Yep it is that time of season. Traveling to visit family and friends wich most will have food I should not be eating.
So I need a game plan on how to avoid eating junk foods and over eating.
This year I have a secret weapon. Now just making sure I put it to use.
So what is my weapon, well it is knowledge. That is kind of lame, We all have some knowledge and have failed years past. So yes there is more this year along with better knowledge I have actually fond things that seem to work great.
1: Chia seeds. I can not get over how lame that sounds but I am convinced hook line and sinker. They just work. So I have my to go pocket container of chia seeds. I know if I have two tablespoons with my first meal of the day and two more early afternoon my cravings and feeling hungry are all but gone.
Next is smoothies. I can just pack so many veggies and other reach food into one glass that with the chia seed I am just full for hours. I could have 3 smoothies all day and never be hungry. In fact 2 is good enough to where I do not even eat much for a meal.
As I gave some of the ingredients I use in my smoothies in post #25 and I am trying to get some video uploaded so you can check them out.
Also I have it planed to take the girls out walking around and to the park right after dinners and meal times. This really helps me keep my amount down as I know if I eat tell I am stuffed I will not get off my butt.
As for traveling I plan on having a smoothie before we leave each time. I am even considering taking my blender and groceries with just to make sure every thing is easy and available. And only reachable driving snacks are cauliflower, fruits and dried fruits.
I wish every one a Merry Christmas and God Bless be safe have fun and enjoy every minute you can.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
#26 Gruve week one
Well as most of you know I got a Gruve a little over a week ago and do to several emails and request I will give some updated feed back on it.
As some of you have concerns with people having difficulties I have some thoughts on this as well.
Set up was very easy getting it to run smoothly on updating and reading from my computer not so much.
I have Macs so this my be only for Mac users. I found to get things to work smoothly you need to
One, make sure you have silver light plugin (a stupid microsoft flash thing that is junk!!!!) and if you are using more then one Gruve (husband and wife's) it is wise to use two different browsers. Like the husband only uses Firefox for all of his anytime health web usage and the wife only use safari or Chrome.
Things seem to get confused with multiple accounts and users.
As far as tracking goes well it does work effortlessly. However I do not like how it is suggested to move the location in which you carry the gruve depending on the exorcise. For example it is suggested you put the gruve on your sock if you are doing any bicycling, on you wast for walking and even as far as on your arm for upper body workouts such as bench press.
I do not know about you but that is just to much work for me!!! So I just through it in my pocket and let it be.
So summery of week one. They could have chosen better software and plugins for a more stable and user friendly experience.
Two if you want me moving this thing around to be more effective then make it easier. Sell a wrist and ankle bands that it works well with instead of having to fight with the belt clip thing.
It does have value so do not get me wrong it is a nice reminder and helps you stay active. I just do not know what kind of monetary value I would put on it yet.
As some of you have concerns with people having difficulties I have some thoughts on this as well.
Set up was very easy getting it to run smoothly on updating and reading from my computer not so much.
I have Macs so this my be only for Mac users. I found to get things to work smoothly you need to
One, make sure you have silver light plugin (a stupid microsoft flash thing that is junk!!!!) and if you are using more then one Gruve (husband and wife's) it is wise to use two different browsers. Like the husband only uses Firefox for all of his anytime health web usage and the wife only use safari or Chrome.
Things seem to get confused with multiple accounts and users.
As far as tracking goes well it does work effortlessly. However I do not like how it is suggested to move the location in which you carry the gruve depending on the exorcise. For example it is suggested you put the gruve on your sock if you are doing any bicycling, on you wast for walking and even as far as on your arm for upper body workouts such as bench press.
I do not know about you but that is just to much work for me!!! So I just through it in my pocket and let it be.
So summery of week one. They could have chosen better software and plugins for a more stable and user friendly experience.
Two if you want me moving this thing around to be more effective then make it easier. Sell a wrist and ankle bands that it works well with instead of having to fight with the belt clip thing.
It does have value so do not get me wrong it is a nice reminder and helps you stay active. I just do not know what kind of monetary value I would put on it yet.
#25 Why am I always hungry
I have always wondered why I was hungry all the time. I mean I used to get done with a very large meal and within an hour some times as little as 15 min I would be hungry.
I always got told that it was in my head, or I needed to shrink my stomach, or fifty other reasons that where my fault.
Well the only thing that was my fault was not listening to my body. I was hungry for a reason, sure I just ate a ton of food but I never linked being hungry afterwords that the food I ate was not what my body needed to be satisfied.
I am very happy today to be able to share I have found a way to have a less then 500 calorie meal and be very satisfied for hours.
I can now eat literally as little as 1/8 to 1/4 of what I ate before and be more satisfied and fuller longer then ever before in my life. Also I now feel better then I can ever remember feeling. I feel better now even being almost 300 pounds over weight then I ever remember feeling as a kid.
I know this sounds like a infomercial trying to sell you the next big gimmick but I am not selling anything every thing I share with you you can find at your grocery store, health food store, or online.
I will upload some video over the next few weeks just because it is easier for me to share that way then by written word.
So for know I will give some ingredients. One note is I try and use Organic and local as much as possible.
There are huge benefits to eating foods that are not GMO, sprayed with chemicals, and every other bad thing they do to our food.
The list,
Water none fluorinated as pure as you can get (NOT DISTILLED) with an alkaline level of as close to 7 as you can get.
One is high quality vitamins, minerals and supplements. I do not want to put anything into my body that I do not know what is in it and where it is coming from.
Colorful Veggies and fruit. What I mean by colorful is get as many different colors a day as you can.
Green veggies I hold a little higher on the list because good greens have really great benefits.
Chia seeds, yes cha cha cha chia pet. Come to find out Chia seeds have huge benefits, to many to list all of them. For weight loss they help you fill fuller longer. I mean a table spoon or two in the morning and late afternoon can really curb your appetite.
Ounce for ounce Chia has
8 Times More Omega-3s Than Salmon
30% More Antioxidants Than Blueberries
25% More Fiber Than Flax Seed
6 Times More Calcium Than Whole Milk
50% More Folate Than Asparagus
15 Times More Magnesium Than Broccoli
3 Times More Iron Than Spinach
2 Times The Potassium Of A Banana
all above number are pulled from various online resources.
There are even more benefits but as I said I am not going to list them all. If you do a search you will find a ton of info and just as many places selling their brand.
I know I have said a few times food matters. It just still surprises me how much just changing what I eat has done and continually doing. It seems every week I learn more and put it to practice the better I feel, the more energy I have, and the happier I am.
I hope to put every thing together for others to easily digest and get the benefits I wish I could have figured out 20 years ago.
I always got told that it was in my head, or I needed to shrink my stomach, or fifty other reasons that where my fault.
Well the only thing that was my fault was not listening to my body. I was hungry for a reason, sure I just ate a ton of food but I never linked being hungry afterwords that the food I ate was not what my body needed to be satisfied.
I am very happy today to be able to share I have found a way to have a less then 500 calorie meal and be very satisfied for hours.
I can now eat literally as little as 1/8 to 1/4 of what I ate before and be more satisfied and fuller longer then ever before in my life. Also I now feel better then I can ever remember feeling. I feel better now even being almost 300 pounds over weight then I ever remember feeling as a kid.
I know this sounds like a infomercial trying to sell you the next big gimmick but I am not selling anything every thing I share with you you can find at your grocery store, health food store, or online.
I will upload some video over the next few weeks just because it is easier for me to share that way then by written word.
So for know I will give some ingredients. One note is I try and use Organic and local as much as possible.
There are huge benefits to eating foods that are not GMO, sprayed with chemicals, and every other bad thing they do to our food.
The list,
Water none fluorinated as pure as you can get (NOT DISTILLED) with an alkaline level of as close to 7 as you can get.
One is high quality vitamins, minerals and supplements. I do not want to put anything into my body that I do not know what is in it and where it is coming from.
Colorful Veggies and fruit. What I mean by colorful is get as many different colors a day as you can.
Green veggies I hold a little higher on the list because good greens have really great benefits.
Chia seeds, yes cha cha cha chia pet. Come to find out Chia seeds have huge benefits, to many to list all of them. For weight loss they help you fill fuller longer. I mean a table spoon or two in the morning and late afternoon can really curb your appetite.
Ounce for ounce Chia has
8 Times More Omega-3s Than Salmon
30% More Antioxidants Than Blueberries
25% More Fiber Than Flax Seed
6 Times More Calcium Than Whole Milk
50% More Folate Than Asparagus
15 Times More Magnesium Than Broccoli
3 Times More Iron Than Spinach
2 Times The Potassium Of A Banana
all above number are pulled from various online resources.
There are even more benefits but as I said I am not going to list them all. If you do a search you will find a ton of info and just as many places selling their brand.
I know I have said a few times food matters. It just still surprises me how much just changing what I eat has done and continually doing. It seems every week I learn more and put it to practice the better I feel, the more energy I have, and the happier I am.
I hope to put every thing together for others to easily digest and get the benefits I wish I could have figured out 20 years ago.
Friday, December 17, 2010
#24
Well what a past week after fighting some small illness last week it has been hard getting on track.
Last night my lovely wife demanded pizza ranch which is an all you can eat buffet. Needless to say I did not show as much self control as I would have liked to. It would have not been so bad if I would have had a chance to hit the gym before hand but I did not get that opportunity. After we ate I became exhaustedly tired. So after we finally got home and the kids to bed I decided to hit the gym and try and burn at least some of the empty, fatty, calories I consumed. Nothing like hitting the gym at 11:30 at night. I did feel better after going to the gym.
Here are some photos I actually think I am seeing some physical progress now.
Yes I am in socks! Why? I forgot to bring gym shoes with and it was snowing and crappy out side so I worked out sock footed instead of tracking winter grime all over the gym and equipment.
Last night my lovely wife demanded pizza ranch which is an all you can eat buffet. Needless to say I did not show as much self control as I would have liked to. It would have not been so bad if I would have had a chance to hit the gym before hand but I did not get that opportunity. After we ate I became exhaustedly tired. So after we finally got home and the kids to bed I decided to hit the gym and try and burn at least some of the empty, fatty, calories I consumed. Nothing like hitting the gym at 11:30 at night. I did feel better after going to the gym.
Here are some photos I actually think I am seeing some physical progress now.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
#23 Gruve
Well some really good news. I got a Gruve yesterday which seems pretty cool and a really good idea. Now I will put it through it's paces and let you all know what I think. I am glad that there are still people out there willing to trade services and goods instead of monetary only. Cash is tight these days. It was really awesome for the owners of the Gym I go to, be willing to trade a Christmas photo shoot for a Gruve and one year subscription. I can not wait to deliver there photos to them next week.
On a downside I have not felt the best the past two days so I have not went to the gym. I hope I feel better tomorrow because I need to go to the gym and get my work out on. I almost think not going to the gym is causing me to feel wore. In fact should just go to bed because I am having a hard time focusing on what I wanted to say.
Good night all.
On a downside I have not felt the best the past two days so I have not went to the gym. I hope I feel better tomorrow because I need to go to the gym and get my work out on. I almost think not going to the gym is causing me to feel wore. In fact should just go to bed because I am having a hard time focusing on what I wanted to say.
Good night all.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
#22 18 days till Chirstmas
I can not believe Christmas is almost here and the year is gone AGAIN. I remember as a kid the years seemed to take forever to pass. Now it seems like the past 10 years have just blown by.
It is also hard to believe the first month at the gym has went by already. However I also feel I need to go to the gym every day now. I definitely think it is now a habit. which I have always heard it only takes 21 days to make something a habit. This is one good habit to have. I look forward to going to the gym now especially of stringth training days. Cardio takes a little bit of a push out the door but it is getting easier.
I can not believe how much better I feel already. If I stay at the pace I am at as far as energy increasing and overall mood I will be one active happy person here in a few months. Not bad coming from being worn out just walking into a store only a couple of months ago.
I have really started to notice my clothes fitting better as well as being able to put more into each workout.
Finding the right foods and being able to afford enough for the family has been a challenge to say the least. So far we are managing but it is tuff. I would say good whole food is probably the hardest challenge so far. Every thing else just takes a bit of drive.
It is also hard to believe the first month at the gym has went by already. However I also feel I need to go to the gym every day now. I definitely think it is now a habit. which I have always heard it only takes 21 days to make something a habit. This is one good habit to have. I look forward to going to the gym now especially of stringth training days. Cardio takes a little bit of a push out the door but it is getting easier.
I can not believe how much better I feel already. If I stay at the pace I am at as far as energy increasing and overall mood I will be one active happy person here in a few months. Not bad coming from being worn out just walking into a store only a couple of months ago.
I have really started to notice my clothes fitting better as well as being able to put more into each workout.
Finding the right foods and being able to afford enough for the family has been a challenge to say the least. So far we are managing but it is tuff. I would say good whole food is probably the hardest challenge so far. Every thing else just takes a bit of drive.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
#21 Food Matters Alot
In the past month I have been going to the gym almost every day which is a good thing and I really do enjoy it. I have worked out in the past and at one time I worked out daily for a little over a year straight.
However this time is a bit different. I am seeing more results and more benefits from what I am doing. Realistically this should not be, I am 10 years older now and a lot worse shape. So what is different? The past week or so I have really tried to figure out why and to see if I can continue and keep going the way that I am without hitting that usual brick wall and plateau. The biggest thing I can come up with is my diet, What I am eating.
Ok I am not one of those guys that likes to promote anything and like many am very annoyed at people who seem to push things left and right. However I do like to be able to find good factual information when I look for it with out wadding through a bunch of self promoting trash.
I feel the need to talk about how important the food that we eat is. I really did not know how poor food choices were really detrimental to me. I started my weight lose this time with a more complete out look and have really focused on the foods that I eat. We have all heard you are what you eat, What I am finally realizing is how true and how much what we eat effects us in almost every way. From energy to feeling satisfied and not hungry.
Not wanting to sound like one of those spazzes that goes on and on about Organic this and only eat these foods, I really wish I would have tried and tested it for my self years ago.
I know you are supposed to eat lots of fruit and vegetables every day what I did not realize is how much easier and better tasting some of the Organic foods are compared to the normal and some "natural" options.
I do not know if my tastes have changed because I have cut so many bad foods out or if there really is that big of a difference. Most of the Organic food I eat tastes how I remember foods tasting when I was a child. But now I really do desire Organic foods. I used to never eat many fruits and vegetables even though I liked them and even some times desired them but when I would eat them they were not satisfying. Now that we have tried to switch all our foods to Organic and GMO free (genetically modified organism) I really like to eat more of those foods every day not just once in a while. I now have a hard time not eating a whole bunch of bananas or a dozen apples, even foods I have not eaten sense I was a kid like pairs, tomatoes, raisins, I can not seem to get enough of them, Vegetables are the same way I now want spinach cauliflower, salads, and broccoli every day.
All of this is really good but there are a few downsides to trying to eat just Organic.
The first is budget. I know there are alot of people out there that say Organic is not more expensive but I have not found that. In fact most things are any where from 1/3 to 1 1/2 more expensive. If you are like us we have a very hard time budgeting in a grocery bill costing twice as much as it used to.
The next downside is availability. Living in the midwest one would think that Good wholesome Organic food would be easy to find, In reality it is not. We have to drive 20 miles one way to get to a store that sells some organic foods, Our local Farway just does not have much if any Organic and GMO free foods.
So can food choice really be effecting how I feel, sleep, and the energy I have every day now. I really think it is. I would like to know if anyone else has had similar results or be willing to try eating better for a few weeks and let me know if you have similar results.
I have found some really great resources that I will link at the bottom of my blog as well.
The first is The Cornucopia Institute Which is a great guide and resource for Organic brands good and bad. They have some good score cards as well as other information that I find useful.
The Next is a great resource for GMO Free Non-GMO Shopping Guide They have Shopping guides as the name suggests as well as other information and resources that are very useful. I suggest taking the time to read some of their information on GMO's http://nongmoshoppingguide.com/why-should-i-avoid-gmos.html Is a interesting to read.
There are a few more and I will add them to the bottom of blog so they are easy resources for me to find again as well as you.
Thanks and I hope to hear your opinions on this.
However this time is a bit different. I am seeing more results and more benefits from what I am doing. Realistically this should not be, I am 10 years older now and a lot worse shape. So what is different? The past week or so I have really tried to figure out why and to see if I can continue and keep going the way that I am without hitting that usual brick wall and plateau. The biggest thing I can come up with is my diet, What I am eating.
Ok I am not one of those guys that likes to promote anything and like many am very annoyed at people who seem to push things left and right. However I do like to be able to find good factual information when I look for it with out wadding through a bunch of self promoting trash.
I feel the need to talk about how important the food that we eat is. I really did not know how poor food choices were really detrimental to me. I started my weight lose this time with a more complete out look and have really focused on the foods that I eat. We have all heard you are what you eat, What I am finally realizing is how true and how much what we eat effects us in almost every way. From energy to feeling satisfied and not hungry.
Not wanting to sound like one of those spazzes that goes on and on about Organic this and only eat these foods, I really wish I would have tried and tested it for my self years ago.
I know you are supposed to eat lots of fruit and vegetables every day what I did not realize is how much easier and better tasting some of the Organic foods are compared to the normal and some "natural" options.
I do not know if my tastes have changed because I have cut so many bad foods out or if there really is that big of a difference. Most of the Organic food I eat tastes how I remember foods tasting when I was a child. But now I really do desire Organic foods. I used to never eat many fruits and vegetables even though I liked them and even some times desired them but when I would eat them they were not satisfying. Now that we have tried to switch all our foods to Organic and GMO free (genetically modified organism) I really like to eat more of those foods every day not just once in a while. I now have a hard time not eating a whole bunch of bananas or a dozen apples, even foods I have not eaten sense I was a kid like pairs, tomatoes, raisins, I can not seem to get enough of them, Vegetables are the same way I now want spinach cauliflower, salads, and broccoli every day.
All of this is really good but there are a few downsides to trying to eat just Organic.
The first is budget. I know there are alot of people out there that say Organic is not more expensive but I have not found that. In fact most things are any where from 1/3 to 1 1/2 more expensive. If you are like us we have a very hard time budgeting in a grocery bill costing twice as much as it used to.
The next downside is availability. Living in the midwest one would think that Good wholesome Organic food would be easy to find, In reality it is not. We have to drive 20 miles one way to get to a store that sells some organic foods, Our local Farway just does not have much if any Organic and GMO free foods.
So can food choice really be effecting how I feel, sleep, and the energy I have every day now. I really think it is. I would like to know if anyone else has had similar results or be willing to try eating better for a few weeks and let me know if you have similar results.
I have found some really great resources that I will link at the bottom of my blog as well.
The first is The Cornucopia Institute Which is a great guide and resource for Organic brands good and bad. They have some good score cards as well as other information that I find useful.
The Next is a great resource for GMO Free Non-GMO Shopping Guide They have Shopping guides as the name suggests as well as other information and resources that are very useful. I suggest taking the time to read some of their information on GMO's http://nongmoshoppingguide.com/why-should-i-avoid-gmos.html Is a interesting to read.
There are a few more and I will add them to the bottom of blog so they are easy resources for me to find again as well as you.
Thanks and I hope to hear your opinions on this.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
#20
What a week,
Thanksgiving has come and gone, It was our first year of trying some healthier choices on traditional dishes. I must say that sweet potato styx are awesome and a huge hit with the family. All you do is cut sweet potatoes like steak fries brush a bit of olive oil on them and dust with paprika. Back at 350 until soft and just starting to caramelize on the edges. Just awesome you have to try them.
However even trying to watch our foods and intake Thanksgiving dinner ended up being a 1300 calorie dinner. I was really hoping to get it closer to 800 but hey it was great and back to better foods.
I have been working on a program for the gym that really kicks my butt, which is a good thing and I really do feel better after working out. For cardio I have started doing a thing called Peak 8 and it sounds easy but the best I have been able to do is five. It is just killer. Here is a link that gives some details http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2010/11/13/phil-campbell-on-peak-8-exercises.aspx
They make is sound really good but as with anything on the net I take with a grain of salt until I can say if it works for me. Plus when they say listen to your body do so, one day the recumbent bike shut down on me because my heart rate was too high like 190 high. So if you try it be carful and work you way up it is killer. I have not weighed lately but my energy just keeps growing. I was able to work on the house and get more done in the past week then I have been able to for more then a year. I will try and get a video up here in the next week or two I have just been trying to spend less time on the computer.
Thank you all for your support and comments I do enjoy being able to share something useful for others as well.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, It was our first year of trying some healthier choices on traditional dishes. I must say that sweet potato styx are awesome and a huge hit with the family. All you do is cut sweet potatoes like steak fries brush a bit of olive oil on them and dust with paprika. Back at 350 until soft and just starting to caramelize on the edges. Just awesome you have to try them.
However even trying to watch our foods and intake Thanksgiving dinner ended up being a 1300 calorie dinner. I was really hoping to get it closer to 800 but hey it was great and back to better foods.
I have been working on a program for the gym that really kicks my butt, which is a good thing and I really do feel better after working out. For cardio I have started doing a thing called Peak 8 and it sounds easy but the best I have been able to do is five. It is just killer. Here is a link that gives some details http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2010/11/13/phil-campbell-on-peak-8-exercises.aspx
They make is sound really good but as with anything on the net I take with a grain of salt until I can say if it works for me. Plus when they say listen to your body do so, one day the recumbent bike shut down on me because my heart rate was too high like 190 high. So if you try it be carful and work you way up it is killer. I have not weighed lately but my energy just keeps growing. I was able to work on the house and get more done in the past week then I have been able to for more then a year. I will try and get a video up here in the next week or two I have just been trying to spend less time on the computer.
Thank you all for your support and comments I do enjoy being able to share something useful for others as well.
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