Vacation at your healthiest

It’s officially summer and that means it’s time to pack your bags and explore the world, or your own backyard!

Whether you are a weekend warrior or an international traveler, the adventure is good for your health. Traveling relaxes your body, challenges your mind and broadens your horizons. Travel also comes with its stressors, so it’s a good idea to take care of yourself while you’re away.

Take control of your health while traveling.

Hydration: Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, so the importance of drinking water cannot be stressed enough. Water flushes out toxins and provides cushioning for our joints. Being in the dry air of a plane, combined with the increase in altitude, contributes to a loss of moisture levels and dehydration. Drink at least eight ounces of water per hour and avoid alcohol and caffeine as they both dehydrate your body. Try adding a Hydrate stick to plain or coconut water for B vitamins, potassium and electrolytes.

Extra Activity: Don’t stray from your fitness routine while you travel. If you have an afternoon flight, get up early and squeeze in a walk or extra workout. Since you’ll be sitting on your flight, wear comfortable shoes and walk the terminal to make sure you get your steps in. Whether your flight is four or 18 hours, make sure you get up and walk the aisle during your flight. After landing and settling in, visit the hotel gym.

Sunscreen: Don’t leave home without it. Look for sunscreens with both UVA and UVB protection. When selecting one, buy a minimum of SPF 30+. If you are going to be in the sun, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure, and be sure to reapply every two hours.1

Stress Management: Allowing time for the commute to the airport, long security lines and potential flight delays can add stress which weakens our immune systems. It can be difficult waiting around, but practicing a bit of patience goes a long way.

  • Allow plenty of time to get to the airport and be prepared for long lines.
  • Check the weather and keep an eye on your flight to ensure you don’t miss any important notifications, such as delays and gate changes.
  • Remember to focus on deep belly breaths when you feel tensions rise.
  • Pack GoYin On the Go to help bring your body into balance and enhance your well-being*
  • Listen to music, get lost in a good book, pack plenty of activities for the kids, and remember, sometimes things just come up, so allow for some flexibility.
  • And if you’re ever stuck wondering how to make the most out of a difficult travel situation, this guy got stuck in the airport overnight and made a music video. Enjoy the laughs, which also relieve tension.

Plan meals in advance: Travel with your own food. Not only can you save money but you can watch your calorie intake while making sure you eat the most nourishing foods. Bring some low sugar, high protein bars, jerky, raw nuts, dried fruit and an apple and peanut butter. Pack a sandwich with chicken or turkey on a gluten-free wrap and plenty of veggies. Eat before your flight, too.

Sleep: Don’t wait to pack the night before. You need a solid 7-8 hours of sleep. Research has shown that skimping on sleep makes you even more susceptible to catching a virus. When you’re on the plane, take a pillow and eye mask to catch up on some sleep. Bring along some SleepTrim  capsules to help relax your body mentally and physically.* This is best when taken at night.

Take Your Vitamins: Daily Build is a must. With 23 essential vitamins and minerals, Daily Build provides broad spectrum antioxidant protection as well as cardiovascular, blood glucose, brain and nervous system and immune support.*

One more tip: Wash your hands regularly and sanitize your area often. Travel with wipes to clean off the tray table, head rest and arm rest on the plane. Carry our travel-size, 2 oz. bottle of Skin Defense to spray on your hands to keep them clean. Also, bring your own pillow and/or blanket as germs tend to lurk on the ones provided on the plane.

Staying on top of your health will ensure that you’re not spending your hard-earned vacation fighting off a cold and missing time with your family.

Everyone has their own tips and tricks, so let us know on Facebook how you stay healthy when traveling during the summer.

1https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/learn-about-skin-cancer/prevent/how-to-apply-sunscreen

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Spice up your cleansing regimen

Herbs are truly a gift from nature. Not only do they add wonderful flavor to dishes, but they offer many health benefits, including the possibility of cleansing the body of harmful toxins.

Spices like turmeric, oregano, ginger, parsley and black and white pepper may have cleansing properties. Many of them can be grown in your backyard or indoor gardens. Consider coupling these herbs with your PURE 7-Day or 28-Day Detox meals to take advantage of their cleansing benefits.

Turmeric is a plant that comes from the ginger family. It contains a phytochemical substance called curcumin which is yellow in color, and is found in a lot of foods from curry to mustard. Studies suggest that curcumin’s antioxidant properties can support overall health. Daily Build has a Bio-Protection Blend that contains turmeric extract.

Add turmeric to soups, rice dishes, vegetables and chicken dishes. Another nice treat is to add 2 teaspoons turmeric, 1 teaspoon ground ginger and a few drops of stevia sweetener to warmed almond milk.

Oregano is widely used in Italian food. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that oregano, among other dried culinary herbs, contained very high concentrations of antioxidants. The authors stated that in a normal diet, the intake of herbs may contribute significantly to the total intake of plant antioxidants, and can be an even better source of dietary antioxidants than many other food groups such as fruits, berries, cereals and vegetables.1

Oregano adds flavor to broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms and potatoes. It tastes great sprinkled on chicken dishes as well.

Ginger is considered by many to be one of the best detoxifying herbs. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years for its antioxidant benefits. In fact, it is used in many cleansing programs. The beneficial portion of the plant is referred to as the rhizome, which is the thick underground stem. Metabolic ONE and HealthTrim® Cleanse contain ginger.

To benefit from this herb, try infusing finely chopped ginger root in boiling water. Add lemon juice and stevia sweetener for a refreshing drink, hot or cold.

Parsley’s unique taste comes from a phytochemical called polyacetylene. This herb contains vitamin C, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, vitamin K and folate, which may be used by the body for detoxification. Finely chop parsley and add it to a salad or use it in pesto. Parsley can also be added to juices or smoothies.

Black and white pepper are great flavor agents. They are made from the Piper-nigrum plant. Black pepper is ground from dried, whole, unripe fruit. White pepper is ground from dried, ripe fruit that has had the outer layer removed. Black pepper may help digestion. Black pepper increases your hydrochloric acid secretion, which is necessary for the digestion of proteins and other foods within the stomach.Daily Build, PURE Café, Green Coffee Bean and Metabolic ONE all contain black pepper extract.

Detox your body with PURE:

Detox Pack – This combination of herbs and botanicals effectively helps facilitate the removal of toxins from the body while supporting your weight loss journey during the 7-day and 28-day detox plans.

Detox Plus Pack – This pack was created with two in mind. Grab your weight loss partner and get ready for success!

Ultimate Detox Pack – This pack was created to help you and your accountability partner detoxify and rejuvenate your bodies. Carefully selected products help support the PURE Detox program by aiding in digestion, weight loss and toxin elimination.*

HealthTrim® Cleanse (capsule or liquid) includes a blend of cleansing herbs and botanicals. Cascara sagrada, the primary ingredient in Capsule Cleanse, has traditionally been used to support the body’s primary channel of elimination and aid in regularity.*

Probiotic  – Following your cleanse, use this formula of pro- and prebiotics to help foster beneficial bacterial growth and help maintain a healthy digestive system balance.

Order your products by PURE today and start enjoying overall health and wellness.

 

1http://jn.nutrition.org/content/133/5/1286.full

2http://jonbarron.org/herbal-library/foods/black-pepper

Habits that sabotage your weight management goals

Do you feel like you’re making lifestyle changes, but not seeing the results you’d like? There could be many reasons why the scale won’t budge or your clothes aren’t fitting well.

Simple habits like not drinking enough water or not getting adequate sleep can throw off your best intentions. Read on for some common habits that could sabotage your health goals.

Skipping meals: A common misconception is that skipping meals saves calories. Studies suggest that skipping meals is linked to abdominal weight gain.1 People who end up skipping a meal may be already hungry and may not always reach for the healthiest option.

Some people may choose to replace a meal with either 360 Complete Shake or Matcha Vegan Shake. Each 160-calorie serving of 360 Complete Shake features proprietary Craving-Control Technology to help support weight loss. Matcha Vegan Shake is a lean plant-based protein shake that contains 180 calories per serving. Ceremonial matcha, sacha inchi and chlorella offer a nourishing, protein-rich, drink that helps support weight management and sustained energy.*

Try making this Summer Protein Shake for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Poor sleep habits: Sleep is essential for overall health. It allows your body to rest and repair itself. Poor sleep raises cortisol levels and affects hormones regulating hunger which can affect your ability to lose weight.2 Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night. SleepTrim sleep and weight-loss support is a combination of melatonin, herbs and a metabolic-boosting blend that help the body burn calories naturally while sleeping.*

Too many liquid calories: People who drink sugary beverages do not feel as full as if they had eaten the same calories from solid food.3 Calories from pre-made smoothies; coffee with cream and sugar; and sweetened sodas, teas and waters all contribute to weight gain. Consume liquid calories in moderation. Switch from calorie- and sugar-laden drinks to ENERGY drink mix which contains antioxidants, botanicals and natural sources of caffeine, or drink plain or fruit-infused water. If you choose juice, make sure its 100% fruit juice.

Not drinking enough water: Hydrating with water always does a body good. Drinking adequate water helps boost your metabolism, cleanses your body of waste and helps you feel full, which suppresses appetite.

Poor stress management: Healthy living and weight management are not only about a clean diet and exercise program. Chronic stress can undermine health and weight loss efforts. Stress affects your cortisol levels, blood pressure, heart rate, immune function, digestion and hormones and may lead to emotional eating.4 L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, combined with adaptogenic herbs in Metabolic ONE can produce a calming effect, helping to alleviate stress eating. In addition, the ingredients in Metabolic ONE help your body utilize insulin more effectively, helping to curb appetite.* Find different ways to manage stress such as taking walks, doing yoga, calling a friend or seeking support.

Opting for low-fat or fat-free foods: You really aren’t making healthier choices when you purchase these items. As manufacturers create low-fat versions of foods, they have to increase the amount of sugar in them so we still enjoy their taste.5 Manufacturers also add artificial flavoring and processed ingredients. Instead, focus on eating whole foods that contain healthy fats, like yogurt, salmon, raw nuts and avocados.

Check out some healthy recipes here.

Fueling up with energy bars or sports drinks: If you snack on these during exercise, know that many of them pack in the calories and added sugar and are not necessary. Instead, opt for any of our GPS sports performance products which provide energy and support before, during and after your workouts.

Try making these Complete Shake Protein Bars or Lemon Blast ENERGY Granola Bars, for a healthy, filling snack in between reps.

If you are trying to lose weight, and falling short, it’s time rethink your habits and incorporate some of the above tips. And, don’t be fooled if the numbers on the scale aren’t moving down. You may be likely losing inches, and gaining lean body mass, which is a move in the right direction!

 

1 https://news.osu.edu/news/2015/05/19/skipping-meals/

2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sleep-and-weight-gain/faq-20058198

3 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/sugary-drinks/

4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

5 https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/truth-about-low-fat-foods

What is your favorite product?

ENERGY, Metabolic ONE, GoYin – our products are pretty awesome! We asked our Independent Business Owners (IBOs) to share their favorites. If you want to add more products to your daily regimen or learn about a product you haven’t tried, our IBOs have a few suggestions for you.

Here’s what they had to say. Maybe you’ll discover a new way to take one of our products, or learn about a benefit you weren’t aware of.

  • “Lemon ENERGY mixed with Cherry-flavored GPS Energize explodes my energy and pumps me up for a workout!” – Larry Crimm, Diamond
  • Metabolic ONE with ENERGY! ENERGY wakes up the brain and Metabolic ONE wakes up the body! I believe it’s a one-two punch. That’s what I sampled seven years ago when I was introduced to PURE. If you can make me feel like that every day, I’m in! It’s how I start every day!” – Leslie Forester, Chairman Black Diamond
  • Metabolic ONE is great for energy, curbing appetite, and burning fat!” – Jamal Luke, Silver Director
  • ENERGY! It keeps me on task, refocuses me and gives me the boost I need to work a long day!” – Mandi Doty, Ruby Executive
  • ENERGY! Because without it I’m a mombie (mom Zombie).” – Molly Cormican, Ruby Executive
  • Daily Build! This product fills the gaps I have in my diet. I don’t always eat clean, but this allows me to get the proper nutrients in my body so I can function at higher levels throughout the day. I work in a high stress environment and this comprehensive liquid multivitamin is essential for my success at work. Don’t leave home without it!” – Jayson Lavender, Presidential Black Diamond
  • ENERGY gets me through my night shifts as a Labor & Delivery nurse. It provides the clear mind I need for those early morning deliveries when focus is absolutely necessary. At home, GoYin helps to balance my mood.” – Brittney Ford, Platinum Director
  • “Mix GPS Circulate and GPS Energize with ice and water! Blend it together to make an amazing smoothie!” – Cheryl Falkner, Chairman Black Diamond
  • “My favorite product is GPS Adapt. I am a stay-at-home mom and GPS Adapt has been a life saver for me. It keeps me grounded and helps me keep my emotions in check. It’s a daily dose for me!” – Lindsay Krause, Ruby Executive
  • “That’s a tough one, as I have several! Probably Daily Build. About 10 minutes after drinking it, I can feel it!” – Teena Story, Diamond
  • “When asking to pick a go-to product, and only one, it’s like choosing a favorite child! Each has its amazing qualities; however, I would not go a day without GoYin because it simply makes me feel balanced, helps decrease the morning stressors of getting out the door and helps relieve my tension. It tastes delicious!” – Heidi Taphorn, Diamond

What is your favorite product, combination of products or routines? Please share with us.