Let’s set Intentions, Not Resolutions, for January 1st!
Happy New Year! As we approach 2023 in a few days, we are always so eager to focus on Resolutions and Goals for the New Year, right?
BUT have you thought about this year setting Intentions instead of those Resolutions that are usually lackluster in a few months?
Don’t get me wrong, setting those Resolutions are not bad, but they are usually filled with all-or-nothing and drastic approaches that usually only last til February or March, leaving you feeling defeated.
Did you know that, in fact, research shows that only 10% of people successfully stick to their New Year’s resolutions?
So this year, focus on your intentions for 2023. Make a list and write them down this weekend.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SETTING INTENTIONS & RESOLUTIONS?
You hear before or after yoga practice to set an intention for the day, and yes, it can easily be thought of as a goal for the day.
Now, I know what you are thinking, what is the difference between a goal and intention? I thought they were the same thing a while back as well.
Setting an Intention focuses on the present and internal state of being, a feeling you want to achieve, and your relationship with yourself, setting more compassion with yourself. Like I want to feel happier, I want to feel heard at my company, I want to feel more at peace and not so anxious, I want to feel confident, or I want to Thrive and not just survive in my health. (1) (2)
Setting a Resolution can focus on the Negative, while intentions focus on the Positive. Like setting a Resolution I want to lose weight or be skinny, I want to make more money, etc. Setting Resolutions can end up focusing on what you lack, leading to issues within your mental health, but Intentions actually highlight what you have and a more positive aspect of thinking.
Unlike setting your resolution or goal, which can be accomplished sometime in the future, setting your intention is a state of being that can start the moment you decide to make it happen.
Other ways you can work on your intentions daily is also setting positive affirmations to say out loud to yourself or writing them down, or even practicing daily gratitude.
So how do you even start with setting your intention this weekend for the New Year?
Think of those goals or resolutions you have been thinking of since October. 😉 Now, think of how you want to feel when you accomplish them.
There you go; that is your Intention to set. Keep it somewhere you can view daily and make sure what you do or say each day aligns with those Intentions you are setting.
Remember, setting an intention is something you want to live by that you can carry with you throughout the year, which will help you reach those goals you want to set and have a feeling of enlightenment. When you set an intention, you choose to live more mindfully and open to new outcomes.
And later, we will talk about those Habits & Mindsets to start working on at the beginning of 2023 instead of those drastic approaches and detoxes or cleanses that do not work on underly issues or set up structures for you not to fail and actually achieve your intentions and even goals for the year.
We all know some of the basics of staying healthy, like staying active and eating a healthy diet. But you may not be eating as healthy as you think. So, how Healthy is your diet, really?
Did you know that NEARLY 9 IN 10 PEOPLE THINK THEIR DIET IS HEALTHIER THAN IT REALLY IS? According to a new study, almost everyone thinks their diet is far healthier than it actually is. In fact, of the nearly 10,000 people researchers looked at, only 15 percent could accurately tell how healthy their diet was. Interestingly, those with the worst diets had the best idea of how unhealthy it was. (1)(2)
Researchers said the difference between the ideal healthy diet and what people were actually eating was typically a lack of whole grains, greens, legumes, seafood, and plant-based protein, and too much sodium and saturated fat.
How can this be? Many people overestimate the quality and quantity of their food. They also are unsure of what is actually healthy and what is claimed to be healthy.
So, what is actually considered a Healthy diet for most adults? Here are some helpful tips to ensure you are eating a healthy diet.
EAT DAILY
Fruits & Veggies: Consuming at least 4-5 servings of whole fruit and vegetables daily. Make sure to eat the RAINBOW because not one fruit or vegetable provides all the nutrients you need.
Legumes: Consume up to 1 cup or less of legumes daily (like lentils and beans).
Healthy Fats: Consume healthy fats (like nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, and avocado oil.) The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends eating around 20 % to 35 % of your total daily calories in the form of healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats.
Whole Grains: Consume at least 6 oz of whole grains daily (like rolled oats, millet, barley, buckwheat, whole wheat, and brown rice).
Lean Protein: Consume various protein sources such as seafood, lean meats and poultry, and eggs, including the legumes, nuts, and seeds from earlier.
Omega 3s: Eat more Omega 3s Fatty Acids. Consume Your body doesn’t produce fatty acids; researchers recommend that healthy people consume 500 milligrams of EPA plus DHA daily. Excellent sources are fatty fish like salmon, anchovies, sardines, Atlantic mackerel, cod, herring, lake trout, tuna, oysters, seaweed, walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, and hemp seeds.
HYDRATE! Make sure you are consuming 8 glasses daily, or at least a minimum of 6 glasses. This includes fluids from water, beverages like teas and juice, and from food. BUT remember, you may need more water if you are working out or out in the heat. Bonus tip, eat more cucumbers, watermelon, celery, watercress, apples, tomatoes, peaches, zucchini, and lettuce, as these foods are very high in water. Not to mention you will also get your fruit and veggies servings in as well.
AND STAY ACTIVE! Making sure you are being active and moving more. Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can be as simple as walking, standing, or moving around more. Did you know that a new study by Simon Fraser University reveals that sitting six to eight hours a day at a desk increases the risk of early death and heart disease? Researchers studied 100,000 people and found those who sit for more than eight hours a day have a 20% higher risk of early death and heart disease. (3)
REDUCE OR ELIMINATE
Reduce Sugar Consumption; start slowly reducing or eliminating sugars added to foods you buy, sugary drinks by the manufacturer, or specialty coffee drinks, cane juice, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit nectars, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, brown sugar, sucrose. As well as sugars naturally present in honey, maple syrup, molasses, raw sugar, fruit juices, and fruit juice concentrates. Even though those are natural sugars and best to use, moderation and reduction is the key. Need help reducing sugar in your diet? I have a FREE 7-day Sugar detox that helps educate you on the hidden sugars you might be unaware of and will help you reduce cravings.
Less Processed Foods, Saturated Fats, and Trans-fats. Start reducing consumption of fatty meat, butter, palm and coconut oil, cream cheese, ghee, lard, baked and fried foods, and pre-packaged snacks and foods, such as frozen pizza, pies, cookies, biscuits, wafers, and cooking oils, spreads, and particular high-fat dairy foods. (4).
Reduce sodium consumption. Less than 5 g of salt (equivalent to about one teaspoon) per day (8). Salt should be iodized. Be careful when consuming processed foods as they are high in sodium, ready-to-eat meals, processed meats (such as bacon, ham, and salami; cheese; and salty snacks), or from eating out.
Remember when eating to be more mindful of the quality of your food. Think to yourself, How close is it to a whole food?
The bottom line is to slowly start incorporating more foods you should eat daily and slowly reduce the ones to eliminate. This will help ease you into better health habits and make it a part of your daily routine.
If you need guidance with your nutrition or healthy habits, I can HELP! I am here for all your Health, Wellness, & Fitness goals.
Did you know that there are actually 6 dimensions of stress that can appear in your life? Yep, you read that right. SIX!
Stress can come out of nowhere when you least expect it, and when stress gets out of control, every time you make a move, it keeps smacking you down.
This is why it’s SO IMPORTANT to have a plan to manage stress before it manages you.
Because when stress is in control, you feel out of control, and reaching your goals is tough. It can affect your sleep, recovery, appetite, hormones, relationships, performance, and so much more! Stress is cumulative like a snowball. One type of stressor can affect another, compounding, getting bigger, and picking up speed.
Since most of us deal with more than one kind of stress at a time, you can see how it adds up to take a toll on your health!
So what are the 6 dimensions of Stress? Here is a list to see how stress can appear in your life:
Physical stress: bad night of sleep, being sick or an illness, injury, being dehydrated, calorie or nutrient deficient, overtraining, or hungry.
Mental stress: rough day at work, too many decisions to make (decision fatigue), multitasking or task switching, anxiety, overwhelmed.
Emotional stress: the feeling of guilt, grief, anger, hate, frustration, shame, fear, or mood disorders (such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Emotional stressors can be particularly challenging because we feel them in our body, mind, and soul.
Social stress: disagreements with others, feeling lonely, neglected, abandoned, harmed, harassed, bullied, lack of community, or rejected by others
Existential stress: feeling hopeless, wondering what it all means, not feeling in control, identity transitions, or not meeting expectations.
Environmental stress: loud noises, unsafe surroundings, hot or cold temperatures, stuck in traffic, dark or light, disease or pandemic, chaos, climate change, and pollution or smells.
Creating a healthy lifestyle and habits can help you prevent and manage those stressors, so you can become more resilient and even stop stress from getting in the way of your life.
PLUS BONUS, the same steps that help you manage stress will also move you CLOSER to your health and wellness goals.
That means finding ways to:
Get enough sleep
Move your body during the day
Eat a healthy and balanced diet
Work on more recovery and self-care
Practice stress management techniques that work with you (meditation, prayer, journaling, yoga, pause more, breathing exercises, etc.)
Your challenge, if you accept, is to start focusing on the things you can control or have some control over. Slowly start implementing better healthy habits and mindset so that you can take back control of your life and not let stress control you. Go ahead and make yourself a PRIORITY Today!
Need help working on your healthy habits and mindset to reduce your stressors and improve your health and well-being? I can HELP! Book a FREE 15min call NOW to see how or ask away any questions you may have!
Whole Foods play a major role in a healthy diet, and they also contain nutrients that can help with knee pain.
It is important to beat inflammation wherever possible for optimal joint function. Inflammation is the primary source of cartilage breakdown.
Here is a list of whole foods and items to incorporate into a daily routine to help with knee pain or arthritis symptoms.
Legumes (Beans, Peas, & Peanut) Legumes, like Lentils, haveanti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, because collagen is a protein, the protein content of legumes is helpful in replenishing the collagen necessary to rebuild cartilage. (1)
Vitamin C Abundant Foods (Oranges or other citrus, kiwis, red peppers, kale, and strawberries) Vitamin C promotes the building of collagen, which is one of the primary components of cartilage.
Pomegranates-The pomegranate fruit is great for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Green Tea- Green tea has many health benefits. One thing is the compounds in green tea, like catechins and polyphenols, help with other conditions and may also be important in protecting and restoring cartilage.
Turmeric-This spice has long been used in herbal and traditional medicine and is also known for its anti-inflammatory.
Avocados- are high in anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat, and they are also a good source of Vitamin E, which has anti-inflammatory effects. Eating a diet high in these compounds has been linked to a decreased risk of joint damage. (2)
Brown Rice- Brown ricemay aid the body in the production of hyaluronic acid. This substance acts to lubricate joints and as a shock absorber.
Antioxidants (Berries, Grapes, Greens, Beets, etc) – Foods high in antioxidants helpsupport the immune system and fight inflammation.
Vitamin A& K (Leafy Greens & Green Veggies)- is essential for bone and joint health. Foods high in Vitamin A & K help reduce inflammation and protect cells from free radical damage from attacking the joint.
Nuts (especially Brazil Nuts & Almonds) are excellent sources of magnesium which helps your body absorb hyaluronic acid from your food.
Omega 3 (Fish Oil , Fatty Fish like Salmon or Tuna, or Flaxseed, or Chia Seeds) Omega-3s help the body respond to inflammation by interfering with certain cells. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish can help stop inflammation before it damages the joints.View more foods that are High in Omega 3’s in myOmega 3 Blog
Cruciferous vegetables (Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, and Cauliflower)- These vegetables containsulforaphane and glucosinate, which can block the inflammatory process and slow down cartilage damage.
STAY HYDRATED! Proper hydration can help reduce pain and protect your joints and muscles by keeping the cartilage soft and pliable. Dehydration pulls fluid out of your tissues, which causes overall body aches and pains. Make sure to drink a minimum of 64 oz of water (more if you are outside or exercising) and even hit more watermelon to keep you hydrated! 🍉
Yet another reason to make sure you are eating a healthy whole foods diet daily.
FOODS TO AVOID
Did you know that eating or drinking certain foods can make your knee pain worse, especially if you have inflammation or arthritis?
Eliminating certain foods and beverages may reduce symptom severity with inflammation, especially within people who suffer from arthritis, and will also improve their overall quality of life.
Here are foods to avoid that can worsen knee pain or arthritis:
Processed and Added Sugars. You know you need to reduce your sugar for many health problems and weight gain, but sugar can also trigger the release of cells that can increase inflammation.
Transfats and saturated fats. Transfats can be found easily in a lot of processed foods and fried foods, margarine, and shortening. Saturated fats can be found in red meats, full-fat dairy, butter, ice cream, cured meats, biscuits, and fatty meats. These fats can trigger inflammation and worsen knee pain, especially in arthritis.
Processed Meats and Red Meats. Research has shown that processed meats and red meats are linked to inflammation, which may increase arthritis symptoms.
Highly Processed Foods. Processed foods are contributors to many health issues and obesity, but they also have inflammatory ingredients, which may worsen arthritis symptoms. This applies to fast foods, chips, baked goods, sugary cereals, commercial baked goods and bread, candy, soft drinks, hot dogs, and frozen dinners.
Alcohol. Alcohol may worsen arthritis symptoms as it depletes your body water and nutrients, increasing inflammation, and it might also interact with pain-reducing medication. Try reducing consumption or avoiding it.
Omega 6 from Certain Vegetable Oils. A healthy diet has essential fatty acids of Omega 3 & 6, but there are a few Omega 6 you might want to avoid with knee pain and arthritis corn, canola, and sunflower oils as they might boost the production of inflammatory chemicals and may worsen symptoms. (1)
High Salt Foods. We discussed why you should hydrate to protect your knees; consuming too much salt can worsen joint swelling. (2)
As you see, most of the foods above to avoid are also on a list of items you should reduce in a healthy diet.
If you eat a lot of the foods above, don’t try eliminating them all at once, try slowly reducing consumption at first, and then slowly eliminate them.
The bottom line is if you have arthritis or knee pain, a healthy diet and lifestyle may help improve your symptoms and help improve the quality of your life.
Looking to knock out knee pain and gain mobility? Sign up for my 21-Day Knee Pain Solution program!
We all have experienced some knee pain or injury at one point in our life or are experiencing arthritis are our knees.
Did you know that your knees absorb a huge amount of pressure and weight with every step, which is typically one-and-a-half times your body weight? Wow, your knees are the biggest and strongest joints in your body.
Our knees are the one body part that doesn’t get any love (let’s face they are not pretty) and the one we abuse the most even with our daily routines like walking, going upstairs, carrying heavy items….then throw in overuse, running/jogging, lifting heavy, doing HIIT with jumping, and not strengthen muscles around nor working on flexibility moves.
Let’s talk more about the many options of low-impact knee-friendly cardiovascular exercises to keep you active.
Many people suffering from knee pain may not be exercising properly or not exercising at all.
When you have a knee injury or arthritis, many people have an assumption that doing knee-friendly low-impact exercises will not give them a fat-burning or a high-intensity cardio workout. This way of thinking discourages people from working out altogether and is likely to cause further injury.
The truth of the matter is you can find a number of ways to get a good cardio workout without causing additional pain or damage to your knees. This will keep you active and healthy and help you keep reaching your goals.
Walking. Walking is an easy and free form of aerobic exercise you can perform daily. Just walking for 20-30 minutes a day can offer numerous health benefits to people of all ages and fitness levels. If you wish to advance your walking, try walking a little fast and pumping your hands back and forth. Always make sure that you wear shoes that give you good support and that are not expired past their mileage. Also, do not forget to stretch before beginning your walk and after. Want to read more about all the great benefits of just walking? Read more on my blog,Walking into Surprising Benefits
Recumbent Bike Using a recumbent bike is nicer on the knees since it takes weight load off as you are sitting and at a better angle for petaling than a regular bike or spin bike.These bikes are more stable and comfortable, so they’re a better option for people with balance or mobility issues. They also strengthen the muscles without strain on your knee.
Swimming or Pool Exercises like Water Aerobics. Swimming is actually one of the best forms of exercise for people with knee problems. You can burn a lot of calories quickly and work all of your muscles at once as well. Just be sure to avoid kicks that place stress on your knees, and don’t push off from the wall. Try also walking in the water, freestyle or the backstroke, or water aerobic class.
Elliptical Machine. When you are at the gym, go for the Ellipticals.You can burn the same amount of calories on an elliptical machine as if jogging but with far less impact. Since your feet remain on the pedals, you’re far less likely to injure yourself. You’ll also get your heart rate up, making you work up a sweat! (1)
What to AVOID: running, jogging, jumping, stair climbing, walking up on high inclines, kickboxing, and high-impact aerobics.
As you can see, you do have options to get in a good cardio workout and work up in that fat-burning zone. Knee pain is challenging for anyone to endure, but with modifications, you can tailor workouts to your body’s needs.
What cardio exercises do you perform when you have knee pain?
Knee-Friendly Strength Training
We talked about knee-friendly cardio exercises, now, let’s talk about a few knee-friendly strength exercises you can do in your weekly routine.
Why should I strength train if I have knee pain or arthritis? I know that is what you are thinking, but strength training can enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Strength training can also protect your joints from injury and build the muscles around your knee for support. Building muscle also can contribute to better balance and may reduce your risk of falls. This can help you maintain independence as you age.
AND girls, the more muscle you gain, the more calories you burn at rest….not to mention it transforms your body in a good way.
I know you are worried that working out could cause more knee damage or pain, right? As long as you get the clearance from your doctor, then you are good to go. Besides, the best thing you can do is to strengthen the muscles that support your knee and keep them lubricated and flexible.
Just make sure you start slowly and build up over time. Try starting bodyweight first and always stop if you feel uncomfortable or in pain.
Below are exercises you can start trying in lieu of squats or lunges.
Warm-up.
Always warm-up 1st for 3min. This can be walking, cycling, or doing dynamic stretches like leg swings, arm hugs, windmills, etc.
Below are a few lower body exercises that will help you work the all-important knee-supporting muscles in a low-impact way.
Wall Sit. Start with your back against a wall with your feet shoulder-width and about 2 feet from the wall. Make sure to engage your abs and slowly slide your back down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the ground or you feel comfortable. You do not have to go down too far. Do make sure your knees are not going over your toes. Hold for 10, 20, or 30 secs.
Dumbell, Mini Band, or Bodyweight Deadlift. Stand and hold two dumbbells with palms facing in. Keep your back straight and knees softened, not locked; hip hinge bending your body at your waist and lower down to the floor with weights in front of you. If down bodyweight, place your hand in front and touch the floor or put your hands lightly behind your head. Then straighten up while still holding the dumbbells at arm’s length. Make sure you are not doing a squat (keep legs straight with a soft bend). *You can also use a mini-band by the one end under your feet and grab the other end with your hands coming up and back.
Mini Band Moster Walk. Start by placing mini bands around your calves or above ankles on both feet. Soften your knees, and step one foot out to the side, then slowly step your opposite foot in the same direction. Keep an upright posture and try to avoid dragging your feet. And Repeat on the other side.
Glute Bridge. Lie on your back. 2) Squeeze your glutes and lift your hips off the floor as high as you can go. Keep your tummy tight throughout and then slowly lower. To focus more on the glutes, then your toes off the floor and have only heels on the floor. You can also advance this move by doing single-leg going up at a time.
Glute Kickbacks standing. Stand up and grab the wall or chair for support and keep your body and back straight Slowly kick one leg back out, keeping your glute engaged, and then slowly lower your leg back at starting position. Try not to lean back or forward. To advance this move, add a mini band above your ankles.
Lying leg raise. Get on the floor, lying down on a mat with your back flat on the ground and your legs extended in front of you. Keep your core engaged, especially when you’re lifting your feet up off the floor but also while they’re returning and getting close to the ground again. Place your hands on your sides with your palms down. As you keep your legs extended, straight as possible, raise your legs until they make a 90-degree angle with the floor. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement and hold the contraction at the top for a second. As you inhale, slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position. You can also do this single leg instead of both.
Lying Hip Abduction. Lay down on your side with your elbow supporting your head and your feet out straight. Then slowly raise the top leg- foot up towards the ceiling, without rocking your body forwards or backward, and then come back down.
Dumbell or Bodyweight Calf Raises. Stand up straight with a soft bend in the knees, then push through the balls of your feet and raise your heel until you are standing on your toes. Then lower slowly back to the start. You can do this off the floor or from the bottom of the stairs.
Dumbell Farmers Walk. Stand upright, holding dumbbells with your arms straight by your sides. Then walk forward as far as you can while holding the dumbbell for a given distance, typically 50-100 feet, as fast as possible and then back to starting position.
Foam Roller Or Pillow Leg Extension. Lay down on the floor with a foam roller, firm pillow, or rolled-up towel placed under your knee. Then lift your leg up and lower back down. Make sure that your leg from knee to hip is not moving, only your leg from your knee to ankles is moving up. It is s slight movement.
And of course, you can perform a large variety of upper body exercises standing or sitting, and core exercises with no problem.
What to AVOID with knee injuries, pain, or arthritis: squats (especially weighted), lunges, machine leg extensions, and any jumping HIIT exercise.
*Make sure always to stretch afterward AND incorporate a day just as a stretching day.
*As always, it is important to get clearance from your doctor or physical therapist for any kind of physical activity
Looking to knock out knee pain and gain mobility? Sign up for my 21-Day Knee Pain Solution program!
We all know breathing is essential, but did you know there are many positive health benefits to breathing deeply and slowly?
Breathing is probably something you don’t think about much. We breathe about 22,000-25,000 times a day. Our bodies are powered by breathing. Your lungs fuel your body with oxygen, which is our body’s life-sustaining gas. The job of our lungs is to breathe in air, then remove the oxygen and pass it through our bloodstream, where it’s carried off to the tissues and organs that allow us to walk, talk, and move (1)
But I bet you didn’t realize that you hold your breath involuntarily at times throughout the day or week. Start trying to be mindful more of your breathing and see when you might hold your breath at times during the day. It could be from concentrating hard, being stressed, or being mad. Now pay attention to your natural breathing. Is it shallow, erratic, or irregular? Paying more attention to how you’re breathing can significantly impact your stress levels.
Step in Breathing Practices. Focusing on practicing deep breathing or breathing exercises and/or meditation daily can help you feel calmer, centered, focused, and less anxious or irritable.
You might be surprised that it can even help reduce blood pressure. Ever notice if you are at a doctor’s office, your blood pressure might be higher than normal due to stress or anxiety of being there? Try doing some deep breathing exercises while waiting in the doctor’s office or before, as this will help control your blood pressure by relaxing the nerve signals that coordinate heart function, blood vessel tension, and the “fight-or-flight” response in stressful situations (2)
For Seniors, it can also reduce chronic pain, strengthen cognitive skills, boost memory, improve your immune system, and improve mental health. You can read more in RetireGuide about how meditation can help you in your midlife and beyond to improve healthy aging. (3)
When you start practicing meditation breathing, it can help quiet the busy mind and also helps when your brain gets stuck in an unproductive thought loop and helps lengthens your attention span.
And it’s also an excellent tool for becoming more RESILIENT and enhances self-awareness which helps you become stronger and grow as a person, along with being able to roll with life’s changes without skipping a beat.
I practice this with my clients a lot by incorporating meditation breathing or having them focus on breathing exercises while we work on their mindset and healthy habits.
You can practice many breathing exercises and meditations, but the two most popular is to do deep breathing or body scans. These two are SIMPLE and nothing too out there.
Your challenge is to try a breathing exercise or meditation EVERY DAY.
BASIC BREATHING MEDITATION
Sit comfortably on a stable surface – inside or outside. Even lay down if you feel more comfortable.
Relax your body to release any tension you are feeling.
Let your hands drop naturally to your lap and relax/soften your shoulders.
Drop your chin slightly and close your eyes.
Clear your mind of racing thoughts, todos, or worries, and focus on your breath and the here and now.
Inhale S-L-O-W-L-Y through your nose for 4 counts.
HOLD your breath for 4 counts.
Exhale S-L-O-W-L-Y through your nose for 4 counts. (your mouth should be closed or slightly open)
Hold your breath for 4 counts.
Continue for a total of 4 TIMES, focusing on your breath.
You can go a little more deeply into the breathing by switching up and practicing alternate nostril breathing, coherent breathing, lion breathing, tapping, and much more.
BODY SCAN MEDITATION
Sit comfortably on a stable surface – inside or outside. Even lay down if you feel more comfortable.
Relax your body to release any tension you are feeling.
Let your hands drop naturally to your lap and relax/soften your shoulders.
Drop your chin slightly and close your eyes.
Clear your mind of any racing thoughts, todos or worries, and just focus on your breath and the here and now.
Focus on your breathing. Notice the sensation of your breath filling and leaving your lungs as you inhale and exhale. Notice how you are breathing.
Now move your attention to whatever body part you want to investigate. You can start scanning your body from bottom to top or wherever you want to start.
Scan your entire body. Open your awareness to sensations of pain, tension, discomfort, or anything out of the ordinary.
If you notice your thoughts bouncing or wandering around, just let them pass and don’t hang on to them. And return your focus to your breathing.
As you scan, notice how you feel and where you might be holding your stress. If there’s any tightness, pain, or pressure, continue to breathe into any tension you’re feeling. This can help you release tension in your body and be more aware of it in the future.
Focus on that spot you are feeling stress, pain, or tension, and then visualize the pain, stress, discomfort, or tension leaving your body through your breath and evaporating into the air.
Move on when you feel ready to the next spot.
After you have scanned your entire body, continue with a few full deep breaths in and out. And relax your entire body.
Slowly release your focus and bring your attention back to your surroundings.
You can find many great guided meditations to help you with your free or low-cost practice, with many types to try. I also have meditations within the Wellness app I use in my Holistic Wellness coaching.
If you’re having difficulty getting into the meditation zone or sitting still and practicing breathing, try doing a walking meditation. This is something I do and call my walking therapy.
Wear comfy shoes & leave your phone if you can.
Here’s how to do it:
Start walking comfortably; it doesn’t have to be a race. As you are walking, try doing the followings:
Spend 1 minute focusing on the feeling of your body moving
Take in a deep breath in and out.
Then 1-minute, focus on the air, wind, and sunlight on your skin. How great it feels
Take in a deep breath in and out.
Then 1 minute focusing on what you hear (birding chirping, etc)
Take in a deep breath in and out.
Then 1 minute focusing on what you see (explore the scenery and nature)
Take in a deep breath in and out.
The idea is to focus on specific things so that you’re not focusing on your thoughts but on what you are doing and experiencing. This helps you be more mindful and able to PAUSE.
The bottom line is that focusing on breathing by doing breathing exercises or meditation breathing can improve your mental, physical, and emotional health. It only takes a few minutes out of your day to reap the amazing benefits.
If you feel like you need help improving your mindset or healthy habits, I can HELP! Book a FREE Success Call TODAY to find out more or ask any questions!
Are you incorporating iron boosting plant foods into your diet? Did you know that there are many other foods you can eat besides meat or other animal products that are high in iron?
As a plant-eater myself, I get asked many times how do you get your iron intake?
Believe it or not, there are tons of delicious iron-rich plant foods that you can incorporate when eating a balanced whole foods diet.
We all know that Iron is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in many bodily functions, but how much Iron should we consume? The recommended daily value (%DV) for iron is 18mg per day. Most adults only need 8-18mg, women, during pregnancy, iron needs increase to 27 mg daily. However, plant-based eaters should aim to consume 15-32mg per day due to nonheme iron is not as easily absorbed (1) AND besides plant-based eaters need more iron daily, and so do Athletes, even more, if you are a Woman Athlete. WHY? It is because iron is lost through sweat, skin, urine, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and menstruation. Did you know that Workouts or Exercise, particularly high intensity (HIIT) and Endurance types, increase the loss of iron by as much as 70% when compared to sedentary populations? (2)
Below is a helpful list of plant foods you can incorporate into eating to boost your daily iron intake.
Tofu, Tempeh, or Soybeans – Soybeans and foods derived from soybeans like tofu and tempeh are packed with iron. Soybeans contain around 8.8 mg of it per cup or 49% of the RDI. Tofu and tempeh offer 3–3.6 mg of iron for 6oz.
Lentils & Legumes – Lentils are great iron-rich food, providing 6.6 mg per cup cooked, or 37% of the RDI. Other legumes that are a good source of iron are white, lima, red kidney, black, and navy beans contain 4.4–6.6 mg of iron per cup cooked.
Green Peas and other Peas – Besides green peas containing 2.46 mg of iron per cup, black-eyed peas and chickpeas have the highest iron content than legumes around 4.6–5.2 mg per cup cooked.
Pumpkin Seeds, Sesame, Flaxseed, or Hempseeds are the seeds richest in iron, containing around 1.2–4.2 mg per two tablespoons.
Pistachios have 4.8 mg of iron per cup and are a perfect snack.
Nuts are another great contain source of iron, especially when eaten raw. Nuts like cashews, almonds, pine nuts, and macadamia between 1–1.6 mg of iron per ounce, or around 6–9% of the RDI
Dried Apricots, Dates, or Prunes– Did you know that dried fruits contain more iron than fresh fruits? Why is that? It’s because dried fruits are more concentrated. Dried fruits can range from 2.3mg-4.79mg of iron in 100 grams servings.
Dark leafy greens – Dandelion, collard, kale, spinach, and swiss chard offer 3-6 mg of iron per 150 g serving. Try mixing it with other leafy greens to boost the iron content of a salad even higher.
Brussels sprouts– This amazing cruciferous vegetables offer 2.13 mg of iron per 150 g serving and are also high in calcium.
Potatoes contain significant amounts of iron, which can be mostly found in their skins. A white potato contains 3.2 mg of iron per 1 unpeeled serving. Sweet potatoes contain a little less, around 2.1 mg per 1 unpeeled serving.
Mushrooms -Mushrooms are a good source of iron, especially Oyster, Button, or Chanterelle mushrooms. Ranging from 2.7-4.9mg of iron per 100g serving.
Palm Hearts& Artichokes- Looking for a way to boost your salads for an iron-rich meal? Try adding palm heart or artichokes to your next salad for lunch to dinner packing at 1.8-2.7 mg of iron per 100g serving.
Olives contain a variety of beneficial plant compounds thought to provide several health benefits and also contain around 3.3 mg of iron per 100 grams.
Beets, Beetroot Juice, & Beet Greens. One cup of cooked beets contains around 1.4 mg of iron. While this might not seem like a lot, beets are actually a wonderful source of this essential mineral. They also contain a good amount of vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron, so it’s even more beneficial.
Canned Tomatoes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, & Tomato paste- Canned tomatoes contain 1.57 mg of iron per 1/2 cup, and a 1/2 cup of tomato paste offers 3.9 mg of iron. Sun-dried tomatoes offer you 1.3–2.5 mg per 1/2 cup. However, raw tomatoes contain less iron than canned or sun-dried at 0.5 mg iron per 1/2 cup. Tomatoes are also a great source of vitamin C, which helps increase iron absorption.
Oats, Quinoa, Amaranth- These whole grains are a great source of iron ranging from 2.8-5.4 mg of iron per cup cooked.
Spirulina (Dried Seaweed) is a blue-green algae and not only is it a potent source of nutrients and health benefits but a great source of iron adding up to 2mg per tablespoon.
Dulse-Dulse– is a sea vegetable and is one of the richest plant sources of iron. You will find more iron in 8g of Dulse than in 100g of raw sirloin steak
Dark Chocolate– We all know dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate due to its antioxidants but it is also high in iron containing 3.3 mg per ounce.
Blackstrap molasses-not only is molasses great for baking amazing gingerbread, ginger snaps, or molasses cookies, but it is high in nutrients including iron. It contains around 1.8 mg of iron per two tablespoons.
You can increase your absorption of iron in meals by combining them with foods that are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C will increase the absorption of non-heme iron (plant foods) by as much as 85%. Good sources of vitamin C include peppers, parsley, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kiwi fruits, acerola cherries, blackcurrants, oranges, strawberries, pineapple, grapefruit, and orange juice.
It is an important note to try to reduce drinking caffeine while eating meals as it can reduce iron absorption by 50-90% (3)
Bottom line, besides being a good source of iron, the plant foods listed in this article also happen to contain a variety of other nutrients and beneficial plant compounds. Another reason to make sure you are eating your daily intake of fruits and vegetables is I know many people struggle to get in their recommended intake.
This is a reason to make sure you are eating a balanced whole foods diet of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats in your diet that incorporate iron-rich foods to help you meet your iron requirements but will also likely benefit your overall health.
Please note, before taking iron supplements or if you feel like you do not get enough iron, believe you may be iron deficient or have a history of iron deficiency, always consult with a physician or medicinal professional about strategies for addressing the problem or if you are making changes to your diet.
Weight Bias is a topic that needs to be talked about and not overlooked. It stretches out in our society from the fitness to the medical professionals, social media, and the lack of size-inclusive in gyms to the fashion world.
What is Weight Basis? Weight bias refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, assumptions, judgments, and even discrimination directed toward individuals who have larger bodies. (1)
Today’s society has us feeling like we should be and look a certain way to obtain optimum health and fitness (usually by photos of Thin or Ripped people).
THIS IS INCORRECT! The pressure on our appearance and what we should look like is worse now than ever before. Social media has worsened this aspect, with influencers, celebrities, and health-fitness professionals blasting pics or posts engraving that thought in us and our younger generations. Most of them use filters, poses, and apps to manipulate to look skinner or more toned to even enhance the way they look.
In the times of photoshopping, airbrushing, and photo manipulating apps, our reality has become somewhere distorted, and women are chasing an ideal image that is unhealthy and in some cases, not real.
This has led us as females to unhealthy diets, unhealthy exercise, negative body image, and a negative mindset of ourselves.
People often forget that Marilyn Monroe was considered sexy and beautiful in the 50’s with her extreme natural curves and body fat.
WHY is it that only people with low body fat and lean muscles are the picture of health? I call BS, as I know many Skinny “FAT” and unhealthy lean people. You can be unhealthy or out of shape even if you are muscular or thin.
AND you CAN be healthy in a larger body. You can be stronger with more body fat than a muscular person. You can be SEXY and BEAUTIFUL in a large body.
Healthy and Happy bodies come in different shapes and sizes, not just one size or one look.
It’s time for health, medical, and fitness professionals to WAKE UP and LISTEN.
Listen to your clients or patients before assuming anything based on their size and before creating a program, meal plan, or diagnosis.
Large body individuals should not be put in a one-size-fits-all program or one-size-fits-all workout. NOR should be looked at any different than someone leaner.
Make sure they feel comfortable, safe, and heard in your environment. Make sure your equipment is designed for all shapes and sizes. Make sure your workouts or plans are designed and modified for everyone.
AND remember, just because someone is a larger body or is not lean does not mean they are looking to lose weight, they are not lazy, they are not unhealthy, they are not weak, and they do not eat unhealthy all the time.
Let’s change the weight bias society into a happy nonjudgmental space for all shapes and sizes. AND let’s bring more size inclusivity to the fashion, medical, fitness, and wellness world.
I have special training as a size-inclusive specialist to help you gain your confidence feeling empowered, feel heard, feel sexy in your own skin, and improve your wellness by discovering simple habits that will help you establish the balanced, healthy lifestyle you desire and get stronger mentally and physically.
Erin Wheless Wellness is accessible, weight neutral, body-positive, age empowered and all-inclusive in all programs.
You have been hearing a lot about Adaptogens on social, online, in ready-made mocktails, and in wellness products. But what are adaptogenic herbs, exactly?
Adaptogens are plants, mushrooms, or herbs designed to increase your body’s ability to adjust to physical, chemical, or biological stresses. So what does that mean? It means that adaptogens help your body to “adapt” to external stressors that can impact your health. They’re thought to stimulate your body’s stress-protection response, and it helps your system return to a balanced state. Adaptogens also can maintain or normalize metabolic functions, improve energy levels and restore systemic equilibrium.
The great thing about Adaptogens is you get that “ZEN” state without chemicals, alcohol, or drugs. Below is a list of a few Adaptogens:
Ashwagandha–This shrub grows in India, the Middle East, and the regions of Africa. It has been used to help against aging, anxiety and relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration. It has calming properties instead of a stimulating effect. It is also known to help increase athletic performance, testosterone levels, and muscle strength. *People with hyperthyroidism should avoid taking this adaptogen. (1)
Tulsi (aka holy basil)-Sometimes called “the queen of herbs,” this fragrant plant comes from India and grows in other areas of Asia. Holy basil is often used in Thai food. It is a medicinal herb used for everything from coughs or colds, combat adverse effects of stress, stabilize blood sugar levels, promote longevity, antimicrobial, and treats scorpion bites. (2)
Ginseng-You might already be familiar with this popular herb. It has potent antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and boost your immune system, along with other great benefits. BUT is also an adaptogen. Did you know that there are many different kinds of Ginsengs? You will find American ginseng, Asian ginseng, Korean red ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and more. These are Panax ginseng, considered an adaptogen that enhances physical performance, promotes vitality, resists stress and aging. (3, 4) *Ginseng should not be taken for long periods.
Rhodiola rosea L-This shrub grows in arctic and mountainous parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is known as “golden root” or “arctic root”. This plant is a stimulant used to reduce mild anxiety, depression, anti-aging, promote good health, strength, endurance, and reduce fatigue due to stress.
Astragalus-This plant has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. This root is usually used along with other herbs to treat problems like hay fever and boost your immune system while increasing stamina and strength. Side effects may include fatigue, headache and low blood pressure. Astragalus can interfere with drugs that suppress the immune system.
Cordyceps-This is a fungus that grows on caterpillar larvae in China. The fungus is hard to cultivate, so the cordyceps found in dietary supplements can be grown in a laboratory. In lab tests, cordyceps has been known to help stimulate immune system cells and has calming effects. * You should avoid taking cordyceps if you’re on blood-thinning medications, because it can cause bleeding issues,.
Reishi mushroom-This Asian mushroom has been used to help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and lessen fatigue. It can also help stimulate the immune system and may also assist in strengthening adrenal gland function to reduce stress. You probably have seen numerous reishi mushroom or mushroom coffee alternatives, lattes, and teas for a healthier pick me up. *Avoid taking reishi mushrooms if you are on blood thinners or are immunocompromised.
Shitaki Mushroom-The Shitaki mushroom is probably one of the only adaptogenic mushrooms that you can find in your local market. This mushroom is also a rich source of Vitamin D, Zinc, and essential B vitamins, and they have been shown to boost the immune system. The Skitaki is one of the adaptogenic mushrooms that can have health benefits such as improved brain function, energy, balance hormones, and improved immune system.
Lion’s Mane-This Asian mushroom has been known to help cognitive and brain health, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, reduce anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms. There have been studies that it could protect against dementia (4)
Maca-This root from Peru is a caffeine-free, plant-based superfood and a nutritional powerhouse that has become popular. You can find it added in almost any kind of health food from protein powders, superfood powders, coffee alternatives, and even chocolate. Maca root can contribute to balancing hormone levels, relieve symptoms of menopause, improving mood & energy levels, and support a healthy libido. (5)
Schisandra & Schisandra Berry : This herb is most helpful in promoting liver health, stabilizing blood sugars, protecting the nervous system against stress, anti-inflammatory, helping re-energize the body as well as acting as an adaptogen. The berries are sweet, tart, salty, spicy, and bitter.
Goji Berry-This berry is known as a superfood and many people like to add it in their smoothies, oats, bars, or teas. The goji berry boosts energy and physical and mental performance, gives a calmness and a sense of well-being, immunity booster, and improves sleep. It is considered an adaptogen, which helps to manage your body’s hormonal response to stress.
Licorice root “Sweet Root”– is a popular adaptogen used in Chinese medicine to help the body adapt to stress, supports the endocrine system, and helps soothe and support the adrenal glands regulating the cortisol levels in the body. It supports estrogen and testosterone levels in the body and supports female hormonal systems. Licorice Root benefits the digestive system as a whole.
The bottom line is you can use adaptogens in your routine for a few days or weeks to get through a stressful or busy time, or on days you feel worn down. Try rotating the type of adaptogen in your routine every few months so that your body can benefit from the subtle differences among herbs. Remember that adaptogens aren’t a cure-all or a substitute, and some, just like any supplement or herbs, are not approved by the FDA.
*Always remember to talk to your doctor before trying an adaptogen product or any new supplement, especially if you have a health condition or take any medications. Your doctor will let you know if it could affect your health or interact with the medicines you take.
Did you know that not wearing the correct shoes can affect your entire body and overall health? Yep, that’s right….you read that correctly. It’s crazy to think that shoes can play such an important role in your health, wellness, and fitness.
Wearing the incorrect shoes, not having insoles for your arch support, and even wearing worn or older shoes can also contribute to the health problems of your legs, knees, hips, IT band, back, neck, and stability. Not to mention you are more likely to be prone to injuries if you wear improper shoes when staying active, walking, running or jogging, working out, or even standing on your feet a lot. (1)
Most people are unaware that they should replace their shoes every few months, depending on how active you are or when you have reached the following:
The outer sole is worn or worn down
You’ve reached 300 to 400 miles of running or walking in your current pair (even if your shoe looks good and are not worn, because most shoes lose their impact protection, support, and cushion after they have reached the 500 max miles )
It is essential when choosing a new pair of shoes, is to make sure that they are helping to keep your body aligned, are best for your arch type, type of gait (how you walk), have a good amount of cushion, fit correctly, and is not too tight.
Why are all those critical in buying a shoe v/s buying a shoe for the lowest price and style? When we choose fashion over a good supporting shoe for our body and foot type, we are choosing to inherit tons of ailments and become prone to injuries.
Finding the correct and perfect shoe just for you can help align your body, increase your stability, relieve pain, and improve your performance.
Make sure when looking for a shoe that you consider the following:
Width-Always measure and make sure you get a shoe that fits the width of your foot, not too loose or too tight. Shoes too narrow or too wide can lead to painful blisters and calluses.
A Toe Box is important to consider. You want to make sure to have plenty of space for the toes and be able to wiggle. Leaving a roomy space and not too tight helps prevent calluses, bunions, and hammertoes. (2)
Heel-Choose a shoe with a heel collar that cushions the ankle and ensures a proper fit.
Midsole-Make sure you choose a shoe with a good cushion at the midsole that will help cushion and reduce impact when your foot strikes the ground.
Orthotic Insoles-Choosing an insole can help cushion and support your foot and arch. Orthotic insoles can be a game-changer as they are engineered with unique features that improve mobility, enhance comfort and help relieve foot pain. Removable insoles can be laundered or taken out to dry between walking sessions.
Arches-Your arches are not all created equally. Everyone’s arches are not normal arch as many are born with structural issues, such as high arches and flat feet, which means they need added support. Not wearing supportive footwear when you have abnormal arches can cause a lot of symptoms to set in, such as pain in the feet and lower legs. This is where having the correct shoes come inhandy. *Unsure on which arch you have? Try the paper-water test. Take a piece of paper and put it on the floor. Then wet your feet and walk over the paper. Look at the shape of your foot. If you see the top and bottom of your foot and not much in the middle, you have high arches. If your whole foot shows no curve in the middle, you have flat feet. If you can see your entire foot and a slight curve in the middle, you have a normal arch.
Foot Support-A good supporting shoe will provide your body with the support you need. Whenever you take a step forward, your ankles, knees, hips, and back rely on your feet for proper balance. If you wear improper and unsupportive shoes, it can negatively impact your joints and affect your body’s balance when you stand. So it is vital to make sure to have shoes that provide cushions and good support. Ankle support is also a must as it limits the side-to-side movement that knocks your ankle out of alignment.
Your Gait Pattern(how you walk) is very important to know. It is good to know if you have neutral pronation (which is when your foot comes in complete contact with the ground, rolling inward about 15 percent to absorb shock). Or do you tend to underpronate (which is when the outer part of your heel hits the ground first, and your foot rolls inward just a little or do you tend to overpronate (which is when your foot rolls inward more than 15 percent.) Overpronation can cause stability issues with your foot and ankle, so it is important to know how to correct it with the correct shoes and insoles.
This is all great to know, but how can you figure out what kind of arches, gait, and support you need in a shoe if you are unsure what you are currently dealing with? The best way to find out all this and which shoe would be best for you is to go to a specialty store like Fleet Feet. Speciality stores shoes like Fleet Feet can do a 3D scan of your foot to find your arch and more details on your size, width, etc. They also have you walk to figure out your gait so they can recommend the correct shoes for you.
The bottom line, happy feet lead to a happy body and a happy life. They can also improve your performance in reaching your wellness and fitness goals. So, go show your feet some love and take care of your body.
