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I was just wondering what you would recommend for my mom who wants to start an exercise regimen. She is 52 years old and has arthritis in her ankles. I suggested that she try swimming, but she does not enjoy it. Any advice?

If your mom has access to fitness equipment I would recommend biking or even an eliptical, which would be more stable for her ankles.  Make sure she has good shoes for exercise (check out Bob Ronkers Running Spot), and a nice padded track might be more comfortable for walking than the hard road or sidewalks.

Ditto Lindsay's comment about good shoes. I am always surprised at the number of people I see walking or running in poor or inappropriate shoes. I have a very high, very long instep and wide feet and have been buying my shoes from the Running Spot for over 10 years. It can be a little intimidating going into the store at first - they're pretty hardcore runners there. But, everyone is really helpful and works hard to get you into the right shoes - they'll even order a pair for you if they don't have the right size in stock.

A hint for Maria's mom - start out each workout slowly. I have arthritis in my knees and, while I hate being passed by everyone, starting out slow and steady gives my joints time to generate the fluid they need to move smoothly. Arthritic joints aren't so good at that, so they do need 15 minutes or so before things start to click in. Good luck!

What do you think about supplements and "natural" medicine.  Do you promote the Omega 3 Fatty Acids, etc.  What about workout supplements such as protein drinks, etc.?

I have a 10 day old son and I am currently *** feeding. Is it safe to eat peanut butter? I know peanut allergies are on the rise, but I'm not sure what causes them. I ate peanut butter throughout my pregnancy, but am waiting right now until I get more information. Thanks!!

Hi this is Teresa,

First I want to thank Lindsey for all of her help and encouragement.  In one month I have lost a total of 11lbs and 6inches all over......I feel great, I workout 4days a week.  I am able to make much better choices when I chose my meals and snacks.

The first thing I would say I gained from this was Accountability,  I mean having so many people watching how much weight you lose made me stick to the plan.  So now everyone knows I trying to lose weight, they probably already knew I needed too....lol

The eating every 2-3 hours is great.  Also eating within an hour of getting up help a great deal.  I was really concern about the low calorie count 1200, because when I did the "weight loss calorie deficit" it told me to eat around 1800 calories.  But once my body got use to the 1200 it was great.  The eating every 2-3 hours was a big help for me I didn't get hungry as much.  It is like an alarm clock going off, ringggggggg uh Teresa it is time to eat something..........lol but that is how it went.......  Now I didn't grab a bag of chips or a candy bar.....it was more of a protein bar or almonds and yogurt or fruit and almonds.

BUT WHAT EVER YOU DO DRINK YOUR WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you know anything about Juice Plus?  If so, what do you think?  And, any suggestions on how to beat a true sugar addiction?

Thanks Lindsey and nogaje for the help..I'll let my mom know since she barely knows how to use the computer! just kidding; she's a lot better now than she used to be.

Also, congratulations Teresa- I think it's awesome what you did and you are right that accountability can be a huge motivator! That's why communication through things like this can be so helpful- Good luck if you are continuing on with your program!
 

I think I have a sugar addiction as well, Peggy! Is it ok to eat a little bit of chocolate, or a few bites of cake several times a week if you are trying to lose weight? I like to enjoy weight watcher toffee bars. They only count as one point and are very tasty. They are about 100 calories. Also, I know cardio workouts are important, but will an intense one hour core building exercise class be sufficient for a days workout?

Peggy: I found a great scientific, well referenced article on juice plus. If you are interested in a detailed overview, view the following:
http://www.mlmwatch.org/04C/NSA/juiceplus.html
I have not found any evidence that juice plus could be harmful, however it could be a money trap. We could be finding similar results if we ate our recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables, increased our fiber, and consumed anti-inflammatory foods (ex. fish oil).  

SUGAR ADDICTIONS, this is a true condition. There is a 12 step program for sugar addicts, community support groups, books... different individuals have varying degrees of sugar addictions. Some individuals need to treat their sugar cravings like an eating disorder and get professional support, while other individuals just enjoy their sweets and it is not truly an addiction.

If you just happen to enjoy some sweet in your day, plan the food into a meal or snack so you're not grazing on high calorie food items. Of course it's fine to have that bite of cake, girl scout cookie, or candy bar if you can control your portions.

Ways to avoid craving sweets:
1. Never allow yourself to get hungry throughout the day (this can trigger a craving)
2. Omit the soda's, even diet (research is not conclusive, but diet soft drinks may be linked with triggering sweet cravings)
3. Base your meals around protein and non-starchy vegetables for fullness (these foods won't spike your blood sugars and they'll keep you fuller longer)
4. When eating a carbohydrate food, pair it with a protein to help level out blood sugars  

Kimmijo78: your question was, "is it safe to consume peanut butter while breastfeeding"? You may want to consider avoiding peanuts/peanut butter if you or any close family members have food allergies (this could put your baby at risk for food allergies).  The best answer is, play it safe and avoid peanut butter until you are done breastfeeding. Doctors recommend waiting until the baby is 36 months old to introduce peanut products.