PHYSICAL EXERCISE FOR PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS AND IDEAL WEIGHT

HELPFUL TIPS FOR PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS & REACHING YOUR IDEAL WEIGHT! (PART 2 OF 3)

Two weeks ago our Weekly Blog Post highlighted the major health issues resulting from following a poor diet, using food for emotional purposes, and lacking proper physical exercise. We looked at the growing phenomenon of obesity (overweight) from a mental/ spiritual perspective and analyzed the elements required to attain Permanent Weight Loss from that stand-point. Today, we will explore the physical dimension - specifically exercise,  and identify the most successful strategy for attaining your 'ideal' weight, i.e. one that allows your body and mind to function optimally so you may achieve your highest potential in life.

Following are a few tips on minor changes you can implement in your exercise routine and lifestyle in order to attain those objectives.

1. Start your day with some form of physical exercise. This will increase your metabolism substantially for a better assimilation and elimination of all foods consumed during the day.

2. Include some form of cardiovascular activity into your daily routine. Running is often hard on the bones and joints so you may want to consider other sports such as swimming, power-walking, power yoga (a physically challenging form of yoga), and many others. Getting the blood pumping in your system is essential not only to boost your metabolism but also to maintain a healthy cardiac muscle. Of course, check with your doctor first for any contra-indications related to your current state of health before you start any new exercise regime. 

3. It is a known fact that muscles burn a lot more calories than other cell tissues, especially fat! A pound of muscle can burn anywhere from 30-100 extra calories a day. (That's mainly because muscle tissues need more for repair.) Therefore, the more muscles you build, the more calories you will burn, especially right after working out. While the aim is not for you to build muscles beyond what is both healthy or  sensible for your body, strength training remains incredibly important for losing fat and keeping your body strong and healthy. Power yoga is a form of strength training. In the 15 months since I replaced my regular body building practice with power yoga, I have built more strength and muscles than ever before, and without compromising on my flexibility or making myself more susceptible to injury.

4. Unlike any other form of exercise, the regular practice of yoga - especially when breathing techniques are rigorously applied throughout the sequence, does not only strengthen your muscles but also stretches and fully oxygenates every single muscle in the body. Flowing forms of yoga such as Power Vinyasa target the cardiovascular system but also deeply massage the internal organs, something that is not addressed in other traditional sportive disciplines.

5. Every single scientific study has proven that sports is one the greatest remedies against depression. The release of endorphins in your blood stream gives you a feeling of exhilaration- unmatched by anything except sexual or spiritual enlightenment (for those who have been able to get a taste of good sex or blissful meditation), and immediately uplifts your mood. Since most of our 'modern' eating is emotional in nature, sports is a great way of combatting unhealthy eating habits such as snacking. 

6. As mentioned above, when you enhance your spirit, you won't be as likely to reach out for the pound-packing comfort food. This is even more true with the practice of yoga which not only uplifts your mood but also brings awareness to the root causes for all habits and conditioned responses we usually operate under. Having shed some light on the reasons for any unhappiness or dissatisfaction in your life and having learnt the immense value of acceptance and compassion towards yourself, you will be able to shift your behavior towards a healthier lifestyle.

7. Try to practice some form of physical exercise every single day. Can you imagine not using your brain/ mind for an entire day? (That might actually be a blessing in disguise!) In the old days, most people used to get the necessary exercise for their body through their labor/ work every day, and that's what kept them healthy and strong. Nowadays, we spend most of our day sitting in the same position for hours at a time in a poorly oxygenated and artificially-lighted environment. Our bodies need to move in order to remain healthy and strong. Without healthy bodies, we cannot live the long and enjoyable life we are all entitled to. Bring balance to both your mental and physical side by exercising everyday, even if that means just taking a 20 minute meditative walk a day. That makes all the difference!

8. Breathe deeply all day long, not just when you exercise. Breathing deeply enables the optimum oxygenation of your entire body. This is essential to keeping your body alkaline - a desired state in which disease cannot develop and thrive. Breathing deeply also burns more calories. Adopting a simple yoga practice or learning more advanced breathing techniques will teach you how to optimize your breathing and thereby combat stress and maintain a heightened level of health and wellbeing.

For more on how to effect permanent changes in your life or ways to achieve permanent weight loss and gravitate towards your ideal weight, consider our Holistic Cleansing Programs which cater to all dimensions of your being. Visit us at www.thesouthbeachdetox.com and www.letloverule.us.

To find out more on the physical dimension of permanent weight loss and gravitating towards your ideal weight, tune in next Monday for our weekly "Health & Wellness" blog post covering Food/ Lifestyle for Healthy Weight Management.

SIMPLE AND NATURAL FOODS THAT HEAL: DISCOVER THE HEALTH-GIVING PROPERTIES OF BELL PEPPERS

The South Beach Detox is committed to supporting each and every individual in their quest to enhance their personal life experience through better health and well-being. It is only when we are whole that we in turn can help others attain this same objective and together create a better place for all to live. To this end, I will share some personal secrets and revive a little of the old and timeless wisdom from the likes of Hippocrates with you everyday!

For more on The South beach Detox and how it can lead you to better health, be sure to visit www.thesouthbeachdetox.com

Today, I am just reposting this short article about the benefits of eating bell peppers. Remember the simpler and the least processed foods are always the best choice!

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP04196/3-Reasons-to-Eat-Bell-Peppers.html

Available in appetizing colors including green, yellow, orange, red and black, bell peppers are a crunchy, refreshing way to add aesthetic appeal and nutrients to your meals. Bell peppers are:

A low-calorie vegetable

An excellent source of vitamins A and C

A good source of dietary fiber, folic acid and vitamin B6

Plus, if you choose red bell peppers, you will be getting lycopene, an important carotenoid that may help protect against prostate and other cancers.

Adaptable plants that are part of the nightshade family, bell peppers are fairly hardy and can be grown in a variety of climates. Because of their geographic versatility, bell peppers are found in many types of traditional cuisine, from Mexican and European to Chinese and Creole dishes. Extraordinarily versatile, bell peppers can be eaten raw as crudités or in a salad; stuffed and baked; sautéed or stir-fried. Purchase bell peppers that are free of blemishes, and always seek out organically grown varieties.

Food & Nutrition: 'Foods that naturally detox the body'

Food & Nutrition: 'Foods that naturally detox the body' 

Health Food & Natural Medicine Author, Feb, 2011

Read below to find out more about the many foods available to help naturally detox the body.  These foods are a great addition to supplement a full body cleanse, before, after, and sometimes even in the middle of it.

Foods to detox the body

As toxicity becomes a growing concern within our society so does the need for detox. With newer, stronger chemicals in the air, water, drugs, medications and foods the risk for exposure is much greater than it was in the past. Other factors such as lifestyle also lead to the risk of exposure to pollutants, irritants and toxins. Food plays a major role in the body’s ability to eliminate toxins and chemicals. The body requires essential nutrients through food, supplements or vitamins to maintain metabolic balance. However, a poor diet that consists of foods with additives, flavor enhancers, food coloring, artificial preservatives, and refined and processed foods can compromise the body’s ability to eliminate unnecessary chemicals. Fresh and organically grown foods help to cleanse and detoxify the body. Food that is rich in fiber, high in water content and full of vitamins and minerals all help to eliminate impurities. Detoxifying foods stimulate excretion of toxic chemicals and replace them with nutrients that the body needs to restore health. When you have digestive problems, constipation, a distended stomach or sluggish elimination, look at your diet and replace fast food, soda and empty calorie snacks with these detoxifying foods.

1. Water- Water naturally flushes out chemicals, toxins and impurities from the body through sweat, breathing and urination. By adding an extra quart of water to your daily water intake you can quickly cleanse your system of ingested irritants.

2. Fruit- Fresh fruit is full of water, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. Fruits are easily digested and are high in nutrient content. Fruits can be eaten fresh, dried, frozen or juiced. Fruits high liquid content helps to wash out toxins. The list of fruits that can be consumed include apples, pears, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, raisins, pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, melon, sultanas, nectarines and peaches.

3. Lemon- Lemons have a wonderful detoxifying effect on the body. Adding lemon to your water can help to stimulate digestive enzymes. Also drinking hot water with lemon squeezed into it can aid in liver cleansing. Plus lemon is filled with vitamin C and antioxidants, which help to flush toxins such as free radicals from the body.

4. Leafy Green Vegetables- Eating raw vegetables is excellent for your health and can aid in detoxification, and also add a boost to detoxification through chlorophyll. Leafy green vegetables such as blue green algae, barley, wheatgrass, kale, spinach, spirulina, psyllium, cabbage, parsley, cilantro, watercress, alfalfa, chard, and arugula all contain chlorophyll, which help to rid the body of environmental toxins. Chlorophyll is a plant based compound that can flush out smog, heavy metals, herbicides, cleaning products and pesticides from the liver. These greens have a diuretic effect on the body, which causes toxins to be expelled through excretion. Leafy greens are most often used in salads, which are full of fiber and contain fewer calories, which help to flush the system of toxins.

5. Raw Vegetables- Eating raw vegetables helps to naturally cleanse the stomach, intestines and bowels. Raw vegetables also purge the liver of toxins. Vegetables are full of vitamins that are essential for health. Sulphur and glutathione are naturally occurring in many raw vegetables and help to cleanse the liver of toxic chemicals. Good detox vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, beets, radishes, onions, artichokes, seaweed, Brussels sprouts, asparagus and many more.

6. Broccoli- Broccoli is a great detoxifying vegetable as it helps to stimulate digestive enzymes, which encourages weight loss during detox. Broccoli sprouts are more effective than their full-grown counterpart however; they are rich in antioxidants, which encourages waste clearing from the body.

7. Garlic-Garlic is a great choice for any detoxification. In addition to being a blood cleanser, garlic is a natural antibiotic. It can reduce blood fat as well as lower blood pressure. Garlic stimulates cleansing of the liver and helps flush the body of toxic chemicals and impurities. Garlic can be added to food dishes or can be taken as a supplement to avoid the smell.

8. Green Tea- Green tea helps flush out toxins from the body. Green tea is full of antioxidants and boosts the metabolism. Green tea contains catechins, which speeds up liver function.

9. Seeds & Nuts- Seeds and nuts are a great way to detox the body. They are easily digested and aid and protect the liver in cleansing toxins. Seeds and nuts that are good for detoxing include flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, walnuts, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, Siberian cedar nuts, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. Remember to eat unsalted nuts during detox, because salt can impede the detoxification process.

10. Beans- Beans are a major source of protein and fiber. Legumes are easily digestible and should be part of any detox program. Beans cleanse the stomach of residual toxins and help the body get rid of unwanted impurities. Include kidney beans, pinto beans, garbanzo, soybeans, and mung beans are all great for detoxification.

11. Omega-3 Oils- Foods rich in omega-3s are not only healthy for you but also help to detox the system. Hemp, avocado, olive oils, and flax seed oil are all food sources of omega-3s. When consumed they lubricate the walls of the stomach and intestines which allows toxins to flush out through the bodies natural elimination systems.

12. Figs & Prunes- Figs are high in fiber and contain calcium and essential nutrients for the body. One to two figs a day can help to improve elimination. Prunes help to cleanse the digestive tract. Prunes are high in fiber content but also contain a natural laxative that helps elimination and stops constipation. Prunes can be consumed as a dried fruit or as prune juice.

For more information from this author who graduated with a BA in exercise science and has worked in the medical field since, with a focus in alternative medicine, check out his health website at http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/Detoxifying_Foods.html.

Tips for Detox: What Should You Know About How To Detox Your Body

Detox Your Body The Safe Way

If you are embarking on your first detox diet or program, then you need to know how to do it safely.  Most detoxification procedures that have any merit should give you the adequate information to make your diet one of the largest components of your plan.  While it can be very helpful to supplement your food choices with the right herbs, teas and detox supplements, the key will be in the organic food you eat and the amount of water you drink.

As just mentioned, you should pay particular attention to make sure that your foods are organic.  To the degree that you are trying to eliminate toxins from your body, your choices in food items will make a big impact.  Choosing organic vegetables and fruits is no longer difficult and often very similarly priced.  On the more exotic foods, you may find organic to be a bit pricey, but remember, this is your health you are dealing with.  It just makes sense to go for the cleaner produce – especially when you are hoping to detox your body.

When It Comes To A Cleanse, How Much Should You Drink?

Let’s be clear.  The only thing you should be drinking is water, possible a little fruit juice or what ever type of detox

You can blend up your own smoothies and vegetable drinks.

products you may be using.  Other than this, you should not be consuming any alcohol, pop or soda, or coffee.  While this may be hard on your normal routine, it will benefit your colon in the end.  What you are assisting is your natural body detoxification process.  Water is an essential component to cellular and organ function and health.  Your colon cleansing will be accomplished by the movement of waste through your body.  Water and some light fruit juice combined with the proper foods and supplementation will accomplish this.  The idea is to work with your body in its own natural detox way, don’t try to force something that is not a natural process.  However, you can assist and amplify the results through proper conscious dietary choices.  It’s always funny when I hear critics say “do detox diets really work?”.  They usually have never done one and consider things fast food and smoking or alcohol simple necessities of life.  Don’t get me wrong, enjoying alcohol or a hamburger time to time are fine in moderation.  I do not think anyone can defend smoking in this day and age.

Here is a basic rule of thumb to use for how much water you should be drinking:  divide your body weight in half and drink that much water in ounces, plus one glass.  For example, if you weigh 130 pounds, that would be 65 ounces of water.  There are approximately 8-10 ounces of water in a normal glass.  So, this would be approximately 8 glasses, PLUS one equals 9 glasses of water each day.  You cannot really screw this up, the key is simply to be drinking a very healthy amount each day of your detox.  The same rule could apply if you are simply trying to do a thorough colon cleansing, although the process is quite similar for both.