Starting a weight loss journey and aiming to achieve your desired body fat percentage is a powerful and transformative decision. For women seeking to reach their fitness goals, the path to 20% body fat can be both challenging and rewarding. Fear not, as we’re here to guide you through this empowering journey, providing insights, motivation, and a secret weapon – Herbex Fat Burn Concentrate.

Understanding the Struggle: 

The road to achieving 20% body fat comes with its fair share of challenges. Many women face common struggles, such as slow metabolism, cravings, and a lack of energy. It’s not just about losing weight; it’s about sculpting a healthier and more confident version of yourself.

Solution 1: 

Boost Your Metabolism with Herbex Fat Burn Concentrate. One of the key struggles in losing body fat is a sluggish metabolism. Herbex Fat Burn Concentrate is formulated with herbal ingredients like green tea extract and guarana, known to boost metabolism. This powerful blend helps your body burn more calories throughout the day, making your weight loss journey more efficient.

Solution 2: 

Control Cravings. Naturally Cravings can be a major roadblock in achieving your weight loss and body fat percentage goals. Herbex Fat Burn Concentrate contains ingredients like Garcinia Cambogia, which helps control appetite and reduce cravings. By curbing your desire for unhealthy snacks, you can stay on track and make healthier choices.

Solution 3: 

Sustain Energy Levels. Maintaining high energy levels is crucial for staying active and committed to your fitness routine. Herbex Fat Burn Concentrate includes green tea extract, a natural source of caffeine, providing a sustainable energy boost without the jittery side effects. This ensures you can power through your workouts and daily activities with ease.

Motivation: Your Body, Your Journey Remember, your journey to 20% body fat is unique to you. Celebrate every small victory, stay consistent, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Progress may be slow, but it’s the dedication and perseverance that lead to lasting results. Keep your eyes on the prize – a healthier, more confident you.

Embarking on the path to 20% body fat is a journey filled with self-discovery and empowerment. With Herbex Fat Burn Concentrate as your ally, you can overcome common struggles and reach your goals more efficiently. Your body is capable of amazing transformations, and by staying motivated and consistent, you’ll unlock the best version of yourself.  

Embrace the journey, and let Herbex be your trusted companion in achieving the body you’ve always dreamed of.

What is it?

A weight loss plateau is a temporary stall in your progress, often leaving you feeling frustrated and discouraged. This phase is a natural part of the journey, occurring when your body adapts to the changes you’ve introduced. It’s essential to recognize that this plateau doesn’t define your progress; it’s merely a speed bump on your road to success.

Breaking Through with these Mindful Adjustments:

1. Mix Up Your Routine: Our bodies are clever at adapting. Changing your exercise routine not only keeps things exciting but also challenges your muscles in new ways, potentially reigniting your metabolism.
2. Mindful Eating: Take a closer look at your eating habits. Are portion sizes creeping up? Are you indulging in mindless snacking? Practicing mindful eating helps you reconnect with your body’s cues, leading to better portion control.
3. Stay Hydrated: Water is a powerful ally in weight loss. It helps curb cravings, aids digestion, and supports your metabolism. Aim for at least eight glasses a day.
4. Quality Sleep: Your body needs adequate rest to function optimally. Poor sleep can disrupt hormones that influence hunger and fullness, making it harder to maintain your weight loss journey.
5. Stress Management: High stress levels can hinder your progress. Incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help reduce stress and its impact on your weight loss efforts.

The Herbex Fat Burn Range: your weight loss “spark plug”!

While your commitment and determination are the driving forces behind your weight loss journey, there’s no harm in seeking a little extra support. The Herbex Fat Burn range is packed with Green Tea and Guarana, which will give your sluggish system the extra boost it needs to burn fat! 

Empowerment in Progress

The journey to weight loss is a testament to your strength and resilience. Embrace the plateau as an opportunity for growth, a chance to recalibrate your strategy, and a reminder of your unwavering commitment.

Remember, you are not alone on this journey – countless women are navigating similar paths, facing similar challenges, and celebrating similar victories.  So, keep your chin up, beautiful warrior! By staying mindful of your choices, embracing change, and welcoming support when needed, you’re taking control of your destiny.

The weight loss plateau is just a chapter in your success story – the best is yet to come.

If you’re on a journey to embrace a healthier lifestyle and shed some weight, understanding your body type can help you set realistic goals and adopt strategies that work specifically for you.  

There are three different body types:

1. Ectomomorphs

• The Graceful Gazelles Ectomorphs have a naturally slender and delicate frame, often with long limbs and a fast metabolism.
• Gaining muscle or curves may be a challenge but remember, your body type has incredible strengths too! Your body’s ability to burn calories efficiently means you can maintain a slim figure.
• Focus on a well-balanced diet rich in lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates to support your active lifestyle.
• Strength training exercises can help you sculpt and tone your body, and don’t forget to embrace your elegant figure along the way!

2. Mesomorphs

• The Athletic Powerhouses Mesomorphs are blessed with an athletic build characterised by well-defined muscles, broader shoulders, and a naturally athletic physique.
• If you have this body type, you’re likely to find it easier to gain muscle and maintain a well-proportioned shape.
• Incorporate a combination of strength training and cardio exercises into your routine to enhance your muscular definition while keeping your heart healthy.
• Fuel your body with a balanced diet consisting of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to optimise your performance.
• Remember, your strength and power are something to be celebrated!

3. Endomorphs

• The Curvaceous Queens Endomorphs tend to have a rounder, curvier figure, with a higher body fat percentage.
• If you fall into this category, know that your curves are absolutely beautiful!
• Embrace your natural shape, and focus on achieving optimal health and balance.
• Incorporate regular cardiovascular exercises into your routine to help burn calories and boost your metabolism.
• Combine it with strength training to build lean muscle mass, which can contribute to a more toned appearance.

Remember, health is about feeling good in your own skin, so nourish your body with wholesome foods, including lean proteins, fibrous vegetables, and healthy fats, while practicing self-love along the way. 

Appreciate the uniqueness of your body, celebrate your progress, and most importantly, be proud of who you are. 

You’re on a remarkable path, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Together, let’s cultivate a community of empowered women who uplift and inspire each other on their wellness journeys.

Embarking on a weight loss journey requires not only physical changes but also a strong and positive mindset. As a woman striving to shed extra kilos, it’s crucial to cultivate a healthy and sustainable approach towards weight loss. By focusing on your mindset, you can empower yourself to make lasting changes and achieve your goals.

Here are five essential tips to help you develop a weight loss mindset:

1. Set Realistic and Attainable Goal

When setting weight loss goals, it’s important to be realistic and avoid setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead of fixating on a specific number on the scale, aim to improve your overall health and well-being. Set achievable short-term goals, such as incorporating healthier eating habits or increasing physical activity gradually. Celebrate each milestone along the way to maintain motivation and stay committed to your journey.

2. Embrace a Positive Self-Image

A healthy weight loss mindset requires self-love and acceptance. Embrace your body at every stage of the journey and appreciate its strength and capabilities. Focus on the positive changes you’re making rather than dwelling on imperfections. Surround yourself with supportive and uplifting individuals who encourage your progress and remind you of your worth beyond your appearance.

3. Cultivate a Balanced Approach

Avoid falling into the trap of fad diets or extreme measures that promise quick results. Instead, adopt a balanced approach to weight loss that includes a nutritious and well-rounded diet. Incorporate a variety of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Make gradual changes to your eating habits and allow yourself occasional treats to avoid feeling deprived. Remember, sustainable weight loss is a journey, not a race.

4. Practice Mindful Eating

Mindful eating involves paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues while enjoying your meals. Slow down and savour each bite, focusing on the flavours and textures. This practice helps you develop a better relationship with food, making it easier to make healthier choices and prevent overeating. Avoid distractions, such as screens or stressful environments, during meal times to fully engage in the experience.

5. Prioritise Self-Care and Stress Management

Weight loss isn’t just about physical changes; it’s about holistic well-being. Prioritise self-care activities that nourish your body, mind, and soul. Engage in regular physical activity that you enjoy, whether it’s walking, dancing, or practicing yoga. Get sufficient sleep to support your body’s natural processes and reduce stress levels. Find stress management techniques that work for you, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or journaling.

Conclusion

Developing a weight loss mindset is crucial for women seeking to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way. By setting realistic goals, embracing a positive self-image, adopting a balanced approach, practicing mindful eating, and prioritising self-care, you’ll create a solid foundation for your weight loss journey. Remember, progress takes time, so be patient, stay consistent, and celebrate every step forward. With a positive mindset, you can achieve your weight loss goals while nurturing a healthier and happier you.

Before embarking on any drastic changes in your lifestyle remember to consult your healthcare practitioner, especially if you have a medical history that may be cause for any concern. Also, remember to stretch and warm up before any exercise and cool down properly afterwards to help prevent injury.

Here are some of the easiest and most popular forms of exercise, no matter your age or fitness level:

Walking

We are walking less every year yet the benefits are tremendous. Walking improves the condition of your heart and lungs (cardiovascular fitness) and works the muscles of the lower body. It’s a weight-bearing activity, so it may improve bone density, yet it’s also low impact, putting less stress on the joints than some other forms of exercise.

Jogging/Running

As long as you’re healthy and take it easy to start with, anyone can run. It is arguably one of the most accessible and therefore the most popular form of exercise in the world. As a high-impact activity, running can increase bone density, but it can also put more stress on your joints than lower impact activities such as walking and cycling, especially if you’re overweight.

Swimming

Swimming is a great way to tone up and trim down and is an effective fat-burning exercise. Just swimming a few lengths involves most of the major muscle groups, giving your body a good workout. Water supports your weight and takes the stress off your joints. This can also make it a great exercise if you’re recovering from an injury that means you can’t run or play your normal sport.

Cycling

Many of the short trips we make by car are ideal for a quick spin on the bike, plus you’ll be helping to protect the environment. Cycling promotes a healthy heart and burns about 300 calories an hour, so if you do it twice a day, the numbers soon add up. It’s also good for people with certain bone and joint problems because it puts very little pressure on them.

Dancing

Dancing is largely an aerobic activity that improves the condition of the heart and lungs, as well as testing your balance. To dance for any length of time also requires muscular endurance and motor fitness.

The only thing required is to enjoy moving to music, so dancing is suitable for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. As well as keeping you fit, something like a salsa class is an easy way of meeting other people.

Team Sports

If high social interaction and competitiveness is your ‘thing’, why not join a local team? There are clubs that offer soccer, softball, basketball, indoor cricket, volleyball – the list goes on. Leagues are organised through sports and social clubs, health clubs, schools and businesses. Ask if your office or local pub has a team! They are usually accessible to players of all levels, from social to professional and varying degrees of fitness are required, but these sports will usually encourage high levels of aerobic fitness.

A brief lesson in how hormones work in regulating our blood glucose

Though most often associated with diabetes, the hormone insulin is a big contributor in maintaining a healthy weight. To put it simply, the way it works is this: After you eat, the sugar (glucose) from the food enters the bloodstream. The pancreas then produces insulin whose job is to move the sugar from the bloodstream to the cells where it is converted into energy. If this energy is not used up (when you’ve had a day-long Netflix marathon for example), this excess sugar is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen until such time as the body needs it. A different hormone, glucagon is released when your blood sugar levels are low (such as at night when you’re sleeping or when you’ve been exercising) and converts the stored glycogen back into glucose and releases it back into the bloodstream to be used as energy. But if there is an excess of glycogen in the liver and muscles, this is then stored in the fat cells as triglycerides – and you put on weight. On the other hand, when your glycogen is all used up, your body taps into your fat stores. The result? Weight loss.

Problems creep in when your blood sugar is too high, and your levels of insulin are chronically high. This can often lead to you becoming insulin resistant which means your body stops responding to insulin. It’s a vicious cycle because, with the increase in blood sugar, the pancreas produces more and more insulin to try and move it into the cells, but being insulin resistant, the body can’t covert this sugar into energy, which results in weight gain.

So hence, the role of insulin and glucagon have a complex balancing act to play in regulating blood sugar levels, and if you don’t keep them in check, your insulin production will go into overdrive and your weight will suffer, not to mention put you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Tips for regulating your blood sugar balance

While everybody’s body is uniquely different, there are certain lifestyle tips one can do to help keep your blood sugar levels in check:

• Exercise regularly: Exercise uses the blood sugar for energy and uses the glycogen stored in the muscles as fuel. It also helps maintain a healthy weight which prevents insulin resistance.
• Include strength training in your exercise routine: Strength training improves heart health, builds muscle and prevents muscle loss, as well as boosts bone density, all of which improves insulin health and lowers high blood sugar levels.
• Eat a healthy diet of with plenty of fibre, healthy fats and whole grains: These all slow carb digestion and sugar absorption, and keep you fuller for longer.
• Manage your carb intake: Too many carbohydrates can cause the delicate balance of insulin production and blood glucose levels to go into overdrive, so try focus on a low carb diet.
• Eat small portions throughout the day: Not only does this keep your blood sugar levels stable, but portion control can also help maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a balanced diet of protein, fat and carbs: Protein builds muscle, fat assists in the absorption of vitamins and carbohydrates sustain energy. Try and eat a combination of all three in one meal. (eg Greek yoghurt and oats, crackers, cheese and avocado, pasta and protein)
• Eliminate stress: Stress triggers a “fight or flight response” which causes the body to produce glucagon and cortisol, both of which cause blood sugar levels to rise.
• Choose food with a low GI: Foods with a low glycemic index such as non-starchy vegetables, oats, yoghurt, lentils slow the digestive process down which in turn reduces blood sugar levels.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will flush out the excess sugar through your urine.
• Eat meals at set times: Studies have found that men at risk of type 2 diabetes benefitted from restricting all their eating into a nine-hour timeframe. (For example between 11am and 8pm). We suggest consulting a nutritionist for further guidance on restricted eating.
• Take a supplement: Supplements can assist with balancing blood sugar levels and curb cravings.

What NOT to do

Whatever you do, don’t starve yourself. Skipping meals will simply lead to higher blood glucose levels, slowed metabolism and ultimately weight gain.

Herbex Blood Sugar Balance

Herbex has recently launched Blood Sugar balance comprising the actives, Gynema sylvestre and Chromium polynicotinate, both of which help balance blood sugar levels. Gynema sylvestre is a plant also known to fight sugar cravings and may increase insulin production. Chromium polynicotinate is an essential trace mineral which helps with the absorption of chromium and helps the body to metabolise carbohydrates and fats.

Take two tablets midday, after lunch.

Available from Clicks.

Have you seen our NEW Herbex TV commercial?  

This is what it says:

“Research shows that 7 out of 10 woman and 3 out of 10 men are seriously overweight.

If you are 20 kilograms overweight, you carry the equivalent of 40 bricks of butter on your body.

This fat packs around your organs and can pose serious health risks.       

But you can start losing weight today.

By simply finding what works for you,

becoming more active,

making changes to your diet,

and believing that you can do it.

Herbex, we believe in you!”

In this TV commercial,  we wanted to share some eye opening facts with you and to highlight the health risks of carrying extra weight. 

Our aim was to practically show you what 20kgs extra weight could look like outside of the body;  and we used 40 bricks of butter to do just that!! 

We also wanted to offer some practical lifestyle advice to help you live healthier and feel amazing!    

And we share some product information in a shorter TVC, where we recommend a product to help you achieve your weight loss goals!!

Let us know what you think!

We would love to hear your thoughts!

The HERBEX TEAM

Warm up your breakfast

Cold cereal on a chilly morning is not very appealing. Warm-up from the inside with a steamy bowl of oats topped with flaxseed instead. Simply eating breakfast can boost your metabolism by as much as 10%, and oats, in particular, can make your body burn up to 30% more calories. That’s because digesting all that fiber takes such a long time.

Stay under the covers

Look no further for a reason to stay in bed for longer – too little sleep can mess up your metabolism. Studies found that even short-term sleep deprivation can make healthy people process sugar as if they were diabetic. People who were restricted to four hours of sleep a night metabolised glucose 40% slower than when they got 8 hours of sleep, but the effects were reversed after they rested up.

Don’t skip your workout

Sticking to your workout routine in winter is really hard, but consistent activity is one of the most important things to keep your metabolism buzzing. To fight off winter laziness, take advantage of indoor activities like spinning classes, Zumba or pilates. You can even turn your living area into a workout zone by following exercise tapes or bodyweight exercise programmes.

Keep your water bottle close

It’s easy to remember when you’re sweating in the heat, but it’s just as important to get your eight glasses of water a day in winter. Being mildly dehydrated can slow your metabolism by up to 3%. Why? Experts believe that the rate at which your cells metabolise fat has to do with their size, and when they shrink from dehydration they become less effective.

Lay off the booze

Keep in mind that alcohol not only adds empty kilojoules to your diet, but also slows down your body’s fat-burning capabilities. In fact, a study found that drinking can slow your metabolism by as much as 73%. Plus, most people don’t make the best decisions about food when drinking and tend to skip their workout the next day.

Get enough Vitamin C

Citrus fruits are not only delicious, they’re packed with Vitamin C, which has been proven as a necessary nutrient to keep your metabolism humming. In fact, research shows that low levels of Vitamin C can slow your fat burn by as much as 25%.

Get your Omega 3s in

Fight off the winter blues with the mood-boosting power of Omega 3s in fish oil and get the added bonus of giving your metabolism a lift. Australian researchers found that in combination with exercise, fish oil can increase the activity of enzymes responsible for fat oxidation.

Sweat it out in a sauna

Saunas are great for detoxing, since they make your body sweat out a lot of toxins. Spending time in a sauna is also great for fat loss, since it increases your energy output and raises metabolism.

The obesity rate is at its worst in human history, especially in South Africa. About 30% of the world’s population is currently overweight. Not only have statistics revealed that 82% of South African women over the age of 45 are overweight, but 40% of all South African men over the age of 35 are also overweight. If that’s not enough – South African young children, tweens, and teens are not very far behind

 Is being overweight ruining your life? Did you know that South Africa is the fattest nation in Sub-Saharan Africa? According to the latest statistics conducted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Statistics South Africa, and the Department of Health, the South African obesity rate has tripled over the past decade.

Where Are South Africans Going Wrong?

Being overweight or obese has now been listed as a chronic disease caused by a combination of environmental, genetic, and personal factors. But, if you want the honest brutal truth, high-carbohydrate diets are the real problem. We’ve entered the fast-food generation, where convenience and temptation have never been greater. Today’s diets are laced with sugar, MSG, artificial colourants and flavours, chemical fillers, GMOs, preservatives, additives, trans fats, and limited amounts of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. There you have it – South Africa has been hypnotised by the processed food epidemic. Unfortunately, to make matters worse, junk foods are cheaper than healthy foods.

It’s not healthy being overweight, and although for some it is unavoidable, for others, it is optional. When you are overweight, you carry a higher-than-average risk of 50 different serious health issues. In fact, excess fat does much more than increase your weight, it compromises your life. A Harvard study that combined data from more than 50 000 men and more than 120 000 women revealed some sobering statistics about the negative health effects of being overweight. Below, we’ve listed a few:

• Asthma
• Body image issues
• Clogged up arteries
• Dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease
• Eating disorders
• Enlarged fatty liver
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
• Hyperlipidaemia (high triglycerides and poor cholesterol levels)
• Kidney disease
• Lethargy
• Mental health disorders
• Metabolic syndrome
• Neuropathy
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Osteoarthritis (joint pain)
• Pulmonary embolism
• Stroke
• Type-2 diabetes
• Pancreatitis
• Poor blood circulation
• Blood clots
• Back pain
• Vertebral disc disease
• Infertility
• Erectile dysfunction
• Vitamin D deficiency

While it’s quite normal to have a bit of belly fat (visceral fat) to provide cushioning around your organs, real serious problems arise when you have too much visceral fat. Visceral fat is the worst and most dangerous type of body fat. As it slowly creeps in between your organs, the fat releases certain proteins that trigger many of the diseases listed above. But that’s not all – this type of fat increases your risk of developing certain forms of cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder cancer, and prostate cancer. While the deadly diseases above are serious issues, the good news is that losing weight can reduce your risk of developing some of these diseases, and Herbex can help you do it.

“Most people work hard and spend their health trying to achieve wealth. Then they retire and spend their wealth trying to get back their health” – Kevin Gianni

Nature Always Knows Best

We are proud to be an award-winning weight-loss brand at the forefront of the health and weight-loss industry. For over 20 years, we’ve successfully helped thousands of men and women achieve their weight-loss and health goals. As firm believers in natural methods, we believe that Mother Nature has gifted us with many magnificent things, such as herbs and plants. Theses gifts of nature have been used for many centuries by many cultures. We’ve taken Mother Nature’s most powerful, super healthy fat-burning and slimming herbs, and created a wide range of natural weight-loss products to balance your lifestyle. Don’t struggle with your weight problems alone, contact a Herbex representative and get the support you need to achieve natural weight loss and optimal health.

We look forward to helping you get back your health, not just for you, but also for your loved ones who wish nothing but the best for you, including lowering your risk of the many diseases that are associated with being overweight.

 Are you struggling with weight gain, or have you already crossed the threshold of obesity? Let’s face it, there is nothing like good food to fill the gap – not only is it a source of emotional comfort, but it’s also a source of pain. Yes, obesity has become a serious issue and has even been categorised as the leading cause of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, stroke, and so much more.

What is Garcinia Cambogia?

 Commonly known as a tamarind in Asia, garcinia cambogia is a small citrus pumpkin-shaped fruit that grows in India and Indonesia. Garcinia cambogia is the extract harvested from the fruit’s rind. Garcinia has been used for hundreds of years for culinary purposes in Africa and Asia, and there is a key active ingredient in the rind that is known as hydroxycitric acid (HCA). This is the ingredient that treats obesity and weight gain. Today, garcinia cambogia can be found in the form of pills, tonics, and powders. If you are still on the fence about this “wonder weight-loss supplement”, here’s why garcinia cambogia is making waves in the weight-loss industry.

• Acts as an appetite suppressant
• Aids in digestive problems
• Blocks a key enzyme responsible for turning carbs into fat
• Boosts metabolism
• Combats cravings for sweet and starchy foods
• Improves cholesterol levels
• Boosts immune function
• Betters mood and wellbeing
• Increases energy and concentration
• Promotes healthy serotonin levels
• Supports restful sleep
• Diminishes joint pains
• Reduces the risk of stomach ulcers
• Speeds weight loss.
• Stabilises blood sugar

If you’ve been struggling to lose weight over the past few years, then it’s time to get serious with garcinia cambogia. A powerful 100% natural weight-loss supplement that has been used for many centuries, Garcinia works without affecting the nervous system, and therefore will not cause side effects such as dry mouth, heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure, insomnia, mood swings, and angina pain.

Today, not everyone can afford to visit a dietitian or follow a super healthy high-protein and low-carbohydrate eating plan. Unfortunately, the healthier the foods, the more they cost. But that’s okay, because if you want to reduce your weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle, then the garcinia cambogia powder at Herbex is what you need.

Not only are we an award-winning brand at the forefront of 100% natural weight-loss supplements, but we are also the first South African weight-loss brand to launch a single-herb powder range that includes Hoodia powder, Slimmer’s dietary fibre powder, green tea powder, CLA powder, yerba maté powder, and garcinia cambogia powder.

Our natural garcinia cambogia powder will help curb your appetite and reduce your body weight faster than diet and exercise alone. So, what are you waiting for? Chat with a Herbex representative today, and start your journey of body transformation to a slimmer and healthier you.

Available at ALL Dis-chem Pharmacies and selected Clicks Stores