5 Tips for a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving

healthy thanksgiving tips

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you are looking to eat healthy over the holiday we have 5 simple tips for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. You will probably not eat perfectly, and that is okay. It’s one day, it’s how you eat on the other 364 days will determine your health. Here are 5 tips for making this Thanksgiving healthier, and some tips in case you over indulge.

 

Eat a  Healthy Thanksgiving Breakfast

 

Start Thanksgiving Day by eating a healthy breakfast. Create healthy scrambled eggs with some antioxidant rich veggies. Do not skip breakfast to “save up calories” for eating a large meal later. This rarely works and often results in eating higher calorie foods later, like gravy, which provides a whooping 800 calories per ladle instead of a 70-calorie tablespoon sized serving.

 

Know Yourself

 

Everyone has a certain part of the Thanksgiving meal that is a biggest hurdle to staying on a healthy track. For some people it may be alcohol, for others desserts or carbohydrate-rich foods. Have a set strategy for how you plan to navigate through the Thanksgiving meal. For alcohol, tell yourself you will have half a glass of wine when you first arrive and will enjoy a second half glass of wine with dinner. Or if you would like a full glass of wine with dinner, have a sparkling water when you first arrive. If dessert is a trigger for you, enjoy half a piece of pumpkin pie or offer to bring a healthy dessert with you.

 

Savor Every Bite

 

In today’s fast paced world we are always on the go. It is important to take our time and relax a bit when we can. Taking our time while we eat can have a big impact on our waistlines as well. Remind yourself to eat slowly, putting your fork down between bites and to truly savor each mouthful. This may sound super simplistic, but that is the key to simplify and live in the moment. Savoring every bite is one the easiest ways to enjoy your holiday meal without going overboard on calories.

 

 

Start Thanksgiving With Physical Activity and Stay Active

 

Take a brisk morning walk early in the day. A 150 lb. person can burn 90 calories walking at a moderate pace for 30 minutes. After dinner, suggest everyone goes out for a walk. Walking and talking is a wonderful way for families to enjoy the holiday together. Create a new healthy family tradition this Thanksgiving.

 

 

Keep Your Goals Firmly In Mind

 

Before you head out the door for Thanksgiving, or welcome your guests, take a little quiet time to focus on you. Take a moment to take some deep breaths and remind yourself of your goals. Envision yourself leaner, healthier and happier. Keep your end goals in mind and then enjoy a great Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

 

 

Thanksgiving Binge Bounce Back Plan

 

If you went overboard on stuffing, gravy, and some pumpkin pie, no worries. Here are three key post-Thanksgiving bounce back tips.

 

Get Right Back on Track

 

Don’t let Thanksgiving Day turn into a nonstop binge until New Years. To help you bounce back from a Thanksgiving Day binge, make sure you have plenty of healthy foods in the house when you return home. When departing on Thanksgiving, graciously decline taking leftovers home with you, other than some skinless, roasted turkey breast to use to top off your post-Thanksgiving salad. If you are hosting Thanksgiving, try to send as many leftovers as you can home with guests. The less unhealthy foods you have surrounding you the less likely you are to indulge.

 

 

Stick To The Routine

 

If you binge on Thanksgiving don’t stress yourself and try to overcompensate on your exercise routine. Stick to your regular fitness schedule. Injuries are more likely to occur when you add a sudden excessive burst of exercise into your routine. You want to always gradually increase your exercise activity to prevent injuries. Injuries can lead to setbacks and added stress on your health.

 

No matter which phase you are on for the Solstice Weight Loss Program or in the maintenance phase, it is important to return to your routine. Just as we don’t recommend overcompensating with exercise or undercompensating the next day with calories. Restricting your food intake will only make you hungrier. When your stomach begins to growl you are more likely to reach for fatty, sugar-laden foods. Start your day with a healthy breakfast and continue on the healthy path for the remainder of the day.

 

Put a Stop To The Guilt

 

Beating yourself up does nothing to help you. We all make mistakes and it is important to not allow one slip up to turn into the domino effect. Negative self-talk will not result in positive actions. Keep in mind every day is a new start. Be proud of yourself for being conscious of your eating behaviors and working to improve your health and wellbeing.

 

If you are looking to improve your health and lose weight, Solstice Health can help. We offer a medical weight loss program utilizing all natural foods to provide long term and sustainable weight loss results. Learn more about our medical weight loss program and diabetes tailored weight loss program. We wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

 

Losing Body Fat vs. Losing Weight

 

body fat

Weight loss tips, foods, and programs are everywhere; all promising you will lose weight and look great. Often many of these programs will help you achieve weight loss initially, but result in weight gain once you stop following the program. The weight loss achieved in many of these programs is not a true weight loss in the form of fat, but rather a combination of water, muscle, and body fat.

There is a big difference between losing weight and losing body fat. The goal should never be to lose weight, but always to lose fat! You want weight loss to come from fat, not water or muscle. The scale may reflect a smaller number, but you may be losing beneficial muscle, which will result in long-term weight gain, meaning fat-gain.

 

Body Fat Testing

 

 It is important to determine whether you are losing fat or muscle, water, and fat. For example if you are a woman who weighs 150 pounds, with 35 percent fat, you’re carrying around more than 52 pounds of fat. Ideally, a healthy woman will be around 25 percent body fat, or about 37 pounds of fat. To reach a healthier level would require 15 pounds of fat loss not weight loss. Say you lost 20 pounds total, but only 10 pounds of it came from fat stores. You would still be at an unhealthy 32 percent fat. To reach the 25 percent body fat level, all 20 pounds must come fat. Body fat testing through body composition analysis is an effective method to measure body fat loss. Below is a body fat chart outlining body fat percentages for men and women.

body fat programs

 

Dehydration is Not Weight Loss

 

 Often water or dehydration appears as weight loss changing the numbers on the scale. This is often one of the quickest weight loss tricks used by many programs and products in the market. If you lose weight it is because you’re dehydrated, you’ve only lost water, and the pounds will return in the blink of an eye. Don’t fool yourself into thinking those pounds are really gone. You still have just as much fat on your body as before. In fact, without hydration, the muscles will shrivel up because water keeps them plump and vital, leaving you lighter, but without any energy or strength.

 

Muscle Loss Slows the Metabolism

 

Losing weight other than fat is unavoidable, but the loss of muscle mass will cause a rebound effect that leads to weight gain. Muscle is metabolically active and lights your furnace, keeping your metabolism brisk and burning calories. Even when you’re sitting on the couch, you burn more calories if you have more muscle mass on your frame. So losing muscle means your furnace slows down, your metabolism gets sluggish and the weight keeps on coming.

 

Weight Loss Targeting Fat Loss

 

The new and latest weight loss programs will continue to emerge with promises of making you lose weight. Indeed, many of these programs will help you achieve weight loss, but likely only temporarily and possibly putting your health at risk. A medication, pill, shot or eating only a small selection of food that tastes like grass is simply unsustainable.

To specifically target fat loss, while maintaining lean body mass and hydration, the carbohydrate intake must be modified. All carbohydrates, good or bad raise blood sugar levels. As a result, too many carbohydrates significantly raise insulin levels, which act as a fat storage hormone, increase the production of cholesterol and increase arterial wall thickness, which induces high blood pressure. While targeting fat loss you must measure water mass/hydration, lean body mass, and body fat percentage to ensure you are achieving true fat weight loss. These measurements can be done through a body composition analysis device or at one of our Solstice Health clinics.

 

Solstice Health Weight Loss Program

 

 Our weight loss program was designed to target fat. To date, we have helped our clients achieve over 13,500 pounds of targeted fat weight loss. The Solstice Health weight loss program is four-phase plan where women can expect o lose an average of 2-4 pounds per week and men, an average of 4-7 pounds per week. Our goal is to help our clients achieve weight loss and keep the weight off. If you are interested in learning more about our program, please feel free to reach out and schedule a free weight loss consultation today.

Solstice Health offers 3 convenient locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Location:

1020 Oconomowoc Parkway, Suite B

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066

 

New Berlin Wisconsin Location:

17043 West Greenfield Avenue

New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151

 

Mequon Wisconsin Location: (Opening Fall 2016)

10945 N. Port Washington Road

Mequon, Wisconsin 53092

 

 

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/78702-difference-between-losing-weight-losing/

Considering Bariatric Surgery: Do You Know The True Risks?

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Many of us are aware of the obesity epidemic that is happening in the United States and all over the world. 1 in 3 adults are considered obese. Since 1988, the average American male has gained over 17 pounds while the average female has gained about 15 ½, Spotlight on Obesity reports. If these trends continue, nearly 43% of all Americans will be obese by 2018. The CDC also reports that the annual medical cost of obesity in America is $147 billion and the annual medical cost for obese persons versus average weight individuals is $1,429 more.

As a result quick fix solutions, ranging from medications to bariatric surgery, have become the sought after solution for many people. If you are considering bariatric surgery or other weight loss surgery methods such as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrostomy, and duodenal switch with biliapancreatic division, please understand all the risks, complications and costs before deciding if this is the best step for your health and weight loss journey.

 

Weight Loss Surgery Cost

When considering weight loss surgery, you must evaluate the cost. Many surgeons will tell you this is really one of your only options to ever improve your health. First, this is false, we will share some alternative weight loss options later in this post. Second, bariatric surgeons want to perform these operations; the more weight loss surgeries they perform the more money the surgeons and hospitals make. Often, they do not share true alternatives to weight loss surgery, as it would ultimately affect their bottom line. In addition factor in the costs for complications or side effects that may require hospitalization, additional doctor’s visits and medications.

 

Average weight loss surgery costs between $14,900-$23,000. Most insurance carriers offer some weight loss surgery coverage, but few cover the entire procedure. Consider all the out of pocket expenses you will incur from this procedure. Many weight loss surgery providers recommend taking out a loan to cover all the medical expenses. Strongly consider if an additional monthly loan similar to an average car payment is worth it when effective and safe alternatives exist for weight loss.

 

Weight Loss Surgery Blood Clots

Other than the risks associated with having a general anesthetic, there are many other problems that can arise after weight loss surgery . Blood clots in the legs are a serious concern for anyone who has had major surgery, but blood clots are one of the worst bariatric surgery risks. Patients have restricted movement after weight loss surgery, so blood clots may build up in the legs and travel up to the lungs, blocking their ability to take in oxygen. There is also the chance of an infection developing inside the surgical cut, especially if the wound is not properly cared for. While these are short-term risks, blood clots have the potential to cause long-term health concerns, especially if the blood clot triggers a severe heart attack or stroke.

 

Inability to Absorb Nutrients in the Digestive Tract

Some weight loss surgeries that alter the digestive tract may result in very severe protein and vitamin deficiencies that can be fatal if left untreated. The more complicated a procedure is, the worse the bariatric surgery risks become. The Roux-en-Y and the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch are two classic examples of procedures that can cause absorption issues in the digestive tract. The biliopancreatic diversion without the duodenal switch is another procedure known to cause nutritional deficiencies. Of the three surgeries, the biliopancreatic diversion without the duodenal switch is the riskiest. In fact, the biliopancreatic diversion without the duodenal switch is rarely performed due to the chances of developing a serious nutrient deficiency. Vitamin and protein deficiencies caused by an inability to properly absorb nutrients can lead to severe complications such as heart failure and dementia. You will be required to take a variety of supplements and vitamins for the rest of your life, that may help lessen these risks. However, these absorption inabilities will be a life long risk and need to be monitored carefully.

 

Osteoporosis and Weakened Skeletal Structure

Calcium deficiencies are usually associated with procedures that change the way the digestive tract absorbs nutrients. In some cases, a calcium deficiency may result in a stooped back and brittle bones. Medication is often required to prevent worsening symptoms. In some cases, patients who receive weight loss surgery may develop osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a permanent, potentially life-threatening bone disease that results in significant bone degeneration, leading to bones that are easily broken and fractured.

 

Long-Term Intolerance to Food

During the bariatric surgery recovery time, you may develop long-term nausea that causes intolerance to food. Some patients are unable to eat without vomiting or experiencing severe nausea. In some cases, hospitalization is required to avoid malnutrition, which is one of the most common and severe risks. This is one of the most uncomfortable long-term bariatric surgery risks, and there is no way to tell prior to surgery if it will happen to you. If this does happen post weight loss surgery, you will be required to be on medications that reduce nausea.

 

Weight Loss Surgery Alternatives

Weight loss surgery and a life long adherence to medications are not the only the options to live long and healthy life. Keep in mind medications and weight loss surgery provides a band-aid fix and doesn’t teach patients how to eat healthy naturally. In addition, many people have been down the weight loss path trying fad diets and weigh loss shakes that only work temporarily.

To achieve true weight loss success, you need to learn how to eat healthy, serving sizes, allow time and your plan must be personalized. Here at Solstice Health, we have helped hundreds of patients achieve weight loss success through our medical weight loss program. No medications, pills, or tricks. We work with our clients to understand what healthy food is, understand serving sizes, and form a healthy relationship with food for life. Our weight loss program is a 4-phase program which guides you through each weight loss phase, adjusting your eating to accomplish life long healthy eating and achieve your ideal weight. Here is a recent weight loss success client who lost 167 lbs. naturally.

bariatric surgery

 

Contact Solstice Health today to learn more about our weight loss program.

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Shari’s Weight Loss Success Story

weight loss success Milwaukee

Meet Shari, and her journey to weight loss success!

Shari started the Solstice Health weight loss program in January 2016 and lost 43 lbs and 12.9% of body fat. She saw a friend lose weight successfully on the program, and for some health reasons, thought she would try it. Shari had some consistent joint pain in her hips. A rheumatologist was treating her joint pain with medication. Through her weight loss success, Shari no longer needs her prescription medication and has had significant improvement in her hip pain.

Here are some weight loss program questions and answers Shari shared.

Q. How did you manage to stay “on track” throughout the program?

A. By measuring my weekly successes! I didn’t want to go backwards and sabotage myself. Weighing myself daily helped keep me focused and on track.

Q. What was the most difficult part of the weight loss program for you?

A. Having to temporarily”give up” dairy, basically milk and cheese. I knew that it would be phased back into my eating plan, so that help to stay on track.

Q. What was your favorite Ideal Protein Food?

A. The Vanilla Crispy Squares.

Q. Did this weight loss program fit into your lifestyle?

A. Yes, I have a very busy lifestyle and this program easily fit into my daily routine.

Q. What advice would you share for someone considering the Solstice Health weight loss program?

A. Do it! You will feel so much better! It is so much fun going shopping for new clothes. I love all the positive comments I hear from people who are amazed with the amount of weight I lost!

You can achieve weight loss success like Shari did! It is never too late to improve your health! If you are interested in achieving weight loss success, contact Solstice Health today for a Free weight loss consultation. Check out our FAQ about the Solstice Health Weight Loss Program. Take control of your health today.

At Solstice Health, we offer a comprehensive medical weight loss program that teaches participants how to achieve healthy, realistic goals. The Solstice Weight Loss Program focuses on eating and exercising properly to achieve lifelong, whole-body results. Patients who follow our program as prescribed have a 100% success rate and find a dramatic reduction in the incidence and severity of weight-related health conditions.

11,000 Pounds Lost and Counting

As we move into another new year offering medical weight loss programs founded on the Ideal Protein system, we’re proud of the huge achievements our participants have made. Not only have those participants who stuck with the Solstice Weight Loss Protocol lost an incredible amount of weight, they’re enjoying the benefits of having a sustainable, healthy lifestyle:  better body weight, better energy levels, and better health.

We congratulate all of our participants on the steps they’ve taken to take control of their health and improve their lives. And, we encourage anyone who is struggling with their weight or coping with the most common symptoms of metabolic syndrome (such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure) to learn about our program. It works, and we have the pounds to prove it!

Why Our Weight Loss Program Works

Unlike high protein diets that may work in the short term but rarely provide long-term benefits, our medically supervised weight loss program is a four-phase plan designed to meet the health and weight goals of each of our participants by providing the one-on-one coaching and nutritional education they need to achieve their goals and maintain healthy body weight.

Participants in our program can expect:

  • Quick weight loss that doesn’t sacrifice muscle mass
  • Nutritional education to understand how the body uses foods for energy and stores fat
  • A pancreatic “reset” that results in improved metabolic functioning
  • Diminished health problems related to blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure issues
  • Increased energy levels with fewer cravings

Because our protocol is based on sound science, participants who follow it as prescribed have a 100% success rate. It is, admittedly, incredible. More importantly, our protocol teaches participants how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for life. Our participants learn what refined sugar products and processed do to the body, why following an Ideal Protein diet based on organic, natural foods helps correct the many metabolic problems from which so many Americans suffer, and what lifestyle changes are needed to meet their goals.

At Solstice Health, we are committed to providing programs that provide lifelong benefits. To learn more about our medical weight loss programs, or direct primary care, call or visit our office today.

Ideal Protein

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Ideal Protein is nutrition on auto pilot. It was recently ranked by DietsInReview.com as the most popular weight loss program in 2015.

With Ideal Protein, we offer a medically developed natural weight loss protocol that gives dieters what they really need, a structured plan that empowers people with the knowledge to put an end to constant dieting.

Learn to eat smarter so that you can sustain a lifestyle that will assist you in achieving and maintaining better well being.

Dr. Murray’s 4 phase program will educate you on how your body packs on pounds and what you should be eating in order to maintain a stable weight.

Phase One – Primary weight loss phase – You will lose 100% of your weight loss goal during this Phase.

Phase Two – The amount of Ideal Protein products you consume will drop from 3 to 2, hence reducing the cost as you make progress.

Phase Three – Focus on weight stabilization and gradually reintroduce carbohydrates and healthy fats into your diet.

Phase Four – Apply the smarter eating education you have received from your personal weight loss coach.

Solstice Health members enjoy a weight loss program that is specifically tailored to their individual needs. Women lose on average 2-4 pounds per week while men lose on average 4-7 pounds per week, simply based on higher muscle mass.

With the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method, not only can you lose weight, but once you lose your excess pounds, you will experience improved health benefits. What are you waiting for? Contact us for more information today!