China catching up to U.S. obesity rates

KFC, McDonald's, and "Buy Now" electronics stores prove that a typical shopping center in China has much in common with one on any American block. Not only are shops becoming identical, but consumers are starting to look alike as well. Obesity rates in China are rising fast, almost following in the footsteps of the United States. Although China struggles with its own problems with its growing and widening population, it does offer international services for those who are willing to lose the fat. Aimin Fat Reduction Hospital in Tianjin (and 18 other national locations) serves as a "fat camp" for people from all over the world, but its main resident base is comprised of Chinese patients.

Diabetes and sedentary lifestyles are becoming more commonplace in China as well. Predictions show that these rates of inactivity will grow to match those of the U.S. within 5 to 10 years.

An important note is that they are doing what they can to tackle this problem before it becomes a nationwide epidemic like it has in America. Otherwise, China will be known (literally) as the biggest nation on the planet.

Cold weather workouts, Part 2

Like most Americans, I spent the majority of this past weekend running or walking (literally) around D.C. buying last-minute holiday gifts. I walked to Columbia Heights, ran through the National Mall to Union Station, and walked the shopping mall at Pentagon City before the purchasing began. I enjoyed seeing so many people do the same despite the frigid weather. I also found that even amid all the wintry mess, there are ways to incorporate fitness into any holiday chore.

• Cleaning the house to prepare for relatives is a subconscious way to multitask: burn calories while tidying up.


• Shoveling snow is a great upper and lower body workout and clears the path to your home.


• Mall-walking before starting your errands lets you see what's in store (hehe) and helps you plan your spending.


• Ice skating is a wonderful way to bond with the family, pick up an old skill, or learn with the ones you love.


• Finally, you can't go wrong with workout DVDs. After the turkey carving is over, carve out time for yourself and get your heart rate up with a few Denise Austin discs.

Mass transit fights mass obesity

A new study has discovered the obvious: nations with lower obesity rates have use alternate forms of transportation: walking, biking, and taking mass transit.

European countries, Canada, and Australia have shown high rates of these 3 methods of transit and low rates of obesity; the U.S. has shown the opposite. The study notes that the infrastructure of these more fit countries is more conducive to life without a car.

Biking, according to the article, would be the easiest way to get Americans active. Bicycles get you to your destination faster than walking, yet you're still considered a member of the road, you're working your muscles, and you're saving gas.

Not all towns in America -- or in any country for that matter -- can go completely car-less; some rely on vehicles to get them to the nearest market that is 40 miles away. Nonetheless, regular chores, visiting neighbors, and parking in one spot to shop at two or three strip malls are options for saving the planet, money, and the clothes that fit you now.

Me? I think I'll just move to Paris.

Stop and don't shop

You rely on your neighborhood supermarket to supply you with fruit, veggies, and other fresh items each week. You resort to cheap convenience stores on road trips or quick outings to satisfy a hunger pang until you get to your destination. But what if you had to rely on those convenience stores for purchasing your weekly stock-up, probably involving Cheetos, bottled soda, and a few packs of gum? Many in southern Los Angeles have no choice.

In some of the poorest parts of the city, supermarkets have closed and become deserted, and convenience stores have become all that's left of reliable grocery shopping. Sure, they can drive miles and miles to find a grocery store elsewhere, but for most who do not own cars in this urban area, it's a tough task. It's difficult to find space for large supermarkets, so corner grocers are the one-stop shops for everything you need, also known as everything on the junk food-stocked racks.

Theft and employee turnover were other concerns for recently-closed supermarkets in big cities. Without reliable security and a steady staff, it can be impossible to stay in business.

Fortunately, some citizens recognize this problem. Local students have worked with The California Endowment to revitalize the community and provide healthier options for consumers. As part of a convenience store makeover, chips and candy were removed from the front section of some stores and coolers were stocked with fruit and vegetables.

The moral of the story: be thankful for your large chain stores that give you so many choices, you spend hours of your busy schedule trying to choose. You could be forced to decide between snack-size bags of Cool Ranch of Smokin' Cheddar Doritos.

Obesity tax

New York is no stranger to making headway with regard to healthier lifestyles: NYC was the first city in the nation to publicly post nutritional information in restaurants. Something other states do not have is the newest attempt to shape up the nation: the obesity tax.

There are tons of non-obese people who enjoy sodas and doughnuts and the like, but what Governor David Paterson aims to achieve is to limit our selection of these unhealthy snacks altogether. Some are angry, outraged, and feel that it is unfair. Protesters are exclaiming that they should be free to consume what they want. An an American (albeit an embarrassed one), I agree; however, I also agree that smokers should pay more to light up. As Americans, we are free to make choices related to our health, happiness, and prosperity. Taxing fattening foods isn't hindering that right; it is simply reminding us that these products are not good for us and we should redirect our focus to more wholesome options.

The America Beverage Association already has planned to retailiate, accusing the tax on soda of being "unfair." It may be, but as Americans we have a choice to obey the law or to start eating healthy.

Money can make you lose it

Mentally and physically, money can make you lose it. Pounds or ounces of sanity are at stake when cash comes into play. According to a recent study, dieters who tried to lose weight with no incentive lost less weight than those who were faced with the chance of losing or earning money. Akin to most diets, however, after seven months, both groups of dieters regained the weight. Moral of the money-minded story? Diets. Don't. Work.

Other studies have showed that small rewards help people with goals stay on track. "Non-food" rewards are the most beneficial for those who are trying to lose weight, gifts such a spa days, a day off from exercise, or a trip to the mall. Therefore, something positive to be taken away from this study is that minor gifts to yourself after achieving part of your objective can be helpful in your pursuit, whether it be to avoid the bakery every morning or clean out your closet, day by day. We were told as children that we wouldn't get any dessert until we finished what was on our plate; it makes perfect sense that these same stipulations translate to our adult lives.

Constant reminders (via text messages) that were sent to the dieters who were earning/losing money served as motivators to stick with the plan. If you require the same luxury for your goal, set automatic tasks on your cell phone or put up post-its where you will see them daily. Better yet, drop your change into a jar marked with your goal in writing, or make a deposit in your account each time you take a step toward the finish line. Such actions will flag your memory and keep you thinking about that objective.

The ultimate reward, though, is achieving the goal. Stay optimistic, anticipate possible setbacks, and envision the end result for sure success!

Fat saves lives

This headline will probably have you scratching your head: "Dog frozen to sidewalk; fat helped it survive." A 120-pound border collie (considered obese by canine weight standards) was left outside by his owner in the Wisconsin winter weather. Local shelter workers poured warm water on the dog's back to aid in slowly removing him from the icy sidewalk. The shelter manager said the layers of fat on the dog may have been the reason for its survival. Fat insulates, thus keeping our muscles and internal organs warm and functional.

I obviously do not condone bulking up on layers of fat to stay warm on the way to work in the morning; instead, I support layering items of clothing, since we humans have that option and are not typically left outside by our loved ones. This is a horrible tale of animal cruelty, and I hope you remember to take care of your animals this season and every season. Just because they have extra layers of fat or fur doesn't mean they can withstand the harsh winter winds better than we can. Stay warm, and be thankful for your heating system!

Twix and pizza...and chocolate cake

The new diet foods: Twix, pizza, and chocolate cake...at least that's the latest news according to some so-called nutritionists. (Don't worry, this advice will change in a few months.) The low glycemic indices (GI) of these treats make them "healthy," and you can find such staples in recent diets' meal plans. But don't hit up the vending machine or your local Papa Johns just yet.

Foods with high GI numbers (NOT the foods listed above) have higher amounts of glucose, which cause the spikes and crashes that are well known among sweets and starchy carbs and lead to craving more of these foods. Also, when your blood sugar rises, your body releases insulin, a catalyst for fat storage.

Although the GIs of the aforementioned foods are low, their calories counts per average serving sizes are much higher than their high-GI counterparts, such as fruits or vegetables. So contrary to these nutritionists' discovery, eating a candy bar isn't better for you than eating a cup of grapes. We're lucky that there are funded studies to inform us of these life-saving facts!

The bottom line: calories are calories, regardless of their sugar content. Getting nutrients from unprocessed foods is the best way to be healthy, so savor the natural sugars in that apple!

One holiday down...

...one to go. Articles upon articles will tell us how to stay calm during a hectic holiday season, but what about those of us who don't find this season so stressful? An avid exerciser, I make fitness my priority and schedule other pursuits around my workouts. I'll pick up gifts on my lunch break or after a quick run. I make running from shop to shop on the icy Washington streets my warm-up or cool-down, or even my workout. I squat with my knees when reaching down to the cheaper cans of low-fat gravy and carry my groceries in a basket rather than push them in a cart. Being busy is inevitable this time of year, but it is a plus when put to good use: make it a workout!

Cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping; all these physical activities are certain to get your heart rate pumping. An active holiday season will allow you more time to relax once December 25 (or January 1) has passed.