August 8, 2012
August 7, 2012
June 23, 2012
May 23, 2011
Becoming a Yoga Bear
First I want to apologize for not updating this blog, I have not abandoned my efforts here, I've just really been thinking what my priorities are here and envisioning a new direction. The blog will be undergoing a slight transformation to make the information being shared more intimate and genuine.
That being said, I'm currently undergoing a 30 day trial of yoga six days a week. I have been having very mild but annoying lower back pain, and feel I can benefit from the added strength and flexibility of yoga.
I will post a response of how I feel at the end of my trial (June 13th) and my thoughts on yoga.
I will post a response of how I feel at the end of my trial (June 13th) and my thoughts on yoga.
February 20, 2011
Slow Carb Diet 30 Days Results
The Slow Carb Diet has been getting a lot of buzz since Tim Ferris's new book came out. If you are unfamiliar, you can read about the diet here: link
The purpose of the Slow Carb Diet is to lose weight. I am 5'10 and weighed about 181 when I started and did very light exercise, just 20 minutes of cardio or running twice a week. Following is a list of my observations while being on the diet:
Is a slow carb diet right for you?
The purpose of the Slow Carb Diet is to lose weight. I am 5'10 and weighed about 181 when I started and did very light exercise, just 20 minutes of cardio or running twice a week. Following is a list of my observations while being on the diet:
- I was dependent on sugar before the diet
- I really missed eating bread, so I included a low carb bread
- Cheat days sound awesome until you actually do them
- This is one of the cheapest meal plans ever
- Being creative with food ideas and seasonings is helpful
Slow Carb Diet VS My Everyday Eating
My meals were essentially 2 eggs for breakfast, beans and tuna for lunch, fish and veggies for dinner, and the only eating out that seemed possible was veggie bowls from Chipotle, since the only meat I eat is usually fish.
My biggest take-away is how much less dependent I am on sugar. The diet was really helpful in that NO sugar or starchy food was allowed (except once a week). Also, since the diet was so consistent day in and day out, it was easy to measure the effects that other foods had on my body.
The results!
While following a slow carb diet, I dropped from 181 to 175 with very little exercise.
I felt sick at times. It is most likely from not getting enough calories, but I got tired of the food I was eating day in and day out too. If you are vegetarian the diet is still very possible, but if you are a meat eater this diet shouldn't be much of an issue for you since you have a good range of meals to choose from. Since I only eat fish, I felt very limited at times, especially eating out.
Is a slow carb diet right for you?
I would recommend doing the diet if you want to lose some weight quickly. I feel like it's almost balanced; it's good to be getting enough protein and vegetables which are the staples in this diet. Occasional fruit and starchy foods can be wholesome too though, but maybe in moderation after following the diet for awhile. I feel like I have more energy since I've been eating more carbs (I added oatmeal and some bread back into my diet) but again that might be do the increase in calories and working out regularly again.
If you have experiences with doing a slow carb diet, please share your thoughts. Many people come by these posts and your experience can help them out as well.
February 10, 2011
Why Diets Fail - Weight Loss Truth
All so called diets are made-up. That is not to say they won't work, but a diet is simply a plan of eating habits you subscribe to. I want to encourage you to consciously know, without a doubt, that diets fail because people try to force eating habits into their lives they aren't ready for.
For example, if I'm a professional couch potato and I try to run a marathon, how successful will I be? I know for a fact I would run one block filled with the best intentions to finish, and suddenly find myself gasping for air and giving up. How discouraging is that? Very, if you ask me.
Another reason diets fail is cultural conditioning. If you are trying to set healthier habits, like eating more veggies or avoiding white carbs, how easy does our culture make it for us? The majority of restaurants don't truly have your health in mind. Again, it doesn't mean they're out to make you fat, it's just a lot easier to sell junk foods that cost less and are heavy on everyone's favorite flavors; salt and sugar.
If you really want to lose weight it's pretty simple.
+Eat more protein
+Eat more vegetables
-Eat less sugar
-Eat less salty/fatty/oily food
Also realize exercise isn't an option, it is a necessity. Set small goals. When I first lost 100 lbs, I started running for 30 seconds and walking for 2 minutes. I can now run 3 miles in under 25 minutes which is a stark contrast to where I started. The point is, make goals and work your way up. Some other baby steps I made were cutting out all drinks except water, coffee and tea. I figured I'd rather eat calories than drink them.
Diets will always come and go; if you want to lose weight my humble advice is to make small goals. I lost my first 5 pounds just avoiding soda. I lost the next 20 when I realized I was eating too much after writing everything I ate down on paper. I lost the rest in this manner, slowly avoiding unhealthy foods, getting accustomed to healthier ones, and building up a tolerance for exercise (which becomes enjoyable).
For example, if I'm a professional couch potato and I try to run a marathon, how successful will I be? I know for a fact I would run one block filled with the best intentions to finish, and suddenly find myself gasping for air and giving up. How discouraging is that? Very, if you ask me.
Another reason diets fail is cultural conditioning. If you are trying to set healthier habits, like eating more veggies or avoiding white carbs, how easy does our culture make it for us? The majority of restaurants don't truly have your health in mind. Again, it doesn't mean they're out to make you fat, it's just a lot easier to sell junk foods that cost less and are heavy on everyone's favorite flavors; salt and sugar.
If you really want to lose weight it's pretty simple.
+Eat more protein
+Eat more vegetables
-Eat less sugar
-Eat less salty/fatty/oily food
Also realize exercise isn't an option, it is a necessity. Set small goals. When I first lost 100 lbs, I started running for 30 seconds and walking for 2 minutes. I can now run 3 miles in under 25 minutes which is a stark contrast to where I started. The point is, make goals and work your way up. Some other baby steps I made were cutting out all drinks except water, coffee and tea. I figured I'd rather eat calories than drink them.
Diets will always come and go; if you want to lose weight my humble advice is to make small goals. I lost my first 5 pounds just avoiding soda. I lost the next 20 when I realized I was eating too much after writing everything I ate down on paper. I lost the rest in this manner, slowly avoiding unhealthy foods, getting accustomed to healthier ones, and building up a tolerance for exercise (which becomes enjoyable).
January 18, 2011
Slow Carb Diet Tips
Below are some basic tips to help you if you are on the slow carb diet. Read about the slow carb diet here if you are interested in learning more about it!
If you're craving pasta...
If you're craving bread...
If you're craving sweets...
Peel a squash or zucchini in thick strips with a peeler, cook the strips with a hint of olive oil and top with some fresh tomato pasta sauce. This delicious meal tastes almost like pasta and you may even prefer it!
My friend has found a high fiber bread at health food stores that is 1 gram carb and 9 grams of protein. It is an iffy option to include but a piece a day probably won't hurt. The slices are small but the point isn't to make a grand meal, just have some toast! Awesome find.
A glass of red wine is allowed on Slow carb diets and is a tasty and healthy way to avoid sugar cravings. It is also rich in anti-oxidants and can be relatively cheap if you're on a budget. Love that two buck chuck!
- Use a small amount of stevia if you need a sweetener. It's likely healthier than aspartame and doesn't spike blood sugar.
- Eat enough beans, vegetables and protein; hunger should never be an issue.
- Eggs, beans, and vegetables make up the bulk of the Slow Carb Diet and are very cheap.
- Remember that your cheat day is just around the corner for the foods you are missing!
Slow Carb Diet Breakdown
Tim Ferris's book, The Four Hour Body, has been sweeping the nation with one of it's stand-out diets: The Slow Carb Diet.
The first thing that people usually ask me after I tell them I'm on a slow carb diet is if its the same thing as the Atkins diet. No, it is not the Atkins diet (aka low carb diet) which if followed you eat as few carbohydrates as possible. What the Slow carb diet allows is "select" high fiber/high protein carbohydrate foods like beans.
Upon researching many articles from other bloggers and health websites, I believe there is a bit of confusion. Many suggest that the Slow carb diet allows whole grain foods like bread and pasta. The Tim Ferris version of the diet does not allow bread or pasta or white/starchy vegetables such as potatoes. Many of those foods are not high fiber/high protein so the food will convert to glucose before it exits your body. The point of the slow carb diet is to prevent or slow down this conversion from carbs to glucose as much as possible. This way you will not spike your blood sugar and are less likely to keep storing fat.
The other secret weapon in The Four Hour Body's version of the diet is the use of a cheat day. You get to designate a day of the week (I love saturday ;D) to eat whatever you want as much as you want. Supposedly it rocks your hormones and reminds your body you are not starving so you won't store as much fat.
Upon writing this it's been two weeks of following a slow carb diet and I've lost 4 pounds. I've had some rocky days but I've been pretty good to follow a strict routine and fully utilize my cheat days (which should be supplemented with squats and a few other workout techniques). Having a juicer handy has also helped. Check back soon for my update on my progress, Read this post if you'd like some tips for following a Slow Carb Diet!
Please help me share this info on facebook, Thanks!
The first thing that people usually ask me after I tell them I'm on a slow carb diet is if its the same thing as the Atkins diet. No, it is not the Atkins diet (aka low carb diet) which if followed you eat as few carbohydrates as possible. What the Slow carb diet allows is "select" high fiber/high protein carbohydrate foods like beans.
Upon researching many articles from other bloggers and health websites, I believe there is a bit of confusion. Many suggest that the Slow carb diet allows whole grain foods like bread and pasta. The Tim Ferris version of the diet does not allow bread or pasta or white/starchy vegetables such as potatoes. Many of those foods are not high fiber/high protein so the food will convert to glucose before it exits your body. The point of the slow carb diet is to prevent or slow down this conversion from carbs to glucose as much as possible. This way you will not spike your blood sugar and are less likely to keep storing fat.
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| My friends and I enjoying the Slow Carb Cheat Day! |
The other secret weapon in The Four Hour Body's version of the diet is the use of a cheat day. You get to designate a day of the week (I love saturday ;D) to eat whatever you want as much as you want. Supposedly it rocks your hormones and reminds your body you are not starving so you won't store as much fat.
Upon writing this it's been two weeks of following a slow carb diet and I've lost 4 pounds. I've had some rocky days but I've been pretty good to follow a strict routine and fully utilize my cheat days (which should be supplemented with squats and a few other workout techniques). Having a juicer handy has also helped. Check back soon for my update on my progress, Read this post if you'd like some tips for following a Slow Carb Diet!
Please help me share this info on facebook, Thanks!
January 2, 2011
30 Days without Caffeine Afterthought
So I successfully lasted slightly over 30 days without drinking any coffee, tea, and even abstaining from chocolate (ok I had one cookie, GASP).
So how did it go? Well I'll make my observations short and sweet.
So how did it go? Well I'll make my observations short and sweet.
- The first week was miserable; lack of energy and slight headaches abounded
- The second week was much more tolerable but life's stresses made me want to habitually drink coffee
- The third week was great. My energy was in a natural rhythm again and I felt a calmness in my mind.
- The forth week was much like the third week and my sleep had been much more deep than it has been in a long time. Lots of sound rest, lots of dreams, easier to get up in the morning
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| Drinking Clover coffee with Eleckt friends. |
I'm posting a couple days later than my trial because I immediately wanted caffeine back in my system to see how it felt. I started with a cup of decaf coffee and the effects were pretty mild. On new year's day my bestfriend took me to get a special cup of coffee; organic Ethiopian coffee from a clover machine ($10,000 coffee brewer, only one starbucks in LA has this machine). The effects were much stronger. It felt great in my system, but upon this jolt it makes me really want to pace coffee intake.
I thought by the end of the 30 days I might not want go go back at all, but I see no harm in caffeine in sensible amounts. I will continue to drink green tea and the occasional cup of coffee.
December 26, 2010
How to Live Forever, Power of Juicing
or close enough to it. ;)
A JUICER!
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| photo cred: http://www.omegavertsilver.com/ |
The fact that we got home late meant nothing. Within minutes we were set up and juicing apples, spinach, ginger and anything else we could think of. The model we got is an omega vertical juicer. This site has great information and the owner has a lot of good youtube videos to introduce you to juicing.
(note I'm not affiliated with these sites, just sharing them as an awesome resource for juicing info)
Just to summarize, juicing extracts all the important nutrients from vegetables and fruits. It is an easy way to increase your overall health and wellbeing quickly and efficiently. Since the produce is in juice form it is super easy to digest and quickly enters the bloodstream delivering all the nutrients your body craves.
I'll update more on juicing later so check back for more info!
December 17, 2010
Fitness Routine Falling Apart?
Have you ever started to exercise on a routine with great ambition, miss a few days and let it completely throw you off track? Recently I've been going through P90X again and fell off track due to finals. It is easy to chalk this up as failure but in actuality it is part of my path to success...
It is great to power through goals you set but I think a key to success is understanding failure. In this case I will only let myself down if I don't take this opportunity to get back up on my feet. The great thing about messing up on your exercise routine is you recovery fairly quickly. The first couple days of realigning yourself are a bit cumbersome but you get back into your groove pretty quickly from my experience. It's not like that grueling first week where you wake up sore everyday asking "WHY AM I DOING THIS?"... (or maybe that's just me!)
It is great to power through goals you set but I think a key to success is understanding failure. In this case I will only let myself down if I don't take this opportunity to get back up on my feet. The great thing about messing up on your exercise routine is you recovery fairly quickly. The first couple days of realigning yourself are a bit cumbersome but you get back into your groove pretty quickly from my experience. It's not like that grueling first week where you wake up sore everyday asking "WHY AM I DOING THIS?"... (or maybe that's just me!)So don't sweat the days you miss when you are trying to exercise. A few days is minor when you step back on that last day of your training schedule and see major results. When I lost my initial weight there were many bumps in the road; the important part is I kept going! In the philosophical words of Aaliyah, "If at first you don't succeeeeeeeeed, dust yourself off and try again." (Sorry you cant hear me try to hit that high note :P)
December 13, 2010
No caffeine for 30 days Update
First off I just wanted to admit the first week was absolutely miserable.
There was a lot of moping around. Lots of mental complaining, arguments about how a little caffeine won't hurt, justifications such as finals week at school... endless reasons to drink caffeine entered my mind. Suddenly a light emerged and the grogginess and mental nagging diminished.
It is day 13 and I'm less stressed, I'm sleeping better, and I feel more aware of how my body is feeling. I'm glad I am going through this trial, I thought it was stupid of me to do it in December knowing finals were coming up and the holiday season is a great time to enjoy coffee... but it was probably a smart decision.
What do you think?
There was a lot of moping around. Lots of mental complaining, arguments about how a little caffeine won't hurt, justifications such as finals week at school... endless reasons to drink caffeine entered my mind. Suddenly a light emerged and the grogginess and mental nagging diminished.
It is day 13 and I'm less stressed, I'm sleeping better, and I feel more aware of how my body is feeling. I'm glad I am going through this trial, I thought it was stupid of me to do it in December knowing finals were coming up and the holiday season is a great time to enjoy coffee... but it was probably a smart decision.
What do you think?
December 3, 2010
How P90X helped me lose 100 Pounds
If you are wondering why P90X is so popular it's simply because it is a very effective workout program. You might know that P90X is built on the premises of "Muscle Confusion" which basically means you exercise different muscles at different times so they are stressed more; more stress means a better workout every time.
There are 3 reasons why I really enjoyed P90X:
I did P90X with my best friend a couple years ago. Believe me, I was internally humiliated at how weak I was. Not only was I very overweight but I had very little muscle. Regardless I went through the program and made an effort with each workout. I actually followed the program pretty closely for 2 months and the last couple weeks fell apart a little, so even my P60-somethingX was effective at the time! So with a mix of improving eating habits, incoporating P90X into my life and starting to run and walk more often, I lost a grand total of over 100 pounds.
If you have been considering P90X I definitely recommend it, but you have to commit to the program (P.S. this excel worksheet will make it easier!). I read some reviews saying it can be done by different people at different ages and levels of fitness but to be honest it is a pretty hard program if you aren't used to a regular fitness routine. But dont be discouraged, modify the program as needed! I'm still having to modify, but I'm doing my best and that is the key for this program.
Have you been through P90X? What did you think of it? Comment below.
(note I am not affiliated with the makers of P90X, I just think its a valuable product if you want to work out at home)
There are 3 reasons why I really enjoyed P90X:
- It is easy to follow
- It is fun to do P90X is hosted by Tony Horton who is encouraging and funny.
- It works Most importantly is that it works and teaches you to live a healthier lifestyle.
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| My Weight loss journey. |
I did P90X with my best friend a couple years ago. Believe me, I was internally humiliated at how weak I was. Not only was I very overweight but I had very little muscle. Regardless I went through the program and made an effort with each workout. I actually followed the program pretty closely for 2 months and the last couple weeks fell apart a little, so even my P60-somethingX was effective at the time! So with a mix of improving eating habits, incoporating P90X into my life and starting to run and walk more often, I lost a grand total of over 100 pounds.
If you have been considering P90X I definitely recommend it, but you have to commit to the program (P.S. this excel worksheet will make it easier!). I read some reviews saying it can be done by different people at different ages and levels of fitness but to be honest it is a pretty hard program if you aren't used to a regular fitness routine. But dont be discouraged, modify the program as needed! I'm still having to modify, but I'm doing my best and that is the key for this program.
Have you been through P90X? What did you think of it? Comment below.
(note I am not affiliated with the makers of P90X, I just think its a valuable product if you want to work out at home)
November 26, 2010
No Caffeine for 30 Days
Starting December 1st I am going to completely stop my intake of caffeine for at least 30 days. Considering finals are right around the corner and I have a ton of personal and school projects to work on, this will be a difficult endeavor for me, but I feel it may be beneficial and I'm looking forward to at least getting past the first week. Plus there are other ways to get more energy that are much healthier. So what's next?
I have been drinking green tea instead of coffee this week to make the transition more smooth but it will still be hard. The thing about changing lifestyle habits is that you have to prepare for them. Making a decision is one thing but being prepared makes the task a lot easier. I've observed people who set goals that they never reach and it is often because not only are they not preparing, but they are also setting themselves up to fail. For example, it's a LOT easier to lose weight if you're not allowing yourself to buy foods that aren't healthy.
So to prepare I will be putting caffeinated tea and coffee out of reach, replacing it with herbal teas, and if I happen to be out I'm prepared to order drinks that have no caffeine. I will also make an effort to exercise in the morning instead of later in the day due to my busy schedule. I'm hoping my ramped up metabolism and blood flow will help carry my energy throughout the day. I'm also hoping the level of stress I've been feeling lately will decrease. I will post more including the results of how I feel on December 31st, so feel free to keep checking back and leave a comment!
So to prepare I will be putting caffeinated tea and coffee out of reach, replacing it with herbal teas, and if I happen to be out I'm prepared to order drinks that have no caffeine. I will also make an effort to exercise in the morning instead of later in the day due to my busy schedule. I'm hoping my ramped up metabolism and blood flow will help carry my energy throughout the day. I'm also hoping the level of stress I've been feeling lately will decrease. I will post more including the results of how I feel on December 31st, so feel free to keep checking back and leave a comment!
November 25, 2010
Eating on Thanksgiving - 3 Healthy Tips
Believe me, I know the food is amazing, I absolutely love holiday-oriented foods (all the sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc, SOOO good!) but the holidays aren't a get-our-of-diet-jail-free-card! Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for many people, but it is also detrimental to people who are on a diet and trying to lose weight. Below are 3 easy tips to stay on track with your fitness goals!
1. Only make one plate. Seconds are great, but chances are the food on your first plate was enough. Take a scan of the foods that are available and plan what matters to you and what doesn't matter. Also, chances are there aren't many surprises; you don't need to "try" everything if its the same foods you've had year after year.
2. Be mindful. Be aware of what you're eating. I have done this myself and have noticed other people doing it... "It's a holiday, I'll take this opportunity to eat what I want, it's only one day." No, it's not just one day, the holiday is a complete season and there are many opportunities to fall off track. If you don't let go for one day, then it makes it even EASIER to be strong on the other days.
3. Metabolism! If you have a chance to work out in the morning take it! Not only will you feel better, but you won't feel like taking a super-siesta after your one big delicious plate of food. If you've been exercising this is great, you get to eat great food with your friends and family and not suffer with them. ;)
4. Bonus Tip! BE THANKFUL. This holiday supposedly emerged from not having food and then being given the opportunity to not only survive the season but to enjoy it too. Be thankful for the food you have and remember there are less fortunate people in the world that could use your help.
1. Only make one plate. Seconds are great, but chances are the food on your first plate was enough. Take a scan of the foods that are available and plan what matters to you and what doesn't matter. Also, chances are there aren't many surprises; you don't need to "try" everything if its the same foods you've had year after year.
2. Be mindful. Be aware of what you're eating. I have done this myself and have noticed other people doing it... "It's a holiday, I'll take this opportunity to eat what I want, it's only one day." No, it's not just one day, the holiday is a complete season and there are many opportunities to fall off track. If you don't let go for one day, then it makes it even EASIER to be strong on the other days.
3. Metabolism! If you have a chance to work out in the morning take it! Not only will you feel better, but you won't feel like taking a super-siesta after your one big delicious plate of food. If you've been exercising this is great, you get to eat great food with your friends and family and not suffer with them. ;)
4. Bonus Tip! BE THANKFUL. This holiday supposedly emerged from not having food and then being given the opportunity to not only survive the season but to enjoy it too. Be thankful for the food you have and remember there are less fortunate people in the world that could use your help.
November 19, 2010
Is Eating Meat Necessary?
Awhile back I embarked on a 30 Day trial of abstaining from meat after reading Steve Pavlina's post on 30 Day trials. I figured 30 days was nothing and worth at least trying for the sake of what other vegetarians proclaim. I went through the trial, ate a little meat afterwards and then went for another long period of not eating meat. Around December 2009 I started eating meat again, at first very limited, and then pretty regularly again.
I believe my experience has given me a good understanding of both lifestyles. For the past 2 months I've greatly reduced my meat intake again and am starting to remember what it feels like:
I believe my experience has given me a good understanding of both lifestyles. For the past 2 months I've greatly reduced my meat intake again and am starting to remember what it feels like:
- More Energy
- Higher mental clarity
- Almost no digestion problems
Those are the main effects I have felt from removing meat from my diet, or at least keeping it very limited in my diet. It doesn't sound like much when it's in writing, but when you experience it for yourself it is a very strong realization. If you can at least limit your meat to unprocessed meats you'll be doing yourself a big favor, and while I don't despise consuming meat or speak out against it necessarilly, I would like to raise awareness that removing meat from your diet...
- Lowers cancer risk
- Lowers risk of heart disease
- Lowers risk of osteoperosis
Also the meat industry is pretty gross. Upon research I read that 60% of chicken in stores has salmonella bacteria already, 30% of pork contains toxoplasmosis (infections due to parasites), and more than half of all antibiotics in the United States are used on animals to get this meat (for infections and growth enhancement). For more info and facts on my research visit http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/default.aspx
You don't have to take my word for it, I really encourage you to dedicate 30 days to abstaining from meat, even just for the experience of it. I will write another article about how to transition to a vegetarian diet this week so check back soon!
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November 12, 2010
Smile - Even when it Hurts
I'm sitting at Starbucks on a beautiful blue sky day waiting to start a job and I can't help but notice different people and they're social and interpersonal behavior... especially the contrast between those who are smiling and those who are not...
The difference one smile can make is subtle but it's power is exponential. It can be hard to do if you're having a bad day, but logic tells me if you can make others feel better, even with a light smile, you'll feel better sooner.
If you want to sulk or be grumpy that is a problem and I consider we all think twice about the energy we carry because it factors into everything you do. Also how you start the day greatly affects the rest of your day so try to start off on a good note!
One thing I used to do when I was feeling down, is I would get REALLY down, and I would get super angry (in private!) to the point I realized that level of anger is irrational and even humorous, so the contrast would leave me smiling and filled with a joy that took a little conscious effort to release. There is a Taoist practice called the inner smile, and its basically keeping a state of joy on the inside, but the first steps to practicing it actually start by forcing yourself to physically smile because it reprograms your mind to be more positive.
There are a number of health (or quasi-health) benefits like the release of endorphins and lowering stress and blood pressure levels, so the next time you're feeling the knife edge of life piercing your soul, wield one of the most powerful weapons you have at your disposal, your very own smile. (Please holster your gun if you thought I was going to recommend going postal)
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"holding a grudge is like feeding yourself poison and expecting the other person to die from it."
(thanks Calla)
The difference one smile can make is subtle but it's power is exponential. It can be hard to do if you're having a bad day, but logic tells me if you can make others feel better, even with a light smile, you'll feel better sooner.
If you want to sulk or be grumpy that is a problem and I consider we all think twice about the energy we carry because it factors into everything you do. Also how you start the day greatly affects the rest of your day so try to start off on a good note!
One thing I used to do when I was feeling down, is I would get REALLY down, and I would get super angry (in private!) to the point I realized that level of anger is irrational and even humorous, so the contrast would leave me smiling and filled with a joy that took a little conscious effort to release. There is a Taoist practice called the inner smile, and its basically keeping a state of joy on the inside, but the first steps to practicing it actually start by forcing yourself to physically smile because it reprograms your mind to be more positive.
There are a number of health (or quasi-health) benefits like the release of endorphins and lowering stress and blood pressure levels, so the next time you're feeling the knife edge of life piercing your soul, wield one of the most powerful weapons you have at your disposal, your very own smile. (Please holster your gun if you thought I was going to recommend going postal)
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November 5, 2010
Lose 100 Pounds in 1 Minute
When I was about to turn 18 I was with my doctor for a medical check up; when I stepped on the scale and saw the slider stopping on 273 and being eerily close to 300 pounds, it hit me like a ton of bricks! My world froze and the doctor's words faded away into a distant echo. I stood there and absolutely knew I had to make a descision for myself; to lose weight or not to lose weight. The choice became illuminated and in less than one minute I had already lost 100 pounds.
The Body
Whether you're religious or not, you are stuck with your body for the time being. We use our bodies for communication, transportation, recreation, and procreation. It is a gift, a tool, a weapon, a canvas and so much more. It is the ultimate way we interface with the world and the people around us. Regardless of how attached we seem to be, though, we are not our bodies. YOU are not your body. It is an organ, yes, composed of many systems, but if you start to view your body as it's own system that you control, you will learn to respect it more which will lead to many great things. As stated above the body is many things, but why let it become a burden?
The Mind
Like the body, YOU are also not your thoughts... till later! The thoughts in your head do not define who YOU are, but do determine what you may become. Thoughts and beliefs work in cycles like gears. They spin constantly to construct patterns in which we live, but we have the power to change our thoughts, shift in to different gears, which means we can change ourselves and ultimately change the world around us too. It is equally important to feed your mind with information about improving health as it is to feed your body with foods that improve health.
The Spirit
I am not here to tell you who you are. I am just barely wise enough to know you are not your body, and that the state of mind you are in will determine who you become. My goal in writing this article is to explain to you that I lost 100 pounds not in the past 5 years of exploring health and fitness, but in the one minute that preceded that journey. If you are at a point in your life where you are ready to realize you want to change, it only takes a minute to breathe in deeply and acknowledge there is no better time than now to improve your health... but you have to mean it with all your body, mind and spirit.
I will make more general posts about losing weight in the future, but I feel this perspective was the key that ignited my weight loss. Also the slow carb diet has been an effective diet and you can read about it here.
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"...I gained what mattered most; a new sense of being accountable and honest to myself."
In that one minute, I ultimately concluded that I had to change my eating habits and to fall in love with exercise. I knew I would have to stop lying to myself about lifestyle choices and stop being influenced by how companies and restaurants market food to me. I was not sure how I was going to do it, but I knew it was going to happen because in that one moment I gained what mattered most; a new sense of being accountable and honest to myself.
The Body
Whether you're religious or not, you are stuck with your body for the time being. We use our bodies for communication, transportation, recreation, and procreation. It is a gift, a tool, a weapon, a canvas and so much more. It is the ultimate way we interface with the world and the people around us. Regardless of how attached we seem to be, though, we are not our bodies. YOU are not your body. It is an organ, yes, composed of many systems, but if you start to view your body as it's own system that you control, you will learn to respect it more which will lead to many great things. As stated above the body is many things, but why let it become a burden?
The Mind
Like the body, YOU are also not your thoughts... till later! The thoughts in your head do not define who YOU are, but do determine what you may become. Thoughts and beliefs work in cycles like gears. They spin constantly to construct patterns in which we live, but we have the power to change our thoughts, shift in to different gears, which means we can change ourselves and ultimately change the world around us too. It is equally important to feed your mind with information about improving health as it is to feed your body with foods that improve health.
The Spirit
I am not here to tell you who you are. I am just barely wise enough to know you are not your body, and that the state of mind you are in will determine who you become. My goal in writing this article is to explain to you that I lost 100 pounds not in the past 5 years of exploring health and fitness, but in the one minute that preceded that journey. If you are at a point in your life where you are ready to realize you want to change, it only takes a minute to breathe in deeply and acknowledge there is no better time than now to improve your health... but you have to mean it with all your body, mind and spirit.
I will make more general posts about losing weight in the future, but I feel this perspective was the key that ignited my weight loss. Also the slow carb diet has been an effective diet and you can read about it here.
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| My weightloss journey |
October 29, 2010
Organic Food a Scam?
It seems like people are overlooking the importance of the booming Organic Food industry... I would write an article about why Organic food is healthy, more humane, worth the extra cost, etc. BUT, there are hundreds of articles on this and research promoting and debunking the importance of organic growing, so...
This can be considered a weak argument but hear me out; if you are purchasing organic food, chances are you are not eating as much refined grains, cardboard cut cookies and crackers, and drinks with tons of refined sugars. At the very least, eating organic is keeping you away from the grocery isles selling products that are barely even suitable for mindless emotional eating.
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This article is actually a trojan horse, because I'm using the topic of Organic Food to bring you another message,
REFINED FOODS ARE THE REAL SCAM!
"But Andrew, Food is food, get over it -- lol!"
NO, eating paper is a possibility but it doesn't make it food. You are eating the corporate cum of an industry that is selling you cardboard and labeling it as food. When you eat refined flour you are eating grains that have almost zero nutritional value and then later fortified (ie chemists find ways to sprinkle isolated nutrients with the flour). When you consume refined sugar, the sugar is so processed it rapidly spikes your blood sugar. Refined produce works your body harder to break it down and utilize the fiber to have proper digestion.
The foods below are actually barely recognized by the body as food. Their energy spike is so strong and short-lived they act more like a drug, giving your body a quick sugar high and then cycling so that you have to compensate with more of it to feel nourished.
- white bread
- cake
- cookies
- pastries
- crackers
- chips
- soda
- most juices
- canned fruits and vegetables
This can be considered a weak argument but hear me out; if you are purchasing organic food, chances are you are not eating as much refined grains, cardboard cut cookies and crackers, and drinks with tons of refined sugars. At the very least, eating organic is keeping you away from the grocery isles selling products that are barely even suitable for mindless emotional eating.
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