I myself feel Pippa Shey is the best candidate for this public vote as she helped me change my life when I thought nothing or no one could, not even myself!

I don’t know if that’s really possible. It does clearly mean our emotions are directly related to those hormones and release of them.

Perhaps that’s why animal owners are a little more chilled.

Thanks for your comment!

I cant actually take responsibility for the hug coupon, that was Sue Baldwin’s creation from the Yoga Room in Witney. And true to her word, she gave me a nice big hug yesterday

Not sure I could make it to 12 a day, but I guess there’s a challenge for me

The research I read did not specify that the porridge had to be oats porridge; all my life, I have enjoyed porridge made variously from oats, wheat, maize (corn) and sorghum. Yum yum!

This means that I only use ‘real’ ingredients, and that causes problems as produce is expensive. Chemicals are relatively cheap and inexpensive, additives and flavour enhancers can bulk out flavours, but people don’t want them. But the real test is when you ask them to pay for a product that doesn’t contain them, and generally this is the point that you see them change their minds or put their mmdw where their mouth is (pun intended). Honestly, some people are fickle, some aren’t but the retailers and restaurants don’t believe that there are enough out there to make a product such as mine profitable to them.

The irony is that it can be, and indeed IS profitable to stock a product such as mine, and others, but you the consumer have to tell the retailer/restaurant that that is what you want – it is the consumer who holds all the cards.

However, the important thing is that your body gets most of its energy from oxygen (so breathe well, from your stomach); more energy from water (so drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise); and from good quality food.

Good quality food includes fruit, vegetables, pulses, carbohydrates (unrefined, so avoid white pasta, white rice, white bread), nuts, and small amounts of fish and chicken. But, as I said, see a dietary expert, who can tailor your diet to your particular needs.

To answer your question: Your body will tell you when it is hungry. Learn to listen to it, feed it when it is hungry, and stop when it is no longer hungry.

So what’s the best thing to do? Exercise and eat as you normally would? Or make sure you eat more protein? Or do weight exercise as well as aerobic to regain the muscle you would lose?

Thanks.

I am experimenting with cheaper cuts of meat, using more local produce i.e. veg, fruit etc where possible to create dishes that are healthy and inexpensive. I have changed all of my cooking to produce gluten free, dairy free unless the recipe needs non-gluten free flour etc. So all of my dishes are typically cooked using cold pressed oils (rapeseed or sunflower) which are high in Omega 3 etc. I am also looking at a range of dishes that would support a lower cholesterol diet.

With care and time selecting good quality ingredients that do not cost a fortune and provide nutrition and support a healthy diet become part of a routine. But it has to be in conjunction with exercise to ensure that the body balances calories in and out.

With the cost of transporting food and the cost of growing food increasing we are going to be forced into looking more locally for our food and returning to the more seasonal foods as well. This will impact cost and availability of ingredients. What we should be looking for in sustainable food sources – veg, meat etc. As these are closer to home the costs should decrease and with the quality of the produce the cost per person/weight is likely to be cheaper than a similar product flown in from 5000 miles away.

If people are minded to demand cheaper but healthier food the retailers will respond, which will take time. I understand that the convenience of getting a frozen ready meal out of the cabinet is tempting and so much easier. In the meantime, education and building confidence in food and how to prepare and cook it, I believe, will enable people to make that enlightened choice about the food they buy.

Paul
TheLateChef

Also, I think it is important to consider not only who you ARE involving in your workout routine, but also who you AREN’T. I have a “friend” who always manages to nay-say. I’d say, “I’m looking forward to dropping 20 pounds.” Her response is “Well I have 70 to drop. Like that’s going to happen.” It took me awhile to realize that she was always shooting down every positive change I brought up, although not directly. So now I don’t talk to her about my fitness! I just do it! Don’t let anyone drag down your plans.

Here’s to a healthier life . . .

Followed you! Though I must admit I felt my chances worsen when I noticed you had several thousand followers! Still – here’s hoping. : )

Thanks!

Pete @ Pure FX

I think I might just buy this! I’ve been eating 8-10 fruit and vegetables a day for around 4 years, and ever since I started I’ve had a feeling of physical wellness. I physically feel good! It’d be nice to read something of the science behind that.

Thanks!

Pete @ Pure FX

You’re right. I think this is about the single most significant thing that can be done to encourage healthy eating. But then if cheap healthy food were profitable it’d already be available in supermarkets. Hmm. If it comes down to the Coalition versus the supermarkets I’m not sure I’d like to guess which one’ll come out tops.

Thanks!

Pete @ Pure FX

Hmm. I’m not sure studies like this are that persuasive in changing people’s minds. Everyone knows that eating fruits and vegetables is healthy, and I doubt another piece of evidence proving the point will change anyone’s attitude. That said I suppose the study isn’t aiming to persuade people. It’s merely seeking a causation.

Thanks!

Pete @ Pure FX

Regards,
Kris.

I am sorry you feel that way, I was just trying to get across the small point that for health reasons, such as when you need to diet simply for medical reasons it is acceptable. It’s trying to strike that fine balance between promoting body confidence and higher self esteem but also respecting the need for medical reasoned loss.

When i was writing it i strangely debated about whether or not to include that paragraph within this article. But i felt it important to respect the fact that it is sometimes necessary for those very reasons mentioned above. Perhaps it could have been worded better!

As a body confidence and eating disorder campaigner we often have to be so careful about the way we say things and while trying to promote our causes at the same time we do not want to give the “absolutely no” approach as we all appreciate that there are times such as medical reasons when such measures are necessary. What we promote is the abolishment of reckless weight loss, excessive dieting and exercise or carrying out those behaviours to deal with emotional difficulties as well as the portrayal of body image in the media and other medians.

Regardless of the above thank you for your feedback, it is always appreciated and if anything makes me grow in the way i approach and do things.

Nick

There is a growing movement online to get people to eat just one or two veggie days a week. If you google ‘meat less monday’ or ‘meat free monday’ you can find quite a few websites and tweeters posting great ideas for omnivores who want to try out vegetarian meals. With some ideas to copy you’ll be less likely to buy processed vegetarian food, which can often be just as fatty and calorific as processed meats.

Nice post Tracy. However, I disagree: feeling good about ones self is 90% of the battle. Speaking as someone with a lot of experience of not feeling good about myself, I can feel confident in saying that the better one’s self image is, the easier it is to look after oneself. Consider this, if you have a car, and you hated it, would you bother washing and polishing it?

Best wishes – AJ

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated,

thank you

rc

Regards

Warren

Thankyou for supporting gorgeous Amber.

all our love and prayers with our close friends.

xxxx

I think alot research need to be done in this area. How many of universities offering research (PHD) degrees in processed food science? Although there are universities offering degree in food science. I was checking this old resouce of ranking in food science in the UK.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,13412,00.html

Oxford and Cambridge was not in the list. Only few Russell Group Universities are offering degrees in food sciences.

Without good education, these problems will not be solved.

I urge PM and Deputy PM to take action now and help people to spread the message of awareness against processed food.

All the best.

Glad to be following you on Twitter too!

Thanks for stopping by

There are several methods that Mr. Ginsburg practices that I have only a passing knowledge in (via my own curiousities in trying to learn how to better myself and my world), like Gestalt Therapy, Reiki and Craniosacral Therapy. As Robert says, that if his patients do report feeling more positive about themselves and their environment, then clearly his clients are happy with his work.

I agree that life is all about taking risks, however not every risk comes with a rewards, but if more Oxonians are feeling positive about themselves, this ought to be celebrated.

Regards.

2. Avoid and I mean avoid foods that make you feel bloated, tired, stodgy . As we grow older we develop a negative reaction to certain foods, which builds up a host of unhealthy bacteria and yeast. Making us feel bloated and look bloated. Invest in some sessions with a naturopath or nutritionist.

3. I swear by food combining and the weight dropped off and has stayed of.

4. Regular varied exercise on a daily basis- keeps you fit, feel good endorphins are released and you become more creative, focused and on top of the weight reduction.

5. Have a mentor/friend to whom you are accountable to, someone who will not let you off the hook, rather whom is supportive and firm.

6. be easy on yourself- self disgust is not helpful. That great body of yours will respond much more easily if it feels loved and nurtured. Give it unconditional love like you would a small child.

7. Make friends with your subby ie. the more you talk to yourself in an encouraging way the more supported your subconscious feels rather than being denied and punished.

8. Belive that it is going to be much easier than you think and that you have loads of willpower.

If you want a telephone mentor, happy to oblige.

Heres to a happy healthy, slimmer you Tracey.

I wish Robert a Happy New Year and I hope he will do something for people of Oxford in 2011.

All the best.

It is great to see that statutory services are seeing the benefits of preventative as well as restorative care and the important role of peer led support and recovery in the mental health system. They are recognising that mental healthcare is not ‘one size fits’ and due to the complex nature of everyone’s mental health treatment and prevention varies from person to person.

Will be good to see once it is up and running!

If this was my last day alive, I would like to speak to opposition leader Ed Miliband. I would say the key policies on which he can work in future to make the UK one of the most prosperous nation in the world.

I think all of us have food associations. You are spot on recognising your earlier emotional responses to food and your eating habits. In my family we ate very quickly at breakfast, lunch and tea times. It always seemed to be a bit of a rush. Rushing to get out of the door for school/work or rushing to finish to watch tea that favourite programme on the TV.

When I work with clients in my motivational Hypnotherapy practice I help clients to unravel their own family food associations that are not helpful to them in keeping the weight off. It is almost like we wipe the slate clean and establish new healthier beneficial eating patterns.
A successful technique is to practice ” food mindfulness”. Before starting to eat, focus on the food before you, like we used to at school , give thanks and place your awareness on the food. Thank the elements, the rain, the sun, thank the farmers, be aware how the food has got to your table, the miles it may have traveled. Also place your awareness on the preparation, the time and the energy. Then eat slowly, chewing your food with awareness extracting all of the delicious taste, helping your gastric juices to help break down the food.

We are currently living in a fast food culture and frequently encouraged to grab a sandwich, whilst on the hoof. It is a well known fact that our bodies given the opportunity to digest and break down the food absorb the nutrients required which gives us more energy and helps us to feel less bloated and over weight.. When we are more aware of our food we feel fuller quicker and therefore eat less. We recognise those foods that are good for us and those that make us feel uncomfortable.

I hope you understand my point of view.

All the best

“In 2001, Bruce Wampold of the University of Wisconsin published the book The Great Psychotherapy Debate.[30] In it Wampold, a former statistician who went on to train as a counseling psychologist, reported that

psychotherapy is indeed effective,
the type of treatment is not a factor,
the theoretical bases of the techniques used, and the strictness of adherence to those techniques are both not factors,
the therapist’s strength of belief in the efficacy of the technique is a factor,
the personality of the therapist is a significant factor,
the alliance between the patient(s) and the therapist (meaning affectionate and trusting feelings toward the therapist, motivation and collaboration of the client, and empathic response of the therapist) is a key factor. ”

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotherapy for references.

The last comment would seem to support Durlak’s thougths that well intentioned amateurs are as good as professions! I await with interest your responses!

Alan

Just to be clear, that was my answer and not Mark’s. I have however made him aware of your request.

Out of interest you might want to check out http://www.bangor.ac.uk/mindfulness/research.php.en

Hope this helps!

Durlak’s study has been somewhat criticised over the years and from what I read has been largely disproven by subsequent studies.

What’s more, ‘therapy’ has come a long way since the 1970’s. We have seen some very interesting approaches developed in recent years such as MBCT and CBT amongst others.

I guess that this modern shift also makes Durlak’s research outdated.

We were not aware that insurance companies make these types of incentives. Shame that they are looking at limiting them!