-
News & Updates
food
November 26, 2018
You no longer have to struggle with losing weight and getting in shape
November 26, 2018
Try this tip to make change easier
I wanted to change, I needed to change, but I really didn’t know HOW to change.
So, you find yourself wanting to make a change, to do things differently in your life but like most people you stay stuck just THINKING about it.
When I wanted to take my health and fitness to the next level and break out of the rut of eating a box of raspberry filled doughnuts and 2 liter bottle of Coke every other day I knew I had to change what I was doing.
Thinking about what you want to accomplish is a great start but that won’t get you off your butt and moving.
If you find yourself in a similar position you must ask yourself, “What would I be doing if I already had achieved my goal?”
So, if your goal was to drop 10 pounds, gain strength and look and feel better, what would that look like? What would that ‘future’ you be doing every day to make this happen?
Well, you could assume this ‘future’ you would be planning their meals and workouts. You would be educating yourself on healthier food choices. Your ‘future’ you may also be watching less T.V. at night and getting more sleep and engaging in activities that get you outside of the house.
Really think about what it is you have to do to get to where you want to be. Make a list of what you would need to do and commit to doing at least one thing on that list EVERY DAY.
I don’t care if it’s as small as walking for 10 minutes, drinking a glass of water instead of a soda or only having one slice of pizza instead of five. The purpose of this is to get you to begin to move in the direction of your goal(s).
You must take ACTION if you want to achieve anything worthwhile in this life. Don’t allow those voices in your head to stop you from trying.
Can you think of one thing you can do today to move you closer to your goal? Tell me about it and let me see if I can help.
October 27, 2018
What do you believe to be true about yourself?
I hope you are having a great Saturday. I was able to get away for some time this morning and go watch some youth soccer matches. It is always a different experience when I can just watch the game and not have to worry about coaching it.
I had an interesting conversation with a mom at this one game. She knows I am a lifestyle/fitness coach and asked me if she could run something by me. I said “sure” and told her to fire away with her questions. She wanted to know why she had such a hard time losing weight and staying on track.
She told me how she starts off pumped up and motivated only to end up feeling flat and deflated within a weeks’ time. She went on to tell me how she felt like a failure because of how many times she has tried to lose weight with little to no success. She has tried Weight Watchers, Keto, fasting, and even used prescription diet pills and nothing worked for her long term.
I told her that it really wasn’t her fault as to why she wasn’t succeeding. I said it really comes down to the beliefs you hold to be true about yourself. You see, anything you find yourself really struggling with in your life can be traced back to what you hold to be true about that thing.
I’ll give you an example of what I mean. Growing up my parents had some very interesting beliefs surrounding money. They had what I call a ‘deprivation mindset’ and like many of us, didn’t know it. I can remember vividly them always saying how they couldn’t afford something or they had to save money for a rainy day.
They were constantly speaking ‘lack’ into their lives when it came to money and they unknowingly passed these beliefs onto me. I grew up with the same mindset about money. I always felt like being financially well off was meant for everyone else but me. This was all due to my programming I received as a child by my well meaning parents.
I have since been able to work through that false belief and no longer hold that to be true. I had to be very intentional to reprogram my subconscious as this is where virtually all our mental blocks reside. Think of your subconscious mind like a tape player, until you change the tape, nothing will change.
This is where this ladies issues with weight loss were taking place. Her subconscious beliefs about herself were keeping her stuck and fat. I told her until she took measures to address those false beliefs she held about herself that she would most likely continue to struggle. Think about yourself. How many times have you tried to lose weight only to hear that voice in your head tell you that “you’ll fail just like last time” or “you won’t be successful.” Maybe you said something different, but the message was still a negative one. These limiting beliefs are keeping you stuck but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Maybe you can relate to this woman’s story that I shared. Maybe your issue isn’t weight at all, but is related to money, relationships, etc. No matter what it is, you can be assured that those areas in your life in which you struggle to change can be traced back to limiting beliefs.
Many of my clients have come from a background of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, so you can imagine how many of them grew up in a very chaotic environment. I tell these clients that I work with that their behaviors are just a manifestation of the abuse that they endured. The good thing is they survived the abuse and now they can change the dysfunctional behavior that is now causing problems in their lives. That could be emotional eating, binge eating, sex addiction, using alcohol to escape, etc.
If you have followed me for any amount of time then you know my story. I am a survivor of sexual abuse, weighed nearly 300 pounds, and was miserable for a big portion of my life. I was always dieting and trying to lose weight, but I didn’t want to be healthy. I was desperate. I was tired of the self-loathing that I felt towards myself and I was sure that if I was able to lose the weight I would finally have the happiness I was so desperately craving. By following a detailed plan, one many of my clients now use, I was able to get off the weight loss roller coaster and lose nearly 100 pounds and have kept it off.
Just like we are told to ‘renew our minds’ in Romans, I was able to do just that. That is the biggest thing that helped me to get to where I am today. I had to work on changing those limiting beliefs that I had about myself. I had to ‘change the tape’ and put in a new one. I put in a new tape that told me I could do anything I set my mind to do and that I was worth it. Friends, the process isn’t an easy one, but it was the best thing I ever did for me and those around me. I became a better son, brother, and dad because of it.
So, what are you struggling with? What is that one thing you truly want to see change in your life but you keep running into resistance? You can be sure that you have some limiting beliefs surrounding that. Just know you aren’t a failure if you haven’t had the success that you want. You just need to take a different approach to your situation. If you’d like to know more about my coaching program and how I can help you to change your own ‘tape’ and finally have the life you want please reach out to me today.
Go here to get started. ⤵️
November 7, 2017
9 easy ways to avoid a weight loss plateau
Here are 9 simple things that you can do to get your weight loss moving in the right direction if you’ve hit a plateau.
Exercise more.
This seems obvious enough, but many don’t do it. If you’re training 2x a week, then try adding in another 2 days of activity to your training program. You may also need to increase the intensity of your training as well. The benefits of strength training are many, but some of the most important are they negate a metabolic decline as you diet, and help you to retain lean muscle mass. Both are important for weight loss.
Be aware of what you are eating.
Track your food. It can prove to be invaluable if you’re struggling to lose weight. We can forget what we had at breakfast, grazed on before lunch, and what we had after dinner. If you track what you’re eating (calories/macros) then you will start to see a pattern of why you’re not losing weight. You are most likely still eating too much if the scale won’t budge. I use the Nutritionist app myself to track, but there are others out there. Most people tend to under-report what they are eating so this is a good thing for many of you to try.
Chill out, bro.
No, seriously. You need to learn to relax. Being stressed out all the time will wreak havoc within your body. Being stressed out will cause the body to release cortisol, which can help to manage stress, but also lead to a bigger belly. If you’re constantly stressed out, you’ll be producing more cortisol which will make fat loss hard. You’ll also notice you don’t sleep as well, crave sugar more and pretty much suck to be around. Try to find some ways in which you can reduce your overall level of stress. You can walk, meditate, volunteer at a local shelter, etc.
Ditch the alcohol.
Who doesn’t like a nice cocktail from time to time? If your goals are to decrease body-fat you may want to abstain if you can’t limit yourself to just 1 or 2. Not only is there no nutritional value in alcohol, but many who drink end up consuming more calories than if they were not to drink at all. Alcohol lowers inhibition and all the sudden you don’t care about your diet and that hunk of chocolate looks pretty dang good! Alcohol may also suppress fat burning. If you’re going to drink you need to know what a serving is. Those wine glasses of yours hold more than one…I’m just saying.
Eat more protein.
This seems to be a hard one for people, especially women, to do. Not only does protein help keep you feeling fuller for longer periods of time, it can also help you to retain lean muscle mass as you diet down. The thermic effect for protein is also higher, so this may give your metabolism a little boost. Eat a little bit of protein at each meal, aiming for 15-25 grams.
Go to bed.
Unless you want to look and feel like an extra in the Walking Dead you need to get your sleep. Studies have shown that those who don’t get enough sleep can experience metabolic decline, weight gain, crave high sugar/fat foods, and hormonal issues within the body. I do well with 7-9 hours of sleep as do many of my clients. Turn off your smart phone, TV, and iPod and go to sleep!
Eat more fiber.
Getting enough fiber (soluble/insoluble) in your diet can help you to lose weight because you feel fuller longer. It slows the rate at which the food moves through your digestive tract. It also helps to keep you regular so you don’t feel like a bloated whale. Most of us don’t get enough fiber in our diets and that is due to the over-consumption of too many processed foods. Try to get 20-30 grams in daily. I like to use hemp protein to help in this area.
Eat your veggies.
Vegetables are an amazing way to help facilitate weight loss. Not only are they packed with vitamins and minerals, they are typically low in calories, high in fiber, and fill you up. When I sit down to eat my major meals, half of my plate is loaded with veggies. Get in mah belly!
Keep moving.
Don’t expect to lose much weight if you only go to the gym for an hour, but spend the rest of the day sitting on your gluteus maximus. You need to stay active! You can do this by just doing regular household chores, stand at your job for 5-10 minutes for every hour you sit, walk on your lunch break, etc. Find creative ways in which you can add more activity into your day.
There you have it folks, 9 simple ways in which you can help to keep the weight loss train moving, choo! choo!
March 3, 2016
What types of protein should you use, how much, and what types
What is the difference between the difference protein powders out there? (e.g. whey, casein, vegetarian)
Answer: The key difference between whey and casein is that whey is absorbed in the digestive system quickly, whereas casein is absorbed slowly and steadily. Egg white protein was the most popular type of protein supplement for many years before milk proteins surpassed its popularity due to their better taste and lower cost. Soy and hemp are unique among vegetable protein sources in that they supply all 8 essential amino acids. Most vegetable proteins lack one or more. There also is pea protein and brown rice protein. These are for vegetarians and those who don’t do well with dairy products.
When should you use what kind?
Answer: I would use the whey upon waking and after training if you are unable to eat a solid meal. If you’re looking for a MRP [meal replacement powder] then I would use the casein as it digest slower than the whey and will stick with you longer, promoting satiety. The hemp protein would also be a consideration to be used as an MRP in a smoothie.
What kind of protein powders do you suggest and why?
Answer: I suggest whey, casein and hemp protein powders. Casein, is known for slow digestion, so it is very beneficial in shakes that are used as meal replacements or a bedtime shake. The whey is excellent before and after training as it is absorbed into the bloodstream, and utilized by the body the fastest. Hemp protein is not only is an excellent protein source but also supplies healthy fats and is high in fiber. Hemp protein also contains large amounts of zinc, iron, and magnesium and EFA (omega 3, 6, 9)
I prefer to use whey protein upon waking and after training because the body can digest and use it rapidly. I will at times you casein at night because it digests slower providing my muscles with a steady stream of amino acids.
What ingredients should people avoid?
Answer: The main thing to look for in a clean protein is lack of artificial sweeteners and information on the label stating that the protein is derived from cattle that has not been exposed to synthetic hormones, chemicals or medications. How much should a person take and how much is too much? (if exercise or meal replacement)
For people that are dairy sensitive or vegetarian what can they do?
Answer: You need at least 0.8 grams per pound and as much as 1.5 grams if you are engaging in intense exercise for more than 1 hour per day and 6-7 days per week. A 140lb woman could easily need 112 grams per day. For vegetarians Brown rice protein powder has many benefits for health and fitness. It provides a convenient source of protein for vegetarians and others who follow restricted diets. Pea protein is also something to consider if you’re a vegetarian or sensitive to dairy. Yellow peas supply an alternative but complete source of amino acids and high in iron.
The quality of proteins can be measured in two ways. The most common measure is the Biological Value (BV). The BV of certain proteins is calculated by measuring the percentage of protein consumed and absorbed versus how much of it is excreted as waste. This gives an indication of how much of the protein that is consumed actually remains within the body to promote protein synthesis Protein synthesis means how much protein the body will actually use.
I hope this clears up any misconceptions you might have had about using protein supplements, which ones, when, and how much!
June 17, 2015
Another fitness myth that must die.
NO, you will not magically gain weight if you eat after 7pm. I don’t care if you’re eating fat, protein, carbohydrates,etc. This simply isn’t true.
Weight loss will always come down to being in an energy (calorie) deficit, period. Nothing crazy complicated about it folks.
Don’t be afraid to eat after 7pm. You won’t get fat provided you stay within your macros (carbs,protein,fat) but I can’t guarantee you won’t turn into a Gremlin.
May 2, 2015
How to lose weight with PCOS
The Facts:
Insulin resistance is the main reason why it’s more challenging for you to lose weight with PCOS and generally.
About 80% of the women with PCOS have insulin resistance but then again if you’re overweight…
Chances are you already have an insulin resistance but without me going into a long complicated explanation of what insulin resistance is…
April 10, 2015
Are you getting enough FAT in your diet?
Despite being vilified for many years, dietary fats are one of the 3 main nutrients that your body needs to function properly. Their numerous health benefits include controlling blood levels of cholesterol and glucose, preventing the development of cancer, reducing your heart disease risk and supporting your vital organs (including your brain, your heart, your liver and your lungs). However, due to the popularity of low fat diets and the untrue assertion that dietary fat is automatically stored as body fat, many people choose to eliminate this macronutrient from their diet. Doing this can be extremely damaging to your health and in this article I will be discussing why with 14 of the negative symptoms of dietary fat deficiency.
February 12, 2015
How to help end emotional eating
Do you find yourself constantly struggling with overeating? This may be why.
Dopamine is a hormone that is involved with appetite regulation and the reward system in the brain.
Did you ever wonder why you couldn’t stop at just one cookie or slice of cake? or why you eat even when you’re not legitimately hungry?
A lot of people get caught up in overeating because of the momentary pleasure it produces…and then the guilt and shame follow.
Here are 6 tips that can help you balance your dopamine.
January 14, 2015
Benefits of fish oil
#1 – Eases Depression
As far back as the early 1990s, researchers started seriously looking at fish oil as an antidepressant – or, even better, a depression prevention supplement.
While researching other benefits of fish oil, scientists began to notice a repeating trend: people in countries where cold-water, fatty fish are a staple of a regular diet had lower instances of depression.
This trend was repeated so regularly that scientists had no choice but to explore these unexpected benefits of fish oil and how they were connected to depression–alleviating and preventing it.
Andrew Stoll, M.D., suggests that since cell membranes are partially comprised of omega-3s, increasing the levels of omega-3 in the blood allows serotonin, an antidepressant chemical produced by the body, to more easily transport between cells, thus explaining the benefits of fish oil, higher levels of omega-3s and connection to lower rates of depression.