Sandi Kaplan, MS, RD, Associate Director, Clinical Development and Support:   The holiday season can be challenging for even for those of us with the best of intentions. I am committed to prioritizing my health during the holiday season. It can be a stressful time so I need my balanced meals and snacks and my regular physical activity more than ever. So imagine my response when I opened a recent holiday gift – an enormous cheesecake. Well, actually it was a package of twelve slice... [More]

Jennifer Lovejoy, PhD, Executive Director, Weight and Nutrition Services:   Whether you are watching your waistline or trying to improve your overall health, many of us think about upgrading our eating habits at this time of year.  But as you are trying to cut your fat intake or watch the sugary carbs, be careful you don’t get fooled by false perceptions of how healthy a food is. Recently, the New York Times reported on research findings from a French marketing professor and a Cor... [More]

Jennifer Lovejoy, PhD, Executive Director, Weight & Nutrition Services:   The 2008 Stress in America survey by the American Psychological Society concludes that stress levels among Americans are way up.  Not surprisingly, a big cause of our increased stress is money worries – 81% of adults indicated that finances were a major source of stress.  Add to this the “normal” increase in stress many people experience during the holiday season, and spiking stress levels can lead to physical and... [More]

Beth Shepard, MS, Exercise Physiologist, Contributing Writer:   With the holidays upon us, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy– of shopping, celebrating, and enjoying special treats. New Year’s resolutions may be just around the corner, but for now, we just want to eat, drink, and be merry. Setting goals is a powerful way for individuals to take charge of their health no matter what the season. At Free & Clear we encourage our participants to think of goals as their roadmap –... [More]

Marie Gahler, Manager, Weight Management:   This is a wonderful time of year to celebrate with family and friends. But for many, the holidays also bring extra pounds as we indulge in the sweets, treats, big meals, parties and family traditions of the season. Don’t let the eggnog get you down, or the scale moving up! Here are 10 proven strategies to let you enjoy all the warmth of the season while keeping you healthy and happy. 1. Use exercise to help balance extra calories. Ma... [More]