November is Diabetes Awarness Month

Exercise is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle but an even more important part of a diabetic’s lifestyle. Exercise shouldn’t be a chore but should be fun and challenging. There are plenty of ways for people to get exercise without signing up at a gym or hiring a personal trainer (but that is a good way to get your exercise). If you don’t like lifting weights or attending aerobics classes then find something you like. Whether it is dancing around in your living room, riding a bike, hiking, ice skating, bowling or swimming there are plenty of ways to add exercise into your life and it could mean saving your life.

Obesity is on the rise, in fact skyrocketing, which means diabetes is on the rise too. The norm for what the average American thinks they should weigh or size that they should wear has increased and because of this many parents don’t recognize there child as overweight. Just thinking your child is thick, big boned or a little chunky and that they will grow out of it or think there is no need for concern can be a fatal mistake for your child later on in life. An overweight child is twice more likely to get diabetes than a child in the normal weight range. While some children are diabetic due to genetics most children who get diabetes later in childhood or early adulthood could have been prevented with proper diet and exercise.

Teaching your child about healthy eating and exercise is such an important tool to use and the earlier you start teaching them the more likely they will become healthy adults. It’s never too late to start teaching them but you must be an example as well. Check out the American Diabetes Association’s website for the top ten benefits to being active. http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/fitness-management/top-10-benefits-of-being.html

Are you ready for some football????

Pre-season is almost over...  So we've got Monday night football, Sunday night football, college football...what does all that mean?  Football parties!  Who doesn't love grilling up some burgers, chips and dip, and beer?  I'm sure plenty of you have your own traditional eats as well and I'm sure many aren't counting the calories.  But football season can easily pack on the pounds if you are not careful.  It's ok to splurge once in awhile but if you are frequently having or attending football parties then you may want to plan and prepare as to not add extra weight before the holidays even get here.  So here are some tips that can help you out.  For burgers try either extra lean ground beef or ground white turkey (regular ground turkey can have just as much fat as regular ground beef).  Use regular size whole wheat hamburger buns as the bigger buns can pack an extra 200 calories.  Try using just a little mayo (mayo with olive oil is even better) and you can use all the mustard you want as it is only 5 calories per serving and no fat or sugar!  Really try to avoid ketchup.  Ketchups has sooo much sugar in it and most people use so much of it and don't even think to consider it part of their daily calories but if you have to have it use one tbsp.  For the chips try Baked Lays and check the bag for the serving size (about 11 chips).  Try not to mindlessly eat them or you can consume multiple servings without realizing it (110 calories per serving).  Salsa is always a great option for dips as it is much lower in fat and calories and it's good for you!  If you really must have some beer then opt for the lite version and limit yourself on this as well.  Again many people don't add these empty calories in and can't understand why they won't lose weight or keep gaining.  It all adds up and one fun football party can really add up.  It takes 3500 calories to add an extra pound of fat and one can easily consume this at a party without realizing it.  I know it can be hard so if you blow it don't be so hard on yourself, it is very hard to eat healthy when we have so much good food around us.  It takes time and practice to have good will power.  If you do blow it then try adding a couple of extra workouts in that week.  (Trust me I end up doing that often, especially around the holidays, lol)  Now lets get ready for some football!