Posted by Alicia Leeds on Thu, Aug 20, 2009 @ 08:35 PM
One of the questions I get all the time when people are considering the HMR Program is "What is the Success Rate?" Well, as one referring physician said to me this week, "I have never seen anyone do the program as it is designed and not lose weight. "
HMR has always set the standard for excellence in the field and measurable outcomes have been the cornerstone of the HMR Program for more than 25 years.
This month, The Journal of the American Dietetic Association published a new study showing just how effective the HMR Program is. Patients who participated in the Healthy Solutions Program (HMR shakes, HMR entrees and fruits and vegetables, behavioral coaching and 2000 calories PA) lost an average of 37.5 pounds in 18 weeks. These data represent two to three times more weight loss, in less time, compared to published results of any other commercial diet program.
(The HMR at Home Program, the latest, most convenient diet option, uses the same HMR meal replacements and diet structure as HMR Healthy Solutions in a clinical setting.)
What is the success rate? Simply stated... portion and calorie-controlled meal replacements used in a structured weight-loss program are successful in facilitating medically significant weight loss.
Check out this link for more information. http://www.adajournal.org/home
Posted by Alicia Leeds on Wed, Aug 05, 2009 @ 01:06 PM
A new report issued by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy says residents who are overweight, obese and inactive cost the state of California a whopping 41 billion dollars in 2006. $41 Billion.
California State Controller John Chiang said, "These figures
demonstrate the real and very unsettling financial impact of the
obesity epidemic on a California economy already in crisis. Think of
the programs we could protect, the children we could educate and the
families we could help if we could recapture those dollars by investing
in prevention."
In addition to examining the health care costs associated with being
overweight and obese, the report also factors in related lost
productivity due to absenteeism, short-term disability and employees
being unable to perform a portion of their work load because of their
weight.
More than 66% of Americans are overweight and obese nationwide, and that has everything to do with what we buy to eat. Do the math state by state across the United States and you begin to get an idea what our "cheap" supersized, fast food life is really costing us.
Still, many people I talk to are concerned about the cost of weight loss with the HMR Program and fruits and vegetables. So here's what I'll say - take a harder look at what being overweight is really costing you. Sick days, lack of productivity, co-pays, prescription drugs ...If you do the math, you may find out that practicing healthy behaviors is a better investment strategy. (And Physical Activity is free.)
The cost of the HMR Healthy Solutions Diet is about $13. per day. Most people report saving money while on the HMR Program. The cost of an average serving of fruits? A USDA report says the weighted average price per serving of fruit $0.18 per serving. Vegetables? An even better bargain at $0.12 per serving.
To read the full report on costs of fruit and vegetables CLICK HERE.
If California could reclaim those lost $41 Billion, the state could buy 246 Billion servings of fruits and vegetables - enough to provide 18 servings of fruits and vegetables per day for every California resident* for a year!
How we spend our money is a personal choice. We can choose to spend on those things that support a healthier lifestyle or borrow against our better health. But if we value our health and vitality, quality of life and longevity - it's time we put our money where our mouth is.
*CA pop.37,000,000
Posted by Alicia Leeds on Mon, Jul 13, 2009 @ 01:00 PM
One thing I have heard consistantly through my years as a health educator and coach is that it's hard to find a healthy substitute for snack food cravings - particularly the Salty/Crunchies.
HMR shakes and puddings fill the bill when you crave the sweet stuff - especially chocolate... and HMR entrees can be made into just about any comfort food you want. (Our HMR Recipes and Tips page is full of great ideas.)
But when it comes to the dreaded Salty/Crunchies - Healthy Solutions are hard to come by.
The old stand by is, of course, baked potato fries... just slice your favorite spuds, spread on a cookie sheet, spray with PAM and cook at about 450 until crispy. I like to broil them for the last couple of minutes to get them super crispy. Sprinkle salt, rosemary, chili powder, or Mrs Dash for flavor. Sweet potatoes are especially yummy this way - although they don't get as crispy as your average Yukon or Idaho.
Use red potatoes whole or quartered for a lighter treat - or splurge on baby gourmet potatoes - white, red or blue. Those can just be washed and cooked whole using the same methods. I especially like these because the skin gets nice and crispy.
If you are feeling adventurous - try the same recipe with Butternut Squash. Peel and cut the squash into fry size slices and bake/broil as above.
Try any of these recipes as a snack, or with HMR Turkey Chili, HMR Veggie Stew or a lean protein of your choice. Use any leftovers in a salad - or bag them up for a great grab and go snack you can eat on the run!
Happy Healthy Crunching!
Posted by Alicia Leeds on Sun, Jul 12, 2009 @ 10:50 PM
We make hundreds of food decisions every day.
Just think about breakfast. Eggs? Omlette? Poached, scrambled, over easy? How many? With toast? Home fries? PAM, butter, cheese... Sausage, ham, or bacon? Or cereal - what kind, how much? With milk? Hot, cold... which bowl? French toast? Pancakes...banana? blueberry? chcolate chip? Short stack? Lumberjack? Syrup, powdered sugar? Waffle? A La Mode? Bagel, muffin, breakfast sandwich, pastry, coffee, juice, tea? With milk or cream or 2% or skim... sugar, honey, Splenda?
Phew!
Here's how HMR Healthy Solutions makes life a little easier. Breakfast? Shake or multigrain cereal. Which HMR Recipe?
All under 250 calories. 11-14 grams of protein. Ready in 2 minutes. Portable. Easy.
Most of us don't even realize we are making food decisions all the time. And if we want to be more successful managing our weight - reducing the number of decisions, and creating variety within those choices is an easy win.
HMR Shake for Breakfast?
Add blueberries, banana, strawberries, peaches, raspberries or any combination of the above... more water for a drinkable smoothie, less water and more ice for a spoonable frosty. Put it in your favorite cup at home or to go and you're done.
As one of my clients always says, "Keep it Simple".
Fewer decisions = Better Results. HMR Healthy Solutions makes it easy!
Check out ideas for Decision Free Grocery Shopping, too.
Posted by Alicia Leeds on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 @ 07:07 PM
One of the statements I have heard many times throughout my career as an HMR Health Educator is...
I don't like vegetables.
OK, I say, Do you like corn?
Yes
How about potatoes?
Yes
Peas?
Um, yes...
It usually goes on like this, and when I break the news that long term health and weight management is not possible without fruits and veggies ... a few more get added to the list.
Bananas?
I can have bananas?
Grapes?
Don't they have too much sugar? (my favorite question!)
Compared to... what? I ask... Twinkies?
That's veg and fruit 101. You have probably graduated beyond that. You have tried the produce in the grocery and gotten into the habit of stocking the fridge with steam fresh and bagged salad and baby carrots...maybe you've even gotten a little more exotic with the mangoes or avocados...
However... your veg and fruit education is just beginning! Really, and a trip to your local farmers' market will not only expand your horizons - but will provide you with a delightful opportunity to stock up on the foods (real foods!) you need to better manage your weight while supporting local farmers (real people!).
Believe me when I tell you that the broccoli you microwaved in it's convenient plastic bag for dinner last night is a far distant cousin to the fresher, more nutritious stalk you will find on the table at the market. It is so different, in fact, that you may be hard pressed to make the genetic connection at all.
Losing weight on the HMR at Home Healthy Solutions Program is all about learning new behaviors that will ultimately help you live healthier and improve your quality of life. More fruits and veggies are an absoute must do and a must do forever!
Why not get the most out of your fruit and veggie experience... meet the person who grew your potato... and take a lovely stroll in the sunshine as you shop (no piped in muzak either!). You may even come across some new taste sensation - like broccoli fresh from the farm!
Check out this website for farmers markets close to your home.
www.localharvest.org
EAT well, live fully! And bring your own bags!