5 Overlooked Tips to achieve and maintain Your Ideal Weight
DimensionL Wellbeing provides the philosophy, methodology and container to enable a person to experience what it truly means to feel and stay well: we call it a return to Wholeness. Our approach keeps LOVE in the center. We are here to guide our clients to the highest expression of themselves. The result being greater well-being for the individual and therefore greater well-being for society. Our way provides the opportunity to function in your fullness with more consistency.
At DimensionL Wellbeing we recognize and honor that multidimensional beings must be met with a potential focused, sustainable, multifaceted approach to Vital Wellbeing. We define Wholeness through the lens of 8 dimensions and when applied with LOVE creates a Vibrant Lifestyle.
Through our offerings and care, we help our clients navigate these issues to support them in becoming their own health advocate and turning on their Inner Light. When these dimensions are in resonance, the more LIGHT a person will exude. This is not a quick fix or another marker of achievement, rather it is a way of living and thriving through connection, education and exploration. True health is found in personal coherence - this is when what one says, believes, feels and acts upon are in alignment.
Our mission is to provide impactful and empowering care which awakens people to their divine design and entanglement to the universe; supporting the activation of their full potential. That is why we created the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing, which transforms lives and reduces or eliminates suffering.
This blog highlights the interdimensionality of the eight dimensions of wellbeing, focusing mostly on the environmental and emotional affects on the physical body; specifically in the area of healthy weight management.
As a food enthusiast, I strongly believe there is a recipe for everything. This includes leading a healthy and fit life; one void of yo-yo dieting, unexplained weight gain and self deprivation. Personally having dealt with a compromised immune & digestive system, I have thoroughly experienced the road back to health and weight loss, both through research and application. This is why my practice focuses on ways to bring the body into homeostasis, which results in; restored digestive function, proper detoxification and elimination, all being integral to achieving a healthy weight.
When I first begin to work with new clients they are often surprised when I suggest no more calorie counting or crazy restrictions. Instead, we focus on what is out of balance and how to bring them back to a balanced state. Often we regard weight gain (or lack of weight loss) with laziness or lack of determination. I do not believe this to be true!
For example, could you consider for a moment, that maybe your lack of being able to make it to the gym is an actual compromise your body is making because of its lack of energy reserves?
Today, I would like to share with you aspects of weight loss that may not be commonly considered. I will reiterate that counting calories is not a practice of the majority of my clients, nor do they make dietary changes through deprivation. Often than not, they end up eating more than they originally consumed.
Below are 5 weight-loss aspects you may have not yet considered. Learn more about one or all of them. You may find you are really interested in learning about some of these topics. Keep what works for you and leave the rest behind!
1. Limit Chemical Exposure:
A study by Bionsen, a product company in the United Kingdom, found that the average woman applies about 515 chemicals to her body on a daily basis; everything from heavy metals, sulfites, carcinogens and so on. This is not even including the amount of chemicals we are subjected to in our homes where we may use laundry detergent, dish soap, harsh cleaning chemicals, air fresheners and more. When we factor in these items, the number is closer to thousands of chemicals you are exposed to everyday.
Your body’s ability to process these toxins plays an important role in healthy, balanced weight. I love teaching others about their Divine Design, and this is a very teachable moment!
There are several types of toxins and two to discuss today are fat and water soluble toxins. Many toxins are attracted to fat so these chemicals will move into the areas of fat in our body. This is a double edged sword because on the one hand this keeps chemicals away from vital organs, however the brain and nervous system are composed of 60-80% fat (which the detrimental effects of toxins on these systems is another post entirely). Fat cells will actually expand to make room for the toxins. This can result in hard to lose fat.
Water soluble toxins are mostly moved out through the blood and into the detox pathways. This is a process that clears toxins more quickly but with repeated, chronic exposure organs and cells become damaged. The body only has so much energy to expend so if all of the energy is going to simply functioning, there is little or no energy to break down and eliminate fat.
So my friends, think of it this way. The more fake foods you eat, the more toxins your fat cells have to feast on. Often my clients work with detoxing as a preparation to their weight loss. Then they commit themselves to eating whole, organic foods to avoid saturating these cells with toxins. As well as reducing their toxin footprint by swapping out personal + home products.
If this wasn’t reason enough to rethink your beauty and home products, let’s talk about what these chemicals do to your hormones. Another reason for unnecessary weight gain is imbalanced hormones. Many of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors, meaning they interrupt the signals of hormones. They bind to what is already there, telling the body that it does not need to produce more, or communicate with the other hormones.
These hormones play a vital role in weight management by regulating metabolism, energy levels and ensuring our tissues stay strong and clear of toxins. When we inundate our bodies with chemicals, damage begins to occur systemically; in regards to weight loss, the endocrine system and adipose tissue are of particular concern. Even if the toxins are not endocrine disruptors, with repeated exposure the body has a harder and harder time properly eliminating them, eventually causing damage to vital organs.
Without reducing chemicals and opening drainage pathways, there can be an increased risk of toxic burden (poisoning), because the release of toxins is greater than the body’s ability to properly eliminate them. This is why detoxing before, or simultaneously, starting a weight loss program can be highly effective.
Sometimes this issue goes unnoticed because we do not feel badly at the present moment. However, it is the accumulative effect that is of concern. Weight gain is an indicator from our body that something is out of balance. Harsh chemicals not only lead to weight gain (or inability to lose weight) but a host of other chronic issues, including cancer. Make it a priority in your life to remove as many toxins as you can. There are numerous conscious companies aware of these issues and provide products that are of organic quality. Check out our partner page to learn more brands we have vetted and love to use at DLW. Also, so many home and body products can be made in the comfort of your own home.
At DimensionL Wellbeing we offer products, services and wellness testing to determine your toxin load and mitigate your exposure.
2. Think about your food before you eat it, chew longer and eat slower:
You have probably heard the saying ‘you are what you eat.’ I totally agree with this saying, and I would like to take this one step further and say ‘you are what you absorb.’ Because of lack of nutrient-rich food, less time to enjoy our meals, and distractions while eating, many of us have developed an impaired ability to absorb vital nutrients. This can lead to acute or chronic nutrient deficiencies. Each essential mineral plays vital roles throughout the body. Knowing our mineral ratios demonstrates the efficiency of adrenal glands, thyroid, and sugar regulation which are all vital components of maintaining our ideal weight. When we possess this information about ourselves, we can create a food & supplement program that is individualized to our specific mineral needs.
Digestion begins with the thought of food. Many enzyme pathways begin to prepare for the consumption of food. I encourage you to take time to really decide what your body is needing before chowing down. Next, saliva in the mouth produces amylase, a vital enzyme to begin digestion. Massaging around the jaw line (close to the ears) can encourage the production of additional saliva, supporting healthy absorption. As you chew, take some time to do so. The more broken down the food is the easier it is to absorb. Not to mention, it takes the stomach about 20 minutes to know it is full so this allows you to be present with your satiation levels.
3. Get Slow + Reduce Stress:
First, I wanted to explain what is physiologically going on in the body when experiencing stress. The amygdala is a small, almond shaped part of the prefrontal cortex of the brain that perceives stress, real or not. A stress response is triggered which is also known as the fight, flight, or freeze response. Even when the fear may be unconscious, the amygdala is still triggered and one experiences the physiological effect. A variety of things happen, in the body, to prepare you for impeding doom. Today we will focus on what is happening within the context of weight loss.
So, if the body perceives, subconsciously, 50 situations/experiences a day as being stressful, one will experience an influx of cortisol - a hormone that is produced, in excess, during stressful situations.
What does this mean for You?
This could result in feeling wired and tired; having bouts of extreme energy and then severe exhaustion. Headaches, weight gain, and heart palpitations are also associated with this state of being. Symptoms vary from person to person. Here are some symptoms associated with excess cortisol:
Interference of skin regeneration & healing
Increase in blood sugar, which can result in insulin resistance
Demineralization of bones leading to osteoporosis
Increased appetite and cravings
Weight gain (particularly around the middle) and visceral fat storage
Breaks down tissue to release fat into the bloodstream to supply nutrients
Inhibits protein uptake by 70% while breaking down protein to supply energy to the muscles
Source: yourhormones.info
Cortisol is one of our master hormones, for when it is out of whack many aspects of your health begins to spiral downward. It is the hormone that regulates waking up and going to sleep, plus energy level maintenance throughout the day. Cortisol and melatonin have an intimate relationship. When melatonin levels are not optimal, quality of sleep is depleted and the body’s ability to heal and repair itself becomes impaired. Review the list above and consider how this could affect your ability to effectively manage weight. Slowing down, breath work, relaxation time are all integral to balancing cortisol levels and therefore your overall wellbeing. You don’t have enough time you say?
There are many ways to ‘buy’ time. Consider reducing your scrolling time on your phone, setting a timer for short breaks throughout your day for these practices and always ask for support from those around you. Also, at some point one has to prioritize one’s own health and wellbeing. There are many wonderful ways to reduce your stress load so feel free to try one or all of them!
4. Explore foods for your blood type:
There are four distinct blood type groups and knowing your blood type can provide a greater understanding of what specific foods will keep you thriving and at your ideal weight. Blood type provides us with more information about internal chemistry. Our internal chemistry affects the way particular foods are synthesized in the body, usually regarding the type of antigens that are formed by each blood type. Another factor contributing to a blood-type based diet, are the lectins (proteins found in food). Lectins are also found throughout the body and organ systems. When you consume lectins that are opposing to your blood type, the theory is they begin to negatively affect organs and bodily systems, resulting in symptoms like weight gain.
With this information you can develop a nutrition plan, exercise and lifestyle modifications that best suit you. For instance, did you know that blood type O’s do better with more vigorous exercise than let’s say a blood type A, who actually work better with more quieting type exercises? Try eating for your blood type for even a week and take note of how you feel.
To be clear, at DLW we consider more than chemistry to determine the best ‘diet’ for an individual. This is one aspect of how to build an eating style that is right specifically for you. Chemistry is definitely important, but it is not everything! However, this is a really great place to start in getting to know yourself better.
5. Reduce inflammation in your body:
Foods either create energy and absorption or they wreak havoc; causing dampness or unnecessary heat, such as in inflammation. This can occur in specific locations or systemically in the body. Also, foods that cause an allergic response may contribute to inflammation. In fact, many would say weight gain is an inflammatory response itself. Most chronic illnesses and weight gain share the same underlying cause of chronic, silent inflammation. A major component of reducing your risk of chronic diseases and weight-induced inflammation is by consuming foods that decrease inflammation and promote balance in the body.
A general rule of thumb; quality, whole foods are better - the body knows what to do with a whole food which decreases the chances of the body not recognizing the food and labeling it as a threat.
Watch out for high allergen foods like corn, wheat, sugar and soy as they may contribute to inflammation and weight gain. Organ meats, turmeric, fruit, vegetables (especially greens), healthy saturated fats and moderate amounts of whole grains are all part of an anti-inflammatory diet.
Thank you for considering these sometimes overlooked components in maintaining a healthy weight. My clients and I enjoy a variety of high quality foods and never feel deprived. It is vital that we become more conscious of our daily choices that affect weight gain. As you have read, it is not always what you are putting to your lips. This goes beyond will, you just might be toxic and inflamed.
Cheers to you and your progress towards a healthy, thriving life; one that includes honoring your beautiful body temple!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Think Dirty App - you can scan your labels and see what toxins lurk in them.
