Search Weight Loss Topics:

Page 1,320«..1020..1,3191,3201,3211,322..1,3301,340..»

How to lose weight like this guy who lost 46 kgs and beat 30 ailments by following a unique plant-based diet – GQ India – What a man’s got to do

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:49 am

As you grow older, life takes over and your health takes a backseat. A steady weight gain and obesity are often attributed to this factor of adulting. 40-year-old Rajesh (Raj) Bhatt, a multi-business owner tells us that after he crossed 30, he had become so complacent in his life that he lost track of his health. And on top of that, every year, a new chronic disease would get added to my ever-growing list of ailments helmed by diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular issues and sleep apnea.

I was also so focused on my work during this phase that I was losing sight of my family as well. On January 30, 2018, my two boys, Aarav and Aroosh wanted to play basketball with me but I had to turn them down as I was busy. Moments later, I overheard Aroosh tell Aarav, "Pappa is fat and has never played with us before and he won't play with us now too". I was shocked; in this moment, I realised that I had lost the respect of my childrenmy one true wealth."

"I was devastated but not broken yet! I immediately made it a point to figure out a way to reverse my situation. I wanted to be the healthiest I have ever been in my life as soon as possible, he says. And, in a span of one year (from when this incident occurred) I trimmed from 120 kgs to 74.8 kgshaving built muscle and slimming/shredding my body by following the below goal-oriented weight loss plan.

My first goal was to eliminate all of my chronic issues. So, I turned to a low-fat, whole-foods plant based diet and lifestyle to improve my eating habits, he says. The second goal was getting in the best possible shape, of course.

A whole-foods plant based diet is a lifestyle change that emphasises on the consumption of whole or minimally processed foods as your meals. Plants, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts make up this diet. It also limits the intake of sugar, white flour, processed oils and meat. Meat substitutes, however, maybe welcomed.

I was a diabetic for 3 years with high blood sugar, but after following this diet for three weeks, I was able to normalise my blood sugar at a healthy level and also significantly impact (in a positive way) all the 30 chronic issues that I was suffering from, he adds.

Essentially, a whole-food plants based diet mimics what you see in nature by primates and is proven to be the healthiest diet to avoid chronic diseases and also achieve longevity. Here, take a look at the below whole-foods plant based diet plan to understand better, he says.

In terms of macros, this diet can be broken down as 70% carbs + 15% protein + 15% fat. Thus, I could eat unlimited amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, potato starches, beans and legumes without feeling guilty. This is what my meal plan looked like":

Morning: A large bowl of oatmeal with fruits

Lunch and snacks: Boiled/grilled potatoes with sauce + sweet potatoes + a large bowl of salad with tofu and veggies

Dinner: Roti/chapati + a vegetable preparation with no oil (but a lot of masalas) + daal + rice. I am a fan of all kinds of khichdi, so rice and beans made up a big part of my diet.

Via this diet plan, I was eating a high amount of fiber and micronutrients while still being able to maintain a 500-750 calorie deficit. But, here's the thing, I was not really counting any calories while I was on this meal plan as when you switch to something as diverse as a whole-foods plant based lifestyle, your body naturally regulates itself when full, thereby avoiding any instances of overeating.

To meet his second goal, Raj credits a 3-phase workout plan that also included a gym-approved version of Netflix and chill.

"Not having exercised in many years, I knew that I needed to ease myself into the workout phase. I started by walking on the treadmill for 45 minutes, daily, while watching a show/series on Netflix. It was a fast walk that made me sweat, but nothing crazy. But this coupled with the above diet plan, enabled me to lose 4.5 kgs within a couple of weeks. And that got my momentum going!"

QUICK READ: Top 10 2019 TV shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hotstar Premium

"Now, for phase 2, I started indulging in intense cardio, HIIT and body exercises. As I kept losing weight and gaining flexibility, I also added a strength training routine to my daily workout plan."

QUICK READ: This 10-minute HIIT cardio workout is the definition of hardcore

"After losing around 36 kgs, I realised that I had indeed lost a lot of fat but along with it, I also lost a lot of muscle. So for phase 3, my focus shifted to preserving muscle while still continuing to lose fat. I followed the below weight training/bodybuilding program with steady cardio to get rid of all the excess body fat to accomplish my goal."

QUICK READ: Benefits of Yoga: 10 reasons why men should do yoga

"I have been able to maintain my weight by working out daily and following the highly lauded whole-foods plant based lifestyle. Given the high level of fiber and hydration your body will absorb from these foods, it's easy to stay full and nourished all day long while growing muscle. After all, good nutrition is the absolute foundation for best health."

Currently, I am also leading a group called LiveMast!, and helping around 1000 people live their best lives through a whole-foods plant based diet, in a fun way.

"The key is to avoid "quick diets" and adopt a lifestyle that is sustainable in the long run. Diets mean that there is a beginning and an end and there is deprivation of sorts. In my case, I was never really deprived of anything as I was born a vegetarian and all I did was give up fats and animal products such as dairy, curds and cheese. At first it was hard, but I was always full and high on energy via wholesome foods."

"It is also important to realise that bad eating habits have become a recent construct and there is so much more to life with a health body and mind than eating and social pressures!

Disclaimer: The diet and workout routines shared by the respondents may or may not be approved by diet and fitness experts. GQ India doesn't encourage or endorse the weight loss tips & tricks shared by the person in the article. Please consult an authorised medical professional before following any specific diet or workout routine mentioned above.

NOW READ

How to lose weight like this guy who lost 56 kgs in 6 months after getting the biggest shock of his life

Here's how drinking water at regular intervals can help you lose weight and increase your metabolism

This is how Brad Pitt got fight-ready at 55-years-old for Tarantinos new flick

More on Fitness

Read the original here:
How to lose weight like this guy who lost 46 kgs and beat 30 ailments by following a unique plant-based diet - GQ India - What a man's got to do

Genetically modified foods safer and better; Another view to ‘Engineered vegetables’. – Lankaweb

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:48 am

[Full version of the article that appeared in the Island, 22nd October, 2019]

A reader named Vegetarian (The Island 15th Oct.) had written asking if outsized vegetables are some type of engineered vegetables? Jayantha Samarasinghe (JS) has replied (21st October), alluding to a science fiction story by Arthur Clarke to argue that it is best to NOT eat such engineered vegetables.

JS advises that this story demonstrates how a subtle difference can trigger a serious problem. Clarkes story is not based on a subtle difference, but a huge difference, as big as the left foot not fitting into the right shoe. SJ says, there was a plan to set up a lab in Sri Lanka to detect genetically engineered food imports scuttled by people who benefit in selling such food.

SJs advise that we must avoid engineered food and eat natural food, is as fictional as the Arthur Clarke story. SJ is also equally wrong when he implies that genetically modified (GM) food has been produced by people (scientists) who benefit by selling such food, and that it is worse in every sense (including nutritionally, i.e. compared to natural food.

Certainly, if SJ can do it, eating his home grown food is an excellent idea. However, it is not practicable to feed the 22 million population in Sri Lanka, or the seven billion globally. SJ may have a choice of foods, but many can only sleep hungry as they dont have food, leave aside the choices that people like SJ have.

If we use the traditional varieties of rice used decades ago, grown according to traditional methods (e.g. organic farming), it yields 1.1-1.5 metric tonnes of paddy/hectare, and giving two harvests (Yala and Maha). Modern hybrids, developed by scientists at Batalagoda, Kundasale and other research stations, produce yields like 6 to 10 metric tonnes per hectare. That is how Sri Lanaka has managed to feed its population that grew exponentially since world war I. But those unsung scientists get no benefit in selling such food., or any recognition. In fact, they are often blamed unreasonably as being in the pockets of multi-national companies.

Modern varieties use less water and yield harvests in shorter time e.g. in three months. So, to produce one kilo of rice takes less water, less land, less tilling and less erosion. If modern pesticides are used, no tilling is needed, cutting down erosion to a minimum and boosting harvests.

If old goma and geri-katu agriculture is used, together with the admonition to not to use pesticides, the harvests are open to attack from epidemics of pests. In Sri Lanka, the attack of the senaa (army) caterpillar recently is a notable example. Venerable Ratana, who champions the Toxin-free agriculture claimed that he can kill them all using organic pesticides if he were given the responsibility of combating the army caterpillar. Leave aside the ethics of a Buddhist monk taking over such a task, such technical matters should be the concern of agricultural scientists. Furthermore, such pesticides, often based on Neem (Kohomba) have been used from time immemorial and so plants and pests have developed resistance to them. Pests develop resistance even modern pesticides and they need to be constantly modified as organisms evolve.

The claim that there are harmful amounts of pesticide residues on vegetables is a canard spread by the Organic Food lobby. Sensitive chemical analyzes show, say, 10-100 parts per billion of Roundup or some such pesticide on cabbage. This is potentially harmful if you eat about 200 kilos of cabbage daily. If SJ were to test the vegetables grown in his garden, he will find much larger amounts (parts per thousands) of noxious chemicals in his vegetables, coming from the motor vehicular traffic on the busy roads in Mahanuwara, and from the dust laden acid rain that falls on his vegetables, even if he lives far away from any traffic!

There is a phenomenon known as bio-accumulation of toxins in plants. Plants take up toxins from the ground and concentrate them hundreds of times. So, if the same plant material is composted again and again, higher and higher levels of toxins accumulate in the soil. In the old days, people moved to a different chena and continued their cultivation. But today people dont have the luxury of moving from the Parana-hena to the Aluth-hena periodically, to grow ones crops. So a partial solution to the problem is crop rotation, or leaving the land fallow for a few years.

Grasses and straw accumulate toxins from the soil, and so cow-dung is richer in toxins than the soil. The soil naturally contains small amounts of cadmium, lead, arsenic and other noxious elements. These come to the soil from naturally occurring minerals, from urban waste like discarded batteries, electronic parts, paints, vehicle exhaust, burning of plastic, car-repair garages etc.

Most of the soya bean safely eaten all over the world is GM soya invented decades ago by scientists and commercialized. Canola oil produced by Canadian scientists has been, and is used safely all over the world for decades. Genetic engineering is simply plant breeding equipped with the information about the genetic code available from DNA analysis of the plant genome. In the old days, before DNA, people used hit and run hybridization, and so it took long years by farmers to develop useful varieties. Even the traditional varieties such as heenati, nilnaadu etc., are NOT natural varieties. The natural varieties are grass-like wild rices, which are the actual ancestors of traditional rices. The same story goes for fruits and vegetables.

The larger-sized vegetables that I have seen in markets are simply cultivars of standard varieties, grown with adequate application of mineral fertilizers, instead of relying on the old cow dung and geri-katu agriculture which often does not provide enough nutrients to crops. Traditional agriculture takes up a lot of land, water, digging-tilling causing erosion. Organic farmers do not usually analyze their soils for N, P, K etc. or toxins. Essential minerals may be lacking in their soil. The scientifically farmed vegetables are more fully grown and can be large if they are from larger-size cultivars.

There are self-styled patriots and heroes who agitate against multinationals claiming that agri-businesses seek profits. Companies need profits to survive. These activists claim to save the environment by agitating against the pollution coming from agrochemicals. The overuse of agro-chemicals is simply a consequence of the uncontrolled free-market introduced by politicians, and not intrinsic to agrochemicals, which are as necessary as the vitamins and drugs that most people need. Most soils get depleted of their N, P and other minerals on repeated farming, and hence adding the right amount of fertilizer, organic or mineral, is essential to good farming practice. A ton of organic fertilizer may be necessary for what is done with just one kilo of mineral fertilizer.

The self-styled green heroes agitating against GM foods have caused enormous harm and retarded progress. They are mostly driven by unreasoned and unsubstantiated fear. They fear that GM is toxic, and that GM-product companies will control the farmers by controlling GM seed supplies. That surely is a matter of legislation and not science. Do we stop the imports of cars or pharmaceuticals, saying that car companies or big-pharma can control our destinies?

Household compost pits and urban garbage dumps emit methane, a green-house gas much worse than CO2, adding to the environmental burden coming from organic farming.An excellent example of a false prophet causing much damage to South Asians is Shiva Vandana. She campaigned against golden rice in India. Most early-blindness cases in Asia are due to lack of Vitamin A in the diet. Carrots contain carotene a source of Vitamin A. Most Asians eat rice, but little of carotene containing foods. So, a simple solution is to hybridize rice with carrots. This cannot be done by plant hybridization. But it is very simple to take the relevant carrot gene and add it to the rice DNA, giving a new golden coloured, known now as golden rice. Although golden rice was produced by scientists decades ago, opposition to GM foods by the likes of Shiva Vandana has prevented its release in India. Health officials estimate that millions of people could have been spared of blindness if this rice had been licensed. The anti-GM protesters have spread fear among the public and lobbied politicians (who are equally ignorant of genetics). People fear what they do not understand, and especially when it is claimed that GM is a tool of subjugation of poor nations by global conglomerates. However, the most recent news is that the Indian government is after decades of delay set to approve the sale of golden rice.

The bottom line is, please cultivate your garden if you can, but avoid using urban waste and even household waste, unless you are sure that it is free of contaminants, road-side pollution etc. Avoid excessive composting, and instead use a mixture of mineral fertilizers and humus if needed. But be informed that genetically modified foods are as safe and often better for you (and the environment) than traditional varieties.

[The author worked as the head of the science department of a Quebec technical college, and retired recently.]

See more here:
Genetically modified foods safer and better; Another view to 'Engineered vegetables'. - Lankaweb

Inspections show weakest county bridges – The Republic

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:47 am

Nearly 7% of rural bridges in Bartholomew County have deteriorated enough to require an annual inspection.

Thats in contrast to most bridges that are examined only once every two years, according to the head of an Indianapolis-based engineering company.

At the half-way point of a four-year inspection cycle, its currently estimated that 14 of the countys 203 bridges need to be checked for erosion and damage annually, said Dave Richter, United Consulting Engineers president.

Weve seen conditions rapidly deteriorate in just one year, and it could happen on any bridge, Richter told the Bartholomew County Commissioners on Oct. 21. Especially when it is the old truss bridges that have some rusting and section loss.

If the county could reduce the number of deteriorating bridges to 10 or fewer, Richter said the county could consider itself in good shape.

But that is easier said than done. In an earlier interview, Richter said Bartholomew has 60 more bridges to maintain than the average Indiana county, so its more expensive and difficult to keep up with all necessary repairs and upgrades.

The three county bridges considered in the worst shape, according to county highway engineer Danny Hollander, can be found:

Along County Road 945N over Little Haw Creek, two miles northeast of Hope. The bridge is currently limited to an 11-ton maximum.

Along County Road 400W over Denios Creek in eastern Ohio Township. The bridge has a 12-ton weight limit.

Also along County Road 400W over the East Fork White River, north of the Somerset Meadows subdivision. There is no weight limit.

But as long as motorists abide by posted weight limits, none of the local bridges are susceptible to a catastrophic collapse, Hollander said.

To put it in perspective, school buses full of children can safely cross all of the 203 bridges in the county inventory, because no bridge has an 8-ton weight limit or less.

Both the county and United Consulting are fully aware they would be held liable if something were to happen on one of the bridges, and they arent going to take any risk, Hollander said.

The last time a bridge came close to collapsing happened immediately after extensive flooding on April 7, 2018, Bartholomew County commissioner Carl Lienhoop said. On that day, a snow plow being used to remove flooding debris suddenly sank about a foot into an abutment along a 26-foot-long bridge on County Road 800S near Azalia.

An inspection showed the original bridge had been improperly installed in the 1960s, Lienhoop said. But Hollander suggested Monday the county continue to examine ways of slowing or stopping erosion along the banks of East Fork White River in southern Sand Creek Township.

Plans to repair or replace six of the 14 bridges are currently in the design phase, Hollander said.

They are located along County Road 425N over Duck Creek, south of Schaefer Lake near Hope; along County Road 850N over Duck Creek, a mile from the Decatur County line; and along County Road 945N over Little Haw Creek, also near Decatur County in the northeast corner of the county.

The remaining three bridges are all along County Road 400W. While two structures are close together over the East Fork White River southeast of Ogilville, the third crosses Denois Creek south of the Tipton Lakes subdivision.

Two bridges determined to be structurally deficient were replaced over the summer. They were along County Road 900E over Haw Creek, less than a mile south of the Shelby County line and along County Road 300E, over the Flatrock River northwest of St. Louis Crossing, Hollander said.

What is frustrating for Hollander are two deteriorating truss bridges determined to be historically significant. Due to that state designation, those bridges cannot be replaced only rehabilitated, the highway engineer said.

One historically-significant bridge is located along County Road 410N over Clifty Creek on the west side of Hartsville, while the other is along County Road 900N over Flatrock River, northwest of St. Louis Crossing.

There are 88 (43% of the entire 203 bridge inventory) that are in such good shape, they will likely qualify for a four-year inspection, instead of an examination every two-years, Richter said. That could save taxpayers money in the long run, he said.

In regard to the bridges inspected annually, some may be eligible for an 80-20 matching grant from the federal government, Richter said.

However, county commissioner Larry Kleinhenz has at time expressed reluctance to seek these types of federal grants except on large, expensive projects. One reason is because it can take several years to get the money, while the other is that federal grants often come with expensive strings attached, Kleinhenz said.

While addressing the commissioners, Richter commended county highway personnel for quickly making needed bridge repairs and keeping up with maintenance after United Consulting submits inspection reports.

Even though Bartholomew has more bridges than most Indiana counties, Richter commended Hollander and his crews for their willingness to replace deficient structures before they become dangerous.

The average age of a bridge in Bartholomew County is 34 years, Richter said. For the state, the average is 43 years.

Efficiency ratings on bridges

The structural integrity of a bridge is determined by a calculation know as an efficiency rating.

Generally speaking, 55% of an efficiency rating is based on a structural evaluation, while 30% is determined on how outdated the structure has become, and 15% on its importance to the public.

Any bridge with an efficiency rating below 50% requires an annual bridge inspection. Some of these deteriorating structures might qualify to receive a federal matching grant for replacement.

These are the efficiency ratings for some of Bartholomew Countys most deteriorating bridges.

County Road 425N over Duck Creek Rating 40.7

County Road 410N over Clifty Creek Rating 40.2

County Road 850N over Duck Creek Rating 25

County Road 945N over Little Haw Creek Rating 30.7

County Road 900E over Haw Creek Rating 34.3

County Road 900N over Flatrock River Rating 49.5

County Road 500S over Little Sand Creek Rating 37.5

County Road 400S over Brush Creek Rating 39.6

Tannehill Road over the Driftwood River Rating 44.2

County Road 400W over branch of East Fork White Creek Rating 45.1

County Road 400W over main East Fork White Creek Rating 31.8

County Road 400W over Denios Creek Rating 12.3

Source:United Consulting Engineers, Indianapolis

Go here to see the original:
Inspections show weakest county bridges - The Republic

What is menopause and perimenopause? – Sydney Morning Herald

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:46 am

Normal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text size

You have to surrender to it, British comedian Dawn French proclaimed last year of menopause. "I promise that, afterwards, theres life."

Disturbed sleep. Thinning hair. Anxiety. Mood swings. Memory loss. Weight gain. Or, for some women, nothing much at all.

Despite being a fundamental biological transition affecting half the world's population, the symptoms of menopause have been deemed, traditionally, "secret" women's business. Now it's starting to become more a part of the conversation.

In Britain, women are gathering at pop-up "menopause cafes" to swap notes on their experiences. Workplace policies to cater for menopausal employees are up for discussion too: Britain's Labour Party wants to mandate them for large organisations, and a major media company introduced one in October.

What is menopause and what is it with a "peri" in front? What happens to women experiencing it? What happens afterwards? And is there a male equivalent?

On average, a woman in Australia will have 400 to 500 periods in her lifetime. Menopause is when the periods stop. The word itself stems from the Greek pausis ("pause") and men ("month"), meaning the "end of monthly cycles".

Women are on a path to menopause from birth. A baby girl has more than a million eggs in her ovaries. Steadily, as she ages, they deplete. By the time puberty hits, only about 300,000 remain, and so it goes, through her adult life.

[Menopause] represents the end of a womans reproductive life, says Martha Hickey, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Melbourne. Specifically, menopause is the final menstrual period a woman experiences it is a one-off event. All women will go through menopause. It is inevitable."

(In a reproductive life spanning decades, the average Australian woman will have two or fewer babies.)

Menopause is considered a normal part of ageing when it happens after the age of 40. But some women can go through menopause early, either as a result of surgery such as hysterectomy, or damage to the ovaries such as from chemotherapy. When menopause happens before 40, regardless of the cause, it is called premature menopause.

The average age of menopause is about 51 but it can happen sooner, with most women experiencing symptoms in the lead-up which brings us to perimenopause.

Comparing notes on perimenopause: there's a lot to talk about. Credit:Illustration: Dionne Gain

Technically speaking, the symptoms women experience in the lead-up to menopause are actually perimenopausal. Peri, a Greek word for "around" or "near" menopause refers to this transitional state.

Perimenopause is when a woman's ovaries begin to make less oestrogen and the body responds. It's a phase that lasts until menopause and, on average, begins when a woman is 47, although it can last from a year to a decade.

As the body makes less oestrogen, the pituitary gland produces higher levels of signalling hormones follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones in an effort to keep the ovaries producing eggs and to make oestrogen and progesterone levels "normal".

This can lead to ovulation occurring twice in a cycle, the second time during a period, which can lead to high hormone levels. In other cycles, ovulation might not occur at all.

Some women describe perimenopause as a time of hormonal chaos akin to a second-wave puberty. Symptoms also include hot flushes, changes in libido, mood swings, memory problems, vaginal dryness and a higher risk of osteoporosis. Periods can be less regular, lighter or heavier, last longer or be briefer.Womens' experiences vary greatly some barely register anything.

"It's what's called the menopause transition when those symptoms start," Professor Hickey says. "That can go on for a number of years and the end of that transitional period is a year after the final menstrual period."

Genetic factors play some role in timing. If your mother and other close female relatives had an early or late perimenopause, it's likely you will too. But various studies also point to lifestyle factors, such as smoking, being linked to early onset while other studies have pointed to alcohol consumption delaying perimenopause.

Credit:IStock

After a woman has had 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) she is said to be postmenopausal.

Perimenopausal symptoms ease but health risks related to the loss of oestrogen rise. This includes a decrease in bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis, where bones become thin and fragile. It also includes weight gain, which can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Women are advised to keep active, which also releases endorphins that improve mood, and to do strength training to increase blood flow and strengthen the heart.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) as it's now known, is currently the most effective type of treatment available for perimenopause symptoms; more than 300,000 Australian women and about 12 million women in Western countries are using it. But it has been linked with breast and ovarian cancers.

"All medications carry risk and benefits," Professor Hickey says. "A benefit of HRT is that it's really good for symptoms. A risk is that it does increase the risk of cancer. I don't think we should beat around the bush about that. But it varies by the type of hormone therapy you take and it might vary depending on how long you take it for."

The risks are greater, for example, for users of oestrogen-progestagen hormone therapy than for oestrogen-only therapy. A large study by the Institute of Cancer Research in London found that women who took hormone therapy for five years were 2.7 times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not. Recent research also suggests that, in some cases, the danger can persist for more than a decade after treatment stops.

Another study found that women using hormone therapy for between one and four years have a 60 per cent higher chance of developing breast cancer compared with those who have never used it.

The report's authors, who examined 58 studies across the world, found that of 108,647 women who developed breast cancer at an average age of 65, almost half had used hormone therapy.

When asked if women should avoid hormone therapy due to the increased risk of cancer, Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips, the founder of the Peter MacCallum Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Management Clinic, has said the decision should be made on a case-by-case basis.

"Some women will find, short-term, it can help relieve their symptoms," she saidearlier this year.

Professor Phillips warned, however, that women who had been on hormone therapy for a year should have their treatment reviewed, adding there were alternatives for treating symptoms including weight loss, moisturisers for vaginal dryness and avoiding caffeine or alcohol.

The 'grandmother theory" is one explanation for menopause in humans.

Apart from humans, most mammals stay fertile until the ends of their lives. There are a few exceptions: killer whales, short-finned pilot whales, belugas and narwhals can live for decades beyond their reproductive years. Guppies also appear to go through a fish version of menopause.

But long postmenopausal lifespans are an aspect of biology that appears to be at odds with natural selection. Why do women suddenly stop having periods when they still have at least a third of their lives to live, during which they could be producing offspring?

Some experts, including Professor Hickey, believe high death rates of mothers during childbirth throughout history emphasised the importance of grandmothers in rearing future generations, unhindered by more children of their own. This is known as the grandmother theory.

Not really but andropause can affect men older than 40. Andropause is the gradual reduction of the male sex hormone (testosterone) with increasing age. Its symptoms include sexual dysfunction, weakness, fatigue, insomnia, loss of motivation, mood disorders and reduction of bone density. Though the symptoms aren't as severe as those of menopause, they can last for as long as 15 to 20 years.

An egg surrounded by sperm.Credit:Alamy

Although eggs succumb to menopause, pregnancy is still possible using a donor egg. During perimenopause, ovulation can occur, meaning a woman can conceive naturally, even if she is using hormone therapy.

When UK based former magazine editor Lynnette Peck and her friend Paula Fry first began to experience symptoms of perimenopause they found they had no safe space to share their feelings on the matter. In a bid to open up dialogue, they started a secret Facebook page in 2017.

Word got around quickly. Soon they had more than 700 members and then Feeling Flush was born; a public online community for women across the world to connect.

"We wanted women, including ourselves, to have places to share information and educate each other and have a moan," Ms Peck says.

"Women mostly ask us about hormone replacement therapy and the pros and cons. We are not medical experts so we point them to people who are. There is now a conversation. It was hidden before. Here in the UK, even political parties and huge brands are getting involved."

Professor Hickey notes that women make up almost half of the workforce in Australia and two-thirds of the voluntary sector. They continue to look after children across generations and are often the primary carer for parents.

Our society has a big a focus on youth and the preservation of youth and menopause is a maker of age in women and ageing in women is not a topic we still have very much discussion about," Professor Hickey says.

"It's quite likely that women who experience menopause may not have been informed fully about what to expect. It's quite possible a lot of men don't know very much about menopause at all."

Last week, British free-to-air television Channel 4 launched a menopause policy to support women experiencing perimenopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, anxiety and fatigue by giving them access to flexible working arrangements and paid leave if they feel unwell.

It's a shift Professor Hickey wants in Australia. She would like to see menopause treated as a "diversity issue" with workplaces actively supporting women experiencing it.

"Pregnancy would be a similar example: only women get pregnant, and we've learnt to adapt, and I think we need to take a similar perspective to menopause."

Melissa Cunningham is The Age's health reporter.

More:
What is menopause and perimenopause? - Sydney Morning Herald

You Don’t Have to Eat Bland, Boring Food to Lose Weight, and This 7-Day Meal Plan Is Proof – POPSUGAR

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:45 am

One of the biggest hurdles for women who are trying to lose weight is finding recipes that taste good and keep you on track with your goals. That's why we've put together an entire week's worth of meals and snacks that will not only help you shed pounds, but also keep you satisfied.

That means you won't find boring salad after boring salad here. This meal plan is packed with fresh, flavorful smoothies, soups, chocolatey treats, and more. While the ingredients for each dish are minimal, you'll find loads of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains basically, all the healthy foods your body craves, seasoned and cooked to perfection.

Each day's menu includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and one snack, totaling around 1,300 to 1,400 calories. That being said, everyone's calorie needs are different (you can calculate yours using this formula), and if you find that the amount of food isn't quite enough for you, you can always add an additional snack or an extra serving of fruits or veggies to your meals. Keep reading to get started!

See the original post here:
You Don't Have to Eat Bland, Boring Food to Lose Weight, and This 7-Day Meal Plan Is Proof - POPSUGAR

‘I Blended Keto And Intermittent Fasting And Lost 72 Pounds Faster Than I Ever Expected’ – Women’s Health

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:45 am

My name is Cindy Escobar and Im 33. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and Im a shift supervisor at Starbucks. After I discovered keto, I lost 72 pounds faster than I ever thought was possiblehere's how.

I tried so many diets over the years but didnt seem to have the motivation to stick to any of them. With the fad diets I'd try, I would lose a couple of pounds at a time, but in the end nothing worked long term for me.

My weight gain affected every aspect of my life. I would never leave my house, and I couldnt look at myself in the mirror because I hated the way that I looked.

In August 2018, I asked a coworker about the ketogenic diet, as he was following it and making noticeable progress with his weight loss. He gave me a brief rundown of what keto involved and referred me to the popular keto guide website Ruled.Me. I remember going home that day and doing a *lot* research on Pinterest, Google, YouTube, and various Instagram accounts.

My new lifestyle consisted of eating 20 net carbs a day and going sugar-free. I also strictly followed the keto diet for the first five months, which meant I tracked everything I ateand I saw immediate results.

In the first month alone, I lost 16 pounds. Seeing that little bit of immediate weight loss gave me the motivation to push myself even further. I started off slow so that I could listen to my body and understand what my limits were with this new diet. I wanted my plan to be sustainable and healthy.

I also started to incorporate intermittent fasting with the keto diet. The ketogenic diet can be a different experience for everyone, so I knew I had to take my time to learn how my body would react.

I started with an hour of cardio three to four times a week, which soon turned into five times a week. Working out soon became my me time. It was an outlet for me to let go of any stress I was having. Currently, I run six miles a day, five times a week, and I've also recently started incorporating weight lifting into that schedule.

Did I struggle? Absolutely. But I stayed consistentmeaning even when I got a little off track, I got right back onand my results show that.

I also encourage anyone on a weight-loss journey to do their own research, start off slow, and see what works for you. Everyone's journey is different and what worked for me may not be the best fit for you (physically or mentally). In the beginning, its about figuring out what works for you and your body and adjusting if necessary.

But the biggest advice I can give is don't compare yourself to others. Even up to this day, I still struggle with that. Everyone is on their own journey and timeline, so comparing yourself to someone else will only set you back emotionally.

I also wish I could go back and tell myself that I should love myself no matter what. I struggled so much with what people thought about me. Its still a process for me to learn to love myself to the fullest but I am slowly getting there.

The keto diet has changed my life forever. I had zero confidence when I started this journey. It wasnt only about losing weight, but also about learning to love myself againand I'm getting there.

What also made this journey so satisfying is knowing that I started off with little to no knowledge of keto and working out, or how it would all end up for me. A year later? I have learned so much more about the ketogenic diet (and am still learning!). I'm also a runner. It feels amazing to watch my skill set and knowledge grow.

I have maintained my goal weight and have been feeling better than I have ever felt. And bonus: Ive also made great friends along the way that have been the best support group with this new lifestyle.

Link:
'I Blended Keto And Intermittent Fasting And Lost 72 Pounds Faster Than I Ever Expected' - Women's Health

Weight loss: Here’s how castor oil can be good to burn belly fat fast! – Times of India

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:45 am

Unlike other fat sources, castor oil does not score very well on taste because of its rather pungent aroma. However, even consuming a little quantity can go a long way in helping you reach your goals faster and improving health. Depending on your age, tolerability, and purpose, you can make use of castor oil to suit your needs.

If weight loss is on your mind, we suggest consuming a tablespoon of the oil each day, preferably empty stomach. If the taste is a little strong, you can mix it in with fresh fruit juices or ginger concoctions, which again, would help get you to your goal weight a little faster.

Apart from this, castor oil remedy also works really well if you apply it topically. Massaging warmed castor oil on the belly button or the abdomen regularly can be beneficial.

Read the rest here:
Weight loss: Here's how castor oil can be good to burn belly fat fast! - Times of India

Weight loss comes down to two things: cutting calories and burning calories – or a little of both – FOX 2 Detroit

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:45 am

If you're looking to lose some weight before the holiday season, one doctor tells us there are two words you'll need to know: cut and burn.

All weight loss comes down to this choice: cut, as in reducing calories; burn as in burn more calories, or do a little of both.

If you're looking to lose some weight before the holiday season, one doctor tells us there are two words you'll need to know: cut and burn. All weight loss comes down to this choice: cut, as in reduce calories; burn as in burn more calories, or do a little of both.

"A lot of people who exercise, it just stimulates their appetite so they just consume more calories. What they don't realize is, by cutting calories you do as well in terms of weight loss as exercise. So some of the most successful weight loss individuals we see don't increase their exercise amount; they just cut. Other people just want to exercise all the time; they just want to burn. We see good success with both: cut and burn. But it should be your choice," says Dr. Mark Moyad from U-M Preventative Alternative Medicine.

If you do want to build some muscle, it can be done without even leaving your house. Think sit-ups, modified push-ups or even just sitting down and standing up is a good start.

"If you want to cheat,if you want the anti-aging cheating secret and you just can't drop those pounds, 2-3 days a week of resistance exercise. Weight lifting stimulates lean muscle mass, in other words, you gain more muscle mass," says Dr. Moyad.

The more muscle mass you have at any age, the more calories your body burns even as you're just sitting down.

Visit link:
Weight loss comes down to two things: cutting calories and burning calories - or a little of both - FOX 2 Detroit

Weight loss: 4 ways to detox and debloat in less than 24 hours – Times of India

Posted: October 27, 2019 at 9:45 am

When you feel bloated, you might feel that drinking water or any hydrating drinks will further make you feel bloated. However, it is quite the opposite. When you drink a lot of water, you send signals to the system into thinking that it no longer needs to hold onto the existing water levels in the body( the water weight), further making way for optimum digestion.

A good way to do this is to load up on detox drinks, natural soothing concoctions made out of ginger, which are all excellent options to treat an upset, bloated stomach.

It is also important that you absolutely skip out on the cup of coffee. Caffeine can dehydrate you, which can further add to your bloating levels. It can also spike up sugar and the calorie levels, taking your digestion for a spin. If you are particular about losing weight, this is one thing you definitely want to avoid.

Read more from the original source:
Weight loss: 4 ways to detox and debloat in less than 24 hours - Times of India

Oct 31 | Breakthrough Health and Weight Loss Seminar | Union City – Patch.com

Posted: October 26, 2019 at 5:47 pm

Are you tired of being tired?

Do you want the energy you used to have?Do you want to do more but don't because of some health condition?

The truth is you might have a specific health issue standing in the waybetween you and your ideal health and body. Come find out and see why this program is different and so effective.

Would you like to experience any or all of the following?

Increased Energy and Vitality Lower CholesterolWeight Loss Rid Yourself of Food AllergiesImproved Digestion (Heartburn, IBS, constipation, etc.)Improved Physical Appearance Clearer ThinkingEliminate Headaches Clearer Skin

Please join us at our upcoming FREE SEMINAR to get all the information about our successful approach to getting healthy and achieving permanent weight loss.

Plus how to trigger the six fat burning hormones!

Thursday, October 31st at 12:00pm.

Space is limited, please call and reserve your spot today! 510-324-0100

Read the original here:
Oct 31 | Breakthrough Health and Weight Loss Seminar | Union City - Patch.com


Page 1,320«..1020..1,3191,3201,3211,322..1,3301,340..»