Health Advice for Women

So you need to lose 10 (or 20 or 30) pounds - or think you do – but we’ll get to that later, missy. Well what is so hard about that?  All you need is a little self discipline. After all, you only need to eliminate 3,500 calories from your intake, and whoosh – it’s gone.
A one time deal and you never have to think about it again, Right? Right?? Don’t I wish!!

Why is it that I don’t hear cheers and the sound of high fives from around the room? What I do hear is the sneaky rustle of potato chip bags and Twinkie’s wrappings. Ah, you say, I could stick to a diet if it weren’t for those nasty food cravings.

All right, I hear you, and yes, I’ll admit that food cravings are real, and the good news is that there could be medical reasons for these cravings.

• Are you pregnant? If you think you could be, please get tested. Don’t wait for nine months to find out, girls. That kid needs to be fed right, and fed right NOW. (You want a pickle? Go for it, mom! Just don’t use pregnancy to justify stuffing your tummy with everything you have tried to deny yourself for the past 15 years. )
• Premenstrual? Look at the calendar. Does simply being a woman make want you a candy bar? (Or several candy bars? I’ll take two plain chocolate, one with almonds, and a little bag of…but you get the point.)
• Low insulin levels? Yes, lack of insulin could be driving your irrational desire for Real Food, i.e., lots of carbohydrates. If you have low blood sugar or if there is diabetes in your family, your body will try to protect itself by storing every calorie within reach. Go to a doctor immediately, and get this checked out, will you? There are also great website loaded with information, check out www.insulitelabs.com.
• Low Serotonin? So your boss hates you, your mom won’t get off your back about your messy living room, and your guy is the reason for the messy living room, in the first place. Sure, everybody wants to feel good, and if you are under a lot of stress, your body may start to holler for a one pound bag of chocolate chip cookies, fudge-ripple ice cream or three Margaritas. Are you going to give in?
• Yes, food cravings are out there, but the question is, ‘What can you do about them?’ Well, apart from the very real medical issues that some women face, you can do a lot.

Now I know that some of you do not want to go the gym, but exercise really helps. Not only does it elevate the level of those natural feel-good chemicals, it tones your muscles (making the body you have look better, even if it weighs the same), it reduces the number of calories that are available for storage on your inner thighs, and gets you out of harm’s way (that bag of potato chips can’t see you when you are at the gym).

Now that’s not just a two-fer, it’s a four-fer! Of course, you don’t have to go to the gym to exercise. You can take long walks with a friend, go bowling, or swim at your local pool - better than watching TV any day.

Meditation and yoga help, too, and yoga helps keep you flexible, as well as calming your nerves (the ones that are frayed because of your guy, your boss, and your mother: see above). Sex and a bath with candles can help, too. The point is that we do have a lot of control over our lives, so let’s go girls!

Are you overweight and fatigued? Do you feel jittery and irritable but better once you eat? Do you feel sleepy after eating a meal heavy with carbohydrates? Do you suffer from high blood pressure or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

These are all signs of Insulin Resistance, one of the major underlying causes of excess weight and obesity. It affects up to 65% of the overweight population.

Insulin Resistance vastly reduces the insulin sensitivity of cells, which impairs the processing of glucose through the cell wall for conversion to energy. As a result, glucose remains in your blood stream, causing elevated levels of blood sugar, which are sent to the liver. Once there, the sugar is converted into fat and stored via the blood stream throughout your body. This process can lead to weight gain and obesity

Insulin Resistance has many factors that contribute to its presence in the body. In essence, our environment and lifestyles have evolved too rapidly for our bodies to keep pace. We are still genetically “wired” to thrive on the entrenched habits of our ancestors who consumed different, nutrient-rich foods, a diet low in carbohydrates and also sustained greater levels of movement and exercise.

Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to Insulin Resistance. Others develop Insulin Resistance through unhealthy lifestyles.

Over time, the above factors have damaged the complex ability of your body’s cells to properly utilize insulin to convert glucose to energy. Unhealthy diets cause the pancreas to overproduce insulin that overwhelms the cell thereby reducing its sensitivity to insulin and impairing the vital glucose-to-energy conversion process. If you feel you may be suffering from obesity caused by Insulin Resistance take this self-test.

The good news is that Insulin Resistance is reversible, without drugs. By weaning yourself from “bad” carbohydrates and replacing them with “good” carbohydrates while increasing your consumption of nutrient-dense foods, you can break the cycle and heal your body by changing the way it responds to food on a cellular level.

Here is a sample daily meal plan from The Insulite LabsGuide to Reversing Insulin Resistance.

For additional information on reducing carbs visit Insulite Labs Excess Weight and Obesity web site: http://weight.insulitelabs.com

Breakfast: Avocado and smoked salmon toast. Puree avocado, 1 garlic clove, 1 tbsp. lemon
juice, 1 tsp. olive oil, 2 tsp. fresh cilantro or parsley. Spread on “Manna from Heaven” bread.
Layer with 6 oz. smoked salmon. Fat 19g, Carbohydrates 18g, Protein 8g

Snack: Yogurt with fruit. One 4 oz. container plain whole-fat yogurt with 1/4 cup blueberries,
plus a pinch of cinnamon. Add stevia to sweeten to taste. Fat 4g, Carbohydrates 11g, protein 4g

Lunch: Chicken with vegetables and salad. Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and
arugula salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. feta cheese over
the whole plate. Fat 24g, Carbohydrates 17g, Protein 36g

Snack: Slathered celery. Two celery sticks with regular-fat cream cheese.
Carbohydrates 1g, Protein 2g

Dinner: Grilled tilapia. Grilled tilapia with 1 Tbsp. each of capers, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Salad: sliced cucumber and tomato, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves with olive oil dressing
and chopped dill. Fat 7g, Carbohydrates 6g, Protein 28g

Daily total: Fat 64g, Carbohydrates 53g, Protein 78g

My experience with diet pills, much like the history of diet pills, was scary! After years of searching for the perfect pill I finally realized that exercise is the only safe and effective diet “pill.” It helped me lose 38 pounds. No prescription drug or fat blocker had ever done that for me.

Diet pills have been around since the 1930’s when two Stanford University physicians developed the chemical dinitrophenol (DNP) to speed metabolism by increasing body temperature. DNP was taken off the market in 1938 after causing fatal fevers and blindness. Though it can still be purchased illegally online, DNP is now used as a manufacturing chemical.

In the 1950’s amphetamines gained popularity as doctors sought a way to help patients lose weight by decreasing appetite. Amphetamines proved to be effective, but also addictive. Since the 1970’s, they are prescribed for a few weeks at a time to stimulate weight loss but not prescribed long enough to develop dependency.

I started taking Phentermine (an amphetamine) in 2003. Even though I had a prescription for three weeks, I only lasted four days! It was awful. My heart felt like it was going to explode. Sure, I wasn’t hungry. But I felt dizzy, weak and did I mention my heart felt like it was going to explode?

Over the counter pills loaded with caffeine or “natural” sources of caffeine weren’t any better. I still felt jittery, like I’d had a pot of coffee. But they didn’t seem strong enough to curtail my appetite. With pills containing green tea and Hoodia, I had no side-effects, but they did absolutely nothing for me.

And we all remember Fen-Phen, which became popular in the 1990’s, with doctors writing over 85,000 prescriptions a week until the Mayo Clinic published a study reporting it caused heart valve complications. A month later, the FDA took it off the market.

I had never taken Xenical, the fat blocker, but when it came out in its over-the-counter form, Alli, I was in line the first day to give it a try. I followed the rigid guidelines: no more than 15 grams of fat per meal, so as not to get the dreaded side-effects of too much fat intake. Even though I was eating the recommended 1,800 calories per day and keeping my fat grams in check I had intense cravings for sugary foods.

I’d had it! I decided to see a nutritionist. She helped me understand that I was suffering from Insulin Resistance and carbohydrate addiction.

Insulin Resistance creates increased levels of insulin and glucose in the blood stream, which is a major underlying cause of excess weight and obesity. Symptoms can include fatigue, trouble concentrating, feeling irritable or jittery but better once food is eaten, sleepiness after eating meals heavy with carbohydrates, high blood pressure, and even depression. If you feel you may be suffering from obesity caused by Insulin Resistance I suggest taking this self-test.

Though I supplement my lower-carbohydrate diet with nutraceuticals, I will never take another diet pill again! I’ve found exercise to be the best diet “pill” of all. I started slowly, walking through my neighborhood in the evenings for twenty minutes and worked my way up to an hour. I’ve definitely revved up my metabolism with my daily exercise “pill.” I feel more alert throughout the day and my cravings have subsided.

I’ve discovered that it’s not about sweating and straining until you feel like falling over. It’s about finding something you can stick with every day. Well, most days.

Have you looked at your calendar lately? Half the year has already gone by! If you’re like me, all the good intentions you had in January as you made resolutions to eat healthily and lose weight have long gone out the window.

But don’t fret. Now that we have reached the halfway mark, we have plenty of time to get back on track. And there’s no need to make resolutions to do so. Stephen Covey has written 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but he didn’t take on weight loss! If you are a Covey fan or you just want to lose weight and keep it off, follow these 7 habits of highly effective dieters or better termed 7 habits of highly effective weight loss:

1. Track what you eat.

Studies have shown that people who write down what they eat are much more successful in their efforts to lose weight. If you write down what you eat, you are less likely to overeat and are more likely to manage your food intake in a balanced, healthy manner. Writing down what you eat makes you accountable. You cannot hide from the truth of the written word.

2. Reward yourself.

Many dieters feel punished by the lifestyle changes they are trying to make. To help ease the pain, make sure to reward yourself for both big and small changes that you are able to accomplish. Buy a new pair of shoes. Go to the movies. Grab coffee with a friend. By rewarding yourself in this way you are reminding yourself that food is not the reward, but living your life in a positive manner is.

3. Eat natural foods.

Over the past several decades we have seen an increase the number of pre-packaged, processed foods on our grocery store shelves that are high in fat, sodium, and preservatives. Getting back to a more natural diet by incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins such as fish and chicken, and whole foods will provide your body with the fuel it needs to naturally digest food and convert it into usable energy. Eating naturally is eating healthily.

4. Exercise everyday.

Exercise is a vital component of successful weight loss and maintenance. By exercising everyday, you will burn calories, boost your metabolism, and level out the production of insulin in the pancreas making it easier for your body to convert glucose to energy. People who exercise everyday have a greater chance of breaking the yo-yo dieting cycle because exercise becomes a normal part of their everyday lives. So make sure you choose an exercise plan that is doable for your skill level and one that is also sustainable. No need to train for a marathon, just get out there and move!

5. Practice portion control.

In the age of the supersized meal-deal, people have lost sight of what portions should be in a normal, healthy diet. If you want to take off the weight for good you need to get back to the basics. For example, one serving of chicken or beef should be the size of your palm. And one serving of fruit (one cup or ½ cup depending on the fruit) should be no bigger than the size of tennis ball. This will take a bit of initiative on your part to learn what serving sizes should be. When you do, you’ll understand why you could never lose the weight before – the portions you were eating were most likely double or triple that of a normal serving making it impossible drop the weight.

6. Don’t deprive yourself.

While you will need to watch your portions and the types of foods you eat on a daily basis, you also need to indulge in the things you love… at least once in a while. If you don’t, the thought of that favorite food will haunt you until you finally cave and eat the whole pizza pie or finish off the half gallon of ice cream all by yourself. So go ahead and have that slice of pizza or a small scoop of your favorite flavor. Just don’t go overboard and make it a daily habit.

7. Set realistic goals.

Let’s face it. If you are currently a size 24 it is not realistic to think that you will be a size 4 in two months’ time, six months’ time or even 10 months’ time. If you are going to take off the weight in a healthy way then you are going to have to set realistic goals that are achievable in a realistic time-frame. If you don’t, you may feel a little defeated a few weeks into your new diet program and fall off the wagon again.

At 5′4” and 230 pounds, I was miserable. I went through the cycle typical to many of us, binging and dieting, losing maybe 10 or 20 pounds, but always gaining it back. I blamed myself for my lack of will power. It was actually my therapist who suggested I research some of the underlying medical conditions responsible for obesity.

I have since learned that I was Insulin Resistant and suffered from carbohydrate addiction. Insulin Resistance affects 65% of the overweight population. Symptoms can include fatigue, trouble concentrating, feeling irritable or jittery but better once food is eaten, sleepiness after eating meals heavy with carbohydrates, high blood pressure, and even depression. If you feel you may be suffering from obesity caused by Insulin Resistance I suggest taking this self-test.

Insulin Resistance is reversible. Over the course of one year I lost 100 pounds by treating my Insulin Resistance with diet, very moderate exercise, Nutraceauticals, and a fabulous support group.

By gradually reducing my carbohydrate intake, and adding nutrient-dense, low glycemic foods to my diet (foods that do not cause a significant spike in blood sugar), I was able to to break the cycle of carbohydrate addiction and reverse my insulin resistance.

Here are my top 10 fat-fighting foods, super foods:

1.Flax Seed – I add ground flax seed to a high-fiber cereal every morning. It contains fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6, that actually help fight fat.

2.Oatmeal – Steel cut oats are best. The longer it takes to cook the oats the better. Oatmeal provides a lot of fiber and minerals. In studies, consuming oatmeal daily can normalize cholesterol. Avoid the instant and sweetened varieties. They contain sugar and are lower in fiber.

3.Spinach – One cup of cooked spinach has only 42 calories. Packed with vitamin C, beta-carotene and lutein, spinach helps reduce the risk of heart disease. I love mine wilted and topped with balsamic vinegar.

4.Pinto Beans – A half-cup of canned pinto beans has 105 calories, 1 gram of fat, 6 grams of fiber and plenty of folate, which protects your body from heart disease. I use pinto beans, along with black beans, stewed tomatoes and spices like cumin and chili powder to make a delicious vegetarian chili.

5.Garlic – Garlic lowers “bad” cholesterol and is a natural antibiotic/anti-viral. But whether you have a cold or not, I recommend eating it. Chop off the top of a clove of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, and roast it in the oven for a sweet spread to top whole grain crackers.

6.Onions – Onions contain a powerful plant anti-oxidant, quercetin, that protects your body from cancer. A cup (chopped) has 61 calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Eating them chopped, and raw, is best because this releases the quercetin. When I’m not in the mood for raw onions I saute them in olive oil to top veggie dishes.

7.Cayenne- Cayenne proved in studies to contain an ingredient that boosts your metabolism. I always add it to my vegetarian chili. If you can’t handle the heat it is available in pill form.

8.Salmon – Salmon, and other cold water fish, are a great source of lean protein. They also contain essential fatty acids. I broil salmon and add a squeeze of lemon and a spice mixture that is low in salt, like Mrs. Dash.

9.Sweet Potatoes – Sweet Potatoes are great for when you are craving something starchy, but don’t want to splurge. They are actually very low on the glycemic index scale and are packed with nutrients. I make sweet potato “fries” by cutting them into wedges, coating them in olive oil and spices and baking them until slightly crisp.

10.Blueberries – Last but not least, blueberries have been found to have one of the highest levels of anti-oxidants of any food. They are also high in fiber and low in sugar. A sweet treat with zero guilt.

I’ve drunk nothing but lemon water mixed with maple syrup for three days. I’ve eaten nothing but cabbage soup for two weeks. I’ve eaten nothing but bacon and eggs for a month. The Master Cleanse, The Cabbage Soup Diet, Atkins - I even bought The Hollywood 48 Hour Miracle Diet juice at Walgreens. I’ve counted calories, sugar grams, fat grams, and carbohydrates. I was a fad diet junkie.

I would gorge on Mexican food the night before the beginning of each new diet. As I shoved salty tortilla chips topped with mounds of guacamole into my mouth, I convinced myself that it wouldn’t matter because in two weeks I would have lost ten pounds on the Cookie Diet.

Savvy marketers will lure you into diets that deplete your body of vitamins and cost you hundreds of dollar a month, with reasons like French women are always thin, or that Hoodia staved off the hunger of tribal hunters for days. Merci! The only French woman I have ever met was fat and I have taken bottles of Hoodia only to be followed by bags of potato chips.

“They” say eggs are good for you. “They” say eggs are bad for you. Eat shrimp. Don’t eat shrimp. Eat fat. Don’t eat fat. Eat fat, but only with carbohydrates. And what about all those years “they” told us to eat margarine filled with hydrogenated fat? I don’t trust “them” anymore.

Don’t get me wrong, some of the diets did worked, at least for awhile. I lost eight pounds within the first two weeks on The South Beach Diet. I even kept it off for a few months. But the recipes got boring, the food expensive, and one can only eat so much couscous.

For fifteen years I yo-yoed, gaining and losing the same 25 pounds. And it took its toll on my body: stretch marks, sagging breasts, fatigue, and intense cravings for sugar and carbohydrates. My doctor told me I was the perfect candidate for Type 2 Diabetes.

It was time to get serious. At age thirty seven, no longer was just my vanity in danger, but my health.

My metabolism was damaged. I had developed what is called Insulin Resistance from my years of fad dieting. Insulin Resistance creates inappropriate levels of insulin and glucose in the blood stream, which is a major underlying cause of excess weight and obesity, Pre-Diabetes, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Metabolic Syndrome, depression, and even heart disease.

Some of the most common symptoms of Insulin Resistance are fatigue (sometimes everyday at the same time of day, or all day for some people), inability to concentrate, sleepiness after eating a meal comprised mostly of carbohydrates, and a tendency to carry excess weight in the abdomen.

While there is no miracle cure, Insulin Resistance is reversible. Over the course of a year I was able to lose the 25 pounds. To an ex-fad dieter like me, this seemed like a long time. But I felt so much better both physically and mentally after only a few weeks, I decided the gradual way was the right way. Instead of looking for the next fad diet I focused on eating for my health. I slowly weaned myself from cookies, chips, and sugar-laden drinks, replacing them with brown rice, whole wheat toast, and oatmeal. I started to eat more often instead of waiting until my hunger was out of control. I began a regimen of nutraceuticals to help correct my metabolism not help me starve myself and I began exercising every day. You can do research and buy your vitamins, minerals and supplements online at eVitamins, they save you 20-70%. Many women have successfully used the Insulite Labs System which gives you one complete system of proven supplements, eating guidelines, exercise plan, a support group and free consultations with their medical staff.

There is a simple explanation for the middle-age spread: our metabolisms slow by 5% each decade after the age of forty. Slowly but surely we pack on an extra five to ten pounds a year as our bodies become less efficient at burning calories.

And there are plenty of other factors that can affect our metabolisms: motherhood, illness, certain medications, and metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance. To understand what causes insulin resistance go to Insulite Labs.

But we can fight back! With proper nutrition, the right nutrients, a little exercise, and a good night’s sleep we can all become calorie burning machines at any age.

Eat Protein and Eat Often

Never eat fewer than 1,000 calories per day. Our metabolisms thrive on food. Eat three protein-packed meals and two protein snacks per day. Snacking will actually give your metabolism a boost while protein provides a thermal (fat burning) effect superior to that of carbohydrates. Eating enough protein also helps to build and maintain muscle mass, another important factor in revving up the metabolism. Eat as often as every two to three hours. Never allow more than five hours between meals. Fish, turkey, nuts, low-fat cheese, avocados and eggs are excellent choices. And don’t forget to spice it up! Many studies have shown that spicy foods, like hot peppers, can boost metabolism.

Supercharge with Supplements

The right supplements can promote fat burning and stabilize blood sugar. Stable blood sugar and insulin levels are crucial to metabolizing calories efficiently. This may be difficult for individuals suffering from insulin resistance, a hormonal imbalance linked to the way the body processes insulin. Supplements (also called nutraceuticals), along with a nutrition and exercise plan, are essential to correcting this imbalance.
Omega-3 fatty acids, Ultra Omega 1200 offers 3 months free with purchase of 3 months, CoQ10 (Ubiquinone), Vitamin b12, folic acid and thiamin are just a few examples of supplements that regulate blood sugar and supercharge the metabolism. I like ordering online, you can save 20%-70% on all the top name vitamins and supplements at eVitamins.

Strength Training is Key

We may be better off spending less time on the treadmill and more time in the weight room. While cardio exercise benefits the heart and lungs, strength (resistance) training builds lean muscle mass and lean muscle mass is paramount to a fuel efficient body. The more muscle we have, the more calories we burn – even in our sleep.

Don’t Skimp on Sleep

We need at least eight hours of sleep per night for our bodies to function properly during the day. Research shows that people who don’t get a sufficient amount of quality sleep tend to gain weight. The quality of our sleep affects the hormones leptin and grehlin, which control hunger and metabolism. Tiredness also causes us to reach for empty calories like sweets.

I hate roller coasters. The big kind, the small kind, and everything in between. But most of all, I hate the weight loss roller coaster. This is probably because I can never seem to get off of it. Up and down, round and round I go… where I’ll stop nobody seems to know. That’s the biggest problem: while the man-made kind only lasts a few minutes, the weight loss kind seems to last forever.

So why can’t I lose the weight permanently? Some would chalk it up to lack of self control. I’d go with that explanation except that I seem to have extreme self control in other parts of my life. I’m not an excessive shopper. I stick to my budget every month. My house is fairly clean. I rarely drink. So lack of self control doesn’t seem to jive with other areas of my life.

Irritated with myself, I decided to go to the doctor. When she told me I had a medical issue, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) that causes me to be more at risk of gaining weight I thought “Great! Now I can take a pill to get over it.” Wrong.

There is no cure for PCOS. Rather the solution is to find a new way of living that allows my body to operate in the most efficient way it can. Lucky for me, the doctor had some information for me to read on the subject. I also went home and did additional research. One of the best places I’ve found for information on PCOS is at Insulite Labs. Here’s what I learned from them:

• Women with PCOS suffer from a condition known as insulin resistance which causes the body to produce inadequate amounts of insulin to effectively convert food to energy. One side effect is the body craves carbs which can lead to weight gain.

• A low-carb diet has proved to be effective not only in weight loss programs but also in helping to control the production of insulin in the pancreas. But keep in mind that females of normal weight and lean women can also have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and insulin resistance.

• Exercise is a main component of dealing with the symptoms of PCOS. Exercise increases the sensitivity of your cell walls to insulin for the vital conversion of glucose to energy; it boosts metabolism, burns calories and helps to level out the production of insulin the pancreas.
• Choose a balanced, healthy diet that doesn’t include refined carbohydrates, like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, corn and refined sugars. Avoid artificial sweeteners which can raise insulin levels.
• Avoid stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. Even over-the-counter cold medications can contain stimulants, causing spikes in insulin production and release.
• Your doctor may need to address collateral issues such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol issue with medication until they come under control naturally with your weight loss and healthier lifestyle.
• Find a PCOS support group to chat with women who are going through the same experience as you are as it can be frustrating to find common ground with others around you who can lose weight and/or maintain it more easily.
So the bottom line is that I have to go farther than most people to keep the weight in check. I need to crave discipline in diet and exercise, not carbs. I need to seek balance in my life, not in junk food. And most of all, after all of the self reflection and research, I’ve learned that I actually am in control of this roller coaster ride. I just needed a little extra training in amusement park operations to find out how to get off of it with my confidence and self-esteem firmly in place.

When it comes to watching your weight, how many women are truly thrilled when another holiday season comes and goes? All the food enticements are enough to make anyone watching their weight a source of anxiety and dread when they are trying to lose weight. With the high carbohydrate and high calorie foods that envelop family gatherings and the guilt from over indulgence, combined with the struggle to lose weight, what is believed to be a joyous time, can turn into a time of anxiety for many women. Woman with insulin resistance are further challenged trying to avoid sweets and keep their blood sugar levels in check. They know that eating the wrong foods will make them feel dreadful, but want to enjoy some indulgence and extraordinary meals that are part of family traditions. The predicament is always the same. How can someone who is trying to lose weight enjoy most social gathering with food without the guilt associated of sabotaging their diets and compromising their health?

Whether you are just starting a new diet or have been struggling to lose weight for years, there is hope. First and foremost, give yourself permission to enjoy yourself with a few limits. Keeping to a low carb diet and fitting in exercise will minimize your stress and guilt that comes with eating at social events. So piles on the fish, turkey, roast beef, veggies and skip the mashed potatoes, pie, and cake! If you want to have a small treat, eat the high carb food in moderation, savor every bite and take a long stroll after dinner! Eating in moderation will help you feel good about starting out the New Year with a fresh approach to weight loss and getting your health under control.

Be good to yourself today, stop feeling guilty and make a promise to take care of yourself and turn over a new leaf in the New Year. How do you set and reach goals in the New Year for your weight and overall health? We have some great articles on this website to address dieting tips and weight loss recommendations, but the biggest tip is to give your body the nutrition it needs to run properly. Our bad eating habits have depleted our systems. When you have cravings for food, it’s your body telling you it’s low on key vitamins and minerals. Step 1: Get a good multivitamin and take the recommended dose every day, a great vitamin I’ve used is Source of Life you can find it at eVitamins and save 20%-70% on top name Health products! Click here

If you’ve struggled with your weight for years and nothing seems to work, you could have insulin resistance. There is a well known system that has helped thousands of women live healthier lives, lose weight, and reverse their resistance to insulin. Insulite Labs offers a complete system called “The Insulite System” which combines Nutraceuticals, a nutrition plan, an exercise plan, food addiction awareness and weekly support. Many women’s lives have been changed by this system and helped them lose weight, keep their weight off and reverse their resistance to insulin.

View their amazing stories and how they have benefited from the Insulite PCOS System go to Insulite Labs.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-10 percent of pre-menopausal women, making it the most common female endocrine disorder. PCOS wreaks havoc on hormones: excessive amounts of insulin stimulate the ovaries to produce large amounts of testosterone. The result can be irregular periods and infertility, along with symptoms such as male-pattern baldness, fatigue, excess body hair, and obesity. The long term health risks for women with PCOS include diabetes and cardiovascular disease among others.
Stanford University has clearly identified the existence and effects of insulin resistance, a metabolic disorder and the major underlying cause of PCOS. Treating insulin resistance will help you to manage or reverse PCOS symptoms. Most importantly, this can be done naturally, without the use of prescription drugs.

1. Nutraceuticals: Nature’s Medicine
Metabolic change cannot be achieved with a single ingredient. But the right combination of disease specific herbs, vitamins and minerals can help restore your body’s metabolism. Minerals such as chromium, magnesium, and zinc work to control insulin and glucose levels. Vitamin C and folic acid promote a healthy circulatory system. The herbs fenugreek and milk thistle also help to control insulin and glucose levels. Guar Gum can reduce bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Insulite Labs‘ nutraceuticals are formulated to reverse insulin resistance and PCOS. Fish Oils or Omega- 3 fatty acids are included in the Insulite Labs’ supplements and are recommended by every doctor I know to help reduce inflammation in your body and help your body repair itself faster. To buy Omega-3’s separately online, I like UltraOmega1200.com. Their prices are good and they have a money back guarantee.

2. Nutrition: Swap “Bad” Carbs for “Good” Carbs
All women with PCOS can benefit from adopting healthy eating habits. By eating a diet low in carbohydrates and refined sugars you can help reverse the imbalances of glucose and insulin in your body. Avoid “bad” carbohydrates like sweets, white bread, pasta and rice. Replace these with “good” carbohydrates that stabilize blood sugar like brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread.

3. Exercise: Part of Your Daily Routine
Although everyone should find time to exercise, it is especially important for women with PCOS to fit some form of exercise into their daily routine. Whether it is a 20-minute walk, playing outside with your kids, or going to a Pilates class, exercise has proven to boost metabolism and burn calories which helps to control insulin levels and, in turn, results in weight loss. Exercise can also help to stave off diabetes, a health risk for women in PCOS.

4. Food Addiction: Break the Cycle
Consuming “bad” or simple carbohydrates and sugars can create a vicious cycle of ups and downs. Eating sweets and chips may give you a temporary high by causing a surge in blood sugar and serotonin, but the crash is sure to follow, leaving you craving more. By weaning yourself from simple sugars and carbohydrates and replacing them with complex carbohydrates and lean protein throughout the day you can maintain stable glucose and insulin levels and break the cycle of food addiction.

5. Find a Support Network: You Are Not Alone
You are not alone in your struggle with PCOS. There are millions of women worldwide experiencing the same symptoms and emotions. These are the women who will lift you up when you are feeling down. Visit the blogs and online communities like Insulite Labs’ pcos blog and soulcysters.net. If you can’t find a support group in your area then start one and promote it online, in local newspapers, via flyers and at schools, college and health clubs. www.pcosupport.org has a state-by-state list of medical professionals who have shown a commitment to PCOS located on the PCOSA web site.