Are You Getting Enough Iron?

Im not talking about pumping iron this time either. If you are low on iron you could have low energy, iron is a mineral that our bodies need. Iron is a part of all cells and does many things.

For example, iron (as part of the protein hemoglobin) carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our bodies. Having too little hemoglobin is called anemia. Iron also helps our muscles store and use oxygen. which is obviously very important while working out and trying to lose weight.

Enzymes help our bodies digest food and also help with many other important reactions that occur within our bodies. Also very important when trying to tone up and lose weight. When our bodies don’t have enough iron, many parts of our bodies are affected.

You should get your iron levels tested by your doctor but I have put together a list of foods that you can incorperate into your diet in order to get more iron in your meals.

• Fortified Cereals
• Chicken liver (eww)
• Clams
• Oysters
• Soy beans, mature
• Pumpkin and Squash seeds roasted
• White beans
• Lentils
• Spinach
• Beef
• Kidney beans
• Chickpeas
• Duck
• Lamb
• Prunes
• Shrimp
• Cowpeas
• Lima beans
• Soy beans, green
• Navy beans

Listed from excellent to good sources.

Photo courtesy of devlyn on flickr

Vitamin D and Weight Loss

Clearly, vitamin D seems to be very important in regulating our weight. There is a correlation between rising rates of obesity and vitamin D deficiency.

If you are having difficulty with insulin resistance or weight gain — or can’t keep the pounds off once you lose them — you may want to have your vitamin D levels checked by your doctor.

Just recently I read that Vitamin D helps regulate your hormones....and what do your hormones regulate? Your weight! Well I'm not telling you if you go out and take your Vitamin D every day you will lose weight. But if you have been struggling with those last few pounds and have been sticking to your clean meal plans and workouts. This may be key in getting your body back in balance.

Living in Washington we miss the sun in the winter. We have been pretty blessed this year as it seems to be shining more often. But my point is no matter where you live if your not getting your Vitamin D from the sun you should be taking 1000-2000 IU per day.

Vitamin D also helps with "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (seasonal depression). Amongst other awesome benefits such as fighting menopause, and osteoporosis, and cancer.

You should be tested by your doctor for deficiency. It could be worth the 15 min. to see if you are.

photo courtesty of flickr

How Important is Your Circle of Support?

What do you think? We have always heard it is important to have support when you are trying to quit smoking, drinking or lose weight. So what happens when you have negative people around you when you are trying to get healthy and make yourself better all around? I never realized how important this was until the other day when I was talking to a friend who was having trouble in a friendship of hers. This person was being so negative about anything she was doing that was good for her. Ever had that happen to you? Well I have, I'm sure most of us have. After we talked for about an hour about other stuff she brought up how frustrated and hurt she was by this other friend again.

The people we talk to and hang out with really do effect us, good or bad. So why not hang with friends who make us feel good about ourselves and the things we are doing to make ourselves better?

Surround yourself with those who think you are wonderful and love you. Those who tell you how great you are doing and who may have the same type of dreams and goals as you do. You will find life much more enjoyable and your goals much easier to reach!

I leave you with this thought from Dick - Applying the Law of Attraction

"Surround yourself with positive people - Negative people can quickly lead to negative thoughts. Make sure your group of friends are those that love and admire you for the great person you are.Eliminate any time spent with anyone who brings you down. You can't afford the hit to your subconscious mind simply to maintain a negative friendship."

Dick, Applying the Law of Attraction

Warp Speed Fat Loss

Im trying something new

As you all may know by know I get bored with things and like to change it up often. So my new journey (besides the sprint tri.) is Alwyn Cosgrove & Mike Roussell's warp speed fat loss program. I have used Alwyn's workouts before I have both of his New Rules books and really liked the challenge. The WSFL program looks just as intense and as a bonus for me comes with menus so I dont have to waste my time planning what I will eat. I will be starting this Monday when my clients start their 12 transformation challenge. The WSFL is just 4 weeks. I will keep updates here for my challenge also.

Here is the WSFL program if you want to check it out for yourself.

http://www.warpspeedfatloss.com/yes.php?offer=bbbc2&pid=4

Wanna See.....

Whats in MY kitchen???

Well as you all know I preach about the food being just as important as the workouts, so I decided to let you see whats in my cupboards and refrigerator....enjoy