Before you rush out and get vaccinated for the Swine flu consider this important article by Paul Watson.

 It is clear that there will be significant risk in receiving a vaccine that has only been tested on a handful of people.  There are questions about what ingredients will be used, and even if none of the human guinea pigs have an adverse event in the next month we will have no idea what the long term effects of the vaccine will be. Essentially everyone who receives the vaccine will be a test case.

In the UK, physicians were warned to look for an increase in the number of Guillain-Barre cases in those vaccinated.  Guillain-Barre is a serious autoimmune disease of the nervous system that in the worst case could lead to permanent paralysis and even death.  Additionally, the pharmaceutical companies that will be paid for the vaccines are being granted immunity from injury as a result of receiving the vaccine, but we in emergency medicine get not even minimal immunity from the unfunded mandate of EMTALA care!

My recommendation: Get vaccinated for the regular seasonal flu which kills many more patients each year then the swine flu and has an excellent safety record over the years.  Skip the swine flu vaccine.

To Sara of Fit by Sara:“I’ve been a runner all my life, is it safe to continue running throughout my pregnancy?”

From Sara of Fit by Sara: “Be sure to consult with your doctor prior to continuing any exercise when you become pregnant.  After you have spoke with your doctor, if he/she gives you the thumbs up, you can continue to run as long as it feels comfortable in your body.  For many women during the second trimester running begins to feel uncomfortable because the weight of the baby stretches the round ligaments which are used when running.  The key is to listen to your body and stop doing anything that doesn’t feel right.  There are plenty of other options including power walking, swimming, and yoga.” –Sara Holliday

***Have a question for me?  Email me at info@fitbysara.com or write a comment here.

To Sara of Fit by Sara: “I know I need to change my diet.  I exercise consistently but I eat poorly, and thus my weight stays the same.  I love pasta, what should I eat instead? What are good diet foods?”

From Sara of Fit by Sara: “You’re right, if you’re exercising consistently and not losing excess weight it’s likely to be your diet that needs to change.  Now that doesn’t mean that I recommend dieting, it means making minor adjustments to the foods you already eat.  Since you’re a pasta lover (so am I!), you can continue to eat it, just change the portions and the type.  So chose whole wheat or whole grain angel hair pasta vs. white flour pasta.  Use tomato based sauces vs. cream sauce and chose a large portion of veggies, with a smaller portion of pasta.  For the meatballs try low-fat turkey meatballs (available in bulk and for lower prices at Costco).  The key is to continue to eat food you enjoy, just make the choices healthier by chosing whole wheat vs. white, increasing veggies and green salads w/ low-fat dressings, lean meats, lean cheeses, avacado vs. lots of mayo, tomato vs. cream sauces, etc.”

**Have a question for me?  Email me at info@fitbysara.com or comment here.

To Sara of Fit by Sara: “I’ve just started working out again.  Is it possible to turn flab to muscle?”

From Sara of Fit by Sara: “Working out, particularly using your own body weight in classes such as yoga in combination with light weights will firm and tone your muscles, however “flab” doesn’t turn to muscle.  “Flab” is extra body fat which will decrease with an increase in cardio and healthy “lean” eating habits.  So even if you do body toning exercises and firm your muscles, you won’t see the muscle definition until you lose body fat.  Once you eat healthier and up your cardio your body fat will reduce and you’ll see the muscle tone.”

**Have a question for me?  Email me at info@fitbysara.com or comment here.

To Sara of Fit by Sara: I’ve always dreamed of having firm, toned arms like Madonna’s.  How do I go about this?”

From Sara of Fit by Sara: “More than half of the way your physique looks is due to the way  you eat.  The leaner your body is, the more you will see muscle tone and definition.  Eating “lean” isn’t hard, and it doesn’t mean that you deprive yourself.  Eating “lean” means substituting high fat foods with low fat foods, white flours with wheat flours, increasing your veggies and fruits, and decreasing sugary non-nutritional value foods.  In fact when you eat “lean” you’ll eat more often, but your portions will be smaller and healthier.  In addition to how you eat, implement weights (3-5 lbs. multiple reps work great) and incorporate sports that use your arms and shoulders.  For example tennis, volleyball, and my personal favorite- YOGA”.

**Have a question for me?  Email me at info@fitbysara.com or comment here.