Diets Don’t Work

Diets Don’t Work

Weight loss is a major topic of concern these days. Many people are overweight in our society today. The average American lives a very sedentary life style. There is also an overabundance of processed foods and fast foods that make it easy for most people to gain weight. A large amount of people suffer from low self esteem due to a poor body image. The desire to fit in and look thin can cause people to drastically and quickly lose weight and then gain it back. This is very unhealthy. Stop the madness before it causes problems.

 

Gaining weight is a process that happens over a gradual amount of time. As excess food is eaten, the body begins to store it as fat. Unhealthy food choices and lack of exercise cause weight gain. This process cannot be reversed overnight. The body needs time to gradually remove the excess fat. Many people want to make drastic changes to quickly remove fat. This can lead to starvation and excessive exercise. People will impose very strict dieting regimens on themselves to lose weight. They are then unable to maintain this unnatural sort of diet and eventually succumb to temptation and gain the weight back again. That why diets don’t work.

Dieting is very unhealthy for the body and the emotions, especially when it involves drastic swings. This behavior sets up a repeated pattern of failure. This can cause depression and a sense of despair. This type of dieting is sure to fail. There are always new fad diets being advertised that promise quick weight loss. Even though some initial weight may be lost, the body will always win the fight for survival and you will need to eat again. Don’t diet just eat a healthy, balanced and portion controlled meal. It’s the best way to make sure that your body stays in balance and your emotions remain calm.

The best approach to weight loss is the approach that utilizes sound nutrition and exercise. A reasonable approach seeks to lose a steady amount of weight over a gradual amount of time. In this way the body is able to maintain health and slowly use its stored fuel without feeling like it is being starved. Yo-yo dieting can become an addiction that leads to an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Be kind to your body, be patient and build muscle.  Slow steady progress is the best way to permanent weight loss and health.

Dangers of Fast Weight Loss

Dangers of Fast Weight Loss

The vast majority of us that need to lose a little bit of weight would like to be able to lose it quickly. There are some dangers of fast weight loss, however, that need to be addressed whenever we decide to drop the pounds in this way. The unfortunate thing is, the temptation still exists and it is often prompted even further by those that are selling us the weight-loss products. Here are some of the dangers and why you should avoid losing weight quickly.

  1. First of all, fast weight loss often results in a rebound of weight gain. This is because we are not teaching ourselves healthy eating habits whenever we are losing weight quickly, and we are perhaps putting ourselves on a regime that is unsustainable.
  2. Fast weight loss also tends to take its toll on other parts of the body as well, such as the hair, skin and many of the internal organs. This could lead to further difficulties after the weight-loss has subsided.
  3. One of the other dangers of fast weight loss is that if you are losing a lot of weight, your skin may not be able to keep up with the weight-loss. This is often one of the biggest cosmetic issues with individuals who lose weight, and in many cases it is avoidable.
  4. Losing more than two pounds a week is generally not recommended and can be hazardous to your health unless you are under the direct guidance of a doctor.
  5. When you lose weight fast don’t be duped in thinking its all body fat.  On the contrary, you are losing precious muscle and other bodily fluids.  And trust me you do not want to lose muscle. It is what gobbles up the fat and keeps you going among other things.  TV shows like “Big Loser” give many a false sense of reality.

Although it does take a bit more patience, you can avoid the dangers of fast weight loss by eating a healthy diet which maintains a calorie deficit and getting a reasonable amount of exercise. Although it may not be as exciting as losing weight quickly, it is something that can stick with you for the rest of your life.

Na’vi Bodies – How BIG are you?

Na’vi Bodies – How BIG are you?

Is smaller better? Do you know what your body type is?  Are you pear shaped, apple, watermelon or maybe you are closer to the  Na’ Vi Body like the one in the movie Avatar?  They are a lot like human bodies right?  Similarly, they have two arms and legs, two ears, two eyes, one nose and one mouth, but they are a bit more slender in comparison to the human bodies, although they still are similar in their proportions. That, however, is where the obvious differences seem to end.

I thought it was interesting to note that the Na’vi anatomy includes a small tendril that protrudes from the back of the head and is covered by a ponytail. This tendril allows them to connect to the environment around them. Other differences between Na’vi bodies and human bodies include the color of their skin and the fact that the Na’vi are several feet taller than the average human which gives them an advantage, as far as their strength and speed is concerned.

That being said here’s my question and root observation.  How fit are you?  Some make this judgment on eyesight alone. The assumption is that if you are skinny or a person of average build you are healthy and fit and if you are fat or a person of larger frame size you are sick and unhealthy. Let me just say, it ain’t necessarily so Joe!  Furthermore no matter what shape or body type you are or even if you have tendrils flowing from the back of your neck and blue in color like the Na’vi, it is not a measure of your health or fitness level.  Far too often I have met with people who are of average size but unfit and unhealthy.

Here’s what matters.  Health!  Focus on health and functional fitness first, not how you look and everything else will fall into place.  AMEN!

Celebrate Life, Love and Health

Celebrate Life, Love and Health

I don’t usually talk about really personal stuff but in this case I feel there is cause for celebration and one thing worth mentioning. I am celebrating my twentieth anniversary this weekend and you know what — I am still having a blast!

After twenty years we can still laugh, love, workout and have fun together. More importantly during the hard times and through all of life’s trials and tribulations I have never felt more supported.

To celebrate we thought we should get in a quickie weekend getaway to wine country. I don’t drink but two of my favorite places are Santa Barbara and Temecula. I love the climate and atmosphere there. This time we chose Temecula to make more memories.

One thing’s for sure out of all we did you can best believe I got in my workouts. Did you hear me! Oh yes, I got in my workouts! Got to…Everyday! I don’t leave home without it. : ) Ha ha! What I mean is getting in my workouts are important even when I’m on the road. There is no reason why I should stop being fit while I’m traveling.

This lifestyle works for me and being involved in health and fitness only enhances my relationship. It not only keeps me healthy, but it shapes me into a happy, energized and responsible human who is excited about life’s possibilities and its increased opportunities to deepen my relationship.

How about you? Are you enriching your life and fulfilling your fantasies? Are you aware that all you do and all you are begin with your health? Are you conscious of what your body is capable of and if so, are you taking action to bring it to its full potential? What’s your story?

Get Physical

Get Physical

You need at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic or cardio activity daily. Aerobic activity is defined as continuous movement for at least 20 minutes. Start out slowly and over time increase intensity and activity if you haven’t exercised in a while. Just remember to check with your doctor before starting any new fitness regimen.

CLEANSE YOUR INSIDE BODY

CLEANSE YOUR INSIDE BODY

Can you guess what the most important part of your body is?  Mouth–feet–butt?  The answer is… none of these.  It’s a team effort.  While it’s important to eat, it’s equally important to safely eliminate foods.  The digestive system impacts the entire body.

Do you clean your body on the inside as well as you do on the outside?  Many foods that we ingest have traces of pesticides and/or heavy metals in them which create toxins in your body. Improper elimination habits as well as environmental elements contribute to the toxin problem.  And if your wondering why you can’t get rid of those extra pounds around the belly, blame it on the processed foods and frequent dining at fast food restaurants. Overall toxins wreak havoc on the body and can create disease.

Symptoms:

Some of the typical signs and symptoms of bad eating and elimination problems are: Fatigue, Gas or bloating, constipation, diarrhea, skin problems and even depression.

Solution:

Cleanse/detox the body.  There are many methods and programs that you can use to accomplish this.  If necessary consult a holistic doctor to properly guide you.

Do:

– A cleanse one to four times a year — Ideally at the start of each season change.

– Find one that fits with your lifestyle and one you can maintain.

– Begin anew by replacing one bad food for a good one after your cleanse.

– Eat more organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible

Don’t:

– Eat a big meal the day before you begin your cleanse.

– Use body cleansing as a dieting tool.

– Return to bad eating habits. Subsequent to each cleanse make small life changes.

When you cleanse your body from the inside, it will begin to heal itself from things you have yet to realize are happening to you.  But also, you can feel a difference! Think about it.  Don’t you feel a lot better when you bathe?

Allow your body to do what it was born to do. That is…Heal itself with proper care.  Cleanse your inside body – Go back to your roots & eat live foods – Then let the healing process begin!