Avoid These Sugars If You Can

Did you know that there are 3 letters on food labels that you MUST avoid, especially if they're at the beginning of the list of ingredients?

Those letters are OSE.  Let me explain.

You see, spotting sugar on food labels isn't quite as easy as it once was.  Yep, now that food manufacturers are aware that consumers of the current day are much more discerning than those of yesteryear, they're doing everything they can to disguise sugar on their lists of ingredients.

These days, it's not likely that you'll see "sugar" at the forefront of an ingredients list, but instead you'll see these code names:

fructose

maltose

glucose

sucrose

And the worst of the worst, high fructose corn syrup.

If you see any of the above -ose words in the first 3 or 4 ingredients on a food label, rest assured that product is LOADED with sugar and you should be avoiding it.

Beyond that, I'll go as far to say that if a product contains high fructose corn syrup (the worst of the worst man-made sugars) in ANY amount, you should avoid it like the plague.  Simply put, the invention of high fructose corn syrup is one of the leading causes of obesity in this great country of ours.

***post taken from an email letter I regularly receive by Joel Therien who is the author of this piece.

Obesity in Adults

If you are obese or overweight, you have an increased risk of developing various health problems. Even a modest amount of weight loss can help to reduce your increased health risks. The best chance of losing weight and keeping the weight off, is to be committed to a change in lifestyle. This includes eating a healthy diet and doing some regular physical activity. See also separate leaflet called Obesity and Overweight in Children.

Are you obese or overweight?

If you are obese or overweight, this means that you are carrying excess body fat. Being overweight or obese is not just about how you look. Over time, it means that you have an increased risk of developing various health problems. As an adult, you can find out whether you are overweight or obese and whether your health may be at risk, by calculating your body mass index (BMI) and measuring your waist circumference.

Body mass index (BMI)

People are different heights and builds, so just weighing yourself cannot be used to decide if your weight is healthy. BMI is used by healthcare professionals to assess if someone's weight is putting their health at risk. It is a measure of your weight related to your height.

To calculate your BMI, you divide your weight (in kilograms) by the square of your height (in metres). So, for example, if you weigh 70 kg and are 1.75 metres tall, your BMI is 70/(1.75 x 1.75), which is 22.9.

If you do not have scales at home, your practice nurse can measure your height, weigh you and calculate your BMI or try out our BMI calculator.

The table below shows how to interpret your BMI. In general, the more your BMI is over 25, the more overweight or obese you are and the greater the risk to your health.

BMI	Classed As	Health Risk
Less than 18.5	Underweight	Some health risk
18.5 to 24.9	Ideal	Normal
25 to 29.9	Overweight	Moderate health risk
30 to 39.9	Obese	High health risk
40 and over	Very obese	Very high health risk

On the whole, BMI is a good estimate of how much of your body is made up of fat. However, BMI may be less accurate in very muscular people. This is because muscle weighs heavier than fat. So, someone who is very muscular may have a relatively high BMI due to the weight of their muscle bulk but actually have a proportionally low and healthy amount of body fat.

Weight Tracker

Patient.co.ukFREE - On the App StoreGet the app

Waist circumference

If you are overweight, measuring your waist circumference can also give some information about your risk of developing health problems (particularly coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes). If two overweight or obese people have the same BMI, the person with a bigger waist circumference will be at a greater risk of developing health problems due to their weight. This is because it is not just whether you are carrying excess fat but where you are carrying it. The risks to your health are greater if you mainly carry a lot of extra fat around your waist ('apple-shaped'), rather than mainly on your hips and thighs ('pear-shaped').

The easiest way to measure your waist circumference is to place the tape measure around your waist at belly button level.

As a rule for a man:

• If you have a waist measurement of 94 cm or above, the risk to your health is increased.
• If you have a waist measurement of 102 cm or above, the risk is even higher.

As a rule for a woman:

• If you have a waist measurement of 80 cm or above, the risk to your health is increased.
• If you have a waist measurement of 88 cm or above, the risk is even higher.

Note: for people from Asian backgrounds, the increased health risks may start at a lower waist circumference. Your doctor or practice nurse can advise.

What are the health risks of being overweight or obese?

If you are overweight or obese, from day to day you may:

• Feel tired and lacking in energy.
• Experience breathing problems (for example, shortness of breath when moving around, or not being able to cope with sudden bursts of physical activity like running across the road).
• Feel that you sweat a lot compared with other people.
• Develop skin irritation.
• Have difficulty sleeping.
• Get complaints from your partner that you snore.
• Experience back and joint pains which can affect your mobility.

You may also have an increased risk of developing:

• Impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes).
• Type 2 diabetes.
• High cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
• High blood pressure.
• Coronary heart disease.
• Stroke.
• Sleep apnoea (this is when your breathing patterns are disturbed while you are sleeping, due to excess weight around your chest, neck and airways).
• Fertility problems.
• Complications in pregnancy (including an increased risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy, diabetes during pregnancy, preterm labour, caesarean section).
• Stress incontinence (leaking urine when you are, for example, laughing, coughing, etc).
• Gallstones.
• Cancers (including colon, breast and endometrial(womb) cancer).
• Gout.
• Fatty liver.

Many people can also develop psychological problems because of being overweight or obese. For example: low self-esteem; poor self-image (not liking how you look); low confidence; feelings of isolation. These feelings may affect your relationships with family members and friends and, if they become severe, may lead to depression.

Being obese (having a BMI >30) can also affect your overall life expectancy: you are more likely to die at a younger age. An analysis in 2009 of almost one million people from around the world showed that if you have a BMI between 30 and 35, you are likely to die 2-4 years earlier than average. If your BMI is between 40 to 45, you are likely to die 8-10 years earlier than average.

Another analysis showed that if you are a woman who is obese at the age of 40, you are likely to die 7.1 years earlier than average. If you are a man who is obese at the age of 40, you are likely to die 5.8 years earlier than average. If you smoke as well, your life expectancy is reduced even further.

More on this article can be found here:

If you found this interesting, leave me a comment below :)  

Working with Visalus UK to Fight Obesity

Colette Morris 
Sac Dipl - Diet & Nutrition
 

To get started just set your 90 day goal and select a Challenge Kit! Click the Order button below

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

90 Day Challenge

http://90days2change.myvi.net

Obesity in children – a growing problem

Seventy years ago, obesity in children was virtually unheard of. In fact, the opposite was true. During World War II, food shortages and rationing meant that many children were skinny because they literally couldn’t get enough to eat. Today, food is plentiful and we import food from all over the world. While this has solved one problem, it has created another. With plentiful food and a more sedentary lifestyle, obesity in children and adults has become a real problem.

This article on obesity in children is by Kathryn Senior, a freelance journalist who writes health, medical, biological, and pharmaceutical articles for national and international journals, newsletters and web sites.

---

How widespread is obesity in children?

The statistics are very shocking. The latest figures from a national measuring scheme that weighs children as they start primary and then secondary school show that the rate of obesity in children aged 11 is currently around 32.6%. This is in sharp contrast to the situation in the 1940s but it doesn’t even compare very favourably with statistics from less than a decade ago. In 2001, a Commons Health Committee estimated that the rate of obesity in children was only 15% in 15-year olds. This means we have seen obesity in children double in the last 10 years.

The highest rates of obesity in children

 Although 1 in 3 children at secondary school are now clinically obese, the rate of obesity in children far younger than 11 is also a real worry. One in every six children – around 17% - is dangerously overweight in some parts of the UK before they even start primary school. The highest rates of obesity in children under 5 years old were seen in Stockton-on-Tees in the north east. Children here are four times more likely to become obese at a very young age compared to children of the same age who live in Sussex.

The reasons for obesity in children

Obesity is fast becoming the biggest health challenge of the western world – and developing countries are starting to see it as they become more affluent. A typical ‘western’ diet that is high in processed, high fat and sugar-rich foods is very high in calories but very low in vitamins, essential minerals and fibre. It can lead to obsessive eating because refined white sugar and white flour has an additive effect in the brain in some people who are particularly susceptible. Food cravings lead to overeating and, if children or adults also take very little exercise, the result is a rapid gain in weight.

The effects of obesity in children

Over time, the poor nutrition, coupled with developing obesity, put great stress on the body. Many different chronic illnesses are linked with obesity in adults:

• Heart disease
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Asthma and breathing problems
  
• Diabetes
  
• Some types of cancer
  
• Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease
  
• Circulatory problems
  

All of these health problems are currently more common in people in middle age who are overweight or obese. However, there is growing evidence that as obesity in children increases, these sorts of chronic illnesses will plague them in their 20s and 30s, not in their 50s. Worryingly, type 2 diabetes, which is usually found in people over 40, is becoming more common in teenagers. In addition, obesity in children leads to further problems as the body of the child is put under strain as it is still growing. Problems in the bones and joints, including bow legs, gall bladder disease, polycystic ovary syndrome and poor vision are all caused by obesity in children.

The government is worried that the escalation of chronic illnesses in young adults with growing families, who are important contributors to the economy, will cause very serious social issues. For one thing, the National Health Service will be overwhelmed – and this is projected to happen sometime between 2020 and 2030.

Obesity in children – what can be done?

The British Heart Foundation has recently called on the government in the UK to be much clearer in its advice about how much exercise children need every day if the current rise in obesity in children is to be stopped. At present, school-age children get some exercise but nowhere near the 60 minutes a day that the BHF say is needed to keep the heart healthy – and to keep the weight from piling on. As they quite rightly point out, preventing obesity in children is always going to be more effective than tackling it once it has become a problem.

Experts agree that promoting regular exercise and a great awareness of what makes up a healthy diet is useful. However, some think that the problem of obesity in children starts virtually from birth and health education for parents should be a priority. Research has shown that obesity in children is lower if they are breastfed for at least six months from birth. Bottle-fed children show much higher rates of obesity.

The key seems to be that education is important for everyone. Today’s generation of young parents needs to become more aware of the dangers of eating highly processed foods and doing virtually no exercise – for the sake of their own health and that of their children.

---

Profile of the author

Dr Kathryn Senior is an acclaimed medical journalist who has written over 500 feature articles for leading international journals within The Lancet group. As Senior Writer at Freelance Copy she produces high quality scientific and medical content for websites and printed publications for companies and organisations in the health, medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
 
Worried about your child or their health, you can do something about it now. If you found this article interesting please share using the buttons below and leave me a comment wit your thoughts.

 

Colette Morris 
Regional Director Vi UK
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

90 Day Challenge

How do you get on board? 

First off, visit our site by clicking this link 90days2change  and purchase your challenge kit to start your 90 day challenge.  
Once you sign up with Body By Vi you can then join in www.thechallenge.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Curing Depression Can Help You Lose Weight!

It all makes sense to me, and possibly to many of you, but I found this interesting article online that discusses the fact that improving your mood and the way in which you think about yourself will help you to lose weight...

Most nutritionists have long advocated that most of the time people eat for comfort because of an event or moment in their life, where they feel unhappy, unsure of themselves or emotionally insecure. 

Understanding and identifying your triggers that make you 'eat the whole tub of icecream' or chocolate cake when you don't really fell like eating, or where you eat to gain some comfort is the key to losing weight.  In the meantime, it is hard work to try and start a diet where you reduce your calorie intake and possibly most of those comfort foods that make you 'feel good'.  

This is why diets where you don't have to count your calories or worry about fat, fibre or carbohydrate contents and ones that are easy to prepare are the most helpful in getting the weight off, while you figure out the emotional side of eating. 

Some see liquid diets as 'fads', but recently the NHS here in the UK commended them as a useful way to help people lose weight healthily, and to sustain their weight. 

Visalus shakes are such liquid food, and with over 2,000,000 people in North America using the shakes and losing weight, keeping it off and getting results, it is worth looking at.  So with them about to launch here in the UK, here is an exciting opportunity to get on board early and lose weight, gain financially if you so wish and get your life back. 

It's easy as 
1. Watch the 6 minute video here 
2. Hit JOIN the challenge Tab, or Promote the challenge 
3. Watch the Getting Started Training 

 I will personally be in touch with you to guide you through the challenge, as this is a team work effort :) 
No one gets left behind!
   
You can read more on the article regarding depression and weight loss here:


To your dieting success!

Colette Morris SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)
LFGC Founder
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Looking for People Who Want to Lose Weight or Tone Up

To Join our latest Challenge here http://ukvichallenge.net

What is the Challenge?  

The Challenge is for everyone and EVERY BODY

Don't miss your chance to try the USA's #1 Weight Loss and Fitness Challenge

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Obesity Crises in the UK - Fat Brits!

With all the food scandals currently going on at the moment. It's no wonder that people are taking to cooking from fresh.

Our lives have changed over the last 40 to 50 years.

With the introduction of processed foods, and of convenience foods, it has made it easier to eat on the go. However the consequences of this as you can see are the amount of people who are vastly overweight.

It doesn't actually help with the introduction of technology and computer games. We are now seeing our children become obese and overweight and in active.

This is not a fact to be proud off, that the parents that were born in the 60s and 70s will probably outlive their children

Something just has to be done!

Jamie Oliver tried it for the school children, and although there has been some success and awareness in what we eat and what nutrition is being provided, more can be done.

A revolution is about to start in the UK.

I can just feel it in my bones!

As a nutritionists, many in my industry are being inundated with requests from people asking how they can lose weight and improve their current lifestyle.

We're also seeing a lot more gyms open up with reduced rates. Which is a good thing because this will encourage more people to join and actually become more active

If you're interested in finding out how you can become more healthier in your current lifestyle then don't hesitate to e-mail us at London fit girls club at Gmail.com

We have a great program that is guaranteed to help you lose those pounds and achieve the results you want to achieve, with our help of course.




Good luck on entering project 10 and wishing you success on the challenge!
 

Colette Morris 
Regional Director Vi UK
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

90 Day Challenge

How do you get on board? 

First off, visit our site by clicking this link 90days2change  and purchase your challenge kit to start your 90 day challenge.  
Once you sign up with Body By Vi you can then join in www.thechallenge.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Weight Loss epidemic in UK Britain Fat Capital Of Europe!

Wow, over the last few days I've been seeing on the news on the telly information that the UK is known as the fat Capital of Europe!

I'm sure this has been public knowledge for the last 15 or more years.

I've been around in the weight loss industry for the last 10 years and at the time we were known as the fact capital of Europe.

Little has been done during that time to address the obesity facts and the issues surrounding lifestyle in today's modern world.

Our children are getting lazy, sitting in front of their PCs or playing with mobile phones. No longer outside writing their bicycles rollerskating playing football or running around playing ball games

Similarly, with adults they are sitting around watching television, going to work then sitting around in the office, no real form of exercise or activity during their time at work. Eating high quantities of process food, or even purchasing takeaway's.

As parents, we are responsible for improving the lifestyle of our children going forwards. As adults you are responsible for yourself and your longevity.

It's really sad, the facts are that parents or more likely to outlive their children in today's times because of the obesity epidemic.

But there are things that we can start to do to improve our lives and our children's lives.

With all the recent scandal here in the UK about horsemeat being found in processed foods, the obvious answer here is to start cooking food from fresh reducing the content of red meat in our lives. Including more fresh vegetables and fruits in our diets and including more exercise

Spending more time with your children outdoors, playing games as a family can also have a great effect going forward and helping children to improve their home / family life but also to bring that down into their lives as parents going forward to help their own children.
There is something that you can do about your lifestyle now.

Even if you are just a few pounds overweight you can start to improve your health and your well-being by eating more healthier and putting an exercise program in place.

I'm not talking about going to the gym here. Just look at different ways you can change, instead of taking the car take a walk, instead of taking the lift, climbed the stairs.

What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment below


 

Colette Morris 
Regional Director Vi UK
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

90 Day Challenge

How do you get on board? 

First off, visit our site by clicking this link 90days2change  and purchase your challenge kit to start your 90 day challenge.  
Once you sign up with Body By Vi you can then join in www.thechallenge.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Top Ten Obesity Causing Foods -- Psychetruth Nutrition & Weight Loss

 

 

PS join us now at http://www.ichange.com/user/ColetteM for your online weight coaching with COlette Morris

To your dieting success!

Colette Morris  SAC Dipl. (Diet &Nutrition)

LFGC Founder

    

Get a 10% discount on Herbalife Products at our Online Herbalife Shop - http://healthyweightloss.herbalcoach.com/ 

Colette Morris is a qualified Nutritionist and Herbalife Independent Distributor so if you want advice on your diet for weight loss, weight gain or sports nutrition, email LondonFitGirlsClub@gmail.com  or simply click on the tab here  to join our program.