Beware the Weight Monster...

Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls! Scary right? Yet it is not nearly as frightening to some as the prospect of trying to keep your diet in check as we begin our slosh through the sugary holiday season.  Beginning with the calorie-packed cauldrons of Halloween to the belt-busting buffets of the Christmas holiday, we are all challenged to keep our intake in check.

Here are 5 tips to keep the weight monster at bay:

1. Have a Healthy Breakfast - Over the years we have had multiple sources tell us that eating a healthy breakfast can actually help to boost your metabolism for the rest of the day.  Of late, there have been a couple of preliminary reports saying that is not necessarily the case but either way there are still a couple of things we know for sure: Eating a good breakfast is a great way to get your body nutritionally set for the day, you will feel more full through lunch which will help you cut back on the snacking and it will probably save you a few dollars from going through that fast food drive-through (not that you ever would, right?)
2. Employ an Exercise you Enjoy - Finding a type of exercise that you actually enjoy is key to a healthy lifestyle.  Not only does exercise offer a wealth of positive benefits to you physically but it can also help to promote a more positive mental state.  The latter will certainly not be true though if you try to force yourself to do something you hate.  I, for example, love to play sports so I work in at least three days a week when I can play volleyball for a couple of hours.  The exercise is healthy for me and I have a great time.  Find something that gets you active and that you enjoy and get to it! 
3. Curb your cravings with Cambogia - So you want to stick to your diet but the cravings, especially this time of year, constantly threaten to overwhelm you.  Take a look into a supplement called Garcinia Cambogia.  It contains a naturally occurring substance known as Hydroxycitric Acid which is known to be a powerful appetite suppressant and may also help prevent the conversion of carbohydrates into fat.  Natrol makes a fairly inexpensive Garcinia Cambogia supplement called Pure Super Citrimax that would be a great place to start if this is something you would like to try for yourself.
4. Feel full with Fiber - There are a multitude of potential benefits that stem from including dietary fiber in your meals.  This is particularly true for you when you are trying to maintain your diet.  Consider supplementing your fiber intake with Glucommanan.  Coming from the root of the Konjac plant, Glucommanan is a soluble form of fiber that may contribute to a greater feeling of "fullness" and is also known to help slow the absorption of sugar from your meal.  This slower release of sugar into the bloodstream may prevent a sugar crash after eating which can make you feel miserable for one, and also lead to snacking.  Pure Encapsulations has a good Glucommanan product available that is easy to swallow and free of unwanted fillers.
5. Fight Fats with Fats - Sounds ridiculous but a number of studies have focused on the use of Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA for weight loss.  CLA is a fatty acid that is naturally found in a variety of dairy products and eggs.  Studies have indicated that CLA can help increase your basal metabolic rate, improve your body's use of sugar, reduce the size of existing fat cells and may even cause your body to burn fat for energy!  The recommended dosage for CLA is approximately 3,400mg per day.  You can find a variety of Conjugated Linoleic Acid supplements out there.  Make sure to choose one from a brand you trust.

Remember that you should always talk to your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional before beginning any diet or supplement plan. Hoey Apothecary is here to help you with your unique needs. If you have questions about any of these tips feel free to email me at joshua@hoeyrx.com.  

Good luck and good health,

Joshua Long

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Hoey Apothecary is a traditional pharmacy with a passion for holistic wellness.  From retail supplements to custom pharmaceutical compounding, we are here to support you and your unique wellness goals.  Visit us at 217 Cottage Grove Rd in Madison, WI or at our website at www.hoeyrx.com.  Bridging the gap between nature and medicine - Hoey Apothecary!