Men: Wake Up Your Metabolism
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
-Albert Einstein
Belly fat got you down? Feeling tired, stressed out, and craving sugar? Have your latest blood tests revealed a high A1c or above normal glucose level? If so, you may benefit from a few dietary changes and simple lifestyle upgrades to help balance your blood sugar and get your body back into optimal wellness.
Blood tells a story. It gives us a bigger picture of health and shares the truth about what’s going on inside.
If your A1c is in the upper pre-diabetic (5.7-5.9) or diabetic range (6.0+), then it’s time to sit up, take notice, and listen. Your body is reflecting back to you that what you’re doing is no longer working, and if you want to feel better, age well and create lasting energy and health, then it’s time to take an honest assessment of the food you’re eating, the stress you're generating and the lifestyle you’re living.
In working with countless high-achieving successful men over the last ten years, especially those in their 40’s and beyond, I’ve found that healing your metabolism, lowering your insulin and glucose levels and optimizing your A1c can make all the difference in how well you think, feel and live your life each day.
What exactly is A1c?
In short, the A1c is a blood test that provides information about a person’s average levels of blood sugar over the last 3 months. It’s used by doctors and health practitioners as a more accurate assessment of blood glucose levels.
On occasion, high A1c levels may require an initial course of medication. Though if one goes on medication and neglects to address the underlying issues - diet, lifestyle, stress, and sleep - you run the risk of putting a band-aid approach on the problem and never healing the root cause.
What does it require to create change when it comes to your sluggish metabolism and high A1c levels?
First, it requires getting clear that change is in order. That you’ve had enough when it comes to the old ways of eating and living - AND you’re willing to do things differently.
For some, it requires losing weight and reducing stress. For others, it means upgrading your food choices to healthier options. For an even larger population, it may require adding in a few key supplements - like alpha lipoic acid, chromium and berberine - which all support the body in transporting glucose into the cells.
Once you understand that everything you do - how you eat, move, sleep and think - has a direct effect on your health and well-being, you can begin to make the necessary changes needed.
Below are my top 3 tips to help you lose weight and reduce your A1c levels today:
1. Add in - Choose low-glycemic foods like grass-fed lean meats, wild fish, free-range eggs, organic seasonal fresh veggies, low sugar fruits (berries, grapefruit and green apples), healthy fats (olive oil, avocado oil, and hemp seed oil) raw and sprouted nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds) and a variety of healing herbs and spices including ginger, garlic, turmeric, oregano, cinnamon and rosemary.
2. Crowd out - Release the chemicals, pesticides, processed foods, and unhealthy fried foods. Take an inventory of your pantry and your diet and look at where they’re hiding - in your coffee (fake sugar!), salad dressings, sauces, canned goods, and on your sandwiches. Reduce (or better yet, eliminate) high inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, refined sugars and corn from your daily food plan. Start by trying it for a week or two. Then watch how your weight, bloat and belly fat changes.
3. Make a "Wake up Shake" - I love introducing my clients to power smoothies. This is a great way to lay the foundation for a fantastic blood-sugar balanced day. When creating your smoothie think protein (rice, pea or grass-fed whey), healthy fat (MCT, hemp or coconut oil) and fiber (ground flax or chia seeds) plus any adaptations or superfoods like spinach, berries, maca powder, raw cacao, or ground cinnamon. Use unsweetened almond, coconut or other plant-based milk as the base. Blend ingredients together and enjoy.
These principles coupled with a variety of healthy mindful lifestyle practices can all contribute to a boosted-metabolism and getting your blood work in line.