19 Weight Loss Secrets From Around The World

Bathing suit season is here and some of you might be thinking that your bodies aren’t quite in the beach-ready shape you would like. I’ll be the first to admit that I have been working out non-stop in preparation for summertime but I am still not satisfied. What I am, is excited about these new weight loss secrets I found from Readers Digest. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have full understanding that any new system I try will take time to show results, but I’m eager to get started with some of these tricks from around the world! They have listed 19 total, but I thought I would highlight a few of my favorites.

1. Spice it up – If you have ever had Thai food, you know that it is some of the spiciest in the world. The great part about spicy food is that it not only speeds up your metabolism, but also slows your eating. When you slow down your eating, your body can accurately tell you when you are fill and you are less likely to overindulge.
2. Serve a side of red beans and rice – Brazilians stay slim by enjoying this traditional side with almost every mean. This dish is low in fat and high in fiber, which stabilizes your blood sugar.
3. Eat your breakfast – 75% of Germans eat breakfast daily while Americans sit at only 44%. This doesn’t mean stopping for an Egg McMuffin on the way to work, this means having fruit, whole grain cereals, and breads every morning. Reports have shown that by skipping breakfast your brain-stomach connection will actually be triggered around high-calorie food more frequently, making you more likely to indulge in unhealthy treats.

The rest of the list is really quite interesting. I have learned some of these “secrets” before, but after seeing some of the facts that accompany them, you can bet I will be following some of these worldly practices much more closely from now on.

Diet Destroyers To Avoid

I can’t believe it is bathing suit season already. I don’t know about you but I’m a little nervous about dusting off my swim suit. Let’s face it, it’s been a stressful year and so many of us are not be in the shape that we would like.  We have dieted, cut back on sweets, and started exercising regularly. But still there are moments of weakness and we run off the diet track. TV’s Dr Oz has a remedy for falling off the diet track… beware the diet destroyers!

In his Ultimate Summer Slim Down, Dr. Oz presents us with some very important secrets to help us stay on the diet path. There are temptations all around us that would like nothing more than deter us from staying on the right path. I couldn’t believe when I read the list that these things are actually powerful diet destroyers.

1. Transparent Bowls – Studies have shown that people eat more when they can see inside containers. Choosing ceramic over clear plastic will offer less temptation and keep you from following the voice of your tummy.
2. Warm Colors -  surrounding yourself with warm colors can destroy your diet! Strange I know but believe it or not, cool colors like blue are natural appetite suppressants. Paint party anyone?
3. Dim Light – People eat more when they can’t see their food as well.  So turn on the lights and keep away from those dim restaurant booths. Sneaky sneaky.
4. Floral Centerpieces – Smelling fruit actually causes people to eat LESS. So, ditch the flowers and go for a fruit centerpiece instead.

By steering clear of these diet destroyers you and I both can get bathing suit ready in no time!

What NOT To Feed Your Pets

It’s pretty common knowledge that you shouldn’t feed your pets chocolate. There’s something about it that just doesn’t set right with them, but what exactly. Speaking of which, what are some other things that you should avoid feeding your pets? Sometimes they get into the grossest things and eat garbage or grass and seem to be okay, so are there really that many things that you shouldn’t feed them? YES! A lot more than you would think actually!

Thanks to RealSimple.com, you have a full list of the basic things you should avoid feeding your pets! Some of them I already knew or assumed, but others I never would have thought of.  I’ve even fed my pets some of these things without realizing it wasn’t good for them!

For example, I never knew that feeding a dog macadamia nuts could actually cause muscle and nervous-system problems.  Or that giving a grape to your cat could severely damage their kidneys.  I would have never thought that those things could be harmful. Shows how much I know!

Take a look at the list and see how many things are actually very problematic for your pets. We love our furry friends, so remember what things are big NO-NO’s for them!

5 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress

Do you ever find it hard to relax? I know I do, more often than I actually prefer. I’ve found that if you have insufficient remedies for stress or inadequate ways to relax, it’s pretty much hopeless. In my stress ventures I have tried incense, hypnosis, herbal supplements, everything. I came to realize that I am trying too hard at it and really need to just remember the basics!

Have a cup of tea – Pick out your favorite tea, put it in your favorite mug and wrap my hands around a nice warm cup. Breathe in the steam and just sit for a moment of peace.

Sing along to your theme song – Pick your favorite song or one that reminds you of a peaceful and happy time in your life.

Breathe – This would seem like common sense but I tend to breathe quickly and harshly when I’m frustrated or unable to relax. Focus on your breathing helps you slow things down, recognize how your body reacts to calm, and feel much better.

Write it down – You’d be surprised how therapeutic it can be to write down your thoughts in a diary or journal. Instead of venting to friends and family, which usually gets you even more worked up, if there is something bothering you just write about it to get it out of your head.

Stretch – Simple stretching helps you step away from everything bothering you and focus on yourself. Fold at the waste and try to touch the floor, stretch straight up and reach for the ceiling, swing your arms around from side to side, or jump up and down letting your arms flow loose. These are all great ways to release your body and in turn release your mind!

Is your J-O-B making you F-A-T?

I have a desk job. Not my “dream job” but it pays the bills! With that desk job comes about 8 hours of straight sitting. Yes I do get up every now and then for little things, but for the most part it’s me in a seat… all day. I am a very active person so it drives me crazy that I cannot be up moving all the time. When I stumbled upon this article about the link between your job and your weight I started to panic.

A new study has shown that there is a direct connection between chronic work stress/a lack of physical activity and being overweight and even obese. Scary right? There are many reasons why a job would result in weight gain including the stress hormones that tension often boosts in your body. These hormones encourage your body to store unwanted abdominal fat. NO Thanks! The rest of the article has a few more causes for office weight gain, and ways that you can fight back against the bulge!

Food Recall!

Attention all snackers…BEWARE of Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)! Say what?

HVP is a flavor enhancer that is commonly used in processed foods. How many processed foods do you eat in a day? Did you just shutter after thinking about it too? Oh, just me… oops!

ANYWAY, HVP is found in potato chips, pretzels, some frozen foods, dry mixes (chip dip, gravy, au jus, etc.) and fresh foods like potato salad and fresh dips. That sure does check of a lot of things on my monthly meal plan!

The recall was issued due to salmonella contamination which can cause fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and a number of other not-so-happy side effects. Be sure to check out the list of SPECIFIC PRODUCTS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. Happy (and careful) snacking everyone.

Thoughtful Thursdays

I have been having a string of bad luck lately. Don’t worry I won’t bore you with the details, but lets just say I was feeling sorry for myself. Something I always regret doing.

I have a quote that I try to fall back on when I start the downward spiral: “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” – Buddha

Thank goodness for the wise! Do you have a quote that keeps you going when time gets tough?

Today’s horoscope for Cancers

“You and your people are going a little crazy today — but in a good way! You should find that you’re pushing the envelope a little farther than usual, but not in a regrettable way.” – Astrology.com

Follow through with that charisma today! You want to step out of the boundaries and really go for what you want today!

photo from everystockphoto.com

Flu Vaccine Available Today and Saturday

Duke Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW) will administer the free 2009 H1N1 vaccination to all faculty and staff on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 11.

Target group restrictions are no longer in effect; however, faculty and staff must be 18 or older and present their DukeCard ID to receive the vaccination.

Vaccinations will be available through EOHW, Room 04290 Red Zone (Basement Level) of the Duke Clinic from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 11, or until supplies run out.

Find additional information about future flu vaccinations clinics here.