Did you know what you eat (and what you don't eat) can affect how you age?
I have a little assignment for you today that might lead you to a delicious project!
Go into your kitchen and look inside your pantry ... and then open up your fridge and take a look in there, too.
What’s inside can make a BIG difference in how you age.
A lot of times people talk about what you SHOULDN’T eat – like sugar, processed foods, etc. – because they are linked with a higher risk of disease.
BUT there are actually foods that help FIGHT a major factor in aging. Plus, they can reduce aches and pains.
There’s a process in your body that plays such a huge role in aging that it’s actually been called “inflammaging” – inflammation + aging.
- Research shows a key sign of aging is having more inflammatory markers in your bloodstream.
- Inflammation is your body’s immune response to toxins as it tries to remove them from your system.
- It can cause aches and pains – and over the long term it can actually trigger chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease & strokes, mood disturbances, and it’s even linked with Alzheimer’s!
- Low-grade inflammation is highly influenced by your gut microbiome … and by what you eat!
Science shows that changing your diet to include more anti-inflammatory foods can help slow, stop, or maybe even REVERSE low-grade inflammation.
Here’s your anti-inflammatory food checklist:
- Veggies – a colorful array that includes tomatoes & leafy greens
- Fruits – strawberries, blueberries, oranges, etc.
- Nuts – tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.) are a good source of healthy fats
- Fish – especially fatty fish (like salmon) that contain omega-3 fatty acids
- Whole grains – contain important vitamins and fiber
If you don’t have many of those foods in your kitchen, think about adding them to your grocery list for this weekend!
Then … experiment with some fun recipes: here are some to check out: https://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/12952/anti-inflammatory-recipes/ )
Together, these foods provide antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotics, and polyphenols to help your body function optimally.
Another possible add-on that research shows might help: probiotics – but be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about supplements before you add them to your routine! This is what I have found to be extremely effective: Life 9
Another daily addition I personally add is 2-4 ounces of Ningxia Red. This delicious whole-body nutrient is packed full of antioxidants to combat oxidative stress, support normal cellular function, and promotes natural energy levels! It fills in the gaps I might be missing from my food.
As you can see, it’s not only what you don’t eat that matters for your health – it’s also what you DO eat!
We’re all about creating REAL sustainable transformation and change. Reach out if I can help you in any way.
REFERENCES:
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Ready for a quick tip for boosting your workout results that works for ALL levels?!It can improve your fitness, rev up your calorie burn, AND can also help you break out of a plateau if your results are stalling.
It’s INTERVAL TRAINING – and even though it sounds intense, you don’t have to be a seasoned exerciser to add it into your routine.
PLUS – it has all the potential health benefits of regular workouts:● Improve cardiovascular fitness
● Lower your heart rate and blood pressure
● Reduce blood sugar levels
One of the easiest ways to experiment with interval training is to simply add in a few bursts of higher intensity work during your regular cardio workouts. If you’re walking, pick up the pace for 30-60 seconds, and then slow back down to your normal “moderate” pace to recover, and repeat.
A good ratio to shoot for is 2:1 of intense to easier work. That would translate to picking up the pace for 30 seconds and then slowing down for 15 seconds.I design my strength training workouts with bursts of cardio in between weights (like Kettlebell swings, High Knees, Skater Hops, etc).
And there’s even MORE good news – if you’re adding intensity to your workouts, you don’t have to work out as long!
If you want effective, fun, and quick workouts plus an entire 28-Day meal plan, 67 recipes, accountability coaching, dining out guide, daily inspirational emails and more, join my 28-Day Total Body Transformational Challenge starting May 3rd! Check it out HERE!Do you already do interval training?
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
💡Q: Does it REALLY matter whether I get 7-8 hours of sleep every night?
A: The answer is …. YES!
⭐We’ve all heard the popular hustle-and-grind saying: “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
But you’ll actually get MORE done – and do it better! – if you get enough sleep. PLUS, you’ll feel better doing it.
✅Here’s a quick rundown of WHY sleep is important:
- Your brain forms new pathways to help your memory while you sleep.
- Being rested helps you control your emotions and behavior.
- It improves your recovery from workouts.
- It keeps your hormones balanced (including those that control stress, blood sugar control, and food cravings).
- Plus, it triggers the release of growth hormone, which helps your body build muscle and repair cells.
- Getting too little sleep (in the long term) is linked with a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and kidney disease.
- Getting too little sleep increases the risk of obesity.
- Your immune system performs better when you are rested.
- Getting enough quality sleep helps you be more productive and efficient during the day.
As you can see, your body isn’t asleep on the job when you’re sleeping – it’s actually working hard to keep you healthy, strong, and productive!
How many hours of sleep did YOU get last night? Drop a comment!
Yours in health,
Colleen
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
