Brisbane Health, Fitness, Personal Training, Gym Blog (Eductation Articles)

Is Your Diet Making You Tox(sick)?

17/9/2014

This Article Post is About How The Typical Brisbane Diet Affects our Health & Weight Loss
by Helfi Joe, Certified Brisbane Personal Trainer

I bet you a free personal training session with me that there’s 60% + chance that your diet is extreme? And I bet you another free session that you don’t think it is. But if you eat the typical Brisbane diet, chances are you are eating an extreme diet in terms of the impact that it has on your health and weight. You see, since this typical diet is so normal in Brisbane, it can be very difficult to see it as abnormal. After all, it’s just what we eat, right?

Yes, it is, but the normal is making us tox(sick).

What we eat impacts our health in profound ways we don’t really believe or acknowledge. Our body can only utilise the fuel and nutrients from what we feed it. If we feed it optimally, it will function optimally. But if we fuel poorly, there is no other choice but to function poorly. A poorly functioning body is a body that is unhealthy and sick and toxic.

Get worried!!! It’s no longer just Australians who are affected by this tox(sick) diet. The western diet is penetrating many remote parts of the world, and we are starting to notice that what were once robustly healthy populations are now experiencing the same sickness that Australians are known for – obesity, diabetes and cancer. The farther they move from their traditional diets toward the western diet, the sicker they become. In some cultures such as the Okinawa people (longest living people on earth) in Japan, the older generation are outliving their children and grand children!!!

What is the typical western diet that we eat in Brisbane? It is typically characterised by the following:
·       High in animal fats
·       High in unhealthy fats: saturated, hydrogenated
·       Low in fibre
·       High in processed foods and refined flours
·       High in refined sugars
·       High in wheat, soy and corn
·       Low in complex carbohydrates and whole grains
·       Low in plant-based foods

This is all available in your diet in the form of cereals, pastas, meat, packaged and processed foods, dessert foods such as cakes and cookies, and fried foods and dairy foods. The reason this is called “typical” is because it is simply what nearly everyone in the western world eats. In fact, if you do not eat this way, you are probably labeled a ‘health freak!’

What are the health risks of eating the typical Brisbane diet?
You may be surprised to learn the effect I’m about to list are the typical conditions that we have learned to associate with the ‘normal’ aging process - heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, migraines, fluctuating energy, bloating and gas, constipation, diarrhea and even dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

You see most people, have never really considered that a large amount of these conditions have a cause other than aging. Likewise, you may not realize that in many cases there is a way to prevent and assist them.

The answer? Detoxing your body and feeding it what it needs for optimal health.

What is Detoxing?
After years of feeding our body the tox(sick) foods that is so typical in our culture, it is very important to cleanse our system (liver and thyroid) and decrease the inflammation and stress that we have placed it under. Of course, toxins don’t come just from the food that we eat - we can breathe them, slap them on out skin with personal care and clean with them.

The good news is that through a smart and effective natural detox program, we can lighten the tox(sick) load that our bodies are under.

In my next article blog post, I will give you some practical ways that you can cleanse your body and lighten the tox(sick) load that it is under.

By the way, if you’d like to learn more about detoxing and elimination dieting for health check out our 21-Day Nutrition Rebalance and Spring Clean Challenge - click here. A done for you program with full Support provided…

Starts Tues 23rd September 2014
                                      (Runs over 6 weeks - start 21 Day Detox anytime during this period)
                      Join Us Today in the HEALTH AND FITNESS Australia 21-Day Nutrition Rebalance and Spring Clean Challenge and Take Control of Your Health, Get Leaner and Feel Amazing for Just $29! (Normally $99)

                             Click Here For More Details and To Book

HAVE FAITH & TAKE HELFI ACTION!

Helfi Joe

Helfi Joe, is the Owner & Chief Fitness Officer of Health and Fitness Australia of in Brisbane Southside, located in Stones Corner. He also runs personal training sessions and group personal training Toning and Cardio sessions at his Personal Training Studio, which is a wonderful alternative to a Brisbane Gym.

Helfi Joe is obviously a fully certified Master personal trainer with the Australian Institute of Fitness, and is fully registered with our governing body Health and Fitness Australia. He also has a background in managing and mentoring people for over 20 years and with such people and personal development experience combined with his technical expertise in health and fitness, you can be rest assured Helfi Joe will give you the best guidance for you goals.

To contact Helfi Joe for training, education or to have him speak at an event please email get.helfi@healthandfitnessaustralia.com.au.

P.S. – If you enjoyed this post please share it with your friends using the social media buttons below.

P.P.S. – Please ask a question or share a comment with us in the Comment section at the very bottom of the page. We love your feedback and will use it to develop future blog posts.

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Ready for a Healthy Lifestyle Change? The True Science Behind How You Can Still Achieve your 2014 New Year’s Resolution

15/9/2014

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A Powerful Post About The True Science Behind "Typical New Year’s Resolutions" & How Brisbane Gym and Personal Training Fanatics Can Achieve Their 2014 Goals by Health and Fitness Australia’s Brisbane Personal Trainer, Helfi Joe

Chances are, in January 2014 there was a high probability that they were appearing all around you—New Year’s Resolutions. “I’m going to stick to it this time.” “I’m definitely going to lose weight.” “I’m going to stop drinking.”  “This is my year to get better organized.” I’ve joined a gym and I’m going to go 5-6 times each week.”

What exactly do any of these New Year’s Resolutions have in commonality?
That’s simple: chances are they were all forgotten after a few weeks. In their defence, there have probably been old habits, old results and the same uneasy feeling of guilt, failure and lack of motivation that crept back. In fact, many recent studies showed that 80% of people have probably already broken their 2013 resolutions. And even more shocking, around 33% of them didn’t even hang on until the end of January 2014!

For those that have broken the 2014 resolution, to make matters worse, it becomes easier to just give up and wait for next New Year, 2015, to try again! I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU HOW THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE CASE!!!

Why you should “dump” the resolution, first and foremost!
New Year’s resolutions are part of a robust tradition that it is bizarre to find someone who doesn’t make some kind of choice to change when the New Year arrives. But when you stop to consider the dismal outcomes of fabricating resolutions, does this mean we are unusually onto something. Absolutely, that’s the logic as to why I am recommending that you dump the resolution.

Am I suggesting that I am giving you "the okay" to slack off and not worry about thinking big and striving for a better life? "No way, Jose". I am all about encouraging progression and forward inertia energy. I want you to strongly consider the direction of your life, future and clever habits of living better.  I really want you to do it in a way that increases your probability of your success. Being realistic and strategic rather than the warped sensing of reality that overnight lifestyle U-turn changes will do it for you.

The benefit here is you can choose to make lifestyle changes at any time: not just at New Years!

The Common Cause of Failing New Year’s Resolutions
Deficiency in structured planning and a lack of inspirational vision are some of the major reasons that New Year’s Resolutions tend to fail. I know this is a cliché - human are creatures of habit. To such an extent that many scientists believe that our habits are purely hard wired inside our brains as physically stimulating passageways. Our brains are always
seeking the ways to preserve energy.  So when you think about it, changing a habit is not as simple as it seems, our brains have to be rewired and seek new neural pathways.

Our Brains Absorb New Knowledge Everyday

Our Brains Conserve Energy And Can Resist Changes in Lifestyle Habits

Our Brains Neural Pathways Are Formed For Now Lifestyle Changes and Habits

To successfully make this happen, we need to have a reasonable strategy that focuses on identifying what and why we want and how we going to do it (with a plan). Remember, the brain will persist in working hard to follow the old pathways (habits), so introducing new ones is going to take a lot more structure, endeavour and energy. Now you know why our emotional and spontaneous resolutions, are set up for failure before we begin - because shifting a thought for change and converting into action (to change a habit) takes a lot more to apply.

Cool Suggestions On Changing Lifestyle Habits
We still have just under 3 months to achieve our 2014 goals.  So for the Brisbane Gym | Brisbane Personal Training fanatics,  I have come up with some cool suggestions to help you make positive changes in your life NOW. I reckon 2015 has already come - :), so no need to hold off til then! Check out our 21 Day Nutrition Rebalance Spring Clean Challenge.

Focus on the one. You increase your chances to make new lifestyle changes if you keep the “overwhelm myself factor” under total control. When we try to make change to multiple lifestyle habits “all at once”, this can promptly result in frustration and burnout. I suggest you focus on one specific area that you would like to change, and centre your energy there for around 21 Days. This will instil the habit…

Small steps go a “loooong way”.  I’m not suggesting that you should not maintain big, brave goals. Of course you should. I see big goals like a mountain, and the best way we get to the top is one step at a time. That’s why you should set a goal, and then break it down into smaller manageable portions. If your seeking to further improve your health start by ensuring you drink 1 litre of water for your every 25kgs of body weight every day. When you’ve successfully achieved this for 21 days straight without forgetting, and you feel confident it is part of your normal habit, add in a new small step habit…perhaps, eating at least 5-6 smaller meals/snacks each day. When you’ve achieved success with that add another small step habit, and keep moving forward from there…

Plan for red lights and roadblocks. I always say to my Brisbane Personal Training clients, healthy lifestyle habits are about managing past red lights and road block – the more of them, while you are changing to a healthier lifestyle, the better – this means you will preserve the new changes because you have control. Seriously, what’s the likelihood that we can drive from the northside of Brisbane to the Brisbane Southside and have all 20 or so traffic lights be green? And then doing it day after day?… Hardly a chance – so lets get real! The unexpected WILL happen, so embrace this concept rather than
lose control and get frustrated with life. I suggest you focus on a solutions when the unexpected happens. The best way I do this is anticipate what are potentially going to be the red lights and road blocks, and then develop a simple strategy to manage it. Of course, sometimes we cant anticipate the unexpected and it arrives before we know it.. I suggest you don’t panic, give yourself the next 24hours to work it out (I learnt not to get cornered to making rash decisions within the first 24 hours) , and if by that stage you are stuck, contact your Brisbane personal trainer for support – that’s what we are here for… Having a process like this in effect hardwires the habit to account for those things that would throw the habit off. Here is a real life scenario I used have to deal with (and still do at time) quite often.  Lets say you want to avoid unhealthy sweets and food at functions but know that eventually someone is going to bring in something that will tempt you. You know that no matter how much you say no, people are going to insist with typical frustrating phrases like ‘cmon its only this time’ of ‘you gotta enjoy life’. You get the picture.  Well, I make a deal with myself prior to attending as to whether its an option (ie my cheat day) and then I drum up a convincing pass back statement that will diffuse any persisting people – for example “I’ve had an upset tummy all day, I don’t want to risk it”, “I’ve been recommended not to for the next three days”, or “I’m having a health analysis check done in a few days and I need to lay off the carbs, so that it doesn’t adversely affect results”. I’m sure you get the gist of it – the point is, don’t let yourself get caught off guard.

Shift it to the visual. I believe the more ways you can make your goals for lifestyle changes real and tangible, the greater the chance for success. Why not place calendar or chart in a visually seen place. Whenever you successfully achieve your new habit, indicate it on that date. This will set the platform for seeing a visual cue of your past success and achievement, and will be undoubtedly motivated and focused on staying on track to keep working on your new neural pathways habitual changes.  Clearly you will be able to visually see a connection of achievement on your calendar forming a “chain of success.”

Be crystal clear on your “why” Let’s be real: chances are you are going to want to give in to pressure or challenges or through laziness at some point. Clearly, if you don’t have a strong enough “why” in front of you, you will not achieve the life change that you are seeking. Be serious about spending some time reflecting about why you want to create a new habits.
Reflect on questions such as:
     What attracts you to your goal?
     How will your life change when you reach your goal?
     What are the consequences of not reaching your goal?
     What will significant others say about you when you successfully achieve your goal?
     What kind of meaningful regrets will you have if you quit before you achieve?

I’m certain, each of the above questions will help you clarify why you are focusing so hard towards your inspiration, and they will certainly help you push past any rough patches.

In summary, the great news is that while some of the old habits may continue to circulate in your brain, you have the power to build new circuits that can certainly become as strong as the old ones, if not stronger. It’s really up to you, your planning and structure.  So the moral of this blog post, when you apply what I have suggested above, you have not just made and kept a New Year’s Resolution, instead, you have made a significant channel forward to change your life.

By the way, if you’re ready to get started with a personal training or fitness program that works (and you live in the Brisbane Southside area – we are located in Stones Corner) drop on by and we will be happy to give you a FREE Personal Training Experience session. You can also check out our 21 Day Fit & Tone Personal Training Package for $21 on our website. Of course, if you’re not a local resident you can Subscribe to our Helfi Minute Newsletter or like our facebook page to receive all the latest information, knowledge and events as well.

HAVE FAITH & TAKE ACTION!

Helfi Joe
Helfi Joe, is the Owner & Chief Fitness Officer of Health and Fitness Australia in Brisbane Southside, located in Stones
Corner. He also runs personal training sessions and group personal training Toning and Cardio sessions at his Personal Training Studio, which is a wonderful alternative to a Brisbane Gym.

Helfi Joe is obviously a fully certified Master personal trainer with the Australian Institute of Fitness, and is fully registered with our governing body Health and Fitness Australia. He also has a background in managing and mentoring people for over 20 years and with the people and personal development experience combined with his technical expertise in health and fitness, you can be rest assured Helfi Joe will give you the best guidance for your goals.

To contact Helfi Joe for training, education or to have him speak at an event please email get.helfi@healthandfitnessaustralia.com.au.

P.S. – If you enjoyed this post please share it with your friends using the social media buttons below.

P.P.S. – Please ask a question or share a comment with us in the Comments section at the very bottom of the page. We love your feedback and will use it to develop future blog posts.

PLEASE CLICK THE “LIKE” BUTTON, POST A COMMENT AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS…

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45,000 Crunches to burn a kilo of belly fat

15/10/2013

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A post revealing the fact about crunches. Read along and find out more about it and what to do about it by Leading Brisbane Personal Trainer & Brisbane Gym specialist
Helfi Joe

According to Men's Health magazine, it takes more than 45,000 crunches to burn a kilo of belly fat. So you'll never get a flat stomach or six pack abs while crunching away on the ground.

On the other hand, crunches can literally be a pain in the neck and lower back. And there is nothing exciting about moving belly fat around that wont go away. So do what I did when I was on my journey to 25kg fat loss - put them aside...

What should you do instead?

Keep up with our Weight Loss and Body Tone Group Personal Training classes, because they are specially programed to activate your body to burn belly fat while you sleep... I like that!!!

If you’re ready to get started with a workout program that works (and you live in the Brisbane Southside area – we are located in Stones Corner) drop on by and we will be happy to give you a FREE Personal Training Experience session. You can also check out our 21Day Fit & Tone Personal Training Package for $21 on our website.

Of course, if you’re not a local resident you can like our Facebook page to receive all the latest information, knowledge and events as well.

HAVE FAITH & TAKE HELFI ACTION!

Helfi Joe

Helfi Joe, is the Owner & Chief Fitness Officer of Health and Fitness Australia in Brisbane Southside, located in Stones
Corner. He also runs personal training sessions and group personal training Toning and Cardio sessions at his Personal Training Studio, which is a wonderful alternative to a Brisbane Gym.

Helfi Joe is obviously a fully certified Master personal trainer with the Australian Institute of Fitness, and is fully registered with our governing body Health and Fitness Australia. He also has a background in managing and mentoring people for over 20 years and with such people and personal development experience combined with his technical expertise in health and fitness, you can be rest assured Helfi Joe will give you the best guidance for you goals.

To contact Helfi Joe for training, education or to have him speak at an event please email get.helfi@healthandfitnessaustralia.com.au.

P.S. – If you enjoyed this post please share it with your friends using the social media buttons below.

P.P.S. – Please ask a question or share a comment with us in the Comment section at the very bottom of the page. We love your feedback and will use it to develop future blog posts.

PLEASE CLICK THE “LIKE” BUTTON, POST A COMMENT AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS…

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Gluten and Dairy: Comfort Foods That May Damage Brisbane Fitness Freaks Health and Weight Loss Goals

8/8/2013

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A Post Revealing the New Awareness About Gluten & Dairy and It’s Effects on Health & Weight Loss for Brisbane Fitness Patrons by Leading Brisbane Personal Trainer & Brisbane Gym specialist Helfi Joe

Hello Brisbane Fitness and Health aspirers, let me talk to you about bread and milk. What could be more comforting for most Brisbane People? Unfortunately, more and more Brisbane people are finding that these two comfort foods are presenting health problems.

Caution with Gluten:

What is Gluten? Believe it or not gluten is an actual protein located in certain grains such as wheat, oats, rye, spelt Barley, Bran and Semolina. Gluten is also removed from these grains and used in other foods to add texture and protein as well.

Did you know that gluten is also highly addictive and really hard to eliminate from our diet?

Living in Brisbane, I’m sure you know someone who is sensitive to gluten or has Celiac disease, where they experience physical difficulties. Gluten can cause:

headaches
damage to small intestine
disrupt of gut function
cause of joint pain
disrupt hormones (such as triggering antibodies against your thyroid)
inhibit nutrient absorption
interfere with blood sugar levels
cause inflammation

If you ever visit a Brisbane Fitness Professional or Brisbane Dietitian, I bet there is a high chance that they suggest for you to eliminate it from your diet, even if you do not think you have any negative reaction to eating gluten. The reason being is because once you cut it out from your diet after a couple of weeks, you will definitely feel so much better for it…

Dairy:

Brisbane friends, have you noticed that everywhere we turn it seems like milk is pushed as the perfect food. For as long as I can remember, it has been labeled as necessary for proper growth for both children and adults. Milk and many milk based products are positioned as innocent when it comes to health and in fact even quite good for you.

Unfortunately, research is mounting which indicates that too much dependence on dairy is not good for you.

As a matter of fact, according to many studies, an over consumption of dairy is not only making us sick, it is killing us. In saying that, one of the biggest reasons I hear why many people drink milk is because they believe that it gives them a calcium boost to help prevent osteoporosis. On the surface, this may appear to make good sense. But have you stopped to consider that Australia is one of the biggest consumers of dairy products per capita in the world and yet we also have one of the highest rates of osteoporosis in the world. So when you think about it, if all that calcium was protecting our bones, shouldn’t we be having lower rates of bone related diseases.

So why does the body experience bone disease?

Our body is better balanced by being in a state of slight alkalinity. When this state is changed by becoming more acidic, the body reacts by responding with a defense mechanism to return to an alkaline state by extracting salts and minerals from the bones to neutralise the acid.

Did you know that when high quantities of milk is consumed, it can create an acid environment in your body and so your body responds by extracting buffering agents from your bones which results in the weakening, not strengthening, of bones over time.

As an alternative, healthier sources of calcium that will benefit your bones without the dangers that dairy products bring include:

Coconut
Brocolli
Collard Greens
Spinach
Quinoa
Chickpeas
Almonds

Summing Up Gluten and Diary…

As a Brisbane Personal Trainer, I have to be frank: when I have this discussion with client, they tell me how hard it is reduce to safer levels or breaking free from dairy and gluten. I always remind them of the benefits to their health and fitness goals not to mention avoiding inflammation, bone diseases, digestion and immunity struggles

I find the biggest barrier for most, is they don’t know what to replace them with. I don’t mean just specific foods, I also mean actual easy to prepare meals.

If you haven’t done so already I suggest you consider learning more about our 21 Day Detoxing and Elimination Program which will certainly give you a heap of meal recipes and ideas that are wheat and gluten free. Check out our 21-Day Detox Challenge. A done for you program with full Support provided…

HAVE FAITH & TAKE HELFI ACTION!

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How a Natural Detox can Make Your Body Cleaner, Leaner and Healthier… and Feel Amazing

29/7/2013

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A Post About Detoxification and It’s Effects on Health & Weight Loss for Brisbane Fitness Patrons by Leading Brisbane Personal Trainer & Brisbane Gym specialist Helfi Joe

The Most Common Question We Get and The Most Common Response We Give “How are you feeling?”

Whenever we get asked this question, what is the common response you give? If you are like most Brisbane people, I bet your common response is with, “I’m fine; how are you?”

BUT is this true? Are you really fine? Do you feel lean, energetic, refreshed, positive, healthy and AMAZIING?

The typical Brisbane friend doesn’t feel great or AMAZING!!!. In fact, the typical Brisbane friend doesn’t even feel fine. You see, most Brisbane Adults are tired, achy, stressed to the point of borderline anxiety/depressed and have trouble thinking clearly, and sleeping at night. These are all signs that our bodies are sick and unhealthy. Sick, in fact, is the new Brisbane normal. Most Brisbane adults may be so used to feeling poorly, that they do not even realize how bad they actually feel – ie they begin to feel immune to feeling sick!!!

In my previous Article Blog we looked at the Is Your Diet Making You Tox(sick)? What it is doing to the health not only Brisbane, but around the world as well. The ‘normal,’ Brisbane Western diet rich in low-quality meats, bad fats and trans fat, high dairy, high processed foods and low in fresh and colorful fruits, vegetables, fibre and complex carbohydrates is tox(sick). And it doesn’t stop there, because that toxic load is further increased by our breathing of polluted air, utilisation of toxic personal care products that deliver chemicals via our skin. The end result - our bodies have no chance to cope with this tox(sick) load… so we get sick. And we are lead to believe that getting sick is ‘normal’ and ‘just fine’!!!

The evidence that we currently live in such a high tox(sick) Brisbane City, is easy to see with the explosion of many preventable, chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and even certain cancers that plague our local environment.

As a Brisbane Personal Trainer and Health conscious professional, the thing I find most frustrating and sad is the many of these diseases have early warning signs before they manifest themselves fully. These early warning signs can be felt via notable symptoms. They even may be what is keeping you from reaching your fitness goals. You see, ff your default health meter is set on ‘poor,’ chances are, you are not going to feel like exercising consistently!

The Exciting News

The exciting news is that the way we can get out of our toxic lives is by simply stripping back what we have done to get ourselves into this situation. More specifically, this means reducing the toxic load that we place on our bodies. WE CAN end the attack of toxins that are battering our bodies (through harsh personal care products and unhealthy foods) and instead feed our bodies with the nutrients that encourage cleansing and inner wellbeing. We can reset our body so that it functions at its peak, protects us more resourcefully from illness and helps us feel healthy, energetic, alive and more Amazing than we have felt in years.

This is the process of detoxification. Detoxification is about allowing our body to recover and repair from inflammation and stress through an active cleanse diet program.

What we do know is we need food to stay alive… Right?... We also know that quality of food is important because we wouldn’t feed sweets and junk foods to our babies… You see, we just get slack over time.. It’s should be quite obvious that the food we eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest type of poison we give our bodies. So by making changes to our diet, we can give our body a real opportunity chance to recover, because our bodies have amazing healing capacities. But don’t take this too far, they have to be given the tools to work with – good quality nutrient rich food. There is no doubt, as you begin changing the way you eat, you will notice that you will simply feel better and the longer you eat toxic free, you will feel amazing!!!.

Will you lose weight and get leaner? Almost certainly. I know you don’t want to hear this, but the weight loss should be a secondary bonus compared to increases in energy, reduction in aches and pains and better mental clarity.

Reset Your Body: Detox

When kick starting a Detox Program, the first step we need to take is stop the ‘garbage in’ habit. The means reducing or eliminating our intake of the big offending foods, such as, wrong unhealthy fats, dairy, refined flours/grains and dangerous sugars and processed/packages foods. We then need to shift our focus on eating more lean meats, vegetables, fruits, fibre-rich (gluten free) complex carbohydrates, and really good fats and oils.

With your diet being one part of the equation, in addition, consider switching to personal care products that are natural and do not contain ingredients that can deliver toxins through the skin, as anything we rub on our skin can be absorbed into our bloodstream. So select your products carefully.

Finally, here is a small list of foods that I find particularly useful for cleansing my body during a detox. I suggest to add the following ingredients to a detox diet or any diet:

1. Greens: Greens such as broccoli, spinach, leafy green vegetables are powerful healers for the body. They are not only great antioxidant sources for the body, but the chlorophyll in them can assist the body to clear itself of heavy metals and pesticides that have built up. Don’t hesitate to incorporate a Green Drink into your nutrition plan (blend is better than juicing).

2. Lemons and limes: Because the liver needs a good cleanse, these citrus fruits can help it detox, because they pack a full punch of vitamin C - which is a potent detoxifying vitamin. At the beginning of each day, squeeze these citrus fruits in a glass of filtered water.

3. Garlic: Garlic aids in detoxification by stimulating the liver to produce enzymes that will assist in the filtration of poisonous deposit from your digestive tract. Garlic can be added in foods and soups by being minced, sliced, roasted, boiled or raw (for the game).

4. Probiotics: A big part of detoxifying your body is about maximizing your body’s ability to absorb the nutrients from the healthy foods that you eat. If your ‘gut’ (digestive tract) is not functioning well, this will mean you will not benefit from the efforts of healthy eating. That is why we need to replenish the good microbes that live in our gut. A good probiotic supplement will work… If you would like to know the best brand, let me know, and I will guide you to it…

5. Soluble fibre: Soluble fibre is great because it mops up toxic residue in our system (not to mention how it helps reduce cholesterol) by assisting the body for its elimination. Great sources of soluble fibre are non-starchy veggies and fruits that include eating the skin (don’t worry about grains).

So next time someone asks you “How you feeling”.. You are going to say “1 feel Amazing”!

By the way, if you’d like to learn more about detoxing and elimination dieting for health check out our 21-Day Spring Challenge.  A done for you program with full Support provided…

Starts Tues 23rd September 2014
                                            (Runs over 6 weeks - start 21 Day Challenge anytime during this period)
         Join Us Today in the HEALTH AND FITNESS Australia 21-Day Nutrition Rebalance and Spring Clean Challenge and
      Take Control of Your Health, Get Leaner and Feel Amazing for Just $29! (Normally $99)

                                Click Here For More Details and To Book

HAVE FAITH & TAKE HELFI ACTION!

By the way, if you’d like to learn more about detoxing and elimination dieting for health check out our 21-Day Spring Challenge. A done for you program with full Support provided…

HAVE FAITH & TAKE HELFI ACTION!

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“Sucked In” Gluten Free: Rethink Again – Is It Really Healthier?

19/7/2013

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A Post Revealing the New Awareness About Gluten Free and It’s Effects on Health & Weight Loss for Brisbane Fitness Patrons by Leading Brisbane Personal Trainer & Brisbane Gym specialist Helfi Joe

As a Brisbane Personal Trainer, located in Stones Corner, I’m finding more and more of my clients are asking me about Gluten Free. I’m noticing that Brisbane Fitness and Health freaks are going through a gluten free craze – because it’s easier than ever to find gluten free products, since many major food producers are coming out with gluten free options and the local cafes and eateries are filling their menu’s with it too. Be warned: just because it says gluten free does not mean that it is healthy. Be sure to check the label for additives such as starch, sugars and trans fats.

But It Doesn’t Stop There..
You see, it's important to realize that gluten-free doesn't equal low-carb or healthier. In fact, its quite the opposite. So if losing weight is your goal, eating processed gluten-free product, may mean you are merely restricting your diet for no reason. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not suggesting you eat gluten based products (ie grains such as wheat, oats, rye, spelt, Barley, Bran and Semolina) til your heart is content… If you read my previous article on the dangers of the Brisbane diet with high Wheat, Soy and Corn, you will know why – click here find out why.

So What Happens To Gluten Free Products During The Process of Manufacturing…
Did you know that when manufacturers create a gluten-free product, they remove the
wheat protein from the food by swapping wheat flour with a starch such as:
    o Rice starch (or brown rice starch)
    o Tapioca starch
    o Corn starch
    o Potato starch

This means a protein is then replaced with extra carb, increasing the already high sugar and carb ratio to even greater sugar/carb quantities.. And we all should know that too many sugar and carbs, makes us put on weight…

Furthermore, the missing gluten makes it difficult for breads and bakery products to retain their shape and softness when being cooked, so to alleviate this, additives (such as xanthum gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) or starches named above are introduced. Extra sugar and fats are also added to the products to make them tastier.

Again, this results in gluten-free bread and products actually adding even more inches around your waistline.

So Why Gluten Free Products?
To be honest, I don’t know why… In fact, I must admit, I nearly got sucked in the
word myself – it just sounded right.  But those who know me well, know that I always do my research… I suppose people go with gluten free products because they experience some real or perceived sensitivity to gluten, and they replace wheat and gluten with gluten-free grain foods, provide similar convenience

Gluten Free Product (ie where gluten has been removed) – BIG MISTAKE?:
Gluten-free ingredients can have the following harmful effects on our body:
    o   It raises our blood sugar levels worse than wheat. If you don’t already know, wheat
        is one of worst macronutrient for causing high blood sugar. Gluten free foods
         added with junk carbohydrate ingredients is even worse.
    o   High blood sugar leads to insulin resistance and eventual diabetes
    o   Makes us put on weight especially abdominal visceral fat (well known cause of
         hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer)
    o   High Blood sugar also leading to high triglycerides relating to dangerous small LDL
         particles that cause heart attack.
    o Glycation, which is a glucose modification of proteins, that is linked to cataracts,
        knee and hip arthritis, hypertension, and heart disease.

So in my research, gluten-free foods can be a MIGHTY MISTAKE.

This poses the question SHOULD WE BE EATING GLUTEN-FREE FOODS, at least as they are currently consumed? Obviously if you have gluten sensitivity and/or celiac disease you shouldn’t eat gluten based foods. And if you are trying to be wheat or grain free, you shouldn’t eat gluten based foods as well..

So Why Minimise Wheat if You Are Healthy?
If you read my previous article on the dangers of the Brisbane diet with high Wheat, Soy and Corn, you will know why – click here find out why. The are a few other reasons I’d like to point out:
    1.  Did you know the gliadin protein in wheat is an opiate that stimulates appetite and
         increases calorie consumption by an extra 440 calories per day. So if you need to
         reduce your daily calorie count by around 440 per day, cutting wheat down is a
         healthy way to do it.
     2. The lectin in wheat, wheat germ agglutinin, is known to be directly toxic to the
         intestinal tract causing multiple inflammatory diseases and leaky gut.
    3. Disrupts fat burning hormone, leptin, causing sensitivity to fat burning
    4.  Two slices of whole grain bread increases blood sugar higher than 6 teaspoons of
         table sugar.
Obviously there’s plenty more concerns of a high wheat diet, and I’m sure you get the gist now. When it comes to wheat with or without gluten, there is thought it may be a carefully crafted poison to the human body.

Wheat has been known as such a real destroyer of human health that it blows me away to think how many Brisbane People living on salad and ham/chicken multigrain sandwiches / wraps for lunch everyday, think they are actually eating a healthy meal… hmmm

Summing Up Gluten Free…
We now know converting to gluten free foods does not necessarily make you healthier or lose weight. I want you to think it this way:
    o    a gluten free muffin or a normal muffin is still a muffin (plenty of sugar and bad fat)
    o    a gluten free pizza is still a pizza (plenty of low GI carbs, sugar and bad fat)
    o    gluten free bread is still bread (Two slices increases blood sugar higher than 6 teaspoons of sugar)
    o    gluten free pasta is still pasta (it will give you a spike in your blood sugar levels)
    o    a gluten free cookie is still a sweet cookie (plenty of sugar and bad fat)
You see, they are still going to be high (in fact, probably higher) in sugar, carbs, additives and wrong fats.

So next time I wear my Brisbane Personal Training hat and someone asks me “What are
the best meal ideas with gluten free processed products?”.. I am gong to say “Why?” and “None... Why not enjoy a healthier choice of fresh vegetables or salad with an enjoyable protein balance where no gluten based grains, or sauces where gluten is present" - Isn't this Gluten Free?

So What Should I Eat If I’m Gluten Intolerant or Want to Reduce my Wheat Consumption …

I suggest you consider learning more about our 21 Day Detoxing and Elimination Program which will certainly give you a heap of meal recipes and ideas that are wheat and gluten free. Check out our 21-Day Detox Challenge. A done for you program with full Support provided…

HAVE FAITH & TAKE ACTION!

Helfi Joe
Helfi Joe, is the Owner & Chief Fitness Officer of Health and Fitness Australia of in Brisbane Southside, located in
Stones Corner. He also runs personal training sessions and group personal training Toning and Cardio sessions at his Personal Training Studio, which is a wonderful alternative to a Brisbane Gym.

Helfi Joe is obviously a fully certified Master personal trainer with the Australian Institute of Fitness, and is fully registered with our governing body Health and Fitness Australia. He also has a background in managing and mentoring people for over 20 years and with such people and personal development experience combined with his technical expertise in health and fitness, you can be rest assured Helfi Joe will give you the best guidance for you goals.

To contact Helfi Joe for training, education or to have him speak at an event please email get.helfi@healthandfitnessaustralia.com.au.

P.S. – If you enjoyed this post please share it with your friends using the social media buttons below.

P.P.S. – Please ask a question or share a comment with us in the Comment section at the very bottom of the page. We love your feedback and will use it to develop future blog posts.

PLEASE CLICK THE “LIKE” BUTTON, POST A COMMENT AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS…

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67% of Your Brisbane Diet Consists 3 So-Called "Healthy" Foods that You Should STOP Eating (if you want to Get Leaner and Feel Amazing!!!)

13/7/2013

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by Helfi Joe, Certified Brisbane Personal Trainer, and Designer: 21 Days Detox Challenge

This article is seriously going to shock you...

Get ready for this scary statistic...

In Brisbane today, the average person eating a typical modern western diet consumes approximately 67% of their total caloric intake from only 3 foods -- WHEAT, SOY & CORN (and their by-products).

"By-products" of wheat, corn and soy, are food additives such as:

high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
corn oil
soybean oil (hydrogenated or plain refined)
soy protein
refined wheat flour
100's of related food additives such as maltodextrin, wheat or corn starch, soy lecithin, mono and diglycerides, etc,

Do you know what would be a reasonably healthy amount of wheat, soy & corn in our diet?

Based on natural diet of our ancestors and what there digestive systems were programmed to digest most effectively (and still is today), this would probably be in the range of about 1% to 4% CAPPED of our total calories from wheat, soy & corn.

Considering that the modern Brisbane health and fitness person is eating 67% of their total calories from wheat, soy & corn... no wonder why there is massive problems in weight, diseases, allergies - we are just not meant to have 67% of our diet on these three macronutrients.

Does this surprise anyone when you consider how frequent the current Brisbane diet consists of food that contain wheat, soy and corn hidden in them - soft drinks, marinades, salad dressings, sauces, breads (try find one without soy), cereals, pastas, muffins, processed foods fried or added either fried in soybean or corn oil (such as chips, sweets, cakes, wraps, corn chips, just to name a few! This is a LOT of calories from these 3 macro-foods... can be EXTREMELY UNHEALTHY, blood sugar spiking, nutrient poor excess calories!

Can it get any worse for the Brisbane Health and Fitness conscious person! YES!!!!!!!

It's not just us eating 67% of our total calories from cheap wheat, soy and corn, most of our farm animals that we eat feed off them too. For example, cows and chicken are mostly fed corn and/or soy in crowded factory feedlot farms, even though their digestive systems are not designed to eat them; and this can make them sick as well as alter their omega-3 to unhealthy levels of omega-6's. This means our food chain is becoming even more manipulated and giving us even more of an influx in these 3 dominant foods - so even if you think you are not eating them - CHANCES ARE, YOU ARE!!!

Guess What? It just doesn't stop there...

Brisbane's food supply has gotten even more screwed up that we are eating fish (eg salmon and other farmed fish) fed on corn and soy and wheat... How ludicrous is this, when you think that fish are supposed to eat a diverse diet of smaller fish, worms, bugs, etc. Again this means we may be eating fish that is unhealthy in terms of nutrition compared to naturally wild fed fish.

Bottom-line for us Fit and Healthy (Not as much as we like to think) Brisbane people, we are eating chicken, beef, and fish, with even MORE wheat, soy and corn into our body

So it's actually WORSE than just 67% isn't it?

So you are probably thinking, "Big Deal"...
So, let me tell you why it is so unhealthy to consume 67%of our calories from these 3 foods?

Weight gain, blood-sugar exaggerated fluctuations, and reduced insulin sensitivity (progressing to diabetes)
It skews the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in our diet to as high as 30:1, when it should naturally be ratio of 1:1 to 2:1, causing an massive inflammation in our body, and further causing many diseases, cancer, and weight gain.
It creates problems with gluten intolerance -- due to heavy wheat direct and indirect diet loads
Hormone disruptions and imbalances in women, man boobs in some cases in men, and what's been termed "stubborn belly fat" in both sexes, due to "xenoestrogens", from genetically modified soy and corn

So what can we do in Brisbane to avoid all of this unhealthy excessive amount of wheat, soy and corn in our food supply, and finally take control of your weight and become fit and health Brisbane people?

Every time, I suggest this to my clients, they always roll their eyes and become self defeated... I know its everywhere in Brisbane and its hard to avoid, but its not impossible... Here's a few ideas:
1. Simply, control your shopping habits - don't purchase processed foods - especially the ones that horrifically contain them.
2. Choose only 1-ingredient foods such as fruits, veggies, beans, eggs (free range), nuts, seeds, and meats from grass-fed. 3. Go for organic if you can.
4. If you are going to resort to junk foods or processed foods (not recommended), do it on a 1-day per week "cheat day"
    but ONLY when planned to eat out... that way, the processed foods aren't in your house to tempt you.
5. Swap most of your carbs from fruits (less so) and veggies (more so) instead of grains like wheat and corn and soy...
    Beware not all fruits and veggies are ideal!!!
6. Replace store bought salad dressings, marinades, sauces (that are almost always lathered in unhealthy 3 food oils and
    additives) with your own homemade healthy salad dressings with healthy oils and condiments.
7. Avoid unhealthy canola oils too (I'll explain why in future articles)
8. Cut back on cereal, bread, and pasta by having these foods only on "cheat days".

I could go on with more examples, but I think you get the message.

So... Is my Diet perfect? Well, no of course not! BUT!! More often than not, I follow the rules - that's how I lost 25 kilos and have kept it off...

No body is perfect and there are too many temptations in Brisbane to avoid 100%. However, I'd estimate that my
corn/soy/wheat consumption is no where near to the common 67% for the average Brisbane Health and Fit conscious person.  I do this by simply limiting wheat, soy and corn products in my grocery shopping - to minimise temptation.

My awareness is high and I keep my finger on the pulse, and fortunately, I get to guide my clients about this every day being a Brisbane Personal Trainer.  Firstly I learnt the knowledge and rules (educated myself) and then I took control of my OWN
health instead of letting big corporations and supermarket chains take my control away.

These So-Called "Healthy Foods" That Are Causing You to Gain More Body Fat, Than You Should?

I can't tell you how many times I've looked at my client's food log and I see their diet LOADED with foods that they think are "healthy" (or have been deceived by clever food labelling coning them into believing they are healthy), but in reality are fat-storing traps in disguise. It's either that or I hear "that was a bad week".

The most common foods I see are:

whole grain breads (with soy)
whole grain cereals (with soy, sugar and corn syrup)
whole grain crackers (with soy)
soymilk (no need to say what)
tofu or "veggie burgers"(I rest my case)
orange juice (might as well drink sugar and water)
apple juice (might as well drink straight sugar and water)
skim milk (from grain fed cows and no good fats)
margarine (scary plastic oil)
pre-packaged "diet" dinners (additives and preservatives - soy, corn and wheat)
gatorade or other sport drinks (sugar and water)
protein bars (the wrong type which are candy bars in disguise!)
overly processed protein powders and meal replacements (not grass fed an no active enzymes)
diet drinks, sweets, ice creams and yoghurts (with cancer causing artificial sweeteners)
pasta (especially too regular and wrong time)
so-called "energy" drinks (full of sugar and crap)
low-fat foods (low fat = high sugar)
soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil (do your heart a favour please)

This is a very constant trend over and over again with almost every client when I first inspect their food log and the foods that they were eating that they thought were relatively healthy, and they didn't realise that these exact foods are sabotaging
their weight loss and fat burning efforts, increasing their cravings, throwing their hormones out of whack, and more.

21 Days Detox Challenge - This is the Simple Solution for Eating a Healthy Elimination Diet That Promotes Fat Loss, Leaner Body and Feel Amazing!!!

I'm confident that you'll LOVE the unique nutrition tips and ideas that you'll gain through this 21 Day program... After 21 Days you can say goodbye to pre existing cravings when you start to eat the right way to turn your body into a healthy fat-burning machine 24/7!

COMING SOON!!!

By the way, if you’re ready to get started with a workout program that works (and you live in the Brisbane Southside area – we are located in Stones Corner) drop on by and we will be happy to give you a FREE Personal Training Experience session You can also check out our 21Day Fit & Tone Personal Training Package for $21 on our website.

Of course, if you’re not a local resident you can like our Facebook page to receive all the latest information, knowledge and events as well.

HAVE FAITH & TAKE HELFI ACTION!

Helfi Joe

Helfi Joe, is the Owner & Chief Fitness Officer of Health and Fitness Australia in Brisbane Southside, located in Stones
Corner. He also runs personal training sessions and group personal training Toning and Cardio sessions at his Personal Training Studio, which is a wonderful alternative to a Brisbane Gym.

Helfi Joe is obviously a fully certified Master personal trainer with the Australian Institute of Fitness, and is fully registered with our governing body Health and Fitness Australia. He also has a background in managing and mentoring people for over 20 years and with such people and personal development experience combined with his technical expertise in health and fitness, you can be rest assured Helfi Joe will give you the best guidance for you goals.

To contact Helfi Joe for training, education or to have him speak at an event please email get.helfi@healthandfitnessaustralia.com.au.

P.S. – If you enjoyed this post please share it with your friends using the social media buttons below.

P.P.S. – Please ask a question or share a comment with us in the Comment section at the very bottom of the page. We love your feedback and will use it to develop future blog posts.

PLEASE CLICK THE “LIKE” BUTTON, POST A COMMENT AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS…

0 Comments

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Helfi Joe

Helfi Joe, blogs are derived from his background in managing and mentoring people for over 20 years and combining this with his personal development experience and technical expertise in health and fitness, To contact Helfi Joe for training, education or to have him speak at an event please send him an email.

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67% of Your Brisbane Diet Consists 3 So-Called "Healthy" Foods that You Should STOP Eating (if you want to Get Leaner and Feel Amazing!!!)

Get ready for this scary statistic...

Can it get any worse for the Brisbane Health and Fitness conscious person! YES!!!!!!!

Guess What? It just doesn't stop there...

So you are probably thinking, "Big Deal"...
So, let me tell you why it is so unhealthy to consume 67%of our calories from these 3 foods?

21 Days Detox Challenge - This is the Simple Solution for Eating a Healthy Elimination Diet That Promotes Fat Loss, Leaner Body and Feel Amazing!!!

Helfi Joe

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Is Your Diet Making You Tox(sick)?

Ready for a Healthy Lifestyle Change? The True Science Behind How You Can Still Achieve your 2014 New Year’s Resolution

A Powerful Post About The True Science Behind "Typical New Year’s Resolutions" & How Brisbane Gym and Personal Training Fanatics Can Achieve Their 2014 Goals by Health and Fitness Australia’s Brisbane Personal Trainer, Helfi Joe

45,000 Crunches to burn a kilo of belly fat

Gluten and Dairy: Comfort Foods That May Damage Brisbane Fitness Freaks Health and Weight Loss Goals

How a Natural Detox can Make Your Body Cleaner, Leaner and Healthier… and Feel Amazing

“Sucked In” Gluten Free: Rethink Again – Is It Really Healthier?

67% of Your Brisbane Diet Consists 3 So-Called "Healthy" Foods that You Should STOP Eating (if you want to Get Leaner and Feel Amazing!!!)

Get ready for this scary statistic...

Can it get any worse for the Brisbane Health and Fitness conscious person! YES!!!!!!!

Guess What? It just doesn't stop there...

So you are probably thinking, "Big Deal"...So, let me tell you why it is so unhealthy to consume 67%of our calories from these 3 foods?

21 Days Detox Challenge - This is the Simple Solution for Eating a Healthy Elimination Diet That Promotes Fat Loss, Leaner Body and Feel Amazing!!!

Helfi Joe

Archives

Categories

So you are probably thinking, "Big Deal"...
So, let me tell you why it is so unhealthy to consume 67%of our calories from these 3 foods?