Author Archives: julie
Author Archives: julie
Rob Barnett is the co-author of a new book called The Economists’ Diet, a common sense approach to losing weight that applies basic economic principles to dieting.
Rob and his co-author Christopher Payne met while working at Bloomberg. At the time, Rob was struggling with his weight and soon learned that Chris used to be obese. From these interactions, the Economists’ Diet was born.
Chris and Rob believe that the obesity crisis is largely due to the propensity to overeat. They also viewed the key to change as a focus on behavior more so than nutrition. In both Chris and Rob’s experience, the fundamental starting point for changing their behavior of overeating was stepping on the scale every day. The idea is that if you can’t measure it, you can’t control it. The scale will be reflective of your behavior. This daily practice provides a critical behavioral feedback loop that one will miss out on if not done frequently.
Rob proposes the idea of eating one square meal per day and making other meals smaller. Given our modern, sedentary lifestyle, Rob believes that we really don’t need three normal sized meals per day. In regards to nutrition, the Economists’ Diet uses a common sense approach about what to eat and does not focus on counting calories. Exercise is great, but you can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet.
Rob also discusses the mini feast, mini fast theory. He states that there are inevitable points in time when you will splurge with food because it’s part of life. Feasting is human. If you’re having a big splurge, budget for that by cutting back on other meals that day. Don’t eat a gluttonous meal that is not one of your favorite foods. Make your splurges matter. Fighting obesity is a battle that can be won, but it’s about shifting your thinking and behavior.
To connect with Rob Barnett or to learn more about The Economists’ Diet, visit the book’s website and @econdiet on Twitter.
The 40+ Fitness Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health-conscious people like runners, cyclist, and weightlifters get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/40plus to support the show and see if you qualify.
The 40+ Fitness Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health-conscious people like runners, cyclist, and weightlifters get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/40plus to support the show and see if you qualify.
Rip Esselstyn and Jane Esselstyn are the authors of The Engine 2 Cookbook, a new book that introduces more than 130 recipes emphasizing the whole foods, plant-based Engine 2 Diet.
Rip Esselstyn served as a firefighter in Austin, Texas for a number of years. In this role, he saw first-hand the culture of toxic food consumption in the firehouse, leading to serious health problems among his fellow firefighters. In March 2003, Rip introduced the Engine 2 Diet and started a healthy eating revolution in the Austin fire department.
While the stereotype exists that men eat meat and other “strong” foods, this meat can actually be detrimental as it only contains protein and fat. Rip explains that fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds are the true superheroes that allow you to be and perform at your best. Fueling the body with plant-based and whole foods are the best options for maintaining energy levels, as the cleanest burning fuel comes from plants.
Jane explains that the concept of batch cooking makes it easy to stick to the program outlined in the Engine 2 Diet. This involves planning and cooking in advance. Jane recommends buying and cooking a larger quantity of food at one time. This food can be consumed throughout the week, requiring only a few minutes of heating prior to eating.
About 80% of the recipes in the book have less than 10 ingredients. These are simple and quick recipes that make it easier to stick with the program.
To learn more about the Engine 2 Cookbook, visit http://www.engine2.com or http://www.janeesselstyn.com. You can also visit Jane’s YouTube channel.
The 40+ Fitness Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health-conscious people like runners, cyclist, and weightlifters get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/40plus to support the show and see if you qualify.
Ellen Goldsmith is the author of Nutritional Healing with Chinese Medicine, a book that discusses the basic ideas of Chinese medicine and how one can apply these ideas in his own life to promote healing through food.
Chinese medicine evolved out of human beings’ observation of nature. It is based on the idea that what is happening outside the body can also happen inside the body. The interaction of the two creates a holistic system where everything is connected. One important belief is that we all come into the world with Chi, the potential behind energy. How we nurture the Chi and adapt to our own condition and elements outside the body are what counts. We can identify any disharmony and determine what needs to be put back in the system to restore balance.
Ellen discusses the importance of the various seasons with Chinese medicine. She explains that the unique flavors of each season help us participate in the activity of the season. During the last three weeks of a season, Ellen recommends eating simple foods and a balanced diet. This helps the digestive system prepare to transition to the next season.
Chinese medicine has specific views when it comes to treating certain medical conditions. Some, such as high cholesterol, are viewed as excess conditions that need to be cleared out. To accomplish this, certain foods must be eliminated from the diet. Similarly, women who experience PMS and painful menses should eliminate foods that are congesting to the liver 7 to 10 days prior to the start of their period. These foods can include fatty foods and baked goods. Ellen recommends resisting cravings and eating a lot of dark, leafy greens. Acupuncture treatment can also be beneficial. Acupuncturists are also a good source for quality Chinese herbs, which can also have health benefits.
To connect with Ellen Goldsmith, email her at elleng@pearlnaturalhealth.com. Nutritional Healing with Chinese Medicine is available for purchase on Amazon.
The 40+ Fitness Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, and weightlifters get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/40plus to support the show and see if you qualify.
Natalie Wise is the author of a new book entitled The Self-Discipline Handbook, a guide to building self-discipline and achieving one’s goals through self-exploration.
The Oxford Dictionary describes self-discipline as, “the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.” As such, Natalie explains that there is no magic start date or age to begin. Every day is a new beginning.
In practicing self-discipline, curiosity is your superpower, as it continuously brings up the question of “what if”. When curious, you’ll keep going and gaining momentum. It creates opportunities to stay on track and feel like you’re doing something new and interesting.
Natalie explains the three types of motivation we experience:
1. Internal – The only motivation that we have control over; something we can cultivate. Heart motivation is all about your why.
2. External – Could easily lead astray because it is focused on the end result rather than who you are.
3. Muse – A random, gifted motivation that is usually short-lived.
In exercising self-discipline, Natalie explains that practicing patience is important. The following actions can help you remain patient:
1. Breathe – calms brain and nervous system
2. Shake it off – exercise and move your body; feel your physical being calm down
3. Change the channel – focus on something else to get through the slump
4. Talk to someone you love – science has proven it has a calming effect
5. Laugh
6. Know when to keep going and when to quit
7. If all else fails, clean – it changes the channel in your mind and allows you to accomplish something
For more information about The Self-Discipline Handbook or to connect with Natalie Wise, visit http://www.nataliewise.com or @goodgirlstyle on Instagram.
The 40+ Fitness Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, and weightlifters get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/40plus to support the show and see if you qualify.
Dr. Martha Clare Morris is the creator of the MIND diet and has written a new book entitled Diet for the Mind that details what one should eat to prevent a decline in cognitive ability.
Dr. Morris explains that Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects one’s ability to function in life. It is a progressive disease that is characterized by memory loss plus the loss of one other cognitive function.
In creating the MIND diet, Dr. Morris evaluated scientific literature on the brain and nutrition and included core components of both the Mediterranean and DASH diets, as both have been shown to yield strong cardiovascular benefits.
Major components of the MIND diet include:
Dr. Morris explains that diet and exercise are the primary driving forces for chronic diseases associated with aging. Apart from maintaining proper nutrition, there are other principles to incorporate into one’s lifestyle that can help to prevent or slow the progression of dementia. These include stimulating the brain by challenging one’s self cognitively to build the cognitive reserve and maintaining a positive outlook on life.
More randomized trials are needed to confirm the relation between sleep and a reduced risk. However, sleep appears to be a time of regeneration in the brain when bad proteins are removed.
Diet for the Mind contains more than 80 recipes and is currently available for purchase on Amazon.
The 40+ Fitness Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, and weightlifters get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/40plus to support the show and see if you qualify.
George Demirakos is the author of Fix My Knee, a guide for preventing and healing injuries to the knees.
There are two types of injuries that can cause pain in the knees. George identifies these two types as traumatic and non-traumatic. Traumatic injuries are those that occur from a hit or fall, which can include sprains, or pulled ligaments, or strains, which are pulled muscles and/or tendons. Tendonitis, an irritation of the tendon, can also occur.
For those who like to run, George recommends warming up properly by jogging in place for 5 to 10 minutes. It is also important to stretch out the muscles by holding for about one minute each time. Some people prefer to run barefoot, which can be beneficial for knee health since more foot muscles are being used and strengthened as a result.
For those who like to lift weights, George explains the importance of using good form during lunges, deadlifts, squats, and hack squats to preserve knee health. The number one mistake made during squats is letting the knees fall in, which changes the body’s alignment, puts stress on the knees, and can cause injury. Having too little of an arch in the lower back and lowering to 90 degrees or less are two other common mistakes. With deadlifts, use one overhand and one underhand grip, which will help improve grip strength. With lunges, make sure your knee does not go past the front of your foot. In any exercise, it’s important to first get the proper form and then add more weight over time.
In regards to food and promoting knee health, fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are great options. Pineapples and papayas have enzymes that help with healing an injured tendon. Green leafy vegetables are rich in Vitamin D, which can reduce inflammation. Conversely, sugar is not recommended, as it can promote inflammation in the knee. Olive oil is preferred over other oils such as sunflower oil. Smoking and alcohol should also be avoided.
To learn more about Fix My Knee or to connect with George Demirakos, visit http://www.georgedemirakos.com.
The 40+ Fitness Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, and weightlifters get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/40plus to support the show and see if you qualify.
Maria and Craig Emmerich are the authors of a new book entitled Keto: The Complete Guide to Success on the Ketogenic Diet. As a guide to getting into ketosis for health, the book discusses the science behind how keto works and clarifies a lot of misinformation surrounding the ketogenic diet.
With ketosis, there are serious reasons to avoid alcohol. Maria and Craig explain that alcohol cannot be stored and must be burned off first before any other fuels. Therefore, any other fats and carbs consumed at that time go straight into storage. Alcohol also interferes with one’s hormones, specifically reducing testosterone.
Maria and Craig discuss the fat flux, where the body uses fat cells as a sort of gas tank to fuel the body. When one keeps his carb level low enough, the body is primarily burning fat for fuel and maintaining protein. The fat component, where fat is going in and out of fat cells, then becomes the one variable. Ideally, you will want more fat cells coming out than going in if you aim to lose weight and reduce diabetes. To achieve this, you must moderate your fat intake to where you are burning more fat, instead of simply chasing a ketone number. Exercise is also great for building healthy mitochondria which give you energy and burn fat.
There are three stages to becoming keto adapted. Mental clarity and reduced hunger occurs within the second phase, or four to six weeks into ketosis. This is when the body starts making more mitochondria to burn more fat for fuel. One’s energy level will also soar in this stage. In the third stage or after six months to a year in ketosis, one may still see metabolic improvements.
To connect with Maria and Craig Emmerich or for more information about Keto: The Complete Guide to Success on the Ketogenic Diet, visit http://www.mariamindbodyhealth.com and http://www.keto-adapted.com.