You're doing it all, following all the good advice out there. You're eating a balanced diet with all of your veggies and whole grains; you eat sensible portions; you exercise a whole lot.
So what gives? Why can't you seem to get to your ideal weight? There are a number of reasons why your diet may not be as effective as you would like it to be, and they're things that we often don't even think about.
You are putting your body into "emergency mode"
John Douillard, Ph.D, author of "The 3 Season Diet", talks about the surprising effects of stress on the body. Are you trying to juggle it all? Are you running around all day? Stop and consider your stress levels.
According to Douillard, "Under stress, the body produces a... hormone called cortisol, which triggers [it] to dump stored sugar from the liver and muscles into the bloodstream." Your insulin level goes up, which stops you from burning fat and tells your body to store the fat for later use.
So slow down! Take some time to relax and de-stress. There are a few really easy, really effective ways to reduce your stress. Some great ways to go about this are breathing exercises, yoga, spending time in a quiet park or taking some time for yourself. Reducing your stress will not only help you in your weight-loss endeavors, but it will help you feel better all-around.
Steroids & the meat you eat
Protein is not the only think you are getting form your meat.
There is a good chance that you are also putting all the hormones the animal was fed to help it grow faster into your own body. Stephen Perrine gets to the heart of this in his book The New American Diet: How Secret "Obesogens" Are Making Us Fat, and the 6-Week Plan That Will Flatten Your Belly for Good! In his book, he says that "the problem is that these chemicals are having the same effect on us that they're having on the animals. Fat cows, fat pigs, fat chickens-fat people." To make sure you are not consuming steroids, choose hormone-free beef and rBGH-free dairy products at the supermarket.
Foods that carry the "USDA-certified organic" label cannot contain any artificial hormones. If you re purchasing sustainably raised foods without the "organic" label, be sure to check with the farmer to ensure no additional hormones have been administered.
Organic produce goes a long way
Much like organic meat, organic produce can make a world of difference for your diet.
Organic produce may be pricier but it's definitely worth it. In fact nonorganic apples, berries, lettuce etc. can actually make you gain weight. Many of the pesticides used on our produce can seep their way into our bodies and wreak havoc on our hormones and genes. This can lead to a slower metabolism, the inability to build and maintain muscle and an increased capacity to build new fat cells, according to Perrine. If going organic all the way is too much on your pocketbook, at the very least buy organic versions of what's been called the Dirty Dozen: the produce that has the highest levels of pesticide.
These are peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes.
On any diet, it is important to remember that weight loss is a process. Making small changes in your diet and lifestyle over time will make a difference. Following these few suggestions should help you on your mission and achieve your ideal weight!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirsi_Paalanen
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