Exercise and Fitness Reviews

The Secret Weight Loss Saboteur: Fight or Flight in the Modern World

Here’s a scenario I see over and over–busy women who complain that, even though they exercise and try to eat right, still cannot seem to lose weight.  They are frustrated and up the effort without avail. What’s going on? New research now supports what nutritionists and naturopaths have known for years–up to 80% of adult Americans suffer from some level of adrenal exhaustion and this is impacting our physical and emotional health, causing everything from weight gain to an impaired immune system and insomnia. So what are the adrenals, how do they figure into our weight and health problems, and what can we do to heal them today?

The adrenals are star shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys and regulate several hormones–the two most important being cortisol (the stress hormone) and adrenaline (the fight or flight hormone).  These hormones evolved to deal with short-term stress. If our ancestors had to run from a predator, for example, the adrenals would boost adreneline, to sharpen the senses and make us super focused on survival, and cortisol, to increase the rate protein is converted to energy and release sugar so that our bodies could respond quickly and strongly to danger.  All in all, the adrenals increase heart rate, decrease metabolism, and tense our muscles so that we are lean, mean fighting (or fleeing) machines. When the danger passes our bodies return to normal fairly quickly. The problem, however, is that our bodies, and our adrenals, are not adapted to the chronic, unrelenting stress of our modern world. Constant stress is put on our adrenals every single day–everything from chaotic traffic and schedules, lack of sleep (the adrenals restore themselves from eleven at night until nine in the morning), to the emotional stress caused by financial, job, and relationships responsibilities.

When we are so chronically stressed, our adrenals are pumping out too much cortisol and adrenaline. Studies have shown that increased cortisol in the body leads to weight gain, especially around the stomach area. When the adrenals become exhausted it can lead to low thyroid as well, which also causes weight gain. In addition, adrenal exhaustion leads to poor immune function, poor hormone regulation, insomnia, and chronic fatigue.

How do you test for adrenal exhaustion? Obviously a doctor can figure this out for you to be sure, but here are some common symptoms:

• Pattern of being groggy and not fully waking up for several hours. A dip in energy level between 2-5 in the afternoon and again around 9-10 in the evening.
• Craving high amounts of salt and fat.
• A high frequency of cold and flu
• Weight gain around the middle and/or inability to lose weight
• Lightheaded feeling when standing from a lying down or sitting position
• Increased symptoms of PMS in women
• Trembling when upset

Although it may take some time to bring your adrenals back to health, it is entirely possible with a balanced and natural approach. Taking care of your adrenals is all about taking care of  You–a five pronged approach

Sleep: Since the adrenals restore themselves between eleven at night and nine in the morning, it is important to sleep during this time and for as long as you can. If you cannot, try to spend your awake time doing things that are gentle on the body and emotions–listen to tranquil music, stretch lightly, avoid arguments.

Breathe: Often, proper breathing can help to short-circuit the stress response. Becoming aware of how you breathe is the first step. When you are stressed out is your breath short and rapid (this is a panic response which increases adrenaline and heart rate) or do you hold your breathe (a fear response which increases cortisol)? Work on making yourself take deep breaths, filling the entire stomach cavity and especially the lower back, which is the bottom of the lungs and, in Chinese Medicine, shares a meridian with the adrenal glands.

Eat Well: Craving salt, fat, and sugar is a hallmark of adrenal exhaustion. We crave salt because the electrolyte balance–another function of the adrenals–is often out of whack. Eating foods rich in potassium, reducing salt and sugar intake, and increasing your consumption of water are three ways to help restore the kidneys.

Herbs: Several supplements are great in helping the adrenals recover:

• Siberian Ginseng: An ‘adaptogen’ which helps the body adapt to stress, it also gives us energy and vitality
• Ashwagandha: Is a great nerve tonic that also helps to rebuild the digestive system.
• Rhodiola Rhosea: Improves memory and concentration and reduces stress-induced fatigue.
• Cordyceps: This mushroom is, far and away, the best herb for reducing adrenal stress. It also increases immune, kidney, and liver function as well as increases the utilization of oxygen in the body.

Gentle Exercise:  Exercise is a great stress reliever but too vigorous exercise can further stress exhausted adrenals, which in turn can lead to exercise induced asthma (again, since the lungs and adrenals are on the same meridian in Chinese Medicine). Gentle swimming, walking, light jogging, hiking, and cycling are all great ways to cleanse the body and reduce stress while restoring your adrenals to health.  Certain yoga poses, such as simple cross leg pose, bound bridge pose, and corpse pose are also healing for the adrenals. In kundalini yoga, the adrenals are also tied to the ego and anger and exercises to help reduce anger also are miraculous for adrenals.

While it make take some time and dedication to get the adrenals soothed and in optimal shape, it is well worth it. You will be able to lose weight more efficiently, deal with stress better, get sick less often, and feel more happiness, vitality and energy over the long run.

About the Author

http://www.bodaweightloss.com/blog

	Black Exercise Equipment Floor Mat 3' x 6.5' x 7 mm thick List Price: $44.99 Sale Price: $41.99 Average Rating:
	This extra thick 7mm Exercise Equipment Floor Mat helps to protect your carpeted, hardwood, and tile floors from damage while using exercise bikes, treadmills, stair climbers, etc. This floor mat also provides superior traction that will keep your equipment from sliding while in use...

	Max Fitness 75cm Exercise Ball with Foot Pump (Black) List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $18.99 Used From: $16.99 Average Rating:
	75 cm Max Fitness Exercise Ball with free pump included. Incorporate the versatility and effectiveness of the Max-Fitness exercise balls into your workout. Core strength training is the only way to exercise...

	Harbinger 340100 Durafoam Exercises Mat 3/8" x 24" x 72" (Black) List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $22.50 Average Rating:
	Great for stretching, yoga, Pilates, and floor exercises, Harbinger's Durafoam Mat is soft and pliable with a cushion-like feel. You'll be so comfortable and relaxed while stretched out on this mat, you'll want to keep exercising! What's in the Box? Durafoam exercise mat Manufacturer Warranty 90 days

	Ripcords Exercise Resistance Bands - Black Sniper Edition 6-pack Exercise Fitness Equipment List Price: $80.99 Sale Price: $57.90 Average Rating:
	Ripcords are the ideal go-anywhere fitness tool. They are highly versatile, allowing you to target a variety of muscle groups, such as those used in sports-specific movements. Ripcords work the whole muscle, including the stabilizers and provide tension throughout the entire movement of the exercise...

	Valeo Dual Ab Wheel List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Average Rating:
	Strengthen and tone your abs, shoulders, arms, and back with the Valeo dual ab wheel. The unit teams up a pair of nonskid wheels and two easy-grip handles. To use, simply get on all fours, grab hold of the handles, and glide the wheels back and forth across the floor...

	Bally Twist Board Sale Price: $6.50 Average Rating:
	Twist Board

	Supermats 3'x4' Equipment Mat List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $24.99 Used From: $16.99 Average Rating:
	Supermats Equipment Mat is a 3' x 4' heavy duty PVC mat for exercise bikes, steppers and other exercise equipment

	Bally Total Fitness Thigh Toner Sale Price: $9.98 Average Rating:
	Squeeze your way to total fitness in just 20 minutes per day with the Bally Thigh Toner. The Thigh Toner employs targeted resistance to firm, tone, and strengthen key areas of your body, including your hips, thighs, buttocks, upper and lower arms, chest, stomach, and upper back...

	Everlast for Her Twist Board List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $8.45 Average Rating:
	Twist your way to slimmer abs, hips, and thighs with Everlast for Her's Twist Board. It offers a high-impact, rotating platform that provides a vigorous platform for aerobic exercise. A precision ball-bearing ride provides a smooth, fluid motion...

Enter the code GETFIT in the coupon code box at checkout and receive 10% off your purchase at Trikke.com.