A landmark University of Alberta study, analyzing a sample of over 275,000 individuals, has found that when it comes to participation in physical activity, one size does not fit all. The study, co-authored with U of A professor Jane Ruseski, looked at a wide range of factors, including income, education and ethnicity, that influence whether a person decides to be physically active, as well as their time spent being active. It also examined the impact of government spending on parks and recreation on an individual’s decision to participate in physical activity and sports.

In the old days, nutritionists told us to eat a variety of foods in order to get the nutrients our bodies demanded. Oranges provided vitamin C, bananas gave potassium, green leafy vegetables contained that important vitamin, folic acid, and dairy products supplied calcium.

But now it seems unnecessary to eat real food in order to be well nourished. You can drink bottled water boosted with vitamins, eat chewy candy squares fortified with calcium, and munch on protein-enriched snack bars. Recently a large European food company put out a report suggesting that bottled water be turned into a source of essential minerals. The article stated that since food contains calories, humans should rely on calorie-free water for nourishment. Will a time be coming when we can live on water alone?

I snapped a picture of the new South Beach packaging at Sam's Club

One of the most common themes I talk about is how you can't just go on a low-carb "diet," but that you must make it your permanent and healthy lifestyle change. That's why I use livin' la vida low-carb instead of "low-carb diet" to describe this way of eating for me. It's all about the "living" and the makers of the bestselling South Beach line of products are finally embracing this concept in their marketing.

Xavier seeks help about what to eat to help him lose weight

When you have a blog about diet, weight loss, fitness and health that is as visible as mine, it is inevitable that there will be people who stumble upon it in their Internet search for something else. It happens all the time and I'm grateful for the chance to educate, encourage, and inspire everyone who visits here once or thousands of times.

With so many new faces coming here daily, I'm always intrigued about how they got here. Recently, a good many first-time visitors discovered one or more of my posts about Manuel Uribe, the former 1200-pound man from Monterrey, Mexico who has lost over 400 pounds so far by livin' la vida low-carb. It's an amazing story that I have stayed on top of for the past couple of years and people are rooting Manuel on to great success.