The tendency people have is to look in the mirror every day and beat themselves up for the body they do not have. It is easier to show up for being negative with regards to our appearance than looking at what we have as a beginning.

You are a result of what you do on a consistent basis. When you put proper nutrition into your body on a daily basis, your health will reflect this. On the other side, if you consume soda, potato chips, French fries, hamburgers and pizza on a consistent basis your body will reflect this too. When it comes to the users guide to your own body, consistency is a major part of the equation.

Rest - Rest is critical to your health. During restful sleep your body creates growth hormone which aids in repair and growth of lean tissue and also assists in stimulating the production of hormones responsible for fat loss.

Exercise - Exercise is perhaps the greatest blessing you can give your body. Exercise relieves stress and tension, burns calories, increases metabolism and assists the lymphatic system in releasing waste.

Portion Control - The best way to eat is to consume smaller meals throughout the day. The human body can only properly digest about 600 calories in one sitting. Anything beyond this can easily be converted to fat.

As a rule of thumb I have recommended for years that you put vegetables on your plate first and let them take up most of the room, protein second and starches last. This will give you the correct ratio.

Food Choices - Our food choices are a reflection of time, cost, convenience and taste. In this era when people are busier than ever before and many people are working longer hours it is no wonder we are a so called fast food nation. Try to eat foods that are as close to nature as possible. Strive to include whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.

Supplementation - Supplementation simply means to add into the diet the nutrients that are not coming from food. For many people adding vitamins, minerals, protein, probiotics, enzymes and other nutrients helps them create and maintain a healthier body.

Support Network - Studies show that people who exercise or change their lifestyle together are much more successful. When you have someone cheering you on it can make all the difference in the world. Who supports your goals? Who is in your corner when it comes to your success? Tell them what you are doing and ask for their support.

Medication - Some medications may make it more challenging to release body fat. Never go off of your medications unless supervised by your doctor.

Genetics - The truth is that being lean is easier for people who come from families where both the maternal and paternal sides are lean. If one parent is obese there is a 25% chance that the child will be obese. If two parents are obese there is a 50% chance the child will be obese. The jury is still out as to which aspect has a greater role - genetics or environment.

Illness and Disease - Sometimes our bodies get sick. Sometimes this sickness can affect how we look and feel. On the lesser end of the spectrum some people eat more and exercise less when they have a cold for example.

Sometimes illness knocks us down and we cannot exercise at all and end up eating foods that we otherwise would not and the result is a loss in muscle and a gain in fat. Even a simple cold can send us running to the kitchen for comfort foods.

Stress - Stress will wreak havoc on your body. Stress affects various hormones and neurochemicals in your brain, one of which is cortisol. When cortisol is high we crave sugar, we have difficulty focusing and often a challenge having a restful sleep and yes a tendency to gain weight.

Lifestyle - Lifestyle is what you do on a consistent basis. It is how you eat, how you rest, how you play and how you work. Lifestyle will define your body greatly.

Are you always working? Are you running from one thing to the next? Is your mind constantly going? Do you rush through meals and forget special occasions? Are you consumed with one area of your life? Do you make time for play and rest? I can tell you one thing for sure, many people are out of balance in their life.

In our current healthcare system, almost no time is spent discussing daily diet and lifestyle, and that’s where a Health Coach could be beneficial. The world needs well-trained professionals to teach people how to adopt healthier habits. As a graduate of The Institute For Integrative Nutrition, I am trained to do just that. People work with Health Coaches to achieve their goals in areas such as weight management, food cravings, sleep, energy and digestion just to name a few.

Together, the Health Coach and client customize a plan to upgrade the client’s nutrition and diet. Clients develop a deeper understanding of the foods and lifestyle choices that work best for them, and implement lasting changes that improve their energy, balance and health.