How to stay healthy
ALL4WOMEN FEATURE
ROAD TO HEALTH
By Noeleen Bridle, Strength and Mind, Durban
Did you know that your weight problems are really due to your health – or lack thereof?
If you had to wake up tomorrow renewed and 100% healthy these are the symptoms you would feel:
greater energy; more motivation; better moods; reduced PMS or hot flushes; zero aches and pains; increased mental focus; clearer skin; glossy hair; stronger nails; normal blood pressure; lowered cholesterol levels, efficient digestion; regular sleeping patterns; higher sex drive… need I say more?
If this is what you want then changing your nutritional intake, quitting certain lifestyle habits, increasing your energy exertion and adding supplements to your diet will give you a 100% turnaround in about three months.
However, only a small percentage of the population actually embarks on such a mission, never mind stays the full journey.
Have you got what it takes?
Feeling sick and tired?
If you are one of the vertically ill (upright, but not feeling great and just coping), waiting to get horizontally ill (too sick to function), then it’s time to gain control of how you want to lead your life – without taking prescription drugs to cover up the underlying problems.
Most states of ill-health are worsened through taking prescription drugs that make you feel better instantly but don’t necessarily cure the disease. The longer you take antibiotics or prescription drugs the more side-effects you will acquire.
The alternative is to know that your keys to 100% health are working for you. These keys are your levels of the following:
• BLOOD-SUGAR CONTROL… Do you have high cravings for sugar, alcohol or other substances? Are your energy levels low and do you feel weak and shaky?
• GOOD DIGESTION AND DETOXIFICATION… Are you eating enough REAL food and fibre to aid your bowel movements?
• HORMONES IN BALANCE… Are your hormones being affected by prescription drugs and processed foods?
• STABLE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE… Are your body and bones aching from foods and drinks to which you are allergic?
• NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN BALANCE… What stimulants are affecting your mind and emotional stability?
Take charge of your health now!
For your system to be running effectively you need to take charge of your nutritional intake each day, watch portion size and food group proportions, and eliminate toxic foods that add to poor health.
This is your key to fat and weight loss
Visualise your stomach as the size of your fist and eat the same amount at each meal. Eating five ‘fist-sized” meals per day will keep you satisfied yet not full. When you over-eat, the excess food cannot be digested as efficiently and so it turns to fat. Keep to the 70-15-15 rule: 70% carbs – 15% protein – 15% fats.
Ensure that most of your carbs are low-density ones such as green and white vegetables and fruits and that your proteins consist mainly of low density ones and not animal protein.
Plan to succeed
Look at the food and drinks you consume regularly: the biscuits, nuts, alcohol, red meat, chicken, coffees, dairy products, chocolates, etc., and realise that they are not working for you.
Your allergic reaction to these foods is body fat – as well as making your body sick, painful, diseased.
The best foods to eat are those that are closest to nature, i.e. not processed or packaged or containing additives. Fresh fruit and vegetables, unprocessed grains such as rice and quinoa, fresh fish and free-range poultry should form your staple diet so make sure you always have a good stock of healthy, natural food items in your fridge.
Yes you will cheat, so plan your cheats each day and combine them with a sensible eating plan. Then work on eliminating the cheats one by one – even if it takes you a lifetime!
Change is important. Don’t delay. It’s up to you.
Visit www.strengthandmind.co.za for more health and weight wisdom from Noeleen.
