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Amanda's Musings

Things we want you to know and other cool stuff!

​Is Sugar Running the Show in Your Food Relationship?

9/30/2019

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One of the most beneficial things you can do for your overall health is to reduce or eliminate sugary and white flour foods and yet it can be one of the toughest steps for people to take. If you’ve struggled with this then you’re certainly not alone. Many people know they need to cut back on eating this stuff to feel better, but try as they might it lures them back in every time. Some don’t even want to go there and cling to their treats for dear life. If this sounds like addictive behavior, that’s because it is!
 
In order to tackle a sugar addiction these are a couple of unavoidable issues that are typically at play and need to be dealt with:

1) Stabilize Blood Sugar
Sugary and white flour foods are the foods that digest the most quickly and result in a sharp rise in our blood sugar. This is typically followed by a crash (you may feel hungry, tired, irritable, shaky etc.) and then grab for a sugary treat to get blood sugar up again, starting the behavior again. We call this the blood sugar rollercoaster. It is a self-perpetuating problem. The more we eat this stuff, the more we want it. When we remove or reduce it, the cravings start to reduce.

2) Stop Using Food to Soothe
When we eat sugary brownies or muffins we temporarily feel better as our body produces feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, endorphins and dopamine. This means that we’re often in the habit of reaching for these foods in response to triggers like stress, exhaustion, depression, loneliness, anxiety, a bad mood etc. Really anytime we want to feel better. For people with lower levels of these chemicals in their body, they may respond even more to these “sugar highs” and can have intense cravings. This problem can also be exacerbated by learned behaviors from childhood where perhaps you got given sweets as a reward or to cheer you up, so you now have emotional associations with the treat foods.
Of course the benefits we feel are always temporary as eating a lot of these foods is ultimately detrimental to our well being in so many ways!
 
It is really helpful to get a handle on the sugar problem as we approach the holiday period where we find treats are all around us.
That’s why I’ve decided to reduce my Food Relationship Reset Program cost from $450 to $400 for the remainder of 2019. This is one sweet deal that you don’t have to pass up!
Sign me up for the Food Relationship Reset Program
​Together we will address these two issues and many other areas that will allow you to finally make real change. With changes in our nutrition, it isn’t always knowing WHAT to do that is the tough part, sometimes it is figuring out HOW to do it. It can take a shift in your Food Relationship to get some of the blocks out of your way so that you can break destructive patterns once and for all. If those sugar addiction solutions I mentioned above sound like they might be difficult to implement, then let me know because I’d love to help you, or just get signed up now.
Sign me up for the Food Relationship Reset Program
​If you’re not ready to commit why not dip your toe with a Food Relationship Discovery Session for just $50.
I'd like a discovery session to find out more about my food relationship
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The Biggest Reason Unhealthy Food Patterns are Hard to Shift

2/6/2019

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During the month of February we’re focused on how you can best give yourself a Valentine with some Self-Care. I know you’ll agree that some healthy, self-caring behaviors can deliver immediate results or in a very short term. For example, you might have some favorite music that you play that always cheers you up or a hobby that gives you a lot of joy and its not hard to make time for it.
 
There are also some areas of self-care, though, that deliver more results in the long term and can, for some people, seem like a tough choice in the moment. For many people, good nutrition is an example of this, especially if they’ve never experienced the long-term benefits before. People know they need to have good habits in this area to feel their best, but when it comes right down to it, they can struggle with making those sensible, long-term choices. We know this to be true because of the massive failure of dieting as a strategy for getting healthy. It turns out diets are hard to stick to!!
 
So what is going on? Well, two different parts of the brain are in a battle here.
 
The emotional part of the brain responds positively to instant gratification. It can seem so much more appealing in the short term to eat that brownie when you get home from work. After all, it tastes delicious and the sugar and processed flour give a bump to your feel-good brain chemicals. You are on a sugar high! Actually we humans are designed in our hard wiring to seek out high calorie foods so it is natural for us to want them.
The emotional brain says “Yes” to the brownie!
 
The logical part of the brain, though, tries to reason it out. It knows that you should just wait to eat a healthy dinner, that would be better for your long-term health and that you’ll feel better in the long run.
 
Unhealthy choices usually happen on impulse when the emotional part of your brain triumphs over the logical one.
So how do you keep your logical brain in the driver’s seat?
 
I’ve found that one of the biggest reasons for the emotional brain to be running the show is stress and overwhelm. The logical brain can only function well when you have some reserves in the tank. If you are run ragged emotionally and physically depleted, then there is a good chance you’ll be short on logic and behave more impulsively. It’s going to be really tough in these conditions to implement any healthy, new habits that will only pay you back in the long term.
 
Reducing stress and overwhelm by having a backdrop of regular self-care and ensuring that you include positive activities in your life that bring you joy, are essential to you being able to respond well in the moment.
 
Ways to do this could be hobbies, connecting and being present with loved ones, reading, regular exercise, yoga, massage therapy, daily meditation, daily affirmations, being organized, setting boundaries, essential oils or journaling. I am sure you have many other ideas so brainstorm your own list and start incorporating them in your routines.
 
Of course there are a number of other things you can do to increase your chances of success with transforming your unhealthy patterns. I love helping people figure out and implement these strategies. It’s a huge piece of the Break the Yoyo Diet Cycle Program and for many people it is foundational to being able to implement real and lasting change in their lives. After all, if it were easy to stick to a nutrition self-care plan more people would be doing it.
 
We’ve got some great deals this month to help you with Self-Care so please take a look, we’d love to help. <3
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Resistant to change? It can be worth it!

11/11/2016

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Most people don’t do well with giving things up. It is hard. We get attached to our habits and can feel deprived when we “can’t” have what we want. But sometimes it becomes clear that giving things up, or better described as letting go of certain habits, is going to be worth it, so that we feel better. Depending on what we find through our intake session, blood testing and food journaling, it can become clear that certain habits are hurting the client’s health and the work is to try to make the change in a positive way. Here’s what my client (and assistant here at Ways to Optimize), Michelle, has to say about going gluten-free. I love how she has shifted from focusing on deprivation and all the things she can’t have to trying new things and enjoying it. She also has some great tips for you.

“I don’t have food allergies, but I know so many friends and family members who avoid gluten because it makes them sick.  When Amanda recommended I cut out gluten, I decided to finally give the gluten-free lifestyle a try.  There are so many gluten-free options these days, how hard could it be?  The first week or so, I think I ate more gluten than when I wasn’t trying to be gluten-free.   After about a month, it doesn’t seem hard anymore, it’s just different.  It’s November and the majority of holiday favorites are laden with gluten, yet I’m not worried. 

“Here are few things that I discovered on my journey that might be helpful to you.
Don’t focus on what you can’t have.  When I thought about never having a Ritz cracker or Oreo again, it made me crave them.  I went on a weekend retreat and I was afraid it would be hard to avoid gluten.  It’s not hard, it’s just different than what I’m used to.  One morning at breakfast I passed up the biscuits and gravy and cinnamon roll, but I had 2 scoops of eggs and a gluten-free muffin."

“Don’t swap gluten for sugar.  Do you know how many different candies are gluten-free?  A lot!  Just because it’s gluten-free, doesn’t mean it’s a good choice."

"Add more veggies! I went to a dinner party, and to my surprise all the food was gluten-free.  I can still go to parties and avoid gluten.  We had a beet and goat cheese salad, beef stuffed artichoke caps, roasted broccoli & peppers, and a yogurt & berry parfait.  I’ve never had so many vegetables in one meal."

Isn’t that great stuff! Michelle is feeling much less inflammation and doing better gluten free. That’s got to be worth it!


If you are looking to navigate change in your diet and lifestyle and would like some support please get in touch with us. We believe in helping you make change that is lasting, not using quick fixes. To do this you have to shift your mindset. Instead of just telling you WHAT to do, we help you figure out HOW!
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It's not always WHAT to do, sometimes it's HOW!

4/10/2016

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It's hard to believe it's been so long since my last newsletter. We've been so busy building some great, new programing for you as well as some eResources to help you eat healthy delicious food while still managing your busy schedule. We've also seen our Women, Wine & Wellness - Lowry events kick off very nicely. It's really been a lot of fun and I love being able to offer all of you more support for your wellness journey.


So here's what's been on my mind and driving our change. I know from my clients that it isn't always the question of WHAT to do that get's in the way of making changes. Sometimes it's the HOW!
How many times have you felt like you were a failure because when you tried to implement a new program you just couldn't stick to it - you didn't have enough will power, or you didn't have the time to get organized.
Just know that this isn't your fault. You just haven't been given the right tools and enough support to get you there.

Break the YoYo Diet Cycle
We've been incorporating much of this work within our regular sessions with clients and so we've decided to offer it as a stand along program.
Have you tried EVERY DIET and after each you've gained the weight back and MORE?
  • Do you spend hours a day distracted by what you can eat, what you can't, and how ugly you feel in your body?
  • If you are caught in the yoyo diet cycle, we can help you break free and release the grip food has on you, maintain your ideal weight, and become comfortable and confident in your body. 


We have programing for individuals and for groups. Our first group workshop will be held June 4th 2016 here at Ways to Optimize.

You can learn more and register here: http://www.waystooptimizehealth.com/break-the-yoyo-diet-cycle.html

Nutrition eResources

We've put together a series of eResources that you can download including 3 weeks of meal plans and prep lists that are designed to help busy people get organized and still eat healthily.

We also have an ebook of approved recipes so you can actually enjoy eating healthy food. 

Lastly you'll need the Optimal You Nutrition Plan containing food lists, tips on food preparation and guidelines on how to put together your meals for the day.

Purchase here: http://www.waystooptimizehealth.com/nutrition-eresources.html
Here's a recipe from the book to enjoy:
​
Butternut and Orange Soup
Source: The American Harvest Cookbook, Rosemary Moon (modified)
Ingredients: I onion, chopped 
2 tablespoons ghee
About 2lbs butternut squash peeled and diced (1-2 squashes)
Grated zest and juice of 2 oranges
3 pints/6 cups stock

Salt
Ground black pepper
2 bay leaves
Freshly grated nutmeg
​
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley to garnish
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Instructions:
Cook the onion in the ghee until softened, then add the squash and cook slowly for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the grated orange zest, then add the stock, season with salt and black pepper, bay leaves and nutmeg.


Bring the soup to a boil then cover and simmer for 40 minutes until the squash is tender.
Allow the soup to cool slightly then blend in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to the soup to the pan (rinse it first) and add the orange juice. Reheat the soup slowly, do not let it boil. Then season to taste and garnish with parsley. 
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Sugar – Sweet Taste, Bitter Outcome

2/10/2016

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​So last time we talked about why it is so hard for people to stop eating sugar and what chemistry is at play that keeps us hooked. So this time I wanted to discuss why we should try to kick the habit.
I’m pretty sure everyone now realizes at this stage that eating sugar is not healthy.  It makes us fat, right?  Empty calories and all that.  Rots our teeth…we all know this.
Well that’s true but that makes us think that if we want to splurge on sugar then we just cut back on calories elsewhere or work a bit harder in the gym and all will be well. And we all brush and floss so what’s the problem?

Well the fact is, excess sugar consumption is detrimental to our health in many other ways that you may not be so aware of:

Glycation
I’m putting this one near the top to appeal to your vanity. It’s not the biggest but maybe it is a motivator for you. Sugar bonds with protein molecules and impairs functioning causing stickiness in joints. It is particularly drawn to collagen and elastin in the skin. Here’s a picture of glycated skin – pretty isn’t it?!
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So one of the most crucial anti-aging steps you can take is to get off sugar.

Depletion of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)
Here are a couple of specific examples that illustrate how sugar depletes our storage of minerals but know that mineral deficiencies can cause leg cramps, muscle tightness, low blood sugar, diabetes, low blood pressure, PMS, ADD, depression and many more!
  • It takes 56 molecules of magnesium to metabolize on molecule of sugar leaving many of us magnesium depleted and a prevalence of high blood pressure, poor sleep, neurological problems and immune issues.
  • Calcium stores are drawn on to neutralize the affects of sugar.  We see direct links between sugar consumption and osteopenia.

Immune System Repression
White blood cells do not function well in a sugary environment.  It depresses our ability to fight viruses, cancer and parasites and especially bacteria.  1 tsp of sugar depresses the immune system for 5 hours.  Continued sugar consumption results in immune suppression and opens the door to infections and degenerative disease.
In a battle to gain entry to the cell, sugar wins over vitamin C which most of us know is one of our main immune boosting vitamins.

Feeding Cancer Cells
As adults we do not have many actively growing cells in our bodies except for cancer cells. Cancer cells move through each of us all the time and when we have a high sugar levels they gobble it up for growth. Remove the food for cancer cells and it is going to have a harder time taking a grip.

Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
When our system is continually bombarded with excess sugar our cells start to become resistant to the insulin produced to deliver the glucose. The body tries to compensate by producing more insulin in the battle to get circulating blood sugar levels lowered (high blood sugar is toxic). When insulin is raised continually, the body is storing fat and there is weight gain. The consequent high blood sugar is also causing damage to the nervous system, suppressing the immune system and all that we talked about above.

Stress on the system
High blood sugar causes adrenaline production, which puts stress on the adrenals and the entire system. Many of us live in a constant state of stress anyway so our adrenals are already exhausted.  When your adrenals are working overtime they may be using up resources needed for other systems like digestion, sex hormones, thyroid hormones etc.

Inflammation
Sugar is one of the main causes of inflammation in the body. We’ve talked about it before so I’ll keep it brief here. Inflammation shows up as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, high blood pressure, and even autism, ADD, ADHD, eczema, asthma—even anger and aggression.

Candida
Candida is a fungal organism that is sometimes known as thrush or a yeast infection. The yeast is always moderately present in your intestinal tract but it can actually loom elsewhere in your body. Candida yeast cells live among the bacterial flora present in the gastrointestinal tract, mucosa, esophagus, small intestine, as well as on the body’s surface. In a balanced healthy state, candida is controlled and mitigated by beneficial bacteria and your immune system. Candida is a sugar-fermenting organism, feeding on blood sugar so it becomes problematic when we eat a high sugar diet. Also it can be a problem if we have a weakened immunity or we possess low levels of beneficial bacteria. Women are typically more susceptible to yeast growth but everyone has a potential to develop a yeast condition.


Does that all motivate you or depress you? It’s a tough one I know! Shifting something in your diet is not easy and particularly with sugar because of its addictive nature and prevalence, not to mention it is wrapped up with so many emotional connections (rewards, treats, celebrations). Most people need help to make lasting change in this area and sometimes it is helpful to check your nutrient levels to have something to really motivate you.  We offer support in these areas so please reach out if you need us.
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Sugar – Why are we so hooked?

12/17/2015

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One of the biggest issues I find with clients is their addiction to sugar.  They know they need to stop eating it but try as they might it lures them back in every time. Understanding why is always the first step to figuring out what to do about a problem.  So I’ll tell you…

It’s all about Blood Sugar Control and Brain Chemistry!

You can learn more about how sugar gets us hooked if you keep reading my full article.  In my next blog I’ll look at the other negative health consequences of a sugar laden diet to give you some real motivation to change.

Breaking the cycle can be a challenge and most people need some guidance and support through the process.  We can work with you to find other ways to support you with blood sugar stabilization and healthy brain chemistry.

So here are the addictive aspects of sugar that plague us. Maybe you identify with some of the symptoms of situations I talk about. 

Blood Sugar
Many people are feasting throughout the whole day on sugar (and white processed foods) that turn to blood sugar quickly.  When they wake in the morning their blood sugar is low.  The grab their sugar laden morning coffee and muffin which causes their blood sugar to shoot through the roof.  There is a temporary good feeling and a burst of energy.

The blood sugar spike is a warning signal to the body that causes it to pump out adrenaline.  When this is going on throughout the day the adrenals can become over worked and a consequence can be adrenal fatigue.

But back to the coffee and muffin story….Soon after the high, the blood sugar crashes back down again quickly. Someone who is affected by low blood sugar may experience tiredness, restlessness, confusion, forgetfulness, poor concentration, irritability and anger.  Low blood sugar is a danger situation for the body and triggers it to look for their next sugary carb fix.  And so the pattern continues.

Serotonin
This is the feel good chemical that our body produces. People low in serotonin are often fretful, anxious, depressed, short in attention span, scattered, angry or aggressive.

Blood sugar assists with driving tryptophan across the blood brain barrier to make serotonin. Of course we need serotonin and we want to have some glucose in our system to do that.  But the reason doctors prescribe so many SSRI anti-depressants is not because people are lacking in sugar intake!  The trouble comes with too much sugar which gives a temporary serotonin rush but stresses the adrenals as we said before and so ultimately depletes us.  It’s one of the reasons we get hooked to sugar.

Beta-Endorphins
Beta-endorphins are the body’s pain killer.  Those with low levels experience self esteem issues, poor coping skills, feelings of inadequacy and isolation, a sense of being stuck, have a victim mentality and an extreme response to criticism.  Heroin is a beta endorphin and addicts can take up to six months to deal with their feelings of low self esteem which is why recovery rates are low.

Sugar can also affect beta-endorphin levels.  Not surprisingly people who have low levels of beta-endorphins reach for sugar.  It is actually just the taste of the sugar that activates the beta-endorphins, not it’s effect on the body, so eating other foods that give pleasure will produce the same affect.

Dopamine
Sugar’s taste ultimately leads to dopamine being released, which provides us with motivation, concentration, alertness, euphoria – the long term planning chemical that allows us to work hard now for something that will benefit us later.


Let us know how you relate to this and what worked for you if you managed to get off your sugar habit.
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Easy Nutrition Tip: You CAN eat salt! Replace table salt with sea salt!

8/17/2015

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​Sometimes being healthier is just a matter of an easy switch over from something unhealthy to a better alternative and doesn't have to be about deprivation or dieting.  Here's one that is simple; a great way to raise your micronutrient intake and reduce your exposure to toxins.
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Salt is necessary for each cell in our body and we need it for many important functions.  Yet most of us have heard that we should avoid salty, high sodium foods.

So what’s gone wrong with salt?

Table salt is an artificial form of sodium chloride created by taking either natural salt or crude oil flake leftovers (so yes, I did say crude oil – yummy!) and cooking it at 1200° F. This strips natural salt it of all of its naturally occurring minerals that we need in our diet.

Of particular concern, natural iodine is lost when we manufacture salt. Without iodine in our diet, the thyroid is severely harmed, leading to growth and metabolism issues. Because of this, the chemical-based salt industry began to add synthetic forms of iodine, such as the very toxic potassium iodide, to their products.

Other synthetic chemicals are added such as anti-caking agents and dextrose to stabilize it.  Dextrose turns it purple so then it has to be bleached!

So worse than being unhealthy, table salt is actually toxic.

So perhaps it might seem that low sodium foods are a good idea then.  Less table salt….yes.…but often instead other chemical flavor enhancers are added instead such as MSG.

Sea salt, on the other hand, is naturally dried in the sun and nutrients are preserved. It contains many alkaline minerals that help keep us hydrated, balance our sodium-potassium ratios, as well as fill the body with powerful electrolytes. They also contain all of the trace elements needed for proper immune, thyroid and adrenal function. Real forms of salt also boost the creation of digestive enzymes and juices that allow us to extract and assimilate other vitamins and nutrients from the food we eat.  I could go on to list more benefits.

But wait, you say, doesn’t high salt intake result in hypertension (high blood pressure)?  Well actually many recent studies are refuting that this is the case and indicate that a better way to balance your blood pressure is by having good overall mineral balance including calcium and magnesium.

So get back to salting your foods with natural sea salt.  It enhances the flavor and does your body good!  

Ways to increase good quality salt in your life:
  • Avoid processed foods or eating out, since you will consume large amounts of processed table salt.
  • Add sea salt to taste and don’t worry about eating too much.
  • Drink 1/2 tsp of quality salt in a quart of water daily to help raise your electrolyte and trace mineral levels.
  •  Soak in a relaxing bath with added magnesium and sea salt (2 tablespoons of each).
  • For skin issues like eczema or psoriasis make a poultice of real salt and water (or honey) and apply to affected areas.
  •  Make a scrub with finely powdered sea salt and natural oil (like coconut or olive) to use as an exfoliant.​
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Do you need to cleanse? Assess your toxicity level

6/30/2015

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The goal of a cleanse is to detoxify the body and restore optimal health. A cleanse is beneficial because a toxic environment can wreak havoc on your health. Your natural detoxification pathways can become overwhelmed and toxins build up in the body.


Consider the list of questions below to assess your toxicity and determine how far you are from "Ideal". 
I find this list a useful reminder of the areas where I am less than perfect so I thought I would share.

If you have significant work to do to get to the ideal responses on most of these questions then I recommend that you start working on a cleanse program to reduce your toxic exposure and help your body eliminate some of the toxins that have built up. I believe this is best done in a way that is gentle and realistic for you so that you can make some lasting lifestyle changes.

Please contact us if you’d like some support with detoxifying your body and your life.
Questions to help you figure out your toxicity level
  • How many bowel movements do you have? Ideal 1-3 daily
  • How is your skin? Ideal = Balanced (neither oily or dry)
  • How many rounds of antibiotics have you taken in past five years? Ideal = 0
  • How often do you experience significant gas and bloating? Ideal = rarely (<1 per week)
  • Do you have a diagnosed thyroid condition like hypothyroidism, Hashimotos, or Graves? Ideal = no 
  • Describe your gallbladder health. Ideal = never had gallstones 
  • How would you rate the growth of your hair and nails? Ideal = excellent
  • How many servings of organic protein do you consume weekly? Ideal = >10
  • How often do you consume conventionally raised meat, farm-raised fish, and non-organic dairy servings weekly? Ideal = 0-1
  • How many glasses of purified water or spring water do you drink per day (not from the tap)? Ideal = 8+ 
  • Do you feel tired or lack energy? Ideal = rarely
  • How many cups of caffeinated coffee or energy drinks do you drink per day? Ideal = 0
  • Do you work with commercial solvents, household cleaners, or paints? How often are you exposed to these items?  
Ideal = rarely
  • How many silver (amalgam) fillings do you have in your teeth? Ideal = 0
  • How often do you use conventional personal care products with non-organic ingredients? Ideal = rarely
  • Have you had a flu shot or vaccine in the past five years? Ideal = no
  • How many medications do you take daily? Ideal = 0
  • How many servings of vegetables and fruits do you consume each day? Ideal = 7+servings
  • How many hours per week of focused exercise do you perform each week?
Ideal = 5+hours
  • How many pounds overweight are you? Ideal = 0-5lbs
  • Do you ever experience joint stiffness or a lack of flexibility? Ideal = rarely 
  • How many times do you miss work or school each year due to not feeling well? Ideal = 0-1 time
  • How much sunlight do you get each week? Ideal = 2+hours
  • How many times a week do you consume artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin? Ideal = never
  • On average, how many hours do you sleep per night? Ideal = 8+hours
  • During the past month, how many days have you felt unusually sad or down? Ideal = 0-3
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Improve your Mind/ Body Connection in your next workout

6/9/2015

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Enjoy this article from my friend and trusted Pilates guru Krista Overly.  Let me know if you try any of her tips and how you like them!

So, you're learning Pilates, or yoga, or Tai Chi, or ________ (insert your own new challenging skill here). The directions from your teacher are to move your arms/legs, draw in your abs, do another movement,*and* breathe, then repeat. What?! How can you possibly complete this new skill that has at least five different parts? Perhaps this is the first time since you were a baby that you've had to figure out how to make your body work/move a particular way.

Here are a few tips I've found helpful in all mind/body exercise systems:

1.  Leave the "outside world" at the door. If you bring your world with you when you're trying to connect with your body, well then your body is competing with the rest of your life and will likely lose.

2.  Breathe. As cliché as it sounds your controlled, steady, and even breathing helps calm your nervous system, making it easier to focus your mind.

3.   Forget Multitasking. The instructor knows you can't check everything at once.  Create a short mental checklist for each exercise that you do.  For example:  Inhale, alignment, legs, Exhale, alignment, relax neck.
Repeat checklist for each repetition.

4.   Mastery is a process. The first time, second time, fiftieth time, even the thousandth time you do an exercise it is a practice. We are not the same every day. Learn from your whole body what the exercise reveals to you that day.

5. Exhaustion is not the end goal of every workout. I'll be blunt - pushing yourself during every workout to a place that may put you at risk for injury it too much. Your body also benefits from workouts that focus on alignment, deeper engagement, and even restoration. If you've been using your workouts for stress relief gift your body, mind and spirit with a different perspective. Try meditation (sitting or walking), journaling, restorative yoga, or recreational reading for a change.

Give at least one of these tips a try and see if it enhances your next workout.

In Health & Happiness,
Krista
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When not writing a blog post Krista can be found teaching Pilates, or entertaining her two Pomeranians, or traveling with her husband. You can find her on the Internet at:
kristaoverly.com
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Support – The Key to Your Success

12/28/2014

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One of the things I’ve noticed over the many years I’ve been helping people implement change in their lifestyle is that what many need is simply more support and education.  Most of our clients come to us at a point in their life where they are ready for change.  They are willing to put in the work to make adjustments to shopping, cooking, what they are eating, when, their exercise routine and so on but it is just tough to figure out what changes to make for the best and how to implement the change effectively.  Many of them have already tried to go it alone and not had much success.

There is so much information out there that many people are suffering from nutrition confusion.  Maybe they are following whatever Dr. Oz is recommending this week – that can be hard to keep up with!!  Or perhaps they are trying to follow the government’s dietary guidelines and not getting results.  Everything seems so contradictory!  Typically people need some education and direction to figure out what their priorities should be because there is no “one size fits all” solution.

The next step after making a plan is implementation.  It almost seems obvious that support would be helpful in making significant change in our lifestyle but we do tend to forget it.  I know I am guilty of trying to do a lot of things in my life on my own even though I don’t always have the knowledge, skills or time to figure it all out.  It can be exhausting to struggle alone with things and get nowhere!  When I finally breakdown and get help it is always such a relief.

Add to this the fact that our habits around our food and lifestyle have developed over our entire life.  Many factors play in to what we eat and why as well as how we think about our health.  To name a few:  culture, family, friends, education, location, work.  You can probably think of more in your own life.  Changing habits is incredibly hard.  It is tough to undo our established programing and to do something different.  Often the food that we are eating is also contributing to physical cravings as well.  This is a double whammy!

If this rings true to you then let us sift through the science for you and offer practical, real-world solutions that work for you, your body and your life.  We hold you accountable and work with you ongoing to make sure you are staying on track.  We empower you with you’re the tools you need for success!

Are you ready to get the support you need to reach your health goals in 2015?

Book your initial Basic “Optimal You” Nutrition Plan before January 16th 2015 and you save $50.

Here’s to a happy and successful New Year!
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