Vibrant Life Teams up with First Coast Living to Create Life in Balance

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.”

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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.

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The heat is on. Can you say dehydration?

By Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.

Courtesy National Day Calendar

Did you know that May 27^th was National Heat Awareness Day? Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States. The National Weather Service asks people to think about the heat on National Heat Awareness Day, which is observed each year on the last Friday in May. That coincides with Memorial Day weekend, a weekend when many Americans start spending more time out in the sun.

One of the biggest problems people have in hot weather is staying properly hydrated. Maintaining the proper fluid level in our bodies is just as important as keeping the radiator in your car topped off. Actually, since dehydration can lead to serious illness or death, it’s more important.

In a Fitness Magazine article titled, The Ultimate Energy Drink: How to Stay Hydrated, Stephanie Dolgoff writes, "Water protects and hydrates our organs, transports nutrients to our cells and helps us stay energized and mentally sharp. It also balances the level of electrolytes and minerals such as sodium and potassium in our bodies to keep our muscles functioning properly.”

Dehydration occurs when the loss of body fluids is greater than the amount of water being taken in. More water is moving out of our cells and bodies than what we consume. Florida gets hotter than many other parts of the country. That makes it especially important to take precautions. When the heat is on, be sure to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and avoid overexertion. Some days it’s much better to stay in a cool space than it is to be outside in the heat.

Courtesy National Weather Service

Prevention

When it comes to dehydration, a fluid ounce of prevention is worth a gallon of cure. If you’re not careful, dehydration can sneak up on you very quickly, especially in places with hot and humid summer climates like Northeast Florida. Pay attention to the environment and try to anticipate situations where you may need to increase your fluid intake.

For example, if you’re going out on a kayak or canoe, take extra water in case your excursion takes a little longer than anticipated. If you’re working in the yard on a hot day, take breaks at regular intervals and drink water during your breaks. Don’t wait till you begin to get thirsty. If you do, you’ll already be well on your way to becoming dehydrated. Dehydration starts when body fluids go down by just one percent. However, people don’t even get thirsty till their fluids go down two percent. Here are some additional tips.

• Pay close attention to weather reports and avoid exercising and working outside on very hot days or during the hottest parts of the day.
• Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early in the day or late in the day when the temperature is cooler.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol increases water loss and even impairs your ability to sense the earliest signs of dehydration.
• If you have to be outdoors when it is very hot, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. And keep a bottle of water nearby.

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms of Dehydration

The symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe. They include:

• Increased thirst. Don’t ignore thirst. Get some water or a sports drink.
• Dry mouth, which is also referred to as cotton mouth.
• Weakness, dizziness, palpitations, confusion, fainting.
• The color of urine can be a reliable indicator of dehydration. According to DripDrop, clear or light yellow urine is normal. When urine is darker orange, it’s a sign that the body is running low on water.  

How much water should a person drink every day?

In the not-so-distant past, the so-called rule of thumb for recommended water consumption was one size fits all: eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. That has changed. Obviously, a large person needs more water than a smaller person. Also, a person who is active outside in a hot climate for much of the day will need more water than a person who sits in an air-conditioned office all day.  

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

According to WEBMD, people should drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water per day for each pound they weigh. For example, a person who weighs 150 pounds should consume between 75 to 150 ounces of water a day depending on there activity level. Someone living in a hot climate would want to take in about 150 ounces per day. Someone in a cooler climate might need less than 100 ounces per day.

A person who calculates that he or she is drinking a lot less than the recommended amount per day should develop a plan for ramping up the quantity. It’s not a good idea to try to double the amount of water being consumed overnight. The increase in intake should be made more gradually so that the body can adjust accordingly.

Drinking fluids isn’t the only way to stay hydrated.

In an article for Daily Burn, Emily Faherty writes about foods that can help people in their efforts to stay hydrated. It’s no coincidence that watermelon has water in its name. Watermelon is 92 percent water and it does a nice job of quenching thirst. Watermelon also contains salt, calcium, and magnesium making it ideal for helping with hydration.

Celery stalks are about 95 percent water. Celery also has fiber and minerals, including potassium and vitamin K. Cucumbers, which are 96 percent water, can also help you to keep your cool in the heat. Strawberries are 92 percent water and they are loaded with fiber and vitamin C. Lettuce and spinach also have high percentages of water.

Working these foods into your diet will help you to maintain the proper fluid levels.

Self-treatment for mild dehydration

Mild dehydration can normally be corrected by consuming fluids. That doesn’t mean chugging down lots of water. Here are a few suggestions on how to take in fluids slowly to bring your levels up to where they should be:

• Sip small amounts of water.
• Drink carbohydrate/electrolyte-containing drinks. Sports drinks like Gatorade are good for this.
• Add Lemon to your water to aid with cellular absorption, this will also help with your body’s alkalinity.

It’s very important to stay properly hydrated in hot weather. Maintaining an awareness of the environment around you and planning for situations where your body may need more water than normal is one of the keys to avoiding dehydration. Staying in tune with what’s going on in your own body is the other key. Taking appropriate steps to avoid dehydration and taking action quickly when symptoms present themselves will help you to maintain the balance your body needs and enjoy the summer in spite of the searing heat.      

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In this article, I have discussed dehydration, how to stay properly hydrated and avoid dehydration, symptoms of dehydration, and what to do if you become dehydrated.

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 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.

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