Author: Nancy Desjardins

Before you start the Sugar Free Lifestyle, it's important to understand what we're up against and just how dangerous sugar can be.

Thousands of years ago, the only sugar available was from fruits or honey, but as human technology has progressed, so has humankind's ability to re?ne sugar from sugar cane or beets into a tasty sweetener.

Unfortunately, our bodies were not built to process re?ned sugar—it is alien to our systems. Raymond Francis, DSc, MSc, RNC, author of Never Be Fat Again, says that "feeding re?ned sugar to a human body is similar to burning high-octane aircraft fuel in an automobile engine. Impressive amounts of energy, but after a while, you damage the engine."

And that is exactly what has happened to us. We have "damaged our engines." As we have increased our consumption of sugar over the years, diseases have also increased.

While our bodies are trying desperately to somehow process these useless re?ned sugars, they are forced to deplete important vitamins and minerals that would otherwise be keeping us balanced, healthy and functioning properly.

This disruption of the body's balanced state (called homeostasis) causes all sorts of serious, life- threatening, preventable conditions such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

For example, some of those minerals that the body redirects in order to deal with sugar are actually designed to help us digest our food. http://7daysugarfreediet.com/">http://7daysugarfreediet.com/Without those minerals, we don't digest our food properly, which means we don't get the nutrients from any healthy food we ARE eating.

Improper digestion also promotes food allergies. Food allergies cause serious physical, emotional and cognitive problems, as well as decreased immunity.

Digestion is only one of many bodily functions that are severely impaired when we consume sugar. And just look at all of the problems that causes!

Sugar also causes reactive hypoglycemia, a dramatic rise and fall of blood sugar which creates a strong craving for more sweets (which starts the cycle all over again). Sugar intake can bring on trembling, amnesia, and even hallucinations and violent behavior, similar to what you might see with the use of addictive drugs. These reactions can mimic mental illnesses.


EMPTY CALORIES
The calories in sugar are considered empty calories because they contain no vitamins and minerals. It is no wonder that people who eat mainly sugary foods feel so sluggish and heavy all the time.

We know that consuming too much sugar leads to fat build-up in the belly, hips, buttocks and breasts.

What you might not know is that once those areas are ?lled up, the liver starts depositing fat around vital organs like the heart and kidneys. Not only can this lead to high blood pressure, it can also result in damage to your brain function.

Even in the short term, your brain is affected by sugar. In fact, you'll likely feel the effects right away. As soon as the "low" sets in, sugar dulls your brain, so you'll feel sleepy. You'll probably also ?nd yourself forgetting things or having trouble making simple calculations.

The next time you have a craving for cookies or ice cream or doughnuts, imagine the chaos you are about to set in motion inside your body. You may be getting ready to swallow the recipe for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, kidney stones, yeast infections, headaches, arthritis or allergies.

How about it?
Do you still want that slice of chocolate cream pie?


SUGAR IS A ROADBLOCK

According to William Dufty, author of Sugar Blues, "Sugar of all kinds—natural sugars, such as those in unpasteurized honey and fruit (fructose), as well as the re?ned white stuff (sucrose)—tends to arrest the secretion of gastric juices and have an inhibiting effect on the stomach's natural ability to move.

Sugars are not digested in the mouth, like cereals, or in the stomach, like animal ?esh. When taken alone, they pass quickly through the stomach into the small intestine. When sugars are eaten with other foods - perhaps meat and bread in a sandwich, they are held up in the stomach for awhile. "The sugar in the bread and the Coke sit there with the hamburger and the bun waiting for them to be digested. While the stomach is working on the animal protein and the re?ned starch in the bread, the addition of the sugar practically guarantees rapid acid fermentation under the conditions of warmth and moisture existing in the stomach."

One lump of sugar in your coffee after a sandwich is enough to turn your stomach into a fermenter! One soft drink with a hamburger is enough to turn your stomach into a still!




Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/sugar-cravings-the-dangers-of-sugar-2826144.html




About the Author

I have been an experienced holistic nutritionist for the past 16 years helping people just like you,http://7daysugarfreediet.com/ finally eliminate the stranglehold that sugar and empty carbohydrates has on their lives.For most of my life, http://7daysugarfreediet.com/">Sugar Cravings I had sugar and food cravings. I was just like you.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH ADRENAL FATIGUE:
by Teri Lang Patterson


Before the information about what the Adrenals do and what happens when they are "tired" this is a quick little story about my experience.  I'm reading an interesting book right now, "The 7 Principles of Fat Burning" by Dr. Berg.  Found here: http://www.drberg.com/shop/

I have struggles with thyroid and adrenal issues for several years but it seemed like I couldn't find a medical professional that offered explanations of what is going on internally and how to change your diet and workouts to strengthened your hormones.  I've just started this book so I'll keep posting my thoughts but a very interesting point about working out when you have Adrenal issues such as Adrenal Exhaustion or even Adrenal Fatigue.  Dr. Berg explains that the Adrenals are tired...they don't need additional stress so your workout routine should be longer but less stressful on the body. You should be doing an exercise that isn't as "taxing" on your body (inside and out), and working out for a longer period of time.  Walking, slow swimming, or easy weights..anything that keeps your heartrate around 130 for about an hour.

As a Fitness Instructor I'm used to teaching many classes a week plus my normal workouts.  I remember when I started gaining weight.  Not just a little weight, but alot of weight.  I was gaining 2-3lbs a week.  That is alot of weight when you are teaching 5-11 classes per week plus working a physical job.  I do remember that when I taught more yoga and weight training, the weight gained "slowed"...but when I had to teach more kickboxing classes I ballooned up each week.  So I believe in the idea that sometimes our bodies need longer periods of slower exercise and especially when stress is already present in your life and draining your Adrenals.

So that's my thought about Adrenals today.  Of course there's much more to all of this then what I can write about in a couple of paragraphs but it's a step.  So if you are working out like crazy and eating lettuce all day, plus burning the candle at both ends, you may have some Adrenal problems.

Learn more about Beachbody workout programs and let me personally coach you! at http://www.beachbodycoach.com/bodysystems 

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Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms by Author: Vienna Miller
Adrenal Fatigue occurs when your adrenal glands - 2 small glands that sit on top of your kidneys - become overworked and depleted. Your adrenal glands are responsible for handling the stresses of your daily life, whether that be physical stress, emotional stress, or psychological stress.

When your adrenal glands become overworked, they cannot keep up with the stresses of your everyday life. You then start to manifest the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Note that just because you have one or two of the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency does not mean that you have adrenal fatigue. However if you find you have the majority of these symptoms then you may want to investigate further.You'll want to learn some of the common causes of adrenal fatigue to see if you can identify with any of these causes in your own life. You'll also want to see your doctor for a full medical workup and diagnosis of adrenal fatigue.

Here are the key symptoms of adrenal fatigue:

1. You're Tired For No Explainable Reason People with adrenal fatigue experience extreme physical exhaustion and they don't have an explanation as to why (such as a strenuous workout). This isn't just everyday tiredness it is extreme exhaustion.
2. You Gain Weight Easily - Especially Around the MiddlePeople with adrenal fatigue often notice they gain weight very easily. They especially notice the extra weight around the middle - and it's very hard to lose it.

3. You Have Difficulty Rising In The MorningThose with adrenal fatigue often find they feel tired when getting up in the morning - even with a full night's sleep. They often need stimulants like caffeine and sugar to 'get going' both in the morning and throughout the day.

4. You're More Susceptible To Flus and Colds

If you have adrenal fatigue, you may notice that you seem to be catching every flu and cold that comes within 10 feet of you. You'll also notice that it seems harder for your body to bounce back from illness.

5. You Often Feel Overwhelmed and Run Down

People with adrenal insufficiency often feel run down and overwhelmed with the tasks they have to accomplish. They may feel as if they can't keep up and do it all. (This can lead to other symptoms like depression and social withdrawal)

6. You May Crave Salty or Sweet Snacks

This may include high protein snacks like meat or cheese. Some people with adrenal fatigue can have an increased craving for salt. You might also notice an intense craving for sweets and fast carbs like donuts, chocolate bars, pastries, ice cream etc.You Feel Better In A Less Stressful Environment

Many people with adrenal insufficiency feel better when on vacation. Their symptoms may even clear up entirely but then return when they go back to their normal lives.
7. You Are Troubled By 'Brain Fog' or Inability to Concentrate

This may include things like the inability to remember certain details, appointments, etc. This may also include a feeling of confusion or difficulty concentrating.
8. Increased PMS For Women

Women with adrenal disorder may find their periods become heavier and/or irregular. They may also notice increased PMS mood swings and/or food cravings.
Those are key symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Other symptoms include:

-Lightheadedness/Low Blood Pressure
-Tendency to Tremble When Under Pressure
-Reduced Sex Drive
-Heart Palpitations
-Nervousness/Raw Nerves
-Poor Digestion
-Feel Most Energetic in the Evening
-Extremely Senstive To Cold

If you can identify with the majority of these adrenal fatigue symptoms you may want to read about the causes of adrenal fatigue to see if you can identify with any of them in your own personal life. You'll also want to see your doctor for more tests and a complete diagnosis.

Adrenal fatigue can be overcome and you can feel better. Listen to your body, cut back on stress and treat yourself well.

About the Author

Vienna Miller is a contributing writer to Adrenal Fatigue - helping you learn more about adrenal fatigue.

For more articles on adrenal fatigue see:

http://www.adrenalfatigue.homestead.com/

When you workout, odds are you will either injure yourself or get sick.  Listen to how your body wants you to proceed.

By Teri Patterson, Fitness Instructor & Coach

We've all experienced it.  Either the flu or an injury sidelines you from working out. I've been lucky to experience both this month. 

First a good ankle-roll during a TurboFire workout left me with a twisted ankle that was swelling fast.  I remembered my high school health class training for the typical RICE treatment.  Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. 

For details on the RICE Treatment, more from The University of IOWA Health Care.

It surprises me that so many people that experience an injury keep going and don't stop to access the injury.  Please remember that if you keep going and "push through", you may then cause serious damage and could be out of commission for weeks compared to a day or two.  Maybe even worse, have to have surgery that puts you on the sidelines for months from workouts and your job.  So be smart and stop immediately after an injury.

Try to apply Ice as quickly as you can and hold for about 15 minutes.  Take some Ibuprofen which will also help reduce swelling, and relieve inflammation and pain.  Then rest.  I know this is hard to do when you are an active person.  But remember that a little rest now, will mean you will be "on your feet" faster in the long run.

If you have a cold or the flu, remember to drink more fluids then normal and rest even if you are feeling "ok".  Number one rule about being sick, if that the body is trying to heal itself from the inside out.  The body will turn its attention to reducing inflammation and healing then to building muscle or losing fat.  Get better, and then the body will focus on weight loss/getting stronger.  Another reason if you are not losing weight...it can be due to an injury.  Even a slight injury will cause inflammation in the body and focus will be on healing and not gaining fitness strength.

So what to do when you are starting to feel better?  Don't immediately head back to your regular workouts.  Focus on stretching, yoga or even swimming all of which are building your body/mind but are still allowing your body to heal. 

Here's to a healthy and safe new year!