Death by soda
Posted by admin on Aug 15, 2010
I have talked about how to curb cravings. One of the most common cravings that people have to fight today is soda. I teach monthly wellness classes. One of my classes which I teach about 2 times a year because of the subject matter is Death by soda. Soda needs to go away. Soda is truly a disability to the body and it’s functions. Let’s start with some of the main ingredients.
Phosphoric acid: reduces the bodies ability to absorb and use calcium. This leads to osteoporosis and improper muscle function. Fatigue and exhausted muscles cause aches and pains that are constant and unexplainable. Too much can cause sleeplessness and possibly the elusive restless leg syndrome.
Next is sugar: in the form of high fructose corn syrup, sugar, fructose, sucralose or any sugar ending with the letters “ose”. Any processed sugar can cause increased levels of insulin in the blood stream. It can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging, headaches, sleeplessness, the list goes on for what seems like ever. High fructose corn syrup(even though corn farmers want us to believe it is natural and healthy) is processed in the liver not the blood stream where it can be made into insulin. When the liver can’t process the fructose quick enough it immediately turns it into triglycerides which are then deposited into the blood stream and then stored as fat. These are the most common fats stored in the body. All sugars cause unsafe insulin spikes. All the talk about low glycemic level foods (all the rage lately, at least it is a good thing this time), sugar in any processed form is not good.
And the sugar substitute Aspartame, the all evil in my mind. This is death to the body. Besides addiction, aspartame has been linked to 91 other physical side effects in the human body. Among the most serious are birth defects, brain tumors, diabetes, kidney problems, seizures, epilepsy. Then there is the more subtle but deadly of side effects. The slow suffocation of the cells in the body. Starving cells die. Every cell is starved of vitamins and minerals needed to reproduce and function. So you are literally killing yourself.
What about caffeine? Well, in moderation, caffeine can help the brain and body function in a normal fashion. But most people don’t follow much in moderation. Too much caffeine can cause sleeplessness, feelings of jitteriness, vitamin and mineral depletion in the blood stream and unsafe levels of cholesterol.
Most sodas also have artificial colors in the ingredient list. Artificial colors are mostly created from petroleum. Our bodies are not keen to unnatural anything. But as color goes, it doesn’t know what the hell to do with it. So the bodies cleansing organs break down while storing these substances. The pretty colors that make candy, food and drink appetizing (not ) are linked to brain and other tumors, disruption of thyroid and adrenal glands, kidney failure ect……
So if you choose to drink soda, at least try to counteract the effects by drinking water (2 ounces of water for every ounce of soda) along with a shitload of antioxidants. Is it really worth it? Start a revolution of health by cutting out the one thing you think you can’t live without but your body is begging you to give up. Most people that cut soda drinks out of their diet start feeling better within a week. They lose weight, stop having headaches, sleep better, move without aches and pains, see more clearly, think more clearly, regulate glucose and insulin better, stop retaining water and bloating, the list goes on and on. Really it does. Just stop drinking the stuff. Really.
WP: Controlling cravings
Posted by admin on Aug 12, 2010
Tips for calming your cravings:
It’s odd that we think the way we do. Somehow we allow ourselves to think that just because we gave into a craving during the day that our diet is ruined for the whole day. It permits us to continue uncontrolled eating all day. This line of thinking is the kill all for anyone who desires weight loss. It is the one strongest, self defeating reason most people don’t succeed at the beginning of a “diet”. I use quotes around the word diet because that is the word that most people use for losing weight. In reality, you need to remember you are always eating your diet. When you continually eat according to cravings, you have a poor diet, when you eat out of necessity to sustain life, you have a good diet. These tips are just a short list of reminders.
Tip 1: Don’t give up! Remember that the next time food goes in your mouth, it is your opportunity to eat in moderation and succeed at a healthy meal. Make your next meal a controlled one. Don’t wait and try again tomorrow. ,
Tip 2: Give into cravings, just not the food. Try making a list of enjoyable activities such as a massage or pedicure, a walk with the kids or your dog. Getting in the hot tub, curling up with a favorite book, listen to your favorite music, go for a walk at dusk with a quart of water and don’t come home until it is gone. Maybe even that elusive nap you seem to never get to take.
We are hard wired to enjoy food. It is necessary to survive. But this enjoyment is out of control in today’s environment. Eating out at restaurants, making a meal that will feed ten for a family of 5, these are much to common of a practice in today’s world. So to reduce binge eating and food cravings, give into life’s other desires and leave the food alone.
Tip 3: That only step that is truly difficult is the first one. Once you have committed yourself to feeling better and living healthily, take the first step. Literally. Move your body. Increasing circulation will help with absorbs ion of nutrients to the body and the brain. It truly feels good. The better you feel in your daily life, the easier it is to make other small changes that will continue the snowball effect of feeling better. Find a stress reducing strategy and stick to it for a week. Commit to it. As you reduce the stress and increase circulation, you feel better and control cravings, urges, stress and you become a machine that wants to feel even better. Let your body tell you how much it likes it. Don’t let your brain tell you how hard it is or that you can’t succeed.
Until next time…
Where did those lines on my face come from….
Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2010
It is odd when you look in the mirror after a long hard week and wonder who the hell that is looking back at you. 15 hours of sun at daughters softball games and practices, running here and there, not sleeping, stressing about school and work and the husbands school and work and the kids school and work, not to mention the house cleaning and laundry piling up. That long run on sentence was an example of my long run on week. When our body doesn’t get what it needs, it shows us, right there in the mirror. More cellulite, more wrinkles, dark circles, soar muscles, darker bruises, less connection with thought and motion, more confusion, etc…. This is when we have less energy to replenish, but when we need replenishment the most. I have found that if I force myself to take my supplements, and I leave a few dirty dishes in the sink while I catch a good nights rest or a little cat nap, I can stay on top of things a little better and my body doesn’t fall apart and look and feel like a complete stranger by the end of the week. These last few weeks have put me to the test. My body is unfortunately showing the signs of fatigue and exhaustion. All the activities from the week are worth it, but I am paying the price. At this time, it handy to be me and know what I know. It’s reassuring to know that all I need is a few good nights of sleep, good nutrition, and a body wrap or too and I can erase the effects from when life rears it’s ugly head. It actually makes it a little easier to deal with during stressfull times just because I know how to heal when it’s over. One more crazy week of coaching 12-15 yearold girls at softball and then a few weeks to get the kids, the hubby and myself ready for school and off we go on this crazy roller coaster of life. Yahoooo.
Weight Perfect continued….
Posted by admin on Jul 7, 2010
I love how every diet is this promise and that promise. Do this, don’t do this… you don’t have to exercise! You don’t have to change your eating habits!. Anytime a promise seems unreal, take precautions because it is unreal. Anytime something promises change without requiring any change… than guess what you are going to get… that’s right, no change what so ever. Actually, let me rephrasethat… you’ll change…. your body will start storing… it will start trying to protect itself from further abuse. It will change… but only for the worse. If you really desire change in your health, than you need to tell yourself that it will require change and it will require some research and study on your part to understand how your body differs and is similar to others. Learn about your genetic tendencies, your past health history and it effects on your current health situation. Then spend some quality time learning about your goals and where you want to be. Understand it takes some time to heal the body and return to good health. It has taken you how many years to get in bad health, you were patient getting fat or out of shape or sick, remember to be patient getting back to wellness.
Weight Perfect
Posted by admin on Jul 5, 2010
The next few weeks I will be adding posts and comments to my series on how to achieve your true perfect weight. There are not bells and whistles( unless you are using them for work outs). There is no magic in a bottle, promises of easy weight loss without changing anything about your diet or habits. What I want to offer is the truth about change. A truth about your body and how it works and what it requires to be healthy and at it’s perfect weight. I want you to feel like you have finally achieved the knowledge it takes to be honest about what it takes for real health. Hint: Nutrition and Exercise. Crazy but true. Talk to you tomorrow!
Kids these days…
Posted by admin on May 27, 2010
Have you ever wondered about the kids these days? Why they are in the generation of obesity and hyperactivity? I worry about what kids know. What do they know about their bodies and the physiology of life within the body? What would it take to get your kids outside exercising instead of in front of the TV? What would it take for your kids to want to eat healthy foods? What would it take to get your kids involved in a healthy lifestyle? I know exactly what it takes. It take you. It takes parents taking the responsibility to teach their kids, possibly the best way is by example. There might be some whinning at first, but I gaurantee that you will end up learning from your kids how great it is to be healthy and happy. Taking the responsibility to get your kids involved in classes or courses about Anatomy and Physiology is a great way to allow them to understand the what, why and how of the body they live in. There are online courses, local university summer programs for kids, or many programs that you can purchase that act as an interactive guide through the body. Of course there are my kids wellness classes too! What about a nutrition class? What better way to motivate your kids to get moving, than to get up and move with them. Think of all the great activities and family moments that are being missed by not being involved in the activities yourself. It is hard to expect your kids to stay healthy and active if mom and dad aren’t out there making a go of it themselves. Come up with weekly activities. For example, a Saturday morning bike ride to the juice shop, or drive down to the legacy pathway and take a walk around Bountiful pond. Create a family jeapordy game of foods, exercises, body parts, body functions. This is really fun if you have anyone with the wrong answer do push ups or jumping jacks. The winner gets a gift card to the local health food store or favorite juice shop. Smoothies are always a good reward. As you spend more time moving during family activities, the more the kids will want. Make cookies with whole wheat flour and nuts. Enjoy them together. In moderation of course. Make up recipes and meals that have their favorite foods included.
My June wellness class is for parents and kids that want ideas and information on how to achieve goals of healthy living. This is a great time to put ideas in front of the kids for the summer. We will be making some great snacks the kids can make themselves, along with learning some outdoor activities that everyone in the house can participate in. Please join us!
Healthy and affordable eating habits
Posted by admin on Apr 29, 2010
While working with clients that struggle for knowledge about good health, I often try to help them understand that it doesn’t take money to eat healthy. Healthy eating habits are hard enough without the worry of breaking the bank. You don’t have to shop at the health food store for basic good food. I personally try to shop local first. I want to support the business’ that support me and other business’ within my area. But the trick to finding good, healthy, fresh foods is to shop around. Spend a few hours a month shopping at different stores to locate the healthy foods you enjoy. You can also ask the store you shop at most. Ask them if they can bring in the things you buy regularly. Remember, that the fresher the foods are(local growers etc…) the longer they last and the nutritional value is higher. This gives a higher value to the food per dollar spent. At first, I recommend focusing on the nutritional value of the foods you eat and then searching for the right place to buy that can support your healthy eating habits along with being sweet to your wallet. More to come…. Have a healthy happy day!