You are here: Home / Archives for Weight Loss

Is there a connection between Sugar Metabolism and the Biological Clock?

13 June 2012 By Maureen Leave a Comment

Healthy weight loss knowledgeThe Biological clock and the metabolic system are totally connected. However how will this information assist us with our weight loss.  According to researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, learning more about the biological rhythms of patients suffering from various ailments can help doctors to more effectively administer medicine, particularly anti-inflammatory drugs. This is because the researchers were able to discern how cryptochromes and glucocorticoid receptors interact.

What are Cryptochromes?  
They are the proteins that control the biological rhythms in the human body; they are also affected by anti-inflammatory drugs. 

What are Glucocorticoids?
They are the body’s natural steroid hormones that regulate blood sugar levels–their job is to make sure people’s blood sugar levels are lowered while they sleep and then raised when they wake; this allows people to maximize the efficiency their energy use. Glucocortids also interact with anti-inflammatory drugs and this has exposed the missing-link between cryptochromes and Glucocortids. Together, they regulate the blood sugar and the biological rhythms or what is often called the biological clock. 

While scientists and doctors plan to harness this information for pharmaceutical purposes, it can also be used to help people understand their body’s natural rhythms. This way, people can be more conscious of both what they eat and how their body is using what they eat based on their sleep and rest patterns. Think about it. When are people most active during the day? When are they least active? It is important for people to take the time to get to know their activity levels and then find a way to eat healthily in a way that will make the most effective use of the relationship between the biological clock and the metabolic system. For people who are interested in weight loss, this is definitely something they should be more aware of. It seems like common sense, and now the science confirms it.  The body knows when to lower and raise blood sugar based on when people are resting and moving. This is information that people can use to their weight loss advantage. 

Important Tip for Weight Loss
This reinforces the statement: “Eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for breakfast”.  This means most of the calories are taken in at the beginning of the day so they will be burnt off during the daily activities, and the same with lunch.  However at night we only require a small meal as we have reduced our activity to a minimum.  Of course this is in general as there are people who work evenings and night shifts so they will need to adjust their eating to fit in with their day to day activities.

The human body is quite amazing; when people work with it instead of against it, they will see that it optimizes everything, even all the way down to the molecular level. Everything in the body is affected by everything else and thus it is important people find a way to be more conscious of these various symbiotic relationships–including the one between their biological clock and their metabolic system. Weight loss is about finding balance and an equilibrium; it is about finding the best weight for each individual body. Thus, it is important people take the time to learn their body’s unique biological rhythms and reap the weight loss rewards. 

Filed Under: General, Weight Loss

What Is Tumeric and Will It Help With My Weight Loss?

14 May 2012 By Maureen Leave a Comment

Have you heard of turmeric? If you are someone who enjoys international cuisine then you probably have; turmeric is one of the main ingredients in a plethora of delicious dishes from India, Thailand and Persia. Turmeric is also used as a textile dye. But turmeric is more than just any old spice or color-it can also be used for medicinal purposes including weight loss and has been a part of Ayurveda, ancient Indian medicine, for thousands of years.

There are a myriad of health benefits associated with turmeric and if you are someone who wants to live your life in a natural way then you should definitely know about them. Here are some of the main reasons turmeric has been used as a part of medicine through the ages:It is a natural anti-inflammatory aid

  1. It is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic
  2. It acts as a painkiller for minor aches and discomfort
  3. It can help cuts, scrapes, and wounds heal faster
  4. It provides relief for burns
  5. It has been shown to prevent the growth and spread of various cancers, from prostate cancer to breast cancer
  6. It helps metabolize fat and assists in weight management or weight loss
  7. It can be used to treat arthritis naturally
  8. It has been shown to impede the progress of multiple sclerosis

Tumeric is really a multifaceted health aid, and it can be used to both prevent and treat a variety of ailments. The good thing is that you don't have to feel like infusing your diet with turmeric is a pain or something to dread-cooking dishes with turmeric can be quite tasty.

The natural world is teeming with plants, herbs and minerals that can be used to effectively treat any condition that affects your body. Modern medicine has tried to create synthetic replacements for what nature naturally provides, but in doing so modern medicine has sometimes caused more harm than good. While you should always consult the physician you trust most vis-à-vis issues with your health, it is definitely worth looking into alternative methods of medical treatment as a way to avoid the chemicals and toxins regularly found in products of pharmaceutical companies. Tumeric is one such natural treatment for weight loss, and it is really all-encompassing-who wouldn't want to manage their weight and protect against all kinds of cancer all at the same time? Ingesting turmeric can help you kill many health birds with one stone, so take the time to learn a little more about how you can use it to maintain your health and well-being.

About the Author

Maureen Hamilton is an Integrated Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner, Hypnotherapist and a Demartini Method Facilitator. Maureen has previously worked in many areas of health in Australia as well as overseas. Her health background includes training in general and midwifery nursing, mental health plus other modalities. Maureen is very much involved in promoting and assisting people to obtain optimal health and is absolutely committed to helping people to stop smoking and/or lose weight naturally using Hypnosis and NLP.
 

Lose weight Fast

Filed Under: Weight Loss Tagged With: ,

Power of the Subconscious Mind

13 February 2012 By Maureen Leave a Comment

 

Hypnosis and NLP for Quit Smoking and Weight Loss

Is your life being fulfilled?We often wonder how the unconscious mind works when it is used in Hypnosis and NLP to assist people to stop smoking, lose weight and many other treatments such as phobias and stress or depression.  So here is an example of how we can tap into the unconscious mind to solve a problem without the assistance of a therapist.

Ask the Unconsious Mind to Solve a Problem

When you are looking for information or a solution to a tricky problem or situation, then you need to tap into the unlimited resources in the unconscious mind. Before the unconscious mind is able to assist you it needs to know what it is you are trying to resolve.  So ask the unconscious mind the questions so it knows what it is you are seeking help with. For example, a person has a difficult staff member who is not doing their work according to what is expected of them. In the work environment there is a process to be followed. However this young person, who is the son of the manager, comes along to another staff member (female) and takes over the job that has been started by her. The most difficult part of the job is at the beginning so he comes in takes over the half finished job and then takes the credit for the whole job while the other person who has worked so hard is being ignored. Can you imagine how the lady must feel? She works very hard and is feeling vulnerable and beaten by this unfair practice.

Is there a Solution?

So what do you do in this situation? You don’t want to upset the manager and neither does anyone else. So before you go to bed at night ask your unconscious mind the questions that will help you solve this problem. Here are some suggestions:-

How can I help this lady so she can be recognized for her efforts

How can I resolve this problem without upsetting the boss

How can I help this young man to have a better work ethics that will stand him in good stead as he moves forward in life

How can I talk to the boss about this situation without upsetting him

How can I talk to the boss so he doesn’t think I am interfering 

So you have quite a few questions to ask your unconscious mind. You may do this for a number of nights however asking the right question will allow your unconscious mind to work on this situation and come up with answers for you. You may find you will get an answer in a day or it may take a couple of days. Just keep asking the questions each night before you go to sleep. When you receive the answer don’t forget to thank your unconscious mind for the answer.

Share the Answer

So if you feel you already have the answer then that is excellent and your unconscious mind is working with you. Perhaps you might like to share your answer.  Of course there are answers and each person will look at it from a different perspective. So make your comment and share your answer.

Filed Under: General, Positive Thoughts, Quit Smoking, Weight Loss Tagged With: , , , ,

What role should fast food play in our lives?

22 December 2011 By Maureen Leave a Comment

 

What role should fast food play in our lives?

 

Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Junk food, fast food, processed food—whatever you choose to call it, it is everywhere. The proliferation of fast food across the globe has caused a sharp increase in obesity, particularly in the Western world, and according to the Australian government nearly 25% of Australian youth are considered overweight.

Whether or not fast food is good for us, it is omniscient and we are confronted by its smells and advertising daily. So how do we realistically approach the fast food leviathan in our daily lives? Here are a few ways to wrestle successfully with the junk food beast:

  • Don’t be too rigid: While fast food should in no way be a part of your daily diet, there is nothing wrong with indulging yourself every once in awhile. Whether it is to satisfy a craving or to save time when the family needs dinner at the end of a long, stressful day, give yourself the green light to stop at Hungry Jacks every once in awhile.  A healthy diet means balance and balance means it is ok to swing in the bad direction every once in awhile.
  • Plan you meals: Most people choose the fast food option because it is super convenient in our time-strapped world. One way to avoid falling into the pit of junk food is to plan your meals. Make a list every weekend of dinner’s you want to eat the following week—dinner’s that are healthy and balanced. Take the weekend to then shop for your supplies so that you are prepared during the week. An added benefit planning healthy dinners is that they can turn into healthy lunches the next day.
  • Exercise: What does exercise have to do with the role of fast food in your life? A lot, actually. Exercise requires you to be more conscious about what you put into your body. If you exercise, you will need to build healthier eating habits, and you may find that you aren’t so interested in processed foods. Exercise also keeps you healthy and in shape for when you do have your occasional junk food slip up.

Fast food should play a minor role in your life, but not best supporting actor—more like one of the names that flashes up on the credits at the end of the film. You don’t have to be dogmatic about avoiding fast food, but if you are conscious about what you eat and work to build healthy eating and exercise habits, then junk food will naturally be relegated to its proper place—movie nights and stress overloaded days.

Filed Under: Family, Parenting and General Health, Weight Loss Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What Is Metabolism And How Does It Affect Your Body?

22 December 2011 By Maureen Leave a Comment

 

What Is Metabolism And How Does It Affect Your Body?

You have probably heard a lot of people in good or bad shape saying stuff like “oh my metabolism is just slow” or “oh I just have a really good metabolism.”  Most people refer to their metabolism when talking about physical health and fitness, but do you really know what metabolism is and what it does? Does it really affect your weight as much as most people claim?

Metabolism is the umbrella term for all the physical and chemical processes that occur in the body in order to convert or use energy.  Breathing, digesting food, muscle exercise, brain functioning etc., all undergo metabolic processes that use or convert energy. In terms of weight gain and loss, your metabolism is what controls how fast you both gain and lose weight—it controls how fast or slow we burn calories. In that sense, a fast metabolism means you will have an easier time losing weight that you put on and a slow metabolism means it will take a longer time to burn your calories. The speed of your metabolism is dependent upon several factors:

  • Age: Your metabolism is fastest in your teens and then slows over time, decreasing by about 5% each decade after you reach the age of 40.
  • Sex: Men, in general, burn calories at a much faster rate than women. This is why they are recommended to have a higher daily caloric intake than women.
  • Lean Body Mass Proportion: The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will burn calories.
  • Genetics: some people inherit a physical make-up that just burns calories slower than others. Thyroid problems can also lead to a slower or faster metabolism rate.

It is pretty straight forward: you metabolism controls how fast your body burns calories. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that your metabolism actually controls your weight. A slower or faster metabolism rate shouldn’t matter all too much if you are consistently engaging in healthy eating habits and exercise. Maintaining a weight that is healthy for your body cancels out whether you have a fast or slow metabolism (excepting when there is a severe problem or genetic issue). So when you hear people talking about their weight can be boiled down to their metabolism alone, unfortunately that just isn’t true. The truth is, you and your habits control your level of physical fitness, and your metabolism plays a supporting role in helping you with the process. It is important to understand what your metabolism is and how it works, but ultimately healthy food and activity choices will make a big difference in your ability to enjoy life and maintain the physical fitness level you want.

Filed Under: Weight Loss Tagged With: , , , ,
« Older Posts