Issue Date: May 16, 2004
Beat obesity with new habits
More Americans are fat today than at any time in our history. And it's not that we're "pleasantly plump." The rates of morbid obesity (weighing more than 100 pounds above an acceptable weight) have risen dramatically.
Are we eating too much? Exercising too little? The answer is yes to both.
Bariatric surgery (gastric and intestinal surgery for weight loss) is only for the morbidly obese. People who need to lose less than 100 pounds must find other ways to manage weight loss.
If you are overweight, work on habits that will improve your chances. And make sure your kids don't pick up your bad behaviors. Try the following:
Make fitness a priority. Set aside time during the week for family exercise (like a walk or biking). If your kids are involved in sports and don't have time to work out with the family, make time for your own program anyway. You'll get the benefits, and your kids will see that physical fitness is important for everyone.
Clean out the cupboard. The same items you have trouble staying away from entice kids, too. Stock your kitchen with healthful snacks, and leave the pure junk for the occasional treat.
Plan ahead. If the kids get home from school at 3 p.m. and supper isn't until 6, have a healthful snack waiting for them. The same holds for you: Don't go for long stretches without food; you'll get hungry and overeat.
Make each meal an event. Eat together to encourage conversation, and don't eat in front of the television. Prepare nutritious food. Reinforce good behaviors at the table (such as eating slowly) and discourage bad ones (making kids clean their plates).
At least part of your weight is driven by genetics. If you come from an overweight family, it may be more difficult for you to lose weight than it is for the average person. A significant part of your weight, however, is driven by your habits. So develop a routine, and keep it simple but consistent. The benefits to your physical health and emotional well-being will be numerous.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., directs the Wellness Program at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas. He's a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Go to top
Fish fends off stroke
Men who eat fish just once a month have fewer ischemic (blocked blood vessel) strokes, says a Harvard study. For your dose, try this easy summer recipe.
 More stroke news this week
Gingery Fish Kabobs
2 cups pineapple juice
1 Tb. cornstarch
2 Tbs. light soy sauce (50% less sodium)
1 1/2 Tbs. white vinegar
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
1 1/4 pounds raw firm fish, such as salmon, tuna or halibut, cut in chunks (for variety, use more than one type)
4 cups fresh pineapple in large chunks (or substitute canned pineapple chunks)
1 large red onion, cut in wedges
In a small saucepan, dissolve cornstarch in pineapple juice. Add soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and ginger. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 7 minutes. Let cool. Add fish and pineapple to sauce and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Thread fish, pineapple and onion on skewers. Place on a hot grill (or under a broiler) until fish is done to your liking.
Serve with rice. Heat marinade and use as a sauce over fish and rice. Serves 6.
Per serving: 279 calories, 25g carbohydrates, 20g protein, 11g fat (2g saturated), 1g fiber, 250mg sodium.
Go to top
Insuring "extra" cars
Got a second car that spends more time garaged than on the road? You may be paying too much to insure it, says McKeel Hagerty of Hagerty Insurance, a Michigan insurer of collectible cars. Here's how to save, depending on the type of car:
Underused vehicles. If you have a car you garage for, say, half the year, find a policy that renews every six months. That way, you can drop collision coverage (possibly saving 30%, Hagerty says). But don't remove the comprehensive coverage, in case of fire or theft.
Collectibles. These vehicles, typically in limited production, might be old (Grandma's 1965 Mustang) or of recent vintage (Porsches, Ford SVT Mustang convertibles). A special classic-car policy may offer huge savings (although there may be a 2,500-mile annual mileage limit on some policies). That '65 Mustang, valued at $10,000, would cost $125 a year to insure, Hagerty says. Under your regular policy, it might cost five times that.
Go to top
Why not ship your luggage?
Had it with baggage delays and losses? Sports Express, Skycap International, Luggage Free, Luggage Express and Virtual Bellhop will pick up your bags, skis, golf clubs and baby gear and ship them to your destination before you leave home, then ship them back when your vacation's over. They often use FedEx and UPS to do the shipping, and charge comparable rates. It's not cheap, but if you're afraid of losing your prize clubs or you want to avoid luggage delays between connecting flights, it may be worth it.
|
