Welcome to the New Year!
I hope you had a wonderful time during the end of 2023, embracing the Christmas and New Year season with your loved ones.
As we step into 2024, it’s that time when many individuals set New Year’s resolutions.
Often, these resolutions include aspirations to lose weight, get fit, or even give up indulgences like chocolate. While these resolutions are fantastic, they might sometimes lack commitment, especially if they’re made in the year’s final days.
I’ve witnessed many people enthusiastically set New Year’s resolutions, only to see these intentions fade away as time passes.
It’s a common cycle.
There is no blame or poor judgment – instead, I want you to think longer than the first few months of the New Year!
I want to encourage you to ponder today the idea of making health a priority for the whole year!!!!
Let’s embrace this fresh start of the New Year with a commitment towards health.
Health is about being proactive…
No, it is not hard work!!
Health is about feeling great. It is about living life to the fullest without restriction.
Health is not waiting until a disease is diagnosed but instead being proactive towards keeping the great health you have.
Recent weather extremes in Southeast Queensland have been eye-opening.
Tornadoes were experienced on Christmas night (and NO, we are not in America).
This weather event caused power outages for many for days.
Then, the following week, we had flooding from the tropical storms. Talk about being at an interesting End of Year!!!
But I wanted to talk about was the fact that before the weather events, there were warnings on the TV and radio about preparing for summer storms.
Before the storms hit this year, I took proactive steps around my home. I secured loose items and assessed potential damage risks.
The idea of preparing for storms struck a chord with me.
It made me think, why don’t we adopt a similar approach to our health?
Why wait until a health ‘storm’ hits, causing damage, and then scramble to fix it?
Often, we tend to postpone taking action until a health issue disrupts our lives, leaving us feeling unwell and incapable of living fully.
Why not take measures to prevent rather than just react?
Over my almost 30 years as a health practitioner, I have seen thousands of clients.
Some wanted help after they had been diagnosed with an illness.
Some wanted help with symptoms before they were diagnosed with a disease condition.
And some wanted to prevent the above from happening at all!!!
These proactive clients visit routinely and get screening tests performed, and together with them, I work ways to support their health.
They prefer taking charge of their health rather than waiting for issues to arise and being told what to do by specialists because, let’s be honest, when you’re handed a diagnosis, and multiple professionals start telling you what to do next, it can often feel like you’ve lost the wheel of your own health journey.
Take Charge of your health…
This 2024, my message for you is about taking charge of your health. Being proactive, informed, and driving your own health journey throughout this year and beyond.
It’s essential to avoid reaching a point where health problems take over and hinder your life.
Health is the foundation for enjoying time with family, pursuing your passions, and experiencing the joys of life.
So, in 2024, prioritise your health daily, not just for a short time but as a lifelong commitment.
This involves investing in key strategies and routines that become part of your daily life.
Just like cleaning your teeth or buckling up a seatbelt, certain health practices can become second nature in your daily routine.
These principles are simple but hold significant power in promoting wellness and longevity.
Here are some of my tips for 2024 to boost and fully embrace your health.
Listen to your body.
Your body will always tell you what is going on through the expression of symptoms.
When we take that time to listen to what our body’s telling us, we can then make changes in our life towards health.
Practice mindful eating.
Pay attention to the food you consume and how it nourishes your body.
Are you always eating on the run, or are you eating just because you have to? Focus on eating to fuel your body and support the intricate processes within. Being conscious of what, how, and why you eat is essential.
Stay Active
Engage in enjoyable physical activities to stay active.
Choose activities that keep you moving and bring you fun and joy.
Take regular time to rest
Often, we overlook taking breaks and appreciating the moments. Incorporating rest into your routine is crucial for rejuvenation and overall well-being.
Embrace positivity by cultivating gratitude and mindfulness.
Keep a journal to track your thoughts and experiences, and pay attention to any negative self-talk.
Identify stressors or emotions that may require attention and work on implementing strategies to create a more positive and fulfilling life.
Seek professional guidance
Seek guidance from experienced health and wellness professionals who can empower you to take charge of your health journey.
These health professionals provide valuable education and insights, enabling you to gain the knowledge and tools necessary to be in control of your health decisions and remain on track of your wellness journey.
In 2024, let’s focus on proactive steps for your health, moving beyond short-lived New Year’s resolutions and integrating these steps into your daily routine.
By making health a natural part of your lifestyle, you can cherish moments with loved ones, pursue your passions, and relish life’s experiences to the fullest.
Here’s to a joyful and healthy 2024 ahead!
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This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.
