Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the United States. Although some risk factors, such as age and heredity, cannot be controlled, many factors, including smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, and inactivity can be modified, thus, lowering the risk.

Interestingly, Arthur Agatston, whom you may know as the “South Beach diet doctor,” suggests that education on preventive measures is making huge strides toward eradicating heart attacks and other preventable health crises.

Read more in this article from today’s New York Times.

And don’t forget to check out b5media’s own heart health blog, A Hearty Life.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Preventive Medicine for Heart Health

I had totally forgotten how addictive sugar is. I have no control. Once I get started eating my old way, I want more and more. Yesterday, I had breakfast with some friends — sugary, white flour coffeecake, sugary muffins, and fruit. I had lunch with my mom, and she gave me delicious but sugary blackberry cake. So that led to having ice cream cones with the kids later in the afternoon … and a second round of cake after dinner.

I can’t eat this way. I can’t live this way. I have no energy when I eat what everyone else does. I’ve got to remember that I have diabetes in my family lineage, and if I feel awful, it’s because my body is saying, “YOU CAN’T LIVE THIS WAY.”

So, I’m heading back to the South Beach Diet, phase 1. Two weeks with no sugar, no bread, no potatoes, no pasta, no rice — and no fruit! None. I’ve got to clean my body of all the high-glycemic sugary junk that’s been making me tired. It will be hard this weekend, as we’re going to a bonfire where everyone will be eating hot dogs and hamburgers. I can eat the protein, but not the bread.

I’m also heading back to Curves to burn my 500 calories and talk to fun people who are taking positive steps to improve their health. Hold me accountable, OK? I’ll report to you on Monday how it goes.

Post from: Blisstree

Back on Track with South Beach Diet

According to Almonds Are In, recent studies show that almonds can help reduce your cholesteral. One study of men with high cholesterol showed that almond butter, as well as raw and dry-roasted almonds, helped to lower cholesterol levels within a month.

Almonds have been cultivated since ancient times in Assyria, Persia, and Greece. The ancient Romans referred to almonds as the “Greek nut.” I try to add almonds to my salads to give me some flavor, and it’s nice to know I’m also doing something good for my heart.

Post from: Blisstree

Health Benefits of Almonds

Now this is not what you think! What it means is she has lots of dieters in her sidebar who are being bold enough to admit their pre-diet weight and update their progress. I didn’t send her my weight, but she added me to her blogroll, so people can check here to see my progress.

I’ve lost 15 pounds since April — from working out at Curves until I hurt my knee in July. Then from the South Beach Diet. Now I’m back on track, getting to the gym for some low-impact classes like cycling. And Curves again! I’ve got about 10-15 pounds to go, and a LOT of muscle toning. I haven’t seen my abs in years.

Thanks to my new cool ClubMom water bottle, I’ll be fueling up on more water while I work out. And check out the ClubMom Health & Fitness tips! I may have to send them one of my own.

Post from: Blisstree

Clubmoms’ Diet & Fitness Tips

My weight is staying steady, at 10.5 pounds lost since starting the diet three weeks ago. At least I haven’t gained back anything, but my loss is at a plateau. I’ve had more snacks in the house because I’m packing lunches for the kids. So guess who ate a little bag of cheetos yesterday? Me! And guess who ate a handful of chocolate chip cookies when I started helping with homework assignments. mmm…hmmm. ME.

Help! I can’t let this happen. Today is a new day. I can get back to it. I’ve worked hard to lose those first ten, and I want to keep going. If you’re struggling with letting go of old food habits, read Melodee’s My Back-Stabbing So-Called Friend for inspiration. Let’s get back on track — together!!

Post from: Blisstree

Another Update on my South Beach Diet

I asked my Mom 2 Mom Connection readers how in the world a mom can get started improving children’s eating habits. My big concern is sugar substitutes — are they OK for kids? If I eat sugar-free yogurt and jello, is that all right for them? My instinct tells me no. In fact, my instinct tells me I should stay clear of those as well. So I’m still on a mission to find what’s natural and best.

After reading the South Beach Diet, I’m convinced that I have a problem with my insulin levels responding too fast to high-glycemic carbs. This affects my moods, my energy levels, my WEIGHT around my middle, and my long-term health. So I just have to stay clear of pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, and baked goods. But my family can still eat them. For example, I can prepare regular tacos for them, while I eat the meat, cheese, and salsa on a huge bed of lettuce.

I can cook everyone a spaghetti dinner and eat my spaghetti sauce on slender green beans instead of noodles. And eat nuts instead of bread. They can have chicken and rice, while I have chicken on salad. They can eat black beans and rice, while I eat black beans and salsa.

It’s a slow transition for me, but I’m hoping to cook more healthy all around. What mom can give up cooking mac & cheese? Not me! I can cook it, but I just can’t eat it.

Post from: Blisstree

South Beach Diet … For the Family?

Here’s a post with good news: Chocolate Promotes Cardiovascular Health Among the Elderly. Ruth says to “opt for the high fat dark chocolate.” Mmmm … always nice to hear an excuse for eating chocolate.

Right now, I’m still working through Phase II of the South Beach Diet, so I’m meeting my chocolate cravings with soy protein bars. I just really have to stay clear of the sugar because once I start, I can’t stop. But after I drop another 20 pounds (thinking positive here), I’ll be able to indulge in occasional scrumptious treats like dark chocolate. To help with insulin levels, it’s best to eat a piece of dark chocolate after a meal, not on an empty stomach.

Post from: Blisstree

Dark Chocolate Is Good For You

TEN POUNDS … GONE. I’m ten pounds lighter than I was 2 weeks ago. People, this diet rocks! I’ve written before about what you cut out of Phase 1 — I gave up pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, fruit, and anything with sugar. I stuck to the diet pretty well until last weekend when I ate a few spaghetti noodles and some potato chips. And sure enough, the scale was up a little the next day. So I might as well just realize — this is a new way of life for me.

I’ve worked so hard there’s no way I’m going to let the weight creep back on. With South Beach Phase II, you can eat a few good carbs — so I’ll start eating oatmeal for breakfast (not the quick kind — the slow-cooking kind contains more fiber), along with my egg. I’ve still got 20 pounds to go. And I’m loving this new me. Actually, it’s the old me — she’s back. I have energy again.

I read The Zone last week — I’ll tell you more about it later. I found out from Dr. Barry Sears I’ve been stuck in “carbohydrate hell” the last decade. I hate that place — why didn’t anyone TELL ME eating that way zaps your energy and makes you fat? Live and learn.

Post from: Blisstree

South Beach Diet, Entering Phase II

We attended a fabulous birthday/ tea party yesterday, held in a quaint bookstore cafe. Oh, I was really craving the chocolate. Tiny, scrumptious-looking chocolate chip cookies on a silver tray, lush chocolate iced brownies. A cool pitcher of honey-lemon tea. NOT. ON. MY. DIET.

The voices in my head had a battle. It’s OK. It’s a party. Just one cookie, one brownie, one glass of tea. Maybe she only used a small bit of sugar.

Uh-uh. I didn’t budge. I didn’t want to let you blog readers down. I love you guys! Instead, I paid for a Tab Energy drink and a bag of nutty trail mix — whoop-de-doo. I even picked around the raisins (since they’re on the no-no list for Phase I). And guess what happened?

When I got home from the party, I didn’t crash from a sugar high — instead I felt great! That was a first for me. Usually kids’ birthday parties exhaust me — now, I’ll remember to bring my own Tab.

P.S. Check out the TAB website — I love it. “Because it’s hard work being fabulous.” Right, ladies?

Post from: Blisstree

Tab Energy Drink — Wow!

According to the diet’s author, Dr. Agatston, most South Beach dieters lose between 8 to 13 pounds during the strict two-week Phase I, then loss slows to about a pound or two per week during Phase II. I may be slower than that when I get back to weight training at Curves because muscle weighs more than fat. (I miss working out — only 2 more weeks of physical therapy!!)

I must tell you the other night I actually lost a few hours of sleep, tossing and turning while visions of TORTILLA CHIPS danced in my head. I could see myself eating nachos, one by one, hearing the crunching sound. I have missed my tortilla chips and salsa — yet I’ll be able to add them back into Phase II of the diet, in much smaller portions.

Viva la tortillas!

Post from: Blisstree

South Beach Diet, Day 5