Michelle Van Otten

What are superfoods? Many people are unaware on what foods will greatly improve your

Even though some people swear that a fast metabolism is the result of good genes or the pure stroke of luck, there are a lot more factors involved when it comes to the ability of your body to process food and convert it into that useful thing we call energy.

Our modern lives seem to be riddled with opportunities for connection—cell phones, blackberries, Facebook, email—we are certainly not at a loss for ways to communicate. Yet, loneliness seems to still be a common phenomenon in our culture. Coupled with the fact that our lives are filled with an abundance of distractions and things that keep us busy, people now more than ever find themselves disconnected from their lives.

Shows like Biggest Loser and Survivor have gained widespread attention in recent years as people watch in fascination as other people are, quite literally, pushed to their limits. Taking cues from these kinds of shows (as well as time-honored military practices), the birth of fitness “boot camps” has inspired otherwise undisciplined people to take the fitness plunge.

As bathing suit season creeps upon us, so does the pressure to address those body flaws that keep us from baring all in the summer heat. With department stores overflowing with skimpy bikinis and magazine ads depicting perfect beach bodies, it’s no wonder that modern Americans—particularly females—struggle with body image issues and strive for the unattainable ideal.

It’s no secret that a daily dose of exercise will help keep the pounds off and keep you looking fabulous. Try as you might, but fad diets simply won’t help you stay in shape without regular exercise. Whether it’s pounding the treadmill at the gym or chasing your kids around at the park, there’s no escaping a little sweat if your goal is weight loss.

Do you ever wonder why some people can seemingly eat whatever they want without gaining weight? Or why for others, merely looking at certain foods seems to add an extra ten pounds? The answer lies in your metabolism—that tricky, delicate system in your body that regulates how often and at what level you are burning the calories that you consume on a daily basis.

The holistic health movement isn’t just about tossing your diet pills for wheatgrass or doing yoga until you’re red in the face. Creating the circumstances that will enable you to reach your maximum potential involves taking a hard look at what you consume on a day-to-day basis. While other facets of holistic health are important, achieving long-term balance and wellness in your life will only happen if you are eating foods that nourish and sustain you.

The long, slow and sluggish days of winter are over. Perhaps you’re one of many who overindulged during the holidays and spent one too many cold and dreary days on the couch, instead of hitting the gym. Or maybe you’re simply looking to kick-start the fat burning on your way to a perfect bathing suit body this year. Either way, spring is the perfect time to beat those bad habits that prevent you from achieving optimal health.

The secrets to success in achieving a turbo charged metabolism are the combination of the right metabolic foods and beverages, the way you are training your body physically combined with how alkaline your body is. Along with my complete nutrition programs and strategies for success...there is a little morning regimen that will jump start your results in getting and keeping a fit, trim, fat free body that is thriving and feeling good!