Healthier Living With Positive Thinking In 2016

Oh holidays, how joyous you are. Driving to and fro. Coordinating schedules with friends, family, and somehow squeezing in your own personal life somewhere in there. It can get a little overwhelming to keep your sanity or as I call it sometimes, your positive thinking in flow. 

Make your happiness your New Year’s resolution this 2016. I’m dead serious. Make the conscious effort to make your joy an everyday reality. It’s an exercise, mediation, whatever you want to call it. Make it your 2016 practice. With so much focus on what we put inside our bodies, let’s talk about our mind, and how it plays such an important part in our health.

Have you ever caught yourself in the car replaying a conversation? How someone treated you? Talked to you? Did you keep yourself focused on those negative feelings instead of realizing how lucky you are to be driving, while looking at a beautiful purple sky.

“Change your thinking,” I heard myself say. I let myself realize I was playing negative stories on loop. It’s the worst. It keeps you in a bad mood. You get nothing productive done, and then you end up snapping at everyone else around you. When all you have to do is practice letting go of those negative thoughts only you can hear.

Ending the negative loop also gives your body other benefits. When the Mayo Clinic extolls the virtues of positive thinking you gotta take notice.

• Increase your life span
• Lower your rates of depression
• Lower your levels of distress
• Have greater resistance to the common cold
• Have better psychological and physical well-being
• Reduce your risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Have better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

The way you’re mindful at the grocery store for your health, is the same way you gotta increase your positive thinking. You put veggies in your cart, do the same with your mind. Think of it as positive mental veggies. Your body will love you.

So how do you start? How do you practice positive thinking when you’re fighting traffic on the 405? Barbara Markway Ph.D,. of Psychology Today, has some great ideas for better headspace thoughts in 2016.

Ask yourself necessary questions about your thoughts such as:

• Is this thought true?
• Is this thought important?
• Is this thought helpful?

Instead of saying “I'm a loser,” say, “I'm having the thought that I'm a loser.” Instead of saying, “I'm going to blow this test,” say “I'm having the thought that I'm going to blow this test.” The difference may seem subtle, but it can help you gain the perspective that you are not your thoughts.

Thank your mind. 

If you're having anxious thoughts such as, “I hope this plane doesn't crash…I hope the pilot knows what he’s doing…” say, “Thank you, mind. Thank you for trying to keep me safe. But there's nothing that you really need to do right now. I’ve got it covered.” I’m big on notes to myself, so sometimes I write my mind a letter of appreciation for its efforts, but also let it know it can take a break.

Let them float away.

This one involves imagery. You put each negative thought on a leaf and imagine it floating down a stream. When you have another thought, as you will, you put it on another leaf and watch it float by.

Sing your thoughts. 

Try singing your thoughts to the alphabet song or to Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Your thoughts will certainty sound absurd this way, which is the whole point. Say them in a funny voice. Try saying your thoughts in a funny voice. Maybe do an imitation of a cartoon character. 

Name your stories. 

Many times our thoughts are repetitive and involve the same stories. My story frequently is, “I don't really know what I'm doing.” When thoughts come up along that storyline, I can say, “Oh, here’s my I’m Incompetent story, and just let it go.

Do it anyway.

Perhaps the most important tip is to remember that you can have a thought and perform any kind of behavior at the same time. If it’s something you care about, it’s worth it to let the thoughts simply be. You don’t have to do anything about them.

I know this post broke a little bit of the norm. We take such good care of our physical bodies with exercise and diet, but those aren’t the only things that matter. Positive thinking for 2016 will make our lives better, and the lives of everyone else around you. Let good things happen to you. 

Baobab : More health benefits than the acai and goji berries you know

When I was younger I could spend hours in the cosmetics section of Thrifty’s learning about skin cleansers and moisturizers. Now imagine the same enthusiasm for exploring the aisle of superfoods, organic extracts, and natural health remedies at the market. It’s how you discover new things, such as the amazing South African superfruit baobab. The market employee couldn’t stop raving about all the benefits this citrus flavored superfruit. 

Into the cart it went, and after a few weeks of trying it, I was left wondering, “Why I had I not discovered this earlier?” I ventured into the world of baobab by trying out Powbab’s superfruit chews (It sounds like a tongue twister). When the label promises a 100% of my recommended daily antioxidant dosage, along with daily serving of Vitamins C, E & A, I figured why not. These bitesize nibbles combine baobab along with pomegranate and acai berries. The health benefits of the acai berry are well known, so I figured I had nothing to lose, and a whole lot to gain. It was was one of the best gambles I took. 

Among some of the most notable health benefits of the African superfruit are:

A single serving of offers 25 mg of Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties

• Up to 7 times more Vitamin C than goji berries

• 25 times more Vitamin C than acai berries

A single serving offers 3 grams of soluble fiber and 1 gram of insoluble fiber, which reduces cholesterol levels and to reducing risk of heart disease

• 19 times the amount of fiber of goji berries

• 8.5 times the amount of fiber of acai berries

Being high in antioxidant levels means baobab reduces free radicals, the molecules you hear referenced in beauty treatments. Free radicals are responsible for damaging our body cells. The oxidative stress that oxygen-free radicals cause is held as reason why our bodies age. This superfruit fills your body naturally to fight the anti aging process.

This little African fruit contains so many health and beauty benefits, your body will love you for adding it into your diet. Foods rich in Vitamin C are a cornerstone of the anti-wrinkle diet. Vitamin C, whether derived from foods or dietary supplements, helps your body form collagen and elastin, two structural proteins that give your skin support and elasticity. 

Adding Vitamin C rich foods such as baobab to your diet might also enhance your body's fat burning capabilities during a workout. A team of scientists from Arizona State University discovered that people with low blood concentrations of Vitamin C burned 25 percent less fat during a 60-minute walk on a treadmill, compared with those who had adequate levels of Vitamin C in their blood. 

The potential weight loss effects of Vitamin C may be linked to the fact that it is needed for the production of carnitine, a compound that encourages your body to turn fat into fuel, rather than to store it as body fat. Also, Vitamin C rich foods also combat varicose veins because they help our cardiovascular system work more efficiently. Vitamin C keeps our body working smart, regenerating, and maximizing how our processes work instead of slowing down as we age. 

If you’re still not sold on the superfood benefits of baobab, what would your liver say when it heard this superfruit will help realign it’s internal cleansing. It works hard detoxifying toxic substances, including metabolic wastes, and excreting them from your body. Over time, high exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, alcohol and other substances can cause damage to the liver and limit its detoxifying capabilities. 

Help your body get it’s groove back by fueling it with restorative superfoods like baobab. This superfruit comes from a tree referred to as “The Tree of Life,” which usually are over 1,000+ years old. They supply your body with a myriad of beneficial minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. 

Human beings have been on this planet for a long time. Before there were planes, trains, and automobiles, we had to look to our backyards to feed ourselves with goodness. Let’s embrace what modern technology has given us. Now we can visit every global ‘backyard,’ and learn about their wholesome native foods. The magical African fruit, baobab, comes from a tree named after life. After trying it, my body knows why. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Change Your Life with Nykki Hardin! Pilates Platinum Discount & Group Cleanse starting MARCH 12th!

Pilates Platinum is SO excited to share an amazing Group Cleanse starting next week, March 12^th! To add to the excitement, Nykki Hardin has been kind enough to offer a special discount so Pilates Platinum members and friends can jump in on her next group cleanse!

Nykki has created an amazing cleanse that helps you look amazing, lose weight, and gives you increased energy and radiant skin (J). Her program also boosts your immune system, improves your digestion and relieves bloat! Those are just a handful of the benefits for your body—with Nykki’s cleanse, your mind will also benefit from increased focus, you'll sleep better, and one of the best perks of all: you’ll have increased confidence

Nykki Hardin is a Natural Health Specialist and the founder of Nykki's Cleanse. She has helped clients globally create vibrant health and happiness according to their own definitions and standards, and within their ideal lifestyle. Her clients experience weight loss, elimination of stress, mental clarity, and emotional freedom. She is an expert at cleaning out the body to gain energy, reset the metabolism, and experience happiness. 

We could write pages and pages about Nykki and her cleanse-- sharing her experiences from working around the world and why her cleanses help reset your body, mind, and life. And we could fill a book with client testimonials!

But for now, we’re given you a rundown of Nykki’s Cleanse dates and the special offer she’s extended for Pilates Platinum. Please click on the links below to jump to resources where you can learn more and connect with Nykki herself.

CHECK OUT THE CLEANSE DETAILS HERE: 

www.nykkihardin.com

Group Cleanse starts:  MARCH 12th!!!!

(Nykki also works with people individually, so that’s an option too!)

Pilates Platinum Discount: $50.00 OFF!

Use Discount Code:  PLATINUM

Email with any questions!

 Nykki@NykkiHardin.com

Facebook:

 https://www.facebook.com/nykki.hardin

https://www.facebook.com/resetSELF

Twitter:

@NykkiHardin 

Need more information about why Nykki’s Cleanse is so great?

Browse some of these client testimonials that came in just from this week!

“Nykki's Cleanse totally changed my life. I feel healthy, have more energy, and have lost 40 lbs in 5 months. With the help of Nykki, I have shifted the dead weight in every area of my life and I'm happy.  Not only that I have seen the transformation within me as a person. I have clarity, peace, and have opened my heart to the world. I have regained strength, held my head up high, and walked my path of what I believe to be true.” - Lisa Williams

“Nykki's Cleanse completely changed my life.  I had twin boys and could never lose the baby weight. I completed the cleanse, lost 13  lbs. and continue to lose weight, have more energy, clarity, am more positive, and feel the BEST I have ever felt.  It was easier than I thought! Nykki was an amazing coach through the journey and was readily available whenever I needed her. Thank you Nykki for introducing me to this lifetime opportunity, I am forever grateful!"      —Summer Edwards

“I went from 63kg to 60 kg - and lost 2 dress sizes.  It was more exciting AFTER the cleanse as I continued to lose weight and my body better metabolized so I could spot reduce cellulite.  And the ODDEST benefit was I had MORE energy to exercise while on the cleanse!  How many programss do you go on - where you actually continue losing weight AFTER the diet finishes? That's why the Nykki's Cleanse is a must!”   —Angela Ambrosia, Australia

AND MORE:

Yelp reviews are coming in positive—this is another client testimonial from this week:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/nykki-hardin-nykkis-cleanse-santa-monica

"I started 2015 off with Nykki's cleanse and it's the best thing I have ever done. I am a Holistic Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach and loved everything about what Nykki created. I  was so ready for a shift in my life, and that's exactly what I got. I set an intention to let go of what no longer served me - I shed some long held limiting beliefs and about 8 pounds of toxic weight. I have changed by outlook on food completely. I was clean to begin with, but did have challenges with sugar. I no longer crave sugar, or anything that doesn't serve my body. I highly recommend Nykki's cleanse and will also recommend it to my clients!  Nykki is highly knowledgeable and has years of training in health and wellness. She created this cleanse to support long term lifestyle shifts and she has succeeded."

We hope you get a chance to hop over to Nykki’s website to learn more—and we look forward to cleansing with you starting next week, March 12^th!!

www.nykkihardin.com

Heather in the Press: Cat Wright & ActivewearUSA

Mega-blogger Cat Wright feature’s a juicy Q&A with Heather in her post, Megaform Me!

Check out Cat’s (@catwrightstyle) interview and read about her love of @pilatesplatinum. She gets Heather to dish some secrets HERE

Spoiler Alert—did you know Heather’s nick name growing up? We wouldn’t have guessed this one…

As Heather puts it, “being healthy is about being happy.”

And in case you missed Activewear USA’s Live Fit feature…

It’s still winter and we still have #fitnessgoals!

The Holidays might be over, but THESE tips haven’t gone anywhere.

Check out Heather Dorak’s (@heatherdorak) December article for ActivewearUSA (@activewearusa) filled with tips to keep moving all winter long.

Bedtime Munchies: Snack or Skip?

New Year Resolutions are on the table, and so is a commitment to being healthy in 2015. One question our trainers are asked year after year has to do with staying on track- even when hunger hits in the middle of the night.

Here’s the scoop on bedtime munchies:

Which is worse…

eating late at night and going to bed full,  or

ignoring hunger cues and going to bed hungry?

It really is as simple as listening to your body!

Eating a large amount right before bed and going to sleep on a full tummy can be uncomfortable. It can also lead to acid reflux, and can disrupt your digestive system.

On the flip side, hitting the sheets with an empty, rumbling stomach isn’t the answer either. Low blood sugar levels can lead to nighttime awakenings, and depriving yourself isn’t a healthy option.

As with most healthy habits, the goal for nighttime snacking,

aka bedtime munchies, is…

B A L A N C E.

The ideal plan is to eat a balanced meal 2-3 hours before you end your day so that your body can properly digest and prepare for sleep. But if your stomach is growling, and you are truly hungry late at night, the best thing to do is to have a small snack. Try 8 raw almonds, or ½ cup of Greek yogurt. The Protein in both of those options will satisfy your body’s needs throughout the night, and won’t do any harm to your balanced diet. Another favorite is a small portion of baby carrots, or half of an apple, which also helps PM sweet cravings.  

So the next time you reach for the cupboards in the dark,

ask yourself if you’re really hungry, and if so, head for the healthy options instead of something you may regret in the daylight.

Pilates Platinum Asks: Do you know how much sugar you’re really eating?

Recommended daily intake of “added sugars” is 6 teaspoons for women, and 9 teaspoons for men.

Guess what the American average is? 22 teaspoons a day! That’s over 355 calories a day in added sugars alone. That adds up to about 150 pounds of added sugar a year- per person! Too much sugar can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease, premature aging, poor memory, weaker hones, acne, depression and belly fat. And that’s just the short list!

We know some obvious ways to balance sugar intake: eat healthy, exercise to burn excess calories, consume sweets in moderation, eliminate sodas and stay away from processed foods and GMO products. What could be the most important piece of advice is to pay attention to the ingredients and nutritional labels on foods so that you’re aware of what exactly you’re putting into your body.

Sadly you’re mistaken if you think you can watch sugar levels by simply staying away from labels marked with a high sugar count. Unfortunately there are more than 200 types of added sugars used in processed foods (and don’t forget beverages)! These added sugars that are used in 80% of products on shelves at the market are disguised with alternate names. And added sugars hide in everything- even bread.

You might recognize some of the most commonly used sweeteners like corn syrup, cane sugar, or high-fructose corn syrup. But did you know there are over 46 names for added sugars used in processed foods? You’re probably consuming extra added sugars without knowing what these ingredients really are.

Learn about the many forms of added sugars in this list below, compiled by Appetite for Health. Pilates Platinum wants to keep our members (and blog readers!) as informed, healthy, and sugar-free as possible. It’s also a great cheat sheet to pack in your wallet for reference when shopping. It’s better to be safe and healthy than feed into the nation’s addiction to sugar.

Stay away from these ingredients with deceiving names and keep your levels in check. Remember, the recommended daily intake is only 6 teaspoons for women (9 for men) a day!

What is the pH of your drinking water? By: Heather Dorak

Lets talk about water!  Water is the essence of life.  Without water our planet would not exist, nor would any of us!  Not only is it important for us to drink water, but it is important for us to drink good water.  By good, I am referring to water that is clean, full of minerals and measure on the alkaline side of the pH scale. 

What is a pH scale?

It isn’t common for your local new reporter to say, “Hey viewers, today’s pH has increased in acidity moving from a 4.2 pH to 3.9.”  However, it is very important to know the pH of the water that surrounds you. Since chemicals in the water can affect pH; pH is an important indicator of water that is changing chemically.  Shifts in pH levels can be dead give always to an increase in pollution.

pH is a measure of how acidic or basic/alkaline water with a numerical range from 0 – 14.  pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base/alkaline, and the number 7 remaining neutral. The U.S. Geological Survey concludes that the US is more acidic as you move in an easterly direction with numbers ranging from 5.3 to 4.3.  The important thing to note here is, regardless, of where you are in the U.S. the water is acidic. 

Okay…so are water is acidic.  Generally speaking the word acidic does not resonate well and has strong negative connotations attached to it.  Yes, it absolutely does.  On the very basic level of understanding, now knowing that your drinking water is acidic, does that sound like something you want to put it in your body?  I hope would hope not.  Inflammation comes from and thrives in acidic environments that leads to diseases.  Feeding you body with acidity is essentially feeding your body with diseases.

A lot of the food and drinks we consume are acidic or create acidic environments within our body.  Acidic environments are what disease, cancer, and illnesses thrive on.  It is extremely important to keep our body in a neutral or alkaline environment and not an acidic one.  So how do we achieve this?

An important way to support our bodies with an alkaline environment is to drink water that is rated a 7 or higher on the pH scale. 

Many of us turn to bottle water to hydrate.  The wonderful thing about our Earth is that each and every thing on this planet is uniquely itself.  However in the case of bottled water, this statement is true, but a lot of bottled waters are no better for you than the water coming out of your kitchen sink.  It is important to research your water source and see what alternatives there are in your local area! My favorite water is Essentia and I am thrilled to be one of their hydration specialists.  If you have any questions about Essentia or PH water,  find me on Facebook or Twitter.

Information and Facts contributed to Essentia and their documentation I have received as a Water Specialist for Essentia Water.