By Zone Lifestyle on 3/8/2010 12:01 PM

No matter what area of the country we live in, there are always obstacles that hinder our ability to keep up with our exercise routines. Loss of motivation can stem from living in New England during the winter months with the cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours or living in the South in the middle of the summer. With New Years’ Resolutions a distant memory, but with hopes of spring soon arriving, here are some tips to reinvigorate you with your exercise goals, whether it’s walking, yoga or even using that gym membership you paid for Jan 1. The key is to make exercise enjoyable!

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By Zone Lifestyle on 3/3/2010 8:16 AM

Magnesium is a mineral that is inching its way into the spotlight. About 50 percent of the magnesium in our bodies is located in our bone, and the other half is found inside our cells and tissues (1). So what’s the big deal? Well in addition to maintaining muscle and nerve function, regulating heart rhythm, bone health and supporting our immune system, it also helps control blood sugar levels, blood pressure, energy metabolism and protein synthesis (2). This means it may play a role in diseases like hypertension, diabetes and even cardiovascular disease, although more research is needed. It has even been shown to help individuals with asthma based on its anti-inflammatory and bronchodilating effects (3) and a recent animal study shows promise with regards to its memory boosting properties (4).

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By Zone Lifestyle on 2/22/2010 8:52 AM

The 1990s brought with it an era of people fearing fat. After all, “if no fat touches my lips, then no fat reaches my hips”. Harvard took charge of this debate and declared war against fat, especially saturated fat. Manufacturers created everything from fat-free yogurt to cookies. Overall, fat intake did decrease nationwide during this time, but the waist lines of the U.S. population continued to expand. Despite recent reports about the Mediterranean diet and the benefits of monounsaturated fats, the low-fat craze still has many hardwired to think that eating higher-fat foods will make them fat. Although calorically speaking, fat is more energy dense than carbohydrates and protein, a recent study may help to ease people’s preconceived notions on the role of fat and weight gain.

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By Zone Lifestyle on 2/12/2010 3:16 PM

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, and legumes with limited intakes of dairy, meat and saturated fats. The benefits of the Mediterranean diet are well known from reducing heart disease and diabetes, to improving cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight control. A new study may add to the growing list of benefits to include diseases of the brain, specifically dementia (1, 2).

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By Zone Lifestyle on 2/8/2010 9:36 AM

Many times I get questions from Zoners who are aghast at all the favorable carbohydrates they think they have to consume at each meal.

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By Zone Lifestyle on 1/27/2010 10:24 AM

Next to Thanksgiving, Superbowl Sunday is the second most popular day to consume an abundance of food. Americans consume about 15,000 tons of chips and 4,000 tons of popcorn on this day. No wonder only one-third make it to the end of January sticking to their resolutions! Whether you have religiously stuck to your News Year’s goals or were waiting for Feb. 1 to start anew, the Superbowl doesn’t have to be an excuse to blow everything you’ve been working toward. Here are some tips to navigate this eating event without sabotaging your efforts.

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