Weight loss is not always an easy process andwith winter fast approaching, skies getting darker and chilly winds on the horizon,it'sno wonder that manypeopleare choosing to wrap up warm and put their feet up at home, simultaneously avoiding the gym and their diet completely.

So what can you do to avoid low motivation during these wintry months?

According to research, if you cant be bothered to go to the gym, eating one particular type of superfood could help get you motivated. What is it?

A new studyby experts in New Zealandstatedeating a specific type of food supplement - made from blackcurrants - could help get you off the sofa and intoLycra.

The research found thatincorporatingblackcurrant into a slimmer's diet will make it easierto exercise for longer without getting tired.

The studys lead author Dr. Suzanne Hurst said: Identifying foods or dietary supplements that specifically support the desire to exercise daily will enable an individual to adhere to an exercise programme and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

She found that drinking blackcurrant juice one hour before exercise supports positive affective responses during a low impact walking exercise in healthy sedentary adults.

READ MORE: Im A Celebrity star ditched one food from diet to shed 2st

In the study conducted by Dr. Hurst, a group of male and female adults aged between 20 and 59 - were given either blackcurrant juice or a placebo an hour before they were asked to walk on a treadmill.

The study found that the average time walked by those whod consumed the blackcurrant juicewas 11 minutes longer than those who hadnt.

While only 10percentof those whod had the placebo walked a distance greater than 10km - compared with 30 percent of participants in the blackcurrant group.

The treadmill walkers whod had blackcurrants also reported lower exertion scores - and higher overall mood scores - than those whod had the placebo.

The study also found that consumption of thesuperfoodalso resulted in a dramatic 90 percent reduction in the build of enzymes linked to the onset of depression - helping you to feel better about going to the gym, too.

Test subjects underwent a blood test both before and after the experiment, its here they noted a huge decrease in something called monoamine oxidase-B, or MAO-B, activity - something they believe could help fight neurological diseases like dementia.

DON'T MISS

Dr. Hurst, of the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research, says: We found that plasma collectedonehour after blackcurrant consumption showed a dramatic acute decline - 90percent- in platelet MAO-B activity, which was still detectable in participants plasma once they had stopped exercise.

The pharmacological inhibition of brain MAO-B activity has been used to treat those diagnosed with neurological diseases and depression, potentially through their neuroprotective properties in reducing the metabolism of monoamines.

The findings were reported in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Nicki Bundock, of Surrey-based firm CurraNZ, the UKs leading supplier of New Zealand blackcurrants supplements explained: "Regular exercise is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of health problems like heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

But if youre not an active person, starting an exercise plan and actually sticking with it can be incredibly difficult.

Studies have shown more than half of us drop-out of exercise plans after just six months, reverting to inactive lifestyles.

And its therefore vital we find ways to make exercise more tolerable and enjoyable.

See the original post here:
Weight loss: Superfood revealed that can help slimmers head to the gym - Express

My name is Taylor Register. Im 23, born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Im a hairstylist and makeup artist, and joining a WW program helped me lose over 100 pounds.

My entire life Ive struggled with my weight. Even as a child, I was the largest kid in all of my classes at school. My mom took me to see doctors and nutritionists at a young age because she was concerned about my weight, but no health care providers were able to pinpoint a particular reason for my weight issues growing up.

I would sneak snacks into my room and hide the packaging behind my bed. I would stuff wrappers into couch cushions. I started developing the habit of constantly overeating.

When I entered high school, I joined the marching band. It helped me keep my weight down, but when the season ended, I was no longer active and gained nearly a pant size before the start of the next season. This happened each year in high schooland I went up at least (if not more) four pant sizes.

After I graduated HS, I lost all motivation to be physically active in any way and relied on fast food for quick, easy meals. I became a closet eater, as I describe it; I would stop by any fast-food chain on my way home and order copious amounts of food, eat in my car, and proceed to eat another meal when I got home. These habits went on from 2014 through late 2017 and caused me to gain huge amounts of weight.

I remember feeling so anxious at the doctor that day, but my mother was concerned and I knew the appointment was well-intentioned. I weighed 320 pounds, which was more than Id ever weighed. I cried when my blood pressure was being taken because of how high it was.

When I met my doctor for the first time, I also remember being impressed with how non-judgmental she was in regards to my weight. Doctors have always shamed me about being overweight, and Id never felt welcome in a doctors office until that day.

She asked about my eating habits and lifestyle and also told me that she had recently lost some weight using WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers). All she said was, think about it! That night I signed up for WW and immediately began the next morning, on November 29, 2017.

The blue plan (formerly Freestyle) on myWW allows me to eat the foods that I love while teaching me to eat clean, whole foods. Its all about balanceI love that.

My meals change daily. Im not a meal prepper and become bored if I eat the same things all week long. But I strive to have one fruit or veggie, plus a protein, plus a carb with each meal.

Weight Watchers

At first, I wasnt incorporating any exercise and was only making dietary changes, and I lost about 90 pounds. But in March 2019, I hit a plateau with my weight loss.

I ended up quitting WW (but only temporarily) and began counting calories. I did a bunch of research and calculating to land on an appropriate caloric deficit for my gender, height, weight, age, and activity leveland I tried several different deficits. But over a period of about four months, I saw no success with calorie counting.

So in late July of 2019, I rejoined WW. Since then, I've re-evaluated what and how much I'm eating and have found a happy balance of exercise and actively working at forming healthy habits that I can stick to long term. I feel like I'm back on track, and I have lost 109 pounds total thus far.

To start, never restrict yourself from any food. Restricting often leads to bingeing. I eat a balanced diet and Im successful because I make things that I love and enjoy everything in moderate amounts.

If youre not eating what you love, you wont be able to maintain your weight and live your new life as a lifestyle, as opposed to a fad diet. I actively look for ways to create some of my favorite less nutritious meals in healthier ways without compromising the taste. Plus, it keeps things fun and interesting.

I also have to remind myself not to feel guilt if I get off track. We are in charge of our feelings and how we respond to our actions. So now I choose to never feel guilt over food. Why? Because its *just* food, and I am always only one meal away from hitting the reset button. Take your day one meal at a time, and remember that you always have a fresh start tomorrow. One bad meal does not equal one entire bad day.

I wish I knew that I wouldnt necessarily lose weight consistently each week. It is a never ending rollercoaster ride, but it's so worthwhile and rewarding.

I want other women to know that a number on a scale wont make you love yourself or make you happy. You have to discover happiness in your own skin, at all parts of your journey. You cant just expect to arrive at some goal weight and love yourself now that youre smaller.

Always respect your body. Find ways to show love to even the parts of your body that are not your favorite- it will help your confidence soar. Start by wearing a cute outfit or fixing your hair/makeup. Do anything that will help you feel comfortable in your own skin. Confidence doesnt come from weight loss. Confidence starts in your heart and mind. I worked diligently to love and respect myself at all parts of my journey, and it has paid off! Im happier in my own skin than I couldve ever imagined.

Continue reading here:
'When I Joined WW I Finally Stopped Closet EatingAnd I've Lost 109 Pounds' - Women's Health

A woman who lost half her own body weight has been crowned Slimming World's Woman of the Year 2019.

Wendy Deacon, 49, from Dublin, shed an incredible 12 stone 4.5 pounds and is now unrecognisable following her transformation.

She says she was inspired to lose weight after her daughter began to fear she may "eat herself to death".

After originally weighing 22 stone 4.5 pounds Wendy has managed to lose more than half of that and now weighs in at just 10 stone.

Her journey saw her drop 11 dress sizes from a size 32 to a size 10 or 12.

Wendy said her weight began to make her not want to leave the house and despite coming across as "jolly and smiley", inside, she felt anything but.

She said: "I remember once a small boy pointed at me in the street and said 'look at that fat lady' to his mother.

"She tried to hush him, but the damage was done. I'd never felt so embarrassed, I just wanted the ground to swallow me up."

Wendy decided to do something about her weight when she found out that her daughter Amy was fearing for her life.

"Hearing that broke my heart and I knew I needed to change," Wendy said. "The thought of my daughter being so worried about my health really spurred me into action."

She said the weight-loss and recognition have given her the confidence to plan a wedding to her long-term fiance, and she is now looking forward to her 50th birthday in January.

"By far the best thing about losing weight though is seeing the pride in my family's faces, especially Amy's. I've finally started to feel proud of myself too - I've got my whole life back."

Wendy said she found it difficult to get used to cooking from scratch on the Slimming World plan - but was helped by her local group.

View post:
Incredible transformation of Slimming World 'Woman of the Year' who lost more than half her body weight - Manchester Evening News

For the First Time, a Personal Assessment Matches Members with Customized Plan that Fits Them Best-- myWW Program Offers Three Science-Backed Options that Make Losing Weight Easier

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Today WW (WW) - Weight Watchers Reimagined - launches myWW, a new program that is its most customized weight-loss program ever. Driven by science and behavioral insights, and offering more flexibility and freedom than ever before, myWW makes losing weight easier. myWW leverages details about food preferences and lifestyle to match each member to one of three comprehensive ways to follow the program, leading to clinically significant weight loss and reductions in hunger and cravings.1

WW understands that when it comes to losing weight, everyone's needs and eating patterns are different, and what works for one person may not work as well for another. New members take an evidence-based personal assessmentthat matches them to a plan that works best for them.

"As the world's leading weight-loss program and partner in wellness, we inspire healthy habits for real lifeand everyone is different," said Mindy Grossman, President and CEO, WW. "We are constantly listening to our community, and we know they want a more customized approach to weight loss. With our new myWW program,we help you find the weight-loss approach that fits your life."

The new myWW programis comprised of three options, all of which are rooted in WW's award-winning and scientifically proven approach to weight loss and nutrition, grounded in the SmartPoints system and ZeroPoint foods.2 As always, no foods are off-limits on myWW.

Each plan also provides customized recipes and content, activity recommendations, and mindset skills that are science-based, actionable, and practical.

"It is scientifically proven that customized approaches lead to greater engagement and more behavior change than generic approaches," said Gary Foster, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, WW. "The new myWW program enables people to live their lives and still lose weight. We will match you to the right plan, the one that is the most freeing and flexible for you and gives you the confidence to succeed."

In a six-month clinical trial of the myWW program, conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina's Weight Management Center, results indicate that the participants experienced clinically significant benefits on and off the scale, including on average:

When asked about the myWW program:

With decades of experience in behavior change, WW inspires millions of people around the world to adopt healthy habits for real life. WW is ranked #1 "Best for Weight Loss" by health experts in the 2019 Best Diets rankings by U.S. News & World Report. The award-winning WW app and the in-person experience at WW Studio locations provide the tools, information, and inspiration to help people achieve their goals. And when people need one-on-one support or guidance, they can chat 24/7 with a WW Coacha real, live human expertright in the WW app.

The myWW program is available on November 11, 2019. For more information about myWW, visit WW.com or download the WW app.

About WWWW - Weight Watchers Reimagined - is a global wellness company and the world's leading commercial weight management program. We inspire millions of people to adopt healthy habits for real life. Through our engaging digital experience and face-to-face group workshops, members follow our livable and sustainable program that encompasses healthy eating, physical activity, and a helpful mindset. With more than five decades of experience in building communities and our deep expertise in behavioral science, we aim to deliver wellness for all. To learn more about the WW approach to healthy living, please visit ww.com. For more information about our global business, visit our corporate website at corporate.ww.com.

Story continues

Read more here:
WW Introduces myWW: Groundbreaking New Program Is Most Customized And Flexible Ever - Yahoo Finance

Marc and Julie Lowitz first met as law students at Syracuse University in 1988 and fell in love. They married three years later. The Chappaqua,N.Y. couple has since celebrated 27 years of marriage, raised two children and, most recently, embarked on a plant-based journey together to get healthier. What happened next is they lost a combined 70 pounds and stayed symptom-free!

Although they'd always shared a common interest in health and wellness, the Lowitzes' lives changed forever when Julie, now 52,was diagnosed withbreast cancer back in 1996 and then again in 2001. Upon receiving the news, the mother-of-two immediately went into research mode,devouringbooks andafter reading about how dairy and meat contribute to breast cancer she cut out all meat and dairy.

Marc, 53, soon followed suit, trading old-standby foods like turkey and chicken and his favorite barbequed brisket for a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. Here's the story of how these college sweethearts changed their habits by switching to a plant-based lifestyle and lost a combined 60 pounds in the process.

Breast Cancer Sent Me on a Quest toDiscover What to Eat

Julie: After my cancer diagnosis, I started reading about nutrition and became a vegan. Dairy, in particular, was something I knew would not be good for me. I stopped eating all poultry after seeing the movie "Food Inc." in 2009 and went totally vegan after reading The China Study in 2004.Ikept on reading, most recentlyMichael Greger's bestseller,How Not to Die, which convincedme to cut all animal products frommy diet.It was a learning process for both of us. I had a doctor who wanted to give me a prescription for a statin when my LDL was elevated. I told him I could fix it with diet, which he didn't believe. Six months later, I was retested and my numbers were fine.

Marc: In July 2017, I watched a Netflix documentary called What the Health? about not eating meat or poultry. Julie had done that, so I decided, I'll give it a try. Then came Thanksgiving...I was like, I'm going to have turkey tonight, until I saw my plate filled with other things and realized I didn't even want the turkey! The funny thing is, I used to love poultry. Now I have zero desire to have chicken or poultry.

Julie: Everything we've done, I've done first then Marc eventually does it, too. I gave up meatand dairy first. Then I started intermittent fasting. Now he does, too. We definitely share a lifestyle, which is amazing for our marriage. We prioritize exercise and healthy eating. We have the same interests and talk about them all of the time. We send each other articles regarding nutritionalstudies and recipes. We shop for food together. We cook for each other.

I Lost Most of My Weight Very Quickly

Losing weight was fastlike 2-3 monthsafter I started intermittent fasting/no sugar and low carb (following Dr. Fung). Marc was slower to adopt but his weight melted off when he started IF with LCHF (low carb/healthy fat). We both had to start adding some healthy carbs back as we were losing too much (never thought Id say that!). Ive actually gained five pounds back because I was getting too thin.

Marc: On Sundays, I'll roast a ton of vegetables for the week. I'll be in the kitchen for four or five hours cooking chickpeas and cauliflower and brussel sprouts. That pretty much gets us through the week for work lunches. Most mornings, I'll also make a smoothie with flaxseeds, chia seeds, coconut, raspberry, blueberry, spinach or kale, cinnamon, turmeric and lemon, black pepper and garlic.

Julie: Marc makes the best cauliflower crust pizza with caramelized onions and pesto! In the eighties and nineties, we thought low-fat was healthy. We used to eat a lot of chicken, turkey, pasta, and rice. Now we eat plant-based and have a ton more energy, sleep better, and Ihave fewer aches and clearer skin. We still drink bourbon and tequila, too. I went from 150 to 125 pounds and Marc went from 220 to 175 pounds. (His 45-pound weight loss and her 25-pound loss adds up to a grand total of 70 pounds between them!)

I Started Feeling More Productive

Marc: It was a gradual thing. At one point, I definitely felt more productive, like there was a brain fog clearing. The way we eat has definitelytransferred toour kids, too. My son avoids gluten and my daughter is now experimenting with intermittent fasting. Their friends come over and look in our pantry and there's like a box of flaxseed crackers, you know?

Julie: I feel like the best version of myself. I weigh less now than I did when I graduated from high school.That's exactly how I feel.To be honest, we were eating healthy and exercising for years, but that healthy doesn't feel as good as this healthy.

You hit 50 and you say to yourself, I have choices here. I want to be around to see my grandchildren. My children are getting closer to the age where they're going to have kids of their own and I want to be around as long as possible. Food really is medicine. We know that what you eat can actually prevent disease. Period.

OurNew Goal is to Be Healthy for Life!

Julie: Once you adopt this lifestyle its really not very challenging.We do a lot of homework to keep up with health and nutrition news (through podcasts, websites, etc.). Its frustrating when there is a lot of conflicting information, so the challenge is to weed through it and decide what works best for you. Now, I dont really focus on being a survivor. Im just a really happy mom who has a passion for health and nutrition!

Thinking of going plant-based? Read our starter guide.

The Beet wants to hear from you!Want to share your storyof how goingplant-based or vegan changed your life?

We would LOVE tohear your story about how you transformed your health. Please send us a write-up and make sure to cover the following. (Send pics and date them, please! Everyone loves a "before" and "after.")

Here is the original post:
How These College Sweethearts Became Healthier (And Happier!) and Lost 70 Pounds - The Beet

The motivation to lose weight and get fit can come from anyone and anywhere, including your friends, family and popular culture. 27-year-old Neelanjan Banerjee tells us that for him the motivation to lose weight and trim from 87 kgs to 62 kgs came from his immediate environment. And, not only did it drive him to transform from being an overweight individual to a fitness enthusiast but also an award-winning bodybuilder.

For the lack of a better word, let me start by saying that I was always fat all through my childhood to school, high school and even college. In fact for most of my life, Ive only heard people address me as Fat and not Neelanjan. Theyd laugh at me and crack jokes at my expense. I think only my teachers and professors called me by my proper name, he says.

After college ended, I made a conscious decision to kickstart my weight loss journey, and as soon as I got a job, I started working out. In fact, I started working out in my offices gym only, under the guidance of a trainer, he adds.

In a span of four months, by following the below weight loss plan, I lost 25 kgs, before building my muscles to compete professionally as a bodybuilder and win the IBBFF Mr. UP - GOLD, the IBBFF Mr. North India - 5th Position and the IBBFF Mr. India - Top 15th Position titles.

To lose weight in a healthy manner, I followed a dedicated 4-week workout plan on a rotational basis and also only ate meals made from a specialised diet chart, created by my trainer. He also gave me a list of all the food items one should avoid if they are trying to lose weight, which I am happy to share with you."

Vegetables: Tomatoes, spinach, eggplant, mustard greens, okra, onions, bitter melon, cauliflower, mushrooms and cabbage

Fruits: Mango, papaya, pomegranate, guava, oranges, tamarind, lychee, apples, melons, pears, plums, and bananas

Nuts and seeds: Cashews, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and watermelon seeds

Legumes: Mung beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, lentils, pulses and chickpeas

Roots and tubers: Potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, turnips and yams

Whole grains: Brown rice, basmati rice, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, barley, corn, whole-grain bread, amaranth and sorghum

Dairy: Cheese, yogurt, milk, kefir and ghee

Herbs and spices: Garlic, ginger, cardamom, cumin, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, black pepper, fenugreek and basil

Healthy fats: Coconut milk, full-fat dairy, avocado, coconut oil, mustard oil, olive oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, ghee

Protein sources: Tofu, legumes, dairy, nuts and seeds and ISO Protein powder

Sweetened beverages: Soda, fruit juice, sweetened tea, sweet lassi and sports drinks

High-sugar foods: Candy, ice cream, cookies, rice pudding, pastries, cakes, sweetened yogurt, high-sugar cereals and digestive biscuits

Sweeteners: Jaggery, sugar, honey and condensed milk

Sweetened sauces: Salad dressings with added sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce and sweetened curries

High-fat foods: Fast food such as french fries, chips, fried foods and bhujia

Refined grains: Products including white bread, white pasta and biscuits

Trans fats: Margarine, vanaspati, fast food and highly processed foods

Refined oils: Canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil and grapeseed oil

As I said, I started working out in my offices gym itself, my trainer crafted the below 4-week workout routine for me to follow on a rotational basis to trim to 62 kgs."

Cardio:

Walking/Running - 15 mins

CrossFit:

500 Box jumps

100 Overhead squats

50 Pull ups

100 Push ups

Weight Training:

Day 1 Chest

Flat bench barbell press 4 sets of 8 12 reps

Incline dumbbell press 4 sets of 8 12 reps

Incline dumbbell flyes 3 sets of 10 reps

Cable crossovers 3 sets of 15 reps

Push-ups 4 sets of 20 reps

Day 2 Shoulders

Seated dumbbell shoulder press 4 sets of 12 reps

Standing barbell military press 4 sets of 10 -12 reps

Dumbbell lateral raises 4 sets of 12 reps

Rear deltoid flyes 3 sets of 15 reps

EZ bar upright rows 4 sets of 15 reps

Dumbbell front raises 4 sets of 12 reps

Day 3 Legs

Barbell squats 4 sets of 8 10 reps

Leg press machine 3 sets of 10 reps

Leg extension machine 3 sets of 10 reps

Hamstring curls 3 sets of 10 reps

Calf raises 3 sets of 20 reps

Day 4 Back

Chin-ups 4 sets of 10 reps

Wide grip lat pull-downs 4 sets of 12 reps

Close grip lat pull-downs 4 sets of 12 reps

Barbell bent over rows 4 sets of 8 reps

Dumbbell rows 4 sets of 8 10 reps per arm

Hyperextensions 4 sets to failure

Day 5 Arms (biceps, triceps)

Double arm dumbbell curls 4 sets 10 12 reps

EZ bar curls 4 sets 10 reps

Preacher curl machine 4 sets of 12 reps

Triceps rope pushdowns 4 sets of 15 reps

Overhead triceps rope extensions 4 sets of 15 reps

Skull crushers 4 sets of 10 reps

Day 6 - Mixed Muscles

Flat bench barbell press 4 sets of 8 12 reps

Barbell bent over rows 4 sets of 8 reps

Dumbbell lateral raises 4 sets of 12 reps

EZ bar curls 4 sets 10 reps

Triceps rope pushdowns 4 sets of 15 reps

Leg extension machine 4 sets of 10 reps

Cardio:

Walking/Running

CrossFit:

200 Jumping jacks

200 Burpees

100 Pull ups

100 Push ups

50 Dumbbell lunges

50 Front squats

Weight Training:

Day 1 Chest

Flat bench dumbbell press 4 sets of 8 12 reps

Incline barbell press 4 sets of 8 12 reps

Incline dumbbell flyes 4 sets of 10 reps

Chest Fly Machine - 4 sets of 15 reps

Cable crossovers 4 sets of 15 reps

Day 2 Shoulders

Seated Arnold press 4 sets of 12 reps

Standing barbell military press 4 sets of 10-12 reps

Dumbbell lateral raises 4 sets of 12 reps

Dumbbell front raises 4 sets of 12 reps

Dumbbell upright rows 4 sets of 15 reps

Barbell Shrug 4 sets of 10 reps

Day 3 Legs

Leg extension machine 4 sets of 15 reps

Leg press machine 4 sets of 15 reps

Barbell squats 4 sets of 10-12 reps

Hamstring curls 3 sets of 10 reps

Excerpt from:
How to lose weight in 4 months according to a bodybuilder who got ripped after following this weight loss plan - GQ India - What a man's got to do

Patriots coaches Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels and Jerod Mayo spoke with the media via conference call on Tuesday, getting back into their weekly routine as they put the bye week behind them.

McDaniels said they spent their time evaluating what the team has done well, what they can do better and a small amount of extra preparation on the upcoming opponents.

"You cant do everything in a bye week; its impossible to go over every single thing," said McDaniels. "If you try to do too much sometimes, Ive found out in the past nothing ends up getting accomplished. I try to pick out a few things that we can figure out to try to make progress in and work with your guys on."

A big takeaway from the Ravens loss was the Patriots offensive success at times as they ran a no-huddle attack. Despite losing the game, the offense showed spurts of being their old selves, even if the results didn't jump off the stat sheet. They finally looked comfortable moving the ball through the air, with Tom Brady directing things from the line of scrimmage.

Could the no huddle be a more extensive tool for the second half of the season? McDaniels liked it as a tool but stopped short of assembling an all-no-huddle-attack all the time.

"I think tempo is one of those variables that you certainly can implement each week if you feel like its the right thing to do," explained McDaniels. "I think some of that is dependent on our numbers, or our health in terms of how we need to play the game.

"And at the end of the day, its one of the questions you ask yourself about: Is this the best way for us to be productive on offense?' which is ultimately the goal every week."

This week brings another challenging team that is on a hot streak. The Philadelphia Eagles have won two-straight games and, at 5-4, sit tied with the Cowboys atop the NFC East standings. Their defense poses a number of challenges for the Patriots offense.

"The Eagles are an aggressive group," said McDaniels. "Coach [Jim] Schwartz does a great job of getting them to play fast and aggressive. Theyre physical. Their front is really impressive, very disruptive. Their philosophy has always been they want to try to limit you in the running game, force you into obvious passing situations and then get after the quarterback. They seem to be doing that very well now."

Tight end Zach Ertz leads the Eagles with 46 catches for 527 yards with two touchdowns and with Patrick Chung missing from Monday's practice and dealing with multiple injuries, could be a match up problem for the Patriots defense. Jerod Mayo said it will be a group effort in stopping Ertz regardless.

"Anytime you have a player like Ertz or any of these guys, a special player like that, its not just one person, right?" said Mayo. "Its multiple people, covering him with different people, hitting him from different angles. You just cant show him the same look. Hes been doing it what now, this is year seven for Zach and hes been playing at a high level. So, definitely going to take all 11 guys on the field to try to slow him down."

The Patriots defense will be looking for a bounce back effort against the Eagles, but it's the offense that is still looking for a signature game. Tom Brady's 505 passing yards in Super Bowl 52 against Schwartz's defense with limited weaponry could provide optimism the Pats will start clicking this weekend. But McDaniels cautioned the Eagles will make the Patriots offense work for everything.

"The one thing that stands out when you watch them is that theyre all on the same page, and they all play fast and aggressive because they know what theyre doing," said McDaniels. "Any time you play a defense like that, you know theyre not going to beat themselves. You know theyre not going to make a bunch of simple mistakes and give you easy yards and opportunities. They make you earn everything you get, which is why its such a great challenge, and theyve got really got players and they are extremely well-coached. This is going to be a huge challenge for us."

Read the original here:
Unfiltered Notebook 11/12: Patriots prep for fast and aggressive Eagles defense - Patriots.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila expects to see a slim, motivated Miguel Cabrera arrive at spring training in three months.

Ive talked to Miggy. Ive talked to his agent. Hes committed to make sure that these last four years go as well as possible, Avila said Tuesday at the MLB General Manager Meetings.

Four years is the magic number for Cabrera, 36, because it represents the number of seasons left on his monstrous contract, a span in which hell make $124 million no matter what happens.

Cabreras weight ballooned in 2019, which put pressure on his balky knee.

There is no surgical solution for Cabrera, but Avila is convinced hes making the appropriate lifestyle changes.

Cabrera has hired a full-time, in-house chef who serves up meals approved by his personal nutritionist.

Of course theres a workout routine, strength-and-conditioning, weight loss, the whole bit. Its full-scale, Avila said. If he follows that program, I have no doubt that hell come in in really good shape. Obviously he would have to continue that throughout the season to stay strong and healthy.

READ MORE:

How will Miguel Cabreras career end? Albert Pujols path may provide clues

New Miggy milestone tracker: When will he reach 3,000 hits?

Despite his knee problems, Cabrera never missed more than two consecutive games until the final week of the 2019 season. But in a year notable for an explosion of home runs, he hit only 12 in 549 plate appearances. He posted a .744 OPS, just under league average (96 OPS+ and 96 RC+).

The injuries that hes suffered are not going away. Theyre there to stay, Avila said. "'Theres no more surgeries for me.' Thats what he said. Theres no surgery thats going to fix what hes got."

The first challenge for Cabrera will be the off-season weight loss. Then hell have to commit anew to in-season work.

Its no different than a pitcher going through a shoulder program, Avila said. "If a pitcher does it throughout the season religiously, chances are hes going to stay healthy. If a guy gets lazy and then abandons that program. If he does it off-and-on and hes not committed to it? Then chances are hes not going to make it through the season.

Now, injuries will happen no matter how hard you work, but at the end of the day its about doing everything you can stay healthy.

FURTHER READING

Niko Goodrum best bet to be Tigers starting shortstop in 2020, Al Avila says

Tigers announce staff changes: New development director, pitching strategist

Heres how I voted for AL Rookie of the Year

Hall of Fame vote: Lou Whitaker and 9 other candidates for Cooperstown in 2020

Tigers 2020 projections: Offensive production nowhere to be found

5 free agents the Tigers should call right now

MLB 2019-2020 offseason calendar: What to expect this winter

Tigers 2020 projected payroll: Lowest in a decade?

2019 Tigers report card: This offense was beyond bad

2019 Tigers report card: Pitching wasnt great, but reinforcements on the way

The rest is here:
Tigers GM expects Miguel Cabrera to stick with nutrition plan to ease pressure on knee - MLive.com

By Nicholas Drahush, MD, FACS

Chattahoochee Surgical Group, a Northside Network Provider

Heartburn is something nearly all of us will experience at some point in life. For some, it will be an occasional discomfort, and others a severe daily (or nightly) occurrence. Persistent heartburn multiple times a week can be a sign of something more serious: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

This condition typically occurs when the lower muscle of the esophagus does not close properly, allowing stomach acid or food to flow from the stomach back into the esophagus. If left untreated, it can cause serious problems including bleeding ulcers or Barretts esophagus, a precursor of esophageal cancer.

In many instances, lifestyle changes alone can help alleviate GERD symptoms. Here are a few:

Avoid foods or drinks that increase symptoms. Certain foods and drinks cause the lower esophageal muscle to relax, allowing acid to enter and irritate the lining of the esophagus. Avoidance of tomatoes, peppermints, chocolate, fatty/fried foods, and citrus drinks are recommended. Caffeine and alcohol are also major contributors to reflux and should be minimized in your diet.

Eat small meals. Eating large meals increases the amount of acid needed to digest the food. Try to eat six small meals a day instead of three large ones, and eat slowly. Also, avoid eating within two to three hours of bedtime.

Maintain a healthy weight. Weight loss often helps decrease GERD symptoms. Being overweight puts more pressure on your stomach and can cause symptoms.

Take an antacid. These medicines neutralize the acid in the stomach and esophagus, thus relieving symptoms. Before taking any medication, it is important to check with your health care provider.

Often people continue to experience symptoms despite making the above lifestyle changes and are prescribed acid suppressing medications such as Nexium, Prilosec or Zantac. These are helpful in decreasing symptoms by lowering the amount of acid produced, but do not fix the weakened lower esophageal muscle.

Anti-reflux surgeries are also an option for those patients with reflux despite medical treatment or patients that do not want to take these medications the rest of their lives. These surgeries are minimally invasive with just a few small incisions and patients typically go home the day of or day after surgery. The newest surgical option, the LINX procedure is now being offered at Northside Forsyth. This system consists of a flexible ring of small magnetic beads that is implanted around the lower esophagus. It expands to allow food to pass safely into the stomach but resists opening and prevents acid from pushing back into the esophagus. By restoring the function of the weakened lower esophageal muscle, the LINX implant decreases GERD.

If you experience heartburn or regurgitation, or suspect you may have GERD, you should contact a health care provider to be evaluated. To learn more about GERD and its treatment, please visit https://chattahoocheesurgical.com/gerd.

Read more:
Treating GERD | Sponsored - NorthFulton.com

This story was originally published on the PCN website in May 2018.

Scott: Healthier weight while taking anti-psychotic meds

My health issue is schizophrenia and the side effects associated with the anti-psychotic medication I take. I had a conversation with my family doctor about the bariatrics clinic at the hospital and he assessed my obesity and referred me to the Health Basics course. I had hoped to get control of my body weight because I have had chronic pain, injuries, and intense frustration with my physical abilities.

A major barrier to my mental concentration was the lack of structure regarding my knowledge around health. I had been advised to control my eating by family and friends but I felt that my weight would naturally sort itself out if I could just get my medications decreased. I had previously connected with a dietitian through AHS however I could not keep a food journal or make adjustments that she recommended.

In the Health Basics program, I committed to the group therapy process and began journaling for the first time. I increased the proportion of fruits and vegetables in my diet. I now plan snacks and focus on in-control eating. Further, I practice the 80/20 rule regarding the Healthy Road vs. Easy Street and this keeps my spirits up when I slack off. I simply remind myself that I can make a better choice in any moment to save the day.

The last I weighed myself, I had dropped fourteen pounds and my waist was quite a bit smaller. I am getting comments about my physique. I am working through the side effects of my medication with gratitude for the treatment team that helps me, and I am overall noticing less symptoms of depression. In addition, I am maintaining my active lifestyle and achieving the high level of performance that I demand from myself.

I recommend anyone needing weight loss and a healthier lifestyle to take the Health Basics course and attend and participate for yourself AND the others in the group. Make your nutrition a priority because I believe you are what you eat. Find a career that forces you to exercise at a high intensity. One big motivator to me is that I need to start a family and I believe that I can have more fun in life with a body that I am happy with.

I am on track to continue to be healthy. I eat enough fruits and vegetables. I continue to journal my food intake. I drink water as my main beverage. I stretch daily. I make my soccer referee job the priority in my career. I am currently participating in the sleep course at the PCN to make sure that I am improving other areas of my health as well.

Here are some other stories from Primary Care Network:

Finally the dam broke

Achieving Mental Health is an Everyday Task

About theRed Deer Primary Care Network:

We (RDPCN) are a partnership between Family Doctors and Alberta Health Services. Health professionals such as psychologists, social workers, nurses and pharmacist work in clinics alongside family doctors.

In addition, programs and groups are offered at the RDPCN central location. Thisimproves access to care, health promotion, chronic disease management and coordination of care.RDPCN is proud of the patient care offered, the effective programs it has designed and the work it does with partners in health care and the community.

Read the original post:
Scott: Healthier weight while taking anti-psychotic meds - Todayville.com