The scoop on ketosis with Jimmy Moore

Today we have an energetic discussion with Jimmy Moore, author of Keto Clarity. This is the second part of my earlier interview (Episode 18) with Jimmy.   In this episode, we will focus on the concept of nutritional ketosis as an important tool for fat loss.

Jimmy Moore is best known for his “Livin’ LaVida Low-Carb” blog and podcast.   In 2004, at 32 years of age and 410 pounds, Jimmy made the decision to take off the weight that was literally killing him. The time had come for a radical lifestyle change.   A year later, he had lost 180 pounds and shrunk his waistline by 20 inches. This phenomenal weight loss enabled him to come off prescription drugs for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and respiratory problems. This dramatic change sparked his dedication to helping others find the information they need to make the kind of lifestyle changes he has made.

Jimmy discussed ketosis as the process for letting your body become a fat burning machine rather than a sugar burning machine.   When you eat a lot of carbohydrates, your body is a sugar burner. In ketosis, you shift the body from a sugar burner over to a fat burner.   Choosing high quality sources of carbohydrates, such as non-starchy vegetables and green, leafy vegetables and some berries is part of the process. It is a balancing act, though, as too much protein will also inhibit the body’s ability to get into a ketogenic state.

Along with his blog and podcasts, Jimmy Moore is also the author of The Ketogenic Cookbook, Keto Clarity and Cholesterol Clarity. Learn more about ketosis, Jimmy Moore and his work at www.livinlavidalowcarb.com.

Understanding cholesterol with Jimmy Moore

Can fasting be a healthy solution for weight loss | Jimmy Moore

Music: Ben Sound Royalty Free Music

Understanding cholesterol with Jimmy Moore

Let’s talk cholesterol!   Jimmy Moore, author of Cholesterol Clarity, is our special guest today.   Ever wonder what all those cholesterol numbers actually mean?   We’ll talk with Jimmy Moore all about his thinking on cholesterol.

Jimmy Moore is best known for his “Livin’ LaVida Low-Carb” blog and podcast.   In 2004, at 32 years of age and 410 pounds, Jimmy made the decision to take off the weight that was literally killing him. The time had come for a radical lifestyle change.   A year later, he lost 180 pounds and shrunk his waistline by 20 inches. This phenomenal weight loss enabled him to come off prescription drugs for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and respiratory problems. His dramatic change sparked his dedication to helping others find the information they need to make the kind of lifestyle changes he has made.

Our bodies make cholesterol and it is an essential element in our body. How does our nutrition affect cholesterol? What do all of the numbers on the lipids panel mean for our health?   Jimmy discusses the elements of the lipids panel test, inflammation, and other tests that should be discussed and explored with your physician.

Along with his blog and podcasts, Jimmy Moore is also the author of The Ketogenic Cookbook, Keto Clarity and Cholesterol Clarity. Learn more about Jimmy Moore and his work at www.livinlavidalowcarb.com.

The scoop on ketosis with Jimmy Moore

Can fasting be a healthy solution for weight loss | Jimmy Moore

Music used for the podcast Intro and Outro: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Weight training for fat loss

When we decide it’s time to lose weight, we usually think it needs to involve lots of time on the treadmill, or long hours running or some other type of cardiovascular workout. This tends to be the go to option for many of us as we often shy away from weight training.   We tend to think of weight training as something that will make us big and bulky where aerobic training burns fat and helps you lose weight. However, weight training for fat loss can be a powerful tool in your weight loss toolbox.

There are changes we undergo throughout our lifecycle that often lead to weight gain.   Injury, illness, aging, lack of energy, changes in hormones all contribute to the adding of pounds and inches that often go unnoticed for years. The body also undergoes a process called sarcopenia, which is the natural loss of musical mass associated with age.   When we are in this process we burn fewer calories and store more fat.

But our muscles play many important roles, one being that they give the body shape. Fat tissue, on the other hand, is a sort of formless mass.   When we lose muscle, we lose shape and form, but we also lose the metabolism boosting functionality of that muscle.

So how can we apply weight training to our goals of becoming healthier and more fit? Incorporate weight training for fat loss as part of a balanced fitness program. Working your muscles creates active muscle fibers that burn up huge amounts of calories, even when you are sleeping.   And while weight training for fat loss can be a powerful way to lose weight and prevent weight gain in the future, be sure to balance it with aerobic training to improve overall strength and efficiency of your cardiovascular system as well.

Obesity and exercise

Weight machines versus free weights

Music used for the podcast Intro and Outro: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Talking hormones with JJ Flizanes

Today we talk to best-selling author, JJ Flizanes. She is an Amazon best-selling author of Fit 2 Love: How to get Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually Fit to Attract the Love of Your Life, and the author of Knack Absolute Abs: Routines for a Fit and Firm Core. JJ Flizanes is also the host of “The Fit 2 Love Podcast.” We’re happy to have her on the show as we talk about the role of hormones in fitness and as we age. .

As we go through life, our hormone levels change.   As we age, we experience decreases in hormones, which have both a physical and emotional impact. Women experience menopause; men experience andropause.   Adrenal fatigue is also an issue we are experiencing in today’s modern society, which can cause an early onset of either menopause or andropause.

We discuss with JJ Flizanes the process of monitoring hormone levels through a comprehensive metabolic profile test that can be completed by your doctor. Blood work testing should cover progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, Thyroid (TSH, T2, T3, T4), Adrenals (Cortisol, DEHA) and also Vitamin D and Iron.

We also discuss the importance of rest, relaxation, lifestyle, and nutrition choices.   JJ emphasizes that physical exercise is very important to your hormone levels. In particular, resistance training is critical as we age for building muscle.

A change in hormones as we age is a natural, human process. For her clients and followers, JJ Flizanes designs customized coaching programs and unique, versatile approaches that harmonize the emotional, the mental and the spiritual.   JJ provided a ton of knowledge for us concerning hormones and other topics, you can find additional information from her in the following locations:

Website:   fit2love.tv

Full show on iTunes:   https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fit-2-love-physical-emotional/id916562580?mt=2

Music used for the podcast Intro and Outro: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

For health and fitness, sugar is the devil

So you have made the commitment to your health and fitness. Now what? We’ll need to take a look at sugar, as it can be the single most damaging thing for your health and fitness. Is sugar really that bad? The short answer yes, though we do need some level of glucose in our body to function properly. Unfortunately, though, we get far too much sugar in our daily diets. In short, sugar is the devil.

Excess sugar intake can manifest itself in various ways, such as the onset of diabetes, tooth decay, and an increase of inflammation within our bodies. In addition, and according to a study, consuming 17-21% of our calories from added sugar increases the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Added-Sugars-Add-to-Your-Risk-of-Dying-from-Heart-Disease_UCM_460319_Article.jsp#.V7I3pfkrJdi

Keep in mind, when we talk about “added sugars” we are referring to those sugars that are added to foods and beverages during processing and preparation. It is important to read food labels, as sugar can be disguised as:

• agave syrup
• beet sugar
• cane juice
• cane syrup
• high fructose
• corn syrup
• honey
• lactose
• malt
• dextrose
• galactose
• glucos2
• sucrose
• rice syrup
• fructose
• and others..

Keeping a food log will help you track the amount of sugar consumed. Eating whole foods will provide some level of sugar, but will also provide fiber and nutrients. And while sugar is the devil, monitoring and even lowering your sugar intake will help you to look and feel a lot better.

Music used for the podcast Intro and Outro: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

My weight loss journey

Thank you for joining me today as I discuss my weight loss journey. We discuss the process I went through, along with the education, planning and commitment required for anyone to succeed on their own personal weight loss journey.
In my late twenties/early thirties, I was a competitive athlete. Everything was working out for me except my career. I sat for many hours at a desk and I also spent a lot of time sitting in airplanes. As the years progressed, I got out of the habit of exercise and fitness, and I continued to gain weight.

Around age 37 I decided I needed to focus on myself and lose the weight, but it slowly began to come back. Typically, I made a New Year’s Resolution but was not successful in seeing them through. Sound familiar? It wasn’t until I was about 47 years old that my mindset changed. It was when I met my wife Tammy.

So what was different? It comes down to one word – commitment. It is key. The commitment – and the reason behind it – solidified my quest to lose weight and become healthy and fit. Yes, it also took planning, eating better, moving more and making the right choices, but your commitment is critical to a successful weight loss journey.

Thank you for listening to my weight loss journey. Health and fitness is a continual process, but one with great rewards. I hope you join me on this journey too, as I want you to be equally successful on your personal weight loss journey.

If you'd like to work with me on your health and fitness, join me at Forever Fitness Personal Training.

Music used for the podcast Intro and Outro: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Your brain on exercise

What happens to your brain on exercise?   Scientists and doctors have long speculated the relationship between physical fitness and cognitive function.   Recently published studies helped to clarify the relationship between physical fitness and its impact on long-term cognitive function.

As you age, improving cardiovascular fitness is critical and if you are not taking steps to improve it you are selling yourself short in many ways.   A part of your lifestyle as you get older is your ability to function mentally, so by improving your cardiovascular fitness, you will also support a healthy cognitive state.

One way to get started is with a walk.   A simple walk where your heart rate is up but yet you can still talk is a great place to start. As you get more fit, you may need to increase the intensity or volume of the work, but you will see consistent improvement with consistent effort.

Also, test your current cognitive level with puzzles or using opposite hands for simple daily tasks, taking into consideration how easy or difficult it is for you. For example, if you normally brush your teeth with your right hand, try doing it with your left hand.   These mixes will help your cognition but will also help you understand where you are today. and then you can take the steps necessary to make improvements.

The studies have shown that you will benefit your brain on exercise. This concept is life changing, and as we get older, we want to be able to maintain our mental faculties and I encourage you to get out there and get moving and adding cardiovascular work such as walking to your daily health and fitness routine.

Music used for the podcast Intro and Outro: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music