New Year, New You: Three uncommon health and fitness resolutions to help you kick start your fitness for 2011

If you’ve been on the planet long enough to be able to log onto your computer and read this newsletter, you’ve most likely heard every just about every New Year’s resolution. “I’m going to lose weight” or “I’m going to exercise more.” The reason most people don’t stick to these common resolutions is simple: they are too general and in most cases, not very informed. While losing weight is a great idea, most people have no idea where to start so they usually begin cutting calories, going on cleanses and eating sugar-free products, all the while getting sicker and fatter each week. Exercise in theory is a fantastic idea but what kind of exercise is right for fat loss and what kind will actually make it harder to lose weight? Most people aren’t sure and unfortunately rely on so-called health and fitness magazines to give them the answer. This year, let’s try something different. Below are three very specific and researched resolutions to help you lose weight, look younger and feel better in 2011 and beyond.


Resolution 1: I’m going to increase my growth hormone!

Human Growth Hormone, also referred to as the “youth hormone” is absolutely crucial when it comes to looking young, staying lean, burning fat and even fixing DNA damage. Although its name suggests that it only has to do with growth, HGH is actually critical for a variety of bodily functions, such as the turnover of muscle, bone and collagen and the regulation of fat metabolism. So how can you increase your levels naturally? Through sleep, the right kind of exercise and a low-carb diet. HGH production follows a circadian rhythm and is secreted at its highest level in the first hour of early sleep (early being a 10pm bedtime) so if you want to burn fat, create lean muscle mass and look younger, getting to bed on time is a must. Additionally, recent studies show that strength training far outweighs cardio training when it comes to the production of HGH. So sticking to short bursts of high intensity exercise (such as a strength training circuit) will create more HGH than a five-mile run. Finally, because an elevated blood carbohydrate level switches off the secretion of HGH, sticking to a diet that contains high-quality animal proteins, healthy fats and low glycemic carbohydrates (in other words “yes” to dark leafy greens and “no” to potatoes) is essential for keeping your HGH revved throughout the day.

Resolution 2: I’m going to eat more coconut!

Because of its high levels of healthy fat, coconut is a wonder food for those of you who want to burn fat, think clearer and look younger (and, as a bonus, it tastes great). Simply put, for those of you who want to lose weight, you have to cut all of the trans fats, vegetable oils (and don’t even say margarine) from your diet and replace them with healthy fats (such as the fats found in organic, high quality animal products, avocados, coconuts, etc.). For those of you who are still hesitant about eating healthy fats, you should know that sixty percent of your brain is composed of fat - so when you don’t eat enough saturated fat, such as the fat found in coconuts, you actually compromise the chemistry of your brain. In addition, because the fat found in coconuts helps maintain the integrity of almost every cell in your body, it decreases wrinkles, strengthens hair and nails and even increases bone strength. In times of stress, the healthy fats found in coconuts even provide support to the heart and help lower the body’s overall inflammation, decreasing your risk of heart disease and high cholesterol. And as an added bonus in the winter months, coconut is highly anti-viral, anti-parasitic and anti-bacterial, helping you stay healthy in addition to helping you stay lean. My preferred source of coconut fat is coconut oil, a wonderful addition to any broth, shake, and even a great oil for sautéing vegetables and cooking meats.

Resolution 3: I’m going to break my addiction to stinkin thinkin!

Your mind plays a huge role in your ability to lose weight. Many people listen to the same tapes over and over in their heads, playing and re-playing negative thoughts day in and day out. These thoughts are actually addictions, and are no different than an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, cookies or even drugs and alcohol. Common thought addictions range from “My genetics make me overweight” to “I don’t like the way I look but I can’t change it” to “I’m exhausted, over-worked and living off coffee, but so is everyone else.” These tapes are like old software on your computer that no longer works and needs an update. This year I challenge you to replace your negative thinking software with one that better serves you. To do this, think about your thoughts. Categorize them. Are they thoughts of the future (rehearsing)? Are they thoughts of the past (remembering)? Do your thoughts make you feel better or worse? What would you gain from losing that negative thought? Remember, most people have not only physical weight to lose, but emotional weight as well and in MOST cases, the two are so interwoven that you rarely see one without the other. Finally, as Dr. John Sarno points out in The Divided Mind, our bodies quite literally listen to what our brains say. So if you tell yourself over and over again that you’re just not losing weight, your body will respond by not losing weight. Instead, write a positive script for the new year. Stop weighing yourself daily or beating yourself up over your calories in/calories out and instead focus on the bigger picture. Your body will thank you and your mind, no longer focused on beating you up, will allow you to relax and get that early sleep I’m always talking about.

So when everyone is saying that they are going to lose weight or eat better, here are a few specific resolutions that you can implement (and stick with) for the new year. Remember, the more specific the goal, the easier it is to achieve. Cheers to a healthy and fit 2011!