There has been so much negative press about, especially coping with the pressures of COVID19. Our health has been at the front of our minds. However this should be a good thing – right? It makes us all think it is time to make sure we stay in the best of health.
When I introduced my challenge team to each other, none of them had met before. Yet within less than 16 days they were supporting each other like they had known each other for ages. I felt so proud of them, not because of the weight they were loosing but because they were generally caring that each other was coping on their journey to some much needed wellness.
Each challenger built trust within the group and that is what you need sometimes to succeed. Wellness is not just for your body but also for the state of your mind. Trying to make new habits and teach your mind to adopt new ways is never easy, That is why we call this a challenge. It is not just the capabilities of your willpower that is at force here, but some understanding by people, going through the same as you. Wellness groups can be effective, in the journey back to good health.
I prefer to use the word wellness over weight loss. Wellness is for everyone whatever shape they are in. We can still be thin and not in good health. For me it has been filling the body with good nutrition so I feel more energy pumping, I want more exercise, I want to get in that shirt I love so much. I love learning to love myself and helping others to do the same.
On our 16 day wellness boost, I introduced my ladies to replacing their normal breakfast and lunch, with a highly nutritious shake and to also doing two CLEANSE Days. I will explain about these later. My objective was to inspire the team to make some small changes to their diet and lifestyle. We also did some daily affirmations for fun.
Ooh but Shakes are not real food and they will not fill me up.
Yeah, I have heard that argument many times and well it can get a bit tiresome. Let me tell you what the food industry wants you to feel about your food.
Junk food is formulated to make us feel hungry.
Have you ever walked down those aisles and looked at all those pretty colours? How do they make you feel? Your brain starts to produce Dopamine and Serotonin, these are your neurotransmitters at work, sending messages to your brain. They are used by your nervous system to regulate processes in your body from sleep to metabolism. Dopamine is also known as a happy hormone so when you see happy colours it will send you a feel good message.
Junk food is designed to make you feel good and the food industry knows it. It works hard at getting you to buy more, it has never been about filling you up.
Training your brain to look at healthy options is a process. It is why I like bananas, I equate them to yellow smiles. The food industry want you to want more, it is how it works. Unfortunately for many of us we get enticed onto a long slippery slope. The food giants have pounds in their pockets whilst we are carrying more pounds on our hips and bums.
So when I am told that shakes do not fill you up, I can argue that they have given me the maximum nutrition my body needs for a meal, They are just missing the chemicals that mess with my brain telling me I want more when I do not.
Much of the food we are exposed to, processed and fast food, we can become addicted to and that addiction leads us wanting to eat more. We need a certain amount of carbs for our energy. Our brains need it so we can remain focused. We also need protein and fibre in the correct amounts for our daily needs. Our shakes have it all, including trace minerals which we often forget to mention.
So I tell my team, just start replacing your usual breakfast and lunch with an Isalean Shake and then sit with your family and enjoy your evening meal. Be conscious of what you put in your mouth but enjoy every mouthful. Food is still plentiful to enjoy.
ABOUT CLEANSE DAYS (Intermittant fasting)
Why is it good to fast?
We need to detoxify to remove the build up of toxins that sit in our body. We get them from everywhere, Unhealthy food, chemicals, pollution etc.
A lot of these horrible chemicals are known as Hydrophobic. They hate water so will cling on to your oily cells or the giant fat cells in your body, Yuk imagine that all floating about, Your fat cells full of lipids and oils are an attractive place for these toxins so it is important we have a good cleanse to ged rid of the little nasties. On one of our cleanse days we are helped with supplements and small snacks. We give our digestion a rest, Oh and before you ask, you are not peeing and pooing all day.
I remind myself and my team that this is what is going on when they cleanse. It is for their own good as they complain and worry about being hungry. However they are always happy when they have completed it.
When we fast or cleanse, toxins are released, taken away by our liver and then there is this wonderful process called Autophogy
Autophagy is the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells, according to Priya Khorana, PhD, in nutrition education from Columbia University. “Auto” means self and “phagy” means eat. So the literal meaning of autophagy is “self-eating.”
This is the power of a CLEANSE DAY, Autophogy is throwing out all the old non functioning cells full of toxins to replace them with new healthier ones. So a long term health benefit for all. So effective and something we should all try to do.
So our 16 days are over and we are closer to being where we want to be and stay. Good health is our responsibility and something we should honour. New friendships have been developed, admittedly on line, hopefully we shall all meet in person soon and that will be another achievement. I cannot wait.
If you would like to be included on our next WELLNESS challenge please just drop me a message in the comment box. I would also appreciate you sharing this article with a friend.
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