It’s that time of year again. 

New Year’s Resolutions are in high gear and people are anxiously looking for ways to attain their goals of losing weight, exercising more or just getting healthier. 

So far so good. 

But the “how” is arguably much more important than the goal itself here. 

Because as much as someone may wish to lose 30 pounds or get in shape, when it comes time to do the work, that’s when the enthusiasm drops, and people start to look for easy ways out… 

As in a “magic pill.” 

Now, while certain “pills” (especially supplements!) can support you in attaining your goals, you’ve also got to do the work involved—the pill cannot do that for you.  

And reminding people of this fact is what makes me… 

The bad guy 

As a nutrition coach, I’m often the “bad guy” because I tell people what they don’t want to hear. 

I can tell within the first few minutes of meeting with a client whether they will listen to me and follow my suggestions or completely blow me off. 

For example, if a client is constantly making excuses during a meeting with me, they’re a magic pill seeker.   

I had a client that wanted to lose weight, but every time I suggested something, she had an excuse why she could not do it. 

Can you work some more vegetables into your meals?  My husband doesn’t like vegetables. 

How about trying a keto-type of diet? No, that won’t work for me—I love my carbs too much!  

Can you start getting some exercise?  I don’t have time. 

How about trying to go for a walk on your lunch hour? It’s too cold outside. 

Then about a week later this same person asked me what I thought about a fat burning pill she saw on TV.   

That, my friend, is a magic pill mentality. 

There is no magic pill! 

If you even remotely saw yourself in my story above and are on an endless quest to find that magic pill, please stop that RIGHT NOW.   

Because all you’re doing is wasting time and money, and not getting one ounce thinner or one bit healthier. 

Instead, listen to what I say to you. 

Remember I am not some hypocrite that tells you what to do while I sit on my derriere eating bon-bons. 

I have had a healthy diet all my adult life, I’m a 4th degree blackbelt in karate and a marathon runner, and at age 60 I weigh 118 lbs. and my blood pressure is 105/50.   

I walk my talk. 

So, if you are finally ready to stop seeking magic pills, here are some tried and true strategies for YOUR success toward a thinner, healthier you: 

It all starts with your diet

Having a diet of wholesome real foods is a MUST. Concentrate on meats, fish and poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats (like real butter, olive oil and coconut oil). On the flip side, avoid refined carbs and sugars, processed garbage and fast food. 

What you drink matters too! While there is nothing wrong with having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, make (filtered) water your primary beverage and stay far away from soda. 

If you need diet guidance, my Great Taste No Pain health system can help.  

Great Taste No Pain shows you which foods to pair together in your meals to encourage smoother digestion which will also help your weight loss efforts! 

Get some form of exercise 

If you have even looked at Facebook or watched TV recently, you have time to exercise. Admit it and stop making excuses. 

Choose an activity that you like or can at least tolerate. Brisk walking is a good start and practically anyone can do that.  

Get an exercise buddy. You will be far less likely to skip a workout if someone is counting on you to show up. You’ll talk and laugh the time away! 

Get a treadmill or stationary bike and stick a TV in front of it. You can watch your favorite shows and burn calories. 

There are many ways to get exercise if you really want to.  

Balance your microbiome

Your gut determines your health from head to toe—it absorbs the nutrients your body needs to survive, eliminates dangerous wastes and toxins, houses 80 percent of your immune system and even makes 90 percent of your body’s serotonin (your natural antidepressant)! 

But your microbiome is always taking a hit from things like sugar and refined carbs, medications, lacking sleep, stress and tap water. 

Plus, your intestinal good guys are not “permanent residents” to begin with—they only “vacation” inside of you for 12 days or less!  

So, it is vital to help keep your friendly gut flora population strong and healthy—and the best way to do that is with a full-spectrum, multi-strain probiotic formula like Super Shield! 

Super Shield’s 13 strains of potent, friendly bacteria will help support a healthy microbiome balance, which in turn can pave the way for more regular BMs, less gas and bloating, and sharper immune function. 

Note:  If you suspect your gut is in SERIOUS imbalance (i.e.: if you have leaky gut, suffer with IBS or IBD, have used antibiotics or acid reducers for a long time, or have had a longstanding diet high in refined carbs), you may need the power of Super Shield PLUS probiotic formula to help rebuild and restore your microbiome. 

Super Shield PLUS provides a whopping 20 billion CFUs and 15 superstar strains to help turn around even the most topsy-turvy guts and restore a more optimal bacterial environment.   

Research everything 

Do not be a sheep, blindly believing everything you hear on the news and letting yourself be manipulated or brainwashed. 

Remember that 70-90 percent of the media’s revenues come from pharmaceutical companies.  Let that sink in and use your imagination about their level of objectivity. Sadly, most mainstream news outlets choose money over truth. 

If you are researching a product, beware of studies that are funded by the company that produces the product! Of course, it will have glowing results. 

And note that even search engines like Google receive pharma revenue, so if you want an objective search tool, try DuckDuckGo. 

Also, good sources of non-pharma-controlled health information (in addition to my blogs!) include Dr. Mercola, Children’s Health Defense, National Vaccine Information Center, and the High Wire with Del Bigtree. We all speak the truth and tell it like it is. 

Now you are truly on a path toward a slimmer, healthier YOU—and no more magic pills! 

To your health, 

Sherry Brescia