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Comment by Terie (aka SpinDiva) on June 7, 2008 at 10:15pm

Sooooo, who's joining the 30 day challenge?

I have been pretty good this weekend in preparation for the next 4 weeks. I have my new exercise schedule set up. My goal has been to run a 5K but I think this might be the wrong time for me to get started given the temperature and the fact that I can't go running early in the AM and late evenings are out of the question, I don't do evenings except for sleeping or hanging out with the family. I may have to switch my focus to toning, losing inches and gaining strength. So, I will measure my body, weight, BMI, etc... I will do my own evaluation and then work towards improving those numbers. My running program will start slowly at the gym and maybe by the fall I'll be where I want to be--running 5K easily and asking for more.

101 degrees in Northern VA....ugh! Thank Goodness for little kids who beg to have the water sprinkler turned so I get to fish them out of the kiddy pool or have them hug be with wet swimmers so I get soaked and cooled all at the same time. So much fun!! Such sweet memories. I have the best pictures which I'll share next time I download the camera.

Till next time, take care!

Comment by Nancy Carlson on April 10, 2008 at 2:19pm

I've seen some information on this in the news lately. There certainly are some foods that cause inflammation just as their counter parts are naturally anti- inflammatory.

Here is a brief list of those that have a natural inflammatory agent.
1. Wheat Gluten- breads, pasta, pastries are something most people find difficult to give up. As a substitute in your meals add brown rice, quinoa, and sometimes oats.
2. salty foods- salt helps you retain water so be careful how much you add to foods.
3.Dairy Products are often not tolerated well by people. We have grown up feeling this intolerance and don't realize it. Try going without dairy for a month and feel the difference.
4. MSG and some other additives mostly found in sugar-free foods can cause bowel irritations.
5. meats that are processed have nitrates in them which have been shown to cause bowel irritations as well as other problems. I would do all range fed/ free range meats.

A few suggestions if you are having trouble with bloating:

1. Avoid large meals which are heavy in carbohydrate and fat. Instead spread low-volume meals throughout the day (and eat every four to five hours).
2.Be sure to incorporate some type of protein with each meal and snack. Protein can act like a natural diuretic and help your body get rid of extra water.
3. Drink plenty of water. Add a squeeze of lemon in for flavor but nothing else.
4. Do a food log for a few days. Review it to see if you can find a pattern to when you bloating occurs.
5. Eliminate wheat and dairy for a month. Then slowly add just one of them back into your diet to see which one might be causing a problem.
6. Exercise. A brisk walk will help to get things going.

For Anti-Inflammatory Foods I would suggest:
1. water- plenty of it.
2. Berries- Strawberries and blueberries are very high in phytochemicals and anti-oxidants.
3. Try bright colored vegatables and fruits- something in thier skin has an anti-inflammatory agent
4. nut and seeds
5. cold deep water fish
6. take a omega three supplement. Usana Health Sciences has a wonderful one. ( I do sell the stuff you can find out more here http://healthfacts.usana.com)

I am not a nutritionist so please study the information out there. Here is a link to a PDF article from Brigham and Women Hospital. If you are concerned about Bloating you might want to start here. www.brighamandwomens.org/healtheweightforwomen/special_topics/beat_the_bloat.pdf

Comment by Michelle on April 10, 2008 at 12:01pm

Center for health promtion has a class called Beat the Bloat - says you will learn which foods cause low level inflammation in your body and which ones are anti-inflammatory. Do you know what foods they are?