Precautions to Take

When Heat Index

is High 

When the heat index is high, it's best to stay in an air-conditioned environment. If you must go outdoors, you can prevent heat exhaustion by taking these steps:

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.

Drink extra fluids. To prevent dehydration, it's generally recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice per day. Because heat-related illness also can result from salt depletion, it may be advisable to substitute an electrolyte-rich sports drink for water during periods of extreme heat and humidity.

Take additional precautions when exercising or working outdoors.The general recommendation is to drink 24 ounces of fluid two hours before exercise, and consider adding another eight ounces of water or sports drink right before exercise. During exercise, you should consume another 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes even if you don't feel thirsty.

Avoid fluids containing either caffeine or alcohol, because both substances can make you lose more fluids and worsen heat exhaustion. If you have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention, check with your doctor before increasing liquid intake.  

Article Source: WebMD 

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we

recommend it daily. 

 ~Zig Zigler

The Greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.

~Moliere - French Playwright

When the world says, 'Give up,' hope whispers, 'Try it one more time.'

~ Unknown   

I know how important it is to stay hydrated and I try to sip water all day, but sometimes I fall behind. So I also try to eat foods, such as cucumbers or strawberries, that can contribute to my fluid intake, helping to prevent the headaches and sluggishness caused by dehydration. Another good reason to eat water? Research shows that eating foods that are full of water helps keep you satisfied on fewer calories. Here are four of my favorite foods with water.

Cucumbers: At 95 percent water content, a cup of cucumber slices is nearly as thirst-quenching as a glass of water. Cucumbers also provide a little fiber and some vitamin C (about 6 percent of the Daily Value per cup). Don't limit your cucumber consumption to tossing slices into green salads; get inspired to make refreshing cucumber recipes: dips, soups, and-yes!-pickles.

Salad Greens: Part of the reason that 2 cups of salad greens has fewer than 15 calories is that greens are more than 90 percent water. They are also packed with nutrients, such as folate, vitamin C, fiber and the antioxidant beta carotene, which helps keep your eyes and skin healthy. Plus, having a salad for lunch (or dinner) is a great way to bang out a couple of veggie servings.

Strawberries: Strawberries deliver the most vitamin C of all berries and also provide folate, a B vitamin that's essential for the healthy growth of new cells. And, since they're 91 percent water, they'll contribute significantly toward your overall fluid intake. Eat them straight up or try them in a new strawberry recipe: they're special in everything from salads to baked goods.

Watermelon: Ninety-two percent water (hence the name), watermelon is a good source of vitamin C and, when it's red (some are orange or yellow), also has lycopene, an antioxidant that may help protect against heart disease and some types of cancer. Enjoy fresh wedges (go ahead and see how far you can spit the seeds) or, better yet, get creative with watermelon recipes.

Article Source: -Nicci Micco, M.S., Content Director for Custom Publishing & Licensing 

LivingAfterWLS Recipes 

The Four Rules: Before surgery most of us were taught the Four Rules we must follow in order to achieve the best results with weight loss surgery - any procedure. Those rules (with minor variations from one bariatric surgeon to the next) are:

• Protein First
• Lots of Water
• No Snacking
• Daily Exercise 

In order to maintain weight loss and keep the obesity from which we suffer in remission we must follow these rules for life. When we meet patients who have maintained a healthy body weight for several years with weight loss surgery we learn that in most cases they live by the Four Rules. 

If it has been a while since you have given consideration to the Four Rules I invite you today to spend a little time refreshing your knowledge and enthusiasm about Protein First. Actually, this is my favorite rule because it means good food without the guilt! Link to the articles of interest and take a look at some of our great WLS recipes. There is something for everyone as we get excited again about the Four Rules! 

Every now and again it serves us well to step back into our pre-op mindset when we were hell-bent on making surgery work to achieve weight loss and improve our health and quality of living. Take a look at this article with your pre-surgery eyes. I think it will help renew your enthusiasm for working "the tool" and living well today:

Understand the Four Rules of WLS 

Before Going Under the Knife 

Weight loss surgery is frequently perceived as an easy means to weight loss that requires little or no effort by the patient. However, patients who undergo bariatric surgery are prescribed Four Rules of dietary and lifestyle management that they will follow for the rest of their life if they wish to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. Here is what you need to know about the Four Rules of weight loss surgery before going under the knife.

Link to Article