This was in the most recent issue of “Men’s Health:”

There are two types of fiber with different functions.

Insoluble fiber is found in wheat bran, nuts and many vegetables. Its structure is thick and rough, and it won’t dissolve in water, so it zips through your digestive track and increases stool bulk.

Soluble fiber is found in oats, beans, barley and some fruits. It dissolves in water to form a gel-like material in your digestive tract.

This allows it to slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream. What’s more, soluble fiber, when eaten regularly, as been shown to slightly lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

This from Men’s Health:

What you eat before you go to the gym might make a big difference in transforming your body.

Drinking a protein shake before and during weight training may speed fat loss, say researchers at Syracuse University.

They found that people who drank a combination of amino acids and carbs had higher metabolic rates the next day compared with then they ate just carbs.

The extra protein may help lower the stress hormone cortisol, and that drop could boost your metabolism following exercise.

Cover of USA Today screams:

Obesity Linked To Specific Cancers

And goes on to report that 100,500 new cases of cancer are caused by obesity every year.

When are we, Americans, going to stop ALLOWING obesity to be socially accepted.

That’s really the problem. Given that two-thirds of the population is overweight or obese, we, at more appropriate weight, are in the minority. We are losing. The overweight are willing and with that “win,” comes a HUGE cost to the populations when it comes to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, you name it.

The only people that can stop it are, well, us. It’s your/our decision.

Jim

Don’t kid yourself. There really is no difference between maintenance and weight loss because:

1. As you are lighter, you require less calories

2. There will always be times when you gain a little weight, so you will be right back at weight loss

3. Once you are “on plan,” you really never want to go off because if you do, you will gain the weight back.

Don’t forget, two-thirds of all people gain their weight back within a year and 97% gain it back after 5 years. That’s a horrible statistic.

You will beat those odds if you stay on your weight loss plan.

Jim

There is NO much wrong with Rachel Ray making BLT Mac & Cheese I don’t know where to begin.

It’s just disgusting to think of people eating this type of food GIVEN the health crisis this country is enduring.

Why can’t programs like “Good Morning America” take responsibility and offer chefs who make foods that will improve our health rather than further deteriorate it.

Think about it.

Northwestern University showed that people with chronic insomnia reported improvements in sleep quality after just two months.

“Teaching deep breathing relaxation techniques during the daytime can help improve sleep at night,” said the lead researcher.

To learn more about this study, go to www.aasmnet.org.

Here I sit, at my desk in Chicago, one day after we turn back the clocks.

It’s getting dark outside, and it’s only a little after 4:00.

PLEASE be aware that light plays a major role in our mood, our weight, our immunity, etc.

Make sure the lights are all on in your home or office.

Not only do they make you feel better, but they will also help you to sleep better.

Jim