Eating Right for Cancer Recovery

Eating a healthy diet is one of the best things people do for themselves. Of course, most people are perfectly aware of this and yet they choose to eat foods that are bad for them. There is no reason why people cannot enjoy the foods they love the most, but people should enjoy the foods they love the most in moderation, which is the best way to enjoy treats and decadent foods. When a person eats healthy they are providing a great service to their body. Not only will they look better if they maintain a healthy diet, they will feel better. The fact is, eating right has a number of excellent benefits on everyone.

One of the best parts of eating healthy is that it can help people with cancer to overcome their diagnosis. Of course, eating a healthy diet won’t cure anyone of cancer if they were just diagnosed, undergoing cancer treatment, or in remission. However, eating right does make the treatment process easier and a person’s prognosis better. Alternative mesothelioma treatment options include eating right. Additionally, this goes for all forms of cancer.

How a Healthy Diet Helps Cancer Patients
It is not a secret that cancer treatments are very difficult on a person’s body. Those who have cancer must go through treatment such as radiation and/or chemotherapy, which can make them very sick as it fights their cancer. Some of the negative side effects of cancer treatment include vomiting, nausea, depression, and fatigue.  A healthy diet is recommended to all cancer patients by their doctors because it can help to alleviate the severity of most of these symptoms.

Eating right improves a person’s quality of life, which makes them feel less depressed, happier, healthier, and less stressed. All of this leads to an improved immune system, which makes people more likely to remain healthy while undergoing treatment for their cancer. 

Foods that Help With Cancer
Fatty foods are a great source of energy for people who are fighting cancer. Treatment takes a lot of energy out of people, which means they need more fat in their diet to help them maintain their level of energy while being treated. When people eat fatty foods, their bodies break down the fat in the food and store it. It is later used to produce energy. The more fatty foods people eat, the more energy they have.

Water is the most important nutrient for those who have cancer. The body is made up mostly of water, and the side effects of cancer treatment such as diarrhea and vomiting make people lose a lot more water than they can afford to lose. Doctors recommend people drink at least eight glasses filled with eight ounces of water each day, and some cancer patients may need more to prevent dehydration.

Carbohydrates are great for cancer patients because they help give patients’ energy and they help their bodies function properly. It is important that all cancer patients eat as many carbohydrates as they can to help their bodies maintain their overall health and their organs function to the best of their ability.

Not eating a healthy diet can have several negative effects for cancer patients. Not only will it make the patient lose too much weight, it will make them sicker than the treatment is already making them. The usual nausea and vomiting that cancer patients experience as a result of their treatment is magnified. Additionally, those who do not eat well while undergoing cancer are more likely to experience constipation, weight loss, diarrhea, pain, and the inability to digest food.

Aside from helping people feel and look better, good nutrition goes along with cancer because it has plenty of other benefits. People who eat right lessen their risk of being diagnosed again later in life with the same form of cancer. Those who eat right also lower their risk of being diagnosed with different forms of cancer. They have less risk of heart disease and diabetes, and they have less chance of becoming obese, which can lead to a myriad of other negative health problems. Those who have cancer should make sure they eat the best possible diet, which plays a big role in a persons' recovery.          GUEST AUTHORED BY:  JILLIAN MCKEE



PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COACH ELLEN:

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Greens helps to:

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• For more information on products for health and happiness that I recommend or to purchase please visit my website at http://coachellen.myitworks.com
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DISCLAIMER

It Works! and its Independent Representatives Make No Curative Claims These Statements Have Not Been Evaluated by the FDA These Products are Not Intended to Diagnose, Treat, Cure, or Prevent Any Disease

Healthy Eating on the Run

So you're out and about and all of a sudden the hunger pangs begin.  The easiest and most convenient choice is your local fast food restaurant where you drive through and order the typical burger, fries and soda combo meal and scarf it down in your car.  Minutes later you begin to feel bloated, tired and worst of all -- guilty!  Sound familiar?  If so then you are one of the millions of Americans each day that fall victim to convenience eating that over the long run will effect your health.

The great news is that being "on the go" doesn't mean your health and diet have to suffer.  While racing from one place to another, keep these smart eating tips in mind.

Tip #1:  Always keep your water close.
If you don't like plain water then add some lemon juice or fruit slices to it for flavor, or choose some flavored vitamin water for added nutrients.

Tip #2:  Take breakfast on the run.
Grab a healthy breakfast bar or piece of fruit that is easy to take with you and eat in the car.  Foods like bagels, low-fat string cheese or yogurt are also good options for a healthy and quick "on the go" breakfast.

Tip #3:  Take your lunch with you in an insulated lunch box.
Carrots, walnuts, peanut butter on 100 percent whole wheat bread are all easy, quick foods that can be placed into your lunch box to keep you from being tempted to go through the fast food drive through.  You can also keep protein bars or snack bags of almonds or raisins in your purse or glove compartment in case you're caught by hunger pangs and haven't packed a lunch.  

Tip #4:  Opt for Kid size meals if you must go through the drive through.
If it's absolutely necessary for you to go through the drive through, then opt for kid's meals with fresh fruit or a side salad with low-fat dressing.  Most fast food chains are catching on the the fact that people want healthier options and have some type of salad or fruit menu items to appease the "health nuts" in the world.  Grilled chicken is always better than breaded or fried, and skip the mayo and other fatty spreads.

Tip #5:  Need a coffee break?
If you are like me and you crave that afternoon cup of coffee, opt for low-fat, sugar free versions of your favorite latte or frozen coffee, and skip the whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

So as you can see there are a few simple choices that we can make to prepare in advance for a long day of errands and shopping.  Remember, you deserve to be healthy, but it is up to you to make the right choices to feed your body the healthy food it craves.  Until next time, keep choosing the healthy, happy life you deserve.

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For more products on healthy living and wellness supplements please visit my website at:  http://coachellen.myitworks.com

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Teaching a Positive Nature to Children in Youth Sports

Teaching a Positive Nature to Children in Youth Sports

Discover Simple Changes You Can Make Today To Kick Start Your Metabolism

Learning how to keep a high metabolism rate is probably the holy grail of weight loss.  Some people are born with high metabolism, but for most of us it is imperative that we learn how our body works so that we can help it to run as efficiently as possible.  That means knowing what factors affect our metabolism, and what we can do to help it along.   

For most people, metabolism slows after the age of 40, and while we cannot control our age and genetics, there are things we can do to improve the way our body metabolizes food.   Our body is always burning calories.  Even when we are resting, we have a resting metabolic rate at which our body functions.  This resting rate is usually higher in people with more muscle mass.  At rest our body burns an estimated 6 calories for every pound of muscle and only 2 calories for every pound of fat.  Therefore, it stands to reason that strength training will work to increase our metabolic rate.  After a bout of resistance training, our body is given a boost in its metabolic rate because all of our muscles are activate.  This causes an increase in metabolism throughout the day.  Additionally, aerobic exercise does not necessarily increase muscle mass, but it does give us a metabolic boost.  Regular, intense exercise activates our metabolism in the hours following our workout.  By adding short bursts of jogging to your regular walking routine, or by doing a more intense class at the gym, we are able to give our body a signal to increase our metabolism.   As I stated in my blog “We are gathers and hunters,” we are designed for exercise, so use that to your advantage.

Another factor that affects our metabolism is our level of hydration.  Our body needs water to function properly.   Without water our metabolism slows down tremendously.  Studies show that even the slightest bit of dehydration immediately begins to slow the metabolic rate of the body.  Be sure to drink water or some type of unsweetened beverage before every meal, and snack on fruits and vegetables that contain fluids, rather than chips and pretzels.  It is also shown that iced, cold drinks prompt the body to burn additional calories during digestion, so water on the rocks is a great way to kick your body into a calorie burning mode.  Additionally, it is a good idea to drink an 8 ounce glass of water for every pound of weight loss during a workout to replace all the fluids that are released during exercise.  

Eating more often is also a great way to increase your metabolism.  Large meals with many hours in between prompt your body to slow down.  By decreasing the size of your meals, but eating them more often throughout the day keeps your metabolism going and burns more calories throughout the course of the day.  Having a small meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours is a good guide and it also helps you to eat less at meals if you eat regular, healthy snacks during the day.  On a side note, spicy foods can give your metabolism a 20% boost for up to 30 minutes, so if you like spice, then try adding some sliced green chilies or red pepper to your pasta or salad to give your body an extra jump.

Remember, metabolism is somewhat genetic, but there are many things that can be done to help overcome our genetic deficiencies.  I will be sharing more metabolism tips in my next blog, but for now try some of the above tips.  Who knows, you might just see some unexpected weight loss notice your energy levels increase.  Until next time, keep working on the healthy, happy life you deserve.

Coach Ellen's Product Recommendations:

Fire up your metabolism with this naturally based, thermogenic weight loss formula! Powered by the antioxidantsuperfood acai berry and the metabolism-boosting properties of Capsimax® (red hot pepper blend), UltimateThermoFit benefits are:

• Thermogenic weight loss formula
• Antioxidant benefits of acai berry
• Promotes increased calorie burning
• Helps boost metabolic rate
• Reduces appetite
• Provides energy

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

For more information on health and wellness products that I recommend, please visit my website at:http://coachellen.myitworks.com

Time to begin...Strength Training!

The most important thing to know is that a good, maintenance strength training program does not mean body building or weight training.  It is as simple as using resistance bands and hand weights to keep your muscles strong and healthy.  We are not talking about bulking up.  

Once you have received the go ahead from your doctor, you need to choose two or three days each week to do your strength training program.  Each session should have a 24 hour rest period in between so your muscles have time to recover and rebuild.  This allows the C10 rebuilders, that we have discussed in earlier blogs, to repair and strengthen your muscles and body systems.

 

Remember, a strength training program should be done in conjunction with your cardio program for optimal health.  I have enclosed several links to beginner strength training workouts for you to use to get started. 

Resistance bands are great for travel, adding to your current weight training program, or even rehabilitating an injured area of the body that cannot take the stress of free weights.  Bands are economical and easy to use, and they are great for adding intensity and depth to your workouts.  They are also great for adding intensity to simple exercises like push ups and sit ups.  In addition, they are good for flexibility programs.

The important thing is to make the commitment to at least 2 days each week, and watch as your body begins to feel stronger, healthier and look leaner.  Good luck and keep working on the healthy, happy life you deserve.

Great Links to Strength Training with Resistance Bands:

Total Body Resistance Band Workout

Upper Body

Lower Body

Strength Training for Maximum Weight Loss

wwhttp://choosehealthandhappiness.blogspot.com/2011/05/strength-training-who-needs-it.html

Ok we are going to get back on track with our weight loss program in today's post.  I mentioned a little about strength training before, but today I want to cover that in more depth.  I am the world's worst when it comes to strength training.  I love cardio, but strength training bores me to death.  However, it is a necessary part of any good weight loss program.

Our metabolism occurs in our muscles.  If we don't keep our muscles developed and strong then it causes a lower metabolism rate than we want, and therefore, more weight gain.  You don't have to go out and spend a fortune on gym memberships or home equipment to have a good strength training program.  The following is a list of recommended supplies for a good home strength training program.

1.  At least one Exercise Band
2.  Set of Hand Weights
3.  A good Exercise Mat
4.  A Physioball or Exercise Ball

All these items can be purchased for a total of less than $100.  How simple is that.  No huge fees, no equipment taking up space and no stress over what to buy.  It's a simple basic list of supplies that will get you well on your way to a great strength training program.

Recommendations for Beginner Strength Training Program:
1.  Begin with a 2 session per week program
2.  Each session should include a total body workout of all the major muscle groups.  Upper body, Lower body and Core strength.
3.  Don't over work yourself in the first weeks of your training.
4.  Be sure to have a physical exam from your doctor prior to beginning any exercise program, and get approval to begin.
5.  Begin with low weight to help your body adapt to the new program.

I will be posting some sample workouts in the next week, so if you are wanting to begin a strength training program, but don't know where to start, then stay tuned.  I have what you need.  Until then, keep working on the healthy, happy life you deserve.

For more information on exercise and health visit: www.myhomegymtoday.com

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Make the Committment!

Ok, so I know I told you we would discuss strength training, but I needed to write this blog first.  What most of you don't know is that when I began this blog it was because my mom and her friend had decided to join this biggest loser competition at the school that they work at.  I thought to myself, "I can share my love of fitness and use my knowledge to help others reach their goals," but behind the scenes I was struggling with finding my own love of fitness again.  Over the past two years I had lost it somewhere along the way.

When my daughter, Pamela was born I was 210 lbs. and struggling with the thought of having to lose all the baby weight.  I became a runner and, since then, have completed 7 marathons and 5 half-marathons.  I love to run, or at least I did.  About s year ago, I woke up and realized I was 30 lbs. heavier, and I hadn't ran in over 7 months.  I decided I would take control and start running again.  What I found was that motivating myself to get up and do it was impossible.  My energy levels had spiraled downhill, and I was embarrassed that when I went for a run I spent more time walking than running.  I wasn't able to run at the level I was used to.  I was ashamed that I had allowed myself to become the out of shape, overweight person that I saw in the mirror, and used it as an excuse not to exercise.  I kept telling myself, "you will never get to the place that you were before, so it is pointless to even try."

So, when my mother mentioned that she and Bette would be doing the biggest loser I decided that if she could get out and work on herself then maybe I could help her.  I was hoping that it would help me too, but I was still focusing so much on all the negative parts of myself  that I didn't really believe it.

As you know, I haven't posted in almost two weeks.  The reason is that after a few weeks of seeing my mom and Bette and others like them work so hard to get their health back, I decided I had to take my own advice before I could give anymore to others.  I took a long hard look at my life and decided that the point wasn't to get back to where I was when I was a marathon runner, but, instead to find my happiness and health again, and whatever that level of fitness was had to be acceptable to me no matter what.  My sister, Megan, had called me and stated that she wanted to run the Palm Beach half-marathon, and that she wanted me to run it with her.I've never ran a race with one of my sisters, but I wanted to say yes so bad because spending that kind of time with her on something I love to do would be so much fun and such a great bonding experience for the two of us.  The problem was that I knew in my heart that I was in no shape to do that kind of race, and I wasn't sure if I would ever be there again.  That's when I decided it was time to commit to change.

As I began to look over my past blogs, I realized that goal setting and taking baby steps was something that I had never really had to do.  I had always been active and never really had known myself to be at any point where I had to work to get into shape.   Even after the birth of Pamela, I just did what came natural to me and lost the weight and kept my fitness levels up.  Now, here I was overweight, depressed and miserable about myself.  How had I gotten to this point?  So for the past two weeks I have done exactly what I have been preaching to you guys.  I set some fitness goals, created rewards and made the commitment.  It hasn't been easy.  I found myself really struggling with hating myself for allowing me to get to this point in my life, and I am still struggling with trying to be the person I used to be, and knowing I can't, but I have still been forcing myself to get out there and run EVERY day. 

The reason that I am writing this today is because last night during my run I finally felt that love and enjoyment again.  For the first time in two years I caught myself smiling and feeling healthy again.  I was able to make it the entire 4 miles without feeling any negative thoughts.  Did I walk some?  Absolutely, but it felt GREAT!  I know some of you are thinking, "4 miles!  I would love to be able to do that.  What is she complaining about?."  I understand that, but for the person who ran 10 miles daily for nearly 10 years, a 4 mile walk/run seemed like a failure to me two weeks ago.  But it suddenly hit me that it isn't about the past.  It's about the here and now.  It's about taking control of your life in the present and forgetting about who you were and choosing to become who you want to be.  It's about getting up everyday and saying today is the day that I will take one more step to becoming better than who I am now.  I have finally found my love of fitness again.

The reason I am sharing this with all of you is that you guys did it for me.  You guys took the first steps to reaching your fitness goals while I had all the knowledge and past experience and wasn't using it for myself.  I was letting my life spiral into an unhealthy lifestyle of sedentary obesity.  So, I want to say thank you.  I have set a goal to run that half-marathon with my sister, and it is going to be glorious even if I have to walk some of the way.  I hope you guys will continue to strive to reach your goals too, and I hope you will keep me posted on your progress as the summer goes by.  Please feel free to comment on any of my blog posts and also, if you have any questions or topics that you want me to cover.  Post them in the comments section, and  I will do my best to help because you guys have truly helped me take the first step to becoming healthier and happier.  Thank you.

For more information on exercise tips and health visit www.myhomegymtoday.com and www.moseleygymnastics.com