Search This Blog

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Age The Limmiting Factor

In our youthful years, we look forward to getting older so that we may be able to do more things; Being able to go to sleep late, watch rated-R movies, drive, vote, and legally drink. It's very exciting to reach those new ages and to gain the so-called benefits of being older. Along that journey of trying to get older, we get to a point where we’ve gone too far and as hard as we try we cannot force back time. We start regretting our age. We use it as an excuse to get out of doing things that we used to hold dear; such as sports, playing outside in the sun, and most importantly, being healthy. Why is it that when you are 50, 60 or even 70 you are too old to be healthy?

The older you get, the better you are supposed to be because of the vast experience you’ve gained. Age is not a limiting factor; it's a super human power. You, have so much more of an advantage over the younger generation. So if age is not the limiting factor, then what is? Unfortunately, many people have their minds set. Common phrases that slow down the "older" folk from reaching their full potential are: ‘I'm too old for this’, ‘you are much younger than me so you are able to do this’, ‘when I was your age…’, ‘I wish I could’, ‘I just don’t have the time’, or ‘when I was as young as you my metabolism was much better’. If you have ever uttered any of these phrases, know that you are not alone, but also know that there are 70 year olds

that are even more fit and healthier than most 20 year olds. Don't make excuses for your age and start
taking responsibility. Harness that super power that is age and get more efficient at living a healthy, excuse free, life. Be the one that says this to the younger generation: ‘its ok you could not beat me this time, I have years of experience over you’.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Thyroid and Unsaturated fats-How are they connected?

In recent years there have been more and more diseases popping up everywhere and are becoming more common, almost an everyday occurrence. Obesity, diabetes, thyroid issues and last but not least, the big one, cancer. What is the cause of this increase?
Since we can't tackle all the issues, we will discuss the one that many people struggle with, which makes us feel trapped thinking there’s no cure.

Thyroid issues (over-active and under-active) all stem from the foods we eat. Sure, many will argue that it's genetic but anything genetic had to have mutated from a healthy cell to an unhealthy one somewhere down the path of our lives or the lives of our parents. How is the thyroid treated now? By prescribed medication, of course. The trick is finding the right type and crossing your fingers in hopes that it will stabilize the thyroid. What should be addressed is the food that we ingest, specifically the fats.

I'm referring to fats such as soybean oil, corn oil, safflower oil, canola, sesame oil, sunflower seed oil, palm oil, and any others that are labeled as "unsaturated" or "polyunsaturated." Almond oil, which is used in many cosmetics, is very unsaturated. These types of fats need to be limited or eliminated from the diet completely. All systems of the body are harmed if in excess of these oils. There are mainly two reasons for this: first of all, these oils don't like heat and anytime they are ingested into our warm bodies they oxidize and become rancid. This oxidative process can damage enzymes and other parts of the cells, especially their ability to produce energy. The second reason is that many plants have adopted a protective mechanism that will keep the seeds from being eaten by animals. The oils in the seeds block the digestive enzymes in the animals' stomachs, which then leads to malabsorption of nutrients and eventually poor health. Remember, digestion is the direct link to great health.

How does that affect the thyroid? "Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. When the thyroid hormone is deficient, the body is generally exposed to increased levels of estrogen. The thyroid hormone is essential for making the "protective hormones" progesterone and pregnenolone, so these hormones are lowered when anything interferes with the function of the thyroid. The thyroid hormone is required for using and eliminating cholesterol, so cholesterol is likely to be raised by anything which blocks the thyroid function.” (B. Barnes and L. Galton, Hypothyroidism, 1976, and 1994 references.)

Since these oils are to be avoided, what does that leave us with? Well, alternatives may include Coconut oil and cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. These are the only vegetable oils that are really safe. Other great saturated fats are butter and lamb fat if not poisoned with commercial farming. Coconut oil is unique in its ability to prevent weight-gain or cure obesity, by stimulating metabolism. It is quickly metabolized, and functions in some ways as an antioxidant. Olive oil is more fattening then the corn oil but contains an antioxidant that protects from cancer and heart problems.

To sum it up: unsaturated fats cause aging, clotting, inflammation, cancer, and weight gain. These oils are used in many processed foods, so take extreme care when reading the labels. Mayonnaise, pastries, even candies are some of the common examples of where these oils are hidden. If on a journey to health, then this is one road that needs to be taken. You must eliminate the use of these oils.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Listening

The art of listening is lost on most people in our modern society. We are all so eager to speak that we don't take the time to listen, interpret what we hear, then formulate our thoughts and finally speak. And just like many of you, I fall under the same category.

The only way to end this vicious cycle of everyone talking at the same time and no one listening is to work on improving our own selves first. We must do this by taking the time to digest what the other person is saying and what they mean. If you are in an argument (or a healthy debate), try to figure out what the other persons stand and point of view is. We so often jump to judgment and give our opinion causing us to neglect others. Everyone has something to say and most often than not, we can learn from them. This article is short because I have finished speaking; now it is time for me to go and listen.

I hope you use this advice and start listening more intently to your loved ones, coworkers, or acquaintances, and watch how your relationships will improve.

For more information on how to listen and communicate better, contact me at yuri@newredefinedwellness.com.

Monday, January 3, 2011

The miracle drug that solves everything

Ahhh, the age of modernization; the age of convenience, instant gratification, and the internet. We want things yesterday; otherwise we lose interest and move on to something else. This works the same way with our health. I have a headache so I take an aspirin or should it be Tylenol? I’ll just take whatever is better advertised on TV, because if it’s on TV then it must be good for you.

Many people have this mentality for over the counter drugs and don't realize what a simple dose of these over the counter drug will do at their cellular level. Sure it blocks the receptors of the pain, masking it, the pain is still there but your mind just does not perceive it as pain anymore. In order for your brain to get that drug it needs to digest it. That is where most of the damage is created. HCl levels also known as the stomach juices may be dropped or raised, making digestion of food more difficult, leading to malnourishment. It may be the reason why you are having the headache in the first place but many people don't know this because they are unaware.

This is the typical drug that sometimes people pop like tick tacks and there are many other drugs that are much worse out there.

Before you take any drug, do some research on it and find out what the negative side effects are on it. The side effects of the drug most likely include a minor form of damage to your body and are written on the warning label. Fact is, there is no such thing as a drug that has no negative side effects.

The name of the article is the miracle drug that solves everything, and so that you do not feel cheated I do have that drug and it’s called PATIENCE. If you become more patient you will be able to logically form your decisions. Don't just listen to people and aimlessly follow what they prescribe or advertise, ask why, and do your own research to figure out your own answers.


Typical side effects of aspirin that are recorder by the FDA include Heartburn, nausea, and upset stomach.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Aspirin:
Severe allergic reactions: rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, black or bloody stools, confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, severe or persistent stomach pain, unusual bruising, vomiting.

Aspirin is known for gastrointestinal wall damage and may lead to ulcers and in severe cases, death.

If mixing more than one drug, something as simple as caffeine, new side effects appear.

Typical side effects of Tylenol include Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, excitability, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness or anxiety, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, vomiting, or weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom:
Severe allergic reactions include: rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, dark urine, difficulty urinating or inability to urinate, fast or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, mood or mental changes, pale stools, seizures, severe drowsiness, severe or persistent dizziness, nervousness, lightheadedness, or headache, severe or persistent trouble sleeping, stomach pain, tremor, vision changes, or yellowing of skin or eyes.

Tylenol has been known to have damage done on liver and kidneys.


Be aware of what you are placing into your mouth. With these side effects known, do you still want to take that drug to make that head ache go away?

If you suffer from one of the conditions commonly treated with acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) such as headaches, joint pain or fever, be aware that there are almost always reasons behind your symptoms.

The goal of your physician should be to help discover the causes behind the symptoms you suffer from. Then you can learn to rid yourself of these causes, once and for all, instead of using something that amounts to little more than a Band-Aid to simply cover things up.

Do your own research, think for yourself and decide whether or not you want to continue using that drug.


Sources:
Mercola.com
Drugs.com

For more health tips contact Yuri at yuri@newredefinedwellness.com

Monday, December 27, 2010

The secret to looking ageless

Hey everyone, I found a secret to staying ageless and wrinkle free. And no it's not some miracle cream, pill, shot, or even surgery. Actually, the secret is really not a secret at all! It’s the simplest solution and the most overlooked.

How much money does a typical female spend on cosmetics and beauty products? Thousands sometimes maybe even tens of thousands? If you were to sit down and actually figure out how much money was spend on all that stuff you would probably kick yourself (I suggest not counting the costs in front of your husband). Well, the simple solution that most people don't realize is how we take care of ourselves. It all falls back to how much exercise or movement our body gets, how much nutrition we absorb, how much sleep we need, and how much water we consume. I will discuss the importance of proper hydration in this article because to discuss all the elements would take a long time and this one is the most overlooked.

Basics of what water is responsible for in our bodies:
Our body is 72% water some sources say even more.
We need water for digestion, temperature and blood regulation, respiration, and detoxification. (The toxin build up is what creates this older appearance)
90% of our blood is water and uses water to transport oxygen, nutrients, and antibodies throughout the body.
80% of our skin is water. Plentiful water is needed to maintain our skin's elasticity and moisture barrier.
Its winter time and many peoples’ skin begin to crack because of dehydration. So stop applying that lotion and grab an extra glass of water.

Did you know that just a 5% drop in bodily fluids can cause a 25 to 30 % loss in energy?
If you are having energy crashes or cravings of sweets it's a good indication of being dehydrated.

How to know when you are properly hydrated?
A good rule of thumb is to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces. So a person who weighs 200 lbs needs to consume 100 oz of water daily. If you exercise make sure to consume an additional 8 to 16 oz more, depending on your thirst and your activity level.
Some people may say that since they increase their water consumption they urinate more frequently. Great! that means that your boring day is broken up into frequent bathroom visits meaning you move around more.

Now, what's the best source of water?

There are plenty to choose from! There is well water, tap water, bottled water, distilled water, alkaline water and vitamin water.
Well water is the cleanest and the purist out there. But if you are not lucky enough to live by a mountain well or a spring then you need to look elsewhere.
Tap water and bottled water are the most convenient but are they the cleanest sources?
There are many harmful chemicals in both but the tap water is much cheaper and is actually tested for them. Bottled water industries have no regulations and test the water as rarely as once a year. So the best option is to put a filtration system on your tap water. It's the most cost effective and environmentally friendly.

Water filtration options:

Pitcher style filter
Reverse osmosis filter
Ion exchange filter
Distillation filter
Granular carbon and carbon block filter

Do research on these filtration options and find out what type of water pollutants are in your tap water. Then protect yourself against them.

So there it is, the secret is revealed. Hydration is a good start and the most simplest to work on. Make sure to cover all the other bases as well, nutrition, movement, etc.

If you would like more information about water consumption or health tips, contact Yuri at yuri@absolutefitnj.com

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The secret to achieve your fitness goals

There are so many articles written and so many products sold on how to get in the best shape of ones life, yet, America’s risk of having the biggest population of obesity continues to rise. How is that possible? All the workout talk and the dieting products must be aimed at somebody! I fell into the same trap as the typical reader or infomercial viewer because of all the colorful marketing. The truth is that 98% percent of the marketed products don't work. What happens with those programs is that people who are trying to get results and are following the work out regimen of the so-called experts in the beginning may actually get some results. Since they are so eager and starting to see some improvement in their outside appearance they continue but unfortunately, they end up injured. Once injured their mobility decreases and they lose all their results and often end up in worse shape than before. So, how does one go about finding the 2% of the information that is actually reliable? Simple answer: experience, trial and error of what works and does not work. Now, to a person who simply wants to get in shape without getting injured, this may be quite confusing and time consuming.

So what I'm going to do for you is give you one simple advice that you can take with you so that you don't have to suffer through injury and prolong or halt your progress; when you are a beginner or even an avid athlete, the first and last thing that needs to be addressed is mobility and flexibility. Some people may be turned off by the word athlete and say that this article is not for them. Everyone is an athlete, to some people it may come easier than others but everyone can do it.
Flexibility should be the foundation of any exercise program. And out of all the articles I have seen, none provide the proper way of stretching! Sure, you can find 10 to 15 articles in one magazine on how to make your biceps bigger, but nothing on how to stretch the biceps, forearms or wrists to prevent injuries and lessen aches.

How to get a good stretching technique? Work with a professional: Whether it's a trainer, a massage therapist, or even a chiropractor. If they are good at what they do they can suggest a good stretching regiment. If not, then its time to find a new professional. If you are unable to afford the services of the professional previously stated then Yoga is a perfect alternative for you. Now, there are many levels of yoga and in order to get the stretching part accomplished, start with beginner yoga and work on loosening the hip flexors and hamstring muscles. Unfortunately, many men may think that yoga is only for women, especially those big avid weight lifters/ body builders. One thing that may change your mind is that when you stretch, you activate more muscle fibers, so the next time you workout, you have much more muscle fibers to recruit and grow. In this process, you actually get more flexible, grow more muscle and are less likely to get injured.

I sincerely hope that this clears up a few things for you and helps you understand where your starting point should be and what to be aware of in order to remain in the best and healthiest shape of your life, without injuries!


For more information contact Yuri at
732-705-7233

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Be the best you can be. How to achieve greatness.

What are your goals? This is a very common question that we hear in school, at work, and for our physical fitness routines. How important is it for you to set your goals? Well, you may think it’s not important at all but in fact it is the difference between success and failure. Therefore, you must decide whether it's important to you or not.


Since this is a fitness/health blog, we will focus on how to get your fitness goals established and accomplished. How to create a successful goal schedule that is manageable and gets you where you want to be. It does not have to be anything specific such as flat abs, or losing 10 pounds. It could be as general as increasing vitality and/or health, which, in my opinion is the best kind of goal to have.

The best way to begin is to write down your goal on a sheet of paper. Take a couple of minutes to do so now because it will help you become more focused on what it is you truly want. Writing down your goal is a constant reminder of where you are headed. Many people claim they have a goal but they keep them embedded in their heads without ever truly accomplishing them or putting them into action. We are going to go into depth about setting your goal and it is going to be difficult to have everything in your mind, so if you have not written down your goal yet, PLEASE do so now.

We will now go into detail about your goal. Take a moment to write down why accomplishing your goal is important to you. Think of as many reasons as possible and try to take into consideration the physical and emotional aspects of it. What happens if you do not accomplish what you are set out to do? Make sure you know what you lose by not getting what you want. For the example of fitness, if you do not reach your ideal health then the total opposite can occur: disease, sickness, stress, or depression. This can lead to big medical bills or emotional strain of not being able to enjoy your favorite past times. These are all sad but realistic examples of what may occur and they should motivate you to get up and get your goal accomplished. There are plenty other great questions that maybe added but these are a good start.
(Now you see why having your goal written down helps. So if you still have not got it on paper, make sure to do so now).

Now that we’ve got all that important information on paper, let's start setting the goal. The most efficient way to set a goal is to start small and then make them big. So have your daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and yearly goals set out. Break them down into as many small components as needed for your success. Be warned not to have an overall yearly goal because it's hard to reach something so far away without slowly working on a broken down set of goals. Once the small goals are complete, check them off and move on to the next. It is encouraging to do so with a highlighter so that once you open that paper or book and see all the highlighted items it will show you how much closer you are to your goal. Naturally, things may occur in our daily lives that may take us off track a bit and slow us down from where we are headed. Having all the goals complete highlighted may be encouraging enough to get you through that bumpy road.

The actual goal that you pick is not as important as the way you structure or plan to accomplishing your goal. So make sure to have a good plan set up.

If you reach your goal sooner than expected, don't worry you can always revise it and aim for more. Remember, there is always room for improvement.

NRW wishes you success on your journey of self improvement.
For more information contact Yuri at
732-705-7233