I work with people who feel stuck.

Stuck in the personal frustration about their physical health.

Stuck in the frequent and often disappointing cycle of starting and stopping a consistent exercise or healthy nutritional approach more times than they can count.

Stuck in the fear of investing more time, energy, and perhaps money, into solutions that promote a healthier lifestyle.

Stuck in envy of those who have seemed to conquer the habit of making their physical health a priority.

Stuck in the negative inner monologue that adds up all these stucks and repeats the destructive mantra, You will never get a handle on this. Prepare to remain stuck!

I read it on my in-take forms.

I hear it in new client consultations.

I recognize that part of what I do as a wellness coach is to help people get unstuck in the areas of fitness and nutrition.

Yet, often, I sense that the stuck I read, hear and witness on the surface is covering a deeper inner despair that weaves its way throughout other areas of ones life.

This is when coaches recognize they cannot offer the comprehensive assistance clients may need and gently refer clients to a more qualified person to explore the roots contributing to their inability to actively and consistently take responsibility and control of their physical health.

"Nothing happens in a vacuum," stated George Atkins, a counselor specializing in marriage and family therapy and generalized anxiety with the Christian Counselors Collaborative.

Our physical health is not separate from our emotional health, or relational health," he said. "Emotional and relational stress impacts us physically, particularly on our hearts. Eating is one way we compensate for stress or depression. If experiencing physical fatigue, one may want to consider whether emotional or relational fatigue is also present. An unhealthy relationship with food may indicate an unhealthy relationship with oneself or others.

Mallori Diamond, a local fitness instructor, has experience that connection firsthand. For most of my life fitness has always been a physical need, driving my body with what it craves and needs to work effectively and efficiently.

Though after experiencing two heartbreaking miscarriages, she discovered fitness offered more than physical strength.

Fitness is a tool to keep my mental and emotional stability in check.

After taking time off from exercising for physical recovery, jumping back into fitness using a variety of forms was essential for helping Mallori as she navigated her grief, emotional turmoil and the post-partum hormonal imbalance.

Physical strength encouraged my emotional strength. Overcoming physical challenges made me feel empowered. I learned that I am stronger than this season of heartache and can persevere. I think it is a form of therapy for people.

Our emotions and physical actions are often linked and one may find release and healing through exercise.

But for those struggling with ongoing discouragement in fitness and nutrition specifically, seeking the assistance of a counselor may help unpack damaging behavioral similarities present in family or social relationships, on the job, with finances, decision making skills, etc.

Embarking on a journey with a counselor may seem like a weakness, but doing so should be considered a brave step forward in a healthier direction.

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Is therapy helpful for weight loss? - Timesonline.com

If You're Exercising to Lose Weight, Don't Make These 5 Mistakes

You're getting into a routine at the gym, feeling stronger and working up a sweat, but you're not losing weight, which is one of the main reasons you started exercising in the first place. What gives?! Here are five common mistakes people make when working out that can prevent weight loss.

While it's true that cardio is great for burning calories, if you only run, bike ride, or swim, there's a missing link to maximizing your calorie burn: strength training. The more muscle you have, the higher your body's fat-burning potential, and weight training will help you burn more fat faster. That means you can do shorter workouts and get better results.

If you've heard of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), it's because it works! Experts agree that it's one of the best workouts for weight loss. This works for cardio and strength training and involves following a work-to-rest ratio, a popular one being two to one. That could be 40 seconds of working at 70 to 90 percent of your max followed by 20 seconds of rest. An example of HIIT could be running, biking, jumping rope, rowing, or swimming with sprint or hill intervals included, and/or a mix of strength-training moves like burpees, squats, plyometrics exercises like jumping lunges, or push-ups.

A 20-minute walk once a day is great for getting blood flowing and getting fresh air, but it's not enough if you're trying to lose weight. The same goes for a yoga class or jog here and there you need to be hitting the gym regularly for about 45 minutes, three to four times a week in order to see results. Commit to that if you're serious about slimming down.

If you've been working out and your weight loss has plateaued, it's a sign that you need to mix things up. When you do the same workout three to five times a week, your muscles become accustomed to it, so you need to tweak your workouts at least every six weeks. Or even better, do something different every time you work out. CrossFit or boot-camp-style workouts are great examples of this.

What you do after your workout is important, too. Exercising regularly can often make you hungrier that usual, and you think "I worked out so I can eat anything I want!" Uh, nope! If you end up eating an enormous post-workout ice cream cone protein smoothie, or an extra couple snacks throughout the day, your calorie intake vs. calorie burn has evened out. In order to lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit, so make sure you're not taking in the same amount of extra calories that you just burned.

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Internet herbal slimming aids often contain banned substances

There are a vast number of herbal slimming aids available over the internet, typically backed by glowing testimonials. However, in practice many of these only have any efficacy because they are adulterated with banned slimming drugs or other noxious chemicals. An example is the slimming drug sibutramine, an amphetamine analogue that was withdrawn in most countries due to cardiovascular risks. Another common adulterant is the laboratory indicator phenolphthalein, which is a strong laxative, not normally used in medical practice owing to concerns over its possible carcinogenicity. Caffeine is also found in many herbal slimming aids.

The large number of potential contaminants and the compounds from the herbs give complicated chromatograms. The Brussels researchers used UHPLC, together with a number of chemometric techniques, to classify seized herbal slimming aids into distinct classes. It was hoped that such a classification would enable the health risks of any newly seized material to be rapidly assessed, and would also help to identify the potential sources of these dangerous mixtures.

92 samples seized by customs were examined by UHPLC, along with reference standards from 12 common adulterants. The seized samples were typically extracted with 50% aqueous methanol under sonication, followed by the removal of solids by centrifugation.

Firstly, the samples were analysed by UHPLC using a PDA detector (photodiode array detector, i.e. a diode array detector, DAD). The samples were analysed using a Waters Acquity Ultra Performance LC system with an Alltech VisionHT C18-P column. Gradient elution was carried out with methanol and aqueous ammonium acetate (0.02 M, pH 5). The peaks were aligned using the COW algorithm (correlation optimised warping). Secondly, all the samples were analysed by LC-MS, using the same column connected to a Waters Synapt-G2S ToF mass spectrometer with an electrospray source in positive mode, with the buffer being altered to ammonium formate (0.01 M, pH 5). Mass spectrometry was used to give data in the form of TICs (total ion chromatograms) and also in the form of the intensities of the compounds m/z values (referred to as the MS fingerprint). Sibutramine, phenolphthalein or caffeine were present in many of the samples.

Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was carried out on the HPLC PDA data, which were classified into six clusters. Ideally, each cluster should be composed of samples with similar ingredients; this was the case for three of the six clusters For example, all 25 samples in cluster two contained sibutramine (three of them also contained phenolphthalein). Two of the clusters showed some internal consistency, while the remaining cluster was composed of samples with little similarity between them (an odds and ends cluster). It was found that running HCA on the LC-MS data did not give any clear clusters.

PLS-DA was used to construct models, using some of the data as a training set and the remainder as a test set. Based on the PDA analysis fingerprints, 85% of the samples in the test set were assigned to the correct cluster. Based on the TIC analysis, 80% were assigned correctly, but the figure was only 55% based on the MS fingerprints.

CART analysis was also used as a classification method, constructing trees' from the data. Again, training and test sets were used. Correct classification was obtained in 75% of cases with PDA, 70% for TIC and 65% for MS fingerprints.

The chemometric methods helped to classify complex data covering many different samples. The techniques employed could be extended to other samples containing different adulterants. The widespread detection of harmful substances in herbal remedies should be a timely warning to anybody considering purchasing these from potentially unreliable sources.

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Slim chance of purity with internet herbal weight loss products - spectroscopyNOW.com

Metro

Britain's Fattest Woman Sharon Hill talks about weight loss in new Channel 4 show Metro At her heaviest Sharon Hill weighed 48 stone and consumed tens of thousands of calories a day earning her the unenviable title of Britain's Fattest Woman. But three years later she has lost more than a third of her weight and has talked in detail about ... and more »

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Britain's Fattest Woman Sharon Hill talks about weight loss in new Channel 4 show - Metro

Alice Dixson is the epitome of the modern woman -- someone who can juggle her responsibilities as an actress, without compromising her personal health and fitness.

At 47, Alice continues to rock in daring dresses and bikinis. When asked what's the best exercise for working women like herself, Alice said 20 minutes can actually go a long way.

"You find a way to work it in like before you go to work. Best time is before you shower and get ready for work, because when you get home from work in the evening, youre gonna be too tired," she elaborates.

Alice adds that she also uses honey as sweetener instead of sugar. She also consumes more fiber than carbs, which is one of the major causes of weight gain.

"I substitute rice with vegetables and salads so instead of lots of carb-heavy food I substitute it with fiber like vegetables," she added.

Thanks to regular workouts, a healthy diet, and a dose of Kilo Off, Alice can make the most out of her beach trips this summer.

Kilo Off is a weight loss system from France with all-natural active ingredients. According to Alice, Kilo Off has been a beneficial ingredient in her fitness plan, as it serves as a "a natural appetite suppressant" that also helps her maintain good metabolism.

"Kilo Off helps me with certain cravings like if I need to lose weight for a photo shoot or I have a target of a certain weight for a fitness goal, I would take it daily and then my cravings will go away," Alice notes.

Apart from helping her lose weight, Alice says Kilo Off also helped her become "fashionably fit," keeping her in excellent shape despite her age. In fact, she testifies that Kilo Off allowed her to have a flatter tummy, curb her appetite, and lose weight -- all at the same time.

"But you always have to take Kilo Off like its not a miracle plan, you have to do your exercise, eat properly," Alice emphasized.

Available in four variants, Kilo Off promises to help you safely lose weight.

Choose from a wide variety of products: revitalizing powder drink, energizing capsule or a refreshing natural juice, and start your weight loss journey today.

Powder drink

Kilo Off powder drink is a flavored powder juice meant to supplement your diet and workout, and provide a 4-in-1 slimming action (burn fat, reduce cravings, drain water and toxins, keep a flat stomach). Just mix the powder in water, stir, and drink!

Capsule

Aimed at slimming you down by providing a 24-hour fat-burning effect, the capsule version is more focused on burning fat. Its a convenient product for people on-the-go! Just pop 1- 2 capsules before lunch and dinner.

Liquid Drink Slimming

This purple, blackcurrant-flavored drink helps to burn fat and drain water, and is perfect to drink for rapid detox after excessive eating or sudden weight gain. A bottle cap-full is perfect to drink as is or mixed with water.

Liquid Drink Flat Stomach

This orange fruity drink contains fiber that aids in digestion and helps to relieve a swollen stomach. It is perfect for those with a bloated tummy and indigestion issues. A bottle cap-full is perfect to drink as is or mixed with water.

You can even mix and match products to come up with your own weight-loss program, depending on your weight loss objectives. Just remember to space out your intake during the day and take only a maximum of 2 products per treatment period.

Kilo Off is manufactured by Laboratories Vitarmonyl in France, a leading health supplements manufacturer. It is BFAD-approved, and possesses natural ingredients not used in similar weight loss supplements to ensure a healthier route to weight loss.

It is exclusively available in selected Watsons branches nationwide. To learn more about this product, check out http://www.kilooffph.com or follow their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

NOTE: BrandNews articles are promotional features from our sponsors and not news articles from our editorial staff.

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The secret to what keeps Alice Dixson 'fashionably fit' - ABS-CBN News

Hollywood Life

Curb Your Crazy Sugar Cravings & Lose Weight Fast 8 Tips Hollywood Life If you have a serious sweet tooth like me, the thought of giving up added sugar seems impossible. But doing so can reduce your daily caloric intake up to 500 calories, leading to major weight loss! Read easy to follow expert tips (like eating whole ... and more »

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Curb Your Crazy Sugar Cravings & Lose Weight Fast 8 Tips - Hollywood Life

There are seemingly dozens of ways to lose weight. The obvious ways are to eat better, exercise more and generally live a healthier overall lifestyle. Doing so isnt as easy as it may sound. If it was, we wouldnt be looking at a nationwide obesity epidemic.

Right now, the majority of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, which increases the likelihood of developing several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. As a result of these increasing health concerns, many adults strive to lose weight. But despite the availability of weight loss programs, achieving and maintaining weight loss is difficult for many people.

Blount Memorial registered dietitian Chelsi Cardoso says achieving lasting weight loss requires some understanding.

Our weight is a reflection of our energy balance calories in versus calories out, she said. Weight loss occurs when we consume fewer calories than we burn or when we achieve a calorie deficit. This equation sounds simple, but the complicated part is that we need to make lifestyle changes in order to achieve a calorie deficit. People who have successfully lost weight are prone to certain traits and tasks. For starters, they reduce their caloric intake by 500 to 1,000 calories a day to assist with a slow, steady weight loss of one to two pounds a week. This can be done with virtually any type of diet. Next, they engage in 60 to 90 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five times per week. They also limit television viewing to less than 10 hours each week, as well as track their food and drink intake daily and measure their body weight at least once per week, she explained. The trick for people trying to lose weight is figuring out how to apply these changes to their everyday routines.

Cardoso says there are three key steps to begin trying to lose weight.

First, you want to begin tracking your current eating and physical activity, Cardoso said. This will allow you to see what adjustments you need to make to achieve your weight loss goals. Second, you really should evaluate and examine those goals. Remember, this is about changing your behaviors, so you need to design and customize your goals in ways that make them more achievable. Part of this includes positive thinking. Instead of saying I will stop eating so much, be more positive by saying I will plan dinner menus with no more than 500 calories. Instead of saying I will get more physical activity, lock yourself into a specific time by saying I will walk 20 minutes on Tuesday after work. This also involves setting goals that are realistic and reachable. Instead of saying I will never eat fast food again, try I will decrease the number of times I eat fast food from four times a month to just two times a month, she explained. Time frame is important, too, so its critical not to be too vague or open-ended. Dont say I will lose two pounds, say I will lose two pounds by June 15.

The third key step, Cardoso says, is finding the right plan for your needs.

Come up with a plan to help you achieve your goals, she said. Achieving a healthy weight is more than following fad diets and changing what is in your cupboard. Its about making lifestyle changes and sustaining those changes over time. Do a little research to find a plan thats right for you, and talk with your health care provider or a registered dietitian if you have questions or need some guidance.

Blount Memorial Hospitals health column appears each Monday in The Daily Times.

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Weight loss encompasses more than eating less - Maryville Daily Times