Shonan Seaside

Ryo, Mitsuru (Mike) and Mike at Morito Kaigan for some sand, sea and R&R.

Bit of a storm

Apart from a couple of earthquakes in two days (some way off), we've had the edge of a typhoon. Photos as storm went by our balcony. Some places had 8 cm of rain in a day. Fortunately not in Tokyo.

Eat a little less, and a little more sensibly

No one diet is better than any other – eat food that you like that is high in fiber and lower in calories, saturated fat; and not “junk food”, snacks, and soft drinks.

Take more time eating and chew thoroughly. Increase vegetable intake to help in losing fat. Drink less sugary drinks and be more active.

Quote of the decade: “Weight-loss studies require participants to eat less.”

Comparison of Weight-Loss Diets with Different Compositions of Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates N Engl J Med 2009;360:859-73.

Highlights:

• The participants were eager to lose weight: at 6 months, participants assigned to any of the diets had lost an average of 6 kg.
• The diets were equally successful in promoting clinically meaningful weight loss and the maintenance of weight loss over the course of 2 years.
• Study participants who attended two thirds of the sessions over the course of 2 years lost about 9 kg of weight.
• The goal for physical activity was 90 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

The volunteers were followed for two years, much longer than most diet studies. But even with close encouragement and monitoring, dieting is clearly not the answer to the obesity problem. We need to enjoy our food, and enjoy being more active.

This means we must target behavior changes - reducing television viewing, sugar drinks and energy dense snacks; increasing water consumption, fruit intake, "active transport" (i.e. walking more) and being active after work or school and at weekends.

Off to San Francisco.

Sorry, I'm off again. This time on a real Jumbo, on ANA8 to San Francisco.
A few photos from the ANA lounge, and the aircraft having a brief rest at the gate.
Hoping to visit the YMCA gym or one of the Gold's Gyms while I'm there.
New look website and blog soon after I get back.

Greetings for 2009

Just to wish everyone the very best for 2009. I hope we all make it a really great year.
A couple of photos of Fuji-san from my apartment.

Christmas eve dinner

Yes, the famous KFC. And a long queue for that. Also a tiny plant to grow. A sort of real Tamagochi. Cute.

A touch of frost

Not the TV programme but a hard frost here this morning. Fresh clear air to breath. Have a great day wherever you are, and whatever the weather.