As a Pilates trainer, what do you think I am asked the most? "What do I need to do in order to be the most healthy? Wrong. How about, "What in the world can I do about this "thing" around my stomach, and where in the world did it come from?" We don't even like to say the F-word. Fat, that is. By the way, it's not always fat or just fat, it may include xtra skin.
Usually I do begin with body type assessment; however, a person has to understand that while you can correct the physical side, you have to couple it with holistic measures. By that I mean taking care of yourself in the areas of not just the physical, but the mental, emotional, and spiritual.
STRESS AND THE POOCH RELATED?
Let's take stress or let's NOT! Really though. Whether we are under mental, or emotional, or physical stress, we are sending negative messages to our bodies. Hormones. They have place in our bodies, but they can get out of whack as you know. Did you know that we ALL have 86 hormones? Men, that includes you!
I supply a phytosterol nutritional supplement that helps balance hormones, and I love it when men say, "OH, please, yes, send that to my wife." Uh huh. My reply? "Well, I can do that, but did you know you have 86 hormones like she does? So maybe she might think you need them more than she does!" After all, while women may experience menopause, men may have a similar challenge. Did you know that? It is called Andropause. (Andrology is the science of dysfunctions of the male reproductive system. http://www.andrology.com/)
Research states that if you are stressed, your body produces increased levels of a hormone called coritsol. Those high levels of cortisol are often associated with higher levels of deep-ab fat. So what happens is that you stress, then abnormal levels of cortisol release and you begin to increase fat around your once cute little waist. To add to that, Dr. Brent Moelleken from Beverly Hills, California says (quoted from Health Magazine Jan/Feb 08),
"Women tend to gain in their abdomens as they age because
metabloisim slows and body fat distribution shifts to the belly."
Not what we want to hear, right? Yet, the more educated we become, the more empowered we become not falling helpless to any situation, including our pooches!
PART THREE: The Pooch Series
COMING UP NEXT IN PART FOUR: HOW TO QUIT STRESSING YOUR POOCH!
Enjoy
