Got Milk?

Let's face it, we're not getting any younger....though some of us are fighting it harder than others.  All of us in class are pushing 40 or are over 40, so we're starting to experience a little more weight around the middle section.  But that's not all, we are starting to lose bone mass.  It's some thing we have to be very aware of.  One of the ways we fight back against both of these is to exercise.  We get calorie burn from our exercise, but when we do weight bearing exercises we help maintain our bone density too.  But that alone will not do.  We must eat at least 3 servings of dairy a day.  I read a great article that explains the connection of dairy and weight loss. Click here to read article.

Here are a few facts from the article.

1. Milk-drinkers weigh less and enjoy a lower percentage of bodyfat than milk-avoiders.
2.  When your body doesn't get enough calcium from your diet, it produces calcitriol to preserve calcium. calcitriol preserves the body's calcium reserves, it also stimulates the production and storage of fat and reduces fat breakdown.
3. Dietary calcium can prevent and reverse this process, triggering "fat-burning" hormones to break down and release fat while suppressing the formation of new fat.

Beware!  This does NOT mean you should go load up on ice cream, and  fatty cheeses.  It does mean you should do the following.

1. Drink a glass of skim milk with 1-2 meals
2. Try a low fat string cheese for a snack
3. Add yogurt for breakfast or a snack
4. Eat some cottage cheese with your salad instead of a creamy dressing.

Just a side note.  Skim milk has vitamin D.  Vitamin D is a great immune booster to help you through cold and flu season.  So, drink up!