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SMALL GOALS ON GETTING HEALTHY
How do you go from unhealthy to healthy, or from ok health to super health?
If you don’t have the slightest idea, a great start would be asking yourself, what are your personal “health” goals?
That’s exactly where I and anyone else who’s looking for change in their health need to start.
Know Your Goal
Let’s look at the most common “health” goals I come across:
fat loss
improve strength
prevention of disease
better quality of life
advancing athletic performance
energy
Or
getting rid of all your BELLY FAT just to look good in your “birthday suit”.
So what will it take in order to fulfill any of the above?
Laser focus on the things which take precedence.
What to Eat
- Consciously eat nutrient-filled food
- To improve gut absorption which leads to gut health
- To improve your body’s composition and lessen the chances of disease
- Sufficient amounts of quality food to deliver your body its macro and micro nutrient requirements
Steps to take => BEFORE YOU EAT – THINK OF THIS?
What NOT to Eat
- Cut back on the body’s main fuel form – CARBS!
- What are carbs?
- Everything that TASTES good, but AREN’T the best choices for you.
- Don’t drink your calories – instead water, water, water.
- AVOID foods that harm you
- Likewise, NOT eating enough meals harm your objective.
When you skip meals or don’t eat enough meals the end result is an impedment in your metabolic goal.
Your Goal
Mind your business of SPEEDING your metabolism to BURN FAT, effectively. And that’s how you go from unhealthy to healthy, or from ok health to super health.
LOW-FAT? YOU CAN KISS MY MUFFIN!
Let me guess.
The alarm didn’t go off?
Kids, acting up and didn’t want to get dress?
You got a flat on your way to work?
I’m not a big breakfast eater?
Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.
We, on the whole, can come up with the easiest and sometimes craziest excuses to forgo a nutritious breakfast.
If our jobs depended for us to eat healthy for bonuses, raises, and promotions, how many of you would reconsider your meal selections?
Ask yourself that question. Then, think about it. Hmmmm…
However, what if I said at times when you believed you were making the right choice, in actuality, you were bamboozled!
Can you imagine that? (Hopefully, you sense my sarcasm.)
A product glorified as a healthy choice, yet, once dissected unravels a whole different story.
Fact:
Calories in Low Fat Blueberry Muffin
Now granted, we all have been guilty of walking into one of our favorite morning places (you know the kind that serves premium coffee and an eye-popping selection of pasteries) and thought, “Let me grab something quick to put in my stomach – it’s better than nothing!”
Well – is it better than nothing?
The nutrition facts about show and tell me different.
Still can’t figure it out?
Let me help you.
Most fat in muffins comes from plant oils, which are rich sources of “good” fats–the unsaturated fats that are healthy for the heart. When the fat’s cut back, what’s left? White flour and sugar-refined carbohydrates that the body breaks down in a flash, leading to a rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin, followed by a rapid drop, and an all-too-quick return of the hunger pangs that led you to eat that muffin in the first place. It’s a perfect recipe for weight gain, masquerading as a “better-for-you” choice
Nutrition Source Harvard School of Public Health
And if that doesn’t get your attention how about the fact since low-fat choices, typically, aren’t as flavorful as their full-fat counterparts, makers are quite heavy on the salt.Check it out for yourself.
What are your options?
In, BETTER THAN YOUR BREAKFAST CEREAL, BAGEL, OR TOAST, I share with you three QUICK ways to get not only something to fill your tummy, more so, powerfully packed NUTRITIOUS selections that’ll last you until way after you hit the pavement running.
Since, you’re at this point you might as well check it. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain (except weight).
Here’s your answer: BETTER THAN YOUR BREAKFAST CEREAL, BAGEL, OR TOAST
SUPPLEMENTS: I NEVER LEAVE THEM OUT
There’s a huge seesaw battle on the significance supplements should play in a person’s regimen.
I eat clean.
My plates are colorful.
My water intake is plenty.
And I don’t count calories.
However, I was curious to see what the outcome would be if I used About.com’s Calorie Count Meter.
My Report Card
By the end of this day I earned a B+ rating.
Why?
Well, the end result read like this:
Carbs = Too Low
Sat Fat = Too High
Fiber = Too High
Vit A = Too Low
Calcium = Too Low
Iron = Too Low
(only noted the “poor” grading)
Not being an expert on nutrition, I reflect my daily meals selection, and from what I can recall I did really well by my own standards.
So, where did I go wrong?
As I mentioned yesterday, “Through the hustle and bustle of extracurricular activities, parent-teacher conferences and homework, making sure we are getting proper nutrition can be difficult.”
My Opinion
Unfortunately, even if you’re eating right, you’re still probably not getting enough vitamins and nutrients from your diet for optimum health. Many of today’s foods don’t pack the nutritional punch they did years ago. According to a report published in the Journal of HortScience, the average vegetable found in today’s supermarket is anywhere from 5% to 40% lower in minerals (including magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc) than those harvested just 50 years ago.
“Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. It appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements,” according to the statement in JAMA. Physicians are paying attention.
Did you know that 72 percent of physicians personally use dietary supplements?
Obviously, supplementing is an ideal road map for health.
Late Edition: Tune Up Your Blood Sugar
Never have I experienced the complications I endured putting this blog together. Sheeesh. Patience is a virute. On another note,
Welcome back. Welcome back. Welcome back.
Thanksgiving is such an eventful holiday.
It’s a time when people just indulge. Go all out on there favorite dessert platters and dishes. Man, I am so thankful for the Posey family opening their home and inviting me to experience a true Georgia Thanksgiving.
The food selection included a variety of my favorite choices and others I’ve never had before. For instance, the sweet taste of Miss Sybil’s White Chocolate Cream Cheese Sweet Potato Cake.
My, my, my that savory taste will never escape my memory. I digress and return to you for this last edition in November is Diabetes Month.
So, let’s go back and look under the hood of your million dollar vehicle, the body, to “Tune Up Your Blood Sugar.”
At the beginning of the month, we shared the 3 steps to preventing Type II Diabetes as:
- eating a healthy diet
- keeping weight in check
- being active
We then introduced in the following week a safe and effective product to not only control your blood sugar levels, also, help you to lose weight:
If you’re open to a solution for blood sugar management, GlucAffect really delivers.
Dan Vance, Kaysville, UT
EMAIL ME FOR MORE PRODUCT INFORMATION
Last, we defined, specifically, what the 3 steps of prevention broke down to:
- Choosing a diet rich in whole grains and healthy fats adds even more protection, limit red meat , and go for healthier protein sources instead, such as nuts, beans, poultry, and fish.
- To lose weight permanently, you must make a commitment to gradually adopt a healthier way of life.
- By exercising, it will take the blood sugar out of your blood to help you manage it.
I, don’t make any medical claims, treatments, or cures. However, what I do know is when you treat your body to an active lifestyle, keep your weight in check, supply your body with the greatest nutrition, your body is a miracle and can change for the better.
I hope those who come across this blog are inspired to leave a comment and voice their thoughts.
3 Steps on How to Prevent T-II Diabetes
Gazing upon a life full of health & fitness
At the start of this month, I published a blog discussing the reality on Diabetes and the prevalence of its rapid growth. Not to mention, the astronomical number of folks who don’t have a clue they’re living with it. Also, included in that piece, were preventable tips in taking a stand against acquiring type II Diabetes, most commonly known as “adult onset” diabetes.
Those 3 steps to preventing Type II Diabetes are:
- eating a healthy diet
- keeping weight in check
- being active
Now I personally think it’s relatively easy formula, but honestly speaking I’m an athlete. I’ve had almost 20 years of experience in eating a healthy diet, keeping my weight in check, and being active. However, the average individual hasn’t seen the inside of a gym.
Therefore, it would behoove me to think my suggestions are received enthusiatically. For those who don’t understand the make-up or dynamics of nutrition and exercise read blogs, like this one, as if they were studying Japanese. It’s a FOREIGN concept!
With that being said, the aformentioned tips will be constructed into questions for your benefit.
Q: What does it mean by “eating a healthy diet?”
Harvard School of Public Health says, “Choosing a diet rich in whole grains and healthy fats adds even more protection—skip the refined grains and sugary soda. Limiting red meat—steak, hamburger, pork chops, and the like—and avoiding processed meat—bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats—can also help lower diabetes risk. Go for healthier protein sources instead, such as nuts, beans, poultry, and fish.”
Q: How do I “keep my weight in check?”
“Weight Loss: Keeping the Weight Off“, a WebMD article encourages, “To lose weight permanently, you must make a commitment to gradually adopt a healthier way of life. Don’t fall back on those unhealthy eating habits you had before you lost weight. Controlling your weight is not an impossible task. Balancing what you eat with how much you exercise will help you maintain your new weight.” Continue Reading
Which brings me to my last question:
Q: Can you explain what is “being active?”
“Exercise is an important part of controlling diabetes,” says Larry Bergstrom, M.D., of Mayo Clinic. “Your skeletal muscle is an important area that uses blood sugar. So by using your muscles, it will take the blood sugar out of your blood to help you manage it.”
Bergstrom says that any sort of physical, regular aerobic exercise on a daily basis will help you — even just walking. “It’s easy to do,” he says. “And it’s something that can be done anywhere.”
Here is an EASY to follow basic beginning routine of exercises that everyone should do.
Delicious Natural Cinnamon Taste
People who are overweight are more likely to have insulin resistance, because fat interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin. Family history and genetics play a large role in Type II diabetes.
Regular exercise lowers your blood sugar level without medication and helps burn excess calories and fat so you can manage your weight
Strength training also increases your metabolism.
Tune Up Your Diet
Four dietary changes can have a big impact on the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Choose whole grains and whole grain products over highly processed carbohydrates.
- Skip the sugary drinks, and choose water, coffee, or tea instead.
- Choose good fats instead of bad fats.
- Limit red meat and avoid processed meat; choose nuts, whole grains, poultry, or fish instead.
If you’re open to a solution for blood sugar management, GlucAffect really delivers.
Dan Vance, Kaysville, UT
Here are the top 7 reasons why Glucaffect is the solution to any blood sugar quadratic equation:
1. clinically shown 4 daily servings lowered fasting blood glucose by an average of 30% and lost an average of nearly 16 lbs
2. unites nutrition science’s most cutting-edge ingredients
3. Pycnogenol – natural super-antioxidant, proven to help lower blood glucose levels, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and blood pressure and improve overall health
4. Omega 3 Fish Oil – promotes cardiovascular health and helps maintain optimum blood pressure and cholesterol levels
5. contains many advanced ingredients clinically proven to support blood sugar management and neutralize free radicals
6. Cinnamon cream flavor – delicious taste along with the added natural blood sugar management support of cinnamon
7. Rapid dissolvability – perfect addition to your morning coffee afternoon tea or one of your daily Reliv shakes
5 Steps to Better Women’s Health
In life, do you know what’s the one thing you can always bet on?
– Losing something
In your youth, you’re faced with an assortment of challenges, obstacles, or dilemmas; each one aiding in your growth as an adult. As time continued, you gained friends, knowledge, skills, wisdom, and memories. Additionally, with each passing year, you turn one year older. It’s said the older you are the wiser you become, you’re an expert in your career field, and your memories are limitless. But, you also lose things the older you get. Friendships, for whatever reasons are lost. Hair thins out and falls. Our ability to perform certain activities you truly enjoyed are a distant memory. Likewise, on the ocassion some of us lose our health – which can lead to losing your zeal for life.
Living is more than just existing. You and I have a purpose in life; however purposeful is up to you to discover.
Living a purpose driven life for me is:
Living life happily
Living life to the fullest
Living life healthy.
In one perspective, it’s a perfect marriage. On the other hand, if you lose your health, you’re bound to lose the other two.
What’s more important than your health?
Absolutely Nothing. Not your business, not your boss, not your children. When you lose your health EVERONE suffers.
Since we’re in the Pink Ribbon month, today’s piece will focus on 5 Steps to Better Women’s Health. 
Women are blessed angels here on earth. As ambassadors of multi-tasking, women tend to be left with a “to do” list that involves only herself while caring for everyone else. Though women are notorious multi-taskers who function best with a list in their hand, mama must take care of herself to be able to better care for others. And if mama’s happy, everyone’s happy! 🙂
With that being said, treat yourself to the gift of better health by following this simple five-step checklist.
One of every eight adult women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. Nutrition plays an important role in breast health.
Best ways to lower your risk of breast cancer include:
• staying physically active by getting regular exercise.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or find out the risks and benefits of HRT and if it is right for you.
• Limit the amount of alcohol that you drink.
Likewise, make sure you’re topping off your day with enough Vitamin D. In a Nurses’ Health Study, women who had higher blood levels of vitamin D had a 30 percent reduced breast cancer risk. Further studies suggest regular, moderate consumption of soy foods lowers the incidence of breast cancer. Target range is at least 11 grams of soy per day. Reliv’s Now and Classic includes 7 grams of soy protein, in addition to, optimal blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbs.
In an effort to enhance your immune system, antioxidants as in selenium and beta carotene promotes breast health, as well. So the combination of a well-rounded diet generous in fruits and vegetables and your daily Reliv shakes is a great start towards healthier breast.
Calcium and Vitamin D are needed for strong bones, but other nutrients can play an influential role also. Research show the isoflavones found in soy foods may prevent osteoporosis. In like manner, studies show the polyphenols in green tea help build bone strength. Reliv’s SoySentials, women’s health formula, presents these nutrients together in a synergistic combination for maximum benefits.
3. Lose Weight
Control your weight and exercise. Yet, in today’s fast paced society who has the time to calculate points, calories, carbs or grams? With Reliv’s Slimpicity Weight Loss System losing weight doesn’t have to be complicated. This delicious, meal-replacement shake rich in satisfying soy protein and Accelerator Capsules incorporates advanced ingredients to curb your appetite and boost your meta-bolism. Moreoever, this simple system includes a pedometer, exercise and food journal, meal plans and ongoing support to help you achieve your weight loss goal the safe and effective way.
4. Manage PMS and Menopausal Symptoms
What kind of women are you when “it’s that time of the month”? If your PMS sends you into an Incredible Hulk mode, bump up your vitamin B consumption, more so thiamin and riboflavin. Research suggests B vitamins can reduce PMS symptoms by 35 percent. Furthermore, diets rich in calcium and vitamin D can aid symptoms while lowering the risk of developing the dreaded PMS. So, work more soy, specifically isoflavones found in soy, reducing the consistency of bothersome hot flashes due to menopause. Reliv’s SoySentials contains a unique blend of soy protein (10 grams per serving), potent antioxidants, probiotics and herbs to ease the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Together, the balance ingredients work to promote bone health, support the immune system, and keep your body performing at its peak.
For those of you who experience the tired, run down feeling, incorporate some kind of exercise daily. Excercise actually boots energy levels to get more accomplished in your day. As you are aware, exercise also promotes weight loss and benefits yours bones, breast and heart. Did you know, maintaing an active lifestyle also helps reduce energy-sucking stress? To give you a bit of a kick in your day, add Reliv’s 24K, the 2011 winner of People’s Choice Award for Best Product of the Year. With its blend of resveratrol, B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids to break through brain fog, reduce stress and increase energy, this caffeine-free, sugar-free energy drink has 24 health-promoting ingredients giving you the ability to fly through your day to-do list with energy left over to enjoy your family and friends!
Click here to learn more about the Reliv Difference and why it sits at number 2 under “extreme” nutritional support for cancer patients and others, for many reasons by the AACI.
The statements and products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Those seeking treatment for a specific disease should consult a qualified Naturopathic physician prior to using alternative products, where possible.
Nucleus of Our Lives
Some nights I lay in the still dark listening.
I hear random noises. Cars pulling up to their apartments. Teenagers frolicking doing teenage things. The creaks of a support beam settling in the midst of its aging structure.
Then I hear the thump-thump. Thump-Thump. Thump-Thump. An often forgotten, however, notable component to your and my existence.
A heart, with its 100,000 times beats on any given day and up to 2,000 gallons of blood pumping a day. Who works harder than that little guy?
Ever wonder what’s the actual size of your heart? A normal, healthy heart is the size of an adult fist clenched up. Go ahead and size it up. You know you want to!
Let me quickly state this isn’t a bash and burn folks. On the contrary, a lesson of simple steps to fine-tune your diet or correcting unhealthy eating habits to prevent heart disease.
Mayoclinic.com provides 8 steps to prevent heart disease.
I’m going to key in on two steps the reliving way:
Two Vital Steps to Protect Your Heart
Control Cholesterol.
Your risk for a heart attack rises with your cholesterol levels. Cholesterol builds up and narrows your arteries and makes them less flexible. To counter cholesterol, make plant sterols your friend. Plant sterols are found naturally in some vegetable oils, nuts, grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Soy is a significant source of plant sterols.
Plant sterols have been shown to reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by 20 percent in people with metabolic syndrome even if they continued eating a typical “Western” diet. The study showed those taking daily doses of plant sterols also dropped their total cholesterol by 16 percent, and their triglyceride levels by 19 percent.
Reliv’s CardioSentials®, loaded with plant sterols and other heart-smart nutrients, has been clinically shown to reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides for people with high cholesterol, as well as increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol and reduce blood glucose levels.
While soy benefits heart health because of its plant sterols and other antioxidants, the impact of soy and fiber together are even more powerful. One of fiber’s key heart benefits is reducing cholesterol. The combination of fiber-rich FibRestore® and soy-based Reliv Now® create a one-two punch against cholesterol. A clinical study found these products together reduce average cholesterol by 14 percent while they also reduce LDL, triglycerides, and uric acid.
Bring Down Blood Pressure.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing heart disease and significantly increases stroke risk. One easy way to lower blood pressure is to bump up your soy intake. A combination of studies has shown taking soy isoflavone with soy protein each day lowers blood pressure as much as taking blood pressure medication.
Studies also show fiber can help reduce or even prevent high blood pressure. A Harvard study showed an intake of 20 grams/day or more of fiber provided significant protection against developing high blood pressure. FibRestore contains 10 grams of fiber in each serving to put you well on your way to reaching your optimum fiber count.
Did You Know……
Get Your Heart Pumping
Your heart also needs a regular workout. Studies show adding at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three or more times a week can increase your HDL (“good”) cholesterol by 5-10 percent and lower your triglycerides.
foodfrommyheart 
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