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• Fertility - Should You Freeze Your Eggs?

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  Freezing your eggs could be the solution – if you find yourself nudging 35 and still searching for that elusive life partner. If you are over 35, perhaps you’ve considered this, the question is though if this is really necessary. There are always two sides to every story – and in this case, it is best to know both.
   
  Let’s look at the benefits first:
  Freezing eggs preserves them for later use. What this means is that when you finally find the person you want to spend your life with, you’ll have eggs that can still be used, even if you are older than the common age of conception. The age as referred to used to viewed as around 40, however some women are still getting pregnant well after. A later pregnancy is considered high risk, the younger you are, the better. When you are past the usual conceiving age, frozen eggs still can give you options.

  
   
  The older you are, getting pregnant in the traditional manner is more difficult
  Several eggs are frozen, so you’ll have several chances to conceive, as a general rule. If you are over 35, freezing your eggs allows you enough freedom to find your life-partner and still have a few years before having children
   
  Freezing your eggs also enables you to decide just when you begin trying to get pregnant
  You can continue using whatever birth control means you wish until making the decision to have them implanted. Many working women view this as a great way to plan parenthood carefully. 
   
  Now, let’s look at the disadvantages:
  Not being married by 35 isn’t so unusual these days – women are having children later and later in their lives – therefore it is not impossible to marry after the age of 35 and also to still produce the natural way.
  Frozen eggs needs to be implanted – this requires quite a procedure, which is not always successful and can be quite expensive. If you need to repeat this procedure several times – it is going to be costly. And there is no guarantee that this will be successful. Some medical aid policies do not cover this type of procedure or will only cover the first.

  Whether to freeze your eggs or not is an important decision to make – it requires a lot of thought.
  Make sure you have consulted your GP, Gynecologist or an obstetrician to have all the facts.

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• What To Eat To Improve Your Mood

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  Have you ever heard the term “you are what you eat?” I am starting to believe this more and more... 

  Don't banish carbs
Just choose 'smart' carbs. The connection between carbohydrates and mood is all about serotonin, which is a mood regulator, and is produced in the brain as a result of B vitamins. Foods thought to increase serotonin levels include fish and vitamin D; and smart carbohydrate choices like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. 

  Get more Omega-3 fatty acids. 
Recently, researchers have noted that omega-3 fats may help protect against depression. Foods like fatty fish, flaxseed and walnuts are found to affect neurotransmitter pathways in the brain.

  Eat a balanced breakfast. 
Eating breakfast regularly helps to improve your mood, and according to some researchers, benefits also include a better memory, more energy throughout the day, and feelings of calmness.

  Keep exercising and lose weight. 
After looking at data from 4 641 women ages 40-65, researchers from the Center for Health Studies in Seattle found a strong link between depression and obesity, lower physical activity levels, and a higher calorie intake. Even without obesity as a factor, depression was associated with lower amounts of moderate or vigorous physical activity.

  A healthy diet guarantees infinite energy and a tranquil mind. 
Incorporate as many of these suggestions as possible, because, regardless of their effects on mood, most of these changes offer other health benefits as well.

  Outside of healthy eating, regular exercise is essential for healthy muscle activity and mental wellness.
  Jon Gordon, a Florida based consultant who advises corporations and athletes on how to keep fit, says “Walking is an energizer, even a 10-minute walk can help you overcome snacking out of boredom. Also walking works better at fighting fatigue than a sugar infusion, and has shown to increase energy for at least two hours, whilst sugary snacks have shown to leave people feeling restless and lethargic in just an hour!”

  Founder and Chairman of Weigh-Less, Mary Holroyd, is an avid believer that each and every person is in control of what they weigh; she says “I want to say to each person that YOU hold the power to renovate your body and mind through a few simple life adjustments. This year turn your focus from only trying to lose those unwanted kilos to looking forward to being healthy overall.
  Aim for health and you are guaranteed to be happy!

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• Meditation

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  Did you know that there are two types of meditation: - active and passive? Activities of everyday life such as walking, working, eating etc relates to active meditation. The aim of yoga is to experience a meditative state in everyday life which has the effect of increasing performance as the work is done with more efficiency and energy. In order to achieve active meditation, passive meditation is required. Passive meditation involves taking time out to be seated and perform meditation techniques or practices. Passive meditation involves withdrawing ourselves in calm, sitting postures to achieve a meditative state that can help us in our active life. The aim of all passive meditation techniques is to still the mind from wavering and distracting thoughts and gradually make it one pointed.

  Stage 1: 
  Introversion: Involves seating postures and awareness on an object. This has the effect of calming the mind and making it 'receptive' to see what's inside.
  Stage 2: 
  Introversion leads to the free flow of thoughts, visions, complexes, memories, etc., from the lower mind. Our passions, fears, doubts and desires arise and we are now in a position to observe these and remove the undesirable content from our minds forever.
  Stage 3: 
  Having observed the lower mind, we are now in a position to explore the subconscious realms. It is here that real meditation begins. Our limitless storehouse of energy and knowledge starts manifesting itself.
  Stage 4: 
  Self realization: As these stages are transcended, supreme bliss is attained.

  There are many mediation methods known today. Here is a starting point:

  1. Choose a time when you are not likely to be disturbed.
  2. Settle down in a place which has fresh air.
  3. If you so desire, having some incense around you will relax you.
  4. You may sit in any of the meditative poses depending on your comfort level, and to stay in that pose for a desired duration of time.
  5. Begin by learning to focus on something non-threatening.
  6. This will relax you, break your stress response.
  7. Concentrate on a subject that appeals to you - it could be a flower, a word, or the flame of a candle.
  8. Notice how your thoughts wander.
  9. Don't attempt to control them.
  10. Observe them with detachment.

  Within a few weeks, you will notice a marked difference in your capacity to focus. This is the stepping stone to awareness.

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• Low-Carb Diets

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  You can either be “for” or against low-carb diets – but remember that you must stick to what works for you!
  
  Have a look at the following key facts about carbohydrates including their effects it has on our health and weight – as per Tim Noakes, Discovery Professor of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Cape Town.

  We've been eating meat far longer than bread
  Noakes writes, "cereals and grains have been a staple of the human diet for only the past 20 000 years, whereas we began to eat meat perhaps 2,5 million years ago. More interestingly, this change from a protein- to a cereal-based diet produced a reduction in average human height and the first appearance of nutritional-deficiency diseases, including beriberi, pellagra and scurvy. These diseases led to the discovery of vitamins only in the early 1900s."

  We're better designed to digest protein than carbs
  We discovered high-protein foods for example meat and fish from sustainable sources early in our history – this could be the reason for humans' current size and particularly for our large brains, as per Noakes. Over the years our intestine has evolved to become especially well designed for digesting high-protein foods.

  Low-carb weight-loss diets are effective
  Low-carb weight-loss plans are at least as effective as the traditional low-fat, high-carb slimming diets as shown by research.

  Protein is an effective appetite suppressant
  Noakes writes, "perhaps because a too-high-protein diet is toxic to humans. As a result, low-carbohydrate diets with increased protein do not cause the frequent sensations of hunger and privation that accompany calorie-restricted, high-carbohydrate diets. This absence of hunger is more likely to encourage compliance and sustained weight loss. In contrast, there may be an addiction, especially to rapidly-assimilated carbohydrates like sugar and refined carbohydrates, that drives the overconsumption of all foodstuffs, fat included, and hence leads to weight gain." The truth about carbohydrates and their health consequences has been suppressed, Noakes suspects, due to too many large industries that produce refined carb products for example soft drinks, sugar and confectionary and they stand to lose a lot if people were to go low-carb.

  This theory was tested by Noakes himself – he avoiding pasta, grains, cereals and rice, and replacing them with healthy meats, fish, fruit, vegetables and healthy fats, like nuts. "Five months later, I am at my lightest weight in 20 years and I am running faster than I have in 20 years. For the first time since I ran heroic weekly mileages in training have I learned exactly how to maintain an ideal body weight without any sense of privation. And with only as much exercise as I want to do."

  Worth a try?

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• Natural Weight Loss

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  So many different people have touched this subject, it is almost part of everyone’s daily conversations, but still we do not follow our own rules... There is no secret to weight loss, we know exactly what we must do and what we mustn’t do, so I’m just going to remind you what these are: it all boils down to whether you are eating properly and doing regular physical activity.

  Did you know that over 35% of Americans continue to get larger and they are not the only ones! Everyone wants to be thin and trim, but how many people actually want to be thin and trim for their health...? Isn’t it all about vanity in the end, how others see me, how others perceive me, how others will treat me? There is no quick fix, there is no easy way out, there is no miracle cure. Excess weight takes a huge toll on a person’s physical health.

  Guidelines to maintain a natural weight loss regime:
  Stick to low-fat meals;
  Stick to low-fat meals which are high in fibre;
  Stick to low-fat meals which are high in fibre and contain complex carbohydrates;
  Stick to low-fat meals which are high in fibre and contain complex carbohydrates with a moderate amount of protein;

  Example:
  A jacket potato with vegetables and some lean meat.
  Dump the fat-free products and concentrate on eating small healthy snacks that are high in nutrition instead.

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• Premenstrual Syndrome

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  Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS is real and needs to be dealt with, this is a fact!
  
  The fight against PMS or to endure it, can be overwhelming for those of us who suffer from PMS. The only way to cope with it, especially for some severe sufferers, is to schedule some downtime during that week. If this is you, plan your schedule so that important things can be taken care of prior to or after this specific week. Taking control of the rest of your life will make you feel less helpless in the face of the PMS effect.

  If you suffer from milder PMS, there are measures you can follow that will help.

  Prevent PMS, by “treating” it
  PMS is caused by hormonal shifts – how severe the pain and how long the period is affected by many different factors. However, being healthy overall, will also help you to be healthier during 'that' time of the month.

  Sleep enough
  Go to bed at approximately the same time every evening and get up at the same time every morning. This is no issue during the week – for most of us – but remember to try it over the week-ends as well. This is key to good health. Think about toddlers – they must be kept on a regular schedule or otherwise... Let’s be honest, if it is good enough for baby, it must be good enough for you! Our bodies also crave regular schedules when we’re adults. Sleeping until noon on a Saturday is always a good idea at the time, but could be an accident waiting to happen. Too much sleep can be just as harmful as too little – remember – everything in moderation. Think about this: throwing your body off by four or five hours, is the equivalent to suffering from jet lag of flying from New York to London.

  Keep your blood sugar level balanced
  Eat healthy foods on a regular basis – this will keep your blood sugar even and in turn this will help with almost every problem in your life – especially protecting you against severe PMS. Try and be especially diligent about balanced meals, fresh vegetables, little to no sweets and eat at about the same time every day, particularly during the week leading up to and during the time you expect to have your PMS. This is probably one of the most important reasons not to sleep late on the weekends - you’re delaying your breakfast and you wake up starving for sugar.

  Learn to minimise (or handle) stress
  This is definitely easier said than done, but you need to hear it: don’t take on the worries of the whole world, or even for your whole family. Try your best to avoid stressful situations and irritating people. It is crucial to your wellbeing.

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• Fat-Burning Grains

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  Quinoa:
  A great substitute for rice – it is simple to prepare and possesses the same satisfying quality. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), consists of 5 grams of fiber per cup and 8 grams of protein.
  
  Oatmeal:
  Add cinnamon or nutmeg to give your fiber-rich hot cereal a splash of sweetness. You will not only feel full, but you will also keep hydrated.

  Crispbreads:
  Always choose the whole grains as opposed to the refined grains when shopping!

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• Eating At Night

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  Eating at night can lead to metabolic problems, it can interfere with your sleeping pattern and can cause obesity.

  A 12-hour rest period from all food every day is a must - this promotes the proper processing of digestion, absorption, and elimination of food eaten the previous day.

  Consider the following guidelines if you are looking for ways to stop eating at night:

  1. Eat well throughout the day
  2. 
Don't buy junk food and don't have it in your house.
  3. 
Take up a hobby that you can do at home
Replace emotional eating with something more constructive
.
  4. Go to bed at a reasonable hour.
  5. 
Drink water whenever you feel the urge to get a snack at night.
  6. 
Be disciplined in your efforts to stop night-time snacking.
  7. 
'Lock up' your kitchen after the evening meal
.
  8. Brush your teeth after your evening meal.
  9. 
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• Fitness Tools Part Two

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  Know you are the person your loved ones think you are.
  And yes, that goes for your dog too. Knowing that you are unconditionally loved can't help but make you feel good about yourself. It's so easy to beat yourself up, I recommend pulling yourself up instead.

  Wash your car,
   inside and out. Hey, when our wheels are shiny, we feel better. If you don't think this applies to you, just remember how you felt the last time you got a ride in someone's very funky car. Race you to the car wash.

  Organize your closet
  and get rid of anything that no longer fits. Old clothes may come back into style, but you really don't want them on hangers for the next twenty years. Throwing out the old makes room for the new. For some, the feeling they get from putting on a new "power suit" fills them with pride.

  Cook a lovely meal.
  Even if you are by yourself, preparing a tasty dinner, setting the table, and treating yourself to a wonderful culinary experience will lift your spirits. Sharing it with someone you love and/or respect will make it even more nurturing.

  Look around you, 
  remember that you started with nothing, and know that everything you see, you created. We can all lose our feelings of self-worth, especially when something goes wrong in our world. The truth is that if you have done it before, you can do it again-no matter what.

  None of these tasks has to be uncomfortable or take you much time. Finding ways to give yourself a little boost when you're not feeling like you're at the top of your game is a trick that truly happy people use on a regular basis.

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• Fitness Tools Part One

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  I am going to share 10 Instant Emotional Fitness Tools with – over two days – enjoy it! These are little things you could consider when things get out of control... it is the small things that count!

  Wash your hands and face and brush your teeth. 
  When you wash your hands and face and brush your teeth, it not only cools you down, but you also clean the parts of your body that you use most frequently – this is relaxing and gives you that “fresh” feeling.

  Put on clean socks and some shoes that you haven't worn in a few days. 
  Shoes take a day or two to release any moisture they have absorbed, and this is a very easy way to put a little pep back into your step.

  Give yourself a good shave (face or legs). 
  Another instant refresher. Especially if you have sensitive skin or the weather is dry. Plus, when we know we are looking our best, we naturally feel better and it shows!.

  Look at any trophy, diploma, or certificate of achievement that you have earned. 
  And if it isn't framed and on the wall, frame it now. These are reminders of your accomplishments and taking in your success is important to maintaining your self-esteem.

  Remember your last (or greatest) success. 
  and think about it for sixty seconds. Taking in your success as often as possible will help you reach another and another. Quite simply, it reminds you that if you've done it before, you can do it again.

  Until next time!

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