![I never dreamed I would buy a pair of size 6 pants—to myself I say, “oh ye of little faith!”]()
by sheilaobb | Feb 28, 2011 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Natural Weight Loss
Here’s a testimonial from one of our AMAZING Optimal Body Balance clients, Dianne! Dianne lost 19 inches and 12 pounds of fat in 13 weeks!
Here is Dianne before the program.
And here she is after completing the 13 weeks!
I am 59 years old and struggled with my weight most of my life. I tried the usual—books, diets, groups, supplements—to lose weight; instead, I got heavier and more discouraged. Finally, about 30 years ago at a top weight of over 300 pounds on a 5 ft. frame, I came to believe I had aneating disorder. I found a program that helped me recover physically, emotionally and spiritually and maintained a weight of about 150 pounds for many years. All that time, though, I wrestled on a daily basis with wanting to be thinner, to have a different body image and to feel more at peace with myself. One day I heard Sheila Robertson talk about weight loss resistance on anevening news program. She piqued my attention. I later tuned in to a webinar that talked in more detail about the Optimal Body Balance program. I was interested but very skeptical. I had many questions for Sheila and asked for references from previous participants of the program. I read the testimonials of clients and seriously considered whether I wanted to commit to the program. Still riddled with doubt, I decided to give Optimal Body Balance a try. I learned the meaning of the word balance in all areas of my life—types of foods I ate, how I exercised, thequality of my mental health, my sleep patterns. Within 13 weeks I lost many inches and 12 more pounds of fat. I continue to learn how to balance my life and as I do so, the weight continues to slip off. I am grateful for my healthier lifestyle and smaller size. I never dreamed I would buy a pair of size 6 pants—to myself I say, “oh ye of little faith!”
![I never dreamed I would buy a pair of size 6 pants—to myself I say, “oh ye of little faith!”]()
by Sheila | Feb 8, 2011 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Natural Weight Loss, Stress and Weight Loss
Crash dieting does not work! In fact, crash dieting creates changes in your body that make long-term weight management nearly impossible! We LOVE crash dieting and fad diets in this country because for many people they give fast measurable results. But the reality is that although the number on the scale may give the impression that the diet is working, the changes going on inside your body are very unhealthy and will make is extremely hard for you to maintain the weight loss you achieved with the diet once you stop.
When we talk about crash dieting, we’re talking about a diet that restricts calorie intake significantly for a short period of time. A study recently conducted at the University of Pennsylvania tested this kind of diet on mice. The mice were on a three week diet during which they lost an average of 10-15% of their weight. While the mice were on the diet, researchers found that they had higher levels of stress hormones and showed symptoms of depression when they were in stressful situations. Even more interesting (or scary) is that the mice had altered DNA once they finished the diet! The genes that regulate appetite and stress were changed as a result of the calorie-restricted diet. Researchers also found that once the mice were off the calorie-restricted diet and given a high-fat diet, their appetite hormones went crazy and caused binge eating.
This study seems to be telling us that STRESS may be one of the biggest reasons why crash diets are not successful in achieving long term weight loss. In the Optimal Body Balance program we talk about stress a lot and recognize it as one of the 8 areas of weight loss resistance.
Stress can make you fat!
- Stress raises the hormone cortisol — cortisol causes you to break down muscle (not fat!) for energy — sugar from the broken down muscle tissue is continuously dumped into the blood stream — resulting in insulin resistance
- Chronic stress lowers the hormone serotonin and makes you hypoglycemic — resulting in sugar cravings
- Chronic stress lowers the hormone DHEA; DHEA helps your body burn fat (it also has anti-aging and libido stimulating properties)
Stress also causes behavioral problems such as depression (as mentioned before), anger, mood swings, indecisiveness, panic attacks and excessive use of stimulants, intellectual problems such as forgetfullness and lack of concentration, and physical problems such as chronic fatigue, constipation/diarrhea, headaches, heart palpitations, high cholesterol, hypertension, indigestion, immune dysfunction, insomnia, skin rash, sweaty palms and tight muscles.
Next time you consider a crash diet, really think about the long term complications you may be causing your body. Not only will stress induced by crash dieting make it harder to keep off weight in the long run, you’re also creating hormone imbalances, changing your body composition in a negative way by burning up your muscle (not the fat you actually want to get rid of!!!) and maybe even altering your DNA, yikes!
![I never dreamed I would buy a pair of size 6 pants—to myself I say, “oh ye of little faith!”]()
by Sheila | Dec 28, 2010 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Natural Weight Loss, Uncategorized
A recent study conducted at Mayo Clinic has found that even if you are young and healthy, gaining a few extra pounds can cause problems for you heart. Study volunteers had an average age of 29. Half of the volunteers were asked to gain weight over 8 weeks while the other half was asked to maintain their weight. The study measured endothelial dysfunction which means there is a problem in the lining of the blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events (stroke and heart attack) as well as coronary heart disease. Endothelial dysfunction was measured in this study by blood flow through arteries in the participants arms. It was found that those who gained abdominal fat during the 8 weeks had impaired blood flow through their arteries – they had developed endothelial dysfunction. Once the participants lost the weight, blood flow returned to normal.
What this means for you – watch the weight gain as even a gain as small as 9 pounds, especially when it’s primarily in your stomach, can lead to endothelial dysfunction.
Protect your heart, have fun, learn a ton and make friends this new year by joining the LITTLE BLACK DRESS class!
Source: Life Extension Magazine “Even Modest Weight Gain Still Dangerous for Blood Vessels” Jon Finkel
![I never dreamed I would buy a pair of size 6 pants—to myself I say, “oh ye of little faith!”]()
by Sheila | Dec 25, 2010 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Uncategorized
Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a very enjoyable christmas and that you are using our holiday survival tips!
It’s time to be thinking about New Years resolutions and I just wanted to remind everyone that our brand new LITTLE BLACK DRESS class may be the perfect way for you to finally achieve your healthy lifestyle resolutions. Plus you have the chance to win the perfect little black dress to celebrate in.
For more information on the class please click HERE!
![I never dreamed I would buy a pair of size 6 pants—to myself I say, “oh ye of little faith!”]()
by Sheila | Dec 21, 2010 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Uncategorized
Obesity rates and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes are on the rise and it seems that lack of sleep could be a huge factor in that increase. Long term sleep deprivation has been associated with increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, stroke and decreased immunity. All of these negative associations are thought to be a result of the inflammatory response caused by lack of sleep.
Recent research has shown that not getting enough sleep can have bigger effects than previously believed. And it only takes one night of sleep deprivation for those effects to start presenting themselves. After one night of sleep deprivation, subjects in recent study were shown to have decreased insulin sensitivity. Decreased sensitivity means imbalanced blood sugar and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Lack of sleep has also been recently shown to cause problems with the hormones leptin and ghrelin. These hormones regulate your appetite and energy expenditure. When these hormones are out of wack, people experience more hunger, leading to increased eating… leading to weight gain.
The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person; in general, most adults 17 and older need somewhere between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. But it’s important to pay attention to what your body is telling you and adjust your hours accordingly.
Source: cpmedical.net “Sleep Deprivation”
![I never dreamed I would buy a pair of size 6 pants—to myself I say, “oh ye of little faith!”]()
by Sheila | Dec 14, 2010 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Natural Weight Loss, Uncategorized |
High fructose corn syrup could be increasing your chances of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver not caused by excessive alcohol use. NAFLD is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome which is combination of obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood lipids and high blood pressure. People with NAFLD often have no symptoms, but if undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to inflammation of the liver which can in turn cirrhosis of the liver, a very serious condition.
Fructose consumption has been associated with increased calorie intake and weight gain. When the liver breaks down fructose, it leads to increased fat deposited in the liver, increased lipid levels in the blood, increased production of fat in the liver, increased inflammation and insulin resistance. These effects are especially seen in overweight people who consume too much fructose. Recent human studies have shown that over-consumption of fructose is associated with inflammation and cell abnormalities in the liver. Patients who drank the most fructose were more likely to have liver scarring and cirrhosis.
Recent animal studies have shown that fructose consumption caused changes similar to those seen in long term alcohol use and high fat diets. Animals who were given a high fat, high carbohydrate diet gained weight, gained fat, became insulin resistant, had high levels of fat in their livers, scarring and oxidative stress in the liver which indicates a high level of toxins.
The good news is that recent research is leading professionals to believe that you can reduce your risk of NAFLD by decreasing your consumption of high fructose corn syrup.
Further research is needed, but the data supports guidelines for decreased consumption of added sugars, especially in the form of fructose. Consumption of added sugars has been shown to have a statistically significant impact on the development of dyslipidemia (an abnormal amount of fat in the blood), which is a risk factor for NAFLD and cardiovascular disease. Observational studies have also shown that increased intake of added sugar in soft drinks leads to increased calorie intake, increased weight gain and a decreased intake of essential nutrients.
None of the data showed any benefits of high fructose corn syrup, so it’s best to minimize your intake as much as possible. Swap out sodas for sparkling water and check food labels for high fructose corn syrup.
Source: Medscape.com “Can High-Fructose Corn Syrup Exacerbate Liver Disease” William F. Ballistreri, MD
Here is Dianne before the program.
And here she is after completing the 13 weeks!
