Published: October 08, 2008 10:50 am         

Secret behind Gena Hill’s ife changing success

On Feb. 20, Gena Hill, who had already partnered up with a great trainer Britt Barnes, joined forces with TEAM PIERCE for nutritional guidance.

Hill, who recently participated in “People Magazine” and ABC Television’s “Half Their Size: The Mississippi 8” documentary.

What you may not know is the fact the Gena lost 66 pounds and 27 percent of her bodyweight while totally transforming her life, via long distance, here’s how we did it!



STEP 1:

I immediately shipped Gena my two-hour LIVE audio CD “Transforming Lives: The Nutrition Edition” and a copy of my book, “On Earth as it is in Heaven: Knowledge and Wisdom for the Road Less Traveled.”

Because she is in Mississippi and we are in Arizona, I knew that it would be important for her to get the positive energy and sound nutritional guidance in her hands.

We also made plans to connect in person at least once during this process.



PROGRAMMING SUCCESS:

We felt this journey was not really just about losing weight; we wanted Gena to experience an overall “Life Transformation.”

We emphasized to her that only when you begin to reprogram your mind will you be able to reach your ultimate destiny.

When you learn how to identify old negative habits and get rid of them then replace them with positive habits you will be able to achieve whatever you want to in life.

Weight loss is really NOT just about nutrition and exercise…you have to have the proper mindset.



SMALL FREQUENT MEALS:

Research shows that consuming several healthy intakes spread out over 2-4 hour increments, in addition to exercise, can lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar levels and increase metabolism. We advised to consume at least 6 intakes each day. This allowed her to feel great while assuring that she would use her calories verses storing them.



THE PLATE METHOD:

We taught Gena “survival skills” by implementing “The Plate Method” for lunch and the evening meal. Here’s how it works: Start by reserving 1/2 of the plate for non-starchy vegetables like green beans, salad greens, and cucumbers. A quarter of the plate is comprised of lean protein like a 3oz piece of skinless grilled chicken about the size of a brand new deck of cards. The other quarter goes to a 1/2 cup of starchy vegetables. On the side try a cup-sized portion of fresh fruit salad and six-ounce serving of light yogurt. If the meal is super low in fat add a few nuts, seeds, or a one to two teaspoons of healthy oil to your veggies for the benefits of unsaturated fat.

The order that you consume your meal is also important. To lower the glycemic impact of a meal eat your fibrous veggies, protein, and fats first and ALWAYS save your carbohydrates for last. This will help manage blood sugar levels and provide you with a sustained source of energy for 2-4 hours.



WATER FOR

WEIGHT-LOSS:

Seventy percent of your body, 83 percent of your blood, and 90 percent of your cells are made of water, it’s vital that you stay well hydrated. One study suggests that drinking just over a quart a day extra increases calorie expenditure by 3,000 calories each month and in a year’s time this could help you lose over 10 pounds. At the minimum, we had Gena drink 64 ounces a day or at least 1/2 of her bodyweight in ounces.



MEASURING PROGRESS:

We told Gena to hit the scale once a week, weighing in more often will only distract you from your game plan. We were aiming for a loss of one to two pounds a week, the slower the better; this assures that she would maintain muscle mass while shedding body fat. We also had her measure inches on multiple body sites which is often a more accurate representation on loss then weight alone. We had her keep records to note her progress celebrating every victory!



CONCLUSION:

Take the following inspiration from Gena’s success: If one can do it so can another! Set your mind, follow these guidelines, exercise five to seven days a week at moderate to high intensity for 30-45 minutes and most importantly enjoy the journey!



Dino Paul Pierce, CFT, CPT, RD, CDE is a registered dietitian, sports nutritionist, and a certified diabetes educator.

For more information or to contact Dino visit www.TEAMPIERCE.us