Holiday Blues? Brighten Your Season with These Simple Tips

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

The holiday season, while filled with joy and cheer, can also be a challenging time for many. Feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression can creep in, making it difficult to fully enjoy the festivities. But don’t worry, there are simple, effective ways to brighten your mood and navigate the season with greater ease.

The Power of Self-Care

Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, especially during stressful times. Here are a few tips to help you prioritize self-care this holiday season:

  1. Embrace the Morning Light:
  • Why it helps: Early morning sunlight helps regulate your body’s internal clock, improving sleep quality and mood.
  • How to do it: Make it a habit to wake up early and spend some time outdoors, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
  1. Move Your Body:
  • Why it helps: Exercise releases endorphins, natural mood boosters that can reduce stress and anxiety.
  • How to do it: Find activities you enjoy, whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or dancing.
  1. Fuel Your Body:
  • Why it helps: A balanced diet provides the energy and nutrients your body needs to function optimally.
  • How to do it: Prioritize protein-rich foods like lean meats, fish, beans, and nuts.
  1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate:
  • Why it helps: Staying hydrated can improve cognitive function, mood, and overall health.
  • How to do it: Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily.
  1. Nourish Your Soul:
  • Why it helps: Eating whole, unprocessed foods can enhance your mood and energy levels.
  • How to do it: Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet.
  1. Limit the Sugar Rush:
  • Why it helps: Excessive sugar consumption can lead to mood swings and energy crashes.
  • How to do it: Opt for natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup and choose fruits for dessert.
  1. Connect with Loved Ones:
  • Why it helps: Strong social connections can provide support and reduce feelings of loneliness.
  • How to do it: Spend quality time with friends and family, or reach out to loved ones who live far away.
  1. Cuddle with a Pet:
  • Why it helps: Interacting with pets can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost mood.
  • How to do it: Spend time with your furry friend, whether it’s a cat, dog, or other pet.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you’re struggling with holiday stress or depression, reach out to a mental health professional or a trusted friend or family member. By taking care of yourself and seeking support when needed, you can navigate the holiday season with greater peace and joy.

   

The Power of Protein for Sustainable Fat Loss

by
Hey friends, sustainable fat loss isn’t just about restricting calories or pushing yourself through grueling workouts. It’s about creating an internal environment where your body naturally burns excess fat. This requires a multi-pronged approach, and protein plays a central role in each step. Whenever I start to work with a new client, I ask about sleep, hydration, and PROTEIN intake.  That’s because protein is crucial to achieving and maintaining weight loss goals.

Here’s Why Protein Matters with Fat Loss:

  • Hormonal Harmony: Protein is the building block of hormones. Without sufficient protein intake, your body struggles to produce hormones that regulate appetite and fat burning.
  • Hunger Control: Balanced hormones translate to regulated hunger. Adequate protein keeps you feeling satisfied, preventing unnecessary cravings and overeating.
  • Cellular Reprogramming: Fat is the preferred fuel source for a well-functioning body. Protein is essential for restructuring your cells to burn fat efficiently instead of relying solely on sugar.
  • Cellular Renewal: Old, sluggish cells struggle to burn fat. Protein supports the creation of new, metabolically-active cells that contribute significantly to fat burning.
  • Muscle Building and Retention: Muscle tissue is a major fat-burning engine. Protein fuels muscle growth and repair, maximizing your body’s ability to incinerate calories.
  • Optimal Digestion: Protein plays a vital role in breaking down food effectively. Poor digestion hinders nutrient absorption, leaving your body without the building blocks it needs for fat-burning processes.

The Protein Advantage:

  • Enzyme Production: Enzymes, the chemical catalysts that drive fat burning, are built from protein. Insufficient protein intake limits enzyme production, hindering your body’s ability to burn fat efficiently.
  • Cellular Reconditioning: When transitioning from a high-sugar diet, your cells are initially programmed for sugar uptake. Protein is critical for restructuring them to become adept at utilizing fat for energy.

Beyond Protein Bars and Powders:

While convenient, protein bars and powders can burden your digestive system and may not provide optimal protein sources. Focus on incorporating whole food proteins like lean meats, fish, eggs, and legumes into your diet. These offer a complete protein profile and support healthy digestion for maximum benefit.

The bottom line is that protein is not just a building block for muscle; it’s the foundation for a body optimized for sustainable fat loss. By prioritizing whole food protein sources, you’ll support hormonal balance, hunger control, cellular reprogramming, muscle building, and optimal digestion – all essential ingredients for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

P.S. When we eat proteins that are not hormone/corn/soy free, ingesting those forms of meat raise cortisol. Try your best to eat whole, unprocessed foods  and prioritize protein intake. Your challenge this week is to track protein intake. I’d like you to take your goal weight multiplied by 1.05 to calculate a target amount for daily protein (in grams). And, try really hard to get protein from real food vs. protein powders –this one is a struggle for me, so I am right there with you. 

You got this!

Lisa

TABATA – A High-Intensity Workout That’s Perfect for Everyone

by

You know I love Tabata workouts…and for SO many reasons beyond their efficiency.

Here’s why.  Tabata is a type of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that is known for its efficiency and effectiveness. This type of workout consists of 20 seconds of intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for a total of 8 rounds. This may not seem like a lot of time (just 4 minutes!), but it is enough to get your heart rate up and burn calories.  I fell in love with Tabata workouts when I was in the corporate grind and working a lot of hours. These workouts provided a great boost during the day while allowing me to stay in shape. Do several of these workouts throughout the day and VIOLA!

Another reason I love Tabata workouts is that they are great for people of all fitness levels. Because you work at a speed that is challenging for you, Tabata is accessible to everyone. In fact, it is often recommended for people who are new to exercise because it is a safe and effective way to get started.

Tabata workouts are also perfect for people with busy schedules. (This is how I came to love Tabatas.) A single Tabata workout only takes 4 minutes, so you can fit it in even on the busiest days. And if you have more time, you can string together multiple Tabata workouts for a longer session.

In addition to being efficient and effective, Tabata workouts are also a great way to get a full-body workout. The 20-second bursts of intense exercise work your heart, lungs, and muscles all at the same time. This makes Tabata a great choice for people who are looking to improve their cardiovascular health, build muscle, and lose weight.

Another reason I love Tabata workouts is that you can easily create a workout depending on fitness goals. I personally use the 2nd option below quite frequently. Here are two common ways to structure your Tabata workouts:

  • A/B: Choose two exercises to alternate between. You’ll do each exercise for 20 seconds of intense effort followed by 10 seconds of rest, for a total of 8 rounds. This is a great way to get a full-body workout, as you’ll be working different muscle groups with each exercise.
  • A/B/C/D: Choose four exercises to move through. You’ll do each exercise for 20 seconds of intense effort followed by 10 seconds of rest, for a total of 4 rounds. This is a great way to challenge yourself and your cardiovascular system, as you’ll be working different muscle groups in quick succession.

You can also choose any exercises you like for your Tabata workouts, such as:

  • Cardio exercises: Jumping jacks, burpees, mountain climbers, sprinting, rowing, jumping rope
  • Plyometric exercises: Squat jumps, tuck jumps, lunges, box jumps, push-ups, sit-ups
  • Strength exercises: Dumbbell rows, push-ups, squats, lunges, pull-ups, bicep curls

No matter which exercises you choose, make sure to listen to your body and take breaks when needed. Tabata workouts can be intense, so it’s important to pace yourself and avoid overdoing it.

Here are some ideas for Tabata exercises you could include in your next workout:

  • Push-ups
  • Triceps dips
  • Mountain climbers
  • Tuck jumps
  • Burpees
  • High knees
  • Bodyweight squats
  • Bodyweight lunges
  • Lunge jumps
  • Jump squats
  • Jumping jacks
  • Jump rope
  • Speed skaters
  • Box jumps

If you’d like to make your Tabata workout more strength-based, you can incorporate weights. Some of those exercise ideas include:

  • Clean and press
  • Dumbbell snatch
  • Front squat
  • Alternating reverse lunge
  • Push-up to mountain climber
  • Biceps curl

When doing Tabata workouts, it is important to listen to your body and take breaks when needed. If you are feeling lightheaded or dizzy, stop the workout and rest. You can also modify the exercises to make them easier if needed.

Tabata workouts are a great way to get a quick and effective workout that is perfect for people of all fitness levels. If you are looking for a way to improve your fitness, lose weight, or build muscle, Tabata is a great option.

Before you go, the trainer in me wants to share some additional tips to get the most out of your Tabata workouts:

  • Warm up before each workout with 5-10 minutes of light cardio, movements and dynamic stretches.
  • Choose exercises that you can do safely and effectively at a high intensity.
  • Focus on form over speed. It is better to do the exercises correctly at a slower pace than to rush through them and injure yourself.
  • Listen to your body and take breaks when needed.
  • Start with 2-3 Tabata workouts per week and gradually increase the number of workouts as you get fitter.
  • Be consistent with your workouts. The more you do, the better the results you will see.

With a little planning and effort, you can easily incorporate Tabata workouts into your fitness routine and start seeing results quickly.

Try it….as one of my mentors used to ask, “What have you got to GAIN?”

the answer: A lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. Follow me on Instagram @Hlthchic for FREE Tabata workouts weekly.

 

How to Get a Great Workout ANYwhere (No Gym Required)

by

Gyms are great, but they certainly aren’t necessary to get a great workout. If you don’t have access to a gym or are uncomfortable working out in public, you can still enjoy a quality workout from the comfort of your own home (or anywhere).

Exercises that use body weight are key. You can improve your strength and create resistance with the exercises below just using your body weight. Check out these three simple — yet effective — exercises to help get you started:

• Bodyweight Squats – Place your feet shoulder-width apart and perform bodyweight squats. Slowly bend your knees and point your toes outward. Make sure your back is straight and your core is engaged. Repeat 6X in a row to complete one set.

• Planks – Start in a push-up position, then lay your forearms flat on the floor with your elbows aligned below your shoulders. Make sure your body is straight and your core is engaged. Start by holding the position for at least 10 seconds (or longer if you can). Depending on your comfort level, repeat this exercise 3-5X.

• Dips – Start by sitting on the edge of a chair and doing tricep dips. Slowly walk your feet forward while gripping the chair with both hands at your sides. Make sure your knees do not extend past your toes. Lower your body so that your elbows bend above you at a 90-degree angle. Repeat 6X in a row to complete one set.

Last, finish your strength training session with a quick cardio session (e.g., dancing, jump-roping, or a brisk walk around the block). The goal should be to get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity that includes at least two days of strength training per week.

Now that you know how to do the basics, you can start enjoying the benefits of exercise without spending a fortune on a gym membership or leaving your home!

Cut Sugar in 4 Easy Steps

by

Hey boo…I have bad news….our Standard American Diet is not only “S.A.D,” but it’s also packed with sugar (simple carbs) which has a negative impact on our health. But, alas, I also have good news: lowering our sugar intake can reduce these harmful health risks, as well ADD these benefits: 

We have the power to make positive change and we can do so by taking these 4 steps to improve our health today:

Eliminate added sugars. Don’t view this as a loss. It’s not. Instead, focus on what you can eat (protein, fat, fiber, and the right kinds of carbohydrates). Make sure you get enough protein as well. You can eat fiber-rich foods and quality fats like a scrambled egg with avocado, veggies, and sausage; chia pudding with protein powder; Greek yogurt with nuts and berries or protein powder whipped in; or a  chocolate smoothie. (See recipe section for ideas.)

Pay special attention to how you feel in your mornings and don’t wait too long to eat in the morning. While many intermittent fasting (IF) plans may have you holding off on your first meal until noon, that doesn’t work for every body. Pay attention to your body and how you feel. Don’t get me wrong, there are many benefits to IF and I do it several days a week myself, but it’s NOT for everyone.

Prioritize sleep to boost results. You may have an easier time keeping sweet cravings in check and blood sugar balanced if you’re well rested, so aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night

Use sweeteners as desired. Consider using them in your morning coffee or tea, or stevia-sweetened beverages like Zevia (we love the grape and “Dr. Pepper” flavors).

To help with #1 above, reducing sugar in your diet, keep in mind that sneaky sources of added sugars can be found in a variety of foods, including frozen vegetables with sauces, frozen meals, salad mixes, condiments (dressing, marinade, sauces), prepared food from the grocery store hot bar, dried fruits, nut mixes, non-dairy milk, and flavored coffee and tea drinks.

We have to become label savvy! Start with the foods in your pantry along with your next trip to the grocery store. Check ingredient lists closely for added sugars & familiarize yourself with their names to avoid unintentionally raising blood sugar:

  • Glucose
  • Sucrose
  • Fructose
  • Lactose
  • Dextrose
  • Maltose
  • Malt sugar
  • Malt syrup
  • Maltodextrin
  • Corn syrup
  • Cane sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Agave nectar
  • Coconut sugar
  • Honey
  • Maple syrup
  • Brown rice syrup
  • Beet sugar
  • Molasses
  • Fruit juice concentrates
  • chronic diseases.

Once you’ve started checking labels more closely and have started to cut down on sugar intake, it shouldn’t take you more than 4-8 weeks to be feeling pretty darn good, with fewer symptoms and cravings, and greater ease in making healthy food choices. Willpower is like a muscle – it gets stronger the more you use it!

You CAN maintain this way of eating for the long haul, and…it’s also okay if to occasionally consume some of the foods eliminated. Remember, this journey is not about perfection, but consistently committing to your health.

Let’s do this together — one step at a time. I mean, what have you got to GAIN?

Until next time, live well, laugh often, hug a pet (or human) and MOVE!

5 Tips to a Healthier Life

by

Don’t we all want a robust, healthy life? I do! To feel and look our best then, it is important to maximize energy production so we feel naturally energetic all day and preserve and maintain lean muscle mass throughout life.

How does inferior energy production occur? It is the result of… (drumroll) … too much stillness.  Inactivity makes you tired. Energy is a renewable resource, so if we don’t get brief explosive intervals and burn calories through other forms of movement and exercise, we have less energy. When we lead an energetic lifestyle, it leads to more energy. Funny how that works. We see this impact with aging and lifespan.

What about muscle? Unfortunately, we (society) have begun to normalize accelerated declines of muscle as a part of aging. It’s NOT normal. The spare tire is a sign of less than stellar metabolic health – not aging. Much of what is considered a result of aging is a byproduct of lifestyle. But, that’s good news because that means we have the power to positively impact our health. We have now learned that lean muscle mass is basically a proxy for good metabolic health.

Bottom line: the more we can focus on improving body composition & increasing energy levels, the better our health AND the more gracefully we will age. (nice side benefit!)

To achieve those two objectives, below are five tips to help:

  1. Reduce or eliminate junk food (processed foods) from the diet.
  2. Emphasize nutrient dense foods.
  3. Move more throughout the day. (Check out my workout tab for Instagram reels offering a variety of 4-minute Tabata style workouts!)
  4. Perform brief, intense workouts.
  5. Practice stress management.

Since many people start the new year with weight loss goals, below is an expansion on the first tip above (#1). 

Pay attention to oils. I’ve talked about industrial seed oils in my reels (along with a quick & easy balsamic dressing recipe), but here’s why paying attention to these oils matters: consuming processed foods WILL lead to sneaky weight gain. Try making use of Extra Virgin First Pressed Domestic olive oil as a priority (or avocado oil, as runner up). Understand “why” & search for the negative impacts of industrial seed oils and READ ingredient labels to see which products contain these nasty oils. BTW, even your favorite restaurant is using the cheap stuff and most (even “healthy”) salad dressings contain damaging oils. Also of interest is that studies show that up to 40% of calories consumed when dining out come from these industrial seed oils – so it’s difficult to avoid!  These poor quality seed oils interfere with your body’s ability to burn stored fat.  Often these ugly oils are paired with processed foods (#1).  When cooking at home, ditch canola oil and try ghee, coconut butter, avocado oil or olive oil. Set aside some time to check out your pantry and fridge and get rid of processed “foods” with these oils. Sadly, our “Standard American Diet” is truly S.A.D.  (Check out the book, “Why We Get Fat” at your local library).

Ditch refined sugars and grains. These are deficient in nutrients and contribute to many health issues by releasing endotoxins from the gut and inhibit energy.  

Watch for foods high in natural plant toxins. These high plant toxin foods often contribute to leaky gut. This concept of avoiding or reducing offensive plants is part of the carnivore movement. I’m not advocating a specific diet, but asking you to be aware of how certain foods make you feel. Since plants cannot run away, they possess their own defense mechanisms for protection.  Pay attention to how you feel after consuming these foods (stems, seeds, roots, etc.) to determine if they bother you, and id so, consider other options to prepare or cook them differently (soak, sprout, ferment, cook) — or if you avoid them all together. (Check out research and information from Paul Saladino, MD & make up your mind.)

Avoid gluten – it’s is a big offender for many people & can increase the risk of leaky gut.

Last, pay attention to how you feel after you eat. You shouldn’t feel anything, really. Not full, not bloated, not tired, nothing. If you do, that food is likely to be one to avoid. At least for a few months before re-introducing it to your diet.

Listen, we are all in this journey of life together. The more we learn, share and apply positive actions to our lives, the better our lives will be.

Friends, live well, laugh often, and be playful.

Lisa

A New Year & 365 Opportunities to Establish New Habits to ROCK 2023

by

As we reflect on 2022 and set new goals for2023, improving personal wellness is often at the top of the list.  To kick off your new year with health improvement success, consider the tips below to integrate better health into your life.

  • Set specific goals.  Take goals like “eating healthier” or “losing weight”, for example.  Instead of a general goal, aim for a specific amount of clean protein per meal, eating 3-5 servings of vegetables or fruit a day, or eliminating processed foods. Instead of “losing weight” strive to lift weights (take a yoga or HITT class, etc.) for 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a week along with walking X times per week for X minutes. Making specific goals can help you stay on track. (See prior post.)  
  • Get good sleep. I have written several blogs about the importance of sleep because it’s SO ESSENTIAL to overall health and well-being. (Check out the most recent post on sleep here.)
  • Establish good stress management routines.  Whether physical or mental, techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help you relax.  Or, consider reorganizing your space to help de-clutter.
  • Make recovery a priority. Seriously. Taking time to rest and repair is as important as your physical activity – especially if you are seeking performance improvements. Try to add a little time to your day (or at the end of your workouts) to roll, stretch, or incorporate some kind of compression or massage therapy and do your body good!
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet. This is an important one for every aspect of performance, training, weight loss, stress management – you name it. You know the drill here: try to reduce or eliminate processed foods & soft drinks (including so called healthy energy drinks) and incorporate a variety of vegetables and clean proteins into your diet.   
  • Hydrate! Did you know being dehydrated negatively impacts mental and physical performance while proper hydration can help reduce fatigue and muscle soreness? Hydration is a super easy place to start. Consider starting your day with a glass of lemon water and counting your glasses of water to ensure proper hydration.
  • Practice gratitude. Rick Warren (A Purpose Driven Life) reminds us that regardless of where we are in life, we always have our feet on two tracks – one of opportunities and blessings… and the other with challenges or problems to solve. Spend time each day purposefully appreciating the positive “track”.

Doing these things will help you start the new year in a positive direction and set yourself up for success. And remember, it’s easier to establish and stick to new habits with a supportive network. Share your goals and surround yourself with like-minded people.

I wish you the BEST of health, happiness & dreams fulfilled.

Cheers & happy 2023!

Lisa

A GOAL Properly Set is a Goal Halfway Achieved

by

Goal setting can be a positive, powerful practice that sparks enthusiasm and provides clear direction. But, if adapted poorly, goal setting can have a serious downside that may undermine success. Poor goal setting can waste time and make people cynical fostering confusion about where to concentrate actions and energy. To achieve your goals, make them SMART!

Specific- What is your focus? How will you do that? What does that look like?

Measurable – How often will you do this?  What will you track and how?

Action Oriented – What is the behavior you will change?

Realistic- Don’t set yourself up for failure. Try setting smaller goals that lead to a bigger goal.

Timely – How long will it take? Is this a lifestyle change or a temporary goal?

Say for example, you set a goal of “eating better” in 2022. Great idea – we can all do better nutritionally, can’t we? So, what does that look like? How will you know you’ve achieved it if there isn’t some kind of measurement or tracking, specific tactics identified and with a time period of some sort? Ask yourself these questions as you keep “peeling the onion” and you’ll get to a SMART plan.

Let’s try this again.

I want to eat better in 2022.

What does that look like?

I will make sure to include colorful vegetables and/or fruit each day.

If you currently have days of no vegetables, you might start with a goal of eating a minimum of 2-3 vegetables each day. You can track this goal a number of ways. A simple check in calendar will do. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but if you don’t track progress, your chance of success will be diminished because you won’t know what to adjust or how.

Let’s keep peeling the onion…how else would “eating better” look like?

I will eliminate process foods such as bread, pasta, rice, chips, and crackers most days of the week.

That’s better….but, can we tighten that down? If you are eating these kinds of “foods” daily, try starting with 4 days/week with no processed foods or replacing them with healthier alternatives.

Ask yourself again. How else does “eating better” look like?

I will start each day with 2 glasses of water, or a glass of water with half a lemon and cayenne pepper, or a cup of tea before diving into coffee.

With this goal, there’s a time component (daily) and a specific action: starting the day with 2 glasses of water.

How else will you see results of eating better?

I will reduce bodyfat around my waist.  

That’s a good one that will increase your lifespan. How can you track that? There are several methods you could choose: use a measuring tape, track body fat percentage using a scale or gym tool, take a picture, or keep trying on that belt that got too snug. Each of these tracking measures could be done weekly.

There are many options to “eat better” that can be achieved with these SMART goals:

  1. I will start my day with 1-2 cups of filtered water with either lemon, greens or reds added.
  2. I will start reading ingredient labels on foods to ensure higher quality and avoid chemicals or poor-quality industrial oils.
  3. I will strive to eliminate processed (high glycemic) foods from my diet at least 4 days a week.
  4. I reduce bedtime snacks from daily to 2-3X/week until my waist is 2” smaller and I will commit to no more than 200 calories per snack.
  5. I will measure my waist (or hips or thighs) once a week to track body fat changes.
  6. I will review my goals daily and share them with my closest friends and family to enlist their support.

Maybe you haven’t been cooking meals at home, so reducing the number of times you eat out could be a goal (& save money!).

Once you’ve set some goals, what next? Surround yourself with like-minded people and share your goals for added support. Small daily changes can lead to sustainable progress. Be kind to yourself. While tracking progress may seem intimidating (or a pain in the a**), remember this: what you focus on is what can change or grow.  When you feel like quitting, remember why you started. Each day is a new opportunity to change and grow.

Also, it’s perfectly acceptable to adjust and changes goals along the way–but, if you aren’t tracking goals, you won’t know what to adjust. Maybe you need to eliminate processed foods 6 days a week because progress was too slow. Maybe you need to add a walk time each day.

Just remember to be kind to yourself. Change doesn’t occur overnight. Remind yourself of the benefits of these improvements. What have you got to GAIN? Longevity? Better sleep? Weight loss? Greater energy? Increased performance?

Turn your resolutions into reality. And make FIT happen!

How to Stay Healthy While Eating Out or Ordering In

by

Over time, we’ve moved to a life of convenience with more and more meals eaten out or ordered in…and now since Covid-19, food service deliveries have really ramped up. Generally, eating a home-cooked meal is the healthiest option, however with a few intentional strategies, you can still stick to your health goals even when the meal isn’t prepared at home. 

First, remember “portion distortion”…while calories are not created equal, most restaurants provide meals that, calorie-wise, could feed a small army. Fortunately, most restaurants offer calorie counts for their menu items (and if not, a quick search on the web can get your pretty darn close). Try to aim for 600-700 calories or less. And, keep an eye on “add-ons”. But please, don’t let the restaurant dictate what a true “serving” is or the proper balance of protein and veggies. Instead of eating a “multi-serving” meal, try splitting your meal with a dinner partner – or immediately put half of it in a to-go container and save the other half for the next day.

Choose your restaurant wisely. Spend a few minutes looking over restaurants that have healthier options like assorted vegetables (not fried), lower sodium, avoidance of seed oils, and other healthy protein options like fish, nuts, legumes. For your protein, look for food items that are broiled, baked or grilled vs. fried.

Upgrade! If you are eating rice, opt for brown rice if you can. Reduce the carbs as needed. One of my favorite salads comes with brown rice and I ask the restaurant to cut the amount of rice by 2/3 and increase the kale by the same. Can you ask for more veggies? Is there a gluten free bread option? 

Watch liquid sugar. In other words, sip smarter. Soft drinks/juices are not your friend (even if “sugar free”) – but that’s a topic for another day. Water (carbonated or not) or unsweetened tea are better options. There are plenty of ways to add a little flavor — my favorite is half a squeezed lemon, but any kind of fresh or frozen fruit are nice.

While we are on the subject of liquid sugar, we can throw mixed or frozen drinks (alcohol) into this section, too. Our bodies just don’t need excess energy (calories), so what will they do when we bring in more than we need? Store it! And trust me when I tell you, “You cannot out-train a bad diet”! It’s just better to make balanced choices.

Sides…are they really necessary? Can you swap them out with vegetables – or do you even really need them depending on your entree? Much of the time, sides are just more nutrition deficient calories.

Maybe cook a “little”. This is something we often incorporate at home. I’ve found with meal deliveries, vegetables may not fare well or are limited –or maybe the side has cheese or sauce we didn’t want (like one using canola oil). So, we keep a couple zucchinis, spinach, carrots or broccoli around that we can easily sauté or roast seasoned just to our liking. Or, maybe we’ll mash a bit of avocado with Landry’s seasoning. (If you haven’t experienced this delight, TRY IT!!)

My friends, I am right there with you on needing a break from cooking after a long work day, but eating out doesn’t have to derail your health goals. Just become a little more intentional around where you go and the selections you make. And, ENJOY it!

Today IS Some Day

by

I have a few questions for you…

How is your cholesterol? Your blood pressure? Your breathing? What about your ability to move without breaking into a sweat? Do you find you have no time to workout or prepare healthy meals? How much time do you spend going to the doctor? And how much money is spent on medicines that treat symptoms of disease?

My friends, today IS “some” day. The day you decide to commit to a fit lifestyle.  Just do it.  For yourself, your family, your children, your community.  Because if you live a life with too little sleep combined with continual over-indulgences, ill health WILL creep into your body.  There is simply no way to sugar coat the cost of not committing to making small healthy lifestyle changes.

Often we create our own self sabotage by setting unrealistic goals.  However, you don’t need to run marathons.  I’m a big fan of “every little bit counts” and the “10 minute difference”.   Small steps in a healthy direction, made consistently over time, WILL make a huge difference in your health. These 31 steps (from Bulletproof) are an EXCELLENT place to start. Set small, simple goals and BE KIND to yourself along the way.

And please, go moderately. Walking is a great way to start. Find an activity you enjoy so you are likely to continue doing it. (That is one of my most often asked questions, “Which type of exercise is best?” My reply is, “Whatever workout you are most likely to stick to!”) And if you hate lettuce, don’t eat it!  But don’t set a “10 pound weight loss in two weeks” goal.  Healthy living is a journey that’s about doing your best—and forgetting the rest, one step and one day at a time. 

Here are some things I’ve learned..

Bodyweight involves more than willpower and biology plays a big role. And, when it comes to willpower, environment matters! (I cannot stress that enough.) Low fat diets blame people when they don’t lose weight—but “fat-free” is not the way to go; it’s damaging and the very nature of that path contributes to failure! Society treats people with a weight problem with more stigma than anything else, sadly.   In a nutshell, a healthy “diet” is one that has REAL food, limits processed foods, and limits sugars.

When it comes to fat, we NEED fat in our diets!  When we leave it out, our bodies goes into starvation mode.  Yes, we can lose weight.. but the body fights back, hunger goes up, metabolism goes down, and the stress hormones secreted erode lean tissue.  The best way is to reverse this recipe for failure is to focus on eliminating processed carbs (which raise insulin and drive fat cells into a feeding frenzy- ugh).  Once fat cells calm down, the calories you eat stay in the blood stream longer, so they are able to nourish your brain, muscles and organs. What happens then? “Health” happens, that’s what.  Hunger decreases, metabolism increases, and…we lose weight.  I wish I could shout this from mountain tops and get the message out—there are so many misconceptions around fat and carbs!

The government quietly lifted the dietary limitations on fats in 2015, but who heard?  That’s because their prior recommendations for “low fat” were erroneous and directed us to look at fat vs sugar. Quite frankly, this direction contributed to the obesity epidemic… along with processed food product quality and convenience–but that’s a blog for another day!  Regardless, those earlier low fat “recommendations” were wrong.

Note: In all fairness, Trans fats (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, for example) are AWFUL & should be avoided at all costs, but fat in general is needed and necessary.   Let’s help get the word out that the low fat message was wrong.

Now back to our healthy living journey!  Starting a new year is a great time to develop a plan, but honestly, I find short term goals work best. I create new lists, look over old lists regularly, and adjust them continually to suit life’s desires.

Here are a couple of ideas for you– but you can create your own “Get Healthy in 2017” list:

  • Pay attention to your sleep and create better bedtime habits 
  • Drink less soda, drink more water
  • Learn something new 
  • Identify a couple accountability partners (the closer in proximity, the better, but virtual works too)
  • Consider incorporating coconut oil into your diet (and research why it’s a good idea)
  • Find a good healthy living/eating/exercise site/book and READ it regularly
  • Eat dark chocolate
  • Find your inner child
  • Learn how intermittent fasting may benefit you
  • Get/play outside
  • De-clutter your life

So make your list, check it regularly, share it with those around you—and make a point to surround yourself with a good supportive network.   #EnvironmentMatters

In the end, we have ONE body. Take care of it so you can live your life more fully. 

Until next time, I wish you the best of HEALTH, happiness & dreams fulfilled.

 

~Lisa

 

CNN’s 2016 Article

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/health/fat-is-back-eat-like-a-mediterranean/index.html

 

NY Times 2014 Article