Health and Fitness

It’s Time to Bring Back the Word Fat

by Lindsey on May 14, 2013

Everywhere you look these days someone is talking about beauty and someone else is also there talking about all of our misconceptions about beauty.

Take for example this video Dove put out. I think that almost all women have some body dismorphia. We see flaws that aren't really there.

We probably all think this way because there are so many mixed messages we are given every day.

In one breath this beautiful OKC Thunder cheerleader is called chunky. She is a size 4. In her response to the blogger who criticized her appearance and put up a poll about it, who by the is a woman, Kelsey Williams stressed that women go through a lot every day in regards to their appearance. Read her full response here.

chunky cheerleader OKC THunder

So if you are slightly larger than a supermodel, you are criticized. I fully support that this side of the coin gives every woman and every little girl a completely wrong idea of what is healthy and normal.

On the other side of that coin we tell much much larger women to just accept themselves the way they are. They are beautiful in their large bodies.

Society basically says if you are a size 2, you are good. If you are slightly larger you will be severely critized. If you are obese, you should just accept it.

Telling fat people it is ok to stay fat is wrong.

And yes, I'm going to start using the word fat in this post. A lot.

I believe that women come in all shapes and sizes. One shape, one size, is not better than another. You don't need to be a size 4, or a size 6, or even a size 12 to be beautiful.

If you are healthy.

With epidemic obesity in America it is time to start calling fat fat. It is time to say you need to see the working side of a treadmill. You should probably hit a Zumba class. Maybe shoving another Twinkie in your mouth as a chaser to that bag of Doritos is a really bad idea.

When we get so politically correct that we try to tiptoe around and try not to hurt anybody's feelings, we are letting all of those people down.

If someone I loved got cancer, I wouldn't say, "That's ok. Just accept yourself as you are. You and your cancer are beautiful."

I would tell them to fight. To get treatment. To eradicate the cancer that is KILLING them.

But if I have a friend that is fat, I can't do the same thing. I can't say you need to work hard to eradicate the FAT that is KILLING you.

If you look at the leading causes of death you see exactly what I am talking about. Four of the top 10 are directly related to obesity including number one.

Heart disease: 597,689
Cancer: 574,743
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 138,080
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 129,476
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 120,859
Alzheimer's disease: 83,494
Diabetes: 69,071
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 50,476
Influenza and Pneumonia: 50,097
Intentional self-harm (suicide): 38,364

Source: Center for Disease Control: Leading Causes of Death

When you tell an obese person that it's ok to be obese, that they are beautiful that way and don't need to try to lose weight, you are basically telling a smoker it's ok to keep smoking. That they smell great. It's ok for diabetics to stop using insulin. Their comas make them beautiful. It's ok for someone to commit suicide. In death they look so peaceful.

It's time to start calling fat fat and as a society it is time to start treating fat like what it is. Unhealthy. Undesirable. Diseased. Deadly.

I'm not advocating that you start going up to random people and calling them fat. But it would be a good idea to invite unhealthy people to participate in healthy activities. Encourage them to make healthy choices. Educate people on how to choose healthy food and how to get into shape.

We have to make the change as a society to advocate healthy and not just everyone is beautiful.

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What Can Parents Learn From Recent Changes In The NFL?

by Lindsey on March 14, 2013

in Health and Fitness

I am happy to welcome John O'Conner today to talk about sports injuries.

Sports are great activities for children to take part in. They not only allow children time to have fun with friends and stay healthy but more importantly they teach our children traits such as teamwork, dedication and sportsmanship that they will be able to use the rest of their lives. Playing sports does come with the risk of suffering from sports related injuries. Parents have reason to be concerned about their children getting injured while playing contact sports such as football, lacrosse and hockey to name a few. As Parents we must educate ourselves on what can be done to keep our children safe while playing these sports.

The National Football League has been revamping its rules recently in an effort to protect players and make the game safer. Injuries like concussions and ligament tears are commonplace in the NFL. Most of these injuries are related to “hits” performed during the game. The NFL has changed some of its rules to make it safer for defenseless players such as quarterbacks in the act of throwing or receivers who are making a catch. They also have eliminated the use of the facemask or helmet when performing hits on defenseless players. All of the rules to this point have been beneficial and are the proper stepping stones in making the game safer for athletes of all ages.

Along side these rules changes, the NFL has been promoting improved safety among players through the NFL Evolution campaign. The campaign has been promoting safety and injury prevention among parents who have younger children who play contact sports.

Some common injuries that can occur from playing sports are concussions, ligament tears and heat related injuries. It is our job as parents to be fully educated in regards to sports injuries and the ways in which we can help protect our children and make the game safer for all who are involved.

Concussions

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that causes nausea, headaches and confusion. In some cases, it can cause memory and hearing loss. Players with hearing loss may require the use of a hearing aid. What can parents do to reduce risk of concussions?

-Protective headgear should be worn at all times.

-All equipment including headgear should fit properly.

-Children must learn how to avoid improper hitting that puts them at risk for concussions and other head injuries.
-If parents sense that their child is suffering from a concussion, they should take their child to the doctor to be checked promptly.

Ligament tears

Another common injury in sports is the ACL tear. The anterior cruciate ligament is critical to providing the right level of support to the knee and prevents shifting as the athlete jumps. Athletes who continue to play with this type of injury run the risk of making the injury worse. How parents can protect their children from ACL injuries?

-Stretch properly before and after practice
-Warm up properly before each game or practice

-Depending on the age of your children, participating in a weight lifting program can help strengthen muscles. Specifically for the ACL, strengthening muscles around the knee and leg would be most beneficial.

-Parents must not hesitate to get their children the proper medical attention if the child appears to be feeling discomfort in their knee for an extended period of time.

Heat related injuries

During the summer months, children are vulnerable to heat related injuries like dehydration and heat stroke. Most of these injuries are preventable. Parents can take care of their children in several ways:

-Proper hydration is important during the hotter months of the year.

-Making sure your children are consuming water gradually throughout the day leading up to a sporting event.
-Wearing sunscreen at all times protects children from sunburn.

-Wearing lightweight clothing, allowing the body to breathe and sweat properly.

Sports are a great way for children to grow, but keeping them safe is the top priority for most parents. Following these recommendations can help ensure that your children have a terrific and safe experience while playing sports.

Hi my name is John O'Connor, I am a father, outdoorsman, sports enthusiast and passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. Check out my new blog at bloggingwjohno.blogspot.com!

NFL

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Natural Teeth Whitening Solutions that are Safe to Try

by Lindsey on February 21, 2013

in Health and Fitness

Guest Post by Saanvi Singh

Are you tired of buying all those teeth whitening products that don’t work? Do you lack the budget to undergo expensive oral care procedures? Well then, you may want to try the natural ways to whiten your teeth. Aside from being effective and having no side effects, these solutions are very cheap and sometimes – priceless!

Strawberries

No way! Eating strawberries to whiten your teeth sounds like a bizarre idea but it is, really. Strawberries are natural teeth whitening agents that contain chemical-free astringent and vitamin C. Studies found that the astringents found in strawberries are highly effective in removing stain in the teeth. On the other hand, vitamin C helps clear away plaque and strengthens your teeth. You can mash fresh strawberries and apply them on your teeth. Make sure to gargle or brush your teeth right after as strawberries contain lots of sugar which may not be god for your oral health.

Apples

An apple a day keeps the dentist away! If strawberries are natural teeth whiteners, apples are natural toothbrushes. Whenever you chew an apple, it acts like a brush that removes the excess food and bacteria from your teeth. It also scrubs your teeth and makes them whiter and cleaner. Another thing – did you know that apples contain malic acid? This substance is a chemical which is commonly found in most teeth whitening products.

Raisins

Another teeth whitening fruit! Raisins help whiten your teeth by inducing the production of saliva. Saliva is extremely important in maintaining healthy, white teeth as it helps rinse away the plaque and other stain-causing dirt and bacteria.

Baking Soda with Lemon Extract

In a small bowl, combine a small amount of baking soda and a few drops of fresh lemon extract. You’ll get the right mixture if you see it bubbling a little. Once ready, take off the excess saliva and plaque from your teeth using a cotton swab then apply the mixture. Leave it for 2 or 3 minutes then brush it off using your toothbrush. Make sure that you remove all lemon stain. As an acid, lemon extract can cause corrosion in your teeth, taking away its enamel – a thin film that protects your teeth from plaque. You can also use vinegar in place of lemon.

Mustard oil and salt

After brushing your teeth, apply a mixture of mustard oil and salt, leave it for at least 2 minutes and rinse it off. This is a very effective teeth whitening solution and takes so little effort to prepare.

Getting pearly white teeth can boost your confidence levels to a higher level. By trying out these natural teeth whitening solutions, you’ll have no reason to hide those big, lovely smiles.

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Music for every workout

by Lindsey on February 20, 2013

in Health and Fitness

You asked for them, so here they are. My playlists for workouts.

workout music

The cardio playlist is full of high energy songs with great beats. The strength training playlist is full loud, pumping songs to keep you going. While the yoga playlist is untraditional, it sets a mood that works well for any style of yoga. Have fun!

Got song suggestions? Leave a comment. Make sure to subscribe to the playlists as I keep them updated.

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30 Day Water Challenge

by Lindsey on June 27, 2012

in Health and Fitness

I'm joining my good bloggy friend, Pepper Scraps, in her 30 Day Water Challenge to drink 64 oz of water daily in July.

You can find out all about the challenge here. If you are joining leave a comment!

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Top 20 Workout Songs

by Lindsey on May 7, 2012

in Health and Fitness

My workout playlist is probably much more rock than most people, but, if you are looking for some great songs to keep you going, these will do the trick!

1. Pantera – Shedding Skin

2. Three Days Grace – Break

4. Breaking Benjamin – I Will Not Bow

5. Avenged Sevenfold – Afterlife

6. Sick Puppies – Going Down

7. Deftones – My Own Summer

8. Godsmack – Whatever

9. Korn – Blind

10. Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit

11. Marilyn Manson – Rock is Dead

12. Tool – Vicarious

13. Ministry – Just One Fix

14. Mudvayne – Forget to Remember

15. A Perfect Circle – Judith

16. Nonpoint – Bullet with a Name

17. Rage Against the Machine – Killing in the Name

18. System of a Down – Chop Suey!

19. Linkin Park – One Step Closer

20. Faith No More – Epic

What's on your Workout Playlist?

Tagged as: music

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Healthy Snacking

by Lindsey on April 16, 2012

in Health and Fitness

If you are like me, you love snacking. Being healthy doesn't mean you have to quit snacking. In fact, snacking will actually help increase your metabolism. You just need to snack healthy. Some great suggestions to try that are also easy to take on the go are:

Low fat string cheese (80 calories)

Almonds – also great post-workout (23 pieces about 162 calories)

Yogurt – Greek yogurt is the healthiest (80 calories)

Nature Valley Fruit Crisps (50 calories)

Veggies with dip of your choice such as low fat salad dressing or low fat peanut butter (10 pieces approx 140 calories)

Fresh fruit

Out and about? A McDonald's Fruit and Yogurt Parfait is 160 calories.

Need sweets? Try any of the 100 calorie packs available at the grocery store like Oreos or Jelly Belly.

Keep drinking water throughout the day because as you begin to eat healthier, your body can get some signals crossed from the lack of all those processed fats. You may actually just be thirsty and not hungry. Hungry late at night? You may actually just be tired. Your body is telling you to consume more fuel if you are going to stay up later.

The main thing to remember is that you are NOT denying yourself the food you need. Cutting too many calories actually slows your metabolism. Instead of depriving yourself of your favorite foods, make healthier choices so its ok to indulge on occasion while still meeting your goals!

Dishwater Dreams is currently accepting guest posts on the topic of health and fitness. All articles must be original content. Contact oklahomapoet@cox.net for more information.

Tagged as: healthy food

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Living Healthier

by Lindsey on April 2, 2012

in Health and Fitness

I'm determined to get serious about my health. Not just getting in shape, but my overall health. From now on Monday's will be [mostly] dedicated to health and fitness.

You might want to start with Boosting Your Energy and Spring Cleaning Your Life to be on the right track towards overall health.

I intended to start a daily workout program several weeks ago and I have to admit I stuck with it for exactly one day.

Today I downloaded the My Livestrong app (the lite version is free) so I can track my calories, water, weight, and exercise. Hopefully this will help me find opportunities I'm missing to live healthier.

I've been scouring the internet looking for an exercise plan to slide into my life.

Leave a comment and share your favorite workout routines, healthy recipes, or anything else you can think of that will motivate us to be healthy!

Tagged as: fitness, health

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Boost Your Energy Right Now!

by Lindsey on March 16, 2012

in Health and Fitness

I am so excited to welcome Kristen today telling us how to get something we all need – MORE ENERGY! Give these a try and leave a comment letting us know how it worked!

Moms are true miracle workers. They give life, protect life and nurture life all on a few hours of sleep each night. All moms have little tricks to keep their batteries charged throughout the day and here are a few more to add to the precious trick bag.

The best way to boost one’s energy is to perform short bursts of exercises that get the whole body moving at once. Here are a few exercises that do just that and can even be done while wearing pajamas and waiting for the coffee to drip:

1. 2nd Position Ballet Pliés
No need for the expensive and time consuming ballet classes. Ballet pliés require only that you keep your spine straight while bending at the knees. Place feet hip distance apart and turn feet slightly outwards. Keep your back straight and bend your knees to lower your torso as deeply as you can stand it. Remember, shaking muscles indicates that you are getting stronger in that very moment. Keep your arms stretched out to your sides in what is known as 2nd position port de bras or bring arms over your head. This will increase circulation and strengthen all major muscles. Perform 15 repetitions for 4 sets throughout the day.

2. Seated Jack Knife
Choose a sturdy chair or the edge of the bathtub to perform this exercise. Sit down and lean back slightly. Place hands behind you to support your body. Lift your legs up slightly in the air and bring your knees into your chest. Pull your upper body towards your legs at the same time to get the full range of motion. This works the thighs, abdomen, arms and back muscles all in one swift movement. Work up to 25 repetitions 4 times every day.

3. YOGA DOWNWARD DOG
Yoga has become one of the most popular ways for women to get in shape. Deep breathing and movement work together to energize the body, refresh the mind and center the soul. Start this pose by lying flat on the floor with your face against the floor. Place hands at your shoulder, tuck toes into floor and lift yourself off the floor. Line your hands up to cause your body to form a triangle shape. Hold your stomach in and take your gaze towards your abdomen. Take 5 deep and slow breaths and then lower yourself back down. Repeat this whole body workout as desired and needed.

The main thing is to find an exercise that suits you best, while getting the most out of it. You don’t have to do every set that day if you’re not feeling well. The main thing is to do something and maybe have a little fun while doing it. When used in conjunction with exercises that coincide with your daily activities, you can really start to feel the results. Some of these very same exercises are recommended by the American Cancer Society for patients dealing with papillary mesothelioma, so they’re especially effective.

Kristin Wells is a recent college graduate from The University of Georgia and an aspiring writer. She wants to make a difference in people's lives through her writing. Kristin also likes competitive cycling, running, and traveling as much as possible.

Tagged as: exercise, health

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Spring Cleaning for Your Life!

by Lindsey on March 14, 2012

in Health and Fitness

1. Get rid of cable – With services like Netflix, Hulu, and the full episodes offered by many TV stations, you can keep up with your favorite shows without paying that large cable bill. While you are at it, cancel your home phone service too. Average savings: $150 a month plus getting rid of all those cable boxes. Benefit to your life – no channel surfing! You will get more done than just watching TV.

2. Give up caffeine – How much of your time and budget do you spend on caffeine? Save the drive-throughs, money, and frustration of trying to get your programmable coffee pot to start at the right time by cutting out caffeine completely. Your wallet will thank you. You body will feel better. It will take a couple of weeks to get over the addiction to caffeine. Be prepared. Instead, drink lots of water (I put Crystal Light 0 calorie in mine) and up your B vitamin intake. You will find that after a couple of weeks your mind is clearer and more alert than WITH caffeine.

3. Find 30 minutes a day for YOU – Declutter your soul by finding 30 minutes a day just for you. Read a book, write a book, take a bath, meditate, pray, journal, paint, or even just lay in bed and reflect before falling asleep. Taking time out to enjoy your day even just a little will make your life easier.

4. Exercise – The best way to declutter your brain and clean out all that extra winter padding is exercise. 30 minutes of aerobic exercise is recommended each day. The good news is you can break this up into 3 10 minute segments. Try out these 10 exercises that will also help you clean your house.

5. Carry a notepad – Another great way to clear the cobwebs of your mind is to carry a notepad. Jot stuff down so you don't forget. By the way, there's an app for that.

6. Go digital – Clear up the storage bins in your home by going digital. Convert CDs to MP3s. Store DVDs on a USB hard drive and play through a device like Roku. Get an e-reader.

7. Examine your relationships – Is there someone in your life who really shouldn't be there? Maybe that person is a constant drain or a permanent negative influence. Time to sever that friendship. Its like a band-aid. It hurts for a second, but then its all better.

8. Clean up your finances – This isn't the point where I tell you the magic way to pay off debt. There isn't one. Get over it. However, you can make a budget and stick to it. You can do some of those things you have been meaning to do like cancel the insurance on a credit card. Caulk your windows to save on the electric bill. Organize your coupons.

9. Clean out your closet – OK, so that's already on your Spring cleaning checklist. Make sure to get rid of any clothes that don't fit properly. There is nothing that dampens a mood more than putting on something in the morning that doesn't fit right and having to change. You start off the day worrying about your body image.

10. Declutter your schedule – Schedules are stressful. Find a way to keep your schedule organized. I keep mine on my iPad with Pocket Informant HD. You don't need to go fancy. A simple calendar will do. This will also help you to be able to say no when you are overscheduled already.