Kate Deering
Personal Trainer / Fitness & Nutrition Coach
For over 20 years Kate Deering has been involved in the health and fitness industry helping men and women of all ages achieve optimal health and wellness. Read More…
Nuts and seeds…Too much of a good thing?
Nuts and seeds…Too much of a good thing? For years, nuts and seeds were a BIG part of my diet. Nuts, seeds, nut and seed bars, and nut butters were staples when it came to my everyday food plan. I ate almond butter in my oatmeal in the morning, a bag of nuts for a snack, a few nuts on my salad for lunch and a scoop of peanut butter in my protein shake later on in the day. Nuts and seeds, seeds and nuts…how could you lose with such a tasty nutritious snack? The only problem, were some digestive issues: stomach bloating and seeing the undigested nuts and seeds in my stool (I know…too much information). Quite honestly, I didn’t think much about any of these things because I knew how healthy they were for me. I thought of nuts and seeds as a good source of protein, filled with anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals…plus they were convenient and tasted great… right? These days, almost every-health conscious person loves their nuts and seeds. Almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and walnuts… these crunchy, tasty snacks go great with any salad, casserole or just eaten by themselves as a snack. Eating nuts and seeds has become a staple for individuals who want a healthy snack, that’s easy and taste great. BUT — (you knew there was going to be a BUT)—have any of you, like me, ever had digestive upset, bloating or undigested nuts and seeds in your stool? I’ll guess most of you will say “yes,” and for those of you that said “no”, you may... read moreHow To Heal Your Metabolism
How to Heal Your Metabolism Lately, as many of you know I have been deep in reading and researching about the systems of the body, healing the body, nutrients, foods that heal and how they are all related in increasing metabolic function. I think we can agree that we would all like to increase our metabolism…right? As we get older we are led to believe that our metabolism will just naturally slow down. We will have to work harder and eat less just to stay thin and feel good about ourselves. Do these statements ring true to you? They certainly did for me…of course, until now. You see, for many years, I believed the only way that I could increase my metabolic expenditure (increase calories burned) was to add more muscle to my body and/or to exert more energy through increased exercise load and intensity. However, there is actually a third way to increase your metabolism. One that is not discussed very often, either because people do not know about it or they just do not understand it. Are you wondering what it is? Oh, I bet you are… Over the last few years of my studies, I have begun to look at the body and its functions very differently. I have realized that the health of our metabolism is more than just how much we move and how much muscle we have; a healthy metabolism is about what is happening in every cell of our body and the actual respiration of every cell of our body. Thus, if we can increase cellular respiration we can increase metabolic function.... read moreFacebook Posts
Getting healthy is not just about exercising or eating a particular type of diet, it's about creating habits that support a heathy lifestyle. If your current lifestyle has created metabolic symptoms, illness or disease, then getting out of disease and creating health will be not only about food and movement, but it will be about creating a life that supports your body to heal.
Here is an example of what I'm talking about...
A (hypothetical) person comes to me, who has a LONG list of metabolic symptoms. This client works 60 hours/week, travels weekly, eats out almost every day--sometimes 2-3x a day, stays up late watching TV or surfing the internet--thus, their sleep suffers, enjoys a glass or two of wine EVERY night, doesn't like to shop or cook and loves being social.
All the above behaviors have contributed to the poor health of this individual. Thus, for this person to regain back their health, besides diet and exercise, significant behavior/lifestyle changes will have to occur. You have to create TIME and SPACE to get better. Which means changing the way you live your life.
If your current choices/behaviors in life have made you sick, tired, overweight, and/or unhappy then you need to take an honest look, at your entire life and decide what you can/will change to help get you back on track. Eating metabolically supportive diet is a step in right direction, but if you are unwilling to change your unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, then you are only going to get so far...
Basically, if your life is a shit storm of stress, be prepared to make some significant life changes to regain your health, happiness, and sanity back.
These may include:
1. Working less/changing jobs
2. Getting out of an unhealthy relationship
3. Asking for help
4. Turning your TV/internet off at 8PM and reading prior to bed.
5. Removing or reducing alcohol
6. Food shopping, food prepping and cooking
7. Making time for exercise
8. Making time for YOU. Meditation, deep breathing, etc.
9. Getting some sun
10. Going out less
11. Slowing down
12. Eating metabolic foods
As you can see, there is FAR more to getting healthy than just the foods. Eating a supportive diet is VERY important.
But, equally, if not more, important are the BIG life change AND the daily practices/disciplines that contribute to shifting your health.