Ignore these and you’ll find yourself on a never-ending cycle.
Since my days at The Pritikin Longevity Center during the fat-free craze of the 1980s, I’ve been a firm believer that weight gain is far more complex than just “calories in, calories out.” In fact, this quest for underlying causes has been what’s fueled the last 25 years of my research and the concepts behind over 30 books.
From hormone imbalance to parasites to EMFs, there really isn’t an avenue I haven’t explored when it comes to hidden weight gain factors, and with good reason – according to U.S. weight statistics for 2010, 69% of adult Americans are overweight!
However, what I have learned most of all is that beyond the importance of resolving imbalances or flushing out toxins, there are basic common sense fundamentals that are so often totally ignored and overlooked for weight loss.
Many of us find ourselves looking for a quick solution, the one simple fix, the “real” reason we’re overweight, when in reality, if we’re not taking the basic steps to support our bodies, there’s no diet, cleanse or supplement regime that will ever guide us to long-lasting, sustainable health and weight loss maintenance.
Nothing I’m going to share with you is going to come as a shock – these ideas are nothing new. They are basic essentials to good health that when not followed can trap you in a never-ending cycle of weight gain, low energy, and as you age, a plethora of other health issues.
It’s time to be honest– review these 5 simple “Fat Traps” – how would you grade yourself?
1. Not Enough Sleep– Odds are, you’re not getting enough, and in this day and age, it can be tough to squeeze it in. But as I tell my Fat Flushers, it’s absolutely essential to get eight hours a night. A new study at the University of Colorado found that participants restricted to five hours of sleep a night gained an average of two pounds the first week. Lack of sleep made them more likely to snack after dinner and crave carbohydrates. I could write a whole blog about all of the reasons sleep is important, and all of the dangerous effects of sleep deprivation, but probably the most important is its connection to cortisol – the stress hormone. Sleep reduces cortisol production and without enough, the body isn’t able to respond properly to the next Fat Trap…Stress…
2. Too Much Stress– On an average day you may find yourself worrying about work, family, aging parents, money, the economy, politics and world issues, keeping up with household chores and maintaining a social life, not to mention cooking healthy meals, exercising, maintaining your appearance, and of course, sleep. Whew…I’m stressed already! Around 70% of Americans admit to being stressed out, and 90% admit to using food as the drug of choice to pacify things. Too much stress causes the adrenal glands to go into overdrive, producing excess cortisol which encourages the body to stockpile fat, especially around the midsection.
Find ways to reduce stress – know your limitations, let go of things that aren’t a priority, and schedule “zone out” time for yourself everyday to de-stress and clear your mind. For the stress that’s unavoidable, it’s important to rebuild and recharge burned out adrenal glands with a supportive supplement like UNI KEY’s Adrenal Formula.
3. Skipping Meals – Your mother probably told you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and she was right. What you eat in the morning sets you up for the rest of the day – filling up on satisfying and stabilizing protein-rich foods like a Fat Flush Whey or Body Protein Smoothie or a veggie omelette will help keep your blood sugar and metabolism stabilized as the day goes on. In addition, it’s important to eat every four hours and avoid eating two hours before bedtime.
4. A Sedentary Lifestyle – A hundred years ago, our ancestors worked in the fields and factories doing hard, physical work from sunup to sundown. Today, we spend our lives sitting – in our cars, at the computer, and on the couch. It’s important to make the choice everyday to be active. In addition to carving out time for exercise, you can get moving in the simplest ways: walk briskly wherever you go, take the stairs, chase your kids or grandkids, or work in the yard.
For workout ideas – including things you can do while watching TV – check out the Fat Flush Blog >> https://www.fatflush.com/blog/category/health-wellness/fitness/
5. Lack of Support – If you’ve ever heard the saying “you are who your friends are” – this applies to your health too. Surround yourself with people who will be supportive and hopefully join you in your efforts to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. Get a group together at work to enjoy lunches with, join a workout class or ask a like-minded friend to become your accountability partner.
Get your loved ones on board too, even if they aren’t enthusiastic at first, they’ll likely benefit in the long run. I can’t tell you how many success stories I’ve received over the years from couples and families who’ve all lost weight together as a result of one person’s initiative. Check out www.annlouiseforum.com where you’ll find dedicated and experienced Fat Flush veterans who are ready and waiting to offer their support, advice and guidance anytime you need it.
