For many being skinny is at the top of their health goals, but skinny doesn’t mean healthy. In this episode, Jen explains why body weight isn’t the best indicator of internal wellbeing and provides tips around how you can be and feel your healthiest self.

Did you enjoy the podcast today? Please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Every month I draw one lucky reviewer to have a free one-hour consultation with me. Also, remember to subscribe wherever you’re tuning in from so that you always catch the next episode.

SHOWNOTES

What I know for sure is that body weight is not the best indicator of internal wellbeing. Neither is Body Mass Index (or BMI). Your BMI is your weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of your height (in metres), so BMI = Kg/M2.

Why? Skinny fat is a phrase used to describe people who appear to be a normal weight, or thin, but are actually carrying a high percentage of body fat and have a low amount of muscle mass.

That fat is visceral fat. The heart attack fat.

Visceral fat is a type of body fat that’s stored within the abdominal cavity. It’s located near several vital organs, including the liver, stomach, and intestines. It can also build up in the arteries.

What causes visceral fat? 

A carbohydrate-heavy diet, inflammation and chronic stress can all lead to excess visceral fat. A poor diet provides the building blocks for obesity, stress can actually amplify the rate by activating the hormone cortisol even in a skinny person.

You can be trim or skinny with a belly.

Let’s talking about eating if you are a Skinny Stress head.

• Eat a diet high in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean protein 

• Protein – 1.5 to 2 gram per kilo of body weight

• Reduce added sugars and alcohol since these nutrients will more likely end up as visceral fat.

• Listen to episode 16 on Sugar cravings be gone

But it’s not all about diet. Stress plays a huge part too.

You also have to look at managing stress. Skinny or trim is not always healthy. We can’t see what’s happening inside. We need to sleep more and stress less.

To help manage your stress take the following actions:

Close to burnout or not sleeping?

Listen to episode 1 on sleep and burnout and episode 10 on the impact of stress.

Feeling your stress in your gut?

Some people internalise their stress in their gut. In episode 18 I talk about how this can dampen your digestive enzymes. If this is you, go back and listen.

Support your body with Adaptogens  

Adaptogens are the herbs that help your body to adapt to stress physical, chemical or biological needs.These include Siberian Ginseng, American Ginseng, Ashwaganda, Astralagus, Licorice Root, Rhodiola, Shisandra and Tulsi.

There is a link to my favourite tonic below.

Use aromatherapy to sleep and relax

A Korean study by Hwang showed that using Lavender, Ylang and Bergamot lowered daytime blood pressure and also saliva cortisol levels. It’s so simple to try and it really works. Some essential oils even like lavender at night while sleeping. Put a drop of oil on the collar of your PJ’s or in a diffuser.

Healthy Life Hacks

So, the healthy life hacks I want to leave you with today are: 

1. Bring some adaptogen herbs into your life
2. Try some essential oils even like lavender at night while sleeping
3. Make sleep a priority
4. Eat close to nature

Helpful links from this episode:

Link to essential oil study mentioned: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3521421/#:~:text=A%20study%20by%20Hwang%20%5B6,of%20aromatherapy%2C%20aiding%20in%20the

Link to Jennifer’s Serenity Blend that has lavender and Ylang Ylang as two of the main ingredients: https://jenniferjefferies.com/product/serenity-blend/

Link to the Adaptogen Tonic Jennifer uses:

https://jenjefferies.isagenix.com/en-au/products/vitality-well-being/individual/ionix-supreme

Did you enjoy the podcast today? Please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Every month I draw one lucky reviewer to have a free one-hour consultation with me. Also, remember to subscribe wherever you’re tuning in from so that you always catch the next episode.

Are you looking for more great resources? Get a free copy of my Feed Your Body ebook here and be sure to explore my blog while you are there.