Supplement Is NOT A Four Letter Word

I'm going to start off by stating the obvious:  when you're over 40, things just don't work the same as they did when you were in your 20's...or even 30's.  It's harder to loose weight...it's harder to maintain a youthful appearance...it's harder to build muscle...it's just harder...  Notice that I did NOT say impossible...just harder...  I firmly believe that, for most people, after the BIG 4-0, we just need a little "help"...like a gentle girdle...like a facial filler...like...nutritional supplementation.  Yes, I just went there!

Today I want to write on a subject that is near and dear to my heart...nutritional supplements.  I realize that this is a very controversial topic within the fitness industry, so before you go and get all hot under the collar, let me clarify.  I'm not talking about the ones that professional athletes take...or the ones that promise you'll loose 10 pounds in 2 days...or the ones that make you bulk up like the Hulk...or the ones that are synthetic garbage (aka:  a chemical crap storm).  I'm talking about natural, NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION...simply, what we can do with what nature has given us to supplement what our diets are lacking, but our bodies need for optimum health and functioning.

Since my Dad has owned a Health Food store in Tucson, AZ for the last 30+ years (shout out to The Health Hut), I grew up understanding several important things:

(1) how to read a nutrition label,
(2) that if we put the things into our bodies that they need, they will respond by being healthier, and looking and feeling better,
(3) that God has already given us pretty much everything that we need to heal our bodies when they are sick or not performing at their peak,


(4) that it is necessary to supplement our diet, because our modern diet is sadly lacking in essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, and;
(5) just because we can add to our diet what we lack by not eating healthy, this does NOT give us a license to slowly kill our bodies by poisoning it to death with unhealthy food choices!

Everyone needs to do their own research to find what they feel will work for them, and then use what they feel is beneficial to their body.  I am NOT a proponent of:

• any product(s) out there that make promises that are too good to be true,
• any product(s) that tells you that you MUST use their product(s), and ONLY their product(s), to achieve whatever your desired results are,
• any product(s) that puts more of an emphasis on signing other people up under you, than the actual health benefits of the product(s),
• any product(s) that is marketed as the product(s) that will fix all of your unhealthy habits overnight,
• any product(s) that is the "miracle" fix/cure to your weight loss/health woes.
• any product(s) that has a nutritional label that looks like a science experiment (with the exception of the scientific names of vitamins...sometimes they look scary)
• any product(s) that contains fillers and artificial colors/flavors/sweeteners
• any product(s) that contains high fructose corn syrup/corn syrup
• any product(s) that contains GMO products (corn and soy are the worst offenders)
• any products(s) that contain known allergens/irritants (whey, lactose, gluten)
• any product(s) that contain MSG or other chemical preservatives

Remember...if it seems too good to be true...IT IS!!!!  

The ONLY way you will "turn back the clock" and discover the "Fountain of Youth" is by making your pursuit of health and fitness a lifestyle.  Becoming healthy, loosing weight, finding your way to physical fitness is NOT a New Year's resolution, it is NOT something that happens overnight, it will NOT happen as the result of taking some magic potion, BUT it will happen...the old-fashioned way...with hard work and determination, making good, healthy choices day-after-day, sweating (everyday), driving past that fast food joint, and saying "No" to unhealthy habits, and "Yes" to the rest of your beautiful, healthy, fit life!  Be blessed!  Be well!  Be fit!

My next blog will get a little more in depth about what to look for when supplementing your diet.

You CAN do THIS!!!

Since this is my first blog of the new year, I wanted to write about something that is on most of our minds right now.  ...no, not New Year's resolutions...I don't believe in them, simply because most people never see them to fruition.  I want to talk about the steps it takes to make a lifestyle change.

First let's look at what a lifestyle change is:  it is modifying or eliminating long-held habits of eating or physical activity and maintaining the new habits over months and years.  Since many of us have tried, and failed numerous times before to bring about healthy changes in our lives, this can be an intimidating journey to begin.  I think the most crucial element is simply that you begin.  Success lies in taking small, sustainable steps toward lasting, doable changes for the betterment of your health.  There are several things to consider for the successful implementation of the changes that you want to make...let's look at them:

Identify your priorities and commitments 
Write down exactly what it is that you want to do/change.  Remember that the things that you spend the most time on, are the things that are the most important to you.  If you want to make exercise a consistent part of your life, then schedule it into your day...make an appointment with yourself...in other words, make it a priority.  

Make sure that the change is something that YOU want 
This is all about YOU, and for YOU...no one else.  Why do you want to make the change(s)?  What is your motivation?  Really think about that, and then mentally hold on to that reason/motivation...this is what will help you to keep going when you feel like quitting.  I call this, "knowing your why".

Make sure that you feel good about the changes that you're making 
If this is going to be sustainable, you need to embrace it, and be passionate about it.  If you decide that you want to eat healthier, then clean out your fridge and pantry and eliminate foods that aren't healthy...celebrate that decision...play fun music while you're doing it...dance...play "shoot the hoop" with the food into the garbage can...make it fun and enjoyable.

Make small, progressively changing goals 
I don't want you to change everything overnight...that would be almost impossible to stick to for the long haul.  I recommend that when you are identifying your priorities, that you then break each item down into smaller "bite sized" changes.  For example:  "I want to eat healthier."  Okay, start by cleaning out the unhealthy food items from your kitchen (if it's not there...you can't eat it).  The next step (week two) might be, eliminating all products with artificial sweeteners and sugar.  You might then progress to cutting out milk by substituting almond milk (week three).  See where I'm going with this?  Make your changes progressive...that will make your lifestyle change easier to adhere to.


Finally, don't beat yourself up if you have a day where you slip back into your old habits...the key is to get back into your new life as quickly as possible.  Once you begin to feel how good it feels to feel good, you won't want to go back to the "old you".  Your body will reward your changes with more energy, feeling better...lighter...healthier.  Friends will comment on how amazing you look...it takes time, but trust me, people will notice.  YOU CAN DO THIS...and you'll be happy that you did!