Move your body
You really need to focus on getting up and moving your body to burn excess
calories. You can start off by going for a casual walk. Try to walk 1 mile
with a friend. Work your way up to several miles per day and you will be
amazed how great you feel. You can also try doing sports or activities which
are entertaining and provide a great workout. Start playing tennis,
racquetball, or golf (walking). By moving your body and exercising
regularly, you will increase your ability to lose weight and keep it off.
Cut out the cheese
Cheese contains a very large amount of saturated fat and is very high in
calories. Each gram of fat contains over twice the amount of calories compared
to protein and carbohydrates (fat has 9 calories per gram compared to 4
calories per gram for carbs and protein). A small cube of cheese has the
same calories as several cups of broccoli. If you can cut out the cheese on
your sandwiches and salads, you will drastically cut down on the overall
calories in your meal. If you have to have your cheese from time to time,
you can choose a non-fat version which will help cut down on the overall
calories. Unfortunately, many restaurants don't carry low-fat versions so it’s
probably best to hold the cheese when dining out.
Say no to mayo
As with cheese, mayonnaise is another calorie killer. It contains a very high
amount of fat and calories per serving. If you can hold the mayo on your
sandwiches, you will drastically cut your calories consumed per meal.
Instead of mayo on your favorite sandwich, try adding a low-calorie
alternative like spicy mustard. You can also choose the fat-free version of
mayonnaise which contains far fewer calories per serving than the regular
kind.
Dine out correctly
Dining out can make or break you when it comes to trying to eat healthy and
losing weight. A few calorie killers are bread and butter. Since it’s free, you
may think you should eat endless amounts. Well, think again because this
will ruin any hopes of dining healthy. Keep temptation away by asking your
server to remove the bread basket from the table. Another great calorie saver
is to stay away from any food which is cooked with batter. Ask to have the
meal broiled, roasted, or grilled with olive oil instead of butter and you will
save hundreds of calories in no time.
Hold the butter
Many restaurants add butter to the majority of their meals. Butter adds a lot
of flavor to foods but is a calorie killer! You would be surprised at just how
many restaurant dishes contain butter. Even the "healthy" choices they list
such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or vegetables may contain loads of butter. Be
a smart eater and simply ask the server if the dish is cooked with butter. If
so, ask to have it "dry" and hold the butter.
Make a grocery list
Before going grocery shopping, make a detailed grocery list of everything
you need and stick to it. Write down all the healthy foods you need such as
lean proteins (chicken breast, turkey breast, fish, egg whites), healthy
carbohydrates (whole wheat bread, brown rice, sweet potatoes, black beans),
fruits (apples, strawberries, oranges, watermelon) and vegetables (broccoli,
mushrooms, zucchini, green beans, squash, romaine lettuce). If you like to
add dressings or marinade, make healthy choices like Walden Farms no-calorie
salad dressings and low-carb marinades/sauces like Lawry's Carb
Options. By writing a detailed grocery list, it will be much easier for you to
stick with healthy food choices and avoid making impulse buys like candy,
chips and unhealthy foods.
Eat before shopping
Eat a healthy meal before you go grocery shopping. This will provide you
will a full stomach of nutritious foods and keep you satisfied when you
venture into a store with many temptations. A pre-shopping meal will help
you avoid making the bad choices you may choose if you're very hungry and
have a hard time avoiding sweet or salty temptations. Another great tip is to
take a protein smoothie with you to the grocery store and walk around
sipping on this delicious treat. Using a blender, add 2 cups of Carb
Countdown milk, 1 scoop of protein powder, 1 cup of your favorite fruit, and
some ice. This smoothie will cure your sweet tooth and keep you busy while
passing all of the tempting aisles of unhealthy foods.
Shop the outer perimeter
The grocery store is strategically designed to make you purchase items you
may not need. Ever wonder why the milk and eggs are positioned way in
the back of the store. It’s designed that way to make you walk through the
entire store before picking up these core items. While walking past hundreds of other items, most people will see many things they think they need, or
even worse, they will make impulse buys which include unhealthy items like
sweets (candy, cake, donuts) and salty foods (chips, crackers). Try and focus
on shopping the outer perimeter of the store.
These are the outer corners which
include the produce section, meat/poultry/fish areas, and milk/eggs sections.
While walking through the grocery store, look around you and consciously
think about the way the store is set up and the number of unhealthy food
choices available to wreak havoc on your weight loss plan. Once you
understand how you're really trying to be "trained" into making bad choices,
you will start realizing how you should overcome this and be focused on
making healthy food choices for a healthy lifestyle!
Watch those portions
Portion control is extremely important when it comes to losing weight. With
all of the super-size portions out there, it’s very hard to really understand
what the correct portion size is. A good rule of thumb for your protein needs
when eating meat/poultry/fish is to choose a portion size that is equivalent to
the size of a deck of cards. When eating out, if it looks too large then it probably
is. Simply eat a small portion and take the rest home for another meal. By
controlling your portion sizes, you will be able to condition your mind and
stomach into learning what the correct amount of food is. This is crucial for
creating new habits and following a healthy nutritional plan.
Eat negative calorie foods
Although no food is actually "negative calorie", there are certain foods that
have such few calories that the act of digestion in the body will burn more
calories than the food itself, creating a negative calorie balance. Typically, a
25 calorie piece of broccoli (100 grams) requires 80 calories to digest in
the body which results in a net loss of 55 calories! Some great foods which
are extremely low in calories and require lots of energy for the body to break
down include asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, and
zucchini. These are great foods to include in your weight loss plan.
Build calorie-burning muscle
Muscle is the most metabolically active tissue in your body and it's your
"furnace" for burning calories throughout the day. If you can add 1 extra
pound of muscle, it will burn about 50 extra calories a day! It’s very
important to include some type of strength training routine into your overall
fitness plan.
Set short term goals
Short-term goals are important for developing a solid weight loss program.
By setting short-term goals, you will have the framework to follow so you
can make small changes in your daily routine which will develop into
healthy habits to last a lifetime. Focus on a weekly goal of losing 1 pound of
body fat. This is the healthiest amount of weight loss per week and is the
correct level to make sure you're burning body fat. To reach this 1 pound
weight loss per week, focus on creating a 500 calorie deficit in your overall
calories every day. You can create this 500 calorie deficit through exercise
or through your diet. Try to use a combination of both for the best results! At
the end of the week, check in to weigh yourself and take your body
measurements. You should also take photographs of yourself to document
how you look.
Don’t get discouraged
Remember that it didn't take 2 weeks to pack on those extra 20 pounds, so it
definitely will not take only 2 weeks to lose them! Focus on a solid
fitness/nutrition plan and adhere to it for at least 8-12 weeks. When you first
start out, you should expect your body to really resist change to some
degree. Trust your plan and don't be discouraged if you're not losing weight
fast enough. Your body will eventually switch into a fat-burning mode. Be
patient and the results will show!
The mirror doesn’t lie
Use the mirror to check your progress. Simply get into your underwear or
swimsuit and stand in front of the mirror. Look closely at your trouble areas
which tend to hold large amounts of body fat like the hips and thighs for
women and the abdomen for men. Although the scale may not show any
weight loss, you very well may have added lean muscle to your body. The
mirror will show you an accurate reflection of a tighter and toned body
which is the result of adding muscle mass to your physique.
Monitor your body fat
You will work very hard exercising and sticking to a healthy diet, so make
sure you monitor your body fat levels to be positive that you are truly losing
unwanted adipose tissue (body fat) and not hard-earned muscle tissue. Have
a professional test your body fat with either hydrostatic weighting
(underwater) or with bioelectrical impedance (sensors). These will give you a very accurate measure of your current body fat percentage and will provide
instant feedback on your overall weight loss plan.
Keep a diet journal
One of the most important aspects of losing weight is keeping a diet journal.
Diet journals allow you to keep a detailed record and track everything you
put into your mouth. You will gain an immediate consciousness of your
eating habits. Your diet journal will keep track of how many meals you eat
every day, the size of your meals, and when each meal is consumed. Are you
a late-night eater? How about an afternoon binge eater? Your diet journal
will provide a wealth of information to learn from.
Along with recording all of the foods you eat, your diet journal should also
contain your feelings, thoughts, and reactions to each meal. Were you
actually hungry when you ate or just bored? Did you eat because you were
happy, sad, or frustrated? Did you feel anxious or rushed during a meal?
Also, make sure to record how you felt after you ate your meal. Did you feel
tired and lethargic? These are extremely important points to document when
keeping your diet journal. It's amazing how much you will learn by
recording these dietary events and using this tool is crucial for permanent
weight loss!
HB-5 is a dietary supplement that aims to correct five hormonal blocks that make it nearly impossible to lose weight. According to the official website, to achieve desirable weight loss, HB-5 was formulated by using all-natural ingredients, namely, in the form of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and plants. Based on the sales page, naturopathic doctor Dr. Eric Wood plays a fundamental role in this supplement’s entirety, which, when taken as directed, can reverse the effects of a sluggish metabolism, fat accumulation, brain fog, and fluctuations in mood, among others.
Weight management is one area that many people tend to emphasize at some point in life. As people age, their lifestyle choices, food consumption, body, and hormones undergo significant changes. Subsequently, one’s weight might be negatively impacted. The fact that certain hormones have the ability to determine one’s weight loss endeavor is not new, seeing that many supplements today aim to rectify the effects of a particular hormone.
However, we recently came across Hormonal Harmony Labs, a company that affirms that not one but five hormones need to be in check to stimulate a healthy weight loss response. The team went on to make the case that their solution is all it takes to revamp the metabolism and ensure the healthy functioning of the body. Without further ado, here’s a compilation of information on “HB-5”, namely, in terms of its purpose, pros, and cons, and financial aspects, among others.
How does HB-5 work?
As hinted above, HB-5 works to address the overall function of five hormones. According to Dr. Wood, the first hormone that needs emphasis is the thyroid gland, which is deemed crucial in controlling the metabolism. Dr. Wood made the case that it “turns calories and fat into energy, then sends this energy to your cells, where it’s used to perform all kinds of essential functions that keep you healthy.” Given its impact on metabolism, it clearly needs to function properly.
Up next on the list is the cortisol hormone, also referred to as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol levels are higher when individuals experience stress. This gives rise to what Dr. Wood denotes as the “survival mode,” where the brain halts the metabolism, digestion, and other aspects of the body. The latter is said to occur because the brain is incapable of differentiating between harmful and harmless stress.
Whether the above reasoning makes sense is somewhat questionable. However, the cortisol hormone does appear to interact with the thyroid hormone. That is, if cortisol levels are high, then thyroid levels will below. As a consequence, consumers might experience a hit on their metabolic rates.
The third hormone is called estrogen, a sex hormone that is commonly found in women (at higher levels) than in men. When estrogen levels are inconsistent and do not align with progesterone (i.e., the female reproductive hormone), weight loss resistance takes place, writes Dr. Wood. According to existing research, estrogen maintains glucose and lipid metabolism. When levels are low, women can expect an increase in weight gain. This is most common when women undergo menopause.
It is also important to mention that these fluctuations typically take place at different stages in life [1].
Following suit is the insulin hormone, which is produced by the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for informing the cells and bodily organs that their energy sources are available for ingestion. When these components fail to respond to the hormone’s calls, the brain takes it to low insulin levels. Unfortunately, an excessive increase in insulin levels can possibly lead to heart disease, weight gain, and at some point, obesity.
Finally, HB-5 aims to rectify the leptin hormone. Leptin is a hormone that informs the brain of fullness. When leptin levels are too high, the human body once again takes a hit. Specifically, the brain stops acknowledging the hormone’s messages. The fact that they aren’t taken into account (which might have to do with the brain’s inability to recognize them) means that the brain thinks more food is needed. As a result, individuals are left eating more often and experience a whirlpool of cravings.
What ingredients are inside HB-5?
The HB-5 formula paints a picture of the impact that vitamins, minerals, plants, and herbs can have on creating balance among the five hormones listed previously. So far, we have some sense of what constitutes this formula, however, the exact breakdown (in terms of concentrations) has not been disclosed. Nonetheless, below is a summary of each ingredient:
Kelp & Bladderwrack
Kelp is a type of brown seaweed found in coastal fronts across the globe. One study that looked at the effect of two different supplemental kelp doses on the thyroid function found that thyroid-stimulating hormones were significantly different between those who ingested high- and low-concentrated kelp supplementations. All-in-all, the researchers concluded that short-term dietary supplementation with kelp might significantly increase both basal and post-stimulation TSH [2]. Bladderwrack is another source of seaweed that allegedly works in the same way as kelp.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral critical for the maintenance of over 300 enzymes in the body. As for its association with the thyroid function, some studies were able to show that a magnesium deficiency can increase thyroid antibody levels [3]. Interestingly, it has also been reported that high levels of these antibodies can develop thyroid diseases triggered by the immune system [4].
Zinc
Zinc is an essential nutrient that supports the immune system and the metabolism function. A study that aimed to investigate the effects of zinc supplementation on plasma zinc, serum ferritin plasma total triiodothyronine, thyroxine (T3 and T4) concluded that zinc “appeared to have a favorable effect on thyroid hormone levels [5].”
Selenium
Selenium is a type of antioxidant, which means that it can free foreign invaders’ body while boosting the immune system. As for its link to the thyroid function, this respective antioxidant is deemed essential for thyroid hormone production. Moreover, it may help protect the thyroid from damages caused by oxidative stress [6].
Copper
When a mineral-like copper is combined with selenium and zinc, one can anticipate improved thyroid function. One review noted that copper ingestion can lead to increases in free and total triiodothyronine, both of which are positive indicators of thyroid function [7]. The duo is also trusted to increase metabolic rates, produce energy, and possibly stimulate weight loss [8].
Manganese
Manganese is a trace mineral that is trusted to make a positive difference in small quantities. Some of its benefits include digesting amino acids (i.e., building blocks of protein) and regulating cholesterol, glucose, and carbohydrate levels, among others. At the time of writing, research suggests that manganese might directly and/or indirectly affect thyroid function. Authors of a particular review also noted that while it is unclear how the duo exactly works together, one way for the relationship to hold might be because of the trace mineral’s contribution towards increased dopamine levels, which in turn affects thyroid hormone homeostasis [9].
Vitamin B12
The final ingredient that is said to boost thyroid function is vitamin B12. Existing studies have since reported that the duo is linked. Namely, a deficiency in vitamin B12 has become common among patients with autoimmune thyroid [10].
Rhodiola Rosea Extract
Rhodiola Rosea is a perennial flowering plant classified under the family of Crassulaceae. It appears to be liked for its adaptogenic properties, which means that it may support the body to respond efficiently to stress (i.e., physical, chemical, emotional, or environmental). To confirm the relationship between Rhodiola Rosea and the cortisol hormone, a team of researchers administered 576mg extract and a placebo to two different groups. In the end, the team shared that “the repeated administration of R. ROSEA extract SHR-5 exerts an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental performance […] and decreases cortisol response to awakening stress in burnout patients with fatigue syndrome [11].”
Red Ginseng
Commonly known as Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, or Panax ginseng, red ginseng is a plant that flourishes in Asia. Its benefits might reduce inflammation, promote brain function, and boost the immune system, to name the least [12]. One review revealed that “ginseng provides a potential approach to regaining homeostasis after abnormal physiological changes caused by the stress of everyday life.” That said, more studies on this link are needed, as it could promote a better understanding of the extent to which positive results can be witnessed [13].
Diindolylmethane
Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a metabolite of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that is found in cruciferous vegetables. A phase I clinical trial composed of patients with thyroid proliferative disease (TPD) appears to have found significant results. To be precise, the patients were administered 300mg of DIM per day for two weeks. Within this short period of time, DIM was found to act as an antiestrogenic dietary supplement to help reduce the risk of developing TPD [14].
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that has been proven to improve insulin resistance, inflammation, decreased antioxidant activity, and increased weight gain. A review that assessed the effectiveness of cinnamon was able to conclude (after going over in vitro studies) that certain components of cinnamon “may be important in the alleviation and prevention of the signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular and related diseases [15].”
African Mango
The African mango (i.e., Irvingia Gabonensis), which as the name hints, is native to West Africa, has become the center of attention because of its nutrient-dense seeds. In fact, it is said to contain a rich source of fiber, possibly leading to an increase in satiety and weight loss results. As far as research goes, a handful of studies that looked at the relationship between African mango and leptin sensitivity were able to show that the former might decrease leptin levels. This is deemed favorable in cases of leptin sensitivity [16].
How should HB-5 be taken?
Since each HB-5 container is meant to last one month and contains 90 capsules, one serving of 3 capsules per day should be ingested. For clearer instructions, customer service should be contacted.
How long will it take to receive HB-5?
As listed on the “FAQs” of the sales page, shipping takes about three to five business days, and a receipt of the order summary will be emailed as soon as possible. Bear in mind that this delivery time might only be associated with orders placed within the U.S. and not necessarily elsewhere.
What if HB-5 does not work as expected?
HB-5 has been backed by a 180-day, 100% money-back guarantee. To find out more about the refund procedures, consider the following means of communication:
Email: support@hormonalharmony.com
Mailing Address: Hormonal Harmony LLC, 66 W Flagler, Street STE 900, Miami, FL 33130
Return Address: 1140 South Highbrook, Akron, OH, 44301
Customer support number: 1 (561) 468-3108
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