LiveWell Vermont

Unwanted body fat can slow you down and make you feel less confident. Fortunately, if you take the right steps, you can safely and effectively burn off unhealthy body fat.  How can you get started on this mission? Begin with these nine fat-burning tips... Fat Burn Tip #1: Add Strength Training If you have weight to lose, doing so is a good idea. Studies show improvement in health outcomes with just 5 lbs of weight lost. Just be sure you don't lose too much that you begin to burn off muscle, which will damage your metabolism. By adding weight training into your routine, you’ll ensure your muscle is here to stay. As an added perk, muscle burns more fat faster, and you burn more fat and burn it for longer after an intense weight-lifting session than you would with just cardio. Fat Burn Tip #2: Increase Your Intensity If you do the same cardio workout each day, you’ll get the same results. Kick your workouts up a notch by increasing the speed at which you run, walk or bi

Temptations can and will arise when you eat out. There may be bread and chip baskets on the table, and the appetizers and desserts may seem like a good idea as well. Not to mention the supersized portions! In order to maintain your healthy diet you’ll have to have a plan in place before arriving at the restaurant.   Here’s how you stay on track while eating out: Avoid the extras: Ask for the bread or chip basket to be removed from your table. Stick to eating only what you ordered: Be mindful of the picking you do from your family or friend's plate. Avoid drinking calories: Stick with water or unsweetened ice tea in order to avoid a few hundred extra calories. Get it plain: Ask for sauces and dressings on the side to cut down calories. Simply spread or dip your fork in it for flavor, but dumping it right on anyhow defeats the purpose. Order healthier sides: Just because the grilled fish comes with a side of potatoes doesn’t mean you have to get it that way. Ask for a

The Live Well Vermont 2015 Incentive Program 3 rd quarter payout period  will be ending Sunday, August 23 rd .   (Payments will be reflected in your September 17 th pay statement) It’s not too late to take advantage of wellness initiatives! Visit https://mybluehealth.bcbsvt.com * to: ·          Complete your 2015 online personal health assessment ·          Complete a workshop of your choosing ·          Complete an annual exam with your primary care provider  (November 1, 2014 – November 1, 2015) ·          Complete one challenge offered through Live Well Vermont.   Our next challenge, Live Well Feel Great! , will begin in the beginning of October! * Be sure to use your employee ID# as your username Active permanent employees covered through the State’s health plan are eligible for financial incentives.  Those not insured with SOV BCBSVT are eligible for drawings. Incentives/drawings are available until funds are depleted or by November 1, 2

Eat a variety of unprocessed foods . These include fruits and vegetables, but also include meat, fish, poultry and eggs that haven’t been processed. In other words, when buying food at the market, focus on things that have not been been cooked, prepared or altered in any way. Brown rice over white rice. Whole grains over refined grains. You’re far better off eating two apples than drinking the same 27 grams of sugar in an eight-ounce glass of apple juice. Eat lightly processed foods less often. You’re not going to make everything yourself. Pasta, for instance, is going to be bought already prepared. You’re not going to grind your own flour or extract your own oil. These are meant to be eaten along with unprocessed foods, but try to eat less of them. Eat heavily processed foods even less often. There’s little high-quality evidence that even the most processed foods are dangerous. But keep your consumption of them to a minimum, because they can make it too easy to stuff in calori

Roasted veggies, such as eggplant, are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a healthy, filling option. Add a side of lean protein for a complete meal. Servings: 6   Ingredients 3 medium eggplants 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 medium onions, diced 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1/4 cup reduced-fat feta cheese Directions Cut the eggplants in half, lengthwise, and scoop out the flesh, leaving 1/2 inch on the shell. Chop the scooped-out flesh into 1/2 inch cubes and set in a colander. Sprinkle the eggplant cubes and the inside of the eggplant shells with salt. Let stand for 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Drop the eggplant shells in the water and simmer for 7 minutes. Shells should be barely tender when poked with a fork. Drain and pat dry. Heat the olive oi