If you want to lose weight, you need to make exercise a priority. Us moms are busy, and by the end of the day, we’re pooped and the last thing we feel like doing is exercising. In order to make sure you exercise, do it first thing in the morning. Schedule exercise just like you do your other activities. By exercising in the morning it will also increase your energy and improve your mood.
This is our first full summer in our “new” home, which is bordered on two sides by woods. Keeping some of the areas mowed, thinned out and planted with wildflowers has been great exercise, very rewarding and a constant battle with chiggers! For over forty-something years, I have been a city gal, so I was not well prepared for the fight with these little creatures. The chiggers won the first 5-week bout. But, now, I am educated and prepared for them.
What can we do to prevent insect bites this summer without having to spray dangerous insect repellants on our skin? Dr. Melody Hart, ND, of Chicago Healers, offers this terrific, all-natural advice for holistic insect protection.
For prevention of insect bites, especially during peak season, take vitamin B-1, also known as thiamine - 100mg for children and 500mg for adults. Or, try rubbing fresh elder leaves or elder-chamomile tea on skin before exposure to bugs. For a more essential oil, use eucalyptus for flying insects, or lemon grass for a broad range of insects. Try these easy tips and enjoy a comfortable, bug-bite-free summer!
Interested in more ideas for using herbs and spices for health, read here…
Dr. Hart is on staff with Chicago Healers and is Board Certified with the American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA), American Academy of Quantum Medicine (AAQM), American Academy of Neural Therapy (AANT), American Association of Nutritional Consultants (AANC) and National Naturopathic Council (NNC). Look for her two upcoming books 7 Habits of Healthy Lifestyle and Natural Laws of Wellness.
healthy living, holistic health, insect bite prevention, natural insect bite prevention, natural skin care If you want to lose the postpartum weight, I highly recommend that you begin a strength training program. Muscle burns more calories at rest, so when you tone your body you will notice weight loss. Start out learning the exercises without weights, then slowly implement 2-3 pounds. Go to a class with a highly recommended instructor and make sure she or he corrects your form, and or try a few lessons with a personal trainer.
A couple of common questions I hear from active pregnant women is, ”Can you continue to exercise at the same intensity, and how much exercise is too much?” My answer is everyone’s body is different and it’s really important that you listen to how you’re feeling. Most active pregnant women can exercise at nearly the same intensity all the way up to the middle or end of their second trimester. However, by the third trimester most women slow down their activity because it no longer feels comfortable. If you are feeling out of breath, dizzy, or light headed you are exercising too hard. Stop exercising, drink water, and take deep breaths. Pay close attention to your body, and exercise at an intensity where you feel good.
A big key to losing weight is to eat when you are hungry, and chose foods that will nourish your body. Start paying attention to how you feel both in mood and energy when you eat something nourishing vs. something high in sugar or processed. Once you notice that your mood is better and you have more energy, you will more likely continue to chose foods that nourish your body and have less fat and calories. When you eat food that nourishes your body you will feel better, have more energy, and lose weight!
Key point: Nourish your body with nutritious foods= increase your energy= improve your mood= consume less calories and fat= weight loss!