Does it sound too good to be true that you could lose weight without dieting or working out?
Right off the bat, let me just make it clear that I’m not suggesting you become a couch potato. Nor am I advocating a diet of junk food. We all know the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
That said, everything I list below is free of any requirement for exercise or dietary restrictions. That may just make your heart sing if you are already living on a diet fit for a rabbit. There’s not an exercise DVD or meal replacement shake in sight. (I’ll save those for another post – *wink*.)
Think of these suggestions as adjuncts in your quest to achieve your ideal weight. One of them may even be the ‘missing link’ for you…
Stay Hydrated
We have all heard many times over that we should be drinking more water, but do you know how it will help you in your quest to lose weight?
Drinking water actually raises our metabolic rate, helping us to burn up to 400 extra kilojoules per day for every 2 litres of water we drink.
Drinking enough water, along with exercise and an adequate intake of fibre, also keeps waste moving through the digestive tract efficiently.
Dehydration can also cause us to eat more, since we often mistake our thirst for hunger. When we are hydrated we receive clearer messages of true hunger and eliminate unnecessary cravings.
Coffee Enemas
One of the most effective ways to lose weight is to cleanse the liver.
Your liver is your prime fat burning organ and it’s also your prime detoxification organ. So, when your liver is overwhelmed with toxins – which is incredibly common these days – it makes it challenging for your liver to get around to burning fat. – Kim Evans
Coffee enemas are an extremely effective way to cleanse the liver and if you would like to read more about them I would recommend an excellent article online by Dr Lawrence Wilson. My favourite coffee to use is saWilsons Fine Ground Coffee and this Stainless Steel Enema Kit with Silicone Tubings is a great choice if, like me, you want to avoid plastic.
Reduce Stress
When the cavemen stressed, it was because food was scarce. For them, feeling stressed was a good thing – it triggered a survival mechanism that slowed their metabolisms to save their precious body fat for energy. Our bodies are the same as the cavemen’s, except these days we stress out over crashing computers, lost cell phones, busy work schedules, or just in juggling day-to-day tasks. We’re lucky enough that even in the most stressful times, food is not scarce. However, the stress-induced survival mechanism that the cavemen experienced still functions in our bodies. This is why during periods of stress – non-food related stress – your metabolism drops. – Rebekah Baumgardner
What relieves stress for you? For me it is yoga, walking in beautiful natural environments and laughter with family and friends.
The Law of Attraction
The Think and Get Slim: Natural Weight Loss DVD by Esther and Jerry Hicks is a compilation of clips from their seminars in which Abraham answers – through Esther, as usual – many participants’ questions about losing weight. The following is taken from the product description:
Rather than recommending diet and exercise, Abraham teaches you how to modify your thoughts to take advantage of the awesome leverage provided by the Law of Attraction. It’s not a miracle work out. It’s not a pill. But it will definitely work.
The following video is a short clip from the DVD:
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea boosts the metabolism of fat cells, causing existing fat to metabolize faster, all thanks to its high antioxidant content – in particular, a flavonoid called Aspalathin.
Aspalathin has been shown to inhibit fat absorption – the movement of glucose into fat cells. Aspalathin also helps to balance blood sugar and improve insulin resistance in the body, preventing insulin spikes which, in turn, prevents fat storage.
Rooibos tea is also an effective appetite suppressant since it causes an increased secretion of Leptin, the ‘satiety hormone’.
In addition, Rooibos tea improves digestion, facilitates intestinal transit and is a natural diuretic.
Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free and can be enjoyed without adding sugar or milk. My absolute favourite Rooibos tea is Organic Cape Malay Rooibos Chai.
Get Enough Sleep
Not only does sleep-deprivation slow down your metabolism, but being tired can result in unhealthy choices:
If you’re feeling sleepy at work, you may be tempted to reach for a cup of coffee (or several cups) and a doughnut for a quick shot of energy. Later you may skip the gym and pick up takeout on your way home to your family — no time to cook. When you finally find yourself back in your bed, you are too wound up to sleep. – Denise Mann
Hypnosis
When it comes to hypnosis, I’m a big fan of Glenn Harrold. I have a number of his CDs and they really work for me.
Glenn Harrold’s Lose Weight Now CD guides you into a very deep state of mental and physical relaxation and then delivers multiple post-hypnotic suggestions. These suggestions programme your mind to eat smaller amounts of healthy food, releasing any desire for sweet or fattening food. They also help you to feel motivated to exercise often and to genuinely love leading an active and healthy life. Thus, you break any past negative associations with eating and dieting and losing weight is no longer a struggle.
Apple Cider Vinegar
I really love this video where Dr. Eric Berg dispels common myths about acidity/alkalinity and explains how Apple Cider Vinegar can help us to lose weight:
When you are shopping for Apple Cider Vinegar it’s important to look for one that is organic, raw/unpasteurised and unfiltered. Only raw Apple Cider Vinegar contains the ‘mother’ of vinegar – strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria. I personally love the Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and Biona Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.
For the recipe which Dr. Eric Berg mentions at the end of the video, I would choose Biona Organic Cranberry Juice and this is the lemon juice that he recommends: Italian Volcano 100% Organic Lemon Juice.
Laxative Teas
The waste buildup which results from constipation can cause you to feel heavy and bloated and can cause a temporary weight gain. Constipation can be the result of a number of factors, including dehydration, a lack of dietary fibre and inactivity.
I have found Smooth Move tea to be amazingly effective in providing occasional relief from constipation. It is an organic herbal blend, naturally caffeine-free and, in my opinion, tastes delicious. You simply drink a cup of the tea before bedtime and you should see results the following morning!
Coconut Oil
I’d like to share with you another of Dr. Eric Berg’s videos. This time he is explaining how coconut oil helps us to burn fat.
When you are choosing your coconut oil, be sure to select one that is organic, raw and cold pressed. It is generally easy enough to find in the supermarket but I especially like the Lucy Bee brand.
Infrared Sauna
Amongst the many benefits of Infrared Saunas are weight loss, detoxification and a reduction in cellulite. Just 30 minutes in an Infrared Sauna can burn 400-600 calories!
There is a lot of debate amongst sauna fans as to which is better – the Far Infrared Sauna or the Near Infrared Sauna (a.k.a. Lamp Sauna). I don’t claim to know enough about it to make an educated decision, but Dr. Lawrence Wilson has written a very informative article explaining why he recommends the Lamp Sauna. His book entitled Sauna Therapy is available free online. Dr. Lawrence Wilson has also written very detailed instructions on how to build your own Lamp Sauna. I intend to give it a try one day and when I do I’ll let you know how I get on.
LipoContour Elite Shorts
LipoContour Elite Shorts resemble cycling shorts. They are made from a patented triple-layer fabric which micro-massages, heats and provides pressure to the skin. The scientifically proven results are a reduction in the appearance of cellulite and a reduction in the thickness of fat around the buttocks, thighs, lower back and stomach.
Working together, the three layers of the fabric increase fatty acid catabolism (the breakdown of fat molecules), whilst stimulating blood supply. This bio-stimulation improves lymphatic drainage, reduces inflammation, and ultimately improves the oxygenation of the skin and fat tissue. The release of toxins, fluids and ultimately fat is stimulated. The result is firm skin and a sculpted and redefined profile.
The results of the scientific trials are based on the LipoContour Elite Shorts being worn for a minimum of 4 hours a day while doing activities that involve the use of muscles in the legs, buttocks and abdominal areas, to generate heat and movement. You could wear them whilst doing your normal daily chores – e.g. housework, gardening, shopping, walking the dog.
