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Delicia lost 92 pounds

October 21, 2016 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Weight Loss Story: Delicia lost 92 pounds, going from a size 22 to a size 12. She wanted to avoid the health risks associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. In about a year and a half, she has figured out what works for her. Check out how she took action.

My journey started in April 2015 when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. My weight at the time was 282 pounds. Doctor warned me about how overweight I was and all the associated health risks, including diabetes.

I began to walk 15 minutes a day. I couldn’t do more than that amount of time. I started to eliminate all sodas, bread, and sweets. I also started on the 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse by JJ Smith and lost my first 35 pounds. That was the motivation that I needed. I worked up to walking 30 minutes a day, but I was still too ashamed to go in gym.

After six months on smoothies, I started eating veggies and fruit and having meat only on weekends. I also joined the gym. In 6 months I was down to 232 pounds. I kept pushing and trying new ideas to trick my metabolism and what I was doing worked. Having lost 60 pounds, I joined the gym and worked out five (sometimes six) times a day.

Now, I weigh 190 pounds and my goal weight is 180 pounds. The journey has not been easy but the results have been rewarding. I was wearing a size 22 and now I wear a size 12. I feel so much better and now. I want to encourage young women who struggle with weight loss and insecurities. I have lost a total of 92 pounds in a year and 5 months.

10 Awesome Benefits of Eating a Plant Based Diet

October 12, 2016 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

Switching to a more plant based diet could improve your health. Luscious green leaves, voluptuous veggie and fabulous fruit help to prevent disease and increase your natural vitality. Find out how nature’s delicious goodies could even slow down the aging process, helping you look and feel fantastic.

You Really Are What you Eat

Your body is made from the food you consume so it makes sense that your diet directly impacts your wellbeing, right? Scientists are rapidly revealing that plants have a direct and significant impact on the DNA in every cell of the body. Plant-based compounds regulate and control our body at the most fundamental level via our DNA, this is the new sciences of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics.

Evidence-based research clearly shows that eating more plants is the best choice you can make for your health. Here’s the low-down on 10 ways that consuming plants will provide you with benefits certified by Mother Nature herself.

Benefit #1: Prevent Heart Disease

It’s a sad fact that our diets contribute to the most common, yet preventable, diseases afflicting humankind. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and various studies have shown a link between the consumption of meat and an increased risk of heart disease.

A vegetarian diet is typically lower in cholesterol and higher in nutrients to support a healthy heart and lower blood pressure. The American Heart Association says “many studies have shown that vegetarians seem to have a lower risk of obesity, coronary heart disease (which causes heart attacks), high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer. “

Benefit #2: Reduce Cancer Risk

The power of fruits and vegetables as chemo-preventive agents (protecting you from cancer) has only relatively recently been quantified and is becoming recognized as a vital strategy in lowering cancer risk. For example:

Young women who eat four or more servings per week of raw or lightly cooked cabbage — such as coleslaw or steamed sauerkraut — may significantly reduce their risk of breast cancer later in life, according to results of a study led by Dorothy R. Pathak, Ph.D., of the University of New Mexico. [Source]

Plant foods act as a natural defense against cancer since they provide cancer-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals. Consuming a wide and colorful variety of vegetables and fruits is key to providing the body with the spectrum of nutrients needed to support the immune system and prevent disease.

Benefit #3: Avoid Diabetes

There is an epidemic of diabetes in America, and in fact the world. The incidence has quadrupled in the last 30 yearsand the pharmaceutical industry rakes in vast profits from the condition (which is essentially a form of slow food poisoning from a diet high in processed foods).

Processed foods typically contain less nutrients and more toxins, making incidence of disease more likely, specifically meat has also been associated with Diabetes. Harvard researchers found that the risk of developing diabetes was increased by a huge 19% from daily consumption of a relatively small amount of red meat¹². The journal of Nutrition Reviews stated that “individuals following vegetarian diets are about half as likely to develop diabetes, compared with non-vegetarians”

Benefit #4: Lose Weight

For most people, switching from a meat based diet to a plant based one will naturally support healthy weight loss. The increased macronutrients in a plant-based diet means you need to consume less food to get the same nutrition in comparison to meat eaters. Your digestive system will be grateful for the increased fibre and your gut bacteria can extract more nutrients. A recent analysis published in the Journal for General Internal Medicine found that “individuals assigned to the vegetarian diet groups lost significantly more weight than those assigned to the non-vegetarian diet groups” (more info)

Benefit #5. Better Skin

Your skin forms a vital defensive layer of your immune system and also plays a significant role in detoxing the body. When the body is toxic, for example if you smoke, that toxicity shows up in grey and tired looking skin. We typically perceive the signs of aging in the skin first as it loses elasticity and strength causing wrinkles.

Supporting the body with a high and regular dose of anti-oxidants not only nourishes the skin but also prevents the toxic build-up which makes it age more rapidly. So if you want to keep your skin looking and feeling young and fresh then pile the antioxidant rich fresh fruits and veg onto your plate. Remember to eat a rainbow to get a wide selection of nutrients and anti-oxidants. (more info)

Benefit #6: Improve Mood

Recent research indicates that a vegetarian diet is associated with improved mood. Substances found in meat, such as arachidonic acid, lower mood. So, when you reduce or eliminate meat from the diet mood is improved. While more research is needed in this area several studies have shown that vegetarians are happier and report less negative emotions than meat eaters.

Benefit #7: Cognitive Protection

Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the many neurodegenerative diseases associated with longer lifespan and sadly our modern diet. Fortunately researchers have found that dietary changes can protect your brain from cognitive decline keeping you mental abilities sharp into your senior years. The MIND diet promotes brain healthy foods such as leafy vegetables (spinach and kale), red peppers, squash, carrots, broccoli, nuts, berries, beans, lentils and soybeans. You’ll find a lot of information online these days suggesting that red meats, butter, margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets is also key to protecting your mind. However, you’ll also find information advocating eliminating grains for brain health. Do your own research.

Benefit #8: Libido Enhancement and Hormonal Balance

The hormonal changes experienced at the time of menopause can result in a variety of unwanted symptoms including a drop in libido. Eating plant-based phytoestrogens, which mimic the body’s own hormones, can reduce menopausal symptoms. Women who suffer from menstrual symptoms, specifically mood imbalances, may also find that these natural plant hormones (found in higher doses in ginseng, black cohosh, liquorice root and some soy products) help smooth out pre-menstrual moods and increase natural sexy feelings.

Benefit #9: Longer Healthier Life

Cutting out or cutting back meat is associated with more disease free years and longer life expectancy. The American Society for Clinical Nutrition concluded that “a lifestyle pattern that includes a very low meat intake is associated with greater longevity.”

Animal products take longer for the body to digest. Meat has also been linked to inflammation and the clogging up of narrow blood vessels. The modern intensive farming methods make matters worse by pumping animals with antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals.

Benefit # 10: Conscious Choices

Making a conscious choice about how to nourish your body has a dramatic impact on personal wellbeing. Vegetarians and vegans are used to more carefully reading labels, asking questions and generally caring about what they consume in their diet and as conscious shoppers. This level of personal scrutiny results in a typically lower consumption of toxic processed food and more careful consideration of nutrient requirements.

The End Result

The evidence is clear that eating a vegetarian diet rich in plant-based nutrients promotes physical, mental and even emotional wellbeing. Vegetarian diets also have a significantly lower impact on the planets resources and environment. Happier, healthier and environmentally friendly – plant based eating can be considered the dietary elixir of life. You don’t have to go vegetarian or vegan, but you can add more fruits and veggies into your daily meals and snacks.

*References

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19166134
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048091/#b16-cmr-3-001
http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007%2814%2900423-7/fulltext
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408989/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20822969/
http://www.nature.com/aps/journal/v30/n5/full/aps200950a.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/08/03/cabbage.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22333737
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1475-2891-9-26.pdf
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/diabetes/en/
http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/01/a-diabetes-link-to-meat
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19386029
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23320491
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/behindtheheadlines/news/2015-08-06-new-brain-diet-slows-mental-decline/
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/78/3/526S.full
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/9-health-benefits-of-a-vegetarian-diet/

Sebrenia lost 120 pounds

October 19, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Sebrenia lost 120 pounds. At 310 pounds, she was suffering with endometriosis and was told that she had to lose weight to get the surgery she ultimately needed with a safe threshold of risk. She started eating clean, working out and lost the weight. Here is what she shared with us about her journey to greater wellness.

sebriena before and after

Hi!!! My name is Sebrenia, and I have lost a total of 120 pounds!!! In 2003, I weighed 310 pounds after having twins. In that same year, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and because of that I had to change my eating habits. ANYTHING with soy, or anything that would make my body produce estrogen (like broccoli), I had to stop eating as it made my condition infinitely worse. I cut out all soy based foods and slowly changed my eating habits. My weight went down to 256 pounds, but my endometriosis worsened, even after 7 surgeries.

I was told by the Doctor that they needed to operate again, but because of my weight I would be at risk of not surviving the surgery. I had to lose at least 30 pounds to increase my odds of survival. I was not trying to hear that, so I sought a second opinion, and was told I had to lose 50 pounds just to qualify for the surgery. I was MAD, but I finally had to decide whether or not I wanted to keep living in constant pain or have a shot at living a full life, something I hadn’t been able to do in a long time.

So, in February of 2014 I went on a clean diet. Two eggs and 2 slices of turkey bacon for breakfast, a whole piece of fruit for a mid-morning snack, 4 ounces of lean meat and large salad for lunch and dinner. 64 ounces of water a day, with 32 of those oz with a mix of organic Apple Cider Vinegar, honey and lemon juice. I also worked out 5 days a week (M-F) with free weights at home. I went from 256 pounds to 200 pounds by June. I went from a size 30 at my heaviest weight, to a size 13 today. My feet shrunk from a size 10 down to a size 8!

I have had my last surgery and I am medication free for the first time in 12 years! I healed FASTER than I ever have from other endometriosis surgeries because the weight is gone! I am 5’7″ tall and I just weighed myself last week. I weigh 194 pounds (6 more pounds gone since June). That means I’m under 200 pounds for the first time in over 30 years! I want to let folks know that although this journey has obstacles, they can lose the weight if they decide to not give up!

Facebook: S Sebrenia Brooks

Ariel lost 85 pounds

October 7, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Transformation of the Day: Ariel lost 85 pounds. Facing diabetes and high blood pressure, she wanted to break a family cycle of illness and be an example to others of what is possible. Not only has her body been strengthened, but also her spiritual walk. Here is what she share with us about her journey…

ariel before and after

My weight loss journey started 2 years ago from this past July. I have always been referred to as “The big pretty girl”! I have a nice style about myself for a heavy girl! As life happens to everyone, life happened to me. In July 201,3 I joined The Church Health Center in Memphis TN, for the third time in my life! This time I had all kinds of reasons to at least try to stick with it! I was Pre-diabetic, had severely high blood pressure and was just plain sick of being unhealthy.

I made breakfast a part of my day, ate lots of greens (leafy salads) and had a sensible dinner. Water was my best friend and still is! I had to let go of Cokes and Dr. Peppers! (the hardest thing ever), limit my sweet intake and bread was a no. If I had to have some, definitely whole wheat!

I attended the gym three times a week. My exercise routine was lots and lots of cardio. Bootcamp was a weekly part of my gym flow (Tuesday night). Bootcamp could be a 30 minute run on the treadmill or weight training. Cardio really works for me! Simple things like taking the steps and not the elevators became something I did just to keep moving when I couldn’t make it to the gym!

I’ve lost a total of 85 pounds. My staring weight was 283 pounds and now I’m 198 pounds! At 5ft, 10 inches tall, I never knew how heavy and unhealthy I was. I have a strong family history of diabetes and hypertension. I just wanted to be different and break the cycle. I wanted to show that it can be done. Becoming healthy changed not only my physical appearance, it has changed my spiritual body too! Meditation helps me to focus and relax in such an unhealthy world!

We can have a healthy life just like anyone else! It starts with you! It’s important for black women to know that they can do anything with the right mind set! We have to encourage ourselves and know where our help and strength comes from. If I can, we ALL CAN! Set the bar high for yourself and shine bright. You can do it! #STAYLIFTED #WEROCK This is my testimony!

Instagram: @Ameason

ariel weight loss story

The Top 5 Things to Look For After Weight Loss

September 6, 2014 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

swimsuit after weight loss You’ve put in the work, logged hours at the gym, made the conscious effort to make healthier decisions and it’s all finally paying off. Many people mistakenly believe that the hard work is over when the scale shows a number that you have been looking for. That’s not the case at all. The journey to losing weight is more than just altering your appearance; it’s a complete lifestyle transformation. There are a number of things that you may be challenged with after losing weight that you want to look out for. Even if you haven’t started your journey, taking a look at this list ahead of time and it may help you prepare for or bypass a few of these common post-weight loss occurrences/issues.

Loose Skin

Having loose skin is a battle many people have to fight, whether they’ve lost a couple of pounds or over a hundred. The absence of that extra weight can leave behind unsightly loose skin that can be annoying or create health concerns (depending on how much loose skin you have). Weight loss surgeries result in rapid results, without slower results and methodological fitness training, but surgery usually results in significant loose skin due to the rapid nature of the weight loss.

You can have surgery, of course, but unfortunately, surgery isn’t a viable option for everyone. There are a variety of reasons you may opt against going under the knife but rest assured, there are other ways to deal with loose skin. The best way to limit the skin’s loss of elasticity is to lose weight slowly. We are talking 2-6 pounds per month depending on how much weight you have to lose. If you have more than 75 pounds to lose and you are very focused, you could lost 5-10 pounds per month and it still be slow weight loss. Everyone is different so, some people have a lot of loose skin or very little with fast weight loss. The skin is a living organ, if you allow it enough time to adjust, it will naturally form to your new shape. A good rule of thumb is about 1-2 pounds of fat loss each week. Be sure to incorporate weight lifting in your exercise routine to build muscle and keep your skin tight. Use the muscle to keep your body filled out and not deflated. If your weight loss is already done, most experts say it takes around 2 years for the skin to tighten on its own, and even then it may not snap back all the way (or the way you would like it to).

Your eating habits and hydration are also crucial to taking care of your skin during and after weight loss. Between food and water consumption, you should be taking in a minimum of 64 oz of water per day. Be sure to moisturize your skin with nutrients such as aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin A to help elasticity. Here is a whole article on the subject.

Life As A Thin Person

Life at your goal weight may not turn out how you’ve always pictured. Losing weight alters your appearance but you also have to work on your emotional and mental state to truly be whole. Insecurities, low self esteem, relationship issues and negative thoughts can carry on after your weight loss, affecting how much you enjoy your new physique. On the other hand, you may receive an overwhelming amount of love and positive attention. You may have better self esteem and release the past of your past while in your new body. Again, each person is different. What you don’t want to do is think that because you’ve lost weight that all of your problems will go away and that life will be exactly what you want it to be. Be it negative or favorable interactions, thoughts or situations, you have to be prepared to deal with life through new eyes.

When making the decision to lose weight, it should be for your own benefit. Your lifestyle change should make you healthier and happier, but you can’t be concerned with how it will affect others or situations. Never make a decision for anyone else’s approval or acceptance. The truth is, your physical appearance shouldn’t matter to those who really matter in your life. Love and friendships should not be based on superficial concerns, walking into your transformation with these expectations could result in a emotional let down.

More Haters

Unfortunately, everyone who’s smiling at you and encouraging you regarding your recent weight loss is not sincere in their well-wishes. Making the decision to be accountable for your actions and take your health into your own hands is seldom made and even less likely to be completed. When you join the ranks of those who have achieved a weight loss transformation, you may be faced with a few friends and family members who aren’t too supportive of your new look. Normally the “hate” stems from their own insecurities and shortcomings but it something you may or not be faced with.

Connecting to the last point on the list, you’ll have to mentally prepare yourself to make the transition for your own benefit. Support may be few and far between, but if you’re embarking on this journey with the right mindset, the haters will be irrelevant. Look at those you are hating on you with compassion and understand that their hating has very little to do with you. Show love, but don’t allow yourself to attacked or abused by those who don’t like the “new you”.

Gaining The Weight Back

Reaching a certain size or weight may be your initial goal but you’ll need to create a plan to keep the weight off. Once it’s loss, you may feel you have room to revert back to a few old habits and take a couple days off from the gym. While you may be able to ease up on your routine, you should definitely continue to make healthy decisions. Gaining back the weight can be more frustrating than losing it. If you aren’t careful, you can find yourself taking a few steps backward. Don’t beat yourself up for slipping up, be proactive and create a plan that makes you comfortable and stick with it. The longer you make decisions that will benefit your health and appearance, the more they’ll come naturally. You didn’t do all of that hard work for nothing, keep it up!

What To Wear

Shopping for clothes you may have never worn, in sizes you may have only dreamed of wearing, can be overwhelming. Weight loss can come about in a variety of stages and you should celebrate each one. However, restocking your wardrobe can be expensive if you buy new clothing for every 10 pounds lost. You don’t want to end up with a closet full of 4 different sizes. Shop smart and take advantage of sales and special offers. Find a good local tailor to downsize your favorite outfits so that you don’t have to buy new ones. If you’re still progressing through your weight loss it may be smart to take advantage of hidden gems found in thrift stores and consignment shops. You can find new or gently used outfits for the office or even just to work out in without breaking the bank at big name stores. Weight loss can be similar to pregnancy in the sense that you’ll have to find clothes to adjust as your body continues to change. There isn’t a point to buy brand new cloths that will soon be too big. Save as much shopping as possible for the big reveal once you’ve hit your target.

When you do reach your goal, go out and have fun. Shop around and try on different styles in the store. It takes some practice to get used to your new shape and your overall transformation should be full of great memories like the first time you see yourself in what has been your dream outfit. Try colors, styles and prints you wouldn’t have worn before, but losing weight doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself. It’s ok to keep your same sense of style, your same loving personality, but wrap it all up in a new and improved, healthy package.

Is Weight Loss During Pregnancy Ever a Good Thing?

July 10, 2014 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

Putting On The Pounds When Pregnant

As the euphoric moments that directly follow finding out that you are with child begin to fade, that gorgeous glow can morph into anxiety. Those antagonizing thoughts have haunted almost every woman who has learned she has a baby. You know what they sound like, “What’s going to happen to my body?” Horrific flashes of stretch marks and expanding waistlines dance around in her head. For some, they’re a small price to pay in order to experience the gift that is motherhood. For others, it’s their worst nightmare.

With each week, the scale continues to tip to numbers you’d never imagine. Having heard their fair share of horror stories, some women decide it’d be best to intervene- to put themselves on some form of actual diet or restriction to manage their weight. Yes, this actually happens…although most would never discuss it. Please understand, this is never a good thing.

Pregnancy= Pounds. There’s no way around it. Exactly how many pregnancy pounds are healthy varies from woman to woman. Creating a human is hard work. Your body needs a healthy amount of additional calories, vitamins, and nutrients to make sure you and your little one stays safe for the next 40 weeks. Pregnancy is one of the rare occasions in life when a woman should be on Cloud 9 all day every day (lol…with in reason…it’s tough sometimes). So set aside your weight worries, and concentrate on being healthy.

Why Is Losing Weight A Bad Thing?

A woman of average build is expected to put on around 25-30 pounds by the end of her pregnancy. If your numbers fall a bit outside of that range, you shouldn’t worry unless your obstetrician or midwife is concerned. Again, the rules aren’t written in stone. Some women have larger babies, others may carry more amniotic fluid, your lifestyle and activities (which are also very important)- all these things are factored in deeming what’s normal for you.

During the first trimester, over 80% of women experience some form of morning sickness. Nausea, vomiting, and food avoidance are usually the cause of weight loss during those first 12 weeks. Around the 14^th week of gestation, Mother Nature should be giving you a break.

However, that is not always the case. Some may continue to lose weight. If it’s happening naturally, doctors don’t get alarmed until 10% of the pre-pregnancy weight has been lost. If you started out 140lbs and reach 126 or less, your doctors going to start prescribing methods of intervention. Options may include medication to subside nausea or an appointment with a nutritionist to formulate a meal plan that will benefit both mom and baby.

Let me also say that pregnancy should never be an excuse to eat a ton of unhealthy food just because you have a craving. It’s not an excuse to gain 40+ pounds and blame it on the baby. You don’t want to make bad food choices during pregnancy that will affect how you feel and your ability to move around when it’s time to play with and raise that child. You are not just feeding yourself now, you are eating for two. Give your baby the most healthy foods possible.

But A Little Diet Won’t Hurt Right?

Wrong! Skipping meals or limiting yourself isn’t just affecting you, it can also harm the one in the oven. Not only do you need the energy to create, your baby needs the power to be created! Organs, bones, and blood vessels are forming with the strength that will support your baby once they’ve exited the womb.

Humans aren’t alone. Plenty of other species gain weight during their pregnancy. The only difference is, they don’t have mirrors to stare in all day. Walruses and whales aren’t worrying about their image, having a healthy baby is the primary objective.

Rather than dieting, try making healthy decisions from the very beginning. Instead of indulging in fatty, salty, sugary treats, find some healthy options. Fruits and veggies can be just as satisfying- and your baby will appreciate them as well. The main reason women go for the drive thru or the candy bar instead of the salad bar is convenience and habit. Knowing this, you can take a few moments to plan ahead and buy healthy foods so that you have them on hand at home and on the go. Wash your fruits before you put them away or create small salads and seal them in stay-fresh containers. When an attack of the late night munchies strikes again, you’ll be armed and ready.

Pregnancy and Obesity

Obese women are held to slightly different standards when it comes pregnancy and weight gain. Statistics show that 15-25 lbs of pregnancy weight gain is the average target. However, obesity can pose a few risks on the fetus’ development. The additional weight increases the chances of the baby being born with neural tube defects, congenital heart defects, and other complications. On occasion, obese women don’t lose their baby weight after delivery. This can cause also add to health issues they had prior to getting pregnant.

Obesity also increases the woman’s risk of developing gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form that develops when a woman who did not previously have diabetes gets pregnant. Most often, the diabetes alleviates after she gives birth, but her chances of developing diabetes later on in life is much higher.

Women with gestational diabetes may be put on restricted diets to regulate their body’s insulin levels. It can significantly complicate pregnancy, creating large babies and commonly require labor to be induced before the baby reaches full-term.

So What Can I Do?

Aside from choosing a healthy diet, the best way to control pregnancy weight gain is to get up and get active. All of the normal benefits of exercise are multiplied while expecting. Not only will you be more relaxed, you’ll be strengthening your body to build up the stamina to get through your delivery. Women who exercise during pregnancy are more likely to get down to their pre-pregnancy weight- and they do it a lot faster. Talk to your doctor before beginning ANY exercise regime while pregnant. Your doctor needs to know about any strenuous exercise or activity you are doing.

Don’t go overboard, however. Waiting until your pregnant isn’t the time to begin training for a marathon. If you were considerably active before getting pregnant, doctors will usually give you the green light to safely continue your former regimen. If not, it’s better to wait until after the baby is born. Exercises like yoga, moderate walks, water aerobics and other supervised forms of cardio are all excellent examples of way to stay in shape. There are also a lot of pregnancy focused workout DVDs for safe exercises.

From beginning to end, the primary focus of an expecting woman is to be healthy. Having a healthy baby in your arms will make all your decisions worthwhile. Getting active before you get pregnant gives women an added edge. If not, make the decision for you and your baby to get started. Don’t put it off any longer. As each day goes by, finding the motivation to begin will become even harder. Do an online search to find some “fit mommy” groups in your area. You’ll be able to bond with women who understand everything you’re going through- because they’re going through it too! You never know, you may find some new lifelong friendships- you’ll be grateful for those play dates when the baby gets here.

What is Insulin Resistance and How Does it Affect Metabolism?

January 31, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Insulin resistance happens when your body stops being able to properly use the insulin hormone that is manufactured by the body. It is a condition that can affect many systems of your body, as insulin is used for more than just managing glucose levels (key to blood sugar). Insulin plays a role in how well your metabolism works to process carbohydrates, fats and other nutrients like protein. When you develop insulin resistance, your body’s ability to manage energy and to properly process nutrients is seriously impaired.

Causes

While there are known genetic factors that influence a person’s chance of developing insulin resistance, it is also associated with certain medical conditions that may or may not share the genetic profile of someone inclined to insulin resistance. The genetic profile implies that if you are Latino, African-American, Native American or Asian American you have an increased risk for developing the condition. If you are obese you also significantly raise your risk no matter what your genetic profile. Excess weight that is held around the waist area is associated with being at risk. Some of the diseases commonly present prior to the development of insulin resistance include fatty liver, arteriosclerosis, skin tags and women with abnormalities in the reproductive organs are prone to insulin resistance as well. Those with acanthuses nigricans are also considered to be at a higher risk and may not be aware they have the condition. “Acanthosis nigricans is a skin disorder that results in velvety, light-brown-to-black markings that occur in areas including the neck, armpits, groin, and under the breasts.” (source) That is why some overweight people experience a very dark coating in those areas that will sometimes be so thick it can be rubbed off.

Another cause identified for the condition has to do with conditions that may or may not be diseases or disorders but have in common that they place the body’s metabolism under unusual stress – these conditions can include:

being pregnant
taking steroids
having a severe infection or unrelated illness
high levels of stress
high cholesterol
use of steroids (prescribed or illegal)
sedentary lifestyle

Symptoms

There are several symptoms that indicate the presence of insulin resistance; some can only be detected with a fasting blood glucose test performed by your doctor. This test will show whether or not your body is using glucose appropriately and responding to the body’s natural hormone level well. Symptoms that you may notice yourself are increased fatigue after eating, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, kidney problems and increased weight gain around the mid-section of the body. Another sign that you may have developed insulin resistance is if you have heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. Both of these conditions are considered to be symptomatic of insulin resistance rather than accompanying disorders.

Treatment

Treatment for insulin resistance usually consists of a threefold approach of diet, exercise and medication. Medication may be necessary to promote better insulin use within the body while you are creating lifestyle changes that can manage or even reverse the condition. One of the single most important causes of insulin resistance has been identified as obesity coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. Losing weight is not enough to reverse the condition; you have to increase your exercise level to create an impact on the metabolism of your body that is a part of the insulin management process. One caution is to make sure that you have your doctor and a nutritionist be a part of designing any weight loss and exercise program you may choose to start as having insulin resistance can become complicated by further placing the body under stress. With the proper steps in creating change in your lifestyle, you can reduce the impact of insulin resistance on your life if not eliminate it altogether.

Risk Factors

Left untreated, insulin resistance can be a leading contributor to kidney disease, heart disease and high blood pressure. Studies have begun to suggest that the ability of the body to process insulin and manage glucose levels in the blood stream may have an impact on the rate of development of cognitive problems related to aging. Insulin resistance can lead to an increased risk for morbid obesity and all the risks associated with that condition as well.

How it contributes to weight gain and weight loss

Insulin resistance can both cause weight gain and prevent weight loss because it impairs the body’s ability to use glucose as fuel. Without the ability to use the insulin hormone to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins, there is little the body can do with the nutrients it has but to convert them into fat. Unfortunately, this is a very specific type of fat that is stored around the mid-section and has been linked to raised risks of certain types of cancers. While insulin resistance can make weight loss difficult to maintain, the body can self correct the condition given proper diet and exercise. It is a matter of being willing to commit to the protocol of lifestyle changes and medications (if necessary) to allow your body a chance to bring itself back into balance to avoid the risks associated with this condition.

Weight Loss on a Budget Tip #25: Save Money at the Doctor’s Office

October 25, 2013 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

Losing weight can help you achieve Tip #25: Saving Money at the Doctor’s Office. “A person who is obese has annual medical costs $1,429 higher than someone of a normal weight, according to the CDC.” – Bankrate.com

save money medicine

Losing weight can reduce your risk factors for things like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and some cancers.
Reduce medications for diseases for which symptoms are improved when you lose weight.
Weight loss and getting healthy can help improve your immune system, thus helping you to stay our of the doctor’s office for common colds or infections.
“$1,850 more per year in medical costs for an overweight person than for someone of healthy weight, among employees at the Mayo Clinic and their adult dependents. $3,086 more per year in medical costs for a Mayo worker with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 to 40. $5,530 more per year in medical costs for a Mayo worker with a BMI above 40. By comparison, smokers’ medical costs were only $1,274 a year higher than nonsmokers’, who generally die earlier.” – Reuters

A few weeks ago, I posted an article where I outlined how obesity could cause you to have higher interest rates. Here is part of that article:

Why being overweight could now cost more to insure.

It is an accepted medical fact that being overweight can increase a person’s risk for disease and complications from other treatments to the point that it can be life threatening or develop into chronic conditions. Obesity is linked to asthma, type-2 diabetes, stroke risk, high blood pressure, cardiac issues and recently a direct link between being overweight and an increased risk of breast cancer has been found. For health insurers, this flags those who are overweight as high risks for coverage. Federal regulations prohibit insurers from denying or limiting coverage to those who are overweight by denying it qualification as a pre-existing condition, but they have put in options for health insurers to charge higher rates to the obese.

How much higher will my rates be if I am overweight?

According to the new federal regulations, you could be charged anywhere from 30 to 50% more for the same health insurance that someone who has a healthy BMI is paying. For employers, this will help defray the costs of the group insurance plans they help carry. The many of the people with health issues that the new health mandates are supposed to be helping get affordable coverage may become stuck in the catch-22 of having to pay higher rates than before.

Is Belly Fat Different Than Other Body Fat?

October 24, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Many people don’t realize that belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is actually different than the rest of your body. The belly fat has been linked to risk for a number of different types of things, from insulin issues, metabolism issues, heart disease, increased cancer risk, and increased type 2 diabetes risk. Even if you’re not overweight, the fat that is in your abdomen can cause a lot of issues.

The body has three different types of fat in it. Check them out:

Triglycerides circulate in your bloodstream. It makes up about 95 percent of the fat within your body.
Subcutaneous fat, which is the layer that lies directly below the skin’s surface, between the skin and the abdominal wall.
Visceral fat is the kind located deep within your belly.

It’s not so much what is in the visceral fat that causes the problem; it’s where the fat is located. It is actually found beneath your stomach muscles, which means that they’re the closest thing to your internal organs. Because of this placement, your internal organs start to use it for energy because it’s more efficient than getting energy from your skin fat. Your body acts much like you do; efficiency is key. If you have an option between two places to get the same exact thing, you’re going to go to the place that is closer.

So, why is this dangerous? In old times, people assumed that fat was just stored energy, but it’s actually much more active than that. All fat cells continually secrete hormones and chemicals; these hormones and chemicals are healthy if you’re at a normal weight, they actually do good things, like regulate insulin, help to regulate appetite by allowing you to feel satisfied after eating, and even help burn stored fat. Essentially, this fat acts how fat is supposed to act. The fat does standard metabolic functions and is absolutely nothing that you have to worry about. That’s why it’s unhealthy to be without fat; you can actually starve yourself or, at the very least, get ill, if you have no fat on your body at all.

Where the problem comes in is when you are overweight or obese. If you are overweight or obese, your body has more fat cells, and those cells are much larger than they should be. These larger cells, as you would expect, work harder and secrete more hormones and chemicals than you need. Essentially, you’re getting “too much of a good thing,” which is when it becomes a very bad thing. The chemicals that come out of your fat cells start to impact your health over time. These chemicals play a huge role in diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and even certain cancers.

Alright, so why does belly fat get the short end of the stick? Don’t all fats do this? Absolutely not! Visceral fat cells actually produce more of those chemicals to start with, so if you’ve got a lot of fat in your stomach region, those chemicals are actually being produced at toxic levels. As I mentioned above, those toxins are getting into your internal organs because the visceral fat is where your internal organs are getting their “energy” from. So basically, by having the excess stomach fat, you’re actually poisoning yourself in a way in terms of what the fat is leaching into your body. That is incredibly scary.

This is why good health is important. Exercise and diet are incredibly important parts of keeping you healthy. If you’ve noticed that you have an excess of belly fat, make sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. The great thing is that belly fat responds well to time tested weight loss methods of eating and exercise. You doctor or health care professional can help you to get on a eating and fitness plan that can help you lose weight in that region so that you don’t continue to cause damage to your body.

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Delicia lost 92 pounds