| How losing weight can turn your life around
It was a Province story that should give heart to all those British Columbians who have a weight problem or a problem with money -- or both. Three years ago, Nanaimo realtor Natasha Koch weighed in at a scale-topping 350 pounds. Now the 34-year-old former welfare mom is down to nearly half that amount. Her weight loss has given her the confidence to set achievable goals, win people over in business -- and enable her to take her two boys away on holiday once a year. Koch's turnaround sends a message to all those who are overweight and down on their luck: You too can change your life, pound by pound and dollar by dollar. - What do you think? Leave a brief comment, name and town at: 604-605-2029, fax: 604-605-2099 or e-mail: provletters@png.canwest.com .
How to add whole grains, cut trans fat
By taking a closer look at some of the latest food marketing trends, we add variety to your grocery cart without taking a huge bite out of your budget. Q. Why are food companies marketing whole grains? Since health experts emphasize the importance of eating more whole grains, many foods are now marketed as "made with whole grain." Just take a trip through the cereal aisle. Many cereals have replaced some, if not all refined flours, with whole grain varieties. But even if a cereal had no white flour, that alone would not make it a health food. A primary reason for eating whole grains is to add more fiber to your diet. Only a few of the reformulated cereals have more than 1 gram of fiber per serving. Many kids' cereals are still nearly half sugar.
The secret to loss: Motivation
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Jennifer Morganstern and Tone Benestad floundered for years struggling with obesity, looking for the secret formula to help them lose weight. Depression and stress had dragged them into obesity as they used food to suppress negative emotions. "I spent 10 years eating and drinking," said Morganstern, 40, of Olympia. "I tried every antidepressant out there." She said she lacked motivation. "I didn't know why I was so tired, craving carbs and sugar," Morganstern said. "All I wanted to do was lie around and watch TV." For Benestad, 54, of Olympia, obesity was a nagging companion even before she graduated from Olympia High School in 1970 weighing 218 pounds. She wasn't alone. "Out of six kids in our family, three have weight problems and the other three have issues with drugs and alcohol," Benestad said.
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