3 Ways to Stay Motivated to Move 🏋️‍♂️

🏋️🤸 Foolproof things I do to stay MOTIVATED to move!

Dragging from the summer heat?

We all know our bodies need to move, but making it happen every day can be tough. Here are some things I do to stay motivated to move my body and stay active every day. Maybe one of these will work for you!

💞 Remember My Why

This is so key. I won’t do something unless I actually have a meaningful reason to do it. I have a list of reasons I want to stay healthy and active, which keeps me excited and on track.

📈 Track My Progress

Everyone does this differently. You can count your steps and activity on a wearable device or just check off days you exercise on a paper calendar. Seeing that progress is a great motivation.

🏆 Reward Myself

Sometimes it can be as simple as knowing that I get to have a relaxing shower after working out. This is a great way to stay positive while exercising.

We all go through slumps, but the benefits of staying active are so worth it—from better sleep to a calmer mood to more focus.

#exercisemotivation #exerciseroutine #healthylifestyle #movementismedicine #elementsnatmed #moveyourbody

Simple Summer Snacks to Stay Cool 😎

🥵 Tired of summer yet?

Beat the heat with these cooling foods ⤵️

Cooling foods work because they promote hydration and provide electrolytes.

So rather than grab that bag of chips or salty snack, stay cool with these refreshing summer snacks:

🥥 Coconut Water

Coconut water is rich in minerals, including potassium and magnesium. Similar to sports drinks, it can replenish fluids and electrolytes.

🍉 Melons

Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are delicious summer fruits that provide antioxidants and hydration. Did you know cucumbers are also melons?

🧉 Peppermint Iced Tea

Peppermint can ease digestion and freshen breath, but it is also cooling. Try it iced when the heat picks up!

🌱 Cilantro

Cilantro is packed with micronutrients, having a gentle detoxifying effect. Sprinkle it over a melon salad or into your water or spritzer.

Do you have a favorite cooling snack? Let me know in the comments!

Multivitamins: 3 Questions to Ask

What to look for in a good multivitamin ⤵️

Taking a multivitamin can fill in the gaps of your diet and make sure you don’t miss out on important vitamins and minerals over time. Even people who have healthy eating habits can optimize their nutrient intake with a multivitamin. But the question is:

How do you choose the best one?

When I’m evaluating the quality of a vitamin, I ask these 3 questions:

1️⃣ Is it age-appropriate?

Children need lower amounts of most vitamins and minerals than adults, teenage boys need more zinc to support hormones, menstruating people need more iron to replace lost blood, and older adults have a higher need for vitamins like B12. That’s why it’s helpful to choose a multivitamin formulated for the right age and stage.

2️⃣Are the nutrients bioavailable?

By “bioavailable,” I mean the nutrients are both easily absorbed and readily utilized by the body. For example, methylcobalamin is preferable to cyanocobalamin (these are both forms of vitamin B12) and magnesium glycinate is preferable to magnesium oxide.

3️⃣What are the “other” ingredients?

Some vitamins are loaded with artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and binders. Jump to the “other ingredients” to make sure the product is actually going to help rather than harm your health.

When I’m working with my clients on their nutrition, I recommend professional-grade supplements available through our convenient online dispensary. Most healthcare providers are not educated in nutritional supplements, but it’s something we specialize in.

5 Foods to Avoid in PCOS

🤔 Did you know these foods can worsen PCOS?

PCOS is a common condition in women that causes hormonal imbalances and metabolic problems, often accompanied by insulin resistance and weight gain. Here are 5 foods to avoid:

1️⃣Sugary Drinks 🥤

We’re not just talking about soda here. Sweetened tea, fancy coffee drinks, and juices will all cause the blood sugar to spike and worsen the metabolic issues of PCOS.

2️⃣Processed Snacks 🍕

Snacks like crackers, cookies, and chips are typically high in carbohydrates and unhealthy fats, both of which worsen insulin resistance in PCOS.

3️⃣Cereal 🥣

Boxed cereals and granola can be a hidden source of sugar that is a stress to the body and blood sugar.

4️⃣Fried Foods 🍟

Fried foods are typically high in trans fats, which interfere with the action of insulin and worsen inflammation—problems already present in PCOS.

5️⃣Alcohol 🍹

Alcoholic drinks not only disrupt blood sugar but also place a strain on the liver, which plays a key role in hormone metabolism.

Nutrition can be a powerful tool to support hormone health and metabolism in PCOS, and it doesn’t always have to be complicated. I work with my clients to find nutritious foods that are easy to make and that they enjoy, so that healthy eating can become a way of life.

How Stress Affects PCOS

⬇️How Stress Affects PCOS ⬇️

Sometimes people with PCOS continue to struggle with symptoms even when they’re following a healthy diet, exercising, and taking supplements.

Why?

Because of stress.

On a biochemical level, the culprit is cortisol—the hormone we pump out in response to stress. Cortisol is useful in the short term (to give us energy to respond to stress) but damaging if produced too much for too long.

In PCOS, cortisol can:

❌ Worsen insulin resistance

❌ Increase testosterone even more

❌ Interfere with thyroid function

❌ Decrease progesterone even more

This last point is key. Did you know that cortisol is made in part from progesterone? That means that stress actually steals progesterone to make cortisol. Since progesterone is already low in PCOS, this can make things worse.

It may seem like a small and insignificant thing, but managing stress is an extremely important part of feeling good and thriving despite a diagnosis of PCOS. Small habits every day add up to make a big difference. Things like:

✅ Getting enough sleep

✅ Moving your body

✅ Drinking plenty of water

✅ Taking time to relax

If you’ve missed my recent posts about PCOS myths, facts, and metabolism, be sure to check those out. I have one last post coming your way—all about key foods to avoid.

Drop me a comment if you have any questions about the way we treat PCOS with functional medicine 📩