By Katherine Branigan, NTP, MSA Specialist
  
The Latest Article:
        The Brain, Aging and Amino Acids
   
Other Articles:  
    These and other articles or variations are published here, Active Singles Life
          Newspaper, BrooksRunning.com and in the Nutritional Therapy Quarterly.


Most Current Article: Weighted  Reunions

I recently went to my 30 year high school reunion and many of the people there looked good.  
My graduating class was almost 900 people and only 100 people attended.  As I asked about
different folks that weren’t present, I often heard they were out of shape and didn’t want to
come.  A few of the people that were very “out of shape” that did come hopefully didn’t hear the
comments that were being made about them.  I realized that society is hard and judgmental
on people who are over weight.  It is not just children who can be mean.  

I know, I started out heavy as a child.  I had triple rolls on my thighs as a young child.  Many
thought it was “cute.”  It is not cute as an adult.  I was always called “big boned” growing up.  I
am not big boned.  It was the polite way to say someone was heavy.  
I was an athlete so I was in shape but a “little” heavy.  I used the excuse that it was muscle
and bones.  It  wasn’t.  I heard about it plenty.  

I had thought we grew out of that name calling and judgment; but my class mates were just
as bad as we tell children not to be.  Only they did it behind the persons back rather than to
their face.  

On the other end of the spectrum, there was one girl who was 20 pounds overweight in high
school and had lost it and now looked thin and trim.  Now all the women who were 10 pounds
or more overweight couldn’t believe it.  Did they say, ‘Great job at taking care of your self?”  Did
they say, “Wow!  You look great!”  No, they gossiped behind her back.  I began to wonder what
was being said about me being in shape.  

Mostly I was sad for the blind negative perspective that so many blindly had.  Why? ~ because
with that kind of negative process, it makes it hard to lose weight.  You become depressed
about an event and eat.  You become frustrated at the work and your lack of exercise and
cheer yourself up with a treat.  You get depressed that you are overweight and begin to give up
and have that extra helping.  It all adds up.

Know that it can be lost also.  It takes work and conscientious effort.

People often ask.  Where do I start?  The first thing is to drink more water.  This does two
things.  First it causes you to feel fuller.  It also flushes all the crude from your body.  I usually
put lemon or lime in mine for taste.  The fruit juice also cause a body to absorb water better.  
The simple juice can also cause you to burn a few more calories.  

The next step is to chew your food more.  Even if it is only 3-4 more chews per bite.  This does
two things.  It slows down your intake of food so you can feel fuller and therefore eat less.  The
second thing it does is produce more saliva.  Saliva starts the break down so the food is
digested better.  This helps create more energy and less fat.  

The third and hardest step is to choose foods that are healthier for you.  If you don’t know what
they are, see a nutritional therapist.  We can make recommendations on metabolism speed
and body type diets.  Eating for your body type produces more energy and satisfaction when
eating.  Some people need to eat most of their protein in the morning and others at dinner.  
Most everyone should eat more vegetables year round.  Fruit is a good snack, separate from
your other foods, because only some people can get all the benefits of fruit when they eat
them with their main meal.  

As you can see there are many food suggestions and options.  Often people have a part of
their digestion shut down as they get older and they may need a supplement to cause them to
digest foods well and get the nutrients they need.  For many the need for amino acids as they
age is key.  Doctors say we have a limited supply of them and use them up with age.  My
weight loss occurred when I realized I didn’t break down my fats well and took care of that
issue.  This is true for many people.  Getting my body digesting the fats so they went through
better was key.  Other people need more hydrochloric acid (HCL) because of the stress in
their life.  We don’t make what we need when we eat and are stressed.  Once you talk to
someone who knows, you can get a good handle on what you need to do to eat, feel satisfied
and lose weight.  Don’t give up.  You can be the weight you desire.  I lost the weight when I
was older and am in healthier shape now.  I eat better and live better.  I learned a number of
things about my diet and lifestyle that caused the change.  You can too.  It is a important to
take care of your whole body by consulting with someone who knows your history. Get started
today.
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