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!

How to ease Restless Leg Syndrome

A feeling of needing to move the legs is characteristic of  Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). The rapid leg movements and restlessness associated with this condition often disturbs sleep. The symptoms can be mild or severe. A Mayo Clinic article gives some of the symptoms and possible causes such as vitamin or iron deficiencies, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney failure. RLS does not necessarily indicate other serious conditions.

Sometimes relief can be relatively easy. The article suggests cutting back on caffeine, taking vitamin supplements recommended or prescribed by your physician, exercising moderately earlier in the day, and stretching to help alleviate symptoms. They also recommend relaxation techniques such as Yoga, practicing good sleep habits, massaging the legs, soaking in a warm bath, and using hot and cool packs -- possibly alternating hot and cold.

Maine Warmers offers microwave heat packs that can be frozen and used for gentle ice. They are

Cozy Sheep Heating Pad for restless leg syndrome

filled with whole corn, which does not get as cold as ice cubes because of the reduced water content. Keep one in the freezer and microwave it when you need heat. Or keep one handy for heat and one in the freezer for cold for alternating hot and cool therapy. They are safe, portable, and easy to use. There isn’t any mess of hot water bottles and no need for an electrical cord.

An extra large Back Warmer covers a large portion of the legs or an extra long Neck Warmer can also be used for someone with restless leg syndrome.

Setting Goals to Lose and Maintain Weight for an Active Lifestyle

The Mayo Clinic offers ten tips to start a weight loss program, the most important of which to set realistic goals and write them down.Sometimes people think that when goals are on paper that they are written in stone, but as we become more self-aware, learn new thing, and change our ways, our goals may need to be modified. A weight loss program should be evaluated every week.

Visualizing the person you want to be is a good way to think about setting personal weight goals for living actively and doing the things you want to do. Asking questions of ourselves such as how do we want to feel about ourselves right now and as we grow older are important. What do we want to achieve? What do we do when we have reached our weight goals and want to maintain a healthy weight for an active lifestyle?

A weight loss program that helps us feel confident and better about ourselves is one that should include positive thoughts for good mental health and growth -- not self-deprecating name calling or put downs. Do not allow others to undermine your confidence in yourself. That kind of behavior can only have a negative impact. A positive support group will help you achieve your goals.

Extra Large Microwave Heating Pad for the Back

Relaxation is an important part of life that allows us to stay focused on those goals. When we are tired or stressed we tend to forget the goals and generally become frazzled. Having goals written down helps keep us focused. If you are stressed, try a little heat therapy to help relax tired and tense muscles. A Neck Warmer or a Back Warmer may help when life is stressful. Maine Warmers Comforting Creatures make great gifts for someone who is trying to lose weight.

Cozy Sheep Heating Pad

Tips for dealing with arthritis

Maintaining a healthy life-style may be easier said than done, but the motivator may be how you feel. 

Keeping weight down helps reduce strain on joints. Appropriate exercises, especially during times of remission, will keep muscles strong. A supportive family or community of understanding friends brings comfort and reduces anxiety. Good stress management – relaxation, deep breathing exercises, and visualization are recommended. I think they could have added heat as a stress-management tool. Heat is known to relax tense muscles, and often when people are stressed, they may unconsciously tense muscles.

If you are feeling stressed – anxious or fearful – heat can help ease the tension in neck muscles. I used to tense my jaw when I got stressed and went to the dentist with  tooth pain, only to be told there was nothing wrong.

Falling asleep may be difficult when you are stressed, leaving you feeling tired and not as able to deal with the anxiety. A heating pad may help.

Maine Warmers carries a variety of microwave heating pads that help relieve sore tense muscles. Their Neck Warmers stays warm for about 30 minutes. If you are looking for a comforting gift for someone with arthritis consider giving a Woolly Bear Neck Warmer or Dachshund Neck Warmer. They bring soothing comfort, don't look medicinal, and decorate a chair or bed when not in use.

An article posted on the Mayo Clinic Web site offers suggestions for dealing with the pain of arthritis. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE RELIEVES ONE WOMAN'S PAIN