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Women Vs the Scales:By Anthony Noud From Pure Health
Clubs.
Why
is it that women are constantly battling with the scales
and weighing themselves? Cue the morning ritual at 6:32
am sharp, naked, after going to the bathroom, making
sure the scales are facing east whilst "thinking light
thoughts" every single day, with the result determining
whether or not today will be a good day, a fat day,
a committed day or the day you just give up on your
dream of a lean, toned, healthy body. As I have come
to discover, this is obviously important business.
As a part of any initial consultation whether it be
for training or diet I always ask women what the number
one goal for their body is. 95% of the time they say
"I want to lose x kilos so I then weigh xxkg". My response
is always the same, "why!?"
The conversation could then play out a number of ways
but this is the general story:
"Ok so why do you want to lose 11 kilos Esmerelda?"
"I'm not really sure I just think that's how much I
have to lose as according to the BMI thing I should
weigh xx kilos." "Have you ever weighed 11kg less than
you do now?" "No"
Just quickly, BMI (body mass index) testing is outdated
and has various deficiencies as a measure of bodyfat
and obesity. BMI does not reflect changes that occur
with aging, between sexes nor does it account for muscle
mass. For example I am currently at 8.7% (caliper tested)
bodyfat however according to the BMI equation I am on
the cusp between overweight and obese.
So put very bluntly, whether or not you are working
from a "magical number" in your head as a goal or have
been given an inaccurate BMI target, you have no idea
what BMI is and why it says you must weigh xx kilos,
which, in turn means, you have no real idea why you
want to weigh xxkg, nor do you even know if it is physically
possible! (and if it is, it was back in high school,
after you had a horrific flu, didn't eat or drink for
3 weeks and all the feng shui in the universe was working
in your favour that day you stepped on the almighty
scales of fortune).
Lets just stop and think for a moment, what does that
number on the scale ACTUALLY mean? Does is really give
us a good indication of how healthy, fat, thin or how
fit or unfit you are? Your weight on the scales is obviously
the combined total of all your bits; your bones, organs
and organ systems- circulatory, respiratory, digestive,
urinary and reproductive organs just to name a few.
There is also blood, connective tissues, cartilage,
ligaments, fluids (h20 and all other), MUSCLE and FAT.
Out of all of the above the two that we, as everyday
health conscious gym-goers really want to control, are
muscle and you guessed it FAT. If I carry more fat am
I going to weigh more? Yes, obviously. If I hold more
muscle am I going to weigh more also? Well derr. And
doesn't muscle weigh more than fat??
RUBBISH! Lets debunk that myth right now. The weight
of muscle vs fat is of no real relevance whatsoever.
5kg of muscle is going to weigh the exact same amount
as 5kg of fat….FIVE KILOGRAMS!! What IS different is
the way you will look, feel and how healthy you will
be, depending on which you choose to carry.
Muscle is heavier by VOLUME than fat. The way you LOOK
carrying 5kg of muscle as opposed to carrying 5kg of
fat is what actually matters.
A woman weighing 65kg with 19% bodyfat will look much
smaller (and be much healthier) than a woman at 65kg
with 35% bodyfat. They weigh the same, yet the composition
is different. Because muscle is more dense than fat,
the person with less fat and more muscle will look smaller.
Just this week Esmerelda and I did a re-assessment of
her body composition, taking weights and measurements
(cm's @ bust, waist, hip, thigh and arm) as well as
a bodyfat pinch test (skinfold mm's @ tricep, suprailiac,
abs and thigh). It had been a period of 3 months since
our last "official" check in. The results were interesting
to say the least.
Initially Esmerelda came in at 21% bodyfat, weighing
53.3kg, so she wasn't a big girl by any stretch, size
10 fairly lean without any really defining features.
After 3 months of 2x weekly weights sessions with me,
Esmerelda is now looking and feeling better than she
ever has before. Her arms are lean and toned, she is
shapely around the shoulders with taut triceps, her
bum sits higher above leaner defined thighs and her
midsection is flatter with the old love handles nowhere
to be seen. Do you think it came as a shock to her when
she got on the scales and the reading was 55.4kg! SHE
HAD PUT ON OVER 2KGS!!
After laughing out loud, I figured I should try and
calm my now hysterical client down a little. We took
her measurements and sure enough they had gone down
in all the right places - waist, hips, and arms. And
up in the right places also; bum (this was a personal
goal for Esmerelda) and her flexed arm reading. This
didn't mean anything to the now distraught Ezzy, "cause
the scales don't lie!"
I then measured her bodyfat percentage using skinfold
calipers and as expected, her bodyfat had dropped to
16.76%!! (picture a super athletic fit, strong woman,
someone that you can tell works out alot J) Again, this
didn't mean much to Esmerelda so I tried a different
approach…
Do you feel stronger? "Yes definitely,"
Do you feel leaner? "Yes,"
Do you notice it in your clothes? "Yes, I had to get
new work pants,"
Are other people commenting on your new body?
"Yes, people are always telling me how much better I
look and my husband won't leave me alone,"
Ok, so how does this new (larger) number on the scale
affect how you look and feel right now?
"Well, um I suppose it doesn't."
LADIES this is my call to you to STOP weighing yourselves
religiously! Particularly if it has any sort of negative
effect on your mindset or goals. Sure, for clients with
+15kg of fat to lose a representation of weight will
have some merit. However, weighing yourself daily will
rarely serve any useful purpose. FACT: the weight of
a large glass of water is 648grams. This alone will
obviously alter your weight reading, yet has no part
to play in how you look. Take into account your menstrual
cycle (which again affects your weight), the food you
eat, time of day, and so on and the number on the scale
becomes more and more blurred.
Instead, go by how you feel and look in the mirror,
take measurements, take fortnightly photos, use your
clothes and how they fit and feel as a guide to how
you are progressing with your goals. Body composition
is the only really accurate guide when it comes to how
you will look. This can be done by getting your bodyfat
percentage tested, the only real viable option being
skinfold calipers, with pinches taken by the same person
each time.
When was the last time the assistant in your favourite
clothing store asked how much you weigh when helping
you choose something? Or when did you last hear someone
comment "She's hot, she must be a 52kg girl"?. How much
you WEIGH (within reason) plays no significant role
in how you feel, look, what you wear or how you live
on a day to day basis. My advice is to forget the scales,
if you must, once a week at the ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM should
you weigh yourself and even then this should only be
used as a secondary indicator, following your clothing,
mirror, and measurements. Not only will you have a clearer
representation of yourself but you will no longer have
to battle with the dreaded weigh in.
If you are currently battling with the scales and not
seeing results come and see myself or one of our trainers
at http://www.purehealthclubs.com.au
With specific meal plans and workout schedules tailored
to you and your personal goals, as well as regular body
fat caliper testing- measuring and tracking progress,
I guarantee you can achieve your best body ever…a truly
EXQUISITE PHYSIQUE.
Contact me: [email protected]
http://www.exquisitephysiques.blogspot.com
CITY
LOCATION 07 3211 0060
COOPAROO LOCATION (07) 3324 1188
Sneezing Super Mum ( & Dad ): by Sue Lester from
Growing Content.
No
one would choose to be ill, would they? If you say,
"I don't have time to be ill," are you also telling
yourself you don't have time to exercise, cook healthy
meals, rest, sleep, have time out, breathing space,
Me Time etc?
When you are rushing around, feeling stressed, anxious
or overwhelmed, your body is using its resources at
a faster rate, and unfortunately it can also be the
time when you aren't feeding your body the right or
enough good fuel, including filtered water, to function
effectively. Your body doesn't have the energy to fight
off the flu and bugs. You will literally 'run down',
like a poorly maintained engine.
So before this "Flu Season" takes hold of you, and you
lose time, money and energy being sick, take stock of
what you need to do to get yourself healthier. How much
of the time you spend rushing around is for other people?
Do you need to start setting and maintaining stronger
boundaries? Are you thinking too many negative thoughts
about the Future or the Past, and making yourself feel
unhappy?
If you valued yourself more, felt happier about yourself
and your life, you'd find it easier to make healthy
food and drink choices, and build your body's resistance
to bugs and viruses. Less stress, less weight means
more self esteem and more happiness.
When you're ready to make the changes you want to see,
book in to see Sue Lester, your Catalyst of Change.
www.growingcontent.com.au . Sue will help you change
your Mindset so you turn self sabotage into self motivation,
and easily make those changes you want to see. (c) Sue
Lester, Growing Content. www.growingcontent.com.au
Dr Oz Discusses Mangosteen: by Vitalxan.
Dr
Oz on the Oprah Show In case you missed it, Oprah was
discussing some important health matters on her show
with Dr Oz. The topic of mangosteen came up.
As it turns out ,"America's Dr. Mehmet Oz, who regularly
appears on Oprah's show, was back to reveal more of
his anti-aging secrets and is a big fan of the mangosteen.
Dr. Oz said, "These are some examples that are very
ancient healing tools... mangosteen, from Southeast
Asia, work as very strong antioxidants and have been
used in those societies for everything ranging from
sexuality to vitality and longevity."
He went on to say that these ancient healing approaches
really do work.
Already, our distributors are feeling the impact of
that simple statement. Even though no product was mentioned
by name, and even though the most current scientific
research wasn't cited, people who before might have
been sceptical, are now open to the idea of supplementing
with mangosteen.
Since that showing on Oprah various Mangosteen products
have appeared widely on health store shelves all over
America.
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Leading researchers believe it could take up to 10 servings
of fresh fruit and vegetables daily to deliver the daily
requirement of antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins and minerals
which we are lacking.
A daily antioxidant intake of around 5000 units daily
is recommended for maintaining vibrant health.
A daily glass of Vitalxan Mangosteen juice Boosts your
daily requirement of antioxidants by 3500 units.
The Australian Government certified ORAC rating for
VitalXan is 69000 units per 20gm packet.
Do you feel tired and listless in the morning and
wake with those aches and pains?
The Answer
Just drink Vitalxan and feel alive and refreshed with
energy all day!
Also a great energy boost for gym workouts!
Every concentrated sachet of VitalXan will make up to
3 litres of Mangosteen juice.
No preservatives, chemicals, additives or heavy metals.
Whats New
Vitalxan mangosteen tablets.
Just 3 tabs a day gives you 6000+ ORAC units.
Convenient and super strong.
Great value – Take advantage of our discounted prices.
Vitalxan is Australian owned.
The following web sites are worth a look because they
will give you an insight whether Mangosteen is what
you are looking for.
www.vitalxan.com.au
www.insidemangosteen.com/mcgrath
Eliminate
Stress and Tension: With A Float!
So
you can eliminate stress, tension & muscle in a simple
effortless way.....by floating.
"Floating compensates for lack of sleep ... 2 hours
in a Float Tank can be more restful & restorative than
a full night of sound sleep"
Floating is successfully used by athletes to improve
performance signficantly & to speed recovery"
How does it work?
A floatation tank is a special lightweight floatarium
designed to remove the effect of gravity. No Noise,
No Light, No Feeling of Weight.
Entry to the tank is through a light sliding door which
you can close or leave partly or completely open. Once
inside the tank you rest upon an extremely dense solution
of sterile warm water and Epsom salts - a velvety mixture
just 10 inches deep,yet so tremendously buoyant, you
have no choice but to float - you cannot sink. During
this process your muscles relax to a degree not possible
under any other circumstance & relief flows through
your entire body.
Throughout this process stress, tension & fatigue are
rapidly released. The benefits include feeling calm
& clear headed, physically relaxed & refreshed.
AFTER WARDS
You will feel so calm & contented you won't feel like
rushing back to the real world straight away. Allow
yourself an extra 10 minutes to sit & enjoy the experience
in our lounge.
REASSURING FACTS
Complete Privacy is assured. You float in your own private
Float room, in your own tank. You are in total control
of this tank and can leave it at anytime you like during
the float. Floating in a tank does not feel claustophobic.
Tanks are very roomy, lightweight & well-ventilated.
The door of the tank can be left open while you're getting
used to the process & a soft light may also be left
on if you are not comfortable with total darkness. Rest
assured you will feel perfectly comfortable.
SAFE & HYGIENIC
The high salt concentration in the tank makes the water
so dense it's like the DEAD SEA and anyone, no matter
how heavy they are, will float. The salt content also
keeps the water sterile, along with an automatic filtration
cycle after each session.
FLOATAGE
Our most popular service is a 'Floatage' which is a
combination of a float and a massage. Floatage combines
of either a 30 minute massage or a one hour massage
with a regular 50 min float. A Floatage is best described
as a 'Mini Holiday'. Two hours of pure relaxation and
recuperation.
Established in 1995, the Fountain of Youth have
friendly, experienced staff ready to pamper you, family
or friends and provide personalised service... guaranteed!
We pamper you and help you enjoy the art of relaxation.
Let us help you to achieve radiance from the inside
out.
126
Banks Street Alderley
3856
4087
www.fountainofyouth.com.au
Living
Valley Springs: The Absolute Health Retreat!
Absolute
Health Retreat
Living Valley Springs is definitely the first choice
for a Unique Health Holiday or Health Care program.
Staffed by 30 amazing people, this retreat is ready
to give you a level of care and support that is second
to none.
Personal Development
Daily lectures will bring you up to date on the latest
studies on lifestyle and nutrition. Our presenters regularly
study and lecture in Australia and overseas.
Medical Support
Naturopaths and Counsellors with decades of experience
will set you on a path to wellness and longevity. Attention
is given to every detail. A series of consultations
will cover diagnostics, lifestyle planning and solutions.
Then we continue to manage your case.
Cleanse and Detox
Organic juices, superb meals, daily steam baths, clay
wraps, liver cleansing, lymphatic drainage, hydrotherapy
and more will produce crystal-clear eyes, glowing skin
and shiny hair representing a clean healthy system.
Nurture
Individualised treatments include Remedial and Swedish
massage, facials, colon hydrotherapy, foot massage,
poultices, reflex therapy, counselling, life coaching,
personal training and genuine tender loving care.
Country Estate
The feeling of safety, the beauty, the flora, the views,
the kangaroos and other wildlife on 160 acres make Living
Valley Springs the most beautiful health destination
in Australia.
Activities
Lots of fun, bush walks, bike rides, a mountain climb,
exercises, swimming and games.
Conclusion
The thing that really makes the Living Valley Springs
experience totally different from any other holiday
is our commitment to you! Our team is trained, not just
to pamper you, but to give you a level of personal care
that is not available elsewhere.
We commence a new program every second Sunday for 20
people. Treat yourself to a Living Valley Springs experience.
You will be amazed at the level of service that you
will receive for the price.
CALL NOW ON 1800 644 733 FOR A COMPLETE INFORMATION
PACK.
Located in Kin Kin on the Sunshine Coast
http://www.lvs.com.au
Vitaleblog:Check
it Out!
-----------------------
Vitaleblog.org
is a blog (weblog) website aimed at those interested
in Natural and organic skin and body care. You will
find: * A repository of useful articles for education
about how to choose the best organic and natural skin
care. These articles are aimed to help you with all
aspects of understanding the ingredients and making
the right choices for your skin and the environment.
* A collection of videos about natural skin care. You
can listen to the recordings at any time through your
computer speakers rather than having to read through
pages of content. * Fresh content is added regularly
including vidoes on ingredients, interviews with other
skin experts, how-to instructional articles dealing
with current hot topics like greenwashing and effecitve
ingredients, as well as news and information from the
natural beauty world.
----------------------
Short
and Sweet:Moroccan Lemon Chicken!
Serves
6
2 cloves fresh garlic, peeled 2 tsp paprika 2 tsp ground
cumin ½ tsp black pepper 4 Tbsp olive oil 6 chicken
thighs (on the bone) 1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tsp saffron threads 125g pitted green olives 2 large
lemons 1 preserved lemon 200ml cold water
1. Crush garlic cloves to a paste with a little salt.
Mix with paprika, cumin, black pepper and half the olive
oil. Toss with the chicken and leave as long as you
can to marinate.
2. Heat a small amount of oil in a shallow pan. Add
chicken pieces and cook on all sides until golden. Remove
with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Add the onion to the pan and cook until golden, then
add saffron and olives. Cook over a medium heat for
2 minutes. Return chicken to the pan.
4. Add the juice of 1 lemon and cold water. Slice a
second lemon and add to the pan. Bring to the boil,
cover with a lid, and simmer until the chicken is cooked
(about 15 minutes), basting regularly.
5. Add a quartered preserved lemon, just to heat through,
before serving. If sauce is not thick enough, remove
chicken and boil hard to reduce. Check seasoning. Serve
chicken on rice with sauce spooned over.
Brought
to you by Mass Attack.
http://www.massattack.com.au
Laughter
is the best medicine!
A
woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking
a round with a fly swatter.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Hunting
flies," He responded. "Oh, killing any?" She asked.
"Yep, three males, two females," he replied.
Intrigued, she asked, How can you tell?
He
responded, "Three were on a beer can, two were on the
phone."
.Quote
of the Month!
Don't live in the past, thinking about
mistakes or changes you made. Think of your life as
a book, move forward, close one chapter and open another.
Learn from your mistakes, but focus on your future,
not on your past.
For
a Good Cause: Why Support The Sporting Wheelies?
The
mission of The Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Sport
and Recreation Association of Queensland Inc. is to
enhance the lives of people with a disability through
community engagement and education, sport and healthy
activity.
In 2007, the Association celebrated 30 years of service
to the Queensland community.
From our early beginnings as a Brisbane based wheelchair
sports club, we have evolved to become an organisation
recognised as a leader, both in Queensland and Australia,
in providing state-wide sport, recreation and fitness
programs to our members who have physical disabilities,
including: amputation, muscular dystrophy, cerebral
palsy, spina bifida, acquired brain injury or vision
impairment.
The Association is a self-supporting, not for profit
disability service providing organisation that raises
funds through its own business enterprises, the Gold
Choice Art Union and Beeline Sales Support. The Association
also receives funding from the Queensland Government
and key sponsors which is a much needed source of financial
support.
http://www.sportingwheelies.org.au/
BACK
ISSUES OF NATURALLY HAPPY
In
the next issue of "Naturally Happy"
- My
Health Sanctuary!
- Fitness
Equipment!
- In
Balance
- Aqua
Man!
- Clinic
Aesthetic!
- All
Body Care!
- Short
and sweet!
If
this link doesn't work please email [email protected]
My
Health Specials provides this information for your personal
education and enrichment. Information provided should
not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem
or disease. Nor should the information replace the advice
of your health care practitioner. Always seek professional
advice if suffering an illness. My
Health Specials Pty Ltd and all parties involved in
the conception, production, ongoing maintenance and
operation of Naturally Happy accept no liability and
no responsibility for any damage whatsoever arising
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