Habits for Healthy Liver = Healthy Weight
It’s that time of year again! The weather starts to warm up in most of the world (sorry Colorado and Wisconsin). We start looking at the swimsuits in every department store and look at our reflection in the mirror with all kinds of judgement! So, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you about developing habits for a healthy weight.
FIRST, look at that body of yours with a load of respect and admiration. I know my body has been the recipient of much neglect and yet, it strives to find balance and keeps running. “She” (aka my body) has grown, birthed, and fed 5 amazing little humans!!!! She has carried babies on backs, hips, in carriers with a baby in the belly, or one kid on the front and one on the back. She has carried me through so many physical and emotional trials and she is STRONG! You should see these arms carry in 20 million bags of groceries in one trip because we will NOT be defeated and have to make two trips! Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made. They are the only one we get and we should tackle those feelings of anger, frustration, and disappointment with our bodies and realize they do AMAZING things even when they aren’t supported properly! Can you blame them for not being on their best game with lack of sleep, nutrition, and hydration. Nurture your relationship with your body and you may just find the secret to making the changes you need to! Aim to have a HEALTHY relationship with “him” or “her”. It’s time to show them the appreciation they deserve by putting only the best in and on them!
SECOND, once your mindset it right concerning your amazing body, take a step back and look at what you are wanting to improve. What is the root cause of anything you don’t like? Let’s talk weight gain, since that is really why you clicked on this blog post in the first place. Why does a body gain weight? It COULD be as simple as the calories going in are far more than the calories being burned in your everyday activities. However, did you know that toxins that aren’t filtered out of the body are stored in your fat cells? As our toxin load increases, if the body isn’t able to properly detoxify, the fat cells plump up as they take on more toxins as a defense. Are you the person that cuts calories, works out, and can’t seem to lose more than a few pounds? That has been me… SO. MANY. TIMES! Want to know what I learned? My body, the one I was so frustrated with, was actually trying to protect me. Instead of burning all that fat quickly and dumping and releasing a boat load of toxins into an already overburdened body, it said Nope. That is going to cause a problem. Did you know that your Liver is responsible for not only the filtration of toxins, but aids in digestion, regulates glucose, blood pressure, blood sugar, insulin, reproductive hormones, immunity, & cholesterol production and removal!?!?!? If our Liver is overburdened and not functioning optimally the implications are HUGE! For instance, fatty Liver disease (Hepatic Steatosis) is a precursor to Diabetes almost 100% of the time!
So, what do we do? We do our best to recognize where these toxins are lurking. We rid our homes and lives of as many as we can control. Then we aid the Liver and other filtration and detoxification organs and processes of the body by giving them the support they need. This allows the body to say “YES!” to burning more fat and releasing toxins that can be properly removed from the body without causing harm.
5 tips for a Healthy Liver & Healthy Weight:
ELIMINATE PROCESSED FOODS & EATING OUT - these prepackaged or drive thru convenience foods are full of synthetic chemicals, excess salts, bad fats and high amounts of sugar and high fructose corn syrup. All of these things put stress on the Liver and therefore stress the digestive system. They are JUNK! Our bodies deserve WAY less JUNK. Preparing and eating most of your meals at home allows you to control what is going in and on your food. When you can choose Organic, grass fed meats, organic fruits & veggies, wholesome raw dairy and apply your own seasonings and cook in healthy natural fatty oils like Organic Olive Oil or Avocado oils… you are saving your liver!
MANAGE STRESS - did you know that Stress can shut down digestion? It makes sense, right!? When we are stressed, we can feel it in our “stomachs”. You should eat your meals sitting down and calm. Eating standing or on the run can lead to poor digestion and therefore put a greater burden on the liver and minimize the nutrients you are absorbing in your food! Inhaling calming and grounding Essential oils can definitely aid in the reduction of stress. It is no wonder that Young Living’s STRESS AWAY blend is one of my absolute favorite ways to keep calm.
EAT YOUR VEGGIES - We have learned that a colorful plate is a nutrient rich plate, where veggies and fruits are concerned. But, those dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables are especially good for the Liver. They help the body purge toxins like heavy metals!
ADD IN FERMENTED FOODS - If you haven’t already, be sure to learn to love fermented foods. They carry the power of active cultures bringing those good bacteria to the gut and also help the body ditch those heavy metals. So, bring on the Sauerkraut, Kimchee, and Kombucha!
LIVER DETOX and HEALTHY WEIGHT SUPPORT WITH ESSENTIAL OILS! - Lemon water has long been touted as a great and gentle way to detox the Liver. However, with one drop of Lemon essential oil packing the punch of the juice of 2 lemons! It is easy to see that by taking a few drops of Lemon Essential oil, plus Grapefruit and Peppermint Essential oils you have a powerful combination that helps detoxify, boost metabolism, energize, and curb appetite and sugar cravings!
