Misconceptions about Sleep Apnea: Being Fat Causes OSA

In 2010, at 46, I was diagnosed with OSA--Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In OSA the nasal passages collapse during sleep, causing the apneac to choke and gasp for breath. Sometimes, like in my case, this happens hundreds (even thousands) of times a night. Because I was 100 pounds overweight, people have assumed I had sleep apnea because I was obese. That's a dangerous, potentially lethal misconception that only fat people get sleep apnea. From my own experience several factors disprove that. First, I lost 83 pounds and my apnea is just as bad, maybe worse. Here are other reasons. Misconceptions about Sleep Apnea: Being Fat Causes OSA 

Diet Tip: Make Mid-day Lunch Your Biggest Meal

I have lost 82 pounds. It's taken me about two years to do it. Along the way I have picked up tricks and tips that help with weight loss. Lots of people have asked me how I did it. I'm passing on diet strategies under the +Diet-tip-of-the-day and +Dietrecipeoftheday tags (you can click these to find the whole series). Today's tip: make lunch, or your midday meal the biggest one. Diet Tip: Make Mid-day Lunch Your Biggest Meal
 

Diet Tip of the Day: Share, Brag, Shout it Out

I'm dieting to get rid of 100 pounds gained and only have about 20 pounds to go. Every day I write a +Dietrecipeoftheday and +Diet-tip-of-the-day to share. Today's tip is: brag about weight lost. I was just discussing this with my eldest daughter. I was explaining why I post a lot of weight loss pictures on Facebook, how I tweet that I've lost 80 pounds and how I share my news a lot.

Maybe you've been wondering too why I do this (if you've read my articles). It's simple. I feel good and want to share how good weight loss feels. I want not only to tell, but show, how it works. Is this bragging? Maybe, a little. But as my daughter pointed out, it's no different than a alcoholic getting a 30-day sober pin. Or an athlete sharing about a win in a game. Or an artist displaying her work.
Diet Tip of the Day: Share and Brag

Living Al-Anon Slogans: Take Care of Yourself, Do What's Best for You

Anxiety and I go back a long way. Fear has been a constant companion, if not a friend. Panic attacks have ruled me and fight-or-flight characterized my behavior. The picture on the left is me deep in anxiety mode. I was not happy and it showed. Thanks to 12-step recovery groups like Al-Anon, I use past tense. I am learning to take care of myself so negative feelings don't control me. Picture on the right is me a few months ago, much happier, despite being in menopause Here's how.

Cast out false fear. My old modus operandi was others-driven. I'm not saying being others-centered is all bad. Obviously parents need to put kids first. And unselfishness is good for relationships. To an extent. But that wasn't how I did it. Living Al-Anon Slogans: Take Care of Yourself, Do What's Best for You

 I lived in constant fear of upsetting, angering, disappointing and failing. Fear consumed, overwhelmed and exhausted me. I got physically ill. Fear will always be my most challenging nemesis. Combating it means stepping way outside my comfort zone. But if I don't, the zone only gets smaller. Self-care means bearding my lions.

Air Conditioner Helps My Allergies

 I've been battling allergies all my life. I had testing done in 2010 and found that I'm allergic to just about everything but animals. I have skin and nasal allergies. Since moving to this house in 2000, they've escalated. I have a theory that it's due in part to a tannery located near us. That's being torn down now and I've noticed allergies are worse (itchy, watery eyes, breathing problems, itchy skin).  Air Conditioner Helps My Allergies

Parent Discipline Tips for Sassy Attitude, Smart-Mouth Kids

My oldest child was the poster child for strong willed. She freely (and proudly I suspect) admits this. All my kids have smart mouths and sassy attitudes--even as adults. Happily, they're learning to put attitude to healthier uses (besides just driving parents crazy). Got sassypants children? Here are attitude taming tips from a 25-year mom of four.

* Understand the source. Kids who act like wise guys usually are smart. They're clever and inquisitive. Gifted kids question everything, says Rhode Island Advisory Board on Gifted and Talented Education. So it stands to reason the first people they'll question are mom and dad.
Parent Discipline Tips for Sassy Attitude, Smart-Mouth Kids

Quit Letting People Take Advantage of You, Manipulate You

I've always let people take advantage of me. I've been embarrassingly easy to manipulate. I have what IFS Growth Patterns calls "people pleaser pattern" personality. It stems from low self-esteem and an over-active conscience. I'm an empath. I can't divorce others' pain from mine. This weird melange has destroyed my mental health and ruined relationships. But I'm not letting it anymore. To heal, I'm getting out of the passenger seat and taking over the wheel of my life. This heals relationships, too. Here's how.   Quit Letting People Take Advantage of You, Manipulate You

Health Problems I Lost After Losing Weight

I've lost 71 pounds gained. I didn't crash-diet. I cut fat, transfat, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, starch and meat. Happily, losing weight lost health problems too.

High LDL Cholesterol: My low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol wasn't dangerously high, but it was getting there. Losing just 20 pounds got it down. I hadn't even started seriously dieting yet. What worked was cutting transfat and hydrogenated fat, eating less fat overall and switching to olive oil for cooking. Taking Omega-3 helps. I changed to light olive oil margarine and mayonnaise, nonfat milk and yogurt. I cut dairy, spreads and fat-based condiments. 90 percent of my protein intake is fish, chicken breast and lamb. I rarely eat beef or pork.  Health Problems I Lost After Losing Weight

Blogging Helps Teens with Social Problems, APA Says

Parents, are you worried about the amount of time your teen spends in online chat? Don't despair. A new study released by the American Psychological Association finds that blogging and online interaction can actually help teenagers process anxiety and cope better with social interaction. Here are facts about teen social blogging and emotional benefits.

I frequently write about negatives in youth online presence. I'm concerned that excessive texting and Facebook interaction is making kids unable to relate face-to-face. I think the healthy solution is balance. If kids only "socialize" from behind a screen, when they don't talk, only text, that's dangerous. And the "who with" is as important as the "how much." For the most part, kids should interact with agemates, not adults online. If you wouldn't let your kid go somewhere with someone, you shouldn't let him hang out online with them either.

When kids are equally social, online and off, then blogging and social networking seem to be positive. Adults, this advice is for us, too. I've had many positive experiences from blogging and Facebook. The former is part of how I earn my living. And the latter has enabled me to boost confidence and extend my comfort zone. Read more about how  Blogging Helps Teens with Social Problems

Antidepressant Food Swaps to Beat Depression, Boost Mood

I struggled with postpartum depression with all my children. Then I lost two stillborn babies and spiraled into major mood problems. I took the antidepressant Paxil which caused weight gain. Instead of improving, my depression became crippling. I quit antidepressants, but had gained 100 pounds and incurred numerous related health issues. I've since lost 68 pounds, reduced health problems and learned to treat depression naturally. Here are food swaps to eat and drink your way to a better mood.Read more