Ready, Set, Summer!

Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is just around the corner. Stores have had their bathing suits, shorts and flip flops on shelves since Valentine’s Day. And of course, flowers are blooming, trees are leafing-out, and the grass is now growing at nearly 100 miles per hour it seems; all sure signs that summer will soon be here.

Now too is the time that we look in the mirror and go "OMG" and then try to figure out how we are going to get into our swim suit of last year gracefully. Or for some of us, we’d be happy with just shorts and a tank top. Many of us are still packing a few extra pounds from our winter hibernation (yes, your body does try and add some fat in the winter as a reserve). The problem is we usually don’t need the extra weight, and we really don’t like the “muffin-top” or “love handle” look.

Well don’t despair. There are lots of things that can be done to look and feel your best for summer. Here are a few simple tips to help you drop the weight somewhat painlessly:

1. Drink one full 8 oz. glass of water 10 minutes before each meal. Most of us don’t drink enough water anyway, so this adds to our healthy lifestyle and the water will help you feel full. However the real trick is to only eat enough to feel satiated and then get up from the table, or at least remove your plate so that you are not tempted to keep nibbling.
2. Avoid sugar. Period. Sugar is responsible for so many health problems from obesity to diabetes. We would all be well-served to eliminate it from our diets, but life is about balance so eat less of anything sugary like sodas, that morning cup of coffee with a hefty spoonful, or the granola snack loaded with sugar. Sugar seems to be everywhere so start reading labels and avoid it where you can. High fructose corn syrup is another form of sugar that needs to be avoided. Stevia or honey is an acceptable alternative if you can’t live without the sweet taste.
3. Increase your exercise level. I’m not talking about joining a gym and pumping iron for an hour. Little changes give huge benefits. If you’re already walking or working out regularly then just increase the time by 10 minutes a day. And if you’re not, then start. An easy way to increase your walking is when you go to a store or mall, always park in the furthest parking spot and use the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.
4. Increase your intake of vegetables. This doesn’t just mean salads. Many of us shouldn’t be eating cold vegetables and would be better served eating a hearty vegetable soup. Listen to your body and you’ll know whether hot or cold is better for you.

The second biggest “issue” when looking in looking in the mirror is those spider veins that make your legs look a little like a roadmap of the state. Spider veins and varicose veins are there because your body has a weakness and the blood isn’t being held in the vessels correctly. Strengthening your body with your acupuncturist or naturopath would be ideal, but there is an easy at-home solution to the spider veins themselves. A combination of Horse Chestnut, Witch Hazel, Pycnogenol® and Grape Skin extract applied topically will work to help support the veins and diminish the leakage. In Europe a high dose of Horse Chestnut is given internally to actually diminish varicose veins. While derma e®’s Clear Vein® Crème doesn’t promise to work on varicose veins, it does a great job on spider veins. Within 4 weeks of twice a day usage, spider veins will seem to have disappeared. Just in time for summer!

Summer is truly a magical time to enjoy the gifts of nature. Be sure to get out there and enjoy yourself.

Yours in health,
Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M.