Herbalife Blog - Stop Obesity the fun and exciting way!

Mississippi continued to lead the way. An estimated 29.5 percent of adults there are considered obese. That is an increase of 1.1 percentage points when compared with last year's report, which is compiled by Trust for America's Health, an advocacy group that promotes increased funding for public health programs.

Meanwhile, Colorado remains the leanest state. About 16.9 percent of its adults are considered obese. That mark was also up slightly from last year's report, but not enough to be considered statistically significant.

The only state that experienced a decrease in the percentage of obese adults last year was Nevada.

"Quick fixes and limited government programs have failed to stem the tide," said Dr. Jeff Levi, executive director of the trust, in explaining the rise.

Health officials warn that the incidence of obesity in a particular state doesn't mean it treats the issue less seriously than others. States have different challenges to contend with when it comes to obesity, said Dr. Janet Collins of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Populations are not equal in terms of experiencing these health problems," Collins said. "Low-income populations tend to experience all the health problems we worry about at greater rates."

Indeed, the five states with the highest obesity rates -- Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana and Kentucky -- exhibit much higher rates of poverty than the national norm.

Meanwhile, the five states with the lowest obesity have less poverty. They are Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The leanest states shouldn't take a whole lot of comfort in their ranking, though, said Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, a former CDC director.

"This epidemic is a nationwide epidemic. Some some states are higher, some populations have it higher, but the trend has been up in every state, the trend has been up for every ethnic group, the trend has been up for rich and poor," Koplan said.

The group's estimate of obesity rates is based on a three-year average, 2003-2005. The data comes from an annual random sampling of adults via the telephone. The information is designed to help the government measure behavioral risks among adults.

The government equates obesity with a body mass index, or BMI, of at least 30. Someone who is 5 feet 4 would have to weigh 175 pounds to reach that threshold.

The index is calculated by dividing a person's weight in pounds by his height in inches, squared, and multiplying that total by 703. For some people, particularly athletes who exercise a great deal, the BMI index could show them as being obese when in fact they are in excellent physical condition.

The group also makes recommendations for individuals. But the recommendations that people eat well and exercise are known to Americans. And clearly, many just don't care to follow.

Collins said tobacco use is another area that could be labeled a personal choice, but government agencies have taken many steps to provide people with the environment and information they need to help them make their choices. The same should be done with obesity.

"I don't want to discount the personal choice aspect of this, but there are health issues and there are health costs involved," Collins said.

The report says those health costs are in the billions of dollars annually. Citing a 2004 report, the advocacy group said $5.6 billion could be saved when it comes to treating heart disease if just one-tenth of Americans began a regular walking program.

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Osteoporosis (literally "porous bone") sometimes is called a "silent" disease because there are often no symptoms of a problem until a bone breaks. It causes previously strong bones to become brittle and can lead to painful and potentially debilitating breaks, often resulting in serious changes in posture and limited mobility.

Eighty percent of individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis are women. It effects 15 percent of women aged 50 to 59, 30 percent of women older than 60 and 70 percent of women 80 years or older.

But it is not just a disease of women. In the United States, 2 million men have osteoporosis. One in eight men will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture.

The young are not immune from the disease, either. Young women who experience early menopause or have a hysterectomy are at risk for low bone density. Crash diets, diets low in calcium or eating disorders also can increase the risk. Smokers or individuals who consume excessive amounts of alcohol are more likely to develop osteoporosis, no matter the age or gender. Other risk factors include fair skin, a family history of osteoporosis, sedentary lifestyle, those with thyroid or kidney problems or those who use steroids.

Calcium is crucial in muscle contraction and in the clotting of blood. If there is not enough calcium available for the body, it will be taken out of the bones. During the pre-teen and teenage years, we put a lot of calcium into our bones without taking much out. By the time women reach their 30s, they begin to take more calcium out than they deposit. This is why it is crucial that we store plenty of calcium in the bones as early in life as possible.

The bones are more likely to store calcium when they are being stressed through regular exercise. A good predictor of strong healthy bones in older age is an active lifestyle as a prepubescent girl.

Osteoporosis-related fractures are most common in the hip, spine, wrist or rib, although any bone can be affected. Eighty percent of post-menopausal fractures are due to osteoporosis. The rate of hip fractures doubles each decade after age 50. Other symptoms include deep pain (often generalized), loss of height, loss of correct posture and rounded shoulders.

Treatment of osteoporosis is a team approach; medications can help increase the bone density, dietary changes will improve calcium consumption and absorption, and regular exercise will encourage the bones to store the calcium.

A physical therapist can help in many ways. A strengthening program can restore the density of the weakened bone through weight-bearing exercise. It is crucial to use specific exercises to strengthen the weakened bone while protecting the body from further injury. Stretches can lengthen postural muscles. Education is available in the use of assistive devices and instruction in balance strategies. A therapist also can make recommendations for home modification to avoid safety hazards.

The best medicine is always prevention. By watching your diet, using calcium supplements and getting plenty of exercise, you can minimize your risk of developing osteoporosis."

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What's the difference of a mountain bike vs downhill bike vs road bike vs hybrid bike?  They all seem alike!

Well, the definition of Mountain biking or (Mountain bicycling) is a form of off-road cycling which uses very sturdy bicycles (the mountain bike or cross-country bike) with (usually) straight handlebars and wide tires. In plain English, it's one great exercise which requires a lot of technical skills, endurance, and of course guts!

Mountain biking can really test your skills on how well you can maneuver a bicycle.  Some typical obstacles you may encounter are drops, rock gardens, mud, single lane trails, and logs.  Other term for a drop is more of ledge which can range from 1' up to 50' for more of the professionals.  Rock gardens are just areas of purely rocks which can make for slippery conditions when it is wet but make use for hopping your bike.  Mud is always fun but make sure you have built enough speed or you'll end up putting your foot in it!  Single trails test how well you can ride on a small path yet making sure your handle bars don't get caught on a tree.  Other fun uses of single trails are creating a roller coaster like trail using 2x4 wood planks to ride on.  Last are logs or pile of logs to ride over.  One thing never to forget to do is to keep pedaling when going over them or it might result in getting stuck.

While working on the technical skills, your endurance tends to be less noticed because your mind is busy thinking so you don't really think about the cardiovascular workout you're getting.  Other mountain biking benefits is a strengthening exercise for the lower body that doesn't stress joints, has made it one of the fastest growing sports.

And of course, best of all is the thrill.  There's no better adreniline rush than flying down a steep hill going over rocks, logs, and drops.

A couple of hints if you go riding in the mountains for the first time:

1.  Spray OFF for bugs.  There's nothing worse than trying to out run bugs!

2.  Never go biking alone!  You never know if you might fall.

3.  Always wear a helmet.  (It's a law for certain ages)

4.  Expect to get dirty while riding so wear a breathable shirt and old shoes.

5.  Bring water and some protein bars.  Some things I recommend is (Herbalife LiftOff Drink for a boost of energy along with some Herbalife Protein Snacks)

6.  Have a great time and a great workout the exciting way!

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Overweight is the excess amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone, fat, and water. Obesity is the excess accumulation of body fat. One can be overweight without being obese: a body builder who has a lot of muscle, for example. However, for practical purposes, most people who are overweight are also obese.

Costs of Chronic Conditions Linked to being Overweight / Obesity - Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), gallbladder disease, Heart disease, high blood pressure, and breast and colon cancer.

Obesity is the second leading cause of unnecessary deaths.

• Obesity is a chronic disease with a strong familial component.
  
• Obesity increases one's risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes type-2, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease and cancer of the breast, prostate and colon.
  
• Health insurance providers rarely pay for treatment of obesity despite its serious effects on health.
  
• The tendency toward obesity is fostered by our environment: lack of physical activity combined with high-calorie, low-cost foods.
  
• Discrimination and mistreatment of persons with obesity is widespread and often considered socially acceptable.

Let's work together and live a healthy life!  There no time but now!

To test your obesity, here is a link to a BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator.  BMI Calculator

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