Lose Weight Feel Great » Mohamed

Obesity: Food Kills, Flab Protects

Mohamed — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:47:35 +0000

Found an excellent article on New Scientist today: Obesity: Food Kills, Flab Protects.

To read it, click DOES FAT PROTECT.

Enjoy!

Mohamed

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Is Snacking All Day Instead Of Meals Unhealthy?

Mohamed — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:45:12 +0000

When I started to lose weight, I ate three meals per day AND I snacked in between meals. Snacks were never high-calorie foods, but low-calorie AND low-fat foods – typically it would be things like baby carrotts, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers or other vegetables. I’d also add fruit to the mix and preferred apples and grapes (watch grapes as they are high in natural sugars).

But I didn’t stop there – I would have snack crackers, but checked the labels to ensure that they were not high in fat or salt.

Other snack ideas are nuts - preferably un-salted, pretzels (in limited quantities – NOT the whole bag).

I also made sure that I drank plenty of water to keep myself hydrated.

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Obesity In The US

Mohamed — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:11:13 +0000

While there are statistics all over the place about the high cost of obesity, and the damage it causes the health care system – whether that be in Canada, the US or any other country one thing is certain that as the economic times have changed which has forced many families to take on more – such as both parents working or parents having to take on 2nd jobs and leaving kids behind to fend for themselves obesity has increased.

Parents that have to work, naturally will have less time to spend with their kids – as a result those kids may spend more time on the couch instead of outside playing. In fact when you look at the playground, who do you see? Generally kids where one parent is at home – not very often will you see kids by themselves.

While that is quite a generalization as there are skinny kids that may not be outside playing, are they necessarily healthy? Just because you’re skinny doesn’t mean healthy.

I came across an excellent article about Obesity in the US on the CDC website – http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html. They provide an animated map of the US that shows obesity rates from 1985 to 2008. The 1985 map is primarily white, with some states in the < 10% or 10% – 14% categories. Fast forward to 2008 and it’s anywhere from 20% to as high as OVER 30% with only one state in the 15% – 19% range (Colorado).

The article goes on to show the rate of obesity among minorities – white, non Hispanic, Hispanic and black non Hispanic. It’s clear from the graphs that obesity is in epidemic proportions in many ethnic communities.

The final image that they provide is the prevalance of obesity by county and right below that the number of cases of diabetes. It becomes clear when you view both of these that there is a high correlation between obesity and diabetes.

The fact is that we need to do more to lose weight – and not just an empty promise to ourselves that we’ll start “tomorrow”.

Here is to your health!

Mohamed

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Top Tips For Walking

Mohamed — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:56:45 +0000

Getting regular exercise can be difficult – I know. But there is something you can do for yourself that is easy, and does not take a lot of time and is good for you. Walking. But how can you get walking into your schedule?

Just look at these tips…

Walk to work.
Walk during lunch hour.
Walk instead of driving whenever you can.
Take family walk after dinner.
Walk to your place of worship instead of driving.
Walk kids to school.
Get a dog and walk it.
Replace Sunday drive with Sunday walk.
Get off a stop early & walk.
Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV.
Make a Saturday morning walk a group habit.
Walk briskly in the mall.
Park farther from destination and walk.
Walk instead of sitting around.
Take your dog on longer walks.
Drink lots of water.
Walk the beach instead of sunbathing.
Walk to a co-worker’s desk instead of emailing or calling them.
When walking, go up the hills instead of around them.

Simple steps (excue the pun) to get you up and out walking!

Here is to your health!

Mohamed

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Going Nuts For Nuts

Mohamed — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:52:06 +0000

Nuts – they are delicious, naturally low in sodium (provided you don’t buy the salted ones). I keep a bowl of almonds close by – they are a great snack and much better than reaching for chocolate, chips or other high-fat, and calorie snack.

If you’re one of those snackers that love the crunch of chips – then nuts are for you, you still get the crunch but with all the added health benefits!

“Nuts are rich in good fats like omega-6 fatty acids (walnuts are also rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids) and monounsaturated fatty acids, both of which have been found to improve cardiovascular health by lowering LDL or bad cholesterol.” – source http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/17/moh.healthmag.recipe.nuts/index.html

Three of my favorite nuts are walnuts, almonds and cashews.

Health Benefits of Walnuts

From an article found at http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=356561

Walnuts 101

The walnuts you find at the store are the English variety; their shells are easier to crack than black walnuts. Here are some other nutty facts.

Walnuts trees date to 7000 BC, making them the oldest tree food known to man.
In the late 1700s Franciscan monks planted walnut trees in California; today the state produces more than half the world’s walnut crop.
Choose shelled walnuts that are not cracked, pierced or stained. Don’t shell them until ready to use.
Unshelled walnuts, tightly sealed, will remain fresh for six months if refrigerated; up to a year if frozen.
A one-third-cup serving contains 210 calories, 20 grams of good-for-you fats and 5 grams of protein. Walnuts are a wonderful source of vitamin E and rich in fiber.

“According to various studies, a handful of walnuts a day can reduce bad cholesterol levels while raising good cholesterol, decrease blood pressure and reduce inflammation.”

Health Benefits of Almonds

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellpage/almonds-health-benefits

Health Benefits of Cashews

I found a great article over at http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-cashews-6103.html talking about the health benefits of cashew nuts. Here is an excerpt, but head on over to read the full article…

“Cashews belong to the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae and the order Sapindales. The popular cashew nuts are actually the kidney shaped seeds that are found attached to the bottom of the fruit of the tree called the cashew apple. The nut is renowned for its delicate flavor and is a popular special garnish for a number of salads and fry dishes.”

Just a few of their health benefits:

Contrary to the popular belief that regular consumption of cashew nuts can lead to weight gain, recent studies have indicated that such theories and misconceptions are groundless. In fact, people who consume cashews twice a week are less likely to gain weight as compared to the ones that never eat them.
As cashews are a very good source of vitamin K, they help to prevent blood coagulation and the conditions associated with it.
Cashews are also regarded as powerful diuretics.

Here is to your health!

Mohamed

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Can Lasers Make You Skinny

Mohamed — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:19:46 +0000

Found an excellent article on New Scientist about lasers helping people lose weight. Could a simple pulsation of light really help you lose weight? Click the link to find out more… Lose Weight With Lasers

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Are You Getting The H1N1 Shot?

Mohamed — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:19:38 +0000

The H1N1 flu virus has been in the news, a lot. There are many scary stories about people having taken the shot and having reacted badly, and there are many sites out there capitalizing on the H1N1 by “selling” what should be public information or information that is already freely available – aaaah, the capitalist economy.

The fact is that you can find much of the information you need about the H1N1 virus (or human swine flu) on the web through REPUTED sources – like the CDC (US Center for Disease Control) or your local disease control center or health unit. Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking the shot.

There are also a lot of sites out there that are trying to scare you into NOT taking the shot.

Ultimately YOU need to decide whether you want the shot or not. You need to evaluate the risks versus the benefits and make an informed decision for you and your family.

Have I taken the shot? Yes, I have. I was quite apprehensive about it but in the end decided to take it. This is also the first time I’ve ever taken a seasonal flu shot. Don’t let my decision to take the shot affect your decision.

If you know someone that has H1N1 or someone in your family has H1N1 you should speak to your doctor about what precautions to take – in most cases they will be common sense things – like trying to isolate yourself, to washing hands and not touching your face with your hands if they are not clean.

Technorati Tags: h1h1, h1n1, h1n1 should i get the shot, living with someone who has h1n1, who needs the h1n1 shot

Lose Weight From Playing Sports

Mohamed — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:12:51 +0000

Losing weight isn’t easy – I’m the first to admit; however the health benefits of losing the weight cannot be overstated.

Losing weight is more about making lifestyle changes – changes that will benefit you in the long run. You start gradually and work your way towards a healthy lifestyle.

If you eat fast food 3, 4 or 5 times a week start by cutting down to once or twice per week, then once or twice every two weeks then finally once or twice per month and eventually cut it out entirely or limit it to a few times a year.

In order to boost your weight loss you need to become active.

I was reading an excellent article on a website called Exploratorium. I’ve reprinted parts of it below and have included a link to the article and site:

During the course of an average game, some players can lose as much as 5 to 8 pounds. This loss is mostly water, so players are concerned about making sure they keep enough fluids in their bodies. Goalies, who make it to the bench much less often than other players (who have one-minute shifts), keep a water bottle on top of their goal. Goalies can lose as much weight as a forward or defenseman.

Some players lose more than just water. Many players will lose weight during the course of the season. In an extreme case, Sharks Captain Todd Gill went from 180 pounds to 165 pounds (82 to 74 kg) over the course of the 1996 season.

Millard told us that it was typical for a player to lose 6 or 7 pounds (3 kg) in fat and lean body mass during the course of the season.

Source: http://www.exploratorium.edu/hockey/fitness1.html

Source: © The Exploratorium, www.exploratorium.edu

While these are extreme cases, it does go to show that playing sports will help you lose weight.

But that’s not all playing sports will do – it will help you tone your body and help tighten your skin so as you lose weight your skin stays tight and doesn’t sag.

Sports or regular exercise can do much for us: improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or maintain positive self-esteem, and can even augment an individual’s sex appeal, frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system.

There is an excellent summary on Wikipedia on the topic of physical exercise – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_exercise.

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H1H1 Human Swine Flu Map

Mohamed — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:25:40 +0000

A recent visitor to the site sent me an excellent resource – an H1N1 human swine flu heat map that will show you where all the recent H1H1 cases have been.

Here is a link to the map: http://www.umapper.com/maps/view/id/30340

Here is the same map, embedded onto this page (the one shown above is a static image):

PLEASE NOTE: This information is provided with no guarantee in accuracy. Please consult your doctor for instruction in treating and avoiding flu and the CDC web site for accurate infection locations and numbers. I am not responsible for illness, injury, or harm incurred as a result of the information in this web site. I am not a doctor and am only relaying this information as it’s been provided to me.

A few other H1N1 mapping resources:

How To Reduce Your Risk of Contracting H1N1 Human Swine Flu Virus

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

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Accelerate Your Metabolism

Mohamed — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:54:19 +0000

Obviously, many people – maybe even you – want to or need to lose weight. In our society, it’s easier and easier to eat high fat and low nutrient food, which makes it easier to gain weight. There are countless methods you should combine if you want to lose weight in a healthy way.

The obvious way, of course, is to eat less. Or you can try to improve your diet and make better food choices.

Boosting metabolism is also an obvious way to lose weight, and many people do this through exercise. Your metabolism is, basically, the rate at which your body uses the energy in food. Metabolism is individual with different people naturally having different metabolic rates.

If you want to boost your metabolism there are several different approaches. Exercise is one of the best choices to help you increase your metabolism.

Be sure to vary your methods of exercise – muscle building will help by boosting metabolism as well as using up more calories in the long term, and aerobic exercise, which can even be just going for a short walk, will slowly build up a higher metabolism, as well as increasing all around health.

Another way of boosting metabolism which may at first seem counter productive is to eat more often. If you eat too few calories in a day, rather than boosting your metabolism, you are actually lowering it.

Your body will start learning to survive on fewer calories, and no longer need as many calories. This is sometimes called starvation mode. This mode is a lowered metabolic rate your body would slip down to if you had to survive a famine. Our bodies don’t work as well in starvation mode. This is why it is important to eat breakfast each day.

Certain foods can help in boosting metabolism. Sugary foods do not help (these actually slow metabolism rather than speed it up), but research shows some spicy foods can accelerate weight loss by boosting metabolism. Eating small, tasty, and healthy meals several times a day is the best approach when trying to lose weight.

Sleep and stress also affect your efforts at boosting metabolism. Stress slows your metabolism and releases steroids called cortisol into your body that cause your metabolism to slow, besides the fact that many dieters often want to eat more and unhealthy food when they become stressed.

Sleep is helpful in boosting metabolism. Eight or nine hours a night is best for most people. If you exercise on a regular basis your metabolism will actually function better. Boosting metabolism is important because as people get older, metabolism inevitably slows down.

By boosting metabolism, you’ll keep your body fit and at optimum energy levels. So go out! Take a walk; actually take one three times a week for at least thirty minutes.

Source: http://www.stephenholtfitness.com/articles/boosting_metabolism.html

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Foods To Accelerate Healthy Weight Loss

Mohamed — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:46:42 +0000

Top 9 Healthy Foods That Accelerate a Healthy Weight Loss!

Author: William Winch

In today’s world of highly advertised fad diets, it is very difficult for us to know which foods are actually healthy and which foods are not. This program says not to eat an apple, while this other program tells us it keeps the doctor away. Once and for all, we need to know which foods are nutritious so we can all jump off the weight loss roller coaster.

Before I get into the details, it is important to stress that weight loss without proper nutrition is not the road you want to take. No magic pill will ever give you the benefits of eating properly. Stop looking for short cuts and get serious about your health. It is the only way to live a lifestyle that is free of the threats of disease, poor health and obesity.

Healthy Foods Tip #1: Green Vegetables
Vegetables such as spinach and cabbage are very significant in maintaining a healthy body. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. How do they help accelerate weight loss? They are water-rich, which means you are actually filling yourself up with liquids instead of fatty calories.

Healthy Foods Tip #2: Fatty Fish
Did you read that right? Yes, it says fatty! Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines have omega-3 fats. Despite all the hoopla surrounding the fat-free weight loss craze, your body does in fact need good fat for optimal weight loss performance. Omega-3 fats also takes care of our heart. It prevents stroke and lowers bad cholesterol in our body.

Healthy Foods Tip #3: Green Tea
Anti-oxidants rid our bodies of free radials that can cause damage to our cells and slow the process of healthy weight loss. Green tea offers such a powerful supply of anti-oxidants and vitamins that it has been known to accelerate metabolism by drinking only one cup per day. Tomatoes, red grapes and blueberries are also beneficial for the same reasons, but on a smaller scale.

Healthy Foods Tip #4: Citrus fruits
Oranges, lemons, limes and other citrus fruits are all high in Vitamin C. That helps to prevents colds, asthma and arthritis. What happens when your body is functioning without illness? It performs better! When your body gets the right nutrition, it can perform its own miracles…like giving you more energy and burning off extra weight.

Healthy Foods Tip #5: Carrots
Have you ever heard someone say carrots were unhealthy? I guess they would be if you ate tons of them every day, just like anything else that is abused. The reality is that carrots are good source of Vitamin A and promotes better eyesight. It only takes a half cup worth to work like magic to accelerate healthy weight loss.

Healthy Foods Tip #6. Bananas
This fruit is so nutrition that even monkeys know it is good for them. It can help cure ulcers, diarrhea and stomach cramps because it is high in potassium. If you sweat a lot and need energy, grab a banana. Many athletes consume bananas for energy and alertness. Have you ever seen an overweight monkey or athlete?

Healthy Foods Tip #7: Soy
The soybean is as close to a magic weight loss pill as you will ever find. No, you can not pop them into your mouth and watch the pounds melt away, but when you add soy into your daily diet, you will be amazed to see how quickly your health and weight loss improve at the same time. Soy-based protein smoothies helped me to lose 70 pounds in 4 months 15 years ago. And yes, I still have the weight off!

Healthy Foods Tip #8 Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. It has vitamin C and pectin that flushes out toxins in our body. Toxins are probably the number one reason why people can not lose weight quickly when they eat healthy foods. Apples only work to your advantage when they are eaten raw, so dipping them into caramel sauce or cooking them into a pie will not keep the doctor away.

Healthy Foods Tip #9. Water
It may not be food but it is the most important part of your daily diet. Your body can not function properly if it is dehydrated, and most people do not drink as much as they should. Water also makes you feel full without any calories. Many times people reach for a snack when all they really need is a glass of water.

Along with a daily diet of the foods listed above, you need discipline and a willingness to reach your healthy weight loss goals. Most people get discouraged with losing weight when they fail to grasp the concept of living a healthy lifestyle. Once you develop this mindset, eating healthy will be part of your daily routine…and battling weight gain will be a thing of the past.

About the Author:

Bill Winch is a Personal Wellness Coach whose mission is teaching and coaching others who are struggling with getting healthy, losing weight safely and keeping it off for good. He is also a Certified Business Growth Specialist, former High School and College Business Educator and Counselor, and mentors from his home office in Rochester, NY. If you are interested in receiving his Free Report “9 Weight Loss Myths Exposed” visit his website by clicking on FREE REPORT or by calling him directly at (585) 271-3767 for a free wellness consultation.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Top 9 Healthy Foods That Accelerate a Healthy Weight Loss!

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Taking Care Of My Weight Problem

Mohamed — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:40:09 +0000

Question received by a reader:

Hi – great site! I have learned a lot reading your posts. Keep it up. I have a question for you. I am in my early 40’s and am really trying hard to lose weight but am not having any luck. I must admit that I’m not very active but have been trying to get more active. Can you give me some tips on how I can take care of my weight problem?

- Anna (Toronto, Ontario)

Anna – Like you, I am in my 40’s and it is difficult for me to get active but to be frank, you have to get active if you want to lose weight. Cutting back on calories will certainly help but you need to do something in order to help accellerate your weight loss. It doesn’t have to be a regimented program.

For example my son takes karate classes every Friday and I normally attend to watch him and help him. I’ve learned a few of the moves and practice at home with him. While they may seem very basic, for a big guy running the moves for 30-60 minutes gives me a workout!

What else can you do?

Walk the house. If you don’t enjoy walking outside, or are self-conscious about your weight you can walk around the house. My son has allergies so we walk the house, and the stairs.
Housework. The best. Vacuum the floors and carpets. Do the bed, dust – whatever you need to do just do it. Housework will keep you active AND keep your house clean and spotless!
If you work – go out for a walk or at minimum get up off your chair and stretch or head to the water cooler and fill up a glass or pitcher with water. I used to go out for a walk at lunch for 15-30 minutes every day. It kept my mind focused and alert.

You also need to cut back calories – look at the “invisible” calories. I call them invisible becuase we consume them without even realizing that we have. Several items fall into this category:

Granola bars that are coated in chocolate
High sugar cereals like Froot Loops and such
Bread (try buying thin sliced bread)
Soda pop (yes, we consume it without even thinking)
Snack crackers – some of them are VERY high in fat and calories! You need to read labels
Cookies, cakes and other baked goodies — need I say more?
Juices – most juices are very high in calories because of the added sugars. Choose juices that are NOT FROM CONCENTRATE. You are really limited as to flavors, and normally you can only find orange juice that falls into this category. Even then there is a lot of natural sugar so I dilute the orange juice by adding half juice and half water OR half soda water – like Perrier water. I prefer the Perrier water because if gives the orange juice a bubbly, almost carbonated taste.

Anna I hope that these ideas help you. I hope you will share your weight loss and lifestyle change successes with us!

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Omega 3 Deficiency May Be Hurting Us

Mohamed — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:01:22 +0000

I received this as an e-mail from a reader:

Omega-3 Deficiency May Be Hurting Our Hearts

A growing body of scientific literature touts the benefits of omega-3 supplementation. Studies show that these special fatty acids accumulate in the brain and can aid children with learning disabilities, reduce violence in prison, and even improve everyday mood.

MSN Heart Health

3 Easy Ways To Increase Omega-3s

The competition of omega-3s and omega-6s is happening all the time, not just when we take our fish oil capsules. The best way to ensure you have a healthy balance of essential fats is to have a source of omega-3s — and not too many omega-6s — at every meal.

Eat more greens – Leafy greens, legumes, and potatoes have a better balance of omega-3s to omega-6s than most seeds and grains. Omega-3s live in leaves as the omega-3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Animals (like us) convert ALA into even more dynamic omega-3s: EPA and DHA. This conversion is somewhat inefficient, however, and that’s why the next steps are so important.
Eat healthier meats -Cows raised on grass produce meat, milk, and cheese with many more omega-3s than their corn-and soy-fed counterparts. Chickens fed a diet rich in flax and greens produce eggs that are as high in EPA and DHA as many species of fish. Some would argue that grass-fed meats are more expensive than grain-fed, but the former come without the very steep medical price tag of a diet high in omega-6s.
Eat fish – Fish can also be a sustainable part of our new diet, as moderate fish consumption will be more effective when our diet has fewer omega-6s. Try to eat at least two meals of fish per week. Fish oil supplements can also help, as toddler Lisa’s mother found, though they’re not a long-term solution to this widespread nutritional deficiency.

10 Easy Ways To Reduce Omega-6s

Very simply, we must decrease our consumption of omega-6 oils.

Snacking on seeds, edamame, and whole foods is still healthy. But cut back on processed foods, which are high in omega-6-laden seed oils. At home, cook with oils and fats with a healthy balance of omega-6s to omega-3s. A few oil seeds — canola and flax, for instance — have a very favorable ratio of the two families of essential fats, and they can be used by themselves (canola) or in combination with other oils (flax) to change the balance of omega-3s to omega-6s. Mix flax and canola with any of the other seed oils (corn, safflower, etc.) to produce a healthy blend. If you’re curious about olive oil, it’s still fine to use, as it’s not high in omega-3 or omega-6s; it’s fairly neutral.

Other steps:

Replace processed cereal with cereal or oatmeal that contains flaxseed.
Make your own salad dressing with a mix of canola and olive oil.
Eat less fast food because it’s all very high in omega-6 seed oils.
Look for potato chips that are fried in canola oil rather than cottonseed, soy, safflower, or sunflower oil.
Substitute walnuts for other nuts when you can because they’re a seed that’s high in omega-3s.
Make your own baked goods, replacing half the butter with canola oil.
Check food labels to avoid hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils.
Avoid omega supplements that contain both omega-3s and omega-6s. You’ll see these labeled with terms like Complete Omega.
Choose grass-fed pork, chicken, beef, or bison whenever you can.
Avoid farmed fish because they are often fed corn and soy.

Technorati Tags: Omega-3, Omega-6

Workplace Statistics Regarding Body Odour

Mohamed — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:36:23 +0000

We’ve done an extensive amount of posts regarding body odour and how to get rid of it - but the one thing that we’ve not really talked about is how to deal with it in the workplace, especially if you have someone that has body odour and it appears that they are not doing anything to resolve the issue.

First off – there are no statistics on just how bad body odour is in the workplace. I don’t keep any stats on it where I work, nor do I think any organization does. I’m also not aware of any statistics being kept about body odour in the workplace.

As I was researching to prepare this post, I did come across an interesting series of posts from a site called Workplace Law Network – the site was geared towards the UK but presumably the legal and ethical questions this brings up would apply wherever you are. I’m NOT A LAWYER nor am I an expert in HR so the information provided here is for educational purposes only. Ideally if you have someone in your workplace with body odour problem you need to speak to your manager or HR department — they may be better equipped to help resolve these issues.

Source: http://www.workplacelaw.net/forums/listComments/thread_id/446

PRACTICAL ADVICE

Excessive body odour is caused by bacteria.

In order to combat this, body hair such as that under armpits should be trimmed. Obviously showering daily is helpful as is using deoderant on freshly washed skin. Using a deoderant with a 24 hr anti-perspirent is essential. In addition b.o may be controlled by applying antiseptic cream such as sudocreme to the affected areas.

The initial question that was raised:

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to approach a fairly new member of staff regarding his body odour problem?

One good response was:

Although this is not a performance or discipline matter, it is a problem that can cause irritation (and therefore poor performance) among other employees.

Before you address this particular problem, you should consider drawing up a plan of the route you a prepared to take in such cases, preferably in consultation with interested parties (health and safety manager, HR, union rep, etc.).

For example, you may wish to start with a private conversation where you inform the employee of the problem, and try, where possible, to address the cause (e.g. medical problems). You can then move to your formal disciplinary route if the employee fails to act.

You should record all conversations and keep a record on file.

It goes without saying that a high level of tact will be required to avoid causing offence and potentially ending up in front of a tribunal. The employee will appreciate the matter being kept private.

Another response:

I have had experience of having to deal with this problem with an employee. I had a private conversation with the him where I raised the issue of his odour. Despite it being quite strong he was unaware of it and was at a loss as to it’s cause, that was the first question he asked me. His odour did improve and both his confidence at the workplace and his relations with other employess benefited.

I agree with Ciaron that you should try and address the cause, and be prepared to do so. These could range from inneffective laundry, through to diet or a more serious medical problem. You should also act promptly, it may harm the employees relationship with other staff if the problem is not dealt with.

You may also be able to get some guidance from EMAS.

As to Simons comments, I can find little but fault! As I said the employee I dealt with was unaware of the problem. A card and a smile probably won’t do much to manage stress, and the cure is probably best left to the employee personally (unless he requests help) or his medical practicioner.

The series of posts is excellent, and well worth the read and it will give you some great information on how to approach someone in the workplace that has body odour issues.

Technorati Tags: statistics workplace body odor, statistics workplace body odour, workplace body odor, workplace body odour

H1H1 Vaccinations Approved in Canada

Mohamed — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:23:43 +0000

After a long wait and just getting into the flu season, Canada has authorized the release of the H1N1 flu vaccination. Canadian health officials have said that there will be enough of the vaccine to immunize everyone that wants it – but as is being reported in the news, many simply do not want it and are willing to deal with the flu as they with. It’s not just individuals that are refusing to take it, but some health care workers also are not wanting to take the vaccine.

Canadian Information Source: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/10/21/h1n1-vaccine-us-uk.html

The story goes on to hilight the need the US has to expand its own manufacturing capacity for vaccines and indeed this needs to be on the forefront of many government officials minds.

Lieberman told the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee he was “not blaming Canada.”

Canada’s response is understandable, he said, but it highlights how the U.S. urgently needs to expand its own manufacturing capacity for vaccines.

There is quite a bit of information out there, some good and some bad – the best source will be your local health organizations and speaking with your doctor.

The vaccine is already being administered in the United States but based on news reports, there may not be enough to go around.

US Information Sources:

H1N1 (Human Swine Flu) Symptoms

What are the symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) in humans?

It is important that you learn the symptoms of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus so you can easily recognize it in yourself and others.

To date, the vast majority of H1N1 (swine flu) cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to those of the seasonal flu. Only a small percentage of people have had more serious symptoms and required professional medical attention.

It is important to have a working thermometer at home, as an increase in temperature is a key symptom.

The typical symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are:

a sudden fever of 38°C/100.4°F or above, and
a sudden cough.

Other symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) may include:

headache,
extreme tiredness,
chills,
fatigue,muscle aches,
limb or joint pain,
diarrhea or upset stomach,
sore throat,
runny or stuffy nose,
sneezing, or
lack of appetite.

Some people with H1N1 (swine flu) have also reported vomiting.

If you or a member of your family has any of the above mentioned symptoms, you may have the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.

Cases have been confirmed in all age groups, but children and younger people are much more likely to be affected. To date, few cases have been confirmed in older adults.

The severity of H1N1 (swine flu) symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may sometimes require hospitalization. Like the seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine flu) may worsen existing chronic medical conditions.

In some cases, severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure can cause death. Death occurs more often in cases of H1N1 (swine flu) from secondary bacterial infection of the lungs.

If you believe that you may have H1N1 (swine flu), the next step is to determine if you are in a high-risk group or have emergency warning signs.

What to do if I show symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu)?

The question of what to do if you show H1N1 symptoms varies greatly from country to country. In England an online questionnaire determines if you have the flu and issues an antiviral medication prescription number that a ‘Flu Friend’ collects from a local collection point. In other counties the procedure varies from driving to the front of the doctor’s office and honking your horn to contacting officials, who will promptly come to treat you and quarantine your home.

We have developed a list of ‘norms’ from national and international centers for disease control of what to do if you think that you are infected with the H1N1 flu virus.

All of the major health agencies stress that, for the vast majority of people, H1N1 (swine flu) is a mild illness. They say that most people recover by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter flu medication.

This seems to contradict the use of an antiviral drug such as Tamiflu, which can help reduce the symptoms and duration of the infection. It is believed that Tamiflu is most effective if you start the medication within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. If you lay in bed treating H1N1 as a mild illness, two days and the effectiveness of antiviral medication can easily pass.

Some people are at more risk of serious illness if they contract the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. These include persons in high-risk groups and persons with emergency warning signs.

If you or someone you know have H1N1 symptoms AND are in a high-risk group OR show emergency warning signs it is important to contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately to determine your next steps and if you should start taking antiviral medication. The majority of health agencies seem to suggest that the initial contact with your health official should be via telephone.

H1N1 (swine flu) high-risk groups

If you fall into any of the following high-risk groups, contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately.

pregnant women,
children under the age of five,
persons aged 65 and older,
persons who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years,
persons with chronic lung disease,
persons with chronic heart disease,
persons with chronic kidney disease,
persons with chronic liver disease,
persons with chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease),
persons with immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
and
persons with diabetes mellitus.

If you show any of the following emergency warning signs, contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately.

H1N1 (swine flu) emergency warning signs in children

fast breathing or trouble breathing,
bluish or grayish skin color,
not drinking enough fluids,
not waking up or not interacting,
being so irritable that the child does not want to be held,
flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough or fever with a rash

H1N1 (swine flu) emergency warning signs in adults

difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

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