Costco Connection - February 2011

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Real Costco® Members.

Real Success Stories.

Lisa McKinney Acworth, GA; Member since 1997

Since losing my dad to a sudden heart attack, I am more conscious of my own health and am currently working to lose weight. I now lead an active lifestyle and with alli®, I am committed to preparing low-fat meals at home. Eating well and exercising require time and planning, but it’s worth the effort. My family means everything to me and I need to do whatever I can to ensure that I’m here for my children as they grow up and lead adult lives.

Go to Costco.com to read my full story.

Myth 5: No pain, no gain. Truth: Many sedentary people think you have to exercise at an intense level to achieve cardiac benefits. This myth grew from the advice of well-intentioned exercise physiologists, who advocate improving aerobic fitness with high-intensity workouts. But you don’t have to enlist in a strenuous boot camp, join a gym or buy fancy equipment. Just put one foot in front of the other until you’re breathing fairly heavily, able to talk but not sing. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 47

Myth 6: Alcohol is bad for your heart. Truth: For years it was said that alcohol is bad for your heart, but more than 20 studies show 8 ounces of alcohol, whether wine, beer or spirits, have a protective benefit, says Kennedy. Ethanol is the active ingredient in alcohol that increases HDL and protects against plaque formation. Plus, red wine is packed with antioxidants that act as a natural diuretic, which may help prevent arteries from becoming clogged with fatty blockages. If you don’t drink, you needn’t start, since those antioxidants are found in grapes, chocolate and coffee, but if you enjoy an alcoholic beverage, one 8-ounce serving per day is OK. C

Jennifer Nelson covers health for Self, Oprah, Prevention and Parade magazines.

Boost your weight loss. Begin your own story.

alli is the only FDA-approved over-the-counter weight-loss aid that blocks 25% of the fat you eat. For every 2 pounds you lose, alli can help you lose 1 more.* Losing just 5% to 7% of your weight can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.** Plus, alli offers a free online program filled with tools and content personalized just for you. Find out more at myalli.com/Costco.