Top Ten Weight Loss Methods

The newest articles of the best and most popular online, Fitness guides for Losing Weight, are available from the Fitness Diet website, where the Fat Loss Reviews were carried out for weight loss through Diet, or Diet with some form of exercise and orderd by effort.

Popular tried and tested Diets are seldom sequenced in terms of ease of effort required and speed of Fat Loss, however Diet Reviews Top 10 have done just that. The site is unique, 10 popular Weight Loss Diet guides have been reviewed and orderd higher for being more effortless, requiring little or no exercise and fewer stars awarded for Fat Loss Diet requiring physical activity through fitness training. Additionally the speed of weight loss is also added into the star ratings, where more stars are awarded for quicker results and fewer for slower results.

Although Fitness training is not required on some of the Diets, the Diet and Fitness section covers Weightloss Reviews of products with increasing exercise times leading to greater Weight Loss and much improved Fitness levels. The of Fat Lossand Fitness level attained is significantly higher in these ebooks, awarded with higher stars to signify how easy the results can be attained in the shortest possible time. Where the training time increases for each guide reviewed, lower stars are awarded, however these later ebooks are really for the more serious physical fitness training enthusiasts, where the effort required is considerable for much more accelerated results.

The free guides alone are worthy of registering for, covering Diet, Weight Loss, Fat Loss and Fitness ebooks, moreover gaining full exclusive access to the site. In summary out of these Weightloss Reviews, the most effortless Fat Loss Guide is “Fat loss 4 Idiots” and of the effortless Diet and Fitness guides, “Fat Burning Furnace”, See WeightLoss Diet on main website or blog reviews at Weight Loss Reviews for further details.

The “Fat loss 4 idiots” WeightLoss Diet guide is truly a marvel, lose 9 lbs every 11 days , eat until full four times a day, adding your favourite food and no fitness training required. The Diet uses Calorie Shifting and although the claim is positive, feedback has been good. Reports of effortless weight loss, close to the claim of, lose 9 lbs every 11 days, is not unusual. Read the full Fitness Diet on the main website, testimonials, or blog Fatloss Reviews.

All the Fitness diets have varying degrees of exercise, in intensity and duration. “Fat Burning Furnace” Diet and Fitness guide, requires the effort and duration, to produce impressive results, with temptingly good feedback. Read the full Fitness Diet on the main website, testimonials, or blog Weightloss Reviews.

Due to the demand of the Diet Reviews, additional articles are being compiled shortly covering the comparisons of the individual products.

A number of great Weight Loss Diet guides are available free, by simply registering on the popup that appears on the home page, as well as full exclusive access to this unique website.

For practical recommendations in the sphere of CLEP Study Guides – read the site. The times have come when proper info is truly only one click of your mouse, use this possibility.

[Via http://lotsofarticles.wordpress.com]

And So It Begins...

Full Disclosure: I’m not affiliated with any of the sites, people, or programs mentioned below other than that I am using them and like them a lot (and I think you will too!).

It’s almost 1 month into the new year and I’m finally posting to my newly re-imagined blog.  That’s ok though b/c I’ve got a great reason for it.  I’ve had an epiphany today regarding my health and fitness.  I’ve been looking into, and agreeing with, the primal lifestyle in general and, to be more specific, Mark Sisson’s Primal Blueprint (PB).  However, today things have changed.

First, I’ve finally taken action and ordered Mark’s book.  I have been reading his blog for quite some time and debating over whether to get the book or not, and today I took the plunge.  Not only that, but I’ve also created an eating plan based on the principles in the book and on Mark’s blog (call it a diet if you want, but this is a lifestyle change and NOT a fad that’s going on here folks).

To help with the eating plan, I’ve also signed up for the free online version of FitDay – which is a great way to track not only the foods I eat, but any activities I do, weight I lose (or gain, but that’s not the plan), and it allows me to set goals for all kinds of things.  My goal weight is my high school football playing weight of 210lbs (I’m currently @ 250.4lbs), and I have set goal ranges (minimums and maximums) for calorie intake, fat intake (calories and grams, and broken into saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated), protein (calories and grams), and carbohydrates (calories and grams) designed to help me get lean as well as lose weight.

I still need to set up my workout plan based on the PB principles, and I’ll probably do another entry when I get that done (hopefully later today).

The other thing that’s so great about FitDay is that regardless of what kind of program you are following and what your goals are, you can set the goals, ranges, etc. that fit your needs and it will keep track of everything.  It even gives you graphs for calorie breakdowns (by nutrient type), weight tracking, etc.

I was planning on working out today, and instead, I spent most of it reading up on Mark’s blog, ordering his book, and setting up my FitDay account.  It doesn’t take a long time to set up the account, but I’ve been doing a lot of reading along the way, and it took me some time to do the calculations to get the balance of calories, fat, protein, and carbs that I wanted so I could enter them in my goals on FitDay.  I also need to tweak my workout schedule/program before I get back at it.

So this is it.  Day one of my lifestyle change – and as an added benefit/motivation, I’m starting this in the middle of the second week of my company’s Biggest Loser competition (it’s 18 weeks total).  I lost 5 lbs the first week and expect this new outlook to continue my success, if not help me do even better!

[Via http://johnjmcmahon.wordpress.com]

Health Stories: Triggers for Seeking Health Information Online

When you design a health Web site, the most important questions to ask are how and why someone will come to your site. To help my Online Consumer Health students answer these questions for the sites they design, they create personas and then develop scenarios that start with the persona’s trigger for going online and continue with the persona’s ongoing education and support needs.

Triggers can be related to the calendar; searches for “diet” spike on the first week of each new year and crash a week later. Bill Tancer reported on the frequency of health searches related to a diagnosis of a famous person in the news. But the most common trigger is to diagnose or learn more about a health issue. With 52% of online health inquiries on behalf of someone else, the trigger for many is the need to learn more about someone else’s health condition.

Jill D. is a researcher from New Hampshire whose mother was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal tract tumor. Shocked and worried when she heard this, Jill wanted to immediately learn more. She needed to understand what the diagnosis meant for herslef and to help her mother understand it; she also needed to help her mother evaluate treatment options. Jill doesn’t live near her mother so couldn’t go with her mother on her next doctor’s appointment. She would have felt comfortable asking her own doctor questions, but didn’t have an appointment otherwise scheduled. So she went online.

In June 2006, my (then) 74-year-old Mom was told that she had a gastrointestinal tract tumor that was probably cancerous.  As soon as I heard, I wanted to find out what treatment options would likely be offered to my Mom as well as the statistical likelihood of survival.

I looked online for information because I’m not in my doctor’s office often enough to be able to ask my own physician, “Say, what do you know about tumors of the GI tract?”  Also, I wanted to be able to browse through written information at my own pace rather than trying to listen closely to a quick data dump.

I looked online over the course of several evenings.  I know that the trustworthiness of information on any given website is highly dependent on the source of the information, so I concentrated on sites provided by highly reputable medical establishments such as the Mayo Clinic and the US National Institutes of Health.

By far the most useful information for my purposes was available at the National Cancer Institute.  The reason I found it so helpful is because I was able to read the same article in two versions, one intended for patients and the other for medical providers.  I am not a medical provider but I am used to reading dense, scientific journal articles.  Thus I carefully went through a page entitled, “Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors Treatment“.

I learned that these tumors tend to grow very slowly and, if the tumor is localized, the 5-year survival rate is 70 – 90%.  My Mom was wondering if she would be subjected to radiation treatment but this article indicated that radiation is rarely helpful for these types of tumors so I told her that her oncologist would probably not prescribe radiation.  Further, I found out that tumors smaller than 1 cm rarely spread to other areas (metastasize) but that tumors greater than 2 cm frequently metastasize; this told me that my Mom’s 1.6 cm tumor could go either way.

None of the information in the preceding paragraph was available on the page intended for patients, so I was grateful for the chance to read the pages intended for health professionals.  I had to look up a few words, such as “telangeictasia” (the formal term for spider veins, one of the potential signs of GI carcinoid tumors).  Despite my incomplete medical vocabulary, I felt reasonably confident that I understand the article and wouldn’t misrepresent the information when relaying it to my Mom.

This story has a happy ending because my Mom underwent surgery to successfully remove the tumor and—even better—the tumor was not at all cancerous.  Six weeks after the operation my Mom was feeling healthier than she’d felt in years and went off on a long car trip.

[Via http://lisaneal.wordpress.com]

Summary Saturday

I’m going to start a weekly wrap-up of some great articles that I come across, hence the clever “Summary Saturday” slogan…The information will include a range of topics, but it will all be fitness related.

A few good things this week…

A great post from Michael Boyle on how running is a poor choice for most people, and using it as a tool to “get fit” may possibly lead you to injury.  You Can’t Run to Get Fit, You Need to Be Fit to Run.

For those of you still on the “I don’t eat egg yolks” bandwagon, here’s an interesting article worth a read. Do Egg Yolks Cause Heart Disease? I always crack up when someone throws the yolk away at breakfast and proceeds to tell me that a bland egg-white omelette is the way to go…

An interesting article on how core stabilization exercises can benefit soldiers during their APFT sit-up test.  Sit-Ups Versus Core Strengthening

Lastly, a great post by Lyle McDonald on Split Squats.  He goes over a few basic techniques and some common errors that may be plaguing you during the exercise.  Split Squat Technique

Video of the Week: A compilation of the worst deadlifts ever…ugh.  You can’t help but laugh a little.  I can hear chiropractors cheering on future patients…

[Via http://envisionedhealth.wordpress.com]

May Be Of Some Help

I am still dealing with this damn Urticaria and what I am sure of is that it is environmentally caused (detailed in another post) and food aggravated.  I am producing too much histamine and even a slight pressure on my skin causes a welt. It disappears only to be replaced by another somewhere else.  In all of my searches on-line for help I found very little until I began examining histamine reducing diets.

This link may be of some help to someone out there.

I kind of wish I had not been so negative in my first post, but hey, it was an honest moment and I felt in crises.

I am watching my money right now and since everything I eat seems to cause a reaction, I’m not spending the money for “better products”. I’ve been shifting to organics for a long time, but today, I decided that $2.99  for Annie’s Organic Macaroni and Cheese could not compete with a .49 cent box of Kraft’s. Yes, it’s not good for you, but I like it better and since nothing is helping it’s what I chose.

Why pay more for hives than I have to?

I am going full-force into a candida cleanse in a week—I have some work issues to clear up before I start. I really like this plan and it’s worked for me before. If I lose a bit of weight it’s a bonus, but right now I need to get my immune system running at full speed again.

By the way, I’m really sick and tired of everyone giving up on Obama a year in. Jesus—he has a mess to deal with and never in history (my voting history) has a president been held to such a high standard by his own party the first year.  I’m tired of the whining and wailing that he isn’t what he said he was,. He is what he said he was.  He’s a different kind of leader and that’s what we voted for…or at least I did.

[Via http://fortyonefat.wordpress.com]

Day 11/20 - Part 2

Continued to feel awful most of the day.  Bosses let me go home at noon.  I came home and crashed on the couch for an hour or two.  Woke feeling somewhat better, but hungry.  By evening, I was feeling pretty good and got out the Wii Fit balance board for some more cycling.  Completed the “Island View Course” and unlocked the “Expert Course”.  Took a look at it, but was feeling weary after about five minutes and called it a night.  Will hit it hard (-er, at any rate) tomorrow.

Wii Fit:
End-Of-Day Total (minutes):  44
Weekly Total (hours:minutes): 4:37

[Via http://portsidebd.wordpress.com]

Week 2: Days 1-7

Instead of writing a new post for every day of the week, I am just going to combine the week into one post and just update it everyday/when I find the time.

Last week I had a pretty rough start and only lost .2 pounds .  My goal for this week is 2 pounds.

Yesterday: January 27th, 2010

Lunch: Salad with Balsamic for dressing, Left over Shrimp and veggies, V8 Juice. Snack: Hot Chocolate, Fiber One Bar. Dinner: 1/2 Californian sub from Planet Sub, Bag Baked Lays, Unsweetened Ice Tea. Snack: 1 serving animal crackers, one pouch Motts fruit snack. Exercise: 60 min weight lifting class

I didn’t drink any water at all yesterday. But now that I have my new water bottle, I have no excuse!

Total Intake of: Calories: Fat: Fiber: Protein: Calories Burned in workout, about: Calories. * I will update this info when I get home from work.

[Via http://wonderwallflower.wordpress.com]

KFC Confessional

I had KFC tonight.  And still….am struggling to get to my 1800 calories for the day.  I am sitting at 1460.  This is the way my week has gone.  If I am tracking, I am too good at maximizing healthy, filling foods, into as few calories as possible.  I have even managed to figure out how to work snacks into my work day, which is hard to do given the job I do.

So why do I feel guilty about the KFC if I am not over calories?

Here is why.

KFC is a crutch for me.  It is comfort food.  I only want it when I am stressed or something emotional is going on.  With that said, I did  not plan to eat KFC tonight.  Had I pre-planned or even pre-thought about KFC, I would have sent an SOS text out into the world.  Instead, here is what happened.  No excuses, just the facts.

1.  I gained 2 lbs this week.  Don’t know how, but I did.Been somewhat (ok a lot) discouraged by this.

2.  Been especially crabby and tired this week.  My cold is back.  I know I am retaining water which means one thing and one thing only…and I have been feeling especially lonely this week…probably triggered by the same thing causing water retention.

3.  I had a long day at work.

4.  Received a not so pleasant email from a friend accusing me of some not so pleasant things that I don’t want to deal with.

5.  On my way home, I was dealing with some of the natural consequences of 18 months unemployment…not so fun.

After finishing up some somewhat stressful phone calls, I headed to the kitchen to make some dinner only to find a bucket of KFC there.  Without thinking, I pulled it out and ate.

It was only afterwards that my brain kicked in and I realized what I had done AND how that kind of eating was directly related to my day and the emotions involved.

I hate when I realize this behavior.  Like I said, no excuses.  I ate what I ate, for the reasons I ate.  The only way to change it is to puke it up which just leads to a whole new pattern of behavior that is completely unacceptable in my eyes…(which I have never done before, by the way).

So now, I get to move on.  But those great theories I have of not letting the past define you and letting things be what they are and not getting sucked into the shame cycle…are soooo much easier to talk about…when on the other side of it all…

[Via http://road2beautiful.wordpress.com]

What's Shakin'?

Oh goodness, this Saturday is going to be fun. To start things off, the Death Track Dolls will be gracing us with their inimitable presence at the 10:30 Recess! class, and then the ever-fashionable, eco-conscious, radder than rad Do. Crew (check out their facebook group) will be tearing it up at 11:30.

Are you kidding me? This will be more fun than sweet potato fries and ketchup. More fun than talking through a fan to make your voice sound like Darth Vader. More fun than watching a bully try to kick over your snowman, not realizing you built it over a fire hydrant. More fun than any singing cat video you’ve ever seen.

What’s Recess all about? Well, Recess is a games-based gymnastic/Parkour/high intensity interval class which will restore your youthful vitality, reignite your love of movement, and get you freakishly fit. Have I set the bar too high? Come try a class and find out. 213 Geary is where it’s at.

If you have questions, or would like to schedule a private or group session, email me (Liz) at marthadonkey at gmail dot com.

[Via http://runningonplenty.wordpress.com]

full moon...

My wife enjoys these stories…mostly because they come at my expense.

This morning’s run was tough…15 min easy run to warm up (ok, that not so much), then in zones 3-4 needed to do 5 x 45 sec full out…well close too it. The first four were ok; and by ok I mean, I was sucking wind. I jogged 2 minutes between each to bring my HR down. Then on the fifth one, I hit 30 seconds. Like I said…it was tough. Again I was sucking wind and realized that and my pants were falling off. No really, my ass was out for the world to see! I’m pretty sure I mooned the lady walking her dog. Hope she enjoyed the show lol! I couldn’t get them retied…I’ve found with these pants that the drawstring slips when you pull it too tight. And since I’ve lost weight since buying them, I cinch them tighter…the drawstring didn’t like that. And well, I think it’s time to buy new pants.

So I ran home, the last 18 minutes of the workout with one hand holding up my pants…yeah, it was a fantastic sight I must say.

Despite the wardrobe malfunction…I think I did ok. I was intimidated a little, not sure I could do it. I tried talking myself up…didn’t help so much. Then I realized I was starting to beat myself up…that I couldn’t do it, I shouldn’t try, and that I was a big fat piece of crap…I got pissed. I decided I was going to show myself I could do it. And well, I guess I did it.

While it helped going negative, it motivated me but I don’t want to do that all the time. I’m making progress…I’m not the same guy I was 16 weeks ago. I’ve made changes and they are sticking. I can do it…and will. I guess I just need to prove it to myself some more. Eff you negative Dan…you’re going down.

More later after I get the girls to bed! Kick ass today people!

[Via http://cubicledad.com]

Miracle Occurs! - WebMD Reports Truth About Diet - Low-Carb is Healthier!

Low-Carb Diet Lowers Blood Pressure Low-Carbohydrate Diet Better Than Weight Loss Drug Orlistat at Lowering Blood Pressure With Weight Loss By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Jan. 25, 2010 — A low-carbohydrate diet may have health benefits that go beyond weight loss.

A new study shows that a low-carbohydrate diet was equally good as the weight loss drug orlistat (the active ingredient in Alli and Xenical) at helping overweight and obese people lose weight, but people who followed the low-carb diet also experienced a healthy drop in their blood pressure levels.

“I expected the weight loss to be considerable with both therapies but we were surprised to see blood pressure improve so much more with the low-carbohydrate diet than with orlistat,” researcher William S. Yancy, Jr., MD, an associate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center, says in a news release. “If people have high blood pressure and a weight problem, a low-carbohydrate diet might be a better option than a weight loss medication.”

Researchers say studies have already shown that the two weight loss methods are effective at promoting weight loss, but it’s the first time the health effects of each have been compared head to head.

“It’s important to know you can try a diet instead of medication and get the same weight loss results with fewer costs and potentially fewer side effects,” Yancy says.

Low-Carb Lowers Blood Pressure

In the study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 146 obese or overweight adults were randomly divided into two groups. Many of the participants also had chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

The first group was advised to follow a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet consisting of less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day, and the second group received the weight loss drug orlistat three times a day, plus counseling in following a low-fat diet (less than 30% of daily calories from fat) at group meetings over 48 weeks.

The results showed weight loss was similar in the two groups. The low-carb diet group lost an average of 9.5% of their body weight and the orlistat group lost an average of 8.5%. Both weight loss methods were also not significantly different at improving cholesterol and glucose levels.

But when researchers looked at changes in blood pressure, they found nearly half of those who followed the low-carbohydrate group had their blood pressure medication decreased or discontinued during the study, compared to only 21% of those in the orlistat group.

Overall, systolic (the top number in a blood pressure reading) dropped an average of 5.9 points among the low-carb diet group, compared with an increase of 1.5 points in the orlistat group.

Researchers say weight loss itself typically produces a healthy reduction in blood pressure, but it appears that a low-carbohydrate diet has an additional blood pressure-lowering effect that merits further study.

Comment- Excuse my sarcasm, but If only information like this was promoted 40 years ago, millions of lives might have been saved. Imagine the incredibly obvious truth, consuming less sugar (carbs) in your diet is healthy and will promote weight loss! Wow, what a revelation, WebMD really went out on a limb, I’m surprised it even made the website!

Kevin Brown

[Via http://liberationwellnessblog.com]

Day 2

Here we are at day two! I feel great on the inside but my throat and ears are doing horrible! I can’t believe this sickness has totally got me this time round. Well first day of school was a success and I’m ready for tomorrow!

I threw up twice this morning because I was coughing so much… yeah I know it was painful. Sometimes I can barely catch my breath when these things come on. I was in line at the bank on saturday and had to leave cause my cough was so bad I couldn’t stand in line, almost the same thing happened at the post office.

I’m still feeling a bit self-conscious about my weight even though I’ve lost 10 pounds I really sometimes don’t like the fact that I’m still big and I just want this all to GO AWAY! My sister was telling me about the show the Biggest Loser and how the people on there have so many mental problems being the fat person and I wanted to tell her I’m losing weight too but I haven’t said a thing to any of my family or friends because I’m not ready yet. I really just want to surprise them.

My friend who’s wedding I’m in is helping me find a pattern for the dress I’m going to wear and I really want to tell her I’ll be really thin by the time here wedding comes around so don’t worry but she just thinks I don’t really like the dress… I sooo wanted to to tell her or give a hint but I WILL not do that. I want people to start seeing a change in me rather than going around telling everyone “I’m Changing!!!” So here’s to another day skinner, healthier and more energetic. I will be seeing my health psychologist soon and I’ll let you know what we chat about and the new things she’s helping me with.

Thank you for your support and helping me on my way. I’ll do the same for you!

FMLopez

[Via http://fmlopez.wordpress.com]

Day 5/14 - Part 2

Tonight was Date Night, sponsored by our church.  They offer free childcare from 6:00-9:30pm so married couples can have a night on their own and strengthen their marriage.  Thankfully, Amanda and Brandon took part in this and actually left the house this time meaning I got the apartment all to myself for a couple hours.  This is greatly appreciated by me.  It allowed me to do my Wii Fitting without an audience and with all the windows open and the fans blowing on.  Quite nice.  I did the Long Distance Run, Expert Rhythm Boxing, Advanced Step Aerobics and Rhythm Kung Fu.

I really don’t enjoy the running.  My calves start to burn in the middle of it and ache the rest of the night, but that’s probably a good thing.  Since this activity doesn’t actually use the Wii balance board, I pushed it out of the way and ran mini-laps around the living room to get a better rhythm going.  Did well, I think.  Scored the top spot, anyway.

Wii Fit:
End-Of-Day Total (minutes):  37
Weekly Total (hours:minutes): 4:46

[Via http://portsidebd.wordpress.com]

Is Your Personal Trainer Fat?

Does your personal trainer look like he or she could use the workout more than you?

As a San Diego Personal Trainer, I know how important it is for me to practice what I preach. I like to think that my personal training clients follow my example when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. These days I see quite a few out of shape personal trainers and I often wonder, how do they get business? I cannot imagine being an inspiration and heathy example to my clients being out of shape. It just doesn’t make sense.

So let me ask you a question. How would you feel if your trainer and most trusted advisor had a higher bodyfat percentage than you? How would you feel if your trainer was clearly overweight? As a client, wouldn’t you feel that there is no hope? I know that personal trainers should not necessarily be the models for perfection, but that is sort of part of the job description and how we are perceived.

So why do people sign-up for training sessions with out of shape personal trainers? Are people attracted to the out of shape trainers because they remind them more of themselves, not the changes that they wish to instill in their lives?

For any toes that I may have stepped on, I apologize, but please do your business a favor and take care of yourself. This is a debate that has gone on for years and will continue to be argued for years to come.

I am interested in your input. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

[Via http://nikolklein.wordpress.com]

Need Help And Tips About Dry Acai Berry Products - Find Them Here.

Why should we avoid Dry Acai berry production? Here, where Dry Acai berry production is used in the course of heating in extremely heats. Here, where the temperature is warmer, there is the higher destruction of many nutrients of Acai Berry itself. The good effect of heats will be more time before the expiry of the term of its action; however it is with very less nutritional value. Product working life extends for time, but they have reduced the nutrients. In this type of Acai fruit, it is better to appreciate Berry and it is known for the big nutritiousness and should not be perceived as due. By this time, you can think why to avoid Dry Acai Berry product.

The dusting core is engaged in drying by the help of the big heat or intensive quantity to hot temperature for elimination of water of property of Acai Berry. And then, when in the course of heating, the substance then will be mixed with a mix, also is considered as the carrier. It can be and other reason why it is necessary to avoid Dry Acai Berry product as the huge sums or a component of dry powders dispersion Acai Berry is the carrier.

The another matter here is that the carrier maltodexin cannot be found on a label for this mix and is actually got mixed up on manufacture of such kind of activity as that from the technical point of view is not present any necessity for its part of components also because of some problems from marks laws are covered by FDA. Here, where to bear its agent known as maltodexin is a product of production and in any way is not an additional component, hence, necessarily to be on a label. It is one more valid feature why it is necessary to avoid Dry Acai Berry product.

Thus, dried spray of Acai Berry powder can be cheaper in manufacture, therefore than it is cheaper take advantage or buy, but on the other hand when we speak about quality of dry spray of Acai Berry powder it is necessary to make efforts for it to use simply on the necessary quantity, at the same time there is no presence of any carriers as well as maltodexin, plus big features that gives Berry the full nutritious of Acai fruits which have remained also safeties. Having this article, you can be able to be informed on the reasons of why one excludes the Dry Acai Berry product.

Now do you wish to have more energy, to be healthy, to look younger, and to grow thin, clear a body, yes? Then using the Acai Berry fruit products is the best way to reach these purposes.

Once anything new comes into our life, people with brains test this thing first. Nowadays lots of people are talking about acai berry and its positive effect upon fight with overweight.

Beyond any doubt any product from the mother nature has all rights to be the subject of special attention of modern medicine, as people are tired of chemical drugs that often do more harm than any real assistance. And acai is a good example of the help from above.

But in any case learning more about what is acai, its ingredients, how it works and what effect it can produce is the first step to do for a wise person.

Nowadays we are living in the world where knowledge quickly enhances the quality of our life.

Due to this if you are properly armed with the knowledge in your sphere of interest you can be sure that you will always find the way out from any bad situation. So, please make sure to track this blog on a regular basis or – best of all – sign up to its RSS. In such an easy way you will have your hand on the pulse of the freshest informational updates here. Blogs can be helpful, you just need to understand how to use them.

[Via http://overallhealthblog.wordpress.com]

Catrina's food intolerances revealed

As part of an initial Nutritional Therapy consultation I often carry out a food intolerance test using EDS (Electrodermal screening). This is a completely painless test that is 75 – 80% accurate in pinpointing foods that may be causing or aggravating symptoms. Given that it takes up to 4 days for your body to throw out a symptom if often really difficult to work out what you’re intolerances are for yourself.

I don’t normally weigh my clients as scales tend to reinforce the “diet” mentality but given the plan to blog Catrina’s progress I dug out my scales that also measure body fat percentage.

Catrina weighed in at 20 stone and 11lb with a body fat of 55%. Now 55% may sound high but given her overall weight I was surprised it wasn’t much higher than that. I believe therefore that a lot of her excess weight isn’t fat but retained water. This will happen partly as she’s massively dehydrated given the amount of caffiene intake (see previous post) but as a result of regularly eating foods and drinks that are toxic to her. When we bombard our body with toxins continually the liver can’t cope and a back log is created. In order to make the toxin safe in the meantime it binds the toxin with water within a fat cell. Stop ingesting the toxin and the body gets a chance to clear the backlog and the water is released along with the toxin through the normal waste channels.

The test revealed that Catrina has 5 major intolerances:

broccoli
corn
rice
soya
sugar cane

Given that she has so many that a day won’t go past without exposure to one or more of these substances it’s not surprising that she hasn’t noticed a link between eating them and a particular symptom. Although I can see from her food/mood diary that her mood dipped after a Sunday dinner that included broccoli.

So rather than worry about “slimming” I’ve asked her to cut out the above foods one by one, once she’s got her hydration programme underway.

Most Nutritional Therapy clients come back in 6 – 8 weeks for a follow up but Catrina will be back next week for step 2 of the life change process – follow this blog to find out how she’s getting on with the challenges I’ve set her.

[Via http://whywaittofeelbetter.wordpress.com]

Weight Loss Plan

Excess weight and adiposity, as a rule, are surrounded by wrong habits of a food and a sedentary life. An improper feeding leads to accumulation of fat and other toxins in our organism and helps to lower our suitability and efficiency in work. To result a body in the form it is obligatory for reception of a foodstuff in places before we will go to other methods, such as cardiovascular exercises or tablets for growing thin. It consists of a diet and consumption of corresponding food during corresponding time in the necessary quantity.

The healthy balanced diet includes the big portion of fruit, cereals, vegetables, fish and meat products. They provide necessary vitamins and the nutrients are necessary for healthy way of life. Seasonal fruit and vegetables should be always more preferable. Any meal which is stored in a refrigerator during the long period loses the freshness and nutrients. It is better to avoid the processed foodstuff which is loaded from the sated fats which are not useful to heart. Besides, the people having such fat food as a rule develop to a bulky frame.
The majority of researches have been published in the last century about optimum plans of a food and kinds of the foodstuffs which will allow conducting a long and healthy life. The plan of Atkins diet, the Mediterranean diet, and sugar Busters Diet undertake radical various ways of the decision of a problem. The plan of Atkins offers the limited consumption of carbohydrates, the Mediterranean plan does an emphasis on vegetables, dairy products, both olive oil together with fish and poultry farming production. Sugar Busters excludes fat food of calories and sugar.

Bud of a life such as the fried food, the aerated soft drinks became an integral part of our life since the early childhood. Chips, salty peanut, hamburgers, ice-cream, confectionery products, coke, etc. can be more to taste, but they wreck chaos on a body.

To grow thin on a constant basis, one should think up the good plan of a diet. Standard error is that carbohydrates including rice, macaroni of the whole grain and lead to weight increase. Carbohydrates actually make vitals, such as a brain and kidneys work properly. The majority of people consider that it is necessary to stop with snack to grow thin. Healthy snack between food intakes are raised by a metabolism and the control of torments of hunger. And the most important idea is never to go on a diet. Such diet is pernicious for a body, especially eyes, kidneys and hair to receive the victim after the short period.

Many people who have packed enough also a sedentary life prefer to address for dietary tablets to help them with their programs of struggle against excessive weight. It always is expedient to try tablets made by the known companies. It is necessary to consult with the doctor to find out, suitable tablets. Usually as active components were specified on the bottle party. It is possible to make also more detailed search in a network for reception of more detailed information.

If you are among those who are searching for info about phentermine 37.5 pills – please go to this phentermine 37.5 site. There you will find info about the dosage, regulations, effect and other vital details about phentermine 37.5.

Today we live in the world where information makes life easier.

That is why if you are properly armed with the information in your topic you can rest assured that you will in any case find the way out from any bad situation. So, please make sure to get back to this web site on a regular basis or – best of all – sign up to its RSS feed. In such an easy way you will have your hand on the pulse of the freshest informational updates here. Blogging can be helpful, you just need to know how to use them.

[Via http://overallhealthblog.wordpress.com]

World's Shortest Post.

Maybe this isn’t quite the world’s shortest post, but pretty close. But I’m really serious about keeping this commitment to blog regularly. Anyway, was really tired today. Ended up getting to bed very late yesterday because I was so energized and had a lot to do. And it was all I could to drag myself out of bed this morning. But I did pretty well with my eating – it helped that I was very busy at work and hardly had time to think about food. Ended up working a little later than usual, so I only had about ten minutes at home before the husband and I went to a friend’s house for dinner. Luckily the dinner wasn’t a diet-wrecker! Now I’m back and am headed straight to bed so I can have enough sleep and energy for a good workout tomorrow evening, especially since there was no time for one today.

[Via http://laurajane.wordpress.com]

Week 3: STEADY EDDY

So the reason I stayed even this week, that is right no loss no gain, is due to no exercising. The only exercise I did was housework!

I am seriously dreading the mini triathalon now, I just don’t know. I mean I know I can lose 40 pounds by MAY.  But can I really bike 14 miles, run 3.1 miles, and swim a mile…ummm now NO WAY IN Heck. But in June yes I must.

Grrr. Why do I get myself in these huge messes? I guess I do it because I expect alot out of myself, however right now I am tired. Mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and momily. I just need to go easy on myself and stay on track.

Lose 2 pounds a week. Workout 3 times a week. That is the goal!

It really doesn’t help that I baked a delicious cherry rhubarb pie this week, had guests over to eat, and didn’t watch my portions but each day is a new day.

BodyAfterBaby Challenge Question of the week:

What Motivates You?

My husband and my daughter motivate me. I want to be a sexy hot wife for my husband. I want to be an uber fun active mom for my daughter to play with. I also want to have more children and it will be much easier to be a skinny preggo then a fat preggo!

“This weeks challenge: How many days a week can you do some physical activity? Going on a walk or run, hitting the gym, swimming laps, doing a workout DVD. Can you reach 5 or 6 days of exercise for at least 30 minutes? I dare you!”

I VOW TO WORKOUT AT LEAST 5 TIMES THIS WEEK!

I’ve got to keep saying “Goodbye Fat Freckles!”

-Freckles

aka:Andrea

[Via http://meltingmamas.wordpress.com]

Parents had better get a back bone if they want healthy kids!

Parents had better get a back bone if they want healthy kids!

Parents have become wimps ruled by their kids when it comes to food choices.  Recently in my office, I saw an overweight 12-year-old girl whose concerned parents brought her in because she was 30 pounds overweight and complaining of fatigue. What amazed me most was that during the educational process, this child turned to her parents and basically told them that she will decide what to eat and what to buy, and they can’t do anything about it.  Then she left the center and her parents could not get her back in.

Of course, this is an extreme example, but I have seen it too many times.  Parents come in with good intentions and their kids overpowering them with aggressive, degrading speech.  More often than not, the parents just sit there without any significant or meaningful response. I also see it in the shopping carts of parents when buying high fat, high sugar foods to please their kids.  They are simply unable to say ‘No’ to their kids when it comes to these poor choices.

It seems as if everyone is working against the parents: The huge food companies are brainwashing them and their children.  Parents are afraid of controlling their children because they do not want to be called an ‘abuser’.  This fear has been perpetuated by the media who focus on those rare cases where good parents are accused by a state agency.

Parents must get over this and learn to say ‘No’ to poor quality food.  If you have to put it back on the shelf or leave it at the checkout counter, be strong, don’t bring it home.  Remember, if it gets into your home, it will get into your kids.

Another observation, I have watched parents at popular coffee shops be manipulated by 9-year-old children who insist on having a 1000 calorie drink, full of fat and empty calories, and double the price of healthy alternatives.

Enough already!  Just say ‘No’ – the sooner you start the better.  Yes, there will be a tough week or two but stick to your guns and remain firm.  Your kids will thank you when they are older.  I have seen too many overweight, depressed teenagers.  Trust me, the pain from being overweight and depressed at 17 is much greater than not having a sugary drink for a week at the age of 9.

Here are some games/quizzes to share with your kids to start the conversation and introduce new “rules” to the family.   Of course, on-going parenting will continually be necessary from teaching kids about good nutrition and choices to be made.

• Explain the food groups for adequate growth and ask where their favorite foods fall.
• Show the kids the nutrition panels of foods to compare calories, fat, sugars, sodium – that alone may prompt them to make a healthier choice.  Arm them with the information and then they will be able to be in control.  Rarely will a kid seriously choose something unhealthy when given the information.  If they do…put your foot down and tell them that you will not allow it.
• Allow occasional splurges but let the kids earn them and have them keep track of how many per day.  Just cutting back on 1-2 per day will be a start in the right direction.
• For smaller children, be the family’s “Healthy Hero” and challenge them to pick nutritious choices in a fun, light manner.

Keep an eye out for a FREE educational video I am creating especially for parents that will be on youtube.com.  I think it will help some parents improve their parenting skills and stand up to their kids.

Be strong, it’s good to say ‘No’ to your kids when they make poor choices.

Happy New Year!

Dr. Sass
Sasson Moulavi, M.D., LMCC, ABBM
Medical Director
Smart For Life Cookie Diet
TheCookieDiet.com
under-way.com
Follow me on

[Via http://smartforlife.wordpress.com]

Thinking Myself Fit And Slender

Three pounds in two weeks!  What am I doing differently?  Overall, not much.  My exercise and eating habits are about the same as the last 18 weeks.  I’ve even lowered my exercise goal recently.  Though I started out with the goal of something like 5 hours a week, I increased that to 10.5 hours a week so as to get in the 90 minutes a day that many experts say is ideally the minimum.  Within the last few weeks, I decided that a day off is a good idea and is more sustainable.  So I lowered my goal to 9 hours a week.  (See my previous post, “The Virtue of A Day Off”.)

That brings me to the second small change I’ve recently made – I have generally stopped asking myself to accomplish so much in a day.  My expectations of myself have been really off the charts.  Only 8 months into a new marriage, a blended family with teens, and a new-to-us-home, there is an amazing list of “things to take care of”.  I find myself feeling incredibly stressed about it at times.  A few weeks ago, I began the process of mapping out my time, day by day, hour by hour.  After must-dos like sleep, shower, eat, etc. and the bare minimum of parenting and household chores, there really are precious few hours for the optional things like reading, socializing, or anything.   That was a great reality check for me and, while it’s still a work in progress, I’m taking stepsto make my life smaller, simpler, and more manageable again.  I have no doubt that it will still feel like a lot to manage but the simple shift of expecting myself to accomplish less in the day reduces the stress that I feel.  (Maybe a topic to expound upon another time.)

Thirdly, and what I really had in mind to write about, is visualization.  You’ve probably heard that great athletes spend time imagining themselves making the perfect shot, swing, or stride.  Visualization works!  Even if it’s only in our mind’s eye, seeing ourselves accomplish anything helps make it so.  The main idea is that our brain largely doesn’t know the difference between something that we imagine in great detail, movies where all that our eyes take in is the result of someone else’s imagination, or a real experience.  It reacts and our bodies react as if the event were true.  Don’t believe me?  Watch a scary movie sometime and notice how tense your body feels.  Visualization is a big part of the magic behind The Law of Attraction, too.

What have I been visualizing?  Myself fit and slender.   I remember what it felt like when I was at lower weights, when I was more fit, when I felt skinny.  I see my body in that state, see my scale registering a specific number, and experience the thrill of accomplishment and feeling great.  I try to do this 3 times a day but succeed an average of twice – once before I get out of bed and once when I go to bed.  Taking advantage of the powerful hypnopompic and hypnogogic states makes my visualizations even more powerful, I believe, as that’s a time when my conscious mind is less likely to step in with the thought “but you’re not really there yet”.  In my mind, all things are possible.

Next…Powerful Thinking

Here are my current stats:
Starting weight: 164 lbs 
Current weight:  156 lbs
Goal weight: 145
End of Week:  #19
Weight loss this week:  shed 2 lbs 
Total weight loss to date:  8 lbs

How I did today:
1.  Sleep -  8.5 hours last night
2.  Exercise - 15 minutes brisk walking
3.  Strength training - none
4.  Yoga – nope
5.  Meditation – 10 minutes before bed
6.  Food – 4 fruits, a pile of veggies, some tofu and beans, 2 servings of chocolate (can you say PMS?)

How I did during week #19:
1.  Sleep – average of 7.64 hours (goal is average 8.5 hours) 
2.  Exercise - 9 hours (goal is now 9) 
3.  Strength training – 5x w/Jazzercise (goal is 3 times per week) 
4.  Yoga – 0 (goal is twice a week)
5.  Meditation – 20 minutes (goal is 10 minutes a day)
6.  Food – better apparently, started moving toward soup or salad for dinner

[Via http://40poundsin40weeks.wordpress.com]

Stay Hydrated Year Round

STAY HYDRATED… A general misconception about winter is that since it’s cold, there really isn’t much to worry about when it comes to dehydration.  Dehydration only happens during hot days when the sun is beating down on us, right?

Be sure to drink plenty of water all year round.

Actually, dehydration can be just as big of a problem during the cold, winter months as it can be for the other hot months of the year.  “Why?” you may ask.  Have you ever seen your breath when it’s really cold outside?  Well that cloud in front of your face is actually water vapor.  When it’s cold outside, the water in our breath doesn’t evaporate as fast, and as a result, water vapor, or droplets, is lost through our breath.

Did you know our bodies are made up of about 60% water?  Since they’re made up of that much water, doesn’t it make sense that we should drink a lot of it?  A goal to shoot for with water consumption is half of your body weight in fluid ounces.  For example, if someone weighs 200 pounds, they should shoot for drinking 100 oz. of water per day.  By staying hydrated, your body is willing to break down more fat for energy, your appetite is controlled better, you’ll be more energized for workouts, and you won’t see those pesky pounds stay on the scale because of fluid retention.  As with eating, if your body doesn’t get the water it deserves, it’ll hold onto the water it already has, meaning your weight loss efforts won’t show the results they should and can.

[Via http://lovinglifethin.wordpress.com]

Want to lose belly fat?

What you put on your plate can help determine how easily you lose belly fat.

If your quest for washboard abs has you crunching like crazy, listen up: “There’s no single exercise move—or magic pill, for that matter—that instantly zaps belly fat,” says Sari Greaves, R.D., a New York City nutritionist. “You have to lose overall body fat to trim your midsection.”

And, guess what? Scientists at Boston University found that people who followed a low fat diet rich in fiber and other nutrients were three times less likely to pack on weight around the middle than those who ate less-healthy fare but 400 fewer calories. Here, we show you which flab-fighting foods to add to your shopping list and your healthy eating plan —and which to blacklist to help you lose belly fat.

Eating a low fat diet with more healthy fruit, healthy whole grains — and including wine with food – can help shed pounds and belly fat.

• Healthy eating tip # 1: Melons: At fewer than 50 calories a slice, this healthy fruit is one sweet treat you can feel free to indulge in. “Both honeydew and cantaloupe are healthy fruit choices high in potassium,” says Greaves. “This mineral keeps sodium levels in check and beats belly bloat.”

 

• Healthy eating tip # 2: Wine: A study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people who averaged a serving of red wine a day had slimmer waistlines than their tee-totaling counterparts. “Drinking a small amount of alcohol with a meal may speed up calorie burn,” says Jerry Greenfield, M.D., Ph.D., the study’s author.

 

• Healthy eating tip # 3: Whole-grain bread: Researchers at Penn State found that dieters who ate at least five servings of healthy whole grains while following a low calorie diet shed 24 percent more abdominal fat than those who averaged the same number of calories but ate refined grains. To up your intake of healthy whole grains, swap your cornflakes for oatmeal.

 

From healthy fruit and nuts to tips on sugar substitutes, salty soups and more, these low fat diet tips will help you lose belly fat – fast.

• Healthy eating tip # 1: Pomelo: Add zing to your low fat diet with this vitamin C–rich healthy fruit. Research in Public Health Nutrition found that people who consume a daily dose of Vitamine C are more likely to have a slimmer waistline.
• Healthy eating tip # 2: Walnuts: Increase omega 3 benefits with walnuts. Research shows that their omega 3 fatty acids lower levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, that can contribute to fat storage. To get more omega 3 benefits, sprinkle some ground flaxseed on your yogurt.

Sometimes tips on how to lose belly fat are straight and to the point: eat less of the following:

• Healthy eating tip # 3: Sugar substitutes: Although they curb calories, those pink, blue, and yellow packets can make your stomach swell. “Some people have difficulty digesting artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol and xylitol,” says Greaves. “That can cause bloating and diarrhea.” Try weaning yourself off them by using a small amount of real sugar. (One teaspoon has 16 calories.)
• Healthy eating tip # 4: Canned soup: Many boxed, canned, and frozen processed foods are stealthy sources of sodium. A cup of chicken noodle, for instance, can pack in more than a third of your 2,400-milligram daily limit. “Even a small amount of excess sodium can cause your body to retain water,” says Greaves, who recommends carefully reviewing canned soup ingredients and choosing soups with lower sodium.
• Healthy eating tip # 5: Partially hydrogenated oil: Researchers from Wake Forest University found that eating a diet high in trans fats may actually cause fat in the body to redistribute itself to the belly. Because “trans fat–free” foods can contain up to 0.5 grams of the stuff per serving, scan ingredient lists on packages. 

[Via http://lifestylefood.wordpress.com]

Day 15 - The Last Day For Excuses... I Hope

What a Saturday… I spent most of it working… yes, working. What was supposed to take me 3 hours today for work took about 12. I needed another day to rest so I guess it wasn’t a bad thing. I got to vegetate on my couch all day watching movies and occasionally listening in on a conference call. I’m rested, still with a sore throat but it’s a lot better.

Today should be my last day of excuses. My slight inflammation in my throatal area, yes throatal area, should not keep me from going to the gym tomorrow. I am going to bed shortly to make sure I get there early tomorrow and at least get some cardio done early so I can come back to the apartment, pack and leave for Providence for a day or two.

Measurements are this Wednesday. Am I going to see 220? No, I’ve accepted that. Am I going to see inches and millimeters lost? Yes. Is it going to be an insane loss? No. Could I have done better this past month? This past week? Yes. Unfortunately the New Year brought along an emotional version of myself that I hadn’t see in awhile and as soon as those emotions subsided, the New Year brought along gastrointestinal issues along with a sore throat. F the New Year.

I’m at peace with what will be Wednesday’s results. I still saw the scale go down and I am still getting healthier so whatever happens, happens. Do I feel like a loser for not meeting this month’s goal? Of course I do… but now it just means that my goal for my FEB measurement will have to be greater and when I hit that goal in FEB, I will feel awesome. Damn… I’m tired.

Until next time folks…

[Via http://riguy1980.wordpress.com]

Day 11 Weight Loss- January 16, 2010

Day 11

Weight- 227 lb.

Food Consumed-  ~1700 Calories
 x1 foot long chicken breast sub from Subway (no sauces), water. a chicken salad, and a california chicken salad from O Charley’s. (That is a lot of chicken haha).

Workout-
Did some core exercises on my exercise ball.

Supplements taken-
Took some multivitamins in the morning.

Overall thoughts-
Pretty boring day today. Attempting to figure out a solution for cardio at home instead of at the gym, but I may be forced to use the equipment at the gym instead if I want to do my cardio daily. This is not completely bad, as the equipment is vastly superior to anything that I will be able to afford, but driving to the gym daily just for cardio makes me frown a little when it is something I could be doing right in my house. My Craigslist search continues.

[Via http://donmichaels.wordpress.com]

Healthy Weight Loss In The New Year

January 16, 2010

Exercise is challenging to the truly obese individual. I’m not talking about the person who has just a few pounds to lose. I’m talking about those of us who are 25+ pounds overweight. At some point, obesity becomes a handicap. It impairs our ability to be able to do the simplest of things. Bending over becomes a chore and getting up off the floor can become quite challenging as we crawl over to the sofa to help ourselves get up. Getting dressed can be difficult too as we struggles to get our legs in our pants or to bend over and tie our shoes.

Excess weight on joints can cause pain and trouble with our back, knees and feet, often leading to other disabilities. Our heart has to work harder to do it’s job and we often become short of breath as we do simple things like walking or climbing a flight of stairs.

Sleep apnea has been associated with obesity, as has insomnia. High cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes are all associated as well. Obesity literally robs us of our health.

Over the years I’ve put enough weight related stress on my joints to cause joint disorders in my back and my knees. My cholesterol is rising, as is my blood pressure. At 52 I’m beginning to sit up and take notice of the seriousness of obesity as it begins to take it’s tole on my health. Those joint disorders now disrupt my own attempts at regular exercise. Obesity is like a double-edged sword. It takes your health from you and then when you try to get well, it stand in the way of your efforts.

I won’t give up though. I’m plugging along away one day at a time and hope that you are too. Anyone else out there fighting the same fight?

[Via http://artisticexpressions1.wordpress.com]

Day 10 Weight Loss- January 15, 2010

Day 10

Weight- 227 lb.

Food Consumed-  ~1500 Calories
 x2 foot long chicken breast sub from Subway (no sauces), water. Milk (protein shake).

Workout-
Today I worked out triceps and chest at gym. Did an hour of light cardio, and did some core exercises on my exercise ball.

Supplements taken-
Took some multivitamins in the morning. Had a protein shake after my workout. I always forget to take my glutamine on workout days.

Overall thoughts-
I have a feeling my arms are going to be unable to be moved tomorrow after the workout tonight. My legs were OK yesterday after the leg workout on Wednesday, but today for some reason they are more sore then yesterday and I kind of wobble when I walk lol. I feel good though, being all sore, because I know it is for a good cause . Gotta get an elliptical for the house still, I would burn much more calories on it then I would on a treadmill. Can’t wait to start up my new eating routine after this weekend, excited and motivated to start doing everything right with my eating and workout habits.

[Via http://donmichaels.wordpress.com]

Foods That Help You Lose Weight

Honey, did you find a danish in my pants pocket?

At this point every year, every one- I mean everyone- no matter what kind of shape they are in, were in, or want to be, likes to think that this is the year that everything will be different.

Facebook and Twitter are jam-packed with:

“This is the year that I will change”…

“This year, I will finally run that 10 k”, …

”I signed up for the Half Marathon!”,…

“I love the Wild Rose cleanse!”…

You get the idea.

Then in a few weeks, its all “ Too much wine + too little sleep = McDonalds for breakfast and Dominos for lunch!”

Take that, New Years Resolutions. With a side of hot-fudge-poutine-sundae.

Since we’re all doomed to failure (well, one out of every 100 of us will succeed- yippee) , I figure we might as well have a little bit of fun with that very path to failure we are all planning on traveling along.

So lace up your Asics, New Balance, Nikes, or Tevas, and lets make like Michael Vick and underachieve beyond our wildest imagination.

To help us do so, I’ve looked up some fan-tabulous tips on the wonderful Interweb that can expedite the process.

Let’s begin with “Foods That Help You Lose Weight”:

1. Lettuce - supplies lost cellulose in protein weight loss.

Apparently its better for you if you don’t put it between three slices of bread with special sauce and two burger patties.  But really, it just don’t taste the same.

2. Asparagus-supplies vitamins and trace elements for people who lose weight by low-carbohydrate absorption.

Also makes your pee smell really special. I mean, they should make a perfume or something.

3. Zucchini-eliminates dull skin after losing weight.

You know I have great recipe for chocolate zucchini cake? That probably won’t help lose weight either, but hey- it’s the healthiest cake I’ve ever eaten.

4. Tomato-maintains skin elasticity and moisture.

Also makes for a great marinara sauce. Which goes well on pizza, or, in a pinch, combined with ground beef for a beautiful Bolognese. Also not optimum for losing weight… But also tastes deeeliiiccious!!!!

5. Salmon- supplies quality protein for people who lose weight by low-fat method.

Omega-whatta? I just know I love the smell of fish in the morning. Much like Bob Izumi.

6. Strawberries-supply substantial lost vitamins.

Beautiful. Especially when they are coated with a crop duster. Check out the video before you eat another one. I don’t know if I want to know what that chemical was…

7. Low-alcohol Wine-accelerates the metabolism.

I’m sorry, but- what exactly is the point of low alcohol wine??

8. Turkey-low calorie and high in protein.

Mmmmm. Tryptophan. Prepares you for substantial beauty rest.

Well, there you have it. The best trends to try for three days and give up. But hey- look on the bright side! At least we’ll all be doing it together.

DISCLAIMER: THE FOODS LISTED HERE ARE ACTUALLY GOOD FOR YOU. THE ITEMS HERE ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS SLANDEROUS DISCUSSION, SO PLEASE DON’T TELL THEM.

ALSO, NO FRUITS, VEGETABLES, OR TURKEYS WERE HARMED DURING OR AFTER THE WRITING OF THIS BLOG. UNLESS YOU COUNT THE POUND OF CARROTS I ATE THIS MORNING. OR THE ASPARAGUS-PEE PERFUME I’M WEARING.

[Via http://malifebcit.wordpress.com]

Creating Positive Change In Your Life

Many people start off the new year full of good intentions and resolutions but quickly fall off the path to fulfillment of these intentions.  Here are a few steps you can take to effect positive change in your life and in yourself.

*  Be specific and make sure that  your goal is measurable.  A specific target gives  you a better finish line to focus on to achieve  your goals.

*  Breakdown larger goals into smaller more achievable ones and celebrate each small success. This positive encouragement gives one a potent attitude of achievement and an “I can do it!” atttidude which is important for success.

*  Tell others your plans and write them down for yourself.  Writing something down gives form to your intentions and with form comes achievement.  Telling others instills a sense of accountability to achieve the goal you’ve set for  yourself.

*  Establish a positive, personal value in achieving your goal.  I like to say – find out your ‘why’, what motivates you and encourages  you to reach for this goal?

*  Create a support system for yourself who will encourage you in times of uncertainty and who will celebrate your successes with you. 

*  Minimize your chance of failure by limiting your exposure to high risk situations that may deter you from your path.

*  Ups and downs are normal in the process of achieving your goals.  Be sure to track your progress and celebrate success!

For the #1 Rated Nutritional Supplement in North America and
recipient of the “NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement” award,
go to www.vibranthealthandprosperity.usana.com today!

To your vibrant health,

Mary Wozny

[Via http://vibrantlyhealthyforlife.wordpress.com]

Day 12 - Return to the Gym... Too Bad I Feel Like Crap...

I made it to see CJ tonight but I just wasn’t into it. I haven’t been feeling well this past week… stomach issues… and today I started with a minor sore throat. By the time I finished my cardio and got into his grasp, I wanted to collapse. We did our thing but halfway through I just felt very weak in the stomach and it didn’t feel like it was going to get any better. We took it nice and slow and he told me I need to drink more water and rest.

So rest is what I am going to do. I am about to go to bed and I am going to work from home tomorrow curled up on the couch, drinking an endless supply of water and I hope by mid-day tomorrow I start to feel OK with the additional rest. If I’m still feeling up and down, it’s time to face the emergency clinic and have them take a look at what the deal is. CJ thinks my body is just getting used to all of the harder cardio workouts and increased weight… I hope he is right.

I am completely wiped out right now and still feel extremely weak. Maybe I am doing this to myself and my mental state lately is affecting my physical state? I don’t know… I’m definitely struggling right now physically to feel strong. I am looking forward to what I hope will be a night of 8+ hours sleep, something I have not had in awhile.

My posts have sucked lately but I guess that’s the kind of weight loss blog u get when the blogger has no energy and feels like he is going to pass out. This nausea has been on and off for days, at least a week, but tonight it’s ON and it’s definitely on with a vengeance. I am going to write down everything I have been eating and hand it over to the warden and let him see if perhaps I am doing something wrong. I really don’t think I’ve changed my eating habits… but something’s changed. I’m just glad that I haven’t throw up yet because at some points I feel like I have to.

Why now? I was on such a roll lately. It was bad enough that my brain was putting up a fight but now my body? How can I hit the workouts hard when I feel like my stomach area is going topsy turvy all day and I just want to lay down. At least I made it to see CJ tonight and I did a brief run with weights… better than nothing I guess. I’m praying for a speedy recovery.

Until next time folks…

[Via http://riguy1980.wordpress.com]

Week 2 Performance Report -- Operation Dunk 2010

I was about to post on how unreliable performance reporting — progress, status, and forecast — is one of the first signs of project trouble.  However, I realized that I hadn’t posted on my own “Operation Dunk 2010” performance, so here goes:

I’ve made some progress on my weight (the weight reduction KPI is related to the improvement of my jumping capability):

• Weight — Down 3.5 lbs from week 1 (257.5 from 261)

Also, I forgot to mention that I’ve started work on my balance and coordination capability with my Wii Fit.  There is a basic balance test that combines with my BMI to give me a Wii Age.  That’s probably as good a proxy for balance and coordination improvements as any, so it will be KPI #2.

• Wii Age — Down six years from week 1 (55 from 61).

[Via http://crossderry.wordpress.com]

Week two: I am melting (for now)

Yesterday was my first week assessment.  Looking in the mirror, nothing seemed to have changed.  My “fat” pants seemed to fit better but was it all in my head?  I was a bit afraid to step on that scale but at the same time, I wanted desperately to have a good start.  So, start off wieght was officially 151.6 lbs (my scale rounds to the nearest 0.2lb).  Monday morning, 7 days after following my mish-mash of the No S diet and the Leptine Diet, I weighed 148.2.  I lost an astonishing 3.4lbs!  I don’t even know how that happened.  Other than those evening cravings, it was all relatively easy.  I didn’t even exercise as often as I wanted to (I did a lot of vigorous cleaning though.  That counts right ).

The next test was measurements.  I gained one centimeter in the bust but since I am nursing my youngest, this measurement is probably more related to the last time I nursed him rather than how much weight I lost.  I lost 1.5 cm off the waist, 1 cm off the hips and 1 cm off the thighs.

I am also taking weekly pictures.  I have to admit this is the hardest thing so far.  I can barely look at the pictures once I have taken them.  Why do photographs look so much worse than the real thing? In any case, this week’s photo was as scary as the last so I won’t be using that to motivate me just yet.  I might (this is a big big big might) reveal the before and after pictures once I get to my goal, but honestly, I don’t know if my ego is capable of handling revealing myself at my physical worst.  Telling you my starting weight is hard enough!

I have to run now.  My youngest son who developed an ear infection yesterday needs me.  I have been getting lots of extra cuddles–the only good thing that comes out of having a sick child.

So ladies (and gentlemen)–stay on course.  Good things apparently happen to those who do!

[Via http://twentyfive2go.wordpress.com]

Armor

Oh, ho, ho, let’s not get cocky now.

I was anticipating a hellish day.  And it was hard, with the usual Monday onslaught of paperwork and tiny tasks that build into enormous ones.  But my fears weren’t a 10th of what I imagined they might be.  I feel pretty relieved and sort of powerful like I have a fresh Tuesday start.  There’s still so much to do.  And there’s no giant pizza ice cream zone out session ahead of me to celebrate my own ineptitude not smacking my in the face as hard as I might have expected and no sadsack sorry burrito to quell the stress and disillusion I feel generally about my job.   There’s just moving forward.  Salad and sausage and a wee little egg.

I’m trying to watch myself so I don’t cave in small ways.  I had a taco salad at lunch and made the best of it, not sobbing into my napkin about the absent #11, my usual.   I didn’t feel hungry.  But these tricksy little protein bars.  They’re tricksy because one’s good and fine and magical and fills me up and gives me added protein since my appetite’s small and yet, boy, suddenly having two a day seems perfectly logical.  Little cravings for a third are creeping in.  Telling me it’s the last one, I can’t just finish the box. I’m telling myself to be quiet.  It’s a week and a day.  We don’t need to be carving out little exceptions to rules already just so that we can have a few more faux-sweets.  So imperfection, yes, I know it well.  It’s interesting to me how I rationalize my cravings.  How I move past thought into gimme, gimme, gimme.

I’ve made the mandate that after the final bar is gone – not tonight, damnit, either –  I’m not buying any more until I’ve lost more weight/regained my sanity.   It may be a long wait for said bars.  Oh well.  I would really not like to look back and say that I was held back, that I never reached my goal by my overwhelming passion for protein/meal replacement bars.

It’s a curious thing.  Victory eating.  Reward eating.  Yay good times and I deserve it eating.  It’s so undermining and it essentially fucks up your good intentions.  That was such a strong impulse for me today.  I was so in a fit of relief and happiness and I wanted to eat bad things to…what, I don’t know, numb the excitement?  Add to it?  As a kid, I remember how going out was like this “big girl” activity.  You dress up, you see other people, they give you delicious food, no one has to cook, it’s a new environment, and we do it because something happened that was positive.   Food was always a part of big events and then, wanting that big event, something happening feeling, food just found its place as my opiate of choice.

I really don’t want that to be how it is.  So, with that clarity of feeling, I’m changing it.   The change is the reward and connecting with people, aesthetics, writing, movement, success, progress, peace and calm are all ways to honor big moments versus bloatedly encasing my feelings with a rind of starch and salt.

[Via http://lustrata.wordpress.com]

An elf is my weakness ...

Another successful week!  I didn’t lose as much as I did in the first week, but that’s to be expected.  Down another 1.6 …SWEET!  Speaking of sweets, those damn grasshopper cookies were better than the fudge stripes.  It’s ok, I bounced back.  Everything in moderation, which is my problem.  It has become clear to me that I’m not prepared to handle cookies yet.  That’s ok, I’m an all or nothing kind of girl so as long as I don’t have one I’m all set

Tip of the week:  Do give into temptation every once and a while.  If you don’t you’ll go on a binge and that will just make you feel like crap afterwards.  It’s so not worth it.  And if you know there’s a food that you just can’t stop eating …avoid it until you can handle it.

[Via http://theregoesmypen.wordpress.com]

Fear

I was talking with some friends last Saturday night about fear. I found it fascinating as I was talking about my fear, they responded with disbelief and words like “brave” and “courageous.”

Isn’t it interesting how VERY DIFFERENT our perceptions are?

In my opinion, I am a total chickensh*t about all sorts of things. 

Sunday was the last glorious day of my vacation.  I spent it in my PJ’s with full custody of the remote.  (Mike was at work.)  I watched Dirty Dancing for probably the millionth time.  (One of my favorite movies from the 80’s)  I was struck by the scene where Johnny tells Baby “You ain’t scared of nothing.”  Her response was an incredulous “Me? I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of what I saw, I’m scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.”

I totally related to that scene.

I am scared to blog.   For years, I have enjoyed a huge variety of scrappy, photography, and weight loss blogs.  These bloggers have inspired me, moved me, made me laugh and cry, all without ever knowing me.  I am an observer, not even the type to comment on a blog.  For a couple of years, I have *thought*  about blogging, but never did.  I was scared of being witty enough, interesting enough, and intelligent enough to have anything to say that would hold a reader’s interest.   Not even sure that I had enough to say that I really wanted to document for even myself.

My Storypeople email arrived on 1/3/10 

Here’s the Story of the Day:   “New Age”   “We’re already in the new age, she said. What does that mean? I said. It means we can stop waiting & start living, she said but after she left, I still waited a little while more just to be safe.”

WHY am I waiting?  What am I waiting for?  What am I afraid of?

I am afraid of what people think.  I inherited that trait from my amazingly wonderful mom who everyone absolutely adores.  (Including me.)  I can stand back and say to her, “why do you worry so much about what other’s think?  You rock exactly the way you are!”  But push come to shove… I hate to admit that I am (to a lesser extent) the same way.  I.   Hate.   That.

I work in a position that requires me to be in the public eye a lot.  I have to do media interviews and public speaking frequently.   One would think  that after giving speeches for the past 15 years or so, it would be old hat.  But every single time I still have a moment prior to speaking where I totally panic and fret.  I worry that I won’t be emotional/funny/interesting/intriguing enough.  I worry that I will be compared to other past speakers.  I worry about how I will be judged by my size and if I will lose any credibility because of that.  I worry about dazzling them enough to overcome any stereotypes.  Mostly… (and I admit this) I am my own worst enemy.  The REALLY ironic thing?  I would categorize myself as a confident woman.  And this last paragraph sounds *nothing* like a woman who is full of confidence.

I have been thinking about this post for a week now.  I think that I have put the concept of  blogging and giving a speech into the same category.  I think that is why I am afraid to blog.  I freaked out after the first day when I had all of these hits.  I even called my friend to ask “if only a few people know that I am doing this, where are all of these people coming from?”  Anxiety kicked in big time.

The Storypeople email from 1/2/10 was another nudge.  Interesting that these two emails came back to back.

Here’s the Story of the Day:  “Beyond Caring” “I don’t have many vices beyond caring what other people think, she said, but that’s a big one.”

I need to stop worrying and caring so much about what others think.  FEAR is wasted energy.  I don’t have time for this much fear in my life!

Something clicked for me at the end of November in regards to weight loss.  I adopted a “Just Do It!” mentality.  I know how to lose weight.  I have done it a hundred times over.  I think that the piece that was missing for me was the accountability to myself.  The declaration of “owning” this intention of wanting to lose weight.  I mean, if I don’t actually say it, then I don’t actually have to do it right?  (grimace)  All of these weird mind games have taken up too many years of my life.  I have been overweight for the past 30 years.  I think in my heart, I honestly believed that was just how it was.  Overweight was one of my definitions.  I live a full happy life.  My weight hasn’t interfered with that, or so I believed. 

Maybe I was wrong.  Maybe… after all this time… I finally have my head in the game and I am not afraid to own that.     This is the time to document this journey here.  This blog is for me.  It helps keep me focused and accountable.  I am going to open up this blog and just *get through* the fear of caring what others think.  This is a time of owning this committment and going for it.

Fear holds me back.  Fear should not be a part of that equation.

[Via http://createapositivelife.wordpress.com]

In Defense of Food

You may recognize Michael Pollan as the author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma. He has followed that up with another great book called In Defense of Food.

Summarized in 7 words it is:

Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.

In more than 7, some notes and tidbits from the book:

• The health claims surrounding high fat leading to CHD and obesity were unfounded and have been proven incorrect.
• Focusing on individual nutrients (e.g. fiber, cholesterol) when trying to lose fat is based on the false assumptions that these by themselves are good for you.
• “guilt” was the highest ranking word association for Americans shown the words ” chocolate cake”. “celebration” was for French people shown the same word (presumably in French!).
• A whole food is more nutritious than the sum of it’s parts.
• I would add: “enjoy food”.

[Via http://kitchenpt.com]

The Run Is Yours, Embrace Each Step

Now for a most special gift!  Yesterday, when I went in to the running store to pick up the Yak Traks, I ran into 2 ladies I have not really seen since the Turkey Trot and my running class ended.  These two ladies, Linda and Lori are always most encouraging.  Lori, especially was so evidently excited to see me and to see if I was still running, I thought she was going to jump out of her skin when I told her I was doing a Half!

Yesterday Lori told me she had a shirt for me.  Now I know from previous visits that Lori designs cool milestone jewelry for runners, as well as she is getting into t-shirt design. (oh how I wish I had a website to show her off right now!)  I was surprised and baffled.  Really?  You want to give me a shirt?  Why?

Her response was this.

“Because you are just sooo cool!”

HA!  We have spent time while I was in the store during the running class talking about the perils of boobs while running and other such funny stories that I have of being 300 lbs and exercising so of course I immediately thought of those times.  We laughed good and long as we shared stories back in November!

In truth though, she said she wanted to give me a shirt because I inspire her.  Whoa.

I know, I have been told before the impact I make and how I have inspired my readers here.  My friends and family have told me how I inspire them, but I think on some level I have dismissed this a bit as things that friends and family are supposed to say.  Please forgive me for that.  I am only now realizing it(again).  And as far as you here in blogland, well, we are all on the same journey, so I “get” that kind of inspiration.

But these ladies are runners.  Real runners. No they are not track stars.  They are normal women.  Healthy women, who to my knowledge have not struggled with the need for massive weight loss.  They are not perfectly shaped or sized.  By this I mean they  are not a perfect size 6.  If you saw them on the street, you wouldn’t think that they were runners and yet they have tackled the 26.2, several times.  Knowing that somehow I have inspired them was newly humbling and makes me want to work harder to live up to that.  Because in truth, THEY inspire me.

They have been most encouraging so I shared my blog with them.  Won’t they be surprised now to see they are being featured here! Welcome to my life ladies!

Oh yes, the shirt!  Here is a picture.

Lori, of Running Fit-Northville, designed this shirt!

[Via http://road2beautiful.wordpress.com]

This is MY year!!

I can not tell you how many of my 45 years have started with the same resolutions…diet, exercise, quit smoking, quit procrastinating, be a better mother, daughter, employee. You get the picture.  I realize it’s nine days after New Years and perhaps I’m a tad late posting resolutions but I have a feeling this year may be different.  I made a resolution on New Years day . I was very low key about it and now here I am eight days later and I’ve been successful.  I have not had a cigarette since around 10am 1/1/10.  Now I know it may seem a little early to declare myself a non-smoker but over a week is a huge accomplishment for me. I’ve been smoking since my early twenties ( approx 25 years) and I have half-assed tried a few times to quit.  I don’t think I’ve ever made it more than a day…two tops.  Eight fucking days is incredible for me.

I can’t begin to tell you the sense of accomplishment I have ( which unfortunately is a new experience for me).  I have finally set a goal and worked toward it. I’m not getting crazy here…my next goal is to not smoke for one more week.  So I’ll get back to you next weekend with the progess on that one.

Next, I’ve going to do something about my weight. I am morbidly obese. I have been most of my life. I guess my weight problems started around puberty and have been going strong ever since.  Now I know quitting smoking and dieting may not seem like a great combination to try together but I’m not going to “diet” per say.  One thin I have learned in all my efforts to lose weight is that making a bunch of drastic changes only sets me up for failure.  So I’m going to take this slow. I’m starting by making some gradual changes.

My first one will be keeping track of what I eat. I do a lot of mindless eating. I just joined myfitnesspal.com so I can keep track of my food daily.  I’ve already found out that I eat a terrifying about of sugar. I think that may be the next addiction I tackle.  I’ve never been very good at accountability.  That’s my reasoning behind this blog. I’m going to try to post every day about this “Breaking My Habitz” journey for no other reason than for myself.

Good Luck Me !!!

[Via http://breakingmyhabitz.wordpress.com]

What'll It Be?

Greetings, Friends! Happy 2010. It seems nearly impossible that it’s already January, and even more so that it’s been five months since I started working on this blog. But here we are—and I’m glad to walk this journey alongside you. Whether this is your first stop here or you’ve been reading my entries since the start, I hope that you’ll find my story helpful in whatever lifestyle change you’re pursuing.

As I’ve gone about losing the weight I have, a lot of people have made comments about how hard losing weight is, how difficult it must be. While there is some reality to those comments, making this change in my life has been one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. Sure, there were adjustments that had to be made, I had to learn a few things about myself along the way and I’ve had to remind myself why I drag myself to the gym five times a week. But then I look at old photos of myself and I remember how much worse it felt to be the overweight person that I was, to be detached from the physically demanding activities I longed to be a part of—to feel like I was out of control.

With the new year, there are many individuals who have made the decision to pursue weight loss as a resolution. I remember what it was like to decide (nearly) every new year that I wanted to lose weight for an occasion in the coming year, yet every year I would fail at making that resolution a reality. Studies have shown that most diet and exercise resolutions last a mere four weeks before most individuals slip back into their previous routines. But this year could be your year to break that statistic! So that leads me to challenge you with a simple question:

What will you change in 2010?

When you make the decision to change your life in whatever ways you desire, trust that you can accomplish your goals—that you can do whatever you put your mind to. And remember that if I can do what I’ve done, you can do absolutely ANYTHING you put your mind to. Make 2010 your year for change—and believe it. I wish you all the best as you work towards a better you.

keep moving,
dane.

PS: I apologize for the lack of updates the last couple of weeks—but please stop by every Thursday for updated content, I’ve got big plans!

{author’s note: the photo above is me with a pair of the jeans I used to wear. If you’re getting started on your own weight loss journey I highly encourage you to keep a piece of clothing that will be a reminder of the progress you make, you’d be surprised how good a huge pair of pants can make you feel!}

[Via http://danesgettingskinny.wordpress.com]

The Vocabulary of Fear

Dear Kevin James,

A few months back I wrote to you about the Vocabulary of Doubt.  It is the little voice inside of each of us that tells us that we aren’t capable of something, with the intent of getting us to give up before we even try.  There are lots of these voices calling out to me constantly.  I doubt whether or not I can lose weight.  I doubt whether or not I can eat healthier.  I doubt whether or not I will be able to handle the commitment necessary to be a leaner, meaner version of my now fat self.  But as GI Joe taught me, now I know about the Vocabulary of Doubt, and knowing is half the battle.  I can defeat this vocabulary.

There is another vocabulary however, that is stronger in tone, and generates more than just doubt.  I am speaking about the Vocabulary of Fear.  Unlike the vocabulary of doubt, which pops up in situations that aren’t scary to most of us, the Vocabulary of Fear tells us not only that we can’t achieve a goal, but also that we are going to get hurt in the process.  This vocabulary will use words such as irrational, unnecessary or pain, all in the hopes of getting you to walk away from a challenge in order to be more comfortable doing something less strenuous or exciting.  Just like the Vocabulary of Doubt, the Vocabulary of Fear can come from within and can come from others.  Nevertheless, both seem like they are trying to keep you safe, while convincing you that what you are doing is just too crazy.

Just like the Vocabulary of Doubt, I know about the Vocabulary of Fear from personal experience.  In fact, it is something that I go through during times like the one I am going through right now.  It is during times, when Heather is away, when she is deployed, that I most  hear the Vocabulary of Fear.  All soldier’s spouses go through this I imagine.  It is the fear that my soldier may not come home.  It is the fear that I will open up the news page and see something about a Roadside Bomb or an Improvised Explosive Devise taking lives hear her base.  People have told me you can’t think that way, but I tell all of you.  Try and stop those thought.

I am not worried about Heather’s life after death mind you.  Neither is she.  I don’t fear her ticket to heaven isn’t stamped.  Those who know my wife, know that she is definitely getting in.  If something ever did happen to Heather, I wouldn’t fear for her.  The Vocabulary of Fear in this instance is about me.  How could I live without her?  I fear a life without Heather in my life.  I fear a life where I don’t wake up and see her smiling face next to me.  I fear a life where I don’t grow old with the one I planned on growing old with.  This Vocabulary of Fear has kept me up nights when her internet goes down and she can’t send me an email.  It has made me go crazy looking for more information when I hear of attacks and explosions.  It affects my diet and my workouts because I don’t care if I am healthy, if I don’t know whether or not Heather is.

But here is the thing about the Vocabulary of Fear.  It doesn’t have to control our lives.  In fact, there is a term that describes those who hear the Vocabulary of Fear and then shove their nose at it.  We call these people courageous.  Courage isn’t the absence of fear, rather it is acting in spite of the fear.  When the vocabulary says, “You will get hurt,” courage gives people the strength to move forward.  When the vocabulary says, “It’s over, you can’t handle this, courage allows us to look at our fear and handle any situation.  Men much stronger and much weaker than me have had amazing courage.  There is no reason I can’t.

When I think of my wife, I think of the epitome of courage.  Once again, those who know her know that she would never call herself courageous, but lets face it after nine years in the army and 2 tours of duty in Iraq she is a brave Soldier who has done and is doing a great service for the best nation on the face of the earth.  Whether she is on the base or off of it, she is honorable, caring, and duty bound with all of the other troops that come in her path.  And even Heather has a Vocabulary of Fear.  Yep, she does, and I know because I have to help her face those fears at times.  During Basic Training we faced those fears together.  During our time in Korea, she constantly faced her fears and not only did her job, but EXCELLED at her job.  I am proud to call my wife the best damn Soldier on the face of the earth.  And I proud of the courage all my other Army, Navy, Airforce, Marine and Coast Guard friends exemplify each and every day.

To all of the Servicemembers, I say thank you.  To everyone I say…it is time for us to face the vocabulary of fear just like we do the vocabulary of doubt.  We must face these fears head on.  We must look deep inside ourselves and courageously announce that we are not going to listen to the fear.  With all this being said…it is time to act.  It is time to face the fears in our lives.  For me, that means facing the fear that I can not lose the weight and am destined for a life of obesity.  It is time to man up and get courageous about doing what is necessary to be healthier.  It is time to come up with the vocabulary of courage to tell my fear to go away.  It can’t control me anymore.

Of course I am afraid that no one will read this, but that is more the Vocabulary of doubt talking.

Time for the weekend,

Steve

[Via http://dearkevinjames.wordpress.com]

Countdown to goal weight... 6.8 lbs left to go!

Now that I’m at a “healthy” BMI, I have one more basic goal to reach before working on stabilization and reevaluating my needs.

Goal weight is 150 or 25% body fat, whichever comes first.  At the moment it looks like they’re going to happen pretty much simultaneously.

I’ll go by the average at PhysicsDiet.com for the “real” value, but at the moment I’m working toward getting the scale to say it, first.  I will have to go below 150 a bit in order to stabilize there.

Over the past week my % body fat has ranged between 29.9 and 27.4 – I have a DXA scan scheduled on Jan 14 and that should tell me where I really am, at that point, and how the BIA scale numbers compare.

I’ve been working with the calorie tracker on my iPod and I think I’ve got the diet cycles / energy targets pretty well worked out. Part of what has made the transition complicated is that this tracker, unlike the one on Spark People, automatically takes into account my reported exercise.  I gained weight through much of last week as a result of eating more.  So I’ve had to adjust it down a bit.  It turns out that even with my exercise schedule if I eat more than 1100 calories per day on average, I will gain weight.

The way I’m using the tracker is that when I gain weight I go on the very restrictive  “-10 lbs per month” daily calorie target I’ve set up until it comes off, again.  Once I get back to where I started I ease onto the “-9 lbs per month” target and see what happens.   As I get closer to goal I’ll ease onto less restricted calorie targets and by trial and error figure out what target range will work for me for maintenance.

Because my metabolism is so slow I bet my eventual maintenance calorie target will say I should be losing weight.  It doesn’t matter what the tracker software predicts, though,  just what the actual SCALE and BODY FAT ESTIMATES say.

[Via http://origamifreak.wordpress.com]

boop!

I went to the gym today, for the first time in toooooooooo long.  It felt good. Going again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that…..  I’m not gonna weigh myself for like a month because I dont even want to know how much weight i’ve gained over these last few weeks   My ultimate goal is to get down to 125 lbs.  Think I can do it??? I hope so!

I really need to start a drawing and/or finish the painting I started for emily.  …..Maybe this weekend?  Now that I only have my ONE job I have enough free time to do it… I just need to pry myself away from this computer once in a while, ya know?!  I feel like I just blogged this exact same subject the other day, did i?  I guess i’ll check after I post this.  If I’m repeating myself, sorry!

dying my hair this weekend! back to just normal plain brown.  this weird reddish/carmely/brown thing ain’t working for me anymore.

[Via http://yooshername.wordpress.com]

healthy body, healthy mind

no gym today because it got too late …no worries though, the gym isn’t going anywhere! i will go tomorrow!

eating wise let’s see…today was uneventful. i ate within my points. i had some juice throughout the day which i didn’t point. but you know what, i can easily keep my points under 31 if i don’t count what i’m drinking. why is that? i think i just LOVE juice. i gotta get over that and fast if i hope to see results.

any suggestions for alternatives to juice? flavoured water maybe? any particular brand or flavour?

before i go to bed tonight (which should be soon even though it is ridiculously early) i hope to do some quiet meditation while stretching for a few minutes, reread my devotion for today and pray. it was a quiet day and it will be a quite night.

i’m also working on another aspect of my life this year. i’m trying to get myself, my inner self, in control and in order.I want all of my actions to honor God. i want to become a better person and that is inseparably connected to my becoming a better Christian. That said, i’m learning (painfully) to surrender every thought to Jesus before I say it. What that means is that one MILLION times a day, I have to bite my tongue to prevent me from saying something meaningless! Today was tough in that regard but, the quieter i keep my Spirit and then my mouth, the more at peace i am within my soul…i complain less, i listen more, i get stressed less. i thank God for ALL the small victories of today.

Psalm 19:14
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Proverbs 17:9
“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends”

Matthew 12:36
“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”

Ephesians 4:29;31
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers… Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

1 Peter 3:10;16
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech…keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

James 3:5-6
“The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

James 1:19
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

[Via http://lilylosinit.wordpress.com]