I have not posted a blog in a little while because I have been training and traveling a lot more.

A resource state is an internal state of mind that we use when dealing with issues, events, and just about anything that happens in our life. Think about it for just a second not a minute but just a second or maybe two if you want. What are you feeling, thinking and experiencing right now? Can you become more aware of your internal state of mind, body and even spirit connection? Do you pay attention to this or is this one of those things that you take for granted most of the time by saying it is just you or something like that?

Now the next question is just as important as the first. Are you using this state because it is familiar to you because you have used it for years? Remember the idea that we do not do things that are always the best for us just things that we are used to doing so they become familiar and easier to use. I wonder if their actually could be a link to the tools we develop over the years and the states that we develop them in. This could mean that you are only able to deal with stress by using the tools that allow you to deal with stress only when you are actually in a great deal of stress. What if you dealt with stress without having to experience stress and when in another state of mind just preventing the stress from ever being.

I might have lost you on this last one or maybe you really understand everything that I was just saying. Maybe you just started to come up with your own interpretation that is allowing you to answer some question that you have wanted to ask yourself for years and how can.

Okay so let me take you into the next step of possibility. Are you ready to expand your reality just a little more? Do you just use resource states that you already have experienced from the past or have you already found out that you can develop totally new and more effective resource states anytime you want? I have found that most people just use the resource states that they learned from childhood and growing up. They attempt to fit resource states that they already have into situations that they are having or going to have. We are growing each and every second of the day into new beings and new situations. If we were to look at this from another angle you might actually see that it makes sense to grow in balance. I teach that your are happiest and most successful when your life is in total balance so this might mean that you should always be creating new states, new emotions and new ways of looking at things.

In my opinion it seems that the people that allow themselves to experience new states of mind and develop tools that can be used in any state empower themselves to succeed in life easier. I need to get going to train some more people and hopefully my short rambling has you take the time to create a new resource state. I will explain more on some ideas to do just that at a later date.

Michael Holt Magi Institute of Natural Medicine http://docmagi.com

A Galactic Fairy Tale by Michael Lightweaver

A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there were all of these little light beings just hanging out enjoying life in that joyful & timeless dimension. And then one day a very large, magnificent angel came to them. He had a very serious look on his face. He was looking for volunteers for a very important cosmic mission.

"We have this small - but very special - planet out at the edge of the Alcyon galaxy called Gaia. It is quite unique like a beautiful garden and it is teeming with hundreds of thousands of different life forms. It has been something of an experimental station in the galaxy and it has a most interesting humanoid life form that incorporates the very highest and lowest frequencies known in the cosmos. It is in fact the very epitome of dualism. On the one hand it is an incredibly beautiful life form and is capable of carrying the highest frequencies of love, light & joy known throughout the whole Universe. On the other hand it is capable of carrying the densest and darkest frequencies the cosmos has ever experienced - frequencies which the rest of creation evolved beyond eons ago.

Here is the current situation. Within the domain of time, this planet goes through periodic cosmic cycles. It is now coming to the end of two major cycles - a 2,000 year long age of Pisces and the 25,000 year long cosmic year in its journey around Alcyon, the central sun of the milky way galaxy.

With the completion of this cycle, many things are coming to an end and many things are about to begin. But most importantly, the planet is experiencing an infusion of light that is dramatically increasing it's frequency. As during any major time of transition, there will be a certain amount of turbulence. Some of this will be geological, for Gaia herself is a living planet and is also evolving. But much of it also involves the hominoid species that dominates the planet.

This will not be a particularly easy time for the species - especially for those who are sleeping and those who are vibrating at the lowest frequencies. As the frequency changes it will create insecurity which in turn will create fear.

The first era of evolution on this planet was the physical era and the key word was survival. The second era, which is now ending, was the mental era and the key word was logic. The third era, which is now beginning, is the era of the heart and the key word is love. This is the highest frequency.

Those who currently hold the reign of power on the planet are of the old order of the physical & mental. To the extent that they can make a graceful transition to a heart centered and divinely guided life, it will be an easy transition. To the extent that they are unable to do this, they will experience much turmoil.

So this is the current situation of Gaia. The reason I am here is to seek volunteers who would be willing to incarnate in humanoid form on the planet at this time to help make this an easy and smooth transition. We have sent prophets and teachers in the past. Very often they were brutally persecuted o r killed. In other instances they were set up as "gods" to be worshiped and these humanoids built elaborate religions and rituals around them and used these religions to control each other. They did everything except follow the simple teachings that were offered.

So this time we are trying a different approach. No more prophets, saviors & avatars that they can use to create religions. This time we are sending in thousands - actually hundreds of thousands - of ordinary light beings with only two assignments:

1) Stay in your heart. Regardless of what happens, stay in your heart.

2) Remember who you are, why you are here and what this is all about.

Now that seems easy enough, right? Unfortunately, No! As I have said, duality has reached its peak on this planet. This species has perfected the illusion of good and evil. The greatest challenge you will experience is to remember Who You Really Are, Why You Are Here and What This Is Really All About. When you remember, you will be ale to stay in your heart, regardless of external events.

So how will you know when you are forgetting? It is easy. Watch your judgments. The moment you notice that you are in a place of judgment you will know that you have forgotten Who You Really Are, Why You Are Here and What This Is Really All About. That will be your signal.

Now here is the challenge. Life on this planet will require a great deal of discernment - wise evaluation of what is true, what is appropriate and what is for the highest good, both for yourself and for the planet. In many ways discernment is similar to judgment. However, you will know when you are in judgment and when you have moved out of your heart when you are in a place of blame.

We know how challenging that this planet can be. We know how very real the illusions on this planet appear to be. We understand the incredible density of this dimension and the pressure you will face. But if you survive this mission - and it is a voluntary one - you will evolve at hyperspeed.

We also should say that we know that some of you who will go to this planet as starseeds, will never germinate - never awakened to the remembrance of who you really are. Some of you will awaken and begin to shine, only to be choked down by the opinions and prevailing thoughtforms around you. Others will awaken and remain awake and your light will become a source of inspiration and remembrance for many.

You will incarnate all over the planet; in every culture, every race, every country, every religion. But you will be different. You will never quite fit in. As you awaken you will realize that your true family isn't those of your own race, culture, religion, county or even your biological family. It is your cosmic family - those who have come as you have come - on assignment to assist in ways large and small in the current transition.

True brotherhood and globalization in its highest form will come only in remembering Who You Really Are, Why You Are Here and What This Is Really All About. It will come as you return to the true temple of Divine Presence, your heart, where this remembrance takes place and from which you are called to serve the world.

So, are your ready? Good!

Oh, and by the way, there are a couple of other minor things I should mention......

Because of the density, you can't operate in that dimension without a space suit. This is a biological suit that actually changes over time. There are many things we could tell you about this but our orientation time is short so I think you can just jump in and experience it. You should be forewarned, however. There will be a danger that if you forget who you really are, you may think you ARE your space suit instead of the fact that it is simply your vehicle in that dimension. Once there, you will notice that there is an infinite variety of space suits and a great deal of attention given to these. However, in spite of the infinite variety, because this a planet of duality, they all fall into two basic categories called 'genders.' Again, we really don't have time to go into this now. But you will find your relationship with your own space suit to be most instructive and interesting.

The other little thing is this. In order to operate in that dimension, you will also receive a microchip called a 'personality.' This is like an identity imprint that, along with your space suit, will essentially make you different from everyone else. This will allow you to participate in the hologram there - something they call 'consensus reality.' Once again, there will be a real danger that you will become so engrossed in the holographic personality dramas that you will forget who you really are and actually think that you ARE your personality. I know it sounds rather unbelievable right now, but once you get there.....

Again, there is so much more we could tell you by way of orientation, but we think you can learn the rest experientially 'on site." The only thing that is important is to remember Who You Really Are, Why You Are Here and What This Is Really All About. If you can do that, everything else will work out fine. But take note: So few really DO remember this they stand out as 'different' and others called them 'Enlightened" or 'Awakened" and similar terms. Strange isn't it?

Well, Good Luck & Bon Voyage!!!

Thanks Michael for writing this fantastic story that has helped many change over the years.

Mystically yours,

Michael Holt, Ph.D. Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

Shy people instinctively know that they are missing out. Shyness equals lost opportunities, less pleasure and fewer social connections. Shyness can be crippling but there are tried and tested ways to make it a thing of the past.

When I was fifteen I was shy. I recall an attractive girl attempting to engage me in conversation. My shyness made me focus on me instead of her. I heard my own voice but not hers and I thought about what I was trying to say instead of what she was trying to say.

The formula for shyness is "too much focus on the self" plus anxiety. To make it even more unpleasant, sometimes when you are feeling shy you experience physical sensations which 'hijack' your calm logical self.

My pulse raced, my mouth dried up and I felt like the village idiot! I couldn't think what to say so I said nothing apart from making barely audible grunting noises! Cary Grant eat your heart out! When I detected pity in her eyes (or was it contempt, or boredom) I mumbled my excuse and got out of there. I hated being shy and was determined to change it.

How shyness is developed and maintained

Shyness really is a combination of social anxiety and social conditioning. To overcome shyness you need to learn to relax socially. This enables you to direct your attention away from yourself and gives you the space to practice certain conversational skills. In most cases, the heightened emotions of socializing when young simply condition the sufferer to respond to social events with fear, instead of excitement and pleasure.

Relaxed socializing is so pleasurable, not to say productive, but it is an advantage denied to many until they learn to relax. To start reducing your own shyness, I want you to absorb the following tips and ideas and start to put them into practice:

1) Think about the way you feel and behave around familiar people you are comfortable and spontaneous around. It's that feeling transferred to new people and situations that equates to your emerging social confidence.

2) Focus your attention away from yourself. Sure, you can think a little bit about how you are coming across, but if all your focus is on your own words and feelings then you might as well be by yourself. Notice what other people are wearing and make a mental note, listen to their conversation, imagine where they might live, make a point of remembering names. Not only does this give you more to talk about, it also 'dilutes' social anxiety leaving you feeling calmer.

3) Ask people open questions. Many people like to talk about themselves and will find you interesting if you find them interesting. Ask questions that require more than a 'yes'/'no' response such as 'What do you like about this place?' rather than: 'Do you like this place?' Once they've answered use 'add-on' questions connected to the first such as: 'What other places do you like in this city.?' Next you can express your views. This is a great way to get the conversation going. If the conversation doesn't 'take' then no matter, you've done your bit.

4) Stop trusting your imagination so much! Have you ever had an imaginary picture in your mind of a holiday destination only to arrive and find the reality is different from the way you had imagined? That's how reliable imagination is. Stop imagining what others think. I do lots of public speaking and I've long since stopped trying to second guess what others think of me - it's just too painful. Besides, what a person thinks about you has a lot more to do with who they are than who you are.

5) Stop using 'all or nothing' thinking. The 'completely this/completely that' style of thought occurs when you are emotional. People who are depressed, angry or anxious see reality in terms of differing extremes, simplistic all or nothing terms. An angry person is 'right' and you are 'wrong'; the depressed person feels like a 'failure' while others are a 'success'. In reality, life is composed of infinite gray areas. So stop fearing that you might say the 'wrong' thing! Or that people will 'hate' you. Once you start to relax more socially you'll notice much less black or white thinking because anxiety actually causes you to think in all or nothing terms.

6) Take your time. You don't have to blurt things out. Ask questions and if questions are asked of you can take time to consider your response (within reason). Don't just blurt out what you think might be the 'right' answer. A slow answer is a relaxed answer.

7) Finally, use hypnotic rehearsal. Hypnosis is the quickest way to change your instinctive/emotional response to any situation. Only think about meeting others when your mind and body is relaxed. This conditions you to associate relaxation with being around new people. In fact you'll find that when you relax deeply enough often enough whilst hypnotically rehearsing being comfortable around others you'll reach the point where you just can't be shy any more! This is what I call a 'happy inability!'

I now love meeting new people and suspect that my current social confidence would be unrecognizable to my fifteen year old self.

Overcome shyness now at HypnosisDownloads.com

Article by Mark Tyrrell of Hypnosis Downloads.com.

How many times have you heard someone talking about how they feel for someone else or maybe describe how the other person is feeling? We are taught to show empathy for people that are hurt or suffering. At the same time how we do it is just as important as doing it in my opinion.

First lets take a look at how we create our emotions and actions. Many of us are not consciously aware of our emotional state at times because we are so involved in our daily activities. We could of been thinking about something that gotten occupied doing something and just buried it for a while till we get a break to think about it again. I could go on and on about the different things that could happen but won't. Instead remember that if just one emotion during your past was different at the right time your future would of been different as well. Instead of having those things we sometimes call a "pet peeve" you might have more things you call fun or non-issues. Your challenges occur from a past event labeling them as a challenge for future events. This means that you actually labeled these challenges as such and have created them from how you handled an event in the past. If you had a different attitude or goal at that time chances are you would of never created them.

That is hard to take for some people and when accepted will create a lot of responsibility for our actions. It is easier to just allow someone else to take credit for our challenges at times. When you take control back you will find it very uplifting and allow you to break free of your challenges.

How does this relate to empathy then? In order for us to create a feeling or emotion we need to compare it to something in our past. The key word is OUR past. We did not live the other persons life from inside them so we are not creating their emotions just ours. You could live right next to a person their whole life and still develop different memories to create different emotions. What was traumatic for one could of been a non-issue for the other.

What this means is that we can not feel what they feel accurately and what most people create is what they would feel like if they were in the other persons situation. So instead of being empathic for another person we are creating a whole new reality where we are playing the part. We create an internal negative state that we can experience and label it as another persons pain. It works great if you want to be punished or feel worse than the other person. You can accomplish it very well in this manner. The question is what that really your intention though.

Instead remember that true support comes from those that do not foster a negative emotion. When we tell our friends we feel their pain it is not true. We feel our own pain and pretend it is theirs and then we put our own body through it and annoy our friends at the same time. Our friends need people that are not going through their pain to talk to. People that show them that their is other ways to look at things and that don't want to experience the emotions that they are going through.

At the senior center last week a fantastic person wanted to send a letter to his friend that lost a loved one. We discussed this and I asked them what is the intention of the letter. The first response was to stick it out and bear through it. I asked them again was that really what we wanted to do. How many times do we reinforce the negative in our comforting? I asked again what really would you want to do and someone spoke up have them feel better!!! Yes this was the true intention that we have even if we don't consciously think about it. Our goal is always to improve the standard of living in our friends at the time.

After knowing your true intention then the answers are easy. They came up with stories that would lift up the person and inspire them to remember the good times and not the loss because the loss will never be. Every person we come in contact with becomes part of us in a way. Our memories and the lessons that were taught to us become part of us. This means that even if the physical body leaves the energy and memories are always present within us. After all we created them for this purpose even without knowing it.

Take a look at how you relate to others during their time of need. Remember that it is your choice of how you live during these events. Whether you open yourself up to negative creation or whether you understand your intention and act accordingly.

Mystically yours

Michael Holt, Ph.D.
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

You have all heard the idea that there is a conscious mind, subconscious mind, unconscious mind and maybe even a higher conscious or spiritual consciousness. Seems like a whole lot of consciousness to explain a simple process of thinking at times. We as professionals like to break down things into its most complex form at times. Think about this for a second. The mind is a process to create a thought or action. The key word here is "process". This means that it is not tangible and can not really be measured or explained. The thoughts or actions that come from it become real and can be measured. We could say that their is an emotional mind that is the process of creating the thoughts that triggers emotions. Maybe we could break down every emotion to have its own process therefore creating as many separate minds as we have emotions. The truth is that we have one mind that is capable of many different things don't we.

There have been many that claim that we bypass the conscious mind to communicate with the subconscious mind. This is not quite true when you think about it. Just because someone has you focus on one thing does not mean that they have the ability to tap into your subconscious and program you to do anything. Your conscious mind which is nothing more than what you are aware of is always present and standing guard to protect you from the world.

So what is consciousness and what is the rest?

Think about what you are aware of daily. What is going on around you and what you are paying attention to. We go in and out of consciousness a thousand times bouncing from one thing to another only spending as much time as necessary or desired on each subject. Most of our day is spent forcing ourselves to pay attention to what we need to do in order to survive today. You direct your focus at work to make sure you complete your tasks to keep your job or become better. Many people might spend only 25% of their day focusing on productive things and the other 75% could be spent on how they feel about work, what they are going to do when they get home or maybe finding a new job. So how do they remain productive if so much of their time is spent somewhere else? They can complete the work because they can do it without paying attention.

There is also some that will say that imagination is the subconscious mind and this allows you to tap into the resource of your programing. Think about this when you dream or are pretending are you focusing on something? If you are like most of us you are focusing entirely on your dream which according to definition would mean then that you are conscious of what you are doing right? So imagination would then be classified as conscious thought using your conscious mind and attention. So if you are following along with guided imagery you are using your conscious mind.

So how can I use my sub-un-higher-consciousness. "Was that a word"

When we are using our other thought processes we are doing so because we have practiced them or because they provide us a positive purpose according to our beliefs. This does not mean that it is positive but that you have not learned a better way yet. Sometimes positive could mean that you survived last time doing this. You smoke because of something positive or you would not be doing it. You eat emotionally because you have labeled it as something for you. Your mind will not allow you to do something bad unless it is good. Look for the positive in order to eliminate the negative by finding a better positive way of doing it.

The challenge is bringing our actions and emotions to a conscious level so we can examine if they are truly a benefit for us. Sometimes using questions like "What do I want to happen here?" or "How do I want to feel?" will allow us to better understand where we are and how to proceed.

Remember that your mind is one process that uses several different resources to create your thoughts and actions. Your secret to growth is to become more aware of the different processes so you can question them to grow. In order to do that you must train your conscious mind to become aware of what programs it is using. By becoming more aware of what you really want you can make better decisions to get there.

Mystically yours,

Dr. Michael Holt, NC, CHI
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

There is a lot of debate as to what the greatest vitamin actually is. Each vitamin has its own essential functions that contribute to a person's general health and well-being. It is impossible to actually state that one of these is the greatest vitamin. However there are a number of foods that provide the greatest vitamin quantities.

The greatest vitamin sources vary for each vitamin. It is important to have a balanced diet to ensure that the required amounts of each vitamin are obtained. However, it may be useful to list the greatest vitamin sources for each vitamin to be used as a guide.

* Greatest vitamin A sources are milk, eggs, butter, yellow fruits & vegetables, dark green fruits & vegetables, liver

* Greatest vitamin B1 sources are brewer's yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk

* Greatest vitamin B2 sources are brewer's yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses

* Greatest vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewer's yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes

* Greatest vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes

* Greatest vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewer's yeast

* Greatest vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewer's yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ

* Greatest vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewer's yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains

* Greatest vitamin B8 sources are whole grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewer's yeast

* Greatest vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk

* Greatest vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts

* Greatest vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey

* Greatest vitamin B15 sources are brewer's yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

* Greatest vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums

* Greatest vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chilli peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips

* Greatest vitamin D sources are salmon, sardines, herring, milk, egg yolk, organ meats, sprouted seeds, sunflower seeds

* Greatest vitamin E sources are cold-pressed oils, eggs, wheat germ, organ meats, molasses, sweet potatoes, nuts

* Greatest vitamin F sources are vegetable oils, butter, sunflower seeds

* Greatest vitamin K sources are green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, safflower oil, blackstrap molasses, cauliflower

* Greatest vitamin Q sources are pinto beans, legumes, soybeans

* Greatest vitamin T sources are sesame seeds, raw seeds, butter, egg yolk

* Greatest vitamin V sources are raw cabbage, sauerkraut, leafy vegetables

Remember that above all keep aware of what your body is telling you. Your body is your number one key to finding the secrets to your health. It will tell you when you have food allergies or trouble getting the energy and vitamins from certain foods. If you feel tired after eating it is not the right food for you. Food is energy and you should feel great after eating when you are doing it correctly. Pay attention to your best doctor your body.

Mystically yours,

Dr. Michael Holt, NC, CHI

Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

It starts with your FREE Weight Assessment. We also have a program that allows us to take your actual food journal and to do a break down of all the micro and macro nutrients. This means you can see what vitamins and minerals your diet is providing you. The key to any health program is knowledge.

We all have a favorite expression when it comes to being stressed out, and I wouldn't bother naming all of them since it may also vary in different languages. But when it comes down to it, I think that it is how we work or even relax, for that matter that triggers stress. Ever been stressed even when you're well relaxed and bored? I know I have.

Since stress seems unavoidable in life, it is important to find ways to decrease and prevent stressful incidents and decrease the negative reactions to stress. Here are some of the things that can be done by just remembering it, since life is basically a routine to follow like brushing your teeth or eating breakfast. You can do a few of them in a longer span of time, but as they say-- every minute counts.

Managing time

Time management skills can allow you more time with your family and friends and possibly increase your performance and productivity. This will help reduce your stress.

To improve your time management:

• Save time by focusing and concentrating, delegating, and scheduling time for yourself.

• Keep a record of how you spend your time, including work, family, and leisure time.

• Prioritize your time by rating tasks by importance and urgency. Redirect your time to those activities that are important and meaningful to you.

• Manage your commitments by not over- or under-committing. Don't commit to what is not important to you.

• Deal with procrastination by using a day planner, breaking large projects into smaller ones, and setting short-term deadlines.

• Examine your beliefs and values to reduce conflict between what you believe and what your life is like.

Build healthy coping strategies

It is important that you identify your coping strategies. One way to do this is by recording the stressful event, your reaction, and how you cope in a stress journal. With this information, you can work to change unhealthy coping strategies into healthy ones-those that help you focus on the positive and what you can change or control in your life.

Lifestyle

Some behaviors and lifestyle choices affect your stress level. They may not cause stress directly, but they can interfere with the ways your body seeks relief from stress. Try to:

• The Magi believed you needed a balance of physical, mental, spiritual, financial and social. This was the basis of the 5 pointed star of the Magi.

• Have a sense of purpose in life.

• Get enough sleep, since your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping. "I am completing my eBook on Insomnia and I will let you know when I post it."

• Eat a balanced diet for a nutritional defense against stress.

• Get moderate exercise throughout the week.

• Limit your consumption of alcohol.

• Don't smoke.

Social support

Social support is a major factor in how we experience stress. Social support is the positive support you receive from family, friends, and the community. It is the knowledge that you are cared for, loved, esteemed, and valued. More and more research indicates a strong relationship between social support and better mental and physical health.

Changing thinking

When an event triggers negative thoughts, you may experience fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression, rage, guilt, and a sense of worthlessness or powerlessness. These emotions trigger the body's stress, just as an actual threat does. Dealing with your negative thoughts and how you see things can help reduce stress.

• Thought-stopping helps you stop a negative thought to help eliminate stress.

• Disproving irrational thoughts helps you to avoid exaggerating the negative thought, anticipating the worst, and interpreting an event incorrectly.

• Problem solving helps you identify all aspects of a stressful event and find ways to deal with it.

• Changing your communication style helps you communicate in a way that makes your views known without making others feel put down, hostile, or intimidated. This reduces the stress that comes from poor communication. Use the representation system to improve your communication style.

Even Holistic Healthcare Practitioners like me can get stressed. Whether you're the mail guy, the CEO, the average working parent, or student, stress is one unwanted visitor you would love to boot out of your homes, especially your life.

Mystically yours,

Michael Holt, PhD Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

Get your FREE Lifestyle Assessment which includes a detailed report (2 page report) of where you are now and a customized exercise expenditure report that provides you with estimated calorie burn for several different exercises (3 page report). Click Here to Complete

There are a lot of people who would give a lot to increase their metabolism. Having a high level of metabolism enables one to maintain burn fat and lose weight fast with the least amount of activity. Metabolism is the rate by which the body produces and consumes energy and calories to support life.

There are several factors that affect the metabolism of a person, such as the amount of muscle tissue, the frequency of the meals one consumes, genetics, stress levels, personal diet and activity levels. Metabolism slows done due to the following: loss of muscle because of not enough physical activity, the tendency of the body to cannibalize its own tissue because there is not enough food energy to sustain it, and the decrease of physical activity that comes naturally with old age.

Here are 12 ways to fire up one's metabolism:

1. Build up on lean, mean body mass. It is only natural that metabolism decreases along with age, but it is possible to counter the effects. The amount of muscle a person has is a very strong determinant in the ability to burn calories and shed fat. So it goes without saying that exercise is essential. Build strength and resistance by working out at least twice a week, preferably with weights. Do easy exercises in between workouts. Simple tasks such as walking the dog and using the stairs in place of the elevator can already take off calories. The key is to match the amount of eating to the amount of activity one has. Here are some guidelines in getting the right exercise:

For strength training

-Increase the amount of repetitions of a particular exercise. -Add the level of resistance -Utilize advance exercise techniques if possible

For cardiovascular training

-Insert intervals between exercises -Perform cross-training and combine the exercises -Add up on resistance and speed

2. Eat breakfast. A lot of people are ignoring the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Surprisingly, the ones who eat breakfast are thinner than the ones who do not. Metabolism can slow down considerably if breakfast is taken during mid-morning or if one waits until the afternoon to eat.

3. Avoid sugar. Sugar enables the body to store fat. It is recommended that a person consumes food that helps sustain an even level of blood-sugar. Additionally, progressive execerise 2-3 times a week should be in order to stabilize blood sugar.

4. Eat spicy foods. Hot cuisine with peppers can increase metabolism.

5. Sleep more. According to research, it is riskier for people who do not get enough sleep to gain weight. Also, muscles are regenerated during the last couple of hours of slumber.

6. Increase water intake. Water flushes out toxins that are produced whenever the body burns fat. Majority of bodily functions involves water, and lack of water causes the body system's operations to decrease its speed, and produces unneeded stress as a result.

7. Eat smaller meals. It is advisable to consume 4 to 6 small meals that are timed 2 to 3 hours apart.

8. Never skip meals. People tend to skip meals in order to lose weight, which is a big mistake since it slows down metabolism.

9. Plan meals in detail. Always prepare the right amount of food to be consumed at the designated intervals. Do not commit the mistake of eating meals in sporadic patterns.

10. Ditch the stress! Stress, be it physical or emotional, triggers the release of a steroid called cortisol, which decreases metabolism. Also, people tend to eat excessively when stressed.

11. Guzzle up on green tea. It can be used as a substitute for coffee. Tea has the ability to stimulate metabolism, and unlike coffee, it has no undesirable side effects when too much is consumed.

12. Include more energy foods in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains.

Achieving the desired body weight is never impossible if one has the determination and patience needed to stabilize the metabolism level, which plays an important role in weight loss. A person needs to realize that eating right and working out is not just a passing fancy, but a way of life.

Make sure to sign up for our newsletter and get free access to our VIP section on nutrition. It has a lot of information including menu plans, a free lifestyle assessment, handbook for weight loss, exercise tips and a computer journal for your food and exercise.

Mystically yours,

Dr. Michael Holt, NC, CHI
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

Considering dieting? Look for these "thin" claims and lose weight - not your wallet Weight loss schemes promise the world, and deliver mainly frustration. Diet products and programs that "guarantee" quick and easy weight loss are bogus. The only thing you're likely to lose is your money.

According to the Better Business Bureau, no matter how enticing the claim, steady weight loss cannot be achieved:

Without diet or exercise. Long-term weight loss requires eating nutritious foods and regular exercise.

Without giving up your favorite foods. If you could lose weight by eating whatever you wanted to, why isn't everybody thin?

Without any effort. You have to increase your physical activity in order to burn calories and you need to eat fewer calories in order to lose weight. Applying a special lotion or strapping yourself to a device that "exercises" for you is simply not going to work.

With a pill that is supposed to burn, flush, block or eliminate fat from your system. Medical science has yet to devise a magic pill, potion, wrap or patch that ensures weight loss. Some pills may help to control appetite, but they can have serious side effects and should be taken under a doctor's supervision. The Better Business Bureau warns to be suspicious of unrealistic and unsupported claims

"Lose 30 Pounds in Just 30 Days." As a rule, the faster you lose weight, the more likely you are to gain it back. Also, fast weight loss could harm your health. Unless your doctor advises it, don't look for programs that promise quick weight loss.

"Lose All the Weight You Can For Just $39.99." Some weight loss programs have hidden costs. For example, some don't advertise the fact that you must buy their prepackaged meals that cost more than the program fees. Before you sign up for any weight loss program, ask for all the costs. Get them in writing.

"Lose Weight While You Sleep." Claims for diet products and programs that promise weight loss without effort are phony. "Lose Weight And Keep It Off For Good." Be suspicious about products promising long-term or permanent weight loss. To lose weight and keep it off, you must change how you eat and how much you exercise.

"John Doe Lost 84 Pounds in Six Weeks." Don't be misled by someone else's weight loss claims. Even if the claims are true someone else's success may have little relation to your own chances of success.

"Scientific Breakthrough...Medical Miracle." There are no miracle weight loss products. To lose weight, you have to reduce your intake of calories and increase your physical activity. Be skeptical about exaggerated claims.

Learn to identify the buzzwords that often signify misleading promotions for fraudulent diet products. These include promises of "immediate," "effortless" and/or "guaranteed" weight loss. Beware of claims that a diet product is "a breakthrough," "secret," "exclusive," or "miraculous." These are not scientific words!

It is best to be skeptical of self-proclaimed health advisors who use high pressure sales tactics and peddle one-time-only offers. Testimonials, even by physicians, should not serve as a substitute for scientific proof of a product's efficacy. If you're tempted by the "satisfaction, or your money back" claim, find out if the merchant lives up to that promise before sending your money.

The BBB also warns that many diet offers are sold as a Free Trial or by accepting an advertiser's offer you agree to be enrolled in other offers. If you enroll in any free trial offer pay close attention to the terms and conditions, in some cases, as a condition of the trial, you may be required to return the unused portion at your expense. In addition, some offers require that you agree to other free trials and you must cancel each offer with different companies.

Before committing to a weight loss product or program, check with your physician or a qualified nutritionist or dietitian. You will also find helpful tips and advice on the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website at http://www.ftc.gov/.

We have known this for years and that is why we teach nutrition and exercise to gain your healthy lifestyle. Fast weight loss is not a healthy lifestyle and we also teach you to avoid the use of gimics or pills. What you do need is motivation and knowledge to accomplish your goals and that is our specialty.

Mystically yours,

Dr. Michael Holt, NC, CHI Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

Today has become a time of convenience and quick fixes when it comes to health and diet. Walk in to any nutrition store and you could be flooded with claims that you need a whole supply of vitamins. There have been many books and studies written on the latest new age drinks and multi-marketing products. The challenge still is what to believe these days, we are still encountering products like the traveling medicine man who had that "cure all" which could heal anything and everything.

Food is still our best source for vitamins and nutrients to promote healing in the body. Companies have taken the concept that certain foods have a healing effect on the body and have attempted to isolate specific compounds to market them. The issue is that these compounds alone are not the reason for the improvement in many cases. A whole carrot is better than taking beta-carotene alone or vitamin A. however, it does depend on how the carrot is prepared, because heat destroys certain vitamins. (Vitamins that are destroyed by heat are: B-1, B-5, B-6, B-12, B-15, B-17, Folic Acid, C, E, F and P. Fluorine and Potassium are minerals that are susceptible to heat as well.) This shows us that if you do not include raw vegetables and fruits in your diet you could be missing some essential vitamins in your diet.

Some fats are good for you when you keep them in balance. There are two polyunsaturated fats that are very good for you when you know how to use them. They are your Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Each one of these provides a different benefit. Omega 3, assists your body in reducing inflammation. Omega 6, assists your body in creating inflammation. When you think of inflammation you might think it is a bad thing, but in reality, in mild forms, it allows the body to grow and heal.

Fish and flax seed are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Nuts and most oils are a good source of Omega 6 fatty acids. If you do not like eating fish three times a week and you enjoy eating a lot of nuts and fruit then you might benefit from taking a supplement of fish or flax seed oil. In this case fish oil is the best choice. Are you allergic to fish oil? Then try flax seed oil. Remember that the key to health is balance, not excess, when it comes to our lifestyle.

How you take your vitamin supplements makes a difference on the effectiveness of them. Remember that there are fat and water soluble vitamins. (Fat soluble vitamins are: A, D, E, and K. Water soluble are: B2, B3, B12, and C.) It is important to take fat soluble vitamins with fat. Do not take vitamins alone without food. Water soluble vitamins are easily flushed out of the body, so if the body can not use them, like excess vitamin B and C, they are simply sent down the drain.

Not all vitamins are safe when taken in excess. Vitamin B3 – Niacin can create adverse reactions in the body like nausea, vomiting, headaches, abdominal cramps, liver damage and gouty arthritis. Other vitamins that have a toxicity level are: A, C, D, and in some infants K.

Your best and safest way to ensure you are getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals is to keep a well balanced diet. Take advice from the Magi of ancient times and keep your diet colorful with plenty of raw foods. If you have doubts about your diet ask a professional to examine your diet to make recommendations. In most cases a simple multivitamin that does not contain iron will be a good choice. The actual requirements that your body has for certain vitamins is low, so mega-dosing on vitamin B, for example, provides you with no real health value at all, in most cases.

There are always exceptions to the rules on vitamins. If you are over 50 or have digestion issues then increasing your vitamin D is a good idea. If you are experiencing other dis-ease in the body, a professional might increase certain vitamins and minerals that can assist the body in healing itself. Seek a professional to get the right combinations and recommendations in these cases. Just knowing what foods to eat and how to prepare them can allow you to get as many vitamins as you need. Remember that the purpose of a product is to sell you on what it might do. It is the fine print that allows companies to do this.

There is no better product out there than whole food to live a healthier lifestyle. Our bodies are meant to live in balance, so learn how to balance your lifestyle and save your money. You can spend it on something that you really will enjoy later.

Mystically yours,

Michael Holt, Ph.D.
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine