A study of Australian office workers in the journal Human Factors in 2009 found that people perform best at computer tasks when sitting. Standing reduced their work-rate slightly — while walking around while working had an even worse impact.

Asking staff to swap their chairs for stability balls does not help, either. These are designed to make people engage leg and back muscles constantly to stay upright.

However, a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene this year found that while 200 office workers who sat on stability balls for three months cut their levels of lower back pain by more than half, more than  45 per cent of staff reported that the balls had caused significant pain elsewhere with regular use.

Many people in the Far East feel comfortable in a squatting position with heels on the ground. But despite promising research on this in the Fifties by American academic Gordon Hewes, no one has seriously followed up the idea for say, office work or watching TV.

The problem for most Westerners is that years sitting in chairs or wearing high heels mean our Achilles tendons are not stretched long enough to put our heels flat on the ground when in a squat.

One bizarre solution may be a treadmill desk — a workspace unit with a computer built on to the frame of a treadmill. The belt on a standard model goes up to 4mph, though most users find 1-2mph works best, meaning they cover up to 40 miles a week.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2287673/Sitting-send-early-grave-Why-sofas-office-chair-carry-health-

Read more at the Daily Mail here.

Treadmill Wordstations are such a great idea. Now that we have had ours for awhile, let me tell you the reality of using it.
I do not use it every day now. I use it about 3 times a week for a few hours.
Sometimes I just stand. I am comfortable just standing too. I feel so much better by combining sitting, standing and some slow walking.
I don’t feel “trapped” in my chair anymore, and having a treadmill workstation in the room with you forces you to think about movement and changing it up.
To see how to build your own Treadmill Desk Workstation the frugal and inexpensive way click here.

Leave a comment! Do you use a treadmill desk? How do you “mix” it up when working online?
Any ideas to help others are great.

Here is a excerpt from the story that relates to treadmill workstations.

In a motion-tracking study, Dr. Levine found that obese subjects averaged only 1,500 daily movements and nearly 600 minutes sitting. In my trial with the magic underwear, I came out looking somewhat better — 2,234 individual movements and 367 minutes sitting. But I was still nowhere near the farm workers Dr. Levine has studied in Jamaica, who average 5,000 daily movements and only 300 minutes sitting.

Dr. Levine knows that we can’t all be farmers, so instead he is exploring ways for people to redesign their environments so that they encourage more movement. We visited a chairless first-grade classroom where the students spent part of each day crawling along mats labeled with vocabulary words and jumping between platforms while reciting math problems. We stopped by a human-resources staffing agency where many of the employees worked on the move at treadmill desks — a creation of Dr. Levine’s, later sold by a company called Steelcase.

In a motion-tracking study, Dr. Levine found that obese subjects averaged only 1,500 daily movements and nearly 600 minutes sitting. In my trial with the magic underwear, I came out looking somewhat better — 2,234 individual movements and 367 minutes sitting. But I was still nowhere near the farm workers Dr. Levine has studied in Jamaica, who average 5,000 daily movements and only 300 minutes sitting.

Dr. Levine knows that we can’t all be farmers, so instead he is exploring ways for people to redesign their environments so that they encourage more movement. We visited a chairless first-grade classroom where the students spent part of each day crawling along mats labeled with vocabulary words and jumping between platforms while reciting math problems. We stopped by a human-resources staffing agency where many of the employees worked on the move at treadmill desks — a creation of Dr. Levine’s, later sold by a company called Steelcase.

Dr. Levine was in a philosophical mood as we left the temp agency. For all of the hard science against sitting, he admits that his campaign against what he calls “the chair-based lifestyle” is not limited to simply a quest for better physical health. His is a war against inertia itself, which he believes sickens more than just our body. “Go into cubeland in a tightly controlled corporate environment and you immediately sense that there is a malaise about being tied behind a computer screen seated all day,” he said. “The soul of the nation is sapped, and now it’s time for the soul of the nation to rise.

Dr. Levine was in a philosophical mood as we left the temp agency. For all of the hard science against sitting, he admits that his campaign against what he calls “the chair-based lifestyle” is not limited to simply a quest for better physical health. His is a war against inertia itself, which he believes sickens more than just our body. “Go into cubeland in a tightly controlled corporate environment and you immediately sense that there is a malaise about being tied behind a computer screen seated all day,” he said. “The soul of the nation is sapped, and now it’s time for the soul of the nation to rise.

A treadmill can give you a regular aerobic workout that is personalized to your needs. You can easily regulate your speed, how long you exercise and how steep an incline you want to tread.

There are more advantages to these machines. Since you use them indoors, you avoid any safety and weather hazards outdoors. Their electronic screens tell you how many calories you are burning, how fast you are going and how much distance you are covering. Many treadmills even have preset programs to automatically vary speeds and incline levels.

Before you start any exercise program, like using a treadmill, you should check with your doctor. Another important fact to remember is: Don’t hold onto the handrails while you tread.

Gripping May Produce Pain

When you’re on a treadmill, you may think you need to hold on to keep from falling. Yet holding on may cause some painful problems.

Gripping handrails overstretches your back muscles and compresses your chest muscles. The result is a slumped posture. If you already stoop, holding on will worsen it. Holding on can also wrench the muscles and joints in your upper body when you grip the front bar and lean far forward, or hold on with only one hand. Your shoulder and hip joints may also over-rotate, which can lead to repetitive stress injuries.

Another reason to let go: Walking hands-off burns about 20 percent more calories, enabling better weight control and, therefore, lower risk of cancer and other diseases. Hands-free treading also avoids raising your blood pressure — which may occur if you grip tightly, especially at a fast speed (3.5 miles per hour or more).

________________________________________________

Tips for Treading Well

If you’re afraid you’ll lose your balance or get dizzy, slow your speed — to 2 mph, if necessary. Balancing is part of exercise and your body becomes more efficient only when challenged.

If the machine tells you to “hold on for heart rate” because it uses sensors when you grip, let go after checking your heart rate. If you’re holding on because “everybody else does it,” remember that popularity doesn’t make it right.

Holding on, when using the incline feature, causes your body to tilt back at the same angle, canceling out the slope effect. Leaning forward won’t correct this problem if you’re gripping, because you are, in effect, pulling yourself forward. Your arms act as anchors while your legs get a free ride, even if your speed and incline settings are set high.

Start out slowly and just let go. Pump your arms to keep them moving. Concentrate on correct posture. As your body adjusts to treading hands-free, you should increase the speed or incline over time to get a better workout.

(This article was provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. A registered dietician is available to respond to questions ab

Right now Oprah Winfrey just announced that she has gained much of her weight back.
After years of dieting and having her own people, like her chef Rosie, ( I have this book, and the recipes are very good!)



Even Oprah, with all that money and resources has gained back part of her weight and struggles to keep it off. She even has her own trainer!

The problem or I should say challenge with losing weight and keeping it off, is you literally have to change what you do and that involves changing habits. One of the hardest things for us humans to do.

So lets start with just some basic ideas to help change a few of your habits in the New Year.

You can start your treadmill, or exercise bike, or just walking around your neighborhood.
These are easy and frugal ways to start changing habits and patterns you may have developed over the years.
A few ideas to jump start your New Year weight loss program are things like:

• Parking further away when you go out.
• Take the stairs instead of an elevator.
• Try to get out and do some yardwork for 20 minutes.
• Call a friend and start walking together, even if it is just once a week.

You can nurture your friendship and start your journey to fitness at the same time. Just remember, we did not get this extra weight overnight, and we will not lose it overnight either.

A few more behavioral tips to help you are:

1. Put down your fork between bites.

2. Drink a glass of water before you start eating.

(did you know that many times when you feel hungry, your body is actually telling you that it needs
some water?)

3. Eat half your meal, stop, and save the rest for later. ( I do this with large meals and I am amazed how mentally it helps me, and also saves me calories, since I usually only eat the 2nd half later rather then an entire new meal)

4. Eat slower, let your food “hit bottom”

5. Do NOT eat in front of the TV or computer. (this is really hard for me!)
Make your meal a time of peace and quiet and focus on your food. Many of us eat without thought.
We eat to feel better and distract ourself from our feelings.

6. Keep a food journal, ( another thing I always start but never stick too!)
Studies have proven people who wrote everything down, ate less and had better success at changing
their eating habits. I have been using fitday for years , it is free and I can look back at the last 7 New Years and see the same 10 pound resolution I have made all this time in my online journal there.

Hang in there, stay positive and remember, you only have one life and you can change and make it what it you want to be. Just start small, and keep building up positive actions, one small thing at a time. Try to make just a few changes, and pat yourself on the back as you make them.
Be proud of yourself for each step you make towards change. Change is hard and a lifetime of habits takes time to undo. It seems women especially are so hard on themselves. Please start your day off with some positive affirmations about yourself and what you want out of the day. This can change your whole day. Take that time for yourself, you need it. Best of luck and Happy New Year!

I will go and see the doctor and confirm this. In the meantime I read a fascinating idea for a treatment that they have used with success in foreign prisons. Cold water. Yes that is correct, they found a glass of cold water alleviated the pain within 30 min and also helped heal the ulcers. I am so gonna try that!
Update- Good news , it seems to have gone away. I wonder what that was, it lasted for two days and was horrible sharp pain about 3 inches up from the belly button area. Anyone have that? Is it trapped gas or something. It just seems like 48 hours is a long time to have it. I had no other symptoms other then very sharp stabbing pains.

Jolly food that gives ulcers

The holidays don’t have to wreck all of your weight loss progress. Sure there are temptations around every corner but you can tackle them with a few sure-fire strategies. Here are some tips to keep you on track during the holidays so you can enjoy and still manage your weight.
1. Choose what you love.
When it comes to holiday parties there are often many not so healthy food choices. Don’t eat food just because it’s there and don’t feel like you have to restrict yourself from eating things you enjoy. Find some balance. Pick one or two foods you absolutely love and fill the rest of your plate up with healthy salads, vegetables, and lean meats.
2. Baking Traditions.
Don’t feel like you have to give up your time honored family holiday recipes. Bake enough for a few days for your family and give the rest away for gifts to your friends and neighbors. This way you won’t be tempted with these wonderful baked goods for weeks.
3. Don’t Arrive Hungry.
So many parties and so many wonderful dishes and desserts. Arriving to a party hungry can lead you to eat too much. Eat a high protein snack before your holiday get together to avoid feeling starving when you sit down to eat. This will help you to avoid overeating once the food arrives.
4. Watch the Alcohol.
Between work, friends, and family, there are several holiday parties to attend which for many people means more alcoholic beverages. Holiday mixed drinks can pack an enormous amount of calories. One cup of hot buttered rum can cost you 400 calories while traditional eggnog can add 350 calories. Not to mention, alcohol can slow down fat metabolism leading you to store more calories than burn them. Limiting the alcohol this season can help you to keep your weight management goals on target.
5. Get Some Activity.
You know you will be indulging a bit more than you usually do so getting some activity will go a long way to burn off some of those extra calories. Go for a daily walk, go to the gym, or take an exercise class during this time of year to help you balance your energy intake (calories) with your physical activity.
6. Get Back to Your Healthy Habits.
According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the average weight gain of the study’s participants from Thanksgiving to New Year’s was less than one pound. The weight increase is not dramatic like many people would think; however, what is important is that the participants did not reverse their slight weight gain during the following months. This goes to show how important it is to keep your focus during and after the holidays. It is not a time to let go of all the healthy changes you have made but instead, a time to find balance. Stay on track during and after the holidays instead of slipping into old patterns.
© 2005, Meri Raffetto

Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She specializes in weight management and cardiovascular nutrition and offers online programs to help people reach their weight loss and health goals. For more information or to sign up for a free newsletter visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com.

Ali Vincent- First female to win biggest loser! 112 pounds gone

I find this to be a real bummer since I really do not enjoy exercise. I love to get out and do things, like water ski, camping, snow skiing, riding a bike, ( if only I did not live on such steep hills, so that is out).
But planned daily exercise is so boring to me. I have joined so many health clubs and got stuck with paying monthly fees long after I stopped going.



I have tried Atkins, The Cabbage Diet, Fasting, Super Low Calorie Diets, and the Zone and this and that
but I can never stick to it. I have wanted to lose 10 pounds for about 20 years now!
I have seem people who try Weight Watchers do very well, until they stop. Then it seems to be like all the other diets and quite frankly my schedule is so packed I do not have time for yet another weekly meeting.

I would like to hear some stories from you guys, my readers on what is working for you.
I will publish your stories on this blog, as long as you are not hawking a product, other then your own
website or blog.

Please fill out this quick assessment and I will write about the results and publish some of your very own tips!

I look forward to hearing from you soon.