| Stress Hormones and Belly Fat | | | | There are different kinds of exercise. |
| These days, it seems everyone is under chronic | | | | Everyone knows exercise is crucial to losing |
| stress. Chronic stress can easily cause hormonal | | | | weight, but did you know that there are two |
| imbalances, which can make it very difficult to | | | | distinct types of exercise? One type of exercise |
| lose weight. For example, Cortisol is a stress | | | | is Sympathetic exercise, which is exercise that |
| hormone that causes the body to store fat | | | | stresses the body and engages the sympathetic |
| around the midsection. Diet and exercise are a | | | | nervous system. This type of exercise generally |
| great strategy, but the underlying stress and | | | | comes with some discomfort as the body is |
| hormonal imbalances must be addressed as well. | | | | pushed to its limits in an effort to grow. |
| Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs have proven | | | | Sympathetic exercise is a "Feel the burn" or "No |
| very effective for this problem. Chronic stress | | | | pain, no gain" type of exercise. Chinese Medicine |
| can also cause emotional eating. When life gets | | | | tends to favor the second type of exercise, |
| overwhelming, we can easily turn to food to | | | | Parasympathetic exercise. This is exercise that |
| make us feel good. | | | | allows the body to relax, and come out of stress |
| Cravings and the Five Flavors | | | | mode. Think of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and some Yoga |
| Where do cravings come from? Chinese Medicine | | | | practices, as well as simply walking and breathing. |
| recognizes many relationships throughout nature in | | | | Parasympathetic exercise is especially important |
| general, and especially throughout the body. One | | | | for those of us with chronic stress. If stress has |
| perspective that helps us understand health is the | | | | caused a hormone imbalance that has made you |
| idea of the Five Elements. The Chinese Five | | | | gain weight, it is most important to ease yourself |
| Elements are: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. | | | | into relaxation mode, and you can relax and |
| Each of the Chinese Five Elements has a | | | | exercise at the same time! Talk to your |
| corresponding flavor associated with it. When an | | | | acupuncturist, or find a class near you. |
| element is out of balance, we tend to crave the | | | | Is Chinese Medicine Safe for Weight Loss? |
| associated flavor. | | | | Chinese medicine is a very safe medicine, with |
| Sometimes, we crave exactly what we need. | | | | few if any side effects. There has been |
| Other times we crave the worst thing possible, | | | | controversy around certain herbs, such as |
| usually the thing we are addicted to. How can | | | | Ephedra. This controversy is due to a few |
| anyone tell the difference? Think about the foods | | | | irresponsible individuals misusing extracts from the |
| you are craving. Are they heavily processed, or | | | | herbs. A trained and responsible Herbalist will |
| full of sugar? Most likely these foods are not in | | | | always give appropriate doses of herbs, and |
| your body's highest good. Acupuncture and | | | | monitor your progress to create the best herbal |
| Chinese Herbs can help bring your body's systems | | | | plan for you. You should make sure your Chinese |
| back into balance, reducing those junk cravings. | | | | Herbalist is NCCAOM certified. |