Wednesday, July 30, 2008
An Issue More Pressing than Terrorism
An Issue More Pressing than Terrorism
Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona said, "Obesity is a terror within. It's destroying our society from within and unless we do something about it, the magnitude of the dilemma will dwarf 9/11 or any other terrorist event you can point out ..." This is part of the synopsis of a new film in the works called Killer at Large.
The Power of Healing
Can miracles be found under the microscope? One research student has published papers in two scientific journals that claim just that ... evidence of "energy healing." One dish of cells was treated by a trained healer. A second set of cells was treated by untrained students who were instructed to hold their hands over a petri dish for 10 minutes twice a week. A third dish of cells stood ignored in its metal stand.
After the treatment, the dishes were returned to an incubator. Scientists who later examined the cells under the microscope didn't know which group each dish had been in.
To the researcher's astonishment, the cells treated by trained Therapeutic Touch practitioners grew faster and stronger than those that received the sham treatment, or none at all. Read the rest.
Low Fat is Old Fad
Low fat diets, while an old fad, are still quite popular despite an overwhelming amount of evidence that they just flat out don't work and can in fact be more harmful than helpful. Yet another study demonstrated that risk of diabets has more to do with calories than fat. I believe if we take most assumptions made about cholesterol, saturated fats, and other macronutrients, we'll find the story is completely different when examining individuals who are gaining weight compared to individuals who are maintaining or losing weight.
12 Reasons to Fire Your Trainer
Yes, advice to nix the competition from a coach himself ... seriously, I thought this was a great blog entry about knowing when your relationship with a personal trainer isn't working out. Remember, just like anyone else, there are good trainers and there are bad trainers. Click here to figure out the bad apples.
172 Pounds Couldn't Hold Him Back
Yes, you read it correctly. He was on 11 medications and could barely walk 150 feet at a time. From a starting weight of 360 pounds, and WITHOUT surgery, Joel Marsh shed 172 pounds of fat. Let's put that in perspective. 172 pounds is 602,000 calories. It's enough energy to brew 1,679 pots of coffee. It would light a 60-watt light bulb for 1 1/3 years. It's the same thing as skipping 1,864 Snickers Bars. Here's the real deal: to burn enough calories to shed 172 pounds of fat, you would need to walk the length of England 11 1/2 times nonstop. So, how about a WAY TO GO for Joel!
Weight Loss Surgery of a Different Kind
This woman lost 140 pounds from surgery. However, they weren't trimming fat. While she was told for years that she had to lose weight, it turns out she was carrying a 140 pound tumor. Another great example of traditional medicine: she had to pick a different doctor before someone thought to check for the stomach cancer that had been growing for several decades.
Pain Killers, People Killers
More research continues to surface regarding the dangers of falling prey to the pharmaceutical marketing engine. A recent analysis of 50 million death certificates showed that 224,000 — a quarter million — died from medication errors. More disturbing is that medical mistakes at home, such as the one that supposedly caused the death of Heath Ledger, have increased 700 percent over the past 20 years. As the report suggests, living healthy is a far safer choice than living unhealthy and trying to correct it through medication.
Exercise More to Keep it Off
A recent study suggests there are multiple benefits to exercising more than the suggested 30 minutes daily. The study, which followed two groups who both restricted calories but one group exercised more, found that those who exercised longer kept the weight off longer as well, and were more likely to stick to their healthy eating plans. Perhaps they felt they "earned" the right to eat healthy through all of that treadmill work?
Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona said, "Obesity is a terror within. It's destroying our society from within and unless we do something about it, the magnitude of the dilemma will dwarf 9/11 or any other terrorist event you can point out ..." This is part of the synopsis of a new film in the works called Killer at Large.
The Power of Healing
Can miracles be found under the microscope? One research student has published papers in two scientific journals that claim just that ... evidence of "energy healing." One dish of cells was treated by a trained healer. A second set of cells was treated by untrained students who were instructed to hold their hands over a petri dish for 10 minutes twice a week. A third dish of cells stood ignored in its metal stand.
After the treatment, the dishes were returned to an incubator. Scientists who later examined the cells under the microscope didn't know which group each dish had been in.
To the researcher's astonishment, the cells treated by trained Therapeutic Touch practitioners grew faster and stronger than those that received the sham treatment, or none at all. Read the rest.
Low Fat is Old Fad
Low fat diets, while an old fad, are still quite popular despite an overwhelming amount of evidence that they just flat out don't work and can in fact be more harmful than helpful. Yet another study demonstrated that risk of diabets has more to do with calories than fat. I believe if we take most assumptions made about cholesterol, saturated fats, and other macronutrients, we'll find the story is completely different when examining individuals who are gaining weight compared to individuals who are maintaining or losing weight.
12 Reasons to Fire Your Trainer
Yes, advice to nix the competition from a coach himself ... seriously, I thought this was a great blog entry about knowing when your relationship with a personal trainer isn't working out. Remember, just like anyone else, there are good trainers and there are bad trainers. Click here to figure out the bad apples.
172 Pounds Couldn't Hold Him Back
Yes, you read it correctly. He was on 11 medications and could barely walk 150 feet at a time. From a starting weight of 360 pounds, and WITHOUT surgery, Joel Marsh shed 172 pounds of fat. Let's put that in perspective. 172 pounds is 602,000 calories. It's enough energy to brew 1,679 pots of coffee. It would light a 60-watt light bulb for 1 1/3 years. It's the same thing as skipping 1,864 Snickers Bars. Here's the real deal: to burn enough calories to shed 172 pounds of fat, you would need to walk the length of England 11 1/2 times nonstop. So, how about a WAY TO GO for Joel!
Weight Loss Surgery of a Different Kind
This woman lost 140 pounds from surgery. However, they weren't trimming fat. While she was told for years that she had to lose weight, it turns out she was carrying a 140 pound tumor. Another great example of traditional medicine: she had to pick a different doctor before someone thought to check for the stomach cancer that had been growing for several decades.
Pain Killers, People Killers
More research continues to surface regarding the dangers of falling prey to the pharmaceutical marketing engine. A recent analysis of 50 million death certificates showed that 224,000 — a quarter million — died from medication errors. More disturbing is that medical mistakes at home, such as the one that supposedly caused the death of Heath Ledger, have increased 700 percent over the past 20 years. As the report suggests, living healthy is a far safer choice than living unhealthy and trying to correct it through medication.
Exercise More to Keep it Off
A recent study suggests there are multiple benefits to exercising more than the suggested 30 minutes daily. The study, which followed two groups who both restricted calories but one group exercised more, found that those who exercised longer kept the weight off longer as well, and were more likely to stick to their healthy eating plans. Perhaps they felt they "earned" the right to eat healthy through all of that treadmill work?
Labels: exercise, healing, low fat, massive weight loss, obesity epidemic, pain killers
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Expensive fuel helps curb obesity?
This is the fourth day of my juice fast, and I'm feeling great. Last night, dinner was six carrots, three stalks of broccoli, one full beet green (root and leaves), and a jalapeño pepper (yes, I like some spice). This morning, breakfast was an apple, a pear, some strawberries, and several bunches of grapes.
I've had quite a few people inquire about what a juice fast is, why I would do it, what the benefits are, etc. So I will be writing an article hopefully in the next day or so to post and answer all of your questions! It is NOT the same as a "Master Cleanse" and I don't do it directly for weight loss ... stay tuned.
Since I was diagnosed with hypothyroid, I've been doing quite a bit of research. The problem is that diagnosis of this condition is difficult because not every agrees what the "proper" levels are. Some even believe lower levels like the ones I had are actually normal and part of the regular variance between individuals. Here is a great discussion with lots of information about hypothyroidism.
In an interesting twist, it looks like belly fat may impact your liver function, according to this article.
Are you tired of high fuel prices? According to this article from Australia, high fuel prices may help fight obesity. It's an interesting twist.
The other day, I reported a controversial study that claimed a decline in energy (exercise, etc) was not responsible for the obesity epidemic. I had a hard time swallowing it, and now I follow up with this analysis that says exercises DOES still combat obesity. Whew. Seems like the balance has been restored.
On my last note, "speaking of exercise," have you ever wondered how you can possibly burn those extra calories when you're stuck behind a desk or in a cubicle all day at the office? Your answer just might be here ... why not ask your boss to get you one of these?
Until next time,
I've had quite a few people inquire about what a juice fast is, why I would do it, what the benefits are, etc. So I will be writing an article hopefully in the next day or so to post and answer all of your questions! It is NOT the same as a "Master Cleanse" and I don't do it directly for weight loss ... stay tuned.
Since I was diagnosed with hypothyroid, I've been doing quite a bit of research. The problem is that diagnosis of this condition is difficult because not every agrees what the "proper" levels are. Some even believe lower levels like the ones I had are actually normal and part of the regular variance between individuals. Here is a great discussion with lots of information about hypothyroidism.
In an interesting twist, it looks like belly fat may impact your liver function, according to this article.
Are you tired of high fuel prices? According to this article from Australia, high fuel prices may help fight obesity. It's an interesting twist.
The other day, I reported a controversial study that claimed a decline in energy (exercise, etc) was not responsible for the obesity epidemic. I had a hard time swallowing it, and now I follow up with this analysis that says exercises DOES still combat obesity. Whew. Seems like the balance has been restored.
On my last note, "speaking of exercise," have you ever wondered how you can possibly burn those extra calories when you're stuck behind a desk or in a cubicle all day at the office? Your answer just might be here ... why not ask your boss to get you one of these?
Until next time,
Labels: belly fat, exercise, hypothyroid
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Best Training Run Yet
Today's Run: 5.03m
Run Time: 47:25
Total Miles to Date: 141.3
Thoughts on the Run:
Today was the best run yet, by far.
I woke up and stepped outside. It was COLD. It was in the low 30s. I decided to have breakfast and run after the sun was a bit higher so it would warm up.
Breakfast was two Kashi whole-grain (7 grains) waffles with blackberries and raspberries (no syrup). I also brewed some coffee in the French press. I took my multivitamin pack and then relaxed with my wife for about an hour.
For gear, I decided to try my shorts with the long running pants over them. I debated what to wear up top, and then decided just the long sleeve whick would be fine - nothing over it. I knew I would warm up and where I usually make my mistake is by overdressing and then trapping all of the sweat.
The only deviating from my standard routine was that I decided to take a Succeed! cap before the run. I sweat A LOT ... friends and family joke that just thinking about exercise causes me to sweat - so I figured even on the shorter run it would be a good test of electrolyte balance. Each cap has 341mg of sodium and 21mg of potassium.
I stepped out and started the run. It was COLD. My hands were freezing but I was out in the sun fairly quickly. I also chose and out-and-back route that would lead me up a rather long incline to warm-up quickly. I felt great and knocked that first mile out in 9:29 despite the uphill.
The second mile went faster due to more uphill. Ironically, this was a mile I stopped at. About 3/4 into the mile, I had a sharp pain in my knee - the right knee that I had complete reconstructive ACL on. I identified the pain immediately. It's what happens when I do what I call "lazy running." Basically my joint there is reconstructed and part of the problem is that the quad muscle helps cushion the fall - there is a "teardrop" muscle that wraps around the joint and can help stabilize and cushion the joint. "Lazy running" means running without engaging this muscle. I stopped and walked for about a block, focusing on contracting that muscle and engaging it. Then, I took a few tentative warm-up steps and finally broke back into a full run. The pain was completely gone and did not return. I knocked out that mile, even with the walking, in 9:06.
The third mile was half a mile downhill next to a park down the road, then turning around and coming back up. The uphill was a little daunting but I just focused on keeping a steady cadence and easily climbed it in 9:31. I was feeling great. It was at this point that I noticed two differences with the run. First, my uphill efforts almost always cause a little stomach distress and I felt none this time. Second, I was barely sweating! Here I was going up a hill and in direct sunlight and while I was sweating, it was a mild, light sweat and not the "totally drenched and dripping water" sweat I'm used to.
The fourth mile had me ascending Goliath. Again, I focused on a steady, consistent run. I knew I would slow down going up the long hill, but also felt I had enough energy to make up for it on the backside. It took me 10:31 to finish that mile. I then picked up the pace for a strong finish. As I anticipated, the last mile made up for it and was finished in an 8:36 pace - a negative split!
The end of the run was warm - it was in the fifties but felt like the seventies.
Finished the 5.03 of the run in 47:25 for an average pace of 9:26. That's my best training pace (short of paced runs on the treadmill).
Very excited about the results. I can't attribute it to any one thing yet, but needless to say I was pleased. Now we'll see how I fare on my first back-to-back run, knocking out 10 miles tomorrow.
After the run I cooled off far more quickly than I normally would have and stretched for 20 minutes with my yoga routine.
I'd say the caps may have had an impact. It also helps that I've overcome the upper respiratory problems I was having and seem to simply be improving overall in training. I'm sure the 5 pounds I've shed also helped lighten the load on the run.
Until tomorrow,
Jeremy Likness
Run Time: 47:25
Total Miles to Date: 141.3
Thoughts on the Run:
Today was the best run yet, by far.
I woke up and stepped outside. It was COLD. It was in the low 30s. I decided to have breakfast and run after the sun was a bit higher so it would warm up.
Breakfast was two Kashi whole-grain (7 grains) waffles with blackberries and raspberries (no syrup). I also brewed some coffee in the French press. I took my multivitamin pack and then relaxed with my wife for about an hour.
For gear, I decided to try my shorts with the long running pants over them. I debated what to wear up top, and then decided just the long sleeve whick would be fine - nothing over it. I knew I would warm up and where I usually make my mistake is by overdressing and then trapping all of the sweat.
The only deviating from my standard routine was that I decided to take a Succeed! cap before the run. I sweat A LOT ... friends and family joke that just thinking about exercise causes me to sweat - so I figured even on the shorter run it would be a good test of electrolyte balance. Each cap has 341mg of sodium and 21mg of potassium.
I stepped out and started the run. It was COLD. My hands were freezing but I was out in the sun fairly quickly. I also chose and out-and-back route that would lead me up a rather long incline to warm-up quickly. I felt great and knocked that first mile out in 9:29 despite the uphill.
The second mile went faster due to more uphill. Ironically, this was a mile I stopped at. About 3/4 into the mile, I had a sharp pain in my knee - the right knee that I had complete reconstructive ACL on. I identified the pain immediately. It's what happens when I do what I call "lazy running." Basically my joint there is reconstructed and part of the problem is that the quad muscle helps cushion the fall - there is a "teardrop" muscle that wraps around the joint and can help stabilize and cushion the joint. "Lazy running" means running without engaging this muscle. I stopped and walked for about a block, focusing on contracting that muscle and engaging it. Then, I took a few tentative warm-up steps and finally broke back into a full run. The pain was completely gone and did not return. I knocked out that mile, even with the walking, in 9:06.
The third mile was half a mile downhill next to a park down the road, then turning around and coming back up. The uphill was a little daunting but I just focused on keeping a steady cadence and easily climbed it in 9:31. I was feeling great. It was at this point that I noticed two differences with the run. First, my uphill efforts almost always cause a little stomach distress and I felt none this time. Second, I was barely sweating! Here I was going up a hill and in direct sunlight and while I was sweating, it was a mild, light sweat and not the "totally drenched and dripping water" sweat I'm used to.
The fourth mile had me ascending Goliath. Again, I focused on a steady, consistent run. I knew I would slow down going up the long hill, but also felt I had enough energy to make up for it on the backside. It took me 10:31 to finish that mile. I then picked up the pace for a strong finish. As I anticipated, the last mile made up for it and was finished in an 8:36 pace - a negative split!
The end of the run was warm - it was in the fifties but felt like the seventies.
Finished the 5.03 of the run in 47:25 for an average pace of 9:26. That's my best training pace (short of paced runs on the treadmill).
Very excited about the results. I can't attribute it to any one thing yet, but needless to say I was pleased. Now we'll see how I fare on my first back-to-back run, knocking out 10 miles tomorrow.
After the run I cooled off far more quickly than I normally would have and stretched for 20 minutes with my yoga routine.
I'd say the caps may have had an impact. It also helps that I've overcome the upper respiratory problems I was having and seem to simply be improving overall in training. I'm sure the 5 pounds I've shed also helped lighten the load on the run.
Until tomorrow,
Jeremy Likness
Labels: exercise, running, supplementation, training
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