Adelson, who said he was looking at an open grave due to obesity, said he has lost over 70 pounds in the past year, reducing his risk of serious illness if he contracts the novel coronavirus.

Being overweight is one of the complicating conditions for death with COVID-19 but obesitys even worse, said Robert Adelson, 68, an attorney who is the principal at Boston-based law firm Adelson & Associates. Im overweight, but Im not obese.

In the age of remote work and school, it can be easy for some adults and children to fall out of a daily routine, which can lead to meal skipping and mindless snacking, said Kylie Sakaida, a clinical dietitian at Massachusetts General Hospital. The pandemic has provided some people extra time to focus on their diet, she said, but for others, eating habits have been put on the back burner.

At the same time, Sakaida said, Covid-19 has provided an evidence-based incentive to lose weight.

Weve seen that obesity and related medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, are all risk factors for severe disease and death from the coronavirus, she said.

Sakaida said stress and boredom eating has skyrocketed amid the pandemic.

Prolonged periods at home, fewer social interactions, and continuous coverage of COVID-19 in the media might spark stress, she said, and lead to a greater dependence on comfort food.

Fewer and quicker trips to the grocery store also might lead to people to eat fewer fresh foods and more processed foods, Sakaida said.

To practice healthy eating habits during the pandemic, Sakaida recommends planning meals and snacks throughout the day. Setting phone reminders for mealtimes can also reduce mindlessly snacking. Because eating and working simultaneously might lead to overeating, she said it is vital to take a break from work and be present during mealtime. Keeping a clear, transparent water bottle close to the workspace can be a visual cue to drink more water and stay hydrated.

There are multiple factors that have contributed to peoples eating habits, Sakaida said. It would all be interesting to look back to see how this has affected people.

Adelson has been commuting to his office in Boston during the coronavirus pandemic, but the amount of work decreased in April, which he said made it difficult for him to resist snacking. Once work picked up, it was easier to not mindlessly eat.

When asked if he has advice for people who are working remotely with unlimited access to the kitchen, he said it is mind over matter.

If you adopt a set of attitudes, you can conquer the proximity to the fridge, he said.

Weighing 248 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall in October 2019, Adelson changed his eating habits after he was scheduled to have gastric bypass surgery. He had tried dieting before, he said, but typically ended up gaining more weight. It was not until he created a self-directed program, Robs Eat What You Love Diet Program, that he saw results and lost 76 pounds in eight months.

I really felt in September 2019 that Id be dead within five years, he said. At that point, I said, you know, do you want to just eat yourself to death?

Adelson said he suffered from sleep apnea and leg pain and predicted he would be confined to a wheelchair and his bed within a few years if something did not change.

Adelson eliminated eating after 7 p.m. and limited himself to three meals a day, among other techniques, losing the weight without medication, surgery, or exercise. In June, he started riding his bike two to three times per week, which he said has helped maintain his weight loss.

To eat less, Adelson said he prioritizes tasting over eating foods, a practice he describes as cutting his food into small pieces, pacing himself during meals, and savoring the flavor. Adelson also limits his consumption of bread and replaces snacks with spearmint chewing gum, according to an article he self-published in August.

Bunny Gorfinkle, a Florida resident and Adelsons aunt, said she and her family were concerned about Adelsons health for years and thinks Adelson seeing his overweight father at the end of his life forced him to adopt different eating habits.

Robert had determination, Gorfinkle said. He had a reason to think, I dont want to look like my dad and be in a wheelchair.

Julia Kahn, Adelsons wife, said it is important to model healthy eating habits to support loved ones who are trying to lose weight.

I like to relax when I eat, Kahn said. Hes learned to chew his food and taste his food rather than quickly shove it in his mouth.

Every day feels wonderful for Adelson, he said, because he feels like he has added decades to his life. He said he loves the renewed sense of energy, his appearance, and fitting into clothes he hasnt worn for 30 years. Adelson said he occasionally has bad days where he overeats but treats each day separately, allowing himself to bounce back. The thought of dying early due to obesity, he said, no longer crosses his mind.

Kami Rieck can be reached at newtonreport@globe.com.

Go here to see the original:
What stress eating? Dieting despite the pandemic, this Newton man has lost 70 pounds - The Boston Globe

As is tradition in my life and Im sure many others I go on and off diets regularly and it is usually a losing battle. That ice cream and late-night eating will be the death of me. Literally. I can just imagine the diabetes guy staring me down in disappointment. May he rest in peace.

One thing I have found that makes mundane vegetables better is loads of cheese. Since the goal is to lose weight, that rules out cheese and something else like ranch the preferred Wyoming dip.

Luckily, I moonlight as a hack food columnist, so I put myself to work.

How could I sip up the crowds favorite broccoli? Or any vegetable for that matter?

Then it hit me. Potatoes in their best form are fried. Deep frying them is horrible for you so why not air fry vegetables?

I looked it up and its been around forever and this isnt some new idea.

I was crushed. How could someone beat me by decades to this idea? It is so simple but aloof.

Through trial and error, frozen vegetables seem to air fry the best. And when I say seem to, I mean, momma mia. Thats a gooda broccoli.

Im a regular fan of a seasoning mix called Scotts Santa Maria style seasoning. Its a real nice relaxed flavor profile that is pretty much good on everything.

Its my Franks Hot Sauce.

You can use whatever seasoning you like though, or none at all. Whatever floats your boat.

Crank your air fryer up to medium high (I like 375) and fry away until the ends look a bit burnt.

You may be thinking, Burnt? This guy is a hack!

Trust me when I say it just works out. You will have a hard time eating vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower any other way.

Do with this knowledge as you will. All I can say is a serial dieter that hates vegetables and looks like Uncle Buck rolling up for a summer vacation loves it.

Continue reading here:
Taste Column: Back on the diet train toot toot - The Sheridan Press

Starbucks wants consumers to carry the merry this winter season by sipping on this years classic holiday lineup.

The highlighted drinks this year include:

But how healthy are these coffee-based beverages?

Multiple studies show that coffee can have multiple benefits to health and longevity, said Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN, a licensed registered dietitian and author of Skinny Liver.

However, when you add in excess sugar and calories, these benefits may be offset, she told Healthline.

We cant say these drinks have no nutritional value, added Andy De Santis, a registered dietitian with a masters in public health community nutrition.

Each of these beverages in the 16-ounce size offers 10-plus grams of protein, and the first ingredient (meaning the one present in the largest supply) is milk (or milk alternative, depending on your preference), he told Healthline.

Milk is also high in certain important nutrients like calcium and potassium, De Santis noted.

Starbucks offers 2 percent and skim cows milk, as well as coconut, almond, soy, and oat milk alternatives, with cows milk and soy having the highest protein.

But what about the other ingredients such as peppermint syrup or toffee sugar or caramel sauce?

Heres what registered dietitians are saying about the healthiness of these seasonal drinks.

No one is saying you have to stop sipping Starbucks seasonal drinks.

Seasonal holiday coffee drinks are typically energy-dense, but they can also provide some beneficial nutrients, said Caroline West Passerrello, MS, RDN, LDN, CLT, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

One cup (8 ounces) of 2 percent milk has roughly 30 percent of an adults daily calcium needs, and most of these drinks contain at least a cup of milk, Passerrello told Healthline.

At a glance, this is how the 2020 seasonal lineup stacks up:

Peppermint Mocha

Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

Caramel Brule Latte

Chestnut Praline Latte

Eggnog Latte

The nutrition above was taken from the standard recipe, which typically includes 2 percent milk and whipped topping, so nutrition will vary based your milk choice and the inclusion of toppings.

Passarrello suggests that rather than avoiding these drinks you should sip slowly, enjoying, and savoring their flavor.

Additionally, she suggests choosing the food or drink that most interests you and skipping the ones that dont.

Both nutrition and health are personalized and there is no right diet that will work for every individual, she said. Most foods and beverages can fit into a well-balanced and healthy diet in the right amounts.

De Santis seems to agree.

It would be very unlikely for me to tell a client to outright avoid any specific product, especially if it was one they truly enjoyed, he said.

With that being said, we could equally have an honest discussion about the caloric density of these products and how to navigate that relative to the clients goals and health concerns, De Santis added.

For those wanting to indulge in one of these beverages, they should be mindful of portion sizes as well as frequency of consumption, Passerrello said.

Looking at the nutrition information for both drinks and snacks provided on the website can help in deciding which item makes the most sense for your individual diet and lifestyle, she added.

Each of the seasonal drinks in a standard 16-ounce serving (Grande) exceeds the American Heart Associations recommendation that women consume no more than 25 grams of added sugar in a day and men consume no more than 36 grams.

The Peppermint Mocha has the highest sugar content with 54 grams per 16-ounce serving. The Eggnog Latte comes in close second with 52 grams, while the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha and Caramel Brule Latte both have 49 grams. The Chestnut Praline Latte contains the least amount of sugar with 39 grams.

Passerrello points out that The Scientific Advisory Committee for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is now recommending even less added sugar than before no more than 6 percent of daily calories.

For example, she says, If you need 1,600 calories to fuel your body each day, 6 percent is 96 calories, which is equal to 24 grams of sugar.

To put that into perspective, a 16-ounce seasonal latte can provide at least 24 grams of sugar and sometimes double that, depending on the flavor, she noted.

Having a sweetened coffee drink every once in a while wont hurt, but its best not to make it daily, Kirkpatrick said.

Kirkpatrick also said the challenge many people face with their food choices is being able to enjoy certain indulgences without making them a frequent occurrence.

This really boils down to personality and existing addiction to sugar, she said. For some of my patients, they can have an indulgence every once in a while, enjoy it, and then go back to better habits.

For others, even small amounts can trigger more frequent binges, she added.

Experts say making healthy choices requires looking at the larger picture of what youre consuming, rather than any one drink.

With the holiday season, there are plenty of opportunities to overindulge in our favorite foods and beverages, Passerrello said. Its important at this time to continue consuming a variety of foods and beverages to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

De Santis said he wouldnt want people wasting much energy worrying about a drink they have once in a while, but rather he encourages them to consider the larger role that these types of items play in ones life.

However, for more frequent consumers, he adds that, Starbucks obviously makes it quite easy to make ingredient swaps and modifications for those who are so inclined.

Most, if not all, of the drinks can be adjusted to contain less of a flavored syrup, said Passerrello.

Kirkpatrick advises that people ask for sugar-free options, which are often available in mocha or hazelnut. You can also reduce the sweetness by asking for half the normal amount of added sugar.

To get a better idea of what the standard drink has, check out the nutrition information on the [company] website, said Passerrello.

The nutrition information will indicate, among other things, total fat content and how much of that fat is from saturated sources.

There is emerging research looking at the type of saturated fat being important, so stay tuned, Passerrello said.

The American Heart Association suggests aiming for a dietary pattern that achieves 56 percent of calories from saturated fat.

For the average 2,000-calorie daily diet, this means no more than 13 grams of saturated fat in a day.

For now, we know that a typical 16-ounce seasonal coffee drink usually has around 10 grams of saturated fat, so add a serving of flank steak for dinner and you have exceeded your daily saturated fat limit, Passerrello said.

Excerpt from:
How Healthy Are Starbucks Holiday Drinks? Here's the Good, the Bad, and the Sugary - Healthline

Yale researchers have linked the AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus with over-exercising compulsions in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Beatriz Horta 12:44 am, Nov 12, 2020

Staff Reporter

YaleNews

Yale scientists have found specific neurons in the brain can regulate the symptom of over-exercising in patients with anorexia nervosa.

School of Medicine research affiliate Maria Consolata Miletta, the first author of the study, said the researchers used a method called the activity-based anorexia model, in which mice on a low-calorie diet who have a running wheel in their cages will over-exercise. The scientists found that specific agouti-related peptide, or AgRP, neurons located in the hypothalamus will show greater activation and stimulate the reward systems in the brain when mice are over-exercising while fasting.

According to Tamas Horvath,the chair of the comparative medicine department, who was also an author in the study, this implied that these neurons cause people to undergo vigorous exercise in nutrient deficient conditions one of the main symptoms of anorexia nervosa.

The animals in which we activated these neurons, they were running better and had better stamina, Horvath said. They would actually run much better than control animals where we didnt do anything.

Horvath said that the AgRP neurons have been a research interest of his since he became a postdoctoral associate at Yale in 1990. He explained that many behaviors are altered when our bodies display hunger, which is due to the hormonal and neurological effects of a lack of energy. Located deep in the brain in the hypothalamus these neurons have been shown to be affected by the hormone ghrelin, which is released when a person is hungry.

In a previous study, Horvath and his colleagues found that AgRP neurons mediated the feeling of reward in compulsive behaviors from fasting mice. This finding led them to hypothesize that these neurons could also be activated in disorders with compulsive behaviors, including anorexia.

The paper is arguing that these neurons are fundamentally important to properly allocate available fuels that you are having in your body, stored at the time of low nutrient availability, Horvath said. Through that, theyre capable of supporting functions such as exercise.

According to Miletta, anorexia nervosa is the psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate, so a study like this could be imperative in changing the way scientists think about the disease and therapeutic approaches and potentially save lives. Current treatment involves the administering of antidepressants to control harmful behaviors such as over-exercising.

Horvath stated that their findings could change the way the field thinks about an anorexic patients ability to control their self-image and compulsive behaviors. Neurons located in deeper brain areas, such as the hypothalamus, are not necessarily under conscious control and may not be affected by treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

If you have a mindset of if I undergo behavior therapy, if I conceptualize and think about things, I am going to be able to be in charge, that may or may not work because these neurons are deep inside and you are not capable of controlling them, Horvath said.

Miletta also described the other finding of the study when food-restricted mice were later given a high-fat non-restricted diet, they had lower death rates compared to mice who later received a regular non-restricted diet. This indicates another potential treatment change for anorexic people, where those in recovery are given high fat diets in the refeeding phase the stage in anorexia treatment where doctors have patients start to slowly eat again. The researchers have speculated that this might improve their overall outcome and increase their chance of survival.

According to senior research scientist at the Yale School of Medicine Xiao-Bing Gao, one of the studys most important findings is the implication that anorexia, a psychiatric disorder, could have symptoms rooted in an area of the brain commonly associated with basic physiological functions such as body temperature regulation.

It seems reasonable to hypothesize that [anorexia nervosa] patients consciously make changes in ways how they view their images and make decisions on how they deal with the problems by altering their energy metabolism, Gao wrote in an email to the News. However, it is also possible that physiological processes investigated in this study and others may un-consciously or sub-consciously shape their decision-making as well.

Horvath showed some optimism regarding a possible drug to aid in the treatment of anorexia. Since the hypothalamus is located outside of the blood-brain barrier which prevents many chemical compounds from entering the brain scientists may be able to develop a drug that limits the activation of these neurons in patients with anorexia.

He stated that in the past that it has been difficult to convince funding agencies and other researchers that these primitive neurons could have an effect on the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. This was mostly because researchers did not believe that there could be such deeply-rooted causes to psychological behavior which is mostly controlled by the brains cortex.

According to Miletta, the team is working on determining what kinds of fatty diets would be the best option in decreasing anorexia death rates.

We also hope that our work [help fight] the stigma around anorexia which is usually considered a psychiatric disease but which might be considered a metabolic-psychiatric disorder, she wrote.

According to Director of the National Institute of Mental Health Thomas Insel, anorexia nervosa has a mortality rate of around 10 percent.

Beatriz Horta | beatriz.horta@yale.edu

Excerpt from:
Yale study finds neurons that regulate over-exercising in anorexia - Yale Daily News

We asked Dr. Michael Greger how to stay healthy during the holidays and eat to strengthen our immune system and try to avoid COVID-19 as best we can. Dr. Greger is an MD and bestselling author of How Not to Die, as well as How Not to Diet, two thick books that help you learn all the ways to stave off illness and diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer's, and type 2 diabetes, as well as all other killers. His diet book gives unique and reliable advice on how to lose weight and keep it off, all while eating a healthy, sustainable whole-food plant-based diet. His books did not deal with COVID-19 specifically, so we asked him to come up with the best strategies to stay safe, healthy, and virus-free this holiday season, as we still want to enjoy the comfort and traditions of family and home.

Dr. Michael Greger:Quite simply, we should eat natural foods that come from the ground and from the fields, not factories, and from gardens, not garbage.

Studies have shown plant-based eating can improve not only body weight, blood sugar levels, and ability to control cholesterol, but also emotional states, including depression, anxiety, fatigue, sense of well-being, and daily functioning. Researchers have shown that a more plant-based diet may help prevent, treat, or reverse some of our leading causes of deathincluding heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressureall of which have been shown to be conditions that lead to the most severe cases ofCOVID-19.

Dr. Greger: Only one way of eating has ever been proven to reverse heart disease in the majority of patients: a diet centered around whole plant foods. If thats all a whole-food, plant-based diet could doreverse our number-one killershouldnt that be the default diet until proven otherwise?

The fact it may also be effective in preventing, treating, and arresting other leading killers seems to make the case for plant-based eating simply overwhelming.

For example, studies of plant-based diets have shown, 90 percent reductions in angina within just a few weeks. Plant-based diet intervention groups have reported greater diet satisfaction than control groups, as well as improved digestion, increased energy, and better sleep, and significant improvement in their physical functioning, general health, vitality, and mental health.

The Beet:Do you have an immunity holiday recipe? Something simple? Even a holiday dessert with dates and turmeric (immune-boosting foods)?

Dr. Greger: My Pumpkin Pie Smoothie recipe from The How Not to Die Cookbook is perfect for getting you into the holiday spirit with a pep in your step. It tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass! This recipe is as easy as can be and makes one 1 cup serving.

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients with 1 cup of water in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Serve and enjoy immediately.

Dr. Greger:Its not what you eat today that matters, or tomorrow, or next week, but rather what you eat over the next months, years, and decades. As the days get shorter and colder, its harder to get outside to exercise and move around, and with the social limitations put on us due to the pandemic, this season may bring us some sadness and anxiety, rather than happiness and cheer.

They dont call it comfort food for nothing. Overeating may be a sign that something is eating us.

Dr. Greger:Though some people eat less during stress, the majority of us not only eat more,but tend to gravitate toward foods high in sugar, fat, and calories. If you give people their own private snack buffet, those with high chronic stress levels eat less fruits and veggies and more chocolate cake. We suspect its cause and effect because you can demonstrate the acute effects of stress in a lab. Randomize people between solvable and unsolvable word puzzles, for example, and food choice shifts from a healthy snack (grapes) to a less healthy snack (M&Ms) in the more stressful condition. Even just watching a video with distressing scenes, including traffic problems, financial hardship,or sexual harassment can evoke the same shift in eating behavior toward chocolate.

The best way to relieve the effects of stress is to relieve the stress itself. To the extent possible, we should try to reorient our lives to avoid major stressors and use exercise to work off whats unavoidable. This can include yoga, walking, or resistance band stretching. Mindfulness techniques can be used to reduce stress and deal with cravings. To buffer the release of the stress hormone cortisol, we can reduce our intake of saturated fats and added sugars, and pile on the plants.

And when its time to prepare a meal, think of it as an opportunity to do something good for yourself. To treat yourself. To give yourself food that is delicious and healthful.

Dr. Greger:Its actually quite simple: It turns out the healthiest diet also appears to be the most effective diet for weight loss. Indeed, we have experimental confirmation: A whole food, plant-based diet was found to be the single most effective weight-loss intervention ever published in the medical literature, proven in a randomized controlled trial with no portion control, no calorie counting, no exercise component: the most effective ever.

The Beet: What do YOU eat for TG? A fake turkey? Which one? Or do you make your own? AND why does real turkey make you feel drugged?

Dr. Greger:Though its commonly thought the amino acid tryptophan in turkey makes us feel lethargic and even sleepy, any large such meal will do it. I most definitely keep turkeys off my plate on Thanksgiving and all other days of the year, but I also tend to stay away from the plant-based turkey alternatives readily available these days. Dont get me wrong: I think they can be great for those wanting a close approximation to a traditional holiday entre, but without all the myriad downsides of consuming animal products, but I prefer foods that are less processed. Foods that are whole and hearty.

Some of my favorites are included in my The How Not to Diet Cookbook, including Roasted Root Vegetables on Garlic-Braised Greens, Baked Grain Loaf with Umami Gravy, Roasted Kabocha with Kale-Cranberry Stuffing, and Balsamic Butternut, Brussels, and Beets.

Dr.Greger: Anyone who doesnt know how to get protein on a plant-based diet doesnt know beans! Protein from plant sources is preferable because of the baggage that comes along with protein from animal products. Food is a package deal. Beans and other legumes, such as split peas, chickpeas, or lentils, are the protein superstars of the plant kingdom, and we should ideally enjoy them every day.

Dr. Greger is also the founder of Nutritionfacts.org, a site devoted to eating plant-based for your health, from the perspective of a science-based career treating patients and educating the public on how avoiding foods withanimal fat and instead choosing to eat vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, grains and legumes is a healthier approach. For more information on how to adopt a plant-based diet, visit Nutritionfacts.org.

Read the original post:
How to Avoid COVID-19 During the Holidays, by Dr. Michael Greger - The Beet

Diet. A term thats morphed from being the kinds of foods we habitually eat to a destructive culture thats short-term, restrictive and rather than being kind andnurturing, promotes a disordered relationship with food, body and wellbeing.

A global market worth US$189B thanks to quick-fix weight management brands, celebrity fads and influencers as far as the eye can see, diet culture is ingrained in our lives and has become an unwelcome societal norm.

As the New Year approaches (and that period through Christmas no one knows what day it is), theres no better time to heed this mindset than right now.

The pressure to watch what we eat is through the roof, and there is the added fear-mongering notion that quarantine brought around weight gain.Even those who typically had a good relationship with food might have felt pressure to start a diet, not to mention those whoalready struggled with disordered eating.

Resetting your body and mind to re-establish healthy habits is a good place to start. Here are some tips on how to adopt an intuitive mindset so you can enter 2021 with more balance and a kinder mindset.

believe it or not, intuitive eating comes naturally, were born with it. As we get older, a shift happens and we become exposed to unhealthy habits. Food is no longerjustfood. Food becomes a reward, a punishment, the judge and the jury. The first step is to honour your appetite: hunger is normal! Respect yourself by feeding your body when its hungry. It is one of our most basic primal needs. Next to this is respecting your fullness and being mindful, not restricting yourself and creating a positive environment to experience your meals.

theres nothing worse than a bad nights sleep spent tossing and turning. But did you know a poor sleep routine can cause ongoing mental effects. From brain fog, and making it difficult to concentrate to how we make decisions. However a healthy sleep routine can boost your immunity, mental wellbeing and even your sex drive. Some simple strategies to ensure you clock enough hours are:

being healthy and taking care of your wellbeing should never feel like a chore! Set yourself small, attainable and sustainable goals that motivate you to make healthier choices each day. Better yet, write these goals down and pin them to your fridge to hold yourself accountable. They could include:going meat-free on weekdays, exercising at least 3 times per weekor taking 5 minutes to practice mindfulness/meditation each day.

stock your kitchen with nutritious wholegrains, plant-based proteins, healthy fat sources, and fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. As a general guide, try to aim for five handfuls of colourful veggies and two handfuls of fruit per day to ensure youre getting a range of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in each meal. To help your digestive system perform at its best, eat a variety of high-fibre foods such as chickpeas, lentils, and wholegrain cereal and bread.

When you finish a workout, remember to refuel your body with a combination of healthy fats, carbohydrates and protein, such as blending up a smoothie with frozen banana, nut butter, almond milk and Raw Protein Isolate, which is packed with 21g of plant protein and up to 99% RDI Iron.

great for both your physical and mental health, exercise can help lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of heart attack, cancer and stroke.Summer is the perfect time to soak up some vitamin D with endorphin-boosting outdoor exercise. This doesnt mean you have to start training for a marathon. Whether you walk, swim, bike, run or just play some outdoor sport with the kids tryto make the most of the warmer months.

Tara is an Accredited Practising Nutritionist & Head Dietitian and New Product Developer at global health brand,Amazonia.

See the original post here:
Breaking up with diet culture: A dietitian on how to ditch the toxicity - Women's Agenda

If youre participating in the 50,000-word challenge in 30 days for nanowrimo, your chief concerns are speed and word count, and I have some hints to help you make it to the finish line.

Now that youre well into the second week you may notice a lag in your pace. The first few days of writing are like starting a new diet: youre gung-ho and cut out sugar and portion your food, but a week later you slide back into old habits, especially if you havent lost any weight. Maintaining a steady diet of writing 1667 words a day is difficult, especially if you are a first-time novelist. Its hard to keep up the momentum, and at one point, you will hit the wall. The story may drift off to side paths, or sometimes life gets in the way.

Your work-in-progress might feel like an albatross, and this is the point where many people give up. But if youre determined to make it to the finish line, here are some tips.

Rule 1:Keep writing. This means dont stop to research or look up a more precise word in the thesaurus. If you overuse the same verbs, dont sweat it. This is a draft. If you use place markers, youll easily find what to fix the piece in revision, (where real writing happens.)

[Brackets,] ALL CAPS, highlight and italics can be your best friends at this stage. If you know as soon as you youve used the wrong word in a sentence, isolate it with a marker.

Your marker may look something like this: He stood at WHICH? lake, and at that time of year, the wind made the waves crested like the ocean. [LOOK THIS UP TO VERIFY]

If you stop to make corrections too early you run the risk of falling into the Google rabbit hole where you begin to research Lake Michigan in October and next thing you know, youre reading extensive articles about the Chicago Worlds Fair. Unless the fair is part of your story, more writing time is lost.

Another ally is the strikethrough effect. (In Word this is under the Font function.) Because the object of nanowrimo is quantity rather than quality, allow your writing to be wordy. Use strikethrough on phrases you know you want to eliminate later; they still count as part of your word count, yet youve pre-revised for the delete key.

If you havent named a new character yet, or you forget the name of one of you wrote in Chapter One, a good standby for me is NAME, MAN, WOMAN, TEEN, etc. Occasionally I decide to change the name halfway through my story, so Ill put a note to CHANGE NAME.

Rule 2: Remember this is a draft; it will be imperfect. Sometimes as I write I know a sentence is just terrible, and occasionally I will write THIS IS GARBAGE. But guess what? My rude notes to myself are included in my word count.

If you stop to edit diction and syntax too early, youll lose more momentum and possibly lose interest altogether. A draft is something for your eyes only. Anne Lamott eloquently discusses more of drafting in this essayexcerpted from her book, Bird by Bird.

Since Im writing this piece in November, Im adding it to my final word count at the end of November if I fall short.

Happy Nano-ing.

By Laura Moe

Laura Moe is the author of three novels (two of which began as nanowrimos) and is currently President of Development at Edmonds based EPIC Group Writers. Click here to learn more about National Novel Writing Monthand its local affiliates.

See the original post here:
Nanowrimo survival tips: How to make it to the finish line - My Edmonds News

Black In Cardio is an international group of cardiovascular scientists and trainees from diverse backgrounds and subject areas. A team of eight strangers met on Twitter and volunteered time to make an idea a reality. #BlackInCardioWeek follows several other BlackinX weeks and was created to highlight black cardiovascular scientists and raise awareness around cardiovascular diseases by offering a space to the wider community. Issues such as access to information, representation of black communities in decision making, and destigmatization of research e during #BlackInCardioWeek has opened a space for collaboration and mentorship.

Here is a quick run through of the events and what #BlackInCardio means to the team.

Before the launch of the week, we set a 7 day workout challenge.

#BICWorkout Challenge. This was to encourage the conversation around cardiovascular health and get people to just start. Using the hashtag, people were encouraged to post their workout image after following a specially created programme by fitness coach Nelao, or any other form of physical activity.

#BlackInCardioRollCall: Announcing their presence as black scientists, researchers and working professionals,. participants shared their research and motivations within the cardiovascular field. It is no longer possibleto say we dont exist, and simply scrolling through the hashtag links people in the field with each other.

Recognising the urgency for representation in the cardiovascular field, and seeing the other black in X events, I sent out the tweet on the 13th August 2020. From there, a fantastic team was formed and #BlackinCardio began. My journey to being a scientist began through observing the detrimental effects of diabetes and how it caused a drastic change in the lifestyle of many. Seeing this, and recognizing its prevalence within my community, formed my drive to participate in scientific research. To be a scientist means to discover new knowledge through challenging, searching and answering the questions that need to be tackled. My research combines my two interests and focuses on diabetic cardiomyopathy and it is my personal motivation that is driving me through. Consistently engaging with those who suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system, hearing the views of why they suffered from members within and outside my community, and witnessing how it was being treated, verified my pursuit as a scientist who understands the community.

The Career Panel was designed to provide insights on the experiences of Black scientists and clinicians in various cardiovascular fields and give an opportunity for people interested in careers within the field to get advice and inspiration.

During my undergraduate studies, I decided that a career in medicine was no longer for me and wanted to focus on a career in life science research. In my search for the perfect role, I knew I wanted to work within cardiovascular research, but I saw a lack of career guidance and started a blog in search for the perfect career. In my personal life, there has always been support to achieve what I wanted but that wasnt reflected in my professional circle. #BlackInCardio was especially important for me as a Masters student just stepping into the professional world. My main takeaway from the panels and working with the team has shown me, through representation, that my dreams arent so far out of reach.

The Q&A sessions were designed to create an open dialogue between researchers, clinicians, early career professionals and the general public. Specific sessions included discussions around the Whole Heart: Congenital Heart Diseases, The Vasculature , Nutrition (in French) and Cardiometabolic Syndromes.

I was born and raised in Bafang, a small town in West Cameroon in Africa. During my PhD, I unfortunately lost my father from stroke complications after six months of intensive care. My father was my first advocate; he was very proud of my achievements, and his ultimate dream was to cheer for me during my PhD graduation. Losing my father completely switched my perception of the world and the value of life. More importantly, it reshaped my research interests in studying cardiovascular diseases. I felt the need to contribute to the field and help advance research in cardiovascular disease in the Black communities. After my PhD, I joined Stanford University as a postdoctoral scholar to study genetic risk factors of vascular diseases, particularly in the Black population. My current research includes studying genetic risk factors for vascular diseases such as aortic aneurysm and coronary artery diseases in multiple ancestry groups, as well as cardiac hereditary amyloidosis (hATTR), a disease due to a pathogenic mutation in the Transthyretin (TTR) gene and particularly prevalent in Black populations. Most of my research is conducted on The Million Veteran Program, the largest multi-ethnic cohort to date with electronic health records and genetic information.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the world. With this harrowing fact, as a team we understand the importance of destigmatising narratives around the Black population in regards to cardiovascular health. For this reason two separate panels were created. The first focused on a discussion of the stigmatization of Black people in cardiovascular research and medicine, and its consequences. The second was a conversation around diet, physical activity, and medicine in Black communities.

I am originally from Likasi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. My senior honors project was on the genetics of race and ancestry. Despite my love for biology, I wanted to do population research and understand health disparities. Thats how I ended up getting a PhD in Medical Sciences. The focus of my dissertation was on the epidemiology of acculturation and diabetes in African immigrants. A lot of cardiovascular conditions are preventable; that racial disparities in these diseases exist is a public health crisis. Thats why events like #BlackInCardioWeek are so important to me. My research made me realize that cardiovascular/cardiometabolic issues in African immigrant communities are part of a larger discourse on racial disparities in health. So for my current postdoctoral position at the University of Vermont, I am studying racial disparities in cardiovascular/cardiometabolic diseases (including COVID-19) in the REGARDS (The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke). The REGARDS is one of the largest and most diverse cohort studies in the U.S.

As the only person on the #BlackInCardio organizing team who isnt Black, my perspective may be different than the other co-organizers. I thought I knew a lot about systemic racism and how I could make a change and improve inclusivity and representation in science, but I thought I had to wait until I was in a position of power to do this. I thought the best thing I could do was to understand the issues facing Black people in science and not contribute to any racist narratives. #BlackInCardio and other BlackInX initiatives have taught me that being an ally is much more than not contributing to racist narratives. #BlackInCardio taught me that you dont need to wait to be tenured and appointed to a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity task force to make a change. By helping to organize #BlackInCardio, I could spend my time and energy on this global initiative to help lighten the load that my 7 other Black co-organizers had to bear. This burden should not always be placed on traditionally marginalized groups. As an ally, anything you can do to improve representation and inclusivity in STEM fields helps. It can be as simple as liking or retweeting a post on Twitter by a Black scientist, student, or trainee that shows that science is open, accepting, and supportive of Black people in this predominantly white space.

Destigmatising cardiovascular health: From diet to medicine. This event focused on how harmful narratives affect everyday life. Black people are often told that diets are inherently bad and are criticised for eating certain foods. This panel created a safe space with a diverse range of qualified professionals sharing their knowledge on the lessons learnt working within the fields of diet, nutrition and medicine.

My research focuses on how the biological mechanisms of obesity contribute to cardiovascular diseases. I am currently analyzing the cellularity and morphology of both visceral and pericardial adipose (fat) tissue after undergoing high fat fed conditions. I have a deep passion for cardiovascular research due to its prevalence within the Black community and also having experienced loss of family members and family friends due to cardiovascular disease and its associated complications. Events like #BlackinCardioWeek are very important as the current literature showsthat the Black community are at a much higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Its important to highlight the research being done to help and educate our community in this very important matter of cardiovascular health. I hope I can one day share my knowledge and experiences to inspire a new generation of scientists who tend to be excluded from scientific research and careers.

The future of cardiovascular research: On this panel, the issues of access, recruitment, and retention of black scientists and clinicians were discussed. Panelists shared their successes and shared struggles navigating the professional world. The discussion ranged from writing grant applications, networking, and most importantly navigating a space that has many obstacles for black people.

I have always had an interest in science, and wanted to be in a career that could help people (I actually wanted to be a heart surgeon). Many a time, I have been the only black person in a room and Id always wondered why there werent many black people in science. I know first-hand the power of representation and seeing people who look like you go through the process. During my Masters, seeing a postdoc who had just completed his doctorate inspired me to believe that I could do something like that too. I always share the story of catching up with someone after a few years who asked what I was doing now. His response to me saying I was a research scientist was Oh wow, I have never seen a black scientist before. I saw this as a problem for a while. I want people to be able to identify themselves as scientists no matter what their background is. I have been greatly encouraged after the inaugural #BlackInCardio Week and I believe this is the beginning of achieving long-overdue equity in science and medicine.

Black cardiologists in history: This was a series of blog posts done in conjunction with AHA Early Career Voice. Throughout the week, we highlighted the profiles of several Black cardiologists and cardiovascular scientists who made a substantial contribution to cardiovascular science such as Dr. Marie Maynard Daly, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, and Dr. Charles Rotimi.

Black Scientists have certainly set the benchmark within cardiovascular science and medicine, but their groundbreaking work has not been emphasised enough. Highlighting the work of Black pioneers in the field was not only a way to celebrate and recognize their accomplishments, but also to show young Black trainees and aspiring scientists that people like them have changed the world of cardiovascular medicine. They can see themselves in those role models and use them as an example for hard work and perseverance.

Finally, the week ended by spending the weekend showcasing the lives of #BlackInCardio students, professionals,and researchers outside the world of science. We had four weekend events: bread baking & wig making, make-up session and conversation, live podcast, and a live afrobeats dance class.

Highlighting the work of Black pioneers in the field was not only a way to celebrate and recognize their accomplishments, but also to show young Black trainees and aspiring scientists that people like them have changed the world of cardiovascular medicine.

I develop advanced cardiovascular tissue models for studying genetic disease. I believe that science should be accessible and that every child should have the opportunity to become a scientist. I also work on supporting marginalized groups of PhD students within the Academy. Outside of the lab I foster puppies and enjoy outdoor activities like running, hiking and gardening.

As a team the collective takeaway is that we are proud to have organised and executed a global event. It is important to note that this is just the beginning and we hope to follow through with more events outside the week, a larger team, and wider reach to include more of the African continent. Watch out for Black in Cardio, we are just getting started.

See the article here:
#BlackInCardioWeek: How it started, what happened, and what is to come - On Medicine - BMC Blogs Network