A barrier is an obstacle that prevents movement or access. With healthy living, a barrier is anything that is keeping you from living the healthiest life you can. 

We count, measure and obsess over calories, sodium and carbohydrates, but fiber is the one nutrient that most of us don’t get enough of. According to the Institute of Medicine, only 5% of people in the United States meet the daily target of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. But why aren’t we getting enough fiber in our diets?

Nothing can fully describe the feeling of bringing your brand-new baby home with you for the first time. Many parents desire and seek some sort of daily routine. It may take a while to adjust, as parents often get advice from many different sources. Unfortunately, one topic that isn’t usually discussed nearly enough is safe sleep practices. 

In July 2018, when Bria Arnel’s smart watch began sounding a frequent alert that her heart rate was extremely high, she says, “I thought maybe my watch wasn’t working properly.”

Tracy and Don Frevert of Columbia both had weight loss surgeries in 2012 and 2014, respectively, losing nearly 300 pounds combined. We wanted to find out what it was like for them to have the surgery, how they’ve been able to keep their weight off and what life is like after having bariatric surgery.