Spring Citrus Weight Loss

With spring in the air and temperatures warming, I turn my thoughts to trading my winter clothes in for my summer wardrobe. As I begin pulling out shorts, capris and sleeveless tops, I wonder whether I feel ready to expose more of my body to the general public. After all, it has been a long winter and comfort foods have often been my companion. I may have put on a few pounds.

Let's face it, most people don't base their relationship with me on whether I am overweight, have cellulite or roll slightly in the middle. I would hope that people value my character (and I am quite a character), my personality and, well, just me! 

That being said, I still want to be slimmer, healthier, more agile and athletic and feel better about my appearance for myself. This is something that I want for me. So what can I do to drop a few pounds, firm up and boost my body's cellular health?

Here's a few timeless suggestions that are ripe for the taking:

1) Eat more seasonal, fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Juice, blend, chop and lightly steam. These foods have higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed by the body for repairs, cellular healing, and overall body function.

2) Get outdoors and exercise. Find activities that you enjoy. Learn a new sport or join a hiking group (like I did!). Movement helps to get the lymph system moving and naturally detoxifies the body through sweat and muscle movement. Exercise also helps to oxygenate the cells.

3) Use essential oils and supplements designed to assist with fat reduction and weight loss. Following are two testimonies from women who experienced great success. I am eager to try the wrap and will let you know my experience in a future post.

Weight Loss Remedies

One woman heard Gary Young suggest the following remedy for weight loss and followed his advise with great results. Put 10 drops of Ledum into a bottle of Citrus Fresh. Each night dot the oil mixture all over (1 inch apart) the areas where you wish to lose fat (stomach, hips, buttocks). Rub the oil in and then wrap those areas with cellophane (creates sweating) and go to bed (she chose to skip the cellophane after the first night). Take two capsules with 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil at night before bed. This woman lost 3 inches in 6 weeks and she was almost to her ideal weight already. FYI: Citrus Fresh with Ledum breaks up the fat and the Grapefruit by capsule digests the fat.

Another woman lost weight using the Slique Caps. She did not have a scale, so when she went clothes shopping she was surprised to find she had dropped from a size 22 to a size 14. No wonder people kept telling her she looked great!

Hear a great 15 minute talk on citrus oils (orange, grapefruit, lemon, and tangerine) and their use by clicking here.

What healthy habits will you be employing this spring?  Can you relate to what I shared?

Exercising for My Loved Ones

I have purchased the exercise DVDs, the sweatpants and the shoes. So why do I avoid daily exercise when I know it will help me feel better, have more energy and be healthier?

Is it that my bed is warm, my exercise clothes are initially cold to put on, it is still dark outside, I don't have the energy, I'll do it tomorrow...? I bet you have a few other excuses you could add that I've forgotten.

Everywhere I turn, I am hearing of the importance of exercise, so it's time! Stubbornness and laziness aside; excuses in the circular file, it is time to do what I know will bless my life. It's time to think of all those I love and how much better I will be able to serve them if I am doing what I know is good for me.

I can stir up my "why". I want to be healthier so I can be a part of my childrens' and grandchildrens' lives, so I can serve those God brings into my life, and so I can avoid hospitals, future medical interventions and drugs if at all possible. If my "why" is strong enough, and it is, then it can fuel my behaviors.

It is time to just do what I know is right and to leave the regret and guilt behind. Regret is very draining. Guilt is extremely defeating. Both keep me from focusing on where I want to be and instead keep me looking behind to what could have been. They are like a ball and chain. I've decided to cut them loose and move forward, in freedom and purpose.

The September 2013 Success magazine CD was focused on health, and several talks discussed the importance of exercise. Dr. James Rouse gave a very inspiring talk on self care and the importance of exercise first thing in the day. This one good habit will lead to other good habits later in the day. Exercise creates healthy hormones, strengthens willpower and improves our ability to serve.

Jonathan Roche was the second guest and he gave a "win today checklist" which you can print out and use. He discussed the benefit of having a win tomorrow checklist, which means preparing the night before so you can be successful the next day. This involves getting water bottles, work out clothes, healthy snacks, and lunch ready for the next day, setting an exact time for your workout, and then setting a bedtime to ensure 7 hours of sleep. Don't start the day with the snooze button and avoidance, but embrace the day and be thankful for the adventure that lies ahead. Both of these talks were excellent and very motivating.

I was convicted that I can make exercise happen and so I am happy to say, I started. It has only been 5 days, but it is the first 5 of many more to come. I am posting this to inspire you to join me in this healthy habit and also to cement my own decision and keep me accountable. You can feel free to ask me how it's going, and I will be honest. I am confident that my answer will be, "It's going great and I am feeling wonderful!"

Do you have a favorite exercise routine or suggestion? What works for you?

Tai Chi and Qigong Health Benefits

Tai Chi and Qigong Benefits

I have a friend who practices Tai Chi and Qigong and asked him to be a guest writer on my blog. The following discussion comes from Dan P. for your enrichment.

"Tai Chi and Qigong are a couple of mind-body practices that originate in ancient China.  Both of these practices or “types of play,” as described in China, provide low impact, weight-bearing, aerobic – yet relaxing – exercise (according to WebMD).  These practices have been described as “moving meditation” by those who reap the benefits.  Regular practice of Tai Chi and Qigong can benefit their practitioners in many ways.  Let’s take a look at some of these benefits now.

Today, tai chi is practiced in every corner of the world for health improvement— for good reasons. Scientific studies show that the practice of tai chi improves, and prevents, chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. In addition, it improves balance, immunity, and reduces stress. In fact, tai chi improves practically every aspect of health.

I began my practice of Tai Chi in 2005.  Once I began the practice, I found out how well it improved my flexibility, my muscle strength and best of all my well being.  Research shows that if one experiences improved well being, that it’s easier to provide similar feelings to those around them.  I decided to pursue my studies further and became certified in two forms of Tai Chi for Health.  These programs were devised by Dr. Paul Lam.  Dr. Lam is an MD and a Tai Chi Master.  I studied Tai Chi for Arthritis and Tai Chi for Diabetes.  To this day, I play Tai Chi and Qigong nearly on a daily basis.

I recently had the opportunity to teach Chinese Fitness to Elementary and Middle school children. The children very much enjoyed the program and some teachers commented about how quiet and focused the children were during the class.  When they asked how I got them to be so focused, I told the teachers “I taught them how to breathe and they are practicing it.”

In addition, I still offer Chinese Fitness classes from time to time.  I find that using this term is easier for some to comprehend than using the term Qigong.  In fact, Shibashi is a relatively newer form of Qigong that was developed in the late 1970s.

I hope that you will follow your interest in learning more about Tai Chi and Qigong for your own health journey. "