LOSING WEIGHT AFTER 40

I know that many women struggle with losing weight after the age of 40.

There are many things that go on as we pass the age of 40 from hormone fluctuations, our metabolism slowing down, our activity level slowing down and our muscle mass decreasing.

No wonder losing weight becomes a struggle!

BUT…I AM HERE TO SIMPLIFY THINGS

Regular diets do not work. They are also confusing form some people. There are so many! They may also include counting calories, keeping track of points, keeping track and calculating every single thing you eat. IT BECOMES SUCH A CHORE! No one needs all those things added to their day and busy schedule!

You may be confused about what carbohydrates are good and which ones are bad. Some diets have you eating their food or “light” or “diet” packaged foods, bars, dressings, etc, that are full of chemicals and contain no nutrition at all! Then there are the ones where you take a ton of supplements that you could not possibly keep up after – nor would you want to.

WOW – IF I HAD TO GO TO A BOOK STORE AND RESEARCH MYSELF, OR ON-LINE, TO FIND A DIET I WOULD WANT TO TRY – I WOULD BE

EXTREMELY CONFUSED!

Why does it have to be so difficult?

I like the KISS principle.

KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!

(stupid word is not good but I forget the other word we use now for the last S)

I have mentioned this in a previous posting –

Eat more foods that are good for you and less that are bad for you. When push comes to shove you know what foods are good for you and which are bad – you know.

• Keep the meals simple and not complicated.
• Find a few recipes that contain nutrient dense foods but no meat, dairy or wheat.
• There is a ton of information on the internet.
• Try raw food blogs that are full of recipes of beautiful, highly nutrient foods that will leave you feeling satisfied. There are also some fabulous raw desserts that you – yes you – can have (at bottom of this post I have included a link to one)

If you have been unable to stick to a diet in the past but it is because you cannot give up some of the “junk food” you are addicted to, then you need to realize it is your addiction to those foods that are the problem. It is all emotional when there is an addiction. They are comfort food to you. You need to find new healthy comfort food to substitute the junky comfort food you always go back to.

Also, for things like coffee, cream and sugar and chocolate try slowly cutting them back. If you have a latte then have an Americano misto (less milk), then go to an Americano with ½” steamed milk on top (that’s even cheaper).

As for bread or any wheat or gluten or grain breads, muffins or cookies – you can take steps to slowly decrease your consumption of these. Of course you can always go cold turkey which works best for some. My suggestion – look to raw food recipes and you will find tons of things to substitute.

Use virgin olive oil instead of butter, even on popcorn. Butter and cheese contain “dioxins” which are dangerous chemicals – you do not want to ingest them. Most dairy products are not good for you anyway.

REMEMBER – When your body cannot get rid of the toxins it is has accumulated

– IT STORES THEM IN FAT!

Yes, that is absolutely true!

TO RELEASE THE FAT YOU MUST GET RID OF THE TOXIC BUILD UP IN YOUR BODY!!

Also if your diet in the past contained a lot of acid producing foods – which is true in the standard American diet, then that acid build up is also stored in fat. Bring your body to a more basic (alkaline) state and you will decrease the acidity and release the fat.

I have written more on acid/alkaline balance here:
Post on acid/alkaline balance

For some great raw food healthy snacks check out this post:
Tasty Healthy Chocolate Snacks

PERIMENOPAUSE NUTRITION

NUTRITION AND HANDLING SYMPTOMS OF PERIMENOPAUSE

I started this blog with the mindset and intention of writing about how to handle Perimenopause naturally. I was going to discuss symptoms, what is happening in the body at this time, supplements you can take, bioidentical hormones vs synthetic hormones, etc.


Because I am going through Perimenopause and I had started experiencing uncomfortable symptoms about 2 years ago, I wanted to share all what I have learned and what has worked for me.

When I began having the symptoms, I madly started researching how I could decrease the symptoms naturally.

I tried many supplements, I had saliva testing done, I started bioidentical hormones and I began looking again at what I ate.

I had already been eating a very healthy diet and I had been into fitness for over 20 years. Being a personal trainer and yoga teacher I new I was getting a ton of exercise. But…I was gaining weight in my waist. I was actually getting a spare tire – something I have NEVER had. So…I knew that I had to make some changes to my already very clean, healthy diet.

WHAT DID I NEED TO CHANGE?

FIRST - I took eliminated wheat and dairy and most meats.

SECOND - I eventually went gluten free.

I began cooking some gluten free muffins and cookies, etc. I ate cooked fish, but no longer had any meat. I still had extra weight. What was going on! My digestion was also getting worse. My energy levels were low and I felt “heavy” and full.

BACK TO LOOKING AT MY DIET

WHAT NEXT? I wanted more inspiration, food suggestions and recipes. I found info on raw food preparation. I began preparing these recipes and I was having so much fun! I was inspired again, I was excited again. I lost weight – it literally fell off!!! I had naturally eliminated cooked grains including brown rice which I ate a lot of. I did go through a detox and I had some unpleasant symptoms for a while. Looking back I didn’t really realize I was actually detoxing at the time. I realize that is what it was because now I feel so wonderful!

AND YOU KNOW WHAT???

I HAVE NO PERIMENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS ANY MORE. INCLUDING THE WEIGHT GAIN!

Even though I already had a very clean diet, eliminating the cooked starches had an amazing affect! I felt so light, so full of energy! I knew this was the secret – at least for me.

I can now add “Raw Food Chef” to my list of other things I do. I got certified and now instruct and coach raw food. I love it and it is my passion.

So now this blog will focus on nutrition and eating right. I am not telling people they should go raw but just include more raw, living foods into their day. That is the way to start.

I have so much to share so please tune in and I hope you find something that helps you on your journey to wellness.

I would love for you to leave comments. Hope to hear from you.

LIVE HEALTHY & HAPPY!