Health Advice for Women

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.

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.