It's shocking that 75 million Americans spend a whopping $60 BILLION a year trying to lose weight, making an average of four attempts per year. While these diet program work for some, most fail as a long-term solution. So, why all the failure?

Could it be that excess weight is also tied to the $300 billion fast food and $100 billion junk food industries? Probably so, which brings me to the topic of this article and the top 5 reasons why people can't keep the weight off:

1. Old habits are hard to break

When you make sudden changes to your diet, your subconscious is like, "What the heck?!!!" The subconscious does NOT like change and will do everything in its power to keep you exactly as you are.

Do this instead: Slowly incorporate changes, so that the subconscious will feel more at ease and stop fighting against your efforts.

2. Deprivation is a demon

No one likes to be deprived. When you tell yourself, "You can't have that," it's like telling your two year-old self she can't have her pacifier or favorite blanket.

Do this instead: Level up your choices by purchasing higher quality junk food (like organic dark chocolate instead of traditional candy bars or Kettle chips that only contain potatoes, salt and oil).

Additionally, be sure to use small containers for your snacks versus eating out of the box or bag. You can also try drinking a full glass of water before eating junk food.

3. Counting calories isn't the answer

If you eat healthy, you'll never have to count calories again. The problem is, people make unhealthy choices with their calories. For example, a 100 calorie apple and a 100 calorie doughnut both have the same amount of calories. However, the doughnut has no fiber or nutritional value and will be stored as FAT versus the apple, which contains 100 USABLE calories.

Do this instead

Focus on the quality of the food versus the calories.

4. Skipping meals makes you store fat

If you skip meals, your body thinks it's starving and stores the next one for reserves. Plus, you are likely to eat more once you do have a meal, creating an excess of calories and, therefore, stored fat.

Do this instead

Make a habit of having breakfast, lunch and dinner consistently each day, focusing on healthy choices like whole grains, natural proteins and plenty of fresh vegetables.

5. Your mind can work against you

The human mind is extremely powerful. If you don't think you can lose weight, it will make doing so even more challenging. Additionally, emotional cravings may be present, causing you to make unhealthy food choices.

Do this instead

: Practice the Law of Attraction by imagining the weight melting away. Even if you get resistance, do it anyway. Practice, practice, practice!

Also start asking yourself questions when you crave unhealthy foods. We all have a part of us inside that just wants to be acknowledged and listened to. Ask yourself "Why do you want that candy or chip?" Listen to the answer... it may surprise you. Once you have your answer, you can begin addressing the root cause of your cravings. For example, perhaps you are bored or just got into an argument with a loved one, both of which may cause cravings. Instead of going to food, address the real reason for the cravings.

There's no magic to weight loss. It takes time, patience and a willingness to learn a new way of life. Focus on the journey and what you uncover about yourself along the way. Ultimately, this will lead to a healthier mind, body and soul.

The post 5 misunderstood truths about weight that prevent you from slimming down appeared first on FamilyToday.

Your tongue does more than help you speak. It can actually be an important tool to determine imbalances in your body and a warning sign for impending disease. So open up and say, "Ahhh," and take a closer look at it.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), different parts of your tongue correspond to different internal organs. The tip of your tongue reflects the health of your heart and lungs; the middle represents your spleen and stomach; the root (back) represents your kidneys and bladder; and the sides of your tongue represent your liver (left) and gallbladder (right).

Here are three things to look for when assessing your tongue:

1. Color

In TCM, your tongue is an extension of your heart, and its color represents the health of your blood. Because the blood is what nourishes and maintains your body, its color reflects the overall health of your body and organs. The ideal tongue is pale-red (or dark pink), indicating good blood circulation.

A pale tongue may indicate insufficient blood circulation, and even digestive issues. If there is a thick, white coating, you may have a condition called "Candidiasis," which is an overgrowth of yeast in the body.

If the coating is yellow, it could indicate major digestive stagnation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or liver/gallbladder disease. A bright red tongue may indicate chronic inflammation or infection, especially if the taste buds are red and raised. Red on the sides may indicate over-consumption of alcohol or spicy or greasy foods. A purple hue may indicate long-standing inflammation or blood-clotting.

2. Shape

The shape of the tongue should be full, but not swollen. A thin tongue may indicate anemia or chronic fatigue, while a swollen tongue may indicate a body's overall weakness and declining health. A swollen tongue may also be a result of excess alcohol consumption. Scalloped edges on the side of the tongue may indicate a weak spleen (immune function), malabsorption or an under-active thyroid (metabolism).

3. Texture

Your tongue's texture should be fairly smooth, with a thin coat of saliva. Cracks all over the tongue (known as a fissured tongue) indicate long-term deficiency, which could be from overall dehydration or lack of B-vitamins. Cracks on the sides indicate spleen (immune) deficiency, while a crack down the middle/center indicates digestive deficiency. If the center crack runs all the way to the tip, this may indicate some serious current or future heart issues, whether emotional or physical.

If you feel you have tongue abnormalities, it is best to get them checked out. Because conventional medical doctors are not generally trained in TCM, and, therefore, may not recognize these abnormalities as a problem, it may be best to work with a Naturopath or Chinese Medical Doctor, like an Acupuncturist, to diagnose and treat your condition.

While the tongue is not the only diagnostic tool available, it may provide a good picture of what is going on inside your body; and it's something you can analyze for free! So, take a closer look at your tongue and see what messages it is trying to convey about your health.

The post Is your tongue normal or is it trying to warn you of disease? appeared first on FamilyToday.

When you're young and nimble, it seems like you can do just about anything without stretching. There was no need to stretch out your muscles 20 years ago, but that's not really the case now.

As you age, your body becomes less flexible, especially if you aren't stretching every day. If you have a sit-down job, for example, you run the risk of becoming less flexible more quickly than someone who moves around a lot throughout the day.

There is some good news, though - you can help combat this aging process by doing daily stretches that give your body the chance to move. You'll also be able to find some peace of mind (and have a moment of quiet) while doing these stretches. According to the Mayo Clinic, stretching can help reduce the risk of injury and help your joints work properly.

Best of all, you can even do these before you get out of bed in the morning.

1. Spine twist

Lay on your back, bend your legs and put your feet together on the floor. As you exhale, lower both legs to the right and rotate your head to the left. Relax in this position. Then, rotate your legs to the left and your head to the right, again relaxing as your spine opens up and surrounding muscles begin to wake up.

You can also twist your spine while sitting up, with your legs crossed. Pull your right hand over to your left side and hold, breathing deeply. Repeat with your left arm, on your right side.

2. Eye of the needle

Lay on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Place your right ankle over your left knee, as if you were sitting. Imagine the space between your two legs as the eye of a needle and thread your right hand through the eye of the needle, meeting your left hand around the back side of your left leg. Gently pull your left leg in toward your body, feeling the stretch on the right, outer hip and thigh region.

3. Knee press

Lay on your back. Bend both legs and use your hands to bring your knees toward your chest, opening them slightly. This opens up the tailbone region at the base of your spine and stretches those muscles.

4. Cat-Cow

Make a table pose by standing on all fours and putting your hands and knees at your hips' width. Round your back and hang your head down. Then, lift your pelvis and chest toward the ceiling, so that your stomach moves toward the floor. Lift your head. Do this back and forth several times, while breathing deeply to stretch the muscles around the spine.

These stretches are especially beneficial to those who are sitting throughout the day. If you have an "on your feet" type of job, these areas can tense up, too. By stretching them in the morning when you wake up and then again before going to bed, you give your muscles a greater chance for long-term flexibility.

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When I was in my 20s, I had already developed a number of health issues - asthma, allergies, digestive issues, eczema, mood swings, chronic fatigue and debilitating PMS.

I didn't know at the time that they could be resolved or prevented, and certainly didn't know what questions to even ask about my body. Below are five health questions every woman should know how to answer.

1. What are my hormone levels and how close are they to being out of the "normal range?"

I find that most doctors won't address hormones unless the results are in the "high" or "low" range. It's important to understand how far off the center of the target you are instead of waiting until you are over or under productive.

Your body produces many different types of hormones needed at certain levels. You have hormones that are responsible for your mood, body temperature, metabolism, sleep, sex drive, reproduction, heart rate and even your immune system.

Slight shifts in your hormones may go unnoticed at first. But, over time, these shifts can cause negative side-effects and even long-term health issues with any of the areas they affect.

2. What is my vitamin D level?

Vitamin D is responsible for keeping your teeth and bones healthy and strong. It also helps regulate mood, boosts weight loss, supports a healthy heart, reduces cancer risk and helps maintain a healthy immune system.

Maintain a healthy level of vitamin D between 60-80 ng/mL. Most doctors won't say there is an issue until you have dropped below 25 ng/mL. However, maintaining higher levels may help you better-manage your health and well-being now, as well as in the future.

3. Is my spine in alignment?

I remember the day in junior high when the school nurse came in to check everyone for scoliosis. I knew scoliosis meant having a curved spine and that having it was bad, but I didn't understand why.

Your spine is the main highway that connects your entire nervous system to the rest of the body. It's not just scoliosis that could be problematic.

Any misalignment in the spine can cause nerves to be suppressed, cutting off blood flow to certain regions of your body. Having regular chiropractic check-ups can help you stay on top of problems that may get in the way of your health and well-being.

4. What are my blood glucose levels?

Blood glucose is the amount of sugar circulating in your blood. Too much and you are hyperglycemic, meaning your body is unable to use all the sugar for energy. Too little and you are hypoglycemic, meaning your body does not have enough sugar for energy.

Too much or too little blood sugar can lead to diabetes or other health issues like cancer, immune system problems and heart problems. If your blood glucose levels get too high, take steps to bring it down. For example, adopt a whole-food diet and exercise regularly.

5. Do I have any food sensitivities?

Modern American food is doused in pesticides and herbicides, making it hard on the digestive system. This is where many food sensitivities and allergies come from.

People are developing food intolerances that may go unnoticed unless there is an obvious reaction immediately following consumption.

Some of the symptoms associated with food sensitivities are gas and bloating, skin disorders (like eczema, rashes or dry skin), dark eye circles, brain fog, fatigue, acne, arthritis and food cravings.

However, it doesn't stop there. When you consume a food you are sensitive to, your body sees it as the enemy and produces an immune response, creating inflammation in the body.

Think of it like putting rocks in a sinking boat. If you don't pay attention to the boat slowly sinking, you may suddenly find yourself under water. By knowing and avoiding the foods you are sensitive to, you give yourself a happier, healthier life.

Answering these five questions gives you a visual of where you are now with your health. From there, you can start figuring out where you want to go next. Enjoy the journey!

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