The Sex Drive Solution for Women: Dr. Jen's Power Plan to Fire Up Your Libido by Jennifer Landa & M.D. & Virginia Hopkins & BodyLogicMD

Author:Jennifer Landa & M.D. & Virginia Hopkins & BodyLogicMD
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Publishing
Published: 2012-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

Small Changes Add Up to Big Benefits

Hormone replacement therapy is only one part of my program to achieve the best possible state of physical health and restore libido. The rest of my program is about providing the information and motivation to make lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercising at least three times a week. “I wish I could do it for you,” I often say. “But I can’t. It’s all up to you.”

Yes, as we get older, our bodies slow down a bit. Digestion can become less efficient, aches and pains may come up as joints lose suppleness. Muscle is more easily lost and fat is more easily gained. Although these changes are part of the natural progression of aging, they can be minimized through good nutrition, exercise and nutritional supplements. In youth, sex drive is strong enough to override the desire-dampening effect of unhealthy choices, but with the passing of years it takes energy and attention to keep the sexual fires burning.

Andrew Goldstein, M.D., is an expert on the science and medicine of sexuality and co-author of the book Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido, (Rodale, 2004) in which he reminds us, “Your libido is incredibly sensitive; it knows when your body isn’t receiving adequate nutrition, exercise, or sleep. If you’re like most women, you’re falling short in at least one of these core components of physical health. Your willingness and commitment to work at correcting any underlying deficiency likely will have a direct, positive impact on your sex drive.”

Overcoming resistance to change

One of my first homework assignments for most of my Sex Drive Solution patients is a change in diet, and this is also where I meet the most resistance. I’m not a warm and fuzzy type when it comes to making lifestyle changes. “Just do it,” is my advice.

There is little mystery surrounding the fact that so many people resist making real and lasting changes in the foods they eat. For most Americans, eating isn’t just about simple sustenance; it’s about celebration, reward, comfort and stress release. Food industry advertising cleverly (and largely unconsciously) reinforces the association between emotions and eating. Processed and fast foods lure us in with carefully crafted addictive tastes and textures, then deliver poor nutrition and a hefty dose of chemicals in the form of preservatives and artificial flavors and colorings. There’s a learning curve to buying and preparing healthy whole foods, not to mention the challenge of convincing the rest of the family to jump on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon.

Exercise has its own set of challenges. Finding the time is hard enough, but then there’s the bottom-line truth that some of us just don’t like to work out. Creating a routine of daily or near-daily exercise can be an uphill struggle for those who haven’t developed the habit early in life.

Jillian Michaels is transforming people’s lives on reality TV with her no-nonsense approach to exercise and weight loss. In her book, Master Your Metabolism (Empowered Media 2009) she says, “Forget that ‘walk across parking lots’ and ‘take the stairs’ fitness advice.

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