Successful Weight Loss, Part 2

Hello! Last week we looked at the first possible road block to your weight loss success- tired adrenal glands. I'll repeat the simple home test here, from last week's article: Get close to a mirror and shine a flashlight (a bit from the side and not directly from the front) on one eye. You'll see your pupil, the black spot in the middle, get smaller from the light exposure. Count the number of seconds it takes until your pupil can't hold that contraction any more and begins to open and close. If it's less than 30 seconds, your adrenal glands are stressed and could be a factor in your inability to lose weight.

If you flunked that test, here are some things you can do to strengthen your adrenals and take this weight loss road block out of the way. Warning! Some of these suggestions are not easy... they require lifestyle alterations. But, no pill (medicine OR supplement) can take the place of these lifestyle basics.

First, it's critical to get a good night's sleep. This involves both quantity and quality of sleep. As for quantity, seven hours of sleep is a bare minimum, and eight is even better. To get a good quality sleep, here's what to do:

Get off the computer an hour before bedtime. Rediscover reading a relaxing book, listening to music or conversing with your sweetie. (For adults only... making love is also therapeutic.) No watching violence or negativity within 2 hours of bedtime (this includes the news). In fact, some people who have more sensitive nervous systems (and you know who you are!) should avoid this all the time. If you have a wireless router in your home, turn it off an hour before bedtime. Be sure all electromagnetic fields are far enough away from your bed. Heavy emitters, like your TV, computer, cordless phone, and recharging cell phone, should be 8 feet away from any part of your bed. (It's ok to have a cell phone next to you, if it's not plugged in recharging.) 

Lighter emitters, like clocks, radios, or fans should be 3-4 feet from any part of your bed. If you use an electric blanket, it's ok to turn it on to warm up the bed before you get in, but be sure it's turned off when you do get into bed. If you're on a second story, be sure your bed is not over any of these electromagnetic devices in the room below you. Make sure your room is very dark. If there's light from windows or digital displays, this can interfere with your production of melatonin, which helps you to sleep soundly and has anti-aging properties to boot.

OK, that was tough, I know! Now, I'm going to bring up another potentially sore subject- exercise. To keep your adrenal glands in good shape and to rebuild their strength if they're depleted, the proper exercise is another essential. It's important to exercise at a minimum of 3 times a week for 30 minutes a stretch. Additionally, it's important to do 10-15 minutes of exercise at the end of every day, to help release tension. A simple walk will do. The best way to make exercise a habit is to choose something you enjoy doing. Ride a bike, play tennis, take a nice walk, or challenge your family to a fitness game on Wii. The purpose here is to de-stress, so your exercise should not be a chore OR be more strenuous than you can comfortably handle.

In addition to these lifestyle basics, massage and acupuncture can help. We offer both of these services at Natural Health Solutions for a reasonable price. Call our office for details.

I warned you that the cure for adrenal depletion wasn't easy! But, neglecting these above habits is what wiped out your adrenal energy in the first place. Believe it or not, the world will actually continue to turn if you take time for yourself to sleep and exercise every day. In fact, you'll feel better and be so much more productive that you won't miss that time at all. Good luck! 

Tune in next week when I address the next roadblock to weight loss success- a sluggish thyroid. 

Feel free to forward these articles to anyone who might be interested. They are welcome to subscribe to our newsletters also, whether they are patients at Natural Health Solutions or not.

Wishing you the best, 
Debra MacIntyre, ND
Founder of Natural Health Solutions

Contact Natural Health Solutions today at 770-817-8028  or via email at merle@nature-heals.com to schedule a consultation and begin your path of healing! 

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