sleep

Weight Loss Plateau – Steps to Break Through

An individual recently submitted the following question at the Vital Health Zone:

I am 47 years old, I weigh 75 kg. I take Breakfast-oatmeal Lunch- 3 chappathis, Dinner-2 chappathi or cornflakes. Small meal 1 apple, 1 piece papaya, and some biscuits. I go for 1 hr morning brisk walk, and do half an hour exercises. But i have not reduced. For my age and ht I should be 55kg. What should I do?

Here’s the answer I provided:

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Top 5 Tips to Burn More Fat from Celebrity Nutrition & Fitness Expert JJ Virgin

Having you been during endless cardio workouts and still struggling to lose weight?

Next week JJ Virgin will be going into detail on 5 simple steps you can put into action NOW to have the body, energy, and confidence for this summer and beyond!

Here’s a little of what she’ll be covering . . .

  1. Burst to Blast Fat
  2. Eating by the Plate
  3. How to create your metabolic SPANX
  4. What to look for in meal replacement shakes
  5. How sleep impacts weight loss

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Weight Loss – 4 Steps to Reduce Stress Related Weight Gain

Here are four additional tips to decrease the impact of stress and elevated cortisol levels on your weight.

1. Don’t fight the cravings.

If you need something sweet it’s okay to satisfy your sweet tooth – in moderation. It’ll cut off your elevated cortisol levels response before things get out of control.

2. Limit caffeine.

The combination of caffeine and stress raises cortisol levels.

3. As always, don’t skip breakfast!

Being deficient in certain vitamins, such as B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium causes your body stress and boosts cortisol levels, along with food cravings. Breakfast is a great quick and easy way to add these nutrients to your diet everyday. Some yogurt with fresh strawberries provides vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium. Add whole grain toast with peanut butter and you’ve boosted you B vitamin intake. As an additional bonus the healthy fatty acids in peanut butter slow the production of stress hormones.

4. Get enough sleep.

Sleep and stress – Adequate sleep is the most effective way to cut stress. Getting an average of 6 ½ hours of sleep nightly may increase cortisol, appetite, and weight gain. Ideally shoot for 7-9 hours of sleep. It only takes a few nights of good sleep to balance yourself back out.

To learn more about the impact of stress and cortisol on your weight, I recommend reviewing the article How Stress and Cortisol Affect Weight Loss. I’d love to help you lose weight and keep it off – permanently! Check out the programs available to help you at http://www.weightlosswithlisa.com.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
The Best Way to Lose Weight

It’s not the turkey’s fault!

Have you heard the news? Turkey is not to blame for the post-meal Thanksgiving naps. It’s been well-known for years that turkey contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter than regulates sleep.

However, tryptophan makes up 1% of the protein in turkey. One percent is the typical content of meat and actually half the tryptophan content of milk (2.34%).

Instead of turkey being at the root of Thanksgiving Dad sleepiness, it’s the carbohydrates in all those side dishes – stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. The extra carbohydrates boost insulin production. It’s speculated that this extra insulin may result in amino acids (excluding tryptophan) to be pulled into muscles for use, leaving a high level of tryptophan in the bloodstream, hence the need for a nap.

Have a great turkey day!
Lisa Nelson, RD
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight

It's not the turkey's fault!

Have you heard the news? Turkey is not to blame for the post-meal Thanksgiving naps. It’s been well-known for years that turkey contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter than regulates sleep.

However, tryptophan makes up 1% of the protein in turkey. One percent is the typical content of meat and actually half the tryptophan content of milk (2.34%).

Instead of turkey being at the root of Thanksgiving Dad sleepiness, it’s the carbohydrates in all those side dishes – stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. The extra carbohydrates boost insulin production. It’s speculated that this extra insulin may result in amino acids (excluding tryptophan) to be pulled into muscles for use, leaving a high level of tryptophan in the bloodstream, hence the need for a nap.

Have a great turkey day!

Lisa Nelson, RD
eNutritionServices