A lot of people have been looking into healthier alternatives to losing the tummy, as a result many of us are now realizing how important it is to consume less and move a lot more.

One of the biggest trends in vanity fitness is having nice ripped six-pack abs, and people are willing to do absurd and often mundane things to achieve it. Interest soon diminishes, and the result is a reversion back to the old self.

Before you feel you have tried everything, I suggest fasting. It's something that I preach about always, and there are many ways that it can get accomplished. I have long mornings and need extended amounts of natural energy without relying heavily on food consumption. I not only set an eating window for myself, but I also structure my eating based on the low carbohydrate fast that activates Ketogenesis. The principles behind it make your body eat away at unwanted fat and uses it as energy. This habit gives us a considerable advantage when the goals of staying lean year-round are wanted. Believe it or not, this is a practice already used by many elite endurance athletes who need sustainable energy during competition.

With Ketogenesis and Ketogenic style dieting paired with fasting, it is a simple principle of reducing carbohydrates. BUT WAIT THAT'S NOT ALL! The thought of lowering your carbohydrates may seem cliche, and it is unhealthy if done improperly, however with the ketogenic diet, you replace the calories lost from carb reduction with additional consumption of proteins and fats, which can both get converted into energy, to replenish the lost calories. The trade-off should be 1:1 calorie-wise, meaning that for every gram of carb taken away, replace it with either a gram of protein or about .4g of fats or a combination of both.

The Ketogenic diet refers to a way of eating that promotes the absorption of ketones for energy. These Ketones get created when your body uses fat to produce energy instead of doing that same process with sugar. Typically, when we eat foods high in carbohydrates, two things happen :
Food gets broken down into usable energy called glucose.
Insulin gets released to direct the glucose to be either immediately used for energy or stored for future use.
Since most of us eat a high carbohydrate diet, our body will get glucose from our foods, leaving no means to dig into our fat reserves. When you over-consume, any excess carbs that do not get used get added to our protruding belly's problem.

Reducing your carbohydrate intake can force your body to use your reserve. When this happens, we start to produce ketones, a kick-starter for ketosis, where usable energy derives from the breakdown of our body fat.
Our bodies are incredibly adaptive to the things we put in it, and with the principles of a ketogenic diet, our bodies will begin to break down body fat stores into a new primary source of energy.
Some benefits in taking on a ketogenic diet may include:

1. Increase in brain function by way of memory and learning
2. A larger portion of abdominal fat usage and breakdown
3. Decrease heart disease risk factor
4. Increase levels of good cholesterol
5. Can lose 2-3 times more fat in comparison to reducing the intake of fats or proteins
6. Can help reduce your appetite

Even though this process does not starve you of overall calories, it does starve you of carbohydrates, so those that suffer from blood sugar aliment should look into this. I advise you to please consult with your primary physician whenever starting a new wellness program. With anything new, always remember it takes practice.
If you need help with weight loss or are looking for a healthy lifestyle shift, please book your consultation. 

Why does your juice have to be green? Yes, your healthy "green juice" should no longer be just green. After my travels internationally, I have voluntarily change the color of my juice to red!

It was not even on my radar until my last adventure to Israel. Street vendors everywhere were selling pomegranate juice to the masses and were squeezing the red fruit directly in front of us. After taking my first sip, I instantly did my due diligence with research and prayed in the holiest land that my fall for pomegranate was justified. I got lucky, as I found more added benefits than an overpriced multivitamin.
​Here are the five benefits that I found the most interesting. Let me know what you think!

Antioxidants
Pomegranate juice contains the flavonoids anthocyanins and anthoxanthins in large concentrations. To compare, it even sits at a more substantial capacity of antioxidants than green or black tea. These antioxidants also make it a great tool in reducing inflammation throughout the body and prevent oxidative stress and damage - think aiding against psoriasis and arthritis.

Diabetes
Pomegranate has been used traditionally as a remedy for diabetes in the Middle East. Much is still unknown about pomegranate's effects on diabetes, but it may help decrease insulin resistance and lower blood sugar.

Brain Function
The high concentration of antioxidants stalls the progress of Alzheimer's disease. Occasionally drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice is said to improve learning and memory.

Sports Performance
​The juice may reduce soreness and improve strength recovery. It also decreases oxidative damage caused by exercise.

Sexual Performance
Drinking pomegranate juice is said to increase testosterone levels in men and women, one of the main hormones behind sex drive.

Now you know, your healthy green juice isn't the only healthy option out there for nutrient-dense drinks. Performing at life and looking lean is the game that I love playing every single day. The fact that pomegranate may reduce inflammation and promote muscle recovery is good enough to get me to add it to my repertoire. Hopes this can help you as well!