Weight Loss and Body Types

I have just launched my new weight loss programme and it is lovely to get back into working with groups of people face to face rather than solely over a TV screen! I’ve incorporated all of the spa findings, research and ‘real life’ learnings – it has been a lot of fun! I will try to blog lots of tips from these courses for those of you not coming along so here’s the first!

One of the most popular, and often profound, workshops we have on a Spa retreats helps people to discover their body ‘type’ or ‘constitution.’ The reasoning behind this is two fold. Firstly the more you know about yourself, the better placed you are to make choices that are congruent to you and your lifestyle. Secondly, it helps people to get out of the rut of wishing they were something altogether different from their fundamental design.

I use body typing to help people find a more enjoyable way to set your goals than simply using numbers on a scale or dress size. If you look at the people around you’ll start to see that there are different types of body.

Most medical systems, both ancient and modern, use body typing as a way to help to classify individual predispositions to weight gain, certain illnesses and even personality traits.

To help us identify our clients’ body types, we draw on the body typing systems of Ayurveda, the ‘science of life’ from India, as well as the Western medical ectomorph (naturally slender), mesmomorph (medium build, athletic) and endomorph (larger build, curvy or heavier) classifications.

It is important to recognise that any of the body types can gain weight, but that each gain – and lose – weight in slightly different ways. If you’re interested in life-changing weight loss you need to understand what your natural, healthy body type is – and you need to aim for a return to your own body type, not someone else’s!

To keep things simple (Ayurveda is a complex subject) I have summarised the findings in easy to understand ways – so, read on and discover whose body you are most like!

The Kate Moss/Mick Jagger type.

If this is your natural body state then you are slim, and often have long legs and arms. You’re likely to have highly visible veins on your arms and hands – not just on the palm-up side where everyone can see their veins, but on the palm-down side. You are probably also prone to wind, constipation, and dry skin and hair. In mental and emotional terms, this body type is generally creative and changeable. Any weight gain you experience is likely to be around your middle, but you tend to be able to lose weight easily. However, you need to introduce routine and structure to support your new way of life, as practicalities can often be left to the last minute, which is usually when things go wrong!

The Steffi Graff/Andre Agassi type

If this is your natural body state then you are of medium height and build, with good muscle tone – the classic athlete. Given your natural physicality, you were probably quite competitive and sporty in your youth. On the mental and emotional side, this body type is often ambitious and driven, sometimes to the detriment of their health, and can be irritable when out of balance.

Unless there is an underlying medical issue, you tend to gain weight gradually and it will be distributed evenly over your body. Your weight loss is usually steady and is best supported by a focused exercise programme, but you shouldn’t get too hung up on what it says on the scales, since this body type has a propensity to build muscle and muscle is about 18% denser and heavier than fat.

The Marilyn Monroe/Russell Crowe type.

If this is your natural body state then you are of heavier build and more prone to weight gain. Women are likely to have plenty of natural curves – the classic pear shape – and men are likely to be stockier, no matter what their height.

Both men and women of this type can be prone to sluggishness, although when active or working out their endurance is very good. Mentally and emotionally this type is the classic follower and friend, loyal and more cautious than the other two.

If this is your body type you’ll need to take consistent care in order to prevent significant weight gain, although remember that you’ll always be naturally more rounded, so celebrate those curves! If you are this body type then try to introduce regular exercise as a must.

It is worth noting that most people are a combination of two body types – and that these summaries are merely for a bit of fun! However, if you can celebrate your curves or muscular physique all the better!

Food intolerances – fad or fact?

Food intolerances and allergies have made the headlines this week with news that small dose exposure to peanuts helped a test group of children overcome a serious peanut allergy.
This came as no surprise to those in the field of Natural Medicine and homeopathy but was confusing to many. At the other extreme, ‘food intolerances’ have become a subject of celebrity jest so I thought I’d clear the entire issue up on this week’s blog!

Food allergy is often mistaken for food intolerance.

Food intolerance can be defined as a condition where particular adverse effects occur after eating a particular food or food ingredient. A genuine food allergy is when a specific immune reaction occurs in the body in response to consuming a particular food. The antigen combines with an antibody and produces an immune response, which results in cell damage and the release of histamine.

In other words, if you have an allergy then there will be no doubt in your mind that you are allergic to the substance! Allergies often run in families, and people who are allergic to some foods may also be allergic to other environmental factors, such as house dust, animal fur and pollen.

Food intolerances are much more common than true allergies and are not a figment of an over-active imagination!

As it is sometimes quite difficult to distinguish between a genuine food allergy and a food intolerance, treatment is often similar. The first step is to diagnose the food intolerance. I am a fan of home-test kits – we have them on our web shop – since they help to establish exactly what is going on. The next step is to do something about it!

Common Causes of Food Intolerance

The most common food intolerances, in order of frequency are milk, eggs, nuts, fish/shellfish, wheat/flour, chocolate, artificial colours, pork/bacon, chicken, tomato, soft fruit, cheese and yeast.

Whilst not all food intolerances are related to meat and dairy products, it can be seen from the above list that vegetarians, and particularly vegans, will suffer less from food intolerance because they already eliminate some of the most common causes of intolerance.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms include asthma, gastro-intestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and diarhhoea), eczema, urticaria (hives), rhinorrhea (heavy discharge from the nose), and angio-oedema (swelling of the blood vessels). Other more long-term symptoms include can depression, anxiety, fatigue, migraine, sleeplessness and hyperactivity in children.

Sometimes the cause of a particular food intolerance is obvious, by the immediate effect that occurs on eating a particular food and there is no need to undertake testing.

In this case the treatment is simply to avoid that particular food and work on improving digestion. In most cases the suspected food is more difficult to track down although a diary kept of foods eaten and symptoms experienced can sometimes help detect the offending food or foods.

However, within food intolerances there are a myriad of reasons behind your possible reaction.

Non-allergic histamine release

The signs are very similar to an allergy and include headache, swelling, urticaria, vomiting and diarrhoea. A substance called histamine is released (it is also released in true allergic reactions) in response to foods such as shellfish or strawberries.

Metabolic defects

A lack or deficiency of enzymes responsible for the digestion of food can cause many types of food intolerance. For example, a deficiency in lactase, the enzyme responsible for digesting milk, causes intolerance to milk. Coeliac disease is gut intolerance to a protein found in wheat, called gluten, so is not considered an allergy.

Pharmacological effects

Some food substances can act like drugs, particularly if taken in large quantities. The most familiar of these substances is caffeine, found in tea, coffee, chocolate and cola drinks. A large intake of caffeine can cause tremor, migraine and palpitations.

Other pharmacologically active substances found in food include histamine, tyramine, tryptamine and serotonin, which may be consumed in foods such as red wine, cheese, yeast extract, avocados and bananas. In susceptible people, these foods can trigger urticaria, facial flushing and headaches.

Food intolerance of unknown origin

Reactions can be provoked by many foods and food products, for example, food additives, particularly tartrazine and sodium benzoate, can provoke urticaria, rhinitis and asthma. Yeasts can provoke a number of reactions in some people, particularly skin disorders.

Whether or not the reason behind your food intolerance or allergy is know, any treatment approach should always involve trying to improve digestion.

We have seen over the years how the detox has ‘miraculously’ taken away long-standing intolerances because the process improves how the body can handle digestion and boosts immunity.

In other words, don’t suffer needlessly or listen to folks that tell you your intolerances are a celebrity-driven fad! If you can’t come and detox drop us a line anyway and we can point you in the direction of Nutritional therapists local to you who may be able to help.

More distress than any other subject!

In my career as a nutritionist I’ve come up against one problem that causes more anxiety, distress and heartache than any other.

That problem is weight gain and what to do about it.

In my experience, the ‘diet industry’, with all its fads, quick fixes and calorie counting, is part of the problem, not the solution.

My approach, which has evolved over the years, is a radical change from almost all that has gone before and I’ve taken my medical studies and nutritional research, and combined them with a hefty dose of ‘real life’.

Emerge as your true, slim self

These days I don’t tell my own clients to diet. Instead, I use this life-changing weight loss plan to help them follow the tune their body and mind dances to. That’s why life-changing weight loss can make the difference for you. It enables you to find your rhythm again, understand how your body works and begin emerging as your true, slim self.

The approach involves developing an understanding of why and how the body gains weight, the truth about what to eat and encouraging people back to the days when they ate with purpose and pleasure rather than with guilt and confusion.

Chances are you’ve been on a diet before, right? Most diets, even best-sellers, leave a body depleted, starved and ready to store fat again – quickly! Being able to forget about the detail of food and instead stick to the nutrient – that’s right, nutrient – principle is one of the most liberating experiences of your life.

Calorie counting is hurtfully deceptive.

Calories can be empty and toxic, making you crave more food, and preventing your body from burning fat and getting rid of fattening chemicals. It’s like saying sprinkle this miracle fertiliser on your lawn, but take away the soil in which the grass grows. Your body is your earth. Without the right food your body can’t do its work. By first helping you to reveal the hidden reasons behind your weight gain, the life-changing weight loss plan then helps you harness the power of your body and mind to lose weight.

I have seen how clients’ lives are transformed when they uncover a truth about their body, how it works and why they have struggled with their weight. It’s a turning point for them.

It’s like finding out that you’ve been putting diesel in a petrol engine and expecting your car to perform perfectly. Or dealing with a toddler’s tantrums by handing out treats, which we all know it is the fastest route to behavioural problems.

Well, think about your stubborn weight gain as your body’s behavioural problem! You need to understand why it is refusing to let the weight go, why the strategies you’re using aren’t working and how to put together a long-term system that really works. But it does mean putting in a bit of time at the beginning (not much, I’ve done most of the work for you…) to develop a proper understanding of why you are the way you are now.

The life-changing weight loss plan is designed to boost nutrition on every level, so that the body is able to manage weight effectively. Did you know that your liver is your major fat-burning organ? If it’s too clogged up with toxins from man-made chemicals then it can’t function optimally. Did you know that digestion is also vital for weight management?

You’re not what you eat, you’re what you absorb. The better your body digests and eliminates, the better ‘tuned in’ you are to what your body needs. Time after time I’ve seen how clients have not only lost (and kept off) stubborn pounds or stones, but also how their general health improves as these vital systems in the body are boosted.

Any more information, just get in touch – more to follow!

Thoughts on Diets

More distress and heartache than any other
In my career as a nutritionist I’ve come up against one problem that causes more anxiety, distress and heartache than any other.
That problem is weight gain and what to do about it.
In my experience, the ‘diet industry’, with all its fads, quick fixes and calorie counting, is part of the problem, not the solution.
My approach, which has evolved over the years, is a radical change from almost all that has gone before and I’ve taken my medical studies and nutritional research, and combined them with a hefty dose of ‘real life’.
Emerge as your true, slim self
These days I don’t tell my own clients to diet. Instead, I use this life-changing weight loss plan to help them follow the tune their body and mind dances to. That’s why life-changing weight loss can make the difference for you. It enables you to find your rhythm again, understand how your body works and begin emerging as your true, slim self.

The approach involves developing an understanding of why and how the body gains weight, the truth about what to eat and encouraging people back to the days when they ate with purpose and pleasure rather than with guilt and confusion.

Chances are you’ve been on a diet before, right? Most diets, even best-sellers, leave a body depleted, starved and ready to store fat again – quickly! Being able to forget about the detail of food and instead stick to the nutrient – that’s right, nutrient – principle is one of the most liberating experiences of your life.

Calorie counting is hurtfully deceptive.

Calories can be empty and toxic, making you crave more food, and preventing your body from burning fat and getting rid of fattening chemicals. It’s like saying sprinkle this miracle fertiliser on your lawn, but take away the soil in which the grass grows. Your body is your earth. Without the right food your body can’t do its work. By first helping you to reveal the hidden reasons behind your weight gain, the life-changing weight loss plan then helps you harness the power of your body and mind to lose weight.

I have seen how clients’ lives are transformed when they uncover a truth about their body, how it works and why they have struggled with their weight. It’s a turning point for them.

It’s like finding out that you’ve been putting diesel in a petrol engine and expecting your car to perform perfectly. Or dealing with a toddler’s tantrums by handing out treats, which we all know it is the fastest route to behavioural problems.

Well, think about your stubborn weight gain as your body’s behavioural problem! You need to understand why it is refusing to let the weight go, why the strategies you’re using aren’t working and how to put together a long-term system that really works. But it does mean putting in a bit of time at the beginning (not much, I’ve done most of the work for you…) to develop a proper understanding of why you are the way you are now.

The life-changing weight loss plan is designed to boost nutrition on every level, so that the body is able to manage weight effectively. Did you know that your liver is your major fat-burning organ? If it’s too clogged up with toxins from man-made chemicals then it can’t function optimally. Did you know that digestion is also vital for weight management? You’re not what you eat, you’re what you absorb. The better your body digests and eliminates, the better ‘tuned in’ you are to what your body needs. Time after time I’ve seen how clients have not only lost (and kept off) stubborn pounds or stones, but also how their general health improves as these vital systems in the body are boosted.

Any more information, just get in touch – more to follow!

Eating for Two

Just got back from a week in France skiing with a great bunch of friends.  I am a true convert to off-piste skiing – I have come back to rainy Scotland mourning the mountains. Alas, no more skiing (and no apres ski!)  for me given the baby bump.

Beyond the slopes it was a tasty reminder of how those French do stodge well!  It proved to me that we are all products of our environment.  Sure, if the health food shop is just down the road and your are surrounded by friends and family to whom good eating is important then  it is a lot easier.

Get yourself halfway up the Alps where everyone is enjoying croissants and bacon for breakfast, hot chocolate and frites as a warm up to a cheese laden lunch then a full on 3 course dinner – and high tea of cakes and more hot chocolate mid afternoon – and it is rude not to join in!

Mind you, on holiday, skiing takes care of the exercise so it’s all part of the experience  but take away the mountain air and exhilaration of skiing and that’s a heck of a daily diet.

For sure though, next time someone comes to me for a consultation and starts to list the kind of menu we were served this week I will take more time over asking about their living circumstances!

I could, of course, use the old ‘I’m eating for two’ argument.  Sadly, it just ain’t true!

I want to blog about this myth since my protruding belly seems to be inviting these questions!

So, here goes for all you pregnant, soon to be pregnant or hoping to be, the truth about your baby-growing needs.

It is true that you need extra calories from nutrient-rich foods to help your baby grow, but you generally need to consume only 100 to 300 more calories than you did before you became pregnant to meet the needs of your growing baby. That equates to a mid-sized banana and a couple of slices of toast at most. I crave more protein when pregnant – even red meat every now and then although for me it’s lamb or venison over beef every time.

When it comes to weight gain, if you were average weight for your build before pregnancy (those who have been on a retreat know your body type!) should gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Underweight women should gain 28-40 pounds during pregnancy. Overweight women may need to gain only 15-25 pounds during pregnancy.

But where does the extra weight go? To be-bunk yet more myths about being ‘fat’ rather than ‘pregnant,’ take a look at the table below.

Baby	8 pounds
Placenta	2-3 pounds
Amniotic fluid	2-3 pounds
Breast tissue	2-3 pounds
Blood supply	4 pounds
Fat stores for delivery and breastfeeding	5-9 pounds
Uterus increase	2-5 pounds
Total	25 to 35 pounds

Right, now that I have got that off my rather inflated chest I will bid you all goodnight!  Pregnancy is a great time to bag some extra sleep.

First Blog!

Over the years retreat guests have been candid and open hearted as I learn about your histories and personal stories. Many of you continue to send updates, which we all love. It has been suggested to me that it’s about time the tables are turned!  Here goes then with my first Amanda’s Blog.

2008 was quite a year! In that short time I met, married and conceived a child with the lovely Crawfurd Hill. Hilariously, Hala, a therapist many of you will know, predicted the meeting a few weeks prior on a trip to Spain and Karen, my co-pilot on retreats knew I was pregnant even before I did! When therapists tell you something good is on the way – listen!

This too will change

Several years ago when I was on a mediation retreat in India I learned about the universal truth that “this too will change.” This was the foundation of the much misunderstood non-attachment philosophy of Buddhism but I have found it a great comfort when times are tough.

Rather than waiting and dreaming of a better relationship or more financial security, the only path was taking action (cue singles websites!) and being content no matter what. A lesson my little girl (now 4 years old!) is learning is that Mummy and Daddy love her no matter what – the book of the same title is lovely bedtime reading.

Yes, even when Jana uses my make up for “painting,” practices her letters with toothpaste on the mirror or steps on bugs and spiders just to see if they “break.”

Not sure what the aforementioned Buddhist philosophy makes of that one!

Take care and have a prosperous and exciting 2009!