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

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