Weight Loss Paradigms

Below are a couple of excerpts from some of my recent reading. I am learning more about the connection between weight loss and toxins and find it very fascinating.

A New Paradigm for Weight Gain and Loss
The conventional understanding of weight gain and loss tell us that the body stores fat when it is fed excess calories, and breaks fat down for energy when food is scarce. According to this model, body weight is based on a person’s unique metabolic rate and how much they consume.
Holistic weight loss experts present an alternate model in which it is the chemical toxins in our food (pesticides, preservatives, MSG, artificial colors and flavorings, and artificial sweeteners) and other poisons in our environment, rather than calories, that make people gain weight.

"A liver overloaded with pollutants and toxins cannot efficiently burn body fat," says nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS. "A tired, toxic liver is the number one weight-loss stumbling block." In addition to slowing down the metabolism, organophosphates "can seriously impair a person's ability to exercise, permanently damaging nerves, destroying muscle fiber, reducing the body's ability to fuel exercise, and even reduce a persons desire to exercise," adds Dr. Baillie-Hamilton.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I think the most frustrating thing about weight loss and gain is the mystery that many of us discover behind it. There is so much conflicting information that we are bombarded with and what works for one person doesn't necessarily yield the same results for another. And then there is the question of why that person can eat whatever they want and maintain a slim lean body and someone else just looks at ice cream and gains 5 lbs. Yes, it is certainly complex and that is before even going into the emotional side of it.

There are definitely some of the bigger principles that apply like portion control, regular exercise, and now I am further realizing the importance of releasing toxins. It is amazing to me that our bodies store most toxins in our fatty tissue. It makes sense to me that we live in a very toxic world, that if you are overweight your body is probably holding on to a lot of toxins, and that our attempts to lose weight can be slowed by our body holding on to the fat in order to protect the rest of our organs from those toxins.

Cleansing is so vital for our bodies to function at optimum levels. We can further help our bodies by eliminating artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, food coloring, just to name a few that I look out for. It is impossible however, to live in a bubble and eat 100% pure so this is why I am excited to incorporate nutritional cleansing as part of my lifestyle.

Look out for my post tomorrow with results from Week 2...