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Nutrition Information |
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Set Your Fat Thermostat at a Healthy Level
Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy eating a piece of chocolate cake and wondered how they stay thin? Part of the reason is that they have a set-point in their brain that keeps their body fat and weight from varying~ that is, until they do something that causes the brain to change its settings for weight control. That's what happened to me when I quit smoking. I'd been slender all my life until I stopped smoking and gained nearly 25 pounds! Quitting nicotine had triggered a chemical process that altered a weight control function in my brain. My body began to create fat out of what I ate, where it used to eliminate any excess calories. (To quit smoking is only one of many events that can trigger a change in the weight controls of a person's brain.) Let's call the weight regulator in your brain a *set- point,* and a good image for the set-point is the temperature you set on the thermostat for the heating and cooling system of your house. If it is set at 71 degrees, then the temperature doesn't vary by more than a degree or two before the thermostat tells the furnace to heat up (or the air conditioner to cool down). Your brain's set-point functions similarly, maintaining a consistent weight and fat level through interactions of hormones, etc. Exploring the body's chemistry is beyond this article's scope. It's sufficient to understand that if your weight has increased (or decreased), it's because the set-point in your brain changed. And so, if you prefer to lose (or re-gain) that weight, specific habits are necessary to adjust the set-point to your desired level. One. Eat the right things. This is not difficult, if you follow these clear guidelines: a) Keep refined carbohydrates to a minimum. That is, avoid foods made with sugar or flour. b) Eat less fat, but that doesn't mean to use products labeled 'low-fat' such as low-fat mayonnaise. Producers have to use so many chemicals to make low-fat, processed foods taste OK that you're better off just eating the real thing - only less of it. Also, eat less animal fat, like cheese, butter and marbled meat. c) Eat complex carbohydrates: whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Your body recognizes these as normal foods, so it will process them to give you energy now, instead of giving you stored energy (fat). Two: Drink water. It is necessary to your metabolism and helps your body eliminate toxins and other excesses. Sweetened juice, coffee, tea, diet or regular soda, and alcohol don't contribute to good metabolism or health. Keep use of them minimal, if at all. Third, do the right kind of rhythmic large muscle exercise daily, and sustain it for 30 to 60 minutes. If this sounds like a lot of time, ask yourself, how important is it to you to be healthy and/or lose weight? You're not going to re-set your brain's weight regulator (the set-point) without exercise - it's that simple. But the exercise can be a pleasure once you understand which types to do. Fortunately, your not faced here with push-ups or lifting weights. For exercise that will adjust the set-point, 'large muscle' means in particular to use your legs. Walking is the ideal exercise to begin with; you don't need special gear or equipment. You could also swim, bike, or jog. Do something you can enjoy. 'Rhythmic' refers to exercise you do steadily, repetitively. 'Sustained' means continuous - no stopping. The minimum is 30 minutes a day. For quickest results, an hour daily is better. Your heart rate should be at a level where you exert yourself, but can still have a conversation. Go much higher than that level, and you're no longer doing set-point changing exercise. In this case, 'no pain-no gain' is undesirable. If you make these three things a daily habit, (proper eating, drinking, and exercise) your set-point will change, and you'll lose weight. I lost the 25 pounds I'd gained when I stopped smoking, and in the process I learned some pleasant habits that have improved the quality of my life as well as my health. Habitually, I eat delicious whole foods, enjoy a daily walk, and drink mainly water. I feel good now, and looking good is just a bonus. You'll feel good, too, and your body will thank you, blessing you with good health. Please note: This article is for information purposes only. Always consult your doctor or health-care professional. Serena Harstad has written extensively on nutrition, fitness and health topics for All About Nutrition, the best on-line nutrition information resource. Visit: http://aanutrition.com for additional articles by Serena Harstad
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MORE RESOURCES: Montana Supreme Court rules restrictions of vacation rentals allowed under subdivision covenants Daily Inter Lake Vacation Rental Compliance City of Sarasota (.gov) Maui condo prices fall sharply in August while single-family homes hold steady, report says Maui Now TIME’S UP FOR TRANSIENT RENTALS IN TRUMAN ANNEX; 20-YEAR AGREEMENT ENDS DEC. 22 Keys Weekly Newspapers Maui Condo Market Collapse: What It Means For Travelers Beat of Hawaii Vacation Rentals: At Your Own Risk Scripps News Santa Cruz County supervisors advance new limits on vacation rentals Santa Cruz Local City calls on lenders in vacation rental crackdown Hawaii News Now Council to consider vacation rental pause Evanston Now City of Santa Barbara Chips Away at Illegal Short-Term Vacation Rentals The Santa Barbara Independent Inside The ‘Out-Of-Control’ Debate Over Axing Maui Vacation Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation rentals could be banned in one of California’s top coastal destinations San Francisco Chronicle Maui condo prices plummet as short-term rental uncertainty looms The Business Journals Maui Vacation Rental Owners Poised To Sue Over Ban Beat of Hawaii Largest Hawaii Vacation Rental Company Faces Major Shake Up Beat of Hawaii Commission takes initial step to tap brakes on vacation rentals along Monterey coast Local News Matters Two Oregon Towns Named Among America’s Best Fall Getaways thatoregonlife.com The Coastal Commission approves Monterey County’s vacation rental ordinance in a major win. Monterey County Weekly Maui measure to phase out half of the island's vacation rentals moves forward Hawaii Public Radio Honolulu Sees Doubling Of Vacation Rental Registrations Under New Rules Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation Rental Study in Goleta Tells More About the Neighbors The Santa Barbara Independent Maui panel passes bill curbing vacation rentals to boost housing supply after Lahaina wildfire CBS News Plan To Convert Maui Vacation Rentals To Long-Term Housing Delayed Honolulu Civil Beat How Short-Term Vacation Rentals Impact the Tourism Economy in Greater Palm Springs Palm Springs Life Main St. request on hold, but ‘Kitschy 2 BR House’ gets vacation rental OK Evanston RoundTable Study: Maui Should Phase Out Vacation Rentals With Caution Honolulu Civil Beat Sanctuary Vacation Rentals seemonterey.com You Can Stay in n Romantic Castle Airbnb in South Dakota Only In Your State Florida vacation rental company files for bankruptcy Gulf Coast News and Weather - Southwest Florida News Maui County Council committee approves bill to phase out thousands of vacation rentals Hawaii News Now Honolulu Hasn't Fined Airbnb, Vrbo for Illegal Short-Term Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat A novel idea for Maui’s housing crisis: Using vacation rental profits for residents’ down payments Maui Now Changes coming to Sarasota's vacation rental ordinance Your Observer Vacation Rentals of the Desert Accused of Owing Millions; Riverside DA Launches Investigation After Public Outcry NBC Palm Springs Committee seeks to halt vacation rental requests Evanston RoundTable Maui Council hears another 70 testifiers on vacation rental phase-out bill; still more to come Maui Now You Can Stay in an Enchanting Castle Airbnb in Utah Only In Your State Emotions Are High As Maui Considers Phasing Out Short-Term Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation Rentals of the Desert Accused of Owing Property Owners, Renters Over $1 Million NBC Palm Springs Maui Plan To Phase Out Thousands Of Short-Term Rentals Advances Honolulu Civil Beat Couple who owns Manasota Key vacation rentals welcomes first renters since Hurricanes Helene, Milton FOX 13 Tampa Bay Uncertain Economy Contributes to Slow Summer Rental Bookings The Vineyard Gazette Maui Council To Take Up Bill Phasing Out Vacation Rentals This Summer Honolulu Civil Beat Key West Vacation Rental Platform Targets Off-Season Visitors Travel Agent Central Supreme Court: cities cannot limit vacation rentals based on owner occupancy Idaho Public Television No More Vacation Rentals In Maui. Here's How The Mayor's Plan To Strip The Island of Short-Term Rental Will Affect The Economy Yahoo Finance Alders flip on vacation rentals Evanston Now Maui vacation rental bill continues to draw passionate testimony from both sides Hawaii Public Radio Maui County Council debates future of vacation rentals Hawaii News Now Top 5 most-read stories last week: Vacation rentals, workforce housing and housing inventory SummitDaily.com The county’s vacation rental ordinance faces one more hurdle for approval. Monterey County Weekly City has no mercy for illegal vacation rental operators Hawaii News Now Hawaiʻi County Council seeks more oversight with passage of vacation rental bill Hawaii Public Radio Combatting human trafficking: New training, reporting requirements for hotels, vacation rentals WRAL.com Vacation rentals back on council agenda Evanston Now Council targets lot sizes, vacation rentals at latest Envision meeting Evanston RoundTable Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly Planetizen Capital One Travel Adds Vacation Rentals — And You Can Earn 5x Miles on Venture Cards Upgraded Points Capital One Cards Now Earn Bonus Miles on Vacation Rentals Upgraded Points More complaints, lawsuits against Florida vacation rental company Gulf Coast News and Weather - Southwest Florida News Santa Cruz County moves to rein in vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz Board recommends new education programs, property management rules for vacation rentals The Palm Springs Post |
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