So, in the past month I started looking for a new passion, a new way in which I can help people and still feel motivated.  I had quite a few ideas but the one that finally stuck was one which popped into my head at random while strolling through New York.  As some of you know, I’ve always disliked the fashion industry for fostering an unrealistic and unhealthy body image for men and women.  The various magazines and websites out there show you pictures of people who are impossibly thin, have a dozen people to do their hair and makeup, wear outfits that are professionally assembled and use an army of photoshop artists.  Then they tell you to do the impossible and imitate the way they look.  At the same time, I do enjoy dressing well and I like seeing other people looking good.  So it occurred to me, why not show the world that it’s possible to look fashionable without going to the extremes that the fashion industry tells us to go to?

And thus, Look A Day was born.  Look A Day is my way of telling people “you can look great even if you’re not a fashion model”.  I know, it’s a very different idea than 60 in 3, but for me, it’s all part of the same idea, a way to show people that being healthy is not out of their reach.  Looking beautiful is not impossible.  So if you like the idea, join me over there.  I will be posting a new “look” every day, and yes, while the site currently has only women, I am planning to add men too.  If really like the idea, feel free to share it with friends, Digg it, stumbleupon it or any other way in which you can help spread the word.  And if you don’t like the idea, stay tuned.  60 in 3 is going on a short hiatus, but it will be back in a somewhat different form in a month or two.

Thank you all for being with me through this journey and I hope you stick with me as I take my next step.

So let’s see how fast I can create this article with a few interesting posts from around the web.

From Science News we have this article which discusses how calorie restriction seems to extend the lives of monkeys.  Makes sense to me if you think about how we evolved.  I doubt our ancient ancestors managed to get enough to eat every day, so it seems logical that our bodies are meant to thrive on a diet of limited calories.
@Science News

Here’s a good one from Forbes for you parents out there.  It discusses the ability or inability of parents to influence the diets and healthy habits of their children.  Looks like parents have less influence than we think, although certainly not zero.
@Forbes

Is cane sugar better than high fructose corn syrup?  Is maple sugar better than either? You’ll hear many folks making the argument that one type of sugar is better than the other or is more “natural”.  This article from the Chicago Tribune sheds some light on this topic.  My take?  They’re all bad for you.  Focus on foods with less processed sugar of all kinds and you’ll be better off.
@The Chicago Tribune

And let’s finish this up with an interview with my favorite author, Michael Pollan.  Professor Pollan discusses the recent movie Food, Inc and the impact of our modern meat production industry.  If you haven’t seen the movie or read Pollan’s books, I recommend you do so.  You’ll never look at a hamburger the same way again.
@Newsweek

9. WORST ENERGY DRINK

Rockstar Original (16-ounce can)

• 280 calories
• 0 g fat
• 62 g sugars

And this one:

7. WORST HOT CHOCOLATE

Starbucks Venti 2% Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate (20 ounces)

• 760 calories
• 37 g fat (22 g saturated)
• 85 g sugars
• 380 mg sodium

That’s right folks, start your day off right with 760 calories of fat and sugar!  That’s about three McDonald’s cheeseburgers by the way.  Or how about Rockstar energy drink?  280 calories of sugar in that one.  Sure, it will perk you up for a few minutes but is that really worth it?

The article goes on to suggest some alternative drinks in each of these categories but I still stand by my usual assertion which is, drink water!  There’s nothing better than water.

Full article can be found here.

• Crazy diets which involve ridiculous eating plans
• Insane exercise plans which are clearly unsustainable
• Popping pills which either do nothing or artificially change your metabolism
• Smoking cigarettes (Yes, I actually know someone who doesn’t want to quit smoking because she’s afraid she’ll gain weight).
• Surgery
  • Liposuction, a procedure where they literally poke a hole in you and then vacuum out fatty tissues
  • Stomach stapling, a procedure which restricts your eating

And now, here’s a new article from Forbes.com showing two new ways in which our wonderful diet industry is going to help you in years to come.  First we have:

researchers inserted a molecular shunt into the liver cells of 94 mice

That sounds promising, doesn’t it?  Luckily, the researcher adds,

Still, genetic engineering has not yet been used to successfully treat people, so any anti-obesity treatments using molecular shunts are years away, Liao said.

And next we have:

researchers added leptin receptors to a particular type of neuron (pro-opiomelanocortin neurons) in the hypothalamus of the mice’s brains

Really?  Is this the future of weight loss?  Genetic engineering and brain modification?  I’m sorry, I know we all want the easy answer, we all want that magic bullet that will make us thin and healthy without any of the effort.  A pill or a treatment that will enable us to eat all the ice cream we want while still having six pack abs.  I know, I understand, I want it too.  Unfortunately, the best, safest and healthiest ways to lose weight and stay fit are still:

• Eat healthy
• Eat in moderation
• Be physically active

No need for pills, surgery, genetic engineering or brain surgery.  Just those three things.  It’s a secret that everyone knows but refuses to admit.  Eat less junk food, eat more veggies, move around more.  Nothing else is needed.  No, it won’t work in 3 days and no it won’t work without a bit of effort and sacrifice on your part, but it will make you healthy without the associated risks of the procedures described above.

So if you’re thinking about any of the procedures above, do me a favor.  Try to do the following three things first.  Try them for just a month and see how you feel.

1. Find something in your eating habits that you can cut out.  It could be the double latte in the morning or the late evening candy bar.  Whatever it is, identify something unhealthy and cut it out completely.
2. Add one serving of vegetables to your diet.  Healthy vegetables, like tomatoes, spinach, cucumbers, peppers and so on.  Eat them raw if possible.
3. Commit to 30 minutes of walking a day.  No excuses, no canceling on account of rain.  Just get out there and walk.

Make it your very own 30 day challenge.  If you can do this then you can lose the weight in a natural and healthy way.  Sure, it may take a bit longer than stomach stapling but at least you won’t have to go through surgery!  And if you can’t do this for 30 days, then I apologize but you don’t need stomach surgery or genetic engineering, you need a life change and a motivation boost.  I just hope you get it before it gets you.

###

If you’re interested, here’s the article.  Also, note the ending:

“Until we get a very clear understanding of the way that all of these compounds work together, we need to accept the fact that diet and exercise is the only well-proven, safe, side effect-free approach to weight and glucose control,” Weiss said.”

And with that, here are some articles I found useful:

From WebMD, here are 6 mistakes smart people make when dealing with health.  Good list, and #6 is especially important for weekends like the 4ht of July.
@WebMD

From Zen Habits we have an article on the simple fitness rules.  You’ve heard these before but I really like Leo’s take on this.  Yes, it really is this simple.
@Zen Habits

I usually post about people who go from fat to fit.  Well, here’s an article about the opposite, a super fit person who chose to go fat as an experiment. Not sure how smart or even real this is, but it sure is a fun read.
@The Daily Mail

And, for those of you who are wondering, this is why you’re fat!
@This Is Why You’re Fat

Being healthy will lead to MORE and BETTER sex!

Got it?!?!  Does that get your attention?!?!  Good, now let’s listen to the expert.

Today’s guest post is brought to you by NYC fitness expert Jennifer Cassetty who took some time away from her busy schedule to answer a few of my questions.

Does a healthy lifestyle improve sex for both men and women?

• Yes - Studies have indicated that everything you do in life is all connected. A healthy lifestyle and regular exercise can rev up hormones, relieve stress, reduce fat and reenergize the body.  That helps increase blood flow to the certain body parts, priming men and women for a better sexual performance.

How does a healthy lifestyle improve sex for men?

• Exercise and living a healthy lifestyle, in general, can pique desire for couples and make relationships more enjoyable. The results of exercising can be one of the best gifts for yourself and your partner. It builds confidence because you physically look better and you have the energy to perform with your partner.
• For men specifically, eating right and staying active increases blood flow to that certain body part, reducing the chances of being impotent in the bedroom.
• Adding exercise adds confidence that you need to take charge and satisfy your partner. Women like men that exude that semi-aggressive trait that turn women on. In order to do that without being too cheesy, you need confidence. Having a physically fit body gives you that needed confidence some may lack.

How does a healthy lifestyle improve sex for women?

• For women, living a healthier lifestyle improves sex tremendously for them. When you take care of your body (can apply to men as well), you heal faster and with the addition of sex, it can increase speed cell repair and regeneration.
• An extra benefit of having a healthy lifestyle and active sex life is that you will have fewer migraines. Healthier women have sex more often because it actually eases headaches, says Randolph W. Evans, M.D., clinical professor of neurology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. (Gal’s note - I find this amusing for some reason)

Does sex count as exercise?

• Yes! Having sex allows you to burn calories, reduce stress and increase your energy. Be adventurous and try different positions with your partner. Depending on your position and endurance, you can tone your glutes, abs and triceps. For more information on which positions can tone your body (or which exercises enhance your performance), you can contact me by visiting www.jennifercassetty.com.

Other than the names, do the exercises you mention have specific benefits on sexual performance or pleasure?

• It all depends on the body type. The exercises I provided were general and could be used by just about anyone (after approval from your doctor). To get a specific work out designed for your body type, feel free to contact me, and I’ll be more than happy to design one.

Are there foods you recommend to people looking to improve their libido and sexual appetites / performance?

• There are plenty of foods that are both healthy and improves sexual appetite. For instance, bananas are tasty and have a marvelous phallic shape that reminds us of something special. Bananas have potassium that helps with your sex drive.
• Chocolate was once referred to by the Aztecs as “nourishment of the Gods”. Chocolate contains antioxidants that help in reducing the risk of cancer.
• Ginger should also be used more in meals. It is a stimulant to the circulatory system. Perhaps a stir-fry with freshly grated ginger can stir something spicy up in the bedroom later.
• A glass or two of wine can greatly enhance a romantic interlude. Wine relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses. Drinking wine can be an erotic experience. Let your eyes feast on the color of the liquid. Caress the glass, savor the taste on your lips.

Do these tips apply to people of all ages? Even seniors?

• Yes – they are for every age group, however, I strongly recommend you consult with your doctor before beginning any new lifestyle change and exercise routine.