The Power of Habits- That Can Help You Lose Weight

 How your brain works

When you do something pleasant—like eat something delicious—your body actually releases chemicals that go to your brain, carrying a message of pleasure or reward.
Eating unhealthily can literally be habit-forming. We are much more likely to repeat the behavior to get the pleasant reward again—because overly sweet, fat-laden processed foods send these powerful chemical messages to the brain.

Triggers

Habits are set in motion by triggers:

• We arrive at a familiar intersection - and we automatically turn left.
• We come home from work - and instinctively reach into the mailbox.
• The dog is waiting by his bowl - and we unconsciously reach to get his food out of the cabinet.
• We sit down for the big game on Sunday - and the chips and dips appear whether we're hungry or not.

Our habits determine our health

Small, simple things you do every day can either lead you toward disease, or toward optimal well-being and longevity.
Your Health Coach can help you create healthy habits that support your goals—one choice at a time!

Changing your habits, step by step:

1. Incorporate choices that support Optimal Health into your daily routine.
2. Make yourself aware of your daily choices that do not support health—without using negative self-talk or blame.
3. Break the habit of nutritional pollution and give your body and brain a break by eating Medifast Meals.
4. Think long term—make choices now that support health now and in the future.
5. Create a microenvironment of health by decreasing your exposure to potential triggers.

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Why We're Overweight: Body Design vs. Changing Lifestyle

Today, two out of every three adults in America are overweight or obese. It is estimated that one-third of all U.S. kids born in the year 2000 will be diagnosed with diabetes some time during their lives—and many of these cases will be related to obesity and its complications. Why is this happening?
Our lifestyles have changed dramatically over time, but our body's design has remained the same.

How life used to be, 10,000 years ago:

• When humans were hunters and gatherers, we expended about the same amount of calories we took in.
• We learned to eat until we were full, because we didn't know when food would be available again.
• We ate lean meat and fresh fruits and vegetables that were low in calories.
• Our bodies retained fat so we could survive when food was scarce.

Modern conveniences such as cars and elevators have reduced the amount of exercise we get each day. As a result, our energy balance—calories in vs. calories out—is out of kilter.

Nutritional pollution

High-calorie foods are inexpensive and plentiful—over 90% of what Americans are eating is processed. When we speak of "nutritional pollution," we're referring to foods that are too high in:

• sugar, especially high fructose corn syrup
• fat
• salt
• unnecessary artificial ingredients

Examples of the habits of disease:

• Eating only three (or fewer) times a day
• Having only coffee or orange juice for breakfast
• Watching TV after 10:00 p.m. regularly
• Eating more pasta and rice
• Eating out at least four times a week
• Getting four hours of sleep
• Eating dessert
• Drinking more caffeinated drinks than water
• Drinking more diet soda than water
• Wearing clothes with elastic waistbands

Examples of healthy weight-maintaining habits:

• Eating a substantial breakfast each morning
• Using the stairs whenever possible
• Parking far away from the store and walking
• Taking a five-minute power nap when tired
• Exercising five to seven days a week
• Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night
• Eating fish at least twice a week
• Eating more fruits and vegetables
• Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day
• Choosing healthy-minded friends

When we choose to develop Habits of Health to replace the fat-producing ones, we are on our way to lasting weight control. This is what Take Shape For Life is all about, and your Health Coach will be there to guide you along your journey toward Optimal Health, one step at a time. 

To Learn More About Take Shape For Life Go To My Website.

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Fat Future: 42% of Americans May Be Obese by 2030

This is just totally unacceptable, that means that almost 50 percent of the country will be overweight!


May 7, 2012 -- By 2030, 42% of Americans will be obese and 11% of Americans will be severely obese, Duke University and CDC researchers predict.
These shocking numbers actually are conservative, note study researchers Eric A. Finkelstein, PhD, and colleagues.

Finkelstein's team based its calculations on self-reported weight and height from people participating in the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Obesity is defined by body mass index (BMI). People tend to underestimate their weight and overestimate their height. The researchers corrected for this. They also factored in state-by-state trends in factors affecting obesity, such as the number of fast-food restaurants per person and the cost of unhealthy, calorie-dense foods vs. healthy foods.
There's some good news. The study suggests that adult obesity in the U.S. is leveling off, albeit at an unacceptably high level. Previous estimates suggested that 51% of Americans would be obese in 2030. But that figure may be too full, the new study finds.

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What is Different About This Program

Take Shape For Life is an entirely new approach to well-being based on creating health, not reacting to illness. Reaching a healthy weight is just the beginning. Through the Habits of Health and the BeSlim lifestyle, our program can help guide you to Optimal Health.

As you work toward Optimal Health, you learn to take charge of your lifestyle and be as healthy as you can be, for as long as you want.

The health care system is failing

The medical community's current role is to focus on treating the symptoms and diseases stemming from the consequences of unhealthy living.

Unfortunately, medications and surgeries do not help create health. The current approach focuses more on "sick care" than "health care." This approach is bankrupting both the health and financial state of our nation.

At Take Shape For Life, we are focusing on creating a new system of health. Take Shape For Life gives each individual the direction and support they need to successfully create—and sustain—a healthy lifestyle.