There’s nothing quite as refreshing after a day out in the sun as an ice cold glass of water. Can’t you picture the beads of condensation dripping down the side of the glass and the feel of the cool water as it flows over your parched tongue? As perfect of a liquid as it is for our bodies, water gets a bad rap because, compared to all the soda and sports drinks options out there loaded with sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, it has relatively little taste. However, phasing out sodas and other sugary drinks (even many bottled teas are loaded with sugar!) and subbing in plenty of water every day is an excellent step to improve your overall health.

First, water is essential to numerous bodily functions, such as removing waste from the bloodstream and body, regulating body temperature and protecting joints and organs. Therefore, when our body becomes dehydrated, we may feel headaches, muscle and joint pains, lower back pain or even constipation. Dehydration during exercise causes us to feel overheated and sluggish. Ever had a hangover after a long night of drinking? It’s no surprise. Alcoholic beverages are diuretic, causing you to urinate more frequently and lose more water than usual. The worst pains of a hangover, as a result, are often caused by dehydration (unless of course you got in a bar fight!)

Another benefit of water is its detoxification effects. Massage therapists will often advise their clients to drink one or more full glasses of water after a deep-tissue massage because of the toxins that have been released in the body during the massage. Drinking extra water helps those toxins work their way out more quickly. Those who advocate for "cleanse" diets mandate that you drink twice the amount of water for an average adult as part of their weight-loss and de-tox plans. They will usually recommend that you add other ingredients, such as honey, lemon and/or cayenne pepper, to the water, but the central ingredient is always water to cleanse the body.

Some people think they can get adequate water by drinking liquids other than water. While this is somewhat true, the problem with drinking other liquids in the place of water is all the extra calories you are taking in along with it. Sodas, energy drinks, coffee drinks, sweet teas, sports drinks and even vitamin waters are often loaded with sugar and other artificial ingredients that your body may not need. Water, on the other hand, is made of exactly what your body needs—water, and water alone!

An innovative way to discuss literature is popping up more frequently in college classrooms these days and its roots are found in ancient Greece. A Socratic seminar is a technique teachers use to have their students open up and freely discuss a text in class. The idea behind this tool is to get all students’ voices heard in the classroom. Too frequently, only a few students contribute to class discussions. A routine is developed and these students are expected to speak, while the others just sit on the fringe of the discussion. Some professors even fall into a rut and include only the regular contributors in discussion. This is not the way a college classroom should look and sound. Enter the Socratic seminar.

It is really a simple concept, which makes it even more astonishing that it isn’t used on a more universal basis. In a class with 20 students, the teacher would form two circles. The inner circle would have 10 students, as would the outer circle. The teacher is the facilitator of the seminar, which means he or she may supply questions for the inner circle to consider. More advanced groups will not receive these prompts, which makes the professor simply an observer.

The inner circle is responsible for talking about a text or a specific part of a text for a certain amount of time (somewhere between 5-10 minutes). The goal is to have nonstop discussion in the inner circle for the agreed upon amount of time. While the inner circle is discussing the text, the members of the outer circle are taking notes on how often everyone is talking, interesting threads of discussion, body language, and other commentary on the group dynamic. Once time is up, the professor will ask the members of the outer circle to share their observations on how the inner circle interacted with each other.

At this point, the two circles will flip-flop. Typically, the new inner circle will be instructed not to repeat any of the points made by the first group. This can be difficult, but the hope is that there is enough to talk about in reference to the text that the new inner circle isn’t slowed by this restriction. For students that are new to Socratic seminars, it usually takes a couple of classes to get used to the concept. Students typically relay that they enjoy this form of discussion as they feel less pressure than a "normal" class discussion. This fosters confidence and spreads opinions and ideas of students that would not normally participate in class.

There’s a difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The former is usually diagnosed in childhood and young adulthood, and is usually a disorder of the pancreas in which the body does not produce enough insulin. The latter, however, is typically diagnosed in adulthood and usually begins as an insulin resistance, in which your cells do not use insulin properly and your pancreas gradually loses its capacity for producing it, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Type 2 diabetes is often brought on by risk factors such as obesity, inactivity, older age, family history of diabetes, and race/ethnicity, the NDIC maintains.

It is important to schedule a check-up with your doctor and discuss your risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. While you can’t do anything to change your age, family history or race/ethnicity, you can certainly take action to stave off obesity and inactivity.

The National Diabetes Education Program has a very helpful list of More Than 50 ways to Prevent Diabetes on its website. Many of them have to do with diet and exercise. Among them are: eating smaller portions of meat (or about the size of a deck of cards); making sure you eat breakfast every day; and eating foods that are low in fat and sodium. They also have helpful tips that advise you to eat while listening to music, rather than while watching television, because people tend to eat more while they’re watching television. Another helpful tip was to eat slowly, because it takes about 20 minutes for the message to be transferred from your stomach to your brain that you are full!

Living a more active lifestyle can also help you drop weight, reducing your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Aside from recommending regular exercise, the site also has helpful tips for everyday life like parking as far away as you can from your favorite store in the mall to get some walking in and taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work to get your blood moving.

This is all well and good, but let’s say you’ve already been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. What then? Studies have shown that the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes can also be managed and controlled through diet and exercise, along with the treatment plan put into place by your doctor. Some even claim a lifestyle change can reverse the effects of Type 2 diabetes! Either way, the health benefits make diet and exercise definitely worth a shot.

There is good news for anyone who is looking into becoming a pharmacist: it is highly likely that they will be able to find a job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacists is expected to increase at a faster than average rate – 17 percent – between 2008 and 2018.

Job prospects are expected to be excellent as there will be a need to replace those who leave the occupation, as well with training programs being limited in their capacity. The demand for more people in the field of pharmacology is a result of the increasing number of middle-aged and elderly people who tend to need more prescription drugs than other populations. It is also a result of advances in science that increase the number of drugs available on the market and a growing number of people who have prescription drug coverage. Along with excellent job opportunities, pharmacists can expect to earn a good living. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists had a median annual wage of $106,410 in 2008, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $77,390 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $131,440.

Pharmacists were employed in around 269,900 jobs in 2008, reported the Bureau. The majority of them, 65 percent, worked in retail settings, about 22 percent worked in hospital settings, and a relative amount were employed in physicians’ offices, pharmaceutical wholesalers, the Federal Government, and mail-order and Internet pharmacies. The demand for more pharmacists is increasing partly because the nature of the job is gradually changing. As the complexity of prescription drugs increase and allow for more dangerous drug interactions, it is becoming necessary for pharmacists to become more and more involved in the care of patients. Medical facilities like doctors’ offices and nursing care facilities will demand more pharmacists to advise patients about the correct way to use their medications, assist in selecting drugs and dosage, and monitor multiple medication treatments. Pharmacies in drugstores, grocery stores, and hospitals tend to fill the majority of prescriptions and will likely offer more and more patient care services, such as vaccinations. To meet the growing needs of customers, employment opportunities will continue to increase at these types of pharmacies as well, and due to their efficiency, mail-order pharmacies will also be likely to increase their number of hired pharmacists.

Besides the economy, foreign policy and homeland security, health care is one of the top issues in the upcoming presidential campaign and beyond. From high cost premiums to preventative treatments to preexisting conditions, Americans are struggling to find a plan that will keep them healthy for many years, not just when they need emergency care or when they can afford it. Both John McCain and Barack Obama have pledged to radically change the way health care is organized and accessed, but what are the fundamental differences? Read below for the top 10 health care issues laid out by both candidates.

1. Child health care

   Obama wants children to be covered as soon as they are born. Parents will be able to sign up their children for health care through their employee health coverage if they want, or they can look into other options like Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), or new plans set up by the Obama administration in the future. Some of these future plans may include a government subsidy awarded to families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need help paying for their children’s coverage. Parents may be required to submit proof of their child’s insurance coverage before enrolling them in school or daycare in order to ensure that children are receiving health care insurance. Obama argues that because health insurance will be more affordable under his plan, this system would not cause problems for families.

   McCain wants families to be able to choose the best option for their lifestyle and their particular health conditions and health risks. He does not favor mandated health coverage for anyone, including children, and believes that the increase in competition among health insurance companies will naturally bring the price of coverage down, making it more affordable and accessible for even low-income families.

2. Private Companies vs. Government Intervention:

   McCain believes that by encouraging private companies to sell health insurance, rates would fall and the quality of care through individual and family plans would rise due to competition. Individual Americans would have more choice to shop around and find the most affordable and most sensible plan for their families. McCain’s ultimate health care wish is to put control back in the hands of patients and everyday Americans. This plan follows the theory that American families can make the best decisions regarding their own health care coverage.

   Obama wants to regulate the way health care companies and drug companies do business while still promoting competition. In order to ensure that low-income families and individuals who have a hard time getting insurance can acquire coverage, the government would have to set up terms that force the insurance companies to cover preexisting conditions. Obama favors competition among health insurance companies, so long as quality care is one of the forces driving competition, as well as lower prices. Consumers who are happy with their current plan and/or employer-sponsored plan will not have to change their health insurance. The only difference they will see is a smaller bill for the same coverage, according to Obama, who estimates that savings could add up to $2,500 for families. Employers would also be given various incentives to offer affordable insurance plans to their employees, fueling competition.

3. Tax breaks for businesses and individuals:

   McCain would still allow individuals to get health insurance through their employers if they want. All families will receive a $5,000 tax credit and all individuals a $2,500 tax credit that will be sent from the government to whichever health insurance agency the family or individual chooses to use for coverage.

   Obama favors a Small Business Health Tax Credit that would help small businesses pay for health insurance for their employees. Businesses would also receive government help for catastrophic health costs, which are purchased in order to secure lower premiums for their employees. For individuals, Obama pledges to give "everyone who needs it" a tax credit to offset the price of purchasing premiums.

4. The Elderly:

   On this issue, both candidates seem to recognize the crisis facing baby boomer retirement and the burden of paying for long term care for the growing American senior population.

   Under Obama’s plan, everyone would have a chance to secure affordable health care, even the elderly. Obama also wants health insurance companies to cover preventative procedures, like cancer screenings, which would help Americans catch and treat diseases earlier, alleviating the heavy burden of more serious, costly conditions that worsen when not treated or diagnosed. Treating conditions earlier saves money and lives in the long run, according to Obama’s theory.

   McCain favors the existing Cash and Counseling and The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs. PACE offers assistance to seniors who need help paying for Medicaid and Medicare. It also helps seniors find, organize and pay for long-term care services.

5. The idea of universal health care:

   Obama wants to directly sponsor universal health care while McCain believes that tax credits for individuals would naturally result in more people purchasing health care. Obama’s plan involves more heavily mandated programs and specific regulations on drug companies and health insurance agencies. Even though Obama does support competition and employer-sponsored health insurance, he would use the National Health Insurance Exchange to hold insurance companies accountable for high-cost premiums.

   McCain favors a version of universal health care that would naturally develop due to increased freedom for choosing health care plans and a laissez-faire approach to regulation. McCain does, however, want the states to take a more active role in developing the economy of health care. Governors would also help to ensure that their citizens have fair access to affordable health coverage by lowering overhead costs, fund nonprofits to work with insurance agencies on behalf of denied patients, and more.

6. John McCain’s Guaranteed Access Plans:

   McCain’s Guaranteed Access Plans would involve participation from the states. Governors would design a plan to help the "traditionally uninsurable," including low-income families and individuals and those with preexisting conditions to get health insurance. McCain also plans to make available certain incentives that would encourage states and insurance companies to fund low-cost solution for in-need citizens.

   Under Obama’s plan, there would be no such thing as "traditionally uninsurable," as health insurance companies would have to approve patients with preexisting conditions. This system is referred to as "guaranteed eligibility," and even patients with mental health conditions will be taken care of. Small business owners and the self-employed would also be protected under the guaranteed eligibility idea.

7. Extent of government help:

   McCain would help those below a certain income level, very sick people, and the elderly pay for care. These "higher risk patients" would receive special attention from their states and from federally sponsored programs. Other individuals and families would benefit from the $5,000 and $2,500 tax credits awarded to them by the McCain administration.

   Obama plans to make available the same type of health care to all people, regardless of income or health. In addition to Obama’s government mandates regulating health care, his administration would sponsor a National Health Insurance Exchange, a plan benefiting those who prefer to or must purchase plans from private companies, like the self-employed. Individuals will be able to purchase low-cost health insurance plans that are structured similarly to the plans that members of Congress have, and their plan would not expire if they changed jobs. Also, Medicaid and programs like SCHIP would be expanded. Under Obama’s plan, individuals would still be able to choose their own doctors and stay with the same health insurance plans if they wish.

8. Budget:

   McCain favors measures that would make prescriptions cheaper by fueling competition; make health care for chronic diseases more affordable and efficient by emphasizing prevention, new treatments and research, and the use of health care technology; support more walk-in clinics to encourage early care; encourage coordinated care; reform Medicaid and Medicare; reform medical liability; and publicize health care costs.

   Obama’s health care budget will cost between $50 and $65 billion. He intends to pay for the plan by minimizing tax cuts awarded to those who earn more than $250,000 a year and by "retaining the estate tax at its 2009 level," according to his campaign website.

9. Portable, accessible health insurance:

   McCain favors health insurance plans that people can keep even if they change jobs. Since health insurance could be bought privately, insurance could also be purchased "across state lines," referred to as portable insurance. This action would also alleviate some of the pressure from small businesses who can barely afford to help pay their employees’ premiums.

   Obama’s National Health Insurance Exchange allows privately purchased insurance to remain effective even if an individual changes jobs. The difference between this system and McCain’s portable insurance idea is that Obama’s plan is funded by and organized by the national government, while McCain’s is not.

10. Education and Efficiency

    Obama will disallow health insurance companies to overcharge doctors because of malpractice insurance. Instead, money will be put into programs that improve the efficiency and quality of health care, like health information technology systems, improving education and prevention about diseases–especially chronic illnesses–and helping those who normally can’t get health insurance pay for preventive treatments and regular check-ups to minimize the number of emergency room visits that can’t be paid for by individuals. Spending more in the short term reduces waste, the onset of preventable advanced diseases, and major costs from emergency visits that are needed to treat those advanced diseases that could have been caught early on with a simpler, cheaper (nursing assistant vs. MD servicing you?) trip to a doctor’s office or clinic.

    McCain is afraid that a government-run health care system would make health care more inefficient. Private companies, he argues, would be more equipped to deal directly with patients, and patients would be able to pick and choose the plan that suits them best. Health Savings Accounts, according to McCain, serve to educate Americans about making the right choices regarding health care. McCain also wants to fund programs that educate Americans about smoking and other health risks.

Seasonal flu sickens 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population each year during the cooler months, and tens of thousands of deaths are flu-related every year, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The flu causes businesses to lose productivity when large numbers of their workers are out sick and children to have to miss school for days at a time—not to mention how terrible you feel. For this reason, you should educate yourself about the flu, as well as do what you can to protect yourself and your family from coming down with it.

There are many different kinds of flu, and new virus strains are constantly being discovered. That’s why we are still susceptible to getting the flu even after our body has fought it off in the past. H1N1, or swine flu, was a strain that caused quite a stir in the U.S. in 2009, and H5N1, or bird flu, is a particularly lethal flu strain that is mostly found overseas.

Good hygiene is the first step to flu prevention. This starts with washing or otherwise sanitizing your hands using an anti-microbial soap, especially after you have come in contact with a crowd of people. It is a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you and to use it regularly, especially after using public restrooms, payphones, ATM machines, gym equipment, or public use computers at libraries. You never know where you could pick up a flu virus.

The best prevention, however, is to get a seasonal flu shot as soon as they are available. Vaccinations will protect you from the most common strains of flu that are expected to crop up that particular season. While a flu shot won’t keep you from getting any and all strains of flu, they help protect you from the ones you are most likely to get. In 2009, separate shots were also available for swine flu, although not as soon as many had hoped.

You should also do what you can to strengthen your immune system. Daily doses of vitamin C taken in capsules or from eating citrus fruits are a good idea, and so is taking echinacea. You should make sure you are getting plenty of sleep and keeping your stress level to a minimum, as the body is more susceptible to illness when it is tired and stressed.

Finally, stay home by any means possible if you contract the flu. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and schedule a doctor’s visit so you can ask about antiviral drugs and other treatment options.

I envy the type of people who can’t wait to get done with a long day of work so they can hit the gym. Instead of looking red-faced and miserable while doing cardio or pumping weights, they actually seem energized! However, I am simply not that type of person. Some of us need exercise that is a bit out of ordinary to stay motivated. Can you relate? Here I will discuss some ways to exercise that feel a little less like drudgery and a little more like fun!

One good way to make exercise fun is to join an adult sports team of some sort in your city, including indoor or sand volleyball, basketball, tennis, soccer and more. Adult sports opportunities will be more widely available in big cities, but community sports programs are becoming more widely available even in smaller towns. Good places to find these programs are on community bulletin boards in public libraries, the websites of city recreation departments or centers, or even just a Google search of adult league sports alongside your city. Some city recreation websites are better than others, so you may need to make some phone calls to find out about adult sports leagues in your area. Plus, you can invite your friends!

Speaking of friends, they have the ability to make a less organized exercise regimen more fun. Starting a walking or jogging group with your significant other and/or one or more friends could be just the motivation you need to get your blood moving. That way you focus more on the chatting and less on the sweating and huffing and puffing. Too hot or too cold to exercise outdoors? Invite a friend or family member over to work out with you to a workout video three times a week.

Instead of going solo at your gym, you could join a group exercise program that interests you. Many people find kickboxing and Tae Bo a lot more interesting than running on a treadmill because you get to kick butt and look tough while doing it! Yoga is also a great low-impact exercise that can improve your flexibility and work different muscle groups. If you hate the gym atmosphere, you could abandon it completely and instead learn karate or tae kwon do in a dojo!

Whether it’s rock-climbing, swimming or bicycling, there are plenty of ways to exercise outside the drudgery of the gym. It’s worth it to your body to find out what will work for you!

During the development of new pharmaceuticals drug companies are required to test the effects, safety and efficiency of their products on animals and humans alike. Clinical trials involving humans are seen as both essential and of the utmost importance for medical research and also incredibly controversial. They can be designed to test the effectiveness and safety of drugs on a specific medical condition, test different dosing amounts, test improvements to already manufactured medications and more. Also, medication is not always the product being tested. Some studies research therapies, devices and interventions as well.

Clinical trials can involve either patients with a disease or disorder, or healthy individuals. For those that suffer from a specific medical condition they can benefit from receiving drugs that are not yet available on the market. Healthy trial participants are often compensated financially for their participation. The most common population to be recruited for these studies are healthy, young males. But whether ill or healthy, there is a general procedure that is followed by most clinical trials.

First, the trial sponsor or investigator identifies the drug being tested, the comparison placebo and the medical conditions that could benefit from the product. They then recruit the appropriate participants, administer the medication or placebo, monitor the effects and collect data including side effects, blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiratory rate. This data is then analyzed by the sponsor. Many clinical trials require subjects to stay in the lab from 1-30 nights during the dosing period in order to monitor any unforeseen side effects.

Over the years, clinical studies have gained reputations for not reporting their findings as accurately as needed. Pharmaceuticals companies have been known to only report the positive results obtained through these trials. Today, all studies of this kind are closely regulated by appropriate authorities and an ethics committee, the Institutional Review Board (IRB). To begin, all studies must obtain full and informed consent from the test participants, meaning they have clear knowledge of the facts and of future consequences. Also, in some states researchers must be certified by the local IRB, which ensures they know and abide by good medical practices and federal patient privacy laws.

Clinical trials have their benefits and drawbacks as we have seen. If you are interested in participating in a research study of this nature, do your research first. Contact the local IRB and ensure the company recruiting participants is trustworthy. Being knowledgeable can be a great form of medicine, too.

One of the most aggravating experiences for a college student is finding the perfect class that fits their schedule only to find out that it is full. It is even more annoying when that class is one you desperately need to fulfill a requirement for your major. It is a helpless feeling that the majority of students will experience at least once during their college years. On the bright side, there are some steps you can take to get into that class. Be forewarned: it’s not an easy process, but one that can end with you in that elusive course.

The first step is to go and talk to the professor of the course in person. It is not enough to send an email or leave a voicemail. By going in person, you are showing the professor how much you want to get into his or her course. You can better express your feelings in person. You are also making a personal connection to the professor, which will benefit you if are able to get into the class. The professor may not be able to take on any more students for a variety of reasons. However, if he or she can override some students into the course, they are more likely to choose a student with whom they have met before. Be sure to passionately plead your case without coming off as too overbearing.

Another avenue to consider is going to the registrar’s office. An individual in that office should be able to tell you if the university is able to add more students to the course’s roster. Class sizes are determined by many different factors. Sometimes, the class can take on more students, such as in a lecture-type course. However, you must resign yourself to the fact that certain courses must be capped.

It is a good idea to sign up for another course in the case that you don’t end up in the one that is already at its capacity. Find your second choice – the next class that best suits your needs – and sign up for that one. If you wind up getting registered in the course that was capped, you can always drop the other class. Otherwise, you are at least ensuring that you can get into your second choice. The worst case scenario would be if you couldn’t get into your first choice, and, by the time you found this out, your second choice was also filled up.

For many people struggling with their weight, the incredibly supportive blog community can help you connected, focused, and uplifted. Here are several blogs from that community that include stories from men and women trying to lose weight and people who have already met their goals and are now working to maintain their weight. These blogs from medical professionals and individuals will help you find motivation when it comes to fitness, nutrition, and feeling good about yourself.

Girls Losing It

With the majority of the weight loss blogs coming from women, there are many great stories and posts from the female perspective. Many of them are listed below.

1. The Token Fat Girl. Read about this woman’s weight loss journey as she discusses food, exercise, and more.
2. Fat Bridesmaid. Follow this woman’s blog as she discusses all sorts of topics including what movie star would play her to taking an appetite suppressant with her doctor’s guidance.
3. Fatty Weight Loss. Find out how this blogger is losing weight through healthy eating and mowing lawns.
4. 101 Reasons I Hate Being Fat. This blogger chronicles her weight loss statistics and offers up lots of reasons to lose weight.
5. DietDiva. Follow this woman’s diet journey as she tries to lose weight more naturally while trying to eat less prepackaged food.
6. Do you have an Extra Large in this?. Follow the Marshmallow as she chronicles her weight loss adventures of eating, exercise, and online support.
7. Fat Girl Camp. This blog offers the ups and downs of life with fun side trips to pups, politics, and more.
8. The Shrinking Knitter. With topics hitting on weight loss, knitting, and politics, you’ll stay entertained and informed with this blog.
9. Fat as Hell…and not going to take it anymore!. Starting at 319 pounds, this woman is losing weight and chronicling her ups and downs.
10. Fat Girl Dives In. This woman and her husband are losing weight. Her goal is to lose 100 pounds before she turns 40.
11. Losing It. This young woman tells how she is changing her eating and living to become healthier and lose weight.
12. Second Verse, Same as the First. Going for her second weight loss, this woman is trying to lose the weight she gained after her last weight loss. This blog is a part of the Biggest Loser Blog Edition.
13. Bikini Envy. This blogger has great rewards for weight loss. Follow along as she meets her goals.
14. A day in elife. Follow along as this blogger discusses food, clothes, and body image.
15. Thinking Thin. Read about weekly weigh-ins, challenges, goals, and more in this blog.
16. Hide Those Cookies!. Going down from 278 pounds, this blogger is making great progress–and staying away from the cookies.
17. Big in Japan. This woman was teaching English in Japan and taking her inspiration for healthier eating from the Japanese. She has just returned to America, so stay tuned for a new phase in her life.
18. Soggy Wet Lettuce Leaf. Not only does this blogger share her weight loss accomplishments, she also shares a few healthy recipes as well.
19. Big Blonde Bombshell. This woman tells it like it is with edging, entertaining writing on everything from her struggles to lose weight to observations on the world around her.
20. The Commotion in My Head. Follow along as this woman posts about exercise, weight lose, eating, and finding her way to living a healthy life.
21. I want it so bad I can taste it. Just coming off Weight Watchers, this woman is going it alone while learning about portion control and healthy living.
22. Journeying to Lose 200 Pounds…The Triumph of Perseverance. Come along as this inspirational blogger loses 200 pounds.
23. Notes from the Belly. Get tips such as flying comfortably in an airplane or just follow along as this blogger learns a healthier relationship with food.
24. Phat Girl in a Little Coat. Standing at 6 foot tall, this woman is losing weight through exercise and better eating.
25. Lasserday. A scientist who is working on her dual plan of losing weight and getting out of debt writes about her ups and downs here.
26. questions for dessert. This woman writes about finding her way to a healthier life and losing weight in the process.
27. A Merry Life. From better nutrition to running, this happy woman writes about her goal to lose weight from her heaviest of 255.
28. The Tippy Toe Diet. Discovering the diet cycle wasn’t cutting it, this woman is taking her weight loss tiny steps at a time to bring about big changes.
29. The Grumpy Chair Dieter. With an original goal of losing one pound per week, this woman brings her highs and lows of her weight loss journey.

Guys Losing It

While the bulk of the weight loss blogs are by women, men are also sharing their experiences. Here are several with a male point of view.

30. Fat Man Unleashed. This blogger is working his way down and blogging about his successes and setbacks along the way.
31. Andrew is Getting Fit. With over 100 pounds lost and an upcoming half marathon, this blog offers great inspiration.
32. Fat Guy in a Little Coat. Running and losing weight are the focus of this blog, with a little family thrown in as well.
33. John is Fit. Starting at 295 pounds, this man is focusing not only on diet and exercise, but living more healthily in all aspects of his life.
34. Get Fit Slowly. These two men are working patiently and slowly at making huge changes to affect their weight and life.
35. Steve v4.7. With already having lost 148 pounds the first year, Steve is on his way to losing the next 40 pounds through better fitness.
36. Confessions of the Guy at Weight Watchers. With over 100 pounds lost, this runner shares his weight loss success.
37. Craig’s Fat Loss. Follow along as this blogger reaches each of his goals for both weight and pant size along the way to a healthier size.

Already Lost It

These blogs all offer the triumphs of those who have met their weight loss goals and are now working to maintain their weight.

38. Lynn’s Weigh–The Journey Continues. This woman lost an amazing 168 pounds and has kept it off for over a year. Find out her tips on this blog.
39. FormerFatGuy.com. From blue jean insurance to the mental game of getting back into shape, this blogger writes about all sorts of weight loss topics.
40. Finding Radiance. This woman lost 115 pounds. Find out how she did it and how she is keeping it off.
41. PastaQueen. This blogger offers hope and support to those struggling with weight loss after losing almost 200 lbs.
42. Ranaesheart Weight Loss Blog. This woman lost 143 lbs. in a healthful way and shares how you can lose weight and maintain your health.
43. The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl. Get recipes, fitness, inspiration and more from this blogger who lost over 175 lbs.
44. Diet Coke and Zingers. Over 50 pounds lighter, this woman blogs about weight loss and feeling good about herself.
45. The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl!. After losing 175.5 pounds (half her weight), this woman is keeping it off.
46. Morgan Gets Thin!. After losing over 100 pounds, this woman keeps it off while embracing her healthier lifestyle.
47. Tales from the Phat Farm. 140 pounds lighter and in much better shape, this man runs and bikes to maintain his health.
48. The Office Diet. After having lost her weight, this blogger decided to share her ideas on how to make time for healthy eating and fitness when you work all day at an office.
49. Gettin’ Shrunk. After an incredible weight loss of 144 pounds, this mama turns her attention to maintaining her weight and keeping her family healthier too.

Moms Losing It

Juggling family makes it difficult for moms to find time for themselves. Read these blogs to find inspiration and motivation.

50. The Blubber Blog. This mother of two is losing weight from a "morbid obesity" starting point and learning about healthier eating.
51. Roni’s Weigh. From tummy tucks to eating healthily this mom tells about losing and maintaining her weight.
52. Bye Bye Baby…Weight. This mama is not only losing weight but also starting a new life after divorce.
53. Escape from Obesity. This mother of five is going down from 278 pounds as she learns to eat better and exercise.
54. Watch out world. Read along as this mom changes her life through better living.
55. Minus the Whipped Cream and Cherry. This mom who also owns an ice cream store, writes about losing weight, family, and more.
56. Not a "Diet" but a "Lifestyle". With twins and a mission to get healthy, this woman is working on losing weight to get back where she was before having her children.
57. Chubby Chicks Run Too…. This mom of three is running and doing Weight Watchers to lose weight and get in shape.
58. Miscellaneous Ramblings of a Slow Poke. Mama to two and trying to lose the last 20 pounds of her goal, this blogger runs to get fit.
59. The Sassy Pear. Nutrition, exercise, and weight loss all share the focus on this blog by a mom and wife.
60. Choosing to Live. From exercise to better eating, this mom shares her weight loss struggles and successes.
61. True Story. Down 138 pounds from her original weight of 341, this mom and teacher shares her experiences.

Collaborative Blogs

Getting the perspective from more than one person can be helpful. These blogs are special in that several writers work together to share their stories.

62. Diet Blog. Find out what motivates these bloggers or just get a bit of odd weight loss and health news here.
63. Angry Fat Girlz. This collaborative blog written by six women explores the world of weight loss and living life with a few extra pounds.
64. Too Fat For Fashion. Who says you have to be a size 2 to wear great clothes? This blog brings the best of fashion in plus sizes.

Nutrition Blogs

Good nutrition is essential to losing weight healthily. Read these blogs from professionals and healthy-minded individuals for your eating inspiration.

65. Feed the Soul Nutrition Blog. Learn about using fresh vegetables, how to eat more healthily on a budget, and more on this blog.
66. Healthy Nutrition Hints and More…. Focusing on organics, this food and nutrition blog highlights food in the news.
67. Gastro Girl: All Things Digestive. Read about food in the news and this blogger’s comments on it here.
68. Foodtherapy™. Learn how food, and specifically the kind of food you eat, affects your health and life in this blog.
69. Fear and Loathing in the Kitchen. Share this blogger’s experience with various types of health diets including gluten and dairy-free and get suggestions, news, and more on how eating wholesome food can help you lose weight as well as allow you to enjoy food and yourself.
70. Bueller’s Kitchen. Learn about raw/living food as this blogger shares her experience of overcoming health issues by following this way of eating.
71. Foodielicious. Fresh produce and the benefits of cooking and eating them are the focus of this blog that will leave your mouth watering.
72. Grow. Food. Love. Find out how gardening and preparing your home-grown food can boost your nutrition on this blog.
73. A Life Less Sweet. Learn how to eliminate high fructose corn syrup to improve your nutrition and get news and food recommendations.
74. Almost Vegetarian. Read how this woman eats healthy while staying mostly vegetarian.

Exercise and Fitness Blogs

Exercise and fitness are other essential components to losing and keeping off weight. Find your motivation with these blogs.

75. Running from the pudge. This blogger has discovered running and writes about her progress here.
76. FitSugar. Find reasons to exercise, good nutrition tips, and read about fit celebrities in this popular blog.
77. Really Useful Fitness Blog. Find out tips for burning fat, working out for maximum effect, and more with this blog.
78. See Corey Run: A Fitness & Nutrition Journal. From posts offering nutrition such as a healthy chips and salsa recipe to workout posts, this blog will help you find the inspiration to get fit.
79. Starling Fitness. Read about nutrition, biking to work, weight loss, staying motivated, and much more.
80. Bill’s Training Blog. This blog brings insight to Bill’s attempts at fitness through various activities including walking, push-ups, and running while trying to maintain a healthier lifestyle of vegetarian eating and no alcohol.
81. Excuse #1 I’m Not Fit to Run. 78 pounds lighter and in better shape, this woman runs and blogs about her progress.
82. Bike About. The posts here offer much more than just biking with thoughts on healthy eating, hiking, and more.
83. Trying Fitness. This blog offers tons of suggestions for ways to get yourself moving and improving your overall fitness.
84. Cranky Fitness. Read about fitness, nutrition, and exercise with a humorous twist and lots of kitty pictures on this blog.
85. The Great Fitness Experiment. This blog offers insightful explorations of such fitness topics as living up to your potential and body confidence.
86. lose the buddha. This woman writes about her weight loss experiences while combining healthy eating and exercise with living a better life.
87. A Dumbbell in a Home Gym. This woman incorporates exercise into her life with a goal to weight loss and better physical health.
88. Every Gym’s Nightmare. Learn from this woman who is a fitness trainer and ex-bulimic as she helps you find healthy ways to care for your body through exercise.
89. Catapult Fitness. Focusing on fitness and nutrition, this blog strives to help you lead a healthier life.
90. Look, a fitness blog!. While this woman blogs about maintaining her weight goal with healthy eating and exercise.
91. Yoga Journey/Yoga for Health and Joy in Life. Learn about the great health benefits of yoga and how to live a better life through your yoga practice.

Weight Loss Programs

Share the experiences of these bloggers who have tried specific weight loss programs.

92. Alycat’s Claws My WW Journey. This woman posts about her experiences with WeightWatchers and weight loss in general.
93. car on the hill. Using the 12-Step Program, this woman is losing weight.
94. how the beck…. Starting at 210 pounds, this woman chronicles her journey while following the Beck Diet Solution upon the recommendation of her doctor.
95. Life Happens. Using gastric bypass surgery as a starting place, this woman lost 200 pounds–down from almost 400 pounds.
96. I can see it in your face. On WeightWatchers, this young woman shares her weight loss stories as she loses 100 pounds.

It Comes from Within

These blogs offer wonderful inspiration and help keep the focus that being overweight doesn’t have to define who you are.

97. Big Fat Deal. Read about pop culture and weight, body image, self-confidence and more on this blog.
98. A Fat Girl Speaks Out (on everything). Blogging about eating disorders, being overweight, culture’s perception of overweight people, and more, this girl does speak out.
99. The-F-Word.org. Devoted to teaching others about eating disorders, this blog also discusses body size acceptance and Health at Every Size.
100. Scale Junkie. Learning that good health is more than just watching the scale, this blogger writes about finding health and losing weight through better nutrition and a healthier lifestyle.