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Say Goodbye to Stubborn Fat and Boost Your Energy (March 2008)

Welcome to the 3D PTS Edge March 2008 newsletter.

We all know why it’s important to detox ourselves from time to time, but how many of us directly connect our toxic load with how much fat we carry, especially stubborn fat?

And how many of us directly connect the toxic load we carry with our ability to get up in the morning, go to the gym, feel happy and generally take from life what we want each and every day?

The chances are that unless you’re reading this from a remote island in the south pacific enjoying natural, local and organic food, fresh clean water and air, plus a relatively stress free life then your body is topping up on toxins pretty much every day – and that can store up big trouble in your vital organs.

So how do I know if I’m toxic?

Let’s take a look at some of the big factors:

• Heavy metals like mercury – from amalgam fillings and sources like fish
• Pesticides, hormones, e-numbers, additives, preservatives and other chemicals from foods (especially processed)
• Prescription and recreational drugs
• Unclean air, inside and outside the home
• Plastics (they can be absorbed into your body)
• Stress – toxic thoughts and emotions that drain you
• Alcohol, cigarettes, coffee
• Tap water – we know not to drink tap water in certain countries, but how successful do you think your average local filtering facility is at getting everything harmful out – including heavy metals and hormones?
• A sedentary lifestyle

If you regularly come into contact with any of those, and if you’d be happier with less stubborn body fat and a boost to your daily energy, then there’s a lot you can do.

Are toxins really related to fat loss?

Yes – often after detoxing people tend to lose a large amount of weight because toxins get stored in adipose or fatty tissue to keep them as far away from your vital organs as possible – and that means storing it wrapped in fat on the outside of your body.

This fat can be really stubborn because once those toxins are tucked away your body really doesn’t want to metabolise them back into your system, stressing your vital organs – especially if those vital organs are already toxic and struggling to process your life already.

So hey presto, when you detox your body it feels able to deal with toxins buried in your fat and metabolises it. Sweeping out those toxins can make a huge difference if you want to get trim – especially with summer coming up.

And what about toxins and my energy levels?

If you want a permanently high energy level that allows you to get the most out of life day in day out, toxins can mean a no go. Good energy levels can allow you to move your body more and work out better giving you the power to alter your body shape.

More energy can also affect your mood, lifting your spirits, give you a spring in your step, and it can mean big benefits for your family – imagine mum and dad coming home from work having enough energy to give the kids the run-around for a change?!

Why do toxins hold the key?

Because mitochondria, your cellular power houses, are inhibited and made dysfunctional by toxins. When you’re toxic and your power houses are offline, you’ve got less energy to work and play with.

Mitochondria generate most of your adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is an essential source of energy – you’re stopping your cells producing ATP when you’re toxic.

You can quite easily turn around the health of your mitochondria through a good detox – look after your mitochondria and they’ll give you the gift of permanently high energy levels. Just imagine what a powerful tool that can be in your life.

Toxins can also seriously clog up your digestive system – if your gut is clogged up you’re not effectively getting energy or nutrients from your food. An unhealthy gut also means your immune system is impaired, leading to more illness and still less energy.

Freeing your digestive system from the toxic chains that inhibit it – and you – will mean a truck load more energy.

So how do I detoxify effectively?

Detoxifying effectively is one half of the equation, the other half is introducing the right exercise, nutrition and lifestyle choices into your life, but for now lets just talk about getting the bad stuff out.

Here are the top detoxifying strategies you should be following for long term energy and fat loss:

1. Remove as many toxic sources in your life as possible:

• Reduce all consumption of processed foods especially those with e-numbers
• Install quality water filters (e.g. reverse osmosis) and air filters (many plants are great for this)
• Buy natural and safe home products (especially those used to clean) and personal goods including toothpaste, make-up etc
• Replace aluminium and Teflon cookware with cast Iron, ceramic, glass or a safer alternative
• If you ride a bike in a big city, get a bike mask

2. Drink plenty of clean filtered water

• Being optimally hydrated is essential for all aspects of health but especially for the chemical reactions that produce energy and sweep out those toxins. Start the day with 2 big glasses of water with a little bit of fresh lemon juice to help your liver and sip water outside of meal time throughout the day

3. Exercise regularly

• Use a combination of strength training, cardio and flexibility which will help move blood, fluid and oxygen throughout your body, cleansing it in the process. Yoga is great for detoxifying as it uses all three components and also focuses heavily on the breath

4. Breathe deeply

• Breath is one of the major ways of detoxifying. It’s your personal exhaust system - block your car exhaust pipe for a while and see what happens: the combustion chamber will get backed up and the engine will shut down pretty quickly. Take some time out to breathe deeply each day and it will go a long way to relaxing and energising you

5. Take a sauna

• Particularly infrared sauna’s which are considered one of the most effective and safe ways of increasing circulation and removing all kinds of harmful toxic substances. They also come in a wide variety of relatively cheap portable chair versions (check the internet)

6. Get a colonic

• May sound a bit hardcore for many but cleaning out all the waste products in your colon is one quick way to flatten the abs, skyrocket your energy levels, boost your immune system, overall health, and give you great skin

7. Start scrubbing your skin

• Your skin is the largest organ in your body and regular scrubbing will allow the process of detoxification to improve and will help you achieve a vibrant healthy glow

8. Get plenty of rest

• Did you know that between 10pm and 2am the body performs many physical repair processes? For instance gall bladder activity, which plays a major role in detoxification by releasing bile to digest fats and also cleanse the body of toxins and heavy metals, is at it’s peak during these times. So aim to be asleep by 10pm, particularly in winter when there’s more stress on your body

9. Using herbs and supplements

• We strongly recommend before using any herbs or supplements you consult your health practitioner, as taking them randomly can range from being plain harmful, to a waste of time, effort and money. At 3D PTS we use Hair Mineral Analysis (HMA) to find out what specific supplemental vitamins and minerals you need to balance your system. HMA also gives an excellent indication of heavy metals and other toxins in your system. The following products are also highly regarded for their detoxification ability: chlorella, apple citrus pectin, bentonite clay, PCA-RX, and coriander

10. Regularly take time out

• Taking time out means different things to different people, but try to take a little bit of time out each day to catch your breath and clear mental stress. Additionally have at least one full day off all work each week and do those things that rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit

If you want to lose fat and turn up the dial on your energy levels, you need an effective detox. Start by cutting the inflow of toxic substances, and at the same time start putting some good clean stuff in.

In no time at all you’ll feel the difference, and that can have a massive impact on what you get out of life, every day.

Wishing you all the best in health and fitness,

Craig, Matt and the 3D PTS team