Are low fat diets making you feel depressed?

Check out this quick video.  If you're on a low fat diet please watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X67KXc4K9Jw&feature=feedu

If you’re restrict calories you’re restricting weight loss

Most people’s strategy to lose weight, especially if they want to lose weight quickly is to restrict calories and increase the amount of exercise they are doing.  There is a serious problem with this strategy that leaves people with short term results and hitting plateaus very quickly. 

Here are a few of the things that occur when you restrict calories:

·         Feel hungrier because your body responds by releasing hormones that signal hunger

·         Your level of thyroid hormone drops, causing a slowing of your metabolism (which will stop weight loss very quickly)

·         Stress hormone levels increase due to the stress of not consuming enough food, this signals your body to breakdown muscle for energy which slows your metabolism

·         Reproductive function slows because of a decrease in sex hormones (which can lead to a decrease in testosterone making it difficult to maintain muscle mass)

·         Growth function such as cell regeneration and tissue repair is inhibited (again making it difficult not to lose muscle, which slows your metabolism)

Most people that start restricting calories will notice an initial weight loss, and then seem stumped when it stops after a few weeks.  This is often occurring because of the points that I’ve listed above, basically the person is often decreasing their metabolism by having less thyroid hormone and decreased muscle mass while trying to fight their hunger cravings.  All of this causes your body to release more stress hormones which signals your body to store more fat.  Not a recipe for weight loss success.

I’m sure you’ve probably experienced this, most people’s solution to break through this plateau is to eat less and/or exercise more which is actually making the problem worse.  Typically they get frustrated and go off their “diet.” This leads to all the weight that was lost being gained back (in some cases even more weight is gained).

With my clients I don’t worry about counting or restricting calories, because they are getting their hormones, digestion and detoxification systems working properly again.  This combined with eating the right food will signal your body to start release fat burning hormones.  You will be able to lose weight without having to worry about counting/restricting calories or feeling deprived. 

If you’re looking for help with developing a strategy to lose weight without feeling deprived, without suffering from cravings, and sets you up for long term success contact me at info@peak-personaltraining.com to book a free consultation to see how I can help you.

Do you have an estrogen Imbalance that’s affecting your health?

Many people today are having problems with estrogen imbalances.  Many women are suffering huge side effects that are creating problems in their everyday lives.  Are you suffering from any of the following symptoms? If so you could have an estrogen imbalance. 

Common Side Effects:

·         Cravings sweets, caffeine, carbohydrates

·         Weight gain especially through the hips, butt, and thighs

·         Allergy symptoms

·         Cold hands/feet

·         Hair loss or thinning

·         Heavy or light periods

·         Hot flashes

·         Lower sex drive

·         Mood swings

·         Memory lapses

·         Night sweats

·         Osteoporosis

·         Water retention

Most female clients that come to work with me are suffering from at least 3 or 4 or these symptoms if not more.  Especially if these symptoms got worse once menopause began they are often related to estrogen dominance.  Most people think that their hormones are out of their hands, but here are some of the things that you could be doing that can create estrogen imbalances in your body.

·         Alcohol consumption (as little as 2-3 glasses of wine a week can have effects on estrogen levels)

·         Blood sugar imbalance

·         Stress (all types not just mental/emotional)

·         Frequently eating foods that contain soy

·         Frequently eating foods that are wrapped or stored in plastics (especially higher fat foods such as meats, fish, and nuts)

·         Heating up foods in plastic containers

·         Using non stick cookware

·         Eating foods that have had commercial pesticides sprayed on them

·         Poor liver function (the liver when functioning properly breaks down estrogens, when the liver is overloaded it decrease the amount of estrogen it breaks down)

These are just a few of the ways in which you can be creating your estrogen imbalance.  If you are doing multiple things that are listed above, start trying to improve in those areas.  Some are really easy to change, ie. purchase glass storage containers instead of plastic or cast iron pans instead of tephlon non-stick. 

If you’re struggling with symptoms that I’ve written about contact me to book a free consultation to see if I can help you start getting back towards peak health. Send me an email to book a free consultation today at info@peaknutritionandhealth.com.