Friday, April 13, 2007

Don't forget

If you're looking for a little exercise, don't forget the walk this weekend:

GREENSBORO — The Guilford County Department of Public Health is hosting “Get Healthy Guilford,” a walking event Saturday at Festival Park.
Registration and a short program will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a community walk at 2 p.m. The event is free and will be held rain or shine. Walkers may register on site at Festival Park or by logging in here before the event.
The first 100 walkers to arrive and sign in will receive a free pedometer. For information, call 641-7777 or go to www.guilfordhealth.org.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Rough week

I've lost some momentum this week.

A trip to New York for Easter really started me on a downward spiral. Couple that with a busy week and it hasn't been pretty.

I started off with good intentions. Really, I did. But between traveling, Mom's cooking, Easter candy and pizza, temptation was hard to resist. (On the plus side, I did work out two of the three days I was in New York, even running along the beautiful Hudson River.)

But the downward spiral of eating poorly seems to have continued this week. And I haven't been to the gym that much this week. It feels like once I let myself eat bad food it's really hard to get back to being healthy.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Protein bars

This question comes from a reader who is looking for the names of some good, high protein bars.

"I need help from you. I, too, need to lose 10 pounds. Please share you honest tips, and particularly the name of the higher protein bars. Every time I look at them sugar is high and so is the fat."

Clearly, I'm no expert. I'm reluctant to name the brands that I've been eating because I'm probably wrong.

Anyone want to offer their advice?

Advice from Jeannie Sykes

Here is more advice from my interview with Jeannie Sykes, a clinical nutritionist from Moses Cone Family Practice. (Related to today's story on willpower and diet.)

On cultural norms:
"I think that plays a big part of what we're drawn to and avoid. Taste preferences are mostly learned. What you like is what you're exposed to."

Facing the buffet:
"Did you really get more of your money's worth when you eat more than you want and ruin your weight loss effort?"

On overeating:
Listen to whether or not you're hungry and get joy from your food.
"When we live in the area of all or none that's when we're in a dangerous place."

Eating at events:
Eat something before you go.
"While you're at home you have control. Take the control you have while you have it."

Peer pressure:
We've all been there when someone tries to push another serving or dessert on your plate. You don't want to look like a jerk.
Try asking for a piece to go, recommends Sykes. And usually people want you to eat more to justify their own desire for that extra serving or piece of cake.
Or you can take just one bite of dessert and that usually gets a food pusher to leave you alone. But Sykes added, if you know that one bite will lead to a downward spiral, avoid it at all costs.

Changing others:
You can set a good example and help reshape cultural norms, Sykes said.

Today's article

UPDATE: And I wonder where I get it from! My family spent about 30 minutes over the weekend dissecting what makes a good sandwich and where to get the best in the New York area.

Mind over mouthful

Amy Dominello
Staff Writer

Editor's note: Buff — or buffet. That's staffer Amy Dominello's dilemma. She likes food too much to ever starve herself. But she's been trying to lose some weight and get healthy as part of the Guilford County Mayor's Challenge, which ends Sunday.

I had a moment the other night.

Eating dinner at a friend's house, I took my first bite of homemade lemon chess pie. I actually closed my eyes and made a noise that sounded close to what Homer Simpson does when he looks at a doughnut.

I didn't even realize I did it until he called me out on it.

Relationships are complicated. As I try to watch my weight, I'm finding my relationship with food is a little twisted, even obsessive.

I love food.

I like talking about it.

I like planning and thinking about it: New York-style pizza. Girl Scout cookies. Wine. Bagels. Those little pieces of chocolate that sit out on everyone's desk. The twisted chicken burrito at Fishbones.

Buffets and potlucks are like winning the lottery.

And like every junkie, I don't go very long without a fix.

Full article here.