Weight Loss Archives - Jovanka Ciares

Cooking Spices that EAT FAT and Help You Lose Inches

The best way to ensure your weight loss plan is successful, is to include tasty and satisfying foods in your daily meal plan. It’s just a matter of preparing your meals with ingredients that make the food so tasty, you feel like it’s being prepared at a high-end restaurant.

That’s one of the main reasons why I love herbs and spices so much. Very few ingredients can make such a positive impact in your meals like spices without the need to add unhealthy, fattening options like fat, sugar, salt or junk. And if you included the added benefit of fat burning properties to this equation, using the following 4 herbs in your meals is not just a win-win, but a no-brainer.

So here are 4 herbs and spices that have the power to burn fat faster and make you slim in no time.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper increases the body temperature, helping you boost your metabolism and increase caloric burn. Adding this spice to your meal can help you burn up to 100 calories per meal.

Black pepper

Black pepper is a very common herb, in the same family as cayenne pepper. Black pepper is rich in piperine, which prevents the formation of fat cells helping you to lose, and later maintain, that weight.

Rosemary

Rosemary aids digestion, improve your chances of losing weight by increasing your metabolic rate. Drinking rosemary infused water on an empty stomach can help increase its qualities.

Cardamom

Cardamom, is a popular Indian spice with a very aromatic flavor. It helps warm your body from the inside out, helping you lose weight. It also prevents the formation of gas, preventing the bloat.

How Does THIS Help You Lose Weight

We all know that carrying excess weight has health consequences, including increased risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and even depression, also, lower self-esteem, aches and pains, etc.

For patients who need an extra edge in their weight loss efforts, adding on a specialized weight loss supplement might be the answer.

Historically, supplements that claim to aid weight loss have overwhelmingly been ineffective or unsafe—and sometimes both.

Exploring How Berberine Enhances Weight Loss

Berberine is an isolate derived from many common plants, including the barberry shrub (Berberis vulgaris) after which the chemical takes its name.

Historically, berberine has been used as a pigment and as a curative in Chinese traditional medicine.

More recently, however, scientific interest into berberine has revealed a handful of potential clinical applications, including weight loss.

Berberine’s primary appeal as a weight loss supplement stems from its ability to make production of cellular energy less efficient.

When cells can produce their cellular energy in a highly efficient way, a higher percentage of nutrients are turned into energy.

How Effective is Berberine for Weight Loss?

In 2012, for example, one study showed that obese human patients lost an average of 5 lbs over the 12-week course of treatment.

In another study, those who took berberine lost an average of 7 lbs more than the patients who consumed a placebo.

How To Use It

While berberine is known to be well-tolerated, patients should still exercise caution when using it for weight loss, particularly if they have liver issues.

Currently, data suggests that berberine is completely safe to use for up to 12 weeks.

No more than 1500 per day or 500 mg 3TID

2-Herb Blend To Help You Lose Weight

In these stressful times when we need feel good experiences, it is very common for people to increase the amount of sugar and sugary-converted foods as they trigger the release of serotonin and beta-endorphins, soothing us and making us feel better, at least temporarily.

These include not just sugary treats but simple refined carbohydrates that are easily converted to glucose (sugar), like bread, white rice white pasta and others.

Unfortunately, and as you probably know, sugar overuse can lead to some serious health issues including obesity, heart disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type-2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, hormone irregularity, and depressed mood and anxiety.

In my practice as an herbalist, I often get asked what to do to help control sugar cravings while you take other steps to learn how to eat and have a better relationship with your foods.

I’ve mentioned one of the 2 herbs here before, the other one may be new to you. But both of them in combination are even more powerful to kill sugar cravings and assist in your weight loss journey.

Fenugreek Seeds

These seeds taste a little sweet and are often used in Indian cuisine, both sweet and savory dishes.

It is an antioxidant herb used to manage metabolic disorders like diabetes or anemia, clear excessive mucus and reduce inflammation

Fenugreek can be used to control sugar cravings and even blood sugar effectively. A study published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, “fenugreek delayed the onset of diabetes in subjects with prediabetes and even helped to reduce fasting plasma glucose, postprandial fasting glucose, and LDL cholesterol.” It was also observed that the control ground had a “4.2 times higher chance of developing type-2 diabetes compared to subjects in the fenugreek group.”

Gymnema Sylvetre

The Hindi name for gymnema translates to “destroyer of sugar.”

The plant’s compound can reduce the absorption of sugar from the intestinal tract and boost insulin production, all of which could help lower blood sugar. In some animal studies, gymnema extract also causes subjects to eat less and eventually lose weight.

How To Use It

1 Tbsp each in 24 ounces of water

Bring to a slow boil and simmer for 5-7 mins.

Let it cool

Drink 4 ounces of this drink 4-6 times a day until you have drank 3, eight-ounce cups per day

Stop Emotional Eating with Hypnosis

Today I have a very special video, talking to my friend and renowned hypnotherapist Grace Smith. After so many of you shared that you are “eating your emotions” and “stress eating”, I wanted her to share with all of us how her work can help us all stop behaviors that can become highly destructive and downright unhealthy.

You see, Grace’s work has helped thousands around the world stop emotional eating, lose weight more effectively than ever before and fall in love with their magnificent bodies where it matters most… inside your subconscious mind.

Because if your conscious mind wants something (to lose weight) and your subconscious mind wants something else (to stay the same), the subconscious will win every.single.time.

It will sabotage success from the inside out until things return to the status quo…

Unless you learn how to access and upgrade your subconscious mind directly.

Grace’s BRAND NEW BOOK “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” will teach you exactly how to do just that.

Her book will also teach you:

✔️Magical Meal Prep + Motivation to Keep Going ⠀

✔️The Fundamentals: Chew, Hydrate, Stop! ⠀

✔️Limiting Beliefs That Have to Go ⠀

✔️Intuitive Eating ⠀

✔️Train Your Brain to Crave Exercise ⠀

✔️Freedom from Emotional Eating ⠀

✔️Overcome Eating When Bored ⠀

✔️ Upgrade How You Reward Yourself ⠀

✔️ The People and Places That Trigger You ⠀

✔️ Putting the Law of Attraction to Work⠀

✔️ How to Cope with Unwanted Attention ⠀

✔️ Overcome the Fear of Success ⠀

✔️ Learning to Love Yourself for the Long Run ⠀

Due to the fact that we’re all more isolated than ever, there are two ways that you can enjoy “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” and the wisdom inside that will help you to transform your relationship to food and your body, for the long term.

Option A: Self-Study

Purchase your copy of “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” here today and make your way through the book, it’s daily journal pages, and it’s accompanying digital resources website on your own, in your own time.

Option B: Group Study

Enroll in Grace’s 90 Day Live Weight Loss Challenge (launching on May 1st) and join a community of like minded souls from all over the world who are committed to making their way through the 12-week journey laid out inside “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight,” TOGETHER. You’ll receive additional bonus videos each week, live Q&A chats with Grace each week, and most importantly, you’ll receive ACCOUNTABILITY. Click here to learn more about the Group Study option!

You’ll see me inside the Group Study program myself as I’ll be providing you all with a bonus lesson on the meal plan that I created for “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight”…

That’s right! Grace asked me to create the official “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” meal plan and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it and for me to walk all Group Study participants through it in even greater detail <3

If you have any questions feel free to reply to this email.

Otherwise, give yourself the gift of freedom from emotional eating during this time of heightened fear and uncertainty by choosing either the Self-Study option or the Group Study option.

Why losing Weight Is Hard (And What You Can Do About It)

What is the one thing you might be missing that could lead to long term, healthy weight loss. For years, dieters have been told that less calories equal more weight loss. But the truth is a lot more complex than that (you already know that!)

Set Point Weight... Have you heard about this concept? Set Point Weight is a concept that believes that each person’s brain fights to keep a pre-determined weight where the body functions at an optimum or comfortable level. It’s like a thermostat, that different people keep at different temperatures to stay comfortable.

Learn more in the video and follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Change the structure of your diet.

2. Change the structure of your gut.

3. Change your background.

What do you think about this concept? Does it make sense? Are you willing to try just a wee bit harder to reach those weight loss goals? Let me know in the comment section below the video.

Hypnosis for Weight Loss and MORE

Do you know hypnosis? No, not the silly comedic skits you may have seen at college or the scary (and deeply untrue) thing that caused Chris to drop to the “sunken place” in the film Get Out.

Hypnosis is “meditation with a goal” as my friend, colleague and guest today, Grace Smith will tell you. It is a technique of deep and controlled relaxation that helps you access your subconscious mind and change deeply engrained behaviors that are hold you back and keep you from feeling great.

On today’s video, Grace, the author of the multiple No 1 Amazon best-selling book “Close Your Eyes, Get Free”, tells me how hypnosis changed her life (I tell my story with hypnosis too) and how it can help yours.

Grace also addresses the controversial use of hypnosis as a “mind-control” technique in the film Get Out (we love the film but man, did that do hypnosis – and the rest of humanity – a major disservice)!

AND, as an added bonus, we get to see Grace in action! We’ll do a short hypnosis session on air (check out timing below).

Affirmations start at 21:09

Hypnosis starts at 23:00

Get the #1 Bestselling Book “Close Your Eyes Get Free” here >>> https://amzn.to/2mKxAMj

The Secret to Being “Holistically Slim”

The process of slimming down starts in our minds and soul. It begins with a realization that our bodies deserve to be treated like luxury vehicles, like 5-star hotels. Very often, in my coaching practice, I help people change the internal conversation and create habits that lead to gratitude and happiness within, regardless of what the outside package look like.

So, in many ways, I teach my clients that weight loss and slimming down is as much about mindset and emotional wellbeing as it is about the foods that you eat.

Fellow coach and founder of Holistically Slim, Sarah Anne Stewart and I sat down to discuss our approach to a healthy diet and shared our views with you here. Check out the video:

Below the video, tell me: what does it mean for you to be Holistically Slim? Let me know!

My Diet Is Better Than Yours + Elimination Recap

Thank you so much for tuning in to ABC’s MY DIET IS BETTER THAN YOURS. It was an incredible experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

As you probably now know, I was ousted by my contestant at the end of Episode 2 (Whaaaa)… That means, no more #vegan diets on prime time (for now)…

Here’s a video with a recap of what happened

Here’s the thing: The cookie was not the problem. Neither was the diet. Weight loss is a byproduct of a healthy lifestyle. It is impossible to judge the effectiveness of a particular diet based on how many pounds somebody loses in a single week. I did wish I could stay longer and show the world the amazing goodness of a compassionate lifestyle.

I have no doubt that a plant-based diet works. There is no better proof than what I see in the mirror every morning. After all, this lifestyle is what keeps me looking and feeling amazing well into my 40’s.

Give a plant-based diet a go, it changed my life; it can change your life too! And DON’T FEAR THE COOKIE!

Enjoy the show this week and let’s root for Taj to reach her goal!

So what’s your take on what happened? Share by leaving a comment below! Thanks.

How Constellation Therapy Can Affect Your Weight, Health And Happiness

There’s a unique type of detox (or cleanse) work that is more energetic and has to do with family dynamics.

Your relationship with your family can affect your weight, health and happiness. I’ve interviewed here a Family Constellation facilitator and therapist Natalie Berthold to learn a bit more about this powerful type of work.

Check out this amazing video and learn how constellation therapies can affect your health and happiness.

Interested in learning more about Natalie’s course? Click Here For Details!

Click Here For The Discount!

Snacks The Help You Detox

Welcome to video #2 of the detox diaries.On video #1 we talked about snacks that add to your toxic overload.

On this video, I’ll give you 6 foods that you can eat as snacks or in meals which are very healthy, yummy and have a detoxifying effect in your body.

So without further ado, here they are!

Had any idea these were helping you detox? Have you ever tried any? Which one are you willing to try first (or next)?

Let me know in the comments below!

The Food For Thought Summit Coming Soon!

For the last 4 months, I’ve been working on a little project that I’m really excited about and now I’m ready to share with you!

It’s called Food For Thought: The Mind, Body, Spirit Summit!

From April 14th-18th, I’ll be interviewing top wellness experts (doctors, nutritionists, therapists, coaches, best-selling authors) on how they manage to sustain a healthy lifestyle. All interviews will be available online at the Food For Thought website.

Since I know you’ve been searching for practical ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle, the Food for Thought Summit is here to help you!

The #1 reason why people struggle to keep a healthy lifestyle is overwhelm. There’s just too much information out there! This summit will help you cut through the clutter, learn ways to stay motivated and create your own personal wellness revolution!

Click Here to check out the website and more details!

As a loyal member of my community you have immediate access to the summit and the Facebook Group Absolutely FREE!

SHARE this post with your friends so they too get FREE access to the summit.

Why is Working Out So Important

I admit it, I hate working out! That’s right, I said it! I don’t like gyms, people screaming at me to “motivate me” or weight rooms. But I recognize how essential it is to shake your butt on a regular basis.

That’s why I decided to interview my friend and fitness expert Sylvia Nasser. Sylvia can teach you to love workouts and motivate you like no one else I’ve ever met and I wanted to get her take on why working out is so important and how you can get motivated to shake you butt as well!

Check out the interview below!

So… do you struggle to find time and motivation to exercise? What do you normally do as a workout? Let me know in the comment section below!

Breathing Tips For Energy And Weight Loss

Yoga and Tai Chi practitioners have known this for centuries: Deep, active, conscious breathing can increase your oxygen intake even when done for just 1 to 2 minutes at a time!

And these breathing exercises can increase your energy level almost instantly, help speed up your metabolism, give you clarity of mind and help reduce stress.

It will help promote relaxation and give you a better awareness and appreciation of your body.

Check out the video below to learn more!

Practice this exercise a few times a day especially when you feel tired. Do it, and then let me know what was your experience by leaving a comment below!