Category Archives: Weight Loss

8 Tips For Sticking to Your Weight Loss Resolution

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Greg Asseff

According to a recent Marist poll, 44 percent of Americans are making a new year’s resolution in 2015. The most common resolution – cited by 13 percent of respondents – was weight loss. This isn’t really surprising, as smoking cessation, weight loss and getting more exercise are probably the most common new year’s resolutions every year. Other common resolutions include saving money, eating healthier, spending more time with family and just generally being a better person.

Of course, everybody knows that new year’s resolutions can notoriously fall flat within a few weeks. The Marist poll stated that 41 percent of those surveyed didn’t keep their resolutions from 2014 for even part of the year. So how can a person stick to a weight loss resolution? Well, it takes dedication, planning and perseverance.

Posted in Diet, Exercise, Health, Nutrition, Weight Loss | 382 Comments

Weight Training Just As Important As Aerobics For Cutting Belly Fat

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Belly fat is probably the number one physical health issue that gets people to start exercising. Getting rid of belly fat is usually attempted for cosmetic reasons, but it can also greatly reduce the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, hypertension and stroke. Unfortunately, over half the U.S. population now has abdominal obesity, meaning that one out of every two people need to start watching their waistline if they’re going to avoid the negative health risks. Typically, aerobic exercise is considered the most essential element of cutting belly fat, along with a diet plan and strategies for coping with stress. “Spot reducing” fat doesn’t really work, meaning that you can’t simply do crunches and expect to lose abdominal weight. Now, however, a new study shows that weight training could be just as effective – if not more – than aerobic exercise, specifically for men.

Posted in Body Building, Exercise, Health, Men, News, Studies, Weight Loss, Weight Training | 2,654 Comments

Benefits of Yoga Actually Pretty Similar to Aerobic Exercise

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Greg Asseff

The commonly accepted benefits of yoga are numerous. It’s thought to improve flexibility, reduce stress, improve posture, build muscle strength, increase focus, enhance mood, improve balance – the list goes on and on. Yoga is often also associated with an overall healthy lifestyle that involves eating nutritious foods in smaller portions. In addition, some practitioners adopt the more spiritual and meditative elements of yoga, which allow them to experience stress relief, relaxation and an overall piece of mind. Despite all these benefits, however, yoga does have its naysayers. People who criticize yoga often state that its effects are exaggerated and that it’s not exactly “exercise.” Indeed, yoga programs don’t always have the aerobic elements that are essential for achieving certain health goals such as weight loss. Now, however, a new study suggests that yoga could be just as effective as aerobic exercise when it comes to heart health.

Posted in Exercise, Health, Health Facts, Medical, Mental Health, Studies, Weight Loss | 9,029 Comments

Lack of Exercise Blamed in America’s Poor Health Rankings Report

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Greg Asseff

For the last 25 years, the United Health Foundation has provided a health rankings report, which aims to provide an overall snapshot of the U.S. population’s health in each state. While there is always some good news and some bad news in the health rankings, the 2014 report is anything but encouraging. Despite a decrease in obesity rates over the past few years, the obesity rate in 2014 was the highest it’s been since the health rankings began. It’s 24.9 percent – over double what it was 25 years ago. This also means that well over one in four Americans is obese. At the same time, the number of people who reported engaging in no physical activity has gone from 22.9 percent last year to 23.5 percent in 2014. Of course, some areas of the U.S. are healthier than others. For the third year in a row, Hawaii is considered the healthiest state in the nation. Southern states tended to show up near the bottom of the list.

Posted in Diet, Exercise, Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Nutrition, Weight Loss | 5,166 Comments

Calorie Counts Coming to Menus in Chain Restaurants, Movie Theaters

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and around the world. In terms of general public health, it’s clear that something needs to change. The what and how regarding that change is widely disputed, however. Now, in a move that’s sure to face future political and legal challenges, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new rules that require calorie counts to appear in menus at restaurant chains, pizza parlors and movie theaters. This labeling requirement was actually made into law with the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, but the regulations have taken years to enact due to tough opposition from the food industry establishments being affected by them. Regardless of your political leanings, it seems to make sense that calorie counts would lead to healthier food choices. But can businesses bear the cost?