February 26, 2014
14 Things to do NOW for a HEALTHIER YOU!
1. Stop relying on over the counter medications to fix simple immunity issues like colds, coughs, etc. Too often we grab Tylenol, Nyquil, etc to reduce headaches, fevers, sniffles, etc. These medications actually only suppress symptoms and do not address the cause. For example, a fever is your body's reaction to a foreign invader which it is trying to destroy by raising your body temperature. You are by default slowing down your body's innate ability to heal by reducing the fever and essentially turning off the fire alarm. Does it make sense to suppress your body's natural healing ability? Use prevention by taking whole food based Vitamin C, optimize your Vitamin D levels, and eat a whole food based DIET across the color spectrum. Your immunity is based on your lifestyle all around (diet, exercise, stress, etc.). I have not used ANY unnatural medication in 8 years. Trust me. It's not that hard and you are much better off! For help with remedies, go to doctoryourself.com (a site run by Dr. Andrew Saul)
2. Swap your chemical based cleaning and hygiene products for natural ones. The majority of the chemicals being used as soaps, shampoos, detergents, and toothpastes are hormone disruptors/toxic and over time negatively impact your health. Additionally, there are many natural products that actually save you money. A mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and thyme oil can be used to replace many household cleaners. Products such as Dr. Bronner's Soap is also an all around use type of product as well. So instead of using a chemical for every little thing, you will only have to buy one! Additionally, most female deodorants contain aluminum in its inorganic form which is linked to health issues like Alzheimer's.
3. Improve the quality of your drinking water. Tap water is not good for you. Everyone thinks water is water - it is not. Water can have many different structures. For example, take some great filtered water and add a pinch of sea salt to it and then drink the same filtered water without it. Swish them around in your mouth and you can actually feel one to be "softer" on the pallet. The salt and minerals restructure the water and make it more absorbable by your body. Minerals are responsible for your conductivity/messages within your body that it needs to function. Drink spring, filtered, reverse osmosis, or distilled water and add lemon, berries, a pinch of sea salt, or a greens product to it. Under sink reverse osmosis systems are now anywhere from $150 to $500 total and the filters only need to be changed every 6 months or so. That's way cheaper than buying bottled water. A good source is Crystal Quest water filters.
4. Opt to use more glass, ceramic and wood versus plastic in your house. Bowls, plates, cups, etc. Plastic is a hormone disruptor and sometimes contains BPA and over time damages your body.
5. Stop taking antibiotics every time your sick. Figure out what's causing the sickness. Usually a weak immune system. Antibiotics are over prescribed. Additionally, probiotics used to be prescribed along with antibiotics in the early 1900s to ensure your good gut bacteria doesn't get wiped out. Over time consistently taking antiobiotics weakens your gut flora and in effect weakens your immune system. The Greek word anti means "against", and the Greek word bios means "life" (bacteria are life forms). However, antibiotics go after all bacteria including the good. Some studies show the bad bacteria eventually becomes resistant to the antibiotics as well.
6. Stop buying aspartame containing gum and other products. Buy the Spry or PUR brands of gum and drink regular soda if you're trying to kick the habit and absolutely need it. Diet drinks are WORSE for you. Aspartame turns into formaldehyde in your body which increases bad bacteria and in turn can cause you to crave more of it and more sugar!!
7. Stop using vegetable oils and fake butter products like canola, I can't believe it's not butter, soy bean oil etc. They are not good for you. Use olive oil for low to med temperature cooking and organic butter, coconut, palm, and/or sesame oil for high temperature cooking. Additionally, always assume any restaurant you eat out at does not care about your health and is using one of those cheap oils which get stored as fat quickly. Soy is also common in all dressings nowadays. Stick with herbs, spices, olive oil, and lemon as dressing instead.
8. Raise your omega 3's ASAP. How? Use organic flax seed oil, hemp oil, and chia seed oil. Take a high quality fish oil supplement or a product like Udo's oil. These oils can be mixed into olive oil based dressings as well. Everyone is omega 3 deprived because our food supply has been changed. Anything on a shelf for the most part cannot have omega 3s because they are not heat stable and should be refrigerated. Additionally, the ratio in the standard American diet of omega 3s to omega 6s and 9s is about 1:27. The proper ratio is anywhere from 1:1 to 2:1. We are all deficient! If you care about brain health, not having achy joints, and reducing inflammation increase your omega 3s!! 9. Supplement with magnesium (such as CALM). Magnesium is a master mineral and a common deficiency. It's a natural relaxer for our high stress environment. For more on that...click herehttp://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/17/magnesium-benefits.aspx
10. Do something you love for a living. Life is too short do some sh** you don't like doing every day. Live with a purpose and follow your passion!!
11. Ditch the corn, wheat, and soy! The majority of these are GMO products. If you want more info on that go the institute of responsible technology website and make an informed decision. Also, there's a reason almost all shelf products have these three ingredients in them. They are cheap!! Look in your pantry right now. You might be surprised how many products contain these 3 ingredients.
12. Help yourself before you decide to help others. I know it sounds selfish but the reality is if you are stressed, unhealthy, tired, etc. you're only going to be a drag for your friends and family versus an aid. Take care of yourself first otherwise everyone suffers.
13. As Todd Durkin says, "Ready, Fire, Aim!" (Yes I wrote that right!) Take action on your goals. Too many of us ponder/think too much before taking action. In my opinion, successful people are the best at taking action and failing. But they are never afraid to fail again. Take action first and then readjust as necessary. You will never learn anything without DOING something!
14. Lastly, smile everyday!! It's just life. Be grateful for it but know that if something isn't going your way, you're the one who has the power to change it!!!
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Thanks....and remember.... BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!
Ray Cattaneo
Owner - NASM CPT,CES
P.S.~ If you are still looking for results and have not yet started on the road to fitness success this year, email cattaneo.ray@gmail.com with "trial" and give our small group training program a shot for a week free!
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