The article below appears in the April/May 2008 Issue of the "Howard County Women's Journal." Spring is here along with the fashions and outdoorsy things you love. Are you happy with how you look in your clothes? Is your skin glowing? Do your eyes sparkle? Are you full of energy? 1. Drink one cup of hot water with ¼ of a lemon and a pinch of cayenne when you wake up. You eat right, exercise, and don’t smoke. You’re in the clear for a healthy heart, right? Maybe not. Here’s a true story about my friend, February is American Heart Month. Did you know cardiovascular disease is What are the Key Risk Factors* for Heart Disease? 1. Smoking - increases your risk up to 4 times 3. High Cholesterol 4. Physical Inactivity 5. Obesity 6. Diabetes 7. Family History 8. Stressful Lifestyle The power to prevent heart disease and boost health overall is in your hands. Take these steps. 5 Baby Steps to Prevent Heart Disease Want to know your risk quickly? Some wellness tools are quick measures that can help you determine your risk for heart disease. Contact me for a FREE calculation by calling 443-604-1912 or email me at coachkaveri@babysteps2health.com. You may just save a life – yours! List provided by Dr. Michelle A. Gourdine, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. On a scale of 1 – 10, how satisfied are you with your weight? If your answer isn’t 10, you’re like most. You really want to lose weight. But did you know the water you drink may hinder your weight loss? Drinking water is key for weight loss. The liver needs sufficient water to convert fat into energy. Water suppresses appetite and boosts metabolism among other benefits. But you can loose even more weight by drinking cleaner water. Are all waters made equal? No. Some waters have more toxins. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a report entitled “Bottled Water, Pure Drink or Pure Hype?” According to the scientific study, bottled water is not necessarily cleaner or safer than tap water! Even when bottled waters are covered by Federal Drug Administration rules, they are subject to less rigorous standards than those which apply to tap water. Why does the kind of water matter? The liver’s energy is spent filtering toxins instead of converting fat into energy when you drink water that contains chemicals like chlorine, lead, and pollutants. This reduces your ability to lose weight. According to Roni DeLuz, author of 21 Pounds in 21 Days, “The damage toxins inflict upon us can make it exceedingly difficult - if not impossible – for some people to shed excess pounds.” For the cleanest water, the Environmental, Health and Safety Online recommendation is that you install a good water filter on your tap! Since many tap and bottled waters contain chemicals, you can filter out toxins prior to drinking water and increase weight loss or force your liver to be the filter and reduce your weight loss. How much water do you need? You should drink half (1/2) your body weight in ounces of water daily. For example, a person weighing 150 pounds should drink 75 ounces. Take 7 baby steps today towards more weight loss The article below appears in the December/January issue of the "Howard County Women's Journal."
It's Spring! Is Your Body Ready?
By Vernethia Williams
If you have answered “no” to any question, it may be time to detoxify your body. In a perfect world – without processed foods and environmental challenges- cleansing probably wouldn’t be necessary. But with our lifestyles, that is simply not the case. Just like “spring cleaning” your home, it makes good sense for your health and weight to commit to cleansing your internal organs and digestive system two or three times per year.
Where do the toxins come from?
Scientific research confirms environmental chemicals and toxins find their way into your body from your food, water, skin care products, and the air you breathe.
How can I detox my body?
Eliminate alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, chemicals, and refined carbohydrates. Eat organic whole foods, nothing processed. Eliminate wheat, dairy, eggs, corn, soy and citrus for 1 - 2 weeks and reintroduce them slowly - monitor your body’s reaction. Drink 8 glasses of distilled water daily.
Is cleansing another “quick fix”?
No! Long-term benefits come from including principles of a healthy eating plan into your daily life.
Tips to enhance your detox
2. Dry skin brush your body before your shower.
3. Take a warm bath with Epsom salt.
4. Jump on a rebounder 3 - 5 minutes at a time.
5. Use hydrotherapy in the shower by alternating hot and cold water.
"Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” Jim Rohn
What is Your Risk Level for Heart Disease and Stroke?
By Vernethia Williams
2. High Blood Pressure
1. Do not smoke
2. Maintain a healthy weight or BMI
3. Get moving, do something
4. Cut down on fried and high-sodium foods, eat more fruits and vegetables
5. Know your numbers related to risk factors
The article below appears in the February/March 2008 issue of the "Howard County Women's Journal."
Does the Water You Drink Hinder Your Ability to Lose Weight?
By Vernethia K. Williams
1. Drink water instead of juice or soda with at least one meal daily.
2. Drink water with lemon juice before breakfast.
3. Replace fries with a side salad. Many salad ingredients have a high water content.
4. Use olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice to replace dressings that may contain chemicals.
5. Read food labels to avoid foods with ingredients you can’t pronounce.
6. When feeling hungry, drink water first to ensure you’re not thirsty instead.
7. Replace your coffee with Healthy Coffee.
Seven Baby Steps Can Improve Health and Wellness
By Vernethia K. Williams
1. Water
Drink 6 – 8 glasses of water daily to hydrate your body and lose more weight.
2. Breathe
Breathe fully connecting the mind, body and spirit to reduce stress.
3. Nutrition
Eat more whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits like superfruit Himalayan goji berries.
4. Vitamins
Take supplements for anti-oxidant protection to reduce disease risk. One nutrient deficiency can endanger your whole body.
5. Silence
Carve out 15 minutes of quiet time daily for prayer or meditation.
6. Activity
Walk. Track your progress with a pedometer targeting 10,000 steps daily.
7. Laugh
Laugh to strengthen your immune system and promote emotional healing.
How to address multiple steps at once? Get the Himalayan goji berry. Dr. Oz of The Oprah Winfrey Show recommended it to NBA star Ben Gordon to maintain high energy levels, and called it “…the most potent anti-oxidant fruit that we know.” Get started and get healthier.