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The Triple Crown For Defying The Pounds, Body Fat, & Fatigue Trauma Left You Struggling With

“I am 100% ready. But you know what? I’m determined to do whatever it takes … what’s uncomfortable … whatever you direct me to do!” my client announced.

I love it when clients “get it” … and they decide: “IT’S TIME!”

I responded to her with a big smile and validated: “I’m SO PROUD of you! But mostly, I’m excited for you … You have set yourself up for a new adventure of healing and thriving.

Out of curiosity, I asked: “I know that when your husband came to me, he said you were pretty hopeless. Then when I met you, you expressed dismay about the battle you had been in with your health, your weight, and your distress regarding the absence of energy. What changed? How did you get to where you are?”

She nodded thoughtfully as she considered her response. She commented, “Well, the first response is easy … When you told me: ‘It’s not your fault …’ But there was also a couple of other things.”

She paused for a moment, then continued: “I woke up the morning after our last session, and when I looked in the mirror, I caught a glimpse of what I could see by following a gentle plan. I haven’t even had the ability to look forward and see anything but darkness for quite some time. It was like a moment of ‘grace’ or something like that.”

I smiled and nodded as she continued: “And something also happened in my brain. It felt like something that was more than surrender. Not like the old: ‘Ok! Ok! I’ll do this!’ Instead, it was a sincere desire to do it.”

I was very inspired and assured her I believed her “experience” was a powerful moment for her. And would provide a very gentle wind beneath her wings.

To you reading this, my friend, you may be thinking: “Well, I haven’t had that ‘moment’ …  so I guess this isn’t for me.”

Let me respond from my heart! That’s NOT TRUE AT ALL!

Is it helpful? ABSOLUTELY!

But is it a REQUIREMENT for this journey? Not at all!

As a matter of fact I’d say that many people begin the journey and experience their “hopeful moment” as they begin to experience results.

Recently, someone asked me cynically: “How do I know this will work for me?”

I responded very empathetically, but honestly: “You don’t know. But the journey is based on hard data from research, and works for most who commit to the journey.”

I also want to acknowledge any doubts you may have.

I’m sure they are valid.

However, you are only harming yourself if you don’t get back in the game.

The game of healing, restoring your body, and defying the trauma that got you here in the first place.

And you definitely have NOTHING TO LOSE!

Most likely, doing what you are doing isn’t working.

I hope you will follow along, and at least consider that this just might be a path of healing for you.

I’d like to share the “triple crown” of your healing and thriving when trauma has left its mark on your body. Usually in the form of its triple plague:

Unwanted pounds

Unwelcome body fat

The energy thief

The term “triple crown” is usually used to describe significant achievements or results.

This week, I want to make sure you understand the triple crown and embrace them as the foundation of true transformation when trauma has left its mark on your body.

They are:

This week, I want to address and add good understanding of their purpose in YOUR healing journey.

  1. Protein: Crown #1

“I guess I’m lucky that I’m a protein lover. But do I have to eat tons of meat and dairy? Because it feels heavy in my digestive system,” my client asked.

“We aren’t to the eating part yet, but no … you don’t have to eat tons of protein and/or dairy. As a matter of fact, even vegetarians can use this plan by consuming  high protein vegetables. More on that later, but let’s look at the importance of protein.

First of all, when we experience trauma … whether physical, mental, or emotional … our bodies experience damage. Whether the trauma was recent or many years ago. It does not heal on its own.

One of the greatest myths about trauma is that “time heals all wounds.” Time may give us a different perspective, or the ability to stuff it deeper, but that is not the same as healing.

Regardless of the time since the trauma, or the kind of trauma, we know it affects so many aspects of our health.

Here are some of the ways it affects our bodies:

It at least jars and sometimes damages our hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system.

This is where our endocrine system and central nervous system coincide.

What does that mean?  Trauma turns on a Niagara Falls style flow of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. When that occurs, it leads to many health challenges from cardiac issues to depression.

We know from research that healing all the damage that trauma does to our bodies requires a strong presence of protein.

In addition, proteins are crucial in bringing the hormonal flow back into balance, helping turn down the Niagara Falls of cortisol. And by the way, that Niagara Falls flow of cortisol is very closely associated to those unwanted pounds. unwelcomed body fat, and/or zero energy plague.

Doesn’t that make you want to pour on the protein?

And this will make you realize what an unsung hero that protein is.

Research shows it integral in:

“Well, maybe I’ll ignore the heaviness of proteins and eat more of it after all!” my client proclaimed.

I had to laugh … but that’s the response I usually get when I explain this to people.

Protein is so crucial for so many more reasons. But I think this makes it clear why it’s one of the points of the triple crown.

  1. Resistance Training – Crown #2

 

“Oh my! Now I’m worried …” my client said with a bit of fear.

But she quickly recovered with: “But I’ll do it!”

I loved hearing her determination!

I quickly responded, “It’s not what you think … stay with me!”

The minute we hear about resistance training, most of us catch a vision of lying on a bench and trying to raise a bar loaded with 500# with our arms trembling … knowing that it will crush us when we fail.

Remember, this is a gentle program.

Resistance training could consist of lying on your bed with a can of corn in each hand, raising them toward the ceiling.

The great news is that even if you drop them, they wouldn’t injure you!

Let’s look at why resistance training is one of the triple crowns.

Resistance training, even with cans of corn, builds muscle. Why is muscle so important? Our muscle:

The one benefit people like the most? It takes down those unwanted love handles and the fat around our abdominal area.

“Okay … that’s it! NO MORE WORRY … I’m in. If it does that … let’s get started!” my client volunteered.

I shared with her my story about stepping into resistance training, and she was ALL IN! I’d like to share it with you in case it might inspire you too.

I had “made some noise” about embarking on the journey of resistance training back in the late 80’s when I owned treatment centers in partnership with a dear friend.

He was in great shape and was concerned about my fatigue levels. For Christmas, he and his fiancé gave me a gift certificate for some training sessions with a well-known trainer.

It got my cute gym clothes ready and showed up for my first training session right after the first of the year.

After measuring my body fat, BMI, hydration levels (he didn’t believe in measuring weight) … he took me to the first machine.

It was a leg press machine. I was glad, because for a girl, I have very strong legs, and I already knew I could press more than 100#s.

He set it to ZERO. I laughed and told him he could load up 100#.

He smiled and said: “Not happening.”

He explained that when you begin aggressively and cannot walk for three days, most people don’t return. And “gentle starts” insure a lifestyle change.

All these years later, I’m still doing resistance training. I still increase my weights, but very gradually, very slowly. VERY GENTLY!

Whether you use weights, weight machines, bands, or cans of corn … resistance training is a strong component of the triple crown!

  1. Good, Quality Sleep: Crown #3

 

Sweet dreams! Sweet sleep and sweet dreams really are important.

I said for years … “Who needs sleep? I’ll sleep when I’m dead and gone.”

…Until I read the research on sleep.

Let me share it with you.

First of all, let me share what research shows as the result of inadequate sleep:

Not only that, but in a study published in the Cell Reports Medicine Journal in 2022, less than 6 hours of sleep nightly is associated with 55% more abdominal fat gain, even with a reduced caloric intake!

“Too much of that describes me!” my client confessed. “I really didn’t realize that it had to do with my sleep. I burn the candle at both ends continuously!”

I nodded, and admitted it was once a struggle of mine as well. Until I learned the benefits of sleep:

But the benefit people desire the most? It promotes weight loss by reducing the hormone that creates hunger.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to get my sleep in!” my client assured me. “I just had no idea …”

Like my client, most of us do not have a clear picture of our body’s need for rest.

Good, quality sleep is a powerful member of the triple crown that heals our bodies after the pounds, body fat, and zero energy plague that trauma leaves us struggling with.

I hope you will embrace this … not only for the healing in your body … but for the quality of your life. And the lives of those who love you!

***

I hope that after reading this, you see the power in the triple crown: protein, resistance training, and quality sleep.

There is an eating plan, exercise plan, lifestyle plan.

However, if you only embraced the triple crown, you would likely see some satisfying results.

I hope you will embark on the entire program, but the triple crown will be a strong foundation if that is the only part you install in your life.

You deserve to heal, to reclaim your body, your health, your energy. And have a rich, fulfilling life!

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