The Western Diet and Weight Loss Surgery

The Western diet and lifestyle is killing us, literally. Obesity from eating so many empty-calorie processed foods and not exercising enough is on the rise in the United States. And the weight gain doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

If you've been struggling with obesity for a long time and no diet and exercise plan seems to stick, weight loss surgery may have crossed your mind more than once. It can be a beacon of hope for those stuck with life-threatening obesity. But weight loss surgery comes with risks. One in 200 patients will die, either on the operating table or from later complications. And 5 percent of patients will gain back every last pound, eventually.

These are important things to things about before making a commitment to weight loss surgery. If you are still on the fence, read this helpful article:

How to Decide if Weight Loss Surgery is Right for You

Yoga and Gas

A Yoga Move that Releases More Than Just Tension!

Watch out when doing the purvana-mukta-asana pose. If you're not careful, it may end up causing an embarrassing moment during your next yoga class. Learn how to practice yoga without fear of passing gas (and enjoy a humorous read).

Back Pain Relief Secrets

Shh ... here's the secret to a faster back pain recovery: lift weights. A recent study from the University of Alberta shows that lifting weights is better for achieving back pain relief than doing cardio.

I'm not surprised. I've gone through bouts of back pain for years. Through my own little "tests" I've discovered that (at least for me) both aerobic exercise and strength training are important in back pain recovery. However, doing more with the strength training does have me back to my usual self faster than just doing cardio alone.

I think the strength training is key to relieving my back pain faster because of the muscle stabilization involved during this type of exercise. The carefulness that comes with strength training keeps me focus on maintaining good posture - which is definitely a plus when back pain is involved.

Another thing I've noticed that helps to relief my back pain is to NOT overdo the cardio. Yes, moving around is helpful in speeding up the recovery process. But too much moving around can send my back into spasms again. (So, please, learn from my mistake and be cautious during your post-back-pain cardio sessions!)

Pet Care Articles

From one fur parent to another, here are some pet care articles that may be of interest to animal lovers out there:

How to Keep Your Cat Safe at Home

How to Find a Missing Outdoor Cat

How to Make a Missing Pet Poster

How to Find a Cat in Your House

Hope one or more of these pet care articles can be of help to you!