Wednesday, February 28, 2007

BMI

Interesting story. I wonder if we will one day have to rattle off our BMI like it's our Social Security number?


HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Amid a growing obesity epidemic in the United States, an insurance company has started giving customers another reason to slim down by being one of the first in the nation to offer discounts to customers who keep a low body-mass index.

The program by Phoenix Cos. Inc. offers discounts up to 20 percent on life insurance policies to customers whose BMI is verified by a doctor to be 19 to 25.

BMI is a ratio of body fat that takes height and weight into account. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines obesity as a BMI of 30 or more; people between 25 and 30 are considered overweight.

Rude?

I've gotten a couple of e-mails and even a blogger who think I'm the rude one for getting mad at the weightlifter who wanted to "work in a set." (From Tuesday's story.)

I've heard their complaints, but I still think the guy was rude to ask to work in a set. And it was especially frustrating because it was the first time I had tried the weights on my own.

If I was sitting there for awhile, then yeah, that's obnoxious.

But he was hovering over me like it was a hot slot machine in Atlantic City. And I paused for only a few seconds. I equate it to a waitress asking if you're done with your plate when you put your fork down after one bite.

It's just unnecessary.

Any more thoughts on weight machine etiquette?

Watching what I eat

I continue to insist I eat fairly well. But I'm going to put my theory to the test.

For a week, I'm going to keep a food diary to track what I eat. I started yesterday.

I want to see two things -

1. Do I really eat as well as I think?

2. Will writing everything down keep me from overindulging?

This week might be especially illuminating. I'm helping to cover the ACC women's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum and it will probably be hard to eat really healthy.

I'm curious to hear how the experts and non-experts feel about food diaries. Are they good or a bit obsessive?

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Over-the-top meals

Sorry to leave you guys hanging for a couple of days.

I went away to the mountains and was busy with work, but I'm back! And as you can see, I'm making up for lost time with a couple of new posts today.

Check out this report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which bills itself as "a strong advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alcohol policy, and sound science."

An excerpt from their press release:

"Burgers, pizzas, and quesadillas were never health foods to begin with, but many restaurants are transmogrifying these foods into ever-more harmful new creations, and then keeping you in the dark about what they contain,” said Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of CSPI. “Now we see lasagna with meatballs on top; ice cream with cookies, brownies, and candy mixed in; ‘Ranchiladas,’ bacon cheeseburger pizzas, buffalo-chicken-stuffed quesadillas, and other hybrid horribles that are seemingly designed to promote obesity, heart disease, and stroke.”

Looking at all this can make you crazy, especially when I think about how many similar meals I've eaten in the past! And I wonder if there were calorie counts on the menu if I would ever go to a restaurant again.

I guess there is something to be said about this tip that I've seen: Immediately ask your waiter or waitress to box half your food.

Any other tips or healthy alternatives out there?

Third week of the Mayors' Challenge

Here are some excerpts from an update the YMCA put out yesterday on the mayor's challenge:

This week's health tip:
When trying to lose weight, know how to control your portion sizes. Remember - how much you eat can be just as important as what you eat. More in depth information on portion control is available here.

In the news this week:
Congratulations to Greensboro, recently designated as one of North Carolina's Fit Communities! Greensboro received this distinction based on efforts to increase the health of citizens through physical activity, healthy eating, and prevention of youth tobacco use. Fit Community is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as well as the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund.

Mayors Update:
Our mayors are doing a great job on their healthy eating and exercise program. In the first two weeks, they had lost a collective 27 pounds!

Health on the Web:
Looking for health information online? Be sure to check here for delicious (and healthy!) recipes.

Tips from Diane Gill

Afraid of the gym?

Here are some tips from Diane Gill, a UNCG exercise and sport science professor who specializes in the psychology of exercise.

- Have the gym staff show you how the machines work. Also, there are instructions on the sides of many of the weight machines.

- If you can, go to the gym during times when there are less people there. Before and after work hours tend to be the busiest.

- Don't start out trying to do too much. You'll just hurt yourself and that means you'll be less likely to go back to the gym.

Today's column

Today's article in the News & Record:

Rage against the machines

By Amy Dominello
Staff Writer

After 10 reps on some sort of bench-press machine, I paused to take a break between sets.

Obviously, I needed to make sure I didn't overexert myself with the 10 pounds I was pumping.

But as soon as I paused, the guy hovering behind me leaned in.

"Do you mind if I work in a set?" he asked

Ticked off, I grabbed my towel and my water.

"This is why I don't use the weight machines," I growled at him, as I turned the machine over.


Click here for the full article.