Thursday 14th January 2010
Oils
Fish oils provide powerful omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which have antioxidant properties and are essential for good cardiovascular health and mental clarity. These are found in salmon, mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines and some types of white fish. Swordfish and tuna have fatty acids, though not as much as salmon. Incorporating Fish oils into your diet will help you to lose your excess body fat quicker.
Aim to have two to three servings of fatty fish per week and add a supplement of a good quality fish oil. We advise our clients to take at least two fish oil capsules with each meal to help them strip off fat quicker.
Another oil to know about is Coconut oil. It is an excellent choice for cooking in high temperatures and you can also add a teaspoon to you coffee to help your thyroid function.
Virgin olive oil has great antioxidants properties too; drizzle it over salads and to add flavour to food.
Tuesday 12th January 2010
Fats
In the human body we need fat to survive. Fat helps nerve transmission, nutrient absorption and maintaining cell membrane integrity. However, when you consume too much, fats contribute to weight gain, heart disease and certain types of cancer. All fats were not created equal. Some fats promote our health positively while others increase our risks of heart disease. So who are the good guys and who are the baddies?
The best fats come from nuts, oils and seeds. It used to be a big trend to eat a low fat diet but the pay back was that those diets were normally packed with sugar and/or salt. Not many people are aware of all the bad things they have to add to a low fat muffin to make it eatable (loads of sugars and E-numbers). Fats from nuts and seeds release energy slowly, keeping the body satiated and regulating blood sugar. These good fats will help lower your glycemic response to the other foods you're eating. They help with cellular repair of the joints, organs, skin, and hair. A handful of nuts every day can lower your risk of heart ailments and Alzheimer's disease. You don't want to scoff down an entire can of nuts, but a small serving is a good snack So, start to love the good fats and you will soon loose your love handles.
Saturday 9th January 2010
Stretching
Stretching not only increases your flexibility and joint mobility but also your neurological system. When we stretch, certain muscles in our body tend to relax while others contract. This contract/relax reaction is regulated by our brain which simultaneously sends out messages to the body to regulate the heart rate and blood pressure. Stretching also releases certain hormones to help control your bodies insulin levels, mood, emotion and metabolism. Try stretching 5-10 minutes before bed to help improve flexibility and to aid a restful sleep. Bodyism Flexibility section has a list of specific dynamic and static flexibility exercises.
Thursday 7th January 2010
Posture
Posture is important as it is how we present ourselves to others. We were all born with perfect posture, but sadly over the years, bad habits, poor exercise training and emotional or physical problems can leave us looking hunched and bunched. By ensuring you have correct posture it will help reduce common muscle and joint problems and improve your self confidence. Incorporate postural exercises into your daily routine or exercise program. We recommend that every time you walk by a mirror make sure you keep your chest up and shoulders back. Also check out Bodyism's Exercise plan for specific postural exercises.
Wednesday 6th January 2010
Water
Our body is made up of 60% water so it's crucial to keep it properly hydrated. We need to drink at least 2 litres of water a day and if we exercise, drink alcohol or caffeine then even more. A simple test you can do to check you are drinking enough water is to take a look at your urine in the afternoon. Clear urine signals a well hydrated body, dark urine usually indicates de-hydration, so have a water bottle with you at all times. It's better to sip water throughout the day rather then gulp it down. WHY? Avoid drinking any flavored or vitamin waters as they contain florescent colourings and are usually full of additives and sugar. Instead to liven up water try adding liquid Chlorophyll (available at Bodyism.com) to add a delicious mint taste that also works to alkalize the body.
