Natural Health Page

Previously published in the August 2007 Edition of the Cooroora Connect

Middle Aged Spread       

© By Amina Eastham-Hillier (BH.Sc Naturopathy) 

It doesn’t seem fair that shedding excess weight or rather ‘fat’ is so much harder than putting it on. Often it happens over a period of time and before we know it we have moved up a couple of sizes.

In our western society we are tending to become more sedentary especially with age. This, in conjunction with an over compromised lifestyle such as work priorities, family commitments and high stress levels all leave little or no time to actively participate in sports and exercise. This in turn leads to adrenal exhaustion which contributes to excess ‘beer belly’, not necessarily caused from beer at all, and other excess fatty deposits.

Stress and obesity are connected in many ways eg. fatigue decreases motivation for exercise. When stressed we use up so many of our vital nutrients e.g B Vitamins, which can lead to more exhaustion.  Our digestion is affected which again means less absorption of essential nutrients therefore a compromised energy metabolism. A vicious circle!  

Disabilities and chronic illness may result in weight gain and excess fat. This can be very challenging to combat, (without the right support), due to chronic pain, exhaustion and lethargic effects of medication. All of which can be improved with professional help.

Most people with ‘excess fat’ problems often feel they have tried an array of diets. We are all so unique that an effective long term diet plan may be different from one person to the next.

Excess fat may not always be due to a lavish diet but often a combination of contributing factors.

Once we have produced those ‘fat’ cells, they are often retained despite how much weight we lose. The fat cells shrink hence why it is so easy to put the weight back on again.

Tips for Excess Fat loss:

·        Look individually at your TRUE ‘Core’ reasons for fat gain and poor muscle tone eg. After child birth, reduced exercise, medication, depression, low energy and fatigue, pain or stress. Energy metabolism and correction of our hormone imbalances such as stress hormones, corticosteroids and often normal menopausal hormones must be addressed to healthily lose excess fat.

·        Emotional ‘baggage’ or ‘holding on’ to ‘stuff’ emotionally can be a contribution to unexplained weight gain. Looking from a mind/body connection, weight gain can ‘protect’ us.

Prescribed Flower Essences are particularly helpful with emotions that can cause physical symptoms.

·        Throw away the scales. Many diets can initially reduce your body fluid and muscle mass thus perceiving weight loss. This is not ideal and can easily lead to rebound weight gain. The correct balance is to ‘lose body fat’ but preserve muscle mass.

·        Boost your energy metabolism with nutritious foods and herbal medicine. Therapeutic doses of nutritional supplements such as L carnitine or Co Q 10 can help but must be professionally prescribed to ensure the correct doses and prevent any pharmaceutical interactions.

·        Diet Analysis may surprise you. I have had many clients fill out their diet diary with foods they believe are healthy and ‘low fat’. A simple exchange of that large protein dinner with an often inadequate sized breakfast can be enough to boost your metabolism into action.

·        Look at food combinations eg. A mixed cold fruit salad can be very hard to digest and result in a belly full of fermented fruit followed by flatulence and sluggish bowel movements! The ‘good’ essential fatty acids’ are also needed to burn body fat such as oily fish, small amounts of nuts, seeds, and flaxseed oil.

·        KetoSystem – As a Naturopath I’ve had excellent results with clients and ‘stubborn fat’ loss particularly with ‘middle age spread’ by kick starting the body’s own metabolism with a ketogenic diet. This clinically proven system provides the right balance of protein and carbohydrate to burn fat in conjunction with a personalized easy but effective exercise plan.

·        Exercise is essential to burn off more energy than we consume. Even the healthiest food in excess can contribute to weight gain without physical exercise. A good rule is to only eat to 70% capacity (i.e. feeling sated but not full).

·        Psychologically you may need to give yourself an initial push and use incentives eg, new clothes or a holiday. Work with a friend to help motivate each other. If you know someone is trying to loose fat, give them encouragement and confidence to continue.

It is living proof that by loosing excess body fat and living a healthy lifestyle you can prolong life, have more energy and you will look and feel much better.

Amina Eastham-Hillier (B HSc) :  Naturopathy (Herbal Medicine, Diet & Nutrition, Flower Essences, & Iridology).  Mobile : 0422 408 450

Email :  naturopathy@angelmothers.com with any questions about health

Website : www.angelmothers.com for regular healthy recipes

Amina Eastham-Hillier  (B.H.Sc). Member ATMS.

Naturopathy can help with:

·        Ketosystem Fat loss

·        Boosting Immunity

·        Digestion & Diet Analysis

·        Liver Detoxification

·        Allergies & Intolerances

·        Low Energy & Fatigue

·        Pre conception, Pregnancy & Post Natal care

Mob : 0422 408 450

Email :  naturopathy@angelmothers.com with any questions

Website : www.angelmothers.com . Sign up for our Free Ezine with FREE regular healthy recipes and articles on Naturopathy and Nutrition.

Amina Eastham-Hillier