Weekly Round-Up - Week Ending on 3/8/2013

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Every week, we're bringing you the best - the most interesting, exciting and informative news, articles, studies and blog postings from the week before. Whether you would rather listen to all the general information about happenings around the country, partake in some celebrity gossip, expand you knowledge about scientific research in health and fitness, or connect with another person on a similar journey towards leading a wholesome life, we've got you covered.

We scour the web for the choicest material and consolidate it all in one place so you don't have to. Enjoy!

Top News

“Hearing Reset on McDonald’s Islamic Diet Agreement”
The Associated Press

Seems like nowadays it doesn’t matter where you turn - there’s a McDonald’s on every corner, off every exit ramp as you’re driving down the highway, even in every airport. Now, McDonald’s has been sued by a Dearborn Heights man who was allegedly told by the fast-food giant that the food was prepared in accordance with Islamic custom when, in fact, it was not. McDonald’s has known it’s fair share of lawsuits, so one more is unlikely to shake its confidence too much. Bummer. 

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/03/05/judge-to-rule-on-mcdonalds-islamic-diet-agreement/


“American Eggs Would Be Illegal In a British Supermarket and Vice Versa”
Forbes
By: Nadia Arumugam

Get this: American law dictates that all eggs must be washed and sanitized before being sold in a supermarket. In contrast, the European Union denotes that Class A eggs cannot legally be washed and sanitized before being sold in a supermarket. Check out this story to find out why there’s such a major disconnect.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/nadiaarumugam/2012/10/25/why-american-eggs-would-be-illegal-in-a-british-supermarket-and-vice-versa/


“Woman has Planet Fitness membership revoked for talking on phone”
The Boston Herald

Planet Fitness’s mantra has long been that it’s a “judgment-free” zone, but apparently that also means it’s a “cell phone-free” zone. A woman was reportedly kicked out of the gym (for good) after answering her cell phone in the lobby, which violates gym rules. She claims the gym violated its own “no-intimidation” policy when the manager became irate at her for answering it. 

http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/03/gym_revokes_woman_s_membership_over_call


“Watchdog fights to keep labels on ‘diet milk’”
The Hill
By: Ben Goad

After the International Dairy Foods Association sent quite the stir through the health & fitness community last week for requesting the right to limit nutritional information contained on their flavored milk products, a watchdog group is fighting to stop the FDA from approving the request. The group, like many health advocates, is concerned the milk companies are targeting children, which could increase childhood obesity.

http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/healthcare/286575-watchdog-fights-to-keep-labels-on-diet-milk-

 

Articles

“Biggest Celebrity Weight Loss Stories In Pictures”
OK Magazine

If they can do it, so can you. See some of the before-and-after photos of your favorite celebrities, including Jennifer Hudson, Ricki Lake, Drew Carey and more. Sometimes looking at the results of people who entertain you can be great motivation to jump-start your own weight loss journey.

http://www.okmagazine.com/photos/hot-shots/biggest-celebrity-weight-loss-stories-pictures


“March into Nutrition Month”
Vernon Morning Star

If you haven’t heard yet, we’re here to tell you. March is National Nutrition Month, the perfect time to start thinking about what you’re putting into your body, how it affects the way you feel - and most importantly - what it does to your health long-term. This article provides a great basic advice guide on how to use Nutrition Month as a way to kick-start better eating habits. 

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/community/194384641.html


“Weight loss going nowhere? Secret snacking could be the cause”
Female First

If you’re like most people, you enjoy the occasional snack now and again. Sure, you eat three healthy meals a day, you try and get in some fitness every now and again, but for some reason you’re just not losing weight like you used to. What most people don’t realize is that snacking costs them numerous calories. A new show seeks to help people visualize their snacking addiction more by following people and recording what they eat between meals. 

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/health/weightloss-282618.html


“Kate Hudson flaunts washboard abs, 70-lb weight loss”
Examiner

The actress gives workout tips, diet guidelines and more to discuss how she lost over 70 pounds and managed to achieve beautiful abs after weighing in at 184 pounds during her pregnancy. 

http://www.examiner.com/article/kate-hudson-flaunts-washboard-abs-70-lb-weight-loss-topless-photo


“Jim Carrey’s Talks Crazy Weight Loss”
Cinema Blend

To fulfill the role of a shapely magician in the movie The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, Carrey lost a ton of weight and got in amazing shape. Although Carrey said it was fun being in that great of shape, he said he has no intention of maintaining it. Rather, Carrey said he thinks it’s important to be healthy, but not starve yourself from everything you enjoy in life.

http://www.cinemablend.com/pop/Jim-Carrey-Talks-Crazy-Weight-Loss-53292.html


“‘Fasting Diet’ could be unhealthy, nutritionists say”
Fox News
By: Rachael Rettner

One of the latest fad diets is the so-called “Fasting Diet,” which promises extreme weight loss for people who fast 2 days a week (eat 500 calories or less for women, 600 for men), but eat whatever they want on the other days. But as is the case with many fad diets, eventually the nutritionist community takes a look and comes out against it. In this case, concerns that the diet can lead to overeating on non-fasting days or create an unhealthy obsession with food are causing the nutritionist community to bite back.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/03/06/fasting-diet-fad-could-be-unhealthy-nutritionists-say/


“Snooki Loses 42 Pounds”
US Weekly

Looks like Snooki, of MTV’s Jersey Shore, is doing a little less drinking and pickle-munching and making a little more visits to her local fitness center. The 25-year-old star has reportedly lost 42 pounds since giving birth to her son Lorenzo.

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/news/snooki-loses-42-pounds-debuts-post-baby-bod-in-bikini-201363

 

Blog Posts

“The Experts Weigh In: 4 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Women Make”
Pop Sugar
By: Leta Shy

From only counting calories to not drinking enough water and even emotional eating, this blog really gets down to some of the biggest struggles women encounter when it comes to losing weight and getting healthy. It even provides fun tips on how to overcome emotional eating, ensure you get enough water and more. Take a look!

http://www.fitsugar.com/Top-Nutrition-Mistakes-28385927


“Running Blogger’s Guide to the Perfect Snow Day”
Marcia’s Healthy Slice
By: Marcia Kadens

March is one of the snowiest months of the year for most of the country. The dense, wet snow that falls creates the perfect conditions for building snowmen, sipping hot cocoa, munching on chili and sitting next to the fireplace. But it can also make getting out for a run (or whatever workout you like) more difficult. Marcia’s blog posting gives readers a fun list of what they can do to make the most of a snow day, including shoveling snow or playing with the kids outside. 

http://www.marciashealthyslice.com/2013/03/running-bloggers-guide-to-the-perfect-snow-day.html


“Longest Treadmill Run Ever”
Super Sana
By: Sana Waheed

Ever had that moment when you get to a fitness class just a few minutes late, sigh and hop on the closest treadmill instead? For many people, a treadmill run can be about as boring and monotonous as they come...which is why Sana was pretty psyched when she covered the screen with a magazine and suddenly found that she had gone over 2.5 miles without even realizing it! Check out her experience here, and enter for a chance to win a free Vampire 5K Race registration giveaway!

http://www.supersana.com/2013/03/05/longest-treadmill-run-ever-vampire-event-giveaway/


“Bumps and Bruises”
Coffee Cake and Cardio
By: Ashley Rozendaal

One of the things we love is when a blog post connects with its readers on a real, intimate level - where a blogger gets vulnerable and talks about her struggles losing weight and getting fit. Ashley’s post walks us through using fitness apps and how they were uphill and downhill for her, then shares her triumphs and things she’d like to work on. It’s just real - a real discussion about a real journey to lose weight and get fit.

http://www.coffeecakeandcardio.com/2013/03/08/bumps-and-bruises/


“The No. 1 Obstacle to Weight Loss”
PsychCentral
By: Christy Matta, MA

This post acknowledges many of the common problems people have when it comes to weight loss - such as being susceptible to advertising, lack of time, convenience, etc. - but then takes it a step forward. According to the post, many people also struggle with weight loss because of emotional issues - issues like depression, anxiety and many more. In fact, a survey of over 1,300 psychologists revealed that 42 percent of people engage in emotional eating. Take a look here to find out ways you can get help.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/03/07/the-no-1-obstacle-to-weight-loss/
 

Studies

“PMS Symptoms Linked to Diet”
The American Journal of Epidemiology

A decade-long study of more than 3,000 women has found that those who eat diets rich in minerals are less likely to suffer from extreme PMS symptoms, whereas those who eat more potassium may increase it. The message here? If your boyfriend complains about your attitude around that time of the month, set down the banana and pick up that bow of leafy spinach greens. 

http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/02/23/aje.kws363.abstract


“Targeting diet products: Why are more independent consumers better at delaying gratification?”
Journal of Consumer Research

A new study has determined that the product benefits that occur later in time are more likely to appeal to independent consumers rather than those who are family-oriented. More specifically, independent consumers are more likely to purchase diet pills because they understand that they may gain long-term benefits even if they see no changes initially. Interesting.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-03/uocp-tdp030513.php


“The Relationship of Sugar to Population-Level Diabetes Prevalence”
PLOS One

A study published in PLOS One revealed that sugar may have a direct link to diabetes, independent of what researchers had previously pinpointed to be the problem: that eating too much sugar is synonymous with gaining weight - and its obesity that causes diabetes. This is the first major study to actually prove that not all calories are created equal.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0057873


“Food memories may aid weight loss, researchers say”
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Researchers from British institutions analyzed 24 weight loss studies and came to the conclusion that people with stronger memories may be more successful than those who are forgetful, largely due to the fact that they can remember what they ate - and are therefore less likely to overeat or forget their calorie-counts. 

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-food-memories-may-aid-weight-loss-researchers-say-20130306,0,7618434.story


“Gluten-free Diet Appeals to 30 Percent of Adults, Survey Says”
via: Huffington Post

More people than ever are saying that eliminating or reducing gluten from their diets is important. The gluten-free market alone brings in $4.2 billion a year, likely due to the increasing cases of celiac disease from eating too much gluten.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/gluten-free-diet_n_2818954.html


“Cash can bribe dieters to lose weight, study finds”
The Mayo Clinic
via: Fox News

A study revealed that people who are offered cash in return for weight loss may lose up to four times the weight as those who are not, according to a year-long study conducted by the Mayo Clinic on employees. Sure, money can be a great incentive to lose weight, but the question becomes will the weight actually stay off? In reality, losing weight and changing one’s lifestyle needs to come from a deeper place than just wanting to earn a few quick bucks.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/03/07/cash-can-bribe-dieters-to-lose-weight-study-finds/


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Author: Caitlin H

Diet-to-Go Community Manager

Caitlin is a journalist by trade and an avid runner. She is passionate about maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle and encouraging people to engage in common-sense eating. Caitlin believes in living a well-rounded life, to include balancing time with family, friends, fitness and food.

Follow Caitlin on Twitter @CaitlinHendee 

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