ISIS Guide to Natural Weight Loss

If there is one thing that creates obsession, it's weight.  There is not a single person on the planet that hasn't been concerned about their weight and body composition at some point.  Gaining weight is one thing, but losing weight is a completely different animal.  Dropping some pounds seem easy at 20, a bit of a challenge at 30, daunting at 40 and overwhelming to the point of madness at 50. 

The truth is that we all could use some help with slimming down our body lines and being able to walk without our thighs rubbing together so hard we could spontaneously combust.  The first step is to seriously address the causes of weight gain.  It is one thing to gain a few pounds, another to gain a few pounds every couple of months and a completely different animal to turn around and be 50 pounds overweight.  We have lots of options to help you with whatever weight issue you are facing from complete weight loss programs to helpful hints and even a Terrifying Tonic! 

So let's consider:

• Hydration and the ease of water movement in and out of cells and tissues
• Toxic load that the body carries
• Dietary composition: protein, carbohydrates and fat
• Hormonal cycles including pituitary, thyroid, adrenals and gonads
• Cellular and Body Metabolism
• Daily schedule
• Stress level and coping mechanisms
• Genetic Tendencies
• Relationship Patterns with Food
• Time factors in body composition

Then check out our Body-Wide Suggestions For Weight Loss including our new Metaboliq Burn System for healthy, rapid weight loss!

There are numerous books, articles, websites and diets all dedicated to losing weight.  The first thing we want to clarify for you is that it is not about how much you weigh, but the health of your body composition.  Each body has its own established healthy weight point.  You may never have been at that point, but your body will maintain the goal of that point for years.  Once you have had weight and body composition issues for more than five years, that point becomes reset to reflect the fact that your weight is always higher than that point. 

So the first goal is to allow your body enough time to fluctuate enough so that the set weight point becomes static.  This will allow it to reset to a lower and slimmer level.  This will take a minimum of four to six weeks.  So whatever you are doing to lose weight, you have to maintain those changes for at least that long for a new set point to be established.  Then it will take a few weeks at that set point for you to begin the fluctuation process again. 

Rule 1: 4-6 weeks of fluctuation, 2-4 weeks of set point, 4-6 weeks of fluctuation.

Let's begin to look at the factors that contribute to body composition. 

Hydration

Water has more effects in the body than you can imagine.  It not only provides movement in the form of blood and lymph, but it aids digestion, is the basis of bile, is essential to the flow of hormones and is the medium in which every single one of our metabolic reactions take place.  Less water means less chemical reactions... less chemical reactions mean lower metabolism.  More water, higher metabolism.  More water, more thyroid and adrenal activity.  More water, more nutrients. 

In losing weight, not all water is the same.  There is an energetic aspect to water which is part of what makes it so perfect as a medium for cellular metabolism.  The more alkaline and antioxidant water is, the more energetic it is.  Ionization as both a purification method and a depolarizing method, create changes to the molecular structure of water, making it more absorbable, more alkaline and more antioxidant than vitamin C, green tea or orange juice. 

But it's not just about having enough water, it's about the movement of water.  Most of our water reserve is in the lymphatic system.  This water reserve also carries our immune cells and helps to drain and detoxify our cells and tissues.  When this system becomes congested, water cannot move efficiently and toxic material can become clogged in lymphatic nodes and tissues. 

Having sufficient hydration is also essential for daily bowel evacuation, which is important for the next factor we have to discuss... detoxification.

Solution: Drink Kangen Ionized Water. Decongest your lymphatic system on a regular basis with Detox Lymphatic Drainage of the Body. 

Rule 2: Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day of ionized water.

Toxic Load

It is an undeniable fact that your body must be able to detoxify itself on a regular basis.  In order for the body to maintain a healthy weight and body composition, it must be able to eliminate any unnecessary, toxic or excessive substances so that it does not have to store them, nor does it have to be affected by them.  For instance, caffeine, soy and chlorine are three substances that we may ingest, inhale or be exposed to on a daily basis.  They are also substances that inhibit the proper function of our thyroid which dictates our daily metabolism.  The body must have its elimination systems and pathways functioning at an optimal level in order to prevent that interference. 

Don't make the mistake of thinking that having a bowel movement every few days is acceptable.  As we age, our systems are not as tolerant of various toxins that we are exposed to in the air, in our environment, in our food and in our water.  Chlorine, fluoride, ammonia, heavy metals, pesticides, growth hormones, even pharmaceutical drug residue are all floating around our world.  You may be taking antidepressants without even realizing it. 

Normally your body can filter out toxins through the liver, the kidneys, the lungs, the skin and the intestinal tract.  But if any of these systems are congested, overloaded or slow, then there can be an accumulation which not only will block circulation and nutrition from reaching cells, but can interfere with the normal function of body systems.  If you are experiencing asthma, psoriasis, constipation or chronic urinary tract infections, then you may need to re-regulate your detoxification ability.

Solution: Try our 21 Day Purification Program.  We also provide liver cleanses, kidney cleanses, anti-parasitic cleanses and our famous One Day Detox Intensive.  There is nothing like Colonic Hydrotherapy for enhancing bowel regularity and evacuation. Detox Acupuncture can really help to decongest stuck pathways and begin the free flow of the energy of detoxification.

Rule 3: Do a body cleanse once each year.

Dietary composition: protein, carbohydrates and fat

Food is a key factor in your body composition.  Many people make the mistake of thinking that fat in the diet equals fat in your body.  In fact, adipose tissue, or fat reserves, are created with carbohydrates much more than fat.  In fact, healthy essential fats keep our blood sugar in check, reduce sugar cravings, protect our nerves and are the major ingredient in many of our hormones.  An especially interesting consideration is that fat is the slowest to digest.  So when you add fat to a meal, your body will take longer to digest that meal, because the fat slows the digestive process.  This means that the chances of absorbing much more nutrition are very high at the same time that you will feel full for longer periods of time.  You actually are training your body to eat less!

The truth is that each person is different and there is no diet that is "right" for every person.  The best way to make your food factor help you lose weight is to change whatever you have been doing.  Choose essentially any diet that is healthy, with lots of fiber and vegetables and sufficient amounts of protein.  Balance is the key.  If you need help, we recommend coming in for our Food For Healing, Food For Life, a personalized coaching of diet, recipes, shopping and support.  Sometimes you just need a little direction!

And while you are making choices remember not to deprive yourself or be too restrictive, because it will come back to bite you in your slightly oversized ass.  Balance is the key, and making sure that you feed yourself enough food to prevent cravings, hunger, spontaneous junk food eating or overeating.  One of the most important things to pay attention to is how often you eat.  The standard philosophy of eating every 3-4 hours to keep up your metabolism is not only correct, it's not the only reason for eating so often.  Your adrenal glands are what determine how "stressed" your body is.  If you skip meals, you're sending your adrenals the message that you don't have time to eat, which elicits a strong stress response.  More stress, more weight. 

And the last piece of eating is to pay attention to your blood sugar at the beginning and the end of the day.  So if you tend to get symptomatic when you don't eat, then EAT!  Many people experience insomnia simply because their blood sugar drops too low during the night.  You can avoid this by having a protein/fat snack before bed.  This will keep your blood sugar more stable during the night as fat is slow to digest. 

Solution: Food For Healing, Food For Life, Gymnema to eliminate sugar cravings, protein supplementation with Protefood and Whey Pro Complete.

Rule 4: Eat every 3-4 hours.  Your first meal should be within 1/2 hour of waking and your last snack should be within 1 hour of going to bed.

Hormonal cycles including pituitary, thyroid, adrenals and gonads

As we age, our hormonal balance becomes more of a challenge and we tend to have a weakening of our thyroid, our pituitary and our adrenals.  Without supporting these essential glands, everything else may be for naught.  The pituitary is the master gland controlling growth hormone, your stomach digestion and the strength of your ligaments.  The thyroid is the master of your metabolism, while the adrenal glands dictate how that metabolism will be provided.  So it is all about the amount of energy your body is producing and the efficiency of that production.  The hormones of the thyroid regulate oxygen use and basal metabolic rate, cellular metabolism and growth and development. The activity of the thyroid is controlled in two main ways: by the level of iodine in the thyroid gland and by negative feedback systems involving both the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland. It also enhances the removal of cholesterol, increases the movement of calcium into bone and stimulates your body’s use of both glucose and fats. 

Many people, particularly women, have undiagnosed hypothyroid, where their thyroid gland is not functioning at an optimal level, despite the fact that blood tests at their doctor indicate that they are within normal range.  Besides the typical thyroid symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, depression and hair loss, there are also osteopenia or osteoporosis, breast cysts, low body temperature, high cholesterol, Carpal Tunnel, gallbladder issues, tinnitus and addictions.  So, in order to increase the optimal function of the thyroid, choose from a number of herbs that are excellent for infusing the body with iodine, while at the same time helping to enhance the body’s use of stored fat.  Some of these herbs are Bladderwrack, Coleus, Ashwaganda, Globe Artichoke, Dandelion Root and Greater Celandine and Bacopa. 

The adrenal glands are the other key to metabolism as they are responsible for determining how our bodies will function under stress, as well as how we will create energy to meet the demands that the thyroid dictates. The adrenals are a part of the kidney meridian and in fact, lie on top of each kidney. For this reason if you have kidney or urinary tract symptoms, then you have a double problem... kidney toxicity and adrenal fatigue. Choose an herb like Rehmania which works both on the adrenals and on the kidneys.

There are two areas of the adrenal, the cortex on the outside and the medulla within. The adrenal cortex releases a group of hormones known as mineralocorticoids, which include aldosterone. Aldosterone controls the balance between intra and extra-cellular fluid, increasing blood levels of sodium and water and decreasing blood levels of potassium. If you have low blood pressure, this is most likely the reason why.  Because of this low adrenal function may also be a strong result of chronic dehydration.

The cortex also releases a second group of hormones known as the Glucococorticoids, the most important of which is cortisol. These act to increase the rate of the breakdown of protein, stimulate synthesis of glucose and the breakdown of lipids. In this way, they provide the fuel for our energy.  Cortisol also influences the activity of DHEA and testosterone. If you have anxiety issues, or hormonal disturbances, then the adrenals are involved. 

The adrenal hormones are essential elements for determining body weight and composition.  Women who have adrenal fatigue will gain weight around the middle of the body and will have low libido and extensive PMS symptoms.  All of these adrenal cortex hormones are cholesterol-based and are strongly linked to reactions to stress. Sometimes adrenal fatigue can simply be the result of not enough healthy fats in the diet.  If you suspect that this is the case for you, we recommend adding Super EFF to your day which will provide all the essential fatty acids that your adrenal glands require.

In order for you to successfully rebalance these essential glands and their hormones, you must focus on eliminating or at least reducing stressors.  Also, if you have had a history of fatigue, recurring infection, sugar cravings and anxiety, you will want to add Cataplex C and Vitanox every day in order to increase your whole vitamin C levels and your antioxidants.  This will help to reduce any chronic inflammation or tissue damage that your body has a tendency to experience. 

Sugar balance is also crucial for the adrenal glandsso consider the Indian herb Gymnema, an amazing “sugar busting” herb that helps to eliminate sugar cravings on contact, as well as restore a more normalized insulin and glucose balance in the blood.  This forces the body to really focus on your stored fat reserves for energy, helping to slim down areas of excessive fat accumulation. 

And if low energy is part of the problem, then add Korean Ginseng which will help to tonify your adrenal glands and provide you with the energy that you have been missing.  This will also help to power up all the systems that are dependent on the adrenal glands which will begin to turn the cycle of your metabolism every day.

Solution: Herbal compounds such as Withania Complex, Rhodiola & Ginseng tablets, Adrenal Complex, Gymnema for sugar balance, Symplex F for women and Symplex M for men to balance glands, Paraplex for hypoglycemic individuals to balance glands. Acupuncture is perfect for restoring normal energy to glands, organs and metabolic pathways.

Rule 5: Do not allow hormonal imbalances to become "normal".

Cellular and Body Metabolism

So when we talk about metabolism, what do we mean?  Your metabolism is the rate at which your body operates on a minute by minute as well as a daily basis.  It is essentially the concept of supply and use.  If you use as much as you supply to the body, then your weight stays the same.  If you use more than you supply, your weight drops.  But the problem with overweight individuals is that they are supplying more than the body uses.  So not only do you need to reduce your intake, but you have to gradually increase your use. 

Metabolism is both at a cellular level and a body level.  In order for your cells to really create lots of energy, you need water (which we've discussed), Ribonucleic Acid, antioxidants and fuel.  Fuel can be two things: fat and carbohydrates.  So if you are taking lots of carbohydrates, then the body doesn't need to use any stored reserves.  If you take in fat, you need much less to create energy.  So once you've got your cellular metabolism stoked, then it's time to increase your body metabolism. 

In order to increase metabolism you have to address three things: the amount of activity you have on a daily basis, the health and function of the thyroid and adrenal glands, and the amount of glucose vs. lipids that your body maintains in reserve.  So, increasing your daily activity is essential.  Even something as simple as walking every day can do wonders to help your metabolism.  For weight – bearing exercise, we like the idea of The Slow Burn Method.  This method of very slow movement to muscle fatigue is quite revolutionary and amazing at changing the body composition and body lines while strengthening muscle and enhancing endurance. 

You can also exercise your muscles in different ways, such as with yoga or pilates.  Aerobic activity demands a lot of energy and muscle strength so you have to judge how much you can devote to these activities without fatiguing your muscles and your adrenals.  You may actually get more by focusing on muscle strengthening, lengthening and flexibility and achieve a greater change in your body composition.

The key to any exercise regime is to have sufficient intake of protein and fuel for your exercise program.  You may want to consider adding Protefood or Whey Pro Complete, which makes a great addition to breakfast or as a snack.

One of the quickest ways to boost your metabolism is with our Metaboliq Boost capsules.  This clinically-tested and proven formula was developed under the guidance of a PhD professor of nutrition and helps the body's metabolism regain its former levels.  There is nothing stronger, nor more natural for that extra support in the early days of weight loss.

Solution: Yoga, exercise, Myofascial Release Therapy to elongate muscles and connective tissue, protein supplementation with Protefood and Whey Pro Complete.  Boost metabolism with Metaboliq Boost capsules.

Rule 6: Move every day.

Daily Schedule

Part of being able to maintain exercise, diet and weight loss is paying attention to a schedule.  Often weight gain is the result of simply skipping meals, skipping exercise and putting your needs last.  Work doesn't help you lose weight, so focus on making "appointments" for meals, for exercise for therapies.  If you have it in your calendar, you'll be more apt to do it.  Also schedule things at the time of day that you have an easier time doing them.  For instance if you energetic in the morning, schedule your exercise in the morning.  If you find you get more done in the evening, then schedule exercise for the evening.  Don't try to force yourself into a schedule that doesn't suit you. 

Part of a schedule is also being sure you get to the grocery store to buy all the foods you need to stay on track.  Most off-eating is due to not having appropriate foods ready and handy.  Spend an evening making a number of things that will last for a few days, even freezing things like fresh fruits and veggies. 

Solution: Schedule your daily requirements.

Rule 7: Put yourself first.

Stress level and coping mechanisms

As mentioned before, your adrenal glands respond to any perceived stress.  So you need coping mechanisms that reduce the feeling of stress so that your adrenal glands cannot signal the hormonal cascade that occurs as a result of perceived stress.  It is a fact that if you are under stress on a regular basis, you will have a great deal of difficulty losing weight.  In fact many people can trace the start of their weight gain to a traumatic event such as a divorce or a job loss.  There are many natural substances that can help you to weather stress with less negative effect, that can prevent a cycle of hormonal imbalances and metabolic fluctuations that can sabotage any positive change that you make. 

Try some wonderful homeopathic rescue remedies such as Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, Heel Homeopathics Nervoheel or Neuroheel.  Turn to the natural strength of herbs such as Skullcap, Valerian and Ashwaganda to support your body systems through stress.  Putting stress management therapies into your life such as Massage Therapy, Acupuncture and Reiki.  Finding healthy coping mechanisms is essential if you experience stress on a regular basis or are going through a stressful time. 

Solution: Massage Therapy to reduce stress, Acupuncture to reduce anxiety and balance the nervous system. Neuroheel, Nervoheel, Tonicoheel for homeopathic stress management.

Rule 8: Schedule 1 hour each day to shut out the world and your stress.

Genetic Tendencies

You might think there isn't much you can do about genetic tendencies, but the fact is that genetics express depending on your body, your environment and what you do with what you have.  So if you look at your parents and see excess weight, fatigue, disease or depression, then you know what your genetic propensity is.  But you can change that with healthy eating, exercise and doing things that your parents didn't do.  So see what exercise choices they made and do something differently.  If your parents were meat and potatoes people and you want a different future, then eat differently. 

There are a number of things that are genetic tendencies when it comes to the weight loss factors we have discussed.  Liver detoxification ability, kidney filtration factors, mineral levels, stomach digestive strength, gallbladder function are all examples of tendencies that can carry down from one generation to the next.  So if you identify weaknesses in your parent's functional abilities, then choose to support those weaknesses before they become functional problems. 

Solution: Take a vitamin/mineral regimen every day: Catalyn, Trace Minerals B12, Vitanox

Rule 9: You have to take vitamins every day.

Relationship Patterns with Food

When you eat that cupcake, what are you thinking?  Is the Starbuck's morning coffee run habit or need?  It is important in trying to change your body composition to evaluate your relationship to food and the reasons why you choose to eat at the times that you do and the food choices you make.  Do you eat as a result of stress?  Do you eat comfot food?  Do you eat because you're lonely?  Do you not eat when you know you should? 

If you need help with re-establishing the place of food in your life, for nutrition, for health, then we have just the right help you need.  Our Food For Healing Food For Life is a private and confidential coaching provided to help with the placement of food in your daily life. 

One of the easiest ways to really change the negative patterns in eating is to switch to a 21 day program of high-grade nutrition to reduce cravings and give you the inspriration of controlled weight loss to keep you going.  Our Metaboliq Burn System will do just that with delicious natural shakes, our Metaboliq Boost formula and easy bars to curb hunger between meals and keep you on track.  Sometimes it just takes enough support to get you through the first few weeks of commitment. 

Solution: Food For Healing, Food For Life, Metaboliq Burn System

Rule 10: Eat consciously.

Body-Wide Weight Loss ideas

Terrifying Tonics Skinny Elixir - containing all the herbs that support metabolism, boost your adrenals and stop the cravings in their tracks, this time-tested formula is one of the most popular ways to get on the weight loss train.

FAR Infrared Sauna - Spend 30 minutes in our FAR Infrared Sauna and clinical studies have shown that you can lose up to 600 calories. 

Acupuncture - by stimulating the body to release endorphins, appetite can be controlled and stress levels can be reduced at the same time that pain can be minimized making exercise more comfortable.

Phyto Slimming Kit - this organic body contouring serum kit is a 3 week home treatment program to reduce cellulite, edema and slim the body lines.  This is the perfect preparation for every special occasion. 

Metaboliq Burn System - this all natural program helps you boost your metabolism while reducing cravings so that you can get on a healthy regimen and really drop the weight.  Delicious shakes, Metaboliq Boost formula, easy bars for between meals and a great eating plan give you a complete three week program to make the change easier.