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

My client Sandy makes the commitment

Commitment is the first foundation to meaningful change. A perfect example of commitment is Sandy, a client from Episode 2. She has her own approach to commitment, which she described when we spoke recently.

When asked about what commitment meant to her, Sandy revealed that it really stuck out to her because she felt that she hadn’t really loved herself since her heart attack. Though she didn’t really love herself, she did like herself, which prompted her to make the commitment.

Like any relationship, when you meet someone for the first time, you likely don’t know the person well. You have to create that relationship. Sandy realized that perhaps she did not know herself as well as she thought, and it was time to create a new relationship with herself.

In making a commitment, you must have a “why”. Why do you want to have a relationship with yourself? Why put yourself through the strict diet and fitness lifestyle? Sandy’s “why” was to be a better version of herself.

The next question of making the commitment is the “what.” What do you want to achieve by making a commitment to this new lifestyle? Sandy’s “what” is being healthier and more active, which allows her to play with her grandkids.

The final question is “how.” Everyone must have a unique how that fits their lifestyle. Sandy’s “how” involved cutting out sugar, which was a difficult task because she was previously addicted to Dr. Pepper. However, after a few days of cutting out the sugar, she didn’t feel so sluggish. She actually felt more alert throughout the day.

Sandy is living proof of the power of commitment. By making one simple change, she was already feeling better and was committed to moving more. Her body was already giving her positive feedback.

Are you ready to make a commitment like Sandy? Visit Forever Fitness to gain access to resources that will help you stay on track and eat right.

Working with a personal trainer

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

Easy way to diet

In this episode we interview Doug Newberry, President of RightStyle Living, which is a place for where you can get a healthy nutrition program, designed for both being healthy and losing weight. It is an easy way to diet, in that their plans are tailored to individual goals and are designed by registered dieticians.

RightStyle Living is a six month program that is very comprehensive and includes meal planning, coaching, consultations, shopping lists as well as apps for logging your nutrition and fitness and track against goals. The goal of the program is to help you eat healthy and delicious foods.

We discuss the two types of success stories that are often seen as a result of the program. Often there is quick and dramatic results from folks who haven’t taken care of themselves for a long time, and turn to the program after a health scare. The second type of success that is seen is from the folks who started taking care of themselves, but they hit the wall, the inevitable plateau, and the program has been able to help them pass through the plateau and take it to the next level.

There are many pieces to the robust program which is based on the science of change. It is an easy way to diet and explore a healthier lifestyle, as there is advice on meal planning, shopping lists, recipes, consultations with registered dieticians, help for navigating the grocery store, and lots of other educational information. All of this information is available to you through your computer or phone.

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

Working with a personal trainer

Today we meet Sandra, a 54 year old ex-Marine and grandmother, who is looking to make healthier habits part of her lifestyle. By working with a personal trainer for the next ten weeks, Sandra is hoping to improve her health, fitness and activity levels so keep up with her grandchildren in the years to come.

Sandra describes herself as never being a “fitness person” and exercise was “never her thing.” Then when recovering from a significant heart health issue, she now eats healthier and limits fast food, but she loves to drink sugary soft drinks throughout the day.

Before Sandra embarks on this fitness journey with her personal trainer, we discuss goals and the core concepts of her personal training program. She will need to examine how much sugar she consumes on a daily basis. We also discuss the correlation between fat loss and the food and drink we all consume. Her personal training program will be designed with accountability, such as logging all of her food intake. Sandra will also need to have patience and a positive attitude as we approach changes in small, incremental steps.

Join us weekly as we follow Sandra for the next ten weeks (Tuesdays) as she navigates the experience of working with a personal trainer.
Music used for the podcast Intro and Outro: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Working with a personal trainer