We at Transformations want you to achieve your weight loss goals, but we would also like to have a part in helping you achieve life goals, like living longer! Our program is designed to help you lose weight, but also to help you stay or become healthier. We hope this information is helpful.
Most chronic disease are due almost entirely to lifestyle factors. About 71% of colon cancer cases are avoidable, as are 82% heart disease cases & 91% of diabetes cases.
Excess weight greatly increases the risk of cancer, diabetes and hypertension. Just 20 pounds over ideal weight is 50% more likely to develop heart disease.
Increasing consumption of fruits & vegetables from two to five servings a day can reduce by 50% the risk of many cancers, including pancreatic, colorectal and endometrial cancers.
People who eat as little as two servings of fiber-rich whole grains daily can reduce their risk of stroke by 36%. Make sure you get 3 grams of fiber per serving. Look for cereals that have 5 grams or more.
Eliminate trans fats, often called “partially hydrogenated” (found in many margarines and commercially baked goods). Americans get an average of 3% of total calories from trans fats. If that percentage was cut to 1%, the risk of heart disease would be cut 50%!
Increase intake of mono-unsaturated fat (such as olive and peanut oil) and polyunsaturated fats (such as safflower, sunflower and soybean oil). Cut back on saturated fat and achieve drops in cholesterol that are comparable to those achieved by taking statin drugs!
(Statin Drugs: prescribed medication to lower cholesterol such as Lipitor, Lescol, Zocar, and Pravachol.)
Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! Studies have shown that even mild exercise such as walking for 30 minutes a day can increase life span by two to five years. Any kind of exercise, even working in the yard, is beneficial.
Don’t Smoke! Men who smoke a pack a day lose an average of 13 years of life, while women lose 14 years.
After stabilization of new weight, and while on maintenance, nuts added to the diet (counted as protein to keep the fat grams appropriate) can add years to your life. A nut rich diet (1/4 cup per day) can lower LDL Cholesterol by about ONE-THIRD..the same amount as some statin drugs. 1/3 cup of nuts = 1 ounce of meat
TO THE GOOD LIFE!!!