Posts Tagged ‘health coach’
Truth, lies and artificial sweeteners
Not long ago, I attended an event with a prominent marketer who ended the evening drinking waaay too much. I’ve learned in my years on this planet that drinking loosens lips and the truth flows from them in ways that people are normally able to hide.
In this drunken state, this marketer said “everything I say has an *element* of truth.” Wow…it surprises me, although in hindsight it really shouldn’t have. That is the moment I got it! Not everything, and everyone, is as it/he/she seems. I chose to no longer work with this person and dissolved the business relationship as amicably as I could. But it really left its mark and widened my eyes to the many ‘almost lies’ that are so prominent in today’s world.
That example was an “in my face” example of how marketing can be deceptive. And I thought of that event as I was reading about another deception that has been going on for many years. As I have been researching and writing this series on sugar and how it damages so many parts of your body, I learned that aspartame producer Ajinomoto is soon to be launching a new initiative to rebrand aspartame as “AminoSweet”. Their element of truth? There are some amino acids in the powder and it is sweet. Their elements of deceptions go on and on.
Sugar…a Love/Hate Relationship
Sugar addiction is one of the most common themes I hear from clients coming to me for weight control. They intuitively know that they crave sugar but are still shocked when they learn the amounts of sugars they are consuming. Then, the second shock comes as I explain the harm that sugar is doing to their body, mind and spirit.
In my last post, I offered a quick calculation to help you better understand how many sugars (in all forms) you are consuming. By using the easy “carbs minus fiber divided by 5” calculation, you can instantly note the number of teaspoons of sugars you are about to consume per serving. Remember that these are ALL of the ingredients combined in that product that react within your body as a carbohydrate. Just looking at the number of sugars in the product doesn’t tell the entire story.
Why is sugar so bad, when it tastes so good? Over the next 10 days, I’m going to share with you the Top 10 reasons sugar is suicide on a spoon.
But I STILL Wear a Size 34!! Understanding Belly Fat.
I have to admit, even now, when I hear a man say these words…”but I still wear a size (fill in the blank)”… I cringe. I’ve even found myself speechless, in horror at the length people will go to fool themselves into staying within their comfort zone. So, I stand there, until the horror turns to sympathy and I’m able to compassionately explain the truth about belly fat and the proper way in which to measure and lose belly fat. It is never funny as I watch the comprehension register, their face finally “getting it”. Reality can be a b@tch. And a blessing.
I’ll never forget the day when one of my most favorite clients, Joel Bauer, realized the truth. He had known that his suits weren’t fitting well. He had watched the numbers on the scale rise. But it wasn’t until he did an accurate measurement of his belly, that the full impact hit home. He was overweight and his health was suffering. The reality of that tape measure couldn’t be questioned.
How much should I weigh?
There’s lots of confusion as to the best way to determine your best, healthy weight. Should I use the BMI? Should I check my pant size? Should I base it on my blood pressure and lab tests? Should I measure my waist, hips, etc.?
The answer….YES. The other answer…NO.
Told ya there was alot of confusion here!
That is because there are sooo many mixed messages when it comes to the best way to lose weight. What to eat, how often to eat it. Which supplements to take. How much to exercise. The weight loss industry itself is one of the leading offenders contributing to the obesity epidemic. The weight loss industry would go broke if people lost weight
and kept it off. Not too many industries are looking for bankruptcy and unemployment lines (remember that the next time you read about the latest, greatest magic pill or potion).
So what is a dieter to do?
The Enemy of Weight Loss
Sugar is E.V.I.L. It is like a best friend who stabs you in the back. Yes, it is yummy and it is readily available but it truly is very very bad for you, in many different ways. In addition to being empty calories with no nutritional content, sugar burns “hotter” in your system, creating more free radicals that do various types of damage within your system. From wrinkles to cardiovascular disease, excess sugar plays a role.
What types of sugar? All of it (white, brown and even fruit and fruit juices, maple syrup and honey) is converted into triglycerides by the liver and are subject the damage from free radicals. These damaging triglycerides then attack your arteries, which leads to cardiovascular disease. Ready for this? Cancer and tumor cells FEED off of sugar. Need i say more?
Course correction:
- Eat fruit when you crave sugar as it provides antioxidants that also fight against free radicals.
- Limit your intake of sugar in the foods you eat to a very very minimum.
- If you must have sweetness, my favorite is Stevia, a natural sweetner that is very yummy.
- Read your labels (or investigate nutritional content online) and become aware of the added sugars in the food you eat. An easy way to check sugar content is with this super simple formula: Take the total number of carbs from the label. Subtract the amount of fiber. Divide the remainder by 5. Now, you have the number of teaspoons of sugar in that food. For example: if there are 30 grams of carbs on the label and 5 grams of fiber, that means you have 5 teaspoons of sugars in that product. (30 minus 5 = 25. 25 divided by 5 = 5)
Are you “Non-Sick”?
“Non-sick” represents the vast health field between medically sick and optimal health. When you are non-sick, your energy level is low, your focus isn’t clear and you rely on caffeine or other stimulants to keep you awake and going. Typical indicators of being in a non-sick state also include:
• Being overweight
• Not sleeping well
• Fatigued
• Weak or flabby
• Stressed out
• Taking a lot of over-the-counter medications
• Not as interested in sex or having a lowered libido
Healthy Choices, Right in your Freezer
Healthy Choices, Right in Your Freezer
One of the greatest values in the super market are the bagged frozen vegetables located in the freezer isle. With many choices to choose from, these easy to use and cost-effective options are a great way to incorporate a colorful variety of healthy produce into your eating plan. If you price compare, you’d find that you would spend significantly more on fresh vegetables and if you are like many people, to many of these fresh vegetables go to waste.
Just as nutritious as fresh, these vegetables are picked at their peak and flash-frozen, locking in all their healthful nutrients. Plus, you can select mixed-vegetable blends (such as stir-fry or California-style varieties) and get up to seven different vegetables per bag. And…(clap, clap, clap), the chopping is done for you!
There are so many options in using frozen veggies – add them to soups, chilies and casseroles. Stir them into omelets, stir-fries and side dishes with your favorite protein. You can even add them into your smoothing, adding phytonutrients to a yummy shake. And, want to sneak veggies into your children’s diet? Simply puree them to add to pasta sauce (they’ll never know!!)
Just be careful and chose veggies that do not contain sauces, salt, sugar or unhealthy additives
See…eating health IS easy and doesn’t have to be expensive. Stock up on frozen veggies and you are ready to go!
Blessings,
Stop Backsliding!
Anytime you commit to improve your weight and lifestyle, there will be challenges that come your way. Even circumstances that didn’t seem challenging before your commitment (like birthday parties and movie night) suddenly seem overwhelming and a tremendous obstacle to navigate.
But take heart, these challenges don’t have to stop you and it is easy to get back on course. All you have to do is get back to the BASICS.
A New Way to Diet
In our world, “diet” has become a four-letter word, a dirty word connected to deprivation and starvation. But did you know that the word “diet” comes from the Greek word, diaita, which means “way of living?”
Hhhmmmm….something to think about!
What if you believed, “healthy body healthy mind” and diet didn’t just refer to losing weight? What if, it wasn’t a go-to plan that was implemented only when pants fits too snugly or the scale began its upward creep? What if, instead of deprivation, you began to embrace diet from its true meaning…a way of living…a way of life….a way to live? What if, you could use your mind to support your goals?
A Healthy Food Famine
Most of my busy, traveling clients have the same complaint…finding healthy, nutritious foods while on the road. And they have the right to complain! Have you tried finding a healthy snack in a convenience store or vending machine lately?
Good luck.
