Benefits of Omega-3s

Omega-3s are a type of essential fatty acid that our bodies need but can’t produce on their own. These fatty acids play an important role in the structure and function of our cells and tissues. They are essential for good health and can be obtained from a variety of sources such as fish, nuts, seeds, and supplements. In this blog, we’ll explore the many benefits of omega-3s and how they can improve our overall health and well-being.

Benefits of Omega-3s: Can Improve Heart Health

One of the most well-known benefits of omega-3s is their ability to improve heart health. Research has shown that omega-3s can help lower blood pressure, reduce triglycerides, and decrease the risk of heart disease. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that omega-3 supplements can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death by up to 45%.

Omega-3s Can Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation can lead to a host of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Omega-3s have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce chronic inflammation in the body. A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that omega-3 supplements can reduce inflammation and muscle soreness after exercise.

Omega-3s Can Improve Brain Function

Omega-3s are important for brain health and development. They are essential for the growth and maintenance of brain cells and can help improve cognitive function. Studies have shown that omega-3s can improve memory, concentration, and overall brain function. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that omega-3s can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

Omega-3s Can Improve Joint Health

Omega-3s have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce joint pain and stiffness. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that omega-3 supplements can reduce joint pain and improve mobility in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Omega-3s Can Improve Eye Health

Omega-3s are important for eye health and can help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older adults. Studies have shown that omega-3s can help improve eye health by reducing inflammation, improving blood flow to the retina, and protecting against oxidative damage. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that omega-3s can improve visual function in people with age-related macular degeneration.

Omega-3s Can Improve Skin Health

Omega-3s are important for skin health and can help improve skin texture, reduce dryness and itching, and prevent acne. Studies have shown that omega-3s can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which can contribute to skin aging and damage. A study published in the Journal of Lipid Research found that omega-3s can improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Omega-3s Can Improve Sleep Quality

Omega-3s have been shown to have a positive effect on sleep quality. A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that omega-3 supplements can improve sleep quality and reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. Omega-3s may help improve sleep by reducing inflammation, promoting relaxation, and regulating serotonin levels.

Omega-3s Can Improve Fertility

Taking Omega-3s are important for reproductive health and can help improve fertility in both men and women. Studies have shown that omega-3s can improve sperm quality and increase the chances of conception in men. In women, omega-3s can help regulate menstrual cycles and improve egg quality. A study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility found that women who took omega-3 supplements had higher pregnancy rates than those who didn’t.

Omega-3s Can Boost Immune System Function

Omega-3s play an important role in immune system function. They can help regulate inflammation and support the production of immune cells. Studies have shown that omega-3s can help improve immune system function in both healthy individuals and those with compromised immune systems. A study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition found that omega-3 supplements can improve immune function in elderly individuals.

Omega-3s Can Reduce Risk of Cancer

Omega-3s may also have a protective effect against cancer. Studies have shown that omega-3s can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colon cancer. A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that omega-3s can inhibit the growth and spread of breast cancer cells.

Sources for Benefits of Omega-3s

There are several sources of omega-3s, including fatty fish, nuts and seeds, and supplements. The most common types of omega-3s are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines. ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), another type of omega-3, is found in plant-based sources such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.

Supplements are also a popular source of omega-3s. They come in various forms, including fish oil capsules, krill oil capsules, and vegan algae-based supplements. It’s important to choose a high-quality supplement that contains a sufficient amount of EPA and DHA.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that play a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. They can improve heart health, reduce inflammation, improve brain function, and promote healthy skin, eyes, and joints. Omega-3s may also have a positive effect on sleep quality, fertility, immune system function, and cancer risk. It’s important to incorporate omega-3s into our diet through food sources such as fatty fish, nuts and seeds, and supplements. By doing so, we can reap the many benefits that omega-3s have to offer and improve our overall health and well-being.

It is important to get a high quality Omega-3 supplement. Here is my top recommendation to help you receive the benefits of Omega-3s:

Garden of Life Omega-3s: https://amzn.to/3lkc0Ac

Let’s Start Losing Weight Now

Start Losing Weight Now
Starting Line

I’m going to make this as simple as possible! Below you will find an easy-to-follow, step-by-step outline of the process that I used to lose 40 pounds in the last 6 months and keep it off. Follow these steps to start losing weight now!

Step 1 – Track What You Eat

There are certain things that you have to do if you are going to start losing weight now. The very first step is that you have to track what you eating. If you don’t know how many calories you are consuming, you will have zero idea on how much you truly need to cut out. This isn’t about what foods you are eating. It is simply about counting what goes into your mouth when you eat.

Why does this matter?

Simply put, your body burns a certain amount of calories each day. This number changes day to day, depending on many factors. (The details information is found in my 7-Day Crash Course). In order to lose weight, you have to remain in a calorie deficit (less in than out) in any given day over a week period. The type of food doesn’t matter for losing weight, just the amount. For example, if your body burns 2500 calories a day, and consume 2000 calories of snickers, you will lose weight.

Yay…Free for All!!!

Does this mean that you should just eat whatever, as long as it is below my calorie expenditure? Absolutely not! I’m just trying to make a point! You have to be in a calorie deficit to lose weight. We call that CICO, or Calories In Calories Out. This has to happen, or the rest of this doesn’t work. I go into more detail of specific foods, macro numbers, and recipes on the 7-Day Crash Course, but for now, you need to know how much you’re eating.

There are many ways to track what you eat! The most important thing is to track. You can use Apps like MyFitnessPal, Lose It, or even a piece of paper (the hardest way).

I personally use Noom. It allows me to track my food for each meal with ease and accuracy. Noom also has a unique character to it that other apps don’t. It is backed by psychology in where it teaches you to adapt your thinking and actions to make real, lasting change. I learned many psychological tools that helped me adapt to my new lifestyle and train my mind to enjoy this new way of living. I would say that Noom is in the Top 3 of the best tools that I have use to lose weight and get healthy.

Step 2 – Know What You Burn

If you don’t know how much you are eating, and how much you burn, then you can’t do the math. What math is this? The math of CICO – Calories In Calories Out! Let me show you an easy formula so that you can find out how much you burn on average. Remember, this number changes slightly day to day. However, you will get a good estimate of where you are starting.

Women BMR = 655 + (9.6 X weight in kg) + (1.8 x height in cm) – (4.7 x age in yrs) Men BMR = 66 + (13.7 X weight in kg) + (5 x height in cm) – (6.8 x age in yrs)

To make this simpler, here is the link so that you can just plug in your numbers and find out quickly.

https://tdeecalculator.net/

Based on this information, I (a 40 year old male, 6 feet tall, at 232 pounds) would burn around 3100 calories a day and around 22000 calories a week.

Now Let’s Put These 2 Number to Use to Start Losing Weight Now…

Using my numbers above, I consume around 2000 calories a day (sometimes more, sometimes less). If I burn 3100 calories and consume 2000 calories I would be in a calorie deficit of 1000 calories a day. Over one week, that would equate to a 7000 calorie deficit.

What does this mean for weight loss?

It takes a deficit of 3500 calories to burn 1 pound of fat. In any given week, I am burning around 2 pounds of fat. This is about the maximum number of weight you should lose weekly, after the initial water weight and excess that you shed at the beginning.

Step 3 – Weigh Yourself DAILY

Why do I recommend weighing daily? According to WebMD, “Research shows that people who weigh themselves every day have even more success with weight loss than those who weigh in once a week.” I took this advice and have found it to be very accurate. The reason is psychological and practical. If you weigh yourself daily, you will be more accountable to yourself and the scale. You will also see the trend going downward on the scale.

Here is the scale that I use at home that has an app that tracks it for you:

https://amzn.to/3RT044z

Step 4 – Move More EVERY DAY!

While running a mile every day would be great for your overall health and weight loss, let’s be practical. If you are overweight, and many of us significantly so, then running is the last thing on our minds.

I want to give you a simple goal for the foreseeable future…try to walk 10,000 steps a day. If you have to work your way up to it, start at 8,000 steps a day. If you can’t make 8,000, start with 5. The goal is to make it to 10,000 steps a day. Do I hit that number every day? No! Do I go over that on some days? Sometimes! But I always aim for 10,000. It is quite simple to track your steps every day. Most cells phones today have the ability to do this without a wearable device. I use my Apple Watch, but it is not a non-negotiable. Here is a step tracker that I used before I was gifted an Apple Watch. It works just as good for tracking steps, for a fraction of the price:

https://amzn.to/48P3Jam

Once you master this feat, start adding in running, or HIIT, or other forms of aerobic exercise to your routine. In the first 4 months, I only walked on the treadmill and in my neighborhood for about 45 minutes every other day. That’s all I could handle. I now walk an hour 3 times a week and run once or twice a week for 2 miles, maybe. and I hate running! I cover more about the benefits of walking, running, and other exercise in my 7-Day Crash Course as well.

Step 5 – Do Some Form of Weight Training

I am one that hates to lift weights 4 to 5 days a week. It’s just not in my DNA, so to speak! I would rather do 10 pushups, 20 sit-ups, and 1 pullup and call it a day. I know that the struggle is real when it comes to weight lifting, but this is an important aspect of reshaping your body composition.

The saying is true that more muscle burns more fat! If you focus only on the eating aspect of weight loss you will lose weight. Lots of it! But you will also lose muscle and, in turn, lessen the ability to continue to burn fat. Can you see the issue here? Weight training is a necessary inconvenience to keep our motor at high performance for burning fat.

Now, you don’t have to go to the store and buy expensive weight machines, or a BowFlex machine (remember those?). I bought a couple of cheap weights at Goodwill and a set of resistance bands from Walmart to get started. Since then I have upgraded, a bit, but I still don’t go to the gym and spend hours pumping iron. I do simple resistance training exercises, some basic dumbbell exercises, and some squats. Then my 10 pushups, 20 sit ups, and 1 pullup. Haha! Just kidding on the last one! It’s a bit more complex than that, but I keep it as simple as possible.

If you want to see a sample of what I do in a normal workout, go over to my YouTube channel and check out my video, “My Normal Daily Workout”.

Here are the resistance bands that I use now:

https://amzn.to/3hc0bKm

Step 6 – Don’t Give Up!

I know this one seems like a no-brainer, but this might be the hardest step in the process.

Here is a study by DealOnHealth.net,

  • 77% of Americans are striving to eat healthier.
  • 45 million US adults start dieting each year.
  • 20% of dieters manage to maintain long-term weight loss.
  • Dieters usually regain 50% of the lost weight within two years.

The statistic that sticks out to me the most is the last one, “Dieters usually regain 50% of the lost weight within two years.” That was me! I did that so many times! I would jump from one program to another. From one pill to another. I looked like a roller coaster if you looked at my weight loss from year to year. While I have my ups and downs now, that trend line keeps going down!

You have to keep going, even when the plateaus come, when the injuries happen, or when stress hits you in the face. Keep your eye on your prize and keep going to start losing weight now!

Bonus Step – Know Your Why

I do this for one reason alone. My family! I want to be there for my family and not just be present. I have 4 young children ages 11, 8, 4, and 4 and I want to be able to run and play with them for as long as possible. This wasn’t possible for me just a year ago. This is my WHY:

Start Losing Weight Now

You have to find your reason for doing this to start losing weight now. Whether it is just for your personally, your family, or a specific goal you have in mind. You have to have something to strive for or you will give up. When things get hard, you will throw in the towel if you don’t have a reason to keep fighting.

How to Lose Weight Fast!!! (MY STORY)

Zig Ziglar once said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Lose Weight Starting Today

This is ultimately what got me started on my journey to becoming to best ME I could become and ultimately learning how to lose weight fast and sustainably. I realized that I would never be what I wanted to be if I never started the process. Sitting on the couch, eating the same old diet, and watching hours of TV was never going to get me the body and health that I desperately needed.

If you are ever going to become the healthy, fit, well version of yourself that you need to become for your family, friends, and, ultimately, yourself, you are going to have to START.

Let today be the day that you START to lose weight! I am here to help you along the way, but you have to do it. Join me as I share about my journey (still ongoing) and the tips and tricks I am using to become the best version of ME and lose weight fast. READ ON to learn about me and my story! I hope you can relate and learn to become the best YOU! This is the story of how I lost weight fast and have kept it off…

Just like most people, I dieted and exercised for years on what many call the “Yo-Yo” diet…lose weight, gain weight, lose weight…and so on

I was an athlete in high school and college in two sports…basketball and baseball. While I was never had the chiseled physique, I was a great athlete. I could run fast, jump high, throw hard, and hit with power and I didn’t struggle to round the bases, or move back and forth on the court for the entirety of the games. I would be able to play a 9 inning game on Friday night, and play in a weekend baseball tournament starting on Saturday morning with ease. My body felt like it was invincible.

In college, I put on some muscle. I ate more, lifted more, and gained more weight. I was getting stronger and enjoying the way I looked and felt.

Sometimes life throws you a big curveball, or two…

I stopped going to the gym at school, adopted a much more sedentary lifestyle, but kept eating at the same level I was before. The weight kept piling on, and the muscle quickly became a distant memory.

Fast forward a few years…intertwined with up and down weight gains and losses.

I got married in 2008 to my best friend, Sarah. After our first 2 children, we decided that we wanted one more child. Three sounded like a great number! Well, God had other plans! At an ultrasound exam, the technician informed us that we would be having Twins!!! TWO babies!!! What??? We were super excited and super scared at the same time.

After telling our families, we quickly began planning and got lost in the calamity of now getting our lives and house ready for two newborns. Every week of our almost 33-week pregnancy was filled with late nights and delivery food. From Cheesecake Factory to Olive Garden, and McDonalds to Starbucks, the pounds began to pile on like never before. My heaviest weight was before was 235. At the time the twins were born, on March 7, 2018, I weighed in at 265 pounds and my blood pressure averaged around 155/90. I hated the image of the person in the mirror. Here is my picture, just a few weeks before Christmas in 2018…

Time for Change…For a Start…

Until Summer of 2022 I kept the weight on for another 2 1/2 years. I was fed up with feeling tired, my feet hurting, and my clothes not fitting, I was having trouble sleeping, walking was a chore, and playing in my men’s softball league was exhausting. A drastic change had to be made or I wasn’t going to have the life that I needed to have for myself, my wife, and my kids.

Immediately I jumped on the internet to my favorite place, YouTube, and began doing research. I watched videos of people claiming to have a miracle cure for weight loss. (Those links are on my website menu). Others seemed as though they never struggled with food their entire lives. I heard countless stories of, just do this one thing, or take this one pill! I sifted through the muck to find the information that I felt was credible and doable. That’s when I decided to put what I learned into practice THAT DAY, I STARTED!

STEADY…Lose the Weight…and Fast!

Remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? Who wins? Well, in the story it is the Hare, because of his persistence and perseverance, not his speed. He never stopped moving forward and put one food in front of the other. That was my mindset over the last 6 months. I quickly learned that if I kept moving forward and stuck with the process, I would lose weight faster.

I wished that I could’ve gone to sleep and woken up with my body back in great shape. Not possible! However, I was putting myself in the mindset of GO and seeing results fast! I was losing weight day to day, week to week, month to month, CONSISTENTLY!

Here is a picture of my as of December 2, 2022…

Down 40 pounds! However, I am nowhere near done and still moving forward and that scale is moving downward. I feel better every day, and I am loving the new life that I have CREATED! I’ve been honing in on the skills and information it takes to continue to see results day after day.

Will you join me in my journey and create one for yourself? Let’s do this!