Florida Agenda

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, has been a silent killer of many Americans over the years, and its numbers are growing. It is clearly the disease of the modern age. Hypertension is a byproduct of our fast-paced lifestyle that, as a nation, is showing no sign of slowing down. As a result of excess worry and mental tension in our daily lives, we release adrenaline in our bloodstreams, causing the body’s blood pressure to rise, leading to hypertension.

Unfortunately, there are very few actual symptoms of the disease, although those with mild to moderate hypertension may feel pain in the back of the head and neck first thing in the morning. This symptom usually disappears relatively quickly on its own. Other signs and symptoms include periods of dizziness, plus aches and pains throughout the arms, shoulder region, back and legs. Heart palpitations, pain in the heart region, nervous tension and fatigue, emotional upset or crossness, tiredness and weariness, nose bleeding and frequent urination are also signs that you may have hypertension.

People who suffer from high blood pressure who do not receive treatment experience tiredness and severe bouts of fatigue, and usually cannot handle any sort of serious or physical work. They tend to be short of breath and may suffer from dyspepsia or indigestion. Untreated cases are prone to lead to heart attacks, strokes and other disabilities such as a detached retina.

People who suffer from hypertension typically live more than just a high stress lifestyle. Often they are smokers and heavy drinkers, and often have an extremely poor diet. Typically, the hypertensive patient will eat an abnormal amount of refined sugar, which further stresses the body as it attempts to stabilize insulin levels. The body starts to then fill with waste, unable to properly digest its food intake. This poisonous matter prevents the arteries from becoming slack, and will eventually lead to other conditions and diseases such as hardening of the arteries, obesity, diabetes and severe constipation. Other known causes aiding in hypertension are excessive use of painkillers, excessive salt intake, and high-fat and low-fiber diets c o n s i s t i n g of processed foods with low nutrient content. The good news is that proper diet and nutrition can help stabilize and even correct this condition. High blood pressure sufferers should be eating a diet low in protein. That means reduce your intake of meats and eggs while increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables. By eating more fruits and vegetables, you aid in all-over body hydration and assist your system to rid itself of toxins. Eating fruits and vegetables in their rawest form is best for this purpose and adds fiber, helping to keep your bowels regular. Fruits such as pineapples, oranges, apples, pears, mangos, guavas and grapes are great choices in hydrating the body and fighting hypertension, and should be consumed at two different intervals daily.

Vegetables that combat hypertension include cucumbers, carrots, onions, tomatoes, spinach, radishes and cabbage. Combine these ingredients together with a little dressing and treat yourself to one flavorful salad.

Remember that you ARE what you eat, like it or not. Everything you put in your system will either benefit or hurt it. Please choose wisely.

Andy Kress is a certified fitness trainer, yoga instructor and nutritional counselor in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more nutritional tips or inspired exercise routines, reach him at 954-789-3930 or via email at andyfitnesstrainer@gmail.com

Throughout America there is a growing and unsightly trend popping out—literally—among men. The growing condition is called “Man Boobs,” or its proper name gynecomastia. This condition causes swelling or enlargement of the male breast, and effects one in four men, especially after age 50. With the rise in obesity, expect to see even more “Man Boobs” among your friends, or even you, if you’ve packed a few pounds and failed to take them back off. This condition can start as early as a male’s teenage year when puberty’s hormonal changes turn boys to men. While teenage chests usually stabilize and the condition dissipates after a few years, the same reversal isn’t true as we naturally age.

Nutrition and diet are two of the simplest ways to escape this growing problem. There are certain kinds of foods that promote this condition in men of all ages. For instance, over-consumption of soy products is known to aid in this problematic disease by raising estrogen and estradiol levels far past their normal ranges. Men having too much estrogen and a lack of testosterone will find this is a major contributing factor in the development of “Man Boobs.”

Eating more foods that boost testosterone is very beneficial to fighting this problem, including an increase in the consumption of lean cuts of red meat, as well as organic free-range eggs. These two foods contain cholesterol, which plays a crucial role in the production of testosterone in men. There are quite a few other foods that will help boost your testosterone levels as well, such as oysters, asparagus, figs, almonds, nuts, brown rice, salmon and avocados.

Try using condiments like flax seed oil and hemp seed oil in your food. This will increase your levels of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which also help the production of testosterone.

Eating more cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts are beneficial to lowering chest fat, as well as eating foods with high-fiber complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal, whole grain rice, bran cereal, quinoa, spelt and buckwheat.

These types of food provide more sustained energy without the insulin and sugar spike induced by other refined carbohydrates, which cause your body to store fat and encourage development of the dreaded boobs. Having high-fiber carbohydrates also aids the digestive system and promotes efficient expulsion of waste products, helping the body be more efficient.

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as avocados, apples, apricots, bananas, blueberries, papayas, raspberries, beet greens, bok choy, carrots, collard greens, green beans, celery, sweet peppers, spinach, tomatoes, squash and zucchini. These are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting free radicals which help your body function optimally.

Doing regular exercise is another helpful way to fight drooping pec muscles, which compounds the appearance of gynecomastia. Using lighter weights and higher repetitions will give you your best results, for doing chest exercises in this fashion will help keep chest muscles looking very defined and lean. Be sure to switch up your exercise program often. This will guarantee to shock and confuse the muscles, giving you better results and keeping exercise new and exciting.

Using these two simple techniques will help tremendously in the fight against an unflattering, fat, and sagging chest. While it’s true we’re all getting older, it’s just as true that there is absolutely no reason why you have to give in to Mother Nature. Use her to your advantage, and then just stand back and wait for the compliments.

Andy Kress is a certified fitness trainer, yoga instructor and nutritional counselor in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more nutritional tips or inspired exercise routines,reach him at 954-789-3930 or via email at andyfitnesstrainer@gmail.com

“Any treatment [for alcoholism] must be directed first toward behavior modification— including a diet that is alcohol free”

By Andy Kress

Alcoholism is a chronic disorder, and a growing issue within the LGBT community. Since this is a progressive disease, there is a fine line between being a heavy drinker and a compulsive one—the textbook definition of an alcoholic. The World Health Organization has listed alcoholism as one of the three most deadly killer diseases of the 20th century.

Alcohol, by its very nature is foreign, since it is not a product found in nature. It results from decomposition of fruits, grains and vegetables, and as such belongs to a family of poisons. Ethyl alcohol, the main intoxicating ingredient in wine, beer, and distilled liquor is a toxic drug that depresses the brain and nervous system. Although alcohol is fattening, it isn’t a food and is not changed or digested in any way. It is quickly absorbed in the blood stream and then travels to every part of the body, adversely affecting vital organs like the brain and liver.

There are a few tell tale signs of a true alcoholic, a puffy face and red blood-shot eyes among them. The alcoholic’s voice will be very hoarse and raspy, and they tend to have a rapid pulse, due to the alcohol’s thinning effects on the blood. Often irritable and over-emotional in their actions, many tend to be very suspicious of others. Bouts of delirium and black-outs of time are another chronic symptom. So, too, is repeated vomiting throughout the day.

Since the true alcoholic would rather drink than eat, it is easy for them to become very emaciated, with their skin becoming dehydrated and wrinkled. Because alcoholism is principally a psychological disease, any treatment must be directed first toward behavior modification— including a diet that is alcohol-free. In its place, the drinking of orange juice multiple times a day serves three purposes: One, the habit of drinking is satisfied; two, the juice helps rehydrate the body; and three, orange juice provides needed vitamins and minerals. A simple multivitamin taken with massive amounts of leafy vegetables are essential, as well, to provide fiber and reintroduce the stomach to processing solid food.

Legumes, starches, pastas and other carbohydrates provide long-lasting energy between meals. Enriched cereals and breads fill the stomach and are a good source of foliate and thiamine. Poultry is low in saturated fats and is a good source of lean protein to help build and repair muscles that have been damaged through inactivity. Poultry is often mild in taste and easy to digest.

Seafood is another protein that is lower in fats and cholesterols; this will help aid in the body’s muscle retention. Seafood is also loaded with many vitamins and minerals lost in the over consumption of alcohol. Lean pork is another fine choice when fighting the effects of alcoholism. Pork has a variety of different vitamins and minerals than chicken or seafood, as well as being a good source of healthy protein.

If you know or are related to an alcoholic, remember there is a good chance that they won’t be reading this article, since their word-mind association process is impaired by their disease. Share the information freely, knowing that you are helping to save someone’s life. You may even be saving lives more than you know, since drunk drivers are a major threat to innocent victims on our highways.

Andy Kress is a certified fitness trainer, yoga instructor and nutritional counselor in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more nutritional tips or inspired exercise routines, reach him at 954-789-3930 or via email at andyfitnesstrainer@gmail.com

I am very lucky to have my own gym, a great private facility where I do one-onone fitness training with some of the finest guys and ladies in Fort Lauderdale. Yet when I exercise myself, I often like to go to one of the popular commercial gyms in my area just to take a break from my workplace ambience. I usually enjoy my time at these gyms, but at least twice a week I witness things that really tick me off. Before anyone tells me to go back to my own gym and STFU, allow me get up on my soapbox and vent a spell about the need for gym etiquette.

A gym is not just a place where YOU go to work out. The gym is a great social outlet for people of all ages and backgrounds to go to exercise and relieve stress. As such, there are some basic and oh-so-essential rules of gym etiquette that I feel I must review.

First, remember that you are not the only one in the gym. If you have to carry around your cell phone, put it on vibrate and when you get a call, take it outside or somewhere where you don’t have to share your call with the rest of us! Speaking of not sharing, keep a towel with you to wipe down equipment after using it. No one wants to workout in a puddle of your bodily fluids.

Second, the gym is not your private space. This means that you should not push in front of others to get to equipment. Rack free weights once you have finished your sets. Don’t linger at stations while you talk on the phone or waste time. Others are waiting patiently. I was once in a gym where a famous visiting porn star was working out. His ego was bigger than his calf implants! This behemoth pushed and shoved in front of others to hog the weights, and monopolized two and three pieces of equipment at a time. What a gross turn-off for his multitude of fans. A simple “Excuse me,” or “Pardon me, are you using those weights?” is so much nicer than a primal grunt, a surly sneer, and a shove from behind. Don’t forget basic kindness and manners. You expect them from others, why not let others learn from your good example?

Another basic rule of gym etiquette has to do with personal hygiene. Primal man-scent may flip your switch at Ramrod, but three day body odor is not acceptable anywhere.

Showers can be used both before and after a workout. If your jock can stand up on its own in your locker, then it’s time to do laundry. Yes, real men bathe, wear a touch of deodorant, and wash the gym clothes. While I’m on this tirade of discussing personal hygiene, let me say a word to those phantoms of the locker room who refuse to flush their mess or wipe off a toilet seat, and those who spit, hock, and dispose of their gum in the drinking fountains. Get with the human race. Learn to flush the toilet! Stop using the drinking fountain as your personal waste receptacle! And while we’re at it, the locker room is no place to trim your toenails, shave your head, or iron your clothes. These are tasks to do in the privacy of your own salle de bain, as they say in France.

Finally, let me say a word or two about something that really irks me. The locker room and showers are not your private areas to carry on sexually, with yourself or with others. Your sexcapades are not as hot as you imagine them to be. It is illegal, and furthermore, you are putting your club and others in jeopardy for all kinds of trouble. Stop it now!

Well, I’ve gotten some things off my chest. For me, and many others, the gym is a way of life. With a few basic rules of etiquette, a little consideration and some politeness, the gym can be a great place for all of us to workout, unwind, and socialize.

Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and owner of Pump’n Inc Gym at 1271 NE 9th Ave, Fort Lauderdale. For more tips on how to get bigger beefier arms by summer, give me a shout at TrainerTomB@aol.com

Caffeine has been stimulating Americans with its get-up-and-go power for years. Up to 90 percent of Americans consume some sort of caffeine to get through their days. The U.S. has made caffeine a big part of its morning ritual, with that morning zip from coffee or energy drinks an essential part of the day. Without this morning stimulant to sharpen the mind and calm the nerves, most Americans would grumble at the start of their workday, or any day at all for that matter.

In reality, caffeine is a very powerful drug and can make most peoples’ minds crave its addictive influence. When consuming anything within your diet, moderation is the key. Overloading this substance in the body can have very adverse side effects, and create a possible addiction.

The recommended amount of daily caffeine consumption is 300 milligrams (about two cups of coffee). But most Americans consume on average 600 mg or more per day. If you are drinking four 8 oz. cups or more of coffee or energy drinks a day, you are in the upper ranges of abusing this drug.

The international medical community does recognize caffeine withdrawal as a medical syndrome, and drinking more than the recommended amount will put you into this category. These shocking facts may curb some of your over-indulgence when that next coffee craving or energy drink fix comes to mind, if your insomnia doesn’t get to you first. That’s right: Too much caffeine during the day causes insomnia at night, making that next morning start even tougher without our fix of the good stuff. Irritability can be another side effect of the withdrawal symptoms, making the brain crave caffeine to stay awake.

Coffee can have a varied range of caffeine in each 8 oz. cup. Ground coffee, using the home-brewed drip method, can have anywhere from 100 to 200 mg of caffeine per 8 oz. serving. The caffeine intensity can vary among famous brand coffees. Starbucks® and McDonalds® have much less than your home-brewed Maxwell House. These restaurant-bought coffees and lattés are on the lower end of caffeine for three to five times the price. (Only Starbucks® Pike Place has more than 330mg in a 16 oz. serving.), Caffeine-wise, you may want to worry about the coffee you make at home first.

Energy drinks and soft drinks can really throw you for a loop with their caffeine levels. Energy drinks seem to be all the rage, but surprisingly they’re also on the low end of the scale. Red Bull® has 80 mg in an 8.4 oz. can, whereas Monster® and Rockstar® have 80 mg in an 8 oz. serving. Topping the charts of the energy drinks is 5 Hour Energy® with 207 mg in a 2 oz. serving. Soft drinks do not follow far behind with their caffeine production. RC Cola tops the chart at 48 mg of caffeine per 12 oz. serving, followed by Coca-Cola® (even diet) with 47 mg. By comparison, Pepsi® contains far less, with only 37 mg, followed by Dr Pepper® at 36 mg.

Chocolate cannot be left off the list, holding as much as 70 mg in a 2 oz. serving of Baker’s chocolate. Sweet or dark chocolate is not far behind, with 40 mg for a 2 oz. serving, followed by 12 mg in a 2 oz. piece of milk chocolate.

Tea is also another caffeine culprit. The longer you brew tea, the more caffeine can be extracted from the leaf. A one-minute brewed tea can have 9 to 33 mg, whereas a three-minute tea can have 20 to 50mg. Now the next time your energy is feeling low, don’t be afraid to have some caffeine. Just remember to know how much is in the cup or glass before it becomes a problem.

Andy Kress is a certified fitness trainer, yoga instructor and nutritional counselor in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
For more nutritional tips or inspired exercise routines, reach him at 954-789-3930 or via email at andyfitnesstrainer@gmail.com

By ANDY KRESS

You are not drinking enough water, plain and simple. How do we know? Because it takes 100 ounces of fresh water to adequately hydrate the human body. For years, nutritionists and researchers have advised us to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. And even that dose seems extraordinary to most people. More recent research, however, has revealed that 64 ounces isn’t even close to the real needs of the average human body for adequate hydration.

Other than oxygen, water is the single most essential element in your daily diet. It’s easy to understand why, when you realize that about 60 percent of the human body is made up of the stuff. The brain has even more—70 percent! The most obvious source of water loss from the body is through urination and sweating. Less obvious, but no less important, are the two quarts of water you expel through breathing.

The air you breathe out is 100% humidity! So drink up. The human body requires water to facilitate nearly all its functions. Still, humans seem to be the most reluctant species on the planet to drink enough of this cleansing liquid. Even if we include the copious amounts of coffee, tea, soda, and juices consumed on a daily basis, the total water intake of any single individual is still likely to be low.

Fast fact: A new study done at the University of Connecticut demonstrates that up to five cups of coffee, or an equivalent amount of non-sugared soda counts toward your daily intake without any negative diuretic effects from the caffeine consumed. Drinking water, even the minimum amount, can help aide in the prevention of disease, and alleviate some of the physical side effects many people experience throughout their day.

Thirst is not a symptom of moderate dehydration. By the time you actually feel thirsty, you are severely dehydrated and need an immediate input of liquids. The most common side effect of dehydration is hunger. That’s right. The stomach makes little distinction between too little food and too little water. Normally, all of us get plenty of food. It’s the lack of water that is creating our hunger sensation, as well as chronic fatigue, dry skin, lightheadedess , and dry mouth. Have these symptoms? It’s a sure-fire sign that you are not drinking enough water throughout the day, and need to bump up your intake.

Lack of adequate water increases the damage to our body’s cells, thus c back pain. Improper water intake also affects the lymph system, which serves as the body’s main way of detoxification, removing impurities, bacteria and dead cells. Drinking adequate water is the best way to keep the immune system at its optimal, as well. Good water does not only come from a glass or bottle. Eating well-washed fresh fruits and vegetables is an excellent alternative source of water, full of important vitamins and minerals, as well.

Oh, and before we forget to mention it, alcohol does not count toward liquid consumption. For each drink or beer you consume at the bar, the body requires an additional eight ounces of water to counter alcohol’s diuretic effect. Ideally, drink one glass of water between orders at the bar just to keep from losing fluids while having fun. Plus, after a night on the town, drink a glass of water with some sugar and a dash of salt. You’ll wake up without your usual hangover. Water to the rescue once again!

Most of us know what a balanced diet should look like, but most of us don’t follow it. It does not seem to matter that eating the right foods improves your health, enhances the skin, helps lower our risk of disease, and most importantly gives you energy to perform life’s daily functions. Some of our most beneficial foods are fruits and vegetables, due mainly to their hydrating qualities and low calories. Always remember that what you’re drinking is just as important as what you are eating. Drinking the proper amount of water is essential to overall health. And no, soda does not count. It not only doesn’t cleanse the palate, it quickly overloads the body with sugar. Most Americans do not know that some of our favorite foods and drinks actually harm the body more than they help, especially when consumed in excess; just as some super-foods recharge the body more than others.

FOODS THAT HARM
Caffeine is a major contributor to upsetting the body’s delicate balance. This comes in a variety of beverages and many other foods like chocolate. Excess caffeine not only overcharges your nervous system, it can inhibit calcium absorption, and even lead to osteoporosis in time.

Salt is another ingredient that often is used in excess, and is very detrimental to your health. High blood pressure is a major side effect of a high sodium diet and can easily be prevented by moving the salt shaker from the table.

Protein, when it comprises more than 25% of your diet, can not only raise your saturated fat levels, but is also very deleterious to your kidneys. Sugar is another ingredient found in just about anything. Excessive sugar intake leads to huge spikes in your insulin response system, and, over time, can lead to diabetes. Sugar also helps add loads of calories to foods and drinks, helping in packing on the pounds, especially if inactive. Alcohol is extremely harmful to all organs of the body when used in excess on a constant basis. Alcohol loves to punish your kidneys and liver, as well as strip vital nutrients from the body.

FOODS THAT HELP
There are some foods that are more beneficial to the body than others. These are called super-foods, and some of these foods even help you lose weight faster than most.

Blueberries top the list with lots of antioxidants, phytonutrients and cancer fighting properties. Who cares if your mouth turns purple. Eat your blueberries!

Wild caught salmon is very beneficial to the body providing high doses of Omega-3 fatty acids, lowering cholesterol and aiding in preventing inflammation.

Eggs are full of choline, which helps fat from being absorbed in the liver and helps in preventing memory loss.

Almonds contain high amounts of monounsaturated fats and fiber. Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that aid in the reduction of body fat.

Nuts are high in calories, so moderation is the key to this super-food.

Broccoil  is one of nature’s most nutrient-dense foods. Broccoli contains a ton of hunger curbing fiber, as well as lots of antioxidants that detoxify cell-damaging chemicals. Low-fat dairy products have been proven to give the body its recommended essential calcium, and helps burn fat.Think cottage cheese and you’ve got the picture. Beans are a great source of low fat protein and lots of fiber. Last, but not least is dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is known for its heart health benefits, as well as anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants.

Good foods or bad, the choice is yours!

Andy Kress is a certified fitness trainer, yoga instructor and nutritional counselor in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

For more nutritional tips or inspired exercise routines, reach him at 954-789-3930 or via email at andyfitnesstrainer@gmail.com

By Arlen Leight , Ph.D.

There are many of us in the fields of mental health and self-help who understand that basic unhappiness is primarily related to how we think about ourselves. Self-esteem and selfworth are basically the result of two major components. First, there is a demonstrated competence and success in areas of life in the EXTERNAL WORLD that are important to us. These include intelligence, relationships—intimate, friends, family, co-workers, etc.— physical self, emotional self, and work or career. The second component consists of core feelings in the INTERNAL WORLD of self-love. This includes internal feelings of value and worth, internal feelings of love, and internal feelings of self-acceptance. Both aspects of selfesteem are internally self-directed.

Often, the reason we feel less than good about ourselves begins with futile attempts to align our feelings of self-worth with cultural standards, and the opinion of others. We look for outside validation which often is not forthcoming. As each of us is different, we cannot expect our core uniqueness to align with that of others. The moment we harshly judge ourselves based on our difference, we give into devaluing and degrading our sense of self. When we harshly judge others, we can be sure its roots are in our own selfdegradation. The external components of selfesteem relate to how we function in the outside world in areas of life that are IMPORTANT to us. If we are not functioning in a way that supports a positive sense of self, we either are not living up to our potential—often due to internal self-degradation—or we are trying to live up to the ideals of someone else. When life is not going the way we want it to, it is time to explore whether we are trying to please others (or the culture at-large) at the expense of our own desires and passions.

Following one’s own heart leads to true satisfaction and self-worth. If our lack of self-esteem is the result of internal feelings of dissatisfaction, then it is time to find ways to accept ourselves exactly as we are now.

People with high self-esteem are willing to accept, improve, or change those aspects that are perceived to be “imperfect” or different from the cultural norms. They resist the need to harshly judge themselves or others, and they shun gossip. They surround themselves with people who accept them as they are, and for who they are.

Tools for enhancing self-esteem include:

1. Monitoring your self-talk. Stop the internal bully. Put up a mental STOP sign when you find yourself inappropriately judging yourself or others. Stop all criticism. It has done nothing for you in the past, and will do nothing in the future.

2. Taking risks. Push yourself into new and uncomfortable situations, realizing that imperfect outcomes or failed plans do not mean personal failure. Each person has different risk tolerance. Reward yourself for trying, no matter the outcome.

3. Giving to others. Contributing allows us to see our value in new ways.

4. Being assertive (also known as “healthy communication”). If you’re introverted, that means making an adjustment from keeping self-expression internal. If you’re extroverted, that means modifying selfexpression, and learning to listen and process your feelings more before you speak.

5. Understanding that self-care is self-esteem. Manage your nutrition, health, diet, and exercise. Take small steps, but move forward with health empowerment.

6. Experiencing personal growth classes, spiritual retreats, counseling, and reading self-help literature. Find sources of inspiration for positive change.

Finally, don’t self-medicate your feelings away with drugs and alcohol. If anything will damage your sense of self, it is substance abuse. If you have a problem, get help TODAY.

Note: Dr. Leight conducts a group for gay men every summer entitled “Confidence, Self-Esteem, and Personal Empowerment.”

For more information, visit doctorleight. com/workshops.php.

By ANDY KRESS

Most American try a fad diet sometime in their lives; a few million even have eating disorders. They come in all shapes and sizes, and often are not even actually fat. Rather, they perceive themselves to be.

Fad diets, by their very nature, don’t last. These crash diets help people get quick results. Yet shortly after any quick weight loss, the body hits a plateau. Often these diets deny us certain nutrients the body needs for optimum functioning. Over an extended period of time, this can create major deficiencies, which can take a lengthy time to reverse. Worse still, while stuck at this plateau, most people give up and go back to their old eating habits, which created the problem in the first place.

The cure for a dieting plateau is to incorporate more natural and raw foods into your eating regimen. Eating smaller portions of these healthy foods more often throughout the day will deliver better gains while dieting and trying to lose weight. Add light to moderate exercise throughout the week and see even better results.

Next, incorporate a variety of other fruits, vegetables, and proteins high in vitamins and minerals along with plenty of water.

Hydrate to excess and savor the results, and do for 90% of your week. For the remaining 10% of the time, get out of the house, living and enjoying all the things you love to eat and drink. Life is short; do not deny yourself of anything.

Note: There is a huge difference between a diet and an eating disorder. Eating disorders are not within your control; dieting is. These disorders come from many different outside influences, including peer pressure to be thick or thin. The most common eating disorder is anorexia nervosa, a lack of appetite or eating. This is common enough to affect one in every 100 people.

Although it occurs primarily in young girls and women, five percent of anorexics are men. Gymnastics, ballet and modeling are consistent culprits that feed the anorexic disorder, particularly in young women. If you notice someone in these recreations who is consistently not eating, be aware they may have anorexia nervosa. This is a serious condition from which it takes years to recover.

Bulimia is the second most common eating disorder. Most bulimics have no problem eating. Bulimics can consume 1000 to as much as 5,000 calories per setting.

Often these calories come from sweets and sugars. Most times, remorseful of binging on so many calories, the bulimic will purge all of the foods consumed. This is very hard on the body, with stomach rotting out the teeth and esophagus by stripping the enamel and lining away. In time, the consistent lack of calories and repeated vomiting take its toll much like anorexia nervosa. Again, this takes years of slow recovery to overcome. Be aware if your friends binge on sweets or there is a constant smell of vomit in the bathroom.

Obesity is quickly making its way to the most popular disorder, by affecting millions of people in the United States. These people simply cannot stop eating large portions of unhealthy foods. This is one disorder that is usually taught. All children learn eating patterns from adults, usually parents, who teach these habits and accompanying poor nutrition through eating rituals of their own. Some adopt overeating to subdue emotional distress. These people create many deleterious health conditions and severely shorten their lives. A balanced diet and portion control is the simple cure to this disease. Be aware of your friends’ and family’s eating habits, and allow them to see yours. The life you save may be your own.

OAKLAND PARK – A local health and fitness entrepreneur is throwing down the gauntlet, metaphorically speaking, to motivate residents to shed their excess weight, and to do it for a good cause. “One in three Americans is either overweight or obese, making us the fattest nation in the world,” says Peter Jackson of Push Fitness.

To get residents off their couches and onto their feet, Jackson has organized the “Body Beach Challenge.”

“This is a grassroots effort to get people in our community to lose weight safely and make changes to live a healthier lifestyle,” Jackson says.

The Body Beach Challenge is an eightweek- long community-wide weight loss program targeting men, women and children aged 15 to 80 years old, whom Jackson would like to see shed their excess weight. The Challenge will kick off on April 7 and run through June 2–just in time for the arrival of summer.

Part of the event’s proceeds will benefit the 2012 Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival. In addition, prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Jackson says his goal is to set up the participants to succeed, with an April 7 initial meeting at Push Fitness, at 1098 Floranada Road in Oakland Park. Participants will have their weight recorded and body fat measured. Those measurements will be taken again on Saturday, June 2. The individual with the most dramatic improvement— which will include average weight loss and body fat percentage decrease–will be declared the winner, with the grand prize including a $400 personal training package at Push Fitness.

“The $25 registration fee benefits the 2012 Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival,” notes Jackson. Those who take part will also receive a Body Transformation Guide with weight loss and healthy living guidelines, as well as a spiral bound Daily Exercise and Nutrition Guidebook. For more information and to register, visit pushfitnessftl.com.