Metabolism Boosting Blunder: Why Eating Smaller, Frequent Meals May Make You Fat!

- by Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo

I want to share one of my favorite tips for keeping the extra pounds from creeping in around your waistline, and it has to do with how far apart you space your meals.

One of my Bye-Bye Belly Fat, Brain Fog, and Burnout video subscribers wrote and asked me why I was advising only 3 meals a day spaced 5-6 hours apart when she had at least 5 books on her shelf written by respected health educators telling her to eat frequent, small meals.

All too often, “so called experts” tell you to eat many small meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar steady. What they don’t tell you is that constant feeding means you have a steady stream of insulin in your bloodstream.

Whatever sugar insulin can’t manage to get inside your cells, it stores away as fat… around your belly!

So, while eating every couple of hours keeps your blood sugar from getting too low, it never allows for the rhythmic ebb and flow of insulin. It also causes your leptin and growth hormone levels to go down.

Since these hormones are involved in feeling satiated after meals and in fat burning, you’re shooting yourself in the foot when you eat every few hours.  The ideal meal spacing appears to be somewhere between 5 and 6 hours.

You might be thinking, “I can’t go 5 hours without eating.”

Of course you can’t NOW. You have faulty metabolic pathways that need to be repaired before you can space your meals optimally.

Eating every couple of hours may appear to “solve” your problem and keep your blood sugar even, but it’s really just masking the underlying issue. A balanced body can go 6 hours or longer without feeling faint or irritable.

My B4 Be Gone System gives you the steps to repair the underlying imbalances so you can keep your blood sugar nice and steady without the damaging effects of high insulin all day long.

And I show you exactly how to gradually increase the length of time between meals so your energy remains steady.  My system is designed to guide you to find the right timing for YOU and gradually optimize it as your cells repair. This can happen rather quickly.

One of my clients went from having to eat every hour to easily going 5 hours between meals…within less than two weeks! And she finally dropped 12 of the pounds she’d been struggling to let go for years.  In my B4 Be Gone Program, I show you exactly how to restore the sensitivity of your cells to insulin so you can space your meals, burn more fat, lay down more muscle, and keep your energy and focus nice and steady all day long.

You owe it to the world to get out from under the veil of an under-focused mind, low energy, and lack of confidence in your appearance.  It’s your time to shine.  Join us for the incredible B4 Be Gone Journey and unleash your greatness.

You really are unstoppable!

You’re going to step into your passion and potential as soon as you step out of the fog.

Fear, Anxiety, and Thanklessness – A Sure-fire Prescription for a FAT Midsection

Most people consider me an expert in restoring and maintaining health using diet and lifestyle approaches. My “claims to fame” are my in-depth knowledge of nutrition and biochemistry, and my program effectiveness for restoring balance to achieve vibrant health and energy.

Countless people come to me for advice, wondering why they are still overweight and ill, in spite of eating a healthy diet.

How Stress May Supersize You

While I can usually find things to tweak in clients’ diets, and I can recommend herbs or natural nutrition supplements to restore balance, we’re fighting an uphill battle if we ignore the role of stress, negative emotions, and worry; your health, energy level, AND weight are all affected.

On a past radio show, Your Muscles May be Making You Fat, I explored in detail the mechanism by which stress and worry contribute to belly bulge, and I encourage you to listen for details.

In summary, fear, worry, stressful thoughts and situations, and negative emotions trigger the release of cortisol and adrenaline from your adrenal glands. This hormone release triggers a series of fight or flight mechanisms that cause your liver and muscles to release sugar into your blood. Normally, this release would ready you for your “chase” or “escape”.

But what also happens, and this is the troubling part when it happens frequently, is that your insulin is also triggered to rise, so the sugar in the blood can be absorbed by your cells and fuel them to flight or fight. Keep in mind, that extra sugar in your blood would normally get used. Unfortunately, when your stresses are mental, you can’t burn all the released sugar. Insulin, in following through with its job of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, causes the sugar to be put back into storage… as white adipose tissues, whose main receptors are – you guessed it – right around your belly.

I discuss more details concerning insulin, its role, and insulin resistance in Video 1, of the 5-part Bye-Bye Belly Fat, Brain Fog, and Burnout video series.

When you get stressed over situations that are beyond your control – like fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, traffic, other people’s attitudes – you are creating the perfect environment not only for “turning your muscles into fat” but for injuring your insides and setting yourself up for diseases. The three most serious and very common sequelae [secondary conditions] to chronic stress are the BIG 3: Heart disease, Cancer and Diabetes.

If achieving a slim trim body and keeping yourself safe from “the Big 3″ aren’t enough motivation to get a handle on stress, there’s more.

A Change of Heart Can Mean a Change in Dress Size

Your thoughts and emotions impact others around you, both those in close proximity and those far away.

Let me explain.

Research at the Institute of HeartMath has confirmed that your thoughts and emotions affect your heart rate variability (HRV). When you’re calm, HRV, when graphed, looks like a nice even sine wave and when you’re frustrated or angry, worried or anxious, it’s erratic and spikey. Notice the difference in the graphs to the right.

The smooth wave pattern is associated with ideal blood pressure, clear thinking, proper metabolic function and overall well being. The other pattern hallmarks disease, dysfunction, resistant weight loss and a host of other serious metabolic disruptions.

This article on the HeartMath website gives all the details, and it also takes you step-by-step through a couple of their techniques for restoring balance:

http://www.alternativeworldwidehealth.com/files/Heartmath_Stress_chapter.pdf

According to HeartMath:

In my Mend Your Metabolism & Maximize Your Vitality webinar, I will take you step-by-step through one of the HeartMath processes for Transforming Stress so you can feel for yourself the effects of being in a state they refer to as “coherence”.

It’s an amazing feeling and you too can learn it. In my 30-day B4 Be Gone program, I guide my patients and students through daily practice of this technique, and send them daily reminders and a recording of me guiding them through the process.

Join us on the webinar to get yourself started.

Get Slim, Stress-free, and Save the World

So now for the really amazing, almost unbelievable finding.

YOU have more power than you think over the state of the world, the energy in the room, and the stressful feelings of others.

Hear me out on this one…

When two people with different HRV patterns come into each other’s energy fields, the HRV’s tend to synchronize, and the strongest field prevails. This has been measured by the institute of HeartMath researchers on medical equipment!

By practicing the HeartMath technique called Quick Coherence several times a day, with as little a time investment as 5 minutes a day, you’ll become proficient at changing your emotional state and the HRV’s of others with whom you come into contact.

How cool is that?

And when you practice their more advanced technique, called Heart Lock-in, you actually practice deliberately projecting your energy out into the room. To master Heart Lock-in takes a bit more time, 15 minutes about 3-4 times a week!

When natural disasters like fire and flood strike, the natural tendency is to feel victimized. That puts you into the “triple P emotional state” that has been shown to be the most damaging of all… powerlessness, pessimism, and pervasive worry.

It’s times like these that we need to band together energetically and send positive thoughts, prayers, and uplifting energy to those whose lives are affected. Imagine the effect of thousands of people all over the world projecting their positive energy field! According to the above aforementioned article from the Institute of HeartMath (which I highly recommend you read in its entirety), “positive thinking” without accompanying positive feelings usually only provides temporary relief from emotional distress. Whereas the activation of positive emotions is more likely to transform the stress at its source.

According to Joe Vitale, author of The Attractor Factor, “there are over 25 scientific studies that prove when a group of people meditate together, they can change their surroundings — just by getting settled inside.”

Dr. Vitale lives not too far from where I live, just outside of Austin, and he sent out a plea for help with getting the fires under control through the power of positive emotion.

I’ve printed his entire letter on my blog, where Joe tells of his experience with this process when Hurricane Rita threatened Austin a few years back.

Whether you believe Dr. Vitale’s account of changing the course of natural events or not, there’s no disputing the positive effect of appreciation and love on your own chemistry and that of those around you. Lots of studies at www.heartmath.org support this.

So, what do you have to lose?

Even if you think it’s goofy, it can’t hurt and it will change your own emotions and your internal well-being.

So take a deep breath… find that place of peace inside yourself where you know all is well. Access that area of inner calm…and then just feel the fires going out; imagine the hurricanes heading out to sea; envision the earth’s core relaxing; and perceive that all the people affected are safe, sound, and protected.

Stop, breathe, focus, pray, or in some positive way send out an energy that will help dissolve the fear.
It’s your way of making a difference in the face of disaster, even if you can’t send lots of money or travel to the scene to help.

Check out the book Unconditional Bliss by Howard Cushnir. He says you can find happiness in the face of hardship.

And in the words of Joe Vitale, “… be happy, right now. Smile. Send that loving energy out, in the direction of Texas.

Intend for all to be well, for, in reality, all is well.”

Explanations and Exclamations for “Belly Fat, Brain Fog, and Burnout!”

If you’ve been following our newsletter or if you subscribe to the blog, then you’ll know we’ve been focusing on helping people fight fat, fog, and fatigue.  Dr. Ritamarie’s brand new 5-part FREE Video Series Bye-Bye Belly Fat, Brain Fog, and Burnout was juuuust released on Friday and it’s already receiving an overwhelming response of comments and subscribers. 

To see why the buzz has been so exciting, Click HERE!

How to Fix Your Fat, Fog, and Fatigue:

While many people want to change their lifestyle, so many have struggled to find long-term success because the programs they attempt to follow fail to address the underlying conditions that created the weight gain, cloudy thinking, and energy drain in the first place.  This series puts a spotlight on the biochemical individual reactions that may be occurring in your body.

Every other day or so, until the final Webinar on September 7th, 2011, a new video in the series will be released including:

• Video #1: 3 NOT-So-Sexy Hormone Imbalances
• Video #2: The Dangers that Lurk Around Your Midline: Balance Your Blood Sugar Naturally
• Video #3: Breaking Through the Fog
• Video #4: Quenching the Fire of Burnout
• Video #5: B4 it’s Too Late!
• Webinar: Mend Your Metabolism and Maximize Your Vitality! 
  • Including bonuses such as Breakthroughs that Balance and Foods that Flatten Your Belly, Focus your Mind, and Fight Fatigue!

Even though ONLY TWO videos have been released so far, it’s exciting to see the comments and stories that are already being shared:

Comments on Video #1: 3 NOT-So-Sexy Hormone Imbalances:

• I am so thrilled to be hearing what you are sharing about hormones, cortisol, adrenal glands, thyroid, growth hormone and brain fog/belly fat!!! The DC I am seeing recently told me the same thing you reviewed in this video and right now I’m taking natural ways to clear my liver and getting rid of cortisol thru exercise. Your explanation of eating… is something he did not mention, he didn’t go into the growth hormone aspect of it all yet, so I am thankful to have a heads-up on this so I can put this into practice also! What a blessing to learn this, and you put everything into such easy-to-understand terminology…good thing since brain fog can make things a little bit harder to absorb at times LOL! Thank you so much!!!  - Stacy
• Dr Ritamarie:
  Thank you for all the information. You explain things in a way that is so very easy to understand. I always learn something new when I listen to your classes. As someone who just stopped taking cortisone, what I learn in your Webinars is priceless in helping me regain fantastic health. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
  Muchas gracias,  - Beatriz

You can read these and see all the comments when you sign up here and open the link to Video #1!

Video #2 was just released a few hours ago and already we’re receiving feedback.

Comments on The Dangers that Lurk Around Your Midline:

• I was very glad to receive this notice from you for these online courses. My doctor is the standard “eat less, excercise more” type, but with little guidance. I have hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, osteo-arthritis (one hip replacement), Factor V Leiden (genetic blood clotting disorder, overweight… I identify with all the symptoms; I am supposed to have the other hip replaced, but, the doctors want me to lose weight, of course to eliminate a risk factor, understandably. I haven’t felt like myself in many years… I am now 63. I have looked into “raw foods”, but don’t seem to fully get onto it… hunger wins out. BUT, I am open….. still… bring it on. – Sheryl

You can share YOUR comments when you sign up here.  You’ll have instant access to both Video #1 and Video #2!

We all know some people are more ready than others for natural lifestyle changes.  While excess belly fat, brain fog, and burnout may seem like superficial conditions, they can be symptoms of more serious illness. Dr. Ritamarie recently lost some close family members to conditions that could have been addressed through a better understanding of how the body works and the underlying causes of disease.  This 5-part video series is her free gift of education to the world to prevent others from suffering.

We hope you’ll share it with those you know.  Let’s help spread education instead of midlines!

Click HERE to watch the free 5-part series, Bye-Bye Belly Fat, Brain Fog, and Burnout! 

Belly Fat Breakthrough: How Your Muscles May Be Adding to Your Midline

- by Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo

Have you noticed that excess belly fat appears to be almost epidemic these days, even amongst the very slender and the very young?

I’ m so tired of all the websites and programs that promise the answer to getting rid of those stubborn inches once and for all, while you still eat your favorite foods. They always flaunt someone with 6-pack abs to prove their point. The average person has tried at least 3 of these programs, only to find themselves back where they started, plus a few more inches in many cases, just a few months later.

Why are most waist-targeted diets simply a waste?

Most belly fat targeted programs fail to help you to change the habits that lead to your expanding waistline. Small and occasional “favorite food” indulgences could possibly be just fine and not sabotage your progress, but the truth is those foods are so addicting that small and occasional portions soon become small and regular portions, then larger portions regularly, and in many cases soon become all-out binges.

When the “favorite foods” include bread, chips, crackers and muffins, it becomes very challenging for most people to keep the portions small. These foods not only are deficient in nutrients, they generally also cause a spike in insulin, a hormone that’ s responsible for keeping your blood sugar at its optimal level. Too much insulin creates all sorts of problems, which we explain in detail in our Taming Your Midline Program.

If you want a smaller waistline you need a bigger understanding of insulin

In summary, when you eat high carbohydrate comfort foods regularly, your insulin levels become dangerously high and your cells become resistant to insulin. This means you can’t get enough sugar into your cells and you feel tired, unfocused, and hungry after meals.

To get control of your belly fat, you need to break the viscous cycle.

How your muscles may be adding to your midline

On top of the difficulty and stress people experience due to insulin resistance, worry and fear trigger increased cortisol, an adrenal hormone.

Here’s the kicker that keeps the belly fat from burning…

Cortisol mobilizes muscles to raise blood sugar quickly to prepare you to run or fight. When you’re sitting around worrying about something that may or may not occur, there is no way to burn all that extra blood sugar. So insulin comes to the rescue and stores it as fat.

And cortisol’s favorite place to store the fat is around your belly.

So how do you keep your thigh muscles from turning to belly fat?

One way is to stop worrying.  As a society, we do it all the time. Huge real estate in the local paper is devoted to gloom and doom predictions and stories of catastrophie. The goal is to induce fear. Fear sells.

Listen in on the conversations that surround you. You’ll repeatedly hear people say, “I’m so worried about… .”

When you worry over an event that has not happened and may not happen, the response in your body is identical to the reaction you’d have if the event was really happening. If the event does in fact transpire, you’ve paid twice! The wear and tear of worry on your body is huge, and constant worry over the years just may be a contributing factor to your expanding midline, especially if you’ve been exercising and eating well and don’t seem to be making progress.

One of the strategies presented in my free e-course and e-book, 7 Simple Strategies to Jumpstart Your Energy Practically Overnight, is to take a news fast. Try it for a week.

You just may find yourself being flatter around the middle, and as an extra bonus you’ ll be more focused and get a lot more done.

This is just one of the strategies I will be sharing in my hot new free video series called Belly Fat , Brain Fog and Burnout Breakthroughs.

Subscribe now to Jumpstart Your Energy and then watch your inbox later this week for the Belly Fat Breakthrough signup link!

Are You Living to Your Full Potential?

- by Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo

Do you have dreams, visions, or unfulfilled ambitions? Do you sometimes think about the things you’d like to do then stop without even trying because you’re afraid you won’t have the energy or strength to complete?

What’s holding you back?

Are you:

• Tired?
• Burned out?
• Unfocused?
• Uncomfortable?
• Dealing with aches, pains, and health challenges that leave you with little energy to pursue anything outside of your day to day obligations?
• Or perhaps you’re embarrassed about the extra weight you’re carrying around and are afraid to put yourself in the spotlight.

What if it didn’t have to be that way?  What if you could overcome your fears, refuel your energy tank, and get rid of all the excuses that hold you back?

Bustin’ Excuses with Berkson

My friend Lindsey Berkson is my icon for someone who does not allow circumstances to get in the way of achieving her goals.  She was a “victim” since birth, yet refuses to see herself that way.  Her mom took DES while pregnant with her.  DES is a potent drug that prevents miscarriages and causes cancer and other very serious illnesses in the offspring.

As a result, Lindsey wound up with breast cancer and has had several organs removed as a result of the exposure.  She only has 1 kidney, half a thyroid gland, and only one ovary.

The prediction for premature death and debilitating illness for DES survivors is very high.

Lindsey decided at an early age that she was going to beat the odds.  As a result, she became an avid researcher in the health and nutrition field.  She learned early on that maintaining excellent nutrition and lifestyle habits were not only a good idea…they were crucial to the quality of life.

You’ll never believe what she is in the process of doing.  To me, it’s mind-blowing.  When she called me on Saturday and told me about it, I was shocked.  Most women in their twenties wouldn’t have the guts or the strength and stamina to do what she’s doing.   SHE’S WELL INTO MENOPAUSE and is missing some organs.  What an inspiration.

What is that dream in your heart?

What’s getting in the way?

Pick something you’d like to accomplish.   Write it down, then think of all the steps that need to be taken to get you there.  You can do it, if you believe you can and take really good care of yourself…

…like Lindsey.