by Brandi Savitt - January 9, 2012
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5 Ways to Get Healthy & Lose Weight
It's hard to believe when you hear celebrities - who are the size of your left pinky - say that they eat healthy, but they never ever diet. What does that even mean? If they eat at all, they have a celery stalk and sip some organic vegetable broth, right? It sounds ridiculous, but stop rolling your eyes - these health conscious celebs are actually onto something - and it may have more to do with getting healthy than squeezing into to a size two…
Start Eating More…
It's no secret, if you want to reach your ideal weight, and look & feel your best, start focusing on eating, not dieting. What we consume affects more than our waistline, it affects our overall health and ability to fight disease. Eating as many unprocessed whole foods as possible not only has less calories, but unprocessed foods typically have many more nutrients and fiber. The more of the needed nutrients we get, the less hungry we feel. And while eating high quality organic fruits, veggies, eggs, and meats may cost a little more upfront, it is an expense that is worth in the long run. -To save money, eat fresh, and save on fuel,buy local produce and animal products from the grocery or your local farmers market whenever possible.
Doctor in discussion with patient in IVF clinicAre You Too Sensitive?
Maybe it's because all of the processed foods we've been eating for decades, or maybe it's because our culture just eats too much in general, but as a result, many of us have developed food sensitivities over time that may be keeping us from losing weight and keeping our immune system from functioning at its optimal level. If you suffer from constant colds, sinus pressure, bloating, gas, stomach pain, even skin problems such as eczema, your diet may be playing a role! Gluten (wheat & wheat products), dairy and soy are common food sensitives that may be causing unnecessary inflammation in your body - and they're in shocking places so start reading those labels…
Consider consulting with a Naturopath or nutritionist who can help you determine if these foods are getting in the way of your optimal health. Also check Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet and Dr. Andrew Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Diet . Don't worry - you may not have to give up these foods forever. Sometimes giving your body a break for awhile, will do the trick (if you don't overindulge too often)...
Take a Probiotic
Women Taking Vitamins
According to alternative health practitioners, and a growing number of traditional doctors alike, our digestive health not only effects how well we feel, it is directly linked to how well we absorb nutrients from the food we eat and the strength of our immune system. Invest in your digestive health by taking a daily probiotic.
Probiotics are microscopic good bacteria that naturally live in our system, helping to digest foods and regulate the balance between good and bad bacteria in the body. By taking a probiotic supplement, you will help ease the digestion process in your body, and in turn, help to boost your immune defenses. Check with your doctor or local health food store about which probiotic has the most bang for the buck. They can get expensive, but you can certainly find an affordable brand to do the trick. -Just remember to read the label of any supplements. I noticed that some brands actually contain soy, dairy and gluten!
Do You Get Enough Vitamin D3?
With the big push to stay out of the sun and use sunblock to protect ourselves from serious skin damage, the result has been that the level of vitamin D3 in our systems is way too low. Getting enough vitamin D3 is especially important for women. According to the Mayo Clinic, the main purpose of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. D3 helps to maintain strong bones and provide protection from osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cancer (including breast cancer) and several autoimmune diseases. Ask your doctor to test your D3 level and recommend a supplement. --Note: for better absorption, always take your D3 supplement with food that has a little fat in it (olive oil, fish or meat, nut butters, avocado, etc..).
After WorkoutStart Drinking Heavily
While many of our health suggestions do have a price tag, if you have a water bottle and a Brita, drinking the proper amount of water is virtually FREE. You already know that drinking enough water is crucial to stay hydrated, but do you know why drinking water is so important to weight loss and good health? Because our bodies are made of 60-70% water, the simple answer is that everything runs better when you fuel the body with enough water. Improve your digestion, get your blood circulating better, avoid fatigue and flush out those toxins. That's what the age old 8-10 glasses of water a day can do for you!
What are your MUST DO suggestions for investing in your health?
