Reset Your Hormones and Melt Fat
If you have been struggling to lose weight,
hormones may be the reason why. Your hormones control every aspect of
your weight loss, including your metabolism, where you store your fat,
your appetite and even your cravings. So any kind of hormonal imbalance
may sabotage your weight loss efforts. While exercising and a balanced
diet will help if your hormones are out of balance you may struggle to
lose weight. But if you understand how they work and how to reset them,
you will be able to lose weight faster.
What is hormone resetting?
Hormones are biochemicals that every multicellular organism produces to
orchestrate the way your mind and body behaves. Hormones are an
essential part of the way males and females get energized, collect fat,
combat stress and maintain muscle. Keeping your hormones in balance is a
great way to ensure an energetic and happy life, though many people
turn to expensive and possibly dangerous supplements. The information
below reviews some basics behind the complex process of hormone
resetting as discussed by Dr. Natasha Turner who broke ground and gave
momentum to a natural wellness movement when she released her book, 'The
Supercharged Hormone Diet'.
It all starts with a detox
When addressing hormonal imbalances there's a lot to consider: sleep,
exercise, meal frequency and so on. The first thing you should focus on
is eating the right foods in order to flush your body of toxins. There
are particular foods that cause the digestive tract to become irritated
which in turn sets the balance of your hormones off. Consequently, it
encourages random food cravings, even when your body doesn't need the
fuel. So, if you're eating when you shouldn't be and your hormones are
unbalanced, you'll be accumulating fat and preventing it from leaving. A
proper diet will help your body detoxify. Opt for foods that have
beneficial anti-inflammatory properties.
What foods should you avoid?
If you are allergic to any type of food,
even on a relatively harmless level, cut it from your diet. Stay away
from foods that have a high glycemic index, this will encourage the food
cravings described above. Foods that are rich in carbs and sugar,
including white bread, soda, baked goods, pasta and most processed foods
are foods you should avoid.
What foods should I eat
According to Dr. Turner, food with a low
glycemic index to keep your hormones balanced are the foods you should
eat. Foods that are high in fiber are best - so opt for bananas,
artichokes, raisins, oatmeal, beans and nuts to help keep your digestive
tract from irritation. When it comes to detox, make sure that you are
getting enough water each day. Drinking approximately eight cups every
day will help boost your metabolism and give your body a medium to flush
out any unwanted toxins in the liver and the body.
Target specific fat areas
Sometimes people have fat deposits that are
more problematic than others. Stubborn areas might seem to remain
chubby because of biological misfortunes. There are certain types of
supplements and food that you can use to target individual fat areas.
This is what Dr. Turner recommends:
1. The belly
While we all have abdominal muscles, it's the fat on the stomach that
keeps them from showing. One such cause is too much cortisol which could
be a major factor behind the accumulation of stomach fat. Holy basil is
an Indian herb that helps maintain healthy cortisol levels and is
commonly taken in capsule form. The best foods for reducing cortisol
include spinach, citrus, nuts, beans, and barley.
2. The back
While fat on the back and upper torso is less common than stomach fat,
it is equally challenging to take on. It's also an indication that you
have high insulin levels. Foods containing conjugated linoleic acid such
as milk, yogurt, cheese, and beef will also help. You should also opt
for whole grain options and green vegetables.
3. The glutes
If you have excess body fat on your bottom it could be due to high
levels of estrogen. Opt for cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli,
cauliflower, and cabbage which are high in estrogen-blocking
phytochemicals. Chia, flax and sesame seeds have polyphenols that get
rid of estrogen in the bloodstream. Pomegranates and red grapes are good
fruit choices for lower estrogen levels as well.
Best diet: Eat glyci-med style
This is a new type of diet which is a twist
on the classic Mediterranean diet. This is considered to be one of the
best prescriptions for a long, healthy life. It focuses on the science
behind glycemic index and carbs. This type of diet requires you to focus
on the macronutrient - carbohydrates, fat and protein balance in your
meals. According to Dr. Turner, a basic approach to the diet is aiming
to consume twice as much fat and protein as you do carbs. This will help
keep your stomach feel full and satisfied for longer periods and will
keep you away from perilous craving binges. Your cortisol, insulin and
estrogen levels will also stay at healthy mediated levels.
Quick tips to bear in mind
1. Protein powder is an essential tool to maintain this diet. You can
add it into your water or milk, mix it into oatmeal, or bake it into
recipes to make sure you aren't overloading on carbs with each meal.
2. While it may be tough to make a transition from sandwiches to salads,
you'll reap the benefits. Try avoiding bread for at least one meal as
this will make it much easier for you to balance macronutrients.
3. While fruit is fine in moderation, make sure you choose whole fruit
over juices. Most juices have far less fiber and added sugars.
4. Be sure to keep your eye out for calories in drinks. Sodas and juices
tend to contain more carbs than people realize. Look for calorie-free
options like flavored water or opt for protein-rich alternatives such as
milk.
5. Increase intake in nuts, dry red wine, buckwheat, pomegranates and
almost any type of vegetable.