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ROME — For Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan in Rome this week, there will be banquets and dinners, wine and laughter. There are places like the Ristorante Cesarina Roma, which offers, he noted, “magnificent fettuccine Bolognese” and excellent veal piccata. “Then they have a tray of dolce that is just unbelievable,” he said.

But Archbishop Dolan, 62, robust and rotund, is also on a diet, and he is candid about his struggles with his weight. “I actually have a Ph.D. in dieting,” he wrote in a recent blog post. “On and off for the last 40 years I’ve tried and tried.”

In the past year, he has successfully shed about 25 pounds from his 6-foot-3 frame, according to his New York diet doctor, Howard M. Shapiro, an osteopath who has guided dozens of firefighters and police officers to slimness. But the archbishop has not visited Dr. Shapiro since Thanksgiving, and as he spends 10 days celebrating his elevation to cardinal in Rome, he faces a dieting minefield, where a bowl of pasta and a scoop of gelato lurk around every corner.

Dr. Shapiro is praying that Archbishop Dolan will heed his advice and choose fish over meat, fruit over dolce. The archbishop still wants to lose 25 or 30 pounds, he pointed out.

“I wouldn’t expect him to lose an ounce, and I don’t expect him to be perfect,” Dr. Shapiro said of the archbishop’s visit to Rome. “If he doesn’t gain weight, I would consider it a victory.”

Dr. Shapiro’s technique helps his patients visualize how high in calories their food is, by showing them pictures of fattening foods and healthier options. “When he’s making choices, I would like him to make the better choices,” he said of the archbishop.

Archbishop Dolan seems to have listened to the doctor. Ask the archbishop about his favorite meals in Rome, and his tone normally changes into a kind of gentle chant as he pronounces with a thick Italian accent the names of the rich sauces and cheese-filled pastas he relishes: the cannelloni, the spaghetti carbonara, the paglia e fieno.

But when he arrived at the Rome airport on Sunday, he spoke about how it was easy to eat in a healthier way, even in Italy. “If you get a pasta with some red sauce, and you don’t overdo it, and you get some good fish or chicken with some vegetables, and you get some fresh fruit, that’s a great meal, and it’s not that bad,” he said.

Breakfasts in Rome are light, he pointed out as he waited for his bags — fruit, yogurt, cup of coffee. And though one might have a nice large meal for lunch, dinner can be very simple, he said, suggesting “a minestrone verdure and maybe a salad.”

Then his voice turned wistful. “But the temptations are going to be the rich, creamy pastas,” he said. “You don’t like to come to Rome without trying out your old favorites.”

Later that day, went out for one of the Roman meals of his dreams.

“We went to the Abruzzi,” he said on Tuesday, describing a small family-owned restaurant on the Piazza dei Santissimi Apostoli. “They’ve got the greatest cannoli I’ve ever had. They have a wonderful abbacchio alla Romana; that’s lamb. They have fresh spinach and a tiramisu that’s worth the flight. And some pretty good red wine.”

Dr. Shapiro, who practices on the Upper East Side, said in a telephone interview that he had met Archbishop Dolan shortly after he was appointed in 2009, at an event hosted by Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, the executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis. The subject of weight control came up in the conversation, and the archbishop said he was interested. “I said, ‘I’d be happy to see you anytime you want; just call me,’” Dr. Shapiro recalled.

Nothing happened until a year later, when the archbishop and the dietitian met at another event.

“I said to him, ‘It’s time to start the diet,’” Dr. Shapiro said. “Better to be direct about it. If I beat around the bush, it would be another year.”

The archbishop called, and began to visit weekly, to discuss his food choices. The dietitian also spent a day talking to Archbishop Dolan’s cook at the archdiocese, to train him in healthier food preparation, advising, for example, broiling rather than sautéing. Within three months, the archbishop had lost 25 pounds, and in the following months, he stayed within about five pounds of that accomplishment.

When Archbishop Dolan first consulted with the doctor, he was walking a lot, “about four miles a day,” and exercising on a stationary bike, according to Dr. Shapiro. But his food portions were large. He didn’t eat a lot of desserts, but “he did eat doughnuts and pastries in the morning sometimes,” Dr. Shapiro said. “He had snacks of pretzels and peanuts. He likes beer; also, he did a lot of stress eating. He did what typically everybody does.”

Dr. Shapiro said he was hoping that even in the food paradise of Rome, the archbishop would listen to a steady voice of nutritional reason.

“If he’s going to have a glass of wine, maybe he could have a glass of club soda first,” he said, offering one practical tip. “Because the first glass, when you get somewhere, goes down very quickly.”

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A Test for Dolan in the Land of Pasta and Gelato

By K.J. Pilcher and Rob Gray

DES MOINES — Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Josh Wenger has wrestled in plenty of big tournaments throughout his wrestling career.

None of those competitions prepared him for this event.

The Hawks third-ranked 113-pound freshman tamed the butterflies and then tamed his first-round foe in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A state tournament Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena.

“I was so nervous,” Wenger said. “I knew I couldn’t look up in the stands. Seeing all those people was kind of scary in some way.”

The atmosphere, intensity and fields can overwhelm the most experienced wrestler. Wenger was able to compose himself before decking Sioux City North’s Dalton Hanson in 5 minutes, 16 seconds.

“I had to sit down by myself, think about it and take a couple deep breaths,” Wenger said. “It was my chance and I had to go do it.”

Wenger, who claims he is most at ease on a wrestling mat, was part of the second wave of matches for the opening round. The quick call prevented the nerves to resurface. He was able to warmup, jump around and get to work quickly. Once he placed on his ankles, he was ready to improve his mark to 43-4.

“I feel a lot more comfortable now,” Wenger said. “Coming out and having that first match and being able to pin him. It really did help.”

Wenger said he applied pressure on top until the pinning maneuver opened up. Prairie Coach Blake Williams said Wenger appear unfazed, becoming the first of five Hawk quarterfinalists.

“He went out and did what he does best,” Williams said. “I think he’ll carry that into tomorrow.”

THAT’S THE FACT, JACK

Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Jack Boland has come a long way.

And that may be an understatement.

The senior 195-pounder — who moved up from 182 before districts — toppled No. 7 Dane Jones of Oskaloosa 5-3 in his first state tournament match.

Two years ago, he was a varsity newcomer, struggling to a 6-28 record.

“That was horrendous,” said Boland, who stands 37-8 this season. “Three of those six wins were forfeits. It was good for me, though, to take my lumps, learn how to lose and learn from my mistakes. Losing isn’t nice, obviously, but it’s nice to learn from your mistakes.”

Boland credits his uncle, Saints coach Ryan Chambers, and his staff for his burgeoning success on the mat.

“They lay the foundation work for all that we’re able to do,” he said.

HEAVY LOSS

Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s lone representative, 113-pounder Patrick Rashed, didn’t make weight for his opening-round match, so could not compete in the tournament. Rashed earned district runner-up honors and posted a 30-10 record this season.

THOMSEN WINS

Brothers Max (113) and Logan (138) Thomsen won their opening-round bouts. The Union Community wrestlers, ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in their weight classes, each seek to attain the Knights’ first state titles since Brett Hakeman topped the medal stand at 160 pounds in 2005.

Max Thomsen (44-1) beat Winterset’s Derek Miller 4-0. Miller took third at 103 last season.

“Bigger lights, bigger (arena), tougher kids,” Max said. “But I just look at it like it’s just like a home dual meet.”

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State tournament notes: Wenger handles nerves and opponent

February is National Heart Month and a great time to step back and ask yourself; “What am I doing to keep my heart healthy?”

I have written often how important taking care of your heart is and I am passionate about spreading the word.  Feb. 3 was Go Red for Women in which everyone was encouraged to wear red in an effort to raise awareness of heart disease and women. It’s important to understand that men don’t have the monopoly on heart disease. It is just as prevalent in women as well.

Heart disease is a preventable condition and it’s never too late to get it under control. The American Heart Association (AHA) has developed the Simple 7 as a strategy to help you improve your heart health. It’s named the “Simple 7” for a reason, it is an easy plan to execute.

The Simple 7

1. Get active. Getting more physical activity is as easy as walking around the block. You would be amazed how quickly you can become accustomed to taking that daily walk. Physical activity of at least 150 minutes (a little more than 21 minutes of moderate intensity activity per day) or 75 minutes (just shy of 11 minutes of vigorous intensity activity per day) each week is a great start. You’ll soon find that you will want to add more time to your walks.

2.  Control cholesterol. Your total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL. If it is greater than 200 mg/dl, see your physician for help bringing that number down. Treatment can be prescription medication, increasing your physical activity, diet modification, or all of the above.

3. Eat better. Eat foods high in fruits, vegetables, low in saturated fats, and whole grains.

4. Manage blood pressure. Resting blood pressure should be 120/80 mm Hg or lower. High blood pressure can be treated by increasing physical activity, adjusting your diet, or prescription medication.

5. Reduce blood sugar. A fasting blood glucose should be less than 100 mg/dL. Measures over 100 mg/dL could signal type II diabetes. Diabetes is when the body has difficulty making enough insulin to control the blood sugar. Often times type II diabetes is associated with obesity and treatment consisting of weight loss and increased physical activity has been very affective.

6. Lose weight. Maintain a healthy body weight and a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25. The BMI is your body weight in relation to your height. Any measure great than 25, is a flag to drop some pounds.

7. Stop smoking. If you smoke, stop. I you don’t smoke, don’t start. The detrimental effects of smoking are well document. Smoking is a leading cause of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

It’s as simple as following the above seven steps. The AHA has a great website loaded with great information. They have a My Life Check assessment tool that only takes a few minutes to fill out a questionnaire. It gives you a heart health score along with strategies on how to get started on a heart healthy lifestyle. Go to; http://www.mylifecheck.heart.org/ for all the great resources.

If you take a look at the Simple 7, you will notice that physical activity is a common remedy. I have written over and over how important regular physical activity can be the magic pill for a great number of health maladies. Get started today for a healthier heart. Do it for you, do it for your loved ones.

Today marks the first day that I am writing this column not as the fitness director at the Rochester Athletic Club, but as the new Sports and Athletic Performance Manager at Olmsted Medical Center. I am excited to join the team at OMC and to help them expand the Sports Medicine department’s brand in Rochester and the surrounding communities. It was a tremendous experience serving as the fitness director at the RAC for over 18 years. I have forged many bonds with members and staff which I will cherish forever. I now look forward to the same experience working at OMC.

Wes Emmert is Sports and Athletic Performance Manager for the Olmsted Medical Center.

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Wes Emmert:Taking steps to improve heart health is simple

Hoodia gordonii's effectiveness as an appetite suppressant spans thousands of years, but can it promote weight loss in less than a month? With spring break fast approaching, the last few days have brought an influx of emails from consumers wondering if Hoodoba® brand Hoodia products can stimulate weight loss by the middle of March. In response to this pressing concern, Hoodoba® explains how one can lose weight with Hoodia diet pills and liquid Hoodia extracts by spring break.

(PRWEB) February 15, 2012

As winter comes to a close and flowers begin to blossom, many people suddenly become concerned about the appearance of their figures. Along with the spring season comes hotter weather, skin bearing garments and sometimes even swimsuits. With spring break just around the corner, Hoodoba® has received a vast number of emails over the past few days from individuals questioning if Hoodia can help them lose weight by spring break. Hoodoba® explains that by taking Hoodia to suppress the appetite, one can decrease their caloric intake by as many as 1,000 calories a day – this means weight loss with Hoodia can be possible in only a few weeks.

"Every year as the weather starts to warm up we receive a large number of emails from consumers wondering if Hoodoba® Pure Hoodia Diet Pills and Hoodoba® Maximum Strength Liquid Hoodia Extract can help them lose weight quickly," says Larry Anderson, Hoodoba® CEO. "Taking Hoodia can drastically reduce appetite and prevent hunger cravings – this means people eat less and lose weight. Hoodia is a great choice for anyone hoping to lose weight by spring break."

Hoodoba® Pure Hoodia Diet Pills and Hoodoba® Maximum Strength Liquid Hoodia Extract are made with 100% pure wild-crafted Hoodia gordonii from South Africa. This is the same Hoodia that the San natives have consumed for thousands of years to eliminate both food and water cravings during long hunting trips where food and water were likely to be scarce. By taking this wild-crafted Hoodia, individuals trying to lose weight typically shed between three and five pounds per week.

Editor's Notes: Hoodoba® is the leading provider of Hoodia gordonii products that suppress the appetite and promote weight loss. Hoodoba® was launched in 2002 and is the first company to introduce pure Hoodia into the United States.

###

Larry Anderson
Hoodoba®
1-800-701-4556
Email Information

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Can Hoodoba® Hoodia Help Consumers Lose Weight by Spring Break?

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2012: How to Lose Weight Fast - The Actual Truth - Video

Married, one dog, no kids. Vibrant, healthy and full of life. But as Teri Katzenberger explains, it wasn't always this way.

"At the age of 18 to 23, I had a severe eating disorder, I was severely bulimic and borderline anorexic," Teri Katzenberger said. 

Teri was convinced she had things under control but quickly realized she was wrong.  

"I lived on diet coke, cigarettes, coffee, yogurt, frozen yogurt, peanut butter and M&M's. I have family and friends that would vouch for that, it was horrible," Teri said. 

As time passed, she became chronically ill and found herself weighing only 110 pounds at age 26. It wasn't until 1991 that reality checked in.  

"Had a boss that introduced me to vitamins, minerals, herbs and it was from then I just dived into it and started self-educating," she said.  

Teri realized she was hurting her body, not helping it. But medical experts say more and more people are turning to things like deep cleansing diets. 

These are home liquid remedies, over the counter pills or store-bought systems that help you lose weight and rid your body of 'unwanted' digestive toxins. For up to weeks at a time, it's a strict diet allotting only a fraction of the nutrition we really need each day.

Being inexpensive and quick, though, many Americans will jump on any kind without informing themselves first.

We sat down with Avera Gastroenterologist Dr. Steven Condron.

"If you go onto a fast for a prolonged period of time, some are a few days to weeks, the body is somehow fooled into losing weight by cleansing toxins," Dr. Condron said.

He says that's something you want to avoid. Cleansing diets may only work for a short period of time because you're not eating substantially for several days. Dr. Condron says these diets deplete your body of sugar, sugar stores water so what you're losing is water weight.

 "The minute you eat a pancake, you've probably put a pound or two back on. Most important part is the body, during those days, has been shocked into the concept that it's in starvation mode," Dr. Condron said. 

He admits he sees that all too often.

"It's frequent in our practice, we see patients tell us I've been dieting for years and I seem to be gaining weight. I lose some, gain some, but if you trend my weight, I keep gaining. It's the body is not being activated in the right way," Condron said. 

Teri knows first-hand because she used to deep cleanse and sometimes didn't even read the directions.

"I would buy stuff off the shelf, not know how to do it. So I would end up with stomach cramps, diarrhea," Teri said.  

And that's just the tip of the ice burg. Dr. Condron says losing weight and being healthy takes work and dedication. He recommends the colorful foods - fresh fruits and veggies - all natural or organic.

It took years for Teri to realize eating this way is the way to go.

" choose to do that or else I skip breakfast, or may not have lunch. I can't live that way. I have to be healthy and well, skin, hair..." Teri said. 

Instead of resorting to deep body cleanses for a short period of time, Teri chooses to eat well all of the time. Now she has a system: she makes nutritious meals for the entire week, she takes multivitamins and she makes smoothies with protein powder. She's even educating others along the way.

"I resolve to be healthy and well all the days. I don't want to be ill. I don't want to be sluggish, have headaches. I don't want to feel that," Teri said.  

"if you want to eliminate toxins in your diet, your best bet is to eat healthy and that's why we talk about fruits and vegetables, staying away from pesticides, eat organically. That's where your focus should be," Condron said. 

Twenty years later and Teri is feeling her best.

As mentioned, Dr. Condron says in order to lose weight, the most healthy and efficient way is to eat right and exercise. Always consult your doctor or nutritionist before beginning and program or diet.

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Striving to live well, always

13-02-2012 08:34 http://www.urlm.in - Weght Loss - How to lose weight FAST! The Diet Solution Program is the most effective way to lose weight and prevent disease and negative health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The Diet Solution Program teaches the most essential principles for weight loss and disease prevention. Topics included and explained in depth are: The #1 health food that is causing everyone to gain weight. Everything you need to know about Fat...This information is life changing! The truth about calories and exactly how to lose weight without ever having to count calories again! A specific way to determine your personal metabolism so that you can choose the precise foods that are best for you...No nutrition program can begin without this! Should you really be spending your hard earned money on organic food? Why you shouldn't buy another dairy product until you know this! Also included in the manual to make your new eating plan easy to start and follow are: A complete and detailed shopping list that tells you exactly what to buy. Tons of delicious and quick recipes to cook tasty meals included in your plan. Your specific serving sizes already calculated for you. Detailed meal plans to follow daily. How much weight can you lose on The Diet Solution Program? All the weight you want to lose! You can achieve your ideal weight when you follow the nutritional principles taught in this manual. You will see and feel the results right away. Most people ...

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Weight Loss - Lose Weight - How to lose weight FAST! - http://www.urlm.in/lcur - Video

WESTPORT, CT--(Marketwire -02/10/12)- James R. Lyons, M.D., plastic surgeon, former clinical instructor at Yale and author of "The Brown Fat Revolution: Trigger Your Body's Good Fat to Lose Weight And Be Healthier" (St. Martin's Press/2010) -- the only book that has been written on the benefits of increasing brown fat -- has launched the Brown Fat Diet Across America Program, a 3-month diet and exercise program to take place in 11 American cities. Geared for women between the ages of 35 and 65, the program is based on the contrarian notion that fat is the key to shedding pounds and years off the body. But it has to be the right kind of fat -- calorie burning brown fat.

Said Dr. Lyons, "As a plastic surgeon who has practiced for over 30 years, my interest in brown fat began during surgeries when I noticed different qualities of fat in the body from literally holding it in my hands -- one type of fat that was yellow and mushy, while the other was firm, resilient and brown. In these surgical settings, I was able to determine that my patients who had healthier lifestyle habits including quality diet and exercise regimes had more brown fat than those folks who were less health-oriented."

New Scientific Research Supports Benefits of Brown Fat
Dr. Lyons' groundbreaking Brown Fat Diet Across America Program comes on the heels of a recent media frenzy that was prompted by 2 new research papers on how brown fat, when triggered by cold or exercise, can help you look lean and toned. One study, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation showed that cold can induce brown fat to burn "yellow" fat in humans. A flurry of article ensued in The New York Times and Time, among other major news sources.

Dr. Lyons has a unique understanding of the psychology of motivation and commitment and the physiology of muscle development and fat loss. Said Dr. Lyons, "I have spent years studying the health benefits and beauty secrets tied to brown fat -- a journey has been fueled by my passion for my roles as a plastic surgeon, seasoned body builder and champion ballroom dancer. I am thrilled to see so much of the world finally jumping on the brown fat bandwagon."

To demonstrate that Dr. Lyons was ahead of the curve, "The Brown Fat Revolution" was being printed in 2009 at the same time that The New England Journal of Medicine published an important article linking brown fat to weight maintenance. "The Brown Fat Revolution" was then voted as one of the "Top 10 Notable Diet Books of 2010" by Time magazine. "Lose The Fat, Lose The Years," a soft cover edition on "The Brown Fat Revolution," was recently released in the fall of 2011.

Get Brown Fat Now
Much of the current news stories focus on the possibility of a wonder drug based on the newly discovered hormone Irisin, which was shown in the science journal Nature to induce the creation of brown fat. Irisin also exists in people as well as mice.

But Dr. Lyons says, "Why wait for the miracle pill?" He is encouraging people who want to lose weight, look fit and obtain a radiant youthful glow associated with brown fat to take a proactive approach right now by using his Brown Fat Method to increase brown fat naturally and quickly. His Brown Fat Diet Across America Program includes:

The Brown Fat Diet: a 4 week-program (alternating carbohydrates and protein while also embracing nutritious, healthy fats to keep blood sugar at an even keel to avoid fat production) The Brown Fat Exercise Method: A 30-minute training program in a cold temperature environment that includes a routine centered on weights and bungee cords -- not cardio -- keeping metabolism up continuously (not temporarily as cardio does) to burn more fat.) Go here to see Dr. Lyons performing this workout on YouTube: http://www.youtube.co/watch?v=RdFw_ovrIaI

To learn more about the Brown Fat Revolution and The Brown Fat Diet Across America Program, visit http://thebrownfatrevolution.com.

James R. Lyons, M.D.:
Dr. Lyons is the author of "The Brown Fat Revolution: Trigger Your Body's Good Fat to Lose Weight And Be Healthier" (St. Martin's 2010) and "Lose the Fat, Lose The Years" (St. Martin's 2011).

He is a former clinical instructor in plastic surgery at Yale University. Dr. Lyons is currently a practicing surgeon in Westport, Connecticut, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Connecticut Society of Plastic Surgery, the New Haven County Medical Society, and the Yale Surgical Society. In l977, he received the Yale Plastic Surgery Residents' Award for Teaching Excellence.

Dr. Lyons was the National Junior Ballroom Champion in Latin and International styles and appeared on the Ed Sullivan show in l966. He is also a seasoned bodybuilder, and a fitness and nutritional expert.

For more on Dr. Lyons and the Brown Fat Revolution, visit: http://thebrownfatrevolution.com.

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Westport-Based Plastic Surgeon James R. Lyons, M.D., Author of the Only Diet and Exercise Books on Brown Fat, Launches ...

Originally published February 11, 2012 at 7:01 PM | Page modified February 12, 2012 at 7:48 AM

We asked for your suggestions on how the airlines can better help passengers deal with the hassles of finding room on the planes for carry-on bags.

Here are more responses:

Nobody has properly challenged the baggage/tote fees that air carriers now charge. Previously, the weights and measures of baggage were a part of the airfare. A seat/passenger weight figure, plus baggage weight (limit per passenger) was used. The cost of carrying the baggage per passenger was imputed for each ticket sale. That practice still exists.

So the fact is, passengers are now paying double (or more) for baggage checked. The carriers' representatives will deny it. But they are in a business that is based on lies, denials and refusals; those employed in the business are taught and told to lie, deny and refuse.

In my U.S. Air Force days I took many flights overseas in U. S. Air Force transport aircraft. Before boarding, passengers were weighed, baggage was weighed and measured. Men were allowed to carry aboard a "shaving kit" (Dopp Bag); women were allowed a small purse and a "makeup bag."

There was never a problem with overhead bins; such were not installed. Carry-ons easily fit under a seat. Passengers were allowed "one standard suitcase" that had to fit within framework which was on the baggage scale.

Rigid? Yes! Overweight persons, male and female, were bumped from their scheduled flights.

Airlines today will not enforce standards they set for themselves. Flight crews are told not to confront passengers over "trivialities", i.e., bins, baggage on board, and overweight persons.

The airlines themselves have created all, absolutely all, the adversity associated with air travel today. It makes no sense that passengers must pay extra fees over amounts already included in an airfare ticket. It is an example of consolidated white collar crime.

James, Seattle

Enough is enough with the airlines. They have no right to charge for bags period. I have traveled as a platinum 15 straight years and I have seen it all, especially the rudeness of the agents. They claim they have to charge for checking bags due to fuel cost increases and I say for that they increase the ticket cost. What else do they want?

As far as carrying one bag and one personal item, that's fine but in many cases they are items that cannot be checked. My daughter traveling from Europe to Boston, just graduated from medical school, was not allowed to carry three of her most important medical books. These books caused her checked in bag that was three pounds overweight. The agent told her there is no way I will allow you to carry the extra item onboard and those are the rules! You can dump them in the trash bins in your way to the gate. The books are worth approximately $500, and Delta couldn't care less.

Tony, Seattle

I was glad to see you bring up the issue of carry-on luggage. It's long been a pet peeve of mine to watch people come on board with so much stuff, and proceed to take up all the room in the overhead bins, meaning that others don't have anyplace for their things.

But there is an airline that has cracked down on this practice — Alaska Airlines. The last time I flew — a round trip on Alaska — they stopped people at the gate if they had too much stuff and made them check it. The result was that even though the flight was completely full, there was plenty of room in the overhead bins for everyone. I know, because I was one of the last people to board and was able to store my bag right over my seat.

I always prefer Alaska for flying, not only for that practice, but for the fact that they have actual legroom in their seats. Since I'm 5 feet 8, with most of my height in my legs, I am miserable in most planes. My knees are literally jammed against the seat in front of me. But in Alaska's planes, I've got a few inches to spare between my knees and the seat in front, and that means so much, especially on a long flight.

Nancy, Seattle

I traveled over 90,000 miles last year, primarily on Alaska Airlines. I've witnessed some very rude behavior from airline passengers ranging from people carrying on 3-4 items to coach passengers placing their bags in the first class overhead bins, to passengers bringing on messy, smelly food on board.

I think that airlines enforcing their own rules at check-in would be a great start. Passengers being required to check bags that are borderline size-wise or being required to combine items when they have more bags than they should, would really alleviate tensions between passengers. Checked bag fees are not an issue on Alaska Airlines if you have even the lowest frequent flier status (MVP). Alaska does it right.

What I've found most interesting when traveling on other carriers that impose a checked bag fee is how much longer it takes for them to load the aircraft due to everyone and their mother trying to carry everything on board. I'm certain it's much more costly for an airline to experience delays in their schedule than just allowing passengers to check one bag for free. What's the point if an airline is delayed 20-30 minutes per flight, with passengers missing connections and tempers flaring all around?

I say raise the airfare by $20 and let everyone check at least one bag. I refuse to fly on airlines who nickel and dime you with charges such as bag fees, aisle and window "preferred seating" charges and other ridiculous charges. US Airways lost any chance of earning my business several years ago on a Philadelphia to Seattle flight that was over five hours and they didn't even serve passengers free water. I had no cash on me at the time, they didn't accept credit cards and I gave up the water bottle I did have to an elderly woman sitting next to me who appeared in distress.

Airline tickets are not cheap. But to me there should be some basic requirements for safe and sane airline travel — free cups of water on flights over one hour in length, one checked bag, no petty fees.

Now don't get me started talking about airline passengers who "forget" to bathe before traveling!

Sandy, Seattle

Thank you for voicing our collective frustration at the fee-shirkers who carry too many, too-large bags to the gate. When I first heard about EasyJet's policy, I was intrigued — and very curious why U.S. airlines haven't copied it. The escalating fee discourages the gate-checkers.

Maybe passengers should be allowed ONE carry-on of moderate size — or weight — clearly defined. Scratch the "personal item" category. Everything else is subject to a charge with the FIRST ITEM FREE. If all you have is the overstuffed duffel you were going to carry on to avoid the checked-bag fee, now you can check it free and get on board faster.

I have NEVER seen any carry-on bag submitted to the "Does it fit in here?" screening. At the very minimum, that should be enforced well before boarding begins.

Yes, there are valid reasons to carry on a bag — it won't get pilfered or lost, you are flying standby, you can run to a close connection, you need items during the flight (food, diapers, etc.). But the argument that you don't want to wait at baggage claim is ridiculous — you're just shifting the wait to the beginning of the flight and, when so many people carry so much stuff, we're all held up at boarding AND disembarking, when you try to move against the flow to get the bag stored in the overhead somewhere else on the plane. Remember when the liquid-bomb thing first happened? No one carried anything aboard; we all checked everything. We got on board in a few minutes and were on our way. Not any more.

Now I need to go, to figure out how I'm going to pack all I'll need for 10 days into the 25 lbs. for a checked bag and 10 lbs. for a carry-on limit that the foreign puddle-jumper airline will surely enforce.

Kristin, Seattle

Your article brought to mind a most unpleasant experience I had with US Airways last October. My flight was Seattle-Phoenix-Mexico City. I travel with an oxygen concentrator due to allergies. It is only used nocturnally. I always carry a letter from my physician authorizing this equipment. Most of my travel is on Alaska and United. Both airlines do not count medical equipment as a carry-on. But at the door to the plane a very unpleasant employee of USAir "barked" at me that I had not 2, but 3 items and would have to relinquish one of them: my purse, my carry-on with food for the two 3-hour flights or this medical device which, if damaged, would cost me $6000 to replace.

My food was parceled to travel companions and I checked my carry-on bag. Same arrangement occurred on my return flight. Back home in Seattle I went to the websites of several airlines looking for their policy on medical devices. US Air says nothing. So I called customer service and explained my confusion. The representative was unable to find any information. I was handed off to a supervisor. She was unable to find a clarification.

At this point, I would normally forget about the whole incident and especially US Air. Except, this airline has the right flights at the right times. The employee insisted that this ruling meant canes, crutches, walkers, etc. Is this airline the only one with such stringent rules? Should I be composing a letter to the CEO?

Sandy, Seattle

Totally agree with your comments regarding carry on luggage and enforcing the one luggage, one personal item. I would also like to see the airlines restrict the overhead bins to the people that are sitting in the seats. They get one item up there per seat.

We recently experienced a flight where we were one of last to board the plane. We each had our carry one luggage and 1 personal item. The proper etiquette is store your personal item under your seat ... luggage above. When we opened the bin all space was taken — and many of it was due to a rude passenger who boarded first and evidently thought that entitled him to fill the over head bin not only with his many personal items he brought on — but also his luggage. Leaving him plenty of room under his seat the leg room for the three hour flight.

When my husband and I were struggling to find space, he did not offer to move any of his luggage. He just watched as we did our best to store our luggage and personal items. We ended up 'cramming' one of our carry on luggages under the seat and had the pleasure of sitting with our knees to our chest the entire 3 hours.

Since people still think this is the 'good olé days' of flying — they need a little help remember the 1 and 1 rule. If airlines tagged the over head bins with the seat number — you would eliminate the over usage of the bins — and the problem with people bringing too much on the plane would naturally take care of itself. Imagine the embarrassment on that gentlemen's face when we would have walked in to claim our 'bin space' and had to remove 3 or 4 pieces of his luggage/personal items!

Also, if this were put into place the airline would also eliminate the situation where you are in row 20 but have to put your luggage back at row 30 because there is no room. That happens too often and then requires a huge jostling of who gets their luggage first which completely stalls the deplaning process.

TJ, Seattle

Enforce the one bag rule! The planes would load and unload faster.

Dave, Seattle

I'm a diamond medallion on Delta, so I fly a lot. One of the other reasons for carry-on bags is the airline's own restriction on what they will allow in checked baggage. No electronics, no jewelry, nothing of "value" — look at the exemptions that they decline responsibility for.

Consequently, the laptop and camera have to go in carry-on. Ditto on watches and jewelry. Ditto on Kindle and tablet. Plus their associated wires and chargers — having wires show up on the x-ray means your checked bags are more likely to be opened by the TSA. Ditto on any books or presentation binders — the x-ray sees the density and now your stuff gets pawed through by TSA.

On a typical trip, my carry-on is filled with this stuff, and not with clothes. Would I rather have much of it in the hold — you bet. Would Delta reimburse me for damage to my Canon? Or the tablet that I won't be using on board, so it could go underneath? Nope. So I tote it through security screening and then onboard.

I completely agree that people are being cheap and trying to game the system by exceeding the carry-on limits, both by number and size. A 22" roller, PLUS a bulging backpack, plus a purse/manbag is not one carry-on plus a personal item.

Donald, Seattle

I'm constantly amazed at the size of some wheeled cases that people think of as "carry-on". There is no way that many of those cases will fit into an overhead bin with the wheels out, as passengers are constantly reminded is the way to stow bags. A bag that will only fit sideways takes up the space that two regulation-sized bags would occupy. The airlines need to do a better job of enforcing the rules pertaining to size. Every passenger should be required to fit their bag into one of those metal "bag size" contraptions BEFORE boarding. If the bag won't fit, check it, and charge the fee.

Then there are the airplanes with undersized overhead bins, installed before the days of charging for checked luggage. I flew to Honolulu earlier this month on Hawaiian Airlines aboard a B767 aircraft with overhead bins that wouldn't accept my regulation-sized carry-on bag in a "wheels out" orientation. The only way it would fit was by turning it sideways. Airlines should be forbidden to charge for checked luggage if they aren't willing to upgrade their aircraft with modern overhead storage, roomy enough to accommodate regulation-sized carry-on bags in the most efficient manner possible.

If bag size rules were enforced, and if aircraft had proper overhead storage, then everyone's carry-on could be accommodated without problems. I hate it when I'm assigned a seat near the front of the coach section (and consequently boarded last), only to find when I finally get on the plane, that someone sitting further back in the plane has already taken up the storage space over my seat.

James, Seattle

In my opinion, the airlines should stop charging for checking a bag and start charging for bringing a carry on larger than a laptop size briefcase or small backpack. That would really speed the process of security and boarding. I travel light and it is very frustrating seeing the size of bags people lug in the cabins and the time it takes to get them settled. On another note, the airlines should board the planes from the back to the front with the exception of those truly needing assistance in boarding. Think how much that would speed the process up.

Lori, Seattle

Here is my suggestion to fix the whole industry — turn the bag fees completely around. Charge for carry ons, not checked bags. Reasons:- charging for carry ons gives a disincentive to carry on.

Fewer carry-ons means less stress, less competition for space, more overall elbow room and faster security lines. The airlines still have an avenue to add on extra fees, so they don't lose their cash cow.

Some travelers (mainly experienced business travelers) have insisted on carrying on for years before bag fees came about for several reasons — less chance of lost bag, no delay waiting to pick up checked bag etc. Since that clearly has value to those people, they would be willing to pay. Fewer carry-ons means far faster boarding.

Airlines are always looking for ways to speed up the time it takes to board or empty a plane. So, the ideal policy would be:- one personal item (purse, briefcase or laptop bag) free. Charge for every (legal sized) carry-on- First checked bag included with every ticket. Policies on subsequent bags can vary as airlines see fit.

Jim, Redmond

As a fellow flight passenger, I agree with you that it would be helpful if the airlines would at least enforce their own rules: one carry-on to be placed in the overhead bin and one personal item to placed under the seat in front of the passenger. I don't care if the personal item is a backpack, purse or whatever, as long as the passenger stows it under the seat in front of them. What frustrates me is when rude or uninformed passengers appear to be loading the overhead bins not only with their carry-on bag, but with their personal item too, thus using up the capacity of the overhead bins for other passenger's carry-on bags.

Unless flight attendants begin policing the loading of bags in the overhead bins by passengers, I don't see this situation improving.

Kevin, Olympia

Just finished your article regarding the issue of carry-on luggage. I have been saying for YEARS that the airlines need to do something about this issue. I am always amazed when I see people brings bags and bags of stuff on a plane. I'm guessing some folk scare just clueless, while others think the airlines may lose their luggage and carrying it on will help prevent that. Lost luggage is always a possibility (even on nonstop flights) so the airlines should work on that. But they really need to start enforcing the carry-on rule. If it takes imposing extra fees to get people to comply, then I'm all for it. There is no way a person will need everything in a carry-on.

Lori, Kirkland

I enjoyed your article about the problems related to too many carry-ons. I heard an idea somewhere several years ago that I've always thought would be effective: simply place a frame on the incoming part of the TSA x-ray machine that reflects the actual size limits for carry-on baggage. If you're taking something too big for carry-on spaces then you won't even get it past the TSA checkpoint. It doesn't address the number of carry-on bags, but it sure would address the size issue. It would remove 90% of the gate agents' arguing matches with travelers about what's 'too big' or not. It'd be great for the airlines, too, because people would have to then pay to check those too-large bags.

I've always wondered why garment bags are allowed as carry-ons, for instance, when they're literally larger than many checked bags.

Peter, New York

As an airport employee in Seattle I just want to point out that many travelers are checking in at home, bypassing the ticket counters, going through security and then arriving at the departure gate. The TSA is the first point of contact with an airport employee. Passengers first point of contact with an airline rep is not until they reach the boarding gate.

Every airline does things differently, but I think one possible solution would be to mandate baggage sizars that go on the x-ray belts at security. If it's too big, then the passenger has to go back to the airline that he or she is traveling with and check the bag. There is no consistency with airlines and there is no consistency with TSA checkpoints across the Nation. Adding baggage sizars to the X-rays would be something that everyone would have to comply with (airlines, TSA passengers).

It doesn't fix all of the problems but it does address one of the bigger issues. I think if we saw consistency with that we would notice baggage fees changing with airlines.

H.M., Seattle

I always check my suitcase and carry on a small bag and purse. Most of the time I am not permitted to stow my carry on in a bin because there needs to be room for the suitcases. Why in the world do I have to give up leg room to put my carry on under the seat. I figure I paid for the privilege of more leg room.

Another concern is the weight and size of the baggage being lifted into the bins. Several times I have been hit because of people trying to stow or recover their bags in a crowded aisle. What would happen if those bins opened during air turbulence or for any other reason and caused physical harm? Who would you sue, the airline or the owner of the bag or both?

Linda, Seattle

I agree with your suggestion re: carry-ons 100%, 1 + 1, AND there needs to be some size limitation, too.

I have flown a lot lately, and I am continually amazed at what folks try to carry on ... everything, it seems, "but the kitchen sink", to quote my long-deceased father. And then they seem surprised, even disturbed, by the lack of overhead space and the suggestion that they use the space under the seat in front of them! If you happen to get on the plane first, the rule seems to be: load up the overheads and let everyone else struggle. Sad.

Enforcing not only the number but the size would do it. It sounds like you know about the "one-carryon-per-passenger" rule enforced at Heathrow — a pain, but it works. I've only seen the size limitation enforced twice — once a few years ago at Dulles with United, in which the conveyor for the security scanner would allow bags of only a certain size, and once in domestic Australia, where a gate clerk came by the queue and checked all carry-ons. She told my wife her rollabord was too large — it was a smaller size that seemed to work everywhere else — and of course, my wife protested. The clerk was pleasant about it, but firm, and my wife, and several others, had no choice but to gate check their bags!

Bob, Seattle

We are all frustrated with the fact that excess and oversize luggage is brought on board on every single flight. I always feel sorry for the flight attendants who are always caught in the middle. They need to get underway and yet they do not wish to antagonize passengers by forbidding the excess/oversize luggage to be brought on board. In fact, I do not think that should be part of their job description. Plus airlines don't want to made their customers mad, or at least they shouldn't.

Here's what I would try to implement. It's never going to happen, but I think it would solve the problem. I would add a checkpoint in the security line ahead of the person that checks one's ID and boarding pass. This area would have a person, unaffiliated with any airline, would verify that the rules regarding the amount, size, shape of carry on luggage are being followed. (Every area already has a"template" and a sign that says, If your bag doesn't fit inside this shape, it cannot be taken on board. I have yet to see anyone stick a bag in it.)

The advantages:

Oversized stuff never gets run through the x-ray, thus reducing the number of bags needing to be checked.

Excessive number of carry-ons are stopped, also lessening the x-ray examinations.

Problems are prevented from surfacing at the last minute on board the aircraft.

No specific airline is tagged with being "mean" to passengers.

The bottom line is why not weed out the issues way upstream? Passengers would quickly change their behavior.

C. Johnson, Seattle

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More reader responses on carry-on bag hassles

Eating disorders in children and teens are on the rise, but there are steps you can take. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

DOCTORS have started treating a new type of eating disorder, warning aggressive anti-obesity campaigns are driving healthy children to starvation.

The phenomenon has been seen by Victoria's three leading paediatric services, with doctors hospitalising children who have lost up to a third of their body weight over a few months in an irrational desire to stay thin.

Royal Children's Hospital chair of adolescent health Susan Sawyer said this eating disorder, affecting children at the upper end of the healthy weight range, was only starting to be documented.

"When you're older and overweight it's a very simple message that weight loss is good for you," Prof Sawyer said

"The difficulty with young people is that even if they are moderately overweight, they are still growing height-wise and are at risk of over-interpreting public health messages of 'low fat is good' to suggest that 'no fat is better'.

"For all intents and purposes, these adolescents have anorexia nervosa in terms of how unwell they are, the distorted body image and the amount of weight loss, but they are at a normal weight.

"This is very new."

Austin Hospital's medical director of mental health, Richard Newton, said he believed some of the nine and 10-year-olds being treated were becoming ill from "the panic" created by anti-obesity campaigns.

"We need to be giving healthy weight messages that don't vilify fatness, but actually encourage health," Associate Prof Newton explained.

"Some of the health messages we give create panic.

"We have to reassure young people that if they do have a weight problem, it doesn't mean that makes them a bad person.

"We need to encourage people to not just consider physical health, but emotional wellbeing as well."

Monash Children's head of adolescent medicine Jacinta Coleman said children developing this type of eating disorder could become sick quickly.

"The kids we're seeing are at the upper end of their healthy weight range, not necessarily obese but on the more overweight side, and there is so much pressure on kids to lose weight," Dr Coleman said.

"They need to understand that you can be healthy even at a heavier weight, as long as you're active, eating nutritious food.

"I think that's where the message is getting misinterpreted."

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Anti-obesity panic blamed for new eating disorder

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