PCOS, short for polycystic ovarian syndrome, affects between 8 to 20% of reproductive-age women in the United States. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that happens when there is a buildup of follicles in the ovary that cause a variety of symptoms that include, but are not limited to, irregular periods, acne, hirsutism, obesity, insulin resistance, infertility, and high levels of androgens in the body.…
If you’ve ever glanced at the fitness and beauty magazines in the check-out line at your local supermarket, you may have noticed a stark similarity in the headlines – Lose 30 Pounds in 30 Days, Get Fit for Fall, and Find Those Toned Abs You’re Looking For. The majority of content reads like a how-to manual with the emphasis on some sort of achievable short-term destination.…
Disclaimer: the information shared in this article is meant to be just that — information. It is not meant as a stand-in for medical advice. Complications from sauna use and other forms of hyperthermic conditioning can and do happen unless protocols are correctly modified to meet the needs of the individual. Before using a sauna, consult with your primary care provider first.…
When you think about “getting healthy,” what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, you probably picture some kind of gym, a workout, and a vegetable-laden meal. Maybe a printout from doctor with “acceptable” numbers.
We see this vision because we’re conditioned to think that health and wellness occur in certain locations in our lives — the gym, the salad bar, the doctor’s office.…
Want to know how far you’ve come? You need to know where you started.
Self-assessments are an important part of the Whole Life Challenge. Measurements at the beginning let you know what kind of progress you’ve made, and provide an objective picture of your health.
The Whole Life Challenge includes three assessment phases.
Have you ever had that “Gaahh!” feeling? Like there’s too much on your plate, your brain is frozen, and you’ll tip over the edge if someone asks you to do one more thing?
If so, you’re not alone. Life feels overwhelming at times. Each day can pass in a flurry of activity without ever feeling like you’re getting things done. With so much left to do, you’re not sure how you’ll get through the day, week, month, or year.…
Your skin is one of the most powerful indicators of overall well-being. When you see blemishes, dryness, rashes, sensitivity, and other problems, it could be a hint from your body that something you’re eating isn’t sitting right.
Like the other organs in your body, your skin is highly sensitive to the substances you feed it. Many of the common foods we eat — especially those that are highly-processed, refined, and/or loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients — promote harmful inflammation, oxidation, and accelerated cellular aging.…
The Weekly Habit Practices are mini-challenges intended to help you fine-tune different aspects of your health and wellness. Offered between Challenges, these practices address fitness, nutrition, stress reduction, productivity, and personal connection — because health is about far more than food and the gym (and we could all use a little practice).
Experiment with Walking Meditation This WeekSimple Instructions:
Picture yourself in the midst of the perfect vacation. You’re reclining on a lounge chair under a palm tree, sipping something tropical from a coconut. The only sound is the wind rustling through palm leaves.
For most people, a yearly vacation is a time to relax, recharge, and take a break from the usual routine. Yet sometimes this comes with an unexpected side of guilt and stress.…
Author’s note: I am stage-three brain cancer survivor who after long bouts of chemotherapy and radiation rebuilt a devastated immune system into a powerful germ-fighting soldier.
Ever wonder why some people can be around a sick person and not catch anything? Or how about those who preach the five-second rule when their food drops on the floor and never get so much as a throat tickle?…
I looked at the food truck menu, trying to find something to order. I had just started the Whole Life Challenge and was attending an event at my kids’ elementary school. Hamburger, no. Tacos, no. Ahi poke salad — that could work.
I approached the window.
“I’d like an ahi poke salad, no wonton chips please. Also, can you tell me what’s in the dressing?”
The woman looked up from her notepad and fixed me with a glare.…
Remember when we were kids? You know, when you and your friends were out playing and you always ended up at so-and-so’s house, or in your best friend’s back yard, or maybe a simple place out in the trees behind where you lived.
These places we gravitated toward not only hold some of our fondest memories, but when you look closer, they served as sanctuaries or feel-good spots that made us happier about being alive.…
