You’re Not Fat, You’re Inflamed: The Latest Science on Losing Weight

Fat cells are really amazing protective organs, and contrary to what you’ve been told – you can’t burn them. New research changes the way we approach weight loss and addressing inflammatory fat cells.

Dr. Tracey Stroup is a naturopathic doctor who has been in the health and wellness industry for over 25 years. She joins the show for a second time in order to break down common weight loss and exercise myths.

Download and listen here or find wherever you get podcasts!

Key Topics:

– Weight loss myths (including calorie counting and the phrase “burning fat”)

– What fat cells are and how they are protective

– Reasons for rapid weight gain and what to do to treat the root cause

– Nutrient deficiencies, medications, gut dysbiosis and the role they play in weight gain and loss

– How being 15 pounds overweight or more makes your body pro-inflammatory

– Stress and the impact on exercise

– How to work out without stressing your body out

– Optimizing detoxification and products that can aid in the detox process

Learn more about Nutritional Frontiers and their products here.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Get 20% off your first order of Ancient Nutrition products at ancientnutrition.com with the code sparking.

Reimagine what a book club could be. Redeem your 30 day trial for only 99 cents at Literati.com/spark

Should You Practice Fasting?

Should you try fasting this year?

That’s a hot topic question right now!

Fasting is a practice that has been implemented for thousands of years for a variety of reasons. It isn’t a dieting trend, though it is often misunderstood as another weight loss quick fix. While there are plenty health experts promoting it as a great option to bring balance to your body, optimize insulin sensitivity and support digestion, there are others who treat fasting as if it’s a type of starvation tool that will lead to an eating disorder.

This is why fasting must be addressed with an individualized approach – what I teach in my Feast 2 Fast program!

Most people can benefit from different types of fasts, whether it is a true water fast, or fat fast, or even a bone broth fast. It is a good way to improve your health, and it can be a beneficial spiritual discipline as well.

The majority of studies on the trendy 16:8 style of intermittent fasting have been done on men and postmenopausal women, so it’s important for women who still have a menstrual cycle to nourish hormones and not restrict food too much at all cycle phases. That can really backfire and cause stress to your body!

My advice? Start with a 12 hour fast. Everyone can benefit from a 12 hour break between their last meal and first meal. And hey – if you’re sleeping 8 hours at night most of your fasting will happen then, which makes it even easier!

Want to make fasting work for you, while also learning how to incorporate more nutrient density into your real life? Join my four week Feast 2 Fast program that starts January 4!

This program is one of the most science-based approaches to health I have seen! But we don’t just target physical health; that’s secondary. Every day you will receive nourishment for your soul in the form of a short devotional. We even meet weekly on Zoom to individualize our approaches to even more!

For more details, and to sign up, click here

Past Participants Say This:

“Through Feast 2 Fast I learned to listen to the natural cues from my body. After years of dieting I had stopped listening to the natural cues like hunger. Feast 2 Fast slowed me down and forced me to listen and learn what is best for my body and not just follow it because some ‘diet’ tells me it’s right. It literally brought joy back to my relationship with food!!” – Jen

“The feast to fast program allowed me to stop and really think about the way food affects me. It was truly like a reset and I now feel more in-tune with my body and mind! I lost a lot more weight than I expected and gained confidence in my ability to listen to my body!! That is priceless!” – Laura

Join the program here!

Feast 2 Fast Holiday Round Registration is Open!

It’s back! Another session of Feast 2 Fast is starting up November 2! This program is a group coaching program like NONE other. It teaches participants how to make peace with carbs and create metabolic flexibility while also incorporating daily spiritual nourishment – because true health isn’t just about what you eat and how much you work out.

What have past participants said? Read here:

“I’ve lost weight, but more importantly I feel 100 times better. Better blood sugars, better sleep, and overall more energy!”

“My wins have been freedom from set meal times, freedom to enjoy nutritious meals that actually fuel me and pay attention when there are things I eat that don’t. I have found the freedom to eat when I am hungry and not have to count calories and such. I love that I don’t need to avoid group gatherings and the foods that will be offered. I can eat the best way for me. I am sleeping great. Lastly, and a bonus – I have lost almost 10 pounds!”

“I was already using some of the tools offered, but I didn’t have the support to ask questions, nor did I have the grace and mercy toward myself to enjoy the process to make lifelong changes opposed to achieving the end goal of weight loss. My perspective is different now, I really believe the changes I’m making are supporting better overall health than just getting the pounds off now!”

If you are ready for a month-long metabolic makeover that enhances your mind, body, and soul, get signed up now! For more information and to register now click here.

Feast 2 Fast: A Groundbreaking Nutrition Program Teaching YOU Metabolic Flexibility

Get ready! I have a BRAND NEW nutritional program starting August 17 called Feast 2 Fast. It was developed by Chelsea Blackbird (aka “The Christian Nutritionist”). You may remember Chelsea from a past podcast episode called “Busting Common Health and Diet Myths.” img_0079-1

This program helps people reach metabolic flexibility while also gaining freedom and flexibility in food choices. It truly is a place where “real food meets real life.”

img_0080You know me. You know I don’t promote diet plans. But I do promote supporting health – body, mind, and spirit. This group tackles all three! Registration for this 4 week program starts on August 3. You can learn more and sign up by clicking here.

img_0081If you love food, hate diets, and want to learn how to support your health goals in a balanced way, this program is for you. This program aims to develop metabolic flexibility and overall health while also supporting mental health and your relationship with food through daily encouragement.

The program includes:

  • An online participant portal to access all content
  • Over 100 recipes that are easy and delicious
  • A supportive community on Facebook
  • Access to ME an my support and encouragement whenever you need it
  • Short instructional videos on optimizing nutrition for OPTIMAL health
  • Daily spiritual encouragement and reminders to nourish your soul

img_9936The cost of the program is $179, and I assure you, it is WELL worth it. This program checks all the boxes I look for when I want to really get to the root of food and mood!

Targeted nutritional support can be a catalyst for whole body health. Through this program, you will learn how to become empowered with your nutritional choices and how to individualize your nutrition for your lifestyle and your health goals.

Oh – and did I mention the side effects of better sleep, clear skin, decreased cravings, and super-charging your body into fat-burning mode?

I can’t wait to get started with you on this journey! We are going to learn so much together. Sign up here.

 

Ketosis for Mental Health with Dr. Lori Shemek

Dr. Lori Shemek is an award-winning, bestselling author of How to Fight FATflammation, The Ketogenic Key, Beginner’s Guide to Intermittent Fasting, and Fire-Up Your Fat Burn. She is a leading health and weight loss expert who has been featured in countless publications and TV shows. She is also known as “The Inflammation Terminator.”

In this episode, Dr. Shemek shares about her new book, The Ketogenic Key. She shares what the keto diet is, how ketosis benefits our mental health, benefits of intermittent fasting, how inflammation is a threat to our health and well-being, and practical ways to implement changes to your lifestyle.img_9384

Podcast is available on the show page or wherever you get your podcasts!

Key topics addressed:

  • The importance of the ketogenic diet and how it isn’t a fad
  • The deal with carbs and sugar
  • Creating metabolic flexibility
  • The difference between low carb and keto
  • Intermittent fasting, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis
  • The raw broccoli test for hunger
  • Who should not practice intermittent fasting
  • Why women NEED protein as we age
  • The benefits of healthy fat
  • Types of inflammation and the effects
  • How to do keto in real life
  • What kind of alcohol is okay for keto

Her book, The Ketogenic Key, is a perfect guidebook for all things related to ketosis, and is a great way to learn how to enhance your brain and body health in an easy to understand way. It is available wherever you purchase books!