The Top 12 Truths about Losing Weight

1. You can't just say you want to lose weight, you have to get on a scale, get that number, subtract the number you want to get rid of, and make that your goal, and set a date.
2. You have to go to your kitchen and overhaul everything that does not support that final number above. This includes limiting some friendships that may not understand your path.
3. You have to find a workout that you WILL do, not one you will dissect and tear apart and then say it doesn't work. The one that works, is the one you will do. 

4. You will have to follow a nutrition plan that will likely be different from what you have been doing. It will take discipline, effort and courage. It will take adjusting and you will have some withdrawal moments.
5. There will be massively hard days. Regroup, focus on your goal number and fight through it; you will get stronger.
6. There will be emotional days. Anger, frustration, hurt, tiredness.... Workout through those. Your future energy will pay you back tenfold, and make those future emotional days a little easier.
7. There will be days you want to completely give up. Don't. It's not worth it. And you wouldn't be restarting over now, if you didn't last time.
8. There will be days that you'll look at really fit people and get mad you're not there yet. That's okay, they do it to.
9. There will be days you want crap food, drive thru food, sugar, chips, and adult beverages, YOU are NO DIFFERENT than anyone else getting fit, they want it too.
10. There will be days you look in the mirror and see no change, keep going. Someone will compliment you when you least expect it.
11. There will be days you wonder why you gave up your favorite things for this healthy life.
12. Then... there will be a day, when your favorite things will be working out, eating healthy, wanting less junk, buying smaller clothes, and being happy for no reason at all.
Health recovery takes time, but in the end you will thank and love yourself a million times over.
I speak from tons of personal experience...

Cellulite - How to beat it!

We all hate it - so how do we get rid of it?!Firstly we need to understand what it is. Cellulite isn't just caused by excess fat... cellulite is also caused trapped toxins, poor circulation and a lack of strong healthy blood to carry toxins out of the bloodstream (to then be excreted by the body).Have you ever seen slim girls with cellulite and wondered how on earth THEY have cellulite when they don't have an inch of fat on them?! It's often an indication of an unhealthy lifestyle and/or diet.

In a nutshell, cellulite can be reduced and often cleared by:

1. Reducing weight

2. Changing foods you consume

3. Strengthening blood and circulation

You have to be willing to work with your body to kick cellulite out. You can't expect it to vanish by itself whilst still drinking diet coke! We've created a list of foods to avoid, that will all contribute to cellulite production.

Foods to avoid

 

* sugars 

* raw fruit (strewed is ok)

* cold water

* energy drinks

* alcohol

* smoking

* fruit drinks

* high chemical foods such as "sugar free, fat free" etc etc 

* chocolates & lollies

* cakes

* carbonated drinks

* peppermint tea

* fried foods

* coffee

* salt

* ice-creams & flavoured milk

* pain killers such as Panadol and Neurofen

Foods to increase

 

* green leafy vegetables (cooked)

* cooked beetroot (for blood)

* hot water and lemon once a day (squeeze whole lemon in hot water)

* green tea extract

* red meat

* porridge

* cinnamon 

* cardamon

* juniper and rosemary oils for massage

* pepper

* Vitamin A

Exercise = your BEST friend!

This is integral aspect of increasing blood flow to eliminate toxins. You don't need to slog it out at the gym though. Try a brisk 3-4km walk each day accompanied with some weight baring exercises (also vital)... such as push ups, sit ups, lunges and squats. You don't need to go and spend money on a gym membership to kick cellulite to the curb.

Top 10 factors that can upset your digestive system

Our bodies are complex units. Everything is interlinked and your body demands harmony from all of its organs.
A number of internal and external factors can upset our organs and digestive system as a whole – here are the top 10 factors to try and control/reduce exposure to:

1. sugar – it is heating, sticky and toxic to the body in big doses
2. lack of sleep – your body needs adequate rest to rejuvenate all organs so they can perform their intended roles
3. over-eating – this can send your body into shutdown mode and put excess stress on your organs
4. alcohol – both poisonous and toxic to the body, too much alcohol damages the body internally which is evident externally
5. cold food and drinks – can create stagnation in the digestive system, slowing down the digestive process considerably
6. emotions – anger/upset/frustration – all will affect one or more of your organs. Try and control what you can and let go of what you can’t
7. processed foods – they contain foreign properties that are literally indigestible by the human body
8. pandadol/nuerofen – contain chemicals that will alleviate pains and complaints temporarily, yet will leave a trail of destruction. Try natural remedies instead
9. anti-biotics – whilst they kill bacteria and bugs – they also kill your insides! Follow up a round of anti-biotics with some gut nourishing foods
10. Over-exercise – will deplete your Qi and deplete your digestive strength. Exercise is fantastic in decent doses – not extremes. Are there issues in your life that you are avoiding and using exercise as a distraction from?

Take the time to get to know your body and figure out what works for YOU!

The true benefits of coconut water

What are the benefits of coconut water? Holistic health coach, Alyse Cocliff founder of "An Apple a Day" - gives us the low down on the actual benefits of the renowned drink!

"Working with athletes, I'm constantly looking for natural ways to help the body rehydrate and/or recover after intense training sessions and competitions. One product that I highly recommend is coconut water and here is why:

- It contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and is 100% natural.
- Coconut water is packed with essential electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium) to help our bodies re-hydrate efficiently and effectively post work-out/training & even hot yoga.
- It contains bio active enzymes that help digestion and promotes healthy thyroid function.
- Coconut water is a great source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and folates that are critical to the healthy function of the body's nervous system, muscles, vital organs and metabolism.
- Research suggest that cytokins in coconut water showed significant anti-ageing and anti-carcinogenic effects.
- It tastes DELICIOUS!

For those completing intense training, I recommend adding a pinch of Celtic sea-salt to increase the level of NATURAL sodium to match those of artificial sports-drinks.

Be careful if you purchase packaged brands of coconut water as some products are inferior to others. When clients can't get their hands on a fresh coconut, I encourage them to enjoy Nakula Organic coconut water.

For weight management, Coconut water shld be used as a booster 150ml-250ml after a tough exercise session. Coconut water is safe for children and a great addition to a breakfast smoothie, or simply straight from the source"