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Mommy Medicine: Exercising, eating right and not losing weight
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Weight loss is not always part of the diet and exercise process, so getting frustrated about not losing weight is a waste of time. There are three main reasons people have a hard time losing weight even when theyre dieting and exercising. - photo by Suzanne Carlile
Weight loss isnt all its cracked up to be.

A combination of diet and exercise is widely considered the best way to lose weight but that is not true for everyone. A more accurate statement would be: A combination of diet and exercise is the best way to stay healthy.

Weight loss is not always part of the diet and exercise process, so getting frustrated about not losing weight is a waste of time. There are three main reasons people have a hard time losing weight even when theyre "doing everything right."

Differing metabolisms

Metabolism rates differ from person to person and from one stage in life to the next. Knowing the importance of eating right and exercising is critical to a healthy lifestyle, as is sleep, hygiene habits, where you live, work/life balance, relationships, medical history, heredity, etc.

Over-exercising is as harmful as not exercising at all. Being too strict with your diet is less healthy than drinking a soda daily. Our focus needs to be on a weight that is healthy and makes us feel good physically.

Heredity

Heredity and medical history are very important components to weight loss. Metabolism rates are greatly affected by family and medical history neither of which can be changed.

If you come from a family that is overweight, you will more than likely struggle with weight issues all your life. If you have medical conditions that affect your metabolic rate, you will always have weight concerns no matter how hard you exercise and restrict your diet. For example, heart patients are challenged with diet restrictions as well as weight restrictions. If too much weight is lost or too much weight is gained, the heart condition will get worse.

BMI isnt everything

When evaluating a patient for normal height and weight, most practitioners use Body Mass Index (BMI). However, the measurement has its flaws.

The BMI mathematical formula (weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared, multiplied by 703) was developed in the early 19th century by Belgian scientist Adolphe Quetelet. Stanford University mathematician Kevin Delvin recently told NPR Quetelet produced the formula to give a quick and easy way to measure the degree of obesity of the general population to assist the government in allocating resources and it should not be used to measure an individuals fatness.

Another problem: the equation is based on body weight and not body composition. As Dr. Subhashini Ayloo, a bariatric surgeon at the University of Illinois Hospital, told Everyday Health, BMI is a useful number in general terms, but it doesnt tell us where the fat is distributed or distinguish between fat and muscle.

Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says while BMI is a reasonable indicator of body fat it should not be used as a diagnostic tool.

What now?

What is a considered a normal weight for your height is not always the healthy weight for you. Remember, if you are built like a St. Bernard you should not look like a Teacup Poodle, and if you are built like a Teacup Poodle you should not look like a St. Bernard.

It is not my intention to discourage diet and exercise as being part of your lifestyle; rather, it is to help you understand that diet and exercise alone is not the answer to weight loss. No two people will encounter the same issues or solutions to achieving a healthy weight, so to simply say diet and exercise will work is wrong.

Restricting your life by starving or over-exercising is wasting precious time. Life should be fun and exciting, not full of gaining or losing five to 10 pounds. I have never seen the weight of a person on their headstone, so lets not make it so important that we lose focus on the really important things in our life.

Contributing: Jordan Ormond
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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