To supplement or not to supplement?

Like anything on the market health related, vitamins and supplements come with their own controversy. “A dietary supplement is a manufactured product intended to supplement the diet when taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid.” I, myself, am particularly fond of vitamins. Here is why. Over the years, climate change and global warming has changed the soil, rain water and the crops. We are not getting the proper amount of nutrients that we should be getting from food which should be your main source of vitamins and minerals. To supplement what is missing from my diet, I use vitamins and supplements. There are many reasons for taking supplements. “Most medications deplete essential nutrients however, supplements help to restore balance.”

Vitamins and Minerals

With proper planning, throughout the day, your diet should consist of the necessary vitamins and minerals that your body needs. “Vitamins and minerals are considered essential nutrients—because acting in concert, they perform hundreds of roles in the body. ” They help build teeth and bones, and are needed for normal cell function, growth, and development. While there is a difference between vitamins, minerals and supplements, in general the word supplement can “include vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, enzymes, amino acids, or other dietary ingredients. You take these products by mouth in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form to supplement your diet.”

Herbal supplements can be considered another category in the supplement world. One or more herbs are made into capsule form by grinding them into powder. “Examples of common herbal health products and supplements include black cohosh, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, saw palmetto, and St. John’s wort.”

As usual, there are some cons to taking supplements. “Many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects in the body. This could make them unsafe in some situations and hurt or complicate your health.” It is said that some supplements are synthetic, contain sugar and chemicals that can be harmful. Please do your research before purchasing.

Diet and nutrition can be confusing. NUBODI can facilitate positive change through diet, nutrition and wellness coaching. Email me at info@nu-bodi.com for a FREE 15 minute information session to assess how NUBODI services can support you on your journey.

Please feel free to share my blogs with your friends and family on your social media page. Join the mailing list to get up to date info on all things holistic health and wellness.

Don’t forget to visit my website at NUBODI.

Peace and Blessings!!

Product Review: Sweet Sweat Waist Trainer

This wouldn’t be a month on health awareness without talking about this one product. The talk of the town lately has been about waist trainers. I started using a waist trainer long before the celebs made waist trainers a trend.  It will also depend on what you are using and calling a “waist trainer”. Not all waist trainers are created equal. With most of my posts you will see that I will always say that there are pros and cons. For every pro about a subject there are just as many cons. Take what resonates.

When I decided to get a waist trainer, I did my research first and here is what I found. Waist trainers that have the boning in them are not waist trainers. They are corsets. Wearing a corset for long periods of time can cause health problems. “the restriction of the organs — which could cause poor digestion, poor breathing and poor function otherwise while wearing a tightly laced corset — was a cause for concern for some doctors.” Corsets were worn years ago and still are worn under certain dresses and also just because women like the way they make their waist appear. The corsets however, were pulled super tight and tied up in the back (or zipped up) to hold the corset in place. In most cases, the corsets were pulled so tight that women had a hard time breathing. It had been said also that because women wore these tightly pulled corsets all day, that their organs were shifted out of place also causing health problems. Some women also went to sleep in these corsets for more than six hours enabling their body to move properly during sleep.

The waist trainer I chose was Sweet Sweat. I read the reviews on Amazon and the reviews were 4.5 out of 5 with over ten thousand reviews placed. “Sweet Sweat Premium Waist Trimmer for Men and Women is designed primarily for use during workouts. It increases the core temperature and intensifies sweating during workout sessions. As a result, the belt can be used to lose more belly fat during a regular exercise session.” Amidst those results, I purchased my waist trainer. I ear the Sweet Sweat waist trainer only during workout hours and not more than two hours a day. The Sweet Sweat Waist Trainer is a long band made out of rubber. It moves when you move and bend when you bend allowing for full flexibility. I don’t sweat in my abdominal area unless I am wearing the waist trainer. I was/am pleased with my results and continue to use the Sweet Sweat Waist Trainer.

In my own experience of using waist trainers, and when used correctly, the waist trainer can be quite affective. I didn’t lose weight but I did lose inches which I think is the goal. Want to incorporate a fitness routine in your busy schedule? NUBODI can facilitate positive change through health, wellness , diet and nutrition coaching and counseling.

Email me at info@nu-bodi.com for a FREE 15 minute information session to assess how NUBODI service can support you on your journey.

Please feel free to share my blogs with your friends and family on your social media page. Join the mailing list to get up to date info on all things holistic health and wellness.

 

Don’t forget to visit my website at NUBODI.

Peace and Blessings!!

Meal Plan Time

Keeping along the wellness journey is meal planning. “Meal planning is the simple act of taking some time to plan any number of your meals for the week. Plan every snack and meal, or simply plan your lunches so you don’t spend money on restaurant food during the week. Meal planning allows people to stick to their chosen food budget and diet.”

I follow several busy people such as body builders, weight lifters, stay at home moms and entrepreneurs on Instagram who meal prep. I’ve tried it with my smoothies and believe me it saves a lot of time and money. Here are some other benefits of meal planning.

1. Planning ahead: By planning ahead you are able to write out for the week your entire menu. You can write out your menus for breakfast, lunches, dinner and snacks. This could also include smoothies and other meals as well.
2. Save money: With meal prep and planning, you purchase only what you need for the menus that you have created. No more wasting food or money.
3. Save time: Meal planning needs time. You will have to choose a day to make all of the meals for the week. You will need time to write out the menus, time to purchase all of the food and then time to prepare. Once all of this is done, all of your meals are ready.

“Meal prepping can help reduce the stress that comes with trying to eat healthier. Solving all your food decisions in advance really frees up some of your willpower and mental stress, helping you reach your goals faster and with more ease.”

There are ways to eat healthy and still enjoy the foods that you love. NUBODI can facilitate healthy eating habits through diet and nutrition counseling and coaching. Want to incorporate a new nutritional routine in your busy schedule? Email me at info@nu-bodi.com for a FREE 15 minute information session to assess how NUBODI services can support you on your journey.

Please feel free to share my blogs with your friends and family on your social media page. Join the mailing list to get up to date info on all things holistic health and wellness.

 

Don’t forget to visit my website at NUBODI.

 

Peace and Blessings!!

Setting Fitness Goals

Time To Get Fit!!

The beginning of the year is when everyone commits to working out and eating right. New shoes are bought, fresh gym gear is awaiting and a new gym membership has been signed. You are READY!! However, without a plan, those efforts are futile. Like any other goals that you set, your fitness goals should be thoughtfully planned to be executed.

Be smart about creating your goals. Focus on ONE goal at a time and make your goals specific. Many start off with too many goals and then get overwhelmed and fizzle out by February or March. Don’t reach for the sky too soon. When you accomplish one goal, the feeling you get from achieving it will give you the confidence you need to work on another goal.

Discover what motivates you. It’s nice to have a workout buddy however when your workout buddy is sick or out of town, will you still have the drive to workout by yourself? There are many ways to motivate yourself to workout. Set up your workout schedule on your calendar or phone to remind you. Prepare your workout clothes and or bag the night before and place them next to your work things so that you can take it with you on your way out the door.

Be realistic about attaining the goals that you have set. Try to prohibit yourself from comparing your fitness goals and journey with others. Your journey is your own. Have your own measurable outcomes. Set practical timelines for achieving your fitness goals. Be honest about what you can achieve and what will work for you.

Last but not least, have fun. If you fall off of the wagon, that is ok. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Dust yourself off and get back on track. Reward yourself when you have accomplished a fitness goal. Veto rewarding with food instead try to honor yourself with something that you will appreciate for doing the hard work.

Are you ready to start your fitness and wellness journey? Diet, nutrition and wellness with NUBODI can facilitate positive change and personal growth.

Email me today at info@nu-bodi.com for a FREE 15 minute information session to assess how NUBODI services can support you on your journey.

Please feel free to share my blogs with your friends and family on your social media page. Join the mailing list to get up to date info on all things holistic health and wellness.

 

Don’t forget to visit my website at NUBODI.

Peace and Blessings!!

Gemstones And Crystals For Health And Wellness

Gemstones and crystals have been used for a variety of purposes for thousands of years. “The first historical references to the use of crystals come from ancient the Ancient Sumerians, who included crystals in magic formulas.”  A lot of cultures used gemstones and crystals for healing. While science does not provide evidence of the healing abilities of gemstones and crystals, many believe in the power of gemstones and crystals. Gemstones and crystals can be carried or worn to benefit from their healing power.

I have used Gemstones and crystals for over 20 years. After I first learned of their properties and benefits of incorporating them in my life, they have been a part of my life ever since.  I use them for everything from headaches and insomnia to concentration and attracting abundance and prosperity. It is said that gemstones and crystals have multiple healing properties that support the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual properties of the whole body.

I have crystals everywhere. I have them in my car, around my home for peace and protection. I carry them in my hand bag for prosperity and I put them on my desk for concentration and clarity. When I was employed at two other companies, the gemstones and crystals laying on my desk caused quite a stir.

My body is also no stranger to being around gemstones and crystals. From 2005 to 2011, I performed Reiki on myself and added the appropriate gemstones or crystals to the chakra areas that needed some extra healing.  When using gemstones and crystals, its important to really find the meaning and characteristics of that stone that resonates with you. Each stone has many meanings and some websites might not list them all. Below are a few gemstones and crystals that you can incorporate into your life to support your wellness journey.

Gemstones for weight loss:

• Amethyst “promotes weight loss in several ways. It balances metabolism so that the body can burn calories more efficiently.”
• Green Tourmaline “has a good effect that can aid detoxification so this might help weight loss.”
• Carnelian – “can assist with snacking in between meals. It helps to detoxify body and can improve overall health.”
• Tiger’e eye – “Improves digestion and speed up metabolism.”
• Seraphinite – “It assists the detoxification process in the body which helps with losing weight.”
• Clear quartz – “is known as a master healer and a stone of great power.” It can be charged and programmed for any type of healing.

Keep in mind that it will take more than just carrying gemstones and crystals for good health and wellbeing. A comprehensive holistic health consultation with NUBODI will include provide a guideline of nutritional information based on your health concerns in addition to a recommended list of gemstones and crystals that can facilitate positive healthy change. It is recommended that you continue all medications and instructions from your physician unless instructed otherwise.

Looking to start your health and wellness journey with gemstones and crystals?
Email me at info@nu-bodi.com for a FREE 15 minute information
session to assess how NUBODI services can support you on your journey.

Please feel free to share my blogs with your friends and family on your social media page. Join the mailing list to get up to date info on all things holistic health and wellness.

 

Don’t forget to visit my website at NUBODI.

Peace and Blessings!!

Shopping Tips For Healthy Eating

In keeping with the theme of health and wellness during Weight Loss Awareness Month, I thought it would be good to blog about grocery shopping. Good nutrition is important for the mind, body and spirit to function at the ultimate level of being. To do so, you must buy foods that promote wellness. Buying food for a healthy lifestyle can be scary for most people. Knowing what to buy is the challenge for those that fear the grocery store. You need a plan. If you don’t go into the grocery store with a plan of attack, you can find yourself in trouble and buy foods that aren’t healthy.

Your diet and nutrition plan needs to represent healthy goals that you are trying to achieve. If you are buying food for everyone in the house, the plan needs to include food that everyone can eat that is healthy. Everyone’s diet needs are different, and that includes the people that live in your house. Before going to the grocery store, start with a list.

Once you have established your diet and nutrition goals and food list, it’s time to go shopping. Below are some tips when shopping for healthy eating.

• Plan your meals. By planning your meals out, you know what to buy rather than go down every aisle to see what you would like.
• Read labels. There’s a lot of hidden dangerous in ingredient names. Get to know them so you can avoid health problems.
• When buying meat, choose the more leaner cuts of meat.
• Purchase fresh or frozen food over canned. Canned food has a lot of sodium, sugar and preservatives.
• Avoid sugary drinks, instead opt to make your own fresh fruit drinks.
• For snacks, make your own granola bars instead of the store bought boxed ones.
• Also for snacks, add nuts and seeds to your day for some extra protein.

This is just a few of the ways to shop healthy. The purchase of healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated. For healthier diet and nutritional habits, NUBODI can be an added benefit to your wellness journey through diet and nutrition counseling and coaching.

Email me at info@nu-bodi.com for a FREE 15 minute information session to
assess how NUBODI services can support you on your journey.

Please feel free to share my blogs with your friends and family on your social media page. Join the mailing list to get up to date info on all things holistic health and wellness.

Don’t forget to visit my website at NUBODI.

Peace and Blessings!!

Choosing A Personal Trainer

With January being the month everyone starts out on their health and wellness journey, one thing people are looking into are personal trainers to get them on track. NUBODI is an online holistic health and wellness enterprise. I say that to say there are a lot of online businesses that are scams. Shocking I know RIGHT?? I want people to be aware of some things when choosing a personal trainer.

My own experience from a scammer comes from a guy on Instagram who posed as a personal trainer and boasted of much success with all of his clients. There were all of these before and after pictures (not his clients) that were impressive. I thought this guy was on to something. I messaged him and told him the goal that I was trying to achieve.

Not aware that this person was a fake, I asked some questions. My first question was, how do I work my core? He immediately responded with “do 300 situps.” If you can see my face right now. SMH He didn’t ask ME any questions about my lifestyle, height, weight or health questions. Not aware that I was a personal trainer and fitness coach who ran track for eleven years, I went IN on him. I had a few choice words for this guy. First and foremost, a personal trainer shouldn’t be giving out advice without getting at least a little information from their potential client. Instantaneously I blocked and deleted him.

I had another experience where I let someone from the gym train me. BIG MISTAKE. I didn’t ask HIM any questions this time. I just saw his amazing body and his gym work ethic, the group of ladies he worked with and assumed he knew his stuff. FIRST of all, I let this man push me pass my limits. I wanted to be challenged but not killed. I should have had a safe word or something but I didn’t. I was sore for a WEEK. Not work out sore but painfully sore. Any trainer that starts you out with what THEY think you are comfortable with instead of what you are comfortable with is NOT the trainer for you. I was done with him.

I decided to give another personal trainer a try. Things went differently this time. I came prepared with some questions. Here are a few questions that you should ask a personal trainer BEFORE working with one.

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
2. How long have you been training?
3. Where did you get your training?
4. Do you have any specialities?
5. What is your training philosophy?
6. How do you motivate your clients?
7. How do you hold your clients accountable for their goals?
8. Do you provide nutrition information to your clients?

Working with a trainer humbled me. We all like to think that we know everything about working out. I don’t know everything, so I had to chill and let him lead. I liked working with this trainer because he explained what we were doing and why were doing it. He asked what my goal was and tailored the workout towards my goal. I give him a hard time but at the end of the day, he has taken my workouts to another level.

How are you showing up for your fitness journey? Now is the time to get started. NUBODI can facilitate positive change through diet, nutrition and fitness coaching to get your journey on the right track. Email me at info@nu-bodi.com for a FREE 15 minute information session to assess how NUBODI services can support you on your journey.

Please feel free to share my blogs with your friends and family on your social media page. Join the mailing list to get up to date info on all things holistic health and wellness.

Don’t forget to visit my website at NUBODI.

Peace and Blessings!!