Many of us start our day by stepping on the scale. It doesn’t matter that we know muscle weighs more than fat and how hydrated you are will show up on the scale… we still have to know.

It can be a thrill to find out you lost weight and a depressing experience to find out you gained. We do it thinking it will help us to stay “in control” if we know what the numbers are… “numbers don’t lie.”

Unfortunately, weighing can backfire. Instead of taking you closer to your weight goals, it may make it even harder to transform your body. Here’s how:

1. Increased stress throughout the day. When you step on the scale you start your day with worry. Even when you see you have lost or maintained your weight, you will continue to worry about what you eat all day long. This worry translates to STRESS. And plenty of studies have shown that increased stress leads to weight gain or difficulty in losing weight.

2. Deciding to avoid the “bad” foods for the day will make you want them more. Ahhh, forbidden fruit. The minute you tell yourself “not allowed” the chocolate, and the chips will look that much more delicious and it will be that much more difficult to resist them.

3. If you have gained weight you may feel more depressed and down on yourself. Feeling bad can compels you to seek comfort, right where you’re used to finding solace… with more food.

Ask yourself these questions:

Have you gained weight at a time you were weighing?

Have you lost weight at a time you were weighing?

Chances are the answer is “yes”. Therefore you can conclude that weighing yourself regularly DOES NOT help you to lose weight.

If you regularly worry about your weight, dispose of your scale pronto.

You’re still going to know if you have gained or lost a significant amount of weight because you will FEEL differently and your clothes will fit differently.

Yes, it is possible to weigh without getting triggered into a “Oh my gosh I have to diet! I’m getting so fat!” spell where you plunge into the next quick fix meal replacement, shake, or other extreme measure.

But, until you can say that you genuinely and unconditionally LOVE your body, it’s best just to dump the scale for now, and maybe forever.

Shannon Hodge – Health Coach

www.ShannonHodge.com
http://elizabeth-shannon-hodge.healthcoach.integrativenutrition.com/

JCBC Fitness  6 Week Weight Loss Competition started on April 9^th with the goal to learn how to eat more whole foods, stay away from processed foods and weight loss products.

We started with 22 participants and ended with 17 while still losing a TOTAL of 93.5 pounds!!  We integrated Yoga and Boxing while keeping our Group Personal Training Schedule. Everyone really enjoyed the variety that all the classes provided. Some of the ladies chose to add exercise outside of the class from swimming, walking and riding bikes. They were free to incorporate whatever they felt would benefit them.

JCBC Fitness offered a 6 Week Meal Plan that a few clients took advantage of. This was not a requirement to be able to participate in the Competition. The main goal was that over the 6 weeks Clients would realize what balance of food works for them.

JCBC Fitness believes in a slow weight loss plan for real change. No laxatives or fat loss pills were allowed and supplementing with protein powder was only allowed once a week. It is important that we eat whole foods and not rely on outside sources for the goals we want to reach. We are so proud of each participant and their success. Everyone learned something about themselves during this time and made changes on their plate for the better.

Jennifer Faimon, CPT

Owner/instructor

www.jcbcfitness.com

 JCBC Fitness had a 6 weeks Weight loss contest which ended on May 20th.The KC Glam Squad will be offering the winner a head to toe makeover early August,. Stay tuned for details.

JCBC Fitness strives to offer the best of both worlds: The results and attention of a personal trainer combined with the affordability and social benefits only available in group sessions. We offer

• Personalized attention
• High Intensity Interval Training that burns fat and calories
• Functional training exercises that fit your everyday lifestyle
• Training for any fitness level
• Create more energy for your life to enjoy the things you want
• Learn about Nutrition and how it impacts your life
• Exclusively for women by women

JCBC Fitness believes in a personalized approach to health that combines personal training and nutrition, and maintain that each is equally important and dependent on the other. True weight loss comes from a change in lifestyle, not a quick fix and their philosophy is not a “one size fits all” mentality. Each person is at a different stage in their life and must learn what works for them and their body. JCBC Fitness encourages you, offers support and would be glad to give you a swift kick if you needed it!

Jennifer Faimon

Owner and Personal Trainer – JCBC Fitness

Lou Ann Donovan began on a journey to live a healthier life way back when she was in college.

She is passionate about healthy living, family and community. She researches on both nutritional

supplements and healthy eating in order to reach optimal health and longevity. Lou Ann is officially known as a “Nutrition Geek”, follow her blogs on www.live-young.com.

You know it’s important to eat your greens, but what about your reds, your blues and even your purple and orange? Eating a broad range of fruits and vegetables from the full color spectrum helps ensure proper nutrition and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart and cancer.

Tip: Savor a rainbow of healthy foods to help your body bounce back stronger from exercise.

Get ready to color your plate, read the benefits of my top color picks and brighten up your day!

Orange found in carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and pumpkins contains beta carotene which your body converts to vitamin A. This vitamin supports vision health, immunity and production of red blood cells which transports oxygen throughout your body giving you more energy. These vegetables are heart healthy lowering LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. So there maybe something to that “eat your carrots” that your parents always told you to do.
Purple eggplant is ranked among the top 10 vegetables for antioxidants thanks to a high concentration of phenolic compound, one of the most potent free radical scavengers. Eggplant provides fiber for digestive support, heart healthy potassium, bone-building vitamin K and improves absorption of minerals. This vegetable has been known to also prevent breast, liver and lung cancers.
Green vegetables such as spinach, chard, kale and collard greens are ideal for weight management as they are low in calories. Greens are a major source of iron and calcium plus are helpful in reducing the risk of mouth, throat and stomach cancer. This vegetable also contains the lutein antioxidant which works to keep your body young, heart healthy and protects against cataracts and macular degeneration.
Blue as in blueberries contains the powerful anti-inflammatory anthocyanins which make the blue color and are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin E and flavonoids. Anthocyanins help keep the blood pumping smoothly, prevent hardening of the arteries and lower blood sugar levels. It has also been linked to lower the risk of age-related degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Red tomatoes along with watermelons and papayas are packed with lycopene which has twice the antioxidant power of beta carotene. Without antioxidants, free radicals damage your cells through oxidation, in the same way oxidizing rust damages metal thereby advancing your body’s aging process. Lycopene has also been linked to lower the risk of cancers in the lung, prostate and stomach. Cooked tomatoes are preferable providing over six times the lycopene than eating fresh tomatoes.

Tip: Add 1 extra serving/day of green leafy vegetables to lower your risk of diabetes by 9 percent.

List of resources, all worth checking out.

Fruit Salad Magic, Turn fruit into a salad and watch it disappear. Article from WebMD

My Plate, Get ready to color your plate from HealthyChildren.org

Leafy Greens, Guide to a Healthy Kitchen from WebMD

Author: Lou Ann Donovan – www.live-young.com