Exercise season is in full swing; and your diet should support the new demands you are expecting of your body. According to Ozark Natural Foods “the nutshell” one year later only about ten percent of people considered themselves successful at achieving their resolutions. If your resolution is one in the fitness arena injury can be one of your major roadblocks. Following a few dietary changes and supplement routines can put you in the successful ten percent and you can say goodbye to injuries and make exercise a lifetime commitment.
First and foremost, get rid of the junk! Make calories you consume count; say no to empty calories such as sugary drinks and fast food, say yes to fiber, protein, and nutrient dense foods. If you’re craving something sweet trade in the pre-packaged ho-hos for a slice of carrot cake with cream cheese icing. If you’re craving a burger make it with lean grass fed beef combined with dark leafy greens, real cheese, avocado, tomatoes, ‘shrooms, and a whole wheat bun. Trade refined white sugar in for, unrefined fair-trade sugar, agave nectar, or honey. If you can’t read the ingredients on the label put it back on the shelf. Keep your foods simple and real; avoid over-processed, nutrient devoid junk. Eat organic and all natural as much as possible. You will stay satisfied for longer and your body will reap the benefits almost immediately. The environment will thank us down the road.
Even though we are eating better it is still hard to get in all the nutrients for your body to run optimally. I recommend a high quality multi- vitamin, that you take every day or a couple times a week. Amway provides an excellent array of vitamins that can be purchased at amway.com/guygaesswitz. Every step of the manufacturing process is done in America from the organic gardens, to the lab to extract the vitamins and minerals, and finally the distributions of the vitamins. A good multi is a good idea for general health, but joint care to prevent injuries requires specific nutrients. Fish oil to keep your joints fluid and inflammation down is one of the most important supplements to take. If you prefer a vegetarian source of omega’s try flax or chia seeds. Chi-chi-chi-chia! Chia seeds are the new flax. Next, you need MSM, aka methylsulfonylmethane, provides sulfur, a vital building block of joints, cartilage, skin, hair and nails. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also on the list to help with healthy joint function. Read more about these nutrients at amway.com/amygaesswitz, check out Nutrilite’s double X daily vitamin, Ocean Essentials, and Glucosamine-7.
Herbs and spices can also be used to achieve better health. Turmeric is good for joint health because it is an anti-inflammatory, as well as an antioxidant and anti cancer. Make some curry and be generous with the turmeric! Yucca root, cat’s claw bark, and devil’s claw are all in Yogi Teas Joint Comfort Formula.
Your muscles are probably taking a beating as much as your joints are, so you need protein to rebuild them. I enjoy a good smoothie and my protein of choice is hemp protein (is there anything this plant can’t do?), other good proteins that I switch up with to provide a wide array of amino acids are pea, brown rice, and limited amounts of soy or whey protein. Look for a future post on how to build a smoothie. You can also get your protein from eggs, chicken, beef, venison, wild-caught fish, cottage cheese, legumes, rice, barley (food of the gladiators), quinoa, etc. Please choose meats that are grass-fed and free range. Join the conscious meat-eating revolution. Your cholesterol and your conscience will be much happier.
Good luck to your path of healthier eating and regular exercise. You are sure to have less stiffness and a lowered chance of injury if you follow these suggestions. You will also have less sick days and more energy to fuel your goals. Maybe I’ll even see you in yoga class ;) Namaste!
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