Birth Announcement

Hi All!!

I wanted to share some very exciting news with you. I have recently developed a pediatric website/blog and launched it online!!

The birth of this new website is simply an expression of what I am already offering in my practice, however, it is a new way to share the message and communicate with others about the natural healthcare options available for the children in their lives. You can visit the website by clicking here.

My first blog post is about childhood asthma. You can read about it by clicking here. Asthma affects 12% of Canadian children and is the leading cause of missed school days (and parents thereby miss work, too). This is certainly an epidemic in our country and needs long-term health solutions, which can be in part provided through naturopathic medical care.

The blog page of my new website, Pediatric Health Articles, (view it here) will continue to grow with new pediatric health articles posted regularly, so be sure to check back often or subscribe on the left-side bar.

Please share this website with those who you think could benefit. You can view it here:

http://torontonaturopathy.wordpress.com/

Remember to visit Facebook and Twitter for kids health tips every weekday in February! #kidshealth

Enjoy :)

P.S. I had to delete the ability to leave comments here because of disturbing spam comments, which I am working on fixing. If you would like to share comments, I'd love to hear from you!! Please email me comments via the email form here.

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Working Out But Not Seeing Results?

Top 5 Things You May Be Doing Wrong
 
''Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.'' - Edward Stanley

This is a frequent concern with patients entering my practice. Their weight on the scale is high, BMI is abnormal and they are struggling with weight loss. Their percentage body fat is too high and their lean body mass is declining.  If you have a similar story, you are at risk for chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. I often hear: "But I work out everyday!" So what is the problem then?

There are 5 main reasons this can be occurring:
 
1. Overdoing it: Your body needs time to recover between sets and between work outs. Pushing yourself too hard physically can wreak havoc on your energy production systems and actually lower your metabolism. Avoid this by setting up a schedule that includes 1-2 break days/week, take breaks during sets as well as rotating between the major muscle groups so they have some time to rebuild.

2. Wrong type of exercise: Cardio is the go-to exercise because we have all been told this is so important. And it is. But from a healthcare perspective, strength training is much more important. Did you know strength training can be a cardio work out too?? Yes, a 2-for-1 deal. Recent studies suggest that there is not one protocol best for all people; instead, muscle gain is unique for the individual. Experiment with different set, rep, weight, and rest schemes to see what makes you feel best in your body. I highly recommend using a certified personal trainer to help you with an exercise program individualized to you. Strength training will build and maintain lean body mass. Don't worry ladies, I'm not suggesting you become body builders. Strength training will make you look long and lean and leave you feeling strong. Just remember the amount of lean body mass you maintain throughout life predicts how long and how well you will live. Now that's motivation!

3. Inadequate protein: Protein requirements vary from person to person and from day to day. It is based on the amount of lean body mass you currently have (measured by body composition analysis) and how physically active you are. I recommend steering clear of those body-building type of protein powders - they contain dangerous additives and artificial sugars that can adversely affect your health. Consider whole food sources such as: lean beef cuts, chicken, fish, turkey, beans, millet, barley, pumpkin seeds, etc.

4. Not intense enough: It’s common for people to not push themselves during a work out. There is a fine balance between overdoing it and not enough. You might notice in classes or team sports situations you are more likely to push yourself towards your limits and get a better work out. If you are one of these people, set yourself up for success! Take a pilates or yoga class, join a team sport, get a personal trainer - these tactics will help you. Prefer the gym or at-home work outs? Another great trick is interval training. Choose an exercise move and do this for a set time on a stop watch (start with 30 seconds - progress to 60 seconds). You will be amazed how much harder you work when you have a set time versus a set number of reps. You will see results quicker and progressively be able to do more reps within that time frame with each consecutive workout.

5. Same old, same old: Doing the same workout forever might feel comfortable and familiar but it will not help you get to where you want to be. Your body needs to be challenged with new exercises all the time. Change your work out routine every 2-4 weeks so your body can't adapt and stay at the same level. This will help you maintain a healthy body composition. 

Even if you are not working out right now, these 5 points can really help you to start out the right way and avoid common mistakes.

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A New Year, A New Outlook on Health

''Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.'' - Sivananda

Our ideas and beliefs about our own health and health in general are often established very early on in life. Depending on our family background, perhaps health was an integral part of daily life or maybe it was never discussed. In any case, you have the ability to change ideas and beliefs that are limiting your level of wellness and keep the ones that help you heal.

The following are some fundamental ideas about health. Review your current thoughts and beliefs about health and take an inventory of what is holding you back from becoming a healthier version of yourself. Make this the foundation for your 2012 health goals.

1. Health is not the absence of disease, it is vitality and resiliency. If you aren’t diagnosed with an illness, it doesn’t automatically mean that you are healthy. If you suffer from symptoms and they cannot be categorically labelled as a specific disease, you may be suffering from dysfunction that can be treated with gentle, healing interventions such as naturopathic medicine before it snowballs into a major illness.  Naturopathic medicine works at supporting your body and preventing serious illness by increasing your energy, well being, and ability to adapt to the stresses of life.

2. You can be an active part of your health. Traditionally, health care practitioners may be viewed as doing a treatment and credited with healing. However, there is a lot you can do to help heal yourself. Naturopathic doctors are trained and knowledgeable guides in helping people to get well and optimizing their health.

3. Health is an investment. Maintaining a high level of health is a work in progress. At times it requires diligent effort and at others, just some of your time. Much like investing money into a mutual fund, your health needs resource investment. Investing in your healthcare will provide immense return on investment with better energy, improved sleep, reduced risk of chronic disease and peace of mind.

4. Health is not static, it is dynamic and changing. In fact, the full spectrum from health to illness is fluid and can change. Even someone who is terminally ill can become healthier by enhancing quality of life. So remember, there are degrees of healing that can be attained no matter where you are on the spectrum.

5. An illness you are experiencing is not ‘yours’. Saying “my depression”, “my Celiac” or “my cancer’’ is creating attachment to the disease state and will create an obstacle to healing. Mind your thoughts and words because they have the power to create.

Looking to start the New Year on the right foot?  Click here to download my free ebook about a type of healthcare that can positively transform your life.

Wishing you great health, radiance and vitality in 2012!

Yours truly,

Dr. Tara, Naturopathic Doctor