Often, when we try to address health issues, we firstly look straight at our diet – but the key to optimum health is not always found in the fridge. For example, your circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock controlling the cascade of hormonal reactions and bodily functions all day. It determines when you wake up, when you start to feel sleepy, how well you sleep and how much energy you have. It affects your fertility, how old you look and the workings of your immune system.
Chris Thomson, ex-Kickboxing World Champion, Mentor at Body Core & Mentor for the Body Transformation Academy
Elements of our environment (light, temperature and magnetic flux of the earth) stimulate this rhythm giving you a sense of the time of day and without which you would quickly become disorientated. Our modern lives have put distance between us and these natural triggers, leading to a build up of stress levels over time that in turn lead to premature ageing and ill-health.
But there are some simple things you can do to fix your circadian rhythm. Firstly, if you’re finding yourself struggling with energy levels during the day, when you wake up get outside and face the sun. Don’t stay behind glass, but get into the air – give yourself a blast of direct sunlight to reset your circadian rhythm and optimise your metabolic reactions for the day. Secondly, try camping for a short time. The artificial light we live by in the evenings suppresses the release of melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy, so a few nights outdoors will start to put that right. Another benefit of camping is sleeping on or close to the earth and plugging in to the planet’s natural magnetic charge, which has been shown to improve sleep and aid recovery.
Step away from the fridge, turn off that phone and step into the sun and the moonlight; these may well be the best ways you can begin moving towards that improved self.
To see my next event on how to hack your environment in order to become superhuman
visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/myevent?eid=27144418687
Christian Thomson
Equilibrium PT
t: 07946 319906
e: christian@equilibriumpt.co.uk
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f: eqtransformations
t: #eqptequilibrium
Diet
Breakfast choices
Breakfast, they say, is the most important meal of the day and with good reason. It not only increases Leptin sensitivity – which decreases hunger pangs, but it also determines which hormones and neurotransmitters are released throughout the day and how you react to subsequent meals.
High protein breakfasts have been shown to improve mental clarity, energy and body composition. So that Full English may not be so bad as long as the quality of food is high. Let’s just be clear, most processed meat is full of some bad stuff but if you shop for fresh, well-produced products with no nasties added, then it is actually a fairly good breakfast.
My personal favourite is a breakfast with a good amount of seafood and seasonal vegetables, as you get lots of protein and complex fats like DHA which is incredibly important for the body and reduces glucose spikes through day, as well as increasing insulin sensitivity.
Try a bowl of mussels cooked in a pan with a little seasoning at a low heat or even salmon with poached eggs.
If you struggle to eat first thing in the morning this can create an issue with stomach acid so taking a supplement called Bethanie HCL can often help. If you’re not sure it’s right for you then just ask a professional.
Free online video programs at www.eqtransformations.co.uk/summer-program/
Exercise
Summer program
Take a look at my online videos at www.eqtransformations.co.uk/summer-program/ to see the 20 minute workout program I’ve put together so you can get outdoors and enjoy the benefits of nature as well as getting fit. It’s a fantastic way to get more sun as this program just needs you and can be done at home, in the garden or in the park.
Each exercise has a repetition range so you can start at the lower end and build each session until you reach the upper limit. Small, steady progression will get much better results then blasting yourself straight away but if you feel starting at 5 reps is too easy then start at the 10 and work your way to 15 or 20.
Remember, technique is more important than numbers or speed; I don’t care how many you do as long as you feel the correct muscles working. Take your time, slow things down and get the movement’s right.
Bulgarian lunges
- 5-10 reps each leg
- Kick through, 5-10 reps each side
- 1 minute rest
- Repeat 2 or 3 times
