Who would have thought that the Bowie song of our youth has now become the anthem of getting old? Yep, every day we are hit with new ignominious changes to our bodies and minds that – let’s face it, just aren’t fair.
These changes are evidenced in our faces, our waistlines and our overall forgetfulness, and are due to metabolic changes – somewhat. Some are genetic, some are hormonal and others point to routine. What I mean is our lifestyle plays a role too, as we unfortunately are not as active as we once were, probably aren’t getting enough sleep, or enough quality sleep, and maybe are having too many glasses of wine or cocktails to “take the edge off”. Overall, though, we are all experiencing unwanted weight gain, low libido and brain fog.
Good news! We can do something about our slowing metabolism that will quickly and effectively speed it up.
For example, intermittent fasting (IF) has been shown to have an increased benefit for menopausal women, when it comes to weight loss and weight maintenance. Typically, an intermittent fast is when you don’t eat for a prescribed amount of time and then eat in a specific window. Anywhere from 12 to 16 hours is considered the best for moderate weight loss. It helps with moderate weight loss, and also has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease, as people on IF diets improved cholesterol, blood sugar and pressure as well as insulin resistance. You may want to give IF a try, however, check with your doctor first, especially if you are diabetic.
Another easy thing to do, is add some sprints to your daily walks. Or add some weights to that same walk. When you add ten minutes of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) to your daily walk in the form of some short sprints, you increase your metabolic rate. If you go for walk with handheld weights you are creating a resistance, which increases your caloric output, helps maintain bone density and revs up your metabolism. Staying active each and every day is so important to maintaining muscle and bone density, so schedule that time to get moving, if only for a short while. It will pay off.
I have been on a regimen myself, which has included IF, weights and sprints, and I am happy to report it is working. This is something that I share in all of my coaching programs. I just had my annual physical and my GP was happy with all my test results, including my cholesterol, although always higher than optimal, and has actually gone down significantly. Woo hoo!
I have been following the Ixcela Internal Fitness program that I promote for gut health, which is so essential to your overall mental and physical wellbeing, and I am happy to report that between eating healthy, exercising and taking my supplements, I feel so much better than I did this time last year. I am waiting for my latest test results and will share them, as I am sure they will indicate how well I am doing.
And as they say, the “proof is in the (tasting of) the pudding” and in looking at recent pictures of myself and checking with a tape measure, I can see that my waistline is decreasing.
And in the area of self-care, I am using a new skincare product, AnnMarie organic skincare, which I am very satisfied with. I have found it to be gentle, soothing, and non-irritating and I like the results that I see. Smoother skin that looks more dewy and refreshed. I encourage you to give it a try – and as you know I don’t share anything I haven’t tried and liked. As a new affiliate for this line, I have a special link where you can try the cleanser, moisturizer and serum for only $19.99, with free shipping.
I am committed to this path of wellness and encourage you to come along with me. I will be at the Natural Awakenings of South Jersey Holistic Health Fair on March 20 and hope to meet you there. I will have information on the Ixcela Internal Fitness program, AnnMarie Skincare line, and of course, my proven wellness coaching system. It is free but register now, so you don’t have to wait in line.