<thrive_headline click tho-post-5620 tho-test-14>My Path to Become a Certified Health Coach at IIN</thrive_headline>

My Path to Become a Certified Health Coach at IIN

A little about my story

As you may know, I’ve been an advocate for health and wellness for quite some time. I’ve always been a student and the nutrition topic has been my passion since I decided to change careers and become a Certified Health Coach.

I graduated from Chemical Engineering in 2005 but soon after graduation, I realized that the engineering world wasn’t the world I belong to. So I decided to make a change. In 2005 I traveled to Montreal, and during those months I realized that for me it was very easy to gain weight. With the change in the diet and lifestyle during that time I gained over 25lb! I was very skinny when I got to Montreal. But I didn’t know anything about diet or exercise. 

I started taking interest in the field. So I decided to find out and I started to read every book and article about nutrition. I certainly didn’t want to be overweight and struggle with my weight all my life like my mom and her sisters. So I decided to learn about it and reverse that destiny, and in the process, I became in love with it.

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<thrive_headline click tho-post-5448 tho-test-18>The Health Coach Difference</thrive_headline>

The Health Coach Difference

If you follow me on my social media channels (if not you can do it right now on Instagram and Facebook) you’ve seen that I recently enrolled in Integrative Nutrition School to become a certified Health Coach. This was a goals of mine for a very long time, and this year I finally made the commitment. I feel that I want to offer you so much help but I still have a lot to learn. I want to make a bigger impact in you and in the world and that’s why I decided to go back to school and keep learning.

However, many of you may not know what a Health Coach is. Health coaching is a relatively new profession, but the idea behind it is really based in how we, as human beings, operate. As a health coach, I help you work with your unique body, and take into consideration how everything in your life affects your health and wellness.

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<thrive_headline click tho-post-5211 tho-test-27>6 Reasons Why Your Metabolism is Slow | And What Can You do To Increase it?</thrive_headline>

6 Reasons Why Your Metabolism is Slow | And What Can You do To Increase it?

You may feel tired, cold or that you’ve gained weight. Maybe your digestion seems a bit more “sluggish”. You may be convinced that your metabolism is slow.

Why does this happen? Why do metabolic rates slow down?

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<thrive_headline click tho-post-3886 tho-test-32>The Sugar Effect in Our Diet | The Cause of the Obesity Epidemic</thrive_headline>

The Sugar Effect in Our Diet | The Cause of the Obesity Epidemic

Recently I watch a lecture done by UCSF endocrinologist Robert Lustig to the UCSF extension students. He made the point, with proven data, that the cause of the Obesity epidemic over the last 30 years is one single factor: increased amounts of sugar in our diet. You can watch the lecture of Dr. Lustig’s here, and I recommend you take the time to watch it. His lecture has become viral since it was uploaded on YouTube in 2009, it’s been viewed almost five million times.

This documentary opened my eyes even more about the problems that we faced due to the overconsumption of sugar and process food. Dr. Lusting proved that over the last 30 years people all over the world are gaining weight not because they eat too much, but because we are consuming too much sugar in our diets and not eating the right foods. He proved that our food system is broken and the cause of all the epidemic is not laziness or gluttony. Seguir leyendo «The Sugar Effect in Our Diet | The Cause of the Obesity Epidemic«

<thrive_headline click tho-post-3887 tho-test-33>How to Turn the “Good” Genes On and the “Bad” Genes Off</thrive_headline>

How to Turn the “Good” Genes On and the “Bad” Genes Off

Twelve years ago life gave me a wake-up call so that I would change my lifestyle. I realized I have the «obesity genes» That tendency of gaining weight just by looking at a cake, lol. I gained 12 kilos (about 26 lb in 4 months). My genetics betrayed me and my insulin levels started to rise and the doctor told me that, if I stayed on the same path I could become diabetic. I did not want that!

That moment I realized that I had to do something, of course, I didn’t know anything about nutrition or healthy eating (that wasn’t a family dinner topic at the time) So I had to figure it out and most importantly take action. I had to learn How to Turn the “Good” Genes On and the “Bad” Genes Off! And I’m happy to say now that I succeeded!!

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<thrive_headline click tho-post-2808 tho-test-42>Nutrition Myths | Don’t fall into these myths!</thrive_headline>

Nutrition Myths | Don’t fall into these myths!

Nutrition has always been a topic of great interest and concern to a large percentage of the population. There is a variety of nutrition myths and misconceptions that are widely spread throughout the history.  In many cases these issues are dealt with ignorance. 

Very often people want to group foods into good and bad; the ones that make you fat or thin; useful and harmful to cardiovascular health, etc. But nutrition is a complex science and any simplification is wrong. Nutrition as a science is relatively modern and is hidden in an apparent simplicity; however it is a complex matter that requires study and continuous updating.

 In the following lines I will uncover some Nutrition Myths and controversies that have been spread throughout time:

 

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<thrive_headline click tho-post-2768 tho-test-44>My Super Foods Guide | Part I</thrive_headline>

My Super Foods Guide | Part I

In this first post of Super Foods Guide I will list the foods you should always have in your kitchen, ready to prepare delicious and nutritious meals:

1. Nuts:

Walnuts are the best sources of vegetable protein. They are rich in Fiber, B vitamins, magnesium and antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Nuts are also high in plant sterols which help block cholesterol absorption in the intestine. They are also full of omega-3 fats we know are our favorites. Nuts have a high fat content of these compared with other nuts like almonds, cashews, peanuts, etc.. Of course, we should  always eat them in moderation as they can easily add many calories to your meal. A handful is enough of daily portion.

 

2. Oats:

A cup of oatmeal contains:

  • 147 Kcal
  • 2.3 g of fat
  • 25.3 g of carbohydrates
  • 6 g Protein
  • 3.98 g Fiber

A cup of oatmeal in the morning not only satisfy you for a good part of the day, but also gives you many benefits. They are rich in vegetable protein, Vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium and Manganese. They are also packed with Fiber. That if you remember to choose the whole grain kind. It has been concluded in many studies that eating a bowl of oatmeal daily decreases by 29% the risk of cardiovascular events.

Include oats in your breakfast, mix in recipes of biscuits, cakes, pies, breads, etc. to enhance their flavor and nutrients.

3. Olive Oil:

In the last post we talked about the benefits of Olive Oil. We have seen that monounsaturated fats help reduce bad cholesterol, the same fat is present in olive oil. That is why now I recommend to change the cooking oil you are using now for olive oil. This oil has been more studied and proven to help prevent cardiovascular disease through its effect on cholesterol. Always look for the Extra Virgin Olive Oil because it contains polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that protects our bodies from free radicals. The more virgin is more oil contains polyphenols.

 4. Quinoa:

Quinoa is another grain, besides oats, you should include in your diet. It contains lots of protein for a cereal, about 8 g per cup. This helps to keep you full longer, stabilizing blood sugar levels. This cereal is also rich in Vitamin B12, Iron, crucial for metabolism. Many of the grains we eat are fortified but Quinoa contains Vitamins B in high amounts naturally. It also has a Low GI index hat helps you control Metabolic Syndrome.

5. Salmon:

 Salmon is the perfect food to replace red meat in your diet. It is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fats. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish a week, particularly fatty fish such as salmon. Choose wild salmon instead of farmed.

 6. Dark Chocolate:

 Woo! I love chocolate for dessert! One square is enough and it should contain 70% cocoa or more, not chocolate bars full of fat!. Studies have shown that dark chocolate helps lower blood pressure in people with hypertension and also helps decrease LDL cholesterol (the bad guy), it is also rich in antioxidants and magnesium. Remember, the idea is to eat more chocolate, just include it in your diet in moderation.

 In subsequent parts of my Super Foods Guide I will continue talking about essential foods that you must keep in your fridge to keep  you healthy!!

Remember, Nutrition is Wellness!!