A few tips to help reduce weight

Jodi Helmer, in an article in Arthritis Today (March/April 2016), offers a few suggestion, based on recent research, to help tip the scales to lower numbers.

1.  Out of sight, out of mind. Keep unhealthy snacks in the cupboard or out of sight.
2.   Keep healthy snacks like fruit within easy reach. Bananas and washed apples are easy to grab when you are in a hurry.
3. This article also suggests putting small appliances away – like toasters.
4. The less unhealthy snacks you have the less you will be tempted to eat. Buy smaller batches of snacks – not bulk.

All of these make sense to me, and I would like to add one more suggestion of my own. Sometimes

White Sheep microwave body warmer for relaxation

we think we must have something sweet when all we really want is to relax. When you feel a sugar craving, try taking a few deep breaths and let the air out slowly each time. My husband and I used to remind each other of this when one of us was craving dessert.

Give yourself time to think about healthy choices and how good they will make you feel. Instead of baking cookies, grab and apple, or a cup of herbal mint tea, relax with a book and a microwave heating pad on your back. You’ll feel great!

Finding the right professional to help you lose weight

Need help losing weight? You may want to turn to a professional who will help you change your eating habits and skip a diet that could cause you to deprive yourself of nutrients and leave you feeling unsatisfied. Chances are high that you will go off such a diet and gain more weight than you lost.

Before you go looking for help, you may want to know what the difference is between a nutritionist and a dietitian. According to NutritionEd.org and state regulations, a registered dietitian (RD) must “complete academic requirements established by the American Dietetic Association” and “must have received a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university.” Beyond education, registered dietitians must have at least six months of experience within five years of attaining the educational requirements.

Requirements for nutrition counseling vary from state to state. In many states, there are no educational requirements although insurance companies may have.

How to find a reputable professional to help you meet your goals?

Get a referral from your physician. Check with your insurance company. Ask friends who have been successful at changing eating habits through a dietitian. Or go to the following Web site. EAT RIGHT: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and check out their listings. Just because the “expert” is listed here doesn’t mean he or she is the right person to help you. Check the person’s educational background, website or Facebook page (if applicable) and you can check with the state to see if the person has the qualifications listed. Read a bio, find the dietitian’s area of expertise, find out if they do individual and/or group counseling, and if they accept insurance or Medicare patients.

Once you have done some homework, talk with the person on the phone or ask for a preliminary meeting so that you get a sense of how you connect with this person. Find out what he or she needs from you before the first meeting, and go prepared. And stay focused on the positives of your weight-management journey and not on the things you will give up.

Please feel free to leave a comments about how you found a dietitian or nutritionist.

If you are feeling anxious about working with a dietitian, heat up a Maine Warmers' microwave heating pad, place it on your neck, back or abdomen, and take some time to relax. If it's hot out, put one of them in the freezer for a few hours in a plastic bag, then use it to chill out.

Maine Warmers

Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome

Periods of severe vomiting may be due to a condition called Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome or CVS, and sometimes referred to as "stomach migraines." According to the National Institutes for Health, it can be difficult to diagnose. There doesn't seem to be a test to determine the cause of vomiting episodes, but patterns of these incidents and the presence of migraines in family history may be factors that lead to the diagnosis.

The article states that sometimes episodes are triggered by infection, excitement, or stress. Medication to stop vomiting may help reduce the effects of an episode.

If you need to reduce stress, take a half hour to relax with a Maine Warmers' microwave heating pad. Their extra large back warmer, covers the whole back and helps relax tense muscles. Check out their microwave Neck Warmers as well, especially if you hold tension in your neck.

How to create a home spa

When the budget is tight and you feel like you could use a bit of rejuvenation, treating oneself to a spa treatment may not be high on the priority list. There are a few things you can do that cost only a few dollars to give yourself a little lift -- especially in the middle of winter.

Plan a week of meals that allows you to lose a few pounds. Eat lots of veggies and fruits, keep the carbs low by focusing on meat, veggies, and fruit. Make sure to exercise 45 to 60 minutes each day all week. Plan the week so that you can give yourself 3 to 4 hours on Saturday or whatever day you have off for some self-indulgence.

Luxuriate in a a hot bath, while listening to relaxing music. Then give yourself a pedicure, and a manicure. Put moisturizing lotion on your face and take five minutes to massage your face. Remove any unwanted facial hair with a magnifying mirror. Put some moisture lotion on your feet and massage it in for five minutes. Then put rub it on your elbows and hands. Massage each hand for 5 minutes. Take a few deep breaths and relax.

Do whatever you do to make your hair look its best. Put on some clothes that make you feel good.

Get together with friends. The best looking thing you can wear is a smile. Enjoy conversation and laugh.

If you need to relax before bed, heat a Maine Warmer in the microwave then wrap it around the back of your neck to help ease tension. A Dachshund Neck Warmer conforms to the body. A Cozy Cat microwave body warmer can also help to relax sore tight muscles. All will last much longer than a pricey spa treatment and will help you relax and get your beauty sleep.