These 13 vegan celebrities all went vegan and have since promoted the positive effects of a plant-based diet.

Several of the celebrities included below found that cutting out animal products is an easy way to minimize contribution to both animal cruelty and climate change. Eating vegan can also have a positive effect on a persons health, and many of the people listed here noticed an immediate change after adopting a plant-based diet.

A growing body of medical studies shows that the health benefits of a plant-based diet far outweigh those of more traditional diets. Eating plant-based foods regularly can be particularly good for your cardiovascular health, and several celebrities have used a vegan diet to combat health issues and aid recovery time.

Findings presented to the American Society for Nutrition last June indicated that a plant-based diet can normalize high blood pressure in less than two weeks. In 2017 Imperial College London conducted a review of several studies on fruit and vegetable consumption.

Originally published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the report states that the risk of cardiovascular disease drops by around 13 percent when eating 200g of fruit and veg per day. Cancer drops by 4 percent, and the risk of premature death by 15 percent. When consuming 800g of fruit and veg this drops by 28, 13, and 31 percent respectively.

Adopting a plant-based diet has also been linked to a lower BMI (body mass index) which is a commonly cited reason for trying to eat more vegan food. However, many experts have pointed out that BMI is not an accurate measurement of health.

Some flexitarians and vegans have also found that a plant-based diet can help with healthy weight loss. While healthy looks different for different people and preoccupation with BMI is not necessarily synonymous with good health studies have shown that those trying to lose weight could be able to achieve their goals through a high-carb vegan diet. Several celebrities have used this kind of diet to help shed weight and to build up muscle, stamina, and fitness.

According to a study published in the journal Nutrients last year, a 16-week clinical trial revealed that a high-carb vegan diet resulted in lower BMI, weight, fat, and insulin resistance. The vegan diet emphasized whole, plant-based sources of complex carbs like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Increasing the intake of complex carbs instead of animal protein had a pronounced and positive effect.

While many people often first go vegan for health reasons, in learning more about animal agricultures effect on the environment and animals themselves many also begin to advocate for other aspects of the diet along with other social justice issues. These vegan celebrities are no exception. In fact, theyre leading the trend.

Filmmaker Kevin Smith went vegan after experiencing a major heart attack in 2018. Smith addressed this on Facebook, where he thanked his family and said, maybe its time to go vegan.Since then Smith has been very vocal about the health benefits of a vegan diet, which first prompted his transition. Smith has also commented on other positive aspects of going meat-free and has spoken about animal rights and welfare.

He appeared with his vegan daughter Harley-Quinn Smith in a promotional video for Farm Sanctuary last November. Earlier this year they also presented animal rights activist Lindsay Oliver with the Hidden Heroes Award at the Mercy for Animals 20th Anniversary Gala.

Actor and animal advocate Evanna Lynch is a Veganuary Ambassador and even has her own vegan podcast called The Chickpeeps. Lynch has been vegetarian since the age of 11, and gradually went vegan by adding more plant-based ingredients to her food.

The Harry Potter star first went vegan in 2015. According to Veganuary, her decision was based on compassion. She said in a statement, It was just the right path for me. I felt like as soon as I went vegan, I was more myself, like I was just living according to what I believed, which is such a freeing thing when you finally commit to it.

I strongly believe in non-violence, that we shouldnt be hurting other people or creatures, said Lynch.

The Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am has also enjoyed multiple health improvements after moving to a vegan diet. He spoke to Arianna Huffington about it in an episode of The Thrive Global Podcast.

I switched my regimen, went plant-based and it changed my life. I lost 20 lbs. My cholesterol came down, my high blood pressure came down. My stress levels came down naturally. I have more energy, said Will.i.am.

It changed my life, and I would encourage everybody to have a plant-based regimen, Will.i.am added. You dont need the meat, you dont need to have decaying flesh in your body. The more I think about it I was like, Ew. I was just, I had death in me.

Ariana Grande adopted a plant-based diet in 2014 and has been a vocal animal rights advocate since.

Grande was named Billboards 2018 Woman of the Year in part due to her dedication to social justice. The musician has ten rescue dogs and a pet pig named Piggy Smallz, who sometimes features on Grandes social media.

Grande told The Mirror: I love animals more than I love most people, not kidding. But I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-round happier person.

The former American Idol host and music mogul Simon Cowell is now plant-based. Cowell switched to a vegan diet in April, ahead of his 60th birthday.

It has helped me sleep and I wake up feeling less tired. I noticed a massive difference in how I felt in about a week, he told the Sun. I have more energy and focus and it wasnt difficult.

Within 24 hours I changed my diet and Ive not looked back since, Cowell said in a recent interview with the Sun. You feel better, you look better.

Five-time World Champion Formula-1 racer Lewis Hamilton adopted a plant-based diet for his health but is now increasingly concerned with animal rights issues and the ethics of meat. Hamilton first announced his veganism on Snapchat, saying:

Going to watch What the Health Tonight. Im on a mission to go vegan, people. Animal cruelty, global warming, and our personal health is at stake.

I have plenty of protein in my diet and Ive gained muscle, and Im healthier and happier than Ive ever been. Wish I did it sooner, he said.

Animal advocate and musician Miley Cyrus has been vegan since 2014. The celebrity frequently discusses her diet and received the Best Voice 4 Animals award from PETA in 2017.

On Instagram, Cyrus thanked PETA for the award and said: I am very certain that veganism is taking over and stoked to see so many brands jumpin on this revolution!

Cyrus has collaborated with fashion designers to create her own vegan-friendly clothing, including Converse. Since going vegan, Cyrus often Tweets her support for the vegan movement and is particularly vocal about speciesism and animal rights.

The Office and Brooklyn Nine Nine star Craig Robinson gave up meat in January 2016 and said that animal-based foods had started to make him feel unhealthy. After moving to a plant-based diet and ditching alcohol Robinson lost 50 pounds.

[Im] working out and Ive been trying this vegan lifestyle too. Its amazing, Robinson told talk show host Harry Connick Jr. Its much easier than I thought it would be.

I just wanted to push away from meat and stuff for a little while, said Robinson. He added that he had heard you can regenerate your liver in six months. I was like let me see if I can go six months and I just havent gone back.

Actor Mena Suvari adopted a plant-based diet in early 2018 after watching the 2017 documentary What the Health.

I believe it was not only seeing footage of what happens within our world towards animals, but also the way that the documentary clearly explained the health aspect of veganism, Suvari told LIVEKINDLY. It all just instantly clicked for me and I went plant-based overnight.

Suvari has worked on an anti-vivisection PSA with Last Chance for Animals and since going vegan overhauled her entire wardrobe. She donated all her animal-based clothes and started over.

Musician and entrepreneur Beyonc has credited a vegan diet for her now-legendary Coachella performance in 2018.

In preparation for the performance Beyonc and her performers adhered to grueling 11-hour rehearsals, which were powered by nutritious and plant-based foods.

Beyoncs personal chef prepared six daily meals to fuel the intense training regime, and Queen B shared three consecutive posts to her 112 million followers encouraging them to explore plant-based meals: Vegan Time!! Click the link in my bio to join me!

Actor Zac Efron has experimented with a vegan diet and has even credited his toned physique to plant-based food. Efron announced his veganism in an interview with Teen Vogue last year.

Ive been experimenting with eating purely vegan, Efron explained. Thats completely changed the way that my body works, and the way that I metabolize food, the way it turns into energy, the way that I sleep. Its been brilliant. Its been great for my exercise, and great for my routine.

In February Efron ate dairy-free ice cream while recovering from knee surgery, and kept up with his vegan diet while on an off-grid camping trip with his friends.

TV host Steve Harvey enjoyed multiple health improvements after adopting a vegan diet. On an episode of his NBC talk show Steve, Harvey discussed the high rate of heart disease in the United States and how a plant-based diet can help.

Let me tell you something. Ive been doing this since January 4, I got to tell you, I do feel a lot better, said Harvey in March.

I have the cholesterol levels of an infant, he added. My cholesterol numbers are lower than my cardiologists cholesterol numbers You can eat your way healthy. You are what you eat.

Kim Kardashian has recently said she is following a plant-based diet.

In an Instagram video, Kardashian told Anastasia Soare founder of the cosmetics company Anastasia Beverly Hills that veganism was responsible for her slim waist. Honestly, being vegan now helps, says Kardashian.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star regularly shares pictures of vegan food on her Instagram, recently including plant-based sausages and mung bean-based JUST egg. Kardashian has also revealed that her wardrobe is now 100 percent fur-free, perhaps inspired by friend and fellow vegan celebrity Pamela Anderson.

Summary

Article Name

13 Celebrities Before and After Going Vegan

Description

13 celebrities before and after going vegan. Celebrities go vegan and discuss the health benefits of plant-based, including weight loss and improved energy.

Author

Liam Pritchett

Publisher Name

LIVEKINDLY

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Originally posted here:
13 Celebrities Before and After Going Vegan - LIVEKINDLY

Says drinking cream of tartar mixed with orange juice daily will help people quit smoking because it "flushes the nicotine" out of the body.

Facebook posts on Monday, October 14th, 2019 in a Facebook post

BySamantha Puttermanon Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 at 2:03 p.m.

Quitting smoking is hard. Over the years, ex-smokers have sworn by a myriad of methods: pills, patches, cold turkey. The list goes on.

But one cheap and easy quit-smoking-fast tactic making the rounds on Facebook sounds too easy to be true.

And thats because it is.

According to a viral Facebook post thats been shared over 300,000 times since Oct. 14, simply mixing cream of tartar powder with orange juice will "flush the nicotine out of your system."

The post features a picture of cream of tartar with a lengthy caption that says:

"Go to your favorite grocery store and buy Cream of Tartar Seasoning and a gallon of Orange Juice. Mix 1 teaspoon in a glass and drink once a day. I recommend when you get up and another glass halfway through your day. I know this sounds too simple, but it really works! The Cream of Tartar flushes the nicotine out of your system and blocks it from receiving it again! After about two days, smoking tastes like s***, you're blocked from the nicotine rush and the desire is gone!"

The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that drinking cream of tartar and orange juice rids the body of nicotine and thus helps people quit smoking.

We found a detailed example of the claim in a May 2018 article by Shareably, a lifestyle and entertainment website. But the article lacks credible sources, instead citing dubious health websites "Natural Health and Healing 4U" and "Organic Health." It also lists Providr.com as its primary source a clickbait mill that the fact-checking website Snopes exposed for fraudulent Facebook practices in 2018.

The basis behind the claim is problematic because it relies on unsupported theories about detoxifying the body through various diets or cleanses.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, an office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, says that a variety of detoxification diets, regimens and therapies "have been suggested as ways to remove toxins from your body, lose weight, or promote health."

However, the center warns that some of these programs can be unsafe and falsely advertised, and said a 2015 review concluded "there was no compelling research to support the use of "detox" diets for weight management or eliminating toxins from the body."

The Shareably article alleges that the way cream of tartar helps "flush" nicotine out of the body is by getting "your adrenal glands working in conjunction with the rest of your body... Then your body naturally decides which toxins to eliminate through bowel movements, urine, and sweat."

But it is unclear how that could even work.

While potassium-rich cream of tartar has a diuretic effect, meaning it increases urine production, this doesnt explain how it would somehow impact metabolism.

"I know of no biological mechanism by which cream of tartar would get the adrenal glands working," Neal Benowitz, professor emeritus at the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, told PolitiFact in an email.

"The vast majority of nicotine is eliminated by liver metabolism, and only a small fraction excreted unchanged in the urine."

Benowitz said he knows no "biologically plausible argument" for why this drink mixture should work.

Our ruling

A viral Facebook post says people can easily quit smoking by mixing cream of tartar and orange juice because it helps remove nicotine from the body.

This claim relies on unsubstantiated pseudoscience. No credible evidence supports it.

We rate it Pants on Fire!

Go here to read the rest:
No evidence that cream of tartar and orange juice will help you quit smoking - PolitiFact

Its that time of year again, when the creepy crawlies, ghosts, ghouls and goblins come out to tempt you away from your diet with their sweet treats. Also known as the spookiest of holidays, Halloween. So, what can you do to indulge in the treats without feeling guilty? A Halloween themed workout of course!

TruBe, Londons leading On-Demand Fitness app, who allow customer access to the largest network of on-demand personal trainers, have put together a fun and motivating exercise routine that you can do from the comfort of your home, after all, one day off from the gym wont hurt - right?

Daria said: Halloween workouts should be fun and easy. This can be as simple as walking with the kids while theyre out trick or treating.

If you want to spice up your traditional workout regime, why not try the Halloween special?

Routine

Three reps of the below:

10 squat with pumpkin

13 press up dunk apples

Walk the plank challenge (hold for a minute)

Flying bat (make flapping movement with two 5kg dumbbells in hands for one minute)

Zombie alive (straight leg sit-ups x20)

Creepy crawlies (sprawls x15)

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P - Push-Ups

Push-ups are a scary one to start with, as pretty much everyone finds them taxing (even those who workout twice daily). However, theyre a great full-body workout and youll be glad to know that this workout only requires ten of them (in the first circuit, at least)

REPS: 10

U - Upright Rows

Your arms may be a little sore from the push-ups, but it is a Halloween workout after all. Grab a pair of dumbbells and get ready to work your biceps, trapezius, and deltoids.

Upright rows are great for the upper body and are a nice addition to bicep curls if you want to switch up the muscles that youre working.

REPS: 10

M - Mountain Climbers

If you think that mountain climbers are an easier alternative to push-ups, then youve probably never tried them before

They cover many main muscle groups, and some of the muscles worked include the abs, obliques, glutes, hip flexors, quads, hamstrings, back, deltoids and triceps.

REPS: 20 (its getting scary now)

P - Prowler Sled Push

Following the theme of exercises that attack your entire body, we chose the prowler sled push as the second P in the pumpkin workout.

This time, the full-body exercise isnt just relying on your own bodyweight. Youll have to shift whatever weight you choose to load the sled with!

REPS: Perform 2 x 40 yards

K - Kneeling Rope Slam

Battle rope slams are deceiving. Kneeling rope slams are even more so. They may look easy on the surface, but trust us, theyre extremely deceptive.

With this exercise, youll blast your arms and core, especially since youre taking the pressure off your lower body.

REPS: 15 slams

View original post here:
Best workout to do at home: The simple 7 move routine to blast fat - Express.co.uk

Heart attacks typically happen when the inside of one or more of a persons coronary arteries become narrowed due to a gradual build-up of artery-clogging plaque. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack. LDL cholesterol, a waxy substance found in a person's blood and in their cells, is the main source of artery-clogging plaque.

According to a new study published in Journal of Nutrition, the researchers found that eating one avocado a day was associated with lower levels of LDL cholesterol in overweight or obese adults - major risk factors associated with high cholesterol and heart attacks.

"We were able to show that when people incorporated one avocado a day into their diet, they had fewer small, dense LDL particles than before the diet," said Penny Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition, who added that small, dense LDL particles are particularly harmful for promoting plaque buildup in the arteries.

She continued: "Consequently, people should consider adding avocados to their diet in a healthy way, like on whole-wheat toast or as a veggie dip."

Specifically, the study found that avocados helped reduce LDL particles that had been oxidised.

READ MORE:Heart disease: Best exercise to lower the risk of developing the deadly condition

Oxidation is a normal chemical process that takes place in the body everyday. When this process happens, however, this has been shown to play a role in developing cardiovascular complications, such as heart attacks.

Similar to the way oxygen can damage food - like a cut apple turning brown - the researchers said oxidation is harmful for the human body.

"A lot of research points to oxidation being the basis for conditions like cancer and heart disease," Kris-Etherton said.

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She added: We know that when LDL particles become oxidised, that starts a chain reaction that can promote atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque in the artery wall. Oxidation is not good, so if you can help protect the body through the foods that you eat, that could be very beneficial."

The researchers recruited 45 adult participants who were overweight or obesity for the study. All participants followed a two-week "run-in" diet at the beginning of the study. This diet mimicked an average American diet and allowed all participants to begin the study on a similar nutritional page.

Next, each participant completed five weeks of three different treatment diets in a randomised order. Diets included a low-fat diet, a moderate-fat diet, and a moderate-fat diet that included one avocado a day. The moderate-fat diet without avocados were supplemented with extra healthy fats to match the amount of monounsaturated fatty acids that would be obtained from the avocados.

According to the American Heart Association, monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

After five weeks on the avocado diet, participants had significantly lower levels of oxidised LDL cholesterol than before the study began or after completing the low- and moderate-fat diets. Participants also had higher levels of lutein, an antioxidant, after the avocado diet.

According to the British Heart Foundation, heart attack symptoms can vary but the most common signs of a heart attack are:

Chest pain or discomfort that suddenly occurs and doesnt go away. It may feel like pressure, squeezing or heaviness in your chest

Pain that may spread to your left or right arm or may spread to your neck, jaw, back or stomach

Feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or short of breath.

Pain levels can also vary from person to person, notes the health body, as for some people the pain or tightness in their chest is severe, while other people just feel uncomfortable, or pain similar to indigestion.

It added: Heart attack symptoms can persist over days, or they can come on suddenly and unexpectedly.

If you suspect the symptoms of a heart attack, dial 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance, warned the NHS.

Read more:
Heart attack: Eating this superfood once a day can lower your risk - Express

FROM putting recruits through their paces in SAS Who Dares Wins to climbing Mount Everest - Ant Middleton knows a thing or two about fitness.

The ex-military man, 38, has also starred on the front cover of Men's Health and has made a career out of pushing his body to its limit.

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Here, Ant, who is the face of Garmin, talks us through his top tips to getting in shape - without splurging your hard-earned money on an expensive gym membership.

He told The Sun Online the key is balance when it comes to both dieting and exercise.

As someone who does most of his exercise in the harsh outdoors, Ant says it's a myth that the gym is the only place you can get fit.

In an exclusive interview, Ant says: "You also dont need a gym membership to stay in shape, just go out into the garden or a local park and do some circuits training.

"Anything that raises your heart rate will help keep you in shape."

It may sometimes be tricky to fit a workout into your busy week, but Ant says making a plan for your fitness schedule can really make a difference.

He also emphasises not to worry if you do miss out on exercise days sometimes.

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Ant says: "This is obviously not always possible but if you plan to work out seven days a week, you will probably end up working out four days a week which is definitely enough to stay in shape.

"If you plan for four days and it doesnt work out, because life just does get in the way sometimes (!), you will start to miss out on exercise days."

He may look as though he's solid protein, but Ant urges those wanting to lose weight to focus on "balance".

"I think you just need to listen to your body, I personally eat a lot of carbs and protein but this isnt necessarily right for everyone," he tells The Sun Online.

"As long as you have a balanced diet, you cant really go too wrong."

Ant is keen to emphasise the importance of working on your mental as well as your physical health.

Ant, who runs Mind Over Muscle day camps across the country, says: "Physical and physiological simulation comes hand in hand, if one suffers it tends to have a detrimental effect on the other.

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"We must challenge ourselves psychologically on a daily basis, as well as physically at least every other day, even if it just walking the dog or walking to the shop for that pint of milk.

"Physical activity has always been part of my life and once it becomes routine in your life thats when it becomes a lifestyle and you cant do without it."

Dieting can not only be draining but also have a negative impact on your mental health if you're trying to lose weight.

"I lead a sustainable lifestyle and tend not to diet, even when I lose extreme weight," Ant says.

"I let my body gradually build its way back up to the weight that I function efficiently at on a day to day basis."

Ant says if you're trying to shed the pounds or boost your fitness, not to rush.

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He says: "Its all a gradual process, these extreme weight drops and gains arent good for the body so I let natural run its course."

Ant recommends investing in a fitness watch which can help you track your progress.

Ant says he's a fan of the Garmin Fenix 6 watch as it means he can plan running routes wherever he is in the country.

The watch also comes with other features including full topographic maps and GPS, as well as PacePro which gives you a full view of elevation changes when out running or training.

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Ant says: "I have had a relationship with Garmin for the past 15 years, since I was in the military to now, the brand is always evolving and changing with the times which is something I love about it.

"One feature that has always helped with my training is the GPS system.

"It means I can go on a run wherever I am in the country and they will create a route for me, so handy when you are on tour and still trying to keep fit."

Link:
Weight loss: Ditch the gym AND fad diets Ant Middletons easy tips to get in shape - The Irish Sun

While there were many views about weight in the Who Are You Calling Fat? house, they all came from the same place. All nine contributors explained theyve been looked at as lazy, and stigmatised. When this happens, people respond differently.

Its not the fault of the individuals that they are the size they are.

There are both nature and nurture causes of weight gain. In terms of nature, hundreds of genes play a role in your body weight. Some people might be hungrier, some will find food rewarding, some will respond to stress by eating.

Basically, some people will find it more difficult to say no to food than others.

Nurture plays a part too it could be culture, education, social-economic class all of those have an impact.

One view expressed in the Who Are You Calling Fat? house is that weight doesnt impact your health. But science doesnt tell us that. Yes, someone who carries more weight could be healthier than someone whos lighter, but thats down to an individuals fat cells whether theyre big enough to contain all the fat or if theyre going to spill into the liver and muscles (which is what causes problems).

While its true that someones body size is not an indicator of their health, we do know that obesity increases your risk of having certain conditions. For example, obesity is believed to account for 8085 percent of the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Obesity is also linked to coronary heart disease and some cancers.

If you want to lose weight and keep it off you need to find a plan you can stick to which rules out extreme diets as you cant stay on them for ever. Theres not going to be a magic diet that suits everyone, you just have to find an eating and lifestyle plan that suits you for the long term.

Before embarking on any weight-loss plan you have to ask yourself why youre doing it. Is it because you want to be skinny or healthy? Lots of us will never be skinny, and setting unattainable goals wont help. Trying to lose enough fat so you can become healthier that should be the focus.

Watch episode one of Who Are You Calling Fat? on BBC Two on Monday 28 October at 9pm and episode two at 9pm on Tuesday 29 October.

See more here:
What it's really like to live with obesity or identify as fat - BBC News

By Allison Apfelbaum

Special to the Reporter

Fall brings change, but change can be a good thing. What would you like to change about your current health routine? It takes about 30 days to create a habit, and until then change can be uncomfortable. Will you take the challenge with me over the next few months before the new year and start a resolution right now? How about making your exercise routine a habit? It means sticking to the goals of fitness you may have started in January and have now let go due to your busy schedule. Lets talk about what a fitness routine looks like.

First of all, why dont you set some activity goals. Some people exercise to lose weight, while others want to gain strength. I think that exercise does so much more than that. Working out is the No. 1 antioxidant for the brain. Exercise increases brain-derived nerve growth factor, which makes new neuronal connections in the brain. It can help slow down brain degeneration and prevent dementia. That is extremely amazing in my opinion. Exercise is also an antioxidant for every cell in the body. We cannot help but be exposed to oxidation through pollution, pesticides, alcohol, sugar, fried foods and normal aging for example. Working out is also an important way the body detoxifies. As you sweat, the liver releases toxins and they get released through the glands. Increasing detoxing can aid in balanced hormones, regulate digestion, increase clarity of mind and skin health.

Physical fitness doesnt have to take place inside or even at a gym. If you are moving your body, you are exercising. I suggest picking something you like to do and then putting it on your schedule. If you plan for success, you are more likely to succeed. Think about it, look at your schedule in the beginning of the week and pick three days you can do something active. Aim for about 30 minutes of time, it can be morning, mid-day or night. During the session, challenge yourself every day a little bit more. If you begin walking, try jogging a little or walking uphill, then go back to walking again. Variety helps your muscles continue to get stronger. Try varying your routine and the type of exercise. One day you can do strength training, one day walk/running, or join a class that varies the workouts. Routine is not always a good thing, muscles do get complacent.

I see many patients give up after a few weeks if they arent seeing progress on the scale. I want to encourage you to not focus on the number of the scale, but rather how you feel. If you feel great, and are fitting into smaller sizes of clothes, progress is happening. Progress can take weeks or months before you see any results, and even longer for others to take notice. Be patient with yourself, and dont give up.

However, most of your progress happens in the kitchen. Eating a clean healthy whole food diet with enough protein will give your muscles the tools they need to get stronger. As muscles get stronger, metabolism increases and burns fat more efficiently. Trust the process. Decrease extra calories by cutting out sugar, alcohol, and empty carbohydrates. Try to get energy from healthy plant-based fats, brightly colored vegetables and lean protein from fish and poultry. If you are too tired to exercise, change your diet so you have more energy. It is possible to train yourself to exercise as part of who you are. Imagine that you cannot possibly live without it. Your body loves you, so let it move and stretch and become as strong as it wants, you deserve it.

Dr. Allison Apfelbaum is a naturopathic primary care doctor at Tree of Health Integrative Medicine clinic in Woodinville. To learn more go to http://www.treeofhealthmedicine.com, or call 425-408-0040 to schedule an appointment.

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Staying fit through the holidays - Bothell-Kenmore Reporter