Small Steps to Health

American Heart Association Endorsement Not to be Trusted!

October 29th, 2008 by asithi · 9 Comments

Tagged Healthy Eating, food marketing, health, supermarket

Photo by: laffy4k.

Health endorsements from the American Heart Association are slapped on the packaging of many sugary food products hoping convince us into thinking their packaged sugary food products are good for our families. This post discuss how the American Heart Association endorsement on packaged food products is not to be trusted.

3 Steps to Eating Healthy at a Restaurant

October 27th, 2008 by asithi · 1 Comment

Tagged Dining Out, Dining Out, healthy eating

Photo by: Tony Hisgett.

Eating at a restaurant is like eating blind. We can easily eat an entire day’s calories in one sitting without even realizing it. The portions are huge, the yummy bread is white, and the vegetables are dripping with butter and cream. Eating at a restaurant can be a minefield for anyone trying to stay healthy.

This post will discuss a 3 step plan for eating healthy at a restaurant.

Active Life Outdoor Challenge for the Wii

October 24th, 2008 by asithi · No Comments

Tagged Fitness, Wii Reviews, Fitness, wii

I was debating between this game and Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009. They were both released around the same time in mid-September. I went with the Active Life Outdoor Challenge because of the mini-games.

This post provides a list of the mini-games and a discussion on what I like and dislike about Active Life Outdoor Challenge for the Wii.

How Do Female Hormones Impact a Teen’s Weight?

October 22nd, 2008 by asithi · 2 Comments

Tagged Aging Bodies, Hormones, hormones, Weight Issues

Photo by: aussiegall.

This article will discuss how the changing female hormones during our teenage years impact our weight. I will not be discussing the emotional aspects of puberty, just the physical aspects.

As females, our bodies change every 15 years or so - puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause - because of the changes in our hormone levels. Hopefully you have some close female relatives to help guide you through each stage. If you are interested in learning more about how your hormones and fat cells influence your weight, please click on my hormones or fat cell tags.

Painful Hiking Experiences

October 16th, 2008 by asithi · 1 Comment

Tagged Exercise Injuries, Fitness, exercise injury

Photo by: Buck.

Reading Cranky Fitness’s post on Advice for the Out of Shape Hiker, reminds me of my painful hiking stories. Actually these are mostly my husband’s stories.

Hiking story #1

Our first backpacking trip was a 6 hour hike in with a 2000 ft change in elevation. When we initially signed up for the weekend trip, I thought it would be a nice camping trip. I did not know that I had to walk about 12 miles with 30 pounds strap to my back until two days before the trip. I could not even lifted the pack and strap it on myself. My husband had to do that for me……….

Dim Sum and Income

October 14th, 2008 by asithi · 3 Comments

Tagged Dining Out, Friends, Family, and Food, Dining Out, Weight Issues

Photo by Fireflyxvi.

I notice that as incomes increase with my friends, the frequency of eating at restaurants also increases. It almost seems to be an inevitable conclusion, along with an expanding waistline.

According to the National Restaurant Association, “household income of $75,000 or more eat an average of 4.9 commercially prepared meals per week, compared with 3.2 meals for those with an income of less than $15,000.” …………..

3 Blogging Questions and Eye Rolling

October 10th, 2008 by asithi · 4 Comments

Tagged blogging, blogging

Photo by Mike Licht

Reading this post on The Fight for Fitness the other day made me realize why I do not like to tell people that I write a health and fitness blog. To begin with, I always feel that I am a dorky engineer. Though my last job required a lot of public speaking, deep down inside I know I am an introvert. So dorkiness, introvert, and blogging – well, I feel like that is not enough qualifications to judge anyone’s eating or exercise habits. Nor do I give any advice, other than what I write on my blog. But inevitably I get ask these three questions…………

Walking as Exercise and Possible Injuries

October 6th, 2008 by asithi · 4 Comments

Tagged Exercise Injuries, Fitness, exercise injury, Fitness

Photo by: Hamed Saber

Walking is one of the nearly one of the most pain-free ways to fit in exercise. Pretty much anyone of any age can do it. Besides the fact that it can improve your health and improve your mood, it is convenient, good on the joints, and requires only a good pair of shoes.

This post will discuss some strategies to help you get the most out of your walks and some common injuries associated with walking for exercise.