Great article! We all need to identify our stressors and manage them.
From
http://foodmatters.tv/content/the-6-types-of-stress-how-they-affect-your-weight
October, 2015
EMILY DREW
The amount of stress and the kinds of stress in your life has a huge impact on what you should eat and also how you should exercise.
Most people think there is only really one type of stress out there - psychological. Unfortunately in this fast-paced world we are all too well aware of mental and emotional angst and fatigue. But there are actually 6 types of stressors to the human body and mind.
There is psychological/emotional stress, sleep deprivation stress, inflammation-induced stress, chemical stress, dietary routine and physical stress. That's a lot of stress! Well, there is good news. We can reduce these all through smart choices and clever life hacks.
1. Emotional Stress
Emotional stress corrodes the joy of life. It can flood your body with adrenaline and cortisol, which can reduce your energy levels and sex drive whilst increasing fatigue, depression and anxiety. I've found that Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or "tapping" as it's also known, is a fantastic way to release negative emotions that drag you down. And of course meditation is a must. Studies show that all types of meditation have been associated with blood pressure control, enhancement in insulin resistance and having beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Research also shows that emotional distress and elevated cortisol secretion promote abdominal fat while improvements in mindfulness and lowered cortisol levels were associated with reductions in abdominal fat.
2. Sleep Deprivation Stress
Let's be honest....who gets enough sleep these days? It's really difficult to be disciplined and soak up 8 hours per night. But if you have a sleep debt then small stresses at work and at home can seem overwhelming. Life becomes a hard slog mentally and emotionally. Studies also show that lack of sleep makes you eat more, age faster and hold on to fat. So turn off artificial lights an hour before bedtime, light a candle or three, have a bath with lavender, and hide the mobile phone (its ambient light overstimulates your tired brain) and slip into bed by 10/10:30pm.
3. Inflammation-Induced Stress
f you're like most people in the Western world then you're diet is stressing your body out! We're eating far too much high-salt, high-sugar processed foods like white breads and pastas, so-called convenience foods, and those Australian favourites; coffee and alcohol. Try replacing these acidic nasties with whole, clean, organic food and filtered water. Fresh fruits and vegetables and grass-fed meat and eggs will provide sustained energy levels and provide your body with the nutrients it craves. I highly recommend you follow an alkaline eating plan to combat bloating and inflammation while aiding weight loss.
4. Chemical Stress
Reducing your intake of foods that are full of additives, preservatives and numbers is a great start. But many people are unaware of how many chemicals they soak up every day through common things like body care products and make-up. Unless your skin care is natural and certified organic you are marinating in toxic chemicals. It's not uncommon for lipsticks to contain the heavy metal lead. Be aware of the ingredients of what you put in and on your body.
5. Dietary Routine Stress
Skipping meals, avoiding fats, eating carbs without protein and trying diets which are intense and limiting will cause stress to your metabolism. Eat every four hours to keep your metabolism steady otherwise you will likely struggle with cravings for sugar and caffeine. Eating for your own particular metabolic type is a fantastic way to eliminate cravings, lose weight, increase your energy and speed up your metabolism. The Metabolic Typing work by William Wolcott has been so successful with my clients, allowing them to finally understand whether their body uses mainly protein and good fats as fuel or mainly carbohydrates, and then eating accordingly.
6. Physical Stress
If you have a job which requires manual labour then be extra careful to avoid further stressing your body. Teachers who are on their feet all day or nurses who have to pick up patients should monitor how their body is coping. Exercise is a physical stress, so if you are already overly stressed, working out is just going to add more stress and use up vital nutrients. Scheduling in gentle exercise like walking or gardening to keep the body limber, hot baths at the end of a long day or even regular massages could reduce this exhausting stress.http://foodmatters.tv/content/the-6-types-of-stress-how-they-affect-your-weight
Friday, October 16, 2015
Thursday, October 1, 2015
The Privilege of Choice
I was watching a documentary the other day about food and health, naturally, and while the documentary was illuminating and insightful, the lingering thought I have walked away with is, "Wow, I am privileged."
No, this is not going to be a post about how privileged I am in a "rub-it-in-your-face" sort of a way, but in a the sense that I, we are lucky. Stay with me, for a minute.....
Each year I attend the Camden International Film Festival. It is a phenomenal, small town, here in Maine, documentary film festival with films on a wide variety of topics from film makers all over the world. It is an expansive, emotional, heartfelt and a heartbreaking weekend. Where I learn so much and am exposed to so much in such a condensed time frame, that as soon as the festival is over, my butt is aching, my sciatica is screaming at me from all the sitting, I am exhausted and have gas from all the sitting and irregular eating times – all I can think is I can't wait for next year!! #CamdenIFF2016!! But again, the lingering thought I'm having this year, is "Wow, I am lucky. Wow, I am privileged."
This most recent documentary, Way Beyond Weight, which I watched curled up on my couch with my puppies, eating some delicious, now-forgotten, gluten free treat, was about obesity in children around the world, with a primary focus on South American children. So clearly there is privilege there, due to the socioeconomic difference of them and I, but that is not the privilege I am talking about.
I, we, are privileged because we have a choice. We have the resources and financial capacity to have a choice in what we eat. That alone makes use privileged. The fact that we can have conversations about having a gluten intolerance, or preferring to buy organic whenever possible, or farm fresh eggs and free range, grass-fed meat....Holy crap! We are lucky!!
The fact that these are our conversations, that I have the privilege of writing a blog about food in this way, period dot makes me privileged. The fact that you are reading my blog because you too have a gluten or diary intolerance, or are just interested in learning more about food, makes you privileged in this sense. The fact that there is choice rather than eating only what is available to me is what struck me. So many of the children in the documentary didn't have a choice, because their parents didn't have a choice, due to lack of resources and money and wherewithal. These people were eating what was cheap and what tastes good, which food chemists have nailed down to science. These people are addicted to the sugar and fat and sodium and gluten in the cheap packaged foods that are widely available to them in their remote areas, because fresh vegetables and fruits don't travel well, are expensive and don't last long. They have no choice.
It broke my heart to watch these people suffer with billion dollar backed food scientists tricking their very human instinct to need sugar, fat and salt. And they don't have any external references to learn differently or know more. They barely knew what a carbohydrate was. And food labels with more "healthy" terminology actually were believed to be healthier for them. My heart sank.
So back to my sense of privilege or luck or wherewithal, or whatever you want to call it, the fact that us, as Americans, or maybe not even the typical American, but those of use who consciously choice what we eat, the quality, quantity, the source; the fact that we can reject something because of a food allergy is privileged.
We are darn lucky to know what we know and have the resources to make these decisions. I am by no means trying to draw a line between "them and us" but there is a line created by government and food conglomerates that are preying on the underprivileged and poor around the world.
My strong will is no better than any of the children in the documentary when it comes to eating potato chips or candy or soda, I am made of the same DNA. My body when given copious amounts of sugar, fat and salt, only wants more. It is designed that way people! It has nothing to do with strong will, that is a losing battle that food science is banking on, and actually it is down right unfair!
So those of us who know the difference, who have a choice, who make conscious buying choices, it is our responsibility to help others understand the battle we are all up against. Regardless of socioeconomic standing, with these billion dollar food science conglomerates intentionally fooling us and feeding our inner cravings that easily turn into monsters, even for the strongest willed of us. It is science and DNA and their bottom line is money and we are the sufferers.
So if you are like me, you are privileged to have a choice and subsequently make such choices, continue to do so! Each of us can be our strongest by consciously choosing where we spend our dollar. But also when given the chance to educate, it is our duty to have a better, healthier human race that is not being fooled and ultimately killed by these perpetual toxins in these packaged foods that are deigned to taste that good.
No, this is not going to be a post about how privileged I am in a "rub-it-in-your-face" sort of a way, but in a the sense that I, we are lucky. Stay with me, for a minute.....
Each year I attend the Camden International Film Festival. It is a phenomenal, small town, here in Maine, documentary film festival with films on a wide variety of topics from film makers all over the world. It is an expansive, emotional, heartfelt and a heartbreaking weekend. Where I learn so much and am exposed to so much in such a condensed time frame, that as soon as the festival is over, my butt is aching, my sciatica is screaming at me from all the sitting, I am exhausted and have gas from all the sitting and irregular eating times – all I can think is I can't wait for next year!! #CamdenIFF2016!! But again, the lingering thought I'm having this year, is "Wow, I am lucky. Wow, I am privileged."
This most recent documentary, Way Beyond Weight, which I watched curled up on my couch with my puppies, eating some delicious, now-forgotten, gluten free treat, was about obesity in children around the world, with a primary focus on South American children. So clearly there is privilege there, due to the socioeconomic difference of them and I, but that is not the privilege I am talking about.
The privilege I noticed is around choice.
I, we, are privileged because we have a choice. We have the resources and financial capacity to have a choice in what we eat. That alone makes use privileged. The fact that we can have conversations about having a gluten intolerance, or preferring to buy organic whenever possible, or farm fresh eggs and free range, grass-fed meat....Holy crap! We are lucky!!
The fact that these are our conversations, that I have the privilege of writing a blog about food in this way, period dot makes me privileged. The fact that you are reading my blog because you too have a gluten or diary intolerance, or are just interested in learning more about food, makes you privileged in this sense. The fact that there is choice rather than eating only what is available to me is what struck me. So many of the children in the documentary didn't have a choice, because their parents didn't have a choice, due to lack of resources and money and wherewithal. These people were eating what was cheap and what tastes good, which food chemists have nailed down to science. These people are addicted to the sugar and fat and sodium and gluten in the cheap packaged foods that are widely available to them in their remote areas, because fresh vegetables and fruits don't travel well, are expensive and don't last long. They have no choice.
It broke my heart to watch these people suffer with billion dollar backed food scientists tricking their very human instinct to need sugar, fat and salt. And they don't have any external references to learn differently or know more. They barely knew what a carbohydrate was. And food labels with more "healthy" terminology actually were believed to be healthier for them. My heart sank.
So back to my sense of privilege or luck or wherewithal, or whatever you want to call it, the fact that us, as Americans, or maybe not even the typical American, but those of use who consciously choice what we eat, the quality, quantity, the source; the fact that we can reject something because of a food allergy is privileged.
We are darn lucky to know what we know and have the resources to make these decisions. I am by no means trying to draw a line between "them and us" but there is a line created by government and food conglomerates that are preying on the underprivileged and poor around the world.
My strong will is no better than any of the children in the documentary when it comes to eating potato chips or candy or soda, I am made of the same DNA. My body when given copious amounts of sugar, fat and salt, only wants more. It is designed that way people! It has nothing to do with strong will, that is a losing battle that food science is banking on, and actually it is down right unfair!
So those of us who know the difference, who have a choice, who make conscious buying choices, it is our responsibility to help others understand the battle we are all up against. Regardless of socioeconomic standing, with these billion dollar food science conglomerates intentionally fooling us and feeding our inner cravings that easily turn into monsters, even for the strongest willed of us. It is science and DNA and their bottom line is money and we are the sufferers.
So if you are like me, you are privileged to have a choice and subsequently make such choices, continue to do so! Each of us can be our strongest by consciously choosing where we spend our dollar. But also when given the chance to educate, it is our duty to have a better, healthier human race that is not being fooled and ultimately killed by these perpetual toxins in these packaged foods that are deigned to taste that good.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Yoga Heals
I am feeling so inspired and in awe of my practice, I just finished up and am now writing from my mat.
I haven't been doing much of anything good-for-me-wise for months, as such last post clearly depicted. With such shenanigans came no proper yoga practice of any kind. I have casually stretched here and there, did a couple of headstands and handstands for kicks (I can FINALLY do a hand stand unassisted and away from a wall - yay me!) but proper, meditative, centering, good release, zen yoga - no way Jose.
I am not sure why of all recent days, today was a day where my mat was calling me. It isn't particularly nice out (I love practicing outside when the weather permits), it actually looks like heavens are about to open up and downpour, it is kinda muggy and I was getting chewed by bugs (hence why I moved inside), but I needed yoga today. My body and mind ached for it. Do you ever get that?
My body has been stiff and tight beyond belief the last week. I thought maybe it was sympathy aches for A because his sciatica is flared up right now (and try as I might I can't get him to do yoga), but when it was more than my temperamental sciatica, I knew it was more than just ghost pain. (Side note: my sciatica is completely nonexistent when I practice regularly, in fact yoga is the ONLY thing that has ever made it go away completely for long periods of time.)
It is funny psychologically for me, muscle pain is good, I have always been a glutton for punishment when it comes to exercise. I love the burn, the lactic acid build up and the muscle ache for days - it makes me feel like a hard-ass, bad-ass. But my most recent aches are not good aches, my tendinitis is flaring up, my wrist aches, my neck aches, my sciatica just feels icky and irritated, my shoulders get tight (and no I am not an 80 year old woman with arthritis, even though it may sounds like it). I know when I am ohh, ahh, ugh - yoga is needed. Yoga heals all. I think everyone and anyone can and should do yoga. I am amazed by how little aches and pains I have when I practice regularly and similarly how quickly the aches and pains dissipate as soon as I spend a few minutes on my mat.
Sure I want to push through, push harder, do the difficult poses, well at least my hard-ass, competitive brain does, but no, I consciously chose a lighter practice, especially when I haven't been on my mat in over a month. I did the poses I wanted to do and some of those that brought the ache to the forefront. At first I was tight all over, my toes, my neck, my wrists, back, hips, but slowly and surely, everything loosened up and started to feel amazing. That lingering, subtle ache that has been threatening to get worse for days disappeared. I could feel each body part, muscle and tendon loosen up. The trick is not to overdo it. We think oh this must be good, so more should be better. That is not the case. There is such a thing as overstretching a muscle and that could lead to serious injury. So know when to ease up and even stop your practice.
I know I have to consciously ease back in and turn off my self judgement and doubt - to expect to get back on your mat after months of no association and whip out flying pigeon is just setting yourself up for failure and probably injury. Be easy on yourself. Practice where you are at, not where you "think you should be," you silly goose you haven't done yoga regularly for months (that is to me, not you (unless you are like me, then - please be kind to yourself and your practice)).
(The funny thing is I did a headstand at the end of my practice and my legs literally floated up over my body so quickly and effortlessly it startled me, I was prepared for a little struggle and some major core engagement, I almost lost my balance as my legs flailed around, haha, like riding a bike I guess ;) )
Yoga truly blows my mind. I am perpetually challenged and humbled by my practice. How I try to avoid it and yet my body and mind crave it. And how I keep brushing it off like "eh, I don't need no stinkin' yoga" and yet as soon as I surrender I feel all shiny and new again.
I can't wait for my practice tomorrow.
Namaste.
I haven't been doing much of anything good-for-me-wise for months, as such last post clearly depicted. With such shenanigans came no proper yoga practice of any kind. I have casually stretched here and there, did a couple of headstands and handstands for kicks (I can FINALLY do a hand stand unassisted and away from a wall - yay me!) but proper, meditative, centering, good release, zen yoga - no way Jose.
I am not sure why of all recent days, today was a day where my mat was calling me. It isn't particularly nice out (I love practicing outside when the weather permits), it actually looks like heavens are about to open up and downpour, it is kinda muggy and I was getting chewed by bugs (hence why I moved inside), but I needed yoga today. My body and mind ached for it. Do you ever get that?
My body has been stiff and tight beyond belief the last week. I thought maybe it was sympathy aches for A because his sciatica is flared up right now (and try as I might I can't get him to do yoga), but when it was more than my temperamental sciatica, I knew it was more than just ghost pain. (Side note: my sciatica is completely nonexistent when I practice regularly, in fact yoga is the ONLY thing that has ever made it go away completely for long periods of time.)
It is funny psychologically for me, muscle pain is good, I have always been a glutton for punishment when it comes to exercise. I love the burn, the lactic acid build up and the muscle ache for days - it makes me feel like a hard-ass, bad-ass. But my most recent aches are not good aches, my tendinitis is flaring up, my wrist aches, my neck aches, my sciatica just feels icky and irritated, my shoulders get tight (and no I am not an 80 year old woman with arthritis, even though it may sounds like it). I know when I am ohh, ahh, ugh - yoga is needed. Yoga heals all. I think everyone and anyone can and should do yoga. I am amazed by how little aches and pains I have when I practice regularly and similarly how quickly the aches and pains dissipate as soon as I spend a few minutes on my mat.
Sure I want to push through, push harder, do the difficult poses, well at least my hard-ass, competitive brain does, but no, I consciously chose a lighter practice, especially when I haven't been on my mat in over a month. I did the poses I wanted to do and some of those that brought the ache to the forefront. At first I was tight all over, my toes, my neck, my wrists, back, hips, but slowly and surely, everything loosened up and started to feel amazing. That lingering, subtle ache that has been threatening to get worse for days disappeared. I could feel each body part, muscle and tendon loosen up. The trick is not to overdo it. We think oh this must be good, so more should be better. That is not the case. There is such a thing as overstretching a muscle and that could lead to serious injury. So know when to ease up and even stop your practice.
I know I have to consciously ease back in and turn off my self judgement and doubt - to expect to get back on your mat after months of no association and whip out flying pigeon is just setting yourself up for failure and probably injury. Be easy on yourself. Practice where you are at, not where you "think you should be," you silly goose you haven't done yoga regularly for months (that is to me, not you (unless you are like me, then - please be kind to yourself and your practice)).
(The funny thing is I did a headstand at the end of my practice and my legs literally floated up over my body so quickly and effortlessly it startled me, I was prepared for a little struggle and some major core engagement, I almost lost my balance as my legs flailed around, haha, like riding a bike I guess ;) )
Yoga truly blows my mind. I am perpetually challenged and humbled by my practice. How I try to avoid it and yet my body and mind crave it. And how I keep brushing it off like "eh, I don't need no stinkin' yoga" and yet as soon as I surrender I feel all shiny and new again.
I can't wait for my practice tomorrow.
Namaste.
Monday, August 17, 2015
A Summer For the Record Books
This has been the summer of complete fucketry, basically translated as "fuck it all."
We have literally been non-stop since the beginning of June. We have been balls-out with work, new side projects, school, social events, family visiting, weddings, graduations, a very sad attempt at a garden, and maybe, just maybe a day here or there for a second to catch our breath, or catch up on sleep before we start all over again on Monday.
I feel like this summer just started and yet it is over. Wahhh. Someone even said the four-letter "S" word today. I killed them with my eyes. It's going too fast!! We have worked too hard and WAY too much this summer.
We have also had social obligations every weekend since June. With socialization, comes food and booze, and then more food and booze. I have eaten and drank everything in sight for pretty much the last 2.5 months. And by everything, I mean e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Meat, yep, cheese, you betcha, sugar, sweets, potato chips, lobster, and even some gluten in there too (!!). And booze... I am secretly/publicly considering that I might have a problem (which I am only half joking), but seriously I have consumed unhealthy amounts of alcohol for 2.5 months straight. (Hey! It's summer - don't judge!) Like I said, it has been the summer of debauchery and fucketry, and I am doing it up proper. Hallelujah-er.
I said fuck it all over a month ago. Prior to that I was debauching partially and feeling guilty. Then one day I was tired of not eating at social events, and worrying, and trying to be "good," all the while trying to figure out what the hell I am doing with my life. Being on a "diet" while contemplating your life's purpose is kind of suicidal, just saying.
It is really hard to be stressed all the time and try to watch everything and anything that passed my lips, over analyzing my poops and perpetually more frequent gas. I think going to nutrition school makes you a crazy person. Try this. Try that. Don't eat this. Eat lots of that. Oh you know you really should.... no shouldn't..... AHHHHH.....all the while being super stressed about pretty much everything in my life and the directions I am taking, blahedy blah, blah. FUCK. IT. ALL!!
Said middle finger and all-consuming-debauchery has led to me feeling like an old, hungover, stiff, gassy, bloated, pooping problem, pimple-y, moody hag. Yewlp, that's me. All I do is eat, en masse and everything ever made, and drinking. Any excuse for a cocktail I will indulge (which is normally the case, but phew, I have even outdid myself) and oh yeah, I stopped working out consistently back in June too. I know, I know...recipe for disaster. Hi, my name is Recipe-for-Disaster.
I think honestly it was a valve waiting to burst. Between the strict diets corresponding with my course load, the multiple temptations at summer BBQs, insane amount of stress at work, training a new employee, going to school, starting a new business with a friend, while attempting to maintain some semblance of a social and family life, has led to this moment. Our garden is an embarrassment, divert your eyes, we were so defeated we just mowed the sucker down yesterday. To it all, I say fuck thee.
But you know what, I think this is natural. This is a huge, transitional, pivotal phase in my life. I have finally identified what I want to be doing with my life. I have 6 months left of school before I am a health coach. I will start working with an organization in the fall that I really believe in and feel I will make a huge difference in my community. I have given my current boss notice of my departure no later than the end of the year. My trainee will be done in a few weeks (phew!). I am starting another business on the side as supplement as well. And I know all my ups and downs with diet, and health, and nutrition, and exercise makes me human.
People assume health coaches are perfect green juice drinking, kale chewing, yogi-crazed, finger-waggers at those who are "bad," but let me tell you, that is not what a health coach is. I will never wave my finger at you. If anything, I will empathize with you and help you to learn to be easier on yourself. Because sometimes shit hits the fan and you feel you are running 800 miles an hour in a circle and you just grab what is around, and that is probably wine and potato chips (at least for me). We have to learn to forgive ourselves. To allow ourselves debauchery and fucketry (and maybe the gaining of 10 lbs. in 2 months, which will go away!), there is no sense to beat yourself over the reality of life.
Sometimes when it feels like a whirlwind, embrace it, let it happen, be part of it, even if drunk, and chubby, and zitty, because we all know what our individual equilibrium is. We all strive to maintain it, going off kilter is what makes us human, makes us real, and if anything should alert you to cut yourself some slack, because big things are a-comin' and a-changin'.
So here's a cheers to acknowledging what is real and to a few more weeks of the inevitably fucketry.
We have literally been non-stop since the beginning of June. We have been balls-out with work, new side projects, school, social events, family visiting, weddings, graduations, a very sad attempt at a garden, and maybe, just maybe a day here or there for a second to catch our breath, or catch up on sleep before we start all over again on Monday.
I feel like this summer just started and yet it is over. Wahhh. Someone even said the four-letter "S" word today. I killed them with my eyes. It's going too fast!! We have worked too hard and WAY too much this summer.
We have also had social obligations every weekend since June. With socialization, comes food and booze, and then more food and booze. I have eaten and drank everything in sight for pretty much the last 2.5 months. And by everything, I mean e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Meat, yep, cheese, you betcha, sugar, sweets, potato chips, lobster, and even some gluten in there too (!!). And booze... I am secretly/publicly considering that I might have a problem (which I am only half joking), but seriously I have consumed unhealthy amounts of alcohol for 2.5 months straight. (Hey! It's summer - don't judge!) Like I said, it has been the summer of debauchery and fucketry, and I am doing it up proper. Hallelujah-er.
I said fuck it all over a month ago. Prior to that I was debauching partially and feeling guilty. Then one day I was tired of not eating at social events, and worrying, and trying to be "good," all the while trying to figure out what the hell I am doing with my life. Being on a "diet" while contemplating your life's purpose is kind of suicidal, just saying.
It is really hard to be stressed all the time and try to watch everything and anything that passed my lips, over analyzing my poops and perpetually more frequent gas. I think going to nutrition school makes you a crazy person. Try this. Try that. Don't eat this. Eat lots of that. Oh you know you really should.... no shouldn't..... AHHHHH.....all the while being super stressed about pretty much everything in my life and the directions I am taking, blahedy blah, blah. FUCK. IT. ALL!!
Said middle finger and all-consuming-debauchery has led to me feeling like an old, hungover, stiff, gassy, bloated, pooping problem, pimple-y, moody hag. Yewlp, that's me. All I do is eat, en masse and everything ever made, and drinking. Any excuse for a cocktail I will indulge (which is normally the case, but phew, I have even outdid myself) and oh yeah, I stopped working out consistently back in June too. I know, I know...recipe for disaster. Hi, my name is Recipe-for-Disaster.
I think honestly it was a valve waiting to burst. Between the strict diets corresponding with my course load, the multiple temptations at summer BBQs, insane amount of stress at work, training a new employee, going to school, starting a new business with a friend, while attempting to maintain some semblance of a social and family life, has led to this moment. Our garden is an embarrassment, divert your eyes, we were so defeated we just mowed the sucker down yesterday. To it all, I say fuck thee.
But you know what, I think this is natural. This is a huge, transitional, pivotal phase in my life. I have finally identified what I want to be doing with my life. I have 6 months left of school before I am a health coach. I will start working with an organization in the fall that I really believe in and feel I will make a huge difference in my community. I have given my current boss notice of my departure no later than the end of the year. My trainee will be done in a few weeks (phew!). I am starting another business on the side as supplement as well. And I know all my ups and downs with diet, and health, and nutrition, and exercise makes me human.
People assume health coaches are perfect green juice drinking, kale chewing, yogi-crazed, finger-waggers at those who are "bad," but let me tell you, that is not what a health coach is. I will never wave my finger at you. If anything, I will empathize with you and help you to learn to be easier on yourself. Because sometimes shit hits the fan and you feel you are running 800 miles an hour in a circle and you just grab what is around, and that is probably wine and potato chips (at least for me). We have to learn to forgive ourselves. To allow ourselves debauchery and fucketry (and maybe the gaining of 10 lbs. in 2 months, which will go away!), there is no sense to beat yourself over the reality of life.
Sometimes when it feels like a whirlwind, embrace it, let it happen, be part of it, even if drunk, and chubby, and zitty, because we all know what our individual equilibrium is. We all strive to maintain it, going off kilter is what makes us human, makes us real, and if anything should alert you to cut yourself some slack, because big things are a-comin' and a-changin'.
So here's a cheers to acknowledging what is real and to a few more weeks of the inevitably fucketry.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Info Fiend Find: Food Choices Change Our Gene Expression
Food Choices Change Our Gene Expression
Without a doubt one of the most important decisions we make on a daily basis is what we choose to eat. Nowadays, those decisions are made all the more complex by the vast panorama of recommendations in the form of books, social media, television, and even advertisements at the point-of-sale.
The broad strokes favoring one recommendation over another involve the various ratios of macronutrients, including fat, carbohydrate, and protein, while the notion of consuming foods rich in the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) seems to be a commonality shared amongst most popular diets.
But we now understand that focusing on macronutrient ratios and content of micronutrients represents significant myopia. The foods we choose to consume are far more then simply metabolic chemicals. Food is information.
Whether your exploration of biology ended in high school or you went on to get a PhD in molecular genetics, each of us was schooled in what has become known as the “central dogma.” This is the tenet that holds that there is a direct flow of information from our DNA directing the production of various proteins that ultimately play fundamental roles in human physiology. Moreover, we were all schooled in the notion that our DNA was an indelible code that would determine everything from the color of our eyes to the ability of our blood to clot. Indeed, the statement, “it’s in my DNA” has been taken to mean that whatever is being referred to is a part of a person’s essence that cannot be altered.
But the expression of our DNA is anything but static. Moment-to-moment, specific genes are being amplified in their expression while others are being silenced – a process that dramatically enhances our adaptive ability to various environmental changes to which we are exposed. The effect of extrinsic factors in changing genetic expression defines the science of epigenetics.
More importantly, it turns out that the changes in the expression of our DNA that will favor either health or disease are, to significant degree, under our direct control. No doubt the notion that we have control of our genetic expression may well seem iconoclastic. But, more importantly, the idea that our choices, in terms of the foods we eat, the exercise we get, and the levels of stress in our day-to-day lives, all influence the expression of our DNA should be looked upon as representing profound empowerment.
Indeed, from the perspective of harnessing the science of epigenetics for health and vitality, by making the right food choices we open ourselves up to a new and virtually uncharted vista.
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