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In Search of a Little BALANCE

Recently I read an article about weight loss and really liked the acronym for maintaining and improving health: balance.

B is for BREATHING

Enhance your oxygen delivery system. More oxygen means more physical energy, more mental energy, more emotional energy, and additional fat burning.

A is for AWARENESS

Listen to your body... it is your best coach. Ex: How do you know if you are drinking enough water or sleeping soundly? Listen to your body.

L is for LIQUIDS

Drink plenty of pure water each day (8-10 glasses). Water increases your metabolism and is an energizer. Divide your body weight by 2. That is the minimum number in ounces of pure water you should drink each day.

A is for ANTIOXIDANTS

Supplement your body's natural supply of vitamins and minerals. Joe Dillon suggests taking a high-quality multivitamin/mineral (3 times a day or as directed), extra C (ascorbic acid - 1000 mg 3 times a day with food) and Gamma E Tocopherol (1 time a day, 400 IUs in the morning with food).

N is for NUTRITION

Provide your body with clean fuel at every meal. Build each of your meals and snacks with the following macronutrients, in order of priority:

1. LEAN PROTEIN (40%).At least a "fist-sized" portion of lean protein (lean protein can be eaten alone).

2. RAW FATS (40%).At least a "thumb-sized" portion of raw fats (raw fats can be eaten alone).

3. UNPROCESSED CARBOHYDRATES (20%). No more than a "fist-sized" portion of unprocessed, foods-as-grown carbohydrates (avoid eating carbohydrates by themselves).

Remember... "a Fist," "a Thumb," and "a Fist"!

C is for CONDITIONING

Exercise at least 3 times per week. Check out Joe Dillon's book for instructions on how to do his suggested "Heavy Hands Walking". (While walking you perform three different exercises with your hand weights: chest flyes, lateral raises and overhead presses. You pump and walk to warm up and in between each set of three exercises.)

E is for EFFECTIVE SLEEP

Sleep soundly at least 8 hours per night. People underestimate the power of sleep - so much so that, in fact, most people in our busy country are sleep deprived. If you sleep soundly, you will get leaner. You will build bone and muscle and burn body fat (because your body releases growth hormone during sleep). And, your mental acuity will be enhanced as your brain moves your short-term memory into long-term memory storage during sleep, clearing your mind for the new day.

(Source: "7 Natural Laws" by Joe Dillon and Flory Netsch Hiatrides as it appears in the Real Foods Market Newsletter)

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