You Are What Your Friends Eat: How Social Networks Affect Our Health

By Stephanie S. Saunders

Everyone knows that you are what you eat. But what if you actually are what your friends eat? What if obesity was not hereditary, but contagious? Sure, it's easier to blame your parents for that sort of thing. After all, why wouldn't the size of your hips be the result of bad genes? But a few years ago, two scientists published an extensive study of 12,067 people in the New England Journal of Medicine that seems to prove that we are directly affected by the habits of others.

Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler theorized that weight gain in an individual is associated with weight gain in his or her siblings, spouse, and neighbors. The phenomenon is called a "contagion" and can be described as a kind of social virus that is transmitted by proximity. It seems a person is 57 percent more likely to become obese if they have a friend who becomes obese. If a sibling becomes obese, the other sibling has a 47 percent increased chance of having the same thing happen to them. And a person has a 37 percent chance of serious weight gain if their spouse starts tipping the scales. No one is exactly sure how it occurs, but our social environment seems to infect us, and we in turn, spread it.

Yes, you read it right. It seems weight gain and the flu have a lot in common, except Walgreens® isn't doling out shots to keep you thin. Many public health leaders, including the National Institute of Health, now believe that this growing science of social networks can be used to improve health on a huge scale. By either creating new social networks, like a dieting group, or by influencing the leaders of already-existing health-related groups such as the Team Beachbody® Message Boards, positive health messages will become contagious. But how can we affect those we care about, and not be affected by unhealthy behaviors?

"Be the change you want to see in the world." —Mahatma Gandhi

The first thing we can do is be an example. You're reading this newsletter, so you already have some interest in your health. It's more than likely you're also on a kick-butt exercise and nutrition program that's altering your appearance. You're already creating the change in yourself, and that will, in turn, have an effect on others. If you want to make a real difference, stay on the path. It is quite easy to reach our goals, only to let them slip away over an extended vacation, holiday season, or traumatic event like a breakup. What this says to an outsider is: "If Tom couldn't keep the weight off, how is there any hope for me? Why even bother?" If you want to inspire others, continue to be an inspiration.

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own." —Benjamin Disraeli

Who really has time to talk anymore? We have emails, IMs, and text messages that have pretty much replaced verbal communication. We're all running around trying to accomplish things, which will fall behind schedule if we meet someone for coffee. Yet, sometimes just talking to people about their health and encouraging them to change can be the difference between being healthy and having a lifelong struggle with obesity. You've gone from a size 8 to a size 4, or from a beer gut to a six-pack. People around you will most likely ask how the heck you did it. When they do, ask them to grab a nonfat latte and sit down, because you have something to share with them.

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." —Oprah Winfrey

Removing yourself from every situation that has unhealthy people in it is impossible and unnecessary. We're all tied into our friendships, jobs, and families by many threads, most of which we couldn't sever if we wanted to. You know your best friend from junior high would hunt you down if you moved to a small island off the coast of Madagascar. So instead of losing your relationships, make it a point to tip the scales and add a few more. Finding like-minded people—be it at a gym, a cooking class, a yoga studio, a fitness retreat, or a well-known local hiking spot—can open you up to new ideas and new positive influences. As your resolve becomes strengthened by your new friendships, you will be that much more able to assist your more established friendships.

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." —Buddha

If you truly want to create a change in the health of others, there are thousands of programs out there that need volunteers. From the national organizations designed to raise money for diseases, to the local car wash that supports the high school athletic program, there's always someone who could use your assistance. Or better yet, create your own network of people making a difference, in whatever way you feel driven. Organize that 10k to benefit the YMCA, petition your state school board to increase physical education and remove vending machines full of sugar from your schools, or create a foundation to bring food to famine-stricken parts of the world. Making a big difference in the health of others can begin with one person, and it could be you.

Conclusion

Why we are so susceptible to the influences of others remains a mystery. From the time we are babies, we learn to mimic gestures and language. As adults, we still mimic yawns, laughs, and often aggression, as the mob after a recent NBA playoffs game proved. And now it seems we can mimic weight gain or loss, along a host of other behaviors. Before getting swept up in the crowd, take a moment and decide what you want for your life. You can choose your own destiny, and maybe help shape the lives of others in the process.

References:

Christakis, N. A. and J. H. Fowler,. "The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years." New England Journal of Medicine 357 (July 26, 2007): 370-379.
Eric Jaffe, "The 'contagion' of social networks," Los Angeles Times, September 13, 2010, http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/13/health/la-he-social-networks-health-20100913
Clive Thompson, "Are Your Friends Making You Fat?" New York Times, September 10, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/magazine/13contagion-t.html
R. William Doherty, "Emotional Contagion and Social Judgment," Motivation and Emotion 22, No. 3 (1998), 1-2.

Here's the link if you want to see the article!

10 Most Effective Workout Videos Of All Time!

I found this list on www.livestrong.com & would you look at that 4 out of the 10 are Beachbody! ;)

Workout DVDs overrun the shelves at the store. There are DVD routines that tone abs, rear end or whole body. These videos can be an efficient workout for busy people, who don't have time to make it to the gym. With so many choices, however, it is not easy to pick the right video. With a little help, the perfect workout video can be at one's fingertips; these top 10 stand the test of time.

10 Minute Solution
This DVD allows you to choose from 5 different programs. You can either combine the five programs for a 50 minute workout, or just work on one area for a 10 minute workout.

Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Amped
Billy Blanks provides the most successful workout for burning calories. Blanks was a pioneer in the Tae Bo workout video field. His Tae Bo Amped five disk set combines Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing and aerobics. According to Consumer Search, this video set will get your heart rate up and burn calories.

Brazil Butt Lift
Leandro Carvalho shares his secrets on sculpting the butt. Super models use this video to avoid surgery. It is effective for creating a firm rear end.

Denise Austin: Boot Camp Total Body Blast
This DVD is perfect for the time-crunched individual. According to Fitness Magazine, each workout burns approximately 350 calories. It provides three workouts in 30 minutes or less, including cardio, strength and stretching. The short sessions, in this video, are just enough time to burn fat and see results.

Insanity Challenge
This DVD provides drills, intervals and strength training in one-hour increments. Shaun T utilizes MAX Interval Training so that the participant can get an awesome body in 60 days.

Jane Fonda: The Workout
The Workout works your whole body, by combining low impact and high intensity movements. According to the Jane Fonda website, it is the highest-selling workout video of all time.

Jillian Michaels: The Complete Workout for Beginners
According to "Fitness Magazine", Jillian Michaels created the most efficient back to basics workout. This program focuses on circuit training and toning the body. The format is facilitative and easy to follow.

Richard Simmons: Sweatin' to the Oldies
Richard Simmons' video Sweatin' to the Oldies is the best video for making you sweat. The video features classic music that you can enjoy while working up a sweat.

Tony Horton's P90X
The P90X is the greatest workout for building muscle mass. It is a 90-day extreme challenge. By never allowing muscles to get used to a workout, it builds muscle. An intense and highly recommended workout to bulk up.

Turbo Jam
Turbo Jam is the most effective video for having fun. According to Beachbody, it blends cardio, kickboxing, body sculpting and dance so that you can enjoy working out.


It makes me smile to see that TURBO JAM made the list. That program changed my life! :)

Exercise & Skin Care- they go hand in hand!

This article came from Yahoo! Shine, click here to see it.

Why Exercise is Good for Your Skin
Working out is fantastic for firming up flabby areas and losing weight. As if you needed another excuse to get your fitness on, it's no secret both your inner and outer health improve when you exercise. Proving that glowing skin not only comes from a bottle, jar or a tube, here are four ways that getting physical can pack amazing results for your skin.

1. Sweating clears out your pores. But let everything stay on your skin and it could have adverse effects. Be sure to wash your face post-workout and shed your workout clothes to avoid chest and back breakouts.

2. Exercising will firm you up, making your skin look toned and firm—doesn't a set of toned legs or strong arms always look nicer?

3. As Elle Woods in Legally Blonde put it, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't kill their husbands. They just don't." Rising stress levels can cause trauma to the skin in the form of wrinkles, acne or breakouts. Any physical exertion will reduce the level of stress you have.

4. When you work out, you should be drinking more water. Although your body is using that to hydrate itself as it sweats, it's also nourishing and cleansing to the skin.

What a Fitness Expert Says about Shakeology

I just finished reading this blog that was sent to Carl Daikeler, the CEO of Beachbody. It's GREAT and definitely worth reposting!


I read this post below the other day, written by a professional who teaches for one the most respected kettlebell training communities in the country. It was written by Dr. Mark Cheng in response to some of his students and peers who were questioning his vocal support of Shakeology. He gave me permission to reprint it here:

Shakeology (R) - A shake that's too good to be true?
Lately, I've made mention about my use of the nutritional product, Shakeology, and some folks have been questioning if I've abandoned the RKC ranks and gone "P90X" on them. So let me set the record straight... definitively... once and for all.

I heard about Shakeology before there WAS a Shakeology directly from the mouth of its inventor - Isabelle Brousseau. The wife of Beachbody CEO, Carl Daikeler, Ms. Brousseau is a singularly talented coach and highly educated researcher. She's spent years studying the advanced principles of elite human performance from authorities around the world, and I was honored to have the chance to share Pavel Tsatsouline's Hardstyle RKC kettlebell training method privately with her. As adept student, she was on the fast-track to preparing for her RKC instructor certification when she decided to take time off upon learning she was expecting her first child.

During the times I spent training her, Isabelle and I spoke about Chinese herbal medicine, and she mentioned she was researching ways of combining all-natural foods with the highest possible nutrient values into a meal-replacement shake designed for athletes and people on-the-go. When she mentioned wanting to put in high quality Ayurvedic herbs, Chinese herbs, antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables, prebiotics, and a host of other vitamins and minerals, my initial reaction was.... "Yeah, right!"

My doubts were not unfounded. Having spent years studying (and consuming) Chinese herbal medicines, I had a familiarity with a good deal of what Brousseau was talking about. The ingredients she'd mentioned sounded like a wishlist that only insiders would know of and only the filthy rich and well-connected could afford. On top of that, the taste of such a mixture, I surmised, would probably make even the least sensitive tasters wretch with disgust. To make a mixture that would contain the type of ingredients she mentioned, be stable enough to ship & store, and not taste like the bottom skim of a Los Angeles sewer was a pipe dream as far as I was concerned. So I filed the conversation away in my mental round file. A couple of years later, when I met with Carl to discuss a project idea, I saw the finished product on his shelf. Eager to see how far from the initial ideal the finished product had to compromise, I was in for a shock.

Not only did Shakeology have EXACTLY the type of ingredients that Isabelle had mentioned during our training sessions, but it had MORE!

Some notables...

- Astragalus: widely used in Chinese medicine as an immune system regulator
- MSM: one of the most popular supplements for joint health
- Chia: the Mayan super-seed with more calcium than whole milk, more Omega 3 & 6 than salmon, and more protein than kidney beans
- THREE different proprietary blends and some vitamins & minerals that actually exceeded the US RDA.

This stuff looked like it was fit for a king for sure. So I was damn curious to put it to the final 2 tests - taste & performance. I wanted to know if it smelled or tasted anything like what I thought it would and was damn curious if it'd make a difference for my high-velocity, high-output, high-mileage lifestyle.A little background... I'm a caffeine junky by virtue of workaholism. Ever since discovering the "joy" of all-nighter homework sessions in high-school, I became keenly aware of the value of being able to work harder and sacrifice sleep. So when the No-Doz, Vivarin, & Mountain Dew lifestyle needed an adult turn after I'd graduated & started writing, teaching, treating patients, travelling, training, and trying to spend time with my family, I dove hip deep into energy drinks like Red Bull & Monster and caffeinated energy bars like Pit Bull. When I speak well about a nutritional product, it's for one reason - it helps me get my work done while keeping me healthy. Another bit of background... I'm a glutton. I love food, especially food that tastes good. I never met a filet mignon that I didn't like, and never met one that I didn't like better wrapped in bacon, with a side of bacon-wrapped scallops, and mashed potatoes... topped with bacon. If it doesn't taste good, I don't care how good it is for me. I'll STILL probably not like it well enough to be disciplined about taking it.

The Shakeology greenberry bag that Carl gave me turned my ball of preconceived notions and stood it on its ear. From the moment I opened the bag, the scent was wonderful, like a dessert that you're eager to tear into. So I dumped some ice & water into the blender and dropped a scoop of the bright green powder in with it. I didn't add juice or other fruits because I wanted to know exactly how this taste by itself, unadulterated. The next sound I heard after taking my first sip was, "Yum!" It passed the taste test.Next was the travel test. I wanted to see how it kept me going while travelling, so instead of my usual chain-drinking habit of Monster or Red Bull, I tried a shake or two during the day, usually with one in the morning. I brought Shakeology with me to New York, New Mexico, & most recently to Australia to see how I'd do with it, and the results were remarkable. I had sustained, stable energy, but without the jitters, aggression, and hard drops afterwards. When I travel, I travel to teach, and I have to be up, energetic, strong, and focused. My days here in LA revolve around teaching, training, treating patients, and trying to steal moments with my family. So if something doesn't give me the energy to do what I need, I can't waste my precious time or hard earned money with it. Shakeology has proven itself to be able to give me all of that on multiple occasions, both while travelling and here in Los Angeles. You can draw your own conclusions about any product you want, but I'm sharing my experiences with Shakeology here openly. And if you think I'm endorsing it only for financial gain, you couldn't be more wrong. I signed up as a "coach" so I could buy the product for myself! If you want to try it, you know where to find it, and get ready to be surprised how little such high quality nutrition costs!




Interested in Shakeology, click here, to read more! Or message me with your questions, I'm happy to answer! :)

If you want to read more from Carl's blogs, click here!

IT'S TIME TO GET EXTREME!

Hey everyone!! So yesterday was July 1st and I started my ChaLEAN Extreme Challenge with Lisa. I made my lovely sister take my “before” pictures and then did the fit test, which I am proud to say I did better than when I took it the first time in December, and I also retook my measurements and I was surprised to see I LOST 2” IN MY WAIST! :) Who knew??!

Here is a BEFORE pic (give me 30 days & I'll post a new pic):





I made a little calendar of all my planned workouts and I printed out the handy CE worksheets that are on teambeachbody.com. I did not know about those worksheets the first time around so I was PUMPED when I saw they were pre-made for me. Then what next? I worked out! I did Burn Circuit 1 and was shaking like a scared Chihuahua! It was so much fun though and I definitely was lifting heavier weights then when I did it the first time too. I tried to match whatever Chalene was lifting but for a couple workouts I had to take it down a couple notches.

Now here is the fun part, food! Ah!! Right now I have these “Weekly Diet Tracking” worksheets from Bally’s that I’m recording what I eat all day and then next week I’m going to go over that with the trainer. For the most part it’s looking good, 1 meal a day is Shakeology, plus chicken breast, protein plus special K cereal, egg white omelets, fruits & vegetables but then Tuesday and last night I sadly gave into my sweet tooth cravings. :( AH! What is my deal?! I had 2 pieces of fudge (my sister brought it home from Mackinaw Island) and then the next day I had a brownie (I always find treats at Mat’s). So I am making a PROMISE to myself and to you, no more late night snacks for this week. I really wish I could detox my house of that crap (you are lucky if you live alone or are in control of the food where you live!) so then I would have no problems. But what I’m going to do is if I know I’m going to be hungry after working when I’m hanging out with Mat I’m going to eat a sugar free 60 calorie jell-o pudding cup (that’s chocolate!) or I bought Kettle Korn from Trader Joe’s the other day with Pamela that is only 110 calories for 2 ¾ cup serving.

I can’t wait to tell you guys how I’m progressing! Today is a scheduled REST DAY which normally I throw in some kind of crazy workout and defeat the purpose but I’m actually extremely sore from the last couple days and I think I’m going to use that rest day. Okay never mind that, I just got an idea, I’m going to practice Turbo Rd 36. I’ve been trying to practice more often so I’ll feel really comfortable doing the class and then I’m going to practice teaching it to Kathy & Niki, my first students! Yay! :) They are going to like getting done to BABY GOT BACK! ha.

PS- This is a little Shakeology note- I am a nail biter and from having acrylic nails for so long they are kind of weak. Since I’ve been drinking Shakeology my nails are SO STRONG and they are actually growing! I am excited!!

No such thing as MAGIC PILLS!

So I wrote another blog for OU's Health & Wellness and figured I needed to share it with you lovely followers too! :)


Magic pills no replacement for workout or healthy diet

By Caterina Passarelli
Guest blogger

I’m sorry to say but there is no magic pill, quick fixor crash diet out there in the health and fitness world that is going to solve all your problems. Just look at the words magic, quick and crash– do they sound like something you really want to put in your body?

In today’s society, we want everything fast and simple; there is no time to wait around for results to happen. Losing weight and becoming fit won’t happen in a quick week or with the pop of one pill, it’s going to take time and hard work.
Diet pills, weight-loss pills and appetite control pills are all designed to help someone lose weight. The problem with these pills, other than their numerous amounts of dangerous side effects, is that you can not take them forever. Diet pills are meant to be taken only for a short time span. At some point you are going to have to stop taking the pills and the weight that you just took off is all going to come back. I know people who have gained back all their weight plus more. Rather than promoting quick fixes to consumers, there needs to be a push to promote healthy living.

Have you ever heard that saying, “Hard work never killed anybody?” That’s exactly it. To lose weight and get healthy it’s going to take hard work on your part. But that hard work is going to pay off in the long run and you are going to feel proud with what you have accomplished and the body you have. Instead of taking the easy yet unhealthy road, you will create healthy habits that will stick with you for life.
And we all know the necessary steps to achieve this healthy lifestyle — exercise and nutrition. These two go hand-in-hand. Working out and eating healthy foods have many great benefits, not only for your body but for your mind as well.

Askmen.com put an article together of the “Top 10 Benefits of Working Out.” Working out: helps you sleep better; slows the aging process and reduces the risk of premature death; builds and maintains healthy bones, muscles and joints; strengthens and boosts your immune system; improves mental acuity; improves confidence; increases energy and endurance; improves sexual performance and restores libido; reduces stress, depression and anxiety; and reduces the risk of many diseases.

So let’s promise ourselves not to opt for those “easy” options. Those quick fixes do not come with such an impressive list of benefits; actually they come with no benefits at all. Just remember to work out and eat healthy and then you will reap the rewards.



:)

We all know it's true, if you put in the WORK then you will get what you want!




Tomorrow (July 1st) starts my ChaLEAN Extreme Challenge. I'm getting everything ready. I went grocery shopping with my mom yesterday and got a lot of stuff to make some of the recipes in Chalene's Fat Burning Guidebook. I'll also be taking my pictures tomorrow before I work out and redoing my fit test.

Today I went to workout with a personal trainer at Bally's. I signed up to workout with her for the next 2 months so she is also going to try and help me reach my GOALS. GOALS, people, they are one of the most important things you can do for yourself! And a bigger tip than just having goals, WRITE THEM DOWN! You are more likely to accomplish your goals when you have them on paper and you continue to see them. Anyway the trainer said since I don't have really any body fat (yes! lol) that if we workout intensely for that hour, 2x a week I'll be seeing results because my body can take it. :) I'm excited. I get nervous when I have to spend a great deal of money at one time, but it's for my body and my body is what keeps me going so why not give it the time and respect it deserves?

If you aren't a gym member, don't forget there are plenty of other options for working out. MY FAVORITE WORKOUTS ARE TURBO JAM AND CHALEAN EXTREME! And you know what? I do them in my own room (or at Pamela's or Kathy's). If you are interested in checking out Turbo Jam or ChaLEAN Extreme, click here or let me know if you have any questions. :)