When it comes to weight loss, it all boils down to calories in vs. calories out. Calories are a scientific measure of the energy in food. Our bodies need a constant supply of energy (calories) to do everything from physical activity to carrying out basic vital functions like breathing and digesting food. Caitlin McCullough, RD, LD, clinical dietitian with the Lake Health Bariatric Surgery Center, explains how calorie counting could help promote weight loss:
The last thing most people want to do at the end of a busy work day is prepare dinner. According to the USDA, Americans in 2014 spent an average of 37 minutes a day preparing food and cleaning up. That’s over 4 hours a week! Why is meal planning so important?
Caitlin McCullough, RD, LD, clinical dietitian with the Lake Health Bariatric Surgery Center, explains:
We see it every New Year: The mass crowds in the gym come and then slowly fade off throughout the first few months of the year. The excitement of the New Year gives us that energy to begin great lifelong goals, but then the motivation quickly goes away. We need to shift our mindset to recognize that change is a gradual process. We don’t want to overload ourselves with unattainable long-term goals. Emma Giardini, MEd, BS, wellness coach with Lake Health Integrative Medicine, explains how to set goals you'll actually stick with all year long:
We all want to make our kids' wishes come true during the holiday season, but there are gifts that can also promote health and wellness. Here are some ideas for gifts that can promote wellness all year long:
When it’s cold and dark outside, you might be tempted to snuggle up inside where it’s warm and cozy instead of venturing out to exercise. But staying active all year is important for your health and well-being. If you have children, it also sets a good example for them, especially if you do activities together.
Kat Shuster, a Lake Health athletic trainer with the Lake Health Sports Medicine team, gives her top tips for staying active during the winter:
If you're searching for a unique gift idea this holiday season, consider giving something special that promotes health and wellness. Lake Health Wellness Coach Emma Giardini shares her favorite gift ideas to help your loved ones stay well:
Some breastfed babies refuse to take a bottle. Even so, with a little work and preplanning you should be able to get your baby to drink your breast milk from a bottle. Michelle Carlson, RN, IBCLC, certified lactation consultant, gives her top tips for transitioning your baby from breastfeeding to drinking pumped breast milk from a bottle:
Believe it or not, shoveling snow can be compared to strength training, and aerobically it’s similar to exercising on a treadmill! So just like exercise, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk of injury. Senior athletic trainer Sherrie Northrup with the Lake Health Sports Medicine team offers this advice to stay safe when shoveling snow this winter:
Have you ever heard your stomach growl, gurgle or rumble? A common misconception is that a growling stomach means you're hungry, but this is usually not the case.
Topics: Mental Health, Stress, Wellness
The holiday season is just around the corner and we can’t wait to make holiday cookies, wear crazy holiday sweaters and spend time with friends and family. Holiday stress will develop no matter what because there just isn’t enough time for everything. But Lake Health Wellness Coach Emma Giardini offers these tips on how to reduce the stress and enjoy the holiday season:
