Like it or not, we all have them and we all have a ritual about them. Skinny jeans may only be tried on at the exact moment in time when A) you are feeling your best B) Nobody…and I mean nobody is watching and C) you can shut and lock the door to the room with the best mirror and most optimal lighting advantage. Only then may you take them from their super secret hiding place and try them on.
They are the pants that single handedly make or break your day - if those pants fit then everything is right with the world! Believe it or not, as long as those pants reflect an appropriate size for your height and body structure, they may actually serve as a decent health marker.
Everyone knows their general body type - are you an apple or a pear? Do you have a rounder tummy or larger hips? According to the American Heart Association, women should have a waist circumference of 35 inches or less and men 40 inches or less. This means if you took a string and wrapped it around your waist you should fall below those numbers.
How do skinny jeans help? Well…if they are a realistic size then those pants will easily let you know if tonight is a pizza night or a salad night. If it’s looking like rabbit food for the next several nights then keep reading for other ideas in-order to help you reach your goal.
1) First, drink enough water! This keeps you hydrated, fills you up, flushes out toxins and is the best all-around habit for your body. Go for filtered if you can and drink at least 8 glasses everyday. Soda, fruit juice and coffee do not count! Try not to drink liquids with meals as this dilutes your digestive juices.
2) Go for 5-6 small meals a day – make sure they are nutritionally balanced. Eating lightly every 2-3 hours keeps your blood sugar stable and your metabolism moving.
3) Eat within an hour of waking and do not skip meals. This prevents your body from thinking you are in starvation (thus holding on to unwanted calories that could otherwise be used for energy) and keeps blood sugar even.
4) Make sure you are getting a variety of vegetables in your day because they are full of nutrients, vitamins, anti-oxidants, fiber and more!
5) Go for organic food if you can. The hormones, pesticides and herbicides in our food wreak havoc on our bodies and are stored in our fat cells. If you can’t eat all organic, do the best you can and visit www.epa.gov to view their list of the best and worst.
6) If you are going to eat a large meal – aim for breakfast or lunch. This allows your body an opportunity to use those calories, vitamins and nutrients effectively as you move throughout the day.
7) Speaking of moving…exercise and movement is so vital to our health. Movement stretches our muscles, encourages healthy blood flow and awakens our lungs. Keep in mind that it is okay to start slow and seek help from a trained professional.
8) Get a good night’s sleep. This allows your whole being to rest and rejuvenate. It is the time when your stress hormone, cortisol, goes down and a time for easy calorie burning while your body continues to perform nighttime maintenance checks.
9) Work on your stress! Yes…I am talking to you! Your body interprets your chronically busy, super involved, not enough time in the day lifestyle as still running from the saber toothed tiger. You might think it's okay to run on continual overdrive however your brain does not and as a built-in response, the extra perks you normally enjoy might start to decline. Unfortunately, this can include weight loss, fertility and sleep. Think about it, if your body has your running from the moment your alarm goes off until you collapse at night then those extra stops become a priority. Remember to take some time to focus on you.
10) Everything in moderation – including moderation! Please do not try on your skinny pants everyday. This could lead to increased stress and I will have to refer you to #9 above. Life is to be enjoyed and appreciated. Put your best foot forward, start small if you prefer and seek support when you need it. Try not to punish yourself if you quit or slip because you deserve to be happy and healthy!
(Before starting any exercise or weight-loss program, please consult with your doctor.)
BIO:
Dr. Carrie Jones is a Naturopathic Physician with a focus on women’s health and hormones. She has a private practice outside of Portland, Oregon and is an adjunct professor at The National College of Natural Medicine.
Visit Dr. Jones at her websites:
www.naturalwomenshealthcare.com
http://thehappyhealthywoman.blogspot.com
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