I never get tired of helping people overcome the obstacles that are keeping them from losing weight. I've been stuck myself, so I know firsthand how frustrating it can be when trying to lose weight, and yet no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't seem to lose weight.
It wasn't until I learned how my metabolism worked and that most of what I thought was true about weight loss was all wrong and that I needed a new way and approach to address the underlying issues that were blocking my weight loss and causing my weight gain that I was successful.
You're not going to like what I’m about to say, but if you're serious about losing weight and protecting your health, almost everything you read, are sold, and told is all wrong. I know, I know, it's tough to swallow, but remind yourself that you have nothing to lose but weight and belly fat!
That's exactly what this awesome client did. This beautiful young lady was giving up. After battling breast cancer and surviving the treatments, she assumed the extra 10-15 pounds she gained was the price she had to pay for her life. She was okay with that and accepted that physically, but what was really killing her (her words, not mine) was that she was now feeling depressed all the time, which was harder for her to fight her way through. It was keeping her from living her best life and friends and family noticed.
They noticed this bubbly, always full of energy and super positive, fun to be around person was now a couch potato and no longer wanted to show up for life, which most of us cancer survivors agree is worse than dealing with the fear of cancer itself.
Have you ever felt like not getting out of bed, or no longer enjoying the things you once loved? Lost hope? Felt like your mind went dark and lost hope? Don't be afraid to die. Be more afraid of not living while you're alive. God doesn't want us to feel sad and depressed all the time, preventing us from connecting with other human beings on a deeper level.
I pray that you've never had to experience those yucky feelings. I've personally battled depression my whole life, and the healthy, positive person you see today is the byproduct of several things, starting with reading and understanding the battle of my mind (if you haven't read Joyce Meyer's book Battlefield of the Mind, you should - it's game a game change).
I had to learn how my mental health played a huge role in how or if I was willing to do what it took to make improvements in my everyday health habits. I had to be consistent with doing them, which is required for lasting change, regardless of what it is you're trying to change.
I also realized I wasn’t taking good care of my physical health, starting with the basic nutritional needs that my body required. This is even more crucial after battling cancer, which requires the proper amounts of specific nutrients daily to win the fight against cancer and strengthen immunity, helping to do everything within my power to prevent its reoccurrence.
I met this beautiful young lady (Arielle) when I visited her as an Associate Chaplain while she was receiving outpatient treatment at Moffitt Cancer Hospital in Tampa, Florida. She would sit by herself for hours, which most cancer patients would agree is like sitting in hell for hours because many times you're alone with your thoughts, which can be sheer terror.
Arielle was shy like most are when someone approaches them in chemo. I simply show up to keep them company during those lonely, thought-filled times. She had no idea who I was or what I do for a living. We had real conversations chatting about everything from butterflies to what to eat if the treatments made her sick. She said that her treatments made her nauseas, and she was feeling sorry for herself, which always led to overeating. She would gain five pounds overnight, which made her feel even more depressed.
Even worse, Arielle is young, never been married, and now was afraid she would never be able to meet anyone since she was overweight. She felt terrible about herself even though her friends and family kept telling her to be grateful she was alive and be good with that.
Arielle WAS grateful, but felt lonely and afraid, and was losing hope, no matter how hard she tried to snap out of it.
What most people don't realize is that cancer treatments cause blood sugar levels to spike. Adding insult to injury, family and friends want to feed cancer patients and survivors comfort foods that also spike blood sugar levels. They can cause rapid weight gain that for many can be 5-8 pounds overnight, making them feel powerless and scared about what’s happening to their body. I've been there. It’s horrible and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Sadly, it gets worse. Chemo, the comfort foods, and many prescribed medications also elevate blood sugar levels, creating the perfect storm for weight gain and belly fat storage. The rapid weight gain and excess belly fat that seemed to happen overnight is not in your mind. It's a side effect of treatments that can also block weight loss and fat-burning, regardless of how hard you try or how much you work out.
But don’t worry; there is much more hope than you think. For Arielle it was a change of diet and nourishing her body in a new way that helped lower blood sugar levels versus making her blood sugar spikes worse. She had been juicing every day and consuming gummy vitamins that not only didn't not contain enough of the nutrients her body needed, but also caused her blood sugar levels to soar. The result was rapid weight gain and feeling more tired and depressed. Her energy was being affected by juicing, green powders, and gummies, in addition to the gas, bloating, and acid reflux, gastric distress and bloating they caused. Talk about feeling hopeless and helpless!
If you're suffering like Arielle was, all of these issues can be turned around quickly if you're consistent in your healthy habits, and if you're using the right approach. Choose the health habits that work with your body by addressing the issues versus the ones (like juicing and gummy supplements) that work against it.
I should also note that stress like the kind that cancer imposes (physically and mentally) also acts like a roadblock when it comes to losing weight and melting belly fat off. It creates an imbalance of cortisol (stress hormones) levels, elevated blood sugar, and unbalanced hormones.
Here is what we did to lower Arielle’s blood sugar levels and improve her energy and mood. Both of these made it easier for her to lose weight, specifically meting off belly fat.
- We swapped out her breakfast and dinner with a Metabolic Boosting Complete Protein Shake instead made with water (NOT the nut milk she was making her smoothies with prior).
- We swapped out her expensive blood sugar-spiking juice habit with one (1) shot of Daily Power Shot twice daily instead (morning and mid-day).
- We swapped out the collagen gummies she was taking for Daily Repair Liquid instead. Daily Repair contains more collagen in a more usable form and also contains MSM, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin, and vitamin C, all of which help heal gut health, ease gastric distress, and hydrate the body more efficiently (cancer treatments can cause severe dehydration and many unpleasant gastric issues, while wreaking havoc on gut health).
Daily Repair Liquid Collagen helped turn that around and provided many, many more benefits that are all enhanced by taking it with our Pure Omega 3 and Vitamin D3 Boost, all of which are free of toxins, preservatives, and fillers that can create disease, drain energy, and exacerbate anxiety, moodiness, and depression.
- We also switched out her hair care routine that was clogging her hair follicles, depleting her scalp and hair of nutrients and increasing oxidative stress, all of which needed to be addressed in addition to improving her nutrition. When you combine the right nutrients along with the right hair products, you can regrow lost hair and prevent hair loss.
And, I must remind you that just as important as the above-mentioned Daily Health Essentials is the power of prayer. If you, or anyone you know, needs prayer, please let me know. I'm never too busy to help fellow cancer thrivers take care of themselves physically, mentally, or spiritually!
GOD BLESS YOU and STAY STRONG!
Lisa
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Lisa Lynn, Clinical Metabolic Nutrition & Fitness Expert and Associate Chaplain. Best known for her 18+ years as Martha Stewart’s trainer, who was responsible for Martha’s over-50 amazing physical transformation that caught the attention of Dr. Oz, leading to her many appearances on the Dr. Oz Show. Lisa is not just another trainer; she herself lost 40 pounds and has kept it off, even with a sluggish thyroid and menopause.
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