DAY 55: ...Fudge Rounds MUST cross the blood brain barrier...

THE LOST WEEK: DAY 5

After NOT sleeping very well, I got up at 6am to take Billy to the airport for a trip to New York!

Glad to help, but 6am? Oy vey.

He was Bitchy…and burning through our “friendship currency” like mad this morning…but he has the currency to burn, so go for it…hehe

I got back home and cleaned the house for an hour. Chiva and Pavarti are arriving soon! (My brother in law and his husband)

I did a massage at 930a, and it was wonderful.

From beginning to end it was a great experience: My client showed up on time, was happy to see me, enjoyed the work, paid me well, and rescheduled!

I LOVE my clients! I treat them like gold…I mean, they are my living. I just need MORE of them is all…

(To remind you, Chiva is my brother in law, and Pavarti is his Husband. Aliases, of course)

Hubby, Chiva, Pavarti and I all went to Dimsum, and it was good.

A little too good.

I ate a lot. But I wanted to help my headache…it’s going on day 2 now…

SOMETHING in those Fudge Rounds MUST cross the blood brain barrier and hijack my chemicals pretty directly, because my head feels like it has a construction crew living inside of it!

Anyway, Leo looked cute today…I put one of his GAP polos on, for my in-laws visit. Awww…

We all went to La Jolla to see the tide pools, then to the aquarium, and then to SoupPlantation where I again overate, and snuck 3-4 chocolate chip brownies…)

Anyway, their visit was a success, and tonight was just about playing on the computer.

Oh, and our downstairs storage closet kind of flooded…that was fun.

The storage unit next to us REALLY flooded…so we helped our cute neighbor to move his stuff out.

Tomorrow is the big trip to see Hubby’s family in the OC, then to Simi Valley to see my Godfather who’s dying of cancer, and then all the way home to San Diego.

I’m worried about my Godfather. He’s going through radiation and chemotherapy…I hope he’s not in a lot of pain.

So to recap the part that you’ve been waiting for, namely “How the hell does all this apply to a blog about weight loss”, here it is:

• I am in complete meltdown regarding my health
• I’m going on a road trip with no food plan
• I’ll be going to my Father in-laws house, who generally hates me
• Then I’ll see my dying Godfather, whom I love very much

Um…yeah. The emotional eating, stress and bad planning should all come together tomorrow for a beautiful day.

Night for now.
Jayson.

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

Fresh

Tomorrow will be my fresh start at weight loss.

I have lost count of the amount of “fresh starts” I’ve had, but this time I am serious. Yea right.. why this time? Well last night I was at my grandmothers for dinner and there were pictures from my uncles birthday party.  I saw a photo of me, with a chin the size of the grand canyon. I wanted to hide, run, die.  It was beyond mortifying. So after a horrible feeling of dread for the rest of the evening I decided I really, really, REALLY need to do SOMETHING.

I am not 100% sure on what that SOMETHING is. I want to do some type of diet, but not so much a diet as a lifestyle change. So for the next 2-3 weeks, I am going to research and try a few different “diets” and decide which would be best for my life as of right now. I am not saying one is better than the other, but rather what is better for the person and their life at the moment.. if that makes sense. The one thing I’m sure of is, I will be exercising.. A LOT. I really do believe exercising is the key to a healthy successful lifestyle change.

I want to find a balance, a harmony of myself. I want to be able to have my cake and eat it too. Hopefully with this new blog chronicling my weight loss journey, and this new found self dread of certain features of my body I will be able to find the power to really do this.

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

Some of the Benefits of Exercise

Walking prevents type 2 diabetes. Walking 20 minutes per day and losing just 7% of your body weight (12-15 pounds) can reduce your risk of diabetes by 58%.

Walking strengthens your heart. Women who walked three hours or more per week reduced their risk of a heart attack or other coronary event by 35% compared with women who did not walk.

Walking is good for your brain. In a study on walking and cognitive function, researchers found that women who walked the equivalent of an easy pace at least 1.5 hours per week had significantly better cognitive function and less cognitive decline than women who walked less than 40 minutes per week. Think about that!

Walking is good for your bones. Research shows that postmenopausal women who walk approximately one mile each day have higher whole-body bone density than women who walk shorter distances, and walking is also effective in slowing the rate of bone loss from the legs.

Walking reduces the risk of breast cancer. Women who performed the equivalent of one hour and 15 minutes to two and a half hours per week of brisk walking had an 18% decreased risk of breast cancer.

[Via http://30for30club.wordpress.com]

What is a slow metabolism, really?

Slow Metabolism

People who do not know about metabolism think that everyone who is overweight is so only because they eat too much food. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Really, even having problem with your spouse or significant other can make you overweight.
Obesity and the statistics for overweight are increasing. According to national studies, more than 65% of our population is overweight. It’s a problem that affects even our youth- childhood obesity is increasing at a fast rate.
While this situation gets worse, more people are complaining each day of having a “slow metabolism”. But, what is a “slow metabolism”?
The word “metabolism” is composed of the prefix “meta” that comes from the Greek and means “movement of change”. It’s like when we say “metamorphosis”, it means change of form; or when we say “metastasis” indicating a cancer that is in “movement”. In conclusion, “meta” indicates movement or change. Metabolism has to do with the movements or changes that occur within the body in order to generate energy to survive. A “slow metabolism” is a real condition in which the body becomes inefficient in its internal changes and movements to produce energy.
Our human body can be compared to a motor that creates energy for life. The nutrients and the oxygen we breathe are the gasoline for our bodies. People who complain of having a “slow metabolism” have noticed that for whatever reason their bodies are not generating enough energy. Not only do they have a strong tendency to gain weight, they generally feel tired and without energy. When your metabolism is slow, you get the feeling that you are gaining weight just by “looking at the food”. Meanwhile, there’s always one of those very thin people around, the kind that can eat as much of anything they want, and they never gain weight!
The human body seems to have two possible uses for the food we eat: either it converts the food into energy to survive or it converts it into energy for storage. We call the energy for storage “fat”. When you have a slow metabolism, a portion of the food you eat is converted into fat, energy for storage. People who have a slow metabolism are accumulating, little by little, body fat while at the same time they feel without energy to exercise or move their bodies. They may look “lazy” but they are really weak because they lack energy.

If you have a slow metabolism, you won’t have any desire to exercise your body. There is a reason for this which is generally unknown: lack of energy. One of the worst mistakes that could be made is to think: “so and so just needs to eat less and start exercising”. To illustrate this lets imagine for a moment that you are going shopping to the store. Now, it would be advisable that before you begin to write checks, you make sure to have enough money in the bank. Asking a person with a “slow metabolism” to exercise is like writing a check knowing you don’t have enough money in the bank to cover that check. In order to exercise, you must have energy! People with a slow metabolism have very little energy and thus they tend to fail in all their attempts to keep an exercise regime n. Before exercising, you must have enough energy to spend. It does not work any other way.
On the other hand, the general perception is that everyone who is overweight or “chubby” is in this condition because they eat too much. There is nothing further from reality! In fact, many of these people who suffer from a “slow metabolism” are unjustly accused of gluttony. The truth is that there are overweight people who eat very little while there are also other thin people that can abuse the consumption of candy and sweets without gaining an ounce! It’s a ’slow metabolism” problem! It’s a problem that can’t be resolved by eating less or counting calories. It is strictly a metabolism problem.
There are various factors that reduce the metabolism and which have already been identified. These factors have nothing to do with food. Factors like: stress, hypothyroidism, diabetes, hypoglycemia (low sugar), dehydration, antidepressant medication, infections of candida albicans yeast , hormonal deficiencies, and several more. I recommend my book The Power of Your metabolism for a more complete discussion on the reasons behind a “slow metabolism”. The truth is that you will only be able to help a person if you focus on the reasons behind their slow metabolism.
There exists a new science about metabolism. But, more importantly, there exists positive help for people who suffer from a “slow metabolism”. The only way to help these people is to understand the true causes of their slow metabolism. Only when you work with the real root reasons behind the problem can you resolve it.

Frank Suarez

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

Moderate Intensity Day

I slept well and long last nght, nearly 9 hours. This afternoon, after looking for some furniture with LEB for MJB’s bedroom, I did my second Bodyweight Blueprint for Fat Loss moderate intensity workout. I started out with an Intu-Flow joint mobility warm-up. Then I did five rounds of the following staggered set of strength exercises.

1. Kneeling pushups 45 seconds
2. Rest 45 seconds
3. Hip Bridge 45 seconds
4. Rest 45 seconds
5. Side Plnnk on elbow and knee 45 seconds per side
6. Rest 45 seconds
7. Modified 1 leg squat 45 seconds per side.
8. Rest 45 seconds and repeat entire sequence 4 more times.

I finished my workout with the Prasara Yoga cool down and stretching sequence. Read and followed the directions this time around! This is the best all around workout program I’ve done in a long time. Turbulence Training is great, but I think the combination of Intu-Flow, bodyweight strength exercises, Prasara Yoga and varied intensity levels address all my fitness needs in a systematic fashion.

As I mentioned before I was trying to create such a system myself by combining Turbulence Training with Tai-Chi and Yoga on my off days. I never quite got consistent with the Yoga and Tai-Chi though and last summer my joints, particularly my knees were complaining loudly! to prevent any such recurrence I’m icing my knees right now. I’ll likely get back on the TT 6 month bodyweight workout at some point in the future in order to keep my workouts fresh and interesting.

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

Swinging and lifting heavier kettlebells

Nothing ventured nothing gained should be my motto this week. I decided to try to swing the 32kg again on Sunday and have reintroduced the 16kg into my presses.

My workout on Sunday was very Rights of Passage based as I find this a really effective program for becoming confident with a new weight.

I started with clean and press ladders 1-5 . On the first rung which is just one clean and press I’m using the 16kg. The aim of this is to regain my confidence and eventually lift this weight. At the moment I need a bit of a push on the right and the use of a helping hand on the left. When I can lift without these aids I’ll move onto 2 reps. The rest of the ladders use a 12kg and concentrate on not moving my hips out to support. I just about managed 5 sets before form went.

The next stage of this ROP day is swings. I decided to take another shot at the heavier kettlebells because I can’t quite believe how easy I found those swings last week. Again the 20kg,24kg and 28kg were fine. By this time on a sunday most people are tucking into sunday roast and the gym is very quiet. So I picked up the 32kg- made sure form was good and swung! I manged 3 swings and then stopped just to make sure I didn’t hurt myself.Wow that feels good. After this I went back to timed swings with 16kg. This is much harder than I expected so am building up 1 min at a time.

Finding time to train during the rest of the week was hard because my day job is so  demanding  - leaving home at 7:30am and returning at 9:00pm for three consecutive days really hit me hard. I did manage a quick workout using one of Chuzzy’s strength workouts  (Dble chest press, rows,squats and swings) midway through. But no decent workout until Thursday.

Thursday and Friday were ROP days. C&P ladders 1-4 and swings on Thursday and snatch ladders on Friday using the 16kg-I managed 3 sets of ladders 1-5 this week , some more heavy swings (5 with the 32kg) and 12kg TGU. Friday I also ran round the school field with 6 classes in turn- making around 8-10 laps for Sport Relief. At one time I would never manage this but now barely break a sweat! Just as well because I had some pretty intense meeting commitments after that.

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

Hypnosis - For Faster Weight Loss

Did you know that Hypnosis has been proven effective  method to loss weight? Yes! And you too will be amazed of this fact as you go over the information from the research below.

Research demonstrates a significant effect when using hypnosis for weight loss. Weight loss is one of the major applications for Hypnotherapy and here is some relevant research data on its successful use.

In a 9-week study of two weight management groups (one using hypnosis and one not using hypnosis), the hypnosis group continued to get results in the two-year follow-up, while the non-hypnosis group showed no further results (Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1985).

In a study of 60 women separated into hypnosis versus non-hypnosis groups, the groups using hypnosis lost an average of 17 pounds, while the non-hypnosis group lost an average of only .5 pounds (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1986).

In a meta-analysis, comparing the results of adding hypnosis to weight loss treatment across multiple studies showed that adding hypnosis increased weight loss by an average of 97% during treatment, and even more importantly increased the effectiveness POST TREATMENT by over 146%. This shows that hypnosis works even better over time (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1996).

HOW DOES IT WORK ?

Your mind is the key to everything in your life.  Your mental outlook toward life colors your life so completely, that it is only natural that changing your mind about anything, changes everything.  Hypnosis will help you to change the way your body metabolizes food, and it can help you to change the foods you desire, and it can also help you to develop a true enjoyment of exercise.  Naturally, weightloss would result from that.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN YOU LOSE ?

In this case, the sky is the limit.  As you “change your mind” through the use of Hypnosis about the way your body metabolizes food, and about your food choices,  you change everything.  Although Hypnosis is not usually a really quick weightloss method, depending on the amount of weight you want to lose, and depending on how often you experience Hypnosis, you may be very pleasantly surprised at how effortless the process of weightloss can be.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS ?

In a world that is rich with pharmaceutical solutions to all of our problems, it’s natural to wonder if there are any negative side effects to the use of HYPNOSIS.  Fortunately, there are not.  In fact, using Hypnosis for weightloss, may lower your blood pressure and improve other aspects of your general overall health because of the deeply relaxing nature of Hypnosis.  Now we are not suggesting that Hypnosis CURES any physical conditions, but since stress has been proven to be deeply involved with so many illnesses and body imbalances, I’m sure you can imagine that the reduction of stress, can help the body to thrive.  It’s only logical.  So, no, there are no negative side effects to Hypnosis.  Only positive ones.

Here are some of the studies:

Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.

Kirsch, Irving (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments–Another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519.

Allison, David B.; Faith, Myles S. Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: A meta-analytic reappraisal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 1996 Jun Vol 64(3) 513-516

Stradling J, Roberts D, Wilson A, Lovelock F. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy for weight loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. International Journal of Obesity Related Metababolic Disorders. 1998 Mar;22(3):278-81.

Indeed Hypnosis plays a significant role for a healthy, safe, and effective diet. So rather than spending more money for diet pills, nor starving yourself, try Hypnosis method instead and guarantee a happier lifestyle.

Related Resources:

New England Institute of Hypnotherapy

Weightloss Hypnosis

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

Weekly Weigh-in and Belated Healthy You Challenge Check-in

Soo…. this wasn’t a good week for me. I cheated several times. The reason:  I’m a sucker for restaurants. When I friend invites me to go out to eat, I can’t say no. And then, even though I try to make healthy decisions, I still eat a ton of calories! What do you guys do in that situation? I want to hang out with my friends, but I don’t want to eat unhealthy.

Anyway, today was weigh-in. =( I gained one pound. I was kinda expecting it, but it was still heartbreaking to see it on the scale.

I’m officially back on track, but I’m going on a camping trip Sun.-Tues. and am worried about that. Half the fun of camping is the great camp food! lol. I will be getting a ton of exercise hiking and stuff though. Any tips on how to eat healthy while camping?

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

Picture this

A beautiful girl, who is really a woman, running barefoot on the beach in a blue dress waving a yellow shawl over her head like a banner.

Blue for serenity, yellow for joy, water for God. Just what I needed to hear. Thank you, Gracie.

When I get stressed the next two days, when I feel about ready to give up, when I begin to wonder if it’s all worth it or if it’s what I’m meant to do, I’m going to remember that. I’m going to remember that the joy of the Lord is my strength and that if he is for me, who can be against me? I’m going to work my ass off for the next month to finish this semester a success. I declare it with the girls who prayed over me tonight; this semester WILL NOT fail.

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Day 3 was today. It was the first day I didn’t really want to do it, but I think it would have actually been an easier workout had I not eaten right beforehand. Oops.

Yesterday, I learned that 5K is FAR. I did it in 47 minutes (ish), which is …. slow as fuck. I suppose it can pretty much only go up from there.

Guess what I did tonight? Accidentally drove through Palo Alto and Santa Clara. I managed to miss the exit to the bay bridge, though I do recall seeing a sign that said something about the 92. I think I was too busy congratulating myself on not needing my Lady to get out of the city. Well done, me. You added about 30-45 minutes onto your drive tonight. Because you have so much time to spare.

I think…I’m going to bed. I have homework, but it’s midnight and I need to be up at 5-ish for Day 4. I’ll sleep tonight and again on the plane on Friday.

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

Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day for a ride today.  Fairly windy but the sun was out and I was in shorts.  The wind seems to be a fixed northerly these days which I have yet to decide if that is beneficial.  It makes the long slog along Johnson Ave. harder and I am lucky just to keep pace there but the ride back down Motor Parkway is flying.

Ocean Ave. was finally open today and I can confirm that it was a tree that had fallen.  I saw evidence of where it had been as a quarter of the tree remained in the front yard of some property.  I am sure it must have taken down powerlines with it so maybe they had to erect a new pole also.  I saw the broken bottle from Sunday – it was well and truly smashed but I am certain that other vehicles must have gone over it after I did.  I was fortunate in that I didn’t get a puncture.

Pace was good today and I finished five minutes ahead of the schedule.  The chain felt dry so I am going to have to lubricate that this evening.  I have one more ride this week, tomorrow, and am taking Thursday and Friday off.  I weighed in under 170lbs again and hopefully I won’t go back up.  I want to be nearer 160 when I do the longer brevets as I am still carrying excess weight for these climbs.  I am also looking forward to doing the Montauk Century and want to see if I can finish before 1pm.

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

The Best Weight Loss Tip Ever

Yes I know, that is a BIG claim, but trust me, this is the one tip that cements the rest together. The one tip that will pick you up when the diet is not working and you feel like quitting. It is the tip that  helps you keep your sanity through all the ups and downs of losing weight. It stands alone from the others because it eases your mental health. Ok, are you ready for it? If you can get this tip down then you will lose the weight you want. Here it is.

The greatest weight loss tip is a realization that can be used as an affirmation to repeat to yourself and looks like this; 

“I will not set a date for my weight loss goal, because that is my ego rushing things. I will not get frustrated when I do “everything right” and still don’t lose even one pound. I am determined to find the right combination of habits that will help me reach my goal!”

The last one is the key. This is your ultimate goal. If you are lucky, then you will find a diet that works for you and the weight will drop. But if you are like most people, then losing weight can be a mystery. And that is because people are  overweight for different reasons. If you can become a detective and figure these reasons out, then your path to weight loss will be uncovered.

For example, if your diet is good  and you just got lazy and stopped exercising over the years, then maybe exercising is all you need. If you started eating poorly due to a new marriage, job, family, etc, then maybe a simple diet change is your answer. In most cases it is a combo of these.

One thing to remember when changing your diet is this; everybody is different which is why some diets work and others don’t for each person. Keep trying until you find the one that works for you, or better yet see a specialist who deals with metabolic typing or food testing and they can tell you which foods your body will do well with.

Troubleshooting - Often times there are hormonal issues, intestinal parasites, allergies, thyroid dysfunction, environmental toxins, etc. that are causing your body to gain and maintain its weight. These require the help of specialists and usually uncover things that not only help you lose weight but also dramatically improve your health and way of living. This is where the tip I mentioned above comes in handy. Remember, this is not a race, it is a journey to your health that sometime requires you to ignore the expectations of society and focus on the laws of nature and body rhythms.

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I hope this helps some of you because I know how frustrating it can be. If this post helped you gain insite please leave a comment telling me about it. I wrote this because I care (notice I am not selling anything) and your feedback means A LOT to me = ) And please feel free to email me any questions.

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

DAY 50: ...he deserves the food more than I do.

1205a (Next morning)

Let’s chat.

I woke up at 9a, then slept til 10a, then decided to just lay there until I felt like getting up…it was 1105a by the time that happened.

I allowed myself to act lazy today. I only jog 5 days a week, and only work out 4…I have no massages, no commitments, no anything today…

It’s the first day of the week, time for my weigh in…and yet the last couple of days haven’t been anything I’m anticipating to see on the scale.

For the record, I didn’t gain or lose anything. Except perhaps a little in the waist…I think I’m down an inch or so in the waist….HOW is beyond me.

I’m not even going to bother taking a picture this week. The scale said there’s no change.

I only worked out with weights 3 times last week, once with Mr. Trainer, once heavy, and once light.

I did no cardio at all…I was too sick. Bleh.

In any case, I’m fighting against Me today.

I’m fighting my wanting to be done and graduated with my physical recovery.

I’m tired.

I’m exhausted.

I don’t want to:

• Work out
• Eat in a specific way (although I actually DO want to feel good.)
• Keep a food journal
• Weigh and measure food
• Sweat
• Continue to pour more time, talent or money into a business that’s going nowhere…
• Wake up early in the morning
• Go to sleep earlier at night
• Go to any damn Food Issue meetings
• Do any emotional/mental work

In short, I don’t even want to have any problems that need to be dealt with.

Unfortunately, that will never be a reality…so I’m going to either decide to deal with my problems starting tomorrow morning, or I’m going to slide back into a crazy, ineffective way of living.

And to tell the truth, I’m not sure I can even GO back, if I wanted to.

I’m getting too good at living effectively, damnit.

I spent a lot of time organizing my Business Action Page this morning…it felt very overwhelming.

There are 53 Actions I can take in 9 different categories that I can do to help my business.

Of course, some of them take money, so I can only do about 30 of them right now…but it any case…I’m losing hope that I’ll make it, business wise. I don’t like that feeling.

I’m overqualified, and I’m pouting about it now:

• I do good work
• I’m professional
• I have all my licensing
• I have major advertising
• I have a mission statement
• A killer website
• Pictures
• An awesome personality
• A professional office I’m paying rent on
• Free parking

…all I need are the customers!

Well…my food went a little crazy today because of this slippery mental slope I’m on. All I could do is to feel sorry for myself.

And I spent all the rest of my money on Max’s expensive dog food. I have less than $10 in either of my accounts. =(

But that’s okay…I’ll get by somehow. Hubby won’t let me go hungry…

And Max needed that $80 worth of medicated food and glucosamine chonjointant, so that he can walk. He’s 18 and has arthritis….he deserves the food more than I do.

I love that dog more than anything in the world. He’s just an innocent baby who still wants to be involved in the world around him. =)

Even if he does have trouble standing…siggh….why do we have to age? =(

Anyway, I still called my food issue friend at the prescribed time…even though nothing is happening and I’m throwing a mental temper tantrum today.

I cleaned the house before Hubby got home today…he said thank you. I’m just in a funk.

I want the vision that I wrote about yesterday. I want the success, and I’m willing to do the work…I just feel powerless to do much more than I all ready am.

But I’ve got to keep going, keep persevering, keep “at it” until I’m a success.

This seems to be the building phase of my business where I’ll either get worn down, or win.

Damnit.

So, tomorrow I’m planning on going to the gym for a heavy workout in the morning. And I’ve modified my calories for the rest of the week.

200 less over the next 6 days will make up for my stupid, joyless mini binge today.

I hope the mini binge isn’t just something I’m going to do every Monday after my weigh in.

Oh, and I want a lot of sex. My body is ready to go.

See? That’s the problem, or at least part of it….I feel like most of my health problems are gone, I have my sex drive back, and I’m fitting into my size 38 pants…normally!

I FEEL like I should graduate now…but it’s only one small step up a graduated hill of fitness that will continue to get steeper the rest of my life…

Or to put it more humorously, as Billy said to me, “See? You’re in good enough shape that you want people again. Now keep working out until other people want YOU.”

Mwah.

Jayson.

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

Weighty Fights

About a month ago, BFD worked out behind me for an hour.  After, he commented with admiration on my increased flexibility and with dismay on my weight.  Then he took me to dinner and insisted I eat both orders of french fries he ordered in order to “fatten me up.”

I was very thin (110-113) and I looked gaunt and grey.  Even I noticed I looked too thin.  A couple of days later, I sent a series of photos to LP — one from August (weight 120), one from October (weight 117), and one from that day (weight 111), and I looked terrible.

Over the past few weeks, I intentionally gained weight, which was easy as I was dating actively.  Now, my weight has hit my “oh shit” level . . . in the past two days I’ve broken 120.  My weight is now a horror-inducing 122.6.  It makes sense and it’s at least a pound of water, according to my tanita scale.  Still, I am uncomfortable and unhappy about it.  I have broken 120 a a few times over the past three weeks — always connected to plenty of bloat-inducing restaurant meals.  (Sunday morning weight: 121.0, down 1.6 pounds of obvious water.)

I feel bloated and uncomfortable.  My cheeks feel heavy.  I am noticeably curvier.  Sizewise, I am a 2/4 from a 2.  Everything in my wardrobe fits.  I just hate how I look — I have a roundness and softness.  I hate how I feel– I feel heavy and leaden.  I know I look better.  The curves are in the right places — breasts, ass, hips are all fuller — but I don’t like it.

I want to say that I know I have body image issues and that to the entire world, I look healthier, sexier, and more vibrant.  I know this.  I said at the farmer’s market last weekend, at a bar hanging out with my pda friend, “I am on a diet.”  The look of horror from people who do not know me was surprising.

I am really always surprised because I think I know how I look, but I don’t.

For people who don’t know me, I look like I am on the thin side of normal.  I prefer to look skinny.

So, I have decided to lose 8 pounds, which should take about 3 weeks.  I have experimented a couple of times with a slightly heavier body, but each time I go there, I am very unhappy with it.

I am doing this the right way: skipping wine, skipping dessert, cutting back on the carbs.  I’ve had a long run of cookies, fries, and booze, so dropping the weight should be easier than had I gained doing all the right things.

I am experiencing a lot of pushback on my diet plan, the horror from strangers I described before, and some anger and vitriol from friends and romantic partners.  N and I actually got into a heated argument about it on Friday night.  He thinks I look good now, and argued that there is nothing wrong with me in terms of how I see myself — like he could know?!!! — and it was awful.  The fact that I eat in front of you does not mean that I have a healthy approach to food or that I see myself accurately.  Arguing the point with me angrily kinda you a douchebag, especially when I am trying to tell you how I feel and to bring you into the loop on something very personal and intimate to me.  We also argued because he said I look perfect now, and I countered that I don’t like how full my face looks in photos.  His response: who the fuck cares how you look in photos.  Um, I do, you asshole.  (Related: N, done.)

But, despite the pushback, it’s my body and I am happier a little thinner.  It gives me the freedom to indulge when I want, but to not indulge every day.

So, after day 1, I am down 1.6 pounds with 6 pounds to go.  It will get more challenging during the week with all the parties and lunches I have scheduled for the week, but I am on the right path.  I’d like to get there by the time LP is back from his project, which should be another 2-3 weeks.

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

You want to...

You want to love your body,

THAT is why your doing this

It is better to have days of total cleansing…

than to have days of torture…

refined, fried, and soda? no good, and it shows

Skinny, clear skin, a smile…

that is what’s attractive.

Eat naturally

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

One out of three ain't great

Another good week on the exercise front – did all of my scheduled workouts, although I had to shift the ones at the end of the week back a day after I sliced the end off one of my fingers during a healthy cooking demonstration! Fear not – it seems to be growing back nicely; the human body really is a remarkable thing! Total of 3 hours 55 minutes exercise for the week, hitting my exercise goal for the week.

Food was less good, at least from a 40/30/30 perspective. I ate mostly clean but only hit my calorie targets twice (usually under, rather than over – average 1792 calories) and my macros not at all! Too many carbs, as usual (51%). Fat about right (28%), not enough protein (19%). A couple of glasses of wine with a friend on Saturday night translated into 2% alcohol calories – I hate that. It always makes me sound like a lush! So not even close on last week’s nutrition goal.

I also didn’t achieve my lifestyle goal – to finish my PN competition writing assignments, although I have made some progress on these. The deadline is this coming Friday, so will definitely have to get them finished this week. So, my specific goals for this week will be exactly the same as last week’s. Hopefully, I can do better than one out of three this week.

My workout schedule for the coming week looks like this:

Sunday NROL4W Stage 2 workout A1 Monday Badminton Tuesday Bike Wednesday NROL4W Stage 2 workout B1/HIIT Thursday Pilates Friday NROL4W Stage 2 workout A2 Saturday Walk

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

Low-Carb Bread Recipe - To Die For

I’ve finally found it… an awesome low-carb bread recipe that’s super easy to make and tastes delicious!   Now I have something that I can spread all those wonderful wurst spreads on.

This is the original recipe link: How to Make Low-Carb Flax Bread.  However, I made only half of the recipe to try, with 3 eggs and no sunflower seeds.  Here’s how I did it.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flax seed meal
• 1 1/2 tsp baking power
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 packet of Splenda (2 tsp)
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 Tbsp oil (flax if you have it)

Directions:

1. Turn on your oven to 325 degrees F and preheat for at least five minutes. Put some parchment paper on baking pan or spray with cooking spray.
2. Blend the wet ingredients together in a bowl – eggs, water and oil.
3. Whisk together the dry ingredients in another bowl – flax seed meal, baking powder, salt and Splenda.
4. Combine the dry and wet ingredients and mix well.  Let the batter sit for about 10 minutes to let the flax thicken (but don’t leave it too long or it will be too hard to spread).
5. Pour the batter into the baking pan and spread out toward the sides of the pan. The nice thing about this batter is that you can shape it on a larger pan and it will hold together.
6. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the bread spring back when you push it.
7. Cut into 8 pieces (or cut off edges & eat with butter, and then cut the rest into uniform squares)
8. Each slice is about .58 net carbs per fatsecret.com, where I typed in the recipe.
9. Use this low-carb flax bread to make your favorite sandwich, warm out of the oven with butter or alone as a snack.

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

DAY 47: ...the Death Star IS fully operational...

1130p

It’s going to be a very short, simple blog today…and that’s okay. Because I’m smart enough, I’m pretty enough, and Gosh darn it, not every day has to be “One Life To Live.”

So this morning I got up, and I went to the gym without eating for my light workout. I did it in 55 minutes!

I did approximately 20 reps per exercise, where I would normally do 8-12. I focused on speed, short intervals and on good enough form that I didn’t hurt myself.

It was a whole different kind of feeling from the heavy days. I was burning slow and hot the whole hour…like when I did the cardio shredding with Jillian. =) Cool.

After the gym, I took Billy to my office and he got a massage, which he really liked, and then I dropped him off at school! Yea!

Oh…here’s one fact about Best Buddy Billy that was really funny, but I wasn’t sure if I should write it in here…but last night he turned me on! Can you believe that?

He was all joking and bending over the kitchen counter (as gay men joke frequently), but when I played back, I reacted!

I stopped IMMEDATELY (he’s like my sister for God sake), but do you know what this means? I have libido again! OMG!

When you’re tremendously fat, your libido, testosterone production and everything else that’s necessary to have a normal, healthy sex life is inhibited!

Grabbing Billy’s bony hips made a electrical signal jump to my brain that sent another chemical someplace else and said “Playtime!”

I’m still in shock….but I’m happy! I guess this means that the Death Star IS fully operational after all! Watch out Alderaan! (Reference #1)

Anyway…I got home after dropping off Billy at school, and I’m a little dizzy and hungry. I gotta recoup, because I’m supposed to go out to “Top of the Park” tonight and do more networking!

I talked to my sister about tomorrow…I’m not going to be able to hang out with her when she meets RuPaul at the book signing…I got a gig in the morning doing chair massage samples! But I miss my sister.

I didn’t end up going to a Food Issue Meeting today…I gotta go, but there were no convenient times…I’ll work on it.

Anyway, I did end up going to “TOTP” tonight and I felt kind of awkward. It wasn’t as easy as last week…I’m not sure why.

I felt kind of pretentious because of my business shirt with my website on it, and I was dressed for the cold with 3 layered shirts…

I wasn’t as pretty as last week, and I had on a giant scarf.

Everyone said I was smart for having the scarf in the cold air, but I looked like some sort of Winter Ken doll, and I wasn’t as approachable…I don’t know…nothing to do but to go back next week and try again.

What would be REALLY nice is if I could get an official massage chair in there….I don’t think the hotel is going to go for it, but there’s nothing to do except to ask.

The good part about tonight was that I spent time with Dreads! He came along, offered all sorts of support and chuckles, and then I got to show him my office afterwards! He also showed me a great shop for the professional massage therapist. =)

Overall, my health has felt better today, and I’m only getting stronger. I DID stay warm enough at the event…I was always wrapped in the scarf, or under a heater…so, good!

But the best news today is that Hubby seems to have come around. =)

Although, now I find myself thinking just like he was…just waiting for him to go back to his old habits. I’m not sure I trust him to be supportive, nice or present anymore….hmm….he turns on and off like a switch.

But long story short: He’s invited me out to dinner tomorrow night, gently touching my face, smiling, leaving nice phone messages and generally acting like he actually likes me….where has he been? I missed him.

Well, that’s all the news for now. I will keep you abreast (hehehehe) of any developing developments should they develop.

Night.

Jayson!

PS. I mean, like full on head resting on his chest, as he strokes my forehead and says “How was your day, honey?”  What is going on?

Just when I’m used to him being a bastard….SCARY! Well….wish me luck.

PPS. In case you didn’t glean it from the above, today was a “Get better from being sick, take it easy, and go network tonight” kind of day.

And the cherry on the top was that Hubby is acting like a loving guy…sorry there wasn’t anything more exciting to report, but I could get used to these kind of easy days. =)

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

An Energizing Approach to Weight Loss

More people than ever are affected by being overweight, noticeably enough that obesity is now recognized as a worldwide epidemic by the World Health Organization. In the United States, obesity is the most common chronic disease, affecting one-third of all Americans, including children, and its prevalence has been steadily increasing for the past 20 years. In Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and the remaining portions of the Americas, the occurrence of obesity appears to be increasing and is now between 10 and 20 percent reports the WHO.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including:

Beyond the physical effects of obesity, many overweight people struggle with emotional challenges such as lack of motivation, depression and low self esteem.

Most recognize a need for change in their lifestyle, but don’t achieve their desired results despite great efforts. Dieters often find themselves tired and lacking the energy needed to exercise when cutting calories. Fortunately, nature offers some great options to aid weight loss and provide ample, lasting energy to get you through the day… and your work-out.

BIOLEAN Free® is a dietary supplement designed to reduce body fat and improve metabolism by enhancing energy production through several of the body’s metabolic pathways. Proven to be exceptionally effective in jumpstarting and maintaining energy levels naturally, BIOLEAN Free uses a strategic blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbal extracts.

The key ingredients in BIOLEAN Free’s key ingredients (quebracho, green tea leaf extract, yerba mate, chromium and guarana extract) work synergistically to increase lipolysis, curb cravings, stimulate thermogenesis and increase energy without causing anxiety or insomnia, which are seen in many other supplements of this type.

5 INGREDIENTS THAT ENERGIZE AND METABOLIZE

Green Tea is well known for its antioxidant powers, but it also suppresses appetite, increases energy production and enhances lipolysis, the breakdown of lipids stored in fat cells. The catechins, green tea’s antioxidant flavonoids, aid the body in burning energy from fat stores rather than other energy sources like carbohydrates.

• The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that, “Green tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content per se. The green tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation, or both.” 
• A study published in the January 2005 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded, “Daily consumption of tea containing 690mg catechins for 12 weeks reduced body fat, which suggests that the ingestion of catechins might be useful in the prevention and improvement of lifestyle-related diseases, mainly obesity.” 
• The flavonoid EGCG accounts for 10-50% of the total catechin content and appears to be the most powerful of the catechins. Its antioxidant activity is about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. One cup of green tea may provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant activity greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots or strawberries. 
• One study examined thermogensis and the effect of green tea extract on 24-hourenergy expenditure in 10 healthy men – who each consumed 3 treatments of greentea extract (50mg caffeine and 90mg epigallocatechin gallate), caffeine (50 mg), andplacebo (at breakfast, lunch, and dinner). The results of the study showed that,relative to placebo, the green tea extract resulted in a significant (4%) increase in24-hour energy expenditure (approximately 80 calories per day) and a significantincrease in the body’s use of fat as an energy source (24-h Respiratory Quotient). Inaddition, the 24-hour urinary norepinephrine excretion was 40% higher duringtreatment with the green tea extract than with the placebo. It is interesting to notethat treatment with caffeine in amounts equivalent to those found in the green teaextract (50mg) had no effect on energy expenditure of fat oxidation – suggesting thathe thermogenic properties of green tea due to compounds other than its caffeinecontent alone.

 Chromium Improves the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats from the diet through thermogensis, the raising of the body’s core temperature. Chromium helps increase metabolism.

• It’s estimated that 90% of Americans consume less than the recommended amount of chromium each day; furthermore exercise causes the body to use chromium up to five times the normal rate of expenditure.

 Yerba Mate helps make energy last longer, adding more oomph to your day naturally by prolonging the half-life of ATP, the main energy source for the majority of cellular functions. Yerba Mate also relaxes smooth muscle, while stimulatinges cardiac tissue, making your resting heart rate is higher, while relaxing smooth muscle, thus burning more calories without any feelings of anxiety.

• Yerba Mate also contains the elements potassium, magnesium and manganese to assist in maintaining energy and help increase calcium absorption.
  • These supplements may also play a role in energy metabolism
  • Magnesium helps increase calcium absorption

 Guarana Extract
Increases energy levels, helps suppress appetite, and reduces fatigue. It also extends the activity and potency of other key ingredients increasing caloric expenditure and providing you with energy longer.

• One study showed an average 11.2 pound weight loss in a group taking a mixture of yerba mate, guarana, and damiana, compared to an average 1 pound loss in a placebo group after 45 days.

 Quebracho is an herb found in South America that contains an active compound called Yohimbine that helps increase energy levels, promotes fat oxidation and fights free-radical production.

The statements given above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and the products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, see a qualified health professional.

SOURCES:

Anderson, T and Foght, J (2001). “Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients”. J Hum Nutr Diet 14 (3): 243.

http://www.smoothiecentralplus.com/pages/dietsgh-in.php
http://www.supplementwatch.com/suplib/supplement.asp?DocId=1153
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/81/1/122
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/70/6/1040

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

the morning after....

A great a ride yesterday on the bike. I rode for 2 and ahalf hours and made an average distance of 30 miles. I think it may have been more. I don;t have a spedometer on my bike, so I just use an overall time and I make a good guess at the distance. It was a great ride though. I made the treck to Balynahinch, and then out to Dromara, then up the Mountain to the Windy Gap on top of Slieve croob, then down to Castlewellan and home!! Whew! Yes it was hilly and yest this morning I am feeling pretty beat, and ready for a cycling rest today. I am off to work at our new place, so that should keep me busy today. It was another bench mark for me, making the loop that I thought was surely too far for me. BUt the climbs were steady and the legs felt strong, so I just used the gears and kept moving and found myself home again and in once piece. I tell you I am very impressed with myself, and at this rate I think I am going to do a race this April! Don;t quote me, but I think it could happen. The weight is coming off too, another pound, but I am not goinig to get excited until I drop to below 18 stone. Sitting at 18 stone 4 pounds as of this morning. Not too far, and within my grasp.

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

AMANDA HAMILTON LAUNCHES SUMMER DETOX & BODYCLEANSE SPA RETREATS AT TURKISH VENUE OF TV’S “SPA OF EMBARRASSING ILLNESSES” SERIES

Expert TV nutritionist and leading detox guru Amanda Hamilton is going back to Bodrum, Turkey this to hold her Summer Detox & Bodycleanse Spa Retreat – five years after presenting the hit TV series “Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses” there.

Based at The Bodrum Detox Centre, a luxurious boutique dedicated spa nestled among mandarin orange groves in the stunning Aegean town of Türkbükü, minutes away from a dip in the turquoise bay.

The Summer Detox is designed to cleanse, invigorate and inspire with a healthy option (with healthy detox and raw food cuisine) or healthy detox option (with juice and broth fasting and supplement support).

In each programme guests will enjoy Amanda’s personal supervision and support, daily ashtanga yoga, delicious and varied juices and broths and educational seminars. Inclusive therapies   include yoga, meditation, herbal steam baths, Turkish baths and infrared sauna , trampoline and inversion table. Optional further therapies include Bali and Thai massages, aromatherapy, Chi Nei Tsang, Shiatsu, and Reflexology, Turkish Bath Scrub & Foam massages and meditative flotation tank.

“As in all our retreats our aim is to provide an inspiring, relaxing and effective opportunity to detox and cleanse mind and body and successfully inspire you for the future.”

The detox programme includes delicious, freshly made organic juices and broths, healthy welcome and celebration raw food meals, skin brushing, and managed self-administered colon cleansing

Informal workshops cover subjects as such as Ayurvedic Body Typing, Understanding effective weight loss, Why Detox and Introduction to Iridology.

“The Bodrum Detox Centre’s gorgeous location, spa facilities, therapists, and personalised service make it the ideal place this summer for people to relax, cleanse, re-invigorate and address any specific issues such as weight loss, stress or challenges such as digestive issues or skin complaints.

Dates and Prices

Our dates for Bodrum in 2010 are:

26 June – 3 July, 2010 £1,625 shared/£1,745 single

4 Sept – 11 Sept, 2010 £1,625 shared/£1,745 single

The programme runs from Saturday afternoon to following Saturday morning.

What is included?

• personally led by Amanda Hamilton and her team
• sumptuous location on the shores of the Aegean Sea
• pre-cleanse pack and assessment
• seven nights’ single accommodation
• six day juice cleanse and managed, self-administered colon cleansing
• inclusive yoga, Pilates, hill walks, boat trip
• three tailored therapies
• unlimited use of the centre’s leisure facilities

What is not included?

• travel to and from Bodrum
• personal insurance
• any extras such as additional therapies etc

For sales and media enquiries, images or to speak to Amanda Hamilton

Contact Heather Cotton on 0891 870 1331 or heather@amandahamilton.co.uk.

About Amanda Hamilton

Amanda Hamilton, 35, is a health expert and nutritionist who regularly features on BBC television and radio, GMTV and UKTV. She is a well-respected author and regularly contributes to national titles and is a member of the Guild of Health Writers. Best known by many in the health industry as the founder and director of a well-known and respected retreat company, her work has led to specialisations in the field of detoxification, fertility and weight loss.

About Bodrum Detox Centre & LifeCo

Bodrum Detox Centre is part of the www.TheLifeCo.com, a company dedicated to improving the health of people through healthy living and eating. In addition to the Detox Centre, LifeCo has urban day spas, and has launched the “Saf” raw food restaurant chain, headed by celebrity raw food chef Chad Sarno.

The LifeCo was created by Turkish businessman Ersin Pamuksüzer, successful businessman with over 20 year of experience in executive positions in technology and telecommunications area (CEO of Ericsson Turkey, executive commitee member and member of BOD, Turkcell among others). Right now, he is the managing director of The LifeCo, a company dedicated to improving the quality of life of people living in urban environments.

For more information on TheLifeCo contact gul.kaynak@thelifeco.com or call +90.252.3776310.

- ends -

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

One Simple Way to Reduce Depression and Heart Disease.

Recent studies show that people who have heart disease and other associated conditions are much more likely to be depressed if their vitamin D levels are low.  This information was present at the annual American Heart Association meeting in November of last year.

A second study shows that people how have low vitamin D levels are much more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke and die at a younger age than people with adequate levels.

In the first study blood levels of vitamin D were measured in 8,680 people age 50 or older who had been diagnosed with heart disease, stroke, or another type of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D levels above 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/mL) were considered normal, levels between 15 and 30 ng/mL were low, and those 15 ng/mL and below were deemed very low.  While levels above 30 are considered normal, they are far from optimal.  The study did not consider optimal levels of vitamin D, but it should be noted that in order to reap all of the benefits of vitamin D levels should be no lower than 50 ng/mL.

Among those with very low levels of vitamin D, 32 percent were depressed, as were 25 percent of the people with low levels, and 21 percent of those with normal levels. This trend was seen even among individuals with no history of depression.  Winter seemed to make the association even clearer.  Winter makes it much harder to get enough sun because of two reasons.  First, the winter months are colder so when we are outside our skin is covered by our clothes preventing the synthesis of vitamin D.  Secondly, during the winter the Northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun.  This causes the strength of the sun’s rays reaching the surface of the earth to be lower.  As a matter of fact, according to the National Institute of Health, the sun is not even strong enough to produce any vitamin D in latitudes north of Boston from November to March.

In the second study, which looked at 27,686 people age 50 or older with no history of cardiovascular disease, it was found that, compared to individuals with normal levels of the vitamin, people with very low levels of vitamin D were 77 percent more likely to die, 45 percent more likely to develop heart disease, and 78 percent more likely to have a stroke during the study, which lasted for more than a year. They also had double the risk of heart failure.

It is estimated that many of the genes that regulate cardiovascular health are either directly or indirectly affected by vitamin D.  We also know that the brain is particularly affected by low levels of vitamin D.  The brain is saturated in receptors for the vital nutrient and this may be how low levels are linked to depression.

Vitamin D has been linked to a host of other conditions that include cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and some autoimmune disorders.  While not all of these may turn out to be caused by low vitamin D levels it is safe to assume there is at least some relationship.

This is the molecular structure of vitamin D.

Monitoring levels of vitamin D is a simple thing to do.  I routinely measure my patients’ levels and have found that most people are astoundingly low.  The current recommendations for adults in the US in terms of adequate vitamin D intake is anywhere from 200-600 IUs per day.  They say the “safe” upper limit would be 2,000 IUs per day.  These levels are a severe underestimation of what human beings need.  I routinely recommend anywhere from 4,000-10,000 IUs per day depending on my patient’s needs and health goals.  This is an effective and safe way to raise serum vitamin D.  The safe upper limit that is set by the government today is extremely low and scientific research supports that.  Below is a quote from the Merck Manual about what it actually takes to produce vitamin D toxicity.

Because synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D (the most active metabolite of vitamin D) is tightly regulated, vitamin D toxicity usually occurs only if excessive doses (prescription or megavitamin) are taken. Vitamin D 1000 μg (40,000 IU)/day produces toxicity within 1 to 4 mo in infants. In adults, taking 1250 μg (50,000 IU)/day for several months can produce toxicity.

So what this is saying is that in infants it takes more than 40,000 IUs daily for 1-4 months and 50,000 IUs in adults over roughly the same time period to produce toxicity.  So where did they get the 2,000 IUs recommendation?  Very good question.  I think it means we must also question the daily allowances of all of the other nutrients we need to function and function optimally.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to ‘just get by’.  I want to feel great and live life to its fullest.

Even if you live in a sunny, warm climate you may not be protected.  You may need less supplementation, but I recommend vitamin D for everyone.  The research into this vitamin has exploded over the last 5 years and there have been nothing but positive results.  If you have a family history of any of the conditions listed in this blog, you would probably benefit from vitamin D supplementation.

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

Jenny Craig Diet

Maureen Callahan, MS, RD reviews the Jenny Craig Diet an writes, Plans start at 1,200 calories — probably a little lower than many health experts might recommend, but it should be enough to provide dieters with the nutrients they need. (If possible, opt for 1,500 calories. If you exercise, this is more realistic.) A good thing: The complete program encompasses exercise advice and behavior training.

Anne Collins reviews the Jenny Craig Diet and vrites about Menu Plans, and writes, All menu plans that are nutritionally balanced according to the recommendations of the USDA Food Guide Pyramid and U.S. Dietary Guidelines. Clients can choose from more than 70 food products… The Jenny Craig Program is based on the consumption of pre-packaged meals. This is very convenient to begin with but this close dietary supervision can cause problems once the diet ends. The dieter may not be ready to “go it alone.” To put it another way, short-term weight loss goals take priority over the need to learn new eating habits.

Northwestern University reviews the Jenny Craig Diet Program and writes, Since 90% of Jenny Craig’s clientele is female, overweight men may feel uncomfortable participating in this program… Clients are required to have a 15-minute personal in-person or phone consultation weekly with Jenny Craig (who lack formal nutrition/behavior training) to help clients meet their weight loss goals. A variety of online pharm support group tools such as BMI calculator, interactive journal, menu planner, weight tracker, chat room and e-newsletters are available to strengthen clients motivation to achieve desired weight loss goals.

CompareDiets.org reviews the Jenny Craig Diet Program and writes about alternatives, There are alternatives to consider as well. If you’re looking for a cheaper Jenny Craig-style diet program, you can participate in the eDiets version of Jenny Craig which takes advantage of cheap frozen food items you can locate at your local grocery store. This version of Jenny Craig is available at lower cost than the real thing and pretty much just as effective. You won’t benefit from the personalized one-on-one counseling that the traditional Jenny Craig plan offers, but then you won’t have to do any of the dreaded weigh-ins.

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

The Cleansing pH Miracle Diet

One of the most important principles in the pH miracle diet is the concept of cleansing your body of the acidic materials that are built up within. The ph miracle diet is a cleansing diet. It performs a cleansing of the body and its tissues and organs. This cleansing is almost like setting the “restart” button on your body. Any conditions you have developed from improper diet and lifestyle will start to dissipate. Cleansing diets like the pH miracle diet will help give your body the nutritional support it needs to function at an optimum level.
To understand what a cleansing diet is you need to understand how the body cleanses itself. The body rids itself of harmful elements through the colon, skin, lungs and bladder. The liver, kidneys and lymphatic system all assist with this cleansing. The liver is the organ in the body that is primarily responsible for body detoxification. When the liver is not functioning properly it cannot change toxins like alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, pesticides, drugs, antibiotics and additives into waste matter. If your liver doesn’t work, you are poisoning yourself. The liver can become stressed through improper digestion (eating processed foods), yeast overgrowth, parasites, dehydration and inadequate water intake.
Cleansing your liver is the best thing you can do for your health and for the restoration of proper pH to your body. When you undergo a program, like the pH miracle diet that cleanses the liver it normally requires the liver to work harder than it has before. You must add live enzymes to the diet rather than drawing them from the liver. The live enzymes will alkalize the body and restore your proper pH. You can accomplish this by incorporating organic vegetables into your diet. The proper alkalizing vegetables in the pH miracle diet will support the liver and help restore it to its natural functioning.
If the liver is helped by a cleansing diet, then the whole body will be helped. Once the liver is functioning at proper performance it can begin to do its job of eliminating waste. It will support the other detoxifying organs and perform more effectively in doing its own job.
The pH miracle diet qualifies as a cleansing diet because it performs a cleansing function of the liver and the rest of your body. The diet is made of mostly raw foods, simple proteins (beans and legumes), alternative whole grains and plenty of fresh and pure water. Cleansing diets include, at minimum, five servings of vegetables per day. In most cases, people eat twice that when they are on the pH miracle diet. This is accomplished with the use of fresh vegetable juices. There are four to five servings of vegetables in just two cups of juiced vegetables.
Eating small and frequent meals is also an important part of the cleansing function of the pH miracle diet. The small meals will keep calorie intake up and give you the opportunity to add more vegetables to your day. Although raw vegetables should be favored, lightly steamed veggies are also beneficial. Plant based proteins like beans, soy and nuts should also be included at each small meal for energy and balance.
The effects of the pH miracle cleansing diet depend entirely on your previous level of health. If you’ve had a diet that consisted of meats, processed foods and other acid forming choices then the cleansing effects may be very difficult at first. Your body will have to adjust to living off of natural elements instead of chemical ones. However your efforts are well worth it. You will be learning the most natural way to eat and teaching your body to live to eat instead of eat to live. Remember that learning to eat in this manner and adopting a cleansing diet will be a process of healing, and not an overnight occurrence. As you take on the principles of the pH miracle diet, you will begin to change your health for the better.

backlinks widget

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

Banishing Negative Self-Talk

Every time I chat with someone about running, I add the disclaimer, “but I’m slow.” A colleague of mine called me out on this behavior a few months ago. “Do me a favor. Please stop referring to yourself as slow. You’re faster than the person who doesn’t get out there.” While her words made an impact, it wasn’t until this weekend that I made a commitment to reframe this negative self talk.

I coordinate a group of runners associated with my workplace. We choose a half marathon to complete as a team, raising money for our organization. Last year we did the Saint Jude Half Marathon in Memphis. This year we are looking for an event closer to home, thinking that more people will join our team if travel and lodging weren’t an issue. We want a Fall race and so far I have found two possible events. The one closest to home has a required finish time of 3.5 hours. The standard required finish time for a half marathon is four hours. I’ve been stressing about the 3.5-hour finish for two reasons. First, I am aware of someone who wants to join our team as a walker. I am almost certain that even with training, this person will require at least four hours to finish. Second, I’ve completed two half marathons and both took me 3:40 to complete. Currently, I would not be able to make the cut off and that scares me.

Yesterday my training plan called for six miles, which feels very easy to me. Several running coaches I admire (Jeff Galloway/John Bingham) have written that the weekly long run can’t be slow ENOUGH. But six miles no longer feels like a long run to me, so I decided to take a couple of the miles faster than normal. A funny thing happened. I ran at an uncomfortable pace the entire time. When I got home and checked my training log, I discovered I had beaten my previous six-mile time by eight minutes! I was spent, but boy was I proud.

Yesterday’s run taught me a few things:

I can push myself harder than I thought I could.
I’m not too old to improve.
If I want to be faster, I must do some speed work.

And most important…

I must banish negative self-talk.

[Via http://482gr8.wordpress.com]

Lose Weight, regardless of Diet Intervention, can Shrink the Plague in Carotid Artery

A study published in the March issue of the Circulation indicated that people who lost weight by one of the three diets 1) low fat, 2) Mediterranean or 3) low carbohydrate can have the plagues in their carotid artery (the big artery that goes to the brain) reduced.

In a randomized trial conducted over two years, investigators looked at the impact of the above 3 diets on the shrinkage and progression of carotid plague in 140 overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes or established coronary heart disease.

Over the 2 years, the investigators found that all 3 diets were equally effective at promoting weight lost and blood pressure reduction. Furthermore, the diets also resulted in diminishing the vessel-wall volumes and reducing the plague in the carotid artery. The reduction in plagues was believed to be due to the reduction in blood pressure associated with weight loss.

Since the presence of plagues in the carotid artery suggests atherosclerotic disease, this study also suggests that diet intervention can reduce the risk of atherosclerotic disease.

Shai I. et. al. Dietary intervention to reverse carotid atherosclerosis. Circulation 2010; DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.879254.  Available at http://circ.ahajournals.org

Visit us at healthreason.com

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the shamefull food diaries

Erghh! Sometimes this feels like such a fucking waste of time, although others have said that they do see a difference already in my appearance I personally see fuck all as I still can’t get a decent pair of work trousers to fit me, I tried on 11 pairs yesterday and not one fucking pair got anywhere near close enough. Crickey, if I had of had a tie on I would have looked like a roll of sausages. Anyway the food diary for the last few days is here and is a typical load of old shite, it pathetically shows my attempts at trying to lose weight and then showing how I can utterly fucking destroy all my attempts with just a few lapses. Spot the lapses, and laugh as only a skinny fuck would. Yes I am in a bad mood!

Wednesday Breakfast: Special K and coffee

Lunch: Chicken, cheese and pesto ciabatta and a latte from café nero

Dinner: Fish n Chips with mushy peas and a bottle of water from Apres

Thursday Breakfast: Special K and coffee

Lunch: Latte and a muffin

Dinner: Sweet and sour chicken with whole wheat noodles

Supper: Small pot of hagen daz

Friday

 Breakfast/Lunch: Eggs Benedict and fruit salad with yoghurt and a latte at More Café

Dinner:- Chicken Korma and 2 pieces of Garlic Nan at the Indian Pavilion with a diet pepsi

Supper: tea and 2 biscuits

Saturday

Breakfast: 2 pieces of Eggy bread (French toast) and coffee

Lunch: Turkey and onion Lavash and Cajun prawn salad @ limetree café with a latte

Dinner: Beans and toast Supper: 4 oat and raisen flapjacks with tea.

You see the problem, every day I do rather well then I fuck it up with something not so good for me, brilliant work Kristian, top quality effort. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Weekend Reading Material

Bacon ice cream, bacon potato chips, bacon is everywhere it seems.  Celebrity chef  Tim Love says he’s had enough in his blog post Stop the Bacon Insanity.

Ladies, do you ever get frustrated by how easily men can shed pounds?   Here are 7 Ways to Lose Weight Like a Guy. 

Lastly, a subject that’s been getting a lot of publicity this week, but not much respect from the scientific community.  It’s the study that claims gene test can help determine what kind of diet will work best for you.

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

Depressed, Hopeless, What now?

I weighed in today and I am officially 135 pounds. Yesterday I pretty much gave up all hope and ate whatever I wanted to, which is bad. I just can’t stay motivated anymore. Today is going to be bad too. I already had too many pancakes, with syrup. I just do not know what to do. Being 20 pounds overweight is not something I thought would ever happen. I do not know if I can reach my goal by the end of this month. I need to lose 20 pounds now in 25 days!! Is that even possible? Weekends are always bad, we know that, but if I start again on Monday I do not know if I can complete my mission. This sucks so much. I just want to be skinny again.

Upset, sad, and lonely is how I am leaving this post today.

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

Got a haircut

Now I know it’s a douche baggy thing to do; to mention a hair cut and then have no pictures to show but f*&% it…..I am super excited about my haircut!

It’s something different than the straight hair-do that I have been sporting for the last year or so…..it is awesome.

It’s amazing how a hair cut can just make you feel amazing; how one clip of the sissors can make you feel great…..

Usually when I get a hair cut it is out of necessity. It’s something that “i have to do,” a hair cut for me is just something that I do twice a year (yeah I said twice, I am insane), nothing special. When I do muster up the courage to go and get a hair cut I sit in that hair dresser chair and tell the hair dresser what I want and usually it’s “don’t take off to much, don’t do anything crazy.” I go into hair freak out mode, the whole appointment is useually stressful, thus the reason for not going that often.

This time was different.

I went in on a whim, sat down in that chair and told the girl “Do what you want to do, just make me look better” and she did.

I felt great.

I haven’t felt that confedent in myself, in a very long, long, long time.

Anyways, enough about hair, I have been doing good the last couple of days, I am not feeling as hungry as I was at the begining of the week which is always a great thing.

I won’t be writing for a couple of days, I am going away with my boyfriend for a great weekend away! I am super excited !!!!!

Cheers,
Janet

[Via http://5lbsatatime.wordpress.com]

Technology and Fitness

I’ve always been a huge technology geek.  I always have the latest gadgets and newest technology.  This has also been a common trend in my fitness.  I was thinking today about all the devices I have that are related to working out and it was quite amazing…I love it. 

1. Nintendo Wii – EA Sports Active, Just Dance, Wii Sports, Wii Resort & Gold’s Gym.
2. Nike+ with iPod – The Nike+ that connects to my iPod and Nike shoes to track my distance/pace/calories.  Also have an app on my iPhone so I can view my challenges/goals on the go.
3. Lose It! application on iPhone – Tracks my nutrition and exercise on the go.
4. iPhone 3Gs - Also has a Nike+ sensor in it that works with my shoes and music on my iPhone.  Also takes my pictures for my blogging.
5. alovnangel.wordpress.com – My blog to discuss my dieting/workouts.  Also is an app on my iPhone so I can access it on the go.
6. iFit compatible treadmill - My treadmill accepts iFit workout cards that have pre-programmed workouts that change treadmill speed and incline on its own.
7. Garmin watch with GPS – Tracks distance of runs based on GPS for outside runs ( I haven’t used this one much though).
8. Jillian Michael’s 30 day Shred – Workout DVD

It’s just amazing to me how much I use technology with my fitness.  I love, love, love hearing about new uses of technology with working out.  I’m always the first to test out a new product.  One thing I’ve never tried out is the BodyBugg just because of the price. 

Does anyone else have any other fun technology that I could incorporate into my fitness routines?

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

Time For A Tune Up!

Time.  There never seems to be enough of it.  We get up, have a morning routine and we’re off to work.  We come home 9-10 hours later, and the after work routine begins.   Finally, exhausted, we climb into bed for, hopefully, a good night’s sleep.  The alarm wakes us in the morning, and we do it all over again!  Then, for a brief moment we get our heads above water, and WOW, it’s already March.

Where did the time go?  One of the unfortunate things about time is that it keeps on ticking whether you notice it or not. This brings us to this week’s email; finding that little time for yourself.  So take a deep breath and let’s focus on you for just a moment.  We always seem to fall to the bottom of our to-do list.  We maintain our homes because it’s an investment (well it use to be).  Same thing with your car; you change the oil, tires and then have it tuned up.  When does your body get a tune up? We say the time is NOW!

If you are going to achieve this it’s going to take a little planning on your part, but the “you” time will be more than worth it.  Here is a link to some tips on helping you plan your day: Managing Your Time.  Now, of course we would like you to take this new found time and exercise; your body will be very thankful.  With just 30 minutes a day you can spike your metabolism and burn calories.  Do this properly and you can burn calories all day.  Check out this link: Interval Training Well, we’ve helped you find some time and how to use it wisely.  There is only one thing left to do and that’s DO IT this part is up to you (just remember we are here to help you!)

Yours in health,

Colleen and John Riddle

P.S.

We also offer over the phone/online coaching to help keep you accountable and guide you to success!  Call or email for details.

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

Progress

I can see a major difference in my fitness level at this point.  I literally couldn’t run 2 months ago and now I run sprints everyday.  It gives me such a sense of accomplishment to see the progress I’ve made.  I can also work out for 2 hours without feeling like I’m going to hurl. 

Speaking of hurling, the next big challenge I’m going to undertake is Runyon Canyon.  I don’t know if you remember the first day I worked out, but I sure do!  I hurled on my long, arduous journey up Runyon Canyon and I’ve been terrified to go back.  It’s time to face the fear and do it anyway.  Look for a trip to Runyon to happen sometime in the next week, the day will depend on the weather.  Just thinking about that mountain strikes fear in my heart.  But I will not be defeated.  I will conquer that mountain!!!!

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

Sexy By Summer (Day 15)

Day 15 March 1st,                   (151 pounds)

Woo hoo, I lost 5 pounds! I thought I would have lost more but I’m satisfied with 5 pounds. So I’m on track for weight loss. I also decided to measure myself and I’ve lost an inch in almost every area of my body. 5 pounds after 15 days not bad at all! Super exciting!

• Waist 31 inches, I’ve lost 2 inches!
• Butt 43 inches, I’ve lost 1 inch.
• Hips 39 inches, I’ve lost 1 inch.
• Thighs 26 inches, I’ve lost 1 inch
• Calves 15 and 1/2 inches, no difference (weird)

So it was a pretty exciting morning. The only problem was I was so sick all day! I don’t know what it was maybe food poisoning or something. I didn’t exercise because of it. Which kind of depresses me but I couldn’t do anything about it cause I was so sick.

Anyways for breakfast I had fried eggs and turkey bacon. It was delicious! I also had a coffee.

For lunch an orange. Like I said I didn’t feel good so I didn’t feel like eating or cooking anything.

For Dinner my husband made pork chops with asparagus. We also had a salad. It was fabulous!

Anyways since I haven’t exercised for 2 days in a row now I kind of dread it. But I’m going to exercise. There is no question about it!

Note to self: Slightly increase your exercises. So today I’m going to run my mile at 5.0 (instead of 4.5). Add 10 reps to each exercise. So 40 reps in each set of all my exercise. 3 sets of 40.

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

Energy

It feels SO GREAT not to be exhausted all the time.  I spent 2 hours at the gym this morning, working hard and feeling grateful for being able to do it.  Honestly, being able to work out is a privilege of the healthy. 

 I don’t know if you saw the special about a month ago on the father of 2 young boys who’d been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.  NBC took him on a journey of realizing his dreams.  By now, due to the disease’s progression, it’s possible he can no longer walk or feed himself.  I’m sure if you told him that if he worked out everyday for 2 hours, he would be granted his health back, he would jump at the chance.  When I think of him or other people who have limited physical capabilities, I know that my health is a gift.  I’m sincerely grateful for the opportunities that gift provides me with.

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

Ashley Tisdale Celebrity Diet and Exercise, Shape Magazine

Ashley Tisdale Celebrity Diet, Exercise, and Weight Loss Tips, Shape Magazine. Ashley Tisdale graces the cover of Shape Magazine’s January 2009 issue. Inside Ashley talks about her trainer, and her workout regiment, and how she views her body as shown in www.howcelebritiesloseweight.com

Ashley’s Gym Attitude

Ashley says making time for the gym once “felt like torture.” But now she has a better attitude towards fitness, and a “cute” trainer which of course helps. “I was always super-thin – too skinny, actually,” she says. “I felt like someone could break me in half. I realize now that being a bit more curvy and toned is so much more beautiful.” “Now before I work out,” she says, “I think, ‘I love exercise’ – and it works.

Ashley’s Workout

Ashley started working with the LA-based trainer Christopher Hebert about eight months ago. Ashley does an hour-long workout three or four days each week consisting of 30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes of weight training and core exercises to keep her back strong as stated in www.howcelebritiesloseweight.com

One particular exercise has Ashley running up and down a set of stairs with a weighted medicine ball held overhead. Although her workout routine can be tough, she says her trainer is her secret weapon.

“He’s cute, which makes it fun,” she says. “And he never lets our exercise sessions get boring.”

Source: Shape Magazine

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