One simple test predicts life span

Are you active in middle age and beyond? Here’s interesting health news you probably haven’t heard. How easy a middle-aged person or older person can get up off the floor from a seated position can determine their chances for living a long life, according to a study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

What the ‘sit test’ found

In the study, people who needed extra help (hands, knees, etc.) in getting up from the floor had a 21% lower chance of survival over a six-year trial. Those who scored higher in the test (needed less help and were able to get up easier) had more than 5 times the survival rate than those who scored lowest (needed the most help getting up from the floor).

Although the test scores were lower among older individuals as to be expected, the low score and high mortality rate were still found to be true, even when results were adjusted for age, sex and BMI.

Physical Activity

The study did not control the study for physical activity patterns, but it’s always a good idea to be physically active no matter your age. Staying active and exercising regularly, even mild exercise such as walking, has been proven to improve your health and help you lose weight.

Need Help Losing Weight?

If you have any questions or concerns about your own health and need to be pointed in the right direction in order to lose weight, Call or visit Dr Aron Medical Weight Loss Center at WeightLossNYC.com.

Your first appointment with Dr. Aron can get you started on a weight loss plan that works. Lose up to 10 to 20 pounds a month or more. Start today - 718-491-5525

Facts not Fads

Some fad diets are low-carb or involve cutting out carbs entirely. That’s not exactly healthy, though, according to doctors. In fact, our diet must contain some carbs in order to get enough nutrients daily.

Carbohydrates are necessary for your body to obtain quick energy, while healthy fats and proteins are more of a long-term fuel source. Carbs are typically about 50 to 60 percent of your daily diet to get enough calories, nutrients and energy to your body, though with medical weight loss programs this value may vary.

Simple? or Complex?

Your carb intake should include healthy complex carbs, which take longer for your body to break down compared to simple carbs. Also, complex carbs give your body a nice, steady flow of energy. Simple carbs, on the other hand, cause you to experience energy peaks and crashes.

Whole Foods, Whole Fiber

Popular examples of carb sources include:

• whole-grain breads
• whole-grain or lentil/chickpea pasta
• barley, bulgur, buckwheat, quinoa, oats
• brown rice, faro
• whole fruits and berries
• vegetables
• beans, lentils, legumes

Read the Labels

Remember to read food labels to verify whole grain versions of these items, or better yet, preparing fresh whole grains and produce at home.

So, eat your healthy carbs--incorporating them into your healthy meals along with good proteins to reduce insulin spikes and hunger crashes--for a well-rounded diet. Be sure not to load up on too many carbs, though, which will cause you to gain weight. As with everything else, balance is the key here.

Need More help?

Still confused on what a healthy carb is, or how many carbs are healthy or unhealthy? Make an appointment with Dr. Oksana Aron today to discuss a healthy, weight loss plan by calling 718-491-5525, or booking online via WeightLossNYC.com

Women and Weight Gain

For women, weight gain happens throughout all life stages, but each stage contains its own set of reasons and risk factors. Review here--from puberty through menopause--how and why women may gain weight, and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage to keep off the weight.

Puberty

Teenage weight gain: Start healthy habits early

• The earlier a girl starts puberty, the more likely she is to be overweight or obese as an adult. If she starts her period before age 11, she is likely to weight between 9 and 11 pounds more than another woman who started hers after age 14. Additionally, as many as 26 percent of women who started puberty early were considered obese by age 30 compared with 15 percent of the other women.

• It’s difficult to imagine weight gain as a problem during childhood, but the childhood obesity epidemic proves this is an important time to start healthy diet and exercise habits that will last throughout the child’s adult life. It’s never too early to start. In fact, the earlier you start your child on a road to healthy living, the better!

Pregnancy

Healthy habits during pregnancy help post-partum weight loss

• Weight gain is expected during pregnancy, but you still have to proceed with caution and be careful not to gain an excessive amount of weight. Gaining 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy is usually the goal. Typically, a pregnant woman will gain 2 to 4 pounds in the first trimester, then 1 pound per week after that, but it depends on the woman’s pre-pregnancy weight because 1 pound per week may be too much for some. Your doctor will give you guidance on what your ideal weight during pregnancy should be.

• After pregnancy, many women’s bodies will hold on to 5 pounds of that gained weight, which may never be shed, but they generally will lose about 10 pounds immediately following delivery. They can lose 5 pounds a month in the next couple of months depending on the following factors: breastfeeding, diet and exercise level. By staying active, getting exercise, eating a healthy diet and breastfeeding, you can lose weight faster and easier.

Menopause

Hormonal changes contribute to weight gain

• Two-thirds of women are overweight by the time they reach their 50s. A drop in estrogen production is a possible cause, which causes the body to store fat, making weight loss more difficult.

• Weight loss can be more challenging for women after menopause, so it’s important to seek the help of your doctor to ensure you’re getting proper nutrition, exercise and remain in overall good health. By doing all of the above, you’re increasing your chance of maintaining a healthy weight and leading a healthier, happier life.

Fast Weight Loss help is here

Find answers to your questions on weight loss, weight control, nutrition and more, by visiting Dr. Aron at WeightLossNYC.com; or call to schedule your first appointment with Dr. Aron today at 718-491-5525 and learn new skills for weight loss success today.

The Hunger Game

Our bodies are made of complex systems that constantly control and self-regulate countless aspects including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and hunger…

Ghrelin: from the acronym GHR (“growth hormone-releasing peptide”) +‎ -lin (common hormone suffix), with an incidental pun on prefix greh- (“to grow”) and English growling.[1]

Energy and Hunger Management

As we have blogged before, ghrelin is a powerful protein that our bodies use to signal hunger to the brain, a naturally produced hormone which we can indirectly affect by application of some good habits.

• The One Easiest Weight Loss Tip Ever
• How Fatty Foods Drive Hunger
• Sweet Dreams of Weight Loss Come True

Medical weight loss addresses the hunger factor to help you reduce cravings and shed weight naturally by the body’s natural pathways. The benefits of losing weight may be obvious, yet worth considering some of the less familiar aspects as well.

• The Difference Losing 20 Pounds Makes
• Can Your Daily Schedule Cause Obesity?
• Lose Weight for your Wedding Day
• Health Benefits of Losing Weight

Manage Your Weight, Improve Your Health

You can discover how easy it can be to lose weight with physician supervision. Dr Aron is a bariatric physician — medical specialist in the field of weight loss.

Contact her office to schedule an appointment or Visit online at WeightLossNYC.com