Fight Fat The Right Way & What’s New With The Weight Loss Challengers

The first year I was in college, like so many, I gained the “Freshman 15”.  By my sophomore year I gained another 25 pounds.  Friends and family made comments to encourage me to lose the weight but it was when I couldn’t fit into the largest pair of jeans at a store that I started to do something about it.  When I got married in 1985 I had lost 25 pounds.  It wasn’t until after the birth of my first daughter, Hannah, in 1987 that I finally got down to a healthy weight.  Then in 1999 I was in the hospital on an IV to stop the Multiple Sclerosis episode that was wrecking havoc on my body and I gained 55 pounds as a side effect of the medication in the IV.  Oh, I was right back to feeling totally “fat”.  It took me a few years to regain my healthy body weight.  I’m sure most of us have had a love-hate relationship with fat; whether it is either losing it or wishing it was somewhere else on our body.

 Here are the ways to Lose Fat: The Right Way

·         Curb Sugar Cravings with Natural Sweeteners- Next time a sugar craving calls, reach for XyloSweet or Stevia.  Unlike cane and refined sugar, xylitol is derived from foods like corn, strawberries, and plums.  The sweetener Stevia comes from the leaves of a plant in the sunflower family.  Both have low glycemic indexes so they won’t spike your blood sugar level and prime you for a “crash” later.

       Don’t Lose Too Much Too Soon – Crash dieting leads to loose skin and the possibility of releasing toxins into the body that have been stored in fat cells leading to fatigue and not feeling well.  Think about how long it took to gain the weight and use that timeline in your process to lose the weight.  You will make a long-term change for a living a life at a healthy weight.  Remember:  Slow and steady wins the race!

·         Lose Fat And Fight Flabby Skin – Retain elastic skin by adding strength training into your workout because it creates muscle tone.  Lean muscle helps prevent the skin from getting saggy.

·         What To Eat – Not only will you prevent illness and have a glowing complexion but the fiber found in fruits and vegetables help you feel full without a lot of calories.  Fiber rich and lean protein foods allow you to feel fuller for longer and prevent weight gain without sacrificing energy.

·         Moves To Do – Mix together cardio and strength training moves over the course of an hour like a circuit training routine.  Moving quickly from one move to the next keeps your heart up so you burn calories and fat.  Strength training cranks up your metabolism for a sexy, lean silhouette.

Renee is one of our challengers losing weight at a healthy and right way. 

Meet Our Newest Weight Loss Challenger:  Brendan – Lost 11.2 pounds in 1 month

Brendan, a 6’3”- 28 year old young man, began the Weight Loss Challenge on March 7, 2012.  Brendan as a football player in high school was in good physical shape then.  A couple of years ago he tried a fasting diet and lost 80 pounds but those pounds returned.  With a loss of 11.2 pounds, Brendan has more energy and is able to return to the gym, which will only increase his results.  Brendan has noticed an improvement in his skin since taking all the supplements in the program.  He says “my skin is softer, better and not as greasy.”  We can’t wait for his next results.  Way to go Brendan!!!

Update on Weight Challenger:  Joey

Joey has had to face some challenges with his heavy work schedule, causing extra stress but his weight loss continues.  Joey has lost another 5.8 pounds for a total loss of 18.8 pounds.  Despite the obstacles life has thrown in Joey’s way, he continues to stick to the program. Awesome job, Joey!!!

Update 3: Super Challengers Update, Weight Loss & Antioxidant!

It is hard to believe it has been a complete 4 weeks since Wendy and Renee began their weight loss challenge! Everyone should love thy challenges to better themselves and their health. Here are their results:
Renee
Week 1 – “I’m not sure how this is going to fit in my life.” (schedule and family), Excited and pleased to be doing this. “This is the missing piece, I’ve been exercising and the weight isn’t coming off.
Week 5 – She is really happy her clothes are fitting better, she is feeling really good, and when I reviewed her food diary she is making really good choices, even staying on diet while in Disneyland with her family! Renee was able to run a 10K!

Total loss 8 lbs!


Wendy
Week 1 – “Very disciplined on my exercise so it’s the eating that is so difficult. The menu suggestions are what I need. I don’t feel comfortable at my current weight. I know I would feel more comfortable and confident if I could lose this extra weight.”
Week 5 – She feels awesome! She feels like she has learned a lot about choices which was the most important thing for her lifestyle change. She has been working out like crazy and has gained a lot of muscle. She looks like she has lost a lot more weight then she has. Wendy and I ran 6.7 miles(!) through the hills of Serrano last Friday! I didn’t think I could do it either!
Total loss 4.2 lbs!
  hear how Joey is doing (hint: able to snowboard regularly for the first time in years!) Also why Apple Cider Vinegar is so good to have in your home.

***Next week on Wednesday, February 29th from 4:30 – 6:30 we will be having another Antioxidant Scanning Clinic and we will find out how our Challengers antioxidant scores are after having taken their supplements since they last tested on January 23rd. Anyone who was not tested before, please feel free to come and get your score. It truly only takes 90 seconds.

Until then here are some quotes from our Antioxidant Challengers as to how they are doing and feeling:
Joy – “I find I easily remember to take them twice a day and I’m usually sick through the winter and I have not been sick while taking these!”
Mike – “I always remember to take them with breakfast and I am usually sick in the winter and have not gotten sick yet!”
Hannah- “I haven’t gotten sick once and I feel much stronger. Actually she said, “I feel mas fuerte.”

Health Tip: Yoga Is Not For Sissies!
Three weeks ago I started shoulder therapy yoga for my right shoulder which was injured during my High Intensity Strength and Conditioning classes at the gym. Despite all exercise modifications, my shoulder still ached and burned. Then I found Ashley Murray, Morning Mist Nutrition and Yoga, to help my shoulder. My shoulder is healing but it is tough work! Sometimes I shake so badly while in a pose I think I might fall over but I don’t. What does yoga mean?
Yoga means “joined together.” The word comes from the ancient Sanskrit root word yug, which means “to unify.” Many people practice yoga for its asanas, its physical exercises, which are regularly acclaimed to be extraordinarily health-giving by many doctors around the world. Think about trying out a yoga class in your area!