Archive for the ‘Special Problem Areas’ Category

SIMPLE AND NATURAL..

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

I bet in your bathroom you have many beauty products have used…especially for your hair.  You most likely have several different name brand products that promise the same results.  How many different mousses, straighteners, conditioners do you have laying around, half used?

I found this website the other day that has natural at home care recipes for hair, skin, nails, ect.  It is so cool!  The products we buy for our hair can be very expensive and the list of ingredients is ridiculous.  You would have to be a chemist to understand what is in the product.  We might run for the hills and wonder why we have not gone bald!  And, there always seems to be one thing in common with these products.  Most, if not all, contain alcohol which is extremely drying.  I have VERY fragile hair and I constantly battle drying and split ends.  I ride a motorcycle and bicycle and I know that the wind and sun damages my hair. When I wrap my hair up tight and tuck it in the helmet, even that seems to break my hair.  I enjoy swimming and will swim in the lake and streams that we are so blessed to have around us.  But a pool?  Yikes!  The chlorine would eat my hair alive! 

I have spent so much money on high quality products being warned from hairdressers to stay away from the cheaper products on our store shelves.  So, I have used the high dollar stuff, not noticing much difference, yet scared to death of using the store stuff thinking my problem would be much worse. 

So, this natural website was a wonderful discovery!  For deep conditioning, there is a recipe for simply using mayonnaise.  I guess it really isn’t a recipe cuz that is all you use.   According to the recipe, heat up 2 towels on high in the dryer.  Then, while they are heating up, grab some mayonnaise and smear it all into your hair.  Put on a hair baggy and wrap the first towel around your head for 20 minutes.  Then put the 2nd heated towel on your head for 20 minutes.  Rinse, shampoo and condition.  I did not use the towels, but bagged up my hair and let it sit.  And, guess what.  It worked.  My hair was extremely soft.  For extra shine?  Use a tablespoon (or teaspoon?  I can’t remember) to 4 cups warm water and use as a rinse.  Possible caution!  Watch for bears that might tackle you and lick your head!

Laurie J. Souza

Offering in home personal/group fitness training.

Lauriesimplyfit.com  370-8228

 

Tags: ,
Posted in General Health and Fitness, Recipes, Special Problem Areas | No Comments »

ALCOHOL EFFECTS METABOLISM

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Quite a few of my gal-pals have been complaining that they are not losing weight like they used to.  Before they could diet a few weeks and knock off the weight.  But now the weight isn’t dropping.  Upon further questioning, one thing is in common.  Every one of them indulges in alcohol.  If they were beer drinkers, they gave it up for hard liquor mixed with diet, or straight shots thinking that would solve the problem.  I too thought that drinking in that way would be alright, since I have always believed in calories in/calories out.  But then I started wondering exactly how alcohol affected the body.  Particularly the metabolism.  And since metabolism can make or break you, I did some research and found this article which I will just copy and paste.

“Weight loss and alcohol do not go together.  Anyone serious about weight loss should be aware of the sabotaging effects of alcoholic beverages.

A research paper in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition can shed some light on fat metabolism and it’s affected when a person consumes alcohol. Eight men were given two drinks of vodka and sugar-free lemonade. The drinks were spaced 30 minutes apart. Each drink contained less than 90 calories. Fat burning was measured before and after consumption of the drink.

Alcohol Affects Fat Metabolism by Halting Fat Burning

Researchers found that for several hours after drinking the vodka, fat burning in the body decreased by a massive 73%. The researchers also found that only 5% of the alcohol calories were converted to fat. The rest of the alcohol was converted into a substance called acetate. Acetate was measured at 2.5 times the normal value in the vodka drinking participants. This apparently brought fat burning to an almost grinding halt.

It seems that alcohol acts like jet fuel in the body. It surpasses all other forms of fuel in the body to become the main fuel of choice to meet the body’s energy needs. The body stops burning fat or even carbohydrates. It resorts to burning only alcohol until it is completely depleted.

Alcohol Affects Weight Loss by Increasing Appetite

Weight loss efforts are further sabotaged when an alcoholic beverage is consumed with meals.  One such study was published in the International Journal of Obesity. The researchers wanted to find out the effect of consuming wine and beer on the amount of food consumed. 22 non-obese men were served a meal with beer, wine or a carbonated soft drink. The calories consumed were measured.

The researchers concluded that alcoholic beverages and wine in particular, increased the total calories consumed at a meal. The study seems to indicate that the consumption of alcoholic beverages generally increased appetite. So if you take wine with a meal, the study suggests that you would eat more than you would if there was no wine.

Looking at the 2 studies together, the following would be happening to anyone consuming alcoholic beverages;

  • Someone consume a glass or two of wine with a meal
  • He or she would eat more due to the appetite increasing effects of the wine
  • The alcohol consumed would become the body’s main fuel of choice
  • The body’s fat burning is reduced massively
  • All the calories consumed at the meal are stored as fat. Mind you that one would have eaten more than the amount if he or she had not consumed the wine.

Weight Loss While Drinking Alcohol

Some may argue that they don’t eat when they drink. Well these people would obviously drink more. The alcohol would stay in the blood longer. Their body’s fat burning system would be shut down longer and they would not be much better off.

Anyone consuming alcohol cannot achieve effective weight loss.  Not when the research shows that it decreases fat burning by a massive 70% for a few hours!  You may not have known earlier but at least now you know. Does that mean that you can never drink? Well not really. It’s just that you can’t drink and expect to lose weight at the same time.

Why would you spend an hour on the treadmill to burn 200-300 calories and then bring fat burning to a grinding halt by drinking? To me, it’s synonymous to driving a car with one foot on the accelerator and one foot on the brakes. Remember that the participants of the study only consumed 24 grams of alcohol.

Get yourself down to the body shape that you want. Restrain from alcohol until you are satisfied with the body that you have. Once your body gets used to your new weight, you may indulge in some drinks now and then. But don’t expect any fantastic weight loss while continuing to drink.

Laurie Souza offering in home personal training….lauriesimplyfit.com

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Diet and Nutrition, General Health and Fitness, Special Problem Areas | No Comments »

BODY IMAGE

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

On average, North Americans are heavier than most people.  We all know that.  Obesity is the cause of physical AND emotional problems.  For this article, we are going to look at the emotional side of obesity and body image. 

Because of our culture, many of us and our children suffer from poor self image.  Magazines, television, internet, ECT are filled with beautiful, slender people and recipes for fattening foods!  Look at the old commercial of the beautiful woman eating the gigantic Karl’s junior hamburger day after day and she stays fit and slim.  The media glamorizes not only beauty, but the beauties dining out in elegant places of romance with the rich creamy sauces and desserts overflowing to the brim.  Our reaction of course, when we see these slim and trim examples is “I better go on a diet.”  And then we fall prey to the “merchants of misery” who offer quick fixes through quack remedies and semi-starvation plans.  Their promise: follow our diet and you will look just like the movie stars!”  In addition to being unappetizing and monotonous, many of these diets are ridiculous, expensive and dangerous.    

Why is it our tenancy to look at someone else and wish we had their looks, their hair, their body, their brains, and their personality?  I will tell you why.  Because beauty is what attacks.  Is beauty evil?  Certainly not.  There’s beauty of nature, the sleek look of a car, the beauty of a person.  We learn very young that the “pretty” people are the ones that seem to get all of the attention and respect.  But as we grow older and wiser, we learn that outside beauty is truly skin deep and fades.  If it is a material item like a car, the paint fades and chips away.  If it is beauty in nature, as God’s Word says “the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord stands forever”. 

Obesity usually occurs because of over-indulging. So, if we are overindulging we are paying the price of carrying fat on our bodies.  Then we must make the decision to do something about it simply for our own self respect.  No one else’s. Moderation is the key to all things.  However, when we turn to dieting because we want to look like someone else, or wear sizes that were not meant for our frame, this is where we fall prey to society and what others say are beauty.  All of us have had people make remarks or actions that can make us feel insecure in ourselves.  For example, say a young girl goes on a date with a guy she has had a crush on for months.  While they are sitting together having a soda, she notices that he notices every other pretty girl that passes by.  She then thinks to herself, “I’m not pretty enough to keep his attention.  These girls are so slim.  I need to go on a diet”.  Stay away from people like this, for they are shallow and rude. I once dated this type of person who had a thing about my hair.  It always had to be straight and down.  And, you know what’s funny?  I actually did it!  Yikes! I laugh now, but really, it is not a laughing matter when you live your life for another person’s pleasure.  And think about this.  Would you really want to be with someone that does not love you for what you look like and who you are?  Not me.  I learned the hard way.  God loves you and made you just how you are.  Our job is to take care of this body that He has blessed us with. 

Laurie J. Souza

Offering in home personal fitness training

Lauriesimplyfit.com

Tags: , ,
Posted in General Health and Fitness, Special Problem Areas | No Comments »

HOLIDAY EATING

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Uh-oo!  Here come the holidays!  Are you prepared or are you freaking out just thinking about the pounds you are going to gain after the hard work you put in all year? 

Well quit obsessing or it may lead you to be grumpy, and then you could end up overeating since everyone is mad at you and now you’re depressed.  Instead, let’s come up with ideas that will keep us relaxed and de-stressed.   

We know that we will want to try all of the wonderful recipes that others will be bringing to work, parties, or wherever we hang out.  We also are going to want to try new recipes that we are seeing on the food channel and magazines.  So, the first step is:

Acceptance.  Accept that you will be over indulging in food items that you usually say no to or limit in your diet.  So, with that in mind, you want to

Be ready.  Got to have a plan!  What will your plan be?  Mine will be “a little more sweat, and a little less eats” BEFORE the day of celebration. 

Now in reality, we know that there will not just be one day of celebration, but many cuz those wonderful friends are already starting their baking creations and bringing them in!  It’s already happening at my work place.  So, that means our “little more sweat and a little less eats” are going to have to happen “a little more than normal” through the next few weeks.    

Stay in control.   If you end up eating ½ a pumpkin pie with whip cream, you are not going to be happy with yourself!  You will end up beating yourself up then probably eating the other half!  If that pie means everything to you, you better sacrifice other areas, like Turkey, potatoes, dressing, rolls, gravies, veggies with cream sauces, drinks and all salad dressings!   And for me, when it comes to pumpkin pie, I just might do that!

We work hard so we can take a break.  But keep yourself sane!  It may taste and feel good for the moment, but if we go crazy wild and eat like we haven’t eaten in a year, we will pay!

Laurie Jones offering in home personal training

Lauriesimplyfit.com    530-370-8228

Posted in Special Problem Areas | No Comments »

SCARY SCALE!

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

THE “SCARY” SCALE!

Oh, the dreaded scale.  It seems to call to us, especially when we are trying to lose weight.  That little piece of equipment seems to hold power…the power to make us feel good or bad.  You could be sticking to your healthy eating plan and exercising faithfully, feeling your pants getting loser and then step on that scale and freak out since the mark did not move and then say to yourself  “All this hard work for nothing.  I’m done”.  You stop working out and hit the Big Mac and fries.  Now remember, before you stepped on the scale you felt good.  After you stepped on the scale, you felt bad cuz the scale did not read what you wanted it to.  And you know what?  Probably the next day or two before you ate the Big Mac you would have seen the drop you were hoping for.  I personally do not own a scale.  I will sometimes use the one in the gym. 

 I recently had one of my clients fall totally off the wagon just because of the scale.  She was misusing it and stepping on it daily.  Well, this time when she stepped on it, she was bummed.  I warned her not to use it every day, but she didn’t listen!  (Imagine that!  One of my clients NOT LISTENING TO ME!!!)Remember, our weight can fluctuate between 1-2 pounds.  One day you may be down a pound, the next time up a pound.  This is a good reason to weigh in once a week because that will give you a true reading.  For once a week weigh-ins,   I personally would pick Fridays since most of us seem to do really well during the week and slip up on the weekends.  Get on the scale first thing in the morning, wearing nothing or clothes that are consistently the same.  Wearing shorts to weigh in the first time, and jeans the next will throw you off 1-2 pounds.  If you are doing weight training, remember that muscle weighs more than fat.  Therefore, the scale may register more, but your clothing will feel different.

 Even though muscle weighs more, if you are truly sticking to your exercise and diet the pounds registered by the scale will start coming off.  So, break the addiction to the scale and stay faithful and patient!  You will get the results in time that you are working so hard for!

Laurie Jones offering in home personal fitness training.

Lauriesimplyfit.com

Posted in Special Problem Areas | No Comments »

OUT OF CONTROL HUNGER

Friday, June 26th, 2009

OUT OF CONTROL HUNGER

Our stomach has the amazing ability to stretch and to shrink.  If you are trying to lose weight you must shrink your stomach.   You are going to have to reduce your portions.  Yes, this is a drag, but that’s the way it is.  We are all eating WAY TO MUCH FOOD!!! (Or drinking too much calories) Calories are used for energy, so unless you are putting out energy you cannot justify the amount of food you are consuming.  Energy is used by our bodies for all functions to keep us alive, plus all work and play done by your muscles.  Therefore, if you are not putting out much energy to move your body, you are going to gain weight. Many of the jobs that we must do are not requiring the use of our bodies.  Our minds are keeping sharp, but our muscle is turning to flab.   We are in bed for hours.  We get up, get ready, eat even if we are not hungry, get in the car, arrive at work, and then sit behind a desk or whatever we do that does not require much movement.  Or even if your job does require physical labor, many of you are still finding yourselves getting fat.  The reason for that again is simple.  You are taking in more calories than you are burning.  We have grown up with the traditional “3 meals a day” teaching.   How many of you eat just because it is “time” to eat?  I have people ask me if I eat breakfast.  I tell them I listen to my body.  What I mean by that is this…If I’m hungry I eat, if I’m not, I don’t.  And this is where shrinking your stomach comes in.  But even before you tackle the job of stomach shrinking, you are going to have to tackle your will.  You are going to have to use your will power and discipline.  Well, that’s a whole different article, so we will stick to “stomach shrinking” for now.

  How do we shrink our ever growing appetite?  It’s going to be uncomfortable, but food quantity must be reduced.  However you choose to do this is your choice, but it must be done.  You can choose simple will power, or you can use appetite suppressors. (ABSOLUTLEY CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR!!   WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AND OUR BODIES RESPOND DIFFERENTLY!! )  Yes, you heard me right…diet pills.  I do advocate weight loss the healthy way, but sometimes we all need a little help.  The drug stores offer over the counter products, or with a prescription you can get a powerful suppressor.  The key in using these products is to set your mind to losing weight, use them, and then get off of them.  Or using them every other day, or two days.  You do not want to use them for a crutch, only a tool.  They will help you take the edge off of hunger which is the biggest defeating power to reaching your goal.  In a few days to a week if you have cut your portions down, you will start feeling full with smaller amounts of food.  Now you are on your way to dropping weight.

 

Laurie Jones

Offering in home personal and group training

Lauriesimplyfit.com

Tags:
Posted in Special Problem Areas | No Comments »

Cellulite

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

Cellulite!  The dreaded “cottage cheese” dimpling stuff that attaches itself to the back of our legs that most of us women struggle with…every woman’s nightmare.  I think this is what makes us wear long pants when it’s hot out more than thinking our legs look fat.  I have observed cellulite in all kinds of women, and women without.   Most young girls do not have it unless they are extremely over weight.  However, older women who are not over weight can have it.  In fact, I have seen very thin women have it, and overweight women who do not have it. Cellulite does not discriminate.  It’s an equal opportunity fat that appears on active women as well as sedentary women.   Do I have it?  Yes, I do.  However, I do not have it to the extent that the ladies in my family do.  Why do I not have it as bad?  I believe because of exercise and diet. 

So, what does research says about cellulite?  They say it is strands of fibrous tissues that connect the skin to deeper tissue and separate compartments that contain fat cells.  (Huh)?  When fat cells increase, the compartments bulge, creating that dimply effect. 

The cellulite seems to collect mostly on our rears and the back of our legs.  I think it collects there because that is where we seem to store excess fat.  So my thinking is if we work these muscles hard, the muscle will grow and fill out the skin, thus smoothing the dimpling effect.  Hey, that’s a much better thought than running out and buying those miracle cure creams that promise to rid our thighs and rears of cellulite!  And, let’s be honest.  How many of us HAVE gone out and bought the stuff?  There is no crème that is going to get rid of our cellulite! 

So, what is the best answer to this problem?  We need to remember what causes fat in the first place.  We get fat by taking in too many calories.  Then our highly efficient body nicely stores the extra fat here and there all over us, but especially behind us (thank you very much!) The best solution, in my opinion is eating right and exercise.  Focus on resistance training (weights, bands) to build stronger muscles underneath the fat to help smooth out the area.  Do your best then let it go.  Be happy with yourself and when it’s hot, wear shorts!  We are our own worst critic and judge ourselves harsher than others do.  Honestly, what really matters?  Smooth legs or a happy face and smile?

 

Laurie Jones

Personal Fitness Trainer

Web page and contact info: lauriesimplyfit.com

Tags: ,
Posted in Special Problem Areas | No Comments »

Emotional Eating

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

Something happens to upset us.  All of a sudden we feel uneasy, unsure and    insecure.  The feeling is uncomfortable, but, there is no escape.  It is not major, but enough to feel something’s just not right.   The thought runs through our minds “What will make me feel better?”  Something to eat is the answer that comes back.  We are not hungry but for some reason eating brings comfort, and that is what we are seeking.  So we find a comforting snack, and we eat it.  Temporarily we feel relief.  We finish and realize that the “uneasiness” has not gone away.  So maybe we eat some more.  The feeling is still there.  But now we have compounded the uncomfortable feeling with frustration.  We realize we just ate when we were not hungry.  Now not only are we battling with the “uneasy” feeling, but also the feeling   I feel fat and failed once again at my diet. 

Emotional eating has got to be one of the reasons that so many are over weight.  It is a habit that needs to be broken.  If not broken and weight starts to climb, it will lead to further depression.  

Where did we develop this habit?  My thinking is that it started when we were babies.  We would cry and our mothers would pick us up, hold, cuddle and feed us.  Maybe we just needed to be held, but we also got something to eat, and it brought us comfort.  The problem is that some of us did not out grow this!

Every one of us experiences the feelings I just described above but eating is not the answer.  Take some time and think about what you can do to help get your mind in a better place.  And yes, even though this is a fitness article, I am NOT going to say that exercise is always the answer.  However let me tell you, Sunny Jim, it works for me!  There has been many times that I have had to drag myself to the gym in a negative emotional state of mind cuz of something that had happened and by the time I was finished, the problem did not seem as bad.  Maybe pushing myself through an exercise training period strengthened me for the problem ahead, or at least strengthened me in my mind.  Maybe it was the endorphin release that gave me a sense of well being.  Whatever it was changed my mood set, and I felt better.   If I would have given into emotional eating, I know what would have happened to me…not a pretty sight!

Remember, it’s just a habit.  All habits can be broken.  Set your mind to change.

Tags: ,
Posted in Special Problem Areas | No Comments »