New Year Resolution from Holy Mackerel Health
It is the way of the festive season, we over indulge and tell ourselves we deal with it in the new year. However, if we were to be honest with ourselves it’s not just the festive season, it the winter blues and every other seasonal hurdle that reduces our capacity for self-improvement and change.
As a nutritionist I cannot give advice on how you will achieve financial goals or find the perfect partner. I am able to give you guidance on how you can improve your health and wellbeing. Losing weight is often on the resolution agenda, and the one that tends to be met with poor results. If weight loss is on your resolution agenda I urge you to take a fresh approach and consider nutritional consultation as your key to a healthier and fitter, you.
Diet: This sounds obvious but for most people they are on a merry -go-round of diets that have failed to deliver any results. As a nutritionist I do not believe that there is one diet that fits everyone. It is important to consider the individual and their lifestyle. Nutritional consultation will consider what foods may not be agreeing with you and give you alternatives. Personal preferences should be considered. I never make my clients eat foods they dislike, except for vegetables.
Current diet should be assessed to consider whether there is a relationship between food intake and wellbeing. Considering the possibility that some foods may be aggravating bloating and inflammation.
Insulin resistance is a huge issue for many people losing weight. Supporting blood sugar metabolism is a major treatment goal when supporting weight loss.
Exercise: Another no surprise suggestion! The factor I want you to consider is did the exercise plan work for you? It is common that clients sign up for training routines they just cannot sustain, as they fall off the training bandwagon the motivation wains and no improvements are made. During a nutritional consultation I always encourage exercise to assist weight loss and improve body composition.
Stress: In an effort to try and lose weight the clients levels of stress should be considered. In times of stress our cortisol levels elevate, this can inhibit our efforts to lose weight. Our brain tells the body to hold on to it as it is needed for survival. As part of nutritional management, we focus on reducing stress to improve weight loss efforts.
Hormones: Unfortunately for women our hormones do dominate our body shape. Menopause, hypothyroidism and PCOS can all complicate weight loss for women. Nutritional consultation considers these factors and efforts are given to support hormonal changes during weight loss.
Supplementation: As part of weight loss program nutritional supplementation may be prescribed. Supplementation is usually recommended to improve insulin response, correct deficiencies, reduce symptoms of stress and improve digestion. Supplements that suppress appetite are not part of the program.
Measuring goals: I believe that if clients can measure their progress monthly they can assess if a plan is working for them. If the prescribed diet and supplements are not working changes are made to improve outcomes. Goals are not just weight measurement, but waist circumference and muscle composition. Goals should also include positive outcomes such as: increased energy, better digestion and happier mindset. Weight loss when guided by a nutritionist looks at the whole person, with the outcome of making not just a thinner you but a healthier happier you.
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