Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. [114], No. [297], Ed. 1 Sunday, December 30, 2012 Page: 6 of 11
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Sweetwater Reporter
Sunday, December 30, 2012 ■ Page B3
Healthy ways to banish belly fat Getting ready
for tax season
Belly fat is often considered more of a cosmetic issue
than a health issue. But few outside of the medical or
fitness communities may know that belly fat is not only
unsightly but unhealthy as well. Excessive belly fat can
increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes,
heart disease, high blood pressure, and even certain
cancers, including breast cancer and colon cancer.
So while many people may want to reduce their belly
fat for cosmetic purposes, they can also use improv-
ing their overall health as a motivating factor when
attempting to trim their waistlines. The following are a
few healthy ways to reduce belly fat.
* Adopt a healthy diet. Belly fat is often the first vic-
tim when men and women adopt a healthy diet and
begin to lose weight. Researcher Kristen Hairston, MD,
an assistant professor of endocrinology and metabolism
at Wake Forest School of Medicine, found that people
who ate 10 grams of soluble fiber per day but made no
other changes to their diet built up less fat over time
than others. In addition to fiber, you should include
fruits, vegetables and lean proteins in your diet. These
foods will help you feel more full, which will curb your
hunger and, as a result, reduce your caloric intake.
* Get some rest. A good night's sleep, which is at
least seven hours of sleep each night, has been shown
to reduce fat over an extended period of time. Though
the exact relationship between sleep and belly fat is
unknown, a lack of sleep can force men and women to
look to sugary beverages or snacks to provide a boost
during the day. Such drinks and snacks can cause
weight gain, especially among those people who rou-
tinely fail to get a good night's sleep.
* Get off the couch and exercise. Exercise is another
effective way to reduce belly fat. Numerous studies have
shown the positive effect that daily, vigorous exercise
can have on overall health. For example, a study con-
ducted by researchers at Duke University found that 30
minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise, which includes
jogging or working out on a cardiovascular machine,
such as an elliptical or a treadmill, four times per week
can reduce fat and slow down the buildup of fat over
time. Those who want to reduce belly fat will likely
need to emphasize vigorous exercise. While those hop-
ing to prevent the buildup of belly fat should know that
studies have shown, when coupled with a healthy diet,
moderate activity, which includes anything that raises
your heart rate, three times per week may be enough to
slow down fat buildup.
Successfully fend off workplace fatigue
Fatigue can prove a formidable foe to anyone.
Exercise enthusiasts and couch potatoes alike periodi-
cally can suffer from fatigue, which can affect perfor-
mance at work and one's relationships with friends
and family.
Fatigue can be temporary or chronic, and while
quick fixes like an energy drink might work for a little
while, such solutions may only mask fatigue for a brief
period before it returns once the stimulant wears off.
Many times fending off fatigue involves making some
lifestyle changes that can boost your energy over the
long haul and make fatigue a distant memory.
* Eat breakfast no matter what. According to a
study published in the International Journal of Food
Sciences and Nutrition, a high-fiber, high-carbohy-
drate breakfast can increase alertness between break-
fast and lunch, a period of time during which many
professionals begin to feel fatigue settling in. Whole-
wheat toast or a bowl of high-fiber cereal can pack an
energetic punch that lasts all the way to lunchtime.
* Choose high-energy snacks. One of the problems
many people have when dealing with fatigue is how
they choose to combat their feelings of sluggishness.
Eating a candy bar from the office snack machine
might seem like the ideal energy booster, but a sugar
boost does not last very long. Chances are your feel-
ings of fatigue will return sooner rather than later.
* Give yourself a break. Burning the midnight
oil might be necessary, but failing to take breaks
throughout the day will likely exasperate any feel-
ings of fatigue. That's because taking periodic breaks
throughout the workday has been proven to be very
effective at combating fatigue. A study conducted at
Louisiana State University compared a trio of differ-
ent work schedules for workers who used a computer.
Those who took brief, frequent breaks were better at
fighting fatigue and more productive at work than
those who did not. A short break of 5 to 10 minutes can
be enough to provide an immediate energy boost and
fend off feelings of fatigue.
* Hit the road, Jack. Another way to effectively fight
fatigue is to get walking. A decades-old study con-
ducted by a researcher at California State University,
Long Beach, found that walking briskly for 10 minutes
provides people with more energy than eating a candy
bar. Though the candy bar led to an initial energy
boost, that boost died down within an hour, whereas
the boost provided by a brisk walk increased energy
levels for roughly two hours. Get up and walk around
the office or take a brisk walk around the block or the
parking lot of your office complex. You'll come back to
your desk refreshed and ready to resume your work-
day.
Fatigue is no laughing matter for many men and
women. But a few tried and tested fatigue-fighting
methods can increase your energy and productivity.
Annie’s Mailbox
®
BY KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR
Dear Annie: My husband and I have been
married for 23 years, and we have two teenage
daughters. Our biggest issue is disciplining the
kids. I think they should do more household
chores. My husband agrees in theory, but does
nothing to hold them accountable when they
don't cooperate, so the burden of discipline falls on me.
I'm sick of being the bad guy and living in a slovenly
house that no one else cares about. I've talked to them
until I'm blue in the face. I've tried letting things go to see
whether they'd eventually do something, and that doesn't
work either. Usually, I end up so frustrated that I throw a
big hissy fit and clean it myself.
I'm ready to move out. To me, it's more than the mess.
It's teaching the kids to be independent, to have some work
ethic and to be accountable for their actions. To them,
I'm being a nag. What should I do? — Tired in Rural
Oregon
Dear Tired: Nagging is part of your job as a par-
ent. And it's OK to let some things go. The girls'
rooms are theirs. Leave their clothes on the floor
and their beds unmade. Tell them those things are
their responsibility, and show them how to use the
washer and dryer. If you can't stand the sight of the
mess in their rooms, close the doors.
Common areas will be tougher, but they are
counting on you to give up. Firmly and repeatedly
remind your husband and children to do what-
ever chores you assign. Do not do these things for
them out of exasperation, and try not to become
angry. Offer incentives in the form of increased or
decreased allowance. Help them understand that
you are not a servant. Being a member of the fam-
ily means doing your share. If your husband won't
help, discuss hiring outside cleaning assistance.
Dear Annie: I am a senior in high school and plan to
have a family graduation party next spring. However, I
haven't spoken to my maternal grandparents in six months.
They have never been a part of my life and have said and
done some hurtful things over the years. They often start
fights at family get-togethers.
I have no desire to invite them, but my mom says I
should because I would otherwise regret it later. Honestly,
I'd be happy never to see them again, but I don't want to
hurt my mom by not inviting her parents. Should I? — East
Coast Senior
Dear Senior: Yes — not only because it would
please your mother, but also because it will give
your grandparents a chance to behave better. One
should take advantage of opportunities to recon-
cile when possible.
Dear Annie: "Washington" said her mother was diag-
nosed with multiple sclerosis 30 years ago. She had been
active in her church and had lots of friends, but at age 49,
she was in a nursing home. Now the only person who visits
is her daughter.
I was diagnosed with MS in 1961 at age 19. In 1962, I
became wheelchair bound. I'm fortunate to have a loving,
caring husband of 52 years who does the things I cannot
do for myself. This disease turns your life upside down.
It makes the MS patient feel like a burden to society. But
disabled people want to be loved, too.
I have a chin-controlled power chair to move around in.
I can use the computer with a voice-activated system, and
I listen to books on tape. I stay as active as my limitations
will allow. But with everything I do, someone has to assist
me. I am blessed to have my husband.
For people who say they're bored: How about volunteer-
ing for the disabled? — Faithful Follower in Florida
Dear Florida: A wonderful suggestion.
Approximately 400,000 Americans are currently
diagnosed with MS. For those who want more infor-
mation, please contact the National MS Society at
nationalmssociety.org.
Dear Annie: I have been friends with "Jon" for seven
years. For three of those, we dated and lived together. In
the end, we decided we didn't work as a couple and decided
to remain friends. Jon is rather arrogant, and even though
he has always been there for me, he also has occasionally
taken advantage of our friendship.
I began seeing "Dennis" two years ago. At one point,
I had problems with him and discussed my relationship
with Jon. When I admitted this to Dennis, he became quite
angry. I am fairly loyal to my friends and like to see the
good side of them, but Dennis doesn't like Jon one bit and
has demanded I choose between them.
Annie, I know that at the end of the day my boyfriend is
the one I want to be with, but dumping my friendship with
Jon is causing me much emotional turmoil. I don't like
causing other people pain, and I'm feeling very guilty. Am I
doing the right thing? — Sad and Guilty
Dear Sad: While we appreciate that Dennis
doesn't want you to have a friendship with an
old boyfriend (that is really his point), we are not
keen on anyone dictating who your friends can be.
Tell Dennis that you will cut back on your contact
with Jon, and that you promise to stop confiding
your relationship troubles to him. Dennis rightly
views that as a betrayal. And if you still harbor any
romantic feelings for Jon, then you should, in fact,
end the friendship.
Dear Annie: Many of our parents and grandparents are
aging and have been placed in nursing homes or assisted-
living facilities.
As an employee at one of these facilities, I would like to
make a suggestion: Many of our residents have clothing
that desperately needs to be replaced. It makes me sad
when I go through their closets and everything has a hole in
the seam or a waistband that is falling apart. Please check
the status of your loved one's clothing and replace what
needs it.
This brings me to another point. Many people never
have visitors, so there is no one to replace their clothing or
even to tell about it. It may be something to consider for a
community service project to provide new clothing for the
residents who are unable to shop for themselves. Useful
items include sweaters, sweatshirts, front-button or zipper
shirts, pants with an elastic waistband, socks and slip-on
or Velcro-strap shoes. Even secondhand clothing would be
wonderfully appreciated as long as it is in good repair. Our
seniors have paved the way for us, and we should not forget
about them. — A Long-Term Care Employee
Dear Employee: What a lovely, helpful sugges-
tion. Those who have family in nursing homes
should remember to check that their clothing is
clean, comfortable and in decent shape. And a
community effort to supply such items would be
much appreciated and a wonderfully compassion-
ate way to start off the new year.
Dear Annie: I want to say thank you again for helping
me last year when I needed brain surgery and was alone.
Your readers were wonderful, and I also contacted my
family to be there for me — and they all made it. Since the
surgery, I have moved in with my father so someone can
keep an eye on me. I also have reenergized my faith, and
that is really helping.
November was Epilepsy Awareness Month. My grand-
father drowned when having a seizure in water, and my
brother died after brain surgery. But my mother, sister and
nephew are living well with this, as am I. Please help me
get the word out that epilepsy can be controlled, and no
one should be afraid of it. I am 45 and have dealt with it all
my life. — Omaha
Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy
Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.
Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.
net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate,
737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. To find out
more about Annie's Mailbox and read features by other
Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the
Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
They say, Love is grand;
divorce is 20 grand."
It doesn’t have to be.
Strong zealous legal advocacy at a
reasonable rate.
The Thomas Firm
C. Barrett Thomas
One West Broadway
Sweetwater, TX 79556
325-480-4276
www. thethomasfir m. com
A new year not only brings a host of new opportuni-
ties, but it also brings a host of familiar obligations. One
such obligation is paying taxes, which doesn't have to be
done until mid-April. But waiting until the last minute
with respect to taxes can make the process even more
difficult, and putting it off certainly won't help those
people who vowed to stop procrastinating in the new
year.
Getting a headstart on tax season can be beneficial
in numerous ways, not the least of which is avoiding
the last-minute rush to file your return come the fil-
ing deadline. Even if you have yet to receive your W-2
(which you should have in hand by Januaiy 31), there
are steps you can take to get ready for the coming tax
season.
* Gather your documents. Your W-2 is likely not the
only document you will need to prepare your tax return.
Statements regarding your investments, student loan
payments, mortgage and a host of other documents
might be necessary for you to fill out your return. You
should start receiving these documents in January,
so gather them as they come in and keep them in a
convenient place. This will ensure you don't get frus-
trated when filling out your return while increasing the
chances you earn all of the credits and deductions you
deserve.
* Examine past returns. Many people have questions
when filling out their tax returns, but those who wait
until the waning days of tax season to prepare their
returns ignore those questions in an effort to make the
filing deadline. When you start preparing for tax season
early, examine past returns and see if there are any
questions you wanted to ask in the past that you didn't
have time for. Write these questions down as you comb
through your past returns and bring the questions to
your tax preparer when the time comes. If you don't
plan on hiring a professional to prepare your taxes, you
can contact the IRS with your questions, and the earlier
you do so, the more quickly you are likely to have your
questions answered.
* Take your time. When you decide to get an early
start on your taxes, you allow yourself to take your time
preparing your return. This reduces the likelihood of
getting stressed when filing your return. Many people
get a bit nervous when filing a tax return, but that
stress can be even greater if you leave everything until
the last minute. If you're starting early, take your time
when working on your return and don't succumb to any
potential stressors.
* Consider hiring a professional. Starting early also
gives you an opportunity to determine if preparing
your own return is too tall a task. If that's the case, con-
sider hiring a professional to prepare your return. If you
decide to hire a professional, do so early so that person
has more time to devote to your return. If you wait too
long, chances are the tax preparer will be buried with
many other customers' returns and won't be able to
devote as much time to preparing your return as you
would like.
More information about getting ready for tax season
is available at www.irs.gov.
SISD MENU
Menu subject to
change
Breakfast Menu
Monday: Holiday
Tuesday: Holiday
Wednesday:
Holiday
Thursday: Breakfast
burrito, assorted juices,
1% and fat free milk
Friday: French toast
sticks, assorted juices,
1% and fat free milk
Headstart & Early
Childhood Lunch
Monday: Holiday
Tuesday: Holiday
Wednesday:
Holiday
Thursday: Chicken
nuggets, mashed pota-
toes, carrot coins, straw-
berry cup, whole wheat
roll
Friday: Spaghetti
with meatballs, gar-
den salad, savory green
beans, sliced
breadstick
peaches,
Southeast and
East Ridge Lunch
Monday: Holiday
Tuesday: Holiday
Wednesday:
Holiday
Thursday: Chicken
nuggets, mashed pota-
toes, carrot coins, straw-
berry cup, whole wheat
roll
Friday: Spaghetti
with meatballs, gar-
den salad, savory green
beans, sliced peaches,
breadstick
SIS and SMS
Lunch
Monday: Holiday
Tuesday: Holiday
Wednesday:
Holiday
Thursday: Salisbury
steak, chicken nuggets,
mashed potatoes, carrot
coins, strawberry cup,
whole wheat roll
Friday: Chicken spa-
ghetti, spaghetti with
meatballs, garden salad,
savory green beans,
sliced peaches, bread-
stick
SHS Lunch
Monday: Holiday
Tuesday: Holiday
Wednesday:
Holiday
Thursday: Salisbury
steak, chicken nuggets,
mashed potatoes, carrot
coins, strawberry cup,
whole wheat roll
Friday: Chicken spa-
ghetti, spaghetti with
meatballs, garden salad,
savory green beans,
sliced peaches, bread-
stick
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Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. [114], No. [297], Ed. 1 Sunday, December 30, 2012, newspaper, December 30, 2012; Sweetwater, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth851751/m1/6/: accessed May 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Sweetwater/Nolan County City-County Library.