RedHot Health Seminar Cancer & Weight Tuesday 27th March 7-9pm

January 6, 2012 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Seminars & Events

Actions & Foods that help prevent and fight cancer as well as help you lose weight and feel great.

Give yourself More Time, More Quality, More Health & Weight Success. Book Today

  • 1 in 2 people are affected by cancer and it is the leading cause of death in children under 17.
  • Carrying extra weight increases your risk of cancer and other diseases.
  • You can fight back with food.
Helen FrostAustralia’s Leading  Nutrition Educator  – will provide some amazing insights into how to use food in the most positive ways. To Book
The timing and quality of food is often a poor second cousin to other habits and forms of treatment yet after the air you breathe and the water you drink, it is the most essential lifeline. We sometimes think we eat well but do we really eat well enough to give ourselves the best chance of life extension and comfortable weight control.
Get some RedHOT tips and learn about:
  • The foods that feed cancer and hit your hips
  • The fight back & fat loss foods
  • The muscle and strength foods
  • The energy and staying power foods
  • The calming and uplifting foods
  • The rebuilding and healing foods
  • The defense and protection foods
The New Inspiration
Great for the whole family. Get everyone on the same page to look, feel and perform to your true potential.
Tickets: General Admission $25 each. Children: under 17 are FREE. Book Today
Where: Niche Conference Centre, Nedlands. Perth. Book Today
Time: 7-9pm
WATER: Liquid Gold
Just a 2% drop in water can affect your short term memory, increase your acidity and slow down weight loss. Cancer thrives in acid.
Next to oxygen, WATER is the most important nutrient (over 70% of your body) for cancer prevention, better health and weight control. The dehydration from lack of water and the toxic chemicals in regular tap water,can cause many physical & mental pains and cause illness & is linked to all degenerative diseases.
To enhance your family’s health, drink the best natural, chemical free spring water in Australia.www.apostle.com.au
DRINK the BEST WATER at the Seminar
Experience the pleasure and the smooth chemical free taste of the Apostle Water. Bring you water bottle and fill up. You will just love it!
Love Getting Healthy

YOUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON YOUR ENJOYMENT

September 15, 2011 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Random Stuff

You’ll never achieve real success unless you like what you’re doing.
What you do is more important than how much money you make.
How you feel about what you do is more important than what you do.

The more you love what you’re doing, the more successful it will be for you.
Don’t set compensation as your goal.
Find the work you like and the compensation will follow.

You don’t pay the price of success; you enjoy the price of success.

The Benefits of a Colorful Plate

September 15, 2011 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Random Stuff

Fruits and vegetables come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. They provide the beneficial nutrients that play a big role in preventing many diseases.

The World Health Organization now recommends nine servings/cups of fruits and vegetables every day, but it is very important to eat a variety of colors so you get all the nutrients you need.

Red (eg strawberries) are heart healthy, improve memory, lower cancer risk, and help maintain urinary tract health.

Orange (eg Oranges) lower cancer risk, help maintain vision, and help with a healthy immune system.

Yellow (eg Bell Pepper) Lower cancer risk, heart healthy, help maintain vision, and helps with a healthy immune system.

Green (eg Broccoli) Helps maintain vision, lowers cancer risk, and helps maintain strong bones and teeth.

Blue/Purple (eg Grapes) Lowers cancer risk, helps maintain urinary tract health, improves the memory function, and maintains healthy aging.

So, make your next meal colorful

If you struggle to eat the 9 cups of fruits and vegetables a day there is an easy way. I recommend you investigate the the most used nutritional whole food concentrate in the world.

Bear Grylls says, “Live Life to the PLUS”As he also says,

We all know that fruits and vegetables are the key to good health, but getting enough every day is hard. Juice Plus+® helps bridge that gap. It’s just a simple, natural way to help our whole family work towards the daily nutrition from fruits and vegetables that we all need.

Learn more about Juice PLUS+ the most researched and published nutrition product on the planet.

Corporate Health Presentations to Boost the Productivity of Your Work Force

September 15, 2011 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Random Stuff

While our economy is being challenged and pressures are high, we work more and become pressed for time as a result. That leads to eating less-than-healthy restaurant and convenience meals loaded with fat and sodium, failure to exercise, less time with our families, increased stress, lack of sleep, and other signs of a life grown off-kilter. Helen  can help you and your employees learn to take great care of themselves during these tough times.

This is the ultimate great health/wellness keynote. It has no “fad diet” information. Helen’s program is as hard-hitting, nutritionally sound, research based discussion about food and how it affects your body. Helen’s advice results in better performance in the workplace and life.

80% of senior executives operate at only 30% of their capacity due to poor lifestyle habits.

More than 2 million workers call in sick on any given day with some 660 million work days lost each year.

~ Healthy employees are more productive than chronically ill employees. It costs less to prevent injuries or illnesses than to treat them after they occur.

Learn about:

  • Foods you can eat to stay fit
  • Meals perfect for stressful times
  • “Slow poisons” you eat everyday
  • How to avoid feeling lethargic
  • The top ten foods that sabotage your weight loss efforts
  • How to avoid getting sick

~ Discover the benefits of implementing a corporate employee wellness program. Reduce healthcare costs, increase morale and create a more energetic, productive and successful workforce.

These programs can improve the bottom line. For every dollar spent on employee health programs, MILLIONS can be saved from lower healthcare costs.

This innovative keynote will explore myths of dieting; ways to increase your energy levels; and tips to become healthier. Helen’s keynote can include some of the topics below:

  • Eating on the Run
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Heart Smart – Eating to Lower Cholesterol
  • Effective Fat Loss Strategies
  • Label Awareness
  • The Sugar Nightmare
  • Healthy Meal Planning
  • Nutrition and Chronic Disease
  • Supplements: do they help or hinder

This program is a proven winner on all fronts – excellent content, lasting information, and fast results.

EAT RIGHT, LOOK GOOD, FEEL & WORK GREAT!

Create a plan for your health. Together we’ll examine the problems caused by our food choices. As Helen talks about her own life experience, you’ll recognize what you can do to take back control of your own health and well being. This life-changing program is guaranteed to leave you and your company thinking differently.

Learning Objectives:

* Find out why you may need to make some life-saving changes.
* Learn ways to reinvigorate your body and improve your health.
* Walk away with 8 specific steps you can implement to change your life.
* Understand why diets do not work and how they are dangerous.

**The companies that have incorporated these programs have found that an employees that is healthy is more efficient, happier and more productive.

Some facts about our state of health:

  • 80% of senior executives operate at only 30% of their capacity due to poor lifestyle habits.
  • A fatal heart attack suffered by a top executive can cost a firm $500,000 to $1000,000 in lost business, lost contracts, lost experience, higher insurance costs, recruitment and training costs.
  • More than 2 million workers call in sick on any given day with some 660 million work days lost each year.
  • More than $500 million is spent on lower back pain alone, plus an additional 2 billion that is attributable to lost productivity
  • Women today have 250% greater chance of getting breast cancer than 50 years ago.
  • Prostate cancer has increased over 126%.
  • 1 in 2 people now get cancer.

It’s time to stop the rot by knowing how to build a healthy, strong and prosperous future.

For booking information call REDHOT Health on
08 93108390 or e-mail Helen Frost at
helen@helenfrost.com.au

SUNDAY JANUARY 22 12.30 TO 5.30PM

September 8, 2011 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Seminars & Events

RedHot Health “Learn & Burn” Work Shop

Do these comments ring true?
These are comments from people before they attended the RedHot Health “Learn & Burn” Work Shop
Feel fat, hate shopping for clothes, can’t wear nice, smaller clothes, poor body image, don’t feel good in jeans, not as confident, tired a lot, emotional eating, embarrassed, don’t feel as sexy, lack of will
power, moody, feel like crap, not motivated, low self control, eat when stressed or bored, no will power, crave and binge, don’t like the bulges, disappointment, frustration, low self pride…

Allan’s Inspirational 60 day FAT LOSS following the “Learn & Burn” principals
· Tummy loss? 13cmms
· Chest? 11cmms
· Thighs? 7cmms
· Neck? 6cmms
- 15kgs

From Allan Stiles
Managing Director; Grand Cinemas

Brenda’s Story
Hi Helen, whoohoo – I have lost 24 cms in just 2 weeks – the biggest loss
being 8cms off my tummy . How great is that!! I have not really lost any
weight and it would normally be about this time that I would lose a bit of
motivation (because of no weight loss) but because I am charting my
measurements and comparing each week this has been a great motivator.
Thank you for all your inspirational emails by the way – they are also a
great motivator as it feels like someone is checking in on us all.
You are an absolute legend! Excited Regards Brenda



Quick Health Tips

April 9, 2010 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Nutrition

Muscles burn more calories

Lifting weights is a great way to stimulate your metabolism. Every ½ kilo of muscle in your body burns 35-50 calories per day, where every ½ kilo of fat burns only 2 calories per day.

Brushing well to prevent heart problems

According to a University of Minnesota study, proper teeth brushing can help prevent blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.  The study revealed that bacterial deposits accumulated in the teeth due to lack of regular brushing can find their way into the blood stream and help form clots.

Breathing for brain power

The human brain makes up only 2% of your body weight; however it consumes 20% of the oxygen you breathe in. You can actually increase your creativity and learning power by taking a few minutes to relax and breathe deeply before starting any new project

Sleep your skin younger

Most people require at least 7 hours of sleep per night. It is during this time that your body produces collagen and elastin; two proteins which help your skin stay smooth and look younger.

Carbohydrates cause eye problems

Refined carbohydrates (white bread, sugar and flour, cakes, biscuits, soft drink, lollies, chocolates etc) can raise the risk of eye sight problems from macular degeneration by 49%.  According to a study at Tufts University, when your sugar load exceeds your cells ability to use it, protein in the eyes can become damaged and the eye sight can deteriorate.

Trans Fats can make you fat and sick

Avoid partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated oil; this is man-made oil that contains Trans Fats.

Margarine, Ramen noodles and soup cups, fries, chicken, and other foods are deep-fried in partially hydrogenated oil, frozen pies, pot pies, waffles, pizzas, even breaded fish sticks, doughnuts, cookies and cakes, chips and crackers, processed breakfast food, toppings and dips. Non dairy creamers and flavored coffees, whipped toppings, bean dips, gravy mixes and salad dressings contain trans fat.

These fats bind to a spot on your cells that will block your metabolism, slow fat burning, increases your cholesterol and lead to insulin resistance or trouble regulating blood sugar and diabetes

Junk Food = Junky health

The experts tell us about 45% of all food eaten is from the fast junk food restaurants. They also tell us that at least 60% of the food sold in grocery stores is from the non fruits and vegetable area and categorized as junk food. This means that approximately 80% of all food that is consumed is Junk Food. Junk Food is linked to all minor and major health problems. You can make a difference in your health by not eating junk food.

Avoid Table Salt: Learn Why You Should Switch to Unrefined Sea Salt

April 9, 2010 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Nutrition

(Most modern health problems that have been linked to sodium are actually caused by the condition of the salt we eat. The typical modern salt product can be compared to refined sugar and refined flour – it used to be a healthful, whole food, but it has now been stripped and processed into a disaster waiting to happen. What began as an essential nutrient is disfigured into a detriment to our health.

Salt has earned a bad reputation in recent years, so it comes as quite a surprise to hear this seasoning is actually necessary for good health. In fact, every cell in the body requires salt to function. Salt is needed for countless functions in the body, including everything from blood sugar regulation to bone density to circulatory health. And because we lose salt constantly during the day through urine and perspiration, it`s important that we replenish it. It’s impossible to try and replace lost sodium with commercial table salt because it is refined and incomplete. Instead, include a high-quality unrefined sea salt in your diet to replenish the sodium, trace minerals and electrolytes your body needs.

Commercial salt is refined by drying at a heat in excess of 1,000 degrees which destroys beneficial substances in salt. This heat also causes chemical distortions that turn salt into sodium chloride, a substance that does no good in the body. Table salt is full of additives, fluoride, anti-caking agents, excessive amounts of potassium iodide and other poisons. Many versions of commercial salt also contain aluminum derivatives, which are known to be highly toxic.

These additives can cause discoloration in salt, so bleaching agents are then used to restore the desirable white color. It`s no wonder refined commercial salt is causing so many health problems.

Unrefined sea salt, naturally harvested and dried in the sun, contains a wealth of trace minerals and electrolytes. Our bodies only need small amounts of these nutrients, but they are absolutely vital for a variety of functions in the body. They are key players in enzyme production as well as immune system, adrenal and thyroid function.

Table salt causes imbalances of fluid throughout the body and puts a great deal of strain on the elimination systems. Unrefined sea salt allows the body to achieve a balance of water both inside and outside cells. With adequate natural sodium and pure water, conditions like gout, muscle cramps, water retention and edema disappear.

Real salt stimulates the production of enzymes and digestive juices which are necessary for the body to utilize nutrients from the foods we eat. This can be especially beneficial for people whose diet consists mainly of cooked foods, since cooking foods destroys enzyme content. Unrefined sea salt can help the body digest these foods properly.

Packaged and processed foods are hidden sources of commercial salt. Avoid these types of foods as much as possible, and be careful to check the labels of the other foods you buy. Even fresh meats are often packaged in broths made with refined salt.

Although unrefined sea salt can be considered a health food, it should still be used with wisdom and moderation. Excess salt is not healthy for anyone, and certain individuals may be more sensitive to sodium than others.

(Natural News) by Elizabeth Walling, citizen journalist

Kids Nutrition – NOURISHING YOUNG BODIES AND BRAINS

February 3, 2010 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Kids Nutrition

Giving young children a varied, balanced diet of whole live foods is the best way to give them the best start in life and contribute to their health in later life. Their mental and physical well being is determined by the quality of foods being provided every day. Whether it is breast milk or solids the nutritional quality is of great importance.

Breast feeding from birth is always the preferred option. Breast milk is made from the foods the mother eats, so it is vital that she understands how to eat in a nourishing balanced way so the quality of milk can provide a great start to life and build a strong immune system.

Many mothers do not understand how to nourish themselves to make high quality breast milk. If the breast milk is lacking nutrients a baby tends to demand feed very often in an attempt to get the required nutrition. This can become very exhausting for the mother who seems to be constantly feeding. If the milk can not provide the right sustenance the mother is often forced to revert to formula feeding in an attempt to settle the baby. Increased protein levels are required during breast feeding and eating a wide range of whole natural foods is essential to make high quality breast milk. Mothers need to avoid the junk foods and drink plenty of clean water.

When a baby is beginning to eat solid foods it is important we do not impose our personal tastes and preferences on children eg adding too much salt, sugar etc. Sometimes we think they will not enjoy food unless it tastes like we like it. This is not true because their taste buds are unadulterated until we start providing foods for them to eat. Children’s taste, pallet and growth process should not be burdened by the packaged and processed convenience foods that contain high sugar, high fat, and artificial additives.

If the taste is influenced by these low nutrition foods at a young age it is often difficult to get children to eat the natural, high nutrition foods. This is because their taste buds have been highly and artificially geared to the excessive taste and flavour of the processed foods.

A little bit of junk occasionally is ok. But children in this day and age have far too much access to the junk foods than ever before. As a result, children are getting fat, have health & learning problems and often display unacceptable behaviour due to the negative chemical balance from too much of the wrong foods.

When introducing solid foods like fruits and vegetables and whole grains they should be lightly steamed or stewed (avoid micro waving) then blended in preference to using processed baby foods. They may be convenient, but no tinned food, can provide the quality of nutrition that freshly prepared foods can give to a growing child. Time invested in fresh food preparation, is the best investment in the health of your child.

FUEL YOUR KIDS UP RIGHT

We and our children are just a walking, living, breathing chemical concoction of air, water and food in human form. These three things are our fuel (energy), our brain & body parts and our life. High quality fuel provides higher energy, growth, brain power, performance, healing power, health and quality of life. Low quality fuel provides the opposite… low energy, low performance and poor quality health.

IS IT LIVE or DEAD…Foods & drinks can be classified for quick reference as LIVE (high quality fuel) or DEAD (low quality fuel).

The most LIVE foods are when they are still growing in the ground or on the tree and still running around the paddock or swimming. The DEAD foods are the most processed ones in a packet or tin. As soon as we pick, pull, pluck or slit its throat, food start to lose its life and energy. The further away from nature (from the ground, tree or paddock) the less life and health potential a food has.

LIVE FOODS are fresh foods like raw fruits and vegetables, legumes & beans, whole grains like brown rice and rolled oats, whole meal & grain bread and pasta, nuts and seeds, fresh eggs, lean meat, chicken, fish, dairy products and other unprocessed animal products, essentials oils like olive oil, avocado and coconut oil and clean water.

FACT: LIVE foods help to build strong live brains & bodies, build a strong immune system to defend us from disease and keep us healthy and vital.

You will find the LIVE foods mainly around the sides and back sections of the supermarket in the refrigerated areas.

DEAD FOODS are man made, processed factory foods. If you can’t recognize what tree, plant or animal it came from it is probably nearly or completely Dead. Everything we do to food takes life away from it. By the time it has been heated, flattened, squashed, squeezed, preserved, puffed etc and put in a tin or packet it can be Dead. These foods don’t resemble a living thing and usually have high levels of sugar, fat, white flour, salt and artificial additives, colours, flavours & preservatives. E.g. white bread, pastries and white pasta, cakes, chocolates, biscuits, lollies, ice-cream, margarine, processed meats, takeaways, soft drink, alcohol, cordial, carton drinks, etc.

FACT: You can’t build live healthy brains & body parts or strong immune systems out of DEAD foods. Dead foods can only build low energy, weight problems, organ breakdown, aches & pains, depression, ADHD and other learning & concentration issues, cravings, headaches, allergies, colds & flu, bowel problems etc and the more serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, auto immune problems etc

You will find most Dead foods in the inside isles of the supermarket in tins & packets. The longer the use by date, the more questionable the nutrition and deader the food or drink.

REMEMBER…You can only build LIVE healthy brains, bodies and performance with LIVE food.

APPLYING THE BALANCE OF GOOD HEALTH

By the time children are a year old they can be established on family meals. Breast feeding as long as possible is still a great provider of nutrition and immunity after 1 year old. Solids should not be introduced too early as their digestive system is still developing and not in full functioning order. Allergies and digestive and health issues are often the result of an inability to break down foods properly due to the under developed digestive system.

1. Fruit and Vegetables:

E.g. a wide variety of different coloured fresh & naturally dried fruits and vegetables

Aim for 4+ servings daily. A serving is ¼ to ½ cup of vegetables, a handful of grapes, a piece of fruit etc. Chop fruits & vegetables into bite size pieces.

These are good sources of vitamins and minerals & antioxidants which protect against bugs, sickness and disease and provide essential growth nutrients.

Tinned fruits & vegetables lack nutrition and should not be used in preference to the fresh varieties. They may taste good but they lack goodness. Always use the real thing.

2. Protein:

E.g. lean meat, chicken, fish, milk and dairy group, eggs, beans and pulses

These are good sources of protein and iron. Iron intake of young children has been shown to be generally poor so it is important to encourage these foods at each meal

It is not recommended that children under 5 be given a vegan diet as this can make it difficult for them to get enough iron, calcium, protein and vitamin B12.

E.g. milk, cheese, natural yoghurt

These foods can provide calcium for teeth and bones. Children under 2 years should not be given low fat varieties such as semi-skimmed or skimmed milk as these are an important source of calories and fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A & D. Children over 2 may be given low fat varieties if they are growing well and having a varied whole food diet.

NB Due to the processed nature of some dairy products like milk, they can be common allergy foods. An inability to break them down properly may lead to sinus, mucus, asthma, wind, bloating, skin problems etc. Yoghurt is sometimes easier to tolerate due to the pre digested enzymes and the friendly bacteria they contain. High quality, organic soy milk may provide a more easily digestible alternative. Organic milk or goats milk can also be better tolerated.

3. Carbohydrates…bread, cereals and potatoes etc:

E.g. whole grain breakfast cereals like porridge and pre soaked oats, whole meal bread and crackers, whole meal pasta, brown rice, potatoes etc

Include foods from this group at each meal. These foods are important for growth and activity, a good source of energy for brain function plus vitamins & minerals and important fibres and are filling foods to prevent cravings and hunger.

Avoid white breads, white noodles & processed sugary cereals as they do not provide nutrition for sustained energy and growth, do not contain vitamins & minerals and impact negatively on growth, and brain function and teeth development.

4. Essential Fats & Oils:

E.g. cold pressed or virgin oils e.g. olive & coconut, nuts & seeds, avocado and oily fish

These foods are essential to the brain for calmness, learning and concentration, nerve development, muscle growth and hormone balance. Margarine is not recommended due to its processed nature. Butter (if tolerated) is natural and provides important vitamins.

Use avocado as a great spread on bread, toast and whole meal crackers. Avoid giving whole nuts to children under 5 years because of the risk of choking (grind and blend them into other foods). Avoid nuts and products containing nuts in children with a family history of allergies.

5. Snacks

Small children often need small snacks between meals because they are unable to eat enough calories at mealtimes. Useful snacks include:

  • Plain whole meal biscuits & whole meal bread sticks & toast with small amount of natural butter or avocado with natural jam or honey
  • Additive free, low sugar yoghurt (do not use artificially sweetened yoghurt due to the 92 side affects of the aspartame sweetener), cheese, whole meal crackers
  • Bite size pieces of fruit & vegetable sticks

Avoid giving snacks too close to next meals so that they don’t affect your child’s appetite. Have a set snack & meal time.

6. Fatty, salty and sugary processed foods

It is not good for anyone to have too many processed, junk type foods that are sugary, artificially flavoured and fatty and low in nutrition & fibre. Small amounts of additive free junk foods occasionally (not every day) don’t pose a problem but every day they are contributing to the many health and learning issues of young children.

Sugary foods and drinks cause problems with tooth decay and behaviour and learning issues and should not be used as between meal snacks or drinks.

7. Drinks

By a year old all children should be having drinks from a beaker or cup rather than a bottle. The best drinks to offer young children are water, freshly squeezed juice and milk (if tolerated). Any sugary or acidic drinks such as soft drink and boxed fruit juices should be minimised, if given at all. Given between meals these can contribute to tooth decay and learning and behaviour issues. Giving sugary drinks from a bottle, especially overnight should be avoided.
Tea, coffee and fizzy soft drinks are not suitable for young children.

MEAL EXAMPLES

Use your imagination, have lots of variety and remember, it does not have to be fancy to be good for us.

Breakfast
Bowl of porridge or whole grain breakfast cereal (blend if necessary) with honey or small amount of brown sugar to taste, whole milk and piece of fruit or
Boiled, poached scrambled egg with whole meal toast and butter or avocado or

Blended smoothie with milk, yoghurt, nuts, fruit & honey

Snack
2 whole meal crackers with avocado or cheese or other wholesome topping

Chopped fruits

Lunch
Tuna or chicken or egg or cheese and salad whole meal sandwich
Vegetable sticks
Yoghurt

Snack
Banana or other fruits

Evening meal
Spaghetti bolognaise and salad or grilled fish with potatoes, vegetables and parsley sauce or chicken and vegetable and brown rice, jacket potato and beans or vegetable quiche etc.
Fresh fruit salad or rice pudding or fruit crumble (use whole meal flour or oats for the crumble)

Whether we are a child or adult we need the daily nutritional goodness of live natural foods.

Recommendation

- To address any specific health problems consult a Health Professional who specialises in balanced nutrition.

- Refer to the Powerful Nutrition for Life Hand Outs for guidelines.

- Refer to the many excellent Whole Food Cook Books available through book shops for meal ideas and recipes.

Weight Loss Tips

February 3, 2010 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Weight Loss

When it comes to weight loss unfortunately there are no real quick fixes. Don’t be conned by the new shed kilos in day’s diet or the latest pill, potion or fat blaster. At the end of the day it is what you choose to put in your mouth and how often you use your muscles in physical activity that is going to have you feeling full of energy and good about yourself.

It is not only what you eat but when and how much. If you know how to eat the right foods in the right amount at the right time of the day, you will not crave and eat the wrong foods at the wrong time and suffer the consequences.

  1. Make clean water your favorite drink. We need a minimum of 8 glasses of water in a day. Avoid drinking juice, soft drinks or carbonated beverages.
  2. First, start with the big picture. Write down your goals and be specific and realistic. ½ to 1kg per week is safe and permanent. What do you want to change? Where do you want to be a year from now? Give yourself time.
  3. Focus on the details. Every day we make dozens of tiny decisions that can spell the difference between whether we lose weight or gain. Do you pick the muesli for breakfast or the chocolate muffin? Do you spend twenty minutes on the couch or twenty minutes on a brisk walk? Small changes can add up to huge results.
  4. Start exercising - no matter what your fitness level just get started. When you start you might only be able to manage a shuffle to the end of the street, but gradually built up to the whole block. Then get moving in your favorite exercise or activity a minimum of 5 days per week for 45 minutes or more. The more regularly you workout the quicker you will shed the stored fat. Don’t compare yourself to others, just work within your limits and take it slow and steady and be consistent.
  5. Eat more vegetables during meals as water-rich foods like zucchini, tomatoes, and cucumbers reduce your overall calorie consumption. Some other water-rich foods include soups and salads; they are good source of nutrition.
  6. Eat breakfast. A wholesome breakfast sets you up for the day. With a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and good oils you will feel satisfied and determined to stay on track all day. Something like porridge/oatmeal/muesli, livened up with grated apple and cinnamon, or chopped banana with yoghurt and milk or soy is a tasty and nourishing way to start the day. If you are not into cereals try 2 eggs with 2 whole meal toasts or a smoothie with milk, yoghurt, fruit etc.
  7. Eat fruit rather than drinking fruit juice. Eating whole foods will keep you satisfied for longer period of time than juice. Moreover, fruit juices are very high in calories.
  8. Don’t stuff yourself with food in a single sitting; instead have 5 to 6 small meals or snacks in a day. Eating several small meals helps the body to release less insulin, which keeps blood sugar steady and helps to control hunger.
  9. Avoid taking white foods as they contain large amounts of carbohydrates, which may further lead to weight gain. Replace white sugar, white rice, and white flour with whole grain breads and brown rice.
  10. Take a walk before dinner and it’ll not only burn calories, but also cut down your appetite.
  11. After every two hours, get up and walk around the office or your home for five minutes. A brisk five-minute walk after every two hours will you’re your body active.
  12. Be kind to yourself and your body. You don’t have to look in the mirror and chant, “I love me! I am beautiful!” but at the same time yelling at your thighs won’t encourage your weight loss efforts. It is important to consider the emotional issues that may be contributing to your weight. Reading self help books, doing self development courses etc to help deal with past hurts, disappointments or experiences can help to bring your thoughts into a much more positive frame. Self sabotage through binge eating when emotionally challenged needs to be handled.
  13. Make your treats irregular and miniature. Instead of banning dessert, choose smaller portions. Fresh fruits are always are great way to cleanse the palette and satisfy the desire for something sweet in between or after a meal.
  14. Do resistance training or lift weights. It won’t make you bigger – it’ll make you more toned and strong! The more muscle you have the faster you burn through food and fat and the faster the metabolism. If you’re worried about loose skin, resistance training is the best thing you can do to tone your body as you lose weight.
  15. Planning is crucial. Every weekend take ten minutes to plan our meals for the coming week. Choose from tried and true recipes, so it’s quicker to cook than phone for a takeaway. Meals don’t have to be fancy but they do need to be tasty and wholesome.
  16. Buy your groceries online. It saves time and you’re not tempted by all the sights and smells of the supermarket. Or tortured by your screaming children.
  17. Feel your emotions, don’t feed them. In times of stress it’s tempting to bury your feelings in cake – better to feel bad about binging than tackle the real issue! But try to find non-edible ways of coping –head for a box ercise class or some other aerobic class or activity that helps you let off steam and release the stored tension..
  18. Go Greek. If you’re a cream or sour cream fiend, low fat Greek yoghurt is an excellent substitute. Being low in fat, protein-rich and incredibly creamy it is great with fruits or on a jacket potatoe with a sprinkle of sea salt and ground pepper. Dob onto a bowl of chilli or curry. Swirl into butternut soup.
  19. Skip watching TV for an hour and go for a walk instead. Or else, you have now time to finish your domestic chores.
  20. The best exercise is the one you enjoy. So what if your best friend swears by aerobics at dawn? If you’re a shift worker or just plain grumpy in the morning, this will never suit you. Choose an exercise you like and do it when it’s most convenient for you – this way you’ll stick with it.
  21. Stock your office pantry. It’s much easier to ignore the vending machine when I’ve got half an orchard sitting on my desk and a drawer full of oatcakes, nuts and seeds.
  22. Have a cuppa. When hunger strikes and it’s not meal time, you can make a cup of tea. This can give you time to figure out if you are really hungry or you are just thirsty or just bored or cranky or upset. Herbal tea is great.
  23. Have a moan. Losing weight can be challenging, but you don’t have to feel alone in the struggle. Start your own blog, sign up for a message board, or join a weight loss group, buddy up with a friend to keep motivated and on track.
  24. Put the scales in perspective. Don’t fret over small fluctuations – focus on all the healthy things you’ve been doing for your body. Get out the tape measure or have a pair of “measurement jeans”, so you’re not dependent on the scales for feedback. Don’t get on them everyday as they can be a nightmare. Building the muscle and shape through exercise may mean the scales don’t move for a while. Muscle weights 2-3 times more than fat, but occupies 60% less space. You can put on a little bit of muscle (which is essential for weight loss) and lose a big bit of fat and the scales may not show it. It is fat loss not weight loss that counts. Your measurements and how your clothes fit is the best guide to success.
  25. Be adaptable. Make your weight loss plans fit around your life, not the other way around. Sometimes circumstances will change – a new job, a family crisis, moving house – and suddenly your usual routine doesn’t work. The trick is to be flexible and know when it’s time to tweak your methods.
  26. Set a non-scale goal. Why not train for a special event like a charity walk or ride or challenge yourself to do 10 push ups or 20 lunges or 20 sit-ups or extra time a the gym or an extra 5 minutes a day of walking? Focusing on fitness means you don’t fret about the numbers so much. And all those endorphins make you feel less inclined to go on a chocolate bender.
  27. Accept that sometimes it’s going to suck. Despite your best intentions, there will be days when you fall into a bag of crisps. But long-term success is about persistence, not perfection. It’s picking yourself up when you fall, over and over again. Just keep going and get back on track.
  28. Don’t wait to be “skinny” to start living your life. If you have dreams of traveling or learning to scuba dive, don’t think you need a smaller bum before you deserve them. Your life is happening right now – so forget about your wobbly bits and jump right in!
  29. Use vegetables to make hefty meals. Like pasta salad loaded with vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes can be eaten twice. Same applies for stir-fries; add vegetables to make a fluffier omelet.
  30. Take most of the calories in the first half of the day because studies tell that the more you eat in the morning, the less you’ll eat in the evening. Moreover, you will get more chances to burn off those early-day calories than late-night calories.
  31. Order alcohol by the glass, not the bottle. This way, you’ll be more aware of how much alcohol you’re in taking. Alcohol is high in calories.
  32. Stock your refrigerator with low-fat yogurt. Cut down 500 calories a day from your diet and eat yogurt three times a day for 12 weeks. It will help you lose more weight and body fat.

EXERCISE & NUTRITION

February 3, 2010 by Helen Frost  
Filed under Fitness, Nutrition

FREE RADICAL DAMAGE…ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION

THE ROLE OF “WHOLE FOOD” NUTRITION

Exercise is an essential part of maintaining good health and performance.

A diet containing “Whole Foods”, in particular fresh, raw fruits & vegetables, is essential to support an exercise programme and to achieve optimal results.

Nutrition is 80 % of the Health equation. It contributes the building blocks & fuel to support the Exercise.

Exercise is 20 % of the health equation and contributes the physical activity that delivers and utalises the nutrition & oxygen to stimulate the body to strengthen, perform & sustain health.

Although it’s very beneficial, exercise does produce Free Radicals (oxidative stress),” says Jennifer Sacheck, PhD, cell biologist at Harvard Medical School and a researcher on exercise induced oxidative stress. “And if there’s any damage to muscles, inflammation also produces Free Radicals. Antioxidants are the bodies defence system against Free Radical damage”

FREE RADICALS

Free Radicals are highly reactive, unstable atoms or molecules.

Science shows that Free Radicals are directly linked to over 60 diseases and the ageing process.

They damage cell membranes, alter and destroy DNA, reduce the immune system, accelerate ageing and cause cell death.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants are Free Radical scavengers. They are an important group of vitamins, minerals & enzymes that protect the body by destroying or neutralising the Free Radicals.

“As we exercise and age, the body produces more Free Radicals and fewer natural Antioxidants to fight them. You’d have to eat two heads of spinach a day to get enough vitamin E to be protective.

Whole Food” fresh, raw fruits and vegetables are the key source of natural Antioxidants — especially as you get older and if you exercise.”

EXERCISE & OXYGEN

Increased Oxygen intake during exercise leads to increased oxidation (Free Radical production and damage). This makes the body more vulnerable to damage, fatigue, inflammation, muscle soreness, slow recovery, injury and disease. Antioxidants prevent this Free Radical Damage.

DAMAGE & FATIGUE

Free Radical attack on a muscle. Ligament, cartage, bone etc will cause damage, fatigue and inhibit performance.

INFLAMMATION

Free Radicals create inflammation and are greatest twenty-four hours after a strenuous exercise session. This results in slow recovery.

Antioxidants play a major role in preventing the damage and inflammation and assist in a quicker recovery.

ANTIOXIDANT

Antioxidant means “against oxidation.”

Antioxidants are manufactured within the body from the food we eat.

The key source of “Whole Food” Antioxidants is Fresh, Raw Fruits & Vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts and good quality essential fatty acids.

“WHOLE FOOD”

Science shows that the 1000’s of vitamin and minerals and Antioxidants from “whole food” fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, or “Whole Food” concentrates are safer and far more effective than isolated, synthetic, man made supplements.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION recommends we eat a minimum of 5 – 9+

Cups of Varied, Quality Fresh, Raw, Fruits & Vegetables every day (more if

training hard) to provide Antioxidant, Free Radical Protection, prevent disease,

boost the immune system and slow the effects of ageing.

This high level of fruit and vegetables consumption is very difficult for most people to achieve.

Soil depletion, chemicals and pesticides, gassing, cold storage and over processing is impacting on our food quality. Plus we are often too busy and too tired to eat them, we don’t really like some of them, we only eat our favourites and we can’t get the variety all year round.

“WHOLE FOOD” Concentrated forms of Nutrition can help to solve this problem.

REFERENCES

  1. Acworth, I.N., and B. Bailey. Reactive Oxygen Species. In: The handbook of oxidative metabolism. Massachusetts: ESA Inc., 1997, p. 1-1 to 4-4.
  2. Alessio, H.M., and E.R. Blasi. Physical activity as a natural antioxidant booster and its effect on a healthy lifestyle. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport. 68 (4): 292-302, 1997. [Abstract]
  3. Clarkson P. M. Antioxidants and physical performance. Crit.Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 35: 131-141, 1995. [Abstract]
  4. Dekkers, J. C., L. J. P. van Doornen, and Han C. G. Kemper. The Role of Antioxidant Vitamins and Enzymes in the Prevention of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage. Sports Med 21: 213-238, 1996. [Abstract

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