Horseback riding (called “horse riding” in England) is one of the best ways to not only get physically fit, but emotionally fit, as well.  Steering a one thousand pound animal around a course gives you self-esteem you can’t imagine.  You also learn cooperation, empathy with someone who can’t speak your language, and get friendship from [...]

For millions of women, Weight Watchers has helped them to achieve their personal weight goal.  What began over forty-five years ago by a woman in New York has grown into a billion dollar industry that sells dietary equipment, food supplements, cookbooks, magazines, scales, pedometers and kitchen tools.  When Jean Nidetch first invited her friends over [...]

Experts agree: the average American’s dietary habits are dismal. On average, we consume 12 percent more calories – an added 300 calories per day – now than we did in 1985, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Added sugar accounts for roughly 23 percent of that increase, the U.S.D.A. estimates.
Awareness of sugar’s caloric impact [...]

Despite the hype that too often accompanies the praise, fiber is a very healthy addition to a good diet. It’s no miracle cure, but a substantial amount of insoluble fiber does help move material through the colon faster. It has a cleansing effect on the digestive system.
By improving the solidity and bulk of solid waste [...]

The title is something of a misnomer. There is no such thing as ‘the’ proper diet for every individual. Nevertheless, all humans are similar enough that there are broad categories, and many specifics, that are correct for almost anyone.
Despite all the fads of the last 30 years or more, it remains true – backed by [...]

It seems almost as if there is a new fad diet every week. Many of these contain elements of truth, but on the whole they contain much more good marketing than good science.
There is the 3-day diet, which touts eating little more than fruits for three days, followed by vegetables or meat or grains the [...]

Apart from discussions of the environment, there is nowhere that junk science is more common than in issues surrounding weight loss – nutrition and diet, exercise and health topics in general.
Every month there’s a new claim, often given a coating of respectability by quoting the latest ’study’. But if trained scientists have difficulty deciding what [...]

Few commercialized areas of science are so filled with myths as that focused on weight loss. Everyone wants a simple, safe, no-willpower solution. Someday, we may actually get one. For now there are no magic cures. But there are quite a few myths that need to be exploded.
You may have read this one: eating ice [...]

There are no miracles in weight loss, though there are lots of myths. You may have heard a new one making the rounds: cortisol will ‘dissolve’ fat around the waist. Not so.
Whenever you take in more calories than you use, the remaining energy is stored in chemical bonds between adipose tissue (fatty deposits). In adult [...]

(ARA) – The end of winter seems like it should be a time to rejoice. Instead, many people experience a twinge of dread when they realize that the arrival of spring also means the advent of swimsuit season. But a few simple, wise food and exercise choices can help people embrace the sights and sounds [...]