What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Definition of Metabolic Syndrome:

Metabolic Syndrome is a name that is given to a list of risk factors that can increase a person’s chance of having a chronic illness such as heart disease or diabetes. If a doctor tells you that you have metabolic syndrome, it means at least 3 of the following are applicable to you:

1. you carry excess weight in your belly – not your hips or thighs, but belly fat
2. you have a low HDL level
3. you have high triglycerides (blood fat)
4. higher fasting blood sugar level
5. higher blood pressure

People can develop this due to lack of adequate physical activity, poor diet, and weight gain. Insulin resistance is also a factor. This is where the body resists the hormone insulin and doesn’t respond to it, so glucose levels stay too high. This can lead to type-2 diabetes.

Cheering Up Mia!

Juan is helping Mia M. with her exercise routine. Mia showed me band aids on two fingers from pricking and measuring her blood sugar. She said, "You are cheering me up this morning, because I sure don't like pricking my fingers!" A good reason to stick with the BALANCE program!

GO Sharon!

Sharon W. working out this morning with personal trainer, Juan.

Sharon tells us that her blood sugar in the morning typically reads 125. Today, it was 113!
She attributes the change from eliminating sugary root vegetables from her diet, like carrots and potatoes, and substituting quinoa grains and green vegetables, instead.

Congratulations, Sharon! =)

Easy Breakfast

Here is another idea for a BALANCE breakfast, super easy! Scramble up 2 or 3 eggs, serve with slices of 1/2 or a whole avocado. Avocado is a form of healthy fat, which is very filling. It is mono unsaturated fat similar to olive oil. It stabilizes blood sugar and for diabetics, helps your tissues use blood sugar more easily!

Hot sauce spices it up and speeds up your metabolism for burning fat. We also like Herbamare, a wonderful celtic sea salt and herb mix!

Throw out your cereal and start eating a hot breakfast every day!

Welcome To BALANCE USA!

This is the official Blog of the BALANCE USA American Trials. We believe this will be a place where trial participants can share your successes. Here you will also seek encouraging words when you are needing them most. Please post your Before Photo as your first blog post, and maybe your goal picture, too!

We hope this blog will also encourage others who are not participating in the trial! Please check in occasionally to see the latest trial happenings!

For those of you who are visting, BALANCE is a lifestyle change program, designed to help those at risk for Type 2 Diabetes, and those who already have Diabetes.

BALANCE will impart scientific knowledge that will enable participants to make lasting and significant changes to their lifestyle. Regular exercise and dietary changes can transform a diabetic into a healthy person, no longer needing medication. The key is understanding the science behind how our bodies work. Once you have the correct knowledge, it is easy to maintain new habits. BALANCE is a program which orginated in Germany, and is the brainchild of Dr. Chalid Ashry. By the way, the BALANCE slogan is Enjoyment in Motion! So get ready to move!