Do you want to lead an active life and family life? Does your nationality determine what you eat or what you were brought up eating? Have you gained weight after a pregnancy? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself when considering a weight loss surgery procedure. All weight loss surgeries are a tool to help you achieve a healthier body and weight, and all surgery programs need to be followed. To learn more about a WL surgery, start or join a community of support groups, or an online forum.

Usually, first timers are excited to get surgery, but you need to research it because once it’s done it’s done. If you feel isolated, you’re not alone. Pre-op patients, otherwise known as newbie’s, are somewhat educated about the first year of surgery, but it’s helpful to ask a lot of questions from someone with at least 2 years after surgery experience. Pair up with someone for support, because you can gain back the weight while a mentor can help you to stay on track. In the end it’s accountability for yourself that matters, and you’ll need to get past the after surgery honeymoon phase and take lifelong actions to stay fit.

Make a plan for yourself after surgery. Have people understand what you are going through; family, friends, and your cultural environment. Also, cook for yourself so you know what is going in the foods you eat. The emotional part is difficult, but don’t be sabotaged: you don’t want to go back. So many people don’t know about the surgery aspects – do your research so you understand the emotional facets you go through. It can be not so easy after 2 years- after the honeymoon period.

There is a way to get healthy through weight loss surgery, but you need do the research. You know what your food triggers are so research and choose the surgery that is right for you. Don’t forget to research your doctor, they want the best for their patients and know they will be better off choosing one surgery than not one at all. Post-surgery patients say you learn a lot about yourself through a weight loss journey. You have more energy, are able to do more things, and make new friends. So what are you waiting for? Get on the road to your weight loss success.

A team of French and British researchers found that being fat can be bad for the bedroom for both men and women. Researchers surveyed sexual experiences of more than 12,000 men and women between the age of 18 and 69. The results were analyzed based on their Body Mass Index (BMI). As a rule of thumb, BMI of 18-24 is considered healthy weight, BMI of 25 or above is considered overweight and BMI of 30 or more is classified as obese.

The new study, published in British Medical Journal (BMJ), found that obese women had more trouble finding a sexual partner than normal-weight women. There was only a little difference in the case of obese men – women are more tolerant of chubby partners. Due to social pressure, most women with excess weight are not meeting men through friends, work or parties and they seek sexual partners via the Internet. The study showed that obese women were less likely to ask for birth control services and were four times more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy, even though they tend to have fewer sexual partners. Heavy women run the risk of serious complications and death during pregnancy. It is reported that fat men have a higher rate of erectile dysfunction and they are at greater risk of contracting a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).

The study findings suggests that being overweight can not only harm your health (diabetes, depression and urinary stress incontinence), but it can harm your sex life as well. People who have sex on a regular basis tend to live longer with very low chance of heart disease. If you lose weight, you will feel healthy and more attractive and that could improve your sex life.

It’s the U.S. – Mexico border, and even as politicians say more federal troops are needed to fight rising violence, government figures show it isn’t so dangerous after all. The top four big cities in America with the lowest rates of violent crime are all in border states: Austin, El Paso, Phoenix and San Diego, according to a new FBI report. And a U.S. Customs and Border Protection report shows that Border Patrol agents face far less danger than street cops in most U.S. cities.

The Customs and Border Protection study, obtained with a Freedom of Information Act request, show that 3 percent of Border Patrol agents and officers were assaulted last year, mostly when assailants threw rocks at them. That compares with 11 percent of police officers and sheriff’s deputies assaulted during the same period, usually with guns or knives. In addition, violent attacks against agents declined in 2009 along most of the U.S.-Mexican border for the first time in seven years.

“The border is safer now than it’s ever been,” said Customs and Border Protection spokesman Lloyd Easterling. He said one factor is that with fewer jobs available amid the U.S. recession, illegal immigration has dropped. And, responding to security concerns after 9/11, the Border Patrol has doubled its number agents since 2004. Nonetheless, border lawmakers and governors say their region is under siege and needs more troops. In response to the concerns from the border states, Obama Pledged to send 1,200 National Guard troops to help and spend an extra $500 million on border security.

His one-time rival for the presidency, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said he should send at least 6,000 troops, which he said are needed because Arizona leads the nation in marijuana seizures, had 368 kidnappings in 2008, and has the highest property crime rates in the U.S. But violent crimes in counties along the Mexican border are among the lowest in the nation per capita, and they’ve dropped by more than 30 percent in the last two decades.

Governors along the border say improved crime rates don’t counter their concerns. In Texas, “we respond to threats based on rick, not occurrence,” said Gov. Rick Perry’s spokeswoman Katherine Ce signer. And there are exceptions to the trend: Assaults on agents in the Laredo region increased from 44 in 2008 to 118 in 2009, and they increased in the neighboring Rio Grandee Valley as well.

Concerns about danger come, in part, from Mexico, where raging cartel violence has taken 23,00 lives in three years, often within view of the U.S. Border. There’s frequent talk of the potential for that violence to spread across the border, but so far it hasn’t happened to a significant degree. Mexico security measrures

Weight Loss Surgery Cost In Monterrey, Much Less Than In The US

Weight loss surgery can cost a patient an arm and a leg once it’s done in world-class facilities here in the United States. However, if the patient opts to have the surgery performed in neighboring Monterrey, Mexico, the cost is so much cheaper.

Although it is understandable how many patients may have their initial doubts in having such a critical surgery performed in a third-world country, their hesitations can easily fade once they learn how highly regarded the medical services in Monterrey, Mexico are. The CIMA Santa Engracia Hospital, for example, houses top-of-the-line medical facilities and highly experienced surgeons who can perform different types of weight loss surgery with excellent results.

Many overweight patients who have undergone this procedure in Monterrey, Mexico think that it was the smartest and most rewarding decision they have ever done in their lives. Rather than having a costly medical procedure performed in the United States, it can actually be done in Mexico, where weight loss surgery cost is significantly less.

Ready 4A Change can direct overweight patients to this world-class facility in Monterrey, Mexico. Visit their website at Ready4AChange.com or contact 1-800-270-7120 for more information.

Fight Obesity With Affordable Gastric Bypass Surgery

In a country where obesity has become a major problem, an affordable gastric bypass surgery can really be of help. This type of procedure has shown instant dramatic results for overweight patients, and has allowed individuals who are more than 100 pounds overweight to lose their excess fat.

Ready 4A Change can direct patients to a world-class medical facility in Monterrey, Mexico, where this type of weight-loss procedure can cost 80% less to what it may cost in the United States. There’s no arguing that medical facilities in the US are indeed top-of-the-line. However, the medical services provided in Monterrey, especially at the CIMA Santa Engracia hospital, are as well respected, and are even known as a beacon of excellence for the Latin world.

Through Ready 4A Change, overweight patients can have the gastric bypass surgery they need and improve their way of living. Learn more by visiting their website at Ready4AChange.com or contact 1-800-270-7120.

Sleeve Gastrectomy and Weight Loss

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a potentially safe and effective weight loss surgery for individuals with a high Body Mass Index (BMI) and other high risk factors. The procedure essentially reduces the size of one’s stomach by stapling, which in turn leads to weight loss due to less food intake without bypassing the intestines or malabsorption.

Massive overeating stretches the stomach over time. This makes it harder for the stomach to fill, and this creates more frequent sensations of hunger. By performing stomach-reduction surgery, it allows for a smaller stomach that needs less food to fill. Statistics have shown patients who undergo this kind of procedure can lose weight at a rate of nearly two pounds a week or more.

However, because of the invasive nature of the surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, should only be done by a qualified surgeon with extensive experience in weight loss surgery. To learn more about the procedure or to schedule a consultation, visit Ready4aChange.com or call 1-800-270-7120.

Lapband Surgery Explained

Lapband surgery is a procedure designed to help people lose weight rapidly. Also called laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery, it involves attaching a band with an inflatable silicone device around the upper portion of the stomach. The intended effect is similar to a gastric bypass: reduce food intake, deal with hunger sensations, and ultimately reduce the weight of the patient.

The procedure involves placing a band to create a stoma, or small pouch, out of the upper portion of the stomach. When food arrives at the upper stoma, it fools the brain into thinking the stomach is full. The patient eats less as a result, opening the door for rapid weight loss.

Lapband surgery procedures, however, are not without their risks. Poorly advised, taking on such surgery can lead to considerable consequences. It is important to work only with highly trained professionals who have considerable experience in the field of weight loss surgery.

To learn more about the procedure or to schedule a free consultation, call 1-800-270-7120.

Do you realize that if you are heavier than average you may encounter discriminatory attitudes and may be denied equal opportunity even in the work place? You may have taken the barbed, and often not veiled, references to your size in your stride, but do you realize that you may have been allocated a job beneath your ability, and run the risk of being denied promotion and increments, as well as being demoted or fired because of weight prejudice?

Another dimension of the bitter obesity reality: discrimination starts with jobs!!!

A recent study from Yale University brings to light certain disturbing facts in this regard: weight discrimination is rampant in daily interpersonal relationships as well as in the work place. It is almost as common as racial discrimination and, in certain circumstances more frequent than age and gender discrimination. Statistics from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also second this finding. Discrimination on the basis of body size is just about as frequent as racial discrimination.

The Yale study also emphasizes that overweight women are twice as likely to be victims of discrimination in comparison to overweight men.  Also, women are discriminated against at lower ends of the weight gain spectrum.  In fact, men run a serious risk of being discriminated against when their BMI reaches 35; for women this becomes real at a BMI of 27.

Given that as many as 34% of adults in the U.S.A are clinically obese, that is, having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher the repercussions of this prejudice are phenomenal. The economic and social ramifications of the same are also not trivial, even if we were to disregard the enormous psychological ramifications of the same.

Various authors and social scientists have brought forth startling figures in this regard. Overweight workers draw a salary which is $1.25 less an hour, in comparison to their slimmer counterparts. That effectively translates into a salary up to $100,000 less, before taxes, over a 40 year career span. Women who are slightly overweight make about 6% less in wages, while very heavy women make as much as 24% less than standard weight women.  Men, however, experience significant wage losses only when grossly overweight.

Heavier workers do not get pay hikes similar to their thinner co-workers, with wage growth rates being almost 6% lower over three years.  Obese young women (speciallt between the ages of 18 and 25) are especially at risk of prejudice, earning 12% less than their thinner counterparts. In fact in several agencies like airlines, the weight cut offs for men correspond to large body frames for men; women are limited to maximum weights corresponding to medium body frames. 

In another population based survey, 26% of subjects who were more than 50% overweight reported they were denied benefits such as health insurance because of their weight. Another 17% claimed that has faced social discrimination in the workplace and had been pressured into resigning, or had been fired.

Managers have been guilty of hiring prejudice when it comes to obese subjects. Equal qualifications, equal references, and similar personalities do not translate into equal job opportunities at the work place, with most choosing the thinner applicants. Very often the hiring staff has been found to make baseless assumptions about overweight applicants, often labeling them as aggressive, lacking in self discipline, or less productive.

Several employers and insurance agencies also view obesity as a liability. This is totally uncalled for as an objective, medically supportable evaluation is imperative before a worker is condemned. Corporate decision makers and personnel managers must be trained to overcome prejudices and reject false stereotypes in order to match the best person to the job at hand, based on qualifications and performance, and not body size.

The flip side of this scenario is that there are legitimate concerns about the rising costs associated with obesity in the workplace for the employers because of the morbidities associated with a higher BMI. As per the Conference Board, obese employees have cost U.S. employers as much as $45 million per annum in medical expenses and lost productivity alone. 

The employers are thus advised to implement a weight reduction wellness program instead of discriminatory tactics. Maintaining a healthier workplace culture for employees with healthier options in terms of products on vending machines, health club memberships, and outdoor activities can cut costs and help foster a team spirit with greater productivity in the long run.

Until such time that adequate legislation is put into place and practice, and corporate consciousness regarding the issue becomes a reality, those overweight will continue to bear the brunt of prejudices in the working environment. In the current context, the grim obesity reality that we have to contend with is that discrimination starts with jobs and spills over to almost each area of social interaction.

Prejudice against heavier people is very well prevalent in our society and people who are larger in size than the average experience it very often. With increasing obesity in our country, there is also a rise in weight discrimination. A recent study from Yale University found that weight discrimination occurs in employment settings and daily interpersonal relationships as often as race discrimination. Women suffer the weight discrimination more than the men. The Yale study found that overweight women are twice more likely to face discrimination than overweight men. Plus, the discrimination starts earlier in women’s weight gain. According to the study, discrimination becomes a more serious risk for men when their BMI reaches 35; for women, at BMI 27.

In a study, heavier and average weight job applicants were matched for equal qualifications, equal references, and similar personalities. Hiring staff usually chose the thinner applicants with equal qualifications. People make unfounded assumptions about the larger applicants being too aggressive, difficult to work with, lacking in self-discipline, less productive, or less determined. Employers are neglecting qualified applicants and choosing to hire who are less qualified simply because of their appearance, and specifically because of their weight, thus resulting in a tremendous waste of worker talent.

People who are heavier than average are denied equal opportunity in many areas of their lives. They are not employed where physical work is involved or where they have to interact with customers in person. Large people are generally denied health insurance and life insurance, or they have to pay higher premiums than those of average weight. Applicants are often turned down by educational institutions because of their size. Workers, whose weight is more than the average are generally paid less than their average weight counterpart. In a famous discrimination case which went to the Supreme Court, a college made a nursing student sign a contract promising to lose weight or be expelled (the Court invalidated the contract).

There are no federal employment laws and only one state law (Michigan) specifically prohibits weight discrimination, obese people are being harassed and mistreated very often.

Employers should avoid discriminating against obese employees and job applicants, both legally and ethically. If they are legitimately concerned about the rising costs associated with obesity in the workplace, The Conference Board report gives the employer ideas to try non-discriminatory solutions like:

• Weight reduction program Implementation. According to The Conference Board report, more than 40% of U.S. companies have already implemented such a wellness program, and an additional 24% plan to do so this year. Tips: Keep program participation voluntary and private, and involve employees in the planning.

• Maintain a healthy workplace culture. Ideas: Get vending machines stocked with bottled water and healthy snacks, instead of sodas and candy; offer annual health fairs with cardiovascular screenings; reach out to local health clubs to obtain employee discounts; sponsor a company softball team, as well as other activities that may attract employees of all fitness levels.

]]> http://ready4achange.com/blog/2009/12/15/weight-discrimination/feed/ 6 http://ready4achange.com/blog/2009/12/09/pineapple-cake/ http://ready4achange.com/blog/2009/12/09/pineapple-cake/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:00:42 +0000 Ruth Rosa Lenox http://ready4achange.com/blog/?p=112 Pineapple Cake

Ingredients 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional) 1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, in juice (not drained) 1/2 cup egg substitute (equal to 2 eggs)   Procedure : Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the first four ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix pineapple with egg substitute. Add to dry ingredients and mix until blended. Pour into a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 30–35 minutes.

Makes 16 servings Each Serving Carb Servings: 2 Exchanges : 2 carbohydrate Nutrient Analysis : Calories : 121 Total fat : 0g Saturated fat : 0g Cholesterol : 0mg Sodium : 172mg Total carbohydrate : 28g Dietary fiber : 1g Sugars : 15g Protein 3g

This moist cake does not use any fat. It can be served plain, or with fat-free whipped topping. Cream Cheese Topping is very good on this cake.

 

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