This time of year, many people start thinking about getting in shape for the warmer weather inevitably on its way. With spring around the corner, it’s a perfect time to “reset,” refine and refocus our energies in areas of personal health and wellness. Usually, it’s not our intent to gain weight. Stress gets the best of us, hormones change, life throws us curve balls, and sometimes the weight just HAPPENS. Then, “poof!” Suddenly we’re carrying an extra 5-8 lbs. that somehow landed comfortably in places that our favorite jeans won’t let us forget!
So, what next? When working with clients I suggest that they look at weight loss as a multiple-step process, effectively achieved by making small, simple changes often. First, however, we need to “frame up” the necessary changes by priority and not by what a recent fad on social media has led us to believe. Instead, we take inventory of the necessary changes required to influence one’s metabolism and encourage weight loss. “And what are these necessary steps, Coach,” you may ask?
Believe it or not, weight loss is not just about counting calories or eating less. It’s not about making better decisions (this of course has its place) or discounting apple pie as a fruit serving. Lasting weight loss goes far beyond these concepts. You achieve it through a multifaceted approach that takes into account:
- the foods that have an increased metabolic effect on the body
- managing macronutrients like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to encourage satiety between meals
- incorporating foods that control blood sugar “spikes,” and
- timing the intake of foods to fuel the body’s daily activities, WITHOUT encouraging weight gain
“Whoa!” you might exclaim. There’s a lot to consider with this weight loss thing, Coach! True. However, as I coach clients on how to bring all of the effective habits and strategies together into a simple step-by-step approach tailored to them, there are two tactics almost any person can implement as part of their weight loss journey or simply to augment other healthy lifestyle habits. These include: learning the means to control the appetite, and creating a gentle detoxification process to help the body “reset” after a generous period of consuming processed, high calorie, high fat, preservative and additive-laden foods.
If anyone were to ask me, “Coach, besides professional guidance, how might I begin this process of detoxification and appetite control? Is there anything I can do on my own?” The short answer is, YES! As you likely already realize, in order to achieve some level of success in either category, it’ll take more than sheer determination — you’ll need tools to assist you. The specific tools that I like to recommend are Garcinia Cambogia for appetite control and Himalaya’s Comfort Cleanse for supporting the detoxification process.
Utilizing a gentle detoxification product can be beneficial, in addition to other fundamental habits that facilitate the weight loss process, such as adequate water consumption. This is where Himalaya’s Comfort Cleanse plays an important role as a practical first step, helping to restore the digestive system and detoxify the body from the over intake of less-than-optimal food choices. Next, just as important as omitting what we SHOULDN’T eat is controlling the quantity of what we do ingest. When it comes to weight loss, this is where Garcinia Cambogia can be helpful. By harnessing more control over what we eat and refraining from overeating, by default, we also restrict calorie intake…very important in maintaining a healthy weight!
Appetite control and gentle detoxification are both important elements in initiating the weight loss process. However, any weight loss aspirations should also include the following actions to ensure a healthy lifestyle mindset and ultimate success:
- Habit tracking by means of a journal or app
- Goal setting
- Learning how to embark on this journey from a realistic perspective
- Hiring a professional to help, if you don’t know where or how to begin
- Making sound, sensible nutritional choices every day
- Incorporating daily physical exercise and stress reduction practices
Healthy living and weight management go hand in hand. Even if your previous attempts at weight loss had mixed results, with the proper tools, mindset, and direction, reaching your weight loss goal is more than merely possible. Without a doubt, it’s likely!
By: NEAL TURNER, CPFT, FNS, CWC
Neal helps clients improve sports performance, enhance fitness results, and modify lifestyle and dietary habits for maximum health and performance benefit. He holds a B.S. in Nutrition Science and has completed the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Nutritionist Program and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Fitness Nutrition Program.