Here's to your physical health at any age!

If you don’t have your health, it is difficult to function on a daily basis no matter what age, and the “enemy” is inflammation.  It’s not just the athlete, but it’s the stressed mom with young children, it’s the single parent working several jobs to just put food on the table, it’s the professional doctor, teacher, CPA with high demands and expectations on their time who’s getting little beneficial sleep, it’s the main bread winner working full time but also going back to school at night, and, yes, even our young college students meeting the demands of all the assignments, projects, mid-terms, finals.  All of these examples are people with some level of inflammation. 

According to Dr. Lyndon McGill, chiropractor out of Salem, Oregon, “our bodies are bombarded with pro-inflammatory conditions.  Inflammation is a response; our bodies want to fight this invader.”  There are two types of inflammation.  The first is acute inflammation which is our body’s initial response to an injury or trauma and is a good thing, it can even be life-saving.  However the second type of inflammation is chronic inflammation.  This, on the other hand, is definitely a problem. Too many things are perpetuating this inflammatory response with the result being autoimmune diseases and more.  According to Dr. McGill, “so many people are headed toward dialysis because of the damage to the liver and kidneys due to medications such as prescription meds and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.”   

Having dealt with rheumatoid arthritis since I was 36 and being on an injection of methotrexate once a week for over 13 years, I've definitely been concerned about the implications for my health long-term.  However, I’m also learning, there are a multitude of reasons our bodies, at ALL ages, are fighting inflammation.  It’s not just that sore shoulder or knee due to over use playing golf or tennis as a recreational sport.  It’s not just the former college/pro athlete who now, later in life, is “feeling the effects.”  It is EVERY ONE of us.  We are surrounded by challenges such as: chemicals in the environment, allergies, migraines, job-related stressors, lack of sleep, lack of good nutrition, high consumption of junk food and junk beverages, joint aches and pains, obesity, and the list goes on and on. 

With all that said, I want to introduce you to a product that has changed my life as well as many others.  Hear me out. DO NOT stop reading.  I am not someone who will bombard others “advertising” products, however, this one is changing lives, its proprietary, clean, and the focus is on reducing chronic inflammation.  What is it?  It’s a small beet capsule called Limitless.  Like a vitamin/mineral benefits us, this small capsule taken two times a day, preferably on an empty stomach serves to strengthen your body and how it functions.  Testimonials range from high school athletes, to my 87 year old mom, to former college and pro athletes, those of us concerned about aging, and also ob/gyn professionals, dentists, and even veterinarians. 

What makes this capsule so powerful?  It contains one ingredient which is a targeted concentration of pure beet root powder containing a superior source of betalain.  The patent-pending process to extract the betalain allows for the purity, zero calories, and zero sugar.  What are the benefits:  *fights fatigue   *fights free-radicals   *promotes joint health   *improves mental alertness   *promotes healthy aging   *reduces chronic inflammation     Did you know there is even a correlation between obesity and inflammation markers?  Not only is there more stress on the joints, but fat cells themselves cause a release of inflammatory markers around the fat cells creating an adverse environment to losing weight. 

The latest “buzz word” is beets.  Even Dr. Oz proclaims that red is the “new green.”  Whether you do or do not like beets will not be an issue as the capsule is tiny and easy to swallow.   In addition, you will receive the benefits of eating 500 beets to get the amount of betalain nutrition in only one Limitless capsule but NO sugar. 

Jon and I have been taking this product for almost two years now, and we will continue with Limitless as part of our daily routine just like taking our vitamin D3 tablet.  There is a 100% money back guarantee if you try this product for 84 days.   We are all about helping people be the best they can be physically and mentally in order to have a high quality of life, and it starts with acknowledging chronic inflammation is a huge problem for all of us at any age.

Here’s to a healthy week.  Message me back if you’d like more information about Limitless.  For those of you who are already taking Limitless, I celebrate your focus on your own health now and in the future!!

As my focus in these blogs is on health and wellness, to me, there is a definite link between our mindset and how we approach our physical health.  Is it the chicken or the egg?  Which comes first?  We don’t feel good about ourselves because of what we’re telling ourselves in our minds?  Or is it the negative view of ourselves physically ,that causes the negative mindset?  Our physical health is at the core of what we can or can’t do in the other areas of our life.

If you turn on the news, you will hear about obesity issues in children and adults, the epidemic of heroin users on all economic levels,  bullying linked to suicides etc. etc.  A day doesn't go by where someone I’m speaking with doesn't  refer to the fact they’re tired all the time, or can’t sleep, or are stressed out about something personal or at work, maybe it's struggling with hormonal issues, pain of some kind etc.   The complaints don’t appear to be age or gender specific.  It’s women in their 30’s and 40’s, men in their 70’s, young children with allergies, athletes with breathing issues and others.

Am I just more aware of these issues now than maybe 5, 10, or more years ago?  Yes, I do think that’s some of it.  But it's also because I’m expanding my understanding of what health and wellness really means. As I get older, I'm reflecting over my own health, as I want to be around a long time to watch my grandchildren grow up, graduate and get married.  I can't do that if I'm not healthy.  Sometimes it seems that we hear conflicting information so what really is the truth?  The more I'm learning, the more there appears to be a common “culprit” -  INFLAMMATION!  Research has shown that chronic inflammation is the reason for the vast majority of our ailments.  It can lead to: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and fibromyalgia, allergies, migraines, and so much more.

For me, I previously thought inflammation was a swollen ankle, the redness around a paper cut, or the redness in my daughter’s ear when she had an ear ache.  But,  yes…my rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation!  Fancy that. According to Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, “Our bodies keep a delicate balance between when our body needs the white blood cells to clear out infection and damaged tissue.  These agents are matched by equally powerful, closely related anti-inflammatory compounds, which move in once the threat is neutralized to begin the healing process. When this ebb and flow process occurs as needed, we have a well-balanced immune system.  The problem occurs when the symptoms of inflammation don’t recede and the “on” switch to our immune system is basically stuck.  It’s continuously on “high alert.”

Here’s the good news!! We are in control of so many things in our lives that will “cool” this type of inflammation!  I CAN take action!  I CAN take control of this chronic inflammation even with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.  The first step is learning to “listen to our bodies.”  When I was 36 and originally diagnosed with the rheumatoid,  I had a dietitian tell me I needed to “listen to my body” as it was “telling me” what my body was needing  My first response was, “I don’t have a clue what you're talking about, I've never been taught how to do that”  So I began to learn to pay attention to how my body was reacting to various foods, how I felt an hour after I had eaten, what foods gave me more energy and a clearer mind, and what foods had the opposite effect.  When was I in the most pain?  Was there a particular time of day? The questions I began to learn to ask myself became more and more specific the more I began to really "listen" to what my body was telling me  Keeping a journal was very helpful as patterns started to appear.

Now I'm paying close attention to not only my mental mindset but also my health mindset.  If I’m feeling “off,” I begin to look for reasons.  Why am I not sleeping well?  Why am I feeling bloated?  Why do I feel lethargic and can’t seem to focus?  Just like our mental mindset, it’s important to discover what’s going on in our bodies.  Personally, I don’t want to take medication unless it’s essential.  I believe if our bodies are in the right environment, fed the right foods and take the right natural supplements, our body can have a greater chance of healing itself. 

How often, in our microwave society, are we looking for a quick fix?  Get rid of the pain now, get rid of my sadness now, get rid of my stress now.  There are natural “highs” and other ways to discover what is going on with our bodies.  I hope to explore these ways with you in future blogs.

My “assignment” for you this week is to take a critical look at your health:  energy level, stress level, aches and pains, wanting to lose weight or maintain your weight, or increase your fitness level?  What's your health mindset?

YOUR Health and Wellness - How's That Going For YOU?

I recently purchased the book The Dr's Diet by Dr. Travis Stork who is the host of the Emmy award-winning show, The Doctors.  He's also very cute.  :)

As I've been focusing on inflammation these past few blogs, I came across more information from Dr. Travis.  "On one hand, inflammation is an amazing biological response that we couldn't survive without.  It's our immune system's response to danger...our body 'turns up the heat' in an effort to protect us from this invasion." 

"On the other hand, when there's too much inflammation, it can damage healthy cells as well as invaders.  The excessive inflammation goes too far, harming the cells and tissues it's suppose to be helping."  As I mentioned earlier, "there's a wide range of diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's - pretty much all the major killers in our society. Genetic factors may also play a part."

In this particular book, there is a focus on weight management and eating right.  I've read may other books as well, but this one resonates with me much more than some of the others.  I like practical, easy, sensible, and guilt free.  The health information is presented in an easy to understand way with every day life examples and comparisons. There is information in the beginning and then easy, quick recipe for meals.  I would highly recommend reading this book if you are interested in either losing weight, restoring your health, and/or good solid information about your health.

"By improving your diet and losing excess fat, you can turn the heat down on inflammation.  In doing so, you lower your risk for developing the many diseases associated with chronic inflammation - the very diseases that so often cause premature death and disability."

So, now comes the real "meat."  In order to change something in your life, YOU have to change.  Not earth shattering news but REAL!

My goal in these blogs is to give you "food for thought" and hopefully help some of you make a lifetime change and commitment.  I want to Help People Evolv in all areas of their lives. 

Have a great week!

Chronic Inflammation = Imbalanced Immune System

What I have learned to understand is the root of chronic inflammation is an imbalanced immune system.  As I've said, we need a healthy balance of inflammation to stay healthy.  But if your body is constantly on the defensive, it makes sense that your overall health would be compromised. 

First of all, inflammation takes a lot of your body’s energy and resources.”  When I was in crises, I was always exhausted.  It didn't matter how much sleep I would get, I was always tired.  My entire body was working overtime and emotionally I was having a difficult time not only dealing with the pain, but my expectations of what I “should” be doing.

But…we CAN take action right away and we CAN take control of our bodies.  First and foremost I learned to “listen” to what my body wanted. For me, it was greens, fruits, and vegetables.  After eating a particular food, full meal etc. how do you feel an hour after you've eaten?  If there’s more pain, avoid that food for the time being.  My experience when I was in crisis was that dairy, mostly milk, and cheese were triggers. 

I soon realized I needed to keep a journal as I couldn't remember everything, and then I could also watch for patterns.  Remember...I said that in an earlier post.  I began tracking things like: the time of day, the amount, how often, as well as a particular combination of foods.

Second, when I was in crisis, I had to get rid of my “To Do” list.  I was use to making a list and not quitting for the day until it was all crossed off.  NOT!!!  Part of getting rid of the list was to reduce the stress of “all that had to be done.”  The other part of getting rid of the list was again to learn to listen to my body.  How long could I go without needing to take a break?  As a married female, with two children, and working full time, I had to realize that I had to focus on MY needs.  I wasn't much help to my husband or my children if I didn't take care of me. 

I’m a firm believer that we are all given challenges in our lives for a reason.  The difference between us is who is listening and doing something different OR who’s pointing a finger, blaming, having a constant pity party?  You know what I mean.  That is not to say I didn't go through the “why me” stage or felt sorry for myself.   The key, however, is how long do you stay in the pity party?  Take ACTION! 

Is it disturbing to learn that chronic inflammation is the root of nearly every modern disease on the rise today.  The good news is, however, we can choose each day to make good choices that will limit the “fuel to the fire” and reduce our chances of having the disease in the first place or, in my case, to conquer the inflammation, pain, and swelling, so I can now lead a fully functioning life.  The more I learn about the human body, the more convinced I am that “we have all the natural tools needed to maintain a healthful balance in our systems.” (Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP) Today is the day to begin leading a healthy and productive life no matter how old you are!!