Lose More When You Get Your Zzzz’s

You’ve traded snickerdoodles for spinach and you know your way around the gym, but the number on the scale isn’t dropping as quickly as you hoped. The secret to more weight loss could just lie in your sleep. Are you getting enough?

Sleep deprivation can do a number on your body. It raises your blood pressure, slows your reaction time, increases your appetite, and causes your body to hold on to weight.

Deep uninterrupted hours of sleep are pertinent to your health—they give your body a chance to ramp up your metabolism, repair itself, and refresh your immune system. Proper rest can help whittle your middle by decreasing your appetite, as well as reducing the likelihood of late-night, mindless eating.

Here are a few tips to help you get some more shut-eye:

• Develop a pre-bedtime routine to wind down and get your body on a regular schedule.
• Make your room as dark as possible: it will optimize your body’s melatonin production and help regulate your sleep patterns.
• Distance yourself from electronics and other devices that could emit light and disrupt your sleep.
• Make your room relaxing—adjust the temperature, use a sleeping mask, or put in earplugs and make sure your pillow and mattress are as comfortable as possible to fit your needs.
• If you travel or have other conflicts that disrupt your sleep, try Pure Rest™ to get you back on schedule*.

For more tips on maximizing your rest, check out this video with USANA’s Senior Scientist of Product Innovation, as well as a registered dietician and certified personal trainer, John Bosse:

 

http://youtu.be/LPHep-5aTf8

No matter your schedule, be sure to get in plenty of sleep—it could just make all the difference in keeping you on track with your health and weight-loss goals.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

What's stopping you?

The past few months have been a whirlwind for me! I have set some goals and done things I wouldn't normally do. Setting your mind to do something and achieving it doesn't take will power (in my opinion).  Have you ever been asked, "how do you do it?" or "I wish I could do that". It really takes no special skills. Did I know this growing up? NO! So what is it? What is the secret to a happier, healthier and fulfilling life? 

I'll tell you. Are you ready? Are you sure? It's quite profound. Ok, it's to decide! That's right, I know you are saying, "what?" You read right. Decide means to cut off all other options. Instead of thinking about getting healthy, decide to get healthier, instead of thinking about having more fun, decide to have more fun. When will you do it. What will you decide to do? Do it! No regrets! Peace!

3 Things Your Heart Wants From You

In keeping with Heart Health Month, Teresa Elias helps me out!

Hey, you. Yeah, you, the one with the heart beating 100,000 times a day, every single day. I’ve got a bone to pick with you. I was supposed to give you a USANA Test Kitchen recipe this month, but I’ve heard you’ve been neglecting the hardest working organ in your entire body, and that’s just not cool.

When was the last time you thanked your heart for everything it does for you? Do you even remember the last time you stopped and thought about how while you get to rest at night, your sturdy, reliable heart is still going strong? Listen. You need to show your heart you care. It doesn’t ask for much, but it still needs (and deserves) your loving care and attention.

So today, I’m here to tell you what your heart wants from you. Do these three things, and you and your heart’s relationship will flourish. You’ll both grow old together. You’re welcome.

Fill Up on Fiber
Your heart is pleading with you to eat good food with loads of fiber. It knows in its deepest depths that fiber helps with proper digestion, but it also hopes you’ll realize that fiber has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease. Score! Easily up your fiber intake by having oatmeal for breakfast (and feel free to dress it up with raisins, dried cranberries, and some walnuts). At dinner, try mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes, and if you’re making burgers, mix some black beans in with your meat.

Say Hello to Plant Sterols
The word “sterol” may not have the nicest ring to it, but trust me when I say your heart wants them much more than a measly box of cheap, assorted chocolates. Plant sterols help block the absorption of cholesterol, which may lower your LDL cholesterol and allow your blood to more easily flow through your arteries. For your heart, this is a major plus. It already works hard—no need to make its job harder, right? You can find plant sterols in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, and in higher amounts in certain types of margarine spreads (like Smart Balance), yogurt products, and snack bars.

Work it Out
My dad used to try to get out of working out by saying that if the heart only has a certain number of beats, it’s better to be as inactive as possible. Full disclosure: My dad is not a doctor. And, in fact, he was completely wrong. By getting your heart rate up through exercise, you can help make your heart stronger. A stronger heart is a heart that’s better and more efficient at doing its job. And a more efficient heart is a happier heart and one that’s more likely to stick around longer. Take your heart out for a walk around the block, go on a bike ride, or do anything that gets your heart really pumping.

Remember. Don’t listen to my dad. You don’t have a limited number of beats in that heart of yours. Take care of your heart and it will continue to take care of you, just as it has your entire life.