As I read these facts from the National Institute of Health I realized that movement is easy when you are inspired. After reading this list I printed this for my clients and they were motivated to prevent the being part of an obesity statistic. Somehow when you read the list in print walking an extra 1000 steps seems easy. Just increasing your duration of walking can make a difference. Make your own positive affirmation list and read it often when your motivation wanes. Always remember that inspired action make you move effortlessly-inspired action = your perfect weight. So, focus on your perfect weight, inspire your self and stay centered on your personal goals! 

- 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese

 - Eight out of 10 over 25’s Overweight - 78% of Americans not meeting basic activity level recommendations- 25% completely Sedentary- 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old since 1990Cost of Lost Productivity- Workdays lost: $39.3 Million- Physician office visits: $62.7 Million

- Restricted Activity days: $29.9 Million

- Bed-Related days: $89.5 MillionChildhood Obesity Running Out of Control

- 4% overweight 1982 | 16% overweight 1994

- 25% of all white children overweight 2001

- 33% African American and Hispanic children overweight 2001

- Hospital costs associated with childhood obesity rising from $35 Million(1979) to $127 Million (1999)Obesity Related Disease Costs Overwhelm HealthCare System

- Type II Diabetes ($63.14 Billion)

- Osteoporosis ($17.2 Billion)- Hypertension ($3.23 Billion)

- Heart Disease ($6.99 Billion)- Post-menopausal breast cancer ($2.32 Billion)

- Colon Cancer ($2.78 Billion)- Endometrial Cancer ($790 Million)

Source: National Institutes of Health

By Lisa Avellino 

Focus 28 Fitness Expert

www.focus28wellness.com

When it comes to exercise fitness centers, costs can add up quickly. It can be a good idea to decide on a budget for exercise and any related expenses prior to looking for a facility to join.If you are tight on funds, see if there are any places you may be able to cut back a bit in order to make a gym membership possible. Sometimes all you need is a slight budget adjustment in order to free up some funds for fitness. Also, check into low-frills facilities, such as some of the all-women gyms. Many tend to offer rates that are fairly inexpensive.

Comparison shopping is another way to find a gym that matches your budget needs. Call around for prices, ask friends for information and keep an eye open for special membership deals. Some places offer the same specials each year, while others vary them based on membership availability.

If you have a job outside the home, you may also want to check fitness centers around your place of employment to see what their rates are as well.Keep an eye out for hidden costs. Some places charge an annual membership fee in addition to monthly dues. Some may not include exercise classes in the cost of membership. Make sure you know what the package entails before signing up as a member, just to be on the safe side.  

The bottom line is it is not just what you can afford it is truly what you value. May I suggest setting a budget for a fitness membership and then find the perfect setting to get you fitter and motivated! 4 quick tips:

1) Visit the gym; be sure it is close to home or work 

2) Check to see if your insurance will pay for it or if the facility offers a corporate or     group discount. 

3) Be absolutely clear about what it includes 

4) Use it or as I always say” sweat once a day!!

By Lisa Avellino

Focus 28 Fitness Expert

www.focus28wellness.com

lavellino@focus28.com

Once someone has decided to go through with a Bariatric surgery they also have to make lifestyle changes. This is because the procedure by itself will not fully allow patients to lose weight. It is one of the tools that will help in the weight-loss journey. Lifestyle changes have to be made. If old eating habits remain along with no exercise, there may not even be any weight loss at all. No one that goes through an optional major surgery wants minimal results as an outcome. This is why lifestyle changes are extremely important. 

Exercise is one of the major lifestyle changes that must occur. Any type of exercise is beneficial, but one that is rhythmic and steady for 20 to 30 minutes per day is the best choice. The main long-term goal should be to exercise up at least 30 minutes per day, five to six times each week. This can be reached by simply going for a walk around the neighborhood or a local park. Creating a chart of how many minutes per day have been walked is a good tool in keeping track of the total amounts so that exercise goals can be reached.

Other types of exercises that help assist in weight-loss are aerobics and various sports. It is wise to ask the doctor when it is safe to begin such activities. It is very important to at least do a little exercise soon after the surgery and eventually build the amount to 30 minutes. This is crucial because when a Bariatric procedure is done the body has fewer food calories since the patient eats less. This can turn into burning unused tissues which includes muscle. Not only will the person lose muscle mass, they also will lose strength. When exercising, the body is forced to burn the fat instead of muscle which assists in reaching the optimal weight-loss results.

Many patients are leery to exercise right after surgery. It is common to wait two weeks post-surgery. Fortunately there are exercise specialists that can assist in setting appropriate plans. The specialist will be able to offer beneficial exercises and help the patient stay motivated. The key to remember is to listen to the body. Once the body feels worn and tired it is alright to stop and try again at a later time. This is so the body does not get hurt.

Exercise has never been more important than for patients of a Bariatric surgery. It is a challenge worth tackling since the positive results are plentiful. Not only does it assist in weight-loss, but it also changes the person’s altogether health for the better.       

Focus28 Team

www.focus28wellness.com

Bikram Yoga, or ‘hot yoga’, is performed in a heated room; the interplay between yoga breathing and weight loss occurs because the extra body heat generated burns off more calories.                                     

Other less intense styles of yoga don’t help so much with burning calories, but are an excellent complementary tool to aerobic exercise and a healthy eating plan. How they complement other weight loss tools is outlined below.

The deep-breathing involved in yoga increase oxygen intake to all body cells; this in turn increases oxidation and burning of fat cells. Another direct benefit of yoga exercises is that, when combined with yoga breathing, weight loss is made easier because as well as burning off energy the exercises also store energy that is ready to be burned instead of stored. 

Learning to breathe more effectively through yoga can also be extremely beneficial when applied to aerobic exercise. Oxygen intake is maximized, and the speed at which carbon dioxide exits the body is slowed; this allows you to exercise more efficiently, and not get “puffed” so easily.  Another benefit is that deep breathing is known to improve mental strength and concentration; anything that can improve will-power can only be a good thing! There are deep-breathing exercises designed specifically for weight loss, but these need to be used with caution. They can be effective in the short-term, but used as a long-term measure they may disharmonize the body, mind and spirit.

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