Hello…Again!
It’s been a minute since my last blog. Sorry about that, I’m a mom…nuff said.
Within one tiny little week, I moved my oldest out of his dorm and back home for the summer. We celebrated Mother’s Day at a baseball field watching my youngest play all weekend (and I LOVED IT). One of my gifts were two tickets to the Thomas Rhett concert from my oldest, so he and I attended that. My husband and I decided to buy some houses in Fredericksburg and try to do the whole, “fixer upper” thing to VRBO them. So, we headed out to Fredericksburg with a huge trailer full of furniture to start our crazy project last night. That may be more than you care to know about me, but I wanted to share anyway. OHHHH, and I played in two tennis matches, singles, and it was HARD!
About YOU…
If you EVER have any questions or need a little guidance, pep talk or Elite 101, feel free to email me at jennifer@lime-media.com. Just put Elite in the subject line. The more I write about life and Elite’s products, I’ve realized how much this is really an avenue to help so many people feel GOOD again! Or maybe for the first time ever. I’m super thankful for all these products have done for me and I’m just really happy to share it with anyone willing to listen.
So Now About My Challenge…
Playing singles tennis is just about one of the hardest things a 45 year old woman can do to her body. The constant stops and starts can be brutal on the knees. Serving and overheads can wreak havoc on your elbow and shoulder. Not to mention the muscle cramps that can come from a lack of hydration. My point…you HAVE to train and be smart about what you are putting into your body.
My Fight With Pinot Noir
I love a good glass of red wine…especially Pinot Noir. At the end of a long day, nothing is better than a bubble bath and a glass. Unfortunately, alcohol and being an athlete don’t always mix. This was my fight. I HAD to find a way to drink way more H20 and less of the red stuff if I was going to perform at my peak. It sounds and even feels a little silly being 45 and talking about performing at my peak, but I like a good challenge.
In fact, I NEED challenges to keep me focused and in check. Without them, I kind of just float off into this abyss of weight gain, Netflix and eating dessert in bed. It’s an ugly truth and even uglier sight, so I do my best to avoid that crazy train. Playing singles tennis again after an injury that should have stopped me from playing altogether is definitely a challenge that I accept.
The Effects of Alcohol on an Athlete (eleatnutrition.com)
After exercise, it’s important to replenish glycogen stores and stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS), which is why consuming a combination of carbohydrates and protein is recommended. However, when you consume alcohol after a workout, alcohol DECREASES muscle protein synthesis (over 37%!) & interferes with glycogen replenishment, delaying the recovery process. This alone makes it very difficult to boost performance & muscle growth over time.
Research shows that even when consumed WITH a protein source after exercise, alcohol can still decrease muscle protein synthesis (by 24% vs. 37%), impairing muscle growth and repair. Alcohol also impairs hydration status, which can affect the quality and duration of upcoming workouts.
Alcohol + Sleep & Hormones
Studies show alcohol can help you fall asleep faster, but the quality of sleep is what you should be concerned about. Alcohol disrupts your restorative sleep cycles, reducing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Lack of sleep is associated with increased risk of sports injuries.
As for hormones, cortisol & testosterone are just two of the hormones that effect muscle growth. Cortisol fuels protein breakdown while testosterone elevates protein synthesis. Studies have indicated that alcohol (2-3 drinks/day) impairs testosterone levels by decreasing secretion of testosterone, which can impair protein synthesis & negatively affect the results from resistance training over time.
A study conducted on male athletes indicates having just under one drink as an appropriate amount, without having a negative impact on performance and recovery.
Now I’m not saying you should never drink alcohol again (or I’d be a complete hypocrite) but I am saying if you’re wanting to improve muscle recovery, performance, and promote lean muscle mass gain, it’s a good idea to hold off on alcohol post-workout. Instead, consume a carbohydrate and protein-rich meal after your workout, and allow enough time to digest before drinking a beer or cocktail.
So How Did It Go?
I can honestly say that I cannot believe the difference in so many things. I DID sleep better, therefor, I had more energy for training. Eating well-balanced meals was easy to maintain. Playing 2 singles matches for the first time in 3 years and went the distance without cramping or tiring out was a bonus. The energy I had left after a 3 hour long match completely surprised me. Yes, 3 hours when you count the warm-up. It was HOT and muggy and I DID IT! Now that I felt a little bit of what I can do, I obviously want more. And I want to do it even better.
Naltrexone to the Rescue
I really believe I owe a lot of my last two week’s accomplishments to Naltrexone. It has definitely helped my cravings for sugar and wine. My cravings are for green things and lemon water now more than ever. I FEEL so completely different that I even know when I NEED to eat some greens. As soon as I lay in bed and fell asleep quickly and don’t move until morning. THAT IS UNHEARD OF FOR ME! Naltrexone is responsible for all of this, I’m sure of it.
So Now What?
Part of my challenge in becoming more fit involves losing 10 pounds. We all know how hard that last 10 is to lose…
The human body doesn’t really like to be on a diet. Each of us has a steady-state weight that the body tries very hard to maintain. When we gain weight above that steady-state, the body attempts to increase caloric expenditure. When we lose a lot of weight, the body tries very hard to gain weight to get back to steady state. This is part of the reason the last 10 pounds are so hard to lose – while you are trying to lose more, the body is resisting and trying to put the weight back on by decreasing metabolism and increasing hunger. Most people who are overweight or obese at one point overrode the body’s initial steady state weight. And with a lot of effort you can achieve a new steady-state, but it requires a great deal of persistence and effective nutrition and physical activity strategies.
Lipoden Injections Contain…
- Vitamin B1 – Essential for glucose metabolism.
- Vitamin B2 – Breaks down protein, fats, and carbohydrates.
- Vitamin B3 – Helps convert food into energy.
- Vitamin B6 – Aids in the production of important neurotransmitters in the brain.
- Vitamin B12a – Supports the normal functioning of the nervous system.
- L-Carnitine – An amino acid which transports fatty acids into the mitochondria.
- Methionine – Also an amino acid that contains sulfur. It helps prevent the buildup of excess fat in the liver.
- Inositol – One of the nutrients that belongs to the B vitamin complex. It works to reduce blood cholesterol and support the metabolism of fats.
- Choline – Helps to transport fat and cholesterol, as well as help the liver excrete chemical waste products inside the body.
I have started on these injections in an effort to kick-start that last 10 pounds. I can’t wait to let you all know how they work!!!!
Oxytocin
“Oxytocin appears to have appetite-suppression properties,” says Dr. Charlie Seltzer, weight-loss specialist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Essentially, it’s thought to weaken your brain’s reward signals for food by calming down a key part of your brain’s reward system called the ventral tegmental area (VTA), Seltzer explains.
For example, a study in Obesity finds oxytocin lowers how much food people eat by about 122 calories per meal and improves insulin sensitivity, which is key for lowering blood sugar levels
Another small study presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting found an oxytocin nose spray lowered people’s responses to especially enticing processed foods.
When overweight but otherwise healthy young men received either a single dose of oxytocin or a placebo, those who’d taken oxytocin showed weakened connections between the VTA (that reward system part of the brain) and a brain region that would motivate them to reach for a snack. In other words, the study suggests oxytocin modulates pathways that light up in response to highly palatable foods.
Yep, sounds like a good idea…I’m adding Oxytocin to my regimen.
To Sum it All Up…
I’m going to stick with my H20 intake and also keep away from the Pinot. My meals will continue to be well-balanced with lots of leafy greens. I AM going to at a little more protein and will add weights to my daily routine. Adding the Lipoden and Oxytocin will hopefully be the perfect kick start to losing this last 10 pounds while gaining some much needed muscle.
My Daily Routine…
Wake up at 6:30-Drink a glass of lemon water and take my BPC-157
7:00- Take my Thermogenic along with another glass of lemon water.
9:00- Workout
10:30-Protein Smoothie with glass of water
12:00 Lunch- Spinach salad with blackened Salmon and strawberries with 2 glasses of water
3:00- Yogurt and protein granola with a glass of water
6:30-Dinner- Fig Chicken, Brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes with 2 glasses of water.
8:00- STRETCH/Light Yoga
9:00-Take Sermorelin and Naltrexone
10:00- Bedtime- Chamomile and Lavender Tea w/Lemon
Every Monday I take my Testosterone and Glutathione!
Tip of the Day:
ROUTINE!!! If you stick to a daily routine, your life will thank you! Trust me, I HATE routines, I’m extremely fly by the seat. But even for me, when I operate in routine (as much as possible), it just makes everything else better. I am less stressed and way more joyful for my family. I look forward to what’s next because I KNOW what’s next. Surprises do occur, but for the most part, sticking to a routine IS doable. Try it out, you can thank me later. Cheers to knowing what to expect!!!!
