Last month I published an article entitled “My New Frontier.”  Since that time I have been inundated with emails asking for more information.  In the article I highlighted the need for each of us to determine the type of person we are.  Are we a person that does not like to change our behavior, but instead look for a magic pill for weight loss and health, or are we the type of person that is willing to make personal changes in habits and behavior before jumping for that magic pill?

I think I stirred up a large amount of people that are willing to make changes because I have been flooded with emails asking what I did to reach “My New Frontier.”   They all want to know what changes I made, what decisions I chose, what I omitted from my diet, and what I added. 

In response to the questions and interest, I decided to sit down and interview my nutritional specialist, John, here in my home town health food store, and ask him what I should tell everyone.  The following is what his recommendations are, followed by my personal regimen.  Please know that neither John or I are receiving any type of royalties or kick-backs for these products.  I have tried them and they work.  Nothing more!
 

John - Take a good whole-food based vitamin in the morning, or throughout the day if called for.

Christi – I, personally, like “The Greatest Vitamin in the World.” You can look it up in a search engine.  It’s not cheap, but it’s very effective.  Plus the company offers auto shipping.

John - Take a trace mineral each evening.  Minerals are absorbed better at rest

Christi – I've not heard that one before, but it does make sense.  I’m searching for a good mineral right now, although “the greatest vitamin in the world” does offer lots of minerals, too.

John - Take 3, 6, and 9 omega oil

Christi – I use UDO’s 3-6-9 Oil Blend that I buy in the refrigerator department of my local health food store.  I add about 2 tablespoons to my morning protein smoothie (recipe below).  Read about Omega oils on the internet buy searching “omega oils.”

John - Take MSM in powder form in the morning on an empty stomach – preferably with vitamin C.

Christi – I buy the MSM powder at my local health food store, but you can also buy it online here http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=VS-1758   John tells me that this is a good quality MSM and it’s a powder that dissolves quickly.   You should use ¼ teaspoon per 30 pounds of body weight.  Since I weigh 130, I use a heaping tablespoon.  I dilute it in a little water with an Emergen-C packet, and then gulp it down.  It tastes icky, so I call it my morning “ick.”  You can put MSM in any search engine to read about it.     You can get Emergen-C at any health food store.  There are several kinds and flavors.  Oh, also, John says you should brush your teeth with it too.  I do!  Just dab some on your toothbrush, mixed in with your toothpaste, and brush!  It’s great for your gums and breath.

John - Consume a variety of antioxidants – it doesn’t matter what kind –  and alternate them. (Berries are popular right now.)

Christi – I take Pycnolgenol all the time and in high doses.  I do this because I fly a lot and want to maintain good circulation.  I am currently researching other antioxidants and will probably try adding Quercetin for about 6 months and then move to another – maybe a berry combination.

John - Drink water each day, before drinking anything else – drink 50% of your body weight in ounces each day.

Christi - I weigh 130 pounds, so I try to consume about 65 ounces of water each day before dinner.  Then I drink the fun things later.  Sometimes I buy powdered acidophilus and put some in my water.  Don’t forget to shake it up good before each drink.

John – Daily exercise.

Christi – I do practice what I preach and get plenty of exercise. This does not necessarily mean intense.   Sometimes it means just staying active in the day.  Other times it means “kickin it hard” at the gym or to an exercise DVD.  Preferably mine, of course J

John – Rest.

Christi – I make sure to get my “crazy 8.”  The only time I mess that up is when I travel overseas.  That wears me out every time, but I make sure to give myself a couple days off before getting back to work after returning from a trip like that.

John – Consume a whole food diet.

Christi – With the exception of when I travel, or want to be naughty, I stick to eating whole foods; vegetables, fruit, lean meats, whole grains, legumes, healthy oils (grape seed oil, olive oil, walnut oil, etc.)  I don’t eat them from packages, everything is cooked from scratch.  It has taken me years to learn how to do this, and learn how to fit it into my busy schedule, but I did it and so can you! Just imagine no cans, no boxes, and no packages!  Of course, there are a few packages that are ok - the ones that give you whole and/or organic food.  I just try to stick to shopping the outside walls of the grocery store.  You know. . . produce, refrigerated items, etc.  Anything that has a shelf life in the middle aisles of the store is usually not in my life.  I have this HUGE pantry in my house, but nothing much in it.  Most everything we eat needs to be refrigerated because it has a short shelf life.  Even popsicle's!  A necessity.

Here is my Protein Smoothie recipe -- which I drink daily:

2 scoops of Ultra Energy Shake (I like the chocolate)

about 1 cup of water

2 T Omega Oil (see above)

¼ t powdered acidophilus powder

1 T powdered Maca powder (look “maca” up  – vroom vroom!)

½ t powdered ginger

½ t powdered cloves

a dab of cinnamon (be sure not to add too much as it will make it bitter

That’s it.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a HAPPY and HEALTHY day!