On this Fitness Friday, we recognize that September is National Yoga Awareness Month!
Have you ever tried YOGA? Many people around the world praise yoga for its many benefits. It's easy to get started...there are videos online, gyms that offer yoga classes, and free-standing yoga centers. One of the best things about yoga is that you need very little equipment: a simple mat to lay on. Some also prefer to have a yoga block on hand, but this is not necessary. Read below to learn the many benefits of yoga, and NAMASTE! (that's a yoga greeting!)
Yoga;
-improves your flexibility
-builds muscle strength
-perfects your posture
-prevents joint breakdown
-protects your spine
-betters your bone health
-increases blood flow
-drains your lymph system and boosts immunity
-lowers blood pressure
-makes you happier
-lowers blood sugar
-helps you focus
-relaxes your entire body system
-improves your balance
-releases tension
-helps you sleep deeper
-prevents digestive problems
-eases pain
-gives you peace of mind
Have you ever wondered what the healthiest vegetables are? Some veggies pack more "punch" than others, meaning they are higher in vitamin and mineral content. Foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals keep your body working properly. After bariatric surgery, it's even more important that you work these "healthier" vegetables into your diet.
-Spinach: loaded with vitamins A and K, very low in calories
-Carrots: packed with vitamin A and beta carotene
-Broccoli: filled with vitamins K and C, as well as folate and potassium
-Brussels Sprouts: loaded with vitamins K, A, and C, as well as folate, magnesium, and potassium
-Kale: filled with vitamin B, calcium, and copper
-Asparagus: full of vitamin K, thiamin, and riboflavin
-Sweet Potatoes: bursting with vitamins A, C, and B
-Collard Greens: packed with fiber and calcium
Happy Monday!
Happy Fitness Friday!
With the weather turning cooler this weekend, it's a great excuse to get outside and just WALK!
Walking burns calories to help with weight loss, lubricates joints so that they feel better, helps maintain bone health and prevent diseases like osteoporosis, works your muscles, helps digestion, and improves your heart health.
Will you get OUTSIDE and WALK this weekend? We say, "why not?"
Do you ever experience a CRAVING for a certain food?
Although this is normal, it can sabotage your weight loss. Having the knowledge of which foods you find yourself craving is the first step in handling these situations. Second, realize that cravings are only short-term...they come and then they pass. Drinking a large glass of water almost always satisfies hunger and helps you get through a craving. Eating three meals a day also helps prevent cravings, as you do not find yourself hungry between meals. Finally, making sure you get enough rest at night helps prevent you from experiencing cravings due to fatigue.
Recognize the craving, combat it, and prevent it! That is the key to successfully overcoming these unwanted events.
Did you take your BARIATRIC VITAMIN today?
It's very important for anyone who has had weight loss surgery to take a bariatric vitamin every day. Because you are eating smaller amounts of food, taking vitamins ensures that your body gets the nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy. Not taking a daily bariatric vitamin can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can be dangerous if not treated. Some things you may not know:
-You should not take a gummy vitamin because they contain sugar and are not easily absorbed by your body.
-You need to take a vitamin specially formulated for bariatric patients every day. Vitamins like Centrum and Flintstone were recommended in the past, but do not meet current guidelines.
-Ask one of our dietitians about which vitamins we recommend that you take. Some of the brands we recommend are Bariatric Fusion, Opurity, Optisource, and Nascobal BariActiv. You can buy these easily online!
On this TASTY TUESDAY, we highlight PEARS!
Pears are a powerhouse fruit, packed with fiber and vitamins. They help fight inflammation, promote gut and heart health, protect against certain diseases, and aid in weight loss. Eating the skin ensures you get the most nutrients!
How can you use pears in a healthy way? Roast them in the oven and add to a grilled chicken salad. Chop them and roast with Brussels sprouts for a tasty side. Or just eat one raw!
Happy Motivation Monday!
Which do YOU choose - excuses or success?
Happy Fitness Friday!
What will YOU do this weekend to EARN your body? Eat right? Exercise? Stay focused on your goals? Make new goals? The list is ENDLESS!
To recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the amazing staff at Lexington Surgery/SC Obesity Surgery Center donned special handmade masks promoting breast cancer awareness. We also honored two of our very own who are breast cancer survivors.
Being a healthy weight helps to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Performing monthly breast self exams and receiving yearly mammograms (for women ages 45-54) are important tasks to detect breast cancer early to ensure the best treatment. And remember...breast cancer can occur in males too.
Join us for support group TONIGHT (October 6)! You'll find us in the lobby of SC Obesity Surgery Center from 6-7 pm. A few things to know:
-Chairs will be spaced to allow for social distancing.
-All participants and staff will be required to wear masks.
-Your temperature will be taken before entering the lobby.
-Please do not bring guests.
-Please stay home if: you are currently (or have been within the past 14 days) sick with a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees or have been around anyone suspected of having the coronavirus within the past two weeks.
If you are comfortable practicing the above safety guidelines, we will see you tonight!
Can't join us in person? No worries! You can watch us LIVE by clicking here:
https://www.scobesity.com/.../06/support-group/support-group.
TO VIEW THE LIVE FEED: You must click the link that says "register to attend online."
With Halloween coming faster than a witch on a broom, we thought you might need these tips to help you avoid the temptation to indulge in candy:
-If giving out candy to kids, buy candy you don’t love. This will allow you to still participate in the fun without being tempted to participate in the eating.
-Do you have co-workers with candy dishes on their desks tempting you each time you walk past? Take a different route!
-Take a walking break when you feel the urge for something sweet.
-Make sure you focus on eating three meals a day, with each meal including protein and produce, to keep you from wanting to snack.
-Reach for a glass of sugar-free beverage when you feel the candy urge approaching.
It's Tasty Tuesday!
Chicken and veggies all dancing together in one delicious stir fry dish? How can you resist???
https://gimmedelicious.com/quick-healthy-15-minute-stir-fry-chicken-and-veggies/
GIMMEDELICIOUS.COM
Quick Healthy 15 Minute Stir-Fry Chicken and Veggies
168 hours...that's the number of hours you're GIVEN in just one week. What will you accomplish during the 168 hours of THIS week? Accomplish a goal? Exercise every day? Stick to healthy eating? You've got the time...now make the best of it!
It's Fitness Friday!
Want to build a better lower body? Air squats can be done with weights or no equipment at all, and can be done anywhere you please! They target your thighs, hamstrings, quadriceps, and buttocks. Performing air squats can also burn calories and become a cardiovascular exercise if you do several in a row followed by short breaks (example: 15 air squats, 15-30 second break, 15 air squats, 15-30 second break...and so on...).
It's important to perform them safely.
-Your knees should never go past your toes.
-Angle your toes slightly outward (while still keeping them mostly straight) to prevent knee pain.
-Your back should not be rounded.
-Don’t drop your shoulders forward. Your upper body should stay still, and only your lower body should move.
-Keep your eyes fixed on a point directly in front of you to keep your chest lifted.
-Keep all your weight in your heels to keep yourself from pitching forward.
New blog post up! Click below to hear what we have to say about SWEETS...
https://www.scobesity.com/blog/got-a-pang-for-that-sweet-thang/2020/10/19/got-a-pang-for-that-sweet-thang
Happy National Healthcare Quality Week!
Why does this week matter to YOU? Because at Lexington Medical Center, we are COMMITTED to constantly improving the quality of care that we provide to our patients. Behind the scenes, our surgeons and staff are working each and every day to examine the care that we give and think: "How can we do this EVEN BETTER?" That's our commitment to you...better care, always.
TOMORROW NIGHT is the night! You absolutely won't want to miss our annual HOLIDAY SUPPORT GROUP!
We have more fun planned (including treats!) than you can possibly imagine...you'll have to stop by the lobby of SC Obesity Surgery Center tomorrow (Tuesday) evening from 6-7pm to find out what's in store!
A few things to know:
-All participants should practice social distancing.
-All participants and staff will be required to wear masks.
-Your temperature will be taken upon arrival.
-Please do not bring guests.
-Please stay home if: you are currently (or have been within the past 14 days) sick with a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees or have been around anyone suspected of having the coronavirus within the past two weeks.
If you are comfortable practicing the above safety guidelines, we will see you tomorrow night!
As you're out shopping and decorating for Christmas this weekend, make sure you're on Santa's NICE list by attending SUPPORT GROUP on Tuesday! It's our annual holiday support group...sure to be filled with friends, fun, and surprises.
We have more fun planned (including treats!) than you can possibly imagine...you'll have to stop by the lobby of SC Obesity Surgery Center next Tuesday evening from 6-7pm to find out what's in store!
A few things to know:
-All participants should practice social distancing.
-All participants and staff will be required to wear masks.
-Your temperature will be taken upon arrival.
-Please do not bring guests.
-Please stay home if: you are currently (or have been within the past 14 days) sick with a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees or have been around anyone suspected of having the coronavirus within the past two weeks.
If you are comfortable practicing the above safety guidelines, we will see you next Tuesday!
A few tips to stay on track this Thanksgiving:
-Peruse the Thanksgiving buffet from start to finish before putting anything on your plate. Choose the two or three things you most want, and only put those on your plate.
-Be the last in line to fix your plate. A picked-over buffet looks less appetizing and you'll be less likely to be tempted.
-Take something healthy that you (and others!) can eat.
-Stick to good portion sizes.
-Eat your protein first.
-Fit in extra exercise the day before and/or the day after Thanksgiving.
-If you slip up, forgive yourself, move on, and get back to your healthy lifestyle the next day.
Oh there's no place like SUPPORT GROUP for the holidays!
Join us for an SC Obesity Surgery Center annual tradition...HOLIDAY SUPPORT GROUP! We have more fun planned (including treats!) than you can possibly imagine...you'll have to stop by the lobby of SC Obesity Surgery Center next Tuesday evening from 6-7pm to find out what's in store!
A few things to know:
-All participants should practice social distancing.
-All participants and staff will be required to wear masks.
-Your temperature will be taken upon arrival.
-Please do not bring guests.
-Please stay home if: you are currently (or have been within the past 14 days) sick with a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees or have been around anyone suspected of having the coronavirus within the past two weeks.
If you are comfortable practicing the above safety guidelines, we will see you next Tuesday!
Happy Motivation Monday!
Considering weight loss surgery? There's no time like the present. We're ready to help you become a healthier, better you! Give us a call today (803.936.3300) or visit our website at www.scobesity.com to get started on your journey.
Already had surgery yet feel the need to get back on track with your goals again? There's no time like the present for you, either. Give us a call and schedule an appointment...we're ready to help you get back on the road to success!
It's Fitness Friday!
Did you know that exercise has been proven repeatedly to ease symptoms of depression and anxiety? Exercising releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Being active also takes your mind off your worries to break the cycle of negative thoughts going through your mind. In addition, exercising helps you gain confidence and interact with others socially...all things that help boost your mood!
So if you suffer from the blues, get out and get moving...you just may lighten your mood as well as your weight!
Do you know which three vegetables are highest in starch (carbohydrates) and should be avoided if possible by the bariatric surgery patient?
-White potatoes
-Corn
-Sweet peas
Because of their high starch content, your body turns these almost immediately into sugar. While they do provide energy, they are also higher in calories than non-starchy vegetables. Eating white potatoes, corn, and sweet peas could prevent weight loss and also may affect diabetes.
Choosing other vegetables ensures that you get vitamins and minerals without the added sugar and calories.
If you haven't followed the path to our BLOG, click the link and allow yourself to be led to a wealth of information created just for you by our talented staff!
There you'll find our latest blog posts, about:
-Celebrating your non-scale victories
-Hydration
-Food triggers
What are you waiting for? CLICK!
https://www.scobesity.com/blog
On this Motivation Monday, we share two important messages: BE YOU and LOVE YOURSELF!
You must love the self that you've worked so hard to become. Sometimes the "new you" that people discover after weight loss surgery seems different from the person you've always known. This can happen for many reasons...some people find that they come out of their shell or blossom after shedding unwanted weight. The compliments that you pay yourself or that others pay you often leads to a greater sense of self-confidence. Embrace the new, vibrant you...and show off your new self to everyone around you!
Above all, love this person. Get to know them. You worked hard to achieve your goals.
Recently, one of our surgeons, Dr. Marc Antonetti performed his 1,000th sleeve gastrectomy! Together with our other surgeons (Dr. Strickland, Dr. Hughes, and Dr. Givens), Lexington Medical Center has performed over 3,000 sleeves!
What a milestone!
