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Stretching Counts from the Admiral "When I initially started stretching, I was at a loss about what movements to do other than the OARS stretches. Since then I've learned about several stretch movements and want to share them with you." Stretching counts as exercise because of the many fitness benefits reaped by properly stretching. All stretching should be done slowly while breathing deeply -- no bouncing. Here are some key benefits of stretching; increasing your flexibility: REDUCE TENSION IN MUSCLES & HELPS MUSCLES RELAX -Many studies have shown that increased flexibility can significantly reduce aches throughout the body - an issue that is significantly on the rise with today's sedentary lifestyles! IMPROVE FLOW OF OXYGEN AND INTAKE OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS -Stretching allows the muscles to relax. Muscles that are instead always tense tend to cut off their own circulation, which can result in lack of oxygen and nutrients HELP REDUCE AND MANAGE STRESS -With flexibility comes a significant reduction in the "tension" in your body - you will feel significantly less stressed, which is essential as stress is a leading contributor to chronic diseases. IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE-Stretching your lower back, shoulders and chest properly helps to align your back and improve your posture - with the prevalence of jobs confining people to desks or standing and leaning much of the day, this is also crucial. PROVIDE BETTER BLOOD CIRCULATION -The act of stretching increases blood supply to muscles and joints, improving blood circulation throughout the entire body. SLOW THE DEGENERATION OF YOUR JOINTS -Stretching helps to increase your range of motion and may slow the degeneration of joints. HELP TO ELIMINATE OR AVOID LOW BACK PAIN -Flexibility in the hips, hamstrings, and pelvic muscles helps to remove stress from your spine that causes the lower back pain. HELP TO ELIMINATE PAINS FROM STRESS ON MUSCLES - Streching makes muscles flexible and loose, reducing the shortening and tightening effect from working your muscles hard … and the associated aches and pains from it. IMPROVE CLARITY AND FOCUS - For many of the reasons noted above, such as improved blood and oxygen circulation and reduced body tension, you will experience greater mental clarity and focus with stretching. MAY REDUCE YOUR RISK OF INJURY -Flexible muscles are not as likely to become injured from extended movements. Studies conflict on whether stretching before exercise is truly beneficial, but most fitness and sports organizations recommend pre- and post-exercise stretching. For additional information -- Google: Stretching Exercises The following stretching movements, when done slowly, will more than fill up two 15 minute stretch sessions! Enjoy!

 

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Quote from http://community.ediets.com/go/thread/view/88133/25932313/Ship_Shapers_LO_120_Chat_1

Plateau

I am still at a plateau but feeling better about it. I have decided I am at a stand still because I have a few items to address before I can continue.

1. 
   
   
   

   I moved in to my new house in November and I still have not put everything away. http://bit.ly/ba3rMg

2. 
   
   
   

   I need to take responsibility for my time. I have spent way to much time wasting it. I am setting up a routine schedule for myself including bedtime, eating, exercising, school, work, and ME time.

3. 
   
   
   

   I have too stressed about finances. I am going to retake control of them, I have done it before, I can do it again only better this time.

4. 
   
   
   

   I have not cared what I look like: I bought myself some new mascara and I am making a point of wearing it and looking in the mirror and seeing how good I look.

“dirty” or tainted foods.

[quote author=9677539 post=464521653 on www.ediets.com]
Food demands, commercial profit, lifestyle and the need for eye pleasing groceries have contributed to what I call “dirty” or tainted foods. By this I mean, foods that evolve from their natural state with more or less than their g-d given characteristics. Here is a list of the top 7 ways foods become “dirty” are:

1. Preservatives to reduce spoilage and increase the time the food can sit in the shelf.
2. Waste disposal in the water causing toxic pollutants (PCB’s, mercury)
3. Antibiotics to keep livestock healthy and free from illness that would prevent its meat from being sold and fatten them up to increase profits
4. Artificial colors/flavors to make produce look fresh or to give candy etc… a particular appearance or flavor
5. Pesticides to keep produce safe from insects
6. Growth hormones to increase the size of meat
7. Man-made sweetners and other products that alter the calorie or nutrient content of a product

These “dirty” additives that have invaded our food supply can affect us in a variety of different ways ranging from cancer and certain areas of the brain that affect weight control, hormonal imbalances and an increase susceptibility of suffering from food borne-illness.
Consider that conventional farmers used more than 400 chemicals to kill weeds, insects, and pests that attack crops. Fruits and vegetables are washed many times before they reach the supermarket, but, tests show that these pesticide residues linger. Researchers who have tested various types of grocery store produce have determined that between 1 and 17 percent of the original pesticide residue remains on produce. These residues can be harmful to your health and may interfere with your metabolism.
It’s important to choose “clean” foods. Clean foods can be organic or free-range, grass fed, hormone and antibiotic free or natural vs. artificial.  For instance, animals allowed to graze on grass, bushes, and other natural dietary staples produce meat that is higher in healthful fats. Eggs and consumable meat from free range chickens that eat bugs (vs. soy or grain) and other natural foods tend to be higher in the heart and metabolism healthy omega 3 fatty acids than eggs from factory raised hens fed a diet rich in soy and confined to cages.
Organically raised animals are also less likely to ingest foods laced with pesticides, and therefore less likely to have pesticide residues in their meat. They are generally free from antibiotic residues and have not been subjected to hormone injections.
You may find it interesting to know for example that conventional farmers used more than 400 chemicals to kill weeds, insects, and pests that attack crops. Fruits and vegetables are washed many times before they reach the supermarket, but, tests show that these pesticide residues linger. Researchers who have tested various types of grocery store produce have determined that between 1 and 17 percent of the original pesticide residue remains on produce.
In my book, The Stubborn Fat Fix, I have already done the research and sleuthing for you, and have identified brands of foods like bread, crackers, chocolate and other foods that are free from high fructose corn syrup, soy, and other unnatural additives and teach you how to read labels in order to reduce your exposure to “dirty” foods. Our meeting will highlight these tools.
Broadening your awareness of your food supply can be an important success factor on your path to weight loss. Let’s discuss various ways to identify and reduce the amount of “dirty food” we ingest and learn how to eat as “clean” as possible.
Valerie Berkowitz, MS, RD, CDE, CDN is co-author of “The Stubborn Fat Fix” and Nutrition Director for The Center for Balanced Health. She is certified as a lifestyle counselor and certified by the American Dietetic Association in adult weight management.  Valerie has been practicing for over 20 years and for a few of those years moderated eDiets online communities. Her specialty is helping people recognize underlying reasons that weight loss may be more difficult than it has to be. Valerie is the mother of three children, soon to be four, and strives to make eating a balanced and fun experience for everyone.
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The journey

180lbs

I used to be skinny. When I say skinny you have to picture a 5'10" Blond with her hair looking like a lions mane with blue eyes wearing spandex with about 17% body fat at 145 lbs. The next thing you would have noticed is that I had a 44 inch chest. Next that my waist was only 24 inches followed by hips of 35 inches. However, that all changed in 1990 when I developed Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Literally in one week I gained 20 lbs. I was severely depressed to the point that if I had not had a 2 year old I would have committed suicide. I did go to a psychiatrist who took my pulse (45) and asked me a series of questions like was I cold all the time? (yes). Did I find a lot of hair in the shower after I washed it? (yes) Was I tired all the time?(yes) Was I constipated? (yes) Did I have trouble concentrating? (yes) Did I have unusual aches and pains or muscle cramps? (yes) He proceeded to tell me I was not depressed but I did have clinical hypothyroidism and started me on thyroid medication.

The medication did help my symptoms but the weight I had gained stayed. I was now 165 lbs and felt so fat that I even stopped dating. Three years later I met a man that did not seem to care that I was fat. Unfortunately, I settle for him as I did not think anyone else would want me. We had 2 sons together and when all was said and done I was up to 190 lbs. Turns out he was really not a nice man. For the sake of my kids I kicked him out in 2002 and have been happy ever since. 

In 2003 I met another man who did not seem to care about my weight. Only thing is this time with the internet I found there were lots of men that really did not care about my weight. We dated, moved in together and were living happily. I started not feeling well in about 2006 and found out that I had developed Pre-diabetes.
I was now up to 213 lbs and my cholesterol was quite elevated. My Triglycerides were 600. My doctor told me I was a walking heart attack waiting to happen. I got motivated. I read up on my diagnosis and found out that if I could lose even 10% of my weight I could prevent becoming a Diabetic. Since both of my parents are diabetic I knew I had to work had at preventing myself from developing Diabetes. That is when I found the Glucomenu. I followed their menu to the letter. I lost 35 lbs in about 4 months. Unfortunately at that point my boyfriend got really sick and was hospitalized for 14 days. While he was in the hospital I went back to eating the old way and never went back to eating right. Slowly, the weight began creeping back on.
 .
We were married on June 22, 2009 and I was at 192 lbs. By May of 2010 I was up to 209 lbs and I knew I had to act. You see I was feeling like I had when I was up to 213 lbs. So I went back on the glucomenu diet that had worked so well for me in the past. I started losing weight but I also had days when I could not make myself stay away from the bad habits I had formed over the years. Then I found E-diets and the support I needed to help me be successful. I joined the Life's Odyssey challenge on their site and found a wonderful group of people going through the same things I have. They give me advice when I hit a road block and I do the same for them. I am currently down to 179.5 lbs and I have 29 lbs to go to meet my goal.

204lbs

Stay tuned for more of my journey.