Are you worried about heart disease, diabetes or insulin resistance? Have you seen the countless commercials on television for this or that drug for high blood pressure, insulin, etc.? Would you like to lose weight and feel better without a crazy diet or drug? Master Your Metabolism, by Jillian Michaels offers helpful information about your hormones, metabolism and the best way to lose weight or get healthy!
When we took our son to the pediatrician for his first well check-up, we asked our pediatrician what to do about avoiding asthma and allergies, since more and more children are developing these diseases. My son’s doctor told us to avoid cigarette smoke and the rest was pretty much genetic. I was instantly relieved, because neither of us smoke or are around anyone who does, and neither of us have a history of asthma or allergies. But recently, I have learned some information that has heightened my worries of diseases that seem to be on the rise in our nation:
- 24 Million Americans have diabetes (1 in 4 do not even know it yet)
- 57 Million Americans have prediabetes
- 81 Million Americans have some form of Cardiovascular disease
I have since taken measures in my household to help our family be our healthiest and hopefully prevent such diseases.
Six months ago, I was in Barnes and Noble, killing time. I wandered over to the diet and exercise section of the store and quickly noticed a book written by a well-known reality tv show star, Jillian Michaels. For those who do not know, Jillian Michaels is a trainer on NBCs tv reality show, “The Biggest Loser”. She also has starred in a new show on NBC called, “Losing it with Jillian”. Maybe because of Michaels popularity or because of the title of the book, Master Your Metabolism, I picked up the book and started skimming through the first chapters. I did not purchase the book or finish reading it at that time, but I finally checked it out at my local library and finished reading the book. After reading the information presented in Michaels’ book, I have made necessary changes in my life to gain control of my metabolism and live a healthier and more balanced life.
In her book, Master Your Metabolism, Michaels’ utilizes a three step process to help readers gain control of their metabolism. These steps involve removal, restoration and rebalancing hormones to improve health and metabolism. She calls this method her “total approach to optimal weight and optimal health.” Many diets and health methods result in weight loss and immediate gain once off the diet or health plan. Michaels’ plan is a lifestyle transformation that allows one to achieve “hormonal harmony”. Michaels decided to write a book about metabolism after a visit to an endocrinologist and finding out she was hypothyroid and estrogen-dominant. She came up with this plan to help people get their health and hormones in control.
Michaels’ plan requires that you remove anti-nutrients and toxins from your food and environment, restore power foods and nutrients into your diet, and rebalance your timing and portions of meals and your stress levels. One of my favorite quotes from Michaels’ book is “If it didn’t have a mother or it didn’t grow from the ground, don’t eat it.” In removing anti-nutrients and toxins from your food, you throw out or avoid all processed, preserved and modified foods. Michaels discusses the anti-nutrients to stay away from:
- Hydrogenated fats
- Refined grains (enriched)
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Artificial sweeteners (including Splenda)
- Artificial preservatives and colors
- Glutamates
She also points out some items you should remove or drastically cut back on:
- Starchy root vegetables (potatoes)
- Tropical, dried, and canned fruits
- Soy
- Alcohol
- Full-fat dairy and fatty meats
- Canned foods
- Caffeine
Michaels suggests we restore the foods we removed with:
- Legumes (red beans, all kinds of beans)
- The allium family (onions, leeks, chives, shallots and scallions)
- Berries (organic due to hormone disrupting pesticides used on berries)
- Lean meat and eggs (Alaskan wild salmon is the best choice because of omega 3′s, organic grass-fed beef, cage-free organic chicken and eggs)
- Colorful fruits and vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, peppers, grapes)
- Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli)
- Dark-green leaf vegetables (spinach, kale, arugula, turnips, swiss chard; use organic due to levels of pesticides retained by these foods)
- Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pine nuts; eat raw if possible)
- Organic dairy (organic low-fat plain yogurt, milk, cheese)
- Whole grains (oats, barley, wheat).
Michaels suggests to buy the following organic: meat, dairy, eggs, coffee, peaches and nectarines, apples, bell peppers, celery, berries, lettuce, grapes and food you eat a lot.
The final step of Michaels’ plan involves rebalancing timing and portions of meals and the level of stress in your life. She suggests:
- Eating every four hours
- Eating breakfast within an hour of waking up and definitely before working out
- Not eating after nine p.m.
Jillian also suggests we follow the old saying “Eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch, and a pauper for dinner.” On portions, Michaels suggests we eat until we are full but not stuffed. Eating nutrient dense foods will help us fill up without overeating. We also need to combine our foods correctly – we need a balanced diet of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Lowering stress, getting plenty of sleep, and exercising are also key factors in improving our hormonal balance.
Michaels’ book also delves into details about our hormones and how they are disrupted by many factors like some of the toxins discussed above. She discusses toxins to avoid in our environments as well, such as in our cosmetics, our cleaning supplies, plastics and more. Michaels’ book includes a two-week meal plan with balanced and portioned meals and recipes! You can find Michaels’ book in chain bookstores or online at Amazon. Price at Amazon: $17.16 not including shipping.
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