Mercy employee Alex Camacho talks about what motivates him to stay healthy while juggling a demanding career and a busy family life. Alex Camacho, RN, has a lot of people depending on him — his wife, Monica, his 2-year-old son, Adrian, his coworkers in the ICU and his patients — and he doesn’t take his…
It’s hard to imagine that Brian Busto, a biomedical equipment technician, has struggled with his weight for most of his life. The trim marathoner once shunned physical activity and depended on medication to control high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. His transformation from an unhealthy 308 pounds to a 185-pound physique was not without…
Imagine wearing a baby carrier on your chest. Now imagine that you’re not carrying a baby in it, but instead you’re carrying a 70-pound St. Bernard dog. Imagine carrying this 70-pound St. Bernard on your chest for 24 hours a day. That’s how it feels to be overweight. Stair steps, walking, and even sleeping are much harder with a…
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient your body requires primarily to build strong bones and for overall good health. A fat-soluble vitamin that functions like a steroid hormone in the body, vitamin D comes in two forms in your diet, D2 and D3, and can also be produced in your skin when exposed to sunlight….
Larry*, a Mercy Weight Management Client, Shares How Losing Weight Put Him, Not His Weight, in Control When you are overweight at 380 pounds, it affects every area of your life. Your weight is always on your mind, and it has an impact on everything you do. Before joining the Mercy Weight Management OPTIFAST program,…
We know we should, but drinking enough water during the day can be a struggle. It should be simple enough, but there can be barriers to staying hydrated. Some people don’t enjoy the taste of water. Others prefer drinking sugar sweetened beverages. Others get so busy with their day they don’t think to have some…
People experience the most unwanted weight gain from Halloween to New Year’s. Studies show that weight gained over this eight-week period can take months to lose. The days and weeks leading up to the holidays and after can be stressful enough without having to worry about stepping on the scale. Practice these tips to help…
Food is fuel for your body, not a form of recreation. Food gives you the energy you need to be able to enjoy the other activities in life. Think about comparing your body to your car. You fill up your car’s gas tank when it is empty, not when it is full. So, don’t eat…
In the summer, you want to kick back and enjoy the warm weather and longer days. No one wants to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals. But do we have to sacrifice healthy eating for convenience? No way! Just go to the grill. It’s an easy, quick, flavorful way to cook with a bonus:…
Gaining weight is easy and a lot more fun than trying to lose weight. Maybe it is just by nature we resist the thought of losing. We hate losing our car keys or our favorite baseball cap. Losing a loved one is painful. So, if losing is so hard, maybe we need to change our…
The OPTIFAST® weight-loss system at Mercy Weight Management is different from other diet programs that focus on just looking good. At Mercy, we want you want to feel good, too. Discover the six things that make Mercy’s OPTIFAST program unique! When choosing a program, it is important to choose a trusted weight loss solution that…
The holiday season is the time of year to celebrate your blessings, have some fun and feel your best. Many of you have worked hard all year to drop those excess pounds. Don’t let the holidays sabotage you. This holiday season, I encourage you to adopt a “maintain, not gain” attitude. Here are seven tips…
Give your family and yourself the gift of good health this holiday season by using strategies to incorporate exercise and good nutrition into the festivities. Holiday shopping, spending money, family obligations, wrapping gifts, children’s activities, church programs, decorating, cooking and traveling can all can be stressful and drain your energy. As Charlie Brown says, “AAAAAHHHHH!”…
There are 31 days in December. This year, try something new — and good for you — on every one of them with the Healthy & “Wise” Holiday Calendar from Mercy’s own Kathy Wise, registered dietitian nutritionist and director of employee health and wellness. Print out a copy of this calendar for easy reference every…
As autumn weather gets cooler, it’s tempting to load up on traditional comfort foods that often are not the healthiest choices. When you want a warm and toasty snack this fall, try these five perfect comfort foods that won’t add pounds. Plus, check out the recipes below for Heart-warming Vegetable Soup and Creamy White &…
Summer isn't over yet! Beat the August heat with cool, fruit-based recipes for Fresh Fruit Frozen Yogurt, Tropical Fruit Frosty and Banana-berry Pops from Kathy Wise, Mercy dietician and wellness director. Almost everyone loves ice cream on a warm summer day, but if you are not careful, those icy treats can provide more fat and…
Have you recently changed your diet and exercise routines but haven’t seen the results you would like? Patience and persistence are the keys to better health. Guest post by Angelina Ciraci, Mercy Health & Fitness intern When starting a new, healthier routine to achieve your wellness goals (weight loss, muscle building, increased stamina, etc.), you must…
Sunny summer days are perfect for outdoor picnics, barbecues and pool parties. However, warm weather also provides the right environment for bacteria and other pathogens in food to multiply rapidly, potentially causing foodborne illness. Keep the party happy with these five safe food-handling rules. While enjoying these lazy, laid-back days and warm weather, it is…
Even though you may recognize your slow weight gain, the problem might not be one you want to face or think about. However, this issue could be easier to fix than you think — if you are willing to take a serious look at the "junk in your trunk" (i.e., your current junk food intake)….
You're probably aware of the health benefits of losing weight, but did you know losing weight may also save you money? According to Barbara O’Neill, a professor and specialist in finance resource management at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, and co-author of Small Steps to Health and Wealth, using a few simple strategies that…
The "bring a dish to share” request comes with just about every party or family gathering invitation you receive. But what if you’re consciously trying to watch what you eat and need a healthier alternative to the popular hors d’oeuvres loaded with fat and calories? Try these! One of my party favorites is my original…
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