Health

9 Ways You Can Avoid Weight Gain While on Lockdown

The Covid-19 lockdown has completely changed the way people live overnight, and even if you had a healthy routine before, you may not be following it right now. However, being in lockdown doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll end up gaining weight. There are ways you can avoid piling on the pounds when stuck at home, so here are some easy tips to follow.

Know the difference between boredom and hunger

A big challenge during lockdown will be dealing with boredom. Whether you’re working from home or on a break from your job, it’s likely you’ll have a lot more hours to fill without social events, commuting and other things that fill the day. When you’re bored, it’s all too easy to reach for snacks, so you should try to learn the difference between boredom and genuine hunger. If you suspect your current craving for chips and candy bars is due to boredom, there are plenty of things you can do:

Go for a walk or do some gentle exercise such as yoga. It’ll take your mind off snacks and improve your mood
Read a book or watch a TV show to distract yourself
Clean the house, garden or do something that makes it physically difficult to snack
Drink some water – many hunger pangs are just thirst and will pass once you’re hydrated

Be careful what food you keep in the house

Another issue with lockdown is that people have been asked to limit how many times they leave the house, so if you’re someone who likes to grocery shop daily, you’ll need to adjust to shopping once a week or fortnight. Unfortunately, this can that when you wander around the grocery store, you end up filling your cart with lots of candy bars and unhealthy snacks, which then sit in your pantry, tempting you. Instead of buying junk, look for healthy snacks you can keep in your pantry, as they won’t go out of date, and if you desperately need a snack, there’s one you can have.

Some healthy snacks you might want to try include:

Low-fat popcorn
Nuts
Dried fruit
Healthy crackers
Fruit leather
Healthy snack bars

These are excellent alternatives to chips and candy bars and are much more filling than the high calorie alternatives.

Follow a diet plan

If you’ve been wanting to overhaul your diet for a while, then lockdown may be a good chance to do so. It means you have time to focus on what you’re eating, and you don’t have the day to day stresses of life to throw you off track. Try a simple and affordable weight loss plan for an easy diet that’s flexible to suit different lifestyles and needs. It saves you the stress of needing to shop for food, removing the temptation to buy junk, because everything is planned out for you.

Whatever diet plan you decide to follow, it can help a lot if you draw up a meal plan. That way, you know exactly what you’re going to eat day by day. This means you can resist the temptation to eat junk, because you know you have a planned snack or meal coming right up. As a bonus, meal planning can save you money and leads to less food waste.

Drink plenty of water

Being properly hydrated is a good way to avoid eating too much, and if you aren’t getting the recommended 2-liters of water a day, this is a good time to get into that habit. It can also help you avoid headaches and mood swings and drinking water before a meal can stop you consuming as many calories. If you’re visiting the grocery store less, then this may be a good time to cut down on soda, juice and other liquid calories, replacing them with plain or filtered water.

Don’t reward yourself with food

Because lots of events are cancelled and people aren’t going out to socialize, one of the small pleasures left is takeout. Unfortunately, takeout is high in calories, salt and fat compared to home cooking, and replacing meals with this kind of food is likely to create bad eating habits once lockdown is over.

If you’ve worked hard on something and need a reward, or want a treat to perk yourself up, choose something that’s non-food related. From a scented candle to a face mask, there are lots of things you can enjoy that don’t involve excess calories.

Keep yourself busy

Keeping busy is another way to avoid weight gain. This can be difficult now, as many people aren’t going into work, so are worried about the future. It’s a good idea to take on some projects to fill your days, whether it’s DIY, doing something creative or just homeschooling the kids. This will ensure you aren’t just thinking about food all the time.

Activities that take both hands are the best to avoid boredom snacking. For example, sewing, making crafts, or knitting, as you can’t idly snack while you’re doing these things.

Make the most of outdoor exercise time

While you are still allowed outdoor exercise, you should make the most of it and get some fresh air, as well as helping to burn excess calories. Running is one of the best ways to burn calories, and it doesn’t take much to get started, just the right pair of shoes. However, a brisk walk or cycle can be just as good. Try to make the most of your time outside by taking in the scenery and enjoying the exercise, so you look forward to your daily routine.

Exercise at home too

If lockdown gets stricter, or you simply don’t get enough time to exercise outside, then there are exercises you can do at home that will get you moving, even if you live in a small space. YouTube is full of exercise videos, so you can try a different type of workout everyday if you wish. There are even options for complete beginners like walking and chair workouts that give you gentle exercise.

If you don’t like following a routine, then running on the spot, skipping with a rope or doing some yoga poses can be a good way to simply get yourself moving and cheer yourself up a little. There are even stories of people exercising by running up and down their balcony, so get creative during this difficult time.

Don’t be too hard on yourself

The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event, so a lot of people are finding it hard to deal with, and it’s no wonder people might find their weight fluctuates during this time. If you have gained a little weight, don’t worry, there are ways to lose it again and to keep yourself healthy. Simply resolve to focus more on your health and find a diet plan that works for you. Once you leave lockdown, there will no doubt be lots of events and fun gatherings to enjoy, so use those good thoughts to get yourself through hard times.

Being at home all the time doesn’t necessarily mean you will gain weight. Being around food all the time can certainly be tempting, and you’ll be moving less due to restrictions. However, there are ways you can avoid weight gain, or minimize the amount you put on. Focus on a healthy diet, overcoming your boredom and focusing on different things. You can then add some exercise into your daily routine, both inside and outside, so you burn off excess calories.

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP