Well, the same holds true for eating processed food. When processed food enters the body; the body has no idea what to do with it. So it will turn this "food" into something it can use which usually turns out to be more harmful to the body. One example would be nitrates and nitrites which are used to preserve meats. Although these additives cause vomiting, headaches, and asthma in some people they are still widely used. A specific additive, sodium nitrite, used in hotdogs, salami, pepperoni, and bacon is converted into nitrous acid during digestion. But this nitrous acid in animal studies has shown to cause high rates of cancer. So what are you really eating?

Our Western diet is called the Standard American Diet (SAD). And it is pretty sad that our grocery stores contain so many "foods" that could be considered a health hazard. Take for instance Trans Fat, the Board of Health here in New York City banned this artery clogging substance for use by restaurants, but it remains on the shelves of our grocery stores in the form of baked goods (cakes, cookies, crackers), microwave popcorn, margarine and the list does not stop there. Heart disease anyone?

These convenient foods we ingest also deter our bodys natural ability to shed extra pounds. Remember the lock and key analogy? Well when we eat foods that are grown or farmed naturally, i.e. fruits, vegetables, range (grass) fed animals; our bodies instinctively know what to do in order to sustain itself. Our bodies work in concert with real foods along with sufficient exercise and proper portions allowing maintenance of a healthy body weight as well as reducing your risk for diseases caused by these covert preservatives and harmful fats.

Mindful eating would help so many of the millions of Americans who are currently suffering from chronic diseases that may have been prevented by sufficiently decreasing the amount of processed foods consumed each year. Think health people, eat for your future.

God Bless. See you next Sunday

Tausha
Health and Activity