At Vibrant Life Health Center we understand and that each person is uniquely different and requires specific services that focus on your health care needs individually. We are excited to share with you our official Blog to provide you with information on health tips, information, and steps you can take to transform your health and add years to life and life to years!
By Dr.
Jon Thomas, DC, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician
Courtesy of Public Domain Pictures
Happy New
Year! If you made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and to become more
fit, you are not alone. Making a resolution is the easy part. The big question
in January is whether you will stick with it. Waking up on New Year’s Day and
realizing that there’s a price to pay for whatever unfortunate excesses may
have happened the night before, or throughout the holiday season, is the hard
part.
Fortunately,
help is available. Joining a fitness club or signing up for a weight loss
program are relatively easy. Lots of people do it in January and it works for
some of them. However, to achieve your goals, it’s important to find the right
fit.
By Dr.
Jon Thomas, DC, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
“If you always do what you've always
done, you will always get what you've always got.”
That quote has been attributed to several people, including Albert Einstein,
Henry Ford, and Mark Twain. Although the origin of the saying is not known for
certain, the wisdom of it continues to ring true. The principle can be applied
widely, and it certainly applies to healthcare.
If watching TV for ten hours a day while munching on junk food
and drinking sweet carbonated beverages has contributed to you being fifty or
more pounds’ overweight, continuing the same behavior will probably increase
your weight even more. On the other hand, if exercising regularly and eating
good foods that have been minimally processed has resulted in you maintaining a
healthy weight and having good health, continuing that behavior will probably
continue to produce similar results for you.
By Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board
Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Courtesy of Vibrant Life Health Center
When it comes to health and
fitness, everybody has a different set of challenges. At Vibrant Life we meet
people where they are at with programs that address their specific needs. We
assess all of the issues patients are facing and then put together our programs
for them.
We help people to attain the levels
of health that they’ve been dreaming of. Bob lost a lot of weight and he’s
continuing to work toward his fitness goals. He recently appeared on a Life in
Balance segment with me on First Coast Living.
“I had a co-worker who told me that
NutriMost really worked for him,” Bob said. “I was an electronics technician in
the Navy. When I checked into NutriMost and I heard about the resonant
frequencies used in the program, that appealed to my technical background. The
personal contact in the program is one of the keys. Checking in every day helped me to stay accountable.
“Dr. Thomas is an amazing
encourager. His responses always encouraged me to stick with it. I’m trying to
get back to the same weight I was when I retired from the Navy over 20 years
ago. I lost 40 pounds in 40 days while I was on NutriMost. My total weight loss
so far is 56 pounds, and my goal is to lose a total of 80 pounds. My wife is
very happy, and several of my co-workers are now looking to start on the
program.”
15 patients have lost 580 pounds in
20 to 40 days on NutriMost in the past few months.
The NutriMost program shows people
why they’ve been having trouble transforming their bodies the way they want to.
As people go through the program they realize that wellness is so much more
than a number on a scale.
Obesity is a very serious problem
and health experts are now predicting that we’re going to see shorter life
spans because of it. We’ve got to make changes. NutriMost educates patients
about the changes they need to make and then enables and empowers them to make
those changes.
We partner with our patients and
walk through this process with them. At the end of 20 days or 40 days, people
are lighter and many are off some, or all, of their medications. Just as
importantly, they have the strategies and the tools they need to continue
toward their wellness objectives.
One thing I hear over and over from
patients like Bob is that the personal contact has an enormous impact on how
they do with the program. They know that when they face a particular challenge,
they can get an answer very quickly. Not in a day, or two, or in four hours.
They can frequently get an answer to their questions in less than an hour.
I believe that keeping in close
touch with patients communicates to them that I care about how they’re doing.
Patients find that highly motivating. I’m very motivated by seeing patients
succeed. That’s truly a win-win!
By the time people finish a cycle
on NutriMost, they have the knowledge and the tools they need moving forward.
They also know that there’s a place they can always go back to for answers to
any questions they may have.
Life in Balance Tip: Do the right
types of diet and exercise for your body type.
Wondering what kind of exercise to
do? Although many people don’t realize it, different activities work better for
different body types. Think about that. An exercise program that works well for
one person might not work for someone with a different body type. There are
mainly three body types: Ectomorph, Endomorph, and Mesomorph.
Ectomorphs usually
have a fast metabolism and they have trouble gaining muscle mass. Since one of
the goals of an ectomorph should be to gain weight, bodybuilding for
ectomorphs should address that need. Cardio exercises which burn calories
should be kept to a minimum. Ectomorph should consume lots of calories from
complex carbohydrates. This will help them with anabolic weight gain.
Endomorphs are the
opposite of ectomorphs. Endomorphs have slower metabolisms which store extra
calories. Endomorphs gain weight easily and they struggle to lose body fat. The
main goal for endomorphs is to burn body fat. Exercises for endomorphs should
include several cardio sessions each week. Weight training should be done at a
fast pace with lots of repetitions. Diet is especially important for
endomorphs. In order to lose weight, they must burn more calories each day than
they consume. The best diets for endomorphs are high in protein and moderate in
fat and complex carbohydrates. They should avoid snacks.
Mesomorphs usually
have a genetic advantage which helps them to build lean muscle mass. Mesomorphs
frequently look athletic without really training. They benefit from nearly any
training regimen. Mesomorphs do well with alternating exercise programs.
Three keys to exercise that
produces positive results.
Courtesy of Vibrant Life Health Center
Never lose sight of your goals. The brain
works best when it is focused on a specific target. The more focused a person
is, the more likely he or she is to succeed. Take time to identify exactly what
your objectives are. Do you want to gain muscle, to lose body fat or both? Identifying your fitness
destination is a big step toward getting there.
Balance diet with exercise. Whether
your goal is to add muscle or burn fat, exercise and diet work best together. A
low-calorie diet will help you to lose body fat, but it won’t help you to build
muscle mass. To achieve your goals, you need a diet which complements your
exercise regimen.
Customize your exercise program. Whether
your wellness goals include burning fat or building muscle, make adjustments to
your diet and exercise program. As you find what works for you and what
doesn’t, make adjustments to your diet and exercise. Tweaking things once in a
while will help you to develop an integrated program which will help you to
achieve your objectives.
To find out more about body types
and exercise, check out these related articles.
This article features a weight
loss testimony from Bob, who lost 40 pounds in 40 days. I’ve also discussed how
exercise and diet work together for the three main body types.
If you have a comment about this
article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone
who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your
friends and colleagues, and also on social media.
The Google Plus button and other
social media sharing buttons are below.
At Vibrant Life, we address all
of the key elements to add vibrance and
vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness.
If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other
health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.
Courtesy of
Vibrant Life Health Center
Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His
practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of
Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his
athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water
Skiing, Baseball, Weightlifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning
from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated
his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective
for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively
toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on
First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He
also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles
to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.
Dr. Thomas recently wrote a blog post
about the advantages of buying locally grown foods, especially from farmers’
markets. We’re fortunate to live in a region where good things grow throughout
the whole year, and those foods can be brought to market very shortly after
they are harvested. No preservatives and no packaging.
One thing Dr. Thomas didn’t mention is
that those fresh foods generally don’t require labelling. What you see is what
you get. Bananas are bananas, tomatoes are tomatoes, and potatoes are potatoes.
It’s fairly straightforward.
However, for lots of reasons, many of us
are not able to go one hundred percent natural in our food choices. Most people
buy packaged foods at least some of the time. When it comes to packaged foods,
it’s very important to read and understand the labels.
The Food and Drug Administration and
Food Labeling Requirements
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
According to the official FDA website,
“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for assuring that foods
sold in the United States are safe, wholesome and properly labeled. This
applies to foods produced domestically, as well as foods from foreign
countries.”
The FDA website has a great deal of
information about lists of ingredients, how foods should be labelled, and much
more. There’s even information on how companies should figure out serving sizes
to include with their food labels.
Comedian Brian Regan tells jokes about
the serving size for fig newtons. The serving size on the label that he saw was
two cookies. He asked, “Who eats two cookies?” The serving size for his ice
cream was half a cup. “Who eats half a cup?”
Nutritional information is generally
presented per serving. In other words, the number of calories printed on the
label is the number of calories per serving, not per container. It’s important
to understand that when making food choices. If the container has three
servings in it and you like to eat the whole thing, the calories, grams of fat,
etc. all have to be multiplied by three.
QR Codes and Food Labels
One recent trend in food labelling is
the use of Quick Response codes. They’re also known as QR codes and they
consist of black and white blocks of shapes, lines, and squares that are now
seen on many products including packaged foods. QR codes can be scanned with
smart phone apps. Once scanned, information about the product can be accessed.
President Obama recently signed a law
requiring food companies to flag genetically modified ingredients in plain
writing, an icon developed by regulators, or with digitally readable QR codes.
The new law allows companies to disclose the presence of GMOs using QR codes
rather than words on labels. This news was recently covered in a Wall Street
Journal article.
So, for some food products, the only way
to get nutritional information is with the QR codes. That’s fine for people who
have an app, but it’s tough luck for people who don’t have an app. Here are two
of the apps that are now available.
QR Code Reader: To scan a QR code or
barcode, simply open the app, point the camera at the code, and you’re done.
There’s no need to take a photo or press a button. The app will automatically
recognize any code your camera is pointing at.
Shazam: According to the company website,
this app is “one of the world’s most popular apps, used by more than 100
million people each month to magically connect to the world around
them.” This app does much more than read QR Codes.
Growing concerns about Genetically
Modified Organisms
“GMOs are organisms that have been
created through the application of transgenic, gene-splicing techniques that
are part of biotechnology.” OrganicItsWorthIt
One thing that many people have become
concerned about in their food is the presence of Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs). Genetic Engineering, the science of GMOs, allows genetic material (DNA)
from one species to be transferred into another species. The result is
organisms with combinations of genes from plants, animals, bacteria, and even
viral gene pools.
Genetic engineering is a new science and
there are a host of unknowns about genetically engineered crops and GMOs.
Research is accumulating which suggests that GMOs may not be safe. If GMOs are
in products, many consumers want to be aware of it and they deserve to have the
means to find that important information. Many consumers want to avoid GMOs as
much as they possibly can.
If you’re concerned about GMOs, as
everyone should be, start looking for the Certified NON GMO label on the food
products you purchase.
The trend toward fewer ingredients
Another interesting trend in the food
industry is the movement toward fewer ingredients.In fact, fewer
ingredients is now being used as a selling point for many foods. Many
people feel that fewer ingredients equates to more natural and better for the
body. There’s certainly some logic to that.
Products ranging from chocolates by
Hershey to ice cream by Haagen Dazs to snack bars from General Mills now
consist of fewer ingredients than similar products in the past. The Wall Street
Journal recently published an interesting article about this trend in packaged
foods.
Take back your health. Know what you’re
putting into your body.
It’s extremely important to know what
you’re putting into your body. The human body is complicated and it requires
good foods in order to run optimally. If you can’t find the ingredients of a
food product, you probably shouldn’t be eating it. If you need to get an app to
read QR Codes, I encourage you not to put that off. Download an app and start
using it.
---
This article discusses the importance of
reading food labels and how to read food labels. I have also discussed
nutritional information that is now available through QR codes, the trend of
some food producers toward using fewer ingredients, and GMOs in food products.
If you have a comment about this
article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone
who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your
friends and colleagues, and also on social media.
The Google Plus button and other social
media sharing buttons are below.
At Vibrant Life, we address all of the
key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes
nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a
chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact
our office to set up an appointment.
Tracy Thomas is the Vice President of
the Vibrant Life Health Center. After experiencing the transformative power of
Chiropractic and proper nutrition in her own life, Tracy made it her personal mission
to help others to find their own paths to true health and wellness. Tracy is
dedicated to developing and providing the best care available to patients at
the Vibrant Life Health Center. She helps clients implement and stick to
programs that lead to positive lifestyle changes. Tracy is sought after by
chiropractic practices throughout the country for training and consultation
pertaining to the implementation of nutrition programs.
By Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Courtesy of Vibrant Life
I’m humbled to be a tool that people can utilize to get their lives into balance. Some people are doing a lot in their attempts to lose weight and get healthier but they’re just not seeing the results they want. I have the privilege of helping people get past those frustrations and get to the next level with their health. For example, Hector was walking a lot and watching what he ate, but not seeing the results he wanted. With NutriMost, he experienced tremendous results.
Hector’s Story
“I’m a little bit of a health nut, and I met Dr. Thomas’s wife through the Chamber of Commerce. I’m a great believer in chiropractic and I’ve been going to chiropractors since I was 30. I’ve been to many capable doctors over the years. I’ve found that when you leave a chiropractor’s office, the doctor usually tells you that you’ll feel better the next day. With Dr. Thomas, I felt better immediately. He did a great job on my neck and back. Instead of feeling better the next day, I felt better by the time the appointment was finished.
“As I mentioned, I’m into health and fitness. I was walking five miles a day and trying to eat the right things, but I wasn’t seeing results in terms of my weight. After several visits to Vibrant Life for chiropractic adjustments, I became interested in the NutriMost program. Dr. Thomas has an area in his office where numerous hand-written testimonials of NutriMost patients are hung up. It was obvious to me that NutriMost has been producing excellent results for lots of people. I also had an opportunity to speak to several of Dr. Thomas’s NutriMost patients while I was at Vibrant Life. Their enthusiasm was infectious.
“When I started on NutriMost, I anticipated lots of hunger. Surprisingly, that was not the case. You eat real foods that are healthy and satisfying. Instead of eating junk foods out of a bag or a box, I’ve learned to prepare healthy alternatives. The foods I’m now eating satisfy my appetite and give me all the energy I need. There are lots of foods to choose from. NutriMost taught me how to eat the foods that will take the weight off and keep it off.
Courtesy of Vibrant Life
“I found that NutriMost is a very motivating program. Believe me, when you lose a pound and a half the first day, as I did, you feel highly motivated. By the end of the first week, I had lost six pounds. With other programs you might lose a pound or two per week, maybe six pounds in a month. If you really stick with some of these other programs and never have a setback, you might lose anywhere from 12 to 24 pounds in three months. It’s easy to become discouraged when it takes forever to get modest results. On the other hand, seeing results day after day and week after week on NutriMost kept me motivated. It’s not hard to stick with a program when you’re seeing such positive results.
“The ability to contact Dr. Thomas was key for me and it is for just about everybody who gets on the program. That was especially true in the beginning when I had lots of questions. I’m not a big guy and I lost 30 pounds in 40 days. The really cool thing is that by the time I finished, I had all the information I needed to keep the weight off, including all the great recipes. I had learned about foods that I really liked that would keep me healthy.
“One of the most important things NutriMost did for me was to educate me about how different foods were affecting me. You don’t see that in other programs. NutriMost taught me which foods would take me out of fat burning mode and put me back into fat making mode, so to speak. Those foods vary from person to person so you really have to know which foods affect you in that way. For some people pizza is bad. For other people, pizza is just fine. I learned that if I ate the wrong stuff, I immediately put on weight. I also learned that if I got right back on to the good foods I’d learned about on the program the weight came right back off.
“There are some serious side effects to the NutriMost program that people should be aware of. For example, my blood pressure dropped about 25 points and it’s now in the normal range at 120 over 77. Losing weight is also good for the joints. Prior to NutriMost, I had pain in the back, neck, elbows, and knees. After NutriMost, those joint pains were almost completely gone. Also, following an injury to my ankle I had pain for a year. Now I barely notice it. Other unanticipated side effects include better sleep with no snoring, a higher energy level, and an increased libido.”
Understanding Fat Metabolism
Unlike other weight loss programs, NutriMost analyzes fat metabolism. Fat metabolism is controlled by organs, hormones, neurotransmitters, vitamins, minerals, and metabolites. There are lots of moving parts and when they are not working together the way they should, the fat doesn’t get burned. If you never figure out why your body isn’t burning fat the way it should, efforts to lose weight will be very frustrating, as millions upon millions of people know.
Courtesy of Vibrant Life
Phase One of NutriMost involves repairing the patient’s fat metabolism. After the fat metabolism is running properly, the body gets reset. We give people an in-depth understanding of how the system works, what throws the system off-course, and how to get back on track if that becomes necessary. With NutriMost, there are no magic pills that make people lose weight. We equip patients with the nutritional weapons they need to succeed.
If you’d like to lose 20 pounds or more in just forty days, the NutriMost system can certainly help. Check out the written testimonials and the video testimonials. If you have questions about NutriMost, make an appointment and I will be happy to answer them.
---
This article features the personal testimony of Hector, who lost 30 pounds on the NutriMost program. I have also discussed fat metabolism and how to fix it so the body burns fat the way it should.
If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and also on social media.
The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.
At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.
Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weightlifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.
By Dr.
Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Courtesy of Vibrant Life
and First Coast News
Vibrant
Life Health Center and First Coast News are collaborating on a new way to reach
out to the community with information on how to achieve wellness and fitness.
It’s called Life in Balance. Our bodies have been designed to be
healthy. However, many of us do things throughout our lives which throw the
body out of balance and away from health.
The
strategies, programs, and pills that have been around for so many years, have
just not provided people with the solutions they need for their health
problems. Also, many people spend lots of time in the gym without seeing the
results they want. They sometimes end up feeling that going to the gym is a
waste of time and money.
If you’re
sick and tired of being sick and tired, or know someone who is, Life in Balance
can help. There is more information available now about health and wellness
than there ever has been in the past. We can now get answers to questions like
these:
How much water should a person consume per day?
Does that amount vary based on factors like the size and weight of a
person, or the weather outside, or a person’s lifestyle?
What types of exercise should a person engage?
What are the variables that a person should consider to determine what
exercise is best for him or her?
Should a person engage in different types of exercises on alternating
days?
What is an effective routine for starting the day? Are eggs good for
breakfast? What about shakes and smoothies?
How can I apply the information I have access to so that it will
produce the results I’m looking for in terms of wellness, fitness, and weight?
Each
person is unique and each person has different needs. For example, a person who
dresses up in a mascot suit and then has to move around in the heat will need a
very different hydration plan than someone working in an air conditioned
office.
Vibrant
Life Health Center and First Coast Living are introducing Life in Balance as a
means of bringing information about all the key elements of wellness and
fitness together. We will be broadcasting segments tailored to the needs of
viewers and anyone in the community who wants to live a healthier and more
fulfilling life. Life in Balance webpages are being hosted in the
First Coast Living section of the First Coast News website. We’re also looking
forward to interacting via social media outlets dedicated to Life in Balance.
At
Vibrant Life Health Center, we know that little things lead to big results. For
example, eating an ice cream Sunday after every meal for a year will produce a
big result – an undesirable expanding waistline. That’s one thing most people
would prefer not to have. On the other hand, a person who simply takes a brisk
walk around the block after every meal instead of indulging in an ice cream Sunday
will see positive results like weight reduction, improved cardiovascular
health, and more.
Life in
Balance is going to be one portal where people living on the First Coast will
be able to access all of the information they need in order to make decisions
that will have a positive impact on their health and wellness.
Beth lost
110 pounds in a year on NutriMost.
Beth’s
story is an amazing example of a person bringing her life back into balance.
NutriMost was a big part of that.
“I’ve
been through the NutriMost program three times and I am down over 100 pounds
since July of 2015. Dr. Thomas is phenomenal and I wouldn’t trade him for any
other doctor. When he told me I had the body of a ninety-nine-year-old woman
and I was only forty-six, I knew it was time to get serious about making
changes. When I started the program, I was at 324 pounds and now I’m down to
about 200. I’ve gone from a size 26 pants to a size twelve. I went from a 5X
shirt to a large or extra-large shirt. I got my health and my life back. That
wouldn’t have happened without NutriMost.”
Pat lost
54 pounds on NutriMost.
Pat has
also had astonishing results with NutriMost.
“The day
I got on the scale and saw that I weighed 202 pounds, I knew I needed to make a
change. I walked through my living room and saw Dr. Thomas talking about
NutriMost on First Coast Living on TV. I had been to Weight Watchers and
another program and neither of those had worked for me. I set up a consultation
with Dr. Thomas and I felt really comfortable with him. The program made more
sense to me than anything I had tried before. It involved eating properly and
it had someone helping you along the way. Every morning I texted my weight to
Dr. Thomas. That kept me focused on the program. I’m not used to reporting to
anybody. I’m used to people reporting to me. I’ve lost 54 pounds and I feel
great. Just after I signed up for NutriMost, my daughter told me she was
pregnant with my first grandchild. It’s wonderful that instead of being out of
breath and not being able to touch my toes, I can pick up my grandson. He is
sixteen pounds now and I have no problem picking him up.”
---
In this
article, I have discussed Life In Balance, a collaboration between Vibrant Life
Health Center and First Coast Living. Life in Balance is a health information
portal which will provide viewers with all of the information they need to
achieve their wellness and fitness goals. I’ve also written about Beth and Pat,
two women who have achieved truly amazing results with the NutriMost fat loss
program.
If you
have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section
below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this
blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.
The
Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.
At
Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality
to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you
need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health
concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.
Courtesy of Vibrant Life
Dr. Jon Thomas
is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life
Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest
in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have
included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball,
Weightlifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the
top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to
helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each
patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a
body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First
Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also
speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to
improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.
By Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified
Chiropractic Physician.
My wife, Tracy, and I
have been involved with Chiropractic and Alternative Healthcare for over
fifteen years. At the Vibrant Life Health Center, we seek to inspire, empower,
and heal patients, friends, families, and anyone in the community who is
seeking to improve their health and wellness.
Health and wellness
is much more than the absence of disease or pain. Some prescriptions can reduce
pain, but they do so without addressing the underlying issue. An awareness of how
well your nervous system is functioning, what you’re putting into your body,
and what goes onto your skin are all important elements of health and wellness.
Each of us make
choices that have an impact on our health and wellness. Reading food labels,
making better choices about what we put into our bodies, or taking a brisk walk
can lead to improved health. Eating junk food and being a couch potato can take
us in the opposite direction.
At Vibrant Life
Health Center, we partner with our patients to help them develop plans for a
balanced and healthy life. One of the tools we use is called the SHIFT
Paradigm. SHIFT is an acronym which stands for:
Skeletal
Structure
Headspace
Intake
of Nutrients
Functional
Fitness
Toxic
Burden.
Skeletal
Structure
Our skeletal
structure is incredibly intricate. It keeps our central nervous system in
balance. The brain is the command
center. The spinal column protects the spinal cord, which is the body’s communication
system. It controls all the messages that flow through the spinal cord and the nerves
to the rest of the body.
Our spinal column
needs to be in alignment for our bodies to work well. If our spinal column is
out of alignment, the result is a communication blockage. This can slow and/or
prevent healing. Chiropractic is very effective for bringing the spine back
into alignment when needed. Chiropractic is also a great way to keep the spine
from going out of alignment.
Headspace
At Vibrant Life Health Center, we know that the way we think affects
our health! People
with a negative and pessimistic outlook suffer from higher levels of tension
and anxiety. People who are optimistic have lower tension levels and generally
are able to handle the challenges that come their way in life.
The things that we
tell ourselves can either work for us or against us. Fueling the mind
statements like “I’m no good,” and “No
one loves me,” and “I’ll always have to take this medication,” can
be self-fulfilling. On the other hand, when you speak positive thoughts into
your mind, you find that you can maneuver your way through the roadblocks in
life and continue moving toward your destination. A simple thought like “I can
do this” is very empowering.
Another key element
for healthy headspace is gratitude. In November, I wrote a blog post titled Gratitude Is Good for Mental, Emotional, and
Physical Health. I’m happy to report that gratitude can work for
people year round, not just during the holiday season. The blog post had some
of the research showing the positive impact maintaining an attitude of
gratitude can have on a person’s life. It also had some interesting quotes. Here
are two that sum things up nicely.
“Gratitude
is an immensely powerful force that we can use to expand our happiness, create
loving relationships, and even improve our health. If you want more happiness,
joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly a crucial quality to cultivate. It is a
fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love.
When we’re appreciating something, our ego moves out of the way and we connect
with our soul.” Deepak Chopra
“Reflect
on your present blessings, on which every man has many, not on your past
misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Charles Dickens
Intake of
Nutrients
The cells in our body
are fueled by the food that we consume. If we constantly consume poor quality
foods, the body will react negatively. There may be a feeling of sluggishness or
there may be serious physical problems. When we take in whole, natural foods
that are rich in vitamins, the body reacts positively. We’re likely to
feel a higher energy level. We may even find that we don’t need as many
medications as we have been taking.
Most packaged foods
have been highly processed and have numerous ingredients, including
preservatives. Foods that are not highly processed have fewer ingredients and
are more beneficial for overall health. Switching from highly processed foods
to foods with less processing isn’t about diet. It’s about shifting eating
habits and the way you think about food. The byproducts of this shift are
improved health and wellness. This is frequently accompanied by weight loss.
Functional
Fitness
Exercise is essential
for health and wellness. Exercise increases muscle mass and decreases
excess fat. As most people now realize, excess fat is the cause of many health
problems. At Vibrant Life, we help patients shift into an effective workout
plan. When I say “effective” I mean exercise that will help you burn fat and
get into optimal shape relatively quickly. I believe in getting the best bang
for exercise bucks.
“Functional fitness exercises train your
muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common
movements you might do at home, at work or in sports. While using various
muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, functional fitness
exercises also emphasize core stability.” Mayo Clinic
Toxic
Burden
When the body is
functioning properly it removes harmful toxins. However, if we are not careful
about limiting toxic substances (medicines, processed foods, pesticide-sprayed
foods, cleaners, air pollution, etc.), we may have more toxins than the body
can dispose of. At Vibrant Life Health Center, we help patients learn how to
detox their bodies with chiropractic care, natural foods, and exercise.
If needed, we can also recommend and provide high quality natural supplements
to give your body a boost.
---
In this article, I
have discussed the SHIFT Paradigm. SHIFT is an acronym that stands for Skeletal
Structure, Headspace, Intake of Nutrients, Functional Fitness, and Toxic
Burden. Improvements in these five areas produce significant improvements in
terms of health and wellness.
If you have a comment
about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know
of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it
with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.
The Google Plus
button and other social media sharing buttons are below.
At Vibrant Life, we
address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This
includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with
a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please
contact our office to set up an appointment.
Dr. Jon Thomas is a
Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health
Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in
health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included
BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weightlifting,
and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts
throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all
ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate
the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions
optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he
discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events
throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health
of residents throughout Jacksonville.
