Eating an adequate supply of healthy  dietary fats is vitally important to your overall health as well as building muscles exercises. Fats are one of the main components in all of the cell membranes throughout your entire body. If  you eat enough healthy natural fats, your cellular processes will proceed normally. On the other hand, if you eat man-made, heavily processed, chemically altered fats (damaged fats) that are found in most processed foods, your cellular function will be impaired as these damaged fats become part of your cell membranes, the body will have to work harder to operate correctly, and degenerative diseases can develop. In addition, healthy dietary fats are essential for optimal  hormone production and balance within the body and are therefore essential for building muscles and burn body fat.

Did you know that eating a diet that is too low in fat will reduce your testosterone levels? You know what the  results of that are: less muscle and more fat on your frame. Females, don’t be afraid…your testosterone is not going to go through the roof by eating more fat. It helps to keep everything in balance for both men and women, as long as you eat the right fats (more on the right fats in a minute). Other important functions that dietary fats play in a healthy body are aiding vitamin and  mineral utilization, enzyme regulation, energy, etc. To burn fat is only a tiny part of being healthy

The Healthy Fatty Food Choices:

•  Coconut fat (and other tropical oils)

•  Extra virgin olive oil:

•  Dark, bittersweet chocolate (>70%  cocoa content)

•  Avocados or guacamole

•  High fat fish such as wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, trout, etc.

•  Nuts (any and all – walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, macadamias, etc.)

•  Seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, etc.)

•  The fat in organically raised, free-range animals:  This is one area where most people have been misinformed by the mass media. Animal fat is inherently good for us, that  is, if it came from a  healthy animal. Human beings have thrived on animal fats for thousands of years. The problem lies in the fact that most mass produced animal products today do NOT come from healthy animals. They come from animals given loads of antibiotics and fattened up with hormones and fed un-natural feed. The solution is to choose organically raised, free-range meats, eggs, and dairy. At this time, the price is still a little higher, but it  is worth it, and as demand grows, the prices will come down.

The Deadly Fatty Foods:

•  Homogenized milk fat

•  Refined oils

•  Anything deep fried

•  Hydrogenated oils (source of artificial trans fats)



Tips for being active
Give time every day for moderate aerobic physical activity like walking, swimming or biking. You should always stay within your physician’s recommendations and your own comfort zone.

  DO…

Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers.
Start slowly. Gradually build up to at least 150 minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity per week (or whatever your doctor recommends). That’s 30 minutes of activity, five or more times per week  If you can’t manage 30 minutes at a time, try two 15-minute sessions or three 10-minute sessions to meet your goal.
Exercise at the same time of day so it becomes a habit. For example, you might walk Monday through Friday before lunch or dinner.
If you aren’t on fluid restrictions, drink a cup of water before, during and after activity.
Ask family or friends to join you. You’ll be more likely to keep exercising with company.
Track your activity on a printable log or online.
If you miss a day, plan a make-up day or add 10–15 minutes to your next session.
Vary your activity to keep your interest up. Walk one day, swim the next time, then go for a bike ride.
Join an exercise group, health club or community fitness facility. Many churches and senior centers offer exercise programs, too. (Get your doctor’s permission first.)
Look for opportunities to be more active during the day. Park farther from your destination, walk the mall before shopping, choose a flight of stairs over an escalator, or take 10–15 minute walking breaks while watching TV or working.
Add strength and stretching moves to your routine, if your doctor allows them.
DON’T…

Get discouraged if you stop for awhile. Get started again gradually and work up to your old pace.
Perform isometric exercises that require holding your breath, bearing down or sudden bursts of energy. If you’re taking part in a class or structured rehab program, ask the leader or therapist what isometric exercises are.
Get involved in competitive or contact sports such as football or soccer.
Engage in any activity that causes chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness. If you have any of these symptoms, stop what you’re doing right away and call your healthcare provider.
Exercise right after meals, when it’s very hot or humid, or when you just don’t feel up to it.