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Hello! This is your inner voice talking.

I love trying new things. I especially love “learning” new things. If I could, I would be an eternal student. Well, I am in some way. With the internet and all the great resources, I can find there, I am always learning something new. Health and wellbeing are my favorite topics.

As a young adult, I was looking at my elders and I was telling myself that I would never be old. That stayed with me over the years and I made it a passion of mine to look for natural ways not to age and to even look younger all the time. It is easier said than done. Life keeps putting speed bumps in the way of being and staying healthy. I am persevering and not giving up. I have to say that the last two and a half years have quite challenging. I have had my ups and downs and one-speed bump after another… a real wind storm. As of now, I am still healing from a few incidents last fall. But things are looking good. I am in the hands of very competent people. Yeah!

Where to go from here? I want to get back to the best shape of my life. That was in 2002. Already thirteen years ago, how time flies. I was then working out several hours a week and I started on September 2001 and up until May 2002. I was training on my own for the first six months and for the last three months I hired a personal trainer. That was when I saw a huge difference. It was awesome to have someone there to push my limits and to show me the way. When I was working out alone, I would rarely push my boundaries. Also, I had nobody to be accountable to. But with my trainer, he was there and he was expecting results from me. We were a team and I did not want to let him or myself down. As a reward, I booked a photographer and I did a photoshoot. See the results…

I believe I can do it again… I don’t know how long it would take, but I am willing to get started and not give up. I also believe that in order to be at my best it has to come from all levels. What I mean by that is that it is not only physical but also mental. In order to have a healthy body, I have to have a healthy mind. I need to get rid of the blockages I have and the nagging voice that tells me that I can’t do it or that it is not worth it. Have you heard that voice before? I am pretty sure you did at one time or another or even right now. It is the voice that keeps me in bed in the morning when I said I would go for a run. It is the voice that says “One piece of cake won’t hurt you”. I have to be stronger than that voice and persevere. The voice is not there for my benefit, it does not want what is best for me. It is lazy and a glutton. It is a lot of what I don’t want anymore.

I would like you to share what is your voice is telling you. I want you to know that you are not alone and by reading other comments you will see that it is true. And know that that voice does not have to be there all the time. You can quiet it. It might take a little effort on your part, but it is possible.

I look forward to reading your comments.

Until next time, be Healthy and Happy

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YOUR 90-day Challenge – September 21

It has been already 3 weeks that we started this challenge. I feel really grateful for all the participants. Some of them just joined the challenge and I admired them for that. They could have said that it was too late, that they should have done it from the beginning, etc… But no, they decided to do it no matter what. Good for you.

I just came back from my run. I started to run 2 weeks ago. I used to say that I hated running and as long as I kept saying it I did. But when I started to run, I stop saying it and now I am running 4 times a week. So I guess that as long as we keep telling ourselves that we can do something, we won’t be able to do it and when we just start no matter what, then we can do it, and regardless of what it was, it is being done.

This morning I felt like I was running with an elephant in my stomach. I hosted a raw vegan potluck last night and I show the movie Vitality. We had so much great quality food that I had a difficult time not eating it. I paid for it this morning. I felt like I had just finished dinner. I was still so full from last night.

See attached a few dishes that were brought in to share. All so good and delicious.

3 weeks gone and 9 more to go… I truly appreciate the accountability from the participant. It makes something much different from doing it alone. Thanks to all of you.

On another note. Today is International Day of Peace. Please send love and peace around you today and every day of the year. We don’t have to wait for a special day to tell people that we love them and make peace around us.

Be peaceful and I love you.

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YOUR 90-day Challenge – September 8th

Yeah! one week already.

It feels SO good to have been more proactive in the last week. I have more energy. I am more productive, and positive.

It feels so good to have accountability partners. When I don’t do what I am supposed to do, I think about them and I tell myself: “You told them you were going to do it. You have to do it.” That motivates me to get up and go.

During the last week, I have been eating less. I have reduced my portions and I am not eating as many fruits as I used to do, especially dry fruits. The hardest part is not to eat something sweet after my meal. I use to grab either some chocolate or dry fruits. I was not hungry, but I was craving it, and still do a little. I have been able to stop myself from going to the refrigerator and grab them.

The result for my first week is that I have eliminated 3 lbs. I am pretty excited about that. So I guess that eating less and doing more exercise is really the key… Right? that’s just common sense. But without accountability and support, it is not that easy. I am very thankful to all the people in the challenge.

For those who would like to join, it is not too late. You can watch the video here.

Have a beautiful and healthy day.

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YOUR 90-day Challenge – September 5th

I wanted to mention that anyone can join in even if the challenge has started. If you do a 60-day challenge it is better than nothing… Let me know if you want to join in. you can email me at denise@denisebelisle.com

We just had a fantastic group call with the participants… Great job everyone!!

It is now the 5th day of the challenge and everyone is moving forwards. I am very proud of us for taking responsibility for achieving our goals.

During the call, I was talking about Alternate Day Fasting. Which is where you eat one day and fast the other day. Here’s a couple of videos about the subject. You might find it interesting.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/17/intermittent-fasting-high-intensity-exercise.aspx

And here’s another one here.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/08/alternate-day-fasting.aspx

As for myself, I have been eating less and better. I have cut down on high sugar fruits and eat more vegetables. I have been adding healthy fat like avocados and some nuts (not too many because they are still high on calories). I am also heading in the direction of alternate-day fasting. At the moment I am eating between noon and 6 pm. which gives me about 18 hours fast every day. I am drinking plenty of water. About a gallon a day. My goal is to do fasting 2 days a week with a day in between. For example, eating Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and fasting Tuesday and Thursday. I will have dinner every day, and not overeat for dinner on the fasting days.

I am being more active and doing a little more exercise every day. I have been using my mini-trampoline at home and doing some exercise also to help tone. So far so good.

Have a great and productive day.

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YOUR 90-day Challenge follow up

Already on the 3rd day of the challenge.
I hope you are all doing well.
I already had some challenges but I persevere. For example, this morning I was at the gym and I was just about to start some cardio and I got a call from one of my clients, who had forgotten to call me yesterday, wanting to see me within the hour. Of course, I said yes and came back home… I will do some cardio later this evening…
Also, I went to bed hungry last night. Normally I would have eaten something during the evening after my dinner, but this time I stopped myself and didn’t.
Making changes is not easy and we have to create different pathways in our brain in order for these habits to stick.
You can see an article here called:
Train Your Brain To Let Go Of Habits – 10 Methods For Creating New Neural Pathways
http://themindunleashed.org/2014/03/train-brain-let-go-habits-10-methods-creating-new-neural-pathways.html
I will host a group support call on Thursday evening at 7 pm. It is key to be accountable in order to succeed with your goals. Please let me know if you can make it.
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ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HERBS-ARTHRITIS

Burdock Root

Burdock contains fatty oils which (along with its sterols and tannins) contribute to its reputation as an anti-inflammatory.

Flax

Flaxseed is one of the best vegan sources of Omega-3 (ALA), which is so important to a strong immune system and for fighting inflammation.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory herb, and thus an effective pain reliever. It contains at least two chemicals (curcumin and curcuminoids) that decrease inflammation (and are very much like the oft-prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs).

Nettles

Nettles is an herb with mad-skills incredible for pretty much anything. Nettles are insanely good for you, containing protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, beta-carotene, along with vitamins A,C, D, and B complex, all in a form that is easy for the body to use.

Licorice

Licorice acts much like your body’s own natural corticosteroids (which reduce inflammation). Licorice decreases free radicals at the site of inflammation and inhibits the enzyme production that’s involved in the inflammatory process. Glycyrrhizin is the component in licorice that blocks and relieves inflammation.

Ginger

Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances are believed to explain why so many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reductions in their pain levels and improvements in their mobility when they consume ginger regularly. Arthritis-related problems with your Aging KNEES? Regularly spicing up your meals with fresh ginger may help.

Other herbs that will help with inflammation

Arnica
Autumn saffron
Boswellin
Bromelain
Cayenne Pepper (Capsaicin)
Cleavers
Curcumin
Devil’s claw
German chamomile
Ginger or Zingiber Officinalis
Licorice
Pokeroot
Turmeric or Curcuma longa L
White willow
Witch hazel