7 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE USING COCONUT OIL

It is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for you. People all over the world are experiencing the healthy benefits of using coconut oil (especially organic coconut oil.) It is actually one of the healthiest oils you can consume. Here are the top seven reasons why you should use coconut oil as an alternative to other common cooking oils and why coconut oil is good for you and for cooking.

  1. Coconut oil doesn't turn to fat in your body.

Unlike many other common oils, like soy (vegetable) and corn, coconut oil won't make you fat. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are an easy fuel for the body to burn, without turning to fat. Most other cooking oils and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCT's are usually stored as fat. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is more easily absorbed and converted to energy quicker.

People in the tropics have relied on coconuts as a traditional staple in their diet for centuries. They consume large amounts of coconut oil every day. Instead of getting fatter, it helps them stay healthy, lean and trim. When they switch from coconut oil to our modern oils, they develop obesity and the health problems that our modern society faces.

Some other people who have known this truth for a long time are people who are in the animal feed business. When livestock are fed vegetable oils, they put on weight and produce more fatty meat. When they are fed coconut oil, they become very lean.

  1. Coconut oil increases your metabolism. 

Not only does coconut oil convert to energy quicker in your body, it increases your metabolism, which promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism, it helps your body burn fat more effectively.

Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, MCT's burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCT's.

The February 15, 2005 issue of Woman's World magazine stated that coconut oil is the "underground high-metabolism secret."

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems, since coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

  1. Coconut oil has omega 3 fatty acids.

Most cooking oils contain omega 6 fatty acids, something we get way too much of in the United States. Our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio should be 1:1 but it is more like 50:1. We need to drastically cut back our omega 6 oils and consume much more omega 3 oils to be healthy. And coconut oil is filled with these healthy omega 3 fatty acids.

  1. Coconut oil gives you energy. 

Because of the healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it increases the metabolism, most people that switch to coconut oil feel a burst of added energy in their daily life. 

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis, which increases the body's metabolism, producing energy. 

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis, which increases the body's metabolism, producing energy. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have found that adding coconut and coconut oil to their diet was helpful to them.

  1. One of the best things you can use on your skin and hair is coconut oil. 

Coconut oil is one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair. It gives temporary relief to skin problems like rashes. It aids in healing and restoring skin to a younger appearance. It has also been known to help with people who suffer from yeast infections in the skin, as well as many other skin problems.

Not only does it soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil too. 

  1. Coconut oil has healthy benefits that most other oils do not.

Evidence is mounting that coconut oil has anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin. 

Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility to cancers.

Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as Vitamin E.

  1. Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking. 

It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher temperatures better. There are several healthy omega 3 oils we can choose to consume, such as flax and olive oil, but they don't do well under the high heat we use for cooking. Coconut oil can be used in higher cooking temperatures.

It is harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually rancid long before you even bring them home. Rancid oils cause free radical damage in the body, which is a leading cause of cancer. Coconut oil is stable for over a year at room temperature. 

Because of the misinformation we have been given for years, we have lost out on the healthy benefits that coconut oil has given the people of the tropics for centuries. But now it has been rediscovered! Coconut oil is so effective, it won't be long before we see coconut oil supplements promoted, but you can get the jump on the popular crowd and start consuming and cooking with coconut oil today!

 

by Rita

LOSING WEIGHT WHILE KEEPING YOUR SKIN FIRM

Considering you don't have an excessive amount of loose skin already it is possible to lose weight and keep your skin firm in the process. The idea is to keep your body well hydrated day in and day out. NEVER EVER let yourself become dehydrated if you want to tighten loose skin from weight loss. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and NEVER EVER totally eliminate your carbohydrate intake. From my experience most people who have lost weight too fast by eliminating their carbohydrates ended up with a lot of excess skin afterwards. The whole idea is to lose the weight to get healthier and of course to look better with your clothes ON and with your clothes OFF. Here are some tips for skin tightening after weight loss.

  1. Follow a well rounded balanced diet.
  2. Follow a full body exercise routine alternating with a split routine every 4 weeks. For example, full body routine 4 weeks, split routine 4 weeks, full body routine 4 weeks, and so on. 
  3. Considering you don't have stomach ulcers and you are not on blood thinners you should also take ONE TEASPOON of cold arctic cod liver oil ONCE PER DAY with your evening meal. 
  4. Take 1000-1500mg of lecithin per day. Lecithin has been known to increase the elasticity of the skin. 
  5. Anything you can do to increase circulation will also help. Skin brushing techniques are very good. Do a search on the internet for skin brushing to get all the info you need. Deep massages are also good. 
  6. Most importantly if you are more than 75 pounds overweight DO NOT try to lose weight too fast. The more you weigh the easier it will be to lose weight on this program so ease into it slowly so you only lose about 3 pounds per week. Doing this will prevent the sagging skin. If you lose weight too fast you will end up with loose skin 90% of the time. 
  7. Some of my clients have done weekly body wraps with great success but it can get messy. You can do this as an option but it's really not necessary. 

As an option you can also take a supplement called collagen. 

As I stated above one key to increasing the elasticity of your skin is to keep your body well hydrated. Yes, drinking water will do this. The average person needs at least ½ an ounce of water per pound of body weight. Possibly more depending on the type of exercise you do on a daily basis. The reason why so many people end up with loose skin after losing weight is because they go on low carbohydrate diets that will in turn dehydrate the body. If you lose weight and are dehydrated in the process you will see the scale weight go down but unfortunately most of the weight being lost is nothing more than water weight. If you are losing 2-3 pounds per week you are doing great. If you are losing 4-6 pounds you are pushing the limit. Any more than 6 pounds per week and you are sure to end up with loose skin after losing the weight because chances are you are restricting too many carbohydrates from your diet. Cutting out refined flours/breads and sugars will yield the best results. 

Also, instead of getting on the scale every week to measure your progress go more by how your clothes are fitting. I always tell my clients to try on the tightest pair of pants they have and then follow my program for 4 weeks and then try them on again. After 4 weeks those tight fitting pants will be a thing of the past.

Follow all the above and you will see great results. Lose weight firm skin, you can do it!

by Rita

2000 Burpees 24 Hours

Want to join me in supporting a good cause? I'm taking on the 2000 Burpees in April Challenge to raise money for Bone Cancer Research Trust and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate £5 or £500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. I've included information about Bone Cancer Research Trust below.

Every 10 minutes somewhere another child, teenager or adult is diagnosed with this brutal disease and they face a 5-year chance of survival at little over 50%. This drops even further if the disease is discovered late and has already progressed.

The Bone Cancer Research Trust is the only charity dedicated to this disease, it is a small but national charity based in Leeds, UK. They fund ground-breaking research, life-saving awareness initiatives and provide dedicated and trustworthy information and support to patients and all their loved ones... All without any government funding. They rely 100% on people like you supporting their work through donations.

Their work has never been so crucial and vital, in 2019 the major UK cancer research charities reduced their bone cancer research investment again by a massive 17% to a mere £198,575 – the lowest figure since 2002. Collectively the major cancer research charities spent over £700million on research last year, yet despite having some of the most brutal treatment regimes and poorest of outcomes, just 0.028% was spent on bone cancer – not even close to 1%!

Last year alone, with the support of people like you, the Bone Cancer Research Trust were able to commit an incredible £807,824 to pioneering and life-saving research. That’s over four times what all the major UK cancer research charities spent collectively.

Please support me and their work today. Thank you! 🧡

Facebook pays all the processing fees for you, so 100% of your donation goes directly to the charity.

Head on over to donate:

https://www.facebook.com/donate/722377141809556/

by Rita

Eating For Your Body Type

The most important factor about any body-type is how you learn to work out and maintain it. There is no one perfect way, just as there is no perfect diet for everyone. Body-types are based on genetics, gender, age and location. This article will help you understand which type of body is best for your fitness goals.

 

What is an ectomorph body?

An ectomorph is a body type that lacks muscle mass. Ectomorphs can be lean and wiry or have little to none of it. They tend to have a higher metabolism, meaning they burn calories faster than other body types.

Ectomorphs are generally smaller than mesomorphs and endomorphs, with less fat on their bodies. They have small bones, which can make them appear frail and weak, but they usually have very high muscle-to-fat ratios, making them extremely athletic and strong.

 

What is a mesomorph body?

A mesomorph is a muscular and athletic build that has the ability to build muscle mass without having to work hard. The term "mesomorph" comes from the Greek word meaning "middle," which refers to people who have a balanced physique between lean and fat.

 

What is an endomorph body?

An endomorph body is one that is prone to fat accumulation. Endomorphs tend to have more body fat than ectomorphs, mesomorphs andectomorphs. They have a larger percentage of muscle mass than in the other body types.

An endomorph's body type can be defined as having a lot of fat but also having a large amount of muscle tissue. Bodybuilders are endomorphs as well as athletes who compete in endurance sports like marathon running or cycling. This type of body is not only ideal for athletic endeavors, but also for those who enjoy eating high-calorie foods because it helps them achieve their ideal weight quickly and easily.

 

Ectomorph Diet

If you have an ectomorphic body type, you may find yourself craving carbohydrates and protein-rich foods more than the average person. If this is the case for you, then it's important to eat a balanced diet that includes both healthy fats and carbohydrates.

Ectomorphs should also avoid eating foods high in saturated fat or trans fats. These types of foods can contribute to excess storage of body fat around the hips, thighs and buttocks area (known as "belly fat").

Ectomorphs should avoid high-fat foods like cream cheese, butter and mayonnaise because these contain too much fat for them to absorb properly. High-protein foods like chicken breasts or salmon should be eaten instead, as well as vegetables like broccoli or spinach with no added butter dressing or oil dressing.

 

Endomorph Diet

Aerobic exercise is best for weight loss, but an endomorph body type needs to be careful not to overdo it. If you're trying to lose weight and build muscle at the same time, make sure your cardio session is 60-90 minutes long, as this will give your muscles enough time to recover between sets.

If you have a hard time getting motivated to exercise, try incorporating some form of resistance training into your routine. This can be as simple as using free weights or as challenging as working out in the gym with high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Endomorphs should also eat plenty of protein-rich foods such as meat and fish, eggs and dairy products throughout the day. They may also need extra calcium if they have low bone density or osteoporosis tendencies.

 

Mesomorph Diet

The best exercise for mesomorphs is cardio and strength training. Cardio exercise helps burn fat and keep your metabolism high. Strength training builds muscle, which makes you look better, feel better and increase your endurance so you can do more cardio.

Mesomorphs should eat plenty of protein-rich foods like lean meats and fish, eggs, nuts and seeds. Mesomorphs also need more vegetables than most people, because they tend to be more active than other body types.

 

Knowing what your body-type is can help you decide on the best diet for your fitness goals. While we can't promise that getting fit and healthy is easy, it's possible. The key to getting started is knowing what your body type is (and your goals). That kind of starting point has never been easier to come by than it is now, with the rise of online fitness communities and resources. In short, there's nothing stopping you from living a healthier life now—and if you're anything like us, once you've started, you'll wonder why you waited so long!

by Rita