Each year, thousands of travelers choose Houston as an exhilarating vacation destination, soaking up cosmopolitan offerings such as museums, artwork and professional sports. Also, the mild climate allows for a variety of exceptional outdoor activities, such as fairs and festivals, seasonal outdoor markets and exhibitions. There are also monthly happenings at scenic state parks such as a shell-hunting workshop at Galveston Island State Park as well as nature hikes and trails galore (Houston Events — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department).
How is it that a city with such a welcoming, down-home vibe, outdoor activities, and delectable cuisine that is as rich as the lore of Texas history has a local newspaper devoid of a health and wellness section? It’s true – the Houston Chronicle, the largest daily newspaper in Houston, recently canceled theirs.
Interestingly, it was the Houston Chronicle that reported there was a downside to the good life in Houston. Apparently there are more obese people in Texas than other states. In fact, Texas has been referred to as one of the nation’s fattest states with an obesity rate that has doubled in the last decade (Houston Chronicle). Jaoude, owner of Eatfitters, said, “We began advertising with the Chronicle solely to get the word out about nutrition and health in January – to say that we are absolutely baffled by the section closing would be an understatement.“
He continued to say, “Since 2010, we have been providing healthy alternatives to fast food for the residents of Houston with our pre-portioned and freshly prepared meals. Eatfitters also strives to spread the word about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle especially in the wake of the everyday stressors of our 21st Century culture. For example, the decline of the oil industry in Houston has resulted in hundreds of unemployed people. It’s no secret that job loss is one of the most stressful situations in a person’s life. Since stress can encourage weight gain, it’s never been more crucial to focus on health and wellness.”
Health and wellness is more than being satisfied with the reflection in the mirror or looking fabulous in before and after pictures. It is about living longer, feeling better, and having more energy. When you feel your best, you can endure life’s stressful situations and come out ahead.
Local health restaurants like Eatfitters believe it is important to have the support of the local print health & wellness editorial sections. These resources keep the public informed and conscientious about the types of cuisine, nutritional content, and ultimately food choices they make. As the health & wellness revolution continues to become more prevalent in our city, it is Eatfitters’ goal to join forces with not only the local customers but also the local media to educate and inspire our community both regarding good health & nutrition habits and lifestyle. Consequently, they created a “Beyond Nutrition” team to readily offer medical, fitness, and dietetic resources to their clients. (insert link). Eatfitters sees this new valued resource as an area for Houstonians to extend their path to better health and nutritional awareness.
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http://eatfitters.com/houston-we-have-a-problem/
When you’re trying to lose weight, the idea of eating may seem counter-intuitive, especially when the concept of weight loss typically involves consuming less food and increasing activity to encourage a decrease in body fat and reduction of pounds. Although many people choose to skip breakfast as part of their weight loss regime, the notion of skipping the first meal of the day, or any meal for that matter, can actually boomerang and hinder weight loss. In fact, one-fifth of people habitually skip breakfast even though it is an unhealthy habit (
When you’re trying to lose weight, you may be frustrated with slow progress and willing to do whatever it takes to get the weight off quickly and achieve your personal health and fitness goals. You may be tempted to take diet pills and fall prey to the claims of companies advertising special diet supplements that supposedly encourage weight loss in record time.
When our body perceives external danger (this can be stress related) the hypothalamus (a small yet powerful region of our brain that manages the autonomic nervous system and the pituitary gland) activates two systems: the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal-cortical system (Hypothalamus). These two nervous systems work to assist us during times of stress, with the sympathetic system utilizing pathways of nerves to originate physical reactions in the body and the adrenal-cortical system using the bloodstream as a super highway. When these two systems combine and are thrust into ac&on to encourage the avoidance of the threat, the result is the ‘fight-or-flight’ response. The fight or flight response is an automatic reaction in the body that enables people as well as animals to move quickly to cope with perceived threats to survival (Stress Recess: Fight or Flight).