How well do you know your body?

You may be thinking, I know my body better then anyone else....it is mine after all. What kind of question is that? Who doesn't know their own body?

I would say to a certain point you are correct. You know when you move your feet and legs forward, you walk. You know many things that were learned as a child. Many other things are done automatically for you, such as breathing, digesting food, and healing wounds.

I asked the question how well do you know your body for a reason. I would have to argue that there are many out there who do not know their own body very well. Look at the rise in obesity and non-infectious diseases as our supporting evidence.

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalence in adults and children, and authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. Obesity is stigmatized in the modern Western world, though it has been perceived as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history, and still is in many parts of Africa.[1]

While this is an epidemic world wide, America is typically the winner in the fattest country contest. Certainly not something I brag about as an American. I love my country but my government is disappointing at times. Stick your head in the sand mentality vs providing solid nutritional and health education to help empower those to change their health.

Currently there is a debate on health care reform happening in the many halls and offices of Washington politics. It is amazing there is such a large focus on this topic even in other countries. Yet the major issues are ignored.

Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Kidney Failure, and many more diseases that can be linked with obesity as a primary cause. I worked for the country's leading dialysis company for nearly 5 years. While there, I learned much more about the kidneys, how they function, what can cause failure, and how many things in the body become a domino effect, when one system has a failure, it trickles down to others.

So, how well do you know your body?

With so many fad diets in the market today, it is no wonder there is confusion with what should I be eating, drinking or not at all? Some diets say no carbs at all, only protein, while others say avoid anything white. I have news for you, cutting out fat totally will end up harming your brain.

No offense, but you have a fat head! About two-thirds of your brain is composed of fats. But not just any kind.

Your brain cells require very specialized fats – the same ones that built the brains of your prehistoric ancestors and enabled them to learn and evolve at such a fast rate. These same fats are even now being incorporated into the very structure of your brain. [2]

So what do I do to lose weight?

There is no quick fix, no magical pill to melt off the fat, no wand for your Fairy Godmother to wave, to make it all go away. The truth hurts but the truth is, exercise, a healthy diet, and science based nutritionals (vitamins, supplements, minerals) such as USANA, are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In addition, check your mental status. Ask yourself the following questions:

How stressed am I and how do I manage the stress? Do I beat myself down? Am I more positive or negative? Do I choose my words carefully? Start by saying release weight vs lose weight. Why? If you lose your keys you want to find them again yes? If you say lose weight, you are subconsciously saying you wish that weight to come back, and maybe even with friends.

Exercise: there is a variety of how much is the proper amount. Some say do a cardio activity such as walking 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes. Personally, I find a nice balance between cardio and strength training. Cardio exercises the heart and releases fat. Strength training builds muscle, which burns more calories and also helps protect the bones. Strong muscles, strong bones, reduce your chance of Osteoporosis. As long as you are getting out there and doing something, that is the first step you need to take. Not to mention, applaud your efforts. Just keep building off of what you do by making goals, achieving those goals, and creating new ones.

Nutritionals: With over 1,500 nutritional supplements on the market, picking the right one can be tricky and overwhelming. I have tried many over the last 20 years. When I found out about USANA, it is as though someone heard my question. The question I asked, there has to be a better supplement out there then what I am taking...where and what is it? USANA has been chosen year after year as the best of the best when compared to 1500 other products. What I have read over the last year, countless testimonies and articles of how USANA has changed lives. Many things make these products different then everything else.

During this writing, I have asked one question, how well do you know your body? What is the human body made of? Cells

Dr. Myron Wentz, a highly rewarded scientist, realized that nutrition needs to start at the cellular level. In 1992, the birth of USANA Health Sciences was founded on a vision of true health and wealth. In 2007, Dr. Wentz was awarded the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Life Sciences.

You are what you eat. I prefer health in to receive health throughout. I know my body really well and she is happy as a result. Do you know yours?

References

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity

[2] http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/fats.html

USANA: http://www.usana.com/dotCom/index

USANA orders: http://mleahey.usana.com/